Nymphomaniac: A Raw Romance

by Penny Henry

  Jacob had even remembered the names of Beth's parents. The sly old dog never missed a trick. Beth smiled despite his misgivings and prepared herself for the next phase of Jacob's onslaught. Darren sat quietly at his father's side with a look of admiration on his face.

  Jacob suddenly looked at Beth in mock horror. "Don't get me wrong, Beth. I’m not here to ask a penny for myself." He smiled benignly towards Darren and turned his lifeless grey eyes on Beth. "I’m just trying to make sure my lad is well protected. And Darren will be the man of the family. You know what I mean; what’s his is yours and what’s your is his." Beth remembered the words from somewhere. There it was, out in the open. Jacob was getting to the meat of the conversation. He opened the slim leather case that had lain unopened on the table. "There are one or two things I'd like to discuss with you, Beth. I have a few ideas that could make the business a lot of money. Of course, they’d need a small investment.” He winked outrageously.

  The coffee arrived and Beth busied herself setting out the cups and pouring from the hot jug, playing for time, praying for a miracle. Jacob began to discuss the re-organization of the restaurant company. They would need to have the new board in place before they took the franchise operation nation-wide.

  "Naturally, you would expect me to take over from Alfie. He could be bought out easily enough. I’d assume the position of Financial Director and Darren would be the MD. Lucy could head up the quality control or something - for the time being. Alfie's shares…" Jacob droned on.

  For the time being? Beth lifted an eyebrow. She wasn’t really listening. It was going over her head. It sounded like Lucy was being pushed out. She wondered how Lucy would react to a taste of her own double-crossing medicine. At least Beth would feel more secure with Lucy out of the way. She was still lodging with Darren, still using the excuse of her father’s money being held up.

  Jacob’s voice broke through. "…and you have met Darren’s brother, Samuel, haven't you, Beth? As a solicitor he would make the ideal Company Secretary."

  Beth could feel the waters closing over her head.

  "Of course to make it all work and ensure that Lucy doesn't present a problem I’ll need to acquire your shares, Beth. It’ll stay in the family. The family will hold the majority shareholding and Lucy will be out-voted at every turn. She won’t put up with that for long. She’ll sell out soon enough." Jacob grinned and twisted a piece of paper in Beth's direction. “Then the family will have 100% of everything.” He reached into his coat pocket for a pen. "Sounds good doesn’t it, Beth? I thought you’d like it.” She hadn’t said a word. Jacob smiled at her before speaking in a confidential tone. “I've taken the liberty of asking Samuel to draw up a simple agreement. Much better than getting the lawyers involved. You know what they cost.” Beth hadn’t a clue. “You don't want to be bothered with the business of running a restaurant company in your position." Jacob smiled again. This time it was with the soon-to-be-satisfied hunger of a wolf eyeing a grizzly bear’s kill.

  Beth was going down for the third time. Jacob was looking at her with a disturbing gleam in his eyes. Darren was holding his breath and allowing his mouth to fall open. Beth accepted the silver pen that Jacob offered and followed the line of Jacob's finger. She just wanted it to be over with.

  "Sign here, Beth."

  Beth glanced at father and son in turn. There was a distinct resemblance in the narrowed, calculating eyes that she had never noticed. She sighed and bent her head to the task in hand.

  "Don't sign anything, Beth."

  "Ali!" Beth dropped Jacob's pen as if he were holding a hot iron. She sprang to her feet and resisted the urge to hug Ali to her breast. "What are you doing here? How did you know?"

  Ali smiled. The world was a better place. "I got a call from the bank. I was told you needed to talk to me. So I dropped everything and got here as soon as I could."

  "How did you manage to call her in the time you had. Your mobile was sw—" Darren broke off. It was obvious she had used the hotel telephone. He should never have let her out of her sight.

  "I thought I might be of some assistance, Beth," said Ali in a soothing tone that calmed Beth’s nerves and settled her anxiety. Then her voice took on a hard edge as she looked down on Jacob. "Good morning, Mister Eldom. This is a surprise. I hadn't clicked that you were related." She deemed to look at Darren. "But now that I know, I can see the similarity." She made it sound like an insult.

