A Dangerous Love Affair

Chapter Two-2

“Wow! That is some bathtub. I’ll feel quite jealous when I use my bath.”

Tara’s smile was playful. “Yours may not be like mine, but it’s still a Jacuzzi. Do you have one in your apartment?”

John nodded. “I do, but it’s nowhere near as good as yours.”

As they stepped out of the bathroom and back into the bedroom, John felt his temperature rising. He could imagine Tara lying on the bed wearing a sexy negligee.

Tara had noticed John’s mind wandering. “Yes, well, I can see you’re impressed, but you’ve seen enough.” With that, she pushed him out of the door.

She then showed John into a smaller bedroom. Apart from a single bed and a wardrobe, a desk in the corner housed a laptop computer.

“If you want to use the internet, you can get online with my computer. It’s nothing fancy, but it works well and has a fast internet connection.” With a sideways glance, Tara added, “Please don’t use it to contact any of your old girlfriends. If you do, I’ll be extremely jealous.”

John felt his smile fall away. Unable to keep the annoyance from his voice, he said, “I hope you’re joking. I would never dream of doing such a thing even if I was in contact with any of them, which I’m not.”

Tara’s jovial expression turned to one of regret. She reached out and caught hold of John’s hand, holding it tightly. “Please accept my sincere apologies, John. I should never have said such a stupid thing. I don’t think for one minute you would do that.” She paused for a moment. “I feel sure that you like me as much as I like you.” Her cheeks flushed. “And that’s a great deal.” With that, she reached up and gave him a short but tender kiss.

“Apology accepted.” John smiled mischievously. “If I’m liable to get a kiss like that, you can insult me more often.”

As they left the room, Tara opened the last door in the corridor, which disclosed a bathroom.

As they walked towards the stairs, John said, “I’m going to enjoy my weekend here.” He turned and gazed into Tara’s eyes. “Everything looks so good; I’ll be sorry to leave.”

Tara c****d an eyebrow. “Well, who knows? If you behave, I might ask you back.”

Seeing John’s smile fade, she gave a short laugh. “Don’t worry; I’m sure you’ll be here again.”

John smiled broadly. “If you invited me, wild horses couldn’t keep me away.” He chuckled. “It’s just… with you, it may not be so easy to behave.”

Seeing Tara’s expression change to one of concern, he said quickly, “I’m only joking.”

A slight smile crossed Tara’s face. “Hmm, but I only have Sam to guard me. Who knows? He might like you more than he does me.”

John chuckled. “In that case, I’ll do my best to make him like me.”

Tara nodded. “Yes, I know, and that’s what bothers me. Anyway, we’d better go back downstairs. I’ll feel safer there.”

John turned. He held Tara gently by the shoulders and looked her straight in the eye. “There is no need to worry, Tara. I would never do anything to upset you.”

Tara nodded, looking mollified, and led the way back down to the lounge.

“Make yourself comfortable while; I make us a drink. In the circumstances, I think tea or coffee would be better than alcohol. Which would you prefer?”

“Well, I noticed you have a fancy-looking coffee machine. Therefore, I’d like a cappuccino, please.”

Tara smiled. “Of course, right away, sir. Your slightest wish is my command.” As she walked towards the kitchen, John called out, “Are you sure about that?”

He heard her sigh. “You don’t give up, John.”

A short time later, Tara reappeared. She carried a tray loaded with two cups of cappuccino, each topped with a dollop of cream.

“Here you are, sir; I hope it’s to your satisfaction.”

John grinned. “As you made it, I’m sure it will be.”

Tara sat down beside him; her expression serious. “Can I say something, John?”

His smile faded. “Of course, but I hope it’s nothing bad.”

Tara gave him a solemn look that set his mind in a whirl. “That rather depends on what you consider bad. Anyway, you know by inviting you here, I feel safe and comfortable with you. Nevertheless, I’ve seen you give me a few looks that maybe you thought I didn’t see.” Tara shrugged. “I could find myself enchanted by the nice things you say.” John went to interrupt, but Tara put a finger to his lips. “I hope, as I’m sure you do that we’ll become much closer in time. It’s just that I don’t want to rush to get into bed with you.” She shook her head. “I would be hurt if, after I did, your feelings towards me changed.” Tara sighed. “I guess it’s because I’m older than you.” She then said, “A close friend of mine had it happen to her after jumping into bed with a guy she dated for a while.” Tara paused, then looking downcast, added, “She almost ended up suicidal. I don’t wish that for myself.”

As John started to speak, Tara said, “Please, John, let me finish. I’m not like one of those people I used to write about in my books. I prefer to know the person before going to bed with them.” She looked up into John’s eyes. “There, I’ve said it now. I’m sorry, John, but I don’t want you to feel disappointed.”

John reached out and held Tara’s hands. “Look, I appreciate your honesty in telling me this, but it makes no difference to how I feel about you. Let me say that I’m also not someone who sleeps around. I realised from our first meeting you were like me in that respect. Of course, I’d love to sleep with you; I’d be a liar and a fool to say otherwise.” He shrugged. “It may seem strange, but I hope our relationship will develop into something special.” He squeezed her hand. “I may be wrong, but I think you feel the same.”

