by Jade Maxwell
"Laila."
She turned to see her boss, glass of white wine in hand, a few feet away.
"Care to join me for lunch?"
"I was going to just grab a quick bite. Your mother is in the salon."
" Then I'm sure that she's fine. Come."
His tone was firm, insistent.
"Sure."
Though the lunch that Chef Alain had prepared looked wonderful, Laila could barely eat. Roderick was wearing a slate colored shirt and slacks that provided a mesmerizing contrast to his green eyes.
"Are you headed to office," Laila inquired, seeing that it was Saturday and he usually played polo Saturday afternoons but instead was clad in business attire.
"I am. I could have worked here but I felt like going in for a bit. Being in the office always seems to provide an extra surge of inspiration.
Channing Corp. Headquarters was located in Los Angeles' business district and offered a spectacular 36th-floor view . The Channing towers, designed by a renowned architect, encompassed an entire city block in the commercial heart of the affluent district. The west L.A. building's exterior was decorated with both a breathtaking garden and sumptuous waterfall.
"Few things rival success,” Roderick continued. “The rush of securing a major deal, tripling an investment, beating market expectations. It’s quite satisfying and there's nothing else I'd rather do."
" It certainly suits you."
" Yes, well the rewards aren't bad, either. Though that's secondary to me. But I can't pretend that I don't enjoy the financial freedom, bring able to provide anything for those I love."
Love. Laila could only imagine what it would feel like to be loved by Roderick Channing. The thought made her feel flushed, deliciously warm in every part of her body.
"And for you, its nursing," Roderick countered.
"Yes, I do love it. The hands on, helping, making sure my clients receive the help they need, preserving their quality of life ."
"It doesn't leave much time for a social life, though, does it?" Roderick queried.
Laila reflected for a moment.
"No but it hasn't posed a problem. Though one day I would like to have a family. The husband, kids, dog. You know, the American dream. Perhaps after I return to school. "
"Sounds like an idea you've put some thought into."
" A little," Laila admitted. " What about you? Do want to be married someday? Have children?" The question burst out before she could quell the impulse.
" I do. A Wife. And a house full of children."
" That sounds wonderful. Children make life amazing."
"Hmm. You seem like you would make an incredible mother."
At that moment, Roderick let his mind wander. Pictured Laila as his bride. Stomach round with his child. A son. A daughter. A son and daughter. A smile soon curved his mouth. The thought of making Laila pregnant with his child was intriguing, stimulating, competely provocative. The truth was, there was no other woman that would do. If there was any woman that he would make his bride, it would have to be Laila McKay or no one at all. He had dated beautiful women. Intelligent women. Women who were from from upper crust families or who had acquired their own small fortunes. But he had never met a woman who had the ability to elicit a stir in both his loins and his heart. Beautiful, smart, nurturing, headstrong at times. Laila made him laugh. He had always pictured himself a bachelor until at least 40 or beyond. But His father had always told him "Son, when you meet your future Mrs. Channing , you'll know."
What Roderick felt for Laila had swept in like a powerful storm, that was capricious yet undaunted.
He knew unequivocally what he felt for her, was like nothing he had ever felt before. He knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that she was the one. There was no turning back, now.
One night soon after, Roderick came to visit his mother. He knelt at Sarah’s bedside, thinking how weak she looked nestled beneath the thick down comforter and sheets. Her face was drawn, pale and she had been losing weight. He grimaced, wondering what he would do without her. He shivered, though a fire was warming the massive rom. His mother had always been firm but loving and had worked until just a few years prior, loving her work at the museum, which shifted to a volunteer position as money was not her impetus. He could tell that she missed being actively engaged with her artistic endeavors and even more so, she missed his father.
"Mother, is there anything that I can do for you?"
"Nothing would please me more than to see you happily married. I don’t want you to be alone anymore."
Though he had never lacked for company of the opposite gender, of women jockeying to become Mrs. Roderick Channing, he had never encountered a woman who was suited to be his bride. He had never met a woman who measured up. So he had fully earned his reputation as a playboy, a ladies man. But that was before Laila. Beautiful, smart, caring, confident, Laila. She was all those things and more. Each time that he saw her, he had to contain himself, to keep himself from indulging in his fantasies about her. Because he knew that once he kissed her, once would not be enough. He would require much more, his appetite for her affection impossible to assuage. Yet when they were in the same room, she was cool and aloof. The consummate professional. Clearly she didn't return his feelings, he thought.
But perhaps something could be arranged that would appease everyone. His mother could get her wish. Laila would be able to live comfortably and he would be able to remain close to the woman who had quickly and unassumingly captivated his heart like no other woman ever had. His proposal to Laila was that they marry. For each month that they remained married, he would deposit funds into an account at the bank of her choosing. This would continue for as long as his mother was alive. On that regrettable day when his mother passed, Laila was free to go. And she would be far richer for the trouble. If she truly wished to leave.
