Stranger at the beach house (19 page)

“So
you’ve had your little laugh at my expense, Lady, what now?” he grinned as I
smiled broadly.

 
“I’m going to take my squealing little girl to
the arcade,” I laughed as he started to tickle me.

 
“OK, OK, Sam, I’m sorry, but it was cute and you
were really sweet and funny.”

“Well
that’s the first time I’ve ever been called sweet,” he laughed as I rounded on
him, stopping him in his tracks.

 
“I don’t believe that for one minute, Mr
Lawrence. You are
really
sweet; you
do sweet things all the time. I can’t believe no one’s ever said that to you
before”.

 
He looked down at me smiling and shaking his
head. “Believe it. No one has ever called me sweet, Rose,” he smiled.

“Not
even your friends?”
 
I asked, and now it
was his turn to laugh.

 
“Especially not my friends,” he grinned as we
made our way across the street to the flashing neon signs of the arcades and walked
inside.

“So
what now?” he asked, smiling at me as if he’d never been in an amusement arcade
before.

 
“Now we gamble, Sam, which I know you’re used
to and apparently pretty good at so you should enjoy it. Personally I like the
two penny sliders, you might prefer the high roller section,” I giggled,
pointing to the back of the arcade where half a dozen machines sat idly,
separated from the rest of the room by a sign warning patrons it was for over
18’s only.

There
was nothing sinister about the cordoned off area; it was simply separated
because the jackpot for those machines was a whole five pounds, which for some
reason warranted the attention of an attendant to check your winnings.

 
“I want to win you a bear,” he said, kissing
me and making his way over to the grabber machines near the entrance, boasting
a cute array of giant cuddly toys that no one ever seemed to win. I didn’t want
to ruin the experience by letting him know that the bigger the prize, the less
hard those metal claws grabbed, and it would take a near miracle to get one
through the hole. It didn’t seem fair to spoil his fun this early on.

I
spotted an ugly looking plastic troll dangling precariously near the edge of
the bank of two pence pieces on the slider machines. I calculated that I could
probably feed enough copper coins in to push it over the edge quite quickly,
and that was the plan until a seagull key ring caught my eye and my plans
changed. It was a lot further back, but I decided instantly that little trinket
was going to be mine.

I
changed five pounds worth of two pence coins and was shoving them at a
ridiculous rate into the machine, obsessed with every movement of the gull, as
slowly but surely it was pushed forward on the sea of two pence pieces towards
the winning hole. When half of it was hanging over the edge I became convinced
it was stuck, looking around for an attendant and bashed the machine gently
enough not to set off the alarm until the little gull fell, alongside a number
of two pence pieces into the metal tray. I did a small victory dance much to
the bemusement of two teenagers and wandered off to join Sam, hiding my prize
behind my back. He was not looking happy.

“This
doesn’t grab,” he scowled as I laughed at him, his face set in grim
determination. “Can you change me another twenty pound note into coins, Rose?
I’m not risking some kid coming and sticking a quid in and winning while I’m at
the change machine. I’ve invested way too much in this,” he said seriously,
passing me a twenty pound note without looking at me and assessing the best
place to position the metal claw above the teddy for a chance of victory.

“Motherfucker,”
I heard him mutter as I went off to get change, followed by the low bleeps of
the machine which indicated he’d lost again. Someone once told me that the
machine grabbed slightly harder every tenth time, and when we were kids I knew
people who’d hover around watching every pound that went in and then make their
move while someone went for change.

 
It always seemed like a lot of effort to me
for a stuffed toy, but evidently not for everyone, so maybe he was right to
send me. I hadn’t told him that you could buy those bears at the shop on the
corner for five pounds. I didn’t want to ruin his fun and I was glad I hadn’t
as I made my way back towards him where he stood at the entrance to the
arcades, hands behind his back and deploying the killer smile that melted my
heart. I swallowed hard. God he was beautiful.

“I
won you something,” he grinned, bending to kiss me softly on the mouth before
handing me a cute blue bear with a button nose and my heart fluttered at the
pride in his features to such an extent that I felt a pang of guilt at my
little plastic bird.

