Starr Fated

by G E Griffin

  “Liam, I couldn’t possibly afford the rent on the kind of place you must be talking about. I don’t even have a job, because I'm in limbo until I graduate and find out if I’ve been successful on the exchange program.” She turned to look at me as she spoke, and I found myself brushing a wisp of hair from her forehead as I looked at her sweet angelic face.

  “You wouldn’t have to worry about paying me rent, because you’d actually be doing me a favour. It’s never a good idea to leave a property empty in London, so you could look on it as being a house-sitter for me. The place has excellent in-house security, in case that would be an issue for you living on your own. And as far as a job goes, I have a proposition for you,” I said. As I kissed her soft cheek, Sera closed her eyes and drew in a sharp breath - she was just as affected by the close proximity of our bodies as I was.

  “Oh? What kind of a proposition?”

  At least she didn't immediately dismiss it out of hand.

  “You already know I was very impressed with your designs, considering none of my dedicated team had managed to come up with anything remotely suitable . You’re also aware that Rob Lewis has left, so that leaves a vacancy…”

  “Stop right there, Liam, because I can see where you’re headed with this. I'm sorry, but even if I were to consider a position in your company, I really don’t think I could work with a Team Leader like Simon Draper. He’d never accept anything I suggested…”

  “Seraphina, just hear me out, will you? I agree that Simon would have issues working with you but going forward, quite frankly it’s obvious to me that he’s just not up to the job. You see, your designs have inspired me so much that I want a vibrant new image across my entire business portfolio which is going to be a considerable undertaking. Simon got himself into such a state over the simple enough task of converting your designs in time for my trip that he ended up being signed off work with stress, apparently having had some sort of a breakdown. So I’m going to offer him a decent early retirement package, which I think will be best all round for everyone. But it means I’m left with just Tom Johnson, who is a good solid worker, very technically able, but without the creative flare that you undoubtedly possess. I think the two of you could make a good team, with the possibility of taking on other staff as required. I’m offering you a decent package, with an official contract, just as I would offer to any other potential employee. You told me how much you enjoyed working on my designs, that it was an area you would like to specialise in once you graduated. So what do you think?”

  “Wow. I don’t know what to say, Liam. Seems like you’ve got all of the practical bases covered, but…”

  “I appreciate maybe you need some time to think this through, although I can't deny I'd be delighted if you said yes straight away.”

  “But Liam, even if I did say yes to the job, that still doesn't change the fact that as far as any kind of relationship between us goes, apart from this physical attraction, we have nothing in common, in fact I'd say we’re polar opposites, so how could it possibly work between us?”

  “I disagree, because I think in a lot of ways we’re actually very similar, although our skills may lie in different areas. There’s far more between us than just pure physical attraction, and I really think we could make things work between us, otherwise I wouldn’t be here pleading with you. I recognise a kindred spirit because I see how hard working and driven you are. Just like me, you’re driven to succeed and that’s why we worked together so well - we understood each other perfectly, didn't we? ”

  “Yes, I can see what you’re saying, but…” I put my finger over her mouth to stop her speaking.

  “Don’t give me your answer yet, not if you’re going to turn me down. Take tonight to think it over, discuss it with your grandmother maybe.”

  The crazy old bat seemed to be on my side after all.

  “Meet me for breakfast tomorrow before I leave, because I'm going to be away for a week, and I'd really love to know I'd be coming back to start working things out with you.”

  “Liam, this is all very well, but you seem to be forgetting something very critical in all this.”

  “What’s that?”

  “I’ve heard enough about you to know that you are very experienced…sexually. You know that I’m still a virgin. How can I possibly be of interest to you when I’m so inexperienced and probably useless and clueless at doing all the things that you would expect.” Seraphina was blushing furiously and looking down at her feet.

  I threw my head back and laughed loudly, and then pulled her close up against me.

