by Penny Henry
“Where do I sign, Richard?”
The door jerked open as they were saying goodbye. “I thought you’d be gone by now, Richard,” said Darren lightly. “Is everything all right?”
“Everything is absolutely fine. We got chatting a bit. You know how it is.” He was a little flushed and bursting with pleasure and disbelief inside. He looked at Beth. “Thank you, Beth. Thank you so much. If you ever want―”
“I’ll know where to come.” She smiled gloriously. “Thanks for the excellent service, Richard.”
She closed the door before Richard burst into tears or walked into a wall. Beth was smiling inside. She had enjoyed the danger. Maybe that was part of it. The secret thrill she was enjoying was part of being a nymphomaniac.
“So how did it go, Beth? It looked like Richard was smitten. I hope you didn’t take advantage of him.”
Beth giggled. “Richard was lovely. I think it all worked out just fine.”
She went through the details she had discussed with Richard before the heat had overtaken her. God, they had been lucky. She must have been mad. If Darren had walked through the door much earlier― she didn’t even want to think about it. She let Darren know that the gleaming vehicle would be delivered in a few days. They were working overtime to get it ready. Richard had also informed Beth that Darren had made an excellent choice and a fine investment - in between fucking his nympho fiancée.
“Brilliant, Beth.” He kissed her lightly on the lips. “I’m going to freshen up.” He cast an eye over Beth. “You look fantastic still. Whatever it is you’re taking is working.” He chuckled at his own weak joke. “Sit down. I won’t be long.”
Beth dropped into the armchair. She wriggled into it and smiled. Wow, the sex had been amazing. She was beginning to see how Lucy got her kicks with the whole domination business. She had felt powerful and in control. Richard would have jumped out of the window if she’d asked him to. Suddenly her eyes were heavy-lidded. She closed her eyes and began to doze off. She was probably still feeling the effects of last night. Beth thought of Ali. No wonder she had such good attendances at her seminars. She had to be the sexiest thing in a business suit that any man there had ever seen. And she seemed completely unaware of the effect she exerted on the libido of the gathered businessmen. She had obviously earned the respect of the local business community. She no doubt dealt with their sexist teasing with good humor and a dry wit. Ali was a dream. She was perfect.
"Feeling sleepy, Beth?" Darren was back in the room.
Beth lifted her head to regard her future husband. Sometimes it didn't do to make mental comparisons. "How was it with the agent?” she asked.
Darren smiled a crooked smile. "Oh, you know, boring as you would expect. We can expect to receive some property details in the mail. I expect I'll be seeing him again. He did have quite a lot to offer. I think we made a good choice. He won’t let us down."
"That’s good. It's nice that you’re okay with him.”
"Yeah," said Darren in a non-committal tone. "It makes a nice change to find someone I can work with."
"I’m happy for you.” Beth changed the subject. “What are the plans for this evening?"
Darren glanced at his watch. "Christ, is that the time? We had better be thinking about getting ready for dinner. You know how much you enjoy the restaurant here. I think we'll give the Met Bar a miss and grab an early night instead. I'm absolutely exhausted."
Beth was uncertain of how to react. She had hoped they wouldn’t be going out. She had thought they might have taken advantage of their more intimate sleeping arrangements to spend some loving time together. Now those hopes had dimmed with Darren’s not-so-subtle reference to feeling tired. An early night would have suited her fine but not with the intent of sleeping. Ah, well. It wasn’t so important now. She had been on the verge of exploding with frustration but Richard had taken care of that. Though, she wouldn’t have minded something a bit more romantic to round of the day. Sometimes she was at a loss to understand Darren’s apparent disinterest in re-starting their once regular sex life. She had changed since he had left her for Lucy. Surely by now she had amply demonstrated her faith in their future together. The problem had to lay with Darren.
"I was planning on an early night anyway," she said gamely. It wouldn't hurt to bring her unease into the open. "You know, Darren, we haven't spent a single night in the same bed since we got back together. I'm starting to think you don't fancy me. You did always like Lucy more."