 
“I love it, Baby, thank you. I won you
something too,” I smiled, presenting him with the seagull key ring as he tipped
his head and started to laugh. “It’s so you’ll never forget that when wildlife
attacks, you squeal like a little girl, Samuel Oscar Lawrence,” I grinned and
we strode out of the amusement arcades, laughing and holding hands and made our
way back to the car.

The
night had been strange in a way because it was so normal. He wasn’t in hiding
tonight and I pulled him close, handing him the keys to the car before he asked
as he possessed me in a sublime kiss that buckled my knees. “I love your
Winter
traditions,” he smiled, nuzzling into my neck and
firing my senses.

“And
I love little Blue,” I said, waving the teddy bear in his face and trying
desperately hard not to profess my love for the man who had won it, because
right now it seemed like the most natural sentiment in the world.

Chapter 17

The
rest of the night and the next two days passed in a blur of love making and
semi co-habitation, enclosed in our bubble away from the world and it was a
feeling I was already addicted to.

I ‘d
spent time at home as Sam retreated to his office to work, making the most of
my new internet connection and did some research on teaching, the course
available in York and the subjects I might be interested in. I also searched
for agencies, looking through the process involved in tracing a lost relative.
There were a number of options and I knew Sam was making some enquiries, but it
wouldn’t hurt for me to do the same I thought, sending a flurry of emails to
find out the information they needed, the costs and the timescales involved.

The
more I thought about the letters, the more I knew I needed to find William. He
was playing on my mind alongside thoughts of my mother and grandmother. I
wasn’t sure he knew that she’d even died. Surely any press reports would have
been in her birth name and he had called her Grace in the letters which was her
stage name. Perhaps any articles had mentioned both, but I couldn’t be sure and
there was nothing definitive on the internet to let me know either way. I
started to doubt if I’d ever find him.

By
the time Wednesday evening rolled around I was increasingly nervous about the
trip to London, excited to see Lizzie but apprehensive about being there with
Sam. I knew my neighbour, the sweet recluse who stocked up on tinned foods and
won teddy bears for me on arcade grabber machines. I feared it would be
different when we were in his environment, away from our boltholes by the sea.

“We’ll
stay at the apartment in London,” he said as I walked into his lounge through
the patio doors with my small suitcase in hand.

 
“I thought you might have sold it,” I said,
knowing the fact that he hadn’t was a big clue that his stay here was temporary
and my stomach sank.

 
“No, I’m hanging on to it for now,” he smiled
as I forced one back. “Are you OK,
Rose
, you seem a
bit quiet?” he asked kindly and I couldn’t deny it, I was.

“I
feel like I’m about to encounter the real world again, Sam. The last time I was
in London things weren’t going well. I still don’t know much about you and I’m
worried it will be different down there. There’s still your situation and
everything. I just wish I knew what was going on. I feel in the dark and it’s
bothering me. It’s as if you don’t trust me,” I said, gazing at the floor and
up at him and from the look on his face I half wished I hadn’t said anything.
He actually looked pained before he rallied quickly.

“Listen,
Rose, I’m certain that after my meetings I will be able to tell you everything.
Things are changing daily right now and until I have the full and final story
it’s better for you, and for me, that I don’t say. It’s not about trust. I
trust you implicitly. It’s about me knowing exactly how things will pan out and
the possible implications for you. It might change how you feel about me. I’m
hoping it won’t, but I need to ensure everything is in place and this thing
happens like I need it to, or it might turn into a fucking freak show,” he said
exasperated and running his hands through his hair. I felt suddenly sick. Freak
show? What the hell was he talking about?

“Why
would it affect how I feel about you, did you do something bad, Sam? I asked as
he walked towards me.

 
“No, Baby, quite the opposite,” he smiled,
reaching down to kiss me. “On Sunday when we get back here, you’ll be the first
to know everything,” he smiled, pulling back and flashing me the killer smile
that dissolved me as always. I fought hard against the urge to fling myself at
him and stood firm.

 
“But Alice knew, Sam, and Harry does...” I
started as he shook his head, silencing me.

“Not
everything, Baby, and you deserve everything. Can you just trust me for a few
more days and wait?”

As I
looked at it, I didn’t really have a choice. It wasn’t as if I could walk away.
I nodded slowly, smiling up at him as his beautiful face finally relaxed and he
took my bag from me. “Are you ready for a spin in the Vanquish,” he beamed as
my eyes lit up.

