The One Adored (The One Trilogy Book 3) (17 page)

I chuckle again, behind my hand. This rather straight-laced middle-aged frenchwoman had Seb figured out entirely and after an hour in her company I changed my initial opinion of her. She was bloody good at her job.

We exchange details and then leave, glad to escape to fresh air, the heady fragrances in Parfum Unique were as overpowering after a while as the never-ending ache between my thighs.
 

*******

We savour creamy hot chocolates in bowls a la Francais in Angelica’s, enjoying stollen kisses and whispers of dirty promises, before Seb informs me we have another appointment, this time at Agent Provocateur to purchase my wedding underwear and honeymoon pieces. Despite my many protests that I do not need more underwear, he will not listen, changing the subject masterfully with talk of Finn and work and within half an hour, we are ensconced inside the most beautifully decorated retailer I have ever entered.
 

I’ve been into Agent Provocateur before in Lords but the Paris boutique was majestic, and now I am in a changing room, with my own assistant and oodles of silk, lace and exquisite undergarments whilst Seb waits patiently behind the curtain.
 

“I’m not coming out, you know!”

“I know. I wouldn’t want anyone seeing you, that’s why we have our very own dressing area.”

I glance up at the assistant, who just nods with a glimmer of a smile. I add a silent “Oh”, before stepping into a pair of ivory satin panties with lace and pearl bottom, a matching garter belt and a bra is added, which barely covers me, pushing my breasts up indecently. The lace that curves along the top, sits just low enough to show my areola. The whole effect is very whimsical and sexy but demure at the same time. It needed red lipstick. I felt instantly alive in all the right places.

The assistant steps outside, leaving me to admire my reflection alone and as I’m checking out my rear in the mirror, she returns. Except it isn’t her. It’s Sebastian - his head hooked around the curtain, his eyes, drawn directly to my chest are now black with lust.

“We’ll take it.”

“But… Seb…”

“Baby, you look, hot!”

I feel the flush start all over my body, beginning at my toes, across my calves, up and over my belly and I smile up at him, wanting him to hold me. “Off you go! Let me try these others. I don’t need an assistant, I’m happy to try them myself.”

“I can be your assistant?” His sensual pout is not missed.

“We’d never get anything on. You’d be permanently removing garments and never replacing them.”

“True.”

“Go!” I repeat, shooshing him out but giving him a quick peck and enjoying the electric current that buzzes through me at our connection.

“Next one, I need to see. We are definitely getting that set. Do they do other colours?”

“I’m not sure?”

“I’ll ask. Go on, before I strip you naked and take you on the floor of the changing room woman!”

I slide the curtain closed completely, and unclip the bra fastening, before slipping my hands to the sides of the panties. It was a good job we were going to be buying these items, with Sebastian around I would be spoiling any silk underwear, making it non returnable.

I spend the next ten minutes trying on several more items and am left in peace to do so. Not knowing what my wedding dress will be is a huge issue, however it doesn’t stop me choosing several key pieces for our honeymoon, wherever and whenever that may be. They border on the more risque, from the ‘soir
é
e selection’ and their ‘naughty range’ to a selection of different styled ivory and white bras that would suit several wedding dresses, in strapless, low back and basque design from their lace and romantic ranges. They were all so gorgeous and fit me like they’d been made for my body. It was true what they say, you get what you pay for.

One particular dark charcoal sheer lace long Helmut Newton inspired gown, was designed to wear over a nightgown but I tried it on with matching thong with silver chains that draped across each hip. Attached to the hanger was a delicate silver chained framework, which I was trying to figure out when the assistant returned.

“Knock knock. Are you decent Mademoiselle?”

“Come in?”

“Ah? The Cathie - this is one of our best sellers. We do it in Navy and red too, but I think the grey is stunning on you, Madamoiselle.”

I lift the deep grey lace and finger its scalloped edges, muttering to myself. “Yes, the grey is perfect and for my Silver man.”

“The silver chain, slips over your body, underneath your breasts and fastens at your waist like a necklace.”

“Ah, like a body-chain?”

