Love on the Menu

by Ellen March

  She grasped the pommel and tried to temper her smirk. “I bet you say that to all the girls.” She found herself virtually tossed into the saddle. “Hey, steady! I nearly went ass over tit then!” She struggled to gain her balance.

  He shut his eyes at her crudeness and shook his head. Clearly she hadn’t been brought up so much as dragged up. His opinion of her dropped each time she opened her mouth. She had a body he wanted to fall into and a personality he’d need to climb out of.

  “Start off with a walk then pick it up, do a few circles, followed by a figure of eight.” Jago was certain she wouldn’t even get up to a trot. He leaned back against the fence, his arms resting casually on the rough wood.

  And waited.

  Riley clicked and nudged Farley forward, pleased at how readily he responded. She glanced around the paddock until she saw the place where the rolling fields led upwards towards a small hill. Now that looked more interesting, she thought, a wicked smile teasing her lips.

  Farley broke into a trot. She gradually urged him into a slow canter. Sitting deep in the saddle, she moved as one with the horse, grinning at Jago’s thunderous face as she passed.

  “Can he jump?” she shouted, and without waiting for a reply, turned him and ran at the rails.

  “Riley no!” He watched in disbelief as they sailed over the fence. Taking off at a ground-breaking gallop, they raced across the field. Her slight figure leaned into him, resembling a flaming arrow, the sun glinting off the stallion’s burnished coat.

  “Thought you said she couldn’t ride,” accused Eve sullenly.

  “Eve, just shut the hell up.” Jago was unable to take his eyes off them, horse and rider together. Circling at the top of the hill, Riley continued her madcap gallop back towards them, slowing slightly before taking the fence yet again. She skidded to a halt in a swirl of dust before Jago.

  “What did I tell you?” he growled, furious with her.

  “That I could have the job if I can ride?”

  Jago took a deep breath and ignored her, pushing the gate open. “Take him back and rub him down. We’ve got a party due in this morning.”

  “I take it that’s a yes then?” she squealed happily.

  “Where did you learn to ride?” He held the reins loosely in his hand, ensuring this time he was going to get an answer.

  “I used to work in a riding school when I was younger. Just picked it up from there.”

  It wasn’t the answer he was after, but he guessed it would do for now. Shaking his head in despair, he attempted to work out just how the hell he was going to handle her on a daily basis.

  She was an intoxicating mixture of sex and sleaze, he thought with a weary sigh. His cock champed for the sex, whilst his mind recoiled at the sleaze. He just hoped he could control his rampant dick where she was concerned. That was one complication he could well do without.

  Eve stared after Riley’s departing figure. It was now official: she was determined that she’d make the woman sorry she’d ever come to Tyrian. Then she recalled Riley’s whispered words and scowled.

  “What’s wrong?” Jago’s eyes narrowed at Eve’s grim expression, her lips pursed in a sulky pout.

  “Why would she say she prefers you without clothes on?”

  Jago shook his head. “Don’t ask.” He stormed after his latest employee. He needed to lay down some firm ground rules.

  As Eve’s words rang in his head, he felt a warm glow of pleasure flicker and flame. So she liked his body …. Even though he’d had no complaints so far—other women obviously felt the same as Riley—it still gave him an unexpected thrill that she appreciated him. Calm down, dick head; don’t even think about it. You’re not going there.

  The only problem was he was fixated on her tits. Ever since he’d first laid eyes on them, they were all he could think of. The perfect woman, as long as she kept her mouth shut, he thought irritably.

  Crossing the yard, he could hear a horrendous racket coming from Farley’s stable. It sounded like a cat screeching. The horse had been unsaddled and she was busy rubbing him down and … singing. If it could be called that.

  “Riley, will you shut the hell up!” He attempted to make himself heard over the din.

  Riley glanced up at him, trying to work out what she’d done this time. But she couldn’t be angry with him now that she definitely had the job. No way could she have faced her brother, returning in under twenty-four hours. A record sacking even for her.

  “What was that?” Jago’s voice rasped out, hoarse from shouting.

