by Madison Rain
“I won’t be needing you for some time Jackie. Feel free to take a break.” He turned on his heels to face her. Michael had built a small guesthouse beyond the boundary of the mansion, with its own small pool and a part-time housekeeper. That guesthouse was Jackie’s whenever Michael stayed at the mansion. He saw a smile spread across the older woman’s face. She was as delighted to have a break as he was. Michael smiled back, touched her lightly on her arm and nodded his head. Jackie mouthed the word ‘thank you’ before turning to walk back down the path towards her holiday home.
He was finally alone. Those were the strict instructions that Thelma had been given. She was to live at the mansion and take care of the island with the help of no more than six people. Two security guards were assigned to look after the safety and security of Michael Castle’s property, but their job entailed the requirement to remain invisible. Michael wanted to create the illusion of seclusion. The worst thing that could happen to spoil that atmosphere was if there were plenty of people milling around the island.
Thelma had done a good job. By the looks of it, as far as Michael could tell, it seemed like currently he was the only person on the whole island.
The door of the mansion was left ajar for him and Michael stepped in. Polished white marble floors, gold plated fittings, walls made of glass so that everywhere he looked Michael could see the sea and the palm trees and the white glistening sand.
He was in a polo shirt and light khaki pants, and he slowly dragged the dark glasses off his face. This was exactly what he needed for so long, why hadn’t he thought of this before? Sweet loneliness.
“Mr. Castle.” He heard a voice behind him and the spreading smile on his face dropped. He turned around to find Thelma standing behind him, her hands intertwined together in front. For a second, the sight of her took him by surprise. He’d forgotten how attractive his housekeeper was. She was in a cotton floral-printed maxi dress. The neck plunged deep to reveal a deep cleavage. Her skin shone in the bright sun that flooded the house, the color of honey. Her dark hair was blacker than his, and fell in tight concentric curls around her. She had brushed it to one side on her forehead and clipped it. She was smiling, her teeth were perfectly white and her smile was wide. Her chocolate colored eyes looked eager to please. Her full lips were a pale red, matching the color of the flowers on her dress. She was in high heels too, the same red color and now she walked towards him.
“Hello Thelma.” Michael said, finally having found his voice.
“Don’t worry, I’m going to leave you alone. I just wanted to let you know that I’ve had small buzzers installed in all the rooms. You simply have to press any one if you need anything. I’ll come over. There is also an intercom in your bedroom and in the living room if you want to call me.” Her voice was also as sweet as honey, a slight Caribbean accent lilting her speech and Michael could feel his breath catching in his throat. Why hadn’t he noticed these things about her before, the one time they had met?
She was smiling at him still and Michael forced himself to smile back and nod.
“I’ll be on my way then Mr. Castle.” She said, making to turn around.
“Please, call me Michael.” He said and she looked at him again, her large dark eyes shining. She looked like the happiest person he had ever met. Why was she so happy? How was she so happy?
He watched her walk away. Her butt firm and round under her dress, her heels clicking against the marble floor. Michael didn’t know why he was looking at her. He shouldn’t have been. But now he was alone again, which was a good thing. Thelma would make sure he was left alone. His phone was still switched off and he had no intention of switching it back on again.
Michael looked around him and then walked into the living room. It was equally flooded with light. He found the bar at the corner of the room, which Thelma and her team had been thoughtful enough to replenish with alcohol on such short notice. He needed whiskey, now more than ever before. His head was going to explode he thought as he poured himself some in a brand new crystal glass.
The view was magnificent. The palm trees swayed outside in the breeze and he could see the sand glittering in the sun. The soft waves lapping the beach, he should be outside.
Michael placed the glass back on the bar and started undressing in the living room. His shirt came off, then his linen pants. He was completely naked. It felt freeing, his body shivered with the suddenness of this decision. Sliding one of the French doors open, Michael stepped on to his private beach. He knew nobody could see him, and he didn’t actually care.
The breeze hit him in the face as he took long muscular strides towards the water. This was the only way to get away. He didn’t want to think about the real world.
Chapter 8
Michael pulled himself out of the water, the cool drops sliding off his arms and back. His hair was slicked back on his head as he strode into the beach. He could feel the sand sticking to the soul of his feet as he took the steps. He felt refreshed, energized and blissfully alone. The only sound around him was the whooshing of the palm trees in the beach and that of seagulls. He had forgotten till now what peacefulness felt like.
Once out of the water, Michael wasn’t sure what he was going to do next. He turned around to look back at the waves again, in near disbelief that all of this was his. What had he done to deserve any of this?
“Mr. Castle? Michael?” Thelma’s sweet voice interrupted his thoughts. It wasn’t until he’d turned around, his hands on his hips, to face her; that he realized that he wasn’t wearing anything. That he was completely butt-naked and still drenched. Thelma still had a smile on her face, and her eyes didn’t travel anywhere from his face. He could feel his neck growing red in the embarrassment of being naked in front of her, but his hands fell to his side.
“I tried calling you on the intercom. What would you like for your supper? Do you have a preference?” Thelma asked, as calmly as she always was. Michael could feel his heart thumping from the excitement and the embarrassment.
