by L. Foster
They didn’t move and Adam thought maybe he couldn’t move. He thought it might be better just to lie still and wait for the ability to do something eventually return. Claire felt her body relax and go limp as her heartbeat finally slowed to somewhere near normal. She opened her eyes and saw the outline of his head. “It’s gone dark.” She whispered.
“Doesn’t matter.” He mumbled. “I might never move again.” Claire moved against his chest and ran her hands across his back. It felt good and she snuggled against him. He stroked her hair and opened one eye. Then decided to close it again and wait for sanity to come back. When he woke, it was breaking dawn and she was still holding her arms around him and sleeping a peaceful sleep. Adam smiled, shifted slightly and kissed the top of her head. He had thought she would feel good beside him but had never in his wildest dreams felt it would be this good. It confirmed in his heart what he had thought all along- this woman was very very special. The events of last night came back to him and he knew he had to protect her at all costs, no matter how strong and independent she wanted to be.
Claire opened her eyes. “What time is it?”
“About half past dawn I think.” He answered and claimed a kiss from the lips. She turned to face him and found him ready and waiting to start again. She rolled him on his back and straddled his body. Then she took him inside her and gently, slowly took them on the road to that wonderful universe again.
“I never really needed a room of my own.” She said as he swung his legs out of bed and padded,naked, across to the coffee machine. Adam laughed and said he would cancel it if she promised to stay in the suite he already had. “Well.” Claire answered. “At the risk of eating my own words, I need a strong man to protect me- and the sex is pretty wonderful as well.”
“I take it that’s a yes then.” He said as he handed her a coffee and managed to get back into bed without spilling his own. It was good to leave the rest of the world outside for a little longer and just enjoy being the two of them but she knew she would have to face the day in the end. She sighed. “We need a plan for the day.”
Adam nodded his agreement and asked what she wanted to do. He switched on his tablet and looked at the video figures. “Look.” He said and handed it to her. “It has definitely gone viral.”
“This will make that nutter out there even more mad.” She said.
“Did you mean it when you told your cousin you would give this up?” He asked and she looked at him with a serious expression and nodded. “I think enough is enough. You have to know when to quit. Yes I will do a final blog and tell everyone I am going into retirement.”
“What will you do?” Adam queried and she told him she would continue to run the crowdfunding foundation as well as test and review games for other people. “I might have to sell the house and find another one but I don’t mind that. I can start another garden and maybe Delta would like a little friend.”
“That’s ma girl.” He said. “Don’t let the bastards get you down.” She looked at him and asked if he would go and collect the games console and some other things from the house. “I can drive to the office and you can come back there.”
“I am entitled to as I am now part of the team.” He grinned.
“That film was marvellous. What a difference a real film producer can make.” She smiled. “We might have to use your services again.”
“Any time your ladyship. Of course I offer more than one sort of service.” He pushed his coffee away and slid down against her body. “I can give you an example if you like.” Claire slipped down beside him and pulled the sheet over their heads. “Morning can wait a little longer. Show me what you have in mind.”
Chapter 5
When they finally dressed and were ready to go, Claire told him that getting her things was not urgent and he said he would put it off for a little while. “How do you feel about a cruise around the bay to take your mind off the nasty stuff? I can go and make a booking?”
“Actually.” Claire told him. “I have never been on one so it will be a new experience. You can book dinner on them and see the sights as you dine.”
“Later today then.” He said. “We’ll do that. I’ll go and book and then come over to the office.”
She collected her things and left them in his suite and took her tablet and laptop to the office. They went in one car because he could drop her off and then go to the pier. In the car she told him. “I am so glad you decided to come and visit. I don’t think I would have been able to deal with all of this on my own.”
“Yes you would. You are the brave and independent Claire Costas but I am glad I came as well- and not just to give you moral support.” She smiled, kissed his cheek and set the sat nav to take him to the ferry booking.” Then she watched him drive away before going inside to the furore that the video had caused. The man in the parked van pulled out and followed him to the pier. Claire had turned away by then and Adam was intent on finding the way to the ferry.
Kassie and Karl were perusing screens and both got up to see her when she arrived. Kassie flung her arms around her friend. “This is so horrible. Are you okay?” Claire smiled and told her she was fine. She had reported the new threats to the police and they were going to patrol passed her house. “I’ve booked into Adam’s hotel and left Delta with Val. At least I know he’s safe.” Karl said he had been trying to get this stuff taken down but without much success. “I do know someone with software that might be able to back track and find the place it was posted.”
