Loving Alex (3 page)

The door bell rings and he extracts himself from me,
standing he walks with purposeful long strides out of the living room. I hear
the front door open.

“Benito mate. Thanks for coming round.” I hear James greet
his friend, there’s some muttering and what sounds like back slapping before
James followed by Benito walk back into the living room.

“Alex,” Benito looks at me, “are these the pictures you
got?” He points to the floor.

“Yes, there’s a few!” I frown at the pile of photographs
left in disarray on the floor.

He picks them up and flicks through them. “They’re amateur,
look there’s no zooming, someone’s used a point and click, a basic camera. A
professional would have got a close up of you in some of these, look,” He
points to an image of Anna and I in the hotel restaurant, “this is just a snap,
if he’d recruited an investigator, a proper one, they’d have zoomed in on you
there. No, these are….well,” He pauses “but why did he want pictures of you, he
knows what you look like, knows where you are and Anna so why? It doesn’t make
sense!”

“I..I think he wants me to know that he’s watching me,
that’s all,” I stammer, “I think he wants to make my life hell!”

“Do you know where he is?” James asks.

“The last we knew he was at home, he can’t get about on his
own. But, that
was
a couple of days ago. I’ll have someone check again,
make sure he’s stayed put. I think he’ll be out of action for at least another
couple of months, maybe longer, but
if
this is him, and I suspect it is,
he’s probably got someone else involved to watch you for him.” Benito flicks
through the photographs again before looking at James, he raises and eyebrow a
look of concern. James looks down, raising his hands he runs his fingers
through is hair, shaking his head. I hear him mutter, “Fucking bastard.”

“But who? Who got into the hotel and photographed me and
Anna?” I raise my voice “Who’s watching me, us? Me, I can live with but Anna,
she is not to be involved with this at all, no way. She’s home this weekend and
I
do not
want her involved.” I say firmly, getting myself all worked up
and into a flap again, “she’s
not
to be involved. I have to protect her,
keep her out of all this.” I feel tears welling up again, “James, Anna can’t be
involved, she’s too precious.”

James moves towards me sitting down next to me, he places
his hand on my knee, “It’ll be okay, we’ll look out for Anna, won’t we?” He
looks at Benito, the huge mountain of a man in my living room.

“Alex, I will do everything I can to make sure that both you
and Anna are safe. You understand me?” His voice is so very deep and somewhat
menacing.

“Okay, how are we going to play this?” James questions,
looking up at Benito.

“I think you ignore the package. I know it’s difficult, but
if you don’t do anything that may just wind him up enough to do something,
really stupid, something bad enough that he can finally be arrested and
not
released.” He’s looking at me.

“I can do that, but I
don’t
want Anna involved!” I
stress the point looking at James and then at Benito.

James nods his acknowledgement at me, “Alex, Blossom – we’ll
do all we can to keep Anna out of this. I’ll speak with Roger and Thomas, ask
them to be extra vigilant around the hotel. Look out for people taking random
pictures,” he paces the living room, “and I don’t want you to be on your own
Alex!”

“Great, you’re the one that sent me here on my own this afternoon!”
I snap.

He holds his hands up defensively, “Okay, okay you’re right.
You win.”

“Does that mean you’re accepting the promotion?” I say
bluntly, with just a little smile.

“Promotion?” Benito looks at James, his head slightly on one
side, a questioning look.

“Yeah. She wants me to take on a director role at the hotel.
More sensible hours, managing the managers.” James shrugs his shoulders in a
non-committal way.

“Wow James, so you’re taking it?” Benito asks, he looks at
me and then again at James, clearly aware that there is tension between us
surrounding this subject.

“He’s not sure,” I butt in, my tone sarcastic, “It appears
that my lover likes being away from me and likes working all hours God sends!”

“Then James my friend, you are an arse!” Benito slaps James
on the back.

I can see the cogs in James’ mind whirring; he’s
contemplating what to say next, he rubs his fingers through his curls.

“Okay, okay – You win, again! I’ll do it. Anything for you
Blossom!” He smiles at me, a big broad sexy smile. I walk over to him and give
him the biggest hug, “Thank you.” I whisper to his neck.

Benito looks a bit like a spare part as he stands there
looking at us hugging.

