Richer Ground (4 page)

“You know, you're really beautiful Alista Lewis, despite your smart but very pretty trollop mouth. I've never met anyone quite like you...”

And his lips were on hers again, his soft and highly erotic sweeping kiss, his hands in her hair. His breathing was harsh and loud. He broke away and looked into her eyes, his dark pools probing her blue depths..

“You're not so bad yourself either, despite your blatant upper class snobbery.”

Not so bad...? What planet am I on? He was really beautiful too.

“You bring out the best in me.” he joked, stroking her cheek with his finger.

“You bring out the worst in me.” she quipped in return.

His mouth brushed across her ear gently, his hot breath whipping up a storm. She trembled all over. A moan made its way out. She couldn't contain it a second longer.

“See you tomorrow, beautiful...” he said against her ear.

After a quick kiss on the cheek, he was gone. Down the path and along the street. She stood in a daze watching him go.

If she wasn't mistaken, Rick was quite a gentleman. And she was venturing into uncharted territory. 

The next morning she came downstairs a little earlier than usual. She had big news to tell after all. Her mum's eyes opened wide when she told her she had found her a job looking after Richer from The Chase.

“His house and garden are a tip. It needs your touch, everywhere.” She explained.

“How did you find out about this?”

“I've been there.”

“You've been there? When?”

“Last night.”

“Oh really? Want to tell me more...”

“No, to whatever you're thinking. Anyway, he wants us to go round there at ten, and you can start straight away.”

Her mum looked at the clock. “I'd better start packing the car up then. What will I need to take?”

“Everything, including the kitchen sink, at a guess.”

She set about loading the car with a bucket, mop, vacuum, dusters, bleach, sprays and scrubbing brushes.

“Don't forget the garden as well... broom, shovel, rake, mower, weedkiller... etc...”

“Okay... Got all that.” Mum shot off to the shed.

At five to ten she was ready to go.

“I'll introduce you and walk back,” Ali said, getting in the car.

“What's he like, this Rick?” her mum asked her, clearly nervous.

“Very nice, very handsome, and well loaded.”

“How old?”

“My kinda age... Don't get any ideas Mumsy. I'm first in the queue.”

“Ha ha... Honestly Ali love... as if!”

She rang the doorbell and he answered quickly, with a warm smile.

“Hello Rick, meet my mum.”

“Well I say… two beauties for the price of one. Come in Claudine... I'm pleased to meet you. You come highly recommended by your daughter.” He shook her hand as she entered the hallway.

Her Mum gave her a subtle eye flash. She was impressed. With Rick anyway. She didn't think the state of his house would impress her much though.

“I'll just come in for a minute, then I'll be off,” Ali said, following her inside

Her mum looked around with widening eyes as she walked around downstairs.

“I though the outside was bad... But this is...well... Jesus and holy mother...!” she said gulping loudly. “Where do I start?”

They all burst into laughter.

Alista left her to her initial tut-tutting survey and made her way out to the hallway. She knew her mum would be in her element here. She'd have the garden in order and all the rooms spick 'n span by the end of the day...

No, maybe the next day...

She wasn't a miracle worker, and there was a lot to do.

Rick followed Ali as she made to leave and opened the door.

“Ali, I never got round to asking you, last night... I'd like to take you to dinner today. Sunday lunch, I mean. I know you're working from three, aren't you?”

“I'd really like that.” Her heart lit up.

“Where would you like to go?”

“Not the club... Somewhere else. The Steakhouse does good roast dinners, or so I hear... I've never actually been there.”

“I'll pick you up at one...”

He caught her wrist and whirled her towards him for a quick and very naughty hot tongue kiss on the doorstep.

She flew home in a much happier mood after that.

The Steakhouse was busy but their table came up after a five minute wait. They were finally seated, with their drinks, and sat waiting to be served. She was really looking forward to it, urgently, having skipped breakfast.

“Tell me about yourself... Anything,” he said, with interested eyes.

“Well... I'm twenty two. I have a first class honours degree in economics from Exeter. I want to learn to drive soon. And I'm bloody starving... Where's the waitress?” she complained.

He laughed at her.

“You're so full of it.” He chucked her under the chin.

“I know. So what about you?” She smiled cheekily.

“I'm thirty in two weeks. I have a geology degree from Cambridge and I want to learn to sail soon... Oh, and I'm starving too.” He smiled at her... “Has that told you anything about me?”

“Not much.”

“So... Tell me some more... real things...”

“There's not much to tell.”

