Clandestine
It seemed a lifetime before Serena heard his trademark knock on the hotel door.
There were butterflies in her stomach, and her heart… it was going to give her an arrest any time. She looked around the elegant suite before crossing the carpeted hall to open the door.
Her mouth went totally dry when she saw the tall, handsome man on the doorstep. This didn't feel right but it definitely was exciting, dangerous even. A thrill of the forbidden. She really shouldn't have done this.
She couldn't find anything to say to him. Her heartbeat was killing her.
A mocking smile was pasted on his mouth. His eyes were teasing her mercilessly, though he remained silent as she.
'Aren't you going to invite me in?'
She felt stupid as a faint blush crept to her cheeks. She stepped aside to make room for him. She's no lovesick teenager to act this way. She could not help but follow him to where the bed was.
Now they were less than a foot away, facing each other, but he made no move to touch her, hold her.
'We really need this suite?' His voice held a teasing quality. There was no question about that. It was evident in the way his unbelievable blue eyes regarded her.
Somehow, it afforded her a little confidence.
Her eyes were brilliant and she could not help giving a light laugh.
'Last time I went to your office, let's say I was terribly disappointed,' she replied like a lady in disdain, 'so I ruled out tackling you there."
"Tackling?" he gave a short laugh.
"The thought of a new secretary catching his boss in a passionately, erotic embrace could very well be embarrassing for you."
His mouth was then sensual. "Passionately erotic?"
"I ordered champagne and chocolates before I called you,' Serena declared nonchalantly.
'What you told me on the phone, say it again,' he challenged gently, and his eyes held hers for the longest time.
'You hear it often enough,' she stalled.
"I want to be sure."
"I love you," she admitted shyly.
He suddenly pulled her to his warm torso. His lips grazed her soft mouth, her earlobes, "I love you, too, Sweetheart. Nothing would ever be the same if you don't anymore. You mean the world to me,' he drawled huskily. 'My fair, fiery, sweet love,' he continued emotionally.
"All those time I wasted,' she said regretfully. 'Cold nights without you,' she clarified.
'I longed for you terribly.'
She gasped as he covered her mouth in a searing kiss that left her weak.
'Don't blame yourself,' Darien said. 'We'll make it this time, if not in another lifetime.'
"You don't really believe that." She knew him that well.
"I want to."
Her eyes were sparkling as she put her arms around his neck.
'Do you have to go back to work?'
'As I have no secretary until now, my work has piled up,' he said.
'That's okay, then. I'm thinking of visiting my Dad with Lita.'
He felt her buttocks, and she basked in the warmth of his body as he held her tighter against him, kissing her lips hard but sweetly. 'Drop Lita. I'm coming with you.' She could feel the tip of his tongue behind her ear, and a shudder ran through her.
She laughed softly. "You're mean. Good thing I haven't called Lita yet."
'So I can have my evil way with you within the next few stolen hours?'
She moved away from him so he could remove his suit, loosen his tie. "Not helping me?" he taunted.
She slipped the dark coat from his shoulders. He eyed with barely concealed passion. "Love to."
'What are you thinking?' he asked.
Her fingers were working on the buttons of his shirt.
She heard the sound as his belt dropped on the carpet. She dithered a little when it came to unzipping him. 'I'm thinking of putting to good use that rich, dark chocolate and champagne.
'Sinful woman.'
When all he was wearing was a pair of briefs, his eyes glinted dangerously.
'I think it's only fair if I return the favor.' He sure loved undressing her.
He slowly removed all her clothing, then he gently pulled her down to lie beside him. She didn't have time to register when he pulled the covers.
His kiss was heart-meltingly painful, and she could not help her intake of breath as his mouth trailed down her body. When he returned to seek her lips, she was clinging to him eagerly, almost incoherent in her need.
It seemed a long time before she came back to earth. She had given him the same pleasure he showed her and he pulled her to lie on top of him.
She was kissing his chest when he cupped her nape and took her mouth in an urgent, hungry kiss.
'Do you know what you do to me?' he chastised gently. 'Keep moving like that. Just be prepared for the consequences.'
'Too long,' Serena teased, knowing this game, referring to the 'punishment'… that she'd been awaiting it.
She gasped as he suddenly entered her. He was again in control, watching the play of emotions on her face as he led her towards a peak.
She cried out his name as he shouted hers.
They shared a shower and wore the fluffy robes.
Serena quivered as Darien stood behind her and kissed her neck, embracing her in the process.
'Feed me,' she whined.
'Room service?'
'Okay."
He placed their order and held her close again.
"Maybe you'd permit me to go to work again?" she began.
