Read Online The Dark Side of the Rainbow by Rita Hogan - Free Book Online
Authors: Rita Hogan
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about discarded inventory due to the items’ perishability. The executive chef estimated that the increased revenue would more than pay for any residual loss.
“Another thing to consider is not throwing away any of the aged product. On the very last day it can be served, I can use whatever is left to treat the employees. Consider it a morale booster. There is always a cost to making your employees happy. You can even itemize that particular expense in your general ledger.”
Natasha gave a hearty laugh, feeling better than she had all day . . . in weeks actually.
When her mirth subsided, she became quiet all of a sudden.
“Gaston, why did you kiss me?” The young executive couldn’t look at him when she asked the question.
She felt his finger on her chin and was surprised when he turned her head to make eye contact with her.
“Has kissing you fueled your hatred for French men?” he asked with some uncertainty.
Unable to talk, she shook her head.
“Good. I kissed you because I haven’t stopped thinking about you since I first met you.”
Natasha remembered that day several weeks ago when she, Landon, and a few of the other executives sat on the stools in this very kitchen to watch Gaston work. She hadn’t been able to take her eyes off of him. His tall, sturdy build was stunning, but it was his hands which had caught her attention. The deft movement of his strong fingers and wrists were effortless. It was as if they knew what to do before he even thought about the ingredients and tools.
When he had plated the dish he was demonstrating to the team, he had turned his dark brown eyes upon Natasha. His hair was the same color, framing a face that dimpled when he smiled.
She hadn’t been able to look at him while she tasted the food. One bite was all it took. She knew he was the right person for the Grand Vue.
The truth was, her mind, too, had been flooded on and off with thoughts of Gaston. Worried that he was like all the other men she had known from his country, it was better to dislike and provoke him than to want him.
Holding his gaze, she replied, “I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you either.”
He smiled a slow grin. “Will you try to slap me again if I kiss you?”
Natasha placed her hands behind her back. Closing her eyes, she waited to feel the touch of his mouth on hers. She was exceptionally excited to feel them again, this time in desire and not in anger.
CHAPTER SEVEN
H earing the sound of the shower shutting off, Natasha blinked, smiling at the memory. Six months after that late night encounter, they had married. On that long ago evening, she knew there was no other man for her.
Falling in love had come at the right time for Natasha and her brother Landon. It had been four years since the accident and his attempted suicide. He had taken the words she had spoken to him in the hospital to heart and had made great strides toward moving on with his life.
By the time she met Gaston, she was no longer worried about Landon making another suicide attempt. He was working with purpose and making a name for himself in the family business. After two years of apprenticing alongside Natasha, her brother was ready to begin negotiating.
They had been in the middle of a battle over some prime property in Rio de Janeiro. An investor from England was hard-nosing them about profit percentages. Without his money, the deal would fall through and they would lose the pristine acreage for their newest hotel. If they accepted the investor’s terms, they would agree to a higher percentage of return than they had given to anyone else in the past. At that rate, the first five years would barely be survivable. The upfront costs were steep. Building, branding, and promoting the new resort would require a great deal of capital.
After a full day of negotiations, the investor, Adler Cromwell, wouldn’t back down from his position. After dinner that night, Landon went back to his hotel room and worked up
“Another thing to consider is not throwing away any of the aged product. On the very last day it can be served, I can use whatever is left to treat the employees. Consider it a morale booster. There is always a cost to making your employees happy. You can even itemize that particular expense in your general ledger.”
Natasha gave a hearty laugh, feeling better than she had all day . . . in weeks actually.
When her mirth subsided, she became quiet all of a sudden.
“Gaston, why did you kiss me?” The young executive couldn’t look at him when she asked the question.
She felt his finger on her chin and was surprised when he turned her head to make eye contact with her.
“Has kissing you fueled your hatred for French men?” he asked with some uncertainty.
Unable to talk, she shook her head.
“Good. I kissed you because I haven’t stopped thinking about you since I first met you.”
Natasha remembered that day several weeks ago when she, Landon, and a few of the other executives sat on the stools in this very kitchen to watch Gaston work. She hadn’t been able to take her eyes off of him. His tall, sturdy build was stunning, but it was his hands which had caught her attention. The deft movement of his strong fingers and wrists were effortless. It was as if they knew what to do before he even thought about the ingredients and tools.
When he had plated the dish he was demonstrating to the team, he had turned his dark brown eyes upon Natasha. His hair was the same color, framing a face that dimpled when he smiled.
She hadn’t been able to look at him while she tasted the food. One bite was all it took. She knew he was the right person for the Grand Vue.
The truth was, her mind, too, had been flooded on and off with thoughts of Gaston. Worried that he was like all the other men she had known from his country, it was better to dislike and provoke him than to want him.
Holding his gaze, she replied, “I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you either.”
He smiled a slow grin. “Will you try to slap me again if I kiss you?”
Natasha placed her hands behind her back. Closing her eyes, she waited to feel the touch of his mouth on hers. She was exceptionally excited to feel them again, this time in desire and not in anger.
CHAPTER SEVEN
H earing the sound of the shower shutting off, Natasha blinked, smiling at the memory. Six months after that late night encounter, they had married. On that long ago evening, she knew there was no other man for her.
Falling in love had come at the right time for Natasha and her brother Landon. It had been four years since the accident and his attempted suicide. He had taken the words she had spoken to him in the hospital to heart and had made great strides toward moving on with his life.
By the time she met Gaston, she was no longer worried about Landon making another suicide attempt. He was working with purpose and making a name for himself in the family business. After two years of apprenticing alongside Natasha, her brother was ready to begin negotiating.
They had been in the middle of a battle over some prime property in Rio de Janeiro. An investor from England was hard-nosing them about profit percentages. Without his money, the deal would fall through and they would lose the pristine acreage for their newest hotel. If they accepted the investor’s terms, they would agree to a higher percentage of return than they had given to anyone else in the past. At that rate, the first five years would barely be survivable. The upfront costs were steep. Building, branding, and promoting the new resort would require a great deal of capital.
After a full day of negotiations, the investor, Adler Cromwell, wouldn’t back down from his position. After dinner that night, Landon went back to his hotel room and worked up
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