Love on the Menu

by Ellen March

  “You like this?” she whispered, shooting him a brief glance.

  “Oh shit, Riley!”

  She looked at him blankly, her blue eyes smoky with passion. “Didn’t I do it right?”

  “Oh yes, perfect.” He pulled her towards him and rolled on top. “But not if you want me to last,” he muttered. Nudging her legs apart, he circled enticingly at her entrance, trying to take his time. He edged inside inch by delectably juicy inch. She was having none of it, arching against him, so he ploughed forward in one deeply invading lunge.

  Pausing, he spun his gaze across her with single-minded attention. Then, so softly, he brushed his lips across her face, kissing her with infinite sweetness, pouring himself inside her. He gave and she took, teasing him gently. With fiendish skill, Jago moved within her, flicking against the spot that made her shudder, swallowing her gasps.

  Riley wrapped her legs around his waist, taking him deeper, so deep he felt he was drowning. Unwilling to let him go, she drummed her heels on his back, urging him on. Jago threw his head back and, with a low growl, climaxed at the same time as she splintered against him.

  Quickly after came the belated thought that he hadn’t used protection.

  They lay entwined, each breathing heavily, their bodies bathed in a sizzling sheen of perspiration.

  Reluctantly rolling over, he pulled Riley with him, careful not to hurt her. She lay across his chest, absently twirling his nipple, gazing up at him.

  “What’s wrong?” he grinned, thinking she looked like a cat that got the cream. Extremely contented, almost purring.

  “Just wondering if you’re going to be in a black mood in the morning.”

  His lazy smile vanished. “Not unless you tell me again how you’re going to make up for lost time.”

  Sitting up, she cricked her head. “Was that why you were grumpy?” she asked in astonishment. “You were jealous?”

  “No. I just don’t like the idea of you making love to anyone else,” he admitted grudgingly, still denying the obvious. To distract her, he nibbled at the delectable nipples that called to him.

  “Well, at least I’m virgin territory. Not like you,” she said, punching his shoulder. “Was there anyone special?” she asked as she snuggled against him.

  Jago lay back, thinking about the women he’d had. And the answer was a resounding no. He’d had so much sex, but no emotion had ever attached itself. Finally he shook his head. “No, never,” he said quietly, placing another kiss on top of her head.

  “Good. I’m glad,” she said. She needed to know. She didn’t want any ghosts in their relationship. That is, if there is going to be one, she thought.

  Jago’s eyes drifted painfully over her chest, narrowing when they reached the vivid bruises. “What did you do with Steve?” he asked abruptly, changing the subject.

  “What do you mean?” She didn’t want to talk about Steve. Jago’s sharp words were destroying her fragile peace.

  “You must have been doing something for him to grab your tits.” His face hardened, a fury rolling over him.

  “Oh, I get it.” Riley pushed away from him. “You think it’s my fault?” She hurtled out of bed, angry and unbelievably upset. Oblivious to the cold air on her naked body, she paced the room, hands flailing. “So … we kissed. Is that what you want to know?” She was screeching, her voice high and shrill. Even to her own ears she sounded like a fish wife, but after what she’d gone through, a bit of sympathy wouldn’t go amiss—instead of these accusations, which implied she was somehow at fault.

  “I’m not blaming you, it’s just ….” Slipping out of bed, he tried to snatch her arm and calm her down.

  “Get away from me!” She shook him off; she’d been manhandled enough. “You want to know what I did to encourage him?” She jabbed a finger against his chest. “Well, sorry to disappoint you, but I never touched his dick.” She turned to stride away.

  “Riley!” He grasped her shoulders and spun her around to face him. “I want to sort this tonight.”

  “He kissed me, and I didn’t like it,” she sniffed, feeling sorry for herself, her head bent. She relived the fear that had torn her apart, leaving her raw and tortured. The terror had eaten into her; it still did. “When he put his tongue in my mouth I felt sick.”

  “Ssh, it’s okay.” Jago pulled her close and felt hot tears scalding his chest.

  “And then he grabbed me by the throat, said I needed a lesson.” The tears flowed freely now, and she trembled in his arms.

