Somebody's about to get burned…
An unlikely couple is brought together as celebrity judges on a new cooking show—Sesto Théodore, an American-Italian New York chef, and Syn Fully, a world-weary author of erotica. It's instantly clear that they are complete opposites and their personalities clash, but physically, sparks fly and passion ignites.
However, after a video with some rather personal content surfaces on the Internet, Sesto immediately jumps to conclusions and accuses Syn of the breach.
Can the arrogant chef forgive and forget, or will his pride leave him out in the cold?
Reader Advisory: This book includes an occurrence of mild bondage and a scene of slightly dubious consent, as well as covert sexual contact in close proximity to bystanders. There is also reference to stalking and non-consensual taking of videos and photography and the dubious consensual use of restraints.
General Release Date: 1st November 2013
Sesto Théodore walked confidently through the atrium lobby of the swanky New York hotel, one of three celebrity judges shooting the pilot for the newest reality competition. Protégés, was a pathetic copy to the cooking channel’s popular Hacked as far as Sesto was concerned, but if the network were willing to pay him an exorbitant amount of money to insult young chefs and kill their dreams, who was he to argue.
He’d paid his dues, slugged his own way through culinary school without having to resort to pimping his talents for twenty-five grand on some TV show. Sesto had methodically achieved everything he’d set out to do in his career. The owner of four five star restaurants, five by the end of the month. He was handsome, rich and women loved a man that could cook. And the saying is that the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach! He chuckled to himself as he pulled open the convention center door.
Swiping imaginary lint off the shoulder of his black designer suit coat, Sesto looked over the table where the other two judges were supposed to be seated by now. He’d been fashionably late on purpose, making them wait for him. But, foiled again he was the only one there besides the camera people, the contestants and the harassed-looking director and producers.
* * * *
Going unnoticed Syn slipped quietly into the convention center. Using some large artificial potted ferns as cover, she observed the scene before her. As a writer, she was an avid people watcher. But for today she was intent on getting a lay of the land and a good look at the people she would be working with before she subjected herself to it.
This whole proposal or conspiracy—she hadn’t decided which yet—had been a little collaboration between her assistant and her agent. Doing the Protégés show wasn’t something Syn would have chosen to do on her own. What did she know about judging a cooking competition? But between the two of them, they’d convinced her this was something she needed to do and that her fans would eat it up, so to speak.
Scanning the room, Syn was impressed with the entire kitchen and cooking area. It all looked well done and quite professional. That was one worry quashed. She knew this was only a pilot and things would adjust and improve if the show was picked up, but she didn’t want to be involved in anything that was poorly done. Syn hadn’t done much television, preferring to stay behind the scenes. She’d done a radio talk show or two and a couple of photo shoots for book jackets but other than that, she preferred to keep a low profile. Even keeping conferences, book signings and special appearances to a minimum if she could help it.
There was a small commotion to her left and Syn finally caught sight of the man that Protégés had been adapted for.
Sesto Théodore, the alleged star of the show, walked across the conference room floor, exuding self-confidence. She’d done a little research on the man before she’d agreed to work with him, had watched tapes of some of his interviews. She’d even called some mutual friends that she knew had worked with him in the past and had asked their opinion before she’d signed on. By all accounts and reputation he was an arrogant asshole and difficult to work with. But in addition, an absolute expert in his field as well as quite renowned and respected as a chef and restaurateur. A perfectionist, he demanded the same from everyone around him. Syn could respect that.
One thing Syn hadn’t bargained on was how incredibly drop-dead handsome he was in person. She’d agreed with Sam, her assistant, that the man was good-looking, yes, but in the flesh, he was quite something to behold. He not only conveyed self-assurance but also radiated power with his size and an animal magnetism that was undeniable. And as she gave him a critical full body-scan as she did with the muscular men that graced her book covers, it was irrefutable—the man could fill a suit quite like no other.
Syn caught herself biting on the tip of her index finger. Sam often teased her about it. A bad habit she’d picked up. Apparently, it was something she did when she was writing, mainly when choreographing or choosing the best wording for a particularly steamy scene. It would seem Chef Théodore’s good looks had just been written into her memory for another time. She suddenly looked forward to sitting next to him for the next week or so.
Syn watched on with interest as Sesto approached the group. She was close enough to hear what was being said.
"She’s about five minutes out, Mr Parks," said one of the assistants to the producer.
"And the Russian hockey player?"
"He just hit the lobby."
"Good. And that over-inflated chef? What’s his name? Théodore? Where’s he?"
"Um, uh," the kid stuttered, as he gestured to the over-inflated chef in question.
Sesto looked down at his well-groomed fingernails and drawled, "It’s pronounced Tee-a-Door. And if you ever refer to me in such a manner again, I will walk. I’m the only credible judge you’ve got going on here. What does a hockey player and a romance novelist know about food?"
That was her cue. Syn stepped out from behind the greenery.
H-K lives in Canada with her hard-working hubby. She has two very handsome grown sons and a beautiful teenage daughter.
She has been an avid reader all her life. Her first love is historical romance so it would come as no surprise that her favourite book of all time is Jane Eyre. But she'll read almost anything that captures her attention and imagination. She loves nothing more than to find a good book that she can't put down. She is a hopeless romantic and prefers happy endings.
Reviewed by Jeep Diva
I loved every single bit of it. Theodore’s arrogance was endearing and such fun to read whereas Syn’s disbelief at her behaviour was delightful. And as much as she is shocked with her own behav...
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