Un-Break my Heart: Book 2 (The Heart Trilogy) (38 page)

“Would you like anything for breakfast” he asked.

“Just a yogurt with some fresh fruit” she replied, watching him tear his gaze away from her thighs as she perched on the chair and crossed her legs. She watched him prepare her bowl and admired his firm ass clad in his shorts and t-shirt. Daniel was a very amenable toy boy, dependable, fit and ready to please her whenever she wanted.

He sat down next to her and watched as she ate a few mouthfuls and then pushed the bowl away, reaching instead for her coffee.

“I have an important business associate calling at noon so I wondered if you could possibly pop into town and get a few things that I need. Then book and wait for me at The Lodge and we’ll have a late lunch together” she said in her soft seductive voice. Her fingers found the bare skin of his leg and she trailed her fingernails up his thigh until they reached the barrier of his shorts. She felt him tremble and his hand caught hers, keeping it there as he leaned closer.

“Let’s wait until later” she moaned softly “It will be worth it”

Removing her hand she finished her coffee and sauntered out of the room.

“My list will be ready in 10 minutes so call by my room for it” she commanded.

Leaving him frustrated she headed for a shower and as if planned emerged as he appeared at her bedroom door. She enjoyed watching him gaze at her firm body and luscious breasts, the best surgeon in the country had done an extremely good job with the money from her late husband’s estate.

“Thanks Danny” she said, handing him the list and allowing him one kiss on her lips.

“See you later Felicity” he said, giving her one last look before he hurried out with the list. Dressing in her best pencil skirt and red shirt Felicity carefully applied her make-up and finished the look with her favourite red lipstick.

Chapter 49

Keith packed his laptop bag along with a disc he had burned of the two video clips. He left a short note on the table telling his wife not to cook dinner later as he was taking them out instead. After the short journey he turned up the driveway and pulled in outside the house. He had only been there a couple of times as they usually conducted their business over the phone unless he had photographs to show her. This time he had gone one better and he knew it as he patted his laptop bag. Felicity watched as he wandered to the door and she made him wait before answering it.

Once inside Keith followed her into the kitchen.

“Would you like tea or coffee?” Felicity asked, casually leaning against the worktop.

“Coffee, black two sugars please” Sitting down next to him she waited for him to unpack his laptop and turn it on.

“So what do I need to see” Felicity asked, giving him her brightest smile.

“Well, I’ve been followin
g
Charlott
e
around since Mitchell is away and I couldn’t afford to follow Stephanie t
o
Jamaica. It appears she has been doing some performing in a local club”

“Yes, she’s a dancer so that doesn’t surprise me”

“Would burlesque dancing surprise you?”

With the screen up Keith pressed the play button on the first video clip and sat back to drink his coffee. In opposition Felicity leaned forward and watched the dance intently from beginning to end. Her smile played on her lips as she contemplated what to do with this information.

“I’m not sure if your son knows she is doing this? But as she is only 17 technically the club shouldn’t have employed her in the first place. The other girl is called Shelley Winters but she is 18 and legal”

“I see, so where is the club and who is the owner?”

“It’s called Dusk till Dawn and the owner is Zachariah King” he handed her the business card that Zack had given him last night.

“He wants to book them for a regular monthly slot”

“Thank you Keith, this is all very informative” Felicity said, standing up to find her cheque book and a pen.

She returned to the table where Keith had queued up the second clip to show her.

“Before you do that I think you might want to watch this second clip I managed to get hold of”

He pushed the button and watched as the screen filled with a slightly more distant view of Charlotte and Shelley after their performance.

“Can you play that again” Felicity asked, after the first showing. By the end of the second she was grinning demonically, rubbing her hands together with delight.

“My, my Keith now that is what I’m paying you for” Felicity said “In fact I think a much bigger payment is in line for that gem, especially if you have a copy that I can keep”

He produced the CD from his bag and pushed it towards her.

Their fingertips met as she took it and then she picked up her pen again. He watched as she wrote out the cheque, double what he normally earned. She slipped that back across the table towards him and as he took it she slid her hand over his.

“I need more stuff like this, and if this does what I’m hoping it does then there will be a bonus for you” Felicity said.

“Certainly I’m on speaking terms with Zack; he thinks I own a couple of clubs” Keith said, eager to continue with his investigations.

“Now there are a couple of things I need you to purchase for me before Mitchell returns from the States” she said, standing up.

Keith put his laptop away and pocketed the cheque quickly before she could change her mind. She handed him a slip of paper and said.

“Cash only and be discreet” she murmured. He was close enough to smell the expensive Chanel perfume she wore. He closed his eyes as she ran a hand around his waist and pulled him even closer.

“All this wonderful news has made me rather turned on” she whispered, her lips near to his ear. He turned and their lips met as she moulded her body around his. Finally they parted and he was tempted to pull her close once more but her stance had suddenly changed.

“Well, I have another appointment in town but please do keep me very closely informed and let me know when you have those things” she said. He nodded and took the hint to head towards the door.

He took a last look back as she stood in the doorway, her hand draped upon her hip. She casually raised the other and waved as he jumped in the car and drove away. After a brief detour into town to cash the cheque he grabbed his phone and booked a table at his wife’s favourite restaurant. Driving home he slowed as he went past James’ house, the car was back so that meant they were back from their holiday too. In the driveway he noticed a delivery van “Splash the hot tub specialist” printed on the side. Keith pulled over and grabbed his camera, just in case.

