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Wow He hadn’t seen the caring side of Alyssa This news surely brought her into a whole new di andtaking custo tricks?" Tyler raised a brow "You’re damn lucky Alyssa didn’t hear that She’d skin you alive and boil you in oil That shit doesn’t happen here Period ’Course she can’t stop a dancer willing to entertain customers after hours and off pre them since they’re often trouble"

The answer floored Luc Educated and principled? Had he failed to see past their scorching sex and her short skirts to the woman underneath?

As much as he hated to admit it, yes

But did it matter? As much as he wanted her, he couldn’t take her She wasn’t a mommy candidate He couldn’t even see her as someone’s wife Alyssa would be impossible to tame, and Luc wanted a woman ould be content to stay home and focus on children He didn’t see her as that type

But her values went deeper than he’d believed She worked damn hard and deserved a break

"You said Prihtly "With all the local press Someone needs to stop this prick She doesn’t need him, especially now"

"Because the restaurant is opening soon?"

"That, and her mother Alyssa just hasn’t been the same since the woo Dah they still lived in Florida, and Luc didn’t see his parents often, they talked frequently He loved the happened to them Certainly, he’d be in no shape to open a new business

"They were close?"

"No"

Tyler’s ansas both automatic and adamant And his face said he refused to say any more on the subject

"So Priritted his teeth "It’s going to bug the shit out of her"

Not if Luc could help it

A few y Septelad she’d decided to forgo curling her hair In this humidity, her do would be undone in no time flat Plus, the sedate French twist looked classy

With a hand above her brow, she shielded her eyes and scanned the sidewalk There Primpton and his oh-so-ns and angry expressions Ae last night, then paid Sadie for a private lap dance She arched a brow at thens

Of course Outside the walls of this club, she didn’t exist as a real person Just a whore

Flashbulbs went off and a chorus of voices spoke over one another, all shouting She frowned and looked at the cluster of people Reporters Then she gasped

They were all gathered around Luc

Primpton yelled at the press "There’s the jezebel! Take her picture Tell the good people of Lafayette not to glorify a woers"

Alyssa sighed More of the saive a shit about facts? Custoot laid at Sexy Sirens

At the council in her direction Shutters clicked Alyssa hid behind her sunglasses and opened her mouth to address the reporters with her prepared press release in hand

Instead, Luc spoke "Thank you for couest chef at Bonheur I have no doubt it will beco experience I’ve personally overseen this week’sit with the flavors from my books You’ll be in for a real treat From décor to food and wine, it’s top notch"

"How did you get involved with Bonheur?" called one reporter

Alyssa bit her lip Of all the questions the press could ask, that wasn’t one he could answer honestly withouther bad public opinion worse

"Ms Devereaux and I have mutual friends and have been acquainted for soh to assist o When the opportunity to repay her kindness arose, I happily said yes"

"What sort of matter?" shouted one reporter "Was it sexual?"

"It was a family matter, actually," Luc lied s between e And that shows in everything she’s created at Bonheur The more I’ve been involved with the restaurant and its staff, the more impressed I’ve become"

Alyssa blinked Luc was ss, press or no, amazed her

"What dishes will you ?" another reporter asked

Woith a little charm and so besides publicly branding her a whore Of course, having a celebrity like Luc in toas news for Lafayette, but still

"Who cares what he cooks?" Pri himself to be led down the sinner’s path Pray for him; there’s time to save his ier toward Alyssa "Condeood town of Lafayette and seeks to corrupt our co some new dishes I’m very excited about," Luc continued as if Priplant ravioli appetizer that’s to die for I have a pan-seared fillet with pearl onions, feta cheese, and a rich burgundy glaze that will melt in your , and I urge you to attend in the next week and see for yourself how special Bonheur is You won’t be disappointed The first hundred tables will receive a signed booklet with the week’s recipes"

Alyssa did a double take Booklets? That was generous of him

Reporters shouted more questions at Luc after that, but hecharlance, his eyes nearly popped from his head

Hmm Was the pencil-slim skirt and white button-down blouse with classic puh Luc’s expression didn’t answer her unspoken question, he recovered quickly and gestured to her "Here’s the lovely lady who can answer all of your questions Alyssa Devereaux has worked incredibly hard to make Bonheur a reality I don’t want to steal her thunder Why don’t you tell thes about your new place?"

So her eyes Tears? Danice for her And the press was transfixed by him