“Please”, he continued, “it’s important; I’ve behaved so badly to you”
Kelly had looked at him her eyes showing the myriad of emotions running through her
“Let me see if Beth can watch him for a sec”
Moving back into the kitchen she had found Beth still hunting through cupboards for vases, only too happy to take Max, especially when she found out that Marc was home.
“No problem honey….take your time”
She had returned to the hallway to find Marc no longer there. A sound from the living room leading her to him, as she had winced remembering the large bouquet standing centre on the table. However, as she had entered she had seen that Marc was seated on one of the large leather sofas
“Who are the flowers for” he had asked softly
“m..me” she stammered uncertainly
Marc had nodded gently
“From Phil?”
Kelly had nodded once more waiting for the onslaught, surprised when none had come, as he had only smiled
“That’s nice”
Off balance, by his seeming complete change of attitude Kelly had moved over to the seat closest to the sofa he sat on.
A small humorous smile had touched his lips at her choice of seating, but he had made no comment on it
“Kelly I am so sorry. I don’t know what came over me” he had finally said with real sincerity in his voice and eyes.
Kelly had sat quietly as he continued
“I’ve behaved in a way I am so ashamed off.” She had raised her head to look into his eyes and he could see the confusion in hers.
“If you and Phil…”
“Please Marc” she interrupted
“There is nothing going on with Phil and I. He just..”
Marc had raised a hand to stop her
“Please let me finish Kelly” he said imploringly silencing her
“If you and Phil, or you and anybody want to see each other then I should be happy for you. You come here to help look after Max and I treated you like you were some kind of….” As he had searched for words she had finished softly for him
“Whore?”
He had looked deeply into her eyes and she could see the pain in them, suddenly feeling the greatest desire to go over and kiss away that pain
“Yes” he whispered almost inaudibly
“Please Kelly. I’m sorry…it won’t happen again. Could we start again….forget the last few days?”
She had looked at him frowning in total confusion. Forget that she had lain naked under him her whole body on fire wanting him to possess her. Forget the way his body had reacted to her with such fire. Forget the way he had kissed her so intimately and forget how much her heart loved him. Swallowing she had looked deeply into his dark eyes
“I…well…..OK” she finally managed to say before standing
He had stood too and reaching over had gently laid a small kiss on her cheek seeing the emotions running through her eyes as she had looked back at him seeing the desire there along with the surprise.
“I’d better get some vases for those” she said pointing in the direction of the flowers, before turning from him to pull herself together. Part of her wanted to scream at him that she loved him and wanted him to hold her, but suddenly it was the sensible part of her, the part that wanted to protect herself and Max that had been thrown the lifeline, as he had smiled back nodding.
As Kelly had left the room her whole being was a jumbled mess of emotions, as she tried hard to understand what had just happened. Marc seemed genuinely sorry, and he had not overreacted at the sight of the flowers as she had expected him to. She began to question why the sudden change of heart, frowning at the only conclusion her mind could reach; he needed somebody to watch his son more than he needed a mistress. Maybe he had filled that slot already a little voice inside her added, Olivia Prentiss certainly seemed keen for the position, this thought causing the warm sharp stabbing in her stomach.
Marc had watched her leave beneath hooded eyes. As she disappeared he had moved over to the table where the flowers sat and once again read the note from Phil, his mouth clenched tightly at the way she had lied to keep Phil’s secret. Putting the note back on the table and with a determined walk he had moved into the kitchen to see Max, a smile on his lips. Marc De Santo was a patient man, and Kelly Brown was about to find out how he had turned around a failing business turning it into a major empire by sheer will power and charm. As much as he loved Phil, his friend was now between him and something he truly wanted which was bad news for Phil he had thought grimly.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
In the kitchen Marc had insisted that the three of them go to the beach
“I don’t often get a day off” he had cried laughing, his hand dramatically thrown over his eyes