Twisted Pursuits (2 page)

Lauren had to admit that she had been thinking of getting a new wardrobe as she'd rummaged through her closet to find something flattering to wear tonight and came up empty handed. This was her clue to get a new wardrobe she decided. Perhaps she could raid the secret bank account Grandpa Mack had opened for her sixteenth birthday and had insisted on lodging money to on occasions. He had insisted she keep it a secret from Nana and Aunt Dorothy and she had decided to save the money in case she needed it when she left college next year and moved away. She made a mental note to find out if Anna was well enough to accompany her as soon as possible.

“Now, as you can see this office is a mess. You can work in here tonight” Mrs. Plunkett said as she launched into what went where and how to separate the different documents and file them.

As Mrs. Plunkett turned to leave Lauren muttered, “tell the girls that if Mr. Myles asks, I’m not here.

“Understood”, she nodded even though she looked disapprovingly at Lauren, “Lauren sometimes we need to live a little, follow your heart and not your head”, Mrs. P advised patting her on the  shoulder then opened the door and left.

She was so tired, today was general cleaning day at home as the following day was church plus she had barely slept the night before. Images of teasing brown eyes and lush lips had haunted her dreams. The mere memory of him caused her pulse to race and made her skin tingle with awareness. She could just imagine Sandy flirting shamelessly with him at that very moment; if he had come; perhaps he would direct his attentions at the other girl. She definitely wasn’t ‘a sight for sore eyes’, quite the opposite. She felt a pang of jealousy at that thought. As she worked she wondered if he was outside this minute and had to restrain herself from going to take a peak, just to glimpse his face she told herself. God please don’t let him continue his pursuit, she prayed, because she did not know how much longer her yielding heart could resist.

cotton pink blouse. Anna had accompanied her to do some shopping last Saturday and had insisted they purchase everything from undergarments to makeup and accessories. She smiled at the memory of having to literally drag Anna out of more than a few ridiculously expensive stores.

She turned and looked across at her companion as he stopped and stared in open admiration at the ethereal beauty of their surroundings. An endless mass of blue-green water stretched before them and seemed to spill over into cloudless skies.

“It is stunning, isn’t it”, he uttered reverently as if in a daze.

“Yes it is”, she said in almost a whisper.

There were a few thatched parasols dotting the shores and they padded over to one and sat beneath it.

They sat there in companionable silence, content to share each other’s presence. People were scattered along the shoreline; some soaking up the sunshine, while others simply enjoyed the lucid waters. Sitting a way off in the sand was a toddler and what seemed to be his parents making a beautiful sand castle, the boy jumped in glee as it grew taller with their efforts. However, a huge wave rushed up and washed it away and the child began to squeal. The woman pulled him to her breast and crooned softly to him as the father patted his head and promised to build another. The scene warmed her heart and unfurled a yearning in the pit of her stomach.

“What were you doing at the Diner today? I thought you quit” Jordan said suddenly breaking the silence.

She thought of lying but decided against it, “I didn’t. My boss decided I was better at record keeping than waiting tables”.

He frowned, “Isn’t it a little early to be leaving work”.

“I was actually meeting someone”, she replied tongue in cheek, “today is my day off”.

“I see”, he said through pursed lips, “Come along”, he sighed while getting to his feet, “I have something to show you”.

He took her to a cafe on the beach where he talked about his days at boarding school and University and how he and his friends use to prank each other. They ate chocolate cake and drank coffee all the while talking politics and sports, which it was evident, he loved with
a passion. All the while his eyes caressed the rounded curves of her body, their sensual heat

causing
her face to flush on several occasions. As the most recent receded he chuckled, “I don’t believe I’ve ever met a woman who blushed as much as you do. If I didn’t know better I’d think this is your first date. It suits you though”.

She said nothing.

“Are you finished here” he asked indicating to her unfinished coffee. She nodded and he beckoned to a waiter and handed her some notes after she'd cleared the table.

“Do you want to go for another walk on the beach? If not I could take you home”. He too, it seemed, didn’t want the evening to end.

“I’m fine. Another walk sounds good”, she responded elated for another opportunity to share his company.

“Anything for you my dear”, he teased making a mock bow and extending his hand, “shall we take a stroll in the gardens madam. I find it too beautiful an evening to waste indoors”.

She laughed gaily and followed his lead out into the late Saturday sunshine.

They strolled across the seashore; laughing and sharing comical stories from a famous local television programme. Every so often her arm would accidentally brush his and the jolt of awareness was so exhilarating; it made her shiver inside. They found another parasol and relaxed against the chair beneath it to witness the sun slip beyond the horizon.

