“The boss wants me to hang around in case you need anything - I’m going to go have my butties now in the van but feel free to call if you need me to fluff some pillows for Ya.” His voice is heavily laced with sarcasm and I roll my eyes.
“I’m fine thanks, Mike. I know this is rather tedious for you but we’re nearly done and the lads have done a brilliant job.”
If he’s surprised at my compliment, despite his rudeness he doesn’t dwell on it, instead tipping his hard-hat in my direction, before heading out the door. He usually worked with Chris on site and I could see now that they were well-suited - both grumpy bastards.
“What did Site-Foreskin want?”
I glance over my shoulder as my assistant walks through the room, and snigger at Jack’s new nickname for Dave, it suited him perfectly. “I don’t think he’s impressed that Seb has him doing such menial tasks.”
“We…ll, I wouldn’t want to be in his shoes if Mr. Silver finds out he’s being an arse about it.”
“Well, let’s not tell him then - agreed?”
“Ok. Your call. But if he continues being a prick I’m going to have to bring out the big guns.”
I raise my brows in question.
“Milky tea’s are on me!”
I nod with a wide grin. “The curse of all builders.”
“Of course. Speaking of tea - milk two sugars?”
“Ahh, you’re my saviour, Jacks.”
“Not a problem. Be back in a tick. I am designated Tea-body today but I don’t mind, its firming up my gluts climbing all these stairs.”
“Seriously, you’re a star but remember, I need your talents in the cushion arranging department - you have the knack.”
She preens under my compliment. “Really? Well, I’ll be back soon. The rooms are looking fab…u…lous, Lucia. I mean it.”
I step back and allow my eyes to wander around the mini-suite we are currently in. She was right, it looked great. The grey, red and black colour scheme had worked perfectly and all the sumptuous fabrics when combined were rich and opulent, yet maintained an airy feel to the room, that I hadn’t expected but worked famously. They were rooms to make love in and dream within.
“Just the honeymoon suite to finish up tomorrow now.”
Jacks smiles at me. “Nearly there - although after these, I have a feeling we are going to be here on and off for some time re-vamping all the other rooms. James will die when he sees the finished articles. Can’t believe he’s had the willpower to steer clear all this time. Right - be back soon and I’ll help you with the throws.”
I wave without looking back and lift the steamer from its holder, firing out a blast of warm air to the charcoal velvet quilted bed throw. Everything had to be perfect for tomorrow’s event. James Marcell was inviting many local businesses and new potential clients, plus there would the Press here and that was always good for Elysium. That reminds me, I need to make sure we take plenty of photos and upload them to our website and Facebook page.
I consider Jackie’s words about James and have to agree, the man certainly had willpower. I just hope he’ll be bowled over with the end results - maybe I do need to get Col in here naked to soften the blow if the job’s not to his liking. I shake my head at my dirty mind - Colin was definitely rubbing off on me. See I can’t get away from the dirty talk now!
My phone rings loudly in my pocket, making me jump and I smile as I see Seb’s name. “Hello, Lucia Myers’. How can I help you?”
“Now… that’s a question; one with so many loaded answers to it…”
“Well I’m rather busy at the moment but if you would like to call my office and schedule an appointment…” I smirk coyly, knowing I’m goading him.
“What are you doing right this minute?”
“I’m about to fuss with the curtains at The Ashton. It’s starting to look a fait accompli.”
“Why, Madam Myers you sound awfully sexy when you speak French.”
I chuckle at his silly comment. “Do I now? Well… let me hear you speak the language of lurve to moi?”
“Regarde mon pantalon nouveau.”
I burst out laughing at his heavily put on Yorkshire accent laced with Peter Sellers French. “You daft thing - what the heck did you say?”
“You are regarded as my new most favourite thing.”
“No, you didn’t!” Did he? I’d never been very good at French at school.
“Alright - perhaps it wasn’t that per se but that’s what I was thinking. What I really said in appallingly broken French was ‘check out my new trousers’ - it’s all I know; well, other than the usual… voulez vous coucher avec moi…..”
