A Very Corporate Affair Book 2 (The Corporate Series) (18 page)

 
      "I really like it. It stood out for me." I took the bottle of sun cream, and coated Ivan, running my hands over his silky, golden skin, feeling his hard muscles underneath. I noted that he even had attractive feet, as I covered him carefully. The two dogs sat under an umbrella, on a padded sunbed, and watched. Ivan made sure their water was cold, before diving gracefully into the pool. I watched in amusement as both spaniels flung themselves in with him, and doggy paddled over. I slid in as well, and Ivan and I played with the dogs, throwing a ball to each other, while the dogs tried to get it. After a little while, they began to tire, and we all retired to the steps at the shallow end, sitting in the water to keep cool.

  We were interrupted by Jo bearing a tray of cold fruit for us, and a large frozen lump of something for the dogs. I peered at it, wondering what it was, until she explained that it was chicken stock and water, with toys frozen inside. It would cool them down, and keep them busy for at least an hour. We picked at the icy cold peach and strawberry slices, feeding each other seductively.

      "You know I could take you in the pool, nobody would see us," Ivan murmured.

 
    "What about your security?"

 
    "They don't watch me at home, they are all watching the perimeters." His eyes glittered with lust. I hopped into the pool, and took off my bikini bottoms, placing them on the edge.

 
    "What are you waiting for?" I flirted. He flashed his film star smile, and jumped in, swimming underwater to see between my legs. Popping up in front of me, he peeled off his shorts, and placed them on top of my costume.

 
      "I do like it when you're wet and naked," he said, rubbing his body up against mine. He glanced around, before untying the straps of my top, and peeling it off. He caressed my breasts for a moment, playing with my nipples, rolling them between his fingers and thumbs. I reached down to stroke his erection, making him moan. I braced my back against the wall of the pool, and wrapped my legs around his waist. He guided his cock into me, and we began to move.

 
     At first it was a bit splashy and awkward, but we soon found our rhythm, and I leaned back slightly to let his cock bump over my g spot, until I felt the orgasm begin. Ivan continued to play with my nipples, as I reached between us to rub my clit. He gazed into my eyes as I came, not the earth shattering orgasms of our more intense sessions, but a good one all the same. I held him still with my legs as I fluttered and pulsed around him, and felt him swell, and let go, as my climax prompted his.

 
     We clung together for a few minutes, before he kissed me deeply, and pulled out. He popped his head up to scan the terrace, and make sure nobody was around. With the dogs still busy licking their chicken popsicle, we were alone. We stayed in the pool, swimming like naked water babies, enjoying each other's bodies, freed from the confines of ever present staff, and their watchful eyes.

 
      By lunchtime we had covered up, and were laying under the parasols, with the dogs flat out and snoring. Ivan told me about his companies, how he got started, and how he grew them so quickly. We talked about Vlad's companies, what they did, and how Ivan would handle them. He explained some of the Russian company laws, and the conventions of doing business there.

 
      We were talking about the mining laws, when Jo brought out steak and salad for lunch, accompanied by a fruity red wine. We ate in the covered part of the terrace, as the sun was really blazing. "How would you like a spot of shopping this afternoon?" Ivan said, "it's siesta now, but we could go about five, have a look around, see if there's anything we like."

 
      "That sounds like fun."

 
      I headed up for a shower around four, and put on a cute little floaty dress I found in the closet. Jo had done a magnificent job of stocking the bathroom with all my favourite products. I did my hair, applied a touch of makeup, and found a pair of bright blue flip flops to match the dress.

 
       Ivan looked edible as he emerged in a pair of denim cut offs, and a loose, linen shirt. He had a touch of dark stubble, and his hair was left curly and a bit messy. He tucked his wallet in his pocket, and we set off.

 
       Saint-John-Cap-Ferrat was a pretty little town, full of quaint little shops, and charming cafes. Ivan kept his arm round my waist as we meandered around, looking in shop windows, with Nico, and a guard I didn't know, trailing along behind.