“Yes there is...You're a little shy, behind your witty sarcasm, but intelligent and thoughtful, very capable of multi-tasking, based on what I've seen so far, behind the bar, and a fabulous coffee barista it would seem... So, where are you going with all these life skills, Ali?”

“Hotel management perhaps?” It was a little idea she had been toying with, since starting at the club.

“I can't see you enjoying that.”

“Why not?”

“It'll be dull. Too stifling for your creative, fun spirit...”

The waitress arrived, very apologetically and flustered, and took their order.

Alista carried on with the conversation after she scurried off.

“Look, I don't know yet, because I've only been working for four weeks. I'm on my work honeymoon.”

“That's fair enough, I suppose. There's no rush... You're young enough not to worry about it.” He sat back on his chair and studied her.

“What about you? Have you made it, in your eyes? Or is there more to come?”

“God, I haven't done much at all in my life. There's a lot of things I want to do. Important stuff, well to me anyhow.”

“Like what, for instance?”

“Seeing the sunrise on the top of Mount Sinai, skiing off piste in the Rockies, white river rafting, sailing the Channel, meeting someone I really love and can share things with, seeing my children being born...” He stopped and looked at her as she sat opened mouthed at his outpouring.

“Sorry, I can get a little carried away sometimes.”

“Have you ever really loved anyone Rick?” She kinda knew the answer to this one, thanks to Cheryl.

“I thought I did. We were going to get married in fact. But then, things changed. Dramatically.”

“Oh, and what was that, exactly?”

“It's not really a lunch time discussion. It's upsetting to think about.”

“Perhaps you can tell me some other time then. I'd really like to know.”

He paused, wavered a little, and broke.

“I suppose I may as well tell you now as later. Her name was Francesca. She got pregnant whilst we were engaged. It seemed I was the only one who was pleased about prospective parenthood, because at four months she aborted our baby. I couldn't marry her after that little shocker. I ended it and she found someone else two weeks later.”

“Oh no. I'm sorry.”

“Oh yes, and so am I.”

“Is that why you're so serious about things? Because she hurt you so much?”

“I'm not that serious. I like a laugh as much as anyone else.”

“About some things you are... You're way too serious about sex.”

“It's a serious business in my mind.”

“It's actually recreation or haven't you heard?”

“I've had my fair share of both types. And I like the serious kind better, it means something.”

“What exactly is serious sex Rick?”

“It's a connection. In here.” he tapped his head. “Not just a meeting of body parts.”

“Rick, you're very deep, aren't you?”

“I suppose I am... Are you?”

“I don't know because no one has taken the time to find out. Myself included. I'm probably a shallow inch all over. What you see is what you get.”

“I can't believe that,” he chuckled.

Their meals finally arrived and they tucked in hungrily with a lot of light hearted chat after the rather heavy stuff.

Alista was becoming very interested in Rick. She wanted to explore his depths further, to find out about his serious sex side and just about everything else that he was made of.

They drove to the club and he dropped her off at three.

“I had a great time, thanks. It was a lovely meal. Shame I have a nine hour shift ahead of me 'cos I could do with a nap to help digest it...”

“I enjoyed it too, really. It's been good therapy to share things with you. So, I'll pick you up at midnight, in the car park?”

“No...You don't need to do that. I can walk it in twenty minutes.”

“I want to make sure you get home safely. Besides, I can see you again... even if it's just for a few minutes.”

“Well, if you insist Sir Galahad... Guinevere will be waiting impatiently for your return. Make sure the horse is clean and well fed.”

“Oh ha ha.”

She waved goodbye as he left.

Her stomach rolled over and over.

Very strong feelings going on here...

Tonight she was going to keep her tongue in order. Until she got him in bed.

She wouldn't be responsible for it after that.

It was quiet for once. A few bursts of activity and a lot of couples. Couples didn't drink anywhere near so much as groups, per head, she'd noticed.

Greta stood texting on her phone next to her.

“Boyfriend?” she asked.

“
No, it's a friend... I don't have boyfriends,” she said, casting her eye up at Ali.

“
What, never?” She was surprised. Greta was quite pretty, tall and blond with big blue eyes. She was sure men would be very interested in her. In fact she was chatted up all the time behind the bar. Not that she seemed to take much notice. She ignored all their compliments completely.

“
I don't like men. Not in that way.”

“
You're gay?” It all made sense now.

“
Ya, at fifteen I had my first relationship with a much older woman.”

“
Is there anyone special, back in Austria?”

“
I have two '
friends'
.”

“
You have two girlfriends?”

“
We live together in Innsbruck. I'm going back soon Ali. I really miss them,” she sighed heavily.

“
Ah... I see… a female ménage a trois...” she giggled.

