Delicious Complication Read online

  Still, there was no way in hell she would ever admit he’d come close to the truth. He’d make fun of her again. Or worse, he’d sleep with her and then in the morning do whatever he could to make the situation go away.

  Daisy had been tossed aside by enough people in her life. She wasn’t about to add a celebrity restaurant owner to the list. “Sorry, buddy. But there’s not enough tequila in this world.”

  She watched his jaw muscle tense and knew she hit a nerve. Then his expression relaxed. “Suit yourself,” he said with a shrug before finally downing his shot. “Anyway, we both know you’re not my type. I like my women a little less bossy.”

  Angry, mortified, and tipsy, Daisy jumped off the stool and bent to pick up her shoes. She tried to think of one last snarky comeback to toss at him before storming out of the bar. But when she stood back up, she couldn’t even form the words. It wasn’t her temper that left her speechless—it was the sight, just beyond Brandon’s shoulder, of her ex and that bruja Ginger snuggling in a corner booth.

  Brandon noticed her still standing there and waved his hand. “Hello? I thought you were leaving?”

  Daisy dropped her shoes and quickly slid her stool out of the way so she could reach to pull his hand down. That’s when Luis caught her eye and waved. “Great. Just great,” she muttered. “Now he knows I’m here.”

  “Who knows?” Brandon moved as if to turn his head to see who Daisy was staring at.

  “No. Don’t look.”

  But it was too late. Brandon looked and then Luis awkwardly waved at him, too. He whispered something in Ginger’s ear and she nodded. Daisy watched as her ex called the waitress over. Her stomach sank. They were going to come over for a chat. She knew it. It had been awful enough to have to fake a smile every time she ran into them during the reception. But now, with a few tequila shots in her, Daisy doubted she could playact one more time. She was fired up from the last rumble with Brandon, in more ways than one. There was no telling what she’d do if that witch waved her gaudy ring in front of her again. It would be bad for her to make a scene, or worse, get thrown out for making a scene. How could she hope to plan another wedding at the hotel if the owners had a restraining order against her?

  She needed a buffer. Something or someone to make sure that she didn’t make a complete ass of herself.

  That’s when the most ridiculous idea popped into Daisy’s head. So ridiculous she had to cover her mouth to stifle the giggle threatening to erupt. The man was dealing with the news that his mom had cancer. He’d probably never go for it. But as she watched Luis pay his tab, her ridiculous idea started sounding better and better.

  “Kiss me,” she blurted to Brandon as Luis and Ginger stood up from their table.

  Brandon choked on the drink he’d just taken. “Excuse me?”

  “Look, I hate being that girl but, screw it, I am. So kiss me.”

  “You just said there wasn’t enough tequila in the world.”

  “Yeah, well. Desperate times call for desperate measures. Kiss my lips. Now.”

  “Desperate? Forget it. You’re crazy if you think I’m going to kiss you after you just insulted me.”

  “Oh my God. Would you do something useful with that tongue of yours for once and kiss—”

  Brandon pulled her toward him and kissed her—hard—and his mouth swallowed up the rest of her sentence. At first, she was too shocked to kiss him back. Her eyes had been focused on Luis and Ginger walking toward them. But as Brandon’s warm tongue pressed forward, seeking entry, she no longer saw anything or anyone. She opened to him and he released a low groan that weakened her knees. She wrapped her arms around his neck, and he pulled her further into his chest. Her heart thumped madly as the rest of her body hummed with desire.

  Holy hell. She wanted Brandon. Bad.

  The sound of someone clearing his throat jerked her back into consciousness and she pulled her tongue out of Brandon’s mouth. Their eyes met briefly and the desire reflected in his gaze sent another blast of heat through her. She turned away so as to not melt into his arms one more time, and faced an uncomfortable-looking Luis and an open-mouthed Ginger.

  “Oh, hey guys. Are you heading home now?” She tried to sound nonchalant despite the fact Brandon had pulled her backward until she stood between his legs and hooked one of his arms around her waist.

