I glance around the kitchen to see his friend once again sitting there, his appearance becoming easier to look at. He is beautiful to say the least; tanned, muscley, perfect floppy brown hair and intense brown eyes. He gazes at me hungrily causing a slight throb inside me that I’m not quite sure how to deal with. It is a strange feeling, an unwanted and unneeded sensation.
Seated beside, I think he said his name was Ant, is another guy. He is average in build and height, nothing insanely tall like Leighton and Ant. “Hello Abbi, my name is Thomas. I am head chef here at Angelo’s, it’s a pleasure to meet you sweetheart.” I feel immediately comfortable around him; he releases this calming aura that soothes my trepidation or anxiety.
He speaks with a beautiful British accent, well spoken, almost aristocratic. He is handsome; jet black hair swept back smartly, dark eyes, perhaps even darker than Ant’s. His smile is so intoxicating I feel my cheeks stretch as my own beam surfaces, a proper smile for the first time in three years.
“Nice to meet you to Thomas. I love your food, I’ve eaten here a few times, but that was years ago. You are exceptionally talented.” I smile sadly at him, as I remember my foster parents again.
“God this smells so God damn good guys,” I say as I look at the bar laden with food, everything and anything available. It may be primarily an Italian restaurant but it has an awesome variety of food.
Leighton clears his throat, disrupting my gaze from Thomas’ mesmerising face. What is it with all three of them being so gorgeous? All in their own unique different ways, but surely it had to have been plotted and organised for Leighton to have such good looking friends. Even Heidi is stunning.
Leighton points to the buffet loaded with dozens of dishes. Pancakes to cereal, to waffles to eggs, bacon and sausage. “Please help yourself Abbi, and please, eat as much as you like.” Permission is all I need before I fill a plate full of the glorious food.
Twenty minutes of scoffing food in a frenzied pace like it will disappear if I don’t, I rub my very full and now rounded tummy for relief.
“I hope it was to your liking Abbi.” Leighton’s rich voice soothes me.
“It was delicious. Thank you so much.” I look to him, smiling shyly, taking in his beautiful face. “And thank you Thomas for making it all,” I say turning my face towards him once again. He makes me smile so hard, I don’t know what it is about him, but there is a warm, homely essence pouring from him, my body can feel the kindness and love that he holds.
“It's not a problem darling. You are always welcome.” He brushes his hands off on his apron and then unties the thing from his waist. “I’m sure I’ll see you soon Abigail, have a lovely day. I’m sure you’ll be pleasantly surprised when Leighton takes you home. You deserve the world sweetheart.” The kind words he says to me are making my eyes water and I try my hardest to keep the tears inside, the ones begging to spill free and stain my cheeks.
“Thank you, I’m just so grateful for everything.” I smile again sadly at him.
I turn to face the guy that had rescued me and offered me salvation. Leighton is seated next to me, I can feel the heat he exhumes surrounding me. For the first time since entering this building I take his appearance in properly. I had seen Ant and I had seen Thomas, but I have never really truly appreciated Leighton.
He is utterly perfect and seriously breath-taking. He has a strong jaw and cheekbones, a light dusting of dark hair across his chin. He has the most intense moss green eyes that sparkle in the florescent kitchen lights, framed by long lashes. Neat, combed over dark blonde, almost brown hair. He possesses a clearly muscular body, framed in an expensive looking suit. Through the top of the open buttons I can see the slight appearance of a blank inked tattoo, but I can’t be one hundred per cent sure. Full pale red lips that I could just nibble on are fixed to that handsome face and a beautiful straight pair of white teeth hidden behind the cupids bow.
A clearing of a voice disturbs me from my day dream.
“Like what you see?” His cheeky smile makes me flutter inside.
“You’re okay.” Nonchalance oozes from me. I haven’t had any attraction to another person for well over three years and I’m not ready to give into my body's reactions now. Three sexy men, all making me feel different things. I am well in over my head with the feelings and don’t know how to deal with them.
