Harper's Fate

by F. C. Clark

  ‘Hold on, techno boy, I don’t know the number to get in your office.’

  ‘Techno boy.’ He laughs. I seem to be brightening up his day. ‘Kate, you’ve always had the number, you never used it.’

  ‘What! So, it’s the same number as the front door?’ I’ve never thought about it. ‘Is that why you trusted me – because I was told I couldn’t go in the office, therefore I didn’t?’

  ‘Yes.’

  I tap in the code and the door unlocks. I enter Luke’s domain; his personal space. I sit at his desk and switch on his computer.

  ‘It needs a password.’

  ‘Lower-case, all one word – eatme.’ His voice softens. I sense he is smiling.

  ‘Eat me is your password.’ I giggle, reminiscing about the notes we exchanged.

  ‘I do need to change it, but for some reason I can’t. Before I leave, techno boy would like to know if he can be of any further assistance, Miss Harper.’

  ‘No, but I do have a job for the sex god this evening at the palace no later than seven… I’ll make it worth his while. Oh, and Luke, think of me at your desk sucking you off. Hmm, delicious.’ I giggle. Although I’m now feeling aroused, which was not part of my plan.

  ‘You’ll be sorry when I get home. I have to leave for a meeting.’

  ‘Oops. Looks like you might be late.’

  ‘Troublesome Harper… I miss you, baby.’

  The screen comes alive. Wow… I’m blown away at the image that appears. It’s a photo of me standing alone at the first event we attended, wearing my black and pink dress. I look closer, trying to see where exactly I was when the picture was taken, and where was Luke. More importantly, how long has he been using it as his screensaver?

  The day disappears, with secret emails for Rosie and force-feeding Jerry obscene amounts of fruitcake. As I lie in the bath at the end of the day, I can’t help but feel for them both, battling their personal demons. My hands skim the surface of the warm water, while the Sutton scent layers my skin, bringing Luke closer to me. Why does it feel as though I am trespassing in his private quarters?

  Out of the bath, I pull the towel tightly around my damp body, scanning the new collection of clothes. My eyes wander from rail to rail, covering dresses, tops and trousers. There is the most beautiful black full-length riding coat and a smart leather biker jacket – then I notice a black tuxedo jacket that is stunning. I have drawers full of the most beautiful underwear sets. Although the clothes fill me with excitement, the gesture is totally unnecessary.

  ‘Luke… Why?’ I blow air through my lips.

  Even though I have many questions for Mr ‘I own the world’ Sutton, I admire my reflection in the mirror. The black lingerie set fits me perfectly. Evidently, Luke has discovered I have a new Achilles heel – French lace underwear. I decide to remain true to myself and wear a dress that I brought with me this morning. It’s a sexy black faux leather dress, which I team with black strappy shoes and clutch bag: no designer clothes tonight – only my underwear…

  I sit in the kitchen with a bunch of fashion magazines, from designer to high street. I laugh at the irony of the magazines and the comparison to my life, the dress I’m wearing cost me twelve pounds and my underwear that must have cost… I can’t bear to imagine the price tag.

  The sound of the door interrupts my thoughts. I wait for Luke to appear. I move to the door of the kitchen.

  ‘Hi, Kate.’

  ‘Oh – Declan.’ Will I ever get used to people turning up unannounced, using their number to gain entry? ‘How are you?’ I move towards him and plant a kiss on his cheek.

  ‘Not bad. You’re looking hot. Does my brother have you sitting around all day dressed like that?’ He laughs at his own cheekiness.

  ‘In his dreams. You should have seen me earlier – I was covered in mud.’

  ‘Hmm, tough choice: mud or hot leather… Christ, I would take either.’

  I tap him on the arm.

  ‘Do you want a coffee?’

  ‘Yeah – thanks.’

  I place the cookie jar in front of him and cut him a slice of cake.

  ‘I hear you’ve shacked up with Luke. Good luck with that. I know what a pain in the arse he can be.’

  I pass him his coffee and join him. ‘So far, so good. I’m trying to make a few house rules, but he’s stubborn – or is that a family trait amongst you Sutton boys?’

