I'm going to try to post every Friday from now on. Just so you guys can have a set day to tell me to UPDATE lol
And for the reviewer that didn't like the direction of the last chapter no it's not going to be anything like 50 shades of grey. Lucas is going to get better as the chapters progress. So rest assured. And yes it is very possible that a person can still be attracted to jerks no matter what they tell themselves and that's where Brooke is.
Chapter Four
"I don't know about a blind date Hales…" Lucas said hesitantly as he sat in his booth that Haley reserved just for their Wednesday lunch dates. "Am I really that bad off?"
"You haven't been on a date since Lauren. So yes…" she deadpanned as she served him a slice of Cannoli Cheesecake.
Lucas rubbed the back of his neck and admitted, "I don't know if I can make time to even go on a date."
"As I told your date…you can make your own hours." She stated as she sat across from him.
"I suppose you're right…" Lucas then groaned as he tasted the Italian-style cheesecake studded with mini chocolate chips and topped with pieces of waffle cones, "This cheesecake is insane Hales…"
"Thanks…its Brooke's recipe." She said as she smiled with pride.
At the mention of Brooke Lucas smiled.
"That woman does not care for me…" he said, even as he remembered the smooth sweetness of her lips against his.
"She doesn't know you…" Haley began defensively. "And it would help if you'd stop pissing her off. I don't what you did on Monday but she's still in a tizzy over it."
Lucas shrugged, "I'm sorry it's just really hard to resist making her irritated."
"What did you do anyway?" she asked as she cut into her crème brûlée cheesecake.
"She didn't tell you?" he asked as he polished off another bite.
Haley shook her head, "No. She didn't. So what happened?"
"I told her that she would be leaving for Paris for a few months to oversee the restaurant being built there in Luxuriont…and I mentioned that you could handle things for her here."
Haley looked at him with assessing eyes, sensing that he was keeping something from her asked, "Lucas…what exactly did you say?"
"Okay fine I did tell a little white lie about you and I discussing the project and you being on board with it—"
"You did what?!" she exclaimed, not caring who heard her. "No wonder she has been freezing me out! You made me look like Benedict Arnold!"
Knowing that Haley was furious, Lucas gave her an encouraging look saying, "You can handle the job Hales. I didn't lie about that."
Haley narrowed her eyes and murmured angrily, "I can't believe you did that."
"Haley…you know how I can be—"
Her eyebrow lifted in question as she asked sarcastically, "A complete asshole?"
He sighed then explained, "I figured that if she knew that you were okay with running things that she'd be more pliable towards the news. And I really do need her there but I am genuinely sorry that I placed you in the middle of this…"
Knowing that he was being sincere with her, Haley softened but was still petulant as she said, "I could choke you. But I forgive you."
"Listen I promise you that I will be more kinder to her from now on."
Haley rolled her eyes and said, "Yeah, you being less of an ass would really make communication a lot better between you. And make my job a lot easier!"
"I know, I know. From now on I will be a perfect gentleman and boss towards her." He said in complete sincerity.
"Hey bro…" Nathan said as he settled in the booth suddenly, sitting directly across from Haley. "Hi Haley…"
Haley's heart speed up the sight of the tall handsome man before her. She licked her suddenly dry lips and said nervously, "Hello Nathan…"
Nathan nodded and smirked at her by way of greeting.
"So what are you doing here?" Lucas asked warmly, glad to see him.
Nathan ruffled Lucas' hair a bit as he said, "You've been raving about this place for a month so of course I had to check it out and then I saw you two…so what's good here?"
"Everything." Lucas and Haley said in unison. "Although the sirloin steak meal is exceptionally good." Lucas added.
"How have you been Hales?" Nathan asked after waving a waiter over to order.
She felt like she was once again a preteen with a crush as she tucked her honey gold hair behind her ear and said, "Oh I've been—"
"Hey Haley...Chef Brooke wants to speak with you." Chris said as he collected Nathan's menu. "She said it's urgent."
"Well break times over." She said as she rose to her feet. She then smiled a beaming smile at the dark haired Scott and said, "Nice seeing you again Nate…and Luke…promise me that you will behave on your date. It's strictly a get-to-know-you kind of thing."
"Will do. When and where is it?"
"Tonight at the Island Oyster be there at seven thirty." She tossed back as she made her way to the kitchen. She nervously entered the kitchen area and saw Brooke waiting for her by her office. "You wanted to see me?" she asked as soon as she was close enough for Brooke to hear her.
"Yeah I did…come inside my office." She said coolly, opening the door for her to enter. "Take a seat."
