The Flirtation Game: Castle Ridge Small Town Romance

by Allie Burton

  His tense muscles softened and his heart went to mush. He couldn’t let her stand in a catatonic state.

  “Isabel?” He touched the sleeve of her chef’s coat trying to draw her attention from the green light. “Time to cook.”

  She blinked a couple of times.

  With his love for her, he wanted to hold her, tell her everything would be okay. He wanted to instill confidence. Any of those actions would demonstrate she wasn’t ready for the challenge and possibly the head chef position. He refused to embarrass her on TV even if it would demonstrate his good intentions and help his hand later.

  He needed to get her out of shock and angry enough to be strong. “Are you giving up already, Isabel?”

  The tease caught her attention and she glared at him.

  “Time’s wasting.” He indicated the large round clock set up on the wall by the judges’ table. “And your fans are waiting.” He directed her toward the audience where Danielle, Bri, Luke, Dax, and the entire kitchen staff perched on the edge of their seats.

  Her mouth curled into a real smile. An appreciative smile revealing she understood his intentions. The smile wrapped around his heart.

  She cleared her throat. “I thought you might need a head start.”

  He chuckled. He wanted to see that smile every day for the rest of his life. He only hoped she would be receptive.

  They both rushed to their baskets and brought the items to their respective counters.

  Michael pulled out the soft shell crabs, passionfruit, canned beets, and sweet-potato patties. Besides the crabs, not normal things he would cook. Like a recipe card sorter, his mind flipped through meals and food styles.

  He had no doubt about what to cook. Doubts about the next step in his personal life scraped his brain. He started cleaning the crab and cutting off the tail. Taking ice from the portable refrigerator, the shiny crystals reminded him of what shined in his pocket. To bring out the richness of the beets, he mixed them with fresh herbs and relish. His actions became mechanical, his mind struggling for peace.

  Plating the passionfruit sauce by swirling the colorful flavoring on the bottom of the dish, he remembered how she’d refused to speak to him for days. He tossed the beet vinaigrette and thought about how she’d accused him of stealing her job. The biggest blow—she blamed him for releasing the sex video. She must hate him.

  He couldn’t catch enough air. His throat felt dry and his head dizzy. What was he thinking?

  The buzzer rang and he put his hands in the air.

  He peered at Isabel and her plate. Both looked scrumptious.

  “Chef Isabel, please tell us what you’ve prepared.”

  The camera focused in on her plate. He focused on her.

  “I’ve prepared a soft shell crab on a caramelized sweet-potato patty, with passionfruit puree, and a beet-and-cucumber relish.” She started shaky describing her dish, then her voice grew stronger, more confident. The brilliant idea would be stiff competition.

  The cameras switched to his plate. “Chef Michael, please tell us what you prepared.”

  Following her format, he succinctly explained his crab dish, and the way each mystery ingredient was treated. His mind wasn’t on the food. His mind was on his next speech. His stomach tumbled and turned. Sweat formed on his upper brow. His mouth was parched.

  Assistants took the plates away, and the judges left the room.

  The emcee beamed at the camera. “The judges have twenty minutes to deliberate.”

  Wiping away the perspiration, Michael jumped forward and grabbed the microphone. “While the judges deliberate on our professional futures,” he smiled at the camera hoping the lens didn’t capture the tightness around his lips. “I need Chef Isabel to deliberate on a question of a more personal nature.”

  Her stubborn chin angled, and she stared as if he was crazy.

  Maybe he was. Quivering, he took her hand, pulling her between the two stations. Her body moved with jerky motions, uncomfortable and unsure.

  He needed to exhibit he wasn’t embarrassed about the video scandal and she shouldn’t be, either. He wanted to prove what people had seen on the sex tape was nothing but love. He had to demonstrate no matter who won the cook-off, he adored her.

  The tumbling in his stomach churned like it was being whipped by an electronic whisk. His warm hands slipped on the microphone. His heart pounded to the beat of doubt.

  Big doubt.

