Caution

by Tara Mills

  Caution: Filling Is Hot

  Tara Mills

  Avon, Massachusetts

  This edition published by

  Crimson Romance

  an imprint of F+W Media, Inc.

  10151 Carver Road, Suite 200

  Blue Ash, Ohio 45242

  www.crimsonromance.com

  Copyright © 2012 by Terri L. Muhich

  ISBN 10: 1-4405-5222-3

  ISBN 13: 978-1-4405-5222-9

  eISBN 10: 1-4405-5221-5

  eISBN 13: 978-1-4405-5221-2

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, corporations, institutions, organizations, events, or locales in this novel are either the product of the author’s imagination or, if real, used fictitiously. The resemblance of any character to actual persons (living or dead) is entirely coincidental.

  Cover art ©istockphoto.com/©Ulrike Neumann

  Dedication

  I want to thank my friends and relatives, readers and cheerleaders, who helped and encouraged me along the way. A special mention goes out to my daughter-in-law Lynn for going that extra mile and proofing for me too. And last, my biggest thank you to my husband Jon, who willingly reads everything I write no matter how many times I put it in front of him. Honey, if you’re going to take the ribbing for being my inspiration, have fun with it and take a bow once in a while too.

  Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  More From This Author

  Also Available

  Chapter 1

  There are times when you can afford to amble. Sometimes jogging is prudent. This here was a haul-ass situation. Chad Thomas checked his watch, cursed, and slammed the car door. He took off sprinting, his tie flapping in his face with the doors to Klein’s Supermarket looming large ahead of him. Leaping the curb he veered away from the automatic doors, unwilling to spare even a single second waiting and pushed inside the old fashioned way. Skittering across the threshold on one foot, he executed a hard right and took off running again, shooting another impatient glance at his watch.

  “Shit!”

  He was seven minutes late already and rush hour traffic wasn’t going to help him make up the time.

  The reproduction station clock hanging right over the liquor store entrance caught his eye. He scowled at that one too. The damned thing was taunting him.

  He took another hard right and danced around a customer coming out.

  “Sorry, excuse me,” Chad said as he raced by, already scanning the store for the nearest employee.

  Bingo. Chad skidded to a breathless stop in front of the man and blurted out, “I’m in a hurry and need a hostess gift — fast.”

  The clerk, accustomed to demanding suburbanites, snapped his fingers, pivoted on his toe, and pointed them down the wine aisle.

  He came to a stop and turned three bottles to display their labels.

  “Any these will go over nicely. Price-wise they’re in the same range, they’re from the same region, and each is a Select of their individual vineyards. All three are popular sellers right now. You can’t go wrong.”

  He stepped aside and Chad picked one up, turning it to read the bottle. After a moment he nodded and handed it to the clerk.

  “This’ll be fine.”

  The man gave him a smug smile and took the bottle. “Good, let’s get you on your way.”

  • • •

  With his purchase in hand Chad bolted back out to the main supermarket and came to a screeching halt, his perfect pirouette the only thing that stopped his collision with a loaded shopping cart.

  The sudden jolt of adrenaline left him shaken and the ambient sounds of the busy supermarket went mute, drowned out by the deafening echoes of the clog dance in his chest.

  Chad pressed his hand to his heart and stared in disbelief as the shopper ambled on, still chatting on her cell phone, completely unaware of their near miss. Incredible. He shook his head. How could anyone be so oblivious? He found it more than a little frightening that she was about to get behind a steering wheel next.

  The unfairness of that thought struck almost instantly. Who was he to talk? Rushing recklessly to make up lost time? He was in no position to judge.

  What he needed to do was calm down, slow down, or he wasn’t going to get there in one piece. That silent reminder sobered him.

  Chad worked at the knot of his tie, wiggling it loose and took a deep calming breath. He was midway through his controlled exhalation when he glanced through the glass door of the store’s on-site Cook’s Classroom and his arms went slack, the wine and the time completely forgotten.

  “Whoa,” he whispered, entranced.

  It took him a full minute to remember why he was in such a blasted hurry in the first place. When it came to him he pulled out his phone.

  “Brent! It’s Chad. Boy am I glad you answered!” Chad stepped out of the way of another cart.

  “Listen, something just came up and I’m afraid I can’t make dinner after all. I realize the timing sucks but could you try to smooth it over with Pam for me? … Yeah, I know … Hey come on — you know I wouldn’t bail on you if it wasn’t important … No, I can’t put it off. I’m sorry, I really am. It’s something that needs my immediate attention … Shit, did you know about this? She could have asked … I get it but maybe I’d rather handle my own love life … Yes but it might have been nice to know ahead of time that’s all … Tell Pam I don’t need her to scare up any more dates for me okay?”