“
Ya, we are good friends. Very, very good friends.”

Ali's mind boggled for a moment. She couldn't imagine sleeping with two women. Or two men either. She was very traditional in her outlook on relationships. What other people did was their business. But she was a one man, one woman type.

“Here, this is Letta and Karolin...” She handed Ali her phone. Two pretty little faces smiled back. One brunette and one fair.

“
They're lovely girls,” she said honestly.

“
Mmmm, very lovely. And not girls. No... They are both twenty five... older than me and real women...” Greta laughed.

“
Do you ever have problems, being as there's three of you? Jealousy and that type of thing?” she asked.

“
Sometimes. We have had some very bad fights. We know we have to be a little careful. But we love each other Ali. It's all part of learning to love, yes? Sharing, compromise, fighting, making up... It's not all about sex, is it? That's a small part. What happens outside the bedroom is more important,” Greta said, with a lot of feeling and a deep expression.

Ali gave her a little hug of understanding.

“I really don't know Greta. I've never loved anyone. My boyfriends have all been players, young guys not interested in having a real relationship. It's been sex and not much else.”

“
You play with boys, not men... that's why. Things will change, don't worry.”

“
I hope so...”

“
Mr Robertson is a good choice for you. I like him. As a person...”

“
He seems keen.”

“
More than keen, I think. He looks at you, in that way...”

“
What way?”

“
Possessive. Like you are his girlfriend.”

Her heart sang at the concept.

She wanted to be his girlfriend, and badly.

“
Did you ever see his fiancée in here?” she probed.

“
Ya, many times...”

“
What was she like?”

“
Blond, tall, beautiful. Lovely clothes... My type exactly.”

“
Ha ha, I bet!”

A couple arrived at the bar and Ali moved off to serve them.

She arrived in the foyer at a few minutes after twelve and was pleased to see his car was already parked outside. She slid in next to him and leaned over and kissed his cheek.

“Sir Galahad looks very handsome on his horse.”

“
And Guinevere looks very sexy in her jeans.”

They both laughed as he drove off.

She had expected tonight to be the night. But it wasn't to be. He had other ideas. He stopped to drop her outside her door. She tried to hide her disappointment as he brushed back her curls with his fingers and pecked her cheek.

“
I'll see you sometime, then,” she said sulkily, opening the door to get out.

He held onto her arm to stop her from leaving and she sat back in the seat and shut the door again, turning towards him.  He switched the engine off, undid his seatbelt and turned to face her properly.

“Ali... I'm away for a while, from tomorrow, at De Beers head office. I don't want to take you back to mine and then disappear for days, okay? It's not the right time.”

Her mind swam with relief for a moment. He was just being thoughtful. 

“I'm back on Thursday afternoon. Can you get the day off work?”

“
I'll try. Give me your phone. I'll put my number in.” He handed it to her and she added herself to his contacts.

“
Now give me yours,” he said, and she held it out to him as he put his number in.

“
Text me when you get home, okay?... Anyway, I forgot to ask my burning question... How's the big clean up going?”

“
It's coming along nicely. Claudine has made a very noticeable difference already. She's very organised, isn't she?”

“
She used to be a secretary. I suppose it all stems from that. She's also OCD clean and tidy and more genned up on the garden than Sir Alan Titchmarsh. You have the perfect person to keep your life in order Mr R... I'd keep her happy if I were you.”

“
I will, but I'd rather keep you happy...”

“
But work gets in the way... Shame about that...” She smiled at him wistfully, “I'd better go in. I'm sure Mum's dying to dish the dirt on you and your house. She’s still up, the light's on.” She gestured with her thumb.

He leaned towards her, placing his hand on her shoulder.

“Stay with me, just for a minute,” he said as his lips brushed her cheek.

They trailed a line down from her ear to her neck. Then up again, nipping at her along the way. She closed her eyes as he nibbled at her ear lobe gently and lapped inside her ear. She was blazing hot in seconds and shaking all over. Her insides tingled, her stomach muscles tensed, and her vagina squeezed so tightly she thought it might just be fused like that forever, welded together with the intense heat he was whipping up inside her. Her hands grabbed at his hair, messing it up, and raking her open fingers through its soft silkiness, over and over.

It was all too much, this arousing assault on her ears and neck.

She grabbed his ears and pulled his face up to hers.

“I want you to make love to me,” she whispered. She hoped and prayed this what he wanted to hear. Not a trace of smut or common vulgarity, just the plain truth.

“
Ali... I don't....” he began, looking into her wide, blue, lust soaked eyes. “Oh damn...”

