by H. M. Irwing
"Are you okay?"
I looked up into the mirror to the concerned eyes of Richard who stood behind me. Richard had ushered me into the adjoining bathroom and now whispered out his concern for me. I doubt he needed to. The din from the party was robust even in here. I clutched tight at my straps embarrassed that he had seen me...exposed.
"I'm fine," I said awkwardly as I just stood there uncomfortably not knowing what to do.
"Do you want me to take a look? " Richard asked seriously. My evasive gaze dashed back to his. Then I blushed furiously at my overreaction as his meaning caught on.
"Yes, please," I said simply and moved to shift my straps onto his hold. His fingers brushed mine and I shivered at the contact. Then I waited as I trusted the recalcitrant straps to him. Why I trusted him I had no idea I only knew that at this moment I did.
"The hook is broken. Did someone tug at it?" Richard asked his warm gaze suddenly stern taking on a harden intensity that made me pity anyone on the receiving end. But at this moment that person was me.
"N..no. Not that I could recall," I muttered hesitantly.
"Think back carefully. Hooks like this don't just snap unless it’s been forced to. It would have had to be fairly recent too for the straps to fall when it did. It was almost perfectly timed." I could see his expression darken with each word he uttered and I was suddenly concerned about what he was about to do.
"It doesn't matter. No harm was done. You shielded me. I am sure no one saw.... besides you that is," I finished lamely.
I watched his eyes narrow unpleasantly and knew he would not let this go but before I could say more he changed the topic, “So what do I do with this?" He yanked at my straps to indicate they were broken and therefore useless.
"Could you tie it? Or do you have a safety pin?" I asked hopefully.
"A safety pin?" He shook his head sarcastically and I got his point. He was a billionaire and those didn't do safety pins. But then he was whipping out his cell phone and muttering rapid instructions into it.
We stood there in the bathroom and waited. It was oddly not an uncomfortable silence mostly because Richard had this serious but preoccupied look about him. He stared right into the mirror but did not seem to be looking at anything.
Finally, there came a tap on the door and then Richard was opening it and ushering Jake in.
"I got the safety pin," muttered Jake taking the straps from Richard. He then proceeded to fumble before got it on. We all heaved a massive sigh of relief then.
"Since I have you both here and some privacy in which to discuss matters, I'd like to issue an invite for next weekend for both of you to stay the weekend with us at the farm house. I don't expect a response just yet but let me know your answer when you have decided, "said Richard before stepping out of the bathroom.
As soon as the door shut Jake whirled around and had me wrapped up in his arms. I held back the tears that threatened as the shock of what could have happened caught up with me. Jake rained kisses over my face and whispered a comforting litany of, "Hush baby, my darling. I'm here babe. It’s alright now."
I closed my eyes and let his affection wash over me.
**************
"Do we really have to go?" I asked not for the first time. This was our last evening together and then I would be back home with my parents and Jake with his. I was a little nervous about my parent's reaction to Jake and I as a couple. But the twins could not be bribed for their silence. I know I tried.
I snuggled up against Jake and tried to rest my mind and get some sleep. I watched his naked chest rise and fall as he took in a great sigh. This was not the first time I brought up my reluctance to visit Richard Reeves. I had slipped it into the conversation several times on the way back to the Neel's beach cottage. I was undecided still over whether or not to mention Richard and his bizarre hand fetish. I was still uncomfortable with my reactions to having his lips on my hand. I shivered in remembrance. But then the comfortable warm bedding I was resting on shifted and moved.
"Honey we can discuss this tomorrow. You need to sleep," then I was moved and shifted again before my world tilted and Jake was hovering over me.
"You shouldn't worry so much," he leaned down to kiss at the corner of my mouth to nibble at my pout. I pressed my lips to his but he pulled back," Uh..uh you have to earn your right to a proper kiss." That brought my pout back full on.
His chuckle rumbled over me," You are so adorable."
