Simon looks chuffed. “My pleasure, Lottie.”
As the girls compose themselves, they notice Beef standing behind me. They look at his large self with bulging eyes of curiosity.
I move to the side of him, so the girls can see him properly. “Lissy and Lottie, I would like you to meet Beef.”
He steps forward, ready to shake their hands. “I have heard lots about you girls.” He says in his low and deep voice.
The girls stare with wide open mouths. Lottie is the first to welcome him. “You are massive! Are you a wrestler?” Lottie’s comment makes him laugh loudly, a strong and natural laugh.
“No, I am not. I just need to be big for my job.” He explains with a warm grin.
“Are you Jonny’s bodyguard then?” Lottie asks.
He proudly nods. “I am.”
I can’t help but interrupt, “He is also a very good friend.” Beef’s eyes dart in my direction. He nods, his tanned face smiles warmly back at me.
Bending over slightly, trying to make himself appear less intimidating, Beef looks at the girls. “So if ever you ladies get into any trouble . . . you know who to call, don’t you?” They look up at his imposing frame, until their eyes meet his. They both nod obediently. Who in their right mind, would ever dare to question such a humungous human being? My girls are certainly no different. I grin to myself at the girls reaction to Beef. They don’t fear him. They are merely overwhelmed by his impressive presence. My grin soon widens, coming down the stairs is a carefree and sexy as hell Jonny. He greets the girls, wearing a beaming expression of friendliness.
“I am so glad you made it, girls. So you’ve met Beef, my right hand man?” He pats Beef on his thick set arm.
I smile. “Yes they have. I am now going to take them to meet Mary.”
Jonny looks at both Lissy and Lottie. “I thought you girls may like to try the hot tub out before the party?”
“A hot tub?” Lissy quietly inquires.
“They are brilliant, Liss. One of my friend’s parents have one of them in their back garden.” Lottie is almost jumping with excitement.
“Well, you can both go in it after your mum has showed you around.” Both the girls high five each other.
“Are you staying, Beef, or coming back later?” I ask.
“I don’t think there is anything left for me to do, so I think I’ll just nip home and come back later. If that’s okay with you, Jonny?” Beef turns to face Jonny.
“Of course it is bud . . . you get off now and we will see you in a while.” He smiles, turning to walk with Beef.
“I will see you all later then, nice to have met you Lissy and Lottie.” Beef says, affectionately looking at the girls who are still grinning from ear to ear.
Taking both the girls by their hands, I smile. “Let’s go and meet the lovely Mary.” We all happily walk towards the kitchen. Christmas carol singing echoes within the room and the mouth-watering aromas of all the food being passionately cooked by Mary, fills the air.
“Mary, I would like you to meet my daughters.” I say, proudly standing between them.
She quickly wipes her hands down on her apron, lowering the volume on the stereo. She welcomes the girls, holding her arms out. “I have heard so much about the two of you and here you are, you must be Lissy?” Without hesitation she hugs her tightly. Although Lissy is slightly taken aback, she warmly holds Mary, too.
“Pleased to meet you,” Lissy quietly answers.
“And you must be Lottie . . . how lovely to meet you.” Mary now embraces Lottie in the same motherly way.
“You too,” Lottie replies, laughing.
I cast my eye over all kinds of ingredients, waiting to be brought to life with the culinary skills of Mary. “How are you getting on then, Mary?” I ask.
“I am pacing myself nicely, enjoying the preparations and the music, of course,” she chortles to herself.
“I cannot believe how calm you are. I’d be pulling my hair out by now,” I say, feeling overwhelmed just being in the kitchen with so much food around me.
“Mum, remember the time when you dropped the turkey and its legs fell off, Dad tied it together with red ribbon?” Lottie innocently reminds me of a sweet nostalgic moment from our past. I stroke her hair and smile.
“How can I forget that? It was the funniest turkey I have ever seen.” I reply, smiling at the memory.
“Are you both looking forward to tonight?” Mary asks, glancing at Lissy and Lottie. She leans over to pick up the fresh bunches of asparagus, sitting on the steel worktop while waiting for their reply.