Laila pondered Roderick offer. When she thought about marriage, she had always dreamed that it would be real, built on a foundation of love. She was falling for the handsome billionaire but he seemed to perpetually grow quiet when in her presence, though his eyes burned with intensity. She attributed this to his concern about her care for his mother. She was solely his mother's nurse, right?
Yet with the money, she could provide the funding for her younger siblings’ college tuition. Her own father's health was failing and he needed to retire soon. That she was sure of. She didn't want to lose the one parent she had left. She cautioned herself that if they were to marry, it would be a marriage of convenience. Roderick must never know of her burgeoning feelings for him. Because they both loved Sarah, that would be enough to sustain their arrangement.
***
"I've come to a decision. My answer to your proposal is yes, if you still want me?"
Still want her? In a hundred lifetimes he couldn't exhaust the desire that he held for Laila. Roderick tried to hide his elation. He had never believed in love at first sight. Until now. He knew with every fiber of his being that he was irrevocably in love with Laila McKay. Marrying her simply to make his mother happy would have been an easy sacrifice for that reason alone. But because he was in love with Laila, then there was a chance she would grow to love him, too. And that was a chance he was more than willing to take. Roderick was unaccustomed to losing. And he hoped that this would be no exception.
"I do. But I think that we should proceed sooner rather than later. Perhaps this Saturday?"
Saturday! That was less than a week away. But with Sarah state of health so precarious, acting quickly was crucial.
"Saturday," agreed Laila.
"Then it's settled. Ms. Emerson can assist you with the necessary arrangements and will ensure that you have any resources that you need, at your disposal."
"Thank you but actually I have someone in mind that will be perfect for the job. I just need to make a call."
"As you wish."
If anyone could help her arrange a wedding in a matter of days, it was her enterprising sisters, Ashley and
Alexia. She departed, soon making arrangements for the elegant ceremony.
Chapter 6
Laila was beautiful in her Vera Wang strapless gown, fingertip veil and diamond jewels dotting her earlobes, wrist and delicate neck. Roderick's ivory tux was accented by his black bow tie and silk cummerbund. His mother, sister Fallon and Summer Emerson sat in the front pew of the church with Laila's sisters. Laila's brothers had been unable to attend due to short notice though her father had walked her down the aisle of the church that Roderick's family had attended for the past three decades.
The ceremony was followed by a lovely reception. Laila had made a new friend in Fallon, who was outgoing, humorous and could tell within minutes of arriving and interacting with the two, that they were in love, though curiously neither had admitted such, to the other.
"She's beautiful, Rod. I like her," she told her brother as they chatted on the eve of the wedding.
"Does she know you're in love with her?" Fallon continued.
"Not that I've expressed."
"Well, I'm sure that you have your reasons. You look very happy. And I'm ecstatic for you. But if she hurts you, she's got your little sister to deal with." Fallon hugged her brother, glad to be home.
***
The festivities ended, Roderick had returned to his master bedroom, as an "official honeymoon" would have to wait until his mother's health stabilized. Roderick showered, awaiting Laila. Laila. Everything about her drove him crazy. Though she dressed plainly and often wore her lustrous hair pinned up, her feet usually clad in flats or tennis shoes, even her ankles were sexy. She was self assured, tenacious, and could be fiery on occasion, though not overly so, which made her even more attractive. He had met more than one woman who didn't known how to let a man be a man, when to lose control, let her divine femininity be unleashed.
But not Laila, she seemed to instinctively know when to acquiesce and when to stand her ground. He continued his shower, the crystal covered jets spraying beads across his taut body as he willed the water to quench his emotion, quell his desire, but he could feel himself getting more turned on by the minute. He thought of his new bride, her enchanting smile, the endless legs that were showcased in her dress's side slit, accented by peep toe Louboutin heels. As it did each time, thoughts of Laila caused his manhood to engorge and rise to attention. His blood swelled shaft felt hard enough to crush ice. How he longed to bury himself deep inside the folds of his new wife, pleasing her until she knew that she was irrevocably his. He wiped his face, letting the water continue to fall in warm rivulets, his body nearly dizzy with desire.
He stepped out of the shower and was promptly greeted by the shrieking of his cell phone.
“I thought I turned it off,” he muttered, unsure where his new bride was, but assuming she was still in her dressing room changing into something incredibly sexy. At least he hoped so. They had never discussed the physical aspect of their marriage. He had assumed that it would be a marriage in every sense but he would never force himself on a woman and if need be, he would be willing to wait. Until his dear wanted him just as much as he wanted her, of her own volition, ached in her innermost parts as he did.
He answered the phone, seeing the name of his Vice President, Benjamin Whitcomb, flash across the Smartphone screen.
"This had better be of life and death urgency" he answered by way of greeting.
"I'm incredibly sorry, Sir. But we have a rather serious problem that simply will not wait."
"I'm listening."