And the pout progressed into a scowl. "Yes let's get some sleep," I said and made to shove at his steel chest. I would push him away.
With a little growl that brought out a squeal of excitement in me he nuzzled his face in the soft mounds of my chest. I clutched him closer at first before I remembered to shove him away.
"Baby don't be like that, " he whispered huskily raining kisses down my chest where the fabric of my pyjama top miraculously unbuttoned to give him access to more of my flesh. His lips dropped greedily to close in on my heaving breast drawing in tight and suckling hungrily. I couldn't and didn't hold back on the moan that emerged through my clenched teeth.
Bam! Bam!
We jerked apart. The hammering sound had come from the adjoining room. Jake's parents must have heard us. I flushed beet red in embarrassment that they knew just what we had been up to.
"Shh..luv. It’s okay," Jake comforted me in a hug but I could see the red flush to his skin and hear the pounding of his heart and knew he was similarly affected. So I wound a comforting arm about him and cuddled him close before I reached out to snap the lights off.
Chapter 8
I felt the pain stabbing right in the centre of my heart. It was as if a limb was torn of me and left to remain behind. Only in this case my limb travelled on without me. I waved till the Evoque drove out of sight. Then with a wrenching heart I withdrew to my cave to suffer my pain and howl in silence. I shut my bedroom door and threw myself on the bed to curl my length into a ball.
I was thankful Mom and Dad were not yet home from work. Mom did charity work and dad brought home the bacon. I realised then life was going to be tough with the two people I loved most in the world being unhappy with me and with Jake gone back to his world there was no one I could turn to.
Just then my mobile rang.
"Missing me yet?" the husky voice sent shivers of anticipation over me as it whispered out of the phone. I nearly cried.
"No..," I moaned pitifully, "of course not."
The rich chuckle that burst out at that lifted my heart and spirits like magic. "Want to meet up tonight? " he asked. I stared at the phone stupidly. He was a good hour's ride away where all the Mansions were located and I couldn't go anywhere on the first evening back. Mom and Dad would kill me. No two ways about it. Grounded for life probably. Didn't matter if I was over 18. They were old fashioned in that way. I wouldn't even know how to go about it. I would need advice from Emily on this. But even so I have no idea what their stance would be over Jake and I.
"How?" I asked desperately.
"Leave that to me," he said soothingly," you just tell me you want to see me."
"I want you!" I exclaimed excitedly.
"Not quite the same thing but it'll do," Jake chuckled over the phone, " consider it done. Mwah"
I made the appropriate sounds to return the gesture then reluctantly hung up the phone. He was driving and didn't need the distraction. I sunk back into bed and gloom and counted the ticking clock till my parents returned.
It could have been minutes if not hours later when the squeals from Cat marked my parent's return. I knew I didn't have long to wait.
"Lucy!" My mum called out. Hearing her sweet voice brought on a rush of hope. Mom had never reprimanded me over a anything. I knew she wouldn't do that now either. Clinging to that hope I got off my arse and clattered down the stairs.
Both mum and dad were seated at the dining table where we had all our family conference calls. I hated being the reason for the call. Emily and Cat were unmistak
ably missing. Guess this would be a private conference. My heart shook with cold fear.
"The Neels called us and told us what happened, " begun my Dad. I looked up from the floor to check his expression and found my gaze diving back down to stay routed to the floor. Dad looked horrible. I have never ever seen him look so devastated.
"To cut the long story short. David broke off all ties with us. Over 40 years of friendship and just like that he set me aside as if I didn't matter… as if...," in shock I watched Dad shake his head as he stumbled over what he had to say. Mom put her hand on his shoulder and took over the discussion, "They want you to break it off with Jake but your dad and I felt that was not our place to say. We just thought you should know."
There was a strained silence as I took in what they just said. I wanted to know more but couldn't bring myself to ask in face of their heartbreak.
