Closer to the Heart (The Heart Trilogy Book 3)

by Unknown

  “Somewhere out there, if love can see us through

  Then we'll be together, somewhere out there

  Out where dreams come true“

  Gliding around the dance floor I laid my head on James' strong chest. Then as others appeared on the dance floor I switched to dance with Peter, James with his Mum. Then another change as Darren cut in before finally it was Chris.

  “I warned James if he ever upsets you again”

  “Thanks Chris, he won't”

  “He'd better not” and before he could say anymore James was tapping him on the shoulder.

  “Can I have my beautiful wife back”

  With Jack on the decks Justin did the honours and danced with my daughter until a hand tapped him on the shoulder.

  “May I” a deep voice asked, as Charlotte looked up into the intense brown eyes of Zach.

  “What are you doing here?” She stammered in bewilderment. Zach's arms held her close as he leant in.

  “Your Mum invited me as one of the biggest sponsors of the radio station. I couldn't upset her on the big day”

  Charlie struggled in his arms but he just held her a tiny bit tighter as they moved to the music.

  “I couldn't miss the chance of seeing you again, especially as you look so gorgeously angelic in this dress”

  When the music went up a notch from slow to fast he let her go and guided her off the dance floor.

  “Can I buy you a drink?”

  “Ok” Charlotte said, as she looked across for help to her best friend Julia or even Shelley. Her Mum and James stood at the bar and she hoped they wouldn't notice his hand on the base of her spine.

  “Hey Stephanie, James congratulations on your big day” Zach said, extending his hand to James and then moving in to give her Mum a small kiss on the cheek.

  “I see you've found Charlotte, she needs cheering up” I said. Charlie scowled at her Mum's comment, when all she really wanted to do was curl up and die.

  “I'll do my best, Stephanie” Zach replied.

  Just then a waiter appeared to tell them that the buffet was ready.

  “I'll go and tell Jack so he can announce it” I said. James smiled and said.

  “Don't be long Mrs Cooke”

  Zach took the moment to order drinks at the bar and passed a glass to Charlotte.

  “Shall we find a table or join your friends” Zach asked.

  “And how shall I introduce you, as my friend, as a sponsor of my Mum's radio station?”

  “As your fuck buddy” he grinned “I've never been much good as a boyfriend”

  “I don't want a boyfriend” Charlie retorted, trying to hide the shame on her cheeks that the last comment augured.

  “What do you want Charlotte?” Zach leaned in closer as the smell of his aftershave evaded her senses. It was the same scent that Mitchell used to wear and her head spun as Mitchell's ghost and Zach's body assaulted her. Today had been an emotional day all round and it was tiring keeping a smile on her face.

  “Will you excuse me for a second” she asked, handing him back her glass before walking to the ladies room. Shelley had noted the appearance of Zach and wondered what was going on between him and Charlie. She followed her into the rest room and waited by the sink.

  Charlie sat on the toilet seat and put her head in her hands. Why did Zach have to show up? Why did he affect her so much and at the same time infuriate her with his comments? Why did she just want to grab his silk tie and lead him upstairs to her hotel room and feel the physical release that he could illicit from her body? Walking out she saw Shelley applying some lipstick and found a smile.

  “Hey Charlie, great party your Mum looks amazing and you're looking pretty hot”

  “Thanks Shell, sorry I've been distant at college it’s just been awful since Christmas and....”

  Shelley crossed the gap and hugged her tight.

  “I'm sorry about what happened, I know you miss him. We all do”

  Her friend’s kind words sprung fresh tears to her swollen eyes.

  “So what's with Zach showing up” Shelley asked, when they broke apart.

  “Long story, but in a nutshell he fucked me on New Year's Eve”

  “So what's he doing here, he never normally comes back for a second helping, sorry if that sounds cruel”

  “He's helping me find out anything more that happened the night Mitchell disappeared, his mate Daniel is living with Felicity”

  “And what does Zach get in return” Shelley arched her eyebrows.

