Winning Her Heart

A recipe for desire

Bay Point Confessions

Celebrity chef Micah Langston’s ambition keeps him successful, wealthy and single. His brother wants him to open a restaurant in their California hometown—and that means checking out the gorgeous competition. Jasmine Kennedy is falling for Micah’s intense seduction until she discovers his new venture will ruin her grandmother’s business. After tasting Jasmine’s sweet passion, Micah knows no other woman can satisfy him...but has betrayal spoiled her appetite for love?

HARMONY EVANS received the 2013 Romance Slam Jam Emma Award for Debut Author of the Year. Her first book, Lesson in Romance, garnered two RT Reviewers’ Choice Best Book Award nominations in 2012. She currently resides in New York City. Visit her at www.harmonyevans.com.

Also By Harmony Evans

Lesson in Romance

Stealing Kisses

Loving Laney

When Morning Comes

Winning Her Love

Winning the Doctor

Winning Her Heart

Discover more at millsandboon.co.uk

Winning Her Heart

Harmony Evans

www.millsandboon.co.uk

ISBN: 978-1-474-08480-2

WINNING HER HEART

© 2018 Jennifer Jackson

Published in Great Britain 2018

by Mills & Boon, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF

All rights reserved including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form. This edition is published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, locations and incidents are purely fictional and bear no relationship to any real life individuals, living or dead, or to any actual places, business establishments, locations, events or incidents. Any resemblance is entirely coincidental.

By payment of the required fees, you are granted the non-exclusive, non-transferable right and licence to download and install this e-book on your personal computer, tablet computer, smart phone or other electronic reading device only (each a “Licensed Device”) and to access, display and read the text of this e-book on-screen on your Licensed Device. Except to the extent any of these acts shall be permitted pursuant to any mandatory provision of applicable law but no further, no part of this e-book or its text or images may be reproduced, transmitted, distributed, translated, converted or adapted for use on another file format, communicated to the public, downloaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of publisher.

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www.millsandboon.co.uk

Version: 2020-03-02

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They both looked up at the same time as a seagull swooped down a little too close to their heads. She gasped and Micah clutched her body to his. He waved one hand in the air to frighten the bird away.

When it was gone, he didn’t let go, and she didn’t want him to. She was finally where she wanted to be ever since he’d set foot in her grandmother’s restaurant.

She laid her cheek on his chest and inhaled. If he wore cologne, it was very lightly applied, which was fine with her. She preferred the scent of clean skin as opposed to scents splashed from a bottle.

“That was scary,” she whispered, looping her arms around his waist. “But this feels nice.”

Enclosed in his strong arms and with her head nestled against his muscular chest, she did not feel confined. She felt empowered, free to say what she felt in her heart.

Micah placed his palms on her cheeks and stared into her eyes. He closed his eyes and brought his lips to hers.

“I bet this will feel even better.”

His kiss was sweet and tender, and she felt her body melt against his.

Dear Reader,

Since moving to New York City a few years ago, I’ve been able to enjoy eating at many of the area’s wonderful restaurants. Sharing a meal is one of the best ways to get to know someone.

Micah Langston and Jasmine Kennedy share a love of food and family, and a fear of commitment. I hope you enjoy their journey as much as I enjoyed writing it.

Thank you for purchasing and reading Winning Her Heart. Follow me on Facebook or Twitter, or just check out my website for news about future releases.

Best,

Harmony

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text

About the Author

Booklist

Title Page

Copyright

Introduction

Dear Reader

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Extract

About the Publisher

Chapter 1

Almost there. Almost home.

Micah Langston shifted his sleek black convertible into fifth gear as it zipped along the Pacific Coast Highway north from San Francisco toward Bay Point.

The midafternoon sun beamed down on his head. The air was fresh and clean, and the convertible, though it was a rental, made him want one for his own.

He loved the feel of the wind sliding over his hair like invisible silk. The unadulterated freedom, riding rooftop down, exhilarated him.

Watch it, Micah, he warned himself, frowning slightly.

You could get used to this.

To his left, the Pacific Ocean beckoned. Magellan, the Portuguese explorer, had coined it Mar Pacifico, which means peaceful ocean. Micah glanced over at the endless expanse of blue, wondering if he’d ever feel a sense of peace. But he’d given his word. He had to give Bay Point one more chance.

Micah left his hometown over ten years ago to attend the famed Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York. Once he’d graduated, he rarely returned home, except for important family functions.

Instead, he’d spent his time focusing on his career.

