Silly Games - Chapter 37

Chapter 37

 

It was bright! Laura peeled back one very exhausted eyelid and took in the sun kissed bedroom. Then the dented pillow next to her. Reaching out a hand she felt under the sheet and the sheet was cold. There was no sign of Adam. Rolling onto her back she glanced in the direction of the bathroom, but the door was open and the room was in silence. Turning to look at the door leading to the hallway and downstairs, she was equally aware that there was no noise coming from there either.

Sitting up, holding the sheet over her naked body. On the bedside table, was the carton from the pizza Adam had ordered the previous night, somewhere after midnight when they’d woken ravenous after the hours battling in bed.  Blushing she remembered how the cheese had fallen in strings all over her body and Adam had eaten every last crumb. That had led to a well deserved shower, and more fun in the hot jets of water.

Swinging her legs over the edge of the bed, she frantically scoured the room for her clothes, but there was no sign of her dress, underwear or shoes. It was as she looked back to the bedside table that she spotted the message scribbled onto the lid.

                “Fire in warehouse, had to leave you - reluctantly. Hidden your clothes, just in case you thought of running off. Be home with breakfast asap, Ax”

At least he’d left a message...and she’d enjoy the chance to explore without him watching over her. Draped on the door handle was a dress shirt of Adam’s, so she pulled it on, buttoning enough of it that it covered her modesty, then headed downstairs, but not before she checked out the three guest rooms. None of which held her clothes.

The open plan living space was bathed in sunlight, the room as beautiful in the glorious sunshine as it had been at dusk. Moving across to the music system in the corner that seemed to be imbedded in the wall, she opened the cupboard next to it and was rewarded with rack after rack of CD’s. She chuckled as her eyes glanced from extremes of music, from the Notorious BIG to Florence and the Machine, and hell of a lot in between. It was then her eyes landed on Neil Diamond!

Selecting the CD seemed to be the easy part, working the machine was FAR more confusing. Eventually she pressed a button that simultaneously opened the CD drawer, and more importantly caused speakers to appear at various places around the room.

As the opening bars of Crackling Rosie emerged from every corner in such great quality, she smiled. Singing to herself she moved into the kitchen and had far quicker and greater success with the coffee machine. As it plinked and spat into action, she started the serialistic expedition around the ground floor.

Impeccable utility room - check, downstairs cloakroom and shower - check, garage - check, and then it only left the veranda and pool. Divine!

Once she’d thoroughly investigated, she returned to the kitchen and poured coffee, all the while singing at the top of her voice to America...”Never looking back again...They’re coming to America!”

So much truth in that comment, she’d not regret this trip as long as she lived!! Even the coffee was divine! And she was waiting for a man to come home, a man who could barely contain himself in her presence. And she could barely keep the smile off her face. Everything was worthwhile!

The clock told her it was not yet nine am, she had no idea what time Adam had left, the last thing she remembered was falling asleep about two am, so consequently she had no idea what time he’d be home. Though he had mentioned breakfast. So she slid back the glass doors and embraced the fresh sea breeze. The beach was deserted bar a single dog walker, and Laura was tempted to scream ‘I love Adam Purcell!’ at the top of her voice. She didn’t but the realisation that she wanted to say that was a direct link to her inner psyche that she’ not paid attention to before.

Gulping at her coffee and spluttering on it in shock, she slumped onto one of the sofas and rested her head in her hands. You love Adam! Her internal monologue drowned ever the dulcet tones of the Diamond. She shook her head, she didn’t. Then she sighed, she probably did, she tolerated his bad moods, his bossiness, he’d occupied her thoughts since the first moment she’d set her eyes on him, in so many ways. Hatred, resentment - even those two emotions had been ridiculously over enthusiastic!

Shaking her head in amazement - she’d never been in love before. And she’d never danced around a strange home with an inane grin on her face in a barely concealing shirt! Standing up she started to dance, she was too excited to sit, and too hungry to wait patiently.

It was as she was executing a rather elaborate twirl in the centre of the room in front of the sofas that the door from the hallway opened and Laura embarrassed almost fell over, in her rush to control her body, and then froze, stood there was a woman, a strange woman, and definitely not Adam!

Diane Purcell looked at the woman trying desperately to cover herself with fists fighting to keep the shirt she wore closed, her eyes filled with fear, her cheeks flushed with shame, and knew finally what...or rather who had been making her son so distracted the last six months.

Not ready to make this too easy for the other woman, she gave a half smile, “you must be...”

The younger woman groaned, “Laura...”

Laura saw the older woman’s eyes flare and realised that she may be thinking the worst of this situation. There was no doubt that this was Adam’s mother, every similarity was evident in her face. Adam had every feature of this woman, which was a relief as he looked nothing like Stafford, other than his stature. But hits woman was now thinking that she was draped on the sofa and there was no doubting the reason why she was there scantily dressed.

Heat flamed her cheeks as she floundered, the older woman looked at her intently before extending a hand, “Diane...Purcell. So what are you doing in my son’s house?”

Arson? Adam had never experienced any sort of industrial sabotage, but the fire chief was adamant that the inferno at his largest depot was no accident. He had to deal with insurance companies who he knew would be suspicious of his own motives, like he’d torch half a million dollars worth of stock and investment to claim it all back in a scam. No, he had someone intent on causing him grief and he wasn’t sure who that could be.

Then there was some sort of pile up on the highway that linked the industrial region to the coast road, and so he was caught in a snarl up of traffic for far longer than intended. And to make matters worse, as he pulled up to the house, he spotted a car parked in the street outside...his mother’s.

                “Shit!” He punched the steering wheel before climbing out of the car and hitting the house at a run. Opening the door he was met by the sound of his worse fear. Raised voices.

                “You’re sat in my son’s home barely dressed...I think that speaks volumes! I’ve seen so many gold diggers like yourself sniffing around him like he’s some sort of meal ticket!” His mother was shouting!

Groaning, as he threw the door to the lounge open he heard Laura’s confident response, before he saw her.

                “Mrs Purcell. I can assure you that I am not looking for a meal ticket, quite the opposite. The irony that just a few weeks ago my father was saying the exact same thing to your son. Almost word for word! Isn’t it great that a thirty one year old man doesn’t need to ask permission from his mother as to who shares his bed? And I must say, it’s a great bed! And a great bedroom! But not half as great as the man who sleeps in it. Now if you’ll excuse me...” She spun to leave the room but came face-to-face with Adam, who was beaming at her.