 
       We looked in antique shops, boutiques, and salons of modern art, before Ivan stopped us outside a jewellers, to look in the window. "That necklace would look lovely on you," he said, pointing to a dainty diamond and gold filigree piece displayed on a black jeweller's bust.

 
     "It's beautiful," I agreed. I didn't particularly want him to buy it for me though, as I still had the ruby set, albeit left at his Sussex house.

 
     "Come and try it on. I want to see what it looks like on your lovely neck." We wandered into the shop, and Nico translated for Ivan. Russian into French, so I didn't have a clue what they were saying. The woman in the shop unlocked the window display, and took out the necklace, handing it to Ivan to look at. He turned it over in his hands, examining it, before placing it around my neck, and doing up the clasp. He turned me to look at me, assessing the total effect with his sharp, sapphire eyes. "Beautiful," he breathed, "I'll take it."

 
     "You don't need to, I wasn't expecting anything," I said, concerned that he may have felt obliged to buy me a gift.

 
     "Which is why I want you to have it. It's a beautiful piece, and it does you justice," he said, smiling at my frowning face. "Indulge me. Please."

 
    "Thank you, it's beautiful, I love it." I leaned up to kiss him. He looked pleased.

 
     I kept the necklace on as we wandered through the little streets, looking in shop windows. I bought Ivan a little pair of gold cufflinks with a pretty, enamelled shield on them, which he loved. "That's the first gift I've been given in about fifteen years," he said, his eyes shining with some sort of emotion.

     "No! Surely other girlfriends have bought you things?" I didn't want to say Dascha's name, but that was who I meant.

     "No. Too busy buying themselves stuff. I don't think she ever even got me a birthday present. Would have gone crazy if I'd forgotten hers though." He was clearly talking about Dascha. My heart broke a little bit for him, and I vowed to always buy him nice birthday and Christmas gifts, if we stayed together.

 
      We stumbled upon a tiny cafe, with outside tables, so decided to sit and have a coffee, and watch the world go by. I sipped my latte, and watched the holiday makers, with their happy children, carrying beach bags back to their hotels and guest houses. The little streets seemed to fill with people, some dressed for their evening out, others still in their shorts and sarongs. Youths rode around on little scooters, wrapped up in their own lives. It felt like I was a million miles away from London, and I actually rather liked it.

 
    "What are you thinking?" Ivan asked.

 
    "Just how lovely this place is, and how far away we are from Canary Wharf, but it's nice."

 
    "You could come here for your holiday. We could both take a fortnight off."

 
    "I'm off for two weeks in a fortnights time. I'm going to Spain with my flatmate. It's already booked."

 
    "I see." His lips flattened into a thin, rather grumpy, line. "I'm not sure about you going away with another man."

 
    "I can't let him down now. That wouldn't be fair." I thought of James' disappointed face if I told him I wasn't going. I couldn't do that to him. "He's my good friend, and I wouldn't do that to him. If I'd known then that I'd be in a relationship with you, I wouldn't have asked him to book it."

 
    "Hmm, do you think he'll try it on with you?"

 
    "Don't be daft, I've been living with him for months. He treats me like his kid sister. Just because you can't keep your hands off me, doesn't mean every man feels the same way you know." He didn't look convinced. "Would you feel the same way if it was Lucy I was going on holiday with?"

 
    "No. Unless Lucy was gay, no, I wouldn't object, but I would assign you some security." Ivan sounded petulant.

 
    "Ivan, this was all organised before we got together, and I'm not going to back out of it, and let my friend down, just because you're snippy about it. We can go away together another time."

 
    "How would you feel if I went away with another woman?"

 
    "If you were here alone with Mrs Ballard, I wouldn't give it a thought. If you went away with a leggy blonde, I'd be concerned. You didn't freak out when I stayed at Oscar's house the weekend."

     "I did freak out about you staying at Conniscliffe. It was pure torture, but it was the only way of keeping you safe. I barely slept all weekend, worrying you'd go back to him, and it would have been all my own fault for telling Dascha how I felt about you." He reached over and grasped my hand.

 
    "You really don't need to worry about James. He's a good friend, and I've never had any inkling that he fancies me. If I wanted someone else, I wouldn't be with you. I would end it with you, rather than cheat on you."

