Beautifully Irresistible

by M. L. Smith

  Zack kissed me softly as he sat down and then took my hand, kissing my fingers. Tears formed in my eyes yet again.

  Last but not least it was Jake’s turn. Jasper had said that he was too nervous to make a speech.

  I looked up at Zack’s handsome younger brother, a bit worried about what he was going to say.

  “Ladies and gentleman,” he said in a slow Southern drawl. “I didn’t know what a wedding in England would be like. So far, it has comprised of a lot to eat and a lot to drink so this pleases me greatly! I only met Jennifer recently when they visited New Orleans and I was really taken with her. To be honest, I was a bit disappointed that I didn’t get in there first! Seriously though, they make a stunning couple, don’t they? We had some crazy times the four of us growing up and Zack was always the ring leader and head of craziness. We used to dare each other to do really stupid things that you would hate your kids doing and I remember this one summer we were bored with nothing to do when Zack suggested that we go and call on old Mr Carter. Now Mr Carter was a mean old man and he thought nothing of giving you a good wallop around the head if you were cheeky to him. Zack said that we should creep into his garden and move his gnomes around and make them look like they were doing rude things. You get the picture! Well, we did this a few times and old Mr Carter got wind that something was up. One day we sneaked into his garden and he was ready and waiting for us with an air rifle! He took shots at Zack, Sam, Harvey and me but he missed all of us as his eyes weren’t too good. All of us except for Zack that is! He got so many pellets in his butt, he couldn’t sit down for a month! Anyway that’s just one of many funny stories but I would like you to join me in raising a glass to the bride and groom.”

  “To the beautiful bride and groom, Zachary and Jennifer!”

  Everyone took to their feet again and Zack shook Jake’s hand.

  After the tables were cleared away, it was time for the first dance.

  We had both agreed on the same song, At Last.

  It was the song that was playing in the bar when we first met all those years ago.

  Zack pulled me in close as we started to slowly move around the dance floor.

  He was such an amazing dancer. He moved fluidly and confidently around the dance floor as I let him take the lead.

  I started to feel flushed and giddy as he spun me around.

  Words couldn’t describe how happy I was feeling.

  This was the defining moment.

  “Are you enjoying yourself, Mrs Cole?”

  “Yes, so much, Mr Cole.”

  “This is just the beginning of our lives together and tomorrow we go on honeymoon for two blissful weeks,” he told me, pulling me even closer into him.

  “I wish you would tell me where we are going,” I pouted.

  “Patience, sweetheart, you will just have to wait.”

  Once the first dance was finished, the tempo cranked up and I noticed a band setting up on a small stage.

  “You kept that quiet, you naughty boy!”

  “You will love them. They do jazz and blues. It will remind you of New Orleans,” he smirked, referring to our amazing sex in the alleyway.

  I flushed with raw desire, remembering it clearly and looking forward to enjoying our lovemaking later tonight as man and wife.

  The party was fantastic and everyone looked to be having a great time.

  About halfway through the night, Happy Birthday played out over the speakers and the most enormous cake was wheeled in to the room. It had a lot of candles on it and Zack led me over to blow them out as everyone sang a rousing Happy Birthday to me. I blew them out and everyone clapped and cheered.

  This was certainly a birthday I wouldn’t forget in a hurry.

  Zack grabbed my hand and started leading me to the front door.

  I wondered what he had up his sleeve.

  “You will have to come outside for your present, Jennifer. I hope you like it!”

  Scarlett, Jasper and our parents followed us.

  When Zack opened the door, I couldn’t believe my eyes.

  He never stopped surprising me.

  “Jennifer, here he is!” Zack said as he walked me over to the most beautiful horse I had ever seen.

  He was clearly a thoroughbred of some impressive breeding. Jonathan had been holding him. He was about 16 hands high and the most beautiful shade of dark brown almost black. A white flash marked his nose. Enormous kind brown eyes stared at me. You could tell a lot about a horse from their eyes.

