Un-Break my Heart: Book 2 (The Heart Trilogy) (41 page)

“So where are we heading” Greg asked, as he revved up the engine.

“Starlight” I replied, as he looked across at me in shock.

“I didn’t realise that James was a millionaire” Greg said.

“He’s not, he’s a fire fighter” I responded “Why”

“Well he must have something very special in mind if he’s taking you there”

“Oh I didn’t know it was that sort of place” I replied. I smoothed down my dress and hoping it would be alright in this restaurant as we headed down the streets.

Pulling up at the door I turned to Greg.

“Thanks for the lift and I’ll see you on Monday” I replied.

“Have a great evening and yes I will, only 7 days until we launch” he said.

“Yes and it’s all on track” I finished, opening the door. I headed inside to find that James was already waiting for me in the lobby area. He looked me up and down and I shivered with desire and longing for him.

“This looks wonderful but I would have been just as happy with fish and chips from the local takeaway” I said, sliding into his embrace.

“I said I was going to spoil you rotten and this is all part of the plan” James replied, dropping a quick kiss on my upturned mouth.

The waiter took my coat and then ushered us into the exclusive interior. I realised why it was called “Starlight” as I admired the wonderful artwork on the ceiling depicting a clear night sky. At our table some champagne awaited and I sat down opposite James, his eyes sparkled in the light of the candle on our table.

“I’ve already ordered our whole meal so I hope you’ll like everything. After our holiday I believe you will” he said, reaching out to take my hand.

“Besides I need to talk to you about a couple of important things” he finished. I took a sip of my champagne and tried to remove the image on the leaflet from my mind. That was probably going to have to wait until she returned from her holiday t
o
America.

As the first course of scallops and prawns arrived I tucked into the small but delicious portions.

“So what do you need to talk to me about” I asked, after my last mouthful.

“I’ve been thinking about the unsolved murder of your late husband Mark and wondered if someone had missed something in the investigation” he paused and looked up at me, worry in his eyes as he noticed my one hand covering the scar on my other.

“So I mentioned it to my friend on the force up here in Warwickshire and he was allowed access to the files. He thinks that it was planned and not a random act and that it should be re-opened” In the silence our main course arrived as I tried to digest the information that James had just fed me.

“I guess I always thought the same” I replied.

“So would you allow the police to re-open the case then or would it be too much as they will have to interview you again”

“It will be difficult for me but I want to move on from my past and this could be the best way” I whispered, holding James’ gaze in mine. He reached for my hands across the table and held them both in his.

“I’ll be with you this time” he said, his fingers entwined in mine, the tips rubbing the edges of my scars. I looked over to find James suddenly nervous.

“Is everything ok” I asked, watching him reach into his jacket pocket. I thought that his phone might have beeped and he needed to check it.

He grinned shyly and then pushed a small black box across the table towards me. Then he slid out of his chair and knelt down beside mine.

“Stephanie, I know you might think this is sudden since we’ve only been back together since August but our holiday only confirmed my feelings. I love you with all my heart. I’ve loved you since that first kiss in the swimming pool all those years ago. I made a huge mistake in ever letting you go which ultimately might have meant that this day would never have happened. But thankfully you returned to my life and you are the only one for me and I don’t want to lose you again” he paused and stared up at me. I could feel the tears welling up beneath my eyelids as I tried to blink them back.

“Will you marry me” James asked. I looked away as the tears that were falling stained my cheeks and I opened the precious box. A ring inside so beautiful that it sparkled as if a star had been captured and held there.

Around me the sounds in the restaurant faded away and all I could hear in my head were the words from a song.

              “Waiting for a star to fall and carry your heart into my arms, that’s where you belong in my arms, baby”

With tears of happiness tumbling down my cheeks I slipped the ring out of the box and placed it on my finger. It fitted perfectly as I turned back to James.

“Yes” was all I needed to say.

Chapter 52

Charlott
e
stood on the corner waiting for Shelley and Kyle to appear, she was so deep in thought about her plane trip tomorrow that she was startled when a deep voice said.

“Evenin
g
Charlotte, how are you” Zack asked.

“Hi Zack, I’m good thanks just waiting for Shelley and Kyle to get here” she replied. As he stared at her he realised who she looked like and what had caused his question earlier this evening.

“Is your Mum a local radio station manager” he asked.

“Yes
,
Wh
y
do you ask?”

“Oh, I met her earlier as my club is hosting the launch party on Saturday 1
s
t
December and I’ve signed a great sponsorship deal with the station” Zack said. They edged closer to the awning as rain started to steadily fall.

The doorman opened the door, seeing his boss sheltering there and he walked in, his hand guidin
g
Charlott
e
with him.
“What about Shelley and Kyle” Charlie asked. Zack paused and spoke to the doorman and then turned t
o
Charlotte.