“Oui. Your man will be silenced when you walk into the bedroom wearing this.”

I smile knowingly. I was buying this for Sebastian, for our honeymoon. “Could you take this set and wrap this separately? I would like to purchase this for my man and keep it from his wandering eyes.”

“I understand. Can I assist with anything else?”

“I’d like to try on some of these beautiful silk negligees but I daren’t even look at the price tags.”

“Well, why don’t we try them on anyway - you are here, after all, Mademoiselle - why not indulge?”

I nod, she was right and very good at her job - with her beautiful accent and elegant ways and all the pieces were stunning. My favourite was a dark emerald green that brought my eyes out the second I put in on, and clung in all the right places, my body sighing as I moved in it and a black short lace sheer negligee that was practically indecent. In the end I thank the young woman before allowing her to take all the items away - I couldn’t purchase them but it had been nice to dream.

Dressing again, I find Sebastian on his phone, discussing business I presume, in a low purposeful tone. He sounds angry. His eyes narrowing in thought. He was up to something and catching my eye, he holds up one finger and winks at me pacifying my inquisitive nature but I know him and he looks concerned.
 

“Sorry about that, just some issues with work. Are we sorted?”

I study his overly jubilous expression a moment too long, before deciding not to push further, he would talk to me when the time came to offload. “All good, although I think we’ve gone a little mad with the cream set.”

“Nonsense. You wait until you see the goodies I’ve treated us too.” His playful sexy banter is back and I reach up to stroke his chiselled jawline, the two-day stubble lightly grazing me.
 

“I’m presuming they are goodies we’ll be indulging in together?”

The shop was full of sequin nipple tassels, diamante whips and all manner of light BDSM sex-toys, a slight thrill runs down my spine.
 

“Remember the pleasure balls, baby? Untold pleasures like those.”

My sigh doesn’t go unnoticed by the blushing young woman on the till, who hasn’t removed her brown eyes from my fiance since we’d entered the shop. I can’t blame her, he is delicious and all mine.
 

I pay for my own items as Sebastian is settling for his and we take our bags.
 

“Time to go home and play, darling.” I lean in and kiss him lightly, his tongue dipping in quickly to meet mine.

“Lead the way, lady - I’m not sure I can control myself for a second longer.”

*******

Getting ready for the black tie event is an indulgence I thoroughly take advantage of. Sebastian had left me to my own devices as had become our way, and I could have kissed him. He’d done the same when we’d stayed together in Dubai, for the masked ball and it had added that air of mystery that every girl needed when they showcased their big reveal.
 

This had also been due to the fact he was entertaining his client the Sheikh in Dubai and had a duty to be at his beck and call. Now, he had just unselfishly changed earlier and met Nathan for drinks in the bar, leaving me an extra hour of alone time.
 

I can’t help feeling that he had ulterior motives however.
 

He had been checking his watch religiously, received several text messages in the past few hours and seemed overly tense. It all stemmed from his earlier call this afternoon. Whilst I was glad of the space to get ready, I couldn’t quite pinpoint it but there was something awry and I wished he would talk to me about it.

I take one last look in the tall dress mirror, checking from all angles, before placing my pashmina loosely around my arms.
 

You don’t scrub up bad, girl.
 

My vintage Dior strapless dress, which had been altered that afternoon, clung in all the right places, nipping in at the waist so it looked minuscule and made my bust appear even curvier than usual. The lush navy fabric curved over my hips, like deep sea water, running in a tight sheath to the floor, before flowing out behind me in a small train. Scattered across the bust, the waist, down the hips and at the hem, black bugle beads and sequins flooded the inlay black lace fabric, catching the light and lifting the navy from elegant to evening wear. Elbow length, black mat satin gloves, black lace sheer hold-ups, which you caught a of faint glimpse of in the thigh high split when I moved and black suede Sergio Rossi stilettos completed the look.

I’d worn my hair down but swept and pinned to one side, in loose curls, baring my neck and placed huge black filagree drops at my ears, which Sebastian had purchased for me from Butler and Wilson. Smokey navy eyes stared back at me through the reflection, and grabbing my clutch, I topped up my MAC pinky red lipstick. I felt like a princess and incredibly sexy. I had most certainly dressed with my man in mind, his earlier words a reminder… “it was his prerogative to spend large amounts of money on dresses that he could peel off my delectable body at the end of the night.”
 

