Inferno Anthology (19 page)

Thankfully, the flight to New York was only half booked. Not only had it allowed her to get a seat at the last minute, but she also had the luxury of having an empty seat beside her. One less person to look quizzically at the scars she bore.

She leaned back against the headrest and looked outside. Why did it have to come to this? she wanted to say to Errol.
Why did you have to push me too far? Why did you leave me there alone to freak out in the dark? It was my first time in handcuffs… you must have known how insecure I already felt about that. Why does loving you have to be filled with so much pain?
Perhaps she should have stayed around and asked him that point blank. Either too cowardly or too shook up by the events of the night before, she’d chosen the easy way out, and had packed her bags and left in the dark of night.

Closing her eyes, she immediately saw his face and a pang of regret tugged at her heart. It was inconceivable. How could she have let herself fall in love with such a man? He was all passion, all consuming, so much more experienced in life and sex than her. He was the kind of man, any woman would lose their minds over. Being with him was like being in the middle of a tornado, safe but wildly dangerous at the same time. One move out of the center, could rip her to shreds.

In love? Could she truly be in love with him? He was a brute, an arrogant know-it-all and a jealous freak all rolled into one. What was there to love?

That boyish grin when they worked together. The joyous gleam in his eyes when he looked at her. The tender touch of his hands all over her body.

Is that enough?

Clearly not, she answered herself.

And your diploma?

“It can wait until later,” she muttered.

“Pardon?”

Taryn opened her eyes and looked at the flight attendant who was on his way back with his empty cart. “Sorry. Nothing.”

He grinned and continued on.

The flight seemed endless as Taryn tried to find ways to keep her mind occupied. Sleep was out of the question. The moment she closed her eyes, all she could see was Errol, and in the one brief dream she’d slipped into, he was naked and glorious as he reached out to pull her into his arms. She had slept with him almost every night since she had arrived in Paris…how could her body leave his warmth, his touch, the soft kisses, and the fiery passion?

She flipped through a few magazines, but nothing interested her. Even a popular cooking magazine with recipes that might have otherwise interested her could not hold her attention. She looked out the window… same clear blue sky, only the sun was in a different place.

A sigh escaped her as she tried to imagine the conversation she would have with her mother once she got home. Only an hour remained before the cityscape she knew so well came into view.

Her mother would be furious. And how could Taryn explain it? She had no idea.

The seatbelt light came on, and soon JFK came into view. Taryn took the soft and gentle landing as a good omen. She took her bag out of the overhead compartment and breathed a strangled sigh of relief as she left the plane.

She was on her home turf now… safe, secure… predictable.

Before she reached the end of the terminal, she turned her phone on to call her mother. Instead, her phone beeped out its signal of an oncoming text message.

Her hand shook. It had to be him, but did she want to know what he said? There was nothing he could say; nothing he could do. It was over.

She stopped walking and stood there while passengers filed left and right of her. A few grumbled and groaned, but only when a large New Yorker with an attitude demanded she move aside did she realize where she was. Muttering an apology, she walked out of the terminal and harbored in a quiet corner.

After a moment of hesitation, she checked her phone to see there were seven texts. She’d just barely boarded the plane when Errol had sent the first one.

Where are you?

It was so typical of him. She was distraught and confused and he was just angry to see she wasn’t there where she was supposed to be. Five minutes later, he sent the next text.

I see you’ve packed your things. Did you go off with that Henri kid? You know how I feel about that. Are you trying to run me off a cliff with jealousy?

“Way to go, Errol. Just keep digging yourself in deeper,” Taryn muttered. The next text was sent fifteen minutes later.

Just talked to Henri and he said he has no idea where you are. Where are you?

Two minutes.

I know last night was difficult for you. Believe me, I never intended to traumatize you. If you left because of that, you have to come back. Let me make it up to you. You know I’d never hurt you. Taryn, please.

Thirty seconds.

Answer me, Taryn!

Ten seconds.

