Richer Ground Read online

  “And what about you? What's Mr Richer like when he's at home?”

  “I'm just me. Everywhere I go. Wanna come see me in action..?”

  “Are you inviting me back for a sleepover party...?” she joked.

  “Maybe just a night cap and I'll walk you home.”

  “Okay, you're on. We'll see how the nightcap goes, shall we?”

  Their cab arrived and they got in the back. He held her hand again. He was very touchy feely. Not that she minded at all. She squeezed his hand tight and he squeezed hers back. They both turned and looked at each other and their eyes locked. Her stomach rolled in anticipation as he pulled her in for a soft kiss. It was a very, very long one. Her toes began to melt. Everything else followed and soon she was a melted mass all over him.

  She pulled away, her head spinning and her heart thumping.

  “You need to practice a lot more,” she said in a croaky voice, crossing her legs demurely, and turning to gaze out of the window in a blind panic.

  “I'm all for that...” He gripped her chin and turned her face back to his.

  “Not taking advantage of me, are you?” she asked quietly.

  “Yep...” he replied as he began to brush his lips across hers erotically.

  “That's okay then.” She'd almost lost her voice at this point.

  She kissed him back, her tongue running around his beautiful soft mouth.

  The five minute journey went by in a blinding flash of heated hormones. The sleepover was looking like it could well be on. For a few days maybe... She could call in sick at work and stay in bed with him until they were exhausted. She wasn't quite as easy normally. She liked to date a few times before getting her man in the sack. But chances like this didn't come along every day. She'd never had a rich man interested in her before, and she was intrigued about what went on in between the expensive sheets in millionaires’ row.

  But not only that, he intrigued her, and more... And that was nothing to do with his money. This diamond grading, unlucky in love, handsome man with the sexy eyes and voice, had turned her flames on.

  Richer was so fucking hot...

  They arrived, and unravelled themselves from each other, with some difficulty. He paid the cab driver.

  She finally took notice of her surroundings as she got out and looked about. This wasn't the part of millionaire row she had in mind for her heated rich encounter. The house was much smaller than she had imagined. And it was untidy. There were weeds everywhere on the forecourt and the planters were overgrown with them, as were the window boxes. Her mum would have a wild fit at the state of his garden. Her eyes widened as they progressed up the driveway, past his Porsche, towards the front door.

  It was a catalogue of horrors. Peeling paint on the window frames, an un-mown lawn. Leaves everywhere, from last autumn by the looks of it. Huge shrubs, well past their dig up and throw date. Cans, rubbish, and pieces of paper mixed in the messy mêlée. She couldn't help but comment.

  “What a state! Haven't you got a gardener?”

  “No, I don't have time to think of things like that. Or the inclination I'm afraid. I suppose it is a state, but I don't notice usually. It's just somewhere to park my car.”

  “It's rather a small house, isn't it?”

  “It has four bedrooms... That's big enough for me.”

  “A mini mansion then,” she laughed. She hoped the inside was better than the outside.

  It wasn't.

  She couldn't believe her eyes.

  “Richer, honestly. My brother's room is tidier than your house. And that's saying something.”

  “Yeah, sorry about the mess. Things have got out of hand here. I'm away on and off, and my cleaners haven't been good choices. In fact I'm in between cleaners at the moment. Two months in between.”

  “It shows... Good grief... How the hell do you find anything?”

  “I don't know.”

  “You need someone to keep you in order Richer... a proper housekeeper.”

  “Do you have to keep calling me Richer? I'm not that well off.” he grinned.

  “It's your car number plate. It's stuck in my memory. I can't help it.”

  “That was a twenty first birthday gift from my very un-witty father. I'm stuck with the damn thing forever now. My car is actually seven years old.”

  “So you're not rich at all? Well in that case, there's no point me hanging around...I'll be off...” she joked and turned to leave. He grabbed her wrist and pulled her towards him with a grin.

  “Okay, okay... I suppose I am quite wealthy. But the mortgage on this place is a drain on my finances.”

  “I imagine so... it's all about location, hmmm?”

  “It's an investment for the future. This little dump cost me one and a half mill you know.”

  She whistled loudly. “You were well and truly done over, Ricky boy.”

  “Surprisingly not. I got it super cheap. Because it was the smallest house in a row of mega huge mansions, and in a poor state of repair. I plan to extend it and make it more imposing, in time.”

  Her mind suddenly swam into action.

  “I have the perfect housekeeper and gardener for you. Her name is Claudine... and she's my mother. And presently very unemployed. She'd love to get her teeth into your assets.”

  “You're serious?”

  “Absolutely... she can start tomorrow. She'll whip you into shape in a few short days.”

  “I'll pay her well... If she does a good job.”

  “Oh she will, don't you worry... Now then, give me the grand tour, if it's not too dangerous to walk around such a condemned wreck. Lead on Ricky Robertson... I'm interested to see where you crash land after you've hit Athena's Bar for a heavy session...” She took his hand in hers.

  “Call me Rick... Only Henners gets away with Ricky... And that's only because I've known him since I was two.”