He was mesmerised, she looked out of this world dressed in just his shirt, her shapely bare legs sending a jolt of desire to his groin, her hair mussed, and her face flushed all screamed ‘fresh out of bed’, that just ravished look he thought almost lewdly, “Am I really better than my bed?” When she gave a nervous shrug, he pulled her into his arms and planted his lips rather unceremoniously on hers.

Laura was glad of the moment to compose herself, the anger at his mother, her accusatory remarks, then she retaliated, a few moments that she wasn’t proud of, and it was witnessed by Adam returning from his work.  Her humiliation at being found dancing in a shirt by his mother dissolved in his kiss, so much promise, so much desire. But it ended too quickly, and she was ultra aware of everything again, and now Adam’s hands on her back meant the shirt was lifting higher and she was revealing far more than the scandalous level earlier.

Groaning she buried her head in his neck, then sighed with relief as he spoke to his mother.

                “Mom, I really think you should leave, I’ll call you later.”

The older woman sounded nervous to Laura’s eyes, but she refused to lift her head and look at her.

                “Adam, I’m just looking out for you.”

He took hold of Laura’s shoulders and stepped her away from him giving her a smile, then turned to his mother, “as Laura so credibly put it earlier, and at no point in the last thirty years have you tried to dictate who I spend time with, so DON’T try and start now. I’d appreciate you leaving before I get angry, I’ll speak to you when I’m calmer.”

Taking her shoulder he led her forcibly to the door, “you can’t treat a sick woman like this!”

He stopped in his tracks, “I have done EVERYTHING to make this better for you! Everything! So please don’t pile the guilt on! I’ve lost count of the times I’ve dropped my life to help you. I’ve asked for nothing in return, so please, don’t make this worse!”

They were at the front door and his mother looked at him pleadingly, “I’m only thinking of you.”

He nodded, “I’ve no doubt you are, but you have NO idea what’s going on here.”

                “Then tell me!”

He shook his head, “not now, like I say, I’ll speak to you again.”

With that he closed the door on her, then turned back to the lounge.

Laura was stood looking out of the window, swaying gently to what he could now tell was Neil Diamond. She was a vision of unadulterated beauty, he’d been fighting the biggest erection since he’d approached the house, she was doing little to change that.

Laura was watching a yacht cut through the surf as it headed north across the horizon, this day was moving from fantastic to disaster in a few seconds. She shook her head in disbelief at the same moment a pair of arms snaked around her waist and she was pulled back into the hard body of Adam.

                “It’s my turn to apologise! For the errant parent.” His lips connected with her neck and she felt shivers literally run down her spine. He chuckled against her neck, and another wave of sensation wafted over her. “I wanted to come back so much sooner, but I was stuck with the police. Anyway, I honestly thought you’d have escaped, you have no idea how perfect it is having you in my home like this.” And it was no lie.

She turned in his arms, “so we’re quits now then?”

He shook his head, “nope, not quite!” Then without uttering another word he stripped down to his boxers, tossing his clothes onto the sofa, “NOW we’re equal!”

Silly Games - Chapter 36

Chapter 36

It took a few moments until Laura realised where they were heading, the car eating up the miles of the Pacific Coast Highway. A stunning road that hugged the rugged and sandy coast as it wound away from the City towards Malibu. She was glad of the distraction of the sea to take her mind away from her impending doom. And the conversations coming.

Adam swung the car into the driveway and stopped outside his modern glass fronted home. Cutting the engine he got out then strode around to Laura’s side, as the automatic gates closed, sealing them inside the contained area.

Laura looked up at Adam nervously, but then sighed with relief when he opened the car door and extended a hand at the same time he smiled. An Adam smile. Her shaky legs and pounding heart took over from her anxiety at the thought of arguing, or being abandoned. She took his hand and left the car as elegantly as she could, in heels and a dress.

                “So this is my home.” He offered stepping back so she could view the house. He was proud of it, it was modern, and whilst he did love the character of old buildings, a beach front property clearly should be like this, glass, views and a haven of sun. He smiled as she nodded appreciatively, she was nervous, the way she bit her lip told him so much.

                “Have you lived here long?” She asked trying to make small talk, following him into the large bright and airy hall.

Her comment was met by a chuckle from Adam, “I can no way start on small talk. Come in here, sit down.”

The lounge was more impressive than the hallway, the whole side of the room was floor to ceiling glass, and they view out over the small veranda and a small pool, to the perfect Pacific Ocean was divine. Laura immediately envied him this, she’d loved the cafe in Wales, but the weather was nothing like this, and that part of the grey stormy Atlantic was nothing like the clear Pacific. In front of the window was a huge dining table, surrounded by chairs, and the some casual sofas gathered around a large flat screen TV, the area was flanked on the far side by an open plan kitchen.

And that was where Adam had paced, opening the fridge he pulled out a couple of beers, cracking open the top before handing her one, “I need this!”

He took a long slug then smiled at her, “talk?”

Laura nodded, and then sipped her beer; she needed him to speak first. But he was playing the same game. So she shrugged, attack is the best form of defence. “So your girlfriend’s not here?”

Adam’s eyes flared then he shook his head slamming the bottle down on the work surface of the kitchen island that separated them. “For Christ’s sake Laura! Kristi is...” he searched for the right word. “She’s someone I dated for a while, a long time ago. I went to a dinner with a few weeks ago...”

Laura hid the gasp at the speed and intensity of the pain that fact caused. Within weeks of leaving her he was ready to date her? “I’m glad you got over things so quickly...arguing with my father that is...” She quickly added.

Adam stalked around to her standing in front of her with his hands on his hips, “Jeez Laura, you just don’t get it do you?”

Scowling she squared up to him, “I get every inch of it Adam Purcell. You left that hotel after promising me everything, then fell straight back into a fling with the bloody super model!”

                “NO!” HE grabbed for her arm rather too tightly, “YOU rejected me! You chose your father over me, and I GOT that! I really did. I didn’t get him rejecting me. But that didn’t hurt, not really. I’ve gone thirty years without him, what does a few more matter? It was YOU that hurt me Laura! You!”