“I…uh…whatever you want. No, I don’t have a preference.” He didn’t know what he was saying. Thelma took a few steps towards him and Michael stepped away, suddenly surprised by her forthrightness. He was completely naked, why didn’t she care? Why was she not shy to see him like this?
“I’ll think of something then.” She said and now he saw as her eyes travelled all over him. They finally rested on his dick, which was for some reason moving as she spoke to him. Michael instinctually covered himself with his hands now and Thelma smiled again.
“You don’t need to be embarrassed Michael. This is your home.” She said, and took a few more steps towards him. He watched her full lips move, her long slender bare arms by her side and the way her breasts rose and fell under the dress. She was absolutely gorgeous. Michael shook his head, to be rid of the thoughts forming in his head. He couldn’t afford another involvement, not at this time. Even though she was making it very difficult for him to resist her.
“Thank you Thelma.” He said abruptly, hoping she would take that as a cue to leave.
“Mr. Castle…Michael. If you’re lonely…” She said and to his absolute surprise Thelma placed a hand on his damp bare chest. He felt her touch like a thud and his body jolted away from her.
“No I’m not…I mean, I’m fine. Thanks.” He said hurriedly, but the smile on her face remained and she placed another hand on his chest.
“I didn’t get a chance to thank you for this job Michael.” She said, craning her neck back to look at him. Their bodies were only inches apart now and Michael struggled hard to not simply envelope her in his arms.
“That’s not necessary Thelma. You’re very welcome. You’re doing a great job here.” He was still stuttering with his words. How did she have this effect on him? Why was she even doing this?
“I want to though. To show you just how grateful I am.” She leaned in towards him and Michael stepped back from her, so that her hands fell away from his body.
; “Thelma. Please, I need some time to myself.” Michael said, trying to smile so as not to embarrass her. She wasn’t the first woman to come on to him, neither was Danielle. Michael knew his position, his money, his athletic physique…all played a role in getting women’s hormones working on overtime. He knew that the best way to deal with a suggestion of this sort was to be polite and not hurt anyone’s feelings. And he especially didn’t want to hurt Thelma’s.
“Of course. But everyone likes a bit of company.” She was still smiling, seemingly not in the least offended by his resistance. She reminded him of Danielle in a flash, the same kind of confidence in her sexuality, as attractive if not more. Michael could barely believe his luck! But this wasn’t luck, he couldn’t do this anymore, not again.
“I’d prefer to not have any company at this time Thelma.” He said again and took a few more steps away from him. She watched him, biting her lip. Did she think it was a game? Her eyes dropped to his dick again, which was hard and throbbing by now. He cursed it, his own body. It was defying him.
Thelma took more steps towards him and this time Michael was frozen in his spot. She smiled, catching his gaze intensely and then fell down on her knees in front of him. Without warning, she had taken his dick in her mouth. Michael’s eyes closed instinctually and his head craned back. This was unbelievable. She felt amazing, his heart was racing, his hands were reaching out for her head.
Suddenly he snapped. He pushed her away, probably a bit too roughly and then stepped away from her.
“What are you doing? I need to be alone, please.” He might have spoken too harshly because Thelma stood up now, a look of being hurt had entered her eyes. He didn’t know what he had done wrong. How he had led her on.
“Dinner will be ready in an hour. I’ll serve it in the dining room once you press a buzzer.” She said and swiftly turned around to walk away. She was hurrying away from him, like she needed to get away from Michael.
His head was exploding again. All the peace and calm he had managed to accumulate for himself after the swim had deserted him. She didn’t need to hurry away, he was the one who needed to escape from her. Given his history with confident sensuous women like Victoria and Danielle, he knew he wouldn’t be able to resist Thelma for very long.
Michael remained standing, watching her walk up the path and enter the house. This was turning out to be a bad idea now. Even a few months ago, Michael would have fucked her. He would have thrown her on the sand and taken her, if that was what she wanted.
What was stopping him now? Victoria? Danielle? All the long list of women in his life? His company facing turbulent times? Michael ran his hands through his drying hair and looked up to the sky. What was he going to do?
In the dining room, the table was set and Michael sat at the head of the table by himself. The meal was elaborate, six courses and Thelma stood at the other end of the table, with her hands crossed and a look of forced politeness on her face.
“This looks great Thelma. Thank you.” He said, picking up his cutlery, without looking at her. She didn’t respond to that and he finally faced her. She looked away.
He spooned some caviar from the silver bowl and pushed it into his mouth, he wasn’t hungry anymore. The most beautiful woman he had ever set eyes on, was standing before him. Asking him to sleep with her, to touch her, to make her feel good…and yet, he couldn’t do it. Since when had Michael gotten so emotional? He couldn’t still be hung up over Victoria? She was a bad person, he knew that now. She didn’t deserve his time, or his mental effort. What was it then? Danielle? She was too young for him. Too naive. He didn’t know her well enough to be emotionally attached to her. What was it then?
“Thelma.” He said quietly when he finished chewing.
“If everything is alright I’ll leave you then. Let you enjoy your dinner in peace.” She was more professional than he expected her to be. She had a smile on her face, even though he could tell that she was hurt and embarrassed by being pushed away.