  What if she rejected him on live national television?

  * * *

  Isabel resisted Michael’s tug. Resisted his small-nervous-adorable smile. She didn’t want to be pulled front-and-center on live television without knowing the plan. She’d been burned before. What question did he need answering at this moment? The sex video had exposed enough of their relationship to the masses.

  “Isabel and I have known each other for a long time.” He stopped center stage and pivoted toward her. He wasn’t looking at the cameras anymore, he was looking at her. The depth of his eyes drew her, and she couldn’t tear her gaze away. “We’re both excellent cooks. Together we have our own special recipe for happiness and love.”

  Her bones tenderized at the sweet sentiment. They were both good chefs and good people, who’d gotten mixed up in a very public scandal. Using her anger, she forced her bones to stand tall. “You’re not dropping out of the competition?”

  He glanced to where the judges had disappeared. “I’m not competing in the cook-off to get the head chef position. I’m competing for you.”

  She contemplated the audience. Danielle, Luke, and Dax listened raptly. Their expressions focused and intense. What did they know?

  Isabel shifted toward Michael. “Competing for me?” She squeaked at the end. Why would he compete against her for her? “I don’t understand.”

  “I’ll make you understand.” He dropped to his knee and pulled something shiny from his pocket.

  A ring. A beautiful, shiny gold band with a single large, sparkling diamond.

  Her breath caught. Is this what she thought it was? After all that had happened between them: the pretend affair, the real romance, the sex video, not talking for days. She couldn’t believe this was happening.

  And on live TV.

  Glowering at the camera with the green light, the one gobbling up their images, heat swept through her body. “Michael, I…” She swallowed.

  “Isabel, I love you and want to spend the rest of my life by your side.” His deep, serious tone seeped into her bloodstream, carrying the message to her heart. “No matter who wins this cooking challenge, I think we both can win at love.”

  His gray eyes bored into hers, sending the same signal. His lips, lips she’d missed kissing, formed the question she half-hoped and half-dreaded.

  Nerves skittered down her spine creating a shimmering-numb sensation. Was this another publicity stunt? Part of the plan he’d been working on for the last few days? Was this real?

  Love shone from his expression. “Isabel O’Donnell, will you make me the happiest man and marry me?”

  The message was clear. He loved her. Wanted to marry her. Wanted to be with her for the rest of their lives.

  Her heart swelled, thumping so hard she feared her ribcage would break. Thumping a single word. Love. Excitement stopped the breath in her lungs. She wanted to shout yes from the top of the hood to the front of the cameras. Except she couldn’t speak. Her eyes prickled.

  “Isabel?” His Adam’s apple moved up and down. Michael held the sparkling ring higher.

  Happiness poured through her like gravy. Her love shined from every pore. She wanted to say yes so badly, but the live television audience intimidated her, and she had so many questions and doubts. Taking a slow breath, she knew deep in her soul he’d been a victim. She understood they’d have to deal with the fallout for a long time. Their marriage would indicate the actions on the video was an act of love, not depravity.

  She tugged him to his feet. A smile teased along her lips and she whispe
red, “As long as we repeat the actions. Not the recording part.”

  His eyes glinted with hope and surprise. “I’ll make it viral every night.” The raw-sexy tone sent pleasurable shivers across her skin.

  She couldn’t wait to reenact the video in private.

  One last doubt pricked her bubble of happiness. “You want to leave Castle Ridge and I want to stay. How will our relationship work?”

  “I don’t want to leave Castle Ridge. I want to stay here by your side.” His expression flickered with what appeared to be fear. “I’m basing my new consulting business here. With you, if you’ll have me?” He placed his arm around her waist, pulling her closer.

  The scent of his aftershave, the sound of his voice, the heat from his body wove through her senses. She wanted it to be like this forever. Rubbing her hand on his scruffy face, she couldn’t stop the smile blooming.

  “I love you, Isabel.” He grinned, before taking on a more serious expression. “I want to cook by your side in our home. I want to look forward to the future together. I want to be with you forever.” His arm slid from her waist, and he assumed the kneeling position again. “Will you marry me?”

