Recipe For Seduction (A Madewood Brothers Novel) (Entangled Brazen) by Gina Gordon

some vegetables to chop, or something?”
    Chris smiled and straightened his stance. “Yes, Chef.”
    His sous chef was right. She had a great ass. But he’d be damned if any other man was going to have images in his head of that ass up close and personal.
    He entered his kitchen and immediately the smell of garlic suffused his nostrils. A pan of roasted bulbs fresh from the oven sat on the counter, waiting to be used for their garlic mashed potatoes.
    Carmel’s kitchen was older, but made up for it by being equipped with brand-new appliances. It had been the first restaurant purchased by Arthur Madewood, husband to Finn’s late foster mother, Vivian.
    He was fifteen when Vivian had plucked him and Cole from foster care. Neil, their oldest foster brother, had already been living with her for a while, and a year later, Jack had made his entrance. Not a day went by when Finn wasn’t thankful for his luck, and for Vivian, the woman they all called mother. Not only did he not have to face his adulthood all alone in the world, but he also didn’t have to worry about a job or money. All four of the foster brothers had fallen easily into the chef role, and to this day, above all else Finn loved cooking and making people happy with his food.
    But sometimes, he went to his dark place and asked the questions no one else wanted to ask. Such as, if Arthur hadn’t passed away, would Vivian ever have adopted them?
    “Excuse me, Chef.” One of his line cooks brushed passed Finn, reaching for the pan of garlic bulbs.
    Cal had already changed. He was huddled in the corner, looking good in his checkered pants and white chef coat. Hopefully, it wouldn’t be long before he was promoted to the line, and he’d have his name stitched onto the material.
    “Have you met everyone?” Finn asked him.
    Cal nodded.
    Chris stood at the island in the middle of the kitchen preparing veal for the evening’s menu. His two line chefs, Erin Brock and Richard Sullivan, prepared their own items at opposite sides of the kitchen.
    “Let’s get started, then.” Finn opened the manila envelope and pulled out Cal’s documents. “You will work five nights a week. Three p.m. until closing time.”
    “When does the restaurant close?”
    “You should be out of here by midnight.”
    Cal’s mouth dropped open.
    “You’ll be responsible for washing every pot, pan, and dish that is used in this restaurant,” Finn went on.
    Cal scoffed. “I thought I was cooking?”
    “Eventually, but you’ve got to start from the bottom.”
    The kid definitely couldn’t hide his feelings. They were displayed as plain as day on his face. He was not a happy camper.
    Working in a kitchen was very militaristic. There were distinct job descriptions. Ultimately, Finn was the captain and everyone else yielded to his command. Although he’d never use the position to mistreat or pull a power trip, he was in charge and everyone knew and accepted it.
    Immediately his mind went to the bedroom and the thought of exercising his power there…and Veronica yielding to his command.
    “Finn?”
    He shook his head and focused on Cal in front of him. He had no idea how long he might have been talking. Great leadership skills, Finn . Why listen to his employees when he could fantasize about dominating a woman? Christ.
    “I appreciate you getting my sister off my back,” Cal was saying, “but…a dishwasher?”
    Finn frowned. “As far as I’m concerned, your sister should be all over your back after your little dropout stunt.” It wasn’t the smartest move on Cal’s part. Although, in truth, taking a year off wasn’t the end of the world. Not that he’d ever say it out loud, especially within earshot of Veronica.
    “Shit. Is there anything she doesn’t tell you?” the kid muttered in disgust.
    There were lots of things she didn’t tell him. Such as, how sexy she was underneath those glasses and conservative clothes.
    “How do you know it wasn’t Mark who told me?” he