She was so content to bask in this mesmeric moment that dusk slowly evaporated and darkness descended and she decided she had to go home. She was about to voice her concern when her eyes converged with the shouldering heat in his. His head descend towards hers, she thought of moving away but she felt as if she was glued to the chair; her breath hitching in the back of her throat. His lips inched closer; the moonlight illuminated his face to reveal a fierceness that caused her heart to hammer against her rib cage. She closed her eyes to stem the feelings but the pleasure only intensified.

Liquid heat exploded in her belly, her nipples tautened and her inner thighs pulsed with an inexplicable need as his velvet soft lips glided gentle over hers. They caressed her with such expertise that the need inside her ignited to such
an intensity, that she began to follow his lead. Spurred by her reaction, he delved into her mouth and explored her with his tongue. She stiffened at the unfamiliar intimacy and he caressed her nape and slowly she began to relax. His onslaught continued on her mouth for a few more seconds until he bit down gentle on her lower lip. She jumped as an electric bolt shot through her lips to every inch of her body. He soothed where he’d bitten with his tongue before his lips travelled to her cheek bones and down to her neck while his hands found the hem of her blouse. His hands were warm on the smooth skin of her stomach as he explored her navel, her rib cage and finally he held and boldly stroked her breast. She recoiled in shock, her ardor slowly cooling with the sea breeze.

She couldn’t even look at him as she grabbed her handbag and slippers from the sand.

“What are you doing”, she could hear the confusion in his husky voice.

“I have to go home now. Nana will be wondering where I am”, she said shakily.

He gripped her hand forcing her to face him, “Lauren, please forgive me. I got carried away”.

“I have to go”, she persisted.

“At least let me drive you home”.

She had to get away from him. Now!

“Nana wont like that very much”, Nana! Oh My God. How could she have forgotten Nana? What would Nana think if she knew? She felt so different; she hoped that Nana didn’t notice.

“You’re twenty one years old, I’m certain you’ve been out later than this with a guy before”, she grimaced, and he muttered in shock, “you haven’t”.

“Let’s just go”, she said resignedly.

They retraced their steps back to his car in a tense silence. He opened the passenger door and while she settled in he went around to the driver’s side and started the car. She told him her address and he found it with surprising ease. She was sure to let him leave her at the entrance of the street leading to her house in case her Aunts were up as they slept like the dead.

She made to open the door but the sound of his voice soft and beguiling stopped her, “at least give me your number so I can make sure that you get home all right”.

She looked across at his handsome face under the car light and she couldn’t bear the thought of denying him anything despite her turmoil, “ok”, she muttered and exchanged numbers with him.

She had just closed her front door when she heard his car speed away. The house was silent when she got in; she tiptoed to her bedroom and breathed a sigh of relief as she closed the door behind her and crumpled to the floor against it. She placed her head in her hands as her body shook uncontrollably. She just couldn’t see him again; her actions tonight were enough to convince her. She had come too close to allowing him to ravish her in the wide open beach front. A hysterical laugh escaped her lips; she was worrying about avoiding him when she didn’t even know if he was interested in seeing her after tonight. After all he was successful and attractive; women must be lining up at his doorsteps to get his attention. He was probably use to sophisticated women who thought nothing of sharing his bed with little or no encouragement. Images of Jordan entwined with another woman evoked a pang of jealously that she could not explain.

She got up from the floor and stumbled towards the bathroom where she stripped a
nd had a quick shower in an attempt to clear her head. The thought of never seeing Jordan again was slowly driving her crazy. She donned her nightshirt and was just stepping into bed when her cell phone began buzzing on the night table. She answered it without checking the caller, thinking it was Anna who had missed their lunch date.

“Yes Anna, I know you’re sorry; even if you hadn’t told me a million times already. Are you feeling better?”

“Sorry to disappoint you but its Jordan”, she bolted upright in bed at the sound of his deep sensual voice at the other end of the line, what should she say, “I am dreadfully sorry for being an absolute cad tonight”.

“It’s okay. It’s not as if I was a martyr” she said sheepishly.

“I’m forgiven then?” he inquired.

“Jordan tonight was a mistake. I don’t think we should see each other again”, she said softly.

The mere thought of not seeing her again reignited the anger and frustration he had felt upon discovering her absent each day for the past two weeks when he'd visited the restaurant. However remembering how innocent she had seemed tonight he calmed himself.

“Let’s not make any hasty decisions tonight”, he coerced, “we’ll talk in the morning”.

She was about to respond before the line went dead.

