Alicia's Misfortune (54 page)

She wore her casual outfit, one she usually wore whenever
she goes on an ocular inspection before planning an event. Marly didn’t feel
the need to look too stylish or classy on her way to the ranch. Her job was to
plan the most beautiful wedding every woman would ever dream of having. It was
her job and she was the best at what she did.

“Miss Andrada, we will be landing in less than ten minutes.”
The captain of the charter plane announced through the intercom.

Marly glanced outside the window expecting to see a vast
land full of dirt and farm animals running about. Her expectations were proven
wrong when she saw a vast land of green, lush grass with huge pine trees that
were strategically planted all over the ranch, mostly near the cottages.

She adjusted her shades and shrugged her shoulders. Okay.
Maybe she didn’t really do her research on the place. Whatever. As soon as she
was done with planning, she would call Erin to supervise the materialization of
the concept.

The plane landed smoothly on the hangar a few meters away
from the outdoor activities area. She had to admit, the place was both
impressive and expensive looking. A white cart was waiting for her and when a
valet placed her luggage at the back, she settled on the front seat.

A man in checkered long sleeves that was rolled up to his
elbow paired with tight jeans and a hi-cut cowboy boots was waiting for her in
the receiving area. His hat was very notable because it was elongated rather
than round.

“Miss Andrada?” The man offered a hand with a smile on his
face. His eyes were hidden behind his Oakley shades.

“Hello, Mr. Lane. Nice meeting you.” She shook his hand and
gave him her sweetest smile. “Just call me Marly.”

“I’m Rick.” He led her inside the receiving area.

It was an open space with four huge pillars on each corner
and a dome-like ceiling with two gigantic ceiling fans made out of thinly cut
wood. The customer service counter had three pretty receptionists with the
typical model-like body.

She wasn’t the skinny type and was made fun of as a teenager
for it. But despite her size, which was curvier and had more flesh than single
women her age, she was a confident woman. She had learned to love her body and
treated it with care.

“How about some refreshments?” He offered.

“A glass of cold water please.”

“Is that all you're having? It’s almost lunchtime. Why don’t
we eat first before I take you around the ranch?”

Marly hesitated for a minute. The three-hour flight was a
bit tiring. She had wanted to check the place right away then spend the rest of
the day on her room. So she could relax while conceptualizing her ideas for the
wedding. But then again it would have been rude to refuse his offer.

“That would be nice,” she said once they were inside the
breakfast house. The ranch had at least three main halls for dining, one each
for breakfast, dinner and lunch.

Rick grinned at her before gesturing for the waiter. They
waited for almost 20 minutes before their orders were served. She just had
salad and strawberry juice. He, on the other hand, had steak, some grilled
shrimps, and a salad.

“So what do you think about this place?” he inquired while
chewing on his steak.

“It wasn’t what I expected it to be,” She answered him with
honesty.

“How so?” Her answer had taken his interest.

She took a sip of her juice and thought for a moment. Often
times, she intimidated her subordinates because she didn’t sugarcoat the truth.
She spoke her mind. But, she also realized that she needed to be cautious with
this particular client. After all, this was her biggest project and she didn’t
want to blow it by saying the wrong things to him.

“Well, I’ve never been into a ranch before. I’ve only seen a
glimpse of what it is like on TV shows. I’m not a fan of farms, ranches, and
running horses.” Then she looked him straight in the eyes. “But I’m impressed
by the natural beauty of the place. It seemed as though no human touch was
added to achieve its perfection.”

He gave her a thin smile while staring at her with an aura
that made her uncomfortable. Rick wasn’t the bulky type of man or a macho guy
often portrayed in shows. He was lean but muscular with broad shoulders.

“The more reason why I should personally take you for a tour
of my land.” He gulped down his beer without breaking eye contact. “Do you
believe in love at first sight?”

Marly had nearly choked on the salad she was about to
swallow.
Where did that question come from?
She
covered her mouth for a second to clear up her throat before smiling.

“No, I don’t.”

“Why is that?” He asked like it was just a normal conversation
between two good friends.

“I’ve been into too many weddings and witnessed firsthand
how easily relationships break. So no, love of first sight doesn’t exist. It’s
just an illusion.”

“A nonbeliever, huh?” He nodded while weighing his beliefs
against hers.

“I beg to disagree. Love does exist. But I don’t think it
can happen in an instant. It takes time and effort.”

