Not What It Seems Ch. 08

With her continued silence, Jared knew he had a mistake. Why the hell did he even consider this was a good idea? The necklace had been a one-off exclusive; only about twenty were made worldwide. Fixing the necklace had cost more than buying a new one. They had even offered to produce a replica of the necklace but he had refused. In hindsight, what sort of girl would like a recycled necklace? Fuck.

He remembered looking at the broken diamonds on the floor, wanting to throw it away. He scooped it up and was about to throw it away when something made him stop, instead he decided to put it in his safe.

She tiptoed and cupped his face, a small smile on her lips before she kissed him affectionately on his lips. Before he could respond, she pulled back and whispered, "I couldn't ask for a better present. This was a pleasant surprise. Thank you."

Seeing her right now, Jared knew he would never have forgiven himself if he had thrown it away that day. It wasn't about impressing her but showing her he cared. How was it that she was so different from other girls? No other girls he had been with would ever appreciate broken diamonds, yet it seemed in Alin's eyes he had given her the moon.

"Hmmm, is that the best you could do huh?" he whispered tilting so he could nuzzle her and with both his arms wrapped around her small waist he pulled her into him.

She gasped, "Jared not here! There's people around!" she looked around, but to her frustrations there was not a single person in sight.

"Where?" he smirked, "If I want I could get you naked and drape you in all these diamonds and..." he lowered his voice, "take you right here on the floor, or perhaps bend you over that counter and continue where we left off today."

She playfully pushed him away, "You're such a creep!" Alin smiled playfully up at him, "but I might change my mind if we don't have to go shopping today-"

He bent down so that he could kiss the corners of her mouth, somewhat distracted he whispered, "Whatever you want."

Alin laughed, "You'll regret this!"

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Jared had almost killed her when she had told him that she wanted to go to a theme park. After reasoning with her that A) the theme park closes at eight meaning they only had less than three hours and B) the most important point of all- he was thirty six for god sake, not only was he way too old for this, it would definitely not go down well if anyone saw him. How can he to ever maintain his fearsome reputation?

"I can't believe you're doing this to me. I'm thirty six-"

"-As I recall, you were the one who suggested we go to a theme park tomorrow-"

Jared snorted, "Yeah, with Hallie's kids!"

"Well it's your fault for leaving me-" Alin stopped herself before she dug any deeper. The truth was she didn't trust him. How could she? He had cheated on her before and with him being so far away the odds were stacked against him. Though the most upsetting thing is, at least five years ago she was his fiancée, and now? She wasn't even his girlfriend.

To her frustrations, he smiled at her teasingly as he whispered, "So tell me, what would you miss most while I'm gone?"

"I-I...I'll miss-" Instantly, Alin regretted rising to his bait.

"Tell me..." he kissed her lightly on the corner of her lips.

"I'll miss annoying you." She finished off lamely.

He laughed, "Whatever."

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Funnily enough, theme parks shouldn't have been an activity for two grown adults, but they had enjoyed it immensely. Alin had pointed out constantly that since they were going to another theme park tomorrow with Ryan, Hallie and her kids, it was best to see what they had got themselves into. It was a poor excuse but never-the-less it had been a strange day for Jared.

Jared had never had such a good time doing 'simple' activities. He held her hand as she pulled him around, running excitedly around the theme park. The thing that topped it all off was when they played a shooting game, where he had won her a big teddy bear. Alin had a permanent smile plastered on her face as she hugged it tightly.

They went on rollercoasters and the rush of adrenaline had proved a little too much. When they did catch a movie, around eleven, Alin was so tired; she slept through the movie her head leaning on his shoulder.

Jared studied her peaceful sleeping smile as he abandoned the film. The meeting today with Tom had made him think about the possibility that Alin might not have betrayed him. If there was someone still selling company secrets then surly it couldn't have been Alin. He knew he really needed to find out who was behind all this shit. The more he thought about it, the more he didn't think it was possible Alin could do that to him.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

"Honey, no don't do that you've got dirt all over yourself!" Hallie, who had Penny in her arms handed her over to Ryan so that she could wipe the dust from Alex's hand.

