Twelve Days: The Beginning Part 17

"'Leste, will you please keep your voice down?" Elise pleaded, knowing that it was only a matter of time before someone tuned into their conversation. "I don't want to talk about it right now."

"You know you do who else can you share all your sordid secrets with? Just tell me; is that body as good as it looks?"

"That body is better than it looks." Elise replied, reluctantly finding herself drawn into the conversation.

"s.h.i.+t! You lucky b.i.t.c.h."

"And for the record," Elise continued, keen to get as much information out as quickly as she could in order to end this embarra.s.sing conversation, "It was hot seriously hot. The most erotic experience of my life. He doesn't want that to be the end for us; I don't know what that means long-term but at least I know he felt something too."

"Jeez, Elise, you're such an idiot sometimes. Anyone with eyes can see he feels something too. I'm pleased for you even if I am just little bit envious. I shall have to get my Vaughn-fix vicariously so lady, full details please as soon as we get a chance!"

Elise rolled her eyes at her friend. "There really isn't much to tell, besides, it is way beyond complicated. I have to sort out my marriage first and talk to Dale about what's going to happen. I made up my mind yesterday that I am going to leave him but I've not told Vaughn yet as I don't want him to think that the break-up of my marriage has anything to do with him. It would have happened sooner or later; it's just that Vaughn coming along has made things a whole lot clearer for me. There are things that need to be said and done before I can consider any kind of future with anyone else."

"Makes sense," Celeste agreed "and don't worry - I won't say anything to anyone. I'm here if you need me, you know that."

Elise gave her friend a quick hug. "Thanks."

"So anyway, what happened with you and Roger then? You weren't exactly taking much notice of anyone else yourself last night?" Elise asked and then watched startled as a dreamy look came across her friend's face, something that she had never witnessed before.

"Let's just say we had our fair share of down and dirty too...and boy, does that man do dirty!"

"Eugghh, 'Leste too much information!" protested Elise.

"Well you did ask!" defended Celeste. "He may not have the body of boss-man but he has some pretty tidy moves going on and I just feel this weird kind of connection with him. It's odd but we both feel it so I guess we'll just see where it takes us. Hopefully to many more horizontal and vertical parties!" And with a wink she sauntered off, leaving Elise open-mouthed in her wake. She still struggled with her friend's cra.s.sness sometimes but it was all part of her charm and at least you always knew where you stood with Celeste. There was certainly a lot to be said for that.

By the time Elise had finished updating her client records, the conference had broken for coffee break and she found herself approached by a number of people keen to get some more information. Most of the questions were standard and she answered them automatically, providing them with all of the literature that she could as a back up. She knew that they were unlikely to get any commitments today as most of them would need to discuss any change in their accountancy practices with their client's but by the end of the break, she had at least half a dozen that she would be able to chase up over the next few weeks.

The majority of the delegates had returned to the conference room after their coffee when Elise found herself cornered on one side, just slightly away from the stand and by an older gentleman. He was mid-fifties, grey and balding with a slight paunch and wearing the trademark high street pinstriped suit.

"Can I help you at all?" Elise asked professionally, starting to edge back towards the stand to grab some literature.

The man looked her up and down and then blocked her way and Elise glanced over his shoulder, trying to see if she could get the attention of one of the others who were stood only a few feet away.

"Well..." he said, his voice rough and raspy, like he had smoked one too many, "You can start by telling me how much you charge."

Elise tried to get around him again without success. "Well, Sir," she replied, "If you wouldn't mind letting me just squeeze past, then I can pick up a leaflet for you which details all of our services and charges. I think that you will find the rates compet.i.tive, particularly when you consider that we are a one-stop shop for all of your client's accounting needs."

Instead of obliging, the man moved closer to her, invading her personal s.p.a.ce and forcing her to move back towards the wall. Helplessly she glanced across at the others again but was alarmed to see that only Sam remained at the stand and he had his back to her talking to another delegate. s.h.i.+t. She was on her own.

