by Penny Henry
Darren took her arm. "Thanks, Beth. Things will be different when we're married, you'll see." He bent to kiss her forehead. "I’m looking forward to getting that ring on your finger. Of course I’ll wait to do it properly." He led her to through the door. "Tomorrow is going to be a great day. I can feel it in my bones."
Beth leant her head in his shoulder as they linked arms and headed out to the car park. She pulled down his head for a goodnight kiss before he jumped behind the wheel and pressed the gas. Beth turned away and headed back inside the hotel. She didn't feel hungry anymore. She turned her steps towards the bar. She was planning on getting drunk. At least she would sleep well and Darren was usually late in the morning. The alcohol might serve to blot the haunting vision of Ali's seductive eyes that would not be dispelled from her mind.
Chapter Six
Beth was still feeling the effects of the alcohol when the cab dropped them outside their Park Lane hotel. Their room was ready and Beth's initial exhilaration on discovering that Darren had booked a single room was instantly dispelled at the sight of twin beds in the palatial suite. She decided not to make an issue of it. It was still early in the day. Single beds could be pushed together. They dropped their cases at the foot of the beds and wandered back to the lounge. Darren disappeared to the en suite bathroom to lay out their toiletries. They had planned a busy day and Beth was determined they should make the most of it. She dropped into an armchair to wait for Darren
Twenty minutes was record-breaking time. Beth had to jerk herself awake as he breezed out of the bathroom. His hair had just not wanted to go right. Then Beth needed time to visit the bathroom and Darren paced the room impatiently. Beth was locked in the bathroom when her mobile rang in her handbag. Darren had no reservations about checking the caller display. He read Ali's name and switched off the phone before replacing it in her handbag
"Ready, Beth? You smell nice."
“Thank you Darren.” She slipped the perfume into her handbag and noticed her mobile phone. She wondered if Ali would call her today. "Where do you want to start?"
"Wherever you want to, Beth. ‘I’ll leave it up to you.”
Beth looked at him with an amused smile. “Come on, Darren. You know you’ve got a plan. You always have a plan.”
"You make me sound terrible. But, if you insist." He linked her arm in his as they strolled to the elevator. "We’ll get a cab to Piccadilly. Then we can work our way back to the hotel."
Beth raised her eyebrows in Darren’s direction. "What's to see in Piccadilly that we haven't seen already?"
"Don't be so suspicious. It seems like a good point to start, that's all."
Beth looked at him doubtfully. That didn’t sound like Darren at all.
There was nothing new in Piccadilly. The Mercedes-Benz showroom had been there on their last visit. Beth was at a loss to understand why the luxury automobile couldn't be ordered from the local showroom in Kent - until Darren introduced her to the latest concept. The exclusive range of distinctive paints, woods and leathers provided the opportunity for Darren to customize his dream car in a way that lifted the price by several thousand pounds. Beth took it well. Darren reveled in making a big entrance and now he would also arrive in style. Then Darren didn’t want to wait for the paper-work to be completed. They made arrangements for a representative to call at the hotel later in the day to finalize the deal and walked happily into the sunlight.
From Piccadilly they wandered a seemingly roundabout route that inexplicably ended in Bond Street. Would she never learn? Bond Street was Darren’s favorite street. The restrained shop fronts displaying Royal Warrants and classic names emblazoned on fluttering pennants provoked the materialistic beast that was never far from Darren’s heart. Beth blamed his parents. She wasn’t blind to Darren’s faults. But she was sure that with patience and understanding he would learn that money and success were worthless commodities without a loving partner to share them with. Without a penny she would still be her. Darren would love her just the same. She knew that it would work: for better, for worse; for richer, for poorer...
Darren was engaged in an inner struggle as Beth philosophically pondered their future together. Time was getting away from him and he had an appointment to keep. He also needed time for Beth to make an investment in an engagement ring that, on their next break up, he wouldn't be leaving on the floor. He had planned their routes to take in as many jewelry shops as he could fit in. It had to be a ring that would end conversations with a stunned intake of breath but not cause Beth to baulk at the cost. He kept a calculating eye on her features as he pushed the price a little higher each time. Once or twice he detected a flicker of resistance in Beth's eyes and shrewdly drew back; gauging what he could get away with. He was ready when they reached the final store on Darren’s list. He had left Tiffany & Co. until last.
