Seducing the Chef (At First Sight #1) by Janet Lane-Walters Read Free Book Online Page A

last thing Allie wanted to do.
     
    * * *
     
    Greg watched until Allie vanished. He turned to his mother. “What is going on?”
    “When she arrived for her setting I thought she looked familiar. I was busy with reservations. Later I went to check her out and knew she was Peter Blakefield’s daughter. He sent her here.”
    “Why would he do that?”
    “I told you about his rivalry with your father. Peter can’t stand to see a Ramsey succeed. Destroying your father’s family has been bread for years. He wants you to lose Five Cuisines the way your father lost Le Provencal. She’s a clever young woman. I imagine she flattered you.”
    Greg steered his mother downstairs to the office and closed the door. “That’s not how things went. I made the first move. I like her. She had no idea who I was.”
    “I don’t believe that. This is the third night she’s eaten here. She’s up to something. Once I saw the credit card I checked the reservations. Someone at the magazine made the reservations for her.” She clutched his arm. “Just how involved are you?”
    “I believe she’s the one.”
    “How could you? Haven’t you heard a thing I’ve said? You’re a fool.”
    He shook his head. “I don’t think the past has anything to do with Allie and me.”
    Stella collapsed on a chair. “Are you sleeping with her?”
    “I’m not going to answer that.”
    “If you loved your father you’ll stay as far from that woman as you can. You can’t let your life be ruined, too.”
    “Just because her name’s Blakefield doesn’t mean she wants to cause trouble.”
    “Just how much do you know about her?”
    Greg swallowed. He knew she was beautiful, responsible and an exciting lover. He knew her taste in books, movies and music. She knew and appreciated good food. And holding her in his arms felt right. “Not much.” He looked at his watch. “I need to head to the kitchen and you have your duties as hostess.”
    His mother rose. “Make sure to see me before you leave. We need to discuss how much damage your little fling has done.”
    Greg wasn’t sure his mother’s fears were real. What he and Allie had shared was more than a fling. When he considered walking away from her he felt deep sadness. Pushing those thoughts aside he returned to the kitchen and concentrated on the food.
    By eleven the last order had been cooked and served. The staff busily cleaned the kitchen. Greg walked to the office. His mother waited. She sat at the computer.
    “What are you up to?” he asked.
    “Googled her. Read this.”
    Greg stepped behind her and saw Allie’s picture. She wore a business suit. Her delightful smile was missing. He read the opening paragraph and looked at the questions.
    Allie: Of course we don’t do spreads on every restaurant I visit. What you’re hinting isn’t correct. There are a number of reasons we don’t feature a particular place. There are owners who don’t want a feature article.
    Interviewer: I’ve heard some restaurant have failed when the public learns you visited and refused to do a feature.
    Allie: That’s odd since the only  people who know which ones I visit are my staff and the owners of the restaurant. Some owners might tell their staff. If a leak came from mine, they would be gone.
    “See.” Stella Ramsey tapped the screen.
    “That doesn’t mean she’s here to do harm.”
    His mother snorted. “Son, you’re a fool. You need to tell her you know the game she’s playing and if any mention of her visit becomes public we’ll sue.”
    “You don’t know what Allie plans.  Since you never read the articles Dad said Mr. Blakefield had written how do you know Dad didn’t lie?”
    She shook her head. “After your father’s death I believed I would never hear from Peter again. The restaurant had been sold. We were on our way to live in Europe with my parents. We had a good life there. Though I was content in Italy you decided to return so I came with you.”
    He nodded. “I