Richer Ground (7 page)

“
It's great... No, it's blissful in fact... everything's immaculate and smells kind of vanilla'ish. It's like a show house, I don't want to touch it or mess it up. I can't remember being so tidy, ever. All my clothes are hung up and folded away, and the washing's been done. D'you know she's even sorted out my papers in the study and filed everything in the drawers. I can find everything now. It's almost scary.... Oh, by the way, thanks for the 'welcome to your new house' card and the present... the big cactus guy by the door. Putting the golfer’s hat on top and drawing that funny face on it was priceless... It made me laugh out loud when I saw it. I've named it Charles. It's the biggest, spikiest cactus I've ever seen. I could hang my umbrella on the prickles.”

“
We chose that together, yesterday morning. It was really dangerous getting it home and indoors, it nearly had my eye out getting it in the car.”

“
Well thank you both. It's my new best friend. It has a far better line of conversation than Henners anyway.”

She laughed at his humour. He had a really dry sense of humour, she was discovering. And she encouraged it and egged him on.

“I can't wait to see you,” she said in a soft voice.

“
I'll pick you up at twelve. We can have some lunch on the way and spend a few hours doing some of the London sights... if you like?”

“
Oh come on now... you're spoiling me rotten.”

“
I know... how does it feel?”

“
Ewwww, really horrible, don't do it too often, will you?”

He sniggered at her obvious lie... “Such a sweet thing... Watch out or I'll have to slap your ass.”

“Ah, now you're talking. Ass slapping's right up my street. Abuse, pain and degradation... sex toys, the lot... Bring it on...”

“
You're kidding right?”

“
Night, night Richer... Don't forget the ankle cuffs and whip...” She clicked off with a big giggle...

Debra had come home Wednesday afternoon. It appeared she had a minor kidney infection, and was on antibiotics, but other than that she was doing fine, physically anyway.

The Debra Plan, which everyone had agreed on, unbeknownst to her, was starting the next day. Rick was picking her up and taking her to his, at half ten, to show her around. She could meet mum and chat about the garden and house and whatever. Mum didn't have a lot to do in the way of cleaning as Mr Messy hadn't been there to mess it up. Just a quick vacuum, a flick of a duster, and a splash of bleach, she said.

Her stomach was roiling like never before. She was almost desperate to see him, but at the same time she was completely terrified. All her naughty confidence and cheekiness had evaporated, and she was a quivering and shy wreck. She sat in front of the TV, not really watching it, with her bag packed and ready to go at eleven thirty. It was all she could do to stop herself from chewing her nails to the quick.

At ten to twelve he arrived and rang the doorbell. She gulped and took a deep breath as she opened it.

Her eyes took him in with a quick sweep, smartly dressed in a deep red shirt, and tan slacks. All six foot two of dark haired gorgeousness, oozing sex everywhere. As he leant against the porch post, he gave her a quick sweep back. All five foot five of whatever it was he saw. A lazy grin appeared on his mouth.

“I swear you get prettier every time I see you,” he said, moving towards her taking off his sunnies.

“
I spent a lot of money on it this time,” she quipped.

“
You did, where?”

“
Hair, nails, eyelashes...” She pointed out the improvements. “Come in for a sec...” She took his hand.

He came indoors and cast his eye around as she swept him into the living room. She turned off the TV.

“It's a nice house Ali. A proper home. Nice and warm. Mine never felt like this, it was always cold and far too big. You're lucky, you know?”

“
I know I am. Mum's always been that way... homely, and there for us, no matter what.”

He pulled her close, put his arm around her waist, and tipped her chin up with his finger.

She was swamped by his divine scent. She hoped he was swamped by hers.

“
I missed you,” he said, and she was lost in his eyes. Those deep brown, dark lashed beauties captivated her completely. As did the feel of his body against hers. This was the first time they'd stood so closely together as this. Everything was beginning to melt again. He could make her feel high with one look and holding her close.

Damn this, waiting all day for the hot night at the Hilton, I want him now...

“Show me,” she said, raising her face to his and wrapping her arms around his neck. Her confidence was coming back in leaps and bounds.