Darren was quick to recognize Beth's suspicions. "You’ve got it wrong, Beth. It was always you. I just got overawed by Lucy’s authority. Then I was worried if you really wanted me back. But now it’s something else." He sat dejectedly on a chair and lowered his eyes to the floor.
Beth walked to stand in front of him. She put out a hand to stroke his cheek. What is it, Darren? You can tell me anything."
"You won’t laugh at me, will you?"
"Why don’t you just tell me what it is?”
"I'm old fashioned. I can’t help it."
“So, you’re old fashioned. So what, Darren?”
"Okay, I know it sounds strange after everything that's happened but…"
"But what?”
Darren looked up. "Since we got back together it’s been like a new start. I… I want to wait until after we’re married."
A punch in the face would have been kinder. Beth controlled her frustration and refrained from telling him to grow a pair. “Oh, and you really want to stick to that?” She fought back the urge to strip off in front of him and stick her tits in his face. He could have what any red-blooded man would crawl over broken glass for, but Darren wasn’t interested. “If that’s what you want.”
“You don’t think I’m being an idiot?”
Beth held her tongue. Sometimes he made it really hard to love him. “Whatever you want, Darren.” She turned away to walk to the bedroom. “I’m going to get dressed for dinner,”
Darren sat there with a smile on his lips. The smile grew to a giant grin and he was at the point of breaking into hysterical laughter. He was just too good. Beth never had a chance. As the old saying went: it was like taking candy from a baby…
Beth went straight for the en suite. It had a bath. She was going to take a long soak in the tub. Her body ached from the pounding that Richard had given her. She had visions of reliving every crashing moment in the privacy of the scented water. Then she would fix her make-up and get dressed. Her hair was the easiest part. She would put it in the pinned-up style that Darren adored and do her best to make the evening enjoyable.
While Beth controlled the bathroom Darren relaxed in front of the television. He was in a happier frame of mind now that Beth had been suckered into his latest web of deceit. Why would he want to sleep with Beth when he had Lucy waiting at home? Beth had never been interested in experimenting when they were together the first time. He didn’t suppose much had changed. Lucy knew what he wanted. He closed his eyes and imagined her stiletto imprints on his chest. He was starting to get aroused. Maybe she’d taken the chance to pop in to town to buy some new gear while he’d been away. He started to rub himself. A new strap-on would be nice. His leg muscles knotted as he came inside his pants.
He avoided an upset towards the end of their meal by a whisker. They had played with their starters of smoked trout pâté and dawdled over the main course of pigeon with celery and walnuts. Beth had worn her hair up and looked stunning in an exquisitely embroidered Polish peasant outfit. Darren was in an especially light-hearted and attentive mood and by the time puffing arrived Beth was putty in his hands.
"Would you like cream?" asked Darren. He was doing his best to be charming.
Beth shook her head. “No thank you, darling. The goosebery tart is delicious as it is."
Darren spooned the rest of the cream over his raspberry Pavlova. "If you're sure." Then he reached across to feed a spoonful of the light pudding into her mouth.
"You're enjoying this, aren
't you?" she said. “Teasing me when we both know it’s going nowhere.”
"I don't know what you mean. He reached out to take her hand. “Wait until we're married," he threatened. “We’ll have so much to make up for.” He lowered his voice. “You won’t be able to walk for a week.”
Beth spluttered before grinning at him. "I'm looking forward to that! We’ll need to think about setting a date soon.”
Darren smiled. “We will, Beth, very soon. And I wanted to thank you.”
“What for?”
“You know, about the waiting until after the wedding thing.” He bracketed the words with air quotes.
“I guess I’ll have to look after myself for a bit longer then, won’t I?”
Darren had to think about it for a second. He never imagined Beth doing that. “Not for too long.” He half-smiled and wiped his mouth before sitting back. “There’s just one other thing.”
“And that is?”
