Un-Break my Heart: Book 2 (The Heart Trilogy) (22 page)

Chapter 33

I couldn’t believe the amount of packing Charlie managed in only 3 days, by Thursday evening I noticed that her bedroom consisted of just the furniture. At least twenty black bags had been taken to the skip between the two of us and a neat stack of boxes and bags held the majority of her clothes, shoes, books and music. She had also taken some of her childhood toys and games to the local charity shop and separated out a small overnight bag to last her until I reached James’ on Friday evening.

Between my shifts on the radio I had arranged for the house to be available for rent from the end of November. I had secured a safe storage container for my furniture so that James and I could take the time to decide what we wanted to keep or sell. I had also started to separate my wardrobe so that I could keep some at James’ to save on weekend bag packing. It felt like a big adventure was looming as the house gradually emptied of years of collecting and clutter. I knew that it would take a good couple of days just to sort out the attic and all the memories that were hidden there, but for now I had the prospect of Sarah joining us for the evening and Mitch’s arrival.

The roar of a motorbike engine had Charlie pounding down the stairs to open the front door. She escaped into the night and I shivered just watching her through the window in only a t-shirt and jeans.

“They make a gorgeous couple” Sarah said, from her perch on the stool. With a glass of wine in hand I joined her as the scent of my spicy chilli filled the spare pockets of air. I had just put the rice on and the tortilla chips blanketed with cheese in the oven so I knew we had at least ten minutes before food was ready.

We heard the sound of footsteps back up the stairs and I quickly shouted up

“Food will be ready in ten minutes” I shouted “So don’t be too long over your hello kisses” Sarah and I collapsed into giggles as I imagined the blush o
n
Charlotte’s cheeks at my comment.

“It’s great being the adult now” I said, turning to Sarah. A swift wistful look crossed her face but she smiled too. I knew she didn’t want to hound me for a decision but the wait was slowly eating her up.

“Yeah, remember when it was our parents teasing us” she said “It mortified me every time”

Nodding I clinked her glass

“Here’s to the good part of being older” I said, enjoying the smooth cabernet as it splashed the back of my throat.

Upstairs in the cavernous empty room, Mitch looked around in amazement.

“You must have worked non stop” he said, recalling the cuddly toys, books and jewellery that normally filled all the available surfaces.

“Yeah, I hope you’ve had a clear out so that my things will fit in your room” Charlie said, watching him drop his bag and helmet next to hers.

“Dad says you can use Darren’s old room for storage while we re-arrange things as I’ve had no time to clear my room” he said, holding open his arms. She filled them immediately and he breathed in her fresh, vital scent. Bending down his lips brushed hers once more and opened so that her tongue could conquer his mouth once more. Time slipped away, but eventually Charlie pulled away.

“Chilli” she whispered. Her appetite never ceased to amaze him as she took his hand in hers and they headed back down to the kitchen.

Sarah helped me to dish up the chilli and rice into large dishes and we helped ourselves to a couple of the warm tortillas. I didn’t need to call them as they appeared in the doorway.

“Hi Stephanie…Hi Sarah” Mitchell said.

“Hi Mitchell, I hope you’re hungry” I replied.

“Hello again, are you ready to break the States” Sarah asked, as she handed them both a drink.

“That’s a good question” Mitch said, as he took the seat next to Charlie.

Eating took over and the silence was companionable and I smiled inwardly at the couple across the table from me. My daughter’s recent decisions about Mitchell pursuing their dreams alone and then deciding to change college and move in before me made my heart soar. My mind worried about all the problems they could still face at this young age but who was I not to applaud them following their ambitions and loves? If I had possessed that confidence when I was her age perhaps my life might have turned out differently?

Mitchell offered to clear the table but I had also seen the small shadows that lingered in Charlie’s eyes at the thought of him leaving in just under four days time. I knew exactly how she felt about the separation as I had felt it all the time all those years ago.

“Thanks for the offer but Sarah and I can handle the dishwasher” I said.

“Thanks Mum” Charlie beaming at the opportunity to disappear upstairs even sooner with Mitch. I watched them go and part of me wished I was young again.

“Remember when we were their age” Sarah sighed. I nodded and smiled

“Actually I’m quite enjoying this age at the moment” I replied.

