Lovers: A Duet of Older WomanYounger Man Erotic Romances by Ashe Barker

Author:Ashe Barker [Barker, Ashe]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Ashe Barker Books
Published: 2022-03-07T18:30:00+00:00

CHAPTER ELEVEN

“How long have you been a gardener?”

Rachel sat at her pine table, her shaking hands wrapped determinedly around a mug of tea—tea that Callum had brewed for her when he’d seen her car pull in behind his van. He’d been waiting for her in her kitchen, ready to greet her with a sexy smile and some piping hot Earl Grey. What could be nicer?

What indeed? A man who’s honest, transparent and trustworthy for a start. Rachel waited for his response as he poured his own tea, helped himself to sugar.

“A while. Why? Are you doubting my credentials?” His eyes twinkled, promising fun and discovery later as he demonstrated his ‘credentials’ for her.

Rachel dropped her gaze, studied her tea as she repeated the question, “How long? And what did you do before?”

“Well, I’m only twenty-two, as you seem to keep finding it necessary to point out, so my career history isn’t exactly extensive. I’ve always liked gardening, planting, that sort of thing. Why the sudden interest?”

“What else have you done? You started this, this—business—of yours a few weeks ago. What did you do before?”

Sitting at the table, at right angles to Rachel, he set down his mug of tea. “What is it you actually want to know, Rachel? Where’s all this headed?” His tone had hardened, his expression now one of irritation.

Rachel refused to look up. Her gaze locked on her drink, her tone dead, she pressed on, “Where were you, this time last year?”

The silence stretched. He didn’t answer her. Rachel gripped her mug, determined not to back off now. She had to know, had to understand. Couldn’t—would never understand…

At last, “I think you know where I was. Otherwise you wouldn’t be asking.”

“But I am asking. Where, Callum?”

He sighed, then, “I was in prison. Armley jail.”

“Why? What did you do?”

“I stole cars. A lot of cars. I got eighteen months, but was out in just under a year. Satisfied now?”

“Why didn’t you tell me? Why keep it a secret?”

He leant back, his chin tilted up as he stared at the ceiling. “Hell, Rachel, it was hardly my finest hour. And honestly, it never occurred to me. It just never came up. I was simply here doing some work for you, casual work, just a few days. Then you invited me in, we soon, well, things moved on fast. And I honestly never gave it a thought.”

Rachel glared at him bitterly. “I don’t believe that. How could you ‘not think about it’? You must have known how I’d feel, how I’d react!”

He stood, began to pace. For a brief moment she thought she saw a flare of temper, but he was clearly making an effort to control it. “No, actually, I didn’t know how you might react. How was I to know that?”

“You lied to me. On purpose. You asked me to trust you, and I did. I did as you asked, everything. I trusted you, and all the time you were lying.” Fury at him, and crushing disappointment at her own gullibility warring within her, Rachel’s tone was sharp.

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