8 comments/ 12130 views/ 2 favorites Love & Peace Ch. 01 By: janiexx Chapter 1 - Kate's Story Lightning ripped across the sky as I ran to my car, a plastic bag covering my head to protect me from the huge, fat drops of rain that fell out of the prematurely dark sky. Hastily opening the door, I turned the key in the ignition but instead of the instant response, all I heard was a low droning sound coming from a truly dead engine. Cursing myself for probably leaving the lights switched on when I arrived for work early that morning, I sat there in disbelief, this latest problem the culmination of a day's misery. The knock on the window made me jump and I stared at the tall figure of a man as he tried to shelter from the constant onslaught of the rain. I recognized Daniel Masters, one of the Directors of the company I worked for, and wound the window down. "What's up?" he yelled as the wind continued to howl. "Engine's dead," I shouted back and looked at him in dismay. He ran around and dived into the passenger seat shaking drops of water from his dark hair. Daniel Masters was new to the company, an American who, if rumours were true, had been sent over from the headquarters in San Francisco to make half the workforce redundant. Here in the UK we were just not living up to the American ideal and I knew heads would roll. "Is there anything I can do?" he asked as we both stared at each other. I was surprised he had ventured out of his company BMW to help and could only think he had been watching me from his office window. "I think I left my lights on this morning. It was dark when I arrived." "It's Kate, isn't it? How did you enjoy the conference?" I was stunned. For a Director to remember my name was unheard of and I stuttered over my answer, feeling even more of a fool. "Um, it was OK. A bit long though." Daniel laughed. "That's what I like about you lot. You speak your mind!" I relaxed a bit and smiled back at him, noticing his good looks, his unruly dark hair and hazel eyes. He filled the passenger seat of my small car and I caught a faint tang of aftershave. "Look, I'll give you a lift home if you want. I can't leave you here alone." I hesitated. Normally I would have phoned my parents to come and pick me up but as they were on holiday, it would have been difficult. "Or maybe get your husband or boyfriend to sort you out?" "I'm not married - and I don't a have a boyfriend for that matter either." I smiled and felt a small twist of desire shoot through me. To say I hadn't noticed Daniel Masters before would be wrong. Most of the female staff were probably fantasising about him and although contact with him had been brief, we had exchanged a couple of glances as we passed in the corridors and there was certainly a level of interest on my part. "Lock it up and sort it out tomorrow." His words were almost an order and I obeyed without thinking, following him to his BMW parked in the reserved spot just outside the main entrance to the building. He opened the passenger door for me and soon I was cocooned in warmth and comfort as we made our way out onto the main road that ran through the industrial estate. "Where do you live?" "Out in the country, I'm afraid. It's a bit of a trek." Daniel smiled and put his foot down as we wound our way through the country lanes. "You live alone?" I nodded. "Well, apart from my cat. I like it." He looked at me and I wondered whether the other rumours were true. That his marriage was on the verge of a breakdown, his wife resentful at leaving the States and the move perhaps a step too far for both of them. "Am I taking you far out of your way?" "Yes, but don't worry. I couldn't leave you there and this weather looks like it's set in for the night." I gazed out of the window as the hedges and fields rushed past and felt a small quiver of anticipation. It had been six months since I had been involved with anyone and I missed the closeness it brought. At 26 I was young and there was plenty of time, but the lack of a physical relationship was starting to worry me. "Turn right here, and then it's the cottage on the left." Daniel brought the car to a halt and turned off the engine. I looked at him and felt that twist again as he gazed back at me, a questioning look in his eyes. Was he expecting to be invited in for a drink? "Glass of wine?" I asked, feeling an air of tension between us. "That would be lovely." He smiled and I shivered with that delicious feeling of anticipation that seemed to be missing from my life just lately. Unlocking the door, he followed me into my tiny cottage which was tidy and free from the usual clutter that seemed to fill every room. "Be careful of the beams! They're a bit low!" Daniel laughed as he ducked underneath them, his tall frame making my rooms seem suddenly a lot smaller. "Is red OK?" I called out from the kitchen as I uncorked a bottle of Californian Zinfandel, pouring two large glasses in an effort to get him to stay longer. I returned to the living room to find him engrossed in my bookshelves and handed him the glass. "You have a nice place here, Kate. Very sweet." I looked at him in case he was being sarcastic but his face was serious. "It's been a long time since I lived alone. I miss that sometimes." I looked at him in surprise. "I must say you're not as I imagined you would be." He looked back at me and smiled. "Why's that?" "Well, I just thought all the Directors were a bit remote, that's all." He laughed. "Some of us can be. But I like the UK. I like the people." "So you're glad you came here, then?" He hesitated and I knew that some of the rumours had a basis in truth. "It's been great, but sometimes a bit hard..." I looked at him as he went over to study a picture on the wall. "Some of my family have found it difficult to adjust." "Well I can understand that. I'm sorry but I don't really know a lot about you, Daniel." He turned to face me and I could almost sense his thoughts as he looked at me. "How long have you worked for Jefferson's?" I had to think as he waited for an answer. "Oh heavens! About two years I think." "And you enjoy it?" I paused. The truth was I disliked it but the job paid well and was convenient. But I knew that soon I would probably no longer be needed. Now was the time to ask but I just couldn't. I suddenly realised that I didn't want to upset him or make him angry. He no longer seemed the enemy. "It's OK," I answered and poured him some more wine from the bottle. "Hey, steady on!" he laughed. "I've got to drive home!" I laughed as well and the tension disappeared as the talk turned to safer subjects, our mutual interest in walking being one of them. All too soon, Daniel's glass was empty and he stood up from where he had been lounging on my sofa. I felt a pang of regret as he made his way to the door. It would have been interesting if he had turned out to be one of those men who abused his position in the company and I wondered whether I would have given into his demands. But he was a gentleman throughout and as we said goodnight, he gently brushed my cheek with his lips. "That was great," he said and looked at me with concern. "How are you going to get to work tomorrow?" "Oh, a neighbour will give me a lift, don't worry. They can then start the car with some jump leads." I waved goodbye as he got into the car, a strange feeling of emptiness filling me as I closed the door and made my way back into the living room. Feeling restless I studied my bookshelves as well, wanting to see what he had seen and wondering what he had thought of me. That night in bed, I awoke in the early hours and couldn't get back to sleep. I tried to recall all the times I had come into contact with Daniel but could only think of two or three. He was a bit older than me, I guessed. Fifteen to twenty years was a good estimate but the age gap didn't seem to matter. In his mid forties, he seemed to be in his prime and I shuddered at the thought of him being with me, his hard body next to mine as he explored me properly. The sudden need for him overwhelmed me and I reached down to my wet vagina that was aching for his touch. Gently rubbing my fingers along the slit I felt the pleasure grow as his face appeared before me. I groaned and rubbed harder, my mind imagining him doing that to me before he entered me fully and filled me up. These thoughts continued to torture me as I slipped two fingers into my wet opening, my legs spreading wide in desire and need. With my left hand I rubbed my nipples, the reaction instant as I imagined him sucking and licking them. How would he feel, I wondered. And would he want me too? My right hand returned to my swollen clitoris and I moaned again as I felt the orgasm grow and build within me. I needed a man and I realised I needed Daniel. I needed him deep inside me, his face next to mine as we groaned and called out each other's names. I rubbbed harder and harder, his face a permanent fixture in my mind as I neared that delicious feeling of release. When it came I shuddered and shook as the feelings overwhelmed me. It was the sweetest sensation and I knew that the reality would be the same. Had I really detected that air of attraction between us? I could only hope so... * Of course, over the next few months I barely set eyes on him. The black BMW was missing from the car park and at times I believed he had disappeared for good. The season slowly changed from summer to autumn and I felt my usual sense of sadness at the passing of the warm weather. Daniel had been gone for two months now and I had almost forgotten our meeting when one morning, as I drove into the car park, the black BMW was back in its reserved spot. I felt a tingle of anticipation as I parked my car and made my way up to the large open-plan office where my desk was situated. Today was a meeting day, when all the employees took part in workshops and small conferences. Dressing for the colder weather I had chosen a short skirt with opaque black tights and a pretty, tight jumper that emphasised my larger than average breasts. I knew I looked good and hoped that Daniel would be included in one of my groups to appreciate my appearance. My long dark hair had just been cut and a recent make-up lesson had been put to good use. There was no denying I felt wonderful and I bubbled with enthusiasm and well-being. My first meeting was in the conference room and I looked around at the group of boring people in dismay. The morning dragged and I kept glancing at the clock willing it to be midday when I knew we would all meet in the restaurant and take lunch together. A buffet had been laid on and we were expected to socialise and mingle. The time came and I met up with my colleagues who had experienced the same mind-numbing boredom as me. "Hey, I see Daniel Masters is back," I heard a woman say as she drank a glass of champagne, her eyes following him around the room. "He's the only good thing about this bloody company." I followed her gaze and watched as he spoke to a group of fellow Directors, his arms waving around as he recounted some story or another. He looked happy and relaxed and I felt a stab of regret that he wasn't mine. "Heard the latest?" my colleague asked as she helped herself to a sandwich. Our small group of women listened as she recounted how Daniel had been in the States for the last few months trying to save his marriage. How she knew such private details I couldn't imagine, but I felt a sense of disappointment that he was now out of bounds. "Does he have children?" another woman asked as she gazed at him over the rim of her champagne glass. Our informant nodded and lowered her voice. "Oh yes, two little girls. They're beautiful." "Angela! How do you know all this?" I asked in amazement. I felt guilty that we were discussing Daniel's private life but normally I wouldn't have cared. The Directors of the company were as fair game for gossip as the rest of us. "Oh, I can't reveal my sources!" Angela laughed and we all joined in. The sound made several heads turn and Daniel glanced over in surprise. I blushed as he noticed me and held my gaze for a little longer than was necessary. He seemed to remember the evening of the storm and smiled before turning away. The afternoon dragged on and all hopes of being in the same meeting as Daniel were dashed. By the early evening I was desperate to get home and relax, the unremitting meetings and corporate mumbo-jumbo beginning to take its toll on my nerves and humour. By 6pm I had had enough and thankfully the manager in charge of our little group had too. We were released from the stuffy conference room and I made my way out into the chill Autumn dusk with a sense of relief. Unlocking the car door, I heard steps behind me and then a deep American accent brought me out of my daydreams of a hot bath and a soppy film. "Car OK tonight?" I turned to see Daniel standing behind me, the setting sun behind him so I couldn't read the expression on his face. I laughed and opened the car door as if to get in. "No it's fine tonight, thank you. I'll never do that again!" "That's a shame," he murmured moving closer. "I enjoyed taking you home and rescuing you." I looked at him as he stood in front of me, surprised at what he was saying. "Well, I was really grateful for what you did. Thank you." "Oh, Kate! Stop saying thank you. Anyone would have wanted to help you out." I smiled and slid down onto the driver's seat. Daniel closed the door and I unwound the window. "Let me take you for a drink tonight, Kate. Try and make up for the awful day we've both had." I hesitated. Thoughts of his wife and family came into my mind and Daniel saw my reticence. "Look Kate, it's just a drink. We don't get to know our staff too well and I like you. You looked like you were having fun at lunch. I envied you in that." "What about your wife, Daniel? Won't she mind you taking a woman out for a drink?" He had the grace to look embarrassed and raised his hands, palm sides facing me. "Look Kate. We can just go out for a drink and I'll drop you off at home. OK? Nothing more." I smiled again and nodded. "I'd like that." We arranged for Daniel to follow me home and then go to the local pub in the village. I wanted to know more about him and any thoughts of his family were pushed to the back of my mind. I told myself it was just a drink with a colleague but I couldn't help the shiver of anticipation that tingled down my spine at the thought of spending an evening in his company. The local pub was quiet when we arrived and while Daniel went to the bar to order the drinks I settled into a comfy armchair by the fire. The evening was chilly and I relaxed back into the warmth and watched Daniel as he chatted to the Landlord. He seemed so confident, his attitude relaxed and laid back but I knew a sharp business brain operated behind that friendly facade. He was charming to me and to everyone but I knew of his reputation of ruthlessness and I was sure he could be hard when he wanted. "So what were you talking and laughing about at lunchtime?" he asked as he placed a bottle of red wine on the table in front of us. I hesitated. Should I tell him the truth? Or pretend it was just girly talk? "We were talking about you, as a matter of fact." I looked up at him teasingly. "Really? And why was that?" "Oh Daniel, you must realise you're the subject of gossip in the company? Everyone likes to know what's going on and you lot are more interesting than us!" I laughed and looked at him wondering how far I could go. "I doubt that, Kate. I'm just your normal average guy." I giggled and he handed me my wine. "Oh, you're not! No way!" "Well, what do you want to know?" he asked, grinning at me as he sat in the chair opposite. "Oh, some background would be good..." "Ok. Where do you want me to start?" "Well, family? You know, the usual things." "So you can go back and feed your female friends with gossip about me?" I suddenly became serious. "No, Daniel. Of course not. Is that how you think of me?" "Lighten up, Kate! No I don't! Just thought I would wind you up a little, that's all!" He sipped his wine and looked at me over the rim of the glass. "Whatever you've heard is bound to be wrong anyway. Ever thought that?" I shook my head. "No, but I would like to get to know you better." Daniel smiled and over the next hour we chatted about his wife, his move over from the States and also his lack of children. "I thought you had two little girls!" "Well, you thought wrong then, Kate. My wife is not interested at all. One of the issues we have is her career. How she gave up her job to follow me here and how resentful she is. That is true, I must admit. And as for the two little girls - they'll be my nieces, I should imagine. I have a photo of them on my desk." I felt a little better. Somehow I hated the thought of him being with me while his family were left at home. "So, any plans to have children?" "Not as far as I know. My wife is just not the maternal sort." He laughed but I could see a hint of sadness behind the humour. "What about you? You're young, very attractive..." he grinned and I smiled back at him, loving the easy banter between us. "Well, not at the moment, anyway. Life's just too busy!" "You know, Kate, you remind me of someone...You look so much like her." "Do I?" I giggled, the wine beginning to have an effect on me. "Who?" Daniel became pensive. "Oh, I knew her a long time ago, Kate. You wouldn't even have been born. She was beautiful. Just like you." I looked at him as I realised he was very serious. For a moment he seemed lost in thought and I wondered what this woman had been like and how she had affected him so much. "Maybe I'll tell you sometime, hey?" I nodded and finished my wine. I noticed the bottle was empty but somehow Daniel had only managed one glass. "Let me take you home, Kate. It's getting late." I stood up and felt very light-headed. Daniel took my arm and guided me out of the warm pub and into the chilll evening air. His arm was warm and I leant into him, loving the feeling of him being close. I needed him badly but I imagined that he would drop me off at home and then return to his wife. As ever, the perfect gentleman. At the door to my cottage he turned to me and kissed me passionately, his lips warm against mine. I reached up and put my arms around him, drawing him closer, wanting to feel his body next to me. "Oh, Kate, this shouldn't be happening," he groaned into my hair. "But you feel so good." I responded by hugging him tighter and felt the beginnings of his erection as he pressed against me. A feeling of pure lust shot through me, my insides melting at the thought of him. "Please come in, Daniel," I urged as he pulled away from me. "I really need you tonight." He looked at me in surprise and then pulled me closer again. "Oh Kate. You don't know what you do to me." I unlocked the door to the cottage and he followed me in, his presence filling the narrow hall. I could smell him and I loved his scent, a combination of cold night air and the faint tang of his lemony aftershave. It filled the small cottage and made me yearn for his touch. Once we were through the door he held me again and I nestled into his shoulder, hearing the faint beat of his heart. "Look Kate, I think you should have something to eat," he said looking down at me and smiling. "And a coffee?" I felt a surge of disappointment at his words and followed him into the kitchen. He started opening cupboards and drawers and I had an urge to laugh. He looked so big and sexy in such a domestic