Un-Break my Heart: Book 2 (The Heart Trilogy) (15 page)

“I’m sure I must have told you about Charlotte at some point in the past, after all we have known each other for about twelve years now” I replied. I took a cautious sip of the wine, knowing that as I had to drive home one glass would be my limit.

“Maybe you have, I have a terrible memory for names, but a pretty face never leaves me and you definitely have one of those” Greg said. Ignoring his compliment I took another sip and felt guilty that I hadn’t just headed home so I could phone James.

It was strange that my phone decided to ring at that very moment. I fished around in my bag and pulled it out to see Sarah’s name appear.

“I’m going to have to take this” I said, standing up and leaving the table. Never in my life had a call from my best friend been at exactly the right time. Outside the wine bar I answered.

“Hi Sarah, so glad you called” I said.

“Only wanted a quick chat and tried your home number but got no answer so here I am” she said “So where are you”

“Trapped in a wine bar with my boss, who is seriously creeping me out” I replied.

“Oh, well perhaps you should pretend I am someone else and invent an emergency” she giggled.

“Great idea, but I also don’t want to piss him off as he has just offered me a Station Manager position i
n
Birmingham. You know what that means don’t you”

“You can be closer to James” she breathed “I am so happy for you”

As we paused I noticed Greg pouring a second glass for himself through the window.

“Look I’d better go but I will give you a call back when I get home and have spoken to James”

“Sure, just be careful Steph. It’s true what they say about love attracting love and last time I saw you, I needed sunglasses to lessen the glare” she laughed.

“Ok mate, speak later” I replied. Stepping back inside I made my way back to the table but hesitated in sitting back down.

“I’m so sorry Greg but I’m going to have to head home now, that was Charlie and she needs me” I said, hoping that I looked suitable apologetic.

Greg stood up and held out his hand.

“That’s a shame but I’m sure we will have other opportunities over the next couple of months to get to know each other better” he said. His warm hand encased mine and before I could pull away he planted a light kiss on my cheek.

“I’ll be in touch” he finished “But if you need me here’s my card”

“Thanks Greg” I replied, placing it in my handbag. I turned to go but paused.

“I am so pleased about the new job” I gushed, flashing him a final smile.

“Not as pleased as me” he replied. I could feel his eyes on me as I walked through the wine bar and out onto the rain soaked streets. On the car journey home I wondered if he was just being friendly or if he had ulterior motives, I was so out of touch with men in general that I couldn’t tell.

Chapter 23

Arriving at home in the evening gloom I stepped into my deserted house and lit up the dark corners as I switched on the lights. As always the first thing I spotted was the wedding picture in the hallway and I walked across to it. Running my hand over the glass I paused to remember the day I became Mrs Stephanie March. I could still feel the dark despair inside me as I had walked to my fate. His smiling face when he met me at the alter had almost broken my already torn heart as I wondered if he was happy with the shell that stood in front of him. I wondered if I should take this one down, as there were plenty of others carefully preserved in photo albums upstairs in the attic. I also knew that Charlie had one in her bedroom but did this need to be here as a constant reminder of my love based on lies? Carefully I took it down and laid it on the small console table in the hallway as I moved through to the kitchen.

With a mug of tea in hand I pulled out my mobile phone and sent a text to James, a few seconds later my phone rang in response.

“Hi Honey, so what’s this good news you need to tell me” he said, eagerly.

“Hi Babe, so how about asking me how I am first then” I joked.

“No need to ask I can tell by your tone of voice that you’re happy”

“Ok, well are you sitting down as I don’t want you falling over when you hear this”

“I’m actually laying on the sofa so no problem there”

“Well, my company boss Greg was at the station today so I asked him if he could listen out for any jobs coming up in the Midland area and he told me that Love Shack are planning to start a new radio station up for Birmingham and surrounding areas” I paused to catch my breath.

“Then he offered me the Manager’s job”

I could hear his sharp in take of breath on the line and waited.

“That is fucking amazing, when do you start” James asked.

“The radio goes live on the 1
s
t
of December but I will need to do some work before hand to recruit the other DJ’s and staff, also some of the publicity too and isn’t it exciting” I responded.

“That news has definitely made my Monday so much better since you are not here” James said “I missed you in my bed last night” his voice softened. I could hear the yearning there and it tugged at my heart. I knew exactly what he meant and how he felt.

“It’s only another day to get through and then we will be together again” I breathed. In my mind I thought of all the time we would have together, alone in my house before Charlie returned at the weekend.

“It will be great to be back in Ross for a couple of days, is Chris going to be around as I have some serious ground to catch up on” he said.