  I went over and stroked him gently.

  “Oh my god, Zack, he’s gorgeous. Thank you so much!” I squealed like a child.

  I kissed him hard on the lips as he swung me around.

  “What are you going to call him, Jennifer?”

  “I shall call him Black Magic!”

  “I love it!” Zack laughed, watching me.

  “That is the best present I have ever had, Zack. You really spoil me!”

  “That’s because I really love you, Jennifer,” he said, looking deeply into my eyes before he kissed me passionately under the stars.

  “Jennifer, he is an absolute stunner. He must have cost an arm and a leg. I can’t wait to see you ride him,” Dad said as his mouth gaped open.

  “I can’t wait either, Dad. He’s beautiful.”

  We went back in and joined the party. The band entertained us into the small hours.

  Everyone seemed to be having a fantastic time.

  “Fancy a dance?” Jasper asked, coming over to me.

  “I would love to.”

  Jasper led me onto the dance floor and held me close.

  “I’m so glad that you married, Dad. You two are made for each other, Jennifer.”

  “Thank you, Jasper,” I told him, touched by his sweet words.

  “I’m sorry that I was a dick at times.”

  “It’s okay. We all do things that we regret. Forget about it.”

  “Thanks, Jennifer. You do have really lovely boobs though!” he laughed, kissing my cheek.

  “Watch it!” I laughed as we finished our dance.

  “Happy Birthday, Jennifer. I got you a present.”

  Jasper handed me an envelope out of his suit pocket.

  “Ooh, what’s this, then?”

  I tore it open and laughed when I saw that it was an experience day at Formula One.

  “Oh Jasper, that is brilliant. Thank you, sweetheart!”

  “Well, I know that you enjoy crazy driving!”

  “I love you, Jasper.”

  “I love you too, Jennifer.”

  I gave him a warm hug and tears filled his lovely blue eyes. I was step-mother to two fabulous kids.

  Zack and I danced for a bit longer until I led him and the guests into the hallway for me to throw the bouquet.

  “Ready?” I shouted over my shoulder from the top landing.

  “One, two, three!” I shouted as I launched the flowers behind me.

  I quickly turned around to see who had caught them. I laughed as Rosie held them tightly.

  Brian looked at her and grinned widely. She pulled him close for a tender kiss, wrapping her hands in his hair. My matchmaking had worked!

  “Aw, they are sweet, aren’t they, Zack?”

  “That was all your cunning plan, wasn’t it, Mrs Cole?”

  “Just call me Cupid Cole!”

  At about 2am, I was absolutely shattered and suggested going to bed.

  “I am beat,” I said. “You can stay up if you want, Zack.”

  “You are joking! I can’t wait to give you a good seeing to, Mrs Cole!” he leered playfully.

  “I can’t wait either. Let’s say goodnight and escape!”

  After bidding goodnight, we ran up the stairs to our bedroom and I collapsed exhausted onto the bed.

  My stomach fluttered as I thought about what I was about to tell my new husband.

  “I have a present for you, Zack,” I told him, giving him a long box.

  “You didn’t have
to get me anything. I have everything I want right here.”

  He smiled warmly at me. A breathless shiver ran down my spine as he looked at me. His smile was so sweet and loving.

  Zack opened the box and removed a Rolex from it. He had been talking about it for a few weeks, saying that he was going to treat himself.

  “Wow, Jennifer, I love it!”

  His lovely face lit up as he grinned like a small boy.

  “Turn it over, Zack.”

  He flipped the watch over in his hands and read the inscription on the back: ‘Always yours, JB x’

  Tears filled his eyes as he looked at his gift.

  “Thank you so much, baby.”

  “Zack, I have another present for you,” I told him, thrusting another box into his hands.

  He looked up from examining his watch curiously.

  “You got me another one? What is it?”

  “Open it and you will find out!”