setting. "Are you hungry?" I asked. "Well, it's been a long time since that buffet today. I just think we should slow things down a little. We've both had a drink and it wouldn't hurt to eat something." Love & Peace Ch. 01 My mood changed at once from joy at having him here to one of embarassment. Had I thrown myself at him too soon? "Look Daniel, you don't have to stay here you know. I'm OK to get myself something to eat and then I'll be fine..." I looked at him and he came over to me and put his hands on my shoulders. "Kate, honey. Don't take it the wrong way. I'm not in the habit of doing this to every employee I can get my hands on. You know that don't you?" I nodded. "I'm sorry. I can be a bit impetuous at times." "Don't be sorry. You're fine as you are. It's just that you remind me so much of someone. It's unsettling to see you look so similar to her." "Can you tell me about her?" "I will, Kate. But let's eat first, OK? Where's your bread?" Later, after I had made coffee and we had eaten a stack of sandwiches, Daniel sprawled out on the sofa and closed his eyes. He looked tired and I speculated on how much stress and hassle he received on a daily basis. I waited for him to begin and the silence in my cottage was heavy with unspoken words. I brought my legs up under me and curled into the armchair, leaning back and watching him as he relaxed. "Such a long time ago, Kate," he murmured, his eyes still closed. "We were only 16, I guess. Not much more than that." I waited as he opened his eyes and looked at me. "You could be her double. I saw it the minute I helped you out that night." "Who was she?" I whispered, a part of me not wanting to hear his words of love for her, yet curious at the same time "Her name was Louise. She was my first girlfriend, and I thought she would be my last. She was so beautiful. So full of life and with a great future ahead of her. We'd known each other for ages, since we were in nappies." He sent me a wry smile, lost in thought as memories filled his mind. "We were young, full of plans for the future. We'd got it all sorted - university, careers, marriage and then babies..." "What happened?" "She went to get some groceries and a car wiped her out." He stopped and looked at me and I could see the pain in his eyes. "They told us that she died instantly which was some comfort, but, oh Kate, the pain. It'll never go away." "Oh Daniel, I'm so sorry." I paused, my words sounding trite and hollow in the face of his misery. "When - when did this happen?" "It would have been 1976," he replied, staring into the fire. "Such a long time ago I know. When were you born?" "1979 - I'm 26." "Looking at you, I can see a little of how she would have looked at that age." "Am I really so like her?" "Yes, Kate, you are. I'll try and find a picture for you. I know I have one somewhere. The similarity is unbelievable." I shuddered as he continued to look at me, his gaze unreadable. How would his life have differed if Louise had survived? "It took me so long to get over her death. I went to University, studied the subjects we had chosen and kept her memory alive somehow. Then one day I just decided to get on with my life. I met my wife six months later." He stood up and looked at his watch and I felt a stab of dismay. "Kate, I must go. It's late." "Is your wife at home?" "No, she's still in San Francisco. She gets home next week." "Daniel?" I stood up and moved closer to him. "Please stay a little longer. You seem so sad. I can't let you go like this." "Can't you see what you're doing to me, Kate? The effect you have on me is amazing. It's like looking at her. Oh God!" he ran his fingers through his hair and turned away from me. "This was a mistake. It's not fair on you." I reached out and touched his arm, taking him by the elbow and turning him to face me. "I need you Daniel. Please stay. Just tonight." He looked at me and swore under his breath as he bent to kiss me hard on the lips. His warmth and scent played havoc with my senses as we kissed and hugged tightly, his broad shoulders hard beneath my caresses. His hands crept around to my bottom to squeeze me in tighter and I could feel the return of his erection pushing through the material of his trousers. I moaned and pulled away slightly to look up at him, trying to gauge his reaction. "Shall we go upstairs?" I murmured, kissing his neck. He nodded and I led him up the narrow stairs to my bedroom and drew the curtains against the night. Turning to face him, my hands shook as I anticipated the pleasure that was to come. He drew me towards him, his eyes never leaving my face and I trembled at the tenderness and affection I read in his expression. I pushed the thought of Louise from my mind and kissed him back, our tongues entwining and making me twist with desire inside. I could feel myself grow damp and I pulled my jumper over my head revealing a white lacy bra. He looked down at me, his eyes dark and bent to kiss the soft swell of my breasts. I gasped and my nipples hardened underneath the lace which was swiftly removed by his expert fingers. My breasts spilled out of their confines and he took the time to suck and lick at my aroused peaks as I moaned his name. It had been so long since this happened and the feeling was so welcome. I felt like a woman again as Daniel explored every inch of my breasts, his breathing rapid while his hard penis pushed repeatedly against my lower stomach. Daniel stopped his kissing and looked at me as I unzipped my skirt and let it fall to the floor. I felt a little anxious because of my thick tights, but he grinned and pushed me onto the bed before gently pulling them down and kissing my thighs as they slid over my legs. "You are beautiful Kate," he murmured as his lips worked slowly upwards. I shuddered at the pleasure he was giving me and leant down to stroke his dark hair. He planted tiny kisses on my inner thighs and then gently removed my panties which were soaked with juices from the sensations swirling around in my pussy. I ached for his touch and I moaned as his lips found their way to my clitoris, his breath feeling delicious on my damp mound. Sliding two fingers in, he started to suck on my swollen bud as my hips lifted off the bed and I pushed his head in deeper. I could feel the pleasure building within me and closed my eyes as he repeatedly glided his fingers in and out of my soaked opening his tongue still sucking on my engorged clitoris. The feeling increased and I tensed up as wave after wave of pure sensation washed over me, my fingers joining his as I cried out his name. He gently stroked me as I regained my breath, my heartbeat slowing slightly and then removed his clothes, standing over me naked, his erection standing full and proud. I gazed at him, at his beautiful body and he leant over, his cock teasing my pussy lips which were glistening with moisture. "I want to be inside you, Kate," he groaned as he pushed the head of his cock against my wet slit. "I want you to hold me tight." I moaned and he entered me fully as I wrapped my legs around his waist, drawing him in deeper. I groaned at the feeling he gave me as he filled me up, his thick hard cock fitting me perfectly. We hesitated a while, savouring the feeling and then he started to thrust inside me while I rose to meet him, maintaining a perfect rhythm, our eyes locked on each other until I felt I couldn't bear the intensity of feeling any longer. Daniel's movements quickened and his thrusts became deeper as I felt him approach his own orgasm. I reached down and stroked the base of his penis as he groaned and then exploded within me, his face screwed up with the pleasure he was experiencing. "Louise!" he moaned and in that instant I stiffened and my eyes flew open. Daniel's eyes were still closed and an incredible feeling of hurt and misery washed over me. In that instant I knew that Daniel had been thinking of Louise as we made love and not me. The ghost of his former lover was present and the realisation that it was her he was thinking of and not me, made me pull away from him as he relaxed into me. I pushed him off and curled up into a ball as he looked at me in dismay. "God, I'm sorry, Kate. I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to do that." He sat up and ran his fingers through his hair, his face a picture of misery. "What the hell did I say that for?" "Because you're still in love with her?" I got up and went into my tiny ensuite bathroom to wrap a robe around me, feeling self-conscious now under his gaze. "I want you to go, Daniel. I've served my purpose so please go and leave me alone." Slowly he gathered his clothes and dressed. I watched as he sat down heavily on the bed, his head in his hands. "Look, Kate, can't we talk about this? I never meant to cry out her name. You've got to believe me" I stood with my arms folded but I knew that whatever he said, he could never take away what had happened, that in the middle of what I thought was an intense experience with me he was with someone else. And how could I compete with her? "Just go. Please. Maybe we can talk another time but now I just need to be alone. Do you understand?" He nodded and I followed him out of the room and down my narrow stairs. He looked so dejected, so miserable and sad that I wanted to put my arms around him and forgive him, but I couldn't. The pain was still too raw and the longing to be alone was overwhelming. I couldn't let him see me cry. At the door, he stood and looked at me but I turned away. With a bang the door closed and then he was gone, the powerful revs of his engine the only sound in the quiet street. Chapter 2 - Daniel's story, to follow... Love & Peace Ch. 02 Daniel's Story I drove away from Kate's cottage wondering how I could have been so stupid. So fucking stupid. I banged one hand on the steering wheel as I accelerated out of the village, my mind full of the images of sweet, lovely Kate and the look on her face as I cried out Louise's name. I told her it was a mistake making love to her but I understand how she felt. She wanted me as much as I wanted her. The feel of her soft welcoming body was just too much for me and my wife certainly wasn't keeping me happy at the moment. I needed her so badly and now I was paying for it. What the hell would it take to make it up to her? And how would she react back at work? A feeling of guilt ran through me as I realised I was worrying more about my damn career than her feelings. But she could easily cause trouble if she was so inclined. And it had taken me a long time to get where I was. Years of working awful hours and making sacrifices. I wasn't about to give that up easily. But the real problem was Kate's similarity to Louise. That was real and scary. Not immediately obvious, I must admit, but there were so many similarities - same shape face, hair colour, eyes, smile, even the way Kate walked was just like Louise. The more I saw her the more I saw Louise. Had I noticed at work? Probably not. The stress of the job meant that I never really looked at anyone who wasn't working directly for me or had any importance. I can't ever remember seeing her before in the office and it wasn't until I looked out that stormy night that I saw it. Saw her, I mean. My Louise. I drew up outside the house, the large pile that came with my position at Jefferson's but was empty most of the time. Tonight it was cold and dark, no welcoming lights shone in the windows, the heating was off and I stood in the large echoing hall feeling a despair that I knew would stay with me for a long time. Making my way to the kitchen I noticed the ansaphone flashing and pushed the play button. The long distance sound of my wife came down the line, asking where I was, had I managed to do some chore or other. I silenced her voice and went into the pristine kitchen that never seemed warm. I thought back to the kitchen of my youth, the hub of the house, my mother always there, always cooking. Pouring out a large measure of whisky I made my way into the living room. Again, there was no warmth here, no cosy chairs, no family pictures crammed onto mantlepieces. A cold and impersonal room that matched my cold and impersonal marriage. I switched the television on to lessen the oppressive atmosphere but my mind was elsewhere. Back to the summer of 1976 and a sweet-faced girl on the brink of womanhood. We had always been friends for as long as I could remember. We lived two doors apart and our parents knew each other from way back. I have pictures of us in the paddling pool together or laughing as we attended some party. They were happy times and it wasn't until we were about 14 that we realised our friendship was different from all the rest. We loved being together and I would track Louise down to show her some model I had made, her delight and interest making me feel warm inside. Our parents were happy of course. My friendship with Louise kept me occupied and although I had plenty of male friends it was Louise I turned to when I was sad or lonely. Our future seemed assured. On Louise's 16th birthday, her parents held a big party for her at her home. It was such a happy day and I knew then that Louise and I were more than just platonic friends. We kissed for the first time and I could sense in her a growing wonder. Of course, nothing ever happened between us. Neither of us were ready for a physical relationship and we were too young, but I knew that one day, when we were older, things would be good between us. Our level of understanding and affection would guarantee that. On the day of the accident we had rowed over something silly. I wanted to go someplace and Louise didn't. It was as simple as that but I was never able to make it up to her. She went home and then was sent on an errand by her mother. On her way to the grocery store a car mounted the sidewalk and killed her instantly. The pain is as real today as it was nearly 30 years ago. I can close my eyes and see her parents crying and the terrible look on their faces as they returned from the hospital. I couldn't express the pain I felt, not at first anyway. I became moody and sullen. A withdrawn teenager who took to staying out late and blaming everyone else for the hurt I felt inside. Years passed and although the pain subsided a little, my memories of Louise never faded. I kept a doll that used to belong to her and it would sit on my shelf in the bedroom looking at me in silent reproach. One day I gently took it from the shelf, placed it in a box with some other stuff I was throwing out and took it to a charity shop. I decided then to live my life and try and put Louise behind me. At University I met lots of women but it wasn't until I went home that day and removed her little doll that I could start to date them. At first they resembled her in some way or another. Same colour hair, same eyes but never all in one person. That would have been too much. I made up for my lack of experience with women and slept with a lot of them. I would close my eyes and think of Louise - the way it should have been with her if some monster hadn't mown her down... And then I met my wife, Jessica. So different from my love. Such a strong and capable woman who was destined to achieve a lot. I admired the way she initiated our relationship, almost hunting me down until I gave in and surrended. Sex with her was intense, erotic and she knew what she wanted from me. Never once did I think of Louise when I was with Jessica. She would make me look into her eyes as we climaxed together and obliterated all thoughts of Louise. She was a demanding, forceful woman and at first I loved that about her more than anything else. She let me forget. The sudden harsh ringing of the telephone startled me out of my reverie and I went to answer it, trying to stifle a tiny hope that it was Kate, after having somehow tracked down my number. But it was Jessica, her voice impatient with irritation despite the immense distance between us. "I've been trying to get hold of you all evening. Did you get my message?" "Yes, Jess. I've just been tied up with work." "Well, have you sorted out next week?" I sighed as my wife continued to talk at me down the line. Her parents were coming to stay and she expected me to take a couple of days off work to pick them all up from the airport and show them around. I reassured Jessica that it was all in hand and she rang off leaving me even more miserable but with a good measure of guilt thrown in as well. This was the first time I had ever been unfaithful and I hated myself for the deceit even though my marriage was as good as dead. The months spent trying to salvage it had been a waste of time, tears and recriminations being the only product of our counselling. For now, we had reached a truce. I was needed at work for a few more months and we agreed to hold off our separation until into the New Year. I was sad that we had decided on this outcome but I knew Jessica wanted her freedom and the chance to pursue her old career. It was ironic that what had attracted me to her in the first place was now the reason for our parting. Sighing I turned off the television and climbed the stairs wearily, my thoughts now turning to the evening with Kate and the bad way it had ended. Another wave of guilt washed over me and I wondered what reaction I would receive from her at work and whether she would decide to wreak any revenge... * As it happened I didn't see Kate at work for over a week. I was needed at one of the company's offices in the north of the UK and when I returned it was time for my wife and parents to arrive from the States. I am sure Kate must have thought I was avoiding her but there was nothing I could do. I had sent a huge bouquet of flowers to her home but she hadn't tried to contact me and I thought it was best left at that. I didn't need any more complications in my life and her similarity to Louise left me feeling disturbed and uneasy. The week spent in the company of my wife and her parents was sheer hell. Jessica seemed to take pleasure in maliciously teasing me about our imminent divorce and her poor parents became more bewildered and confused by the day as most of my exchanges with their daughter were of the hissed and angry variety. Jessica was brittle and resentful towards me even though she now had what she wanted - her freedom. On the last night of her parent's visit, I booked a table at a beautiful country house hotel in an effort to make at least one evening an enjoyable one. It had been a favourite of Jessica's and I hoped that the surroundings would soften her mood a little and give her parents one happy memory of their stay. We drove in silence to the restaurant, Jessica staring straight ahead and not even bothering to make polite conversation. Her make-up and clothes were immaculate and I couldn't help but compare her with the sweet and natural Kate who had, I realised, just wanted me for myself. I never suspected her of any ulterior motives and there had been no discreet conversations with the other Directors concerning my lapse of professionalism. Obviously revenge was not one of her objectives either. As we approached the hotel, I turned to my wife to see her reaction, hoping for a hint of a smile to relax her stern features. The lit-up windows were warm and welcoming in the velvet blackness of the night and I heard Diana, her mother, gasp behind me as she glimpsed the subtle spotlights trained on the ancient stonework. I smiled, happy that I had done something to alleviate the tension