Delicious (A Rumour Mill Novel) (5 page)

           
When
Guy returned to the hall he was equally as tired. He needed a hot shower. Guy
wanted to watch Sky Sports before he nodded off. He waited for the lift that
would take him to his floor where his suite was located. The lift open, Gemma
was standing inside.

           
“There
you are! I’ve been looking all over for you.” Gemma purred. Guy entered the
lift. He quickly pressed the button to his floor. The doors closed.

           
“I
was attending to business.” Guy replied.

Guy wasn’t
interested in conversing with Gemma. On further thought he wished he walked
away to wait for another lift. Swiftly and surprisingly Gemma came around to
Guy. She wrapped her arms around his waist. It was a tight squeeze like a squid
catching its prey. Guy shocked by Gemma’s tactic tried to push his hands down
to remove Gemma’s arms from around him.

           
“Don’t
fight it. I know you’re attracted to me. Tamzin told me so.” Gemma mewled in a
seductive tone.

           
“No
I’m not. Tamzin got it all wrong. She’s lying to you. You’re better off with
someone else.” Guy said forcefully.

           
Gemma
brought her lips down to his neck. She kissed him. She left a bright ruby red
lipstick stain on his collar. Guy eyed the lift’s monitor as he pried his way
out. She pawed at him like an eager puppy with toys.
 
Finally the lift bell rang and the doors
opened. Gemma released Guy. He pushed Gemma aside to pass.

           
“As
the days go by, I hope to see you Guy.” Gemma cooed as she followed him down
the hallway towards his room.

           
Guy
wanted to say
, Gemma you’re appealing as
a mosquito,
but kept quiet.

           
“Gemma,
I said it once before and I’ll say it again, I’m not interested in
you
.” Guy said angrily.

           
Guy
reached his suite door, unlocking it. As Guy was about to let the door slam Gemma
wedged her Dune high heel between the threshold and the door.

           
“Come
on Guy. I can give you a blow-job if you like. I bet it’ll be the best you ever
had.” Gemma moaned in her Liverpool accent.

 
          
Guy heard enough from her. He kicked
Gemma’s heel out the door and looked directly into her eyes.

           
“
NOT INTERESTED! GOOD NIGHT!
” Guy shouted
without giving her any more opportunities. He slammed the door shut.

           
When
Guy thought she was gone, he took off his clothing, had a hot shower and
climbed into bed naked. He tried to watch telly but his mind was on other
things. All he could think about was Grace.
God,
she really is beautiful. Those eyes of hers and her hands! Where has she been
all my life?
Thoughts of Grace aroused Guy. As Guy wished that Grace was
right there lying next to him, his cock stiffened hard.
It’s been one of those days.
Guy needed sexual release.

           
Guy
reached for lotion, kept on the nightstand by his bed. Slowly he stroked his
arousal. Guy’s palm easing its way up and down his cock’s lengthy shaft, the
creamy wetness he imagined it to be Grace with her sweet, tender mouth.

Guy wanted Grace
on top of him naked. He imagined his head nuzzling her round soft pleasurable
breasts. There he’d lick, suck and taste her. He wanted her floured hands all
over him and licking dark chocolate off of his steel hard abs. The more Guy
dreamt about Grace the harder he’d squeezed his cock and the faster he stroked.

           
“Grace.”
Guy hissed softly whilst fantasising about Grace bouncing up and down his cock.
He wanted his hand on Grace’s shoulders whilst her caramel hair cascading on
her back. Grace’s head thrown back as she massaged her clit whilst riding him.

           
Guy
needed to come. His thumb grazed the head of his cock. He could feel his
pre-cum wetness.

           
“Bloody
hell, Grace! I need you.” Guy moaned.

           
Finally
orgasm took hold. Guy ruptured hot sticky cum down his steely rigid cock onto
his hand. His body trembled at his climax.
No
one ever done that to me before, not even in fantasy.
It’s the truth. No
one turned Guy on like Grace did. Guy was going to make it his point to get to
know her better before the week was over.

