Heat Vol. 4 (Heat: Master Chefs #4) (3 page)

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

“
W
hy 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.”

“Perfect.” 
My mouth already watered at the thought of food, but at the back of my mind, I
couldn’t help but wonder what Rial really had in mind with this little
impromptu trip.  Did this little drive out to the countryside have a purpose or
was it just meant to be a pleasant day out?

Fifteen
minutes later he slowed down as we entered a small village with narrow winding
streets, and quaint little shops that invited passers-by to go in and take a
look at their wares.  Rial parked the car in a vacant spot in front of a hat
shop.

“What
a beautiful place to stop, Rial,” I said as I got out of the car.  The air was
fragrant with morning freshness and…  “What’s that I smell?”

He
grinned.

“It
smells like… oh, fresh pastries.”  My taste buds danced at the thought of a
light and airy
mille feuilles
or a custard filled éclair, or a chocolate
covered opera, or a profiterole. Without even thinking about it, I immediately
turned to the left, leading Rial at a hurried pace.  At the first corner I turn
right, then left and down a long narrow alleyway which led right to the
entrance of a
La Bonne Patisserie
.  “Breakfast at last,” I said.  “And
what a scrumptious breakfast it will be.”

“It’s
this exact patisserie that I had in mind when I stopped here,” Rial said.

“Is
it?  What a coincidence.”

“Not
at all.”

“Of
course it is.  I happen to get a whiff of exactly where you wanted to go.”

“And
you just so happen to know exactly how to get here.”  He gazed at me with that
knowing look in his eyes.

“I
didn’t happen to know, I just followed the smell.”

“That
smell permeates the entire village.  You could go to the garage clear on the
other side of the village and it would still smell sweet.  And what about that
shortcut you took through the alley?”

I
looked at him and knew he was right. I’d known exactly which path to take to
get to the patisserie.  Nonetheless, I shrugged it off.  I was too hungry to
consider the ramifications of it all.  I just wanted to get my hand on the
perfect brioche and a piping hot cup of coffee.

“Let’s
go.”  I opened the door to the patisserie.  The scent outside was nothing
compared to the strong, sweet scent that welcomed us inside.  I suddenly wanted
to try everything.  “Doesn’t it just smell divine?”

As
we walked up to the counter, I spotted the croissants.

“
Bonjour
et bienvenue
,” the heavy set woman said from behind the counter.  She
smiled at us, although her focus was clearly on Rial.

“
Deux
croissants, s’il vous plait
,” Rial said.

The
woman picked out two of the biggest, plumpest croissants and set them each on a
paper napkin.  “
Voila
. 
En suite
.”

“That’ll
be all,” Rial said.

I
noticed the rack of macaroons.  I couldn’t remember the last time I’d eaten
one, but I suddenly had a strong craving for one.  “
Et un macaron d’Amiens
,”
I blurted out.

Rial
grinned and looked knowingly at me.  With our breakfast in hand, minus the
coffee which they unfortunately didn’t serve, we headed out to the sun drenched
terrace.  Before we were even seated, I’d popped the macaroon into my mouth. 

“What’s
with the funny look?”

Still
grinning, Rial slathered raspberry jam on his croissant.  “I love the ravenous
appetite you have.”

I
knew there was more to it than that, but didn’t question him further.  My
croissant beckoned me.  As we ate, I looked around.  The terrace was cornered
by two walls of the L-shaped patisserie which left us with a view of the
neighboring shops to the left and a partial view of the green grass of a
rolling hill to the right.

“It
certainly is a beautiful setting for breakfast.”

“Even
if they don’t serve coffee?”

“Even
if they don’t serve coffee.”  Finishing my last bite, I patted my lips with the
paper napkin then wiped my buttery fingertips.  “A breakfast like that deserves
a stroll.  Are you up for it?”

“Always.”

We
threw away our napkins and I led the way down the hill.  That knowing grin
reappeared on Rial’s lips.

“Let’s
go down to the lake,” I said.

“What
lake?”

Squinting,
I looked around.  He was right.  What lake?  But as we skirted around a high
bank of rocks and continued down the hill the lake came into view.

“Well,
how about that.” Rial said.  “There is a lake after all.”

I
stopped in my tracks and looked at the surroundings that were so new, yet so
familiar.  “You knew there was a lake, didn’t you?” I said.

He
nodded.  “Apparently, you did, too.”

Yes,
but why?  With Rial’s hand to my elbow, we resumed walking and were soon on the
bank of the small lake.

“Over
there,” I said, turning to the left, “is the park.”

I
headed in the direction of the park, my heart light and happy as I was suddenly
filled with a strong sense of nostalgia.  While no clear memories came to me, I
knew this had been a happy place.  Reaching the swing, I fingered the chain
that held the seat.

“You,”
I said softly.

He
didn’t respond, but simply looked at me.

I
sat on the swing and was instantly transported to a time long ago.  I wanted to
laugh and giggle and kick my feet up.

Rial
came up behind me and gave me a gentle push.  My heart soared.

“You
were here.  We came to this park together, didn’t we?”

He
said nothing.

“You
would push me, like you are now.”

The
image was now so clear in my mind; me the young girl so enamored with the
handsome young teen.

