Redeeming the Playboy

by Carol Marinelli

  ‘Where are the little ones?’ Nina asked.

  ‘Steven’s home and watching them,’ Nancy said. ‘He’s doing good now, much more sensible.’

  ‘How was court?’ Nina asked.

  ‘I’m here,’ Nancy said. ‘No conviction recorded.’

  ‘That’s great,’ Nina encouraged.

  ‘I’m so grateful. I don’t know what I was thinking back then.’

  ‘Four children to feed maybe?’ Nina said.

  ‘Nancy left a violent household with her children,’ Nina explained. ‘They were on the streets for a while and Nancy got arrested for shoplifting. It was then that she was referred to us and we arranged emergency shelter. Nancy has found employment since then, but a conviction would have threatened that. She was represented by one of the centre’s lawyers …’ And Jack listened and heard how in the year since she’d left home Nancy really had turned her life around. She was out of emergency housing now and in rental accommodation and her eldest son, Steven, was finally attending school and taking it seriously. Nina was going through some welfare forms with her now that her circumstances had changed. ‘Things are looking a lot better.’

  ‘They are.’ Nancy nodded.

  ‘Now …’ As the appointment concluded Nina smiled. ‘Do you remember I spoke to you about Dr Cavel?’

  ‘The cosmetic surgeon?’

  Jack’s ears really did pick up. If they were talking about Louis Cavel, he was renowned, so renowned that he had done some rather impressive work on Jack’s own mother.

  ‘We had a meeting a few weeks ago and I mentioned you to him, as I said I would. He had a look at your photos and he really thinks he can help.’ Jack watched as Nancy started to cry and Nina went from her chair and put her arms around the woman. ‘He’s really looking forward to meeting with you.’

  ‘The truth?’ Nancy checked.

  ‘Absolutely,’ Nina said.

  ‘I’m so ashamed of my face,’ Nancy sobbed. ‘I feel people looking at my scars all the time and every time I look in the mirror I remember what he did.’

  ‘Dr Cavel gets that. He wants to help you move on and really put this behind you,’ Nina said. ‘We’re all so proud of the effort you’ve made this past year.’

  ‘This is the sweet reward.’

  ‘I believe so.’ Nina said. ‘I’ve heard that his work is second to none. Now …’ Nina stood and went through the file and handed Nancy a business card ‘… he is holding a clinic here on Thursday. It’s strictly by appointment, the wait for him is huge, but he does want to see you, so I’ve scheduled one. Can you get here on Thursday?’

  ‘Oh, I’ll be here.’ Despite her tears a huge smile split Nancy’s face. ‘I wouldn’t miss it. I never thought I’d be getting my face fixed.’

  ‘I can’t wait to see you when you do.’

  As Nancy left, Nina turned at Jack’s voice.

  ‘We are talking about the Louis Cavel?’

  ‘He donates fifteen hours a month,’ Nina said. ‘And the difference he makes to lives is amazing. Nancy is already a changed woman, but just wait till she’s got rid of those scars, she’ll be unstoppable.’ She smiled at Jack. ‘Louis loves the work he does here—he says it grounds him after dealing with rich socialites who have nothing more to worry about than new crows’ feet appearing …’

  ‘He’s my mother’s cosmetic surgeon.’

  Her lack of embarrassment at her faux pas was refreshing, and when she laughed, so did Jack.

  ‘So what will he do for Nancy?’

  ‘A miracle,’ Nina said. ‘I had a woman last year who had massive, ke-, ke-, I can’t remember the name. Really thick scars.’

  ‘Keilod scars,’ Jack said.

  ‘That’s it, and her nose had been broken numerous times. Louis did the most amazing work, he always does—he gives these women their faces back.’

  As the evening progressed Jack was far from bored.

  He was, in fact, fascinated.

  They didn’t finish till after ten, not because of clients but because they actually sat talking and Jack became more and more impressed with what he’d never thought he would be. He started to understand the holistic approach that she favoured so much, and they carried on chatting as Jack drove her home.

  ‘We offer counselling not just to the women and children but also their partners. Some women stay and some men do choose to change.’ She saw his disbelieving eye-roll. ‘Some do!’

