Bella's Choice (4 page)

That was the most provocative thing ever done to her, and she felt heat rising up her neck but also in the lower half of her body. His closeness was welcoming to her senses, his romantic manners intoxicating to her hungry soul, his voice filled with promises and his eyes, dark pools holding her mesmerized.

It seemed like it took forever to finish their desserts, which for some reason were eaten at a slower pace.

“You enjoy dessert I take it,” she said in a husky voice when he put the last spoonful of fruit in her mouth. He nodded, and continued to grin, his eyes never leaving her. She felt beautiful.

There was not much said after that, and the rest of the time they held hands. They didn’t want to part and found themselves stretching time, just listening to the music playing.

She couldn’t meet his eyes, afraid that he would see her open adoration in them. When he leaned over, he placed his finger under her chin and brought her face up, looking at her. What she saw in his eyes reflected her own desires. He moved closer to her and kissed her very softly on the mouth. Her lips were willing to receive him so she kissed him back; his kiss soft, tender and oh so delicate, as if she were porcelain. It was the first time she had allowed a man so close to her, or even kissed one, but with Aldrich it felt as if she found her home. The idea was so overwhelming that she moaned softly into him, making him chuckle.

Then, very softly he spoke, repeating the words from the previous night, willing her to believe it. “I really would like to spend more time with you, sweetheart. Would you like that?”

She nodded. “Yes, I would love that.”

He smiled in return, adding, “You are very interesting.”

“I am?”

“Yes, but most of all, I want to be the one to take away your sadness.” He kissed her eyes tenderly, the action stirring her deeply.

How can he see that?
Her thoughts quickened as she savored every word.

“But, I want to give you a chance to experience life, your career has just begun and I don’t want to stand in the way of it.” Absently, he brushed a strand of hair from her face, meeting her gaze, making sure she understood how serious he was being. “I know we’ve only known each other for a day, but my heart and mind says that we have something special. I can see you feel the same way.”

Tears started to roll down her face at the declaration, and he kissed them away.

The way he said it caused her knees to go weak, and she allowed the words to filter through her mind, repeating them. It was so unexpected, but she, too, would love to get to know him.

He continued to kiss her with soft feather-like brushings, her skin soft to his touch. His tongue explored and caressed her lips as he pulled her closer; excitement grew in the pit of her stomach.

It was true what he said. All of this was very new to her, although she had seen a lot of things others her age hadn’t, she knew all about sex, every position and the acts surrounding it, but never had she encountered the feelings that this man was creating within her.

Ever since he touched her, he’d evoked feelings in her she’d never experienced before, and it felt real and complete. He had life experiences she didn’t have, and this drew her closer to him.

When their lips met for a proper kiss, she clung to him, eager and desperate. Their breaths heated as they explored with their mouths and tongues. His taste intoxicating to her senses, but all too suddenly he pulled away, taking in a deep breath. His eyes smoldered as he said softly, “I think I need to take you back to your car, sweetheart.” He smacked his lips as if he just had the most delicious meal while caressing her back, his breath heavy when he lifted his head, her hands still in his hair, having forgotten where she was.

“Yes,” was all she could get out, her voice sounding shaky in her own ears. They left the table after he paid the bill, and together they walked outside to her car. She held on to his arm knowing she couldn’t walk on her own, his hand cupping hers possessively. At the car, he pressed her almost into the frame, the intensity building in a passionate kiss. The nightlife quiet around them as time stood still in the adoring embrace. Her arms wrapped around his neck, holding him even closer. When he finally let go she was breathless. She stared up into the handsome face and noticed how his eyes caressed her, telling her all she wanted to know.

No words were uttered between them, because no discussion was necessary. Confirmation was in both their hearts. He opened the door and with one last kiss, closed it.

He’s awakened feelings and emotions in me I didn’t know I was capable of, but I’m going to love exploring them some more,
she reflected as she drove back home in a haze.

He followed.

The feel of his lips were still palpable on hers, and when she licked them she could taste him, as if he was still present. When she pulled into her driveway, she blew the horn, and then he was gone. The red taillights coming on at the stop sign, before he pulled away. As her eyes followed his car, the thought of being with him was all too overpowering.

Chapter Three

A
s time passed, she saw him again one day during the December holiday season. She happened to be at Monica’s house swimming and as she emerged from the water, she found him standing at the patio door, his eyes fixated on her. The smile on his face told her she was a pleasing sight. Elated, she returned the smile.

Monica was helping her mum bake in preparation for the festive season and when Anabella offered to help, Mrs. Richter had chased her out of the house.