“Hmm. When you’re ready take a shower, I’ve had Heidi purchase a few items for you; they’re in your room. Meet me here when you’re done and we’ll head home.” ‘We’ll head home.’ Not ‘we’ll head to my house’, but 'we’ll head home', as in my home too. I feel a butterfly like sick feeling in my stomach, nerves infesting themselves deep within. I don’t want to disappoint this lovely, generous and kind man.
“Okay, I’ll see you soon. And thank you again. You truly are my hero.” A blush creeps across my face as I hop down off of the stool and walk from the room. I keep my head down, mentally slapping myself for being so damsel-in-distress like, desperate much?
I hear the other two men present in the room chuckle a little at my statement, making me turn crimson with embarrassment. I had completely forgotten their existence as my eyes had roamed Leighton’s body.
“Yes, soon Abigail.” The simplicity of the warning sends shivers through my body and kicks my legs into gear to hurry up and get myself in the shower so I can see where I will be living for the foreseeable future.
I practically jump into the water and back out again before exploring the bag of things bought for me.
A new bra and knickers set, a pair of jeans and a t-shirt, a slightly oversized hoodie and a pair of vans.
These things are mine. All mine. New!
I bring the clothes to my face and inhale the new fresh smell to them, water pooling in my eyes. They are tears of thanks and gratitude to God for finally hearing my prayers.
I shove the clothes onto my body, relishing in the feel of the expensive soft cotton on my sensitive skin. “Hmmm,” I sigh as my body wallows in the luxurious feel of something other than the paper thin scraps of material I am used to.
I tie the laces of my new shoes, standing up straight, placing my hands on my hips. I nod and smile at no one in particular as the excitement and anxiety of this new life hits me. “Let’s go home Abbi,” I tell myself, dragging my body from the bedroom in the apartment and down the stairs to seek out Leighton as ordered.
I find him in the kitchen, sitting and chatting to his two friends as he sips from a steaming coffee cup.
“That was quick.” He looks up from the rim of his mug, his lips still almost touching the ceramic. His eyes stare at me, smouldering me with their intensity.
“I didn’t want to disappoint you now, did I?” I tease him, trying to avoid getting flustered and overwhelmed by the raw masculine presence that surrounds and smothers every ounce of oxygen in the room.
“No you definitely wouldn’t want to do that Abbi,” Thomas says to me, laughing as he does.
I look to Leighton, wondering what Tom’s statement is even in regards to. I shake my head free of any thought even related to it.
I see the dangerous glare Leighton gives Tom from across the room. “Should we get going? I know I’m eager for you to get home.” And why would that be Mr Hero? Well that’s what I want to say after Thomas’ little revelation.
“Sure.” Is all I actually do say, my courage and girl balls not quite big enough yet to say something so suggestive.
He clasps my hand in his big one and leads me through the kitchen. “Bye boys, it was nice to meet you. Maybe I’ll see you around sometime soon?” I say to Ant and Thomas who remain seated at the island, drinking coffee and flicking through the morning paper.
“You too Abbi, you’ll definitely see us a lot, we practically live at the boss's place,” Thomas informs me, breaking from his morning routine.
“Ciao Bello,” Ant tells me in that liquid caramel voice. I don’t have a clue what he has said, but it doesn’t matter, it
still affects me all the same. I still dissolve into a big puddle of goo on the kitchen floor.
“Laters lads,” Leighton tells the pair of them as he continues to pull me through his restaurant and towards the rear door. Opening it he takes me back outside into the alleyway. I look to my now unoccupied pitch from last night, my last possessions missing. The one and only photo I had owned, the one with my family, the one with David, gone, and my very few personal things stolen.
Tears fall down my cheeks as I think that I will never be able to see David’s face again, never see the happiness and complete content I felt when I was there with him, Lisa and Carl. I’d completely forgotten about all of those bits when I was rescued last night.
“Abbi, what’s wrong?” Leighton’s worried voice calls to me, shaking me from my self-induced hurt. This was my fault, of course it was.