  “Don’t know what you’re talking about.” Riley shrugged her shoulders and continued brushing Farley.

  “That noise coming from your mouth?”

  “Hey, there’s nothing wrong with my singing.” She puffed her chest out in agitation.

  Jago tried not to look. His eyes homed in on a button that had come undone. Her cleavage resembled a deep ravine he’d like to fall into. “There’s nothing right with it, trust me.” He held a hand up. “If you’re staying here, there’s going to be a few rules you’ll need to follow.”

  Riley cut short her task and leaned against Farley’s flank, unconsciously pulling at the hairs of the brush she held loosely in her hand. She waited for his sermon to begin.

  “Number one. When I say something I expect you to do it, no arguments or questions.” Resting his arms on the stable door, he tilted his head, waiting.

  “Well, I suppose it depends on what that is,” she said thoughtfully. She snuck sneaky peeks across at him, unable to believe how good looking he was. It was just a shame about his miserable personality. “I mean,” she explained, “I didn’t expect to wake up this morning with you standing there. And you could have told me to do anything.” She sucked her bottom lip suggestively.

  “Well, I wasn’t after your body, you can be sure of that.” Liar, he thought, sucking in a deep breath to steady his temper. “Can’t you just agree for once in your life?” His voice rose in frustration.

  “Not really, but if you want me to lie to you, then I agree.” Riley stared into his face and smiled sweetly, her eyes almost the colour of indigo.

  “You’ll agree or you’ll find yourself up the road with no job,” he threatened, determined to win this latest battle.

  “Well, if bullying is part of your tactics, then I guess I don’t have any other option.” She decided the conversation was over and took hold of Farley’s giant hoof, using the pick to skilfully pull out the clodges.

  “How come he lets you do that?” asked Jago unexpectedly.

  “He’s a male. Think on it,” spat Riley, smarting that he thought her so thick she was incapable of following a simple command.

  Jago closed his eyes in defeat. “Just hurry up. We’ve got a corporate event coming in this morning. I’ll need help getting the horses ready.”

  Riley glanced up. “A what?”

  “Corporate event,” he repeated at her blank expression. “People meeting up from work, fun and games, getting to know each other, team building,” he explained. He cricked his head, waiting for her response.

  “Right.” She smiled and tried to work out what the hell he was talking about. But as long as she was merely tacking up she could cope with it. During the long pause that followed, her smile disappeared, and she shuffled her feet. Maybe she could get him to be a bit more specific. “So they work together but need a day out to get to know each other?” she asked. “Don’t they talk?”

  “Riley, just shut the hell up.” Jago shook his head.

  A loud horn blasting nearby signalled the group’s timely arrival.

  He dragged in a long sigh. “Riley, I’m warning you … just one slip-up, one out-of-place remark and you’ll be history.” And, tossing her one last threatening glance, he left to meet his guests.

  Behind his back, Riley gave him a one fingered salute.

  Chapter Four

  Riley ambled around the yard, eventually settling on a small bench snuggled into a secluded spot.
It was hidden by a flurry of overgrown trees and low-hanging branches. Stretching her feet out before her, she yawned and rubbed her gritty eyes with the back of her hand. She might have held on to this job so far, but whether she could stay awake to finish the day was another matter.

  Leaning her head back, she stared up into the pale blue sky. The sun flashed through the mantle of leaves, making a rolling dappling effect along the ground. And then she made the mistake of looking down at the shadows dancing on the floor.

  Her heavy lids drooped and she felt herself sinking into oblivion. Just one short moment, a cat nap to revive you, were her last remaining thoughts.

  * * *

  She was lying in the sun, the warm heat burning her body. Her eyes slowly opened, and she watched him stalk towards her. A tall, blond Adonis. He was smiling at her, calling her name.

  “Riley!”

  She shook her head, refusing to wake from this dream. Just a few seconds more and she’d be in his arms. He was close, and his hot and smouldering gaze seared across her body.

  “Riley!”

  Her eyes flickered, and although she tried desperately to hold onto it, her dream was evaporating. She stared up into the blazing eyes of Jago, roughly shaking her.