of the last week, but my wife just shrugged her shoulders and continued to stare out of the window. It was a weekday in early November but the car park was full and the only space was on the far side some distance from the house. Of course, Jessica moaned and stalked off in front without once offering to help her parents who I caught looking at each other in despair. Her mother, always such a sensitive and kind woman, linked her arm through mine and offered some excuse. "I have to apologise about Jessica, Daniel. She's so different these days. We tried to speak to her when she was over with us, but she refused to let us help." I looked down at her warm and concerned face and couldn't help but wonder where Jessica had inherited her ruthlessness. "Did she say why she was so unhappy?" "I think she sees herself as a failure. And now a double failure with your marriage breaking up." I looked at her again in surprise. "She told you?" "Yes, she did. Last night. Her father and I were so worried about you both. We felt we had a right to know." I stood aside to let Diana through the heavy wooden door and stole a glance at John, her husband, who was looking at me with eyes full of sympathy as well. I would be sorry to lose them as parents and realised, with a pang, that I had never got to know them properly. The meal was uncomfortable and tension hung in the air between the four of us like a palpable cloud. My wife toyed with her food while her mother took to whispering, almost as if anything she said would ignite the sparks between Jessica and I. The reason for the busy car park soon became obvious when I realised it was Guy Fawkes Night and fireworks would be let off after the diners had eaten. The hotel had a broad terrace overlooking a valley and the display was to be set against classical music. I for one, was keen to watch, always having had a fascination for this eccentric British tradition, but my wife and her parents were content to sit and sip their coffee in the luxurious lounge area that still had a good view over the valley. I fetched my heavy coat from the cloakroom and made my way outside with the small crowd of diners, relieved to be away, for a short time at least, from the heavy air of misery that hung over us. The night was cold and the sky speckled with stars. It felt good to be out in the open and for one insane moment I had an urge to take the car and go see Kate. She had been on my mind almost constantly over the last couple of weeks and the need to see her and touch her was becoming unbearable. When I saw her standing by the stone balustrade I at first imagined my mind was playing tricks on me, the craving for her and the stress of the evening becoming too much. I looked again and realised it was her. She was standing with two people who could have been her parents and she was laughing, her cheeks glowing in the cold air. I gazed at her and again saw that stunning similarity with Louise. She wore a vivid red coat with a fur-lined collar and she looked beautiful, her long dark hair cascading over her shoulders and her dark eyes sparkling with happiness. She certainly didn't seem to be suffering like me. I made my way towards her, knowing as I went, that it was a mistake, but not being able to stop myself all the same. The yearning to see her and touch her was overwhelming but I wondered if it was Kate I needed, or Louise? "Kate? What a surprise!" She spun around at the sound of my voice and the shock on her face was evident. I saw a faint glimmer of pain there but then she smiled and those beautiful dark eyes sparkled once more. "Daniel! Wow, what are you doing here?" I explained about the meal and her face fell once again at the mention of my wife and parents. Presumably she thought I was playing happy families. "Can I talk to you a minute?" I murmured as her parents, after saying hello, turned to watch the first of the fireworks explode into the night sky. "Look, I really think we should talk about the other evening." "There's no need, Daniel. Please - just let it drop. Oh, and thanks for the flowers. They were lovely." She turned back to watch the spectacle but I tried again, desperate to talk to her and just connect with her. "Kate. I'm so dammed sorry about what happened. Can you believe that? I feel such a jerk." She ignored me, concentrating on the fabulous colours that erupted all around us, the bangs echoing around the valley disguising our conversation from those around us. I took her by the arm and she looked at me in surprise. "Kate? Let's just talk about this and then we can get over it. What do you think?" "I didn't think there was anything to say." She looked at me with her big brown eyes and I melted inside, my cock stiffening as I thought about how much I would like to make love to her there and then. I gazed at her, impressed by her cool attitude and dropped her arm. "Can we start again?" "What about your wife, Daniel? How would she feel about you cheating on her?" "Look, Kate, my marriage is long over. It's dead. Completely." "OK, maybe I believe you about that. But my problem is with Louise. How can I compete with someone who means so much to you but who is dead? How can I compete with her?" I saw a shimmer of tears in her eyes and realised that she was hurting just as much as I was. The thought that I had hurt her made me twist inside and I tried to pull her towards me but she shrank back and turned away again. "Kate?" She looked at me and this time I saw a tear run down her cheeks. She looked so sad and I wanted to take her in my arms and soothe away the pain, but I couldn't. "Do you know how it felt to hear you call out her name? How I felt so utterly rejected?" I looked at her and went to say something but she turned away from me. I saw her whisper in her mother's ear and then, without even looking at me, she was walking away, her coat billowing in the cold wind. I followed her rapidly as she headed towards the car park, her hair streaming out behind her as she sped away. I started to run and finally caught up with her, taking her by the arm again as she finally slowed her pace. I realised she was crying and I pulled her close, wrapping my arms around her as she sobbed against my shoulder. I could smell her sweet scent, perfume mixed with hair shampoo and I held her more tightly as she leaned in to me. Every instinct in my body screamed that this was wrong, I shouldn't be doing this but I needed to feel her against me, her breasts pressed to my chest, her soft skin so close to me. Her sobs died down and she relaxed, her breathing returning to normal after her flight across the dark gardens. We stood in silence for a while. both of us frightened to break the spell, but I knew that soon we would have to talk and it would be painful for both of us. I kissed the top of her head and this time she didn't pull away so I gently lifted her chin and kissed her lips. She tasted salty from the tears and I softly probed her mouth with my tongue, longing to savour her sweetness, needing so much for our lips to meet and entwine. She responded and I kissed her deeply, my tongue doing what my rock hard penis ached to do. I heard her moan and I moved my hand under her coat to fondle her breasts. She was wearing some sort of thin blouse and I could feel her nipples through the material. I undid the buttons and stroked them firmly. She moaned some more and I flicked my thumb over her swollen buds, feeling the need within her matching my own lust. "Daniel," she gasped and I leant down to run my hands along her legs. I felt her silky stockings under my fingers and glided up towards her waiting warmth, the soft skin of her thighs such a contrast to the slight friction of her under-garments. She moaned into my ear as I gently ran my hand over her pussy, the heat emanating from her dampness like a miniature furnace. My fingers found her panties and I rubbed my palm over the silk as she squirmed against me, all thoughts of resistance gone. We both knew how much we wanted each other and I needed to feel her so badly it hurt. I softly prised away her panties and stroked her soft lips, feeling the moisture and the heat, knowing that she ached for me just as much as I ached to plunge my cock into her soft sweetness. While I kissed her, I stroked her puffy lips, my fingers probing gently as she moaned and pulled me tighter. "I want to make you come for me, Kate," I whispered and she gasped as my index and middle finger gently prised her folds apart and entered her soft pussy. I glided my fingers in and out, my tongue massaging hers as we kissed passionately, my cock pushing against her lower stomach as I felt her tighten around my fingers. "I need you to come for me now," I urged as my fingers found her clitoris and I rubbed in small circles. Our kisses grew more urgent and I could feel her wetness grow under my fingers, her clitoris slippery with her juices as her breathing quickened. "Oh, Daniel," she moaned and I pulled away from her, my left hand squeezing and massaging her hard nipples while my right continued its relentless rubbing of her clitoris, my fingers drenched with her fluids as she finally shuddered and cried out. As she orgasmed I held her close and she leaned into me, her breathing hard and fast. I remember her calling out my name and the feeling of guilt that accompanied it, but most of all I wanted to give her pleasure without any pressure from me and I had achieved that tonight. I removed my hand from her vagina and held her close, my actions seeming to speak louder than words ever could. My erection was harder than I had believed possible but I knew there was little I could do about it except take her to my car and ask her to satisfy that need. I knew she would but the thought of it seemed sordid somehow and I resigned myself to dealing with the problem later as I lay next to my cold and unloving wife. Love & Peace Ch. 02 "Are you OK?" I asked as she finally stopped shaking and relaxed. "I'm fine," she murmured and I smiled as she looked up at me. " That was so good, Daniel. God, I needed that so badly." I held her tight and I glanced over at the house as the distant crowd moved back towards it. "I think the sound of the fireworks drowned out the noise you made, hey?" Kate laughed and I gently rubbed my fingers over her mouth. "You taste beautiful. You're so sweet." She opened her mouth and sucked on my fingers, our eyes locked on one another as the desire between us grew again. "Now is not the time, Kate, but I need you so badly." She answered by reaching down and stroking my cock through my trousers, her eyes never leaving mine. I groaned this time as her fingers found their rhythm caressing my thick shaft, encircling it with her hand and running her fingers over the sensitive head. I was so close to coming but I needed to enjoy this with her. I unzipped my trousers and freed my erection through my boxers as Kate moved towards me and kissed me. I imagined her tongue moving up and down and moaned again, her left hand now stroking my balls while her right continued its smooth and fluid movement up and down my hard cock. I could feel the drips of pre-cum cover the head and Kate spread the wetness down my shaft, as her pace quickened. She knew I wasn't far away and she tightened her fingers around me as I moaned into her mouth. "Oh, Daniel, please come for me," she groaned and I obliged by shooting my load into her hand, my cream oozing between her fingers as she pumped up and down. "Kate, " I cried out as I reached orgasm, " Oh God, Kate, I need you so much..." She smiled at me as I leaned against her and she reached inside her coat, smearing my juices over her exposed breasts which made me shudder all the more. "That was better, Daniel," she laughed and kissed me on the cheek. "I think now you've redeemed yourself!" I smiled at her and popped my now softening cock back into my trousers. I felt an enormous sense of well-being despite the secrecy of our meeting. The terrace of the restaurant was now almost empty, just a few small groups of people standing chatting and I looked at Kate as she realised what we both knew. "You'd better be getting back," she murmured as she straightened my coat. "Your wife will be wondering where you are." "She won't even notice. Her mind is elsewhere." She looked at me, her eyes full of sympathy. "Is it really that bad?" I nodded and pulled her close again. "Kate. I'm so sorry. I just need to sort things out in my head. Do you understand?" She turned away and I could sense her withdrawal. "I can't help looking like Louise, Daniel. But I need to know whether it's me you want or her." She spoke the truth and I couldn't answer her. I needed time to ponder that one as well. "Can I see you next week?" I asked as we walked towards the house. I wanted to make love to her properly, without guilt or subterfuge but I also needed to sort my thoughts out as well. Could I ever separate her from Louise and was it fair on her to even try? * My wife ands didn't show any surprise at my absence and after we had more coffee, we drove home in silence. I was convinced I smelt of Kate's sweet scent but no-one seemed to notice and I felt like shouting out what I had done to see if I would get some sort of reaction from my wife. I did wonder whether she had found someone else but I didn't need any more complications so I stayed silent. The next day I drove the three of them to the airport. My wife had insisted on taking them back to the States and then staying for a few days. I raised no objections but I knew when she returned it would be time to face up to the divorce negotiations and the recriminations would begin. Until then I could experience a few days of peace. And maybe sort out my feelings for Kate as well. Back at I work I was busy but on the second day I wandered into the canteen in search of lunch. I noticed Kate straight away. She was sitting reading a magazine and I watched her for a few moments as I stood at the counter. Taking my salad I casually walked over to her, noticing my heart beating faster and amazed at the reaction she could evoke in me. I sat down and she looked at me in surprise. "Hi! How are you?" "Ok," I replied, grinning at her. "It's good to see you." She smiled back at me and again that feeling hit me between the ribs. It was like going back in time and my surroundings melted away. "This is unusual..." "What is?" "A Company Director dining with an office girl..." I laughed and she smiled again. "But I'm not complaining!" "Have dinner with me tonight, Kate?" She paused and I held my breath. To be with her again was all I wanted but I still needed to know whether it was Kate I longed for or the memory of Louise. "Do you think that's a good idea?" "I don't know, Kate. I'm not sure of anything any more." She looked at me with such concern in her eyes that it was all I couuld do to stop myself reaching out and touching her face. "OK, Daniel. I'll have dinner with you but I want to get this thing between us sorted out." I looked at her and I could feel my cock stiffening in my pants. I wanted to make love to her tonight and this time do it right. No guilt and no regrets. "I'll pick you up at 7pm," I said as she rose to leave. "Somewhere special, OK?" She nodded and smiled and my heart lurched. What if I ended up hurting her even more? * I phoned and made a reservation at one of the county's best restaurants. In the November lull before Christmas it was easy to book a table for two but I hoped my choice would make Kate feel appreciated and wanted. I needed to make up for the mistakes I had made and afterwards I hoped I could obliterate Louise from my mind for good. Kate answered the door and looked stunning. Her simple black dress fitted her curvy figure to perfection and her hair gleamed under the outdoor light. She smelt fresh and wonderful and I kissed her lightly on the cheek, her skin soft beneath my lips. I opened the car door and admired her shapely legs encased in black stockings as she swung them into the car. Already I could feel my erection starting and wondered if I could get through the evening without disgracing myself. It had been so long since I had felt like this and thoughts of my disastrous marriage was pushed to the back of my mind as we drove through the empty country lanes to the restaurant. The dark windy night and the warm car made me feel closer than ever to her and I leaned over to hold her hand. She squeezed back and I smiled in the darkness. Her hand was soft and warm and I carried it to my lips and kissed her fingers one by one as I heard her sigh. I almost turned back there and then and took her home, every part of me longing to bury myself deep within her. The restaurant I had chosen was elegant and smart. The pretty front of house woman led us to a lounge area where I had ordered a bottle of champagne and we relaxed in front of a huge log fire that lent Kate's face a rosy glow. The menus were thick and heavy and I watched her as she studied the printed pages, a small pout of concentration on her face. It was now I could see the resemblance to Louise and I blinked hoping to erase the picture from my mind. "What are you having?" I asked, pouring her a glass of champagne. She looked at me and I caught a glimpse of playfulness in her eyes. "Oh, it's difficult, Daniel. There's so much I fancy." I grinned at her and she smiled back, both of us relaxing into a flirtatious mood. But I knew it couldn't last long. I wanted this meal to be a way of sorting our feelings out for each other. I hoped I could put Louise out of my mind and concentrate on Kate but would she ever believe me? The meal was delicious and I could tell that Kate was impresssed with my choice. We chatted about our lives and I found out a lot more about her. Her appearance seemed to be the only similarity to Louise and for that I was grateful. If the two women had been very much alike I would have found it all the more difficult to separate them. With the arrival of dessert, things took a more serious turn. "Daniel... I think we need to talk about our first night together." I looked at her and grimaced. It was such a bad memory for me and one that made me cringe. "I know, Kate. I'm so sorry about what happened. The intensity of the feeling, your similarity..." I trailed off, twisting my napkin in my hand anxiously. Kate watched my movements and her face softened. "It's just that if you and I are to have any sort of future, I need to know that it's me you want, not Louise. Do you understand?" "Of course. If I'm honest with you, that's the problem I have with you, Kate. And I'm not sure if that will ever go away." My words hung in the air between us and we gazed at each other. The attraction was there, certainly, but I knew on my part it had so much to do with my lost love. Whereas for Kate, it was more basic than that. Would it be fair to her to continue with this relationship? "One thing worries me. As we get to know each other more, would you try and mould me into her? Change me in some sort of way?" I paused. It was a good question. The women I had met after Louise died had resembled her in one way or another. But after getting to know them properly I had tired of the differences and started my quest all over again. Would the same thing happen here? "Kate, I don't have any answers for you tonight. I'm sorry. My wife was a complete contrast to Louise. No resemblance at all. Her whole attitude, personality and looks were entirely different. It worked for a while but ultimately