An Acute Attraction (9 page)

               My lips are on fire from the harshness of his mouth and with trembling fingers I touch them. Marc deliberately closes and opens his eyes and what I see in them now is guilt and remorse. Without warning I unexpectedly feel faint. I have to find something to lean against when I feel my legs start to buckle. Marc runs to me so that I don’t fall and enclosing me in his arms, he apologises to me over and over again. Bringing my arms around him, I need to hold the Marc I know closer.

Chapter 7

            “I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry! I am so, so sorry Isabel.”

              I can hear the desperation and regret in Marc’s voice, along with the look of guilt in his eyes I believe him. Despite the fact I have known him less than a week, I honestly do not think that he would harm me or force me to do anything I didn’t want to do, so the shock of seeing him like that is starting to subside a bit and I relax a little more into his embrace. My ear is pressed against his chest and therefore I can hear his heart pounding away. I tenderly stroke his back to help calm him, something or someone is responsible for why Marc is like this and it doesn’t take a genius to guess who. What did that witch do or say to him? We hold each other for a few more minutes before we walk over to a couple a chairs in the centre of the room. Marc holds my hands as I sit and then pulls another chair closer to, so that he is sitting opposite me. He leans forward resting his elbows on his knees and with his head bent down. He doesn’t look at me straight away, the shame he must be feeling is stopping him from doing so.

            “Marc, please look at me?” I need him to see that I am no longer afraid, I know he wasn’t going to hurt me and what just happened wasn’t the Marc I know. The compassionate, thoughtful Marc I’ve seen over the last few days is still in there. Finally he casts his eyes up to me and the emotion I see tugs at my heart. I reach forward to hold his hands, to show I trust him and for him to know that he can trust me with anything. I just need for him to talk to me.

             “I am so sorry Isabel I wouldn’t hurt you I hope you know that.” His voice is low and I can see his eyes pleading with me to believe him.

               I clutch at his hands tightly, “I know that Marc, I believe you. What I don’t understand is what has gone on or happened with Emelie for this to come about. It is a shot in the dark, but I am guessing that she is the reason behind all of this.”

               Marc returns his gaze down to our hands and taking a deep breath he slowly nods his head, affirming what I was saying. The silence in the room is broken when in the background we hear the band start with the evening’s entertainment and Miles Davis’- You’re My Everything is their first choice of music. I close my eyes to listen to the mellow sound and I only open them again when I feel Marc rising to his feet and pulling me towards him.
 

              “Will you dance with me, please Isabel?” The look of hope in his eyes sinks deep within me.

                Placing one of his hands open against my lower back, he clasps one of my hands so that we are now in a slow dance stance and our bodies move closely in time with the music. I hear Marc start to softly hum the tune of the piece we are listening to; he must know the song by heart as he is in perfect harmony with the soulful sax. I have never heard such impassioned music, the way it is telling a story without words or pictures is just breath taking. It is almost as if it was written for us,
jeez how sentimental am I getting, it must be age!!
Marc could be thinking exactly the same and I feel him press delicate kisses to the top of my head. As the music ends, applause echoes along the stone and concrete corridors as Marc lightly brushes his thumb across my cheek.

             “I don’t want Emelie spoiling what is a wonderful evening. I have a beautiful woman by my side and you should be allowed to enjoy tonight as much as anyone else is.” Lifting my chin with his hand, he kisses me earnestly; his taste is so sweet. 

               I gaze straight into his repentant eyes, “I am not asking for you to tell me now Marc, but will you at some point soon, please explain what earlier on was about? I want and need to be able to understand.” I pause, waiting for his answer. 

             “I realise you deserve an explanation Isabel, but I don’t want to drag you into something that is mine and Emelie’s business.”

                I can feel my blood starting to boil. “I think that it is a little too late for that wouldn’t you say?” How dare this woman do this to us tonight of all nights!  I stride purposely towards the door, which is a bit of a difficult task in these heels, but I am determined to give the tramp a piece of my own mind. 

             “Isabel, stop!” Marc catches a hold of my arm and twists me towards him.

             “She is not worth it really. Emelie is a vindictive, venomous woman, who is out to ruin it for anyone she can’t have her own way with. I shouldn’t have let her get under my skin in the way I did and I am sorry for that, but please let us just forget about her now. We’ll go out there heads held high and have a great time; the music is good and more importantly the drink is free.” He smirks and I have to laugh at him, as the joke is not completely lost on me; Marc can easily afford to buy the drinks for quite possibly everybody that is in attendance here this evening.

              I do get what Marc is saying, plus I don’t want to make the evening any worse for us. We are here to have a good time, so we will have a good time and that’ll be two fingers up to Dr Douche.
 

              Taking my hand, Marc leads me back into the hall where the music is swinging and a few people are dancing. 

            “Wait here I won’t be a moment.” Marc leaves me to walk over to where the band is situated and speaks to the pianist, who I assume must be the band leader. I frown at him when he returns and he guides me to the centre of the dance floor. Taking me into his arms I then hear the first few bars of Andy Williams’ “Can’t Take My Eyes off You”. I allow the broad smile to show on my face, he knows that this is a favourite of mine.

