Bella's Choice (11 page)

“André, I want you to meet Lucy Fritz.” Lucy’s eyes swept over the older man, and he returned her look shamelessly.

Derek frowned. He knew that look; it was not a good sign for either of them.

“She is new to the group, but agreed to come tonight.” Sweetness dripped from Sandra’s sultry voice.

Derek loathed his mother.

André was an excellent client, and Sandra didn’t want to lose him because of Anabella. She was angry with her. The nerve to drop her like this and leave was totally unacceptable where Sandra was concerned.

“Turn!” he demanded in his usual abrupt way. Lucy complied with a sashay in her step. His dark, brown eyes swept over the appealing package. “When will the hellcat be back?” he asked, not taking his eyes from her, already brushing her exposed skin with a thick finger, lust shimmering in his eyes.

“Three months,” Sandra answered, to which he growled.

“I want her room,” he demanded, and wouldn’t take no for an answer.

“Yes, of course, you are more than welcome to use it.” She turned to Derek and said in a low voice, “Derek, please escort André to Anabella’s room.”

Derek sighed.
Yes, it was most definitely going be a long night.
He walked up the steps, with André and Lucy following closely behind.

Lucy was already hanging on to André’s arm, doing her utmost to calm the man down. Her soft voice soothed him and by the time they reached the room, he had a smile on his sweaty face. He was also out of breath, which was always odd to Derek. The man was lazy and overweight, but yet had the stamina of a bull when it came to orgies.

When they entered, André’s eyes fell on a framed photo of Anabella, which only made his sour mood return.

Derek and Lucy exchanged a look of sceptisism.

Lucy quickly got to work and reached out to him, drew his lips down to hers and kissed him deeply. He groaned as he wrapped her in his arms.

Derek watched as the two got acquainted before joining the couple, already shirtless. His tanned chest clean-shaven, just as André liked.

Aldrich was frustrated with the case. As a matter of fact he did not think it was even a case at all. It was a petty thing Ms. Etsibeth had got involved with, and instead of handling it like a grown up, she used her connections to scare the young man, and took the little bit he had for her own gain. Their greed knew no bounds and his resentment grew toward both her and her father. Between the case and Ms. Etsibeth, his time was occupied. She constantly demanded he must be ready for her whenever it pleased her, and that had been every night for the last eight days.

Since Anabella left, he had had no time to call her. He received an email from her, to which he’d quickly replied. He missed her innocent youth and energy.

“Aldrich, pay attention, please.” Giselle Etsibeth pouted, drawing him out of his thoughts. She had insisted he accompany her to the ballet that night. During the interval, she introduced him to some of her friends, who unsurprisingly were as vain and dimwitted as she was.

“Yes, Ms. Etsibeth,” he replied, irritated with her.

She rolled her eyes at his response, which always frustrated her.

Aldrich just smiled. “Please forgive me, what did you say?” Satisfaction beamed on his face. The fact that he had annoyed her pleased him tremendously.

“Leon and Bianca have invited us for a night cap after the ballet.”

He raised a brow and sighed in frustration. He was tired and in no mood to continue this farce of a night out, but her pouty mouth and look told him he’d better not refuse. Reluctantly, he accepted the offer with a half-hearted grin. “Okay, but only one drink, and then I take you home, Giselle.” The night had already dragged along; all three’s mundane chatter not holding his interest in the least.

“One drink, that is all,” she purred up at him.

Aldrich sighed as her hands clasped around his arm possessively. With the interval at an end, they walked back into the theatre. She continued to clutch his arm, as if her life depended on it. To him, the grip felt like a trap set for an animal.

Finally, after what seemed like hours, he got into his sports car and took her home. Her hand made itself at home on his thigh, making him cringe; the woman just didn’t stop. He’d told her several times that he wasn’t interested in any sort of relationship with her, platonic or otherwise. However, she continued to pester him with her not-so-subtle flirting.

It was the longest ride to her house in
Camps Bay. When he finally stopped, he couldn’t walk her to the door quickly enough.

“Don’t you want to come in?” she asked, when they’d reached her front door.

“No, Giselle, it’s late.”

“Please, Aldrich,” she pleaded in a seductive whisper, her hand brushing against his shirt-clad body. She stood very close to him, her red lips ready and waiting.

He grabbed her hand, holding it firmly in place. “I have told you many times, Giselle. We will never be an item. I feel nothing for you.”

“But, Aldrich… I am lonely,” she hiccupped, crying softly, her shoulders slumped, and her bottom lip trembling.

He hated it. She used this tool often to get what she wanted. It worked for her father, and for Mr. Dorflinger, but it didn’t work for him. Bored, he folded his arms and waited for the next stage of her act.

The green eyes flickered in anger. Her stance changed within seconds and she became ugly. The porch light did nothing to hide her anger toward him and frankly, he didn’t care.

