Desire Part Two (The Desire Series Book 2) (8 page)

“Father, I want you to encourage Whit that it would be in his best interest to marry me,” she said bluntly.

“What if that is not what he wants, Raquel?’ Howard asked mildly.

“I’m sure you can make him see the benefits complying,” Raquel retorted.

“Marriage is a life-long commitment. A man has to make that choice for himself,” Howard said.

“It is a choice that I want. Surely you would not deny me my heart’s desire,” Raquel said persuasively.

“It is not for me to grant your wish. Whit must do that himself. After all, he would be the one putting the ring on your finger,” Howard said.

Raquel was shocked by her father’s words. He had never refused her.

“You will not help me? How could you be so cruel, Father?” Raquel cried.

“I am not being cruel, Raquel. But it is time you faced the fact that marriage to Whit was never in the cards for you. It is best to let the affair die graciously,” Howard encouraged.

“It wasn’t just a fly by night affair. We have a relationship; a lasting relationship that should consummate in marriage. I will accept nothing less,” Raquel said angrily.

“Then you are destined to heartbreak my dear daughter. Whit does not want to marry you and I will not try to force his hand,” Howard replied.

“How dare you not help me? I am your only child. Who else puts up with your peculiar idiosyncrasies? Mother certainly doesn’t. She would rather live on the other side of the world than to deal with you. Either you aid me with this or you’ll never see me again,” Raquel shouted.

Howard stood and approached Raquel. He stopped a foot in front of her. She could smell the cognac on his breath.

“Remember, to whom you speak. Do not threaten me. For it will be you who shall suffer from your ill-spoken words,” Howard said sternly.

Raquel gasped and took a step back from him. She glared at him then ran from the room. Howard refilled his cognac glass then returned to his seat to gaze out the window at the New York traffic. He smiled slowly. Perhaps Raquel needed a reminder of who owed whom.

*****

Maddie observed the lovely passing scenery in awe. The open jeep sped along the sometimes uneven dirt road at a rapid pace. Maddie held tightly to the seat in front of her to remain rooted in place. At one pointed the jeep hit a rut in the road and Madison was propelled upward, hitting her head on the roof. Whit laughed hilariously at her outraged face but finally composed himself enough to ask of well-being. Maddie had to laugh as well and told him she was fine. But aside from the bumpy ride the view of the ocean was breathtaking. 

“I can’t believe I’ll be living in this paradise for even a short period of time. It’s beauty is indescribable,” she said.

“The magnificence of this place astounds me every time I come,” Whit said.

“You’ve been here before?” Maddie asked.

“Yes. I’ve had the good fortune to visit several times. I so fell in love with it that I bought a villa at the crown of the island. It is where we will be staying,” he announced.

“You’re kidding?’ she exclaimed.

“No. I am quite serious. Of course if you don’t like the accommodations we can make other arrangements,” he offered.

“No! I’m sure I’ll like the villa just fine. You are full of surprises,” she replied happily.

“I try,” he chuckled. “Anything to please you.”

Maddie tossed him a sassy smile.

“I’ll keep that in mind,” she teased.

She had noticed that Whit was saying more and more things of that nature and she liked it. He was making her feel as though she was special and she was beginning to buy into it. His words seemed sincere and she wanted to believe him. She hadn’t seen anything to make her doubt him, so why not trust him. Trust. That was a big step. In doing so she was allowing herself to be vulnerable to him. But she couldn’t seem to halt what was happening nor did she want to. She wanted to see where their newfound relationship would lead. She had once said that this trip would be telling and so far it was living up to her prophecy. Soon they were traveling a smooth road that ascended uphill. They drove around a bend in the road and Maddie caught her breath. There at the top of the hill was the most magnificent home she had ever seen. The façade showed gleaming white in the brilliant sun with six columns perfectly staggered along the width of the house. The house was three stories with terraces attached to many of the upper rooms. Maddie thought the house could be a featured home straight out of the Home and Garden magazine.

“It’s beautiful,” she said in awe.

The jeep drove around the half-moon drive and stopped before the grand steps that led to the portico. The driver jumped out of the jeep to open Maddie’s door. She exited the truck and stared at the house in wonder. Whit jumped from the vehicle and slid his arm about her waist.

