by penny watson
“I did my best, I suppose. But when David had his heart attack, it was like a bomb exploded in our lives. It left a huge gaping hole in our family, one that I couldn’t fix. Couldn’t possibly fix. It was too big, too destructive. We were all lost. I was lost.”
Elliott pulled her close to him and stroked her cheek. “You lost your old life.”
She nodded. “I did.”
“Time to make a new life.”
She leaned against his chest and sighed. “Easier said than done. I’m too old to make a new life.”
“Bullshit,” he answered. “My Uncle Rory is eighty-two years old. He lost his wife after forty years of marriage. And now he’s found a widow from our town, and they walk around holding hands like a couple of kids. You’re not too old, Sophia. You can do it.”
“I feel old. Although I must admit this past week has been good for me. Getting man-handled by a giant Scottish chef has been good for my spirits.” She smiled at him.
Elliott laughed. “Uh-huh. Is that why you signed up for A Taste of Heaven? To pick up your spirits?”
“That’s why the girls signed me up.”
“But you didn’t have to go. And you did go. That took courage.”
“You’re the courageous one, Elliott.”
He shook his head. “No, you’re wrong about that. I’m a stubborn bastard, but when the going gets tough, I would rather start fresh than try to fix things. It’s the easy way out. The hard way is your way. Forced to fix the shambles left behind with the gaping hole. You’re the one who is fearless, love. I’m just desperate.”
“Maybe we both have courage, Elliott. And we forgot. I forgot I had it. And I think you forgot, too. But you’re doing new things for the first time in fifty years. Cooking for children. Working with a partner. Maybe all those things you fear aren’t so bad after all. What do you think?”
He leaned down and kissed her, slowly, seductively, wet and hot and naughty. “I think I want to go to bed.”
❦
They went to bed.
“I’ve been waiting for this all day.” Sophia unbuttoned his shirt with shaky fingers. She felt giddy with anticipation.
“So have I. You’re driving me crazy. You know I have an embarrassing crush on you, Mrs. Brown.” He leaned down and nuzzled her neck.
A thrill shot through her. “You do? Ordinary Mrs. Brown?”
“There is nothing ordinary about you, love.” He pulled off her blouse and flung it onto the floor. “Ah . . . so sweet.” He cupped her breasts through the lacy bra.
She whimpered with pleasure.
“How long will the girls be gone?” he asked.
She shook her head in a daze. His big rough hands had already pushed down the cups of her bra and were fondling her breasts. “I-I don’t know. A few hours.”
Elliott lifted her in his arms and dropped her onto the bed. “Thank God. I want to be able to make some noise for a change. And hear you make noise. Fucking in the dorm with the creaky bed and unwanted neighbors was a big pain in the ass.”
He stared down at her, lying boneless on the bed, and his nostrils flared. “Jesus H. Christ, you are sexy. And deceiving, too.”
She propped herself up on her elbows. “Deceiving? How so?”
He crawled onto the bed on all fours and hovered above her. She could smell his scent—strong and wicked. She wanted that fragrance all over her body.
“You look like a sweet little garden sprite, but underneath you are fierce as hell. Strong-willed. A true competitor. Who knew?” Elliott kissed her softly. Small little kisses, along the seams of her lips. Brushing his beard on her chin.
She slid her arms around his neck and pulled him down for another kiss. This one not so gentle. He growled and Sophia smiled.
“I didn’t know. Not until this week.”
“I’ve never met anyone like you. You are a force to be reckoned with. And you really have no idea. You think you’re ordinary, but you’re not.”
She arched against him. She was feeling impatient, and his pants were still on. “I have no idea what you’re talking about, Chef Adamson. But how about losing those pants?”
He rolled off the bed and unbuttoned his jeans. “You have no idea? You won the first challenge on a high level cooking competition. And you’re an amateur! Because you were willing to take an insane risk with that dessert. Your experience and confidence as a mother won us that goddamned cheese contest. You butchered a turkey for the first time while Herman puked his guts out. And you’ve managed to deal with me—my temper, my insecurities, everything—day after day. My ex-wives couldn’t do it. My mentors couldn’t do it. You’ve done it. Don’t tell me you’re ordinary.” He stripped off his pants.
