FATED Page 9

  ‘Yep,’ he said, grinning from ear to ear, still undressing before me. My eyes watched the movement of his hands, undoing the brown belt on his jeans. The quick flick, which released the top button and I was now looking at a very tidy piece of manscaping.

  WHAT... the guy also goes commando? I forced my eyes away, straight up to his very pleased smirk.

  ‘But now I need to get rid of these clothes and take a quick shower, as much as I enjoyed... no I’ll rephrase that,’ his thumb and forefinger gently tipped my head back and he stared into my eyes, ‘As much as I fucking loved ejaculating into my jeans, because of you and your sexy grinding motion... I don’t want to be wearing my cum all the way home,’ he winked at me, and released my chin. He turned and opened a section of the dark wood panelling that surrounded the masculine office. I hadn’t even realised it was there. It was obviously a shower room.

  At the sound of running water, I turned and performed my well practised routine again. I fled.

  Fifteen

  The light in the hallway mad

  e me feel worse. It was so bright, almost like a thousand spotlights had been turned on, especially to interrogate me. Thankfully it was void of people.

  I knew the layout of the clubhouse was such that I would need to enter the bar area, in order to reach the ladies. With as much courage as I could muster, I pushed open the door.

  Not wanting to attract anyone’s attention, I silently made my way to the edge of the bar, to the welcome sight of the word ‘Ladies’ placed to the right of the door that I so badly needed to enter.

  Once inside I leant my back on the cold wall and listened. Someone was obviously looking out for me. The toilet was silent and appeared to be vacant.

  Making my way to the vanity unit on extremely shaky legs, I stared at my reflection.

  It had to be said; I looked the best I had ever seen. My eyes shone so brightly. My cheeks were flushed and healthy looking. How ridiculous?

  So what I was saying was I was the best looking after rubbing myself off on a complete stranger’s lap? The complete stranger, who led my cousin to his death.

  I looked down and started to wash my hands.

  Was I trying to wash away my guilt? Or the feeling of touching Jabby?

  I didn’t know, but what I did know was I needed to remove my soaked knickers and then get the hell out of here and home. A quick exit was what I needed now.

  I entered the cubicle. Undoing my jeans I pushed them down my legs and sat down with a sigh, my clit was still throbbing with need.

  What the hell was going on with me?

  I heard the toilet door open.

  ‘Frankie? … are you OK? … I saw you come in. Come on, answer me.’

  Letting out an audible sigh, my body sank further down onto the loo.

  ‘Yeah, I’m in here, Bella; just give me a minute, please.’

  I quickly removed my knickers and stuffed them in my jeans pocket. I pulled my jeans up and left my rugby shirt untucked, to cover up the now very evident bulge over my right hip. Lifting the lock, I opened the door and fell literally into a hug from my friend. She pushed my hair away from my face.

  ‘Oh my God... what the hell did I just do?’

  Bella smiled at me, ‘I would say you just did one of the best looking blokes I have ever seen,’ she waggled her eyebrows at me.

  ‘BELLA... please be serious!’

  ‘Frankie, I honestly believe you have to let this go. The bloke was exonerated; the whole thing was misjudgement, wasn’t it?’

  Pursing my lips together, I nodded slowly ‘Yeah, I think you’re right, but who the hell is he, thinking he can control my life?’

  ‘That, gorgeous girl, remains to be seen. But I really do believe you need to at least stay here a while. See Nathan’s physio through and see what happens. For once in your life I am going to be the friend, who doesn’t let you run away,’ she clasped both sides of my face and pulled me to her. ‘Yes?’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘Right come on, get cleaned up and let’s get back to the bar.’

  ‘Did you tell Nathan... what you saw in the office?’ I lifted my gaze to meet hers in the mirror. She was examining her hair and face. I subconsciously ran my fingers through my own hair trying to make it appear tidy.

  ‘Tell him what?... that I entered the office and saw his brother holding you in his arms, like all his Christmases and birthdays had come at once,’ she smiled at me, whilst touching up her now fading lipstick.

