by Kelly, Marie
With a soft sigh she had clambered between the cool cotton sheets enjoying the feel of them against her skin. Marc had stayed to tuck her in and leaning in gave her a soft kiss on the forehead
“Feel better” he said with an impish smile on his face. As he was about to rise she had grabbed his arm keeping him there
“I’m sorry Marc, I hope I didn’t embarrass you” she said her eyes portraying her concerns
Sitting back down, he had smiled back
“You were a perfect lady” he replied much to her relief before adding
“Right up to our walk in the garden”
Kelly had looked at him in confusion
“What happened…” she asked quietly a wary look creeping into her eyes
Marc laughed “let me see if I can help you remember” he said leaning in to sniff her neck “mmmm you smell nice”. Even in her present condition having him so close was sending disturbing signals through Kelly’s whole body
“I don’t …” she began confusion still in her eyes
“How about this then” he smiled before gently licking her lips with the tip of his tongue, his lips not quite touching hers but so close she could almost swear to feeling them.
“You got some nice moves there Kelly” he whispered sweetly, as at that point the memories had came flooding back to her as she had flushed hotly remembering how she had thrown herself at him
“Oh my God….I’m so sorry” she cried in abject misery
He however, was laughing
“I told you last night that this morning you would be embarrassed”
Marc had chuckled as she couldn’t meet his gaze just repeating over and over again how sorry she was.
“Don’t worry about it Kelly” he finally said
“I don’t think that you would really have done anything anyway”
Warily she had looked at him
“Why do you say that?”
“Well in the car you told me that you could really go for me”
Chuckling as she had groaned even louder
“Except that you were in love with somebody else”
Kelly had looked at him in surprise
“I said that” she asked in amazement
“Yep” he confirmed his tone casual, but his look anything but “anybody I know”
She had shaken her head wincing at the sudden movement and the pain it resulted in
“I don’t know what I was talking about” she said her hands covering her eyes
“Never again Marc” she groaned
“Ah….you don’t remember then” he had said with a little chuckle, as looking at him through gaps in her fingers she had suspiciously asked “Remember what”
“The auction” he replied
“What auction” she asked with a note of trepidation in her voice
“The auction next Friday afternoon you insisted on being included in, where the honour of taking you on a date will be auctioned off for charity along with many other lovely ladies” he had answered softly seeing the look of complete horror on her face
“No…why can’t I just die” she had cried in pain and embarrassment
With a soft laugh he had stood up
“Go to sleep Kelly, when you wake up I promise you will feel better”
Marc had only been half right. When she woke up 5 hours later she did feel better, but the memories of what had happened the previous night caused her to shrivel up with embarrassment inside.
As she once more moved downstairs she met Beth carrying Max
“Where is Marc” she asked “I think I owe him a big apology”
Beth grinned “I wouldn’t worry about it Kelly……….I think he was meeting someone tonight, he’s gone out for dinner.
Nodding slightly Kelly had felt the hot pang once more in her stomach. Last night she had thrown herself at him and he had been a perfect gentleman, no doubt realising that she did not measure up to the woman he was meeting tonight, suddenly his rejection of her hurt.
CHAPTER SEVEN
For the next few days she rarely saw Marc as he came home from work, spent some time with Max and then changed before once more leaving, not even staying for dinner and not returning till very late. While Marc was friendly to her he was also distant at the same time and Kelly had felt inexplicably upset that she had annoyed him in some way, while at the same time telling herself that she didn’t really care what he thought of her.
Finally on the Thursday she had stopped him on his way out the door
“Marc…..is everything alright” she asked her eyes full of concern
He had looked back in surprise “Of course, why do you ask”
Looking down at her feet she had replied quietly “I just wondered if you were maybe avoiding me after …..Well you know”
He smiled his eyes full of humour
“You trying to seduce me” he asked with a small laugh in his voice
As she winced with embarrassment he had taken her by the shoulders
“Kelly, you had too much to drink……….I didn’t really take any notice of it. I’ve just been really busy at work, and if I am to take the day off and accompany you to the auction tomorrow, then I need to put all this work to bed” he had said softly
“Honestly, everything is fine” Looking up at him she could see that his eyes while tired were open and honest and with a smile she had nodded her head before giving him a dazzling smile
“OK” before moaning softly “how did I get myself into that auction?”
The next day she had dressed in a blue silky halter neck top and a matching skirt which swung gently around her knees. Kelly had chosen the outfit as it was smart but in no way sexy completely covering her.
However, as Marc saw her descending against the light of the window above, he had whistled catching glimpses of her body through the thinness of the material.
“Wow” he had grinned “The charity is going to really thank you”
Frowning with surprise Kelly had caught sight of her refection in a mirror gasping in horror.