I couldn’t wait…..

*******

The Black tie event was being held at Château Dumont. The Devereux hotel chain had recently added the chateau to their collection and re-vamped it over the past six months, bringing it in line with the quality that they were world- renowned for and I had to say it was exquisite.

It was an event that both Sebastian and I had rather not attended tonight, I’d much rather have ordered room-service and cuddled up in bed, but as I had decided to spring myself on him this weekend, he couldn’t give back-word. Apparently we would show our faces, eat and leave early; all purely to appease the investors.

Gray Devereux is one of the first to meet and greet us and I smile warmly at him. He cuts a fine figure in his Gucci Tuxedo, those intelligent but sensual eyes friendly rather than interested tonight. Nathan had given me the low-down on Gray earlier that day, briefly telling me about his business dealings. He was a force to be reckoned with, CEO to the Château Devereux division of The Devereux chain in addition to his large property portfolio. He seemed to have it all, but not much in the way of family. Just a bevy of interchanging beauties at his beck and call. Nathan said he was Sebastian before he got serious with me.
 

“Champagne, Lucia?” Gray interrupts my thoughts.

“Please.” I nod graciously, accepting the chilled flute from him. “Thank you.”
He was a project for me - which friend could I set him up with?

“You are very welcome and exceedingly beautiful.”

“She is that.” Seb agrees and I smile up at him. He looked so handsome in his tux - the most delicious man here.

“A rare jewel, Silver. You need to keep her happy or I will be tempted to corrupt her.”

I watch Gray Devereux’s sharp midnight blue eyes, mischievous and full of humour. He knew how to push Seb’s buttons and every one of them was engaged right now.

“My
fiancée
is more than happy, Devereux. Do not concern yourself. ”

“Fiancée eh? Hmmm? Has there been a development since Thursday night?” Blue eyes full of mirth question Seb.

“There has as a matter of fact. We got engaged yesterday - officially.”
 

Seb eyes lock on mine, only we knew that we’d been engaged for weeks. He lifts my hand to his and kisses it gently and I melt. He can be so alpha male and irritatingly controlling, but how can I resist his proud intentions?

“Well, congratulations, Silver. Well done you for snapping her up, before I did.” His wink is my undoing.

Am I not here?
“Gentlemen, I can speak for myself.” I shake my head on a dramatic smirk.

Gray chuckles, charm oozing from every pore. “Of course, Lucia, how rude of us. Congrats to you too. I can see why you tamed Silver - beauty, brains and sass - an unbeatable combination. Do you have a sister? We never got a chance to chat more the other night.”

Seb mouth is set in a firm line of disapproval, as he takes a sip from his pint and I decide to change the subject. Despite Gray’s obvious torment of my love, I liked his energy. He seemed like a cool guy and once I got him of the topic of me, I think we could all be good friends.

“Yes but she is happily married unfortunately.”

“What a pity.”

“So, Gray, tell me more about the new chateau you and Sebastian are colluding on?”

“It is coming along nicely. Your man is a tough negotiator and the best contractor I’ve ever worked with. His team are just what we need. This place took a year longer than scheduled and ended up two million over budget - Silver has assured me that he is the man to make sure that does not happen at Château Devereux.”

I raise a brow at Seb who looks chilled at my side.

“You must come and see it before you return home.”

“We are already visiting tomorrow.” Seb interjects.

“Good, we’ll have lunch.”

“We are already sorted thanks, but you are welcome to join us. Surely you are busy though? A big important man like you?”

Wow, Seb could have met his match here. I can see why they would be good in business together; they would challenge one another and they were spookily alike; it made for interesting viewing.

Gray laughs, a deep husky boom that is full of honesty. “I can take the hint. I will leave you and your lovely lady to some privacy, so you can enjoy the magic of the Château but do pop in to see me at the office. I also leave Monday to return to the UK.”