"I don't need a leaflet, darlin'" the man continued, his breath now close enough for Elise to smell the slight stench of alcohol. "I just need to know what your rates are - for your services simple as that."

Stay calm, remain professional. Stay calm, remain professional. She chanted the mantra in her head, briefly wondering where Vaughn was. She hadn't seen him in a while; perhaps he was in the main conference room?

"As I said, Sir," she tried again, "there are leaflets with all the information that you need on the stand just over there. If you'll let me get past then I can get whatever it is that you are interested in. Excuse me."

She pushed against him slightly, indicating her intention to pa.s.s to his left and to get to the relative safety of the stand, hopefully alerting Sam at the same time. Elise wasn't entirely sure what this guy's problem was but she was starting to feel a little nervous and needed him out of her personal s.p.a.ce.

Unfortunately, pus.h.i.+ng against him had the exact opposite effect and he moved back against her, blocking her way even more and screening her from the view of anyone pa.s.sing by including Sam on the stand.

She weighed up her options. She could scream. That would certainly work although it would put a negative slant on the conference if she caused a scene and at the moment, the man hadn't technically done anything wrong. She could try pus.h.i.+ng him away again but he was substantially bigger than her and she had already realised that touching him was not going to achieve the response that she required. The only other option she could come up with was to try to talk to him, reason with him and work out exactly what it was that he wanted maybe this could still have a positive outcome. She had reasoned with a very drunk Dale on a number of occasions, maybe she could employ the same skills here.

"So, if it's not the information that you are looking for, perhaps you would like me to book you an appointment with one of our advisors who will be more than happy to go through all of your requirements with you? I can check our diary for availability right now." Elise was amazed at how calm and patient her voice sounded considering how much she was trembling inside.

"Now we're talking," the man said and Elise immediately felt relieved. She had got through to him and all she needed to do now was edge past him to grab the diary.

Unfortunately he hadn't finished.

"Not that diary," he said and grabbed her arm as she went to move past him, "Your diary your own personal diary."

The penny finally dropped and Elise belatedly realised that there was no easy way out of this situation. She was stuck, she was on her own and she had to toughen it out.

"Look Sir, I need you to let go of my arm. If you continue to cause me difficulties then I will have no option but to scream for help and arrange for the police to be called. Neither of us wants that to happen so please, just let go of me and we can both go about our day, forgetting that this ever happened."

The man tightened his grip. "Lady, you can call the police, you can call the whole friggin' army for all I care; I've already lost everything anyway. Before I go down, I decided that I wanted a last little bit of fun and it turns out you're the one that does it for me." His voice lowered to a menacing level and he pulled her closer to him. "So, I'll ask you again; how much do you charge for your services?"

Suddenly the foyer area erupted into a ma.s.s of activity as Elise caught sight of someone sprinting towards them. Vaughn and he was beyond furious. His eyes were fixed on the man holding her, his expression one of pure anger as he headed in their direction. The man had his back to the activity and his senses must have been dulled by the alcohol, as he didn't appear to be aware of what was about to happen. As soon as Vaughn got to within a few steps of them he lunged at the man, tackling him to the ground and Elise was ripped out his hold, stumbling to the side where Sam had now materialised, catching her before she fell.

She looked down to the scene on the floor to see Vaughn laying into the delegate like a man possessed. She owed no loyalty to the man but she didn't want to see Vaughn get into trouble and the way he was going he wasn't going to stop until the man was dead. She looked to Sam, imploring him to help and to get Vaughn to stop but he looked as sh.e.l.l-shocked and helpless as her.

A small gathering had by now a.s.sembled in the foyer and Elise became aware of voices, people shouting, other men getting involved, trying to stop the fight. She heard the Receptionist on the phone to the police and realised that if she didn't do something quickly, this was going to go very bad, very quickly.

Still being supported by Sam and unable to employ the strength to get in-between the two men writhing around on the floor, she realised that her options were seriously limited. Without thinking, she did the only thing that she really could do and screamed at the absolute top of her voice.