  As they climbed his stairs, she was starting to like him more and more with every passing minute. The fact he was untidy and incapable in the home strangely added to his appeal. Her nurturing instincts came out in a rush.

  “Dare I use your bathroom?” she asked, gazing around at his clothes strewn, massive master bedroom. Her eyes strayed to his dusty, ultra low black leather bed.

  “That is one room I manage to keep very clean.” He showed her into his ensuite.

  It was spotless.

  He obviously knew what clean was then.

  She smiled as she did the necessary and washed her hands. She sneaked a look in his bathroom cupboard. Aftershave, plasters, razors, shaving foam, a brush and comb... the usual stuff... no pills or drugs in there anyway. It was all looking good to go. She emerged to find him lying on his bed, waiting for her.

  “Warming yourself up for the fuck of the century?” she asked sweetly, standing in front of him.

  He sat up and his eyes darkened and held hers. “Don't joke about things like that.”

  Her stomach lurched with want at his oddly appealing seriousness.

  He stood up quickly, towering over her, by a good six inches.

  “Come on, I'll take you home.”

  She was confused and reacted in her usual flippant way.

  “Oh no! I was hoping to have a nightcap and fight you off,” she sniggered nervously. That was obviously another mistake. He gave her a really dirty look. She was getting desperate to redeem the situation. Something had gone horribly wrong. “A long kiss goodnight, then?” She was sure she could change his mind during that.

  “I'm not in the mood any more.” He said slowly with a very direct look.

  “Well I am... In fact, I'm completely dying for it... Wanna feel?” she said, putting her arms around his waist and smiling up at him. That was another huge mistake, because she could feel him tense up straight away.

  He pushed her arms away, none too gently.

  “You're so common. When you want to make love with me... rather than have me fuck you like an animal. Let me know.”

  She went hot a
nd cold all over with shock.

  She was common, and crude, and brash. And he was so right.

  She stifled a sob as it rose in her throat. And then with a last horrified look at him, she turned and fled. Flying down the stairs and out the front door. He caught her up at the end of the driveway and grabbed her arm.

  “I shouldn't have said that. I'm really sorry. Forgive me?”

  “No... It's okay. You were dead right. I'm such a horrible trollop mouth. My tongue has a way with words that I can't control.”

  “Let me walk you back. Please?”

  She waited while he collected his keys and shut the door. Then he took her hand and walked her home. She managed to stay silent for ten whole minutes... Just in case she said something completely unsuitable.

  “Make sure you bring your mother over tomorrow morning. Say, tennish?” He turned to face her at her door.

  “Sure. Night then.” She put her key in the lock with a flood of disappointment running through her,

  She'd blown it with him. Still, her mum had a job at least.

  He put his hand on her shoulder and pulled her round, into his arms.

  Her heart was beating like crazy as she looked into his eyes.

  She didn't speak. She couldn't trust herself.

  “You know, you're really beautiful Alista Lewis, despite your smart but very pretty trollop mouth. I've never met anyone quite like you...”

  And his lips were on hers again, his soft and highly erotic sweeping kiss, his hands in her hair. His breathing was harsh and loud. He broke away and looked into her eyes, his dark pools probing her blue depths..

  “You're not so bad yourself either, despite your blatant upper class snobbery.”

  Not so bad...? What planet am I on? He was really beautiful too.

  “You bring out the best in me.” he joked, stroking her cheek with his finger.

  “You bring out the worst in me.” she quipped in return.

  His mouth brushed across her ear gently, his hot breath whipping up a storm. She trembled all over. A moan made its way out. She couldn't contain it a second longer.

  “See you tomorrow, beautiful...” he said against her ear.

  After a quick kiss on the cheek, he was gone. Down the path and along the street. She stood in a daze watching him go.

  If she wasn't mistaken, Rick was quite a gentleman. And she was venturing into uncharted territory.

  Chapter 4

  The next morning she came downstairs a little earlier than usual. She had big news to tell after all. Her mum's eyes opened wide when she told her she had found her a job looking after Richer from The Chase.

  “His house and garden are a tip. It needs your touch, everywhere.” She explained.

  “How did you find out about this?”

  “I've been there.”

  “You've been there? When?”

  “Last night.”

  “Oh really? Want to tell me more...”

  “No, to whatever you're thinking. Anyway, he wants us to go round there at ten, and you can start straight away.”

  Her mum looked at the clock. “I'd better start packing the car up then. What will I need to take?”

  “Everything, including the kitchen sink, at a guess.”

  She set about loading the car with a bucket, mop, vacuum, dusters, bleach, sprays and scrubbing brushes.

  “Don't forget the garden as well... broom, shovel, rake, mower, weedkiller... etc...”

  “Okay... Got all that.” Mum shot off to the shed.

  At five to ten she was ready to go.

  “I'll introduce you and walk back,” Ali said, getting in the car.

  “What's he like, this Rick?” her mum asked her, clearly nervous.

  “Very nice, very handsome, and well loaded.”

  “How old?”

  “My kinda age... Don't get any ideas Mumsy. I'm first in the queue.”

  “Ha ha... Honestly Ali love... as if!”

  She rang the doorbell and he answered quickly, with a warm smile.

  “Hello Rick, meet my mum.”

