31 Days of Summer (31 Days #2)

by C. J. Fallowfield

  ‘Morning, Sir,’ greeted Stuart as he handed me a travel mug of black coffee.

  ‘Morning Stuart, is everything ready?’ I asked as we strode across the granite lobby to the bank of lifts.

  ‘Yes, Sir. The conference room is set up, the legal team is here and Robert Austin’s due to arrive shortly, to handle the more complex clauses as requested.’

  ‘Excellent,’ I smiled. Robert Austin was one of the top corporate lawyers in London before he’d moved to New York. He was an old friend of my father, despite only being about eight years older than me. They spoke legalese like I spoke code. ‘Stuart, I have an urgent job for you. I need you to check in on my hotel in Scotland and let me know if Miss Baxter has taken advantage of the Spa, if not you’re to let me know immediately.’

  ‘What if you’re in the middle of the final negotiations?’

  ‘Immediately Stuart, regardless.’

  ‘Yes, Sir. Anything else?’ he asked. Stuart didn’t write anything down, he had an uncanny ability to remember everything I asked of him.

  ‘I’d like another bouquet of gerberas sent to her room with the message Sunday. Full disclosure requires subsequent commitment, flexibility and stamina,’ I smiled. Damn it, I’d gone hard again thinking about fucking her.

  ‘How would you like me to sign the card, Sir?’

  ‘Ollie with … no,’ I hesitated. What did I call myself with her? She was right in a way. Dan was the persona I was up in Scotland. By being “Dan” I could pretty much get away without being recognised or hounded by the press. Ollie or Oliver would seem odd coming from her and could cause problems if anyone overheard us. Other than the Senior Manager at the hotel, no one even knew that I was the owner when I visited. ‘Sign it Dan, with … with a kiss.’ I raised my eyebrows as Stuart looked up at me shocked.

  ‘A kiss?’ he gasped.

  ‘Did I stutter?’ I asked with a serious frown. Stuart flinched, he still didn’t get whether or not I was being serious, which amused me.

  ‘No, Sir. It’s just I’ve sent many bouquets for you over the years, but never with a kiss unless it was your mother or Magda.’

  ‘Then maybe it’s time for a change.’

  ‘I’d like to meet the lady that has the honour of a kiss on her card,’ Stuart advised with a smile.

  ‘Can you source an item of jewellery for me as well? I’d want it before I leave the office today.’

  ‘Certainly Sir,’ he nodded as we exited the lift on the conference room floor. He tripped over his feet as I told him what I wanted, making me roar with laughter which had him even more stunned. I’d never given him a budget that large for jewellery, or stipulated what I wanted, I’d always left the choice to him with a modest budget. Just knowing Ellie was willing to hear me out had lifted my spirits. I helped him up and slapped him on the back.

  ‘Right, game faces on, this is a multi-million pound deal that will see my market share increase by five percent putting me in the top ten,’ I advised as we headed in to prepare.

  Five hours later, after much bowing, shaking of hands and me calling on my rusty Chinese to say my thanks, the deal was concluded. I’d nearly lost my train of thought at one point, staring out of the window wondering what Ellie was doing until Stuart gently kicked me under the table.

  ‘Congratulations, Oliver,’ nodded Robert as he shook my hand.

  ‘Thank you, Robert. You saved me money with that final clause you added.’

  ‘That’s why you pay me so handsomely,’ he chuckled.

  ‘I’m sorry we never got the chance to talk earlier. How’s New York suiting you?’

  ‘Wonderful. I still enjoy coming back to England to see Gabriel and friends like your father, but my life is there now.’

  ‘How is your son?’ I enquired. ‘I heard he had a rather nasty accident.’

  ‘He’s recovering well thank you, though it seems sadly his swimming career is over. Luckily he has the distraction of a girlfriend that he’s besotted with to take his mind off that,’ Robert laughed.

  ‘We are talking about Gabriel still?’ Robert’s son could well have been spawned by myself or Logan from what I’d heard of his reputation for one night stands.

  ‘Yes, it rather took me by surprise. He’s even proposed he’s that serious about her. So there’s hope for you yet, Oliver,’ he replied with a pat on my back. I shook my head, what was it with everyone and their focus on my lack of a love life recently?

  ‘It’s a fine thing when a twenty year old is showing me up. Send him my best and you know the boathouse is always available to him if he wants a romantic getaway.’

