Free Tempted by the Boss (Tempted Series Book 1) by Hazel Kelly Page B

addictive.”
    “I could ask the chef.”
    “Oh yeah, you could!” she said, breaking another bite off with
the side of her fork.
    “But I think I overheard him talking about his secret ingredient
once.”
    She was leaning forward like I had the winning lotto numbers. “Do
you remember what it was?”
    “I think so,” I said, loving her on the edge of her seat.
    “Well?”
    “I think they call it… butter.”
    She shook her head. “You are the worst, you know that?”
    I was so glad she noticed. I hope she would punish me for the
very bad boy that I intended to be to her.
    She shook her head and half her lips curved up into a smile. “It
must be priceless butter.”
    “Ahhh yes. That must be it.”
    She put another bite in her mouth.
    “So when are you going to dazzle me with your ideas for the
Christmas party?”
    “Oh right. That’s why we’re here.” She reached for her gin.
    “One of the reasons, yes.”
    She took a deep breath. “Okay. Are you ready?”
    “When you are.”
    “Are you familiar with The Nutcracker?”
    “The ballet?”
    “Yes, by Tchaikovsky.”
    I put the last bite of my perfect steak in my mouth, sat back,
and nodded.
    “I was thinking we could have that be the theme.”
    I waved my hand in the air, encouraging her to continue.
    “I want everyone to feel like they are a toy under the tree.”
    “Go on.”
    “So there will be a big tree decoration, but it will feel like
everyone is underneath it.”
    “Is that possible?”
    “I’ve made a few calls and several people are set to follow up
with me on Monday with their pitches.”
    I nodded. So far so good.
    “And there will be jumbo presents around the perimeter of the
ballroom to help lend to the atmosphere that we’re all under the tree.”
    I took a sip of my drink. She was getting more excited with
every idea she shared, and I couldn’t take my eyes off her. I would’ve been
happy if she’d talked forever.
    “And all the bartenders will be dressed up like nutcrackers.”
    I nodded. “Cute. I like it.”
    “And this is my favorite part,” she said, her eyes dancing.
“This is the sexy part.”
    “The sexy part?”
    “Well I couldn’t exactly plan a party for William Abbott and not
have it be sexy could I?”
    God this girl knew how to get me.
    “So we get all these attractive female servers.”
    “I’m listening.”
    “And they’re all sugar plum fairies.”
    “What does that mean?”
    “I was thinking they could all be wearing different dresses with
big full skirts.” She held her arms out to show me. “But the dresses will be
edible.”
    “Edible?”
    “Yeah, like pure fantasy stuff. So one girl’s dress will be made
of tons of candy canes, for example, and everyone will be able to pluck candy
canes off her skirt as she walks by.”
    “Wow.”
    “And another girl will be wearing a dress made of cake pops.”
    “What’s a cake pop?”
    “It’s like a bite sized piece of cake on a stick. Like if a cake
and a lollipop had a baby.”
    I laughed. “Got it.”
    “And another girl will be wearing a skirt made of chocolate
covered strawberries, and another will be wearing those whiskey filled
chocolates you like from Giorpinos.”
    “How did you know I like those chocolates?”
    A smile spread across her face. “I did my research.”
    “Well done.”
    “I noticed they’ve been available at every party since the first
time you had them.”
    “I’m impressed.”
    She shook her small fists in front of her like she was dancing
in her chair.
    “Are you sure you can pull that off? That those dresses can be
made?”
    “I sketched exactly what I wanted and two companies have already
confirmed that they can do it. I just have to get them bidding against each
other to get the best price.”
    “And this would all be within the budget?”
    “Of course.”
    “Ella, Ella, Ella.” I shook my head.
    "Will, Will, Will.” She mocked.
    My pants felt tighter instantly.
    She scrunched up her face. “What