Ididn’t understand either, to be honest.
Andthat was why I chose to think about it as little as possible.
“Oh,shit,” Molly hissed, instantly pulling my attention to the order window.
Istared out the window unbelieving. He couldn’t be serious. Hadn’t I made myselfclear enough?
KillianQuinn approached Foodie without one single hesitant step. He walked up to thewindow like he had a right to be there. Like he couldn’t be bothered with myhatred of him.
“Ithought you banned him,” Molly whispered quickly.
Shakingmy head slowly I admitted, “I thought I did too.” I bumped her with my hip.“Move over. I’ll deal with him.”
Leaningforward and resting my elbows on the windowsill, I told him firmly, “We’reclosed.”
Hisnarrowed gaze darted to my latest customers still finishing their meals. Theystood in a wide circle, eating over their cardboard containers, laughing and talkinganimatedly. At least they seemed to be enjoying the food.
Hequirked an eyebrow at me. “Then I should throw these away?” Like a poker playerrevealing his winning hand, Killian set two golden takeout containers on thesmall ledge in front of me.
“Whatare those?”
“Iwas told goods had been exchanged.” His long, gorgeous fingers dipped into theseam of one of the containers, pulling back the lid to reveal rich, creamymousse. “Desserts for meatballs.”
Ipopped up to my full height, deciding to never trust another sous chef again inmy life. “My deal was with Wyatt.”
“Deal?”Killian let out a sound that almost sounded like a laugh. “You blackmailed himand then held him hostage in your tiny truck.”
Myfingers curled around the windowsill, the sharp edges biting into my palms.“And you’re here to avenge him?”
Hislips twitched, but his facial expression—bored annoyance—didn’t change. “I’mhere to remind you that you’ve committed two felonies already. Are you sure youwant to commit a third?”
“Felonies?Hardly.” I wanted to slam my window shut and turn off my lights, so he finallygot the message but I couldn’t help myself. I had to know. “What’s the third?”
Thistime his mouth did turn up in a cocky smirk. “Stealing.” He tapped the top ofthe gold box with one finger and I momentarily found myself mesmerized.
Blinking,I tore my gaze from his stupidly perfect hands and focused on his beard. Itseemed like the path of least resistance. “You think I’m trying to steal yourdessert recipes?” My gaze dragged upward, over his full lips and crooked noseto those deep green eyes.
Heshrugged. “It wouldn’t be the first time it’s happened.”
“I’mnot,” I told him honestly, quickly, adamantly. “That’s not what the deal wasabout. The deal that Wyatt walked into willingly. With his full consent.”
Killiantipped forward, pressing all his weight onto his hands. “Make it with me.”
Therewas something in his tone, in the way he softened his voice and looked at me sointently. A wicked curl of heat coiled through my belly. I ignored it. “What?”
“Makethe deal with me. Desserts for meatballs.”
Iglanced at the boxes, hating that my traitor of a stomach wanted to agree. Ihad something of Killian Quinn’s right in front of me. Something ofLilou’s. I was just an inch from touching two desserts Iknew would be beyond amazing. All I had to do was sell my soul to get them.“You’re delusional.”
“Why?Because I want a…” He stepped back and read the chalkboard menu. “A gyro sliderand Greek fries?”
God,he was so tempting. Not just the offer… buthim.Everything about him. The playful look in his eyes, the lift of his mouth, thefullness of his beard. It simply wasn’t fair that he looked the way he didandacted the way he did.
“No,because you won’t be able to keep your mouth shut. Contrary to what you think,I don’t hate myself. I’m perfectly happy never to hear your opinion again.”
Hecrowded the window. I could smell him again. He smelled how I imagined hiskitchen smelled—a blend of unique spices, grease from the fires and that purelymasculine scent that had to be his soap underneath it all. “What are Greekfries anyway?”
Iglared at him. I was proud of my food tonight. Despite his assholery, I had puta lot of effort into making sure my flavors were on point. The plating was aspretty as to-go plating could be. And my Greek fries were both creative anddelicious.