the qualities that attracted me to her were to prove our downfall." I shrugged and drained the last of my wine. "I just need you now." I whispered, taking her hand. "You fill an empty space inside me that has been closed off for so long. Can you try and understand that?" She nodded and looked back at me, her eyes dark as she realised what I meant. "Do you want to leave now?" I shook my head. "What about we stay here? I know they have rooms and it might be better for us to be somewhere neutral." She paused but I could see the temptation in her eyes. "Ok, Daniel, I'd like that." I got up and made my way to Reception. I knew I had had too much wine and champagne to drive home but the thought of a taxi and then returning to my cold house without Kate was more than I could bear. My wish was granted and with the heavy door key in my hand I returned to our table. "We have a room, but I need to know whether you want to go through with this..." She looked at me for ages, and I could almost see the doubts running through her mind. "I want to so much, Daniel. You know that. It's just..." "Tell me," I urged and took her hand. "I want this to be about me. Not her. Can you prove to me that it's me you want?" "I want to, Kate. Let's see shall we?" She stood and I led her up the long sweeping stairs to the bedrooms. We had been allocated a corner room and Kate went to gaze out of the windows, her reflection watching me as I approached and stood behind her. I took her in my arms and pressed my body into hers, feeling her warmth and smelling the sweet scent of shampoo in her hair. I unzipped her dress and slowly removed it from her so that she was standing in just her bra, panties and stockings. Her skin was creamy and soft under my touch and she turned to me and smiled, putting her arms around my neck as she leaned forward for a kiss. "Maybe we'd better draw these curtains! Anyone leaving will get a free show!" I laughed and made my way around the room drawing all the heavy damask curtains while Kate went to lie on the bed, propping herself up on one elbow, her eyes following me around the room. Seeing her lying there made my erection even harder and I removed my trousers and shirt before joining her on the huge bed. Kate lay back and I leaned over to kiss her deeply on the lips, her mouth still tasting of the red wine we had drunk at dinner. My tongue probed hers and my hands travelled down her body to softly stroke the material of her panties, feeling that delicious warmth between her legs, knowing from the way the silk clung to her mound how aroused she was. She moaned softly and I kissed her throat and upper chest as she stroked my back. Pulling the lacy material of her bra to one side my lips found her erect nipple and I sucked gently at first, enjoying the sensation as it responded even more to my touch, my mouth and tongue working in little circles as my hands did the same to her damp pussy. I pulled her towards me slightly and unclipped her bra, swiftly removing the skimpy garment as I concentrated on her rosy peaks, alternating between each as she moaned and arched upwards, her hands now caressing my buttocks. "Turn over," I whispered and she immediately responded by flipping over and remaining on all fours. I knelt behind her and rhythmically pulled the material of her panties tight against her pussy, rubbing it against her clit as she moaned and pushed into me. My erection was hard now, harder than I thought possible and I removed my own pants before pulling hers down to her knees and replacing them with the tip of my cock. Kate leaned forward and I teased her wetness with my hardness, one hand reaching around to gently stroke her clit which was swolllen and slippery with her juices. I continued stroking her as she ground into me, my erection probing her lips, my other hand now squeezing her tight nippples. "Daniel," she cried out, "I'm going to come...oh, God..." As I felt her begin to spasm I thrust my hard cock into her and she screamed out my name again as I felt her tighten against me. She thrust back at me as I entered her so deeply, my penis buried inside her and I stayed like that until I felt her relax, my fingers still on her clit, but pressing softly now, wanting her to relax into the feeling before I could make her come again. "Oh Daniel," she moaned as I moved slowly inside her. "That was so good." I kissed the soft skin of her back while she thrust back at me, our movements in perfect rhythm. She leaned down and fondled my balls, making me gasp with pleasure as I moved inside her, her softness slippery and warm, encircling me completely and filling me with pleasure. "I want to make love to you, Daniel," she said and I withdrew from her and lay back on the bed, my penis hard and erect as she bent and took it into her warm mouth. I groaned as she worked her way up and down, kneeling between my legs and every now and then looking up at me as I gazed back. Her mouth on me was heaven, her tongue swirling around the ridge and gently probing inside the little hole at the tip. Just as I felt I could bear it no longer she rose up and straddled me, guiding me inside her deeply as she leaned forward and kissed me. I could taste our combined juices on her tongue and the feeling was so erotic. I knew I couldn't last much longer and placed my hands on her hips as she rose and fell before me. This time, as we came together, I looked right at her and cried out her name. She leaned forwards and must have felt me tense up as she rubbed her clitoris, her second orgasm making me lose control completely. I thrust upwards as she cried out and then kissed me, her mouth warm against my lips. I hugged her and she relaxed against my chest, her body rising up and down with my heavy breathing. "Kate, Kate," I whispered, my breathing erratic. "That was you there with me. Just you. Do you believe me?" She nodded and I stroked her hair, listening as her breaths became shallower and her body relaxed. "Can we get into bed?" she murmured sleepily and I rolled off the bed, pulling back the covers and cuddling up close to her. I stayed there a long time, gazing at her face as she slept, my mind busy with unanswered questions, the thought of sleep far away. I now knew I was entangled in Kate's life. To hurt her was more than I could bear but the issues with my wife and our problems were still in front of me. The next few months would be a difficult time. Did we have what it took to withstand the complications and would our feelings overcome the legacy of Louise? Chapter 3 to follow... Please don't forget to vote for me and feedback, good or bad, is always appreciated. I welcome all comments and ways I can improve my writing. Thanks. Love & Peace Ch. 03 Sometime in the night, we both awoke and made love. I curled up against Daniel and the feel of my naked skin must have hardened him again. In the darkness we kissed and caressed one another, his whispered words of love reassuring me as we moved together, our bodies uniting perfectly, moulding into one another as we shuddered, cried and moaned our desire. I remember crying hot tears as he brought me to orgasm, first with his fingers and then again with his hardness, a feeling of loving tenderness overwhelming us both. I wanted the moment to last forever, the doubts and insecurities of the day receding into the darkest depths of my mind. But the day dawned and with it reality. We ordered breakfast in bed and more champagne although I hardly knew what we were celebrating. After we had eaten we made love again and I marvelled at how his body fitted so perfectly into mine, his hard thighs between my legs as he thrust into me again and again, my cries muffled by his shoulder as he plunged his hard cock into me and felt my body shudder under his. I, in turn, spent what seemed like hours kissing and stroking his whole body, his skin smooth and taut under my exploring lips, his taste imprinted on my mind forever. We showered together and our need was insatiable. Never had I felt such a longing for one man and Daniel seemed to feel the same for me. He entered me easily as the hot water cascaded over us and brought me to heights of ecstasy once more and I began to think he was storing up memories of our time together for the days ahead. I knew now about his wife and the divorce and hoped that my relationship with him would not put him in jeopardy. His wife sounded ruthless and I expected her to use any weapon she could to give her the upper hand. After our shower, we dressed and checked out. I didn't want to leave him and, almost as if he was reading my thoughts, Daniel asked me back to his house. I was curious to see where he lived and so I agreed. As it was Saturday neither of us were needed at work and the more I knew about him the better I felt. I wanted to imagine him at home when we were apart. The area where he lived was wealthy, part of an exclusive village that seemed almost artificial, the houses set discreetly apart and the driveways boasting the latest models of Mercedes, BMWs and Audis. I gasped as he turned into a long private lane, the imposing house sitting almost haughtily at the end of a gravelled drive, immaculately kept but somehow impersonal. "Beautiful house, Daniel," I murmured as he opened the car door for me. "Yes, maybe, but full of sadness." I looked at him as he unlocked the front door, a look of confusion on his face as he took in the array of luggage that almost filled the large hallway. As he looked back at me in dismay, Jessica appeared from a side door, one hand on her hip as she surveyed us, a sardonic smile marring her beautiful features. "Well, well, well! The lovers return!" Her eyes were fixed on Daniel but as she noticed me, I saw the haughty look slip slightly as she took in my face, so strikingly similar to that of Louise. "What's going on?" she asked in a quiet, sinister voice. "Who the hell is she?" I shuddered and backed towards the door, my stomach churning with nerves. I couldn't stand confrontation of any kind and felt completely out of my depth with Jessica. She looked formidable, her face hard as stone and her eyes cold and furious. I looked at Daniel as he stared at his wife, a look of pure hatred on his face. "What are you doing here, Jessica?" he asked ignoring her question. "You weren't due back for another week." "I came back early...wanted to talk things over with you, Daniel. I'm glad I did now...This explains a lot..." She smiled and leaned back against the door and I could almost see her mind working overtime, her divorce settlement increasing before her eyes. "Where did you find her, Daniel? In a massage parlour? Or was she standing on a street corner?" I gasped in shock as Daniel made a move towards her, almost as if he was going to strike her. "Oh that would be so good, my love. Hit me, come on... wouldn't your colleagues love to hear about that!" She laughed a cold hard laugh and I suddenly felt a stab of fear. Relationships between staff at Jefferson's were strictly forbidden and both of us could lose our jobs. Mine was especially at danger and I knew that Daniel could be demoted or moved to some far flung office with no chance of promotion - ever. "I'll go," I said as I made for the door. Heaven knows how I was going to get home, but I had my mobile phone on me. Perhaps I could get the number of a taxi. "Oh no you don't, Kate!" Daniel took my arm and pulled me to him. "Stay here with me." Jessica looked at both of us, a sneer on her face as she realised the implications of what she was witnessing. "How long has this little affair been going on? Hmm? You look so cosy together..." "Leave it, Jessica. This has nothing to do with you now. We agreed to a divorce, remember?" Daniel's wife came closer, her face twisted in contempt. "This has nothing to do with me? Oh, but you're wrong, Daniel. It has everything to do with me. I'm still your wife and your little slut will soon be history, you can be sure about that!" The shock of her words made me want to run but Daniel's arm was still around my shoulders. "Oh yes? And how are you so fucking sure, Jessica?" She smiled a long slow smile this time, like someone who knew a great and wonderful secret. "I'm pregnant, Daniel. And the baby's yours. Do you remember? I know it was a couple of months ago..." I looked up at Daniel and saw how pale he had turned. I felt like I had been kicked in the stomach. "You look a bit white, darling. Are you OK?" Jessica smiled and glanced at me, a look of surprise in her eyes. "You remind me of someone. A bit young for my husband aren't you?" "Leave her alone," Daniel warned and opened the heavy front door. Sunlight and fresh air streamed in and I took a deep breath, the shock of Jessica's words making me feel light-headed. "I'll take you home, Kate, OK?" I nodded and Daniel opened the car door as I sank onto the leather upholstery. I thought back to half an hour ago, how happy I felt after our night together. Daniel angrily fired the BMW into action and sped off down the drive, gravel flying. In the wing mirror I could see Jessica standing in the doorway, her arms folded across her chest and I knew that the memory of these few moments would haunt me for a long time. I felt numb as I sat beside Daniel, his driving fast and furious. HIs face was hard and angry and the thought of asking him any questions was more than I dared to do. "I'm so sorry, Daniel..." He turned and looked at me and I saw his features soften. He took my hand and kissed my palm, his lips warm and dry on my skin. I shivered and noticed the lines of worry around his eyes, the hint of grey at his temples. "What's going to happen?" I whispered. "Do you think she's telling the truth?" "Hell, I don't know, Kate. It's possible... I remember having sex a while back. I was surprised she agreed, that's why it stands out. She normally refuses." He gave a hard laugh. "Ironic, isn't it? I always wanted kids but she kept putting it off. Now as we're divorcing she falls." "Do you think she deliberately tried to get pregnant?" "I doubt it. Her career is much more important to her than having children. It always has been, but it seems strange that she stopped using the pill." We fell silent again and I racked my mind for something to say. I felt we had enough to contend with in our relationship without this added complication as well. "I could tell by her face that she thought you looked like Louise." I looked at Daniel and frowned. "I just can't believe she was at home. Do you think she saw us at the restaurant?" "I don't know, Kate. This is all turning into a bad dream. I'll drop you off and then I'll go back and find out what this is all about. I'll sort it out don't worry." Daniel put his hand on my knee and squeezed it in an attempt to reassure me but my stomach churned at the thought of what was to come. * Back at work I waited for the axe to fall, but every day my routine was normal. I didn't see Daniel and hadn't heard from him for a couple of days. I knew he needed time to sort his life out but I was beginning to worry. I somehow felt to blame for the state of affairs and thought back to the night he had first visited my cottage and how I had virtually thrown myself at him with no regard to the consequences. Now at work, I stared out of the window at the bare trees, the grey sky and felt nothing but misery. One Saturday morning a few days later I was still in bed when I heard the doorbell ring. Jumping up I pulled my robe around me and answered the door to Daniel, his face set and angry as he stood on the step. "What's the matter?" "I can't take it any more, Kate," he replied. "She'll be the death of me if I stay there any longer, I'm sure of it." I opened the door wide to let him through and followed him into the small kitchen where I switched the kettle on. Making the coffee I watched him as he leaned against the worktops, his face so angry it made me afraid of what he was going to say. "I swear she's lying, Kate. There's no baby!" I looked at him in surprise. "Why? What's she said?" "Oh, she hasn't said anything, she doesn't need to, I just know my wife." "But how can she lie about that? What about doctor's reports? Scans?" "She thinks she's clever. This is just another way of getting more money out of me, threatening me with blackmail over my job." He sighed and ran his fingers through his hair. I went to him and put my arms around him, wanting so much to take the pain away and make it all better. He groaned as I stroked his back and he bent to kiss me, his lips hard as he forced my mouth open. I moaned against him and could feel his erection through the thin material of my robe. His shoulders were stiff with pent-up tension so I led him through to the living room where I slipped off my robe and stood before him. He looked at me and his eyes darkened before bending to kiss my nipples. I looked down at his dark head and sighed with pleasure as his warm lips licked their way around my breasts, the nipples hardening at his touch. One hand trailed across my stomach and gently stroked my mound as I moaned some more, his fingers seeking out the wetness of my pussy, making sure I was as ready for him as he was for me. "I want you now, Kate," he murmured as he quickly removed his shirt and jeans. I smiled and lay down on the sofa as he stripped off his pants and socks, his erection springing out of the confines of his clothes. Kneeling before me he spread my legs apart and stroked me once more. I closed my eyes and tilted my head back as he ran his fingers along my wet lips before inserting two of his fingers into my opening. "Oh, Kate, you're so wet for me, aren't you?" I nodded, too blissed out to speak as he slid his wet fingers in and out, his other hand stroking his cock in time to the rhythm. "Touch yourself as well, Kate," he urged and I opened my eyes to look at him, my gaze lingering on his erect penis which was moist with his precum. I did as he said and rubbed my clitoris, my eyes never leaving his face. It was so erotic, this mutual masturbation and we both looked at each other as we pleasured ourselves, his fingers slipping in and out so easily as I massaged my clitoris with a long practised hand. "You need this so much, Kate, don't you? Just like me." He groaned and I rubbed slightly harder, feeling the orgasm begin and opening my legs wider. "You smell so good. So sweet, Kate. God, sex with my wife is never like this." I smiled and watched as his movements grew quicker and I realised he was about to come. "Tell me when," I urged as I rubbed frantically at my swollen clitoris. "I want us to come like this, together." He closed his eyes and then I heard him groan, "Now!" as I watched him ejaculate, his creamy sperm flooding through his fingers as I tipped myself over the edge with him, my deep cries of pleasure mixing with his as we both attained a release that we so badly needed. Coming down from the high, I trembled as his hand continued to caress my sensitive pussy while he leant down and kissed me, the light sheen of sweat sticky against my face. He laughed. "I need a shower now! Do you mind?" "No, of course not. I'll make the coffee and bring it up to bed." I could hear the gushing water as I carried a tray of coffee and cups up the stairs. It was such a lovely sound and I realised how much I missed having a man in the house. Setting the tray down I looked into my tiny ensuite and watched as he lathered himself all over, his face now more relaxed after our bout of passion. "Come and join me!" I laughed but