Heat in the Kitchen (14 page)

'Stay, please Ella.' Matt tightened his hold on her. 'I promise not to explore whatever this thing is between us, but I'd like you to stay. I like the feel of you in my arms.'

Ella settled back down and laid her head on his chest. She was thankful now that she'd resisted the earlier urge to remove her sundress and lie in her costume. Lying here with Matt, she felt dressed and not naked as she would surely have felt had she removed her dress. Whilst she wasn't used to lying with a man, she had to admit that being here with Matt felt wonderful.

Matt wanted nothing more than to make love to her, to have her under him, with him inside her, but he had to admit, that even just lying here like this felt good. Right. A calmness and restfulness settled over him when he was with Ella and he couldn't explain why that was.

'Apparently, the paparazzi have given up camping outside your apartment building.'

Ella glanced up at him. 'How do you know?'

'Ronnie drove past to check.'

'She's a good friend.'

'Yeah, she is. She's a great sister too.'

They lay there for a few moments in companionable silence.

Gently, he broached one of the subjects he wanted her to share with him. 'Tell me how you got on when you met with Daniel.'

Ella sat up and looked at him. 'How do you….' She gave a knowing look as she realised. 'Ronnie. Hmm, maybe she's not such a good friend after all.'

'Technically it was Zander. But Ronnie did tell him what was happening and for some reason he thought I'd be interested.' Matt smiled at her. 'We are all very close.'

'I'm just beginning to realise what that means.' Ella had always liked the idea of being part of a close-knit family unit but she wasn't sure she was keen on being talked about. Not when it meant she was expected to open up about private thoughts.

Matt pulled her back down alongside him and stroked her hair.

'You're not used to talking about yourself, are you? You should know that with Tess and Ronnie as your friends you'll be expected to talk if they think it'll help. That's kind of how we operate as a family - better out than in.' Matt was glad Ella couldn't see his face at that moment because he realised that whilst he encouraged others to operate in that way, he tended to hide his deep pain, particularly how he felt about his parents, their death and the mess they'd left behind. After fourteen years, maybe it was time he practiced what he preached.

For now though, he returned to Ella's situation. 'Ronnie said she helped you escape the paps so you could meet Daniel in private. That's pretty much all she did say, except that you were quiet on the way back. So, how did it go? Are you any nearer to forgiving him?'

'A bit. No that's not true - maybe - a lot. I got in touch with him asking if we could meet. I felt so confused and hurt. I wanted to understand why he'd stayed away. Maybe part of me wanted to see if I had another family somewhere that was any better than the one I have.'

Matt briefly tightened his arms around her to show his support. She was perhaps opening her eyes to what had seemed so obvious to him from the outset.

'And have you?'

'There only seems to be Daniel. He never had kids with his wife. She was busy building a career and they always thought they'd have time. Then she became sick and after a long, hard battle she died.

'He showed me a photo album he's created that has photo after photo of me in it and no-one else. You know, it felt a bit creepy seeing all those photos tracking my life from the age of five up to last year. To think someone had a camera pointed at me and I never knew. I can understand why he took them, but it just seems such an invasion of privacy.'

She shuddered at the idea of not knowing he'd been there. 'How do you cope knowing there could be a camera pointing at you somewhere?'

'Ah, well, you become a bit of an expert at avoiding them once you've been caught a few times! We've made sure the Estate is very private so they don't get our personal time. When we're out in public at a public event, we give them all the shots they want. I'm also getting a bit old now to do stupid things when paps might be around, so the stuff you do see is pretty staged these days. Despite the number of times I may feature in the press I am careful about what I might be doing.' Whilst he spoke, he subconsciously caressed the side of her body.

Ella shifted slightly to make herself more comfortable and placed her hand across Matt's chest. 'He showed me a photo of my grandmother - his mother - when she was in her twenties. It was uncanny how much I look like her. It was just black and white but Daniel assured me she had exactly the same colour eyes and hair.' She smiled at the memory. 'He regaled me with tales of what she'd been like and what his life had been like growing up. Apparently, she'd been really good at the piano.'