  ‘No – only Luke.’ He bolts down a cookie, whole. ‘These are bloody lovely.’

  ‘Take them home with you.’

  ‘I’ll move in if you make these all the time.’ He begins on the fruitcake. ‘I have some papers for Luke – a new business he wants me to run.’

  ‘Oh… that sounds exciting.’

  ‘Engineering – something I can get my hands dirty with.’ He raises his brows. He looks so young; maybe he doesn’t have the stresses that Luke has to deal with.

  I hear the door open, and this time it’s the man I’ve been waiting for all day. He makes his way to the kitchen, talking on the phone.

  ‘Yes, I know. Leave it with me, Mum, but I don’t see how we can change it.’ He looks at Declan and shakes his head. ‘Fine. As I said, leave it with me. I’ll call you later. Bye, Mum.’

  I walk towards Luke and plant a kiss on his cheek. His response is cold, and his face remains strained.

  ‘Declan, have you spoken to Mum?’

  ‘No, she left me a voice message, but I haven’t called her back.’ Declan stops eating. ‘You look pissed off.’

  ‘She’s been ranting in my ear for the last half hour. Ollie has got a new job.’

  ‘He got it!’ My hands clasp, wanting to clap with praise, and yet Luke’s forehead creases, warning me to hold off on celebrating.

  ‘What are you talking about?’ His words match his face.

  ‘He told me that he went for an interview.’

  ‘He did what?’ Luke glares at me. ‘When did he mention this to you?’

  ‘At the ball in Venice; he was really excited about it.’ The atmosphere takes a nosedive, with the arrival of Mr Moody Bollocks Sutton.

  ‘Is there a reason why you didn’t tell me?’ His tone becomes aggressive.

  ‘Luke, it’s not Kate’s fault.’ Declan’s gallant attempt to rescue me from a Sutton ambush is a little half-hearted, especially with his mouth full of fruitcake.

  ‘I didn’t realise I had to share every piece of information with you. Maybe I need a list of things I should share with you as well as people I’m allowed to dance with.’ I can’t believe what I’m hearing.

  ‘Don’t push me, Kate. You know nothing about Ollie.’

  I place my hands on my hips. ‘Declan has a point. How is this my fault? I can’t believe you’re behaving so irrationally just because Ollie went for an interview to work with underprivileged kids. Harry and I went to a school like that and we turned out OK. I would have loved to have had a teacher like Ollie, who’s passionate about educating kids who haven’t had the luxury of being fed with a silver spoon.’ I tell myself to breathe, and wait for Luke’s reaction.

  ‘Are you saying that I’ve been spoon-fed?’ His eyes grow darker and his frown lines deepen.

  I know I’m pushing his buttons, so I may as well go down fighting.

  ‘Well, if the shoe fits.’ The time for the mute button is now. ‘I know you like to control everything and everyone, but may I remind you that Ollie is old enough to do as he pleases? He doesn’t need your bloody permission.’

  ‘Have you quite finished?’ He looms over me; however, my anger makes me grow in strength.

  ‘No, I haven’t.’

  He points his finger at me. ‘This has fuck all to do with you, so back off.’

  ‘Fuck all to do with me? Oh my God, you’re so overbearing at times I want to slap some fucking sense into you.’
<
br />   ‘Kate, I’m warning you.’

  ‘It’s a shame you’re not like Ollie instead of an arrogant—’ I break off. Calling him an arsehole will not go down well.

  ‘Careful – don’t say something you’ll regret. Jesus Christ, Kate.’

  ‘Kiss my arse, Luke.’ I can feel steam escaping my body. ‘Declan, it was good to see you – don’t forget your cookies.’ I turn to leave the kitchen without a sideways glance at Luke.

  I head straight for the bedroom, stripping off my dress and removing my shoes. I slide under the duvet and pull the covers under my chin. I run through the last ten minutes of my life. How can that be the same man that I had sex with last night? It wasn’t sex; it was making love. My thoughts cease – Luke is marching up the stairs. He lies next to me.

  ‘Why are you in bed?’ His voice is calm. Shame I can’t say the same about my anger. I remain mute.

  ‘Kate, are you sulking?’

