Twisted Pursuits

by Krystal Morrison

  “Gentlemen, shall we begin” Jordan said brusquely and for the next two hours they were immersed in intense discussions of stocks, bonds and profits, all the while his mind never leaving the woman milling about on the other side of the restaurant.

  It was minutes past seven when the men started leaving; he on the other hand had other plans. At eight he noticed Lauren marching purposefully towards the door and he gathered his documents, placed them in his briefcase and rushed towards her.

  “May I get that for you?” he asked pulling open the door before she could respond.

  “Thank you”, she said stiffly and continued walking.

  He held on to her hand and asked, “Would you like a lift someplace?”

  She glanced at his hand and then his face with a scathing look and said, “Let. Go. Off. My. Hand”.

  He looked down to where his fingers were curled over her wrist. What was happening to him, he thought appalled at his behavior, he hadn’t even realized that his hand had moved from his side until he came into contact with the warmth of her soft skin. It was as if he was attuned to her on a different level. This was madness his brain shrieked; it was as if it was the most normal thing in the world for him to touch her. He looked at her face in the partially lit parking lot and saw what he was feeling in her glazed brown eyes.

  “For God’s sake; get in the car, you’ll have to go all the way up town to get a taxi” he said a little too roughly.

  “I said you should let go off my hand”, she began to struggle against his grip.

  He dropped her hand like a ton of bricks, her sudden movements reminding him that he had no right to be holding unto her.

  She ran off even before his finger fully released her and he just stood there staring after her in shock. No one had ever spoken to him like that in all his adult years, especially a woman. They were always fawning over him; all with the intention of getting something from him, whether it be his attention or his money.

  He remembered the silken smoothness of her skin when he’d touched her and smiled with anticipation as he opened the front door of his slick new black Audi and sped away into the night.

  LAUREN RETURNED TO WORK THE FOLLOWING DAY to a pleasant surprise as Mrs. Plunkett shoved a bucket of white roses at her as soon as she entered the main staff area.

  “This was delivered for you this morning promptly at ten when we opened”, the older woman said.

  “Are you sure”’ Lauren sputtered taking the basket, voicing a question she already knew the answer to, “who is it from?”

  “There’s a card attached. Don’t worry I didn’t read it”, she added when she saw Lauren’s face color with embarrassment.

  “Thanks Mrs. P” she muttered nonplussed, walking towards her locker and fumbling for the card. Upon closer inspection she realized there was a single red rose among the clutter of white. The card read:

  You are like a lily in a sea of orchids; I find your presence refreshing. Have dinner with me tonight as penance, on my part, for last night.

  Jordan Myles.

  She felt a warm fuzzy feeling unfurling in the pit of her stomach and instantly stomped it down. What would Nana think? She had drilled in her the knowledge that all men were users and men like her father didn’t exist anymore. All men wanted was her body and as soon as they got it, she was just another notch on the bedpost. Well they wouldn’t even want hers, she comforted herself, because of the scruffy, oversized clothes Nana insisted she wear. Nana was old fashioned and believed a girl should wait until marriage and took great pains to get her point across to Lauren.

  She remembered her high school crush Omar and the evening she had decided to stop for lunch with him after school; Nana had been livid. She trembled at the memory of Nana’s fist pummeling her face following her strap across her back and buttocks. Aunt Dorothy had tried to intervene, demanding to know if Nana was going to beat Lauren to death but one bark from Nana sent her scurrying off.

  Two days after the bruises healed on her face Nana had dragged her off to school and after hunting down Omar, informed him in front of a sizable audience of students that he should stay clear of Lauren after which she warned her that no bastard child was going to be born in her house. Lauren was so humiliated that she endeavored to avoid Omar and all other males subsequently.

  She gave herself a mental shake and placed the flowers in a tall glass she found in the back and placed it on the table in the staff area. Just then it dawned on her that Jordan would be here any minute now. Her breathing became shallow while she rummaged through her brain for an escape from her predicament. She had specifically switched shift with one of the other girls to avoid any chance he would try to see her today, not to mention working overtime yesterday to avoid him.

