Closer to the Heart (The Heart Trilogy Book 3) (32 page)

On his neck they started to trace a path to his jawline, brushing the beginnings of stubble there. Then his cheek, a tiny touch on his nose, all the while his hand moved up from her back to the nape of her neck and tangling into her silky tresses. He groaned before her mouth silenced his with her own. The tongue slid over his teeth, searching, probing and igniting a wave of strong desire. It was too much to bear as he staggered slightly under the weight of his partner.

“Oh” Charlotte cried “put me down if I'm too heavy”

He opened his eyes; hers locked onto him, the pupils large with feeling. He walked forwards until she was between him and the mirrored wall. She let the barre resting just beneath her ass support her weight. She wrapped her arms around his neck as his lips returned to hers in a kiss so tender it bought tears to her lashes. He pressed against her and then finding the bump drew back.

“Put your arms around my neck” he whispered. She did and then he scooped her up into his arms.

Charlie reached and clicked the light switch off as they passed through the door. She held on tight as he mounted the stairs and then paused by the spare room door.

“No let’s go to our room” Charlie breathed, planting a soft kiss on his cheek. Mitchell nodded and carried her over the threshold and set her down on the duvet. She lay back against the pillows that held his scent in their fabric. He wriggled out of his sweat pants and in the dim light of the moon she saw him naked.

Her breath caught in her throat, he had lost a bit of weight and tone but he was still the man she craved. He tasted sweeter than chocolate and more satisfying as he slipped in beside her. She was wearing one of his oversize t-shirts and he pulled it over her head, his first glimpse of her changing body shape. He took in the swell of her larger breasts, the stretched skin over her distended belly that held new life. Her legs toned from all the dancing and even in repose her toes pointed and he smiled. He was going to fight to get his life back, back to the way it was before but better.

He spooned up behind her and wrapped his outer arm over the top swell, he felt a little kick and he rubbed gently. Charlie sighed and relished the feel of his body, his breath in her hair.

Chapter 42

Over the weekend things seemed to settle back into what felt like a family routine. I was pleased to see that Charlotte had moved back into the room she shared with Mitchell. The two of them were inseparable with Mitch acting like a mother hen around her. I could see the colour returning to her face and her bump becoming larger on almost a daily basis. The summer weather was holding up and we all spent time in the garden. Even Darren and Sophie made a visit to us on the Sunday and Pam and I rustled up a mammoth sized lunch. I think Sophie and Darren were pleased to take the remains back with them.

Sitting in the hot tub late on Sunday evening I felt James' hand slide over my thigh, sweeping the bubbles off that rested on my skin.

“Back to work tomorrow” I said.

“Yes, I'm not in until later but Mitchell and I have to call and see Rob for an update. Then I might see if he wants to drop in at the bike shop”

“Good idea, but take things easy. He might not want to do both”

His hand squeezed and then slid into the gap between my thighs, finding the part of me that had been nicely teased by the tickle of the bubbles. His finger added that much needed pressure to take me up a notch. I turned towards him and found his lips with mine.

The next morning I took James up a coffee in bed and he watched as I got dressed for work.

“Why do you look so hot?”

“What?” I quipped, twirling around and sticking out my tongue. I had chosen a summer dress that showed off the tan. He tossed my cardigan over and I shrugged it on.

“Shall I do the buttons up” I giggled.

“Yes, all the way to the top I've seen your sleazy boss”

I leaned down for a quick goodbye kiss and he tried to topple me onto him.

“I'll miss you tonight” he breathed.

“Me too, I'll ring you later” I pulled away reluctant to leave him but life went on.

Walking into the radio station I was accosted by Naomi who hugged me and then stood back.

“Wow, love your tan, how was the honeymoon?”

“Great thanks, but I'm also glad to be back”

I grabbed a coffee and then entered my office, unused for nearly 2 months. A fresh vase of flowers brightened up my unusually tidy desk. I'd only read three of my hundred emails when Greg poked his head through the door and let out a long wolf-whistle.

“Who are you and what have you done with my station manager?”

“Greg, how are you” I replied, leaving my desk to then be engulfed in the wash of his aftershave. He squeezed me tightly and then released me.

“I'd better let you go, married woman and all” he said.

We sat and discussed the weeks I'd been away and the increasing listener numbers.

“How was Louise on my show?” I asked.

“Good, but just lacked that little something that you have when you get on air”

“The personal touch, I guess”

Greg nodded.

“How's Jack been?”

“A godsend, I'm setting up another station in Nottingham and I wanted to ask you how bad it would be if I sent him there as Station Manager”

“Fantastic, give me a lead time and I'll get Lou up to a better level and give Leon the lunchtime slot and she can take on breakfast”

After a fantastic show filled with listeners pleased to have me back I drove home, glad to be back doing a job that I loved.

James was having an eventful morning with Mitchell. The trip to the police station had been brief but still not given them any clues as to what was happening with the investigation.

