Twelve Days - The Beginning

by Reyner, Jade

  Unfortunately Mr Andrews Snr had been contacted by the hotel as a matter of course and Vaughn had been told to return to the office as soon as possible to explain his actions. As the largest shareholder in the company, Elise found it strange that Vaughn was accountable to anyone but she didn’t know the intricacies of the agreement and Mr Andrews Snr did command respect amongst all of the staff.

  By lunchtime, the furore had largely died down and the conference had resumed as normal. Vaughn had not spoken to Elise since he had broken down in her arms; instead he had concentrated on dealing with the police and apologising to Sam and the others. It had been agreed that they would stay on and finish the conference but Elise and Vaughn were going to leave and return to the office. There were bridges that needed building, and after Vaughn had straightened as much out as he could with the hotel management, Elise found herself back in his car, bag packed and heading towards Eastwood, ready to face the inevitable music.

  The journey was silent for a while with both lost in their thoughts. Elise couldn’t begin to comprehend why Vaughn had reacted so strongly to what had happened and she had no idea how to broach the subject. There were so many levels to this man that she was beginning to uncover, and it just reinforced her concerns of the night before that she really knew hardly anything about him at all. She knew that he had money but she had no idea where it had come from. She knew that he had bought a controlling stake in Andrews & Andrews yet he still seemed to answer to Mr Andrews Snr. She knew that he wasn’t married – at least she hoped that he wasn’t - and she knew that he had been hopelessly drunk the first night she had met him. She had also gleaned some connection to Stephen’s sister Natalie, who, until a few days ago, Elise didn’t even know existed. She remembered him saying that he had a happy home life with parents and a sister living some distance away. And she also knew that he had slept with Olivia.

  That was the sum total of her knowledge of Mr Vaughn Granger.

  Unable to bear the silence any longer she decided to try to talk and see if she could make sense of things. They had shared a connection last night and his reaction to Edwin Dunn had suggested that he must have some feelings for her if he was willing to fight her corner like that. She just hoped that there was still something there for them to salvage out of all of this mess and was beyond understanding how on earth things had suddenly become even more complicated.

  “Vaughn – I need to know.” She began quietly, hesitantly. “What the hell happened back there?”

  Vaughn looked across at her, his eyes dark and empty, and she had the distinct feeling that he had almost forgotten that she was there. Lost in his own world, lost in his past or perhaps even his present. Wherever he was, it was a place that was clearly the origin of heartache and a place that had caused this beautiful, strong man to break down in her arms.

  “I....” he began, hesitantly, reluctantly, “I saw him - Edwin Dunn - when I came out of the conference room. He had his hand on your arm, you were trying to get away and bloody Sam was just stood there, totally oblivious. I could see you were scared, Elise, and I couldn’t bear it – I just saw red and lost control. I needed to get to you and to get him away from you and things got out of hand. No one touches you like that – ever. No one.”

  His defence of her honour was one thing and his desire to protect her had been overwhelming. She had never had anyone look out for her before and the fact that he had cared enough to put his career and health on the line touched her deep down, somewhere near her heart. In places that he had no business residing.

  But that didn’t change the fact that she had been really scared of what he would do – scared that he would seriously hurt the man. He didn’t seem to know when to stop. That had been a side to Vaughn that she hadn’t known existed and a side that she would rather not have seen. She shivered involuntarily as the shock started to kick in.

  “I thought you were going to kill him, Vaughn. I was so scared.” She whispered. “He really didn’t do anything to me and I’m fairly certain he wouldn’t have carried through with his threats. You saw him afterwards; he was a decent bloke just down on his luck. If I hadn’t managed to stop you, I dread to think what would have happened.” Elise shivered again, the reality at last hitting home.

  “I was always in control, Elise. He was never in any danger. I just needed him to get the message and leave you the hell alone. You are mine. No one messes with what is mine.” He glanced across at her in the dusk light of the car, his voice controlled and dark and not for the first time she realised what a commanding force this man could be. She needed to make him understand that she was not anybody’s property and moreover, realise how close to Dale tendencies he was sailing, with his current attitude. She would not enter another relationship based on violence, regardless of how well intentioned it was.

  “I’ve never seen anyone so angry. Even Dale after a drink would be no match for what I’ve just witnessed.”

  Vaughn flinched, no doubt at the comparison with her husband but he needed to understand that he had overstepped the mark. Violence was a daily part of her life and if there was to be any hope for them, he had to understand that she wanted rid of it from her life altogether. She was not going to go from the proverbial frying pan into the fire.

  “You have to understand,” she continued “that if this thing between us is going to happen, it has to represent something new; something beautiful and pure. I’ve seen enough violence and experienced enough violence to last me a lifetime and I can’t put myself into another situation where scores are settled using fists. I refuse to do it.” She knew that she was making everything black and white with her attitude but she could not afford for there to be any misunderstandings. It would hurt enough now but weeks and months down the road, violence as a regular feature would break her completely and she knew without a doubt that she would not be strong enough to rebuild again.

