Sweet Tarte (Sweet Enough to Eat, #5) Page 5

  “Well, I happen to have heard about a new restaurant opening up in town. One that is likely to make waves. You may not have finished your schooling, but you could learn more on the job there than you’ll ever learn in a stuffy classroom. And they just happen to be looking for a new sous chef.”

  I narrow my eyes at him. “It’s a nice idea, but a sous chef? There will be hundreds of applicants and I have no experience.” I shake my head. “They’ll never give me a chance.”

  “They will. Believe me. For one thing, they’re desperate. The grand opening is tomorrow evening and the chef they had lined up had to pull out at the last minute. And for two?” He pauses, and there’s a twinkle in his eye as the corners of his lips draw up. “You are a fantastic, natural cook. If I was running their restaurant, I would give you the job.”

  “You really think so?”

  “My dear, I know so. If you want me to, I will make arrangements for you to interview with them. Just impress the head chef and I’m sure the job will be yours.”

  “Oh my, that would be amazing...I don’t know what to say.”

  “Just say that you’ll do your best. And that you won’t let Dr. Stumps intimidate you into doing anything rash.”

  I nod. “Thank you. Thank you so much.”

  “SO, THIS IS WHERE THE magic happens.” The chef, Cornelius, gives me a wicked grin. It’s Valentine’s morning, and I know the restaurant opens tonight. He seems confident, but without a sous chef his opening night will have to be postponed. “You ever worked in a place like this before? Dud told me you’re quite the talent.”

  Hearing Mr. Dudley referred to as ‘Dud’ would be funny if it didn’t feel so weird. I search for the right thing to answer that won’t make me look completely inexperienced while also not being a total lie. Then he continues without waiting for my response.

  “Anyway, I’m sure it’s a bit bigger than you’re used to, but don’t let that intimidate you. Everything’s the same as it is in any other kitchen, and you’ll soon learn the ropes. I’m not going to lie to you, it’s stressful, but it’s the best feeling in the world to cook something that makes someone else’s year a little bit better.”

  When he turns to me, I nod enthusiastically, feeling totally out of my depth. The way Mr. Dudley has built me up should be flattering, but the problem is I don’t know what I’m doing. I should be confident in a kitchen like this if I’m going to have this job, but all I can think about is that I can’t read a recipe and at some point someone’s going to expect me to.

  “You look nervous.”

  I nod. “Just a bit overwhelmed.”

  “Victoria. Don’t let stories of kitchens scare you out of a job you’re capable of doing. Dud believes in you, and he has a nose for these things. In a moment, I’m going to ask you to cook for me, and then you’ll see that this is no different from any other kitchen.”

  My heart sinks, and I search for the words, but they won’t come. How do I tell this man, who’s being so kind to me, that whatever he’s going to ask me to cook, he’s going to need to read out the instructions? I mean, when the place is busy tonight—and every other night—he can’t stand there telling me what to do. He’ll expect me to be able to follow written orders without mixing up table fifteen’s cod with table eighteen’s risotto.

  “I’m sorry, I can’t—”

  “You absolutely can.” He nods. “And you will. Dud told me you struggle to read. That’s fucking perfect as far as I’m concerned, if you’ll pardon my language. I hate the way chefs these days are trained to follow every little instruction to the letter. So boring. I need a chef with the skill to adapt and the flair to make something from nothing. So, let’s call what we’ve done so far the interview, and now I need an audition. For the next forty-five minutes, this is your kitchen. I’m going to leave and get on with some other work that needs doing before we open tonight. You’ve got staff if you need prep work doing, and a larder full of ingredients. Don’t think there’s too much pressure, I’m not expecting perfection. But make me something that shows what I know you can do, and the job’s yours.”

  AN HOUR LATER, CORNELIUS is biting into his bottom lip, an empty plate in front of him as he sits back in his chair.

