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

  I took one bite of the duck and knew it was perfect; the harmony of the ingredients, the tenderness of the meat, the juicy drippings.

  “I’ll take your silence and the speed with which you're emptying your plate as a good sign.”

  “As you should. This is excellent. Truth be told, I’m not a big fan of duck, but this… No doubt I’ll want a second helping.”

  Rial sat back and looked at his brother. “That’s quite a compliment coming from the great Errol King.”

  “It’s clear I’m not the only one with culinary talents. You takes risks, bold risks, blending ingredients in a rather unorthodox manner, but your instincts are spot on. I hope you’re not in the restaurant business. You’d make for a worthy adversary.”

  “He’s in antiques and collectables,” I blurted out.

  “You’ve got a lot to be proud of,” Errol said. “I guess hardships really do build good character. We’re both proof of that.”

  Rial’s shoulder slackened, his eyes softened and he looked at his brother with honest admiration for the first time. I knew I’d done the right thing, bringing them together. Over the rest of the main course, the splendid dessert and the cognac and coffee, they talked about their pasts, together and separate. They compared memories, as vague as they were, and Rial told him everything he’d told me.

  It was well past midnight when we finally left the chateau. Happy, but exhausted, we got into the Mercedes.

  “Thank you, Lilly.”

  “I’m glad things worked out. You two have so much in common, even though you grew up apart.”

  “And what about you? You know, throughout the dinner, I couldn’t help but notice how you looked at Rial. I mean, I knew there was something going on between you two, but… Are you in love with him?”

  “Love is a big word.”

  “Well, it’s clear you're very fond of him, and there’s no doubt he’s attracted to you. The physical attraction between you two has been there from the start, but I didn’t think you’d get emotionally attached to Rial. I mean, what about…?”

  “Bobby?” I said. “I don’t know. I feel foolish for being in this position, but… I love Bobby. He’s sweet and kind, and I miss him, but… Rial. For all the refinement of the chateau and the fine art and crystal, he’s … well, he’s wild and raw.”

  Errol chuckled. “Wild and raw. Yeah, that’s Rial.”

  “And Bobby’s not here. I don’t know what to think of our relationship when he’s thousands of miles away.”

  Sober, he looked at me. “I know this is a difficult situation. No matter who you ultimately choose to live your life with, the other will be heartbroken. Bobby is my wife’s kid brother and of course I would hate to see him hurt. Then again, Rial is my blood, and he’s had enough pain to last a lifetime.”

  “I know. There’s no easy answer.”

  “Let me give you a bit of information that might help you.”

  I dreaded hearing what he had to say.

  “Things are really going well for Bobby back in New York.”

  “I’m happy to hear that.” No I wasn’t.

  “He’s now the head chef at Sam’s and he’s making a good name for himself. Apparently he’s the hottest new chef in town.”

  “He must be really proud.”

  “He is, and he’s also considering staying longer. In fact, Taryn thinks he might not come back to France at all. He might not even come back to complete his classes at the institute.”

  I stared out the car window as his words sunk in. In a way, Bobby was making the decision easy for me. If he never came back to France, it was a done deal. Our relationship was over and I was free to start my life with Rial.

  Then why did I feel so awful?

  Chapter 3

  “Why the long face?” Rial said as he sat up in bed.

  It’d been a wonderful night… candlelit dinner, romantic music, fine wine and when he’d carried me to his master bedroom, he’d been tender and loving in a way that was completely new. Yet for all his tenderness, I’d awoken that morning feeling blue and miserable.

  “I guess I’m just a little tired,” I said, trying to shrug off the uneasy feeling. Deep down, I knew what it was. The thought that Bobby could have so easily decided to stay in New York, that his life there meant more to him than me… It was a tough pill to swallow. I tried to be happy for him, and tried to find my own happiness in my new freedom, but my stomach was tied up in knots.

  “I know what will pep you up. Come on. Get dressed, something comfortable and casual… jeans.” He hopped out of bed and started to dress.