“Everything is sorted Bob knows what she looks like and he’ll wave her in”

At this early hour the club was deserted and she had the pick of the booths. Zack automatically ordered a jug of mojito and four glasses and sat down next to her.

“I guess you’re not going to be around for it as it would have been great to have you and Shelley dance” he enquired.

“No, I’m off tomorrow for a fortnight i
n
Americ
a
and I couldn’t have done that with my Mum being here” Charlie said, shocked at the suggestion.

Zack laughed softly and the deep sensual timbre of it reminded her instantly of Mitchell.

“No I meant just some normal dancing, like the Crazy in Love routine” he said. Relaxing back against the seat Charlie giggled too.

“Why don’t you ask Shelley and Kyle to do something for you, I’m positive they would” Charlie replied, as she spotted the two of them heading through the double doors. Zack stood up and slid in besid
e
Charlott
e
to make room for the two of them on the opposite side of the table.

“Hi Zack, thanks for letting us queue jump” Shelley said.

“Well I have a proposal for the two of you, sinc
e
Charlott
e
here is going to be away” he said.

With the deal sealed Zack finished his drink and stood up.

“Better get on with my job so have a great night and I’ll see you all soon” he said, his gaze lingered o
n
Charlotte.

“Come on let’s go and dance since you’re not going to be here for long” Shelley said, grabbing her friend’s hand. After a quick word with Dexter, they had three songs lined up. One was Crazy in Love, Lola’s Theme and Starry Eyed so Shelley could have a sneaky practice.

Up in his office Zack leant back in his chair and watched the two girls on the dance floor. As ever their vibrancy and ability cleared the floor as they danced for themselves and the small crowd that had gathered to watch. Closing his eyes Zack remembered the footage from the changing room and felt a stirring within him. He quickly flicked on his computer and found the file that he had saved. Watching it again it only served to fuel his frustration at this beautiful but out of reach girl. He still couldn’t understand his fascination wit
h
Charlott
e
when he could have any girl he wanted.

Charlott
e
realised that it was almost ten thirty and the bus home would leave in around fifteen minutes so she finished her drink and stood up.

“I’m off now guys and I’ll see you in a fortnight, or should I say we’ll see you in a fortnight” Charlie said, her smile at the thought of Mitchell lit her whole face. Shelley stood up and gave her a quick hug, moving her lips close to Charlie’s ear.

“I’ll miss you” she whispered, before she swiftly kissed her on the lips.

“Good luck with the launch party and the other dance” Charlie said, before she headed for the cloakroom and the door. Back at home she realised that her Mum and James were still out. Heading for her room she shrugged out of her clothes and did a final check on her phone before she jumped into bed. She could hardly sleep with excitement.

Returning home in the taxi I kept staring at the ring that adorned my finger. Unlocking the front door James swiftly picked me up and carried me in.

“I’m practising already” he said, placing me down before his lips tenderly claimed mine once more. Since my acceptance of his proposal he hadn’t stopped grinning at me, and his blue eyes looked just as hopeful as they had when we first started going out together.

“How about Valentine’s day for the Wedding, since that was the day when you accepted my brave suggestion that we should go out with each other” I said.

“Shall we discuss our future wedding plans out in the hot tub now that it’s finished raining” James said.

“Ok I’ll go and get our dressing gowns and towels, you can sort out some drinks” I said.

I wandered outside under the clearing night sky, the first few stars started to appear along with a new moon. The steam rose from the tub as I stepped in and immediately found James’ arms pulling me into his embrace.

“Looking at the sign still makes me feel like a naughty girl” I giggled.

“You can be a naughty girl with me anytime you like” James murmured, before conversation ceased. In his arms we looked up at the stars.

“I only want a small wedding, just family and close friends so that we can have a blessing and honeymoon i
n
New Zealan
d
and share this with my parents” I said, hardly believing I was having this conversation.

“Sounds perfect”

My lips sought his and I kissed him long and deep, turning so that our bodies were pushed against each other. The bubbles rose around us and started to burst sending shivers of desire racing through me.

With a final cheeky grin I ducked under the surface and found what I was looking for. Taking James in my mouth I felt his shudder of surprise as I managed just under a minute of my first ever underwater blow job. Breaking the surface I wiped my hair from my eyes.

“Fucking hell, it’s a good job you didn’t know how to do that when we were together in Ross pool”

“We would have been banned for a lot more than heavy petting” I smirked. His hands pulled me atop of him and I sank down on his cock to continue what my mouth had started. His hands reached for my nipples and started to gently pull them before his lips took over. Then as we reached the cusp his lips claimed mine, his hands entwined in my wet hair, mine rested on his shoulders.