♥

romptly at four A.M., Grace awoke startled.
She was still groggy and unaware of her surroundings.
 
She sat up in the bed believing she was in
her bedroom and she must have dreamt it all. When she reached for the bedside
lamp and switched it on, she quickly assessed it wasn’t a dream. Grace got up,
showered, changed into her work clothing and walked to the cottage kitchen for
breakfast. There she found the note Guy left along with the map and torch for
which she was grateful. She smiled in bliss at Guy’s promise in meeting her for
afternoon tea.

           
Grace
continued to explore the kitchen. She found it to be fully stocked. It enabled
her to make a light breakfast of porridge and tea.
 
As she ate and drank, Grace read the note
over and over again.

           
He’s so handsome! What does he want with a
girl like me? He’ll forget about me by tea time.
Grace felt it to be true.
There are so many famous, beautiful guests
staying at the hall, why would he want me?

           
With
breakfast done Grace walked the path that took her across the grounds to the
kitchen. It was dark. The sky overcast with no moon or star light to guide the
way. She held the torch tightly in her hand thinking she needed to thank Guy for
it. Grace heard an owl hooting loudly on a nearby branch. The wind blew softly through
the trees. Leaves fell tenderly from the towering oaks lined the path. Grace
shivered. She was glad to be wearing her Top Shop parka because it was cold.
The first frost covered ground. It was silent until Grace reached the service
entrance.

At the service
entrance fresh deliveries arrived from the milk man to the meat man. Trevor
stood aside barking orders to chefs and busboys who were lending a hand.

           
“Good
morning Grace.” Trevor said as he handed off a box of fresh vegetables to her.
“I called a few favours last night. Your deliveries shall be here by noon.”

           
“Thank
you Chef.” Grace replied excitedly.

           
“Good
luck. Remember we work as a team.” Trevor added as he signed off on some more
deliveries.

           
Grace
walked up the stairs. She dropped off the vegetable box in its’ respective
area. She took off her parka and hung it in the cloak room of the kitchen. As Grace
returned to her station to place on her chef’s jacket, she felt her nerves
tingle.
Today’s the beginning of the rest
of my life. Please don’t let me screw this up.

♥

Loud chatter from London Lion teammates
outside his suite door woke a slumbering Guy. The lads banged their fists on
his door to wake Guy. Grumpily, he got out of bed and opened it, allowing his
team to pour in like a tidal wave.

           
“Come
on! We didn’t see you yesterday! What happened? Did you shag one of the hens?”
Darren joked.

           
Guy
ignored Darren’s comment as he didn’t want to get in an argument. He went to
the loo to change as the lad’s carried on their conversation of last night’s
wicked debacle.

           
As
Guy brushed his teeth, he overheard their exploits and was glad he didn’t
partake in any of it.
Yes settling in for
the night with Rosie the palm was a better option especially a fantasy about Grace!
Guy needed to see her and he was desperate for tea time.

           
When
Guy was dressed he followed his team out of his suite. They went down to the
dining hall where a breakfast buffet was set. Guy helped himself to a cup of
coffee and a full English breakfast. It consisted of bacon rashers, fried eggs,
beans, black pudding, tomatoes, mushrooms and fried toast. Guy took a chair
next to Darren. Darren, laughing about a strip club incident with other team
mates, looked to Guy.

           
“We
missed you last night!” piped Johnny. Johnny was a scrawny tall lad who is good
mates with Guy.

           
“I
was out buying the wedding cake.” Guy replied. Across fried toast Guy tugged his
knife too hard. Darren noticed.

           
“Give
the cake rest, mate.” Darren said. “Tonight’s going to be wild wicked and
filled with naked willing women. We’re going to Cherries in Manchester.
Tamzin’s going with the hens for a night out in Hereford! The Hummer limo’s collecting
us around seven.” he added eagerly.

