by Tia Siren
“Well, who would have believed that?” Aaron said.
“He's a little monkey,” Jodie said.
“What do you mean?”
“Has he been asking for me all the time?”
“Yes. He drove me mad.”
“He's faked this in the hope I would come back to him,” Jodie said.
“Jodie back,” Matthew shouted.
“Look, there's nothing wrong with him.”
Aaron looked at Matthew in disbelief. “Is he capable of such devious behavior?”
“Yes. Very much so. But to go to these lengths is pretty rare.”
“You mean he faked having seizures, or whatever it was, just so you'd come back?”
Jodie laughed. “It looks like it. You're a devious little boy,” she said to Matthew.
“Jodie back,” he shouted once more.
Aaron was stunned and relieved at the same time. He was stunned that Matthew would do such a thing and relieved that there wasn't anything seriously wrong with him. He took Jodie by the arm and maneuvered her into the corner of the room.
“What am I going to do? Will you come back?” Aaron asked. “He's mad about you.”
“I wanted to call, really I did. It's just...”
“I know. I came on far too strong, and you got frightened. I'm sorry. It will never happen again. Just please think about it, about coming back. Will you?”
“You know, I didn't completely dislike what you said to me that evening. I was just so shocked; I didn't know what to do or say. You're a high-power guy; I'm just a nanny.”
“But a brilliant one. One Matthew can't do without.”
“Thanks. Okay, I'll come back.”
Aaron gave a huge sigh of relief and kissed her on the cheek. Matthew saw it and clapped.
“We'd better explain all this to the doctor,” Aaron said.
“I'll do it. I think I'll be able to explain it better.”
In the car on the way home, Matthew sat next to Jodie in the backseat and put his head on her lap. When they arrived at the mansion, Jodie put him to bed and waited until he was asleep.
When she came back downstairs, Aaron was sitting outside where they'd had their argument. “Do you want to go for a swim?” he asked.
“I don't know. It's been a long day. I'm tired,” she said.
“Yes, it has been a hell of a day. But once again you saved us. I really appreciate it. And I'm sorry about what happened. I'm going to bed. Swim if you want.”
When Aaron was in bed, he heard Jodie dive into the pool. He smiled. She was back, thank God. He was so tempted to peek out of the window at her in her swimwear, but he was determined not to do anything more to upset her. He would get over it and meet someone else one day.
Aaron had the best night's sleep he'd had in many weeks. When he woke, he was refreshed and ready to do battle with the world again. When he went down to breakfast, he smiled when he saw Matthew and Jodie making eggs.
“Have you got some for me?” he asked Matthew.
Matthew shook his head. “All Jodie's,” he said.
“My word, I think I've completely lost my child to you.”
“He's an excellent judge of character, and a charming man,” Jodie joked.
“Just like his father then. He'll go a long way in life.”
Aaron had breakfast and left them to finish. When he arrived at the office, Megan saw that he looked more relaxed than he had in weeks.
“Great,” she said when Aaron told her Jodie was back. “Play it cool and reel her in slowly.”
“No. I'm not playing that game anymore. She doesn't want me in that way. I'll get over it, for Matthew's sake.”
*****
A few weeks went by, and Aaron managed to temper his enthusiasm for Jodie. Matthew was back to his old self and Jodie seemed to be happy again. Aaron did everything he could to keep things on an even keel. He threw himself into his work and went on the trips he wanted to. Matthew was making progress again, and everything was running smoothly.
“How was he today?” Aaron asked when he got home. Matthew had already gone to sleep.
“Great. You know, it will soon be time for him to go to school. Have you thought about that?”
“Yes. He's down to go to a school for autistic kids. He can't cope with mainstream school.”
“No, of course not. That's great. He's a really great kid, and I love him to bits,” Jodie said.
“Thanks for all you do for him. I think your love is mutual,” he joked.
