Gabe swore under his breath.
‘I’ll ring when I have more to report,’ the inspector said.
‘Thank you,’ Gabe replied. He hung up and ran his hand across Charlie’s forehead.
He should have realised Charlie’s celebrity status might attract nutters. He should have protected her. What if that guy had dragged her into the van?
He forced himself to stop imagining the worst. Charlie was safe in hospital, receiving the best medical care available. He’d made sure of that. She looked pale but peaceful.
‘Did we finish the show?’ Her voice came as barely a whisper. She tried to sit up.
Gabe jumped to his feet. ‘Lie back, sweetheart,’ he said, easing her onto the pillow.
The doctor entered the room. Gabe stepped back to give him space. The doctor hovered over Charlie, peering into each eye with a small torch and checking her pulse. He asked her a couple of basic questions.
‘All looks good,’ the doctor announced. ‘The CT scan was fine.’ He picked up the chart at the end of the bed and scribbled some notes. ‘We’ll just keep you in again overnight, but I think you’ll be as right as rain for the next show.’ He smiled brightly.
‘There won’t be one,’ Gabe said. Silence fell over the room. Even the machines’ constant beeping seemed to hush. Charlie and the doctor stared at him. ‘I’m cancelling it.’
‘Why?’ Charlie said softly.
‘I’m not risking your safety again.’
‘Gabe, I’m fine. You heard the doctor. Please. You can’t stop just because I got a bump on the head.’
‘Charlie, I don’t care about the show, I care about you. If one nutter tried to abduct you, there’ll be more.’
The doctor discreetly left the room.
Charlie eased herself up on her pillows even though he protested. ‘Come here,’ she insisted, patting the bed next to her. He sat down gently, careful not to shake the bed.
‘You love this show,’ she said, stroking his hand. ‘Cancelling it’ll just make me sad and I’d feel responsible.’ She gave him a teasing smile. ‘You’ll hinder my recovery.’
‘Sorry, Charlie, but I’ve made my decision.’
The smile slipped from her face and her eyes welled up. ‘Please, Gabe, you and First-Class Chef are the best things that have ever happened to me.’
For almost the first time in his adult life, Gabe was unsure of his next move. But he knew one thing – he’d do anything to put a smile back on Charlie’s beautiful face.
‘I know,’ Gabe said into his mobile.
Charlie sat on Gabe’s sofa and watched him pace the living room. Gabe had insisted she stay with him for a couple of days after she’d been released from hospital. Sophie still hadn’t reappeared to make good on her threats. The woman had probably decided attacking her while she was laid up wouldn’t look good. But Charlie didn’t kid herself that the situation with Sophie was over.
‘It’s more than the top-rating episodes of Coronation Street and EastEnders,’ Gabe said.
She smiled. Gabe’s animated conversation with Abigail told her everything. The semi-final had been a ratings hit.
The production’s merchandise had already sold out. The YouTube clips were being downloaded every few seconds and the show was trending number one on Twitter. It now sounded as if it was breaking television records.
‘Yes, I’ll be in later today. Just need to make sure the patient is comfortable,’ he said, smiling at her. ‘Sure. Okay. Bye.’
Gabe snapped his phone shut and threw himself down on the sofa next to her.
‘Abigail sends her love. Everyone’s looking forward to seeing you back on set for the final.’
‘I can’t wait to be there.’
‘Thirty-five million.’
‘Sorry?’
‘It’s official. Your sexy episode pulled a record-breaking viewership of thirty-five million viewers.’
‘That’s incredible.’
‘Damn right, it is.’ Gabe jumped from the couch. He clearly couldn’t sit still. ‘And it’s all down to you.’
‘Let’s not get too carried away,’ she said, rolling her eyes.
‘No, it’s you. Facebook and Twitter are going wild. I told you – the country loves you.’ He sat down and gave her a light kiss on the lips. ‘And what’s not to love?’ he said, his eyes gazing deeply into hers.
He kissed her gently. She leaned into the kiss wanting more.
