Authors: Marie Kelly
The rest of the night Marc seemed to totally avoid her
, cutting her off when she tried to talk, and Beth had on several occasions flashed her a “what’s wrong with him” look, as she just returned a blank shrug. The only one who seemed to bring out any of his usual good humour was Max with whom he played with happily.
When Max
was put to bed, Kelly had made her apologies as she was still full from the meal Philip had treated them to. However, she admitted to herself it had much more to do with not wanting to be with Marc, not understanding what she had done so wrong.
Downstairs
Beth had hung back until Kelly had left, before rounding on Marc
“
You are totally out of order Marc”
“Keep out of it Beth” he
had stated flatly as she had ignored him
“She is a nice girl, not like
those others you bring home.” before she went silent; suddenly realising that for the past month there hadn’t been any other women
Looking at him closely she
had continued
“You’ll drive her away if you keep behaving like this”
Marc had looked up at that
“Maybe tha
t would be for the best” he said as Beth Green had scowled at him
“I don’t think you mean that” she
had said, as he had interrupted her, his voice angry
“
And I think that she should stay away from Phil, he’s hurting right now, doesn’t need some little gold digger to confuse him”
Beth
had gasped in shock
“She isn’t….”
But before she could finish he had jumped up from the table, pushing aside the untouched meal she had prepared and angrily marching out to the gardens.
“Keep out of it Beth”
Beth Green had cleared up the table a solemn look on her face.
The next day Phil
had phoned to let her know that all of the arrangements were in order. He had organised flowers and for the ring to be poured into her wine glass with champagne as he got down on one knee to propose.
Kelly was surprised at the level of
detail he had gone to, and told him that if it had been her she would have married him on the spot. Pleased at this he had wrung off happy with himself.
She had just hung up the receiver
as Beth had appeared by her side
“Was that Phil” she asked
as Kelly had nodded smiling at her
“Yes…Beth would you mind watching Max for a couple of hours. I need to do something in the village”
Beth had smiled in return
“No problem honey, everything here is pretty much organised”
The errands Kelly had, included picking up the picture she had put in the framers the previous day with a request for a quick framing job. She had also taken her digital camera to the drugstore where she had finally had copies printed of the contents, amongst those the pictures of Max’s birthday. After completing all her tasks she had sat at one of the local coffee shops and ordered a cake and latte. Enjoying these and the feel of the sun beating down on her she had looked through the pictures, smiling at the memory of that wonderful day. She had frowned once more remembering the previous night and the way Marc had behaved, for the life of her not able to think what she had done to annoy him so much. With a little doubt growing in her she had remembered Trudy’s diaries describing how Marc De Santo was well known for his boredom level where women were concerned. But surely this was a different situation.
Frowning
, flashes of Max and Marc had crossing her mind. Over the past month they had grown closer and closer together the bond between them so strong now. What if Marc had only had her come to make it easier for him to get closer to his son? What if he now felt close enough to lose her from the equation, a cold feeling gripping at her heart. No he couldn’t be that cold hearted she told herself. The story of his mother’s death and the way it had affected him had explained his invitation to her, but perhaps she had been wrong. Kelly bit down on her lip the seed of doubt planted in her mind. What else could explain his behaviour to her?
As she pulled back into the drive, she was surprised to see
Marc’s car parked in its usual place. Leaving the picture safely tucked away in her trunk she had retrieved the photographs in their pack and entered the villa.
She
had then gone looking for Beth and Max hearing no sound, and after trying the kitchen she had moved into the study. However it was Marc she had found, stood by the window looking out having not heard her enter, and Kelly had frozen. Dressed in a suit he had the jacket pushed back his hands stuffed into his trouser pockets as it accentuated his long lean body, and against her will Kelly had remembered what it was like to have that body pressed against hers, her insides jumping once more at the memory. His top button was undone and his tie had been pulled down in obvious frustration, and she could feel herself react to how sensual he looked with his fringe falling over his dark eyes as she had shivered feeling herself becoming aroused. Obviously deep in thought his handsome face set in a frown he had finally sensed her presence, slowly turning to face her
“Kelly..”
