I shake my head.
“And her not turning up today was the final straw,” he says, and then pauses. “Well, that and the sex wasn’t really doing it for me anymore either…”
“I was a little surprised,” I say to him. “I was wondering if maybe she did give the lovecake to you after all.”
“Oh, God, can you imagine?” he cracks up. “How dreadful!
“But you weren’t being very subtle about lusting over Jackson, so I guess that proves it.”
“Oh, I’ve definitely still got it, darling.” he winks and grabs his phone. Scrolls through the messages until the name Darren Handyman comes up, the new maintenance guy for our building, with a message far saucier than I ever would have given him credit for!
“Danny and Darren, eh?” I say, smiling. “He is cute, I’ll give you that.” I suddenly glance at my phone. “Eek, it’s almost six.”
“So…” Danny yells, running to my bedroom. “It’s the night for Jessica Rabbit to come out.” He flings open my wardrobe doors and pulls out the gorgeous dazzling red number. “Oh wow,” he mutters. “I can’t wait to see you in this incredible get up.”
“Yeah,” I say. “I can’t believe I’ve finally got a chance to wear it.”
“What bag?” he asks. “And which shoes?” He starts rummaging through my wardrobe, discarding items on the floor. A boot comes flying out and I move to avoid it. He turns to look at me. “What are you standing there for? Go and shower and I’ll sort out the accessories,” he orders.
I nod and jump to it.
Chapter Fifty-One
Jackson
It’s just before seven but I can’t wait any longer. I can’t wait to see her in the dress with the slit that stops in the middle of her left thigh. I straighten my jacket in the mirror and study my reflection. Not too bad. Then I slam the door behind me and hurry over to hers.
“Hey,” I say to Danny as he swings open the door.
“I hope you’re ready for her,” he says with a wide grin.
“I am.”
“Grid your loin man. You’re not going to want her out of your sight tonight, that’s for sure.”
When I see her, I know what he means. She’s a vision in red. The dress hugs her beautiful curves in the most amazing way. There is just enough cleavage without being slutty. As she walks towards me, the dress floats open at the side. The slit revealing one of her beautiful long legs, her feet are encased in dainty silver heels. She looks like…
“Wow,” I say. “Wow!” It’s all I can manage to utter right then.
She giggles, blushing. Her face unforgettable. A camera in my head snaps that moment. She will live forever in my head in this perfect moment. The dress, the hair, the shoes, the slit, the innocent look in her eyes.
“Not too much, is it?” she asks, twirling in front of me.
“You look… unbelievable.” I take her hand and pull her towards me, kissing her full on the lips.
She kisses me back and we stand there just staring into each other’s eyes.
“You look unbelievable too,” she whispers in my ear. Then she raises her chin and nibbles my ear lobe. Hell, it makes me want to take her straight to bed. My mind wanders to thoughts of the hotel room I’ve booked for tonight and I’m wishing we could skip the damn ball and head straight there.
“Don’t mind me,” Danny teases.
We both remember and turn to look at him. He’s laughing softly. He’s a cool guy, I think. Lauren’s lucky to have a friend and roommate like him.
Danny makes a shooing movement with his hands. “Go on. Take Jessica Rabbit to the ball.”
Jessica Rabbit. Yes, Lauren Appleton is Jessica Rabbit in disguise.
I check my watch. “I guess we should go… although I don’t really want to go anywhere with you looking like this. I’d rather keep you to myself.”
She grins. “Don’t you dare after all the effort Danny put into my appearance.”
“True,” I murmur. “We better get out of here then. Are you ready?”
She grabs her purse and a small overnight bag which I take from her.
“Wait!” Danny yells as we make towards the door. “I want a photo of the gorgeous couple!”
I don’t tell him I’ve already taken a photograph—one that will last forever.
Chapter Fifty-Two
Lauren
Despite all Jackson’s efforts to calm me down on the way to the ball, I’m still feeling anxious when we arrive at the venue. We walk arm in arm through the grand entrance of the Fairmont Hotel.
