Twelve Days - The Beginning (32 page)

“Where are you?” she asked. Of all the questions to ask. Did that matter? They had a million and one things to talk about and she chose to ask that? She was seriously losing the plot.

“In the attic bedroom. It’s the guest room so it rarely gets used. It’s about the only place that’s kid-proof. I’m lying on the bed Elise and I’m stroking myself.” His voice deepened. “What are you doing?”

“I’m on a chair and I have my legs up on a stool. I’m just sitting here. What do you want me to be doing?” she made sure to deepen her voice a little, making the last comment suggestive.

“I want you to run your hand up and down your legs. Imagine it’s my hand. Imagine I’m feeling you all soft and silky. When you get to your skirt, I want you to push it up as far as you can. Then I want you to touch your breasts. Can you do that for me?”

Elise nodded and then remembered that he couldn’t see her. “Yes,” she replied. She started to do as he had asked and then realised that he probably needed her to tell him what she was doing; otherwise, it would be pointless.

“I’m running my hand up my leg and it’s really smooth – I am imagining that it is your hand and that your hand has just pushed up my skirt. My thighs are bare and my skirt reaches just above the top of my stockings. I’m sliding my hand upwards now, over my skirt and shirt as well, touching my breast. Rubbing it with my hand and it feels so good.” Her breathing hitched as she began to get caught up in the moment and she dropped her head back on the chair, keeping her eyes closed so she could just focus on the sensations.

“That’s good Elise, keep rubbing your breasts. Slip your hand inside your blouse underneath your bra - feel the weight of them, their softness. Touch your nipple. Make it hard for me.” His voice was doing crazy things to her insides and she shuddered as she complied, surprised to realise that her nipples were already hard. She was so turned on by this, the anonymity of it all, the risk of it all and once again it made her question her sexual preferences and the previously - forbidden things that Vaughn made her think about.

“They already are Vaughn – so hard, just for you.” She moaned slightly as her hand made contact with her bare breast where she had pushed aside her blouse and bra. On the other end of the line, she heard a rustling sound and then the sound of a zipper being opened.

“Do you hear that Elise? Hear me opening myself up for you. I’m touching myself now with my bare hands and I am imagining that it’s your beautiful mouth on me, sucking me, licking me. Making me all wet. I need you to touch yourself now, Elise. Slip your hand down inside your panties and tell me how wet you are.” His breathing was heavy now and she could tell that he was as turned on as she.

She moved her hand from her breast and slid it down her body, underneath her skirt and inside her panties. She already knew that she was wet but when she reached down with her fingers, another surge of wetness filled her hand and she knew that it would only take a couple of strokes for her to go over the edge.

“Are you wet, Angel? I am imagining how wet you are, thinking about how delicious you taste. Push your fingers inside, Angel. Pretend they are my fingers.”

Elise did as she was told and pushed up inside, feeling her heat and wetness and she moaned again, louder this time. On the other end of the line, Vaughn groaned deeply.

“Christ, Vaughn – I am so hot and wet. It’s not going to take much. I need you to be ready.”

“I’m ready, baby. I’m so hard for you, Elise; so fucking hard.”

She continued to torture herself with her fingers, slipping down on the chair to give herself better access. In her ear, she could hear Vaughn’s breathing getting shorter and harsher as he continued to whisper instructions to her. His voice like velvet, deep and sensual, reaching to her on a subliminal level, and sending shivers down her spine.

It took all of her concentration to continue to keep hold of the phone but she knew that she had to – that was her link to this man, and there was no way she was going to let that go. Suddenly she became aware of a change in Vaughn’s tone and realised that he was getting close. The rustling was getting louder and more pronounced, his rhythm clearly increasing as he neared the edge.

“I’m going to come, Angel, I am so close. I need you to come with me.”

She quickened her own movements and felt the first stirrings of her release as her body began to tingle from head to toe. She moved her fingers forward and allowed her thumb to brush lightly over her clit, the small movement beginning to tip her over the edge.

“Shit Vaughn, I’m coming. Aaaaaahhhhhhh...shit.”

Through her fog of sensation, she heard a string of expletives followed by a loud groan as Vaughn reached his peak too. They were both breathing heavily and Elise collapsed bonelessly back onto the plastic chair as she allowed the sensations to finish washing over her.

Vaughn was first to recover.

“Shit, baby – that was amazing. Christ – I needed that. I miss you so much, you have no idea.”