  She couldn’t bear it; she was afraid if she saw him her resolve would crumble and she couldn’t have that, after all princes never marry plain orphans, no matter that he made her knees weak and her heart flutter. With that she went in search of Mrs. Plunkett; there must be something she could do around here that didn’t warrant her running into Jordan. She found her in her office where she seemed to be covered in paperwork.

  “Mrs. Plunkett”, she began hesitantly, “I was wondering if there is anything else I could do so I wouldn’t have to go into the dining area”.

  . “It’s him isn’t it” she didn’t need to call names, Lauren knew exactly who.

  She opened her mouth to say no but Mrs. P’s soft eyes shone with motherly concern, something Lauren wasn’t used to and she felt herself nodding. She only had Nana and Aunt Dorothy and Nana believed that you should not spare the rod and spoil the child and any form of comfort was seen as just that and Aunt Dorothy was not known to stir her ire. There was grandpa Mack, her father’s father but he had lived in England ever since her father’s death and even though he paid her college tuition, sent money to Nana to take care of Lauren and called and talked to her at least once per week; it just wasn’t the same as being there.

  “Mr. Myles was here today and he specifically requested that you serve his meal”, Lauren stared at her flabbergasted then blushed with embarrassment as Mrs. P went on, “although I cannot see why, those clothes you wear are a sight for sore eyes”.

  “Don’t get me wrong Lauren, you are a beautiful girl, but those clothes”, she shook her head sadly, “won’t do at all”.

  Lauren thought of her present attire which was her familiar roomy skirt that by the looks of it had, had its fair share of wear and the Diner’s shirt that everyone who worked there wore. It’s not like it was her fault, according to Nana there just was never enough money plus they had to save for a rainy day.

  Lauren had to admit that she had been thinking of getting a new wardrobe as she'd rummaged through her closet to find something flattering to wear tonight and came up empty handed. This was her clue to get a new wardrobe she decided. Perhaps she could raid the secret bank account Grandpa Mack had opened for her sixteenth birthday and had insisted on lodging money to on occasions. He had insisted she keep it a secret from Nana and Aunt Dorothy and she had decided to save the money in case she needed it when she left college next year and moved away. She made a mental note to find out if Anna was well enough to accompany her as soon as possible.

  “Now, as you can see this office is a mess. You can work in here tonight” Mrs. Plunkett said as she launched into what went where and how to separate the different documents and file them.

  As Mrs. Plunkett turned to leave Lauren muttered, “tell the girls that if Mr. Myles asks, I’m not here.

  “Understood”, she nodded even though she looked disapprovingly at Lauren, “Lauren sometimes we need to live a little, follow your heart and not your head”, Mrs. P advised patting her on the shoulder then opened the door and left.

  She was so tired, today was general cleaning day at home as the following day was church plus she had barely slept the night before. Images of teasing brown eyes and lush lips had haunted her dreams. The mere memory of him cau
sed her pulse to race and made her skin tingle with awareness. She could just imagine Sandy flirting shamelessly with him at that very moment; if he had come; perhaps he would direct his attentions at the other girl. She definitely wasn’t ‘a sight for sore eyes’, quite the opposite. She felt a pang of jealousy at that thought. As she worked she wondered if he was outside this minute and had to restrain herself from going to take a peak, just to glimpse his face she told herself. God please don’t let him continue his pursuit, she prayed, because she did not know how much longer her yielding heart could resist.

  CHAPTER THREE

  “WELL HELLO MS. MCKENZIE”, she jumped and whirled to face the familiar voice, “If I didn’t know better I’d think you were avoiding me”.

  Her heart sang at the sight of him clad in a slick charcoal business suit that accentuated the color of his eyes.

