Deception and Lace (2 page)

S
he sat back on the bed and looked around.  What was she going to do?  Yes she could get a third job but it was going to take her years to pay off her father’s debt even at those prices.  Deeming there was nothing else she could do, she stood to look in the dressers for something to sleep in.  She gasped at the lingerie found in the drawers.  There were drawers upon drawers of lace and silk.  All of them were expensive and name brand.  She slid a pair of lace thongs from the draw.  This one piece of underwear could probably pay her rent for a year.  She walked quickly to the closet.  It wasn’t the small rod hanging clothes that she thought it was.  She took a couple steps inside the walk in closet.  There was a rack for just shirts and one for pants.  Along the middle of one wall was a large chest.  She opened it to find rows and rows of jewelry.  There were sapphires and rubies and emeralds within the large chest as well as sunglasses and jeweled berets.  Turning she looked at another wall that held nothing but shoes.  She gasped as she looked upon rows of Dolce and Cabana, Prada and Jimmy Choo pumps next to hand bags that matched.  Wow!  This was amazing.  Would this be how she would live?  But what costs would it be.  How many people were hurt for him to live this way?  With determination she shut the door and stripped down to her shirt and panties.  Climbing into bed she sighed deeply.  She wasn’t going to get any sleep and she didn’t know what she was going to tell her sister.  She was soon breathing deeply in sleep. 

Demarion walked into the room.  Gazing down at Leanne he realized that them getting married was the only way to keep her safe.  He glanced towards the envelope and realized she had never even opened it.  He saw the trail of tears that had run down her cheeks and knew she didn’t know who he really was.  If she did she wouldn’t have been crying.  He wasn’t the person she thought he was.  He knew there was no way to ask her to trust him.  He wouldn’t if he was in her shoes either.  There had to be a way to get her to believe he was here to protect her.  He walked to the dresser and picked up the envelope.  He should have known that she wouldn’t look at it.  She was so damn stubborn.  Taking the envelope he decided he would show her what she didn’t think was important.  He quietly shut the door behind him and walked to the next door that led to his own room. 

Leanne was woke by a knock on the door.  Leaning over she glanced at the clock to see it was only 7 o’clock in the morning.  Who in the hell was at her door at this time of morning.  Then it all came back to her as she sat up in the bed.

“Mam.  Are you awake?  I am here to help you get ready for the day.”  Maura walked in smiling.  Walking to her she asked.  “What would you like for me to put out for you to wear today?  Mr. Delvinci will see you for breakfast at 8.”

“I am sure he does.  I don’t care what I wear Maura.  You know you really don’t have to do this.”

“Oh but I like to.  It is good to see a woman in the house who has class and natural beauty and elegance.  I tell you some of the women Mr. Delvinci’s brothers and friends bring over are horrible and the makeup they use would kill a cow.  Oh I am sorry miss listen to me rambling on and on.  I shouldn’t talk that way about them they just make me so mad the way they treat the staff.  Like they are better than them because they are with the family.”  Her voice went low as she whispered.  “They are probably hired by the hour if you know what I mean.”  She winked towards Leanne.

She couldn’t help it.  She really liked Maura.  “You know I wouldn’t be surprised Maura.  I am sure you see lots of them with Mr. Delvinci.”

“Oh no mam.  Mr. Delvinci has better taste than that.  He doesn’t converse with the trash the rest of the family does.  He holds women in high esteem and has only brought one woman home other than yourself.  She was not bad either but I do not believe she had your beauty.  But his standards are higher than that as you are proof to.”