In her room Charlie put her small portable stereo on; she had already packed her larger music system. As usual the music playing was the Dirty Dancing soundtrack and it called to their souls. Moving to capture her body in his arms their lips met immediately, full of longing and joy. Reverently Mitchell followed the curve of her body from shoulder to waist so that his hands could capture the hem of her t-shirt and pull it over her head. He paused so that it covered her face but not her lips and he kissed them deeply. Her hands duplicated his and soon they were skin on skin once more.

Mitchell could feel her nipples hard and pressed against his smooth chest, he wanted her naked and on the bed now. Scooping her into his arms he walked the short distance and laid her on the duvet. His fingers made quick work of her belt buckle as he pulled the jeans from her toned thighs and legs. The tiny thong she wore hardly covered her. He lightly cupped his palm there and felt her tremble beneath his touch. Tracing the lace at the end he teased her and heard her moan as her fingers raked his back. Quickly he removed the small scrap of material so that he could breathe her in as his tongue took over from his fingers. She gripped him tighter and relished the feel of his tender touch that made her body start to soar.

Joined together as if one they moved with grace and elegance until the pressure became too much to bear.

“I love you Mitch” Charlie sighed as she shuddered around him, her orgasm mingled with his.

“Lucky star….you truly are” Mitch responded, slumping against her body. Their sweat and scent filled his senses completely. He thought about the six weeks ahead of him, without her there. If only he could bottle this feeling, here and now to sustain him when they were apart? Charlie held him close and snuggled into the crook of his neck, she loved him so much.

Once Sarah had left for home I wandered around the house checking the doors and windows as usual before I headed for bed. I watched a car drive slowly past my driveway entrance as I drew the lounge curtains. In the dim light I couldn’t make out whether it belonged to a neighbour, but then as I climbed the stairs I noticed lights heading back from the dead end of the cul-de-sac. It seemed to slow as it passed by the driveway entrance again before it parked up just across the road. Trying not to seem obvious I wandered through to my bedroom and headed to the window to draw the curtains, my eyes still fixed on the car. The driver was still sitting within; I could just make out a figure in the dim street light. Perhaps the person was waiting for someone, or it was a taxi? Pulling the curtains tight I started to undress.

My bed felt cool as I pulled the duvet up closer and wished I was with James instead. I reached across for my phone and sent my usual goodnight text and he sent his back immediately. After a chapter of my book my eyelids started to droop and I slept. In the road Felicity’s private detective sat quietly and waited until all the lights in the house had gone out. He had previously noticed that there were no security lights so he made his way up the drive. Apart from the previous Friday when he had snapped a quick photograph of Stephanie in an embrace with a guy who he thought could be her boss he had nothing else. Felicity wanted something on the daughter but she was proving to be squeaky clean at the moment.

He followed the hedge line around the back garden, but once more there were no lights visible from either storey of the house. Pausing in the far corner the cold tugged at him and he wondered if the money was worth it to be spying on two women who seemed really nice. Sure Stephanie was a fabulous looking woman and if he hadn’t been married then maybe he would have tried it on with her. Her daughter Charlotte was sexy but far too young for him, he may have slightly scrupulous morals but it didn’t extend to cradle-snatching. A dog barked from the house next door and it made him jump before he walked round the perimeter of the garden.

Suddenly a light came on upstairs and he paused and edged closer into the foliage behind him. Possibly someone heading to the bathroom, but then in a few minutes light sprang from the large French doors, almost opposite where he was sheltering. With camera by his side he held his breath whe
n
Charlott
e
came into view in an oversized t-shirt. It just skimmed the top of her thighs as she wandered to the fridge and pulled out a bottle of water. The dog barked again and she looked up and straight into the garden. She thought she could make out the shape of a person in the far corner. He knew he had to leave so as she rubbed her eyes he ran quickly to the other corner and then slipped through the gate.

Charlott
e
crossed to the French doors to take a closer look, as the clouds parted and cast a faint glow of moonlight across the garden. She was sure she had seen someone in the corner but the tall shape had disappeared. Suddenly a hand reached around her waist and she jumped and let out a small scream.

“Whoa Charlie, it’s only me” Mitch said, feeling the tremble on her skin. It felt different to desire and as she turned to face him he found her skin pale.