  “Was it all right?” I ask, nervously. Right now, it’s not even about whether I’ve got the job. That was always a long shot. But I just want him not to dash my dreams of one day working in a place like this.

  He shakes his head and disappointment floods through me.

  “No, Victoria. It wasn’t all right. There was nothing all right about this.” He draws a deep breath and my lip quivers as I nod, trying to put on a brave face. Then he continues. “Honestly, I’ve never tasted anything quite like it. The way you’ve combined the flavors...the hint of blue cheese?”

  “I knew that was a risk. I—”

  “It was a risk that paid off. Honestly, this is the best thing I’ve tasted in a while. You have a very sophisticated palate for one so young, and an eye for ingredients. I want this to be our Valentine’s Day special, if you’re able to replicate it? Victoria, I don’t know if Dud told you, but we will need you to start tonight. Will that be a problem?”

  I can’t quite believe what I’m hearing. Is he really offering me the job?

  “The pay will be the same as I’d offer for any sous chef, and the same job conditions. You’ll sometimes need to come in on your days off if cover drops out at the last minute. I won’t lie to you, it’s not an easy job, but I’m hoping you’ll take it?”

  My head is already nodding as I think about what I’m going to tell my mom. All our problems are solved. “Yes!” I feel the grin spreading over my face, tears starting to run down my cheeks. “Yes! Thank you.”

  With everything that’s happened over the last few days, I was beginning to think things couldn’t get any worse. But now they’ve got a lot better.

  I just hope sometime soon I’m going to stop thinking about Dimitri Dolce Cossack.

  8

  Dimitri

  “IS EVERYTHING SET UP for later? My plans have been followed to the letter?”

  My housekeeper and secretary sighs down the phone. She’s been with me for years and is the only person in this world that can get away with something like that. Truth is, she’s more like a mother or a big sister to me than an employee. “Dimitri, when I say something is done, it’s done. I do not accept anything less than perfection, you know that.”

  It’s true. If anything, Sarah is more focused on the details than I am. She’s never married, not that there haven’t been plenty of suitors. She’s looking for the one person who can match up to her exacting standards, and I get it.

  “I trust you, but this is extra important.”

  “And if it’s important to you, it’s important to me. The accountant, however, has questioned the sanity—”

  “Fuck him,” I snap. “If he wants to question my decisions, he can find himself a new job.”

  Sarah laughs. “He’s doing his job, Dimitri. He hasn’t seen how distracted you’ve been over this girl.”

  It’s true. I cannot get her out of my fucking mind.

  The last couple of days, my dick hasn’t known what to do with itself. Half the time I’ve been walking around with a permanent hard-on, just thinking about Victoria, the rest of the time I’ve been putting things into place for the two of us.

  And dealing with disgruntled staff members who decide to gossip about me behind my back. I can only imagine what she thought when she overheard a conversation about me being a womanizer. I mean, nothing could be further from the truth, but my job does require me to entertain the high rollers and well-known faces of this world. Sometimes they’re women. All of them know that there’s never going to be anything more than friendly conversation on the cards.

  But that doesn’t stop the gossip.

  “Well, you deal with him. Tell him any more talk of my sanity and he can find himself another job.”

  “I’ll make it a priorit
y.”

  “Good. That’s priority number two though. Priority number one is looking for a place for Victoria’s family.”

  “I’m already on it. You said she has five younger brothers? There’s a street not far from hers, a much nicer neighbourhood with better access routes. Houses aren’t cheap, but a six bedroom is available.”

  “Perfect. Buy it.”

  When my private detective told me where she lived, I went over there just to watch her. The place is a hellhole, but that’s not their fault. As far as I can tell, her mom and brothers all love each other. They keep their place clean, but it’s not a safe neighbourhood and there’s work that needs to be done by the landlord.

  Well, let me tell you who the fucking landlord is.

  Yeah, that fucking doctor that brought her to my restaurant also owns her ass. No wonder she felt she had to spend time with him, she was probably scared she and her family were going to lose their home.