  ‘Perhaps,’ Jack said, though he’d have to see it to believe it.

  Actually, he wanted to see it to believe it.

  ‘I’ve got a fundraiser for the burns unit next weekend.’ Jack glanced at her. ‘Come with me.’

  ‘I don’t think so.’

  ‘No, please. You dismiss all the work that I do, just as I dismissed yours, and I would like you to see what I do.’

  ‘Jack …’ Her voice was slightly weary. ‘I’d stick out like a sore thumb at one of those dos.’

  ‘I can—’

  ‘Please,’ Nina broke in. ‘Don’t offend me by offering to buy me something to wear. If I was a millionaire I still wouldn’t drop a thousand dollars on an evening dress and shoes.’

  A thousand dollars wouldn’t begin to cover it and Jack felt that knot of unease again in his stomach as he thought of the wealth that surrounded him, the money that made money and the games that he played.

  ‘Think about it.’

  ‘May be.’

  She wouldn’t.

  ‘And speaking of men who don’t change—’ they were nearing the turn-off for her apartment and Jack wanted to drive on ‘—would you like dinner?’

  ‘I had something to eat at work.’

  ‘A drink perhaps?’

  This question Nina did think about, she really did.

  She sat with her bottom being warmed on a leather seat and glanced over at him, at his perfect profile. Then, as his hand moved to turn on the music, she saw his manicured nails and the flash of his expensive watch and she remembered that he was everything she abhorred, except still she wanted him.

  And Jack was the first man she had ever wanted.

  The first.

  Avoiding him hadn’t cleared her head—her mind was still full of him. The fight to concentrate on anything but him was a permanent one these days and she knew nothing would come of it, knew it would be short-lived, but there were too many less–than-pleasant memories in her head, and Nina wanted a nicer one to replace them.

  And so she agreed to a drink.

  ‘Please.’

  He had been sure she’d refuse him, and just as he blinked at her acceptance she surprised him again.

  ‘Maybe we could have a drink back at your place.’

  It was like a game with two players and they were both assessing the rules.

  She walked into his gleaming bachelor pad and Jack Carter was everything she wasn’t into.

  Not just wealth-wise either.

  He undid her coat with this half-smile on his face, made a lot of work of her belt, and that made her tingle in places she shouldn’t.

  It was a tiny thing, but Nina felt her heart beating in her throat.

  ‘Drink …’ Jack said, pouring her one without waiting for her reply.

  He watched her at the window, still in her boots and that awful grey pinafore, but, he conceded, he liked the purple.

  But it wasn’t just her appearance that was different from that of any woman he usually brought home, it wasn’t just that Nina was different.

  He actually felt different.

  Very different.

  He just couldn’t nail why.

  He took off his tie, kicked off his shoes, took a seat on a low lounge and watched as she stood there, looking out at the New York skyline she loved.

  ‘What are you thinking?’ Jack asked.

  ‘Nothing. I’m just looking at the view.’

  ‘Come on, Nina, what are you thinking?’

  Nina turned. ‘Will I be sent to the naughty corner if I
don’t tell you?’

  ‘Blindfolded.’ Jack actually laughed.

  ‘I don’t think I like you, Jack.’ It was strange she could be so honest, could turn and look him in the eye and say exactly what she thought. ‘And I know this isn’t going anywhere.’

  ‘Why not?’

  ‘Oh, please,’ she scoffed. She didn’t need the sweet talk, she really didn’t and told him so as she walked over to where he sat. ‘I don’t know that I’m up for the sexual marathon of the next few days or weeks and then the awkwardness after …’

  ‘I’m never awkward,’ Jack said, and watched as she smiled. ‘I bet you like really considerate, thoughtful lovers who say, “Is this okay for you, Nina?” as you lie there bored out of your mind.’

  ‘No.’

  He frowned.

  ‘So, if you’re not sure you like me, why are you here?’

  ‘Maybe for the same reason as you.’