“My things, they’re all gone. David, he’s gone. My last ever picture with him.” I burst into tears, sobs erupting from my chest. My body shakes, the mere thought of never seeing him looking back at me, breaks my already cracked heart.
“Abbi, calm down, I collected your things last night. Some bits were missing but your picture was left behind.”
I throw my arms around him, sobbing into his neck. “Thank you Leighton. I don’t know how I deserved everything you’ve given me. I will never be able to repay you.” I continue to cry, soaking his very expensive looking shirt, a clear Versace symbol on the pocket. I try to estimate the expense of it, gathering it to be an easy three hundred pounds to buy.
“As I have already stated Abigail, you owe me nothing, nothing at all. Now let me get you home, get you settled in and then get to know each other a little better, okay?” His soft, nurturing voice calms me.
I pull away from his hold on me, noticing the wet patch now donning his shirt. “I’m sorry about the shirt. I will wash it for you when I get back to your house.” Yes that’s what I’ll do, I’ll wash it, do my bit to feel as though I’m helping.
“No need sweetheart, I’ll send it to the dry cleaners. Now follow me.” He reaches his masculine hand to me to take.
I hesitate in taking the outstretched palm, still feeling a slight anxiety around men. It has already eased somewhat since last night, but it is still there, still niggling at my insides. I do feel more sated with him than any other man since David, but he doesn’t have my one hundred per cent trust. Maybe one day I can learn to trust again, but today is not that day.
I place my trembling hand into his much larger one and follow his lead through the narrow dark street, the walls of the surrounding buildings blocking the morning sun from entering. We arrive at a small private car park, only one car parked there.
I swallow the huge lump formed within my throat. I had a hint he had a little money from owning Angelo’s, and by the beautiful clothes framing his even more beautiful body, but how much, I wasn’t certain.
Now, looking at the vehicle parked in its lonely space, all I can say is I was clearly mistaken. He is swimming in money and I fear this car isn’t going to be the last sign of that.
A pristine gleaming red Ferrari sits in the space. I can’t tell you the model because I’m not a car person, but this car, well let’s just say, I will certainly make the effort to learn some more about cars.
The sheer size of the beast intimidates me but beckons me to step closer. The black alloys sparkle in the sunlight, the black soft material roof demanding to be lowered.
“Wow. That’s yours?” I ask Leighton. Don’t ask me why I need confirmation. Not like being the only car in the car park could be the answer.
“It certainly is little lady. You like her?” Like her? I think I may have just cum in my new knickers for the first time in God knows how many years.
“Uh-ha,” I reply with a gulp that led to me leaving my jaw to hang loose, practically hitting the paved floor.
“Come on, don’t be afraid she doesn’t bite.” He grips my hand again and the electric spark I feel this second triggers a sensation deep in my body that is confusing, but so fucking welcomed.
He drags me even closer to the Ferrari.
He presses a button on the keys clasped in his hand; florescent orange lights illuminate the tiny car park, even in the bright sunlight the LED hazard lights flash visibly. He walks to the passenger door on the left of the car and opens it to let me in.
As the door opens, I am able to see the plush black leather seats, bucketing in their places. The black console donning a black wheel with a yellow Ferrari badge on.
I force another gulp.
The technology makes the mechanical beauty seem like a space craft. All touch screen Sat Nav/Stereo/Bluetooth phone/IPod Playlist.
Jesus, this guy has too much money.
“Get in Abbi, the seat will get cold if you don’t.” The cheeky grin he gives me as he helps me into the car makes my insides warm up and tingle.
I hear the door close on me somewhere in the background, my mind still struggling to absorb the reality of the sudden change in circumstances in my life.
How my life went from one day living on the streets, one set of underwear and clothes, no food, begging for scraps, being raped and attacked, to sleeping in soft cloud like beds, more food than someone could imagine, new clothes, driving in over a hundred thousand pounds worth of automobile. It was bonkers to say the least.
“So Abbi, are you ready to start your new life?” His voice distracts me from my day dream, my head shaking to clear the thoughts, a cloud like fog building in my eyes.
