'Dad.   How are you?' She hugged her dad looking rather nervous.

'Honey, you look beautiful. Your cruise was definitely a good idea,' her father smiled proudly.

Kimberly blushed profusely.  She knew if her eyes sparkled, it was because of the love in her life and not because of a relaxing cruise under the Mediterranean sun. She saw Rick patiently wait for her and her dad to conclude their greeting, an amused look danced in his eyes.

Kimberly took a huge breath, 'Dad may I introduce you to Rick Buchanan. Rick meet my dad, Peter Sloane.

'A pleasure to meet you Mr. Sloane.'

'Call me Peter, all Kimberly's friends do,' Peter Sloane smiled warmly at Rick.

'Dad, Rick and I were married last week,' Kimberly got out nervously.

She was pleasantly surprised, when a broad grin spread across her father's elated face.

'Kim, you should have said so on the phone,' he father laughed, hugging her. 'I guess congratulations are in order,' he shook Rick's hand again, and offered him a hug. 'If my daughter is happy, so am I son,' Peter smiled at Rick.

'I am dad. I am very happy,' she smiled, tears streaming down her face.

'So what's those tears for hmm?' her dad hugged her again.

'You're not disappointed we did not do the traditional thing?'  She murmured.

'You've always been your own girl, fiercely independent, and level headed. I am proud of you today, as I was on the very first day I saw you take not one but two steps,' her dad spoke emotionally.

'Oh dad, I love you so much.'

'I love you too honey.  Now how about we treat Rick to a celebratory lunch?'

'You've learnt how to cook?'

'No, I've booked us a table at the café,' he winked at Rick, ' I'm going to call them and have them hold some champagne on ice for us.'

'I like the sound of that,' Rick slipped his arms around his wife.  'Now that was not so bad was it?' he teased her, and her dad laughed happily, seeing his daughter was well loved.

'I'd like to show you something,' Kimberly tugged on Rick's hand, pulling him out the back door.
'Dad, do we have some time before we go to lunch?' she called out.

'Yes, we can leave in about fifteen minutes,' he smiled from the doorway.

Kimberly peeled open the barn door, and dragged Rick in.

'So this is what you raised hell in?' he laughed, the palm of his hand sliding over the handle bars of her motor bike.

'It hasn't been used in a long time,' Rick commented.

'I bet it's rusted out a bit, I haven't been on it for more than a year.'

'Not bad for a girl,' he teased noting the powerful engine it carried.

'You chauvinist.  I know it's nothing compared to the powerful machine you have on the estate, but she served me well, this old faithful,' Kimberly tapped the engine adoringly.

'I will get you one like mine with maybe a little smaller engine capacity, then we'll ride together, what you say?' he pulled her into his arms, moulding her body to his.

'I am capable of riding your bike,' she shoved him away.

'Kimberly be realistic, that bike is too fast.  I won't be comfortable with you riding that machine.

'Why don't you allow me to ride it, and I will prove to you I can control that engine at any speed?'

'No, and that is an order Kimberly!'

'Yes sir! Should I bow my knees?' she gritted her teeth.

He pulled her roughly into his arms. 'You are my wife, I don't want to be responsible if something__' he swallowed uncomfortably, his eyes pleaded with her to be reasonable.

'Fine,' she capitulated, wrapping her arms around his neck, 'I love you,' she whispered.

'And I love you,' he kissed her lips softly, 'now let's join your dad for lunch.

Kimberly got into a comfortable routine over the following twelve months. One of Rick's house rules was she breakfast with him each morning, before he departed to the office. She had happily agreed, even though it meant she had to be up an hour earlier than she was normally used to. She loved every opportunity that afforded her time with Rick.

Some days she would take an hour and have lunch with Elizabeth. They quickly became friends. Elizabeth loved her quick witty sense of humor. She was also amazed at Kimberly's expert knowledge of ancient history, European politics, and modern art.

Most days Kimberly was rather productive and worked through the day, having lunch as she worked. Occasionally she would treat herself to an afternoon off, and ride into town for a long leisurely lunch with Elizabeth.

Rick was often home by six most evenings. On the odd occasion he would text her to say he was delayed, and that he'd be home by eight. Each day she loved Rick more and more. He was caring and showered her with gifts and designer gowns, more than she had need off, for they did not attend many social functions, both preferring to be alone with each other.
He was pleading with her to take a week off.  He wanted to take her to the South of France. Kimberly was almost at the end of her current book.   She had promised in a month's time, she would give him his week and her undivided attention.

