“Because you what?” Carter whispers. His eyes blaze with passion for me. But something else lingers there. And what I see gives me the courage to declare myself.
“Because I love you.” My heart aches in my chest, and I can barely breathe as Carter leans in close and kisses me again, slipping his tongue into my mouth until I moan. “Somewhere along this crazy rodeo ride, I fell.”
When he pulls away, I’m flushed and panting with desire.
“I love you too,” Carter says, his tender words touching a place deep inside. He brushes my hair out of my eyes with a gentle touch.
“I know you made the tuna look like a bronco for me. It looked more beautiful than a real work of art.”
“Yeah,” he says. “Too bad I overdid it.”
“I can show you how. You know, just in case you’ll be adding it to the menu at Steakhouse. Even meat eaters love ahi.”
Carter laughs. “Yeah, yeah.” He reaches down and laces his fingers with mine. “One step at a time, missy. Don’t put the cart before the bronco, so to speak.”
“So…” I lean in and rest my head against Carter’s chest. “Wanna check out these gift vouchers they gave us?”
Carter gives me a devilish grin. “I think I have a better idea,” he says, nudging my head up and kissing my neck. The feel of his lips on my bare skin makes me shiver. “That is, if you agree.”
“Oh…” I moan softly as Carter nips at my neck. “I do. And I have an even better idea than that. Something I’ve been wanting to do for a while now.” I open my purse and show him what I’ve been hiding inside for months, trying to get up the nerve to do it. “Payback’s a bitch, buddy.”
He peeks inside, and his answering moan gives me a confidence I never even knew I had. “Holy mother of God, Pepper.”
Karma. She’s coming for you, Carter Caldwell.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Carter
Scooping Pepper into my arms, I carry her out of the studio and onto the sidewalk. After I know what’s inside her purse, my cock lengthens and fills the crotch of my pants to overflowing. I have to have her, right now. We barely stop kissing – I can’t stand my mouth to be away from hers for more than a second – and I suck at her lower lip, holding her close in my arms. Pepper moans, pressing her body against mine, nuzzling my nose with hers and burying her face in my neck. When I feel her sharp little teeth nipping at my earlobe, I growl with pleasure.
“I can’t wait to put my mouth all over you,” she whispers.
I love her. I fucking love her so much my heart wants to explode.
I hail a cab and crawl into the backseat, pulling Pepper down with me. After breathlessly giving the driver the address of our hotel, I tug Pepper close and kiss her. My cock strains between us, and my balls tighten and ache to be spent, but I know I have to wait, and that knowledge tortures me. I slip my hand between Pepper’s thighs and brush against her crotch with my fingers until she gasps.
The cab seems to crawl through the Valley traffic and by the time we get back to the hotel, I’m bursting. I throw a wad of cash at the driver without even counting it and grab Pepper, tugging her inside behind me. We scramble into an elevator, and immediately, we’re kissing again. I push Pepper against the wall and slide my hands under her shirt, squeezing her breasts through her thin lace bra until she writhes underneath me. Arousal floods my body, and it’s more powerful than anything I’ve ever felt. This is the first time I’ve ever been in love. Everything seems deeper, more intense. When the elevator doors ding open, I scoop Pepper in my arms and carry her into my room, slamming the door behind us and tossing her gently on the bed.
“You just made a promise to me, Pepper. I expect to get served the entrée that’s on the menu.”
She pushes me back on the bed, and I help her get my shirt and pants off. With a mighty tug, my boxer briefs join the pile of clothes littering the floor. She retrieves the package from her purse and makes a show of ripping it open and shaking the contents into her hand.
“Are you ready for the catch of the day, Chef Caldwell. I’ve been advised that it’s fresh and delicious.”
“Pepper, you’re killing me here. Just suck me off already.”
“So demanding,” she says, leaning back as if she’s going to change her mind. My cock strains its disapproval, curling up toward my torso. “Seems you shouldn’t be so demanding when you’re not in charge here.”
I sigh, knowing I have to capitulate, give her something. “Okay, I’ll try to behave.”
