The Finest Line

by Catherine Taylor

  Females sat around nursing infants whilst young baboons played on trees and tyres and other structures provided for their entertainment. A huge male drill wandered slowly through a group of young females, who quickly cleared the path for him, displaying grotesquely swollen red hindquarters.

  “Oh my god,” Mairead was horrified. “They look like something’s wrong with them. That isn’t normal.”

  James laughed. “Normal for them; the more redder and swollen the female’s bottom, the more the male knows she is ovulating and ready to be mated.”

  At least two minutes of silence followed that statement until Mairead was able to speak again and look at James. “Could we have lunch please?”

  James was grinning ridiculously, a tiny tremor indicating that he was trying not to laugh, “An excellent suggestion.”

  He was still sporting an amused face as they sat across from each other at the outdoor tables of the kiosk. The normal lunch hours had long passed and the food choices were limited.

  Mairead took one bite of a pie and quickly discarded it into an adjacent bin. “You know, you’re little attempt at humour wasn’t wasted on me.” Mairead wiped the taste from her mouth.

  “I’m not sure which attempt you are referring to” James finished his pie in three bites. “Would you care to elaborate?”

  “No I wouldn’t because that would just be encouraging your warped sense of humour.” She smiled. “But it has been a brilliant day. I’ve had fun.”

  “And not much to eat,” James got up. “Come on, I’ll get you something half decent.”

  “Where are we going?”

  “I can take you back into the city or...” James didn’t finish and seemed to have lost his amusement.

  Mairead waited but had to prompt him, “Or what?”

  “Or we could go to my place.”

  It was Mairead’s turn to hesitate before, “Your place.”

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  Their animated conversation enjoyed at the zoo, ended when they were back in the car. Mairead was thankful she hadn’t eaten because her stomach was doing somersaults. She stared out of her window, contemplating what going to ‘James’ place’ would mean for her or what it even was.

  It seemed a reasonable question to break the silence. “So where is your place James?”

  “Khandallah,” His eyes remained on the road. “We should be there in about half an hour.”

  Another long silence ensued until James that spoke up next. “Mairead, why did you come to Wellington? You had only just got back from Australia.”

  Her heart joined her stomach’s routine. “I wanted to see Kylie. I haven’t seen her for so long.”

  “Was there anything else?”

  The question was volatile and Mairead shifted in her seat. “Like what?”

  “Mairead, did you come to Wellington in the hope of seeing me?”

  Her lungs had given up working and just short of death she managed to whisper, “You didn’t say goodbye.”

  She saw James smile as he stared at the road. “I had a very early morning start, but you are quite correct. It was very impolite of me and I’m sorry.”

  “You’re forgiven.” Mairead prayed that this conversation would end and they could go back to awkward silence.

  “Mairead,” He still didn’t look at her. “I haven’t been in a relationship since well before leaving England and even that one wasn’t great.”

  Mairead winced as the dreaded relationship topic made its entrance. She met it with humour, “Wow no wonder you’re so grumpy.”

  James shook his head. “I said I hadn’t been in a relationship. I didn’t say I’d been celibate. And if I am grumpy, it is because you are the most infuriating and frustrating woman I have met.

  He turned down the first side road and skid the car to a halt. Taking off his seat belt, he turned to Mairead. “I am trying to give you an opportunity to say whatever it is you want to say. If you don’t take it, then I must assume that you have changed your mind and I will take you back to Kylie’s.”

  There was no more avoiding this moment. She knew what she wanted to say but with James admonishing her once again, the words wouldn’t come. “I can’t.”

  James sighed and nodded thoughtfully. “It’s alright Mairead. I’ll take you back.”

  His impassive reply cut deep but it made the situation clear. If she didn’t speak, the outcome would be no better than if she risked making a fool of herself and was rejected.

  “I want to tell you,” she blurted out. “I’m just so scared that you’re not going to give me the reply I want to hear.”

  James took hold of her hand and leant down to give her an encouraging smile. “Please Mairead, for my sake, would you take a chance?”

  Tears were falling freely as she bowed her head, unable to look at him. “I’m in love with you. I have been in love with you for a really long time but I didn’t want to admit it to myself because I was certain that you felt nothing for me. But when you were gone, I couldn’t bear to be away from you again. So I came after you on some ridiculous hope that maybe you might feel something for me. But sitting in this car, I’m just realising that I have no fucking idea how you feel about me, though I do know now that I am frustrating and infuriating.”

  She sat sobbing and staring down at her lap and waited to be crushed.

  James opened the glove box and took a small packet of tissues out. Ripping it open he drew some out and lifted her head up. He wiped her eyes carefully to avoid smudging her make-up but Mairead could read nothing in his face.

