by Kelly, Marie
“I’m not giving you a car” he said, hearing the proud note in her voice “I’m providing you with transport, so that you can take Max places”
“It’s just a loaner then” she had said thoughtfully
“For as long as you need it” he had confirmed
“Well…..I suppose that is alright” she had said, her eyes now taking in every detail of the vehicle while questioning him about what different buttons and knobs did like an excited school girl. The journey to the petting farm had taken only half an hour and during the trip Max had sat chewing on his toy happily gurgling away to himself.
When they arrived, Kelly was surprised at how large it was. Her local petting farm had contained a small area of farm animals, some playground facilities and a small eatery. This however, had a train, which was being pulled along by a small tractor, what looked like a fair ground, water jets and many different areas for children of all sizes to play. There were also comfortable benches and even high chairs provided in picnic areas. Marc had called it a petting farm; however, given the large amount of different animals with opportunities for interaction she would have thought it closer to a zoo.
The three of them walked around leisurely allowing Max to play in the many different areas, and he had enjoyed being allowed to walk with each of them holding a hand to keep him on his feet. When he was tired, Marc had swung him onto his shoulders causing Max to giggle with delight, as they meandered between other guests Marc holding Max’s legs with one arm, his other placed protective on her back causing pleasurable sensations to run up and down Kelly’s spine.
She had peered over at him taking in the black t-shirt he wore which accentuated his hard torso in a way that was unconscious on his part. He carried himself with a natural confidence and sexuality which had many women in the area looking back in admiration. His jeans showed off the slimness of his hips and Kelly had to stop herself from wondering what it would be like to feel that body hard up against her own. With a little flush she had averted her eyes, ashamed of the thoughts that kept flashing through her mind scowling at the realisation that she had not felt this way since…… biting her lip at the memory.
Max had enjoyed a wonderful day. He had been on the train and boats and both Kelly and Marc had snapped hundreds of pictures of him, he with his top of the range mobile and she with her digital camera. At one point when he had crawled away from them to play amongst the water fountains it had been Marc who had been tasked with the job of rescuing him getting soaked in the process. Kelly had laughed so much she was unable to help, and he in turn had come out shaking his hair to spray water all over her.
By the time lunch came around Kelly had been sent to scout out a good picnic table with a high chair, while he had retrieved the hamper, and tired but happy the three of them had tucked into the delicious spread Beth had prepared.
Max had eaten his chopped up pieces of fruit with great delight while they had created a significant dent in the mound of sandwiches, cakes and other nibbles provided by Beth. She had even provided soft drinks contained within thermos cooling flasks, which were refreshing in the heat.
Kelly had grinned over at him “this sure beats the stuff he normally gets when I take him to the petting farm”
Making Marc grin back at her
“Did you go often?” he had asked, seeing as she had nodded
“Yes, he loves the animals”
Marc had laughed tickling Max’s toes, much to his delight “so I noticed, I don’t know if that rabbit will be the same again though”
Kelly had looked at Max sympathetically “You just wanted to take the rabbit home didn’t you sweetie”
Marc smiled looking around “they didn’t have places like this when I was a kid – or at least I never ever saw them” he had said softly as Kelly had sat looking around her
“Danny used to always take me to places like this” she said stopping as she had realised what she had said
Surprised, Marc had looked at her beneath shadowed eyes
“Where did you two meet?” he had finally asked, his voice gentle
“College. I was studying media and he was doing CAD” She was now looking unseeing at a large tree, a soft reflective look in her eyes
“He never finished….it wasn’t what he wanted to do. He really wanted to join the fire brigade – so that’s what he did”
“What happened” Marc prodded softly as she had fallen silent
After a while she had spoke again an anguished sadness in her tone
“There was a fire in a tenement building. A mother had managed to get herself and 2 of her children out of the flat, but one was still trapped in a bedroom. Danny went in and got her. The only way out was through the window, and fortunately the ladder was already up there.” She paused for a second before slowly continuing “He was able to pass her to his friend John, and was trying to get out himself when…” her voice had broken and instinctively Marc had reached out to cover her hand with his. This touch seeming to give her the strength to continue
“….when the floor gave way. Danny was killed instantly”
“I’m so sorry” he said “You two looked so in love”
Kelly had given him a sad smile “We had just bought the flat and were planning to get married in the summer before….”
Reaching into the large canvas bag she carried she had pulled out her purse, and opening it shown him a picture of a small girl of about 4 beside the picture of Max
“Every year on her birthday her parents always send me a thank-you card and a picture of Mary, the little girl he saved …. Danny would have liked that”
Marc had smiled “You must be very proud of him”
Seeing as Kelly had nodded her eyes brimming with tears.
“Did you never meet anybody after him?” he had prodded seeing as Kelly had looked at him a strange expression in her eyes
“He was a very hard act to follow” she had replied softly, then in a more forced voice declared “But I have a very special man in my life now” and with that she had lifted Max from the high chair, twirling with him in the grass. Marc had watched her with a strange look on his face, which Kelly was unable to fathom.