  “Don’t, Riley. I don’t want to hear any more,” Jago pleaded, wishing he’d left it there. He rubbed his cheek on the top of her head soothingly. But he honestly couldn’t say if his soft caresses were more for his benefit or hers.

  “He called me a dick teaser.” She tilted her head back to look into Jago’s white face. “And then he grabbed me. Stuck his tongue in my ear, and bit it, before he started pinching and hurting me.” The words were spilling out. “And I was so scared. I thought, I thought ….” Unable to continue, she sobbed quietly against his chest.

  Jago wrapped her in a steely embrace. Her whole body was wracked with shudders. He quietly stroked her back till they’d finally subsided and she looked up. Her eyes were red and puffy, her skin ashen. It was only then that he noticed the bruising at the base of her windpipe. His hands convulsed and tightened into fists.

  “I’ll see to him, honey, I promise,” he whispered. He brushed a teasingly light kiss across her lips. Jago was driven by a need to wash the touch of Steve from her before he made love to her again. “Come on, let’s shower.”

  “Why, do I smell?” She flashed him a shaky grin and gave her armpit a quick sniff.

  Jago burst out laughing. Only Riley could come out with that after what she’d been through. Underneath that fragile exterior she had a spine of steel. And he admired that trait very much. He recalled the hike and her stubbornness. She’d surprised him then, and he’d felt strangely proud of her.

  “You can wash my back, I promise,” he teased. Draping an arm around her shoulder, he propelled her into the bathroom.

  As she stood beneath the spray, she felt her skin prickle with goose bumps. His hands expertly travelled across every pore of her skin. His touch was sinfully erotic, teasing every nerve ending and turning her core into a melting pot of pure sex. Jago scooped a dollop of shower gel and knelt before her. His fingers walked unhurriedly along her thighs—hmmm, definitely a leg man—and flicked over her fanny. He dropped to his knees, pushing between her lips. The tip of his tongue sensually stroked and rolled along her folds. He was determined to make her forget everything except the explosions detonating deep inside.

  As Jago cupped her buttocks, she thrust against his head, holding him still, not wanting him to stop. Riley’s stomach curled in delicious anticipation. Her bones turned to mush, and she threw her head back, shuddering against his mouth.

  Rising before her, he bent his head, threading his tongue across her mouth in one drawn-out, hungry lick.

  “It’s weird tasting myself,” she whispered. With a smile full of promise and a cheeky glint in her eye, she murmured, “Now it’s my turn.”

  “I was hoping you’d say that.”

  Moving languidly, Riley traced his wet body with small circles. Then she slid behind him and let her fingertips tinkle over his taut buttocks. Leaning into him, plush against his back, she continued her fingers’ playful quest. Soothing and scrolling over his stomach, they snuck lower, searching with a blind intensity. Finally she took him hungrily in her hands, strumming her fingers up and down while she gyrated against him.

  Jago bit his lip as a wave of pure bliss sluiced over his body. He frantically tried to control the powerful urge to lose himself within her. He was burning with a fire that raged deep inside him. It scored through his veins, turning his blood into a seething inferno of volcanic lust. He was trembling and couldn’t stand still any longer.

  Spinning around, he pressed her against the tiled wall. Raisi
ng her leg up, he inched in bit by bit, slowly invading, his tongue seeking her nipple and sucking it hard.

  Riley’s kittenish mewls echoed about the chamber. Raising his head, he licked a path across her lips. Slanting across her mouth, he pushed inside, tasting and possessing her every pulsating response. Her body arched and bucked against him as he slammed into her. Unable to calm the surge crashing down on him, he growled deeply, coming into her with a speed that swamped her writhing body.

  “Christ, Riley, what are you doing to me?” he gasped, resting his forehead against hers, his chest heaving. Gently he dropped her leg back down.

  “Oh my God,” she shrieked. “I’ve got a cramp!”

  Jago grinned. He was complimenting her on the best sex he’d ever had and she was screaming she had a cramp. He enjoyed the sight of her rubbing her very shapely thigh. The sheen of water glowed almost translucent across her skin.

