The Man Ban - Nicola Marsh Page 0,17

“You hungry?”

She leaned toward him. “This is the best part of the job,” she murmured, pointing to the dishes. “Jock McKell’s recipes are famous, and I can’t wait to taste these.”

“I’m starving,” he said, offering her the plate of fritters before pouncing on them.

Harper took a bite and her eyes fluttered shut. “So good.”

Manny’s hand paused halfway to his mouth as he stared at the ecstatic expression on Harper’s face. Damn, he’d give anything to see something similar but in the privacy of his hotel room.

As if sensing him staring, her eyes snapped open and when she saw him gawping at her, she blushed.

“As you can see, I love all aspects of food, especially the tasting,” she said, raising her fritter in a toast. “Eat up.”

He did as he was told, savoring the melt-in-the-mouth texture of the fritter but unable to process the flavor as he watched Harper eat. There was something inherently beautiful about a woman who enjoyed her food, and he could’ve gawked at her all day. What was left of it, considering darkness had descended and they hadn’t noticed.

After demolishing three fritters and two lamb cutlets, Harper wiped her hands on a serviette. “I can’t thank you enough for today.”

“My pleasure,” he said, surprised to find he meant it.

When he’d first offered to help, he’d done it out of chivalry. She’d been genuinely upset, and the sheen of tears in her eyes had undone him completely. He could’ve spent the afternoon by the hotel pool reading for pleasure, something he rarely had time for. Instead, he’d run around after Harper like a lackey and hadn’t minded. Watching her work had been eye-opening, and it solidified what he knew: he wanted to get to know her better.

“Once we pack up, can I buy you a drink?”

Her hesitation disappointed him. Surely, spending an hour or so chilling wasn’t so arduous considering she’d been more than happy to have him around all afternoon?

“I’m exhausted and I need to plan for tomorrow’s shoot, but sure, a drink would be nice after we pack up.”

Buoyed by her answer, he mock frowned. “Pack up?”

“I’m not done ordering you around yet, mister,” she said, with a smirk. “Now hop to it.”

“Yes, ma’am.” He saluted, adding a “bossy boots” under his breath.

She laughed, a pure, joyous sound that made Manny want to say screw the drink and invite her up to his room.

“Manny?”

“Yeah?”

“I owe you one.”

She winked before turning away, leaving Manny staring at her gorgeous ass and thanking the karma gods he didn’t believe in for this giant cosmic coincidence of placing Harper in his path.

15

As Harper sat across from Manny at the hotel bar nursing a mojito, she couldn’t believe the events of today.

In what bizarre world did she lose an assistant for the most important job of her life, then have the man she’d berated yet who’d piqued her interest in Melbourne show up here and offer to help her out of a jam?

He’d been amazing, doing everything she asked of him, and only asking essential questions to ensure the shoot went smoothly. Not only had he saved her ass, he’d made the entire process easier than she’d anticipated and she owed him. Unfortunately, she couldn’t get it out of her head that the way she’d like to repay him involved the two of them naked and sequestered in her room.

“Tell me more about your job,” he said, sipping his martini.

“Haven’t you seen enough of my work for one day? And besides, you’re assisting me tomorrow too.”

“How could I forget?” His nose crinkled. “I’d envisaged having a few much-needed days off after the conference to play tourist in Auckland but nooooo, I had to get up on my white horse and charge to your rescue.” He smacked his head. “Schmuck.”

She laughed. “I happen to like a knight in shining armor, especially one who knows the difference between a zester and a piping bag.”

He smiled. “My grandmother likes to cook and I’ve learned a lot from her over the years.”

He got this look in his eyes when he talked about his gran that made her melt. “I wouldn’t think you’d have much time to cook, what with your hours at the hospital.”

“Yeah, I’m busy, but cooking helps me relax.”

“What’s your go-to dish?”

“Dahl. I’ve been told it was my first solid food as a kid, and I’ve been addicted to the stuff ever since. Plus it’s easy to whip up. Red lentils cook fast.”

“I’ve never cooked it, but it’s something I always order at