"So love have you given some thought to what you intend to do now that you've graduated. More studies? Work?" Mum prompted a change in topic and with a heavy heart I strived for a light tone before responding.
Dinner was a sorry affair. I got in two bites at most. The silence around the table was deafening. I could clearly hear myself crunch through my salad. If I was not already put off my food hearing that loud crunching sound would have had the same effect.
Being in the position I was in I dared not leave before dinner was done. So I toyed about my plate making the necessary rote movements to show I was eating but otherwise left the food out of my mouth. I thought it best I avoid puking my guts out. For at this moment, eating even a morsel would have that effect.
I refrained from looking about the table as I studiously stared at the plate before me. It was undoubtedly the longest dinner of my life. As soon as Dad placed down his fork for the last time I was up with my plate and heading to the kitchen to wash up.
Staring out at the spread of rooftops the gentle slope of our home afforded, as I loaded up the dishwasher was oddly soothing. I wanted to go for a walk. The need was strong.
"Let's go walk," said Emily abruptly beside me. It was as if she’d read my mind. I turned to face her and saw that she meant it. I nodded my head gratefully and Cat announced, "I'll go get out coats," before she dashed off upstairs to fetch them. Seeing her natural exuberance made me smile. I actually felt my face crack at the effort. It was only then I realised the strain I was under.
A short while later we were all trudging down the street in the dark with only the occasional street light and the glare from random houses to light up our way. Shamelessly, we stared into every home and discussed the layout of the rooms, what was on TV and who was watching. We were the neighbourhood regular peeping Toms or more appropriately Janes. It was an old favourite pass time that had us reduced to fits of giggles right from the start.
But after a while we fell silent as the events of the past weekend caught up to us. Then the walk took on an almost sombre feel. The loose gravel of the poorly finished road crunched under our footfalls marking our position and pace to any who might wish to know. But the streets were empty and there was only us.
I looked down to my feet as I walked and narrowly dodged a puddle that Cat was cheekily edging me into. That was an old trick of hers that I should have been attuned to by now. But I was lost in my gloomy thoughts ignoring the occasional noise, laughter, cheer that each inhabited house would emit as we slowly ambled past.
"I wanted to talk to you," said Emily seriously.
"Yes?" I asked surprised at her tone. I watched as Emily did an even more surprising thing and turned to face Cat who surreptitiously nodded her head before continuing, " I want you to know that I am okay with you and Jake being a couple. He is your first ever crush and I can respect that what you feel for him must be real. I have not been entirely supportive but when you came to me yesterday for help getting dressed. I was happy I could help and...and I just wanted you to know that," she finished of earnestly before starting at me expectantly.
I looked at my little sister all grown up and unashamedly broke into tears. I flung my arms around the both of them. It was for quite some time that the three of us stood there in the middle of the street embraced in a group hug. Then we parted and begun out return home.
I squeezed Emily's hand gratefully before muttering a quick thanks and headed to the kitchen to down a glass of water thirstily before upstairs to my room.
I pulled off my jacket and threw it over the edge of the bed, then proceeded to get out of my jeans and T-shirt while making my way into the bathroom. I snapped on the light and almost screamed.
"Don't you know you should knock first before opening the bathroom door?" asked Jake jokingly as he moved forward to wrap me in his embrace.
Chapter 9
"You don't want me here?" Jake asked when my sombre mood failed to lift altogether.
I looked up at him sadly and shook my head.
"Is that a yes or a no," he gave me a sloppy grin.
"I want you here," I said unhesitatingly.
"Good! You get your PJs on and I will get comfortable on your bed. Then we'll talk," Jake said before he pushed away from me and blew out a low whistle as he took in my state of undress then chuckled all the way to the bed. I turned to watch him start unbuttoning his shirt before my face heated up and I scuttled all the way into the bathroom to begin my nightly rituals.
I emerged shortly after and made my way over to the bed. Jake was already in. Was he asleep? I inched closer and got in silently so as not to awake him. Then he turned and pressed up against me. I felt his whole body shake and realised it was from refrained laughter.
