by Michelle Day
Paul bathed both boys after they had been allowed to eat their dinner from small side tables in the living room and read them both bed time stories before re-joining Carmen and speculating on what Helen was up to as they cuddled on the sofa.
Ten minutes later, they were seated at the kitchen table being served a beautiful beef wellington, homemade and Paul’s absolute favourite. A nice bottle of wine and tarte au citron for desert, he was comfortably full and fending off Helen’s many attempts at thanking him for being so kind, generous and thoughtful. Carmen also took it upon herself to pin him to the bed and ride him and as he drifted off to sleep he couldn’t help his smile or his thought of fed and fucked, it’s been a good day.
On his return home, he tracked down Norman and went through a few final details of the Fitzpatrick deal, grilling him on whether or not he genuinely thought it was a viable prospect. His previous bravado with his Uncle had waned somewhat and had been replaced with apprehension at the large amount of money he was about to invest. Norman went through the figures with him, page by painstaking page, three times before he was entirely comfortable with the deal and placed a call to several of his banks to arrange to withdraw the cash needed for this deal, no way was he going to put this through his accounts. He then called Niles and set up a meeting for later that evening. He didn’t finish the call on a business note, he asked to speak to his daughter and within seconds of hearing her voice, had her laughing with the result being he heard a door slamming very loudly in the background. It confirmed his suspicions that Niles was only using him as a means to an end and positively disliked the idea of Paul being up close and personal with his daughter.
He made a point upon arrival that evening of kissing Eve deeply and groaning his approval of her response while Niles looked on and Norman tried not to laugh. He knew his young protégé well enough to spot when he was making a point. This particular one screamed that Paul fully intended doing nasty, depraved things with his customers’ daughter at every given opportunity.
Telling Eve to get ready for an evening of dancing, Paul turned his attention to her Father who stiffly escorted them through to his study, gesturing for them to sit opposite him across his vast oak desk. Paul remained quiet but alert as Norman explained the nuances of the deal and laid out several envelopes of cash, one of which was clearly earmarked for salaries and Niles was put under strict instructions that the very first thing he should do was pay his staff. Failure to do so would forfeit the deal and he would be on his own. The three men shook hands on the deal with Paul stating that he would be watching Niles and his company very closely indeed.
Eve was waiting for him when he stepped into the hallway, he swept her up into his arms and, alongside Norman they left the house. The last vestiges of doubt slowly vanished as he waited behind his partner’s car for the electric gates to open. He’d done a good thing; he’d saved a lot of jobs by making this deal. He glanced at Eve as they waited; she was watching him, a slight smile on her lips. “What?” he asked.
“Nothing.” She replied, then “Thank you for what you’ve done.”
Paul nodded, now he was feeling nervous again. She’d lied to him previously about the house sale, which as a matter of course he’d just prevented. She had claimed not to know but it was obvious she did. “I thought you were oblivious.” He stated.
“I was to begin with but when Daddy pulled you into the room and booted me out, I knew something was up and I asked him about it.”
“He told you? Everything?” He asked, incredulous.
“Yes. He’s made some very bad decisions it seems and I was wrong when I told you the house wasn’t up for sale, it was. I just didn’t want you to think that I was only seeing you because you had the means to help him out.”
Pulling into a parking space close to where he wanted to take her, he switched the car off and turned to her. “The thought had crossed my mind. I’m going to lay it on the line for you Eve. I like you. I enjoy your company and the time we spend together and we have many things to discover about each other but if at any stage I find out you are using me for my contacts and money, I will pull the plug on the funding I’ve provided to your Father and I won’t stop until his company and your family are in ruins. As I told him when he raised the subject of you, I can get pussy anywhere, there’s nothing you can offer me that I don’t get propositioned with a hundred times over on an average evening at the club.”
She’d heard about this side of him. He kept it well hidden but yes, it was there and he wasn’t afraid to unleash it when least expected.