Haley sat in her customary seat and looked at Brooke expectantly. If she were honest—and she usually was—this was the very first time that she felt as if Brooke was her boss and not her best friend that she happened to work with. She gulped and waited for her to speak, nervousness eating at her.
Damn you Lucas Scott, Haley thought feverishly.
"So is it true?" Brooke finally asked.
"Is what true?"
"Is it true that you told Lucas that you could run Reverie?"
Haley wanted to tell her the truth but then she didn't want to make things worse between them so she answered, "Yes…"
Brooke sighed then replied, "I spent an entire day giving you the silent treatment because one I was pissed off. Two, I didn't want to say something that I didn't mean towards you…and three, no matter how pissed I am at you I know you have my best interest at heart—no matter how much it felt like you were betraying me."
"I do have your best interest at heart Brooke." Haley rushed to assure her, "I want Reverie to succeed and I want you to be happy…"
"I know that…really I do. But I honestly wonder if it's worth all of this. The stress…dealing with Mr. Scott—"
"Lucas promised me that he will be a gentleman and boss towards you from now on if that means anything…"
Brooke rolled her eyes and said, "Yeah sure…"
"I know you don't believe that but—"
"Haley…let's just drop it. Okay?" She said as she forced a smile.
Haley nodded, "Okay…so I have a few minutes before I have to go back on the clock…"
"What is it?"
"About your date…he confirmed so you guys will be going to the Island Oyster your reservations at seven thirty."
"Are you sure that I should go?"
Haley rolled her eyes as she said with a little force, "Yes! Your life needs to be more than Reverie…"
Brooke sighed, "If you say so…"
Sure Haley could have cancelled the blind date idea and told both parties neither were interested—especially after Lucas' stunt saying she knew of his plans. But knew that those two needed to iron things out before going to Paris. Otherwise they wouldn't be able to come to an agreement on anything in the future.
She could deal with Brooke and Lucas' anger over her deception for awhile and if push came to shove she would find another position. She really hoped it didn't come to that though.
"You're gonna have a great time. I know it…" she said while lying confidently.
-x-
Brooke felt as if she were losing her mind. Ever since that kiss she shared with Lucas she hadn't been able to stop thinking about him. She wondered if she had knocked herself out by accident and woke up with a few brain cells missing because the would explain how she could find Lucas Scott even remotely attractive?
Sure, he was enthrallingly good looking with eyes that seemed like they could see right through her, and a killer smile that would make her knees weak if it weren't so mocking. But the fact is he was a jerk that knew exactly what buttons to push to get her fired up.
Maybe this blind date thing wasn't such a terrible idea. Then she could stop obsessing over that kiss that set her whole body on fire.
She looked up at the clock and saw that it was time to get ready for her date.
Twenty minutes later Brooke smiled in her reflection smoothing over the material of her outfit, looking revitalized, and excited for once. Her heart was fluttering in her chest as she applied her make-up; a nude lipstick, dark mascara and simple eyeliner and shimmering eye shadow. She sighed not liking the outfit now. She sighed then changed out of it.
She looked at the time and found that it was almost time to go. So Brooke settled on a long sleeved jumpsuit with a silver sequin design, with gold metallic heeled strappy sandals.
Brooke quickly finished getting ready and made her way downstairs and heard her crew wolf whistle at her as she walked by.
"Enjoy yourself Brooke!" Haley shouted from the kitchen just as she exited the door. Brooke smiled and vowed to herself that no matter what she would.
-x-
Island Oyster was a nice seafood restaurant with a stunning 360 view of the lake, making it impossible for anyone to miss the beauty of this body of water regardless of where they were in the establishment. Its abundant and large windows add to the elegance of the scenery. There were industrial glass sphere pendants hanging above the tables, each table having fresh flower arrangements decorating them, giving the place a sophisticated look.
Lucas looked at his watch as he waited, trying not to feel nervous.
Brooke walked in wearing a long sleeved jumpsuit with a silver sequin design, with gold croc cross body bag, her hair styled in a high ponytail to show off the statement gold square drop earrings and gold metallic heeled strappy sandals.
"Damn…" he murmured, this being the first time he'd seen her out of her usual uniform. She looked absolutely stunning.
Brooke wanted to turn around at the sight of Lucas sitting at the table that was reserved for her and her date but she steeled herself and walked towards him. He stood to his feet looking sinfully handsome in a smooth and stylish fitted blue suit made of fine wool. It's rich hue and fine tailoring flattered his lean muscular figure and piercing blue eyes.
