Read Online Some Like It Spicy by Robbie Terman - Free Book Online Page A

go as gooey as Chloe’s molten-lava cake—which was so wrong! Why did the most fascinating, sexy man she’d met in…well, forever…have to be someone she couldn’t have? The fact that the show only lasted eight weeks didn’t matter. If—when—she won, she didn’t want anyone claiming she’d used anything but her cooking skills to get there. Her reputation was too important to risk for a few hot nights in bed. She pulled her hand away from his.
    A moment of uncomfortable silence passed between them before Ty said, “Do you understand what will happen if you win?”
    “Fortune and fame?” she joked lightly. She didn’t want to spread around how much difficulty her restaurant was in and that winning the contest was virtually the only thing that would keep her in business.
    “Fortune, fame, and a schedule that barely allows time to sleep. I’m not away from my restaurant by choice, Ashton.”
    “That won’t happen to me.”
    “Listen—”
    Ashton pushed back her chair and stood so fast it tipped over. She bent to pick it up. “I should get back to the house. Everyone is probably wondering what happened to me.”
    “Ashton.”
    “You shouldn’t walk back with me. We don’t want anyone to get the wrong idea. Thanks for the capers, Chef Cates. See you at the next challenge.”
    …
    “Where have you been?”
    Morgan stood in the doorway, hands on hips, as Ashton walked through the front door of the brownstone. The question was perfectly legitimate, but with the scowl on Morgan’s face and the accusatory tone in her voice, Ashton had no desire to be friendly. “Remind me where in my contract it says I have to report my whereabouts to you.”
    “Fine.” Morgan crossed her arms over her chest. “I guess you have something to hide.”
    Ashton was saved from continuing the conversation when Jolene walked into the living room, holding a bottle of wine. “Good! You’re back. We wanted to toast your victory, but we lost you somewhere between the studio and here.”
    “Sorry,” Ashton said, grabbing a glass from the sideboard. “I needed some time to clear my head, so I went for a walk.”
    “You’re here now. Come with me.”
    Ashton followed Jolene, and as they stepped into the kitchen, the rest of the chefs applauded.
    Her cheeks flamed as she accepted their praise. Usually, she basked in that sort of attention, but this was different. In order for her to win, other people had to lose. They were all talented chefs, and she dreaded the moment she was on their side of the table.
    “Thanks, guys,” she said as the holler died down. She pulled out a chair and sat.
    “You the man,” Duffy said, throwing her a high five.
    “How does it feel to be the first winner?” Elena asked.
    “In a challenge that doesn’t count,” Ashton reminded everyone.
    “Still,” Lance said, “now we know who to gun for.” His tone was joking but seriousness lurked in his eyes.
    Great, the competition hadn’t really started yet, and still lines were being drawn. She’d been feeling a high from her win, but now tension crept into her shoulders.
    “Hey.” Jolene glanced around. “Where did Morgan go?”
    “Who cares?” Lance said. “That girl hasn’t cracked a smile since she got here. I’m about ready to throw her in the oven.”
    “Naw,” Duffy said. “She’d be one tough piece of meat.”
    Their laughter bounced off the walls.
    The party broke up around midnight, and Ashton was ready for bed within minutes. Jolene hadn’t made an appearance yet and wouldn’t for a while—last night, she’d spent at least twenty minutes in the bathroom putting on some kind of face mask.
    Deciding not to wait for her roommate, she flipped off the lights, closed the door, and sank between the sheets with an exhausted moan.
    Just as she was drifting off, she heard the creak of the door. Assuming it was Jolene, she ignored it, until she heard her name being whispered.
    She opened her eyes, squinting at the lights from