Background
Genuinely believing that Alan doesn't love her, Lisa is more determined than ever to make her relationship work with Nick. The day arrives when she is being flown to The Isle of Man for half term.
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As arranged, the helicopter picked Lisa up from the school at eleven-thirty on Saturday morning. She stared out of the window as she sat by the pilot, and watched the countryside below slowly disappear as it got nearer to Gatwick airport. At first she was nervous, never having been in a helicopter before, but by the time they had been in the air for ten minutes, she was relaxed and enjoying the experience. It all felt so strange being treated as though she were somebody special. She didn't think she would ever get used to it.
When they arrived at Gatwick, she was met by Malcolm, one of Nick's staff, who treated her like royalty and escorted her through the airport to the VIP lounge to wait for the private plane that was going to take her on her last leg of the journey. It was a different world when a man with so much money loved you. Nick seemed to have arranged everything down to the very last detail in order to make sure she arrived. He needn't have worried. After the conversation with Alan the week before, Lisa was more determined than ever to not only get there, but to do everything in her power to feel as much for Nick as she had for Alan.
By one-thirty, Lisa was in Nick's arms feeling loved and pampered. When he at last stopped kissing her, the relief showing clearly in his eyes, he took her hand and steered her towards the car park.
He had brought his Mercedes convertible because, this time, he wanted to show Lisa exactly what kind of lifestyle she was marrying into. Lisa looked suitably impressed when she saw it. As he drove her back along the coast road to his house in Port Erin, he kept looking over at her and smiling. The years of loving her had finally paid off, and the pain of losing her for those agonising few weeks was gone.
It took her breath away when she saw Nick's house set on the hill above the bay with its views across the Irish Sea. It looked magnificent and, as they drove through the electric gates and up the long sweeping driveway, she was bowled over by the beauty of the gardens surrounding the stunning white, Art Deco house.
When Nick opened the front door, he scooped Lisa up in his arms and carried her inside as though she was already his bride, and he wouldn't put her down until she told him that she loved him. When she did, Nick was the happiest man alive. Lisa would never know how long he had waited to show her the house which he had built primarily with her in mind. Once inside, he proudly showed her around.
Lisa thought that it was beautifully designed, but was struck by the fact that it was all fairly impersonal. The only pictures were those of her taken when she had been on holiday in the summer, or when Nick had visited her in Scotland two weeks after she returned. An interior designer had obviously picked all the ornaments, because they matched the décor perfectly. It was more like a luxurious hotel than a home.
When at last they got to his bedroom, she thought the six-foot bed almost looked small, because the room was so large. The furniture in the bedroom picked up on the tones of the cream and taupe fabric framing the windows, and what seemed like dozens of cushions sat at the top of the bed, giving the whole room an air of opulent luxury.
Nick watched her and tried to gauge her reaction.
“I notice you’ve left the master bedroom till last,” she said coyly, smiling nervously back at him.
Nick looked sheepish. He wanted nothing more than to love her, feel her skin next to his.
“Can you blame me? I can't believe that you're really here,” he replied, and unable to hold back any longer, he took her in his arms. Lisa knew that he wanted to make love, but she needed more time. She gave him a mischievous look.
“Not yet, you wicked man. You need to feed me first, I'm starving.” She said in an effort to stall just a little longer.
With that, she grabbed his hand and dragged him back to the kitchen where she'd noticed some sandwiches covered in cling-film had been left out on the counter top. She helped herself to one with smoked salmon and lemon mayonnaise, while Nick watched her with a contented smile on his face.
“You didn't make these, did you?” she asked, helping herself to another. Nick shook his head and passed her a plate.
“No, I'm afraid not. I asked my housekeeper to make them before she left this morning. I knew you wouldn't have had time for lunch.”
She put her plate and half eaten sandwich down, and then wrapped her arms around his neck.