  “Do you have any idea how exciting the thought of being your first lover is to me? How sensual and erotic I would find it to be allowed to introduce you to a whole world of incredible sexual pleasure? It would be my absolute privilege to be your tutor, to show you how wonderful the art of making love can be between a man and a woman. With this incredible chemistry between us, I know it’s going to be sensational. And you should know that I’ve never experienced feeling anything like this before, so it’s all new and exciting for me too,” I whispered. I kissed and nuzzled her neck, pleased to feel her shiver in anticipation of what could be between us as I let my hands slowly wander down her back.

  “These feelings just scare me, they’re so strong, and they confuse me,” she whispered back.

  “I know, and I do understand, but we shouldn’t waste such powerful feelings, should we? But let me make it clear, as much as I can't wait to make love to you, if you agree to try and make things work between us, I promise we’ll take things really slowly, Seraphina. You have my word that nothing will happen between us until you want it to, not until you feel totally confident that you’re ready. Your first time should be very special, and I promise I will do my very best to ensure it will be, if you trust me enough give me that chance. Everything will be at your pace, and you’ll always have the option to say no. But also be warned that in time, when you’re ready, as your sexual mentor I will push you to experiment and try out all kinds of new experiences , because I know that you’ll love them. I can promise you that sex with me will never be dull or boring, so you’ll have that to look forward to.”

  Seraphina’s mouth had dropped open slightly as she listened to me, and I hoped that meant she was as aroused as I was. I tilted her chin up so that I could kiss her, more slowly this time, as I slid my hand under her loose top to touch her silky skin. I felt her breath hitch as I moved my hand slowly upwards to gently brush against her breast through her bra. She moaned as I lightly circled the erect nipple I could feel through the lace with just my finger tip.

  “See? I’ve barely touched you and you’re already on fire for me, aren’t you?” I whispered, as I removed my hand but then nipped her ear lobe, which made her suddenly suck in her breath.

  “Yes,” she whispered, as she squirmed restlessly against me.

  “You know it’ll be unbelievably good between us. We can work all the practicalities out, they’re just minor details. What really matters is how we feel about each other. There’s no problem we can't find a solution to if we really want to. Just say yes, say you’re brave enough to let me seduce you every night if that’s what you want,” I breathed the words slowly in her ear, aware that I was playing dirty now, using every trick in the book in my desperation to get her to agree to be mine.

  “Liam…” I silenced her with another kiss, as I held her head in place with my hands and let my tongue slowly and gently slide in and out of her mouth to mimic the act I so desperately wanted to introduce her to. Her lips were so soft and inviting, her mouth so warm and wet … I knew I had to break away before things got too heated and I’d break the trust I was trying to build up between us.

  “Please, Seraphina, just come join me for breakfast at the Perryville Hotel tomorrow morning, and I’ll answer any questions or doubts you have. It’ll have to be quite early though, because I’ve got to leave by nine thirty to drive up to Dublin for my flight. Come over at about eight?” I ple
aded, as I held her tightly, reluctant to let her go. I liked how I could easily wrap her up in my arms, and I loved the feel of her lovely breasts pressed up against my chest. But I knew I had to let her go, for now anyway.

  “Yes, alright,” Seraphina replied breathlessly. “That doesn’t mean I'm agreeing to anything yet though, just that I’m thinking through what you’ve said. It’s a lot to take in, and I’m feeling slightly overwhelmed, as if you’re trying to railroad me into agreeing.”

  “I can't deny that I really want you to agree, but the final decision has to be yours. I just want you to be brave enough to agree, and take on all the challenges I’m offering, both in your career and in your personal life, rather than hide yourself away in this undeniably pretty but unchallenging backwater. You deserve so much more, and that’s what I'm offering you. Please, just think about it at least?”

  That was as far as I could push her for now, so reluctantly I walked her back to her Grandmother’s cottage and kissed her goodnight, before returning to my solitary hotel room.

