by Mary Peart
His effort to look for a job had not turned out well because all he had been told was that there were no vacancies and he did not fancy himself flipping burgers.
It was when he saw the water splashing onto the newspaper clippings that he realized that it was his own tears. He quickly dashed his hand across his cheek and taking a deep breath he went into the tiny kitchen to heat up some soup he had bought at the little café across the street. He had bought it for lunch while he was on the road job hunting and had not felt like eating it all. He stirred the soup on top of the stove and sniffed the aroma appreciatively hearing the rumble of his stomach. With a sigh of regret for things past he went about finishing preparing his meal.
*****
She was sprawled on top of him sated and drowsy from the lovemaking and feeling content as he held her around the waist. She felt the steady beat of his heart against her cheek.
“Do you want to talk?” his deep voice rumbled against her cheek.
She lifted her head to look down at him.
“I have decided not to borrow trouble as my mother told me,” she said with a gentle smile.
“It took Sybil to make you realize that you have nothing to worry about?” he asked tilting a thick brow at her. He felt guilty not telling her that Matthews was back in the country but he had not decided what to do about him yet so he was keeping the information to himself for the time being, hoping that he was making the right choice.
“That and the fact that you ordered me to stop thinking about it.” She told him teasingly. “I keep expecting all of this to disappear and I find myself back to being pregnant and alone and having no idea what on earth I am going to do.”
“You have no need to think that way,” he reached up and touched her cheek and his touch lingered. “I am here and I am not going anywhere. This is right where I want to be.”
With a sigh she bent her head and took his lips with hers, feeling the peace and desire settling inside her.
Chapter 3
The nightmares went away just like magic. She would go to bed every night expecting it to interrupt her sleep and she would wake up the next morning and realize that she had slept peacefully. She had started relaxing her guard and had told her husband about it in a rush of happiness. He had told her that he had said it to her that there was nothing to worry about. He told himself that there was nothing to be concerned about and that Matthews had learned his lesson and would stay away. It did not hurt to keep an eye on him.
It was February and the weekend was going to be Valentine’s Day and she wanted to do something special. She called her mother. “Mom I know you probably have plans for Valentine’s Day, do you?” her voice sounded hopeful causing her mother to laugh in delight.
“Honey Matthew and I were planning to stay home drink some wine and have a little pasta and watch some black and white films. We would love to have the grandchildren over.”
“Are you sure?” Sophia felt a little guilty, after all her mother’s marriage was still a little on the young side.
“Of course honey!” So it was settled.
She knew he wanted to take her to dinner but she had something else in mind, she wanted to make up for the way she had been behaving over the last few weeks. They were still murmuring over the acquisition of the mall and intensive research being put into it but the work had started on the renovation of the museum.
The plan included going shopping for the perfect outfit and that meant asking Lorna to go with her. It was Friday afternoon and she had decided to leave the office early to finish making her plans. He was in a meeting when she called him but Tiffany pulled him out to take the call. “Hey something wrong?” he asked as soon as came on the phone.
“I just wanted to let you know that I am going with Lorna to help her pick something out to go on her date tomorrow.”
“I will meet you at home then?”
“Yes,” she passed something back to Amelia with a nod. “I will see you then.”
*****
“You are wealthy enough to order whatever you want from the stores and they come running to deliver.” Lorna complained as she wrapped her thick leather coat around her slender figure. She had finally settled down and was going steady with a lawyer who had wandered into the bookstore wanting a gift for his aunt. They had been going out for the past six months and so far it had been going well.
“I want to do the choosing,” Sophia told her firmly as she walked into the lingerie store. She had dozens of delicates but she wanted something extra special to seduce her husband. “Besides you want something to wear on your date with Brian as well.” She picked up a thin red and white teddy with frothy white lace stitched delicately into the bosom. It was certainly eye catching.
“I already have my outfit planned thank you very much.” She rummaged through a cupboard like holder that had a number of skimpy underwear. She held up a blue thong that left nothing to the imagination. “I think this is perfect for the night I am planning.”
Sophia gave a tinkling laugh and picked up two for herself. She had decided to go ahead with the red and white teddy and another one in lime green. They went into the other stores and Sophia wondered what she would get her husband. Last year she had given him a beautiful monogrammed leather briefcase that he carried every day. She wanted to give him something personal and although he loved art, she knew he had all the paintings he needed.
“How do you shop for a man who has everything?” she asked in despair. She could see women going into the different stores and the smiles on their faces as they choose gifts for the men in their lives. She also saw males picking out things ranging from stuffed toys to jewelries.
“I am sure he has all he needs,” Lorna said teasingly. She knew what she was going to give Brian: herself on a white silk sheet. “What did he give you last year?”
“A beautiful diamond and sapphire necklace and matching bracelet.” She said with a smile. She remembered when he had taken out the velvet box and handed it to her as they had sat by the fire and indulged in wine while the children had been fast asleep. It had been a magical night and they had made love right by the fireplace.
