Famously Engaged

by Robyn Thomas

Overview

Famously Engaged by Robyn Thomas
A chef and a rock star. They couldn't be from more different worlds…
Rock star royalty's favorite son, Jake Olsen, couldn't help but interfere after listening to his future brother-in-law talk non-stop about his ex-wife, Beth Carlisle. Jake decides that the only way to get the groom's mind off his ex-wife is to give her a fake fiancé.
Before Jake can convince Beth of his plan, he's forced to move in with her to avoid the paparazzi. Their instant attraction makes for a sizzling "first date", but soon Jake's fame gets in the way and Beth wants out. Too bad Jake's figured out just why her ex is so obsessed with her, and he's afraid he's not going to be able to give her up either.
Now it's up to Jake to convince this chef together they make the perfect recipe.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781622660681
Publisher:	Entangled Publishing, LLC
Publication date:	07/08/2013
Series:	Entangled Indulgence
Sold by:	Macmillan
Format:	eBook
Pages:	162
Sales rank:	396,377
File size:	2 MB

About the Author

Romance and fairy tales are the best ingredients to work with because they go with absolutely everything. Inspiration for new recipes is everywhere I look, and who wouldn't want to pursue a career where the only limit is your imagination? I remember making the decision to write my first book, but since then writing has become more of a compulsion than a choice. It's less about having complete silence, a gorgeous work space, a free hour or two, and a steaming coffee, and more about getting my fingers to the keyboard every chance I get. The coffee does help, though. I reside just outside of Melbourne, one of the most livable cities in the world, with my wonderful husband and two sons. Writing romance—and talking about it via e-mail and Skype—helps to balance the effects of living in an all-male household. I love to cook, hate to clean up, and keep very odd hours. My writing days used to be solitary, but they're not anymore. Now I have Seven Sassy Sisters online, and their friendship and support is invaluable.

Read an Excerpt

Famously Engaged

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By Robyn Thomas, Liz Pelletier, Ann Kopchik, Erin Molta

Entangled Publishing, LLC

Copyright © 2013 Robyn Thomas
All rights reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-62266-068-1

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CHAPTER 1

Pungent smoke billowed through the kitchen, and tears of frustration stung Beth's eyes. What a day: a funeral, cremated steak for dinner, and now the smoke alarm was blaring.

Flinging the windows open, she shuddered as a blast of icy air rushed in. Ugh, winter was early in Melbourne this year. She kicked off her slippers and dragged a ladder into position under the smoke alarm.

The alarm shut off, but her phone and doorbell were both still ringing. Perched barefoot atop the ladder she gritted her teeth. "Another perfect hat trick. I'm burning the house down, my ex-husband is making his twelfth call of the day, and some moron is at the door."

She swiped her cordless phone off the bench and answered it as she hurried down the hall that divided her house into two mirror-image halves.

"You're not moving in," she told the caller. "And you can't come over for dinner either, because I've just set it alight. If you want to read me the riot act about nutrition and balance, then you'd better make it snappy. Someone's at the door and my kitchen smells like molten saucepan and burned butter."

Silence greeted her confession and she paused with her hand on the doorknob. "It's you, isn't it? You're at my front door and I've just told you all that for nothing."

Without waiting for a response, she swung open the heavy oak door and gaped at a handsome stranger with a mobile phone pressed to his ear. Six feet of gorgeous masculinity graced her doorstep, broad shoulders filling out an overcoat that looked tailor-made. Any woman would be proud to have chestnut hair as lustrous and artfully styled as his, but the hard lines of his face and the intensity in his hazel eyes were 100 percent male. She'd never met anyone so arresting, and speech eluded her. He raised his chin, the smooth motion shifting the heavy fall of hair across his forehead to settle just clear of his eyes.

She didn't want to be impressed. She was.

A smile softened his chiseled features as he tucked his phone into the inside pocket of his overcoat. "Ah, the face of indecision. Which part are you reconsidering? Dinner? Or moving in?"

She blinked in surprise at his fancy English accent, then laughed when she saw the suitcases near his feet. "It looks as if you're serious about moving in, but you'll have to take a number."

His lips twitched, and he offered her his hand. "Go ahead and stare," he said when she failed to take it. "Get it out of your system."