“
Five minutes... and we're going... okay,” he grinned.

“
A lot can happen in five min....” His mouth cut her off as he kissed her. At first slowly, and as light as a feather brushing her mouth. Then, more urgently, sweeping his lips across hers in that arousing way... his way... She felt her feet leave the ground with pleasure as he tasted her with his tongue and pressed her against him with small squeezes at her waist. His hand slipped down to her backside and he gave her a playful slap. She laughed and looked up at him with a lust filled gaze.

Oh boy...oh boy....

He broke away, took her hand in his and picked up her case.

“
Let's go, gorgeous...”

They sat in the car for a moment as he programmed the GPS.

“Oh damn... I've forgotten something, for later.” He muttered.

“
What is it?”

“
Just something.”

“
Is it important?”

“
Kind of.”

“
Let's go get it then, whatever it is...”

He wasn't offering any clue. He drove back to his quickly. Her mum's car had gone. She assumed she'd taken Debra out for lunch at The Old Walled Garden, as planned.

He let them in his perfect little mansion and took her by the hand, up to his bedroom...

“
It's in here...” He led her in and closed the door.

“
Rick... what are you up to?” she asked, excited, and intrigued.

He turned and opened his wardrobe and thrust a large black Ann Summers bag in her hand.

Ann Summers...? Sex toys? Oh no, no, no....

This was spoiling things. Big time. She shouldn't have said that stuff last night, she was such a smart mouth.

“When did you get this?” she asked quietly, her stomach rolling over and over. Her heart picking up a pace, beating like crazy.

“
This morning, early. I must say it was quite an eye opener going inside that shop. I've only ever passed by before. You wouldn't believe what the staff had hanging around their necks... flashing lights and buzzing...”

“
Oh yes I would!” She was well aware of all that. Her friend had worked there on Saturday's while she was at Uni and told her all about it. She looked at the bag quietly. “I really don't want to look inside,” she whispered.

“
Go on I dare you... You never know, you might even like it,” he replied, sitting down on the bed with his arms crossed.

She stared at him and couldn't read his expression at all. She didn't know what to think. On the one hand, the idea of Richer going into a sex shop on her behalf was rather arousing... but on the other, it was tacky and unsettling. They hadn't even slept together and he was offering her something extra... like he wasn't enough? 

She felt quite sure he'd be more than enough, without a sex toy cherry on the top.

She reluctantly dragged her eyes away from his and peeped inside the bag. A large, plain black box sat inside it. She was just about to die of embarrassment. Supposing it was a rampant rabbit, jiggle balls, or some kind of weirdo thingy like Brendan had sprung on her. She didn't want to do this stuff with him yet, if ever.

Surely he wouldn't... Rick isn't like that. Or is he? Maybe he's a dark horse...

Her eyes flicked up to his again, and he was still unreadable. No smile, no anything...

She took a deep breath and pulled her courage out of hiding, she placed the bag on the bed and took the box out with shaking hands. She read the label on the front of it silently.

“
Soft Bondage Kit...  includes a sexy lace eye mask with soft cuffs to match, as well as a soft flogger, feather tickler and naughty spanking paddle too. All perfect for when you want to experiment and essential for releasing your inner vixen.”

Her heart was thumping like crazy. Something kicked off inside her.

She put the box on the bed, opened the top, and peered inside with a flushed face. She had to admit, she liked this present. A lot.

“
How thoughtful of you...” she said breathlessly, with a long look in his direction.

“
You're very welcome...” he replied, with a hint of a smile.

She took out the black and lilac lacy wrist cuffs, and matching eye mask, and then the silky blindfold, which read Blinded by Love...

Flashing him a genuinely heated look, she stood in front of him and tied the blindfold around his head. Then she leant down to kiss him softly on the mouth.

She put the cuffs on her wrists and held them up to admire them.

“Very nice... I like the colour lilac... What d'you think?”

“
Words fail me, basically because I can't see,” he pointed out, lifting the blindfold a little to take a peep. “Mmmm, pretty... Pretty hot I mean...” he said with an ear to ear grin.

She took his blindfold off, and then slowly and teasingly removed her cuffs and dropped them on the bed.