She had smiled nervously moving further into the room
“Sorry…didn’t mean to disturb you”
He had laughed quickly at some secret thought
“Not a problem” he said
With relief Kelly had thankfully noted that his mood from the previous day had seemed to have disappeared
“I was looking for Beth and Max”
“I’m just in myself. They’re outside. I was just watching them in the garden” giving her a warm smile, which once more had set her pulse racing as he had motioned for her to join him
Moving over to the window beside him she
had looked out and sure enough Beth and Max were outside in the garden. Max was in his play area loading the ball gun and giggling with joy as he fired the balls out, Beth delighting him by pretending to be shot by each and every one which flew out.
Kelly
had laughed, but feeling Marc moving closer behind her she had started to feel herself respond to his closeness, small goose bumps rising on her skin. Shivering softly she could feel him as he had whispered gently against her ear, his breath softly moving her hair.
“He looks so happy”
Kelly was rooted to the spot as her whole body had jumped with sensations, and her mouth had became suddenly very dry
“
Y..yes” she replied, knowing she had to get away, feeling the effect he was having on her as she had moved forward, turning to face him not realising how flushed she had become as Marc had watched her reactions and moved closer towards her
“Heard from Phil today” he
had asked innocently as Kelly had moved slowly backwards to match his movements
“
Yes, he phoned earlier” she managed her voice husky and shaky
“Ah” he replied “
that was nice”
“Yes” she
nodded again, becoming increasingly aware of how close he now was.
Stepping back again she
had came into contact with the hard wood of the desk and suddenly there was nowhere else to go. Searching around her for anything to come between them as he continued moving forwards she had held up the pack of pictures in her hand
“I picked up some pictures today
.. They include Max’s birthday” Kelly was aware that she was babbling, as so calmly he had taken the pack from her fingers his eyes never leaving hers.
“Thanks, mind if I look at them later”
his voice almost a whisper as he had leant in closer to her so that he could place the pack on the desk. She had stood rigid trying hard not to let him see how much her body was screaming at her to move in closer and harder against him
“Kelly, can I give you some advice”
By now he was only inches from her, as she had nodded not fully aware of his words as his closeness had sent small tremors all over her body
“Phil is still in love with Theresa”
Kelly frowned, not fully understanding what he was saying
“Getting involved with him wouldn’t be a good idea”
“We’re not…” she had managed in confusion as he had continued
“I’m only saying this because I don’t want to see you getting hurt”
“Marc, Phil and I are only friends” she responded although her voice had come out almost a squeak as his fingers had moved to push a wayward hair from her cheek, causing an electric current to pass down her to the pit of her stomach. As his eyes burnt into hers she could feel herself drowning in those dark pools, and without realising her lashes had lowered as she looked at his lips. Hearing him draw a soft breath she had quickly looked up finding his eyes were similarly lowered watching hers. She could see his head coming down towards her as the door of the library had burst open, the two of them quickly moving apart as Beth and Max had noisily entered the room.
“I told you your mummy and
daddy were home” she had laughed.
“Did you get everything
you went for hon”
She had breezed as
Kelly not able to speak had nodded, seeing as Marc had moved over to take his son into his arms, much to Max’s delight. She had mumbled some excuses before being able to escape up to her room to try to pull herself together, to stop her body trembling.
In the safety of her room i
mages of his long dark lashes barely concealing the soft darkness of those wonderful eyes had made her moan. Why did Marc have such an effect on her she had chastised herself. Coming down stairs she had met Beth who once again was carrying Max.
