“I’ll trade the scones’ recipe for this stew recipe. I can make a cake or a pastry, but savory items I struggle with,” Eden shares.
“Hey, I’m the one that makes the pastries,” Ryan interjects. He leans toward my sister. “If you want to know how to bake shit, I’m your man.”
Violet smiles. “Is that right? What all do you know how to make?”
“Bear claws, muffins, eclairs, puffs, filled Danish. You name it and I’ve probably made a few hundred dozen.” The kid’s chest is puffed up in pride.
I swipe a hand across the back of my face to hide a smile.
“I accept your offer to be your sous chef.” Violet stretches her arm across the table.
“Sue what?”
“It’s short for sous chef de cuisine or under-chef of the kitchen. Basically, I do what you tell me until I’m proficient enough to become a master and then I open my own rival restaurant putting yours out of business.”
“Too far, Violet,” I tease.
“Yeah. I’m still the master and will gain skills as I get older. You’re always going to be behind me,” Ryan says.
“Is that so? I better start learning how to bake right away. Every minute that passes is a lost opportunity.” She shoves away from the table. “Let’s go.”
Ryan sits glued to his chair.
“What’s wrong?”
His shoulders slump. “I don’t have all the recipes memorized but, hey”—he has an idea—“we can drive over to the café. They’re all taped up in the kitchen.”
I hold my breath. Is this kid going to miraculously get Violet out of the house?
“Sorry, buddy, but I don’t leave this place.”
“Ever?”
“No. I’ve got some cookbooks in the kitchen. Let’s work with one of those.”
“How come you don’t leave?” Ryan presses.
“I mean why would you? This place is beautiful.” Eden reaches out and squeezes her brother’s shoulder. “And don’t forget you have calculus homework.”
Violet sends Eden a grateful look for the help.
“Violet’s a math whiz,” I interject. “You can trade your professional baking lessons for some calculus homework.”
“I hate calculus,” Ryan grumbles, but he gets out of his chair and follows Violet into the kitchen.
I wait until the two are out of earshot before turning to Eden. “You have some questions?”
“No. It’s not any of my business, but it’s nice that this is such a big property. How much land do you have here?”
“Only about five acres. We have a bigger place about an hour south but haven’t been there for some time.” When Violet says that she doesn’t leave the house, she means it. Not even for our country home, where the horses are she used to love to ride. One of these days, I’ll take Eden there. She’ll enjoy walking the trails, feeding the animals, and the space. The city life can get stifling.
“I think you could fit about twenty of The Daily Drips in this place, but it doesn’t feel big. Like this space here is really homey.”
This space is the family area with a big kitchen, eat-in dining room, and a family room. The family room opens onto a large patio space with a pool. Adjacent is the game room that Ryan easily found.
“It’s big enough for a family for sure.”
If Eden catches the hint, she doesn’t show it. There’s not a flicker of recognition in her eyes that acknowledges my invitation. It’s as if the kiss earlier never happened, which means she needs a reminder.
“Let’s go to the theater.” I take her by the hand and lead her across the room to a bookcase.
“I can’t leave Ryan here to go to a movie,” Eden says.
I press a book, and a door unlatches. “We don’t have to leave. There’s every convenience here.”
“Is this a secret room?” she cries in delight as she swings the bookcase open. She ventures inside the large, three-level room. “Holy shit. This is like an actual theater except there are only four rows of recliners instead of dozens.” She runs a hand over the back of one of the theater seats. I draw the door shut and dim the lights. It’s the perfect place for me to remind Eden that my intentions toward her aren’t pure. I want her.
I take her hand again and spin her around so she faces me. Her lips part, maybe to say something, maybe to protest, I don’t know. I use the opportunity to dive in. Clasping her face between my hands, I kiss her, driving my tongue between her cherry red lips. The first time we kissed, it felt like a bolt of lightning struck my balls. It’s no different this time. I’m lit up from the inside, burning with need for her. I drop my hands to her ass and pull her roughly against my erection.
“Fuck me sideways, Eden,” I murmur as I slide my mouth along her jaw. “I’m gone for you. Ass over heels.”
She makes a soft sound and clutches me harder. “I don’t know if I have time for this right now.”
I nip at her cheek and then her ear. “Don’t think. Just feel.”
I move lower, kissing my way down the sleek column of her neck, savoring every inch of bare skin until I reach the collar of her top. “Let’s take this off.”
“My brother—”
“Is baking.” I unbutton the top.
“We have to—”
“Let me kiss your tits.” I spread the garment apart to reveal a peach lace and silk bra. Her nipples make tiny points behind the delicate fabric. My mouth waters at the sight. “Gorgeous. Just fucking gorgeous.”
I bend down to take a taste when the voice of her brother pierces the air. “Movie theater? This I gotta see.”
Chapter Ten Eden
I am already seeing the difference in the numbers. The first thing I did when I got in this morning was cancel all of my old suppliers. With a little help from Miles, I already have new ones all set up. It was a significant drop in expenses.
I think I’m looking at about sixty percent less in costs. I play with
