Chapter 9

Kobe

THREE TIMES DURING the night, I woke up and immediately saw her. Her face, her body, her attitude, her smell. I was flooded with memories of her. I’d liked her. I’d always liked her. We always got along so well. We thought alike. We had the same visions of the world... of life. Well, at least we did when we were kids.

But now... how the hell was I going to hide the affect she had on me if we had to work so closely together. Just being physically in the same room with her sends me into heat.

And that innocent look when she seemed so hurt, so disappointed in me, it just drive me to want to kiss her, to touch her, to hold her close to me.

You’re a King. You’ll manage just fine. In fact, you’ll triumph. You’ll show your father what you’re capable of. And you’ll show your overachieving twin brother that you can work hard, too.

Unable to sleep, I got up and got ready. May as well get this thing over with.

Dressed like a true businessman, I headed to her dorm determined to show her that I was in control and that this project needed to be nothing short of perfection.

I knocked on her door, not sure what to expect. Would she be there? Would she be up?

Would she be alone?

I heard her call from inside... a sleepy voice telling me she was coming.

She opened the door and... Damn.

Those yoga shorts hugged her hips so perfectly, and that tank top... oh my God. Tearing my eyes away from those perfect orbs just begging to be cupped, to be kissed... it was nearly impossible.

“Um... ah,” she stammered.

I was happy to see that she was as shaken up as I was.

Stop staring at her breasts. Stop. Stop!

Damn, why did they have to be so perfect? Why did they have to be on display in the most enticing way?

I dropped my gaze to the floor. I had to or I would jump on her right then and there. “Nice cat slippers,” I said. Damn, did I feel like a dunce. Nice slippers? Shit, can’t you think of anything smarter to say? I’ve been with so many women before, but not like this. This was Katrina. My Katrina. The girl I thought about all the time until my Dad literally dragged me away from anything to do with her.

There she was. In the flesh, and she was now a woman with her perfectly round boobs, her enticing hips, and her innocent sweet face.

How can I think of anything better to say when all I want to do is tear off that tank top and dive in between her perfect tits.

I barged in, not giving her a chance to keep me out. I ignored her protests, ignored the fact that she wasn’t prepared to begin the project that morning. I simply bossed her around, telling her what I wanted, and telling her how I wanted it.

If only she knew what I really wanted. If only she knew just how hot she was, just how hot I was for her.

Damn, what had happened to that innocent and cute little girl? A woman. A beautiful and intelligent woman... maybe a little unsure of herself at times, but I could see there was something simmering beneath the uncertainty. She had more potential than I wanted to admit. I had always admire her feisty spirit, but now she seemed more refined, proper, an elegant young lady.

I followed her to her closet and quickly dismissed the big designer names. They didn’t impress me... not much.

“I was planning on wearing this midi dress.”

“A mini dress? To an important first meeting? Get serious.”

“Not a mini dress, Kobe. A midi dress.”

A little befuddled, I waited for her to go on. While I prided myself on knowing a lot about the fashion industry, my knowledge of women’s fashion was limited.

She brought her hand high on her thigh. “Mini.” She bent over to slap her hand below the knee. “Midi.”

“Yeah. I know that,” I lied.

Who cares. Wear whatever you want. You look great in anything... especially those yoga shorts and tank. They hug you like a second skin.

“Midi or mini, I don’t care. I want you to wear a pantsuit.”

“No.”

“This is serious. I take this project very seriously.”

“As do I,” she countered. She put her hands on her hip and looked directly at me... not the least bit intimidated by my stance.

“Then dress appropriately,” I shot back.

She pouted and frowned and prepared to argue with me. My God, she looked delicious. The angrier and more defiant she became, the more she appealed to me.

Such a contradiction; I hated defiance and expected those around me to do as I said. And yet, when she jutted out her chin and held her own in the face of my authority... I admired her. I envied her.

To combat that envy, I pushed back and tried to make her feel small.

“This is one of the most prestigious and advanced classes, Kat. Mr. Singh is an important figure in the world of restaurant execs. A recommendation from him means everything... maybe not to you... but to me it means everything.”

I didn’t want to admit to Kat just how pleased I was that we would be working at one of her family’s restaurants. I was secretly impressed by her family’s accomplishments, but damn if I was going to let her know about it.