Then it started to get really heated.

He took her face in his hands and kissed her with a mission.

Whatever had gone on between them before, in the cab, was nothing compared to this. She burned for him. Every last part of her body was on fire. His tongue played with hers so sensually it took her breath away. Her eyes rolled in her head at the sensations coursing through her. His fingers caressed her breasts rhythmically, and he tugged at her curls gently, winding them around his fingers. He groaned against her mouth, over and over, which ignited her whole being even more. Her clit throbbed for his touch and her nipples ached. She was so wet she thought she must have soaked through to the seat beneath her.

“Oh my God... What are you doing to me...?” she whimpered, with a heaving chest as his tongue flicked slowly and erotically around her face and neck. Her mind was going into an orgasm all on its own...

“
The same as you're doing to me,” he groaned. “You'd better go in, right now, before I lose it.” Then he returned to touching her breasts and torturing her face some more with his mouth...

She so wanted him to lose it. Every which way. But a car encounter wasn't the ideal place to start the hottest night of passion she'd ever had. And right now she was damn sure it would be. The best sex she'd ever experienced, or even imagined, for that matter.

And like he'd said, it wasn't the right time.

She battled with herself and tried to find the strength to grab the door handle and leave. “Night, have a good trip...” she finally managed to utter. With a determined effort she pulled away from his mouth and hands, opening the door and escaping from them both into the cool night air. She bent down to take a last look at him for a few days. His hair was a mess and his eyes bright and shining.

“'Bye my little beauty...” he said quietly in a very aroused, deep voice.

She shut the door and he started the engine and left. She watched his R1CH ER number plate and red tail lights disappear from view as he turned left at the traffic lights at the end of the road.

Holy, holy fuck... I'm never going to be able to get to sleep tonight... or ever again...

Her mother stood up as she came in, all flushed and wild eyed. She hoped her heated state wasn't too obvious.

“
Hi Mum, still alive after the germ filled hours?”

“
It wasn't that dirty as it goes. The kitchen needed some work, but it was all just a bit dusty and full of junk really. I got the whole downstairs done and I'm doing the upstairs tomorrow. I've got a key and he's leaving it up to me how many hours I do. It's fifteen quid an hour Ali... that's double the normal rate for cleaning.”

“
Don't take advantage of him Mum... He's too nice...” she laughed.

“
Of course not... But I'm going to have a lot of fun with the outside. He wants me to do the back garden as well, plant it all up in a masculine style. Nothing too pink, he said. Ornaments, garden furniture. And I have to sort out the pond. I didn't even know there was one until I almost fell in it. There were even fish still alive in it as well... Ali the size of that back garden, wow! It's at least three hundred feet long. There's only an overgrown orchard and vegetable plot down the end as well...” Ali watched with happiness as her mother's enthusiastic face literally glowed before her.

“
I take it you like your new job then?”

“
I do... I really love it. Once I've sorted the house out, he's getting the decorators in as well. So it'll look really smart.  Thanks so much Ali... For suggesting me to Rick.” She gave her a tight hug.

“
I'm really pleased Mum. You'll be able to spend a little bit on our own garden with the extra money, won't you?”

“
I know. I can't wait... It's a shame it's August. It's nearly autumn now... I'll save up till the spring and then I can go mad...”

“
Mad as a garden hatter... that's you...!” Ali laughed. “Right, I'm having a quick shower and going to bed. Night, night...”

“
Night love.”

Ali went upstairs and showered and washed her hair, she towelled it dry roughly and then she got into bed and picked up a book to read. She had calmed down now... But she wasn't tired in the least.

Her book wasn't grabbing her attention, so she got on her laptop for a while. She looked him up...

He wasn't on Facebook. Well, she couldn't find him if he was.

Who the hell wasn't on Facebook these days?

But he was on LinkedIn. She read his profile. It was purely business related. Her phone bleeped and she picked it up with a hopeful smile and read the text.

“What did mother have to say?”

“
That would take me hours to text”

“
Good or bad?”

“
Apparently you're not Mr Filthy after all, just Mr Messy. And she can't wait to get digging in your little back yard and rescue your fish.”

“
I love her already. Is she seeing anyone?”

“
Oi... watch it”

“
lol”

“
When are you going tomorrow?”

“
Flying from HR at 1pm”

“
You should get some sleep now Richer - think of me x”

“
You too beauty xxx”

She put down her phone on the bedside table with a big sigh and turned the light off, snuggling beneath the duvet. She wouldn't be able to sleep, but she didn't want to try. She wanted to lay here thinking about him for hours and hours.

She was becoming a little obsessed.