Chapter Eleven

Vanessa Wilkins also known as 'Van' stood in front of the cheval-glass in her tiny bedroom, a blank expression on her face reflecting her state of mind at the moment. She didn't want to think, she was done thinking and any related action might just make her head throb. Right now the lump in her throat felt like it was choking the life out of her so she took a deep breath through her nostrils and exhaled through her mouth.

She had minimal make-up on, just the occasional talcum powder and lip gloss― she didn't want to entice him any further and appear to be trying too hard for him― which she wasn't. Yes she liked him, but prostituting herself to him she didn't like.

She was wearing a short black rubber-dress that clung to her body like a second skin with half the bodice made of lace. Her hair fell on one shoulder and she looked like she was attending a funeral–perhaps she's mourning her innocence that would soon be snatched before the night was over.

Van let out a defeated puff of breath and looked away from the mirror before she did anything desperate. She quickly grabbed her purse and locked up, then began to walk to the terminal when a blue Toyota screeched to a stop right in front of her, a man in a dark suit emerged from it and came up to her.

''Sorry I'm late Miss Wilkins, shall we?'' he began breathlessly but Van was feeling strange and her eyes narrowed in suspicion.

''Who are you? And how do you know my name?''

''I'm Ron ma'am, I was sent here by Mr. Calloway to drive you to the villa.''

Of course the bastard knew she was coming, she thought in mock sarcasm. With a roll of her eyes, Van wordlessly got in and Ron shut the door before jogging over to the driver's seat.

Her brother Karl thought she was attending Rella's after wedding party because he was present when she promised Rella that she would attend while Rella thought she had to stay at the hospital with her father…Van hated lying to her brother and best friend but she didn't know what to do; Rella would chop her head off and Karl would go challenging Jake which of course would end up badly.

They needed the money, their father needed to get out of that damned hospital bed.

He's been there for eight months, waiting to have a heart surgery and his condition continued to deteriorate rapidly. All of these was her mother's fault! Van hated the woman for abandoning them and putting her in such a grave and humiliating position.

She barely registered that the car was no longer moving until Ron pulled the door open.

''We're here ma'am.''

She stepped out and offered a weak smile.

They climbed the steps to the white oak door and waited while Ron punched the doorbell, once, twice, until finally it was pulled open and a small middle aged woman appeared. When her eyes landed on Ron, they lit up.

"Ron, I thought you were on your way home, what happened?'' her question sounded like a reprimand and Van wondered who he was to her; his mother? His aunt?

''I was running an errand for Mr. Calloway.'' He replied. The woman's gaze shifted and she noticed Van who was fidgeting nervously, she looked down at her with narrowed eyes until finally realisation hit her.

''Oh my! You must be Vanessa Wilkins, I'm Greta.'' She said enthusiastically. ''Come follow me, Mr. Calloway has been expecting you.'' She took Van's hand and began to lead her into the house. ''Son, you should stay and have something to eat dinner will soon be ready.'' And just like that Van's earlier question was answered.

''Sure mother.''

Van fell into step with Greta, her heels making loud clicking sound on the tiled floor. They came into a large sitting room and the first thing she saw was Jake Calloway, a man who was her nightmare as well the object of her fantasies; his tall muscular frame stood by the window where he appeared to be staring at the night sky.

''Mr. Calloway, Miss Wilkins is here.'' Greta announced.

He tensed a bit before he turned around ever so slowly that Van thought time was in a slow motion. Her breath caught in her throat as his gleaming blue eyes connected with her chocolate brown ones and a delicious shiver ran down her spine.

''Leave us alone Greta.'' He said to Greta then smiled lazily at Van and she felt herself shiver once again; damn the bastard, he knew the effect he had on her and he glories in that fact. ''I've been expecting you…Vanessa Wilkins.''

Of course you have. Van thought sarcastically. Jake took long powerful strides towards her, then taking her hand; he planted a warm kiss behind it.

''You look amazing…and breath taking.'' He murmured huskily, his eyes appraising her from head to toe. Van found herself dreading the night already and she wished to get this over with.

''I really appreciate the flattery but can we get this over with?'' she sounded breathless and nervous.

''Eager, are we?'' he mocked with a smirk. ''Don't be too hopeful because I plan on taking my time.'' she knew he wasn't joking. She swallowed hard, his intense gaze burning sensual holes through her.

''Dinner is served.'' Greta announced, but he didn't spare her a glance even as he said, ''Thank you Greta.'' He was watching Van worry her bottom lip, clearly oblivious to the effect it had on him.

It was cute and distracting and he wanted nothing more than to skip dinner and take her to bed. But instead, he offered her his hand.

''Shall we?''

Dinner was full of tension and Van couldn't enjoy the hearty meal because of the gigantic knot in her stomach and the heavy weight of Jake's heated gaze wasn't helping either.

He offered her a seat in front of the fire place and poured out brandy into two glasses, and held one to her. Van accepted with shaky fingers –because she knew it would calm her raging nerves–and he went to sit on the cushion across from her.

''Are you trying to get me drunk so you could take advantage of me?'' she said lightly, attempting to make humour of the moment but it backfired.

In a flash he was before her in a crouch so that they were eye level.

''We both know that I wouldn't need to take advantage of you Van because you'd be begging me to make love to you.'' His tone was a seductive whisper. Van gulped, feeling her face heat up. He was so close she could feel his warm breath against her flaming skin. ''Has anyone ever told you, you have the most beautiful eyes, the most amazing, exquisite and mesmerising..?'' he murmured huskily, his tone a seductive whisper. ''…beautiful, utterly beautiful…and those lips…'' his lustful eyes dropped to her red lips and his thumb grazed over the bottom. ''They drive me crazy.'' And he captured them in a searing kiss.

She couldn't breathe.

Van wasn't breathing only feeling with such intensity that rendered her mind blank, she was vaguely aware of the glass been taken away from her. He probed her mouth open and she welcomed the powerful thrust of his sensuous tongue. She offered no protest as he lowered her into the cushion, his hand gliding down to cup her breast, she groaned low in her throat arching into him.

His fingers found her zipper and he pulled the dress down her shoulders matting the tanned flesh with kisses, he sucked and nipped. Van was on fire under his skilled hands.

He scooped her up in his arms and made for the stairs kissing her all the way. Not long, her dress and underwear were on a pile on the floor as he settled her down on the bed. He didn't follow her, instead he began to unbutton his shirt; Van looked away, too shy to look at him and instinctively covered her bare chest with the silky sheets.

''No, don't cover up, I want to see you.'' He said.

Slowly and reluctantly she let go of the sheets and didn't miss his sharp intake of breath, his eyes glazed over with pure unadulterated lust.

''God you're beautiful.'' He husked his voice smooth as velvet.

It was then she noticed his own state of undress; his beautiful tanned torso, his powerful muscular chest and broad shoulders, his long muscular thighs and calves that framed his most prized possession. She gulped and could think of nothing but the urge to run her fingers across his abs, to feel his muscle work beneath her hands.

He captured her mouth once again, his fingers and mouth simultaneously exploring her giving and taking until her senses blurred and she came apart in his arms.