‘Uh, uh, uh. None of that,’ he said, hopping up from the couch.
‘Gabe, for goodness’ sake, I’m fine. The doctor said so,’ she said.
‘No, you had a headache last night.’ He wagged his finger at her.
‘The doctor said that was normal.’ Gabe had been treating her like a china doll since she’d been discharged.
‘Look, I don’t want to put any more pressure on you. You’re filming live at the end of the week. You need to rest and have no distractions.’
‘Hmm, I seem to remember it was your artful distraction that won me a spot in the final.’
‘When you’re better, I plan to make distracting you a full-time profession.’
‘Good,’ she said, grabbing his thigh and trying to pull him down again onto the couch.
‘I have to go. I’ll be back about six.’
He picked up his work satchel. She followed him.
‘Now, I want you to relax all day and that’s an order.’
She slid her hand up his chest. ‘I like it when you order me about.’ She peppered his neck with light kisses.
‘Charlie – cut that out.’
‘Make me,’ she said, as she slid her hands down the length of his torso and across his groin.
He took in a quick, sharp breath. She certainly had his attention. He gripped her hand. ‘You’re still recovering,’ he said, his voice a little hoarse. ‘I have to go.’
She began stroking him through his jeans. ‘I’m fine,’ she soothed. ‘Your team will be on top of things.’
‘I had no idea I’d picked up such a sex kitten in Italy.’
‘I was a prude, remember?’ she said, feeling his erection grow. ‘It’s all your fault. You made me like this.’
He grabbed her hand and pulled it from his groin. ‘Rest. Relax. I’ll see you at the set later.’
He quickly pulled open the door and took the steps to the pavement two at a time.
‘You’re going to be the death of me,’ he called back. ‘Now, lock that door.’
He threw himself behind the wheel, waved and drove away.
She closed the door, smiling. The idea of being distracted by one Mr Gabe Grenville sent a delicious shudder through her body. She walked into the kitchen, planning to review her menu for the final. She pulled open the fridge and scanned its contents.
The buzzing of the doorbell interrupted her plans.
She walked quickly to the door. ‘Who is it?’
‘Special delivery.’
She yanked open the door to find Gabe leaning seductively on the door frame.
‘I couldn’t wait.’
A shot of heat pooled between her legs.
‘Get in here then,’ she said, grabbing him by the shirt and hauling him through the door.
He kicked the door closed behind him, scooped her into his arms and strode up the stairs to his bedroom. Normally, she hated being carried, but with Gabe it felt so natural. Nuzzling her face against his chest, she didn’t think she’d ever wanted anything as much as she wanted Gabe now.
The muted light from the half-closed blinds in his bedroom cast a golden glow. Gabe placed her feet lightly on the floor and tugged at the ties of her terry-towelling robe.
‘This will have to go,’ he said, drawing the ties apart slowly, never taking his eyes from hers.
Charlie blushed with anticipation as he swept his hands inside the heavy cotton cloth and eased the garment from her shoulders.
Gabe’s eyes flicked down her body. His eyebrows arched in amusement.
‘Nice shirt.’ The T-shirt he’d given her that first night in Nervi clung to her body in all the right places. ‘Remind me to buy you something better,’ he said, fingering the faded material.
‘No way,’ she said, hugging the soft cotton to her naked skin. ‘It’s the little piece of you that I take to bed every night.’
He ran his fingers lightly down the worn fabric. His feather-light touch brushed the swell of her breasts. Her breath caught in her throat. She longed to feel him, skin to skin. She ached for him to be inside her.
‘I think I’m jealous,’ he said a little unevenly. ‘All this time and my T-shirt’s ben having all the fun.’
He dispensed with the shirt in one deft movement and flung it aside. He held her arms apart and stepped back. A thrilling tingle spread over her as his gaze swept her body. Only her cream lace knickers stopped her from being naked.
Fleetingly, she felt exposed. Then free. Alive.
She couldn’t wait to shed the one thing that stood between them.
