by Kelly, Marie
“Th..thanks” she stammered
As she had taken Max from him he had gently placed his hands on her shoulder, feeling her body stiffen in response
“Kelly can we talk”
“Marc…” she began
“Please”, he continued, “it’s important; I’ve behaved so badly to you”
Kelly had looked at him her eyes showing the myriad of emotions running through her
“Let me see if Beth can watch him for a sec”
Moving back into the kitchen she had found Beth still hunting through cupboards for vases, only too happy to take Max, especially when she found out that Marc was home.
“No problem honey….take your time”
She had returned to the hallway to find Marc no longer there. A sound from the living room leading her to him, as she had winced remembering the large bouquet standing centre on the table. However, as she had entered she had seen that Marc was seated on one of the large leather sofas
“Who are the flowers for” he had asked softly
“m..me” she stammered uncertainly
Marc had nodded gently
“From Phil?”
Kelly had nodded once more waiting for the onslaught, surprised when none had come, as he had only smiled
“That’s nice”
Off balance, by his seeming complete change of attitude Kelly had moved over to the seat closest to the sofa he sat on.
A small humorous smile had touched his lips at her choice of seating, but he had made no comment on it
“Kelly I am so sorry. I don’t know what came over me” he had finally said with real sincerity in his voice and eyes.
Kelly had sat quietly as he continued
“I’ve behaved in a way I am so ashamed off.” She had raised her head to look into his eyes and he could see the confusion in hers.
“If you and Phil…”
“Please Marc” she interrupted
“There is nothing going on with Phil and I. He just..”
Marc had raised a hand to stop her
“Please let me finish Kelly” he said imploringly silencing her
“If you and Phil, or you and anybody want to see each other then I should be happy for you. You come here to help look after Max and I treated you like you were some kind of….” As he had searched for words she had finished softly for him
“Whore?”
He had looked deeply into her eyes and she could see the pain in them, suddenly feeling the greatest desire to go over and kiss away that pain
“Yes” he whispered almost inaudibly
“Please Kelly. I’m sorry…it won’t happen again. Could we start again….forget the last few days?”
She had looked at him frowning in total confusion. Forget that she had lain naked under him her whole body on fire wanting him to possess her. Forget the way his body had reacted to her with such fire. Forget the way he had kissed her so intimately and forget how much her heart loved him. Swallowing she had looked deeply into his dark eyes
“I…well…..OK” she finally managed to say before standing
He had stood too and reaching over had gently laid a small kiss on her cheek seeing the emotions running through her eyes as she had looked back at him seeing the desire there along with the surprise.
“I’d better get some vases for those” she said pointing in the direction of the flowers, before turning from him to pull herself together. Part of her wanted to scream at him that she loved him and wanted him to hold her, but suddenly it was the sensible part of her, the part that wanted to protect herself and Max that had been thrown the lifeline, as he had smiled back nodding.
As Kelly had left the room her whole being was a jumbled mess of emotions, as she tried hard to understand what had just happened. Marc seemed genuinely sorry, and he had not overreacted at the sight of the flowers as she had expected him to. She began to question why the sudden change of heart, frowning at the only conclusion her mind could reach; he needed somebody to watch his son more than he needed a mistress. Maybe he had filled that slot already a little voice inside her added, Olivia Prentiss certainly seemed keen for the position, this thought causing the warm sharp stabbing in her stomach.
Marc had watched her leave beneath hooded eyes. As she disappeared he had moved over to the table where the flowers sat and once again read the note from Phil, his mouth clenched tightly at the way she had lied to keep Phil’s secret. Putting the note back on the table and with a determined walk he had moved into the kitchen to see Max, a smile on his lips. Marc De Santo was a patient man, and Kelly Brown was about to find out how he had turned around a failing business turning it into a major empire by sheer will power and charm. As much as he loved Phil, his friend was now between him and something he truly wanted which was bad news for Phil he had thought grimly.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
In the kitchen Marc had insisted that the three of them go to the beach
“I don’t often get a day off” he had cried laughing, his hand dramatically thrown over his eyes
“I need to feel sand and sea”
They had all laughed and Kelly still surprised at the change in him, was never the less relieved that the tension had gone, however she found herself unsettled with feelings of jealousy running through her. Damn him and Olivia Prentiss she determined as she had rushed upstairs to pack bags for an outing, while he helped Beth prepare the picnic.
“What are you up to Marc” the woman had asked suspiciously
“I don’t know what you mean” he replied not meeting her gaze
She frowned. Beth Green knew that look.
The beach was as usual deserted with its wonderful soft sand and clear waters which were shallow and warm. Kelly had already changed into her costume in the villa, so as it turned out had Marc, so the two of them prepared Max’s assortment of swimming rings and bands and changed him into his costume. After covering him with lotion against the hot rays of the sun they had all moved into the water. The young boy was in his glory splashing and kicking his feet laughing happily the whole time and Marc and Kelly had taken it in turns to push him from one to the other much to his amusement. After an hour they had returned to their belongings and laying out the food on a towel had dug into yet another wonderful Beth spread. Even Max who was now happily munching on a sandwich had come out of the water without his usual screams. When finished with the food he had looked around spotting a ball and turned to Kelly and Marc who both busy with their lunch had ignored his outstretched hands and his “bbbb” noises.
