#kathern

She opensher eyes to find him staring at her, as he always does during these meetings. There’san intensity to it, like watching her eat is the highlight of his day. Theexpression’s there, even though he’s been colder, more distant than usual today.It’s a relief, even as it makes Caroline more determined to find out why.

Because, ifshe’s being completely honest, testing the specials Klaus prepares weekly,spending time with him while he does it, is usually the highlight of her day. This has been kind of astruggle to wrap her head around. Because she’s technically his boss. And thatmeans she needs to be professional, damn it. But it gets harder and harder allthe time. Right now, with him less than a foot away from her, his eyes dark andfocused on her mouth, it’s almost impossible.

She wantsto set the dish aside and reach for him. Slide her fingers through the curls atthe back of his head and pull him into her, until he settles between herthighs.

She’swatched his hands an awful lot, since she’d met him. Precise chopping, delicateplating, twirling a pencil as he’d sketched an idea for a layout change forher.

Carolinehas long since admitted, at least privately, that she wants to know what they’dfeel like on her skin.

She’dthought Klaus wanted that too, was working on convincing herself to take theleap. And then today had happened.

It’s madeher wonder if she’s too late.

She’d metKlaus by happenstance, at the exact perfect time.

She’dweathered all sorts of snide remarks about how she had no business ‘playingaround’ with her dad’s restaurant when she’d first started making changes. Alot of condescending, “That’s cute, sweetheart, but…” followed by a lectureabout how the industry really worked.Caroline had ignored all of those idiots, plowed ahead with her plan to rebrandWilliam’s. And she’d be lying if she wasn’t immensely satisfied at havingproved everyone who’d doubted her wrong, as profits had steadily ticked up inthe last two years.

She waseven eying the vacant property next door, dreams of expanding more possiblethan ever.

But she hadto give credit where credit was due. She’d first tasted Klaus’ insanely goodfood at a pop up restaurant in London. And she’d known immediately, as soon asshe’d finished that first app (pork belly and cranberry sauce on a toastedbaguette) that she had to have him.

He’d provenelusive, in the beginning.

Oh, he’dbeen interested in Caroline, and what was under her little black dress, his eyesraking over her when she’d gone to introduce herself. But he’d been in themiddle of a service, barking orders at a handful of line cooks, so she hadn’tbeen offended when he’d murmured his thanks for the compliments and offered tobuy her a drink afterwards.

She had been offended, however, when he’dseemed amused by her attempts to talk business once they’d been settled into abooth at a nearby pub. “You’re trying to recruit me? I’ve got to be honest,love. That’s not what I was expecting.”

Caroline hadsnorted, “What? Did you think I was a groupie? That I was going to drop mypanties because you’re talented? Please. I’ve been around chefs, and chefwannabes, my entire life. You’re hot but I know better. I did my research,during service. You’re a legacy, your father runs half a dozen acclaimedrestaurants in four countries. But you dropped out of culinary school for somemysterious reason. Have never run your own kitchen. And there’s no way you don’twant to. I can give you that.”

He’d beenquiet, sipped on the bourbon he’d ordered, and she’d thought she’d seen a tinyflicker of interest in his expression. Quickly masked, but she was certain shehadn’t imagined it. “Why don’t you tell me your name?” he’d suggested.

It had beenan opening, a tiny one. But that’s all Caroline had needed.

She’dintroduced herself, told him about the restaurant that had been in her familyfor sixty years. And her plans for revitalizing it, turning the too-traditionalsteakhouse into something more, something that would draw a younger crowd.Foodies, and tourists, instead of the aging regulars her father had alwayscatered to.

She’d knownexactly when she’d hooked him, had seen the gleam in his eye when she’d offereda certain amount of creative control. One he wasn’t likely to get, as anuntried chef, in another operation. But he’d played it cool, agreed to fly outand tour the kitchen, look at her business plan in depth.

He’d shownup a few weeks later and Caroline had pulled out all the stops to woo him.Including a tiny bit of flirting, because she fully believed in utilizing everyasset she’d been blessed with.

And it hadworked. Klaus had signed a six month contract, and together they’d revamped themenu. She’d even consulted him in the minor renovations she’d done – nothingcrazy, because money had been tight at that time. But the place had kind of anold man hunting lodge vibe that hadto go. A couple more lights, ripping out the carpets, changing up the art – thebare minimum that was necessary, to make the new concept work.

