Heat: A Bad Boy Chef Romance Read Online Free PDF Page A

best; in turn my restaurant would be the best. Eventually she’d leave with the tools she’d learned from working with me and start her own restaurant. Everyone wins. So why did I feel like a bastard?
    I stood out in the cold and waited for the delivery boy to bring the food. The cold was exactly what I needed. My blood was running hot. It cooled me down. I was going to have to keep my wits about me around Roche. She was stunning, talented and sensitive. I didn’t want to hurt her any more than I already had.
    I heard a bicycle coming. I turned to find the delivery boy with a stack of groceries in the basket of his bike. He handed them off to me. I gave him a hundred dollar tip. His eyes went wide at the sight of the money. I started out working as a server. I know how hard it to survive on tips that’s why I always over-tip.
    “Thanks!”
    “No problem. Stay safe.”
    I took the bag of groceries back upstairs. Inside, Roche had changed clothes. She was wearing a long, tight black dress that hugged her curves and swept across the floor. She still wasn’t wearing a bra. Her perky nipples were an invitation that was hard to ignore.
    “You look stunning,” I said without thinking.
    Her cheeks turned red and she looked down at her feet. I meant every word of what I said- she was breathtaking- but I was troubled by how surprised she was to receive a compliment from me. She must have really thought I was an asshole.
    I turned away and started to lay the ingredients out on the kitchen counter. The bag was full of fresh vegetables, prawns and herbs. I smelled the herbs, then held them out to Roche. She leaned in and took a deep breath. Her eyes closed and she smiled.
    “Basil,” she said. “What are you going to make?”
    “Prawns with butter and herbs, roasted vegetables and whatever else I can manage.”
    “Sounds good. Of course everything you make is good. I wasn’t trying to imply you’re not a good chef, or-”
    “Roche, you’re rambling.”
    “Sorry,” she said, averting her gaze down to her feet again.
    “I’m being an asshole, aren’t I?”
    “No. I’m just nervous.”
    “Why do I make you nervous?”
    For the first time in my life, I actually cared. People have always hated me or been jealous of my success. I always shrugged it off and continued on with life. As long as I was doing well, who cared about the critics? I couldn’t get Roche out of my head though. I didn’t want her to hate me.
    “It’s been a long day,” she replied.
    I could tell she was holding back. She was afraid I’d punish her if she was honest with me. I turned my back and started to prepare the vegetables.
    “You can be honest with me. I want you to be honest with me. God hates a coward.” I spoke lightly, as if it was no big deal, but I was terrified of what she’d tell me. This was a new sensation for me. I’m never nervous around girls, nor do I particularly care about the feelings of my chefs. All I care about is their performance. As long as they do their job, they can think whatever they want about me.
    “You’re the greatest chef in the world,” Roche said. “It’s intimidating to work with you. I don’t want to disappoint you.”
    “You haven’t disappointed me.”
    “But today…”
    “Well, you’re right. Today was disappointing on a number of levels. You screwed up, but it happens. You learned your lesson. When I find the person who sabotaged you, I’m going to make sure they never work in this business again.”
    “You really think someone did it on purpose? What if it was an accident?”
    I glanced at her over my shoulder, expecting to see a sarcastic look on her face. She had a wide-eyed, concerned look about her. Roche’s sincerity could be disarming. She really wanted to believe the best about people- the best about anyone who wasn’t me, anyway. She was convinced I was a tyrant.
    “People can be vicious in this business. You shouldn’t be so trusting. There’s no doubt in my mind