            “You are such a charmer Mr Sanders.” I feel the flush that spreads over my cheeks as he starts to sing along to the tune; his voice isn’t that bad actually and the other guests turn towards us. Marc doesn’t seem bothered one bit as he continues to serenade me. We sway and turn to the jazzy melody and I am having the time of my life. From the corner of my eye I catch a glimpse of Emelie standing in the doorway, staring at us with ice cold eyes, but I am unperturbed. Whatever her story is or her plan was this evening; it has probably had the opposite effect of what she wanted. Stiffly she turns and disappears.
Two sets to love!!

              From that moment on Marc and I dance, drink and converse, with friends and colleagues; he never once moves from my side. Where he goes he takes me with him, holding onto my fingers for dear life, as if I might run away if he should let go. The truth is, that is the last thing I want to do, as I don’t want to leave him for one single second; I do believe that my feelings are growing for this adorable man. Before we know it the night is coming to an end as people start to leave and women who I would never usually socialise with, come up to us and kiss me on the cheek bidding us goodnight, while their respective partners shake Marc by the hand; congratulating him a on a job well done and saying how they are very much looking forward to working with him in the future. 

              Holding me around the waist Marc asks me apprehensively, “Have you enjoyed this evening?”

               I don’t need to think about it twice. “I have thank you. I am not sure I’ll be doing something like this again in my lifetime, so it’s a first which I have thoroughly enjoyed. It felt like another world occasionally, a bit like a Cinderella story I suppose.” 

             “So does this make me your Prince Charming then Miss Chambers?” he says playfully.

             “Well you right royally charmed me on the dance floor Mr Sanders, so I guess so.” I stand on tip toe to press a delicate kiss to his lips.

               We’re silent for the journey back to the hotel and I am cuddled up to Marc with my eyes closed, while he twists and turns my hair around his fingers. I love the sensation I get from him doing this, it’s so relaxing and sensual; it makes my body hum and yes, I am turned on by it. I would like to suggest to Marc a night, however I am not sure if he would feel comfortable with it. I am torn, I want to, but not quite sure how Marc would feel about it.
Come on Chambers, pluck up the courage here, you won’t know if you don’t ask woman!
Sitting up I turn to him.

              “I was just wondering if you would like to have a glass of scotch before bed. I understand if you don’t as you must be….” Marc puts an index finger against my lips.

              “I was thinking the same, but you got there before me. I also wasn’t sure if you’d want to after what happened earlier this evening. If you are happy for us to do that, then I would love to, thank you. The big question now though is, your place or mine?” He adds with a wink. 

             “Ah! Well seeing as I only have a double bed and uncomfortable chair in my room, I think I would prefer it to be your place. That chaise needs to be tried and tested wouldn’t you agree?” I wink back.

             “You Miss Chambers are full of wonderful ideas. I doubt there’s much wrong with your bed, but I agree it would be a shame not to try out a perfectly decent chaise lounge.” He hugs me closer and I have to internally congratulate myself.
Go me! Again!

              On entering Marc’s room I go into the sitting area and after placing my bag down on a chair I take my heels off and Marc heads in to his bedroom. I know what you’re thinking; I could leave the shoes on, heck it was sexy as hell last time, but my feet are killing me after all of the dancing. I am positive he wouldn’t argue if I was to suggest that I put them back on just for the sexual pleasure of wearing them.

              Bringing me out of my reverie, I hear Marc call from his room, “Could you pour me a scotch please Isabel, I’ll be right with you but I really need to get out of this suit. My ipod is in the dock, go ahead and choose some music.” 

              He doesn’t close his door so I am able to take a sneak peek at him undoing his bow tie and unbuttoning his shirt. He may not be facing me, but I can clearly see the contours of his provocative back and shoulders. Please Lord help me! 

             “Have you found it Isabel?”  Marc shouts and turns, so I run in the most ridiculous fashion towards the window.
Shit! Shit! Shit! 

               Trying to act as casual as possible, I look at him and smile as he comes into the living space. Holy heavenly saints of chest hair, chill Chambers, chill. An unrecognisable giggle is released from my throat; what the heck!

             “Erm! Sorry I was taking in the spectacular view outside and it truly is remarkable.”

              His mouth sexily rises on one side, “Isabel, it might help for you to see the view if the curtains were open!”
Wow!!
The wit of this guy never fails to amaze me.

              Fuck! Fuckity! Fuck! Fuck!

             I cough to clear my throat. “Ah! Well yes….shut it Sanders.” I throw a cushion at him that was lying on the chaise, causing the air between us to shift.

              Marc’s face suddenly changes and he meanders around the furniture to me. I feel the need to back away, but not through fear, until my back is straight against the wall.

             “So, we are in a fighting mood are we Miss Chambers? I am up for the challenge, so shall we see how long it takes before you surrender?” 

               I find myself standing with my palms flat against the wall, while my chest tightens as my breathing increases within me. As Marc creeps closer, I find it hard to control what I’m thinking and feeling. All I know is I want this man to command the situation and to command me.