“You're so considerate, Nick. I bet you asked her to leave some champagne on ice as well- didn’t you?” Nick laughed. She had him completely sussed.
“Yes I did, but I had hoped we wouldn’t have to wait until tomorrow to open it. Would you like some now?”
Lisa looked back at him and felt guilty. She knew that letting Nick make love to her couldn’t be put off any longer. He had done everything to show her how much he loved her - as much as Alan had proved that he didn’t. She opened the fridge, took out the cold bottle of Moet Chandon, and offered him her hand…
They got to the hotel just before Lisa's parents. Lisa checked into her room and ran up the stairs to unpack. By the time she got back downstairs, they had arrived, and Nick had taken them through to the bar for a drink. Lisa saw her father standing at the bar, and she gave him a big hug. She hadn't seen him since that awful night at the police station, which seemed a million years ago because so much had happened since then.
Her mother looked as though she’d already had something to drink on the boat because she was slurring her words and draping herself on the barstool while she spoke to Nick. Since Lisa had left, her need to drink had extended into the day as well as the night. She lent over unsteadily towards Lisa when she’d finished hugging her father, her arms outstretched.
“Lisa, darling,” she gushed. “Come and give me a kiss.” Lisa got to her just before she nearly toppled off the stool, and gave her a perfunctory peck on the cheek. Her father handed her mother another glass of wine, and Lisa gave him a dirty look. She had obviously had enough already. Unfortunately, Fiona's drunken behaviour carried on for most of the evening, and Lisa let out a sigh of relief when her parents went to bed early and left her alone with Nick.
Nick seemed to think Fiona's behaviour was amusing, but Lisa found it downright embarrassing. She knew her father felt the same way. Lisa wondered if she would ever be able to forgive her. If it hadn't been for her, she would never have run off to Chelmsford with Alan, and Nick would have been the first to make love to her.
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After her parents had gone to bed, Lisa and Nick went outside for some fresh air. He put his arm around her and pulled her close to him, not wanting to leave.
“I can't bear the thought of going home without you. Can't I stay here, or you come back with me? I could bring you back first thing in the morning.”
Lisa shook her head. She would probably have got away with it, but her mother's behaviour, and what had happened earlier, made her say no. She definitely wanted to go to bed on her own. That afternoon, when Nick had made love to her, she had felt as though she was playing a part. He had been sweet and considerate, but her body had refused to relax, which had made the whole experience awkward and embarrassing. When he had at last entered her, it truly did feel like the first time any man had. Her cries of pain sounded like those of passion, and she lay on the bed as Nick thrust into her over and over again, with her praying that it would soon be over.
Nick realised she was tired, and reluctantly kissed her goodnight as they stood beside his car. He had intended keeping the party he'd arranged for the next day as a surprise, but he thought he'd better warn her, especially as her father already knew all about it.
“You have a good night’s sleep - you'll need it. I've arranged a small party tomorrow night at the house, so you better catch up on your beauty sleep,” he told her, before kissing her one last time and getting into his car. Lisa promised that she would.
As she waved him goodbye, Lisa knew he was disappointed, but there was too much going on in her head. She just wanted to be on her own. Even though she had vowed to forget Alan after their conversation on the phone, the only way she had managed to respond to Nick in any way was to shut her eyes and pretend it was Alan who was making love to her. She just hoped that eventually she would be able to banish him from her mind completely, and stop seeing him every time she closed her eyes…
The following day her parents didn't come down to breakfast, so when Nick arrived at nine-thirty, he took Lisa for a drive until they surfaced. They drove through to Douglas Head and sat looking at the sea crashing below them while Nick chatted happily about the people who were coming to the party that evening. The list included several pop stars, and in some cases, their equally famous partners, a couple of well known millionaires, and a few T.V. celebrities. Lisa thought it sounded more like a list of ‘Who's Who,’ than a list of party guests. She lost her patience and interrupted him.