Then again, working for a Lee restaurant meant that Mr. Singh would have high expectations from us... both of us.

“Put on the pantsuit.”

“No.”

My arousal got the better of me and I pushed her up against the wall, reveling in the sensation of her firm breasts against my heaving chest.

What I wouldn’t give to tear her clothes off and devour her. But what surprised me was the look of hunger in her eyes.

I couldn’t let it happen. No matter how much I wanted her... no matter how much she seemed to feel the same arousal as I did... I couldn’t.

I pulled away. “Get dressed.”

“Fine.”

“Fine.”

She finally dressed as I’d ordered, and after a brief fight about her make-up, we finally headed out to Ginger.

We got into my black Audi, and drove the hour and some to the restaurant.

“Looks nice,” I said as I pulled into a parking space.

The building was relatively small but looked tidy and new. The front entrance, painted black with red trim, was appealing, with a modern and western twist on an Asian pagoda to one side. The red front door drew customers in while a hint of gold added that touch of class.

Stunning calligraphies, paintings, modern Chinese lanterns.

“Dad always says, ‘If it looks bad from the outside, chances are it won’t taste good on the inside.”

As I unbuckled my seatbelt, I glanced sidelong at her. It was hard to hide just how happy I was to be paired with her. I knew she was a hard worker... despite my arguments to the contrary.

This project was my chance to prove to my parents that I was just as good, or even better than Axel. Axel has always been the heir apparent, but I was the one that they should entrust the King empire to. Axel had the culinary talent, but I had the business acumen.

“Let’s go.”

We got out of the car and Kat adjusted her jacket as she walked to the front door.

There was no need to adjust anything. She looked every bit the professional. Her fashion sense was flawless, although it was fun to tease her about it just to see how she would react.

“As the kid to Mr. Lee, I’m sure that you’ve always been given the easy jobs. You know, just sitting back and folding napkins or whatever.”

She glared at me but said nothing.

“But I’m willing to help you along to make this project a success. Just follow my lead.” I didn’t want to scare her off by reminding her of the hot kitchen, the tons of dishes and the tedious clean up at the end of every day.

“Cocky, aren’t you?” she said, arching her delicate eyebrow.

“No,” I answered smugly. “Just confident because I know what I’m doing.” I looked around. “Apparently, so does your father. This location is perfectly suited for a hip new Asian fusion place like Ginger.”

“My father chose this location because of its romantic beauty. The Napa Valley is just bursting with romanticism. It didn’t take much to make the atmosphere appealing. The rolling hills, the vineyards bursting with ripe grapes and the enviable view of the setting sun every evening.”

“I see.”

Before we entered the restaurant, I stopped to look around and breathe in the sweet air.

“Nice, isn’t it?” she said, she, too, breathing in that aromatic air.

It was. It was damned nice. The perfect location. Then again, Mr. Lee was the master of perfection. He certainly knew how to pick ‘em.

“What style of kitchen are we going to be working with?” I said. “Are we talking about an assembly line, an island? What about a galley... or open kitchen?”

“I honestly know little about this new restaurant. I know a manager has already been hired as well as the head chef.” She clasped her hands together in anticipation. “That just might leave us with the task of hiring the entire team.”

“I can’t wait,” I muttered.

“Come on,” she said as she opened the door. “I remember the floorplan... I’ll show you around.”

Hmm... that’s not the way I’d planned it. I wanted to take the lead and show her around.

“Hello,” Kat called out on entering the place. “Hello.” She turned to me and said, “I also called the manager to let him know we would be coming this week.”

“Katrina,” a male voice called from the back. “Katrina is that you?”

“Yes,” she said as she peered toward the back. “I’m here about my project from the culinary institute.”

As we passed through the dining room, I looked at the small tables, most with two chairs and a few with four. Tasteful Chinese lanterns hung over each table. The ceiling was painted black, camouflaging the pipework above and several calligraphies adorned the wall.

Kat slowly led the way to the kitchen.

I was immediately impressed. While in keeping with the relatively small size of the eatery, the tight space was equipped with everything a chef could want.

Gas range, grill, steamers and even a sous vide station. High-end pots and pans were stored on an open shelf at one end while smaller equipment like mixers and peelers sat on a shelf at the back wall. At the far end there were empty shelves waiting for the food stuff not yet purchased.

