Lucky 7 Bad Boys Contemporary Romance Boxed Set Read online

  "Well, Rey," she began and rolled up the blueprints. "We'd appreciate any suggestions you could make as well as seeing your bid as soon as possible."

  He was surprised that she would still want him to bid and was equally shocked at himself when he answered. "I'll work up an alternative to the design and change out some of the specs for the job."

  "We want quality work, Rey," she said, her voice hard and her grey-green eyes turbulent.

  Rey wondered what those eyes would look like while making love and tamped down the thought with all the strength he could muster. This woman was way out of his league, she was Alex's sister, and she was a prospective client. Three definite strikes against her. But despite that, he couldn't control himself from egging her on.

  He leaned toward her and whispered in her ear, "Princess, everything I do is quality work."

  She jumped away, her face flaming with color. "Yes, well. . .we need everything to be done quickly -- "

  "But some things shouldn't be rushed, Bianca," he urged, arching a brow while he gathered up the blueprints. "I'll have another copy made and drop these back off tomorrow since I'm assuming you'll be getting other recommendations and bids. I should have my bid, plans, and specs for you by the end of the week."

  Bianca nodded and as he held his hand out to her, she hesitated, afraid that this time she would not be able to hide her reaction to him and his earlier words which had gotten all kinds of nasty thoughts running through her head. She could just imagine those work roughened hands running over her the way they would over a piece of wood, slowly finding the right grain and working it until the wood did what he wanted. So instead of taking that hand, she took a cowardly step away and sidled next to her partner.

  "Eduardo and I look forward to seeing what you have in mind."

  He gave her that devil-may-care bad boy grin again and shot a quick glance to her partner, who obviously all too aware of her ploy. But he said nothing else and walked out, leaving Bianca to stand beside Eduardo and meet his inquiring gaze.

  "He’s very attractive, isn't he?" Eduardo said.

  Bianca shrugged. "I wouldn't know, I wasn't looking," she lied, which earned a loud laugh from her partner.

  "Princess," he said, mimicking Rey's earlier endearment although coming out of his mouth it had none of the fire or passion Rey had managed to imbue in that one word. "You would have to be dead or blind not to notice him. Even very straight and very married little old me can see that he is 100% hunk material. Which is why after you and I have a discussion about the meeting at the bank, I'm going to go home and make my wife very happy so that she won't even think about anything else when Rey is around."

  Bianca laughed and eased onto a stool by the bar. "Your impeccable taste is what made me want to be your partner, Eduardo. But this time, I think you're way off and I don't think it's guaranteed that Rey is going to be around that much. We haven't seen his bid."

  "’Methinks the lady doth protest too much’," Eduardo replied. "I saw more going on in the minutes he was here than I've seen in the months you've been dating what's his name."

  Eduardo disliked Bianca's boyfriend. Or maybe loathed might be a better word, Bianca thought. It had always surprised her how strongly Eduardo felt about David to the point that Eduardo refused to even call him by his given name. It was "what's his name" or whatever else, including "He who shall not be named."

  It was one of the reasons David and she rarely socialized with Eduardo and his wife, Diana. It was a shame because when the three of them had been together at cooking school, they had spent a lot of time together. Even afterward, when they had all gone on to be sous chefs at the various restaurants in New York where they had learned their trade, they had remained steadfast friends who regularly met for meals or just to hang out.

  Since meeting David and starting to date him that part of their friendship had unfortunately seemed to end, although their partnership in this new restaurant had given them the opportunity to spend time together and rekindle that intense friendship.

  Which brought her back to the reason she had been late for the meeting.

  “I spoke to the loan officer at the bank. They can't increase the amount of the loan they're giving us,” she said and ran her hand over the wood of the bar thinking it had seen better days. She pictured how it would look once the renovations were done, but it was tough to do considering the money issues.

  In his typical don't worry be happy fashion, Eduardo shrugged and said, “It'll work out, Bianca. We'll figure out how to get it done.”

  “But our budget is getting busted every time we turn around and discover we need to do something else.” Not to mention all the licenses, inspections and other red tape that seemed to be tangling them up every time they went to do something.

  “Don't worry. If we need to, we'll rethink the plans for the renovations and make do with the money we have,” he insisted.

  "Maybe I can ask David -- " she began, but Eduardo cut her off with a slash of his hand.

  "Diana, you and I have all talked about this and the answer is still ‘No.’ I don't want you indebted to this guy in any way, shape, or form," he said adamantly, reminding her of how deeply he felt about her boyfriend.

  "I wish you would try to get to know him better. I think you’d like him," she said, but Eduardo merely shrugged.

  "I know you think you care for him, but I keep on hoping that in time you'll see the light. He's not the one for you."

  "No one's perfect, Eduardo. David and I have a nice time together," she said and got up to walk toward the kitchen where loads of work awaited them.

  "But what about passion? What about that extra spark that brings you to life?" Eduardo pressed, his tones wistful as he followed her.

  Bianca knew he was thinking of his wife, Diana. Diana and Eduardo shared that kind of passion. That extra something Eduardo had just mentioned. From the moment they had met at the cooking academy, something had clicked between them. It had been obvious to all they were destined to be together. But she wasn't the same way and didn't believe that kind of passion and love came to everyone, just a lucky few. Like her brother, Alex, and his wife, Maya.