“I thought you said it was going to be a small party? You’ve invited dozens of people,” she protested. She was beginning to feel more nervous by the second. Nick looked sheepish.
“That’s how it started out, but I want everyone I know to meet you, Lisa, I'm sure they all think you’re a figment of my imagination.”
She doubted that very much, with all the press attention they'd had. Lisa didn't realise that Nick was thinking about the last party he’d arranged for the evening she was due to arrive two months before. He had planned it down to the very last detail, and he had ended up humiliated, the object of everyone's pity.
Lisa didn't notice the distant look on his face, and asked if there were any ordinary people coming. She was beginning to feel apprehensive about the whole thing. He assured her that there would be plenty of nice people there who she would never have heard of, so she wasn't to worry. But she did, especially as her mother could ruin it all, irrespective of all Nick’s planning.
She voiced her fear that her mother might drink too much and embarrass them all, but Nick reassured her that it would be fine.
“She'll just be one of many, if she drinks too much. There are a lot of hardened drinkers coming tonight, so nobody will notice her. Anyway, if last night's anything to go by, your parents will leave early, and I'll have you all to myself.”
Lisa burst out laughing.
“How can you have me all to yourself when you’ve invited all those people to the party?” She teased.
Nick stretched over and kissed her.
“Believe me, I'll find a way - especially if you’re wearing that stunning blue dress I bought for you in London.”
Lisa was surprised.
“Is it going to be that formal tonight?”
Nick was amazed she could ask.
“You’re not suggesting that I would introduce my beautiful fiancée to my flashy friends with anything less than a black tie affair, are you?” He asked with a cheeky grin. Lisa smiled at the way he always made her feel good about herself. She just hoped his friends wouldn't be too disappointed.
They decided to get back to the hotel and see if her parents had surfaced, but when they got back, they couldn't find them anywhere. Eventually Lisa asked for them at reception, and she was given a hand written envelope from her father by the receptionist. They had checked out.
In the note her father explained that her mother had woken up feeling unwell, and he had thought it best to take her home to see her own doctor, in case it was serious. He apologised for not being there for the party, and said the hotel had swiped his credit card, so if she needed anything she was to charge it to his account. As usual, he had been thoughtful enough to put cash in the envelope with the note. Lisa sighed with relief, and Nick looked ecstatic.
“That’s a whole week I have you all to myself--fantastic!” he cried, picking her up and swirling her around the hotel reception area.
Lisa thought the real reason her parents had gone early was because her father knew her mother might spoil things for Lisa in some way, especially after her performance the night before. She was absolutely right. When they’d got back to their room the night before, Lisa's father had been disgusted with his wife's drunken behaviour, and they'd had a blazing argument. Since the incident in Chelmsford, he’d realised that Fiona didn't necessarily have Lisa's best interests at heart. When she drank heavily, which seemed to be most of the time now, she didn't seem to care who she hurt. He wasn't going to let her ruin things for Lisa again.
He had taken her home, not to see her doctor, but to book her into a clinic, to try and do something about her drinking. It had taken over their lives, and couldn’t be ignored anymore.
Lisa collected some of her things from her room, just leaving enough to make it look like she could still be staying there, and Nick smiled happily for the whole fifteen-minute journey back to the house.
Lisa couldn't believe how it had been transformed since she'd been there the previous day. Nick had booked one of the top party caterers to organise everything, and they had, very efficiently. The house was filled with beautiful flowers, and the kitchen was full of trays of delicious looking food, all waiting to be cooked or heated up at the appropriate time.
Nick introduced Lisa to his housekeeper, Mrs Farrell, who was fussing about making sure that the house was spotless. Lisa took to her immediately, and she followed her through to a beautifully decorated guestroom with it’s own ensuite.
“Mr Corday asked me to put your clothes in here, Miss Collins. He said you would be staying for a few days, and you’re to tell me if he’s forgotten anything. Is there anything else I can get you just now?”