  ‘I’ll let him know. I’d better go, my plane’s on standby to take me home.’

  ‘Thanks again, for everything,’ I replied sincerely as I shook his hand. His high fees were minute in comparison to the money he’d just saved me.

  ‘You’re welcome. Call me when you’re ready to swallow up the next software firm standing in your way.’ I walked him to the lift before turning to find Stuart waiting patiently in calling range.

  ‘Do you have an update on Miss Baxter for me?’

  ‘She’s had a massage, facial, “mani-pedi” whatever that is and a haircut, Sir. She’s now retired to her suite, after rejecting the advances of another male guest, alone.’

  ‘Excellent,’ I smiled.

  ‘She must be quite a woman to have you distracted in the middle of a takeover meeting.’

  ‘Yes, she is,’ I nodded. ‘Do you have the package I asked for?’

  ‘Yes, Sir. It’s on your desk. Would you like me to call James for you?’

  ‘Please, if he can give me an hour to give me time to tidy up some paperwork.’

  ‘Do you need me for anything else?’

  ‘No thank you, and thanks for coming in on a Saturday. Take a few days off next week. I won’t need you again until Thursday.’

  ‘Are you sure?’ he asked as his face broke into a smile.

  ‘I’m sure. Go before I change my mind.’

  ‘Thank you Sir and congratulations,’ he called as he disappeared.

  I sat back in my chair and looked out over the panoramic skyline of London. I’d just closed the biggest deal of my career, which was set to make millions and set me in good standing to take on the largest software corporations in the world. Business thrills had always got me off, that feeling of power and control, yet today’s high didn’t even compare to what I’d felt when Ellie had eagerly parted her thighs for me that first time after she’d nearly drowned. I spun around and picked up the jewellery box on my desk and opened it and took a deep breath. Was this too much? Was I crazy spending this sort of amount on her after only knowing her for a few weeks? I poured myself a scotch, if I couldn’t have a drink to celebrate my good fortune today, when could I? I knocked it back and cracked on with some paperwork, before pocketing the box and heading out to go and change into my tuxedo for this charity event. If mother hadn’t warned them no photographs of me I’d give her back full barrels in Portuguese.

  ‘You look so handsome, carino,’ she smiled, as I stepped off the podium after giving the after dinner speech.

  ‘I have you to thank for that, you look as stunning as ever. Father’s ready to flatten the next guy who puts his hand on your backside.’

  ‘Always with the jealousy your father. I’m so proud of you, this was a major coup today, no?’

  ‘Yes,’ I sighed.

  ‘Then why do you still have this face of misery?’ she asked as she gesticulated with a perfectly manicured finger adorned with the largest diamond I’d ever seen. My father spoiled her, as any man should do his woman.

  ‘Just tired I guess,’ I shrugged. ‘I didn’t sleep well and it’s been a long day.’

  ‘Or more likely you are wishing you were back home where a certain young lady awaits you?’

  ‘Am I that transparent?’ I chuckled.

  ‘Just to Magda and I. Go.’

  ‘But your event?’

  ‘You�
�ve given your speech, I’ll say you had a business crisis. Be honest with her this time, tell her that you’re crazy about her and don’t let her go.’

  ‘I’m thirty-four years of age, mother,’ I protested. ‘I run one of the most successful businesses in the world, making multi-million pound deals before breakfast, I don’t need advice on my sex life.’

  ‘Hmmmm, I beg to differ. Now go, before I put you on that helicopter myself.’

  Day Four

  Sunday 6th July ~ Year One

  Ellie

  I was fast asleep when I heard the knock at the door and squinted at the alarm clock. It was nearly two a.m. What the hell was going on? Surely if there was a fire an alarm would sound. I turned on a bedside light and headed to the en-suite to grab a dressing gown, wrapping it tightly around me before walking to the main door. I quickly ran my hands through my hair, trying to smooth it down. The door knocked again, a bit firmer.

  ‘Ok, ok I’m coming,’ I muttered as I tiptoed up and looked out of the peephole. I nearly landed on my backside again as I caught a glimpse of Dan, looking devastating in a black tuxedo with his bowtie hanging loosely around his neck. ‘What are you doing here?’ I uttered as I opened the door and felt my stomach flip at the sight of him, with a five o’clock shadow darkening his tanned complexion. ‘You weren’t due until lunchtime and it’s the middle of the night. And why are you dressed like that?’

