“Does this mean I have the job?”she asks, smiling.
“Do you want the job?”I ask, a teasing tone to my voice.
“Wouldn’t be here if I didn’t,” she fires back, a playful tone to hers.
Shit, it actually feels like we are flirting right now, which is seriously dangerous.But if it’s one thing I don’t do, under any circumstances, it’s get involved with my staff.I’ve seen it happen before and to say it leads to nothing but trouble, is an understatement.Working in a kitchen filled with extremely sharp knives when you’ve just busted your fuck buddy or significant other hooking up with someone else in the storeroom or walk-in fridge is a recipe for disaster.On more than one occasion, I’ve had to step in and possibly prevent a potential murder charge from being filed.
I rub a thumb across my bottom lip, not missing the way her eyes track the movement.“You have any questions about the job or anything?”I ask.
She tilts her head a little, as though she’s thinking about my question, that playful smile still on her face.“I’m not working today, so do you think I could hang out here tonight and watch you work?”
My hand stills, my thumb tugging on my bottom lip as I take in her question.She wants to watch me work?Why?Swallowing hard, I hit her with a grin as I just come out and ask it.“You wanna watch me work?”
“You, the rest of the kitchen,” she says casually, lifting her shoulder a little as though it’s no big deal.
Chuckling, I sit back in my chair.“Trying to figure out if you’re up for the challenge of working in my kitchen?”
Hannah laughs now, mirroring my pose as she sits back in her chair.“Or maybe trying to figure out if this place is enough of a challenge for me.”
I shake my head, still chuckling.I was right, she is a feisty little thing and I fucking like it.“Okay, you can hang out here tonight,” I say, leaning down to open the bottom drawer of my desk, as I add, “On one condition.”
“Oh yeah, what’s that?”she asks.
Hitting her with a grin, I slide a contract toward her as I say, “You put on a uniform and help me cook.We can consider this your induction into my kitchen.”
Hannah smirks, her hand on the papers even though she hasn’t looked at them yet.“Deal.”
After she leaves, I sit back in my chair, letting out a long exhale, hands behind my head and eyes on the ceiling as I wonder if I haven’t just made a huge mistake.While her resumé is definitely impressive and I know Dylan well enough to know she’s gonna be trustworthy and reliable, there is now the unexpected issue of the obvious chemistry between us.
How the fuck am I supposed to work with someone I suddenly realize I want to strip naked and do all sorts of dirty things with?
“Jesus, Leo,” I say to myself, standing and heading out to the front area of the restaurant to grab a coffee before the dinner prep starts.I don’t even know why I’m thinking about Hannah naked, especially when I know it absolutely cannot happen.
When I walk out the front, I’m surprised to find Hannah is still here, sitting with Tessa at one of the tables in the restaurant, laughing and chatting.Dylan is behind the counter at the coffee machine, apparently making them one and I walk over to him.
“You sure you know how to use that?”I ask, nudging his shoulder.“Because it’s damn expensive if you break it.”
Dylan scoffs.“I got this.Don’t you worry.”
“Mmmm,” I murmur.“Well, make me a double shot espresso while you’re standing there and we’ll see.”
Dylan glances up at me, a smirk on his face as he tips his head in the direction of his girl and his sister.“So, she’s got the job?”
I tip my head from side to side.“Yeah, mostly,” I say.“She’s helping out tonight and we’ll see if it’s a good fit.”
“It will be,” he says confidently, as he hits the coffee grinder again for another shot of beans.
I lean back against the counter, watching Hannah as she talks to Tessa.They obviously get along well and given Tessa is around all the time now due to work and hooking up with Dylan, that can only be a good thing.Having good working relationships is crucial to having a happy workplace.
Which is yet again, another reason I can’t even entertain the idea of anything happening with Hannah.
She suddenly lets out a loud laugh at something Tessa has said, her head falling back and only highlighting her long neck.Of course, this only gets me thinking about running my tongue along all that beautiful, tanned skin.
Shit, fuck.Stop!
Turning back to Dylan, I ignore the look he’s giving me as I take the espresso he’s made me, adding, “Don’t even start,” as I turn and walk back to the kitchen, the sound of his laughter echoing behind me.
Chapter Three
