Sexy Berkeley

by Dani Lovell

  "Wow! For how long?"

  "Well, we could go for a couple weeks, everyone else could come for one if they want to? Unless they want to stay longer."

  "That sounds perfect! Well, let's ask them and see what they say. Bear's will be closed for a few days over Christmas and I'm sure we could train the staff up to spend a couple of days without us. We can work on that. Oh it all sounds so exciting!"

  "Great. I can't wait to show you 'our' place in Aspen, baby." His excited smile sends butterflies flapping around my belly.

  "Our place, hey?"

  "What's mine is yours, baby. Which reminds me, do you have that gift I left on your breakfast tray?"

  "Yes, it's in my clutch."

  "If you've finished eating, why don't you open it?"

  I lean down to get the gift from my bag and push my plate away to set the little navy box down in front of me. I glance up at Daniel as I open it, he has one of his delicious smiles on his face. I focus my attention back on the now-open gift box, fully expecting some sort of necklace or something. "It's... a key?"

  "Yes. It's your key to our home in LA, I want you to feel like that's your place, too. It never felt the same after you left, it felt empty without you, even though you were only there a couple nights. You know, I still have your pink toothbrush in the bathroom, as a little reminder of you being there. If you accept this, then anytime I'm there alone, I'll know a little bit of you is there, because you share it with me."

  "That's so sweet, darling, I don't know what to say. Thank you."

  He leans across the table and cradles my face in his hands, bringing his lips up close to mine. "You don't have to say anything. Just know how much I love you." He kisses me gently and tears spring to my eyes.

  "Thank you. I love you too. This has been, by far, the best birthday of my life. And you have given me the most wonderful present that I never, in a million years, imagined you'd be able to give me. You. You're really mine now, all mine!"

  His delighted smile makes me giggle, his eyes sparkle and he looks almost childlike in his excitement. "Would you like dessert, baby?"

  "No, thank you. As much as I love our alone time, I really can't wait to tell Tilly and Clare that you're staying!"

  "Sure thing, let's go." Daniel takes his iPhone from his pocket as he stands, presumably to text the driver. We collect our coats from the restaurant reception and stroll, hand in hand through the bar to the main entrance, where the moonlit view of the golf course begins.

  We stand to wait for the car and I turn to press my body against him, wrapping my arms tightly around his neck and raising up onto my tiptoes. His arms snake around my waist to hold me close. "I love you so much, Daniel."

  "You don't know how much I love hearing you say that. I feel like I've loved you my whole life. I could never have gone back to my old life without you permanently in it. I feel so lucky, now I can have my cake, and eat it. Preferably a Bear's strawberry cupcake, of course."

  I grin against his mouth and gently brush my nose along his. "I'll bring home a whole box of them, especially for my boyfriend, on Monday."

  The driver drops us off in Rickmansworth, outside the pub where my friends are gathering for my birthday. My face is aching from the permanent smile plastered across it, but I don't care, I'm the happiest person in the world right now and I can't wait to introduce everyone to my 'real-life boyfriend, Daniel Berkeley.

  He weaves his fingers between mine and clutches my hand tightly as we approach the door. Before we go in, he pauses, gazes into my eyes and tells me he loves me, one more time, before planting the most gentle, most gorgeously soft kiss on my lips. If I wasn't so excited to tell my friends our news, I'd be shoving him back in that chauffeur driven car and getting very naked.

  A chorus of Happy Birthday's greets us as we step through the door together and approach the cosy corner of the pub that houses all of my friends. I greet everyone and introduce my gorgeous boyfriend, who gets more than a few appreciative looks from the girls in the crowd. Yes, that's right bitches... this fine chunk of man candy belongs to me and I am loving every hot inch of him. Whoop! I save Clare, Tils and Oliver until last so I can have a proper hug with them all.

  "Fuck me, Bea, you look amaze-balls!" Clare cries looking me up and down. "I mean, you always do and everything, but there is something super-spectacular about you tonight... by the way, I'm borrowing those shoes."

  "Thank you, but by the way, no you're not. Do you like the outfit? Daniel bought it for me."

  "Ya, sweetie," Tilly butts in, "from Valentino on Rodeo Drive dahhhling."

  Daniel rolls his eyes and chuckles as he shakes hands with Oliver and follows him to the bar.

  "Wow, it's all gorge, Bea, I need me one of those," she says, nodding in Daniel's direction.

  "He's pretty spesh, hey?" I'm momentarily dazed, eyeing up my sex-god at the bar. I must admit, he and my brother are a fine looking pair, they're certainly getting a hell of a lot of looks from the ladies, including Clare and I, as they stand, handsomely, head and shoulders above the other men in the establishment. I suppose I'll allow Clare to ogle my brother and my man, it's only natural, they're ridiculously good looking after all.

  Laura taps Clare on the shoulder and asks her a question, giving me the perfect opportunity to chat to Tilly. "Got a minute?"

