Chapter 3

Celeste stared at Jayden McGregor, her breath coming in uneven bursts. The contract lay on the coffee table between them, an unspoken challenge hanging in the air.

Six months.

One decision.

And the man standing before her-the man who had somehow managed to turn her world upside down in less than forty-eight hours-was waiting.

Waiting for her to either send him away...

Or let him in.

She forced herself to breathe. "You really don't take no for an answer, do you?"

Jayden's lips twitched, but there was something sharp in his gaze, something unrelenting. "Not when I know someone is lying to themselves."

Celeste bristled. "I'm not lying to myself."

He stepped closer, his presence overwhelming in the small space. "Aren't you?"

She hated how her pulse kicked up. Hated how he could see right through her defenses like no one else ever had.

"This isn't about you, McGregor," she said, crossing her arms. "I don't need your money."

He hummed, tilting his head. "No, but you need what it can give you." His voice lowered, smooth as silk. "Freedom. Independence. A way out."

She stiffened.

Because he was right.

And he knew it.

Silence stretched between them, thick with something dangerous.

Then Jayden glanced at his watch. "Fifteen minutes until midnight, Celeste. What's it going to be?"

She swallowed.

Her entire life had been dictated by circumstances outside of her control-by a system that had never worked in her favor, by men like Chef Roux who thought they could mold her into whatever they wanted.

But this?

This was *her* choice.

Slowly, she reached for the envelope.

Jayden didn't move as she opened it, as she scanned the contract for the second time that night.

Her hands didn't shake this time.

Because now, she knew exactly what she was getting into.

She grabbed a pen.

And signed.

The moment her signature hit the paper, Jayden's lips curved into a slow, satisfied smile.

"Good girl."

Her heart slammed against her ribs.

She wasn't sure if she'd just made the best decision of her life-

Or the worst.

---

The next morning, Celeste arrived at Le Jardin an hour earlier than usual.

Her mind was a mess, but her hands were steady as she prepped ingredients, letting the familiar rhythm of chopping and slicing anchor her.

Last night felt surreal.

Signing that contract. The way Jayden had watched her, his gaze heavy with something she couldn't quite decipher.

She hadn't slept.

And now, she had six months to figure out what the hell she had just agreed to.

By the time the kitchen filled with the usual morning chaos, Celeste had pushed everything to the back of her mind.

Or at least, she thought she had-

Until Chef Roux's voice cut through the noise.

"Bennett. My office. Now."

Her stomach twisted.

She wiped her hands on a towel, ignoring the curious looks from the other chefs as she followed him out of the kitchen.

The moment the office door shut behind her, Roux turned, his expression unreadable. "I got a call last night."

Celeste's pulse stuttered. "From who?"

His gaze darkened. "Jayden McGregor."

Her breath caught.

Of course he called.

Of course he didn't waste a second pulling strings.

"What did he say?" she asked carefully.

Roux studied her for a long moment. Then, with a slow shake of his head, he exhaled. "He bought out your contract."

Her fingers tightened around the edge of her apron.

She had *known* this was coming, but hearing the words still sent a strange mix of dread and exhilaration through her.

"He *what*?" she said, forcing herself to sound surprised.

"You heard me." Roux's jaw clenched. "He paid an obscene amount of money to terminate your employment here effective immediately."

Celeste's breath came fast and shallow.

This was really happening.

She was no longer a chef at Le Jardin.

She was Jayden McGregor's personal chef for the next six months.

Roux's eyes narrowed. "You're making a mistake, Bennett. Working for a man like McGregor? He'll chew you up and spit you out."

Something flared in her chest.

Because *that* was what people like Roux always thought. That she was disposable. That she could never play in the same league as men like Jayden McGregor.

But he had chosen her.

And this time, she was choosing herself.

She lifted her chin. "Then I guess I'll just have to prove you wrong."

Roux scoffed. "Don't come crawling back when he's done with you."

She didn't bother responding.

Because for the first time in her life, she wasn't looking back.

---

Jayden's penthouse was exactly what she had expected-sleek, modern, and ridiculously extravagant.

Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked the city skyline, the open-concept kitchen was fitted with top-of-the-line appliances, and everything was in shades of black, gray, and steel.

It screamed power.

And so did the man leaning casually against the marble counter, watching her as she took it all in.

"Welcome home, Celeste," he said smoothly.

She shot him a sharp look. "This isn't my home, McGregor. It's my *workplace*."

His lips twitched. "That remains to be seen."

She ignored the way his words sent a shiver down her spine.

"Let's get one thing straight," she said, setting her bag down. "I'm here to cook. That's it."

Jayden pushed off the counter, closing the distance between them in a slow, deliberate stride. "Of course," he murmured. "Just here to cook."

But the way he said it made her feel like she had already lost whatever game they were playing.

Celeste squared her shoulders. "Where do I start?"

He studied her for a moment before gesturing toward the kitchen. "Surprise me."

She clenched her jaw, pushing past him to inspect the ingredients he had stocked.

Fine.

If he wanted to test her, she'd make damn sure he never underestimated her again.

She grabbed a pan and set to work, her hands moving on instinct, her mind zeroing in on the one thing she knew she could control- The food. But as she felt Jayden's eyes on her, sharp and unreadable, she knew one thing for certain. She may have won the first battle- But the war between them had only just begun.

---