They’dclashed, in the beginning. Often and loudly. Had screaming fights when theplace was closed, icy silences and whispered arguments when it was filled withpeople. He could be harsh, and demanding with the kitchen staff, some of whomCaroline had known since she was small. She’d gritted her teeth, and let himrun things as he’d seen fit (because she had promised) but the first time he’d tried to bark orders at her frontof house people she’d nipped that inthe bud,

Menuplanning could sometimes be all out war. Specials flipped weekly, never to berepeated. Something to lure people back. Klaus favored trendy ingredients andsometimes Caroline had to put her foot down. Either they were too out there, arisk of alienating their core client base, or they were too expensive and wouldhave blown their target price point.

But they’dgotten better at compromising, along the way. Learned to work together. Theystill fought, always would. But she rarely had the urge to throw things at hisstupidly attractive face anymore.  Carolinehad been insanely nervous that he’d up and leave when his contract was up. Buthe’d signed another without hesitation.

Andbusiness had only gotten better since then.

Therestaurant didn’t do lunch service Monday through Wednesday and Carolineusually came in early on Monday, since it was so quiet, to work in peace.

Until Klaushad decided that Monday would be tasting day. It was technically his day off,but he insisted that it worked best for him. He usually showed up mid-morning,his thicker than usual scruff making Caroline’s palms itch to know what itwould feel like.

He’d pophis head into her office to say hi, would throw himself into one of her guestchairs and proceed to be very distracting. He was excellent at coaxing her awayfrom her spreadsheets, getting her talking about her (admittedly limited, atthe moment) like outside the restaurant.

She’deventually pull herself together and shoo him away, and he’d go with a smirkand a promise that he’d prepare lunch.

She’dwander down to eat, at the appointed time. And they’d bicker until they agreedon the next week’s specials. It was their routine, one she’d come to genuinelyenjoy.

Today hadbeen a little different, and it made Caroline nervous. Klaus had texted herinstead of coming up to her office. The text itself was blunt, “In the kitchen.Be here at 1.” She’d had been confused, had stared dumbly down at her phone,wondering if she should text him back, or go down and investigate, see ifsomething was wrong.

She’ddecided against either course of action, rationalizing that maybe he’d just hadsomething involved planned out for the test specials, and no time for idle chitchat. But her mind had stayed half on him, and half on her to do list. Shehadn’t managed to get much done.

Finally,throwing her pen down in exasperation, accepting that work was just nothappening, Caroline had gotten up from her desk. Grumbled under her breathabout how only Klaus could mess withher when he wasn’t even in the room. There was a full length mirror on the backof her office door, and she’d taken a second to shake out her hair and smoothout her sundress (telling herself that no, it didn’t mean anything that,pre-Klaus, she used to do Monday paperwork in yoga pants with her face free ofmakeup).

She’d beennervous and she’d hated it.

Carolinehad breezed into the kitchen, calling out a greeting. Klaus had gruntedsomething unintelligible, not bothering to turn away from the pot he wasstirring on the range.

And yeah,that had pretty much confirmed that he was pissed about something. Caroline hadplowed ahead, lifted herself up on a prep counter, eyes on his back, intent onwaiting him out.

She’d doneit before, when Klaus took to brooding. She could totally do it again.

Twentyminutes later, Klaus is proving stubborn. She takes another bite of braisedshort rib, watches a brief, pleased look cross his features. She loves thedish, knows it’ll sell well. But an idea hits her, a way to shove Klaus intotalking to her. He could be annoyingly tight lipped. Unless, of course, shepissed him off. And there were few buttons more effective then questioning hisfood. Caroline wrinkles her nose, just a little, pokes at the food on herplate, “It’s fine, I guess.”

Klaus, temperamentalartiste that he is, bristles immediately. “Fine?” he repeats, incredulous. “Ibeg your pardon?”

Carolinelifts one shoulder, crosses her legs. “Could use a little salt, maybe? And it’skinda similar to the flank with chimichurri you did a couple weeks ago.”

Now helooks insulted, “It most certainly is not,” Klaus spits, outrage thinly veiled.“That spice blend is decidedly Asian, thankyou.”

She blinks athim, her very best innocent expression pasted on, “I’m not saying it’s bad, Klaus. Just a little… eh.”

“Eh?” herepeats, tone pitching high in his irritation. He stiffens and stalks closer,shoulders rigid. “Are you getting sick? That’s the only possible explanation Ican think of for how wrong you are.Perhaps you caught something from that gentleman that was all over you onSaturday night? He did look a bit unwashed.”

“What?”Caroline asks, having no idea what he’s talking about. “What guy? I went outwith Kat after we closed. Had a drink and went home to bed. Not that it’s anyof your business.”

His facefalls, the anger cooling rapidly leaving nothing but a blankness that makesCaroline wish for it back. “Yes,” he says softly. “You’ve made that perfectly clear.”

She reachesout, grabs a handful of his shirt, before he can step away. She’s more certainthan ever that she needs to fix this. Before it’s too late. “Wait, Klaus.Don’t.”

