We head over to the reception desk where Debbie, James’ PA who is deep in conversation, with one of the managers, breaks off to give us a warm welcome and make a fuss of Finn. She then takes time out of her busy schedule to book us in personally and arranges for our bags to be taken to the room. The woman endears herself to me every time I meet her - and if she didn’t work for James, I’d poach her for my own business - she was organised to a tee. Debbie assures us that apart from Colin, who practically lives here now anyway, we are the first of our party to arrive and that tonight we will have an intimate dinner for 12 in The Hudson Suite. She provides Finn with a small carrier bag filled with all manner of colouring materials and stickers and orders afternoon tea for us to eat in the library in 15 minutes.
Exactly 15 minutes later we arrive downstairs and head for our refreshments. I can see red and yellow flashes, fluttering around like a butterfly in each room but until Finn is settled I am not getting involved; besides I need this time with him. We are just about to take a seat in front of the large Georgian window on a bright fuchsia velvet sofa, when an immaculately dressed waiter presents our afternoon tea and cakes, served on a tea trolley, complete with doilies and crisp white linen napkins and then I smile when I see that Debbie has ordered Finn a large chocolate milkshake with a chocolate hollow straw and topped with marshmallows. Perfect, and it makes my little boy exceedingly happy and quiet for the next few minutes.
I can’t believe that it’s only been a little over a month since I was sitting in this same room, giving the pitch of my life to James Marcell and now we were here to celebrate the results. How much had changed in that time - what a whirlpool of emotions I’d been through and yet next to me, this content young man, oblivious to it all was unaffected and that made my heart ache with pride. My one fear about dallying with sex and romance again was that it would affect Finn and to-date I’d managed to keep him separate.
It helps that you are boning his Godfather my inner voice reminds me. It also helps that your colleague is boning your client - whilst he was kept happy in bed, you could have creative license in all other areas and I know that James’ fondness for Colin has encouraged his zest with this refit. This had been one time that Colin’s flirtations had paid off.
I return my attention to the window and can see that several other cars have now arrived and are parked uniformly next to mine. One in particular is like a beacon on the map; it’s silver tone winking in the sunlight. No Ralph today then. This immediately makes me remember our time upstairs only days before, seriously making up for lost time, before Ralph drove us home. Sebastian was here.
I can feel my pulse quicken just at the mere thought that he is close by and begin to fuss nervously with my hair and check my appearance in my compact. I wonder if he’ll go straight up to the room or have a wander around first? Should I call him?
“Sub!” Finn’s squeal of delight is enough of an answer and I turn in my seat to face the doorway, where Finn is now running full-pelt towards an incredibly sexy Seb, dressed in smart dark jeans, pale blue shirt and wax jacket. Utterly irresistible - how does he manage that - to look perfect in every setting? Country gent with a sexy edge - I’m fleetingly reminded of Colin’s tweed monstrosity and I smile to myself.
Capturing the missile in his arms Sebastian picks him up and tickles him incessantly until he screams, “I give in, I give in Sub.” and I smile. There are no other residents in the lounge or library area at present so it can’t offend anyone to hear children’s laughter. I’m happy to let him have some fun.
“So then, what have my two favourite people been up to? Business lunch?” his brow lifts jauntily.
“No silly, I’m too young for a business meeting. We’ve just had scones with jam and cream and tons of melted butter and then I had a chocolate milkshake and I met Colin again and he wants M&M’s!”
“Wow! No more sugar for you jabberwocky.”
I giggle at that, we’d always called him that when he chattered without a pause and then snigger further when I watch Seb mouth, “Random?” at me with crinkles at the corner of his twinkly black eyes, before saying to Finn, with a cheeky wink in my direction. “Mate, did you know the human head weighs 8lbs?”
God I could eat him up. Never mind M&M’s I’d be very happy with a big serving of Sebastian with a Silver spoon. He already screamed hot but quoting Tom Cruise from Jerry McGuire is my undoing. This weekend was going to be fun, if a little sexually frustrating until Finn leaves for his time with his father.