He was frowning a little. 'Will you consider working for me?'
'For you?'
'As my secretary. You can work from home, do major paperwork?'
Serena pretended to consider his offer. 'Flexible time, good working environment, and close terms with the CEO?' she taunted.
'Very intimate terms with the CEO,' he corrected.
'Do you accept pregnant women?'
He was speechless for a while, then he kissed her, so tenderly that it brought tears to her eyes.
'Thank you,' Darien said. She smiled up at him.
Serena blinked rapidly. 'Have I told you how much I love you?'
"You've shown me."
"I don't like meeting like this," Serena admitted after they've eaten and dressed up to leave.
He gave a bark of laughter.
She looked at him, as if embarrassed. "Whatever would people think? Those who know us…"
'Oh, my innocent wife,' he teased.
'Innocent. Right. Meetings like this should be for special occasions only."
'Such as?'
"The announcement of our second child."
"I'll remember that, sweetheart. For the meantime, indulge me and allow me to take care of those special occasions."
The way she's feeling at the moment, she could forgive anyone who would think that she's a mistress conducting a wild affair. After all, the lover was her husband. And he was hardly illicit. To her anyway.
CAUGHT IN THE ACT
Serena was asleep when Darien came home that night.
At the hospital that afternoon, Darien patiently stood beside her while she talked a while with her dad. He made her dad laugh especially when a 'press release' was issued for the baby. James, her father, was overjoyed and proceeded to tell them of his own good news. He was to be dismissed from the hospital in three days' time and Sammy will be staying with him for a while in their old house that Darien saved for them.
Serena was delighted at the prospect of her brother visiting, and how her baby news flash would affect the would-be uncle.
Darien could not help smiling as he lovingly looked at the form of his sleeping wife before finally slipping in the sheets to sleep beside her. He gathered her silk-clad body close to his and murmured his love when she was slightly roused from slumber. He turned off the lamp light. She was used to sleeping with the lights on. It was not long before he was in a dreamy state himself.
The feel of a familiar hand stroking her between her legs and the wet heat suckling on her breast awakened Serena. She slowly opened her eyes to find soft sunlight seeping through the blinds covering the window. Her blue eyes widened as heat traveled to her face at the sight of his dark hair on her chest, his tanned shoulders. His jet black hair was soft, electrifying where the ends touch her satiny skin.
Darien raised his head when he felt her fingers threading through his hair, his mouth sensually open in a roguish smile.
"Good morning," he huskily said, eyes with ill-concealed desire.
"Hmm, late morning," she greeted back. "I fell asleep waiting up for you last night," she said somewhat accusingly. 'You didn't wake me up properly.'
"I trust I woke you up properly today." He kissed her neck and she trembled a little. "I figured this could wait a few hours. You were sleeping peacefully." She felt him smile near her ear. "Be thankful I gave you enough time for sleep," he whispered.
She felt ticklish and moved as far as he would allow. "You make me feel wicked."
'Love me?' he asked.
She shook her head at his obstinacy. She noticed his frown, obviously mistaking her meaning and smiled. 'Who wouldn't?' The prize was a devastating kiss on her lips.
"I miss you being like this." Her eyes got a little misty.
"What do you mean?" His hands were doing wicked things to her body.
"You… happy. I like it when you're smiling, when we're not fighting."
He tensed for a moment. "I like it, too."
And he could make her happy if she let him.
He tenderly touched her face, his other hand lingering on her throat. He moved and pressed his erection against her. His eyes mirrored a hunger in hers. She felt the heat that covered her lower body. She parted her legs as wide as her night gown would let her, invited him in. He hadn't completely removed her sheer dress. He decided to finish that task then. He reached down and lifted her gown up over her head. She quivered a little and he immediately covered her with his nakedness.
'I feel so delicate.'
'You are delicate.' His blue eyes warmed and she knew that he's thinking of her condition. 'And I don't mean just right now. But you should have told me yesterday before you let me ravish you like that. Are you sure—'
'It's perfectly okay.'
'I still plan to be a little gentler with you this time… and until it is okay," he taunted. 'I do hope you didn't make plans for today."
This is the way he loves me, she thought. Like butter, mindlessly melting beneath him… almost breathless. They kissed like there's no tomorrow. He was everything that her heart wished for—demanding yet generous, sensual without being overly vocal on how well she pleased him.
She was coming down from a euphoric high when the musical sound of the doorbell chimed. They both seemed to have dismissed it, because their connection was all that mattered that moment. She trembled in her release and his lips sought her gasping mouth as he increased his pace. The climax he gave her was blinding, toe-curling in its intensity.
Neither of them attempted to move a muscle afterwards.
