Seducing the Secret Heiress

by Seducing the Secret Heiress (epub)

  Emotions tumbled over each other but confusion topped the list. ‘But she said you were to be engaged,’ Charlie said.

  ‘Engaged!’ He spat out the word in disgust. ‘Damn it, Charlie, we had a brief affair.’ He took a step towards her. ‘I ended it when I realised she was just using me.’

  ‘Oh.’ Her mind raced. He hadn’t mentioned her false identity. Why had Sophie stayed quiet?

  ‘But she won’t accept it. After we broke up, she begged to have one final dinner at the Oakley. She’d invited everyone we knew and announced we were engaged.’

  A gasp escaped Charlie’s lips.

  ‘When that failed, she went after my business. She wants fame. That’s all she wants.’ His blue eyes darkened like an afternoon storm. ‘She certainly wasn’t the woman I thought she was. She’s a crazy wealthy bitch who craves the camera.’

  He closed the gap between them.

  ‘How could you possibly think I had any feelings for that viper?’ Disgust had replaced anger.

  Charlie’s breath caught in her throat when he pulled her roughly to him. Smouldering flames of desire erupted in his eyes.

  ‘Don’t you know how I feel about you?’ he rasped. Every rational thought vanished as he crushed her body against his own. Her heart slammed against her ribcage.

  His mouth came down hard, claiming her lips. She closed her eyes as a kaleidoscope of colours blazed before them. She returned his kiss with passion she didn’t know she possessed. Her nipples contracted as they pressed against his chest.

  She wasn’t the woman I thought she was.

  The damning words grew louder and louder, no matter how hard she tried to push them away.

  It took all her strength to pull free. She whirled away, unable to face his trusting eyes. Instead, their reflection chased her in the mirror.

  ‘Gabe—’But when his arms slid around her from behind, the words died in her throat.

  ‘Charlie, I’ve wanted you since that night you stood in my apartment in Italy,’ he whispered into her hair. Heat rushed to her core.

  Pull away. Pull away.

  Instead she melted into his hard body as he kissed the back of her neck. A river of desire flooded her as she angled her head to give him access to her neck. He took the invitation and smothered her neck and shoulders in scorching kisses, his body thrusting up hard behind her.

  She could barely breathe as his hands slipped under her top, brushing just under her breasts. Her nipples hardened, taut under the thin fabric of her T-shirt. A liquid heat pooled between her legs. She wanted his hands and lips everywhere.

  He cupped her breasts, and a low moan escaped as her senses exploded into sensual riot.

  ‘You’re so beautiful,’ he breathed, his voice hoarse.

  He lifted her top over her head. She did nothing to resist. Her black lacy bra only barely contained her breasts. He pulled the wisps of black fabric aside to expose each nipple. He teased each one with his fingertips until she was writhing under his touch.

  She felt his hardness against the small of her back. He pushed himself against her.

  The reflected image was so hot, so sexy, so . . .

  Fire roared through her.

  She wanted him. All of him.

  She tried to turn to face him. Kiss him. The strong arms held her where she was.

  ‘Stay,’ he whispered in her ear.

  Somewhere in the back of her mind, she knew she should protest but she could only watch the mirror as his hands slipped down to her thighs. He drew up her skirt. She ached to be touched just there, in that perfect spot.

  His breath rasped in her ear as her knickers were revealed.

  His hand slipped under the fabric. She held her breath as his fingers slipped between her slick folds. A groan of pleasure escaped her lips.

  ‘Charlie, are you okay in there?’ Abigail’s voice struck like a bucket of ice water.

  Charlie twisted from Gabe’s grasp, snatching up her T-shirt.

  Gabe put as much distance between them as the small room allowed.

  ‘Fine, fine,’ Charlie stammered as she pulled her clothes quickly into place, willing the door not to open.

  ‘We need you on set.’

  ‘Okay,’ she called, trying to keep the quiver from her voice as an all-consuming craving still pulsed through her body. ‘I’ll be there.’

  Gabe’s hooded eyes watched her every move. Finally he stepped to the door and opened it.

  ‘Get out there,’ he said. ‘Get through this round. Then let’s go home. I can’t wait any longer.’

