An hour later we decide to stop and grab a bite to eat. We find a restaurant just off the motorway, The Plough, a family style restaurant. We dine outdoors, enjoying the warm summer weather. Alex orders two plates of fish and chips, both of us starving. After polishing off the most delicious, freshest fish and crispy chips, Alex picks up the desert menu.
“Do you fancy some spotted dick?” Alex asks, smiling broadly, after our plates have been cleared away.
“Excuse me, what?” I ask, almost choking on my water. I must have misunderstood. Spotted dick?? I’m afraid to ask.
“Spotted dick,” he says with a straight face.
“What, exactly, is….. spotted dick?” I can barely contain my laughter.
“Oh, you’ve never tried spotted dick?”
“Um, no. This must be some kind of weird British food. I’m an American, remember? We don’t eat things called spotted dick.”
“That’s a shame. Everyone needs a little dick in their life.” He grins mischievously, winking.
I can feel the heat rising in my face, and we both laugh.
“It’s a desert and it’s delicious,” he says, chuckling.
And he was right. The name doesn’t sound very appetizing, but spotted dick is melt in your mouth, sticky sweet goodness. Everyone should try a little spotted dick deliciousness.
Alex and I leave the restaurant soon afterwards and continue our journey, still heading northwest. We’re silent for a stretch of the road, both enjoying the comfort of being able to be quiet in one another’s presence. Eventually, Alex breaks the silence, telling me we are now entering Buckinghamshire. Alex drives the Porsche carefully, slowing down, the road becoming quite narrow. We travel along a winding back road and finally come to a stop in front of a massive, wrought iron gate, at least fifteen feet high. Alex gets out, punches a code into the keypad. The gate slowly begins to open, heavy under its own weight. Alex drives through the entrance, stopping to make sure the gate closes securely behind us.
We drive along a paved one-way road, a white wooden fence on each side. Beyond that is nothing but sweeping emerald green pastures as far as the eye can see. We drive past a pond with beautiful white swans gliding peacefully along the water’s surface. I see horses grazing lazily in the summer’s heat. I am speechless. The beauty and grandeur takes my breath away.
And then the house comes into view. A sprawling, two story English countryside home. Alex drives around the circular driveway, a water fountain of a nude woman in the center, and parks the car.
“Is this yours?” I ask in awe, eyes wide, stunned by the beauty of the estate. I’d only seen homes like this in magazines or coffee table books.
“Yes, it’s my country home. I suppose you could call it my retreat from the real world.”
I sit in silence for a few moments while Alex unloads our bags.
This is unbelievable. I’ve stepped into a fantasy world.
Let the fantasy begin.
Chapter 16
Caprice Belmonte specialized in fantasies. She knew exactly what turned men on, and what didn’t. In her line of work she had to. Men were turned on by women who took care of themselves, and Caprice took care of herself very well. Weekly trips to the salon, manicures, pedicures, weekly massages, waxing. Caprice was groomed to perfection. She knew the look that turned men into putty in her hands – svelte, toned body with curves in all the right places, full, pillowy lips. Long, silky shiny hair. Caprice knew which clothes accentuated her perfect body. She shopped at all the high-end designer boutiques – Gucci, Versace, and her favorite Dolce & Gabbana. Caprice had an envious collection of stilettos - Louboutins, of course.
She knew the attitude that drove them wild – sensuous, feminine, with an eagerness to please. Exude glamour. Men enjoyed glamorous women, especially Italian men. Sergio was no different. Caprice used her looks and glamour to get what she wanted in life, and so far it had worked very well.
Sergio kept insisting that she quit dancing, but Caprice wasn’t ready to give up the stage. At least not yet. What Caprice really wanted was to break into mainstream entertainment – she wanted to be an actress. Sergio had the means and connections to help her realize her dream. She was aware that in order to get Sergio’s help she would have to be very persuasive. Caprice smiled. It wouldn’t be too difficult. Sergio’s cock is really thick, and luckily for Caprice, his brain is even thicker. She knew just the way to persuade Sergio.
Sandra tapped her pen against her daily planner, her thoughts miles away. She was surprised that Katherine had already left for the day. Katherine was such a workaholic, plus there was loads of work regarding the Cosmo hotel project.
Alex not in today. Katherine leaving early. You didn’t have to be a genius to figure it out, Sandra thought ruefully.
Poor Katherine, she mused. She has no idea who she’s getting involved with.
Sandra knew. Sandra knew because she had been there and done that, unfortunately. She and Alex had slept together, years ago. It was just one night, nothing more, during a stressful period in Sandra’s life during which she was going through her divorce. She had turned to Alex for support, and it just kind of happened. Sandra thought it might lead to something more, but Alex made it clear to her that he was not interested in a relationship.
They were able to remain on good terms, and Sandra continued working for Alex, although, at times it was difficult, she had to admit. Harry absolutely did not know about her one night stand with Alex – and she hoped he never would. It would cause too much friction at home, and Harry would insist she find employment elsewhere. Besides, it happened years ago, when she first started working for Alex. It was water under the bridge in Sandra’s mind. Well……most of the time. Occasionally, she would allow herself to remember their one night of passion, replaying the night over in her mind. It was the best sex Sandra ever had. Alex was an incredibly skilled lover, bringing her to orgasm three times that night. She still became aroused every time she thought about it.
Sandra’s concern for Katherine was sincere - she genuinely didn’t want Katherine to get hurt. She recalled the heartache she felt after Alex. He was not unkind about it, and insisted that he wanted to maintain their professional relationship, but he made it very clear to her that it was a one night only affair. Sandra accepted this, thinking that maybe one day Alex would change his mind. He didn’t. Sandra sat back and watched him go through one woman after another, and there was no telling how many she didn’t know about. Sandra slowly began to realize it was for the best – Alex had done her a favor. She moved on, began dating, and finally met Harry.
Harry was good to Sandra and she loved him dearly. They had been married for two years and they had a nice, comfortable married life together. At times, Sandra longed for more excitement in their marriage, especially in bed, but she knew there was no such thing as having it all. Besides, once the spark and excitement fade, as it always does, what was left was either a true friendship or nothing at all.