Dragging her attention away from the sensual curve of his mouth, she grabbed his hand and pumped it. "I was looking at your hair. It's a dozen different shades of brown and probably takes an hour to style each morning but needs trimming."

Disbelief flashed across his features and he made a choking sound that might've been a laugh. "Millions would disagree."

"Millions, huh? That's impressive. Look, I appreciate you — and your hair — stopping by, but I've got plans for an early night and I'm afraid they don't include you."

He opened his mouth to speak, but she didn't give him a chance. "I know my friends are persuasive and they're convinced I shouldn't be alone tonight, but a stranger on my doorstep with suitcases is the last thing I need. I'm sorry they've wasted your time." She shrugged. "Despite what they might've told you, you're not welcome here. I don't want company."

He flashed even white teeth at her as he chuckled and leaned closer. "I'm not welcome? Do you know who I am, Bethany Louise Carlisle?"

She tugged on her hand, but he refused to give it up, his fingertips tracing slowly over her knuckles as if he found each and every one of them fascinating. Tucking her phone between her head and shoulder, she stepped forward and pulled the door shut behind her. "We haven't been introduced, but an open door is an invitation to enter. That's universal, right? Unfortunately this one is closed."

He glanced over his shoulder, and her heart skipped when his free hand covered hers.

"We're wasting time, Bethany. I need to get inside before I'm spotted." He sent her a measured look. "All you need to do is show me to the guest room and put some clothes on."

She risked a downward glance and groaned. Before attempting dinner, she'd cleared out one of her mum's wardrobes and tried on this gauzy, hot- pink robe edged with feathers. Raising one eyebrow, she gestured at it. "Look, uh, whatever your name is, you're not staying, and I'm dressed just fine for a night at home alone."

"I've flown in from London to ensure you're not alone." His smile was a killer. "I'm Jake Olsen."

He said his name as if it should mean something, but it didn't. "If we've met before, then I'm afraid I don't remember." She pointed at the black Hummer parked beneath the rose arbor. "I'm not in the habit of opening my house up to unseemly strangers."

"I'm not an unseemly stranger. I'm the multi-award winning front man of UK rock band Five Awesome Emperors. Brad said —"

"Ah." Awareness dawned on her face. "You're the surprise Brad agreed to and then wished he hadn't. It's unfortunate that he wasn't able to cancel your visit because I'm not willing to share my house with anyone tonight. Not even you." She reached back and curled her hand around the familiar crescent-moon doorknob.

"But I've come —"

"My mother's in every room of this house, Jake. Every room is hers, so I can't possibly cater to a guest tonight." Tears pooled in her eyes and she tried not to blink, tried not to let her lower lip tremble. Suppressing the urge to throw herself at the self-proclaimed rock star wasn't easy, but she straightened her spine to tell him to get back on his horse instead. "You seem ... very nice. But whatever Brad might have told you, you won't be staying here tonight."

He studied her, his hazel eyes full of concern. His hands closed over her shoulders, the heat of his fingers through the delicate fabric of her robe warming far more than they touched. Tiny frissons of awareness spread through her system, giving it a long overdue wake-up call. He kneaded her tight neck muscles, and when he spoke, his voice was pitched low. It wound around her, threatening to undermine her composure.

"Skyla and Brad have told me so much about you that I feel as if I know you," he said. "I know your mother isn't well. I know you rarely sleep and forget to eat. They're worried about you trying to do too much. Let me stay until the wedding. For their sake."

"Jake." She searched for the right words and came up empty. He was intruding on a very private occasion. "My mother wasn't just unwell, she was dying, and she lost her battle. Now that she's gone, I need to be here with all of her things, in the house we've always shared."

"I had no idea." He palmed his face and exhaled a heavy breath. "I realize you don't know me, but you shouldn't be alone tonight, Beth. Tell me what you need. What can I do for you? Anything. Name it and it's yours."

"An early night is all I really want. I need time alone to process the fact that my mother is never coming back. I've had months to prepare for this, but it's still a shock. I'm not ready and I don't ..." She swallowed. "I don't quite know what to do."