“Of course you’d know that one, every man does - that phrase I get but why would you know how to say ‘look at my new trousers’ in French?”
His deep laugh, encourages my own from me. I like hearing him laugh, that softer freer side. “It’s a long story, lady…”
“Ok. Nuff said.” I don’t think I want to know more, I figure it involves women and that makes my skin itch. “Right, Mr. Silver, you are delaying me from work and I need to crack on. What can I do you for?”
“Nothing. I just wanted to hear your voice.”
I melt inside and sigh happily as I take a step up the first rung of the ladder, located at the windows. “So, you’ve heard it now - is it enough?”
“Not nearly. Now all I want to do is drive over and test out one of those new beds. I’m becoming rather partial to that place. I could be there in 15, I’m on my way to a meeting.”
I’m four rungs up when I begin to feel dizzy and I stumble clattering on the metal ladder.
“Lu? Baby? You OK?”
Whoah… “I’m fine I just feel a bit dizzy.”
“What’s with all the banging - where are you?”
“Up a ladder.”
“Bloody hell, Lu - whilst you’re on the phone? Get your tight little arse down now and take a breather. You’re doing too much. I know you, and you’ll work until you’re a zombie to get the job done.”
“Like minds hey?” I joke but shake my head to focus properly - my vision is fuzzy. “I’ll be… fine… just feel a bit light-headed… that’s…all.” My words are slowing and slurred and I begin to wobble, stepping down two rungs, instead of one, causing me to fall backwards into thin air.
“”Lu? Lu?”
I can hear his voice, yelling at me angrily in the distance but it’s no good, I can’t respond as my hand loses it’s grip on the phone and it falls to the floor below with a crash.
“I’m here, sorry I dropped the phone. I’m ok. Seb? Seb?”
I check the screen to see if we’re still connected. We’re not, and he’s gone. “Oh well. I needed to work anyway.” I speak into the now empty room. God I really need that sweet tea now, I feel very wobbly. I take a seat on the window box and close my eyes… just need a moment of stillness… to ease the spinning top that is my head. I’ll be fine in a minute. I haven’t got time for any delays.
*****
This is where Jackie finds me a short while later, a look of concern across her face. “Lu, are you alright? You look drip white?”
“I’m absolutely fine. Just had a bit of a dizzy spell on the ladder, that’s all - I’ve never been good with heights.” Yeah, it was definitely the heights, I convince myself.
“Here have a sip of this - I’ll be back in a jiffy. Leave the curtains, I’ll get one of the workmen to sort it.” She places a china teacup, in a saucer on the window ledge next to me and smiles comfortingly before rubbing my shoulder. “This will calm you, or rather be the calm before the storm in a teacup.”
“Eh?”
“You’ll see.” She raises her penciled brows and holds up the tray of mugs adding, “I’ll give these to the lads; they’re working in Room 40 now and then I’ll be back.”
I smile my thanks to her and take a sip of the Earl grey, laced with sugar - it hits the spot instant
ly and makes me feel less drippy within seconds. I hate weakness. Maybe Seb was right? I’d just been overdoing it lately?
I take the time to review the room and from my perch, notice a few areas that needed attending to - I probably wouldn’t have seen them had I not stopped and I make a mental note to crack on with them later.
Checking my watch I can see that I’ve dallied for too long, its been twenty minutes and I haven’t five, let alone twenty to spare in my ridiculous schedule, so on a sigh I’m about to get back to it when the door to the suite is thrown open with a bang and Sebastian blasts into the space like a whirlwind.
“Where is she? Fuck! Lu?” His dark chocolate eyes scan the room before resting on me with open relief. “Lu! Ah, Lu… baby… Are you OK?”
My head snaps up at his noisy entrance and I put my hands up in defence. “Whoa, I’m fine. What are you doing here?”
