Love on the Menu

by Ellen March

  He shrugged his shoulders. “Not a lot to say, really. My parents were killed in a car crash when I was young. I was brought up by my uncle.” He knew how much his upbringing had moulded his personality. Forget nature versus nurture; there was no debate in his case. It was definitely the latter.

  “And?” she pressed, realizing there was more.

  “And he was a bachelor, lived by himself with only a housekeeper for company.” His finger casually drew circles on her arm.

  “He must have been rich then.”

  “Yep, he was, but he was also a hard man. Didn’t believe in love or affection. Rules were there for a reason, he believed. He saw everything in black and white. He was cold and unemotional.” His voice hardened as he thought back to his lonely upbringing. “I guess that’s why I’m the way I am.” He couldn’t resist planting a kiss on her upturned face, so open and receptive.

  “How old were you?” she asked, a quiver in her voice.

  “Four,” he said abruptly. “Wanting a loving mother and getting her cold-hearted brother instead.”

  Riley sat up and knelt before him. Great drops of tears rolled down her face, and her blue eyes were glittering sapphires.

  “What’s wrong?” Jago’s voice was laced with concern. What was up with her now? He tried to think if he’d said or done anything and wished she’d get her huge chest out of his face. He couldn’t concentrate.

  Then, unexpectedly, he felt his face smashed between them. She held him tight, pressing a flurry of kisses on his head.

  He thought he’d died and gone to heaven.

  “Oh Jago, I’m so sorry, baby! That must have been awful.” She rocked him gently. “At least I had my brother. But you had no one.” The last words ended on a wail.

  Feeling as if he was suffocating, Jago pulled away and tried not to laugh. His life story had seriously upset her. But he knew the story had its happy ending.

  Because when his uncle died, Jago had been left his fortune.

  Only a fraction of it had been necessary to purchase Tyrian, which kept him busy. He enjoyed the outdoor life. The rest had been invested, and luckily for him, it had multiplied.

  He wasn’t sure when to mention that he was a millionaire.

  “Riley, it’s okay, love.” He was amazed at her compassion. Between horses, old men, and his young, orphaned self, she seemed to be one bottomless well of sympathy.

  He ran his tongue over her lips, tasting her salty tears. Pulling her on top of him, he let her feel his erection—hard evidence that he was ready again. He grinned at the smile on her face, knowing she was ready as well.

  * * *

  Sunlight poured through the window, and a soft breeze ruffled the curtain. Jago stirred, feeling a weight on his chest. His eyes flew open, and he stared straight into Riley’s limpid ones. She lay on top of him, wearing nothing but a grin.

  “Morning,” she said hoarsely and gave him a soft, sweet, lingering kiss.

  “I could wake like this every morning of my life,” he said. Wrapping his arms around her, he felt himself harden and wondered what it was about her that made him so horny. It wasn’t just her beautiful body.

  “Have you looked at the time?” she whispered with a giggle. She didn’t move, but was content to lie on top of him for as long as he’d allow it.

  Jago turned his head and did a double take at the hands on the alarm clock, which pointed to eight. “Jesus! I’ve got to get up.” He exploded into action, tossing Riley to one side. But then he returned to give her a quick kiss. “Sorry, honey, but we’re leaving at nine.” He raced to the shower.

  Riley slid out of bed and followed. Sneaking in behind him, she slithered her arms round his waist and rubbed seductively against his back.

  “Woman, will you behave!” he groaned, as her hand covered him.

  “You feel so hard,” she purred, “and your skin’s so soft.”

  “Christ! You’ll be the death of me,” he growled, yanking her round and pressing her forward against the tiled wall.

  “Oh, but what a way to go.” She threw her head back against his chest, and the water smashed over their shimmering bodies.

  “Is this what you want?” whispered Jago, delighted in her mewls of delight. “And maybe this?” He flicked his fingers lower down.

  “Oh, dear God!” she gasped, sinking into his lush touch. What he contrived with his fingertips was reducing her to tears.

  * * *

  Emily was in the kitchen, bustling around and wondering where everyone was.

  Eve alone sat at the table, staring stonily into her glass of water. She wore a cold mantle of misery. Her mood remained dire, despite the fact that Riley wasn’t speaking to Jago.

