Randle pulled his handkerchief from his jacket pocket and dried the sweat from her forehead. “Are you alright?” he then asked with concern.
“Yes, I fell asleep and had another bad dream is all,” she explained to him again.
He gently placed his left hand on the side of her face and gave her a quick peck to the cheek. “I’ll be back for you.”
He turned to exit her room closing the door behind him and she could hear the taps from his dress shoes as he made his way down the marble stairway. She turned to enter her oversized bathroom and reached in to start the water in the shower.
“I wish I could quit having that damn dream,” she whispered to herself clamping her eyes closed as if to shake it out of her head. But she knew it wasn’t really a dream. It had indeed happened to her just a few months prior. She never really discussed it with Randle but knew for certain it had to have something to do with him, knowing that the less she asked the better off she would be. But clearly someone had made a play for her. No doubt they were trying to use her to take revenge on Randle for something he had done.
After that day she really didn’t mind having Jeffery around all the time. It was a little inconvenient but she knew now that as long as she was associated with the powerful Randle Malcolm she had best let him protect her at all cost. She had met a lot of his colleagues over the years whenever they would visit him at his home office. It was just across from the bottom of the stairs from Lia’s bedroom and opened into the giant ballroom.
Once she had even overheard one of them whisper to the other, “That’s Randle’s Princess, leave her alone if you know what’s good for you.”
Lia was never comfortable around any of them. Always acting and looking guilty of something even if they weren’t. And Randle would almost always make her leave the room when they would arrive because they had private business to discuss. She could tell when she did see them speak that Randle had to be a very powerful man indeed at what ever it is he does. All his business partners acted meek and afraid when they were in his presence. They always responded to him with yes sir, no sir. Randle always kept his poise and spoke to them with a hard stern voice.
Finally Lia stepped into the hot water spraying from shower head actually laughing now as she turned under the mist to wet her hair remembering how angry Randle was that day. Once he realized she was unharmed he grabbed the sides of both her arms and lifted and slammed her to her feet immediately dragging her toward the house. Yelling all the way as he pulled her down the paved driveway then up the concrete steps to the double wooden front doors nearly shattering the colored stained glass panels after pushing them inward with a powerful harsh thrust.
The front door opened into the ballroom, the massive marble stairway curving up to right and his office door just to the left. He brought her into his office and slammed her down into a leather chair.
“You know better! Why didn’t you wait for Jeffery? You could’ve been killed!”
“I’m sorry, I’m sorry,” is the best she could do now. Clearly he had reason to want Jeffery with her at all times and she knew it. There was no way she could refute this now.
“But what the hell was that all about?” she finally got the nerve to ask.
“Don’t worry about it!” he yelled back. “Jeffery and the others are taking care of it! Now I have to go out there and figure out how to get rid those damn cops!” He motioned toward the door as he spoke. His face was red and his blue eyes wide with anger. This probably was the angriest Lia had ever seen him.
Lia then realized sirens were wailing all about the neighborhood. She tried to rise from the chair to look out the large picturesque window just behind Randle’s desk but only caught a quick glimpse of the red and blue flashing lights as the police cars screeched up in front of the main gate.
“Sit your ass back down and stay there!” he ordered as his right hand shoved her left shoulder forcing her back into the chair. “And don’t you move an inch from that damn chair until I come back!”
Finally he stormed from the room slamming the heavy door behind him. Lia sat as ordered, for a few minutes, sneaking to the window once to look out just to see how much ruckus she had caused. Then out of fear of being caught she returned to the chair to sit quietly and await Randle’s return.
Still smiling and thinking it all to be hilarious now, Lia reached for the bar of soap from the shelf and wrenched it between her hands and began to wash down her neck with her sudsy bare hands reminding her of her first kiss with Randle the night of her eighteenth birthday. To her surprise he had walked her to her bedroom after a rather romantic dinner out together but this time he closed the door behind them and walked her all the way to her bedside and held her so tightly against his body she could feel his heart beat as her breasts pressed against his chest and the warmth of his breath was in her face.
“Princess you do know how much I love you don’t you?” he had asked with lust in his voice.
With that not really being much of a surprise to Lia she answered. “I think so, but Randle I just don’t think I could ever see us that way. Or maybe I’m just not ready.”
Randle’s mouth came at hers until they met. He had kissed her so hard, so passionately Lia thought she was gonna faint then his lips gently slid down her neck to her shoulder and back again as he moved her body backward onto the bed. Just the feel of his weight on top her felt so powerful she wasn’t sure she wanted him to stop. But she pushed him gently off of her and sat up.
“Randle I’m sorry, I just don’t think I can. It just doesn’t feel right.”
Randle rose and pulled to her feet to face him again. He placed his index finger just under her chin and brought her eye to eye with him.
“Whenever you are ready Princess I will be here. But someday…you will be mine.” He was so confident when he said it as if it weren’t an option and she had no say about it. He had their future planned out for them and as far as Randle was concerned it would be no other way.
