“Thank you,” Guz said. Scrawny held the gun up to Guz and The Boss stared at him, his face giving nothing away. The thin man came closer and touched the gun's barrel on Guz’s ear. He closed his eyes and he was sure he’d dribbled down the side of his mouth. The smell of the Raki began to over power his senses, he began to sweat and shake.
“Boo,” shouted the scrawny man. He and The Boss laughed hysterically. Guz needed to scream, he needed to exhale hard, he needed to shout, and he needed to be allowed to be alone so he could feel sick. Instead he laughed, he forced himself to laugh. They couldn’t see his fear; he laughed as much as he wanted to cry and at that moment the door burst open. A woman who looked to be in her late thirties was pushed into the room. She was dressed in heels, bright red lipstick, a mini skirt and a bikini top. Her hair was a luscious brown. Long, cascading curls fell over her bosom. She staggered as she crossed the threshold.
“Get off me, tell them Boss to get off me,” she shouted as she took a drag of her cigarette.
“You heard her,” he shouted with a smile. The two men released the woman. “You lot, get out, we’ve got business to attend to haven’t we Sweet?” The woman nodded as she stepped around the urine puddle and walked over to him. She then poured herself a Raki before sitting on The Boss's lap. Guz left, Scrawny followed and closed the door.
“Come on Brother, we have business to attend to,” Guz said as he helped his traumatised brother off the floor. And they did have business to attend to. Money for their victims, not killing them but passing them on, this was going to be easier than the others.
The words, 'you can be a very rich man' rang through his ears. He was going to do it, get what he wanted and get out, become Gerhard, learn German and move away and never come back.
Chapter 5
It was only ten but the sun filled the sky with golden beams. Kevin led Eve to the small café opposite their villa and pulled out a seat for her. Sitting, she smiled. She picked up the menu. Was it a full English day or should she opt for something different?
A hot looking black and tan dog lay down on the pavement in front of the cafe and panted. The waiter came out with a bowl of water.
"That's Dolly. We all look after Dolly," he said as he placed the bowl of water in front of the dog and went back into the cafe. Eve stood, walked across to the dog and stroked behind her ears. The panting dog stood, wagged her tail and walked over to the bowl. Eve sat back down and looked back at Kevin who was studying the menu. She watched him as he looked the list up and down, his square rimmed glasses were perched low on his nose. There was something striking about his features; delicate, yet masculine. His lightly freckled face was smooth shaven and she caught the scent of his musky aftershave as he looked back up at her. Her heart beat a little quicker, had he noticed her looking? “I think I’ll have the Turkish Breakfast,” she said with a short burst of laughter.
Kevin placed the menu onto the side of the table, took off his glasses and placed them in his top pocket. “I think I’ll go with one of them too, be nice to try something different.” He nodded to the waiter who came over and took their orders.
They both sat and gazed at everything except each other. Eve began to pick her thumb nail; Kevin pretended to watch passers by. Then, after a moment, the silence was broken. Kevin had started asking a question as Eve had started to comment on how wonderful the weather was. They both laughed.
“So what’s life like for you now, you know with little Harry?” he asked.
“Routine, it has to be very routine. But he’s four now so it’s getting easier. He’s starting school this September. He is really good I never have any problems with him, he’s obsessed with boats,” she blurted out. “I’m sorry,” she replied realising that she may be boring him.
“Don’t be sorry. Anyway, he sounds lovely. How come I haven’t met him yet?” Kevin smiled.
“I didn’t think you’d....." she paused and looked down. "We haven’t spoken for such a long time.”
“Well I am and I would love too. Is that a date?”
“Yes, I guess it is. Definitely.” Eve replied.
“Great,” he paused. He picked up his knife and began to rub it with a paper napkin. “What happened Eve? We used to be really good friends. I’ve missed you all these years,” he said. This time his smile had vanished and had been replaced by a look of sadness. He took his glasses back out of his pocket and put them back on. This time he pushed them as far up against his eyes as he could and looked away.