  Jago was normally an early riser. Emily hoped they hadn’t killed each other. Because the look on Jago’s face last night had given her reason enough to fear the worst.

  “Morning.” Riley bounced into the kitchen. “Lovely day, isn’t it?” She helped herself to coffee.

  Jago followed, wearing a big grin, and sat at the table opposite Eve, blind to her scowling expression.

  “Coffee?” called Riley with a radiant smile.

  “Please, love,” he responded warmly. He only realized what he’d said when a glass smashed to the tiled floor, splintering into a multitude of shards.

  Eve’s face was drained of colour. Speechless, she rose and strode out, leaving the pieces on the floor.

  “It’s okay, I’ll get it,” shouted Emily after her departing back. She grunted as she brushed the pieces into the plastic pan.

  Unable to keep from touching him, Riley caressed Jago’s shoulder and placed a mug of coffee in front of him. “Toast?” she asked, nuzzling him gently at the side of his neck and running her tongue suggestively downwards. “You need to keep your strength up.” She gave him a saucy wink.

  “I need more than toast then,” he answered with a grin, his palm slapping across her pert backside.

  Emily smiled happily; at last the two seemed to have come to their senses.

  * * *

  Riley was already down in the yard and saddling the horses. She waited nervously in the morning sunlight for the girls to appear along with Jago.

  He loped round the corner, leading his big black horse. Vaulting with ease into the saddle, he called out, “Up you get, ladies.” He indicated their mounts, waiting patiently and lazily swishing their tails to scatter the annoying flies.

  Riley frowned. Her sights were set firmly on the girl who had flirted with Jago, and she swallowed a lump of unease. Looking anywhere but at him, she twiddled her ring unconsciously. She was still not convinced they were a couple or that he wouldn’t wander.

  The sunlight dimmed, blocked by Jago’s horse, and she looked up in surprise. Leaning down, he slipped one arm around her waist and pulled her to him. As he kissed her fully on the mouth, her eyes flew open in shock.

  “See you later, honey,” he said, and urging his horse onwards, he led the trio out.

  Riley waved happily. She didn’t miss the grim look the woman gave her. Well, tough, she thought, the man’s mine now.

  But a little demon whispered, For how long?

  She had a bad feeling she ought to be listening.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Riley wandered up to the house, wearing a stupid grin. She knew it was there but couldn’t help it. In the kitchen she leaned against the worktop.

  “He kissed me, Em,” she said dreamily.

  “I thought he’d done a damn sight more than that, judging by the smashed door and the state of his bed.”

  “Oh, he has,” she admitted, unabashed. “But I mean in front of those women.”

  “Good, about time he came to his senses.” She paused and waited. “So what’s going to happen next?”

  “I don’t know; that’s the problem. I’m just so scared it’s all going to blow up in my face.” Her expression turned serious. “You don’t think it will, do you, Em?”

  “Now, why would it? He’s h
appier than I’ve ever seen him,” she said, busily cleaning up the dishes. The room echoed with the clatter of plates as she shuffled them into the dishwasher.

  Sucking in a shaky sigh, Riley hoped she was right. “It’s quiet. Where’s the wicked witch?” She looked around for Eve, almost expecting her to materialize.

  “Think she’s gone for a walk or something,” Emily said. “Probably put on an ounce and so is trying to work it off.”

  Riley shook her head and walked back to the stables. She planned to move two of the mares out into the large field at the side so she could give their stables a good going over.

  Using a halter, she jumped nimbly onto the one and led the second, who followed docilely behind. Snorting gently and shaking their heads, they ambled along beneath the rays of sun filtering through the overhead trees.

  Eve stood in the shadows, watching Riley until she was out of sight.

  Holding tightly onto the hard case, she emptied it into the stable and quickly pushed the door shut. The snake slithered beneath the straw. She’d been lucky to catch one so soon. Basking in the warm sunshine, it had been slow and sleepy.

  But not now.