As John finished speaking, Tara leaned over and kissed him. “Thank you for being so understanding. I had a feeling you’d get it.”

John chuckled. “Right, now that subject is out of the way; our coffee is going cold.”

Tara snickered. “I see. Coffee’s more important than me, is it?” They laughed, then drank their lukewarm coffee.

“So, which would you prefer: have a swim, or get changed and go out to eat?” Tara asked.

John smiled sheepishly. “Well, after our talk, if I saw you in a swimsuit, I might prefer to go hungry.”

A blush crept over Tara’s cheeks. “In that case, let’s get changed and go out somewhere.”

While Tara picked up the tray and took it out to the kitchen, John took their cases upstairs. After a quick shower and a change of clothes, John went back downstairs. When Tara appeared a few minutes later, she wore linen trousers, a loose patterned blouse, a scarf, and carried a pair of sandals.

John whistled. “Not only nice but quick as well,” he said.

Tara raised her eyes. “Of course. How could I leave you alone? I never know when one of the girls might drop in.”

John frowned, puzzled before Tara explained. “My friends have a key to the side gate. That way, they can come in whenever they feel like taking a swim. There’s a small changing room at the end of the garden, so instead of leaving wearing their bikinis, the girls can leave dressed.” Tara chuckled. “However, I’m sure some of my neighbours would prefer if they left in bikinis.”

John’s eyebrows shot up. “You mean I could find a gorgeous girl in a bikini outside sunbathing at any given time?”

Tara sighed. “Yes, I’m afraid so.”

Puzzled, John asked, “Afraid, why’s that?”

She smiled impishly. “If you remember, I did say they were models. I don’t want you getting any ideas, seeing them like that.”

With a twinkle in his eye, John said, “Hmm. It might be difficult not to look, but rest assured, I wouldn’t touch. Or chat them up,” he added quickly.

After they went outside, Tara locked up. She opened the garage door and disappeared inside. After hearing an engine start, a sleek red sports car appeared.

John had wondered why Tara had come out wearing a scarf, and now he knew. Her car was a sports car, with the top-down. Sat wearing a pair of dark sunglasses and the scarf tied around her hair, Tara looked like a movie star.

“Alfa Romeo, nice,” he commented, climbing in.

Tara nodded as they pulled out into the road. “It’s an old Spider model.”

“Well, old or not, it looks great.” Looking at her appreciatively, John added, “You looked like something out of Hollywood when you drove out of the garage.”

Tara slid him a glance. “I see. So, does that mean that now we’re driving, I no longer do?”

“Don’t be silly; I always feel like I’m with a star when I’m with you.”

Tara blushed and smiled a little bashfully. “What can I say but thank you, John? You make me sound so special when you talk like that.”

John lent across and kissed Tara on the cheek. “You are special,” he told her.

After about ten minutes of John’s hair being blown every which way, Tara pulled into a car park. She removed her headscarf and put it into her handbag,

“Well, here we are, Tara, said, shaking out her hair. The White Horse, it’s our local. I hope you enjoyed the ride.”

John grinned and patted down his hair. “Of course, I did. It’s not every day I get driven by a movie star in an Italian sports car.”

The smile Tara gave John was dazzling. “Flattery, all I get is flattery.” Before he could comment, Tara caught hold of his hand and led him through a side gate and into the pub.

“They have quite a selection of food here,” she said. “I’m sure you’ll find something to your taste.”

John squeezed Tara’s hand. “I already have something I like, thank you.”

Tara let go of him and pressed a hand to her mouth to stifle a laugh. “Behave yourself, John.” She then batted her eyelashes demurely. “I don’t want to damage my reputation.”

Although busy, Tara spotted an empty table where they sat down. “After we’ve chosen from the menu, we order at the bar.”

Once they had decided what to eat, John went to order their meals. While waiting, he took a look around. The timber beams, half-panelled walls, and a variety of country scenes hanging on the walls made it seem like a typical English country pub. On first impressions, it looked a friendly place.

Along with their order, John requested two glasses of house white wine. After returning to their table, he and Tara discussed what to do with the rest of their day.

“For me, after we let our meal go down, a swim in that pool of yours would be ideal,” John said. “I don’t get much chance to swim in London.”

Tara nodded. “Suits me. This time of the year, it’s an ideal place to relax. I always find it stress-relieving whenever I’m anxious about something or another.”

Looking worried, John asked, “I hope I don’t cause you stress?”

Tara reached under the table and squeezed John’s leg. “Don’t be silly; you make me happy and relaxed. I don’t feel stressed at all when I’m with you.”

John sighed relief. “That’s good. Now, where’s our lunch?” As he spoke, a waitress arrived with their order. After laying it out, she said, “Enjoy your meal,” then walked away.

John picked up his glass. “Well, what will we drink to?”

Tara raised her own. “To a good weekend, and may it be the first of many.”