by Mary Peart
They went immediately after breakfast to go into the kitchen they were finishing up and Elise felt his presence so potent in the rooms that it was as if he was there. She stared at the spot where he had first kissed her and her body tightened in desire. This has got to stop! With a determination borne out of desperation, she went straight to work and tuned out everything else, including the conversation between Jack and Michael. Mitsui had told them that she sat on several charities and they were trying to raise money to build a new wing for the hospital. Hamasaki Imports had already added a wing for the children with special needs but they wanted to add a wing for children with terminal illnesses where their parents could come and stay with them during the time they were in the hospital. “That’s a good idea,” Elise had told her, looking at the woman with new respect.
“I am not just a wealthy woman who does nothing else but shop, my dear,” she had told her in amusement.
“I never thought that,” Elise had protested.
“Didn’t you?” Mitsui had teased, her eyebrows raised. She had come to like the down to earth girl who, in spite of her beauty, did not use it to advance her career and she liked that she never seemed impressed by their wealth.
“Maybe a little,” Elise had told her with a grin.
They were almost finished the kitchen and to her surprise she realized that they could probably start on the next kitchen tomorrow.
*****
He came home just as they were packing up to leave at five thirty. She had hoped that they would have left before he came home but she had not realized that the time had gone so far.
Her breath caught in her throat as she saw him standing in the doorway. “Mr. Hamasaki sir,” Jack said straightening respectfully. He greeted them cordially then turned to her.
“May I speak with you a minute please?”
She thought about refusing but she could not very well do so, not with Michael and Jack watching. “Of course,” she said stiffly, handing her tool belt to Jack. “I’ll meet you guys in the truck.”
He waited until they had left and came towards her. He was wearing his dark blue business suit, red shirt and a blue and red tie and he looked like what he was: a rich and successful man. “I wanted to call you yesterday.” He told her softly stopping right in front of her.
“I am glad you didn’t,” she forced herself to stand her ground.
“I am not going to go away Elise,” he warned, reaching up to tuck a stray curl behind her ear, his hand lingering on her cheek. There it was again, the betrayal of her body to his.
“I need to leave,” she said hating the catch in her voice.
“And I need to be with you,” he used both of his hands to cup her face. “What are we going to do about the situation?”
“That’s not my problem.” She was breathing too fast and he was too near, she thought in panic.
“Oh but it is,” he muttered, bending his head to capture her lips. The hands she had reached up to grab on to his, tightened as she opened her mouth helplessly beneath his, her self control slipping. His mouth softened against hers and she sank into the kiss, meeting his tongue with hers. With a groan he pulled her closer to him bringing up her petite body to meet his. He explored her mouth hungrily and felt his penis hardened to rigidity as he molded her body against his. It was when he reached inside her shirt to cup her breast that she realized that she had her crew outside waiting for her and that if she allowed him to continue she was going to beg him to take her right there and then.
She tore her mouth away from his and backed away. “Don’t!” She cried out as he made to pull her back into his arms. “I have to leave.” She was breathless and shivering and she hated that he had such power over her body.
“Tell me when I can see you,” he stood in front of her refusing to let her leave until she had given him something concrete.
“I don’t know!” she cried out in frustration, she could not think with him standing right there.
“I can’t accept that Elise,” he told her firmly.
“What the hell do you want from me?” she asked him angrily.
“I want you,” he told her bluntly. “And as much as you try to deny it, you want me too. So deal with it.” With that he strode out of the kitchen leaving her staring after him angrily!
Chapter 6
She gave in and went out with him. She insisted on him taking her to little known restaurants because she did not want the publicity. Two times he flew her in his private jet to have dinner out of town and she found she had started lying to her mother and her son because she told them she was dealing with a client out of town so she would pack something to wear for dinner with him and changed in the vehicle. “Don’t judge me” she had told him as she slipped into the little black dress and hurriedly put on some lipstick before they went inside the restaurant. “I am not ready for them to know yet.”
It was in Mid December before they had an argument. They were at a restaurant having dinner when he asked her again. “I want to meet your son.”
Elise looked up at him, her heart hammering. They had been together for more than a month now and she had been sneaking around the back of the estate to go to his suite almost every night to be with him. Whenever they were making love she forgot about everything, until after she would get dressed in a hurry and leave. He would walk her out and she knew he wanted her to stay, she wanted to stay as well but she had a child to think about.
“I am not ready for you to meet him yet.” She told him firmly.
“When?” he demanded, putting down his fork and giving her his full attention. He looked so achingly handsome with his straight dark hair combed back from his forehead and the black cashmere sweater and the blue shirt he had on underneath.
“I don’t know when!” she said her voice rising a little bit.
“I can’t do this anymore Elise. I want to go public with our relationship and I am not one to hide what I am doing.” He told her the finality in his voice striking into her heart.