  “Fake or real?” Her voice curled into a tease.

  “Real. Oh, so real.” His tone dropped an octave and hit her sweet spot.

  “Then, oh, so yes.”

  He pulled her into his arms. She wrapped her arms around his broad shoulders. Their mouths met in the middle, sharing a passionate, luscious, caring kiss. A kiss that promised.

  A perfect kiss.

  Clapping and cheers from the audience had them breaking apart. She’d forgotten about the crowd and the camera. And she didn’t care.

  She didn’t care who knew of her love for this man. “I love you, Michael.”

  He swept in for another kiss. More cheers. He held the diamond ring out for her again, and slipped it on her finger.

  The ring might be circling her finger, but it felt as if it circled her heart. “Is that huge diamond fake or real?”

  His self-satisfied smile showed he understood the tease. “Real, like my love.”

  Did you miss THE ROMANCE DANCE and THE CHRISTMAS MATCH, the first and second books in the Castle Ridge series?

  Excerpt from

  The Romance Dance

  A Castle Ridge Small Town Romance

  Book 1

  by Allie Burton

  A slow sashay to desire.

  After being abandoned by his fiancée and his fans because of a disfiguring accident, former classical pianist Reed O’Donnell returns home to hide. He’s pieced his life back together becoming a landlord and remodel construction specialist, but shies away from a social life.

  Ex-ballerina Quinn Petrov moved to Castle Ridge and invested her money to start a dance studio with plans to put down roots. She wants to get involved in the community to promote her business and make real friends, not the acquaintances she’d made in New York. When she meets her secretive and sexy landlord, she’s intrigued but he always seems to be hiding behind a mask.

  Reed can’t stop the attraction he feels toward his new tenant, but she’s beautiful and outgoing, while he is not. When his younger brother begs him to help impress Quinn, Reed can’t say no. Using the musical language of love, he woos Quinn for his brother, but when his own mask slips will he reveal his secrets?

  In this modern take of Cyrano de Bergerac meets Beauty and the Beast, Quinn and Reed dance their way into each other’s hearts.

  Excerpt:

  Quinn lay on her back and scooted farther under the sink. The warmth from her body slid along his skin, sending tingles of attraction to his loins. Her long leg lay next to his damaged one. Perfection next to destruction. Reed was a grotesque monster next to her doll-like body.

  “What do you need me to do?” The soft lilt at the end of her question sent a shiver up his spine.

  “Point the light at this joint.” He handed her the flashlight and the beam swung around. He’d have to show her the joint. Reluctantly, he took her hand and guided it into position. Locked together, her delicate hand hid the scars on his. He didn’t appear so hideous.

  “Is this good?” Again, the sexy lilt playing to his lust.

  “That’s what she said.” His brother Dax chimed in, and pounded on the top of the sink. “Ba-dum-bum.”

  Fever flushed through Reed at his brother’s lame joke. He hadn’t heard his brother come in. He dropped the wrench again.

  The tool fell and smacked Quinn on the forehead.

  “Ouch.” She held her other hand at the spot.

  “Oh, shit. I’m sorry. Are you okay?” He stroked her forehead where the angry bruise formed. “Dax! What’re you doing messing around? I wanted your help, not a comedian.”

  “I’m fine.” Lifting her arm, she rubbed her forehead. Her upper arm smashed against her breasts, making them jiggle and pushing them up higher in the low-cut camisole.

  His cock noticed, hardening into a bigger shaft. He tightened his muscles, trying to control the anger surging inside him. As well as other things. He didn’t want this attraction, and he certainly didn’t deserve a woman so beautiful. And he’d hurt her. “I’m sorry. My idiot brother surprised me.”