           
Guy
looked at Darren knowingly as he drank his coffee. He knew Darren’s future
father-in-law owned Cherries. It was one of the many owned by William and it
bode badly for a terrible night. Guy rather spend his night with Grace than at
Cherries.

           
“Are
you sure you want to party at Cherries? There are a million other strip clubs
in Manchester that aren’t owned by your father-in-law. Do you want problems?” Guy
questioned with worry in his voice.
He’s
my brother after all. I can’t let him do this. He’s going to fuck up the rest
of his life if he does what he normally does at strip-clubs.

           
The
lads chuckled. They knew Darren was notorious with the ladies.

           
“No
worries here. Besides it’s a free night out. All bought and paid for by her old
man. Who couldn’t ask for more? As best man you were obligated to make
arrangements and you didn’t do your duty.” Darren replied with a grin.

           
“This
is your marriage we are talking about, Darren. If you fuck around you’ll suffer
severe consequences I can’t save you from.” Guy admonished.

           
 
Darren didn’t like Guy’s tone or reaction. Guy
treated him like a child in front of the team and if there was one thing Darren
hated, it was this tone.

           
“Marriage
isn’t going to tie me down. Nor do I need you to be telling me what to do.”
Darren retorted with a snort.

The lads bellowed
out in another round of laughter. When Darren’s time comes Guy vowed not to
play a knight to Darren’s damsel in distress act. He ate his meal in silence
whilst the others around him continued on with their breakfast and
conversation.

“Let’s go shooting
lads!” Darren ordered to the group as soon as breakfast was complete. They got
up from their chairs to follow Darren out to the lawn as Guy sat in his seat
finishing the last of his coffee.

Tamzin and Gemma
were sitting at a nearby table. They were finishing their breakfast with the
other hens. Tamzin kept her eye on Guy as the lads went off to shoot. Seeing
Guy alone, Tamzin took a chance to approach Guy about his rude behaviour to
Gemma. Gemma followed Tamzin to Guy’s table.

“Gemma told me you
rejected her advance. Why?” Tamzin questioned heatedly. Tamzin’s steely grey
eyes looked like two small bullets ready to fire from her skull.

“Tam, how’s this
your business?” Guy asked.
Tamzin needs
to give up on the idea of Gemma and me.

“It’s my business
Guy when you turn my best hen away.” Tamzin snapped as she placed her hands
firmly on her hips.

“Gemma if you felt
the need to speak to me regarding your feelings of rejection you should’ve
spoken to me. I didn’t realise you need Tamzin as your mouth piece.” Guy
lashed.

Guy looked
directly at Gemma’s eyes as he got up to leave the table. Gemma maintained her
deadpan expression.

“I have better
things to do with my time than waste it with you two.” Guy added disdainfully.

“I felt you
could’ve tried hard. We’d be perfect together.” Gemma moaned woefully.

“And I told you
I’m not interested.”

Guy tried hard to
be civil, but his patience was waning and didn’t know how long it was going to
hold out. Guy left Tamzin and Gemma without speaking another word.

“Come back here!”
Tamzin shrieked.

Guy paid no
further attention. He didn’t look back at them.
Let them lick their wounds of refutation.
Guy’s mind was on Grace,
but he had to get through clay shooting first.

♥

The sound of gunshots firing and plates
shattering startled the kitchen staff. Grace looked up from her work. She was
cooling six red velvet cakes along with some faerie cake samples. They were for
Trevor to try.
Flipping Nora! When is
this going to end?
Grace silently thought to herself. It was distracting for
everyone around including her.

           
Trevor
came over to inspect Grace’s work. Pleased with the taste of red velvet, Trevor
approved of the new cake instead of the original version. Trevor and Grace both
agreed red velvet will surely win a crowd over especially as it’s a flavour
most Brits didn’t find in the U.K. After many years of catering for celebrities
Trevor knew they’d love it.

