nourishment.
"Time to find food," she muttered. As much as she wanted to stay and enjoy the morning out on the veranda, she would have to face reality and wander around the home.
Taking one more longing look at the ocean, she went back inside the house. A few minutes later, she had found a matching robe and slippers to put on and left her quarters in search of the kitchen.
On the first floor, she looked around, trying to remember landmarks from the previous night.
Finally, the smell of something sweet floated through the air, leading her in the right direction.
Raya hesitated in the doorway, taking in the kitchen of a cook's dreams. Large and spacious, with plenty of counter space and cabinets. All the appliances were top of the line. The sunlight streamed in through the large windows, making it appear even brighter.
A short, stocky woman dressed in a chef's jacket and dark pants was fiddling around at the countertop. Her blonde hair was pulled up into a bun with a few strands escaping. Opening the large oven, she pulled out a tray of something that smelled delicious.
Raya's stomach rumbled.
"Good morning," Raya called out.
"Oh." The woman spun around with a tray in her hand. Upon seeing Raya, a smile spread across her lips. "Mrs. White. Good morning."
Raya wasn't sure if the house staff knew about her, but she shouldn't have been surprised the woman knew who she was.
"I hope I'm not bothering you. I’m in search of food." Raya laughed as the woman waved her into the kitchen.
"Well, you came to the right place. I'm Sue, the executive chef here."
Executive chef?
Fancy.
She walked over to the island and took a seat on one of the thickly padded stools, offering Sue a smile.
"Anything particular you would like? I can whip you up some pancakes."
Raya's stomach chose that moment to growl. She covered her face, while Sue chuckled at her embarrassment.
"Whatever you've already made is fine." Raya's nose picked up the scent of cinnamon, and her mouth watered, wondering what deliciousness came out of the oven.
"Cinnamon rolls it is." Laughing, Sue pulled a plate out of the cabinet. "Fresh from the oven. You’re just in time."
Her eyes landing on the coffee pot, she slid off her seat and padded over to it.
"Is that coffee fresh?"
"It is. Cups are right above in the cabinet. I can pour it if you’d like."
"Pfft. I can pour my own cup of coffee."
Sue chuckled. "You've got spunk."
Pouring a fresh cup, Raya settled back into her seat and found the biggest cinnamon roll she had ever seen sitting on a plate.
"Oh, my. I'm going to need to work out after eating this," Raya chuckled. Grabbing her fork, she dug in.
"There's a gym here in the house."
She took a bite of the sweet deliciousness in front of her.
"So, how long have you worked here?" Raya inquired.
"Oh, about ten years," Sue responded over her shoulder.
Raya grew curious. If the cook had been employed by Hadley that long, then she had to really know the billionaire. Taking the last bite, she set her fork down and sipped on her coffee.
"She doesn't usually bring people here," Sue informed her.
"She doesn't?"
Sue offered her a small smile. "Nope. You must be special."
"Not really." Raya lowered her head, not wanting to explain her reason for being there. "Well, whatever the reason, she must like you." Backing away, Sue walked over to the fridge and began making notes.
Raya continued to sip her coffee while Sue's words echoed in her head.
She doesn't usually bring people here.
What was so special about her, then?
"Breakfast was wonderful," Raya murmured as she rose from her seat and grabbed her plate.
"You can leave that there, honey. I'll get it."
"Are you sure?"
"Of course,” Sue snorted. “Ms. Hadley will have my ass if she finds out you've lifted a finger." With a wide grin, she mentioned, “You're a writer, I hear."
"I am."
She had a word count she needed to hit today. With a new story brewing in her head, she had put herself on a self-imposed deadline.
Topping off her coffee, she waved as she headed out of the kitchen.
Raya stared at the black lace negligee that hugged her feminine curves in the mirror, paper-thin and delicate. Her areolas were completely visible, as the pretty dress didn't hide a thing.
She absolutely loved it.
Wrapping a dark silk gown around herself, she secured the ties. Dinner was at six. She had soaked in the oversized tub and scrubbed herself clean. She wasn't sure why her heart was racing, but she