  "Good morning. Miss Patel." Ali was obviously known to Jacob. He avoided meeting her eyes and returned the paperwork to its leather folder. "Well, I don’t know about you, but I can't hang around here all day. There are things I must be getting on with. You know how it is, Beth." Jacob rose laboriously from his seat. "Goodbye, Beth. It’s been lovely to see you." He thrust out his hand before remembering his paternal role and stooping to place an awkward kiss on Beth’s cheek. "You will take care of my boy, won’t you? I promise we'll talk again soon." He shot a sharp look in Ali's direction. "Perhaps it should be somewhere a little more private."

  "Hang on, dad. I'm coming with you." Darren lifted himself from the armchair and looked frostily at Beth. "You don't mind, do you, Beth? I want to take my clothes home. Then I thought I'd call in at the restaurant to see how things are going and get some lunch. I'll probably stay with dad tonight. We’ve got some things to discuss. I’ll give you a call when I'm free.” He glared at Ali as she spoke. "You will be okay with her, wont you?"

  "I'll be fine," Beth told her aggrieved fiancé. "Have fun." She dutifully kissed the cold cheek that was turned his way and watched Darren step behind the plodding footsteps of her father. He didn't turn to wave goodbye. Beth sensed she was being punished. She turned her head to look at Ali's beautiful, impassive features. "Alone at last," she joked. "Would you like a drink?"

  Ali blushed to her roots. "Are you sure you can trust me?"

  "If I can't trust a banker, who can I trust?" said Beth lightly. She motioned a waiter and ordered fresh coffee.

  Ali took the seat opposite to where Beth had seated himself and wondered what her reaction would be if she answered the question truthfully. She had been anxious when she hadn’t been able to get through to Beth yesterday. She had missed hearing Beth's voice. She had thought of her the rest of the afternoon and throughout the entire evening. Even her dreams had not been free of Beth’s beautiful face. The blush returned to her cheeks as she recalled the intimate nature of her dream with vivid realism.

  "A penny for your thoughts," offered Beth.

  Not for a million pounds, thought Ali. She would die of embarrassment. Her heart lifted its drumming beat. The empty cup rattled on its saucer as Beth passed the china before leaning forward to pour from the jug. Ali breathed in the scent of Beth's perfume. "Oh," she suddenly exclaimed. “I’ve just remembered. I've bought you a present." She reached into the briefcase that she had stood at the side of her armchair. She hesitated for a moment but it was too late now to change her mind. She withdrew her hand and shyly offered the small gift to Beth.

  "Thank you, Ali," said Beth excitedly. She studied the iPhone’s screen. “It looks a bit complicated.” She looked up sharply. “What’s this for, Ali?”

  "I noticed the brick you had the other day. You really should keep up with technology, Beth. It’s very easy to use once you’ve had some time with it." Ali struggled to hide her joy at Beth’s obvious pleasure. "I've programmed the bank's numbers into the memory and you'll find my personal number in there as well - just in case you want to contact me at home. I’ll always answer.’

  "It's so sweet of you, Ali." Beth half-raised to her feet. She leant across the table to kiss Ali on the cheek. "Not only do you rescue me from Darren’s father but you bring me a lovely gift. Thank you so much, Ali. You really are an angel." Beth played with the iPhone. “That’s what I’m going to change your contact name to.”

  Ali was suddenly flustered. She returned to the safer subject of business. "What was Mister Eldom trying to sell you?" It was all she
could think to say.

  Beth concentrated on the iPhone and answered playfully, "His son, I think."

  “Beth!" Ali admonished her. "You shouldn't be saying things like that. He’s your betrothed. Seriously, what exactly was he after?"

  Beth raised her head from her new toy in despair. "You're not going to give up until I tell you, are you, Ali?"

  "No." Ali pressed her lips together and stared at Beth mutinously.

  "Okay, okay, you win." Beth laid the shiny mobile on the tabletop and related the conversation to Ali, drinking in the expressive changes of her features and imagining the pleasure of kissing her deliciously mobile lips. She waited while Ali considered the implications of what Beth had told her.

  "It seems that Jacob Eldom wants to take control of the whole company without too much legal restraint. He doubtless believes that you are willing to fund a major expansion into a national franchise operation, Beth." Ali paused before asking, "Have you given Jacob any reason to think that, Beth?"

