The One Adored (The One Trilogy Book 3) (24 page)

“Eh? Isn’t that how all your clients are at this point?”

“You’d be surprised Lucia - if I had a £1 for every couple I could spot heading for divorce before they’d even taken their vows.” Gigi’s lips purse. “Sorry, not that I should be talking about that now, you two just make me feel, well let’s just say that this is why I got into this line of work - for couples like you.”

Seb grins openly at her. “Thank you Gigi. This woman is my life and I can’t wait to marry her. I don’t care if that makes me sound like a sop, I like the fact that we appear to have found a planner that can see ‘us’.”

“Anyone would have be blind not to see what you and Lu share, Sebastian. The air is electric around you both.”

Seb winks at her and I stroke his face before leaning in. “Right, enough about us… what about you?”

Gigi’s huge eyes grow dull instantly and I know I’ve hit a nerve. “Me? Nothing to tell. I get my fix from couples like you guys. Anyway, you said you have a venue in mind already?”

There’s much more to her story - a real enigma but we leave it and instead answer in unison. “The Ashton.”

“At Holdgate? I know it - it’s recently been re-furbed hasn’t it?”

“All Lucia’s Interior Design handiwork.” Seb proudly informs her.

“Really? Wow - that’s good to know. It is stunning. Wonderful that we have a venue already, as at this short notice that may have been an issue.”

“The owner is a close friend of ours so he will be accommodating.”

“Super. Well, how about we head on through to the wedding fair together and you point out the styles you like and dislike and we can go form there.”

“Can’t wait!” Seb answers sarcastically.

“Oh come on, you love weddings.”

“I love the thought of you in pearls, and ivory lace too, especially if you’re wearing nothing else.” His brows raise wickedly, “But all the trimmings I’m happy to leave to you experts.”

“Sounds good to me. I have tonnes of ideas - I love the idea of a
Silver
theme… to play on Seb’s name.”

“What a great concept! We could have a Winter, frosted, silver look.”

“Hmmm, nothing too poncy and I’m in.” Seb grins. “Besides it will be a play on
our
name, and I love the concept too, Mrs soon to be, Silver.”

I’ll never tire of hearing those words. “I stand corrected.”

*******

From his secluded position in the foyer of the luxury 5 Star Westbury Manor, the man in the black leather jacket, remains focused on his targets. Finally, as his back has begun to ache from his contorted position, they enter .
 

“About time!” He mutters through gritted teeth as he watches them walk through the conference room doors, hand in hand like a fucking smug married couple. “Not. Fucking. Yet. Mate. Cocky Bastard!”
 

Lucia is dressed in a black and cream blazer, jeans, heels and pearls - she looks fit. Silver is dressed liked frigging David Beckham. “Ponce!”
 

Who the fuck did this guy think he is?

The couple stop for a moment, accompanied by a slim blonde woman he doesn’t recognise, to review the noticeboard situated outside the open ballroom doors before heading on into the Essex Suite, to join the many visitors, milling around - all here to enjoy the hotel’s Wedding Fair Event showcasing that day. He waits a short while longer, before slipping through those same doors and into the crowds behind them. The woman with them was pretty hot but she had one thing about her appearance he couldn’t abide; she was a dumb blonde. He’d never go there again.

Ducking in behind one of the stall holder’s, roller banners, he holds his camera close to his chest and focuses the zoom in on Lucia’s face, snarling as he sees her happiness. “Really? You’re really going to tie yourself to this smooth prick for all eternity and you’re smiling about it?” His blue eyes narrows on her mouth, enjoying the opportunity to peruse his love at such close proximity, then dropping to her chest and clicking with each movement. This was so much more reliable than his blasted phone, and the detail would be incredible when he printed them out.
 

Now they are tasting wedding cake? Talk about rubbing it in!
The bride and groom to be were currently feeding small pieces of chocolate, fruit and sponge to one another, whilst chuckling openly at the mess they were creating. To onlookers they created the perfect picture of a couple in love, to him they made him feel physically sick - they were taunting him! He watches as they move on to the next business, this time a photographer and he chuckles inwardly. “I know a great photographer… shame he be won’t be able to make your wedding Silver, he’s fully booked that day, as will be the bride.”

He spends the next hour weaving in and out of the shadows, watching his chances with the woman of his dreams slip through his fingers by the second; desperation, quickly being replaced with anger. These places made him itch, he’d done it with his now ex-wife. Marriage hadn’t been for him. He remembered it, standing at the aisle, her ash blonde hair gleaming like a beacon beneath the translucent veil. She had been a vision and had promised him the world. But the second his brain triggers that one memory, it’s as though the image has been set on fire in his memory as the bride’s face contorts into an ugly, evil, lying bitch!

He’d buried that time along with all his bitterness, but here in these sweet and sickly surroundings, the stench of hope filling his nostrils combined with the heat of desperate women, keen to shackle themselves to men who will never be true to them is bringing it all flooding back with a ferocity that hits him like a bus. His mouth is watering, filling with metallic tasting saliva and pressing his finger to his lips, he sees the blood where he has bitten right through skin.
 