"What are you doing here?" he asked, looking to be as perplexed as she was.
"I had a reservation for this table…I'm supposed to meet someone here. I only wanted to tell you that you were in my seat." She said as she glared at him.
Lucas chuckled and shook his head in resignation and said, "Haley…"
Her eyes widened. "So you're the single father that I'm supposed to meet?" she asked in disbelief, unable to picture him with any kids let alone twin boys.
Lucas smiled while shrugging helplessly, "Appears so."
Brooke smiled tightly as she sat down and said, "Haley has a sense of humor."
"I had no idea that you were my date…" Lucas rushed to assure her.
"This isn't a date…" she told him as she perused the menu. "Its now a business meeting—"
"Haley wanted us to avoid talking about business—"
Brooke exhaled, "Knowing her she probably thought that she was helping us. But now that we know who we are this can't be a date."
"Would it have been if I were someone else?"
"But you're not. You're my business partner and self-proclaimed boss."
Lucas sighed and said sincerely, "Look I know that I've been an ass towards you from the beginning and I just wanted to apologize for my past behavior—the kiss included. And I really want to begin again."
"You want to begin again?" she asked skeptically.
"Yes…Starting tonight. Let's forget about business and try to get to know each other. What do you say?"
"I say we need some wine! Waiter!" she said as she waved one of the waiters over.
"Welcome to Island Oyster…how are you doing this evening?" the waiter asked as he stood beside their table.
"Yes…I'd like a bottle of Ramey 2015 Ritchie Vineyard Chardonnay please…"
The waiter wrote down her drink order then looked at Lucas expectantly.
"We'll be sharing this." She inserted as soon as she perceived that Lucas wanted to order.
"Have you decided on what you want to order?"
"Actually yes we'd love to have the Shrimp and Scallops in Garlic Cream Sauce. And for dessert we'd love to have the Strawberry Chocolate Mousse Cake…thank you." She said as she took Lucas menu from him and handed it over along with her own.
The waiter jotted down and said, "Okay I'll be right out with the Chardonnay…"
"Thank you so much." She said with a dimpled smile.
"What was that?" Lucas asked perplexed by her take charge behavior.
Brooke shrugged, "Well it may be a petty reason but I just wanted you to know how I feel when you make decisions on things and force me to go along with them."
Lucas nodded, "Duly noted. As I said before I apologize and I will work on it from now on."
She smiled with approval, "Good…I really hope you keep your word on that."
He met her gaze, and his was starting to smolder as he said, "I always keep my word Chef Brooke—"
"Just Brooke…" she corrected. "We're starting over remember?"
"In that case you can call me Lucas from now on…when you called me Mr. Scott it was like nails on a chalkboard."
She laughed and nodded, "I sensed that."
"You calling me that just reminds me of my granddad. Who was a very stern man." He said as the waiter came back, pouring their wine in their glasses.
"Speaking of that…how did you get into being a hotel tycoon anyway? When before your family was known for being on Wall Street?" she asked before sipping her white wine, enjoying the sophisticated note of fresh salinity, tucked under hints of honeysuckle and vanilla, with spice, creamy citrus and delicate herbal flavors following through a long finish.
"Uh…well actually my dad began developing hotels as a hobby and then he fell in love with doing it, and so he built his empire. I inherited his talent and used everything he taught me when I worked as his assistants assistant after I came back from Westminster School in Hartford County."
"Where's that?" she asked, for once very curious to know about the man who'd burst into her life.
"It's in Connecticut." Lucas answered then leaned forward and asked, "What about you? How did you get into being a chef?"
"The truth is…I didn't choose this profession, the profession chose me." She admitted bashfully.
"What do you mean?"
"Its funny thinking about it. I originally wanted to be a stylist to the stars…" She said with a chuckle, "But when I actually tried to style my little cousin Amanda I found that wasn't my talent."
"Looking at you now, your taste has obviously gotten better."
"Thank you…" she said blushing from the warm praise. "Well anyway after dress up I used to have a little shop in my room and I used to use an easy bake oven…I ended up making a cake that was mixed with vanilla dream cake and outrageous orange cake. It ended up being the best cake I ever baked. It tasted like those orange and cream popsicles my dad used to buy me for good behavior…it was my favorite. My dad encouraged me to follow that instead of being a stylist."