  “For a start, I’m going to overlook your use of profanity this one time, given the circumstances. Don’t do it again. Secondly, I have difficulty in accepting a relationship which has stemmed from a professional one, though I acknowledge that boundaries have already been crossed.”

  Mairead was not sure that she liked where this was going but she listened quietly as he continued.

  “I am quite concerned that there is a need in you, which is drawn to someone like me, which could be confused for love.”

  She had no idea what that statement meant and made a mental note to ask him later.

  “I do find you infuriating and frustrating, as well as incredibly brave. You risked a great deal being honest with me and I am deeply moved by that. What I feel for you has been obvious to others for some time, but like you I have been reluctant to acknowledge those feelings.”

  He took a deep breath. “You are the most beautiful, exciting and remarkable girl I have ever met and... I am completely in love with you.”

  Her heart swelled and she laughed and cried and even jumped about in her seat.

  James watched her amused. “I take it that you are satisfied with my reply.”

  Mairead grinned and shrugged. “I knew you were going to say that.”

  James shook his head, “Definitely frustrating.”

  Sitting up she brought her face closer to his. “Isn’t this where you kiss me?”

  “It is,” James agreed and planted a kiss on her forehead. “Now do your seatbelt up and let’s go.”

  For the next hour Mairead was content to say little as they drove into the city and out on to the motorway. Every now and then she would just stare at James and grin.

  Although he never took his eyes from the road, he eventually asked, “Is there a problem Mairead?”

  “Not at all, quite the opposite actually,” Mairead sighed and smiled. “You’re in love with me... completely.”

  “You say that as if it gives you some advantage.”

  Oh it does Mr. Vaughn.” Her happiness was stirring her naughtiness. “It implies that you want to do everything to make me happy and content and consider all my needs before your own.”

  James nodded. “Yes it does, especially the last part, considering your needs.”

  His tone was ominous and Mairead felt a little of her power drain away. Damn, she was doing so well but the tingles were back in force. She had never known such excite
ment. All the barriers between them had come crashing down.

  She felt quite within her rights to flirt with him openly. “It’s a bit like Christmas and I have two new gifts to explore, my cell phone and you.”

  James grinned slyly. “I’ve already had a glimpse of my present but I’m quite looking forward to unwrapping it completely.”

  Mairead felt the colour rush to her face. He had just beaten her at her own game. The confident seductress was gone and the shy little virgin had nothing left to say.

  The car left the motorway and began winding through suburban streets. The further they drove the bigger and more elaborate the houses became and the greater the distances between them. The roads became steeper and more winding, until the Audi entered a tree lined driveway.

  The car had barely stopped when Mairead got out and looked at the large two-storey house before her. The front facade was cedar clad with wide alloy framed windows. The feature was the colourful stained glass set into the double timber framed doors.

  “Who the hell owns this?” Mairead stared with her mouth open.

  James locked the car and walked over to join her. “I do.”

  “Damn, my Daddy is paying you way too much.”

  James laughed. “My salary is very generous but this is the result of some money I had before I left England and I purchased during the recession for a very reasonable price.”

  “But you’re hardly here,” Mairead grinned. “You’re too busy looking after me.”

  “And a full time job it is which is why I rent the house out for part of the year and have professionals to care for it.”

  It was no less impressive inside with its exposed timber beams in high pitched ceilings. Thick grey carpet shared the floor with hardwood polished floors. The old and new blended exquisitely with polished antiques and modern furnishings.

  Mairead followed him to a slate tiled timber kitchen with a black marble island bench. James put the kettle on and began to pull food from the fridge.

  “Steak, eggs, mushrooms and cubed potatoes, how does that sound?”

  “Delicious,” Mairead felt her tummy rumble. “What do you want me to do?”

  “Go and look around. You’ll only get in the way.” James was pulling out frying pan and cutting board.

  Mairead needed no encouragement and set about exploring the house. Downstairs the open plan already showed the lounge and dining rooms. There was a marble tiled bathroom, and to her delight it had a double spa bath set into an alcove with a soft light above it.

  Upstairs, everything was far more impressive.

  Along the length of a hallway the panoramic window had a spectacular view of Wellington Harbour. She stopped and stared out at its blue waters and boats and even the ferry that went between the islands. The city tiered in the background.

  Mairead passed two generous bedrooms and found another at the end of the hallway which was obviously the master bedroom.

  It was thrice as large as the others with panoramic window on two sides. An area had been set aside in one corner with a large ivory lounge suite facing a massive flat panel screen. She could see an open door leading to a bathroom but her eyes fixed on the king size bed.

