The Sweetest Seduction, Breakaway Hearts by Crista McHugh Read Free Book Online Page B

rich, gooey filling was a mixture of creamy ricotta, roasted garlic, and a hint of something sweet that he couldn’t name. Now he knew why Vanessa had rewarded it with one her trademarked moans. It was fabulous. He devoured the rest in three quick bites.
    “Like it?” Lia asked with a smirk.
    He coughed and wiped his mouth with his napkin. “Yes, it’s very good. But then you knew that.”
    Her grin widened. “And now you know it, too. Good evening.”
    She turned to leave, but Vanessa stopped her. “A moment, please. What do you call this treat?”
    Lia stared directly at him and replied, “ Lasagne fritti con gamberi e aragosta. ” She returned to the kitchen before he had a chance to ask her to translate.
    Vanessa dove into the next entree. “Abso-fucking-lutely brilliant.”
    He took a gulp of wine to soothe the tickle in this throat and congratulated himself on getting through an awkward situation. “That went well.”
    “Yes, if you leave out the part where she looked she wanted to skewer me.” She came back to the chicken and took another bite. “Why do I have the sneaking suspicion there’s more to you two than what you’re telling me?”
    The back of his neck itched. “Because there is.”
    “Out with it.” Vanessa chewed and waited, knife and fork still in hand.
    “It’s a bit of a comedy of errors.”
    “Let me guess—you shagged her and didn’t know she was one of your tenants.”
    Now the itch had moved to between his shoulder blades. He rubbed his back against his chair. “Not exactly, but close.”
    “Close what? Close in that you almost shagged her? Or close in that you didn’t know who she was?”
    “Both.”
    The knife and fork fell to Vanessa’s plate with a clang. “You’ve gotten yourself into a bloody mess, haven’t you?” She crossed her arms on the table. “Now, what are you going to do about it?”
    He dug his fingers into his palms to keep from clawing at his thighs, they itched so much. Being under the scrutiny of one of his oldest friends while in a wool suit was anything but comfortable. “What can I do? I can’t mix business with pleasure.”
    “Don’t be a complete nutter. You know as well as I do that you were never one for playing by the rules.”
    “That was then, and this is now.” He rocked from side to side, soothing the burning across his lower back. “I doubt she’ll have anything to do with me unless I promise to let her keep the restaurant.”
    “And that would be a bad thing how? Think about it, Adam. You’d still have a top notch chef working here, and you’d be shagging a girl who’s far more fit than you deserve.”
    “And how would I know that she wasn’t just using me to get what she wanted?” The itching had become almost unbearable now. He raked his nails along his arm, praying it would end soon.
    Vanessa drew her brows together. “You all right?”
    “No, I feel like I have an army of fire ants dining on me.” Sweat beaded along his forehead. If it didn’t stop soon, he risked stripping off every item of clothing he had on just so he could get some relief. “The only time I’ve ever felt like this was the time I broke out in hives after eating shrimp.”
    Her eyes widened and she sucked in a breath. “I didn’t know you were allergic to prawns.”
    He paused as Vanessa dove back into her handbag. “What are you talking about?”
    “ Gamberi is Italian for prawns. The dish she made for us—it was fried lasagna with prawns and lobster.”
    “Let me see your mirror.” She handed it to him, and he peered at his reflection in the dim light. His lips were already swelling, and raised splotches dotted his cheeks and neck. “That vicious—”
    “Don’t get your knickers in a bunch. Even I didn’t know you were allergic to prawns, and I’ve known you for years. I doubt she gave it to you on purpose.” Vanessa handed him a small white pill. “Now take that before your throat swells up and you stop breathing.”
    He