Further reading: The Maven and the Maverick: A Culinary Rivalry Romance

Did you love "DILF Island"? Then you should read "The Maven and the Maverick", also by A.E. LeMercier!

Chef Bennet Page has worked for years to earn the first Michelin star for his fine dining restaurant. Now the hipster gastropub down the street is muscling in on his business and his star. To add insult to injury, his younger brother (and head of PR) has even started sleeping with their goddamn bartender. Worst of all: their executive chef, Alex Murry, is really nice. And handsome. And awakening feelings Bennet has always tried very hard to deny. But none of that matters - Bennet's first priority is the restaurant. He doesn't have time for love.

"The Maven and the Maverick: A Culinary Rivalry Romance" is a 44,000 word straight-to-gay erotic love story full of many steamy encounters, including first times, age gaps, oral worship, office sex, and finding the perfect recipe for happily-ever-after where you least expect it.

"Jesus Christ, Jaden." Alex Murry stared at their reservation system over his head chef's shoulder.

"I know." Jaden Baker shook his head slowly. "And it's like this for three weeks after this. We're never booked solid that far out. Do you think it's a glitch in the system?"

"I don't know. Check the back end in Open Table." He watched Jaden hit the bookmark for the page, tapping his fingers against the dark granite of the bar top as the restaurant profile for Experimental loaded. Then he froze, staring. "Jesus Christ."

Shaking his head slowly, Alex looked behind the bar, turning the screen around. "Emmeline. What. The fuck."

"Hmm?" His bartender put down the wine glass she was polishing, tucking a strand of her long dark hair behind her ear. She glanced at the screen and did a double take. "Holy shit, Alex. "Rising Star" means they think you're on track for a Michelin rating!"

"I know what it means. But what the fuck? I haven't even been going for a Michelin rating, I - we're not that kind of restaurant!"

Emmeline shrugged. "The guide isn't all posh French food. There's been a lot of buzz about this place online, you know."

"Still. Maybe the Michelin reviewer saw our Yelp rating and decided to swing by after reviewing that fancy French place down the street. I hear they've been gunning hard for a star."

"Did they get it?" Alex ran a search on Open Table and gave a sigh of relief. He'd never met the executive chef at La Pâquerette, but he'd heard nothing but admirable things about the man's restaurant. The last thing he wanted was to steal someone else's thunder with something he hadn't even been trying for. "Thank god."

"We need champagne," Emmeline declared, opening one of the bar fridges and pulling out a bottle.

"We need to not drink the stock," Alex said quickly. "Emmeline, we're booked solid for almost the whole fucking month. How the hell are we gonna handle this? Are people going to be lined up to eat at the fucking bar? What about our regulars?"

"What about our regulars?" Peregrine appeared from the basement, a milk crate full of liquor bottles on his shoulder. "Everything okay?"

Emmeline, who had gone back to polishing the glassware, grinned. "We made the Michelin guide."

"You shitting me?" Peregrine set the crate down on the bar, then pulled Alex into a hug, pressing a kiss to his mouth. "Dude, that's incredible. What did they say about us?"

Experimental

Address: 328 Valencia St. USA - San Francisco

Phone: (628) 555-1269

Website: http://www.experimentalfoodsf.com

Cuisine Gastropub

$35 to $60

While Experimental may at first glance seem to be just another trendy San Francisco gastropub built on style over substance, the menu speaks otherwise. Stylish young professionals flock to this converted warehouse to socialize in the first floor supper bar, or sit for a more traditional dining experience in the second floor dining room. Experimental lives up to its name, providing standard gastropub fare with a sophisticated twist, and an adventurous cocktail menu that is truly inspired even in the competitive San Francisco landscape.

Top quality local ingredients are skillfully presented with punchy world flavors, unusual combinations, and clever deviations. The curried pork belly presents a perfect union of sweet and spicy with melt-in-your-mouth tenderness, and the rest of the menu shines with everything from tuna and ume ceviche in a mason jar with crunchy homemade daikon chips for dipping to popcorn duck, a large selection of perfectly roasted skewers, and creamy bisques.

"Guess we're going to have to make the pork belly a permanent feature," Jaden mused.

"We're gonna run out," Alex shot back, and raked a hand through his hair. "Fuck me. I'm not ready for this."

"Alex. We'll be fine." Peregrine wrapped an arm around his friend's waist and gave him a squeeze. "You know Emmeline and I will be here as much as you need us to be. The serving staff'll be excited to get 40 hours. I'll bring in an extra busser and call back those other two we liked for the server position to see if they're still available. Hell, we can even do overtime if we need to. Jaden, how's the kitchen staff?"

Jaden leaned against the bar, pondering. "Should bump Richen up to grill full time with Connor, he's been really consistent. That'll let Reshma focus on the Saute station. I'll call Lester and see if he can recommend one of his recent grads to take over the fryer and work Salads. Should be fine as long as you and I both keep an eye on things. Maybe bring in a second busser and dishwasher?"

Though he still looked rather overwhelmed, Alex nodded slowly. "Yeah, let's ramp up. Need someone else in the kitchen anyway. See if any of the kids will come in early today to help prep, yeah? Can you redo our supply forecast for a hundred an hour during peak and put in an order for Friday? Booze too, Emmeline. Call someone in to take over on the glassware and help work the lunch rush."

"See?" Peregrine smiled, giving another squeeze. "We'll be fine. I'll go start on the paperwork for those servers."

Alex shook his head. "Come do a market run with me. Can't afford to run out of essentials tonight."

"Bring back some cheap champagne, too," Emmeline told them. "There's no way I'm letting you get away with not celebrating."

"We'll bring back some champagne," Alex agreed, and started out the back with Peregrine following.

Somehow, he wasn't surprised when Peregrine's hand slid up his thigh as he pulled out of the parking lot. He shot his head bartender a look.

"What?" Peregrine's smile could have fooled angels, even if the press of his palm against Alex's cock couldn't. "We are taking a pit stop at home, aren't we? We need to celebrate."

"We're going to the market," Alex replied, and tried to resist the urge to press his hips into the teasing stimulation.

"Home's close. Won't take long. And you'll be way less tense for lunch service." Peregrine leaned closer. "Or I could just blow you in the car...."

"Aw, come on, Alex...." Peregrine gave an exaggerated pout. "I've been single for almost a week and you haven't taken advantage of it. Do you know how long it's been since I've had a cock in this ass? James was such a wimpy little bottom...."

"Slut," Alex muttered, then sighed. Peregrine was right... he would be far less tense for lunch service. "Alright," he relented, and turned the wheel towards home.

Further reading: The Maven and the Maverick: A Culinary Rivalry Romance

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