  "Yeah, of course, what's up?"

  "Come outside for a sec." We make our way out the back of the pub where canopies and a large gazebo are set up around picnic tables. Rolled up blankets are positioned sporadically to keep the smokers warm during the colder evenings. We head to the fire over at the far wall and sit in front of it to keep warm in our less than practical attire.

  "What's going on Bea? Is everything ok?"

  "Yes, don't worry, I just wanted to catch you on your own for a minute. I want to tell you first."

  "Oh my god..." she grabs my left hand and after a quick glance at my ring finger, throws in back into my lap. "Ok, not that... what?"

  I giggle, she just doesn't know how funny she is. "No, stupido, we're not engaged."

  "I did think that would be a bit difficult, what with him living in Cali and all that. So what? Tell me for god’s sake!"

  "Well, he doesn't anymore. Live in Cali, I mean. He's moving here."

  Her grin spreads fast and her eyes light up. I haven't seen a sparkle in her eyes since we were in LA so I know for certain that she is thrilled for us. She throws her arms around me and rocks from side to side. "Oh BB, I'm so, so happy! That's amazing. What a fantastic birthday present! You were destined to be together, I knew something would happen. How did it work out then?"

  "Well, he's going to be working from the London office now. He'll be going home every six weeks for a fortnight, but his main home will be here. With me. He wants me to join him in LA every time he goes back, but I'm not sure that'll work with Bear's. He reckons he has a plan to discuss with me tomorrow but I'm just happy that for the majority of the time, he'll be here. I wanted to tell you first, you know..."

  "Yeah, I know. I hope you weren't worried about telling me in case I had a crazy emotional breakdown?"

  "No, I wasn't. I knew you'd be happy, but we started this journey together and I thought it only right that you know first. But now that you do, I can't wait to tell Clare and Oliver. Oh and the folks! They love Daniel."

  "Bea, I am really, so happy. This is such lovely news. Congratulations darling, let's go and celebrate, you haven't even got a drink yet."

  "I know, let's go in, but just quickly before we do, how are you doing? You still look a little under the weather, doll?"

  "Yeah, I'm ok. Forget about that, let's just enjoy your night. This is the best news, ever."

  "Love you, remember that, Tils, and thank you so much for helping Daniel with my birthday, you're the best."

  "Of course, love you too, but stop worrying about me, let's go and party!"

  After we returned to the rest of the party inside, Daniel handed me a drink and we made
our way around the group, mingling. Introducing him to Dylan and Leah was amusing, Clare and Oliver were arm in arm watching from a far, laughing drunkenly as they observed Dylan's reaction to Daniel like it was some sort of wildlife programme. I didn't think there was all that much to it, but apparently, according to everyone else, Dylan looked like he had shit stuck to his top lip for the rest of the night.

  Leah was as much of a bitch as she always is so I left them to it. Daniel enjoyed wrapping me in his arms to kiss me, in front of them, just a little too much, but the feeling of having someone so in love with me, so protective, a little possessive, was actually more endearing to me than anything else. So I let him enjoy it.

  The evening's celebrations were twice as fun as usual birthdays, partly because we had more to celebrate, but mainly because I had the man of my dreams by my side. We were practically joined at the hip all night, apart from when he and Oliver were having one of their many bromantic moments.

