Devour Me (Master Chefs Series #1) by Kailin Gow Read Free Book Online Page A

pretentious, I
have to admit I impress myself.”
    “And
with good reason.  It was a bold move, but the contradiction of flavors was
perfectly balanced.” He reached out to take her hand. “Looks like I made the
right choice it taking you on to test my recipes. You won’t have any trouble
finding flaws or miscalculations. You’ll probably even improve many of them.”
    She
cocked a brow.  “Will I get credit?”
    “Sure,
why not?”
    “Really? 
I was being facetious.”
    “I
might be a pretentious and arrogant bastard when I need to be, but I know how
to give credit where credit is due.  I might even include this very meal in my
book… if that’s okay with you.”
    “Okay? 
It’s more than okay.  It’s fabulous.  Wait until I tell my mother.  My own
recipe, my own creation in a book as prestigious as yours.”
    His
hand remained over hers and he was dismayed by the lack of physical reaction
from her.  She didn’t grip his fingers or show any sign of welcoming more of his
touch.  Cool and aloof, she pulled away, stood and cleared the dishes. Did she
not have any desire for him?
    “Wait
until you see what I concocted for dessert.”
    She
returned a minute later. “These are caramelized tangerine slices on a bed of a
secret crunchy cereal mix, drizzled with a buttery citrus coulis .”
    “Humm,”
he mumbled as he chewed on his first bite. “An interesting touch of saltiness
that embraces that tartness of the tangerine.  Excellent.”
    Errol
was genuinely impressed by the creative boldness of the young woman in front of
him so much so that he finished off the evening sitting back and enjoying
Taryn’s culinary creations, relegating his sexual urges to another day.
    Taryn’s
lack of response tonight puzzled him, yet frustrated him. He was ready to show
this innocent beauty all the pleasures her body could take, but instead, her
passion was for the culinary dishes she created tonight. He was proud of her
bold choices, but frustrated. He didn’t want a woman in his bed, who did not
want to be there. Yet, he was so certain, she wanted him as badly as he wanted
her.
     
    *****
     
    The
weeks’ classes were a blur of knife skills, storing methods and the preparation
of dough and sauces. Every day, Errol was surprised and impressed by Taryn’s
keen palate and her ability to see what few students saw. She was focused on
her studies, and as serious as the most promising students already working
professionally at prestigious restaurants were.
    Her
questions were always straight to the point and her answers articulate.
    But
what caught his attention was the simple beauty she brought to his class every
day. He couldn’t take his eyes off of her, nor could he help wanting to get
close to her and touch her when he could. While many of the other young female
students, and even a few males, tried desperately to gain his attention, his
eyes constantly returned to Taryn who continued living under his roof, so close
yet so far away. Her sudden indifference to him frustrated him, yet he bid his
time. He savored the challenge she posed, knowing when the time came for him to
make her his, it would be worth it.
    More
often than not, her eyes were on Henri, smiling, affectionate and kind. She
often helped him where he fumbled, but Errol had to admit, the young man from
the countryside had talent, if not a certain boyish charm.
    The
two together were a powerful force; something that had not gone unnoticed by
the rest of the class. It was also clear to any man, the boy was besotted with
Taryn, sneaking glances are her when she wasn’t looking, finding any excuse to
touch her hand or shoulders. Had not Taryn responded so strongly to him that
first day they met, Errol would have been concerned about the innocent
flirtations Henri shared with Taryn. But Errol, nevertheless, kept his eye on
him. And Taryn. Always on Taryn.
     

 
    Chapter 5
     
     
    “ I loved your class today,” Taryn said as she
leaned into the