The One Adored (The One Trilogy Book 3) (23 page)

I screw my face up and releasing Seb’s hand begin to gesticulate in frustration. “Really? That’s what you’re going to go with. So I’m not losing it? You do know something?”

“It’s all I can say. Now, please let me go.”

“Thank you Dawn. Of course you can go. It’s been nice to meeting you, thank you for the information and your time.” Seb mutters graciously, as the annoyingly drippy woman makes her way into the crowds behind us.
 

“Seriously Sebastian? That’s it? We finally might have some kind of clue towards who the freak is that’s been terrorising me?”

“And…she might just be a very strange and kookie lady who’s lost the plot. We’ll look into what she’s told us tonight of course we will but please try not to stress, baby.” His arms enfold me into his chest, lips planting a kiss over my head and I raise my eyes to his.
 

“I was pretty grotty then, wasn’t I?”

“Not your best moment, no but I understand why?”
 

“I just want to end all this now. I’m constantly on edge, I feel like I’m being watched 24/7, I’m completely paranoid,
 
I don’t know who it is that’s after me. I know Detective Murray said that it would probably be someone familiar to us but what if it isn’t? It could be anyone in this room?” My eyes dart around the Inn nervously and calm immediately as I feel Seb’s breath tickling my neck, his calming words just what I need to hear, “Look at me. I’m the only one who’s watching at you; I’ve been eyeing up your beautiful body all night and wondering when we can leave - have you finished with your networking?”

“Yes - pretty much.”

“Then, how about we go home and snuggle. We have the wedding planner tomorrow and a busy weekend, how about a nice hot bubble bath, cheesy movie and…”

“Chinese.”

“You took the words from my mouth.”
 

I lean in and kiss him on those sexy wide lips. “Seb?”

“Yep?”

“Thank you.”

“For what, baby?”

“For being you. For being here and for being mine.”

“Always, Lu. Come on, let’s say our goodbyes. Time to forget work and stress and make it all about the play.”

*******

Gigi Divine is quite possibly the most beautiful woman I’ve ever met. Currently sitting across from me, in a tailored grey trouser suit and chiffon blouse, she was effortlessly put together, maintaining a cool calm demeanour about her, whilst manically punching information into her smart phone. Gigi was apparently
the
best wedding planner in the area, if not the UK - Suzie’s words, not mine; I’d be the judge of that, although I have to say, she seemed just my cup-of-tea and I’d loved the website I’d perused at length the past few days.
 

I take a moment to secretly survey her. Her long blonde hair fell in tumbling waves of honeys and caramels, surrounding a perfect sun-kissed complexion, sapphire blue Disney eyes, with lashes to die for and a wide full mouth that lifted genuinely and often. The sexy Eva Mendes mole on her cheek was the icing on the perfect wedding cake. I instinctively check her wedding finger. Nope… no ring! How was this woman not married? She was utterly gorgeous, with endless legs I’d die for!

I wonder what her story was? She had an air of mystery.

“Sorry about that… swans - importation…regulations… well you don’t need to know the ins and outs.” Her white teeth glint at me and manicured nails wave her comments away.

I don’t but wow! Swans!
“It’s fine, honestly, I get it.” I smile warmly at her, taking a sip of my green tea.

“Thank you for understanding. Will, Mr. Silver be joining us?”

“He’s running a little late, so we should begin but he’ll be here soon.”

“Not a problem - most brides want to have some alone time with me at the initial meeting anyway, so it may work out for the best.”

I nod, agreeing with her, watching as she extracts a larger file, unclips it and begins to remove sample leaflets and colour swatches, before reaching for her iPad.
 

“So, your sister recommended me, you say Lucia?”

“I found you on the internet but yeah, she also sung your praises from the Priestly wedding and please call me Lu?”

“Lu it is, Priestly wedding, yes I remember, gorgeous do
−
three years in the making.”

I grimace. We didn’t have three months, let alone three years. “Oh.”

“So… the wedding - when did you say it was?”

“In three weeks.” I whisper, wincing as I say the words - it was a ridiculous timescale for anyone to work with. 21 days; my impossible man.

The sharp clearing of her throat is combined with a quick eyebrow raise, followed by a gulp. “Hmmm, that’s soon?”

“Hmmm. Too soon for me, but Sebastian, my fiance, is insistent. We’ve waited years for this day and he’s not prepared to wait a moment longer.”
 

“And for how many?”

“About 150?”

“Right. Well, it’s not out of the question, but it could come with some restrictions on venues, date-wise and it will definitely cause an issue with deadlines for floral arrangement bookings, cake and decor suppliers etc…”

I hold my breath as she thinks on her feet, it was like glimpsing myself at work. We had a very similar way, making small organised notes in a calm manner. I liked her, immediately; liked her manner and the way that she had made me feel like she was in control within a few short minutes.

“Do you have a date in mind?”

“Unfortunately it does need to be over the weekend, a Friday, Saturday or Sunday to suit our guests, but we do have the venue already.” I wince again, this was going to be tough.

“Well that helps with our main problem - it’s just ensuring that our best photographers, videographers, florists, cake designers, seamstresses etc are also available.” She sweeps her shining blonde hair elegantly over her shoulder in one smooth movement before continuing to scrutinise her diary. “I have a wedding every weekend from now until the second week in December - how about Friday the 11
^th
Dec?”

