The One Addicted (15 page)

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 seen 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’.
    
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 to 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.