“I’m sorry. I wanted to contact you but I thought ...., so many things had happened and I didn’t think you’d want to speak to me.” She placed her hand on the table and began to fiddle with her napkin as she looked down. “I screwed up Kevin. I was ashamed. I thought it was best if I just made myself scarce for a few years. My mother wasn’t happy and I was having a load of hassle from his wife.”
“His wife?”
“Yes, I fell for the charms of the married man as the whole world seems to know. Oh my marriage is over; oh I’m only sharing the house with her whilst the divorce comes through. I believed all the stories, every last one of them. He made me feel wonderful Kevin, but it was all a lie and I was stupid. I have been stupid. I don’t even know why I fell for him, I’m not even sure I did. I just fell for the thought of him and the way he made me feel. Let's just say that I was young and stupid and leave it at that. Do you hate me?”
“I don’t hate you; I just wished it had been me. I wouldn’t have let you down,” he said as he placed his warm hand over Eve's fiddling fingers.
“You never said anything; I thought you just wanted to be friends.”
“I could see you were drifting away from me. Was scared you’d reject me.” Eve placed her other hand over his and she could feel his soft skin. She thought of all their teen years, when he was her all, her best friend, her confidante. What had gone wrong? If only she had read Kevin’s signals. A tear began to burst from the corner of her eye. How hard she’d had it, fighting for time with Harry. Dealing with a liar, a womaniser who’d humiliated not only her but the wife he had never left.
“I was so stupid,” she blurted out with a snivel.
Kevin stood up, walked around to her side of the table, knelt down and placed his arms around her. “You were young, naïve. He took advantage of that. Come on, we’re on holiday. I didn’t mean to upset you,” he said as he rubbed her shoulder and looked at her.
She looked back at him. Those beautiful warm eyes, she touched his face and he moved closer to her. She kissed him hard and he responded. The heat pounded down on her back, she could feel it burning into the nape of her neck but it somehow felt sensual. It was then she knew that being with Kevin felt right. If a kiss could tell then this kiss had just told. It told her that he was the one. It happened so naturally, no awkwardness, no fumbling and no nerves. Just a burning need in all ways for this wonderful man who was kneeling before her. She pulled away and hoped that he had felt the same. Kevin looked at her, confused but pleased. He moved back a little. He gazed at her as she looked at him. “I’ve missed you,” she whispered. She held his hand and smiled. With his other hand he stroked her cheek, eyes still on hers.
“Have I missed anything?” Selina asked as she and Rachel approached. Kevin stood and walked back to his side of the table. As they joined them the waiter served their breakfasts.
“No, we were just reminiscing,” Eve replied.
“Yeah right! Two coffees please. A strong one for the invalid,” Rachel said to the waiter. Selina fell into the chair next to Kevin and slumped over the table, head on hands. Eve began to cut into her boiled egg.
“I can’t sit here,” Selina said as she moved to the next table. “What happened to me last night?”
“You had a bit too much,” Eve laughed. “Sure you don’t want some of my egg?” Selina pulled down her sunglasses and peered over the top of them with her glassy half closed eyes.
“Do I look like I need an egg Evie?” she said. Ra
chel lit up a cigarette, once again Selina moved tables. “Do you have to?”
Rachel laughed then puffed away. Their coffees arrived and Selina took a few sips before placing the cup back on the table and slumping forward once again.
“Anyway, what are we doing today?” Eve asked as she tucked into the olives and tomatoes.
“What would you like to do?” Asked Kevin.
“Nothing,” groaned Selina.
A wolf whistle made Selina sit up to attention despite her hung over state. Mehmet was approaching up the path behind her. His flip flops slapped onto the ground with every step. He wore khaki shorts with a white vest slung over his shoulder. “Hello, beautiful lady,” he called as he approached Selina’s table. She took her glasses off, revealing her squinting puffy eyes and no make-up. Without hesitation he placed his arm around her and kissed her on both cheeks. “You look beautiful.”
Eve laughed at Kevin. Although she hoped that Mehmet thought something of Selina, he was more likely just after a short holiday fling with this week’s woman and Selina was hot. She was having a bad morning but she scrubbed up to be one of the best and Mehmet had spotted that. “What are you lovely people doing today in this beautiful sunshine?” He asked.