I immediately check my iCal and mentally calculate the weeks, knowing it was considerably further away than the 3 weeks Seb was expecting. “That would be seven weeks?”.
 

“Hmmm. I can’t see another date here. You’ll be hard pushed at this short notice to arrange a wedding on such a scale in three weeks. It’s only another few weeks to wait and it could be a christmas wedding!” Her honeyed brows meet in a neat frown and deep blue eyes focus on me. She really was very pretty. “We’d make it very special. Do you think that date would be an issue?”

It wasn’t a few weeks difference, it was 4 - a
 
month!

“Not for me but my fiance might have something to say about it…”

“What will I have something to say about?” We both look up as a deep male voice interrupts us, pulling out the chair next to me and grinning sexily in Gigi’s direction.

“We were working out dates for the wedding, baby.”

“Tomorrow suits me fine. I’m in.” Seb leans in and plants a lingering kiss on my lips, that makes me breathless, his hand cupping my jaw. I quickly pull away as I remember where we are and that we have company. Gigi and I lock eyes and her knowing look makes me relax, she was probably more than used to PDA in her in profession.
 

“We can’t do tomorrow, silly.”

“That’s a shame. Hi, Sebastian Silver, sorry I’m late.”
 
Seb shakes hands with our attractive wedding planner and I watch their interaction, extremely pleased when I don’t see her preen all over him. She was most certainly a keeper.

“Not a problem - Gigi, Gigi Divine, Wedding Co-ordinator - lovely to meet you. Lucia and I have just been talking about the concept of a Christmas wedding?”

“Absolutely, categorically…NO!”

If Gigi Divine is shocked at Sebastian’s controlling persona she does not show it - her facial expression not changing from the calm demeanour she has portrayed from the outset. Instead she smiles at us both, takes a small sip of her coffee before replacing it in it’s saucer and focusing her blues on my man. Then she leans in asks him, “Seb, how important is it to you to make your bride happy?”

I watch Sebastian’s jaw tick, his eyes narrow weighing up Gigi’s motives as his nostrils flare. She was certainly putting him on the spot and I liked it - she has sass! “She is my priority. I want her to be my wife asap but I need to put her first. I will put her first.”

“Ok, Lucia - how important is it you, to have a wedding that is planned, within reason.”

“I feel like we’ve waited this long to be together, what’s seven weeks. I would love to get married at Christmas.”
I also am happy to breathe, take the time to find my dress, enjoy this a little - relax.

Seb shifts in his seat and frowns at me, clasping my hand. “Really? It matters that much to you, darling?”
 

“Really. It does.”
 

“You
have
always adored Christmas…”

“I have, and Finn would love it, Seb; all the trees and decorations and fake snow.” I had a warm feeling building in my belly that I’d won this round - the first of many.

“Fake snow?”

“Yes, fake snow!”

“Jeez! What am I letting myself in for?”

Gigi and I both laugh in unison.
 

“But it’s seven weeks away?” he grumbles.

“Nearly six if you squint at the diary.” I squeak.

“Lu! Seven days maybe but not seven weeks; don’t do this to me baby.”

“It’s not so long, Sebastian and we have so much to do in the meantime. We have to move house, we both have work commitments, I need to plan the bloody thing and try and enjoy what is supposed to be the best day of our lives. You and I have a lifetime to look forward to together - don’t rush this. I haven’t even bought my dress, please Seb, do this for me…”

“It will fly by, trust me.” Gigi interjects, assisting me in my argument.

I watch my sexy Silver man battle with his lack of control. I know it’s hard for him but I’m not budging with this and I can see him wavering. At last he nods on a whim and squeezing my hand grunts. “Let’s do it. Go for it Gigi, December the 11
^th
it is but I mean it this time Lu, not a second longer.”

We haven’t even given Gigi the go ahead to plan our wedding but she is hired without a doubt. Anyone who can convince Sebastian Silver to do something he doesn’t want to so easily is worth their weight in gold in my book and glancing across to my delicious husband-to-be, I can tell he feels the same. “Gigi, you are magic.” I compliment her.

“Yes, well-played Ms, Divine. Exceedingly smooth.” Seb concedes dryly.

“You two did the hard-work guys, I just got you started in the right direction - now lets see about getting you married.

Budget?”

“There is no limit.”

I watch as the beautiful blonde across from nods impressively. “Well that will assist with the lack of time, considerably.”

“Nothing is too good for my baby.”

I feel my cheeks heat as Sebastian’s hand finds my knee beneath the table and begins to stroke in leisurely circles.

“Well we can discuss some general plans and I’ll send you an invoice after today- my rates are fair and set on a monthly basis. We have a Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum package that we offer our clients to choose from.”

“Platinum through and through.” Seb’s words slice through me and I bite my lips, knowing their innuendo was meant for me. He really was.

“However, as you have a no budget limitations… I can always draw up a tailor-made package to address your particular… needs?”

“Lucia has always loved it when I use my tailor-made package… to address her particular… needs.” Seb draw out the
 
words leisurely with mirth in his chocolate eyes.

“Sebastian, stop it. Poor Gigi will feel uncomfortable! I apologise for my fiancées lack of restraint.” I whack him playfully on his arm.

On the contrary, Gigi is smiling openly at our banter. “Not at all, it’s rather refreshing to see a couple so in love and such good friends.”