“That’s an idea.” She answered. “See if the police get anywhere and if not we’ll try that.” She told them she would do one last blog and announce her retirement as a blogger. She would thank her followers and wish them well. “Then I will eventually open another Twitter account under a different name.” Kassie was relieved. She had wanted Claire to do this for some time. They settled to work and Claire posted her final blog. She turned off comments and did not look at Twitter at all.
Adam headed for the wharf, following the sat nav directions and stepped out to a world of color and tourism. The pier was always busy and catered for the holidaymaker in no uncertain terms. From cafes and restaurants to nautical gifts and fruit stalls, it was a sea of awnings, tubs of flowers and palm trees. Walking on wooden decking always made you feel at the sea side and he stepped out looking for the cruise booking office. Skirting past the seats that let people rest and watch some entertainment, he found it and booked a two hour cruise with dinner for two for seven thirty. The assistant assured him the sunset would be spectacular, the bridge looked wonderful from the sea and there might be whales in the vicinity. “You have a good day.” She chimed and fluttered her eyelashes at this very handsome man. “Some lucky girl.” She thought and put on her synthetic smile for the next customer. The next man did not seem half as pleasant and she wondered why he was going to take a cruise by himself and not even have a meal. She shrugged and thought it took all sorts. ”Maybe he just likes sea lions.” She muttered and waited for the next booking to arrive. The man tucked his ticket into his pocket and didn’t bother following Adam back to the car. Adam stopped to buy fruit for the office workers and a bunch of flowers for both Claire and Kassie.
He found the office still agog over the remarks and threats against Claire on Twitter. Some of it had been taken down now by the social network site itself and quite a few of the staff were trying to find a connection between tweets that might lead them to finding out who he was. Claire finished the work she had to for the new game to be released and breathed a sigh of relief as she knew it was done and sent off. They had the video that Adam had directed running on the big screen with the sound turned down and there was no doubt everyone was impressed. He was greeted with congratulations when he appeared and even more enthusiasm when he produced fruit and doughnuts for everybody.
“Karl told him he could stay permanently as he stuffed the first doughnut into his mouth and settled back with a games console in his hands. Claire appreciated the ge
sture and Kassie was over the moon with her flowers. “I am going to post that Adam Osoracsos gave me flowers today and it has made my year.” She found a vase and put the flowers in water and then went off to compose her tweet. Adam smiled and asked Claire if she could get away. “Yes. I have finished the game work and retired from blogging. I am going to take some holiday.” She answered.
“Right. Let’s go.” He said. “I’ve booked the cruise for tonight but we can go elsewhere this afternoon.” He picked up her things, called goodbye to everyone and they left. “Where to?” He asked Claire.
“I fancy a bit of retail therapy.” She said and maybe a light lunch somewhere.” They jumped into his car and swept away. Claire was prepared to push the threats made against her to the back of her mind and enjoy being with this wonderful guy. She knew she had fallen for him and there was no going back. They went hand in hand down the little side streets and found funny things to buy. Lunch was at a table outside a sweet café and under a gaudy umbrella. “This is just such a treat.” She told him. “I know I should be worrying about the nasty man but I cannot remember ever being so happy. Down to you so thanks for coming to visit.” He covered her hand with his own on the table and told her he felt the same. In that frame of mind they did some sightseeing and found their way back to the hotel with time to shower and change for the cruise on the bay.
Inside the hotel suite he closed the door and took her in his arms. “I have so wanted to do this all day and he kissed her gently on the lips. She pushed him away, grabbed his shirt front and pulled him towards the shower. “Come and wash my back.” She invited and reached in to turn on the jets.
He didn’t need a second invitation and struggled out of his clothes as she slipped out of her clothes and stepped under the warm water.”Mmm” He said and wrapped himself around her. She turned and faced him and he covered her lips with his own, He felt the heat rise with the steam and felt her finger nails scrape across his back and her teeth nibble at his shoulder. He wanted to feel every part of her, to keep her close and shield her from harm. The thought of the harm that might come to her made him pull her even closer. She turned into the embrace and pressed against his wet slicked body. She yearned for the feel of him and knew this man was what she wanted. If this exquisite pleasure was all there was, then she would take it and remember it forever. He turned her against the tiles and entered smoothly and gently. The quiet pleasure they both felt from the rush of the warm water and the rise of the steam was like a journey on a cloud of warm air and they reached that top together. Claire thought as she reached that delicious climax that this man was all she wanted in life. “I’ve been waiting for you.” She thought and slid over the other side of the peak and stood breathing evenly with her arms around his neck and feeling complete.