  "Not everyone can be as fortunate as you, Eddie," she teased, knowing he hated that nickname.

  "In time you will realize what you’re missing with what's his name," he said and headed to the back of the kitchen to examine the stoves they’d need to get cleaned and working.

  "David," she emphasized, "is just right for me."

  Eduardo only shook his head and tsked away. "One day you’ll meet the right man. Maybe even Rey," he said, but Bianca chose not to respond. Instead, she stood by Eduardo as they reviewed the condition of the stoves and decided what work was needed in the kitchen. Luckily, most everything seemed functional, although dated and a little dirty, but it was nothing a little elbow grease wouldn’t fix.

  As they finished their inspection, she held out her hand to her partner as a peace offering. "Care to give me a ride to the station so I can get back to Manhattan?"

  Eduardo grinned at her, took her hand, and led her outside of the restaurant. They both paused and looked at its dated façade and the parking lot where weeds grew up from between the cracks in the asphalt. At one time the restaurant had been quite popular, but now it was in sad shape, which had been good for them. They had gotten a deal from Eduardo's uncle who had sold it to them for a low price in exchange for a share of the profits of the restaurant.

  In her mind's eye, Bianca pictured the way it could be, spruced up and cleaned, with its large windows gleaming and providing their patrons a stunning view of the Manhattan skyline across the way. She was sure their plans to bring Nuevo Latino food in a classier setting would appeal to the largely Latino population of the area and to others as well.

  "We can pull this off, right?" she asked, still a little nervous about the undertaking even with all her optimism.

  Eduardo smiled. "We can do this. But I’m going to warn you again that if you
’re serious about this, you need to consider moving to this side of the river. Those Manhattan digs of yours will be impossible once we start work."

  Bianca nodded, aware that he was right, but also uncertain as to how she would ever convince David that she had to make the move. Things had started to get more serious between them and he wanted her close by. Plus David thought anything off the island of Manhattan was equivalent to being in a foreign country. Funny considering that he had been brought up in nearby Union City, New Jersey.

  It was one of his quirks, she thought, but one she'd have to work on since she was not up to making the long ride back and forth to Manhattan every time she had to work.

  He was a reasonable man and would handle it well, she told herself.

  So why did her gut tighten at the thought of telling him?

  Chapter Two

  The hostess looked up from the podium holding the seating plan and list of reservations and immediately smiled as she realized it was Bianca. "Bianca. It's so good to see you again. Rumor has it that you're opening your own place," she said enthusiastically.

  "The rumors are true. It’ll take a few months, but after that we’ll have a Nuevo Latino place in West New York."

  "I’m sure you’ll do great. Willie says you were the best assistant chef he ever had. He still raves about you to all the new staff."

  David coughed and tightened his hand at her waist, making it clear that she should move on with the conversation so they could get dinner started. He had an important meeting first thing in the morning and wanted to get home early.

  Smiling at the waitress, Bianca leaned forward and whispered, "I was hoping you could fit us in tonight. It's our three month anniversary and David promised to take me to my favorite place."

  The young hostess grinned and gave her a wink. "I'm so glad that's us. For you I'd find a place anywhere. Give me a few minutes though, okay?"

  Bianca glanced back uneasily at David, who had on his I'm-doing-this-because-I-love you-but-would-rather-be-somewhere-else face. She gave him a tight smile and laid a hand on the sleeve of his dark blue, pinstriped Brooks Brothers suit.

  "It won't be long, David. Is that good with you?"

  He looked around and grimaced, and she tracked his gaze. There was a small crowd waiting in the bar area and by the front door, sure signs they might have a bit of a wait.

  "We could go somewhere else, you know. They're not the only restaurant in New York," he said.

  "But they're one of the best and my favorite," she urged. "Besides, they're my friends and you did say anywhere for this anniversary."

  David sighed heavily and rolled his eyes, but relented. "You'd think after all these months I'd know I can never win a battle with you."

  Bianca wouldn't have put their little discussion into the category of a battle. Not even a skirmish. Not even a disagreement the more she thought about it. When she had proposed the restaurant earlier that night, he had said her choice was fine.

  Come to think of it, he always said that and then afterward, complained and carried on as if she had dragged him there against his will. Over the course of their relationship, she had learned to tune out his running complaints since they were so frequent.

  She was about to tell him that they could leave and go where he wanted, when her friend returned and grabbed two menus, saying she had been able to find a special place for them.

  “Thank you,” Bianca said.

  David merely grunted and followed the two women to the back corner of the top floor. The small table had clearly just been set up for them. It was a little tight, but cozy and intimate. She hoped David would appreciate the effort that had been made on their behalf.

  "Don't you have anything else?" he asked the young woman, disdain dripping from every syllable.

  "David, please," Bianca pleaded and eased into the tighter seat against the wall. "This is great, Lourdes. Thanks," she replied and accepted the menu from the woman.