Elise smiled against the phone and willed her limbs to co-operate as she sat back up and began to straighten her clothing.

“Well, that’s another first for me.” She said. “No substitute for the real thing, but bloody hot. You’ve obviously had a lot of practice.”

There was a moment’s silence and then Vaughn’s voice came across again, smaller this time and almost unsure.

“Believe it or not Elise, I’ve never done that before either. I’ve never been with someone who I’ve needed as much as you. I need you every single minute of every single day and it scares the shit out of me. I can’t bear that we are apart.”

Elise could hear the sincerity in his words and, although she was surprised, she found herself believing him. Who would have thought that she would drive this strong and powerful man to the edge of control? Although she felt the same, she was reluctant to be as open as him until she had satisfied herself once and for all that there was nothing between him and Olivia. Now
was not the time to embark on that particular conversation though, so she put it one side for the time being.

“I believe you.” She said, “And for a couple of first-timers, that was pretty bloody awesome.” She stopped. She wanted to tell him that she needed him too and that she hadn’t stopped thinking about him either but she couldn’t seem to form the words.

“I miss you too.” She said simply instead and then after telling him that she would be with Dale from now until they met again on Thursday so he was not to call or text her again, she hung up.

She detected a note of sadness in Vaughn’s voice as they parted and she wondered if he felt that she should be giving more of herself. What he didn’t know was that she already had given herself to him – totally. She was just too scared to put it out there until she was completely certain of his feelings and above all, his faithfulness.

Chapter Thirty-One

Elise woke on Christmas morning surprised to find herself alone; Dale’s side of the bed was empty and cold, suggesting that it hadn’t been occupied for a while. Things with Dale were still weird and this was just another example. He never got out of bed before lunchtime on Christmas day, claiming that there was nothing to do.

Today though Elise could smell bacon cooking and immediately her senses went on high alert. There was something going on with her husband. He was acting so totally out of character and she was starting to feel slightly uncomfortable with it all.

Quickly she checked her new phone tucked safely in her handbag, to make double sure that it was switched to silent, and then she threw on her dressing gown and headed downstairs towards the delicious smells.

Dale was in the kitchen standing over a frying pan and absently humming Christmas tunes to himself in time with the radio. Hearing her approach he turned around, utensil in hand and walked towards her to give her a brief kiss on the lips before ushering her towards the table that he had laid out for breakfast.

“Merry Christmas, baby.” He said as he pulled out her chair and seated her at the table. Overcome by what was happening, Elise remained silent and instead regarded all of the food that Dale had prepared on the table. There was fruit, cereal, yoghurts and from the smell of it, bacon sandwiches. More than enough to feed an army and Elise wondered when he had gone and bought all of this.

“This looks beautiful, Dale.” She said, “Merry Christmas.”

Dale smiled at her and took the seat opposite. “Dig in. There’s plenty and I’ve got fresh coffee brewing as well.”

Elise smiled back at him, her radar still telling her that something was seriously off, but she decided to take things at face value. Particularly if that meant having a peaceful Christmas Day.

“So,” she asked, “when did you get the time to organise all of this?”

“Lunch hours mostly.” He replied. “I managed to get one of those easy-cook turkey things as well and some frozen veg so we can have a proper lunch too.”

Elise nearly fell off her chair. He had arranged lunch too? This was definitely way out of character. She needed to find out what was going on – right now.

“Dale...” she began “as much as I appreciate all of this – why are you doing it? You never do Christmas – at all. Why are you going to so much trouble now?”

“I told you that, babe, a couple of days ago.” He replied. “We need to make some effort here, me more than you, and I thought that a good Christmas Day would be the perfect place to start. And don’t forget, I promised you presents. They’re under the tree but you’re not allowed to open them until after lunch.”

Elise glanced across at the tree, still unaccustomed to seeing it in their living room and saw that sure enough, there were two small parcels underneath the tree. Immediately she began to feel guilty as she had not got Dale a present. She never did. The last present that she had bought him had ended up at the tip unopened so she’d not bothered since then.

She looked back at him to see that he was watching her closely, no doubt gauging her reaction.

“I’m sorry Dale but I’ve not got you anything. I didn’t get you a present because you usually don’t bother with Christmas at all. Now I feel really bad.”

“Hey baby – don’t worry.” He said soothingly. “I’ve got the only present I need right here and that’s you. Nothing that you could wrap up for me would be any better than that.”