“Katrina Long?” a handsome blond dude said.

Katrina Long? I was about to correct him when Kat shot me a silencing glare. Okay... I get it. You don’t want him to know who you are.

“Trent?” she said to the blond. Her smile was a little too bright and eager. “Trent Howard? You’re the manager, right?”

“That’s right,” he said as he grasped her hand in his. His gaze appreciated her a little too much. “I was expecting you tomorrow.”

Kat shrugged and smiled innocently at him. “We decided to get an early start. I hope that’s okay with you.”

“Sure thing. The sooner we get started the better. The owner, Mr. Lee is eager to get this place up and running.”

With introductions yet to be made, I cleared my throat rather loudly.

“Oh, yes,” Kat said as if suddenly remembering my presence. “Trent Howard, this is my project partner Kobe King.” She turned to me. “Kobe, this is the manager of Ginger, Mr. Trent Howard.”

I couldn’t believe this blondie surfer dude was the manager of a fine Asian restaurant. Dressed in a casual linen suit the color of sand, the guy looked like a beach bum... no more than twenty-five years old... maybe thirty at the most. Besides being so young the guy was just too... too... Damn, he just looked too good. His blue eyes could compete with a clear blue sky any day. And judging by the way Kat looked at him, she noticed it, too. She was practically drooling over him.

I looked at their clasped hands, her hand cupped between both his hands. Why isn’t he letting go of her? This isn’t very professional. If only he knew she was the owner’s daughter... then maybe he’d let her go and treat her with more respect. But apparently Kat didn’t want Trent to know she was Mr. Lee’s daughter. She didn’t want to get favorable treatment because of it perhaps. If so, I had to admire her for that.

“Well,” Kat said. “If you don’t mind, we’ll get started.”

Trent smiled at her in a way that left me feeling uncomfortable. I felt like a third wheel... as if I shouldn’t be there... as if they didn’t want me there.

If I wasn’t there, I wouldn’t be surprised if Trent would be making the moves to bend her over a table, pulling down her thin cotton panties, slapping her perfectly round ass before plunging deep into her.

The thought and the image of Kat in ecstasy being fucked like that made my dick start getting hard. Fuck no! Not now. This was Kat, my Kat, but then again... I was male, wasn’t I? And so was Trent.

Trent’s eyes ate up Kat from head to toe, stopping at her breasts and her slim neck before resting on her pouty lips. “It’ll be my pleasure to get you started. Nothing like prepping a pretty girl up so she’s roaring to go.”

I felt like gagging. Did he just say that?

Kat blushed before she giggled.

Damn, Kat. Seriously? You go for a guy like that? The guy is clearly a flake. How the hell did he even get this job?

“Come on,” Trent said as he turned to lead the way out of the kitchen.

“I believe in getting an early start,” I blurted out, feeling the need to say something.

“Yeah,” Trent said as he shot me a dismissive glance. “I kind of got that from when Katrina said it.”

“Right,” I muttered.

We followed him to his small but efficiently furnished office; just a small desk topped with glass, a leather chair behind it and a red velvet armchair facing it.

“Not only is this my first time working for the Lee family,” Trent said. “But it is also my first time working with students from the academy. I very much look forward to the experience.”

“I do hope we won’t be a disappointment to you,” Kat said.

“I seriously doubt that,” he said with a brilliantly white smile obviously meant just for her.

Damn.

“Mr. Singh has given me a few guidelines...” He went around to sit behind his small desk and pulled a red binder from the top drawer. “You know... what he expects from you and what challenges he wants you to meet and all that. So I’ve prepared what I hope is an appropriate project for you.”

Kat sat down in the armchair facing the desk while I was left standing practically in the doorway.

“Here you go,” Trent said as he pushed the binder toward Kat.

Before she could take it, I stepped forward and picked it up. Both looked at me as if I’d committed the most horrible offense.

I opened the binder. “We’re to hire a sous-chef, waiting staff and busboy,” I said with a touch of surprise.

“That’s right,” Blondie said.

“We are to find appropriate suppliers for all the food, including condiments, sauces and any take out containers we might need.”

“That’s right.”