Frowning slightly she
had asked where Marc was
Beth had looked none to pleased when she responded
“Got a phone call from Olivia Prentiss” she had almost spat out the name, as Kelly raised an eyebrow in surprise
“That one has been after Marc for years, thought he was smart enough to stay away from that kind of trouble”
“Oh” Kelly had said “What’s wrong with her”
“I don’t really like to talk badly about people” she
said a look of distaste on her face
“B
ut there is very little nice things to say about her. Believes herself to be very much better than anybody else”
Kelly had lifted Max
giving her a reassuring smile
“Well he is a big boy Beth”
The older woman had nodded, with a sigh.
“That’s the problem. Women like that one know exactly how to behave around
big boys like Marc”
And with that she left to return to the kitchen
“Dinner in half an hour. You want to have yours with Max hon”
Kelly
had said yes before she had disappeared. Holding Max by the hands and helping him to walk she had tried to understand the sharp stabbings in her stomach, as she kept thinking of Marc with Olivia Prentiss. Was he kissing her, touching her with those firm hands? Were his eyes making meaningless promises to her? Kelly had shaken herself, and with a shock recognised that what she was feeling were the noxious pangs of jealousy.
With a small laugh she
had told herself, that it was nothing to do with her if Marc De Santo wanted to chase every woman in Spain, nothing at all. However, the question still remained - why were the feelings eating away at her with every image of him making love to this unknown woman. She was nothing to Marc, and with a defiant tilt of her chin she had tried unsuccessfully to tell herself that he was nothing to her.
As she
had lain in her bed not able to sleep she had finally heard Marc opening the main door as he returned home. Peering at the clock by her bedside she could tell it was nearly 3 in the morning, and savaging her lip she had been angry at herself for caring. She had always known what kind of man he was, known of his reputation with women, however, she had felt sore inside at the knowledge that he must have spent the whole night making love to Olivia Prentiss and inexplicably she had felt the hot burning tears sliding down her cheeks.
The next morning was Marc’s birthday, and he had knocked gently on the door during their morning routine, looking as handsome as usual she had thought to herself, wearing a casual shirt and jeans as he had smiled brightly at both her and Max, in high spirits as he had helped her get the playful child ready.
“Now we go down stairs and see what daddy got” he smiled into his
son’s eyes
“I know that we haven’t discussed it, but daddy would really like a
Ferrari” Despite her feelings about where he had been the night before Kelly couldn’t help but laugh at him even though she had known why Marc was in such a happy playful mood.
“Could you take h
im downstairs with you” she had smiled as he chuckled at the small boy
“Goody, mummy has something for daddy”
he said in a loud conspiratorial whisper adding “Thinks I wont notice” before flashing her a heart stopping grin and disappearing down stairs.
Kelly
did indeed have things for Marc, and collecting them she had moved downstairs after him. On entering the kitchen she had smiled seeing everybody once again gathered around the table as presents were already being handed out, Marc happily opening each and every one. His twinkling eyes had laughed at everybody and he had shown Max everything as he opened it.
Finally it was her turn
, and retrieving the parcel from the hallway where she had put it she gave the large package to him.
“Oh, what has mummy got” he
had asked Max
“Not telling huh”
he said as his son just looked blankly into his eyes as he had begun to open it, carefully peeling back the paper. When the wrapping was completely off he and everybody else could only stare wondrously at the picture before them. It was the completed canvas of the villa which she had worked on for so long. It captured the setting of the wonderful building and the tranquillity, showing the sea in the background and the many beautiful plants which grew on and around the villa
Marc
had looked a little lost for words as his eyes had shone brightly at her
“You painted this?”
he had asked, a noticeable quiver in his voice, as she had nodded shyly
“I..I hope you like it”
“I love it” he said softly with such
sincerity in his voice that she had flushed with pleasure
“You have a great talent” he said simply, and she was surprised to see that he truly looked choked up as his eyes had misted over.
Quickly
Kelly had handed over the card which she had also made, a painted caricature of him and Max at a birthday party and he had opened it with an admiring smile.
“Thank you Kelly
....I think your mummy topped the Ferrari” he said softly to Max.
Beth
had watched the exchange between them both, a soft smile playing on her lips.
