Lord of Rain (The Dragon Demigods #5) - Charlene Hartnady Page 0,14

Essentially where I lied through my teeth. “Don’t you like being a chef?”

“I like it just fine,” I blurt. “I love my work.” I cringe. I hadn’t planned on saying that. It doesn’t make any sense that I would be here if I currently enjoy my job.

“Why are you here, then? Are you bad at your job?”

“No!” I bark out the word. “I’m a fantastic pastry chef. I’m a whizz with cakes…from red velvet to chiffon. Chocolate ganache to buttercream. I am a firm believer that you eat first with your eyes and then with your mouth. I’ve baked countless creations…”

I stop talking when his eyes drop to my lips for a moment. He gets this strange look. I think he might be angry. He clears his throat. “Pity you aren’t interviewing for a position as my chef.”

Oh crap! I let myself get carried away. I had planned to downplay my role as a baker. “I…um…have taken on less of a role as a pastry chef in recent months and more of an admin, managerial role within the bakery. I, um…am looking to expand my horizons. I’ve decided that I’d like to pursue a different path. I can bake…at home.” I shrug.

He puts his elbows on the table and threads his fingers together. He has this intense look that makes my stomach clench with…butterflies. I have butterflies. This is not good at all.

“You love being a chef in your family-owned bakery, but you would prefer to look after me? Be at my beck and call? Is that right?”

Yes!

Yes!

Oh, yes!

For a second, I am worried I may have chanted that out loud. Thank god I didn’t. I push out a breath. I nod. “I would be good with that,” I whisper, but my voice still sounds loud in the quiet room.

“You’ve only ever worked for Shaw’s Buns and Breads.” He glances down at my resume, then looks me squarely in the eyes for a few long moments. I’m getting ready to squirm when he finally speaks. “I’m not your daddy, Miss Shaw…you do realize that?” he goes on to say.

‘But you could be!’ my mind says. I hear my internal voice, it’s a soft purr.

His eyes narrow. His mouth twitches. Oh, good god! I just said that out loud. I said it. The words left my lips. “I don’t mean…I…I mean my father is my current employer, and you could be my next employer. You could be, if you played your cards right and were lucky to snag a multi-faceted individual like me. I’d be on time. I can type at least a hundred words a minute…” What the hell am I saying? Is a hundred words even a possibility, or would it be considered slow? I have no idea! I wish my mouth would stop running off. I preferred it when I couldn’t talk, but now it won’t stop. It just won’t. “I’m well-organized. I’m great with people…even difficult ones. I make fantastic coffee. I’d bring baked goods in daily…an added perk for hiring a pastry chef.” I shrug. “You’d essentially have a PA and a chef all in one employee. It doesn’t get much better.”

“Are you trying to bribe me?”

“Excuse me?” I frown.

“Baked goods. Are you offering cake as a bribe?”

“You don’t strike me as the type of person who would be swayed by sugary treats,” is my quick retort.

“Well, you would be wrong.” He folds his arms and smiles for half a second. So quick, I’m sure it was imagined once his face becomes stoic again. “You’re hired.”

I frown. “I am?”

What?

What just happened?

“Yes.” He nods. “I’ll have HR email you the official offer. I need you to start tomorrow.”

I nod. I can’t start tomorrow. No way and no how! I’ve gone back to being mute. I force a smile.

He stands. I follow suit. He holds out his hand. “Welcome aboard, Miss Shaw.”

I take his hand. I’m shocked at how warm it is. He gives one firm shake before letting me go. “Be here at seven sharp!”

“Seven?”

“My day starts early.”

“Buns opens at four-thirty to start the first bake. Seven is almost lunchtime.” It’s something my mom often says when she speaks about regular hours. Although seven is earlier than most people start work.

“It looks like we’re going to get along just fine.” His voice is a low rumble. Can a voice be beautiful? I think it can. Everything about this man is beautiful. “I’ll see you in the morning, Miss Shaw.” He looks at the door behind me. “You