The Perfect Ingredient (Dare Valley) by Ava Miles Read Free Book Online Page B

your biggest client?”
    She made a face like the cheese had gone sour in her mouth. “The Denver Raiders.”
    “And that’s a bad thing?”
    “My ex-husband plays for them. It’s been…complicated since our divorce last year.”
    “I see.” When she turned away, he covered the cheese and stored it. “We should join the others.”
    “Yes,” she murmured, and something about her downcast expression told Terrance he had met a kindred spirit.
    “Come on. I expect the appetizers will cheer you up.”
    Maybe they would cheer him up too.

Chapter 6
     
    Rhett wasn’t saying a word—he just sat there, humming into his bourbon. Of course, Elizabeth knew she was being a bitch. And Rhett always said he would never call a spade a spade when it was as obvious as a wart on someone’s face.
    “Fine,” she huffed finally. “I’m not exactly cool with Terrance being here.”
    Again, no word from her adopted brother and boss.
    “Why don’t you say something?”
    “Are you going to admit you became a green-eyed monster when he kissed Natalie’s hand?” he asked in that slow drawl of his.
    “Hmm…” No way in hell she was going to do that.
    “Then I don’t have anything to say except try and keep it clean around the kids.”
    “Funny.”
    When Terrance came out with Natalie after taking way too long for a mere tour—not that she’d been eyeing her watch or anything—her gaze clashed with his. He was pushing her buttons; there was no mistaking it. He’d never had eyes for anyone else during their time together, even though plenty of women had run their fingers over his arm in invitation at the parties in Rhett’s hotel suite.
    And Natalie was gorgeous, dammit, so here she was pea green with envy, and not liking it one bit. Who could blame the woman for finding Terrance attractive? He radiated sexuality just as surely as the raging wall of fiery heat next to her.
    “Sorry it took us so long,” Natalie said by way of an excuse. “Chef T ended up showing me around the kitchen, which made me drool.”
    Drool was an appropriate phrase to use around Terrance, but it wasn’t because of his stainless steel appliances.
    “Who’s ready to eat?” he asked softly.
    God, the way his gravel and spice voice said that made her thighs clench. Food , she told herself. He was talking about food.
    “Let’s see what you cooked up for us,” Rhett declared, rubbing her shoulder in comfort.
    “Why don’t we head to the tasting room?”
    Terrance led the way to a special room accented in buttery wood planks, with one glass wall showcasing The Grand’s impressive wine cellar. The feel was cozy yet elegant, dominated by a rustic iron barrel hoop chandelier hanging from six thick rope cords above a ten-person, live-edge trestle farm table.
    “My God,” Natalie gasped. “How many bottles does your cellar have?”
    “About a thousand, but I’m already planning on expanding it. I have access to some wines Mac’s former chef didn’t.”
    “What about your bourbon selection?” Rhett asked. “We poker players aren’t big on wine.”
    “You’d be surprised what the high rollers order after they’ve left the tables,” Terrance told him, “but you’re right. A lot of them prefer hard liquor. We have about two hundred bottles of bourbon, and again, I am going to be adding to Mac’s inventory.”
    “We should have a bourbon tasting at the next poker game,” Rhett mused, plopping down in the leather high-backed chair at the head. “You need to get High Stakes running as smooth as a baby’s bottom so you can join us, T. It blows that you only have one night off a week now.”
    Elizabeth wanted to grind her teeth. Of course, Terrance had been asked to join the weekly poker game. Mac had started the tradition, and now it included the Hales and their growing family.
    “It still pisses me off your poker night is for boys only,” Elizabeth mused, taking a seat on Rhett’s right. “Jane and I would kick your