Free The Zombie Billionaire's Virgin Witch (Zombie Category Romance) by Joely Sue Burkhart Page A

his ardor.  If he
ever set his mind to taking her to bed, she’d be hard pressed to resist. 
She didn’t want to lose her power, but she feared that his seduction would
prove her undoing.  I want to explore my passions too badly to allow
such a sexually aggressive man into my life.
    She
let a teasing smile quirk her lips.  “For trusting me.”
    He
frowned and cast a glance over her shoulder at the crumbled remains of apple
pie.  “There had best be enough pie left for me.”
    “I
think I can manage a piece.”
    He
stared doubtfully down at the tempting pie, warm enough that the ice cream
slowly melted into creamy rivulets.  His mouth must have been watering at
the sweet, spicy scent because the long column of his throat worked on a
swallow.  “I’m not going to be as high as a kite again, am I?”
    “You’re
safe,” she promised, smiling wider when he searched her face.  “That’s the
last piece.”

 
     
    SIX
     
     
    Daily
prep in the kitchen was one of Clare’s favorite things about working at Remy’s again.  She loved losing herself in the steady rock and slice of her
knife, chopping up the evening’s vegetables.  The roasting chickens in the
oven, stuffed with onions, celery, lemons, and apples, smelled like
heaven. 
    Dmitri
stepped inside and took a deep, noisy breath.  “Smells great, but it seems
such a waste to spend so long on the chicken, only to throw it into soup.”
    “There’s
nothing like chicken soup to heal the soul,” she replied.  “I’ll use the
best parts of the chicken for tonight’s special, too, so it won’t be
wasted.  Even without magic, there’s no better way to make chicken broth
than to slow roast the chicken first and then boil the bones.  My magic
just makes it all happen faster and better.”
    Carrying
a stack of manila folders and spreadsheets, he must have been on his way to Mr.
Michelopoulos’s office, yet he lingered.  Whether drawn by the homey
scents of chicken or something else, she couldn’t tell.
    He
met the sous-chef’s gaze and gave a nod toward the dining room.  Taking
the hint, the man signaled the other assistants and they quickly slipped
out. 
    Something
else, then.  She continued to dice the carrots, waiting for whatever he
wanted to say.
    “I’ve
known Mr. Michelopoulos for a long time.  He hired me right out of college
and I’ve never worked for anyone else since.”
    She
made a low sound of acknowledgement to at least let him know she was listening.
    “He’s
a good man, Ms. Remy.”
    She
looked up from her work, surprised.  Why did the man feel the need to
defend his boss to her?  Whatever her personal feelings or the past with
her father, she’d never come into the kitchen and stir up rumors or
trouble.  “So he’s not a ruthless, driven businessman willing to do
whatever it takes to close the deal?”
    Dmitri
flushed and shifted his weight from foot to foot.  “I didn’t say
that.  He’s certainly ruthless.  I’ve seen him take down his rivals
one by one through careful planning months, even years, ahead.  If he
decides he wants something, nothing will stop him from getting it.”
    Lightly,
she said, “Then I’m certainly glad he’s a good man.”
    “He
is,” Dmitri insisted.  “I know you’ve seen the bad side of him.  I’d
hate him too after he ruined my father.  But I’m trying to say that
there’s another side of him.  He takes care of his own.  He demands
the highest standards and successful results, but he also compensates
accordingly.  I’ll be able to retire in a few years and simply enjoy my
kids, instead of working eighty-hour weeks the rest of my adult life. 
That’s only possible because of him.”
    “Meanwhile
your family misses you right now.”
    “They
moved out here with me so we could all be together.  However, I don’t
spend as much time with them as I’d like.  Once we get Remy’s turned around, though…”  He hesitated, and a look of suspicion