By the time he was twenty-eight, he owned three successful restaurants in New York City, San Francisco and Portland, Oregon. As executive chef of each one, he created his own recipes, specializing in southern cuisine with a Latin twist. All the restaurants were branded Society Red, were immensely popular and garnered rave reviews. And for good reason; he was a damn good cook.

His older brother, Gregory Langston, the mayor of Bay Point, wanted him to open up a restaurant downtown. He had lured him back home with the promise of big tax breaks and potentially big profits. Mayor Langston was convinced that Micah’s name would draw tourists year-round.

Micah exited the highway and headed east. In his mind, this trip was exploratory only. His brother might have a vision for the small beach town, but that didn’t mean he agreed with it, or necessarily wanted to play a role.

Now, at only thirty years old, he wasn’t sure Bay Point was the place to drop a permanent pin on all he had yet to accomplish in the culinary world.

But he loved his brother, so to appease him, he and his partners, who were also successful chefs, had gone ahead and purchased property in downtown Bay Point, at a very affordable price.

However, Micah had not decided if he wanted to actually install one of his restaurants there. His partners, who each had an equal stake, argued that since he was the most famous chef of the trio, his name and his restaurant would be the best option.

In other words, Micah was their golden ticket.

Work had already begun to restore the decrepit, seventy-five-year-old building. The exterior renovations would take several months, and they were having difficulty getting some of the permits approved. Micah was glad for the much-needed time to make a final decision.

A restaurant would be built in Bay Point, just not necessarily his. He wasn’t making any promises to his brother, or anyone else for that matter. He loved his family, but his ambition had always come first, a trait that had made him very, very rich.

Micah turned onto Magnolia Avenue and his eyes widened. Since he’d last visited a couple of years ago, Bay Point had undergone significant development. There were fancy boutiques, luxury condominiums and a slew of new restaurants lining the main road into town.

“That’s why I’m here,” he muttered. “To check out the competition.”

His first stop was 333 Magnolia Avenue, home of Lucy’s Bar and Grille, a local favorite that had been around for as long as he could remember.

The restaurant was located directly across the street from his property, which he thought was a major bonus. What better way to advertise a new restaurant than to open up right across the street from an old, outdated one?

He angled the convertible into a parking spot right up front and smiled, finding it comical that Lucy’s was even considered “competition.” Though he did have fond memories of eating there when he was a teenager, it was more of a diner than a fine restaurant.

Micah walked inside and stopped in his tracks, shocked to find the dining room full. Though it was way past the lunch hour, the only seats available were at the bar.

A few heads turned as he made his way back. Being recognized always gave him a rush. He openly welcomed fame, but even more, the money and notoriety that came with it.

He slid onto a wooden bar stool that had seen better days, and reminded himself that the only appeal of the place was the food. His stomach rumbled as he inhaled the comforting scents of garlic, hot pepper sauce and olive oil. He’d grabbed a quick bite at the airport, but hadn’t eaten since.

Several feet away, down a small hallway to his right, a door he knew led to the kitchen suddenly swung open. A woman emerged, holding a tray in one hand, high above her head.

She walked toward him, hips swaying side to side in the most tantalizing way. He envied the red-checkered apron riding shotgun on her short denim miniskirt. His lower body tensed and tightened, so much so that he was glad he was sitting down. Suddenly, Lucy’s had more than one thing going for it.

The woman reached the bar and frowned. Micah noticed that there was no place to set the tray.

He half swiveled in his seat. “Allow me.”

Facing her, without waiting for a response, he lifted the tray from her hands.

She cocked her head at him, gave a little smile and then served the elderly couple sitting on his left their meals.

When she was finished, he gave her back the tray, which she promptly stuck under her arm.

Since he was sitting right next to the pass-through to the bar, he lifted it, telling himself it was the courteous thing to do. But the truth was he just wanted to see her smile again.

With a nod, but not a smile, she skirted through, and he slowly released the counter into place.

She set the tray on top. “Thanks for your help. I’ll take your order in a moment.”

The southern accent he detected in her voice nestled into his senses as he watched her refill drinks and make sure customers were happy with their food.

Then, she took a rag and wiped down the counter in front of him.

“Sorry for the wait. Welcome to Lucy’s.”

Her T-shirt was black, V-necked, and her cleavage was as deep as her smile. The words Ask Me if I Care were emblazoned across the front in thin silvery cursive.

As she handed him a menu, her breasts riffed against the glossy surface of the bar.

Though it was difficult, he managed to avert his eyes as she poured him a glass of water, but his hard-on tightened uncomfortably as though she were standing in front of him, naked.

A customer a few bar stools down asked her a question and she turned her face away. He gave in to temptation, stealing the moment to soak up the woman’s tantalizing figure.