He’s on me in seconds, his hands on my body, my neck, at my face, inspecting every part of me, his face pained and jaw tense until finally his examination complete, he enfolds me against his body so tight I struggle to breathe.
I push against his chest in defiance. “Seb?”
“What the fuck, Lu? I thought you’d fallen off the bloody ladder that’s what I’m doing here. Why are you climbing ladders? That’s why I sent Dave and the lads to help you finalise things, so you wouldn’t be in this position?” His face is tense, as he rubs his hand across his head anxiously and my eyes drop to his mouth which is a firm line of disapproval.
“Seb I’m fine. I’m just not good with heights. You didn’t need to come rescue me.”
“I’ll be the bloody judge of that.”
Ever the control freak.
“I’m OK.” I mumble, annoyed at his dramatics. “I can look after myself.”
“I know that. But now I’m here, so you don’t have to. Do you still feel dizzy?”
“I don’t think so - I’ve just got a bit of a headache. I’ll take some paracetamol in bit.”
“Where are they?”
“In my bag, why?”
He scans the room and locates it in the corner of the room, then brings it to me and flicks his hand in the direction of the fastening.
“What?”
“Well, take the pills then.”
“Oh for goodness sake. I’m fine, really.”
“Well, you’ll be even better after you’ve got rid of your headache.”
On a frustrated sigh I unzip my bag, rummage around and lift out the strip of pills I’d grabbed this morning off the counter, then pop two out and throw them in my mouth angrily. He hands me my tea and I take a gulp, cringing as some of the coating from the tablet grates against my inner throat. “Happy?”
“Very.”
He steps forward and I automatically step back. “Sebastian…” My voice trails off as I watch him remove his suit jacket and tie and place them over the chair arm, before first rolling up one sleeve, then the other of his pale blue shirt. “What are doing?”
“Mucking in! Now where’s your list?”
“What list?”
His eyes full of mirth he raise his brows. “Don’t play games, Lu - well not now, maybe later.” I try not to give-in to my smile at his sexy wink. “The inordinately detailed and ridiculously anal list that you carry round with you, that you tick off as you complete each task. You know the one and so do I, you always have a list. Now cough up?”
I chew my inside lip in annoyance at his excellent detective skills, before reaching across to my file and extracting the most up-to-date, snagging to-do-list for the The Ashton and pass it over to his outstretched hand.
He exhales loudly. “Thank you. Now you sit. I will go see what the men are up to and we’ll see about getting these rooms ship-shape.”
“They are nearly completed, I’m honestly fine.” I add quietly. Part of me is over the moon that he is being so alpha and caring, the other is frustrated that all of a sudden I can’t seem to manage in all areas of my life without him. I swore I’d never rely on a man so heavily again.
“Well, if that’s the case then we’ll get sorted sooner. This benefits me too you know? I won’t have you draining yourself to the point of exhaustion at work - there’ll be nothing left of you for me to enjoy. No, the draining part is my job - exhaustion should come from sexual pleasure not work, baby. Work can cause tiredness, yes and gratification but I will be the one to make you dizzy - make your head spin and knees buckle. Do you hear me. No. More. Ladders! Ok?”
“Ok.”
“Good. I’m here now, baby. Let me in, please and let me fucking help. God this holiday couldn’t have come at a better time! You are going to relax, even if it means tying you to the bed for the whole week.”
I feel a blush begin across my chest and make its way up to my cheeks and we lock eyes. His fingers stroke my neck and I find myself leaning into his strength.
“Oh, you like the sound of that do you, beautiful?”
I nod, unable to speak, my throat dry at just the thought of what his words could entail.
“Don’t you worry I’m going to take care of you and it all starts this weekend. This weekend we’ll have fun. You just need to let your guard down. I know you find it tough but I’m not going anywhere.”
I already feel better, his words comforting, like a security blanket yet at the same time all I want to do is pull back the freshly made bedlinen, climb underneath and have him fuck me senseless.