  “Well I say… two beauties for the price of one. Come in Claudine... I'm pleased to meet you. You come highly recommended by your daughter.” He shook her hand as she entered the hallway.

  Her Mum gave her a subtle eye flash. She was impressed. With Rick anyway. She didn't think the state of his house would impress her much though.

  “I'll just come in for a minute, then I'll be off,” Ali said, following her inside

  Her mum looked around with widening eyes as she walked around downstairs.

  “I though the outside was bad... But this is...well... Jesus and holy mother...!” she said gulping loudly. “Where do I start?”

  They all burst into laughter.

  Alista left her to her initial tut-tutting survey and made her way out to the hallway. She knew her mum would be in her element here. She'd have the garden in order and all the rooms spick 'n span by the end of the day...

  No, maybe the next day...

  She wasn't a miracle worker, and there was a lot to do.

  Rick followed Ali as she made to leave and opened the door.

  “Ali, I never got round to asking you, last night... I'd like to take you to dinner today. Sunday lunch, I mean. I know you're working from three, aren't you?”

  “I'd really like that.” Her heart lit up.

  “Where would you like to go?”

  “Not the club... Somewhere else. The Steakhouse does good roast dinners, or so I hear... I've never actually been there.”

  “I'll pick you up at one...”

  He caught her wrist and whirled her towards him for a quick and very naughty hot tongue kiss on the doorstep.

  She flew home in a much happier mood after that.

  The Steakhouse was busy but their table came up after a five minute wait. They were finally seated, with their drinks, and sat waiting to be served. She was really looking forward to it, urgently, having skipped breakfast.

  “Tell me about yourself... Anything,” he said, with interested eyes.

  “Well... I'm twenty two. I have a first class honours degree in economics from Exeter. I want to learn to drive soon. And I'm bloody starving... Where's the waitress?” she complained.

  He laughed at her.

  “You're so full of it.” He chucked her under the chin.

  “I know. So what about you?” She smiled cheekily.

  “I'm thirty in two weeks. I have a geology degree from Cambridge and I want to learn to sail soon... Oh, and I'm starving too.” He smiled at her... “Has that told you anything about me?”

  “Not much.”

  “So... Tell me some more... real things...”

  “There's not much to tell.”

  “Yes there is...You're a little shy, behind your witty sarcasm, but intelligent and thoughtful, very capable of multi-tasking, based on what I've seen so far, behind the bar, and a fabulous coffee barista it would seem... So, where are you going with all these life skills, Ali?”

  “Hotel management perhaps?” It was a little idea she had been toying with, since starting at the club.

  “I can't see you enjoying that.”

  “Why not?”

  “It'll be dull. Too stifling for your creative, fun spirit...”

  The waitress arrived, very apologetically and flustered, and took their order.

  Alista carried on with the conversation after she scurried off.

  “Look, I don't know yet, because I've only been working for four weeks. I'm on my work honeymoon.”

  “That's fair enough, I suppose. There's no rush... You're young enough not to worry about it.” He sat back on his chair and studied her.

  “What about you? Have you made it, in your eyes? Or is there more to come?”

  “God, I haven't done much at all in my life. There's a lot of things I want to do. Important stuff, well to me anyhow.”

  “Like what, for instance?”

  “Seeing the sunrise on t
he top of Mount Sinai, skiing off piste in the Rockies, white river rafting, sailing the Channel, meeting someone I really love and can share things with, seeing my children being born...” He stopped and looked at her as she sat opened mouthed at his outpouring.

  “Sorry, I can get a little carried away sometimes.”

  “Have you ever really loved anyone Rick?” She kinda knew the answer to this one, thanks to Cheryl.

  “I thought I did. We were going to get married in fact. But then, things changed. Dramatically.”

  “Oh, and what was that, exactly?”

  “It's not really a lunch time discussion. It's upsetting to think about.”

  “Perhaps you can tell me some other time then. I'd really like to know.”

  He paused, wavered a little, and broke.

  “I suppose I may as well tell you now as later. Her name was Francesca. She got pregnant whilst we were engaged. It seemed I was the only one who was pleased about prospective parenthood, because at four months she aborted our baby. I couldn't marry her after that little shocker. I ended it and she found someone else two weeks later.”

  “Oh no. I'm sorry.”

  “Oh yes, and so am I.”

  “Is that why you're so serious about things? Because she hurt you so much?”

  “I'm not that serious. I like a laugh as much as anyone else.”

  “About some things you are... You're way too serious about sex.”

  “It's a serious business in my mind.”

  “It's actually recreation or haven't you heard?”

  “I've had my fair share of both types. And I like the serious kind better, it means something.”

  “What exactly is serious sex Rick?”

  “It's a connection. In here.” he tapped his head. “Not just a meeting of body parts.”

  “Rick, you're very deep, aren't you?”

  “I suppose I am... Are you?”

  “I don't know because no one has taken the time to find out. Myself included. I'm probably a shallow inch all over. What you see is what you get.”

  “I can't believe that,” he chuckled.

  Their meals finally arrived and they tucked in hungrily with a lot of light hearted chat after the rather heavy stuff.