  * * *

  Riley let the mares loose and slapped them on their rumps, grinning at their antics. Swiftly coming to life, they pranced around the field, their heads high, their tails, pale-grey banners, fluttering behind. After several minutes they dropped their heads to graze on the sweet grass. With a final glance, she closed the gate, and flicking the latch, returned to the stable.

  Riley peered curiously at the closed door, sure she’d left it open. Then, shrugging her shoulders, she started mucking out the other stable.

  Her forehead beaded with sweat, she lugged the barrow around the back, tipped it onto its side, and emptied out the contents. One down, one to go, she thought with relief. She was about to open the door and start on it when an antiquated Land Rover rolled into the yard.

  Riley flashed a wide grin, unable to contain her pleasure when she saw it was Tom. Eager to tell him what had happened, she threw the shovel down and went to meet him.

  “Well, you’re looking a tad better today, lass,” he said. What was left of his yellowed teeth gleamed dully in the light.

  She gave him a hug. “You were right, Tom, and we’re together. I don’t know if he loves me, but it’s a start.”

  “Good, I’m glad. I was worried about you. Just wanted to make sure you were all right.” He shuffled about awkwardly, unused to any show of emotion.

  “Well, tell you what … why don’t you sit down here in the shade while I finish the other stable? Then we can have a nice cold drink and a bite to eat.” She ushered him to the small bench.

  “That sounds good to me,” he agreed, adjusting his battered old hat so it covered his eyes from the blazing sun.

  Grabbing the pitchfork that leaned against the wall, Riley swung open the stable door. She began digging into the straw and flinging it into the barrow. Halfway through, she moved the barrow inside. About to burrow in again, she saw something move.

  “Please don’t be a rat,” Riley prayed out loud and hesitantly probed with the pitchfork. Then she saw it slither towards her, its body shining, a shape of a V on its head. It coiled, hissing.

  It struck at her before vanishing beneath the blanket of straw. It was only then that she let out a scream. Dropping the pitchfork, she raced out of the stables.

  Tom nearly fell off the bench when he heard the bloodcurdling screech. He staggered to his feet and cursed his arthritis as Riley raced towards him. Her face was white and streaked with tears.

  “Oh my God, Tom, it’s a snake, and it went for me,” she cried, her whole body beginning to shake.

  “What?” He was suddenly alert. “What did it look like?” His pale watery eyes were keen with a sense of urgency.

  “Well, like a bloody snake—not very big and with a pretty marking on its head.” She wondered why he wanted a flaming description. “It’s not as if it’s going on crime watch, for Pete’s sake!”

  “Now listen.” He grasped her by her arm. “Did it bite you?”

  “Of course it did—two or three times. Then I screamed and it hid again.” She felt lightheaded. “Oh shit, I don’t feel too good.”

  “Sit down and don’t move,” he told her. “Try and keep as still as you can.” He needed to investigate. Picking up a nearby shovel, he hobbled to the stable. In less than ten minutes he came back out, pushing a wheelbarrow containing the dead snake, its head flattened.

  He looked across to where she sat. An adder’s venom wasn’t usually fatal, but it did happen. And even if you didn’t die, it could make you pretty ill. He knew there were lots around the moors, but he wondered how one had gotten into the stable. He scratched his head.

  A clatter of hooves echoed on the concrete and Jago came round the corner, followed by the girls, their faces glowing.

  He pulled his horse up and shouted, “Riley, give a hand, will you? Stop lounging around and sunning yourself!” He jumped lightly to the ground.

  Tom wandered over. He was looking forward to putting the arrogant Jago in his place.

  “Hi, Tom,” Jago said, loosening the girth on his saddle and automatically running the stirrups up.

  “Jago.” Tom nodded his head. “Well, thing is, could be a bit of a problem with the lass there.” He cricked his neck back at her pale face.

  “Like what?” he asked suspiciously.

  “That thing bit her,” he said, pointing to the adder. “She thinks about two or three—” Before Tom could finish the sentence, Jago had dropped the reins and was racing towards Riley.

  His heart fluttered at such a rapid pace, he couldn’t breathe. “Riley, honey, are you okay?” He dropped to his knees before her, touched her forehead with a shaking hand and gently cupped her face. “Where did it bite you?”

