The One Addicted (35 page)

I hold the letter to my mouth, wanting to cherish the words a moment longer. Seeing them there, handwritten in black and white was so defining. I bite my lip and squeal into the empty room. Then remember the box. It opens seamlessly and I sigh as the light catches the stunning Pave diamond drop earrings encased within. They were fit for a Princess and far too excessive. I take one slim pendulum jewel from its velvet cushioned base and hold it up at my ear in the mirror, turning my head this way and that to catch every angle. God they are stunning. Soft tones of white, yellow and rose gold mix together tastefully with diamonds to create a hammered effect that sparkled with each movement. They would look perfect with my dress and I wipe the tear that had formed at my eye at his thoughtfulness; it is nice to sit back and let him spoil me without considering equality for once - sometimes a girl just wanted to be pampered - no questions and without guilt and Sebastian Silver did that to perfection.
 

   
He knows me so well - my taste. He gets it right every time. I love that he’d bought them for me, to wear tonight and I’d happily wear them and nothing else later to show my appreciation.

*****

As I enter the grand ballroom with Abby by my side, butterflies of anticipation flutter low in my belly. Seb & I had only spent a short while apart and I’m already itching to feel his touch; stroke my palm down the side of his face, feel his heart under my fingers, kiss his lips and feel us become one, when he slides inside of me. I instinctively rub my thighs together to appease the throb building at my clit. It really is ridiculous that the mere thought of him, makes me wet and willing. He is like a drug.

Sebastian and Nathan are already here, in the crowd somewhere, after leaving us earlier to meet with several clients and colleagues and the new owner of the hotel, Sheikh Mohammed Al something or other, for a celebration business dinner. I had been thankful for the extra alone time to ready myself in private, and had enjoyed every moment of my pampered few hours, dressing for the launch party without any interruptions from my lover but now I
needed
to see him. Now I ache for him and am excited to watch his face as he takes in all my hard work on my appearance -
all for him
.
 

We are hit with luxury from the moment we arrive and it reminds me of the exact moment I stepped inside Scarlet House - ready for the unexpected but nervous as hell! The room was full of seduction, drama and promise, with candelabras and sparkle in abundance. Dramatic figures, in glittering evening wear, and elaborate masks in all shapes and sizes hide the guests from one another; pure hedonism at its best - it was all very exciting and I’m so pleased I’d gone the extra mile with my attire - I’d dressed for Sebastian and I felt like a Princess.

A masked footman greets us at the entrance with a glass of bubbly filled with I presume, edible gold leaf stars, floating within the champagne fizzing liquid, and taking a sip we head inside.
 

“Wow, this place is unbelievable!” Abby seconds my thoughts.

“I know, it’s absolutely beautiful.”

“I can’t wait for Na to see me in this dress. Fuck I can’t wait for Na to get me out of this dress!”

“He’ll be reduced to a puddle of drool in a instant, don’t you worry.”

“He bloody better the amount of time I’ve spent squeezing myself into it! Moisturising, buffing, hours of make-up, hair - I don’t do this for just anyone!”
 

Her customary three snaps in a Z shape make me smile and looking at her lovely figure encased in the black glittering lace I beam encouragement at her. She looked fabulous and infinitely sexy with her handheld gold metal eye mask. “Nathan won’t know what’s hit him, hun.”

“Really?” Her nerves are apparent, showing how much this means to her.

“Definitely.”

“Well that goes for Seb too - you look like a brunette version of Charleze Theron in that Dior advert. Like a golden DD globe goddess - he won’t be able to control himself.”

“Control is never an issue with Sebastian. It’s me that can’t seem to keep my hands off him.”

“Silver lightening has most certainly struck us both, hasn’t it?”
 

“I’m head over my Gina heels, Abs. The man is sex personified and this trip has been wonderful but reality needs to step in soon and bring me back down to earth.” My concerned expression makes her clasp my hand tightly.

“Why? Continue to live the dream with your Prince at the Ball - that’s what I intend to do, babe. Life is what we make it - not what we think it should be!”

I chuckle at her philosophic quotation. “Ooh look at you going all therapist on me. You’re right though. I know that. I’m just finding it hard to trust that a man will be good enough to love me and Finn - forever. Sebastian is certainly making good on his promise to convince me though - I’ll give him that. The Maldives was…heaven.”

“I can’t promise you forever, Lu, neither can Seb, but I can promise you that Sebastian is one of the good guys. Yes he’s been a player; yes, you started out as friends and there are definitely some grey areas that need addressing, but the foundations are there for you two to make this work - to commit properly - jeez you are bloody made for one another.”

“I hope so.”

“He’s certainly giving it a bloody good go - those earrings are to-die-for!”