“Paul. I have no way of knowing who your business contacts are or even the extent of your wealth although by the size of the deal Daddy told me you were proposing I can only assume it’s vast. I like you. I’ll admit to being a little shallow and being drawn in by the way you look. You are very easy on the eye you know but I like the person behind the attractive facade even if you do intimidate me, quite a lot truth be told. I thought perhaps my contacts and social circle might enable you to expand your...”She searched for the right word “Empire. My family is well known and exceptionally popular and you could become the same by association alone. I will understand though if you decide to end this relationship and keep things strictly business between Daddy and you.”
Slightly appeased, Paul smiled. “While we’re putting it all out there and in the theme of full disclosure, I’m going to try very hard to be upfront and honest with you at all times and sometimes that’s going to piss you off. I’m not in the habit of changing who I am or the way I speak or do things so don’t expect me to put on airs and graces for the sake of your friends. You must have heard of my reputation, I earned it well. I’d like to try this whole relationship thing; it’s kind of eluded me so far. I’m not used to being with just one woman but something about you makes me want to try. I’m going to get moody and frustrated to begin with. I have a high sex drive, I fucking love it and I hope, eventually you and I will get there but it’s going to require restraint on my part and patience on yours. What do you think?” He sat back and ran his fingers through his hair.
God she adored that gesture. She watched him drag his fingers through his thick, dark hair. She could watch him do that all day long. “Well, you won me over with the kissing thing. I enjoy that so perhaps in time I’ll enjoy everything else.”
“Good. Its official then. You and I are an actual couple?”
She smiled and reached over to smooth his ruffled hair, “Yes, we are officially a couple.”
The evening of Tessa’s twenty first birthday meal drew close. He arrived at Eve’s house suited and booted and was absolutely blown away by the way she looked. She’d dressed up in retro fifties style, it suited her shape perfectly and completely blew him away.
He’d been at a complete loss as to what to buy his sister for her birthday and after the present he’d given Suzanne; he knew it would have to be something equally spectacular.
The task became increasingly harder when she confirmed his suspicions that she didn’t want jewellery or anything equally mundane. Getting ever more desperate as the date drew near and clutching at straws, his ears had pricked when one of the ladies in his office mentioned she’d always wanted to go on a cruise. Ha! Bingo. He made enquiries and had an open ended round the world cruise booked for his sister and a friend booked within a couple of hours.
Avoiding his father took some fancy foot work on his part as they entered the restaurant and found his family and a few of Tessa’s friends gathered in the bar. He was extremely surprised to find Officer Emily Holland on his brothers’ arm and could tell his mother was none too pleased with her son’s penchant for older women. He introduced Eve as his girlfriend which raised a few eyebrows but on the whole his family were happy to accept his words and Eve was surrounded by the female side of his family as they made their way to the table.
Taking a sip from the glass of water in front of him having opted not to drink and looked around the table. He already had th
e points on his license from crashing his Audi and couldn’t risk getting any more. No way was he risking his Porsche. Of the eight women at the table, he’d had sex with three of them and was working on the fourth, the other four women being relatives which put them off the list.
Securely seated between Eve and Matt he was actually enjoying the banter passing between them but he was acutely aware of Suzanne. He’d kissed her cheek when he arrived as was the norm which garnered him a scowl from Cameron. He was pleased to see the bracelet he’d given her was still around her wrist, it gave him a small sense of satisfaction that she’d think of him every time she looked at it and so would Cameron. He’d also kissed Faye, much to Tessa’s surprise but brushed it off as they were friends and he couldn’t very well treat her differently to Suzanne.
With his arm along the back of Eve’s chair, hand softly stroking her shoulder, head bowed as he laughed at one of Matt’s tales when out of his peripheral vision he caught movement. He watched as Suzanne left the table and headed for the rest rooms. Glancing around the table, it seemed no one else had noticed her departure. Cameron was deep in conversation with Tessa and Faye. John was holding the attention of his parents and grandparents which just left his little group. His eyes met those of his brothers’ who inclined his head slightly in a gesture of “I got this. Go.” Excusing himself from their company, he followed in her footsteps.
