Summer Nights
Page 5
Suddenly she sat bolt upright in bed.
He is in this hotel!
My speech!
The thought came in consecutively and she raced to the shower and let the warm water cascade over her.
She had two hours before she had to be at the conference room to deliver the speech to the hundreds of industry professionals and magazine well-wishers.
She did feel excited, as well as butterflies in her tummy. She tried to place all thoughts of Ivan out of her mind as she went over what she was to say. She had prepared well for months and today was finally feeling confident. She knew she could make a success of any magazine, and this was one that she really wanted to do.
As she stood up on the stage looking over the audience, who seemed to appear up at her with unhidden admiration, she spoke of the values of living with health, and feeling inspired. She spoke of how words of inspiration stayed for years, and how they led to more inspiration and more creativity. She told of the first time she had had the vision for ‘Inspire’ magazine and how excited she was to now at last be able to share it with all it’s readers.
At the end of the speech a huge rapture of applause broke out from the crowd, who stood and cheered.
“So tonight we are looking forward to seeing all of you at the launch party, held in the private bar downstairs. Cocktails and Champagne are served from 8pm. Thank you, to ‘Inspire’.
Selena bowed and slowly made her way from the stage.
Wow, it was finally over, the speech she had been working on for months! It had gone well and she was pleased.
Heading up to her hotel room, she bumped into Paul in the hallway.
“Hey, great speech, congratulations.” He said.
“Oh thanks.”
“Where is Viv?” Selena asked.
“She was inside watching your speech. I guess she is still in there.” Said Paul.
“Ok, well tell her I have gone to change.”
“Sure thing.” He replied.
As Selena entered her hotel room she saw a huge bouquet of flowers waiting on the table. They were her favourites, orchids, roses and lilies. She opened the card inside the bouquet. A plain white card with only two words, “Love Ivan.”
Chapter 23
The launch party was a success. Waiters served champagne in crystal glasses and Selena had chosen her favourite rock band “Low Pressure” who were performing. Selena had her hair tied high above her head and wore a gold and black strapless dress which showed her slender frame. A diamond necklace adorned her and earrings hung delicately from her ears.
The entire crew from Privilege were there, and Selena smiled and received warm congratulations from everyone. A few times that evening she had seen Ivan, hovering closely and he had tried to approach her on several occasions but she had successfully avoided eye contact, and remained enthusiastically engaged in conversation with whomever she happened to be speaking to at the time.
Selena glanced around and could not see him anywhere. She felt a strange mixture of relief and disappointment.
John, one of the main writers for Privilege and one of her closest friends came over to her.
“Still with the same great taste in music.” He said as he sidled over.
“John” smiled Selena. “Is Cathy here?”
Cathy, John’s wife, was also a close friend of Selena’s.
“No, we couldn’t get a babysitter, so she is at home with the little ones.”
“Though I tell you who I did see.” Said John.
“Who?”
“Ivan” he replied.
“Oh yes, I know, I bumped into him earlier.”
Said Selena off-handedly.
John looked at her curiously.
“Come on, let’s dance.”
They headed over to the dance-floor.
“They just have such a great sound!” exclaimed Felicity, as her and John moved together on the dance floor.
After a few more songs, Selena went outside to the terrace to get some air. She had had lots of people coming up to her on the dance floor when she had just wanted to dance. Yet she knew this was business, and it was her night, so she remained a gracious hostess, smiling and charming to everyone.
As she looked out into the clear night sky, the stars twinkled above her. It seemed peaceful and quiet outside. She felt a presence behind her and turned around to face Ivan.
“You did well tonight.” He said.
“Ivan. Um, thanks.”
“Have you been avoiding me?” he asked gently.
“When?” she asked, and immediately regretted it.
“No.” she continued quickly. “I have just been busy. You know. Anyway I haven’t seen you in a long time.”
She knew that her words and voice betrayed more emotion than she was willing to admit to herself.
Just then they were joined outside by Viv.
“Hey you two. This looks like a blast from the past.” There was an awkward silence and Ivan smiled at Selena who looked away.
“I’m going inside to get a drink.” Said Selena.
“I will go with you.” Said Viv.
Chapter 24
“What is going on with you two?” asked Viv. “You could cut the tension with a knife!”
“God Viv, I just don’t know, he is being really sweet and romantic, but, but, but…….”
“Hey, don’t worry.” Viv said gently.
“There is a lot of emotion there, there always was with you to, and you know, you weren’t expecting to see him.”
“I know, it has really thrown me off track. Thank God I did the speech ok.”
“You were brilliant.” As they stood at the bar Selena saw Ivan standing alone, looking over at them. She could tell he was waiting for her. She continued to talk to Viv.
After a while Paul joined them and again she lost sight of Ivan. Again she felt that strange mixture of relief and disappointment.
“Ha ha ha! Viv!” suddenly John joined them from the dance-floor. “I have not seen you in years. I remember you could bust some moves! Why aren’t you on the dance-floor?” he asked Viv.
Viv laughed and embraced him. Selena, ever aware of everyone’s feelings introduced Paul to John, as John being the husband of one of their close friends. Paul looked relieved.
Suddenly, Paul noticed someone and called out.
“Ivan! Hey Ivan!”
“This is my friend I was telling you about.” He told Viv and Selena.
“Yes we know each other” they replied in unison, Viv looking awkwardly at Selena.
Ivan joined the group, positioning himself closely beside Selena.
“Oh, so you are giving the speech for the golf courts? I thought you had stopped playing?” Selena asked Ivan.
Ivan looked deep into her eyes before responding.
“There are a lot of things I wish I had never stopped Selena.” He said.
“Oh.”
John broke the silence.