 
“Am I ever,” I grinned as he took my hand and
led me to the waiting car.

It
was beautiful and luxurious and watching him driving it was hot. He was skilful
and controlled and as sexy as hell. Christ, I swallowed hard. I couldn’t be
sure anything could put me off him, no matter what it was. He’d said he hadn’t
done a bad thing, in fact the opposite, and from what I knew of Sam I believed
that. He was solid and strong and good. He was a good man. Alice had thought so
and so did I, although as we reached London it became clearer than ever, from
the serious conversations he was having on his car phone, just how much of a
control freak he was and how everyone danced to his tune.

“Do
people always do what you tell them to, Sam?” I asked him as we pulled into the
underground Canary Wharf car park.

He
turned and grinned at me. “Mostly, yes,” he said without a hint of sarcasm as I
raised my eyebrows. “Why, Rose, do you have a problem with that?” he asked, his
eyes twinkling at me, grabbing our bags from the car and pressing the button
for the elevator.

 
“No, as long as you don’t think it applies to
me,” I said, challenging him as he chuckled gently.

He
left me to explore the apartment on my own as he returned more of the urgent
phone calls that were coming thick and fast and already I could sense the
difference in him. He was king of his castle here, the sophisticated urbane
successful businessman that I had recognised that very first day on the beach.
While he seemed out of place there, he certainly didn’t here and his apartment
was incredible. Everything was high end, high quality and slightly
intimidating.

I
explored the bathroom, a bigger version of the one he’d recreated at the beach,
surrounded by stunning floor to ceiling glass windows and amazing views of
London. The glittering lights were almost all I could see through the darkness
and the unmistakable outline of the millennium dome.

The
kitchen was a dream and I laughed, able to tell that this one had never been
used either. The living room boasted the same floor to ceiling panoramic views
of the city, hard wood and soft cream fabric furnishings the only colour
breaking up the chrome and glass. It was the ultimate bachelor pad and there
were gadgets everywhere. A huge 3D television dominated the wall with speakers
built into the ceiling for God knows what, and a music system that wouldn’t
have looked out of place on the Ibiza club scene. There were no photos, no
ornaments, nothing that existed for decor not functionality, and I wondered if
this was the real man. I spotted the keys for the Vanquish that he’d thrown on
the side, complete with the plastic gull key ring and the small gesture warmed
my heart. I also noticed a set of keys for Alice’s house that she must have
given him at some point. At least that solved one puzzle and I now knew how he
was getting in.

He
walked into the lounge, still on the phone and gazed out at the view as I sat
on the huge couch watching his reflection in the glass as he spoke in his curt
voice, giving his response to a question I obviously wasn’t privy to. “There is
no margin for error or uncertainty here. Do you understand?” Silence as he
walked across and reached out for my hand as I rose, pulling me into him.
“Good,” he replied abruptly ending the call as I raised my eyebrows looking up
at him.

“I
thought you were sweet, Sam, but your friends may have a point,” I said. A
small curve tickled the side of his mouth.

 
“Oh, Baby, you have no idea” he laughed,
taking my waist and pinning me against his hips, studying my bemused
expression.

 
“Well I like sweet Sam the best,” I smiled.

 
“
Ahhhh
,” he purred,
“I might just have to put that theory to the test”.

My
body electrified as he raked a dangerous gaze all the way over me, his eyes
brimming with dark delicious promise and my breathing quickened, lips parting
as I licked them, my reaction involuntary and immediate as he watched me
intently. “Come with me,” he said firmly, turning and striding out of the room
as I followed him to the bedroom, stopping and hovering in the doorway, taken
aback by his sudden change in demeanour. “Come here. I won’t ask again, Rose,”
he said and his tone was demanding and insistent, a small almost imperceptible
smile playing on his gorgeous mouth as I tiptoed over, standing before him and
staring up at him mesmerised through long lashes.
 

“So
you like me sweet?” he growled as one side of his lip curved.

“Yes,”
I breathed, trying to keep my cool as a flurry of butterflies erupted in my
stomach.