"Beth, that's the one." He hadn't noticed the price but pointed at the flawless solitaire diamond engagement ring.
“It is beautiful," agreed Beth, craning his neck to look past Darren and absorb the splendor of the classic Tiffany round brilliant-cut diamond set in a traditional six prong setting. "It must be worth a small fortune."
"That’s the one for us, Beth. I’m telling you.”
"Hadn't we better see what it costs first?" She had not fully adjusted to the immensity of her wealth with the same ease as the bright-eyed man at her side.
Darren turned his excited face from the glass case. "Please, Beth. What does it matter? It’s for us. You’ve just spent a hundred grand on a car."
His voice was high and his eyes were alive with an emotion that Beth easily interpreted as desire. He was revealing his yearning to make their love permanent and he didn’t care who knew it. It was a precious moment that Beth would not easily forget. His eyes were shining and he was breathing heavily. It was more than Beth could do to destroy the hope that shone from his eyes. “Okay. If it will make you happy."
Darren was extremely happy. It hadn’t been difficult at all. He hugged her to him. "You’re fantastic, Beth. You’ve made the right decision. You really have great taste. Let's go and talk to someone." He looked round to attract attention. His eyes were still gleaming with the emotion that Beth had seen as desire. It was a judgment she had made with her heart. It was the reflection of an emotion that a wise man might have said was indistinguishable from greed.
They arrived back at the hotel the same time as the finance man that free-lanced for the major car dealers appeared from the foyer to introduce himself. Darren had got his schedule wrong and spent too much time looking for a ring. The appointment clashed with the one at the property agency in Mayfair.
"No problem, sweetheart." Darren was beaming. "You take the guy up to the suite to finalize the deal and I'll jump in a cab. I’ll only be looking through some property details and instructing the agent to act on our behalf. I'll be back before you know it." He kissed Beth quickly and turned to take advantage of a cab in the process of dropping off a happy American couple. He could have walked it in a couple of minutes but plunged into the cab behind the excited babble of the Americans’ day in London.
Darren settled back in the seat. He didn't have much to say to cab drivers. It was a short journey to the Mayfair address of Francis & Partners and he was on time. He wanted to make a powerful impression on Clive Francis. They had hit it off on the phone and Darren was keen to judge the character of the man that had been immediately interested in the dubious deal.
"Right then, 'ere we are, sir." The cabby's voice intruded on Darren’s thoughts. "That'll be four pounds and eighty pence, mate."
Darren shoved a five-pound note through the opening in the glass divider. "Keep the change."
"Cor, thanks, guv. You 'ave a nice day," called the driver sarcastically as his diesel engine rattled under the pressure of the accelerator.
Darren had already had a nice day and hoped it was about to get better. He strode towards the building and glanced at the list of Company names displayed on the
polished plate before pressing the intercom and announcing his arrival to the disembodied female voice. The door mechanism buzzed and he pushed against the door. The smell of fresh coffee was in his nostrils as he followed the sign to the first floor reception area to be greeted by an attractive brunette. She smiled hello whilst listening through her headphones and continuing to type as she spoke.
"Mister Francis will be with you in a moment."
Darren smiled graciously; Clive certainly possessed a sense of style.
"Take a seat," the brunette offered in between bursts of rapid-fire typing.
Darren declined the offer and looked round the tasteful office. The carpet was plush and the decoration looked newly applied. A range of electronic office equipment was placed at strategic points in the room. It was not quite as Darren had imagined. The building was obviously a business centre where the advantage of a premium address in Mayfair and the use of shared secretarial services were set against the exorbitant cost of maintaining a presence in the prestigious locality.
"Darren?" A tall, distinguished looking man in his early fifties entered the room and smiled widely. "Hi, I'm Clive Francis."
Darren accepted his firm handshake. "Hello, Clive. It’s a pleasure to meet you."