"Five years later I enrolled into Westford culinary school and learned under the best teacher Brian "Whitey" Durham. He was strict about code and technique as a good chef should be…"
She smiled fondly then continued on, "the night I came up with my business plan…I remember I told him how scared I was about getting out there and starting this venture and he told me…'I've come to the conclusion that if having things turn out the way you wanted them to is a measure of a successful life, then some would say I'm a failure. The important thing is not to be bitter over life's disappointments. Learn to let go of the past. And recognize that every day won't be sunny, and when you find yourself lost in the darkness and despair, remember it's only in the black of night you see the stars. And those stars will lead you back home. So don't be afraid to make mistakes, to stumble and fall, cause most of the time, the greatest rewards come from doing the things that scare you the most. Maybe you'll get everything you wish for. Maybe you'll get more than you ever could have imagined. Who knows where life will take you. The road is long and in the end, the journey is the destination.' I held those words in my heart and had never forgotten them because not only were they wise words but because he died the next morning from a car accident."
Lucas looked at her sympathetically and said genuinely, "I'm sorry to hear that…he sounded like a good man."
Brooke exhaled and smiled tenderly, "He was. He was the one who introduced me to Dan Scott."
"Your old business partner?"
"Yes…" the warm smile died as she recalled what Dan had done. "Dan…he wasn't always a crook. At least I don't believe he was…he had stepped in as a father figure when Whitey died. So I trusted him because Whitey had, and he seemed to know everything about business so I showed him my business plan and he promised that he would get my dream off the ground—and he did…before ripping me off."
"As much as I hate what has been done to you…I can't find myself regretting getting involved. It brought me here to you…"
"Here you are ma'am…sir…" the waiter said as he sat both of their plates in front of them. He then refilled their glasses and asked, "Is there anything else you need?"
"No this is perfect thank you." Lucas said as he inhaled the delicious food wafting to his nose.
Brooke said a quick prayer which Lucas thought was charming and they both started to eat.
Lucas heard her moan of pleasure as she savored each bite of food, "Wow…I never seen a woman enjoy food the way you do."
Brooke licked the cream from the bottom of her lip with a flick of her tongue, "Hmm?"
"You really love food huh?" he asked as he stirred up his own food.
"Guilty. I'm such a foodie." She said with a smile as she pierced a shrimp with her fork.
"I am too believe it or not. That's why I believe in Reverie so much. Brooke, you have an excellent product that everyone can enjoy…When I bite into your food I can taste how much care you and your staff put into each ingredient and believe me I can tell."
Brooke smiled, "Thanks I'm glad to hear that…we do care which is why I'm hesitant about Paris…"
"Its not going to fall apart, Brooke."
"But what if it does?"
Lucas could read the worry in her eyes and wanted to assure her. "If it does…then I'll be right there to help. And always remember… don't be afraid to make mistakes, to stumble and fall, cause most of the time, the greatest rewards come from doing the things that scare you the most."
Brooke nodded then said wistfully, "I always wanted to go to Paris…it was one of my dream destinations…" She then grinned as she shrugged, "Well there and Fiji."
Lucas eyes widened as he said, "What a coincidence! I actually have a hotel in Fiji. If all goes well in Paris we can expand Reverie in that location as well."
Brooke paused for a second, "So that means—"
"International. Yes. I told you that I believe in this venture…or more to the point I believe in you Brooke."
Feeling a little disconcerted by his kinder side she changed the subject, "Um…so Haley tells me that you have twin boys. What are they like?"
A soft gleam of joy entered his eyes at the mention of the twins and he answered with a beautiful smile, "Yes I have twin boys. Jamie and Logan. They're four years old, they're two balls of energy, constantly fighting each other but they love each other at the same time, they're both smart as a whip—they sometimes surprise me with their intelligence, they love animals. They pressured me into getting them a bunny whose name is Chester. Since I can barely deny them anything I bought him for them and they are literally the lights of my life…I can go on and on about my sons and won't ever get tired."
"Wow…I never heard you speak like that before…"
Lucas brows furrowed in confusion as he asked, "What do you mean?"
"You have a different way of speaking I noticed. When talking about business and towards me it's more stern, cocky kind of tone. But when you speak about your kids…your voice is gentle and there's a lightness in your tone…I like it. It makes you human to me."
"I wasn't human before?"
Brooke shook her head, "I saw you as a cold know-it-all jackass that doesn't know boundaries."
"You're talking about the kiss?" he asked casually as he finished his meal.
"No but since you want to go there why did you kiss me?" she asked before eating a scallop.
Lucas felt on the spot so he sipped his wine then answered while blushing, "I don't know…"
"Sure you do. Just answer the question."
"I don't know…" he then sighed, her expression giving no room for argument and said, "Okay you want the honest truth?"
