Paris Hemsworth's Road to Wonderland (Road to Wonderland Series Book 2)

by Marlow, Francesca

  Taking his lead, I follow the directions he gives me until we end up at a local go-karting place. It’s almost like he’s listened to me about the things I like and brought me somewhere that I will enjoy. I’m impressed by his choice of location, and it makes me soften just that little bit more towards him.

  It doesn’t stop there, either.

  We go to the beach. We take a stroll along the sand. He asks tonnes of questions, all with genuine interest to find out more about me. He’s positive in everything he says and there isn’t one moment where I question his intentions or integrity. He is the perfect gentleman. Even when he spots a fish and chip place close by.

  “I have a confession. I knew the fish place was going to be there, but in my defence, we are by the sea.” He holds his hands up in the air as he turns and continues to stroll backwards.

  “It’s okay.” I giggle. “I’m pretty sure we can get a tray of chips to share. I know we both like them.” Leaning forward, I take one of his hands in mine and lace them together to drag him towards the shop.

  It’s strangely nice walking hand in hand with him. He has a firm, but tender touch, which I’m drawn towards. He’s manly, but he doesn’t have this need to prove it every two minutes. Allowing myself to indulge a little further, I pull his arm up and over my head, wrapping it around my shoulders so I can snuggle into his side. He smells fucking good and his body provides an intense heat that’s welcoming against the sea breeze. I sink further into him, allured by his irresistible appeal. It causes me to feel a little bit more daring in my questioning to him.

  “Do you have any regrets, Max?”

  “Doesn’t everyone our age?”

  “Yeah, you’re probably right,” I answer softly, taking his answer as a diversion not to divulge. He seems quite content, quietly listening to me talk. He must have a knack because I usually find it very hard to talk to anyone with meaning about myself, but with him, it just comes naturally.

  His grip around my neck gets a little tighter as he sways us from side to side. “Don’t think too much, beautiful. Let’s get those chips.”

  Hearing him call me beautiful is bizarre. No one other than Iz has called me that in years. I float along with his charming endearment, putting a shy smile across my face and a pink flush to my cheeks. Spending time with Max is uplifting to my soul, giving a small, much-needed boost to my confidence. And not just the front that most people see, but the one I keep hidden away to protect myself from being hurt. He seems to have located that one and something odd is going on. Something I don’t feel an urgent need to stop. Something I’m ready to feel more of.

  Forty

  23rd April 2013

  After spending the day with Max yesterday, I’m left questioning many things. He was kind, caring, funny, and he is, without a doubt, an attractive guy. He has a great car, a great job and prospects. Jeez, I sound like I’m selling him to my parents. He’s everything a mother would want in a future son-in-law and the stability a father would want a man to have. So why am I still unsure as to what exactly it is that I’m feeling?

  I’ve had to get out of Casa to clear my head. What better way than to walk the two new little fellas in my life. I’ve only had them a short space of time, yet my love for them has grown fast. Izzy thought I might struggle with the responsibility, and she was right to an extent. I don’t know the first thing about what do when it comes to having a pet, but I’m learning and I’m enjoying it. It’s nice to have them to cuddle up to at night. It would be nicer to have the arms of a man, which I think is what Max is offering me. It might help if I knew anything about the way he felt for me. He doesn’t give much away at all, and it has crossed my mind that he may have been hurt in the past, too.

  I was quite honest and open with him about my past at the beach. He knows I’ve been hurt plenty, but he still didn’t give much away. He asked me out on a second date, but he didn’t ask me out on the third. No arrangements have been made to meet again. Maybe I’m too eager or keen. I should relax a little and see where the next week takes us.

  Right now, my boys seem to be taking me towards the park. I’m getting funny looks from people for taking a dog and a rabbit walking, but I honestly don’t care. I like to sit on the bench and watch the crazy pair run around in the field. They seem an unlikely duo, but they get on well. People used to think that about Mav and I, but look at us now. Twenty-six years on and our friendship is stronger than ever. It’s still giving time a good run for its money.

  I’m so distracted by my thoughts that I nearly miss them run off across the other side of the field and into the trees, out of my sight.

  “Oh, shit!” I yell as I jump up off the bench and, without thinking, chase them.

  That’s when a guy comes out from nowhere, crashing into the side of me and knocking me flat on my arse.

  “Hey, you jerk! Watch where you’re going,” I shout up from the floor, rubbing at my tush. He leans over the top of me in his shorts and what appears to be some sort of skull t-shirt.

  “Sorry, doll. I didn’t see ya there. Ya just came out of nowhere.” He talks to me in some strange accent I’ve never heard while he extends his hand.