'You're exceptional at the piano. You've perhaps inherited the talent from her.'

Matt's compliment made her feel good.

'Did you talk about why he'd stayed away?'

'He seemed embarrassed about that. He admits it was all pretty much to avoid the scandal. You know, because his wife was terminally ill when it happened. He said that was why he spent most of his time abroad. He didn't want to give my mother any ammunition to get more money from him. The longer he stayed away, the harder he said it became to make contact. Somehow he convinced himself I was better off not knowing him.'

Matt heard the pain in her voice and kissed the top of her head.

'He's found out who leaked the story.'

'Let me guess - your mother.'

'Close. No, it was Bianca.'

'Chef sister? Of course! That makes sense - retribution for the wedding. But how did she know?'

'I don't know. Maybe she's overheard things over the years. Maybe Mum has papers and she's snooped.' Ella shook her head, really not knowing the answer. 'It hurts that she could have done that. And yet, maybe I should be thanking her. It's forced everything out in the open and having spent a few hours with him, I genuinely like Daniel.'

Matt squeezed her. 'I'm glad. Are you going to forge a relationship with him now?'

Ella thought about it. 'Yeah, I think so…. Yes, definitely.'

With a light tease in his voice, he asked 'Gonna call him 'Dad'?'

Ella turned her nose up. 'Mmm, I don't think so.'

Matt tilted her chin up so he could look at her. 'What are you going to do about Bianca? Are you going to say anything?'

Ella shook her head. 'I don't think that would solve anything. Anyway, if it is, as you say, retribution, wouldn't that just annoy her - to know that something else had backfired?'

'Probably. But watch yourself when she finds out, which she will. The first time you and Daniel are seen in public together, this whole thing will flare up again in the press. I wouldn't trust that sister of yours.'

Ella looked sad. 'No, I'm beginning not to.' She sighed. 'I wish it could have been different between us all. Daniel's money and insistence that I go to his old school has just caused such a huge rift between us.'

Matt's gaze tore into hers. In the moment before he kissed her she saw great compassion and understanding. If only she could overcome her fear of men, life would be pretty damned close to perfect just now.

Matt had intended the kiss to be a healing kiss, that wiped away the sadness he'd seen in her eyes, but it went from lips meeting to red hot in seconds. Matt didn't try to control his response as Ella kissed him back. Matt pulled her closer as he put a hand in her hair and held her neck. Ella placed a hand under his shirt and felt the pounding of his heart. Their teeth clashed and their tongues took it in turns to explore and taste. They broke apart, taking in much needed air as Ella threw her head back to give Matt access to her neck. He trailed kisses round her jaw line and down her throat as his hand caressed her breast through the fine material of her dress. Ella moaned as her nipples tightened and desire shot to her core.

Matt groaned as a buzzing finally reached his ears. He broke away from her to reach into his pocket and get his phone. He felt Ella freeze in his arms. As he turned off the preset alarm, he said 'No, don't. Don't freeze on me. We were kissing. We were both into it. It is perfectly natural behaviour between two people who want each other.'

'I…. Em, I do….'

Matt put his finger against her lips. 'Don't deny it,' he said quietly, 'or insult us both.' He sighed as he saw her withdrawal reflected in her eyes. 'I'll get to the bottom of this Ella. I want to teach you the beauty of sex. You're passionate - you were made to enjoy a sexual relationship.'

Ella became rigid in his arms.

'What happened Ella?' His voice was a mere whisper. 'I won't hurt you.'

With frustration, he continued. 'But I'm sorry, I have to go back to the kitchen. My break is over for now.' He gave her a gentle kiss to her forehead and removed himself from the lounger.

With a light squeeze of her hand he walked away. 'I'll see you later on.'

As she watched him walk away, a tear trickled down her cheek. She hated being a prisoner to her past and she wanted so much more from Matt. Yet all it seemed he wanted was a sexual affair. She wasn't sure she could give him that.

*

The next few days passed in a blur for Ella. She saw Matt at rushed mealtimes where he was being increasingly disturbed by other chefs with questions and problems. Conversation between them had been minimal.