“Congratulations mate!” He says before turning towards the
living room door, “I’ll be off, but I’ll keep in touch with you about these.”
He points to the photographs.

“Please, and thanks for coming round. If you hear anything
about
him
, you’ll let me know?” James asks.

“I will. You two enjoy what’s left of your evening,” He says
with a wink, “I’ll see myself out.”

James grabs me around the waist and
pulls me down onto the sofa. I’m on his knee one arm around his neck. Pulling
me closer he nuzzles my neck, placing little kisses across my collar and down
towards my chest. With his free hand he works his way up my flank to my breast
playing with my nipple through my clothes.

“Did you mean what you said?” I ask quietly.

“About what?” He grumbles.

“Handing over, letting someone else take the reins on a day
to day basis. Taking a directors role.” I look up at him, into those dark eyes.

“Yes. But I have to hand over to the right person, I’m not
letting go until then.” He breathes heavily as he rolls my nipple through my
top, his mouth sucking and kissing my neck. Moving his hand towards the hem of
my top he gradually works his way under the soft fabric, I feel his hand gently
move north towards my breasts, he works his expert fingers under the wire and
cups my breast, all the time his firm yet soft lips caress my neck, my jaw and
my lips. He has the knack of bringing me down from wherever I am, calming me,
controlling the panic, rescuing me from the horrible places that my mind takes
me.

“Stand!” He commands and in my normal obliging fashion I do,
although I’m not particularly gracious about doing it.

He expertly undoes the button of my jeans and eases the zip
down, he slips his thumbs into my waistband and eases them over my hips and
down to my knees, delivering tiny kisses across my stomach as he moves the
denim further down, past my calves, I hold onto his shoulders for support as he
lifts my one foot and then the other casting aside the garment. He repeats the
process with my knickers until I’m standing there in front of him, stripped
from the waist down. Inside I’m quivering, my stomach flipping, my heart
racing. His face level with my sex, he kisses the once bald area which is now
slightly prickly from the re-growth, he pulls away. “You’re going to take care
of this?” He growls.

“Going to get waxed – need to book.” I gasp as I throw my
head back, his warm breath alone making me feel so alive.

“Good.” He looks up at me, smiling mischievously.

He gets back to what he was doing, I feel so hot, so turned
on as he kisses and licks. His hands gradually work their way up the inside of
my thighs, I gasp, moaning as his fingers brush against my labia, gently
prising my lips apart he brushes my clit, “James.” I whimper, feeling as though
I could crumble as I stand in front of him, my knees weak.

He stands and turns me around, my back to the sofa. He places
a gentle kiss on my lips as he guides me to sit down my face now level with his
the zip of his jeans. Kneeling in from of me he places his hands on my knees,
which he gently pushes apart until he’s between my legs, he leans into me, he’s
kissing, lapping and nibbling at my most intimate, private place. The feeling
is intense, explosive, making me want more, I gasp as he backs away and stands.
Quickly undoing his own jeans, stepping out of them and casting them aside, the
boxers are discarded too as he returns to kneeling.

With his large hands he firmly grabs my backside and pulls
me towards the edge of the sofa. He smiles at me, that huge sexy smile, “I love
you Alex Drake.” His deep voice rumbles.

He pulls me closer towards him, I can feel him pushing
against me, gradually entering me, filling me completely. Holding onto my hips
firmly he moves slowly into me his movements are unhurried as his hands work
their way from my backside to my hips and towards my breasts. He bends forward
taking a nipple into his mouth, he suckles gently, then grazes the engorged
pearl with his teeth gradually sending me further and further towards the edge.
He looks at me before increasing his thrusts, we’ve progressed from slow and
leisurely to urgent. That look he gives me, looking into me but his face
contorted, “Oh Alex. I. Love. You!” He shouts before he explodes within me, I
feel him shudder as he collapses upon me, his head resting on my breasts; he
just lies there holding so tightly.

I run my fingers through his curls as his head stays on my
chest. We stay like that for what feels like forever, he touches me so gentle,
so lightly with his fingertips, across my collar bone and my neck, reigniting
the feelings within, I whimper at the excitement coursing through me, the
wanting the need for him to be within me again.

“I take it you liked?” He speaks so quietly, his lips
brushing against my cheek.

