Delicious Compliance

*contains sexual innuendo and comments.*

"Okay, people. Let's go. Let's go. This happens every night. Get those dishes out. Move it." Yelled the red-faced head chef.

"Yes, chef." everyone said in unison. Utensils clinked, pans sizzled, and food was plated as everyone moved in rhythm around the kitchen. 

Andrew Garbon, the saucier, eyed the head chef as he marched around looking more important than he was. It was that damned Michelin Star. He'd always dreamed of working at a Michelin Star restaurant, but ever since those tire hawking hacks had given Little Benny's their first star Chef had become a belligerent perfectionist.

He'd only been here for three years and was just out of culinary school. It might be time to find somewhere new to work. There was only one thing stopping him.

Andrew ladled a rich brown sauce over a dish. "Up!"

A waiter came by, grabbed the dish and went out the double doors with it. Another plate was sat in front of Andrew. The hand on the edge of the plate was light brown, slender, and scarred in a few places. The fingers were thin and long, with fingernails that were perfectly trimmed. They could've been the hands of a pianist or a surgeon. There was only one person in the kitchen with hands like that.

Andrew looked at Sous Chef Rosa, who gave him a wide smile. His heart skipped and he fumbled his ladle before catching it and clearing his throat. She'd always been friendly with everyone but lately she seemed to be extra friendly to him. It was probably his imagination.

"Chef Rosa, what can I do for you?" He managed a half smile that hid his crooked teeth. 

"Could you sauce me, Chef Garbon?" She tapped her plate and look Rosa gave him didn't belong in the kitchen.

"Yeah, sure." He stammered and concentrated on not blushing, but he could feel heat sliding up to his cheeks.

She raised an eyebrow. "Just the brown sauce, please. Right here." Rosa pointed her finger and then traced a shape with it above the dish. "Like that." Her voice was smooth and sensual.

Andrew applied the sauce in exactly the way she asked.

Her dark eyes lit up. "Perfect." She tossed her short hair back and left to prepare other dishes. 

Geez. She made him want to do things he'd be glad to try but sore from a few hours later. There was something about the tone she used when she told him what to do that made him want to ask her if there was anything else he could do for her and he did mean anything. 

Andrew was still watching her leave as the head chef approached him. He didn't even see the guy coming.

"Chef Garbon, enjoying the view?"

"Yes, chef." he stuttered. "I meant no, chef."

The head chef only held out a hand. Andrew wanted to roll his eyes, but instead he grabbed a small tasting spoon and gave it to him. 

"This sauce was made this morning?" he asked while dipping the spoon in the pot.

"Uh, yes chef." Andrew held his breath as the head chef tasted the sauce.

He made a face. "You're putting this on my food?"

Andrew felt the heat drain from his face.

"Answer me. Are you putting this on my food?" Chef held up the spoon to him.

"Yes, chef." Had he messed it up? Was there too much salt? Maybe he'd added the wrong spices earlier. He grabbed a spoon and tasted it himself. The sauce was perfect. It was rich and velvety with a slight hint of pepper.

Chef tossed the spoon down on the workstation. It clattered on the stainless-steel surface before sliding off and onto the floor. "We don't have time for this."

"We didn't add thyme, chef." At least Andrew didn't think he'd added thyme.

"Urgh." He threw his hands in the air and stomped off.

Andrew picked up the spoon that had fallen and heard the head chef taking out his ire on the Entremetier.

"You call that julienne?!" he yelled.

"He’s really on one today." Chef Rosa leaned against his station. "I need sautéed scallops with a white wine sauce. Please, chef."

The way she said please made him want to cook all the scallops in the world for her.

"Right away." Andrew grabbed the ingredients and got work. He quickly seared the scallops, while adding rosemary, butter, and lemon to the action. When he was done, he deglazed the pan with a white wine and drizzled it over the scallops.

"Thanks, chef." she whisked the plate away to add garnishes, leaving Andrew hoping she'd ask him for something else.

The rest of the night went by, and the kitchen finally closed around 11pm. The head chef gave them closing remarks, but Andrew just wanted to flip him off the entire time. He criticized their teamwork, professionalism, and ability then ended it with. "Now get this place cleaned up." before walking into his office.

Andrew sighed. The best thing about this place was about seven feet from him and wearing all white with non-slip shoes. Chef Rosa's dark hair was still straight, and she was all smiles despite the long night. She threw a glance his way. He panicked and grabbed a rag to clean his station. Everyone had gone for the night, but Andrew was tasting his sauce again just to make sure it wasn't off.

"You know we need to get going, right?"

Rosa was back and watching him about to taste his sauce. He had a hand cupped under the spoon but hadn't tasted it yet.

"I know. I just need to check something."

"Are you still worried about what chef said?"

He nodded and blew on the sauce.

"Here let me try it." She opened her lips and gave him an expectant look.

It took every ounce of strength Andrew had to keep from falling over. He swallowed. Holy crap he was about to feed Chef Rosa his sauce. No don't say it like that. The sauce, Andrew. The sauce. He got the spoon past her lower lip before she closed her mouth around it and pulled back.

He waited. It was like being in a time warp. Seconds turned to minutes as he watched her red lips move and her mouth work before she finally swallowed. A mischievous half smile curled her lips. 

"Your sauce is amazing, chef. I don't know what his problem was tonight. I'd be happy to have this sauce on my dishes." Her eyes studied his.

"Um, thank you chef."

"Do you have any other sauces I could taste, Chef Garbon?" She put a hand on his station and stepped toward him.

What was he supposed to say to that?

"Only if you ask nicely,” he said shakily. 

She made a deep humming sound while biting her lower lip.

"Or not nicely. You'd just have to ask, and I'd give you any sauce you wanted."

She placed a finger on his chest. "Any sauce?"