Yes, his whore of bride had been untrustworthy too. He had not chosen well.
 

They always left, always wanted more than he could give - more than him.

He shakes his head to rid himself of the past and his sombre thoughts, before heading for the exit - he couldn’t be here a moment longer. “Oh Lucia, can’t you see that this man isn’t going to be there for you, through sickness and health? Are you really going to honour a man that has been a player all his life - who will undoubtably cheat on you?”

The cool air hits his face in a welcoming gush as he escapes the confines of the hotel and he zaps his saloon, sliding inside hurriedly. “With my body I would worship you. All that I have I would share with you, but it would never be enough with you would it, sweetheart?” The man with the cool blue eyes, wipes the thin film of sweat from his top lip and appraises himself in the rear view mirror, nodding as his words form clarity in his mind. “With my fist, I’ll break you, with my mind games I’ll control you. Women need boundaries, and men need to be in charge. I will always be the one in charge but I’ll have fun destroying your stubbornness Ms. Myers and take extreme pleasure, bending you to my will. Oh boy, that will be a challenge. Time is up, sweetheart - you are mine and it is time I finally get to taste the goods.”

*******

A week later and it was moving day at last. Finally, I would have Lucia and Finn living with me, at Silver Birches. It would be a home; our home.
 

We’d be a family.

Finn was with his father for the day, leaving the adults the time to crack-on and really make a dent in the mountain of boxes to be shifted. I don’t care about the graft ahead of us, I usually hated moving house but not today - today is a great day - I’d been waiting for it for for weeks.
Fuck, if I’m honest I’d been waiting for this for years.
 

Today I am moving in with the woman of my dreams.

Pulling into Rose Avenue, I park up outside number 41 and greet the removal guys ready and waiting outside Lu’s terrace and notice that Nathan’s truck is already here. Good lad - all we needed now was Big G and we’d be sorted. I didn’t want Lu lifting anything too heavy - it was much to early for her recovery to overdo things. She was doing so well, I couldn’t risk setting things back and messing up our wedding plans.

I head up the few steps to the front door, slip inside and holler into the chaos that echo’s around the house, and within minutes Lu appears at top of the stairs, her arms full of clothing, looking beautiful and stressed in battered denim cut off shorts and a checked flannel shirt tied at the waist; my mouth instantly dries at the sight of her. Fucking effortless. Fucking edible. Fucking mine.

“Hey you. Good day to move house.”

“It is isn’t it? Here, let me take those.”
 

I jog up to meet her halfway, grab the pile and we make our way down together, the second we’re both in the hallway, the clothes are forgotten, dropped to the floorboards so I can grab my woman. “Come here, beautiful!”

“Seb!” Her delicious giggles of protest only make me harder.

“What? A man can’t take advantage of his soon-to-be hot room-mate?”

“Not at all - we’ve just got so much to do and only today. I have the professional cleaners coming in tomorrow and then the new tenant moving in on Monday.”

“Well then you shouldn’t have worn denim shorts that make me want to just peel them down and lick you out, this second!” I raise my brow, challenging her to retaliate and she doesn’t fail me.

“But where would the fun be if I covered all of this up? You have to get a taste of the goods you’ll be unwrapping tonight…” her fingers trail from my neck down my chest, and stroke across the waistband of my jeans, hitting the slightest bit of skin, as my T lifts. “… speaking of tasting…”

“Er guys? Save it for later - yeah?” Na’s voice interrupts us and we both chuckle, leaning in to indulge in a long sweet kiss.
 

“Just a few more hours baby and I’ll have you in
our
bed.” I stroke the fancy plait she’s wound her hair into, that’s dangling over her shoulder and reach out to feel the silky texture of it between my fingers, giving it a sharp tug. She looks adorable and sexy and entirely fuckable. “Seriously, Lu! Are you trying to crucify me? A plait? Come on!”

Her chuckle is victorious as she leaves me to join Nathan downstairs in the basement kitchen and I shake my head on a grin. I’d join them in a couple of minutes, give my hard-on a chance to subside, its evidence straining at present. I adjust myself and dip into the lounge, where box after box is piled high, ready to be collected and loaded. A quick glance around the room, locates the expected list attached to a clipboard, detailing each box, its number, contents and the room said box should be presented in at Silver Birches. I smile knowingly. She was good, so organised and I’m suddenly taken back in time to a moment years before - the day I helped her move into this place.
God, was that 5five years ago?
 

So much had happened since then.

That day I’d been moving my two mates in to their new home. I’d happily offered to be removal man for the day, but knew within an hour of being there it had been the wrong play. Niall had irritated the fuck out of me, namely due to his crass and verbal acknowledgement of
 
how he wanted to christen the house. I’d been jealous as hell. Flirted with Lu and left with a bitter taste in my mouth. I hadn’t thought about that day in years and now I’m standing here, in a very different predicament. I’m about to move the same woman out of this house into my home. She is now my woman - my fiancée and Niall can well and truly fuck-off. He’s had his chance and messed up, royally and now it’s my turn. I’ve waited patiently enough and I’m determined to erase all memory of his mistakes.