The One Adored (The One Trilogy Book 3)

by North, Alexandra

  One particular dark charcoal sheer lace long Helmut Newton inspired gown, was designed to wear over a nightgown but I tried it on with matching thong with silver chains that draped across each hip. Attached to the hanger was a delicate silver chained framework, which I was trying to figure out when the assistant returned.

  “Knock knock. Are you decent Mademoiselle?”

  “Come in?”

  “Ah? The Cathie - this is one of our best sellers. We do it in Navy and red too, but I think the grey is stunning on you, Madamoiselle.”

  I lift the deep grey lace and finger its scalloped edges, muttering to myself. “Yes, the grey is perfect and for my Silver man.”

  “The silver chain, slips over your body, underneath your breasts and fastens at your waist like a necklace.”

  “Ah, like a body-chain?”

  “Oui. Your man will be silenced when you walk into the bedroom wearing this.”

  I smile knowingly. I was buying this for Sebastian, for our honeymoon. “Could you take this set and wrap this separately? I would like to purchase this for my man and keep it from his wandering eyes.”

  “I understand. Can I assist with anything else?”

  “I’d like to try on some of these beautiful silk negligees but I daren’t even look at the price tags.”

  “Well, why don’t we try them on anyway - you are here, after all, Mademoiselle - why not indulge?”

  I nod, she was right and very good at her job - with her beautiful accent and elegant ways and all the pieces were stunning. My favourite was a dark emerald green that brought my eyes out the second I put in on, and clung in all the right places, my body sighing as I moved in it and a black short lace sheer negligee that was practically indecent. In the end I thank the young woman before allowing her to take all the items away - I couldn’t purchase them but it had been nice to dream.

  Dressing again, I find Sebastian on his phone, discussing business I presume, in a low purposeful tone. He sounds angry. His eyes narrowing in thought. He was up to something and catching my eye, he holds up one finger and winks at me pacifying my inquisitive nature but I know him and he looks concerned.

  “Sorry about that, just some issues with work. Are we sorted?”

  I study his overly jubilous expression a moment too long, before deciding not to push further, he would talk to me when the time came to offload. “All good, although I think we’ve gone a little mad with the cream set.”

  “Nonsense. You wait until you see the goodies I’ve treated us too.” His playful sexy banter is back and I reach up to stroke his chiselled jawline, the two-day stubble lightly grazing me.

  “I’m presuming they are goodies we’ll be indulging in together?”

  The shop was full of sequin nipple tassels, diamante whips and all manner of light BDSM sex-toys, a slight thrill runs down my spine.

  “Remember the pleasure balls, baby? Untold pleasures like those.”

  My sigh doesn’t go unnoticed by the blushing young woman on the till, who hasn’t removed her brown eyes from my fiance since we’d entered the shop. I can’t blame her, he is delicious and all mine.

  I pay for my own items as Sebastian is settling for his and we take our bags.

  “Time to go home and play, darling.” I lean in and kiss him lightly, his tongue dipping in quickly to meet mine.

  “Lead the way, lady - I’m not sure I can control myself for a second longer.”

  *******

  Getting ready for the black tie event is an indulgence I thoroughly take advantage of. Sebastian had left me to my own devices as had become our way, and I could have kissed him. He’d done the same when we’d stayed together in Dubai, for the masked ball and it had added that air of mystery that every girl needed when they showcased their big reveal.

  This had also been due to the fact he was entertaining his client the Sheikh in Dubai and had a duty to be at his beck and call. Now, he had just unselfishly changed earlier and met Nathan for drinks in the bar, leaving me an extra hour of alone time.

  I can’t help feeling that he had ulterior motives however.

  He had been checking his watch religiously, received several text messages in the past few hours and seemed overly tense. It all stemmed from his earlier call this afternoon. Whilst I was glad of the space to get ready, I couldn’t quite pinpoint it but there was something awry and I wished he would talk to me about it.

  I take one last look in the tall dress mirror, checking from all angles, before placing my pashmina loosely around my arms.

  You don’t scrub up bad, girl.