  The black wrought iron and timber frame contrasted with the dark purple brocade bedspread with its matching pillows and gold cushions. The iron formed a pattern of flowers at the headboard and base. Each of the four carved bed posts were polished and set with a black iron ring.

  A thought occurred to her that it was highly probable that she was going to lose her virginity in that. It was exciting and frightening and overwhelming.

  She tentatively sat down on it and found it to be quite high but very comfortable. A little bounce revealed no sound and Mairead giggled at her naughty thought. Carefully she stretched out on the bedspread and lay against the pillows, wanting to see what James saw whenever he woke up in the bed. Her eyes feasted on blue sky and water and the distant Wairarapa Mountains.

  She felt so tiny on the bed and she had a sudden urge to jump on it but she denied it and was content to roll back and forth across the width. She was having fun until she was interrupted by a cough.

  James was grinning, “Your meal is ready.”

  Mairead sprung off and quickly straightened the bedspread. “I’ll be right down.”

  She had hoped he would go down without her but he stood waiting and took her hand when she came to him. Halfway down the hallway he suddenly swept her up and tossed her over his shoulder. Mairead giggled until he swatted her backside.

  “Ouch. What was that for?”

  “Don’t even think of jumping on my bed.”

  Mairead gaped that this man was even able to invade her thoughts. “I was thinking no such thing. Hell this meal had better be worth it. I could have been having McDonald’s with Kylie without getting my arse whipped.”

  That remark earned her another smack and she decided to keep quiet until they were downstairs where he deposited her in a chair at the dining table.

  The delicious smell of the food before her was indeed worth any hiding. Lack of food and an emotion charged afternoon had left her ravenous and she waited for no invite to begin.

  “This is awesome, James” Mairead managed to say between mouthfuls. “I never would have picked you for a cook.”

  “Single man who likes to eat well,” James was nearly finished his food. “You learn quickly.”

  He got up and walked across to a wine rack returning with a bottle of red and two glasses. “Now that you’ve eaten, would you like a drink?”

  Mairead nodded eagerly. Alcohol was exactly what she needed to calm her nerves. It all felt so romantic and she could barely believe that they had shared another meal together in this gorgeous house with an expectation of incredible things to come.

  When she had finished eating James took their plates out, refusing her offer of help with the dishes. He returned and topped up their glasses.

  “I can’t remember when I’ve enjoyed a day so much.” She studied his face, trying to imagine what his lips would feel like on hers.

  James returned her gaze as he sat back with his glass. “I want to make your night even better.”

  Any strength the meal had given her melted away at that moment. Mairead trembled and found she was unable to speak, even as he stood up and came to her. Taking the glass from her hand, he placed it on the table and lifted her into his arms.

  She held her arms around his neck staring into his eyes as he carried her to lounge. He laid her gently onto the couch, her head on the armrest and she watched as he sat down on the edge next to her, aware that his breathing had become audible.

  His eyes never left her face as he began to slowly unbutton her shirt. Only as he tucked each side away from her breasts, did his gaze move down. He smiled as he discovered the front opening clasp of her white lacy bra.

  Mairead gasped slightly as it was unhooked and pushed to each side, fully aware that he was now gazing intently at her naked breasts. She barely breathed as she felt his fingers caress each one in turn, cupping them in his hands and gently brushing her hardened nipples with his thumbs.

  Her vagina contracted forcefully and she felt the dampness in her underwear. She wanted desperately to feel his fingers there, knowing that the moment he touched her, an orgasm would ignite.

  Instead he stood up and bent over her laying a soft kiss on each nipple before moving to her mouth. Mairead put her arms around his neck and pulled his head against hers, enticing the passion of his kiss. Her tongue pushed into his mouth and discovered the welcoming response of his.

  She was barely aware of him picking her up and sitting down again, lowering her onto his lap with her legs straddling his. Finally his kiss calmed and he gently pulled away.

  “I need air,” He whispered with a smile.

  Mairead sat back with a seductive smile of her own and pushed out her chest inviting further inspection of her breasts. His face showed his approval and he gently cupped them and brushed
her nipples again before taking her bra and hooking it back in place.

  She frowned when her shirt was similarly restored. “Is something wrong?”

  James smiled. “Not a thing. You are perfection, but we do need to have a little talk.”

  The last thing Mairead wanted was talk. “If you’re worried about Daddy, I can assure you he would give us his absolute blessing,”

  James smirked. “Yes I don’t doubt it. Your father has made several unsubtle comments about the type of man that should be with you. Strangely I fit the description quite accurately.”