Randle's Princess Read online

  She actually thought his face was turning red for a moment but it didn’t last long. “Sorry, I was just fixing to go for a swim. I didn’t know anyone was here.”

  “It’s okay Princess, go ahead,” Randle assured as he lightly shoved her from behind toward the back door as if to hurry her out of sight. Now she wasn’t sure if it was embarrassment or jealousy.

  She went quickly to the pool and sat in one of the lounge chairs. She opened her bottle of sunblock and began to spread it on her arms. She could hear an engine start out front then the sound of a vehicle leaving the property. She didn’t know if Randle had left too or not but wasn’t about to go and see. She could tell he clearly wanted her out of the sight of these two men.

  Glancing out over the water she saw a volleyball floating around thinking it would be nice to have someone else here with her. Then she jumped to look after hearing the noise of someone moving the chair next to her.

  “Beautiful day for a swim,” Jeffery stated as he now sat in the chair just beside her but clearly he wasn’t dressed for a swim wearing tight jeans with his dress shirt tucked in and jacket to cover his concealed weapon.

  “Yes it is,” she replied. “You scared me though. Where did you come from?”

  “I’m everywhere,” he laughed in reply. “Don’t you know that by now?”

  Lia now had one leg flat on the chair the other bent as she started to rub her lotion on. “Well I’m not planning to go anywhere today so you may as well take the day off,” she muttered out rather solemnly.

  “Do you get a day off when you work for Randle?” he asked as if trying to make a joke and reached over to pat her on the bare back teasingly all at the same time.

  “Jeffery!” the two then heard and Lia nearly jumping out of her chair it startled her so badly. Randle was standing just a few feet away wearing his swim trunks and sporting a towel of his own over his shoulder.

  “You can go now,” he then ordered clearly speaking to his employee.

  Jeffery rose quickly. “Yes sir,” he replied. “Just doing my job sir.”

  “She doesn’t need you around as long as she’s here and you damn well know that,” Randle replied through gritted teeth. His anger was apparent and Lia could see it.

  Jeffery quickly disappeared around to the front of the house. Lia looked up, trying to figure out why Randle had such an evil look on his face.

  “He was just trying to be friendly,” she offered still rubbing her leg with both hands.

  Randle wasn’t amused. “He’s getting a bit too damn friendly. He had better watch his step and remember who he works for.”

  “What on earth made you decide to stay home today? And go for a swim? That’s so unlike you.”

  “You looked too damn good in that bathing suit. Why sit in a stuffy office when I can come out here and stare at you instead?” He was smiling like a school boy.

  “You should be ashamed of yourself!” she teased back then jumped from the chair and dove in the pool with Randle splashing in just behind her. She swam over and grabbed the ball and hit it in his direction. He took the hint and jumped to slap it back to her.

  “Wow, you do know how to have fun huh?”

  Randle swam over to her and wrapped his arms around her back and pulled their wet bodies together. “Well of course I do,” he replied then kissed her hard and dipped her under the water.

  She pushed herself away and came to the surface laughing. “You had better stop it!” she giggled out. She couldn’t believe he had actually spent nearly an hour with her now.

  Then Betsy showed up pool side with the cordless phone in her hand. “Mr. Randle you have a phone call. I really hate to bother you but the gentleman says its urgent business.”

  Randle swam his way to her side of the pool and hopped up to sit on the concrete, his feet still in the water. “Thank you Betsy. I’ll take it.”

  He reached for the phone but waited for Betsy to make her way back inside the house before answering it.

  “Hello?”

  Then a slight pause as he listened intently to the caller.

  “What?”

  Lia saw the look of pleasure leave his face quickly as he listened to whatever the caller was telling him.

  “You tell that bastard he’s gonna regret that! No one does Randle Malcolm dirty and lives to tell about it!” He punched the button with force and hung up the call.

  “What’s wrong?” she got the nerve to ask.

  Randle tossed the phone to the table next to the chairs then slipped his way back into the water so he could come to face her.

  “Nothing for you to worry your pretty little head over. I’ll handle it.”

  She didn’t like the look on his face. He was so happy and having so much fun just a few moments before and now he had the look of rage about him.

  “I’m gonna have to go out to Arizona and tend to some business,” he then stated. “I’ll be gone a couple of days.” He kissed her forehead.

  “I wanna go with you!” she demanded. She had blurted it out so fast she couldn’t believe herself that she had done it. Never had she had the nerve even to ask him to take her on one of his trips nor had Randle ever offered.

  “That’s not happening,” he answered as if it wasn’t debatable.

  He pulled himself back up out of the pool and reached out a hand to help her out as well.

  “I’m going with you!” she demanded again.

  Randle grabbed her towel from the chair and playfully started roughly drying her hair with it. “No you’re not!”

  She reached up and pulled the towel back around her neck and looked directly up at him. “Why not? I’m tired of being stuck here while you get to travel all around the place. It’s just not fair!”

  “Look, you’re free to run around this town all you want. Shop, go to movies whatever. But you are not going to Arizona with me!”