  “Jordan”, she said breathlessly, then much calmer, “Mr. Myles, I thought you would get the message”.

  He had come to the restaurant everyday for the past two weeks, at least so she had been told.

  “I did, I just came to pick up some dinner”, he said icily his eyes clouding with hurt.

  Her heart melted and in that moment she hated herself at the thought that she might have inflicted that hurt, “I’m sorry, but it’s just that I.., you...”

  What was she supposed to say? That he made her pulses race, that every time she thought of him she longed to touch and be touched by him.

  She shrugged.

  She hadn’t realized that he had moved until she smelt the faint scent of his cologne, “let’s go for a walk”.

  Before she could object he grasped her right arm and pulled her in the direction leading downtown.

  Her palms tingled where he held her as he led her towards the beach. While they walked she took the time to admire him. He was much taller than her estimated five feet eight with wide shoulders and muscular arms. He released his grip on her arm as they approached the beach and she felt utterly bereaved.

  As soon as they hit the white sand shores he removed his shoes and held them in his hand and it seemed natural for her to do the same. She noticed that his eyes kept straying to her attire and she was glad she had discarded her usually scruffy clothes for snug blue jeans and a close fitting

  cotton pink blouse. Anna had accompanied her to do some shopping last Saturday and had insisted they purchase everything from undergarments to makeup and accessories. She smiled at the memory of having to literally drag Anna out of more than a few ridiculously expensive stores.

  She turned and looked across at her companion as he stopped and stared in open admiration at the ethereal beauty of their surroundings. An endless mass of blue-green water stretched before them and seemed to spill over into cloudless skies.

  “It is stunning, isn’t it”, he uttered reverently as if in a daze.

  “Yes it is”, she said in almost a whisper.

  There were a few thatched parasols dotting the shores and they padded over to one and sat beneath it.

  They sat there in companionable silence, content to share each other’s presence. People were scattered along the shoreline; some soaking up the sunshine, while others simply enjoyed the lucid waters. Sitting a way off in the sand was a toddler and what seemed to be his parents making a beautiful sand castle, the boy jumped in glee as it grew taller with their efforts. However, a huge wave rushed up and washed it away and the child began to squeal. The woman pulled him to her breast and crooned softly to him as the father patted his head and promised to build another. The scene warmed her heart and unfurled a yearning in the pit of her stomach.

  “What were you doing at the Diner today? I thought you quit” Jordan said suddenly breaking the silence.

  She thought of lying but decided against it, “I didn’t. My boss decided I was better at record keeping than waiting tables”.

  He frowned, “Isn’t it a little early to be leaving work”.

  “I was actually meeting someone”, she replied tongue in cheek, “today is my day off”.

  “I see”, he said through pursed lips, “Come along”, he sighed while getting to his feet, “I have something to show you”.

  He took her to a cafe on the beach where he talked about his days at boarding school and University and how he and his friends use to prank each other. They ate chocolate cake and drank coffee all the while talking politics and sports, which it was evident, he loved with a passion. All the while his eyes caressed the rounded curves of her body, their sensual heat

  causing her face to flush on several occasions. As the most recent receded he chuckled, “I don’t believe I’ve ever met a woman who blushed as much as you do. If I didn’t know better I’d think this is your first date. It suits you though”.

  She said nothing.

  “Are you finished here” he asked indicating to her unfinished coffee. She nodded and he beckoned to a waiter and handed her some notes after she'd cleared the table.

  “Do you want to go for another walk on the beach? If not I could take you home”. He too, it seemed, didn’t want the evening to end.

  “I’m fine. Another walk sounds good”, she responded elated for another opportunity to share his company.

  “Anything for you my dear”, he teased making a mock bow and extending his hand, “shall we take a stroll in the gardens madam. I find it too beautiful an evening to waste indoors”.

  She laughed gaily and followed his lead out into the late Saturday sunshine.