She shrugged free of him needing some distance, “it didn’t stop you rushing back to the fake tits and dyed hair of Hollywood, did it?”

Following her retreat step by step he couldn’t control the snarl as he responded, “I didn’t rush back into anything. I was TRYING to be normal! But I failed! The inane conversation, the self obsession! It used to be enough, I used to like distance from the women I dated, but now, now it’s ruined! Do you hear me?”

Laura felt the firmness of a wall behind her, stopping any further withdrawal, so she lifted her chin, “how can I not? You’re screaming at me like a child!”

He threw his head back and groaned before returning his eyes to her, “you are the most infuriating woman I have ever met! You won’t give me an inch here! Did you JUST come here to apologise for your father? Was that the only reason?”

He wanted her to tell him that she wanted more from him, with him, that she hadn’t slept since he’d left, that she was more lonely now than she ever had been. But she was scared. “Well it sure as hell wasn’t because I wanted to meet Fake Kristi!”

For Adam that was the chink he’d been looking for, she’d been derogatory about Kristi until now, but that last comment was tinged with sadness, she was upset that he had been with another woman. That was hopefully enough of a sign.

Taking the bull by the horns, he reached for her, running his fingers through her hair to touch her scalp, then with a little tug, he tilted her head back and brought his face close to her, “did you come back because you missed me?”

Suddenly her throat was dry, she licked at her lips, then spotted the reaction that elicited in his eyes, “I’ve never had a brother, of course I missed you!”

                “Witch!” He hissed his lips a fraction from hers, but there was humour in his eyes now, and desire. “I am NOT your brother, so don’t even joke about it, ok?”

She nodded mutely, and he wound his hand tighter into her hair, “did you miss me?” His voice was gruff and it made Laura’s body heat up at least five degrees and her legs swoon, as she slumped back against the wall she grunted at the tension his hand in her hair caused.

                “Yes.” It was a quiet confession, “more than I thought possible.”

No reply was needed, not a verbal one anyway, his lips covered hers, and the silence was as exotic and erotic as the hoarseness of his voice.

Laura had missed Adam, but she’d missed his kisses more than anything. His lips had started gently, but that only lasted a few seconds. Within moments they were ravaging each other, hands tearing at clothes, reaching for bare flesh, teeth snagging lips and ear lobes,

It was Adam that pulled back, lifting his head to stare down at her dazed face with eyes as lust filled as her own. “Wow!” It was almost a sigh, but she greeted it with a chuckle. And he started to laugh too.

                “I have the most enormous bed upstairs...”

It took Laura a moment to digest that hint; did she want to consciously climb the stairs to his room? There was something safe in spontaneity, but as soon as she agreed to move upstairs, then she knew things would change, and she still had to protect herself. Didn’t she?

Adam rested his forehead against hers, “I KNOW, we need to talk, there’s a lot to say. But I can’t focus on anything else at this moment, I’ve never wanted anything as desperately as I want you...upstairs...in my bed.” he didn’t add that he wanted to be able to remember her in these places if she walked away, and he still feared that. “Don’t over think this Laura...” Not yet!

Nodding Laura agreed, then followed him as he led her by the hand up the stairs. The bedroom was as spectacular as the ground floor. More floor to length windows, but now she could barely make out the sea, it was getting darker by the moment.  The headboard of the low, ultra modern bed touched the glass of the window, facing into the room. The black and white bedding matched the minimalist furniture, and the pictures on the walls. It was a very modern room, but also a very masculine room. She loved it, though she immediately started to think of ways to change it!

Adam moved towards the window, then pressed a button which saw all of the windows instantly darken.

                “Nice gadget!” she offered but the words ended in a strangled sound as he came determinedly in her direction.

               

                “Instant black out! Gotta love technology!”

And that was the last word spoken. Adam was demanding, towering over her as he backed her to the bed, lips occupying her consciousness, his hands finding his way under her dress. He only pulled back to lift the dress over her head, and then continued the assault with a groan.

Not that Laura was passive in it all, whilst he was nudging the lace cup of her bra down with his nose; her hands were unbuckling his belt, pushing his jeans down over his hips, and appreciating him as much as he was her.

Adam was sat up in bed sipping at his beer, Laura draped over him accepting the odd tilt of the bottle. He had music on now, Matchbox 20, and she was relaxed like she hadn’t been in ages. Stretching, she sighed at the feeling of the rough hair of his thigh against the delicate and very sensitive flesh of hers. Reaching out she trailed a finger over his chest, scuffing over his flat nipple, and smiling as it responded by hardening into a small point.

                “Don’t start what you’re not ready to finish...aren’t you wanting to talk?”

She rolled so that her body half covered his, “sounds like you might be struggling to recover...”

Sniggering at the feeling of his body tensing, she glanced at his eyes and saw the challenge there. “What are you hinting at Miss Marshall?”

Laura fluttered her eyelashes dramatically, then smiled, “I think you’re feeling a little bit...old?”

That was the only spur he needed, flipping her over, he pinned her hands above her head, and chuckled as her eyes flared with concern. Not that he’d hurt her, or that she’d think he would. With a devilish grin he lowered his mouth to her breast, sucking her nipple into his mouth until she moaned. All the time the hand that wasn’t securing her hands above her head was sliding over her subtle curves and she was unsure which action was exciting her more. Then his hands slid between her thighs, probing, teasing and touching her in such a devastating way. And as she exploded into yet another powerful orgasm, he drove into her and it wasn’t long before he joined her there.

                “So,” Adam was again the first one to talk. It was somewhere between midnight and early morning, and they’d not slept a wink. Though they had collapsed in some place near several times. Each time with his just got better, and Laura could barely concentrate for the feel of him pressed against her. “You wanted this?”

She lifted her head and looked at him, beautiful, his eyes, were in shadow, but she could almost feel the intensity of his gaze. “I came to LA because I wanted to see you, and yes, at some point I decided that this was what I wanted.”

                “So you realise that I was right all along? That you should never have sent me away?”

                “Adam! Don’t make this a competition! Did you...you know...”