‘You’re beautiful,’ he breathed.
Her nipples tightened under his hungry eyes. A smile touched her lips. ‘Your turn,’ she said seductively. She pulled his shirt free from his jeans and tugged it over his head.
The sun-kissed glow of the Mediterranean hadn’t quite relinquished its grip on his muscled body. She ran her hands lightly up his smooth, hard chest. Dropping kisses on his collarbone, she stepped towards him and ground her hips against his groin.
His chest rose with his sharp intake of air.
‘You’re killing me,’ he said, his voice hoarse.
Loving his reaction, she pressed her body against his. He closed his eyes, a deep moan sounding in her ear.
‘Enough, woman,’ he groaned and wrapped his arms around her, pressing her breasts hard against his chest. He walked her backwards, half-carrying her, until she felt the bed behind her knees.
She fell back onto the covers.
His gorgeous body filled her vision.
Without taking his eyes from hers, he kicked off his shoes and reached for his belt.
‘Wait,’ she said sitting up. She wanted this on her terms. She pushed his hands away and released the strap of leather that imprisoned what she craved. Then she dealt with the zip and dragged down his jeans.
He kicked them aside and stood before her. His penis strained against his black boxers. His eyes blazed with lust. She dragged him down. His luscious weight blanketed her body. His all-male scent was a blistering combination of spice and citrus.
Acutely aware of only a fine film of cotton and barely-there lace separating them, she moved her hips to caress his rock-hard erection. He groaned and took possession of her mouth, parting her lips with his tongue and delving deep.
This was where she belonged. Fate had brought them together that day on the beach. She was his. He was hers.
She withdrew from the kiss. ‘Lie on your back,’ she whispered.
He obliged, a bemused look joining the craving in his eyes.
She straddled his thighs and leaned over his body. Slowly, she licked and kissed her way down his abdomen towards his groin.
‘You sure you want to do that?’ he asked, he voice rough. ‘I’m already on the edge.’
She didn’t answer.
The lower she travelled, the more his body shuddered. She reached his boxers and eased them down his legs.
His manhood stood proud. She scanned his perfect body.
‘Mmm,’ she murmured.
‘Come here,’ he commanded in a ragged voice. He reached for her again but she batted his hands away.
‘Soon,’ she purred as she wrapped her fingers around his taut shaft and flicked her tongue seductively up its length.
A moan escaped his lips. He thrust his head back on the pillow.
She teased him until he clutched at her arms, trying to pull her mouth back to his. She restrained his hands and pushed them back on the bed.
‘Stay where you are,’ she breathed. ‘I’m enjoying this.’
When she closed her fingers around him again, a low groan emanated around the room. His hands twisted in the sheets. She licked his tip and then took him in her mouth. His body snapped rigid as she snaked her tongue and lips along his length.
‘I need to be inside you,’ he said, his hands tangled in her hair. But she kept up her rhythmic motion.
‘Enough,’ he growled and hauled her up to his chest. Flipping her on her back, he dragged her knickers from her body. He yanked open the top drawer in his side table and withdrew a condom.
The anticipation accelerated her breathing so she was almost panting. Blood pounded loudly in her ears.
Moments later he nudged her legs apart and positioned himself. He met her gaze, almost questioning. ‘Are you sure? I don’t want to hurt you. You’ve only been out of hospital a couple—’
She grasped his muscled buttocks and pulled him close.
He needed no more invitation.
He plunged deep inside her, driving every molecule of air from her lungs in a low moan. A rainbow of colour enveloped her world.
And in that one instant, Charlie knew she couldn’t live without him. Gabe was her life, her world, her reason for being. He’d been prepared to give up his dreams for her. She knew she’d give him everything she possessed.
He sank into her again and again. The sounds escaping her lips didn’t even seem to be hers. Cries of pleasure. Demands for more. Sobs of pure ecstasy.
She wrapped her legs around his back, craving everything he could give.
He reached between their slick bodies and slid his finger between her folds. She arched up to meet him.
