Soul Sweet (7 page)

“Absolutely.”

The photographer turned his attention from Cameron to Shannon.

“I’d love to.”

Gus smiled. “Perfect. I’ve been invited to an exclusive private party tonight. Biggest names in the biz. You should come with me, Shannon.”

Shannon glanced at Cameron as if she expected him to say something. “Well, I’m not sure I should leave this party just yet.”

“The producer of that new game show you mentioned being interested in will be there. Don’t go and it could be a missed opportunity.” The photographer let his voice trail off dramatically with the last word and Cameron held back a chuckle.

It was obvious the guy had the hots for the long-legged redhead.

Shannon shrugged. “All right. I’ll go.”

“I’ll meet you by the front door in, say, five minutes?”

“Fine,” Shannon said as Gus shook Cameron’s hand. She waited until he was out of earshot to speak. “He’s high energy, isn’t he?”

Cameron chuckled. “I hear those types take the best photos.”

“Oh, they’ll be amazing. I’ve worked with him before and he does incredible work.”

“I’ve seen some of his stuff.” Cameron couldn’t take his eyes off Misha still standing by the other
Celeb Chef
contenders while Shannon talked. He wanted to be by her side.

“Hey, where are you going?” Shannon touched his arm and Cameron realised he’d started to walk away without even thinking about it.

“Time to mingle. You should be going too. Gus is anxious to whisk you away to what could be a big step in your illustrious career.”

That made the British host giggle. “You are too cute for your own good, and Gus is right, we
do
look good together.”

Cameron grinned. “Have fun tonight, Shannon.” He started to turn from her, one objective on his mind.

“Chef Banner, wait.”

He pivoted to look at Shannon again.

“I’d like to get your opinion on a recipe of my own. What do you say about being my own personal judge for an evening this week?”

I’d say I’m not interested.

“Hmm… I’d say you’d have to give me more details on what was being served,” Cameron said, deciding his initial reaction was far too harsh to voice out loud.

Shannon smiled. “I’ll share more details tomorrow, if you’ll say yes.”

“I’m not saying no.”

Not yet.

“We’ll talk tomorrow then.”

Shannon give him a little wink then walked away and Cameron admired her graceful stride in her stilettos. She was a beautiful woman and any other time he would have been game.

But not now.

There was only one female he was interested in spending any extra time with. Pivoting, Cameron made his way over to where Misha stood alone fiddling with her cell. His gaze ran over her bare shoulders, dropped to the inviting curve of her full breasts in her perfectly tailored evening dress. As far as he was concerned, she was a tasty revelation for his senses. “Congratulations on making the cut, Misha.”

Brown eyes lifted to meet his. “Thank you, Chef Banner. I’m excited and honoured to be one of the final four.”

“You absolutely deserve to be in the final four.” Cameron shifted his gaze from Misha to the woman joining her at her side, noting the similar features. “You must be Serene.”

“I am.” Serene shook his hand and gave him a warm smile. “Nice to officially meet you.”

Cameron smiled back, drawing mental comparisons between the two gorgeous sisters. Serene was a little taller. The dusky rose dress she wore showed off her feminine, yet slender body. Her hair was ultra-short and curly. She had the same high cheekbones, full lips and beautiful smooth skin, maybe a shade darker than Misha’s.

“I heard you’re the reason Misha decided to compete in the show. She’s lucky to have her big sister looking out for her.”

“I am lucky.” Misha linked arms with Serene and Cameron could sense the depth of their sisterhood.

“How did you know I was older?” Serene asked. “Usually everyone assumes I’m the youngest when we’re together.”

“I can relate. That happens to me and my younger brother Oliver, too. Used to drive me nuts.” Cameron grinned as Serene and Misha chuckled. “Can I get you two ladies some champagne?”

“Yes.”

“No—” Misha said at the exact moment that her sister answered. She ignored Serene’s curious glance as Cameron chuckled.

“Are you sure, Misha?”

“On second thought, I’ll take a glass.”

“All right.” Cameron tilted his head at the sisters. “Two glasses of champagne coming up.”

Misha turned to her sister once he had walked away. “Why were you looking at me like that?”

“You, saying no to champagne?” Serene teased. “What universe am I in?”