slipped off the robe and pulled the shower doors apart, feeling the warmth of the hot water as I pressed up close to him. "Mmmm, this feels good," he said as he rubbed the soap over my wet skin. "Turn around, I'll do your back." It felt so good to be washed like this and I sank back into him as he ran his hands up between my legs, teasing the lips of my pussy by gently stroking them. "Oh, Daniel, don't stop," I murmured as he took the soap and lathered my breasts, the nipples springing erect at the merest touch of his hands. I could feel his erection grow again as he pressed himself into my back and I reached behind to stroke his hair. He began to rub his slippery cock against the cheeks of my bottom and I sighed at how good it felt. I wanted him again but inside me this time and I knew he felt the same. I turned to face him and took his penis in my hands, stroking up and down firmly, the tip pressed against my stomach. "I want you inside me, Daniel," I whispered. "I want you deep and hard." He looked at me and smiled and I reached behind to turn off the water. Stepping out, I grabbed a towel and wrapped it around us both as we kissed passionately, our tongues meeting and mixing as I pressed my damp body close to his. I pulled away and he followed me into the bedroom where I knelt on the edge of the bed, my legs apart and my pussy wide open for him to enter. He hesitated for a short while, rubbing the tip of his cock along my pussy lips and making me gasp in pleasure, his hands squeezing my nipples as he leant against me. Then with a sudden thrust he was inside me and I cried out long and loud as he started to pump his way into me, his strokes long and beautifully rhythmic. I pushed back at him and put my hand down to caress my clitoris which was still swollen and aroused from our earlier encounter. This time we slowed the pace and enjoyed a leisurely, deeply erotic session. Daniel was in no hurry and I closed my eyes and gave myself up to the sensation of his deep thrusts, the feeling of being filled up by him, the closeness we shared. He was enjoying the feeling too, I could tell, as he varied his movements, sometimes almost withdrawing completely but also driving into me so deeply I felt as if he would splice me open. All the time his hands were on my nipples or my clitoris, our fingers moving together until I felt I could bear it no longer. Time and again he took me to the brink and then pulled me back, promising me a deeper and more intense orgasm. Our bodies moved together in perfect rhythm and I leant down to stroke his hard balls, the bottom of his shaft, knowing by his groans how much he enjoyed my touch. At last though, I felt him harden up and knew he was going to come. I returned my hand to my clitoris and rubbed as he thrust hard and deep, his body slamming into mine as he reached orgasm. His warm juices erupted inside me as came too, and I cried out his name as he continued to pump inside me. "Oh God, Kate... that was so good..." "Mmmmm Daniel, it was...needed that so badly." We stayed still for a moment, his cock softening inside me and then I turned over onto my back and relaxed as he lay in the curve of my arm. "Let's just relax a minute, and then we need to talk. OK?" I looked at him and nodded, but I could tell that what was coming wasn't going to be easy for either of us. * It was lunchtime and the village pub was busy with couples and families, a group of men holding court at the bar as they gulped pints of beer and sniggered over the pretty barmaid as she struggled to keep up with demand. Daniel joined the throng wating to be served while I found a seat by the fire, drawing another chair closer as I waited. We had both fallen asleep after the sex and woken at lunchtime, hungry and thirsty. Now as he returned with a bottle of white wine and a menu, I noticed again the lines of worry etched into his face and felt a stab of guilt. "Daniel, I'm so sorry about this." "Don't be, Kate. My marriage was over before we even met and I needed to get this thing with Louise out of my system. It's been affecting me more than I realised." He poured out two glasses and I sat back in my chair, the warmth from the fire making me feel drowsy again. "My wife has always blamed me for the failure of our marriage. She said that Louise constantly haunted our relationship and she's right." I went to say something but he raised his hand to stop me. "Don't feel guilty. I think, somehow, you came along to help me find my way. Perhaps Louise has connected us... Hell, I don't know. Perhaps I'm going mad..." I reached out and stroked his face. He smiled and held my hand against his skin. "It's not like you to believe that, is it?" I murmured. "I don't know any more. All I know is I was unhappy with Jessica and now I feel as if a weight has been lifted from me. It was never going to work. We're just too different." "What about the baby?" "Do you think there's a baby? Honestly?" "I'm not sure, Daniel. I don't know your wife. She seems pretty ruthless in getting what she wants." "Well, a baby's not one of the things she wants, that's for sure. That whole scene was just an invention to scare me." "So what have you been talking about? The divorce?" "Yes, in a way. She's threatened me, Kate. Says she will go to Jefferson's unless I up the settlement figure." I looked at him in shock. "How can she do that? Surely you're allowed to live your own life." "Yes, I am, but you know how relationships are frowned upon at work. Company secrets and all that. And it seems we have a little spy in our midst." "But who,?" I stammered. I racked my brains to think of someone who I had told about Daniel and couldn't find anyone. The girls at work were friends but not close ones and the only person who knew outside of work was my mother. "I don't know - maybe someone saw us leave together that night at work or saw us at the restaurant." "Do you think Jessica saw us?" "It's possible, although we were pretty well hidden." He smiled as if remembering fond memories and I felt myself grow warm as I thought back to that night. "I'm sure she was capable of coming to look for me and we were gone a while..." I looked at him in fear, knowing that she could also hold that over us. We had committed what could be construed as a "lewd" act and I knew that if she had seen us, she wouldn't hesitate to go further. "How did it end with her? What's she going to do?" "She wants me to increase her settlement, Kate. Give her the house we have in San Francisco and a generous monthly allowance. And if the baby's a reality she'll hammer me for that, too." "She hates me, Kate. She resents me for interrupting her career and making her constantly move over the years we've been together. Now it's her turn to get revenge." Love & Peace Ch. 03 I looked at him in despair and wanted so much to help. I was sure that his marriage was in trouble but somehow I had made things much worse for him. Maybe Jessica could have accepted that the relationship was over, but to add another woman to the mix was just asking for trouble. Daniel drained his glass and poured another. "This has come at such a difficult time, Kate. You know that Jefferson's is undergoing some changes? Well, I've been brought in to implement those changes.." I leaned forward to hear more, noticing that he was suddenly using "company-speak" with me. "Yes, I know. The rumours have been rife lately. Everyone's talking about what's happening." He sighed. "There's no easy way to say this but people will go. I just can't have any scandal at the moment. Do you understand?" "What do you mean? You want me to just fade into the background and disappear?" "Oh Kate, no, of course not, but if this came out, I would be gone so quick you wouldn't believe it... I was the one behind all the changes. For me to go like that would be a disaster." I suddenly had a feeling that I was a nuisance to Daniel. Was this his way of telling me that I was surplus to requirements? Was the man I had grown to trust just a ruthless manipulator? I stood up and pulled my coat on. Daniel looked at me in surprise and glanced at my glass which was still half-full. "Where are you going?" "Home. I think all this has been about you, Daniel. Your attempt to get me to shut up and just disappear quietly while you get on with saving your own hide." The astonishment on his face was clear as he looked at me. "Don't be so bloody stupid, Kate. You know that this morning meant more than that." "Did it? Was it just a way of saying goodbye while you appease your wife and save some money into the bargain?" I went to walk out, but he grabbed my wrist and turned me to face him. "This morning was wonderful, Kate. You must know that? If I wanted to shut you up, as you say, a quick telephone call would have done the job just as well." I hesitated but I couldn't help thinking about his position at Jefferson's. How his reputation as a hard businessman had gone before him. How different he was to me. "I'm going, Daniel. Perhaps it's best if we separate for a while. Then you can sort out things with your wife and maybe get back together again." "I don't want to get back with her, Kate. It's over. I just need time to sort this out, do what I have to do and then maybe we can start again." I shook my head and pulled my wrist away. From the first night with him, I hadn't known whether it was me he wanted or the memory of Louise. I couldn't deal with any more complications and just wanted to be alone for a while, to think things over and try and clear the muddled thoughts in my head. "I've got some holiday owing at work, Daniel. I'll go away for a few weeks and leave you in peace." He stood and held his arms out to me but I just couldn't go to him now. Whatever I felt we had between us seemed a mockery and I turned and walked out of the pub, the tears stinging my eyes as I went. * On Monday morning I requested two weeks leave. I had needed to take some time off anyway as the holiday year ended in December and as it was quiet, my request was granted. My parents owned a small cottage a two hour drive away so on Tuesday I packed up my car and left, ignoring the messages in my email box and the texts on my phone. I hadn't seen Daniel at work and when he followed me out of the pub shortly afterwards to collect his car I refused to answer the door to him. We both needed time apart and I had an overwhelming urge to be alone and nurse my wounded heart in private. I had a few friends in the area from my childhood and the thought of being with people who knew nothing about Daniel was suddenly very attractive. For the first few days I moped around the house and read. No-one knew I was there, except my parents, and I hesitated to call my friends in case they fired me with questions as to why I was staying. But after three days of solitude I phoned a friend and arranged to go out for a meal with her. Amanda had always been a great source of support and I wished she lived nearer. I knew I could confide in her and looked forward to a long and intimate gossip over a good meal. But when we met in the lounge of the nearby pub, she was not alone. With her was her new boyfriend and a man who I vaguely recognised from ages back. "Kate! It's so good to see you again! How are you?" I smiled and kissed her cheeks as she enveloped me in a huge hug. "I'm fine, just a little tired." "You've lost weight, Kate. What's up?" she asked as the men went to the bar. "Oh nothing, you know how it is... just busy." "Oh come on, I know you better than that. Tell me." "Well, it's a bit difficult, Amanda. I thought it would be just the two of us..." "Oh Kate, I'm sorry," she giggled. "But I just had to show off David to you. Don't you think he's gorgeous?" I smiled. "Who's the other one? He looks familiar." "That's Steve. He's always asking about you, Kate. Thought it would be a good idea for him to come along. Wouldn't want you to feel left out." I felt my heart sink as I watched the two men return from the bar. Steve was handsome in a nice sort of way, but I just couldn't get Daniel out of my head. The last thing I wanted was more complications. The evening was fine but I felt my mind wandering several times and each time, I had Daniel's face in my head. How he looked at me, how he turned me on so much, the feel of his hands on my body. Amanda soon realised that her idea had been a mistake as conversation between Steve and myself was stilted. David and Amanda seemed to be cocooned in their own private world and my hopes of a shoulder to cry on were definitely dashed as they cuddled, kissed and virtually groped one another throughout the evening. Shortly after 10pm I could stand it no longer and excused myself. "I feel terrible," I lied, as Amanda looked at me in surprise. "I'm really sorry but I'm going to go home, have a bath and an early night." "I'll walk you home, Kate," suggested Steve but despite my protests, he insisted. I felt uncomfortable with the way things were turning out but hadn't the energy to refuse so I found my coat and said goodbye to the lovebirds who were giggling and kissing again. "Call me," shouted Amanda as she watched me go. "We'll have that chat." I shrugged my shoulders and joined Steve at the door, the triumphant expression on his face worrying me as we made our way out into the freezing night air. "It's nice to see you again, Kate. It's been a long time." I nodded. "Yes. I'm sorry Steve if I've been distant, but I'm having a bit of a difficult time at the moment." "That's OK," he said. "I understand." I relaxed a little and dug my hands deep into my pockets in an attempt to keep warm. "You're cold," Steve stated and put his arm around me, drawing me closer into the circle of his arm, his hand brushing my left breast slightly. "Um, Steve, please don't think that there's anything between us, OK? I don't really need this at the moment. I'm sorry." "Oh, Kate, I'm just keeping you warm, I don't mean any harm." I pulled away and looked at him. I realised I hardly knew this man and I was allowing him to walk me home in a deserted village late at night. "Don't pull away, Kate. I've always liked you, do you know that? I keep asking Amanda when you're coming back. Couldn't believe my luck when she said you were here for a few days." I suddenly felt afraid. I remembered Steve as the hanger-on of the group, always on the fringes of our small circle, never contributing much to the conversations but looking at the women in a strange sort of way. "I'm OK from here," I stuttered and looked down the street to where I could see my car parked outside the house. "Thanks so much for walking me back." "Oh no, Kate. I can't let you go here. Anything could happen to you at this time of night." I laughed nervously, the noise echoing in the silent street and a sudden feeling of suffocation filled me. I didn't need this wierd man adding to my worries and I wanted to run from him as fast as I could. The thought of Daniel filled my mind and I stifled a sob as I realised that he couldn't help me now. He was so far away and I was on my own. "Come on, Kate. Won't be long and you'll be home. I'd love a cup of coffee..." He put his arm around me again and I allowed myself to be almost dragged along with him, my fear growing by the minute. If he came inside with me that would be it, I was sure. He was far bigger than me, and I remembered Amanda saying he played rugby for the village. I would be no match for his strength. Within a few minutes we were at the door and I groped in my bag for the keys. My mobile was in there too but in the darkness I couldn't find it and besides what use would it be now? "Look, Steve, I really don't feel like a coffee at the moment," I murmured keeping my voice soft in the hope that he would let me go and not get angry. "Perhaps I can call you and we can meet another time?" "Oh, Kate! I've been waiting for this for so long. Just one coffee won't hurt, surely?" "Another time," I insisted. "I feel terrible. Headache, you know." I was shaking now and I watched as his eyes turned hard. "No, Kate. I want you now. Do you understand? I've been waiting so long." I felt the panic rise up inside me as he leant towards me and tried to kiss me. I twisted around and avoided his mouth but he gripped my upper arms and held me as his mouth descended on mine. Forcing my lips open he stuck his tongue inside and I gasped in shock as I tasted the beer he had been drinking all night. I felt him press his body up against mine and his erection was obvious. "I want you, Kate, OK? And I'm going to have you now." I struggled and tried to get away, but as I suspected, his strength was no match for me. His lips were bruising my mouth and I felt him tear at the buttons on my blouse as he groped at my breasts, his beery breath hot in my ear. "You feel so good, Kate," he groaned and I cringed, remembering back to Daniel and how he had said the same thing. Oh how I wanted him now and my eyes filled with tears as Steve finally found my nipples and squeezed hard. "Don't, Steve, please..." I pleaded but he drew me closer and the hand that was molesting my breasts now found it's way to my pussy through the material of my skirt. He groped hard and I heard his breath quicken as his hand found its target. "Wet for me, Kate? Come on, you know you want it..." I shook my head, the tears rolling down my face as he thrust his meaty hand into my softness. There was no way I could escape but I tried one last shove to get him off me. "Oh no, Kate. No fucking way. You're mine tonight and I'm going to teach you a lesson." I stopped struggling and he smiled. A horrible leer that made his face contort. He raised his hand and I knew that he was going to hit me but when the blow came I remembered nothing, just blackness and Daniel's face, his lovely eyes smiling at me in the way that I loved and then I felt the world spin and after that a dark emptiness... Part 4 will follow soon. All feedback welcomed and answered. Please don't forget to vote for me! Many thanks... Love & Peace Ch. 04 Chapter 4 - Daniel's story Thank you to everyone who has voted and enjoyed the story so far. I have to admit now that there are not many sex scenes in this chapter – for reasons that will become obvious. But... I hope you still enjoy... ************ I watched Kate walk out of the pub and felt the familiar despair. No matter what I said to her she never seemed to believe me. I sat and drank the last of my wine and gazed around at the busy pub. There were happy families out for lunch, couples sitting close together, groups of friends laughing and chatting. Where the hell had I gone wrong? Just a minute ago, I was sitting with the woman of my dreams, someone who made me happy in the midst of the mess that was my life, and now she had left me again. Of course, she wouldn't open the door to my insistent knocking, wouldn't let me explain how important the changes at Jefferson's were and how I had managed to safeguard her job. That her name on the "safe" list was probably how my wife had found out about our relationship. I drove away, my eyes fixed on the rear-view mirror in the hope that she would relent and open the door but it remained firmly closed. I had no choice to return to my house. There was no way I could describe it as "home" - that would have been ridiculous. A home was somewhere you retreated to, felt comfort and happiness in, but with my wife and the empty shell where I lived, I felt only anger and misery. Jessica was sitting in the lounge when I arrived. The place was silent, except for the ominous ticking of the clock on the fireplace and it felt cold. My wife was reading a magazine and didn't even look up when I entered the room. She had her hand placed on her flat stomach, and I wondered if it was for effect. I was convinced she wasn't pregnant, knew that it was a plan of hers to make it up and then conveniently lose the baby when she got what she wanted. "Jessica, are we going to talk about this?" "What's to talk about, Daniel? You're having an affair with a cheap slut and I'm carrying your baby." I sighed and went to the window where I stared out at the distant fields. This move was supposed to be a new start for both of us; an attempt at putting our differences behind us, but it had only managed to tear us apart. "And this cheap slut, she's a lowly clerk at Jefferson's! I thought you would have been more original than that!" She laughed and I turned to face her, the anger in my face evident. "Leave her out of this, Jessica. You and I had agreed to divorce before I met her. How long are you going to throw this in my face?" "For as long as it takes, darling," the last word uttered with a sneer. "You put me through hell during our marriage, constantly asking me to move house, move countries, give up all the dreams that I had..." I gazed at her in surprise. Never once had she mentioned how she felt. I had just assumed she was happy with the way our lives had turned out. Why had she never told me? "Jessica, look, we need to talk about this. I can't carry on with this bitterness and if you are pregnant it won't be good for the baby." She laughed. "Ha! You care about me? And the baby? What a load of rubbish! The best thing you can do, Daniel, is get out of my life and go back to your cheap slut." I felt the anger rise up in me then and I had to keep my hands at my side in order not to hit her. Her contempt was deeply rooted and my attempts to be reasonable were futile. "I'm going. I'll find a hotel for a couple of weeks and stay there. It's impossible to be here with you like this, but if you want any sort of divorce settlement without a huge fight, we'll need to talk about this calmly. Do you agree?" Jessica ignored me and carried on reading her magazine, a sly smile on her face. All the rage and frustration from my encounter with Kate suddenly erupted and I strode over to the sofa and grabbed my wife by the shoulders. "You fucking listen to me, Jessica! OK? We need to get this sorted and if you don't agree to meet me, then you'll regret it." She gazed at me, her face impassive, and I lessened my grip. "Just meet me on Thursday at Oliver's restaurant. 