"Could we go back by car tomorrow? I don't fancy struggling with the bags and you know how unreliable the train service is."
"I can’t see it being a problem. I'll ask reception to order a car. What time did you plan on leaving?”
"I planned on leaving early. Say, eight thirty. We're meeting my father at ten-thirty. Didn’t I mention it?"
"No you didn’t," said Beth curtly. She jerked her hand from his stroking fingertips.
"Don't be angry, Beth," whined Darren. "I meant to tell you. I just forgot. Dad wants to discuss the proposed new management structure and pass on a few ideas. He really wants to help us, Beth. He has our best interests at heart. Give him a chance. Don't forget he'll be your father-in-law soon."
Beth inwardly groaned. She didn't need reminding of that unpalatable fact. She searched Darren’s expectant face. His eyes were on the point of popping from his head.
"Okay, okay,” she said resignedly. “I'm sure you meant well. I'll listen to what your father has to say. But I’m not making any promises."
"Thanks, Beth.” A wave of relief swept across Darren’s features. "You won't regret it. I promise you. Dad has some clever ideas that he thinks will make us a lot of money."
Darren carried on building up his father as Beth listened with a deaf ear. She already had a lot of money, more than he could ever need. Maybe it was about time she thought about doing something useful with it - something that she wanted to do. There were a host of good causes worthy of her support. She thought idly about setting up a foundation that would provide a dependable source of revenue to aid charitable work. She judged that now wouldn't be a good time to bring it up with Darren. She would mention it to Ali.
The thought of Ali crowded her mind and pushed Darren’s voice further into the background. She realized she had missed talking to Ali today and how much she was looking forward to seeing her. She didn't imagine that Ali would be too impressed with today's events or overawed with her present surroundings. She would be just as likely to fix her with a soulful gaze and scold her for her extravagance.
"Are you listening to me, Beth?" Darren’s tone cracked her fragile daydream with the impact of an ice pick shattering the surface of a frozen pond.
"Sorry, Darren. I was miles away. What were you saying?"
"I'm exhausted, Beth. I think I'll go up to bed. "Stay and finish your drink. You don't mind, do you?"
Beth smiled faintly. "No, you go ahead. I'll organize the car for the morning and be there in a minute." She offered her cheek for Darren’s kiss.
Beth stayed and ordered an Irish coffee. She finished it and wandered through to arrange the car from the usual executive service. She wished a friendly goodnight and made her slow way to their suite. The light in the bedroom was already out. Beth undressed in the lounge and tiptoed into the bedroom, careful not to disturb the slumbering man in the twin bed. As much as she would have liked to waken him with tender kisses she knew Darren would not take kindly to being shaken from his slumber. Beth looked down on his sleeping face. There was a smile playing on his lips. She was a lucky woman she assured herself for the umpteenth time. Then she slid between her own fresh sheets, counting her blessings and listening to Darren’s buzzing snores. She blanked her mind to focus on getting to sleep and fighting off the pull of the naked man an arm's length away. She was sure her last waking thoughts were of the sleeping man that shared her room. But in her dreams the man was replaced by a woman. The masculine features were replaced with a gentle face that was fresh and innocently seductive. Soft brown eyes were staring at her above a slender, perfect body. The naked woman was reaching out her arms. Beth's daytime thoughts were with Darren - but her dreams were made of Ali.
Chapter Seven
Darren’s father was waiting in the hotel lounge. They had arrived in good time and deposited the purchases that Darren had managed to buy in the boot of his car. He had joked there would be more room for shopping bags in the new Mercedes and Beth had played along. She hadn't been in the mood for talking. Her dreams had been clear in her mind and she was concerned that lately when she dreamt, she dreamt of Ali. It was a spell that Ali had cast over her - one she had been unable to break and unwilling to ignore. It was Darren that she wanted, she told herself. It had always been Darren. Ali was simply an infatuation. It was a novelty that would soon wear off. Ali was fresh and charming, and strikingly attractive... and intelligent, and sexy, and funny, and… Beth sucked in a breath. She needed a clear mind. She would need her wits about her when dealing with Darren’s father. The old shark would have her hand off at the wrist if she so much as offered him a pen.