She gives my flank a little pinch, reminiscent of the ones I like to give to her. I’m not sure when the shoe’s on the other foot, that it fits.
Pepper slaps her hand up to her mouth. Before I can feel anything, I hear the sizzling noise the Pop Rocks make as they explode across her tongue. I wonder what it’s going to feel like when she finally puts her mouth on my cock.
Oh my god. My head presses even deeper into the pillow. The sensation of her warm, wet mouth and the exploding candy is more than I can take. It doesn’t take long until I’m writhing underneath her, ready to come.
“Condom,” I choke out. “I want you on top of me right now.”
I hear the foil wrapper open and then she rolls the condom down my length. Pepper climbs on top of me, spreading her thighs and sheathing me inside her tight pussy as I watch her every move. It’s taking everything I have in me not to bark orders like I want with every fiber of my being. Like I do every single dinner service in my kitchen, demanding perfection from my employees and myself. But she’s not my lackey. She’s the woman I love, so I tone it down for her. Anything for her.
Pepper’s face is hot and flushed, and I grab both of her wrists with one hand, pulling her down toward my face so I can nip and suck at her lips. Pepper moans, writhing and twisting, but I don’t let her go. I dip my head to her neck and lick a long, wet trail down the exposed skin, until my mouth lands right above her collarbone. Her breasts are there for the taking, and with my free hand, I yank her shirt up and expose her lacy bra. As gently as I can, I stroke my fingers over her hardened nipples.
“God, Carter,” she moans, throwing her head back as a moan of pleasure escapes her lips.
I want to wait, to torture her, to make her scream with desire, but I can’t. Something about this time carries more desperation than any other before it. My thumbs flitter over her nipples until she shakes. Pepper grinds on top of me, hard, and I take my hand away from her breasts and slide it between our bodies until my thumb finds the hard nub of her clit.
At the new pleasure, Pepper purrs with delight. She begins grinding and riding me harder than ever, rubbing her clit against my thumb with each delicious thrust. The pleasure escalates to a tense limit in my body, and my balls throb as our lovemaking grows more and more intense. Pepper bends down at the waist and kisses me, brushing her damp lips against mine. I can still taste the residual of the Pop Rocks. Strawberry flavor. I shiver with pleasure as my cock twitches inside of Pepper’s body.
“Carter,” Pepper moans, burying her face in my neck and sucking my earlobe. “I love you.”
That’s when I feel her body start to shake and quiver with the force of her orgasm. Pepper throws her hair back and rides me faster, bracing herself with a hand against my chest. She stops for a moment, then shivers all over and moans, filling the room with her gritty voice. Feeling her tighten and writhe on top of me sets me off, and soon I’m grabbing the woman I’m crazy about by the hips as I come. It feels like an explosion in my body, powerful and strong and so delicious that I almost forget to breathe. I buck and gasp, thrusting deep into Pepper’s pussy as my cock unloads inside her.
The room falls silent. Pepper stays on top of me for a moment, then slides off my softening cock, curling up next to me and throwing her arm over my chest.
“That was definitely better than a night on the town,” Pepper says, her eyes fluttering closed. She sighs, resting her head on my shoulder.
“Although now that my cock is sat
ed, I wouldn’t say no to a free steak for my poor, rumbling belly.”
“You would,” she says. But there’s kindness in her voice, and I get the sense that she’s more amused than anything. “What did they give us, anyway?”
Pepper sits up, pulling the sheet over her full breasts, and reaches for my pants. She reaches into the pocket and pulls the envelope out. When she opens it, she blinks, and her jaw drops.
“Holy shit, Carter,” Pepper says. “They gave us a five-hundred-dollar card to Musso & Frank Grill.”
“A steakhouse,” I say, waggling my eyebrows.
“I’m sure they have pescatarian dishes available.” She grins. “Now that you mention it, my belly’s rumbling right along with yours. We should go.”
“Yeah. Let me shower really quick.” I climb out of bed and stretch, smirking as Pepper stares at my naked body like I’m the appetizer. “You wanna join me?”