“What you up to now, guys? Can I tempt you to a walk around the grounds?”
“Yay! Can we, Mum? This place is mahoosive!”
“Unfortunately, I can’t as I need to check the bedrooms to see that all is in order for tomorrow’s open house, buuut… I can take you in about an hour?”
Finn’s bottom lip juts in disappointment. “But we just got here, Mummy and you have to work already.”
“I tell you what, how’s about you and I go look around the hotel and leave your Mum in peace, that way she’ll get it all done quicker, then we can meet up to get ready for tonight’s meal.”
I silently thank Seb over Finn’s head and squeeze my boy before reaching up on tiptoes and kissing my man’s cheek, lingering a little longer than necessary, then I whisper seductively in his ear, “You are so on a promise tomorrow night, Silver.”
I find Colin flapping in the Honeymoon Suite, one arm cradling fluffy white snowball
chrysanthemums the other flinging gestures at two hotel employees now nervously cowering in the corner of the room, beetroot from the weight of the chest of drawers they are precariously balancing.
“No Finn?”
I shake my head. “He’s with Sebastian taking a tour of the grounds – I’m all yours for the next half an hour. There can’t be too much to do as I completed the other rooms, bar the flowers, the other day. Speaking of flowers - I take it they have arrived?” I nod in the direction of his hands.
“Yeah - talk about cutting it fine. There’s a delivery for you too. It’s over there on the chair.”
“Oh, thanks.” He’s always thinking about me.
“Don’t dally though, poppet, we’ve loads to do.”
“No we haven’t. Stop stressing. There’s just some tweaks in here to do and the accessories - this room is the pièce de résistance after all.” I nod affirming my words. “…and I’m here now, so let’s crack on.”
“Thank fuck for that. Work your magic beaatch!”
Right – all stations go. “Boy’s, place the drawers on this wall please.” I direct them to the back wall, and am offered looks of such relief I realize that I’ve probably just met two great new helpers, that are now my bitches, they’re so grateful to be free from Col’s grasp. Smiling to myself I walk over and adjust the piece of furniture’s position slightly before adding a lamp, a bowl and a Country Living magazine.
Next came the flowers – I selected a large black & silver vase from the unlimited supply of accessories we’d purchased for these rooms and placed it on the huge black circular table – Colin looks shell-shocked and with a deft flick of my head, he adds the white bunch and begins to faff. Taking a step back I allow myself this time to absorb the ambience of the suite - every nook and cranny, every detail, texture, fabric, accessory. The place looks wonderful and screwing my eyes up slightly I could visualise the detailed sketch and mood-board I’d originally designed and apart from the odd amend it was practically identical.
“Col, this room is done, apart from flowers for the bedroom console table, oh and did you get the L’Artisan candles for the bathroom? They hadn’t arrived on Wednesday.”
He walked over to the bedroom, filled the mirrored vase there with more crysanths and hands on hips, replies, “Done and done. The candles landed this morning. We can light them tomorrow for mood!”
“Sounds great. We also need to inform reception to make sure the fire is lit – no coal, real logs only, and add some apple & cinnamon twigs t
o the pile for that extra seduction – we want people to visualize themselves here, making love before the fire, sharing the double bath at candlelight, sleeping in the queen-size cavernous back sleigh bed with 1000 thread count bed linen. Every surface, will shine with luxury and reflect Elysium Interiors.”
“God you’re good. I forget occasionally.”
Colin dishes out a rare compliment and my tummy warms. This room is beautiful and welcoming and exactly where I would want to spend a night of decadence with my handsome groom. How wonderful that would be.
“Earth to Lubedoo? You Ok, chick?”
“Perfect, just taking it all in.”
“Well I just bet you are; there you go again, always bragging - is he that big? You lucky bitch!” he ducks before I can launch something at him.
“Colin Duttine you are a very naughty boy but I love you. Well done, love, this job was a joint effort and yours has been much appreciated.”
“Nice change of subject, but thanks, boss lady. This was all your vision but I am the master of fabrics and organization and we did good!”
