by Lucy Wild
Then her tongue circled the head and that tipped me over the edge. I twitched in her hands and watched as a spurt of white liquid shot from the tip of my cock and landed on her face. She opened her mouth wide, catching the second spurt on her tongue. Swallowing quickly, she took me into her mouth, draining every last drop from me as I groaned with pleasure.
When my cock finally stilled, it let it slide free, running a finger down her face, gathering up the last of my spunk, licking it whilst grinning up at me. “Tastes so good,” she said, getting to her feet. “Is there more where that came from?”
“Hell yes,” I replied. “Where did you learn that?”
She shrugged. “You make it easy.”
“That’s good to hear,” I replied. “Now hurry up and get dressed or we’ll never get out of here.”
She licked her finger again before turning from me and picking up the uniform. “Whatever you say.” She slipped into the skirt as I tried not to be disappointed to see her body gradually vanish from view. I looked away, knowing I wouldn’t be able to resist making her come again if I didn’t. I was still tingling from my own orgasm as I slid my cock back into my trousers and by the time I was done, she was ready.
“Come on then,” I said, taking her hand in mine. “Let’s go catch a plane.”
I had to leave her to occupy herself on the flight while I tried to make some headway with the mountain of emails that were continuing to pile up since I’d left my phone in the car.
She ended up watching a film on the screen at the front of the cabin, giving me chance to play catch up.
By the time we came into land, things were a bit more on track.
“That was a short flight,” she said while we were taxiing. “I didn’t even get to finish the film.”
“Would have been three hours by car,” I said, gathering up my things. “Ready to move on.”
“You still haven’t told me where we’re going.”
“The exit. It’s that way.”
She pouted but didn’t protest as I led her off the plane and into the building next to it. Inside, Terrance was waiting for us. “You sent for me,” he said, easing himself up out of the armchair in the corridor.
“I want you to give Miss Lewis here the once over. She’s had quite an eventful night.”
“Then step this way,” Terrance said. “If you’re quite ready?”
Hope turned to me. “Who is this guy? What do you mean, give me the once over?”
“He’s my personal doctor.”
“You have a personal doctor?”
I nodded. “Let him look at you, please. I promise I won’t go anywhere.”
“All right,” she said but she still didn’t look convinced.
She went with him anyway, heading into the makeshift examination room. It was a glorified private waiting room really but it would do. I sat in the armchair recently vacated by Dr Bennett and waited.
It was twenty minutes before he came back out, frowning as he did so. “How is she?” I asked, getting to my feet.
He took my arm and led me down the corridor, lowering his voice to answer me. “Who is she, Rob?”
“A friend of mine, why?”
“Close friend?”
“What are you implying, Terry?”
He sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose before leaning back against the wall and folding his arms. “She’s had sex. Recently.”
“Jesus, how intimate was this exam?”
“You told me to be thorough.”
“Yeah, I know, but still-”
“Do you want to know the rest or don’t you?”
“Why do you sound so angry, Terry?”
“Because she’s been hurt and you haven’t told me whether or not you did it.”
“Of course I didn’t do it. I can’t believe you’d even think that.”
“You sure?”
“Look me in the eyes Terry and tell me if you think I’d do that to someone.”
“All right,” he said, nodding slowly. “Well she’s been grabbed by the throat, pretty hard too. There’re bruises there and on her wrists. I’d say someone was trying to hold her down. Cuts and grazes, from thorns most likely. Her temperature was a little low but her heart’s fine.”
“Did she tell you anything?”
“Only that she fell while running. I asked about the bruises, she clammed up.”
“You didn’t push her?”
“I’m a doctor, Rob, not an interrogator.”
“All right, sorry. What? What is it? There’s something else, isn’t there? What is it?”
“I’ve taken some blood to be sure but I think she’s pregnant.”
“What? How can you tell?” The words came as a shock. I’d no idea.
“Distension of the stomach.”
“But that could be anything, right?” I said, clutching at straws.
“Right, which is why I took blood. Did she say anything about a pregnancy to you?”
I shook my head. “Nothing.”
“Do you want me to tell her?”
“I’ll do it. Thanks Terry, I appreciate it.”
“That’s what you pay me for. Pick her up some painkillers, watch those cuts for any signs of infection and keep an eye on her neck. If she starts getting hoarse, give me a call. Otherwise, I’ll be in touch when I get the results of the blood test. And,” he lowered his voice even further, “if you want my personal opinion, you’ll take care of that one. She looks like she needs it.”
“I intend to take very good care of her,” I replied, shaking his hand before watching him head off down the corridor.
I pushed open the door to the waiting room to find Hope straightening her skirt. She looked up when she saw me. “Did I pass the test?” she asked, folding her arms across her chest as if she was worried how I might answer.
“You did,” I replied, holding my hand out towards her. “He said I had to watch you very closely to make sure you’ll be all right.”
“How closely?”
“Very closely.”