Leanne looked at her for a couple minutes before nodding and heading to the bathroom for a shower.  She quickly washed and rinsed the conditioner from her hair before she stepped out of the shower and dried herself off before wrapping in a towel.  She walked into the bedroom to see what Maura had picked out for her.  There on the bed was a sundress in yellow that had small blue flowers on it.  She picked it up and looked at it.  Beside it was a white strapless bra made with lace and matching panties.  Sighing she slipped into the bra and panties.  She then stepped into the dress and pulled it up over her hips.  It fit perfectly.  The dress had a halter style top that then cinched down to her waist and expanded out in a poodle skirt shape except it came to land a few inches above her knee.  Slipping in her small matching yellow strap sandals with small heel she turned to look at the mirror.  Maura decided just then to walk in and led her to a vanity on the side.  Sitting down she sat as Maura combed her hair and blow dried it.  Her long hair hung in waves down her back and she smiled at Maura through the mirror.

“You have gorgeous hair mam.  I can put it up for you but I think it is quite pretty down.  Which would you prefer?”

“Down is fine Maura thank you.”

Maura led her down the stairs to the first floor.  Leanne realized that she was on a huge stair case that led down one side while another led down the other staircase.  The stairs were like those that were in large dance halls.  They were the kind that she had imagined herself coming down as a kid in a beautiful dress for some kind of ball.  Her feet hit the bottom stair and she was amazed at the beauty of the place that she hadn’t noticed last night.  But then she had been so pissed at everything last night.  

There was a huge chandelier in the walk way of the foyer.  It was huge and sparkled with the gold and crystals it was made of.  The dark red carpets were lining the dark wooden floors.  The place was gorgeous.  She followed Maura into a dining hall that was adorned with a huge rectangle table.  It was walnut wood that sat 12 people at one time.  Sitting at the head of the table sat Demarion nursing a cup of coffee.  He silently stood as Maura left.  Leanne walked slowly into the room looking at him wondering why in the hell he wanted to marry her.

“M
s. Wilson.  Thank you for joining me.  Please come sit beside me so we may talk.  It will be hard to hear at that end of the table.”  He walked to the chair just left of his chair and pulled it out waiting for her to be seated.  She walked towards him and took the seat he offered.  “Would you like some coffee or juice?”

“Coffee please.”  The coffee was instantly in front of her as well as a cup full of cream and sugar.

“Anything to eat.  We have whatever you desire.”

“Fruit maybe please.  As long as it’s not laced with some kind of poison.”

“Now why would I poison my future bride?”  He smiled as he said it. 

“Would you point her out please?  I would love to meet her?”  She said it with a smirk as she looked at him. 

His laugh echoed on the walls around them.  “You my dear are a breath of fresh air.  You are not afraid of me are you?”

“No I am not.  The only thing you could do to me is kill me and I have nothing at the moment.  So what is your move?”

“I wish for you to be here on a permanent basis is all I ask.  At the moment.  Now after the wedding?  We will see.”  She looked up to see the hungry look in his eyes focus on her.  Involuntarily she felt her heartbeat quicken. 

“Why do you want to marry me anyway?”

“I need a wife.  I need to wed someone who is what you could say an upstanding citizen so that it reflects well on my family.  I also like to think I am doing a good deed for you as well.  This makes me feel a little better about the situation.”

“Oh how noble of you.  Unfortunately it will not happen.”

“We will see.”

“Oh we will.  I assume that you would want everything a husband would want.”  She looked at him angrily throwing sparks from her eyes. 

“Oh rest assured I will extract my husbandly benefits.  Especially in the bedroom.  I will stay faithful to you no matter what as I will expect you to be with me.  Know that you will be spending your nights in my room or me in yours.”

She felt the heat spread up her cheeks and down through the top of her chest.  Looking up at him she saw the smile on his face.  That however was not what drew her to him.  It was the heat she saw in his eyes.  The promise of nights she would never forget. 

“I would like to take you on a tour of the manor after breakfast.  I have a golf cart ready out front if you would please join me.”

“Well I guess it beats being cooped up in this house.  Not that it isn’t lovely and all but fresh air would be nice.”

They walked outside and she sat in the seat of the golf cart.  She was surprised to see that they were going alone with him driving.  He smiled as he sat in the driver’s seat and started up the cart. 

