The Gruinard Project Chapter 13

[khandy]

Chapter 13 Plaza on the River 19.15.

Clothing was important; it created an illusion and gave the wearer hidden confidence. Kate studied her choices. The matching lace underwear had been a Christmas gift from a girlfriend, who told her that she needed a man in her life and if she felt sexy she would look sexy and improve her chances of getting one. Her friend had meant well but this had been just after her second encounter with Lucas and at that point she only wanted one man, and he was not available. So the underwear had remained in its tissue lined box. She did have the man now though. She slipped into the underwear and smiled, it did indeed enhance things. Withdrawing the wig, her fingers running slowly through the long golden hair she realised this was not some cheap product. She smiled at the thought that he cared enough to want to protect her. Covering her own hair with the small stocking cap she carefully put the wig on loving how it felt against her shoulders she decided to leave it loose. Looking in the mirror once she had finished dressing, a stranger stared back at her. Her dress, a red V necked cocktail dress, was displaying a hint of cleavage. Her legs seemed endless, encased in silk stockings and killer 4 inch Jasper Conran shoes. The whole image in the mirror was completely different to any she usually saw. Role play might well be fun, Kate thought. She squirted perfume at her wrists, and ears. She was dazzling, exciting and excited, now all she needed was her man.

Lucas North’s Flat 19.15

Lucas smoothed the sheet over his bed, the fragrance of his washing liquid teasing his nose. The plain Irish linen cool to touch, it’s neutral colour calm and soothing. He placed the pillows back on the bed and pulled the clean duvet into place. Lucas glanced round the room; it was pleasant in a masculine sort of way, very neat and tidy. He realised he was making assumptions by changing his bed linen but he hoped that Kate would return home with him. He wanted to wake with her at his side, in his bed, in his home. Her admission that she loved him overwhelmed him, he wanted to hold her constantly, so great was his fear that she would disappear.

He pulled his shirt over his head, sliding his trousers and boxers off, he wandered naked through to the bathroom. He shaved, as the bath water ran, his eyes drifting to the shower. One day he would have to confront his fears, he shivered slightly as he thought of the shower. One day but not today. He wanted the evening to be perfect and thinking of this fear would spoil his evening. Concentrating he placed the memory back in its file.

He slid into the water and went over the day in his mind. From the conversation with Harry, through telling Kate he loved her, to her saucy comment at the end of the day. His thoughts had been of protection and she was talking of role play. Once he had washed he dried himself quickly and returned to his bedroom. How strange it was that this was the first date they had been on. They had shared so much intimacy that Lucas found himself nervous about the evening. He sprayed himself with deodorant and pulled on a pair of black boxer briefs. Lucas knew, without losing his inherent modesty, that his body was a perfect clothes horse. He would have been a fool not to realise. Clothes were his one vanity and his long, lean yet muscled frame was perfect for showing off the designer clothes he favoured. He pulled on a pair of black dress trousers and his new Hugo Boss shirt. It was different from the norm for him, being a deep purple shot through with stripes. The cut of the shirt emphasised the breadth of his shoulders and clung to his muscled chest and arms. It felt comfortable and looked good.

Glancing out of the window he noted Henry James watching his flat he wondered momentarily what the man’s brief was and who was employing him. He rebuked himself slightly tonight was about pleasure not work. Grabbing his jacket and keys he left his flat and headed off to Kate’s hotel. He was aware of Henry James following him, knowing if he was to switch off from work this evening he would have to lose the private investigator. Lucas decided that they would get a taxi from Kate’s hotel to the restaurant.


************

Kate wished she could relive the moment she opened her hotel room door, over and over again. Not just to drink in the glorious sight of Lucas booted and suited, and it was a glorious sight; she wanted to capture the power she felt at the look of love, desire and naked lust he gave her. Lucas’ breath seemed caught in his throat, oh and his eyes, those pools of blue, darkened by desire devoured her, causing her skin to burn under his intense gaze. She was giddy with the power of being a woman, not just any woman, but a woman who was loved and desired.

Lucas felt as though he had swallowed his tongue. Who was this woman, this goddess? He knew he was staring, devouring her with his eyes, but he couldn’t help himself, Christ he was amazed he was still standing. Her dress which clung to every curve showed off her body in a way that should be illegal. Her legs seemed endless in silk and heels. He groaned she was just stunning.

He reached over and wound his finger in the shoulder length honey blonde hair.