“You have nothing to lose! You are rich and untouchable and I have a son who looks up to me for example. I refuse to let him get involved with a man I am screwing!” she knew she had said the wrong thing as she saw the expression on his face. “I didn’t mean that.”
“Yes you did,” his voice was quiet and she felt dread fill her heart. She did not want to lose him because she was actually starting to feel something for him but her son came first. “I need to leave so I will take you home.” He paid the bill and took her hand to help her up.
“So that’s it?” she rounded on him furiously as soon as they were in the car. She always parked the truck at a spot where he could let her off and she get in her truck. He would always follow behind her until she got home and did not leave until she was inside. “Because I am not yet ready to introduce my son to you then it’s over?”
“I am not used to sneaking around Elise and I-“he stopped short and then continued. “I am giving you some time to think about it.”
They continued the rest of the way in silence with Elise fuming. How dared he barge into her life and now when she was starting to feel something for him, he was backing her into a corner! Men! She thought furiously, getting out of the car and going to her truck without a word to him. Inside she sat there, knowing he was not going to drive away without her moving off. Good, let him sit there! She thought with a pout. She hurriedly changed out of her clothes and pulled on her jeans and sweater and then with a shrug she drove away watching him through the mirror.
She was right wasn’t she? She argued to herself. What kind of irresponsible mother would she be if she let the man she was sleeping with be involved in her son’s life? But wasn’t he more than that? A little voice argued inside her head. She could not answer because she already knew the answer to that question!
*****
Peter pulled inside the circular driveway and cut the ignition. He had wanted to get out of the vehicle and force her to see the truth. He was not j
ust someone she was having sex with; he was more than that, much more. He had wanted to tell her that he had fallen in love with her but he had stopped himself just in time, she would have probably laughed in his face. He wanted her, child and all, and he hated that he had had to resort to sneaking around like he was a damned teenager sneaking out of his parents’ house.
He had to let her see reason somehow, even if it meant not seeing her for a little while. It was for the best. So why did he feel as if his heart was tearing out?
*****
Elise missed him! It was like a permanent ache inside her and she kept expecting him to call her. She found herself wishing that she had not finished the work at the house.
She called his mother one day. It was nearing Christmas and Daniel was home on holidays and driving them crazy asking about getting a tree and what was Santa bringing him for Christmas. The work had slowed down somewhat and she and the guys had redone a bathroom on Monday, and today being Thursday they had not gone out much.
“My dear good to hear from you!” Mitsui said in delight. She had kept in touch with her and she had told her that they had gotten the funding for the new wing of the hospital. “Why don’t you come over with your family for Christmas Eve? We are having a big function here at the house. Peter is having people from his office over and several business associates and it would be good if you could make it.” At the sound of his name her heart stuttered.
“I am not sure what I will be doing,” Elise said hesitantly, knowing there was no way she would ever be there.
“Think about it and let me know my dear. I would love to see you and finally meet that delightful son of yours.” Daniel had spoken to her over the phone and she had fallen in love with him.
“I will call you.” She told her.
She stood there looking out the window at the starkness of the winter day, her eyes faraway. The bare trees reflected what she was feeling and she felt a shiver go through her as she remembered the last time they had made love. He had trailed his fingers down her flat stomach and down her pubic area, lingering on her mound as he watched her face.
“Tell me what you want?” he had asked her huskily, his fingers dipping inside her.
“You know what I want.” She had gasped, her legs widening.
“I want to hear it.” He had insisted and she had told him.
He had come on top of her and entered her forcefully and as she wrapped her legs around his waist he had thrust inside her urgently.
She closed her eyes and wrapped her arms around her body. She missed him so much!
“Mommy I want to go out to the park,” Daniel bounded inside the room, interrupting her thoughts. She forced the smile on her lips as she turned towards him. It was almost three in the afternoon and her mother had gone to visit a sick friend in the hospital.
“It’s freezing out honey; this is not the time to go to the park.” He had been inside his room playing with his toys and she had been trying to make space for the Christmas tree they were planning to go and look at later. “And besides we are planning to go look for a Christmas tree later remember?”
“I still want to go to the park.” He said stubbornly, his lower lip hanging down.
“How about I play something with you?” she suggested.
“Like what?” he asked her.
“Anything you want.”
“Like hide and go seek?” he asked hopefully.
“Okay.” She said after a slight hesitation. “You hide and I will count to ten and I will come and find you.” He raced off immediately and she started counting. When she reached ten she called out: “Ready or not here I come.”
She pretended to search for him underneath the bed in his room. She searched in the other rooms and even in the kitchen. “Where is Daniel? I cannot find him.” she called out loudly, even though she saw his sneakered feet peeking out of the closet. He finally came out and said triumphantly. “Mommy I won! You did not find me!”
They continued playing until it was time for them to have supper and by that time Leslie had come home.
She helped her mother to clean up the kitchen and got her son ready to go to the tree lot.
