Bad Boys Rule

by Naughty Aphrodite

  “I hope you don’t mind a bit of a hotchpotch dinner. There wasn’t much in so I had to raid the freezer for some leftover soup and I didn’t get a chance to make any bread so I made a cheese omelet to go with it.”

  “Sounds great. Is it that tomato soup you made the other week?”

  Amy was pleased he’d remembered. She’d noticed how much he’d enjoyed it and chose that one especially. “Yes, that’s the one.”

  “Yum!”

  They both fell silent and Amy busied herself with dishing up the soup while Norman poured them both a glass of wine. As he passed the glass over to Amy, his hand brushed against hers and she couldn’t resist it any longer. She needed to touch him.

  “Norman, we need to talk.”

  Norman stiffened slightly. “Yes, I guess we do.”

  Not sure whether she wanted to sit or keep standing, Amy took up her default position of nervous pacing.

  “I wanted to say that… well about last night… it was wonderful, really wonderful and I’d really like to do it again.” Norman took a step towards her but she wasn’t quite finished. “No, let me get this out first. It’s important. I need to know what happens next.” This was frustrating -- why couldn’t she get her words out properly?

  “I guess what I’m trying to ask is… Will you stay? I know that you’re on your travels, to find yourself. I get that. I really do, but we love having you here.” She indicated to Rollo and Tabatha who were both sat watching intently. “I love having you here.”

  “Amy… I...”

  Amy looked earnestly into his eyes and took a breath.

  “The past few weeks with you here has made this place finally feel like home. I honestly can’t remember the last time I felt this happy. Working here with you has made it feel like my dream is a possibility.”

  Looking at him standing in her kitchen, his hair still slightly wet from the shower she couldn’t imagine her life without him and the strength of her feelings for him threatened to overwhelm her.

  “I love you. I needed you to know that before you decided what to do next. Just in case…” She stumbled over her words, growing fearful of his response. “Well, just in case you feel the same way.”

  Norman pulled her into his arms, his mind racing. How had this happened? How had this strong, clever and beautiful woman fallen in love with him? He tipped her chin so he could look into her eyes without letting her go. He never wanted to let her go.

  “I love you too. I hadn’t realized before you just how empty my life was. I thought I was happy with where I was in life with what I had achieved, but all that means nothing. This place, with you, is where I want to be.” He smiled, kissing Amy softly. “The way you laugh when I do stupid things like hammer my thumb, sitting on the porch of an evening discussing the day.”

  Feeling a nudge by his feet Norman laughed and stroked Rollo’s head, not even needing to bend down a little. “Looking round and knowing this guy isn’t far from my side, all this makes me happy to get up in the morning. Thank you, Amy. Thank you for letting me in, for giving me a reason to smile.”

  Norman didn’t even realize he was crying until Amy reached up and lightly brushed a tear away. The tenderness broke him and he kissed her hard. Pulling her closer to him, the taste of their tears intermingling on their lips. The feeling of release Norman felt from having shared his feelings was overwhelming. He had to have her, had to be inside her. He lifted her legs around him, Amy fumbled with his t-shirt at the same time, eager to feel his skin.

  Setting her down on the table top Norman continued to kiss Amy as he unbuttoned her blouse, moaning as he realized she wasn’t wearing a bra. This wasn’t right, though, last night had been wonderful but they’d still made love in a barn, it was hardly the most romantic start to a relationship. They couldn’t now do it on a kitchen table, not after declaring their love for each other.

  “No, wait. We can’t do this here.” Panting, it took all of Norman’s resolve to pull away from Amy, who looked up at him confused.

  “What? Why?”

  “I love you, Amy. I don’t want our first time together after saying those words to be on the kitchen table. I want to make love to you. Slowly. I want to show your whole body how much I love you. With my fingers, with my tongue… I want every inch of me to be in line with every inch of you. Come.” He lifted her off the table into his arms. “Let me show you just how much I love you.

  Chapter 7

  Amy sat in Norman’s McLaren and fiddled with the edge of her summer dress. It had been a while since she’d worn a dress but when Norman had announced over breakfast that he wanted to take her somewhere special it had seemed like the perfect opportunity to make an effort.

  It had certainly had the right effect in Norman. When Amy had walked out onto the porch, the cotton yellow dress enhancing her tan and her brown hair down and curling softly around her face, he’d whistled softly in appreciation.

  “If I didn’t already know I love you, that dress would certainly tip me over the edge.”

  Seeing the love and desire in his eyes, part of her hadn’t wanted to leave. She’d wanted to nestle in his lap and nibble lightly on his neck before making love to him again.

  Turning now to look at him she was struck by how handsome he was. The last few weeks at the farm had led to him developing a golden tan. His dark hair had grown just a little too long and it curled slightly over the edges of his white shirt. Now he looked slightly more like a swashbuckling pirate than a regency gentleman. It really suited him more she thought.