  “We haven't discussed that yet” Charlie stammered.

  The door of the rest room swung open and Sarah appeared.

  “Hey girls, don't miss out on the lovely food”

  “Thanks Aunt Sarah”

  Zach was still lounging at the bar when she returned to his side. He had a plate of food on the bar and she watched him pick at the chicken wings.

  “Help yourself, I bought enough for two”

  “No thanks, I'm not very hungry”

  “You should eat, when I first saw you at my club you were much curvier than you are now. Pining away is not going to bring him back you know”

  Charlotte turned to walk away feeling the sting of his last comment but he was too quick and grasped her wrist. He reeled her closer so he could lean down and whisper.

  “I'll take you out one evening and show you fine dining, with food you will not be able to resist”

  “Maybe I'd prefer fish and chips from newspaper” Charlie retorted. Julia appeared at the bar and interrupted.

  “Come on Charlie, that dance floor is calling” she said, grabbing her free hand and pulling her towards the small crowd.

  Charlotte shrugged as she walked away and left Zach gazing after her. Shelley joined the two girls as they moved, swayed and giggled together. Charlotte glanced across to the bar but Zach had disappeared. Perhaps he had got bored and gone home, she wasn't sure if that pleased or disappointed her. Aunt Sarah and her Mum were also dancing nearby and Paul had taken over on the decks, eighties music ruled for the next hour.

  Then before the evening started to wind down Paul bought the crowd to a brief stop.

  “I believe this beautiful bride is going to be throwing the bouquet so would all the single ladies like to gather round”

  I waited as Charlotte, Shelley, Julia and some of the girlfriends of the other firemen gathered in a group. I looked across to the side and saw Jack standing next to Justin.

  “Go on Jack, join in” I cajoled, as Justin gave him a push and Charlotte dragged him in to stand next to her. Amy, Lesley and Naomi from the station were ready and waiting. Turning my back to the crowd I caught Paul's eye and he grinned back as everyone started to shout.

  “Five.....Four.....Three.....Two.....ONE!”

  I propelled my bouquet into the air and then turned around to watch the scramble.

  Charlie caught my eye as she smiled wistfully when the flowers landed right next to her in the hands of Jack.

  “Woo Hoo, better plan that wedding Justin” he shouted. Everyone clapped and cheered before the lights dimmed and the love songs began. As the girls all paired off James walked across the floor to pull me into his arms.

  “I've chosen all our favourite songs” I whispered, feeling secure as his hands rested on my back.

  “Good, because I'm not letting go ever”

  “I love you”

  “I love you too, till the end of time”

  George Michael started to sing as all the guests that were left found their own small space on the dance floor.

  Charlotte wandered back to where her drink was on the bar and felt despair. All she wanted was forMitchell to appear and do his finger beckon to her before they would be joined and moving together as one. Closing her eyes against the tears damned there she swallowed the rest of her drink, needing it to numb the intense pain inside. A shadow loomed on her periphery and she opened her eyes to see Zach stood in front of her.

  “Shall we dance, I
've been dying to practice after your lesson on New Year's Eve”

  “I guess” she mumbled, allowing him to guide her to the edge of the dance floor.

  Feeling self-conscious in his arms she tried to find her rhythm in line with his body. Zach held her tightly and let his senses enjoy her body and scent as she laid her head on his shoulder. They moved slowly to the music as each of the songs from her Mum's past pushed her mind back into the diary. That in turn bought her full circle back to thoughts of Mitchell. Zach's hand caressed her through the material of her chiffon dress, slowly going higher to find the scooped back and her bare skin. He heard the faintest of sigh escape her lips and flutter on the skin of his neck.

  With the last song ending she tried to pull away from him but instead he ushered her from the dance floor and back to the bar. Her Mum and James were saying good-bye to guests in the lobby area. Shelley and Kyle wandered over.