“I just thought I saw someone in the far corner” Charlie said “Then you crept up on me and it scared me”

“Shall I go out and have a look around” he asked. She shook her head, but as the neighbour’s dog let out a further round of barking they both headed to the front door.

“Elvis doesn’t normally bark at night, not unless something’s wrong” Charlie said. The barks died and were replaced by the sound of an engine. Reaching for the key Mitchell opened the front door and raced out to the driveway entrance in time to see the tail lights of a car turn the corner.

“I think someone was here, perhaps you scared them off” he said, returning to Charlie who had now been joined by Stephanie.

“What’s happening” I asked “I heard the door open”

“I thought I saw someone hiding in the corner of the garden and then Elvis barked and we came to the front door and Mitch saw a car drive away
”
Charlott
e
said.

“Perhaps it was a burglar, but Charlie scared him off when she turned the lights on in the kitchen” Mitch said.

“That’s strange as there was a car driving slowly up and down the road when I went to bed, it pulled in and parked just across from the house” I said.

We all wandered into the kitchen and I put the kettle on.

“It was probably not connected” I said, not very convincingly. It was only an hour since I had gone to sleep so I wondered if the two were linked in some way. My active distrust of Felicity made me wonder if she had something to do with it. But I shook my head, that idea was absurd. Charlie and Mitch finished before me and headed back upstairs. Still feeling slightly spooked by my suspicions I did another check of all the doors and windows downstairs before returning to the warmth of my duvet. I needed to be on my guard from now on.

Wrapped up together under the duvet Charlie turned to Mitch.

“I hope they don’t come back tomorrow when no one is here” she said, fretful of his suggestion of a burglar.

“I’m sure it was probably nothing of the sort, although with all your things in boxes it would have been a quick get away in here” he giggled, trying to lighten the situation. Charlie grinned too and turned her lips to his for a final kiss, as her eyes grew heavy.

“They’d be pretty disappointed with all my rubbish” With her soft breath tickling his shoulder he joined her in their dreams.

Chapter 34

I had a sleepless night as my mind refused to move away from the thoughts that Felicity was no doubt planning something more for the future. Not waiting for the alarm I slipped into my gown and headed for the kitchen. With the songs on the radio calming my nerves the coffee revived me and I opened my laptop to review some more of the plans for the radio station. I opened an email from Greg requesting my attendance at the lunchtime meeting tomorrow, saying he had already covered my shift on th
e
Herefor
d
station. I had to give him his due he was a hard working boss.

Before I left for work, Charlie and Mitch had surfaced and found their coffee cups in the kitchen. I studied them fleetingly as I gathered my things for work. I could see they were gazing at each other intently, committing images to memory ready for their separation.

“I’ll see you both tomorrow evening” I said, heading towards the door.

“Bye Mum…are you sure you’ll be ok here tonight” Charlie said, concern tinged her voice.

“Yes I’ll be fine, don’t you worry” I replied. Even though my mind was still sure that I knew who was behind last nights figure in the shadows.

“We’ll make sure the house is secure before we leave” Mitch assured.

My drive to work seemed to take ages however it gave me the chance to glance at the familiar landscapes laid out before me. It was a patchwork of fields leading up to the menacing Black Mountains that marked the border betwee
n
Englan
d
an
d
Wales. I knew that I would miss them once I headed for the more built up areas around my new radio station. Opening the office door I noticed a bouquet of flowers in a vase on my desk, red roses in fact. Their scent was almost overpowering as I sat down and waved a hand at Paul in the studio beyond. Then I pulled open the small card and my heart fell, they weren’t from James, they were from Greg. One more problem to add to my list!

In the brief changeover period between myself and Paul I already knew what he was going to ask.

“So who sent the flowers then” he said, predictably.

“Greg of all people, saying they were for his favourite new radio station manager” I replied “I know you warned me but I was hoping he would forget it after I spotted him entertaining one of my new staff at the weekend”

“Womanizer, you stick to James and don’t give in to him. He’ll soon get bored and move on, or at least that’s what he normally does” Paul replied.
“Fucking hope so, I had someone lurking around the house last night too”

“Are you ok?” Paul asked. He reached out and rubbed my arm gently.

“Yes, I guess it was nothing but you never know” I replied, smiling as I entered the studio.