“I love you soon to be Mrs Cooke” he said.

“I love you too” I responded, before our breath was swept from our bodies. Gasping together we came almost simultaneously and just held each other tightly as the moonlight lit up the wonder on our faces.

Eventually we climbed out and snuggled into our awaiting dressing gowns, keeping out the cold hands of winter. Climbing the stairs together I thought about the look on Charlie’s face when we told her our news in the morning. She would then be able to pass the message on to Mitchell when she reached the States. Stealthily I opened the door to Charlie and Mitchell’s room and looked at my daughter in the faint filter of moonlight that peeped through the gap in the curtains. She still looked so young but later this morning I would be saying goodbye to her at the airport with no one to share her first ever flight. Slowly I shut the door before heading to my room. James beckoned me into his awaiting arms and we fell asleep, each with our shared dreams of the future.

My alarm seemed to sound far too soon, but as I rolled over and spied my new piece of jewellery again I smiled. I brushed a soft kiss on James’ lips and he stirred and opened his eyes.

“Morning gorgeous” he said, capturing my lips.

“Morning sexy, we’d better get moving if we have to be at the airport for eight” I whispered “And I know how slow my daughter can be” However before I opened the door I heard footsteps on the landing and the shower start up in the bathroom.

Whe
n
Charlott
e
appeared in the doorway she did take my breath away with joy. She had curled her hair and pinned it up in a high pony tail, she wore her favourite jeans and a t-shirt with her fluffy pink jumper on the top.

“Morning Mum, James” she said, placing her suitcase in the hallway and sitting down at the table.

“Morning Charlie” I said, sliding her coffee and toast across the table to see if she would notice the ring on my finger. But I knew she was already day dreaming about seeing Mitchell again.

“We have some important news for you” I said, before I looked across at James. Charlie stopped eating and looked up at me and James as he reached for my hand.

“I asked your Mum to marry me last night and she said yes” James said. I watched as she digested the news and looked at the two of us sat opposite her, grinning like a pair o
f
Cheshir
e
cats fro
m
Alic
e
in Wonderland.

“Oh my god, that’s fantastic
,
wai
t
till I tell Mitch…have you told Aunt Sarah and Uncle Chris yet” she said, leaving her seat to rush around and give me a hug and then James too.

“No I haven’t told Sarah and Chris yet, James hasn’t even told his parents yet so you are the first to know…well first after all the restaurant guests who witnessed the proposal” I said, happily showing her my ring. Charlie quickly grabbed her phone and started to type a text then she stopped and deleted it.

“I think I’ll tell Mitchell when I see him which won’t be long now” she replied.

While we all waited at the airport James filled her in on the re-opening of the file and investigation into her father’s death. I saw the shock in her eyes as she looked at me.

Opening my handbag to find some extra cash for another round of coffee I caught sight of the leaflet from the club and debated pulling it out and confronting her with it now. My heart softened as she turned to me and said

“Is flying really safe, I’m scared”

“I was too but it’s actually really cool and you can watch films all the way there so I’m sure the time will pass quickly” I replied.

“I can speak to the airline and make sure the air hostesses know that you are travelling alone and that it’s your first time” James said, glad to be useful.

As he headed across to the desk to do this I caught my daughter’s hands in mine once more.

“I love you so muc
h
Charlott
e
and I can’t believe that it was you meeting Mitchell that would bring me back into the arms of my first love”

“Your only love” Charlie replied, stunning me with her awareness of my true feelings.

“I did sort of love your Dad” I uttered.

“Yes but I thought I was in love with Craig but now I’m with Mitchell I know that his love is the real one for me. Your diary taught me that I should never settle for second best even though you considered you had”

The call for the flight to board startled us from our own thoughts and I pulled her in closer for a hug.

“Ring me when you get there so I know everything is ok” I said.

“I will Mum, don’t forget Mitch will be there to meet me” Charlie replied, even as a few tears settled on her cheek.

“By
e
Charlie” James said, as she turned to fill his arms “Tell Mitch that we miss him and can’t wait to see him come home”

Then before she could change her mind she picked up her small travel bag and headed for the doorway. She turned and waved one last time and then she was out of sight in the corridor down to the plane. James and I stood at the window and watched as the waiting area emptied and then the plane took to the runway.

“She’ll be fine, she’s your daughter” James said.

“Yes I know” I replied “But I do need to talk to you about something when we get home”

“Why so serious, today is meant to be a happy day as we start to tell everyone else our wonderful news” James said.

“I know” I replied, feeling his hand in mine.

On the drive home I quickly phoned Sarah and was surprised to find her at home.

“Congratulations Steph, that’s the best news I’ve heard in ages” she said, almost deafening me with her squeals over the phone line.