 
     "A woman of integrity, a rare and exquisite thing." Ivan smiled at me, the tension broken. "Now, I know a great restaurant on the seafront. Shall we eat there this evening?" He nodded at Nico to go and pay for our coffees.

 
     "Sounds good."

 
     The restaurant was busy and buzzy, and the food exquisite. We had a duck pate to start, and I had lamb for my main. Ivan chose the steak. Everything was precisely cooked, and looked like a work of art on the plate. The red wine Ivan chose went beautifully. I complimented him on his choice, which seemed to please him. It was nearly midnight by the time we got back to the villa, both of us replete and a bit sleepy.

 
      Ivan made love to me slowly, more as a way of keeping our connection than trying to induce a screaming orgasm. It was relaxed, and sensual, holding each other close, enjoying the skin to skin contact. I was relieved not to perform sexual somersaults, given the amount we had both eaten that evening. Instead, it felt simple, loving, and intimate.

 
      The dogs were let in afterwards, and settled themselves down, before we all drifted off to sleep.

 
        I was still up early, even though it was Sunday. I went downstairs to make coffee, leaving Ivan, and the dogs, fast asleep. Outside on the terrace, it promised to be another perfect day. I had barely sipped my drink, when the two girls appeared, closely followed by Ivan. "I thought we'd take them for a walk along the beach this morning," he said, causing the two dogs to wag their tails wildly. "Would you mind making me a coffee first though? I can't work that machine."

 
     I made him a cup, and brought it out to him. "What time do we have to leave today?"

 
    "Not till around two. Gives us time for some lunch before we head back."

 
    The beach was fairly quiet as it was still early. A few people were setting out sun loungers and parasols, but  it was too early for all but a few German hardcore sun worshipers. We strolled hand in hand along the shoreline, the girls dancing in and out of the sea. Even our guards hung back, seeing no danger around, and giving us some privacy. We both walked barefoot, the cool, damp sand scrunching up between my toes, reminding me there was more to life than emails and writs.

 
     Ivan talked about a trip he would have to make to Russia soon, to sort out Vlad's affairs, and see what needed to be done with the companies involved. I was listening intently, but out of the corner of my eye, I saw a movement.

 
      I turned to see Bella doggy paddling out to sea, quite a way out for a small dog. Having seen how quickly she had tired in the pool the day before, I figured it wouldn't be long before she got into trouble. I reacted quickly, throwing down my flip flops and handbag, and dashing into the sea. As soon as the water was deep enough, I kicked off the bottom, and swam towards her as fast as I possibly could.

 
      As I powered towards her, I could see her begin to slip under the small waves, struggling to keep her face out of the water. I was only a few metres away, when she disappeared under the sea. I dived down, to see her little body sinking slowly. I grabbed hold, and powered us back to the surface.

 
      She was unconscious as I trod water, placing her over my shoulder. I rubbed her back hard, which caused her to throw up. Remembering my old life saving classes at Crooklog pool, I turned on my back, cradling her body with mine, and held her little head out of the water as I swam one handed back to shore.

 
      Ivan helped us out of the water, laying Bella down on the sand, where she promptly threw up a load of salt water, spluttered, and tried to stand up on rather wobbly little legs. I noticed that Tania was on a lead, and held by the guard, probably to stop her going in after us.

 
      "Call a vet to meet us back at the house," he barked at Nico, who looked panicked. Nico pulled his phone out, and scrolled through some numbers, before calling someone, and speaking rapidly in French. "Go get the car," he shouted at the other guard. I noticed that Ivan was shaking.

 
       Bella seemed to recover slightly, standing up to try and rid her lungs and stomach of the salt water, before flopping back down on the sand. "I didn't even see what happened until you were halfway out to her," Ivan said. "When she disappeared, I thought I'd lost her."

 
       "I just reacted. If I'd have been a few seconds later, she would have gone. I'm sure she'll be alright though." Tania was straining at her lead to come over and check that Bella was ok. Nico brought her over, and she sniffed Bella over from head to toe. I stood there, dripping, watching them.

