Bachelor's Special by Christine Warner Page A

with each other and want an up-and-coming chef. Especially one who’d appeared in Food Fanatics. ”
    “In our town, in the establishments I wanted to work with, they have a friendly competition, but they are all tight. A lot of the chefs are related in some obscure way.” She swiped at the moisture on her cheek.
    Damn it. Tears. Should he pretend he didn’t notice, offer her a tissue, or give her a hug? Their kiss came to mind and he pushed it away. He hated these situations. He’d ignore it for now. If she turned into a mass of whimpers and tears, he’d take action.
    “But what about the owner, isn’t he the one who has control over hiring and firing?”
    “Not in the kitchen, not for chef positions.”
    He’d never been so angry. Not that he’d known Jill long, but he could tell she was a good person with integrity, and she shouldn’t have been treated so poorly. Jealousy of her talents probably played a hand in what happened, as well.
    Her eyes were rimmed with red. “At the last restaurant I worked, I was informed that a woman getting ahead in a man’s world would need to pay her dues, or go nowhere fast.”
    He fisted his hands at his sides. What he wouldn’t give to have one of those so-called men in front of him now. “You could’ve gone to the owner or the authorities. That’s sexual harassment.”
    She cleared her throat, then opened her mouth, but nothing came out. With a quick nod she looked down.
    Hell, maybe he was more of a pig than he’d thought. He’d been thinking of her in the same light. And his reasons were worse. He studied the top of Jill’s head as she worked her shoe on the floor, and guilt consumed him. Not a feeling he had much experience with. Yes, she was attractive and he’d like nothing more than to feel her sweat-soaked skin rubbing against his, but he wasn’t a snake. Their deal wasn’t finished, but his hidden motives were.
    His plan of bedding the beauty stopped now.
    “If I had gone to anyone, my career would’ve been more than over; it’d be nonexistent. I love cooking, the art and style of it, the flavor, passion, and—well, everything. I can’t give it up, and I won’t. It’s what I’ve always wanted to do. If I can’t find a job at a reputable restaurant, then I’ll go it alone.”
    Her passion lit a fire inside of him. “Well, I’m going to help make it happen. Especially since it’s more than partially my fault. If only I’d known—”
    “Thanks, Chet. You talking to my boss wouldn’t have changed anything. But I’m glad to know you would have.” She smiled, her lovely lavender eyes shining through the tears wetting her lashes.
    Chet understood her will to succeed and be independent. The fervor in her voice when she spoke of cooking, owning her own business, they reminded him of his own dreams. Of how he felt when Castle Engineering, on the verge of bankruptcy, had been handed to him by his father.
    “Everything happens for a reason. I’m glad we met.” Her voice trembled.
    “True.”
    His insides seized. Not with lust, though his attraction still simmered, but now with the added ingredients of respect and admiration. He’d better watch himself because he didn’t want to let the heat between them burn out of control. No way did he want to be compared to those other men who had tried to take advantage of her.

Chapter Six
    Chet entered the kitchen to the smell of freshly popped and buttered popcorn. He put his keys in the cupboard. Spending the afternoon with his family was always something he enjoyed, except for today. He’d heard all he needed to hear about Jared and Mel’s upcoming wedding. “What’s going on?”
    Jill tossed a piece of popcorn in the air and caught it in her mouth, a large smile parting her lips in triumph. “Sunday night is movie night. Care to join me?”
    He looked around at the covered pot on the stove and a ceramic dish on the counter with the remnants of melted butter. “I have microwave popcorn, you know.