  My vintage Dior strapless dress, which had been altered that afternoon, clung in all the right places, nipping in at the waist so it looked minuscule and made my bust appear even curvier than usual. The lush navy fabric curved over my hips, like deep sea water, running in a tight sheath to the floor, before flowing out behind me in a small train. Scattered across the bust, the waist, down the hips and at the hem, black bugle beads and sequins flooded the inlay black lace fabric, catching the light and lifting the navy from elegant to evening wear. Elbow length, black mat satin gloves, black lace sheer hold-ups, which you caught a of faint glimpse of in the thigh high split when I moved and black suede Sergio Rossi stilettos completed the look.

  I’d worn my hair down but swept and pinned to one side, in loose curls, baring my neck and placed huge black filagree drops at my ears, which Sebastian had purchased for me from Butler and Wilson. Smokey navy eyes stared back at me through the reflection, and grabbing my clutch, I topped up my MAC pinky red lipstick. I felt like a princess and incredibly sexy. I had most certainly dressed with my man in mind, his earlier words a reminder… “it was his prerogative to spend large amounts of money on dresses that he could peel off my delectable body at the end of the night.”

  I couldn’t wait…..

  *******

  The Black tie event was being held at Château Dumont. The Devereux hotel chain had recently added the chateau to their collection and re-vamped it over the past six months, bringing it in line with the quality that they were world- renowned for and I had to say it was exquisite.

  It was an event that both Sebastian and I had rather not attended tonight, I’d much rather have ordered room-service and cuddled up in bed, but as I had decided to spring myself on him this weekend, he couldn’t give back-word. Apparently we would show our faces, eat and leave early; all purely to appease the investors.

  Gray Devereux is one of the first to meet and greet us and I smile warmly at him. He cuts a fine figure in his Gucci Tuxedo, those intelligent but sensual eyes friendly rather than interested tonight. Nathan had given me the low-down on Gray earlier that day, briefly telling me about his business dealings. He was a force to be reckoned with, CEO to the Château Devereux division of The Devereux chain in addition to his large property portfolio. He seemed to have it all, but not much in the way of family. Just a bevy of interchanging beauties at his beck and call. Nathan said he was Sebastian before he got serious with me.

  “Champagne, Lucia?” Gray interrupts my thoughts.

  “Please.” I nod graciously, accepting the chilled flute from him. “Thank you.” He was a project for me - which friend could I set him up with?

  “You are very welcome and exceedingly beautiful.”

  “She is that.” Seb agrees and I smile up at him. He looked so handsome in his tux - the most delicious man here.

  “A rare jewel, Silver. You need to keep her happy or I will be tempted to corrupt her.”

  I watch Gray Devereux’s sharp midnight blue eyes, mischievous and full of humour. He knew how to push Seb’s buttons and every one of them was engaged right now.

  “My fiancée is more than happy, Devereux. Do not concern yourself. ”

  “Fiancée eh? Hmmm? Has there been a development since Thursday night?” Blue eyes full of mirth question Seb.

  “There has as a matter of fact. We got engaged yesterday - officially.�
�

  Seb eyes lock on mine, only we knew that we’d been engaged for weeks. He lifts my hand to his and kisses it gently and I melt. He can be so alpha male and irritatingly controlling, but how can I resist his proud intentions?

  “Well, congratulations, Silver. Well done you for snapping her up, before I did.” His wink is my undoing.

  Am I not here? “Gentlemen, I can speak for myself.” I shake my head on a dramatic smirk.

  Gray chuckles, charm oozing from every pore. “Of course, Lucia, how rude of us. Congrats to you too. I can see why you tamed Silver - beauty, brains and sass - an unbeatable combination. Do you have a sister? We never got a chance to chat more the other night.”

  Seb mouth is set in a firm line of disapproval, as he takes a sip from his pint and I decide to change the subject. Despite Gray’s obvious torment of my love, I liked his energy. He seemed like a cool guy and once I got him of the topic of me, I think we could all be good friends.

  “Yes but she is happily married unfortunately.”

