that. If the recipe is out, anyone can make it or sell it. The thing that makes Cousin Tom's chicken so popular is the lore about the recipe being a secret. Once word gets out that the secret isn't a secret anymore, anybody can make that chicken and it will taste just the same.”
“So the secret is the secret? ” she asked with a giggle.
“Sort of like that. The company knew who took it, and they knew who was likely to be the buyer. I just needed to intercept the recipe before the sale took place. It wasn't really that big of a deal.”
“It wasn't dangerous or anything?”
“Not really. This work isn't like it is in the movies. If somebody steals something, and you see them in public carrying a briefcase, the stolen item is probably in there. It's just a matter of getting it back. It's not as though the recipe was hidden in a fake heel of a shoe or anything. Most criminals are amateurs. They just steal because it's convenient.”
“A chicken recipe... I still can't get over that. Somebody would pay you to retrieve a list of stolen ingredients?”
“Keeping that list a secret is worth millions of dollars to the company, so yes, they were actually willing to pay quite a bit to get it back, especially if it could all be done on the hush-hush. Like I said, it's a good living. It's just not really an exciting one.”
“So how did you get it back?”
“The woman had the recipe in a briefcase, and she put it down for a minute at a Starbucks while she ordered a cup of coffee. I just took it.”
Jessica laughed at the entire idea.
Ryan smiled. “Yeah, it's a funny business. But it does come with a lot of variety.”
Jessica had taken off her pumps, which were hurting her feet just a bit. While Ryan was talking about his adventures, she began to slowly rub her foot up and down his leg. He got the message.
“I guess you're tired of talking about chicken. Perhaps we could skip dessert and have a nightcap in my room. It has a great view. Would you like to see it?
She quickly put her shoes back on as Ryan paid the bill. He took her by the hand and led her to the elevator. In the elevator, he gave her a passionate kiss, pressing his lips intently against hers. Jessica shook slightly as Ryan took her into his arms. She'd have been content to kiss him right there for hours, but the elevator quickly reached their desired floor.
The room was quite nice, with exquisite furniture, beautiful 400 count sheets on the bed, and a large picture window that overlooked the city. Jessica was stunned by the beautiful view of downtown as Ryan opened the curtains.
“This view is incredible. Do you always stay in hotels that are this nice?” she asked.
“I do when I can. You don't always have these kinds of choices available, especially if you're outside of the United States. The hotels I have to choose from in Denver are a bit nicer than the choices I have when I'm in central Africa,” he said with a laugh.
“Africa? How often do you end up there?”
“So far, once. That was enough. I like it here better.”
“It's a beautiful room.”
Jessica sat down on the sofa while Ryan opened a bottle of champagne and filled two glasses. He also started brewing a pot of coffee, which she thought was a bit odd, but she didn't give it too much thought.
Ryan sat down next to her and handed her a glass of champagne. They each took a sip and sat their glasses down on the coffee table. He put his arm around her and pulled her close.
He pulled her closer and suddenly, his lips were on hers. He teased her at first, lightly brushing his lips against hers. Then he kissed her again, this time more deeply than before. His tongue slowly entered her mouth, tasting slightly of champagne. Their tongues intertwined as they eagerly explored each others' mouths. Jessica couldn't
“So the secret is the secret? ” she asked with a giggle.
“Sort of like that. The company knew who took it, and they knew who was likely to be the buyer. I just needed to intercept the recipe before the sale took place. It wasn't really that big of a deal.”
“It wasn't dangerous or anything?”
“Not really. This work isn't like it is in the movies. If somebody steals something, and you see them in public carrying a briefcase, the stolen item is probably in there. It's just a matter of getting it back. It's not as though the recipe was hidden in a fake heel of a shoe or anything. Most criminals are amateurs. They just steal because it's convenient.”
“A chicken recipe... I still can't get over that. Somebody would pay you to retrieve a list of stolen ingredients?”
“Keeping that list a secret is worth millions of dollars to the company, so yes, they were actually willing to pay quite a bit to get it back, especially if it could all be done on the hush-hush. Like I said, it's a good living. It's just not really an exciting one.”
“So how did you get it back?”
“The woman had the recipe in a briefcase, and she put it down for a minute at a Starbucks while she ordered a cup of coffee. I just took it.”
Jessica laughed at the entire idea.
Ryan smiled. “Yeah, it's a funny business. But it does come with a lot of variety.”
Jessica had taken off her pumps, which were hurting her feet just a bit. While Ryan was talking about his adventures, she began to slowly rub her foot up and down his leg. He got the message.
“I guess you're tired of talking about chicken. Perhaps we could skip dessert and have a nightcap in my room. It has a great view. Would you like to see it?
She quickly put her shoes back on as Ryan paid the bill. He took her by the hand and led her to the elevator. In the elevator, he gave her a passionate kiss, pressing his lips intently against hers. Jessica shook slightly as Ryan took her into his arms. She'd have been content to kiss him right there for hours, but the elevator quickly reached their desired floor.
The room was quite nice, with exquisite furniture, beautiful 400 count sheets on the bed, and a large picture window that overlooked the city. Jessica was stunned by the beautiful view of downtown as Ryan opened the curtains.
“This view is incredible. Do you always stay in hotels that are this nice?” she asked.
“I do when I can. You don't always have these kinds of choices available, especially if you're outside of the United States. The hotels I have to choose from in Denver are a bit nicer than the choices I have when I'm in central Africa,” he said with a laugh.
“Africa? How often do you end up there?”
“So far, once. That was enough. I like it here better.”
“It's a beautiful room.”
Jessica sat down on the sofa while Ryan opened a bottle of champagne and filled two glasses. He also started brewing a pot of coffee, which she thought was a bit odd, but she didn't give it too much thought.
Ryan sat down next to her and handed her a glass of champagne. They each took a sip and sat their glasses down on the coffee table. He put his arm around her and pulled her close.
He pulled her closer and suddenly, his lips were on hers. He teased her at first, lightly brushing his lips against hers. Then he kissed her again, this time more deeply than before. His tongue slowly entered her mouth, tasting slightly of champagne. Their tongues intertwined as they eagerly explored each others' mouths. Jessica couldn't
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