  She placed her hand lightly on his knee and, after changing gear, Norman placed his own over it and turned towards her. Amy was surprised by the touch of nervousness in his eyes.

  “I really hope you like where I’m taking you.”

  “So do I. I hope it serves food, I’m famished.”

  ***

  Amy was shocked when they pulled up outside a huge castle. Wow, she hadn’t been expecting that. She’d thought he’d be taking her to lunch in a nice restaurant, not a castle.

  Getting out of the car, she stretched her legs and looked around.

  “This place is amazing. How did you know about it? I can’t begin to imagine the kind of food they do here.” She looked down at her dress, worried now that it wasn’t suitable. “Do I look ok? Will they let me in?”

  Norman laughed, he was a little more relaxed than earlier but Amy couldn’t help but think that there was still something bothering him.

  “You look perfect, you always look perfect so don’t worry about that. I’m sure as well that they’ll be happy to let you have whatever food you like.”

  “Really? Are you sure? I thought these kinds of places were quite fussing about that kind of thing.”

  She stopped talking, Norman was looking at her intently and she could just make out a slight pulse jumping at the edge of his jaw.

  “What is it? Did I say something wrong?” She touched his shoulder lightly, wanting to apologize although she wasn’t sure why.

  “No, No. I’m sorry, gorgeous. You haven’t done anything. The thing is this place is mine.”

  Amy was confused. “Yours? For the whole day?” Norman was silent. “The weekend? How is that possible? How could you afford it?” His silence was starting to scare her a little now, what was going on? “Norman?”

  Norman draped his arm over her shoulder and turned to the castle. “What I’m trying to explain, rather badly it would appear, is that I own it.”

  Amy laughed “Oh Norman,” She stepped closer and hugged him. “You are funny. Now enough with the jokes, let’s go in.”

  Norman didn’t move though and his face was serious. “You are joking, aren’t you?”

  He shook his head. “No, this is my home.”

  “Your home? No, it isn’t, you don’t have a home. You told me that you sold everything you had to buy that car.” She pulled herself out of his embrace and looked at the car. Observing it now aw
ay from the farm and here in this environment, it looked like it was in its rightful place. The kind of car that a guy who owned a castle would drive. Her heart sank.

  Norman took a step towards her but Amy took a step back and held out her hand. She didn’t want him touching her.

  “What does this all mean? Who are you?”

  “I’m still me. I’m still the same guy who loves you. Still the guy I’ve been the last few weeks at your farm.” Amy tried to understand, tried to listen to his words over the manic pumping of blood in her ears.

  “When I first met you I was angry and confused. I just wanted to get away for a bit. Get away from everybody who knew me and just be me rather than the Billionaire Bore people saw me as.”

  “Billionaire what? Billionaire?” Amy felt like she was going to be sick. She had to get away from here, she had to get home, to her farm. It was like in a very bad dream. Who was this guy in front of her? She felt confused, angry, disappointed. Why was the destiny playing with her heart again? She started to feel dizzy, she needed to retreat. Stumbling slightly in her heels she turned and started to walk towards the gate.

  “Amy, wait!” Norman took her arm but she shook him off angrily.

  “No! You don’t get to touch me! I don’t even know who you are!”

  “What? That’s not true.” Norman looked at her with his eyes full of sorrow and panic. “Amy, please don’t do this. You’re the only one who truly does know me. I can explain you everything. I love you. All this…” He swept his arm over the castle, car and grounds. Amy was sure she could see a helicopter. “None of this matters. I meant what I said, I’ve found happiness with you. I know it sounds corny but you, the farm, everything we’ve built together so far fulfills me in a way none of this ever has.”

  Amy could see in his face that he was sincere, but it was too late now. If he’d just been honest before. She’d opened herself completely to him. Shared with him things she’d never told anybody else. He’d had plenty of opportunities to tell her. Before she’d said she loved him. Before he’d started a relationship with her based on a lie. Amy sobbed.

  “I’m sorry, Norman, I can’t do this.”

  She turned and began to run away, leaving Norman stood forlornly in the middle of his driveway.

  TO BE CONTINUED...

  Billionaire In Disguise (Part 2)

  Chapter 1

  “It’s not good enough Roland. This was supposed to have been finished yesterday and now you’re telling me it’s going to be at least another day? I don’t care what it takes, just get the deal completed.”

  Slamming down the phone with a huff of annoyance, Norman pinched the bridge of his nose between his ring finger and thumb, trying to ease a headache that had been his constant companion for the last two weeks.

  Two weeks, that was how long it had been since Amy had left him, but it felt like so much longer. Every hour seemed to drag, especially at night when there was nothing to occupy him but his own morose thoughts. He’d been such a fool, why hadn’t he just been honest with her sooner? He’d known she wasn’t like the other women, only after him because he was a billionaire. She’d hadn’t even known about that and she’d fallen in love with him.

