Page 3 of Lost At Sea With A Billionaire

I opened the refrigerator,pleased to find it fully stocked with ingredients that would make any chef confident with this sudden challenge.My mind raced through the endless options as I assessed what I had to work with.I needed something simple but elegant that would show technique without exaggeration.

Twenty-five minutes later, I’d prepared a seared sea scallop with brown butter, lemon, and capers, served with roasted asparagus.Classic flavors executed perfectly—a statement of confidence rather than flash.

Right on time, Jonathan returned, minus Sandra, and along with him, a spicy aphrodisiac, incredibly masculine, drifted from him.He surveyed the plate I’d prepared, with no expression in his gaze.

“Please,” I said, trying to remove myself from the spell his scent lured me under.I gestured to the stool at the counter.

His powerfully built frame moved onto the stool, though he was still so tall he looked like he was standing.I placed the plate before him, then stepped back, resisting the urge to explain each component.

He took a bite and chewed thoughtfully.His eyes closed briefly, and when they opened again, they locked with mine.

“The scallop is perfectly cooked,” he said.“You didn’t feel the need to complicate it.”

“Sometimes simplicity is more challenging than complexity,” I replied.“Anyone can hide flaws under layers of sauces and garnishes.”

He took another bite, then another.“You’re not intimidated by me.”

It wasn’t a question, but I answered anyway.“Should I be?”

A genuine smile spread across his face, transforming his features from merely handsome to downright drop-dead gorgeous.“Most people are.”

“A kitchen is my territory, not yours.Nobody intimidates me on my turf.”

He chuckled and finished the dish in silence, then pushed the plate away.“You’re hired.For real this time.”

“I was already hired,” I reminded him, unable to keep the annoyance from my tone.

He stood, towering over me.“Now you’re hired on my terms, not my assistant’s.”

“And what are your terms?”I asked, suddenly aware of how close our bodies were, near enough that I could feel the heat radiating from him.

“Excellence.Every time.No shortcuts.”His gaze was intense as if searching for something beneath my surface.“Can you deliver that, Ms.Banks?”

“Janet is fine,” I said.“No need to be formal.And yes, I can deliver excellence.Every time.”

“Good.”He nodded, then checked his watch—a timepiece that probably cost more than my entire culinary school tuition.“We depart in one hour.Dinner is at eight.I’ll have Sandra show you to your quarters so you can settle in.”

As if summoned by the mention of her name, Sandra appeared in the doorway.“Everything satisfactory, Mr.Black?”

“More than,” he replied, his eyes still on me.“Janet will do nicely.”He nodded again, then left the kitchen with long, confident strides.

It wasn’t until he disappeared that I realized my heart was pounding like I’d just sprinted up a flight of stairs.

“This way to your quarters,” Sandra said, eyeing me with curiosity.

I followed her, but my mind was racing.Two weeks on this yacht with Jonathan Black.Triple my standard rate.Half my sanity, probably.

But as I thought of his smile when I stood my ground, I felt a flutter of warmth that I couldn’t excuse for professional pride.I needed to squash it immediately.Jonathan Black was my employer, nothing more.And I had restaurant dreams to resurrect, which depended on me keeping my head on straight.

No matter how tingling his chuckle was.

Chapter2

Janet

The gleaming stainless-steel kitchen became my sanctuary in the midst of all the luxury I couldn’t relate to.My fingers traced the edge of the commercial-grade stovetop, appreciating its craftsmanship more than the gold-plated fixtures in my quarters.This kitchen was every chef’s dream—with more counter space than I’d had in my entire restaurant.

“Is everything to your liking?”

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