Always With Love (4 page)

‘As if I’d ever do that,’ I smirk, making him laugh.

‘Live for now and enjoy it,’ he says, coming closer, his nose nuzzling against my cheek. ‘And don’t forget to talk to me if anything freaks you out.’

‘Like what?’

‘I don’t know. Just anything.’

‘I will,’ I say, wishing I could willingly stop my analytic self comparing our different worlds, and hating the fact the Billy knows exactly how my complex brain works. So what if his family lives in a mansion with a driver and housekeeper; that doesn’t actually change anything. We’re all just humans at the end of the day, milling around in an attempt to do the best we can at this thing called life, right?

‘I just need to settle,’ I admit quietly.

‘OK,’ he says, giving me another kiss, although this time it lingers a little longer and his hand creeps slowly up my thigh, his thumb slipping under the hem of my top and running along my skin.

‘Billy Buskin,’ I start with a giggle, slapping his hand. ‘We can’t …’

‘Not my parents’ house,’ he purrs with a grin, eagerly diving over me to lock the bedroom door before bouncing back on to the bed and resuming his position. His lips move to my neck. His gentle, barely-there kisses quickly
make my head light with pleasure, as a tingling sensation speeds through my body and instantly throws out all thoughts that aren’t to do with Billy’s mouth.

I push him off me, my body following his as I straddle my legs either side of him, giving my hips a little playful wiggle, making Billy smile, his eyes sparkling at me as a hungry look flashes across his face.

‘Don’t try telling me you weren’t even tempted by the mile high club,’ he murmurs, licking his lips, his hands grabbing hold of my bum.

A giggle escapes from my mouth as I pull my t-shirt up over my head and swiftly unhook my bra.

My
eyes are heavy and my head is groggy as I force myself out of sleep. Daylight is flooding through the windows, telling me I shouldn’t be snoozing, that I should be up and awake. Yes, it’s the middle of the day, no matter how much my body wants to protest against that fact and would love to cosily drift back to my dreams.

I know I shouldn’t have napped. So many people warned me to stay up and live on LA-time straight upon landing so that my body adjusts quicker. That was what I’d intended to do, so I don’t even know how it happened.

I’m surprised Billy didn’t wake me.

Saying that, I feel so knackered still that I’m sure I’ll sleep through tonight anyway. Well, as long as jetlag doesn’t chase me down to steal my dreaming hours: I need the sleep.

I sit up and painfully force myself out of Billy’s comfortable bed with a groan as I wonder where he’s gone. Throwing my discarded t-shirt back on, I take a proper look around his amazing room. It feels so surreal to be here in this lavish home, mostly because I know Billy to be incredibly grounded, down to earth and not in the least bit superficial. The character profile that I have on him doesn’t fit this house, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. It just shows that he’s unaffected by the wealth of Hollywood. And I completely agree with what Billy said,
it’s just a bunch of bricks and cement … a bunch of bricks and cement that (once I push my worries aside) I’m going to love staying in for two whole weeks.

Hearing a noise outside, I go to the window and look out to the pool. Splashing about are Billy and Lauren. I watch as they wrestle in the water and challenge each other to swim underneath for as long as possible without catching a breath. There are some games you’re never too old for.

I must have been watching for five minutes, totally absorbed in their fun when Billy spots me and waves frantically, beckoning me to join them.

I hold my hands out to the side and shrug, reminding him that I’ve no idea how to get out there and watch as Lauren hops out of the pool, grabs a towel and heads towards the house. Clearly coming to get me.

Leaving the window, it occurs to me that I also have no idea where my suitcase full of clothes is, but quickly spot a pair of my well-worn jeans hanging in the dressing room along with the rest of my clothes which have been expertly hung up and displayed in a perfectly organized fashion. I don’t know when Dee managed it, but I’m surprised when it sends a flurry of excitement through me. Perhaps Billy’s right. Just being able to exist and enjoy life might be quite lovely. Although, when I spot my knickers all neatly folded and piled up I do experience a slight knot in my stomach at the thought of someone else handling them and spotting the embarrassing holes and faded colours of them all. I’ve been meaning to get some more but it’s been so chaotic with the shop and the run-up to Christmas that I just haven’t had a chance. Having said that, I should probably
ditch the lot and buy something a bit nicer for Billy to look at anyway – though he doesn’t usually seem at all interested in what’s covering up the bits he wants to get to. They’re just a hindrance to him that he can’t tear off quickly enough.

Funnily enough, our relationship never used to be this sexual, but it seems to have ramped up a gear since he made his big move to be with me, which I hope isn’t just down to the boredom of village life. I wouldn’t say I’ve ever thought of myself as an overtly sexual person – in fact, quite the opposite. Yet having someone actually want me in that way while being in a loving relationship is something I’ve only ever had with Billy. Not that I was a virgin before he came along, but what I’d previously experienced was nothing compared to what we have now, something I realize more and more with the wonderful thing called hindsight.