“So shall we swing past Simon's shop and look at replacing your bike?” James asked in the car. He watched as Mitchell visibly turned an even paler shade beneath his tan.

“Can we just go home, Charlotte might need me?”

“Nan and Gramps are looking after her and I've got a couple of hours before my shift” James said “And I can't keep driving you around”

“I need to get home, Dad please just take me home”

Taking a glance across he saw beads of sweat on Mitchell's forehead and his hand resting on his leg was gripping it now, the knuckles turning white. This is what Stephanie had warned him about, so he dropped the subject and turned the car for home. Mitchell bolted upstairs as soon as they arrived. Charlotte appeared in the lounge doorway, Jester at her side.

“He's gone upstairs” James said, as he wandered into the kitchen.

“I'll go, make him a coffee I'm sure he'll come back down”

Charlotte went upstairs and pushed open the door to their room. Mitchell was face down on the bed, sobbing into his pillow. Charlie sat down and let her hand start to sweep up and down his spine. Gradually the sobs subsided and he turned on his side.

“Go and dance”

“I don't think I can, I'm a mess, a failure” he stammered.

“No you're not, I'm the one who messed up, who failed to wait for you”

He sat and pulled her against him, his hold tight but he trembled at the same time. She kissed his cheek, feeling the wetness of his tears, then his lips. Just a brush at first but he held her there and they lengthened. Charlotte felt the world slip away when his hands tangled in her hair then down her spine moulding her body into his. Her bump was the only thing that stopped their hearts beating against each other’s but a couple of kicks made them break apart.

“I want you so much” Mitch breathed into her ear.

“I do too but the hospital said I can't, well not fully anyway” she replied.

“I'm sure there's something we can do” he replied, a tiny, sexy grin removing the fear from his face.

He pulled the straps from her shoulders to reveal her ripening breasts, the nipple rosy red against her pale skin. Reverently he took each in turn, tiny careful sips at the buds. She signed and leaned back onto the pillows as he rolled the rest of her dress down. Trailing light fingers over her belly and smiling up at her when he was rewarded with a barrage of kicks. He planted two kisses, one on each side of her belly button before he went lower. Hooking the string of her panties he pulled them off and Charlotte stiffened.

“Oh god, it must be like a bush down there now, I haven't shaved for over a week.

“It’s beautiful” he assured, his lips touched hers again before his breath touched another set of lips. She groaned when he found her clit and started to suck and circle in just the way she loved. Mitchell felt her coming on his tongue and savoured the sweetness.

He lay beside her and smiled.

“I'm so glad we're back together”

“You will be in a minute” Charlie smiled at him, the sparkle back in her eyes. He pulled his clothes off quickly and at last she touched his skin again. She rained hundreds of kisses from nose to toes and then back again. Her mouth consumed him in its heat and intensity. His hands stroked her head, his mouth called her name. The past was being swept away, they were back together in the present and he hoped the babies would seal their future.

James looked at the cold cups of coffee and got ready for work.

“I'm off now” he shouted.

“Bye Dad” two voices called back, followed by laughter. Jester took one look at his owner and James patted his head.

“Off you go boy” he said. The Labrador took the stairs at speed and pushed open the door of the bedroom. When James shut the front door he laughed, things were looking up.

Chapter 43

Zach's plan was complete but he needed three people on side to join him, Daniel and Keith. Pacing around his office he held his phone, wanting to text Charlotte and Sasha but fearing their answer would be no. And to really get Charlotte he would need Mitchell to agree. When his phone rang he almost dropped it but smiled when he saw his sister's name.

“Lexie”

“Zach, I think you have some explaining to do after the other night and as your sister I have a right to know”

“Did you enjoy the show?” Zach tried to side-step the question.

“Yes, Charlotte was outstanding but the end when she collapsed is she ok? And why was Felicity arrested?”

“One question at a time” he said, trying to contain his chuckle at which bit of information would floor her.

“Felicity was arrested because the police discovered that she had tried to fake the death of her son Mitchell and reinvent him”

“I knew she was mad, but can they really arrest her for that?” Lexie asked.

“Well, not just that they think she might have killed her last husband and possibly be responsible for the death of another person too”

“Fuck me, I knew she was bad after what she did to you and Sasha but that's just wrong, her own son”

“Yes, but I have my own plan for her. Let's just say I don't trust the police will find her guilty of these things and even if they did prison is too good for her” Zach said.

“So next question, how is Charlotte?”

“She's fine Lexie, she's pregnant”

Silence reigned on the other end of the phone for what seemed like an age.

“Oh Zach, is it yours?”

“They might be, I won't know until they're born. But Charlotte is with the person she needs to be with. I was only ever a stop gap, her real love is Felicity's son Mitchell”

“They”

“She's having twins so it’s even more important that I nail Felicity first, but I need your help”

“You mean the London Club” she said.