“Sorry. Yeah I’m ready, but I’m also scared and very nervous. I am so grateful for everything you have done; I just hope I don’t disappoint you,” I shyly reply, my nerves kicking up a notch as I hear him start the engine. He switches the heater on full to clear the ice that has coated the screen as the freezing conditions took affect overnight.
JESUS!
I let my eyes roll back in their sockets as the deep roar sounds from under the bonnet. The vibrations thrumming through the car simmer deep and low in my gut making it hard not to loudly moan!
“You could never disappoint me sweetheart, now please stop thinking all these negative thoughts. We’re going to spend some time talking and helping you get in a new frame of mind, okay? Let’s get going.”
He speeds out of the alley towards the main street. I relax back into the plush leather, the material cooling my overheating skin. It was in the minus degrees outside, the winter frost visible on the ground, the tiny puddles turned to ice.
We drive for what feels like an hour, neither one of us talking or making a sound other than our quiet breaths, sighs and sometimes the odd yawn.
“You tired Abbi?” Leighton asks me out of the blue.
“Not at all, just relaxed is all.” I turn and smile at him before returning my head to look out of the window.
After the hour passes, I see a sign telling me I am in Surrey, the green countryside rolling by, hill after hill and lush green trees after one another.
“It’s beautiful,” I verbally express my thoughts, having never seen the countryside. Growing up in London didn’t offer much chance to see it. Other than St James’ or Hyde Park, but I never had the chance to visit them.
“That it is. Sometimes I just look out to this landscape and feel so calm and at peace. It is truly breath-taking.” His calming sigh relaxes me further into the bucket seat.
After another ten minutes, that seem to go on for forever, we pull up to an enormous set of iron gates, automatically opening as the Ferrari nears.
We make our way down a winding driveway lined with trees and flowers to a house. No sorry, scrap that, that is not the appropriate word for what I see.
A mansion stands tall and proud at the end of the driveway, the size of the place is breath-taking. At least twenty windows frame the width, another four vertical. That’s a lot of fucking rooms. Ivy climbs the walls, framing the double dark wooded doors.
“W
ow.” I hadn’t realised I had said it out loud until I heard Leighton chuckle beside me.
“Come on.” He pulls open the handle to his door, manoeuvring his large body from the bucket seat. He appears at the passenger side, opening the door and placing his hand inside for me to take. I place my palm in his as I continue to gawp at the building in complete and utter amazement. I manage to get my feet firmly planted on solid ground as he places his hand on my lower back, guiding me from the car towards the steps leading to those doors. My own little stairway to heaven.
“Sure why not?” I say sarcastically laughing to myself.
Guiding me through the double doors he had already opened without any acknowledgment from me, I take in the lobby area. There is a sweeping staircase against both of the walls leading to the upper two floors, with gold fixtures and railings. Beautiful art work frame the entire length of both walls. I mentally ask myself why there are four vertical windows if only three floors.
“Basement.” Leighton tells me randomly, clearly seeing me struggle with my calculation of room.
“Oh, okay,” I reply looking in every direction from my fixed position in the entrance hall.
As I look ahead, between the staircase, I see a huge open ballroom type area, the sparkling chandelier seen gleaming from where I stood.
I feel myself already drawn to the beauty of it. My body follows my eyes to the crystals hanging from the centre of the open space.
“Jesus fucking Christ, Leighton!” An easy ten thousand square feet of space appears before me, gleaming wood floors blinding me at a first glance.
The chandelier takes my eyes again. The multitude of colour that was being propelled onto the walls and ceiling like a rainbow prism, its colours being projected onto any available surface including me, made me smile wide. Belle and the Beast was the first thing that came to my mind.
The floor to ceiling wooden framed windows catch my eyes, they surround the whole perimeter of the room. Looking out of the closest one, the golden curtains pulled back, I see the view. There is a breath-taking array of greenery and woodland in the distance. The rolling hills filled with beautiful delicate flowers. The odd pond was scattered throughout the land.
Deliverance (The LockDown Series Book 1) Page 5