A short while later Paul bought me in a cup of coffee and a doughnut as a sweet treat. In between all the song requests I tried to decide what to do with the unwanted romantic overtures from Greg. I needed to let him down gently but in such as way that my new job didn’t end up finishing before it started. James had sent me a text too saying that Charlie and Mitch had arrived safely and that he couldn’t wait to see me tomorrow evening. They had also told him about last night’s incident too. James had been pondering the whole unsolved murder of my husband and he had suspicions that this might be connected. He kept these thoughts to himself as he didn’t want to alarm Stephanie.

Charlie and Mitch had made good time on the journey up and had made the decision to spend at least a couple of hours each day dancing together. Mitch’s flight was at noon on Monday and every second this seemed to loom quicker and quicker.

“I’ll look after this for you when you are away” Charlie said “You know, clean the bar, floor and obviously use it too”

“I know you will” Mitch said, before spinning her into his awaiting arms. He couldn’t say anymore as every time he thought of leaving his throat constricted.

“Hey shall we do the dance from the video, or did you have another suggestion” Charlie asked, her finger caressed the stereo system.

“Perhaps we should create something new, but to one of our favourite songs” Mitch murmured. He trailed his hand down her arm until he reached her finger and as she released it he flicked through the tracks to find “She’s like the Wind”. Charlie turned in his arms and looked up into his clear eyes. They seemed to sparkle, or was it just the small tears that glistened there. Holding her body close to his they stood and listened to the track, even their breath rose and fell in perfect time.

As it continued to loop they slowly started to work together, each taking turns to lead or follow as they responded to the rhythms that took control of them. Time seemed to stand still but when they eventually had something solid, a glance at the clock told them that nearly 3 hours had passed.

“Lunch” Mitch asked, throwing a towel over to Charlie so she could mop up the sweat that ran down her smooth skin.

“Yes please” she responded, closing the gap between them. She rubbed the towel over Mitchell’s chest and thought about the next three nights they had left. Her intention was to be his everything so that he would be unable to breathe without thinking of her.

In the kitchen she reached for her phone to find a message from Shelley.

“Hey Charlie, are you in the area?”

“Hi Shelley, yes what did you have in mind” she replied.

“There’s a great club just opened, Kyle and I could meet you there later”

“Mitch shall we go out tonight, Shelley and Kyle are going to this new club and wanted to know if we were free to join them” Charlie asked.

“Yes, sounds good and I really want to talk to Kyle about him starting work on my website” Mitch replied. He slid a sandwich across towards Charlie, who was sitting on the work top.

“You’re on, send the address and time and we’ll meet you there later” Charlie typed. Biting into the soft white bread she smiled across at Mitchell, who returned it.

James sat in his study with the laptop on and paused. He was worried about the garden intruder that Mitch and Charlie had talked about. Something about it just didn’t add up, a little like the mystery vagrant who supposedly killed Stephanie’s husband but apparently left no prints. It was a good job he knew Rob who worked for the police force and this was where James turned with his countless questions.

An hour later and James put the phone down and sighed. Being a good mate Rob immediately laughed and thought he was out of his mind with conspiracy theories. However within their conversation Rob’s tone changed and James was sure he was scribbling some notes down at his end. Before he hung up Rob told James he would see if th
e
Herefor
d
force would release the files on the murder so he could have a look through them. With his own notes securely saved he closed the laptop and spotted their holiday tickets on the desk. Running his fingers over them he smiled and felt better that he was whisking Stephanie away for a while.

Once my shift finished and I handed over to Ian, who had made me laugh when he appeared in the studio with a rose tucked behind his ear. I wondered again how to tackle the Gregory issue as I did a final hour on my emails before gathering up the blooms and heading back to the car. The thoughts of my amorous boss meant I didn’t notice a figure in the next car to mine as I juggled my flowers and keys. The car pulled out a few moments after mine and followed me from a distance until I turned into my road. Pulling over in his car he checked his camera shots of the large bunch of red roses, he wasn’t sure if they were from James that would hold no possible angle for Felicity or if they were from her new boss, the flash git in the Porsche?

Checking his watch he pulled off and headed towards the start of the M50 motorway as this would be the quickest way to reach the spot where he could study Charlie instead. Perhaps this would be his lucky night as so far he had nothing to tell Felicity about her son’s girlfriend. He was soon in position at the far side of the road in the small car park next to the park. Waiting was all part of the job as he opened his newspaper and managed to read in the light from the street lamps.

