It was a big well appointed room, furnished in a similar style to the London apartment they had left behind them, the huge picture windows overlooking the city, the art tastefully placed, the clean lines of the very masculine furniture. Geth had moved to a small drinks table, filled a couple of glasses and was now coming to her side. He seated himself beside her, handed her one of the glasses and leaned back to sip from his own, all the time watching her intently with speculative eyes.
‘What now?’ she asked.
‘Well we finish our drinks and then we go to bed, as I said you need to rest before the lunch meeting later today, it will be a chance for you to be seen at my side, playing the supporting role expected of my fiancée.’
Lexie itched to ask just where she was expected to sleep, but couldn’t quite find the words, so she just nodded, finished her drink and rose to her feet.
‘Well in that case if you show me to my room please.’
Smiling Geth rose and led her to one of the doors she had spied along the hallway leading off from the lounge. She followed him into a spacious bedroom where immediately alarm bells began to ring in her brain as she spotted a very masculine black leather case standing next to the smaller tan one she had purchased the previous afternoon. Turning to him she tried to keep her voice calm and matter-of-fact.
‘No, sorry I meant my room, you must have a guest room in a place this size.’
‘Yes I do, but the terms of our agreement require you to be with me, at my side, surely you haven’t forgotten have you cariad?’
She was angry now and her voice took on a shrill edge.
‘I obviously need to remind you that I made it quite clear I would not sleep with you.’
His answer was to reach out and curl one big hand around the back of her neck, threading his fingers through her thick silky hair , to pull her to him.
‘Ah but I made it equally clear that I reserved the option to make you change your mind, surely you remember that?’
To emphasise his point he lowered his head and claimed her mouth with his. This kiss was tender and sweet as he used all his skill to coaxed a response from her. Lexie remembered trying to resist, but it had been a short-lived, pointless resistance as her body turned traitor. Breasts tingling, aching for his touch, nipples hardening, as low in her belly a warmth unfurled. Once again she found herself leaning in towards him, seeking more, opening her mouth for him, and when he groaned deep in his chest and deepened the kiss she knew she was truly lost. Then suddenly he released her, and she rocked on her heels, for a fleeting moment unable to support herself.
‘Go to bed now cariad.’
And with that he turned on his heels and left her. She felt like a chastened child, corrected after a petulant outburst, and angrily she headed for the shower. Why did she react like that to him? Surely it was wrong, shameful almost to be like that with a man she was not in love with, a man as overbearing and controlling as him, a man who had proved he could not be trusted, who’s reputation as a red hot lover was widely known. All she would be was another notch on his bedpost. As the hot jets soothed and calmed her she recovered her composure a little, there was nothing for it but to get into bed and when, if he came to her she would pretend to be asleep. That would not be unexpected, it had been a long trying day. So dressing quickly in the black silk nighty, Lexie slipped between the sheets of the enormous bed, wriggled as far over to one side as she could, curled up with her back to the empty expanse he would soon fill and closed her eyed and prayed for sleep to claim her. Surely he would not wake her.
Geth tossed the last of the single malt he’d been slowly savouring down his throat and rose to his feet. He’d listened as the shower ran for interminable minutes, imagining her naked, the water flowing lovingly over her curvy little body. Resisting the temptation to join her, just for now, he’d sat enjoying the drink and the anticipation of the night to come. He’d wanted to give her a little time to herself, time to begin to accept the inevitability of what was happening. She already knew it was inevitable, he was left in no doubt about that every time he touched her, it was just a matter of time and careful handling and she would stop denying it and admit how good they were together. Slowly he made his way into the darkened bedroom, pausing to smile at the way she had curled up as far away from the centre of the big bed as she could. A few minutes later after a quick shower he lifted the quilt and climbed in beside her, moving across the empty expanse of the bed until he was positioned close to her rigid back.
Lexie heard him enter the room and head for the shower, then only a short time later she felt him join her in the bed. The tension was unbearable, she closed her eyes even tighter and prayed he would believe she was asleep. He was close now, right behind her, she could feel the warmth of his big body, damp from the shower, feel his breath on her neck as he leant over her. Despite her determination not to react she felt a tremor run through her, just as his hand gently brushed aside her hair and his mouth connected with the nape of her neck.
‘Oh cariad, do you really not know how delectable you are from this angle?’
His voice holding a trace of amusement that served to make her stiffen even more, and as her nerve broke she made a move to bolt from the bed, but it was too late, far too late. Geth slipped one arm quickly under her waist pulling her back against him, and then ran his free hand over her hip and around the delightful curve of her bottom and down the back of her thigh. The sensation, magnified by the sheer silk of her nightdress was electric and she felt the by now familiar reaction begin to flood through her. In one last attempt to stop him she twisted in his grip.
‘No, don’t, please, just leave me alone, I don’t want this.’
‘Liar, why do you keep denying it? We are so good together, you know we are. Why don’t you just listen to your body and come to me. We are going to be together for a while, why make that time fraught with friction and denial when it could be so much more rewarding?