Later that evening, at 6, with the
party due to start at 7 o’clock, Kelly’s dress had finally been delivered to the house, where she was pacing impatiently for it, moving backwards and forwards in concern at the lateness. With a sense of relief she had ran upstairs to get ready, but as she had opened the dress bag she gasped in shock. Instead of one of the other cocktail dresses she had chosen, the gold dress lay in its place, complete with shoes and matching bag and accessories. Running downstairs to Beth she had frantically asked for Celeste’s number, explaining the problem as she had dialled the number.
“I said any dress except the gold one”
She had groaned “She must have thought I said the gold one” moaning as the number remained unanswered, not surprising as it was the week-end. With finality Kelly had thrown up her hands, stating dramatically that there was no way that she was wearing the dress and that she was not going to the party. With a sigh Beth with Max in her arms had followed the flustered Kelly upstairs to see just how bad it was.
When
she had walked into Max’s room where both he and Beth were sitting Beth had gasped in wonder
“Kelly….you look beautiful” The woman had smiled with admiration
“I feel half naked” she
had countered uneasily, seeing as Beth had shaken her head firmly
“Believe me sweetie, you look wonderful. That is one classy dress”
Kelly had looked carefully at her reflection in the mirror. Over the past few weeks, she had developed more of a tan which complimented the gold of the dress and she could see that it skimmed over her body in a most flattering way, yet still covered her in the important areas. However, she had still felt self-conscious as to how exposed her back was.
Beth
, however had snorted
“Have you seen what half of these young girls wear today, you’ll look like an old granny in that outfit”
Laughing Kelly had felt reassured that there was nothing inappropriate about the gown, before agreeing to wear it.
After a shower
she had put her make-up on and pulled her hair into a soft bun which was adorned with some of the wonderful accessories provided by Celeste. She had felt strange slipping into the dress with no underwear, but when looking into the mirror she had to admit that she did indeed look good. She had earlier given Beth the mobile monitor to keep an ear out for Max, who slept soundly next door, and after peeking in to check up on him she moved down the stairs to join the party.
Although she herself was
half an hour late due to her dress, she was surprised to see just how many people were there already. The large hallway was full of people milling about, talking and laughing and drinking from one of the many trays of beverages being carried around by waiters, and as she had carefully picked her way down the grand staircase, she had found her eyes scanning the area for Marc. However as she had reached the bottom of the wide stairway it had been Philip who had came rushing over to her, his expression tense.
“I need to talk to you” he
had cried wringing his hands
“
What’s wrong” she had asked in concern
“How did it
go?”
Looking around he
had pulled her over to a quiet corner where he could talk without being too overheard, leaning in close to tell her the story
“Everything went perfectly” he
had said hurriedly getting the words out
“When we had finished the main course, one of the waitresses brought over a huge bouquet of flowers and I went down on one knee.”
He had paused before continuing
“Then the
waiter brought over the glasses of champagne, one with the ring, and I asked her if she would marry me”
Kelly
had smiled softly “and…”
“And she said she would think about it” he
had said a tortured note in his voice
“What does that mean
- think about it?”
He had moaned, his eyes filling with tears of miser
y
“She doesn’t love me…..she doesn’t want to marry me”
Kelly had laughed, then stopped herself seeing the devastation on his face her tone becoming more gentle
“She didn’t say no did
she?”
“No…
but she didn’t say yes either” he cried in despair
In as consoling a voice as she could muster she
had said
“Look Phil, you’ve led h
er a merry dance for 2 years. Now it’s her turn. It is every woman’s right to play a little hard to get” as she had smiled gently squeezing his hand
“I would bet money that this time tomorrow you will be a happily engaged man”
Phil had looked hopefully at her, his face brightening slightly
“
You really think so”
She
had nodded as he had smiled back at her.
He
had stood quietly deep in thought for a second before turning and grinning.
