Teach me to be sexy...
Phoebe Mars cant believe her chef boyfriend has unceremoniously dumped her. Shes beautiful, successful, one of the citys hottest pastry chefs...and determined to show her ex shes worth fighting for. Notorious player Heath Jensen is just the tall stud of sexy hotness to help her win back her man!
Of course, there are a few teeny complications. For one, hes Phoebes friend. For another, hes her exs business partner. And when Heath volunteers to help her discover her wild side, Phoebe knows she doesnt want her ex back. She falls for Heaths charms, but outside the bedroom, he seems happy to just stay friends. Can Phoebe go back...especially when her heart is on the line?
What do you see in the mirror, Phoebe?
Phoebe saw an incredibly hot man more than capable of giving her a sexual adventure.
Thats probably not what Heath means.
With their bodies so close, could he feel the quiver that went through her? She was turned on, and the longer they stood together, the more the ache of arousal intensified.
You have great hair and a great neck, too. Heath trailed his knuckles across the curve of her neck. Gives a man ideas. About doing this.
Transfixed, she watched him lower his dark head toward her, anticipation coiling tighter until his teeth grazed an excruciatingly sensitive spot behind her jaw. The woman in the mirror was flushed, her lips parted, her hardened nipples visible through the silk of the tank top.
Her total focus was on the dual sensations of his mouth hot on her skin and the rock-hard erection pressed against her.
Phoebe might not be an experienced seductress or the type of woman who had leather in her lingerie drawer, but shed sure as hell aroused Heath...
Dear Reader,
I live in the South, where the summers are incredibly steamy. Just when you think it cant get any hotter, the temperature rises a little more...which I used as my inspiration for the relationship between pastry chef Phoebe Mars and sexy restaurant owner Heath Jensen.
Recently jilted by a critically acclaimed chef, Phoebe dreads running into him at a party. When Heath Jensen kisses her to help make her ex jealous, shes stunnedespecially by how hot the kiss is. Knowing that shes playing with fire but unable to resist, she agrees with Heaths suggestion that they pretend to be dating. Not only will it help salvage her pride and show her ex what hes missing, shes learning a lot about the art of seduction from Heath.
But when the three of them end up in Miami to scout a new restaurant location, Phoebe and Heaths pretend affair becomes very real...and very hot.
Friends-to-lovers books are among my favorite to write (probably because I married my best friend!) and Id love to hear what you think of Phoebe and Heaths story. Drop me an email at booksbytanya@gmail.com or follow me on Twitter (@tanyamichaels) to chat about books, TV and my dogs ongoing plot to murder me by tripping me on the staircase.
Happy reading!
Tanya
Turning Up the Heat
Tanya Michaels
www.millsandboon.co.uk
TANYA MICHAELS, a New York Times bestselling author and five-time RITA® Award nominee, has been writing love stories since middle-school algebra class (which probably explains her math grades). Her books, praised for their poignancy and humor, have received awards from readers and reviewers alike. Tanya is an active member of Romance Writers of America and a frequent public speaker. She lives outside Atlanta with her very supportive husband, two highly imaginative kids and a bichon frise who thinks shes the center of the universe.
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Thank you to Trish Milburn, who has been there for me in countless waysincluding brainstorming naughty books over the phone at one in the morning.
Contents
Cover
Back Cover Text
Introduction
Dear Reader
Title Page
About the Author
Dedication
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
Extract
Copyright
1
I DONT KNOW which is the bigger betrayalthat you called my boss behind my back, or that you did it first thing in the morning. Phoebe Mars shoved her hair out of her face to make sure her roommate got the full effect of her glare.
Completely unapologetic, Gwen sat on the edge of the queen bed and handed her the cordless phone. Im allowed to call him. I knew him first, remember?
True. After Gwen had introduced her to James Falk last year, hed joked for months about stealing Phoebe away from her pastry-chef job to design signature desserts for All the Right Notes, a tapas bar that featured live music and wine tastings. Hed been stunned when shed actually taken him up on it three weeks agoalthough, not as stunned as shed been by what had happened after shed changed jobs.
She cleared her throat, trying to sound awake and articulate. Hello?
An exuberant person, James didnt waste time on small talk. Why didnt you tell me it was one of your closest friends birthdays? he demanded. I insist you take the night off and go to the party!
Gwendolyn Yeager, you are a dead woman. Gwen knew perfectly well why Phoebe didnt want to attend that party. But Saturday night is our busiest, she protested, and
Honey, I adore youalmost as much as the customers adore your dessertsbut we survived for months without you. Well survive this one night. After what youve been through, you deserve some fun.
He meant her broken heart. Perhaps Gwen had neglected to mention that Phoebes ex would also be at the party. Seeing him would be the opposite of fun. It had been ten days, but the breakup still felt more like a bad dream than reality.
She wasnt ready to face him. How about I come in for a couple of hours but dont work my full shift? The offer was only partially motivated by cowardice. James was a dream to work for and she didnt want to let him down.
Not a chance. Gwen requested prep time to help you get ready. You are going to walk into that party at your most fabulous and show that ex of yours what hes missing.
Ah. So James did know. They ambushed me.
Gotta run, James said, but Steve and I want to hear all the details tomorrow! The line went dead.
Dropping the phone on the pale blue comforter, Phoebe turned to her roommate. I hate you.
I can live with that.
And Im getting a dead bolt for my bedroom door, she proclaimed.
Well pick one up while were out. Now you go shower while I make coffee. We have a big day of shopping ahead of us.