8pm." "Oh sure, Daniel, whatever you want." I stared back at her, wondering how we had come to this, how my dreams of a happy marriage could have gone so badly wrong. How I had ever loved such a cold and passionless woman. I left the room and went upstairs to throw a few things into a small suitcase. I had to get away and all I could think of was Kate. How badly I needed her now... * Over the next few days, I hoped I would see her at work but her desk was tidy and bare. She had obviously carried out her plan to get away and my text messages and emails went unanswered. I went through the motions at work, my mind on other things and I felt disgusted with myself. I was supposed to be here for a reason, for an important role that was going to secure the future of the company and all I could think about was a woman who didn't even trust me enough to hang around and listen to my explanations. Most of my time was spent in meetings and we'd decided to break the news of redundancies to the staff the following week. I had a suspicion it was a secretary who had found out about my relationship with Kate. One of the women who carried out administration tasks for the Directors was friendly with my wife - they attended the same gym - and would often meet for coffee. Perhaps the secretary was curious as to why I had put Kate on the "safe" list. A glimpse of us leaving together was all that was needed to put two and two together... On Thursday, I called my wife to confirm our meeting. Her replies were curt but polite and I braced myself for a heavy evening ahead. I had been staying at Oliver's all week as there was no way I could be at home. The hotel had special memories for me as I had stayed there with Kate. I realised it was silly and sentimental, but by being there, I felt close to her and it helped with the feeling of restlessness that seemed to overtake me. I sat at the bar and waited for my wife to arrive. Nursing a neat whisky, I thought about our marriage and tried to work out when things had started to go wrong between us. At first, we had been happy. We took holidays to Europe and spent long weekends exploring the vineyards around San Francisco. I hoped that there would be children eventually when the time was right. Except it was never right and there was always the ghost of Louise in the background, useful ammunition for her to throw at me whenever we had one of our innumerable arguments. Thinking back, I asked myself whether I ever really loved her or whether she was just an antidote to the memory of my first love. Watching her now as she walked confidently towards me I compared her to Kate. There was such a difference in the two women. Jessica was self-assured, cool and startlingly beautiful, whereas Kate was wonderfully natural, loving and kind. "Drinking already, then?" Jessica remarked, raising her eyebrows. "I'll have a mineral water." I ordered another large whisky and followed her over to a table by the window. Her perfume left a vapour trail and the smell of it made me feel slightly nauseous. I knew that after tonight, whenever I came across that particular scent, it would bring back bad memories. "So why have you dragged me half way across the county, then?" I took a gulp of whisky and looked at her. "To talk about our marriage. To try and sort things out amicably rather than keep hissing and shouting at each other." Jessica smiled. "Oh, I think it's rather fun. I like making you angry, Daniel. I like giving you a little taste of what I've had to put up with over the years." "Why are you doing this?" I sighed and downed the rest of my whisky. "Why are you blaming me for an unhappy marriage?" "I blame you because you always promised me that we would stay in one place. Somewhere long enough for me to start the career I went to University for. Somewhere we could raise the kids we were never going to have!" "You never wanted children, Jessica. You said that your career came first." "Yes, the career and then, when it was the right time, I wanted to have children. Don't try and pin the blame for that on me, Daniel." I called a waiter over and ordered another whisky. I knew it was a dangerous thing to do but I just needed to feel numb. "You seem to be drinking a lot, my darling. Are you feeling alright?" I stared at her and suddenly felt full of loathing for this woman, who as far as I knew, could be carrying the child I had always wanted. "Just tell me one thing Jessica. Be honest with me now. Are you pregnant or not?" She laughed and shook her head. "Ah, Daniel! You'll just have to wait and see... When my stomach starts to swell, you'll know then..." Luckily, my retort was stopped by the arrival of the Maitre d' who escorted us to our table. I felt angry that the beauty and elegance of my favourite restaurant was wasted on my wife who was gazing at her surroundings in obvious contempt. "I don't know what you see in this place, Daniel. It's so ridiculously overdone. Why couldn't we have gone to my favourite place instead? It's so much better than here." She sounded petulant and I enjoyed telling her it was where I had stayed with Kate. "Good memories everywhere for me here, Jessica," I said. "The one good thing about my life at the moment is Kate." My wife's eyes narrowed as she looked at me over the rim of her glass. "Ah, yes - Kate. I've been hearing a lot about your sweet little girlfriend." I ignored her and concentrated on the wine list, picking the most expensive red Burgundy I could find. Maybe if I spent all my money now, my greedy wife wouldn't be able to touch it after we divorced. "Kate is worth a hundred of you, Jessica." "I doubt it, Daniel. She's probably just after your money, darling. But when Jefferson's get to hear about your little affair, it'll be a different story." I clenched my fists and forced myself to remain calm. "I told you - leave Kate out of this. She has nothing to do with our marriage." "She has an amazing resemblance to the dear departed Louise as well. Wouldn't you agree?" Never had I felt more hostility for my wife than I did now. She knew just where to attack me and took delight in causing me anger and hurt. She had known all along about Louise and my feelings for her, the devastation I felt when she died. I realized my wife was a cruel, hard woman who hadn't an ounce of sympathy in her. We ordered our meal but for once, the standard of cooking was wasted on me. Jessica ate her meal with relish, taking delight in the fact that my appetite had gone. All attempts to talk reasonably were met with sarcastic comments and I gave up, letting Jessica talk unremittingly about the life she had led with me and my control of our marriage. With the arrival of coffee, I sat back in my chair and gazed at my wife. "Ok, Jessica, this was obviously a mistake. Just do what you have to do and start the divorce proceedings. I've had enough." She smiled then, a sly smile full of spite and malice. "You capitulate so easily, Daniel. I expected more of a fight from you." "Well, I give in. What more can I do? You're determined to screw me, Jessica. I'll just ask one thing, though. Don't talk to Jefferson's about Kate. Do that for me and you'll get what you want." Another smile and this time I saw real triumph in her eyes. As she started to speak, my mobile phone suddenly rang, making me start. Glancing at the screen, I saw it was Kate's number and I felt my pulse race. "Hello?" I said into the mouthpiece and then listened, my heart thumping with shock... * The journey seemed to take forever. I ordered a taxi as I had drunk far too much whisky and wine to drive myself. I only had the vaguest of directions as Kate's friend Amanda had been too upset to talk coherently. I couldn't get any real information from her, just that Kate was hurt and had called out my name. Amanda had managed to stay calm long enough to find her mobile phone and dial my number which luckily Kate had stored when we first met. I sat back as the taxi sped through the night, and dialled Kate's mobile again. "Amanda? What's going on? How's Kate?" Amanda still sounded shocked and I began to imagine all sorts. "Oh Daniel...I'm so sorry." She started to cry and I pressed her further. "You must tell me what happened. Please. Is Kate badly hurt?" "No, just her head. He hit her!" Another wail and I could hear her crying. "Who hit her? Amanda? Tell me..." "We were in the pub...I thought she would be safe with him. We've known him ages..." I suddenly felt so frustrated. I leaned forward and asked the taxi driver how long it would be. "About another hour, mate. I'm going as fast as I can." I slumped back and spoke into the mobile again. "Look Amanda, just calm down and tell me what happened. Stop crying, it's not doing Kate any good." I heard her sniff and then a heavy breath. "OK, I'm sorry. I'm just so angry." "Can Kate come to the phone, Amanda? Is she there?" "No, she's asleep. But she seems ill, Daniel. Her breathing is so fast and kind of shallow?" "You need to phone an ambulance, Amanda. Will you do that for me? Do it now, OK?" "OK." I heard her throw the mobile down and then footsteps as she made her way to the house telephone. I took a deep breath and tried to remain calm myself. The thought of anything happening to Kate was too much to bear and the fact that there was nothing I could do to help her made it even worse. I heard Amanda speaking in the distance and waited for her to return to the mobile. I needed to know what had happened and this time I would get it out of her. When she returned she was much calmer. "Daniel? The ambulance is on its way. It'll be here in ten minutes." "Right, just tell me what happened. I need to know everything." "OK. Kate left the pub before me. We'd arranged to meet and I took my new boyfriend plus a bloke called Steve. We've known him for ages." I heard her take another deep breath and her voice wobbled slightly. "Kate was pretty fed up, I suppose... Anyway, she wanted to go home so Steve offered to walk her back. Daniel, I've known him nearly all my life..." A fresh bout of crying and I waited patiently. "Just tell me, Amanda." "Um, well, she left and after about five minutes we decided to go as well. My house is just beyond Kate's cottage and as we were walking towards where I live, I saw them standing on the path. They were struggling and then I saw him hit her... He hit her so hard, Daniel..." She burst into tears again and I felt a growing fury rise within me. "Then what happened?" Amanda fought to control her voice. "She fell to the ground and Steve saw us running towards him. He made off and David, my boyfriend, followed. He's not back yet, either." More tears and I gripped the mobile closer to me. "Where is Kate now?" "She's in bed. When I got to her, she was mumbling your name so I found her mobile and called you. I'm so sorry..." "No, you did the right thing, Amanda. How did you get her upstairs?" "Um, she was OK at first. I helped her up and she said she felt strange, but she fell asleep and now her breathing doesn't sound right at all..." "Well, just wait for the ambulance, and I'll be there as soon as I can. Just don't leave her OK." "I won't. Oh, please get here quickly. She's so pale." "The paramedics will sort her out, don't worry. Just let me know what they say." "I will. Oh God, I just want her to be OK." I rang off and glanced at my watch. There was still a long way to go and I stared out at the dark countryside willing myself to remain calm. This couldn't be happening to me again, could it? To lose Louise, and then Kate would tip me over the edge I was sure. I thought back to our first meeting, the night at her cottage when we had made love, the night in the hotel when our need for each other was so evident. I just couldn't lose her now. I couldn't go back to the life I had before I met her. When Amanda's phone call came at the restaurant, my wife had reacted with her usual anger and intolerance. She had refused to stay and listen to my explanation. "Oh just go to her, Daniel!" she almost shouted, causing the other diners to look at us in surprise. "You probably arranged this with her! Admit it...didn't you?" She had stormed off and after calling a taxi I had tried to phone her but her mobile was switched off. She hadn't promised to keep quiet about my relationship with Kate and this was just the ammunition she needed to go public and make my life a misery. The mobile rang again and I picked it up immediately. "Daniel? We're going to hospital. She's got concussion." "Right, just let me know where the hospital is and I'll be there." Amanda gave me directions and the taxi driver assured me we would be there in half an hour. At least Kate was in the best place now and then I could take over and look after her. Her welfare was all that mattered now. * The hospital was large and because it was now past midnight, there were very few staff about to point me in the right direction. Amanda had called again and had given me the name of the ward. After mistakenly heading off to the hospital's laundry, I eventually found my way to the right Nurse's station and then to Kate's bedside. She was asleep, but her breathing seemed normal and there was some colour in her cheeks. I bent forward and gently kissed her forehead and she murmured in her sleep. Amanda was sitting next to her but as soon as she saw me, she rose to leave, explaining that her boyfriend was waiting for her outside the hospital in his car. He had given up the chase, as Steve had just disappeared into the fields and woods behind the village. "Thanks so much for what you did," I told her. "I don't even want to think about what would have happened if you hadn't found her." Amanda looked stricken. "I wasn't a friend to her in the pub. I was so wrapped up with David. Please tell her how sorry I am..." I assured her that I would and sat down heavily on the hard plastic seat by Kate's bed. I took her hand and stroked it, wanting so much for her to wake up and see me there. As I gazed at her face, I realised that it was Kate I wanted and that maybe the ghost of Louise was finally receding. The familiar features were there but it was Kate's personality I wanted, the very essence of her that made me smile and need her so badly. Long hours passed by her bedside and I dozed on and off, my mind ever alert to Kate waking. The nurses checked on her regularly and they smiled at me and offered me tea but just told me to be patient. She had received a nasty blow to her head, they said, and would need some care and attention over the next few days. I wanted to give it to her, smother her in love and show her just how much I cared. As dawn broke and the hospital woke from its slumber, Kate opened her eyes. I was half-asleep but I heard her soft voice murmur my name and I smiled as she looked at me. "Daniel? What happened?" I explained to her gently and she frowned as she remembered the incident with Steve. "He was so strong. I couldn't fight him off. Did...did he do anything to me?" "No, my love," I assured her. "Amanda found you almost straight away and he ran off. You had a lucky escape." "He looked so evil, Daniel. I just wanted you to be there, but you weren't..." She started crying and I scooped her into my arms. "I'm so sorry for leaving you in the pub like that. Why do I do that? Why am I so stupid?" "We just need to trust each other, OK? And we can. There's been so many problems between us. Our relationship never really got off to a good start." Love & Peace Ch. 04 She nodded and stopped crying. "Can we start again? Put all this behind us and be happy?" I sighed. Now was not the time to tell her about Jessica but I knew we would have to discuss my divorce, the situation with Jefferson's and all the implications that would entail. Next week was when the management team was due to tell the workforce about the redundancies and there was no way I could get out of that. Kate was allowed to go back to the cottage later in the morning and when we arrived back, I packed her off to bed to rest. She let me make her some lunch and after we had eaten, I undressed and climbed into bed next to her. We fell asleep, all the traumas of the previous day catching up with us. It felt so good to be next to her and feel the softness of her skin next to mine. I breathed in her scent and we slept curled up together, the silence of the old house enveloping us both in its warmth and serenity. We awoke in the early evening and I made a light supper. Kate felt well enough to sit in the living room and we talked about the future. "I want to be with you," I told her, taking her hands and kissing them. "I don't want to lose you again and I know that Jessica will put obstacles in our path but I think we can get over them." She looked at me in the warm glow of the candles I had lit, with the fire making crazy patterns on the ceiling and walls, and smiled. "Have you decided? Really? What about Louise?" "I