  ‘I’ll tell you why I’m here.’ And she waited for that beautiful mouth to tell her the reason, for him to say something crude perhaps, yet it was he now who surprised her. ‘Unlike you, I happen to know that I like the person I’ve recently been spending time with. Admittedly, that’s taken me by surprise—no offence, but you’re not my type.’

  ‘None taken,’ Nina said, ‘because you are so not mine.’

  ‘However …’ he was looking at her mouth as he spoke, his hands sliding up between her thighs ‘I … think the sex could be amazing, and I actually have no idea where we are going and no idea where this is leading, just that I would like to get to know you some more.’

  He was still looking at her mouth.

  ‘I should warn you, though.’ He smiled as he did so. ‘Those touchy-feely, sensitive new-age lovers you’re used to? I’m going to ruin you for ever …’

  ‘Jack, you don’t know me at all—there haven’t been any sensitive new-age lovers, as you call them. I’ve never been in a relationship.’

  She felt his hand still on her thigh, smiled at the flare of shock and panic in his eyes.

  ‘I’m not a virgin.’ Nina couldn’t help but laugh at his reaction.

  ‘Thank God for that.’ Jack blew out a breath. ‘Never?’

  ‘Never,’ Nina said. ‘I don’t really have time.’ And she certainly had no intention of telling him about her past or admit to Jack that he was the first man she’d been attracted to in the longest, longest time … ever, really. That the nights spent on friends’ sofas had rather too often had a down side in the shape of her friends’ brothers or fathers—no, Jack didn’t need to know all that.

  It was far easier to let him think this was just casual, even if she’d never wanted anything like this in her life before. So that was what she told him, that just for tonight was completely fine. And Jack told himself that he could deal with this. After all, he’d never been in much of a relationship either, but there was a certain disquiet at her honesty that she was only there for sex. Jack noted his own double standards and got over them quickly, his hand resuming its path on her thigh.

  If she had thought he would haul her over his shoulder and throw her onto the bed she couldn’t have been more wrong. If she had thought he might quickly undress her, she had it wrong there too, because instead he kissed her.

  A kiss that was far more tender than expected, a nice kiss that turned into a deeper kiss, but really, though, his kiss was measured and thoughtful and the hand on the back of her head was not bold or forceful, it was the other hand that misbehaved.

  It climbed up her stockings, without even pretending to idle, and he stroked her through her pantyhose. He pushed where he could not enter, he fiddled and he probed and he stroked her as, like a gentleman, he kissed her.

  And she kissed him back and wriggled on his knee until she could not stand the tease, couldn’t take the frustration any more.

  ‘Tear them …’ she breathed into his mouth.

  He ignored her.

  ‘Jack …’ She pulled her mouth away. ‘Tear them.’

  ‘No.’ His whole hand cupped her. ‘Because I like them and I lied, it will be awkward when I see you in these stocking at work …’

  ‘I’ve got loads.’ But he kept stroking her and kissing her till she wanted to climb off his lap and take the bloody things off herself, except he pulled her down harder to him. She wanted him to undress her, wanted him to take her to bed, wanted to catch her breath, but he did not let her. Jack just kept touching her through her stockings and kissing her, because with his hand working its magic a kiss was all it would take to undo her. And he did not give in even when she tried to move a little to undress him to reciprocate.

  ‘Why are you so stubborn?’ Jack said when she held onto her orgasm.

  ‘I’m not.’ She could hardly get her breath, yet she refused to just give in to him. She didn’t know why she was fighting it, she just didn’t want to let go.

  She wanted him to let her down, wanted him to be selfish, wanted to fault him in some way so that she could get him out of her mind, but she was failing miserably as she bit her lip, desperately trying not to come. He felt her thighs clamp around his hand, felt her breath rapid in his mouth and he stopped stroking, just enjoyed the small jolts of her body and the triumph of beating her resistance, but more than that, her reluctant pleasure was his.

  He angered her.

  She didn’t know why.

  Maybe it was the combination of good looks and wealth and knowing that things came so easily to him.

  Even her.

  That he simply knew he was that good made her angry and she turned on his lap to face him and refused to simply hand over control, to just lie there when he took her and whimper his name.