That evening was warm, and Aaron sat outside and went through some paperwork. He fetched a bottle of wine from the cellar and opened it. Jodie came downstairs in her robe, intending to swim.
“Have you got one of those for me?” she asked.
“Sorry. I only got one glass. I'll get you one,” he said. “There,” he said when he came back.
“I see you have already forgotten what you said to me all those weeks ago,” she said.
“Sorry, but I don't quite follow.”
“You only got one glass. You could have gotten two and invited me.”
“Oh, sorry. Yes, I could have. How thoughtless.”
“Stop treading on eggshells. You're not that kind of man.”
“I'm frightened you will leave again if I do anything to—”
“Upset me?”
“Yes.”
“I've been thinking about it. You shocked me. But now I'm used to the idea, and I can tell you meant it. It wasn't just that you wanted to get in my panties. You really do respect me. If you didn't, you wouldn't be able to behave as well as you have the last couple of weeks.”
“What are you saying?” he asked.
“I'm saying I would be open to something more...er...I mean, if you still want me, I would like to explore how that would be.”
“So you’re saying you would like to get to know me better.”
She smiled. “Yes. In a sexual partner kind of way.”
“What has changed you mind?”
“Time, not being rushed. You. You are a wonderful man. Okay, you haven't got a clue about women, but you are nonetheless a lovely guy.”
“I don't suppose you are going to swim this evening?”
“I might.”
“Maybe we can swim together?”
“I'd like that.”
In the pool, it was Jodie that pulled Aaron to her. He was still in shock from her sudden change of heart, and he was still wary.
“Kiss me,” she said. He kissed her, and he loved the softness of her lips. Her breasts touched his chest, and they were firm, her nipples already hard.
As they kissed, she let her hand slip under the water and felt for his manhood. “Wow. That's quite some surprise,” she said when she felt him. She slid her hand inside his shorts and held him. Slowly, she began to rub up and down his length.
“Oh God,” he moaned. He'd waited for this for so long. He'd thought it would never happen, and now that it was happening, he loved it. He let her play with him; he was enjoying it too much to stop her. She too didn't want to stop. As her hand explored him, she felt a whole range of sensations: his hard shaft and the softness of his balls, their coarseness and the way he shivered at her touch.
“Take me to the shallow end and have your way with me,” she whispered.
He swam and pulled her with him, and when they could stand up, he stopped and pulled off her top.
She put her hands on his smooth chest and felt his tight muscles. Again she felt between his legs, driving him crazy with lust for her. Unable to wait any longer, he spun her around and pushed her against the side of the pool. Her thin swim bottoms offered no resistance as he ripped them from her. When his hand rubbed over her under the water, she moaned and thrust herself against his hand.
“Do it,” she moaned. “Take me.”
He pulled her hips to him, placed himself where he wanted to be, and thrust into her with the force of a man who'd been waiting too long. Inside her, he stopped and kissed he
r neck, savoring the smell of her skin and the way her hair brushed his cheek. The water rippled as he started to move.
All the confusion that had played in Jodie's mind in previous months had disappeared, and she knew, more than ever before, what she wanted. She wanted this man. She wanted him to love her with all the intensity and desire he was now showing. The feeling of him inside her was the most intense sexual feeling she had ever had, and she wanted it to last the rest of her life.
He was thrusting hard now. She could feel his hot breath against her back as he clung to her. One hand held her hip as the other caressed her belly, pushing against the pressure that was building up in her. As soon as his hand slipped between her legs, she cried out at the intense feeling that shot through her. His fingers were playing with her most sensitive part, and she couldn't hold on any longer.
“Jesus,” she hissed as every muscle in her body tightened.
“You’re so sexy,” he muttered as he fought to control his breathing. She rolled her head violently as waves of pleasure rocked through her. He stopped and held her tightly to him as she shook. When she was still, he began to thrust again. His eyes devoured her as she felt him slapping against her, the strength of him taking her breath away. He rammed harder and harder until she came again, this time taking him with her. When she felt his desire seep into her, she was overwhelmed and couldn't stop the wave of emotion that engulfed her, sending tears rolling down her cheeks.
