Page 28 of No Mane, No Gain

Baxter clutched his chest in mock pain. “Ouch. I’m wounded.”

“You’ll live,” Athena replied dryly, but Olive could see the spark of interest in her cousin’s eyes.

Before the banter could continue, a booming voice called for everyone’s attention. Olive turned to see a tall, imposing man with salt-and-pepper hair and a neatly trimmed beard striding into the room.

“Good afternoon, everyone! I’m Chef Stefano, and I’ll be your instructor for tonight’s class. I hope you’re all ready to get your hands dirty and create some culinary magic!”

As Chef Stefano began explaining the menu they’d be preparing - a three-course Italian feast - Olive felt a mix of excitement and nervousness bubbling inside her. She’d always loved cooking, but she’d never attempted anything this fancy before.

Chaos must have sensed her apprehension because he leaned in close, his breath tickling her ear as he whispered, “Don’t worry. If all else fails, we can always order pizza.”

Olive giggled, some of the tension leaving her shoulders. She looked up at Chaos, warmth spreading through her chest at the gentle encouragement in his eyes. “Team Chaos and Olive?” she asked, holding out her hand.

Chaos took it, giving it a gentle squeeze. “Team Chaos and Olive,” he agreed with a grin.

As they moved to their assigned cooking station, Olive couldn’t help but marvel at how natural it felt to work alongside Chaos. They fell into an easy rhythm, chopping vegetables and stirring sauces, their movements in sync as if they’d been cooking together for years.

Chaos proved to be surprisingly adept in the kitchen, his precise, efficient movements reminding Olive of the way he commanded a boardroom.

But there was a playfulness to him here she hadn’t seen before. He cracked jokes as they worked, his deep laughter sending pleasant shivers down Olive’s spine.

“You know,” Olive said as she stirred the risotto, “I’m impressed. I didn’t expect a tech mogul to be so handy with a spatula.”

Chaos grinned, sprinkling herbs into the sauce he was preparing. “What can I say? I’m a man of many talents. Though I have to admit, my culinary skills are usually limited to protein shakes and grilled chicken.”

Olive laughed, bumping her hip against his playfully. “Well, you’re doing pretty well for a novice. Maybe there’s hope for you yet.”

“High praise indeed,” Chaos teased. “Though I have to say, my motivation tonight is particularly strong. I’ve got a beautiful woman to impress, after all.”

Olive met his gaze with a saucy smirk of her own. “Oh? And how’s that going for you?”

Chaos leaned in close, his voice dropping to a low rumble that made Olive’s toes curl in her boots. “I don’t know. You tell me.”

The sexual tension between them sparked like electricity, so intense, Olive could almost taste it. She opened her mouth to respond - with what, she wasn’t entirely sure - when a voice cut through their bubble.

“Oi! Lovebirds! The risotto’s about to boil over!”

Olive yelped, spinning back to the stove just in time to prevent a culinary disaster. She shot a grateful look at Baxter, who was grinning at them from the next station over.

“Thanks for the save,” she said, stirring the risotto vigorously.

Baxter winked. “No problem. Though I have to say, if that’s what it takes to get Chaos to smile like that, I might have to let a few more dishes burn.”

Olive glanced at Chaos, her heart skipping a beat at the soft, almost vulnerable expression on his face as he looked at her. It was a far cry from the stoic, commanding presence she’d first encountered at the charity gala.

As the evening progressed, Olive found herself thoroughly enjoying not just Chaos’s company, but the entire group dynamic. Chaos’s team was a diverse and entertaining bunch, full of quick wit and friendly banter. She was particularly amused by the ongoing flirtation between Athena and Baxter, which had evolved into a kind of verbal sparring match.

“You know,” Athena drawled as she expertly plated their appetizer, “for a tech nerd, you’re not half bad at this cooking thing.”

Baxter grinned, unfazed by her backhanded compliment. “What can I say? I’m good with my hands in all sorts of ways.”

Athena rolled her eyes, but Olive could see the hint of a smile tugging at her cousin’s lips. “Keep dreaming, Lennox.”

As they finally sat to enjoy the fruits of their labor, Olive couldn’t remember the last time she’d had so much fun. The food was delicious - their risotto had turned out creamy and perfectly al dente, the chicken piccata was tender and flavorful, and the tiramisu for dessert was to die for.

But more than the food, it was the company that made the evening special. Olive found herself laughing more than she had in years, drawn into animated discussions about everything from the latest tech innovations to the merits of various romance novel tropes.

Throughout it all, Chaos was a constant presence at her side, his hand occasionally brushing hers under the table, his eyes seeking her out across the room. Each little interaction sent a thrill through Olive, building a delicious tension that had her simultaneously yearning for and dreading the end of the evening.

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