Brooke cocked her head to the side and replied, "No, tell me a whopping lie. Of course I want the truth."
Lucas exhaled, releasing his nervousness with the breath leaving him. "You were irresistible to me…the way your eyes sparkled when angry, how raspy your voice gets when you yell at me…the flush of your cheeks…all of it drew me. It always had but that day I don't know why I couldn't fight it but…I think about it often. And even though it was highly inappropriate I don't regret it."
Brooke exhaled a shaky breath then stated, "I do—Regret it I mean."
"Why?"
"Because I have a strict no fraternization policy and I would be a hypocrite if I broke it…" she said with steel, a strength that she didn't really feel.
Lucas looked at her with a sly smile and asked, "Do you always follow the rules?"
The way he looked at her made Brooke feel a little hot but she ignored it. "I try to, yes."
"Alright from now on…no fraternizing…"
"You say that as if you don't believe we can do it."
Lucas smiled genuinely, "I believe we can do anything…but is that what you really want?"
"What I want is to run things my way—"
He nodded, "I know…you love calling the shots which is why I thoroughly enjoyed pulling the rug out from under you."
Brooke rolled her eyes and replied, "Which makes you an asshole."
"I never said I wasn't one." He chuckled with a shrug.
"Here's your Strawberry Chocolate Mousse Cake…" the waiter said as he placed their desserts in front of them, then gathered their empty plates.
"Wow that looks really good…" Brooke said gleefully.
"Oh yeah…it's our best dessert." The waiter said as he gathered the rest of their dishes. "The strawberry chocolate mousse cake tastes really awesome. Sweet strawberries perfectly balanced rich chocolate flavor in the cake base, filling, ganache and curls decoration. Yes it looks like too much chocolate, but if you are a true chocoholic, I'm sure you'll love it."
"OMG I'm in love…" Brooke moaned after tasting the deliciously decadent dessert. "I have to recreate this."
Lucas tasted the cake and groaned as the rich chocolate hit his taste buds. "Wow this is amazing…"
"Told you it's amazing." The waiter said before leaving them alone once more.
"Wow…you can definitely order for me the next time we do this." He said as he lifted another fork full of cake into his mouth.
Brooke swallowed then asked, "The next time?"
Lucas looked at her and quipped, "I thought we were making strides here."
"We are…I guess."
Lucas looked at her then asked, "Then what's the problem?"
"Its no problem per se... I'm just not used to us having a nice conversation."
"Why did you choose this dessert?" Lucas asked as he polished off the last bite.
Brooke grinned mischievously then shrugged, "Nine out of ten people like chocolate. The tenth person always lies."
Lucas chuckled and nodded, "Good point…"
After paying an abnormally high bill that Lucas didn't even blink at, the two walked out of the restaurant. No matter how many times Brooke said in her mind that this was not a date, the way he looked at her and placed his hand on her lower back as they walked along the waterfront as the sun set made it feel as if it were a real date.
"I just realized something…" Lucas said after they paused in their walk.
She turned to face him and looked at him questioningly, "What did you realize?"
"Your eyes are like the sunset…" he said as he looked down at her, his eyes fastened on hers. "Beautiful, inspiring... and hard to turn away from."
Brooke blushed and smiled, "Nice line…"
"Its not a line Brooke…I know it's hard to believe especially with our history but it's the truth. I really think that you're amazing and incredibly beautiful…talented, stubborn and…" he stopped speaking as they entered an empty gazebo which was surrounded by trees, flowers and lush green grass. He without thinking much of it, held her hand in his and led her towards the bench where they sat down, both ignoring the heated zing of contact. She smiled as they sat in silence, enjoying the lovely sight of nature in the dwindling twilight.
Brooke exhaled and broke the silence saying, "At first I wanted to kill Haley for setting us up…but now I can honestly say that I had a great time tonight."
"I'm glad. It's a good change between us isn't it?"
Brooke smirked, "With you who knows?"
"Same goes for you…" he said playfully, now looking directly into her eyes again.
Brooke felt her heart race as his mouth settled over hers in a soft kiss. At first she was shocked but then the kiss grew hot. His lips were intoxicatingly luscious, his tongue stroking and thrusting inside her mouth with such skill that it took her breath away. She broke the kiss, her eyes reading his as she murmured, "You have got to stop kissing me…"
"I can't really say that I'm sorry for kissing you because I'm about to do it again…" Lucas replied honestly, then he tried again and this time she didn't bother to interrupt him. Instead she delighted in it.