"Come in," she said coolly, standing back. She had to marvel that this infuriating man could make her heart thunder just by existing. But then, even to the most dispassionate of onlookers—which she was not—he was a pretty amazing–looking man.
"You look great, Bella."
"Do I?" Like she hadn't spent the equivalent of a year's mirror–time trying to decide whether or not lip–gloss was a step too far when she was on the warpath. "Would you like to follow me into the library?"
Jack inclined his head.
He followed her into the room that, above all others, she was determined to restore. If she'd had the money she would have had the carpenters in right away to remove the wet bar and replace the paneling. Meanwhile, she had the documents he'd sent with the dress laid out on the table.
"What does this mean?" she asked Jack.
He shrugged, and she only wished she could keep her attention away from the power in his shoulders and concentrate on the documents instead.
"This means you own the Old Hall outright," he said. "There is just one caveat—"
She might have known. "Oh?"
"Yes," he confirmed with a glint in his eyes, "You own it on a one hundred–year lease, which I hold. You'll pay me a peppercorn rent each year. "
"Oh, will I?"
When something seemed to be too good to be true, it invariably was, she reflected, though in this instance, she supposed Jack's terms were more than reasonable. "But I do own it?" she confirmed.
"Free from debt. And you can always sublet part of it back to me—for my center for kids?" he reminded her. "That way you'll cover your leasehold payments with money to spare. There should be enough money to carry out all the repairs and refurbishment necessary."
And she'd keep her pride. Jack had seen to that. "I'll think about it," she said.
"You do that," Jack suggested as she took in the fact that, this way, they both got what they wanted.
"But how will I ever pay you back?" she said, already worrying.
"First off—the bank was glad to get the Old Hall off its hands, so I paid well under the market value. Secondly? I'd be prepared to consider extracting the payments in kind."
"Oh really?" There was humor in Jack's eyes, but she wasn't ready to succumb to it yet.
"You could turn this into a world–class facility, Bella. My charitable foundation will supply everything you could possibly need—"
"Your..." Her jaw dropped. She was out of her depth and sinking fast. There were times when she forgot who Jack was, and what he was worth. He was just Jack to her.
Just Jack?
Okay, maybe a bit more than that.
"I'd like you to help," he said. "I want you to be part of this, Bella."
She frowned. "Do you really think I could?"
"I know you could."
A curl of excitement was growing inside. Maybe this project of Jack's was just what she needed—what the Old Hall needed too. She wouldn't be dependent on him. She could pay her way, and maybe even make a difference.
"I have to warn you that I'm an exacting taskmaster," Jack said.
She met his stare.
He curved a smile. "Well?"
"I wouldn't have it any other way," she assured him.
"So, do we have a deal?"
"We have a deal," she confirmed.
"It's usual to shake hands on a deal."
And touch him?
"I'll meet you halfway," he said.
They came together like a force of nature, and shaking hands was the last thing on their minds. Instead, it was a crazy ride to see who could get the other's clothes off first. Jack won. She had no complaint. Just to feel his naked skin next to hers—so hot, so hard, and to feel those big, sensitive hands on her body again, was all she had ever wanted.
"Would you like to pay the first year's lease now?" he suggested.
"Only the first year?"
"You do remember that the lease is for a hundred years?"
"Then you'd better make a start," she agreed.
She laughed with excitement when he walked her backwards towards the table. "On the table?" she queried.
"Why not?" Jack shrugged. "There are so many surfaces to trial, we should make a start."
The table was okay. In fact, it was great. The big, fluffy rug on the floor was better, and the small table against the wall wasn't bad, either. But even with Jack's big hands supporting her buttocks, there had to be more comfortable places to do this.
The pool table in one corner of the library proved to be one such, as did the Chesterfield sofa—in fact, that was a great choice. Would she ever make it across the room and up the stairs to her bedroom? That seemed unlikely as Jack bent her over the arm of the sofa...and, anyway, what was the rush?
Finally, Jack said, "We need a bed"
If Jack wanted to continue this in bed, who was she to argue?
They made it halfway up the stairs. The carpet was a little worn, and he might have to rub some cream into her carpet burn later, but it was more than worth it.
But it still wasn't enough.
They were both laughing as Jack dropped her on the bed. "At last," he groaned, pulling her on top of him. "Now we can get serious."
"What have we been doing up to now?"
"Warming up," he said. "Now, take your clothes off nice and slow."
She had barely started when Jack dragged her close. "You're too beautiful to do that on your own. You need help."
"Do I?"
Making short work of her clothes, Jack moved down the bed so he could ease her legs over his shoulders. She was right on the edge when he pulled away.
"Hold that thought."
"What?"
He laughed as he sank into her. "I couldn't wait," he admitted. "I had to be inside you."
It was true. With Bella, he was home. He'd waited a long time for this—all his life, he realized now. He still couldn't believe that she loved him. He never took love for granted. He knew how rare it was. He knew they were stronger together than they were apart. He knew they healed each other and completed the jigsaw that made up their complicated lives. This wasn't for a night, or for a hundred years' lease, this was forever. "I love you," he whispered against her mouth, loving the scent, the taste, and the warmth of her.
