Twelve Days - The Beginning

by Reyner, Jade

  Mr Dunn had not finished and was definitely not interested in taking a hint.

  “Miss Grayson, I didn’t want to have to do this but believe me, if I have to, I will. There are things that I know, things that I saw, things that happened in the ballroom after dinner. You thought you were being discreet but I knew. I saw it all – why else do you think I thought you were fair game?” His voice had taken on a nasty edge, the respectability of his tone being replaced by something much darker. “If you won’t consider a settlement then let’s just say that you won’t be the only one not pulling any punches. You have until Friday to make your decision; otherwise a court date will be arranged. I will call you again.” And the line abruptly went dead.

  Elise sat shaking, staring at the phone for a long while before carefully replacing the receiver. She couldn’t believe what had just happened and she was hit by the reality of the true ugliness of human nature. Never in a million years would she consider suing someone to make good the mistakes she had made. She believed in taking responsibility for your own actions and your own future, and that included both the good and the bad. The nerve of the man to think that he could threaten her. Immediately she flushed. Shit. If he had seen her and Vaughn in the ballroom after dinner then although it may not affect the court case, it could make things very uncomfortable for them both, which would likely be the final straw in their personal and professional lives. She could barely comprehend how things had managed to become even more difficult.

  “Everything okay, Elise?” Stephen asked, watching her as she replaced the receiver. “You’ve gone pretty white again – you want me to get Cole?”

  She shook her head. “No – thank you. Just a difficult phone call.”

  She needed to talk to Vaughn and warn him. To give him some time to think this through and decide what the best course of action would be. Maybe he could talk to Edwin Dunn and diffuse the situation, but then again, the man was only interested in money and it didn’t seem that any amount of talking would change that. And how could she tell Vaughn when he was god-knew-where at his sister’s house? It was Christmas Day tomorrow and she didn’t want to ruin that family time for him. Perhaps it would be best if she kept it to herself for now, at least until she could talk to him in person. They would be back at work on Thursday so he would have twenty-four hours left before the deadline to think things through – would that be long enough?

  It would have to be. Neither of them could deal with this now, there was so much more going on. As difficult as this situation could potentially be, it would need to take a backseat for a few days – at least until Thursday. They had until Friday to decide and she was hoping that Mr Dunn would come to his senses before then. Maybe she wouldn’t even need to talk to Vaughn. She couldn’t believe that Edwin seriously thought he had a case but clearly his sonin-law did. It made her wonder if his family really knew the full story or just a more favourable abridged version of it.

  Just before 1pm, Elise was about to shut down her computer and leave the office when her new phone chirped in her bag. Unaccustomed to having such a gadget, it took her a moment to work out where the sound was coming from but when she did, she reached into her handbag and retrieved it, checking the screen to see that she had a text message from Vaughn. No one else knew the number anyway.

  Have been thinking about you all day Angel. I wish you were here with me – that would be the best Christmas present ever.

  What are you up to?

  x x x

  Quickly Elise pulled up the keyboard as Cole had shown her to do and typed in a response.

  Just about to leave the office and head home. Pretty quiet here now, only a few dozen daggers to remove from my back before I can drive my car! Lol.

  Looking forward to seeing you too. Have a good Christmas. X

  Elise opted for a fairly safe reply and only one kiss at the end. As much as she loved his gifts and the fact that they brought them somewhat closer, she still wasn’t totally sure that he hadn’t been with Olivia at the weekend and she couldn’t let her guard down until she knew for certain.

  Almost instantly, a reply arrived.

  Only one kiss Miss Grayson? I am mortally wounded.

  If you were with me I can assure you that there would be a hell of a lot more than one kiss going on. Especially as I am already imagining you wearing my gift for me.

  Shit! Now I am going to have to stay in the bathroom for a hell of a lot longer!

  x x x x x x (no shortage of kisses this end!)

  Elise giggled, instantly picturing Vaughn sat in some bathroom somewhere, discreetly texting her and struggling with his libido. From the one night that she had spent with him, she knew that he was highly sexed and, unaccustomed to such a man, she was finding that she loved his obvious desire for her. It made a refreshing change and she immediately felt the dampness between her legs as her arousal responded to the mental image.

  She typed another reply.

  I am just about to head home but I hate to think that I am leaving you in such an – awkward – situation.

  Is there any way that I can make things more – comfortable – for you?

  x x

  She had upped the ante with that text so she furtively glanced around the office, checking to see if anyone else was still about and was relieved to find it virtually empty. Stephen had left a short time earlier so there was no one else nearby.

  Her phone pinged a reply.

  This could be a dangerous game Elise – are you sure you want to play?

  If you do, then go to the ladies room and lock the door.

  x x x x

  A thrill rushed through Elise as she contemplated what could be about to happen. She had read about so-called ‘sexting’ in the gossip magazines but had never considered that she would be taking part in it. Another first - and she had absolutely no idea what she was going to be expected to do.