  This time when Vaughn looked across at her she saw the regret in his eyes and he lowered them momentarily, almost in shame, before turning back to the road.

  “I understand, Elise, and I’m sorry.” He took a deep breath. “I saw that man with his hands on you and my heart stopped. I thought he was going to hurt you. I thought that I was going to lose you. I thought......it doesn’t matter. I know that we’ve only just met but last night...” he paused, “...last night meant so much to me, more than you can ever begin to understand. This has to happen, and I am terrified of it being taken away. I know I said I would settle for one night, for whatever part of you I could have, but I was only ever fooling myself. I can’t let you go now – I won’t let you go and I won’t apologise for that.”

  Elise watched as a single tear rolled down his cheek, his eyes glued to the road, and she was reminded of him sobbing on her shoulder a short while earlier. The depth of his emotion was intense and she was smart enough to realise that she wasn’t the full story. For someone to experience such highs and lows there had to be more to it and she knew that he was holding out on her. Something had happened for those emotions to be out there, especially for a man and whilst she didn’t doubt the sincerity of his words, she began to wonder if she was merely the trigger to a much bigger issue. She sighed at the irony of ending up with this unforgiving attraction to a man who, in his own way, appeared to be just as bruised and battered as she was.

  Accepting that there really wasn’t much more for either of them to say on the subject for the moment, she let the silence extend a while and then decided to change the focus, and ask him about something else that had been bothering her.

  “Vaughn, when we were at the hotel...well, I was wondering why I had a different room to everyone else?” She asked and he looked across at her in surprise, clearly perplexed at her abrupt change of subject.

  “What do you mean?”

  “Well, I saw the room that the girls and guys’ shared and mine was so different – like yours. I thought it was a bit strange, that was all.”

  “I don’t know,” he replied
somewhat unconvincingly, “We were an odd number and perhaps they had to split us up – maybe that was the only accommodation they had available.” He shrugged, a little too innocently, and she noted that his eyes never once strayed from the road as if he was afraid to look at her.

  She let it ride for a moment and then carried on.

  “Don’t you think it’s strange though? I mean I can understand you having a better room but Tilly is way more senior than me; I would have thought Mr Andrews Snr would have given her the upgrade.” She smiled and watched as a slightly panicked expression crossed his face when he realised that she wasn’t going to give this one up.

  “I don’t know Elise...honestly I don’t.” He replied, but the little tic in his jaw was a dead giveaway. He was lying and he knew that she knew that he was lying. She debated dropping a few more hints and slowly reeling him in but in the end she decided to just go for broke and ask him outright.

  “Vaughn, why did you pay for my room upgrade?”

  The shock on his face was priceless.

  “How the hell did you..??? Oh - Cole.” He said as understanding dawned. “Bastard. He was supposed to keep that to himself.”

  She laughed. “You need to learn that Cole is a rubbish liar and even worse when it comes to keeping anything from me. You never stood a chance.”

  He looked at her and growled. “I’ll have to remember that.”

  She smiled, “Anyway, you’ve still not answered the question. Why did you pay for my room?”

  He glanced across at her briefly and then pulled the car over to a lay-by a few yards ahead. Switching off the engine he turned to face her and took both of her hands into his.

  “Lots of reasons,” he said and she sat patiently while she waited for him to continue.

  “I paid for it because I could; I paid for it because I wanted you near me; I paid for it so that you would be comfortable and I paid for it so that you could have a beautiful view but ultimately, I paid for it so that you could enjoy your one night away from your hellish life in complete and utter luxury. You deserve the best, Elise, and I want to be the one to give it to you.”

  She felt tears prick at the back of her eyes as she took in his words and their meaning. This man who she had known just over a week had seen through her, seen the truth of her situation, understood what she needed and had gone out of his way to make sure she experienced something different to the life that she was used to. It didn’t matter that it was only for one night and that she was at this very moment headed back to reality. What mattered was that this man had cared enough to think about it and she had never experienced anything like it before. Cole reached her on a level unlike anyone else but this man in front of her now - this beautiful, strong, wonderful man; was digging deeper even than she could go and she realised he was stripping her bare, running through her defences and breaking down her walls. Even if she had the heart to stop him, she didn’t think that she could.

  Clear blue eyes connected with dark brown and Elise mouthed, “Thank you” in the silence of the car. She didn’t trust herself to speak, so raw were her emotions right now.

  Vaughn nodded as if in understanding and mouthed back, “You’re very welcome” before pulling her to him and crushing her against his solid chest. She clung to him, taking strength and acknowledging what this man had done for her; not just in upgrading her room but in standing up for her with Edwin Dunn. For coming out and for fighting her corner. She was used to being on her own and having to deal with whatever came her way but this warmth that she was feeling now – that was something else entirely and she wondered whether she would ever be able to stand on her own two feet again.