  ‘Action.’ Charlie heard the hint of hoarseness still raw in Gabe’s voice.

  Thank goodness the theme of this week’s show was individual favourites. If she hadn’t made her chocolate brownies a hundred times before, she’d be lost.

  She set a pot of water on the stove to heat and broke chocolate into a bowl. She glanced at the control box. Gabe’s eyes followed each action.

  She stirred the dark chocolate carefully as it melted over a double boiler, the rich cocoa aroma further fuelling her emotions. Cooking had never been so erotic. Like performing a private dance for her lover, the brownies foreplay for what was to come.

  She quivered as a bolt of sensuality shot through her.

  She dipped her finger into the chocolate and sucked it seductively, all the while staring up at the control room and into Gabe’s eyes.

  ‘Do that again.’ Jasper’s voice startled her.

  ‘Sorry,’ she said, heat flaring in her cheeks. She washed her hands quickly and returned to her stirring.

  ‘I’ll ask you a question and you do that again with your finger.’

  ‘Really?’

  The camera light flared red in answer.

  ‘Now, Charlie, can you salvage yourself from the bottom of the leader board?’

  Charlie dipped her finger in the chocolate and licked it enticingly.

  ‘Jasper, imagine a howling gale, a roaring fireplace, a sheepskin rug, your hot new lover and these brownies,’ she said, running her tongue over her lips to catch a stray drop of chocolate. ‘And I think you’ll find you’ll forget everything to do with any leader board.’

  Gabe laughed softly as every camera in the studio zoomed in for a close-up of Charlie licking her lips. He thought Abigail would redirect the cameras to capture what else was taking place on the set any minute, but she didn’t.

  ‘What in heaven’s name has happened to Charlie?’ Abigail said, staring at the bank of monitors.

  Gabe didn’t trust himself to speak.

  ‘This is gold,’ she said and barked out instructions to keep the action on Jasper and Charlie. ‘If this doesn’t peak our male audience numbers, nothing will.’

  Gabe simply nodded as he watched the sexiest performance he’d ever seen on any cooking show. She seduced the whole room as she stirred nuts into melted chocolate, all the while making love to the camera with come-to-bed eyes.

  Charlie raised a spoon for Jasper to taste, speaking slowly about the richness of chocolate and its powers as an aphrodisiac.

  As Jasper clasped Charlie’s hand to steady the spoon, Gabe felt a stab of jealousy. He didn’t want any other man – even happily married, middle-aged Jasper – touching her.

  He sat mesmerised as she poured the brownie mixture into the pan. An irresistible blush coloured her cheeks.

  Gabe pulled his clipboard onto his lap.

  ‘Making brownies is a bit like foreplay,’ he heard her say, as she focused her attention on Jasper. ‘It feels good while you’re doing it, but you know the best is still to come.’

  Gabe nearly laughed out loud as Jasper pulled at the bandana knotted at his throat. The seasoned chef, so experienced in the heat of the kitchen, clearly found Charlie a little too hot to handle.

  As Charlie popped the brownies into the oven, Abigail directed the cameras to other points around the studio.

  ‘Damn,’ she said, ‘it’s going to be hard to cut any of that.’

 
; ‘Mmm.’ Gabe didn’t trust himself to speak.

  ‘This semi-final is going to be smoking hot,’ Abigail said. ‘I can’t wait to get this into edit. It’s going to be a show-down between Tim and Charlie.’

  Editing was the last thing on his mind as he imagined stripping off Charlie’s apron and burying himself in her soft, luscious body.

  He shut his eyes, trying to focus, but that was worse. Her semi-naked body flashed across his eyelids.

  ‘You all right, Gabe?’ Abigail asked.

  His eyes flicked open. ‘Camera four, find something more interesting than an empty bench.’ His voice was harsher than he intended. He felt Abigail’s eyes on him, but she said nothing.

  The rest of the taping ran smoothly.

  ‘And there you have it,’ Charlie concluded, facing the camera half an hour later. ‘Triple chocolate brownies with warm caramel sauce.’

  She picked out a rose from the vase on her bench and used it as a dramatic garnish.

  ‘With a touch of love,’ she added.

