Read Liam's Bride: BBW Werebear Romance (Clan Conroy Brides Book 1) for Free Online

covered in a white cloth and set with fresh wildflowers.
    “Chef’s table,” she said without thinking, staring. Bear and whimsical didn’t seem to go together. It put her at ease- a little.
    A rumble of agreement came from his chest. “Go. Sit.”
    She obeyed automatically, caught by the authority in his tone, walking towards the table and taking a seat before she remembered she had promised to remain… professional.
    Surveying the table, eyebrows knit, she wondered if he was trying to keep it professional. It didn’t look like it. Maybe she hadn’t imagined the zing of something between them. Though she was inexperienced with men- by choice her relationships remained few- she wasn’t stupid. She could read basic body language.
    And a man who wasn’t interested in a woman didn’t cook her dinner. Not when he already had the upper hand.
    Meredith decided bluntness to be the best weapon. “I’m a little confused.”
    Dishes clinked. A moment later he approached with white restaurant plates, sliced meat delicately arranged over creamy potatoes, topped with a bed of fluffy fresh micro-greens. A red sauce swirled around the entire dish. He placed the plates on the table, disappeared into the walk-in and returned a moment later with chilled glasses and wine.
    He sat, pouring ruby liquid into glasses. She couldn't read his expression so instead watched fingers graceful despite their size move with a chef's deftness. He placed the glass in front of her, waited until she took a sip.
    "Do you like it?"
    "I’m not much of a wine person, but it has a bit of sweetness to it."
    He nodded, gesturing at her plate. "I thought a talk over a meal would be enjoyable and I wanted to get the lay of the kitchen before I finalize designs for the remodel. Seemed a shame to waste the food."
    "You have to cook in it first to get a feel for it?" Meredith asked, taking a guess. Relaxing now that she knew the setup wasn’t about her, but more a gracious inclusion of her. She sliced into the meat, the knife moving through with such ease she set it aside. Beef melting in her mouth, her eyelids drooped. "Oooooh. This is good."
    "Hmm. It's not too bland?"
    Eyes reopening, she felt another blasted blush. "I’m sorry. The food at your restaurant really was very good. I was just trying to get your attention."
    "You got it," he replied, voice dry, dark eyes glinting. They caught her for a moment, capturing her attention to the point she realized the purity of black surrounding his pupils was absolute. Not a fleck of brown, striation of russet. No lessening of the bottomless coal darkness.  
    "These potatoes taste different,” she said, voice pitched high.
    "Not potatoes. Cauliflower and leek."
    "Much healthier," she said, managing to level her tone. Heat faded to friendly warmth under her nervous regard, his lashes suddenly lowering to allow her to break the stare. She cleared her throat. "You know my teens grow both of those in the garden. We had plans next season to become certified as organic. I had them studying natural pest prevention methods this year, and we sourced our seeds from local organic farmers."
    He took a sip of his wine. She watched his throat move, helpless to look away even when a small smile curve his lips.
    "I thought about what you said.” He reached across the table, a finger trailing along the bone of her cheek. She didn’t move, the skin under his touch hyper aware. “A garden attached to the school that produces for the restaurant is a smart business move. I hadn't really considered it because I don't have time to manage it."
    "Now you do." She smiled brightly, sitting back in her chair. "We'll do it for you and think of all the new customers you'll get. The students' families would be happy to go to the restaurant that features produce they've grown."
    "Yes.” His hand lowered to the table, fingers curling, expression impassive. “I can see the benefits on several angles. So I'm going to renew your lease at the