by Amy Brent
The weather was beautiful this time of year and she loved being able to enjoy it. She settled into a lounge chair, face upturned as she let her eyes close to enjoy the cool breeze that flowed over her skin. Taking deep breaths, she felt a sense of peace wash over her. It could have been an hour, or even two before she realized she had fallen asleep. She heard the crunch of gravel and knew now that someone had woken her. She sat up with a start and found herself face to face with him.
“You have a habit of napping in the garden?” He let his gaze linger, looking her over.
“No.” She said with an edge, jumping to her feet as she did. “I suppose I was just relaxed that’s all.” She crossed her arms waiting. She couldn’t leave the area until he moved out of her way, which by looking at his face he was well aware of.
He smiled at her as he leaned on the twisted oak. “You missed lunch.” He said it simply and she met his gaze.
“I wasn’t hungry.” She lifted her chin another notch. He chuckled.
“Well, perhaps I will see you at dinner then?” He waited for her to answer.
“Perhaps.” She knew it was weak at best, but it was almost like saying no.
He smiled at her once more, then sat down on the bench near the entrance. “So, how is mom doing, really?”
She felt his tone turn serious, and she relaxed. She couldn’t handle the charming side of him it unnerved her. But this… this she could do. She sat beside him.
“She’s actually doing much better than before. Her white count is lower and her blood pressure under control. She goes in to see Dr. Baker every few weeks, and he helps me keep her on track. She can be…. Well...”
“Combative?” He finished for her. “Yes, I know.”
“I think she just gets tired of life keeping her from doing what she wants.” She said it simply enough.
She felt his gaze on her face once more. “What about you Lila?”
She swallowed hard. “What do you mean? What about me?”
He leaned back on the bench, breaking his gaze on her. “Well, tell me about you. I let the agency find a few people, but my mother ultimately made the decision on who she wanted to have here. I never get to have an opinion, so this is my chance to get to know everyone.”
She sighed. “Well, I am a nurse; I grew up in Covington. I love your mother, and I love this ranch.” She shrugged. “Not much else to tell.”
“What about family?” He leaned up once more, this time closer to her. “Parents, siblings… boyfriend?”
She felt the heat creep in unexpectedly. He wasn’t touching her, but she felt the heat off of him like he was branding her skin. “No, no family. I do have a boyfriend.”
He focused his gaze on her mouth and she parted her lips subconsciously. He moved his eyes up then, until his eyes locked with hers. “You are a beautiful woman, Lila, so that doesn’t surprise me.” He almost whispered it to her.
She blushed, something she rarely did. He had an intoxicating effect on her. She averted her eyes, looking down at the ground.
“Thank You.” She gritted the words out.
The spell broken, he looked around them once more. “This garden has always been a part of this house. Did you know the gardens were designed first, and the house built around it?”
She shook her head.
“It’s true, my great great grandmother loved flowers more than anything in the world and my great great grandfather had them all planted so that when he brought her out here, to show her the land she would see her living bouquet. They planned the house around this.” He gestured to the massive expanse of foliage. “Of course it’s grown since then, but still, it’s the heart of the ranch.”
She smiled. “That’s beautiful.” She looked at him smiling, she watched his face shift once more.
“I want to kiss you Lila, boyfriend or not. I have a habit of just saying what I want, and I usually get it. With you there is a challenge in you, but I’m going to kiss you nonetheless.”
Before she could say anything she felt his hand on her back, pulling her into him, his mouth crushing hers in a kiss. She had no time to react, or to tell him no. Instead he just took what he wanted which seemed to be his way about most things. He raked his lips over hers, he slipped his tongue in, to taste of her honeyed sweetness and she felt the heat rolling up her body like a flash wave. She had no control as she kissed him back, giving him as much as he gave her. She felt him let her go and he stood then, moving back from her.
“You are quite a mystery Lila, and that was one hell of a kiss.” He turned on a heel, whistling as he left, sauntering down the path leading back to the main house.
She wasn’t sure if she was pleasantly surprised, or furious. Eventually anger won and she swore softly under her breath. Who does something like that? Just kisses someone? She stood then, smoothing down her dress and made her way into the other wing of the house, careful to avoid Ray at all costs. The biggest problem was she wasn’t sure who she was mad at more. Him for kissing her or herself for liking it.
Ray
“I don’t understand why I am being suspended for three games. The asshole had it coming.” He knew getting angry wouldn’t help his case, but he didn’t care.
“Ray, finding a guy in bed with your girlfriend is hardly a reason to beat the guy into the emergency room. You have to get a handle on the anger man.” His agent, Carter managed to get out.
“It had nothing to do with that, and she isn’t my girlfriend anyway… you know what fine. How much of it is leaking to the press, can you tell me that much?”
“None as far as I can tell. This guy wants to sue, but his lawyer is advising against it. I doubt it will get very far Ray, just take the time off and stay with your mom a bit until it blows over… but I meant what I said about the anger man, I tell you this as a friend.”