He laughed, rolling over her again, pinning her to the mattress, “I have been torn between hating you and wanting to see you walk through the door at the next moment.” He kissed her deeply, and she rushed to respond in full, then he pulled back, and ran his fingers through her hair, framing her face with his large warm hands. “I’m more than glad you’re here. I know we have to talk about what happens after tonight, but I just want to enjoy this, is that ok?”

Running her hands down his body, stopping them to cup his firm and shapely buttocks, she murmured, “we don’t have to plan a wedding! I just want to enjoy this too. Ok?!”

And it was, wasn’t it?

Silly Games - Chapter 35

Chapter 35

Laura watched him for a little while, her heart in her mouth, he was wearing a pair of shorts that were wet, clinging to his thighs, and his tanned body was as beautiful as she remembered a smattering of hair across his chest trailing down his body that was sculpted from years of surfing. She almost laughed when she remembered how much she hated him at the beginning. Seeing him cavorting with two huge dogs was almost ironic as the first time she’d met him she’d presumed he was scared of the dogs she was walking.

When had he become so perfect? When had he become everything that she wanted and needed? She’d fought it for months, tried to do the right thing, but now as she watched him sprinting, the dogs fighting for the stick he was waving in front of him, she knew she couldn’t fight it any more. She’d left him with that super model, why? Because she felt outclassed by her. Simple as that. But that was just giving up, walking away. The relationship with their father was damaged anyway, so there was no benefit to keeping away from him anymore.

It was suddenly really clear to Laura. Adam was the man of her dreams, he represented everything she wanted. And she wasn’t going to give up without a fight. This beach was far enough from his home that his presence here wasn’t an accident. So she took the bull by the horns, and made a plan.

Adam loved walking Bruce and Otto, they were both crazy dogs and far too much for her mother now his father...Mike, was dead, and his mother was recovering from cancer. So when he could he walked them, and today they were just the distraction he needed whilst he waited for Laura to come out of the water. She was spending a ridiculous time surfing and he was starting to get frustrated at her dedication. He knew she wouldn’t have seen him from her place deep amongst the surf.

He was drenched, a sign of the child these dogs brought out in him. He’d left his clothes and the dog leads in a pile further along the sand, so he finally called out to the animals and turned back in the direction he’d come.

As he approached his shoes, and sweater, he spotted something flapping in the gentle breeze. As he jogged over the sand, he felt the whole of him stop and stare at the floor. Using a combination of beach debris - sticks, stones and scratched letters, the message, ‘Pick me up at 7!’ beamed up at him from the smooth sand next to his belongings.

Staring around he suddenly realised that she was no longer out at sea; of the dozen or so figures astride boards he instinctively knew none were Laura. Then turning he saw a flash of something flying of the beach.

Damn that woman! He thought, and not for the first time.

A whole day without her, a whole Saturday. It seemed interminable, but there was nothing he could do about that. He was just grateful that she’d give him that chance! Suddenly his relaxing weekend was anything but. He intended to surf, but suddenly that seemed out of place, so he instead dropped the dogs back to his mother, then headed to work. No one else would be there on a Saturday, so no one would complain at his still wet shorts and t-shirt.

Laura was nervous, more nervous than she’d ever been. She’d left that message for Adam in the hope that it WASN’T a coincidence that he was on the same beach as her, and that he’d sought her out. If not, then this would all fail on a rather grand scale. As soon as she’d dumped the board and wetsuit, and then had a shower, she suddenly wished she’d suggested mid afternoon. Seven seemed so far away.

But she had to prepare. So after a brief breakfast, she started her journey to Santa Monica. Whilst she had little money in her emergency account, this quantified as an emergency. So she was shopping and pampering prior to this evening. If Adam turned up, then she had to prove that she could be as glamorous as the woman he’d introduced her to the previous day, Kristen? Kirsti? No Kristi...that was it. Fake boobs and Pacific tan Kristi. A daunting prospect to live up to, but Laura had no choice.

She finally settled on a dress, a loose kaftan with flowing sleeves, but it had a plunging neckline and was gathered tightly around her waist, enhancing what curves she did have, then stopped mid thigh. Flirty, yet pretty, then there were new heeled sandals, and a full beauty work out. Wax, paint, primp and tease. She felt like her mother. And it was a long time since she’d made this much effort for anything, or anyone. She only hoped that Adam appreciated that, and that he was on the same page as her. That was still a risk.

At half past six, Laura was sat in the small bar of the hostel drinking a steadying glass of wine. She was more nervous than she ever had been in her life. Carlos, behind the bar was someone she’d spoken to at the barbecue the previous night, and she was never more glad to see a familiar face.

                “Going somewhere nice?” he asked as he placed the glass in front of her and took the note she offered.

Laura shrugged, “catching up with an old friend.”

He nodded knowingly, then served some guys who appeared beside her still wet and sandy from the beach. The four then became embroiled in a conversation about the surf predictions for the next few days and how often they all planned to hit the beach.

For Laura any conversation was better than sitting and waiting for something, anything to happen, this was worse than her and of school dance, waiting for Paul Robbins to pick her up, and wondering whether the over the top exotic dress would appeal to him. She learned then that all men fell into one category, that of ogling curves if they were openly displayed. It was a wise lesson learned at a young age, and one she’d always appreciated. Though she didn’t appreciate revisiting that level of anxiety as she waited for the clock to tick around to seven o’clock.

She’d be no good as a spy or in any secret agency as she was crap with conspiracy or collusion. That meant she was waiting in the reception of the hotel five minutes to seven, and was pacing the pavement...or rather the sidewalk, at seven o’clock. As soon as she saw the black low slung saloon approach, she knew it was Adam. And she had to deal with a heart racing like an overactive time bomb she waited for the vehicle to slow, and the tinted window to lower.

Adam looked at Laura, studying her up and down, pleading with his eyes and his body to remain cool and calm. The flare of her eyes showed her unease, and he was immediately pleased at that. He was a better actor than he gave himself credit for. And she looked amazing...in a rather over done way. One of the things he’d started to realise was that he loved the naturalness, the unenhanced beauty of Laura, that suited her laid back personality, her joie de vivre so perfectly. That didn’t mean that she couldn’t carry the clothes, the makeup, the teased hair...it all suited her perfectly, and he was appreciating the version of Laura that her parents longed to see, and despite it being a wonderful vision, it wasn’t Laura...the surfing, cursing and karaoke singing Laura that he knew and loved.