She reached for his erection.
Elliott laughed. “See? You’re bossy. And delicious to boot.”
The Scottish giant had a crush on her! And she did feel fierce in his presence. And powerful. Perhaps some part of her was indeed fierce, and it was bubbling up through the cracks.
“Give it a good, hard yank, love.” He stared at her tiny hand on his cock. “Don’t be shy. Be greedy tonight. Take and take and take. It’s about time you learned to be selfish. It’s not such a bad thing, is it?”
She gazed at him, at his nude body covered with reddish-gold hair, thick and manly and aroused. Could she take? Selfishly? It turned her on, the thought of that. It was so unlike her, the sweet little doll with the big brown eyes. She’d been waiting all day as the sexual tension coiled up inside of her. She was tired of being good.
“Let’s see you get a little bit wild, sweetheart.” Elliott cracked a wicked smile and reached for her panties. He slid them off her legs and tossed them aside.
She crooked a finger at the giant, inviting him to join her. “Let’s go, Chef. You want wild? I’ll give you wild.”
As soon as he kneeled on the bed, Sophia pushed him onto his back and straddled him. He laughed and steadied her with his thick arms.
“I like it already.” He raised a brow, taunting her. “What’s next?” His breathing was labored, and his cock bobbed in front of her enticingly.
She flipped her hair over and let it trail along his body, teasing him with a feather-light touch. And then she leaned down and used her mouth, nipping, licking, and sucking the earthy taste of Elliott Adamson. He bucked with enthusiasm.
“Harder, sweetheart. Yes. Christ, that’s it.”
For the first time in twenty-four years, there was another man in her bed. David had been whipcord thin and muscular. With the body of a long-distance runner, and his mind set on the end line. This man in her bed was different. Powerful, heavy, loud, and brash. Short-tempered. Fearless. It was a heady sensation, having this beast beneath her, at her beck and call. Gazing at her with rapture.
She worked her way back up his belly and chest, nipping along the way, sucking hard on his nipples. He released a half laugh, half groan and slid his hands around to squeeze her bottom as she straddled him again.
“What do you want, Sophia? Tell me.”
And that was the real question, wasn’t it? What did she really want?
She avoided answering by sinking down on his erection, all the way down. Until she felt the softness of his sac sliding along her bottom. She rode him that way, and his eyes were glued to her breasts, which swayed with each stroke. He was covered with sweat. She’d done that. Made the Beast sweat and groan. She liked who she was with Elliott. Daring enough to be wild and greedy.
He reached up to pinch her nipples. “You’re enjoying this, aren’t you? Torturing me.” He choked out a laugh. “We really do look like Beauty and the Beast.”
“We do?” She could barely form a response.
“Aye. I’m hairy and rough, and you’re like a woodland fairy. All you need is a crown of flowers in your dark hair, and I swear, I can see you floating through the forest.”
“Teasing you?” She splayed her fingers on his slick chest.
“Aye. That’s for goddamned sur
e. But I’ve caught you now, sweetheart. Haven’t I? At least for this moment, you belong to me.”
He flipped her, and she loved it. The feeling of his weight pushing her down into the mattress. He gazed at her with desire and something else. Something intense and needy. Some part of the Beast was vulnerable, and that look shook her to the core.
Every time he entered her was an event. Into her mouth, between her legs, he entered slowly, making sure she was aware of the invasion. That she welcomed him, acknowledged him. And then he would go so deep, she thought she would lose her mind. He was every bit as wild as she, and they spurred each other on. He laughed each time, thrilled to make the good little widow thrash in wild abandon.
They rolled around on her bed all night. Tangled together on the knotted sheets, listening to the sound of crickets and frogs, and eventually the songbirds, outside her window. Elliott finally fell asleep, just as the sun rose over her neighbor’s barn in a spectacular show of magenta and apricot. Sophia sighed and snuggled into his embrace, feeling peaceful and content. She liked this new Sophia. The one who was bold and unafraid. It was time to let the old one go.