  “That stuff gets old Randle. Well not the shopping. But anyway, I just wanna spend more time with you and not Jeffery.”

  “You are not going with me so drop it.” He wasn’t exactly angry but ended the argument once and for all by turning and walking toward the house.

  Lia put on her robe and moped in behind him and retreated back to her bedroom. She turned on the shower and heated the water just right before getting in. I just don’t understand why I can’t go. There’s just no good reason and I’m tired of this place already.

  Freshly showered and dressed for lunch Lia knew Randle was still home and would be joining her in the dining room. She made her way quickly down the stairs and across the ballroom and through the double sliding doors where Randle was already seated and waiting for her. The table was set with fine white china and sparkling silverware with crystal water glasses by both their place settings. Betsy peeked in from the kitchen door.

  “I’ll get lunch right out now that Miss Lia is here,” she stated.

  “Thank you Betsy,” Randle replied then turned to inspect his guest.

  Lia was wearing her tightest jeans with a snug fitting pink pullover blouse that accented every curve of her body. It dipped down deep in the front exposing just enough of her breasts to be enticing. Her hair was shining as it softly flowed down her back and over her right shoulder. Randle was sitting at the end of the table so she seated herself in the chair just around the corner from him.

  “It’s kind of nice having you home for once,” she then stated as she flashed her hazel eyes in his direction hoping if she did a little flirting she could work her way into going on this trip with him.

  “Oh yea? The other day you told me to go to work already? What gives now?” he chuckled back.

  “Oh Randle, you know I didn’t mean it. I like having you around.”

  Yea? Well it’s not gonna work. You’re not going to Arizona with me,” he then stated firmly knowing full well what she was up too.

  Lia rolled her eyes. “You’re impossible you know that?”

  Betsy appeared rolling a food cart toward
the table. She sat a huge bowl of salad in the middle of the table. Then a huge platter of cheesy lasagna served with green bean casserole and garlic breadsticks.

  Randle and Lia both shared a love for Italian food and Betsy was good at accommodating them with plenty of her homemade recipes.

  “Hey Randle,” Lia started. Will you take me to the movies tonight? There’s a new one out I really wanna see.”

  “I can’t, I’m leaving this afternoon. You’ll have to take Jeffery with you,” he informed her.

  “I don’t want him going with me I want you to take me,” she protested immediately. So quickly Randle looked to her with surprise, his hand frozen in mid air with his fork still perched in it.

  “Lia…is that guy putting the moves on you?” he asked bluntly.

  Now it was Lia that looked surprised at his accusation. “No I swear. I would just much prefer your company over his is all,” she insisted.

  Randle didn’t look satisfied. He looked as if he didn’t’ believe a word she spoke but went about his lunch without speaking any more about it.

  Neither of them hesitated to continue their meal. “So what time are you leaving?” she finally asked.

  “Doesn’t matter,” he snapped back.

  “I’m just curious is all,” she retorted. “I wanna make sure I kiss you good bye.” She looked at him impishly.

  “You’re not going.”

  “You’ve already made that quite clear,” she sullenly replied.

  Randle saw her displeasure and truly felt empathy for her. He knew it had to be boring being alone all the time, but just wasn’t willing to risk her better well being by having her travel around with him.

  “I’m leaving at 3 o’clock,” he then stated. “James is fueling up my jet now.”

  Lia looked surprised that he had actually told her. Her eyes returned to her plate and she took another bite of the lasagna. “That soon?”

  “I have an urgent problem to take care of and that’s why you’re not going. There could be trouble and I don’t want you there.”

  Lia looked at him not at all surprised. “Okay,” she whispered out. But the disappointment was still on her face. “How long will you be gone then?”

  “Hopefully just one or two days. As long as things go smoothly I shouldn’t be long at all.”

  That told her he wasn’t really expecting trouble. He just didn’t want her with him.

  Randle took his last bite, wiped his mouth with the cloth napkin and stood up. He bent to kiss her cheek. “Now I’ve gotta get my stuff packed. I’ll be back down in a bit.” He left the room and ascended the stairs.

  Lia watched him make his way around the curved walkway on the balcony above until she could see him no more. Then she heard his bedroom door slam closed. She immediately rose from the table and ran up to her own bedroom as well.

  Finally it was just before 3 o’clock. Lia opened her bedroom door and peeked out. She could see Randle’s back as he carried a couple of bags down the stairway. Two of his men were waiting for him just below. She too had packed her bags. She was intent on going on this trip with him and was not yet ready to give up hope. She opened the door, grabbed her bags and ran down the stairs.

  Randle put his hands on his hips and looked at her with a silly smirk on his face as she now came to stand in front of him and dropped the two suit cases to the floor just at his feet.

  “I am going with you,” she persisted.

  The two men laughed out loud. Randle ignored them. “Princess, what am I gonna do with you?”

  Lia just stared back nervously with a gleam of hope in her eyes. He hadn’t said no yet so felt there might still be a chance. One of the men grabbed Randle’s bags and carried them out the front door to the waiting car just outside. The other stayed as if waiting for him to make his decision.

