Love and Possibilities

Cooking with Bella Lucia

“Alexei, breathe.”

He can’t catch his breath and his whole body is tingling.

She grabs his hair, pulls him back, and locks her mouth to his. Their tongues dance and he feels heat spreading through his body and blood rushes down between his legs. She pulls back and now she is out of breath too.

He breathes in, holds, breathes out, holds. “I didn’t know until you did that this morning that would be something that would work.”

“When Charlie told you to hold your breath I realized that kissing you would force you to hold it.”

“Did Luna talk to you about me? That’s how you know what she wants?”

“Yes, Lexei, she told me. She believes you are the answer to our dilemma of both of us being tops. That we can share you and be together.”

“But what if that isn’t what I want?”

“You always have the choice to walk away, Lexei, though I really hope you choose to stay.”

He takes a long slow breath and realizes her hand is still in his. “And if I give myself to Luna and then she gives me to you, will you go back to playing with others?”

“Lexei, you understand that I normally play with women don’t you? You are the only man in my life and would continue to be the only man in my life.”

“So you would.” The thought of someone else touching her is driving him insane. This whole open relationship stuff is so foreign to him.

“Lexei, can we not think about this right now. Can we stay in the moment, focus on each other, get to know each other and then we can talk about this again in the future if this all works out?”

“But then I will be so caught up in the two of you that I may say yes to something that feels…” He hesitates. “I don’t know if I’m going to be able to handle this. I am already trying to wrap my head around being part of a triad and being a submissive, but every time I even think about someone touching you…and we haven’t even…and once we have…” He puts his head back down between his legs again. “Fuck.”

“Shhhhhhh, it’s alright, Alexei, we’ll work it out. You don’t have to think of everything all at once. Right now you and I are spending the day together and we are going to have fun choosing our ingredients for tonight and I can’t wait to cook with you. And…no one else will be touching me in the near future. So please calm yourself.” Her hand is rhythmically stroking his back until his breathing slows down and he sits up. “Please, Lexei, I promise we will talk about this later, soon, just not today, okay?”

“Alright.” He forces the images out of his head and focuses on her. “Alight, I will put it away for now.”

“Thank you, Alexei.”

The Farmers Market was busy, lots of people roaming the booths, picking out vegetables, meat, plants, and more. Alexei and Bella Lucia went from booth to booth. She had come prepared with several different kinds of bags and a wagon. They chose everything together, not one thing did she buy without discussing it with him first. She also never stops touching him, his hand, arm, back, shoulder. Not only was it sending heat through him but he found himself leaning into it. His feelings are growing for her by the hour, which made the thought of anyone touching her even more repugnant. He watches her talking to the vendors, and how they react to her. It was like each person was affected by her smile and energy. Every single person was smiling by the time she was done talking to them.

They are nearing the end of the market, only a few vendors are left and they had been lucky and found everything they needed for each of the things on their list for the menu. A thrill moves through him at the thought of cooking for so many people, so many women. Women who are strong like his mother even if she doesn't have the same tastes that they have he knew she is strong like they are.

He pulls the wagon as it becomes heavier with each item they put in it. She bought a few things for her own kitchen and then she sees fresh goat cheese. .

“Alexei, do you think you’d have time to make that appetizer you made on Friday? It was so good and I know they would love it.”

“How many appetizers for how many tables?”

I would say a plate of six for fifteen tables, say sixteen just in case we have someone drop in.”

“So that is ninety-six. How big and how many ovens do you  have?”

She chuckles, “Oh Alexei, I have a Gas Jet-Air Convection Oven w/ 28 Pan Capacity. It is my pride and joy, I also have two industrial ovens.

“Oh my, not sure what that is but it sounds fantastic. I can’t wait to see your industrial kitchen. 

“It is a work of art.” She grins. 

“Yes, I can make it happen if you have more help. Do you have a sous chef or other helpers?" 

“Yes to both. I already emailed tonight’s menu to Anna, my sous chef, and I told her you will be helping us in the kitchen tonight. She is a little…temperamental, but she is very good at what she does. She helps keep everything moving and she is a tremendous chef in her own right. Unfortunately she doesn’t much care for men. I told her she has to behave tonight and that you are very special to me and I won’t put up with her nonsense so hopefully she will be on her best behavior."

“Don’t worry, I have a couple of female friends who can be quite moody at times and I’ve managed to handle it. I’m sure it will be alright. Here, give me two of your bags and wait over there where the benches are and I’ll run and get what we need for the appetizers. I remember several booths that had the ingredients.” 

He pulled the wagon over to the bench so she could sit. “Be back in a moment.” And he took off at a fast walk.

 He found the sweet potatoes, the goat cheese, basil leaves, prosciutto, even the balsamic vinegar and honey but they didn’t have the dried figs. He’d have to order some and have them delivered. He came back to the bench with two full bags. 

“Ready to go? 

“Yes, Timothy is bringing the car around and should be here any minute.” He took the wagon handle and her hand and they made their way to the sidewalk. They didn’t have to wait long before the Range Rover was pulling up to the curb. Timothy jumped out and popped open the back hatch and went around to their passenger door and opened it for them. 

