Read Online Light Beyond the Darkness by Tami Lund - Free Book Online

even bat an eyelash.”
    Of course he didn’t. Sam had played into his hands, however inadvertent it might have been.
    “Sam, I can’t—”
    “Weirdly enough, he seemed to believe you would refuse. I told him not to worry, that I’d talk you into it.”
    “Sam—”
    “Come on, Carley. This is perfect. You whip up a steak, show him the basics, and you’re done. I’ll pay you for an entire shift’s work, when you’re only going to be there for a couple hours tops.”
    “It’s not that simple, Sam. It’s—”
    The man would not let her finish a sentence. Nor would he give up on his grand idea of hiring her out as a personal chef. Starting with Reid as their first client.
    “Tonight.”
    “Tonight?” she yelped. “I can’t plan something like this by tonight .”
    Sam shook his head. “You don’t have to plan anything. I have the menu right here.” He waved a piece of paper, on which someone had written in sharp block letters:
    STEAK
    POTATO
    VEGETABLE
    KEY LIME PIE
    The manager frowned. “He wasn’t particular about the vegetable. Said he didn’t even care if it was included, but that you would.”
    Carley’s lips twitched. Already, he knew her well. But then she shook her head. “I can’t do this.”
    “Why not? It’s what you do every day, except tonight, you’re doing it for one person, instead of hundreds.”
    But that’s just it .
    Before she could argue further, the manager slapped the piece of paper onto the counter in front of her. “Write down the ingredients you need. I’ll have everything here, ready to go, at four o’clock. Come to the employees’ entrance. Pick up the bags and then hightail it out of here. Otherwise, you know you’ll get sucked in. None of those kids in that kitchen think they can function without you.” He sounded annoyed, yet Carley was flattered.
    I need to be needed.
    It was a surprising thought, one she hadn’t really considered until now. Yet, she realized it was true. It was the reason she’d felt so comfortable here, in this restaurant, and living in the cramped house with so many human roommates. Because they all needed her, for one reason or another. And that was what Carley thrived on.
    And why Reid was so attractive.
    Well, Reid was attractive all on his own, in a purely aesthetic way. His obsession for her—that was simply icing on the proverbial cake. Tasty, delectable, sweet-cream icing. And she was about to get a taste. Tonight.
    If she wanted it. If she was brave enough. There was something strangely…tempting about the idea.
    And yet, even as she reluctantly listed the ingredients and equipment she would need to create her signature steak dinner, she recognized her own fear. Fear of what would happen, if Reid kissed her and they were not standing in the middle of a park teeming with people. Miguel had kissed her once, the day they were mated, a quick peck on the cheek to prove to the king and her parents that he really was thrilled with the union. It had been a lie, of course. And it was the one and only time he’d ever done it.
    Reid’s kiss hadn’t felt like a lie. It had felt honest, open, stark, real . It had felt like he wanted more, but was holding himself back because, while she hadn’t told him anything at all, he knew . He knew she had a poor experience. He knew she was skittish. He knew if he pushed too far, too soon, she would bolt.
    That awareness was what propelled her to go through with the meeting, to pick up the supplies at the appointed time, to show up at the address he’d given to her manager.

Chapter 4
    “I’m honestly surprised you kept the appointment,” Reid said when he opened the door. He wore a pair of worn jeans and a simple navy-blue T-shirt. His feet were bare. His cheeks were smooth-shaven. She blinked bemusedly at the rare sight of him without facial hair.
    He pulled the two heavy bags of food and cooking supplies out of Carley’s arms. “I would have met you at the restaurant and helped carry all