It feels so good to feel supported and protected - maybe I could just enjoy it for a little while and stop worrying about my independence? He said he’s not going anywhere - at least not until our negotiated month is up. After that, who knows?
*****
I listen to Finn’s happy chatter next to me in the passenger seat as we make our way to The Ashton through the lush Yorkshire Dales. Ariana Grande blares from the radio and we sing in unison, giggling at my attempts to reach the high notes; I fail miserably but it humours Finn so it’s worth it. I’d grabbed him from Kiddi-Crèche, nipped back home and thrown our bags in the boot before heading off early in the hope we could get settled and do any last minute finishing touches before the gang arrived.
“Are we nearly there yet, Mummy?”
Ah, the eternal question on a child’s lips in a car journey. “Nearly, baby. Here, look we just need to go up this long drive and right at the end, you’ll see the hotel - it’s massive!”
We weave our way up the sweeping drive and I continually take quick glances at Finn’s face to capture his expression when he claps eyes on the place he’ll be staying the night in. He doesn’t disappoint and his little jaw drops dramatically when he see The Ashton for the first time.
“Wowsers!”
“Impressive huh?”
“Its like Sub’s house.”
I chuckle at his exaggeration. “Well not quite - Seb’s is big, yes but nothing compared to this Sweetheart - then again this isn’t a home anymore, it’s a business. It has over sixty bedrooms!”
Parking up, we take a minute to enjoy the view of the lake, resplendent and spilled out like a welcome carpet. I’d never get bored of this place. Definitely the best job I’d ever had the privilege of working on. “Right you, let’s go get booked in and we’ll go see about getting you some snacks - I don’t know about you, but I’m ready for some cake?”
“Yay - cake. Can I have the hot scones you told me about when you came last time with jam Mummy?”
“I think that can be arranged for such a cute little man. We’ll make sure we ask for extra slugs and worms in yours, yes?”
“Eew - yuk!”
I laugh at his screwed up face. “Come on, out you get.”
We head up the impressive entrance, through the huge doors, which are open for us, and go past the sparkling bay trees, with fairy lights that twinkle at all hours of the day and I listen to Finn’s ooh’s and ahh’s - he’s not bothered about the details I’m interested in, he’s already se
en the curved staircase and bannister, and is trying to work out the logistics of how and when he can slide his little butt down it, without being caught.
“Bout time you two got here!” Colin’s hysterical whine hits us the second we reach the foyer and I wink at Finn to make sure he knows that the crazy man in a buttercup yellow Pringle jumper, red skinny jeans and white leather shoes is not crazy (honest!).
“Darling, are you stressing? That’s not like you.” The sarcastic lilt to my voice is extremely apparent.
“Sarcasm doesn’t DD-breasted suit you, Lucia - I’m not stressing per se, just feeling a tad overrun - Jamesy has me running my tight little butt all over this mausoleum, making it look pretty.” His pout makes my grin widen. “I don’t know who I work for anymore you or the client, my boyfriend or my boss - it’s all just too much!”
“Oh the drama! Right. Let me book in, get Finn settled and I’ll come assist, I need to do my final checks anyway - give me half an hour; sound good?”
“That would be great, doll - I’ll go check on the flowers for the rooms. They should be here now?”
“Who did you place the order with?”
“Fresh Water Couture like you told me - well Jacks did.”
“Oh well then, nothing to worry about; they’ll be here. Off you go and take a chill pill. You’re not usually so on edge.”
He nods in agreement but shuffles away muttering to himself like a crazy person. Finn has an incredulous look on his face, which promptly reminds me that he’s not used to Colin’s full-on emotional tantrums. I forget how accustomed I’ve become to the force that is Monsieur Duttine and I grab his hand and explain in detail how Mummy’s friend was upset because he’d not had his quota of M&M’s today. He’d just decided to dress like one instead. This seems to explain everything to Finn and he shrugs it all off with a ‘whatever - grown-ups can be weird’.
The One Addicted (The One Trilogy Book 2) Page 10
