Jennifer Probst: All the Way

“Soon. Why did you do a review on my family’s restaurant?”

She moved away and walked into the kitchen. Grabbing the kettle with unsteady fingers, she filled the pot with water and flicked on the flame. “All of my reviews aren’t planned. I do many impromptu visits.”

He followed. “Why do I have an idea you didn’t plan to write up Mia Casa until our encounter?”

Miranda focused on her soothing ritual. She took down a box of green tea bags, hoping the magical healing qualities of the herbs soothed her. One delicate teacup embroidered with roses clicked on the small plate. Sugar, milk, lemon. The tea set was an antique find in a second-hand shop and came from royalty. She liked to imagine a queen sipping the brew with ladylike restraint, her emotions firmly in check as she relaxed within the constraints of tradition.

God, how she longed to be that person. God, how hard she’d tried to change. “Does this really matter? What do you really want, Gavin?”

“I want you to do another review.”

She removed the kettle and poured. Fragrant puffs of smoke rose from the cups. She picked one up and handed it to him. “I see.”

“Your column was personal. Not up to your standards, Red. You always talk to the owner after a review to see if he or she had any comments, especially if you decide not to recommend the restaurant. You’re usually fair, but you didn’t write one decent comment about Mia Casa.”

“I liked the bread.”

He snorted. “I understand you wanted revenge. But your review can hurt my family, and they have nothing to do with the mess I made out of our relationship. I need a fair deal. Do a second visit, unscheduled.”

Her will shook, then stilled. He was a master at closing a deal and getting what he wanted. He rose up from the ranks at demonic speed, and became the top closer for a valid reason. He never took no for an answer. Even now, she fought her natural ability to surrender, and allow herself the pleasure of his approving smile, or the flash of satisfaction in his eyes. He was Dom material down to the bone, and she refused to play the game any longer. This time, he’d never get what he wanted. It was the last shred of pride left, and she’d be damned if she showed any weakness.

“No.”

He blinked. “No?”

She placed her teacup on the table. “I’m not doing a second review. I’m sorry it will affect your family, but I was fair, impartial, and I told the truth.” She quenched the tiny flicker of guilt and soothed herself with the knowledge she followed the basic regulations of rating a restaurant. Showing Gavin a lesson was just an extra perk in the process. “I told my readers I never tried the dessert. I called to speak with your head chef and get his comment. Talking with the owners is not a necessity, and doesn’t make or break a review. My motto is clear. I never do second reviews. Our business is concluded—on all matters. If you’ll excuse me, I have a number of things to do this afternoon. You know the way out.”

She took the cup from his hands, set it on the counter, and walked away. A rush of triumph raced through her. She was free. This time around, her old love was not in control, and it probably drove him crazy.

Andy was right. Revenge was sweet.

She stood by the door, ramrod straight, but he didn’t move. Just leaned his hip against the island with a casual laziness. Miranda knew better. He seemed to assess his options with lightning speed, before settling on his new path. “Wanna know how I felt when I saw you with Andy’s son?”

“Don’t.”

“What I was really mad about is how I felt at the idea of you having a child with another man. I hated it.”

Numbness overtook the anger until she felt limp. Her voice was toneless when she finally answered. “What we had wasn’t real. It was just sex.”

He pushed away from the counter and crossed the room. “You’re wrong, Red. That’s what I wanted to believe. Hell, I wanted to believe it so bad I traveled a thousand miles across the globe to prove I didn’t love you. Nothing worked. I made my money, accomplished my goals, and tried to be happy without you.” He paused. “But I never was. When Pop called and asked for help, all I could think of was the idea of running into you again.”

“You expect me to believe you took three years to realize you love me? Why didn’t you fly home immediately after you came to this startling conclusion?”

“It wasn’t like that. We were at a crossroads, and I didn’t want to interfere with your own goals.”

“Very convenient.”

“It’s the truth. You were off to study at the culinary. I had just scored a partnership. I completely panicked and made the biggest mistake of my life.”

She snorted. “Yeah, so big you jet-set around the world, being miserable.”

He seemed to think over her statement, and a misty longing edged his voice. “Most of the time, yes. But I decided to take some time off and travel to India. Everything started to crystallize there.”

“You went to India?”

He nodded. “I was taught a different way of life. I learned I’d been trying to find myself on the outside, but I needed to find out who I was on the inside. I didn’t track you down because I thought it was too late.”

“Right.”

He groaned. “I have a feeling you don’t believe me, but I never expected this to be easy. I didn’t want to come barging into your life again, Red, when there was a good chance you’d already forgotten me. Gone on with your life.”

“I have, Gavin. That’s the whole point to this conversation. Unfortunately, it didn’t stop you from cornering me in the restaurant, or leaving after I asked you to go.”

“Because I knew it wasn’t over the moment you looked into my eyes.”

The tears were trapped deep inside, but she refused to let them surface. Instead, she faced him with a deep calm. “You’re too late.”

“I don’t believe that.”

He stepped in front of her and laid both palms flat against the wood, trapping her head in between them. She let out a soft whoosh as the air left her body—faced with his full power. His warm breath struck her lips, a delicious mixture of whiskey and mint.

Miranda realized he was still in control.

The gleam in his eyes reflected a knowledge he affected her in the most primitive way possible and intended to use it to his advantage. The spicy scent of him teased her senses. She decided the best way to play the scene was flippant. “Seems we’ve been here before, huh? Me, Tarzan. You, Jane. Simply charming.”

His lower lips quirked. “You always were a hellcat, Red. I never knew whether to strangle you or drag you to the nearest bed. The latter proved more pleasant.”

She smiled sweetly. “I wouldn’t do a second review if you offered me a million dollars. I wouldn’t do a second review if I was sick, and dying, and you were the only man to help me. If you were the last man on Earth standing between me and a nuclear bomb blast I wouldn’t—”

“I get the message. You won’t do the review. Fine, I’ll change your mind later.” He ignored her outraged squeak and continued. “Time to take the first step, sweetheart. I’m going to prove your body hasn’t forgotten me, even if you want to deny your feelings.”

Her heart thundered and skipped like Derby day. “Arrogant, aren’t we? You were good, babe, but not good enough to span three years. I’ve had better.” Did her nose grow longer from her lie?

He lifted her chin up, forcing her to face him. Grim resolution shot from blue-gray depths. His body heat was almost tangible, tempting her to surrender and reach out to touch him. “Ouch. That’s gonna make me up my game. But I want more than your body. There’s been an empty ache in my gut from the day I walked away from you. I searched Godforsaken places to fill it and I never got close. Until now. I want another chance, Miranda. I want to know how you changed and who you are. I have eight weeks to prove myself again and I’m not wasting another second.”