Ugh. Phoebe flopped backward, pulling her pillow over her face. She loved shopping for recipe ingredients and kitchen supplies, but she doubted Gwen was taking her to look at infrared candy thermometers.
Gwen poked her in the shoulder. You remember how determined you were in high school that you were going to tutor me into passing the geometry final? Thats how determined I am now. As far as Im concerned, how a woman looks when she runs into her ex for the first time is tied in importance with how a bride looks on her wedding day.
Weddingsthe end result of getting engaged. Behind the pillow, Phoebes eyes watered. In hindsight, it was hilarious how wrong shed been about her last date with Cam.
Painfully, agonizingly hilarious.
In addition to being lovers for two years, she and Chef Cameron Pala had been colleagues, working together at Piri, the newest Atlanta hotspot. Last month, Cam had begun hinting that if they were ever going to move in together or get married, maybe it would be healthier for their relationship if they didnt also work together. So shed taken the job at All the Right Notes. After shed been there a few days, Cam had taken her for a walk in Piedmont Park, where theyd met. When hed reached for her hand, his expression unusually somber, shed actually believed...
Gwen lifted the corner of the pillow. In retrospect, it was insensitive of me to mention brides, but you dont really want to get married, Pheeb. Youre only twenty-five. Settle down in your thirties. Our twenties are the perfect time for wild, sexy adventures!
The corner of Phoebes mouth twitched. Gwen had held a similar philosophy during their teenage years. We have to live life to the fullest before we turn into boring adults, Pheeb, shed said. Her friend had been an audacious blonde bombshell since high school; shed also been a sanity-saving counterbalance to Phoebes bitter mother.
Grateful for years of Gwens friendship, Phoebe sat up, pledging her cooperation. All right. Make me fabulous. If anyone could, it was Gwen Yeager, professional makeup artist. She worked on a television show that was shot outside Atlanta and occasionally freelanced for movies that filmed in the area.
Yes! With a triumphant smile, Gwen scrambled off the bed. I cant wait to find you the perfect dress. As relieved as I was when you finally stopped wearing baggy cargo pants
They were considered fashionable when we were in high school.
you still hide your bod in those long-sleeved, double-breasted jackets.
All chefs wear them!
Not tonight. Gwens blue eyes lit with glee. Tonight, you are a Gwen Yeager creation. Cameron will fall to his knees and beg you to take him back.
You really think so? Traitorous hope warmed her heart.
Hes absolutely going to want you backif not today, then soon. Youre the best thing to ever happen to him. She frowned. The real question is, can you forgive him for hurting you like that?
I dont know. But Phoebe desperately wanted the chance to find out.
* * *
FINALLY, HEATH JENSEN ARRIVES! Now its a party. Bobbi Barrett, the guest of honor and Heaths favorite food blogger, greeted him with a wide grin and stretched up on tiptoe to kiss his cheek.
Happy birthday, beautiful. Heath scanned the room over her shoulder, impressed that Bobbi and her boyfriend had been able to cram so many people into their Buckhead condo. Guests filled the living room and kitchen and spilled out onto the balcony. A brunette he was pretty sure hed slept with waved at him from her perch on the arm of a low-backed sofa. Quite a crowd. Not worried the neighbors will complain?
Of course not. The neighbors were the first people we invited.
Smart. Where can I put this? He held up the small gold box containing her birthday present.
Ooh, Ill take that! She eyed the box speculatively, as if trying to guess its contents. But you know the only gift you had to get me was a reservation. Booking a table at Piri is next to impossible. You and Cam must be thrilled.
Heath had always believed the upscale Portuguese-fusion restaurant hed opened with Chef Cameron Pala would be successfulhe never would have invested such a significant chunk of money otherwisebut buzz had spread even faster than hed hoped. You dont need a reservation. Youre welcome anytime.
In that case, youre officially my favorite person. Just dont tell everyone else. She lowered her voice to a confidential whisper. Speaking of my other guests, I should warn you that the Kemp sisters have been doing shots. Brace yourselfthey have a bet going on which one of them youll take home tonight.
How high are the stakes? Id hate for anyone to lose on my account. Seems like the gentlemanly thing to do would be to invite them both back to my place.
Bobbi smacked his arm. You are terrible.
Maybe Im just misunderstood. He gazed into her eyes, making a halfhearted attempt to keep a straight face. How do you know my torrid love life isnt an attempt to comfort myself because Im secretly pining for you and cursing that Matt met you first?
Did I hear my name? Matt Grantham slid an arm around Bobbis waist and nuzzled her neck.
I was just telling Bobbi that youre the envy of all the single straight men in Atlanta, Heath said. Shes a hell of a woman.
Matt nodded. Gorgeous, smart, funny and dynamite in boof. He grunted when Bobbis elbow connected with his rib cage.
She shot him a stern look, but the twitch of her lips showed she was fighting a smile. Thats more than enough about me. Matt, why dont you get Heath a drink while I mingle?
Whats your poison? Matt asked, leading Heath to a bar in the corner of the living room.
Studying the selection of liquors, Heath chose a top-shelf bourbon. While Matt poured, they exchanged opinions on the baseball season. Heath was analyzing the Braves pitching when he caught a flash of familiar red-gold waves in his peripheral vision. Phoebe? Last time hed talked to her, shed said she had to work and wouldnt be here tonight. Nonetheless, he tried to get a better look at the woman as she stepped outside through the open balcony doors. Hed never seen Phoebe wear anything as short as that glittery navy dress, yet recognition sparked through him.