  “You asked me to come. What’s going on down there?” His brother peered under the sink. “Is this a new, kinky way to—”

  “Dax, dammit.” Reed shoved himself out from underneath the sink. Reaching back around, he held his hands out for Quinn. She placed her slim hands in his. Like a monster, his ugly, scarred hand swallowed her tiny one. The earlier image of her hand making his look better slipped away. He had too much ugliness to cover up.

  He helped Quinn out. “Thanks.”

  “You called me.” Dax took her elbows and helped her to her feet. A knight helping an injured princess being held captive by a monster. His sexy smirk enhanced his handsome face. “Who is this beautiful—” His gaze traveled the length of her body. “—and wet woman?”

  Reed stiffened and clenched his hands into fists. His little brother shouldn’t be ogling her. Not with her perky breasts sticking out of the soft silk material, not with the way the wet cloth clung to her slight curves and hugged her hips. He grabbed Quinn’s wet robe and held it in front, covering most of her. “Here.”

  Her relaxed, answering grin showed she wasn’t concerned with how much of her body was displayed. As a dancer, she was probably used to people staring at her. “I’m Quinn Petrov.”

  His brother’s charm was already working. Annoyance pulsed at Reed’s temples.

  Besides their green eyes, it was hard to tell Dax was his brother. Dax had longer, blond hair while Reed’s was dark and curly. Dax’s lanky and able body was the opposite of Reed’s thick trunk exterior and his limp. Dax’s fun attitude toward life contrasted with Reed’s darker views.

  “Bro, why didn’t you tell me about your new woman?” His brother gave an exaggerated wink, trying to embarrass Reed.

  If Dax stayed in town longer than his ski patrol shift, he’d know who Quinn was. “She’s not my woman.” He sounded grouchy and short, and he hated himself for it. This woman didn’t matter to him. Not what skimpy clothes she wore, or who she dated. “She’s my tenant.”

  “Interesting.” His brother’s eyebrows rose and lowered in a more-than-interested action.

  “I should get changed.” Quinn’s soft smile had his insides twisting. “Nice meeting you, Dax.”

  “I’ll be seeing you around.” The suggestiveness said more than his words.

  The twisting inside Reed’s gut pulled tighter, watching Quinn’s wet backside sway out of the bathroom. He couldn’t pull his gaze away from the mesmerizing move.

  “Getting out of bed was worth it for the view.” His brother’s face took on a wolfish expression. “I want to be a landlord, if I can have hot tenants like her.”

  “Stick to blowing avalanches up.” He wanted to blow up. At his brother, at Quinn, at the situation. He never should’ve called Dax. “Help me
finish fixing the leak.”

  Dax crouched down by the sink and picked up the flashlight. “So what’s going on between you two?”

  “Nothing.” Reed climbed back under the sink, with a caulk gun in hand.

  Why would his brother think he’d have anything going on with a woman as beautiful as Quinn? He hadn’t dated anyone since his fiancée. He only socialized with his family, rarely talked to anyone else except his construction clients.

  “It’s the middle of the night.” Using a suggestive tone, his brother pointed the light at the pipe connection. “You’re dressed in only shorts. She’s in a sexy nightie.”

  He strangled the caulk gun like he wanted to strangle his brother. “Shut up, Dax. Nothing is going on between Quinn and I.”

  Dax wiggled his eyebrows. “Then, you won’t mind if I ask her out.”

  Buy The Romance Dance

  Excerpt from

  The Christmas Match

  A Castle Ridge Small Town Romance

  Book 2

  by Allie Burton

  The season for second chances.

  After heartache at a young age, single mother Danielle Marstrand has finally found her place in her hometown. A good job, a good home, a great daughter—nothing can sway her from her course until Luke Logan returns to their small Colorado mountain ski town.

  Champion skier Luke Logan is ready to return home to Castle Ridge, even if he’s not quite sure the town’s ready to welcome him. Especially his high school sweetheart Danielle. Nursing an injury that nearly ended his career, Luke’s struggling to get back more than his range of motion…he’s hoping returning to where his career began might help reignite the passion he’s lost. But instead of discovering his passion for skiing he discovered the daughter he never knew he had.