Ask No Questions Read Free

kitchen.
    He put down the tray and braced himself over the sink, his hands gripping the ceramic edge while he stared out at the rain. He'd never thought of himself as lonely, always prided himself on his self-sufficiency and independence, but this mysterious girl-from-nowhere had managed to rock his foundations, just by turning up on his doorstep. When she'd asked if she could stay, the sheer elation and hope that had swept through him had shocked him so much his hands shook. He was lonely. Bloody lonely.
    Fuck, what now? What have I done?

Chapter Two
     
    When Rhys came in from fixing the chicken coop in the rain, Kim was still in the armchair, curled up and reading a book. Although the sun hadn't yet set, the low cloud had darkened the day and she was bathed in lamplight.
    Several hours of hammering nails , chopping firewood and performing similar manual tasks hadn't had quite the weakening effect Rhys had hoped for. He still had plenty of strength left in him for…other things. Damn it.
    "I'm going to put the dinner on now," he said. "Lamb hotpot, maybe? Is that all right with you?"
    "God, yeah, I'm starving. I'll help you."
    She put the book aside and followed him into the kitchen.
    "It's OK, I don't need any help," he said, waving her aside. "It's all in the freezer. I just need to put it in the oven."
    "Oh, right."
    She watched him take two individual dishes out and put them in the microwave.
    "I guess when you live alone…" she said.
    "No point cooking every night for one," he finished the thought. "I make a big pot of something and freeze it all down." He looked over his shoulder at her as he got knives and forks out of the drawer. "You don't live alone then?"
    "In a way I do," she said evasively. "I eat out a lot though. I'm not much of a chef."
    " In a way you live alone? What kind of way is that then?"
    "I've got my own flat. I just don't spend much time there. I'm really… busy. Most of the time. I travel a lot."
    "Right. But your flat's in London?"
    "Yeah."
    "And what do you do down there in London?"
    "Oh, you know. Nothing much. Work and stuff."
    He held her eye over the table as he laid it, determined to worm a bit more out of her than she was willing to give.
    "Work and stuff . " He brandished a table knife. "What's that? Why do you travel so much?"
    "I' m, uh, a sales rep. I sell…things."
    She was so transparently lying he almost took offence. But there was no point shouting at her or trying to force the truth. It would come out in time. For now, there was company to be enjoyed, and he meant to enjoy it.
    The microwave pinged and he took out the dishes and laid them on the place mats. He took a bottle of wine from the pantry too and poured them each a glass.
    "Dig in," he said, sitting down. "Or should I say grace?"
    She laughed. "No, that's OK. God, this smells good. Is it one of your lambs?"
    "As a matter of fact it is."
    "Aww. Poor little lamb. Did you kill it yourself?"
    "Yes."
    She shook her head over the dish. "I don't think I could do that."
    "Just as well you aren't a sheep farmer then."
    "I suppose." She gave the food a dubious look then seemed to overcome her scruples, spearing a chunk of meat on the end of her fork. "It's lush, though," she gave her verdict as she chewed.
    "Thanks." He smiled, watching her eat, enjoying her obvious relish. He liked a girl with a healthy appetite. Made you think she might be just as voracious in…other areas…
    "Have you always lived here?" she asked, taking a slug of her wine.
    "Me? No . I bought it the year before last."
    "Seriously?" She put down her knife and fork. "I thought this must be your family farm, passed down from father to son and all that."
    "No, no. Farming isn't in my blood at all."
    "What the hell made you decide to do it then? What were you doing before?"
    "I lived in London. I worked in advertising, would you believe."
    Kim laughed and shook her head.
    "No. I don't believe you. You just…you look like a farmer. All rugged and manly and