“Yes he’s still on leave at the moment so I’ve already arranged for us all to go out on Saturday night” I replied “I’m working Thursday and Friday on my usual show so he might like a friend on the golf course if you play”

“Does that mean I can come and see where you work” James laughed.

“Only if you want too” I replied, joining in with his laughter.

Finishing the conversation we hung up and then I immediately rang Sarah to catch up with her.

“So you escaped from your boss then” she said, when she knew it was me.

“Yes, I think I may have been imagining things. I’m sure he was just being friendly as he didn’t mind that I had to leave” I replied.

“That’s good as it sounds like a brilliant job” Sarah said “And just what you need”

“So how are things with you and Chris now?”

“Ok, I guess. We’ve both been a bit quiet around each other but we have lots of other things to worry about like our jobs” Sarah said “They make a decision on the Libraries in a couple of weeks and Chris has a meeting with the General of his battalion when he goes back on Monday about early retirement”

“James will be down on Wednesday so do you both fancy a drink on Wednesday evening and then I’ve booked us a table at the Health Spa in the hotel” I said.

“I’m sure it will be ok, I’ll check with Chris and drop you a text tomorrow” she said.

“Great as I think James really wants to make up for lost time with Chris”

“I hope he will give it a chance, he needs a guy to talk too but someone not in the Army” Sarah sighed.

“Just leave it to us girls to sort out” I giggled.

“Too right” Sarah laughed back before we finished our chat.

Stepping into the hallway I accidentally brushed the photo frame and it crashed to the floor, the glass shattered around me. In an instance I was back in my old bedroom, distraught as I picked up the biggest shard. Turning back to the kitchen I found a brush to sweep up the glass and then slowly bent down to pick up the photograph. The fall had ripped it in two separating me from Mark. The guilt sprang back into my heart, crushing it with an iron grip and I struggled to breathe as I sat down on the floor. I knew then that I still had a lot of work to do to allow myself to move on without guilt or anger at the person I was back then. Slowly I crept up the stairs and found my bed; the ripped remains of the photograph littered the floor of my bedroom.

In his own empty bed James thought about Stephanie and her wonderful news. How fortunate for a job to arrive at just the right moment for them both. Now they could really start to make plans for their future together. As he turned off the light he could just hear the faint sound of music coming from Mitchell’s room and an occasional giggle that could only b
e
Charlotte. With both of his sons happy and content it was time for him to find that too in the arms of Stephanie.

After the disaster of the showdown at her big party Felicity paced the floor of her bedroom and picked up her phone. Tapping in a number she listened to the ring and then a familiar male voice answered.

“Hi Felicity and what can I help you with tonight” the male voice said.

“Who ordered you to stop keeping me updated on Stephanie March” Felicity said, coldly.

“Well no one did” the man stammered “But I thought that since you were no longer married to your first husband you wouldn’t be interested in her small town life”

“Not interested……NOT INTERESTED” Felicity’s voice shrilled up an octave.

“I will tell you when I am not interested! I’m the one paying you to do this job and what a failure you have proved to be”

“Well you only pay me when I can give you some information and for the last sixteen years she has been a single Mum since her husband died. No dates, no nothing really” he said.

“You could have told me about her daughter dancing as now she has her claws sunk into my son and that’s what has bought Stephanie back into James life” Felicity said. She looked across and caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror and tossed her hair over her shoulder.

“From now on I need you to keep a close eye on Stephanie and her daughter Charlotte, or else I will drop some hints about that unsolved murder” she threatened.

“Ok, I can do that, when would you like me to report to you, and do you want me to take photos too” he asked.

“Only if you think the photographs can help in splitting either of them up. Give me a call on this separate number once a week or sooner if it’s important” Felicity replied. She reeled off the number of the new mobile she had purchased just for this purpose. Felicity knew she couldn’t get caught with this information or contact working for her.

As she hung up Daniel appeared in the doorway.

“Are you coming to bed” he asked. She watched him stride across towards her and his hands rubbed her shoulders.

“That feels nice” she murmured as his lips touched her cheek.

“Who were you talking to on the phone” Daniel asked.

“Just the accountant, nothing important” she laughed, turning into his embrace. She reached for his hand and then they left the study for the bedroom. After he had satisfied her she endured his clumsy love making until he groaned and came. Sliding out from beneath him she crossed the corridor to her own suite and shut the door, her mind already eager to plan her next move.

Over dinner Sarah turned to Chris

“Stephanie and James have invited us for drinks on Wednesday night and for a meal on Saturday” Sarah said.

“That’s nice” he replied “I hope you haven’t already told them all about our problems” His blue eyes stared coldly at her.

“Only Stephanie” Sarah said “She’s known about our problem for a long time and just wants to help in whatever way she can”

“Ok” Chris said, as he finished his food.