*****
“How about this one?” Elise pointed to the tree closest to them. It was probably too big for their living room but what the heck!
“It’s huge Mommy!” he exclaimed looking up at the large willow, it’s branches spreading out. There were several people milling around and children dressed in warm clothes darting from one place to another. She kept a firm hand on Daniel, needing to know where he was at all times.
“So, we are going to have fun decorating it.” She told him with a smile. She was just about to go and find a sales person when she heard his voice calling her name. “Hello Elise,” he was right behind her and she could not believe it.
“That man knows your name Mommy,” Daniel told her as she turned to face him.
“Yes honey, this Mr. Peter,” she did not bother to tell her son his last name.
“Hi, it’s nice to meet you Daniel.” He took off his black leather glove and held his hand out for Daniel to take. The little boy looked up at his mother as if for permission and she nodded. He shook Peter’s hand solemnly.
“How do know my name?” he asked curiously.
“Your mother told me all about you.” Peter told him with a smile. His eyes drifted to her. She had stood there looking at him in his dark blue sweater and dark blue pants and black cashmere coat and she had wanted to launch herself into his arms. Thank God her son was here!
“How did you know I was here?” she asked him quietly.
“I stopped by the house and your mother told me.” He said.
“Mommy, can we get our tree now?” Daniel tugged at her hand impatiently.
“You already picked out a tree?” Peter asked the little boy.
“Yes we did and it’s huge! Mommy said it probably won’t fit inside our house.” Daniel said in excitement.
“Mind if I tag along?” he asked the little boy, not looking at Elise.
“Can he Mommy?” Daniel looked up at his mother and she nodded.
“Okay, come on,” he dragged her along and Peter followed behind.
The sales person came along just then and they paid for the tree and to her surprise, she saw Peter instructe a man who worked in the lot to put the tree in the back of the truck.
She hesitated after she had strapped in her son around the back seat. “What are you doing here Peter?”
“I am surprised you ask.” He said with a lifting of his brow. “I am not prepared to wait any longer Elise. I have told mother about us and I am not going anywhere. I’ll follow behind.” He told her briefly going towards his parked vehicle.
She fumed at his highhandedness but felt her heart thudding inside her chest. He was back and he was not going anywhere!
“Mommy, who is that man?” her son asked her curiously as she got in and started the vehicle.
“He is a friend sweetie, a very good friend.” She adjusted the mirror and watched as he made the turn to follow behind her. With a smile on her face she headed on home.
*****
He came in with them and took the tree out of the truck, letting Daniel hold a limb which pleased him so much that he told Peter that he wanted him to stay and decorate the tree with them. “That’s up to your mother,” his eyes met hers from the other side of the tree. Leslie had just come into the room. “Ah, Peter you found them.” She looked at her daughter curiously but did not say anything. “Danny, why don’t you come with me into the basement and let's go dig up those decorations?”
“Yeah!” he said jumping up and heading out with his grandmother.
“Your mother is very understanding,” Peter commented. He made no move towards her but she felt as if he was touching her. “So am I staying to help with the decoration? I am tall enough to put up the star.”
“Have you ever decorated a tree before Peter?” she asked him.
&
nbsp; “I can learn,” he said softly, coming towards her. She tried to move but she could not, she felt as if she was glued to the floor.
He took off the furry hat she had worn to go to the lot and brushed back the untidy curls from her face. “I missed you so much that I could not function,” he murmured, cupping her cheek.
“What are you doing?” she whispered trembling. “My son, my mother-“
“They will be taking their time to look for those decorations, unless you want to come home with me after we finish dressing the tree?” he parted her lips with his thumb.
“I can’t,” she whispered. With that he pulled her into his arms and took her lips with his hungrily, like a starving man finally finding food! She clung to him, the thought of her son and her mother in the basement disappearing from her mind. She had missed this, missed him and she leaned into him, her arms going around his neck as he brought her body closer to him.
“Come home with me,” he said raggedly, pushing her away from him.
“I can’t,” she cried out in frustration.
“After Daniel is asleep, please, and I promise to bring you back before he wakes up.” His hands were clenched at his sides. “Please, I need to be with you.”
“Okay,” she said her voice tremulous.
“I have to go.” He said tightly.
“You said you would stay for the decorating,” Elise reminded him.
“Please tell him I am sorry I had to go but I cannot stay like this,” he came nearer to her and took her hand and placed it on his rigid penis. Elise closed her eyes and squeezed him gently, already on fire for him. “If you don’t come Elise I am coming to get you.” He warned her hoarsely and hauling her into his arms he kissed her brutally before letting her go.
She was still recovering when her mother and Daniel came back up ten minutes later. “Where is Mr. Peter?” he asked curiously, his little arms laden down with brightly colored bulbs and crepe paper.
“He had to leave honey; he said to tell you he was sorry.” Elise said, not willing to meet her mother’s curious look.
“Okay,” he said with the resilience of a child.