  Knowing that in reality there was no way she wasn’t going to follow his instructions, she picked up her bag and coat, made sure everything was put away and then walked out towards the toilets in the foyer. Annabel had gone home so there was no one on Reception but she was fairly certain that the management were still upstairs so she needed to be quick and discreet.

  Looking at the facilities available to her, she opted to use the Disabled Room instead of the Ladies; that way she could lock the door without worrying that anyone else would want to come in. Also it was set a little bit away from the main area and offered a tiny bit more privacy.

  Once inside, she locked the door and retrieved her phone from her bag.

  She typed in another reply.

  I want to play.

  I’m in the disabled room. There is no one outside.

  Game on.

  x x x

  Whilst she was waiting for Vaughn to respond, she looked around the room and saw that there was a chair and footstool situated in the corner. Taking off her coat, she sat on the chair and put her legs up on the stool to make herself more comfortable. The lighting in the room was harsh and she had to admit that she felt a bit silly just sitting here, aroused and waiting for a text from someone who was a good hundred miles away. The situation was in some ways laughable but the thrill seeker in her that Vaughn seemed to have uncovered, needed to find out where this would go. He had unlocked this side to her and she needed to explore it, to allow herself to feel and experience and Jesus – just live!

  Her phone chirped in her hand.

  Game on indeed.

  I need to call you. I’m just going somewhere more private.

  x x x

  Elise released the breath she didn’t realise that she had been holding and stared inanely at the phone. He was going to call – shit! They were going to talk; they were going to have phone sex, right here in the disabled toilet at work. She would never be able to look at this room in the same way again. Absently, she hoped that the cleaners had finished for the day.

  Abruptly, her phone starting singing – ‘Tainted Love
’ by Soft Cell – and she let it play a moment, the irony of Vaughn’s ringtone choice not lost on her. Their ‘love’ was tainted? Yes, she supposed in a way it was. It certainly wasn’t pure right now.

  “Hello?” She heard the nerves in her voice as she answered.

  “Christ, your voice is sexy on the phone. I just got even harder.” Vaughn’s deep voice rumbled in her ear and she closed her eyes to allow her to focus on it.

  “Where are you?” she asked. Of all the questions to ask. Did that matter? They had a million and one things to talk about and she chose to ask that? She was seriously losing the plot.

  “In the attic bedroom. It’s the guest room so it rarely gets used. It’s about the only place that’s kid-proof. I’m lying on the bed Elise and I’m stroking myself.” His voice deepened. “What are you doing?”

  “I’m on a chair and I have my legs up on a stool. I’m just sitting here. What do you want me to be doing?” she made sure to deepen her voice a little, making the last comment suggestive.

  “I want you to run your hand up and down your legs. Imagine it’s my hand. Imagine I’m feeling you all soft and silky. When you get to your skirt, I want you to push it up as far as you can. Then I want you to touch your breasts. Can you do that for me?”

  Elise nodded and then remembered that he couldn’t see her. “Yes,” she replied. She started to do as he had asked and then realised that he probably needed her to tell him what she was doing; otherwise, it would be pointless.

  “I’m running my hand up my leg and it’s really smooth – I am imagining that it is your hand and that your hand has just pushed up my skirt. My thighs are bare and my skirt reaches just above the top of my stockings. I’m sliding my hand upwards now, over my skirt and shirt as well, touching my breast. Rubbing it with my hand and it feels so good.” Her breathing hitched as she began to get caught up in the moment and she dropped her head back on the chair, keeping her eyes closed so she could just focus on the sensations.

  “That’s good Elise, keep rubbing your breasts. Slip your hand inside your blouse underneath your bra - feel the weight of them, their softness. Touch your nipple. Make it hard for me.” His voice was doing crazy things to her insides and she shuddered as she complied, surprised to realise that her nipples were already hard. She was so turned on by this, the anonymity of it all, the risk of it all and once again it made her question her sexual preferences and the previously - forbidden things that Vaughn made her think about.

  “They already are Vaughn – so hard, just for you.” She moaned slightly as her hand made contact with her bare breast where she had pushed aside her blouse and bra. On the other end of the line, she heard a rustling sound and then the sound of a zipper being opened.

  “Do you hear that Elise? Hear me opening myself up for you. I’m touching myself now with my bare hands and I am imagining that it’s your beautiful mouth on me, sucking me, licking me. Making me all wet. I need you to touch yourself now, Elise. Slip your hand down inside your panties and tell me how wet you are.” His breathing was heavy now and she could tell that he was as turned on as she.

  She moved her hand from her breast and slid it down her body, underneath her skirt and inside her panties. She already knew that she was wet but when she reached down with her fingers, another surge of wetness filled her hand and she knew that it would only take a couple of strokes for her to go over the edge.

  “Are you wet, Angel? I am imagining how wet you are, thinking about how delicious you taste. Push your fingers inside, Angel. Pretend they are my fingers.”

  Elise did as she was told and pushed up inside, feeling her heat and wetness and she moaned again, louder this time. On the other end of the line, Vaughn groaned deeply.