think the ghost of Louise has been laid to rest. She'll always be with me but in a way, she's brought us together. I'll never forget her, Kate." "I know. She'll always be a part of your life. I can accept that." "Jessica couldn't. She never let me forget about her and in the end it ruined whatever it was that we had." "I know there will be moments when you look at me and see her, but I'm willing to live with that, Daniel. I just need you in my life." I went over to her and kneeled in front of the sofa. I wrapped my arms around her tightly and kissed her softly on her lips. "How do you feel?" She giggled and her eyes lit up. "A bit shaky, but so needy..." I laughed. "Needy of what?" In answer, she sat back and opened her bathrobe. Her breasts were bare and I felt myself harden as she started to rub her nipples, her gaze never leaving my face. "I need you," she said simply and I bent to take one of her nipples in my mouth. She tasted so good and I shuddered to think of what had happened last night. From now on, I wouldn't let her out of my sight. I felt her touch my hair as I licked around her hard tips, my hand finding its way to her soft mound. She moaned and I stroked her gently, loving the feeling of her smoothness beneath my fingers. I ached so badly to be inside her but I took my time, conscious of her state and not wanting to hurt her in any way. "Daniel..." she moaned my name again and I transferred my mouth to her other nipple, while running my fingers along her slit and feeling the wetness within. She was more than ready for me and I gently probed her depths with two fingers, feeling her tense and hearing her moans. "Oh, Daniel, that feels so good." My mouth left her breasts and I kissed my way down to her pussy, putting my hands underneath her bottom to pull her closer to me. She gasped out in pleasure as my mouth found her opening and I sucked hard on her clitoris, swirling my tongue around the tight bud and applying just the right amount of pressure to start her off. One of her hands joined my tongue and I watched as she rubbed herself rhythmically, her other hand caressing her left nipple, wetting her fingers with her own saliva and looking at me the whole time. "This is so sexy," she murmured as she gazed at me. "You feel so good, Daniel." "Like this?" I asked as I plunged my fingers into her warm pussy, feeling how wet and soft she was, how she opened up to me like an exotic flower. "Oh, yes, like that," she closed her eyes and I glided my fingers in and out of her opening and felt the soft folds of skin part for me. "I'm going to come soon, Daniel," she panted and I raised my head from her pussy and bent forward to kiss her, letting her taste her own juices, my tongue meeting hers as we clung to each other. I felt her climax and she shuddered against me, her mouth opening wide as the pleasure exploded inside her. "Come for me, now," she urged and I helped her off the sofa and onto the floor where she knelt in front of me. I gently rubbed the tip of my cock against her wet skin and she moaned in anticipation. I wanted her so much, needed to thrust myself into her and just feel her take me in, her warm softness ready for me. She pushed back at me and I glided my cock into her, inch by inch, as she moaned aloud. "Are you OK?" I asked, worried that she might be in pain, but she shook her head. "I'm fine, Daniel. That feels so good..." I moved slowly inside her, feeling her warmth, loving the feeling of being able to go so deep within her. She pushed back at me and we created a slow rhythm that felt so intimate, so erotic in its togetherness. As I moved in and out, I reached around and rubbed her clitoris, which was slippery with our juices. I could feel her start to tense again and she leant back to stroke my hard balls which were just about ready to explode for her. The sensation of her soft hands made me almost lose it, but I stopped, wanting her to come close before I shot my load. "Now, Daniel," she panted and I moved quicker, almost ramming myself into her with the desire I felt. I could feel the pressure building and then I was emptying myself into her, my hands gripping her hips as she shuddered and spasmed for me. Her cries of love filled the small room and I gently stroked her back as she came down from her high, her breathing returning to normal, as we stayed close. "Oh, Daniel," she breathed turning around to face me. "That felt so good. Phew! I need to lie down a minute." I guided her to the sofa and went to fetch a quilt cover to keep her warm. "Are you OK?" "I'm fine, don't worry. Just a little shaky..." She smiled and I relaxed a bit as I as I down next to her. "Do you want a drink?" "No, I want you, that's all. I want this forever." I looked at her and felt a sudden burst of happiness that I had found someone who wanted me as much as I wanted her. But the future was still so full of obstacles. Would we be able to overcome them? * I stayed with Kate until Sunday night and then I drove us back home in her car. It had been a wonderful couple of days and the memory of them will live with me for a long time. We spent a lot of time in bed, making love and just being together, revelling in the sense of freedom and putting off the hard decisions for a short while at least. Amanda had visited and told us that Steve had disappeared from the village completely. Kate wasn't worried and had already decided to try to forget the whole thing. I had disagreed and wondered what would have happened if Amanda hadn't shown up. However, she was adamant so I let it go. We had enough problems to contend with as it was. On the drive home, Kate asked me to stay with her until Jessica returned to the States. I agreed, wanting to be as close to her as I could and there was no way I could live with Jessica at the moment. It would erupt into a state of utter warfare between us. On Sunday night, we stayed in and discussed our future. In the cosy warmth of the cottage, anything seemed possible and our problems retreated into the blackness of the night. We made love in the living room, Kate's skin glowing in the firelight as she straddled me, her breasts swinging forward as she leaned over to kiss me on the chest, her hips rising and falling. Never had she looked so beautiful to me, her long hair falling over her shoulders and her eyes dark as I felt her approach her orgasm. I held onto her waist as she climaxed, her body shuddering as she cried out her love for me. Gazing at her as she closed her eyes and relaxed, I thought again of the similarity to Louise but it had stopped hurting. The pain was no longer there, just the lingering memory of an innocent time. * I awoke on Monday morning with a feeling of dread. This week was going to be tough and unpleasant and I was glad that Kate still had some time off. My popularity was about to take a nose-dive and I didn't really want her around to see me cast as the hard and ruthless executive. Dressing quietly I called a taxi as my car was still at the restaurant and left a note for Kate. I wanted to take her out for a meal in the evening. After the hard day ahead of me, a relaxing and intimate meal would be just what I needed. It was early when I arrived at work. There was only a handful of cars in the car park and I made my way up to the executive suite, my head full of how I was going to tell half the workforce that they had lost their jobs in the run up to Christmas. "Hey, Dan! How are you?" The voice of the Senior Executive made me jump as he appeared at his office door. "Oh, fine, thanks. I'm just going to go through the plan of action for today." "OK, that's great, but can you come into my office for a second?" I followed him into his large office, the smell of coffee hanging in the air and making my mouth water. "Uh, Daniel. I have someone here to see you." I looked at my boss in surprise and then turned to see Jessica lounging on the leather sofa that stood in the corner of the room. Her face was a mixture of amusement and malice and I suddenly knew that my Monday was going to be a lot more difficult than I had imagined... * Chapter 5 will follow soon... Please send me your feedback and thoughts. I will reply to all comments and emails. Many thanks for reading my story and please don't forget to vote! janiexx Love & Peace Ch. 05 I awoke and stretched out in bed to find Daniel had already gone, the dent in his pillow a lasting reminder of how his body had moulded itself into mine. I rolled over and breathed in his scent, the memories of last night making me feel warm inside. Today was going to be hard for him and I thought about the meeting at work, the hostility he would face from my colleagues, the guilt I knew he was feeling despite his reputation for ruthlessness. He had come to enjoy his time in the UK over the last few months and I knew he felt a sense of remorse over the decision to make half the workforce redundant. I padded downstairs to make my coffee and saw his note pinned to the fridge. "Get dressed up tonight," it said. "A special dinner awaits..." I laughed and switched the kettle on, willing the hours to fly by until we could be together once again. * The day did pass quickly with a visit from my parents and a phone call from Amanda. She was still trying to apologise for her behaviour in the pub but I brushed her words aside and said I understood what new love was like. "Daniel's gorgeous," she said as we chatted on the phone. "I feel so bad that you wanted to talk about him and I just ignored you..." "Amanda, I understand. I just want to know what happened to Steve. Has he ever acted like that before?" "No, I don't think so. But he's always alone. He never seems to have a girlfriend, but he always used to talk about you and how great you are." I shuddered as remembered the terrible look on his face. "I just want to forget it now, Amanda. I have enough worries with Daniel's wife and his position at work. I'll just put it down to experience." "Well, we told the police and they'll want to talk to him if he ever reappears. Some friends think he's gone north to stay with his grandparents." I felt relief that he wasn't around to prey on Amanda and rang off after promising to visit her again at Christmas. Now, as I soaked in the warm bath I imagined the evening ahead. I wanted so much to be there for Daniel to confide in and to let him relax and be himself. * I heard his key in the door as I was putting the finishing touches to my make-up. My eyes, enhanced by subtle powder, sparkled as I anticipated the pleasure of Daniel's company. I chose the simple black dress I had worn to our meal at Oliver's and put my hair up in an elegant bun. I wanted Daniel to be unpinning it at the end of the evening and running his hands through it... "Hi!" I called as I heard him climb the stairs, his heavy footsteps the first indication that something was amiss. He stood in the doorway and gazed at me, a serious expression on his face. "Hi, sweetheart. Had a good day?" "Uh-huh," I giggled and went to take him in my arms, wishing I had waited until he arrived home before applying my make-up and dress. How I wanted to feel him inside me now... his body close and his hands caressing my skin... I reached up to kiss him, but instead of the long passionate embrace I expected, he brushed my lips with his and held me at arms length. "What's the matter?" I said, in surprise. "Nothing," he replied, taking off his tie and running his fingers through his hair. "Bad day, that's all." "How did it go?" "Can I tell you after a shower?" I nodded and sat down on the bed while Daniel undressed. "Would you like a drink?" "Yeah, great," he called and made his way into the en-suite. I stared after him feeling bewildered. I knew today was going to be bad but I thought he would have been able to tell me about what had happened. Trying to push the anxieties to the back of my mind, I went downstairs and poured out a generous measure of Scotch. His jacket was slung across the back of a chair and I picked it up to take it back upstairs with me. As I lifted it from the chair a white envelope fell out and I bent to retrieve it, noticing Daniel's name typed on the front. It looked pretty formal and a sudden stab of fear shot through me. Had Jessica been into Jefferson's to tell the other Directors about our relationship? Daniel had just come out of the shower when I walked back into the bedroom. His dark hair was wet and his broad chest covered in droplets of water as he stood there towelling himself dry. I found my eyes fixed on his body and handed him his drink. He noticed my gaze, a slight smile softening his features. "What's up?" I whispered, going towards him and running my fingers over his warm skin. "Nothing. Don't worry." We stood and gazed at each other, the tension growing between us, and I felt that delicious twist of desire begin to build deep within me. "You look lovely. Come here a minute." I went over to him and he kissed me, his lips brushing my cheeks and mouth while I quivered with the sensations running through me. One of his hands went to caress a breast through my dress and I closed my eyes. I stroked his chest, my fingers catching in the hairs that covered his skin. I gently tugged at the towel until it fell to the floor and looked down to see his erection, the sight of it making my insides melt even more at the thought of him inside me. "I need you, Kate," he groaned as his hands worked their way up the inside of my dress to my panties. For a special treat I had worn my black basque and stockings and Daniel turned me around and pulled up my dress. "Kneel on the bed, Kate." I did as he asked and then he pulled my panties to one side and rubbed the tip of his cock against my moist pussy lips. I moaned out loud as he caressed my soft skin with his hardness, the feeling of anticipation so wonderful as he slipped inside me. The sex was hard and quick. Daniel thrust into me repeatedly and I pushed back at him, loving the feeling of his body against mine. With the approach of his orgasm, I started to rub my swollen clitoris, feeling the pleasure building inside me as he continued to drive his penis into me, his movements becoming more and more urgent. "Oh God, Daniel," I moaned and came hard for him, the intense emotion making tears spring to my eyes. "Yes, now, Kate," he groaned and I felt his warm juices erupt inside me, his cock so deep I felt as if he were part of me. "Oh I needed that. I'm sorry if I was rough." I turned around and put my arms around his waist, listening to his heartbeat steady. We held each other but I knew something was wrong. Would he tell me? And would he show me the contents of the envelope I had found? * The journey to the restaurant was conducted in silence and I desperately tried to get Daniel to open up about the day's events, but he wouldn't. "Kate, I'm sorry. I just can't say anything at the moment. We haven't finalised the packages and until then, I'd rather say nothing. Do you understand?" He squeezed my hand and I smiled but inside, the first cluster of doubts were beginning to grow. He was too quiet, too preoccupied and there was a distance between us that I couldn't bridge. The meal was delicious but a heavy air of tension hung over us all evening. I felt like I was going to explode with frustration but kept quiet, not wanting to put any more pressure on Daniel. I wanted to ask him so many questions, but he would tell me in his own time, I was sure. In the meantime I turned the conversation to safer topics, hoping that the mention of Christmas would bring a smile to his face. "What would you like to do?" I asked, putting my hand up to stroke his face. Daniel shrugged his shoulders. "I have no idea," he said, pouring out another glass of wine for himself. The bottle was almost finished and I felt glad we had taken my car and I was driving. "I'm not normally one to go mad at Christmas, Kate. I've never enjoyed the season in the past." "OK, I understand that," I replied. "My parents will expect to see me at some point, but would you like to go away somewhere for a few days?" Another shrug. "Let's see, shall we? I'd rather wait until the changes are over at Jefferson's." We finished the meal and Daniel ordered a large brandy to go with his coffee. He gazed at me with a strange look on his face and seemed to want to say something. "What's up?" I asked gently, holding my breath in the hope that he would confide in me at last. "Nothing's up, Kate. Stop worrying." He called for the bill and downed the brandy almost in one gulp. Grimacing as the fiery liquid burned a trail down his throat, he held his hand out to me and helped me into my coat. "I just want to get home," he almost slurred and I looked at him in surprise, never having seen him drunk before. Daniel fell asleep in the car on the way home and I kept looking over at his sleeping face, which was more relaxed, the lines of worry having disappeared as he slumped against the headrest. I so badly wanted to help him, but had a horrible feeling that my presence had made his problems so much worse. * I awoke the next morning alone again. Daniel had roused himself to undress and get into bed but had slept soundly all night, hardly even moving. I had lain awake for hours, worrying about the future and wondering if I would be able to hold onto his love, the thought of losing him more than I could bear. I made coffee and tried to call him on his mobile but it was switched off. Not wanting to call him at work, I showered and dressed and decided to shop for a meal in the evening. Perhaps his favourite food would bring him out of this mood he seemed to be in. I opened the front door of my cottage and froze in shock to see Jessica making her way up the short path that led from the road. She was dressed immaculately in a smart black suit and heels, her blonde hair cascading over her shoulders. "Ah, just the woman I want to see," she said, her blue eyes full of cunning. "Do you have a minute?" I felt my mouth go dry and my hands start to sweat as I anticipated the conversation that would follow. My heart seemed to be beating out of control and I turned back into the hallway so she couldn't see the expression of alarm on my face. "Can I come in?" she demanded and I stepped aside to let her into the narrow hallway. "Ah, such a quaint little place you have here, Kate. So very sweet." "Come into the living room," I said and went ahead of her to stand by the fireplace as she looked around. "Very cosy...so this is where you fucked my husband, is it?" I stared at her in shock and she smiled. "Excuse my language, my dear, but I don't take kindly to another woman stealing my husband. Would you?" "Why are you here, Jessica? I had nothing to do with the breakup of your marriage." "Oh, I think you did, Kate. I think you went after my husband from the day he arrived at Jefferson's. Isn't that true?" I stared at her and felt my heart beat faster. It wasn't true, of course. Daniel had been there for at least three months before our meeting and then he'd returned to the States for another couple of months to try and save his marriage. I'd had nothing to do with the divorce, but I realised that trying to convince Jessica of that was a pointless exercise. "You look so much like her. Has he ever shown you a photograph?" Jessica moved towards me and I flinched. She took my chin and turned my head, her eyes boring into mine. "It's like seeing a ghost. How can I compete with a dead woman?" She seemed to be talking to herself and I shook my head, her