"The Swiss deal is in danger of imploding. Valdare is threatening to 86 the acquisition unless you meet with him in person within the next twenty-four hours. "
Roderick swore for several minutes, infuriated by the gall of the foreigner, coupled with his horrid timing. But the deal was a crucial linchpin to future European telecom ventures and if the deal collapsed at the last minute, it would not only be embarrassing but it could result in millions in lost revenue and usurp the work they had expended over the past few years. He had already heard the rumors that Valdare was going to sell his company to a former competitor for a higher return and the promise of a lucrative position in that company.
Roderick Channing would not be outmaneuvered but he also wasn't about to let Valdare's machinations go unchecked. He sighed loudly, cursing again as Allan continued. Roderick would have to fly out that evening, remind Valdare of the terms of their deal, and that he would be a very formidable foe should he be crossed. Roderick quickly dressed and summoned his driver. As much as it pained him to leave his new bride, he hoped that she would understand. Men like him only became successful and remained that way by being men of action. Without swift action, his reputation would be sullied, his leverage in the business world considerably depreciated. He had worked too hard to see that happen. He grabbed his phone and rapidly descended the stairs to his car that would whisk him to the private jet preparing to transplant him halfway around the world.
***
Laila knocked on the bedroom door, clad in a sheer silk robe and underneath red lace lingerie that she was certain would make Roderick react as strongly as she had upon trying it on. The lace and silk seemed to caress her body and she felt like the most beautiful woman in the world, though she had dressed nervously. She didn't lack confidence in the other facets of her life but she'd only had only one real boyfriend and she suspected that a man like Roderick Channing had been with women far more experienced than she.
Yet he was her husband now and even if he didn't feel the same way she did, she couldn't very well assume that he wouldn't want a sexual relationship as part of their deal, could she? He was a handsome, virile man. A man with needs. A man she also wanted to make love to her. But a man who wasn't answering his door.
After knocking on the door soundly one last time and receiving no answer, she turned the handle and entered. His huge king size bed, chaise lounge met her gaze. She peeked in the enormous, ultra modern bathroom with gold accents. There was no sign of her husband in the palatial bathtub or shower. Finally, she spied a folded note with her name emblazoned on it, perched on the vintage bureau.
Laila,
Had a business emergency. My apologies. Will call you from the plane.
R
This was not how Laila had envisioned her wedding night. Even for a marriage of convenience. But there was absolutely nothing that she could do.
Chapter 7
Two nights later, Laila sat dining alone. The fine china, linens and crystal adorned the table. But she had barely touched her tomato salad or coq au vin, which tasted fabulous. She missed Roderick fiercely and hadn’t spoken to him since he had called her from his jet. He assured her that he would return as soon as possible but the evening had arrived with no sign of her husband. She was extremely disappointed and didn't bother to hide it.
She rose from the table and headed to check on Sarah, who had a new nurse, Magda. After determining that her mother in law was resting comfortably, she decided to take a hot bath. She settled into the steamy water, closing her eyes. Soon the tears came, to her chagrin. She was in love with a man who didn't return her intense feelings. Could she really hold up her end of the bargain?
An hour later, her emotions still raw, she lathered pear -scented lotion over her body, then wrapped in a delicate robe.
Just as she exited the bathroom, she heard Roderick enter the bedroom.
"Roderick!" She felt her heart leap.
Roderick took in his bride's tear stained face. His visage became grim.
"What's wrong? Why are you crying?
"It's nothing, I'm fine. I trust that your trip went well?"
"It did. But I don't want to discuss business. Has something happened?
Other than me being madly in love with you?, she thought.
Instead Laila replied,” No. I don't mean to alarm you. I'm fine. Really."
She smiled weakly. Roderick crossed the floor to her, examining her face closely.
How he had missed her, imagined wh
at he would say when he saw her again. Now he just wanted to take her in his arms, protect her, love her.
"You are so beautiful," Roderick said, drinking in the sight of her, clad in the nearly sheer robe.
Her full breasts, curvaceous hips, narrow waist. He was already hard. More than anything, he wanted to strip off their clothes and then consummate their marriage. Multiple times.
He parted her lips, kissing her with a passion he heretofore didn’t know existed, her lips quickly yielding to him. Then she was kissing him back and as his body melded with hers, he felt her damp warmth. He kissed her roughly, throwing open her robe, eyeing her breasts, the firm nipples begging for his touch. His fingers roughly traced first one then the other before moving to the silky triangle at the top of her thighs. He slipped his finger inside her. She was so wet, her desire wholly evident. He felt like he would explode if he didn't make love to her, immediately. She began to tear off his shirt and pants, feverishly, wanting the same thing he did. Soon nothing separated them and he carried her to the bed. His finger returned to her wetness, her puissant folds lathing his fingers as sparks of desire shot through her. Her hips arched in expectation, inviting him into her heat, wanting to feel his pulsing sex. Her legs wrapped around his back of their own accord. He was just as an insistent on giving her what they both needed, of hearing her call his name again and again as he branded her as his, when an insistent knock at the door began. It continued on undaunted, finally breaching his desire addled brain.
Throwing his pants back on, he stormed to the door, highly agitated. He threw open the door, his face fixed in a scowl at the appearance of his butler, Thomas.