“Now let me see, what have we here?” Her hand delved into the box.

She took out the fluffy black tickler.

“Oh yes... I can just imagine tickling you around your extra sensitive parts...” She brushed his neck and face with it and threw it on the bed with a giggle.

“
I'm very ticklish actually... You'll have to be careful with that or I'll have a heart attack,” he replied, his eyes glazing over. The look on his face was delightful. She was so enjoying this.

She drew out the spanking paddle from the box with wide eyes. It was a heart shaped piece of erotic naughtiness. It had a short handle, lace trim, and was covered in black velvet... She absolutely loved it and couldn't stop the big smile erupting on her face.

“Is this for me or you?” she breathed, as heat began to burst forth all over her.

“
We'll work that one out later,” he said with a smouldering look, taking it from her hand and slapping it on his palm suggestively.

“
Oh my....” She pulled out the last item, a little black flogging whip, and cracked it in her hand lightly. “You are such a naughty boy Richer... I might have to use this on you, right now.”

“
I guess you like it all then?”

“
Well, I was only joking about the whip on the phone last night, but I'll be honest with you... I really love it... it's made me all hot and bothered.”

He laughed at her confession.

“When I bought it, it was supposed to be a big joke, you know... I thought you'd laugh and throw it back at me... But I kinda like it as well, more than I should actually...” His voice trailed off.

Their eyes locked, and they both laughed, a strange and kinky kind of laugh. She was so turned on by this whole thing.

She couldn't wait for later... and all the other ‘laters’ as well....

After putting it all back in the box, examining everything in minute detail as she did, she picked up the Ann Summers bag to put the box back inside it.

She noticed there was something else at the bottom of it, another box. A little tiny one.

She flashed her eyes at Rick. “What's in the other box?”

“Ah well, the best way to find out is to open it...”

She picked it out and opened it up carefully, undoing the ribbon and the pretty gold wrapping paper.

She gasped as she saw the name on the box. De Beers. That could only mean one thing... a sparkly thing...

She opened it with a fast beating heart.

“Oh Rick, they're beautiful,” she whispered, almost breathless at the sight of the twinkly diamond earrings sitting on the black velvet.

“
I noticed you wore silver jewellery, your other rings and earrings... These are mounted on platinum, though. Why don't you put them on, hmmm?”

“
Real diamonds... I can't believe it…” she croaked. They were quite big diamonds as well. She went over to his mirror and took out her silver drops and put them in with shaking hands.

He came up behind her and touched her ears, stroking them softly. She was almost fainting as she watched him fondle her ears as they both stood before the mirror.

“I had them cut and mounted for you, while I was away. My friend Christian at De Beers did it for me. I've had these little gems for a long time. But they're too beautiful to be locked up in a safe. They should be worn. You need to get them insured because they're quite valuable now that they've been cut.”

She gulped and finally found her voice. “How valuable exactly?”

He laughed at the look on her face.

“
Fifteen grand, maybe more. They're class A gemstones, 0.75 carats each, pure white, brilliant cut, no inclusions, and the finest clarity you'll find anywhere.”

“
I really can't take this gift. It's much too much...” she gasped in shock and turned to face him.

“
Yes you can. You deserve it. For being you. Sorting me out with your mum was good enough reason, but your help with Debra goes way beyond that... Finding her as quickly as you did meant you saved her life... And not only that, you've come up with the answer she needs. I'm sure of it. You should have been here today and seen her face. I've not seen her that animated in a long time. She was trotting around the place after Claudine like an adoring lamb. It touched my heart. Honestly. So... nobody deserves these little gems more than you do.” He grasped her hand and gave her a tiny soft kiss that melted what was left of her heart clean away. Her eyes filled up and brimmed over and he hugged her tight.

“
Awww, don't cry.”

“
I don't know what to say. I'm struggling. Thank you,” she sniffed, touching her new earrings carefully with her fingertip.

“
I never thought I'd see you so lost for words,” he laughed.

“
I'm having a diamond moment. I'll be back on form soon.” She sighed deeply and laid her head on his chest. He stroked her hair. It was the best present she had ever had. Although the other present came a very close second.