“Have you ever been here before?” he asks.
“Once,” I say, looking around the huge lobby in awe. “But only because Nina was dying to go for a pee after we’d been drinking in a bar down the street.”
He laughs. “It’s pretty spectacular, isn’t it?”
“Yeah, from what I remember, the restrooms were bigger than my whole house.”
“Wait till you see the rooms,” he says, winking.
“Are we staying here?” I ask wide-eyed, as I follow him towards the elevators.
“We are,” he drawls, and presses one of the buttons on the panel.
I feel a flutter in my stomach as we wait for it to ascend. Down a long corridor, he pulls a room card from his pocket and swipes it across the reader on one of the dark wood doors. The light turns green and he opens it wide for me.
“After you, my Miss Appleton.”
All I can do is gasp as I look around the suite. It’s ridiculously huge and extravagant. We’re standing in the living room, full of regal armchairs, a luxurious leather couch, a beautiful rug adorning the floor and a chandelier hanging from the ceiling.
Jackson opens another door which leads to an equally huge bedroom.
I gasp with delight. The luxurious bed is covered in red rose petals and there is a fresh bouquet of roses next to the bed too, giving off an exquisite scent. He puts my bag on a shelf next to his and I realize he must have checked in earlier, while I was getting ready.
“Like it?”
“It’s unbelievable!” I gush, looking up at him. “I love it. Are we really staying here tonight?”
“I figured we may as well make a night of it. And day… I’ve arranged a late check out tomorrow. I thought we could make use of the spa.”
“This is amazing. Thank you so much, Jackson. You really didn’t need to do this. We could have just gone back to your house afterwards, it’s not exactly far, and I would have loved it just as much.” The cab ride had lasted all of fifteen minutes.
He pulls me towards him and kisses me, looking deep into my eyes, making my heart melt. “I wanted to. I wanted to do something special for you. To say thank you for coming. And to make up for being an idiot about the whole Matthew thing.”
I laugh. “Ah, in that case… please feel free to mess up again if this is how you make it up to me.”
He beams, then checks his watch. “Pre-dinner cocktails are at eight. We shouldn’t be late. But we have just enough time to enjoy the view from the balcony.”
“Balcony?”
But he’s already taken my hand, and leading me back to the living room. He pulls the heavy curtains back to reveal beautiful cast-iron French windows which he opens wide. “Here,” he says, draping a plush blanket over my shoulders.
I follow him out and we’re greeted with the most wonderful view of the city. The night lights are sparkling and we can see all the way to Fisherman’s Wharf and the Golden Gate Bridge.
A bottle of champagne on ice is waiting for us on the table with two glasses and he pops it open with a quiet hiss, then pouring the delicious fizzy liquid into the champagne flutes.
I hug the blanket around me in the cool evening breeze and take the glass he hands to me. I look up at him and smile. This has got to be the best date ever!
“To us,” he says, his gorgeous eyes twinkling, dimples out in full force.
“To us,” I echo quietly. I love him so much it feels as if my heart wil
l burst.
We clink and drink. I savor the delicate taste, the bubbles fizzing in my throat. He puts his arm around me and we take in the breathtaking view.
Standing here in contented silence…I couldn’t be happier.
Chapter Fifty-Three
Jackson
I check my watch, but we still have a few moments alone before we need to join the party.
“I haven’t seen you wearing this watch before,” she says, admiring it, touching it with her delicate fingers.
“It’s my grandfather’s. I only wear it for my father’s sake.”
“It’s beautiful.” Her eyes are shining with excitement.
I’m glad my surprise has gone down well. She looks unbelievably beautiful tonight and I’m so proud to be taking her as my date. Although, I have to admit, I wish we could skip the ball altogether.
“What are you thinking?” she asks, smiling up at me.