  “Christ, Vaughn – I am so hot and wet. It’s not going to take much. I need you to be ready.”

  “I’m ready, baby. I’m so hard for you, Elise; so fucking hard.”

  She continued to torture herself with her fingers, slipping down on the chair to give herself better access. In her ear, she could hear Vaughn’s breathing getting shorter and harsher as he continued to whisper instructions to her. His voice like velvet, deep and sensual, reaching to her on a subliminal level, and sending shivers down her spine.

  It took all of her concentration to continue to keep hold of the phone but she knew that she had to – that was her link to this man, and there was no way she was going to let that go. Suddenly she became aware of a change in Vaughn’s tone and realised that he was getting close. The rustling was getting louder and more pronounced, his rhythm clearly increasing as he neared the edge.

  “I’m going to come, Angel, I am so close. I need you to come with me.”

  She quickened her own movements and felt the first stirrings of her release as her body began to tingle from head to toe. She moved her fingers forward and allowed her thumb to brush lightly over her clit, the small movement beginning to tip her over the edge.

  “Shit Vaughn, I’m coming. Aaaaaahhhhhhh...shit.”

  Through her fog of sensation, she heard a string of expletives followed by a loud groan as Vaughn reached his peak too. They were both breathing heavily and Elise collapsed bonelessly back onto the plastic chair as she allowed the sensations to finish washing over her.

  Vaughn was first to recover.

  “Shit, baby – that was amazing. Christ – I needed that. I miss you so much, you have no idea.”

  Elise smiled against the phone and willed her limbs to co-operate as she sat back up and began to straighten her clothing.

  “Well, that’s another first for me.” She said. “No substitute for the real thing, but bloody hot. You’ve obviously had a lot of practice.”

  There was a moment’s silence and then Vaughn’s voice came across again, smaller this time and almost unsure.

  “Believe it or not Elise, I’ve never done that before either. I’ve never been with someone who I’ve needed as much as you. I need you every single minute of every single day and it scares the shit out of me. I can’t bear that we are apart.”

  Elise could hear the sincerity in his words and, although she was surprised, she found herself believing him. Who would have thought that she would drive this strong and powerful man to the edge of control? Although she felt the same, she was reluctant to be as open as him until she had satisfied herself once and for all that there was nothing between him and Olivia. Now was not the time to embark on that particular conversation though, so she put it one side for the time being.

  “I believe you.” She said, “And for a couple of first-timers, that was pretty bloody awesome.” She stopped. She wanted to tell him that she needed him too and that she hadn’t stopped thinking about him either but she couldn’t seem to form the words.

  “I miss you too.” She said simply instead and then after telling him that she would be with Dale from now until they met again on Thursday so he was not to call or text her again, she hung up.

  She detected a note of sadness in Vaughn’s voice as they parted and she wondered if he felt that she should be giving more of herself. What he didn’t know was that she already had given herself to him – totally. She was just too scared to put it out there until she was completely certain of his feelings and above all, his faithfulness.

  Chapter Thirty-One

  Elise woke on Christmas morning surprised to find herself alone; Dale’s side of the bed was empty and cold, suggesting that it hadn’t been occupied for a while. Things with Dale were still weird and this was just another example. He never got out of bed before lunchtime on Christmas day, claiming that there was nothing to do.

  Today though Elise could smell bacon cooking and immediately her senses went on high alert. There was something going on with her husband. He was acting so totally out of character and she was starting to feel slightly uncomfortable with it all.

  Quickly she checked her new phone tucked safely in her handbag, to make double sure that it was switched to silent, and then she threw on her dressing gown
and headed downstairs towards the delicious smells.

  Dale was in the kitchen standing over a frying pan and absently humming Christmas tunes to himself in time with the radio. Hearing her approach he turned around, utensil in hand and walked towards her to give her a brief kiss on the lips before ushering her towards the table that he had laid out for breakfast.

  “Merry Christmas, baby.” He said as he pulled out her chair and seated her at the table. Overcome by what was happening, Elise remained silent and instead regarded all of the food that Dale had prepared on the table. There was fruit, cereal, yoghurts and from the smell of it, bacon sandwiches. More than enough to feed an army and Elise wondered when he had gone and bought all of this.

  “This looks beautiful, Dale.” She said, “Merry Christmas.”

  Dale smiled at her and took the seat opposite. “Dig in. There’s plenty and I’ve got fresh coffee brewing as well.”

  Elise smiled back at him, her radar still telling her that something was seriously off, but she decided to take things at face value. Particularly if that meant having a peaceful Christmas Day.

  “So,” she asked, “when did you get the time to organise all of this?”

  “Lunch hours mostly.” He replied. “I managed to get one of those easy-cook turkey things as well and some frozen veg so we can have a proper lunch too.”

  Elise nearly fell off her chair. He had arranged lunch too? This was definitely way out of character. She needed to find out what was going on – right now.

  “Dale...” she began “as much as I appreciate all of this – why are you doing it? You never do Christmas – at all. Why are you going to so much trouble now?”