He wanted to reach out and wipe the gloss from her lips, the mascara from her eyes, but he knew this effort was important, that it helped her create a facade that she could hide behind. So instead he gave a curt nod, “get in. I can’t stop in this street; let’s not give the police an excuse to ticket me!”

Nodding she circled the car then lowered herself into the passenger seat, securing her seatbelt. He hit the accelerator then sped away from the building. Laura didn’t comment that his speed was far more likely to attract the law. There was a time and a place for everything. This was neither.

Laura glanced to her left. Adam was sat there all imposing and untouchable, and all she wanted to do WAS touch him. He had on a v-necked t-shirt, grey and figure hugging, and black jeans, they too clung indecently to his firm thighs. Thighs that rekindled memories that she’d tried to block out. Taking a deep breath she fought eyes that wanted to wander up to check out his jaw, his cheek bones, those luscious lips. Instead she deviated rapidly and stared out the window at the road that Adam’s car ate up at a rate of knots.

                “Where are we going?” She finally asked. She’d been there long enough to get over her anxiety at seeing him.

Adam shrugged, “somewhere neutral!”

Laura laughed, “I know NO where here, surely ANY where is neutral?”

Shrugging again he accelerated onto the freeway and headed away from the city.

The sun was setting; a beautiful sight on the horizon as they ultimately headed what she presumed was north. They passed through suburbs and then hit what she knew they classed on TV as ‘the valley’, but still he didn’t stop.

They’d been in the car for almost an hour when he finally spoke.

                “I don’t know what this means. You agreeing to see me.”

She looked up at him, but he kept his eyes trained on the road ahead. “I presume you wanted to speak to me. Hence the message.”

That warranted a turn of the head and a raised eyebrow before he turned back to the road, “I did want to speak to you. Today AND yesterday. It’s not my fault you had company! The last thing I wanted was to interfere with that! I just wanted to say my piece, then leave.”

Adam glanced at her again, then in a rather maniacal fashion swung the car off the next exit and stopped as soon as the road allowed it. Then he turned to her, “ok, you have my attention. Speak.”

Laura shuddered as he literally ruffled her feathers, “are you sure I’m not eating into your time with what was her name? Kristen?” It was a childish repost, she knew that, but he always seemed to bring out a childish streak in her. He rolled his eyes in response, and that almost made her spontaneously combust. “Ok! I came here to tell you I found out about my father, all that he said. It made me feel sick, I wanted to kill him...I can’t speak to him again. I needed to distance myself from that.” It was a start, but nowhere near how she felt about him.

                “So you’ve said that. Thanks. Is that it?”

Suddenly the bravado of her dress and make up evaded her, this was so much more difficult than she’d imagined. “What more do you want me to say? I’m sorry!”

                “Sorry? Hmm?” His voice was filled with anger and sarcasm.

With that he started the engine and performed a rather dramatic u-turn in the road, then sped back onto the freeway, and the silence now was more than awkward.

Adam knew he was over gripping the steering wheel, not only were his knuckles white, but also every little adjustment to his driving was exaggerated. He tried to take a few steadying breaths, but his emotions were running too high. He wanted to shake Laura, tell her that he didn’t want her apologies, her making excuses for her family. He wanted her to tell him that she wanted him the way he wanted her, that she didn‘t sleep for him occupying her thoughts. But all he had was pity. And that was driving him insane.

He flicked on the radio hoping that anything would drown out the painful silence. He’d never felt as comfortable with someone as he had with her, so this awkwardness was doubly difficult. But the car stereo was tuned into a sixties radio station - it was his mother’s favourite, and he’d taken her out a few days earlier.

Groaning he tolerated Elvis, even a few country numbers. All the while Laura sat with head bowed; her fingers linked staring at her hands. He drove back the route that had taken them out of the city, and he was within ten minutes of Venice Beach, before the starting notes made him reach for the dial to silence the music. ‘Tell Laura I love her’, even if he hadn’t been forced into singing on that fateful night in London, he’d have turned it off. Too painful and FAR too poignant.

But a hand reached to cover his hand, stop it reaching the stereo. And with that contact everything changed. He grasped her fingers and cursed under his breath, before pulling the car off the road to stop near some gateways leading to a park. Not the safest place, but he’d fight anyone who argued that.

Cutting the engine he turned to her, still gripping her hand.

                “You really only came here to say sorry?”

Laura was struggling to focus; the song still sang out, the tragic ballad of a dying man’s wish, all the while her hand was encased by his strong fingers, the touch turning her defences to mush. She managed a shrug, but it wasn’t enough for Adam, turning in his seat, he reached out, lifted her chin and forced her to look at him. She hated the scrutiny of his eyes, the whole drive had been uncomfortable, and she had no idea how to answer him, not when he was so aggressive, so angry.

He saw her flinch and then cursed his heavy arm tactics. “Sorry, I don’t want to fight with you, and I’m sorry if I scared you.”

                “You didn’t scare me!” The shakiness of her voice surprised even her. “I just...” She sighed, unsure of how to say all she wanted to say.

Adam gave a groan, and then restarted the engine, “I’m not having this conversation by the side of the road.” And with that he pulled back onto the road, but changed route, heading for his home. .

Silly Games - Chapter 34

Chapter 34

Adam watched the car leave kicking up a cloud of dust and turned to Kristi with venom in his eyes.

               

                “I told you I am not interested in going to the dinner. When are you going to realise that no means no? Jesus Kristi! You’ve really blown it now!”

The taxi had long gone, so he pushed her towards his car. “I’m taking you as far as Santa Monica, and you can do what the hell you want then, and don’t call me again!”

She mumbled in protest from beside him, never one for being aware of anything other than herself she was confused.

Ignoring her, he reached for his phone and dialled Marcus, his right hand man. Earlier he’d worried about being pulled over by the police, now he didn’t care.

Marcus was as chirpy as he could be at six on a Friday, he was taking his wife out for a meal this evening, his wedding anniversary, Adam was all too aware of that. “Adam! Not about to ruin my plans?”

Adam hissed through his teeth, “hope not. But I do need you to work your magic a little urgently.” He’d never relied on anyone like he did Marcus. And the older man never let him down. “Laura Marshall.”