  Jasper and the other judges scooped up the light chocolaty bars. Silent reigned for just a moment.

  ‘A perfect ten,’ Jasper announced and the audience roared its approval. Gabe had to hold himself back from joining the standing ovation. The first ten of the competition.

  The other two judges awarded a nine and a nine and a half. The brownies ranked as the top-scoring dish so far.

  Any worries he’d had about Charlie failing to make the final vanished. With her performance and her dessert scores, the audience would vote to keep her.

  Clearly overwhelmed, Charlie gave a shy bow. When she threw a glance his way, Gabe felt himself grow hard. He had to get her out of here and under him before he burst.

  Directing the rest of the judging was torture. Tim gave an outstanding performance, but he couldn’t concentrate. Finally he called cut and tore off his headset.

  ‘Abigail, are you okay to wrap up the rest of the afternoon? I’ve got to—’ He pushed through the control room door and strode out onto the set.

  ‘Hey, I’d like to try some of that.’ Gabe joined the crowd milling round Charlie’s station.

  ‘Here, let me,’ Charlie said, picking up a piece of brownie and reaching over to pop it into his mouth. She gazed at him with smouldering eyes.

  ‘Hey, Charlie, can I have some too?’ A young cameraman sent one of the judges flying as he pushed his way to the front.

  ‘Sure,’ Charlie said. She handed him a fork, turned and walked towards the exit.

  Every man in the room stared after her until she disappeared through the studio door.

  ‘Bloody hell,’ Jasper said. ‘Where did that come from? This morning I thought Charlie was out. Now every hot-blooded man in Britain will be watching this show, especially after our highlights hit YouTube. I reckon we’ll crack ten million viewers this time.’

  ‘Get that into edit ASAP,’ Gabe instructed. He walked quietly from the excitement.

  When Gabe rounded the corridor, Charlie ached to run and kiss him until the end of time.

  ‘Let’s get out of here,’ he said.

  ‘My thoughts exactly,’ she murmured.

  Gabe grabbed her hand and pulled her towards the car park. As he opened the exit door he groaned. ‘Damn.’

  ‘What?’ she said as she went past him through the door.

  ‘I’ve left the car keys in the control room.’

  ‘Oh.’

  In one quick movement he followed her out then backed her up against the wall. His mouth covered hers. She reeled under the force of his passion, then dragged his shirt from his trousers.

  He seized her hand and pulled away.

  ‘If I don’t go, we’re having sex here.’ He pointed to the hard floor. ‘Now . . .’he rasped placing his hands on either side of her head, ‘don’t move.’ His eyes exposed X-rated desire.

  Move? She could hardly stand.

  Gabe slipped back through the door. It banged shut, the noise echoing through the vast car park.

  Leaning back against the wall, she dragged her fingers across her lips. She could taste him.

  Slowly her eyes adjusted to the dim neon glow. She heard a noise off to her left. Had someone seen them? Did she even care?

  She walked towards Gabe’s car and hugged herself, smiling like an idiot. Her breathing came short and sharp as she imagined Gabe tearing the clothes from her body. Would they even make it home? She smiled as she visualised them going for it in an M25 lay by like a couple of teenagers.

  Something moved behind her.

  She turned. Fingers of fear touched her heart. She crept back towards the door, hyper-alert. Her soft steps the only sound in the creepy car park. A vast concrete pillar loomed ahead. She edged around it, feeling silly. Feeling . . . scared.

  A quiet footfall sounded behind her. She turned. Four short, hard footsteps. A hand grasped her shoulder, wrenching her towards a van parked in a dark corner.

  Every muscle leaped into flight mode as terror seized her. She struggled, wrenching herself back, clawing, kicking. Screaming. Screaming words she didn’t know she knew.

  ‘Don’t fight me, Charlie.’ The man spoke in an eerie whisper.

  For a split second, Charlie froze. He knew her name.

  ‘Paul said he wanted you undamaged.’ He kept dragging her. ‘We don’t want to ruin your wedding photos, now, do we?’ he said, his tone low and mocking. She broke into a terror-laced sweat and struggled ferociously

  She knew Paul had a reputation for ruthlessness, but abduction? Would he go to such extremes?