  “What for?”

  “You’ll see.” He tapped my bottom and finished buttoning his shirt. “I’ll go start breakfast then we’ll be on our way.”

  I followed his instructions and slipped on a pair of faded jeans that were snug in all the right places. Pairing them with a simple white cotton blouse, I clipped a silver chain around my neck, grabbed my walking shoes and headed down to meet Rial for breakfast.

  “This is a lumberjack’s breakfast,” I said when he set down the mammoth plate in front of me. Pancakes, eggs, sausages, bacon and thick cut toasts. “I can’t eat all this.”

  “Eat what you can. You're going to need the energy.”

  Despite my protest, I managed to get down two eggs, three slices of bacon, half a sausage, half a pancake and one toast, all drenched with way too much coffee.

  “I don’t know what you have in mind, but it better be good or else I’ll be jumping off the walls after all this.”

  Finishing his last bite, he patted his lips with a linen napkin, his eyes playful and teasing. “Follow me.”

  He led me to the wall of French doors that opened onto the terrace and led me away from the chateau, past the garden and well beyond the sprawling lawn that surrounded the centuries old home.

  “It’s a lovely day for a stroll, Rial, but it’s hardly a surprise, nor does it require such a hearty breakfast.”

  “The stroll is just to get there.”

  He led the way down a cobblestone path that veered off through a lush forest of tall pines, majestic oaks and elegant dogwoods.

  “I don’t remember this forest. Are we still on the chateau’s property?”

  “This was the dark and mysterious forest. When you were younger, you hated it out here. I brought you out one afternoon and you were spooked by the tall trees and the leaves that rustled with the wind.”

  I laughed. “I bet it was you who spooked me. You probably hid somewhere and came out when I least expected it.”

  His laughter confirmed my suspicions.

  We finally emerged from the forest and came to a small stable.

  “I don’t remember this either.” But as we got closer and the smell of hay and oats took over, I had a vague sense of recognition.

  “Come and meet my latest acquisitions.” He opened the stable door and we were greeted with the neighing of two magnificent palominos.

  “Rial, they’re beautiful.”

  “This one is Roger and that one is Evan.”

  “Hi, Evan,” I said to the mare who poked her head out for a scratch between the eyes. “I’ve had them saddled up and they’re ready to go.”

  “Go? Go where?”

  “For a ride, silly.”

  I looked at the beautiful mare with apprehension. “I don’t know, Rial.”

  “You used to love to ride.”

  “Did I?”

  “You had a young gelding wrapped around your little finger. I think Bugsy was his name, or something like that. Only you could ride him and he was as gentle as a summer breeze.”

  Scratching Evan between the eyes, I shook my head. “I don’t remember it at all. The stables are so far away from the chateau… and the forest. If you say I was afraid of it, I probably never came out here.”

  “Only on a few occasions. When you got good and spooked, your father would have your horse saddled up and walked to the chateau. You would get one there,
go for a ride and your horse was walked back to the stable. Your father had a bit of a love hate relationship with horses. He loved the prestige of owning them, but hated the barnyard scent. That’s why he had the stables moved back here. Out of sight and out of smell, but you could still have your horse riding lessons.”

  I looked into the horse’s eyes, big round orbs of love and trust adorned with beautiful long lashes. “I guess I could give it a try.”

  Rial opened the stall door and led Evan out. “Looks like she’s already adopted you. Come on. I’ll give you a hand up.”

  The leather of the small riding saddle cracked under my weight and brought with it a brief flash of memory; a sense of joy quickly followed by despair.

  Rial got on Roger and led the way out. For a quarter of a mile we walked side by side with only the sound of hooves clapping on the dirt path.

  “Ready for a little trot?”

  “I can try.”

  He nudged his horse on and mine followed. It was a pleasant pace, but both horses visibly wanted more. Despite a small reservation, I, too, wanted more. Without warning, I leaned forward, nudged my heel into Evan’s side and gave a light slap of the reins against her neck and she took off.