touch making me feel uncomfortable. "I'm not pregnant, you know." She looked at me and the hard veneer seemed to fall away. "In fact, I can't have children. I found that out long ago. And you know the stupid thing? I even pretended to take the pill so Daniel wouldn't know! Can you believe that?" I gazed at her in disbelief. "You're not pregnant?" She let out a hard laugh. "No, I made it up to see what his reaction would be. He doesn't know I can't have children. How could I tell him that? That not only was I the wrong woman for him, but that I was barren as well?" I said nothing and she continued. "All through my marriage I lived with the ghost of Louise. Can you imagine what that's like, Kate? Knowing the man you love is in love with another woman? Knowing there's nothing you can do to make him love you like he loved her?" I sat down on the sofa and tried to take in what Jessica had just told me. Her hard exterior had slipped and I saw a frightened and lonely woman standing before me. "I'm so sorry, Jessica," I whispered, "But I didn't ask to look like Louise. And I never set out to take him from you. I thought your marriage was over." "So you thought it was acceptable then? Didn't think that we could make a go of it?" She laughed bitterly again, the hard expression back in place. "Oh, Kate, you're so naïve." She sat down on the edge of an armchair and reached into her bag. "To be honest, though, I don't think our marriage stood a chance. He was too much in love with her. I tried to make it work, giving up my career and following him all over the world. And for what?" She took out a pack of cigarettes and lit one. "To lose him to a woman that resembles his dead girlfriend!" "Anyway, I've finally had enough. You're welcome to him, Kate. But think about this...does he love you for who you are, or who you look like?" I stared up at her, wondering the same thing myself and watched as she took a long draw on her cigarette. "How were you going to tell him about the baby?" She shrugged. "Oh, I'd have made something up, I suppose. But that's not a problem now is it? He wasn't happy about it anyway. Too worried about his damn career as usual..." She laughed again. "Hmm, I may have done something that will hurt him though. And serves him right..." "What have you done, Jessica?" She paused before answering and blew out a cloud of smoke. "I paid a little visit to Jefferson's yesterday and had a chat with Daniel's chief executive. Such a friendly man." "What did you say?" I felt my heart thud again and knew what was coming. "I think the Directors are more than aware of your little relationship now, sweetie. Has he told you?" She smiled at the look of shock on my face. "No, I didn't think so, he's too proud to tell you the bad news, isn't he? Pretended everything was OK, did he? Drank too much last night and kept his distance?" I said nothing and she rose from the chair, flicking a small amount of ash onto the carpet. "You poor thing, Kate. I know him so well. He's a difficult person to live with and the thought of losing his job will be a disaster for him. I doubt your relationship will survive that. He'll blame you forever. His career meant everything." I started to tremble as I thought back to last night, how Daniel had been so withdrawn. Why hadn't he told me? She glanced at her watch. "I must go. I won't bother you again, Kate. I've said everything I need to say. Good luck with him. You'll need it. Oh, and don't say I didn't warn you." I stood and followed her out of the cottage, watching as she stubbed out her cigarette on the path and feeling as if she had snuffed out my happiness along with it. * I spent the rest of the day in shock and confusion. Why hadn't Daniel told me what had happened? And what was the outcome of his meeting with Jessica? I tried desperately to get hold of him, but his mobile was switched off, making my feelings of anger and frustration even worse. If she was telling me the truth, did that mean he didn't trust me? I paced around the house, unable to concentrate on anything, willing him to come home and explain where he'd been and what he'd been doing. Suppose he did something stupid? I was sitting in the dark living room when he finally returned, the glow from the fire the only source of light. I heard the jangle of his keys as he threw them onto the kitchen table and the fridge open as he pulled out a cold beer. He appeared in the door, his tie askew and his hair rumpled and messy. "What's up? Why are there no lights on?" "Where have you been, Daniel?" There was a pause. "Work, of course. Where do you think I've been?" I tried to remain calm. My earlier outbursts had made me think twice about jumping to any conclusions and I wanted to hear his side of the story. "Have you? You're still there?" "What do you mean? Still there?" "Jessica came to see me today, Daniel. We had an interesting talk..." I looked at him and saw the shock I had felt earlier now reflected in his face. He took a long swallow of beer and headed out of the room. "Where are you going?" "To get another beer." Under the harsh light in the kitchen I noticed how tired and rough he looked. He hadn't shaven and lines of worry were etched into his face. "Tell me what's going on, Daniel. Please. I've been imagining all sorts today. I haven't been able to contact you..." "There's nothing to tell, Kate. It's just difficult at work at the moment, that's all." "Jessica said she'd been in to Jefferson's to tell your colleagues about our relationship. Is that true?" He paused and took another long swallow. "You believed her?" I felt a sudden rush of relief at his words but sensed he wasn't telling me the truth. "Why should she lie?" "She'd do anything to split us up, Kate. You know that." I remembered the other side of Jessica I had seen that morning and hesitated. "Please...just tell me the truth, Daniel. How can we have any sort of relationship when you won't open up to me?" He looked at me long and hard and finished his beer in one gulp. "I need a shower." I watched him make his way up the stairs and felt a terrible despair. Rummaging through the freezer I pulled out a pizza and switched the oven on. I didn't have any appetite but I made a salad and opened a bottle of red wine to go with dinner. I could hear the shower going and the sound of Daniel moving about, and then silence. Wanting more than anything for him to take me in his arms and reassure me, I climbed the stairs to see him lying on the bed, a towel wrapped around his waist. He had shaved and I could smell the faint tang of aftershave in the air. I went over and sat on the bed, stroking his chest and gazing at the sight of him lying there with his eyes closed. "She was telling the truth, wasn't she?" He nodded and I continued. "She told me about your marriage, Daniel. How she felt she couldn't compete with Louise." He didn't say anything and I leaned forward and kissed his stomach, loving the feel of his warm, damp skin beneath my lips. "I just want some reassurance, Daniel," I said. "I don't know who to believe any more." He opened his eyes and looked at me. "Do you trust me?" I nodded and bent to kiss him again. His nipples responded to my tongue and he groaned, his hand reaching out for my hair, twisting the long strands between his fingers. "I need you, Kate. Please don't ever forget that." "I won't," I murmured and loosened the towel around his waist. My fingers moved from his chest to his penis, which was semi-erect, and I stroked him, wrapping my fingers around his velvety shaft, enjoying the feeling of it growing in my hands. "Get undressed, Kate," he moaned. "I need this now. Please... just let me feel you." I did as he asked, but slowly, maintaining eye contact all the time while I stripped down. I took off my bra and licked my fingers before massaging my nipples, making them stand erect and loving the jolt of pleasure I received in my pussy. He was stroking himself all the while, running his fingers over his erection and pumping up and down in slow deliberate movements. Watching him, I felt myself grow wet, my need for him so bad it made me ache inside. His cock was now standing proud and I lifted one leg over his thighs and straddled him, rubbing the tip of his penis against the wet opening of my pussy. I wanted so badly to have him inside me and all the problems of the day forgotten in a mutual union of bliss. Love & Peace Ch. 05 I caressed and teased him with my juices, making the head of his cock moist and slippery. The pleasure on his face was wonderful and I realised he had relaxed completely because of the closeness between us. "That feels so good, my love," I said as I lifted my hips and slid slowly down onto his hardness, sighing with ecstasy as I felt him go deep inside me. "I love you, Kate." I opened my eyes and saw him staring at me, a strange look on his face. "Do you know that?" I nodded and closed my eyes again as I moved up and down on him. The sensations were growing stronger in my pussy as my clitoris responded to the friction he was creating, giving me so many delicious feelings that I couldn't contain my pleasure for much longer. "Ohhh, " I cried out, bending down to kiss him again. "I want you so much." He put his hands on my hips and helped me with the rhythm, watching as my breasts bounced, my nipples erect with the desire I was feeling. "Come for me, Kate," he urged and I touched myself, looking at him and rubbing the swollen bud in smooth circular strokes, feeling the pleasure build and knowing that the climax would be hard and intense. And it was. I could feel him tense as well and I moved quicker, sensing his urgency and wanting us to come together. I wanted to share this intimacy with him and wipe away all the doubt and confusion that had filled my mind all day. He suddenly cried out and I rubbed hard, feeling that delicious release as I climaxed. He exploded into me, too, my pussy filling up with his cum, our cries mingling as we both relaxed into each other, experiencing the wonderful togetherness that brought us so close. I felt him grow smaller inside me and cuddled up to him, my heart returning to normal after the intense orgasm. "I'm sorry, Kate," he murmured, stroking my hair. I kissed him and smiled. I knew that we had crossed the barrier and hoped that over dinner he would tell me what had happened. Dinner! I remembered the pizza and ran downstairs to the kitchen to find a terrible burning smell filling the small room. "Damn!" I shouted as I pulled the blackened meal out of the oven. Behind me, I heard a snigger and turned to see Daniel standing there naked. We both laughed and the tension finally disappeared. "Come on, I'll treat you to a meal at the pub," he grinned. "I'll then tell you what's been happening to me." * The pub was quiet and we found a secluded table in the back room, the noise of clinking glasses and conversation muffled by the thick walls. Daniel placed a bottle of wine in front of me and sat down, his legs stretched out underneath the table. The light-hearted atmosphere disappeared as he took a sip of wine. "I've been suspended. Until after Christmas. My relationship with you is a serious breach of trust at the moment, and they can't allow me to go back for the time being." "Oh God, I'm sorry, Daniel." He leaned forward and touched my cheek. "Don't be. I knew what I was doing with you. I could have resisted, but I didn't. Sometimes these things are meant to happen." "But what about your job? All the work you've done?" He looked at me. "What about us? Our future?" "Daniel, your job was so important to you. You can't just throw all that away!" "It was important, yes. I agree. It used to be the most important thing in my life, but then I found you. I led a life of continual stress, Kate. Always having to be there for Jefferson's, never having more than a week away and even then being on the end of a cell phone. And what if I'd had kids? What time would I have spent with them?" I sat back in my chair and felt myself relax a little. "But why didn't you tell me?" He sighed. "Because I wanted to protect you. And I wanted to wait for a few days until it was sorted out before telling you. I knew you would blame yourself." "What about my job?" "Your job is safe, Kate. That was one of the issues we agreed upon." I suddenly felt a mix of emotions. On one hand I was glad I still had my job, but on the other, did I really want to be there? "It's up to you, Kate, if you still want to stay," said Daniel as if reading my thoughts. "I expect I will be given a discreet settlement and told to go back to the States. I'm not worried about my career. I have plenty of contacts and I know of at least one firm that would hire me tomorrow." "But you seemed so strange last night. So distant." "It was a shock. Seeing Jessica in the office and hearing her tell my Senior Executive all sorts of private details was a huge blow to my pride. Up until now, I'd never put a foot wrong and always portrayed our marriage as a success. It was a bit humbling having to admit that it wasn't." "How did they react?" "Well, Jessica said her piece and then she left. That gave me the opportunity to put my side of the story. They were very understanding and when I told them about Louise, they were sympathetic. I had a photo in my wallet and they agreed that you do have an uncanny resemblance to her." I held my breath. "How can I be sure that it's me you want... and not her?" "Kate, you look like her, but that's where the similarity ends. She was a bit like Jessica in that she was interested in her future career, but she was heavily into charity work as well. I sometimes think our relationship wouldn't have worked out anyway. Even at 16 she was giving up a lot of her free time to help others." "When Jessica came to see me, she said she was always trying to compete with her. That you didn't love her as much as you loved Louise. Was that true?" Daniel thought for a moment and took another sip of wine. "Yes, I suppose it was. I was unfair to her, comparing her to Louise all the time. It was a recipe for disaster." "She's not pregnant, Daniel." He looked at me and I could see him visibly relax. "I didn't think she was. It was too much of a coincidence." "She can't have children..." The shock of my words made him pale. "Is that what she said? She told you that?" I nodded. "For a little while I saw a different side of her today, Daniel. A lost and lonely woman who seems to have wasted a lot of her life trying to be something she wasn't." He looked at me and I saw the guilt in his eyes. "She was right to blame me for a lot of things, I agree. We were stuck in hell together." "Daniel, I don't want to go through what Jessica did... do you understand that? I can't be Louise and you need to tell me whether it's her you want or me." He looked at me and time seemed to stop as we gazed at each other. I could feel the tension, his thoughts, his remembrance of Louise and what she meant to him. "You will always remind me of her, I can't deny that, but as I said, you're different in many ways...you have to believe that." "I think I do. I love you, Daniel. I don't want to live without you..." "Marry me, then. Say we'll be together after the divorce..." I hesitated. It all seemed too soon but as I gazed at his face and the hope that was in his eyes, I knew I would agree. But first I needed him to find peace with Jessica so we could put his marriage behind us. "You need to go and see her, Daniel. Discuss the problems you had and talk to her about her inability to have children." "I know, I know. God, that's a shock. She never said, in all the years we were together." "Would it have made a difference? Did you love her?" He paused and took a sip of wine. "I suppose I loved her, in a way. But she was a cold woman, Kate. No real human warmth there at all. Perhaps children would have changed that." I nodded. "What were you doing today?" He frowned. "I spent most of the day driving around, which was pretty stupid. I realise that now. I just needed some time to think, get my head straight. I know I should have told you, but Kate...I wanted to protect you from feeling guilty." "But I would have been back at work next week. What were you going to do then?" He shrugged. "I would have told you at the weekend, Kate. Things would have been more definite then. I'm sorry. I just wasn't thinking straight." I reached out and put my hand on his arm. "Don't ever keep anything from me again. Promise?" He leant over to me and kissed me, his lips warm against mine. "I promise." * In the weeks leading up to Christmas, Daniel went to see Jessica and had a long talk with her that was probably way overdue. A lot of issues were discussed and although Daniel never told me about the conversation, they seemed to have finally reached an agreement that smoothed the way for an amicable divorce. Jessica never showed any remorse over her actions, but she seemed to accept that the marriage was over and was happy with the settlement figure and the house they had lived in in San Francisco. Daniel resigned from Jefferson's and accepted the offer of a job with a UK company based in London. I gave my notice in as well and he moved in with me permanently until the divorce was finalised and we could look for a bigger house. And as for us, I believed him when he told me it was me he loved and not the ghost of Louise. He had given up his career at Jefferson's for me and wanted to stay in the UK permanently. There would be no ghosts in the house we would share together, just love and peace... ******* Epilogue – one year later. The winter sun highlighted the woman's hair for a split second, making it shine like strands of spun gold as she walked along the frosty path. Obviously pregnant, she was supported by a tall, dark haired man who held her tenderly, his arm wrapped around her waist as they negotiated the slippery walkway. All around lay graves, some covered in flowers, some bare, the headstones standing out in stark relief against the grey sky. In his arms the man carried a bouquet of red roses, a bold splash of colour against the black of his overcoat. They walked slowly, stopping every now and again to read a loving inscription and the woman sometimes wiped away a tear from her eyes. At the end of a long row of graves, shaded by large trees that hung over the path, they stopped, and the man bent forward to place the flowers on a simple white stone grave. The couple embraced and stood still for a short while, each of them lost in thoughts as they gazed out over the frozen graveyard. "She's at peace, now, Daniel. I'm so glad we made the journey." The man nodded and kissed the woman tenderly on the top of her head. "I needed to do this, Kate. She's a part of my life and always will be." The woman turned to read the inscription on the grave, the words still fresh after thirty odd years. "Because of Louise, you and I are together. At least some good has come out of the badness." The man nodded and placed his hand over the woman's stomach. He could feel the faint kicks of the life within and smiled. Suddenly, he could sense Louise, and the warmth of the love she had for him filled him with happiness. "Thank you, darling ," he murmured gazing at her name carved in stone, and taking his wife's arm he steered her away from the shade of the trees and out into the warmth of the sunshine. **** Thank you to everyone who voted and read the story! I hope you enjoyed it. All feedback will be answered and please don't forget to vote for me! janiexx