“You have to do as I say.” And she grinned victoriously up to him. “Daddy said you work for me, and that you have to do as I say.” She stomped her high-heeled foot arrogantly.

He clenched his hands into fists, angry at her little show, and hissed softly, “I am your lawyer, Ms. Etsibeth, nothing more and nothing less. You pay my fee, as any other client would do. I haven’t been hired to occupy your bed.”

“What will it cost to get your attention?” She brushed up against his arm, her eyes gleaming under her dark lashes.

“That will never happen. I have told you on numerous occasions that my heart belongs to another. I’ve nothing further to say in this respect.” He stepped back to leave.

“I like you, Aldrich, and I thought―”

But he stopped her.

“You thought wrong, Giselle. I only endure your friendship because of the case, nothing more. Now, I’ll bid you a good night.” Turning, he walked to his car, but the persistent little thing ran after him, and the moment he reached his door, she pressed herself into him. He could feel her perfect breasts rubbing up against his back.
Really, woman,
he shouted within the confines of his head. Aggravated, he turned and looked down at her. Her body invited him in, of that there was no doubt; curves in all the right places, but she didn’t do it for him. Not by a long shot. He felt no excitement, or arousal, and she all but left him cold.

“Aldrich, I need you,” she whispered as she traced his mouth with her tongue, biting his lower lip seductively. He pushed her away, but like a clasp, her hand reached for him, making contact; he felt his body stirring. The sudden attention awakened him, and he knew where it could lead, although he’d fought hard against it. He tried to brush her hand away, but she was so close to him, and adamant in her stand, that he found it difficult not to be pulled in. Only brute force would help, but he was not a violent man, especially toward women.

When she cupped his face and drew their lips together, he allowed the touch for a brief moment. His body demanded attention as her succulent lips parted under his, her tongue snaking into his mouth. She moaned softly as her hands moved against his crotch, stroking him through the material. With a sudden jolt, he reversed their positions and pressed her against the steel frame. With demanded urgency, his mouth came down on hers. She giggled with delight the moment she got his zipper down.

That snapped him out of his stupid daze and he stepped back. As her hand was caught in his pants, it only pulled her with him. He removed it, looked at her with revulsion, and without a word moved her aside, got in his car and left.

He watched her in his rearview mirror as she stood rooted to the spot where he’d left her, a soft smile playing on her face. He slammed the steering wheel in frustration. A pain shot up his arm, which made him grunt in agony. He shook his hand, chastising himself harshly.
Fool, that is what you are, Aldrich Hagin! There can never be anything between me and that witch. I can’t even stand her!
He loved Anabella, and with a glance at his clock, promised himself that he would make contact with her, soon. He needed to hear her sweet voice.

Finally, they got out of the water and for the first time in a very long time, Anabella was stiff, her legs and arms numb. They were all exhausted, but Mr. Clark demanded the best and refined their skills meticulously, which inevitably took its toll on them all.

Tersia had been sick the night before, and couldn’t get out of bed that morning. Josh had cramps, and would be with a physiotherapist for the rest of the day. Ann had come down with a stomach bug, and was now sleeping after spending a night in hospital.

She shook her hair free of the cap, letting it fall over her shoulders; it needed a wash. Tomorrow was their day off, so she planned to pamper herself.

“There she is, the most beautiful girl in the water,” Charles’ voice boomed across the swimming pool. Anabella groaned softly, turning her back to gather her towel and without a word, walked to the dressing rooms.

“Are you avoiding me, Anabella?” the man asked as he stopped her.

She growled softly, not knowing how he’d gotten to her so quickly, yet there he was, standing right in front of her. She was forced to look at him. Charles was a swimmer for the American team; his tall, lean body told her that this man was lethal, and dangerous. But most assuredly, a talented and skillful opponent. They had briefly met during practices but so far, hadn’t found the opportunity to become better acquainted. That didn’t mean he hadn’t tried every chance he got, like now.

From the start, his attention had been on her, and although she’d never given him any reason in this department, he would send her a soda if they were in the cafeteria, or a note with his cell number. She even received a single red rose on one occasion, which she replied to with a thank you note. Whenever they were in the same group, he would stand close to her, and as time passed it unnerved her more. With time, she felt her resolve breaking down, and couldn’t get him out of her head.

His face always lit up in a handsome grin, and his blue eyes sparkled. The papers called him the American Dream. She could see why. The man was gorgeous and with a body like that, all kinds of imagined thoughts rushed through her head. She took a step back; couldn’t trust herself around him.

Last night, she had dreamed about that body intertwined with her own. However, Aldrich’s face had penetrated through the mist she found herself in, his soft voice whispering how much he loved her, and she’d found herself wide-awake. She also found herself blushing when she woke this morning, and now with him so close, she could feel the familiar heat rush to the surface.

“Hello, Charles,” she greeted softly, stepping around him, but he was quick and blocked her way.

“Where are you going?” He lifted her chin with a long finger, and she shivered with anticipation.