Heat Vol. 4 (Heat: Master Chefs #4) Read online

  HEAT

  Master Chef: HEAT Serial

  VOL. 4

  Kailin Gow

  HEAT (HEAT: Vol 4)

  Published by KailinGowBooks.com

  Copyright © 2015 Kailin Gow

  All Rights Reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage or retrieval system, without the permission in writing from the publisher except in case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

  For information, please contact:

  Kailingowbooks(at)aol(dot)com.

  First Edition.

  Printed in the United States of America.

  DEDICATION

  To My Readers, Betas, and Kailin Krusaders, Thank You for All Your Love, Support, and Encouragement. You are truly one of the most important reasons why I’m blessed beyond measure.

  Prologue

  Lilly

  Bobby had left. The heartache and pain of losing him caused my knees to buckled, and I had to sit down on the wooden chair at the small kitchen table in my apartment. The apartment already felt barren, remnants of the life I knew before my past caught me by surprise. I knew I would miss him terribly, but I also looked forward to the freedom Bobby’s desertion had left me to fully delve into and find my lost past. As much as I missed Bobby already, I knew it was the right thing to do. Without fully exploring it, my past would always haunt me and the people whom I would choose to be with in my present and future.

  When I finally went to bed, the fear and loneliness took over for a while and it took several hours for me to fall asleep only to be besieged with countless dreams about Bobby or Rial, and sometimes both of them at the same time. They fought over me, they loved me, and in one horrible dream, they both left me. As my father did.

  By the time I finally awoke late the next morning, I realized Bobby was right. For once, he was doing the mature and responsible thing by doing what I hadn’t the heart to do; put our relationship on hold.

  In the bathroom, I washed my face clean of the dry tears that streaked my cheeks and looked straight into my red eyes. “What are you going to do now, Lilly?”

  I tried to plot out what I’d do with my day. I didn’t know where to start, but I knew I had to find the cause of the vast devastation that had torn apart our fathers. How could I find out what had happened to me? I spent an hour on the computer trying to find websites that could offer clues, but every site was a dead end; nothing about my father, little about the chateau and only a small and insignificant blurb about Rial and his parents.

  I reached for the phone to call Rial, but set it down again. I didn’t want to rely simply on his version of the events of the past. Then again, I didn’t know where else to turn. He was the only connection to the past that I had. Maybe he even knew what had happened to strike virtually my entire childhood from my memory

  Mentally retracing the steps I’d taken the day before, walking through that grand chateau, seeing the duck pond, the library… I knew the brief flashes of memory I’d had meant something. They had to. Surely it was all a sign that I had to confront my past. I had to know what happened all those years ago.

  But then my retraced steps took me to Rial’s bedroom and the study, quickly turning the brief visit to something hot and smoldering as my skin, my lips, my entire body remembered Rial’s erotic touch. The kiss of his lips and the brush of his fingers still burned my skin, eager to be touched by him again.

  Only now I wouldn’t have the guilt of betraying Bobby. I was free to do what I wanted. It was a bittersweet feeling.

  Hoping to find out more and to rid my nights of the disturbingly hot and erotic dreams that plagued me, I picked up the phone. “Rial,” I said the moment he picked up.

  “Lilly, how lovely it is to hear from you this morning. What can I do for you?”

  “I’ll do it.” My body tingled with arousal at the sound of my words.

  “Do what?” His deep voice was hoarse with lust.

  I struggled to find the right words. “Whatever you want me to do,” I finally whispered.

  “Wonderful,” he sighed. “I’ll be by to pick you up in a bit.”

  Biting my lip, I resisted the urge to ask how long it would take him to arrive, but I didn’t want to appear too eager or that desperate. Already as it was, I felt like a virginal schoolgirl waiting for her first kiss.

  Chapter 1

  After a quick shower and an even quicker blow dry of my hair, I threw on what I thought was a modestly sexy, yet classic dress that buttoned up the front, the only pair of four inch heels I had and sat down to wait. Fifteen minutes later, I was restless and began pacing the apartment and ten minutes after that, I busied myself tidying up the place.

  I had to keep busy or else I would call him to find out what was taking so long. He should have arrived ten minutes ago already.

  The doorbell rang, and I started, then took a deep breath to calm myself. There I was being the virginal schoolgirl again. Why did I have such a response like that to him, even after all that I have accomplished, all the confidence I’ve had as an adult? Why was I acting like some giddy little girl who had a crush on a boy? It was as though a part of me deep inside my subconscious was reminding me of a feeling or a memory I’ve once had. I opened the door and there he was, looking even better than he had when I’d left him.

  “I see you decided to leave the paisley robe at home,” I said, taking in the immaculate designer suit that was perfectly tailored to his body.

  He was the picture of elegance and style, while being irresistibly sexy. And when he smiled, I all but turned to mush. There was that flutter inside of me that made me into a self-conscious schoolgirl again. He was so calm and so controlled, it made my impatience to be touched by him almost impossible to take.

  “What’s the wardrober for?” I noted the series of small LVs printed in the fabric; Louis Vuitton.