There were hesitant knocks on the door, based on the muted sound of the action. It must be Mrs. Wyatt, their new housekeeper. Muttering a short expletive, Darien reacted with superhuman reflexes and pulled the covers over them. Suddenly they were under the duvet and Darien was still grumbling before kissing her again, his body effectively shielding her.
'Come in,' he barked.
Mrs. Wyatt opened the door. Serena closed her eyes as she's not up to facing the woman in her state. The silence that followed was as pregnant as she was, Serena thought. Beneath Darien, she wanted to giggle at this fiasco but the announcement of the housekeeper dissolved her humor.
'Miss Farley has arrived and she wants to see you… Mrs. Shields,' Mrs. Wyatt's volume considerably dropped at her name. 'Your sister is with her, Sir,' she addressed Darien.
Mrs. Wyatt closed the door and the sound of her steps receded as she'd apparently descended the stairs. The silence was deafening. Darien swiftly removed their cover and was on his feet in a second. Serena felt cold at the loss of the man.
'Don't upset yourself over this,' he ordered angrily. 'I'll deal with her.'
'It's me she's expecting.' She got off the bed too and retrieved the nearest bathrobe. His.
' If Raye wants you, she'll have to get through me first.'
Darien opened his mouth to protest but decided against it at the streak of determination on her face.
'You're seeing her dressed like that?' he asked. It was his oldest and shortest robe, kept for the reason of sentimentality and comfort more than actual usefulness.
'Why? You don't want to appear guilty for sleeping with your wife?' She lifted her chin, her eyes like sapphire orbs.
'Serena,' he warned. 'Are you saying you don't trust me?'
'I'm not sure I trust her. You shouldn't have given her this address.' She faced the mirror, picked up a hair band and lifted her hair into a hurried ponytail, not bothering to brush the golden strands.
'If you want to deal with this, I won't lift a finger to stop you,' he declared, as if pissed. He took something from his drawer and crossed the space to the bathroom. He was wearing a robe when he returned.
Serena was about to open the door to go down and greet their guests.
He gave a sardonic smile and lifted his left hand, indicating she precede him. Serena moved past him, only to find herself thrust backwards, to his hard body.
'When this is over,' he promised darkly, 'you are so going to apologise to me… and I expect full payment, in my own coin.'
'Stay here,' she ruled. 'I don't want you distracting her.'
Amy was coolly sipping the orange juice that Mrs. Wyatt must have served them. Raye's tall glass was in front of her, untouched. She was wearing a red dress. Very stunning. The woman turned to look at Serena.
Amy put down her half-empty glass and greeted her sister-in-law. She looked every inch the lovely, capable doctor that she was.
'This really is a surprise,' Serena said. 'I don't want to sound ungracious, but what are you two doing here so early?' She remained standing. Ami was sitting on a couch, Raye on the wide sofa.
Amy gave a slight cough. 'It's nearly lunch time, dear sister.' Her profession must have jaded her to the way Serena was attired.
Serena's eyes widened. 'I didn't realize it was that late.' Her cheeks flushed.
Raye appeared to be bothered by her carelessly donned robe, barely presentable hair and bare feet. She paled noticeably but easily recovered her composure.
'Really sorry for the intrusion. I just hope my brother won't kill me,' Amy said dramatically. 'Coming here isn't a wise idea, Raye, I—'
'This is between Serena and me, Amy," Raye finally declared. 'It's a good thing Darien isn't here.'
Serena did not bother to correct the assumption.
'In that case, I'll ask your permission to stay at the library while you two talk, may I?" Amy stood up. Serena nodded in her direction.
'Do we really need to do this, Raye?' She decided to make use of the couch. Do I really want this?Serena asked herself.
'I'm afraid so,' was the haughty reply.
What could she be up to? Serena took in Raye's bright eyes and well-manicured hand, palm down on the soft cushion of the sofa. If this had happened, say, a month ago, Raye would have succeeded in her purpose, but she really came too late.
"Would you like something to drink, Mrs. Shields?" The housekeeper suddenly appeared. The older woman still wasn't used to calling her Serena, even though Serena told her that she preferred to be called by her name.
'Just water, please, Mrs. Wyatt,' Serena said quietly. She reminded herself that she should eat properly now for the baby. Oh, Darien would be the one paying her.
'I trust this is not a social visit,' Serena confirmed.
'No, definitely not,' Raye answered. 'Surely you've guessed why I'm here?' There was a spiteful gleam in her hard eyes.
The tension in the air was doused by the interruption of Mrs. Wyatt, setting drinks on the coffee table between her and Raye. Serena murmured her thanks.