“Okay?” he asked as he clasped her to him.
“Never better,” she gasped.
*****
Aaron had never thought he would find such intense love again, but in Jodie, he did. She loved him unconditionally, and when their first child came, he was blown away by how much effort she put into ensuring Matthew didn't feel left out.
*****
THE END
BWWM Romance Collection
The Russian’s Secret Love Child – Tyra’s Story
A BWWM Billionaire Pregnancy Romance
''It's okay, Tyra, hold on to me,'' Natalie said as Tyra collapsed into her arms.
Father Smith had told me it would be like this, Tyra thought. But which of the emotions had he meant? The Grief or the guilt? Tyra was experiencing both. Two of the most powerful human emotions were wracking through her at will.
''Tyra, we're so sorry for your loss.'' Tyra lifted her head from Natalie's shoulder. It was Mr. and Mrs. Radley Samuels, Tyra's boss and his wife.
''Thank you for coming. I really appreciate it.'' Tyra didn't think she could speak, but the words came out somehow. Natalie handed her another tissue and for a moment, Tyra could see clearly again. She looked to her left and saw a line of mourners waiting to express their condolences to her.
''If only I hadn't been so selfish,'' Tyra said to Natalie as they walked up the cemetery path. It had taken an eternity to work through the line of those seeking to express their condolences and Tyra was exhausted. ''It was foggy, and I knew dad didn't want to drive that day. It was me. Me moaning that they hadn't been to see me in my new home in the city. Lord knows, I think I even suggested they weren't interested in me anymore.'' She held onto Natalie again as another insufferable wave of guilt rammed at her. ''No, I killed them. Dad would never have taken mom out in the car on a day like normally.'' Natalie didn't know how to comfort her friend. They were both just twenty-three and beginning to make their way in the world. Losing parents wasn't supposed to happen until later in life.
*****
Three weeks after the funeral, Tyra stood outside the jewelry store on West 47th Street and looked at it, really looked at it, for the first time. I've been working here for seven months, and this is the first time I've properly taken the place in, she thought. Grief-stricken and riddled with guilt; she felt her senses had become sharper since the passing of her parents. It was as if someone was making her take notice of the world. Making her appreciate what can so easily be torn away from you, in an instant.
West 47th Street was full of jewelry shops, but none as grand as J.P Samuels. They might as well have called it, 'Jewelers to the rich and famous,' she thought. For that's what it was. A place where the rich came to gorge on expensive stones. The front of the store was imposing. Between the cleanest store windows in New York, there were columns of polished black granite. The entrance was in the middle of the store and it too was surrounded by shiny black stone. The door itself was made of bulletproof, reinforced glass. What Tyra liked best about the facade was the sign. It was made of copper and ran the length of the store. The background was dark and the letters that had been forged onto it were polished and stood out better than any other letters on the street.
''Welcome back Tyra. I'm so sorry to hear about your mom and dad,'' Leon said. ''Thanks, Leon. It's very brave of you to say so.'' She'd found that most people just turned away from her, not knowing what to say. Not Leon. It was his job to stand inside the door and keep out the undesirables. He was perfectly equipped to do so at six feet seven and two hundred and fifty pounds, but it involved hours standing in the same place, day after day.
''Tyra, my girl,'' Radley Samuel's said. He'd been waiting for her. Normally, he didn't stand in the shop.
He had others to do that for him. His job was managing the business that his grandfather had started. ''Come with me.''
Tyra followed him through the store. They walked past glass cabinets filled with beautiful necklaces, rings, bracelets, earrings, and watches. At the back of the store, they went through a door and down a corridor. The first door on the right led to a security room. Tyra had never been in the room, but she had seen inside once when the door had been open. It was full of monitors and the latest lock down systems. It was all hi-tech, and she had no idea about any of it.
