The Knapthorne Conspiracy by Malcolm Ballard (best english novels for beginners txt) 📕

what I said, won’t you?” Her eyes seemed to mist over, as he studied her face intently.

“Of course I will, Ben. You just took me by surprise, that’s all.”

“I meant it, Bella. I need to get my life in order. I don’t expect an immediate answer but think about it, for my sake, eh?” Sitting back, then, he looked at his watch. “We’d better be going soon then I’ll have to make tracks back to London straight away.” He reached for his cup, to finish the coffee.

“You poor thing, having to drive all the way back. It’s a pity you couldn’t have flown down.”

“Yes, it is a shame,” he agreed. “But I’ve leased the Robinson for three weeks and I couldn’t get another chopper. Never mind. Come on, let’s be off” he said, standing up. “At least we shouldn’t have your sister to contend with when we get back. I’d like to think I’ve seen the last of her.”

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The journey back had been marked by long periods of silence between the two of them. When they turned off Spinney Lane into the drive neither of them had expected to see Laura’s car still parked there and were relieved to find that was the case. They said their goodbyes in the car, Ben taking her in his arms and pulling her close, until their lips met in a gentle encounter which increasingly became more intense, spurred by desire, until Bella finally pulled away, her breathing ragged, the flame of passion lighting up her eyes.

“I’d better go, Ben, for both our sakes,” she grinned, smoothing out her dress and flicking her head back to arrange her hair.

“Please remember what I said, though won’t you?” As he spoke he took her hand in his.

“Of course,” she replied, pulling away and opening the door.

“When can I see you again? Are you coming up to London?” Bella was out of the car, leaning on the open door and looking in at him.

“I don’t know yet, Ben. Possibly. Let me have a think about it and I’ll call you at the office. Give me a ring if you’re able to get away again.”

“You know I will,” he answered, with a smile, his green eyes soft and sparkling, accentuating the youthfulness of his face as he reached to close her door. Â

“You brought an umbrella, didn’t you!” Bella exclaimed, suddenly recalling his arrival. “Hold on, I’ll get it for you.” Retrieving it from the lobby, she spied Laura’s there too. Serves her right, she thought, imagining what must have gone through her sister’s mind when she came back and found nobody home. It occurred to her that there was every likelihood of receiving a most unpleasant phone call that evening. Ben departed, with his umbrella, and Bella closed the door on the outside world, suddenly feeling very weary. A now familiar sensation caused her to look down at her feet to see Ubix smoodging round her ankles.

“Hallo, puss! Where have you been?” she said, bending down to pick it up. “Staying out of my sister’s way, no doubt!” Lifting the cat to her shoulder, she was rewarded by Ubix’s deep, regular purring in her ear and began to make her way to the kitchen.

“Well, what am I going to do about Ben, Ubix?” She murmured, thoughtfully. “He’s getting a bit serious for someone who doesn’t really know me.” The cat gave a short, sharp miaow and Bella put him down on the kitchen floor. “I guess you’re more concerned about your dinner, aren’t you. Let’s see what we can find then.” With the cat attended to, Bella took herself upstairs, intent on having a long, lazy shower and allowing herself the luxury of contemplating the day’s events. Before she had even reached her bedroom, the phone rang and she knew it had to be Laura. There was no way she wanted to be exposed to her sister’s venom and spoil what had otherwise been a nice day so she let it ring until finally the caller gave up. While Bella showered, the phone rang on another two occasions and she could just picture Laura’s irate face on the other end of the line, getting meaner and more angry with every call. It really gave her no satisfaction to treat Laura this way but she was not the kind of person that one could apply the normal rules of human relationships to. Closing her eyes and forcing Laura from her thoughts, she let her mind focus on the memory of something altogether more pleasant, allowing herself to dwell on what might have happened, on the clifftop, with Ben. Bella gave her imagination free reign, a very basic instinct crying out for fulfilment, her body seeking satisfaction, and her hands became his as she dreamed of the two of them in the grass. Dreamed of hands that undressed her, caressing her tenderly. Hands that lay bare her body, exposing her most private places. Hands that explored, touching, teasing and exciting her, finally finding a secret, hidden place that made her tremble and gasp. Expert hands that manipulated her confidently, arousing her slowly at first and causing her to react in a series of languid, sensuous movements in response to the stimulation. Movements which became more exaggerated, more wanton as the most divine feeling suffused her, increasing in its intensity, until her whole body was awash with the sensation, riding a surging tidal wave of excitement and lifting her inexorably towards the sublime pinnacle of pleasure. Suddenly, her back arched upwards and she cried out, shuddering with an explosive release of tension as the most exquisite feeling of ecstasy flooded through her. And then she was limp, sated, her breasts rising and falling as she struggled to control her breathing and she stood exhausted, head on one side, smiling a dreamy, self-satisfied smile. Â

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Being the weekend, traffic was heavy as Ben made his way home, his thoughts filled with everything that had happened that day. From the unpromising start of