My fingers fly to my lobe, feeling them swing delicately at my movement and I touch the ornate diamond drops, whilst chewing on my lip. “I nearly died when I opened the box, Abs - they are diamond pave earrings - aren’t they gorgeous?”

“Well he doesn’t do things by halves our Sebastian does he and at least now everyone knows that you are his.”

I shake my head and frown at her quizzically. “What?”

“Please tell me you’ve realised what they are?”

“No.”
 

“You are funny, Lu - so naive - the shape? No? Still don’t get it?”

My frown deepens and I smile at her frustration.

“They look like an italic letter
’S’!
And with the pair, they spell
‘SS’,
as in… you know,
Sebastian Silver
… as in
property of
…” her grin is resplendent, as she solves the crime of the century. “It’s really rather fabulous. I want an NS pair - Nathan needs to step it up.”

I shake my head incredulous at her realisation, touching one of the S’ at my earlobe - I’d never even noticed.
 
I loved them even more now that they were personalised and am proud to be branded as his. “Nope you couldn’t ever accuse Seb of doing anything by halves. I adore them.”
And him.

“What’s not to love, babe? They are divine and at least a couple of carats in each ear - how are you feeling anyway?” she adds scanning the room.

I furrow my brow in question and she interjects, reminding me of my earlier ailment. “Nausea?”

“Oh that.” I flicker it away with a wave of my black manicured hand. “I’m Ok now, thanks. Think it must have just been jet lag or lack of food at the right times. I was fine after a lie down.”

“Well Ok, if you’re sure. You looked dreadful earlier - I was worried.”

“Worried you’d not have your partner in lager and lime tonight?” I smile openly.

“No you silly mare. I. Was. Worried. Maybe you’re due on?”

Oh shit it could be that. Why didn’t I think of that?
“Yeah, it could be that actually. I also get a bit wobbly when I’m due on - you know how bad my Endometriosis is.”
Maybe that’s why I felt dizzy at The Ashton?

“I know, love - you manage it really well, it must be awful. I couldn’t cope not knowing when I was going to come on and how long it would last for, every month. It must be a bloody nightmare! Besides, I like wearing white too much.”

“It’s a challenge but you get on with it - just my body and the cross I bear.” I roll my eyes dramatically and we giggle to lighten the mood.

“When life gives you lemons …”

“…you crack open the tequila!”

“That’s right, my girl - that’s the attitude I know and love.”

“I love ya, Abigail Thompson, you know that don’t you.”

She looks over at me with a sudden frown. “Er, durr - of course I know. I love ya too, Ms. Lucia Myers. Now come on, let’s go be mysterious, gorgeous women and mingle before the Silver brothers spot us and keep us to themselves for the rest of the night.”

I glance across at her comment, surprised at the underlying annoyance hedging there. “Are you complaining at Nathan’s possessiveness?”
 

“Not at all, just succumbing to the bloody inevitable. I’m just not used to being so needy and well… not single, that’s all. I always thought I liked being single - we don’t
need
men do we? We are not
those
kind of women but since I met Na, I’m pathetic.”

I nod in complete understanding - once you are dating a Silver male all you want and need is that Silver male, to the point of desperation - well in my experience anyhow. No other man would ever compare to the likes of Sebastian Silver or make such demands on my time, my mind and my body in such a manner either.
 

Be honest with yourself Myers, you’re beginning to love the attention and you can’t keep your dirty mind out of the gutter
.
 

It’s true on both accounts but my one true fear is not that I’m claustrophobic, far from it, I love being with him, desire his touch like a drug at all hours of the day and night but panic that soon it will end. Soon the month will be up and we’ll be back to being friends - this time without benefits. Our trip in The Maldives had cemented so much between us but also raised some worrying issues that could affect our future - I just have to focus on the fact that right now, right here I trust in his love for me and fucking hell I love him.

The other niggling concern, making me want to turn and run right out of the elaborate door I had just entered, is that my conversation with Abby about Gynae stuff, has made me rather uncomfortable and is now filling my mind with all manner of possibilities. The most worrying one running erratically through my brain, as Abby ooh’s and ahh’s over the sumptuous table decors and chatters about other women’s gowns and men eyeing us up, is that I had most definitely n
ot
experienced any sort of period since I’d been having sex with Sebastian!!

Maybe that morning-after pill had messed up my cycle even more than usual?
 

I can often be a few days late with my Endometriosis and my cycle can regularly last several days longer than the norm, but I’ve never missed a month… apart from when I was pregnant… with Finn.

As we weave our way through the crowd of well-dressed strangers, I hear my own sharp intake of breath at this realisation before quickly recognising where I am and plastering an overly bright smile across my lips. Tomorrow I’d pay a visit to a chemist.

*****

“What I wouldn’t do to tap that!”

I snap my head up at the laddish comment and noisy wolf whistle uttered by my Architect mate Andy and that’s when I see her. My heart literally stops.