Radley pushed open the first door on the left and showed her into his office. How can anyone spend hours in an office with no daylight? she wondered. There were pictures of his ancestors on one wall and a giant flora vase in the corner. What she liked most about his office was the carpet. It was deep red with the company crest woven into it.
''Tyra, please sit down.'' He pointed to a button backed armchair that stood in front of his mahogany desk. ''I want you to tell me how you are feeling. You've been through a lot, and I want to make sure you’re feeling up to working again.'' I wish I had a daughter like her, she's so graceful and kind, yet determined and motivated, he thought.
''Well, honestly speaking, I'm still feeling awful.'' You can tell him everything; he cares for you, she told herself as a moment of doubt crept into her mind. ''I weep a lot, especially in the evening and I feel guilty. So guilty.'' She noticed how closely he was listening to her. The furrows on his forehead were deep with concern for her, and his eyes were looking directly into hers, seeking any sign that a return to work may be too early.
''There is nothing I can say to you that will make you feel better. All I can do is tell you what happened to me when my son was killed.'' Killed? I didn't know he'd had a son, she thought. The thought that someone close to her had also suffered such a loss made her feel better.
''My son was only nineteen. He was studying business at New York University and working here at the weekends.'' He stopped talking for a moment, took out a white handkerchief from his jacket pocket and wiped his forehead. Tyra knew him to be fifty-nine. He was quite tall and very thin. It was as if he was so involved in his business he forgot to eat.
He looked at her with a pained expression as he continued. ''One morning, he left home to go to college, and he never came back again. A man who had been drinking all night decided to get into his car and drive to the girlfriend he had left for dead in her apartment the previous evening. When he fell asleep at the wheel, it was my son he hit.'' Tyra noticed a crack in his voice. ''Walking down the street minding his own business.'' He took the handkerchief and blew his nose.
''Oh my God, that's awful,'' Tyra put her hand to her mouth.
He nodded. Perhaps I shouldn't have burdened her with this, he though
t. ''At first, everything was a blur. It was only after the funeral had taken place that it really hit me. After the funeral, everyone seems to disappear. All the kind words and supporting arms are no longer there. You are suddenly alone.'' He ran his hand through his thinning gray hair and looked towards a photo on his desk. Tyra couldn't see who it was. She assumed his son.
''The Undertaker had warned me about it. A deep hole, he'd called it, and I fell into it.'' When he paused, Tyra thought about where she was mentally and recognized what he was describing. ''The Undertaker also explained that there is something called the cycle of grief. You go through stages of grief, and if you are lucky, eventually come out the other end. The last stage is called the acceptance stage. You stop all the blaming and come to terms with what's happened. Of course, you're still sad, but it gets easier.''
''It's very kind of you to tell me this. I had no idea. I was afraid I would have this level of pain for the rest of my life.'' Tyra looked at her hands. Her nails used to be so manicured, she thought.
''When I employed you, Tyra, I saw something in you. You are one of life's good people. I can see you care about people. When you talk to clients, you are patient, and most importantly, you listen to them. Did you know I have no relatives?''
Tyra shook her head.
''No.''
''Well, I don't. Not one, and no friends. There's only my wife and me.'' He looked at her, and wondered what he was about to say, would do to her. ''I am going to leave the business to you.'' He stared at her, not wanting to miss her reaction.
''Pardon?' Tyra said. She wasn't really in the mood for jokes.
''I am going to leave the business to you,'' he repeated.
What the hell is he playing at? This isn't funny, doesn't he know I've just buried my parents. She went to stand up, but he put up his hand and stopped her.
''For the last time, Tyra. You will inherit this business.'' Someone knocked on the door; it was his wife. ''Tell her Eliana, she doesn't believe me.''
''How are you, Tyra? We are very worried about you?'' she said ignoring her husband's plea for help.
''I've been better.'' What are they playing at, surely Jewish people don't give things away like this, she thought?