Winner Takes All: Big Easy, book 6 Read online

  “I put a note on the pillow.”

  “I saw it. Everything okay?”

  “It is now.”

  Hollie walked toward him. That was when he noticed she had something in her hands.

  The collar and leash.

  “Hollie,” he began, wondering if she knew what she was inviting. If she knew how much he wanted what she was offering.

  Once she stood in front of him, she dropped down to her knees. “I missed you,” she paused briefly before adding, “Master.”

  She lifted the collar to him.

  He took it, and then lifted her back to her feet. He had something he needed to say before they got swept away in the fantasy again. Noah had every intention of continuing the game, but before they did that, he wanted them to move forward without questions or anxiety.

  “I love you.”

  She blinked a couple times in confusion at his abrupt declaration.

  “I mean,” he clarified, “I’m in love with you. Completely. Head over heels in an insane, moving-way-too-fast sort of way.”

  Her smile grew as he rambled, which was why he kept going when he should have shut up. “I look at you and see a future, Hollie. A forever future. And maybe you’ll think it’s too soon for me to start talking about—”

  “It’s not too soon,” she interrupted. “I feel the exact same way.”

  “My feelings aren’t going to change tomorrow night, regardless of the outcome of the show.”

  She paused and he realized she’d had the same concerns as him. When she spoke, he heard the things he’d considered fall from her lips. “We’re both pretty competitive. I was afraid…”

  “That I’d be a sore loser?”

  She shrugged lightly. “Or that I would. A half a million dollars is a lot of money. I genuinely believe I can lose gracefully, but…”

  “But it will still hurt. To think you’re second best.”

  She nodded. “And as always, you get me. It’s kind of scary. You’re sure there’s no ESP at play?”

  He chuckled. “I have a plan. A way for both of us to win. The game. The money. And each other.”

  She reached out to cup his cheek affectionately. “You’ve already won my heart.”

  “Ditto,” he said, leaning down to give her a kiss.

  “So what’s the plan?”

  He raised the collar. “Lift your hair and turn around.”

  She did so without hesitation, trembling slightly as Noah fastened the collar around her neck. Once it was secured, he placed a light kiss against her nape then he turned her to face him again.

  “How does it feel?” he asked.

  “Perfect.”

  It was their word. Now that he had a plan, he was determined to make all their dreams come true.

  “So about the competition?”

  “We’re going to change the rules.”

  She smiled. “I like the sound of that.”

  “But first, we’re going to move on to the second course.”

  Epilogue

  Tom: Hello, and welcome back to the live finale of Food Fight. Our contestants have spent the last hour racing around, cooking the meal that will make or break their futures. What do you think of this final challenge, Angelica?

  Angelica: I think it’s inspired, Tom. Just inspired. It’s really going to give our contestants one last chance to show the judges exactly what they’re made of, to prove they have what it takes to open and operate their own restaurant.

  Tom: I couldn’t agree more, and I’m dying to know what each contestant considers their signature dish.

  Angelica: Well, we can see that Hollie has remained true to her roots, using a wide variety of organic vegetables in her preparation.

  Tom: While Noah isn’t holding back with the spices. But rumor has it that just prior to the show, both Noah and Hollie changed a few items in their recipes. Do you think those changes were brought on due to nervousness or a mutual desire to take their competitor by surprise?

  Angelica: Maybe a bit of both, Tom. As you can see, there are two plates on that table at center stage. They’ll each put their dishes on one of those for presentation to the judges. And in a competition like this, appearance is as important as taste.

  Tom: And the clock is just about to run out. Looks like Noah is the first to finish his meal. There he is, headed to the center table.

  Angelica: Um…what’s he doing?

  Tom: I’m not sure… He appears to have stacked the two plates. Does he understand that one is for Hollie’s dish?

  Angelica: The judges are trying to catch his attention, but either he doesn’t hear them or he’s ignoring them. He’s plating his food. I have to admit it looks lovely. I hope Hollie doesn’t mess up his presentation when she tries to grab her plate from under his.

  Tom: Here comes Hollie with her food.

  Angelica: Wait. What’s going on? Is she putting her dish on the same serving platter as Noah!? Can she do that?