"I'm here now. Maybe I can help get your mind off your mother." He gathered her close for the hug she desperately needed. His warmth filled her with bone-deep comfort, her fingers scrunching the soft wool of his overcoat as she pressed closer.

"The first picture of the happy couple." Beth jerked her head away from Jake's chest and gaped when a flash of light blinded her. "Smile, sweetheart."

"How the hell did you find me here?" Jake stiffened and pushed her behind him. "Get inside," he said to her before storming down the steps and marching over to a man who stood outside her front gates, snapping picture after picture. "Name your price for the camera, then get out of here."

Another man appeared beside the first one. "She's the one you're engaged to?"

Engaged? Beth lowered her hands from her face and hurried toward Jake. "What are they talking about?"

Another flash stopped her and she stumbled. "Real pretty ring for a pretty woman," she heard the man call out. "The jeweler contacted me because your name is inscribed inside it. He said it's an heirloom you want to give to a special lady. I figure that means you're getting married."

"What a headline," the second said. '"Rock God Weds Cinderella.'"

Her vision cleared as Jake added a second padlock to the chain on her gates. "I said get out of here."

The other man waved what looked like a phone. "We came for an exclusive. Give it to us, or we'll publicize your location and your lady's house will be swamped with reporters."

Jake growled like a cornered animal when a passing car slowed to see what was going on. He stalked back to Beth, snaked his arm around her waist, and pulled her forward. He murmured in her ear, "Just go with this, okay?" In a louder voice he said, "All right. Take one more shot of the two of us and get lost. The conditions are you don't divulge where I am or any details about my future fiancée. I haven't even asked her yet."

"What kind of scoop is that?"

Beth shook her head. "B-but you —"

He squeezed her hip and then held his hand toward the two men. "Your business cards. Give me a few days with her in private. Then I'll have my manager phone you with the exclusive and you can make it public."

After the reporters' agreement, they took a few more shots and scurried down the block.

Beth shoved Jake away. "I don't know what you're trying to pull with those phony English reporters, but we are not engaged. I have no idea why you said that. I don't care who you are or why you're here, I want you gone. Now."

"Listen, I'm tired, I couldn't think of a better way to get rid of them, and the last thing you need is to have your house surrounded with reporters." Jake rubbed the back of his neck. "I've had a long flight, staying in a hotel without security is too risky, and I'd rather be here to deal with any repercussions from our impromptu photo shoot. We'll sort it out in the morning. Okay?"

"You promise you'll take care of this first thing tomorrow?" At his nod she spread her hands wide. "It's official then. I have a houseguest."

He surveyed her yard. "Does this high stone fence surround the entire property?"

"Yeah, it does. But you weren't serious about more reporters, were you?"

"If the news breaks, the media will assume I'm here. That'll mean siege conditions: paparazzi camped outside your gates, helicopters flying overhead, no one coming in or out without security clearance."

She stared at him while she considered the inconvenience of housing him, frowning when his gaze jerked back to her face from somewhere down near her feet. Was he checking her out?

"Nice," he said.

Pretty sure she didn't want him to elaborate, she said, "If you're staying, you'll have to abide by the house rules."

He grinned.

"First up, stop calling me Bethany. It's private and special, and I'd like to keep it that way."

"That's not going to happen."

"I'd prefer plain old Beth." She gestured at her house, then tried to look stern. "No one, not even you, is famous inside my house. You'll have to help out, and you won't be entitled to any hospitality beyond what I'd give to a visiting relative. A distant, female relative."

He clasped his hand to his heart as if he'd been mortally wounded, but his smile didn't dim. He tried the front door. "It must have swung closed behind you. It's locked. Want me to organize a locksmith?"

"No need. Follow me." She pondered their situation as she navigated the chilly stone path toward her kitchen window. Five Awesome Emperors were one of the most famous bands on the planet and cameras followed them everywhere. Jake didn't travel without his band, an entourage, and bodyguards. He couldn't be here all alone, and he certainly couldn't be engaged to her.

She stopped and turned to face him in the pool of light spilling through the living room windows. Jake Olsen was here in her yard, engaged to her, about to move in, all because Brad couldn't stop talking about her ...

"Something wrong?"