  “Yeah. We decided to have one last nightcap,” Luis said. He smiled at her but his eyes fell on Brandon.

  The two couples stood there in silence for a few seconds before Luis reached out his hand to Brandon. “I don’t think we’ve met. I’m Luis Arroyo and this is my fiancée Ginger Soto.”

  Brandon uncurled his arm from Daisy and shook Luis’s hand. “Good to meet you. I’m Brandon Montoya, Daisy’s boyfriend.”

  Chapter Two

  Ginger’s mouth opened again.

  “Brandon Montoya? As in the owner of the L.A. Cuchara restaurant in downtown?”

  His head was still processing the fact that he’d kissed Daisy—and that it was even more spectacular than he’d ever imagined. So he was a little slow in responding to Ginger. Then Daisy answered for him. “Yes. That Brandon Montoya.” And although he couldn’t see her face, he heard her smile.

  Luis shook Brandon’s hand a second time. “Oh. Wow. It’s good to meet you, too. I had no idea Daisy was dating a celebrity. I hear the food in your restaurant is fantastic. Maybe one day we’ll be lucky enough to get a reservation. Last time I tried, there was a two-month waiting list.”

  Now he was the one smiling. He loved hearing that his restaurant was on someone’s hot list—even if it was some squirrely-looking guy who, for some reason, was making Daisy act very un-Daisy like. It wasn’t any of his business who she wanted to make jealous. With that one shocking kiss, he’d signed up for the ride. Might as well play along. “Well any friend of Daisy’s is a friend of mine. Just let her know the next time you want to come in, and I’ll make sure you get on the list.” Brandon practically gasped out the last part of the sentence thanks to Daisy’s elbow jab into his stomach.

  “Thanks, man. Daisy¸ I think I still have your number so I’ll text you later this week and let you know.”

  “Sure, Luis. You do that,” she said after elbowing Brandon again. He liked it better when it was just the two of them pretending to be hot for each other.

  Although, that kiss felt pretty real.

  “Well, it’s getting late. We should get going. Right, babe?” The way Ginger smiled at Luis, he knew the poor guy would not be texting Daisy this week…or ever.

  “Nice to see you both. Thanks again for coming,” Daisy said.

  They stood in silence as they watched Luis and Ginger walk out of the bar. Then Daisy turned around and socked Brandon smack dab in the shoulder.

  “Ouch! What was that for? You already jabbed me for the comment about him coming to restaurant. Twice.” What the hell? Hadn’t he just saved the day?

  “You’re right. Those were for giving him an excuse to call me. But the punch was for kissing me…like that.”

  “You asked me to. What was I supposed to do? Give you a peck on the cheek? I figured kissing you thoroughly was the best way to convince them we were a couple. Plus I don’t remember you complaining all that much during.”

  There was no way she could deny just how much she’d enjoyed it. No way he could either.

  Based on her shocked expression, he braced himself for another assault. But she didn’t hit or slap him. Instead, she blew her hair out of her face and sat back down on the stool next to him. “Sorry. How about you return the favor and hit me back…with another shot?” She pushed her empty glass in his direction. “And thanks for doing that—you know, the whole pretending to my boyfriend thing. You’re having a bad day and didn’t have to play along, but you did and I appreciate it. I owe you one.”

  Part of him wanted to ask if he could take another kiss as repayment. It surprised him just how much he still savored the first one. Not just because it was so hot,
but because for those few seconds against her lips, all worry about his mamá was pushed to the back of his mind. He’d become lost in the taste and feel of her, and he desperately needed to get lost all over again. That was why he hadn’t gone home right away after the reception. Brandon had walked into that hotel bar looking for some sort of remedy for his pain, something to help him forget about what he’d have to deal with tomorrow and in the coming weeks. The tequila mixed with some Daisy could be the potent antidote he was looking for.

  He reached for the bottle of tequila but she grabbed it before he could and examined the label. “Damn. This must’ve cost you a pretty penny.”

