Embraced by Faulkner, Carolyn (books for 8th graders .TXT) 📕

“Neither was Katrina. I don’t want someone to cook fancy, inedible, miniscule meals that are all decoration and no meal. I need someone who can cook a decent breakfast and dinner for the

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BacksideOfLove.com

Carolyn Faulkner

three of us – and probably Hayden and David sometimes - and do all of the shopping, etc, that that entails.”

She met his eyes and murmured with just a touch of sarcasm, “Sounds like a fun vacation for me, chained to the stove.”

Barefoot and pregnant, the surprising thought came into his head. Naked and open. Wet and warm – he shifted uncomfortably in the chair. Disconcerted, he played his trump card, naming an astronomical sum of money, and watched her swallow hard in surprise. He’d done his homework well, thanks to some not-so above-board friends he still had from his stint in the military.

Barrett had to give her credit. She managed what little money she had well. He hadn’t realized how poorly teachers were paid until he looked at her credit report. The figure he quoted her would payoff her student loans and then some. It was just big enough to be almost impossible to turn down, but still be feasible for the job.

“I don’t know what to say.”

A sly grin spread across his face. “Say ‘yes, Barrett, I’d love to come to work for you.’” He supplied in a high-pitched, singsong voice.

“You just want to stave off starvation from having to eat your own food.”

Big, booted heels thunked loudly on the solid oak desk as he put his feet up and leaned back. “I don’t have time to cook, or eat out. I have a ranch and several other businesses to run. You know the family, what Mandy likes to eat – and the boys and I are far from fussy – and I already know you. No bothersome references and such.”

“Don’t you entertain occasionally?”

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Embraced

“Rarely. That’s what caterers are for.”

He could see that she was obviously tempted, and came around to her side of the desk, leaning his butt against the edge, bulging muscular arms folded across a bulging muscular chest. He hated to wait, hated the real possibility she might turn him down, wanting to just order her to accept his offer to sign on as cook. Or into his bed. Her choice, either way the end result would be the same. Instead, he kept his big mouth shut like a good boy, and reflexively reached for a cigar from the box on the desk, but half way to lighting it he looked at her and stopped himself. No way was he going to smoke in front of her with her lung problems.

Scratch that.

Meagan was overwhelmed. She had no idea what to say or do, and he was leaning there all masculine and sexy, all she really wanted to do was throw herself on him and kiss him until neither one of them could stand up straight. The episode in the kitchen kept replaying in her mind, and it was making her nipples go tight and tingly all over again . . . “Uh, when do you need my answer?”

“As soon as possible.” She was getting up, and he could read nothing but confusion in her expression. No help there.

“I’ll let you know.” Her gait was unsteady, as she was lost in thought on the way to the door.

“I’ll be here. Wasting away . . . Skin and bones . . .

Starving to death . . . “ he added small cough for emphasis.

“Not likely,” came the thoroughly unsympathetic response.

“Worse than that – if I eat my own cooking I’ll get ptomaine, e-coli, salmonella . . . “

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BacksideOfLove.com

Carolyn Faulkner

“And that’s just from breakfast.”

“Brat,” he was working hard at trying to seem pathetic.

Meg paused, sighing. “Regardless of what I decide, I’ll feed you while I’m here.”

“Well, then I’ll need to pack a lot in during the next two weeks, huh?”

“Yeah. I’ll need to adjust my recipe measurements up for you.”

She had disappeared into the hall as he murmured with a hooded glance, “I wasn’t necessarily talking about food.”

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Embraced

Chapter IV

he next few days were a balm to her ego.

Everything she cooked was oohed and ahhhed over Tas if it was being offered up by Vanna White on Wheel of Fortune. Barrett hadn’t lied when he speculated that Hayden and David might show up to sample her cuisine. The whole family ate dinner together that first night, and though she cooked enough chicken casserole, garlic mashed potatoes, and steamed green beans to feed an army, every scrap of it disappeared.

David, even had the nerve to offer up his practically licked-clean plate to Meg with a pathetic look and beseech, “More gruel?”

The whole table dissolved in laughter, and Meagan got up to collect plates, but Barrett’s hand on her arm stopped her. “No way. You sit. You cooked, Mandy cleans.”

Mandy grumbled, but complied, and Meg sank back down into her chair. Barrett hadn’t released his hold on her, but rather slid his hand down her arm to capture and interlock his fingers with hers.

Meg’s mind was on something else, or she’d have made more of a protest to that slick maneuver. “Mand – coffee’s ready, I can smell it. Dessert’s on the stove.”

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BacksideOfLove.com

Carolyn Faulkner

“DESSERT!!!” came a chorus of appreciative male voices.

David leaned across the table in a loud conspiratorial voice, and offered