by Kelly, Marie
After their dinner together, Kelly and Marc would usually go to their own rooms, he to catch up on paper work, and she to work on illustrations for both her publisher and for Phil. The connection with Phil’s game industry was proving very successful for Kelly, who had delighted him with her initial group of proofs. They had met several times for lunch to talk over the designs, often with other graphic artists, who all seemed to love her input and ideas. Kelly had found that she had already grown to love the country, the villa, the people in it and the whole way of life, and she had found herself very happy and settled.
That evening during their usual meal Marc had nervously looked over at her, before with his voice a little unsure he had managed.
“Kelly would you do me a favour”
She had looked back with eyes full of interest
“If I can” she had answered sweetly
“I have a big charity event tomorrow night. I’m patron of a cancer charity and I’m expected to do some speeches and the like”
Kelly had smiled, remembering that it had been cancer which killed his mother, her heart reaching out to him.
With a small nervous cough he had added
“My date stood me up at the last moment………would you come with me”
Kelly had held his eyes with a look of trepidation
“Oh Marc…maybe you should find somebody else. I don’t think I would be good at that sort of thing” she had started to say as he had interrupted her with a pleading look in his eyes
“What sort of thing….all you have to do is be with me…..enjoy a top notch meal and clap when the cheques are handed in”
His large black eyes had looked pleading into her blue ones
“I wouldn’t ask if I wasn’t really stuck”
Groaning softly she had once more played the clothes card
“But, I don’t have anything to wear” she had said apologetically seeing as he had smiled more brightly
“Beth told me that Celeste had come with loads of dresses……..surely there was more than one you could have ordered”
As she made to argue he had reached over to hold her hand, the touch sending all too familiar signals throughout her body
“Please, I can call Celeste first thing and have her send over the one that she’s got ready….you can always have one of the others for the big party”
Biting her lip Kelly had looked into his eyes with defeat.
“Oh alright…..” she had sighed gently
“But remember that I told you I don’t do these things well”
Marc flashed her one of his heart warming smiles while kissing her hand.
“Thank-you” he had said warmly
Kelly had said nothing as she tried to hide the tremors with which the kiss caused her, just as it had done when they had first met at a cocktail party all those months ago.
The next day as promised the red dress she had originally planned for Marc’s birthday party arrived, along with shoes and accessories, and after making sure that Beth was OK with Max she had prepared herself for the charity event. Large ornamental clasps enabled her to push her long blonde hair away from her face while still allowing it to fall down her back. She had applied her usual light dusting of make-up, more than sufficient to accentuate her lovely features. Smiling as she had looked at the final result she had to admit that the dress looked wonderful on her as it clung to her body showing her curves and the way her hips flared along her flat stomach. When she had descended the stairs, carefully holding on to the banister as she was not used to wearing such delicate heels, Marc had stepped forward approvingly
“Wow…..you wash up well” he had said with a note of laughter in his voice. However, there was a fire in his eyes which had made Kelly hold her breath for a second. He had held the wrap for her, as there was a slight chill in the air and as his fingers had moved warmly over her shoulders, she had shivered slightly enjoying the feel of them on her body.
They had arrived at the event in a black chauffeur driven limo, the journey only taking about half an hour, as the two of them had chatted happily in the back, mainly about Max. She had stolen several glances at him admiring how handsome he looked – not that he didn’t always she thought to herself – in his black tux. The smell of his aftershave had invaded her senses and she could feel how her whole body had responded to his presence in a very erotic way. Shaking herself she once again had reminded herself of who she was dealing with, Mr love ‘em and leave ‘em, but still she had been unable to shake the image of his hands upon her as they once had done.
On exiting the car, they were greeted at the door by a tall beautiful woman who was introduced to Kelly as Louise.
“Louise, this is my friend Kelly” Marc had said his voice soft
Louise had smiled warmly at her, welcoming her instantly, before directing them to the main hall in which the party was already in full swing. Marc had seemed very comfortable with Louise and briefly she wondered if they had a previous relationship, feeling a strange jealous heat in her stomach at this thought. As Marc had taken her arm Kelly had frowned slightly, remembering another party in which his date had clung to his arm as he had led her around like a puppy dog. Did he really expect the same from her, because Kelly was no puppy
As they moved to the first group Kelly found a glass of champagne in her hand, which she drank quickly suddenly very aware of being so close to Marc and nervous of such a large crowd of people. However, she quickly began to relax as he had introduced her to people as a leading illustrator and graphic designer. Giggling slightly she had looked at him with laughter in her eyes
“Graphic designer?”
He had looked back at her with a note of mischief in his voice
“It’s all about the way you present it Kelly….work with me here”
She had to admire just how well he could work it. Just as before, she could see that he knew exactly how to dominate a room. People were naturally drawn to him, women openly flirting with him despite her presence and men wanting his advice and opinion.
