Hidden Desires Page 12

  After a moment's hesitation, Alex wrapped her arms around Sophia’s back. She gently held Sophia as she started to piece herself back together. They held each other's naked bodies in the aftermath of their bliss, cuddling against one another's warmth.

  Their simple chaste kiss had turned into a marathon and despite all the hard work it took, they were glad it finally happened. Lost fortunes can never compete with great sex.

  Chapter Eight

  ________

  They were exhausted yet strangely yearning for more. Their lovemaking had transported them to Alex’s bedroom. As their bodies hit the bare mattress, Sophia turned to Alex, eyes of flame, a wry grin on her face.

  "I knew I'd get you into bed one day."

  “Smarty-pants!” she replied. “But honestly, I’m you did and anyways, how could I ever resist your charms?”

  Sophia stared into Alex's eyes, determined not to look away first. “Your first experience with another woman, wasn’t it?

  “You could tell? Was I that bad?” Her mouth twitched as she fought back a grimace.

  “No, I didn’t mean it that way. If anything, you are the sexiest, most beautiful woman I have ever been with. It’s just that you have been so hot and cold with me, yet in bed you are so passionate. It was really nice.”

  “You’re very special to me too,” replied Alex as she gave Sophia a quick peck on the lips.

  “Sophia leaned back, holding Alex’s gaze. “Can I ask a question? Why are you so damn afraid of John Jr.?”

  Alex took a deep breath, then let out a long slow sigh. “It’s because he had a tendency of threatening me whenever I got back from visiting his mom. He thought we were conspiring against him.”

  “But now that she’s gone, he shouldn’t be bothering you anymore, should he? He doesn’t know about the will in the basement.”

  “He doesn’t know, as far as I know.”

  Sophia propped herself up on one elbow. “You think he found out?”

  “Junior has a way of sensing things he has no right to know. He can tell I’m hiding something. He shows up at the bookstore sometimes, just to remind me that he’ll find out what it is.”

  “Maybe he was the rustling in the grass,” Sophia said ominously.

  “What?”

  “Remember when we heard someone in the grass?”

  “No, it wasn’t him.”

  “How do you know?”

  “He has a gambling arrangement every week at that time. He would never miss it just to play hide and seek with me.”

  “Maybe he sent someone to do it for him? Isn’t that more likely, anyway?”

  Alex sighed and turned to face Sophia squarely.

  “I just can’t afford to believe that, Sophia. I’d rather believe that, if Junior was on my trail, he’d have found that envelope long before we did.”

  Sophia nodded as if to say, ‘That makes more sense.’

  Suddenly needing a distraction, Alex got up and put some music on.

  “Which do you prefer? Marvin Gaye or Norah Jones?” she asked casually.

  “Norah Jones. Miriam,” Sophia replied readily. She sang along soulfully when Jones mentioned smiling while taking a life.

  “Hmm.” Alex cocked her head. “Remind me to never cross you,” she remarked.

  “That’s right!” Sophia said as she grabbed her hair, yanked playfully and pulled her close. “And you had better show me a little more respect.”

  Alex looked at her with a cool alluring stare, then leaned over and playfully bit at Sophia’s breast.

  Sophia grinned, “That’s my good girl.” It was not long before Sophia felt an ache between her legs. Out of nowhere, she pushed Alex down and planted a knee on either side of her face, then slowly lowered herself into her warm, inviting mouth. A tongue immediately began darting around her swollen pussy.

  Meanwhile, Sophia dipped two fingers into Alex and made her squirm to the rhythm of Miriam. Suddenly a loud wail slipped out when her fingers thrust deeper. “Oh God,” Alex begged. “Oh! More. Faster.”

  The two lovers spent the rest of the evening in sexual ecstasy, only falling exhausted into a deep sleep hours later.

  Chapter Nine

  ________

  The scrawny young man got up the next morning to a bright, sunny day. He peered out of his tent happily. Good things were going to happen today. He felt particularly pleased with himself. Today, he would impact a beautiful young woman’s life. He would leave an indelible mark of goodwill on her future. And she would never be the same again. She would have the freedom to do all the amazing things he had heard her say she wanted to do. She would be able to keep her bookstore open. She could help to improve the lives of the ladies on Laine Street. She would preserve the legacy of John Stanfield Sr. and even build on it.

  He packed up his gear, making sure to pick up any litter that lay around him. The sun reflected from his greasy hair as he set off toward the middle of the town. He walked purposefully. The way he held his chin up and put one foot in front of the other would have reminded anyone of a banker on his way to an important meeting. A sense of achievement settled somewhere within him. The sun could not have been shining brighter. The sky could not have been bluer. He wished that he could find something good to do everywhere he went. Anyway, where Bryony had brought him adventure and meaning, the bustling city had given him friends who were just like him. So he figured there would be something special waiting for him wherever he went. And this made his steps even lighter.