  “Hey,” Rial called.

  “Catch me if you can,” I called back with a laugh.

  Her hooves pounded the narrow path that cut through the sun drenched meadow of green. The breeze, filled with the scents of the countryside, brushed my face, filled my lungs and brought me back to a simpler time. I wanted to gallop forever, my body keeping in rhythm with Evan’s every step.

  Rial caught up with me and steered Roger down a knoll. I followed him down until we’d reached the bottom of the valley and stopped at a creek of cool, clear water.

  “You sure caught on fast,” he said. “I thought we’d trot another twenty minutes before asking you to gallop.”

  I smiled. “I can’t remember the last time I felt so free, such abandon, such exhilaration.”

  “Good.” He got off his horse and helped me down. “We’ll let them cool off and get a drink.”

  “Are we still on the chateau’s property?”

  He nodded. “Newly acquired property. Your father never owned this parcel of land. He tried to buy it, but the owners back then didn’t particularly like your father, so they consistently refused his offers.”

  “How far does it go still?”

  “Another mile or so. After a quick rest, we’ll ride out to the edge of the property.”

  I turned to him. “This is great, Rial. I’m so happy you brought me out.”

  “And I’m happy to see that desolate frown leave your brow. Your father tried to pull you out of your depression by bringing you out on horseback, but no matter what he did, your depression persisted.”

  “Depression? When was I depressed?”

  He turned to me. “Let’s head out. I’m eager to ride again. You're beautiful on horseback, you know that?”

  “Rial.”

  He shook his head. “I’m sorry I brought it up. I want to keep the day light and pleasant. Let’s not bog it down by recalling darker times.”

  As intrigued as I was by his comment, I knew he was right. It was too beautiful a day to ruin with talk of our dismal pasts. We rode until well past noon and we were famished by the time we returned to the chateau, but not nearly as famished as Rial was once we’d finished lunch.

  His sweet demeanor turned hungry once he brought me up to his bedroom. “I’ve been following that sweet ass of yours all morning and now I’d like to see something other than a horse sitting under it.” He rubbed his crotch, his hard shaft bulging through his jeans. “Come on. Let’s get you in the shower and lathered up. You smell like a ranch hand.”

  “I do not,” I scoffed as he grabbed my hand and pulled me into the bathroom.

  Tearing off my clothes, he backed me into the blue beige marble and glass-tiled shower. I turned on the spray of water and was rewarded with seven jets of hot water that warmed and massaged my skin.

  “Let’s get that barnyard scent out of you,” Rial said as he followed behind after ridding himself of his clothes. He squirted an exotic scented soap into the palm of his hand, rubbed his hands together then brought them to my shoulders, lathering down one arm and then the other. With a flick of his finger, he turned my around and lathered my back then each leg.

  He was absolute in his refusal to touch either my breasts or my ass, and he knew it would drive me crazy. I ached for his touch and the more he withheld it, the more I wanted it.

  But he was not about to appease me. Instead, he filled his palm with shampoo and diligently washed my hair, rinsed it, then slathered on a rich conditioner. After a final rinse, he turned me to him and pulled me into his arms.

  “Now you smell like a princess.”

  “Yes, but what about you?”

  With the same precision he took, I washed him, careful to avoid the large and stiff shaft that throbbed with anticipation.

  “If you're not going to wash it, I will.” He took his cock in his hand and lathered it up, stroking it with a long, slow pumping action from his fist. Breathless, he looked at me through the narrowed slits of his eyes and I knew it wouldn’t be long.

  With his free hand he reached for my breast and glided his lathered hand over my tingling skin, his thumb quick to ride circles around my nipple.

  “I’ve been wanting to fuck you all day,” he said, releasing his cock and grabbing both breasts with his hungry hands. He turned me around, pushed my face to the wall and slapped my ass then slid his cock in the deep crevice. “This sweet ass. Those jeans sure gave me a great view of this sweet ass.”

