by Sk Quinn
Soon I come again, a warm orgasm that swishes over me from head to toe.
My whole body goes soft in a way I’ve never felt before. Even my heart feels soft. It wasn’t like the first orgasm – it didn’t knock me over. But the waves of it just go on and on.
I smile and close my eyes, feeling, hearing and smelling Patrick all around me.
After a long moment of wonderful blackness, I let my eyes flutter open.
Patrick’s handsome face greets me.
God, he’s good looking. And so, so sexy with those hunter’s eyes and that hard jaw.
He raises an eyebrow. ‘Was I right?’
I laugh. ‘You were right.’
He pulls me to my feet.
‘What about you?’ I ask.
‘What about me?’
I look down at his rock hard cock with the condom still on it. ‘Don’t you need to do something about that?’
Patrick laughs as he follows my gaze. ‘This?’ he says, putting his hand at the base of his cock. ‘I thought I’d done plenty with it.’
‘Don’t you want to come?’
‘Of course I do. But I wasn’t fucking you just so I could come. If I’d have carried on you would have got too uncomfortable.’
I sink to my knees and take his cock in my hand. ‘There are other ways.’
I open my mouth.
Patrick’s hand goes to my wrist. ‘No.’
I look up at him. ‘What? Why not?’
‘I love you, that’s why not.’
I laugh. ‘Because you love me I can’t put you in my mouth?’
‘Exactly right.’
I frown. ‘You put your tongue between my legs. Why can’t I return the favour?’
‘I told you. I love you. I respect you. I don’t want you demeaning yourself.’
‘Oh, and it’s not demeaning to have your whole hand nearly inside me?’ I say. ‘Or to carry me over your shoulder when I’m not doing as I’m told? Most people would say that was demeaning.’
‘That’s different. And I don’t care what most people say.’
‘Nor do I. But putting you in my mouth isn’t demeaning. I want to do it. I love you.’
‘Seraphina—’
I ignore him and slide my mouth around his cock.
He moans and closes his eyes. ‘Don’t—’
I cut him off by sliding my mouth up and down, tasting rubber. I wish I could take the condom off, but I don’t want to give Patrick a chance to get away from me.
Patrick throws his head back and lets out a low moan, running a hand through his thick blond hair.
‘You’re good at that,’ Patrick gasps.
I move up and down, up and down and within moments I feel him shudder in my mouth. He staggers backwards, his hand going to his cock, throbbing in the condom. His chest goes up and down and his eyes squeeze tight shut.
‘Oh Seraphina, Seraphina.’ He smiles, his eyes still closed. ‘Why did you have to do that?’
I look up at him, and his eyes open just a little.
I see blue-green through his brown eyelashes and we smile at each other.
Suddenly I feel a rush of cold air.
Someone is opening the office door.
54
I stare dumbly as the door opens.
Oh good god.
I’m kneeling on the floor right opposite Patrick’s crotch and he’s got his hand on his condomed cock.
It’s pretty obvious what we’ve been doing.
A young woman appears in the doorway. She has a main of curly black hair, spilling over slim brown shoulders.
The woman looks at Patrick, then down at me. And Patrick’s crotch.
‘Well, well cousin Patrick,’ she says, her eyes going soft and feline. ‘Another groupie?’
Her eyebrows are very arched and she has a big Cheshire cat mouth. She’s wearing a low-cut, fitted dress and two perfect silicone breasts poke up to her collarbone.
She looks me up and down. ‘Or is this the nanny Anise told me about?’
‘Bloody hell Zara.’ Patrick puts himself back in his trousers. ‘You’ve had the best education money can buy, and you never learned how to knock?’
‘Where’s the fun in knocking?’ Zara smiles, showing lovely straight teeth. ‘You see a lot more if you just barge on in. You, Patrick Mansfield, get better looking every time I see you.’
‘What are you doing here?’ Patrick frowns.
‘I thought I’d be an unexpected pleasure,’ Zara smiles. ‘Aren’t you going to introduce me to your little friend?’
A warning look flashes in Patrick’s eyes. ‘Don’t make trouble Zara.’