  He slowly unwrapped the box and stared at it open-mouthed. I laughed at the shocked expression on his face.

  This was the best surprise, ever.

  “Jennifer! You are pregnant?” he shouted as his lovely face broke out into a wide grin.

  “It looks that way, about 10 to 12 weeks, Zack!”

  “Oh my god, that is wonderful news, Jennifer!” he said, grabbing me and kissing me deeply.

  I responded to his lovely kiss, wrapping my hands into his hair.

  “I don’t know which awesome lovemaking the baby was conceived in but there are so many, who knows!” I laughed when we came up for air.

  “I thought that your tits looked even bigger!”

  “Cheeky!”

  “I can’t wait to be a Dad again and you will be an amazing Mom. This has been a fantastic day, baby,” Zack told me, cuddling me in.

  “It’s not over yet,” I told him, undoing his trousers to release his growing erection.

  “I want you so much, Jennifer, and I always will.”

  He unzipped me from my beautiful dress. I turned back around as Zack admired my lovely white underwear.

  “Will you still want me when I look like a beached whale?” I asked him, giggling.

  “I will always want you, Jennifer. Forever and ever, till death do us part. You do know what you mean to me, don’t you?” he replied as his beautiful blue eyes blazed hot with desire.

  “You old romantic you. I have another surprise for you!”

  I turned onto my front and showed him my new tattoo. He read the inscription at the base of my spine.

  “Mrs Cole. I love it!” he laughed, kissing the artwork.

  His hot tongue licked the script. A dull throb ached between my legs.

  “Good job you didn’t jilt me at the altar!” I giggled as he kissed down my back after he had removed my lingerie.

  “I have some new art work too, Mrs Cole.”

  “Let's see!” I squealed as I unbuttoned his shirt.

  On the inner bicep of his right arm were the words, ‘You are my forever.’

  “Zack, that is beautiful,” I told him, kissing it and gently trailing my tongue along his soft skin.

  I kissed his other tattoo on his heart and tugged gently on his nipple ring.

  We made love for hours, enjoying each other’s bodies and whispering words of love.

  It was amazing.

  I had never experienced such absolute bliss.

  I had everything I could ever want in a man I would undoubtedly always want.

  Chapter Seventy Four

  The following morning we said our goodbyes to our families and a car took us to the airport. Scarlett and Jasper were staying with Camille and Roger whilst we were away. We both felt awful leaving them but they said they were looking forward to being spoilt rotten at their grandparents.

  “Excited?” Zack asked, smiling at me.

  “Very! We have just got married and I am carrying our child, what could more exciting than that?”

  We checked in at the airport and that’s when I found out we were going to Lake Garda in Italy. It would be beautiful. Excitement and happiness welled up inside me.

  After our flight, we were picked up at Milan airport. I was tempted to suggest joining the mile high club on the plane but as it was first class I thought it would be frowned upon!

  A car took us to a large four-bedroomed villa on the shore of the lake. We had our own chef and a maid. Our bags were taken in and we got out of the car to explore our gorgeous accommodation.

  We investigated the sumptuous rooms and I stood on the balcony looking out over the lake. It was stunning and a dream destination for me.

  “Do you think this place is alright for you, Mrs Cole?”

  “It will do!” I teased him as he led me over to the bed.

  “Well, that’s good because it’s your wedding present! I signed the documents last week!”

  “Thank you! Oh my god. You are full of surprises, husband!”

  I clambered onto the bed straight into his welcoming embrace.

  “How are you feeling, baby?” he asked me holding me gently in his strong arms.

  “We are both fine, thanks, but a bit tired” I replied, cuddling into his warm body.

  I had been sick earlier on and he had been so sweet looking after me.

  “Why don’t you have a little nap?”

  “I don’t mind if I do.”

  Zack got up and arranged the pillows on the enormous bed. Never mind king size, it must have been emperor size. We would have to text each other to communicate!