Her sudsy hands now made their way over her hardened nipples curving under the bottom of her well rounded breasts to her lower abdomen. Lia suddenly opened her eyes again, panting out a gasp as the hot water from the shower was still streaming down her wet soapy body realizing she had just pleasured herself in the shower at the mere thought of making love to Randle.
What is wrong with me? She thought to herself spinning around under the water to rinse herself off. Randle and I could never be like that. Not ever, it just wouldn’t be right.
Finally she turned off the water and reached to the top of the door for her towel. She dried her body and stepped out of the shower now to face the lighted mirror that stretched the entire opposite wall of her bathroom. With her white tiled counter top containing her seashell design porcelain sink with golden faucets running across the bottom and a huge Jacuzzi tub on the back wall.
With her towel wrapped around her nude body she quickly reached for her blow dryer and dried her hair then carefully put on her make up. She made sure Randle had every reason to be proud to show her off tonight.
She re-entered her bedroom to dress. The white sparkling mini dress Randle had purchased for her was lying on the bed. She slipped it on then turned in front of her floor length wall mirror to make sure it was a perfect fit. She could see every curve in her silky body and a slight glimpse of her cleavage of her bosom exposed from the v-cut neckline. Her long brown hair stood out against the color of the dress as it flowed to her waistline. She walked to the foot of her bed and slipped into her matching heels, then back to her dresser and picked up a bottle of perfume and lightly sprayed it on.
Then she walked over to her jewelry armoire. Opening drawer after drawer she finally selected the perfect pair of dangling diamond earrings and back to the dresser so she could watch herself in the mirror as she put them on.
“Awesome,” she stated out loud as she turned her head from side to side making sure they complimented her attire.
Lia then swirled in fr
ont of her floor length mirror one last time making sure every hair was in place and bending forward to look closer so she could make sure that her make up was perfect. She turned sideways to inspect her dress one final time, her mind on nothing else but wanting to make sure she was perfect for Randle. Wanting to make sure he was proud of her because comfortable with it or not, liking it or not she was and probably would always be…Randle’s Princess.
I’m ready she thought as she looked back at the clock. And five minutes to spare. Randle should be here soon.
As soon as she thought it she heard a light tapping at the door, the knob turned and the door opened all at the same time. Randle knew she would be ready so didn’t hesitate to enter.
“You look beautiful Princess,” he expressed with envy as soon as he laid eyes on her.
“Why thank you Randle,” she impishly replied smiling enviously up at him.
Randle was carrying a small square gift wrapped in white paper with a pink bow.
“Happy birthday my love. I hope you like it,” he said as he handed the present to her.
Lia didn’t hesitate. She took the box and un-wrapped it. A black jewelry case was inside with Cartier engraved on the top. She got excited knowing this was a good one. Slowly she opened the hinged lid exposing an exquisite glimmering necklace. A white gold chain baring a diamond encrusted heart.
“Oh Randle it’s absolutely exquisite,” she exclaimed as she pulled it from the box.
Randle came behind her and took it from her hands. “Here, I’ll help you.”
She reached back to pull her hair up over her left shoulder so Randle could circle it around her neck from behind and hook it. Staring into the mirror she lightly touched the pendant against her chest as she admired the beauty of it hanging from around her neck.
“It’s perfect,” she stated then turned and wrapped her arms around Randle’s neck and hugged him tightly.
“I’m glad you like it, now come on. We have guests waiting for you downstairs.”
Randle bent his left arm and she proudly took ahold of it. He walked her over to the bedroom door and opened it. As they stepped out onto the balcony just outside that overlooked the huge circular ballroom below Lia could finally see the room filled with people. Some she knew, some she didn’t. She leaned over the marble rail for a quick glimpse before they began their descent down the stairway. A small orchestra was set up on one side of the room. A huge white birthday cake covered with pink roses, real ones, was displayed just in the center of the room. The white and black tiled floor was waxed to perfection and glimmered under the chandelier lighting almost looking like ice.
Randle had plenty of hired help on hand today. She could see waiters and waitresses all about the room carrying trays of hors d’oeuvres and crystal glasses of wine and champagne. He had spared no expense again. Not Randle. He believed in nothing other than the best.
As they reached the top of the stairs and started to take their first step down Lia caught a quick glimpse as Randle raised his index finger toward the orchestra leader. Immediately they began to play the happy birthday song. Everyone in the room turned and watched now, clapping as Randle gallantly escorted his Princess into the room.
Lia could only smile with slight embarrassment, but loved every second of it. Finally they reached the bottom and turned to face the crowd as the song ended and everyone in the room clapped and cheered and she could hear a lot of them yelling out, “Happy birthday Lia!”
“Thank you all so much,” she muttered out as Randle again began to move amidst them. She could only follow his lead and try her best to keep up with him. He made his way through the crowd and began chatting leisurely with everyone and introduced her to whomever she hadn’t already met.
A waiter approached with a tray of champagne. Randle reached out taking two glasses, one for himself then handed the other to Lia. He gently clicked his glass to hers then raised it slightly.
“Happy birthday Princess, I hope you enjoy this day very much.” He smiled then drank watching as she too sipped at the drink.
