Snow Place Like Home

Chapter Six

Shonna

"Let me buy you breakfast," Jason said once they were back inside.

Even though they were surrounded by snow and the wind was blowing in off the bay, being in Jason's arms had set her body on fire.

"I'm not hungry," she lied.

She hadn't eaten anything since yesterday's salad. As she uttered the words, her stomach growled, betraying her.

She didn't know if it was a good idea to spend so much time with him. Their physical attraction was unlike anything she had ever experienced, but as soon as she figured out why her grandmother sent for her from beyond the grave, she was heading back to Phoenix. So, what would be the point of getting involved with him?

He smiled a devilish grin and offered an arm. "Come."

Oh, how she wanted to. She had no doubt this giant of a man could make her do so again and again. And again.

She took hold of the rocky bulge he called an arm, and he led the way. What was it about Jason that made her want to obey his every command? Shonna was used to being in control. Once a man made it clear he couldn't handle it, she tossed him out with the trash. But Jason wasn't threatened by her assertiveness. His arrogance was well-deserved from the looks of it. He was confident but not quite cocky. He wasn't afraid to go for what he wanted. He proved as much when he tried to kiss her out on the deck, but rather than being put off by her rejection, he offered to feed her.

He was a mystery.

One that she didn't have the time or energy to solve.

They walked right through the packed dining room and headed to the kitchen, where a team of chefs was bustling about the kitchen rhythmically and totally in sync. As soon as they were spotted, a ruggedly handsome man with caramel skin and green eyes and golden-brown locks twisted down his back, wearing a chef jacket, called out to Jason.

"What you doin' here, brother?" He had a slight Caribbean accent.

"Wanted to fix something special for ax shaawádi," was his response.

The chef's face broke into a huge smile. He patted Jason hard on the shoulder and, with a boisterous laugh.

"Of course, my friend." Turning his attention to Shonna, he continued, "You must be the famous granddaughter of YoYo. Rigby. I hope this asshole's been treating you right."

"That's debatable," she teased.

"Rigby's co-owner of the inn and our head chef," Jason explained.

"The kitchen is mine. I let pretty boy here handle our guests." Rigby was an attractive man, no doubt. Before meeting Jason, Shonna would have thought Rigby was more her physical type and resembled some of the men she dated in the past. While he towered over Shonna, and she could make out the shape of his biceps under his chef coat, he was dwarfed by Jason's mighty presence.

"How long have you been running this place?" she asked.

It was unexpected to see a Caribbean man living and working in Alaska. She was curious how this unlikely duo came to be friends and own a business together.

"We met seven years ago on a cruise ship. We were both working in the kitchen, and after working together a couple of years, we pooled our resources, bought the inn, fixed it up, and..." Jason started.

"And he's been a pain in my backside ever since," Rigby added.

Rigby's laughter was infectious, and she couldn't help but join in. She had never met someone who was so purely happy. He was a business owner, obviously busy running the restaurant inside a luxury inn, but by his demeanor, one would assume he didn't have a care in the world.

"What would the beautiful lady care to eat?"

Before she could answer Rigby's question, Jason responded, "Actually, I'm going to whip her up my special, if you don't mind."

"Go on ahead, brother. Mi kitchen es su kitchen."

Rigby gave Jason another pat on the back and leaned in close to whisper something too low for Shonna to hear.

Turning his attention back to her once again, "Miss Shonna, if you are free tonight, join us for a drink later at Fisherman's Bar."

"Thanks. I'll think about it."

Rigby flashed her another winning grin and returned to his kitchen duties. Jason fastened an apron and fell right in with the other chefs. After a short while, he was done, and he led her to the dining area, where they sat at a secluded table by the window overlooking the gorgeous view.

He placed a beautiful dish in front of her — blackened salmon, wild rice, and Brussels sprouts.

"When you said breakfast, I was expecting bacon and eggs," she admitted.

"Try it."

It did look delicious. Shonna never had a man cook for her before, so she didn't have the heart to tell him she hated fish. She reached for the fork, but he beat her to it. He cut into the salmon, and it flaked perfectly, steam pooling as he lifted the fork to her mouth.

"You don't have to feed me," she said, somewhat annoyed.

He grinned at her.

"Open wide," he ordered.

She did as he said, readying herself for the mushy texture and fishy taste, but was met with a tender, juicy bite of buttery meat. The blackened crust gave it a sharp, smokey flavor that left her wanting more.

"How is it?" he asked, carefully studying her face.

"This is the best salmon I've had in my life," she answered honestly.

He smiled widely and continued to feed her. She glanced around the dining room, expecting to see people watching her being fed like a toddler in a highchair, but no one was paying them any attention.

"You're not hungry?" She asked in between bites.

"No. You enjoy."

She grabbed the fork and offered him a bite. "I don't mind sharing."

He held onto her hand as he guided the food to his mouth. Shonna had never been turned on by watching someone eat, but the way his mouth brushed against the metal, sweeping the salmon between his buttery lips, left her salivating.