 
       Ivan picked up the spaniel, and tenderly carried her to the car. Nico got a couple of towels out of the boot to cover the seat, and I hopped in. Ivan got in, cradling Bella in his lap, and we headed home.

 
     Bella managed to throw up all over Ivan's shirt twice during the short journey. He didn't seem to even notice, let alone care. He carried her into the house, and laid her on the sofa, while he poured her a bowl of water, and waited for the vet. I went upstairs, and changed into dry clothes.

 
     When I came down, a grey haired man was examining her, listening to her chest with a stethoscope. He spoke in French to Nico, who translated into Russian for Ivan. As I had no idea what they were saying, I just sat and rubbed Tania's ears.

 
      The vet looked at Bella's gums, before saying something else, then shaking Ivan's hand, and smiling as he said 'au revoir'. "How is she?" I asked.

 
      "A bit nauseous from all the salt water, but should make a complete recovery. Thankfully you got there just in time." He stroked her head absentmindedly, and I noticed her tail start to wag. I nodded to Ivan to look. "Well, it looks like you're feeling better, silly girl," he said in his daddy voice. The wagging got stronger.  

 
      Jo brought us over some coffees. "What happened?"

 
      "Bella decided to swim out to sea, and Elle saw it just in time, and got to her just as she went under," Ivan said, "it's lucky that Elle's such a good swimmer. Nobody else could have got to her that quick. As it is, she swallowed quite a bit of the med, and is probably feeling a little sick."

 
      "Poor baby girl," Jo cooed, rubbing her damp fur. "That was a very silly thing to do." She turned to Ivan, "bet it scared the life out of you."

 
      "I'm still shaking. I really thought I'd lost her." He shuddered at the thought. "Elle, I can't ever thank you enough. You definitely saved her life." He took a sip of coffee.

  
     Bella sat with us on the terrace as we had lunch, managing to keep down some little pieces of chicken, while Tania sulked at not being centre of attention. Ivan seemed quiet and subdued, which I put down to the scare he'd had earlier. "You ok baby?" I asked him.

 
      "Yeah, although I'm angry that security weren't watching. They're meant to prevent this sort of thing happening."

 
    "Accidents happen. She was very quick. Let’s just be thankful there's no lasting damage, and anyway, I doubt if the guards wearing suits would have been able to get to her as fast as I could, so please don't blame them for this."

 
    "Yeah, you're right. I need a shower before we leave. I'm all sweaty."

 
    "I need to wash this salt out of my hair, otherwise it'll feel like straw." We finished our lunch, and left Bella in Jo's capable hands while we headed into the large wet room.

 
     I felt Ivan relax as I washed his hair, and massaged his back with the soap. I could feel the knots of tension in his muscles. I washed him all over, then, as he rinsed, I shampooed my hair, and washed the salt off my skin. He seemed in a world of his own, and didn't make a move to even touch me.

      I dried my hair, and dressed in the nicest sundress there, so that I could wear it back home, and grabbed my bag, passport, and my new necklace. Back downstairs, Ivan was clipping the leads onto the girls, and speaking in Russian to Nico. He turned to me. "Ready?" I nodded. "Let’s go."

      The journey home was much like the journey out. Ivan was frozen to his seat, holding my hand tightly for most of the way. The girls seemed subdued too, although I put that down to Bella still being a bit green around the gills, and Tania being attuned to both her and Ivan's moods.

 
      I asked Ivan to drop me off at my flat so that I could get ready for the week ahead, in truth, he seemed to be in a bit of a mood over the mornings events, and a few hours alone was quite appealing. In the end, he acquiesced quite gracefully, and Nico did a brief sweep of the flat while I thanked Ivan profusely for a wonderful weekend. When Nico had given it the all clear, I headed in, and relaxed.

      I checked my emails, put a wash on, and nipped round to the mart for a few bits. Back at the flat, I was sweeping the floors when there was a knock at the door. I called out to ask who it was. "Oscar," he called back. I opened up, and invited him in. "You look brown," he said, frowning.

