The Final Note (DJ Series Book 1)

by Helen J. Barnes

  I’ve swept my hair up into an elegant chignon and worn my best peplum dress. I spritz on a squirt of my favourite Jimmy Choo scent and swipe up my National Record of Achievement. Mum and Dad wish me luck on my way out. I stop dead in my tracks when I see Miss Perfection standing at the gate, she turns when she hears me come outside.

  “Alannah, I know I shouldn’t be here but I had to see you.”

  It takes me a few seconds to formulate a proper sentence, my mouth is just flapping. “What do you want?” I don’t want to be late for this interview and I’m unwilling to waste my time with this freak.

  My tone must sting because she winces and I see vulnerability in her that I’ve never had the privilege of seeing before. “I need to apologise. I’ve been referred back to my doctor and I couldn’t go to my first appointment without saying sorry to you.”

  “What about Dayton? Did you apologise to him, too?” I round the car and open the door, not hanging around. I see her nod.

  “I did. He didn’t believe me. I doubt you will either but I genuinely am sorry. I want to thank you, too, for not pressing charges.” I toss my NRA folder onto the passenger seat and give her an even look.

  “Well, you just being here again adds to my case for harassment. Let me give you some advice, Regina, stay away from me and Dayton. Get yourself the help you need and get healthy. What you thought you had for Dayton wasn’t love, it was an unhealthy obsession. I would never do to him what you did, because I love him. Now I think we deserve to be left in peace. I’ve heard you out, that is all you’re going to get from me, not acceptance for your apologies. The lack of charges against you show what sympathy I have for your mental health condition. Now, if you really are sorry then respect my wishes and stay away from us.” I get into the car and pull the door shut but she taps on my window, ducking to see into the car. I roll my eyes and wind the window down. “What?”

  “You don’t have to accept my apology, I understand why you want to hate me. I’d hate me, too. I just wanted to wish you and Dayton all the happiness in the world and wish him luck on Saturday. You both deserve to be happy together.” Her blue eyes look vacant and I’m not sure if she is on some kind of medication. I realise this is the first time I have seen her without make up.

  “Thank you. Now, please leave,” I say before pulling away and hoping it’s the last time I see her. I’m not heartless, I know she is ill but some things I’m just not ready to forgive and being spiked is something I will never forget.

  I pull into the car park at Fox, Merchant and Co with minutes to spare and I lock the car, pulling my phone out of my handbag to put it on silent but it starts to ring in my hand. It’s Dayton.

  “Hey, gorgeous.”

  “Hi, baby girl. I just wanted to wish you luck, not that you need it.” I hear the smile in his voice and just his thoughtfulness makes me count my blessings.

  “Thank you. I’m just about to go in actually. Shall I meet you at your place after you get off work?”

  “Sure, I’ll cook us dinner.”

  “No, I’m cooking dinner tonight. I’m going to hijack your kitchen.” I laugh. We say our goodbyes and I put my phone on silent.

  I go inside; the building is old but renovated to a high standard and I approach the reception desk. “Good afternoon, I’m Alannah Matthews. I have an interview at 3 o’clock.”

  The receptionist doesn’t look much older than me and gives me a genuine smile. “I’ll let them know you’re here, Miss Matthews. Please, take a seat.”

  I’m directed to a leather sofa beside a pine table covered with magazines. I mentally run through the answers I have prepared for the routine interview questions and battle with my nerves. I know I’m only feeling the nerves so badly because this is the one position I really, really want. My wait is short before I’m shown through to one of the consultation rooms and offered a drink, which I decline. At the end of the huge table I am met by Stuart Fox, and another solicitor, Frank Stocks, and Anne Bowler, the head of personnel. I learn Frank Stocks is the solicitor that the successful applicant will be secretary to.

  We start by shaking hands and getting down to the routine questions which I answer with practiced ease. Mr. Stocks and Mrs. Bowler give me reassuring smiles but Mr. Fox seems incredibly bored and if I’m not wrong, a little unimpressed.

