by Lisa Torquay
That same evening, Mark and Amy went to have dinner in a fancy restaurant of their liking. No sooner they had sat at their booked table, Amy came closer to Mark.
“Don’t look now, but Torres is here”, she whispered.
As Mark turned his head discretely, he saw Juan talking to one of the most famous sharks of the City. Cold rage took him over.
“No need to investigate the mysterious share buyer anymore!”
Amy felt her mouth fall, dumbfounded. How could Juan be so disloyal? The guy was beyond morals!
Juan turned his head to them and his expression clouded.
The evening went sour for Amy, and Mark’s rage was all over him. Impulsively, Mark sprang up his chair and went to talk to the other men.
He looked at Juan right in the eyes. “If this is what I think it is, Torres, consider yourself fired!”
Juan sat back at his chair and exhibited a wide sardonic smile. “A man cannot be blamed for trying now, can he?”
“If playing dirty is your style…” Mark replied coldly. He turned to look at the other man. “And you stay out of my way or things will get very serious for you, my friend!”
The other man fidgeted hopelessly with his napkin without looking at Mark. “I’ll do that, Mr Benton.”
Mark couldn’t help feeling smug. “Well, all that’s left for me now is to celebrate your double loss, Torres! Have a nice evening!” And he walked back to his table.
Juan’s frustration was so plainly shown that Amy felt almost like laughing if it weren’t for his lack of character.
“I do think dinner will be a lot more enjoyable. Don’t you agree?” Mark eyed her with his molten eyes as he sat again at their table.
Amy smiled tenderly at him and nodded.
Well, well, Mark thought, if for nothing else, this episode served to get that project of a Latin-lover away from Amy. Of course he’d be losing a very competent IT manager. But now the IT department was up and running and there’d surely be someone there that was apt to be promoted to Torres’ position. Someone who’d be more attuned with the company’s culture, no doubt.
Chapter XXII
A couple of weeks later, they were in the kitchen preparing breakfast. Amy poured herself some coffee, a half smile playing on her lips as the memories of the night filled her head and hot feelings invaded her body. Mark’s passion would always be her undoing. And what was that feeling that took her over every time they were together? Her love for him got more intense by the day. Her life only made sense with him in it. She looked at him sitting on the kitchen chair, sipping his coffee.
“We’re going away for the weekend”, Mark commented as he pulled her to his lap.
“May I ask where to?” She circled his broad shoulders with her free arm.
“That’s a surprise for now.” His hands distracted her by wandering over her knees.
His hoarse voice started doing things with her clear thoughts. “Ok.” She managed to answer faintly because his stubbed mouth was strolling along her neck.
“I hope you like it.” He pulled her closer
Desire fogged her mind and inflamed her body. He got rid of her hobby as he positioned her to ride him astride and took possession of her breasts.
Amy was sleeping beside Mark as his private jet overflew Cardiff airport. He was waiting for permission to land.
She stirred and awoke slowly and looked at the city lights. “Where are we?” She asked in a drowsy voice.
“We’re just waiting for permission to land in Cardiff.” He didn’t take his eyes from the way ahead. The radio voiced the expected permission.
“Cardiff?” A myriad of mixed feelings erupted inside her.
Her confused tone made Mark feel even more unsure whether he should have brought her here or not. He had pondered on that for weeks without being able to decide if it was the right thing to do. When he had the idea of surprising her, he’d argued with himself that it would be a good thing for her to see her former hometown. But what if it was too painful for her? What if it hurt her more than healed past sorrows?
As she stared at the Cardiff lights bellow her, Amy recognized a swelling feeling growing from her heart. This was her childhood hometown. So many good memories of her parents, her school mates, her summers playing on the fields around their cottage, not so far from the town. Tears clogged her throat and she tried to keep them there.
After they had gone through the formalities, they entered the Limo that was waiting for them outside the airport. She observed unblinkingly the city passing by the car window. And she could not take her eyes from it. How could she have missed that without even realising it? Now… Now it felt like she was coming back to her own place! Her mind in overdrive. All seemed so new and at the same time so…familiar. The city had changed a lot since she left it, of course. But the places she remembered so well were still there.
Mark tried to measure her reactions from the corner of his eyes, but she was so motionless, that he couldn’t be sure. He only hoped this wasn’t a mistake. In no time the Limo stopped.
“Mark?” Her faint voice sounded in the darkness of the car. “Mark this was our neigh-“ She inhaled hallway. “This-this was our old cottage!” She looked at him wide-eyed. Her old home lost so long ago!
“Amy, this is your cottage.” Mark said gravely as he observed her attentively.
“It was, yes, but not anymore. It had to be…sold” A note of sadness took her voice.
“Amy, this is your cottage.” He repeated and held out a key to her.
She just stared at him as the tears rolled her face uncontained. She completely lost her power of speech and could only look at his handsome face.
Mark took her delicately by her shoulders and kissed every one of her falling tears. “Take the key,” he coaxed her. “Your home waits for you.” His murmur soft in her ears.
Just then she remembered to breath, re-learned to move. She burst open the car door, without waiting for the driver to do it, and ran to the cottage. Fumbling with the key, she walked in and turned on the lights. She looked around open-mouthed. It was newly decorated in traditional cottage style. Comfortable furniture, cosy curtains and carpets. It smelled of varnished wood. It’d make a perfect refuge for holidays!
Mark saw that she was in wonder, walking around in all directions and he was sure he had done the right thing. When she came back to the sitting-room she looked out of depth. He sent the driver to an inn and closed the door. His heart was enlightened and full of love for her.
“I-I don’t have words to express my happiness!” She was fidgeting with her hands as she ambled slowly towards him.
He breathed out a faint smile. “You don’t need to. It’s all over you.” He moved towards her and caught her in his arms. Her head rested on his shoulder. “I’d have dived in a volcano if it made you happy!” His lips brushed her hair.
She lifted her head, her wide stare met his. Her lips half opened. All he could do was kiss her, involving her in his warmth. They kissed and kissed until tenderness begun to turn into flames.
He lifted his head. “I love you, Amy!” His thumb caressed her cheek. “It feels I have loved you forever!” His focus intent on her honeyed ones.
A naughty smile played on her full lips. “How can you love a brat like me?” Her fingers entwined in his soft dark hair.
He smiled back. “You’re the most stubborn, independent, sensuous brat I ever set eyes upon and you stole my heart!”
“Oh, Mark! I love you so much!” Her hands went to his nape silkily, making him tremble with lust.
“Amy, my love! I was so afraid that you’d accepted me out of gratitude! I just couldn’t face the fact that you might not love me!” He took her face in his hands and touched his forehead to hers.
She held him tighter. “Well, I cannot deny you give me a hard time with your possessiveness and controlling personality!” She chided him lovingly.
He looked at her solemnly. “I’m trying to improve.”
He felt flattered. “We’re getting married as soon as possible and you’ll be mine forever!”
“Forget about the long way thing.” She whispered as his mouth came possessively over hers.
The End