“That was incredible,” he says, mirroring my thoughts exactly.
“Mmm,” is all I can muster the energy to say. He places a gentle kiss on my lips.
“You are quite the game player, baby.”
“You’re not so bad yourself, Mr Waters.”
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Stacey
After sorting ourselves out, so that we look presentable, Jake and I leave the office and go to the bar to get a drink.
As I enter the main room, I see that Martin is still on the dance floor, completely unaware that I have just been thoroughly fucked senseless in the back room. Jake orders us some drinks and I perch on one of the bar stools. He moves so that he is stood behind me, his arms going around either side of me, his hands resting on the bar. I can’t help but turn and give him a kiss on the cheek, inhaling his scent as I do.
I really cannot get enough of him.
Our little role play just now was so exciting.
The bartender brings our drinks over and I take a sip, turning my body on the stool, so that I am facing Jake, our faces inches apart.
“So, tell me, how did you manage to get access to that back room?” I ask him.
“Did the bartender not tell you that I am the owner?”
“Oh, ha ha, very funny. We’re not in role play mode now, Mister.”
“Who said anything about role play?” he says looking deadly serious. I frown as I try to process what he is telling me.
“Jake… Are you saying what I think you are saying?” I ask, astonished at how this conversation is going.
He leans in closer so that his mouth brushes against my ear. “Well, if what you are thinking is, ‘I have bought The Den,’ then you would be correct.” He pulls back, and my mouth drops open.
“What? Why on earth would you want to buy this place?” My voice is high-pitched and squeaky. He just looks at me, and it suddenly dawns on me why he bought this place. “Oh, Jake. Please tell me that you didn’t just buy this place because I wanted to come back to work here?”
“Look, you want to return to work, and I want to keep you safe. If I own the place, then I have more chance of doing that. This way, I can put extra security measures in place. It seemed like the logical answer.” He shrugs and takes a sip of his drink.
“Logical?” The disbelief in my tone is evident. I shake my head at him. “You are crazy, you know that?”
“Crazy about you.” He rubs his nose against mine, and just like that he has managed to win me round to his way of thinking.
“So, this morning, when you were being an ass about me returning to work here, that was just you putting on an act?”
“Guilty,” he says with a cheeky smirk on his face. Unbelievable.
“You really had me fooled, you know?”
“I am well aware of that.” That cheeky smirk of his is not disappearing.
“You’re still an ass,” I reply which results in Jake bursting into laughter.
“Oh, and there is one more thing,” he says, once he has managed to stop laughing at me. I groan and roll my eyes at him.
What more could there possibly be?
“What is the one more thing?” I ask.
“Well, I want you to be in complete control of running the place.” At his words, I come to the conclusion that Jake has lost his mind. I am about to answer him when Martin comes strolling over and drapes his arm around my shoulder.
“There you are, baby girl. Where did you disappear to?” he slurs in my ear. His eyes move from me to Jake and he literally swoons on the spot. “Fuck me, aren’t you a delightful sight.” I burst out laughing as Jake’s eyes go wide with shock. “I could melt on the spot.”
“Martin,” I swat at him playfully, trying to get my laughter under control. Jake looks like a cat caught in the headlights. “I know that you guys have met before, so I don’t need to do any introductions.”
“We certainly have,” Martin replies. “And may I say, I am very pleased to meet you again, Jakey boy.” Martin holds his hand out and Jake shakes it warily. “You certainly are the hottest man candy in here tonight. Tell me, do you have any homosexual brothers?” Martin asks a flustered looking Jake.
Jake looks so uncomfortable at Martin’s forwardness, but I think that this is one of the funniest things that I have ever seen. Jake struggles to form any words, so I decide to help him out.
“Martin, stop,” I say, still chuckling.
“What?” Martin says, looking at me all innocent, but grinning at the same time. I roll my eyes at him.
“Leave my man candy alone.”
“I tell you what, Stace, how you ever leave the bedroom is beyond me. I could ruin a man who looks like that.” This is definitely the first time that I have seen Jake go red in the face. I am never going to let him forget this moment. It will forever be ingrained on my memory.
“Listen, honey,” I say to Martin. “I’m beat, are you ready to take off?”
“Hell no, I see a beautiful blond man over there just begging for me to take him home and teach him a thing or two.” I look to where Martin is pointing and there is indeed a blond man giving him the eye. “You go ahead, baby girl. Go and enjoy your man candy.” He points to Jake and my laughter returns in full force.
“I’ll call you tomorrow,” Martin says.
“Make sure that you do,” I say as I kiss his cheek. Martin looks to Jake and moves closer towards him.
“Such a shame I can’t tempt you to sample a bit of the Martlove.”
“Uh…” Jake is literally speechless.
“Don’t look so worried, I’m only messing about. You’ll get used to me. Nice to see you again,” Martin says as he turns to walk away. He only takes a few steps before he turns back around again. “Look after her. She’s one in a million.” He then winks at me and heads towards the blond guy that he has set his sights on.