Grabbing my blue polka-dot swimsuit from the drawer, I whip off my top, quickly step into the leg holes and start pulling it up. I’ve lifted it just as far as my knees when the door flings open.

‘You’re awake!’ Lauren sings, bursting into the room without a single knock or ounce of warning. I’d stupidly assumed it was still locked.

‘Whoa,’ I yelp in shock and yank the stretchy material upwards, getting flustered as it gets stuck over my butt. Hastily trying to cover up my naked body, my face flushes instantly bright red as I turn into a sweaty panicking mess.

Lauren, however, doesn’t bat an eyelid as she continues into the room and throws herself on the bed, even though she’s still dripping wet. In fact, she’s totally unbothered by
the fact that she’s seen my naked breasts, bush and bum (I stupidly turned around while covering myself up, meaning she’s caught a glimpse of the triple whammy). Lauren’s indifference must be the result of having two older sisters. Needless to say, my upbringing as an only child who shied away from any sort of human interaction and a mother who had her own demons to deal with means I’m absolutely horrified and not at all aloof about being found so incredibly naked by anyone other than Billy.

‘Great swimsuit,’ Lauren praises.

‘M&S,’ I mumble, tying the straps in a knot behind my neck and turning back round to face her.

‘Killer body, too,’ she says with a grin, looking me up and down.

‘Thanks,’ I blush, making a mental note to make sure the door is locked any time I’m changing in future, while wrapping myself in the white robe I spot folded on top of a chest of drawers.

‘How do you eat all those cakes and still have a figure like that? I only have to look at a cupcake and I’ve already gained ten pounds. I’m seriously contemplating gluing my eyes shut – think it’s for the best.’

The way she delivers her comment with such flippancy makes me laugh. She’s funny. Naturally so. Plus, she still manages to give off this friendly, chilled-out energy even though she’s seen me butt naked.

‘I don’t eat loads of cakes – I just bake them,’ I admit, pulling my fingers through the knots in my hair and tying it back into a ponytail.

‘How can you cook but not eat them? That’s ridiculous.’

I laugh. ‘Don’t get me wrong, I do have days where I
just sit and scoff, but those days are few and far between … and usually instigated by Billy.’

‘I bet,’ she tuts, rolling her eyes at the thought. ‘You have to make us some while you’re here. Billy says your cakes are amazing.’

‘Well, he does love his cake.’

‘He’s got such a sweet tooth.’

‘He does,’ I smile, thinking back to when he first came into the shop and ordered a slice of lemon drizzle cake. ‘Well, I’ll make you something. Is it OK to use the kitchen, though?’

‘What do you mean?’

‘Will Dee mind me going in there and using it?’ I ask, not wanting to step on anyone’s toes.

‘You’ve not met her yet, have you?’

‘No.’

‘She’s the sweetest little thing ever. Completely goes with the flow and doesn’t get het up about anything. Anyway, it’s
our
kitchen. We’re not barred from it. It’s our home. Believe it or not we’re allowed to go in and help ourselves whenever we like, too. We don’t even need to ask,’ she might be being sarcastic, but it’s enough to get her point across – which is the same as Billy’s. They’re not living in some upstairs-downstairs arrangement like in all the classic books I read (which is possibly why I’ve been resistant about the whole set up). This is modern-day service, where everyone is considered a human and can integrate on a personal level.

‘That’s good to hear.’

‘Come on,’ she says, shuffling herself off the bed and towards the bedroom door whilst pinging the waistband
of her bikini bottoms (it seems to be a habit of hers). ‘Grab your sun cream. You might have a body to be envious of, but that lily-white skin is going to burn quickly if you’re not careful.’

I take her warning on board, while managing to stop myself from blushing at her compliment, and grab my sunglasses and a bottle of SPF50. Better to be safe than sorry, I can’t remember the last time my body saw sunlight.

‘You’re awake, finally,’ shouts Billy when we walk out of the double doors on the ground floor and into the swimming pool area. Like the rest of the house, it’s seriously beautiful. The pool itself goes right up to the edge of the garden and seems to just stop, giving a lovely contrast between the calm, tranquil water and the busy-looking city ahead. White sun loungers and umbrellas huddle around the water’s edge on cream stone flooring, and to the left, on a huge wooden decking area, is a barbeque, bar and more cosy seating space, all surrounded by pretty pink, purple and red flowers. Dipped into the decked area, towards the front, is a hot tub that bubbles away and still manages to look inviting even though it’s a scorcher of a day.

‘I can’t believe you let me sleep!’ I say to Billy, dropping my sunglasses case on a sunbed and squirting some cream on my hand before rubbing it into my legs, the sun’s piercing heat on my back and shoulders reminding me that it really is a necessity.

Lauren wastes no time in getting back into the pool. Stretching her arms along its edge, she leans back and faces her head towards the light. She looks like a Hollywood film star.