"STOP IT NOW!" and for the first time since arriving on the scene, Vaughn stopped what he was doing and looked up at her.

"Why the h.e.l.l are you defending this b.a.s.t.a.r.d?" he asked enraged and immediately began to lay into the man again who had begun to sit up and fight back.

"I'M NOT!" she screamed, "I AM PROTECTING YOU. STOP IT VAUGHN. RIGHT NOW! JESUS THINK ABOUT WHERE WE ARE. HE IS NOT WORTH IT. JUST STOP IT! PLEASE...." her voice had raised almost another octave by the time she had finished and Sam had by now released his hold on her, backing off to allow her to get nearer to Vaughn.

Slowly she approached the two men fighting on the floor, kneeling down a short distance away so that she was on the same level as Vaughn.

"Vaughn, listen." She kept her voice low and even, "You have to stop this. Please. Stop this, baby. Please for me."

She moved to within touching distance of him and reached out to connect with his shoulder. He flinched, as if to shake her off but she gently ma.s.saged and slowly he began to calm, eventually releasing his hold on the other man and sitting up. He looked up into Elise's eyes, his still full of anger and gradually released a breath. Their eyes remained locked for endless minutes and then gently Elise took Vaughn's arm and helped him to stand, freeing the man from underneath him.

Sam had started to move the crowd away to give them some s.p.a.ce and she became aware of colleagues helping the other man to get up. She caught his eye, her stomach rolling as she thought about what could possibly have happened. Surprisingly his eyes were now clear, the adrenalin no doubt taking care of the alcohol and he returned her gaze, briefly mouthing "Sorry" before he was helped away. Thankfully he didn't seem to be carrying too many injuries but she had no idea if he would be pressing charges against Vaughn. He had every right to she supposed, although she could also press charges against him for s.e.xual hara.s.sment so maybe one could cancel out the other. She really didn't know if it worked that way but right now she couldn't think about that.

She turned back and looked at Vaughn who hadn't moved. His eyes were filled with fear and he looked like a broken man. His appearance, and the desolation in his eyes terrified her, and she automatically opened her arms to him. He walked into them without hesitation, resting his chin on her shoulder and closing his eyes. He buried his face into her neck breathing in deeply; his shoulders were deeply hunched, exhausted, as if he had nothing left to give.

And then right there, right in the middle of the hotel foyer and cradled in Elise's arms, he let out a strangled sob and began to cry.

Chapter Twenty-Six.

Elise had a feeling of deja-vu as she watched the police and paramedics carry out their duties. Fortunately, the man had only suffered light bruising and scratches and, despite the officers questioning him for a long time, he had refused to press charges against Vaughn. He had admitted that he had been out of line with his advances towards her and he just wanted to put it behind him.

It transpired that his name was Edwin Dunn and he was the founder of a company that had fallen victim to the recession. He had been trying to re-build it ever since and attending this conference had been his last-ditch attempt to get things back on track. He had been looking to gain some contacts as well as additional skills but unfortunately he had realised early on that he was substantially older than most of the other delegates and hopelessly out of touch with the modern way of doing business. He had grabbed a bottle and gone for a walk, realising that it was time to accept that it was over. His life's work had come to an end and ultimately amounted to nothing - Elise had simply been in the wrong place at the wrong time.

He was now totally sober and had apologised to her again, explaining that he had a wife and children and emphasising that this behaviour was completely out of character for him. Surprisingly, Elise found it easy enough to accept his apology and refused to press any charges herself. He was going to be dealing with the guilt of what he had done every day and he was going to be pretty sore from his injuries for a while. He also had the shame of admitting it to his family and Elise felt that that was more than enough penance. She too just wanted to forget the whole ugly incident.

Vaughn had been given a police warning, and as he had no previous record, that had been the end of the matter. Elise couldn't believe that in less than a week, all of the men in her life had managed to pick up a police caution. She smiled at the irony, as the old saying about buses arriving all at once, sprang to mind but the fact that she was the root cause of all of their troubles with the law didn't rest easily with her. If she could go back and relive the last week then she would, in a heartbeat.