However, as he slowly pulled himself onto shaky legs they had became excited
“Marc, Marc …. He’s standing” Kelly whispered in awe as he had laughed back at her
“I can see that” as he had quickly retrieved his phone from his pocket and hitting the record button captured his son’s first steps.
Kelly had held her breath as the small boy moved one foot shakily in front of the next stopping to hold his balance before trying another step, the whole time concentrating wholly on the ball he wanted so badly. As he had reached the toy he had fallen back down onto the sand, happily pulling his reward into his hands
Kelly looked over at Marc her eyes shining with tears “He walked” she cried in wonder
“Our little boy walked”
Something in him had tightened as she used the word “our” but he smiled back at her still recording the scene
By now she was waving her hands in excitement, so that he had laughed aloud
“Way to go for playing it cool mom” he said his voice full of humour as she had turned to him and smiled a dazzling smile of sheer happiness, which turned his whole insides into jelly, before sticking her tongue out.
Finishing lunch they had cleared it away, before Max had crawled up into Kelly’s arms and cuddling into her had fallen fast asleep. They had then laid him gently on a towel with umbrellas shielding him from the sun to allow him to rest peacefully. Kelly and Marc then lay down side by side
on separate towels, chatting as they used to, Kelly now once more relaxed, no longer wary of what had passed between them less than 2 days previously, although she still felt the same tremors as he lay as close to her and she had told herself that once everything went back to normal the misguided feelings of love she felt for this man would disappear.
Suddenly Marc had raised himself onto one elbow to look down at her, Kelly’s whole body tightening as small alarm bells started going off throughout her. Feeling as her mouth had felt dry she realised that she wanted to feel his lips on hers, wanted to feel the weight of him once more on her as she had held her breath in anticipation. Marc had watched seeing her nipples harden and her lips part provocatively, and with a sweet smile not even hinting that he had seen the signals her body was sending his he reached over her to take the suntan lotion from where it sat on her other side.
“Would you mind doing my shoulders” he had asked gently sitting up for her to reach, as Kelly had looked at his back with obvious confusion
“S...sure” she replied also sitting up
Spraying some onto his broad shoulders, she had then slowly rubbed the lotion into his skin with soft circular movements of her hand. She had remembered how her touch had driven him wild and the way he had shivered under her, and found her touch becoming more provocative. However, he sat there totally unmoved by her actions and Kelly’s thoughts once more returning to Olivia Prentiss. Had he found a release for all those emotions? Kelly looked at the back of his head her mind a total turmoil of contradicting thoughts as cold panic rose within her, not fully understanding her feelings, as at that moment he had sprung up kneeling behind her
“I’ll do you now” he said in a friendly tone
“No…I” she began before he took the bottle from her fingers and gently gathering her hair to place it over one shoulder had sprayed lotion onto her. Unlike him, the feel of his hands on her body gently caressing her shoulders and back had resulted in an instant response from her. She had bitten her tongue to stop the groan from escaping her lips as she had shivered with the feel of his firm hands caressing her so softly
At that moment Marc’s phone had rung. Looking at the caller ID he had frowned before remembering Kelly’s fleeting look at the party answered it as he had lain back down beside her on the towel, so that she was now looking down on him able to watch him.
“Olivia” he replied warmly
“What can I do for you?”
Kelly too had lain back down suddenly so aware of her insides as they knotted painfully deep within her stomach, her hands clenched tightly
Although she couldn’t hear the other side of the conversation she had listened as Marc flirted good humouredly with the beautiful woman, before unable to take it any longer she had risen to her feet biting her lip as he had laughed that deep yet soft sensual laugh of his. Suddenly feeling the need to get away she had moved back into the water, trying hard not to watch him as he talked with his mistress.
As she left Marc’s tone had became more business like
“Look Olivia, I don’t want to hurt you I really don’t, but you and I are never going to happen”
Olivia Prentiss had not taken that well, cursing him before hanging up the phone. However, he had continued to hold it to his ear for a few more minutes seeing as she tried not to watch him seemingly laughing at some shared joke with this other woman.
When he put the phone away she had returned
“You two seem to be getting along well” she stated innocently
“Oh you know” he had replied vaguely “we’re just friends”
Kelly had turned to look down on him contemplatively at his choice of words a small frown appearing on her brow.
They had only spent another hour at the beach after Max had woken having only slept for half an hour allowing him more time to happily splash in the water. Kelly had laughed as she watched Marc trying to get Max interested in the sand castle he was building only to have to give up as the small boy had crawled over it to get to a shell.
In the car home she reflected on how much fun the day had been, although the memory of the call from Olivia had made her frown. She had disliked the woman from the first time she had met her, and she longed to tell Marc that she was not the right woman for him, but she had kept silent remembering his talk with her that morning. If he could be happy for her then she could be happy for him. She also thought with a bitter smile that he no doubt wasn’t exactly planning on marry the woman – that wasn’t Marc De Santos style. Looking at him through half closed eyes she thought, no Marc was a love’em and leave’em kind of guy.
