Heat in the Kitchen

by Sarah Fredricks

  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.

  'Wha
t 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.'

  'I am not….' She was cut off with a rough kiss. She fought to get her mouth away but he held her in an iron like grip, the pressure of his mouth forcing her lips back against her teeth. The moment his mouth moved she bit his lip.

  'Ow! You bitch!' He slapped her across her face.

  'You were such an obedient little mouse when you were younger. Now you've got some fight in you. Well, if you want it rough, I can do rough. In fact, the rougher the better. You were just a convenient lay before, something to satisfy my appetite until I got your mother in bed at night. Now, she liked it rough too. Let's see if you take after her shall we?'

  With that he yanked her dress, ripping it at the seams as the top fell, exposing her bra covered breasts.

  'Oh, how lovely. You know I quite missed you and your mother. But you couldn't stay, not after that headmaster of yours had reported me to the police.' He started pawing at her through her bra. 'I couldn't even stay in the country, just in case…. Well, let's just say you weren't the first. Couldn't afford to be caught now could I?'

  Ella kicked out at him but he was too quick for her. With a swift pass of his foot under her knees he pushed her to the floor. She continued to struggle, tried to lash out. She got out a scream before he hit her again to shut her up.

  'No-one can hear you. Your struggle and your noise are pointless. We'll have one last session, for old times' sake. If you don't come back over here I don't suppose our paths will cross again. I saw your picture in the paper you know. Knew you were here, so I wangled the chance to chauffeur my boss. I heard the kitchen staff talking about the cosy little meals you've been having with the chef. I've been watching out for you.'

  The rasping, common sound of his voice sickened her. Ella frantically thrashed her legs at him as he shoved her dress up. He held them down so she lashed out with her hands and managed to scratch his face. Tears stung her eyes as the futility of her situation crashed in on her.

  She felt a rush of warm air across her body as the cupboard door was yanked open. With blessed relief, the pressure from his arms loosened as he was caught by surprise. Then all hell broke loose as a number of men rushed inside the small room. Her assailant was grabbed and yanked off her while arms that had become so familiar to her lifted her from the ground.

  'What the hell is going on?' Matt held her close in his arms. He turned to the man who was now struggling against his captors. 'Who the hell are you? How did you get in? If you've hurt her I swear I'll….' Matt let go of Ella and went to take a swing at the pathetic man in front of
him. Someone behind him held him back.

  'No my friend. You do not want to do time in our jails. Beating that pathetic excuse of a man to a pulp is not worth a week locked up.'

  Matt turned to see Azzam standing there.

  He read Matt's look and explained his presence. 'I was sent for. Nothing happens in this palace without my knowledge.' Azzam turned to Ella who stood there shaking, clutching her dress to her bosom. 'I apologise Ella. I am deeply ashamed that this should have happened when you are a guest in my country and in my home. Matt, take Ella and look after her, she needs you just now. I shall see to it that this man is taken care of.'

  Someone shoved a chef's whites into Matt's hands to drape round Ella's shoulders as they left the room.

  As they walked through the kitchen a gloating voice shouted after them. 'We were just getting reacquainted. You see if she's prepared to own up to what she was like as a child!' He turned to Azzam. 'You won't be so ashamed when you know what she was like Your Highness. You won't want a slut like her under your roof.'

  Chapter 9

  Ella couldn't stop shaking. She was in her suite, and the doctor had been to check her face where she'd been hit and treat her for shock. She'd scrubbed her mouth to rid herself of her assailant's smell - the taste of him.

  She felt numb and cold inside - yet her skin was hot. She didn't know how they'd been found so quickly but thank heavens they had been. She remembered all too vividly what he was capable of doing to her. She pulled her knees up to her chin and wrapped her arms around them. She sat on the sofa like that, rocking to and fro, still dressed in the dress he'd ripped from her.

  Matt had left while the doctor had been with her and he hadn't yet returned.

  She felt so alone.

  Just as she'd felt all those years ago when the abuse had first started. It was as if she was fourteen again - she felt trapped in her memories of the pain, the stench, the shame. Only now she was an adult, and it seemed that all the shame would come out. She remembered hearing what he'd called out as she'd been led away. What would Prince Azzam think of her? How many people had been there and heard it? Someone was bound to say something. Matt was bound to ask her what he'd meant.