  Freedom tasted sweet. He might never tire of his nomadic existence.

  The scrawny young man headed straight for the priest’s residence. There, he cleaned himself up and dove into a large breakfast. He thanked the priest wholeheartedly. The priest, in turn, blessed the vagrant and sent him on his way.

  ***

  It was ten o’clock in the morning when Sophia kissed Alex awake. When Alex reached out to reciprocate, Sophia pulled back.

  “Morning breath,” she said as she walked back out of the room.

  Alex stuck a long middle finger at Sophia.

  “That would be great. But take a shower first,” Sophia quipped.

  Alex laughed and clambered out of bed. She emerged from the bathroom a quarter of an hour later wearing only a blue towel. Sophia eyed her hungrily as she walked into the kitchen.”

  “Like what you see?” Alex joked as she pulled the towel away momentarily and wiggled her breasts.

  “Looking good enough to eat,” replied Sophia with a grin.

  “Okay, but feed me breakfast first,” Alex said as she covered herself again.

  They sat down to a breakfast of succulent pork sausages and glowing scrambled eggs, served alongside two pieces of toast and orange juice. Alex preferred coffee, but Sophia insisted orange juice was healthier. Alex promised herself she would brew a large cup later. They talked about everything, except the missing will. Somehow, it seemed insignificant. Everything seemed much easier to handle now.

  The months of strain suddenly melted away. Alex tried to remember when she had last felt so happy. Six, seven years ago? The thought of losing the bookstore momentarily saddened her. She shivered at the disappointment of selling her father’s beloved life’s work. There had to be a way to hold onto it. Maybe she could ask Junior for a loan. She dismissed the thought as soon as it descended upon her. How silly of her to even think of it. But wherever her thoughts went, she could not help but notice how much more bearable her life now seemed. Sophia had given her a general feeling of content that persisted regardless of the circumstances.

  She looked over at Sophia now, amazed at this humble creature. When she glanced back, she gave only a small smile, but it was enough to make Alex go weak at the knees. Sophia seemed oblivious to how truly incredible she was. Her presence was simply soothing, and Alex felt grateful to have her around at a time like this. A large tee shirt hung over Sophia’s body, her sensual breasts protruding into the fabric. She ate her breakfast slowly, thoughtfully, self-
assuredly. She radiated a tranquil impression of needing nothing and no one. That she accepted things as they were, adjusting if need be. If the sky were to cave in, Sophia would probably just smile and give in to death gracefully. Maybe tragedy grieved her, but she would probably refuse to settle into that grief. Maybe happy times uplifted her, but they did not fool her either. She had a strength that is usually mistaken for weakness. Alex hoped and dearly wanted to know that strength better.

  Alex always wondered what had happened to make Sophia leave everything behind and move to a strange new town. Bryony was a charming place, but not really known for anything. It was a place only cherished by people that were born here. Tourists passed through now and then, but hardly ever found anything worth seeing or staying for. And yet Sophia had chosen this place … Alex’s birthplace. She had come to believe that Sophia had chosen her, had come for her. She knew this was vain of her, but Alex could not help romanticizing serendipity. She continued to steal glances at Sophia from across the table.

  “You know, you still haven’t told me what happened to you, Sophia. Do you ever want to talk about it?”

  Her head tilted to one side, as if not wanting to dredge up a painful past. “Well, a certain woman let me down and when I left her, she stalked me and even tried to kill me. She put me in the hospital for several weeks. It was a harrowing time for me. I was living in fear for my live. That’s all, really.” She gulped down a sob trying to keep her composure.

  Alex at first had no words, but her face displayed a quizzical look.

  “It wasn’t her fault,” said Sophia. “She’s not well but she’s getting professional help now.”

  “Are you kidding me!” Alex replied with a look of astonishment.

  “No not at all. It took a while for me to realize leaving her isn’t the same as abandoning her. If I had stayed, we would have kept destroying each other’s lives. But now I’m the one everyone gossips about and I became so damned tired of it.” Her eyes were downcast. A choked cry forced itself up her throat and a slow desolate tear ran down her cheek.

  “Come here honeybun,” Alex said as she draped her arms around her like a warm mother’s blanket. “You’re both better off, then. She will get better and move on with her life. And you, well, you have me. So, you’ve arrived.”

  Sophia laughed mockingly. But she had actually felt that way on that particular morning. Alex sensed that this was all Sophia would ever say about her previous relationship and thought best to leave her pain behind.

  “How about a movie? Then lunch at Fredo’s?”

  “Sure. But first…” Sophia walked over to Alex and pulled her close. “Now that I’ve fed you,” Sophia added suggestively.

  Alex pushed her away playfully, then bounced onto the counter. She slowly parted her legs but kept the towel on. “Are we going to finish what we started earlier?”