  “To pack your things, silly.” His eyes walked all over me, down to my heels and back up again, and his hunger grew, but still he remained cool and collected, like a man who had all the time in the world.

  I’d naively thought he’d pull me into his arms and passionately kiss me the moment he crossed the threshold, but clearly that wasn’t about to happen.

  “What things?”

  “Your clothes, your shoes, some toiletries. Haven’t you a suitcase?”

  “But…” I followed him into my room. “I didn’t think to pack anything. I… I thought I was going to your place for just one night.”

  “You never know,” he said with a playful cock of his brow. Pulling a drawer open, he whistled. “The panty drawer… and what lovely panties you have, my dear.” He picked up a few and set them aside then picked up a pink and orange thong and brought it to his nose for a whiff. “Ooh,” he sighed. “I’m getting hard just thinking about you in this thing.”

  He opened another drawer to find my bras and a few teddies. Picking up the bright yellow bra with white lace daisies, he looked at me. “I definitely want to see you in this… this and…” He looked down at my shoes. “Is that the best you can do?”

  I blushed. “I don’t usually wear heels.”

  “We’ll have to remedy that.” He held up the bra. “This and a beautiful pair of black stilettos. Hmmm.”

  His arousal turned me on, and I already looked forward to wearing the white daisy bra.

  He tossed the favored items in the wardrober, however he stuffed the pink and orange thong into his pant pocket. “I want to keep this one close by.” He patted the pocket then ran his hand over to his hardened cock.

  Tur
ning his attention to the closet, he slid the door open. “Now, what have we got here? No. No. No,” he said as he pushed one dress after the other aside. “Oh, yes.” Pulling out my red minidress, he glanced at me. “This is a definite yes.” Then more, “No. No. No. I think we may have to stop for a little shopping spree in town. Pick up a few pieces to show off your beautiful curves, rather than hide them.” He picked out a pair of jeans and a pair of black slacks, a few sweaters and tossed it all in his bag.

  “I don’t really make a big enough salary to be able to buy myself an extensive wardrobe.”

  “That can be fixed.” He headed to the bathroom.

  I rushed in behind him and stopped his hand before he could open a drawer. “I think I can manage from here.”

  “Great, but pack for a long trip. After tonight, you may never want to leave the chateau again.”

  Grinning, I looked at him. “That great, huh?”

  He came to me, his chest pressing me back until I was up against the bathroom door. I breathed him in and wanted to simply keep inhaling just to smell the musky, male odor of him. With his shoulders so broad and strong, he towered over me, making me feel small despite the four inch heels.

  His gaze fell into the neckline of my dress, drowning in my cleavage. With a deft hand, he unbuttoned the top of my dress, leaving me breathless as my breasts swelled and seemed to want to pop out of the black translucent bra.

  “Hmm, a sheer bra, Lilly. I can see how excited you are to come with me to the chateau. Or we can get started right now here. You just keep getting sexier at every turn, don’t you?” He fingered my nipple through the thin fabric for a moment, running circles around it in a teasing manner before prying the material down to completely expose the hardened nub to him.

  I gasped and leaned back as he brought his thumb over the sensitive skin. My crotch was flooded with my desire for him and if he continued I’d have to change before leaving.

  “Am I that great?” He gave my nipple a teasing lick. “You tell me.” Latching onto my breast, he sucked on my nipple while his hand pulled the skirt of my dress up and he plunged a finger under my panties and deep into the moisture that told him just how aroused I was.

  “You're so ready for me, Lilly. You're ready for what I have to give.” He teased my nipple with the tip of his tongue, bringing it to excruciating hardness, then he turned his attention to the other nipple, biting down to bring me exquisite pain.

  I dug my fingers through his hair and clung to him, pressing him into my bosom.

  “You seem hungry,” he said with a chuckle as he back away, leaving me cold and wanting so much more. “Just wait till I get you home. I’m going to lick you dry. I’m going to fuck you like you’ve never been fucked before. Isn’t that what you want?”

  “Rial,” I breathed. “I want…”

  “I promise you more of that tonight, but first, let’s get you out of here. The air in here is stifling and smells of adolescent cologne. He was here, wasn’t he?”

  I didn’t need to answer.

  “You need room to breathe, my love.” He walked out of the bathroom. “You have five minutes.”

  I quickly grabbed what I thought I’d need; shampoo, conditioner, lipstick, mascara and a few other odds and ends. Two minutes later, I emerged to find Rial waiting at the door, the wardrober at his side.

  “Say goodbye to your ho-hum home, Lilly and get ready for a new and exciting chapter in your life.”

  He opened the door and pulled me out, barely giving me enough time to lock the door behind me. His sporty black latest model Mercedes was at the curb and the thrill of this adventure sent a warm rush of blood through me.

  “What?” I said with feigned indignation. “No limo?”

  Laughing, he opened the passenger side door for me. “I wanted to give you the personalized treatment.”

  I got into the car and ran my hand over the soft leather of the seat. “I think I like this much better than the limo anyway,” I said when he got in.