'It'll be better if you eat something, Mrs. Shields. What would you like me to bring?' Mrs. Wyatt was the one who suggested she consulted a doctor so Serena understood the woman's concern. Mrs. Wyatt was very worried when she found Serena retching lustily in the bathroom sink. She wondered why morning sickness doesn't affect her in the morning. She usually experienced it around four in the afternoon.
'This won't take long, Mrs. Wyatt. I'll eat at once, I promise," she said. Serena picked up the cold glass of water and took a long sip before replacing it down.
"What about you, Ms Farley?" the woman asked out of politeness.
'Don't bother, thank you," was the reply.
'I really think we've nothing to talk about,' Serena remarked. 'Please leave.'
'Let me say my piece, at least.'
Serena leaned back on her seat. "Say it and leave."
'It's simple, really. I want Darien.'
Join the club.
Serena's face was unreadable as she braved the stare of the dark-haired beauty. 'Does Darien want you?'
'I could make him want me.'
Confidence. I should have that,Serena thought.
'So should I retreat meekly and quietly ask him for a divorce?'
'You must. See, I don't even have to pay someone to manufacture evidence against you.'
'Evidence?' Serena was at a loss.
'Adulteress bitch," Raye bit out. 'Don't make me tell Darien. Because I would, you know. Perhaps I still would, even if you beg me not to, and offer to leave him voluntarily."
'What if I don't do as you ask?'
Raye took out some glossy pictures from her bag. Evidence. Of Serena discreetly walking to the back entrance of the hotel, surreptitiously glancing behind her, as if to ascertain that she'd been unnoticed, panic and apprehension in her eyes.
LOVE TO LOVE YOU
Raye took out some glossy pictures from her bag. Evidence. Of Serena discreetly walking to the back entrance of the hotel, surreptitiously glancing behind her, as if to ascertain that she'd been unnoticed, panic and apprehension in her eyes.
Oh, Darien, you'll really pay for this if these ever get out…
She remembered how the man specifically ordered her, with relish in fact, to use the back entrance of the hotel, saying he'll meet her there with the car.
'Why did you have to come back? We were doing fine without you.' Raye must have detected Serena's silent agony, as the guilty wife was still holding the candid prints, like she wanted to burn them. It didn't look as if she'd heard what was said. 'Damning, aren't they?' she gibed, referring to the pictures.
Serena put down the glossy prints on the coffee table.Oh, I'm going to hurt him…
'This is how badly you want my husband?' Serena managed.
Raye's laugh was brittle. 'You have the audacity to call him that after this?' She pointed to the evidence without breaking eye contact. 'I want him, enough to wait for him in his office bedroom while you were out on the executive chair.' The woman's smile was poisonous.
Serena's mouth went dry. That explained the smell of her perfume on Darien's bed… Okay, 1-0 in Darien's favor.
'Don't do this, Raye. You'll only embarrass yourself.'
'Embarrass yourself, you mean,' Raye sneered. 'You are nothing compared to me, you can't give him what I could.'
'I give him my love.'
'Well, now I can give him that, too,' Raye announced.
Yes. Everything is indeed fair in love and war.
'I admit I was childish and insecure when we first met. I was still adjusting to my married life and I didn't expect to share Darien with his work too soon. I imagined him as my prince, my modern-day fairytale and I wanted to remain in my dream world. Perhaps I could have dealt with it if Darien's not the man he is—so independent, self-assured, terribly wealthy and attractive…' She gave a bitter smile. 'I was confronted by an angry Beryl St. Pierre, not because of her husband Diam… but because I married her ex. I wanted to fade into the background in fear of sophisticated women like you… who might approach me again, accuse me of stealing their man. Darien's the only one who cared about me but I couldn't confide in him. He was so busy.
"You knew that, didn't you? And you played on my emotions so well. Fool that I was, I made it easy for you to. I believed everything you said, about Darien wanting to marry you but couldn't because he had to marry me. I asked him for my freedom, I gave him a chance to ask for his and be with you. I gave you enough time to take him away from me.' She paused briefly. 'What were you doing all these years, Raye? Sorry, but I'm staying this time. Back off.'
'Don't make me laugh, little girl,' Raye said, mutinous. 'You don't scare me. With enough time, I can win him this round.'
'Again, sorry, but your time just ran out,' Serena stated, bestowing a small smile on their guest. 'I love Darien and I'll never give up on him. Ah, there's also a baby on the way.' Serena bit her lip. She shouldn't have said that, shouldn't hurt the woman any more than-Serena was totally unprepared for the slap that made her coil to her left in the couch, instinctively moving her arms together to shield her upper body.