  “We're off now” Kyle said, shaking Zach's hand and then moving in to plant a kiss on Charlie's cheek.

  “I'll see you on Monday” Shelley said to Zach “I hope the club will be busy like December” She hugged him before turning to Charlie.

  “See you at college” then she moved in and deliberately kissed Charlotte full on the lips. Knowing that Zach was stood beside her and feeling brazen Charlie put her arms around Shelley

  “I can't wait” she breathed, before kissing her back and allowing her lips to open and their tongues to touch.

  Shelley gasped but enjoyed the sign that maybe they could resume their dalliance. Zach smirked and ordered another couple of drinks. Julia and Simon were next to go as she was staying at his place for the rest of the weekend.

  “I'm going to call it a night” Charlie said.

  “A night cap first” Zach offered her the glass. Charlotte nodded.

  Her Mum appeared in the doorway looking radiant as she scanned the room to see who was left.

  I walked to the bar and ordered a bottle of champagne for the bridal suite.

  “Don't stay up too late Charlotte” I said, pulling her in for a hug.

  “I know it’s been a long hard day for you but thank you for being the best daughter ever”

  “Love you Mum” Charlotte murmured softly. I straightened up and shook hands with Zach.

  “Thanks for coming Mr King” I said.

  “It was lovely to be invited, I hope you and James are very happy together” he replied. I turned away and saw James waiting for me in the doorway and I couldn't stop the smile from breaking on my face.

  Charlotte downed the rest of her drink, aware that they were the only people in the bar apart from the staff.

  “Goodnight Zach, thanks for the drink and the dance”

  As she moved away Zach grabbed her arm, reeling her into his firm embrace.

  “Not so fast Charlotte, you need a goodnight kiss”

  She struggled in his grasp not wanting to go there, not wanting to feel the physical pull that this would awaken. Her thoughts firmly belonged to the memory of Mitchell but her body was a traitor.

  His hand crept up to her neck as his lips touched hers. Softly at first but then as she relaxed he pushed on. His teeth gently tugging on the swell of her bottom lip, his tongue like a snake slid into her mouth and hers responded. He pushed her up against the bar as his hand slipped down and inside the back of her dress.

  “Your skin is so hot” he muttered

  “Your hand is cold” she gasped before their conversation ceased under the press of more kisses. His fingers just caught the swell of her breast as he slid his hand further round her back.

  Her nipples peaked against the fabric, the chiffon although soft seemed to aggravate them further and she pressed in closer trying to rub them against the material of his shirt. She moved her hand so that she stroked the base of his neck and then moved her fingers around to run them over the stubble of his cheek. God she wanted him so much. Feeling bold she moved her lips from his to whisper urgently in his ear.

  “I want you now”

  “Pardon” he asked, pulling away.

  “I want you” she repeated.

  “How much”

  “Come up to my room and I'll show you” she moved her lips back to his as if to press home the point of her longing.

  She reached to take his hand in hers and pulling it to her lips she took his index finger into her mouth. Licking and then sucking it like she would his cock. Zach trembled and wanted to give in to her pleas but he needed to stay in control. Slowly he pulled his finger out and then stepped back from her grasp.

  “My taxi will be here any minute” he said, straightening his shirt and at the same time loosening his tie and top button.

  “Cancel it” she demanded “Stay here with me”

  Her voice tugged at his resolve, but he couldn't let her win, he wanted her to beg for him and not just when she was drunk and lonely.

  She reached for him but he stepped out of reach.

  “Taxi for Mr King” a waiter called as he entered the room.

  “Told you” he smirked, reaching to pull on the jacket that he had discarded on the chair. Charlotte stood and stared in disbelief as he wandered past her to the doorway. He turned to look back at her and his resolve nearly faltered. She walked slowly towards him and pressed against him once more, her lips grazing his for a final time. Then she turned and wandered up the large staircase, never looking back as tears stung her eyes.