  Aiming her elbow, she slammed the guy in the ribs. He swore but didn’t flinch, only tightened his grip. He held her fast against his body and dragged her relentlessly on.

  No way would she get in that van. She flew through her limited options.

  Screaming – the car park was empty.

  Struggling – ineffective, energy-sapping.

  Reason with the creep.

  ‘This won’t make any difference,’ she said, ceasing her thrashing. ‘I won’t marry him.’

  His grip didn’t yield but turned her to face him. ‘Yeah, he thought you’d say that.’

  She knew him. She’d seen him standing in the background at some of the public events she’d attended with Paul.

  ‘You’ll do what you’re told.’ The smell of stale smoke and garlic sickened her. They’d reached the van. He held her flat against the cool metal with one hand as he opened the door with the other. The guy was huge – a giant.

  ‘You don’t come with me now, I get to smash up your cake business.’ An ugly smile spread across his hard face. ‘Hope none of your workers are there when I do it. They might get in my way.’ He leaned in close. ‘Know what I mean.’

  Fire leaped through her veins. Thinking of Lisa and Bec in her little commercial kitchen gave her pause. If he so much as touched . . . Gritting her teeth, she smashed her foot down on his toes. It hurt her like hell, but from his cry of pain, it hurt him more. His hands dropped.

  She didn’t waste a second.

  By the time she heard him pounding unevenly behind her she was halfway to the door.

  ‘You bitch,’ he bawled, his fury adding fire to her pace. She knew Paul’s specific instructions would now be meaningless.

  The door. She wouldn’t make it. Even as she turned, she realised her mistake.

  The concrete floor rushed up. Pain exploded behind her eyes.

  As everything went dark, she heard Gabe shouting her name.

  Gabe slammed into the hulking thug at top speed. The man groaned, limped a few steps away then dropped into a boxing stance. Gabe heard shouts behind him. The man turned and sprinted to a van and roared from the car park.

  Gabe fell to his knees next to Charlie’s prone body.

  ‘Charlie. Charlie.’ He was too scared to touch her. Blood oozed from her forehead and she didn’t move.

  ‘Ambulance,’ he screamed at the figures that blurred around him. ‘Call
an ambulance.’

  In that moment, he knew he couldn’t live without her.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Gabe’s head snapped up as a nurse bustled into the room.

  ‘What would you like me to do with these?’ She held up a handful of envelopes and a bouquet of flowers.

  ‘Um, just leave the cards on the pile over there, thanks.’ Gabe’s voice sounded strange and strangled even to his own ears. ‘And you can give the flowers to the ward. We can’t fit any more.’ The private hospital room already looked like a florist shop, except for Charlie lying prone and pale in a steel-railed hospital bed. The doctors said she’d be fine, they just wanted to keep her in for observation for a few days.

  The nurse did as instructed, then took up Charlie’s wrist to take her pulse. After updating Charlie’s chart, she patted Gabe’s shoulder.

  ‘She’s fine. Really. The doctor will be here shortly.’

  The nurse left and Gabe renewed his vigil at Charlie’s bedside. The room had begun to feel claustrophobic with all the flowers, get-well-soon balloons and every variety of gift basket. Less than twenty-four hours had passed since Charlie had been attacked. The whole country seemed to be shouting get-well-soon from the sidelines. Every tabloid ran the story on its front page. The First-Class Chef website had crashed under the volume of traffic. Floral tributes and gifts kept pouring into the hospital. A call from the studio told him the same thing was happening there.

  Charlie had captured the hearts of the British nation.

  Gabe took her hand in his own. It still felt a little too cool to his touch. He leaned over and stroked her face. The vision of that animal crouched over her crumpled body seared through his mind once more. He shuddered.

  His mobile buzzed like an irritating insect. He flicked it open.

  ‘Gabe Grenville.’

  ‘Mr Grenville, Chief Inspector Majors, Scotland Yard.’

  Gabe leapt to his feet. ‘Yes?’

  ‘No leads, I’m afraid. Looks like a random attack.’

  ‘What about the surveillance footage?’

  ‘The attack happened in a blind spot, unfortunately, and the attacker wore a hat and glasses. The van had no registration but we’re following up on the make and model.’