Sweet Affection (Truth Book 3) (7 page)

We both laugh and carry on with the rest of the boxes. After a couple more trips to the van, I’m not surprised at all to find the girls have made their way into the living room to get a better a view. It makes me want to puff my chest out and beat on it a few times.

Once the van’s full, and there are no boxes left, I fall down onto the sofa next to Laurel and launch myself onto her.

She squeals and scrunches up her nose. “Ew, you’re all wet.”

“I’ll make
you
all wet.” I whisper in her ear and kiss the sensitive spot just underneath.

She giggles and turns to whisper back to me. “I already am.” If she wasn’t biting on that soft plump lip I might be able to control myself, but she is and now I need to get her home.

“We’ve got to go. Up early and all that.”

I grab her hand and pull her up so she’s standing next to me. I kiss Emma’s cheek telling her I’ll forgo the hug so I don’t get her sweaty. 

“Good idea.” She nods, smiling. “Thanks so much for helping me tonight guys. Come and see me in London?”

“Of course we will Em. You’re not getting rid of us.” Laurel states firmly and tightly wraps her in a hug. “Text me when you’re all settled in.”

I step outside, and go to put my t-shirt on but Laurel grabs my arm.

“Don’t.”

I throw my arm round her shoulder and cuddle her into my side.

“And why’s that, angel?”

She moves in front of me and wraps her arms round my neck. “Because I’d just have to pull it off again when we get home.”

She’s on her tiptoes and her lips are pressed firmly against mine in seconds. The chill from the cool air outside is appeased by the warmth of her body covering mine. She tastes so damn good I don’t think I’ll ever get enough of this. Enough of her.

How did I go so long without this?

I never knew how good it was.

That’s not true, actually. I knew. I just kept lying to myself.

Her tits press against my chest, her hands move to my hair, and her lips devour mine. I edge both my hands down her back, to her ass, and palm both cheeks over the denim of her tight jeans. She has a great ass. I lift her up against me, my hands gripping her thighs round me, and push her back against the side of my car. I roll my hips into her, feeling myself harden inch by inch as it meets her core.

“Shit, keep rubbing against me like that and I’m going to come. I’ve been worked up for the past hour watching your muscles dripping with sweat.” She pants out, and when I place soft kisses on her neck, she groans in my ear and pushes back harder against my cock.

“Get a room, you two. There are kids around here.”

Blake’s smug, annoying as hell voice snaps us out of our daze and I don’t even look at him, just flip the bird in his general direction. She just fits so snugly against me, nothing’s going to stop me.

“Let’s go home.”

Nothing except those words right there.

Laurel

“Babe, pack a bag. We’re leaving.” James shouts as he comes barrelling through the front door after work. He walks into the kitchen, then the living room.

“Where the heck are you?” I hear him mutter loudly just before he climbs the stairs.

“In the dining room.” I shout so he’ll hear me and come back down.

“What you doing in here?” He asks just as he walks round the corner. I got back from work early today as it was quiet and have a few items of clothes spread out on the table. My mum taught me how to sew when I was younger, just basics at first, then once I’d got the hang of that, she helped me make dresses for parties and any clothing I decided I wanted. It was part of our mother-daughter bonding sessions and gave dad some chill-out time with beer and footie.

I tried clearing out the wardrobe when I got back, as I still haven’t brought all my clothes over from mum’s, and spotted some of our creations. I got out the sewing machine and played around with a few items I know I’ll never wear again anyway. It’s been fun, and I got straight back into it, just like riding a bike.

I shrug, while he bends down to kiss my cheek. “Just playing around with a few ideas.”

“I didn’t know you could sew.” He picks up a silk dress and opens it out, looking it over. “This is cool. You made it?”

“Yeah it’s a top and a skirt I put together to make a gown. I used to make a few things with my mum.”

“Wow, you should definitely do more, they’re great. Not that my opinion counts for much though.” I get a warm and tingly feeling when he compliments me, even if he is probably just indulging me.

“Your opinion is the only one that matters.” I reach across and kiss him firmly on the lips.