Elizabeth was the latest inclusion to her musical fan club. As often as she could get away with it, she would cajole Kimberly after dinner to play her some of her favourite music of the sixties, until Rick would put his foot down to reclaim his wife for the evening. It troubled Kimberly that sometimes Elizabeth would have this melancholy look.
She tried to talk to Rick about it, but he made light of it, but still Kimberly's spirit was disturbed about it.

Rick and Kimberly took long leisurely walks on the estate each evening and on Saturdays.
He taught her to ride a horse, and some mornings before he went to the office, they would ride for an hour before he left for the day.

One Saturday morning as they strolled arm in arm on the estate, she had pleaded to him that he should get her a dog. And she did not want a little toy pom that stayed small, but she had demanded an Alsatian, which would be a true companion. And the very next morning, Rick had a pedigreed Alsatian puppy delivered to the estate. Kimberly cried at how adorable the little blighter looked. He loved her immediately, but Rick was reduced to 'unfriendly' status. Kimberly called him "Spanner" but refused to offer any explanations as to why he was called that.
Spanner spent every waking moment at Kimberly's feet, even when she worked in her studio.

Rick had banned him from their bedroom, claiming that the beast was not welcome in his bedroom, when he had no respect for his master.
Secretly, she suspected Rick did not want any competition for his wife's affection, in their bedroom. Yet is was Rick that let him out each morning, and it was Rick that served him his meal each night. But Kimberly and Rick jointly took him for his stroll each evening. And still the jealous Spanner refused to let Rick anywhere near Kimberly, until Kimberly would intervene between the two leading males in her life. Her life was pure heaven, she could not have written a better script.

'Rick what are you doing home so early it's not even four o clock yet?' she had run out to meet him on the helipad the one afternoon.

'Is my wife not pleased to see me?' he demanded lifting her into his arms and twirling her around.

'I'm happy to see you my love, I'm just so surprised, but pleasantly so,' she hugged him.

'So can I entice you to play hooky?' he murmured, his tongue was doing erotic things to her earlobe.

'Oh I don't know, I thought the day was mine and the night was yours,' she gasped, her arms tightening around his neck, as she pressed closer to him, his erect form very explicit that he had no intention of waiting for the night.

'I know you slipped out of our bed last night after midnight, and only returned some four hours later, so I figure you owe me,' he informed her.

'You knew?' she asked with surprise.

'Yes, and I'm here to collect,' he hurried up to their bedroom, with her still tightly in his arms.

'What is grandma going to think?' she whispered.

'That I'm making love to my wife. She's done this once or twice in her lifetime,' he shut the door and lowered her to the floor.

He pinned her against the door, hastily ripping her dress of her, as his lips sought hers.

'Riccardo__' she moaned, as his kiss deepened, his hands caressed over her silky briefs, shaping her bottom.

'Let's take this to our bed,' she murmured, helping him of his jacket and shirt.

With record speed, Rick had his trousers, briefs, shoes and socks removed.

'Darling I was sitting at my desk, but all I could think about was being inside you,' he moaned, his naked body leaning over her.

'Now that you've aroused me so, you better get on with it,' she demanded.

He obliged, ridding her of her remaining garments and took his time making wild passionate love to her repeatedly, until they were both satiated.

'I don't know how I lived my life before you came into it Kimberly.'

She smiled, raking her fingers through his hair, and kissed his lips provocatively.

'You complete my life as well, you make me so happy,' she replied.

'So don't you think it's naturally progressive for us to begin the next step?' he calmly questioned.

'What do you mean? she asked guardedly, but accurately predicting the direction the conversation was leading to, or was it a conversation?

'I want a baby Kimberly. If you go off your contraception now, we will still be within the two year period you requested.'

She shut her eyes. She was very sure he was aware that in the next six months, she was compelled to conduct a tour outside the country. She would have preferred not to tour, but he knew she had to contractually honour those commitments. Did he expect her to go on tour being highly pregnant? Would the grueling travelling schedule not put her pregnancy at risk?

'Riccardo why are you putting pressure on me? I thought we settled this matter before we married? she demanded, slipping out of bed and hurriedly throwing a gown on.

'Do you not care about my needs Kimberly? I have waited too long for my own family,' he hauled himself off the bed and stood in front of her in all his glory.

'Don't do this to me Riccardo. We have an agreement,' she pleaded.

'Agreement?' he echoed with distaste, ' I did not want to risk losing you so I said yes to your demands,' he informed her, leaving her there and storming into the shower.