  “What a pity.”

  “So, Gray, tell me more about the new chateau you and Sebastian are colluding on?”

  “It is coming along nicely. Your man is a tough negotiator and the best contractor I’ve ever worked with. His team are just what we need. This place took a year longer than scheduled and ended up two million over budget - Silver has assured me that he is the man to make sure that does not happen at Château Devereux.”

  I raise a brow at Seb who looks chilled at my side.

  “You must come and see it before you return home.”

  “We are already visiting tomorrow.” Seb interjects.

  “Good, we’ll have lunch.”

  “We are already sorted thanks, but you are welcome to join us. Surely you are busy though? A big important man like you?”

  Wow, Seb could have met his match here. I can see why they would be good in business together; they would challenge one another and they were spookily alike; it made for interesting viewing.

  Gray laughs, a deep husky boom that is full of honesty. “I can take the hint. I will leave you and your lovely lady to some privacy, so you can enjoy the magic of the Château but do pop in to see me at the office. I also leave Monday to return to the UK.”

  “Do you live there, Gray?”

  “I do, although I have homes all over the world - perks of the trade.” He smiles unapologetically.

  Can’t be bad.

  “Penthouses, Lu, he has penthouses, in the hotels he owns. Don’t get above your station Devereux.”

  “Seb is correct, Lucia the majority of my homes are penthouses in the hotels we own as it is simpler to be on site to handle my business, however I do have a few rare jewels, in my possession.”

  I laugh out loud at his open teasing and looking to my right see that finally Sebastian has cracked, although not in the way I had presumed; he too is out and out belly laughing, soft wrinkles forming at his eyes and that devilish dimple twinkling in his cheek.

  “Touché Gray, Touché. Well played.”

  “I thought so.”

  I’ll never understand men, especially when they have a bromance going on.

  “When are you going to settle down - any takers?

  “Moi? Nah, the right woman is out there I’m sure, but no one in particular has made me want to give up the thrill of the next pretty face.” His eyes travel over mine and over my body. He really was very sexy.

  “It’ll happen and when she does I want to be around to see her take you down.” I hear Seb’s husky chuckle.

  “Join the queue.”

  “Down boys; darling shall we go into dinner?” I slip my arm into Seb’s as I catch Nathan’s eye, further ahead at the bar.

  “Do you have one of those for me?” Gray Devereux enquires at my left, his large blue eyes, sparkling with mirth as he holds his elbow open.

  I smile up at Seb for approval before slipping my hand through Devereux’s arm, and the three of us head in-synch towards Nathan. I just hope that Seb doesn’t hear Gray’s cheeky mutter of, “Your walk is illegal.”

  If I wasn’t so in love with my fiancée, Gray Devereux would have interested me. He was in the same league.

  *******

  I watch as Lu sashays between the crowds towards us, on her return from the ladies. A quick glance across the table, tells me I’m not the only one enjoying the view. Devereux and two other colleagues from the Château Deveureux project are transfixed by my fiances audacious beauty.

  God, she is beautiful.

  We’d spent two hours talking shop, eating average food and all the while I had Lucia sitting beside me in that gown.

  Halfway through the five-course meal she’d informed me that she was wearing some of the new underwear we’d purchased earlier that day, I’d since spent the past hour rock-hard, my cock straining in my tuxedo pants and not eaten a thing.

  We needed to leave. Now!

  It hadn’t escaped me that Devereux had been captivated by Lu upon meeting her for the first time the other night and again this evening and I didn’t really blame him. We’d always had similar taste in women over the years. But despite his obvious attraction to her, he knew she was off limits. I couldn’t stop him looking though, or any other guy for that matter and just had to warm myself with the contentment that I was going to be taking her heaven in the next hour. This jealousy-lark was whole new ball-game that I was just going to have to come to terms with.

  I was completely sure of her love for me, her trust in me and our bond. We were a team; she was mine and I was hers, forever. I still didn’t like feeling out of control.

  “You Ok, mate?”