As soon as he touched her, she tipped over the edge, crying his name over and over.
He shuddered. ‘Charlie. Oh, Charlie.’
His body crumpled over her.
She closed her eyes, smothered with the delicious weight of the man who’d captured her – heart and soul.
Charlie basked in the afterglow of the best sex she’d ever had. She lay with her head on Gabe’s chest, listening as his heartbeat slowed from frantic to merely racing. She didn’t know it could be this way – every cell in her body ached to be possessed. In fact, she’d always wondered what all the fuss was about. Paul had been her only lover. Sex with him had been . . . well, pleasant. Not the scream-the-house down, wild romp she and Gabe had just indulged in.
Her cheeks burned. She hoped the neighbours were at work.
And that orgasm . . .
With Gabe, the pulses of pleasure had just kept coming and coming until she thought she’d explode from sensual bliss.
Gabe stroked her hair. ‘Wow,’ he said, his voice barely audible.
‘I feel faint,’ she said.
‘What?’ he asked, lifting her body onto his hot, bare chest and placing the back of his hand on her forehead. ‘Do you feel sick?’
She laughed. ‘No, I feel wonderful.’ She reached up and kissed him.
His mobile buzzed from the pocket of his pants somewhere on the floor.
‘Bet that’s Abigail,’ he said. ‘She’ll be wondering where I am.’
‘I suppose I’d better let you go then.’
He slid his hands down her back. Cupping her bottom, he pulled her up further so her soft mound rested against his hardening manhood.
‘Yes, I suppose so.’ His words clearly at odds with his body.
She sat astride him.
‘Well, don’t you think you should be going?’ she said provocatively, rocking so her clitoris stroked his growing hardness.
He hitched in a quick breath. ‘If you keep this up, I might never let you go.’ He reached over and slipped another condom from the open box.
‘Don’t make threats you don’t plan to keep,’ she said, leaning down and kissing his chest. ‘You really should . . .’ But the words died in her throat as he deftly lifted her to thrust inside her.
She placed her hands on his shoulders and leaned into his ear. ‘I wan
t you hard and fast.’
He needed no further invitation. He gripped her waist and pumped into her. Every movement, every thrust – ecstasy. She came, blinded by pleasure. Nothing mattered except the man beneath her.
As she lay satiated, basking in the slowly ebbing pleasure, guilt crept slowly over her. Gabe had no idea he’d just made love to a woman masquerading under a false identity.
Not once but twice.
Chapter Fourteen
After spending an hour in hair and make-up, Charlie returned to her dressing room. She leaned on the counter and stared at herself in the mirror.
What a difference.
A few months ago, she’d been in a loveless relationship with a soulless life stretching out before her. Now she was a national television star with a real talent for food and in love with a gorgeous, talented director.
Guilt still tugged at her heart, but she wouldn’t let it in. Not tonight.
Charlotte Wentworth would just have to wait. She was Charlie Brown and she was about to compete in the live final of First-Class Chef.
Win or lose, tonight she would finally prove to herself and the nation she was not nothing. She’d succeeded without her family and their millions. Three of Britain’s elite food critics thought she could cook and Gabe thought her worthy of his love.
A smile crept across her face as she savoured the many times they’d been between the sheets over the past couple of days. Just thinking about it made her feel sexy and alive.
‘On set in five.’ Abigail’s voice floated through the door.
‘Coming,’ she called back, shaking her head, trying to dislodge Gabe from her mind so she could focus on the exact steps of her recipes.
Regarding herself in the mirror, Charlie straightened her spine.
‘Ready?’ she asked her reflection.
‘You bet,’ she told herself.
There was a knock at the door.
‘Yes?’
Gabe opened the door. His dazzling smile sent her heart rate flying.
‘Good to go?’ he asked.
‘As I’ll ever be,’ she said softly to the man who’d changed her life forever.
‘You’re going to be great,’ he said. ‘Come, on, I’ll walk you over.’
Seducing the Secret Heiress Page 14