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“The more you insult him during the video, the more popular it will become. The fans have been begging in the comments foryearsto see you two trade barbs on camera. I’m telling you, this is a huge opportunity.”

I frowned but said nothing as I continued drinking my coffee. The executive producer in me knew she was right, but the thought of submitting to Adler fucking Sutton on camera was more than my pride could take.

“Come on, imagine how incredible it’ll feel to say to his beautiful face, ‘It’s astounding you have the audacity to post captions likeNot your grandmother’s apple pieon your photos. Yeah, no shit it’s not my grandmother’s apple pie—she wasn’t trying to commit first-degree murder through baked goods.’”

Her imitation of me drew a chuckle out of me against my will. “Admittedly, that would feel amazing.”

“I know you have an entire arsenal of insults locked and loaded for him.” She grinned at my defeated sigh. “Just think of the possibilities. He’s already been such a good sport about it, so why not fan the flames a little for your fans?”

As much as I didn’t want to agree, I also knew Zazie had always made the best calls to grow my career. I wouldn’t have half the fame I did without her wise guidance. My shoulders slumped in defeat. “Fine.”

She squealed with giddy glee. “Oh, this is going to besomuch fun! I’ll get it set up right away. I promise you won’t regret this.”

“Too late. I’m already regretting this.”

ChapterTwo

Adler

It was probably weird that my ultimate fantasy was to have Niccolò de Rosa berate the shit out of me until I came, but when had that ever stopped a kink from being appealing? Part of my sexual awakening had been watching him insult chefs on TV, so it was hardly surprising when you thought about it.

That’s why growingSweet Heatto where Niccolò insulted my show on the internet was one of the best days of my life. Getting the older chef to appear on it was always a pipe dream. But somehow, he was now standing in front of me, wearing tight jeans and a tighter black T-shirt that showed off his impressive biceps and incredible forearms. What a pleasant way to discover he was even more fuckable in person than on TV.Delicious. And my god, did he smell good.

I did my best to stay professional despite my inner fanboy squealing like a delighted little pig as I shook his hand. “Thanks for agreeing to be on my show.”

His larger hand holding mine filled me with inappropriate thoughts about the other parts of me I wanted him to touch, but I tried to distract myself. I’d never make it through filming without coming in my pants if I didn’t check myself.

It was easier said than done when his baritone Italian accent turned me into a puddle. “I’m amazed you want me here at all, considering the things I’ve said about you online.”

“Oh, please. Who wouldn’t want to be called a culinary criminal by their idol?” I asked with a laugh. “Feel free to spend the entire time insulting me. I live for that shit. In fact, I insist on it.”

One of his delicate eyebrows arched in surprise, and goddamn, was that even sexier in person. It was a panties-go-poofmoment if I had ever seen one. Except it was more boxers-go-boomin my case. “I’m surprised a sadist like you has such a masochistic tendency.”

“Only with you.” I gave him a winsome smile. “As long as you can take the heat of what I throw back at you, come at me as hard as you want.”

“I can handle the heat just fine,” he rumbled, andohhhh, the things it did to me. It was like he lit the fuse on the firecracker in my pants that was already waiting to explode. I’d have to pace myself if I wanted to survive the experience without embarrassing myself.

I flashed a cocky grin. “Good, because I’m looking forward to making you sweat and beg for mercy.”

His deep chuckle sent a shiver through me. It almost distracted me from imagining him working up a sweat while fucking me hard.Almost.

Shit, was there something in his woodsy cologne that was making me hornier than a submarine full of sailors on day eighty-nine at sea?

Or maybe it was his chiseled cheekbones and dark hair that fell in front of his mischievous golden eyes?

It probably had more to do with the fact I’d been dreaming about him fucking me, even when it would have been illegal because I was a teenager with a celebrity crush on him.

Yeah, definitely that.Fuck.

I cleared my throat, doing my best to push aside the inappropriately sexy thoughts he stirred up within me. “If you could take a seat, we can get started. I’m assuming Zazie caught you up to speed on what we do here.”

“She did. But I’ve also watched the show before.”

Well, damned if that tidbit of knowledge didn’t stroke my ego right to the edge of completion.

When we were both seated, I nodded to Roland to record. I didn’t want to miss a single second of the experience for my private archives. “Thank you for joining me on today’s very special episode ofSweet Heat,” I addressed the camera in my professional tone, slipping into the familiar persona I had crafted over the past four years of doing the show. “For once, I won’t be the only one bringing the heat. Chef Niccolò de Rosa is answering all our prayers and making our dreams come true by being here today. Thanks for coming, Chef. It’s a genuine pleasure.”

He tilted his head in acknowledgment. “I’d say the same if you weren’t about to murder my taste buds in payback for all the shit I’ve said about you online.”

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