Page 19 of Hungry Hearts

“If I haven’t made it clear, I’d like to see you again. I won’t pressure you or anything, but if you could at least text me in the next couple of days to let me know you’re thinking about me, I’d be cool with that. I’m not opposed to naked Facetiming either. Or clothed. Sexting is cool too.”

“You don’t ever stop, do you?” She laughs.

Shit. I overstepped again. “Do you want me to?”

Maia tilts her head and smiles up at me. “I want you to be yourself, Ryder. Unless this is all an act?”

“My good looks and charm are one hundred percent genuine and authentic.” I brush a flyaway strand of hair away from her face. “I really want to get to know you more. Naked Maia crying out my name while she orgasms is fucking phenomenal. But Maia dressed in her work clothes, sitting across from me having tea and mostly polite conversation is the most perfect time as well. Thank you for spending some time with me.” I lean down and kiss the corner of her mouth then turn and walk away.

I make it ten feet before turning around. She’s still rooted in the same spot, stunned and looking like a vision. I curl my index fingers and thumbs in front of my chest, making a heart, and toss her a wink.

When her seriousness cracks and I see her chuckling, I turn again, whistling my way down the sidewalk. It isn’t until I’ve gone two blocks that I realize I still have her keys. It wasn’t an intentional move to force her to contact me again.

But I grin in satisfaction anyway.

I’m back in the kitchen at Red going over this evening’s specials with my chefs when my phone buzzes in my pocket. There are few sacred times when I ignore my phone: when I’m buried deep inside a woman, when I’m with the aces and we’re discussing serious business —otherwise I have no problem being rude to them for the possible booty call—and when I’m discussing dinner menus with my staff.

But on the off chance that it’s Mia, I reach for my phone. A text from an unknown number. “I need to take this,” I tell my team without looking at them, trying to hide my stupid grin, and head back to my office.

I wait until I close my door and am settled behind my desk before reading her message.

UNKNOWN NUMBER:Sneaky. I had a hard time locking up the salon tonight without my keys. I suppose you’re holding them hostage.

I feel bad about causing her an inconvenience, and I hope someone was there to lock up for her.

ME:That wasn’t my intention, but I’m not mad about forgetting. To be fair, you were so caught up with my charm that you forgot to ask for them back.

UNKNOWN NUMBER:Wasn’t that the purpose of meeting you for coffee?

ME:A. No. I could have given them back to you at the salon. The purpose of meeting for coffee was to spend more time with you.

Three bubbles pop up, then quickly disappear. Pop up. Disappear. I chuckle, imagining her biting her bottom lip out of frustration. I add her name to my contacts while I wait out her response.

MAIA:And B?

B?I read my text again and grin. I have no B, but I’ll make one.

ME:And B: You purposely didn’t ask for your keys back so you’d have a reason to text me.

MAIA:*gasp emoji*You stole my phone and put your number in before I forgot to ask for my keys.

ME:Liar.

Her response isn’t immediate, but a few moments later, a gif of a woman giving the camera the finger has me laughing.

ME:That’s not very lady like.

MAIA:The things you have me doing, saying, and thinking about are not lady like at all.

MAIA:Wait. I didn’t mean... I meant all the curse words swirling around in my head.

ME:Mhm.

MAIA:I need my keys. I have to open the salon in the morning.

Fuck. I have three VIP tables tonight who requested—and are paying handsomely—for me to make their meals. Not every plate is guaranteed to be made by Five Star and Michelin reviewed Chef Ryder Benton, but it doesn’t stop our reservations from filling up months in advance.

The mayor’s reservation isn’t until nine tonight, and with it being a party of eight, there’s no way I’ll be out of here before eleven. And that’s pushing it.

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