She paused and thought about the high school crush she
obsessed about who ended up used her to excel in their class. He treated her
poorly and failed to give importance to her feelings. It was the darkest time
of her life and really formed her strong beliefs about love and relationships.

“And one can never mistake lust for love,” he said.

The exterior of the cabins were made out of hardwood painted
based on its natural color. It had one door at the front and a sliding door on
the other end, which would lead to a small veranda where guests were given an
overlooking view of the outdoor activity area.

Marly couldn’t deny how lovely the place was. She didn’t
know ranches could have this kind of beauty, probably because she didn’t have
an interest in them.

“How do you like your cottage?” Rick asked while he stood
next to her on the veranda.

“I must say, I’m already beyond impressed with the
architectural design of this place. Really.” She took out her camera and took a
few pictures.

“You like taking pictures too?”

“It’s a hobby.” She smiled while slowly panning the area
through her lens.

Rick moved into her line of vision and posed like a pro for
her. His body angle together with the scenery as his background did look great
on her camera and so she took a picture of him. When she checked the result,
she was left with awe. He had taken off his shades revealing two beautiful
hazel eyes that accentuated well with his roughly combed copper hair.

“Did you like what you see?” He asked after seeing her
expression.

“Huh? Uh, yes. Here.”

She showed him the picture which he gladly looked at,
holding her camera at the same time. The slight brushing off of their hands
sent chills along her arms which made her gasp.
What was
wrong with me?

“Are you alright?”

“Yes, I’m fine.” She stepped back a little to place a
distance between them. Suddenly, she felt uneasy around him.

She discreetly glanced at him and found him staring closely
at her, watching every expression and movement she was making. His gaze held a
more sensual look. She breathed deeply before asking him a question in the
hopes of diverting his attention to something else.

“I haven’t seen the future Mrs. Maverick Lane. When can I
meet her?” She flashed him her business-like smile, happy and interested yet
professional.

There was amusement in his eyes, she could see it lingering
at the corner while he remained composed.

“She’s not here yet. She will be arriving two days before
the wedding.”

He walked back inside the cottage with his hands in his
pocket. He then sat on the couch in the living room which was directly
connected to the kitchen. Marly was forced to sit down on the other seat,
directly facing him.

“This marriage isn’t the conventional one. I’m not seeking
for an everlasting love or the perfect marriage. I need an heir, a boy I can
take to horseback riding or a Daddy’s girl who I can spoil.”

“All marriages will eventually lead to having children, I
suppose. Married couples want that.” At least that was her observation after
being in the business for years.

“But not all couples marry for love. Some do it for
convenience.”

“But mutual trust is a very important factor. Without it,
even an arranged marriage or a marriage for convenience, for that matter, will
never work.”

“Are you saying this based on your experience?” He held a
serious look, waiting with great interest for her answer.

“I don’t believe it matters where I am basing this on. The
matter at hand, Mr. Lane, is conceptualizing both you and your bride’s idea of
a perfect wedding. It would be of great help if you can give me an idea of what
those are.”

There was something odd about how he addressed his bride. He
seemed distant and unattached from her and she wondered what his real
motivations were for getting married so quickly. She found it strange that his
future wife had no involvement in the preparation and planning of their
wedding.

“I can guess what you’re thinking just by looking at your
expression.” He chuckled while shaking his head. “Versatility. I am a person
who can adapt to anything. My future wife is a sweet and lovely woman and I
love her dearly.”

“She must be one lucky woman.” For a minute, she felt
envious of his bride. Though he wasn’t crazily in love with her, he knew her
worth and valued it for who she was.

He stood up. “I guess I should be going and leave you to
settle in.”

Marly made sure there was enough distance between them when
she followed him as he went out of her cottage. She halted right away when he
suddenly turned around.

“Have you been in love, Marly?” His asked in a serious tone.
“Like madly in love?

“Mr. Lane..”

“Rick. Just call me Rick.”

“Okay. I don’t see how my personal love affair can be, in
any way, related to planning your wedding.”

“Maybe. But doesn’t most women base their wedding plans on
their own emotions?”

“Most women do. After all, it is a union between two people
in love done publicly.”

“There’s more to it than meets the eye. And there is nothing
more I could wish for than for you to realize that not all couples who are in
love marry. And not everyone who marries understand the essence of true love.”