“Welcome to my home. Come. Let us go inside,” he said softly.

They ascended the wide steps and just as they reached the portico, the double doors opened. A black man stood in the doorway smiling broadly.

“Welcome home, Whit,” he beamed.

“Thank you, Tamblin. Tam, this is Madison McClain,” Whit introduced her. “She will be my guest for the next several weeks. She is an excellent interior designer here to oversee the Edelston project.”

“Hello Miss McClain. It is a pleasure to meet you,” Tam greeted her.

“Hello Tamblin. The pleasure is mine,” Maddie said. “And please, call me Maddie.”

“If you will call me Tam,” he smiled engagingly.

“Deal,” Maddie agreed amiably.

“Please enter. All is in readiness for you,” Tam offered.

Tam stepped aside to allow them to enter. Maddie was thunderstruck by the splendor that awaited her. The foyer was huge with a large round oak table in its center with a magnificent chandelier suspended above it. Bright, dazzling sparks danced from the ornate lamp to bounce off of the Italian marble flooring. 

“I’ll show you to your room. Tam will you assist Raul with the bags?” Whit asked.

“Certainly,” Tam answered.

Whit grasped Maddie hands and pulled her toward the circular grand staircase.

“There’s an elevator but I think you could use the exercise after that adventurous ride. Maddie grinned at him then took the steps two at a time. Whit easily kept pace with her. When they arrived to the landing Whit grinned at her.

“Nice. I’ll have to take you hiking. There’s a gorgeous waterfall that I think you will like,” he said.

“I can’t wait to see it,” she smiled.

He guided her down several halls. By the time they reached her bedroom Maddie was thoroughly confused.

“I’ll never remember the pattern of this maze,” she complained.

“Don’t worry. I’ll always come get you,” he responded.

He opened the bedroom door and swung the door wide.

“After you,” he said gallantly.

Maddie walked into the room and again caught her breath. The room was unbelievably fabulous with pale green walls and cream crown molding. The draperies were white with small green swirling vines and red and yellow roses. There was a sitting area to one side of the room that was tastefully decorated with a comfortable dark green sofa and matching love seat with two taupe colored Pigoli armchairs. Maddie looked behind her and saw the massive four poster bed. She couldn’t help but imagine the things that she and Whit could do in that bed. He must have read her thoughts.

“There are fantastic nights ahead for us,’ he murmured.

She gave him a scolding look but knew that he was correct. She looked forward to those nights as much as he. She wandered over to the glass doors and opened them. She stepped out onto the terrace and could see the ocean. She laughed delightedly.

“I can see the ocean,” she sighed.

He joined her on the terrace.

“Yes. Almost all of the bedrooms have an ocean view. The scent and sound of the water is wonderful to fall asleep to,” he remarked.

Maddie breathed in deeply.

“If I’m not careful I’ll never want to fall asleep to anything but the ocean and its wonderful scent,” Maddie murmured.

“That could be arranged,” he whispered.

He embraced Maddie from the back and squeezed her gently. Maddie relaxed against his chest and closed her eyes. There he goes making another insinuating remark. What was he implying and did he mean it? She decided not to analyze it and accept it at face value. That was her motto during this trip: go with the flow and be happy.

“You must be tired. Why don’t you take a nap and I will wake you in a couple of hours,” he suggested.

“I am a bit tired. What about you? You must be just as weary as I,” she asked.

“I need to attend to a few things and then I will rest,” he said. “Come. Let’s get you onto bed.”

Maddie allowed him to lead her to the huge bed and settle her among the pillows.

“Sleep well. I will see you later,” he said softly.

“Alright,” Maddie mumbled.

She seemed to fall asleep as soon as her head hit the pillows. Whit watched her sleep for a few minutes then turned to quietly leave the room.

*****

The bed was wonderful. Maddie didn’t believe she had ever had such a good sleep. She yawned and stretched lazily. She thought she could stay where she was forever. She lay quietly and listened to the waves crashing the shore. How meditative were the sounds. She lost herself in the rushing lyrics of the water. So in tuned was she to the sounds of the ocean that she didn’t hear Whit come into the room. He quietly entered and softly closed the door. He was standing by the bed when she finally sensed that he was there. Maddie opened her eyes and smiled at him. She extended her hand to him. He took it and settled on the bed, pulling her close to his side.