  Randle took in a deep breath. He reached his arm out in her direction. “C’mon,” he stated as he took her arm and led her out the door. The other man now picked up Lia’s bags and carried them out behind them.

  “Yes! I knew you’d let me go! I just knew you would,” she exclaimed victoriously.

  Randle just shook his head and laughed as he opened the car door and motioned for her to get in.

  Jeffery then approached Randle. “It won’t take me but five minutes to pack a bag.”

  “Don’t bother,” Randle retorted harshly.

  “But if Lia is going I need to be there.”

  “No you don’t.”

  Jeffery looked surprised. “But she’s my responsibility sir.”

  “No Jeffery, she’s not. Princess is MINE! And your services are not needed this time. I’ll take care of her.”

  Lia was already sitting in the car but watched and listened through the open door. She too was startled at Randle’s reaction. But she wasn’t about to question his decision now for fear he might change his mind.

  Finally Randle climbed into the back seat of the car and sat next to her.

  Lia threw her arms around his neck once he settled into the car and kissed his cheek. “I promise not to be a pain,” she insisted.

  “I’m telling you right now Princess,” he began with a domineering tone. “You had better do exactly as I say at all times or I’m gonna whip your little ass!”

  Lia giggled knowing he’d never laid a hand on her before. “I promise.”

  “I mean it!” he threatened.

  She laid her head on his shoulder with her arms still around his neck. Randle could see the excitement on her face as they now drove toward the airport but he was not at all enthused about her presence.

  The car pulled up next to Randle’s private jet and they all got out. The two other men opened the trunk and began to move the luggage from the car to the plane’s cargo area. Lia quietly followed Randle on board the aircraft. She had never flown anywhere with Randle before and this was her first time on his plane. She quickly looked all around and was aghast at its luxury. A small mini wet bar to the rear just before a small hallway with a bathroom on either side. Sleek leather benches on the side walls and matching captain’s chairs strategically placed throughout.

  Lia chose one of the captain’s chairs next to the window and made herself quite comfortable. Randle took the one next to her and finally the two other men and the pilot were onboard as well. Lia had just realized she has never been outside of Texas before and was getting even more excited than ever now about their trip.

  “Randle what part of Arizona are we going to?”

  “Phoenix.”

  “What’s in Phoenix?”

  “Lot’s of people,” he joked back.

  Lia grinned at his remark. “C’mon, you know what I meant. Why are we going there?”

  “Quit being so nosy will ya? And I already told you, I have business to tend too.”

  She clearly saw he wasn’t going to tell her anything about his business. She knew he wouldn’t to begin with and really wasn’t sure why she had asked in the first place.

  The plane began to move and make its way to the runway.

  “Is it scary to fly?” she then asked looking up at Randle now with slight fear in her eyes.

  Randle laughed at her. “Are you sure you don’t wanna stay home?”

  “Absolutely not! I’m getting sick of that place,” she responded with a smile.

  The plane sat still for a moment then with so much intensity it thrust forward and Lia felt her body being pulled against the back of the chair. She watched intensely out the window as it lifted off the ground and into the sky. All the people, buildings and cars below began to look like tiny ants.

  “This is sooo cool,” she exclaimed never looking back.

  “I can’t believe you’ve never flown before,” Randle stated.

  “I can’t believe I haven’t either seeing how you have your own private jet and all,” she threw back at him.

  “Okay, I get the message.”

  Then she turned in her seat to face him with so much excitement about her
and wrapped her arms around his neck.

  “Hey Randle, can we fly to Paris, France when your done in Phoenix?”

  “No.”

  “Why not?”

  Randle let out a sigh as he reached down to pull up the lever that reclined back his chair and kicked up the foot rest then closed his eyes still with a big smile on his face.

  “This is gonna be a long flight.”

  The remainder of their nearly three hour flight was basically quiet. Randle had fallen asleep and Lia stayed stuck to the window practically the entire trip enjoying the view of the earth from above. The pilot finally announced they needed to put their seatbelts back on because he was preparing to land.

  Lia finally pulled herself from the view of the window and reached over and began to shake him.

  “Randle…wake up Randle we’re fixing to land.”

  He finally awoke and looked at her bright face more full of excitement than he had ever seen.

  “Is it over with yet?” He teased then kissed her right on the forehead.

  “Almost, we didn’t crash and now we’re fixing to land so buckle up,” she ordered.

  Lia returned to her window view and was awed now seeing this new city with its beautiful palm tree lined avenues and all the surrounding mountains as the plane descended and began to circle the airport below.

  “Oh Randle, I think I’m gonna love it here.”

  “It’s just a couple days Princess then back home,” he warned demandingly. “And you had better not leave my sight! I mean it!”

  The plane came down smoothly and taxied its way to a private hanger where a man standing next to a black SUV with dark tinted windows was waiting for them.

  Lia stood silently just outside the vehicle feeling the hot air as it blew through her hair and watching Randle chat with the man at a distance while the other two men they traveled with that she now knew as Mark and James were placing their luggage into the back of the SUV. Finally the man walked to the driver’s side of the vehicle at the same time Randle approached her and opened the back passenger door.