Marcus whistled, appreciating exactly what that meant. Though Adam hadn’t shared details of all that had happened when he was overseas, the change in him was more than obvious, and he knew that this step sister was a lot to do with this. “Ok...”

                “She’s in LA, can you find her?”

Marcus groaned, “She came and you’ve lost her?”

                “It was a long story.”

Laughing the other man replied, “If anyone can find her my contacts can. I’ll get on it asap, I AM going to dinner in two hours, you hear me?”

Adam ended the call just as he approached the built up area that became Santa Monica. Knowing that Kristi had friends nearby he swerved to the side of the road, climbing out of the car and walking around to the passenger door.

                “Please don’t do this again!”

Kristi smiled and linked her arms around his neck, “don’t be like that sugar!”

Adam thought he was going to explode, how the hell did he ever date this woman? Untangling himself, he pushed her away a little too firmly, “I mean it Kristi. I said I was busy tonight, but you didn’t listen...you NEVER listen! And you’ve ruined everything!”

Shaking his head he got back n the car and drove off, destination unknown.

Through the blaze of tears Laura tried desperately to follow the road along the coast. She had no idea where to go, a few minutes earlier she was asleep in a car trying to cope with transatlantic travel and jetlag. Now she was running scared and just about out of options. Pulling into the car park of a supermarket in a place - she didn’t know where, she took time to compose herself. She needed sleep; her lack of planning of this trip was ridiculous. She was always prepared. Just not today, not around Adam!

Locking up the car, she headed towards the mall. There was an internet cafe there and she suddenly had an idea.

Ordering a coffee and a doughnut she made for a free terminal and logged onto www.surfing kahuna.com. It was the equivalent of LinkedIn for surfers; a few years ago she’d met up with the guys who’d created the site. It was meant to be a way of recommending places, things to fellow surfers and to catch up with them via a messaging/profile system.

Typing ACCOMMODATION and LA into the search engine on the side, a list of ‘surf friendly’ properties cropped up. Using Google maps and her own location she managed to locate three places that weren’t that far from her. And the beach front property in Venice Beach ticked all her boxes, not a hotel as much as a hostel, you could rent a bed, a room or an apartment, and the owner was a name she recognised.  Marina Porter, an old rival of Alana’s back in her semi pro surfing days. Clicking on the contact button she sent her a quick message. Then logged off. Finishing her coffee she made for the car and tapped the address into the sat nav. The rest was easy.

                “What do you mean she hasn’t used her credit card? What about her rental car? Can’t you trace that?”

Marcus groaned, he’d promised his wife they’d be at the restaurant in an hour, and Adam was starting to be unreasonable. “Look, I’ve got an eye on every airport in South California. If she uses any of her bank accounts I will have a beacon flashing from my phone. She can’t go anywhere!”

                “I CAN’T sit here and wait for you to maybe find her!”

Marcus laughed, “I don’t know what the hell happened with you and her, but I have to say that it is NOT eating into my anniversary. I’ll message you the details of the PI we use. You can call him direct if you aren’t satisfied with waiting, and you want to burn money!”

Frustrated Adam threw the phone across the room and was relieved when it landed on the sofa rather than the floor. It was his only link to Marcus. Pacing the lounge he couldn’t believe the events of the day. But he paused at the large glass doors that overlooked the veranda, and of course the beach, then realised it was the first time he’d been truly aware of his surroundings since he’d left Laura. That was the best feeling, his desire for life had returned, and whilst at the moment that might mean frustration at losing her, at blowing his chance with her, it also meant she was here, in LA, and he’d do anything he could to find her.

Marina was awesome, she owned the building that sat behind the beach front shops and had direct access to the surprisingly white sands of Venice Beach. She had gushed to meet a friend of Alana’s, someone she remembered as great competition. Respect in surfing was great and there was a loyalty amongst the devoted. Whilst she was on a limited budget, she wasn’t up for bunking in a dorm with strangers, and fortunately there was a small single room.

                “Marina, you are a star!”

The other woman grinned, “any friend of Alana Carter is a friend of mine!” As she spotted Laura reach for her wallet she waved a hand in front of her, “no, please! Pay at the end! There’s a barbeque planned for this evening on the deck, and surf is up tomorrow at around six am, nine. If you fancy it come and sort things out before then?”

                “You rent boards?” was met by raised eyebrows, and suddenly the prospect of staying in LA for a few days wasn’t so bad.

The room was basic, but she could expect no less, but it ticked every box for her. A long hot shower was luxurious and woke her up. If she could last another few hours then she’d beat the jetlag at least.

The veranda of the hotel was busy there were at least forty people gathered, drinking, talking. She accepted a beer from Marina who was the hostess, then fell naturally into conversation with some like minded people.

Adam had spent the evening pacing, calling Marcus, who ignored him, before finally trying the number his colleague had given him. ‘Ace Barker’ was a smooth sounding man, who chuckled in a deep manner when Adam explained his predicament.

After explaining that a Friday night job was “pricey man”, he hung up with a “be in touch real soon!”

And that left Adam to brood even more.

It was almost eleven pm when Ace called back.

                “Located her Ford Mustang outside the Venice Beach Surf Lodge. Have it on good authority she’s on the check in sheet there. Texting details. Check in post!”

Then he hung up.

Leaving Adam to shake his head, the best surf beach, and the best hang out for surfers, he should have guessed! Fortunately he knew Marina Dudridge, not well, but enough that banging her door at almost midnight may not find him wrestled to the floor or frog marched off by the LAPD.

No brainer, he got straight in his car.

Years ago when he’d been a student, Marina had been the talk of the SoCal region. She was an amazing surfer, and left the area when he was still at University to hit the pro circuit, taking her around the Pacific. And she’d been mightily successful. He’d been to many of her welcome home parties, and met her on a few occasions, but not since he’d become the business man that he was. His success was demanding and he no longer wandered the beaches surfing and chatting as he had in his teens and early twenties, but it didn’t mean he didn’t know who was there and what was happening, he managed to keep his finger on the pulse in that respect.

                “Well if it isn’t Adam Purcell!” Considering it was after midnight, Marina Dudridge looked amazingly fresh. “What brings you out to my humble abode this late at night?”

