Sugar Pie by Victoria Pinder
40
Warren
Kerry seemed happy. Night before, she’d seemed distracted and had avoided serious discussion. Then she passed out.
However, breakfast and cooking seemed to awaken her spirits, and I was happy I’d chosen the trip. She would enjoy a week in Italy or France, learning from the best chefs in the world, and once we finished our business venture plans, I would send her.
She deserved to be happy, always. However, all morning, I kept wondering if I should hold back.
She pressed her hand on her heart and stared at the meals in the oven. “This looks amazing.”
I took her hand, and sparks rushed through me. “Let’s head up and eat it.”
She laughed and nodded. Then we retook our seats from breakfast. Her face was bright—she was excited to taste what we’d just made.
Helping her was fun, and that brightness was exactly why I decided to tell her the truth. The love of my life should be happy, and I needed to honest about who I was.
The same server from that morning delivered our first course, the French onion soup, and we thanked her. “It’s strange how we’re being catered to now and not setting it up ourselves,” Kerry said.
Our wine came, and I waited till we were alone to speak. “Enjoy yourself, Kerry. If you want to fly off to Italy on Monday, just say the word.”
She tilted her head and glanced at me. “You’d just give up everything like that and go?”
When I’d started my mission, I had been more empty than anything else. With Kerry, I felt whole and like I didn’t need to prove myself anymore. I knew I could handle my life even without any money, so my mission was complete. I waited then said, “My family owns a villa there, or we can take my yacht.”
Her eyes widened as we sipped, and then she picked up her spoon to taste our soup. “Is it big enough for us?” She took a bite.
I watched her closely. “It’s big enough for you, me, and fifty guests if you want to invite a party.”
She coughed, and her eyes widened. She sat up, and once she was settled, she said, “I don’t think I know fifty people.”
I reached for her hand, and holding her made me feel alive. “If you ever need alone time, I have my own place, and with my resources, the world is at your feet.” I held out my glass to clink.
Her gaze narrowed. “Maybe we can do Italy later. I am excited to get back to work and set our closing date.”
My heart lifted. She hadn’t said no. I hoped she would accept my money and my truth with ease. “So it’s all business now?”
She picked up her spoon again. “Business and fun with you.”
We finished the soup, and the server cleared our table for the second course. “Then let’s eat fast and head upstairs.”
The waitress brought our dinners and a questionnaire for the table. Kerry asked as she held it up, “Are we joining the group for the dinner?”
I wanted to be alone with her. Memories of her naked body played in my mind, but I just sipped my wine. “Up to you.”
She checked “yes” and handed it back to the waitress. “Okay, I’m curious to taste the chef’s meal.”
Once we had our food, the server turned. I winked at Kerry as we picked up our silverware. “I’ll tell them not to wait for us, in case we don’t show.”
Her face turned bright red. The chef stood over her, and she quickly said, “Stop. He’s kidding.”
“No, I’m not.” I shrugged. I wasn’t embarrassed for anyone to know that Kerry was mine.
And I wanted to have her again.
We ate in silence, but her gaze rarely left mine. I had tingles all over my body that needed her tender care. She put her napkin down and waved. “Let’s go, Warren.”
“Finally.” I stood.
I needed to be with her, then and forever.
