The Knapthorne Conspiracy Malcolm Ballard (most popular novels of all time .txt) 📖

looking out to sea the view was breathtaking. Under a blue sky chock full of billowing white clouds the sea, eight hundred feet below them, gleamed and sparkled like burnished silver. On the horizon, to their left, the high-rise skyline of Bournemouth shimmered in the haze like a distant mirage while, on their right, a seemingly endless expanse of water was dotted with many craft of all shapes and sizes. An intrusive sound suddenly disturbed the all-encompassing peacefulness as a large motor yacht headed out into the English Channel, bound for France. The deep throbbing of its twin Perkins diesels carried fully two miles across the water and, as it faded with distance, all that could be heard was the gentle susurration of the wind. Bella slipped her arm through Ben’s, the breeze ruffling her hair and wafting the delicate, expensive scent of her in his direction. The enormity of the panorama and the tantalising proximity of such an attractive woman provoked a deep emotion within him and he felt compelled to take her in his arms. She looked up at him, for an instant, then gave herself up to a longing that she had acknowledged, and denied, for too long, pressing herself against him as their lips met. Ben thrust his body against hers and she felt his response as their kisses became more passionate. She felt the pressure of his knee against her legs, probing, pushing, seeking to force them apart and she relaxed to accommodate him feeling the hardness of him against her. Something feral in her nature, long dormant, had been aroused and she, in turn, bore down against the pressure of him, trembling from the sensual shockwaves that pulsated through her. A primal urge, more demanding than common sense or morality, seized them both and they pulled apart, breathless. Bella was on the brink, craving satisfaction, yet Ben saw the brief flicker of doubt or uncertainty in her eyes. She knew that if he went any further she would be powerless to stop herself and guessed that he sensed as much by the look on his face. Ben wasted no time, grabbing her hand to lead her back across the track to where the long grass beckoned as an alien sound invaded their space. Young voices yelling and squealing with excitement as they suddenly saw the vista opening up in front of them. Bella pulled away and turned in the direction of the noise to see a party of young children coming over the rise from the other direction.

Seated at one of the tables in the garden bar of the Bankes Arms, Bella tilted her sunglasses up from her eyes and sat them on the top of her head. Lifting her face towards the sun, she gave herself up to its delicious warmth while she waited for Ben to come back with their drinks and the sandwiches they had chosen from the menu. She was still awash with relief that the children had prevented her and Ben from going any further, quite literally, for they had stood rooted to the spot watching the kids come towards them. It was a Sunday school group from Winchester, consisting of about two dozen children and eight adults, on their annual outing and their appearance had succeeded in destroying the moment and killing any prospect of ecstasy. Bella had found no difficulty in seeing the funny side of the situation but for Ben, who’d just recovered from the shock of meeting Laura, it was his second major disappointment of the day. Still, he appeared to have recovered as she watched him approach carrying a tray with the drinks and sandwiches. As he put the tray down on the table, he gave a little chuckle and shook his head.

“Talk about divine intervention!” he said, feigning exasperation. “It had to be a bloody Sunday school, didn’t it?” As he sat down with her he picked up his glass and proposed a toast.

“To Paradise Lost!” It was done in good humour but she could tell from his eyes that he was picturing what might have been with the two of them naked in the long grass. Would she have gone through with it? The answer had to be yes, she told herself, but she got no comfort from the fact. It would have been an act of pure animal instinct fuelled by desire, not love, and driven by a need for physical release. She had come so close that it would make it more difficult to deny Ben the next time and, for the first time that day, she thought of Kyle knowing it was only a week till she would see him. Wrapped up in her thoughts, she hadn’t realised that Ben had been studying her.

“You’re extraordinary, do you know that?” he said.

“In what way?” Bella wasn’t sure what he was referring to.

“Every way, everything about you. Your face. Your hair. Your Body. I was just thinking how lucky I am to be with you.”

“Are you sure?” He looked perplexed.

“What d’you mean?”

“Are you sure you weren’t thinking about what might have been, back there?” She nodded in the general direction of the track, mischief in her eyes.

“I’d be a liar if I said it hadn’t crossed my mind but then I tend to think that these things happen for a reason.” He said it so convincingly Bella couldn’t help but let out a yelp of laughter, attracting the attention of a family at the nearby table.

“What’s so funny?”

“That wasn’t what you said at the time if I remember rightly, Ben Hollingsworth!” She had him cornered but he put together a combination that not only stunned her but almost knocked her off her feet completely.

“What do you expect, Bella? Christ, it was in the heat of the moment!” A pained expression served to qualify his statement. “A severe case of coitus interruptus without the coitus.” She exploded with laughter, this time, nearly spilling her drink in the process. “But, I think,