"Why would there be? My last half hour hasn't produced anything more exciting than a rock god, a fake engagement, and siege preparations. It's slow for a Friday night." She gave his arm an affectionate pat. "But it's early. Things might pick up later."

CHAPTER 2

"There's something I don't understand," Beth said as they walked toward the back of her house. "Even if you have an engagement ring in your pocket, why would they think you'd propose to me?"

Jake shook his head, and then halted. "It's a family ring, an heirloom that I had modernized. The damned jeweler must have misinterpreted what I told him, then called the press."

"But why did you agree with those reporters? Do you need a partner for some reason? Someone depressingly average who'll make you look benevolent and soulful?" She huffed, struggling to imagine a scenario where he'd want to be engaged to her.

"No." He stared at her and smiled. "And you're anything but depressingly average."

She didn't like the way she shivered when he studied her and changed the subject. "But you're allowing it to be printed."

"It won't go public. I'll call my manager, and he'll take care of it."

Oh, to be a rock god and make all the rules. She frowned. "I think you owe me some answers. Who is the ring for? And why did you really show up here?"

He sliced his hand through the air. "Skyla said Brad has been spending most of his free time here. I saw a situation developing between you and your ex-husband and I took the opportunity to end it."

"A situation? Brad's my best friend, but there's nothing else going on. We tried that and it was a disaster. Why do you care so much about Skyla? Isn't she just an employee?"

"She makes a valuable contribution to Five Awesome Emperors and we look after our own. This was the simplest way to ensure that her future husband maintained distance from his ex-wife. With me helping you and your mum, he wouldn't have any excuse to hang around." He glanced over his shoulder and frowned. "And coincidentally, if the paparazzi know I'm here, the media circus will confine us inside. Another barrier."

Being confined in her house — with Jake — didn't seem like much of a hardship. If it kept Brad from bothering her until he was off on his honeymoon, that was probably a good thing, too. She slipped her hand into his and tugged him farther along the path.

"Come with me. I might need you as a human shield if the siege turns ugly." His laughter did strange things to her knees. "We'll be entering the house via my kitchen windows. It's the traditional entry point when a siege is imminent."

* * *

Half an hour later, Jake leapt off his seat, almost upending his coffee when Beth dug a mobile phone out of her handbag. "Who are you texting?"

"Brad. Otherwise, he'll keep calling, and if I don't answer, he'll come over."

Stalker was the word that sprang to mind. Brad's preoccupation with Beth was worse than he'd thought. A man who'd call his ex-wife that often when he was due to marry someone else in a week's time couldn't possibly be trusted. "If you don't want him here, then don't unlock the gates."

She paused midtext and frowned at him. "Brad has keys. His family has had them for over a decade. I have keys to both Brad's apartment and his mother's house." She shrugged. "For the past year, he's worked from my study one day per week so he could watch over my mother while I took a lunch shift at the restaurant." She crossed her arms over her stomach in a way that made Jake want to offer his protection. "Today was my mum's funeral. He'll expect me to check in with him before I go to bed."

Her body language screamed stay away, so he paced to the farthest corner of her kitchen and called his manager.

"Beth's mother died. And ... two reporters followed me here. No, they're Brits. They knew about the ring I had remodeled for Skyla, and I said something I shouldn't have." He cleared his throat, then rushed on. "Morning will find Beth and I engaged and living together, but if I keep my head down they won't be able to prove it. I'll need a team on the ground here within a day or two, and exterior security immediately. I'd appreciate it if you'd leave the explanations for me to handle once the team arrives."

Mike roared his laughter. "She's so beautiful you proposed the minute you saw her?"

Jake growled a few more words in the phone and clicked off his cell.

When he approached Beth she held her phone out of reach. "The text is generic, I promise."

His arms were longer than hers and getting the phone off her was easy.

I'm OK. Have alternate shoulder 2 lean on 2nite. Turning phone off. <3 always

He'd expected a butt-out tone, but her message ended with love always. "The sign-off is inappropriate."

(Continues...)

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Excerpted from Famously Engaged by Robyn Thomas, Liz Pelletier, Ann Kopchik, Erin Molta. Copyright © 2013 Robyn Thomas. Excerpted by permission of Entangled Publishing, LLC.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.

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