Dinner was strained. They were polite to each other for the sake of Elizabeth. If she noted the electric current between Rick and Kimberly, Elizabeth wisely did not comment. Rick drew his grandma into conversation, enquiring about her social club bridge partners, and how she wanted to celebrate her upcoming birthday. After dinner, Rick asked to be excused, requesting leave to take a ride on his bike.

Kimberly thought he'd be back within the hour, but at eleven when she climbed into bed, he was still not back. It was some two hours later, she was still wide awake when he showered and quietly climbed into bed.

She turned around to face him, 'Rick are you so angry with me that you're not going to talk to me?' she asked.

'It's late Kimberly go to sleep,' he instructed, not making any attempt to kiss her goodnight.

She reached out to him, putting her arm around his neck, 'goodnight,' she whispered, kissing his lips.

'Goodnight,' he responded, not even bothering to meet her halfway.

Is this issue going to destroy my marriage?

They'd been married for a year, a whole, wonderful, memorable year. Could she not have the baby and work around her schedule? Wasn't Rick, and her marriage more important than her career? She could always find another means of income, not that she needed to as his wife, but could she live without his love? She loved children, she wanted to have his children, maybe not as urgently as he did, but she had every intention of knowing the joys of being a mother and a parent. But they were halfway there, could Rick not be a little more patient? It was early hours of the morning, when she eventually drifted off to sleep.

If she thought after a night's rest, Rick would be in a better frame of mind, she was mistaken. For the very first time in their marriage, Rick left home without them having breakfast together. Infact when she had reached out for him, she found she was alone in the cold bed. She had quickly showered and rushed downstairs to the breakfast table.

'Where's Rick?' she questioned grandma.

'I heard his helicopter take off at about six,' Elizabeth replied.

Kimberly's shoulders slumped, she felt an acute knot twist in her stomach.

'Trouble in paradise?' Elizabeth enquired softly.

'I hope not,' Kimberly whispered.

'Riccardo loves you, but he's a proud man.  You must fight for what you want Kimberly.'

Kimberly let that sink in while she sipped her coffee.

'I think I'll go into my studio,' Kimberly murmured.

'Are you not having breakfast child?'

'I'm not hungry now grandma, I'll grab something a little later.'

Kimberly paced around in her studio unable to work. She was there for two hours and could not give an account of what she had done. She needed to see Rick. She needed to save her marriage. He was more important than her career. What was it worth, having everything but not having love? She ran upstairs to their bedroom and opened the safe. She took her wedding band out and slipped it on her finger. Rick had had it adjusted, it fitted perfectly now. She slipped his into her pocket.

She went back to her studio, quickly packed her laptop into its carrier. She did not know if Rick would be able to see her immediately, if he could not, perhaps she would be able to do some work, or would she really be in a frame of mind to work? She took it anyway.

'Grandma, I'm going to Rick's office.'

'I knew you would,' she smiled.

'You're driving child? ,Why don't you call Riccardo's pilot?'

'No, I want to surprise Rick.'

'Maybe I'll see you tonight, maybe I won't,' Elizabeth grinned.

Kimberly blushed a bright pink, as she kissed Elizabeth goodbye.

'Kimberly you're the only married girl I know who still blushes!'

'Oh don't remind me. I hate that I do!' she pulled a face, and waved goodbye.

Kimberly hoped no law enforcement officers were on duty on her route, for she was definitely not driving like a law abiding citizen. It was supposed to take two hours to cover the distance from the estate to London, but she was not proud to confess that she had made the trip in just a little more than an hour. She was consumed by an adrenalin rush of note as she parked in the visitor's parking. She could have parked next to Rick's vehicle, there was sufficient space in the basement, but she wanted quick access to him. She was having difficulty keeping oxygen in her lungs, as she exited the lift and entered the executive suite.

'Jacqui hi,' Kimberly smiled at Rick's PA with a confidence she did not feel.

'Kimberly how wonderful to see you again,' Jacqui greeted, 'you look stunning Kimberly.'

'Thank you,' she wrinkled her nose, 'any chance I can surprise my husband?' Kimberly whispered. She had changed into a sexy day suit that emphasized her hour glass figure.

'Go right ahead, he's not in a meeting. Shall I bring you some coffee?'

'I'd love some, thank you.'

Nervously, Kimberly knocked and entered before Rick responded.

If she did not see it with her own two eyes, she would never have believed it if somebody told her they saw another woman in Rick's arms.

Surely there is a justifiable explanation.

She wanted to believe that her husband was not being unfaithful, but the possessive way the women leaned on him, with her head so comfortable on his shoulder spoke volumes. And the way Rick was whispering in her ear, was just too much visual matter to discard lightly.