Marc in return had found having her beside him great fun. Unlike his usual dates who took offence and required constant reassurance when other women flirted with him she had kept him laughing with her “what they actually mean” interpretations. When women came up to him with comments such as “we should hook up sometime to discuss that” she would interpreted it as “Take me…dear God… take me right here right now” and he had laughed with her, for once enjoying the night so much he did not want it to end. It had also not escaped him the attention she was receiving. Many of his business colleagues were finding excuses to sidle up to her with offers of possible work trying to organise lunch dates to discuss details with her, all of whom she had smiled at and responded with non committal platitudes. He had felt stabs of jealousy each time, only to be amazed at how she would giggle at him with comments such as “I don’t think so” her eyes full of laughter. Kelly Brown he realised was no fool.
As the night progressed, Kelly had not realised just how much she had drunk, used only to the occasionally glass or two of wine during a meal. However, despite the fact that she was sipping the delicious champagne slowly, her glass had never seemed to empty, thanks to the diligent waiters who constantly refilled her glass. Therefore, by the end of the night she was starting to feel a little light headed as Marc had looked down on her with a worried look
“You OK Kelly” he had asked his voice holding a note of concern
“Nope” she had responded, flicking her hair from her face before standing shakily “I want to dance”
“OK” Marc had replied a small smile twisting his lips as realisation of what was wrong with her had come upon him
“Let’s dance and then see if we can’t find you some coffee afterwards” he had chuckled
She had giggled back at him “I’m fine honest” moving towards the dance floor a noticeable swaying in her steps
Taking her in his arms Marc had enjoyed the feel of her bod
y against his as she had moved gently against him, her eyes looking deeply into his. Those beautiful blue eyes, which were right now looking so intently at his face containing more than the usual politeness or laughter. Marc had lifted his gaze swallowing hard to ignore the signals she was sending him making her chuckle
“What’s wrong Marc” she had purred sensually
“Am I doing it wrong?”
Looking back down, her eyes were now full of mocking laughter
“OK, that’s it” he had said separating himself from her body which was moving a little too suggestively against him for his comfort
“Let’s get you some fresh air”
Holding her by the hand he had pulled her out of one of the many French windows to the garden outside.
As the air hit her, so too did the alcohol kick in, Kelly feeling her head becoming fuzzy as he started to walk with her
“OK light weight” he said moving along the path “Let’s walk it off”
Kelly had laughed winding her arm through his gently while moving her body up closer, leaning against him in a way that was causing him to have to grit his teeth not to respond.
“You’re very sweet Marc” she had whispered gently in his ear, causing him to moan slightly as her breath had tickled the small hairs on his neck
After a few minutes of silence in which she seemed content to hum a small tune she had finally stopped
“Please….stop….stop….my feet are sore”
Sighing Marc had stopped
“Are you feeling better now” he had asked gently turning to look at her. However Kelly had moved off the path and was now lent against a tree, her arms behind her so that she could lean on them. Her head had rested against the tree as she had looked at him through half closed eyes, her soft lips slightly opened. He had quickly moved over to her until they were inches apart concerned that she was about to fall over
“Marc” she said looking up into his eyes
“Do you think I’m pretty?”
Closing his eyes slightly so that she wouldn’t see just how pretty he found her he gently responded
“Kelly I think your beautiful”
“As beautiful as the women in there” she had continued her head indicating the party area
“Yes” he had responded real sincerity in his voice.
A slow sensual smile had spread across her face as her hands had come around to grab each side of his suit jacket. Pulling herself inside the jacket hard up against him she had moaned throatily
“It’s cold…share” she had said looking up at his face, while her hands had snaked around his waist so that her whole body was tight against him. Marc could feel himself respond to her, aware by the soft chuckle she gave that she could feel the rising excitement in him also. He had to put his hands onto the tree to stop them both from falling against it and was fighting hard to keep himself from leaning further against her
“mmmmmm….you smell so good” she had murmured as she had breathed in his scent
“Don’t you find me attractive Marc” she was now whispering against his jaw “wouldn’t you like to kiss me”
“Stop it Kelly” he had responded a little too huskily for his liking “You’re upsetting Marc”
She had giggled before her arms moved again, now winding around his neck causing her breasts to crush against his chest
“OK just one kiss then” she said gently moving his head to look down on her. Raising herself higher she had touched his lips with hers tutting gently as she felt his lips tightly closed, as he fought to keep himself from grabbing her and kissing her hard. Softly she began to run her tongue along the seam where his lips were tightly clenched together, until with a soft moan his had parted and their lips met in a deep kiss, a kiss which had grown more passionate as she moved in even harder against him. With as much strength as he could muster he had pulled away from her and as they broke apart he had looked down to see her eyes, still closed, slowly opening full of a smouldering fire which burnt deep within them
Clearing his throat and struggling to speak he had tried to put her at arms distance, still worried that she might fall, her arms clinging on to him
“We should go back” he had managed, his voice weak
“Why” she asked her arms still around him
“Don’t you want this” she had asking in surprise
“I’ve seen the way you look at me”
“Well tonight is your lucky night” she had said softly
With sheer will power he had managed to pull her arms from around his neck and holding her away from him said in a more authorative voice
“OK young lady that’s enough. You have had way too much to drink, and in the morning Kelly you are going to be so embarrassed”
She had smiled back at him still trying to move back into his arms
“Maybe, but what a hell of a memory” she had grinned
Marc was shocked at this side of her. He had never seen the sexual vixen before, and found himself struggling to stop himself from moving into her very willing arms.