           
A
clay plate shattered by a perfect shot, echoing its’ sound throughout the
kitchen marked the arrival of another person. It was Tamzin. The staff briefly
looked up from their stations and quickly looked away in case Tamzin made
demands in changing the menu. In a heartbeat Tamzin could destroy countless
hours of work if one person only said hello to her.

           
Instead
Tamzin bypassed them all. She marched straight over to Graces’ work station.
Tamzin was curious in meeting the pastry chef Guy acquired and to see whether
or not Grace was up to the challenge. Tamzin ran her talons against the
stainless steel countertop. They made a horrible scraping sound.

Standing before
Grace was one of the U.K.’s top glamour model, yet Tamzin looked nothing like
her pictures. She wasn’t as pretty as portrayed on the glossy print covers and
Rumour Mill
pages. Tamzin’s face was
covered in old acne pock. Her make-up, fake tan and airbrushing hid the scars
terribly.

“Hi. I’m Tamzin
Smythe the bride. Guy told me you’ll be the one creating my wedding cake.”
Tamzin said.

Grace offered her
hand to Tamzin for a hand shake, but it was rejected. Grace pulled her hand
back quickly.

“Hello. I’m glad
to have finally met you. I’m Grace Knowles of Delicious Bakery.” Grace replied
with a warm smile.

“I’ve never heard
of your business, Delicious. Is it here or elsewhere?” Tamzin questioned.
Tamzin looked at Grace up and down, eyeing her to see if Grace will be a
distraction for Darren.

“Oh. I haven’t
opened yet. We’re located in Covent Garden. We’re in the process of
refurbishment.” Grace fibbed.

It’s a small white lie.
More of a half truth
, reasoned Grace. Grace
hoped Tamzin didn’t think she wasn’t experienced in cake making.

Tamzin gave a weak
smile, noticing Grace and her beauty.
She’s
got a curvaceous body and innocent charm.
Tamzin thought sourly. It’s a charm
Tamzin knew drew men like a moth to flame. Tamzin puckered her lips in dismay.
She prayed Darren wouldn’t come into the kitchen to inspect
this
wedding cake.

“Tell me about the
cake.” Tamzin said rubbing her bottom lip with a finger.

In detail Grace told
Tamzin about the cake. Grace handed Tamzin a faery cake for her to sample.
Whilst she looked over the sketches Tamzin devoured the cake.

Even though Tamzin
had concerns she adored the sample. It was tasty. Tamzin didn’t know of anyone
who’d ordered red velvet for a wedding cake. She’d be the only one in her
social circle to have it for her wedding. It’s original and Tamzin knew her
guest would bowl over it.

“I approve. Make
it six layers and smashing! I want this cake to be the talk of the town.”
 
Tamzin concluded.

Abruptly Tamzin
turned to walk away. She didn’t bother saying goodbye. It was Tamzin’s way of
letting Grace know that she’d been dismissed.

♥

           
“Well
done, Guy!” Jonny said watching as Guy hit another clay plate in a perfect
shot. Guy pulled off his ear protectors. He hand Jonny the rifle before giving
him a high-five.

           
“Thanks!
Let’s see you have a go at it.” Guy said.

           
Guy
walked over to the ice-buckets that were filled with a variety of imported
beer. He took out a Red Stripe and opened it. A few other London Lion teammates
patted Guy on the back, but the jovial mood was interrupted by the sudden
appearance of Tamzin. Tamzin came face to face with Guy, snatching his beer
from his hand. She quickly took a drink and grimaced.

           
“You
didn’t tell me she’s pretty.” Tamzin snapped. She was cross.

           
“What
are you on about now?” Guy asked. His mood and patience stretched thin.

Guy didn’t care
what Tamzin was rambling on about. All Guy was interested in was meeting Grace for
lunch. He ordered a picnic basket from one of the in-house chefs and was
planning on take her on a riverside picnic. Guy thought Grace would enjoy a
well need break from the kitchen.