by Sofia Grey
Napkin-Girl introduced herself as Annie, and explained how Jean-Claude had been hired as a last minute replacement. The argument had kicked off when Liz, the previous owner of the flowered apron, had refused to follow his directions since that wasn’t how Greg—their usual chef—worked. Jean-Claude was volatile at the best of times, but being told how to do his job by the kitchen-hand just flipped him over the edge.
“We’re still short-handed.” She sighed over the pile of napkins. “Is the agency sending anyone else? Or is it just you?”
He was about to explain, when Jean-Claude clapped him on the back. “I like heem,” he announced in his thick accent. “And he is fast!” He dumped a bag of onions on the counter next to Sasha and beamed at him. “Peel these next, and finely chop. Vairy fine. Chop chop!” He laughed at his own joke leaving Sasha bemused.
Megan finally returned, looking pink-cheeked and flustered. “I’m so sorry. I’ve had to redo the seating plans and dig out all the bios of the extra visitors so that Dad knows what to talk about with everybody. He hates to be ill prepared for these events, and with Clare being away, it went crazy.” She paused and stared at him. He drank in her appearance, the wisps of hair stuck to her forehead and the enticing rise and fall of her breasts. Touching her wasn’t an option as he had sticky, onion-tainted hands.
“It’s fine, Cariad. I’m making myself useful. Have you fixed it all now?”
“Not yet.” Her voice was brisk and suddenly she wouldn’t meet his eyes. “I feel so bad for abandoning you, but I’ve still got a million things to organize. You can go home if you like, and I’ll meet you later? At the club?”
Was she trying to get rid of him? He paused and considered how best to answer, but there was no need. Jean-Claude rattled a wooden spoon against the pan he was stirring. “Sasha stays.” There was no arguing with his tone. “I cannot prepare dinner without him.”
She poked at a stray piece of onion on the floor, her toes nudging it back and forth, and then gave him a smile. “Are you sure about this?” She inched closer. “You could be stuck in here all evening.”
“If I get all night with you, it’s a fair trade.” He kept his voice low, unwilling for the others to hear. Megan’s dazzling smile made everything worthwhile. Even the stinking onions that still needed to be diced.
*
As soon as she caught up with Alex, Megan promised herself she’d wreak her revenge. It would be long, slow and painful. Not only had he threatened Sasha last night, but she knew he was behind the additional guests for dinner. An extra seven people, including Phillip and his parents. For God’s sake. Which was worse? Having to be polite and friendly in front of everyone, or the risk Sasha might run into him? She had to keep them apart. Sasha looked to be really busy in the kitchen—something else she felt guilty for—and with luck they’d both be blissfully ignorant of each other. She’d escape the dinner party at the earliest opportunity, grab Sasha and get out of there. It should be easy.
Chapter 13
Megan rifled through her closet and pulled out the first neutral, politics-safe dress she came to. A plain shift in a dark, caramel silk, it fell almost to the knee, required no nylons and was quick to change into. She just had time to twist up her hair, freshen her make-up…and cover the bite mark on her neck. In the flurry of activity, she’d completely forgotten about that. No wonder Hugh had scowled when they came in. Even thick concealer failed to hide the clear teeth marks and she felt another surge of irritation. At the time, it’d felt good, had propelled her headlong into an amazing orgasm, but right now she was mad at Sasha all over again. She touched the mark with her fingertips. It didn’t hurt, didn’t feel bruised like she’d expected; it tingled and almost shone in the sunlight. Weird. If she let him bite her again, it would have to be somewhere it couldn’t be seen.
She sat down on the bed to put on her shoes, her mind consumed with Sasha. How would it feel to wake with him by her side? To be wrapped in his arms all night? Sleeping together, as opposed to just shagging. It seemed so much more intimate. It also smacked of more than a casual relationship, and she knew that could never happen. He was leaving in a matter of weeks and had an entirely separate life on the other side of the world. Her life was here, with her family and career. She’d been inundated with job offers in government departments and had turned them all down in favor of a marketing role. She loved the natural products Ecology sold and she’d been given the opportunity to develop their next campaign. It would keep her busy enough to distract her from mooning over a certain blue-eyed Welsh boy.