  Nothing… My mouth has ceased all communication with Mr Out of Control Sutton. ‘I must warn you, I have zero tolerance for people who sulk; it’s a waste of time.’

  ‘And so are boyfriends who tell their girlfriends that their life has fuck all to do with them.’

  He begins to laugh. ‘As ever, you amuse me, and yes I am a little pissed off that you didn’t tell me about Ollie’s interview.’

  ‘A little pissed off! I think that’s bullshit – you just went demoniac on me.’ I roll on to my back. ‘You really hurt me. When you took me on, I expected you to take on my family, and that goes both ways. If something happened to Ollie, I would be devastated, as it would affect you. To say that to me was a low blow.’

  ‘I understand.’

  ‘No, you don’t. Why do you think you can speak to me like that? I’m here for you unconditionally. I don’t work for you – I choose to be here because I want to be with you.’

  His hand gently caresses my cheek. ‘You always have an answer for me. To upset you was never my intention. I’m sorry.’

  ‘Well, you did… I suggest you start going to an adjustment night school for lunatic boyfriends.’

  ‘Is that so?’ He laughs.

  ‘It’s not funny.’

  ‘Fuck… You were definitely the missing part of my life, baby.’

  ‘Luke, you make me so angry – more than anyone else ever has.’

  ‘Look, Ollie has dealt with difficult times in his life.’

  ‘OK, like what?’

  Luke’s shoulders rise and his eyes fall to the bed.

  ‘Hey, don’t tell me – whatever happened to Ollie in his past is probably dead and buried.’

  Luke takes a deep breath and searches for the best way to express himself; another first for me.

  ‘Luke. Just forget about it; I can see this is hard for you.’

  ‘It was a long time ago. He… tried to kill himself.’

  ‘Shit!’ I sit bolt upright in bed. ‘I’m so sorry. Poor Ollie, he must have been in a dark place.’ I shake my head. ‘I don’t know what to say.’

  ‘There is nothing to say. It was a troubling time for all of us.’ Luke lays his head in my lap.

  ‘I feel bad.’

  ‘You did nothing wrong.’

  ‘This is why you have issues with the job and what he can take on?’ My fingers run through his hair, easing the memory and alleviating the pain.

  ‘I have to protect him. It’s what I do; you should know that.’

  ‘I would do the same for Harry.’

  ‘It almost destroyed my parents.’

  ‘I can’t pretend to understand what you’ve been through; all I can say is he seems contented and happy now. They say what doesn’t break you makes you stronger. Perhaps he needs your guidance and strength, not protection or pity.’

  He looks up to me.

  ‘I didn’t know that my girlfriend could be so wise.’

  ‘Well, I didn’t know my boyfriend could be such a moron.’ I lean down and give him a kiss. ‘Do you have something else to discuss with me? Shall I give you a clue? Valerie.’ I stroke his hair.

  ‘I told her to send a mixture of outfits – did she?’

  ‘Yes, she did, but why?’

  ‘I’m aware that moving your entire wardrobe will take time. The clothes are just in case you need them.’

  ‘Luke, I don’t need anything and I dread to think how much money you’ve spent.’ I shake my head. He truly has no understanding how I feel about his money.

  ‘Are we going to debate this all night? I think we’ve both said quite a lot for this evening.’ He nuzzles into my breasts. ‘God, you smell good.’

  ‘I smell of you. I had a bath.’

  ‘And I wasn’t here to share it with you.’ He looks up at me and pulls my face towards his for a kiss. ‘We have a table booked to celebrate your new job. I’ll take a quick shower.’ He stands and walks to the end of the bed, collecting my dress from the floor. ‘Baby, I’m beginning to think you always strip when you’re cross with me.’

  We have consumed more food than I had thought humanly possible: another weakness I have, other than Luke Sutton, is a delicious menu with tantalising choices.

  ‘Kate, do you want dessert?’ Luke asks, while the waiter hovers at our table.

  ‘No… I’ll share yours.’

  ‘You can have your own – we don’t need to share.’

  ‘Yes, I know, but I don’t want one.’ I lean on my elbows and glare at him; he knows the look has nothing to do with food.

