Page 71 of Enchanted Hero
If he was referring to her, he was underestimating himself. He’d taken her company, kidnapped her and kissed her. And he promised they were just getting started. “What company did you start first?”
He gestured to their surroundings.
“This restaurant?” She sat back in surprise. “Really?”
He nodded. “I’ve always loved to create different dishes. Most of my people are vegetarian, and I wanted to showcase exotic and gourmet meals without meat. When it was successful, I opened more restaurants in different parts of the country. Now we’re in almost every state.”
Everleigh traced the engraved handle of a golden spoon. “I can’t believe I didn’t know this. Then again, I don’t usually dine at hundred-dollar-a-plate restaurants.”
He lifted an eyebrow.
“Two hundred dollars a plate?”
The other eyebrow joined it.
“Forget it, I don’t want to know. But I’m curious about one thing. You said most of your people are vegetarian. What did you mean by your people?”
For just a moment, surprise and concern tangled in his expression. It disappeared in an instant. “I meant my family. Anyways, after the restaurant was successful, I started investing in various companies, ranging from computers to retail to services and everything in between. Now Stone Holdings encompasses hundreds of companies all over the world.” He lifted his glass. “We’re always on the search for new companies that offer profitability, a good business model, low company resistance, promising products and–”
“Hold on just a minute,” she cut in. “What did you just say?”
He shrugged. “Promising products?”
“Before that.”
“A good business model?”
“After that.”
“Low company resistance?”
“You normally take companies that want to sell?” She stared at the man who conquered her company like an invading marauder. “I fought with everything I had, but you still took over. How many companies have fought you like that?”
“Including you?” He clasped his hands before him. “That would make one.”
She opened her mouth, closed it, opened it again. “We’re the only unwilling company you’ve taken? Why?”
“You had something I wanted.”
She inhaled anger, exhaled suspicion. What could her tiny company possibly possess that would entice a man as powerful as Alexander Stone? Before she could ask, the waiter returned, carrying two large trays of silver platters. She sat back as he placed a dozen different dishes on the table.
The food was as impressive as the surroundings, its hot contents melting the edge of her anger. Like breakfast, it was a family style feast, including savory pasta primavera with roasted vegetables, loaded baked potatoes covered in sour cream and a hearty vegetarian chili. Freshly baked breads, fluffy biscuits and golden sweet rolls brought a delicious scent to the air, amidst a platter of crisp salads and creamy cheeses.
“As requested, we combined the courses to conserve time.” The waiter finished serving the food. “Is everything to your satisfaction?”
Alexander’s gaze never left hers. “Absolutely.”
She blushed.
After the server left, Everleigh focused on the food, which was far less dangerous than the man watching her. Once she fortified herself with the hearty meal, she would continue her questioning. “There’s so much here. We won’t eat half of it.”
He served them each a portion of every dish. “Don’t worry. They’ll save whatever is left for me.”
“Alexander Stone doesn’t miss any detail, does he?” She twirled the fork in her fingers. “Yet even you can’t control everything. Some things – and people – will always be out of your control.”
He finished serving the food, then sat back, clearly waiting for her to eat. For once, she obliged without protest. She bit into the pasta primavera, and the deep flavor of roasted onions and sweet peppers burst into her mouth. The pasta was cooked to perfection, drizzled in a flavorful garlic sauce and covered in farm-fresh vegetables. “It’s fantastic.” She wiped her lips. “Is this the same chef from the boat?”
He inclined his head. “Some of his recipes have been incorporated into the menu.”