Elise swallowed and took a sip of her orange juice; she had no idea how to reply to that. She had been unfaithful to her husband and was planning to leave him in the next few days, and he was spoiling her rotten, and telling her that she was the best Christmas present he could ever wish for.

Everything, all of this, still felt just slightly unreal and Elise wondered how much of the perceived absence of reality was down to her profound feelings of guilt.

“After breakfast,” Dale was talking again now, “I thought we could go for a walk, you know, blow away the cobwebs, and then when we get back, I’ll put the dinner on. Then it’s the best bit – presents. I can’t wait until you see what I got for you.”

Elise was still silent – she really hadn’t got a clue how to deal with this side of Dale and she couldn’t help wondering for how long he was here to stay.

“Sounds good,” she replied and carried on tucking into her fruit and yoghurt, which was delicious. Although Dale had dismissed it, he had certainly gone to a lot of trouble to put this together and she was flattered that he was making the effort.

“How’s work been?” she asked, wanting to steer the conversation onto safe ground.

“Pretty good actually.” He replied. “They’ve forgiven me for the whole drinking thing and I’m making sure that I’m putting in the hours and the dedication. Hopefully things will soon be all back on track and I can relax again for a while.”

“That’s good” she replied, “I’m glad things are better. You’re too good at your job to let it all go to waste.”

“Thanks, babe. That’s what I finally realised. There are some things in life that are more important than others.” He put added emphasis on the last sentence and threw her a pointed look which, although he smiled, had the effect of completely unnerving her. She looked away; she didn’t want to read the message in his eyes.

“Well, thank you for breakfast. It was lovely. I’ll just go and have a shower and get dressed and then we can go for that walk if you like?” She began picking up her plates and clearing them into the kitchen.

“Hey.” He said, walking round the table and taking the dishes from out of her hands. “I’ll do that; I’m already showered and dressed. You go and make yourself beautiful. Take your time, we’ve got all day.”

Elise relinquished her hold on the plates and looked at him quizzically. Dale never did Christmas, Dale never cooked and Dale absolutely never washed dishes. She was really getting spooked by it all now, regardless of his reassurance that he was trying hard to make a new start.

“Relax, babe.” He said as if reading her thoughts. “I just want you to have a lovely day. The last few Christmas Days have been crap and I really wanted to make up for that. Now go and have your shower.” He said, swatting her playfully on the backside as he pushed her towards the stairs.

Back in the bedroom Elise took a moment to consider the sudden change in Dale’s behaviour and was frustrated that she could come up with no rational explanation for it. Perhaps she should give him the benefit of the doubt and accept that he just wanted to make a fresh start? It was so out of character though and she hated the fact that this new version of Dale appeared to be trying so hard to fix things when for her, the relationship was over, and she was really only interested in getting through Christmas and working out the best way to end it.

The shower was hot and refreshing and Elise took her time, allowing the warmth to soak away all her aches and pains. She felt sad that hers and Dale’s relationship would soon be over but she was also completely certain that it was the right thing to do. The problem was finding the right time to tell him, and it was going to be all that much harder now.

Whilst in the shower, Elise had also pondered what to wear as she still wanted to put on the beautiful lace hold ups that Vaughn had bought for her. Initially she had been going to wear them with the ‘killer’ dress that she had bought for the nightclub, as she knew that when Dale saw them he wouldn’t register that they weren’t her usual brand. When he had mentioned going for a walk however, she had realised that the dress wouldn’t be very practical and realistically Dale would be surprised if she wore anything other than jeans. Perhaps she could wear the hold ups underneath her jeans and put socks on over the top. Then if Dale did happen to notice and think it strange, she could just tell him that she wanted extra layers on so that she didn’t get cold.

Decision made, Elise rummaged through her wardrobe until she found the jeans that she was looking for along with her favourite dark green chunky knit sweater. She then dug the stockings out of her handbag and eased them on, completely in awe at the delicacy of the lace and the material – they really were the most beautiful things that she had ever seen. It was an absolute travesty to pull her jeans on over the top, but needs must and so to complete the effect she added a pair of chunky socks and her hardwearing ankle boots. No one would ever know what she had on underneath her jeans and she looked perfectly presentable for a walk on a chilly winter’s morning. Arriving downstairs, she saw that Dale had found out their hats and gloves so she shrugged into her coat and followed him out of the door.

It felt strange to be out walking with Dale. They hardly did anything together anymore and she couldn’t remember the last time that they had been for a walk. Thankfully their volume of chunky clothes put paid to any hand-holding but Dale did put his arm around her shoulders on a couple of occasions and Elise had to struggle not to flinch and shake it off.