She took my hand and I drew her towards me, holding her tightly to my chest. How could anyone have done that to her? How could they have grabbed her around the neck, tried to drag her anywhere? If I found out who did it, I’d…
I realised I was clenching my fists as I held her and I forced myself to relax. There was no point getting angry before she’d even had a chance to tell me what had happened.
My thoughts moved to the possibility that she was pregnant. Was she married? Was it her husband who’d grabbed her like that? Was that why she’d run?
Or maybe she wasn’t. Maybe Terrance was wrong. Okay so he’d never been wrong before but there was always a first time. And if she was pregnant, what did that mean?
I pushed the questions away. If she knew, she’d tell me when she was ready. And if she didn’t know, she would soon enough whether or not I said anything to her.
I kissed the top of her head before pulling away. “I’ve a car ready to take us home,” I said.
“Whose home?” she asked, not moving.
“My home,” I replied. “Where you’re going to stay with me for as long as you like.”
“I am, am I?” she asked, raising her eyebrows.
“You’re welcome to head off into the distance any time you like,” I said with a shrug. “But I want to change, I want a coffee, and I want a shower. I can’t do any of those things here. So I’m going to get in the car and be driven home. I would love for you to sit next to me while that happens but I’m not a gangster. I’m not going to drag you kicking and screaming. It’s up to you, Hope. You coming or not?”
HOPE
HIS HOUSE WAS ENORMOUS. We were on the outskirts of the city, turning off the main road and onto a private drive that wound from left to right, heading slowly for a tall row of trees that adjoined the track. Passing through, a mansion came into view.
“This is where you live?” I asked, looking at the expanse of stone and glass, tall
enough for any birds circling the roof to need to stop and rest halfway round.
“Sometimes,” Rob replied. “Do you like it?”
The front door opened the moment the car stopped, a butler stepping out and nodding towards us.
“Have we gone back in time?” I whispered in Rob’s ear as he headed up the broad steps to the door.
“Don’t you have a butler?” he replied.
“Welcome back, Mr Davies,” the butler said. “The guest suite has been prepared as you requested.”
“And the coffee?”
“Is coming to the boil now. If you would like to take your guest through to the dining room, I shall bring it at once.”
“Excellent, thank you, Potter.”
The entrance hall was small but it was the only thing in the house that was. We passed through it into a broad corridor filled with statues and ornaments. The butler vanished and I had to jog to catch up with Rob who mentioned a word or two about each object that we passed.
“Third century, Rome. Mesopotamian. Greek funeral urn. Ah, now this one’s interesting. What do you think this is?”
I looked down at a sparkle of jewellery laid on a plain velvet cloth. “A necklace?”
“A necklace worn by Cleopatra,” he said with a smile.
“You’re not serious?”
“It would be cool if it was, right?”
“It’s beautiful,” I said, running my fingers along it, the light catching the blues and greens of inset stones amongst intricate metalwork.
He nodded, smiling as he did so. “As are you. Now, are you hungry?”
It was my turn to nod. “Famished.”
“Well I know you might prefer to eat the leaves off the bushes outside but I think Potter has probably arranged an alternative option.”
I pouted at him, scowling at his joke. He just laughed and walked on, leaving me to follow him around the corner into an enormous dining room.
It faced onto the gardens, light streaming in through the huge windows. There was a long dark wood table with chairs for at least a dozen people. Two places had been laid out at the right hand side, near the portrait of a stern looking nobleman. “Relative of yours?” I asked, pointing at it as I sat down in the seat Rob offered.
“Sir Malcolm Davies, friend of Cromwell. Quite the scandal at the time as the rest of the family couldn’t stand the man.”
“How shocking.”
“And I have it on good authority that he put the jam on scones first, and then the cream.”
“Appalling behaviour,” I said, trying not to giggle. “Everyone knows you do it the other way round.”
Potter appeared before I could say anything else, carrying two silver trays piled high with food. It was a long time before I said anything else, I was too busy eating, not realising just how hungry I was until the smell of cooked bacon hit my nostrils.
I began to worry as I ate. I had nothing to offer Rob. I hadn’t told him about me. He didn’t know how poor I was, what my background was, that I had no belongings, that I was basically homeless. I waited for the dreaded questions. I could tell they were coming.
He sat and drained his coffee before pouring out another cup, leaning back in his chair and sighing. “I needed that.”
I nodded. “What about your bet?”
“What about it?”
“Don’t you need to tell your friend that you won?”
“Already done. A shiny pound coin will be waiting for me next time I see him.”
“And when’s that?”
“Tomorrow. I’ve cancelled everything today so I can get you settled in.”
“Settled in?”
“You are staying, right?”
“I don’t know. Am I?”
“Of course you are. When you’ve finished eating, I’ll give you the tour and show you your room. I’ve ordered some fresh clothes for you, they should be here soon. I hope you don’t mind but I had to guess your measurements.”
“I’m sure they’ll be fine. Thank you.”