  "No, absolutely not. It’s been mentioned by Darren and Lucy knows about it - that’s Lucy Phillips. You know her." Ali recognized the name and nodded. "But that is as far as it went. I made no promises to anyone. And now it seems that Lucy is being shut out. She hasn’t a clue what Darren is plotting behind her back."

  "Why doesn't that surprise me," said Ali dryly.

  "Come on, Ali. It’s your turn." Beth rested her hands on her knees and leant towards Ali. "What have you got over Jacob Eldom? He went white when he saw you standing there."

  Ali shifted awkwardly. "It's not for me to say, Beth. Bank confidentiality and all that stuff."

  "But I happen to know that Jacob is not a customer of your bank," said Beth triumphantly.

  "Maybe not," agreed Ali. "But some of Jacob Eldom's accountancy firm clients do have accounts with the bank." She reached down to her briefcase and continued to speak quietly. "And I’m including some of his bankrupt clients."

  "Ah, bad advice?" whispered Beth.

  Ali smiled her answer. "Not that any of it appeared to affect Mister Eldom's lifestyle," she said bitterly. Suddenly Ali was the one to lean across the table and stare intently into Beth's eyes. "Please don't ever sign anything without my knowledge, Beth. Promise me."

  Beth was taken aback by Ali's show of concern. She reached out to cover Ali's hand with her own and squeezed Ali’s fingers reassuringly. "Okay, Ali, I promise. I won't make a move without you by my side."

  Ali smiled in embarrassment at her impulsiveness and went to draw back her hand. For one ecstatic moment Beth wouldn't let her go. Their eyes clashed in a sizzling burst of magnetism before their hands flew apart as if propelled by a powerful metaphysical force.

  They sat uncomfortably for a moment until Beth cleared her throat. "Are you free for lunch, Ali? I owe you that at least. Please say you are."

  "I'm sorry, Beth. I really can’t. I left my last appointment in a hurry. I promised I would go back and tie things up." She didn't want to sound as if she was making excuses. "I would love to have lunch with you, Beth.” She fluttered her lashes. “More than with anyone... but I had to promise to go back so that I could be here for you. You understand, don’t you?"

  Beth couldn't keep the disappointment from his voice. "I suppose so, Ali. I should be grateful that you managed to get away at all. You probably saved me from a very expensive mistake. I owe your client for letting you go. Of course you should go back and make amends. Maybe we can make it another time?"

  Ali took a deep breath. "What about tonight?" She was too nervous to look Beth in the eye.

  "Tonight?" Beth was stunned. Why shouldn’t she? Darren would be at his father’s. He was in a mood with her anyway. Ali had rescued her from a tricky situation and dinner would be a small show of gratitude for her help. They were business associates and what could be more normal than that? "What time? We could meet up here. It will be my treat."

  "Actually, I thought you might like a break from eating in hotels and restaurants." Ali was finding something to do with her hands in her briefcase and not looking at Beth. "I'm having dinner with my brother and his wife tonight. He won't mind if I bring you along. He’s more liberated than my parents."

  She wasn’t quite sure what Ali meant by that but Beth wasn’t about to turn her down. "If you're sure your brother won't mind, I'd love to spend an evening with you."

  Ali looked up. "I’m so happy, Beth. I was hoping you’d say yes. I’ll write down the address for you.” She smiled like a child at Christmas. “I'll meet you there at seven.” She wrote the address on a notebook page before drawing a plan of the route on the tabletop with a dainty finger. Beth watched its delicate meandering on the polished surface. Ali self-consciously drew back her graceful hand and seized her briefcase. "I… I must be going, Beth. I'm way behind schedule. I've got some catching up to do."

  "Sorry, my fault," apologized Beth lamely. She stood up as Ali she rose to leave. "I'll walk you to your car."

  Beth followed Ali's quick steps to the car park. She lagged a little behind the lithe beauty, unable to resist the pull of her eyes to Ali’s tight buttocks that see-sawed gently beneath the snug fitting skirt.

  "I'll see you tonight at seven o'clock," Ali reminded Beth as she slid behind the wheel of her silver Peugeot. "If you have a problem, call me. You haven't got an excuse not to now, have you?" She nodded at the iPhone clutched in Beth’s hand.