Raye's face turned ugly in her fury. She was standing before Serena.
Serena felt frightened then, not for herself but for her unborn child. Tears stung her eyes at the deafening pain that Raye had inflicted on her. When the other woman raised her hand to hit her again, she was ready but she could only close her eyes. The contact never came.
'You bitch! I hate you, do you hear?' Raye was hysterical and Serena opened her eyes to discover that Darien was holding Raye away from her. Ami, her face pale, had obviously run from the library because of Raye's loud invectives.
Serena wiped the tears that dampened her face.
'Amy, leave now before I lose my temper. And take your friend with you.' Darien had moved to her side and he was holding Serena in an instant. Darien was angry. She could almost grasp his rage.
'You can't mean that, Darien,' Raye appealed. 'Look at those pictures if you don't believe me. They would speak for your unfaithful wife.'
Darien glanced at the photos without letting go of Serena. He gently touched her reddening cheek, the side which received Raye's staggering blow. 'You must admit, wife, you looked sensational in those pics.' Raye looked confused.
Serena glared at him and there was a sad amusement in his eyes. She was hurtbecause he insisted to continue the game she started. He wanted to kick himself. She'd paid dearly for his thrill.
Darien's face was expressionless as she turned to Raye. 'I forgive her. Leave now.'
'Just like that? How can you just forgive her?' Raye insisted.
'Oh, Raye, this is the reason why you—'
Amy was cut short by Darien's dangerous tone. He was not one to explain himself. 'Because Serena's lover in that hotel was none other than me. My wife and I are not accountable to you. If you so much as attempt to hurt her as you did today…"
'Please,' Serena begged, requesting him to stop.
Darien understood. 'Amy, you'll always be welcome here, you know that, don't you?'
'Of course. We'll go now. I apologise for everything, Serena.'
She was still too shaken to give even a nod.
'Are you all right?' Darien asked when the two had left.
'Fine,' she managed.
'Look at me,' he commanded.
'You said you wouldn't lift a finger—'
'She lifted a hand to you. I can't just stand by and watch her hurt you. I'm just sorry I was late. Why didn't you tell me that Beryl—'
She had a feeling that she'd be drowning in her tears any moment.
When he realized that she would not grace him with a proper answer, he sought her lips provocatively. She was still a little numb to give a proper response, but he eventually elicited a sweet one from her, however short.
'I'm sorry, sweetheart. It was my fault.'
'Yes,' she conceded, not really agreeing, but she didn't want him to burden himself. He would if she refused to put all the blame on him. In a way, she did provoke Raye.
'Were you listening all this time from the stairs?' she asked.
'Yes.' There was no use denying it. 'I know you didn't want me to know. I trust you but I didn't know how she'd react. I didn't know about her violent streak. I'm truly sorry you have to endure that.'
'Games are dangerous,' she sighed.
'We'll be more discreet next time.'
'No more next time.' She looked up at him.
'You promised. And if necessary, we'll do it in another state, another country where—'
She was able to laugh then. 'You're awful.'
'Am I,' he leered. 'Come on, I'll feed you.'
'You should, the baby's beginning to complain.' She gave a little shriek when he unceremoniously though gently picked her up to carry her to the dining room.
'By the way, I plan to exact payment for that remark about looking guilty for making love with my wife,' he demanded.
'Surely the slap put paid to that?' she complained in an aggrieved tone.
'Then consider my attention as interest.' His lips possessed her mouth with an intense, almost uncontrollable passion that had her shamelessly responding to him.
She felt her feet touch the ground. Darien reluctantly discontinued the kiss and pulled a chair for her.
'She's obsessed with you,' Serena said, referring to Raye.
'And you're unbelievably jealous. I think I like it.' His smile was smug. He put her on the chair as he would a child.
'I am so not jealous. Besides, when did you ever find my jealous fits endearing?'
'You're beautiful when you're jealous, do you know that?' he teased.
'I am not, I said,' she insisted. 'She's head over heels for you. Don't you dare deny it. She keeps giving you coy looks regardless of your anger. And hers.' She was appalled.
He laughed, sitting not a foot away from her. She was totally infuriated.
Later, when they were again in their bedroom, Serena felt that she needed to hear it again from him.
'Do you really love me, Darien?'
'You can ask that?'
'I just still can't believe it.' She sighed.
'Well, I do. Truly, madly, deeply. More than words. More than I can deal with, most of the time, I love you.'
'Thank you.' She snuggled closer to him.
'I will make it up to you.' He was referring to the past—their lost child, the women who never really counted, the time he spent away from her for work…
'I know.' She kissed him and started to show him her gratitude.