“I need to change” she had cried turning ready to run back up stairs. However with a sigh Marc had grabbed her arm pulling her to the car
“No time Kelly we’re late already… you look great”
Trying unsuccessfully to argue she was unceremoniously bundled into the car, before he ran around the other side and drove to the garden party.
As they had arrived Louise met them.
“Hi Kelly” she had said with a wide smile “thank you so much for volunteering ….could you put this on your arm… it’s your number so that people can make sure they know who you are while you are walking around”
Kelly had smiled weakly back putting on the band as directed. As she busied herself with this task, she had seen how Louise smiled at Marc
“Thanks so much for dinner the other night” she had said softly “I had a great time” as he had smiled back “We both did” he grinned. Kelly had felt her stomach tighten. Louise was stunning and now she realised why he had found it so easy to reject her, why have cotton when you could have silk she had thought to herself, hurt tearing deep within her.
As the two of them had moved through the crowd talking and laughing with friends and colleagues, Kelly had been very careful to stick to soft drinks having vowed never again to touch alcohol. As she stood drinking an ice cold glass of water on her own, Marc having had to talk with a business colleague, she had found herself standing beside a handsome dark haired man, who with a dazzling smile had moved over to talk with her. Raising her hand to his lips he had gently kissed it holding her gaze with his.
“Now I had thought that today would be boring” he had said silkily against her hand
“But not now……my name is Alfredo Rissolo and you are by far the most beautiful woman here” he said with a smile in his magnificent blue eyes.
Kelly had flushed slightly laughing softly back. Although he spoke perfect English, it was with an accent which
had made her shiver slightly at the pleasure it invoked within her.
“Well thank you Mr Rissolo” she had replied gently “but I think you are being just a little too kind”
He had chuckled back at her
“Alfredo, please……..well after the auction perhaps I can make you believe that I meant it on our date…the first of many I hope” he said softly, before his eyes had twinkled mischievously
“I find it very hard to believe that such a lovely woman as yourself would be alone at this party” he said “so who is the unlucky man I must win you from” his voice full of laughter
“That would be me” Marc had said coldly from behind him. Turning in surprise Kelly had looked up at Marc who was glaring at Alfredo a cold glint in his eyes, aware too that the Spaniard was looking back just as icily.
“Marc…I see” he had said his voice as cold as his eyes.
Firmly taking her arm Marc had pulled her away “Kelly the auction is just about to start they need you in the enclosure”
“Ah Kelly..” she heard the other man say “I will look out for you at bidding”
Looking at Marc she had seen his mouth clenched tightly shut
“That wasn’t very friendly” she said aware that she was being dragged along at a brisk rate “Please slower” she said softly, as Marc had slowed down, his eyes finally finding hers.
“The man is a snake Kelly” he replied his voice cold
“He treats women like objects…and you should avoid him at all costs”
Kelly had raised her eyebrow
“I am over 21 Marc, I think I can look after myself” she had replied haughtily as she took her place in the enclosure, seeing him open his mouth about to speak before closing it again with a scowl and huffing away sulkily
Nervously Kelly had watched as the women took to the stage. They were directed to walk to the end of the runway turn and then walk back, when the bidding would start. She had cringed watching as each girl carried out this same manoeuvre embarrassed by the way that each was ogled, and once more she wondered at just how drunk had she been that night to agree to this. From what she could see the charity was making a lot of money and this was the one saving grace of the whole event.
Finally it was her turn and taking a deep breath she had walked to the end of the runway not aware of just how gracefully she completed the required steps. As she turned her hair swished around her shoulders and she had smiled gently, causing many men in the audience to reach for their cheque books. Standing at the top end near the podium she had listened as the bidding had quickly risen, until finally she became aware that only two men where left Alfredo and Marc. When the bidding had finally reached 20,000 euros Alfredo had conceded to Marc with a small clap and a cold look. Kelly was astounded and stared at him in shock, as he had looked back at her with relief.
In the car on the way home she had finally had a chance to speak to him
“Marc why did you do that” she asked her eyes so confused, as he had looked quickly at her
“Because I let you put yourself up and I was not about to have you put in some kind of danger from …..HIM” he said his mouth clenched tight
“Why do you think I can’t look after myself?” she had asked so softly
“Men like Alfredo mean nothing to me…..I’ve been dealing with his type for years” she said with a small sigh
“20,000 euros……..such a lot of money” she had groaned, seeing as he had clenched his hands tighter on the steering wheel
“Worth every penny to keep you safe from him” he had replied grimly
After a lengthy silence between them he had halted the car. Kelly was surprised to see that they had stopped beside the beach and even more surprised when he had opened the door and got out. Silently following him they had moved onto the soft sand where he sank down drawing up his knees within his arms looking out at the sparkling water.