  He kept rerunning the scene over and over again. Her initial joy at getting to spend the evening with him in a beautiful castle, the confusion as it slowly dawned on her that he owned it and then, finally, the anger and hurt that he’d lied to her about who he was. The betrayal she had felt that he’d allowed her to fall in love with him, all the while knowing he wasn’t being honest with her. The sight of her walking away from him had been almost too much for him to bear.

  He’d tried to call her a few times, had even driven up to the farm to see her but she was either never there or purposely avoiding him. He could take a pretty good guess at which one it was.

  “Oh, so look who’s decided to return.”

  Norman stiffened as he was jolted out of his thoughts by his business partner Mark. Leaned against his office door, Mark was the epitome of business elegance. His suits were always bespoke and so, of course, they fit his slim physique perfectly. He was subtly tanned from his daily morning run and his dark blonde hair was never out of place. Norman often found himself wondering what he used to keep it like that.

  “Look, I know you’re going to be mad, and you have every right to be…”

  “Mad?” Mark took a deep breath as he pushed himself straight and walked towards Norman’s desk. “Oh, I’m not mad. I’m well and truly pissed. Where the hell have you been?

  “It’s complicated.”

  “Complicated? Last I knew you’d gone off on a break to get over some girl, found yourself spending a few weeks doing some good honest labor and falling for another girl. Then you disappeared. Didn’t return my calls, didn’t answer the door. You even missed my birthday party. Now, all of a sudden, today, you’re back. What’s the deal, Norman?”

  Sighing heavily Norman walked over to his drinks cabinet and poured them both a scotch.

  “I took Amy to the house, it was supposed to be a surprise but when she found out I’d been lying about who I was she flipped. Stormed off and I haven’t seen or heard from her since. I’m sorry, Mark. I didn’t mean to miss your party or so much work. I’m just…”

  “Distracted?” Taking the offered drink, Mark settled down into one of Norman’s leather chairs. “Look, I’m not the best guy to be giving relationship advice, but if you like the girl so much -- which you clearly do as I haven’t known anybody to put you off your game before -- then maybe you need to try and see her again. Be persistent. Take a tent over to her farm. Camp out if you need to. Show her that good old Norman determination you’re famous for.”

  As one of the world’s most eligible bachelors, Mark enjoyed the playboy lifestyle far too much to settle down, but sometimes he did manage to give sage advice. Amy needed to know how sorry Norman was. Needed to see that he loved her and that he was willing to do anything to get her back.

  “You’re right.” Norman smiled at Mark’s ‘when am I not right’ shrug. “I’ll go over this evening. Don’t own a tent, though. Do you think the McLaren will be comfortable to sleep in?”

  Pleased to see his pep talk had worked, Mark laughed, before downing his scotch and leaving Norman to his plans.

  ***

  Driving down the track to Amy’s farm, Norman was feeling less confident than before. Would she refuse to see him? What if she was still so angry she called the police on him for trespassing? Norman couldn’t quite remember the last time he had felt so nervous, but he knew he didn’t like it.

  Pulling over slightly and checking to see he was alone on the track, Norman got out of his car and stood for a minute. Despite being lined with trees, he could just make out the familiar view of farmland, followed by mountains. The sun was just starting to set and the whole sky had a soft pink glow. Taking in the fresh air, Norman started to regulate his breathing. Big inhale in… hold... and slowly exhale. He repeated this several times until the knot in his stomach had relaxed.

  It was a technique he’d learned many years ago when he’d first started out in Real Estate. Coming from a building background he hadn’t really have any experience in presenting to people and found that he was almost sick with nerves every time he had to show somebody around a house.

  An old actor friend had taught him the technique for how he dealt with stage fright. At first, he’d thought it was too New Age for him but after growing desperate and trying it out a few times he’d been surprised to find that it worked brilliantly and he’d kept using it ever since.

  His confidence back Norman got into his car and continued down the track. It wasn’t long before the farmhouse was insight. Not sure why, Norman couldn’t help but think that something wasn’t right. An old truck that he didn’t recognize was parked outside and as he pulled up alongside it, he could see that Rolo was tied up outside. Straight away, Norman knew that something was wrong.
There was no way that Amy would ever tie her beloved dog up. He was always eagerly following her around. Heart in his mouth, Norman jumped out of his car and called out. “Amy? Amy, it's Norman. I know you probably don’t want to see me right now, but is everything ok?”

  Seeing Amy’s farm door open, Norman felt a brief respite from the fear that had taken over his body. It didn’t last long though as a man stepped through the door. Squinting slightly in the fading sunlight he took the steps painstakingly slowly.

  “Hello? Can I help you?”

  Norman took a deep breath, trying to calm all the wild thoughts running through his head, and composed himself.