He tossed his phone on the counter top and with a sigh, he ran his hand through his hair. The whole situation was bigger than just some woman, but he didn’t feel like going into it, not with him anyway. He had already been there a week and although he knew his mother would like him being there, and the time spent but he knew himself. If he stayed too long he would have Lila in his bed in no time, and she would get moon-eyed over him like others he had known. He smiled, he may be wrong about that last part. Oh, he was sure she would be in his bed; she had kissed him back after all. There was something there, something untapped in her. He wasn’t sure about her being moon-eyed though, she really seemed to not like him very much.
He smiled, thinking about the kiss once more. She was a giver, just like him, he could tell that. It would be something good when it happened, and it would. She had a boyfriend, or so she said. He would figure that out first. After the situation with Angie, he didn’t want to mess up her life if she had something good going. But then she could have made the whole boyfriend thing up. All he did know is that she had been avoiding him for a week. Soon, he would know. Even now his hands itched to run over the perfect roundness of her hips, and pull her into him and bury himself deep inside her. She was more than some meek and mild model, and far more delightful than a viper like the one he had left behind.
He made his way down to the living room, and found his mother there, laughing lightly with Jeannie.
“Oh Raymond, I was just telling Miss Jeannie here about the time we all went camping and you fell into the lake.” She fell into a fit of laughter.
He couldn’t help but join, “I don’t remember it being quite that funny, mom. I had an awful cold for weeks after that.” He laughed with her and smiled when he heard his mother’s buzzer going off once more. He waited, knowing she would be there soon.
She carefully avoided his gaze when she entered the room, her hair piled up high on her head. He wanted to pull it down and spread it around them like a blanket when he made love to her. She flicked her eyes his way for a brief second before turning away once more. Yes, he had definitely had an effect on her. Once she was finished, she sat down with his moth
er and he watched the way she took care of her. He felt something different stir inside him, something he quickly tamped back down. No, no way would he get emotionally invested. He couldn’t help but smile as his mother told another story, something she loved to do.
As the afternoon went on he watched her laugh and relax, something he had yet to see her do. She was careful to keep her distance from him, only confirming that she had felt it just as much as he had that day in the garden. Only once did he notice anything afoot. At some point her phone rang and she had left to take the call, coming back her face ashen and tight. He knew something was wrong, he would find out later.
“I am feeling tired Lila, be a dear and help me to my room. I think I’ll take a nap.” She gave her a smile and a pat on her hand.
She smiled and did as she was asked. He waited.
Lila
She wouldn’t let herself cry, not over him and not now. She squared her shoulders before heading back into the room where they were sitting. There was something about Ray that she wanted to avoid at all costs, and she had done a decent job of it to over the last week, until today. He had been watching her across the room and it left her unsettled. It was obvious that he was used to getting whatever he wanted and whenever it suited him, and she wouldn’t be added to that list. Especially now that Andre had told her they should see other people.
There should have been no surprise there really. He complained about her weight and cancelled every date they had anyway. How could they see other people when he never made it to see her? Either way it was the best time for her to shift her focus to working on herself. She just needed a moment to get over him, she had declined his offer to go out tonight, no she was either good enough or she wasn’t. She was almost glad when Miss Margie wanted to take a nap. It would give her the excuse she needed to get out of the house for a while.
After the was settled, she made her way back down the long hallway and into the room once more. He was sitting, almost waiting for her. She paused, but a second before she continued on, only stopping again when he stopped her.
“What’s wrong Lila, I ask as a friend.” He stood then walking over to where she was in the doorway.
“Nothing why do you ask?” She turned her face towards him and did her best to contain herself. Why wouldn’t he just let her go?
“I don’t believe you.” He moved a hand out and gently tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. She could feel the heat from his fingers, and it caused her to tremble.
“Why do you do that?” She couldn’t help but ask.
“Why do I do what exactly?” His brow was furrowed as he asked.
“This, touch me like that, flirt with me like you do? It’s not very nice you know to play with people. Is it because I look like this? Do you somehow think you can get whatever you want from me because I must hate myself or something? Well, I don’t, ok. I actually think I am pretty awesome and I have a weight issue, but you know what everyone has stuff that they need to work on so just stop… stop flirting with the big girl in hopes of making yourself feeling better.” She was bottled up too tightly and the smug look on his face when he had looked at her pushed her over the edge.
She moved past him and outside into the garden where she could find some peace. She would apologize later, obviously. For now, she just needed him to stop making her feel this way when she had so much going on. She settled into her usual chair, her head thrown back and her hand on her forehead, eyes shut. She had seen the writing on the wall with Andre but it didn’t help her feel better now. She hadn’t lied, she knew she was a good person, but she was more self-conscious than she let on. She felt him before he even said a word, somehow his presence filled up the space.
“Did you follow me so you could fire me?” She didn’t get up, didn’t open her eyes.
“Stand up Lila.” He said it with deadly calm. She blinked twice before looking up at him.