It was such a beautiful June day. Lia loved everything about it, the decorations, the cake and even the music the orchestra was playing. Her eyes made their way all around the room again as everyone chatted away enjoying the food and music.
Then Randle took her arm again. “Time to cut that cake,” he informed as he led her over to it.
Lia was amazed at the sight of it, four layers high. He handed her a huge silver knife and she wasn’t to sure where to begin. A waitress was now at her side waiting with plates in hand to serve it. She finally chose to slice the bottom tier and handed the knife to the waitress who took over for her.
Lia took a slice for herself and walked behind Randle now as he made his way through the crowd to the back of the room. He knew she was following him. He kept going until he reached the double glass patio doors that led to the pool and gardens beyond them. He reached out opening one of them and put out his arm for her to keep going. Still holding her cake she went out the door as he had signaled for her too. He closed it behind them.
“Is something wrong?” she asked.
“Not at all, I just needed some air. Figured you could use a break too. It’s such beautiful day out,” he responded looking around the estate.
“Yes it is. And thank you for all of this Randle. I truly do appreciate it.”
Randle turned to face her. She took another bite of her cake. “Want some?” she teased as she playfully shoved the fork toward his mouth and to her surprise he actually ate it. Lia giggled out loud at how cute he looked when he had done it.
“Come on, let’s take a walk,” he then suggested as he put his hand behind her back.
Lia loved it out here. The huge pool sat just outside the back door with huge rock waterfall’s spilling water into it. Just behind that the rest of the tree filled backyard was numerous cement pathway’s lined with perfectly groomed hedges, flowers scattered everywhere and a huge gold fish pond right in the center with its own water fall dropping water into the middle of it. Concrete tables and chairs were also spread everywhere so you could sit, relax and enjoy the peace and solitude.
They strolled down one of the pathways and took a seat next to each other on a concrete bench just beneath a huge oak tree. Lia was still holding what was left of her cake. Randle relaxed his arm on the back of the bench just behind her neck.
“Are you ever gonna finish that thing?” he asked with a laugh. Then took a finger and raked it through the icing and smeared it on her nose.
“You had better stop that!” she scolded as she grabbed the handkerchief out his jacket pocket and wiped it off.
He bent forward and landed a quick kiss directly on her lips. “You are so beautiful,” is all he could say as he stared admiringly into her eyes.
“Thank you,” she replied. “You’re not such a bad looking guy yourself,” she now found herself flirting.
He smiled back at her. “Oh yea? I thought you didn’t like me?”
“I never said I didn’t like you Randle, just that I just can’t see us as a couple. It just feels weird.”
“And why is that? What’s so weird about it?”
Lia thought for a moment. “I really don’t know.” She returned his eye to eye stare.
Randle kissed her again only this time it was more than just their lips that met. Then he gave her a quick kiss on the nose.
“Women,” he stated with a chuckle. “No one will ever understand them.”
“Why’s that?”
“Because I really don’t think they know what they want themselves. That’s why they confuse us so much.”
“You know Randle, you just might be right.”
He shook his head and smiled then he removed his arm from around her shoulder grinning as if he knew a secret. He stretched his left hand out to her. She took ahold of it and stood feeling his fingers entwine around hers as he held her hand tightly.
“Come on, we’d best be getting back
to our guests,” he gestured toward the house.
They strolled back to the house hand in hand. Lia wasn’t sure what he was thinking or what plans he had for them, but also wasn’t exactly sure she wanted to know. Randle had a mind all his own and when he decided there was something he wanted he wasn’t the kind of man to take no for an answer.
Chapter 2
A couple of weeks had passed now since Lia’s birthday party. She awoke this morning thinking of how bored she had been ever since. She was tired of sitting around the house and shopping just wasn’t on her venue. She climbed from her bed and walked to the window that looked out over the front yard toward the main gate.
What a beautiful day she thought as she let go of the drape and walked to her closet. Now what to wear today? Her eyes quickly scanned the two rows of hanging clothes, one on each side of the wall.
You know, I think I’ll actually go for a swim instead. That might cheer me up. She walked back to her dresser and opened a drawer, reached in and pulled out her royal blue bikini then went into the bathroom and slipped it on then grabbed an oversized towel and back to her dresser to get her short robe. She threw the robe over her shoulder with the towel then after slipping on a pair of casual sandals she headed for the door.
She made her way down the stairs just outside of Randle’s office door and was a bit startled when she suddenly heard voices coming from inside. Today was Friday and Randle should have been at his downtown office by now. Then the door opened and two strange men were now staring down at her smiling at her near naked sight. Even through the sunglasses she knew their gaze was upon her.
Lia wasn’t embarrassed at all, she worked hard to keep that body in the shape it was in and had no qualms about showing it off. Then Randle too emerged from behind them and after seeing her standing there he walked straight over to stand in front of her grabbing the towel from her shoulder and began wrapping it around her body.
“Uhh, this is Princess,” he introduced with slight embarrassment showing on his face as he felt her hands take over and finish tucking in the towel around herself.
Randle's Princess Page 2