Kelly had sank down beside him her legs folded neatly beside her while she leant on her arm looking at him with concern
“What’s wrong Marc” she asked, real concern in her voice, seeing how his eyes had shifted from the water to look into hers, seeing real hurt in his
“Alfredo and I have a bit of history” he said softly pausing for a while those black eyes holding her blue ones
“Did I ever tell you I was nearly married” he said softly, as Kelly had shaken her head in surprise, even Beth hadn’t told her this
“7 years ago – 1 was 26 and thought I was in love” he said his eyes glazing over at the memory
“Alfredo and I were friends…good friends.
He had given a short derisive laugh before continuing
“Anyway one day I arrived unexpectedly at her flat – to pop the question actually - and found the two of them together.”
Kelly had gasped placing her hand on his arm. Lifting it to his lips he had kissed her fingers distractedly
“Needless to say that was the end of that relationship and also the start of a fairly bitter rivalry between the two of us…….the relationship with the two of them didn’t last long…I think he had seen her as something to be taken from me…..so much for friendship” he said with a small mirthless laugh
“I’m so sorry Marc” she said softly “She was a fool…….you are 10 times the man that Alfredo is. I’ve only just met him, but I know his type - selfish, vain and not at all bothered with other peoples feelings”
“His type” Marc repeated slowly, rolling the words on his tongue thoughtfully, probing deeply into her eyes “But when we met didn’t you think that I was that type too”
Kelly had held his look
“Yes” she confirmed “But I don’t now” Looking at him seriously she had continued
“Marc you are a wonderful father to Max, you are kind to everybody who works for you and you have been so good to me too………you are a good man” she finished
Marc had groaned, looking at her his eyes so full of emotion he had reached over cupping her face with his hands and pulling her towards him until their lips had touched. Kelly didn’t even try to move or stop him as he kissed her so gently that she had felt her whole body would explode with the sensations which were suddenly running up and down her spine.
He had then moved, gently laying her back onto the sand as he half lay over her, still kissing her mouth with an exploring tongue which flicked inside her soft mouth as she had groaned gently. As his arms moved to pull her in closer to him hers had wound their way around his neck her fingers gently combing through his hair causing him to sigh gently against her mouth
“You are so beautiful Kelly” he whispered, kissing along the column of her graceful neck enjoying the shivers which ran through her body at his touch before returning to kiss her soft sensual lips
“I want to make love to you” he breathed huskily against her, causing a hungry response from her eager body. As his hands had begun to gently explore her, a tiny thought had forced its way into her passion filled brain…. Max. With a tortured groan she had pushed him gently away from her
“No Marc….we can’t” she said softly the passion still so evident in the way her body quivered
Looking at her in confusion his mind had gone back to the day in the back of the car, as he had remembered her words
“But I love him” and with a moan, he wished that he had found out the name of the man she was talking about. The man she was obviously thinking of now
“You must love this other man a lot” he had whispered huskily aware of the stabbing jealousy filling his soul
Kelly had looked back with hooded eyes
“Very much” she whispered.
“I only hope that he deserves you Kelly” Marc said softly before rising from the sand and helping to pull her to her feet.
The remaining short journey home had been quiet with each lost in their own thoughts. As they neared the villa Kelly had turned to him
“What happened to the woman?”
Marc had looked at
her with surprise
“She finally saw through him and she married about 3 years ago…….you met her”
As she furrowed her brow in thought he had continued
“It was Louise”
“Oh….but if she’s married why are you seeing her” she asked before she could stop the jealous words escaping from her lips
Marc had looked over at her with a frown
“Who said I’m seeing her” he asked in surprise
“I had dinner with her and her husband 2 nights ago to discuss the fund raiser………I would never date a married woman” he had said firmly
“Oh” was all that Kelly could manage inexplicably feeling a light relief and happiness coursing through her body.
The next day saw a return to normality, with Kelly and Max enjoying their swim, and by lunch time happily sitting down at the kitchen table hungrily eating the delicious meal that Beth had prepared for them. As they were finishing the door bell had rung and it was with surprise that Beth had entered carrying the largest spray of flowers she had ever seen
“For you Kelly” the housekeeper had said with a smile “Looks like someone’s got an admirer” she had added with a knowing grin
Kelly had retrieved the small envelope from the centre of the spray and pulling out the card frowned reading the words.
“Well ….. Who are they from” Beth had asked trying to peer over her shoulder, as Kelly had chuckled
“Alfredo Risollo” she had answered with a sigh
“Alfredo…” replied the older woman “Oh…” The fun had left Beth as she had looked carefully at Kelly. “What would you like me to do with these” she asked a strange look on her face
Tearing the card in two and stuffing it back into the centre of the spray Kelly had shrugged her shoulders lifting Max from his chair before moving back into the garden
“Toss them Beth…unless you know somebody else who might like them” she said firmly, not seeing the large grin spreading over Beth’s face
“No problem sweetie” the older woman had said taking great delight in depositing them in the large bin