  ‘Really?’ I stopped what I was doing and questioned her.

  ‘Really,’ her eyes bore into my own, trying to convey how strongly she wanted me to feel the word. ‘Whatever he’s got for you he’s got it bad,’ she finished pruning and held out her hand for mine. ‘Come on let’s do this.’

  I took a deep breath and followed her out into the bar area.

  The bar was much less busy now. We made our way back to our original booth. A quick glance around showed me that Nathan had been joined there by Alex and Brent. Nathan appeared a little worse for wear. Alex was refusing to take his eyes off me, as he turned the tumbler glass around and around in his two hands.

  I couldn’t meet his eyes, not just yet.

  Nathan rather clumsily stood as best he could and grabbed me to him. ‘Sorry, chocolate drop... I didn’t mean to cause you any hurt. I just knew he knew you. And wanted to oust him... he’s always so goddamn secretive!’

  ‘It’s alright, Nathan,’ I patted his arm reassuringly, wanting him to sit, before he fell down in an intoxicated heap, at my feet.

  ‘It’s a real pleasure to finally meet you properly, Frankie. JJ talked about you all the time, I feel as though I already know you.’ I looked towards the voice just in time to see Brent lift his beer to his mouth and catch the same ring on his left hand.

  ‘You knew JJ?’

  ‘I sure did honey, and it was an honour,’ he cleared his throat obviously trying to disguise his emotions.

  Still clutching Bella’s hand I glanced over to Alex. His forearms, in his now white shirt sleeves, were now on the table in front of him. But his eyes were still resting on me, trying to ascertain how I was feeling.

  I smiled a small careful smile at him. I swallowed with the embarrassment of the pictorial flashes going through my head, of my latest orgasm. He stood suddenly, lifting an eyebrow at me, questioningly. With his movement wafted over that cologne. The cologne that filled my dreams and now my reality, it seemed.

  Bella almost instinctively dropped my hand as Alex came and stood next to me. His left hand reached out as he lightly ran his fingertips down, from in between my shoulder blades, grazing all the way down my spine, finally coming to a stop at the top of my bum cheeks. My body automatically jumped in response and my hips jerked forward.

  I breathed in quickly, trying to disguise my response. He stooped down to me. The scruff on his face bristled against the shell of my ear. I could feel his hot breath. It was all it took for my clit to start throbbing again. Then he whispered, ‘Steady, baby, we have all night......’

  Jesus Christ what does this man have over me?

  Just then his phone rang, after checking the screen for the incoming contact details Alex took the call.

  His deep voice affected me in ways I was just too naive to even contemplate. The hair on the back of my neck stood to attention. My blood pumped quicker around my body and my bloody nipples were so hard they were trying to force themselves through the lace holes in my bra.

  ‘Right then, ladies and meddling brother of mine, we need to start making our way back to the city. Edwards is on time and will be landing in precisely 8 minutes.’

  ‘You’re travelling back with us?’ I asked.

  ‘Yes, Frankie, I am. I think we have some talking to do. Don’t you? Now that we have
finally... come together,’ with the last statement the corners of his mouth lifted and formed his beautiful heart shaped lips into the start of a full on, bad boy grin.

  The pull I felt as he poked his tongue out at me, wetting his lips in the process, was palpable. He left me feeling like a rabbit caught in car headlights. Paralysed I watched him casually run his hand through his wet hair. His preference was obviously to wear it flopped over slightly to one side; his hand seemed to check it out of habit. Even that small display left me breathless and weak at the knees.

  The helicopter flight was quick and painless. I was quiet, not joining in the banter that was flowing between the others.

  What was Alex expecting when we got back to the penthouse?

  As much as I wanted, no needed him, I also needed to think about what had happened. What I really needed was to call Aunty Jean and have a chat. She had, all my life, managed to point me in the right direction and I knew she wouldn’t fail me now.