Unfortunately Mr Andrews Snr had been contacted by the hotel as a matter of course and Vaughn had been told to return to the office as soon as possible to explain his actions. As the largest shareholder in the company, Elise found it strange that Vaughn was accountable to anyone but she didn't know the intricacies of the agreement and Mr Andrews Snr did command respect amongst all of the staff.

By lunchtime, the furore had largely died down and the conference had resumed as normal. Vaughn had not spoken to Elise since he had broken down in her arms; instead he had concentrated on dealing with the police and apologising to Sam and the others. It had been agreed that they would stay on and finish the conference but Elise and Vaughn were going to leave and return to the office. There were bridges that needed building, and after Vaughn had straightened as much out as he could with the hotel management, Elise found herself back in his car, bag packed and heading towards Eastwood, ready to face the inevitable music.

The journey was silent for a while with both lost in their thoughts. Elise couldn't begin to comprehend why Vaughn had reacted so strongly to what had happened and she had no idea how to broach the subject. There were so many levels to this man that she was beginning to uncover, and it just reinforced her concerns of the night before that she really knew hardly anything about him at all. She knew that he had money but she had no idea where it had come from. She knew that he had bought a controlling stake in Andrews & Andrews yet he still seemed to answer to Mr Andrews Snr. She knew that he wasn't married at least she hoped that he wasn't - and she knew that he had been hopelessly drunk the first night she had met him. She had also gleaned some connection to Stephen's sister Natalie, who, until a few days ago, Elise didn't even know existed. She remembered him saying that he had a happy home life with parents and a sister living some distance away. And she also knew that he had slept with Olivia.

That was the sum total of her knowledge of Mr Vaughn Granger.

Unable to bear the silence any longer she decided to try to talk and see if she could make sense of things. They had shared a connection last night and his reaction to Edwin Dunn had suggested that he must have some feelings for her if he was willing to fight her corner like that. She just hoped that there was still something there for them to salvage out of all of this mess and was beyond understanding how on earth things had suddenly become even more complicated.

"Vaughn I need to know." She began quietly, hesitantly. "What the h.e.l.l happened back there?"

Vaughn looked across at her, his eyes dark and empty, and she had the distinct feeling that he had almost forgotten that she was there. Lost in his own world, lost in his past or perhaps even his present. Wherever he was, it was a place that was clearly the origin of heartache and a place that had caused this beautiful, strong man to break down in her arms.

"I...." he began, hesitantly, reluctantly, "I saw him - Edwin Dunn - when I came out of the conference room. He had his hand on your arm, you were trying to get away and b.l.o.o.d.y Sam was just stood there, totally oblivious. I could see you were scared, Elise, and I couldn't bear it I just saw red and lost control. I needed to get to you and to get him away from you and things got out of hand. No one touches you like that ever. No one."

His defence of her honour was one thing and his desire to protect her had been overwhelming. She had never had anyone look out for her before and the fact that he had cared enough to put his career and health on the line touched her deep down, somewhere near her heart. In places that he had no business residing.

But that didn't change the fact that she had been really scared of what he would do scared that he would seriously hurt the man. He didn't seem to know when to stop. That had been a side to Vaughn that she hadn't known existed and a side that she would rather not have seen. She s.h.i.+vered involuntarily as the shock started to kick in.

"I thought you were going to kill him, Vaughn. I was so scared." She whispered. "He really didn't do anything to me and I'm fairly certain he wouldn't have carried through with his threats. You saw him afterwards; he was a decent bloke just down on his luck. If I hadn't managed to stop you, I dread to think what would have happened." Elise s.h.i.+vered again, the reality at last hitting home.