The rest of the week passed quickly, as Kelly had found that Marc seemed to be spending much more time at home, taking them to different places when he would return unexpectedly from work in the afternoons.
He had behaved in a friendly manner towards her and there had been no hint of his previous behaviour. Not once had he attempted to kiss her and any touches he had made were casual. He would sometimes disappear at nights, no doubt she was sure to meet Olivia, and while he would come home late he never stayed out all night, Kelly feeling relief knowing this, however, deep down her whole being was in turmoil.
She had expected the feelings she had for him to quickly disappear, all just there because of the physical attraction she felt towards him. However, in reality they were becoming stronger as she had watched each day the bond between father and son growing stronger and stronger, and was painfully aware of the way he kept her at arms length. At night she had dreamt of his kisses and his touch, the memory of how close they had come to being lovers making her groan with frustration. She had thought that returning to normal would make their situation easier for her and Max, but suddenly she realised that she wanted him even more, realising that Marc De Santo had crawled under her skin and into her heart and that every day living with him so closely was just deepening those feelings. Looking at Max she wondered what she was to do, knowing only that she was miserable.
That week-end Marc had told her that he would make good on the date he had paid handsomely for at the charity auction.
“Might be nice just to get out for a break” he had smiled
“Anything you want to do”
Kelly had shrugged her small shoulders
“Surprise me” she said
“OK,” he laughed, “you might regret that”, as she had chuckled back at him
On the Saturday he had suggested that she go and get ready, telling her that he had taken care of everything. Asking what to wear he had given her a small smile
“Everything is taken care of Kelly…..go up to your room”
On entering she was surprised to see a beautiful blue dress hanging on the rail of the open cupboard. The dress was classically elegant and ballerina length. After showering, putting on makeup and pulling her hair into the ornate hair clip she had put on the dress which clung perfectly to her figure. Kelly had recognised it immediately as one of Celeste’s designs and on looking in the mirror was impressed with how good she looked. It was cut high on the front but was almost backless with a jewelled band running against her shoulder and neck. Putting on the matching shoes she had moved from her room, meeting Marc as he was leaving his room, smiling at him in appreciation. Wearing a dark blue suit and light blue shirt with dark tie he looked as devastating as usual.
“Very nice” he said offering her his arm as Kelly giggling had accepted it.
“Thank you kind sir…you don’t look so bad yourself”
They were picked up by a limousine, and seated in the luxurious interior he had poured her a glass of champagne gently placing it into her fingers as she had smiled, very slowly sipping the liquid
“So where are we going” she had asked as he had chuckled telling her that it was a surprise
“Wait and see”
“Will there be food” she persisted
“I’m hungry”
Marc had sighed in exasperation
“Will you wait and s
ee” he said again laughing down on her
Together they had been relaxed and happy, and as they drove down to the docks she had been surprised.
“Where are we” she asked her eyes showing her confusion
“Tonight we dine on the high seas” he said softly, as she had clasped her hands in front of her chest
“I love the sea”
He had chuckled “I know” before taking her hand and helping her out of the car and leading her onto the large yacht the car had stopped in front of
Kelly looked around herself in awe
“Whose is the boat” she had whispered as they reached the top of the gangplank
“erm….mine” he answered
As she looked at him in surprise “You never said you had one” she said in wonder
“You never asked” he quickly replied leading her over to a table which was beautifully laid out with silver cutlery and crystal glasses.
As they sat down a waiter had appeared with more champagne, filling their glasses. Kelly was aware of the boat slowly moving as it left the dock gently gliding its way out to sea. The day was still bright and the soft wind from the sea stirred her hair bringing a relief from the heat of the sun.
“Oh Marc, this is wonderful” she had breathed her eyes sparkling, as he had grinned back at her
“I like to make the effort”
“Now I believe you said you were hungry” he smiled giving the waiter who hung back from the table a slight nod, and soon he was placing a plate with cut melon and smoked salmon before them
Kelly had admired the dish, delicately placing the food into her mouth before half closing her eyes with admiration. This had been the first of several dishes which they had both savoured and slowly eaten; enjoying each others company and laughing at the many stories they shared.
As the meal progressed she had been slowly aware of the bright sunshine turning to a dusty grey and candles being lit around them, and as they finished their last course he had taken her hand, causing soft tremors to pass through her as he had led her to the side of the boat.
“Wait” he whispered, his head against her ear, as he had leant in against her, his closeness and the champagne she had drunk sending tremors passing through her, the need to turn and be held in his arms rising so strongly. However biting her lip so as not to spoil the evening she had stayed rooted to where she stood just as the sun had sunk down beyond the horizon, and suddenly the sky was awash with fiery orange, red and pink colours all shining within the night sky. Kelly felt all her senses tingling at the vivid show before her, suddenly aware that she was holding her breath, her hands clasped tightly in front of her, her whole body rigid with complete awe.