Pulling into my driveway I glanced around in case anything seemed to be out of place before I headed through the door. I would drop the roses off on Mark’s grave in the morning before I headed up to my meeting and then James. With my packing done for the weekend I ran the bath and settled down into the warm depths of the scented bubbles. I grabbed my phone and dialled a number that was now engrained in my mind.

“Hi babe” James’ deep voice tickled my ear.

“Hi Honey, is that water I can hear”

“Yes I’m, talking to you from the bath” I giggled.

“Is everything ok around the house this evening” he asked. I knew exactly what he was hinting at.

“Absolutely fine and I’ve already checked the garden and locked the doors. I’m sure it was nothing” I replied, trying to keep my voice confidant.

“But I can tell that you’re not sure” James said softly “I wish I was there with you, keeping you safe”

“Yes, me too, I need someone to scrub my back about now” I laughed, lightening the mood.

“I’m sure there are other parts that need some rubbing too” James murmured.

Our conversation moved onto talk of the holiday to come and Mitchell’s impending departure.

“I’m going to miss having my boys around, with Mitch away for 6 weeks and Darren i
n
Mancheste
r
now” he admitted.

“Well, I’m not sure if Charlie and I can fill that gap but we’ll try”

“You’ll do very nicely but I can’t help worrying about where this tour will lead”

“I know exactly what you mean, I hope this doesn’t split them up” I said, voicing my fears. I could sense that it resonated with James too.

With the water surrounding me starting to go from hot to lukewarm we said our goodbyes and I slipped beneath the surface to wash my hair. Then snuggled up in bed I closed my eyes and let the sleep come. In my head I heard the words of one of my favourite book heroines ‘After all tomorrow is another day’ as Scarlett O’Hara said. Since 1988 I had tried to make that my motto and it certainly seemed to help. Dreaming of the scene from the movie I pictured myself against the back drop of the setting sun, however it nicely turned into a sunset beach i
n
Jamaica.

In Mitch’s room Charlie surveyed the scene and wondered where all her items would fit. Luckily she had already noticed a large double wardrobe in Darren’s old room for her clothes, but she liked to have some of her favourite books and picture frames where she could see them. Mitch watched her as he started to strip off ready for a shower before they headed out.

“What are you looking at” he asked.

“Just some space for some of my favourite things really” Charlie responded. She turned to notice he was standing there is just his underwear and as usual her breath quickened.

“So I’m hoping that I’m one of your favourite things” he said, grinning at her.

“Oh yes, of course you are and I think your place would best be on the bed right now” she breathed.

Her fingers made quick work of her leotard and leggings and she was naked too. Lying back on the bed Mitchell admired her stunning body as it swayed in his direction before his arms caught her and she fell gracefully into them. Slowly their lips found each other’s and vied for control as it switched between them. His fingers trailed over her curves to her responsive nipples that he knew liked to be flicked and sucked. Charlie straddled him, already wet and ready for him to impale her, she leaned forward so that his mouth could suckle and shoot bolts of lightening through her arteries. Mitch sucked and nibbled harder as her entrance dripped tantalisingly over his quivering cock until he couldn’t stand it any further. With his hands on her shoulders he slowly pushed her body down on top of him as they both sighed in pleasure.

Pausing for a moment Charlie flicked her hair back off her face as her eyes connected with his. She adored gazing into them; it was like a mirror that only reflected back the best parts of her. Steadily she rocked upon him as his hands held her hips and he watched her mounting enjoyment. The pink heat of her body radiated across her pale skin, moving upwards between the valley of her breasts and then to her neck and cheeks.

“Touch yourself” he murmured, he was captivated by her body, her movements, her glazed eyes and pupils that widened at his request.

“Like this?” she enquired, running her hands slowly down to her breasts and nipples.

“Mmmmh, perhaps you should go lower” he groaned. She had already started to move to a faster rhythm.

“Really baby is that what you want”

He nodded as he found he couldn’t talk as he watched her slim finger run down past her belly button and to the strip of hair she retained. Sliding through it she parted her lips and immediately found her clit. Gently sliding in circular movements she played for him, watching his obvious reaction she ground into him with her hips as she moved faster and faster. He moved his one hand and placed it over hers, the wetness on her fingers stained his too.