We laugh together at his self-deprecating manner and I put my arm around his waist and lean my head into his neck, “Now stop stressing and try and enjoy the weekend Col and I’ll go check on the other rooms for display – you go have a siesta.”
“Do you know what - I think I will? Get me a nice glass of bubbly, and maybe tempt James to rub my back. He’s got no idea how much it means to me that he wants me to host this party with him – its huge. I feel totally emosh!”
“Ah, sweetie, that’s because I think for the first time ever Colin Duttine’s heart is bursting with love for a man who loves him equally and is proud of him.”
“Ya think?”
“I do but don’t fuck this one up, Col – you have a tendency to look for the negative in things and not just go with the flow.”
“Er, pot & frigging whistling kettle! I could say the same about you and a certain delicious Silver suitor.”
I consider his comeback and snigger out loud – he was totally right. “Let’s just have some fun, we both truly deserve it. Elysium rocks!”
“We do indeedy. Ahh, I’d love to have stayed in here tomorrow night. I begged Jamesy to let us christen it, but apparently it’s already booked!”
“Really? They’ve taken bookings already?”
“Yep - pre-bookings went live as of two weeks ago so it’s a good job we kept on track. This bad-boy’s been bought and paid for since last week.”
I wander through the room, smoothing out the bed cover and straightening cushions, as I head towards the bathroom to check each area, part of me so envious others would be enjoying all my hard efforts. “Some lucky couple is going to get a lovely surprise when they see all this.”
It’s only as I do my last checks and am about to leave, I remember the black velvet box, waiting patiently on the slipper chair, to be unveiled. It looked complete perfection within the surroundings of the honeymoon suite and I smile at his thoughtfulness. Picking up the monogramed FWC envelope, I hastily tear it open and slide the heavy cream card out. The scripted font is bold and elegant but sexier than his usual messages and heat fills my cheeks at the connotations it brings.
Give and take?
I unwrap the box and hold the bud to my nose, inhaling its powerful perfume, the colour almost black this time. Then quickly replace it within the box. I’d have to ask reception for a vase so I could use it in my bedroom during our stay. Seven Roses. He was certainly living up to his word to make our time together special.
I spend the next fifteen minutes or so, taking photographs of the rooms, for our portfolio. Before texting Seb to advise him it was time for Finn’s bath. Then I nip for a quick shower myself, start a bubble bath running for my boy and wait for them to return.
*****
I take a gulp from my mug of tea, before helping Finn butter and cut his toast into triangles. We’d come down to breakfast early this morning, as my boy couldn’t contain his excitement any longer. Today he was going fishing.
You’d also not been able to sleep, knowing that only a few doors away Sebastian lay naked and sexy and just within reach but unattainable due, to your motherly duties.
My mind flickers back to last night - it had been lovely. We’d had an entertaining and civilised dinner amongst great friends and one boisterous little boy, well two if you include Colin, with a sumptuous five-course meal and flowing drinks, in surroundings that were fit for an episode of Downton Abbey. Seb and I had shared plenty of knowing looks across the table and fingers brushing as we reached for glasses, all under the shadowy glow of candlelight and by 9.30pm Finn was exhausted and asleep with his head in my lap. Sebastian, recognising this had just gently picked him up and carried him back up to our room, like it was an everyday occurrence. We’d left the others too it, Abby winking at me as we closed the door behind us, promising to meet up early for our activities the next morning.
Once Finn had been settled I’d immediately said my goodnights to Seb. If I’d allowed him to stay any longer, we’d have been making love on the floor, whilst my son slept soundly in the bed next to us and it just didn’t feel right. Sebastian was a total gentleman and although left with glazed sexy eyes and an evident erection, he promised to adhere to my wishes. We’d sent several texts over the ensuing hours, which made me blush now, just thinking of their content and with hindsight, I wish I had just bobbed on, right then and there with him in the bathroom - maybe that would have meant I’d have slept for more than a few broken minutes – would have appeased the constant ache I have between my thighs for him.