"I was always in control, Elise. He was never in any danger. I just needed him to get the message and leave you the h.e.l.l alone. You are mine. No one messes with what is mine." He glanced across at her in the dusk light of the car, his voice controlled and dark and not for the first time she realised what a commanding force this man could be. She needed to make him understand that she was not anybody's property and moreover, realise how close to Dale tendencies he was sailing, with his current att.i.tude. She would not enter another relations.h.i.+p based on violence, regardless of how well intentioned it was.

"I've never seen anyone so angry. Even Dale after a drink would be no match for what I've just witnessed."

Vaughn flinched, no doubt at the comparison with her husband but he needed to understand that he had overstepped the mark. Violence was a daily part of her life and if there was to be any hope for them, he had to understand that she wanted rid of it from her life altogether. She was not going to go from the proverbial frying pan into the fire.

"You have to understand," she continued "that if this thing between us is going to happen, it has to represent something new; something beautiful and pure. I've seen enough violence and experienced enough violence to last me a lifetime and I can't put myself into another situation where scores are settled using fists. I refuse to do it." She knew that she was making everything black and white with her att.i.tude but she could not afford for there to be any misunderstandings. It would hurt enough now but weeks and months down the road, violence as a regular feature would break her completely and she knew without a doubt that she would not be strong enough to rebuild again.

This time when Vaughn looked across at her she saw the regret in his eyes and he lowered them momentarily, almost in shame, before turning back to the road.

"I understand, Elise, and I'm sorry." He took a deep breath. "I saw that man with his hands on you and my heart stopped. I thought he was going to hurt you. I thought that I was going to lose you. I thought......it doesn't matter. I know that we've only just met but last night..." he paused, "...last night meant so much to me, more than you can ever begin to understand. This has to happen, and I am terrified of it being taken away. I know I said I would settle for one night, for whatever part of you I could have, but I was only ever fooling myself. I can't let you go now I won't let you go and I won't apologise for that."

Elise watched as a single tear rolled down his cheek, his eyes glued to the road, and she was reminded of him sobbing on her shoulder a short while earlier. The depth of his emotion was intense and she was smart enough to realise that she wasn't the full story. For someone to experience such highs and lows there had to be more to it and she knew that he was holding out on her. Something had happened for those emotions to be out there, especially for a man and whilst she didn't doubt the sincerity of his words, she began to wonder if she was merely the trigger to a much bigger issue. She sighed at the irony of ending up with this unforgiving attraction to a man who, in his own way, appeared to be just as bruised and battered as she was.

Accepting that there really wasn't much more for either of them to say on the subject for the moment, she let the silence extend a while and then decided to change the focus, and ask him about something else that had been bothering her.

"Vaughn, when we were at the hotel...well, I was wondering why I had a different room to everyone else?" She asked and he looked across at her in surprise, clearly perplexed at her abrupt change of subject.

"What do you mean?"

"Well, I saw the room that the girls and guys' shared and mine was so different like yours. I thought it was a bit strange, that was all."

"I don't know," he replied somewhat unconvincingly, "We were an odd number and perhaps they had to split us up maybe that was the only accommodation they had available." He shrugged, a little too innocently, and she noted that his eyes never once strayed from the road as if he was afraid to look at her.

She let it ride for a moment and then carried on.

"Don't you think it's strange though? I mean I can understand you having a better room but Tilly is way more senior than me; I would have thought Mr Andrews Snr would have given her the upgrade." She smiled and watched as a slightly panicked expression crossed his face when he realised that she wasn't going to give this one up.

"I don't know Elise...honestly I don't." He replied, but the little tic in his jaw was a dead giveaway. He was lying and he knew that she knew that he was lying. She debated dropping a few more hints and slowly reeling him in but in the end she decided to just go for broke and ask him outright.

"Vaughn, why did you pay for my room upgrade?"

The shock on his face was priceless.

"How the h.e.l.l did you..??? Oh - Cole." He said as understanding dawned. "b.a.s.t.a.r.d. He was supposed to keep that to himself."

She laughed. "You need to learn that Cole is a rubbish liar and even worse when it comes to keeping anything from me. You never stood a chance."