He shrugged. “Wait until you see them before you thank me. I’m not the best judge of what’s fashionable. You like tartan jumpsuits, right?”
“Love ‘em. Makes me feel like I’m on the Crystal Maze.”
“The what?”
“You really don’t watch much TV do you?”
He shook his head. “Don’t get much chance.”
I pushed away my plate a minute later, unable to manage another bite. “That was good,” I said. “Very good.”
“Glad you liked it.”
He showed me round the house after we’d eaten. It took an hour. The place was like a maze. There was one corridor after another and so many rooms, my head started to spin, trying to keep up with the layout of the place. Eventually, we ended up inside a bedroom that faced onto the front of the house. Looking out of the window, I could see the car down on the drive, the ribbon of track beyond it heading over to the row of trees, the city shrinking away beyond that.
“This is your room,” Rob said, perching on the edge of the four poster bed. “What do you think?”
“I think it’s perfect,” I replied.
“Well, you get settled in. There’s a bathroom through there if you want to freshen up. I’ve got some paperwork to run through with Potter but I’ll see you for dinner. Think you can cope without me?”
I looked at the two huge bookcases, the shelves filled with leather bound volumes. “I’m sure I can find something to do,” I said, watching him go.
I showered. The cuts were beginning to heal but the bruises on my neck were still tender to the touch. I thought about the hands grabbing my neck last night, how close they’d been to cutting off my airway. The thought made me wince.
When I was done, I grabbed a thick white towel from the rack and wrapped it around myself, walking through to the bedroom and collapsing into the armchair by the bookcase. I reached out for the nearest volume, wanting to distract myself from thinking too much. If I thought too much, the fear would swell up in me again. What if they found out I was here? What if they were still looking for me? What then?
ROB
I HAD ANNIE MEET me at the house the next morning. She arrived at nine, I was ready for her. “Good morning, Rob,” she said, notebook already in hand as Potter brought her to join me in the study.
“Good morning yourself,” I replied. “Ready?”
She nodded, sitting down on the chair opposite, pen held poised.
“I have a guest staying here and I need you to do a few things for me.”
“A guest?” she asked, raising her eyebrows.
“I know that look and before you say anything, it’s not like that.”
“Like what?”
“This is different. I want this one to stay.”
“That is different.”
I’d had to use Annie to get rid of a few women from the house before, ones who had outstayed their welcome. It was easier to leave her to do it, I couldn’t be doing with the drama. I paid Annie well enough for her not to mind turfing out the odd uninvited guest.
“Her name is Hope Lewis and she’s asleep upstairs at the minute. I want you to keep an eye on her while I’m at work.”
“You want me to babysit?”
“Sort of. She’s been through a difficult time and I want you to make sure she’s all right. I’d do it myself but I’ve already taken one day off, I can’t afford to fall any further behind.”
“Look, Rob, who is she?”
“What do you mean? I’ve just told you her name.”
“No, who is she? You look happy, I’m guessing she’s done that.”
I nodded. “I look happy?”
“You do.”
“I suppose I am. Did you order those clothes like I asked?”
“They should be here by noon.”
“Good. Find out which ones fit and order more, she’s going to be here for a while.”
“Oh really?” The eyebrows went up again.
“Don’t look at me like that. I’m going to tell you a few details but I don’t want it going any further, all right?”
“Mum’s the word,” she said, drawing a line across her lips with her hand.
“I met her last night.”
“You always meet them at night.”
“She was running away from two men.”
“What? What men?”
“I don’t know yet. That’s next on my list of things to find out.”
“But she could be anyone, Rob. For all you know, she’s a bank robber on the run.”
“She’s not.”
“How can you tell?”
“I just can. She’s scared and lost and I want to look after her for a while. If she gives you any details, will you let me know?”
“Like what?”
“Who she was running from, where she’s from, that kind of thing. She might find it easier talking to you.”
She smiled. “That was halfway to a compliment, Rob, I’m impressed.”
“What was the name of that guy we used when the Treadstone stuff was happening?”
“Harry Foster. You want me to give him a ring?”
“No, I’ll do it. Just forward me the number.”
“Are you sure? He’s not the cleanest.”
“I don’t need the cleanest. I need the best. He got us out of a hell of a mess last time.”
“Nearly got you arrested too.”
“But I wasn’t, was I? Look, I need to get going. When she wakes up, just keep her company, stop her from wandering off until I can find out who was chasing her. All right?”
She nodded, closing her notebook. “Babysitter, stylist, and prison guard all rolled into one, that’s me.”
I left the house a few minutes later, knowing that Hope was in good hands. I rang the number Annie had given me once I climbed into the car.
Harry Foster was a private detective, ex-police, very good, very discreet. We’d used him a couple of times in the past but I’d never spoken to him personally. Anthony had told me it was better if the big boss maintained what he called plausible deniability.
We weren’t crooks, far from it. But when a rival pulled out the stops to steal from us, we made sure we used every tool at our disposal to stop them, that included Harry.