Chapter Nineteen
“Welcome back to A Taste of Heaven!” Mr. Smith cheered and waved the freshly ironed flag over his head. “It’s the big day—the final challenge for our two last pairs. Sophia Brown, the amateur from Vermont, and Elliott Adamson, professional chef and owner of Stone Soup in North Berwick, Scotland, are in one corner.”
As the camera panned over their faces, Sophia forced herself to smile. Elliott didn’t even bother. He looked ready to throttle someone. As usual.
“And in the other corner, we have amateur cook Kevin Holt from North Carolina, paired with Chef Michael Baldwin, owner of three award-winning restaurants in Chicago. Welcome to our final contest!”
The judges and eliminated contestants were seated to the side of the courtyard garden. They clapped and cheered, and Sophia heard a few nicknames hollered, including Beauty and the Beast. That was a good sign.
“We’ve spent the week exploring Vermont and its products—a creamery, a turkey farm. We’ve cooked with organic beef and locally-grown fruits and vegetables. We’ve had the ultimate farm-to-table experience. And now for our final challenge, we’ll be showcasing another famous Vermont staple. Probably the most popular and quintessential Vermont product—maple syrup.” Mr. Smith lifted a glass vial filled with amber liquid. “Our final two pairs will prepare a meal that highlights maple syrup that has been collected right here on the Vermont Culinary Institute campus. I’m sure you all have noticed the beautiful sugar maples surrounding us.”
Elliott started to tap his foot. Sophia touched his arm gently, and he stopped.
“But we have a few surprises for you today, as well.” Mr. Smith rubbed his hands together.
Both Elliott and Michael said “fuck” at the same time.
“Our final pairs will need some extra hands. So we brought some helpers along. In keeping with our amateur concept, these assistants are not professionally trained. But they more than make up for that with their enthusiasm. Their loyalty. And their love.” Mr. Smith gestured to the kitchen door and a small group of people appeared.
When Sophia saw Cady and Emilia she covered her mouth with her hand.
There were three groups of people. Em and Cady. A group of young adults waving at Kevin. And Sophia saw a young woman and an older gentleman saluting Chef Baldwin. When she turned to Elliott, her heart sank. His face was white. Where was Elliott’s family? He had only mentioned his elderly Uncle Rory. Perhaps he was too old to travel.
She reached over to take Elliott’s hand, but he was stiff as stone. His fingers refused to yield.
Her heart broke for him.
Mr. Smith gestured to the eliminated amateurs and invited them to join the group. “As you can see, we’ve found some very willing assistants for you today. Sophia’s daughters are here. Kevin’s three sons are with us today from North Carolina. And Chef Baldwin’s sister and father have joined us, too.” He turned to Elliott and shrugged. “Unfortunately, Elliott’s uncle was unable to manage the flight all the way from Scotland, so you’ll have the option of choosing one of the eliminated amateurs as an assistant today.”
Elliott barely nodded a response.
“Sophia, you’re up first. You get to pick one of your daughters as an assistant.”
Cady yelled, “Pick me, pick me!” She waved her arms over her head.
Sophia laughed through her tears.
Emilia pointed to Cady behind her back and mouthed “Pick her” to her mother.
“I guess I’ll choose my younger daughter Cady today. She seems ready for the challenge,” Sophia said. Cady rushed to her and threw herself into Sophia’s arms.
“Surprise! We knew about this yesterday, but we managed to keep it a secret. How about that?” Cady bit her lip impishly.
“Sneaky girl,” Sophia whispered to her daughter.
“Chef Baldwin, who is your choice?” Mr. Smith had both Michael and Kevin choose their assistants, and then he turned to Elliott.
“And Elliott, since your uncle couldn’t join us today, which one of the amateurs would you like to include on your team for the final?”
Elliott’s face was completely devoid of emotion. As Kevin and his son linked arms and Chef Baldwin and his sister whispered together, Elliott inspected the remaining chefs. He was all alone. Sophia thought about the photos she’d seen of him standing in front of the stone wall in North Berwick. With the wind rippling his clothes and a gray sky framing his solitary figure. She felt sick inside. This wasn’t right.
