For the first time ever, I’m reluctant to go to work. I love to cook, and the restaurant is normally the highlight of my day. Today, I’d happily ignore it all to spend more time with Sasha.

I watch her from the corner of my eye as the SUV bumps down the road toward town. She’s taking in the view, which mostly consists of a ton of trees. She had a makeup bag in her purse, but to my eye she looked fine without it.

Smart, funny, sexy as hell. She’s independent, knows her own mind, but is easy to be with. Except for her sad lack of beer appreciation, she’s damn near the perfect woman.

The restaurant’s only five minutes from my cabin. “It’s not much to look at from the outside,” I say as we pull around to the back, “but that’s by design.”

She casts her eye over the weathered wood siding as we get out of the car. “If I didn’t know any better, I’d think this was a bar, maybe. The kind bikers hang out in.”

“Exactly. Word of mouth gets me plenty of business. I don’t want the hassle of a three-hour waiting list, food critics sneaking in to review me, pressures to relocate and build something newer and bigger. All the class is on the inside, and the outside discourages most of the people who don’t know better.”

I hold the door so she can go in first, which lets me watch her gorgeous round ass move in those jeans. Just like that, I’m hard again. If not for the fact that the place is going to be full of my crew any minute, I’d work in some hanky-panky on one of the tables.

The truth is, after less than twenty-four hours in her company, I’m trying to figure out how to keep Sasha around. Not just for the sex, but all of it.

“This is enormous,” she says as we come into the kitchen.

I’m used to it, but I look around, seeing it through her eyes. It’s all stainless steel, with multiples of everything: refrigerators, sinks, ovens, dishwashers. There are stations for food prep and equipment for grilling, sauteing, deep frying, and more.

“It lets us do a lot of different things. We’re not that big an operation, though; you should see the kitchens in some of the chain restaurants.”

“I bet. I admit I’ve never really paid that much attention; when I go out to eat, my focus is on the other end of the process.”

“As it should be. A good restaurant operation never gives a guest cause to think about what goes on back here.”

I hear footsteps from the front, and then my manager comes in. “I thought I heard voices,” he says. I see the gleam of curiosity in his eyes as I make the introductions.

“Sasha, this is my cousin Gastone. He could be managing any restaurant he wanted, but he’s kindly agreed to help me out here. Gastone, Sasha Delacroix.”

“Pleased to meet you, Sasha. Don’t let Brando fool you -- this place is as good as any of those fancy big-city joints. Nowhere else I’d rather be.”

“Nice to meet you, Gastone.” She turns to me. “What would you like me to do?”

Behind her, my cousin clutches his chest in mock agony that he’s been so easily dismissed. I suppress a smile. Gastone does pretty well with the ladies, but my girl only has eyes for me.

Just to rub it in, I pull her close and keep my hand at her waist, speaking in low, intimate tones. “When Kami gets here, you can help her set the tables.”

Her eyelashes flutter in instinctive response, and I’m sorely tempted to take things further, audience or not. Lacing my fingers through hers, I rub my thumb back and forth over the inside of her wrist.

She sucks in a breath. “Brando,” she mutters, keeping her voice low because the restaurant staff are filing into the room.

“Yes, Sasha?”

She goes up on tiptoe to whisper in my ear. “If you keep doing that, I’m going to jump you. In front of everyone.”

I give her a look that says if she makes good on her threat, I won’t stop her. For my part, I’m still stroking her skin. She bites her lip, her expression half warning, half encouragement.

By now we’re surrounded by the crew, so I reluctantly release her. “Everyone, this is Sasha. If you cross paths with her tonight, introduce yourself. Kami, she’s going to help you with tables, so please show her the ropes. Let’s get to work.”

* * *

Out of sight, when it comes to Sasha, is definitely not out of mind. Even when I’m immersed in cooking, a corner of my mind stays with her.

Earlier, when we slept together — the actual sleeping part — it was the best rest I’ve gotten in a long time. Not a single nightmare chased me.

I’d be a fool to let her slip away. But apart from great sex — and I’m not arrogant enough to think I’m the only guy on the planet who knows what he’s doing in bed — what can I offer her?

She’s a brainy college student; I went straight into the military. Her family is rich, and mine … is not. Can we last longer than a hookup?

That’s what I need to find out.