I snap out of my thoughts and glance briefly around the hotel restaurant, where the array of food on offer is immense and we are spoilt for choice, with a selection of hot croissants, figs with yoghurt, smoked salmon and scrambled egg, muesli, the choice was endless. Finn is in his element, but I am experiencing a wave of nausea … again. It seems to happen every time I am about to eat; come to think about it, mornings weren’t too good or tea times. I wonder if I need to pay a visit the doctor, the last time I felt like this I had anaemia, maybe I need to start re-taking iron supplements?
“A breakfast of champions!”
A voice behind me brings me back to the present and I catch Finn’s nose wrinkle, a tell so similar to mine I’m alerted to the fact that the voice belongs to someone Finn is not all that impressed with; the boy has great gut instincts. I’m continuing to try but this person is just a Dufus.
“Morning, Chris - sleep well?”
“Could have slept better, Lulu, much better for reasons you and I both know but there’s always tonight.”
With a cheesy wink he heads over to the breakfast buffet and I shudder. Dufus! Kids, and little ears - not that Finn would understand his meaning - but is the man totally unaware of his douchebagness, if that’s even a word?
I raise my brows saucily at Finn who is frowning in Chris’ direction, whilst shovelling pancakes into his mouth and whisper across the table, “Ignore him, poppet - he’s ok really.”
“Nah ahh. He wants to go on a date with you, Mummy and I’m not happy with that at all - I like Sub.”
What the hell?
God this kid is switched on - although I don’t think Chris wants to date me at all; maybe have a one-nighter to get one-up on Sebastian, but in a three year old’s world that means ‘date’.
“Don’t be silly, Finn and of course you like Sub he’s your God-father and he adores you.” I watch as Finn’s tightly folded arms relax slightly and his pout lessens enough for me to pop a blueberry inside, which makes him beam. “There he is - my handsome boy. You looking forward to going fishing, baby?”
“Yeah! It’s going to be awesome. Sub says he has a pole for me and everything and Nathan’s coming with us too.”
“Did I hear my name being mentioned? Morning, Lu, dude - ready to be the Fisher King?”
Nathan’s mouth is full so I answer for him “He’s been rea
dy since 6am this morning, Uncle Na.”
“Ok then. So, Mummy could do with a Nana nap could she?”
“Hey! I’m not that old but I must admit I’m tired this morning - I didn’t sleep well last night at all.”
“You should have called my room and I’d have been happy to supply you with something to help you sleep.” Chris returns to our large round table and pulls a chair out, taking a seat with a devil-may care attitude about him.
I share a look of horror with Nathan who is about to rescue me when the man that was the real reason I was awake half the night makes his entrance; cool and sexy in battered jeans, black t-shirt and white converse trainers - suddenly I’m ravenous.
“Lucia knows which room to call Chris, in the event she needs tiring out.” I can see the twinkle in his eyes however, he obviously thinks he’s walked in on Chris teasing me - I wish it was just teasing and didn’t carry that permanent stench of cheese.
“So, Fisherman Finn are you ready to catch what we are having for tea?”
“I can’t wait.”
“He can’t - it’s true - I’ve just been telling Na, he’s been awake for a while, he’s so excited.”
“You should have knocked on my door. I’ve not slept well and been awake since 4am.”
“Seems to be a common story…” Nathan mutters.
“I had breakfast earlier so if you want to grab some warm clothes, your wellies and meet me in the foyer in ten minutes, Finn, Nathan and I will show you how its done - you’ll be a man in no time.”
Finn squishes Seb’s leg as he excuses himself and I stand to follow. The one thing I want to do is walk into Sebastian’s arms openly and raise my lips to his. To say good morning and feel his morning glory against my tummy, but I hold back. “I’ll go get him organised and see you guys in a bit.”
I don’t turn to see if I’m being watched but I know I am, I can feel his eyes lingering on my behind and I add an extra wiggle. We’ve just reached our bedroom door when I sense we’re not alone. I can smell him; feel him. I need him. I run the card key swiftly through the mechanism and click the handle open. “Finnster, you head inside and grab your things and I’ll be in in a minute.”
The One Addicted (The One Trilogy Book 2) Page 11