“Just that I wish we could stay here all night, just you and me. Order room service and more champagne…”
“That does sound amazing.” She giggles. “But I think your Dad would kill you. And me too, probably.”
“You’re right there,” I nod, grinning at how well she knows my Dad already. “But we’ll have plenty of time here alone later and tomorrow.”
“I’m ready when you are,” she says, sipping the last of her champagne.
“One more thing,” I say and when she looks up at me again, I wrap my arms around her slender figure and kiss her softly. The kiss gets deeper and my cock gets harder. Now I know it’s definitely time to leave. I take her hand to lead her back to the elevator and up to the top floor.
There’s already a crowd of people milling around outside the main room, drinking champagne, chatting, nibbling on canapés. I glance around but I can’t see my parents. A waiter approaches us with a tray and I take two champagne flutes, handing one to Lauren.
She smiles and thanks me, but her hand shakes.
“Are you nervous?” I ask her.
“Yeah, a little,” she admits. “I’ve never been to such a glamorous event. Everyone looks so…amazing.”
“No-one looks as good as you,” I whisper and it’s true. She’s the most stunning woman here and I can feel people looking at us already.
“Jackson! Lauren!”
It’s Mom. She hugs me and then Lauren, beaming at us. “Oh, Lauren you look stunning,” she compliments. “Now come with me and I’ll show you to our table. Jackson, your father is preparing for his speech but he’ll be with us shortly.”
I squeeze Lauren’s hand as we make our way through clusters of smiling chatting people to the main room where the round tables are slowly filling.
“Here we are,” she says as we get to one by the window. We find the place settings with our names and take a seat.
Chapter Fifty-Four
Lauren
I gaze around the room, still taking all of it in. At the tables decorated with floral center pieces, at the massive chandelier, the waiters gliding by, the flamboyant outfits in the room, at the cards explaining that it’s been 110 years since the hotel opened its doors to guests for the first time, along with some other historical facts about the place. I’m glad these things distract me from the monotonous speeches.
Dessert is brought to our table. Delicate filo pastry parcels filled with rich gooey dark chocolate with a tiny jug of caramel sauce to pour over the top. And finally, there’s a round of applause as the last speech is over.
“I hope it wasn’t too boring for you, Lauren,” Jackson’s Mom says to me.
“Oh no, not at all. I’ve enjoyed the evening, thank you.”
His Dad starts laughing. Jackson was right, the change in him is astounding. He’s been charming all night. “You don’t need to humor us,” he says, grinning, his eyes twinkling just like Jackson’s. “I’m sure there are a hundred places you’d rather be tonight!”
I smile. He’s trying to put me on the spot. “I wouldn’t say that,” I protest. “It’s not often I get the chance to dress up and come to such a beautiful place. Some of the speeches were a little…well, long, but yours I very much enjoyed. And the food has been fantastic.”
I take a spoonful of desert as if to prove my point.
“I see,” his Dad continues. “And what, if I may ask, did you particularly enjoy about my speech?”
I rack my brain trying to remember something notable. But all I can think of is how proudly he spoke of the industry and in regards to Jackson. “I just thought it was very heartfelt and genuine.”
“It was, Dad. It was great,” Jackson interjects.
I squeeze Jackson’s leg under the table for coming to my rescue, and he smiles indulgently at me.
“So, did David forgive you for not going to Tahoe?” his Mom asks.
He laughs. “It was Joe who was the main problem. He is still mad at me for ruining his party, David was cool about it. We sorted it out. He understood.”
“I’m looking forward to meeting the mysterious Pamela,” his mother says.
This got my attention. Pamela? And Pam’s bridegroom is called David. It can’t be… Surely not. “Hang on a minute,” I interject. “Pamela?”
“Yes, David met her in Africa, isn’t that right, Jackson?”
“What’s the date of the wedding?” I ask, my brain whirring away.
Jackson’s looking at me, confused. Then he clicks. “Your friend, Pam? No way! It’s… umm.”