“Don’twhat, Caroline?” he runs a frustrated hand through his hair. “Don’t cut mylosses? Don’t accept that you’re never going to give me a chance? I’ve come tolove this place, sweetheart. You don’t have to worry about me leaving it. Noneed to dangle yourself in front of me any longer.”

She rearsback, stung. But she doesn’t release her hold on him. “Excuse me?”

“Isn’t thatwhat you’ve been doing? I’ve made my interest perfectly clear. You flirt, butyou hold yourself back. And I understood, because you’ve been busy, and wary ofwhat people would think. So I waited. But from what I saw on Saturday you’renot too busy to start something, you’re just not interested in startinganything with me.”

She’s stillconfused, “What is it that you think you saw?”

Klaus rollshis eyes, lets out an exasperated sigh, “He was quite literally in your lap,Caroline.”

It clicks.She and Kat had gone to a bar across the street, had run into an old friend.She hadn’t seen Klaus there, but it was kind of a regular hangout for therestaurant staff so she’s not surprised that he was. “Enzo? You’re talkingabout Enzo? Jesus, Klaus he used to be a host here. Worked his way through school.He’s my friend and he was drunk. That’s it. I called his girlfriend to come pick him up.”

Klausstills, and looks more embarrassed then she’s ever seen him. Caroline wouldn’thave thought it possible, as self-assured as he always seems to be. He glancesdown, and then back at her. Winces when he sees the look on her face. Shehadn’t forgotten the not so nice accusation he’d thrown, and she wasn’t goingto let it go.

He reachesout slowly, watching her face to gauge her reaction. Klaus rests his hands onher knees when she doesn’t swat him away. She lets go of his shirt, lifts anexpectant brow.

“I think Imay owe you an apology,” he begins sheepishly.

“Youthink?” Caroline asks sharply.

“Alright,fine. I’m sorry, love. I shouldn’t have jumped to conclusions. But you’ve beendodging me for ages. I was beginning to think there had to be a reason.”

“Uh, yeah.I’ve had way too many old guys try to pat me on the head and tell me that myplans are adorable, but never going to work. What do you think they’re going tosay when they find out I’m sleeping with my head chef?”

Klauscontrite expression gives way to a smirk, his hands drifting higher on herthighs, “So you do plan on sleeping with me, then? Good to know.”

She glaresat him, but she’s fighting a smile, her hands landing on his shoulders. Shecan’t resist one last dig, “Pretty arrogant for a guy who sucks at seasoning.”

Instead ofreplying he tugs on her thighs, pulling her to the edge of the counter. Heslants his mouth over hers, licking past her lips and stroking his tongue overhers in a way that has her arching into him and wrapping her legs around his hips.She gets her hands in his hair, tugging his head to the side and sending a moanrumbling through him.

She kisseshim until she’s breathless, tearing her mouth from his and sucking in a gaspwhen she needs air. His mouth drops to her throat, his teeth scraping asensitive spot that leaves her panting. He nudges the strap of her dress aside,lips dragging over her shoulder. Caroline hates to stop him, but she has to. Stupidprofessionalism. “I’m totally not sleeping with you in this kitchen, Klaus.That’s such a health code violation.”

He laughs,and she feels it against her skin. “Someone’s getting a bit ahead of herself.Perhaps I want to be wooed,” he murmurs teasingly, pulling back to look at her.

His thumbsare stroking her inner thighs, under her skirt, and it takes her a second tofocus on his question. She pushes him away slightly, “You are so full of it. IfI asked you to take me to my office, lock the door, and do very dirty things tome, would you really say no?”

Klaus’ eyeswiden, growing hot, “Far be it for me to refuse a lady’s wants.”

Carolinegrins, shifts off the counter, and relishes the curse he grits out as her bodyslides down the length of his. She slides her hands up his shirt, strokes overthe taut muscles of his abdomen. “Tempting, but the prep cooks will be here inforty-five minutes. And I’m going to need more time if said dirty things aregoing to be worth my while.”

She scrapesher nails over his skin, watches his lashes lower in response. He swallowshard, hands coming to rest on her waist when he asks his next question, “Can Itake you out later?”

Carolinebites her lip, pretends to think about it, just to make him squirm, “Yes. We’llget a drink, and if you’re charming enough…” she trails off suggestively,tracing a fingertip along the line of his belt.

“I’m verycharming, love. Trust me. And very interested in making things worth yourwhile.”

Caroline’sglad to hear it, pulls him in for one more quick kiss. He’s reluctant to lether go, but she turns to leave. She can’t resist getting the last word, tossingone last taunt over her shoulder, “I guess it’s a good thing neither of us hasto work early tomorrow, isn’t it?”