Free The Next Best Thing by Deidre Berry Page A

again.
    In fact, Colin created the menu for the wedding fiasco, and was remarkably accommodating when things changed at the last minute. He certainly did not have to repack everything and send it all over to my place at the twelfth hour, but that is what makes him one of the most phenomenal chefs in the business. One who, at that moment, was flirting with me with no shame whatsoever.
    Colin kept brushing his hand across my knee, leaning in extremely close, and staring into my eyes.
    I have to admit that I have always found Colin attractive. A man who cooks well has always been a serious turn-on for me, and it doesn’t hurt that he reminds me of Tupac with those gorgeous lashes and soulful eyes.
    â€œWould it be too forward of me to ask to come up to your place tonight?” Colin asked softly in my ear.
    â€œFor?” I asked, being coy.
    He licked his lips like L. L., and said, “My serving platters and chafing dishes.”
    I blinked, having no idea what he was talking about. Then I remembered. “Oh! From the day of—okay!”
    Colin grinned at me, and the look on his face read Gotcha! when actually, the joke was on him.
    Unfortunately, my guests took most of his serving platters and chafing dishes home after the packing party, and not one person has bothered to return them. Luckily, though, I still had a few of them to give back. I think.
    Â 
    I left the bar a full fifteen minutes before Colin, so as not to arouse suspicions of impropriety among my co-workers. I didn’t plan on any hanky-panky with Colin, but I also didn’t want to provide ammunition for someone to later be able to use against me. That is exactly how careers and reputations get ruined.
    â€œNice place,” Colin said, examining my collection of hand-carved African statues that adorn the mantle over the fireplace.
    â€œThanks,” I said, heading into the kitchen to search for the few things of his that I still had left.
    It took awhile, but all I could manage to round up were three stainless steel platters, four chafing dishes, and the Sterno units that go with them. Oh, and about eight serving tongs.
    Pitiful, considering that Colin had brought over at least fifty of each.
    I was in the kitchen trying to formulate just how to break the news, when Colin crept up behind me and grabbed a handful of my ass.
    Before I could even utter a word in protest, he braced his hands on the counter and started smothering the back of my neck with full, sensual kisses. I made a feeble attempt to move away, but Colin had me hemmed up against the counter so I couldn’t get far even if I really wanted to, which I didn’t, because it felt so damn good that my knees were buckling.
    I turned around to face Colin, and he took the liberty of kissing me full on the lips.
    â€œYou taste good,” he said, sucking on my bottom lip. “Now I want to taste something else.”
    Straightforward and to the point. I liked that.
    â€œDon’t go anywhere,” I said, playfully pushing him away. “I’ll be right back.”
    I went to the bathroom and took a quick shower using J’adore Bath & Shower Gel, then followed up with the lotion and a few spritzs of perfume. I rearranged my hair into a sexy coif, and I was ready for primetime.
    Back out in the living room, Colin was checking out my Henry Dixon watercolor, Vintage Grand Canyon Railroad. That piece is the focal point of the room and I have had many a guest stand for hours, studying the intricate design.
    Colin’s back was turned to me, and he was so captivated by the painting that he didn’t even notice that I had tiptoed up behind him and could see that he was digging all up in his nose. I mean, his finger was knuckle-deep. After a whole lotta digging, Colin finally retrieved a huge, slimy booger. He looked at it, rolled it around on his fingertips, and flicked the thing on my hardwood floor.
    I gasped, and threw up a little in my mouth.
    Ugh! What