The CEO and the Girl From the Coffee Shop by Terry Towers

he explained giving her a
smile.
    Her face
flushed; an attractive rosy colour. "I'm sorry, I was just about to
get to them. I was just..." She motioned to the risotto.
    "I know."
Grabbing a spoon from the drawer holding the utensils, he dipped it
into the risotto and tasted. "That is excellent. Creamy. Cooked
perfectly, I'm very impressed."
    Beaming, Beth
looked up at him her blue eyes shining with pride. "Really?"
    "Definitely."
He dipped the spoon in once more and brought it to her lips. "Try
it."
    She opened her
mouth for him to feed her the risotto. She chewed and swallowed,
her smile widening as she nodded her confirmation.
    "See, what did
I tell you. Even a woman who burns bacon and toast and whose
speciality is," he cocked an amused brow at her, " mac and
cheese can work wonders in the kitchen under the right
tutorage."
    "Thank
you."
    Grabbing a
knife from the utensil drawer he sliced one of the scallops in half
and popped it into his mouth. Spearing the other half with the fork
in hand he offered it to her. She opened her mouth and accepted his
offering.
    "Also nicely
cooked. The flavour is stunning."
    "Need I remind
you that if you hadn't been here to save the day you would have had
burnt scallops," she reminded him, but her wide smile and the hint
of pride in her eyes were in contrast to her words.
    "Give yourself
some credit," he said bumping her hip with his, subtly pushing her
out of the way and plating up the food for them both, "you did a
good job and I know that by the time Pete finishes with you Monday
the fillet I expect from you that night will be equally as good -
if not better."
    She watched
him intently as he expertly plated the food, garnishing it with
such finesse that when he was finished it looked as though it would
be something served straight from The View .
    "You really
know your way around a kitchen," Beth commented as he added the
finishing touches and carried their plates over to the small
kitchen table.
    Gabriel
grinned at her and gave her a wink, before opening up the wine
cabinet to select a wine for the evening. "Let's just say cooking
is a passion of mine. One I don't have the luxury to indulge
in."
    "So again, why
me? Why not someone who doesn't need to be trained?" She asked
slipping into one of the kitchen chairs.
    Selecting a
bottle of white wine he grabbed a corkscrew from the counter and
made his way over to her and the table. "I could," he started,
screwing in the corkscrew, "but I seriously doubt I'd enjoy their
company nearly as much as I do yours." His eyes caught hers as he
gave the cork a jerk, opening the bottle.
    He guessed her
mind went rushing back to their little encounter because she
diverted her gaze and ran a nervous hand through her long locks. Fuck! And double fuck! He growled at himself as his jaw
clenched. He didn't want her to be uncomfortable being around him
and that was exactly what he'd done. We'll talk and get this
straightened out after dinner , he told himself as he grabbed
her wine glass and poured some out to her.
     
     

Chapter
6
     
     
    As Beth made
her way to the outdoor swimming pool where she was supposed to meet
Gabriel, she still felt uneasy and the black bikini she was wearing
was only a small part of the reason. A combination of embarrassment
over her wanton behaviour with him earlier and the feelings that
were beginning to form within her for him were clouding her
judgement. Was she a fling? Was she an employee that things just
got out of hand with? Did he usually participate in sexual
activities with the women who worked for him?
    Her face
blanched. Oh-my-god! What if he hired me with the sole
thought in mind of having me here for a quick fuck whenever he had
the urge for it? The thought was like having a knife jabbed
into her stomach.
    I have to
discuss this with him. I have to make sure .
    Her mouth fell
agape when she opened the back patio door and stepped out into the
warm night air. A soft seductive melody played from hidden speakers
and