  “My leg,” she said, wondering what all the fuss was about. “Why?” She stared at his hands, which were running up and down the length. “Hey, we’re not in bed now.” She slapped at his hand.

  “Riley,” he bit back in frustration. “You do know it’s poisonous, don’t you?”

  “Well, what was it doing in the stable then?” she yelled back, realizing their truce hadn’t lasted long.

  “I don’t know nor care. All I’m concerned about is you and where it bit you.” Taking deep breaths, he tried to control his temper. He glanced down at her leg again, his hand trembling.

  “Well, you only had to ask.” She stuck her leg out and showed him the marks on her boot.

  Jago exhaled a ragged groan of relief. But just to make sure its fangs hadn’t gone through the moleskin, he eased it off. He tried to roll up her jodhpurs to check for skin breakage, but they were too tight. “Can’t you buy looser jodhpurs?” he snapped, struggling with them.

  “Hey, are you saying I’m fat?” Then without waiting for an answer, she shouted, “Tom, turn your head.” And peeled them down.

  Jago was afraid to look up, hoping that for once she’d worn knickers. Instead he concentrated on her leg. Thankfully he couldn’t see any marks.

  “Okay, pull them back up,” he said and glanced up into the amused faces of the three women.

  “Nice thong,” commented Chelsea with a grin.

  “Primark,” offered Riley. “Set of three for a fiver.”

  Jago rolled his eyes. One minute she was possibly dying of adder bites, the next, discussing the price of knickers.

  “You were lucky you had your boots on,” growled Jago, scrubbing a hand through his hair. He wondered why every time he left her, something happened. She didn’t need a partner; she needed life cover and a bodyguard.

  “Lucky?” she shouted. “Look at the state of my boots! I saved for ages for them and that thing ruined them.” She poked at the tiny torn marks. “Didn’t know they had any snakes around here, either.”

  “Plenty in this area, but I’d like to know how it got in the stable,” said Tom, scratching at his bristl
ed chin.

  “Never mind. You’re my hero! You killed him.” Riley grabbed him by the arm and dragged him along beside her. “Let’s have that nice cold drink, shall we?”

  They wandered slowly towards the house.

  Shaking his head, Jago stared after her, wondering how the hell it fell to him to see to the horses. Then, shrugging his shoulders, he started to unsaddle them. A germ of an idea was forming. He glanced up at the sky. It was still clear, ideal for what he had in mind.

  * * *

  At the sound of animated voices, Eve walked through the kitchen and out onto the patio.

  “Tom, you’re a hero,” said Emily approvingly, giving him an extra-large wedge of her lemon cake.

  “Hero? Have I missed anything?” she asked, not liking the fact that Riley appeared to be in perfect health.

  “There was a snake down the stable, and it bit Riley three times,” explained Emily.

  Eve clapped a hand dramatically over her mouth. “Oh, my goodness, are you okay?” She looked more than okay. Eve wondered what had gone wrong this time. Hell, Riley seemed to have a guardian angel looking over her shoulder.

  “Yeah, lucky I had these on. The bites didn’t go through.” She stuck her leg up in the air. “But look at the damage. I saved for months for them and that pesky snake had to ruin them in one morning.”

  Tom chuckled. “Well, think I’d better be going.” He gave Riley a searching look. “You take care, you hear?” Slowly he rose to his feet.

  Just then Jago walked in. “Off, are you?” he said. “You could stay for the party. The girls are coming over to use the pool.” He didn’t look at Riley, only too aware of what she’d be thinking.

  Eve gave a sly grin at his words and the absolute horror reflected in Riley’s features.

  Emily rose. “Well, better get on and do some sandwiches, then.” She moved discreetly out of the firing line.

  Riley glared at him. “I thought you only used the pool for yourself. Why the exception?”

  Jago decided to go straight for the jugular. “Well, it’s a nice hot afternoon. They can strip off and enjoy the sun.” Carefully he studied the play of emotions on her changeable face.

  She stood abruptly and stalked past him. “Well, I hope you enjoy. I’ve got a headache.” She cringed inwardly at her own feeble excuse. “I’m going to have a lay down.” She hoped she still appeared to have her pride intact and wasn’t acting like a jealous shrew.