"If you continue this when Alin and Jared come back with ice cream I'll tell them not to give you any since you've been misbehaving." Hallie watched as her son's facial expression

Last night she had begged Jack to come along knowing it would really make Alex happy; however Jack had refused saying something about an important meeting with a client. She knew he was blatantly seeing his new mistress. Not wanting to provoke him; she hadn't challenged him last night. Had she ever dared challenge him?

She glanced at Ryan as he blew butterflies on Penny's stomach making her laugh. A rush of emotions engulfed Hallie. She had always wanted Jack to show some kind of affection to his kids, and in the last few years he had seemed completely disinterested in his family. Hallie no longer loved Jack. In fact those feelings were long ago buried away.

On the one hand, Hallie really didn't know what she felt for Ryan. All she knew was she didn't want to be left alone with him because it seemed she would get herself in a ball of emotions and confusion wherever he was around.

The day had proved a success; Alex had been beaming with happiness as he held onto both Jared and Ryan's hand dragging them along to the next ride. Alin and Hallie's energy level had been reduced to almost nothing in the company of a hyperactive Alex. They decided it was for the best if Jared and Ryan entertained him while they sat in the nearby ice cream parlour.

Alin cradled Penny in her arm as she made faces at the baby.

"I read that women's biological clock start ticking when they are soon to hit twenty five and-"

Alin tried to look annoyed but she couldn't help but smile, "very funny-"

"-And it ticks even faster if friends around her start to have kids-"

"Jared's not the marrying kind or the kind to want kids-"

Hallie grinned, "Who said anything about Jared?"

"You did that on purpose!" Alin smiled, but couldn't help but imagine her future with Jared. What kind of father would he be? If there was anything to base it on, the way he was with Alex and the way he cradled Penny in his arms, Alin knew he would make a great father.

When he had proposed to her he had told her his desire to have children of his own, to make sure his children had all the love and support from both parents as he never had. She had felt a strong bond between them since she had also wished for loving parents. It was hard not to think they had a future together. Alin didn't know where she stood with him. Was she his girlfriend? Or was he just using her?

Sensing Alin's uncomfortable silence Hallie decided to probe her further, "A, what's up?"

"Oh god," she buried her head in her hands, "Hallie, I-I...I'm meeting up with John tomorrow-"

"What are you crazy?! Alin you and Jared love each other! Please do not go back to John! I beg you!"

"No! It's nothing like that! It's just for lunch-"

Hallie held up her hand knowing exactly where this conversation was heading. "Of course I know there's nothing going on between you two, but I also know you failed to mention this to Jared, am I right?"

Alin sighed, "I know, Hallie I know I should tell him, but if I did he wouldn't allow it! I know he'll still think something is going on between us...he really doesn't believe John and I can remain friends-"

"Alin, sometimes you can be so naïve. Do you really think John wants to remain friends with you? I really don't trust him. And as for Jared, I know he wouldn't want you to go, but at least if you tell him, in the future there wouldn't be any misunderstandings if he finds out-"

"Exactly. He doesn't need to know it. I... I d-don't know I just feel guilty lying. It's just I know at least on my part there are no more feelings. I feel that even if John and I can't be together we can be friends. I at least owe John that much. Besides, if I tell Jared or not, he wouldn't understand."

Hallie sighed in frustration, "Alin, you care about him and he cares about you. Why can't you see it? You don't owe John anything. He was never faithful to you. He was a cheating, lying slime ball, so you don't-"

The tension and sadness dissolved when Alin suddenly laughed at Hallie's description of John. All these years when Alin had asked for her opinion she had always been forcefully polite. "Slime ball? What the hell is that?"

"He is though! Jared's like ten times better looking than him and I bet he's so gooood in bed!"

"Hallie!" Alin exclaimed shocked at her friend's comment as Hallie laughed hard.

"Ok, Ok he's not bad-"

Raising her brows in a are you kidding me expression, Alin blushed slightly and smiled. "Fine he's good," At Hallie's continued mocking expression, Alin held up both her hands in surrender, "Okay okay, really really good but only probably because he's had so much practice!"

Smiling slyly, Hallie replied, "So, we went from bad to good, to really really good...hmm make up your mind! Alin, you and Jared have a future. You love each other. Trust me."