  Chapter 21

  Seraphina

  I think I was still in a state of shock even after Liam had walked me back to Nana’s cottage, kissed me again, then made sure I was safely inside before he left. I couldn’t help myself; I felt drawn to watch him out of the window until I couldn’t see him anymore.

  I’d never expected him to turn up here in Kinsale in a million years, and his huge presence seemed totally incongruous, especially in the pub where he’d stood literally head and shoulders above most people. The Big Guy. Of course poor Finbarr who’d just been trying unsuccessfully to get me to go on a date with him hadn't been at all happy to see Liam, and as I knew he could be hot headed at the best of times, I'd tried to defuse the situation as quickly as possible.

  The instant Liam had touched me, I felt the usual magical spark of electricity between us. As I looked up at him, I found myself staring at his strong face with his high cheekbones, piercing blue eyes and sensuous mouth, wondering why I’d ever thought Jamie was better looking than Liam. I even liked the scar he had at the corner of his mouth, and I wanted to touch it for some reason, just as I wanted to touch that thick spiky hair of his. Basically, I just wanted to touch him – everywhere. He was simply dressed in a plain white T shirt and faded denim jeans, and I liked seeing him out of his usual office clothes and more casually dressed. In these clothes, I could see even more clearly how broad and muscly he was. As he’d murmured in my ear about us having unfinished business, I’d felt his rough, bristly cheek brush against mine, and caught his unique smell as he came close. Masculine. Everything about him was so undeniably masculine.

  When we went out into the pub garden together he’d immediately kissed me, and I’d struggled to think coherently because of his sheer overwhelming physical presence and magnetism. But as I looked into his deep blue eyes, I saw how sincere he was about his feelings, about how he wanted to change. And he’d come all this way to see me, altering his incredibly busy business schedule in order to do so. All this combined with his undeniable sex appeal, meant that I’d nearly melted on the spot, but part of me had managed to hang on to some sort of reason to remind me that this was total madness.

  Once he laid out his plans, I soon realised that being the micro managing control freak that was Liam Starr, he’d got every detail worked out. Flat, job, seduction, sex, everything. I was quite sure he’d have an answer to any objections I might raise, because it seemed I’d become his latest challenge. Men always wanted what they couldn’t have, didn't they? He’d got bored of his blonde bimbos for now and felt in need of a change. I knew he couldn’t possibly be serious about me, because he was quite clearly a commitment-phobe. By my reckoning, Liam was about thirty two and had never yet been in any kind of a committed relationship. So I’d be mad to let myself be drawn in, wouldn’t I?

  And yet…when he talked about being my sexual tutor, about how great it would be between us, how special he’d make my first time, my libido had immediately gone into overdrive, and I think if he’d have asked me to go with him to his hotel for my first lesson right then and there, I wouldn’t have hesitated. I wanted to feel his powerful body pinning me down on the bed to act out my erotic dreams with him.

  But forcing myself to leave sex out of the equation and turning my attention to the job he’d offered me, I couldn’t deny it interested me, and that it was a fantastic opportunity, but surely it had to be a bad idea for me to work for him? And a flat too – I had no doubt it would be a great place to live, but he would still be my landlord, and I could easily find myself jobless and out on the street when things turned sour between us, as they eventually would.

  If I went ahead and accepted all these arrangements, it would mean that virtually every aspect of my life would be connected to Liam, controlled by him, and that worried me. If things didn't work out and ended badly, I’d lose everything in one fell swoop. No, whatever my wanton sex drive might be telling me, it was all just far too risky. I decided that I’d turn him down when I saw him in the morning.

  I walked in to find a reception committee waiting for me in Nana’s kitchen. Sitting at the table were my cousin Aoife, Aunty Caitlin and Nana of course. And they all started speaking at once.

  “Ah, so here she is. Come on then, tell us how your ‘discussions’ with Liam went then,” Aoife smirked at me.

  “Just exactly who is this Liam character? And why has he come all the way over from England just to see you?” Aunty Caitlin wanted to know.