Lisa thanked her, and said that there wasn't. She looked about the room and found all of the clothes Nick had bought for her in London neatly folded in the drawers, or hanging up in the wardrobe. That was with the exception of the blue dress, which was hanging up in the mirrored bathroom, with the matching shoes and handbag beside it.
On the dressing table there was a selection of expensive perfumes, and a full make-up box from Estee Lauder containing every possible cosmetic any girl could want. As usual, Nick had thought of everything.
Lisa wandered back to the main lounge, where Nick was discussing some last minute arrangements with the caterers. She watched him talking to the man and was reminded again how much effort he was putting into making the night a success. She started to feel nervous about meeting so many of his friends in one go, especially as they all seemed to be successful, in one way or another. They would probably think she was some stupid schoolgirl, out to pick Nick clean. She resolved to prove them all wrong if that was the case.
When he was sure everything was running to plan, Nick took her hand and led her through to his study. It was a lovely room with deep red walls and green damask curtains edged with a heavy fringe. In the centre of the room there was a huge mahogany partner’s desk, where she could imagine Nick sitting as he ran his empire on a daily basis. As soon as he closed the door, he took her in his arms.
“I've got something for you,” he said, looking down at her lovingly.
Lisa felt her body stiffen, thinking that he wanted to make love.
“I can’t imagine what that is.” she replied nervously.
Nick laughed and let her go, realising that she had misunderstood him. It wasn't surprising, when he had taken her in his arms, the feel of her skin, and the memory of them making love the day before, had made the fact that she had excited him pretty obvious. He would have liked nothing better.
He walked over to an oil painting of a raging ocean behind his desk, and opened it like a book. Lisa watched, fascinated, as he tapped in the numbers 1733 on the front of the safe, and the door opened. She suddenly realised he had chosen their two ages when they’d met as the combination, and she was reminded yet again of how much he thought about her.
Nick brought out the box with the necklace in it he had bought her in London, and put it on the desk. He then took out another smaller box, and handed it to her.
“I bought you these to go with the necklace. They'll be perfect for tonight.”
Lisa opened the small leather box and found the matching earrings to the sapphire and diamond necklace nestled in the royal blue silk. They were exquisite. She didn't protest as she usually did, but simply went over and kissed him, letting him see how grateful she was. Nick considered locking the door and making love to her there and then, but he knew they didn't have time.
“Go and make yourself beautiful, woman! I can’t wait to show you off...”
Lisa took the jewellery back to her room and started to get ready. Knowing how important it was to Nick that she looked as good as she could, she took extra care doing her hair and applying her make-up before she put on the dress.
Lisa looked back at her reflection when she was finished, and remembered the night of Vikki's party. The dress Nick had bought her in London was magnificent, and completely different to the borrowed red dress she had worn then. She tried to put that night to the back of her mind, but she knew the circumstances were the same. She had dressed to please the man in her life, and he would be making love to her at the end of the evening.
Sadly, it would not turn out to be in the way she expected...
Author Notes
I shall be posting the next chapter this evening, as it contains a lot of adult content. Pleased be warned, it is not for the faint hearted, or anyone who doesn't like sexually graphic scenes.
Lisa Collins...Main Character
Alan...A boy Lisa met whilst visiting her friend in Chelmsford.
Carla...Alan's girlfriend
Fiona Collins...Lisa's mother
Donald Collins...Lisa's father
Scott Collins...Lisa's brother
Nick Corday...A multimillionaire who has fallen in love with Lisa.
Vikki Clark...Lisa's friend from Chelmsford.
Dave Wilson... Policeman
Eve Brookes...Police woman who befriends Lisa
Jack Turner... Alan's father
Kathy Turner...Alan's mother
Karen Turner...Alan's sister
Richard Clark...Vikki's wealthy cousin from London.
Amy...the girl who befriends Lisa when she arrives at the school.
Teddy, Veronique, Chloe and Linda...Lisa's new school friends.
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