“We were just talking about that weren’t we?” Eve replied. The others nodded. Rachel took a large drag of her cigarette and blew circles of smoke as she fiddled with her nose ring.
“Well how about jeep safari, I can do a good deal for you.”
“I don’t think so. Look at her, she wouldn’t last five minutes in a jeep,” Rachel said.
“I can book you in for tomorrow.”
“We’ll let you know if that’s okay with you.” Rachel replied with a false smile.
“Okay, I’ll leave you lovely people to it. I may see you about later,” he said as he kissed Selina on the cheek and left. She stroked his hair with her shaky hand.
“Some people just don’t know when to give the sales patter a rest,” Rachel said as she stubbed her nub end out.
“You know, he was only being nice. You should try it some time.” Selina replied as she struggled with her hoarse voice.
“He was just trying to sell. Should I be nice like you are, should I shag him?” Rachel said as she took her last cigarette out of the box.
“Now now you pair. Let’s try and have a nice time,” Eve interrupted.
“I’m going back to the villa my head is killing and that miserable cow is making it worse,” Selina shouted as she stood and stomped off.
Rachel laughed and lit the cigarette. “I think I’ll go get some more fags, have a good day all.” They watched as Rachel’s black shorts and vest top disappeared around a corner.
“Well that leaves me and you,” Kevin said. “I’m going to take you out for a fun day you’ll never forget.” He placed a couple of notes on the table, put his glasses back in his breast pocket, grabbed Eve’s hand and led her towards the sea front.
“Where are you taking me?” She yelled unable to control her laughter.
“I hope you have your swim wear on under those shorts.”
“I don’t actually. What are you doing to me?”
“You’re going to get your shorts very, very wet,” he laughed as he continued to lead her to the sea front. “Two on a banana boat please,” he said to a man in a beachside hut as emptied the last of the cash in his pocket over.
“No, I can’t. I’m not good at swimming,” Eve shouted, her smile disappearing.
“I am, got all my badges at school, besides you get a life jacket,” he said as the man led them to the front.
“Please hold my bag," Eve said as she passed the man her small bag. Kevin flung his cash and glasses into her open bag before zipping it up. The man gave it to his assistant behind the counter and nodded.
Before she knew it she was positioned on a banana boat that was being revved up. Without notice it shot from the shore and into the blue sea ahead. She felt the cool spray on her legs. Her stomach flipped with excitement, they whizzed in a circular motion, afraid she’d fall she grabbed hold of Kevin’s waist and held onto him.
“I said it would be fun,” he yelled. Eve couldn’t stop laughing. She looked back at the beach; they had come a long way. Sun loungers were dotted along the golden coast like dolls house furniture. A corner took her by surprise; both she and Kevin were flung off the boat and into the cool sea. She fell under the water's surface and held her breath, trying hard not to inhale a mouthful of sea water. In an instant she floated to the surface. Water dripped down her face, she was met by Kevin. She smiled; she had never had so much fun.
Flinging her hands around his neck she held him close and whispered, “Thank you.” He held her and nuzzled into her neck. Bobbing on the waters surface they embraced hard and long, she turned her head to kiss him, he kissed her back. Gentle salty kisses that tasted so good. He had fuelled a feeling in her she hadn’t felt for such a long time. Her body felt alive, desiring his every touch. His hands caressed her back, she wanted more; she wanted his hands all over her body. She kissed him harder and pushed her body into his. He smelled so good, he felt so good and she needed him.
“You two, you need to get back on the boat. I have six minutes to get you back to the coast.” The man operating the boat said. Eve looked up at him with a flushed face and smiled. Kevin still looked at her, she looked at him. He kissed her on the cheek and smiled as he helped her back onto the boat. She held onto Kevin but not out of fear, to touch him. She placed her small hand up the front of his life jacket, under his tee-shirt and felt him. His naval first; then the bottom of his chest.