  They strolled across the seashore; laughing and sharing comical stories from a famous local television programme. Every so often her arm would accidentally brush his and the jolt of awareness was so exhilarating; it made her shiver inside. They found another parasol and relaxed against the chair beneath it to witness the sun slip beyond the horizon.

  She was so content to bask in this mesmeric moment that dusk slowly evaporated and darkness descended and she decided she had to go home. She was about to voice her concern when her eyes converged with the shouldering heat in his. His head descend towards hers, she thought of moving away but she felt as if she was glued to the chair; her breath hitching in the back of her throat. His lips inched closer; the moonlight illuminated his face to reveal a fierceness that caused her heart to hammer against her rib cage. She closed her eyes to stem the feelings but the pleasure only intensified.

  Liquid heat exploded in her belly, her nipples tautened and her inner thighs pulsed with an inexplicable need as his velvet soft lips glided gentle over hers. They caressed her with such expertise that the need inside her ignited to such an intensity, that she began to follow his lead. Spurred by her reaction, he delved into her mouth and explored her with his tongue. She stiffened at the unfamiliar intimacy and he caressed her nape and slowly she began to relax. His onslaught continued on her mouth for a few more seconds until he bit down gentle on her lower lip. She jumped as an electric bolt shot through her lips to every inch of her body. He soothed where he’d bitten with his tongue before his lips travelled to her cheek bones and down to her neck while his hands found the hem of her blouse. His hands were warm on the smooth skin of her stomach as he explored her navel, her rib cage and finally he held and boldly stroked her breast. She recoiled in shock, her ardor slowly cooling with the sea breeze.

  She couldn’t even look at him as she grabbed her handbag and slippers from the sand.

  “What are you doing”, she could hear the confusion in his husky voice.

  “I have to go home now. Nana will be wondering where I am”, she said shakily.

  He gripped her hand forcing her to face him, “Lauren, please forgive me. I got carried away”.

  “I have to go”, she persisted.

  “At least let me drive you home”.

  She had to get away from him. Now!

  “Nana wont like that very much”, Nana! Oh My God. How could she have forgotten Nana? What would Nana think if she knew? She felt so different; she hoped that Nana didn’t notice.


  “You’re twenty one years old, I’m certain you’ve been out later than this with a guy before”, she grimaced, and he muttered in shock, “you haven’t”.

  “Let’s just go”, she said resignedly.

  They retraced their steps back to his car in a tense silence. He opened the passenger door and while she settled in he went around to the driver’s side and started the car. She told him her address and he found it with surprising ease. She was sure to let him leave her at the entrance of the street leading to her house in case her Aunts were up as they slept like the dead.

  She made to open the door but the sound of his voice soft and beguiling stopped her, “at least give me your number so I can make sure that you get home all right”.

  She looked across at his handsome face under the car light and she couldn’t bear the thought of denying him anything despite her turmoil, “ok”, she muttered and exchanged numbers with him.

  She had just closed her front door when she heard his car speed away. The house was silent when she got in; she tiptoed to her bedroom and breathed a sigh of relief as she closed the door behind her and crumpled to the floor against it. She placed her head in her hands as her body shook uncontrollably. She just couldn’t see him again; her actions tonight were enough to convince her. She had come too close to allowing him to ravish her in the wide open beach front. A hysterical laugh escaped her lips; she was worrying about avoiding him when she didn’t even know if he was interested in seeing her after tonight. After all he was successful and attractive; women must be lining up at his doorsteps to get his attention. He was probably use to sophisticated women who thought nothing of sharing his bed with little or no encouragement. Images of Jordan entwined with another woman evoked a pang of jealously that she could not explain.

  She got up from the floor and stumbled towards the bathroom where she stripped and had a quick shower in an attempt to clear her head. The thought of never seeing Jordan again was slowly driving her crazy. She donned her nightshirt and was just stepping into bed when her cell phone began buzzing on the night table. She answered it without checking the caller, thinking it was Anna who had missed their lunch date.