Chapter 1
On any given day, London is packed with businessmen. All going about their various jobs with dreams of that big break, that one deal, which may lead to bigger things. On this day, the 21st of May 2004, Carl Striker was leaving a board meeting and heading into a future he wasnât ready for.
Carl was the type who took his job very seriously, and nothing was more important to him than his work. He was a pragmatic man; sure of the path he was going down, and unwilling to accept failure. He'd been married in the past, but that ended after just two years. In fact he wasnât sure he ever wanted to try and settle down again, especially after the painful separation.
He now had a long weekend to look forward to and headed towards the underground. Pretty soon he was on a train and nearing Euston Station, which is where he would catch his final ride home. Although he couldn't have known it, this was where an adventure of a lifetime, was about to begin.
Sitting on one of the many benches scattered around Euston Station, he unfolded his newspaper and began to read while he waited for his ride home. After just thirty seconds he could hear sniffling coming from behind him, and turned to find an attractive petite young lady crying on a bench. She was alone, and at first he returned to his newspaper, thinking that it was none of his business.
The more she cried however, the more he felt obliged to find out if he could be of service. So after folding his newspaper up again, he walked over to the young lady.
âExcuse me love, but is there anything I can do, you look quite distressed?â he said, looking around and feeling awkward.
The young lady looked up, with the tears still running down her cheeks. She was stunned that someone was being kind to her. The man's accent was warm and gentle.
âThank you, but no. I'm in a bit of a mess since losing my passport and to cap it off my travellerâs cheques have been stolen,â she said, wiping her eyes for the third time.
âOhâŠyou are in a bad way aren't you? Have you reported it to the police?â asked Carl, taking a seat next to her.
âYes, but they don't hold out much hope of getting them back, which leaves me stranded in London. I have to return to the states in a week, but as my airline tickets were in my passport wallet, well, you know,â she said, looking down at her feet.
Carl couldn't help but notice how she was dressed at that point, for her short but slender legs were only partially covered by a flimsy skirt. She wore a jacket, but from what he could see, she had a very attractive figure. He suddenly felt guilty for such thoughts, and was determined to help this woman in anyway he could.
âSo, you're an American then?â he said, for want of something better to say.
âHalfâŠmy father was English but my Mother was American,â she replied, getting out another tissue.
âUm, well look, first of all whatâs your name?â said Carl, getting to his feet.
âVella, Vella West,â she replied.
âWell Vella, I may not be able to give you your travellerâs cheques back, but British chivalry is still alive and kicking,â he said, reaching out a hand. âI have a spare room you can stay in until you figure something out, thatâs if you think you can trust me?â he said, looking into her eyes.
Vella looked back at her Knight, and smiled.
âI think you have a very honest face,â she said, taking hold of his hand. Though she was a bit leery, she just didnât have the strength to fight the system any longer. Going home with this handsome man didnât seem half as scary as wandering the streets alone.
Soon after that Carlâs train was pulling out of Euston Station, and he was explaining to Vella that he lived just twenty miles outside London and that the train was a more convenient means by which to travel. They sat opposite each other in the carriage, which gave Carl the opportunity to witness just how attractive Vella really was.
She'd unfastened her jacket to reveal a quite beautiful bust line, and one that Carl couldn't help but notice. In fact his thoughts were becoming quite erotic, until she began to speak.
âSo what do you do, when you're not rescuing damsels in distress?â she enquired, smiling.
Carl avoided eye contact for a moment, fully aware that he'd been staring.
âI'm in the car industry, or more precisely I try to sell our vehicles abroad. What do you do for a living?â he replied, noticing how carefully she crossed her legs.
âUntil recently I was a model, but I don't think itâs the life for me. There seems to be too many sleazy characters involved, and since my husband died I've been struggling to find something that I enjoy doing,â she said, noticing Carlâs blue eyes.
âYour husband died? I'm sorry to hear that,â replied Carl, genuinely saddened to hear this news from such a young person.