  Chapter 13

  Opening the doors of the bridal suite James picked me up and effortlessly carried me into the room, kicking the door shut behind us.

  “At last” he breathed, as still in his arms he kissed me. Then he walked towards the bed and placed me on the covers.

  “So Mr Cooke, what shall we do now” I asked, my eyes could not hide the deep love I felt for him. It had lingered in my heart for twenty five years but now he was mine completely.

  “I'm going to spoil you rotten, cater to your every whim and desire” he declared.

  Noticing the bottle of champagne chilling in the ice bucket beside the bed he reached to pop the cork. The golden liquid splashed into the flutes and he passed one to me.

  “Cheers”

  “Cheers” I replied, taking a sip and letting the cool bubbles meet the heat within.

  Putting my glass down I stood up and slipped out of my shoes and looked across at my new husband.

  “Can you help with the zip” I asked, turning so that my back was to him. He found it concealed beneath the draping chiffon and as my dress slipped to the floor I turned to face him.

  “Even more stunning” he exclaimed, his hands running gently down the lace of my bra and briefs. He caught the top of my stockings and unhooked the catches. Kneeling down his breath whispered over the skin he revealed as he rolled each of them off.

  Standing back up I undid the buttons on his shirt as it slipped from his back. Then his trousers followed suit and slid down his muscular thighs. We stopped for a moment and even though we had been together for six months we still revelled in the sight and feel of each other.

  “Love this underwear” James breathed, as he nibbled my earlobe.

  “You might want to explore it a little more closely then as it includes my something blue”

  I watched his puzzled look as he scanned the cream lace of my bra. Taking a moment to free my breasts he kissed each nipple as they stood erect for him.

  I stepped back and sat down on the edge of the bed, dizzy with desire. He dropped to his knees as his fingertips found the edge of my panties. Lying back I opened my legs to him as he found the slit in the lace. He took a second to look up and catch my eyes as I licked my lips.

  “I get it”

  His fingers trailed over the lace and then delved into my wetness as I sighed and closed my eyes. His tongue darted in and started making slow deliberate circles around my clit. My juice stained his lips as he moved back up and shared it with me. Then I took my turn in slipping off his boxer shorts and I was ab
out to make my mouth work when I had a great idea.

  Sitting up I reached for my glass and took a small sip, I had never tried this before but tonight was the night. Carefully I held the cold liquid in my mouth before I pushed my lips over the head of his cock. He shivered as I let the cold liquid and bubbles break over his skin before swallowing it down, now warmed from the heat of our bodies. I watched his expression.

  “Oh my god you can do that again” he exclaimed. I took another sip and repeated the move as I felt him harden even more. I was about to go for a third when he caught my hand and pulled me into his embrace.

  “If you do that again then this will be over before I've had the chance to please you” he groaned.

  “And that would never do” I said, pressing down onto his body as my lips caught his.

  We switched places as James swept first hands and then tongue over my body getting it to the tip of desire. Then as if it was our very first time he tenderly and infinitely slowly inched inside me. I throbbed around him as he held still and just stared directly into my eyes.

  “I absolutely adore you” he breathed before his lips claimed mine. As our bodies moved together I rose higher and higher with the tempo of his thrusts. It was like I was flying, swooping and gliding on the winds until the hot thermal took me to the pinnacle. It held me there for breathless minutes until I fell, spiralling back down to earth and the firm feel of James' body pressing atop of me.

  For moments after we lay connected, our eyes never broke apart and it was almost as if our souls were touching. Shakily James rolled off me before I snuggled into his arms.

  “I never dreamed this day would ever come”

  “I always held the wild hope that it would, and all thanks to our amazing children” he said, refusing to let go of Mitchell being his son. Tears fell softly down his cheek, the loss still so close to the surface. I kissed them away my own throat too tight to speak. I had no words to comfort him with as I knew that the pain was replicated within my daughter's heart. At least James had me beside him, my daughter was alone and struggling.