Chapter 4 WHIPPED

CHEF LEVI'S POV

I stood by the kitchen door observing Leonardo. To say I had been shocked to my wits was an understatement on my part. A Halloween movie? No, I first thought it was a costume until the scaly wings vanished into his clothes. And then the shock registered. All I knew about supernaturals were gory and scary, since when did they look this hot? Myths dictated that these kinds of monsters were ugly and scary. Yet Leonardo was oozing sexiness and radiated masculinity.

The Siri Michelin restaurant was my dream, my everything. Every part of It was a part of me. And that is why my desperation made me reluctant to let go of Leonardo. I knew the dangers that lurked by having his kind around.

My mind was on fire; alarms were sounding, lights flashing, and my inner voice had devolved into sustained and panicked screaming. But my bank accounts could not allow me to compromise. So I had chosen the latter and allowed Chef Leonardo to stay.

The team met the next day, and Leonardo shared his plans. Once the customers tasted the dishes, the team understood that the restaurant was changing. They snapped to attention with tremendous enthusiasm, pushed harder during prep, their callbacks were sharper, and the collective "Yes, Chef!"

We spent excessive time silently working in each other's presence. During the day we ended up in the pantry walking in again and he asked: "What do you need Chef?." Yet his fingers grazed at my hand lightly.

"Salad," I responded in a daze. Dazed by the fact that I had come into the walk-in with the intent of grabbing the lettuce in a hurry, and now I stood silently allowing him to touch me.

When Chef Kafele cleared her throat, we both jumped back. I grabbed the Lettuce and rushed out murmuring. "I uh- I should get back to work!"

I had promised myself to resist him but Leonardo was not making it easy for me. He had transformed the restaurant in a few days and I knew in six months' time we would be making profits.

Every morning, I watched him take control of the kitchen every morning and then when I joined the team later in the day, it really felt like home. I had fallen in love with him when he walked into the interview and realized so when I allowed him to still work. It was because it didn't matter who he was. All that matters was how I felt about him.

One Sunday afternoon I went into the restaurant as usual. I went into the fridge and found a cake in the fridge with a note on it " Enjoy my little chef". I took it out and brewed coffee and sat down to have a piece.

"Do you like it that much?."

Leonardo's voice startled me as I turned around and he was leaning against the kitchen door.

"I'm... not." I could only utter some words while reaching for the napkin to dab at my lips.

"Really?" Leonardo asked with a cheeky smile

"I don't- it's not-" I tried to explain myself.

Chef Leonardo laughed while I pursed his lips in half annoyance. He was not entirely annoyed, just a little unsure of himself. Unsure of the feelings that Leonardo kept evoking.

"Don't let me stop you," Chef Leonardo gestured to the cake in front of him, "This is a new recipe. I combined an old recipe from my grandmother with new ingredients. You are the first one to taste it"

"What's the name of this recipe?" I deflected as I picked up the fork to cut the cake.

"It's called ' Be Mine?" Leonardo responded.

My hand froze in the air before I could cut it. I lifted my head to stare at Chef Leonardo and he was grinning from ear to ear.

I cut the cake using the fork and picked a piece and the damn cake melted in my mouth again. Flavors exploded in my mouth and I could not help but moan as I swallowed. I heard an intake of breath from Leonardo and knew this was a bad idea. I pushed the chair back, dumped the coffee in the sink, and put the cake back in the fridge.

I walked out of the kitchen into the office. I was running away and Leonardo was hot on my heel as he pushed me against the wall. He rushed to his office, but Chef Leonardo was already behind him and pressed him against the wall when he entered.

"Move" I pushed him away.

"Why?" He whispered.

"Will you just drop this?! It isn't happening!!" I yelled.

"Levi Xander, one of my powers, can read emotions." He whispered. "Throughout the week, you were lusting after me. Your feelings told me how much you wanted me. "

His arms came around me and held me against his body as tightly as possible. I was powerless as he pressed his lips and his tongue snaked into my mouth. We kissed passionately and I could not help but moan into the kiss.

Leonardo pulled away and walked out of the office and I was left panting in need. In a minute he was back, picked up my phone that was at my desk, and handed it over. He pulled me through the back door and locked it. The sun was setting and dusk was drawing near.

" What are you doing Leonardo?" I asked him.

" We are leaving, " He stated.

He lifted me up easily on his arm and then I was about to yell and we were up in the air in seconds. I closed my eyes and pressed my body closer to him. We landed on the balcony of a high-end condo and then he unlocked the door and pulled me in.

I staggered back and raised my hand toward him "Leonardo, what are you ?" I cracked as my mouth had grown so dry.

"I am a half-demon. " He stated calmly and closed the balcony door. "I sense no fear coming from you," He finished off with a smile.

" I am not afraid of you. I feel like you will never hurt me. I can't explain it." I whispered.

He hugged me and whispered " Spend the night with me. Before you object, I just want to hold you "

" Don't lie Leonardo" I whispered.

" I promise. Even though I know that you want me" He groaned.

" Shut up Leonardo and show me the bathroom. I want to take a shower" I pushed him away and he only shook his head and pointed in the direction of a vast master bedroom.

After the shower, I found him on the bed, he was already dozing off. I slowly crawled onto the bed and he turned and pulled me into a hug. His body radiated of warmth and I buried myself in his chest my body relaxed into a deep sleep as I heard Leonardo whisper in my ear " Mine".