She looked over the group of amateurs. Tammy, Nathan, Herman, and the others. None of them would be able to deal with Elliott and his temper. She made eye contact with Emilia, and Sophia knew they were both thinking the same thing.
“Mr. Smith, I have an idea.” Sophia’s voice cracked with tension.
The producer looked startled. “What can I help you with, Sophia?”
“Since Elliott is choosing an amateur, maybe you could throw my daughter Emilia into the mix. She’s an amateur too.”
Mr. Smith nodded slowly. “That’s true. Emilia, would you be agreeable to that?”
Emilia regarded Elliott and answered, “Work with the Beast? I think so.”
The audience laughed, and Sophia was relieved to hear a chuckle from Elliott.
“You know I’m not very nice to my assistants. Just ask your mum.” Elliott folded his arms across his chest in an exaggerated motion.
“I can take it,” Em replied. She crossed her arms, too.
“I don’t like cooks with a heavy hand who beat the hell out of their tomatoes.”
Emilia answered, “Good thing I don’t do that . . . anymore.”
Mr. Smith looked completely thrilled with this turn of events. Sophia could tell the banter between Emilia and Elliott would make for very good television. Thank God. She wanted Elliott to have someone on his side, really on his side. Not a poor loser who would throw him under the bus at the first opportunity.
Elliott turned to Mr. Smith and nodded. “I’ll take Daughter Number One, Emilia. If I have to deal with another amateur assistant, it might as well be her.”
Mr. Smith clapped his hands. “The two Brown girls are in the mix! I love it. Emilia, please join Chef Adamson.”
Em first walked over to Sophia and hugged her. She fist-bumped her sister. And then she sashayed right up to Elliott and stood in front of him. “Hey, Beast. Need any tomatoes crushed today?”
Elliott looked down at her and lifted a brow. “No, but we have to figure out something fancy to do with maple syrup. I’ll be keeping you busy this afternoon.”
She moved to his side. Elliott glanced over her head and caught Sophia’s eye. The color had returned to his face. He nodded at her, almost imperceptibly. She knew what that nod meant and what it cost him. The Scottish giant, full of pride and bluster, was sending her a nod of gratitude. Sophia smiled to her
self. He’d unintentionally become ensnared by a trio of woodland sprites. Probably against his will. But what was done was done.
Mr. Smith motioned for the others to sit. “Remember when I told you on the first day that your amuse-bouche challenge would be the only time you cooked alone? Well, I lied.” He raised an eyebrow. “This final challenge has two parts. One, the pair must prepare a delicious meal and dessert with the highlighted food. And two, each of the finalists must prepare one dish . . . alone. It may or may not include maple syrup, but it must reflect your personal style and approach to cooking. Your assistant may help but your partner can’t be part of this challenge. The judges will be looking at all the final dishes when we make our decision.”
Elliott grumbled under his breath. Sophia knew he didn’t like surprises. All in all, he was holding up pretty well.
As Mr. Smith continued describing the rules for the last challenge, Sophia noticed that Emilia had slipped her hand into Elliott’s. Cady noticed too. And then her younger daughter linked their hands, and Sophia felt the threads of her family weaving them together, and for a moment on this sunny August day, all felt right with the world.
❦
“Salmon. We do salmon.” Elliott scribbled on his notebook as Em peered over his shoulder.
The four of them were huddled around their worktable discussing their options.
“Salmon with a whisky-maple glaze. I’ll use Laphroaig.” Elliott looked up. “Sophia, what do you think? We will be able to get a nice piece of fish?”
She nodded. “Yes, the salmon should be excellent.”
“Mom, what are you going to cook for your part of the dish?” Cady perched on the edge of the table.
“I have an idea. That will combine some Scottish favorites with some other flavors.”
“Uh-oh. I don’t know if I like the sound of that.” Elliott groaned.
“Give her a chance, Beast,” Em said.
Sophia laughed. “Three girls against the Beast. The poor man doesn’t stand a chance.”
He rolled his eyes. “Get on with it, woman. What’s your idea?”
