Inferno Anthology

Home > Other > Inferno Anthology > Page 15
Inferno Anthology Page 15

by Gow, Kailin


  After a moment of hesitation, she checked her phone to see there were seven texts. She’d just barely boarded the plane when Errol had sent the first one.

  Where are you?

  It was so typical of him. She was distraught and confused and he was just angry to see she wasn’t there where she was supposed to be. Five minutes later, he sent the next text.

  I see you’ve packed your things. Did you go off with that Henri kid? You know how I feel about that. Are you trying to run me off a cliff with jealousy?

  “Way to go, Errol. Just keep digging yourself in deeper,” Taryn muttered. The next text was sent fifteen minutes later.

  Just talked to Henri and he said he has no idea where you are. Where are you?

  Two minutes.

  I know last night was difficult for you. Believe me, I never intended to traumatize you. If you left because of that, you have to come back. Let me make it up to you. You know I’d never hurt you. Taryn, please.

  Thirty seconds.

  Answer me, Taryn!

  Ten seconds.

  Sorry, Taryn. I just can’t believe you’re gone. Are you heading back home? Go to New York? How could you do that? And leave everything behind? Me? Your diploma? What are you thinking, Taryn? Please, just let me know where you are. Let me know you’re okay. I never meant to hurt you. Please see me.

  One minute.

  Taryn, I know you aren’t answering my texts, but know this. The last couple of months with you have changed me, challenged me in many ways, taken me to places emotionally and physically that I never thought I could go. I never thought I could have such a strong instant connection to you, to anyone, but when I read your desire to attend The Institute, then saw your photo; it reached into me and pulled at me until I had to take a chance with you. I’m scared about us, just as you are. I don’t think I could ever feel this way about anyone…please, Taryn…come back to me.

  Excerpt

  Savor Me (Volume 2, Master Chefs Series)

  July 2013

  Prologue

  “Over here, Miss Taryn Cummings.”

  Caught in the busy come and go of JFK airport, Taryn turned to see her brother in the crowd, waving her over. He flashed her a mocking grin. Forcing a smile, she waved and maneuvered her way to him. “Bobby,” she said as she gave him a hug. “What are you doing here? Mom made you come out and get me, huh?”

  He kissed her cheek and took her suitcase. “Hey, what an opinion you have of your little brother. I offered to come.”

  “Yeah, I know how you love to drive through traffic, wrestle into a parking space and elbow your way through this crowd… all to come and help me lug my suitcase back out… How far are you parked?”

  Chuckling, he put his arm around her shoulder and escorted her out. “It’s a beautiful day for a walk in the Big A. I’m sure after being cooped up in that plane for hours, a little fresh air will do you good.”

  Shielding his eyes from the blinding sun, he stopped and looked out at the field of cars. “Now, if only I could remember where I left that big, black sucker.”

  Taryn looked at him. “Mom let you take her Lexus?”

  “Hey, I’m offended. You say that like I’m not trustworthy.” He continued to scan the parking lot.

  “Seriously, Bobby. Where d’you park it?”

  He nudged her playfully with his elbow and turned to the left. Sooner than he’d let on, they arrived at the large SUV. After tossing her suitcase into the back seat, they got in and drove off.

  “So?”

  “So?”

  “How’s my driving?”

  “Your driving? I just came home from months in France and you want me to comment on your driving?”

  “Ever since you got in the car, you’ve been checking my blind spot, looking behind us, making sure I make a full stop. Relax, ma grande soeur, I know how to drive.”

  “And you’ve been learning a bit of French, too?”

  “Well, you’ve been there so long, I thought maybe you wouldn’t understand English anymore.” He laughed at himself.

  “You’re such a silly goof.”

  “Ha, that’s not what Kristy said last night.”

  Taryn leaned her head back into the headrest. “Please, spare me the details of your torrid love life.”

  “It’s not torrid. It’s just busy.”

  She turned to look at him. “I must admit, mon petit frere, you do look good.” She reached out to finger a blond lock that lightly brushed against the nape of his neck. “You let your hair grow in a bit.”