  “How would you justify us employing you, someone with no experience and no administrative employment history, rather than an older applicant who has already proved their capabilities through extensive experience?” Mr. Fox asks whilst straightening some papers that he has in front of him.

  I stop myself from fidgeting in my seat as his eyes observe me coldly. I straighten my back and clear my throat. “We all have to start somewhere, Mr. Fox. I’m sure you’re aware that it’s a highly competitive profession. I think newly qualified students are far more likely to work harder than someone whose belief is their experience puts them at an advantage over people like me.” I take a deep breath before really trying to sell myself. “I’m eager, I have been armed with the goods to do this job and doing it well, now I am ready to prove myself and my worth in a company like yours. I’ve been trained with all the latest policies and protocols which, as you know, have changed substantially from just a few years ago when older secretaries where in my position. Now I have the knowledge I want to use it, not just to represent myself but your company, in the best possible light.”

  To this I see a small nod of his head and he looks to Mrs. Bowler who looks thoroughly impressed. I bite my lip to stop from smiling, hoping I came across as eager and not egotistical.

  Thirty minutes later I drive away with a satisfied smile on my face. I know I gave that interview my best and if it’s not enough to win me a position then maybe I don’t deserve the job. I pop into Asda and buy all the ingredients for dinner tonight and even though I am officially unemployed at the moment and living off my savings I feel particularly buoyant and optimistic. I’m not sure if it’s the fact Regina is out of our lives and put in her place or if it’s the trip to London this weekend but something tells me good things are on the horizon for Dayton and I.

  “Babe, this was perfect. Thank you. I could get used to coming home to this every night after work,” he teases and I flick my napkin at him.

  “If things turn out how I’d like them to then I’ll be at work all day, too, and we’ll have to share the cooking.” I smirk, loving that we are teasing over something domesticated like dinnertime.

  “If you moved in with me we could make a schedule, split the duties up.”

  I look up at him, thinking he is teasing but I’m met with serious blue eyes and I don’t know what to say. Move in with him? We’ve only been together a little over three months. “I practically live here anyway. My parents have said as much.”

  “Yeah, I know, but officially you still live with your parents. Why not officially move in with me?”

  The idea does spark excitement and I am tempted but something tells me we should hold off, just a little while longer anyway. “It’s a big step, babe. I love you and I’d love to live with you. Waking with you in the morning is a pleasure. I just think we should wait a little longer. I’m not saying no, but aren’t we happy as we are for now?”

  Dayton makes an agreeable sound before smiling. “I definitely am. I don’t think I could be happier. Maybe you’re right. I am looking forward to us getting away together at the weekend. I love Manchester but I am ready for a change of scenery, temporarily anyway.”

  “Oh, me too. Have we got a bed and breakfast booked yet?” I start to clear the table of our plates and Dayton follows me into the kitchen with our wine glasses.

  “I’m not booking a bed and breakfast. I want this weekend to be like a holiday. I’ve booked a really nice hotel, The Dilston. It’s got a Michelin star chef in the restaurant and a spa. I want you to be pampered all weekend. It’s the least you deserve after everything that’s happened recently.”

  “Dayton, it must have cost you a
bomb. I would have been happy in a Premier Inn as long as I was there with you.”

  He comes to put his hands around my waist and he pulls me back into him, filling the dishwasher a forgotten thought.

  “Sugar, I want to spoil you. I love you and, if I could, I would have booked us in to stay at Buckingham Palace." I giggle as he lays kisses down my neck.

  “Oh, I don’t think so, with all those Corgis running around? Nah, I’m more than happy with The Dilston, thank you.”

  “I’m more than happy with you, delirious even. Now, what’s for dessert because I’m still hungry.” He licks my neck and goose bumps break out all over my body, desire starting a familiar burning deep in my tummy. My nipples instantly harden and he runs his hands up from my hips over my ribs and he cups my breasts. I groan, needing to feel less clothing between his palms and my skin.

  “I didn’t buy us a dessert, sorry,” I breathe, turning my chin to my shoulder to bring our mouths closer together. He lays a soft kiss on my mouth.

