Heat in the Kitchen Read Online Free PDF Page A

as out of bounds.
    Just then, Ella took the netting off her head and shook her hair down, running her good hand through it to straighten out the mess. As he'd fantasised, her hair cascaded halfway down her back.
    He groaned. His body may be tired but one part of him was beginning to wake up again. He resisted the urge to reach out.
    'Come on, let's get to bed.' The look on her face would have been comical if his body hadn't been getting even more excited at the thought of taking her to bed. He fought down the urge.
    'I mean separately! I don't know where your mind is Ella, but pick it back out again!' Nice deflection Matt! He mentally shook his head.
    Ella coloured that Matt had again read her thoughts.
    As he locked up the building, Ella moved towards her car.
    'Where are you going?'
    'Home.'
    'Which is how far away?'
    'Um… about fifty minutes?' She guessed.
    'Too far. You'll fall asleep. And you think you can drive with that hand? Tess won't forgive me if I chuck you out at this hour of the day. Come on, you can bunk down at mine.'
    Ella looked uncertain at his offer and turned again towards her car.
    'I said no.'
    Matt grabbed her hand and pulled her towards him. Ella jerked her hand away as if he'd burned her. Maybe he had, he'd felt the jolt too.
    He was confused between wanting to protect her as he did his sisters, and losing himself in her until they were both physically exhausted. He had never been so confused about a woman before. He must be more tired than he thought.
    He led her across the Estate grounds to the country house within which he and each of his siblings had their own separate apartments.
    Ella was fast losing all rational thought as she was struck with the idea she was following a lion into his den. She didn't seem able to stop. She just hoped she could cope if the lion beat its manly chest!
    *
    Matt unlocked the main door positioned in the centre of the enormous building and invited her to go ahead of him. The door clicked shut behind them. All she noticed of her surroundings was the soft glow from two table lights at each side of what seemed to be a large hallway, before Matt turned to his left and led her up a wide staircase. Small blue lights were embedded into each stair to guide their way. They threw just enough light to add an air of mystery and make Ella feel doubly nervous about going to his apartment. At the top of the stairs, they came to a balcony, itself lit at floor level with tiny lights. Before she could look over the balcony onto the ground floor Matt unlocked a door straight in front of them and paused to let Ella go through first. The door opened into a spacious hall from where she could see through to a large lounge. Ella's first glimpse of his home caught her by surprise - it looked comfortable and lived in.
    Matt threw his keys down onto a small table and turned to her.
    'Can I get you anything to eat or drink, or do you just want a shower and bed?'
    'J - just a shower and bed please.'
    Matt's eyes narrowed as he looked at her.
    'Are you okay? You look nervous.'
    Ella glanced away and hid her revealing face from his stare.
    'Ella, I'm not going to jump you. You're my sisters' friend, so out of bounds as far as I'm concerned.' Matt thought if he said it strongly enough he might just believe that himself. Now she was in his home, his resolve was weakening. He never brought women here, but she looked like she belonged, as if she fit with the surroundings. Which was a ridiculous notion. He gave himself a mental shake.
    'Right, come on, I'll show you up to the guest suite.' Before I change my mind, he added to himself.
    Ella couldn't seem to get her thoughts under control. One part of her was relieved that Matt thought her out of bounds - the part that didn't do relationships. The other part of her, the woman in her who had loved him since her teens, wanted to know what it was like to be held by him and made love to. She felt herself flush as she followed him up the next flight of