‘Wouldn’t dream of it.’
‘This is Seraphina Harper,’ says Patrick.
‘Oh. She has a name, does she?’
‘Yes she has a name,’ says Patrick. ‘Don’t be so bloody disrespectful.’
‘Um. Good to meet you,’ I say, getting to my feet.
‘And is she the nanny?’ Zara asks Patrick, ignoring me.
‘Yes,’ I pipe up. ‘I’m the nanny. And you are?’
‘Patrick’s cousin,’ says Zara, throwing me a frosty look. ‘And my dear Patrick and I have months of catching up to do.’
Her hand slides up to Patrick’s shoulder.
Patrick removes it. ‘Stop it Zara.’
‘Stop what?’
‘You know what. Seraphina is very, very important to me. I won’t have her disrespected.’
Zara bursts out laughing. ‘You’re joking. Right?’
‘Why would I be joking?’
‘That little thing? Who was just on her knees sucking your cock?’
‘I’m warning you Zara –’
Zara holds up her hands. ‘Oh sorreee. Well, well. I’m very confused. I always thought I was the love of your life. I’m a real lady—’
‘Seraphina is a lady. More than you’ll ever know.’
‘She didn’t look like much of a lady down there on the carpet.’
‘Enough,’ Patrick barks.
Zara sticks out her bottom lip and puts on a little girl voice. ‘Aren’t I important to you Patrick?’
‘You’re my cousin. You’ll always be important to me. You know that.’
‘I love being important to you. You know that don’t you? I still think about—’
‘Stop it Zara.’
‘Because she’s here?’ Zara waves pastel fingernails at me.
‘I’d say the same thing whether she were here or not.’
‘Well that’s not very nice,’ says Zara. ‘I come here to check on my favourite cousin in his time of need …’
‘What is it this time?’ says Patrick. ‘Has Uncle Peter taken away your horses again? Or does he want you to marry someone you don’t like?’
‘I heard about Uncle Dirk. Thought you might be in need of a little female companionship. To take your mind off things …’
‘Have you come all the way up from London?’
Zara nods. ‘My bags are in the hall. I had to carry them in myself.’
‘If you’d told me you were coming, I would have had someone help you.’
‘That would have ruined the surprise,’ says Zara.
‘You can stay here a few days. No more.’
‘But Patrick—’
‘Go see Rab in the office,’ says Patrick, turning her around and giving her a little shove out of the door.
‘Oh Patrick, you’re so masterful.’
‘He’ll have someone get your bags and set up a room for you.’
‘Aren’t I sharing with you?’ She flashes him a huge smile.
‘Behave yourself. Or I’ll send you back to London.’
‘With a spank on the bottom?’
‘Stop it, Zara.’ Patrick’s voice goes low. ‘Go. Now. We’ll talk later.’
‘Don’t be too long,’ says Zara.
‘Go.’
Zara totters outside and Patrick closes the door behind her.
55
‘What do yo
u have to talk about?’ I ask, trying to make the words sound casual. But in truth, I’m spitting them.
‘Important things,’ says Patrick. ‘There are issues we need to get straight.’
‘What issues?’ I say, realising I’m shouting. ‘Why do you have to talk to her? After she was draping herself all over you?’
Patrick laughs. ‘Don’t you go getting jealous now. She’s family.’
‘She doesn’t act much like family.’
‘Technically she’s a step cousin. My uncle’s second wife’s daughter.’
‘Let me guess. On your father’s side?’
‘Very perceptive. And I’m sorry you don’t like her. But I do need to speak to her later.’
‘No!’ I slam my hand on the desk.
Patrick looks at me, a half smile on his face. ‘You really are jealous aren’t you?’
‘It’s not about that,’ I shout. ‘It’s about respect. That girl was all over you. How could you spend time with someone like that? When you’re supposed to be with me?’
‘I am with you,’ says Patrick, looking me right in the eyes. ‘There’s no supposing about it.’
‘Then don’t talk to her,’ I say. ‘If I’m really your girlfriend—’
‘You’re more than a girlfriend,’ says Patrick.