  “I’ll have to feast on you then, sweet thing.” He smiles before taking my hand and leading me to his bedroom. At the door he turns me to face him, kissing me and lifting me off my feet. I wrap my arms around his broad, hard shoulders and wrap my legs around his waist. He slowly lowers me onto the bed. “You look divine in this interview get up but I think you look better naked.”

  I smile as he slowly strips me, laying kisses on my naked skin at random intervals. I groan and arch my back up off the bed, weaving my fingers into his hair. “Oh, god, Dayton, you feel so damn good.”

  He trails the tip of his tongue across my abdomen, making my muscles quiver. “You taste so damn good.”

  He works his way south down my body before lifting my leg and laying hot, wet kisses from the inside of my knee down to the apex of my thighs. Sweet anticipation makes my blood sing and when he finally dips his tongue in between my wet folds and up to my clit I groan. I grip the bedding beneath me and soak up the pleasure his mouth on my pussy provides. His tongue is relentless and I writhe beneath him, rocking my hips and pushing my cunt against his mouth. My juices glisten on his skin in the dim bedroom light.

  I feel my core muscles tighten and the first waves of a climax roll in my sex. He licks and sucks in a rhythm like he is giving me oral in time to music but I can’t hear anything except for the blood rushing in my ears. His hand slides up my body and he goes to work on my nipples with his fingertips, teasing and pinching in time to his licks and sucks. Within minutes my breathing is ragged and I’m panting. My orgasm has reached a pinnacle point and I’m about to drop into the void of a mindless climax when he stops licking my pussy and climbs over me, entering me in one fell swoop.

  Stars explode behind my eyes at the sudden invasion that stretches my tight internal muscles and I yell out in surprise. “Oh, fuck, Dayton.” I pinch my nails into his buttocks, pulling him tighter into me and he starts thrusting at a rapid speed. My pinnacle point breaks and my orgasm swallows me. I run my fingers into his hair, tugging his face to mine. He swallows my groans of pleasure with his mouth, our kiss full of ferocious need and fervour.

  I decide to return the favour and when I feel his cock twitch and his breathing change in preparation for coming I push him back off of me and he rolls onto his back, expecting me to climb on and ride him. I give him a wink before licking my lips and taking the length of his cock into my mouth. I hear him gasp and pant my name. His fingers knot in my hair as he pushes my mouth further down onto his shaft. I take his length right to the back of my throat whilst I pump the base of his shaft with my hand. Within minutes he throws his head back, his jaw tight. “Baby, I’m gonna blow,” he warns but it only spurs me on to suck harder. I want to taste him and he bucks beneath me before he explodes into my mouth, hot splurts of his semen shooting straight to the back of my throat.

  I continue to suck, slowing my pace a little but sucking deep and hard, draining him of every last drop of cum. He lies beneath me, panting and spent. A look of satisfaction is apparent on his face. “Holy shit, that was the best dessert I have ever tasted.”

  We both giggle and I climb on top of him, laying a kiss on his mouth. “I could devour your mighty-man-meat for break lunch and tea.” I giggle, wiggling my pussy against his cock. “I’m happy to let you feast on me every day of the week.”

  He gives me a filthy grin, taking me by the hips and pressing me down onto him, hard. “Sweetheart, that sounds like my kind of diet.”

  Chapter 16

  Friday morning I am totally hyped for our trip. The journey alone has me excited because I’m doing half the driving on the 205 mile journey, in the Evo. Dayton finally trusts me enough to temporarily insure me and let me drive his baby. I’m just cruising down the M6 and listening to Dayton telling me about the set he has planned for tomorrow night. I’ve already heard the new tracks he has produced for Jimmy to listen to and they are amazing.

  “I’m sure you’re going to be fine, you’ll blow their socks off,” I assure him as we pull into the motorway services.

  “I don’t think I’ve ever been this nervous about playing a set. It’s going to be on a huge scale.”

  “Dayton, you have all the skills you need and more, don’t let nerves be your downfall.”

  “You’re right. Maybe a couple of shots will help calm me.”

  I burst out laughing as we enter a café for coffees before we hit the road again. “I’ll tell Brent.”