"I love you Jack."
She smiled and when he made love to her this time it was different, tender, but then her hands grew demanding on his buttocks, and her mouth became hungry on his. He was only too happy to oblige, and moving deep and firm with a regular stroke, he brought her the release she needed. She was so tight, so wet, so insatiable—so Bella, that he followed moments later.
"More," she demanded, thrusting her pelvis towards him.
He laughed and took her again, moving her seamlessly from one release to the next, working with the same hunger he felt for her.
"Faster... harder," she instructed him hoarsely, and then she shrieked and fell, calling out his name. When she quieted, he turned her so she was on her hands and knees in front of him. Clutching the pillow tightly, she rested her head down and lifted her buttocks up for him. The woman he loved was truly insatiable, and so was he. He moved behind her and chose to tease her for a while. He wanted to watch—he wanted to enjoy—he wanted to listen to her hungry whimpers.
"You're amazing," she sobbed out, "but I need more."
Just as he was congratulating himself on keeping her on the edge for the longest time yet, she thrust back onto him and took him deep. Now he almost lost it, and had to think back to that first stormy day to rescue the situation.
He gave it to her fast and hard, exactly as she had asked. Holding her buttocks firmly in position, he pleasured her until she couldn't hold on, and when she collapsed into the pillows this time, he knew for certain that they would never be apart again. His libido couldn't stand another parting—and neither could his feelings for her.
"I love you, Jack Castle." Straddling him, she laughed with sheer happiness as she tos
sed her hair back.
"Are you happy?" Jack pressed her, as if he needed to be absolutely sure.
"Happy? Oh, yes, I'm happy," she confirmed. Thanks to Jack, she'd gotten her dignity back—though, admittedly, right at this particular moment, she was more undignified than dignified, proving there were exceptions to every rule. "I love that we're going to be working together."
Bringing her into his arms, Jack stared down into her face. "I've just got one more question for you."
"Which is?" She stared into Jack's laughing eyes, but when they turned suddenly solemn, she felt all knotted up inside. "What?" she prompted anxiously.
"When we get married, will you wear a red dress?"
She stared at him for a moment, and then, realizing he was perfectly serious, she said, "Yes, I will."
Epilogue
Two years down the road
(Not too far down the road...just as far as the river bank)
"Don't stop," Jack insisted lazily, hissing warm summer air in through his teeth as Bella worked her magic on the banks of the river where they had retreated for some al fresco and very private entertainment.
After a whirlwind honeymoon taking in the best that Europe had to offer, which had included a repeat trip to the Eiffel Tower, with all the trimmings—though Bella had insisted that there couldn't be a third time, as they would never get away with making such furious love up against a pillar again—they were about to get married. They were doing things backwards so the renovations on the Old Hall would be finished in time for the celebration with all their friends.
"You're sure it's not going to be too much for you?" Jack murmured, making Bella squeal as he rasped his stubble against the swell of her belly.
"Are we talking wedding? Lovemaking? Or welcoming the first youth groups to the house?"
Jack arched a brow. "All three?"
"Well, you can rule one of those out right away," she insisted, reaching for him.
She would never tire of Jack, or get enough of him. The more they made love, the more she wanted him, and, fortunately, that suited Jack.
"Can't wait to see you in your wedding dress—" As he spoke, he pinned her to the ground. "But I like you naked too..."
"I would never have guessed," she said, groaning as she anticipated the pleasure Jack would give her.
He didn't disappoint. Putting one hard–muscled thigh between her legs, he eased them apart before teasing her.
"Why do you love tormenting me?"
"Because delay is the servant of pleasure. I like taking you too—"
Breath shot out of her lungs as Jack proved his point. He brought her to the edge quickly and efficiently by thrusting deep and slow. Clutching his buttocks, she used her inner muscles to make his release inevitable, and laughed triumphantly as Jack groaned and upped his pace until they both came apart, falling at the same moment into a turbulent, but thoroughly enjoyable black pool of pleasure.
They slept for a while after that, until Jack squinted at his wristwatch.
"Fuck!"
"I thought we just did that," Bella murmured lazily, lacking even the strength to open her eyes.
"Bella get up!" Without waiting for her to respond, Jack bent down to pick her up, and tossing her over his shoulder as if she were a bag of feathers, he ran with her to the house. "We're getting married in two hours' time," he reminded her as he deposited her on her feet in the hall. "Thank goodness everything's ready in advance. The guests will start arriving in about an hour. I'll get your friends. They should be here by now. They're probably sitting in the kitchen, wondering what to do."
"No bride?" She laughed. "That would give them a problem."
Jack came back to give her a parting kiss. "I'll see you later."
"Got the ring?"
"Of course." He brought out her mother's wedding ring and held it up. "And I've got something more for you..."
She laughed as he showed her the big brown box. "I can't possibly guess what that is."
She'd gotten something for Jack too, Bella thought as he strode away. She smiled as she cradled her stomach. She was carrying Jack's baby. This was the start of the family he'd always wanted, and it was what she wanted too. She wanted the old house to live again, and to ring to the sound of children and people visiting and enjoying it. Everyone who came to the Old Hall would be part of their family, for however short a time, because if there was one thing she did know, it was that she and Jack had love to spare.