  “Yeah. Likely story. Like you just don’t see a five-foot-six-inch brunette step into your path.” I ignore his hand and push myself back up off the floor, rub down my jeans and try to remove some of the dirt.

  “Feisty, aren’t ya?” He laughs and folds his arms.

  “Excuse me?” I put my hand on my hip and jut.

  “I was just thinking how attractive you look when you’re angry.”

  My mouth drops open, a little lost for words at how bold he is. I flutter my eyelashes a bit too obviously and continue to snipe. “Well… Well… Don’t.” I ball my hand into a fist and pump it down in the air at the same time as my foot stomps on the ground.

  “Cute,” he adds with a smirk.

  “Stop that, you arrogant arse.”

  “Stop what?” He chuckles. “Paying a beautiful lady a compliment?”

  “Shut up. And what the hell is that accent you have?”

  “You like that?”

  “No!” I scrunch up my face and shake my head.

  “I’m from Boston, USA.”

  “Figures.”

  “Excuse me?”

  “That god awful t-shirt you’re wearing. What is that?”

  “Oh, this?” He looks down. “This is the greatest band in the world. You must have heard of them?”

  I move my head further forward and squint at the writing as I read aloud “A.X.7? Nope. No clue.” On closer inspection, I can’t help but notice just how well formed his torso appears to be under his top. His shaggy brown hair looks like he cut it himself, but it’s kind of quirky and matches his growling, green eyes. However, none of that makes up for his cockiness. Been there and got several of those t-shirts.

  “You must have?”

  “Seriously, no, and I gotta go. It was not so nice bumping into you and chatting, Mr Whoever-you-are.”

  I swiftly turn on my heel, remembering I have the boys to find, before setting off across the field in their direction.

  “Fairchild,” he shouts. “Joel Fairchild.”

  I just offer him an acknowledging nod of the head while I continue to walk.

  “And your name is?” he calls louder.

  “Something you’ll never find out,” I yell back over my shoulder.

  “See ya later then, Pip.”

  I twist on the spot with a frown on my forehead and question him. “Pip?”

  “Person in path.” He shrugs, chuckling.

  Turning back around so he can’t see my reaction, I have a quiet little giggle to myself and mutter, “Person in bloody path… What a nutter.”

  And with that, I set off in search of my boys, breathing in the spring air with one thing in mind that I know for sure.

  I can truly rely on my boys for unconditional love, and no matter what path I choose to take, my best friend will always be by my
side. Izzy and I are creating our own little family. It might not be conventional, some may mock it, but it’s ours, it’s loyal and it’s loving. For the first time since my dad died, I finally feel positive about the future, and I’m starting to feel happy with the person I’m becoming.

  I’ve found a place where I belong.

  I’m looking forward to the next the chapter… In our Wonderland.

  TO BE CONTINUED...

  About The Author

  Francesca is a self-confessed drifter, never quite fitting in anywhere until she discovered the love of reading two years ago. Books proved to be non-judgemental, loyal and thought provoking, so much so that she was inspired to create her own world. A world where she could channel her every day thoughts and emotions to deal with the daily grind which we call ‘life’.

  Francesca’s biggest accomplishments to date are the two little ladies that share her heart, closely followed by the one thing she is very proud to say: “I wrote a bloody novel!” She’s a Yorkshire lass and a secret romantic at heart, with an eclectic taste in music and a great love for films - all of which continue to be a source of creativity as well as well-deserved relaxation moments.

  To find out more about Francesca’s writing or to follow her, click on the links:

  https://www.facebook.com/AuthorFMarlow?ref=hl

  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/9840593.Francesca_Marlow

  https://twitter.com/F_Marlow

  Author’s Playlist

  Throughout writing this book, I listened to many songs to help me find the right mood for a chapter or certain feeling.

  I’d like to share some of them with you to show a little more lyrically Paris’ journey.

  I hope you enjoy!

  Fall Apart - Every Avenue

  I Can’t Not Love You - Every Avenue

  Only Place I Call Home - Every Avenue

  I Will Wait - Mumford & Sons

  Love Man - Otis Redding

  Ill Manors - Plan B

  Enemies - Pylo

  High Hopes - Kodaline

  I Need a Hero - Bonnie Tyler

  9 to 5 - Dolly Parton

  Remedy - Professor Green

  All of Me - John Legend

  Demons - Imagine Dragons

  Ghetto Gospel - 2Pac

  I Knew You Were Trouble - Taylor Swift

  I See Fire - Ed Sheeran

  Let Her Go - Passenger

  Only Girl (In the World) - Rihanna

  Thinking Out Loud - Ed Sheeran