  Well, not on my watch.

  I bought the place across the road from her, using a couple of shell companies to hide the purchase from the doctor, who seems to own all the property around there, and installed a sophisticated camera system so that I could keep an eye on her all the time, watching her comings and goings, then I really went to work.

  Turns out, Victoria is studying catering at the local community college, and no wonder she had such an eye for what worked and what didn’t when she came to my restaurant. I went there, only to find out she’d been kicked off her course for not keeping up with the written portion. Such bullshit. One of the teachers, James Dudley, saw me fuming at the admissions tutor and called me over. We got chatting and came up with a plan of action.

  Well, now that plan is coming to fruition.

  “Consider it done. Is there anything else?”

  “No, that’s all. I’ll call you later when we’re on our way home.”

  I end the call with Sarah just as the maître d’ arrives at my table. “Good evening, sir, can I say what an absolute pleasure it is to have you with us tonight?”

  He is fawning, but I get it. It’s their opening night and they have a lot of guests here, but none that can do so much to make or break their reputation as I can. I’ve already greeted a few celebrities I know, film stars and politicians, and there are gaudy displays of opulence on every table, but I don’t care about them. All I care about is her.

  My Victoria.

  “I always like to check out the competition,” I say with a smile, and notice a slight moment of hesitation cross his face. “That was a joke. I’m hoping this place does well. It has the potential.”

  He smiles. “Thank you, sir. I’d be happy to take your order right now, but is there anything else I can get for you? Would you like to see the wine list?”

  I shake my head. “Choose a wine for me. Cost isn’t an issue. And I’d like to have tonight’s special, please.”

  “Yes sir, of course. We have an excellent bottle of—”

  “That will be fine.”

  “Very good, sir.” He collects the unopened menu from in front of me. “I think you’ll be delighted with tonight’s special. Will anyone be joining you?”

  “I’m sincerely hoping so. But not until after I’ve eaten.”

  “For dessert then?”

  I nod and he smiles as he turns away.

  Oh yes, definitely for dessert...

  9

  Victoria

  I WIPE THE BACK OF my hand over my forehead and it comes away with a sheen of sweat. The kitchen is like a furnace, and even with the last orders completed and sent out to the tables there’s still prep work to do for the desserts. I had no idea that working in a restaurant like this would be such hard work, but for all that there’s a huge grin on my face.

  Because I did it.

  Maybe I can’t read a recipe. Maybe I don’t always follow the rules. But if this evening is anything to go by, I can cook a pretty mean meal and do so under pressure.

  The Valentine’s Day special was particularly popular. Orders kept coming in so fast I couldn’t keep up. In the end, Cornelius told all the other assistants that I was in charge and they were to follow my lead. It was quite something.

  “So, how do you think your first shift is going?” Cornelius grins as he steps up beside me loading the dishwasher. “Leave that, somebody else can do it.”

  He snaps his fingers, and before I can reply one of the other assistants has already stepped in to take over, letting me step away for a breath.

  “It’s been amazing,” I tell him. “Really amazing. Thank you so much for giving me this opportunity.”

  He waves his hand dismissively. “Thank you. You’ve been a breath of fresh air and you’ve really helped to make this evening a success. I don’t have to tell you how important the opening night is, but you’ve proven yourself.” He draws a deep breath. “In fact, I have one more favor to ask.”

  “Of course, anything,” I say without hesitation. Cornelius isn’t just an amazing head chef, he’s also fair to all his employees. I know he wouldn’t ask me to do anything unless it was important.

  “Well, you don’t know what it is yet, and I’ll understand if you want to say no.” He licks his lips. “We have a very special guest here tonight. A food critic of sorts, but a restaurateur himself as well. He had your special and he’s asked to speak to the chef personally. Of course, normally that would be my job and I’d be happy to do it. But the truth is, I’m not the chef of tonight’s special, you are, and I’d feel terrible taking that spotlight away from you. You deserve the credit for creating that meal.”