  “Just what the hell are you doing?” His face was contorted with fury.

  “Oh shit, sorry.” She squinted up at him sleepily. “But couldn’t you have waited another five minutes?”

  “Why? What difference would that make?” His hands were on his hips.

  “If you’d ever had a wet dream, you’d know,” she replied acidly.

  He blinked. His lips moved but at first nothing came out. Finally he stammered, “I c-can’t believe you just said that.”

  “Why? Do you think it’s just a male thing? Check it out with your girlfriend, if you have one. I bet she has sexy dreams.” Her lips curved into a smile as she thought of her blond hunk, even though the image was disappearing faster than an ice cube on a hot summer day.

  “I don’t have a girlfriend, so I wouldn’t know,” he stated coldly.

  “Well, you must have had one.”

  “Nope, never. Now can we get the horses saddled?” He was motioning for her to get up, making sweeping gestures towards the barn.

  Riley rose and stretched, oblivious to the discomfort she was causing as she arched her back like a cat, displaying her voluptuous breasts in all their splendour. Against his will, he almost reached out to touch them. His fingers were twitching eagerly, in league with his cock.

  With a groan, Jago veered about and loped towards the stables. At this rate nothing would get done.

  Riley trotted after him. “Really, no girlfriend? Why not?” She slapped a hand over her mouth. “Oh my God, I get it. You’re gay!”

  Jago stopped in his tracks, Riley cannoning into him. He turned and stared down at her, “I’m not gay, okay? Totally heterosexual—one hundred percent!”

  “Mmm, I think you’re protesting too much.” She didn’t move but continued to look up at him, a grin tugging at her lips. “It’s okay, you know. It’s cool these days. I mean, look at that rugby player.”

  “Riley.” He closed his eyes briefly, and spat the words out slowly, as if speaking to a child. “Once and for all. I’m not gay, and I’m not in denial.”

  “So, why don’t you bother with women?” she persisted, stubbornly digging into his personal life.

  “I love women. It’s just relationships I don’t do. I like variety, okay?” God, didn’t she ever give up? She was becoming a thorn in his side—more like a spearhead. And she just kept burrowing in, deeper and deeper.

  “Why?”

  “Think of it like fine dining. I enjoy the main course but rarely go back for dessert. You get my drift?” He quirked his eyebrow as he looked down at her. “I get bored very easily.”

  “What about starters?”

  “I don’t bother with them. Too much trouble.”

  Riley tilted her head thoughtfully. Decided against telling him she most definitely fell into the prawn cocktail category.

  “Come on,” he said, “let’s get the horses saddled. They’re keen to go out onto the beacons.” Walking away, he found his thoughts lingering on their strange conversation. He rarely opened up to anyone. And he couldn’t fathom out why he’d bothered to explain anything to her, knowing her background. But then, he hadn’t so much opened up as been verbally blindsided.

  * * *

  Riley pulled the pale grey mare behind her, ready for the first rider. There were five. All men, and all with eyes fixed firmly on her breasts. She was used to it. They could look but not touch.

  Not ever that.

  This was the root of her problem in past relationships. She wouldn’t give in, and they gave up, period. The teasing persona she affected but would never allow herself to act out.

  * * *

  Jago watched them leering after her and was decidedly uncomfortable. He didn’t know her, but he already knew she had no morals. He hated everything she stood for and yet … felt strangely drawn to her. And that was an understatement.

  She confused him and that made him angry, so he vented his frustration on her.

  “Give Titan to me, and get the next one out,” he ordered in a harsh voice. Taking the reins, he led the mare forward, glaring at the interest thrown Riley’s way. Ahead of him, her hips swung from side to side, hypnotising the crowd with the pendulum of her small peach-shaped ass, snug in the tight-fitting jodhpurs. Seemingly unaware of the trail of devastation left in her wake.

  “Doesn’t the word ‘please’ exist in your dictionary?” she whispered before doing as he asked.

  “Damn it,” he muttered, realizing she’d done it again. Had the last word.