Misha huffed. “What? I’m not thirsty.”

Serene gave her the squint eye. “Not thirsty for champagne maybe, but you
would
like a tall drink of water… Also known as Chef Sexy.”

Misha gasped. “Serene!” She looked around to make sure no one had overheard their conversation.

“That’s Cameron’s new name.” Serene let out a low whistle. “He looks great in his chef uniform, but in that
suit
? Good Lord, he looks good enough to eat.”

Misha and her sister both studied Cameron standing at the bar across the room. She’d already seen him dressed to the nines, but her pulse reacted as if she’d had no idea he could and
did
indeed look good enough to eat. Smelt like it too. She wanted to bury her nose inside his suit jacket and just take her time slowly inhaling what had to be the closest mankind had come to capturing sex in a bottle.

“Misha, you know I can always tell when you’re into a man. So, why can’t you just admit you’ve got the hots for him?”

“Because I don’t and if I did, I couldn’t. I’m sure fraternising with a
Celeb Chef
judge is against rules.”

Serene snorted. “Whatever. The competition will be over soon enough. I can’t believe he isn’t dating anyone.”

“How do you know that?”

“There was an article about his sporadic love life on this online entertainment magazine I was checking out earlier.”

“You really need to stop reading those ridiculous gossip sites.”

“You’re right.” Serene sighed. “I guess there’s no need to tell you about this other little interesting titbit I read about Chef Sexy.”

“Stop calling him that. What titbit?” Misha asked without missing a beat, and Serene grinned.

“Apparently, Chef Sexy likes to swim in the nude.”

“Seriously?”

“Yup. There’s a picture I’m sure you don’t want to see, hating gossip rags and all.” Serene laughed at Misha’s incredulous expression as she moved next to her, ready to take a look.

“What’s so funny, ladies?”

Misha cleared her throat as Serene quickly put her phone away. She took the glass of champagne Cameron offered and sipped it, leaving it up to Serene to come up with something witty to say while she tried not to imagine his naked body glistening wet.

“Oh, just an inside joke between sisters.” Serene raised her glass. “Let’s have a toast.”

“Let’s.” Cameron lifted his glass and looked at Misha. “To tasty revelations.”

Zings of awareness pulsed through Misha, warming her as she swallowed the bubbly liquid on her tongue. “I already took a drink.”

“You can still toast.” Serene clinked her glass against hers then Cameron’s.

The three took a mutual sip before Cameron pulled his phone from his suit jacket. “I’m sorry, ladies, but I need to return this call.”

“Speaking of which, I need to make a call of my own.” Serene touched Cameron’s arm. “Thanks for the lovely toast.”

“A pleasure I hope to enjoy again very soon.”

Her sister gave Cameron a warm smile then walked away with her cell already up to her ear.

“I guess we shared a drink together after all.” Misha drew in a deep breath when Cameron leaned in closer to her, his green eyes sparkling with amusement.

“You should know this doesn’t count. As delightful as your sister’s company is, we had a deal—one drink between you and me.”

“
That
was contingent upon the rules, Chef Se—Banner.”

More heat bloomed in Misha’s cheeks and she briefly averted her gaze from Cameron’s, mortified by what she’d almost said. She was going to kill her sister for putting that ridiculous nickname into her head.

But, it is…oh, so fitting.

The gossip article Serene had read had to be wrong. No way a man as sexy and talented as Cameron wasn’t dating.

“You can rest easy, Misha. There is no expressed rule about a
Celeb Chef
judge sharing a drink with a contestant.”

“Really?” Splinters of apprehension and excitement scattered throughout her bloodstream.

Splendid.

A part of her had hoped some obscure rule would keep her from having to test her theory that spending any more time alone with Cameron would cause her all sorts of trouble.

“Really.” Cameron silenced his chiming cellphone. “But I can tell you still aren’t crazy about the idea because of the show.”

“I just don’t think being seen having a drink with you would be good for either of us as long as we’re both on
Celeb Chef
.”

Cameron nodded. “Agreed. We’ll just have to wait until after the show is over to share a drink together. Does that work for you?”

Make up an excuse. Tell Chef Sexy no.

“Yes.”

The smile he gave her melted her bones, making it very difficult to stand up straight.