“Yes, the holy grail of Felicity's crowd, the one place she will attend with no suspicion”

After a further chat Zach rang off, leaving the invitation up to Lexie who knew Madame Zee Zee, the owner of the club. He could tell by his sister’s voice that she was nervous about his plan, but the die was cast. He needed to do this, for his and Sasha's future, for Mitchell and Charlotte, Stephanie and his mate Daniel. Lexie's husband ran the security system inside the club, after all he had installed a lesser system at Zach's two clubs. With his help the footage would show a simple incident as the cause of Felicity's death.

Next and with baited breath he rang Sasha, it took a few rings before she picked up.

“Hi Sasha”

“Hi Zach, how are you?”

“Good thanks and you?”

“What do you want Zach, I can tell there's something niggling you”

He sighed, her voice was melodic and touched his heart in an instant. Zach filled her in on Felicity and then his plan. At first she flatly refused but as he told her Charlotte and Mitchell's story he could tell she was softening.

“Are you free tomorrow evening, I'll come and take you out to dinner. You can have tonight to think about the plan” he said, crossing his fingers.

“If I can sort out a child-minder for Samuel then I'll text you tomorrow” she said

“I'll be waiting and hoping”

“Bye Zach”

“Bye Sasha”

The next two calls were easy, Keith and Daniel agreed to their parts and to get hold of the drug needed. The club was starting to fill up as Zach lingered over the last call. In the end he sent a text.

“Lottie, I need to speak to you and Mitchell when you are free to talk freely, let me know Z”

Charlotte was in the kitchen starting to prepare a salad to go with the Moussaka in the fridge when the text came through. Mitchell was next door and had been for over an hour, their time in the bedroom had revitalised him into dancing. He had the music loud enough for her to hear it and more than once she found her feet doing their steps. She read it a couple of times before sending a reply.

“I'll talk to Mitchell but I'm not sure how pleased he'll be to talk to you, he's scared of everything at the moment”

“Just tell him I can help with that, if Felicity is the reason. I want to help him, I want to help you”

“Ok, I'll try Zach”

I opened the front door and heard the sound of music, Charlotte was in the kitchen and I could see the clink of light from the door to the studio.

“Hey Mum, how was work”

“Good thanks, great to be back. How are you sweetie?” I said, putting the kettle on, followed by the oven.

“I'm fine, Mitchell's dancing and Arlene sent me an email saying that once I'm ready the part is still mine and she wants Mitchell too”

I could hear the Dirty Dancing soundtrack playing and I smiled.

“That's great news, looks like you'll have a few willing grandparents and great grand-parents on hand to help with baby-sitting”

The song finished and Mitchell appeared in the doorway, wiping the sweat from his face, his hair matted to his head.

“Hi Steph”

“Hey, how's the dancing going?”

“Great thanks but I think I'm going to need a shower” he grinned at Charlie who smiled back. With him gone Charlie stopped her chopping and sat down.

“Mum, I need your help”

“With what” I asked.

“How can I get Mitchell to agree to talk to Zach, I suspect he will be reluctant since neither know who the twins belong too” she wrung her hands then one crept up as she nibbled the nail.

“Tell you what, why don't I invite him over for dinner on Friday evening. James and I can make ourselves scarce if needed” I suggested. She reached for her phone and tapped a quick message to Zach.

“Thanks Mum, I think that could work. I'm going to have a soak in the bath before dinner, my back is killing me”

In the bathroom Charlie caught a glimpse of Mitchell through the steamed glass of the cubicle. His body was slowly starting to regain the muscular sculpt she was used to.

“Babe, I'm going to run a bath”

He peeped out from the enclosure.

“Can't I tempt you in here instead?” He reached out a hand and cocked his finger in a coaxing motion.

“Ok” she breathed “I'm such a pushover for your finger”

Shrugging off her sundress and knickers she stepped beneath the warm water, feeling its soothing touch on her skin, following by the enticing stroke of Mitchell's wet hands on her hips. He slid them round and over the swell before upwards to slip across her nipples. Dripping the shower gel onto her skin Charlie enjoyed the way the bubbles sprang up all over her.

Then taking the shower head from its catch he swept it over her body, letting the spray linger on her nipples and then lower onto her clit, knowing exactly the way she liked it. She arched her back against his solid chest, sliding against him until she fell limp. His strong arms caught her easily as she turned to kiss him. Her Mum's voice stopped any further enjoyment and Mitchell took great pleasure in wrapping her up in a towel and drying her hair.

“I'll deal with you later” she giggled, patting his ass beneath his towel.

“Better get tea eaten then before you fall asleep as usual”

Zach read the text from Charlotte and smiled, if he could persuade Sasha to take him back into her life then a dinner at Stephanie's to get Mitchell and Charlotte on side would be much easier. He phoned Lexie back and left a voicemail for a table booking the following evening. In his mind he felt certain his luck was changing and Sasha would say yes.