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Disgusted, he pushed open the door and strode into the dimly lit, sleek restaurant The couple stood next to the shiningeach other, their hands curled around crystal brandy snifters He noticed the wohtly froistered that she wore a blue and silver evening gown that clung to full, fired in the back, revealing a glimpse of white, flawless skin that shone lu The vision of Mario Vincente’s hand splayed across that expanse of bare skin inexplicably ratcheted up Lucien’s irritation to anger The extremely talented chef Lucien had hired froas was a bit of a diva Mario didn’t notice Lucien until he was just feet away When he did, his brown eyes ide

“Lucien!” The brandy-filled glass sagged in Mario’s hand Lucien’s gaze flicked rapidly to the singular bottle sitting on the counter—Cognac Dudognon Héritage, an item from the private stock in his office Lucien tossed the polo any bar, the sound of it ringing in the air like a remonstrance

“I hadn’t realized I’d provided you with Fusion’s security code Or permission to access my office and private bar Explain yourself, Mario,” Lucien said, his tone crisp but neutral now that he understood the nature of the intrusion on his property True, he was irritated at Mario’s infraction, and he would make sure his employee knew it He just hadn’t yet decided if he’d terminate the idiot He’d never had a soft spot for Mario, but chefs as talented as him were hard to come by, after all

“II didn’t expect to see you,” Mario fumbled

“Clearly”

Lucien noticed the wolass sloshing into the curved bowl For the first tilance He did a double take

“Merde”

“Lucien”

“What are you doing here, Elise?”

Surely he was seeing things—a face from his pasta beautiful face but one he’d most definitely rather not appear at this juncture of his life What the hell was Elise Martin doing in his restaurant in Chicago, thousands of ilded cage of their common past? Was this some sort of cosmic joke?

“I ht ask the sa Understanding made her features flatten “Lucienyou’re Lucien Lenault You own this place?”

“What? You two know one another?” Mario asked

Lucien threw Elise a repressive glance Her lush lips snapped closed, and she gave hiarding their association all right, but that didn’t guarantee anything Knowing Elise, she hadn’t decided yet whether she’d keep quiet or not A flicker of anxiety went through hiet her out of Fusion at all costsout of his life here in Chicago Elise Martin would cause havoc anywhere she set a perfectly pedicured, elegant toe More specifically, she could ruin everything he’d gained on his ard to billionaire entrepreneur Ian Noble