“I think James wants to the opportunity to apologise again and I hope that the two of you can be friends again like you used to be” Sarah said.

“As long as he doesn’t hurt Steph again then that’s fine by me”

Pouring them both another glass of wine Chris pondered the thought he had been having but was too afraid to talk about with his wife.

Looking across at her worried face he softened and reached to take her hand in his.

“Come on, let’s go and make up. I hate it when we fight” he said. Sarah smiled and stood up so that she could follow him to their bedroom. She wondered what Chris would say if she told him that she had been thinking of finding them a surrogate so that they could finally have their own family. Feeling his lips on hers she surrendered to his familiar touch, even through he was her only one for all these years she had no regrets.

Chapter 24

Thursday morning dawned and as usual Charlie rushed to the toilet to throw up as the nerves slithered around like snakes in her stomach. The only way to remove them was like this. Mitchell found her sitting on the bathroom tiles and reached for her hands, he hated to see her like this but knew that this seemed to help her.

“Shall we have a shower” he asked. Charlie nodded and stood up as he turned the faucet and the warm water started to fall. Underneath the spray she felt his hands running over her still aching muscles from yesterday. Then as his fingers touched her nipples the ache of desire replaced the nerves instantly.

“I think this might help” Charlie murmured, as her lips reached for his. She ran her hands down his back and pushed him closer against her. With ease he lifted her up and she wrapped her legs around him as they came together.

After a small breakfast they headed to the studio on the bike and immediately Charlie felt the calmness that only the wind rushing past them bought her. She soon spotted Shelley and Kyle and they headed over to them to warm up.

“Hi Guys are you ready for this” Shelley asked.

“Feeling nervous but excited at the same time” Charlie replied.

As they took their places for a couple of practices everything seemed to be flowing well so when they stopped for a break the chorographer called them all over.

“Right everyone things are looking great so if you can all take a shower we’ll get you fitted for costumes for a full run through” she said “Good work everyone its looking fantastic”

Heading towards the changing rooms Charlie turned to Mitch.

“This is amazing” she breathed, feeling his hand brush her ass.

“I know and it’s all because of you” he said, brushing a kiss on her lips “You’re my lucky star” She turned her bright green eyes on him and he felt desire pump through his blood. She knew that tonight she was in for some hot sex as the heat of that thought alone seeped through her body. Slipping into the shower next to Shelley, she turned to Charlie.

“I remembered mine today” she grinned, shaking a bottle of shower gel at Charlie. She giggled and poured some of her own into her hand. Once more she found she was fighting hard not to look at Shelley’s body as they stood next to each other.

With their towels on and hair dried the costume girls appeared in the doorway. Charlie looked at the tiny shorts and bra tops they were handed and hoped that her Mum would not see this video for a long while. As she struggled with the catch on the bra top she felt soft hands on her shoulder.

“I’ll help you” Shelley said. Charlie was so shocked at her touch that she just nodded as Shelley made quick work fastening the catch.

“All done” she said “You look so hot” Blushing Charlie turned to look at her new friend.

“Thanks Shelley you too” she replied.

“The guys are going to love this” Shelley said, running her hands down over her waist and hips.

As they joined the guys she noticed Mitchell’s eyes run over her body as she took in his trousers and ripped vest top.

“Are you ready for this” Mitch asked, as he pulled Charlie close.

“Bring it on” Charlie replied. The four of them did a quick group hug before they were ushered into their places on the raised dais at each corner of the stage. After a final practise they waited for the artist to appear along with his troupe of six male dancers who would be on the stage. Looking down from their slightly raised position Charlie tried to contain her excitement as Ne-Yo appeared and raised his hand in acknowledgement to them all.

It took almost four hours before everyone was satisfied that they had caught enough on the camera to splice together for the video they were looking for. The sweat was pouring off their bodies as they were finally allowed to finish and head for the showers. Charlie wondered if she would ever be able to move again later her muscles burned beneath her skin and ever step seemed to hurt. However she knew that the two of them had performed above even their own expected level and it made her smile. In the showers she turned to Shelley

“Fucking hell I hurt but it was worth every minute” Charlie breathed, smothering her body in shower gel and letting the heat of the water start to soothe her aches and pains.

“Amazing, I can’t believe it” Shelley agreed. She let her gaze run down Charlie lithe body and wondered what she would think if she touched her.

“Shall we go for a drink when we get out” Charlie asked.

“Sounds great and I’m sure Kyle will be up for it again, and I’m starving” Shelley said.

When they were ready they headed to the forum of the studio and spotted Kyle immediately, but Mitchell was no where in sight.

“Where’s Mitch” Charlie asked him.