  Chad groaned, angry with himself. “No — that came out wrong. Don’t tell her like that. Ah, shit.” He tore his eyes away from the vision behind the glass and continued. “I appreciate how much you two have worried about me but I’m okay, honestly. Let Pam know that all right? Oh, and give her a thank-you kiss from me … Sure, thanks … I know I know I owe you. I’ll talk to you in a couple of days … You too. Bye.” He shut his phone and slipped it back into his pocket.

  • • •

  Every head turned when the door swung open and an impeccably dressed man walked in. Piper didn’t know what unnerved her more, the way he was looking directly at her or how when their eyes met they fused, stuck firm like a wet hand on ice cold metal.

  She had no idea how long she stood frozen, staring back at him before her wits returned but it didn’t happen on its own. To her mortification it took the thirty-odd heads rotating back and forth between them to finally break the spell. The snickers and whispers didn’t help either, leaving a sickening aftertaste of embarrassment behind.

  Rattled and humiliated, Piper’s eyes sparked and her flush was so intense it made her scalp tingle. Digging deep for her dignity she squared her shoulders.

  “We’re just getting started,” she informed him, her voice clipped and impersonal. It was the best she could manage under the circumstances. Anything more would have come out shaky. This guy was lucky she didn’t hurl a chef’s knife at him. “You can hang your coat on one of the hooks behin
d you.”

  She turned away deliberately, dismissing him, and smiled at an older couple seated in the front, hoping like hell they could help her refocus.

  “As I was saying, my name is Piper Frost and tonight I’ll be demonstrating how easy it is to use springform pans. As you know, we’ll be starting with a basic cheesecake and — ” she glanced around the faces and (stupid, stupid) faltered on that man again.

  His knowing smile was both intimate and infuriating.

  What an arrogant jerk! Shocked that he somehow managed to break her concentration a second time Piper wondered if it wasn’t too early to despise the man. Of course, that was a silly question. She was well on her way.

  Fuming, she sucked it up and continued. “Now, my cream cheese has been at room temperature — ”

  • • •

  As it turned out, Chad was the most attentive person in the class though no doubt the worst student. Had she asked him even one relevant question such as oven temperature he couldn’t have answered but he would have no trouble describing the color of Piper’s eyes, the cadence of her voice, and the grace of her movements perfectly. When she looked down at her mixing bowl and applied the beaters he was lost in the incredible array of colors in her hair; the golds, browns, reds, and the purest flashes of light itself. Who knew a head of hair could be so complex?

  It was obvious she was deliberately ignoring him but that didn’t matter. He knew that something was happening between them. At some point she was going to forget, drop her guard, and seek him out again. When their eyes reconnected, they’d both reel from the punch. It was inevitable, indisputable. He could wait for it. He’d learned to be patient.

  The oven timer went off and Piper spun to pull out a cake. Setting it on the cooling rack, she put the demonstration cake into the oven in its place and reset the timer.

  Turning back to the class with a smile worthy of a professional game show hostess she picked up the edge of the pan and carefully showed the end result, pointing out the perfect color, the firm set of the filling.

  “Of course we’ll need to let the cake cool before we remove the rim.”

  Piper pulled a platter of already cut samples from the refrigerator behind her and started passing them out. Murmurs of approval broke out around the room as people chewed.

  “You can find copies of this recipe as well as all the rest covered in this series in the display by the door. Feel free to take one on your way out. And of course our emergency hotline is printed on the bottom of every recipe so if you have any problems or concerns you can call and speak with one of our professionals.”

  Chad found it amusing that when Piper passed in front of his table with the platter she was very careful not to look at anything but his hand as he chose a sliver for himself. She swept on without meeting his eyes and Chad slid the moist sample into his mouth and grinned, pleased and encouraged that he was so obviously affecting her too.

  Piper returned to the front counter. “For all of you parents here tonight, I’d like to mention the family sessions coming up. We’ll be focusing on how to make fruits and vegetables appealing to kids and we encourage you to bring your children along and discover fun in the kitchen together. Often just taking part in food preparation will make a child more willing to try things they wouldn’t otherwise. I highly recommend it. Thanks for coming tonight to The Cook’s Classroom.”

  • • •

  Piper smiled and waved off the last of her students, scattering store coupons among them like confetti until she was finally alone. She closed the door and locked herself in, expelling a sigh of relief that the arrogant jerk was out of her hair. She was dreading the end of class, assuming he was going to hover around until everyone else was gone but thankfully he left with the rest.

  She turned on the faucet and filled the sink, her mind drifting backwards.

  So what was his problem anyway? How could he simply waltz in here like that and totally dominate her without saying one word? She didn’t like it, not at all. What really irked her was that he seemed to get off on disturbing her. Talk about psycho. It was creepy.

  • • •

  Once the last bowl was washed and dried Piper could finally call it a night. She shut off the lights and locked up behind her. With mere minutes left to closing, the store felt empty though there were a couple of shoppers heading for the only checkout lane still open. Piper waved goodnight to the cashier and made her way to the employee exit.