  He shrugged. “Some things in life are worth it.”

  “Sure. Things like food and a house or a car. Only a rich person could justify spending a small fortune on a bottle of alcohol that, based on the amount of shots we’ve done so far, isn’t even going to last one night.”

  “Why must you always over-analyze things?”

  He saw her bristle at his accusation. “I’m not. All I’m saying is that money can’t buy you happiness.”

  “Sure it can. Money bought me this bottle of tequila which is making me very happy.”

  She studied him for a second before shaking her head. “You’re hopeless, you know that?”

  “And you’re killing my buzz. God, Daisy, for once in your life can you not worry about how much something costs or why someone is offering it to you? Can’t you just drink and enjoy?”

  Man, she was getting under his skin tonight. In more ways than one. He could blame the tequila and the rotten news he’d received. Although the truth was, the woman knew how to push his buttons. When she wasn’t making him crazy hot, she was making him crazy. Especially when she criticized his lifestyle. He worked his ass off to get the things he had. So what if he liked to indulge now and then? Who was she to judge him?

  He expected her to either argue with him again or get up and leave. So he was surprised when she did neither.

  “Fine,” she said with a sigh. “I’ll sit here and enjoy your expensive tequila. Although I think it would be ten times better with some salt and limes.”

  “Aye Daisy, this isn’t some race where the goal is to drink as much as you can as fast as you can. No, you need to take your time with this tequila. It deserves to be savored and tasted thoroughly.”

  As if she wanted to taste it again, she licked her lips. The memory of those lips against his made him shift in his seat. Brandon snuck another look at the way her tanned cleavage strained against the fabric of her pale-colored dress, and the way wisps of her dark hair framed her smooth neck.

  He couldn’t deny the very hard effect she was having on his body. He wanted her. Correction. He needed her. Because anything that made him forget about his trip to Puerto Rico the next day—even if only for a few hours—was a welcomed distraction. He needed Daisy Robles naked and underneath him as soon as possible.

  Easier said than done, of course. He’d already pissed her off once tonight. If he had any chance of convincing her that she, too, wanted to be naked and underneath him, then he had to play nice.

  Nice now. Naughty later.

  Brandon smiled and raised his hand to signal the bartender, never once breaking the intense gaze between them. “On second thought, we’ll try it your way. But let’s take this party of two out to the veranda. The night is still young and I’ve been itching to smoke the cigar I just bought.”

  To his surprise, she didn’t protest. He let the bartender know where they were moving and what they needed. Then he followed a barefoot Daisy outside.

  He motioned for her to take a seat at one of the small patio tables. He took the seat next to her and set down their bottle of tequila in front of him. Within minutes, the bartender appeared and set out new shot glasses, a saltshaker, and a small plate of lime wedges.

  After the waiter left, Brandon filled their glasses. “Ladies first,” he said with a wink.

  Maybe it was the crisp night air, or the fact it had been a very long day for her, but Daisy didn’t hesitate. She licked the inside of her left wrist, salted it, chugged down the very expensive tequila like it was an oyster shooter, licked her wrist again and then sucked hard on a lime wedge. “God, that’s good stuff. It’s definitely better this way,” she whispered and closed her eyes.

  He grew harder after the quick glimpse of her tongue on her own skin. If anyone had told him a few hours ago that he was going to try and seduce Daisy tonight, he would’ve tossed good money their way and told them to go try their luck somewhere else. But after all the shots they’d already done, and that fucking kiss, Brandon was ready to do exactly that. He ached for her now and couldn’t think of anything else.

  The antidote was working.

  Brandon reached out and grabbed her wrist. Her eyes flew open. “What are you doing?”

  “Since you insisted the tequila was better after licking the salt off your wrist, I figured I’d try it the same way.”

  “I…um…that’s not what I meant.”

  “Maybe you should be clearer next time.”

  “Maybe you should listen better.”

  He shrugged but didn’t release her wrist. “I’m listening now.”

