Seducing the Secret Heiress

had been involved in the production of film franchises such as James Bond and Harry Potter. The cab pulled to a sudden halt. Charlie peered out the windscreen. Traffic jam.
    She sat forward in her seat. ‘Is there a different way?’
    â€˜Sorry, love. This is the short cut.’ He pointed down the road. ‘But I have to get to the next roundabout before we can cut through.’
    The next fifteen minutes seemed the longest of her life, but at last the taxi pulled up in front of the studio. She quickly paid the driver and rushed through the doors to the reception desk.
    â€˜Hi, I’m Charlie Brown for First-Class Chefs .’
    The receptionist seemed to take an age scanning her visitors list.
    â€˜Yes, here you are. Studio two,’ the receptionist said, providing her with a security tag and directions. She pointed to a clock on the wall. ‘You’d better run, you’re late.’
    Charlie raced through the maze of corridors and pulled open the heavy studio door. She gasped. A whole new world appeared before her. Lit by a battery of lights, the massive set featured a series of magnificent cooking stations. Everything looked shiny, fresh and new.
    A contestant was working at each station. The three judges she’d met the day before wandered around the set. The cameras captured all the action. And there, directing in the middle, stood Gabe. He sported a head mike and a clipboard and managed the sea of people with efficiency and authority.
    Her stomach lurched and she slumped against the wall. She was too late. She blinked hard as her eyes burned with tears of disappointment.
    The biggest opportunity of her life and she’d blown it.
    Gabe noticed her for the first time. She turned quickly away, unable to face him.
    What must he think of her? Not even able to arrive on time for something so important. He’d put his faith in her and she’d tossed it back in his face.
    He strode over. ‘Charlie.’
    She took a deep breath and nervously clutched her bag of food to her chest. ‘Gabe—’
    Before she could speak again, Gabe’s arm reached around her waist, drawing her towards the action. ‘Thank goodness you’re okay. I was worried.’
    â€˜I’m so sorry—’
    â€˜Look, there’s no time to talk. We’re already fifteen minutes in, do you think you can still make your dish in time?’
    â€˜Can I still compete?’
    â€˜You bet. Just get out there and work that pretty little arse off.’
    She’d never heard him speak like this. His words acted like a swig of relaxing tonic.
    â€˜Okay,’ she said, as she rushed to the only empty station. She pulled the fish, sauces and vegetables from the fridge, reworking the dish in her head. She could manage this but she had no margin for error.
    She didn’t know if it was the pressure of time or the fact that Gabe was watching her every move, but each cut, stir and blend was perfect.
    Just as she flipped the fish, Jasper arrived, followed by a cameraman.
    â€˜Morning, Charlie, and what are you cooking for us today?’ Jasper asked. The camera zoomed in close.
    Jasper nodded and looked impressed as Charlie described her recipe.
    â€˜Where on earth did you get a Bowen mango, in London, at this time of year?’
    â€˜It was tricky, Jasper, but you have to find the best ingredients to make this dish work properly.’
    Her hand trembled as Gabe sent her a sizzling smile. She mashed the macadamias and some pine nuts together with the mortar and pestle so no-one would notice the effect he had on her.
    â€˜Why aren’t you using a blender for that?’ Jasper asked.
    â€˜I want the sauce to have a crunch – it’s too uniform if you use a blender. And a variety in nut size makes the sauce more appealing visually. Creates more interest.’
    The camera moved in again for a close-up.
    Jasper continued with his questions and Charlie found