My stomach softens a little. But not enough to kill the nasty sickly feeling I have when I think of Zara’s hand on Patrick’s shoulder.
‘You forbade me from seeing Grey,’ I say.
‘And you didn’t listen.’
‘I … that was different.’
‘Really? How so?’
‘Grey was … he’s your friend.’
‘Look, I’m seeing Zara later. I have to.’
I glare at him. ‘So you’re allowed to be possessive, but I’m not? Is that it?’ Oh I’m fuming now.
‘Seraphina, please. Try to give me the benefit of the doubt, okay?’
‘Like you did with me?’
‘Look, we’ll talk more about this later okay? But I can’t right now. You have to trust me.’
‘I won’t be around later,’ I say. ‘I have a date. With Grey.’
Patrick’s eyes turn to icy blue fury. ‘What?’
‘And it shouldn’t matter to you. Because you promised not to be jealous any more. Remember?’
‘Seraphina,’ Patrick booms. ‘If you’re playing games with me—’
‘It’s not a game,’ I say, feeling my heart flutter in my chest. ‘He invited me this morning. As a favour. I was going to talk it over with you first, but since you’re not showing any respect for me I don’t see why I should show any respect for you.’
‘I do respect you,’ Patrick growls. ‘More than you’ll ever know.’
‘Then prove it. Say you won’t talk to Zara.’
‘It’s important I see Zara,’ says Patrick. ‘She’s my family. But as far as seeing Grey goes, I completely forbid it. Do you understand me?’
‘You said you wouldn’t be jealous any more.’
‘I said I’d try. But this is extreme provocation and I don’t take kindly to it.’
‘Well you’re too late Officer Mansfield,’ I shout. ‘I’ve made my decision. If you’re going to hang around with that disrespectful cousin of yours, then I’ll do what I like.’
‘So be it,’ Patrick roars. He stalks past me out into the hallway and a moment later he’s gone.
I watch the doorway, taking little shallow breaths.
I’m trying to stand tall and look tough, but inside I’m shaking.
Oh my god. What have I done?
56
I wander out of the castle in a daze. I feel sick at the thought of Patrick seeing Zara. And so so stupid for getting angry and blurting out that stuff about Grey. What’s wrong with me?
Jealousy, I realise. That’s what’s wrong. There must be something in the water right now, and me and Patrick have both been drinking it.
The thought of Patrick with anyone else … oh god, I couldn’t take it. Seriously. The pain would be unbearable.
So what did I go and do? The very thing that would push Patrick away. The very thing that would drive him into someone else’s arms. And Zara’s arms look more than willing …
God I’m such an idiot.
How do I fix this?
I head towards Dan Dan’s kennel. Spending time with someone that doesn’t talk back might clear my head.
Dan Dan is scratching at the chicken wire when I arrive.
I open the kennel and he runs out and starts sniffing my fingers.
‘Hey Dan Dan.’
I see his food and water bowl are empty and grab a ring-pull can of puppy food from a high shelf.
I tip the contents into a metal bowl and watch as he gobbles it all up.
‘I wish I were a fox,’ I tell him. ‘Life’s pretty simple. Eat. Sleep. Don’t get killed. You don’t get jealous. And you don’t get your heart broken.’
‘Feeling sorry for yourself?’
I look up.
Grey stands outside the kennel, smiling his charming smile.
‘Are you following me?’ I ask, crouching on dirty concrete and stroking Dan Dan’s ears.
‘In a manner of speaking,’ says Grey. ‘Looking forward to this afternoon?’
I laugh bitterly. ‘Patrick and I were just arguing about that.’
‘Patrick knows I asked you?’
‘I was always planning on talking it over with him. I mean, it’s Patrick. He was always going to find out. Did you think he wouldn’t?’
‘I was banking on it.’
‘How could he not? I mean, he was bound to notice I was out of the castle.’
‘Really? I had no idea he had you on such a short leash.’
‘He doesn’t have me on a leash. I can do what I like.’
‘So what were you arguing about?’ Grey asks, kneeling down beside me. ‘Where you begging him to let you go?’ He strokes Dan Dan’s tail.