  The air crackled between them. A warning perhaps that whatever happened next would change things, complicate things. She must have sensed it, too. Her face flushed in the moonlight, and she bit her bottom lip.

  The woman was sexy as hell.

  “What are we doing?” she whispered.

  “We’re doing shots.”

  “Again, that’s not what I meant.”

  “Fine. We’re just two friends and business associates enjoying some fine tequila and getting to know each other better.” He tried to sound matter-of-fact, but the wild look in her eyes was making it difficult.

  “Oh, so that’s what this is? You just want to get to know me better?”

  “Yes. We’ll sit here for a while, drink, and learn some new things about each other. We can even make a game out of it. We each have to tell something about ourselves before we do the shot. If the other person already knows it, then you have to do a second one.”

  Brandon had played games involving alcohol before. But none had excited him more than the thought of playing this one against Daisy. He could almost see the argument going on in her head. Knowing her, she was debating all of the risks.

  After a few seconds, she finally sighed in resignation. “Fine, I’ll play. But I have to warn you, I may be little but I can hold my liquor pretty well. So don’t be disappointed when I don’t drop any deep, dark secrets.”

  He tried not to smirk. “We’ll see about that. Just to be on the safe side, perhaps you better give me your car keys.”

  “Not necessary. I’m staying overnight at the hotel. Why don’t you give me yours?”

  “Not necessary. I took a cab over here and I can take a cab home. Guess that settles things. Let’s start the game. I’ll go first.”

  She inhaled as he turned her palm over and sprinkled salt onto the inside of her wrist. And just before he took a lick, he stared into her eyes and said, “I think you are one hell of a sexy woman, Daisy Robles.”

  Daisy’s insides clenched as soon as Brandon’s warm, wet tongue slid along her skin. He finished his drink and the lime wedge all while staring her. He was the one who took the shot but it felt as if she had. Warmth spread across her chest, up her neck, and across her cheeks. Her limbs loosened, her breathing deepened. She’d become drunk on his words. On him.

  She needed to sober up. Quick. He was playing a game with her and it had nothing to do with alcohol. She needed her wits about her if she was going to stand a chance of beating him at his own game.

  “You think you’re being so smooth trying to sneak in a comment like that. Besides, you’re not even following your own rules. That wasn’t about you, it was about me. So I think you need to take another shot.”

  He leaned in closer to her, obviously enjoying her reaction.
“I disagree. Unless, of course, you already knew that I thought that about you? Tell me, Daisy. Did you know that I think you’re so fucking sexy that I can’t think straight sitting this close to you?”

  His bluntness shocked her, yet also undeniably turned her on. He was baiting her to move their conversation into dangerous territory. She decided to move it back on solid ground.

  “Fine. My turn.” She grabbed everything from him and readied her shot. “Did you know I think you can be pretty arrogant sometimes?” Before she could see his reaction she licked the salt from her wrist, squeezed her eyes shut and drank. When she opened them, Brandon was pouring her another shot.

  “Sorry, but I already knew that. Take a second shot.”

  “No you didn’t.”

  “Sure I did. I knew it from day one. You’re not exactly subtle with your facial expressions or words. I bet you’re a lousy poker player.”

  It was true. Ever since Amara had partnered with Brandon’s restaurant, Daisy couldn’t help thinking he had some ulterior motive for helping her business. But he’d been nothing but professional and respectful—even toward her—and he’d never called her out on her attitude toward him. She grew defensive. “It’s because I didn’t trust you. I was only protecting my cousin.”

  “I know,” he said with a shrug. “Now drink.”

  She complied only because she wasn’t sure what else to say. Guilt seeped through her alcohol buzz. Brandon had not only helped save Amara’s bakery, he was responsible for helping her launch her own event planning business. His restaurant was one of the hottest spots in L.A. right now and she’d been able to secure some pretty nice jobs thanks to him and his customers. Although her mind told her she should feel bad, the tequila now flowing through her veins only made her feel good. Too good.

  “I think I may have hit my limit. I need some air.”

  “Daisy, we’re already outside.”