Recipe for Temptation - Gina Gordon Page 0,3

the Madewood boys’ socks off and lobbying for it once the club was up and running.

Cole looked down at Sara with a warm smile. Penn’s heart clenched in happiness at the soft expression. “I came to help your Aunt Pennie win the cup.”

She sneered at the use of her nickname. She wished he’d never heard it.

“Oh no you don’t, mister. You can’t play,” Cathy scolded with a wag of her finger.

“Hell, no.” Beth was a little more adamant, but they were both right. “Only significant others.” Beth pursed her lips in an I-told-you-so gesture.

Her sisters-in-law were right. But maybe she could get her father to change the rules. For once, give her a chance to win.

“Are you significant others?” Christine grinned from the sidelines, her pregnant belly just becoming noticeable under her clothing.

Hey, ground. This would be the perfect time for you to open up and swallow me whole.

Before she had time to look over at Cole and gauge his reaction to that question, Ian changed the subject.

“We’re due to meet our parents on the beach.” He pushed forward. “You know the Sergeant will want to weigh in on your…” He raised an eyebrow. “Friend.”

The Sergeant was the nickname her brothers had given their father when they were kids. He knew nothing about it, of course.

Ian herded the family away, and they followed behind, a twinge of revenge settling in Penn’s stomach. Oh, yeah. She’d seen Cole in action many times: hockey, baseball, his smoking body on a treadmill. She knew he’d wipe them all off the map. And since he was already here and willing, she had to do whatever it took to get him on her team.

“Are you sure about this?” She looked up, biting her bottom lip. “What about the club?”

He shrugged. “It won’t fall apart in a week.”

Her heart leaped. If there was one thing Cole Murphy was not, it was blasé. But this man walking beside her had somehow shown up when she’d least expected it, but needed him the most.

She pulled him to a stop and hugged him. He was stiff at first, and she should have known better than to show any sign of affection, but she just couldn’t help herself. He might have just sealed the deal for her to win her first Foster Cup.

The longer she held him tight, the more relaxed his body became. He even swept his arms up and wrapped them around her before settling at her lower back.

Without releasing her grip, she tipped her head back and looked up at him.

He gazed down at her with a serious expression and said, “Pennie? Really?”

She released him and smacked her hand against his stomach. “Shut up, Murphy.”

He laughed, and in an unusual show of affection, rested his arm over her shoulders, then pulled her into his body. With a laugh, he said, “Watching you squirm for an entire week is going to be entertaining.”

They walked through the pool area, then across the patio to the beach where her parents and family were waiting. Penn relished the feel of his warm, hard body pressed against hers.

She’d wanted this man for three years. Even though she knew better, even though wanting him was the best way to erase every inch of professional success she’d gained for herself along the way.

Shameless flirting had always been her saving grace because she knew deep down he’d never flirt back. But now he was here, and that had to mean something.

She’d come to this island for some perspective. She had a cup to win and a promotion to clinch. Nothing was going to stand in her way. But then Cole lowered his arm and tightened his grip on her body, his fingers massaging her hip.

She stifled a whimper.

Turns out even her best laid plans were no match for Cole Murphy.

Chapter Two

How did he get himself into this mess?

Yesterday, Cole had been in his kitchen at Bistro, doing his executive chef thing, and today he was on a beach in Hawaii, meeting Penn’s entire family. And competing in some bizarre family sporting ritual.

Thanks to his brothers’ coaxing—more like threats—he was also on vacation. Jack Vaughn, Neil Harrison, and Finn O’Reilly had cornered him in the stock room. They were afraid he was going to snap before the launch of his new project—the Madewood Boys and Girls Club.

But he had to admit, the moment that little girl had tugged on his arm, he’d been mesmerized. By this totally normal, everyday family.

Until he was taken in by Vivian,