“I
think you’ll take me any way you can get me,” he said, his voice low and
seductive. Now that
was
arrogant, but
the way his hooded eyes were devouring me was also seriously hot and he was
probably right I thought, as the nerve cells ignited and an all too familiar
tingling fired up in my core. Shit. I needed to at least try and muster a
defence here.

 
“I’m going to make a drink, would you like
one, Sam?” I asked.

I
tried for calm but my breathing betrayed me as I flicked my head back huffing
and pouting as he smirked. “Stubborn. We’ll have to see what we can do about
that,” he smouldered as I stayed frozen to the spot, immobilised by his eyes,
my body desperate for his mouth, his touch, anything as he just stood watching
me. I was hooked, totally entranced, but I really had to try. I had a point to
prove.

I
took a deep breath. “Is that a no then?” I breathed as I turned to leave,
stopping abruptly and looking back as he cocked his head, studying my face, his
eyes narrowing as he beckoned me back with a slow movement of his finger. I
felt an inexplicable pull, moving towards him as a wry smile flickered across
his soft full mouth. He had me and we both knew it. I pressed my legs together
hoping to relieve my throbbing clit; my nipples were solid and pushing against
the flimsy material of my bra as he drank them in through my shirt. Fuck. I
wanted him so badly and he hadn’t even touched me yet.

 
I took a step towards him as I watched his
tongue slide gently across his lips. “Strip for me,” he demanded suddenly. I
wanted to say something, to at least look outraged but I was captivated,
addicted and incredibly aroused. I could already feel the wetness in my
panties, the desperate throbbing unrelenting under his insistent gaze as I
removed my jeans, kicking them across the room and slowly unbuttoned my shirt,
freeing my arms as it fell to the floor. He stared at my bra and then at my
soaking panties, eyes piercing mine as he raised his eyebrows.

In
response to his silent command I unclipped my bra, releasing my aching tender
breasts, bending forward slowly to peel the drenched fabric of my silk French
knickers down my legs and lifting my feet hurriedly out of them as I stood
there, completely exposed, my thighs slick with excitement. His breathing was
heavy, eyes black as I stood there panting.

“Pick
them up,” he said, holding out his hand out as I bent again, placing the
saturated fabric in his outstretched palm. My gaze slid up to see the bulging erection
that had formed in his pants as he lifted my panties to his nose, inhaling
deeply. “
Mmmm
, you smell delicious, Sweetheart,” he
smiled, which further stoked my internal fire as I moaned, wriggling and
rubbing my thighs together for some relief, silently pleading with him to end
my delicious torment.

 
“God you’re beautiful, Baby,” he moved towards
me and I groaned loudly into his mouth as he kissed me urgently, tongues
clashing as his fingers stroked my swollen pussy, my legs buckling beneath me
at the brief contact, moans coming thick and fast.

 
“Please, Sam,” I begged as he withdrew his
fingers, grinding myself unashamedly against him. I was too far gone to care,
spiralling out of control, consumed by desperate longing.

“Do
you want me?” he whispered into my mouth,

 
“Yes, Sam, please” I breathed as he kissed me
hard, possessing me and plunging his fingers inside me again, circling my clit
with his thumb, rotating inside to stroke my tender spot until I cried out. I
shuddered as the orgasm that had been pending for so long consumed me as my
legs gave way and he picked me up, slamming me hard into his chest, absorbing
my moans with his eager mouth.

As
soon as the waves of pleasure began to subside I was desperate for him again,
increasing my pressure on his mouth, my tongue demanding as he threw me gently
onto the huge soft red bed behind me, pulling off his clothes, leaving only
black cotton boxer shorts on that were keeping me from his bulging cock. I
looked at up him moaning, relishing the sight of his sculptured tanned torso,
strong hips and that beautiful face, unsure of how he was maintaining such self
control when mine had deserted me so quickly.

His
mouth curved lightly as he leant to kiss me and I groaned loudly as he dipped
his fingers inside my wetness, moving them back to caress the juice around my
forbidden hole, pushing his thumb firmly against the tight entrance. “I’m going
to have you here,” he said and I froze. I had never had anal sex before and the
thought was not entirely welcome. How the fuck would I accommodate that? I
muttered internally, gazing at his rock hard shaft, clearly visible and
throbbing through the cotton prison of his designer underwear.