“Before you go, I just wanted to say that I’m sorry. For pushing you away. You’re a very attractive woman. I mustn’t be in my right mind.” He said, placing the spoon back on the table. Thelma blushed visibly and hung her head.
“I’m sorry Sir. That was very inappropriate.” She said and Michael cleared his throat. He wanted to say it wasn’t, but he knew it was. “I just…I just didn’t know what you wanted. I thought you wanted me. And I want you. So I thought it would be fine.” She still wasn’t looking at him. Michael licked his lips and tried to think. She wasn’t entirely wrong. Of course he wanted her, it was clear to see. His dick was hard again already, just hearing her speak.
“It wasn’t your fault. I might have looked at you a certain way, given you signals. It’s just that…I’m not available right now. Any other time, you wouldn’t have been able to keep me off you.” He said, his voice soft and gentle now. He wanted to see her smile again. She did smile at that, pleased to hear that he was indeed attracted to her.
“Do you mean emotionally? Emotionally unavailable? Because I read in the papers that you’re still single.” Her voice was sweet as usual, and this time curious. She seemed to have done her research. Michael smiled and picked up his spoon again.
“Yes, I suppose. Emotionally unavailable.” He said and dug into the caviar again. He didn’t mind talking to her for some reason.
“Like you’re in love with someone?” She asked, as innocently as before and Michael stopped chewing. What did that even mean? What did love feel like? How was he supposed to know?
“No. I don’t think so. Just very lost in my thoughts. Distracted you might say. Too many things are going on in my life. I don’t want to take advantage of you at such a time, when I have nothing emotionally to invest in you.” He said, and suddenly realized that he was speaking to her like they were making a business deal. Thelma was smiling again and she nodded.
“So you’re running away from something?” She asked and Michael nodded slowly.
“Yes. I most certainly am. And I need to go back.” He said, throwing the napkin in his hand on the table.
“You’re going back? Now?” She asked him, watching him stand up from the table.
“Will you let Jackie know to get the jet ready? Yes, I have to go back. I can’t believe I’m running away.” Michael crossed the room over to her.
“Thank you Thelma.” He said, grabbing her by the arms and planting a kiss on her cheek. She giggled.
“You’re welcome Michael. Glad I could be of help.” She said, equally as surprised as he was by the sudden change in mood.
“I’m sorry I can’t finish the meal. But you should know, in another lifetime, in different circumstances, you would be the woman of my dreams Thelma.” Michael said with a genuine laugh and then walked out of the dining room.
He was rushing towards the main door of the mansion. As always Lakshmi had delivered. This was the reason he needed to come here, because this island always had the solution, or at least filled him with the drive and the energy he needed to push forward. He knew all along what he needed to do, he needed to take charge again. The luxury and the money had dulled him down, he was getting lazy. Michael Castle was the only one who could solve all of Michael Castle’s problems and it was about time he did something about it.
Chapter 9
“Where in the name of God have you been?” Steve walked into Michael’s office earlier than usual the next day. Michael looked up from his computer, after just having sent off the email he was writing.
“I sent you an email. I went away, but then I cut the trip short.” Michael sat back in his chair, a little taken aback by the tone of Steve’s voice.
“To your bloody island?” Steve banged the door shut behind him, still maintaining his distance from Michael.
“To my island, yes. I didn’t know you felt so passionately against it.” Michael tried to smile, hoping this dark mood of Steve’s was going to pass. He hadn’t seen him like this before, usually it
was Steve who was the level headed one.
“So you just decided to up and leave, and switch your phone off in the middle of a major crisis. Giving a rat’s ass about what the rest of us had to go through, alone.” Steve was glaring at Michael now, and Michael cleared his throat. Was this really just about the company?
“It was only for a day Steve. Relax.”
“How was I to know how long it was for? We were all panicking. Everyone wants a refund.” Steve’s voice was raised now and Michael flinched. Nobody, had ever spoken to him this way before. Absolutely nobody, and he could feel his hands itching for a physical fight.
“Calm down Steve. We are in a professional environment.”
“There is absolutely nothing professional about you Michael. You party every day and all night, barely attend to your calls or meetings anymore. You scurry off to your little island in the Caribbean whenever things go wrong. Tell me, why should I even work for you anymore?” Steve was thundering, he had placed his hands on the back of the chair in front of Michael. His eyes were wide and ravage and Michael tried to remain calm.
He placed his hands on his desk and breathed in.
“I needed time to think. Now I’m back, so let’s get started.” He managed to say, even though there was a lot more on his mind that he wanted to rattle off.
“Not so fast Michael Castle. Not before you tell me exactly how you want to explain Danielle’s presence in your office, in my absence.” Steve crossed his arms now and planted his feet firmly on the carpet. He was looking down at Michael.
“What are you trying to say?”
“That I know that Danielle was in here on several occasions without my knowledge.”
“Maybe you should ask your daughter about it.”
“I’m asking you.”
“Let it go Steve. Whatever it is you’re making up in your head.”
“Admit that you’ve been sleeping with my daughter.” Steve screamed now and Michael flinched. He looked away from Steve and let out a huge breath.