Friends had fled the nest and taken up residence all over the globe, but not her. The prospect of not seeing Dad and Clare every day, of bickering and teasing with Hugh and Alex, was not an option. She’d never admit it to anyone, but she’d been so dreadfully homesick on her Europe tour she’d seriously considered going home early.
Her first assessments were correct. No matter what intimacies Sasha offered, or the very real prospect he’d break her heart when he left, he could only ever be a fling.
She tied a gauzy scarf around her throat and went in search of her lover.
*
The kitchen was filled with a cacophony of smells and noises, but Sasha knew the second Megan appeared in the doorway. He glanced up from the chopping board and mountain of grapes he was slicing in half, and met her gaze. The hunger in her eyes matched his own. She looked edible, more delicious than the array of gourmet foods that had been created around him in the past two hours. He had to touch her. He rinsed his hands in soapy water and dried them on a paper towel as he walked toward her, tossing the crumpled paper ball in the bin on the way past, and hauling the apron over his head.
“Cariad.” The noise faded into the background. His sole attention was on the beautiful girl smiling at him.
“Hey, Sasha. Do you have a minute?” She snagged his hand and tugged him into the hallway, pushing the door closed behind her. There was nobody else around, although he could hear voices in the distance and the sound of a vacuum cleaner nearby. Curious, he followed her like the slobbering hound he was. The color of her dress matched the sparkles in her eyes, but he didn’t like the Claiming mark being covered. He itched to remove the scarf, but managed to suppress the wolf on that one.
“You look even more gorgeous, wife-to-be.” Her cheeks colored at his heated words and she placed a finger against his lips.
“Shh, not here, Sasha. Please.” He nipped at her fingertip and she giggled, then turned serious. “I just wanted to say thank you. I feel bad about you slaving away in the kitchen and I know you’re only doing it for me.” She moved her hand, wound both arms around his neck and gazed up at him. His cock leaped to full attention and he sucked in a quick breath. He saw himself reflected in her dark eyes, saw the naked longing on her face and gave in to the burning need in his belly. Slowly, he dropped his head and covered her lips with his own. Heat flooded his chest and a sense of the world falling into place. His wolf sighed, happy, and Sasha pulled her even closer. He didn’t care if anyone saw them.
The kiss was all too brief. Megan moved her head back and broke the contact, although she remained in the circle of his arms. With her pupils dilated and lips swollen, she looked even more desirable, and Sasha had to swallow his frustration. “The guests have started arriving and I’ll be stuck now until after dinner. Are you going to wait for me? You can go home if you prefer.”
He ran his hands lightly up her arms. “I’ll wait. You wearing this for the club?”
“Not planning to.” She pulled a rueful face. “It’s a bit formal. I was going to get changed before we go.”
“Don’t.” He smiled to soften his immediate reply. “It looks incredible.” The color made her skin luminous and he longed to pet her all over. Tonight. He could lavish his total attention on her all night long. Show her how good they could be together. He stole another quick, hot kiss then nuzzled her ear. “I can’t wait to be inside you again. Come back after the first course, but leave
your panties off.”
Color splashed her cheekbones and her eyes opened wide. “We can’t. Not here!” Her voice was shocked, but he smelled her arousal. Even so, he didn’t want to push too far, too soon. They would have a lifetime to be bad together.
Seconds later, Megan slipped away and after watching her swaying hips as she walked down the hallway, Sasha blew out a tight breath and returned to the kitchen. Surely the dinner wouldn’t last more than a couple of hours?
*
The first course had been served, eaten and cleared away, but Megan was trapped talking to a Saudi businessman and his silent female partner. She couldn’t figure out if the woman was supposed to be his wife or his assistant. Either way, she stood with her eyes cast down, hands resting politely in her lap. It had to be his assistant for he had no compunction about letting his hands wander ever closer. When he stroked one finger down the length of Megan’s thigh she gave up trying to be polite, shoved her chair back and stood, hoping to catch her father’s attention. It was Phillip who came to her rescue.