She turned at a knock on the door. Her girlfriends from the Ladies Club had arrived to help her get dressed. She opened the box when they clustered round, demanding to see her wedding dress.
"I hope it's white," Tracey teased her.
He turned around as the band struck up the bridal march to see Bella walking up the flower–strewn path in the garden she had created at the Old Hall, on the arm of her friend Tracey. The rest of her friends, all dressed in soft pastel shades, walked behind them. He felt a great surge of emotion at the thought that this exceptional woman had agreed to marry him. He wanted nothing more than to give everything he possessed, and everything he was, to Bella.
It was lucky they were both optimists, he thought wryly, because they had a lot of hard work ahead of them. Working with Bella would make every day special. It would make every challenge they faced together a test to relish. Bella had changed his life. He had never imagined he would have the time for romance, let alone a love like this. And when the bride wore red...
"Thank you for agreeing to be my wife," he murmured discreetly as they stood in front of the minister. "You look beautiful—both in red, and out of it."
Bella didn't say a word. She didn't need to. She just looked at him and took hold of his hand, and then she guided it to where their child was growing safe inside her.
"Yes?" he asked in wonder as the congregation settled down.
"Yes," she whispered, smiling back at him.
Arabella
Taurus April 19th–May 19th
Element: Fire... Earth... Taurus is an earth sign... a lover of earthly pleasures, full of determination that can show as any combination of stubbornness, loyalty, stability, or the unflinching will to succeed.
Mode: Taurus is a fixed sign, showing the element at its least changeable form, again pointing to stability or stubbornness.
Planetary ruler... Venus, the planet of love and beauty.
A typical Taurean prefers to live a risk free, stable life, and must beware of becoming stuck in a rut. A considered risk now and then is not a bad thing, and can aid progress.
Those born under the sign of Taurus do not like to be pushed into anything and will stand back and take their time before coming to a decision, but when they finally set their mind on a goal nothing will stop them until they reach it. A lover of comfort and good food, those born under this sign must take care not to overindulge.
Taureans are slow to anger, but can be formidable when roused. They make a tolerant and loyal friend, but if betrayed they will never forget the wrong done to them. A placid outer shell gives little clue to the passions burning within. The most sensual sign of the zodiac, this sign exudes sexuality when they are attracted to a mate. They don't rush into love, and enjoy the foreplay, the hunt. They value stability too much to take a leap into the dark, but when they do find love they are fiercely loyal.
A partner from the opposing sign Scorpio provides all the fireworks required.
Jack
Scorpio October 24th–November 22nd
Element: Water... Scorpio is a water sign... associated with the senses, intimacy and feelings.
Mode: Scorpio is a fixed sign suggesting at the best, constancy, and at the worst, relentlessness.
Planetary ruler... Pluto, the planet of destiny, with a joint ruler Mars, the planet of sexuality and self–assertion.
The piercing eyes, the perceptive stare, the hidden depths... Cool composure and seething passions. An internal energy marks out this sign. Power wielded unobtrusively, but rem
orselessly. An enquiring mind that will not rest until it knows how people tick. Sphinx–like. Still waters run deep. Beware a charming, chatty Scorpio. This sign is as inwardly tough as it comes. Expect the blunt truth from Scorpio. Cherish a compliment. It will be genuine.
This sign has no time to waste on duplicity. With potent sexual allure and a healthy sexual appetite Scorpio rules the reproductive system. The dark mystery of Pluto creates a love of secrecy and this sign has inner strength to spare. The power and determination to overcome, and the ability to start again is a cornerstone of Scorpio, the sign that rules the cycle of life and death. Scorpio is the sign of regeneration.
A partner from the opposing sign of Taurus promises all the heat and passion a secretive Scorpio could ever wish to indulge in, together with a passionate and faithful life.
Thank you for reading Arabella's story! I hope you will enjoy the rest of this series of six shorts. They are all a little different in character, but one thing remains constant. These are stories about friendship, and how friends look out for each other. I loved writing them, because I have been lucky enough to meet some wonderful people right across the world that I am lucky enough to call my friends. These shorts are a tribute to them, for putting up with my wackiness, and for always being there, through good times and bad, and especially for all the laughter we share.
The six shorts follow the exploits of Arabella, Miranda, Jewel, Jane, Tracey WAG, and Veronica as they pursue their fantasies safely—and sometimes not so safely, in The Ladies Club—with more than a sprinkling of red–hot sex thrown in.
Coming Soon...
November/December 2015 will see the completion of my Hot Brazilian Nights series, with two books: The Brazilian's Nine–Month Notice in November 2015, and Back In The Brazilian's Bed, in December 2015.
March 2016 sees an all–new stand–alone release, with a sultry setting of Tuscany. Bound to the Tuscan Tycoon features a red–hot Italian billionaire, who is definitely not prepared for the arrival of a secret baby!
The Bride Wore Red At The Ladies Club: Arabella's Story (Cosmic Hot Shorts Book 4) Page 8