  My eyes fly up to meet Nathan’s enquiring ones. “Yeah, good. Just wondering how I got so lucky.”

  “You bloody did, you jammy bastard.” His eyes revert back to Lu’s oncoming arrival. “Another drink?”

  “Not for me. Baby? You want nightcap?”

  Her eyes bore deep into mine, as she silently shakes her head, her loose curls tumbling over her shoulders, and hand finding mine, stroking a thumb softly across my knuckles. Fuck.

  “No thanks, Na. Seb and I are going to bed.”

  Nathan juts his lips in a ‘no arguments’ approval before leaning to kiss Lucia on the cheek.

  I stand, uncomfortably to meet her, surruptiously adjusting myself and we say our goodnights to the guests at the table. Devereux stands and comes to kiss Lu goodnight, on both cheeks. Not the once but twice, seriously?

  “It’s been lovely to meet you, once again, Lucia. I do hope to meet again in the UK.”

  “That’s enough of the charm, Devereux.”

  “Lovely to meet you too, Gray. Ignore, Mr. Moody here.” Lu laughs, her teeth gleaming.

  “Like I said - he’s a lucky man.”

  “Thank you, but I’m the lucky one. Sebastian is one of a kind and he’s the only one for me.”

  I watch as my sexy as hell woman, turns to leave, and I raise my brows at Devereux, who is shaking his head in awe at this fantastic woman I can call my own.

  “I know, man - she is a rare gem. I’m going to hold on to her with everything I have, now that I have her.”

  “You bloody well do that… and, Silver?”

  “Yeah?”

  “I never thought I’d say it, but it appears you’re a better man with her - in business and pleasure. It gives all of us players hope.”

  “I am, Devereux. She makes me want to be better.” I slap him casually on the shoulders. “It’ll come to you soon enough, man and believe me you won’t know what’s hit you… and I for one will make sure I get front row tickets for the show!” I wink at him knowingly at my colleague and friend, before heading on after Lu.

  I am a fortunate man. This rare gem makes makes me feel alive.

  She makes me want to give her the world.

  *******

  The driveway up to Château Devereux the next afternoon,
has me catching my breath at it’s immense beauty. I’m literally open-mouthed gawping.

  Seb laughs as he glances across at me in the passenger seat, “Impressive isn’t it?”

  “Er, just a bit. I thought The Ashton was amazing, but this…well… WOW!”

  The winding road was about a half mile long, with the château in its centre the entire journey. The original architects had cleverly designed it with that visual as key and it made for an impressive arrival. Hundreds of year old trees littered the path down either side of road, their tops curving inwards to form an arch; autumnal leaves creating a spectrum of rusts, oranges and yellows and browns. There was a slight dusting of mist about and in the distance I watched as a stag darted from one side of the woods, frantically to the other, its antlers huge in their outline against the entrance to the chateau. The whole place had an air of magical mystery about it.

  “I’m smitten already and I haven’t even got inside yet.”

  “I knew you’d love it, Lu.” Seb grabs my hand and holds it the rest of the journey as we take in the ambience.

  Arriving at the main entrance I can see the ongoing works that are beginning. Scaffolding is erected practically all around the building, work vans are scattered everywhere and the place is a work site but it was a diamond-in-the-rough.

  We spend the next hour wandering around the beautiful old building, which is full of rubble, broken glass and a shell of its former self. It just needed some love and attention to bring it back to life and Seb was the man for the job - and a shed load of money.

  Enjoying our mutual love of architecture and design interiors, we bounce ideas off one another and I can feel Sebastian’s passion for his business as he explains SilCon’s and Devereux’s collaborative plans for the hotel. We head down into their make-shift offices and find Gray chatting with his site-foreman and spend a further half an hour chatting about interiors with him. Happily I find that they are still in need of an Interior designer for their lounge, hall, restaurant, reception rooms and ballroom and glimpsing in Seb’s direction I realise that this had been his intention - to allow me to offer up Elysium’s services and sell myself to Gray Devereux and it warms me. He was a control freak but he believed in me and my abilities and recognised that my work spoke for itself.