  Sophia took a few seconds to enjoy the view before kneeling between Alex’s legs. There was no smile on her lips, only the hot intensity of her gaze that they both knew was the start of the inferno to come…

  Chapter Ten

  ________

  It happened suddenly, yet quietly. A reporter arrived at work one morning to find the biggest story of his career lying on his desk. A copy of a white A4 paper bearing neat, cursive handwriting presented the assets of an important local family rather controversially. At first, he thought it was a joke. But a note that had been delivered with the will claimed that he should contact a certain judge that was mentioned by name. This judge had the original will. Father Simon would confirm all this, if given a chance.

  The reporter rushed out to find the judge and the priest. The judge, having been warned that the truth would come out whether or not he chose to do the right thing, readily fessed up to having in his possession the original will and last testament of Mrs. John Sr. He did not want an altercation with the local priest. In turn, the priest confirmed the story but refused to reveal his source.

  The reporter insinuated that the priest had found the will himself, but the priest would not hear of it. He outlined the story of a kind youth who had wanted nothing in return. A real example of what we should all aspire to in our everyday lives. Eyes glazing over with each word, the reporter cut the sermon short and went off to write the story of his career. In his mind, he was already dividing his first book into chapters. One for a background of the Stanfield saga. One for the tumultuous marriage of John Stanfield Jr. and Alexia Abrams. One for the relationship between Alexia and her mother-in-law. One for … His thoughts drifted off to Alexia, the heroine of the story. He wondered what she was really like. A sweet woman who had been ill-treated by a philandering husband? Or a conniving vixen who had conned her way into the Stanfield household and into her mother-in-law’s heart? He intended to find out which she was. However, he also knew that the conniving vixen angle would sell better. Instantly, the reporter imagined a haloed angel and a pitchfork-bearing demon arguing on either side of his ear. There might as well have been.

  When he arrived at The Bryony Daily, he headed straight for his office. He hardly noticed his colleagues along the way. A secretary carrying a cup of scalding coffee was knocked to the ground, but the reporter rendered no apology. The editor’s emails beeped as they landed in his pocketed mobile phone, making his crotch vibrate. He hardly noticed. Finally, he reached his desk, switched on his computer and logged in impatiently. He began typing furiously.

  The news broke the next day. The headline on the front-page newspaper stated; ‘Stanfield Dynasty Ends.’ A copy of Mrs. John Sr.’s will had been leaked to the local newspaper and the real document had turned up in the local judge’s mail. The town buzzed with the excitement only brought by a genuinely juicy piece of gossip.

  Alex was beside herself with relief.

  “This is actually happening. I thought it was over.”

  Sophia could hardly believe it.

  “Someone found it and gave it to a judge? I didn’t think such people still existed.”

  They sat in Alex’s house, speechless. They considered all the other ways the situation could have turned out. This was the most far-fetched.

  “So what about Junior? Have you spoken to him yet?” Sophia asked.

  “The last time I talked to him, he actually threatened to kill me. Truth is, he’s just a harmless alcoholic. Now he’s not answering my calls. I know he feels cheated. But I have to make him understand that this is his mother’s will. Who am I to disobey her wishes?”

  “Well, how would you feel if your mother left your inheritance to your ex-husband?”

  “If my ex-husband was anything like me, I’d understand.”

  Sophia laughed and gazed at Alex wistfully. “You know I’ll have to leave now, right?”

  “Leave? Why?” Alex seemed shocked.

  “Because you are now a rich businesswoman, a wealthy tycoon, a captain of industry… take your pick. If I stay, I could be staying for your money. You just know people will say that. So, to prove my undying love, I must ride off into the sunset--alone.”

  “You’ll do no such thing. Besides, you could have stayed just for the sex if it wasn’t for this saint … whoever he is. So now we’ll never know what your true motives are.”

  Sophia seemed to be considering this, “Well yes that’s true. Anyways, I guess it’s okay to be a kept woman and being kept by you is so damm hot!”

  Alex placed her hands firmly on her hips. “Yes, I am the boss lady, and don’t you forget it.” She giggled as the words rolled off her tongue.

  They spent the next hour arguing over the good Samaritan’s identity. Alex thought it was the priest. Sophia thought it might be someone less obvious, such as a lady from Laine street.

  “Yes, that would be more interesting. We have to try and find whoever it is,” Alex suggested finally.

  “How? If someone steps forward, we have no way of proving whether or not they’re an impostor.”

  “Hmm,” Alex agreed.

  They read
the newspaper article again, just to be sure. The ordeal was over just like that. She would no longer have to worry about selling the bookstore. She renovated the store and kept it open to preserve her father’s legacy. She started programs to encourage poor children to read their way out of poverty. That was just the beginning, as the next few months brought many changes, all of which Alex and Sophia welcomed with arms wide open. They reveled in the success of their love affair and the newfound occupation which was the upkeep of Stanfield Industries. John Jr. soon learned he had some formidable foes and found it better to shut up and let the women make the money while he spent it. As long as they kept him provided for, he would cause no trouble.