  When they were all mounted and ready to go, Jago appeared on a huge black horse. The stallion danced playfully, his neck arched, his long mane rippling.

  Jago studied her pointedly. “Go up to the house. You can help Em prepare the meal for later.” He didn’t wait for a reply and with a clatter of hooves, led his entourage out onto the bleak landscape.

  * * *

  Emily glanced up as the door opened and Riley ambled in.

  “I’ve been told to come up and help with lunch,” she stated flatly, feeling like she’d been up so long it should be supper. Never had she experienced such a long day.

  “Have a coffee first and we’ll get started.” Emily continued kneading the pastry, her hands white with flour.

  Riley perched on a stool close by, stirring the three sugars she’d put in her mug. “Is he always so grumpy?” she asked. “Jago, I mean.” She shuddered at the strength of the brew, debating whether or not to add milk and deciding against it. She needed the caffeine boost. “He’s even worse today.”

  Emily glanced up, grinning. “He’s not the easiest person to get on with.” She slapped the dough on the cold granite slab before rummaging in the drawer for a rolling pin.

  Riley raised her eyes heavenward. “You can say that again. All he’s done so far is shout at me. Somehow I can’t get anything right.” She slurped noisily from her coffee cup.

  Emily chuckled and sprinkled a liberal dousing of flour on the board. “Have you made pastry before?”

  “Nope, we’re strictly a freezer to microwave. Sometimes the odd take-away thrown in when I’ve got spare cash,” Riley admitted as she crossed to the window to gaze out at the back garden.

  “We?” Emily’s gaze followed her.

  “Rob, he’s my twin,” she said.

  “How old?” asked Em.

  “Both twenty-five,” she replied. Then her eyes lit up, suddenly sparkling. “Oh my God, I don’t believe it!”

  “What?”

  “Your very own swimming pool!” she shrieked excitedly. “Do you think Jago would mind if I used it sometimes?”

  “Don’t see why not.” The older woman grinned at her contagious excitement.

  “I’ve always wanted to learn to swim. Just never had the chance.” S
he turned to Emily, her eyes glowing with anticipation. “So, what do you want me to do?”

  “How do you fancy making pastry? I can do the potatoes for the pie then,” said Emily, already moving away and pulling out a huge bowl.

  “Well, I’ll give it a go.” For once her smile was tentative. One thing she’d never got on with was cooking.

  Half an hour later there was flour on the floor, flour on the beamed ceiling, flour everywhere, as Riley dug in enthusiastically. Her arms were covered in a ghostly dusting; a smattering smudged her face and her raven-black hair was streaked white.

  “What on earth are you doing?” Eve coasted into the kitchen, glaring at the scene of domesticity. “This place looks like a grotto.”

  “Yeah, and here comes the wicked witch,” muttered Riley. She sent a grin to Emily and mouthed. ‘Is she thick?’

  “I’m just glad I won’t be eating that pie,” Eve said dismissively. Pouring a glass of cold water, she dropped a slice of lemon in, along with a scoop of crushed ice.

  “Your loss,” said Riley, the edge of her tongue sticking out of the side of her mouth the way it did when she was concentrating. Trying to fold the dough, she found that the gluey mess stuck tenaciously to her fingers. She sprinkled yet another dousing of flour.

  “Em, I’ll have a salad for lunch.” Eve’s cold gaze settled on Riley. “I’ve got to watch the calories.”

  Riley spared her a snap of a glance. “Glad I don’t need to.” She slapped the dough and struggled to roll it out, determined not to rise to the bait. She had more important things on her mind. Such as how she was going to get the stubborn pastry on a tray.

  Eve leaned against the kitchen sink, in no hurry to leave. “So, do you think you’ll like it here? It must seem quiet compared to London.”

  “Probably. It’s early days yet.” Riley stuck the pieces of pastry in place, covering the base of the tray until it began to resemble a jigsaw puzzle.

  Eve kept her gaze pinned on Riley. “No boyfriend then?”

  Riley glanced up then and hesitated. She was still raw from being text-dumped. Although she was beginning to realize it wasn’t so much him as the way he’d done it that peed her off.