She stared at the gorgeous hunk looking relaxed in a pair of khaki pants and black t-shirt, his body toned to perfection. She made her way to the edge of the pool, and had to hang on to the tiles, because the look she saw in his eyes burned her. She smiled, and on shaky legs got out and made her way to where he stood, a huge grin adorning his face. She kissed him on the lips―which was perhaps too forward―but she couldn’t resist. He continued to look at her, his eyes dark pools. She had missed him; her days and dreams constantly invaded by him, and now to find him standing there was just too good an opportunity to miss.

“Hi, A
ldrich.”

“Hi, sweetheart.” His voice soft, caressing her, making her smile.

She reached for her towel, which hung on a chair, and then walked to a deck chair and lay down. He followed, sitting down next to her.

“Are you well?”

“School is finally over.”

“It is. When do the results come out?”

“On the fifth of January, but I know I have done well.”

“That is good news. And the practices?”

“Demanding, but good. I really look forward to varsity. They say the coach is very good.”

He smiled as he brushed his fingers against her arm, the feeling sending shivers down her spine. They chatted and she told him more about the practices and a competition she would participate in at the end of the week; just a friendly race at the club.

The air hummed with electric currents and her heart raced. He leaned in closer and semi-whispered, “I have missed you.” This was followed by a kiss, which made all the others feel like child’s play. They couldn’t get enough of each other, her body responding under his touch, his warm hand caressing it gently.

“I’ve missed you, too,” she finally said as his eyes moved over her black bikini appraisingly, smiling at her blush. She felt his warm hand on her ribs, a thumb stroking her skin. She was aware of every touch, so much so her skin was covered in goose bumps. Breathless, she said, “Badly, I can’t stop thinking about you.”

“You have done something to me, something I’ve never felt before. You occupy my thoughts every day. I am acting like a lovesick teenager.”

“I know how you feel, and I
am
a love sick teenager.”

He chuckled at her innocence.

She smiled, pulling him back into her embrace and this time she kissed him, with greater longing.
Damn, he’s a good kisser
. Images of swirling bodies flicked through her mind, encouraging her actions as the intensity grew with a burning desire.

Monica cleared her throat, and grinning asked what they would like for lunch.

Aldrich, without lifting his eyes, said, “Strawberries and cream, please.” Soft enough that only Anabella could hear, which made them both laugh before he let her go.

It became their private banter, his love for the sweet dessert flavored with Anabella’s sweet taste. Aldrich was intoxicated and found himself often eating the dessert just to conjure her image in his mind.

Anabella couldn’t believe how reckless she’d become with this man she hardly knew. She watched him from under her eyelashes, with something close to adoration. She couldn’t believe how at ease with him she was after what had just taken place. She looked at her friend and blushed upon her curious expression.

Sheepishly, Monica looked at them, not really understanding, when Aldrich said, “Just whatever you usually have for lunch would be great, thank you.” His voice was completely under control.

When Monica left, she winked at Anabella over her shoulder; code for wanting to know the whole story once he left.

They sat down to lunch, talking about all kinds of things with Monica, making jokes, teasing each other about silly stuff, their hands always close, his eyes continuously roaming over her appreciatively.

She had never blushed as much as that afternoon. His eyes constantly intense and filled to the brim with emotions. She never thought she could evoke that kind of feeling in a man, and if she and to be honest, coming from him she welcomed it.

Monica left them after her mother called her back, and he pulled her chair closer again and kissed her. Heat emanated from his mouth and his hands, and she loved the feel of it. Her own body responded immediately; he made her forget everything around her, like nothing else mattered. It was a struggle to get away from him, but a phone call interrupted them, which he answered, and soon after, he left. They hadn’t seen each other again.

Every night since that afternoon, she’d sat with her cell in her hand, continuously punching in his number then cancelling it. She knew she wasn’t ready for Aldrich. The attraction she felt toward him was real and she could relive every second of their time together. Her body responded with equal intensity.

She would love to go to him, but she owed him at least a well-balanced person. She found herself comparing what they had with her parents’ relationship. Images and thoughts of intertwined bodies inflicted her mind with doubt and confusion, cluttering it. Her body ached for his touch.

As it was December, her parents were away often, so she barely saw them. During the Christmas week, they’d gone on a cruise, leaving a note on the kitchen table. The holiday was quiet, giving her much time to think about Aldrich and what he meant to her.

Roy
met a young woman during this time and brought her home in the second week of the holiday; she never left. The two were inseparable, always in his room, which she was grateful for. As Roy wasn’t much into the whole swing thing, as Derek was, he used this time to be himself. A smile frequently adorned his handsome face.

Derek was seldom home, but when she managed to see him it was with a quick acknowledgement before he left again. And every time it was with someone different at hand.

The house felt normal as she wondered around, reading and packing for the following year. She had time to throw old clothes away, rearrange her closet, and make a list of things she would need in her dorm room, doing shopping as required. She acquainted herself with the list she’d received from the dorm, making sure she left nothing out. The boxes in the corner of her room grew steadily with each purchase.

