Page 55 of Long Shot

CADE

My gaze drops to Reese’s mouth, her bottom lip wet with tequila. An intense desire to lick it, to drag my tongue along her mouth, suck that plush bottom lip and taste the tequila mingled with her own sweetness, swells up inside me, fast and hot. Her eyes smoky, her mouth full and lush . . . sensual . . . goddamn, what would it feel like to have her look at me like that? I swallow. “Well? What do you think?”

“Lovely.” Her voice is low. “Crème brulée. Pineapple. Warm and rich, with a honey-toasted oak finish.”

I purse my lips.

“What do you think?” She eyes me over her glass.

“Haven’t tried it yet.” I do the same as she did, sniffing then tasting it, holding the tequila in my mouth to search out all the notes, trying to focus on the fine tequila instead of her. I swallow and nod slowly. “Oh, yeah. Definitely warm and rich.”

Our eyes meet in a moment of shared pleasure and understanding, as if we’re standing alone in the bar, the music and voices fading around us. My jaw tightens and heat pulses around me, inside me. Damn, I want her.

“It’s amazing,” Reese says in a calm tone that belies the heat in her eyes. “I guess I shouldn’t use this stuff in the salmon marinade.”

I choke. “Fuck, no.”

“There is that rule that you shouldn’t cook with something you wouldn’t drink.”

“I thought that meant wine.”

“It means anything.” Then she chuckles. “I’m kidding. There are plenty of other good tequilas I can cook with.”

“Have you cooked with tequila before?”

“I have not. Many other spirits, but I was inspired, because this is a tequila bar. What would be better?”

“Makes sense to me.” We’ve separated a bit from the crowd, who are drinking the tequila and comparing tasting notes. “I want to add my thanks to what Beck said. We really appreciate what you’re doing.”

She eyes me. “Maybe you should wait and see how it affects your bottom line. I know that’s what you’re focused on.”

My eyebrows snap together. “That’s not all I care about.”

“It’s not?”

“Come on.” My voice comes out low and rough. “That’s what you think of me?”

“I know it’s important for you to make a success of the business.”

“What’s wrong with that?”

“Nothing at all. I’m not criticizing you. I respect that.”

“Huh.” I eye her doubtfully.

“Look, I’ve worked for some horrendous bosses. You’re not one of them.”

“Oh.” I like that. Drawn to her, I shift closer. “I guess that’s good.”

Her lips curve. “You may have some control issues, but you’re not a total dick to the people who work for you.”

“High praise indeed.”

Her eyes sparkle. “But it’s a business. You can treat your staff like royalty, but if you’re not making money, they won’t even have jobs.”

“Good point,” I murmur, watching her lips move as she talks. Amazingly, we’re on the same page when it comes to business. I fucking love that. “You seem to have a very sensitive palate when it comes to tasting . . . tequila.”

“I took sommelier classes. To learn about wines. At one point, I almost thought about becoming a sommelier.”

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