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

had a dream and made it happen. I don’t understand your fear or your anger.”
    She covered her face with her hands. “There’s more.”
    “What?”
    “After your father’s death Peter approached me and wanted me to stay with him, asked me to be his mistress and send you to some private school. He wanted to take care of me. I blamed him for Victor’s death. He denied writing the articles. I screamed how I couldn’t believe I’d ever loved him. I refused to be his kept woman.”
    Greg put his arm around her shoulders. “You did what you felt was right. Why did you marry Dad when you didn’t love him?”
    “I was pregnant.”
    Greg felt a chill. Was Allie anything like her father? “So this Blakefield wouldn’t marry you.”
    She shook her head. “Victor was your father. Peter and I never…you know. When he refused to take over Le Provencal I broke the engagement. Victor comforted and seduced me. Peter learned about the pregnancy. He vowed to get even and he did.”
    Greg felt a surge of relief. “Are you sure Blakefield wanted you as his mistress. Maybe he wanted to marry you.”
    Her face reddened. “He was married. His wife was dying. What else could he want? He’s sent his daughter to bring more harm to my life.”
    Greg sank onto a chair. He didn’t know what to believe. Had the past happened the way his mother believed? His parents had been dramatic. How many nights had he heard breaking dishes and shouted arguments? He looked at the clock. Midnight. Allie waited. “I have to go.”
    “To her?”
    “I have to learn the truth.”
    “If she’ll tell you. Remember who her father is and what I told you.”
    He escorted his mother to her car and returned to the kitchen. “Mike, lock up.”
    As he strode toward the complex he wondered what he would face. Truth or lies.
     
    * * *
     
    Allie paced from one end of the living room to the other. Midnight had passed and Greg hadn’t arrived. When she’d arrived at the apartment she hadn’t bothered to change clothes. Thoughts of Greg’s mother made Allie feel cold. The woman had acted as thought she’d faced an enemy not someone who could benefit Five Cuisines.
    The idea of an ancient feud made no sense. What happened in the present was important. Why was Mrs. Ramsey so bitter?
    Allie had no intention of bashing Five Cuisines. A rave was her goal. The fabulous food and the brilliant décor fascinated her. Bad reviews weren’t part of Good Eatin’. The magazine featured restaurants with excellent food or unique appeal. Greg’s fit both categories.
    The doorbell rang. As she reached for the doorknob she felt like a prisoner headed to the gas chamber. The affair had blazed hot and fast. She didn’t want the ending before all delights had been savored.
    She opened the door. “Come in.” When he didn’t take her into his arms she knew the end had arrived. She bit her lower lip. She wouldn’t cry. “You can leave. You look like your decision has been made.”
    He glared. “Then you are Allison Blakefield of Good Eatin’.”
    “Yes.”
    “The woman who can make or break a restaurant with an acceptance or rejection with one review.”
    She shook her head. “We don’t publish reviews good or bad.”
    “No, you just spread the word you’ve decided not to feature a restaurant.”
    “Never happened. If we would have done that we would have been sued. That has never happened.”
    “Why didn’t you let me know who you were?”
    “Maybe for the same reason you never mentioned you were Gregory Ramsey, chef and owner of Five Cuisines.”
    He shrugged. “Who I am shouldn’t matter.”
    She nodded. “Neither should my identity.”
    “Why did you come here?”
    “To visit the restaurant and try the food a dozen people I know spoke about. I sent you a letter. You didn’t respond. My father forbade a feature. I wanted to use my own judgment.”
    He glared. “My mother told me about his hatred of my father. She mentioned the articles bashing Le