“Well, I actually have a designer friend I could introduce you to. If you wanted to do more of this? Maybe she could show you a few things. She’s got a really successful company. You heard of Breakfast at Tiffany’s?”

“What, the film?” I must look confused because he laughs and shakes his head.

“No, babe. The clothing brand. It’s based in London.”

“Oh.
Oh
.” Now I feel stupid. “Yeah I’ve heard of it. Kiera Knightly was just pictured at a movie premiere wearing one of their dresses. It was gorgeous. You know the designer?”

“Yep.” He grins. “You’ve heard me talking about Seb, the architect?” I acknowledge him with a nod. I’ve not met him, but I’ve heard good things about him and his wife Tiffany. My eyes light up, oh, she’s the designer! He knows so many cool people it’s hard to get my head around sometimes. He sees the light switch on in my head and carries on.

“Tiffany Burrows, is the owner and Creative Director, and honestly you’d love her. She’s one of the sweetest women I’ve ever met. But just like you, if you cross her she’ll rip you a new one.”

I laugh. “She sounds like my kind of female. I’d love to meet her.” I start to gather all the material up from the table but James takes my hand to stop me.

“Cool, I’ll set it up. Leave that now though and go pack a bag.” Oh yeah, I forgot that was what he was shouting when he first came home. I wonder what we’re doing.

“What do I need to pack?”

“I don’t know. Whatever girly shit you want. You’ve got five minutes.” I stand there with my mouth open. I can’t pack in five minutes. I need to know what clothes and how long we’re going for. Wait, I can’t just leave, I’m working tomorrow and Jess is busy. She told me so the other day when I asked her to go to another trade show for me. It wasn’t really needed, but it’s good for her to get the experience and try something new. So I can’t go. I pout, and slump back in the chair.

“I can’t go. I have to work.” I’m so disappointed because a little break away would have been really fun.

He grins, and it makes my stomach flip.

“No you don’t. It’s taken care of.”

I frown. “But Jess is busy. She told me so, a couple of days ago.”

“Yeah. She is. She’s busy working at the store.” He pulls me over to him and kisses my forehead.

“Don’t worry. Jess has it under control. So go pack.” He glances at his watch. “Now you’ve only got four minutes.”

Shit.

“But what clothes will I need?”

Are we doing something indoors or outdoors? Posh or casual? Will I need wellies or heels? For God’s sake,
men
! They shove jeans, a t-shirt and a collared shirt in their bags, and they’re set for any eventuality. I can’t work like that.

He takes my face in both hands and lowers his lips to mine. It sends tingles straight down my body when he licks my bottom lip and pushes his tongue gently inside. Slowly, but firmly he strokes it against mine, and I have to grab hold of his forearms to keep myself standing up straight. When he pulls back, the distance draws a little whimper from my mouth and his eyes fill with promise for our trip away.

“No clothes needed.” He whispers in my ear, and slaps me on the butt as he walks away.

So
that’s
what we’re going to be doing.

Perfect.

I run upstairs as quickly as possible, take my weekend bag from the wardrobe, and practically empty my entire underwear drawer into it. I grab a couple of t-shirts and jeans, a dress and heels, and pack my cosmetic and wash bags from the en-suite.
That should do it.
Running downstairs, I collect my mobile from the kitchen, keys from the hallway table and handbag from the coffee table in the lounge and nearly skid into the porch.

“How’d I do?”  I grin at James who is already leaning against the door, watching me run around like a madwoman.

“You have a minute to spare. I’m impressed, babe.”

The drive feels like it passes quickly, even though we’ve been going a while. We drive through all the narrow and twisting back roads, until it’s darkening outside and I wonder how much further it’s going to be. I love the idea of surprises but I’m not known for my patience.

“Where are you taking me?” I ask, as I pull out a packet of Haribo from the bag of junk food we got when we stopped to fill up the tank.

“I can’t believe it’s taken two hours for you to ask that question again.” He chuckles. “And I’m not telling. We’re nearly there anyway.”

I look out the window whilst sucking on a gummy ring and realise we’re not on proper roads anymore, we’re driving through what looks like a forest. I can’t see much in the dark apart from huge trees overhanging above us on either side of the dirt track.