Entering the corridor, he was presented with several poorly marked doors and further corridors. Walking slowly, examining the doors as he went, he missed the hand that shot out of one of them, grasped his arm and pulled him into the single room that was the disabled bathroom.
He threw the lock and turned to her as she snaked her arms around his neck and their mouths collided. Neither of the spoke as they scrabbled with each other’s clothing. He lifted her onto the counter supporting the sink, her skirt hitched up around her hips, moved her underwear to one side and was inside her before either of them had a chance to think.
“Quickly.” She panted, clinging to him as he pounded into her. She lifted one leg higher, changing the angle of his thrusts and exploded, gripping his arms, watching his face as he followed immediately after her.
Pressing his forehead to hers, panting, still deep inside her, he groaned, “We shouldn’t have done that.” He felt her nod against his head.
“I know. I’m sorry. I couldn’t help myself. I still have feelings for you and I’m not getting much.”
“I’m not getting any.” He stated.
She pulled back, “What? She’s gorgeous, how come?”
“She’s a little shy and I’m trying to give monogamy a go.”
Suzanne covered her mouth but the laugh had already escaped. “How’s that going for you?”
He joined her laughter with his own. “Apparently, not too well.”
They both stiffened at the sound of her name being called, Cameron. “Shit.” She pushed him away, “I can’t go out there leaking, you!”
He straightened his clothes, gave her one last kiss, “You sort yourself out, I’ll distract him.”
“Paul.” She called as he reached for the door.
“Don’t.” He couldn’t turn to face her, if she told him she missed him, he’d crack. When she remained silent, he cracked the door open slightly and did a quick recce of the corridor. Cameron was peering down a hallway giving Paul the chance to slip from the room. “Lost someone?” He asked as he sauntered towards his nemesis.
Cameron turned towards him, distaste written clearly on his face as he looked Paul up and down. “Have you seen my fiancé?” He asked.
“Nope but looking at this place, you may need to send out a search party. She’s a big girl Cam, I’m sure she’ll manage to find her way back to the table.”
“My name is Cameron and I’m well aware of Suzanne’s capabilities thank you.” He snipped. “God, how did someone like you ever manage to pull a girl of Eve Fitzpatrick’s calibre?”
“Someone like me? Oh come on, look at me. I’m everything you aspire to be and I’m younger.” Paul grinned. “I’m glad you chose to date Suzanne and not Tessa. I’d have to knock you on your arse if you were fucking my sister.”
Bristling at Paul’s unveiled threat, Cameron stepped forward, “I’d like to see you try.”
Stepping between them and hoping this wasn’t going to become a habit, Suzanne placed a hand on Paul’s chest, pushing him back before doing the same to Cameron, “It’s like a rabbit warren out here, are you boys lost too?” She asked.
Paul shrugged and covered her hand with his “Seems I’ve been found.” He kept his eyes on Cameron as he spoke to her, he didn’t put it past the little weasel not to sucker punch him when he wasn’t looking. “I’d better get back to my girlfriend.” He gave her hand a quick squeeze before leaving.
He arrived back at the table just in time for Tessa to cut her cake and be given her gift from her parents. A white gold Rolex. The women surrounding the table gushed over the diamond encrusted time piece. Paul and Matt looked at each other, both knowing what they would be receiving for their twenty first birthday.
Eve noticed the change in his mood on his return to the table. He’d been happy and joking previously but was now sullen even though he was making an effort to be cheerful. It was almost a relief when the evening drew to an end. She had exchanged telephone numbers with his sister with the promise of setting up a lunch date sometime in the near future and she waved goodbye as Paul clutched her hand and pulled her towards his car.
He didn’t speak at all as he drove her home and she wasn’t going to pry. It was still reasonably early as they drew to a stop at the gates and she wasn’t ready to say goodnight to him yet. “Would you like to come in?” She asked.