All the while he was holding her so close she could feel his hardness pressing against her. His free hand had slipped lower, lifting the nighty up and slipping gently and seductively between her thighs. How had she ever thought she would be better able to stop him by turning her back to him? There was no protection at all, she felt open and vulnerable as he helped himself to her. As he nibbled and sucked at the tender flesh of her neck and shoulder, the hand that had clasped her waist, pulling her back against him moved to cup her breast, the sensation of his warm hand was making her weak for more and she knew he would have felt her nipple hardening in response. Then the questing fingers of his other hand found the slick opening he sought and Lexie lost the last threads of any coherent thoughts she might have been holding on to, a soft cry of submission escaping from her lips.
It was all the confirmation Geth needed, turning her around onto her back and gripping the black silk he tore her nightdress open. Small hands moved to push against his chest and he grasped her wrists, pinning them impatiently to the pillows each side of her head. Feasting his eyes for long seconds, he then lowered his golden head to one pink nipple, drawing it deeply into his mouth, her unbridled response as she writhed beneath him was driving him mad.
‘Please, please Geth, I need to touch you please.’
He released her captive hands, moving to grip her hips as she clasped feverishly at the bunched muscles of his shoulders, running hot little hands down his broad back, encouraging him with her kisses accompanied by soft little whimpers of need. Lexie was on fire, the sensation he was invoking with his mouth and hands close to tipping her over the edge and even as her fevered brain somehow realised this she fought it, not wanting to go there on her own. ‘No Geth please...’ she couldn’t find the words to tell him so she reached for him, slipping one hand between them to curl it hot around him. She quickly almost instinctively traced a path down the length of him and back again, rejoicing as he cried out and a shuddering response ripped through his big frame. Geth couldn’t believe the sensation that gripped him, and
all pretense of control lost he roughly grasped her hand away and plunged deep into her hot moist core before stilling, gasping for breath to savour the sensation for long seconds. It was the heat of her hands sliding down his back and over his buttocks and the feel of her legs circling his waist encouragingly as her open mouth sought his that started the age old, rhythmic movement she needed from him. Hard hands gripping her hips in a vice like hold, he rode her hard, until there was no sense of where he stopped and she began, until they climaxed together gasping for the breath to cry out, before finally stilling to lie quiet for long minutes still joined, still as one.
Slowly Lexie began to regain some semblance of coherent thought, she felt heavy, sleepy, unwilling to move from the warmth of his embrace and as she snuggled closer, kissing the corded strength of his thick neck she knew without doubt, he was right. To deny this would be madness, she might be limited in her practical sexual experience but she’d read enough of the theory to know this was special, this was something she would never find again, her perfect sexual mate. The only sane thing to do was to grasp as much as she could while they were together, what was wrong with taking advantage of a once in a lifetime opportunity like this, all she had to do was be careful not to fall for his legendary charm. That way there would be no emotional mess when it all came to its inevitable ending and they both went their own ways, no mess, no broken hearts.
The sound of someone entering the apartment startled her out of her reverie and back to the cold light of day. Turning to the bedside table Lexie reached for her watch to check the time, eight thirty, well it would not be Geth returning then, his breakfast meeting was set to go on for at least another hour. She thought she remembered him mentioning he employed an housekeeper, that was who it must be. As if to confirm that thought the aroma of fresh coffee wafted into the bedroom and Lexie suddenly realised she was ravenous, so reaching for her wrap she headed out in search of the source of the delicious aroma. The kitchen she found was exactly what she expected, its clean lined no nonsense style mirroring the rest of the apartment and moving from counter to counter with a minimum of effort was the tiniest little woman Lexie had ever seen. She turned as Lexie entered.
‘Why Miss owen, I was just going to bring you a nice hot coffee, just what you need after a late flight. Well now you are up you just go relax in the lounge and I will be right through with it. I’m Nora by the way, I’m the housekeeper here. While Mr Mathias is here I come in every day and see to what needs doing, course when the place is empty I don’t do so much. Well now just listen to me rattling on, and you still with no coffee.’
Lexie smiled and settled herself on a nearby stool, leaning on the pristine counter.
‘Coffee would be nice Nora, but I would rather have it here if you don’t mind.’
‘Just as you like dearie, and will you be having a little breakfast? I mean you look as if you might, not like those skinny bits Mr Mathias usually takes up with, nothing but black coffee for them.’
Lexie laughed.
‘Ugh, I like my coffee with cream and yes please I will have some breakfast, but just something quick and easy, please don’t go to too much trouble.’
‘No trouble at all dearie, I will just rustle up a nice muffin with some crispy bacon while you drink your coffee.’
The coffee really was excellent and Lexie sipped thoughtfully, so Geth regularly brought women back here, skinny model types apparently, well no surprise there so why did she feel so cross then? It was not as if she had any real right to be, he had been a free agent and still was. Ok so they would both have to put on an act while they played this charade out, but they were still free agents in actual fact, this was no genuine engagement, she thought fingering the ring on her left hand, not real at all.
‘Oh my now that is a pretty thing.’
Nora exclaimed out loud as she reached over to put the muffin and a glass of orange juice down in front of Lexie
‘Just look at that sparkle.’
Lexie held her hand out for the customary inspection.
‘Yes indeedy, pretty as a picture, just like you my dear, now you tuck in.’