“I’ve got it, Mr. Mishkin, I’ll put it in the back.” And he took the wagon handle. “Thank you, Timothy.” Alexei motioned for Bella Lucia to proceed him into the car and then he scooted in beside her and closed the door. “He really enjoys serving you, Bella. “I know, he makes a very good driver and I miss him when his Mistress is available but I know he enjoys spending time with her when she has time. He is right though, she is one of the busiest women I know, besides Luna of course.” 

Back at the penthouse she takes his hand and leads him into her industrial kitchen. It is full of chrome prepping stations, shelving, a huge walk in refrigerator and freezer, large pots and pans, and the huge convection oven she had talked about. He is overwhelmed with it all.

“It’s beautiful, Bella Lucia.”

She is beaming. She pulls his hand over to one of the stations. “If you think of your kitchen, and the direction of where you put things, look at the set up here.”

 He is amazed at how she has set things up so he can reach for everything he would need to prep and cook. A couple of her assistants came in and she pulled them over to meet him.

“Alexei, this is Toni and Talli, they are sisters, twins actually. Any help you need you pull one of them over. Toni, Talli, you help Alexei. Here is the menu for tonight. We are going to split it up three ways. They begin speaking Italian to Bella Lucia. “No, speak English tonight so he can understand.”

“Anna isn’t going to like this.” One of the twins said.

“She will deal with it. Now let’s get busy.”

They work seamlessly getting all the prep work done so all they have to do is the cooking at the proper time. Bella Lucia grabs him and pulls him out and takes him upstairs.

“We need to take a shower and get ready. The women will be showing up in about two hours.”  

“Will there be any men tonight?”

“Oh there are always a few, but it is the members that I am talking about. The men, they belong to the women, the members."

He doesn’t like the way she talks about the men, as if they are no one, is that what he will be, if Luna claims him? Just something on her arm, silent, and never doing anything unless she commands it?

“Here, you can use this shower to get ready.” She takes him to a spare bedroom with an adjoining bathroom. His things are already on the bed. “I’ll get ready in my rooms and I’ll meet you downstairs in an hour.”

“Okay, see you then.” He pulls her up against him, wraps his arms around her, bends down and presses his lips to hers. She opens to him and he explores her mouth until he can hardly breathe. He pulls back and her eyes are closed and she slowly opens them.

“Angelo, I hope you still have enough energy tonight when we are done because I very much want to have my way with you.” And then she hurries away.

She wanted to have her way with him. He wonders what that looks like, but no matter what it looks like he is going to have to take a cold shower because her words shot straight down to between his legs. He takes a deep breath and then turns the shower on to get ready.

Forty-five minutes later he is twiddling his thumbs. He can’t take it anymore and has to go downstairs and continue prepping. He walks into the kitchen and there is only one person he doesn’t know and it must be Anna. He walks up to her and holds out his hand.

“Hi, I’m Alexei Mishkin, I’m helping out tonight.”

“I know who you are. Stay out of my way and I won’t hobble you.” She hisses and goes back to what she was doing.

“I’m sorry you feel that way.” He goes to his work station and begins the final touches on the appetizers. The balsamic glaze he had made up earlier isn’t in the fridge where he left it. He looks at his station and it isn’t there. He finally looks in the trash and he can see all of it has been squeezed out of the bag he’d put it in. He takes a long slow breath. He knew it had to be Anna. At least he had time to make more and he pulls out the ingredients and gets to work.

Bella Lucia walks in a few minutes later and dances over to him. “I brought you a Chef’s coat for you to wear tonight.” She hands it to him.

“That was very thoughtful of you, Bella, thank you.” He quickly puts it on over his white button up shirt and black vest.

She leans up on her toes and kisses his cheek. “Remember to breathe, Lexei.” And then she notices what he is doing. “Why are you making more of the glaze?”

He doesn’t know what to say and doesn’t want to cause trouble, but he also can’t lie to her. “I found what I had made earlier in the trash. I’m sure it was a mistake.” He rushes to say. He sees anger flash in her eyes. “It’s okay, I had plenty of time to make more.” She pats his hand and smiles. “You are a good man, Alexei.” She goes to her work station and continues her prep work.

Alexei works harder than he has in a long time keeping up with prepping and cooking and making sure everything is just right.

“Lexei, mi amor, there has been a request to meet you.”

“What? Why?”

“Mistress Lenora thoroughly enjoyed the menu tonight and when I told her that most of it was due to you, she asked to meet you.”

He notices Bella Lucia looks a little nervous. He takes her hand. “It’s okay, Bella, I won’t embarrass you.”

She chuckles, “I am not worried about you embarrassing me, angelo, I was worried you would feel uncomfortable.”

“These women are special to you, it is why you do what you do. I am honored that they enjoyed our menu and I would love to chat with them for a moment.”

Bella Lucia beams at him. “Thank you, Lexei!” Holding his hand she pulls him out to the patio and to a table in a far corner.

There is an elegant looking women with her golden hair pulled back with ringlets pouring over the back of her head sitting with two other women and a submissive male next to her who never looks up.

