Alex glanced back to him with surprise, amazed that he recalled that request at the restaurant, when she could hardly recall her own name. She'd have been happy for him to have ripped her pants off and made love to her right there against the door ... At least until they woke up in a heap on the floor, she acknowledged,and then he was bending to the bed. He set her down gently, and then immediately kissed her again. She kissed back with all the passion only he could bring to life in her, but grabbed his hands when he reached for the waist of her jeans.
Cale paused and broke their kiss to peer down at her in question, and Alex immediately clasped his face in her hands.
"I like you," she said breathlessly.
Cale blinked in confusion. "I like you too."
"No, I mean it," she said more firmly. "I like you. I've loved people I couldn't stand to live with, my sisters for instance," she added dryly. "Sibling rivalry was hell ... But I like you, Cale. You're funny and smart and considerate and sexy as hell, and I really like you."
He smiled softly, and then turned his head to press a kiss to first one of her palms, and then the other, before meeting her gaze solemnly. "I like you too. You're sweet and intelligent and ambitious and an amazing cook ... Now let's get you na**d cause I like you best that way."
Alex laughed and helped him undo her pants, then grabbed ahold of the bed to keep from being pulled forward when he dragged them off. Her panties went with them, and both items went flying over his shoulder, then Cale quickly shucked his own jeans.
"Mmm, soft," he murmured as he climbed onto the bed to join her.
"You or the bed?" she teased.
"The bed," he said dryly. "I don't think I'll ever be soft around you."
"That's good to know," Alex gasped as he slid into her, warm and full and definitely not soft.
"Shut up and kiss me, woman," he growled, withdrawing a little.
Alex laughed and did, covering his mouth and allowing her lips to part for his tongue to thrust in even as his body drove back into her.
"I think you can call this a success."
Alex glanced to Cale as he paused beside her. It seemed the most natural thing in the world to lean into him as his arm slid around her waist, and his lips touched her forehead.
The night of the opening had finally arrived. It was an evening she'd feared a time or two might never happen, but here it was. The restaurant was finished, everything in its place, the new cooks in the kitchen working away and the dining room and bar area full of people mingling and partaking of her food and drink. Alex had arranged it to be more of a party than a restaurant night. The regulars at the original La Bonne Vie had been invited as well as friends and family, several local celebrities, Emile, of course, and the local press, who, thanks to Emile, had shown up en masse. It was definitely a success.
"You're looking pale," Cale murmured, peering down at her with concern. "Perhaps you should slip into the office for a quick refresher. It will only take a minute, and I'll keep an eye on things here," he added when she frowned at the idea.
"All right, then," Alex grumbled with all the goodgrace of a child agreeing reluctantly to take cod liver oil. It wasn't that blood tasted bad. She didn't even taste it the way they'd shown her to feed, but it was the idea of actually consuming the blood. She hadn't quite gotten used to that yet and found herself shuddering with distaste even as her fangs slid out eagerly to consume it. How messed up was that?
Chuckling, Cale hugged her close and bent to press a quick kiss to her lips. "Poor darling. You'll adjust soon."
"You keep saying that," she murmured, toying with his tie. "But it hasn't happened yet."
"It's only been a couple of days, love," he chided. "Give it time."
"Hmm." She smiled faintly. "I appear to have a lot of that now."
"Yes. You do," he said solemnly. "Not regretting it already, are you?"
"You're kidding, right?" she asked with amusement. The last two days since she'd woken from the turn had been amazing. Now that she'd stopped trying to keep him at arm's length with her professional footing nonsense and agreed to be his life mate, her life had become almost blissful. They made love every chance they got, which was amazing of course. Alex was sure there was nothing that could beat immortal sex. Except there was in some ways, and that was when she and Cale were together and unable to make love, which had been an awful lot these last two days as she'd had to cook at the old La Bonne Vie, and he'd refused to leave her alone until Jacques was found. While there had been desire and need sparking between them underthe surface, there had also been witty discussions and gentle teasing and easy affection that she reveled in as he sat on the counter and watched her cook.
She really did like this man, and of course she definitely wanted him, but she also loved him, and while Alex had said that to him when she'd agreed to the turn, she thought now that perhaps she hadn't really, because what she felt for him seemed to grow stronger every day and sometimes actually hurt. She could look at him and feel an actual ache in her chest. Or perhaps that's how love was. Perhaps it just grew stronger with time, she thought, and assured him, "I'm very happy with my decision."
"Good." He smiled and kissed her nose before releasing her. "Go on. There's a surprise waiting in your office too."
"Oh?" she asked with interest. "What kind of surprise?"
"Go and see for yourself," he insisted, giving her a little push.
Smiling, Alex moved quickly through the milling crowd, thanking people as they congratulated her on the new restaurant, the food, the drink, the service. She was beginning to think she would never get to her office, when Sam suddenly appeared to grab her hand and drag her the rest of the way.
"Wooh! Thank you." Alex laughed as they escaped into the kitchen and the door swung closed behind them. "I was starting to think I'd never make it out of there."