‘You looked too cute to wake up,’ Billy says, his smile growing as he squints up at me, looking ridiculously handsome in the glow of the Californian sunshine.

‘Pass me a bucket,’ mocks Lauren, pretending to be sick in her hands as she waves them in front of her mouth. The spell of glamour breaks.

‘I’ll give you a bucket,’ replies a grinning Billy, bouncing through the water and grabbing hold of her foot. He tugs on it, causing her to let go of the side and her face to dunk into the pool.

She splutters and wipes the water from her face, then quickly retaliates by jumping on his back and forcing him under the surface.

I gasp, thinking they’re being too rough with each other (Lauren’s a girl, after all and extremely dainty compared to Billy) but clearly I’m the only one that thinks so as the two eventually come up for air, cackling with laughter.

‘You’re such a git,’ Lauren shouts, scooping a handful of water in his direction.

‘You asked for it,’ splashes Billy, running his hand along his face and wiping the water off with a flick, before shaking his fingers through his hair and sweeping it all back out of his eyes. ‘Coming in?’ he asks me.

‘Not if you’re going to do that to me,’ I warn, unwrapping myself from the dressing gown and dropping it next to me.

When I glance back, Billy is looking at me with a cheeky smirk.

I squint at him against the glare of the water, as I gently nibble on my bottom lip.

He takes a deep breath and dives under again, completing a couple of laps before coming back up for air. He’s laughing when he wipes the water from his eyes, unable to wipe the saucy expression from his face.

‘I’ve booked a table at Little Dom’s for dinner,’ calls Julie a few minutes later, peering out from one of the windows above. ‘That OK with everyone?’

‘We’ve got an event we’re going to,’ says Hayley, coming out of the house with Jenny in tow, each of them having changed into matching floaty kaftans that sparkle and blow gently in the LA breeze.

‘Tough,’ barks Julie, not missing a beat. ‘Your brother has just got back.’

‘What’s the point in asking if it’s OK with us if you’re going to tell us we’re coming anyway?’ retorts Hayley, her hands on her hips as she swivels around to look up at her mum with an eyebrow raised.

‘Just being polite,’ Julie smarms back, letting her oldest daughter know that it’s non-negotiable. She might be outnumbered by her offspring, but she’s certainly still in charge and the boss of the household. ‘Table’s booked for seven,’ she calls out to the rest of us. ‘Didn’t want to do anything too late as I guessed you two would be jetlagged.’

‘Thanks Mum,’ calls Billy.

‘Can we go out afterwards?’ asks Jenny with an innocent little shrug, her eyes glancing over to Hayley with hope. It’s clear that these two have a very close bond, but that they also have a good cop/bad cop thing going on. One fights mean, the other treads softly afterwards and
restores order. I can’t help but wonder how that makes Lauren feel. She’s not privy to their exclusive twin gang and surely that must get lonely.

‘Only if Billy doesn’t mind,’ Julie replies, her head ducking back indoors.

Both the girls’ heads swivel round to look at Billy with wide imploring eyes.

‘Of course I don’t mind,’ he laughs. ‘I’m going to be eating for England though, so don’t expect to be going anywhere fast,’ he teases, pulling himself up on to the pool’s ladder and out of the water.

‘Erm, dad bod,’ scoffs Hayley, looking him up and down.

‘Erm, what bod?’ he snorts, rolling his eyes as he heads over to me. He grabs a neatly folded black towel from one of the sunbeds and shakes it out before wrapping it around his waist, looking uncomfortable at the scrutiny his body is receiving.

‘You’ve been away far too long,’ she retorts with a raise of the eyebrow and a practised pout of her lips.

‘It’s when male actors relax and gain a bit of squidge,’ Jenny clarifies as the duo perch on adjacent sun loungers in the shade. ‘Somewhere between a six pack and a beer belly,’ she continues.

‘I do not have a beer belly,’ mutters Billy, clearly offended.

‘No, guys with dad bods don’t have beer bellies,’ shrugs Hayley, as if her comment is meant to be far from the insult it was delivered as.

‘Don’t fight it – it’s fashionable, big bro,’ laughs Lauren from the other side of us, picking up a magazine and flicking through its pages.

‘Can’t wait for a bit of Little Dom’s. It’s been ages,’ Billy
shrugs, choosing to sidestep the topic as he unwraps his towel to expose his body once more, proudly standing with his hands on his hips and, in my eyes, looking pretty darn perfect.

‘Meatballs?’ asks Lauren, knowingly.

‘Of course.’

‘Yuck. How can you do that to your bodies?’ asks Hayley with disgust.

‘They’re both on a gluten, meat, sugar, everything-that-tastes-good free diet. Like most girls in LA,’ Lauren whispers to me with a smirk.

‘We heard that,’ says Jenny, looking put out.

I’m just about to start some small talk and move the conversation on to something away from food and body type when I feel Billy’s arms squeeze around my waist before lifting me up and waddling the pair of us over to the pool.