After lunch Max had lain in his buggy and had instantly fallen asleep, leaving Marc and Kelly to stroll contentedly for an hour around some of the gardens in the petting farm. They had joked and laughed comfortably with each others’ and Kelly had found herself enjoying her day very much.
When he had once more woken, the new re-energised Max had played with the many animals they passed on the way. His speed crawling kept the two of them on their toes as he continuously made a dash for it every time they let him down, something which he cried for continuously, stiffening up his little body until he got his own way. Marc had looked on in exasperation,
“Where does he get that stubborn streak from?”
Kelly had looked at him in disbelief “You’re kidding me” she had gasped her eyes wide in astonishment
Marc had laughed, Kelly was so natural with him he had once more thought, no other woman would ever have talked to him the way she did, and yet he found that he liked this about her very much.
“Has Beth told you anything about the party next month” he asked suddenly, seeing as Kelly had shrugged “she mentioned something about it”
Adding with a twinkle in her eye “Something about a birthday”
Marc had grimaced “another year…however, it is expected” before adding
“Are you OK to come”
Kelly had frowned “It’s a black tie affair isn’t it”, seeing as he had nodded
“I don’t think so” I’ll stay upstairs and watch Max she had said with finality
Marc however, had shaken his head “I don’t think so, every body is dying to meet you”
With a small groan she had sighed “Marc it’s not really my thing… and besides I don’t have anything to wear”
“Is that the only reason” he had asked quickly, and wh
en she had nodded with an unconvincing “Yes” added
“Fine, I know just the person who can sort you out with something”
Kelly had spluttered that he couldn’t do that, that she couldn’t accept him buying her clothes, when he had held up a hand
“God Kelly what is it with you and presents. Anybody tries to give you something you’d think they had insulted your whole family”
Kelly had sighed in surrender, but she realised that he was not far from the truth where he was concerned. Having read Trudy’s journals she had gotten a good picture of Marc’s MO where women were concerned. He would pursue them with expensive gifts and when the affair was over make sure that they were well paid for services rendered. She had bitten her lip, not wanting to ruin the lovely day.
Soon it was nearly 6 and they once again had packed up the car all tired but happy, and started the journey home
“A successful birthday I would say” said Kelly with a grin, seeing as Marc had flashed her another of his killer smiles which always made her knees feel so weak
“I would rate it a 10” he had smiled
“Told you…a petting farm” she had said smugly, while inwardly thinking that his company had far more to do with how enjoyable she had found it. She had frowned slightly, was she stupid, this was Marc De Santo, not some average Joe dad. He had enjoyed the novelty of it that was all, had wanted to show what a good dad he was. However, she had to admit, he was a good father, suddenly feeling bad about the way she had thought of him for all those months.
When they once more reached the villa and trooped noisily into the cavernous hallway Beth had come out to greet them ushering them all into the kitchen. To their delight the place was filled with balloons with 1 imprinted on them. The table was full of finger food and pride of place was reserved for a large birthday cake in the shape of a lion similar to the one Kelly had given him for a present earlier. Mario, Maria and Sophia were also there and after allowing Max some time to grab the balloons excitedly they had lit the cake and sang to him. It was a wonderful night.
By 8 Max had become tired and cranky, and as everybody had drifted away, with wishes of happy birthday, Kelly had gently lifted Max into her arms
“Someone’s had a big day” she had cooed softly to him
“Bath and bed for you young man”
To her surprise Marc had accompanied her up the stairs and ran Max’s bath while she undressed the small boy who was by now scratching his eyes with exhaustion. He was given a quick bath before being dressed and then put into his cot, with Marc staying and helping the whole time, and as his son had lain down, he had smiled seeing how he had turned his head and instantly fallen asleep, with a small chuckle he had laughed gently
“Now that’s tired”
Kelly had nodded in agreement a loving smile on her lips
“Yep, we finally tired him out” She had stifled a small yawn herself, before adding
“I hope you don’t mind Marc, but I think I’ll go for a bath and then an early night, I’m really tired too”
Marc had nodded “sounds like a plan”
“I've got some work to do anyway so I had better get on with it”
Kelly had looked warmly up at him
“Thanks Marc we both had a great time”
Moving forward with a smile Marc had leant in, giving her a small kiss on the cheek
“I had a great time too” he replied before leaving by the main door into the corridor.
Kelly had stood there for a second. The touch of his lips had been unexpected, but not as unexpected as the way her whole body had tingled at it, in an excitement she had never experienced, not even with Danny she had admitted. Shaking herself, she had forced herself to remember that Marc was out of bounds. He was Max’s father and was someone who had a new woman for every event. Did she really want to get into that? With a small laugh she had then countered that she probably wasn’t even his type anyway, that the kiss was more sisterly admonishing herself for her feelings.
However, as she lay soaking in the large luxurious bath which she filled with bubble bath, she couldn’t get his face or that sensual smile out of her mind. When she had finally slipped into bed she had fallen asleep with memories of that day floating in her mind and she had smiled.