"I'll just pop up to my room to drop my bags and splash some water on my face," said Beth as they strolled into the hotel. "I'll meet you in the lounge. No doubt your father is waiting for us. You'd better go and so hello."
"Don't be long, Beth," begged Darren. "You know how dad hates to be kept waiting."
Beth smiled stiffly. She had no intention of becoming a lap dog to Darren’s father but neither did she want to upset Darren. She glanced through the open doors of the lounge as she collected her key. The old man had spotted his son’s entrance into the lounge and hauled himself to his feet to greet him. He was a large man, overweight and pompous. A big man used to imposing himself upon other people. His swept-back thinning hair and prominent Roman nose reminded Beth of a buzzard. Jacob Eldom was waiting with the all patience of the raptorial bird of prey for his next victim to stumble into view. Beth needed a plan. She took the steps three at a time and racked her brains as she flew up the stairs. It was quicker than the elevator and she was in need of the exercise. She entered her suite and dropped her bags, ran some water in the basin and pondered on her dilemma. She wasn't about to let the old man browbeat her into agreeing something she didn't understand. She knew exactly how Darren’s father worked. He would use every trick in the book to make her agree with his opinion. He was not above using his son to gain some leverage. In Darren’s eyes his father could do no wrong and there was a distinct possibility that Beth would end up as the villain of the piece. There had to be a way round it.
Beth was still dwelling on the subject as she pulled on a fresh jacket and prepared for the worst. There was one thing she could try. She grabbed the telephone and rang the bank. As luck dictated Ali was out and Kierran was unavailable. Damn! She would have to face the old man by herself. She shut the door behind her and waited for the elevator. She was not in a rush to come up against Darren’s father. She swore under her breath again. She could ring Ali direct. There was a mobile phone in her purse. Why hadn’t she thought of it before? She stepped into the elevator unthinkingly. Her mobile phone was switched off. How the hell had that happened? She booted it into life. It was taking forever. The elevator door slid open. Darren was waiting.
“Come on, Beth. Dad’s ready for you.”
Beth returned the offending mobile to her purse. She had left it too late.
"Good morning, Beth." Darren’s father rose from his seat like the Kraken rising from the waves. "It�
�s good to see you." He wrung Beth's slim hand with the enthusiasm of greeting a long lost daughter. "Sit down, sit down. Coffee is on the way."
Beth forced a smile and plumped for the armchair opposite to where the old man sat. Jacob Eldom was not really old, he couldn't be more than fifty-five years of age, but in Beth's eyes Darren’s grumpy father had always been old. The Eldom's had never been ones to encourage their son’s relationship with Beth from as far back as she could remember. She had never felt welcome in their home. But she had got him in the end. Now Darren’s parents regarded her as the golden girl. But she had never forgotten their treatment of the skinny girl from the wrong part of town.
"Good morning, Jacob." Beth felt uncomfortable using Mister Eldom's first name. "How are you?"
"I'm well, Beth, as is Mrs Eldom, she sends her regards by the way." A superior smirk settled on his florid face. "And how are things with your own family?"
As if he cared a jot. "They are all fine, thank you for asking," replied Beth civilly.
"Good, good," said Jacob magnanimously. "I expect you have looked after them very well. And that's exactly as it should be." He puffed out his enormous girth. "It’s all about family, Beth. Friends come and go but families are always there when you need them the most. Look after your family, Beth, and you won't go far wrong."
Beth winced. She had fallen right into Jacob's trap. The talk of families was meant to impress upon Beth that they would soon all be one big happy family.
"That reminds me," continued Jacob barely loud enough to be heard. "I must invite Ron and Kathy to dinner very soon. There is going to be a lot to discuss. What with the wedding and everything. Then there’s the business, of course."