“Mr. Mahmoud.” He left the woman he’d been talking to and joined Megan, then held out his hand for the businessman to shake. “I’d love to talk to you some more about the hotel business. My company is looking to expand into hospitality and your resorts have a solid reputation.” Megan had to be grateful and tried to use the opportunity to sidle away, only to get stopped by another potential investor. Before she knew it, the waitress was fetching the next course and she had to take her seat. To her alarm, Phillip took Mahmoud’s space, having swapped places.
“You look beautiful tonight, Megan.” His smile was friendly, as though she hadn’t argued with him the night before. Christ, was that only yesterday? So much had happened since then.
“Thank you,” she murmured. “And thanks for getting rid of Mahmoud.”
“Anytime.” She glanced up and caught him watching her. He had a little bruise on his chin that must have come from Sasha. “If you’re not doing anything after dinner, maybe we could go get a drink somewhere?”
“Sorry. I’ve got plans.” Plans that included dancing with and then getting horizontal with a certain Welsh guy. She hadn’t slept with Phillip yet and now had no intention of doing so. He would make a lovely boyfriend to someone, but not her. Not even after Sasha’s left? The insidious thought crept in from nowhere and she quashed it. Not even then.
Phillip just shrugged. “Can’t blame me for trying. I still think we’d be good together.” He leaned closer as he spoke and draped his arm over her chair. The back of her neck tingled and she lifted a hand to rub it, lifting her gaze at the same time. Sasha stood inside the doorway, a trolley of covered dishes by his side, his angry stare fixed on her. Shit. The very situation she’d tried to avoid. Judging by Sasha’s clean black apron, he was now helping with the service. Damn and buggering hell. Phillip was clearly oblivious to Sasha’s fury and carried on talking to Megan although she had no idea what he said.
*
Sasha’s first idea was to walk up to Megan, rip the guy’s arm off and beat him to death with the bloody end. Thankfully he managed to keep his wolf under control. Just. With his wolf snarling and ready to pounce, Sasha sucked in a harsh breath and stepped forward. “Is he bothering you again, Megan?”
The asshole—Phillip—looked up, disbelief on his face.
“You?” His gaze took in Sasha’s wait staff apron, and a sneering grin broke over his face. Sasha longed to rub it off. Preferably with something blunt and heavy. “Your lapdog’s back, Megan. Would you like me to kick him out for you?”
Sasha recognized it had the potential to erupt into another fight, a rerun of the evening before. Common sense warred with instinct. Calling him a lapdog? The man would bleed for that insult alone. His hands fisted at his sides, hot anger sweeping through him. How he’d love to follow this bastard home and wait outside his door in wolf form.
Megan’s voice broke into his simmering rage. “That’s enough, Phillip.” She wriggled free from his arm and stood up. Sasha was momentarily distracted by the sight of her heaving chest beneath the toffee colored shiny fabric, and the two pink spots high in her cheeks. “I want to talk to both of you, please. Outside.” She stalked into the hallway and the men followed.
“Pack it in.” Megan’s voice was cold and she stood there, arms folded, giving off a clear do-not-touch vibe. “This dinner is important to my dad and I won’t let the pair of you wreck it.” Her eyes flashed fire, first at Phillip and then at Sasha. “I’m not a bone for you to fight over like a pair of rowdy dogs.” Sasha’s wolf growled at the slur but she hadn’t finished. “Either behave like adults or take your posturing outside.”
The asshole smirked some more. “It’s sweet that you have an admirer, Megan, but are you sure he’s not stalking you?”
Sasha growled, he couldn’t help it, and Megan turned to him, her eyebrows raised. He just shrugged, unwilling to speak until he had his wolf under control again.
“Phillip, that’s insulting to us both. Sasha’s a friend of mine and offered to help out in the kitchen since they were short. And for the record, I didn’t know you were invited until we got here today.”
“What?” He looked puzzled. “Alex said you wanted me to come, but you were embarrassed about your ‘friend’ attacking me last night.” Sasha pushed down hard on the growl that threatened to burst free. This asshole was two steps away from a trip to Casualty.