  I pictured Zack lying sprawled out on it all naked and totally gorgeous. My mouth started to water and my cheeks flushed. I flopped onto the soft bed and fell fast asleep in no time.

  When I woke up, Zack was sitting staring into space in a chair next to the bed. He looked worried about something. His body language was giving tension off in huge waves. He was fidgeting around, restlessly scratching his stubbly chin.

  “How long was I asleep?” I asked, taking a welcome gulp of water.

  “About an hour. I was just sitting here watching you, thinking how lucky I am to have you.”

  He shoved a hand through his hair and sighed. It naughtily flopped back into his handsome face.

  “Aw, you are so sweet, but you are the catch of the century, you gorgeous beast!”

  “Do you fancy a nice walk?” he asked, still looking really tense and anxious.

  His face looked so tired. Worry started to flood through me.

  “Just let me freshen up.”

  We strolled out hand in hand and took the narrow path to the stunning lake. People smiled warmly at us as we walked along like love’s young dream.

  The scenery was breath-taking and we walked in silence, taking it all in for quite a while. I couldn’t believe that we now owned a villa on Lake Garda. We would spend some lovely time here.

  What was eating at him? There was only one thing for it.

  “What’s bothering you, Zack? Please tell me, love,” I blurted out.

  “Jennifer, can I ask you something?”

  He sighed deeply and took a deep shaky breath.

  “Of course, fire away,” I told him, dreading with every fibre of my being what he was going to say.

  “Do you think I should have taken the blame for killing David?”

  Why on earth was he bringing this up now of all times?

  “No, but I try not to think about it, Zack. Look, don’t beat yourself up about it. He was a scumbag who deserved it. I mean, he assaulted me and tried to rape me twice. Don’t forget about the poor girl he raped at university,” I told him.

  “I am so glad I followed you that night. I was suspicious of David too and I wanted to confront him. I had a good idea that he was the one chasing you all over the place but I wasn’t 100% sure. It could have been Alex or a number of other people with a grudge against me. I looked for my gun but I couldn’t find it. I got the shock of my life when I walked in and saw him about to rape you! I have never bee
n so mad in my life. I couldn’t bear anyone hurting you, Jennifer.”

  “Well, it’s all over now. I don’t suppose Phoebe’s body will ever be found though. I had your gun. I found it in your study, taped underneath the desk.”

  “You had it. That explains things. Her body might be found eventually,” he whispered.

  He was staring at me intently with a strange pained expression on his handsome face. His mouth opened and closed again.

  “I doubt it,” I said, “as David is clearly the only one that knows where she is buried and he can’t tell us.”

  “But Jennifer, you do know why I had to kill him, don’t you? I had to protect them. You understand that, don’t you?”

  His blue eyes flashed dangerously in the fading sunlight as we suddenly stopped walking. I spun around and faced him.

  “Look Zack, darling, stop right there before you say anything else. I don’t want to hear what you are going to say, so please, I am begging you, just don’t!” I told him, meeting his stare.

  My heart was pounding and my throat was dry. I gave him a look that told him I knew what he had done and I had accepted it.

  Now was the time to move on and look to the future.

  I had figured out shortly after David’s death that Zack was behind Phoebe’s murder. I reckoned that he had paid David off, made sure he had a water-tight alibi and moped around for a reasonable amount of time to make everything look as it should. She was against the merger and she was making his life a living hell with affair after affair. It also sounded like she was a lousy mother too.

  David had dropped enough hints to me about Zack’s involvement. Zack had the motive and the means to kill Phoebe.

  But at the end of the day, David had pulled the trigger, not Zack, and I focused on that fact. He had felt he had to silence David before he blabbed to the police. But if he admitted all of that to me I knew that I wouldn’t be able to turn the other cheek. It would go against the integrity I possessed as a policewoman. If he didn’t say the words out loud, I could just pretend that he wasn’t involved.