Alicia's Misfortune Page 7

  A fast as he could, Jack tore off his clothes from his body and joined her in the tub. This was a first for him. He had never shared a bath tub with anyone.

  Chapter Eight

  Leila felt like a seductress as she stepped into the bath. She could feel Jack’s eyes burning into her back and when she turned to sit, they were everywhere burning with desire. It was a novel feeling to be wanted so badly and Leila could not get enough of it. Jack removed his clothes and then slid in behind her.

  She leaned back on his wide chest and closed her eyes. This was pure heaven. With one movement, he lifted her up so that she now sat on him and she gasped at his hardness nestled on her backside. His thighs were hard against hers and the rub of the hairs on his legs go her doubly excited.

  He lifted her hair and planted small kisses around her neck. His hands slid around her waist and crept up to her breasts, cupping them from behind. Leila arched her chest forward giving in to the sparks of ecstasy running through her body. Jack reached for a washcloth and she opened one eye and watched as he doused it with bathing gel.

  He began by washing her back in soft sensual movements and then he brought to the front and soaped her chest, stopping at each nipple to rub it. Leila thought she would die of desire. He moved to the undersides of her arms, all the while Leila’s breath held, wondering how he would deal with the rest of her.

  She gasped when she felt the washcloth at her center. He rubbed the cloth back and forth, stimulating her and she could not help the soft groans that escaped her mouth. Then he took the cloth away and folded her legs so that he could wash them. Leila shifted about with frustration.

  ‘Patience my dear Leila,’ Jack whispered and she went still.

  His hands returned to her nipples which were now hard and begging for attention. He dropped the washcloth and teased her nipples alternating between both, teasing and squeezing. By now Leila was panting and arching her body forward her control completely overtaken by her desire.

  ‘One moment Leila,’ Jack whispered and stood up.

  She opened her eyes and salivated at the sight of his obvious arousal. He moved from her back and sat opposite her in the tub, lifting her les and parting them so that they faced each other. With the patience of a monk, Jack took the washcloth again and this time he directed his attention to her center, washing her gently. The without warning, he inserted and finger and she gasped with shock and pleasure.

  With his other fingers he teased her most sensitive part and with every movement, Leila felt herself getting closer to orgasm. He increased the pressure and then it happened. All the knots in her body tightened and she felt herself carried off into wave after wave until it all exploded into smithereens.

  Leila opened her eyes to fins Jack observing her. His own desire was still reflected in his eyes. She lifted herself off the water and sat astride him. Using all her self-control, Leila lowered herself into his manhood, taking as much time as she could. Jack had self-control, she gave him that. Rather than grab her hips and pull her down, his hands came to her breasts and he massaged them and then took each nipple into his hands.

  The feeling of him completely inside her was more than she could bear. She took on a leisurely rhythm to give her body time to expand enough to accommodate him. His hands cupped her from the behind and she could see the strain he was under by trying to hold back.

  ‘Leila, I can’t do this much longer,’ Jack groaned.

  Gently he lifted her off and turned her so that she faced away from him and was on all fours. Her hips were in the air and she felt exposed but also turned on. Jack ran a hand over her back and her hips.

  ‘Ready?’ he murmured.

  ‘Yes,’ Leila said, wanting to feel him inside her again.

  With his legs, he nudged her thighs further apart. Leila’s breath was held, excited, yet worried about the pain mixed with pleasure that was about to come. He did not enter right away as she expected. He teased her with his manhood until she cried for him.

  ‘Take me jack,’ Leila said shocking herself.

  She had never been a vocal person when making love. In fact, she had seemed more of an observer rather than a participant. Jack though, brought out her wild side and she loved it. In one rapid movement, he thrust into her and for a moment, Leila could not breathe. She felt so full, as though all of his body had entered hers.

  His manhood stretched her and her body felt as though it would come apart. He ceased all movement until she began to wriggle.

  He thrust into her again and then stopped.

  ‘Shall I stop Leila?’ he said, leaning forward to touch her nipples.

  ‘Please no,’ Leila said unashamed.

  His thrusts grew in speed and intensity. Leila held on to the edge of the tub for dear life. He leaned into her ear without missing a beat.

  ‘Do you want more Leila?’ he whispered.

  ‘Yes,’ she said.

  ‘How, tell me Leila, how do you want it?’

  ‘Like that Jack. Hard and fast.’

  Her words seemed to fuel him and he grabbed at her hips and jerked back and forth. Leila could feel her orgasm coming close and she welcomed it. With a couple more thrusts, she came and she felt jack’s own shudders and groans. Afterwards, he pulled her back onto his lap and gently washed her off.

  Leila returned the favor by changing her position and washing him down. She soaped him, rubbing the cloth over his muscular chest and the coming down to his manhood. Her eyes rose when she saw that he was hard again. Oh Lord, the man was unbelievable, she thought with delight. She wanted to do it again and again.

  Chapter Nine

  It happened on the second week. Jack had told her during the day that he wanted to take her out for dinner. Leila took her time getting ready and when she looked at her reflection, she liked what she saw. Her skin glowed and the off shoulder shimmery black dress, showed off her body perfectly.