The car turns right and the trees eventually disperse, unveiling a gorgeous log cabin nestled amongst more trees on the other side. My breathing falters as I take in the view before the car comes to a stop by the front door, and my face breaks into a massive grin.

“It’s amazing.” I say, completely in awe. “Hurry up, let’s go inside.” I bounce in the seat and he laughs as he turns the engine off and climbs out, jogging round the front of the car to open my door. 

The path is lit with LED posts all the way to the front steps and decking that make a wraparound porch. James unlocks the front door, and I’m about to ask whose cabin this is and how he got the keys but when the door opens it knocks me speechless. The interior is beautiful. It opens up straight into the open plan living and dining room with a wood burner at one end, surrounded by comfy chocolate coloured sofas, and a six-seater oak dining table at the other. It’s warm and cosy; the fire is lit, with a huge natural coloured stone surround that reaches all the way to the ceiling. The ceiling is high up which makes the room look so spacious, and as I look across to the stairs I see it goes to a mezzanine floor. Must be the bedrooms.

James puts his bag down on the floor and chucks the keys on the side-table, holding out his hand for me. “This is definitely not the best part.” He nods towards the far wall which I now realise is full glass with a sliding door in the middle. 

I take his hand and he leads me over, urging me in front of him while he reaches across me and opens the door. He switches the lights on outside, illuminating the deck with a soft yellowish glow and my excited eyes go straight to the hot-tub to the right and then across the grass to the moonlight reflecting off the river.

He gets the Best Boyfriend award every damn time. This is so far from what I thought I might be doing this weekend. It’s beautiful. His arms wrap around my waist and his chin rests on top of my head. The silence settles between us and my thoughts wander to the future. He’s everything I thought I would never have, and I feel lucky to have found a man who is not only hot and fucking amazing in bed, but kind, caring, passionate, protective, and knows me better than I know myself. And given that I’ve known myself for going on twenty-five years, and James for just under two, that’s saying something.

I never want this to end.

But it might.

I’ve always been a realist. I didn’t believe in fairy-tales. Still don’t. But something happens when James looks at me like I’m the only one he could ever want. Or when he treats me like I’m the most precious thing in his life. All my preconceived notions of love and relationships fly out the window and what’s left is the unwavering belief that he was made for me.

We’re so perfect together, how could he not be?

He squeezes me close, then kisses my cheek and pulls me back in the cabin.

“Do you want a drink?” He asks as he crosses the room to another door. The kitchen is large and softly lit with spotlights from the ceiling. The white cabinets, dark granite worktops and kitchen island are modern, but the timbered walls carry through from the lounge and make the whole cabin feel homely. There’s a huge American style fridge and when he opens it I realise it’s already stocked with drink. Beers and rows of my favourite wine.

“How much do you think I’m going to drink in a weekend?” I laugh as he pours us both a glass. He shrugs, and says, “It’ll keep.”

It’ll keep?
We’re coming here again? Or does he just mean we’ll take it home with us? Before I get the chance to ask there’s a loud knock at the door which makes me frown. We’re in the middle of nowhere. Actually come to think of it, where the hell are we? He didn’t even answer me in the car.

James has disappeared back in the lounge and I follow when I hear a woman’s voice.

“Thanks, Mrs West.” James takes a cardboard box off the little, old lady with greying hair and a round, kind face at the door. She smiles up at him and pats his arm.

“I told you dear, it’s Evelyn.” The wooden floor creaks as I walk further in the room alerting them to my presence. “Oh, this must be your lovely lady. James, she’s a stunner.”

I answer her smile back with my own and walk to stand next to James. “Hi. I’m Laurel.”

“Nice to meet you honey. I’m Evelyn.” She reaches out to shake my hand. “My husband and I own these cabins.” She glances at James and smiles, then turns her head back quickly as if catching herself. “If there’s anything we can do for you, just let us know. Hopefully there’s enough in that box to last you the weekend, and I’ve filled the fridge. I’ll let you get on with your trip. James, I’ll pass your number on to Liam. I bet he’d love to get back in contact with you.” He nods and kisses her on the cheek.