  Every step she took was painful, eliciting a soft groan. She looked down at her feet, admiring her shoes but hating them too. Her suffering was so unnecessary. She knew better. Fashion meant diddly-squat when you were on your feet all day. Arch support, honey, arch support.

  • • •

  What a night!

  Chad leaned against his fender and basked in the afterglow of his sudden and unexpected attraction. He sighed deeply, exhaling more heat into the already balmy air. If tonight was any indicator this summer was going to be a scorcher.

  He wove his fingers together and stretched his arms up and over his head, bending backwards with a pleasurable moan. Then, returning to ease he rolled his sleeves up another turn, glad his tie and blazer were on his Audi’s passenger seat and not on him.

  Captivated by the night sky, he felt that elusive connection to the universe for the first time. The last sliver of sunlight running along the horizon held him spellbound. Then the colors deepened, flared outward before beginning a slow fade, the glow eventually and inevitably smothered by night. The sense of loss it left behind was bittersweet and so acute it staggered him.

  Shaking his head philosophically, Chad took the loss in stride and refocused on the reason he lingered in this dark parking lot. He was still amazed at how the evening had shifted on him.

  There was no question he needed to make it up to Brent and Pam. His culpability burned yet he found it oddly amusing that they were planning to set him up tonight and by simply stopping off for a hostess gift he ended up meeting a woman on his own anyway. Okay, maybe not exactly meeting her, that was coming, but if this went where he hoped it was headed, his friends would still get the credit for bringing them together.

  Thinking back, Chad chuckled at how he’d been swept out the door with the rest of the class, only to return afterwards to find the door locked. Oh well, this was better anyway. The setting was certainly more conducive to romance. Or it was if you were moved by a starry sky. He wondered at his chances of persuading the lovely Ms. Frost to go out for a coffee or a drink with him tonight. Now that his night was free, he was open, very open, to hanging out with her for a while.

  Eleven years. Could it really have been eleven years since he felt a spark like this? He thought back and saw Chelsea all over again. It was the same for them, the immediate attraction sizzling and mutual. Chad believed in love at first sight. He’d experienced it.

  A heavy steel door slammed closed and he turned. The reverberations echoed across the dark sky and faded out. Chad straightened, attentive now. It was her. She walked across the parking lot, crossing out of shadow through spots of light and back into shadow again. Each brief glimpse was as tantalizing as a strip tease and sent Chad’s heart rate galloping. He was amazed at how just the sight of her thrilled him.

  Then his excitement transformed into sympathy as her undeniable fatigue reached out to him. Her face revealed pain with every step she took. The poor thing needed a foot massage far more than a cup of coffee that’s for sure. Chad wished he could offer one but a suggestion like that would be ridiculously premature.

  • • •

  Piper walked gingerly across the employee lot, wincing every time her right heel landed. Muttering silently at herself and her stupidity she didn’t notice the silhouette of the man loitering around the parked cars until it was too late. She paused, alert and guarded, gripping her keys so tight they bit in
to her fingers. She peered into the shadows, straining to identify the man before she took another step.

  Of course now the insanity of wearing these shoes really hit her. Crap. There was no way she could outrun a turtle if she had to. Scanning the area, hoping to spot anyone, anyone at all in easy shouting distance in case she needed help she felt her heart sink. Double crap. Fine, she took a self-defense class once. She would know what to do if it came to that — hopefully.

  • • •

  Chad straightened and pushed off from his hood. Unable to bide his time a second longer he walked towards her. At least he could save her a few painful steps. She’d probably appreciate the thought, right?

  • • •

  The instant Piper recognized who it was her wary eyes narrowed. Of course, she should have known it would be that cocky bastard. Who else would lurk around out here? She wasn’t pleased.

  “Stop right there,” said Piper. “I have mace and I’m not afraid to use it!”

  Surprised by the threat, Chad stopped and held up his hands innocently. “Hey, sorry about that. I didn’t mean to scare you. I was just waiting.”

  “For what?”

  “For you,” he said simply.

  Piper glared. “Why?”

  Chad’s confidence wavered. “I’m beginning to wonder that myself. I was hoping we could maybe go someplace and talk.”

  “Talk? Forget it.” She backed up. “This is my time and I don’t mix with students socially.”

  He quashed his impulsive laugh. She was actually serious.

  “Look, I’m not a threat but we both know we connected in there and I just wanted to invite you out so we could discuss it — that’s it.”

  “Not interested.” She turned to stalk off and he made the mistake of grabbing her arm. Her keys came up.

  “Remove your hand now or I’ll blast you,” she warned ominously. Her thumb was already on the pump of the canister attached to the key ring.

  He let go, taking her warning very seriously.

  “I shouldn’t have done that, I’m sorry, but I wasn’t wrong about that connection and you know it. Everyone knew it.”