Sorry, Taryn. I just can’t believe you’re gone. Are you heading back home? Go to New York? How could you do that? And leave everything behind? Me? Your diploma? What are you thinking, Taryn? Please, just let me know where you are. Let me know you’re okay. I never meant to hurt you. Please see me.

One minute.

Taryn, I know you aren’t answering my texts, but know this. The last couple of months with you have changed me, challenged me in many ways, taken me to places emotionally and physically that I never thought I could go. I never thought I could have such a strong instant connection to you, to anyone, but when I read your desire to attend The Institute, then saw your photo; it reached into me and pulled at me until I had to take a chance with you. I’m scared about us, just as you are. I don’t think I could ever feel this way about anyone…please, Taryn…come back to me.

“Over here, Miss Taryn Cummings.”

Caught in the busy come and go of JFK airport, Taryn turned to see her brother in the crowd, waving her over. He flashed her a mocking grin. Forcing a smile, she waved and maneuvered her way to him. “Bobby,” she said as she gave him a hug. “What are you doing here? Mom made you come out and get me, huh?”

He kissed her cheek and took her suitcase. “Hey, what an opinion you have of your little brother. I offered to come.”

“Yeah, I know how you love to drive through traffic, wrestle into a parking space and elbow your way through this crowd… all to come and help me lug my suitcase back out… How far are you parked?”

Chuckling, he put his arm around her shoulder and escorted her out. “It’s a beautiful day for a walk in the Big A. I’m sure after being cooped up in that plane for hours, a little fresh air will do you good.”

Shielding his eyes from the blinding sun, he stopped and looked out at the field of cars. “Now, if only I could remember where I left that big, black sucker.”

Taryn looked at him. “Mom let you take her Lexus?”

“Hey, I’m offended. You say that like I’m not trustworthy.” He continued to scan the parking lot.

“Seriously, Bobby. Where d’you park it?”

He nudged her playfully with his elbow and turned to the left. Sooner than he’d let on, they arrived at the large SUV. After tossing her suitcase into the back seat, they got in and drove off.

“So?”

“So?”

“How’s my driving?”

“Your driving? I just came home from months in France and you want me to comment on your driving?”

“Ever since you got in the car, you’ve been checking my blind spot, looking behind us, making sure I make a full stop. Relax,
ma grande soeur
, I know how to drive.”

“And you’ve been learning a bit of French, too?”

“Well, you’ve been there so long, I thought maybe you wouldn’t understand English anymore.” He laughed at himself.

“You’re such a silly goof.”

“Ha, that’s not what Kristy said last night.”

Taryn leaned her head back into the headrest. “Please, spare me the details of your torrid love life.”

“It’s not torrid. It’s just busy.”

She turned to look at him. “I must admit,
mon petit frere
, you do look good.” She reached out to finger a blond lock that lightly brushed against the nape of his neck. “You let your hair grow in a bit.”

“Yeah… the girls love it.”

Taryn laughed. “I imagine they would. So, besides staying busy with the ladies, what you been up to?”

“Still taking those cooking classes at college. You know, girls love that, too. Do you know how much girls are turned on by a guy who knows how to cook?”

“Yeah,” Taryn droned. “Tell me about it.”

“And at my age. I mean, girls don’t expect a good looking, eighteen year old guy to be so talented in the kitchen… you know what I mean?”

“You’re an eternal flirt, you know that?”

“Yep.”

“And so humble.”

“I do what I can. Besides, false humility never did anybody good.”

Taryn snorted. “What about the restaurant?”

“Busy. I’m there more than thirty hours a week now.”

“Thirty? And when do you go to college?”

“Pretty much the rest of the time. I have to admit, between running the kitchen and keeping my grades up, I don’t have much time to fool around.”

Taryn grinned and affectionately patted his hand. “I’m sure you manage to find time.”

Glancing at her, he flashed her his killer smile.

No wonder the girls all fall for him, she thought.
He is pretty darn cute.