  Jack was waiting for her downstairs and when he saw her, he whistled.

  ‘You look amazing,’ he said.

  ‘So do you,’ Leila said, admiring his black suit and white shirt.

  He held out his arm and she linked hers with his. They walked out together into the moonlight and waiting car. Jack was a complete gentleman, Leila thought as he held the door for her to get in. He sat next to her and this time it was he who took her hand into his. Along the way, they passed shops already decked out in Christmas decorations.

  ‘You like Christmas then?’ Jack said.

  Leila nodded happily. ‘I love Christmas and all the trimmings. It brings back sweet memories of growing up. It was the one time when my parents and I spend days with each other with no interruptions of work or school. What about yourself?’

  Leila realized then how little she knew of Jack. He never spoke much apart from mentioning his parents in passing and she knew there was a brother and a sister.

  ‘We always have Christmas lunch with my parents and siblings and grandparents from dad’s side. It’s fun, I like it,’ Jack said.

  ‘You’re lucky to still have your parents alive,’ Leila commented.

  He squeezed her hand. The restaurant overlooked the mountains and from her vintage point by the window, Leila could see lights stretching as far as her eyes could see. She imagined families seating to dinner and probably talking about their plans for the holidays. She turned her eyes from the window and looked at Jack.

  He looked breathtaking in his dark suit. The lights of the restaurant brought out the blueness of his eyes, making them a shade darker. Leila felt as though she could burrow herself in them and loose herself in the blue sea of loveliness. Her eyes lowered to his mouth and she found herself blushing. Jack looked at her in amusement as though he could read her thoughts, which he probably could.

  To distract herself, Leila looked around the packed restaurant, though tables were placed at a discreet distance from each other.

  ‘Appetizer?’ Jack asked her when the waiter came.

  Leila shook her he
ad. She wasn’t a big eater and an appetizer would do the opposite and fill her up instead, spoiling her appetite for dinner.

  ‘OK, we’ll go straight to the main course,’ Jack told the waiter. ‘Leila?’

  ‘Go on and order for both of us please,’ Leila said, her mind on the last few weeks.

  So much had happened and every day, she and Jack grew closer, though she had to admit that they spent more time in bed than out of it. Still, she felt as though he held back a part of himself. It was nothing she could lay a finger on; rather, it was a feeling. Sometimes he got that guarded look on his face and she wondered what the cause was.

  ‘What are you thinking about my precious Leila?’ Jack said, with a teasing smile.

  Like now, when he uttered endearments to her, they felt like part of her name, rather than a sweet name for a lover. She looked at him and decided to be honest.

  ‘I was just thinking how much I’ve enjoyed getting to know you. But then it crossed my mind how little I know you. I feel as though you hold yourself back and I was wondering the reason behind it.’

  Like a curtain, the feelings on his face closed away, in its place a neutral look, almost like a spectator observing a scene with minimal interest.

  ‘Maybe after tonight, you’ll not think that way again,’ Jack said and fished a dark blue velvet box from his pocket.

  Leila’s eyes widened and her hand flew to her mouth. Was this what she thought it was?

  He pushed his chair back, came to her and knelt by her side. He held her hand and kissed it. Then his blue eyes focused on her face.

  ‘Leila Wakefield, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?’ he said.

  Tears flowed freely from her eyes. She touched his cheek and nodded.

  ‘Yes I will.’

  The applause from other diners reminded Leila that they were in a restaurant. The world had ceased to exist as far as she was concerned. She felt as though her heart would burst from joy. She couldn’t wait to speak to speak to Susan the next day to share her news. Leila and Jack held hands throughout dinner.

  They skipped dessert, and like teenagers ran to the car as soon as Jack paid the bill. In the car, they barely spoke, the emotions of the last hour rendering Leila speechless. There was so much to think about. The wedding, her dress and wrapping up her life back in California. As if on cue, Jack spoke to her.

  ‘Planning the wedding?’ he teased in a gentle tone.’ Big or small?’

  ‘Definitely small,’ Leila replied.

  He was not one for big weddings, after all her experience with Horace had taught her that big weddings did not guarantee a happy marriage. She wanted a small intimate ceremony with just Jack’s family and a few friends. Jack was chuckling now and from the street lights, she saw how relaxed he looked, the muscles on his face at ease.

  ‘I don’t know if we can get away with a small ceremony. All my Uncles and Aunties reside in Texas and my mother….where do I begin? She’s been on our case to get married for ages. I doubt I can convince her to a small ceremony.’

  Leila thought of her own mother and imagined how she would have reacted had she been alive.

  ‘I believe my mother would have been the same way. I was an only child and born later in their lives so I know she would have made a big fuss about it,’ Leila said. ‘It doesn’t bother me either way. As long as we’re together, I’m happy.’

  She waited for the words of love or even affection to come but none did. Her own mouth itched with the need to confess to Jack that she had fallen in love with him but his silence put her off. She told herself to give him time. He was probably one of those people who needed to be sure of themselves before saying something.

  Still, it would have been nice to hear words of endearment along with the proposal. Leila shrugged it off, after all he was going to marry her. Which man married a woman he was not in love with?