  "Don’t worry. I'll be there," said Beth. Wild horses wouldn't keep her from discovering more about the sloe-eyed beauty who swept away Beth’s cares with the ease of an autumn breeze stirring leaves.

  She watched Ali drive from the car park and turned back to the hotel. She would order sandwiches in her suite for lunch. There was a mountain of correspondence that she needed to take care of. She was finding the begging letters difficult to deal with. Sorting out the genuine cries for help from the professional con artists was almost impossible. There was always the chance that she might get it wrong. The answer had to be in charitable foundation. She must remember to talk it over with Ali.

  She managed to fit in a plate of sandwiches and numerous cups of coffee through the day. By the time she finally pushed the pile of paperwork away and lifted her eyes it was almost six-thirty. Beth leapt up from the desk sending her chair crashing to the floor in panic. She was going to be late. In ten minutes flat she had refreshed herself, changed her clothes and was banging through the door to her suite. To astonished looks of staff and guests alike she flew from the bottom of the stairs as if the spirits of the shrieking Valkyrie were chasing behind her.

  The engine of her Ford Mondeo leapt into life. Beth slotted into gear and deftly spun the wheel. She allowed herself to breathe again. She floored the accelerator and aimed for the exit. It wouldn't do to be late for her first date with Ali. She brought herself up short. She had been shocked at the thought. She wasn’t on a date. She was planning to marry Darren. This was just a simple thank you dinner that Ali had turned around on her. They were dining at the home of Ali's brother. So what? It was all perfectly innocent. And as long as she kept on telling herself that she had a chance of keeping the feelings of guilt at bay and calming the butterflies in her stomach.

  "Beth, you made it. I thought perhaps you’d changed your mind." Ali opened the door with a faintly disapproving look. “You had me worried.”

  "I'm sorry, Ali. I got tied up with paperwork." She swept appreciative eyes over Ali's gorgeous fuchsia cami-top and tailored black trousers. She was wearing a pair of slender white-gold earrings and her shoulders and arms were bare except for a thin silver bracelet. A pair of baby pink sandals decorated her feet and her hair was swept up from her face giving her the fresh look of an eighteen year old. Beth was thankful that her lateness had only allowed her to grab a pair of designer trousers and a thin sweater. Anything else would have been over-dressed. She lowered her voice. "You look fabulous, Ali."

  "Thank you, Beth. It makes a change from wearing a stuffy suit all day." She smiled
brightly and led Beth through to the lounge. It was a normal home with normal rooms that Beth hadn't realized she missed so much. The television was on and a young Asian woman was engrossed in watching a game show with the presenter doing a fine job of annoying the viewers with his unmerciful teasing of the contestant.

  "Vindia," called Ali above the noise of the television. "This is Beth."

  The woman turned off the television with the remote and rose to greet her warmly. "Hello, Beth. It's a pleasure to meet you. It’s always nice to meet Ali’s friends. And I have to admit they’re always very pretty. I think it must be a requirement of the bank.” She giggled at the thought.

  Beth shot Ali a mystified glance that was ignored as a male voice came from another room.

  "So we get to meet another of Al’s clever colleagues. And this time we get beauty as well as brains,” said the smiling man walking into the front room. “She’s a bit of a dark one, my little sister." The man that spoke disparagingly of Ali held out his hand with a giant grin on his face.

  "Take no notice," warned a fiercely blushing Ali, tossing her head disdainfully. "This is my disrespectful brother, Asif. That’s as if anyone cares!" She laughed merrily at her own joke. Asif ignored her mirth and shook Beth’s hand.

  Beth took to Asif immediately. He was taller than his sister, lean and good-looking. He shared the same soft brown eyes as Ali. "Something smells good," said Beth. "Who's doing the cooking?"

  "That's my department," said Asif proudly. "The women of this family are not renowned for their skill in the kitchen." He cast a pitying glance towards Ali and Vindia. "They prefer watching television. Follow me, Beth. I can offer you a juice or a cup of tea if you’d like one."

  "A juice will be fine, thank you, Asif." She spoke loudly as they walked away. "I'm sure there are plenty more of Ali's secrets you can tell me. She’s not much of a talker at the bank."