When Sebastian returned from the office, a rich, intoxicating aroma wafted from the inner reaches of the estate, meeting him the moment he stepped onto the front porch. It was savory, smoky, and carried a hint of sweetness that immediately made his mouth water.
He paused, puzzled. His head chef, Clifford, had traveled to his hometown that morning, and the house should have been quiet. Driven by a sudden, insistent growl from his stomach, Sebastian followed the scent. It led him toward the back of the house, where the heavy oak door to the courtyard stood slightly ajar.
He pushed it open, and the sight that met him made his jaw drop.
There, in the center of the backyard, a whole hog was splayed across a black metal roasting platform. Its skin had turned a perfect, glistening mahogany brown under the heat. The platter was a vibrant mosaic of garnished vegetables, charred onions, peppers, tomatoes, and crisp greens.
Standing over the roast was Sarah. She was turning the meat with the practiced ease of a seasoned chef, her face flushed from the heat. Beside her, Adrian and one of the housemaids were cheering her on, their eyes wide with anticipation. Wisps of silver smoke escaped from the grill, carrying a scent so delicious it was almost agonizing.
Fat sizzled on the body of the pork.
Sebastian stood in the doorway, his expression darkening. No one noticed him. they were all staring at the roasted animal with greedy eyes. Even Sebastian found himself craving a cut of that pork, but his pride acted as a barrier. He could not bring himself to beg for food in his own home, especially not from a woman he had rescued, a woman currently living under his roof as a fugitive.
Finally, the maid, whose hunger had made her the most observant, caught sight of him. Her face went pale. In an instant, she transformed from a cheering spectator into a servant caught slacking on the job. Adrian noticed the shift and looked up, meeting Sebastian's icy, daggers-filled stare.
Sarah, however, remained oblivious. She continued to hum a victorious tune, spraying the meat with a secret sauce.
Sebastian's eyes narrowed. Just forty-eight hours ago, this woman had been a frightened bird, whimpering in the dark and refusing to eat. Now, she was hosting a festival in his backyard, laughing with his staff as if she had lived here her entire life. He stepped into the yard, his boots clicking sharply against the stone.
"What exactly are you doing?"
The low growl of his voice cut through the air. Sarah flinched, spinning around to see Sebastian approaching with measured, predatory steps. He stopped only inches from her, his presence looming.
Sarah looked confused. She glanced at Adrian for support, but the housekeeper remained uncharacteristically still. "Since the chef was away, I decided to make a little something for us to eat," she explained, her voice steadying.
"A little something?" Sebastian repeated, gesturing to the massive roasting spit. "You've opened a professional barbecue stand in my courtyard and roasted a whole hog. Is that your definition of 'a little something'?"
When she saw no help was coming from the others, Sarah squared her shoulders. She hadn't committed a crime; she was feeding the household. "I scanned the kitchen menu and found the upcoming meals to be a bit... bland. No offense to Chef Clifford, but when I asked Adrian, everyone seemed excited for something different. There was a whole pig in the freezer, so I took the initiative."
Sebastian looked far from convinced. Fire flickered in his dark eyes. "And what made you think your cooking could rival that of a world-class chef?"
At this, Adrian let out a small, muffled cough, but stayed silent.
"I didn't say it was better," Sarah countered. "Just different."
"You called his food bland," Sebastian challenged, stepping closer. "You give some people an inch, and they take a mile."
"I..."
Sarah began to defend herself, but a boisterous, laughing voice interrupted them. They all turned to see a tall, blonde man descending from the porch steps. He wore dark shades and a perfectly tailored black suit that made his pale skin glow in the afternoon sun.
"Hey, Brother!"
It was Charlie Monday: Sebastian's younger brother. Loud, social, and the polar opposite of the brooding titan standing next to Sarah. Where people fled from Sebastian, they naturally gravitated toward Charlie.
Charlie strolled into the yard like he was walking a red carpet. He scanned the scene, but his eyes lingered on Sarah. He regarded her with a slow, appreciative grin. "Damn, bro. You've got a good eye. I'm impressed." He licked his lips predatorily, though his focus shifted back to the meat. "God, she's a genius on the grill, too? You hit the jackpot."
He slapped Sebastian's shoulder, sniffing the air. "I came at the right time. I always do."
***
Ten minutes later, the group was gathered around a circular table, the atmosphere thick with conflicting emotions. Sebastian sat with a dark, contorted expression, clearly annoyed by the impromptu visit. Sarah, assisted by the maid, was dishing out steaming plates of spicy liver fried rice. Charlie sat across from them, talking incessantly and complimenting the food every two seconds. Adrian remained calm and composed.
Sarah picked up the heavy, silver carving knife to slice the pork. The weight was surprising, and as she pressed the blade into the meat, the resistance was stronger than she expected. The knife bucked back slightly, and she let out a small yelp of surprise.
Immediately, the sound of chairs scraping back echoed through the yard. Both Sebastian and Charlie stood up at the exact same moment. The brothers locked eyes for a tense second, a silent challenge passing between them, before Charlie conceded with a smirk and sat back down.
Sebastian walked over to Sarah's side and gently took the knife from her hand. His fingers brushed hers, and for a moment, the coldness in his eyes vanished.
"Are you okay?" he asked, his baritone dropping into a tone of genuine concern.
Sarah nodded, breathless. Sebastian didn't hand the knife back. Instead, he took over the carving, his movements effortless and precise. He shared the portions out with a silent, focused intensity.
When they finally settled in to eat, Sebastian took his first scoop of the fried rice. His eyes widened. An explosion of exotic flavors, heat, salt, and something smoky, hit his palate all at once. Clifford was a master, but this... this was on an entirely different level.
He looked across the table at Sarah, who was quietly eating, her chin tilted up just a fraction. He realized then that he hadn't just rescued a victim. He had brought home a woman who is good at so many things.