With that, he left her cottage leaving her baffled at his
words.
He was trying to send across a message, but what could
it be?

Marly woke up to the buzzing of her cell phone. With eyes
half closed, she hastily reached for it on the top of the side table to turn
off the alarm but with little success. She grunted and pushed herself upward to
pick it up.

It was already nine in the morning and the sun was gleaming
outside her window. What a waste. Here she was, in a magnificent place with a
jaw-dropping scenery, yet she lack the motivation to explore it. She spent
almost the entire night drafting down her proposal for the wedding based on his
odd conversation with Rick.

There was a soft knock on the door which stopped her from
getting a few more minutes of sleep. She stood up and put on a robe over her
nightgown to check who had wanted her presence this early. Clad in his white
long-sleeve shirt, tight jeans and a pair of boots, Rick stood outside her
door.

You’ve got to be
kidding me.Why was he so freaking early?

“Hi!” She poked her head through the door. “Can you give me
thirty minutes to change? I’m not ready yet...”

His smile broadened upon seeing her bare face and slightly
messy hair. Too embarrassed at the moment, she bit her lip while awaiting his
reply.

“Sure. I’ll have a valet pick you up by 9:30.”

He mounted the cart parked outside and drove it himself. She
watched as he disappeared through the trees after he turned right. She let out
a sigh of relief. Then she realized she only had less than thirty minutes to
prepare.

Marly ran toward the bathroom to take a shower. In her
attempts to move as quickly as possible she forgot to adjust the heater and
screeched as super cold water flushed her skin. She leaped out of the shower
and nearly slipped on the slippery tiled floor. Cursing herself, she decided to
just rinse her hair with shampoo and water. A warm tub later before going to
sleep would be a better option she thought.

After she was finished freshening up, she put on a loose
sleeveless top, jeans and a hi-cut sneakers.

The valet was right on time. She boarded the cart that
brought her to another part of the ranch. He dropped her in front of a huge,
modern house, which was mostly made out of concrete and glass. She figured it
was Maverick’s house within the guest ranch. The interior had a minimalist
touch and was filled with stylish and expensive furniture.

“You look lovely,” Rick commented as he appeared out of
nowhere.

“Thank you.” She smiled tying her damp hair behind her back.
The feel of fresh air breezing through her scalp was very soothing.

“If you fancy decent cooking, then you are more than welcome
to join me for breakfast.”

She followed him to the dining area which was not fit for a
huge crowd. The table and chairs could only sit ten people.

“You cook your own meals?” She asked looking at the eggs,
bacon and fresh fruits on her plate.

“No, I seldom do.” He said as he took a large bite out of
his omelet. “Did you sleep well?”

“I slept late, but it was more than comfortable.”

“I see. So you’re not a morning person then?”

“Actually, I am. I figured since I’m not in New York City,
why not sleep in late and wake up late.” Then she laughed while remembering her
little episode in the bathroom.

He dropped his fork on the plate and leaned against his
chair, giving her a stare that made her uncomfortable once again. She shoved
down another bite in a hurry and drank her juice.
Why
couldn’t he be just a normal, easy-to-talk-to guy? Why did he have to be so
seductive. After all, he was getting married any day now.

“Since yesterday, I have been wondering why you’re still
single?”

Marly felt her hands went cold. She should be freaking out
of the house by now, but she actually felt the opposite. The interest he had
over her personal life, her romantic relationships to be exact, was making her
reciprocate the same interest toward him.

“A rare find is definitely for keeps.”

“We should be talking about planning your wedding, Mr. Lane.
I’d like to lay down the details so we I can call on my team to start working
on the area where the wedding will be held.”

She needed to be the compass who would redirect their focus
on the matters at hand, the real reason for their breakfast meeting, or so she
thought.

“At the moment, something else matters.” He left his chair
and took two glasses and poured some wine. He placed one glass near her plate.

“You’re an intelligent woman, Marly. By now, you must have a
sense of what this marriage is about. I made it very clear on our first
meeting. It is a commitment born out of need.”

He stood by the glass wall that gave him an overlooking view
of the Yellowstone National Park which was at the other side of his ranch.
After taking another sip, he turned to face her.

She was now up on her feet, undecided and confused. Surely,
he was a very attractive man and his perception in life was very different from
hers, but it was interesting enough. And she was torn whether to welcome the
odd attraction she had for the man or stick to her rule of never mixing
business with pleasure.