So Lexie did just that, enjoying the luxury of having a delicious breakfast cooked for her, and as she ate she watched the little woman bustle about the room. Though she had a distinct Canadian edge, she clearly was not a native of the country, though Lexie couldn’t place the accent it was certainly British. Nora looked to be in her sixties at least, small and wiry, silver grey hair neatly tied back with a black ribbon and sporting a bright yellow tracksuit. She moved with sprightly grace and seemed to have boundless energy.
‘Where are you from Nora? I don’t think you are Canadian are you?’
‘No my dear, I came over from England with my husband over thirty years ago now, Dorset, that’s where I grew up. My Ronnie got a job over here and I came with him. He worked for Mr Mathias, headed many a project he did, then when he died sudden like last year, Mr mathias asked me if I wanted him to help me go home. But I didn’t, you see my whole life seemed to be here by then, friends we’d made, our house that Ronnie built, just felt right to stay. So Mr Mathias helped me sort everything out, and I help him out by looking after his place for him. He’s a good boy, thoughtful, good farm upbringing you see, no matter what happens later, a good upbringing lays the foundation of a man I always say.’
Lexie smiled, wondering not for the first time about Geth’s family and his farming roots, once again she’d had a glimpse of the man behind the public figure and it was quite intriguing.
‘Nora, what is there to see, close to here? I have to go to a lunch meeting with Mr, with Geth she quickly corrected herself, but I don’t want to waste any time so as it’s only nine now I have some time I can use to look around this morning. But it has to be not too far so I can be back and changed in time for lunch.’
‘Well now let me think, you could get to the riverfront quite easily from here, it’s through the old French quarter too that’s what tourists want to see. Course there’s Chinatown too, you mustn’t miss that.’
‘The French quarter sound great, how do I get there?’ ‘Well just ask the taxi to take you there dear, or has Mr Mathias left his driver for you?’
‘I’m not sure, but I would much rather walk, that way I see much more.’ ‘Well if you’re sure’ Nora sounded doubtful, ‘you just head left out of this building and keep going in a straight line for two blocks. You will know the French quarter as soon as you see it, very European but a bit shabby too. But I’d be happier if you let me check if the driver is able to take you.’
But Lexie was already half way out of the room.
‘I’ll be fine Nora, don’t you worry about me.’
She changed quickly, glad she’d thought to buy some casual wear, and was soon out in the bustle of the city, heading in the direction Nora had described, soaking in the sights and sounds of the bright modern streets. Wide, straight, lane after lane with traffic sweeping unrelentingly past. Each side rose the impressive, gleaming sky scrapers typical of the modern city. Between these glass edifices were tucked, somewhat incongruously and in Lexie’s eyes completely charmingly, a myriad array of older building each telling its own part of the history of Montreal. Impressive banks, shops, churches and even cathedrals, all from an era long past, when the city displayed its affluence in its architecture as never before. These marble columns and gleaming spires were now reflected in the shining glass of the modern city that dwarfed the old. Here and there were well worn signs warning of the danger of falling ice and Lexie was reminded that this was a country that saw snow and ice in quantities she was unable to comprehend. She remembered reading somewhere that to protect shoppers, whole streets in the city had been covered with glass roofing and so she began to search for these as she walked.
Before long she noticed a steady stream of people entering and leaving a rather mundane looking doorway to her left. Pushing through the door, Lexie gasped and stood still taking in the amazing sight. Each si
de of the street the buildings rose much as you would expect, the difference was that between them towered an impressive glass roof. Beautifully designed to allow the light to reach the street below, this protective shell had transformed what must have been a fairly mundane row of shops into a quiet oasis of elegance. Discreet designer outlets, stylish coffee shops, and here and there some well tended greenery, the effect was stunning and Lexie wondered how many of these modern adaptations to the extreme weather had been constructed to allow the business of spending money to continue uninterrupted? It only took her a few minutes to walk the whole length of the covered street and soon she was pushing her way back through a second set of doors out into the open air. Again she was taken aback at the contrasting sights, to her left was the bright modern city, but to her right the street formed a dark, narrow contrast. The French quarter started here and Lexie was entranced immediately. Distinctly European this part of Montreal transported visitors back to the early history of the city, in a mix of atmospheric streets and alleys filled with a charming mix of art and tourist tat.
Lexie wandered entranced, completely oblivious of time until she emerged onto a broad flat street that separated the old city from the St lawrence river. It was unlike anything she had ever seen, deep dark grey swirling waters spread before her almost as far as the eye could see, decorated with bridges, and peopled with ships and boats. Along the shoreline stretched a well used cycle-way a smooth ribbon joining up the waterside attractions and parks. Realising she was suddenly ravenous, Lexie began exploring the street to her left, looking for somewhere selling warm food and it wasn’t until she was sitting eating a soft, warm, sweet roll and sipping a fragrant coffee at a roadside cafe that it suddenly hit her. Lunch, she was supposed to be with Geth at some business lunch in about twenty minutes. By now he was probably hunting high and low for her livid at what he would see as her outright defiance. No way was he going to believe she had simply lost track of time.
The Scent of His Woman Page 10