She watched the scenery as they coasted over hills.  There were beautiful trees that were blooming with large purple flowers.  The manor was gorgeous.    

“Tell me about yourself Leanne if I may call you Leanne.  Tell me of your sister.”

“Well you apparently know all about me since you have apparently been watching me.  I’m sure that you have been watching my sister as well.  But I will play.  Denise is my sister who is Younger than me.  She went through community college using financial aid and working full time at the café.  She was a dean student and was awarded a full scholarship to med school.  She is doing great.  She was the one that got all the smart genes of the family you know.”

“I beg to differ on that.  So I know about your father.  What of your mother?”

“She left when we were younger.  Never saw her again.  Look Mr.  Delvinci…”

“Demarion please.”

“Fine Demarion it has been me and my sister.  We have not had the easiest life but we had each other.  That was enough and more than many have.”

“I agree.  I just wish you could have had more.  It must have been hard for you being mom and dad to a younger sister at such a young age yourself.”

“I was fine.  Still am and will continue being ok.”

“I didn’t mean any disrespect quite the contrary I believe that you are a remarkable woman.  I need someone as strong and stubborn as you are.”  He had stopped the cart and turned to look at her.

“I fail to see how determination can be counted as stubbornness Demarion.”  She pronounced his name with sarcasm.  She looked at him and felt her voice hitch as he looked down at her.

“Yes I am sure.  I am going to kiss you now Leanne.”

“I don’t think….”

Her words were cut off as he grabbed her to him.  He descended his mouth to take her lips in a devastating kiss.  His left hand made its way up to twine in her hair and hold her head still.  His tongue delved inside her mouth as he explored her mouth.  She couldn’t help the moan that escaped her throat.  He may be a crime boss but he could kiss.  Her hands made their way to grip his biceps as her tongue met his in an enticing endeavor.  Their breaths mingled with each other’s as he leaned back and stared at her.  They were both breathing hard and panting as they stared at each other.  “You are quite beautiful.  I don’t think we will have any problem with any part of the marriage.  Say you will stay here with me for the week to see how life as my wife would be.  Just consider it please.”

“Fine.  But no hanky panky.  I won’t fall into your arms like every other woman does.  Remember that.  And that includes after the marriage.”

“Understood.  But tell me the truth.  You enjoyed that kiss as much as I did.  I can feel your heart beat increase and your breath coming in shorter breaths.”  As he said this his hand covered her chest over her heart.  She felt the warmth from his hand spread across her chest causing her to breathe even harder.

“No I didn’t.”  She lied.  She pulled herself away from him and removed his hand from her heaving chest.  “Can we move on please?”

He smiled at her and quietly whispered.  “You may lie to yourself Leanne but I know attraction when I see it and I will explore it on our wedding night.  I promise you that.”  He looked at her with determination on his face.  “Let me show you my favorite spot on the grounds.  I had a picnic prepared for us to enjoy.”  He steered the cart towards the edge of the trees.  Leanne sat quietly.

S
he looked around at the gorgeous countryside.  It was the perfect temperature outside.  They came upon a lake in an opening of the woods.  It was surrounded by woods except for a little glade.  There were large trees that hung over the lake itself and supplied shade.  Parking the cart he stepped out and walked to the back.  Leanne had been so consumed with her thoughts she hadn’t noticed it strapped to the back.  She also didn’t notice Demarion’s clothes.  He was in lose fit jeans that hung low on his hips and a grey T-shirt.  The T-shirt fit to his arms and torso and showed the ridges and planes of his arms and chest.  She realized again how incredibly good looking he was.  He came around to the side of the cart and held out his hand for her helping her out of the cart.  She walked beside him as he carried the basket in one hand and a blanket under the other.  He spread the blanket on the grass and sat the basket down.  She followed him over to the edge of the lake.

“I come here when I need time alone to think.  It is my little haven away from everything.”