  ‘Have I ever told you that you talk too much?’ he growled as he stepped in, grabbed me and kicked the door shut. I barely had time to think of a protest, let alone say it, before his hot lips were on mine, his tongue prising them apart as he took my mouth in a possessive kiss. Six months of pent up frustration and desire were pouring out of each of us as I clutched his shoulders, and he grabbed my backside and the back of my head, as he walked me backwards into the bedroom and I sighed into his mouth. Our tongues thrashed as the sensation of pleasure permeated every fibre of my being. As I landed on the soft bed, him following me down as he groaned, I suddenly stiffened up, right as his erection did against my belly. Pleasurable as his kiss and the weight of his body was on top of me, and desperate for sex as I was, he had some explaining to do before I even considered letting him tear this gown away.

  ‘Stop,’ I gasped as I pulled my lips from his. ‘Stop.’

  ‘Don’t, it’s been fucking months. I’m desperate for you, as desperate as you are for me.’

  ‘I … I can’t,’ I moaned as he moved to kiss the side of my neck and turned my insides to liquid. ‘Talk, then maybe sex.’

  ‘Definitely sex, then talk,’ he countered as I started to tremble in his arms.

  ‘Dan,’ I meekly protested, as he ground his pelvis against mine and my treacherous body rose to meet him. ‘No.’

  ‘Yes! Don’t deny me Ellie. I’m used to getting what I want and I want you. Now.’

  ‘I want you too, but not until you’ve told me the truth. You hurt me, you really hurt me. I can’t sleep with you again just like that, no matter how much I want to. This … passion, my body’s response to you is an uncontrollable chemical reaction, but my mind’s saying no.’

  ‘God damn it woman, you’d try the patience of a fucking saint,’ he groaned as he rolled off me. I quickly got up, my legs trembling, and clutched my dressing gown tightly to me as his hungry eyes roved over my concealed body.

  ‘Order some coffee, for both of us, and a mountain of food for you. If you can’t fill your sexual appetite then you may as well fill your other one,’ I ordered, as I tore my eyes off his sensational body and that huge erection tenting his black trousers.

  ‘I can’t believe you don’t want me,’ he uttered in disbelief.

  ‘O, and there’s Mr. Arrogant back. Well god’s gift to womankind, maybe a woman needs to be in the right frame of mind to be fucked sometimes and knowing all the lies you told me, that you still haven’t explained, sort of puts me in the “Thanks but no thanks” frame of mind. You’re telling me a woman has never turned you down before me?’

  ‘One,’ he sighed as he gripped his erection through his trousers making me even more lightheaded. ‘And that’s how I ended up buying this damn hotel.’

  ‘O my God. You’re so bloody complex,’ I uttered, as I headed to the wardrobe and grabbed some clothes.

  ‘Where are you going?’ he asked, as he sat up with a frown on his face.

  ‘To put on some extra layers of protection for while we talk.’

  ‘I’ll be fucking you one way or another when we’ve cleared the air Ellie, I don’t care how many layers I have to rip off you.’

  ‘We’ll see about that,’ I retorted, as I dashed to the bathroom and locked myself in. How could I want someone who’d hurt me so badly? Was I a sadist? Did I enjoy being with guys who hurt me? I shook my head as I pulled on some knickers, jeans and a bra and t-shirt. No, I couldn’t be. I’d left Matt and Zac as soon as I realised what they were hiding from me and I’d left Dan behind too. Part of me trusted him, part of me had always trusted him, but all the evidence that had presented itself had made me doubt my judgement. I didn’t exactly have a great track record with men so I wanted conclusive proof that he wasn’t lying to me anymore, before I even thought about letting him inside me again. I brushed my hair and took a calming breath before heading back out to the bedroom and cursed to see him lounging on the bed in just his boxers. His body looked even more toned than when I’d last seen him naked in December. I glared at him, trying to cover up my interest.

  ‘What?’ he protested with a smirk, obviously not fooled. ‘It’s damn hot in here.’

  ‘You’re not kidding,’ I muttered, as I skirted the bed and flung open the balcony doors. Damn him, looking all bloody male model muscly and sexy, lounging on my bed, testing my resolve. I was going to crack like a Piñata if we didn’t get this conversation out of the way soon. I sat on one of the large rattan chairs provided, angling it so I was facing the room and could see him, while still keeping some distance. ‘Talk.’

