Free French Kiss (Silver Cove Series Book 2) by Jill Sanders

radio chimed in her ear and she reached over to turn it down.
    “Maybe later,” he added and stepped back as a couple more people walked out onto the porch and lit up. “Smoking area’s down there,” he added, pointing to the pathway.
    She hid a smile as she turned away and made a quick retreat.
    She had a few errands to run outside before heading into the main dining hall. She swung by the pool area and made sure everything was in order for the pool party later that evening.
    Then she walked by the pavilion and was surprised to see Tristen and the group of guys he’d been talking to earlier out there relaxing and enjoying their cigarettes.
    Turning away before they noticed her, she headed back to the main building. She was walking along the well-lit pathway when she saw the embers of a cigarette and walked off the pathway.
    “Nate?” she said, getting the kids attention.
    He turned and threw the cigarette out into the trees.
    “Hey.” He smiled at her and moved closer. “I heard you talking to those guys earlier.” He nodded towards the pavilion.
    She glanced, then turned back to him. “You know you’re not supposed to smoke out here,” she started.
    “Oh, it’s no big deal. I was just finishing up a few things.” His hand came up to her arm. “Why don’t you take a walk with me? I was just heading to the beach to take a dip.” He winked.
    “No thank you.” She glanced down at her arm and moved away. “I have to get things ready for dinner.”
    He stepped in front of her, stopping her from walking back onto the pathway.
    “Are you sure?” His hand came up and took her arm again. “I’m sure we could have fun together.”
    Her chin rose. “Nate, I’d hate to mention this conversation to your grandfather after all he’s done for you, getting you this job.”
    She saw anger flood the younger man’s eyes, but he took a step back. “The old man is pissing me off. Always making me work.”
    “That is what I pay you for.” She stepped aside easily and left him alone then headed into the main building.
    Dinner was chaotic, but the worst moment was when she had to talk Adam down after one of the group complained that his pumpkin ravioli with sage butter was dry. She’d seen the man storm into the dining hall and berate a customer for less before, but this time, one of his staff had tipped her off and she’d stopped him before he could enter the dining room.
    “Where are you going?” She put her hands against his chest, stopping him. His face was skewed into a frown.
    “I’m going to have a talk with someone.”
    “No, you’re not.” She felt his muscles under her hands flex and desperately wished to explore the feeling more.
    “Pourquoi?” He crossed his arms over his chest and she almost groaned at the feeling of him under her fingers.
    “You’re needed in the kitchens.”
    “This…”—she saw him take a deep breath— “naïf vache thinks that my…”
    “Yes.” She dropped her hands and crossed her arms over her chest. “I heard. Now, let me handle this. Why don’t you—”
    “No.” He moved closer, his face inches from hers, his eyes boring into her. “This is my kitchen, my food. If some ignorant cow has something bad to say…”
    “It should be handled by the manager.” She stood her ground. “If you don’t like how I deal with it, then I suggest you take it up with Sarah once she returns.” She waited and watched him sway back slightly. Just then there was a loud noise from the kitchen. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m needing in the dining room and, from the sounds of it, you’re needed back in the kitchen.”
    He glanced back and she thought she heard him curse in French under his breath as he disappeared back through the doors.
    Smiling, she walked into the dining room only to discover that the complaint had come from the table where Tristen sat.
    She took a few deep breaths before walking over to his table. There was an older couple sitting with him,