“We are,” Lissy answers for the both of them. Lottie stands beside her, keenly nodding.
“I am sure you are both going to have a wonderful time.” Mary says in a cheery voice.
“Do you like working for Jonny Riley?” Lottie asks.
“Yes I do, it is wonderful working here.”
Lottie’s eyes brighten. “Have you met a lot of famous people?”
“A few,” Mary replies, looking at me with amused eyes.
Lissy is shaking her head and rolling her eyes at Lottie. “My sister is still getting used to Mum being with someone famous and is being rather embarrassing . . . again.” She pokes Lottie in the side.
“Between you and me, I used to get a little silly around famous people too, but you soon get used to it.” Mary winks at Lottie.
I put my arms around the girls shoulders. “Well, we shall leave you to it, Mary. I know you still have loads to do. If you need me for anything, just let me know.” I tell her.
“I am fine, Jessica. I have got Frankie.”
“I have just briefly met her with Jonny. She is geared up and awaiting your instructions.” I am laughing.
Mary nods, “That is good to know because her first job is going to be preparing all the glasses for me in the small reception room.”
“I am glad you are putting to good use the extra pair of hands.” I tell her.
Mary smiles with a sweet frown forming across the bridge of her nose. “Her enthusiasm may wane after an hour or so with me.”
“I am sure it won’t, Mary. Now the girls are dying to see the rest of the place so we will see you later.” I tell her, guiding the girls to come with me. Mary waves, turning the music up again as we leave the kitchen.
As we enter each room the girls’ faces are full of wonder and complete awe of the place. Lottie is naturally drawn to Helena’s art work which fills the walls in most of the downstairs rooms. As we ascend the curved oak stairway, now decorated beautifully with fresh festive garlands, both of them stare at the high ceiling. Standing at the top of the stairs, they both look down on the grand hall from their high position with astonished expressions.
I show them to their room, full of the things I know they will appreciate, like a television, an MP3 player and speaker dock. They hurry into it, jumping excitedly around on the double bed like young children do.
“Oh my God, Mum, this is amazing!” Lottie’s face is beaming as Lissy rushes to look at the en suite, turning on the light to get a good look.
“We have our own bathroom, too,” she shouts to her sister.
I stand back and enjoy watching them check out their new room. “I know you are sharing but I thought for your first stay, you would prefer to be together. The television and MP3 are early Christmas presents for the two of you and if you look in the wardrobe there is another surprise.” I tell them, feeling more excited than my beaming daughters. They look over at the mirrored doors, then back at me. They then both run towards it, excitedly sliding the doors across.
“Wow . . . party dresses!” Lissy touches them with her tactile hand, feeling the luxurious material between her fingers.
“They are gorgeous, Mum.” Lottie quickly takes them off the rail, looking at them all with eager eyes.
I stand beside them. “I bought you both two each, so you can decide which one you want to wear.”
“I want to wear them both,” Lottie giggles,
handing her sister her two dresses.
“So you like them?” I ask, but judging by the frantic nodding and big smiles the dresses are indeed loved.
“What are you wearing, Mum?” Lissy asks.
“A green sequin dress, my darling. You have to have a bit of sparkle at Christmas, girls. Now come with me, I’ll show you the rest of the place.”
Holding hands, we walk together towards the library. I knew as soon as Lissy saw it, she would fall in love with the exquisite small space . . . just as I did when I first set eyes on it. Her eyes are full of silent delight as she absorbs its quaintness.
I pull her against me, stroking her arm. “This is my office and peaceful sanctuary.” I smile.
“It is perfect,” she coos with wide eyes.
I squeeze her slender frame. “I knew you would love it.”
“I do.” she dreamily answers.
“You can come in here whenever you want. I often come here to sit quietly, just me and the books.” I tell her, eyeing up the neat bookshelves.
“It is the best room ever!”
Smiling, I kiss her head. “It’s my favourite, too.”
“Can we see the hot tub now, Mum?” Lottie rests her head on my arm with a playful pleading look on her face.