“Did you have a good nap?” he asked.

“Yes. This bed is wonderful. I could sleep in it forever,” she said.

“Good. But you should get up. I want to give you a tour of the house while it is still light,” he said.

“Alright, in a few minutes. Will you stay here with me for a little while?” she asked softly.

“Of course,” he responded. “I’d like nothing better.”

They laid on the comfortable bed in companionable silence listening to the sounds of the ocean. Just lying next to a woman and not engaging in sex was a new practice for Whit. He found that he was totally relaxed with Maddie and enjoyed just being with her. It was an experience that he had never been inclined to have with Raquel. He wondered what Raquel was cooking up for revenge. Not for a moment did he think that she would ride off into the sunset without making a stink. Raquel was too vindictive for that. She was planning something but at least he wouldn’t have to deal with it until he returned to New York. He and Maddie remained where they were for a half an hour before stirring. Whit left to make a few phone calls while Maddie changed her clothes. He soon returned to her bedroom to take her down to the salon. Whit gave her the tour of the house and promised that he would take her about the grounds the next day. Maddie thought the house was incredibly exquisite and readily told him so.

“Your home is simply spectacular. You must be extremely proud of it,” she said sincerely.

“Thank you. I am very proud and grateful to be able to live in such a place,” he said quietly. “It’s one of God’s precious miracles that He bestowed upon me and I am thankful.”

“What a lovely way of thinking of it,” she responded.

They were standing on the terrace overlooking the huge pool and the expansive gardens beyond. Maddie had never been in a place so picturesque.

“Think of this place as your home, Madison. You can do as you want, when you want and there will be no one to say naught. It is my wish that you feel comfortable here,” he said.

He was very British in his address to her and she loved it. She adored his British mannerism. They made him who he was and she never wanted him to change.

“Thank you, I will,” she smiled warmly.

“Tomorrow I will show you the grounds then take you to the Edelston site. It is only a short distance away, perhaps five kilometers,” he said.

Maddie converted the distance to be a little over three miles.

“Great. I’m eager to see both,” she said. Her stomach growled and Maddie rubbed her stomach and looked at him ruefully. “What’s a girl got to do to get a meal around here?”

“Merely ask,” he grinned. “Come. We will eat on the terrace. The table is ready for us.”

Maddie glanced down to the end of the terrace and saw an elegant table for two awaiting their arrival. It was marvelous. Whit really was the consummate romantic. He held out his elbow to escort her to the table. Grandly pulling out her chair he seated her graciously. He attended her so gallantly that she felt like a precious jewel. No man had ever made her feel so special. Dinner was a lovely time. They spoke of nearly every topic under the sun. There was never an awkward moment of silence for neither was shy about voicing their opinion. They were in the middle of a spirited debate about Impressionist Art when Tam interrupted them.

“Excuse me, Whit but you have guests,” Tam said.

“Guests? Who is it?” Whit asked.

“I….I…uh...I can’t say,” Tam stuttered.

“What do you mean you can’t say? You know better than to announce guests without knowing who is calling,” Whit snapped.

“Keep your shirt on, old man and stop yelling at my good man Tam. I told him not to tell you. I wanted to surprise you.”

A tall, robust, blond and handsome man stood in the doorway.

“Sean!” Whit exclaimed.

Whit quickly rose from his seat to hug his burly, mountain of a friend. Sean was very tall and husky with dark blond, longer hair and merry hazel eyes.

“It’s good to see you,” Sean laughed as he pulled back from Whit.

“Damn! It’s been an age. How have you been? And where have you been? I lost track of you after you left Africa,” Whit said.

“We left Africa and traveled to Greece and then Switzerland,” Sean said. “Our extended honeymoon became even more extended.”

 “And where is Simone?”

“I’m right here.”

A slender, petite brunette stood in the terrace doorway. Maddie saw her gentle smile and light brown  eyes and thought she was gorgeous. There was a soft breeze that caught Simone’s long cinnamon colored hair and blew it behind her. The picture she presented was a photographer’s dream. Simone caught Maddie’s eye and smiled at her. Maddie instantly liked her.