“Umm, veerry much!” I whisper.

“Baby, it’s all about pleasure and I’m here, here to love
you, and protect you.” His voice is husky as he continues to holds on so
tightly.

Eventually he stirs, moving from the edge of the sofa before
standing and reaching for his clothes.

“Do you want another drink?” He asks as he dresses.

“Please. Have you got to go back?” I whine.

“Really, I should. Why don’t you come with me? You can curl
up in my office, then we can both rest tomorrow.” He smiles.

“Umm. I don’t really want to be here on my own – I suppose
so.” I muse. Yes, I think that would be best idea.

I follow him into the kitchen pulling my jeans up as I go, I
watch as he rifles through the fridge, “No strawberries!” He looks at me, his
mouth turned down, “You’ve no strawberries!” He reiterates looking like a child
that’s had his sweeties taken from him.

“No, that’s because we came home from Italy this morning and
as yet I haven’t had the opportunity to go out and get any. In fact there’s
very little in, of anything!” I apologise for the fact that we’ve little fresh
food in the cupboards and certainly no strawberries.

“Come on!” He grabs my hands and drags me along the hall.

“Where are we going?” I gasp.

“Shopping, there’s a twenty-four hour Tesco only a couple of
miles away. Get your bag and shoes!”

He waits as I slip on my flats and pick up my bag, before
grabbing my hand again and pulling me along and out of the house. He jabs at
the alarm as we leave and keeps hold of my hand as we walk down the steps. He
points the key fob at his Audi as we cross the footpath and opens the door for
me. I slide in as he walks around the back of the car and eases himself into
the driving seat.

As starts the engine the car springs to life, the sound
going through me, I know very little about cars, in fact hardly anything and
only bought this one because I thought it was pretty, now it belongs to James,
but the sound the engine makes, well it does things to me!

He pulls away from the kerb and expertly navigates his way
through the dark streets, his unruly curls a complete mess, the result of our
lovemaking, the top three buttons of his shirt undone, the double cuffs rolled
up and that beautiful golden olive skin, he is truly desirable and as I look at
him, the concentration on that perfect face. I still cannot believe how I
managed to end up with him. I know the feelings are mutual, he tells me so,
frequently, but
why
? It’s the question I ask myself daily along with a
few pinches; just to make sure it’s real!

He glances at me as he enters the car park of the
superstore, grinning as he manoeuvres the car into a space.

“And we’re just here for strawberries?” I ask.

“Yup – need some, haven’t had any for…how many days has it
been?”

“About two!” I laugh.

“Well, we need some. They’re good for you, you know that!”
He grins as we both ease ourselves from the car.

“So you keep reminding me.” I smile back at him.

He clicks the car shut and we walk to the store entrance
grabbing a hand basket as we go. He heads straight for the fruit and vegetable
section and proceeds to load his basket with three punnets of their best strawberries.
“These are the best ones.” He tells me as he inspects the clear plastic punnet
from the bottom as well as through the cellophane top.

“Cream, we need cream and ice cream, and chocolate sauce!”
He sounds so excited at the prospect of his strawberry fix.

He grabs my hand and we charge at what feels like warp speed
to the chilled section where he selects double cream, I then get marched, or
more like dragged to the frozen food aisle where he selects a tub of Cornish
cream ice cream and finally I’m dragged further to the ambient area where he
locates a sachet of Belgium chocolate sauce.

“Anything else?” He asks once he’s finished rampaging
through the store.

“No, I need to do a big shop anyway. Thought I’d do it
online.”

“Online? Don’t you like to choose your own stuff?” He frowns
at me, clearly the idea of someone doing your shopping for you is not one that
he agrees with.

“Not always, sometimes it’s just easier to have it
delivered.” I defend my rationale for shopping online.

We exit through the self check out area and are soon back in
his Audi and on our way to the hotel. He parks in the car park at the rear and
we enter through the new corridor at the side of the orangery. The pool’s empty
as we walk past but it’s lit up, the water looks so inviting.

“Pool looks good,” I say as I’m marched past.

“Fancy a swim?” He grins.

I shake my head. “It’s closed and anyway, you know I don’t
show my back, in public.” I remind him of my scarred back, the horrendous marks
left by my bastard of a husband.