“And we are to run the restaurant, preferably with a profit, for the entire semester, and write an entire report on our experience.”

“Right again, young man,” Trent said.

Young man? Christ... we’re nearly the same age, Blondie .

“That all sounds so very exciting,” Kat said. “A bigger challenge than I expected, but very exciting.”

“Yes,” Trent said. “And, needless to say, Mr. Lee would like to officially open the doors to the public within the month. Actually, he would be more than pleased if we were ready to receive our first customers within two weeks.”

“Within two weeks? Even a month is pushing it,” I said. “Hire a crew, find suppliers and...”

“Is that too much for you?” Trent said with such derision, I wanted to smack him.

“No,” I said as I closed the binder and set it on the desk. “Not at all.”

“Good.” Trent smiled knowingly at Kat.

What the hell did that smile mean? Did he think I was a wimp? That I wasn’t up to the task? Hell, did he know who I was? I had half a mind to put him in his place.

“Of course,” he went on. “I’ll have final say on any hirings. And I’ll be here to help guide you along the way... should you need it. I’ll be checking in on you every step of the way and reporting back to Mr. Singh, and when all is said and done, I’ll give him my final grade on your work here.”

Great. This bozo had my future in his hands.

“I can’t wait to get started,” Kat said. She stood and smiled at Trent. “Thank you so much for taking the time to lay this all out for us.”

“Anything I can do to help you, Katrina, just let me know.”

“Thank you, Mr. Howard.”

“Please,” he said with his sickly sweet and smooth voice. “We’re going to be spending quite a bit of time together. You may as well get used to calling me Trent.”

“Okay... Trent.”

I turned to leave the office without bothering to thank him. After all, he was just doing his job. There was nothing to thank him for.

I walked through the kitchen, through the dining room and out the front door.

“Can you believe that guy?” I said as I turned to Kat. But she wasn’t there. I’d assumed she’d followed me out, but she was still inside... with him.

Shit!

I looked inside and saw them, smiling at one another. Kat twirled a stray strand of hair around her finger. Damn, was she flirting with him?

After a prolonged moment, they said their good-byes and Kat came out.

“It’s about time,” I spat.

“What’s the hurry?” she said. “He’s the manager of the restaurant, Kobe. If he wants to spend time with us, we should spend time with him. You’d better get used to dealing with him if you want a good grade on this thing.”

I grimaced but said nothing.

“What is wrong with you? I thought you were eager to get to work on this project. So then why are you being so damned cold and... well, rude?”

“Rude? And what about you? Do you really think that flirting with the manager is going to get you a better grade?”

“Flirting? What are you talking about... flirting? I wasn’t flirting.”

“Oh, Kat. You were practically drooling over the guy.”

“I was not.”

“Never mind. Let’s get out of here,” I said as I headed to my car, unlocking the doors from a distance.

I got in and gripped the steering wheel. The moment Kat sat in the passenger seat, I turned to her. “What were you two discussing in there after I walked out?”

“Oh,” she said lightly. “Nothing much.”

“Like what.”

“Just idle chit chat, Kobe. Now, let’s go.”

“What idle chit chat?”

She turned in her seat to face me. “All right. If you must know... He told me that he was surprised... by how pretty I am... and by how poised, too. He didn’t expect someone like me to come from the academy. He thought students from the academy were usually stiff no personality bland types. And the female chefs coming from that academy were known to be gruff masculine types. Their hair were so tightly pulled back and pinned to their head, their faces looked like they were plastic wrapped.” She laughed. “Trent is so funny.”

I huffed. “What does he know?”

“What is that supposed to mean?”

“My father’s school is the best in the country. What, exactly, did he expect from the academy?”

She shrugged. “I don’t know. Just not a poised young lady who looked feminine for once, I guess. He also said that I can contact him any time... you know... if I need any help with the project.” She tapped the binder on her lap.

Shit! I wanted to shout as I gripped the steering wheel even tighter. The bastard was making me feel like a failure... like an abysmal failure.

Not only that, he was clearly hitting on Kat. No doubt the guy was a player who planned to manipulate her. Did he know she was Mr. Lee’s daughter, despite Kat giving him a false last name?

You’re too innocent for your own good, Kat. And that bozo... well, I’m not going to let him get his hands on you... no matter what.