 
    "Been to France this weekend. How come you're not in Sussex?"

 
     "Had a function up here last night. Did you go to Ivan's place?" I nodded "does that mean you're back with him?"

    "Yes, I'm seeing him again."

    "Are you mad? He put you in terrible danger, and he'll do it again."

 
    "Dascha put me in danger, not Ivan."

 
    "I don't care who it was. You should be running as far as possible from him. What I don't get about you Elle, is I make one mistake, and you tell me it's irrevocable. Ivan puts your life in danger, and you say 'never mind', and jump into bed with him. I just don't get it."

 
    "Oscar, I really think you should mind your own business. Who I'm with has nothing to do with you. You kept me safe from Dascha last weekend, and I'm very grateful, but I did tell you from the outset I wouldn't be coming back to you. Please accept that."

 
     "I just think you can do better than him. I know he's wealthy, but there's issues in his background that are less than savoury. Don't you ever wonder why he won't go anywhere without a posse of bodyguards? I'm far wealthier, yet I don't need them. Elle, you're going to end up living in fear if you stay with him. I don't even care if you go out with someone else, I just want more for you than he can give you."

 
      "I really don't need a lecture from you, thank you. I have no idea how Ivan and I will pan out, it may just be a flash in the pan, or something deeper, I don't know yet, it's very early days. Right now, I'd quite like to be a single girl again, the amount of bloody hassle both of you have caused." I looked him in the eye, "and you both seem to forget that I earned my own living, and supported myself just fine before either of you turned up." He looked chastened. "Oscar, I appreciate you as a good friend, but I can't unsee the image of you and Darius together. I'm sorry, I tried to get over it last weekend, but I couldn't. Now I'm fully aware that Ivan has his faults, believe me, but he's kind to me, and we have a lot in common, so I'm gonna see where it goes. If you can't accept that, then it's your problem."

 
    "Well, when it all goes wrong..."

 
    "Yeah, you can say 'I told you so'. Fine. Just remember, neither of you have treated me particularly well by my standards, so I don't exactly think you should be standing there criticising anybody."

 
     He looked embarrassed. "Don't you think I know that? And I'm trying to make up for it?"

 
     His statement knocked the wind out of my sails a bit. "I don't want to fight with you. By the way, what did you come round for?"

 
     "Nothing really, well, Sunday night telly really. I was a bit bored and a bit lonely."

 
     "There's a bottle of wine in the fridge. Corkscrew's in the drawer. I'm just gonna finish the floor, and I'll join you for top gear."

  
    "Ok." Oscar busied himself with the wine, although I'm sure he winced at the label. I finished sweeping through the lounge, before tidying the cleaning equipment away, and flopping onto the sofa and taking a swig.

 
      We sat in companionable silence for a while watching our program. I was a bit cross at Oscar's outburst, and inside there was a little part of me that thought he might be right. I was also unsure as to why Ivan had turned so arctic on me after I had rescued his dog. Oscar interrupted my musings, "when's your flatmate back?"

 
      "Twelfth of July. We're off to Spain on the fourteenth for a holiday."

 
      "Ivan ok about that?"

 
      "Not really, but it was booked ages ago, so there's nothing he can do. I'm not letting James down."

 
      "Why would you go with your flatmate when you could go with your boyfriend?" Oscar looked puzzled.

 
      "Because I can relax with James, I don't have to be alert and on best behaviour. I can drink too much, eat too much and read books without having to make conversation. Plus he makes me laugh a lot."

 
       "Maybe he's the one you should go out with." Oscar looked a bit pissy.

       "I don't even remotely fancy him. It's a shame, because personality wise, we get along fantastic, but there's no sexual tension there. I couldn't imagine shagging him." Oscar seemed to brighten up as soon as I said it. "So who are you seeing these days?"

  
     "Nobody at the moment." 

 
     I didn't reply. Instead, I got out the ironing board, and switched on the iron. Oscar looked a little surprised, but it was part of my Sunday night routine to get myself ready for the week ahead. He watched, rather fascinated, as I worked my way through the pile of clothes. "Don't you have someone to do all that for you?"