Bound

Chapter Seven

 The coastline opened up to her eyes as they left Sail Shores.    Buildings fell away at a dizzying speed and soon only the view of crashing shoreline met her delighted eyes.   It had been so long since she did something other than work that she forgot about the man driving.    The Audi's high performance engine roared as Gareth stepped on the gas, expertly negotiating the curves and dips in the road ahead.  

Though his eyes never left the asphalt ahead he was tuned into her.   He had masterfully enacted the first step in his plan.  Now to begin stage two.   She would be dazzled, she couldn't help it.  Coming from small beginnings and living modestly he would awe her in ways she never thought possible.   Smiling, he reached for the cd changer and pressed a button.   The car was immediately filled with the Beatles singing Here Comes the Sun.

Brianna turned to look at him as the music came out.  "That's my favorite song." She proclaimed in surprise.   He didn't really seem like a classic rock type of person, the opera  suited him much more.   He flicked her a glance and said, "Oh I'm a man of many tastes, Brianna.  I like to listen to many things."

She lapsed into silence.  It was as if he'd read her mind.   Looking out the passenger window again at the view she wondered.   How had he known?  Instinctively she knew he could not be a Beatles fan, but nothing else seemed out of the ordinary.  It must just be extremely good luck on his part, she mused, settling in to enjoy the music and the scenery.  

About ten miles from town the road swept up a long, winding hill, and he slowed the Audi.  Turning off the road onto brick paved drive he pulled up to a gate and keyed in a code.  Black wrought iron gates tipped with bronze rolled silently back, allowing them access to the property. A sale pending sign was posted just past the gate, the entire property surrounded by a tall pale brick fence.    Every corner boasted a complex looking camera system and Brianna couldn't suppress a small shiver as they drove inside.

He felt the small shudder and grinned to himself.   Quickly he said, "The former owner must have been a security nut.  Of course, once you see the property you'll understand why".  

Brianna relaxed.  Of course, that made perfect sense.  This place was kind of remote and out of town enough you'd want your privacy if you owned it.   She was about to say something to that effect when the house came into view.     It sat on a rise of ground, all glass and graceful columns.  A huge porch wrapped fully around the exterior, reaching to the back where Brianna could see an infinity pool.   Beyond that the ocean fell away, leaving a view of astonishing beauty.  She had never seen a home so grand, so magnificent.  

"Wow" she breathed, unable to think of anything more interesting to say.  She was truly stunned.  If this was the property he was buying, well he was way out of her league.   She couldn't even begin to imagine the wealth that had to go hand in hand with owning this kind of home.    Completely out of her element she barely acknowledged Gareth as he opened her car door and offered his hand to help her out.

Without thinking she placed her hand in his and stepped out.   Her hand burned as if she'd touched live fire and she let go of him immediately.   Eyes raced from the home to his face.  Never had she felt such an electric contact.   He watched her closely.  Yes, he thought, you are aware of me now, aren't you?   Knowing full well she was overwhelmed he moved towards the glass entry doors.  Closer she came  as she walked behind him, looking everywhere at once, except at him.  She tried to avoid looking at him now, so embarrassed was she. 

Turning the key in the lock he swung the glass door open wide and beckoned her inside.  "Come, have a look around.   I've about a week before the closing goes through.  It will make a great beach retreat, don't you think?"  He allowed a slightly superior tone of command to enter his voice, testing the waters, seeing if she noticed.  

Brianna stepped into a marble and glass foyer.  Gaping at the spiral staircase leading to the second floor she hardly knew where to look first.   The house was like a giant aquarium, she could see from the entry to the back deck of the home, where glittered the brilliantly blue infinity pool, overlooking the ocean.   She barely registered Gareth's comment as she explored the first floor.   The kitchen was a chef's kitchen, that was clear.   Twin Viking stoves dominated the work space and a pale silver grey granite topped white beachy counters.  All of the cabinets were faced with glass and a dining room continuing the tones of white opened off with another  view of the ocean.

Brianna turned in the dining room and looked at Gareth.  He was such a curiosity to her.  He  looked at ease in the grand home, but out of place at the same time.   His dark clothing, dark hair and eyes seemed at odd with the light of the place.   Why would he show her this place?  Had he nothing better to do?     Blushing a little she tried to form a response to his original question.  "It really is truly one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen, " she began, "You were looking for a vacation retreat I would guess, this is pretty perfect."

He smiled at her,  and said softly, "Yes, Brianna, perfect is the right word for it."  He kept his tone intentionally vague.  Certainly he'd starstruck her, she was obviously inexperienced with men in general, but certainly his type of man.  How perfect she was.   Clearly all the failures of the past were meant to prepare him for finding this girl.     She mistook his smile and smiled back, unaware of the demons that passed in his mind, at the excitement he harbored for controlling her completely.