Riccardo was shocked to see her walk through the door, but more stunned when his eye caught the ring on her finger.

'Something you want to tell me Riccardo?' she questioned squarely, though her heart felt like it was being punctured with a sharp object.

He removed his arms from around the woman and looked away.

The woman looked rather taken aback at Kimberly barging in and more so at her line of questioning.

'Riccardo, I asked you a question,' she spoke so calmly, not comprehending how she was able to.

'There's nothing to tell you Kimberly. I will see you tonight,' he dismissed her.

'Too busy for your wife, Riccardo?' she challenged.

'Your wife __?'

Kimberly saw the shock register on the woman's face as she walked up to Rick.

Rick gave the woman a scathing look.  She looked away, slapping her fingers to her forehead.

'I want to know why another woman is looking so comfortable in your arms Riccardo.'

'I told you, I have nothing to tell you,' he repeated, slipping his hands into his pockets, and stiffening his shoulders, like he always did when he did not want to argue with her about anything.

Very slowly, Kimberly removed his ring from her pocket and placed it on the table. She saw him bat his eyebrow, then quickly mask his face.

'I came to tell you that I was prepared to give in to the demand you made last night,' she informed him softly, as she slowly removed her ring from her finger.
Kimberly watched his eyes as he wrestled about something. She thought his eyes pleaded for her not to go through with what she was doing, but she was beyond caring now. If he could not give her a satisfactory answer as to why this woman was in his arms, then their marriage was over. To hell with his pride.   Fidelity in their relationship was not negotiable.

'Our marriage is over and it's your doing,' Kimberly informed him, through a tear stained face.

'No Kimberly__ !'

'Rick__'

'Stay the hell out of this Katie!'

'When the hell did you get married?' Katie questioned.

While they argued, Kimberly ran out the door and escaped into the lift.

'Kimberly wait__ !'

Kimberly could not stop the tears rolling down her cheeks. This could not be happening to her.

What happened?

How did it happen?

And who the hell was this Katie woman?

She was glad that she had parked in front of the building.  She would have quick access out. She knew Rick followed her to the lift, but hers closed before he could get in, and he ran into the next one. Her mobile rang, she saw Rick's number and switched it off.

Where to now?

She could not go to her studio apartment, he would rock up there. She needed to pull off somewhere, and calm down, before she had an accident. It was a good thing she had her laptop, there was nothing she needed to go back to the estate for. She still had a wardrobe at her apartment, and a recorder there, but for the next few hours, she needed to keep a low profile.

Kimberly pulled into the basement parking of a three star hotel, diagonally opposite her apartment. She requested a room with a view that offered a vantage point. Slowly she walked to the window, to stare down at her apartment. She stood there going through the events of the last twelve hours. Walking into Rick's office and seeing another woman in his arms.

Rick so angry that he left home without greeting her.
Rick coming home early the day before to make love to her.

It was not making sense, nothing was making sense. But she saw him, she saw it with her own pair of eyes.

She was distracted by the screeching tyres coming to a halt outside her apartment. Kimberly held her breath, and shifted slightly, as if he would be able to see her, but he was not expecting his wife to be in a hotel. She saw Rick hurriedly leave his car, not bothering to close the driver's door again. Saw him pound on the door reatedly. He raked his fingers through his hair, hauling out his mobile. Hers was still off, so she could not tell, but he had to be calling her. Rick used both his closed hands and pounded on the door again repeatedly. Then he was on the mobile again. Ten minutes later his helicopter was hovering on the tarmac of the building next to her apartment. The pilot got into Rick's Ferrari, and Rick was lifting the helicopter into the air.

He was probably going to the estate. Kimberly waited five minutes, then locked her belongings in the hotel safe, and ran across to her apartment. She quickly hauled a luggage carrier from the spare room, threw a few pairs of jeans and tops, some warm clothes and boots, toiletries, then picked up the spare recorder from her office, a few CDs and escaped back to the hotel.

She could not work.   Her brain refused to function. She slipped one of the CDs into her laptop and lay on the bed. The soothing music for once did nothing to lift her spirit. She wished she could get away, far, far away, but where?

No, it's best to just keep a low profile, right there at that hotel. In the evening the Ferrari was back, with Rick pounding on her door again. He could tell she was not there, the place looked uninhabited. Rick knew she liked the lights on, and music playing. He knew she was not there, lowering his head like a defeated man, he jumped into his car again.

           -End Chapter Eight -