“Come on Marc” she whispered “You know you want to”
“Kelly, you are very drunk and I am not in the habit of seducing drunk women” he had finally said standing away from her
Kelly had only giggled back at him
“Ah….but I’m the one seducing you”
She chuckled before with a sigh had stood back from the tree and to his relief started walking back towards the party. With a final look back over her shoulder she had thrown at him
“Your loss Mr De Santo” before walking slowly with her hips swaying gracefully causing Marc to close his eyes taking a second to compose himself before joining her.
In the back of the chauffeur driven car Kelly had become more wistful.
“You are so nice” she had said softly leaning her head against his shoulder
“I could fall for you big time Marc” her voice becoming sleepy
“If it wasn’t for…” her voice had trailing off, as his ears had pricked up with surprise
With a little start she continued with a soft sigh
“But I love him you see”
“Love who” Marc had asked in surprise
However looking down, her eyes were now closed as she had fallen gently asleep against his shoulder. Marc had frowned suddenly feeling agitated, who was she talking about. For the rest of the journey he thought about this hoping that she would wake up and give him more details, however Kelly had only curled her legs up onto the seat and lain her head on his lap her long hair falling around her shoulders and arms as she had slept like a small child.
When they reached the villa Marc had sat her down on a kitchen chair and forced her to drink two glasses of water not allowing her to go back to sleep as she so desperately wanted to do. When this was done he had lifted her into his arms and carried her to her room. Removing her shoes and hair accessories, he gently ran his hands through her hair enjoying the silky touch of it as he laid her onto her bed still dressed in the expensive cocktail dress, not trusting himself to undress her as it was clear to see that she wore nothing underneath. After covering her with a sheet he had taken her baby monitor, so that she would not be disturbed in the morning, and silently left her asleep on the bed.
The next morning Kelly had opened her eyes the light streaming in from the window hurting her head. Sitting up quickly she had instantly regretted moving so fast as the world around her had spun so alarmingly. Putting one hand to her forehead she had groaned in pain as her throbbing headache caused her to once more close her eyes. Looking down she became aware that she was still wearing the cocktail dress from the previous evening and groaned trying to remember how she had got up to her room.
Frowning she looked at the clock which read 9.30, gasping as she shakily moved to her feet walking unsteadily to the connecting door to see where Max was. However, he was not in his room and she therefore had to accept that he was most probably with his dad or Beth. Suddenly
feeling ill Kelly had run to the bathroom, only making it in time.
Standing under a warm shower she had taken her time while the water helped to bring her around a little, however, she still felt awful and groaned with every move she made. After taking an age to do the simplest things she had finally managed to get dressed and slowly descended the stairs.
Moving into the kitchen she had found Marc, Max and Beth all laughing. Seeing her, both Marc and Beth had grinned at each other
“Morning Kelly” he said softly
“Sleep well”
Beth suddenly dropping a knife into the sink had made her wince, which saw the other two burst into laughter
“Not funny” she had whimpered holding her head as she sat on one of the chairs. “Oh God… how did I get to bed”
“Ah that would be me” Marc had smiled
“I had to carry you because you wanted to dance”
Groaning in mortification she had buried her head deep into her arms as they rested on the table.
Sympathetically Beth had placed a cup of tea by her hand “Never mind Kel.. It’ll pass”
Raising her head a little she had given her a weak smile
“Promise” she had said in such a pathetic voice that the other two had once again broken down into hysterical laughter.
As she buried her head once again into her arms Marc had jumped up
“OK that’s enough” he said gently “There really are some things that are better slept off….back to bed with you young lady” he said his voice determined
“But Max” she had argued weakly
“Will be fine with me” he answered firmly before helping her to her feet
“Sleep well Kelly” Beth cried as she and Marc had left the kitchen
Back in her room Marc had quickly found her night clothes and stuffing them into her hand sent her through to the ensuite to change. Obediently she had followed his instructions reappearing several minutes later changed, surprised to see Marc still there, as she thought that he would have left her once he was sure she was OK. However, he had been busy pulling shut the storm blinds which were hidden within the woodwork panelling of the windows so that the room was now no longer flooded with light but blissfully dark.
