It was really too bad she had to give the it zero points, because this was
one of the best meals of Candice's life. Derek had spent a good half hour setting
out a fresh table cloth, china, silverware and candles. He'd dimmed the lights,
and the sky had cooperated by giving them a gorgeous sunset followed by a rising
full moon.
He'd barred Candice from the kitchen while he cooked.
Then, he'd produced crab stuffed mushrooms, grilled salmon in béarnaise
sauce, saffron rice and asparagus. And he'd obviously raided the high end of the
wine cellar. She was going to remind the chef tomorrow morning to keep plenty
of Andollin Chardonnay on hand. It was magnificent.
"I can't believe Tyler's left us trapped here this long." At this
rate, she'd be able to talk to the chef in the morning before she went home for
a shower.
"I can," said Derek.
"Is he that vindictive?"
"Stubborn, not vindictive. Besides, he probably forgot about us a long
time ago."
"Oh, those newlyweds." Candice shook her head in mock disapproval.
"And, he did accomplish his objective."
"How so?"
Derek lifted his wineglass in a toast. "We're not going to fight on the
jobsite anymore and upset Jenna."
"That's because you won't be on the jobsite anymore."
"I may drop in from time to time."
"But, not to give advice." She wanted to be clear on that.
He made a zipping motion across his mouth.
Candice's gaze caught and held on his firm lips. It was really too bad she
had to give dinner a zero. They looked incredibly kissable.
She took a final bite of the salmon and the smooth textured sauce.
All things considered, a zero was a pretty harsh score. After all, he'd gone
to a whole lot of trouble. And, this would--her gaze found his lips again--in
all likelihood, be her one and only chance.
Okay, so she had kissed him once before. If you could count that fleeting peck
in the Tunnel of Love. She didn't know who had been more surprised then. Her at
the unexpected arc of attraction, or him at what was obviously a sudden recognition
of the Hammond name.
Having somehow figured out he was about to make out with the daughter of his
arch enemy, he'd bounced back faster than a burn reflex. No real kissing had been
accomplished. But it had sure been interesting.
Maybe now was the time to finish the job.
Maybe she should give him a one.
She took another sip of the crisp white wine while she thought about it. "We
probably won't see much of each other after tonight," she ventured.
"You still have to introduce me to your family," he reminded her.
"Right. Of course." She was guaranteed to see him at least one more
time. Though, she could hardly kiss him in front of her parents.
So there it was.
She should go for a one.
She took a bite of the saffron rice, noting that the spicing was absolutely
perfect. Maybe a two. One point for the salmon and one for the rice.
Of course, the wine deserved something, too. This was a tough call.
"I won't let you back out on the introduction," he said.
"I'm an honorable woman."
"That's good to know."
Even if she was going to grossly under-score his meal.
She took a bite of the asparagus. It was tender, slightly crisp, and perfectly
complimented by the sauce. She really had to give it a point.
That was three. Or was it four?
Four kisses.
She let her vision blur on the candle flame. Four kisses was the very least
she owed him. What could it hurt? It wasn't like she was kissing him out of passion
or desire. It was only a business deal.
Besides, they'd be out of here tomorrow morning. And, after that, there was
one chaste dinner at her parents' house, and he'd be pretty much out of her life.
The thought depressed her slightly.
Which was silly. All they ever did was argue.
"Ready for dessert?" he asked.
Candice blinked out of her contemplation. "Sure. What did you make?"
"Crème Brule." He stood up to head for the kitchen.
Uh oh. She had the feeling that another kiss was coming up.
That made five. She took a bracing sip of wine while she watched him walk away.
Five kisses. Fifty percent. Somehow, fifty percent seemed churlish. He'd worked
awfully hard.
Derek returned from the kitchen, a small bowl of Crème Brule in each
hand. He bent at the waist and set the dessert down in front of her, arranging
the bowl just so. He gave her a knowing grin, holding her gaze. He was all but
daring her to give him a zero for the dessert.
She pulled back before she did something stupid like tell him his score and
dive right in. "Thank you," she said instead, gesturing to the bowl.
"Hope you enjoy it." There was a twinkle in his eyes.
"I'm sure--" She pressed her lips together. He'd nearly backed her
into a corner, admitting the dessert was good before she'd even tasted it. "Nice
try."
Derek's grin widened. "It's my mother's favorite recipe."
"That's nice."
"If you don't like it, she'll be crushed."
"Foul." She couldn't help but return his grin. One point. That was
all the dessert was getting. She didn't care whose mother would be disappointed.
"There are seconds if you want them." He finally drew back a little.
"I'm sure this'll be fine."
"Oh. It'll be more than fine." He slipped back into his own chair
and picked up a silver spoon.
Candice dipped hers into the smooth cream. She lifted a small bite to her mouth.
She tested it with the tip of her tongue and was catapulted to another level of
flavor.
"Holy..." She raised her fingers to her lips.
"What did I tell you?"
Candice stared down at the simple dessert. "How did she..."
"Family secret," said Derek. "Enjoy."
Candice took another bite. There was no way in the world she could give the
Crème Brule less than full marks. Which made six kisses. A trill of excitement
tightened her chest. Good thing she'd had enough wine to see her through this.
"She used to make it on Christmas day," Derek continued. "The
neighbors would come from miles around to join us for dessert."
"I don't blame them," said Candice, finishing every last morsel.
"Seconds?" asked Derek.
"Wish I could." She shook her head.
He leaned back in his chair, taking up his wineglass. "So?"
"What?" She faked confusion.
"How many points are we talking?"
"You took a big chance on this."
"I had a secret weapon."
"The Crème Brule?"
He shook his head. "Your honor."
"I could give you a zero."
"You could."
But she wouldn't. Now that she'd made up her mind, she intended to do it right.
Besides, the expression on his face was going to be worth it. She loved shooting
him curve balls.
"Zero to ten," Derek said softly, taking a slow sip of the Chardonnay.
Candice squared her shoulders. "Ten."
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