  “Yeah… the girls love it.”

  Taryn laughed. “I imagine they would. So, besides staying busy with the ladies, what you been up to?”

  “Still taking those cooking classes at college. You know, girls love that, too. Do you know how much girls are turned on by a guy who knows how to cook?”

  “Yeah,” Taryn droned. “Tell me about it.”

  “And at my age. I mean, girls don’t expect a good looking, eighteen year old guy to be so talented in the kitchen… you know what I mean?”

  “You’re an eternal flirt, you know that?”

  “Yep.”

  “And so humble.”

  “I do what I can. Besides, false humility never did anybody good.”

  Taryn snorted. “What about the restaurant?”

  “Busy. I’m there more than thirty hours a week now.”

  “Thirty? And when do you go to college?”

  “Pretty much the rest of the time. I have to admit, between running the kitchen and keeping my grades up, I don’t have much time to fool around.”

  Taryn grinned and affectionately patted his hand. “I’m sure you manage to find time.”

  Glancing at her, he flashed her his killer smile.

  No wonder the girls all fall for him, she thought. He is pretty darn cute.

  “You know, now that you’ve dropped all this Paris business, why don’t you take a course with me at college.”

  “I don’t think so. I’m going to concentrate on giving mom a hand at the restaurant. The hours I put in will give you a break.”

  “Ah, come on. It’d be fun. I mean, I know it’s not a Parisian institute or nothing, but it’s a decent course. I’ve already learned a lot. And not just about cooking. I’m taking a restaurant management course now.”

  “Thanks, Bobby, but I honestly can’t imagine working with you most of the day then going off to take the same classes as you. I think a sibling relationship can only take so much togetherness.”

  Looking straight ahead, he snorted. “Yeah, I think you’re right.”

  As they drove in front of La Benicoise, one of the restaurants Errol had opened in New York, Taryn’s heart skipped a beat. She’d managed to put him out of her mind the entire twenty minutes she’d spent catching up with Bobby, but now the thought of him struck her unexpectedly and knocked the air out of her.

  Savor Me continues Taryn and Errol’s story…coming soon!

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Kailin Gow has been known in The World Journal, an international newspaper, to be a phenomenon. She was profiled on the homepage of Amazon.com as an Author Success Story who overcame personal obstacles to become a bestselling author, appeared as one of Amazon’s top authors for the Kindle Fire launch release, and is one of the earliest indie authors who have sold over a million books. She writes for Fast Company as a publishing expert, had appeared on a CBS TV News as a bestselling author who writes fiction and non-fiction with a social conscious, and has made speeches and appearances across the U.S. and on top 15 national radio regarding self-esteem and issues relating to women.

  Kailin Gow uses her author platform to bring awareness to issues affecting young adult and women. She has appeared on national radio as a regular guest on topics such as body image, self-esteem, dating and sexual relationships, bullying, and more; often brought up in her fiction books for young adults and women.

  She holds a Masters Degree in Communications Management from
The University of Southern California, and degrees in Drama and Social Ecology.

  An ALA YALSA Reader’s Choice Nominated Author for her YA series, the Bitter Frost Series, in 2011, she was also a speaker at BEA in 2014, and multi-author signing event organizer for the popular Rockin’ Events. Two of her book series is in development as a video games, including the Bitter Frost Series and PULSE Vampire Series.

  Her true life experiences as a world traveler where she has traveled to over 25 countries, logging hundreds of thousands of miles, absorbing the cultures and collecting stories relating to places and the romance of the land, and incidents in her personal life, has inspired her to write and publish over 150 books with over 27 series in multiple genres.

  From visiting Romania, she was asked to write stories about vampires; visiting the Black Forest in Germany and seeing the castles of Europe inspired her to write fantasy; visiting Asia’s mystical mountains inspired her to write action adventure and mythological dystopians. From her experience in college as a peer counselor and her volunteer work with women’s shelters, she was inspired to write contemporary romance with social issues for women, new adults, young adults, and teens. Having faced adversity, including battling stereotypes and bullying, Kailin Gow has become a well-known speaker and figure in media against bullying.