  “Don’t laugh. It hurts! And anyway, it’s your fault for holding my leg up so high.”

  “Come on, Riley, let’s get you to bed.” He switched the shower off and pulled a large fluffy towel around her. Picking her up, he carried her back to his bedroom.

  It was over an hour later when, sated at last, Riley lay curled in his arms, her body exhausted. “Think you’ve got one hell of a sweet tooth developing,” she mumbled tiredly.

  “Think you’re right,” he agreed worriedly. Pressing a kiss on her shoulder, he pulled the quilt up over them and waited for her to go to sleep.

  He still needed to see someone.

  * * *

  He entered the barn silently and glided over to Steve’s bunk. Placing a hand over his mouth, he shook him awake.

  “You, outside, now!” he snarled. “We’ve got some unfinished business to sort out.”

  Steve rubbed his eyes blearily. He flung the sheet back and, wearing only a pair of boxers, followed him outside.

  The door closed quietly and Jago glared at him, his eyes mere slits. Balling his hands into fists, he said, “This is for Riley,” and smashed into his chin. Steve staggered back.

  “What the hell?” he yelled, holding his face. “She deserved it. She’s nothing but a—” He didn’t finish as another punch slammed into his stomach, followed by another to his face. Jago’s face was contorted in an almost feral fury.

  Steve tried to fight back, but he was no match for him.

  His fists pounded continually into him, smashing every touch that he’d dared to lay on Riley.

  * * *

  Riley shivered and sought to snuggle against Jago’s big, warm body. She opened her eyes slowly, wondering where he was. Then it came to her: his threat against Steve.

  Grabbing one of his T-shirts, she flew out of the bedroom, knowing she had to stop him, afraid he’d end up killing the man.

  In the distance she could see them outside the barn. Barefoot, she raced towards them. Grabbing Jago’s arm, she held onto it with a strength born of fear. “Noooo!” she screamed, determined not to leave him go.

  Jago turned. Then stared down at Steve, crumpled on the floor, his face covered in blood. The red mist that had taken hold was gradually receding.

  “Jago?” pleaded Riley. “Please, no more!” she gasped, breathing hard from her race to get to him.

  Steve struggled to his feet, wiping the blood from his nose. He kept a wary eye on Jago.

  “I want you out of here first thing in the morning. If I see you again, I’ll kill you,” swore Jago, keeping Riley close behind him. He wanted her safe at all costs.

  The blond man nodded, and shooting Riley a glare, he staggered inside.

  “Don’t you ever listen?” she shouted, hands on hips. Worry seeped through her voice. Her hands were shaking with the fear that Jago might have killed Steve.

  “Riley, shut the hell up,” he yelled back. “And what are you doing down here in just that?” He pointed to the top she wore, which stopped at the top of her legs. He knew damn well she wore no knickers.

  “Don’t you dare tell me to shut up!” She spun around and marched away.

  He loped alongside her, catching glimpses of her pert buttocks peeping enticingly from beneath the T-shirt.

  She stopped so suddenly he nearly fell over her, poked a finger in his chest, and said, “If it wasn’t for me, you’d be charged with murder.”

  “I still might,” he growled, pushing her through the front door. “Now, where do you think you’re going?” He stared at her back as she stormed past him and up the stairs.

  “Come on,” she ordered. “Let me see to your knuckles.” She darted a brief glance at the broken skin and bright red blood and pushed him unceremoniously into a seat. Then she fetched the first-aid kit.

  She rubbed roughly at his hands, making him wince.

  “Stop being such a baby.” She was standing in front of him, her breasts bouncing as she concentrated on her task.

  “Riley, don’t ever take up nursing,” he groaned, closing his eyes. “Promise?”

  After making sure his knuckles were clean, she smoothed the antibiotic cream into his skin, her movements sharp and jerky.

  Finally pleased with her handiwork, she shot him a glare and slammed the box shut. “There, that should do. Now can we go back to bed, and this time maybe stay there?” she snapped.

  “Bossy woman,” moaned Jago good-naturedly.