“You wore it,” he whispered pulling her forward and giving in to the need to kiss her.

“You told me to,” she answered when he lifted his head.

“I wanted to protect your identity, but I hadn’t realised just how different you would look, just how stunning,” Lucas confessed.

“I know, I feel so god damn sexy.” Kate looked at Lucas and moistened her lips. “And so powerful, you like it don’t you Lucas?”

The power of speech seemingly having deserted him, all Lucas could do was nod.

Kate ran a finger over his lips.

“Well my gorgeous spy, if you are a good boy and wine me and dine me, I may just let you have your wicked way with me later,” Kate smiled wickedly. “Just let me grab my bag.”

He watched as she slipped into the bathroom and grabbed her toothbrush. She then went to the dressing table and removed two small scraps of ice blue lace. She placed both the underwear and toothbrush in her bag before picking up her wrap as she headed to the door.

“I am not expecting to be coming back tonight,” she told him.

Lucas could only stare after her in amazement as he watched her saunter towards the lift, hips swaying seductively. She was simply stunning, a goddess. His goddess.

Eyes followed them as they walked across the hotel lobby.

“I feel like Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman,” Kate said. “I’m not used to attracting this much attention.”

“You are a hundred times more stunning than Julia Roberts but she does have a great line in that scene,” Lucas told her.

“She does?”

He raised her fingers to his lips

“Yeah, In case I forget to tell you I had a really great time tonight.”

The concierge ordered them a taxi and Lucas watched amused as Henry James saw them leave the hotel.

“I hope you don’t mind but I have booked us into a traditional English restaurant.” he told her.

“No that’s fine by me why should I mind?” she smiled at him.

“Dining out has become such an international experience people rarely go for English food. I guess I am still reminding myself of how good English food is.”

“English food is very underrated, I mean look what we gave the world, fish and chips.”

“Funny it was the first thing I asked for when I got back, fish and chips, I was gutted that they weren’t served in newspaper.”

The taxi pulled up in Leicester Square.

“Oh wow it’s ages since I have been to the cinema here I love it. It’s so nice that it has remained a proper cinema and has not been turned into a multiplex,” Kate said as she stepped out from the taxi.

“I didn’t know what a multiplex was they were only just taking off when I was in Russia. We will have to go, I love the movies.”

Lucas led her into the Hampshire where he had made reservations for dinner.

“Would Sir and Madam care to enjoy a cocktail before their meal?” a waiter asked as they entered

“Would you?” Lucas asked.

“I like my alcohol neat and undisguised but we can do if you like.”

“No that’s fine cocktails are a bit of girl thing.” A waiter showed them to a secluded table, neither realised that they were being watched intently.

“I don’t know about cocktails being a girl thing, Mr Bond drinks them.”

“Well Mr Bond is a big girl’s blouse.”

“What about Nick Charles from The Thin Man he showed the world the rhythm to shake a Martini to.”

“A waltz. You like Nick and Nora Charles?”

They chatted companionably over their first course, discussing movies and sipping the excellent wine. The waiter cleared their plates and they were making firm plans to book tickets to see Wolverine at the weekend. Kate was just explaining how Hugh Jackman’s member had ended on the cutting room floor when a voice interrupted her.

“Hello Lucas.”

Kate stopped talking at the sound of the voice. A man in his early forties accompanied by a woman stood by the table. The resemblance to Lucas was obvious, this man had to be family. Kate could feel Lucas’ tension across the table.

“Hello Marcus, what brings you down South?” Lucas shook the man’s hand.

“You remember Helen my wife?”

“Of course how are you?”

“I’m well Lucas, thank you,” the woman answered.

“It’s Helen’s birthday I brought her down to London as a surprise. Aren’t you going to introduce us?” Marcus glanced at Kate.

“Yeah sorry, Kate this is my brother Marcus and his wife Helen. Marcus, Helen, this is my girlfriend Dr Kate Masters.”

Kate’s heart flipped, had Lucas just referred to her as his girlfriend?

“We saw you come in. I couldn’t not speak. You look well Lucas, better than the last time I saw you,” Marcus told him.

“Yeah well I have gained a little weight, moved back into my flat,” Lucas explained.

The conversation lapsed almost as soon as it started.

“So Helen is it a special birthday?” Kate asked to break the silence.

“Yes I’m forty we came down to go to the theatre and shop. Marcus’ parents are looking after our children”

“Oh what show did you see?”