  This wins me a cheeky smile and he playfully narrows his eyes. “Grasser.”

  The journey passes in a blur of idle chit chat and as we near Clerkenwell I feel the excitement building in me. The place is just so alive with activity and life. The pavements are packed with people busy rushing around like they’re late for something. When we pull up at The Dilston my mouth falls open. “Holy shit. This is where we’re staying?”

  “Yep. You’re gonna love it.”

  “Dayton, I’m wearing jeans. Look at me.” I get out of the car and look up at the entrance. It’s grand on a scale I could never comprehend. Dayton takes my hand and gives me a wink.

  “I don’t care what you’re wearing, they’re lucky to have you here. Come on, let’s go get you out of those jeans.”

  I stifle a giggle, letting him guide me into the opulent entry hall. Just the huge stone columns and huge chandeliers have me sinking into my sensible flats. I feel like Julia Roberts being escorted through the hotel by Richard Gere in Pretty Woman, minus the fact that Dayton hasn’t swathed me in his coat. I try to be invisible as Dayton checks us in and I keep my eyes on the polished marble floor.

  “Come on, sugar.” We head to the bank of lifts and once inside I breathe a little easier. We alight on the top floor, our room is at the end of the hall. “I booked us a room with a terrace. I wanted this weekend to be special. Starting with dinner tonight.”

  “Dayton, you didn’t have to do all this for me,” I assure him as I step into our room. It’s phenomenal. Everything is so swanky with plush furnishings and expensive décor. One side of the room is a wall of windows leading out onto a terrace that overlooks the park opposite. I can’t resist going out to get a proper look and Dayton follows me out, pulling me back to him and resting his chin on my shoulder.

  “You know, I don’t think I’d be capable of any of this without you. You just being here means so much to me.” He nuzzles into my neck.

  “I’m sure you’re more than capable of doing this without me, baby. You managed perfectly before me,” I remind him but he shakes his head.

  “Nothing on this scale. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity, sugar. There must be thousands of guys in my position who would trade their granny to be here now. I mean, this could be my making and it’s because of you and Dopey I got the chance?”

  “Dopey?”

  “The dwarf you bought me. He’s lived in my studio for months. You pair are my good luck charms.” He grins and I roll my eyes. “Seriously, he’s in my suitcase.”

  “You got
this chance because of your talent, Dayton. Now you just need to show them what you’ve got, and I know it’s a lot. But, just for the record, I’m pleased to be here with you. There’s nowhere else I would rather be.”

  I tip my chin and bring my lips to his. His arms tighten around me and the breeze from being up so high on the terrace carries Dayton’s scent. I turn in his arms, wrapping my arms around his neck and going on tip toes to deepen the kiss but Dayton breaks off, resting his forehead against mine.

  “Thank you, for being here, for easing my nerves, for your support. For everything. I love you, Alannah Matthews.”

  I sigh, my feelings for him momentarily suffocating me. “I love you, too, Dayton Scott.”

  We spend the afternoon in bed, then the huge bathtub, then the couch. We almost miss our dinner reservation in the stunning hotel restaurant. The food and intimate atmosphere is divine and totally romantic but it’s not enough to make us linger after we have satisfied our appetites because we have an insatiable appetite for each other that can only be satisfied in the privacy of our hotel room.

  The next morning I am laid by the hotel pool sipping cranberry juice on a lounger whilst Dayton swims lengths. I have been pampered like a princess from head to toe, literally. I’ve had a facial, manicure, pedicure and a full body massage. I’m so relaxed I could fall to sleep right here. I’m not sure if it’s all the aromatherapy about the place or the fact that we were up most of the night feasting on each other but right now I’m happily sated and chilled by the pool.

  Dayton finishes his length of the pool and climbs out, his biceps and pecs flexing as he pulls himself out of the water. A memory of those muscles bunched under my palms flashes through my mind and I nibble my lip to stop from smiling as he approaches. “What’s so funny?”

  “Nothing, just mucky thoughts. You look amazing all wet and dripping.”