Kelly wasn’t sure how long she slept, but the sound of Max’s cries coming from the baby monitor woke her with a start, causing her to jump out of bed and gently to open the door between their rooms to see to him.
The small whimpering sounds from the baby monitor also made their way to Marc on his monitor. He had looked up placing the document he had been trying to read to the side and rising to see to his son. However, the sound of the connecting door opening and her soft and reassuring clucks had stopped him in his tracks.
He had listened as she lifted the now gently crying boy and felt such a strange sensation grip him as she had gently rocked Max in her arms. In his minds eye he could see her holding the small boy against her cheek while she kissed and talked gently to him and the thought of her soft luscious lips made him yearn for her. As she began to sing softly a gentle lullaby her voice had washed tantalisingly over him making his want of her burn even more furiously within his blood. He could feel how she affected him and cursed himself for it. From the first time he had set eyes on her, she had stirred him. He had wanted her even then and this was no different, yet there was something new here, something he had never before experienced. He had frowned. It must be her link with Max he had finally decided. Suddenly discovering he had a son had been a huge change to his normal controlled lifestyle and the love he had felt for his son had been instant and overpowering. Yes, he had nodded to himself, he was starting to confuse his feelings for his son with those of the woman who had raised him, suddenly feeling an overwhelming desire to see Max as quietly he had left his room and in the darkness moved down the corridor towards the small child’s bedroom.
Kelly had managed to put Max back into his cot and taking a loving look at the boy to ensure that he was sleeping soundly, had felt thirsty, feeling the need for a glass of water. Slowly tip-toeing out of the sleeping child’s room and turning to make her way to the staircase, she had gasped seeing a figure loom up before her in the darkness. Jumping at the sudden fright, Kelly’s hands had flow together to her heart, and she only just managed to prevent the scream from leaving her lips.
“It’s only me” the soft sensual voice drawled at her and her heart had begun to beat even harder.
“I didn’t mean to frighten you” he said “I heard Max”
Kelly had remained rooted to the spot, her usual closed look not yet appearing as she had genuinely looked shocked. The sound of his soft laugh had done little to help.
“I really am sorry” he stated “Let me kiss it better” he laughed, before gently moving forward and planting a quick kiss on her lips
The sensation that travelled between them with this small touch was like electricity. Surprised he had looked down into her eyes and the look within them had made his breath catch in his throat. Her soft eyes had looked back at him with a smouldering look which she had not been able to conceal. As they looked at each other for what seemed an eternity the hunger in his body had grown until with a mumbled curse he reached forward and pulled her into his arms taking her mouth with his.
He had felt as her body had shuddered and the hands grasped between them flatten to touch his chest. As he kissed her, she had kissed him back, the passion flaring within her with the feel of him this close, her hands splayed on his hard chest setting her whole being on fire. Kelly felt weak and leaned in even harder so that her whole body was melded against his, as his groan had spurred her on, her hands moved upwards to his neck and then her fingers were raking through his hair, pulling his mouth deeper onto hers. She had marvelled at the feel of him against her and had moaned with pleasure as she felt his hand move upwards towards her breasts, cupping one and rolling his finger over her hard nipple. Nothing else seemed to matter
other than the need for him to touch her and to continue on this wonderful journey they both seemed to be caught up in.
She had felt practiced hands unbutton the silk pyjama top to reveal her perfect milky skin, and taking his mouth from hers he had surveyed her swollen and hard breasts with dark passion filled eyes before kissing along her cheek and down her neck. Everywhere his lips touched burnt with the most wondrous sensation and she had clung onto him with the need not to let go. His head was bent as he had held up one perfect breast, shivering as she had heard him take a deep breath of admiration and whisper husky words she couldn’t understand. She was beside herself with a passion she had never before felt, drowning in such turbulent emotions of desire that she was totally unable to control.
All she knew was that she wanted this man to completely take her and make her his, and arching her back against him she had pushed herself closer to him, feeling the hardness of his arousal against her leg, and with a low husky intake of breath he took her nipple into his mouth. Kelly had felt that she could have screamed as the touch of him caused her body to explode into small shudders of delight.
Just as it seemed she would completely drown in her desire she had felt him pull away slightly from her, whimpering not wanting him to stop, while a ringing sound had pushed its way through to her befuddled brain. Suddenly the whole situation had come crashing down upon her. Now she could hear the ringing telephone coming from his room and with a shocked cry she had pulled herself free. With a small sound of horror she had ran to her bedroom door before yanking it open and fleeing into the safety of her room.
Marc had stood shakily watching her go. His hooded eyes reflecting the desire that consumed his whole body and it took him a while to fully recover. He had cursed under his breath wishing her soft body back in his arms before pulling himself together and turning on his heels. With barely concealed anger he had marched back into his room closing the door with a resounding thump. God help the person on the other end of that phone he had thought.
In her room Kelly had paced back and forth wringing her hands. What had happened she kept asking herself, completely shocked by her actions. God what he must think of me she had groaned in pain, before looking down she had gasped in horror as her top lay open revealing her breasts still in a state of excitement. Pushing buttons into holes she had cursed herself again.