“What does he do in his spare time?” They had walked into a men’s store that sold clothes and jewelries. There was an impressive display of watches as soon as they entered the store.
“He plays golf sometimes and tennis.” Sophia took up a bronze colored watched. “He has so many watches that I have lost count.”
“I am sure he only needs you girl,” Lorna told her decisively taking away the time piece and putting it back. “No use getting him something that he already has tons of.”
Sophia turned around with a little frown.
“What is it?” Lorna asked her.
“Ever have the feeling that you are being watched?” she asked looking around the store milling with people. There was a woman with a child on her hips holding up a tie and another one looking at colognes. The store was packed with mostly women looking for gifts for their men and she did not see anyone she recognized.
“It’s your very active imagination,” Lorna linked her hand with hers and pulled her away. “Let’s go and get something to drink.”
*****
Jeremy pulled back and hid behind one of the clothes rack, his heart pounding inside his chest. What are the odds that Sophia would come into the very store where he was working? He had finally gotten a job: sales associate for the men’s store. A pretty fancy name for someone who walked around and tried to help rich bitches choose some item for their rich stuck up husbands or boyfriends but it helped to put food on the table and pay the rent. He had put aside the rest of the money and it was tucked away into a savings account for a rainy day.
He had also met someone. She worked in one of the stores in the mall as an associate for the lingerie department. Sally. Such a plain name for a not so plain girl. She was brunette and petite with large hazel eyes and beautiful white skin and did not remind him of either Sheila or Lau
ren. They had started going out two weeks ago and when she discovered that he did not have much money she had sprung for the bill.
She was quiet and ladylike and he liked being with her. After what he had been through he was not into any drama. But to see Sophia. She looked so good. A far cry from the girl who had come over and caught him with Bianca that day and told him she was pregnant with his kid. He had seen the devastation on her face and the hurt in her eyes but he had been too into himself to really care.
Now she was a billionaire’s wife and had a family of her own, including the kid he had planted inside her. He had felt the rush of desire when he saw her and could not believe he still had feelings for her. But who wouldn’t? He thought dejectedly. She was one fine looking woman and he intended to get in touch with her and find out about his daughter, after all she was his kid.
*****
He was in the kitchen when she came home. Their live in helper Madge had apparently retired for the night and her husband was not averse to getting his own meal even if it was just warming up he had to do. He had taken off his jacket and his dress shirt and was in his T-shirt and gray pants. He turned as he heard her come in. She had left her purchases in the living room and had taken off her shoes.
“What are you doing?” she wandered over to where he was taking something from the warmer.
“Madge left us some lasagna so I thought we could have that and some wine.” He pulled her into his arms for a kiss. “How was the shopping?” he was nuzzling her neck and breathing in her scent.
“Productive,” she murmured, tilting her neck as he bit the skin gently causing her body to tingle. “The kids are asleep?”
“I read them several stories and they are out like a light. Christine wanted to know if she could get a butterfly tattoo on her wrist.”
Sophia’s head snapped up successfully hindering his progress as he made his way down her neck. “What did you tell her?” she asked him as soon as he lifted his head.
“I told her that she was too young, she will have to wait until she is seven,” he told her with a twinkle in his piercing dark eyes.
“Christopher!” she pushed against his chest.
“I am kidding, I told her that her skin was far too beautiful for her to spoil it by adding something to it. I also explained the painful aspect of it.”
“Good,” Sophia worried her bottom lip with her teeth. “Do you think I should talk to her too?”
“Leave it baby, she probably saw it on some of her cartoon stations and thought it looked cool.” He went back to what he was doing. “Would you mind pouring the wine?”
They ate in companionable silence after which they both did the dishes.
“How about a movie?” he suggested as soon as they were finished.
“I am choosing this time,” she told him firmly reaching for the remote before he did. “The last time you chose, it was a disaster.”
“I thought you liked adventure?” he pulled her down onto his lap and felt his blood quicken when she wriggled her butt against him.
“Not the bloodthirsty gory one you subjected us to.” She said with a grimace as she settled on a romantic comedy and settled back against him. “I am sure we will both love this one.”
“Let’s see,” he murmured against her ear.
She was so engrossed in the movie that she jumped when she felt him blowing in her ear. “Christopher!” her voice came out as a moan. He was using the tip of his tongue in her ear and she felt her body heating up slowly.
“Hmm,” he caught her lobe between his teeth and started nibbling gently.
“I cannot concentrate,” she dropped her head back onto his shoulder her breathing going up a notch.
“I don’t want you to,” he murmured huskily. He was busily opening the front of her white silk blouse and running his hands over her lace clad breasts. “With you sitting on my lap I am having a hard time keeping still. My dick is as hard as rock.” He pushed up against her to prove it.
“Madge might wake up and come downstairs,” she whispered, shuddering as he pinched her nipples lightly.