She was petite and curvy. Short hair spiked in a hip style. Bangs asymmetrical, the longer side skimmed her left eyebrow. Daring him to brush them away so he could see the color of her eyes.

She set a glass of water down in front of him. “Can I tell you about today’s specials?”

As she rattled them off, a pang of desire hit him, confused him.

That voice. That body.

She was the exact opposite of the model-thin types that normally interested him, at least for a night.

“Perhaps,” he said, wanting her to linger. “What’s looking good today?”

Besides you, he thought, biting back the words.

He wanted to tease her, to let her know that he found her very attractive, but it felt disrespectful to do that in a place like Lucy’s.

“All the food is good here,” she continued. “But we’ve been real busy today and have already run out of some of the menu items. Tell me what you want, and I’ll check in with the kitchen to see if we still have it.”

Micah set his menu aside. He already knew what he wanted, besides the luscious woman in front of him.

“How about one of Lucy’s famous jerk chicken sandwiches?”

She arched a perfectly curved brow. “Oh, so you’ve heard about those?”

“I’ve had one or two in my lifetime. I grew up in Bay Point, and used to eat here frequently when I was a teenager.”

“Hmm,” she replied, her eyes roaming his face. “You don’t look much older than that now.”

“Thank you. I guess I age well.”

He gave her his most disarming smile, happy that his boyish good looks had netted him another fine catch.

“I’m Micah Langston. And you are?”

“Jasmine Kennedy.”

He reached out his hand, and her palm felt cool to the touch. “Pleasure to meet you.”

“Langston.” She tilted her head. “Are you any relation to—?”

“The mayor? He’s my older brother.”

Jasmine’s cheeks dimpled and seemed to light up her face.

“The rumors are true then. Good looks do run in the family.”

He leaned back a little. Her flirtatious compliment spiraled through him, warming his insides, catching him off guard, though he suspected she didn’t mean a word of it.

Seconds later, he chided himself. When was the last time he ever cared what any woman thought about him?

“I like you already.”

She smiled and laid down a napkin, followed by a knife, fork and spoon on top. “I’ll bet you’ll like me even more if we have any jerk chicken left. Let me go see. Be right back.”

He turned his head and watched her leave. Her mini-skirt hugged her curves so tight he wished he had X-ray eyes.

Her hip bumped against the kitchen door, causing it to swing open. When she disappeared behind it, it was like all the air had gone out of the room with her.

Micah gulped down some water, icy cold, but not cold enough to calm the lust she had unknowingly kindled.

To distract himself, he glanced around the restaurant.

The decor hadn’t changed much from when he was a kid. Autographed photos of movies stars he didn’t recognize. African masks draped with Mardi Gras beads. Old porcelain signs that were likely reproductions and other so-called antique treasures cluttered the walls.

He wrinkled his nose. So different from his taste. He favored sleek, modern designs allowing his customers to focus on what was most important—the food.

“I thought I heard a Langston out here.”

He got off his chair and gave Lucy Dee Diller, the owner of the diner, a peck on the cheek. The aromatic scent of incense and coffee beans wafted over him. Her raspy voice had deepened, making her southern accent even more apparent. He wondered if she still smoked unfiltered cigarettes, and hoped she didn’t.

Moments later, Jasmine was back, plate in hand. When he saw what was on it, he wanted to kiss her.

“Is that what I think it is?”

Lucy took the plate from Jasmine and slid it in front of him. “My famous jerk chicken sandwich with apple chutney and hand-sliced sweet potato fries.”

Jasmine winked. “How do you like me now?”

“Like? I think I’m in love.” He grinned at the two women, and then pointed at the food. “With all three of you.”

Lucy laughed. “Didn’t I tell you, Jasmine? Just like a Langston. You’re all flirts, though your brother not so much because he’s married.”

Steam curled up from his fries. He could barely wait to dig in.

“After all these years, I’m surprised you still recognize me.”

Lucy nodded. “Of course, I do! And not just because you’ve been on television.”

“You’re on television?” Jasmine asked.

Her voice held a note of disbelief that threatened to irk his ego. Micah shrugged, as if it was no big deal, even though to him, it was. He considered being on TV one of his greatest accomplishments.

She lifted the pass-through, and Lucy joined her behind the bar.

“Don’t you know, honey? Micah is famous.”

“Ever hear of High Stakes Chef?” he asked. “That’s the name of the show.”

Jasmine shook her head defiantly. “I don’t watch television.”

Lucy cut in, nudging the plate closer. “I remember your appetite and I don’t like to see any man starve, famous or not. I made that sandwich just how you like it.”