They chose a circuitous route which took about an hour and, surprisingly, they chatted easily throughout the walk. As it was Christmas day the roads and pavements were deserted and they enjoyed passing many houses and guessing what the people were up to inside. Some were heavily decorated, whilst others, like theirs, showed little sign of acknowledging the season at all, which made them all the more intriguing.

When they got back home they were both frozen through so they huddled under blankets in the warmth of the lounge, drinking hot chocolate and reminiscing. It seemed like they had been doing a lot of reminiscing lately and it didn’t escape Elise’s notice that Dale seemed to be encouraging it. She didn’t know whether he was looking to rekindle what they had once had or whether he just found the past much easier to talk about than the present.

True to his word, Dale prepared the turkey and the vegetables and they sat down to eat a traditional Christmas meal together for the first time in five years. In deference to the day, Dale had opened a bottle of wine but up until then, he had stayed clear of any alcohol and Elise was immensely proud of him. She herself indulged in a glass of wine, but decided to leave it at the one. She still didn’t trust this new side of Dale and she didn’t want to dull any of her senses in case she would have to draw on them later on in the day. She hated herself for doubting him – he had given her no cause to today – but there’s was such a long and complicated past that it would take more than this one day for her to let go and trust again completely.

At the end of the meal Dale drank a toast to them and to the future and Elise raised her glass so as not to arouse suspicion. It felt horribly hypocritical and she hated every moment of lying to him; she was so sick and tired of the lies in her life.

Dale had downed the rest of the bottle of wine by himself during the meal, which didn’t escape Elise’s notice. In the back of her mind she could hear the faint ringing of alarm bells, however she also knew that it would take a hell of a lot more than one bottle of wine to get Dale drunk. He was a hardened drinker and although he had had a few days off, she doubted that a handful of days of sobriety would have made that much difference to his drinking capacity. He was a long way away from being a danger to her and so she pushed her misgivings to one side.

This time she volunteered to clear away and Dale didn’t argue. The wine had begun to mellow him and she could see that he was keen to relax. Expecting him to turn on the television, she left him to it and a short while later, after she had finished tidying up, she went back into the lounge to join him.

The first thing that she noticed when she re-entered was the large bottle of whisky that was stood on the side table next to Dale and a tumbler full of the liquid in his hand. Her senses went on to high alert as she registered the old Dale making an unwelcome return and judging by the size of the glass in his hand, he was back with a vengeance.

He looked up as she entered the room and if he noticed her nervous glance at the glass in his hand he didn’t let on; he merely patted the sofa beside him to indicate that she should sit down. Elise sat, and the second thing that she noticed was that both of her presents had been moved from under the tree and were now on the arm of the sofa next to her.

“Pressie time!” Dale declared and already Elise could hear the slight slurring in his words and she wondered how much whisky he had managed to down whilst she had been in the kitchen.

For want of continuing with the distraction and not drawing attention to his newly inebriated state, Elise took the presents and placed them on her lap ready to open.

Instantly, she was reminded of the presents that Vaughn had given her and hated herself for comparing the standard of the wrapping. These from Dale had been thrown together using last year’s Christmas paper – at least some things didn’t change – whereas Vaughn’s had had matching bows and tags and beautiful lines. She supposed he could have had them professionally wrapped but somehow she doubted that. He didn’t seem to be the kind of man who would get others to do his work.

The first present was a familiar size and box shape and she opted to open that one first. In order to prolong this moment she took her time opening first one and then the other end before slipping the paper open at the middle to reveal the same box of perfume that Dale had bought her every year. In the early days, she had had perfume plus other things that had differed each year. But in the last five years, it had dwindled down to just the perfume – nothing else - making two presents this year a surprise.

Aware that Dale was watching for a reaction, she obligingly opened the box and pulled out the bottle, covering herself with a generous spray before putting her nose to her wrists to inhale the scent. This had always been her favourite perfume but overkill over the last few years had put paid to that and she now found the scent slightly nauseating.

“Gorgeous,” she declared and smiled across at Dale, waving her arm in front of his face for him to smell also. “Thank you.”

He pushed her arm away a little roughly and the warning bells in her head began to chime again. This time she didn’t push them away. He had refilled his tumbler again and the bottle on the side table was definitely closer to being empty than it was to full. The ringing became louder and she reached for the second present in an attempt to hide her anxiety.