Chapter 1
JadeHines
I rolled my eyes to the ceiling. Because once again here I was, staring in the face of yet another failure. No, he wasn’t a failure, but this entire situation was one. I should have told him no when he asked me out, but I didn’t. I said yes because he had invited me to this restaurant. Adjacent was the type of place you couldn’t just walk into and get a seat. It was booked…like really booked. Some days might have been easier than others, but on this particular day, it was packed. Normal people didn’t get in here because one, people came from all over the world to experience this food. Then to make it even more exclusive, the head chef didn’t cook every night. He was only there two nights a week. Tonight he was here and the food was magnificent.
“Did you hear me, Jade?” Preston asked, interrupting my thoughts.
“No, what did you say?”
“I asked if you were going to finish your potatoes."
I blinked a few times, completely thrown, because was this negro really asking me about my food when he finished his in freaking fifteen seconds? Then he popped his lips. This shit was embarrassing. “Yes, I’m going to finish my potatoes."
He nodded, then his eyes did a greedy gloss over my plate before he looked away. I was grateful he didn’t say anything else. I was a slow eater, meaning I didn’t scarf my food down as fast as others. I took a minute.
“If I can have everyone’s attention up front please.” A woman’s voice got my attention. When I looked up from Preston and turned toward the voice, my eyes feasted on the woman. She was about five-two with thick coils that crowned her face.
Once she had everyone’s attention, she began to clap. “We’re celebrating yet another successful night of chef’s choice. Let us all thank the chef.” She clap[ed again just as a familiar face exited the kitchen.
He was beautiful. So fucking beautiful, a deep chestnut with tattoos at his neck and the most serious eyes as they glossed the room. Somehow, some way, his eyes landed on me, and mine were locked on him. There was immediately nothing or no one else in the room, just me and him. I didn’t know whether to look away or lose my fucking mind from the way he was looking. The sound of silverware clinking against a bowl made me turn around, and the moment I did, I was pissed. This grown ass man was finishing my food, from the spoon in my potatoes to the last lambchop I was sure I had on my plate. I knew that because his cheap ass had ordered angus slider burgers and chips.
“Are you serious?” I couldn’t hide my annoyance even if I wanted to.
“C’mon, Jade. It’s not like you were gonna finish it. You were playing with your food. I assumed you didn’t like it.”
“Just because I didn’t scarf my food down like you doesn’t mean I wasn’t going to eat it.” I groaned, tossing my napkin onto the table. I was over this.
“My bad,” he grumbled, still fucking chewing. “I’ll order you some mor?—”
“No need. I’m going to the restroom.” I was on my feet before he could finish his statement. I was pissed and ready to go, but I rode with him. On the way to the washroom, my eyes were on my phone, wondering if I should have just called one of my brothers to pick me up. They would have gladly, but I didn’t want to interrupt their evenings, so I decided to suck it up. When I looked up, I was looking at him again, but in a closer vicinity. It was then that I realized who he was.
“I know you.” I pointed, eyes glued to him because Chef was fucking fine. So fine that my brain was short circuiting.
“Do you?” he asked, one eyebrow raised.
“Your brother is Kinga, right?”
He nodded.
“We met at my brother Rennix’s pool party a few months back.”
He nodded, eyes traveling from my face down my frame. He wasn’t subtle about it either. “Yeah, Jade.” He said my name with a familiarity that made my heart flutter. He knew who I was from the jump.
“Yes, Jade.” I was about to tell him that it was good seeing him, but his next few words interrupted that.
“You didn’t seem to be enjoying yourself out there.”
I shook my head. “But I’m a good sport, plus the food was good. Kudos to the chef.”
He chuckled. “Being a sport can land you in some fucked up situations, love.”
“Possibly, but I rode with him. Meaning I have no other choice.” I shrugged, about to walk around him, but he grabbed my arm.
“You always have a choice. I got you.”
I didn’t know what he meant, but his hand went from my arm to my hand, where he led me through the kitchen. A few seconds later we found ourselves in what I assumed to be his office. Itwas basic, a desk and chair. In the center of the desk was a laptop, but that was about it.
“You got me.”