Megan’s lips tightened. “I’ll kill him,” she muttered. “He’s gone too far this time.” She paused, her eyes staring into the distance for a moment, and then snapped her attention to Phillip. “Thanks for the help with Mahmoud. I’m going now, so he’s all yours.” She was? Sasha’s wolf pushed at him but he stood still. “Sasha.” She gave him a glimmer of a smile. “I need to go tell my dad that I’m done for tonight, then I’ll come find you.” He opened his mouth to tell her he’d stay right there, and she rolled her eyes. “Yeah, you don’t need to say it. Stay here, and I’ll be right back. Okay?”
Sasha nodded, not taking his eyes off the asshole. The guy must have had a death wish, for when Megan slipped back into the dining room, he waited too, and spoke as soon as she was out of earshot. “I don’t know who you are, Welshy, or what hole you’ve crawled out of, but Megan is my girlfriend. I don’t plan on giving up quite so easily. You get me?”
Sasha knew he was being baited. He could have said a dozen things, reminded the asshole that Megan had dumped him, or told him to keep the fuck away from his girl, but for once, he kept his mouth shut.
*
Megan knew she gave her father a flimsy excuse for leaving early. Last-minute concert tickets with the girls. In truth, the dinner party was under control and they’d cope without her, and he’d been fine. When she caught up with Alex, he’d find out just how much he’d pissed her off. It’d been Alex pushing for her to date Phillip, Alex getting Dad on his side, and Megan was over it. She might end up with Mr. Safe-but-boring one day, but it would be her decision. Right now, she wanted Sasha. It tore at her what he must have thought. He’d seen her talking to Phillip, knew she’d made the seating plans and must have assumed she was taking advantage of his good nature. Apologies made, she nodded to Phillip—now re-seated at the table—and headed for Sasha.
He leaned with his back to the wall, apron removed and crumpled in his fist. His face was shuttered and her heart lurched. This wasn’t how she’d hoped the evening would play out and she needed to fix things. “I’m sorry.” She gazed into his blue eyes and saw the doubt there. “I couldn’t get away after the first course, and I really didn’t know Phillip was going to be here.”
“Your brother set it up?”
“He did. And believe me, he’s going to regret it.”
Her words hung in the air, and for a long moment there was silence. Sasha was the first to move. He gathered her into his arms; his expression was fierce and hungry, but the tilt of his lips reassured her. “Are we leaving, Cariad?”
Megan squeezed him back, wrapping herself around him and thrilling at the hard bulge she felt in his jeans. His voice alone sent shivers down her spine. Add in his hands and the sweetness of his kisses, and she was in heaven. Nobody had ever had this effect on her, the ability to turn her on and drive her crazy. She needed the reassurance they were fine and she sought his lips. At the same time his roaming hands slid up her thighs and then under the hem of her dress, rising to her butt. Her very naked butt. Sasha’s breath hissed and his eyes darkened impossibly. “Christ,” he whispered. “You really have no panties on.”
“Uh-huh.” Warm palms cupped the cheeks of her ass and removed her ability to speak. Moisture pooled between her legs. If he shifted his fingers a little higher, he’d feel it, and she squirmed in anticipation. Sasha inhaled deeply, his eyes half-closed.
“Baby, I have to be inside you. Now.”
Where? Not here. Her bedroom? No. Anyone could see them going in. Sasha’s van? Maybe, but not parked up her father’s drive. It came to her and she released a puff of breath. “I know where to go. Can you hold on a couple of minutes?”
“I’ll let you know.”
Her laugh felt slightly hysterical and her limbs were slow to respond, but she untangled herself, grabbed Sasha’s hand and hurried toward the front door, snagging her tiny handbag on the way.
Sasha opened the passenger door and helped her into the van, his hand lingering on her bare ass. “You’re killing me here, Cariad. Just so you know.” He raced to the driver’s door, scrambled behind the wheel and started the engine, then clutched her hand, placing it over his hard-on. It bucked against her touch. “Where to?”
“Down the drive, take the left turn just after the gate.” He shot off, the engine grumbling at the speed, and followed her directions to park beside a paddock, a minute’s drive away. She glanced out of the window at the familiar environment, wondering how he saw it. Sprawling meadows, neat fences and a copse of trees that provided the wind-break to the orchard, and the tree house.