I see Jake smile at his parting words, and a warmth fills me.
“Can we go now?” Jake asks.
“Sure, babe.” I hop off of the bar stool, take a few more sips of my drink and then I grab Jake’s hand and lead him outside. I see the limo waiting across the road, and Eric gets out of the driver’s seat as he sees us approach. He opens the back door for us and smiles.
“Good evening, Miss Stacey.”
“Hey, Eric,” I say.
I get into the limo as I hear Jake mumble something to Eric. I relax into the seat and Jake gets in, sitting next to me. I link my hand with his and rest my head on his shoulder. Suddenly, I sit upright as I have a brainwave and Jake looks to me in question.
“I will run The Den for you, on one condition,” I say firmly.
“And what would that condition be?”
“You offer Martin a job at Waters Industries, in the event planning department.”
“Are you serious?” Jake splutters. I turn so that my body is facing him.
“Yeah. He’s amazing at his job. One of the best. I hate the thought of him being treated like shit working for Charles. He deserves better.”
“You want me to hire him after the comments he made tonight?”
“Yes. He was only having a laugh.” I will not back down on this negotiation. “Honestly, Jake, he’s a good guy. I wouldn’t be friends with him if he wasn’t.”
“And if I hire him, then you will run The Den?” Jake asks, needing this confirmed again.
“Yes.” He takes a few moments to mull over what I have said.
“Well,” he starts as he strokes my hand with his thumb. “It looks like I will be offering Martin a job then.”
I smile and throw my arms around him. He pulls me tight to his body and I pull my head back to look at him.
“I love you,” I say as I place a kiss on his lips.
“I love you too. More than you will ever know.”
Jake
We get back to my place, and Stacey has fallen asleep. I manoeuvre her, so that I can exit the limo whilst being able to carry her.
&nb
sp; “Goodnight, Eric. Thanks for bringing us back home, I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Night, Jake. Take care of her. She’s good for you.”
“I know.” I sometimes think that she is too good for me.
I walk up the drive and take the steps leading to the front door. I unlock it and close it behind me before I carry Stacey up to my bedroom and gently lie her on the bed. She gives a little moan as she shuffles onto her side, curling up into a ball.
I take her shoes off and pull the duvet over her before sitting on the edge of the bed, just so I can look at her.
This woman has made my life worth living.
She has made me whole.
I can’t imagine my life without her in it.
One day, she will become Mrs Waters, I am sure of that.
First things first though, after Caitlin’s sentencing on Monday, I am going to ask her to move in with me, properly.
I kiss Stacey on her forehead before going to the bathroom to get undressed. I return to the bed and get in, curling around her, enjoying the feel of her warmth. Shame she’s wearing her dress still though. I breath in the scent of her shampoo and count myself as one of the lucky ones.
I have found my soul mate.
Chapter Forty
Stacey
Monday morning has come around far too quickly, and this Monday happens to be a bit different to all of the others.
Today is the day of Caitlin’s sentencing.
I am on my way to Lydia’s flat, so that I can try to take my mind off of it.
Oh, who am I kidding? I can’t think about anything else. I just want it to all be over.
I get to Lydia’s at just gone half past eight, bringing with me coffee and fresh doughnuts. Lydia answers the door and she looks radiant. Her hair and skin are glowing, and her eyes have fully regained their mischievous sparkle.
“Morning, babes,” she says, her eyes falling to the bag in my hand. “You brought breakfast. Fab. I’m starving.”
“You’re in an awfully good mood this morning,” I say as I make my way inside and head through to the kitchen.
“I am indeed. I feel great,” she says as she trails behind me.
“I wish I could say the same,” I reply, my stomach churning at what today’s outcome might be. I put the bag of doughnuts and the coffees on the table and take a seat. Lydia sits opposite me, peering into the bag.
“Oh, yum, doughnuts,” she says as she pulls one out and takes a bite. I’m not feeling hungry at all. My stomach is in knots. I just sip my coffee, but even that is leaving a bitter taste in my mouth.
“Are you not having one?” Lydia asks, thrusting the bag towards me.
“I can’t eat yet. Not until the sentencing is over.” Lydia’s hand reaches for mine, her grip firm.
“She’s going to get her comeuppance, babes. I hope that they lock her up and throw away the damn key.” I nod in agreement with her, but inside I’m not so sure. I don’t want to get my hopes up, only for them to be dashed. I try to change the subject.
“So, how’s things going since we last spoke?” I ask.
“Awesome.” Lydia smiles and I know that there is more to her happiness than meets the eye. “Having my brother back is great, we have become close in such a small amount of time. I didn’t realise how much I missed him until now.” I am so pleased that I called Nick on that awful day. If I hadn’t, things could have been very different.
“I also have something else to tell you,” Lydia says, breaking my thoughts. Her eyes sparkle, and she fidgets excitedly.
“Okay, what is it?” I feel my own mood lifting at watching her become so animated.
“I’m back in contact with Paul.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. We’re going out for dinner later in the week. I really like him, Stace, and I think that he could be good for me, if I let him in.”