  David shrugged and settled himself into the other seat, took the menu, and perused it. Already well-familiar with the menu, and knowing what she would get unless one of the daily specials was more intriguing, Bianca waited for the waiter to come by and take their drink orders.

  She ordered two mojitos for them to celebrate.

  "Do you think a drink is a good idea on a weeknight?" David asked, shifting his menu to the side and leaning close.

  "It's one drink just to celebrate this special occasion. Lighten up, David," she teased as she did so often.

  David was a reasonable man normally. He was just too set in his ways and too driven to appreciate that life required a balance of many things, including a little fun every now and then. It was something they often had disagreements about. In the time she had been dating him, she had hoped, and actually thought, he had lightened up somewhat.

  He reluctantly agreed, accepting the drink when the waiter set it before him and immediately launching into his order. Bianca knew he was pressed for time, but his abruptness bothered her, as did the fact he had exhibited no manners in allowing her to order first. She was certain he had done it to avoid going through the whole routine of the daily specials.

  Undaunted, she asked the waiter for the specials, but eventually stuck to her original choice. She wouldn't press the issue of the appetizer, not wanting to get into an argument with David on what was supposed to be a special night.

  As they sipped their drinks, David told her about his day at the brokerage firm and how well he had done for his clients. Translated from David talk, it meant that he had made himself a substantial amount of money as well thanks to his incredible business acumen. It never failed to amaze Bianca that he seemed to need almost daily affirmation of how well he was doing, as if that mattered to her.

  Bianca had become interested in him because he seemed like a fun caring guy and because he was reasonably attractive. Tall and lean, with light blue eyes and brunette hair, he had a nice groomed look about him. The preppy boy look you saw in upscale clothing catalogues.

  It was the kind of look that had always appealed to her maybe because in her mind it symbolized safe and secure.

  Nothing like Rey Ramos, she thought to herself as the waiter came by and brought their dinners.

  No, Rey was dark, dangerous and sinful. The kind of man who. . .

  She tamped down that thought, knowing it was inappropriate. She was here with David and he was the current man in her life. It didn't matter that the two of them didn't have the kind of passion Eduardo and Diana shared. Not everyone had that kind of relationship.

  Watching David as he ate, she realized she had never and could never envision them in those terms. He was just too bland, for lack of a better word.

  Boring, her friends would say.

  And what would his friends say about her? she wondered.

  Was her kind of eclectic, artsy life as a chef suited to David? Were her other tastes good for him? she considered as she took her first bite of the perfectly done pork, with its marinade of citrus and other spices. She closed her eyes and nearly moaned as the flavors exploded in her mouth, along with the very sensual succulence of the meat.

  She glanced over at David's plate. Although there was nothing that was arguably bland in this very chic Chino Latino restaurant, her date had chosen what was probably the most neutral dish in the place -- a poached sea bass covered with plantain bits and accompanied by sides of marinated asparagus and garlic mashed potatoes.

  In the back of her mind, the unwelcome thought came that she was certain most of her friends would never consider ordering something like the bass in light of all the other tasty and unique items on the menu. She battled back that thought again, warning herself that she shouldn't be comparing David to her artsy chef friends and their likes or dislikes.

  Damn Eduardo anyway for putting such ideas in her head.

  "How do you like the sea bass?" she asked, hoping to generate a conversation that would take her away from any more thoughts about the possi
ble deficiencies in David and their relationship.

  "Fine, thanks. I never got to ask. How was your day? Did the meetings at the bank and with the contractor go well?"

  So much for avoiding thoughts of Rey, she thought, but proceeded to tell David about the bank's decision and what that might mean. "I'm hoping we can get reasonable quotes on the renovations so that we can at least do something to spruce that place up."

  "Mmm," David replied as he swallowed his bite of fish. "I could give you a small loan. We could work out details of repayment and things like that."

  "No, thanks" she immediately answered. She had no hesitation as to what Eduardo's opinion on a loan would be and she actually felt the same way herself, but for different reasons. As an attractive woman dating a successful man, people were unfortunately all too quick to think the worst of her. Taking even a penny from David was something she would not consider.

  She glanced at David again and watched how he scooped up the last of the ripe plantains side dish without asking her if she wanted any more.

  "Hungry?" she asked in annoyance.

  David didn't raise his head, he just nodded and scarfed down the plantains, apparently not hearing the tone of her voice. A second later, he put his knife and fork down on the plate and finally looked at her. "How was your meal?"

  Bianca gave but a quick peek at the half-empty plate of pork with its side of fufu, a mash of semi-sweet plantains that was one of her favorites. Somehow, she had lost her appetite during the length of the meal, but it had nothing to do with the food and everything to do with the company.

  "It was fine, but I'm feeling a little tired. Do you think we could go?"

  "Really?" he wondered aloud, arching his brows upward in surprise. "You want to skip dessert and coffee? I thought you lived for the sweets?"

  Normally you couldn't have pried her away from the table before the dessert. In fact, she usually looked at those choices first to gauge just what to get as a main course. A good dessert menu meant, in her mind at least, that she would cut back on the dinner so she could leave room for the sweets. But tonight she just wanted to get home and try not to think about David's behavior, Eduardo's comments and Rey.