Dressed, they set off for the cruise and walked hand in hand down the pier towards the boarding platform. The area was quiet now and there was time to look over the handrails and take in the views. The sea lions lay on their platforms and almost looked as if they had been placed in position. The signs told you not to feed them and as the boarded the cruise ship Claire wondered if they would see any whales.
They stood at the rail and watched the jetty slide slowly into the background. The girl had been right, Adam thought about the bridge looking wonderful from the sea. It really was a spectacular view and the sun started to set in glorious shades of red and pink. “This was such a good idea.” Claire said and used her phone to take photos of the views and Adam against the rails of the ship. A couple of selfies of the two of them together and they went to the restaurant for the dinner. The follower had not booked dinner and stayed in the shadows on the deck.
“This so romantic.” Claire said as she finished a delicious dessert. “Thank you.” He raised his glass and toasted the beautiful woman across the table. “To us.” He said and she lifted her glass to make the same pledge.
“I must make a trip to the rest room.” Claire said and laid her napkin on the table. She took her purse with her to freshen the makeup. Adam sat back and watched the bay glide by. Claire used the toilet and stood at the mirror to brush her cheeks and renew the lipstick. There was a slight noise behind her and she turned to see the door handle being slowly turned. Her hand flew to her mouth as she tried not to scream. The handle returned to normal and then started to turn again. “Who’s there/” She asked in a shaky voice. “Go away.” The handle shook the door and continued to turn back and forth. Claire started to scream. “Help. Help.” Then she fumbled in her purse for the phone and speed dialled Adam. “Adam there’s somebody trying to get into the rest room.” He knocked the chair over in his rush to get to help her and grabbed a member of staff as he went. They arrived at the rest room but, of course, there was no one to be seen. “Claire.” Adam said. “It’s me. You can open the door.” She did and collapsed into his arms.
“What happened?” The man from the ship asked her and found a chair for her to sit.
“Somebody kept trying to open the door. They turned the handle and shook the door but they never said anything.” The member of staff suggested it was just someone else wanting to use the rest room but Adam said that Claire had been threatened and they must report it to the police. The waiter took them to the captain and they explained it all again. Claire was calm again but shivering violently despite the evening being warm. The ship found a blanket and Adam sat with his arm around her until the shivers went away. “Adam, he’ll still be on board.”
“He won’t get to you. Don’t worry.” Adam replied.
“But we might be able to spot him as he leaves.” She added. “If we pretend to go down the pier and then stand behind a stall, we might spot someone that looks likely.”
“We can try it if you are game.” He told her. “Probably a man on his own and we can try and photograph anyone suspicious. The police might have records.” He kissed her on the nose. “That’s ma girl. Go get ‘em.” That raised a smile and they snuggled together on a seat and watched the coastline slip by.
Chapter 6
Adam and Claire walked back down onto solid ground again and linked arms as they walked away from the ship. They deliberately did not look around and when they reached the first building which was now closed for the night, they slipped around the side of the shop and waited to see who would pass. Several couples and a family all went off towards the car park, chattering as they walked and then a single man passed the building. Adam took several photos with his phone but the man was walking away from them so his face was hidden. He was carrying a large camera and had a backpack. “I think he was probably a photographer.” Claire whispered and then clutched Adam’s arm as another man came into view. This one had no bags or cameras and walked quickly without looking to either side. He had a hood over his head and wore a dark coat. Adam took several more shots and just as the man reached the next building he turned and the final photo before he disappeared was of his face. “Might be too far away to make out his features.” There were a few other families and couples and nobody else who looked to be on their own. Adam and Claire set off back to the car and drove to the hotel.
“Should I ring the police tonight?” Claire wondered but they decided to leave it until the morning and slipped into the big king size bed as if it was the most natural thing in the world. He folded his body around hers and held on tight. “That feels so good.” She said and he kissed the back of her head. “Sleep tight, sweetheart.” He said and before long they both drifted into dreamland. Adam awoke suddenly with a bad dream still haunting his memory. A dream where Claire was bleeding on the ground and he was helpless to stem the flow. She stirred in his arms and he silently vowed to protect her at whatever cost.