“Good.” Cameron frowned when his cell buzzed again. “I’m sorry. I’ve got to take this call.”

“Of course.” Misha watched him walk away, noticing how he drew oodles of attention from other females in the room. She brought her glass up to her lips, unnerved at how just being in Cameron’s presence rattled her cool.

She hadn’t got weak-kneed over a guy since high school.

He just makes you jittery because he’s a judge for the show.

It was true that he, along with the other three judges, literally held her burgeoning career in their hands, but that wasn’t the main reason her she couldn’t seem to find the right words to say when he was near her. No, it was the subtle, fleeting way he’d looked at her more than once…like he wanted to taste
her
. She was used to those kinds of look from men, but this was the first time experiencing it from a guy she was mutually attracted to.

“Damn it.” Misha fiddled with the bangles on her wrist.

Why couldn’t she have thought up some plausible excuse for Cameron?

Because there wasn’t one… Other than she was too chicken to admit that his interest made her skittish as hell.

Misha forced a smile as her sister approached then frowned when she saw her face. “What’s wrong?”

“Sylvia’s mom’s in the hospital and she wants to go be with her. As much as I’d like to stay here with you, I need to go back. She’s my best masseuse.”

“You should go back.” Misha squeezed her sister’s hand as Serene pouted.

“I wanted to stay until you won this thing. Because you
are
going to win.”

“Win or lose”—Misha hugged her sister—“I’ll be fine. You go home and take care of your business.”

Serene pulled away with a heavy sigh. “I’m going to go home, check on things and try to come back if I can.”

“Okay. Did you check flights to Chicago already?”

Serene nodded. “I booked one leaving in the morning, but I need time to pack. I’m sorry, Mish.”

“Don’t be. Like I said, I’ll be fine. Let’s eat and get out of here so we can go back to the hotel and you can get ready to leave.”

“Just promise me you’ll kick ass on the next challenge.”

“I promise.”

Serene smiled as they made their way to the banquet tables. “Good. You’ve gotta promise me something else too.”

“Uh-huh… What?”

“Promise me you won’t get too distracted by Chef Sexy.”

Misha pulled out her chair beside Vivian and sat down. “Not a chance.”

“Uh-huh, right. I don’t care what you say”—Serene took her seat and placed her napkin on her lap—“there’s something cooking between you two, something
spicy
.”

“Please.”

“Hey, I just call it like I see it.”

Misha parted her lips, ready to tell Serene she was wrong and that she didn’t intend on letting anything or anyone distract her when her gaze locked with Cameron’s across the table. She quickly reached for her own napkin, closed her mouth and smoothed the white cloth over her lap.

There was no way in hell she could make such a promise to Serene or to herself.

Chapter Five

“Where is that damn taxi?” Serene glanced at her watch for the fifth time.

“This
is
ridiculous. I’m going to call the cab company.” Misha reached into her purse for her cell when Serene grabbed hold of her arm. “What?” She looked up to see Serene directing her attention to the entrance of hotel. Misha turned her head and her heart twisted when she caught sight of Cameron jogging towards them. Even from a short distance, she could appreciate the way the damp, white, long-sleeved T-shirt he wore lovingly caressed his muscles. He came through the glass doors and stopped in front of them, deliciously sweaty and slightly out of breath.

“Good morning, ladies.” Cameron flashed a wide grin. “What’s all of this?” he gestured to Serene’s suitcase.

“A business emergency is forcing me to leave early.” Serene huffed. “Too bad my cab isn’t here to get me to the airport early as well.”

“I’m dialling the cab company now.” Misha tore her eyes off Cameron’s sexy unshaved jaw line and began punching numbers into her cell.

“Misha, wait.” Misha looked up from her phone to look at Cameron along with her sister. “Serene, I’m sorry to hear you have to leave. Let me alleviate some stress. Take my limo to the airport.”

Serene smiled. “Are you serious?”

“Absolutely. All the judges have a limo at their disposal during the length of the show. Just let me call my driver and you two can be on your way.”

“Okay, thank you. How much—”

“Serene, stop right there.” Cameron took his cell from the back pocket of his jogging pants. “Give me two minutes and you ladies will be on your way.”