Before she could respond, he continued on. “Just do it… please.”
It was the please that let her do it, to move and stand up in front of him. “Ok, now what?” She waited under his heavy gaze.
“I want you to understand something about me Lila, I don’t play games.” He took a step towards her backing her up slightly. “I don’t say or do anything I don’t want to do.” He moved her even further until she felt her back against the large canopied trellis.
She blinked rapidly, looking up into his eyes. There was something there, something dark. “I certainly don’t think about you… or think about you in my bed where I want you for any other reason than I simply want you there.”
He put his hands in her hair then, pulling her mouth up to meet his in a fiery kiss. She felt his words and knew he meant every one of them. She let the feeling creep in now, believing his words and wanting him to make her feel like she was pretty. His mouth moved across hers, his lips nipping across hers, pausing only to move lower down her neck and to her collarbone.
The heat was intoxicating, as he kissed the top of each breast before moving back up and carefully planted kisses under her ear. She let her hands creep up, moving into the soft curls of his hair. Soon his mouth founds hers once more. Kissing her until she couldn’t breath. She felt his hands move along her sides until he cupped her backside and pulled her closer to him. One last kiss and he pulled away from her. Both of them breathing heavy.
“I assume I’ve made myself clear?” He gave her a wink. She couldn’t help but smile.
“Is this what you do Ray? You come home and find an unsuspecting woman to win over and get into your bed?”
“No, I don’t plan on it. But it is a good plan now that you mention it.” He smiled once more. “But then you’re not in my bed are you…. yet?”
She took a deep breath. “No, I’m not.” She stood to brush off her clothes.
“I want you Lila, in case I haven’t made that clear, I want to make sure you know it.” He said it directly looking into her eyes.
She wasn’t sure what to say to him, having never had anyone be so direct in all of her life. She simply waited for him to say something else.
“I will put the ball in your court Lila. I don’t want love and romance or all that. What I do want is you in my bed tonight. You come to me, no pressure. It will be good for us both, I promise.”
She wanted to yell, or be offended, but she couldn’t. He was simply being honest. She nodded in understanding as he left her there. She slumped into the chair her focus on both Andre and the man who had just left her going crazy inside.
Ray
She would come, he knew she would come. She wanted it as much as he did. He was a little put off at the feeling of nervousness he felt thinking about it. It was unlike him to be anything less than confident. She was special, he wanted it to be as good for as it was him. He knew before he did anything he needed to call his lawyer back and firm up the mess back home. He dialed the number quickly.
“Hey Ray I’m glad you called.”
“Do I even want to know man?” Ray leaned back in his chair waiting.
“Well charges are still pending. This guy is holding fast and won’t budge. As for Angie, well she is in the wind. I got the whole of the story too by the way. The whole thing is a mess man I’m sorry. There is a team looking into what is still missing.”
“Yeah, I knew she would fly, it’s what she does best. Thanks, just let me know what I can do?”
“Easy, the guy wants you to apologize formally for what you did to him. I don’t recommend it though. That’s not the kind of publicity you need.”
Ray exhaled slowly. “What about the team? I need to know things are good with my job and my team. If they don’t care, then I’ll do it. I just want this all behind me. If you hear anything about Angie let me know. The last thing I need is for her to make things worse.”
“I got it man, you should be back in NY by next week or so.”
He sat back contemplating his options. The guy had deserved the beating no doubt about it. Unfortu
nately, he wasn’t above the law despite the money, and the fame. He was still accountable for his own actions and he would have to fix it somehow. He glanced over at the clock, dinner was at 6. He found the routine enlightening, and he had grown to enjoy the family style setting every night, at least during the week. A couple weeks ago, he couldn’t wait to go home, and now… now he was enjoying his time here. He felt the cool excitement creep up his spine. Tonight, she would come… he had made it more than clear what he wanted, and what he offered.
Dinner was a casual affair. Miss Jeannie had outdone herself with the meal. The four of them sat around the table and his mother had never looked happier. He watched her eat with relish, something she hadn’t done as of late and it alone made him smile. He let his eyes wander over to Lila, she was poised and laughing loudly with his mother as she told yet another story. She was beautiful, and full of life and he felt it again the same feeling deep down that had nothing to do with lust.
Relationships were complicated, and none of them had ever given him anything but problems especially his last one. He wouldn’t be stupid enough to try it again, especially now when he was always on the road, and always playing ball. No, every woman who had ever had more than a couple dates had wanted more, and complained about his lifestyle. He had put all of that away a long time ago, and now he just enjoyed life by being up front from the door. He lifted his eyes once more and found hers. She did her best to look away quickly, but he caught her eye anyway.
“I am just tired and ready for bed Lila; can you help me dear?” Miss Margie was noticeably tired and Lila jumped at the chance to help her to bed.
She was avoiding him, but it was all up to her, just as he had said. He made his way to his room, jumping in the shower before he settled in for the night.