  For a moment, I don’t know what to say. Everything has happened so fast over the last couple of days, and suddenly what happened with Dimitri is right back in my mind. It seems like that moment was the most important thing to happen to me, even when my family is facing eviction, I’ve been kicked out of school, lost my job and gained a new one. That time I spent with Dimitri seems to fill every part of me, and I feel myself growing sad and angry as I think about it. How could I have got him so wrong? How can anyone say the things he said to me and not feel guilty about them being total lies?

  “Oh, Victoria, I’m sorry, what’s wrong?”

  I reach up to my face and realize I’m crying when my fingers come away wet. “Sorry,” I mutter. “I’ve had a lot happen over the last couple of days.”

  Cornelius nods. “I understand. If you want me to deal with this customer, just say so. And if you want to end your shift there, please do. We can cope without you for dessert and you’ve earned it.”

  “No.” I shake my head. “No, I’d like to speak to him.”

  He watches my eyes for a moment, then sniffs as he snaps his fingers at another assistant. “Please get Victoria something to wipe her eyes and face, and a clean apron.” He lowers his voice as he turns to me. “Aprons get dirty in here, but for this customer I think we ought to put on a bit of theatre.”

  AT FIRST, I DON’T NOTICE him. I don’t know how that’s possible, seeing as he’s so enormous and imposing, but it happens. Maybe it’s the number of customers in the restaurant, or perhaps it’s the half-dozen waiters moving between the tables, but it’s not until we’re almost at his table that I realize who it is I’m supposed to talk to.

  And I almost flee.

  “Victoria, I’d like to introduce you to a very important patron this evening, Mr. Dimitri—”

  “Dolce Cossack...” I finish, time seeming to slow as his blue eyes meet mine and I almost lose myself in them. The sudden urge to drop to my knees between his legs is overwhelming, and I nearly do just that before Cornelius’ voice cuts through into my daydream.

  “Oh, you know him?” I turn to find Cornelius staring, but he recovers quickly. “I mean, of course you do, he’s very famous. Mr. Cossack, this is our newest sous chef, and the genius behind the meal you just ate.”

  Dimitri’s low growl of a voice makes my insides shudder, and a little liquid seep out between my legs as he answers
: “Hello, Victoria.”

  “You know each other?” Cornelius is turning his head between me and Dimitri, his eyebrows raised. “How?”

  “We met,” Dimitri says, licking his lips as he watches me. “And more.”

  Recovering myself, I draw back and force a smile to my lips. Dimitri Dolce Cossack has already cost me a job and nearly cost me my family’s home. I’ll be damned if I let him be the reason I lose this one. “I hear you enjoyed the meal, Mr. Cossack. I’m delighted that it was to your satisfaction. I hope we can expect to see you here again sometime?”

  When he stands, I almost cower. His presence is imposing when he’s sitting down, but standing up he towers over everyone else in the room. Even Cornelius takes a step back as Dimitri steps over to me and takes my wrist. He leads me to his table, pulls out the chair opposite his own and turns to me. “Sit, Victoria.”

  “You don’t say please?”

  “No. I don’t. You need to learn that. I’ll always do what’s best for you, but when I tell you to do something, I expect you to follow instructions. Understand?”

  I can feel everyone staring at me, but the shiver that runs down my spine isn’t embarrassment. It’s need. Pure need. The deep growl of Dimitri’s voice. The way he commands me. I feel safe around him, able to fully be myself without fear of what anyone else expects.

  Without a word, I take the seat at his table, and he returns to his own, pulling it around closer to me as he turns to Cornelius.

  “You own this restaurant.”

  “Ye—”

  “I’m going to be taking Victoria for the rest of the evening. That’s not a request. What is a request, is to have one of everything from the dessert menu brought to the table, and a glass of wine for each of us.”