“Hey check you out” suddenly seeing her for the first time
“If I wasn’t a hopefully soon to be happily engaged man I would…”
“
Enough of that” she had chuckled as taking her hand and holding it above her head he had made her twirl to allow him to see the whole dress.
“Kelly you look gorgeous”
She had giggled with pleasure.
Across the room however, another pair of eyes scowled at the scene playing out before him. Marc had watched Kelly come down the stairs, gasping at just how wonderful she looked. Her h
air held high on her head showing off her long graceful neck. The backless dress enabling him and every man in the room, and there were many admiring he could see, to fully appreciate her wonderful figure as it revealed the curve of her back. He had felt himself responding to her just being in the same room and had grabbed a drink from one of the many trays to steady his sudden nerves.
He
then had to watch as Phil had whisking her away and leaned in close to her in such an intimate manner before openly admiring her. Marc could feel his blood boil with both a seething resentment to his friend and a need to touch her. Taking a long drink, he had frowned down into the golden liquid, struggling to understand his feelings.
From the moment she had arrived at the villa, he had fought hard to fight his rising desire for her, a desire which was now threatening to make him do something he might later regret
. He had battled with his need to keep her at arm’s length while struggling to control his ever rising need for this woman, now knowing that he had never wanted a woman more and realising that Kelly Brown was someone he had to get out of his system. However, now it was Philip who was all over her and jealousy rose up in him like a tidal wave.
Putting down the drink with a determined movement, he
had began to move towards the pair, but was suddenly stopped by the tall beautiful young woman, who had thrown her hands around his neck before drawing herself up to kiss him fully on the lips
“Happy Bir
thday darling” Olivia Prentiss had drawled sexily.
“Olivia” Marc said a note of annoyance creeping into his voice
“Relax darling” she laughed huskily
“I’m not going to eat you”
her eyes flashing suggestively “not unless you want me too”
With that she
had kissed the corner of his mouth, purring softly
“Why didn’t you come over last night?” she
whispered in a soft sultry tone
“I wanted to give you a special present”
His voice was noncommittal
“I had to go and deal with a work emergency Olivia, besides
, you give presents at parties”
She
had looked at him with fire deep in her eyes
“Not this
kind”
As he was gently pulling
Olivia from himself Phil and Kelly had appeared at his side.
“Hey Marc” Phil smiled breezily “Great party”
In a cooler tone adding
“Hi Olivia”
Marc however, only had eyes for Kelly who was watching the scene in front of her. Had he imagined it, or for a fleeting moment had her eyes flashed in anger at the other woman draped over him.
“Olivia let me introduce you to Kelly Brown”
he had spoken softly as Olivia had looked over Kelly with calculating eyes, not liking what she saw.
“Ah you are the nanny” she
had said with a soft smile which never reached her eyes.
Before Kelly could say anyt
hing Marc had cut in with an icy tone
“Kelly is a guest
and my friend Olivia, not a nanny”
With an attempt at soundi
ng sorry, which rung untrue to Kelly’s ears she had said “I am sorry, I thought you were here looking after Max’s son” smiling sweetly
“I’m surprised we haven’t met, Marc talks about you all the time”
Kelly had smiled back just as sweetly
“Really…. f
unny he’s never mentioned you” she had returned her voice every bit as cold
As the girl before her
had dropped the fake smile and glared at her she could see Marc’s mouth twitching as he had tried to hide the laughter in them
“Let
’s dance” Phil said pulling Kelly over to the dance floor where a band was playing a well known dance tune.
“
Meow….Kelly Brown” Phil had giggled
“Well
….” Kelly said defensively
“No, quite right….she totally deserved it”
he had chuckled
Marc
had watched her dance, her body moving lithely to the rhythm of the music. He was mesmerized by the graceful way she moved her hips and shoulders so erotically. It was all the more enticing because she was so unaware as to how exciting she looked. However, with a scowl it was Phil who was dancing beside her, every now and then moving in close to talk to her and he had resented his friend for being that close.