  That night, their lovemaking took on new proportions. The fact that Jack was now her fiancé made Leila a little teary as they made love.

  ‘Are you alright?’ Jack asked, concern written on his face.

  Her emotions were raw and her feelings on the surface. She looked at Jack’s handsome face hovering above her and she felt overwhelmed by emotions.

  ‘I’m fine,’ she said with a smile. ‘I love you so much Jack. I’m in love with you, isn’t that crazy?’

  He smiled back. ‘It’s not crazy at all.’

  His mouth came down on hers and he kissed her wildly. It only hit her later, after Jack had returned to his own bedroom that he had not spoken of his feelings for her. It hurt Leila a little but she refused to focus on it, instead, she concentrated on the positive bits of their new relationship. She fell asleep with a lot on her mind.

  Jack’s quiet refusal to share her bed until morning. The subtle distance he held between them.

  Chapter Ten

  Jack was excited about his looming nuptials with Leila. Despite his attempts at keeping a safe distance between them, she had crawled into his skin and he found himself thinking of her often. He felt impatient at the five days when she would be away. She had returned to California a day earlier to wrap up her life as best as she could in five days.

  He pranced around the house, feeling lonely. He had never noticed how large the house was until now. He imagined it full of children in a few years’ time and the thought warmed his heart. Unable to bear his own company any longer, he decided to go out to his parents’ house. He glanced at the time. It was noon, good. He would just be in time for lunch.

  He drove at a leisurely pace, musing over how one’s fortunes changed in an instance. He was about to get married and to a beautiful and wonderful woman. Not to mention sexy, Jack thought with a chuckle. Leila was a revelation in bed. Whatever inexperience she had, she more than made up with her passion.

  She was game to try anything and he knew that their future together would never have a dull moment. He stopped his car by a large, wrought iron gate, full of ivy interweaving itself between the metal rods. Before he could hoot to make his presence known, the gate slid apart and he drove in.

  It had taken years to convince his parents to have that particular technology installed. It was silly to have someone come all the way from the house or stop their chores to open the gate. Jack was surprised when he saw his brother, Aaron’s car parked in the drive. His brother was a lawyer in the city and it was rare to see him at this time of day.

  He parked his car next to Helen’s and got out. He found the whole family in the back garden, having lunch as he had thought.

  ‘Trust Jack to show up when we’re just about to eat,’ Aaron said and stood up.

  He hugged Jack and clapped him hard on the shoulder. The two brothers were alike physical but the resemblance ended there.

  ‘Good to see you little brother,’ Jack teased.

  He went round the table and kissed his sister Helen and then his mother and father. He pulled a chair and sat down.

  ‘This is an unexpected treat,’ their mother said smiling whilst looking at all of them. ‘Having all my children under one roof and at the same time.’

  ‘What you doing here in the middle of the day Aaron? Got fired?’ Jack said.

  ‘Partners don’t get fired big bro. I just felt a need to touch base, plus I’m going to Washington next week and I might not get another chance,’ Aaron explained.

  ‘Wow, you’re going up in the world! Washington huh?’ Jack said.

  ‘Don’t be impressed. I’m just going for a meeting with a client,’ Aaron said dryly.

  ‘They don’t just send anyone, do they?’ their father said, speaking up for the first time.

  ‘No,’ Aaron admitted, smiling sheepishly. ‘It’s an honor.’

  ‘You work hard bro and you deserve it,’ Jack said, his teasing tone gone.

  It was true that his brother worked like a dog at that law firm where he had recently being made a partner. He had broken the record as being the youngest lawyer to ever being made p
artner. Of course the family name helped but that was only a small part of it. His hard work had earned him the position and Jack felt very proud of his brother.

  They had been raised with a value for work ethic. It was unknown in their home to be in bed past seven o’clock in the morning unless you had a very good reason for it. His sister Helen, owned and managed several executive salons in the city. They had all done well for themselves on an individual capacity.

  Jack served himself and returned to the table, enjoying the feeling of belonging that he had taken for granted before he met Leila. He couldn’t imagine how it felt like not to have his family around. Once they were married, he hoped she would feel part of his family. They were wonderful people and he knew that she would come to love them as he did.

  ‘What’s up sis, you’re very quiet,’ Jack said turning to Helen.

  ‘I’m alright; you two never let me get in a word.’

  ‘I don’t remember you complaining about it before?’

  Helen laughed and pushed back her jet black hair with impatience.

  ‘How’s the agency thing going?’ she whispered. ‘Any luck?’

  ‘As a matter of fact I did find someone. She’s wonderful and perfect for me. Her name’s Leila and we’re getting married in a month’s time.’ Jack said.

  ‘Married?’ Helen shrieked.

  Silence fell across the table and everyone turned to him. His mother looked particularly shocked.

  ‘Jack?’ she said.

  He sighed and decided to tell them. He had intended to introduce them to Leila and give them time to get to know her before announcing their engagement. Now, thanks to Helen’s big mouth, he had to tell them now. He glared at her and then focused on his parents.

  ‘I met this girl, her name’s Leila and yes I did propose to her and she said yes.’