‘Please, sit down, Daniel.’ Tobias looked at him expectantly, obviously waiting for him to take the initiative, which he did, as confidently as his nerves would allow.
‘Thank you, Lord Cavendish-Blake, for your time.’ He noticed another curt nod and took it as a sign to get down to business. ‘In a nutshell, I’d like to buy Keeper’s Cottage. I’m an architect and would love to renovate it back to its former glory.’ Former glory – was that a tad melodramatic? Daniel coughed and continued, ‘I would restore it to a very high standard and it would make an ideal home for me and my little girl.’
‘Providing you have the funds to do so,’ replied Tobias, ‘which takes us to the point of the cost.’
‘Yes, it does.’ Daniel stared back. Inside he was shaking, but refused to let it show.
Tobias had thought long and hard about Daniel’s proposition. He’d learnt the hard way regarding selling property on his estate, having seen how the Belchers had desecrated the Gate House. This had left Tobias thinking twice before doing so again. But then, Daniel James did seem a different kettle of fish compared to the lottery winners that he’d made a handsome profit from.
However, Tobias was a businessman, and an astute one at that. To leave Keeper’s Cottage as a crumbling ruin, when it could be restored to life and make him money would be a travesty, but under no circumstances did he want any undesirables living on his estate.
‘A cottage with such potential, located on this estate, would fetch at least £400,000.’
Daniel gulped. There was no way he could afford that, plus the cost of the renovation. His heart sank.
‘However, I don’t want to sell all of it.’
Daniel frowned and waited for Tobias to continue.
‘I do want to see it restored, and I want a say in who’s going to inhabit it, which means I’d want joint ownership.’
Daniel listened carefully to what was being said and sat forward.
‘Here’s what I propose: you renovate the cottage to my standards, at your expense and we have joint names on the deeds. That way, if you ever decide to move on, I either buy you out, or we both agree on the purchasers. The last thing I want is no say as to who will be living on my estate.’
Daniel sat and digested the proposition.
‘This way, you don’t have to stump up the asking price, but the money for the restoration only, and still have part ownership.’
The more Daniel considered it, the more attractive it sounded, especially as he couldn’t ever see himself moving from Keeper’s Cottage.
‘I own a building company. Renovating old properties is nothing new to me; along with your skills as an architect we could pool our resources. This could be a worthy project.’
This clinched it. ‘Yes, I agree,’ said Daniel firmly. ‘I’d like to accept your offer.’ He liked the idea of using Tobias’ workmen. They were hardly likely to take advantage, with their employer having a vested interest.
‘Good, then I’ll have my solicitor draw up a contract and we’ll get together to discuss a timetable.’
Daniel nodded his head with enthusiasm. ‘Yes, yes of course and… thank you.’
Tobias smiled; his instincts told him they’d both made a good decision. ‘Did you see the outbuilding?’ he asked.
‘No?’
‘Hardly surprising – it’s covered in ivy, but yes, there’s a small stone outbuilding towards the back of the cottage, further into the woods.’
Daniel’s imagination leapt. This could be converted into a work studio. It would be ideal, so close to his home, yet still providing a separate space. ‘Excellent, I’ll take a look at it.’
Tobias smiled again, warming to this man who looked like he’d been given the world.
27
Flora slid her hand down Dylan’s bare back and rested it on his hip bone.
‘Dylan,’ she whispered seductively in his ear, ‘are you awake?’
Was he ever. He’d slept like a log last night after their energetic lovemaking, leaving him fully refreshed, and it looked like Flora was raring to go again. A far cry from the past few weeks where both of them had virtually slept back to back in silence. Since the race Flora had returned to her old self, full of life and love for Dylan; and he was only too happy to reap the rewards having missed her lithe, curvaceous body beneath his. The sex between them was electric, taking him back to the early days when they’d first met and couldn’t keep their hands off one another.
And whilst Dylan was making the most of it and relishing every minute of Flora’s attention, it was tinged with a sense of foreboding. Flora winning the race with Phoenix so spectacularly would only leave her hungry for more. She’d proved a point, hadn’t she? This left Dylan in a quandary. He was resolute in not wanting to endanger his precious girlfriend in any way whatsoever, and flying through the air on horseback in a steeplechase was most definitely dangerous.
The possibilities of what could happen didn’t bear thinking about. He’d only just had a lucky escape himself, having taken a fall on his last race before retiring from the racing circuit. He counted his blessings that he’d only suffered a couple of broken ribs, bruising and concussion. Dylan knew jockeys who had never walked again from injuries sustained – paralysis was every jockey’s nightmare. He understood, all too well, that wonderful feeling of euphoria from winning a race – of course he did, he’d been champion jockey – but looking at Flora’s petite frame and knowing what risks lay ahead if she raced again turned his stomach. There was no way he could ever allow that to happen again. Non-negotiable. But for now, he’d bask in the welcome change of mood.
‘Dylan?’ Flora’s hand moved from his hip bone and crept to cover his rock-hard erection. Gently she slid her fingers up and down the shaft. ‘Hmm, something tells me you are awake.’ She giggled and ran kisses over his shoulder and up his neck.
‘Come here, you little minx.’ Dylan turned on his back and pulled her onto his broad, dark chest. His mouth sought hers, running his tongue across her lips.
Flora’s arms wrapped round his neck, pulling herself further into his warm, muscular body. He smelt delicious, and virile, making her want more. Dylan’s head dipped to her full, firm breasts and caught a rosy nipple, flicking his tongue. It instantly stiffened, making her moan with pleasure. His tongue continued sucking and licking, whilst his hand moved down to softly stroke the insides of her thighs, before finding its way to her hot, slick core. He rubbed smoothly, gliding his finger in and out. Flora cried out again in ecstasy. She was ready for him and ground her hips urgently against his pulsing body. Dylan continued, slowly teasing her with his probing.
‘Dylan,’ she begged, turning him on further until he couldn’t resist any longer. He turned to flip her on her back and he quickly nestled in between her legs. His cock edged into her and they both gasped. Flora clenched his buttocks as he moved further into her.
‘Flora,’ he groaned, thrusting deeper again and again until finally exploding with complete and utter satisfaction. They both lay still with exhaustion. Was now the time to tell her how he felt about her racing again, whilst she was so relaxed and peaceful? He looked into her face and she smiled and closed her eyes. Probably not. Then his thoughts were interrupted by the harsh ring of the phone.