“As tempting as that is, I should call home. I wanna tell Basil what happened.”
Just as I’m about to walk into the bathroom, my phone buzzes.
“Hey,” I say, frowning and glancing down at the screen. “It’s Barb.”
“Maybe you left something at the studio?” Pepper flops back down on the sheets. Her skin looks creamy and delectable, and her freckles make me want to bite them.
“Maybe,” I say, narrowing my eyes and swiping open the call. “Hello?”
“Hello, Carter?”
“Yeah. What’s up?”
“This is Barb.” I can practically feel her smiling through the phone. “Look, I know this is kind of unexpected, but I just had a meeting with the executive producers of Battle, and they had a great idea that I wanted to run past you.”
“Shouldn’t you be calling Pepper?” I say, confused. “She won, remember?”
“Of course I do. This is about Pepper, too, but I wanted to call you first since if you’re not on board, it’s a no-go and nothing changes. Look, the producers think that the two of you should host a show together.”
“Another competition?”
Barb laughs at my expense, and I feel a trace of annoyance. “No. Well, sort of. But not between the two of you. The other producers think that a hosted show, where a married couple of home cooks compete against each other would be a huge hit. Pepper will coach the wife, and you coach the husband. At the end of the show, they’ll compete against each other for fabulous prizes. Isn’t that brilliant?”
“Holy shit.” I look at Pepper, who stares at me with wide eyes. “That is a great idea.”
“I’m so glad you love it,” Barb gushes. “I just knew you would. Now, all I have to do is call Pepper…”
“You know, I can ask her right now,” I say, raising an eyebrow at Pepper.
“Oh?”
“Yeah. We’re, um, we used that gift card you gave us. She’s right here.”
“Oh, good! I’m so pleased to hear that the two of you worked things out.” There’s palpable relief in her voice. “Yes, why don’t you ask her, and then get back to me.”
A lazy grin spreads across my face as I turn to the love of my life. “Sounds good, Barb. I’ll be in touch soon.”
When I hang up, I put my phone on the nightstand and flop back down into bed. “What is it,” Pepper asks. “What happened?”
I take her hands in mine. “Well…as a matter of fact, they decided they want both of us.”
Her mouth makes a perfect little ‘o’ and I can almost see the wheels in her mind trying to work everything out. “Oh yeah? That’s awesome. Wait, like another competition?”
I grin and shake my head. “No, ma’am.” I tell her about Barb’s great idea and watch as her face lights up.
Pepper throws her arms around me and tackles me down into the pillows, kissing my face all over.
“Carter, this is incredible,” she says, her face radiating joy. “It’s like we both won. It’s exactly the perfect compromise.”
I lean close and kiss her full on the lips. “Well, believe it, honey. Because the two of us are going to be stars.”
Chapter Twenty-Five
Pepper
Six Months Later…
“Welcome to the Food Network’s own Battle of the Sexes!” Barb shouts.
The audience goes crazy, and I find myself grinning. It’s the first on-air show under the new format, and I couldn’t be more excited. Since the competition, time has flown…and I can hardly believe that I’m co-starring in my very own show with Carter.
“Now, Pepper, you’re going to be working with Amy,” Barb says, showing a blushing blonde woman over by my range. “And Carter will be working with Amy’s husband, Mark.”
The crowd goes nuts again. I give Amy a quick hug. We already met backstage, but the embrace seems like a gesture of good faith as I lead her over to the prep station.
“Now, Pepper and Carter will have twenty minutes to coach Amy and Mark into cooking a winning dish,” Barb says. “Set the timer, please!”
The timer starts to count backwards, and Barb walks over to her table where she sits down.
“I’m so nervous,” Amy whispers. Her delicate hands shake as she wields the knife. My mind drifts back to the horrible time I threw one at Carter. It seems like a lifetime ago. “I’ve never done anything like this before.”
“Don’t be nervous,” I tell her. “We’re going to prepare something that will blow your husband out of the water.”
Amy wrinkles her nose. “Mark always says my chicken is too dry. Can you help with that?”