Knowing that Lottie, is not as taken with the library. I begin to laugh. “Let’s go.” I say, ushering her out.
Lottie instinctively heads out towards the small hallway, which leads to the gym and hot tub. As Lissy and I walk together hand in hand, all we hear is a girlish squeal. “You have a gym, too? Oh my God! A treadmill and a rowing machine?” By now she is clapping, her excited dainty feet run on the spot.
“I haven’t really had a chance to use it yet. I had to recover from the operation, but Jonny uses it a lot.” I explain, laughing at Lottie’s enthusiastic response.
“Is the hot tub out here?” she asks, pointing outside.
I nod. “Go and see.” I tell her. Lottie grabs Lissy by the hand, dragging her outside. To hear their squeals of delight is music to my maternal ears.
“Lissy look, it’s huge!” They both hold onto the side of it, enviously peering in.
“We are so getting into that.” Lottie high fives Lissy once again, then begins to jump up and down with irrepressible elation. I giggle at her. It is then that I notice Jonny leaning in the doorway. With his arms crossed and a kind smile on his face, we look at each other from across the room. His eyes never leave mine, just as his smile never leaves his divine face. He pushes himself off the wooden door frame, casually walking towards us.
With a grin, he says, “So you’ve found the hot tub then?”
“They are wanting to get in,” I reply, looking in his direction. I want to touch him so badly right now!
“Do you want the music on as well?” he suggests to the girls.
Lottie looks up at him, using her baby blues and smiles. “Yes please, Jonny.”
“What do you like to listen to?” Jonny asks, walking towards the stereo. Lottie follows, comfortably chatting with him as they both look at all the different CDs in the corner of the gym. They look relaxed in each other’s company, laughing and chatting in the distance. Lissy stands beside me, watching them. I can tell she wants to join them, but resists the urge to do so.
I put my arm around her. “It is okay to like him you know, darling?”
Lissy enviously looks on, sighing. “I want to Mum, but I feel so guilty.”
I turn her shoulders, so that she is facing me. “You don’t want to hurt your Dad, I know that Lissy. Your Dad loves you and wouldn’t want you to not enjoy yourself all the time you were here, would he?” I try to reassure her.
“Do you think so?” Lissy asks with a hopeful lilt.
I smile, kissing her forehead. “I know so.” I run my hand down her baby soft hair. “It must have been very hard for your Dad to let you and your sister come here today, yet he did, didn’t he?” I ask in a soft voice.
She responds with almost a whisper, “Yes.”
“Because he wants you both to be happy, my darling.”
Lissy lifts her lashes, her beautiful eyes look up at me. “I have tried to not like Jonny for hurting my Dad . . . but I do.” And there it is! My poor and confused Lissy, has finally admitted she actually does like Jonny! Her honesty astounds me. I am just so ridiculously proud of her.
“Come here, darling.” I hold her in my fully understanding arms. Once upon a time. I, too, tried to not like Jonny Riley. Yet found myself falling in love with him anyway. For if you strip away all of his fame and are able to see beyond the celebrity persona. There is the most loyal, kind, genuine and thoughtful man beneath his stardom.
Lissy pulls back, a small smile on her lips. “I’d like to go and choose some music now, Mum.”
“Come on then.” I proudly take her hand and walk with her towards Jonny and Lottie. This has been her first real and very brave step, towards acceptance. Today is most definitely a good day!
My hands skim the contours of my hips, smoothing down the green goddess-like dress I am wearing. The sequins glide coldly beneath my palms. My hair is a glamorous but messy side-do; gold chandelier earrings and vivacious red lips complete the look. Oh yes, Jessica Neel. Tonight, you are going to have him eating out of your crotch!
I approvingly smile at my reflection. I am bent over with my foot on the bed, putting on my gold three inch heels when I hear the door open. I look over my shoulder at a sexily suave Jonny, who is dressed in a show stopping black dinner suit with satin lapels. Fuck! He is hot in that suit! His cappuccino eyes are wide with adoration, his lips poised with lust. Slowly he edges closer, caressing my curves from behind.
“You look amazing, Dimples.” I feel his hands pulling my ass into his groin.
