Seducing the Secret Heiress Page A

discussing food came as naturally as breathing. She actually tingled with pleasure. Gabe’s nods and smiles didn’t hurt either.
    â€˜That’s great, Charlie, I’ll be back to taste it when time’s up,’ Jasper concluded before walking to the next station.
    Gabe leaned over the bench as if to smell the sauce. Instead he looked up, gave her a wink and left without a word. She couldn’t keep the smile from her face after that.
    â€˜Come on, everyone, five minutes to go,’ Jasper announced. ‘A place in the finals hangs in the balance.’
    Someone dropped a pan and cursed. The man next to Charlie cried out and held his fingers. An assistant rushed over with a first aid kit.
    Charlie slid the fish from the grill pan and topped it carefully with the creamy macadamia sauce. She spent the remaining few minutes heaping the salad onto the plate, the placement of each item carefully considered.
    She stood back to survey her handiwork. Not bad.
    â€˜Time,’ Gabe called across the room.
    An older man at the front of the set threw down a pot and stormed from the studio.
    â€˜Well, everyone’s chances have just improved by a few percent,’ Gabe said.
    Nervous laughter rippled across the room, but the tension hung heavily around the room.
    Jasper forked some of Charlie’s fish into his mouth. With his low murmur of pleasure, Charlie knew she had a potential winner. But was it good enough?
    For the next few minutes, the judges and production staff milled among the contestants, tasting dishes, asking questions, filming segments.
    Gabe headed her way.
    â€˜Nice work, First-Class Chef,’ he said, patting her on the shoulder.
    Her skin quivered under his touch. ‘Thanks.’
    He popped a slice of fish into his mouth.
    â€˜Good,’ he said simply and moved on.
    After the judges had tasted each dish, they disappeared and Gabe took up his position at the front of the set.
    â€˜Fantastic job everyone. All of you clearly possess incredible talent. But of course only two people from this region can move up to the next level.’
    The room stayed silent and still. Gabe paced between the workstations.
    â€˜The judges will make their decision later today. We’ll be releasing a ten-minute promotional clip later this afternoon and the winners will be announced live on our YouTube channel at eight tonight. Tune in then.’
    He walked back to the front of the set. ‘Thanks again, everyone, and good luck.’
    â€˜This way, everyone.’ Abigail escorted the contestants back to reception. Charlie felt a little faint. Other contestants chatted excitedly, swapping experiences and anecdotes.
    One contestant with bright braces and a round, friendly face approached her.
    â€˜You’re from Australia?’ he asked.
    â€˜Yup,’ she said, smiling.
    â€˜Nice work with that barramundi.’
    â€˜Thanks. What did you do?’
    â€˜Ocean trout with zucchini flower and parsley sauce.’
    Charlie nodded. ‘Sounds amazing.’
    â€˜It is.’ He turned to leave. ‘See you in the finals.’
    Charlie frowned. ‘You know something I don’t?’
    The man threw his opinion over his shoulder. ‘No. I just know good cooking. Bye.’
    Charlie could have floated back to the tube station – no taxi required.
    â€˜Sorry,’ Gabe said, looking up, ‘what was that?’
    He’d lost his train of thought as Charlie’s interview played on the monitor. The camera loved her. It was as though she’d been presenting on television all her life. Fortunately the lights in the meeting room were dimmed or everyone in the room would have witnessed the desire illuminating his face.
    â€˜She’s magic,’ Abigail repeated.
    Gabe nodded and returned to the monitor. He had a star on his hands, but would the judges think so?
    â€˜The male audience is going to love her,’ Jasper added.
    Gabe tore his eyes