âItâs ok, he died over a year ago now in a boating accident, and I've pretty much gotten over it. We were never that close to begin with, and to be honest I think we only married because it was the âDONE,â thing,â she said, emphasizing the word done with two hands making the sign of quotation marks.
By the time they'd reached Carlâs apartment, he knew quite a bit about this young lady and looked forward to learning more.
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She was exhausted. The emotional stress of fighting bureaucracy had taken its toll on her but she still managed to be surprised by the warmth and beauty of Carlâs home. Funny what we Americans consider old, when these charming homes are hundreds of years older than anything we have, she thought.
Carl turned to Vella as he unlocked the door.
âPlease excuse the house, I recently lost my cleaning girl to pregnancy and I donât have a domestic bone in my body,â he intoned.
She just smiled softly, looking into his mesmerizing eyes.
âIâm sure that the generosity you have shown me will far outweigh any clutter.â
He opened the door and the soft light from the hallway spilled out onto the doorstep, bathing Vella in its yellow warmth. She stepped over the threshold and waited for Carl to motion her inside.
âWould you care for a libation? Youâve had a long day and Iâm sure you are in need of some relaxation.â
âI would love a drink, Carl. What ever you have on hand would be more than welcome.â
He turned down the hall and walked into a posh room. The walls were covered with books. The chairs were thick and deep; they seemed to invite Vella to sit on them. As she took a seat, her eyes roamed over the room. All the woodwork was heavy and dark. A desk dominated the far end of the room, large and imposing. There was an old fashioned typewriter on it with paper in between its old rollers. The air in the room exuded a masculine scent. She knew there was not one feminine touch in here and it made her feel at home.
Carl moved to the bar and began to mix the drinks. âVodka, straight up? You have the look of a vodka drinker. Iâm a brandy aficionado myself.â
âVodka would be prefect, thank you. This is a beautiful home, Carl. Being in this room makes me feel inconsequential and oddly right at home. Do you write?â she rambled on nervously.
He smiled at her, knowing she was a little nervous. He handed her the drink and sat across from her, sipping on his own. His eyes perused her form lasciviously. He just couldnât seem to help himself.
âI do, but only when I have nothing else on my docket. Mostly, I write about export policies and politics, but one day I hope to be able to have the time to work on a novel.â
âI certainly donât have the smarts to write about anything political. In fact, when I was in high school, I was voted the person least likely to read a book,â she laughed self-consciously.
The laughter died away and her eyes met with his. Quietly, she whispered.
âCarl, this may sound forward of me, even selfish, but would you mind if I spent the night in your bed? I have become so lonely here. I donât know a soul andâŠâ she choked up, not wanting to cry, she swallowed hard.
Carl moved to kneel before her, taking her thin hands in his own.
âVella, if you stay in my bed, I wonât be able to keep my hands to myself,â he said hoarsely.
âPlease Carl; I need to feel wanted, cherished. Thing is, I havenât been with a man since my husband died. I havenât been alone my entire life and tonight I just canât face sleeping by myself.â
He stared into her eyes. How could he feel so much for a woman he had only met a very few hours ago? He wondered. He tilted his head.
âWhat would you want from me? I canât promise you anything but the comfort of my bed and a place to stay until you figure out your passport and financial difficulties. I am a very busy man, Vella. I cherish my time. I swore that I would not become involved with another woman for a very long time and well, this is all rather sudden.â
âCarl, I donât want anything from you but what you are willing to give freely. Itâs not my place to ask anything from you. In my life, rather who I am is someone who is told what to do, where to be. Making decisions has been difficult. I am weary to the bone of having to do so,â she cupped his cheek with her hand, âone night, Carl. Thatâs all Iâm asking for. Please help me. I just want to be told that things will be fine. Iâm so tired of playing this role of being self-assured. Take me in your arms tonight, Carl.â
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How could he refuse such a request?
âOkay Vella, you can sleep in my bed tonight. But donât blame me if I canât keep my hands from you,â he replied, with a grin.