  So, facing Jack, she kissed him, a different kiss this time. He was detained at her pleasure now, so it was the buttons to his shirt that she opened. He moved her hips up just a little higher so that his erection pressed into her and she kissed down his face to his neck, trying to gauge his collar line, nipping his neck just a little lower and sucking hard. There was a fight for control here and one Jack wasn’t used to, but he was up for it, and their mouths found each other as she tackled his belt.

  And she didn’t just find out what sort of a lover Jack was, Nina found out what sort of a lover she could be.

  That she could demand and be met, that she could offer no explanation but be understood. She unbuckled his belt and the top button of his trousers too, freeing him, and he let her feel a lot of him, then his hand moved in and shredded her stockings and her panties too, and she moaned with the pleasure of his fingers inside her and his mouth on her neck, and then somehow Jack made even the search for a condom sexy.

  ‘I’ve got a little job for you.’

  She had to lean over to his discarded jacket, had to find the little silver packet while his other hand stroked her bum, and then she had to rest back on her booted heels with his huge erection between them.

  ‘Here.’ She held out the packet.

  ‘I’m busy,’ he said, trying to find the zipper to her dress. ‘You put it on.’

  ‘You’re old enough to dress yourself, Jack.’ And she stayed back on her heels and held him, stroked him upwards over and over with both hands, one after the other in an endless tunnel till Jack was the one holding on now, Jack was the one fighting not to come.

  ‘Why are you so stubborn, Jack?’ Nina teased.

  ‘Why are you?’ Jack said, and lifted her hips enough so that she was over him, till her hands were removed from him and she had to steady herself on his shoulders. Then his hands held her hips and he pulled her down just a little way, just enough to teach her a very hard lesson, and then he lifted her a little and he watched her face as he did it again, and it was then that Nina conceded these were dangerous, reckless games and she never played them, but it was very easy to lose your head around Jack.

  He watched as she went to retrieve the packet, but Jack changed his mind.

  He didn’t want sex on the sofa and neither did he
want to be driving her home at two a.m. or calling a taxi, which he was somehow sure that she’d demand, because, unlike others, Nina didn’t seem to want an entry pass to his bedroom. Nina wasn’t even attempting that futile entry into his heart.

  This, it would seem, was all she wanted.

  It was Jack, as he kissed her into the bedroom, who wanted more.

  He took off her dress in one motion.

  And off came the purple jumper too and he looked at the tattiest bra he’d ever seen, and he even made her laugh as he took it off.

  ‘Dressing to impress, Nina?’

  ‘I don’t need to.’

  She didn’t, because never had Jack cared less about the packaging. All Jack wanted was what was inside, but still she resisted.

  Not with her body.

  Her mouth met his as she undressed him. Nina indulged herself, because he was easily the most beautiful man she had ever seen, or had felt beneath her fingers. He was as luxurious naked as he was dressed. He smelt like Jack but a close-up version that she got to taste, and he acted like Jack, but a more intimate version that she now got to sample.

  But, yes, she resisted, because even with Jack inside her, even with her body flaring with heat as he moved deep within her, even while being given the full Jack Carter experience, she held back just one vital piece, and he knew it.

  ‘Nina …’ He was chasing something and he didn’t know what it was. He could feel her wanton beneath him, every lift of her hips bringing him closer. Her mouth was as probing as his, on his neck on his shoulders, her fingers scratching his back. It was the best sex he could remember, but he wanted something more. She was moaning beneath him and he guided her towards freefall, except he was used to more cheering from the stands, for the chant of his name or shouts of approval, for a giddy declaration as he hit the mark. He didn’t need it and never had he actually wanted it, but as she throbbed beneath him, as he gave in to the sheer pleasure, Jack still wanted more.

  His tongue was cool when he kissed her afterwards and she lay there, catching her breath for a very suitable while.

  So now she knew just how good sex could be and all it did was confuse her, because she just couldn’t imagine feeling like this with another man. She looked at Jack and he looked at her and Nina had to be very sure that she held onto her heart, but he had no idea of the gift he’d just given her. Even if soon he’d move on from her.