Christmas in Paris (A Master Chefs Series Standalone Novel)
Page 7
“She’s falling asleep,” Bobby said.
“A sign she’s content and relaxed, despite the turmoil around,” Sam said walking in to take the sweet bundle of baby as Bobby and Leo head back out to the kitchen.
Taryn took another look at the tranquil room. “I’ve been trying to put it all behind me, but sometimes… The sounds of those bombs, the people running, the fear… not knowing what’s really going on… it all rushes back to me.”
A loud thump sounded from the kitchen, causing Taryn to jump.
“Sorry about that,” Bobby called out. “Dropped the squash.”
Taryn looked up at her mother. “See what I mean. The slightest sound makes me jump.”
“Give yourself time, honey. Like all of Paris, you need to heal.”
They spent the rest of the afternoon decorating the penthouse, draping it in shimmering gold ribbons, tinsel and ornaments, while the aromas of Bobby’s dinner filled the air.
Just as Bobby was ladling homemade eggnog into small mugs, the elevator doors to the penthouse slid open.
Taryn turned to see her husband, handsomer than ever, step out of the elevator. A small red cut was still visible above his left eye, but it only added to his rugged masculinity, while his sharp Armani suit gave him an air of style and sophistication that she loved.
“Errol,” she cried as she ran to him.
He pulled her into his arms, careful of her belly which was still sore and sensitive.
“I wasn’t sure you’d make it home today.”
“I’m home and that’s where I’m staying until you’re ready to travel with me. I’ve had enough of traveling on my own. I wrapped this deal up as quickly as I could, but now I’m yours, all yours. Forever and ever, baby. “
“Liberté and I couldn’t be more thrilled. I’ve missed you so much.”
“I’ve missed you, too, and the baby. Talking about baby, where’s our little sweetheart?”
“Asleep in the nursery,” Taryn said.
Errol walked into the nursery with Taryn and stood there staring at the baby sleeping peacefully with her thumb stuck in her mouth.
“Now I understand what the old man was saying. I would do anything to protect you sweetheart,” Errol said under his breath with tears to the sleeping baby. “Yes, little angel, Daddy will do anything to protect you and Mommy.”
“What?” Taryn asked.
“Oh, honey,” Errol said. “She’s just like you. Beautiful when she sleeps and already in need of something to hold onto.”
“Isn’t that good?” Taryn asked.
“It’s perfect,” Errol said. “I couldn’t ask for anything more.” He kissed her, and Taryn felt her stomach flutter just like the first time they kissed. Then he whispered into her ear. “I can’t wait to get you into your birthday suit and have you suck on something of mine I’m sure you’ve been missing…”
“Oh Errol,” Taryn had to blush before playfully slapping his arm.
Errol kissed her again, more heatedly, and whispered into her ear, “Maybe we can start on baby number two or practice on it…after dinner.”
Taryn gulped and felt herself flush. How could she forget how sexy Errol was. “I wouldn’t mind,” she said. “But first…let’s have dinner.”
Errol and Taryn walked out of the nursery and Errol took a deep breath. “Hmm, what smells so good?”
Bobby beamed with pride as he pulled the perfectly golden turkey out of the oven. “Ladies and gentlemen, dinner is ready.”
“Well, I’ll be damned,” Errol said with a pleased grin. “Now this was something I hadn’t expected.”
They sat down to an elegantly set table, with festive china trimmed with red and gold, and fine crystal stemware with tiny snowflakes etched along the rim.
“This is perfect,” Errol said as he gazed from Taryn to Sam to Bobby and back to Taryn again. “I hadn’t expected a Thanksgiving dinner, but this is truly perfect, Bobby, because I have so much to be thankful for.” He held up his wine glass. “My beautiful wife, a perfectly healthy little girl and an extended family that is just as great as any family can be.”
They all raised their glasses, Errol, Sam and Bobby’s filled with a fine Merlot while Taryn had grape juice mixed with sparkling water.
“To Paris, and all its strength and greatness. To the love of family and friends. Sam, my wonderful new mom, Bobby my talented and bold younger brother-in-law who reminds me too much of my younger self, and my partner and best friend Leo, who knows what loyalty and friendship means especially in time of need. And,” Errol turned to Taryn. “To you, my love, for all the joy you bring to my life. I am grateful to be spending this Thanksgiving and Christmas in Paris with you all. May we have a safe and loving Christmas filled with hope and joy around the world.”
This is the End of Christmas in Paris
A Standalone novel in the Master Chefs Series.
Thank you for reading and hope you enjoyed this book of love and hope in the time of tragedy.
The Master Chefs Series
The passionate love story of Taryn Cummings, who arrives in Paris to study at the world famous International Culinary Institute and hot-blooded, arrogant celebrity bad boy Master Chef Errol King, who becomes her teacher in the kitchen as well as the bedroom, is told through savory cuisines, heated passion and heartfelt and heart-wrenching emotions. Critics called The Master Chefs Series "addicting".
A Steamy 3 Book Series for Age 18 and up!
Available here on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00XM0CEVS/
The HEAT Series
From the author of the Master Chefs Series, PULSE Series, DESIRE Series, SESSIONS, Barely Legal, The Blue Room Series, Saving You Saving Me, and the Protege Series, comes...HEAT!
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 6 book serial with each book consisting of over 22,000 words or 125 pages.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00NFKO6HU
UNASSUMED
With a string of horrendous kidnappings of the heirs of billion dollar conglomerates around the world growing, Zara Zee, one of Hong Kong's youngest top female crime investigator goes undercover to protect the next target who is Leopold Lee, an American action star, whose father is Chinese and mother is Franco-American, the recent heir to Lee Holdings, and a bad boy out to prove he is not just another pretty face. What appears to be an unassuming case, leads to the discovery of a major plot orchestrated thousands of years ago yet set to explode and change the world today. All the clues are pointing to the catastrophe to come unless Zara and Leo can work together to stop the conspirators.
Recommended for 18 and up.
http://www.amazon.com/UNASSUMED-Unassuming-Billionaire-Adventure-Romantic-ebook/dp/B015O6BO4U
About the Author
Award-winning bestselling author Kailin Gow wrote and published her first book in November 2001, following September 11, with a Middle Grade book series about extraordinary girls who uses their gifts to help people and their community deal with the psychological and emotional impacts of tragic events in history. The first book, Lucy and the Liberty Quilt, was an instant bestseller,
and the series was then recommended by the U.S. Mental Health Association as well as mother’s organizations, The PTA, and PBS Kids. Part of the proceeds of that series were donated to the American Red Cross, where Ms. Gow was volunteering as a CPR and First Aid Instructor on weekends. Since then, Ms. Gow has sold millions of books for women of all ages in multiple genres, winning prestigious awards such as the ALA YALSA Reader’s Choice Nomination Award, The IBPA’s Benjamin Franklin Award, and Green Book Festival Award.
Most of her readers for her middle grade book series The Gifted Girls first published in 2001, have grown up, and are now reading Ms. Gow’s YA fantasies, Adult Romances, and Action Adventure Thrillers. Ms. Gow is grateful for such loyal and loving fans and the opportunity to be able to continue writing books they love to read.
To get updates, news, release dates, and opportunities to win swag and books, sign up for her free newsletter at:
http://eepurl.com/bAxtXn