Francesca touched her lips for the hundredth time in the past few hours. Her spontaneous adventure with Aidan had been more enjoyable than she’d imagined it could be. While she knew it wasn’t officially a date, it had felt every bit like one. They’d eaten, drank wine, talked, then he’d walked her home and kissed her. Not as passionate as their first kiss, but a full kiss on the mouth. Except then he’d walked away before she’d had a chance to kiss him back the way she longed to.
Aidan hadn’t been her first kiss, but he’d been the first kiss to turn her world upside down. She hadn’t realized kissing could be like that. Now she understood what all the fuss was about. She supposed Aidan had a lot of practice kissing. And other things.
It was the other things that piqued her curiosity. It had occurred to her that she had a golden opportunity here—she could explore to her heart’s content with a man who would only be here a few weeks. She’d never have to see him again. The more she thought about the idea, the more it grew on her. She barely had time to date with her busy schedule which left her bedroom prospects lacking. Their kiss had reminded her that her body had needs that had gone unmet for too long. And she genuinely enjoyed Aidan’s company.
It had been great to spend time with him today because she’d barely seen the man since that searing kiss in the cellar. Opening day of his residency was a week ago and it took a few days to get the kinks worked out of the new tasting menu. He’d spent long hours in the kitchen and they’d only seen each other in passing, with an audience. There was no opportunity to talk about that kiss, or for her to suggest a repeat.
It was an hour before opening and Francesca sat at the bar, sipping a glass of wine. Cheery holiday music played in the background and the bar was decorated with garlands and colorful Christmas lights. Usually, Francesca loved the display of holiday festiveness, but since her parents’ accident, the holidays would never be the same.
Before dinner service began, Francesca often visited with the bartender, who’d been employed at Chateau Felicity winery since she’d been in elementary school. He was a comforting presence to the Dupont siblings. A rock in the unpredictable ocean of their grief.
“The celebrity showoff seems to have figured out his groove,” Tom remarked as he leaned against the bar.
“Yeah, Aidan’s doing alright,” Francesca agreed. The food was amazing and patrons had been raving about the menu. Reservations were booked out for weeks and the hostess fielded calls begging to be squeezed in. A few celebrities had even come up from LA to support Aidan. She couldn’t argue that Felicity’s idea was great for their business, even if it threatened to sabotage her award.
“That über-famous actress is coming in from LA tonight,” Tom announced. “She asked if we had a helipad, can you believe it? I thought Foster was going to lose his mind when Felicity asked if it were possible to land a helicopter on the lawn.”
Francesca giggled. She could picture her brother’s expression at that question. “Is it?” Francesca asked, just to be sure.
Tom laughed. “No, honey. Pamela what’s-her-name will have to land at the airport like the mere mortals and take a car here.”
“Pamela Morgana? Is that who’s coming tonight?” She was the hottest actress of the moment, having just starred in a blockbuster movie nominated for an Oscar.
“That’s her name! Yes, she’s the one,” Tom confirmed.
“Wow, look at us, being all fancy,” Francesca said with a grin.
She held her glass up and offered a cheers. Tom smiled and gave her a mock salute before he ambled to the other end of the bar to get ready for the evening.
“You hungry?” a deep voice said next to her. Aidan. She was hungry, but was pretty sure Aidan meant food, not sex.
She turned to see him slide a plate in front of her. “I know how much you like my mole sauce,” he said. And damn if that didn’t sound hot.
“I do,” she breathed.
He leaned in close enough that she could smell his spicy aftershave. “Enjoy, bella,” he said as he gestured for her to eat. “You need your strength. I hear tonight will be a full house.”
He called her beautiful. She didn’t know if that was deliberate or a slip of the tongue, but it warmed her from the inside out. As the youngest, Francesca was used to being overlooked in favor of her older sisters. She didn’t usually garner male attention.
Francesca took a moment to appreciate her chicken mole before diving in. “It will be. Everyone is loving the new menu. I just wish I knew when the judges will show up.”
Aidan put a comforting hand on her shoulder and she felt branded by his heat. “It’s better you don’t think about it. Go about your natural routine. I’ve been there before and it’s more likely you’ll do well if you’re as relaxed as possible.”
“Easier said than done,” she said around a mouthful of delicious food. A man who could cook this good and offer comfort when she needed it? Aidan was everything she didn’t know she wanted in a man.
She glanced around to be sure there was no one in eavesdropping distance. “Aidan, I have a question for you.” She felt her cheeks flush and Aidan’s eyes sharpened.
“Yes?”
“I um, wondered…” How could she say this to him? She’d never propositioned a man before. “We never talked about that kiss.” There, at least she got the conversation in the right ballpark.
“I’m sorry,” Aidan said. “I shouldn’t have taken those liberties with you.” A thin sheen of sweat formed on his brow. Aidan was nervous about her reaction to the kiss, which hadn’t crossed her mind all the times she’d replayed it over the past few days.
“Don’t apologize. I enjoyed it. In fact, I wouldn’t mind doing it again.” There, she said it. She held her breath while she waited for his response.
“That’s not a good idea. I work for your family and sex makes things messy. My last job…”
He didn’t finish the sentence, but Francesca understood. He was hesitant to get involved because things ended badly in his previous position. “Oh.” Francesca let out her breath in a huff. “Yeah, I guess you have no shortage of women to…be intimate with.” Why would he bother to take the risk with someone as young and inexperienced as her?
Aidan’s warm hand landed on her forearm. “It’s not that at all. I’d love to go there with you, but I’ve just learned the hard way that business and pleasure don’t mix.”
“It doesn’t have to be an issue if we don’t let it be. And you’re only here a few weeks. You’ll be long gone before things get messy.” Francesca was on the verge of begging and she did not beg. If Aidan turned her down again, she’d walk away and not look back.
Aidan seemed to be considering her offer. Then, he shook his head firmly. “No, I can’t risk screwing up this job. If this doesn’t go well, I may as well kiss my career goodbye.”
“I understand,” Francesca said even though she really didn’t. She’d considered this from every angle and deemed it the perfect solution.
“Aidan!” a voice called from the hallway. “Crisis in the kitchen!”
“Oh shit, I have to check on that. We’ll talk more later, ok?” he said before disappearing into the back of the restaurant and leaving Francesca to her mole and her thoughts.