  He grabbed my hand and brought it to his lips. “So do I.” He started the car and put it in gear, and from then on, the road was a virtual blur. Speeding down the road like a man on a mission, he passed slower cars, careened along several wide bends and had the tires squeal to one particularly sharp turn. The drive to the chateau was almost cut in half when compared to the limo ride, and once he got past the gates, he barely slowed down.

  Not bothering to bring the car around to the garage, he stopped right in front of the main door and killed the engine right there. “Home, sweet home.” Like a true gentleman, he came around to open the car door for me.

  “Benjamin,” he called out when an older man with white hair and a black uniform opened the front door. “Please make sure Miss Lilly’s things are brought up to the master bedroom.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  I smiled at the man as we passed him by and entered the chateau.

  “Bonjour, Monsieur Rial,” a short and stout woman said. “Chef has already prepared a light luncheon. Would you like to have it in the formal dining room, or out on the terrace?”

  Gaping at the woman, I looked around the main foyer and noticed a maid heading up the stairs and another one further down the hall.

  “The terrace would be lovely, Louisette. It’s a magnificent day out. After the luncheon is set up, however, I want you to take the rest of the day off.”

  “But, Monsieur…”

  “In fact, I want the entire staff to leave for the day. I want my privacy.”

  “Yes, Monsieur.” She turned around and clapped her hands, efficiently calling in the staff nearby.

  “Thank you, Louisette. I’ll contact you when I need the staff to resume their duties.” He looked at her. “Tell them not to worry. They’ll receive their wages all the same.”

  She discreetly let out a relieved sigh and turned to tend to her staff.

  Amazed, I looked at Rial, but he’d already engaged the butler who’d returned with my things. “Benjamin, where’s Albert? He should be tending to that.”

  “It’s no trouble, Monsieur. Albert is down in the wine cellar. Something about stocking kitchen with wine that will better suit your palate and the season.”

  “Perfect. I had finished the last bottle of Chateau du Pape. I hope he made note of that. You heard what I just said to Louisette?”

  “Yes, Monsieur. I’ll make sure the entire staff is gone within the next fifteen minutes.” He walked away with reverently silent steps.

  “What are you gaping at?” Rial said when he finally turned his attention to me.

  “You have a full staff? How can that be?”

  “You continue to underestimate me.”

  “Well, you came into my life looking little better than a criminal, and looking around this place, I’d say you’d almost have to be a criminal to live in such opulence.”

  He laughed.

  “Well, are you?”

  “A criminal? I guess it depends on how you define criminal. On the one hand I’m always on this side of the law, but… well, I do have a handful of hard working guys who know how to carry out… let’s just say… the dirtier side of my business. They’re rough, they’re tough and they’re loyal. These guys would take a bullet for me, if it ever came to that.” He led me up the stairs and down the hall.

  “You have a business?”

  “Again with the incredulous face. I’m going to have to cure you of that.” Hooking my hand through the crook of his arm, he patted it. “It might surprise you to learn that I was smart enough to get an MBA, a Masters in Business from Oxford University, and relatively early on. Despite the upheaval following the demise of my family, I picked my pitiful self up, gave me a swift kick in the ass and did what I had to do. I worked in finances for a while and then started dealing in art and antiques. I found I had a natural talent for it.” He opened the door to the master bedroom.

  “You never told me, Rial; how did you come to have this house?”

  “When
you and your father disappeared, the chateau was empty for a long time. No residents, no staff… no one to tend the gardens or make repairs. After a few years it fell into disrepair. What valuables, clothing, personal items and even furniture that had been left behind was looted, burned or destroyed.”

  I gasped at the thought of someone coming in to take what didn’t belong to them.

  “A few years ago I heard the place was going up for auction. It was in such shambles, the price was nearly a quarter of what it was really worth. But the taxes hadn’t been paid in years, some squatters had settled in and made it their home, and the property needed some serious TLC.”

  “So you bought it?”

  He nodded. “Broken lock, diminished stock and leaky barrel.”

  I looked around the room, marveling at how wonderful everything looked. “I just can’t believe you were able to buy this place.” At the window, I looked out at the immensity of the property. “And you earned it by yourself… legally?”

  “And I worked hard to earn that money, too. I bought the place, spent almost a year bringing it back to its former glory and went out and hired the best staff money could buy. Take Louisette; she spent fifteen years working for one of France’s top ministers, and Benjamin… He was with a well-known French actress up until the day she died. He’s as loyal as they come. Not to brag, but my staff is even larger than the one your father kept.” He pinched my cheek. “Now please take that incredulous look off your face.”

  “I’m sorry, really. It’s just so… so… monumental. And you're so young.”

  He looked at me with a shy smile. “I guess you could say that I had one hell of a kick in the ass. I wanted to prove to everyone that I was somebody, that I could achieve something. I wanted to prove it to the world. I was so driven, it was almost a sickness, an addiction, an obsession. I lived, breathed and slept business. It wasn’t too hard. It was all I had. The solitude, the anger, the bitterness… it all pushed me to work harder and be better. In the end it was worth it. I’m one of the most successful businessmen in all of France.”