  ‘Christ Ellie, you can’t even sit inside with me?’ he frowned. ‘I really hurt you that badly?’

  ‘Of course you did, Dan. Sorry Oliver, or Ollie, or whatever the hell you want me to call you this month. I trusted you, I fell for you and then … You know what, let’s not go over old ground. I want answers.’

  ‘Ask me a question then,’ he shrugged.

  ‘Don’t you dare use your question limitations or avoidance tactics on me tonight,’ I warned.

  ‘I’m an open book Ellie, but you may not like what you hear,’ he sighed as he turned onto his side and propped himself up on his elbow.

  ‘Why now? Why not just be honest with me from the start?’

  ‘I was attracted to you when I saw your file, which hasn’t happened to me in … forever. I wanted to see if you liked me, without knowing who I really was. By the time I realised you were falling for me, I was scared of losing you if I told you the truth, but I lost you anyway. I guess if I tell you the truth now and you still hate me and bail at least I’ll know. No regrets or what ifs.’

  ‘So you’re Oliver Davenport, not Dan?’

  ‘Yes, but I told you Dan’s my middle name and that’s what people up here know me as. I didn’t just invent a completely fake character with the intention of deceiving you.’

  ‘Why pretend to be Dan?’

  ‘Everyone here knows me as Dan. Only my housekeepers, Pete and Conn know my real identity and the hotel manager and … my wife’s parents.’ He said the last part quietly.

  ‘Why are you up here, hiding away?’ I asked. I wasn’t sure I was ready to ask about his wife yet. If he was still raw about her death my natural instinct would be to go to him and comfort him.

  ‘I came for New Year, met … Moira,’ he swallowed as he watched me nervously. ‘We got married and the next day … we had the accident.’

  ‘The day after your wedding?’ I whispered, as I battled tears. No wonder he was emotionally fucked up. To marry the love of your life and ha
ve her die the day after?

  ‘Ellie, I … I told you it’s not what it seems. Please don’t cry for me. I didn’t love her, I never loved her. I made a stupid mistake trying to impress her, to get her into my bed and she realised I had money. She got herself deliberately pregnant to trap me. I married her to save her family shame and because I … I actually did love someone once, a long time ago. Her name was Rebecca. I never told her that I loved her, not until she was dying while trying to give birth to my son. I’ve always regretted not telling her sooner and … the guilt I felt at losing her … at losing them both ate me up inside …’ he stalled as his voice broke, then sat up on the edge of the bed and put his head in his hands as I felt some tears trickling down my cheeks. He’d lost the love of his life and his child, only for it to happen again with this … Moira? I felt my heart breaking for him. ‘I vowed I wasn’t ever going to let another woman down ever again,’ he whispered. I hated myself for fighting the urge to run to him and wrap my arms around him. My poor, poor Dan. ‘I never got attached to women after Rebecca. It was just sex, no emotional attachment. I’d sleep with them a few times and move on.’

  ‘Until you married this Moira, out of some honourable intentions?’ I choked. He looked up at me with tears clinging to his lower lashes, which lanced my heart.

  ‘Yes,’ he nodded.

  ‘And she died in the accident? Your baby too?’

  ‘Ellie, I … please don’t hate me,’ he said quietly as he quickly rubbed the heels of his hands over his eyes. ‘She didn’t die.’

  ‘So you have a wife and a child?’ I asked horrified. Tom was so sure she’d died. Maybe that was where he went every day to see his son or daughter, as he obviously didn’t have a normal relationship with this Moira.

  ‘No. I was badly hurt, but she … she was thrown through the windscreen and broke her neck and back and went into a coma. She’s on life support, but she lost our baby. I fucking lost another baby and nearly killed her, Ellie. Do you have any idea how sick I feel every day when I visit her and see her lying there with that tube down her throat? The guilt I felt at forgetting all of that when I was with you, when you were in my arms? You see why I warned you to stay away from me? I’m fucking cursed,’ he groaned as he fell back onto the bed, covering his face with his hands. I blinked back my tears, stunned at his confession. He’d been visiting her nearly every day for all these years? Why couldn’t he forgive himself? No wonder he’d been so confused when I’d stayed, why he relaxed when he was with me, but stiffened up again at the reminder of her. I heard him try to stifle a sob and could no longer stop the carer in me, the part of me that was still in love with him, from running to the bed to comfort him. I climbed next to him and curled tightly around his upper body. ‘I’m responsible for all of this fucking mess.’