Alin smiled. Even though she had troubles of her own. She still couldn't ignore the fact that something didn't seem right with Hallie. She was a shadow of her former self. She seemed happy but there was always something in her expression that didn't show the full picture.

Holding Hallie's hand in hers, Alin said, "I don't know what I would do without you. Hallie... If you ever- I just wanted to let you know that if you ever want to talk to me, you can."

"I know you're concerned about me, but really everything is fine. Maybe Jack and I are not as happy as we used to be, but that's marriage for you."

There was a brief moment when Hallie wanted to break down and confess all, but she couldn't. Not only was she ashamed of herself it didn't seem right to have to burden her friend with any more problems. A marriage with problems was no big deal, Hallie told herself.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

"She's married."

It took a full minute for Ryan to realize Jared had spoken.

"What?"

Jared looked at him with raised brows, "Hallie, she's married. And you heard me the first time."

Pausing, Ryan wondered whether he should pretend to not understand him or admit to it. He mimicked his friend's earlier expression, raising his brows mockingly,

"Alin was engaged."

Jared smiled, "We were talking about you. Besides that bastard doesn't deserve her.

"Jack doesn't deserve Hallie. Have you ever seen him with the kids or with Hallie?"

"I know." Jared sighed helplessly, "As long as you know what you're doing. Fuck can't believe we're having a man to man. It's not us to talk about this shit, what happened to us-"

"Jared you said a naughty word! I'm telling mommy!" Alex covered his mouth and looked at Jared shockingly but with a hint of admiration.

Both men had forgotten Alex. He was busy enjoying the Ferris wheel. Jared ruffled his hair affectionately, "Alex, remember when you asked me when you could drive my car-"

"You mean the Porsche?"

"Yup, well promise you won't tell your mom and I'll promise to let you drive my Porsche." Jared winked at Alex.

"B-but I'm not old enough" Alex exclaimed.

"What mommy doesn't know doesn't hurt."

Ryan shook his head in defeat as he witnessed the somewhat shocking exchange between Jared and Alex, "You haven't changed. Bribing a little kid," he lowered his voice so Alex couldn't hear the next bit, "with empty promises, only you can do that."

"I didn't specify the time frame." He grinned.

"Jared, you're so cool. Can I really drive it?" Alex beamed.

"Of course you can, buddy." He ruffled his hair. Alex was beaming with happiness.

Jared turned back to Ryan. There was a moment's hesitation before Jared decided to say it, "I know we don't normally talk about this, but you're my oldest friend and I treat Hallie like my little sister and there's nothing worse than seeing you two not happy. Know that I'll be there when you need to talk or when you need help."

Ryan slapped his best friend on the back, grateful for his words. Though Jared could be an unbearable and callous bastard, he was also a loyal and trustworthy friend. "Jared, same to you, I'll always be there for you, treat Alin well, she's good for you."

Any words exchanged were cut short when Alex turned around and looked at both of them intently, before breathing a sigh of annoyance, "Please, can you two stop being so...ewww, this ride is so exciting and you two keep talking about love! Love is for girls. And I thought you were cool!"

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

After returning from the theme park, Jared had quickly showered and was lying on his bed. He had wanted to join Alin in the shower but it had been such a tiring day running after Alex, he didn't have the energy or the stamina to tease Alin in the shower. This was something they still hadn't done and he was looking forward to just that .

Thinking of how tired he was, he had thought how it would be when he had children. He was thirty six and having children was always what he had wanted before Alin came into his life, and then cruelly left it. After that he had never wanted children. It was something he knew he could do without. He had thought he enjoyed the freedom and the simplicity of bachelorhood. Seeing Hallie's kids and having Alin back changed everything. He wanted her. Not just temporarily, he really wanted her. Needed her. It dawned on him that in these two months he had never talked to her about contraception. Women he had been with had always taken care of it. He never needed to. But Alin was different she was inexperienced. Maybe she was pregnant already. This would, he smiled, make this less complicated.

The room was dimly lit. Alin emerged from the shower wrapped up in a short white towel that settled just above her knees. Jared stopped thinking and watched her every move. It was clear she thought he was asleep. He sat up, placed both his arm behind his head and watched her. He had been so tired but watching her emerge from the shower half naked...