He was impeccably dressed in a grey business suit and striped blue shirt with a white collar and royal blue tie that bore an embroidered 'old school' crest that Darren thought he should recognize. He was slim with waved hair graying at the temples and his eyes were sharply blue.
"Why don't we go to my office? After you, Darren." He turned to the industrious secretary. "No calls, Jenny."
"Yes, Mister Francis."
Clive guided Darren up another carpeted flight of stairs to his office and shut the door before gesturing Darren to a leather armchair that was one of a luxurious suite. "I think this would be more comfortable. Coffee?"
"No thank you, Clive." Darren leant back in the armchair and stared at Clive. So far his impressions had been favorable.
Clive took the opposite armchair and regarded Darren coolly. "I’ve done some research on your behalf, Darren. I’ve unearthed a couple of properties that match your specification and initiated some enquiries. I took the liberty of acting on your behalf as your sole agent.” He raised an eyebrow and Darren gave a nod. “I’m confident I can match you up with what you have in mind fairly quickly. How does that sound?"
"And what sort of commission are we talking about?"
Clive grinned cagily. "I think we can come to an amicable arrangement, Darren. Exactly what knowledge does the prospective purchaser have of the current property market?"
"Precisely what I tell her," said Darren disdainfully. "The woman hasn't got a clue."
"And you did say that you were engaged to be married to this poor female?"
"She’s not exactly poor. But yes. Her intention is to make an honest man out of me,"
"I rather think she’s got her work cut out,” said Clive sardonically. “But if that’s the case, I suggest we stick to the fifteen percent uplift for you and I’ll double my usual commission."
Darren considered the offer for a moment and nodded abruptly. "You drive a hard bargain, Clive... But it's a deal." He put out his hand. "Shake on it, partner."
Clive grinned and shook the offered hand. "Welcome, partner. Naturally, we’ll need to put some safeguards in place - for both of our protection, of course. It’s a lot of money."
“She has a lot of money.”
“I’m looking forward to working with you, Darren.” Clive sat back. “I have a lot of contacts in the Spanish time-share industry. It seems that holiday villas are the big thing at the moment. Sometimes they get built - sometimes they don’t. It’s a risky business, but it could be a very lucrative one for us. It’s something we may be able to interest your benefactor in at a later date. Maybe when this deal is put to bed we can talk about it.”
“Let’s talk about it now.” Darren twisted his lip. “She has the bank looking out for her interests and I need to keep one step ahead of them.”
“I like your thinking, Darren. I’ll order some coffee and go through the basics with you. We can set up another meeting when I’ve got more details on a suitable UK property. You’re not in a rush, are you?”
“Maybe I will have that cup of coffee after all. One sugar please, Clive.”
Beth had been instantly attracted to the guy that was completing the sale. He was an independent finance broker who tied up the deals and was paid on commission. He wasn’t expecting to earn much out of this one but at least he had a beautiful client to deal with. Unusually for him, he was having a difficult time keeping his mind on his job. He couldn’t keep his eyes off her face in between glancing at her dynamite body. She was way out of his league.
Beth on the other hand was feeling no such reservations. They were sat in opposite chairs and she was feeling frustrated. Darren would be gone for at least an hour and she was having wicked thoughts. As much as she loved Darren a woman had her needs - even if they were only fantasies. She was crossing her legs more often and the hem of her skirt was rising higher. She started to lean a little further forward, showing more of her breasts. The guy was absolutely loving it. Richard - call him Richard he had said - was becoming bolder in allowing his eyes to linger longer on the acres of exposed flesh. He wasn’t bad looking and he was young. His testosterone would be rocketing. It wouldn’t hurt to tease him a little more.
Beth suddenly seemed to feel woozy. “Oh, I’m feeling a little hot, Richard. Would you mind fetching me a glass of water?”
Richard hurried away and was back in a minute. “Your water, Beth. I can call down to recep―” The unspoken words stuck in his throat. Beth had unbuttoned the top half of her blouse and was pushed back in the armchair fanning herself with her hand. Her lacy plunge-bra was exposed and her breasts were heaving. He could see the brown areolae of her nipples. Her skirt had risen to the tops of her hold-up stockings and her legs were parted. Richard couldn’t fight it. The invitation of her inner thighs was enough to make a man weep with frustration. He was erect and there was nothing he could do to hide it. He had a dreadful feeling that she might be toying with him.
