Tearing the card in two and stuffing it back into the centre of the spray Kelly had shrugged her shoulders lifting Max from his chair before moving back into the garden
“Toss them Beth…unless you know somebody else who might like them” she said firmly, not seeing the large grin spreading over Beth’s face
“No problem sweetie” the older woman had said taking great delight in depositing them in the large bin
That night Max had been tired having spent so long out at the pool and not taking his usual nap. Therefore, by 6 after having his bath and tea he had cuddled into Kelly’s neck and wrapping his small chubby hands around her, his eyes had softly fluttered closed as his head had grown heavy against her shoulder falling fast asleep. She and Beth had laughed gently at him before she had taken him up to his bed, softly tucking the little boy into his cot with a kiss on his precious forehead
Returning down the stairs she had answered the ringing phone
“Kelly”
Kelly had instantly recognised the sensual voice of Alfredo Risollo
“Oh hello Alfredo” she had answered with a slight sigh
“Did you receive my flowers” he had asked softly
“Yes.. thank you they were lovely” she replied, her voice disinterested
“But you really shouldn’t have”
He had laughed huskily on the other end of the phone
“Well I thought that I might persuade you to let me take you out for a meal…I worry that you would not believe me that you were truly the most beautiful woman there because I was not successful”
Kelly had frowned
“I don’t think so Alfredo” she had said firmly, hearing as he had sighed
“How about cheering up the loser then” he said with great charm making Kelly laugh softly despite herself, before the memory of what he had done to Marc making her voice more serious
“The flowers were very kind Alfredo and it is very nice of you to ask…..but I have no intention of going out with you” she had said
“There really was only one date up for auction so thank you but no…….take care”
And with that she had hung up the phone going back into the kitchen to enjoy a cup of tea with Beth.
From the top of the hallway Marc had smiled softly to himself. Having arrived a few minutes earlier he had deposited his briefcase in his room freezing when hearing who she was talking to on the phone, her response had seen him smiling, a strange feeling coursing through him, before he had slowly moved down the stairs. As he had entered the kitchen Kelly had felt relief that he had not arrived a few moments earlier when she had been on the phone.
“Good day?” she asked, surprised as he had thrown her one of his most dazzling smiles making her catch her breath
“Great day” he said “What’s for eating…I’m famished”
As Beth had served up his and Kelly’s dinner she had excused herself stopping to give Kelly a quick hug, much to the younger woman’s surprise. Marc’s mood had been playful as he had spent the evening joking with Kelly who had enjoyed his good spirits. At 11 she had finally with a soft yawn gone to her bed, admitting defeat as her eyes had began slowly closing. That night her dreams were full of his laughing face, with his fringe falling temptingly over his eye, making her smile gently as she slept.
She remembered the way he had held her on the beach, remembering how ardently he had kissed and touched her. He had wanted her as much as she had wanted him, but she had already told herself that this was only because she had been there when he was reliving such a hurtful time. Losing someone like Louise must have been devastating. He had let her go too quickly for it to have been anything else, and making any more of it would be a mistake. To him she would have been just one more in a long line of casual affairs, and where would that have left her and Max.
CHAPTER EIGHT
The party for Marc had quickly come about, and the whole estate had buzzed with plans for the occasion that Saturday. The villa and its staff were busy with the many preparations required, and although she had told Kelly that she got the day off, Beth was busier than ever making sure that all was running smoothly on the lead up to the event. Kelly’s offer of help had been kindly turned down and she therefore had felt it best to keep out of the way of the many people bustling around, finding herself spending more and more time at her painting.
Sitting at her easel, with Max lying asleep in his buggy by her side, she had sighed in contentment, smiling softly at the determined line of his lovely mouth. She had often seen the same look in his daddy’s face when he was determined to get his own way. He had, however, found Kelly not to be a pushover in those stakes, and when she won he would scowl and look at her with the same look on his face. When Kelly would laugh he was never able to stay mad for any length of time usually giving in to her with a sigh and a soft chuckle