“It’s lovely.  Do you ever go swimming?”

He looked down at her and smiled.  She followed his hand as it pointed in a direction to the side.  There was a rope hanging from the tree.  “All the time.  We can always enjoy the water now.”  There was a mischievous glint to his eyes as he looked to her. 

“But we don’t have any suits?”

“Well we can improvise.  I will go behind the tree and get in.  I will keep my head turned around as you get in.  It could be quite fun you know.  Loosen up and enjoy yourself for once.”

Leanne looked at the blue water.  It would be fun and she could just sit back and enjoy the water and the sun sparkling off the water.  She nodded and watched as he smiled.  He walked behind the tree as he said and she turned her back to him.  Turning back around at the splash of water.  Looking around she couldn’t help herself but smile as his head emerged from the water.

“It’s great come on.  I will turn around.  Don’t be shy I promise I won’t start anything.”  He slowly turned his back to her and waited patiently. 

Leanne slowly slipped the dress off her arms.  Folding it neatly she placed it on the blanket and removed her sandals.  She slowly walked to the edge of the water and stuck her pinky toe in the water.  “This is cold.  I don’t know if I can get in.”

“Just jump you will be ok.  I can always warm you up.”

Leanne looked up to see him staring at her.  She stood there in her bra and panties.  He was challenging her.  She took a deep breath.  There was no way that she would let him get the best of her.  Raising her head up a notch she walked into the water.  She shivered as the water got deeper.  When she was up to her shoulders she swam to the middle of the lake so she was treading water under the sunlight.  Looking back towards him she smiled.  He smiled at her as he swam towards her.  She watched his arm make the strokes and the water suddenly got warm.  When he was close enough to reach out she laughed and splashed water at him diving under water to get away from him.  She didn’t get far until she felt arms grabbing at her.  Breaking the top of the water she squirmed and laughed as he held her.  “You little devil.  Turnabout is fair play you know.”  Without any warning he raised her above his head and chucked her into the water. 

Leanne came up sputtering.  “You asshole.  That was unfair.  You are stronger.”

He laughed at her and swam near her.  Not thinking about the consequences she jumped him then dove under to swim between his legs.  Circling up behind him she wrapped herself around his back using her weight to bring him down.   Not to be undone He wrapped his arms around her legs and brought her down with him.  They both emerged from the water coughing and laughing at the same time.  He wrapped his arm around her waist and looked at her.  Bracing herself against him Leanne dipped backwards and put her head in the water to rinse her hair and removed it from being plastered to her head. 

Demarion stared at her.  She didn’t know what she was doing because if she did then she would have turned the other way and ran from her.  He looked at her long neck glistening with water and slowly trailed down until it rested on her chest.  Her white bra had become see through and he could see her breasts rising and falling as she took deep breaths emphasizing their definition.  Her nipples were dark against the fabric and stood erect.  They begged for his touch, his mouth.    Her hands braced on his shoulders as she raised her head back up.  The laugh on her lips died when she saw his eyes.  The need burned through her as she saw it reflected from his eyes.  His hands burned into her waist where they held her. 

“Maybe we should eat.”  She whispered softly.

“Yes.  Maybe we should.”  But he made no move to release her and she made no move to let him go either.  He looked down at her lips which had parted slightly with the increase of her breathing.  “I lied.”

“About what?”

“About not touching you.  I can’t help myself.  You do something to me.”

Before she could say anything else he had taken her mouth in a deep kiss.  It was hot and demanding wanting her response.  His hands traveled down to her ass and brought her up against him.  She suddenly realized he didn’t have anything on and she felt his penis poking her stomach.  “We shouldn’t really do this.  I don’t know you.”

“You know me more than you think.”  He slowly kissed down her neck and traced her ear with his tongue.  “You taste like peaches.  I want you Leanne more than ever.”

“I heard that once before a long time ago.”  She stated quietly as her breath came out in gasps. 

“Hmmmmm.”