CHAPTER FOUR

THE SUN
WAS BARELY OVER THE HORIZON
when Lauren awoke Monday morning. She could barely contain her excitement. She smiled a secret smile; she just might see him today, only for a glimpse when he came for lunch, she told herself. She sprang out of bed humming a lively tune as she made her bed and tidied her room. That accomplished, it was on to making breakfast for her Aunts and herself, completing her chores and getting ready for work.

She took added care with her grooming and attire this morning, meticulously straightening her wavy brown hair so that it framed her face and fell below her cheeks and shoulders; shaving her legs, cleansing and moisturizing her face with the oatmeal scrub and moisturizer Anna had given her after waxing her brows the week before. Then selecting an outfit; she choose a mint green, knee length straight dress that clung to her curves paired with comfortable black pumps and a matching black handbag.

She lightly powdered her cheeks and applied mascara and lip gloss. She examined herself in a full-length mirror. All courtesy of her weekend shopping spree with Anna. She would be proud, Lauren concluded; all those cosmetology excursions had proved gainful after all. She had carefully selected her undergarments to accentuate her bust under the V-line of her dress to display a hint of cleavage. One more thing, she fished out matching diamond earrings and watch for the locket she wore around her neck that Grandpa had given her. There; she decided lifting her chin; let them call her a frump now.

She needed to leave or she was going to be late for work. She dashed out of her bedroom and across the hall; shouting her goodbyes and unto the street before Nana could notice and begin making a fuss about her worldly attire. She hailed a taxi and was at work within half an hour. The shop was empty, except members of staff, as was customary at this hour in the morning.

“Good morning”, she said gaily.

All eyes turned to her, their mouths gaping open at the sight of her.

Leo, one of the chefs broke the spell, whistling suggestively, “Lauren you look like a million bucks”

She breezed pass the awestruck crowd, Mrs. P included and headed to her office at the back of the building. She was nose deep in paper work when she felt his presence, the faint scent of his cologne tickling her nostrils. Her head flew up to see Jordan leaning casually against the door
frame in a smashing grey business suit, his face smug, his eyes smoldering  as they admired her upper torso. He was clutching the most beautiful red roses she had ever seen which he extended to her and in that moment she knew what Michael Jackson meant when he sang ‘speechless’.

“Jordan, you shouldn’t have”, a voice she didn’t recognize as her own finally emerged.

“Nonsense, I was on my way to the city on business but I had to see you before I left”, his eyes were filled with yearning as his fingertips stroked her now scarlet cheeks, “You look beautiful today, darling”, his eyes were dreamy and his lips seemed even more luscious today.

He pulled away suddenly, the seemingly intimate moment forgotten.

He glanced at his watch and muttered brusquely, “I have to go now or I’ll be late”.

“Aren’t you having lunch”, she whispered, not wanting him to leave.

“I’ll just get a takeout”, he muttered absently, his eyes touching the contours of her face, lingering on her lips. He leaned forward and for an instant she thought he might kiss her and she melted, instead he gave her a quick peck on the cheek and left.

“Goodbye”, she said longingly to his retreating back.

She touched the flowers lovingly, fishing for the card she had glimpsed among the lush petals. She grasped it between shaky fingers and was filled with warmth as she read:

I hope this token allows you to experience a little of the joy your presence gives me.

                                                                                                                                            Jordan Myles
.

She sighed in distress. What was she going to do? It seemed Jordan had no intention of relenting and her weary heart was slowly giving way. He had called the day before just as he had promised but he had only inquired if she was alright and bade her a good day. Even though her heart had fallen, she had consoled herself with the thought that she would see him from time to time at the restaurant. That was not to be, she concluded, not if Jordan had anything to do with it. She sighed as she placed the flowers in a jar on her desk and tried wholeheartedly to focus on her work but failed miserably.

LAUREN SLAMMED
THE TELEPHONE DIRECTORY,
in which she was searching for a supplier’s number, forcefully unto her desk. How hard was it to find a number in a directory she asked herself angrily? She placed her head in her hands and forced herself not to focus on the real source of her ire; that was not to be though.

Jordan had eluded her all week and instead of being happy she was incensed beyond reasoning. She had passed the door to the dining area on several occasions on Tuesday just to get a peek at his face but he hadn’t showed and in desperation she had crossed the dining room with the excuse of taking a walk twice, thinking he might have changed his usual hours. She had done this for the past four days, all to no avail, as today was Friday and he was yet to make an appearance.

His tokens and charming notes were a different matter all together. On Tuesday while treating herself to lunch, which might as well have been made from paper for all her interest, Mrs. P escorted a delivery guy, only he introduced himself as Mr. Myles’ driver before handing a large gift bag to her. Curious, she opened the bag to reveal a fluffy white teddy bear with ‘JORDAN’ embroidered boldly across the front.

