later…things he’d whispered to her in the dark, praising the smoothness of her skin, the way she tasted, the way it felt to be buried deep inside her. He’d had no trouble carrying the conversation then.
She’d shared the most sexually intense experience of her life with him. Could he really be so indifferent?
Before she could dwell too much on that, Gabe parked the car and they made their way to where the demo area was set up. While Reggie got wired for her microphone and checked that all the ingredients for the recipes were there, Gabe circled the seating area looking big, tough, and very out of place.
His military background was evident even in civilian clothing, in the way he held himself with an air of quiet authority, as though he’d be more at home in a green T-shirt and fatigues. Still, his powerful frame was perfectly offset by the tailored business clothes, even if he did look in danger of popping a seam if he flexed too hard.
Tyler showed up to make sure Reggie’s books were prominently displayed and ready to purchase before she started the demo. Natalie arrived shortly thereafter and insisted on adding another layer of blusher and gloss.
“It’s not like I’m on camera,” Reggie protested.
“You don’t want to look washed out, do you?” Natalie stood back to admire her handiwork. “Not bad. Good choice on the pants. They make you look thinner.”
Reggie had chosen her chocolate brown, boot-cut slacks primarily for comfort, but she took Natalie’s backhanded compliment in stride.
Tyler reappeared, apparently satisfied that no one would miss the opportunity to buy Reggie’s book. “Is Gabe here?” he asked, looking around.
Reggie fussed with her ingredients, arranging the bowls of precut vegetables and spices in order of use. “Mr. Personality? He’s over there.” Reggie pointed with her chin across the room where he stood, arms folded across his chest, legs slightly spread in a power stance. His eyes constantly tracked her and the people around her. Irritated as she was by her irrational ongoing attraction to him, she had to admit she got a nice feeling of security knowing that he’d never let her out of his sight.
She managed to ignore Gabe as she got into her groove. As she showed the crowd of nearly two hundred how to make chicken vegetable curry, Thai basil salad, and coconut sorbet sundaes, she couldn’t have been happier. This was what she loved, performing for a crowd, imparting her love of food to them, seeing them smile and hearing their sounds of pleasure as they sampled the food. The hour flew by as she told stories and answered questions from the audience.
She was struck, as she was so often these days, at how lucky she was to have found success doing something she truly loved.
She caught a glimpse of Gabe out of the corner of her eye. Now if only her personal life could be so fulfilling.
Gabe stood behind Reggie, not so close as to be intrusive, but close enough so he could get a good look at everyone who approached. So far he hadn’t seen anyone who would fit the profile of a stalker. However, he’d learned as a member of the U.S. Army’s elite Delta Force not to put too much stock in appearances. That innocent-looking granny walking through the marketplace could easily be concealing a bomb underneath her berka.
Nevertheless, the crowd here tonight was hardly a suspicious-looking group—about ninety percent women, ranging in age from early twenties to early seventies, and only a few men. But most of the men appeared to have been dragged along by their wives, and all of them were milling off to the side. Fortunately, the event organizers had been kind enough to provide complimentary wine and cheese so the guys had something to do.
Gabe relaxed by degrees as Reggie signed the last book. He tried not to stare at her, but failed miserably. He never should have taken this job. As soon as he’d recognized her sexy smile and big brown eyes, he should have
She’d shared the most sexually intense experience of her life with him. Could he really be so indifferent?
Before she could dwell too much on that, Gabe parked the car and they made their way to where the demo area was set up. While Reggie got wired for her microphone and checked that all the ingredients for the recipes were there, Gabe circled the seating area looking big, tough, and very out of place.
His military background was evident even in civilian clothing, in the way he held himself with an air of quiet authority, as though he’d be more at home in a green T-shirt and fatigues. Still, his powerful frame was perfectly offset by the tailored business clothes, even if he did look in danger of popping a seam if he flexed too hard.
Tyler showed up to make sure Reggie’s books were prominently displayed and ready to purchase before she started the demo. Natalie arrived shortly thereafter and insisted on adding another layer of blusher and gloss.
“It’s not like I’m on camera,” Reggie protested.
“You don’t want to look washed out, do you?” Natalie stood back to admire her handiwork. “Not bad. Good choice on the pants. They make you look thinner.”
Reggie had chosen her chocolate brown, boot-cut slacks primarily for comfort, but she took Natalie’s backhanded compliment in stride.
Tyler reappeared, apparently satisfied that no one would miss the opportunity to buy Reggie’s book. “Is Gabe here?” he asked, looking around.
Reggie fussed with her ingredients, arranging the bowls of precut vegetables and spices in order of use. “Mr. Personality? He’s over there.” Reggie pointed with her chin across the room where he stood, arms folded across his chest, legs slightly spread in a power stance. His eyes constantly tracked her and the people around her. Irritated as she was by her irrational ongoing attraction to him, she had to admit she got a nice feeling of security knowing that he’d never let her out of his sight.
She managed to ignore Gabe as she got into her groove. As she showed the crowd of nearly two hundred how to make chicken vegetable curry, Thai basil salad, and coconut sorbet sundaes, she couldn’t have been happier. This was what she loved, performing for a crowd, imparting her love of food to them, seeing them smile and hearing their sounds of pleasure as they sampled the food. The hour flew by as she told stories and answered questions from the audience.
She was struck, as she was so often these days, at how lucky she was to have found success doing something she truly loved.
She caught a glimpse of Gabe out of the corner of her eye. Now if only her personal life could be so fulfilling.
Gabe stood behind Reggie, not so close as to be intrusive, but close enough so he could get a good look at everyone who approached. So far he hadn’t seen anyone who would fit the profile of a stalker. However, he’d learned as a member of the U.S. Army’s elite Delta Force not to put too much stock in appearances. That innocent-looking granny walking through the marketplace could easily be concealing a bomb underneath her berka.
Nevertheless, the crowd here tonight was hardly a suspicious-looking group—about ninety percent women, ranging in age from early twenties to early seventies, and only a few men. But most of the men appeared to have been dragged along by their wives, and all of them were milling off to the side. Fortunately, the event organizers had been kind enough to provide complimentary wine and cheese so the guys had something to do.
Gabe relaxed by degrees as Reggie signed the last book. He tried not to stare at her, but failed miserably. He never should have taken this job. As soon as he’d recognized her sexy smile and big brown eyes, he should have
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