  He yanked my ass closer to him, pressing his palm between my shoulder blades to bend me over as far as I could go. “Don’t move,” he growled.

  Thundering inside me, he pounded his cock deep into the moisture that awaited him. Gripping my hips in his fists, he swung me back and forth, slapping my ass against his thighs while his cock drove in deeper and deeper.

  With a roar that echoed in the small confines of the shower, he thrust his throbbing cock into me, while I clenched as tight as I could, sending his body convulsing as the euphoria filled him. “Oh fuck. Ohhh fuck, Lilly. You feel so good.”

  When he’d caught his breath, he pulled me up, caressed my breasts and kissed my neck. “I was hungry and selfish. That’s how badly I wanted you. Now, I’ll take the time to take care of you.” He turned off the water and reached for a warm fluffy towel to dry me off.

  Still dripping wet, he brought me back to the bedroom, pulled back the sheets of the bed and set me down. His eyes bore through me, reaching deep inside and drawing out emotions that felt as old as time.

  He was a man, my man, and I was his woman.

  With the tenderness of an experienced lover, he caressed my legs, slowly pulling them apart until he could settled on the bed, his head nestled between my thighs. He kissed his way up to my sex and planted a soft and almost chaste kiss right on my clit before continuing down the other leg.

  It was slow and delicious torture as he came back, time and again to kiss that small nub of pleasure, and every time brought me closer and closer to an orgasm that threatened to explode like never before.

  My fists filled with the crumpled sheets and my toes curled while my body seemed to levitate and rise higher.

  Oh, my God, I wanted to scream. I wanted that orgasm more than anything, but I also loved the torturous road he took in bringing me there.

  “I’m seeing stars,” I finally said.

  “Ready?”

  “Oh, yes.”

  He set his warm, wet tongue over my clit, applied just the right amount of pressure, and within seconds I was gushing like a geyser. My body shook and the room echoed with the sounds of my euphoric cries as I buried my hands in his hair, keeping his mouth over my pounding orgasm, wanting him to feel it, to taste it.

  And soon, I wanted to start all over again.

  Chapter
4

  I looked at Rial as he slipped on a casual pair of linen pants, a loose fitting white shirt and some leather sandals. As handsome as he was in a tailored suit, the casual look combined with his unruly hair made him irresistible.

  “Where are you going looking like that?” I said as I sat up in bed and smiled at him.

  “Looking like what?” He innocently ran his hand through his hair.

  “Don’t give me that. You look hot and you know it.”

  Laughing, he reached for my wrist and pulled me out of bed. “I thought the pale pink halter top dress would look nice on you today.”

  “Did you? Well, I’ll have to try it and see.” Walking naked from the bed to the chair where he’d laid out the dress, I was acutely aware of his eyes on me. I slipped into the dress and pulled the halter top over my breasts, clasping it behind my neck. “How’s that?”

  Somber, he came up to me. “You get more beautiful every time I look at you. Cupping my cheeks he kissed me, his lips heavy with emotion. “Come now. I want to take you for a drive in the country.”

  “But I haven’t even had any breakfast.”

  “We’ll get something along the way.”

  Not even a cup of coffee, I wanted to argue, but I grabbed my white cork wedge sandals and followed him out.

  The little red sports car was waiting for us outside, the top already rolled down to give us full advantage of the beautiful day ahead.

  “Isn’t it a lovely morning,” Rial said. “Perfect for a drive.”

  Smiling, I got into the passenger seat and buckled in. Rial took the wheel and before long we were miles away as the countryside sprawled out around us. We passed several farming villages, then crossed miles and miles of vineyards.

  “You're right,” I finally said. “It is a lovely morning for a drive.” Biting my lip, I considered my next line. It was such a nice day out, but I was famished.

  “We’ll stop to have breakfast in the next town,” he said, reading my mind. “They have great food. I think you’ll like it.”