She had peered quizzically at the stuffed animal while caressing its soft folds and that was when her fingers had encountered a hard object in the centre of its back. She had explored tentatively and received the shock of her life as the teddy bear’s head bobbed as its mouth opened and closed and the tunes of Barry White’s ‘My First, My Last, My Everything’ poured out.

She had laughed with delight as she replayed the song and found that it had a timer for an alarm and various other songs as well. Jordan had this to say:

Shocked? I can only imagine your face shining with glee and your eyes alight with laughter at this very moment. Think of him as a mini me.

                                                                                                                              Jordan Myles.

She had pondered returning the enchanting ‘mini Jordan' as he had called it, however its sweet serenading and pleading lifeless brown eyes eventually won her over.

Wednesday; it was a box of sumptuous chocolate in a mixture of white and brown accompanied by a scribbling:

             
I hope you have a sweet tooth. Please, enjoy.

             
                                                                      Jordan Myles

The smooth bars had beckoned to her taste buds, so much so, that she had decided to take one little bite. However as the chocolate melted against her palate she simply could not res
ist and the next thing she knew; she was fishing for chocolate in an empty box.

Thursday; another box was transported to her in much the same fashion as the days before. She had taken it resignedly and read the note that was neatly folded above the box:

One of my favorite treats and I’m certain it will be yours too, after you’ve sampled its delights.

             
                                                                                                               
Jordan Myles

Curious, she peeled away the lid to disclose chocolate dipped strawberries in an assortment of toffee pieces, mint chocolate chips, shredded coconut and chopped nuts. Tentatively she had placed it between her teeth and bit down. Instantly she was assailed by an array of flavors; she had sighed in contentment; cherishing every drop, down to the last bite.

This morning she had accepted his gift gracefully; she was just exuberant, today was Friday, Jordan never missed a Friday evening at the restaurant. However her face fell as she withdrew an expensive bottle of white wine shrouded in a decor of nuts, seafood, sausages, cookies and items she couldn’t even identify, all encased in an ornate wooden basket. She couldn’t accept it. The basket and its contents must have cost a small fortune. She placed the basket gingerly on her desk and read the card:

Everyone loves a good bottle of bubbly and a few goodies. I hope you’re included. Be careful not to over imbibe; white wine gives an awful hangover.

                                                                                                                              Jordan Myles

She had thought of him constantly this past week and the agony of not seeing him had worn her down. She wondered what could be the reason for his absence. Was he sick? He couldn’t be she told herself vehemently, the thought of Jordan being harmed in any way made her stomach churn.

What was she to make of this situation? In desperation and sick with worry, she had coerced herself into calling him the night before with no success as his phone had rang into voicemail and her nerves would not permit her to leave a voice message. Something was seriously wrong here; perhaps he wasn’t interested anymore, but what about the gifts? She blushed at the memory of being jarred awake by mini Jordan in her arms each morning and lulled to sleep by him as well.

She sighed and glanced at her watch; it was a quarter past seven, over two hours past her work time. Jordan definitely wasn’t coming tonight and she had to leave. She removed the basket carefully from her desk and placed it in a tote bag; she couldn’t risk leaving it at the office in case someone decided to partake of its tasty contents.

She had finally showered and made it to bed, satisfied to fondle mini Jordan’s ears when her cell phone rang. It was him, her brain screamed as his name flashed across her phone screen and her heart began to thud in her chest.

She took a deep breath and answered, “Hello”.

“Hello Lauren”, his sensual voice tickled her ears, “I saw your missed call from last night”.

“Are you alright”, she could hear the anxiety in her voice but she didn’t care.

“I’m fine”, he gave a throaty laugh and she relaxed, “your concern is flattering, if not surprising”

“You never miss your Friday evening at the restaurant”, she said lamely.

“I had to see to some business in Kingston this week”, he said, then added, “How did you like my little gifts?”

“I cannot accept the wine basket”, she almost shouted.

“Why not?” he seemed shocked.

“It must have cost a substantial amount”.

He seemed to relax, “Not at all. Now no more talk of returning anything”.

“But...” she stammered

He changed the subject quickly, “let us move unto your gift for tomorrow. It cannot come to you though; I’ll have to take you to it”.

“What? No!"

“One o’clock sharp. I’ll pick you up at the bus terminus”, he rushed on.

“I can’t”, she stressed.

“Come on Lauren, I won’t take no for an answer”, he persisted.

What could she say to convince
him?

“Good Night”, he said and the line went dead before she could think of a means to
dissuade him.

She fell back against the bed covers and took a gulp of air. He was alright; she felt much better and extremely worst.