Adam smiled at her geniality, he couldn’t’ guarantee that he’d be so accommodating at that time of night, “Marina, I’m looking for someone I believe is staying here. Laura Marshall?”

She gave a knowing nod, “should’ve known that it was a lady, you don’t stoop this low these days!”

                “Au contraire, I’d love to have the chance to catch a few sets down here, but work and family commitments fill my days, Malibu is hardly a substitute for here, it’s so much flatter. Maybe I should make the effort and meander down here more often!”

She nodded, “you definitely should!”

She was flirting, he thought, and that wasn’t good, not when he was trying to right things with Laura. “Is she here? Laura?”

Marina sighed, “you know I can’t reveal that! Confidentiality and protecting the client and all that...but needless to say Surf’s Up at around six am. If she’s in the area that’s the time to look for her!”

Then with a wink she closed the front door.

For Adam it was a long drive home in frustration.

Laura couldn’t wipe the grin off her face, the sea wasn’t even cold. The wetsuit was needed, but not essential like it was back home. Nope, she could definitely cope with surfing the Pacific every day, it was awesome. Dropping onto her belly on the rented board, she started to paddle as a wave seemed to rise behind her. Catching it she leapt to her feet and managed to surf into the shallows. Perfect.

After a dozen more waves she felt tired, drinking the previous evening, plus residual jetlag and the time difference all meant her body had no idea what was happening. But she was reluctant to leave the water. Surfing was her escape, and today of all days she needed that escape more than anything.

It was more than an hour later that she finally strolled out onto the sand, her rented board under her arm, and the early morning sun warm on her salty face. Dropping down onto the sand, she found the bag she’d left there and pulled out a bottle of water and took a long drink. Then tipped her face to the sun, closing her eyes, letting the warmth dry her face.

Laura stayed like that for a while, and it was the noise of the beach getting busier that made her finally open her eyes, leave the place where she could skew reality and she wasn’t alone in the world.  Looking around she saw there was so many more enjoying the tail end of the surf, the real hardcore surfers had left before her. But it wasn’t the surfers that attracted her attention; it was a man paddling in the shallows throwing sticks for two large dogs. A man she thought didn’t like dogs, a man she’d walked away from the previous day, a man whose appearance made her heart race - even though it shouldn’t. Adam.

Silly Games - Chapter 33

Sorry at the delay with this chapter. Crazy with writing at the moment and this story has been a struggle. Back where I need to be and a quiet week ahead. Next chapter asap! Promise!

Chapter 33

First class flying was amazing, she’d always flown that way with her father, but the last ten years her trips had been purely of the budget variety. The transatlantic service from British Airways was exceptional. Good food, comfortable seat that slid down into a bed, and a man ready to cater to her every whim. The cabin was full, maybe forty seats, and they were all mainly business men hunched over laptops. So the attentive concierge seemed to like chatting to her, about everything and nothing. There was a little more depth to his flirting than just innocence and she knew that if she dropped the slightest hint that she’d have his company that night in LA.

It was slightly unsettling, as it made her think about her father and Adam’s mother all those years ago, and what had unfolded in the years after a supposed no ties night together. If there was ever the sliver of a chance that she was that kind of woman, that she’d do that, it evaporated immediately.  So she took his flirtation at the flattery level and smiled, it was nice to know that he found her interesting of not attraction, and was just what her battered ego needed.

LAX was chaos. Dozens of people holding boards emblazoned with various names greeted the arriving passengers, but no one met Laura. She’d tried to work out the best thing to do. She had a beach front address for Adam, but her research told her it was more than twenty miles from the airport, that would be an expensive taxi ride. At every point of the journey she’d thought about calling him, telling her she was coming, but she still didn’t know what she wanted to say. Was she here because she felt sorry for him? That she felt pity that her father had snubbed him. Or that she wanted to show solidarity against her parents? Or was it because he occupied her every thought, every moment of every day and she needed to know if he felt the same?

Her laugh was harsh, she could kid herself it was either of the first two, but more likely was the latter...no definitely was the latter. But she needed to know his reaction to her before she played any of her cards. He might hate her as much as he must hate her father, and she couldn’t bare that.

So she was still without a ride. Car hire. That was her best option, not that she could afford it. She had a credit card, thankfully, and she figured at least with her own wheels she could escape if things didn’t go well. Self preservation was more important than anything; after all she had no one else to turn to, and nowhere else to go. She was on her own.

After filling out forms, showing her licence, signing her life away, and begging with pleading eyes she was handed a set of keys. To a convertible sports car that was costing a small fortune. Apparently it was the only car available without reservation. She didn’t believe that, the hire people worked on commission and she knew she’d possibly been fleeced, but she’d been travelling for ages, was jetlagged, shattered and more than a little fraught. So she took the car, and hit the Pacific Coast Highway. And it was beautiful.

The top down, wind in her hair, Laura loved the drive and suddenly everything was worthwhile. The sat nav she’d also been coerced into renting led her to Adam’s address with ease. And it was spectacular!  A modern glass building that was as elegant as it was interesting stood behind imposing gates just a few feet from a quiet coastal road. All the stress of getting to this point had taken over her thoughts, and now that she was here the reality of it all sunk in. She’d been determined to get here, but hadn’t thought beyond arriving at the house.

Laura took a few salvaging breaths, she needed to calm her racing heart, the nausea of anxiety.  She’d parked the car beside the gate, then got out of the vehicle. An intercom system sat beside the gate caught her attention, but it was with trepidation that she pressed the button.

And nothing happened!

She checked her watch; it was five pm, middle of the night to her exhausted body, and suddenly starting to get colder. With a groan she used the remote control to reconnect the roof of the car, then climbed back inside. She’d wait it out.

Adam had had enough. It was Friday, and he’d had the week from hell. He was hoping against all hope that his mother stayed in Vegas. She’d gone there with her sister a few days ago, and the thought of a weekend free of her was amazing. He was thinking of taking his dirt bike off into the desert, or maybe some more surfing. He was disappointed that his beer buddies were all busy or out of town too. But then the thought of just watching the sunset with a beer in his hand was immense. He was halfway home caught in snarling traffic when his phone rang.

Kristi.