‘No. Just telling him. In the worst way possible. I’m such an idiot. But then … he was saying some stupid things too.’
‘Oh really? Like what?’
‘That he’s seeing his cousin later.’
‘Would that be the ravishingly beautiful Zara Mansfield, by any chance?’
I wish he hadn’t described her that way.
‘She was all over him,’ I say.
‘Well she would be,’ says Grey. ‘She’s always had a thing for Patrick.’
My mouth goes dry. ‘Have they slept together?’
Grey tickles Dan Dan’s tummy. ‘Who hasn’t? Zara’s been with everyone. Even the Thorburns have had a go.’
‘Did Patrick go out with her or something?’ I ask, my voice all croaky.
Grey shrugs. ‘They didn’t go out. But he banged her a lot.’
I stare at the castle, my heart feeling like a smashed piece of glass.
‘All men are bastards,’ says Grey, rubbing Dan Dan’s ears. ‘Haven’t you worked that one out yet?’
‘I thought Patrick was one of the good ones,’ I say.
‘He’s probably the best man there is,’ says Grey. ‘But he’s still a man. He still thinks with his cock half the time. Like every other man in the world.’
‘When was the last time he slept with Zara?’ I ask. I feel pathetic. Desperate. But I have to know.
Grey shrugs. ‘Not that long ago. They go at it every time she comes to the castle.’
Tears come and I angrily blink them back. I will not cry over this. I will not.
Part of me wants to jump up and run back to the castle. To find Patrick. To shadow his movements. To make sure he’s never alone with Zara.
My mind clouds over. Oh my god. Everything’s spinning.
‘Look.’ Grey puts an arm around my shoulder. ‘Come to this party with me. Take your mind off those two. Or you’ll just spend the afternoon torturing yourself.’
I’m too numb to shake him away. I nod dumbly. ‘Yes,’ I croak.
; ‘It’ll be fun. And by the time you come back, probably Patrick will have sent Zara packing. I’m sure he’s not going to carry on sleeping with her now you’re in the picture.’
‘How sure?’ I ask.
‘Let’s put it this way. I’ve never seen Patrick this way over a girl. Ever. So I think he can safely ignore Zara’s charms. Are you that insecure? You’re very, very pretty you know.’
‘So’s she.’
Grey makes a horse noise with his lips. ‘Those fake tits and big hair? I mean she’s not bad, but I’d prefer you any day of the week. Zara is anyone’s. You’re much more interesting.’
‘Thanks.’ I manage a little smile. ‘I think.’
57
I spend the rest of the morning with Dan Dan, hoping Patrick will come out and find me. But he doesn’t. And the more time passes, the more my broken glass heart smashes into more splinters.
Why isn’t he coming?
Zara is in the castle. Doesn’t he know how that makes me feel?
When lunchtime comes, I don’t want to go in. I don’t want Patrick to think I’m coming to find him. He should be the one finding me. Anyway I don’t feel like eating.
Early afternoon, Grey comes out to the kennel.
‘Have you been here all morning?’ he asks. ‘You look frozen.’
I hadn’t even noticed I was cold, but when he says it I realise I am. Poor Dan Dan. I’ve been stroking him with blue fingers.
‘Don’t you think the little guy is missing the woods?’ says Grey, patting Dan Dan’s head.
‘I’m sure he is,’ I say sadly. ‘But Patrick says if I let him in the woods by himself he’ll die.’
‘He knows where to get food now,’ says Grey. ‘Just open the kennel door, leave a plate of food and water out and he’ll come back whenever he’s hungry.’
‘Really?’
‘Yup. He’s pretty tame. He might even come back here to sleep. My guess is the Thorburns raised him in a kennel.’
‘That’s what Patrick thought too.’ I look out at the woods. ‘I’d love him to be able to roam free out there. But are you sure it’s okay?’
‘As long as you keep food out for him he’ll be fine.’
‘Okay.’ I push Dan Dan towards the grass. ‘Go on Dan Dan. You can go.’
Dan Dan chirrups and runs around in circles on the grass. He scampers further and further away. Eventually he reaches the foot of the woods and turns around.