“The choreographer wanted a quick word so he’s in the office, but we’re going out to the nearby Chinese for some food together” Kyle said.

Charlie wondered what they needed to talk to Mitch about but when he emerged with a huge grin on his face she rushed into his arms.

“So” she asked.

“I’ll tell you later, but it’s great news” he said, cryptically. Shelley and Kyle waited but when Mitchell was not prepared to say anymore they linked arms and headed into the dusk outside.

The short walk to the Chinese restaurant was quiet but once the prawn crackers arrived they all started to talk about the day’s work, aching muscles and being in the same room as Ne-Yo even though he hadn’t spoken to them at all.

“So what’s your next move” Kyle asked Mitchell.

“I’m setting up my own dance school as I have my own studio at home but I need to make a bit of money first so I’ll be checking for any other audition opportunities” Mitch replied.

“I’m in the last year at college but would love to do something similar” Kyle replied “Let’s stay in touch as I’m keen to help you if I can”

“Any good on a computer as I need a website” Mitch laughed.

“Yeah, pretty good and my younger brother is a wiz at it so perhaps I can help you out” Kyle said. The guys laughed and continued with their food.

“So Charlie when are you next around” Shelley asked.

“Not sure yet but lets chat over Facebook and I’m sure we might meet up at all these auditions the guys are talking about” Charlie said.

As they parted in the street Kyle dropped a kiss on her cheek but Shelley pulled her in close for a hug. Charlie aimed for her cheek but in the end their lips met briefly and a spark touched her nervous system. Pulling apart quickly she spotted the same look of surprise in Shelley’s blue eyes and wondered if she had felt it too. With Mitchell’s arms around her shoulders they headed for the bike and then home. Wrapping her arms around his waist they weaved through the night time traffic with ease and then arriving at the dark house they knew that Darren had gone to Sophie’s and they were alone.

Opening the door Charlie turned to Mitchell

“So what’s the news then” she said.

“We’re off to tour th
e
United States” Mitch said, his grin nearly splitting his face.

“Really” Charlie said the surprise on her face.

“Yeah, they’ve offered us the six week tour in November” Mitch said “The paperwork will be emailed to us within the week” he replied.

“Fuck” Charlie said, before his mouth met hers. The kiss only served to reignite the spark that Shelley had lit earlier.

“I need you, lucky” Mitch breathed in her ear.

“Come and get me” Charlie said, before she sprinted up the stairs to their room.

Mitch caught her at the top and pulled her close so that their lips could meet.

“I need you” he whispered as his lips trailed from her earlobe to her neck and the thin skin that separated her pulse from his. He could feel the beat of her heart through the touch of his lips on her skin. She peeled her top off and she was naked beneath.

“I’m waiting” she breathed, as once more she slipped from his grasp and took the final steps into their room. Standing before him in front of the bed she stopped him in his tracks.

“Wait” she said. He watched as she tucked her fingers into the waistband of her leggings and then fell to the floor, along with her barely there panties.

He advanced towards her but she halted him with the palm of her hand.

“Wait Mitchell” she murmured. He watched as she ran her hands over her curves from breast to hip and then lower until her fingers disappeared into her hot pussy. She watched him as she moved her fingers in and out of her wetness until she was throbbing for him. Pulling them out so that she could taste herself on her tongue, Mitchell dropped to his knees and crawled towards her so that his tongue could taste the dribble that was running down her inner thigh. Charlie struggled to stay standing as he licked, sucked and nibbled her to the brink of ecstasy. Gently he lifted her so that he could place her on his bed and continue until she gasped his name and shuddered on his tongue.

Looking up at her he was caught in her emerald pools as she watched him intently, a wry smile on her face in the pause of their love making.

“My turn now” she grinned, running her hands up his chest and making his muscles ripple from her touch. He let her push him back onto the soft pillows so that she could start her journey of him, from nose to toes. She finished at his very centre that was erect and quivering by the time her mouth covered him. As she licked and sucked Charlie cast glances back to his face so she could feed off his enjoyment. Pulling her up she lowered herself atop of him and started to dance again, despite the aching in her thighs.

“Swallow it” he breathed, slowing down so that she could dismount and take him in her mouth once more. She felt the hot lava of his desire running down her throat and she drank it all in, knowing that part of him was within her.

They dozed for a while, wrapped around each other before Charlie switched on the stereo and plugged her ipod in. As the music surrounded them she grinned so much her facial muscles started to ache.

“Are you sure they said that” she asked Mitch.

“Yes, I gave them my email and they said we would have all the information by Saturday at the latest” he said, stroking her flat stomach.

“Fucking hell
,
America” Charlie exclaimed once more, before she kissed him again. Then relaxed and happy they fell asleep to dream of success across the pond as the music played on.