Yes, Chef

Chapter 13: A Wake Up Call

~Mads's POV~

I don't even know what I'm thinking when I offer him this piece of useless information. What am I hoping to accomplish? Oh wait, I know. I'm trying to cool the intensity mounting between us. The suggestive comments, the intimacy of him feeding me, the bulge in his pants that he thinks he's hiding. It's too much.

"Oh?" He responds after a pause. I feel him trying to coax me to look at him. When I don't, he pulls out napkins and hands me one.

"Thank you." I mumble. I finally lift my eyes but he's not looking at me right now. "I'm sorry. I don't know why I even mentioned it. Tonight we're supposed to be back in session, talking about you. So tell me..."

"Who else came by?" He interrupts when I try to move on. His hazel eyes flick to mine and I swear I see jealousy, which is just silly.

"Garrison but get this. He thought I was faking so he came by to check that I was actually sick." I share quickly.

"What an ass." Benedict mutters.

"And he says I owe him." I roll my eyes.

"Owe him what?" Benedict snaps.

"I don't know. I think I might ask my brother to intervene." I admit.

"Mmm." Benedict grunts like he is no longer paying attention.

"How about you? How are things at the restaurant?" I try to change the subject.

"Oh um. Good. Busy." He replies quickly, almost like he's hiding something. Just as he starts to speak, I interrupt.

"But...?"

"I could..."

We both pause. I give him an encouraging look. He leans back, his stance wide such that his leg brushes mine. I try not to wonder if the situation in his pants has resolved.

"The night I called you...last Friday..." I instantly blush. Last Friday was a train wreck. Uninhibited, demanding, horny.

"Go on." I clear my throat trying to focus.

"Paige, the server I told you about...well she got the wrong idea and ended up crossing a line Friday night." He divulges.

I hate the bloom of jealousy that invades me. I try to steel my emotions but it's nearly impossible. I flatly say. "Oh. So tell me what happened."

"It's nothing really but she threatened to quit when I told her I wasn't into her like that." He explains, which I find oddly satisfying even though it isn't new information to me.

"What prompted her to be so forward in the first place?" I probe. "And did she quit? I remember you being worried about this potential."

"Uh no. She took Saturday off. Brought us to our knees but we managed. I actually wanted to ask your opinion on hiring more staff." He avoids my first question.

"Why my opinion?" I ask.

"My staff has all noted my improved demeanor but we know I've got a reputation. Do you think I'm ready to try and overcome my public persona?"
He inquires.

"Of course. We've been working together for several months. If we weren't required to meet as frequently, I would have already scaled us down to once a week." I reveal.

"Good thing my mandate says differently. I'm not ready to give up any of our time together." He retorts, making me blush.

I clear my throat and glance away to try and break the spell between us. "You've made good progress. I honestly think you just needed an opportunity to release some of your guilt around Britt's death. You don't have anger issues. You were hurting."