Over the course of the next twenty minutes, I guide Amy into a quick marinade of pickle juice, brown sugar, and a few spices for her chicken breast. Then I show her how to pound the breast down to a perfect three-quarters of an inch before pan-searing it in a mix of coconut oil and herbes de Provence.
When the timer dings, Amy has a dish that looks amazing, yet simple.
“You did great,” I tell her, patting her on the shoulder. “There’s no way Mark is going to be disappointed.”
Amy beams. “Thank you.” She glances over at Carter and Mark. They’re hard at work making something I can’t quite recognize. “This does look better than what I make at home.”
“Cooking is a science,” I tell her. “And there are a few basic things to get down pat before you start improvising.”
“Thank you,” she says again.
A production assistant carries Amy’s chicken over to the judges’ table. Amy looks nervous, and I move to reassure her again. Carter and Mark have created a quick dish of roasted carrots and beef tips, and even I have to admit that it smells heavenly.
“If we can all join in the middle,” Barb says, walking over to the long table and sitting down. “Amy, Mark, this looks incredible.”
I glance over at Carter. He winks at me, and a warm rush floods my body. I love you, I think as I stare into his deep blue eyes. By the way he looks at me, I know he feels the same.
Barb tries both dishes and pronounces Amy’s chicken the winner. It’s hard not to gloat as Amy is awarded a gift basket full of culinary goodies and a five-thousand-dollar gift certificate to KitchenAid.
Most importantly, bragging rights.
“A very good job by both contestants,” Barb says. “And just to celebrate our very first taping, we have a special surprise.”
I narrow my eyes and mouth ‘what?’ at Carter. Nobody forewarned me about any special surprises. But he smirks at me and turns to the side of the stage, clapping his hands.
“Claude,” Carter calls. “It’s time.”
My jaw drops as I see Claude, Carter’s portly pastry chef from Steakhouse, waddle on stage. His mottled complexion redder than normal, he carries a cake that has to be at least five tiers tall. It’s exquisite, with pink and white fondant, and an arrangement of sparklers on top. For a moment, I think Claude’s going to drop it. But he makes it safely to the long table and sets it down with an audible sigh of relief.
“This is my pastry chef,” Carter says, putt
ing an arm around Claude, who looks both proud and uncomfortable. “He brought a special treat, all the way from Vegas.”
Carter steps forward and takes a lighter from his pocket. He turns to me and winks.
“This is for you, Pepper,” Carter says. He flicks the lighter on and lights the sparklers. For a moment, the cake is illuminated by glowing fire. Then there’s a loud pop! and the top tier of the cake flies into the air. The audience gasps and Claude drops to his knees, wailing loudly.
“What’s that there cake doin’?”
At the sound of a familiar voice, I whirl around to see Cody. He’s on stage, with a lasso in his hand, whipping it through the air. I gasp as he flings the rope through the air and lassoes a small box covered with frosting, bringing it down to the stage. Carter steps forward and takes the box. He brushes frosting from the top and walks over to me where he kneels.
“Yeehaw,” Cody calls. He grins at me and claps his hands. “Congratulations, baby sister!”
“What?” I gasp, covering my mouth with both hands. “What is this?”
There’s a splotch of frosting on Carter’s forehead. “Cody came to support you.” There’s so much love in his beautiful blue eyes as he steps closer to me. “Because I thought you might want your brother here when I ask you to marry me.”
Tears fill my eyes as Carter opens the box. A large, pear-shaped diamond set in platinum twinkles up at me, and I start to cry as I nod. My heart races, threatening to burst, but I’ve never felt such pure happiness.
“Yes, yes!” I tremble so hard I can barely get the words out. As Carter gets to his feet and slides the ring onto my finger, I swoon into his arms.
“I love you,” I whisper.
“I love you,” Carter whispers back, nuzzling my ear. “We’ve both melded together to create the perfect recipe.”
Epilogue
“Nephew or not, you need to redeem yourself. Standing around on the sidewalk, shooting off your mouth so that little bitch Pepper St. Claire could hear you? What the fuck is the matter with you?”
Pony Up Page 20