  Our eyes remain locked. Luke says, ‘We’ll have two of the lemon and ginger specials.’ The pull between us is palpable; you could cut the atmosphere with a knife.

  Sitting in a booth has given me a small advantage. My hand moves from his thigh until it reaches his most amenable body part.

  ‘Cheers. Thank you for dinner.’ A glass of champagne in one hand, and an erection in the other – win–win!

  ‘You’re welcome.’ He takes my hand from his lap. ‘I think you need some restraint.’

  Before I can answer, our matching desserts are placed in front of us: crème of lemon and ginger with a sugar nest across the top.

  ‘I am so pleased you ordered two.’ A smile breaks across my face, as my hand returns to Luke’s groin.

  ‘I think it is time to leave.’ Mr Frustrated Sutton is now seated with me.

  ‘Luke, you ordered a dessert. It would be rude not to eat it. I see you have lost your appetite.’ Oh, how fun this little game is.

  ‘Tease me again, and I can assure you that will result in me fucking you – hard.’ I bloody well hope so. All this effort for nothing was not part of my plan.

  Luke gestures at the waiter to bring the bill, not taking his eyes off mine. The result of such a glare is groin-throbbingly painful.

  We sit silently in the back of the Bentley. The air is undeniably tense; an electric charge pulls us together. Defiance pumps through my blood as my hand slides up Luke’s thigh. He stops it. I know that Max is with us and, judging by his hardness, Luke is close to the edge.

  He leans to my ear. ‘Do not move your hand any further: I’m warning you.’

  The warning doesn’t register in my brain: all I heard was yes. I patiently wait. Luke’s hands now rest on his knees. I see a green light for some wandering to commence. My hand reaches his erection, which is almost bursting for release. He closes his eyes as his breathing becomes shallow. He takes my hand, placing my fingers against his lips and biting my middle finger, making me yelp. I know that was a warning.

  At home, I input my code, and the black door unlocks. Luke shuts the door behind us. Walking towards the stairs, he pulls me to him and locks my arms behind my back, kissing my neck before he invades my mouth with his tongue.

  He releases my arms and then my mouth. Our eyes lock together: dark and haunted meets dark
and flirtatious.

  Unexpectedly he picks me up, tosses me over his shoulder and begins to carry me upstairs, remembering to be cautious of my war wounds.

  ‘Have you finished teasing me this evening?’

  ‘Yes,’ I reply to his arse as he takes the last step.

  He lowers me to the floor beside our bed, and roughly turns me to unzip my dress.

  ‘No romance tonight?’ This man’s sexual appetite changes with his mood.

  ‘Kate, you don’t need romance; you need fucking – hard.’

  Holy shit – the way he speaks when his desire takes hold of him sets my libido on fire. My sexual furnace is now running on all cylinders.

  My shoes and underwear are removed. He pulls the bed covers back. Luke never allows me time to guess his plan of attack.

  ‘Get on the bed.’

  I move to the centre of the bed and watch my favourite show in the world, the Luke Sutton striptease. It’s highly recommended.

  He is back on the bed in record time, moving quickly to reach my mouth. Sexual haste pushing Luke to execute his forceful contact, a live or die situation that I can only provide him with - life. My breathing escalates as he sucks the air from my lungs. He pulls away and bites my lip, punishing me for taking him to a place that causes him to lose control.

  ‘You drive me crazy, do you know that?’ His eyes lock with mine as we lose ourselves in our own world.

  He lowers his mouth and begins to suck and squeeze my peaked nipples, harder than usual – a sign of frustration. The pain pulls deep within me, making me groan. I need more. I move my hips, grinding into him, needing my clit to be touched. I can feel his erection against my sex. I grab his arse, encouraging him to move, and as I do he bites down harder. Fuck, the pain is sharp, but I need more contact.

  ‘Luke, please.’

  I try to buck, demanding some attention. He leaves my nipples and heads straight for my clit. Fuck. His tongue is as hard and punishing as it was on my nipples, while his fingers begin caressing the entrance to my sex, teasing me, not venturing any deeper. Penetration is what I need.

  He continues to suck and lick, increasing his speed. My body reacts to his touch: my breathing quickens; I grip the sheet.