Secret Ingredient: Love by Teresa Southwick Read Free Book Online Page A

turnabout is fair play. You got to ask me something personal.”
    “I did? When? What?”
    “At dinner last night. You asked me to explain the remark I’d made about taking care of myself. And I said that I’m trying to live my life on my terms and not the ones my family sets.”
    “I remember.” He took a bite of dessert and nodded appreciatively. “This is good enough to eat.”
    She laughed. “Praise like that could turn my head.” She moved the food around her plate without taking a bite. “I’d like to ask you something.”
    “Okay. Fair is fair.”
    “Why are you not looking for a woman?”
    He put his fork down, his carefree demeanor vanishing. His expression turned dark and he looked pained. “I suppose it’s pointless to do a ten-minute monologue on why it’s perfectly acceptable to be a confirmed bachelor. There doesn’t have to be a reason, et cetera.”
    “I agree.” He didn’t play games. How refreshing was that?
    “I fell in love in college.”
    “I hear a ‘but.’ And I have one for you—but I can’t believe any woman in her right mind would dump you.”
    “She didn’t,” he said sadly. “Her name was Beth and she died.”
    “Oh, Alex.” Fran wished the earth would swallow her whole, right then and there. When would she learn to keep her mouth shut? “I’m so sorry.”
    Ignoring her consoling words, he continued. “It’s very simple, really. Everyone gets a single shot at love, and I had mine. I’m perfectly content with being alone. There’s no point in looking for anyone.”
    She nodded. “I appreciate the clarification.”
    Fran found his pronouncement profoundly sad. And she hated being proved right about his story having an unhappy ending. Still, it put her at ease with him. She wasn’t looking and neither was he, which she found vaguely disappointing. But things got weird when coworkers cozied up. Now she had a guarantee that the work environment would be safe. That left the oven door open to cook up something special—professionally speaking.
    “I think it’s time to talk business now.” She put her fork down and leaned forward eagerly. “So, do I get the nod? The assignment? The job?”
    “I’d like to offer you a three-month contract with Marchetti’s Inc. At the end of that time, if either party is dissatisfied, we can terminate the association. If not, we can renegotiate. Assuming there’s still work to be done.” He looked at her. “It’s not love or war, but do you think it’s fair?”
    “I do.”
    Because it wasn’t love and never could be. He’d made that quite clear. So in spite of her attraction, accepting his offer was perfectly safe.

Chapter Four
    Chapter Four
    “Y ou do?” Alex watched Fran nod.
    His reply to her question about his love life had obviously allayed whatever misgivings she’d had. The sparkle was back in her eyes.
    And he felt as if he was skydiving without a chute. He almost wished this interview had been a disaster. Although it would seriously upset his timetable for the project, he could search for a chef who didn’t make him think about soul-stirring kisses instead of stirring marinara sauce. But he would be lying to himself if he said her cooking wasn’t among the best he’d ever had.
    “Welcome to Marchetti’s,” he said to Fran. “I’ll have the company attorney draw up the contract. You’ll receive a call tomorrow for a signature.” He held out his hand. “So it’s official. You are the new chef for Marchetti’s frozen foods—for a minimum of three months and subject to family approval. Let’s shake on the deal. Gentleman’s agreement.”
    The way her breasts filled out her hunter-green sweater put the lie to that statement. As well as the gold hoop earrings dangling daintily from earlobes that he wanted to examine with the tip of his tongue. There was nothing remotely gentlemanly about Fran Carlino. She was all-woman. And he was still free-falling.
    She huffed out a breath and the movement did