Beth had gone beyond teasing. She turned her head to stare straight at the bulge in Richard’s trousers. She was hot. She needed a man. Richard was within touching distance. She sat up and looked into his eyes as she reached out to unzip him. She wasn’t disappointed. Richard was enormous. Not a word had been said. His mouth was opening and closing like a fish as Beth bent forward to enclose the crown with her lips. Her eyes were staring upwards, studying his face. She had to stretch her mouth. It made her even hornier. For a change she was the one in control. She could see he was already getting flushed. She wasn’t going to waste it. She dipped her head to take him into the back of her throat and moved slowly up and down for a few strokes before releasing him. She unbuttoned the rest of the blouse and dropped it behind her back before reaching round to unclip her bra.
“At least take off your trousers, Richard.”
The bemused man awkwardly unfastened his belt and pushed everything down before remembering his shoes. They were slip-ons and he was never more grateful in his life for not wearing lace-ups. He stood in front of her naked from the waist down with his rude erection jutting from his body. “What about―”
“He’ll be ages yet.” Beth slipped her panties down her legs, cocked one leg over the arm of her chair and looked at Richard. “Worship me.”
Richard fell to his knees and buried his face in the perfumed hollow. Beth murmured and pushed her breasts together. “”Tease me with your tongue. That’s good. Suck my clit. Ahh... be gentle. Now suck me like you mean it.”
Richard followed Beth’s instructions manfully. The musty smell of her sex was like a drug. He raised his hands to feel the satin skin of her thighs.
"Don't touch me!" she hissed.
Richard dropped his hands as Beth’s fingers entangled in his hair and pulled hi
s mouth harder against her groin. Richard locked his hands behind his back as she jerked him by the hair, ignoring the bruising of his lips as her hips bucked violently against his mouth until her thighs clamped round his head and she arched her back in a glorious, squirting climax.
"Now!" she said harshly.
Richard knew what she meant and stood over her as she stretched up her legs to rest her calves on his shoulders. He leant one hand on the back of the armchair and positioned himself with the purple head sliding between her swollen lips. He breathed in deeply through his nose before easing forward in one smooth thrust. Beth gave a small shriek as Richards filled her with his girth. He moved gently, anxious not to hurt her, driving deeper each time. Beth groaned and bucked against him before he withdrew in time and gulped to catch his breath. He recovered in a minute as Beth waited patiently. Then she watched with hooded eyes as he slid into her again.
“Harder! Fuck me harder.” The order was grated out through Beth’s clenched teeth. “Harder, Richard, fuck me, fuck me, you bastard!”
Richard slammed forward. He had stopped himself from coming when he pulled out and had gained himself a little time before he was ready to let go. He thrust inside her in slamming collisions with her lifting groin. Her hands flew to his shoulders to grip him fiercely, urging him to fuck her harder. Richard did his best, heaving himself forward with the strength of his aching legs, bumping her shiny body against the back of the armchair. The rhythm picked up with each surging impact until she thrashed beneath his sweating chest. Beth’s moans built to a crescendo that peaked in a guttural flow of expletives. Her toes curled and her nails dug into the muscle of Richard’s shoulders. She cursed again before climaxing in a torrent of burning juices over Richard’s jerking cock. She fell back satisfied. Richard waited for his muscles to relax and the jolts of pleasure to subside before easing from her and collapsing to his knees with his head bent forward. They stayed that way for a minute before Beth lifted one foot to press against his shoulder and push him away from her. He rolled onto his back and lay exhausted on the floor. Beth rose unsteadily to her feet and stumbled to the bathroom. Richard shook his head, uncertain if this had really happened. Then he instantly panicked after checking his watch and scrambled up to get dressed. He was knotting his tie when Beth walked out of the bathroom carrying tissues to wipe the wet seat. She looked demure and glowing.