“I don’t think so,” he had bent his head and was running his tongue down the length of her neck, his hands cupping her breasts. “Stop talking,” he commanded. He turned her around in his lap so that she was facing him and unhooked her bra making her breast spring free. Without a word he bent his head and took her nipple inside his mouth. With a sigh of acute desire she gave in, tunneling her fingers through his thick dark hair.
*****
The weather was clear and cold for Valentine’s Day. It had snowed the night before and had left a white blanket over the trees and everything around. Madge had prepared heart shaped pancakes and spread whipped cream on top complete with strawberries for the children as well as the adults. She was getting the weekend off so Sophia and Christopher would have the time to themselves.
He had woke her up with a slow lingering kiss that had led them to making love in the early hours of the morning as he wished her happy Valentine’s Day. He had told her huskily that he would be giving her the gift later. “I thought you had already given me everything,” she murmured as she clasped her hands around his neck.
“Not quite,” he had told her hoarsely as he took her lips with his.
“Mommy are you and daddy going to be kissing a lot today?” Christine asked them innocently as she dug into her pancakes.
Both adults looked at her startled and the twins let out a laugh at the word. “Daddy kiss mommy!” Christopher Jnr. called out, his adorable face already messy from the maple syrup.
“You are such babies,” Christine said scornfully looking at her brothers.
“Mommy and I always do a lot of kissing baby girl,” Christopher answered, his voice amused. “Why did you ask that?”
“Because I saw on T.V. that today is a special day for mommies and daddies to kiss and have sex.” She said blithely as she continued to eat her pancakes.
“Is that so,” Christopher commented, trying not to feel shocked at his little daughter’s use of the word. “Do you actually know what sex is?”
“It’s what mommies and daddies do to make a baby.” She said triumphantly.
“Where are you getting all this?” Sophia finally found her voice.
“From television and teacher told us where babies come from and all that. It’s okay Mommy I am not going to be doing anything that gross until I am as old as you and Daddy are.” She reassured them.
“Thank goodness for that,” Christopher said with a heartfelt sigh.
It wasn’t until they had dropped them off in the afternoon at her mother’s house and were on their way back that Sophia brought it up. “Aren’t you a little bit concerned that she is getting too grown-up?”
He glanced at her briefly for a moment and then put his eyes back on the road. He had to admit that he was dreading her becoming a teenager and wondering how he was going to protect her from the boys who would be pursuing her. “I will start worrying as soon as she turns thirteen, for now I think we are okay.”
“I cannot believe that she knows all those things,” Sophia murmured, feeling her heart jumping a little bit. Sometimes she wished they could stay her babies for a long time. They were growing up too fast.
“The internet and the television have a way of being thorough teachers,” he reminded her as he pressed the button at the gate to let them through. The place was still and white, with the blanket of snow covering everything in sight. The pool had been covered up for the winter and there were tiny footsteps in the snow indicating that some animal or another had passed through.
Christopher came around and opened her door, taking her hand as she stepped out of the vehicle. “It’s beautiful isn’t it?” she murmured as she looked over the grounds. He nodded in agreement and held her close to him, loving the feel of her body against his.
“A picture perfect moment,” he kissed the top of her head. “Ready to go in?’
She nodded yes and
snuggled her small hand inside his big warm one as they went inside. It was already two o’clock in the afternoon and she had already planned out the day.
They had stopped on their way home to pick up some Chinese food for lunch but she was planning on cooking for him later today. She went into the kitchen to get a tray to put the food on and when she came back he had already spread the blanket for them to sit on.
“This is nice,” she murmured as she handed him the tray and he placed the food on it. He pulled her down beside him and into his arms.
“Hmm,” he murmured as she snuggled closer to him. “Ready to eat?”
“Not just yet,” she said softly gazing into the fire. “I love being alone with you like this. At the office you are the unapproachable CEO but during times like this you are this unbelievable wonderful man that I cannot quite get over the love you have for me.”
“Me unapproachable?” his tone was tinged with amusement as his arms tightened around her waist. “I have never loved any woman the way I love you and during the first couple of years we were together I found myself trying to analyze it and waiting for it to fizzle out.”
She twisted her head to look up at him and caught his dark gaze. “And if it had?”
He had wondered the same thing himself many times. “I would try to rekindle it.” He bent his head and took her lips with his, his tongue touching hers and accelerating her heartbeat.
“How?” she asked him achingly, her body trembling.
“By doing this,” he reached inside the neck of her sweater and cupped her breast, his thumb rubbing over the nipple. “And this,” one hand ventured down and palmed her pubic through the wool skirt she had on. He dragged his mouth away from hers and looked down at her parted lips puckered from the kiss they shared. “What do you think?” his voice was hoarse and his body was shivering.
“It would have worked like it is working now.” She reached up and traced a finger down his strong jaw. “I never questioned how much I love you,” her voice ended in a sigh. “I always wondered how it is that you love me.”