“What a great hotel eh?! Lovely design!” He looked around the room.
“I must bring Cathy here one day!”
“Yes do tell her I wish she was here.” Said Selena.
“Come on, let’s hit the dance-floor.” Said John.
The group made their way to the dance-floor and as the tracks slowed Selena found herself and Ivan dancing closer together. Suddenly without realising it she found that the rest of the group had disappeared.
“Oh God.” She thought to herself as she found her head resting on Ivan’s shoulder as he embraced her gently. He had the same old familiar sweet scent of musky aftershave. She could feel desire welling up inside her. It was as if she could fight it no longer, and they found themselves closer and closer together. He took her hand and led her from the room.
As they stood outside in the hallway, he held her hand to his chest.
“Selena.” He said.
“I never stopped loving you.”
“Stop. Ivan. Don’t.”
“Please.�
� He said.
“I can’t be without you.”
Someone from Privilege magazine came over to Selena and congratulated her.
Selena smiled and thanked them saying she was looking forward to Inspire magazine.
“Not here Ivan. Please.”
At that moment a photographer came over and asked if she could snap a shot. As Ivan and Selena posed together it was like old times again. The photographer asked for Ivan’s name.
“Ivan.” The photographer made a note.
“Come on Lena.” Said Ivan.
“Let me take you upstairs.”
Selena felt a tingle rush through her, she felt that safe feeling, where she felt tired and she knew she could trust Ivan to take her home and take care of her.
They were silent as they made their way into the lift. When the lift doors closed they found themselves locked in passionate embrace, the fire over desire from so many years, overflowing as they kissed, squeezed, hugged and sucked at each others faces and hands, holding each other close, murmuring each other’s names.
“Oh God! I want you so bad!” said Ivan as he held her in his arms. The intense longing in her eyes as she stared up at him let him know she felt the same.
“Come to my room.” He said. She nodded. Ivan pressed the 5 floor button.
When they got inside the room he picked her up and threw her on the bed. She had always loved the way he handled her, taking control of her in a way that she had no choice but to surrender, and lose herself in bliss. Slowly he caressed her, undressing her and kissing her body inch by inch as he slid off her clothes. His hands cradled her stomach as he kissed her thighs.
“Oh baby, baby.” He moaned his voice echoing with desire.
As he penetrated her she felt as she was already climaxing yet he took her to another level. They made love for hours, as they always had, slow deep and sensuous, with moments of frenzied desire and passion which made her feel as if she could explode with pleasure.
As they lay in each other’s arms, Ivan began telling Selena all the things she had wanted for so many years to hear, but that she had never though she would.
He told her he wanted to stay with her. Selena had told herself over the years that they had not been right for each other yet now all the feelings she had been suppressing were surfacing and she realised that she had always loved him.
“I love you.” He continued.
“Seeing you this time has confirmed it to me. I always felt it and I always knew I had to come back and find you. Now I know it has to be now. Nothing else is as important to me as you are.” He said.
The way he said it, she knew she trusted him. She lay in his arms.
The next morning she woke to birds tweeting and Ivan standing next to her with a breakfast tray.
“Room service Madam.” He smiled, his naked muscular body sliding next to her in the bed.
“MMmm, I want you for breakfast.” Selena whispered as she gently nibbled on his ear.
“Fine by me.’ He replied softly as he gave himself up to her kisses. She climbed on top of him, and they made love again, this time hard and fast, consumed by desire for one another.
She lay her head on his chest as she caressed his arms. God how she had missed him.
As they sat on the balcony eating breakfast and hearing the birds tweeting, Selena could not believe how stupidly happy she felt. She couldn’t take the smile off her face and it seemed that Ivan felt the same.
“Well, check out time is in two hours for me” he said looking at his watch.
“Unless I decide to stay another night.”
“Oh god, time!” exclaimed Selena. “I still haven’t thought that far.
“Come on, let’s stay another night.” Said Ivan.
Selena paused. She could do it. She had planned a few days break anyway.
“Come on, let’s.” she replied with a naughty smile.
Ivan jumped up.
“I just cannot resist that smile.” He said as he smothered her with kisses. He wrestled her into his arms. She laughed and tried to fight him off, but he picked her up and took her into the bedroom.
They made love again, and as they lay in each other arms Selena suddenly exclaimed.
“Viv! I better let her know where I am.” she searched through her handbag for her mobile which she had placed on silent. There were numerous messages which she could not be bothered to look through. She texted Viv telling her to make her way back without her, and that she was fine. “Ok down to practical details, which hotel room are we keeping on. It doesn’t make sense to keep both on seen as we are staying together.”
“Mmm, I love it when you are practical.” Said Ivan.
“What’s your room like?”
Selena looked around Ivan’s hotel room.
“Pretty similar to this. Except the wardrobe is to the left of the desk.” “Right, definitely yours then.” Ivan smiled.
Selena phoned reception.
“Hello, would it be possible to book room 207 for another night? Ok, thank you.” She hung up.
“Champagne?” she asked coyly.
“Baby, I love you.” Said Ivan.
“Come on, let’s pack and go to my room. I have no clothes here.”
“What’s wrong with that?” asked Ivan.
“Ha ha.”
Ivan got his belongings out and they went down in the lift to Selena’s room.
“I like this lift.” Said Ivan.
“Yes, good memories in here.” Said Selena.
She opened the door to her room and found a note from Viv saying she had gone to spend the weekend with Paul.
Ivan opened the bottle of champagne and toasted to Inspire, and to Selena, the woman of his dreams.
As they lay in each other’s arms on the bed that morning, Selena knew that this time it was for good.
Table of Contents
Copyright
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 7
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 23
Chapter 24