“You know, now that you’ve dropped all this Paris business, why don’t you take a course with me at college.”

“I don’t think so. I’m going to concentrate on giving mom a hand at the restaurant. The hours I put in will give you a break.”

“Ah, come on. It’d be fun. I mean, I know it’s not a Parisian institute or nothing, but it’s a decent course. I’ve already learned a lot. And not just about cooking. I’m taking a restaurant management course now.”

“Thanks, Bobby, but I honestly can’t imagine working with you most of the day then going off to take the same classes as you. I think a sibling relationship can only take so much togetherness.”

Looking straight ahead, he snorted. “Yeah, I think you’re right.”

As they drove in front of La Benicoise, one of the restaurants Errol had opened in New York, Taryn’s heart skipped a beat. She’d managed to put him out of her mind the entire twenty minutes she’d spent catching up with Bobby, but now the thought of him struck her unexpectedly and knocked the air out of her.

Kailin Gow has been known in
The World Journal
, an international newspaper, to be a phenomenon. She was profiled on the homepage of Amazon.com as an Author Success Story who overcame personal obstacles to become a bestselling author, appeared as one of Amazon’s top authors for the Kindle Fire launch release, and is one of the earliest indie authors who have sold over a million books. She writes for Fast Company as a publishing expert, had appeared on a CBS TV News as a bestselling author who writes fiction and non-fiction with a social conscious, and has made speeches and appearances across the U.S. and on top 15 national radio regarding self-esteem and issues relating to women.

Kailin Gow uses her author platform to bring awareness to issues affecting young adult and women. She has appeared on national radio as a regular guest on topics such as body image, self-esteem, dating and sexual relationships, bullying, and more; often brought up in her fiction books for young adults and women.

She holds a Masters Degree in Communications Management from The University of Southern California, and degrees in Drama and Social Ecology.

An ALA YALSA Reader’s Choice Nominated Author for her YA series, the Bitter Frost Series, in 2011, she was also a speaker at BEA in 2014, and multi-author signing event organizer for the popular Rockin’ Events. Two of her book series is in development as a video games, including the Bitter Frost Series and PULSE Vampire Series.

Her true life experiences as a world traveler where she has traveled to over 25 countries, logging hundreds of thousands of miles, absorbing the cultures and collecting stories relating to places and the romance of the land, and incidents in her personal life, has inspired her to write and publish over 150 books with over 27 series in multiple genres.

From visiting Romania, she was asked to write stories about vampires; visiting the Black Forest in Germany and seeing the castles of Europe inspired her to write fantasy; visiting Asia’s mystical mountains inspired her to write action adventure and mythological dystopians. From her experience in college as a peer counselor and her volunteer work with women’s shelters, she was inspired to write contemporary romance with social issues for women, new adults, young adults, and teens. Having faced adversity, including battling stereotypes and bullying, Kailin Gow has become a well-known speaker and figure in media against bullying.

Kailin Gow is an active advocate against bullying in the workplace and in schools. She has written
The Shy Girls Social Club Handbook Against Bullying
which won the Indie Excellence Awards (NIEA) in 2014 for Young Adult Non-fiction.

She resides in the American West with her husband and daughter, but had lived for a decade in Texas, and briefly in England. Besides being a full-time author, she volunteers for many organizations. She spends way too much time on Facebook than she is supposed to at
www.facebook.com/kailingowbooks
and
www.facebook.com/OfficialKailinGow
, but loves meeting new people from all walks of life.

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Devour Me (Master Chefs Series #1)

Taryn Cummings could not believe she was accepted into the prestigious International Institute of Culinary Arts culinary institute she dreamed of studying at in beautiful Paris, France. It was a far cry from her unglamorous life back home in New York where she helped her mother run their small family-owned restaurant called Sam’s. The International Institute of Culinary Arts churned out the top chefs in the world, including the wildly sexy and eccentric Master Chef Errol King, whose celebrity personality was larger than life.