I hit his shoulders and gritted out his name in annoyance,"Jake!" But his shoulders only shook harder. I scowled in the dark and turned my back to him.
"Oh baby don't be like that," he whispered teasingly into my ear as he shifted his arm under me to haul me close. Spooning in, we settled down comfortably. Both of us silent and simply enjoying the feeling of being in each others arms.
I turned to face him," You heard what your parents said to mine? "
"I was there when they said it. I didn't want you to know but I guess that was inevitable. They didn't mean it. It’s just a phase. It will blow over."
That annoyed me, "It’s not just a phase. They want you for Celine not me. It’s not just about how you or I feel about it. It's to do with your company and Celine's."
"And what would you know about my company or for that matter Celine's? " Jake asked amused.
"Nothing. That is nothing other then what Richard told me. The Reeves want you as their son in law just as your parent's want Cecile. What we want doesn't come into it," I retorted smartly.
"And you think I should just give us up and give in to them. Is that what you want? " Jake asked seriously gazing down at me.
I felt a spasm of pain so sharp my eyes watered instantly. "No!" I cried out. "I want you for myself, " I said selfishly.
"Shh..babe," Jake ran a comforting hand through my hair and nestled my head to the curve of his chest.
"We'll work it out. This is just another curve in the road. We'll take it slow. You know how I feel about you and I know how you feel about me. That's all that matters, " Jake said soothingly.
I nodded my head accepting his reasoning.
"Term break will be over soon. You'll be back at Harvard and I will have enrolled in elsewhere, " I said finally what has been at the back of my mind.
"Will worry about that when the time comes, " Jake muttered dismissively. I nodded again agreeing to let that rest for now. I had one more thing to mention and was not looking forward to it but Jake had to know.
"Richard has a fetish for my hand," I blurted out not knowing how to say that any other way. I felt his body instantly tense beneath me.
"What did he do?"
It was a simple question but I struggled hard to form a response. "He kissed my palm and nibbled. ..and licked..and..bit," I said hesitatingly.
Jake's hand tightened over me," And you're
telling me this now!"
"I suppose I should have mentioned it earlier," I said mincingly.
"You suppose you...What the fuck, Lucy?" Jake was irritated beyond exasperation.
"What did you expect telling me my best friend has a thing for you?" He asked shaking his head.
"I didn't expect anything. I just thought you should know," I replied tartly for somehow he was making this sound like my fault. And it wasn't.
"Do you know how awkward it’s going to be now visiting his home. I mean we will be staying there. I'll have to keep an eye on you. Richard isn't known to bestow his favours on just anyone despite what the press says about him. The very fact that he showed you an interest at all means he really likes you," groaned Jake.
"But that cannot be true. Emily was saying only just the other day how he changes girlfriends as often as his underwear," I sputtered out then blushed at the thought of Richard in his underwear or better yet without it. I was thankful for the dark and made sure to turn my heated cheek away from Jake's chest. It wouldn't do to let him know the attractions had to an extent been mutual.
"He has his secretary arrange his dates for him. Richard never goes out with the same women twice for a reason and that's simply because he feels women aren't worth the effort," Jake chuckled at that. "Richard is an all work no play sort of man. He wants more than anything for me to wed his sister and for the companies to merge. I'm guessing that is why he showed an interest in you. He's trying to either draw a rift between us or simply shift your attachment away from me and onto him...," Jake fell silent no doubt contemplating several diabolical intentions on Richard's behalf. I thought they were best friends? This just proves again we are worlds apart.
If I knew of another female's interest in Jake I wouldn't have been casually discussing her possible diabolical intentions but I would be out for blood. I would. ..then I recalled Celine's kissing Jake and again at the party the two of them going off on their own. I had never once felt bloodthirsty or even jealousy. Was it because I trusted Jake and his feelings for me or was it simply because I didn't care enough?