“I like your character and how you carry yourself. But I am
as indecisive as you are right now. Whether the risk would be worth the cause.”

Was she hearing his words correctly? Did
he just imply that he likes me?
She held onto the table for support. The
confession and the present situation became more confusing.

“Should we give it try?” He asked without a hint of humor.

There was never a time in her life that a man had made her
speechless. In fact, she had not looked at men the way she had been looking at
him right now. She lost the interest to build a romantic attachment to any out
of fear that her high school nightmare would repeat itself.

He now stood a step away from her, leaving her little room
to breathe and think logically. Taking the glass out of her hand, he gently
caressed her long, straight hair. Even with her height which was taller than
average, he was still towering at her, effectively intimidating her.

“Should we give it a try?” He asked again.

She couldn’t give him an answer or back away. His eyes, the
sparkle in them that had entranced her on the same spot was bewildering. And
when he leaned down to kiss her, her eyes closed on its own as she waited in
vain.

His lips crushed hers without reservation. He was needy and
wild, making her drew a deep breath while he sucked more from her essence
ultimately shaking off the tightness of her muscles. Her body softened and
molded against his when he pulled her closer towards him.

He grasped a handful of her hair and pulled it gently so he
could have a better access to her lips. When his tongue explored her mouth in
search for her own, Marly let out a moan. She had never been kissed by a man
this way. She tasted the sweetness of the wine they just had and this fueled
her inner desire to come out.

As they parted to catch some air, Marly wrapped her arms
around his head and pulled him for another fervent kiss. She was getting
intoxicated by his scent.

Rick guided her toward the couch while keeping their lips
locked. As her body made contact with the soft cushion, she felt the rush of an
undeniable need down there. Her libido was getting ready for anything as they
progressed.

“The risk may be worth the cause,” He whispered as he slowly
nibbled her lips, teasing her by doing so.

“We really shouldn’t be doing this.” She tried to utter the
words while he continued to gently bite her lower lip.

“Listen to your body.” Was his answer before he moved down
to trace her collarbone with his lips.

Whatever she wanted to say, her weak will to object was
trampled by the screaming need of her own, traitorous body. Was she really going
to do it with him? The risk of developing a deeper emotional feeling for him
against losing the deal all together were two sides of the coin. Which risk was
she willing to take?

“I don’t think we should be doing this,” She repeated again
weakly pushing him off her.

But she let out a groan when he traced her hardened nipple
underneath her bra. He gently rubbed it with his finger as he continued to
plant kisses just above her breasts. She closed her eyes, slowly falling into
his trap. She might regret it later, heck she would regret it, but for now her
needs were domineering.

He kissed her in the lips again while his hands were working
on unbuttoning her shirt. She felt the cold air touched her skin after he
successfully opened her shirt, revealing her purple lacy bra. He peeled the cup
and played with her nipple with his tongue. The sensation, which gradually
increased as he expertly sucked one nipple and continued rubbing the other,
made her pulled his hair outward. The action made him wince in pain.

She stared down at him while he continued to tease her. He
was a devil hiding in a beautiful face. His evil ways of torturing her with
pleasure made her want to scream for more. She was so caught up at the moment
she had completely abandoned her logical thinking.

Rick slowly reached underneath her pants and under her lacy
panties. When his fingers found what he was searching for, he started rubbing
it in circles. He was driving her crazy. 

She simultaneously kissed him while unbuttoning his shirt.
It was done in a such a rush that her hands started to shake, giving her a hard
time succeeding with a simple task. Rick stopped her and he ripped his shirt
apart with one pull, then throwing it on the floor. He then proceeded with
unzipping her pants.

Suddenly, his phone rang. They both froze while looking at
each other. Rick had no intention of stopping so he leaned down to kiss her
again. But the phone rang again.

“That sounds important.” She pushed him off her.

With a sigh, he rolled off her to pick up his phone that
fell on the floor. His voice had a clear trace of annoyance on it as he talked
to the person on the other line. A minute later, the call ended and he looked
mad.

“There’s been an accident,” He announced looking at her
while she started putting on her clothes. “It’s urgent.” His stare lingered at
her slightly swollen lips. “Damn!”

“You should get going.” She urged him while tidying up her
messy hair.

Rick held her by the neck and kissed her hard on the lips.
His anger was evident, but his desire was still burning.