“But it is closed. We can make sure the blinds are shut.
Come on Blossom, come for a swim, no-one will come in now, it’s well past
eleven!”

The thought does sound very tempting and I haven’t swum for
years, since before Lewis slammed that iron into my back.

 “What if someone was to come in?” I question, quietly,
“You know…see us?”

“They wouldn’t, it’s closed. I can put an extra sign out. I
can
do that, you know, close it off from
everybody.
” His tone is so
seductive, mesmerizing I feel compelled to say “yes”.

“I used to love swimming.” I think aloud.

“So why don’t you let me take you…tonight. You’re staying
here with me anyway. Come on Alex, live dangerously!” It’s that smile again.

“I think….” I stop;
what if someone sees me
.

“You think what Blossom?”

“I’m just scared someone will see!” I blurt out, “I don’t
know. I’ve not been since…..” I look at James. I’d love to swim, to move myself
through the water, to feel weightless. “As long as you close the pool and
promise
that nobody can see us.” I agree, half-heartedly.

“I can do that. It’s been closed since nine anyway, but I’ll
make sure the main access door is locked and the blinds are down so nobody can
see in. Okay?” He smiles, pleased with my agreement, “I’ll make it special….I
promise!” He winks at me as he reaches for a strawberry from the plastic bag,
popping it into that gorgeous mouth.

“I know you will,” I whisper, “I haven’t a costume!”

“No need.” That smile, that bloody smile of his.

He holds my hand as we walk through the foyer, through the
staff
only
door and up the stairs to his office, once in I plonk myself into one
of the battered leather chairs.

 “I need to go and get some things,” He grabs the
supermarket plastic bag, “wait here.” He says as he leaves me alone in his
office.

I make myself a hot drink and sit in the huge old chair
sipping my tea. I’m surprised at myself for being so calm, after what’s
happened, those photographs. The more I think about it the more I convince
myself that Benito is right, ignore him, hopefully he’ll just go away.

There’s a knock at the door, “Hello!” I call.

The door opens slowly and I’m surprised to see Lola walk in
at this late hour, she’s wearing tight jeans and black t-shirt. “I was looking
for Mr. Aconi.” She says as she looks around the office. I note that her
Converse sneakers are totally battered and well past their best, in fact her
clothes all look like they could do with replacing, or a good wash at the very
least, not what I expected the well presented waitress to look like in her “civi’s”.

“He’s just gone downstairs, I don’t expect he’ll be long,
maybe I can help you?” I ask.

She studies me for a moment, “I don’t know, I wanted to give
Mr. Aconi my new address details, I moved yesterday. Marcus said that I should
tell him.” She mumbles.

“Oh, well if you write your new details down,” I pass her a
piece of paper which I pinch from the printer and a pen, “I’ll pass them onto
him.”

She takes the paper and pen from me and leans on the desk as
she writes.

“Have you worked all day today?” I ask.

“No, I had a split shift. I worked breakfast and then went
off until evening.” She says as she concentrates on her writing.

I watch her, her very light blonde hair tumbles around her face
as she leans forward, I can see that she’s naturally that colour, no evidence
of bottle blonde there.

“There, that’s it.” She announces as she stands upright.

“Good, I’ll see that he gets it.” I take the piece of paper
and place it in the middle of James’ desk, just where he’ll see it.

She stands watching me, intently, a little off putting
really, “Is that all?” I ask.

“Yeah. I didn’t think you’d be here this late.” She adds.

“Oh! Why?” Her statement takes me off guard a little.

“No reason,” she turns and heads for the door, “bye.” she
says as she exits.

I look at the address she’s written, it’s the same postal
area as mine, it looks like an apartment. Blimey, I’ve no idea how much she
earns but I do know that I live in one of the more expensive parts of London,
even rentals are higher priced. How’s she affording it? I stop the thinking,
none of my business really, but if you can afford to live there why are you
waiting tables? Maybe she’s waiting tables so that she
can
live there?

I sit waiting for James to return and start to psyche myself
up for my swim, which from what he has said will not involve any form of
swimming costume. Who’d have thought that Alex Drake, middle aged soon to be
divorced mum would be skinny dipping with a veritable sex-god!