“It’s on the 6th,” his Mom finishes for him, and then turns to me in surprise. “Do you know Pamela, Lauren?”
“I can’t believe it,” I say. “Yes, it must be the same Pamela and David.”
“This is crazy,” Jackson says, shaking his head, laughing.
“She’s been one of my best friends since high school,” I explain to his parents. “I’m going to be one of her bridesmaids.”
“So I guess you didn’t need to invite Lauren, after all!” His dad says with a laugh. “She’s a more important guest than you.”
“It means I can take Danny as my plus one instead of you,” I tell Jackson, winking. I can’t wait to text Pam and tell her the strange coincidence.
We file out of the room after dinner, back to the hall where we started the evening. There’s a bar at one end and a band at the other. They start playing some old songs from the sixties, music that reminds me of my childhood.
“Wanna dance?” Jackson asks me.
I don’t know if I can still remember how to waltz, but I nod.
He takes my hand, leads me to the middle of the floor where other couples are swaying. His arm wraps around my waist and mine around his shoulders. Then he twirls me away. It is like a dream. Looking into his eyes, I couldn’t be happier.
“Your Dad’s like a different person,” I say to Jackson.
“I know, I’m so glad he’s happier. For Mom’s sake more than anything.”
I giggle. “I know all about difficult fathers! You’ll have to meet my Dad soon.”
“I’d love to. You don’t talk about him very much.”
“I guess I’m closer to my Mom. Dad always wanted a son I think.”
“Aw, how wrong he was. You’re perfect. I’m sure he would have been proud of you tonight. You look amazing!”
I smile. “I’m glad everyone else is really dressed up too. I was worried everyone would be looking at me.”
“Oh, they were.” He winks at me. “Every single guy in the room was jealous of me tonight.”
“Stop it!” I hit him playfully, trying to not blush.
“Let’s go get a cocktail,” he says as the song comes to an end.
His parents are at the bar, smiling at us and to my amusement Jackson looks a little embarrassed.
We say our goodbyes and wave them off, and as soon as they’re out of sight, Jackson turns to me then kisses me long and deep, hugging me tight. “Shall we get out of here?”
I nod. I’ve been longing to be alone with him again!
> We slip out of the venue and back upstairs to our beautiful room where more flowers have been delivered and a fresh bottle of champagne is awaiting us in the living room. Jackson pops it open and we toast to a successful night. To be honest, I’m a little relieved it’s all over, although it was much better than I’d expected.
He catches my hand, pulling me towards him. He strokes my face, and looking deep into my eyes, captures my lips in a fiery kiss. Then when he pulls his lips from mine, he states, “I am the luckiest man in the world. Do you know why?”
“Tell me,” I ask, pretending to be so sophisticated by rolling my eyes.
“Because…I get to see what’s underneath the dress,” he replies as his hand goes around to my back and gently pulls the zipper all the way down, letting the dress fall to the floor. “You are stunning, Appleton,” he growls fiercely.
I feel a lurching sensation in my chest, then his hands start gliding over my naked torso, cupping my breasts, and gently pinching my nipples, making me gasp. I’ve never wanted anyone so much in my life.
He scoops me up with ease and carries me, naked but for the smallest red thong in the world, to the bedroom. I let out a yelp when he throws me onto the huge bed. Petals fly everywhere. He takes off my shoes one by one, carefully undoing the tiny buckles and tossing them on the floor.
I lie there and look up at him in awe. Watching as he unbuttons his shirt and flings it away. My eyes feast on his toned and tanned beautiful body. There’s nothing more that I want than to feel his naked flesh on mine.
I sit up and crawl towards him, our eye contact so intense I can’t look away. Reaching for his pants, I unbuckle his belt, undo the top button, and very, very, very slowly pull the zipper down. I run my hands over his black briefs, his cock already beautifully hard.
Jackson groans low in his throat as I touch him.
The Magic Cupcake Page 19