  Relaxed now that he’d vented his anger, he followed her upstairs, admiring the view. Yep he was an ass man. He loved the way her slim hips sloshed provocatively from side to side.

  * * *

  Riley jumped into bed, taking sneaky peeps at Jago as he stripped off. He’d scared her tonight. She’d never seen anyone so angry, and all because of her.

  Always fiercely independent, she was unused to anyone interfering. Not even her brother Rob bothered standing up for her. And now Jago appeared to be her saviour. A sweet, warm glow flooded her.

  She felt the mattress dip as he slipped beneath the quilt. Trying to get comfy, she snuggled up to him.

  “Riley, will you keep still?” he growled, exhaustion blistering over him.

  “I’m trying to, except your chest is too hard.” She turned over, hit the pillow and tried to settle down. “Jago?” she whispered.

  “Mmmm,” he muttered tiredly.

  “Will you still want dessert tomorrow?”

  She nibbled worriedly at her bottom lip, unable to understand how she’d gone so long without it.

  “Yes. Satisfied?” His eyelids drooped.

  “What’s the most dessert you’ve had in one sitting?”

  “Can we leave it there?”

  Riley didn’t like that answer. She felt her own eyelids wilt and decided she’d leave her interrogation till morning.

  Jago spooned his body to mould protectively to her. In seconds he was asleep.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Rob stared worriedly out the window. His gaze drifted, not for the first time, to the figure of the man standing there. He leaned casually against the wall, looking straight up at him. He made no effort to blend in, clearly wanting his presence known. He was a wall of steroid-enhanced muscle, and he was there to watch Rob.

  It was early. In fact Rob hadn’t even been to bed. Instead, he’d sat up chain-smoking, observing the yellow stain that filtered across his fingers. Nervously he took sharp sucks of his fag and wondered how he was going to get away without being followed. A shower of fine rain blew across the deserted street littered with debris and leaves, making his melancholy mood even darker.

  A sharp hammering reverberated around the hallway. He moved the curtains, trying to see who was there, afraid to open the door. The knocking continued, until he heard the wood splintering.

  A cold terror froze his body. He could only watch fearfully as the two figures rushed towards him.

  “Where is it?” asked a tall youth with a shaved head. Casually he slapped a baseball bat against his hand. Indistinguishable dark ink tattoos stood out on each of his fingers.

&nbs
p; “I d-don’t know what you’re talking about,” stuttered Rob, stumbling backwards. Looking wildly for a route past them, he noticed the other man standing coolly in the doorway. His beady eyes were challenging him to run.

  “Don’t give me that! We know you stole the cocaine.” He pushed back, and he fell against the settee.

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I haven’t got it. You can search the place. Go on,” he urged, aware they wouldn’t find it.

  “No point wasting our time, is it? Where’s your sister?” he asked, his expression knowing.

  Rob frowned. He didn’t want Riley involved in this and wished he hadn’t hidden the drugs in her suitcase.

  “She’s left London, gone to work somewhere else.” He stumbled over his words and realized that somehow they knew. Rob swallowed his rising panic; his carefully thought-out plan was quickly disintegrating.

  The youth nodded. “I know. Mick’s been to the club. Said she’d finished.” He eyed him speculatively. “Wonder why she took off so suddenly?”

  “It wasn’t sudden,” he said, licking his dry lips. His heart pounded in his chest and his palms were slick with sweat. He was terrified that he’d put Riley in danger.

  “Mick wants her address,” the bald youth said smoothly. “Misses her, you see, wants to make sure she’s all right.”

  Rob shook his head. “I d-don’t have it,” he stuttered, choking on the bile rising in his throat.

  The baseball bat lashed out, clearing the coffee table of its contents. Then he smashed it down, shattering the glass. Tiny fragments flew through the air, a kaleidoscope of colour settling on the floor.

  “I won’t ask again,” the man said, eyes fixed on Rob with dark intensity.

  “I swear I don’t know,” he pleaded. His eyes never left the bat; he could almost feel the pain of it hitting his skull. “Look, I’ll ring her and get it, okay?”