We all turned and watched the mostgorgeous man I had ever seen approach the table. Black, wavy hair, perfectlytanned, flawless skin, tall, lean, muscular—he was perfect. Completely perfect.And the absolute opposite of Killian.
Clean cut where Killian wasbasically a lumbersexual. Business sleek where Killian was tattooed and wild.Sophisticated and reserved where Killian was… upfront and unapologetic.
I preferred Killian in everyway.
Still, I couldn’t stop staring atthe newcomer. He was the kind of beautiful that demanded attention.
“Ezra,” Killian greeted. “I thoughtyou were spending the night at Bianca?”
Not to be confused with spending thenightwithBianca.
Ezra Baptiste- that’s who this was.Lilou’sowner. Killian’s boss. Restaurateur, businessman,model.
Okay, I made the model thing up.
“I had to get out of there before Idid something impetuous,” Ezra explained. “That little shit is begging to befired.”
Killian murmured his agreement,glancing at me, gauging my reaction. “Do you want a plate?” he asked Ezra, andif I didn’t know any better, I would have thought it was his attempt to get ridof his boss.
“Yeah, later.” Ezra turned to thetable, his smile transforming his entire face from handsome, to devastatinglyso. I heard Molly’s audible intake of breath and felt the urge to pat myforehead with the clean side of my napkin. “What’s brought you out of thekitchen? I hope there’s not a problem?”
Because only a problem would pullKillian from his kingdom?
“No,” Killian denied immediately.“Well, not in the traditional sense.”
What was that supposed to mean? BeforeI could ask, Killian introduced me to one of the most important people in therestaurant industry. “This is our new neighbor, Ezra. VeraDelanemeet Ezra Baptiste."
I stuck my trembling hand in Ezra’sand gripped firmly, attempting professionalism. “Nice to meet you.”
“Likewise,” he smiled. “Whichproperty is yours?”
Embarrassment swept over me fromhead to toe. “The truck,” I replied weakly. “Foodie.”
Ezra’s expression lit withrecognition. “Ah, now I see. You’re the chefmychef can’t stop talking about.”
For the second time tonight Iwondered if coming here was a big mistake. “Oh, no. I’m definitely not thatchef. I just run a food truck.”
Ezra’s smile widened. “I’ve heard.”
I forced myself to hold his gazewhen all I wanted to do was stare at my shoes. “This is my friend Molly,” Itold him, finally diverting his gaze elsewhere. “She’s an artist.”
Ezra’s eyes lit up when he took herin. “Really? An artist of what variety?”
If I would have been standing nextto her, she would have pinched me. “Graphic designer by trade,” she explainedtaking his hand when he offered it to her.
He seemed disappointed in heranswer. I was too. But I couldn’t force her to acknowledge her talent.
Leaning toward her, Ezra asked heropinion on something design oriented. She answered, and he immediately pulledout his phone. Just like that, they were talking shop.
Ezra walked around Killian so hecould show Molly his screen and she started pointing at it, explainingnervously.
Knowing Killian would have to getback to the kitchen soon, I stood up and turned to face him again. He stilltowered over me, even though I’d worn my slutty heels tonight. The redstilettos gave me four inches of height but I still only reached the middle ofhis beard. “Thank you for dinner. You didn’t have to—”
He shrugged, cutting me off. “Ifigured you should have the most information at your disposal.”
“I didn’t come here to spy on you.”
His gaze narrowed. “Then why did youcome?”