  Kailin Gow is an active advocate against bullying in the workplace and in schools. She has written The Shy Girls Social Club Handbook Against Bullying which won the Indie Excellence Awards (NIEA) in 2014 for Young Adult Non-fiction.

  She resides in the American West with her husband and daughter, but had lived for a decade in Texas, and briefly in England. Besides being a full-time author, she volunteers for many organizations. She spends way too much time on Facebook than she is supposed to at www.facebook.com/kailingowbooks and www.facebook.com/OfficialKailinGow, but loves meeting new people from all walks of life.

  CONTACT KAILIN

  Twitter @kailingow

  or

  Website kailingow.com

  or

  Kailin's Facebook www.Facebook.com/OfficialKailinGow

  or

  Amazon: www.amazon.com/Kailin-Gow/e/B002BMAEH4/

  or

  Google plus.google.com/103545796466058943103/posts

  KAILIN'S BOOKS

  Master Chefs Series

  Devour Me (Master Chefs Series #1)

  Taryn Cummings could not believe she was accepted into the prestigious International Institute of Culinary Arts culinary institute she dreamed of studying at in beautiful Paris, France. It was a far cry from her unglamorous life back home in New York where she helped her mother run their small family-owned restaurant called Sam’s. The International Institute of Culinary Arts churned out the top chefs in the world, including the wildly sexy and eccentric Master Chef Errol King, whose celebrity personality was larger than life.

  She wanted excitement in a city of romance and thrills, but arrived to find her apartment barely livable and herself in need of a suitable place to stay. A chance meeting at the Institute brings her face-to-face with her new roommate…the devilishly charming Errol King, who would be guest teaching her class this term.

  The attraction is as hot as the fire they cook with, and while Errol King, the notorious bad boy chef with an attitude, can get anyone he wanted into his bed, he wanted this woman more than anything. Something about her sweet innocence and sad eyes reach into his harden heart, but is it enough for him to forget his past?

  Devour Me contains mature subject matters and sexuality. For adults age 18 and up.

  Savor Me (Master Chefs Series #2)

  Book 2 of the steamy erotic Master Chefs Series continues culinary student Taryn Cummings’ and Master Chef Errol King’s forbidden relationship that challenges and shakes both to the edge of all they’ve known. Could love exist after pain?

  Savor Me is for 18+ due to mature subject and sexuality.

  Consume Me (Master Chefs Series #3

  The Master Chefs dominated in the kitchen as well as the bedroom…

  Taryn Cummings never thought she could capture the most elusive bachelor chef’s heart. As sexy Errol King is in France shooting his show, Taryn is in New York where she wrestles with newfound information that could change everything. Could their love be strong enough to overcome both their demons to have that happy ever after they both crave or is there another fate in store for them?

  Heat Series

  Heat 1

  Bobby Cummings went to Paris to study at the same international culinary institute as his sister Taryn Cummings. Instead of taking it seriously as she did, he wanted to sample all the goods in Paris, especially the pretty girls there. Why not? He was 19 and the world was his oyster. He wanted to be just like Errol King, a Master Chef, who taught at the Institute and was a notorious bad boy chef.

  The only thing was someone was going to walk into his life and put a wrench into his plans…someone with eyes like violets and hair like chocolate silk, and a smoldering passion that consumes him whenever they’re together.

  He didn’t think she would be his type at all. He didn’t think he would be hot for Lily, his teacher at the Culinary Institute. Now what would Taryn think? What would Errol think?

  Whatever they thought…there’s one thing he knew for certain, things with Lily and at the Institute had just gotten heated.

  This is a 4 book serial.

  Due to mature subject matter, this serial is recommended for age 18 and up.

  Heat 2:

  What started as attraction has turned into obsession. When Bobby and Lilly’s tryst turns into something more, fate intervenes with heavy consequences that may forever tear them apart. Lilly has made up her mind to return to the convent for peace, only to find that her life as she knew it was far darker than she had ever imagined, and that she had a strange connection to Errol King that would threaten everything.