“Dirty Dancing.”

“Oh really? I loved that film. Johnny Castle was my first crush.” Kate laughed

“Yeah coz nobody puts Baby in the Corner,” Helen agreed.

The girls continued talking.

“Kate seems lovely, how long have you known her?” Marcus asked.

“Would you believe nine years,” Lucas said.

“So you knew her before Russia obviously.”

“Yeah, we met again just before Christmas.” Lucas glanced at Kate who was looking at pictures of his niece and nephew.

“Helen was disappointed that you can’t make her party,” Marcus said.

“Marcus honestly! Lucas ignore him, I understand you’re busy.” Helen was embarrassed.

“Did mum tell you I couldn’t come?” Lucas asked.

“Yeah she did,” Marcus nodded.

“Is it this Saturday?”

“Yeah.”

“I may be able to make it after all, if you leave me the details again. I have mislaid the invite.”

“Could you? You as well Kate if you’re free.” Helen looked delighted.

They discussed the arrangements for the party and then the waiter appeared with the main course.

“We won’t keep you from your food. Hopefully see you Saturday,” Marcus said.

“They seem very nice. How come you changed your mind about going to the party?” Kate asked.

“I didn’t change my mind. My mother never told me about it,” Lucas sighed.

“Why?” Kate asked shocked.

“My family have really struggled coming to terms with my imprisonment my mum finds seeing me difficult,” he said. “We came to an agreement that I would ring weekly they seemed happy. I thought Marcus knew about this but obviously not,” Lucas said.

He could see Kate didn’t really understand so he explained how his parents hadn’t known what he did for a living.

“The first they knew was when Tom Quinn a fellow agent told them I had been arrested in Moscow. The shock was enormous and then they were not allowed to tell anybody where I was. When I came back they could not understand why I still wanted to work for the government. We argued a lot, this way seemed better.

“But you miss them?” Kate asked.

“Yeah I do, especially Marcus, we were close as children.”

“Tell me about little Lucas,” Kate asked.

They chatted about their childhood sharing memories, playfully arguing over music and TV programmes. The food was delicious, Kate was astounded at how much he ate and the enormous pleasure he appeared to get out of eating. By the time coffee was served they had moved on to musicals

“So you like musicals then?” he asked.

“Love them. I can tell by your tone that you don’t?”

“No as child I could never understand how all the cast knew the words and I spent ages looking for the orchestra. Give me Shakespeare any day.”

“I love Shakespeare we’ll have to visit the Globe my treat,” she told him.

“So long as its not A Midsummer Nights Dream,” he told her. “I’m not into fairies.”

“I don’t mind that one but I prefer the history plays,” she said.

Lucas glanced at his watch.

“Would you like to go to a club or something?” Lucas asked.

“Does the or something involve you being alone with you?” Kate asked.

“Do you want it to?”

“Yeah. It’s been a lovely evening, but I‘d like to see your home.”

“Ok”

Decision made they went directly to Lucas’ flat.

Lucas watched as she wandered about. Kate teased him about how tidy it was. It was unbelievably clean with no clutter. Books, CDS and DVDs were neatly arranged on shelves. Two large chocolate coloured leather sofas faced each other and a large flat screen TV was positioned on the wall.

She turned as Lucas handed her a night cap.

“Single malt”

They sat sipping their drinks.

“Do you like my flat?”

“It’s lovely, are you always this tidy?”

“Yeah it’s an old habit.”

She put her glass down.

“I like your habits.” She kissed him slowly seductively. “Is you’re bedroom as tidy as in here?"

Lucas led her through to his room.

“Did you and Elizaveta ever…?”

“Elizaveta has never been here Kate. You’re the only woman I have brought here.”

“Well in that case as you have wined and dined me and have been a good boy, you get your reward.

Later when they lay entwined in each other arms. Lucas played with the blond wig.

“So tell me, do blondes have more fun?” he asked.

“With you any woman would have more fun,” she told him.

He watched as she slipped into sleep before getting out of bed and lowering the lights to dim. He glanced out of the window, no sign of Henry James, he must have given up for the night. He checked the flat was locked up for the night and returned to bed, curling himself against Kate’s warmth.

[Quill]

I have read your story before, at fanfiction.net, and loved each installment. Character development was excellent! I very much hope you develop other stories as good as this one.

[BravoNine]

Keep it going, I'm loving it! More Lucas stories the better!!