He groaned.  He should never have taken her out to dinner a few weeks ago, the woman was like a limpet and had no restraint, and no idea what the word ‘no’ meant. She used to represent all he wanted, but his tastes had changed, as had his visions of the future. Gratuitous sex with a woman who only wanted fun was everything he’d been about, but since Laura...he shook her head, barely a day went by that he wasn’t swamped by memories of her.

With a groan he pulled over, he had no intention of getting a ticket from an overzealous policeman, then connected the call. He’d found out the hard way that if he ignored her she just threw herself deeper into his life. He ringed remembering her turning up at his work one morning, dressed like she’d just left a nightclub, at three o’clock in the afternoon. What the hell was he playing at?

                “Hey!” He kept his welcome very impersonal, but she was too self obsessed to realise that. He shook his head, what the hell he was thinking letting into his life the first time, let alone the second time.

                “Adam,” the whine of her voice annoyed him, but not as much as her pleas to join him at a hotel for a charity dinner that night. He had no intention of going anywhere with her, and his dreams of a weekend to himself were not about to go up in smoke.

Hanging up in the reluctant IT girl, he powered his sports car back on to the Pacific coast Highway and ate up the miles to the haven of his home.

Clicking the control attached to his car keys, the roadside gate rolled back as he approached and he swung the car into the courtyard outside the house. As he did he noticed the car parked on the roadside, his was the last house on this stretch of coast road, so it was unusual to see another vehicle there. Climbing out of the car he was about to ignore the other vehicle, but his curiosity, and his desire to be left alone, got the best of him.

As he approached the car, a cute sporty two seater with rental plates, he was almost bowled over with emotion. Asleep in the driver’s seat, blonde hair splayed out over the headrest, looking gaunt and paler than he remembered was Laura.

Supporting himself through his momentary dizziness with a hand on the roof of the car, his overactive mind tried to work out what was happening. Shaking his head free of the confusion, he gave himself a moment to drink in the vision of her. She’d come here, to him, and it felt amazing.

Adam sighed, then opened the door to the car, shaking Laura’s shoulder gently.

Her eyes popped open and she yawned, then smiled, and Adam’s body zinged in to life, the life he’d lost the last two months.

                “Laura!” His voice was a soft breath.

Laura was fuzzy, she’d been deeply asleep when he’d woken, but the first sight on waking had been Adam, and she loved that. She knew her eyes were wide with wonder, and she couldn't fight an inelegant yawn.

Adam chuckled, a deep arousing sound, “you ok? You look shattered!”

She grinned, “It was a long trip.”

               

                “And I wasn’t here.”

Nodding Laura swung her legs out of the car and uncurled to her full height, a few inches shorter than Adam. “I spoke to my parents...I can’t believe my Dad, our Dad...”

He raised a hand to halt the conversation, “I can understand his anger, I waltz in then ask him to date his daughter, only surprised he didn’t hit me!”

                “Bullshit Adam,” she was adamant on this one, “I am not some bloody Rapunzel locked in an ivory tower, and he is your father too! He has no control over who I date, and he should support you unconditionally. I am furious, and embarrassed. It’s disgusting.”

Adam sighed, “you’re his daughter, there is far more to that relationship than I can ever begin to understand. I don’t blame him, not now.” She didn’t need to know how hard it had been to get to that place, how low he’d sunk and how angry he’d been. Or that it was all nothing now that she was stood in front of him looking sleep kissed and more desirable than his memory could have ever recreated. He wanted to drag her into his arms, kiss her with the passion that was threatening to erupt like a volcano, and SO much more.

                “I think you’re being far too lenient, but then you are a nice guy. I told my Dad that, that he should be proud to have you as a son.”

He grinned, “really? I bet that went down well!”

She shrugged, “I don’t care, not really. He has been a dictator of his little world for far too long, and I walked out! Grown up I know! I don’t know how that makes him feel, he probably doesn’t care.” She sighed, “but I had to come here as soon as I could, to apologise for him. He should never have treated you like this.”

                “I’m not a fifteen year old troubled teen seeking the respect of his father...”

She stopped him, “the fact that you spoke to him tells you that’s important to you.”

Shaking his head he was quick to deny that, “it’s important to YOU. That was why I spoke to him. To be honest, after thirty years with Mike Purcell there’s little that Stafford Marshall can do or say to hurt me.”

Laura sighed, it was music to her ears, whether this was just his saying what he knew she wanted to hear, or whether it was the truth, it was working. She was becoming warm and gooey at the thought of this man putting her above anything else.

                “So you cashed in your free flights?”

His subject change jolted her out of her reverie, “yep. I’ve broken the trip to Hawaii up. I’m going to go and see Ben and Alana eventually, they get married soon.”

Adam gulped, he’d hoped to hear that she was here for months, ready to explore what lay between them, to know he was a stop off en route to something more hurt him. “So how long are you here? Will there be time to show you around this City?”

As Laura made to answer, a taxi pulled up to the house, it had come from nowhere.

A pair of glossy red heels on the end of a pair of interminably long legs preceded a beautiful brunette out of the back seat.

Laura grimaced as the woman purred, “Adam darling, the dinner starts in an hour!”

Adam looked at Kristi and groaned, “it’s not what you think!” He hissed before the woman descended on them. It was his own fault. In the past when she’d refused to take no for an answer she’d turned up at his house, coaxed him out with her body and exotic promises.  God, he hated himself, for letting that be enough! He looked at Laura’s distraught face and felt as though his world was ending.

Laura took in the beautiful woman who was everything she wasn’t, curvy, elegant, a lady, hell even her hair colour was the opposite of her. She was gutted, but she’d always known at the back of her mind that he might have moved on. But it was awful to see it in such Technicolor detail.

Plastering on a smile she turned to Adam, “sorry! I mean arriving here without warning, of course you’re busy!”  The other woman was now in front of them, looking between the two of them in a confused manner. “I’m Laura, Adam’s sister!” She said the words to create the distance and the rift needed to end this disastrous situation.

                “I’m Kristi!” the other woman purred. “And you...” she turned to Adam and placed a hand on his chest, “need to get your tux on a-sap!”

He made to protest, but Laura smiled genially, “I came to apologise, mission accomplished! Have a great day!”

She was in the car before he could protest, and out of his street before the tears started to fall.