“Sounds good. Olivia is doing grilled prime rib with creamed spinach. I’m making crab-stuffed mushrooms and garlic focaccia.”

“Fucking hell.” Mark closed his eyes and swallowed the drool pooling in his mouth. “We need more treadmills in the fitness center.”

“Probably. I had to buy bigger whites last week because we’ve been tasting so many new recipes.” Jake shrugged, then added, “Not that I’m complaining. Olivia says she likes having more of me to cuddle. Anyway, I’ll let you get back to it.”

“Thanks.” Mark shut the door behind him, then pushed the cart into the bedroom.

As much as he admired her dedication to her work, she needed to learn balance. It sounded like the food Jake was planning would be perfect for reminding Kendra she liked to eat. Then again, he should have suspected she’d neglect her health for work.

She’d skipped meals when she first started working for them. Jake had often brought food to her office and stood over her until she ate it. It was like she forgot her body needed fuel and sleep to be at her best.

The random thought gave him a better idea.

He found her standing near the table, shifting her weight on her feet. She’d washed the smeared makeup from her face, and although her eyes were still red from crying, she looked fresh and sweet.

“Good girl,” he murmured, leaving the cart near the table within her reach. After seating himself, he added, “You’ll be serving us.”

“Yes, sir.” She laid out the covered plates, along with flatware and napkins, but frowned when she lifted the single wineglass. “I’ll get another glass from the minibar.”

“No.” He patted his lap, then added, “Pour for us, then come sit on my lap.”

“Um… I think I’d rather stand.” Despite her words, she filled the wineglass and set it on the table in front of him.

“I bet you would. Come here.”

She licked her lip, making his cock twitch as he thought about her kneeling between his feet to suck him off while he ate. As entertaining as it sounded, it would defeat the entire purpose of their weekend.

When she didn’t immediately obey, he took her hand and brought her closer.

“Mark, I—”

“Sit.”

Kendra

Didn’t Mark know her butt still throbbed? And what about the ginger? She’d make a mess everywhere, but she doubted he cared. In fact, she’d bet he was extending her punishment.

Of course, he was. It was a total Mark thing to do. He’d get to savor whatever smelled so good under the warming cloches and enjoy her discomfort at the same time. Thankfully, the burn from the ginger was beginning to ease off.

Slowly, she lowered herself to his lap, trying her best to perch without putting too much pressure on her abused bottom.

“Not like that.”

“What?”

“Like this.” He put his hands on her waist and turned her to face away from him, then parted her knees until her thighs were spread wide and she straddled him.

The position nestled her throbbing ass against his cock and the leather of his trousers abraded her sensitive flesh. Her nipples hardened under the scratch from the lace of her apron. Worse, the pressure made the ginger spark to life inside her.

“Mark, please. I—”

“Isn’t this better?” He stroked her inner thigh, then brushed a teasing fingertip over her folds before holding the wineglass to her lips. “This is a new cab Jake is trying out. Tell me what you think.”

She sipped from the glass but when he petted her thigh again, she lost focus on the wine’s flavor profile. “I…it’s good.”

“Are you sure?” He held the glass to her lips once more. “Have another taste.”

Squeezing her eyes shut, she tried again, and managed to pay attention. The dry wine was rich with cassis and vanilla with a faint note of oak, and she wondered what Jake had planned to go with such an amazing vintage.