“I
finally had you all to myself,” I muttered.

“How’s
that?”

“All
those girls that followed you around at home, they couldn’t come here.  It was
just you and me.”

“So
that’s why you loved it so much here.”

I
smiled as I was flooded with a sense of right and fulfillment.  I had loved
that park.  “We came frequently, didn’t we?”

“At
times.  Sometimes you would eat so many macaroons you’d get a belly ache.  You
wanted to try every flavor.”

“Oh,
Rial.  The lake, the park, the patisserie and those macaroons… it’s all a part
of such happy memories.  Why have I blocked them out?”

He
was silent and I suddenly had the answer to my own question.

“Papa,”
I said.  “We used to come here with Papa.”  A strange shiver spilled over my
shoulders and trickled down my spine.  “He would drive us out here on weekends
when the weather was nice and he had business to conduct in the area.  We’d buy
my favorite pastries at the patisserie then come down to the lake and you would
push me on the swing while Papa went off to take care of business he had in the
village.”

“It
really was just you and me.”  He leaned over and kissed my temple.

“Such
great memories,” I whispered.  “Yet they’re so few and they’re so vague.  If we
came here so often, why do I remember so little of that time in my life?”  I
stared out at the lake.  The sun glistened on the small ripples brought by the
light breeze.  It was a heavenly place to spend a sunny morning.  “I was a
happy child, wasn’t I?”

“The
happiest I’d known,” he said.

“It
doesn’t make sense.  If I was so happy, why did I lose all memory of it?  Even
this… it’s more a sense of having been here than a clear memory.  And Papa. I barely
remember him at all.  I think what few memories I have of him are based on what
I was told about him at the convent.”

Rial
stopped pushing me and pulled the swing to a stop.  He wrapped his arms around
my shoulders, his head leaning against mine.  “My darling Lilly.  So much
happened and you were so young.  Clearly you’ve blocked out that portion of
your life to protect yourself.  As happy as those times at the park may have
been, they’re shrouded in a myriad of bad memories.”

“I
remember how happy I was at the convent.  Despite having lost my father, I was
at peace and I was content.  Years later, I was happy at the Culinary Institute
and I took such pride in the work that I did there.  Then I met Bobby… and…
well, then you.”

“Are
you happy now?  With me?”  He came around and stood before me, his eyes filled
with worry.

“I
am.”  My voice was so soft, I knew I didn’t sound convincing.  “But a part of
me feels like I’m just trying to right the wrongs of the past, like I’m trying
to fix things that I don’t even remember were broken.”  It wasn’t the answer he
wanted, but it was an honest one.

“Do
you feel anything for me, Lilly?” he said.

“I
do, Rial.  It seems I always have, probably from the very first time we met. 
It’s frustrating that I don’t remember more of those years, that I don’t really
remember when or how that childhood crush turned to love, but that feeling of
love for you is so strong, it’s overwhelming.”

He
took my hand in his and held it, looking at it with reverence and sorrow.

“What
is it, Rial?”  I met his troubled gaze.  “You know what happened to me, don’t
you?  You know why I can’t remember anything that happened back then.”

He
nodded.  “You lost your childhood memories because of me.”

“You? 
What did you do?”

Looking
out over the lake, he took a deep, shuddering breath.

“Please,
Rial.  I need to know.  I can’t move forward with you if I don’t know our
past.”

“It’s
all so dark and painful.  What happened to us changed us forever, and I’m
afraid I might reawaken the pain you’ve chosen to bury in the far reaches of
your mind.”

“Don’t
underestimate me.  I’ve grown up, and I’m a strong and responsible girl.  I’m
not that frail little girl anymore.”

He
smiled and looked at me.  “Yes, I know.”

“What
happened to us, Rial?”

Leaning
in, he kissed me and brushed the back of his fingers along my cheek.  “I want
nothing more than to make you happy.  I love you and want your life to be
filled with love and happiness.  Remember that.”

“I
know that.  Nothing you can tell me will change that.”

“Your
father kicked me out of the house,” he said after a long moment of silence.

“Yes. 
You told me that already.”

“Despite
my leaving the house, I tried to keep in touch with you.  I got caught talking
to you one day outside your school.  Your father was furious… outraged.  He
didn’t want you to have anything to do with me.  After that, your father kept a
closer watch on you.  He allowed no visitors to the chateau and he pulled you
out of school.”

“He
kept me from going to school?”  It seemed such an extreme thing to do.

“He
became downright paranoid where you were concerned.  When he suspected I’d
trespassed onto the property, he locked you up in your room.”

“How
do you know all this?”

“I
paid one of the maids to keep tabs on you.  I gave her a few dollars and she
told me what was happening in the chateau.  I didn’t believe her when she told
me you’d been locked up in your room.”

“Then
what happened?”

“She
was the one who brought you your meals.  As the weeks passed, you grew more and
more despondent.  You hardly ate and you spent your days in bed.  She said you
were going crazy, but I think you simply slipped into a deep, deep depression. 
It’s no wonder.  A young girl locked up like a prisoner.  Busy taking care of
his business, your father spent most of his time in his den and rarely went in
to see you.  He left your welfare to his staff who didn’t dare disobey him.”