She'd been buffed and coifed by masseurs, hairstylists, nail technicians, beauticians and personal stylists. Azzam had asked for a special recital at the last minute which had left her practicing a new piece until two in the morning.

Ella felt exhausted after three days of her suite being invaded by strangers - who all had an opinion on how she should look - and three evenings of playing the piano. If this is what princesses had to go through for every big occasion, who would want to be a princess! She had to admit though that she'd enjoyed the whole spectacle of it, particularly the banquet for five hundred people on the Saturday. The State room had been a dazzling display of sheer decadence.

Crystal chandeliers had sparkled as the hundreds of tiny lights in them had shone down on the tables. Each table had been adorned with gold vases and the most spectacularly colourful floral displays. Every woman present had looked as if they'd been buffed to within an inch of their lives as well. Ears had dripped with diamonds and dress after dress had outshone the last in style, trim and plunging neckline. Sparkling tiaras had been delicately placed atop expensive looking hairdos.

Had Ella not had a taste of the opulence on a smaller scale on the Friday night, she didn't think she'd have been able to play on Saturday for nerves. Every man and woman present had made her feel small and insignificant. Not through anything they'd said - she'd not spoken to any of them - it was just the sheer power and confidence they'd exuded. There'd been kings and queens, prime ministers and presidents as well as international celebrities. She'd recognised a few faces, but they were lost amongst the high number of sheikhs who'd been present as well. Azzam had been at his most arrogant best.

She'd heard mutterings amongst the guests as they'd oohed and aahed over Matt's food. She was pleased for him that everything had gone off so well. Despite Azzam's perceived arrogance, he'd been generous in his praise of Matt. If he needed any more work after this weekend, then he would surely get enough bookings to last a lifetime! Ella could vouch for his food, as she'd got to enjoy some more of it in the kitchen each evening. She'd loved the white chocolate and strawberry ice cream spheres that had been served with a dry ice smoke. Even hers in the kitchen had had the dry ice treatment. They'd been presented as one of the petit fours along with the Turkish delight. From where she'd sat on the stage it had looked as if people had fought over the last one on every table. That had been one of the funnier moments of the weekend and had actually helped her relax just before she'd started playing.

She thought she'd played in some outstanding venues and in front of some very special people over the years, but playing in the Royal Palace in Quinaard had to have topped the lot. She'd also received thunderous applause from Azzam's guests with a few requests passed to her for small recitals around the world. She hadn't promised any of them but it looked like she too, could be busy in the foreseeable future if she wanted to be.

Tonight she'd been required to play background music as the guests had eaten, rather than perform after the meal, so it was just a little after ten when she went in search of Matt and her evening meal.

*

'Well, well, well, if it isn't little Daniella, all grown up.'

Ella froze on the spot. The voice evoked all the bad memories from her childhood. They flooded back into her head in technicolour, clamouring over one another as she relived the six weeks of rape in the blink of an eye.

She forced one foot in front of another, trying to put distance between her and the voice, hoping that someone else would approach her - safety in numbers.

A hand shot out and grabbed her wrist. 'Oh no you don't missy. Think you're above us all now, do you - with your posh frock and fancy hair. Well I'll soon prove different.' He yanked her to him and put his hand over her mouth to stop her from screaming out. She tried not to gag from the stale smell of cigarettes.

'Let's go have a little chat shall we, for old times' sake.' He removed his hand as they walked into the kitchen. 'Smile at the staff my dear. There we are, act like we're old friends.'

Ella's eyes darted round, trying to find Matt. Without moving her head it was hard to see who was in the kitchen. It seemed quieter than it had previous nights. Kasib glanced at them as they walked past before he was distracted by one of the other waiters.

They rounded the corner towards the little alcove she'd shared with Matt each night and then she found herself being pushed into a store cupboard and up against the wall. The door clicked shut behind them.

'Nice thick walls. We shouldn't be heard in here. Now then, let's have a look at how you've turned out.' He held her out in front of him as if she were some kind of prized cow. 'Very nice Daniella. I like my women with curves.'