Entering Derek's large house, Sarah felt something intuitively dangerous about the surroundings. And this especially concerned the odd host who seemed unable to take his eyes off her since stepping into the spacious foyer. The anteroom was walled with pictures of hunting scenes, peopled by faceless men in red hats and coats and surrounded by hounds leading the charge to some misfortunate animal, the fate of which would no doubt turn out badly.

"Derek, after London and New York, your place is as always a breath of fresh air. We appreciate your invitation to spend the today with you out here on your place."

"Well, it's my pleasure. . . Really, good man. I've missed your company these past weeks."

Sarah could feel the man's eyes still perusing her body from head to toe.

And I see . . . you've spent the time brilliantly, Jess. Always an eye for things refined and beautiful."

He said this obviously referring the Sarah, who tried not to make any eye contact him. She only could tell he was a man whose age was easily somewhere close to her father's. She also noted with a certain disgust, Derek's political incorrectness by making reference to her as a one of Jessie's "things."

"Well I suppose we're just birds of a feather when it comes to that," Jess said cordially, waiving a hand at the interior of the large house and obviously for his host's benefit. "This is Sarah, Derek. My American friend from the West coast."

He nodded in approval.

"Well I'm pleased to meet you, Sarah. And I hope you feel welcome here. Do you ride, don't you?"

She looked over at Jess, not understanding the question posed to her so abruptly through Derek's British accent.

"Horses." Jess emphasized. "He's asking if you are familiar with them. Derek here is a European champion jumper."

"Well, Jess . . . please. Used to be. I'm a former champion, yes."

"Nevertheless, Sarah, he has a room of trophies to prove it."

"Alright. Enough of that now. Let's discuss the day's events. You are planning to stay for lunch and dinner, I'm assuming?"

"Perhaps the latter, Derek. I've made arrangements for lunch up in Canterbury today. We'll be on our way there shortly but will surely return for your this hospitality this evening."

"Smashing then! Just mind the weather out there today, my man. A bit of cloud is predicted. Though it shouldn't be a hinderance to a good ride. "

"Not at all, Derek. We're looking forward to our return.  Just wanted to stop on our way so you could meet Sarah. We'll reconvene in a few hours. Here on your lovely grounds."

"Very well, then. Are you sure you both don't want to . . . stay a bit now? I discovered some excellent wine and cheese on my little sojourn to Tuscany this summer. Just a little something to send you on your way to the cathedral?"

"Later this afternoon, good friend. As you know I'm always a fan of your tastes in food and wine."

"Very well. Now be sure to give my best to the old abbot there in Canterbury . . . Father Grunwald. An excellent chap! He was quite the horseman as a young man, you know."

"That we'll do Derek."

Their host suddenly rang a hand-held bell loudly, which he had been keeping in his clutches, and the expressionless uniformed woman re-entered the foyer.

"Miss Beverly. . . Please show our guests out to their car. They shall return this afternoon and stay for dinner. Now please alert Alex in the kitchen to prepare some game hens and . . . cream of mushroom soup. We should like pudding and some fruit cakes as well."

"Very well, sir."

Jess and Sarah were led in the direction of their parked car and soon were back on the tree-lined roadway, winding their way northward. It was to a town historically famous for religious pilgrimages and the seat of Canterbury Cathedral. Once there, Sarah was impressed by the quaint nature of the place and Jess was in his element giving her a bit of its romantic history.

While dining in a rustic tavern with what seemed ancient memorabilia covering the amber stone walls, Sarah felt her comfort zone return, looking into Jess's attentive eyes. She remarked to him honestly that though Derek's huge estate was impressive, the man himself made her feel very  uncomfortable.

"I don't know, Jess . . . I just felt like I was in one of those movies where the master of the house turns out to be . . . a serial killer or something."

Jess laughed out loud.

"Derek? Come on. He's a harmless old man. I've known him for years. He helped me out once when I was pretty desperate . . . trying to survive, actually. I owe him a lot."

"Well . . . he just creeps me out a little. That's all."

"Hey, forget that. When we get out there on horseback, riding alongside Derek's noisy hounds, you'll have a different picture of him. The whole experience is amazing. There are these three castles I remember not too far from Derek's land. We'll ride to them, I'm sure. The whole world out here, Sarah,  just reeks of history. Things you won't find back in California."

"I'm sure Jess. But for now . . . I'm just content to be here . . . with you."

He smiled and reached across the table to take Sarah's hand in his.

"I feel the same way, angel. You know . . . I've really missed you. Just wish my work allowed me to be back on the West coast a little more."

"I've thought about you a lot too, I guess. I wish maybe not so much sometimes."

"Really? Why's that?"

"We live such different lives. And it's just so difficult to . . ."

"Yes, that's true, Sarah.  But . . . we're good for each other. Don't you feel that when were together?"

"Yes, I do.."

"And there are, well a few things . . . besides great adventures . . . which we do stupendously well together. . ." He smiled, devilishly. "Have you noticed that too?"

"Of course I have." She blushed and smiled as well, squeezing his hand in subtle affirmation.

* * *

After spending the next few hours touring the narrow streets of Canterbury's old town and the cathedral itself,  Sarah felt reconnected to the man she had for weeks dreamed of and longed to see again. The two even spent time searching for the old abbot whom Derek had spoken of. But not finding him, and realizing the lateness of the afternoon, they made their way back to the car.

While in the secluded parking space, Jess leaned over and kissed Sarah sweetly on the lips. He also caressed her silken hair and neck. It was a welcome show of affection and an affirmation of his feelings which Sarah needed and had waiting for since being abandoned in the hotel room the long night before. They kissed again, this time longer and with passion. She felt again that warmth return to her body which it seemed only he could bring out so quickly in her. As he kissed her neck she felt his hand slide up along her jeans exploring the contour of her thigh. He then moved his hand slowly  and barely perceptibly between her thighs, inching ever closer as they kissed to where she now was pulsing and beginning to yielding to his hand. Sarah felt the low fire inside her beginning to build uncontrollably, soon wanting to be fueled by the feeling of his fingers on her bare flesh.

Feeling the confined space of the Jaguar's compact interior and the threat of rain outside, Jess paused in frustration with his attempt to unbutton her blouse.

"Let's just put this on hold a while, OK angel? I think there's a number of other places we can be more comfortable with this. Let's just wait for that opportunity . . . and do it all right."

He kissed her on the cheek, signaling his resolve in delaying what Sarah was earlier finding so arousing."

"Are you sure we can't . . .  just . . . make do here?" She whispered, flirtatiously.

"Trust me. . . I'll make the wait worth."

He smiled again and moved back to his side of the car's cramped interior.

"Alright. But I'm going to really hold you to that promise, lover boy."

"I've always been a man of honor," Jess said, smiling again. "And my promises are golden. " He then dutifully allowed his movements to concentrate on commandeering the car back onto the country road. 

Sarah found it difficult to cool down so spontaneously. Her thoughts lingered on with the image of them both naked and in bed back at the exquisite London hotel. The thought played on like a video in her mind while the narrow roads led them back to the equestian grounds through a countryside of castles and mysterious estates.

* * *

Text and e-book copyright © 2015 Califia Montalvo

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