  “He found you, just as I knew he would. So when are you going back to London with him?” Gran asked.

  “Hang on, hang on, one at a time,” I pleaded, as I sat down with them.

  “This Liam is the man you were telling me about, isn’t it? The big boss man of the company you were working for, the one you kissed, but thought you’d misread the signs with?” Aoife asked, with a wicked grin.

  “Yeah, but…” I tried to protest.

  “They kissed? And what signs? You never told me anything about this,” Aunty Caitlin frowned at her daughter.

  “Well, it didn't seem that important at the time. I didn't know he was going to come chasing after her, did I?” Aoife protested.

  “Well of course he was going to come after her. You know who his family are, don’t you?” Nana said, with a very smug look on her face for some reason. I sat back and folded my arms while I listened in stunned bemusement as my family discussed my private life.

  “No, who?” Aunty Caitlin asked.

  “His mother was an O’Doherty from Waterford. He’s her eldest son and she called him Liam, which means ‘unwavering protector’, so clearly she understood what his role was fated to be. He’s even got those forceful deep blue eyes and all. So of course he was going to come after our Seraphina,” Nana said, as she nodded sagely.

  Knowledge of this Irish connection of Liam’s family was all new to me, although come to think of it I did remember Jamie mentioning something about his mother being Irish when we had been comparing our unpronounceable middle names one time. I think he said his was Diarmuid.

  “Really? Well I never. That certainly explains a lot,” Aunty Caitlin exclaimed as she beamed at me, while Aoife nodded and smiled in agreement as well. “Your dear mother, God rest her soul, would be so happy about this, Seraphina.”

  “What on earth are you lot talking about? Liam hasn’t come after me. He just stopped off while he was on a business trip because he wanted to offer me a job, that’s all,” I lied. “So I don’t see what all this talk about his family has got to do with anything.”

  “Oh, come on Sera. He must have come miles out of his way to ‘stop off’ here in Kinsale. If it was just about a job offer, he’d have emailed it to you, or rung you, he wouldn’t have come here in person. And it was obvious to everyone in the pub that there was something between you, so stop trying to fob us off,” Aoife said. “And I’m sure Nana will be only too willing to fill you in about our family and his.”

&nb
sp; “Indeed I am. I suppose I have to remember that since you didn't grow up around here, you don’t know so much about these things,” Nana sighed.

  “What things? I have no idea what on earth you’re talking about,” I said in exasperation. Much as I loved my family, they could be very weird at times.

  “You see, Liam’s family - the O’Doherty’s of Waterford - has always had a special connection with our family - the O’Connell’s of Kinsale. Every so often, fate decrees that one of their men is destined for one of our women, and this time it’s you and Liam. That’s why you’re so attracted to each other, why he felt compelled to come and find you, and why you’ll agree to go back with him.” Nana stated with total conviction.

  “What total and utter drivel. I’ve never heard so much rubbish in all my life. Liam and I are totally unsuited, we have nothing whatsoever in common, we’re complete opposites in fact,” I protested vehemently.

  “Of course you are. That’s the whole point. Two opposing halves make one whole,” Nana insisted.

  “Nana’s right. Yin and Yang, the Chinese call it. Seeming opposites who are actually complementary, not opposing forces. You’ll interact perfectly to form a whole greater than either separate part,” Aoife stated.

  “Where the hell did you learn that to spout it at me?” I asked, as I looked at her in surprise.

  “I don’t know why you’re so shocked by my knowledge. I research all sorts of ancient signs and legends to come up with new ideas and designs for the jewellery that Sean makes to sell in our shop. Yin-Yang charms and necklaces are very popular actually,” Aoife replied rather huffily, as if I’d insulted her intelligence in some way.

  “But I thought you specialised in Celtic designs rather than Chinese,” I pointed out.

  “We do, of course. But we’re always trying to find new ways to turn a profit, so it’s only sensible to diversify and offer more choice, especially as we’ve been getting increasing numbers of Chinese tourists.”