Bella Lucia bows her head slightly in acknowledgement. “Mistress Lenora, I’d like to introduce my very special friend and co-chef tonight, Alexei  Mishkin.”

Alexei's intuition kicks in. He bows from the waist, head down, holds for a moment and then stands back up.  He waits for her to speak first.

“Alexei, I wanted to personally commend you for such a divine experience this evening. The food was exquisite, though Madam Bella Lucia’s meals are always the best in town, her cunning in adding you to the mix brought it to the next level.”

“Thank you, Mistress Lenora, it has been an honor and pleasure working with Bella Lucia today creating this experience for all of you dining here tonight.”

“I hear you are a multi-talented individual and understand you are an artist not just in the kitchen.”

“Yes, Madam Lenora, I am lucky enough to have a strong mother who encouraged me to seek my passions and encouraged my creative abilities.”

This brought a smile to Madam Lenora’s lips as he thought it might. “Please give your mother my deepest regards on raising such a fine son.” She turns to Bella Lucia. “I have always enjoyed your establishment, Madam Bella Lucia, and I do hope you will let me know the next time your special friend will be working with you in the kitchen again. I wouldn’t want to miss such a treat.”

“Yes, of course, Madam Lenora, I will make sure to send you a special invite letting you know. I hope you will be staying for desert this evening. It is a glazed mixed fruit with a creamy sauce that will surely tantalize your senses.”

“I look forward to experiencing it. Thank you, Madam Bella Lucia, Alexei.”

Bella Lucia pulls him away and back to the kitchen. “You were magnificent, Alexei!” She is beaming at him. "She is a very influential woman and will spread the word far better than any advertising.” She pulls him tightly to her, grabs his head and brings it down to hers, her lips claiming him so fully he loses his breath, his thoughts, everything but her mouth on his.

She steps back and he sees Anna over her shoulder with anger rolling off of her.

“Thank you, Bella, I’m happy you’re pleased." They both quickly begin getting desert out. The glazed fruit are  in their own round dishes all ready to be sent out. He pulls out the first rack of small dishes with the creamy sauce and sets them both up on the platter as the first server comes over to take them.

“Give the first set to Mistress Lenora’s table, wait for her to taste it and then you can serve everyone else.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Bella Lucia grabs his hand and pulls him  to the back of the kitchen and through a door he hasn’t noticed before. Once inside it is obvious it is her office. She sits at the desk and pulls up the monitor and quickly goes through several screens before he realizes they are views of the dining areas on the patio.

“We have cameras everywhere our members will be, except the bathrooms. It is for everyone’s protection in case something happens. There…” Mistress Lenora is on the screen and the server is just placing her dessert in front of her. She waits to serve the rest of the table until Mistress Lenora takes her first bite after dipping it into the creamy sauce. The woman’s face looks like pure ecstasy. The server hands out the desserts to everyone else including putting an extra next to Mistress Lenora for her submissive. Mistress Lenora picks up a glazed strawberry, dips it, puts her finger under her submissive's chin, raising his head and then feeds him a bit. His eyes light up  and Mistress Lenora smiles wickedly. Her thumb wipes over his lips and then sticks it in her mouth, licking it off.

Alexei feels himself unexpectedly growing hard as he watches them. He turns and leaves the room and Bella Lucia frowns watching him go.

Clean up had been going on all night with the end of each course and there wasn’t a whole lot left to do but he was sanitizing the surfaces they wouldn’t be using again tonight. A woman, Layla, had showed up mid evening and had begun feeding the dirty dishes into the industrial dishwasher and she was still busy working them through. Alexei joins her to help put the dishes away that are now dry. He knows this kitchen as well as his own now and makes quick work of it. Layla smiles in gratitude as normally she is the one responsible for putting them away. He notices Anna smirking at him.

“That is where you belong, cleaning like a good sub.” She says derisively.

“Anna!”

He had never heard Bella Lucia so angry.

Anna smiles a fake smile at her. “I was only reminding him of where men belong in your establishment, Madam Bella Lucia.” She purrs.

“That isn’t your place. Get your things and leave as you are no longer welcome here. You’re fired.” She says heatedly.

“You can’t be serious! I helped you build this place, you wouldn’t have the members you have if it wasn’t for me and if you get rid of me, I will make sure they follow me!” She screams.

“Get.Your.Things.And.Leave.Now.” The fury in Bella Lucia is barely contained. Anna seems to sense the threat, huffs, grabs her things, glances threateningly at Alexei and storms out.

Bella Lucia immediately goes to him. “I’m so sorry, Lexei, I knew she had a sharp tongue but I thought she would at least show you respect.”

He takes her hand and rubs it with his thumb. “It’s alright, Bella, her insecurities didn’t hurt me.”  

He starts to pull away to finish helping Layla when Bella Lucia pulls him back. “Would you mind doing me a favor, angelo?”

“Of course, anything.”

“Would you go up to my rooms and start a bath for me. I’m exhausted and would really enjoy a good soak with you. I’ll be up shortly.”

He leans in and kisses the top of her head. “I will do that now.” He hesitates. “Thank you for letting me share this,” he motions outward encompassing everything, “with you. I thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience.. It has been a magnificent day.”

"Me too, mi amor, me too.”