“I agree.” I feel a surge of happiness for her. All I want is for Lydia to be happy and content with her life.
My eyes flit to the clock on the wall. It is just before nine. It’s getting close.
Jake decided to go to the sentencing in the end. He wants to be there in person to hear the verdict for himself. I take a few deep breaths and try to calm my nerves.
“Stace, stop it. You’re getting yourself all worked up.”
“I’m sorry, I can’t help it. It’s just, this is the last day of that chapter in my life. The aftermath of what she did, it still pains me that she managed to take so much away from me for a short time. I just want it all over with so that I can fully move on.”
“I know,” Lydia says, giving me a soft smile. “Why don’t you tell me what you got up to over the weekend?” She’s trying to divert my attention. I tell her all about going out with Martin and how Jake and I had the most glorious sexual encounter together.
“Wow, he’s a keeper, babes,” she says when I am finished.
“I know. I just hope that I have what it takes to keep him.”
“Of course you have.” Lydia scoffs. “Anyone can see how much he loves you, Stace. Just enjoy the feeling and go with it.”
“I’ve never felt this way about anyone before, Lyd. Sometimes, it scares me how powerful my feelings are for him.”
“I don’t think that you are alone in that thought, Stace. The feeling is clearly mutual––”
My phone rings, interrupting Lydia. I look down to the screen, petrified as I see that Jake is calling me. I pick up my phone with trembling fingers, and answer.
“Hey,” I greet him, quietly.
“Hey, babe. You okay?” he asks me. His voice invades my mind and eases the knot formed there a little.
“Not really,” I reply honestly. “You?”
“I’m fine. I’m just worried about you.” There is a brief silence as I painfully await the news of the verdict. I look to the clock and see that it is only just gone half past nine. It didn’t take them long to come to a decision.
Maybe they are running late?
Maybe she got off scot free?
I shut down the questions and decide to get to the point.
“Has she been sentenced yet?” I ask Jake.
“Yes,” Jake states. I feel nervous at his answer, and I take a couple of breaths before responding.
“And?” I prompt him when I am ready to hear the answer.
“Eight years, baby. She got eight years with no chance of early release.” I let out a puff of air and tears start to roll down my cheeks. I feel overwhelmed with emotion.
Lydia comes around the table and puts her arm around my shoulders, and Jake stays silent on the phone, letting me cry it out.
“I’m sorry,” I say a few moments later. “It’s all just a bit over-whelming.”
“Don’t apologise,” he says. “Did you go to Lydia’s in the end?”
“Yes, I couldn’t be by myself.”
“I’m coming to get you. I’ll be there in twenty minutes.” There is no room for argument, but to be honest, I want him to come and get me.
“Okay,” I whisper as I end the call.
Lydia is waiting expectantly to see what the outcome was.
“Well?” she asks.
“She got eight years, Lyd. Eight long-ass-years.”
“That’s great,” she says as she gives me a hug. “I told you that she would get what she deserved, didn’t I? The psycho bitch that she is.”
“Yeah. That’s the kind of crazy that no one needs in their life.” I breath in and out as I feel like a weight has been lifted off of my shoulders.
With that part of my life all wrapped up, I can now look forward to my future with the man that I love.
Chapter Forty-One
Stacey
Jake picks me up from Lydia’s and we go back to his place. I didn’t get a chance to tell Lydia about Jake buying The Den, but there is plenty of time for me to do that. I don’t even know the finer details myself yet. I just hope that she doesn’t mind me running the place.
I nuzzle into his chest as he gently strokes my back.
“It’s over, babe. It’s all over,” he says. I take notice of his words and pull my head back to look into his gorgeous caramel eyes.
“No, it’s not,” I reply. He frowns at me, waiting for me to continue. “It’s only just beginning.” He smiles at me and places a light kiss on my lips.
He moves his head back, so that it is only a breath away from mine. His eyes mesmerise me and emotions pass between us.
“Move in with me,” he says, breaking the hypnotic spell that his eyes had put me under. I feel a slight smile tug at the corner of my mouth at his words.
I don’t keep him waiting for an answer. “I’d love to.”
The grin that appears on his face is heart-stopping and makes me feel giddy. He lifts me up and I wrap my legs around him. His lips crash onto mine and I link my arms around his shoulders.
He pulls back a few seconds later and I don’t think that I have ever seen him look so happy.
I’m sure that the same look is mirrored on my face.
“Here’s to making more perfect memories, baby.”
Perfect Disaster
Chapter One
Stacey
I stand with my arms folded across my chest, and I survey my surroundings. I watch as people all around me are enjoying themselves, drinking and dancing to the music. Most of them are unwinding after a long week at work. I smile as Susie catches my eye. She is busy behind the bar, serving drinks to a rowdy hen party.
As I look around, I can see that all of my hard work has paid off. My eyes wander to the dance floor and I see Lydia and Martin bopping away to the nineties dance music.
The Complete Perfect Series Page 42