Anabella also took the time to relax at her favorite spot in
Camps Bay near the beach and out of the way of the holiday goers, to tan, swim and relax, knowing that the following year would be crazier than this one.

She visited Monica and her family, spending Christmas and New Year with them. The days were searing hot but filled with laughter, loads of play and lots of eating.

“Anabella, where are you?” a shout came from the hallway, bringing Anabella back to the present.

She recognized her friend’s voice, stepped out into the busy hallway and called, “Here, I am in room 312,” and waved at her friend. Girls were running in the passage, carrying heavy bags and boxes to their individual rooms, and parents followed giving last minute instructions. The place was filled with excitement, energy and eagerness.

“These are the last things from the car,” Monica said loud enough for her to hear.

Anabella rushed over to help her with the heavy load. They would be sharing the same dorm room, which was great news to both of them. Though their courses were different, they would still be able to see each other daily. Monica would be studying education as she’d always loved children and had a keen interest in teaching them.

“It is really hot, let’s go get a soda before we unpack.”

“Okay.”

“Were you thinking of Aldrich again?” asked Monica in a soft concerned voice as they strolled away.

“Yes.”

“Why don’t you call him?”

“I am not ready Moni, too much baggage. My parents aren’t the best examples of a relationship; I’m still haunted by the images I’ve been privy to, and unless I sort them out, I’m not willing to meet or be with any man, especially Aldrich,” she replied with a sigh, her breath shuddering as she held back the tears and longing. “He deserves the best.” A sorrowful look played over Anabella’s face, a far away look of despair.

Monica knew Anabella cared for Aldrich more deeply than she would admit at this point, but she knew not to push the topic further. In her own time, Anabella would tell her, or perhaps she needed to get help in order to work through the nightmares and images that haunted her nightly. She also knew all too well, from past conversations with Anabella, that she didn’t lead a regular life. She’d never allowed Monica near her house, so she had no first-hand knowledge of what was really going on inside those four walls. From what she understood, Anabella’s parents lived the life of porn stars, swingers and nightclub owners, the ones with very expensive club fees.

Monica had once investigated it on the Internet. Intriguing at first, but the more she read and watched, the more horrified she’d become. Some of the actions diminished people in such a way, they were like animals. How anyone could love
that
was beyond her. There was no ordinary relationship between Anabella’s parents, not as she knew it to be with hers, and she loved her parents dearly. As far as she knew, strangers would be at their house every second night, taking part in all kinds of orgies, not bothering to go to the bedroom. The group ranged from four to fifteen at any given time.

The brothers were older and had to participate, and from a young age Anabella had had to watch. She knew they had fights in the house over this, which left Anabella defeated, but they had to give in to their parents’ whims. This left serious scarring on her young mind, and Monica was convinced this was the reason Anabella never had any serious relationships, and why she had a hard time allowing any man to get close to her.

Aldrich had come into her life, and without knowing her full story, had backed down giving her space to grow, and to go to him on her terms. Something she appreciated about him. Not many men would be willing to do this.

Anabella was very beautiful and sweet, and Monica had seen the attraction between them; a mutual attraction of understanding and respect, even with the obvious age difference. She’d noticed men’s reactions around Anabella, which forced her to retract deeper into her shell. However, with Aldrich it wasn’t like that, he really cared about her.

The times her friend was over at her house, Anabella would watch her mum and dad attentively; their interaction toward each other, and toward her and Tim. She couldn’t believe that this was just everyday life.

In the beginning of their friendship―they were ten years old back then―Anabella had asked her, “Do they not have other peo
ple that share their bed?”

Dumbfounded, she’d looked at Anabella and asked what she meant?

“My parents are never alone,” she simply replied.

That response had taken her aback somewhat, and Monica remembered that she’d looked confused, thinking her friend was weird but left it at that.

The more Anabella came into contact with them, the more she observed them with growing resentment, which would lead to tears, bitterness and disgust toward her parents. Observing the interaction and then wanting to say something profound made her think twice. Especially when they had words and she was angry with her mum.

Anabella’s wisdom reminded Monica of what she had, which made her appreciate her own parents more.

This was the reason Aldrich had been drawn to her from the very first time he’d seen her. With this deeper understanding, Anabella could see a relationship for what it was, discerning fakes from the authentic ones. She needed help before she would commit herself to Aldrich, and Monica knew how to be a friend. But, her inexperience didn’t provide her with the insight or knowledge to deal with this. She loved her friend dearly as they were mostly sisters in every sense of the word. The fact that they shared a dorm room made it easier to observe Anabella closely, and even help her with unwanted attention.