  The helicopter landed. We all clambered out. Alex had been brought up with good manners it seemed, as he helped first Bella and then me down. Once my feet had touched the roof, his hands didn’t leave my waist and he pulled me flush to him. I couldn’t believe how well I fitted against him. I couldn’t deny myself and lifted my hands up onto his shoulders. His gaze was trying to penetrate my thoughts as he rested his forehead against mine.

  ‘I can hear the wheels in your head turning, baby; I know a lot has happened this afternoon... I just don’t want you over thinking this.’ He moved slightly apart from me and gesticulated with his index finger between the two of us. Then he tapped his finger to my temple.

  ‘I just need a little time.’

  ‘Yeah... OK, as much as it pains me,’ a deep sigh left those lovely lips that I couldn’t take my eyes off. It was followed by an even deeper intake of breath.

  ‘I do understand you need a little time, and I can give you that. But I won’t let you fucking over think this... you are mine, baby; you have been for a fucking long time. I have wanted you so much, for so long,’ he shook his head gently.

  ‘Now that I finally have you, I sure as hell am not fucking letting you go. DO. NOT. EXPECT. ME. TO. LET. YOU. GO.’ He used his thumb and fingers to lift my chin slightly and he slowly lowered his mouth to mine. The kiss was so gentle; his tongue licking the seam of my mouth almost begging permission to enter. I opened my lips to allow him access, and the kiss immediately turned from gentle to all consuming as we explored each other. A shout from the open door of the lift broke us reluctantly apart.

  ‘OK ... YOU GUYS, GET A ROOM!’

  It had to be Bella, only she would refuse to bow down to an alpha male such as Alex.

  Alex let me lead the way towards the open lift, where everyone else was gathered, just by placing a large hand to the small of my back. It made me smile inside, as I didn’t want to break this connection with him just yet. Edwards being the consummate professional had not an expression out of place. Nathan and Bella on the other hand, had the biggest grins, having just witnessed our kiss and open display of affection or lust. I could hear them silently shouting I told you so, licking the tip of their index finger and moving it down through the air. To give us a one up signal.

  Thankfully the lift being this crowded stopped it from being the lust filled space I knew it could be with just Alex and I inside. The doors opened at the penthouse level and we all made our way out.

  ‘I’ll help Nathan in, no problem,’ Bella was now wrapping her arms around Nathan, and Edwards propped himself up and under where Nathan would normally bury his crutch. I watched as he appeared to bodily lift him up and the three of them made their way towards Nathan’s door. The door opened and they disappeared inside.

  This was the bit I had been dreading and wanting all at the same time. Alex hugged me to him, saying nothing at first. I consumed everything I could to memory, not knowing if I would ever be here again.

  He made me feel safe.

  He made me feel alive.

  He made me feel longing.

  He made me feel guilt.

  But most of all, he made me feel.

  ‘So tell me, baby... how long do you need?’ He rested his forehead against mine and closed his slightly hooded eyes. He ever so slowly backed me into the wall beside my front door.

  ‘I’m not sure,’ I shook my head trying to convince him.

  ‘Not good enough, Frankie... in order to give you the time and space you say you need, you have to give me a time scale to work to, a clear indication of when I can expect to take you to my bed.’ Those green eyes I had dreamt of so often, widened and amber flecks started to flick through them. One eyebrow lifted in question to me. A growing bulge in his trousers pressed into my hip bone. A knowing smile threatened that beautifully shaped mouth.

  God he really is too good looking to be a male.

  ‘Can you give me a couple of days?’ I tried to bargain with him, convinced I was still going to be at odds with myself even then, but I needed to break this connection somehow.

  ‘OK... It’s Saturday, I can give you till Monday evening, when I expect to have you over to my place for dinner.’ He started to release his hold on me, and my body started to protest.

  I have no idea why this feels so right and so wrong all at the same time.

  I still couldn’t answer him. It was a full time job just trying to control the feelings rising up inside of me.

  ‘Yeah, Monday evening,’ I finally agreed.

  ‘I agree to not see you until then, but I do not agree to not contacting you, baby. I won’t question you... but I will remind you how we feel when we are together. You do feel this, don’t you?’