He looked at her and growled. "I'll have to remember that."

She smiled, "Anyway, you've still not answered the question. Why did you pay for my room?"

He glanced across at her briefly and then pulled the car over to a lay-by a few yards ahead. Switching off the engine he turned to face her and took both of her hands into his.

"Lots of reasons," he said and she sat patiently while she waited for him to continue.

"I paid for it because I could; I paid for it because I wanted you near me; I paid for it so that you would be comfortable and I paid for it so that you could have a beautiful view but ultimately, I paid for it so that you could enjoy your one night away from your h.e.l.lish life in complete and utter luxury. You deserve the best, Elise, and I want to be the one to give it to you."

She felt tears p.r.i.c.k at the back of her eyes as she took in his words and their meaning. This man who she had known just over a week had seen through her, seen the truth of her situation, understood what she needed and had gone out of his way to make sure she experienced something different to the life that she was used to. It didn't matter that it was only for one night and that she was at this very moment headed back to reality. What mattered was that this man had cared enough to think about it and she had never experienced anything like it before. Cole reached her on a level unlike anyone else but this man in front of her now - this beautiful, strong, wonderful man; was digging deeper even than she could go and she realised he was stripping her bare, running through her defences and breaking down her walls. Even if she had the heart to stop him, she didn't think that she could.

Clear blue eyes connected with dark brown and Elise mouthed, "Thank you" in the silence of the car. She didn't trust herself to speak, so raw were her emotions right now.

Vaughn nodded as if in understanding and mouthed back, "You're very welcome" before pulling her to him and crus.h.i.+ng her against his solid chest. She clung to him, taking strength and acknowledging what this man had done for her; not just in upgrading her room but in standing up for her with Edwin Dunn. For coming out and for fighting her corner. She was used to being on her own and having to deal with whatever came her way but this warmth that she was feeling now that was something else entirely and she wondered whether she would ever be able to stand on her own two feet again.

Vaughn rested his cheek on her head and ran his fingers through the length of her hair. Presently, he lifted her chin up and their eyes met before he claimed her mouth in a beautiful sensual kiss; neither of them needing words to express their emotions. It didn't take long for the tension to build however and the kiss soon deepened becoming more pa.s.sionate and more demanding.

Their mouths opened in perfect synchronisation and Elise heard Vaughn groan as their tongues collided and meshed. He started running his hands down her back and she clung to him, moving her hands across his shoulders and then down his front and across his chest, feeling his pecs and abs ripple as she moved. He mirrored her actions, bringing his hands underneath her jacket at the front, caressing her b.r.e.a.s.t.s lightly, tweaking her nipples before he reluctantly pulled away, releasing her with a final gentle kiss.

"We're in a public lay-by and as much as I want to take this further, I think I'm already in enough trouble. I don't need two run-ins with the cops on the same day." He smiled apologetically. "I think you just made me a promise though, Elise Grayson." And he swatted her thigh playfully as he re-started the car and pulled back onto the road.

Elise looked out of the window and tried to gather her thoughts. If Vaughn hadn't stopped then, she wasn't sure that she would have. She was well aware that they were in a public place but ever since last night in the ballroom, she had found herself thinking more and more about the thrill of being caught and she was scared to realise just how much that turned her on. She had never considered herself to be an exhibitionist and certainly wasn't in that league now but this extra dimension to s.e.x was something that she had never experienced and she wanted more of it. It was like she had been kept under lock and key, set in her ways and now she was free; let out, able to experience everything new and fresh and she wanted to make the most of this opportunity.

"You ok, Elise?" Vaughn asked as she continued to remain silent.

She turned to him and smiled. "I'm fine..." She paused, "It's been a h.e.l.l of a couple of days."

They finally arrived back at the office just after 4.30pm having hit some traffic on the motorway. Elise was hoping that they could just slip in unnoticed so that she could collect her car and head home. She was shattered and needed some time to process everything that had happened. Had it really been only yesterday that she had left the office?