Page 10 of Empire of Temptation

He added chopped parsley, red pepper flakes, and a ladle of pasta water, then mixed it all around. “Do you have cheese?Realcheese, not the powdered kind.”

“Yes, we haverealcheese.”

“Va bene. Bring me pecorino. Or Parmigiano-Reggiano.”

“I have hunks of parmesan.”

From his sigh of disappointment, you’d have thought I said weuse a non-meat substitute in our meatballs. I’d better not mention that the parmesan came from a big-box discount chain.

I delivered the cheese to him and leaned against the counter. “You’re a food snob. And a wine snob.”

“You say this like it is a bad thing.” He removed the pasta with tongs and added it all to the sauté pan. “But you will taste this and learn why simple quality ingredients are best.”

Another ladle of pasta water, then he reached for the cheese and the grater. I enjoyed more forearm muscle porn as he grated the cheese atop the noodles. “Find me two plates,” he said.

Taking the handle of the pan, he lifted it and began tossing the noodles in the sauce with little flicks of his wrists. I stood there, frozen, watching. Not a splash or a drop spilled. He worked the pasta around, his strong hands both capable and sexy, and I knew without a doubt those hands would be just as capable and strong on a woman’s body. My heart was racing in my chest just thinking about it.

“Plates, Valentina,” he repeated, and I realized I’d been staring at him for far too long.

I grabbed two plates from the overhead shelf, then Luca twirled two heaping servings onto the plates, making sure to add more sauce. He grated more cheese on top, then lifted both of the plates. “Bring our wine and follow me.”

Another order. This man did not know the wordplease.I grabbed the wine glasses and bottle and trailed him into the empty dining room. He’d already placed the plates on a clean table and was removing the apron when I caught up. He held out a chair for me.

It felt weirdly intimate to be out here alone with him in a restaurant. Almost like a date.

No, he’s just old school. Gentlemanly. He feels sorry for me.

“Thank you,” I said as I sat down.

Luca lowered himself into the seat opposite and placed the napkin on his lap. “Buon appetito.”

“It smells amazing.”

“It will taste amazing, as well.”

He topped off our wine as I took my first bite. The sauce was a tad spicy but creamy, silky smooth in my mouth. The garlic flavor was the perfect amount. I quickly took another bite. “Oh, god. This is so fucking good.”

Luca hadn’t touched his plate. Instead, he reclined in his chair, wine glass in hand, and studied me as I ate. “I’m glad you think so.”

“No, seriously,” I said around another mouthful of food. “How can you produce something this good, this flavorful in five minutes? It’s not fair.”

“More like fifteen, no? And this dish would be better with the right cheese and real peppers.”

I was too hungry to argue. After a few more bites, I asked, “How did you learn to cook? Did you go to culinary school?”

He sipped his wine. “I learned by watching. Food is very important in a family in my country.”

“Do you have a big family?”

“Yes. I have three brothers, but I’m the oldest. They have always been my responsibility.”

“Where are you from in Italy?”

“Catanzaro. Do you know where that is?”

“No. Is it near Rome?”

“Not even close. If you think of Italia like a boot, Catanzaro is the instep.”

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