  Oliver was so excited to learn that Daniel would be staying. It's so cute to watch, I'm glad that they are forging a relationship already. I just know that when my brother meets Luke, they'll get on just as well as he and Daniel do.

  ~~~~~~~

  Drinks were drank, my beautiful cake, courtesy of Clare and the girls at work, was eaten, and laughs were had, all round. Truly the most amazing, fun-filled birthday I have ever had, thanks to my fantastic friends, my two beautiful besties, my gorgeous big bro and last but by no means least, my smoking hot, too-good-to-be-true boyfriend.

  Back at the hotel, we laughed and kissed and had amazing drunk sex, long into the early hours, before passing out in each other's arms, sated and sickly happy. I never dreamed I would ever meet a man who made me feel so special, who I'd be absolutely certain I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. I so look forward to my future; enjoying him, one day marrying him, making and bringing up beautiful babies together, a lifetime full of happiness with my man, my soul mate, my Sexy Berkeley.

  TWO MONTHS LATER

  WEDNESDAY 5TH DECEMBER

  TILLY

  Well, it's been two months since Bea's spectacular birthday bash, when we all found out that her California man would now be her permanent, hot lover. I am so happy for them both, Bea especially, after witnessing her torment when she got back from LA.

  Even though I had my own issues, it was so fucking hard to watch her hurt so badly. She and Clare mean more to me than anything, and to watch one of them so broken, kills me. But, after all of her agony, her life has made a dramatic one-eighty, and now she is in her element, living here with Daniel and spending a couple of weeks in Hollywood now and again. To say I'm a little envious is putting it lightly. Lucky bitch.

  They managed to get a plan in place at the cakey, so Bea will be able to accompany Daniel on most of his trips. Clare has one weekday and every weekend off, with Bea working all week and most Saturday mornings when she is here, and they also have some new staff.

  The new contract with Daniel's company lead to another contract with a similar business, and tonnes of wedding cakes, so Bears has profited massively, so I hear. I try not to get 'all up in their biz' about Bear's finances, I don't want to know; as long as they are happy, I'm happy.

  Promoting a couple of their girls has meant that they can leave the shop, without having to worry. I'm so proud of them both, they have really made their business something to be super proud of and have even won some amazing awards in the process. My clever girls.

  As things stand now, we're just under two weeks away from the big Christmas trip to Aspen. I know everyone is so excited, Daniel can't wait to show us around and introduce Bea to another new home. I'm sure it'll be fun, I just need to get my head around seeing Luke. Not that I've mentioned it to anyone, I'm sure they all think I'm just as excited as they are, and I am...no, really, I am. I'm not wishing I could stay at home all alone, curled up in a ball on my sofa for the entire festive period... no. Not at all. But anyway, this isn't about me, I'm supposed to be talking about Bea and Daniel and all their amazingness.

  About six or seven weeks after the fab news - I think it was - the two of them flew to Los Angeles for their first trip back over thanksgiving. Bea said it was amazing, she was thrilled to be able to go back for a bit longer and actually enjoy her time, knowing she wasn't going to lose anything when she returned. I know - more than she realises - what she means. I miss Luke like crazy, which is crazy, considering I knew him all of a week or so. But anyway, back to the lovely couple.

  We arranged a take-away night as soon as they got back, and heard all about the fab time they had.

  She managed to spend a good amount of time with Daniel's parents who she has fallen in love with, and they with her, from what I gather. Bea and Alexia finally met, Bea says she's a lot like us, although she's a little more sophisticated, apparently. Bloody charming! Probably someone with a pole shoved up her arse. But we'll see when we meet her in Aspen, I'm sure we'll get on. Pole or not.

  I was so jealous that Bea and Daniel got to meet up with Gemma and Jay for dinner a couple of times, I really felt like I was missing out. They were over there, enjoying all of the things that we were enjoying a couple of months earlier, with the people I want to see. But still, at least I can time my next visit for when Bea's going to be there. That'll be fun. When I'll be able to visit again though, is another story.

  She has a constant sparkle in her eyes since her birthday, and it's been so lovely to watch her embrace her new life. I am still quite low, and at times, have found it hard to express my happiness for her, which makes me feel like the biggest fucking bitch in the world, because I truly am so happy for her. She and Daniel have something so special, so rare, and he adores her. She has what I want, without the issues I have, right now.

  I have avoided them sometimes, trying to hide away so no one notices how badly I am coping. There's only so much of their oh-so-happy lifestyle I can deal with, without snapping and turning into a psychotic nightmare with a plethora of witnesses. Comes with the territory, I suppose.

  Clare has noticed my depressive behaviour on a couple of occasions, although I must be a fantastic actress, because she hasn't realised - thank god - that I cry, without fail, every single day. Most of the time, I manage to contain it to when I'm in bed, or on my lunch break at work, or looking like a freak on the tube in the morning. She consoled me on those few occasions as best she could, she really is a beautiful friend. Shame she has no idea what's really going on.

  Everyone is excitedly preparing for Christmas now, all of us are travelling together; Bea and Daniel obviously, me, Clare, Bea's parents and Oliver, though some of us won't be travelling in upper class this time. Also celebrating the festive period with us in Aspen, are Daniels parents and sister, who Bea has been raving about, and of course, last but not least, the man who has turned my world upside down; Loverboy, Luke.

  Nobody knows. Nobody knows the half of it. Sure, Bea and Clare know a tiny chunk, telling Bea I'm having a small life crisis seemed to keep her satisfied for a while, but that was only the very beginning, it's so much more than that now and it won't take long for it all to come out.

  I lied. I was falling a little bit head over heels for Luke. I didn't want to believe it, I prayed I wasn't having those feelings for a well known playboy, but it was all happening too fast, and there was nothing I could do to stop it. That I could probably have gotten used to; toughened the fuck up and dealt with it, but now? Now it's not quite so simple.

  I'm going to have to talk to him in Aspen, I have to tell him everything... and I'm not ready. Not yet. But, I have no choice, and the shit... well, it's going to well and truly hit the fucking fan. So, I've got two weeks to prepare myself before it's time to talk. He has no idea how much his life is about to change. Jesus fucking Christ, how the hell am I going to do this?

  Hey, how did I get around to talking about me again?

  ###

  Coming soon:

  Book two of the Sexy Series; Sexy Summers - T
he story of Tilly and Luke.

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