“With extra pepper sauce?”

At Lucy’s nod, he picked up the sandwich and opened his mouth to take a bite.

“Uh-uh. Not yet. Napkin in the collar, please,” Lucy scolded, unfolding one and doing the honors. “You know the drill. I’m not paying for your laundry.”

When she was done, Micah grinned and fought to roll his eyes as he smoothed the napkin over his clean white button-down shirt. He wasn’t a teenager anymore, but apparently Jasmine thought he looked like one, and Lucy thought he ate like one.

“Now, you eat,” Lucy said.

He took a bite. “Mmm...this is as delicious and—” he paused to swallow and wipe some sauce from his lips “—as messy as I remember.”

“I’m surprised you didn’t order it that way,” Lucy said.

“I’ve been a little distracted ever since I walked in,” he replied, temporarily forgetting his hunger for food.

He looked up and caught Jasmine watching him, a little smile on her lips, as she poured a draft beer.

Lucy glanced between the two and narrowed her eyes. Known around town for having psychic abilities, Micah wondered if she saw the spark between him and Jasmine, or if it was just his imagination.

“Don’t you go taking up my granddaughter’s time,” she warned. She tossed her head to the side and flattened one hand on the bar. “She has other customers and besides, she belongs to me.”

Her voice, though kind, seemed overly protective. What did the woman think he was going to do? Kidnap the girl?

Micah lifted both hands up, hoping to quell Lucy’s fears.

“Hold up. You have a granddaughter?”

He didn’t even know Lucy had children. On the other hand, he wasn’t surprised. He wasn’t the type to delve into someone’s personal life or even listen to the gossip that ran rampant in the small town.

“Isn’t she beautiful?” She beamed a megawatt grin, followed by a dismayed frown. “Wait. Don’t answer that. Just eat.”

Between mouthfuls, he said, “You’re both beautiful. Must run in your family.”

Jasmine wiped her hands and leaned against the back of the bar. “I didn’t want to believe you, but you’re right, Gram. He’s just like a Langston. A total flirt.”

He put his sandwich down. “Takes one to know one,” he teased good-naturedly, unable to help himself.

“Come on, you two. Break it up,” Lucy said, waving her hands like a referee.

His eyes caught Jasmine’s again, and he shrugged in spite of the flame of interest he saw there. It was time to change the subject before he got into trouble.

“How long have you owned the diner, Lucy?”

“Over fifty years. I moved to Bay Point when I was twenty-two years old.”

“That’s the same age I was when I opened up my first restaurant,” he exclaimed, surprised he had something in common with the feisty woman. “Now I have three.”

Jasmine whistled. “Three restaurants!”

“It’s not easy, but somehow I make it work.”

“One is enough for me,” Lucy said. “I’m so blessed that Jasmine moved here to help out.”

“Oh? How long have you been in Bay Point?”

“Only a few months.”

“She’s been a godsend,” Lucy said, looking over her shoulder as she rang up a customer. “I don’t know what I would do without her.”

“It’s been about two years since I’ve been back in Bay Point,” Micah said, trying a more direct track to get the information he needed. He’d almost forgotten why he’d stopped there in the first place.

Although the restaurant appeared to be doing well, he knew that keeping it that way was tough. If he did choose to open up his own across the street, Lucy’s customers would have a choice. He was confident that most would choose to spend their hard earned dollars at Society Red.

“Things sure have changed. There are lots of new restaurants in town. Have they affected your business? Have you lost any customers?”

Jasmine cut in, her tone sharp. “That’s none of your—”

Lucy turned and laid a hand on her granddaughter’s arm. “Mind your manners.”

“I mean. We’re doing fine,” Jasmine amended, folding her arms.

Micah wiped his mouth with his napkin, hiding his frown of concern. Without meaning to, he’d stepped onto some invisible battleground between the two women.

He sighed inwardly. Though he was curious, Jasmine was right. It was none of his business.

“Lunch is our best time, though dinner is pretty steady, too,” Lucy added as she lifted the pass-through. “I’d better get back and start prepping tonight’s specials.”

“Anything I can do to help?” he offered. “I know my way around a kitchen.”

“Thanks, but no.” Lucy gave him a quick hug. “Careful what you ask for Micah or we’ll find something for you to do around here eventually. Won’t we, Jasmine?”

Micah finished his sandwich while Jasmine took care of other customers at the bar.

When she returned, she cleared away his empty plate and placed it underneath the counter.

“How long are you in town?” she asked.

“I’m just visiting. I’ve got to get back to Portland in a few days.”