  Vaughn rested his cheek on her head and ran his fingers through the length of her hair. Presently, he lifted her chin up and their eyes met before he claimed her mouth in a beautiful sensual kiss; neither of them needing words to express their emotions. It didn’t take long for the tension to build however and the kiss soon deepened becoming more passionate and more demanding.

  Their mouths opened in perfect synchronisation and Elise heard Vaughn groan as their tongues collided and meshed. He started running his hands down her back and she clung to him, moving her hands across his shoulders and then down his front and across his chest, feeling his pecs and abs ripple as she moved. He mirrored her actions, bringing his hands underneath her jacket at the front, caressing her breasts lightly, tweaking her nipples before he reluctantly pulled away, releasing her with a final gentle kiss.

  “We’re in a public lay-by and as much as I want to take this further, I think I’m already in enough trouble. I don’t need two run-ins with the cops on the same day.” He smiled apologetically. “I think you just made me a promise though, Elise Grayson.” And he swatted her thigh playfully as he re-started the car and pulled back onto the road.

  Elise looked out of the window and tried to gather her thoughts. If Vaughn hadn’t stopped then, she wasn’t sure that she would have. She was well aware that they were in a public place but ever since last night in the ballroom, she had found herself thinking more and more about the thrill of being caught and she was scared to realise just how much that turned her on. She had never considered herself to be an exhibitionist and certainly wasn’t in that league now but this extra dimension to sex was something that she had never experienced and she wanted more of it. It was like she had been kept under lock and key, set in her ways and now she was free; let out, able to experience everything new and fresh and she wanted to make the most of this opportunity.

  “You ok, Elise?” Vaughn asked as she continued to remain silent.

  She turned to him and smiled. “I’m fine...” She paused, “It’s been a hell of a couple of days.”

  .

  They finally arrived back at the office just after 4.30pm having hit some traffic on the motorway. Elise was hoping that they could just slip in unnoticed so that she could collect her car and head home. She was shattered and needed some time to process everything that had happened. Had it really been only yesterday that she had left the office?

  As Vaughn pulled into his parking space and killed the engine, he put his hand on her arm to stop her when she went to get out of his car.

  “This isn’t the end, Elise. Promise me that you won’t give up on us now. I know that we have a lot to work through and that this is not ideal timing - perhaps for either of us - but this needs to happen. I need this to happen.” He released a breath and ran his hand through his hair, leaving it to flop adorably over his face. She loved it when he did that.

  “We’ve got Christmas coming up,” he continued, “so I’ll be heading over to my sister’s for a few days. We’ll be apart by necessity but you have to remember what I’ve said and trust that I mean this. After Christmas we’ll talk, I promise. This will happen.”

  Elise looked across at Vaughn and nodded. “I don’t have any answers,” she said “but last night changed a lot of things for me too and I know that I’m not done here either. Maybe the time apart will be good for us – less intense. Perhaps with clearer heads we’ll be able to sort through what this all means to us individually.”

  Her words sounded convincing but her heart was beyond believing them. The thought of not seeing him for a few days was already tearing her apart and it terrified her how far he had insinuated himself into her life in such a short space of time. She had no idea how she was going to go home and pretend like everything was exactly as it always had been. She was no actress but she was going to have to find some skills from somewhere, somehow.

  Vaughn leaned across and grabbed her face in-between his hands, making sure that she looked directly into his eyes.

  “I have no right to ask this, but I am going to anyway.” He hesitated, almost as if searching for the right words. “Can you promise me that you won’t sleep with Dale? I can’t bear to think of him touching you. I know that he is your husband and that you both have every right to in a way, but I just need to hold onto the fact that you are being fa
ithful to me while we are apart – however twisted that might sound.”

  Totally twisted but utterly beautiful. Elise turned her head and kissed his palm, lingering there for a moment.

  “I can’t promise you that I won’t have sex with Dale. If he’s had a drink then...well, you know. But I can promise you that I won’t sleep with Dale voluntarily. It’s been a long time since it’s been consensual anyway.....” she stopped as painful memories crowded in and she mentally pushed them away. “Since last night, there is no way that I could give him what he needs now. I need to move on from my life with him but you are going to have to let me sort it out in my own way and in my own time. That’s the best I can promise.”

  Vaughn looked at her and she watched as a sudden expression of fury flitted across his face, the anger from earlier returning and he focused directly in on the first part of her statement.

  “Will that bastard force you, Elise? Will he? Shit! How the hell can I leave you now?”

  “Hey...” she said placatingly, cupping his hands that were still holding her face. “I don’t know whether he will or not; chances are that he won’t – sometimes he overdoes the alcohol just a little too much if you know what I mean. Try not to worry, I’ll be fine.” She hoped rather than believed that that would be the case. Christmas always meant sex but she wasn’t about to tell Vaughn that. She had coped with it every year up until now and she would cope with it again. This year would be different though because maybe this year, she would be coping with it in the knowledge that this would be her last year, and in the madness that was her life, what better Christmas present could she ask for than that?