Alin was rummaging through her draws quietly to find her underwear. She slipped on her simple white panties and removed the towel to wrap around her hair before she could put on her bra; Jared cleared his throat startling her. Immediately she turned round one arm instinctively covering her breasts.

She could make out a small smile playing on his lips, "I thought you were asleep."

"I was going to sleep but you came out dripping wet..."

"I'm not drippin-" She stopped before noticing his wide grin. Clearly he was teasing her. "You have a plane to catch tomorrow, go to sleep."

"Hmmm...I am tired, but something isn't." His boyish grin appeared as she noticed his growing erection under the covers. He pulled aside the covers and got up, not caring about his nakedness. It took him two strides to reach her and before she could react he pulled her to him. He kissed her collarbone before moving up, "And don't cover yourself from me" he whispered.

He gently lifted her arm away from her breast, bending his head down to kiss her nipples before gently sucking it until it hardened on his lips. He turned his attention on the other one whilst his hand ascending up to unwrap the towel from her hair. "What did I say about putting your hair down while we're together?" She felt his smile against her breast; her hair was covering one breast seductively.

Alin felt the growing wetness between her legs. "Jared" She pulled his head closer as he rolled his tongue around her nipple then gently suckling it. He paid equal attention to both nipples before pulling back and sat on the bed to watch her lust filled face. Her long hair, still slightly wet covered both her breasts. She looked like an exotic goddess after bathing in the waterfall.

"Come here."

A mischievous thought came to mind. He always made her whimper helplessly. It was definitely payback time...

She walked over to the bed and straddled him. Alin wrapped her arms round his neck and kissed the corner of his mouth then licking his lips. "Tonight it's my turn to make you beg." She whispered hotly in his ear and before he even registered the word, she got up and pushed him back onto the bed.

Alin stood and slid off her panties smiling at him she got onto the bed to straddle him. His cock was threateningly close to her entrance. The feeling was exquisite. He could feel how wet her pussy was. Jared gripped her waist ready for her to ride his hard cock but she pushed his hands away. "Uh-huh. I said it's my turn. No touching," She used her hands to stroke his thick cock, his breath hitched, "Unless you want me to stop."

He shook his head helplessly. "Good." Jared moved impatiently while Alin leaned down to kiss him. She left his lips to trail kisses down his abdomen, watching the hard muscles tense as he tried to control himself. Seeing him so thick and hard made Alin ache with need. She flashed a playful smile at him, then without warning she held his hard cock in her hand stroking the sides and slowly tracing her tongue around his swollen head. she swirled her tongue around the head as he hand continued to stroke his cock. He was dripping with pre-cum as his hardness twitched.

All coherent thought went away as Alin took him deeper into her wet lips, moving up and down his hard cock. "Alin...fuck." He was enjoying it no doubt, watching her lick and suck him so lovingly had nearly made him expire on the spot. Nearly. But there was nothing worse than finishing off in her lips. He wanted to be inside her. NOW.

He pulled her up unexpectedly. "I think you've had your fun. It's my turn. Get on the bed and spread your legs." He growled.

She compiled obediently, sensing his control slipping. Slowly, Alin spread her legs showing her glistening pussy. Jared joined her on the bed, leaning on top of her and smiled like a predator ready to spring. "You're so damn wet..." he held his hard erection tracing it teasingly up and down her entrance. "Does sucking me get you this turned on? Think you need to do it more often."

"Jared, stop I need you. Now." Alin almost begged him.

Immediately he thrust into her, savouring how she gripped him. Five days was going to be a torture. A test of his fucking will.

She grew impatient. Jared continued to thrust into her, but it wasn't enough. He was purposely taking it slow, teasing her. Alin clawed at his back wanting him to thrust in deeper and faster. He seemed to enjoy driving her close to the brink of orgasm then pulling back, unintentionally. Alin clawed at his back, "Jared, please...I- I'm so close."

Hearing her sweet moans and cries, Jared took both her hands and placed it on top of her head as he continued to drive into her. Exposed and at his mercy, he leaned down to kiss her, then taking a pebbled nipple in his mouth and sucking her almost painfully as he felt her pussy gripping his cock hard. He bit his hand as he tried to hold onto the sensations. Inevitably, he joined her and climaxed watching his seed trickle out of her.