  Tom: The judges appear to be looking off stage for the producer. It’s clear they’re as confused by this unusual turn of events as the rest of us.

  Angelica: Tom, look—Noah and Hollie are now combining their food, putting it together on the plate to create one dish.

  Tom: And there’s the buzzer to end the competition! I have to admit, I’ve never seen anything like this in ten years with the show. Like the rest of America, I can’t wait to see how this turns out. The judges are approaching the table.

  Angelica: It appears the producer has given them the green light to proceed with the judging. They’re sampling the food. Which I have to say looks absolutely amazing.

  Tom: If the look on Billy Oxford’s face is any indication, Angelica, I’d say you’re correct. I think that expression is called bliss.

  Angelica (laughing lightly): It is indeed, Tom. And given their expressions, I think it’s obvious Noah and Hollie have created something very special together. But I’m not sure how they can award a winner.

  Tom: I agree. I’m concerned their actions may disqualify them.

  Angelica: It appears, after conferring with the producer, the judges have reached a decision.

  Tom: And the winner is—it’s a tie. A tie! How about that? Ladies and gentlemen, tonight we’re witnessing Food Fight history as Noah Lewis and Hollie Mills are both crowned champion. It looks like they’ll have to split the prize money!

  Angelica: Or maybe not, Tom.

  Tom: Is he…? Are they…? Can they—?

  Angelica: Kissing. They’re kissing, Tom. And yes, they can do that on live TV.

  * * *

  If you enjoyed Winner Takes All, please consider leaving a review.

  Big Easy

  To read more about the Lewis family, check out these other stories in the Big Easy series, available now!

  * * *

  Blank Canvas

  Crash Point

  Full Position

  Rough Draft

  Triple Beat

  Going Too Fast

  About the Author

  Writing a book was number one on Mari Carr’s bucket list. A New York Times and USA TODAY bestseller, Mari’s computer is now jammed full of stories — novels, novellas, short stories and dead-ends.

  Mari writes contemporary erotic romance novels.

  Join her newsletter so you don't miss new releases and for exclusive subscriber-only content.

  Find Mari Carr on the web at

  @maricarr

  MariCarrWriter

  www.maricarr.com

  [email protected]

  Other Books by Mari Carr

  Wild Irish:

  Come Monday

  Ruby Tuesday

  Waiting for Wednesday

  Sweet Thursday

  Friday I’m in Love

  Saturday Night Special

  Any Given Sunday

  Wild Irish Christmas

  January Girl

  * * *

  Compass:

  Northern Exposure

>   Southern Comfort

  Eastern Ambitions

  Western Ties

  Winter’s Thaw

  Hope Springs

  Summer Fling

  Falling Softly

  * * *

  Individual Titles:

  Erotic Research

  Tequila Truth

  Rough Cut

  Happy Hour

  Power Play

  Slam Dunk

  One Daring Night

  Assume the Positions

  Seducing the Boss

  * * *

  Just Because:

  Because of You

  Because You Love Me

  Because It’s True

  * * *

  Second Chances:

  Fix You

  Full Moon

  Status Update

  The Back-Up Plan

  Never Been Kissed

  Say Something

  * * *

  Trinity Masters:

  Elemental Pleasure

  Primal Passion

  Scorching Desire

  Forbidden Legacy

  Hidden Devotion

  Elegant Seduction

  Secret Scandal

  * * *

  Big Easy:

  Blank Canvas

  Crash Point

  Full Position

  Rough Draft

  Triple Beat

  Winner Takes All

  Going Too Fast

  * * *

  Sparks in Texas:

  Sparks Fly

  Waiting for You

  Something Sparked

  Off Limits

  No Other Way

  Whiskey Eyes

  * * *

  Lowell High:

  Bound by the Past

  Covert Affairs

  Mad about Meg

  * * *

  June Girls:

  No Recourse

  No Regrets

  * * *

  Madison Girls:

  Kiss Me, Kate

  Three Reasons Why

  * * *

  Boys of Fall:

  Free Agent

  Red Zone

  Wild Card

  * * *

  Foreign Affairs:

  Princess

  Cowboy

  Master

  Hands

  * * *

  Cowboys:

  Spitfire

  Rekindled