New Encounters by Helena Smith Page A

and hope that he hasn’t noticed.
     
    At breakfast I realise how hungry I am. I smile again as I realise why. Its been a long time since I have had sex with someone, but this was well worth the wait. Not only that, but it felt more than just sex. But I shake my head, I don’t want to get carried away with what this is. I don’t want to get hurt all over again. Its early days yet. Then I remember the money that Robert has put into my bank.
     
    ‘Robert, you know that money you put in my account. You really don’t have to do that you know. I never expected that’
    ‘Bella, I will hear no more about it. I can, I have, so get used to it.’
    ‘Thank you’. Which doesn’t feel like it even touches it. You say thank you to the waitress when she brings your orange juice. What the hell do you say to someone who has just given you 2 million quid? Maybe I should get him a present. But what do you get the man that has it all?I will have to think carefully on that one.
     
    Outside the same driver we have before is waiting for us. Before I can think properly I blurted out...
    ‘Have you come as well?’
    ‘Yes maam’
    ‘Please, call me Bella.’
    He nods and smiles. As we get into the car Robert can see my perplexed look.
    ‘What’s wrong Bella?’
    ‘Why have you brought your driver?’ I try to ask discreetly as I don’t want to offend the driver
    ‘David comes along wherever I go in case I need him to sort things out for me, or in this case drive us somewhere. We might have wine at lunch or something’
    ‘oh okay’. Wow, Robert really does think of everything. Not many people take their driver with them just in case. In fact... most people don’t have a driver.Today the weather looks quite sunny, and it makes me feel relieved that I haven’t worn my jumper. We arrive at a huge lake and clamber onto a boat. The boat takes us all the way round the loch and it looks just perfect. We hold hands, giggle and never stop talking. After our boat trip, I spot a peddle boat for two and suggest we go in it for a giggle.
    ‘Your wish is my command’
    Within minutes we are slipping on our life jackets but Robert insists that he will secure me into it instead of the instructor.
‘Don’t be Mr Jealous pants, it is his job’
    ‘Sorry, but I don’t want anyone else touching you. Your mine’
    I roll my eyes and shake my head slightly.
‘You are mine Bella, aren’t you?’
    ‘Well yes, but you don’t own me.’
    ‘I don’t mean that I own you Bella. I would never think that. But we are together now, and I want you all to myself.’ This softened his statement somewhat and I smile at him, and he beams back at me. We step into the peddle boat which is rocking about, and I try my best to step into it and not fall into the water while I do it. Why is that you see the glamorous women doing these kind of things effortlessly? I don’t think I will ever be able to manage that.
    We peddle around the loch, trying to get the same rhythm. Robert is being kind and not doing it too fast. Mind you, if he did we would just go round in a circle anyway. After an hour we make our way back and Robert tells me he has booked us in at the hotel next to the lake for lunch.
     
    We had a pretty view of the water, and Robert reminds me that he knows how I like looking at a beautiful view. The waiter brought over a lovely light white wine that Robert had chosen. He really does know so much about things like that, whereas I haven’t got a clue. I usually order the house white or house red. Oh well, that can be his job.
    ‘Bella, can you please hand your notice in soon? I need to go over to Italy in 4 weeks for about 3 weeks to do some business. I want you to be there with me. I don’t want to be without you for 3 weeks.’
    ‘Well I will hand my notice in on Monday, and I have holidays due. I guess I can come over.’
    ‘Good, I want to introduce you to some of my family. I want you by my side Bella’
    I smile at him, and nod and