The boat slowed down. As it reached the shore she laid her head on his shoulder taking in the subtle fragrance of his shampoo, she closed her eyes and hoped that this was not some holiday thing, that whatever was happening to her was more. She wanted him forever, only time would tell if that was to be. For now she was willing to open her heart to him, try again in love.
The boat reached the shore and stopped. He got off and held his hand out to her; she took his and followed him. The man passed Eve her bag as they left the beach. Two drenched bodies walking along the beach heading back to the villa. They never spoke, there were no words to say. Kevin opened the door; they held their breath and tip-toed past Ryan and Stephen who were still fast asleep on the sofa bed. He placed his index finger over his mouth “Shh,” he whispered. She smiled as they tip-toed up the stairs. They crept past her and Selina’s room, past Rachel’s little box room and through the door into his room.
She sat on his bed feeling awkward. She had no protection and did she want to expose her post child body to him? Then she noticed a pack of condoms on top of his toiletry bag. All the water from her clothes soaked into his bed, she stood. “Sorry,” she whispered.
“Its okay,” he said as he kissed her. She allowed his kisses to wander, enjoying every touch, every caress. He placed his hands over her front and began to lift her tee-shirt up.
She grabbed his hands and pulled them away. “I’m so sorry,” he said. “I thought, well, I hoped.”
“It’s not you,” Eve replied. “I haven’t shown this body to anyone since having Harry. Things aren’t what they used to be.”
“I understand Eve, you’ve had a child. I still think you’re beautiful.”
She lifted up her tee-shirt to expose the mangled caesarean scar. “I had an infection when he was born, we both came close to death,” she said as she began to cry. Kevin knelt down and traced his finger along the scarred flesh and kissed it gently.
“That just adds to your beauty.” She stroked his fair hair then wiped her eyes dry. He stood, pulled her tee-shirt back down and kissed her. “Shall we get changed and go out?” He turned towards the wardrobe.
She grabbed his arm. He turned and she kissed him hard, she pulled him close to her and tugged at his tee-shirt. It wouldn't move; the water had caused it to stick to his body. He stood back and lifted it over his head and dropped it to the ground.
She traced her fingers through his chest hair, feeling his goose bumped skin. She took her tee-shirt off, he his shorts, she hers.
They got into his bed, dampening the sheets with their clammy wet bodies. He kissed her neck and moved down towards her breasts. He undid her bra, as he embraced her she heard it drop onto the marble floor. A warm breeze floated by and caused all her senses to come alive. She could hear the birds singing outside; she could feel the wetness of their bodies and enjoyed the smell of his masculine fragrance.
His gentle kisses now brushed her nipples and they responded immediately. She could feel him harden above her, pushing him away she took her pants off and dropped them to the floor. She wanted him now like she’d never wanted anything in her life. But he wouldn’t give it. He continued to caress her, she tried to pull him close but he moved away and smiled.
His hand reached her and his fingers caressed her, he was so gentle but she needed him in her, she needed him hard. She had never felt a wanting like this. Her previous relationship had been dominated by a lie, used for his pleasure without a regard for hers. But this was different, she trusted Kevin, dare she say it but she now realised she had always loved him and now she needed him. She ached for him to be in her. Her body arched as she groaned with pleasure. She saw the condom wrapper fall to the floor.
He lay on top of her lifting his upper body up with his arms so that he could see into her eyes. She looked back at him; that look made her body tingle. His arms so strong, she hadn’t realised he was so strong. She traced his muscular frame and placed her hands behind his neck. Leaning up to kiss him, he responded, this time hard and desperate. Their tongues in and out of each others mouths. He moved on top of her, rubbing himself hard over her, increasing her desire for him. Then he went in, she felt it, like sparks building up. So furious, so desperate they clinched together, moving hard and fast. Sweating they grasped for each other not being able to touch enough of each others bodies. He rubbed his one hand all over her body, her hair, her breasts then her buttocks and he penetrated her hard. She could not wait any longer, the sparks were now alight. He the same, they groaned not holding back and taking everything they could. It was everything she had hoped it would be.
Whispers Beneath the Pines Page 4