  HEAT 2 is for age 18 and up due to sexual and adult themes.

  HEAT 3

  Lilly’s past is more complicated than she ever imagined. Because of it, suddenly, everything she knew has changed, and who she thought she was is now someone she can’t imagined herself to ever be. With her newfound knowledge of who she is, she now realized no one is safe around her, especially Bobby, his sister Taryn, and Errol King.

  For age 18 and up.

  The Protégé Series

  The Protégé (The Protégé Series #1)

  She was young promising composer in search of a master to teach her and advise her.

  Serena Singleton was the beautiful up and coming talent brought to the attention of the eccentric, famous, and wildly wealthy Sebastian Sorenson, one of the foremost and most talent composers in Hollywood and in the Academics field.

  A chance encounter brings them into an arrangement that turns out beyond their expectations and desire, testing their boundaries.

  Who is the student, the protege, and who is the teacher?

  Nothing is as it seems in this romantic exotic thriller.

  The Innocent (The Protégé Series #2)

  What started out as revenge has turned into passion. Serena Singleton, the innocent music grad student, must now deal with a past that is consuming her future. She deals with it in the only way she knows how by falling heads first into the web of power and deception. Has she cast Sebastian Sorensen, her handsome and brilliant professor aside for the powerful and controlling billionaire Price Turnsby or has she found a way to keep them both?

  Sebastian Sorensen wants Serena more than ever, and he’s willing to fight for it, even against a powerful foe like Price. But no matter how much he fights, is Serena lost to Price’s charms and sexy ways more than she appears?

  The Master (The Protégé Series #3)

  To be the Master, how far would you go? Serena Singleton, the college student turned protege and arranged lover for world renown composer and Professor Sebastian Sorensen or S. Sorensen, the mastermind behind the Vegas musical, Rock Hard Love Hard; seemed to have moved past her past,
but a shocking discovery about Sebastian and her ex-Master billionaire Price Turnsby’s pasts forces her into a game so dangerous, she may not only end up losing Sebastian forever, but her life. Who is the victim or the villain? Who is the Innocent or the Master? Nothing is as it seems when one becomes a Protégé.

  The Blue Room Series

  The Blue Room Vol. 1 (The Blue Room Series)

  When Danny Blue of the Never Knights inherited his playboy billionaire father’s businesses and legacy, he didn’t realized his father’s pet project was the Blue Room, the most elite and secret club in the highest circle. He was happy to let his half-brother Terrence Blue run the club, but with Terrence’s womanizing ways and carefree attitude when it came to everything, he wasn’t sure if that was a good idea.

  Terrence Blue wasn’t sure that was a good idea as well because it would cramp his style as a former patron of the club, but when he spotted virginal Staci Atussi starting at The Blue Room, he had a change of heart. Not only was Staci Atussi a knockout without knowing it, but she was the challenge he had been craving.

  For Staci Atussi, working at The Blue Room was her solution to a desperate situation, but as she became integrated into the world of The Blue Room and the mysteries surrounding its patrons and the sexy Blues, she wondered if she had traded in her desperation for something far more sinister.

  The Blue Room is a New Adult Contemporary Suspense Series intending for readers age 18 and up.

  Sessions Series

  Sessions Vol. 1

  I’m Simon Mark Sessions, Dr. of Psychology, Sex Therapist and Former Mr. Body, also an entrepreneur who made millions from owning a health supplement company. I have a practice in Seattle where I am a therapist. They call me the Sex Shrink of Seattle. Women call me Sex on Legs. I’m an expert on sex because I get plenty of it, and I know a whole lot about it. I’m also on TV as an expert on sex therapy when the whole Fifty Shades thing became big so now my business is exploding with women wanting to learn how to break free of being prudes. Problem is, I’m in a rut myself. It’s not exciting for me anymore, until SHE walked through my door and propped herself down on my sofa. Who knew SHE would be taking lessons from me, but she is, and now she may be the one teaching me a thing or two. For mature audience.

 

‹ Prev