He nodded and put the car into gear “Yes. I’m not ready to go home yet. Or maybe I would be if you came with me.”
“I...I’m not ready to make that kind of move yet.” She stammered over her answer. “Sorry.”
“Hey, it’s ok. I wasn’t asking if you wanted to get naked.” He said as he climbed from the car and joined her on the other side, “I just wanted to know if you’d fancy coming to my place for a while.”
“Not tonight but soon. Don’t your parents mind you taking girls back to your house?” She smiled at the butler and led Paul through to the opulent sitting room.
“I don’t live at home. I share a flat with my Uncle, you met him tonight and no, he doesn’t mind if I bring girls home.” He sat on the uncomfortable looking sofa and got a pleasant surprise when it hugged his bum and supported his back. He patted the seat next to him. “Come here.”
Hesitantly, she sat beside him. She stiffened when his arm came around her and pulled her closer but he didn’t make any further move.
“What where you sitting all the way over there for?” He grinned at her. “Loosen up Eve. I’m not going to jump on you; I need to feel you against me.” He snuggled closer. “Can I ask you something?”
“You can ask me anything.” Eve rested her head on his shoulder and placed her hand on his leg.
“Who was it that did a number on you that makes you so stand offish?”
She sat up then, looking him straight in the eye. “No one has done a number on me as you say. I’m just not as comfortable with my body and sexuality as you clearly are.”
“So none of the guys you dated treated you badly?”
“No. The one that I was comfortable enough to sleep with was very kind actually, very patient.
“Hmm, ok. Next question. Have you ever had an orgasm?”
She shuffled away from him. “Why are you asking me these things?”
“I just want to see what I’m up against here. I’ve never been given the cold shoulder by anyone and it’s getting to me a bit. I mean, is it me?”
“Oh no. No, no, it isn’t you. I suppose I’m just not as forward as you are used to.”
“That’s an understatement.” He chuckled. “Explain to me then why you threw yourself at me
when we first met at the club?
“That would be the alcohol. If you’d made a move on me, I probably would have run away screaming.” She blushed but giggled when he laughed.
“I would have chased you.” He growled. “Just give me a little bit of hope here huh? Tell me I’m not going to have blue balls for eternity.”
“I’d love to tell you that but right now I don’t know.”
“Do you need me to romance you Eve? Take you out, show you a good time and be the perfect gentleman at all times?”
“A little romance won’t hurt.” She sighed. “Paul. I know all about you, the women you’ve been with, the teacher, your son, everything. You scare me.”
Resting his head back on the sofa, he looked at her through lowered lids. “I sincerely doubt you know everything. For example, the only women at the table tonight I haven’t had sex with were you and the ones related to me.” He nodded when she gasped. “See? You didn’t know everything, you still don’t. Yes, I had an affair with my teacher, old news as is the fact that I have a son. What people fail to realise about me is there is so much more than what you see on the outside. I want it all Eve. I want a place like this” He gestured around the room. “I want to be self sufficient, not to owe anyone anything and I want a beautiful, strong woman by my side to ease my doubts and love me body and soul.”
“Oh.” She was taken aback. “Oh.” She leaned in to stroke his face. “Yes so much more than what anyone sees. I’d like to be that woman.”
“I’m beginning to think you could be her but Eve, sex is a very big part of a relationship for me. I crave that physical connection more than I crave the mental one. I’m prepared to wait but there’s a limit to my patience. If you give me a little then pull back, that’s absolutely fine, it’ll keep me on my toes, keep me guessing but I won’t be happy,” h e sat up and cupped her face, his lips brushing hers, “until I’m balls deep inside you and you are screaming my name.” He didn’t need to hear her answer, the hitch in her breath and her heated cheeks were enough to prove her interest. He applied his lips to hers, kissing her like he had the first night he’d convinced her to try this and she melted in his arms.