  ‘Yes, I feel it,’ my voice was small again as I owned up to his enquiry.

  ‘OK, Frankie. Thank you for today, I am so pleased Nathan brought you to the rugby match, even if his timing is totally fucking shit,’ exasperation seemed to get to him and one hand left my body and ran through his soft clean hair.

  The moment was broken as Bella came out of Nathan’s apartment grinning from ear to ear as her eyes fell upon us.

  ‘Don’t mind me,’ she said as she entered our apartment, the door slammed shut behind her.

  Alex hooked his fingers into the front pockets of my jeans and pulled me suddenly towards him. His mouth descended quickly to mine; there was no gentleness, no patience and no asking. His mouth forcibly invaded mine and after a split second of shock, my mouth joined him and we kissed like we might never do so again. He moved away from me, almost reluctantly it seemed. The handsome face in front of my eyes broke into a huge boyish grin.

  ‘And these, must have been left especially for me?’

  It took me a moment to become coherent once again; such was the kiss he had just blown me away with. But when my eyes became focused again I saw, much to my horror, my dark blue lacy thong hanging on his left index finger.

  OH MY GOD!

  I watched as he backed away from me, grinning from ear to ear. At the last moment he opened his door, lifted up my, I was sure still soaked, underwear and sniffed. A look of utter contentment stretched across that gorgeous face and he laughed a loud booming laugh.

  ‘Till Monday, baby... so looking forward to it,’ he winked at me and ducked behind the heavy wood.

  Sixteen

  As the door closed be

  hind me I wanted to slide down it and sit on my arse, such was the feeling of utter physical and mental exhaustion that overwhelmed me. Standing not 5ft away from me was my bestie, holding two mugs of hot steaming tea.

  ‘I think this is probably just what the doctor ordered,’ she said with a grin.

  ‘Yeah,’ I said, taking my I love New York mug from her. ‘I need to call Aunty Jean.’ I left that floating in the air.

  ‘Hmmm ... OK, you probably do. Bu
t first you need to sit down with me and give me all the details.’

  I followed her down the step to our sitting area and sat down with a thump, curling my legs up underneath me. I placed two hands on my cup of tea, relishing the warmth that ran through me. Slowly my gaze lifted to her beautiful blue, enquiring eyes.

  ‘So at least we know it hasn’t grown over?’ she laughed.

  ‘What?’

  ‘Your lady garden.’

  It was all too much; I snorted when breathing in and spat out some of the hot tea I was in the act of trying to swallow.

  ‘My lady garden?’ I stared at her now, as she burst out in a giggling fit.

  ‘Well you know, gorgeous girl, it hasn’t been used in that long... I was seriously beginning to wonder if having had someone play with their balls in it once before, you had now decided it was a keep off the grass, sort of lady garden?’

  I was sitting listening to all her euphemisms and shaking my head.

  ‘How do you know if I used it at all, Bella?’

  She moved closer to me, on the settee. ‘Come on, spill.’

  I proceeded to tell her. I told her the way Alex made me feel. I described the look in his eyes, as he had lifted me onto his lap, and the huge erection, which I had ground myself onto.

  ‘Well that certainly has me hot under the collar,’ she started to fan herself with her hand. ‘That explains the position you were both in when I opened the door. He had rolled you off and away, to protect you.’

  ‘What am I going to do, Bella; he has agreed to give me until Monday night to think.’

  ‘You see, Frankie, that’s where you and I differ. I don’t really understand what it is you need to think about? I know he is part of JJ’s history...’ I could feel her searching for the right words to use. ‘The bloke had an error of judgement, call it an accident, but he didn’t deliberately cause JJ to die.’ The atmosphere in the room sank down a level and she reached over to hug me to her, ‘I am sure he lives with this every day of his life, his other men wouldn’t want to be around him if they felt he was really to blame, would they? And yet we met Brent today.’ She picked up my hand from my lap and started worrying with it. She was also starting to very subtly shake her head.