I stand straight, turning slowly to face him. “You are looking rather gorgeous yourself, Mr. Riley.” I push my sequinned breasts up against him. Our bodies face one another with only an erotic and heated distance between us.
Jonny kisses my neck, whispering in my ear. “Do we have time before Lydia and Jake arrive?” He asks, now kissing my mouth.
I close my eyes as my heart races wildly against my chest. As Jonny’s erection grows, my own feverish desire is growing too. Only a whisper can be expelled from my very tempted lips. “I don’t think we do. They will be here any minute.” I breathe hard against his parted lips.
His mouth possesses me . . . controls me . . . owns me. Jonny takes what he wants from me without even needing to ask. “I want you now before everyone comes.” His voice is fuelled by intense selfish hunger.
My breath hitches with his fiery touch. “We can’t.” I moan.
Grabbing me, Jonny slams his lips down hard onto mine. Between possessive, breathless and desirous kissing; he continues his glorious assault on me. “You are so fucking beautiful, I need you now!” Hitching my dress high, his hand delves into my thong. Oh, sweet fucking Jesus!
I put my hand on his chest, trying to diffuse our passionate make-out. “Where are the girls?”
“Getting ready I think?” Looking at his aroused but serious face, I laugh out loud. “What?” he innocently asks.
Jonny is completely unaware of all the smeared red lipstick around his kissable mouth. Giggling, I reply. “You have red lipstick all over you.” Using my finger, I gently try to remove it.
Once the last traces of our passionate kiss is gone, I move my fingers away from his lips. Jonny holds them, in his hand; against his chest. “I want you all over me,” he wickedly declares.
“I’d love to, but we have to get ready.” Flustered, I reluctantly move away.
Jonny playfully follows me, grabbing me from behind and lifting me off the floor. “As much as I adore your just kissed lips. I would prefer to see the just fucked ones!” We both laugh at his comment.
I try to wriggle free, struggling to move away from him. “All good things come to those who wait, handsome,” I say in my best bedroom voice, adjusting my now slightly aske
w dress.
“Patience is not one of my virtues, Mrs. Neel.” Jonny laughs. His wide smile quickly fades from his sumptuous lips, replaced with a distant look in his eyes.
I hold his face in my hands, so that our eyes meet. “What thought has just crossed your dirty little mind?” I ask, studying every inch of his beguiling face.
Jonny lifts his chin, a small smile pulling at the corners of his lips. “Not one dirty thought exists in this mind.” He winks.
I pout. “Come on . . . I know that look, Jonny. What were you thinking?” I remain standing in front of him. He now cups my face in his gentle hands.
“If you really must know, Dimples. I was thinking that one day I would really like to call you Mrs. Riley.” His mischievous smile disappears. A serious, straight mouth is all I now see. Shit! Mrs. Riley? A stream of thoughts rush through my overwhelmed mind. Is he really thinking . . . what I think he is thinking? I swallow, suddenly feeling extremely nervous. Shit and double fuck!
My shocked eyes lift. “Is that some kind of proposal?” I ask, consciously trying not to gulp.
“Believe me, Jessica. You sure as hell will know when it is,” he confidently replies.
“But I’m still married.” I stupidly reply.
Jonny laughs, resting his face on my shoulder before looking back at my pensive face. “I know bigamy can be quite a turn on for some, but fortunately for you. I am not aroused by such things, Jessica. Besides, I really don’t want to see anymore scandalous headlines of us being splashed all across the papers.” He tells me, highly amused by my response.
What an absolute tit? The shock of him saying that one day he wants me to become Mrs. Riley, has me in a complete tizzy. I cannot even think straight. Everything that comes out of my mouth is now complete and stupid shit. Jonny continues to laugh at me. I try to pull away, feeling mortified by my own stupidity. “But I’m still married.” I chastise myself, over and over for such a moronic comment. I don’t even pretend to hide my foolish disappointment. Obviously we cannot marry yet, it is way down our future paths but for just a few blissful seconds . . . I was Mrs. Riley.
A Famous Affair Page 40