With Charlie upstairs in her bedroom she didn’t take much notice of the large delivery van in the driveway. James had found a great spot for it to be situated and was discussing the moving of the large item with the delivery guys. I wandered down to the end of the garden and knocked on Pam and Peter’s door. We had seen them last night briefly but I needed to have a proper catch up.

“Stephanie” Pam said “I’ve just put the kettle on would you like me to do a pot and include your delivery men” she asked. I nodded and smiled.

“We’ve ordered a hot tub, hope you don’t mind too much but it will be out of the way behind the garage” I said.

“Not at all dear, this is your home now” she said “You look so well, glowing in fact”

“Thanks Pam and yes we had a fantastic holiday, just what I needed to counteract the stress of the new job” I replied, sinking into the comfy arm chair in their small lounge.

With a steaming cup cocooned in my hand I watched the two delivery men and James site, situate and finally my very own fire fighter had the hose in his hand. Pam sat down next to me and enjoyed the heat of their log burner, Peter had elected to head outside with the cups of tea for the delivery men and of course one for his son.

“Charlott
e
was no trouble at all while you guys were away” Pam said “Her friend Shelley stayed over a couple of times and the rest of the time she had her food with us”

“That’s good to hear, I was a bit worried about her being here alone”

“Jester guarded her most nights, I think he felt it was his duty while James and Mitchell were not around” Pam said. Hearing his name Jester looked up from the prime spot in front of the fire, tail wagging.

With empty cups in hand and the delivery men departing James and his Dad appeared through the door.

“It’s all set up, I’ve been shown how to do all the chemicals but you’ll have to wait until tomorrow for the official opening” he grinned. He draped an arm over my shoulder and planted a kiss on my cheek. I could see Pam smiling on before casting a glance at her own man.

“Charlott
e
is going to be excited when she notices it later” I said “I think she’s busy chatting to Mitchell online at the moment”

“I’ve made some stew but there’s plenty so I can bring it up to the house and hear all about your holiday” Pam said.

“Thanks that would be great, I start back at work tomorrow so I’ll grab some shopping on my way home” I replied.

James and I wandered back up to the main house, on the way I had a quick look at our little piece of luxury in the garden.

“We’ll have to choose our time to try it” James said “When Charlie is not around” he whispered, flashing me his irresistibly sexy grin.

“Stop that” I laughed, as his hand squeezed me closer to him for the remaining walk up the path
.
Charlott
e 
appeared from her room just in time for tea arriving with Pam and Peter.

“Is Mitchell ok” James asked, as he opened some wine.

“Yes, he’s tired but says the concerts are fantastic. He’s i
n
Chicag
o
at the moment before moving to the East Coast next week” Charlie replied.

She moved about the kitchen with ease and started to lay the table in the dining room as Pam reheated the stew and I set about cutting some bread. Over dinner James and I took it in turns to recount some of the more memorable moments from our holiday. James was able to show everyone pictures of our room and the beach.

“Wow Mum it looks beautiful” Charlie said, casting a long glance at the turquoise ocean “I hop
e
Miam
i
will be as lovely” she sighed. A far away look filled the green of her eyes as she thought about Mitchell.

“I’m sure it will be” I replied, smiling across at my daughter.

“So what were the delivery men doing today” Charlie asked.

“Perhaps you’d better have a look behind the garage next time you’re in the garden”

I watched the puzzled look cross her face, before she spotted Jester sitting patiently by the patio doors.

“I’ll just let Jester out” she said, excusing herself from the table. I watched as she disappeared through the doors and as Jester headed towards his favourite apple tree Charlie headed towards the garage. A few minutes later she returned and just wrapped her arms around me.

“A hot tub” she breathed “Will I be able to use it” she asked. Straightening up she looked directly at James.

“Absolutely, but your Mum and I will be christening it tomorrow night” James replied, so solemnly I thought I would start to laugh.

“Deal” she replied “I can’t wait to tell Mitch”

Clearing up we loaded the dishwasher and then poured the last of the wine into our glasses.

“Back to work tomorrow” I said.

“Back to reality, although now you’re here with me reality is looking a whole lot better” James replied. We wandered out through the patio doors and into the garden. The night was cold, frosty and above us the stars shone brightly, casting their patterns onto the black velvet of the night. Like children drawn to the candy store we headed over to our new toy and lifted the lid. Steam rose already although the temperature gauge only said 28 degrees.

I felt James’ arms snake around my waist and pull me closer to him. In the moonlight and the glow from the hot tub lights I found his face as my lips headed towards his.

“Tonight is ours and tomorrow night and forever after” he whispered, before his lips met mine. Then shivering in the cold air we headed back into the house to find the comfort and joy beneath the down of our duvet
.
Charlott
e
in her room snuggled under her duvet and smiled as a cold nose reached up and nuzzled her hand. Jester had come to join her as he waited for the invitation before jumping up onto the bed and lying down by her feet.

At the Lodge Felicity allowed Daniel to indulge himself for a change as she let her mind wander off to the video clip she now had of Charlotte and her friend. She also had her back up plan in motion with Keith so as long as he was able to purchase everything she needed then the stage was set for her son Mitchell’s return. Before that day she still had her friend Madeleine and her daughter Olivia poised and ready to throw some temptation into Mitchell’s way. She had purchased some concert tickets for them both and included a backstage package for Olivia and a friend of her choosing. She knew that after every concert there was an after show party and she hoped that Olivia would dress accordingly to attract her son.

In Chicago Mitchell lay alone on his bed. The show would be starting soon and he always enjoyed the quiet moment alone so that he could go through the steps and moves in his mind. Charlie had looked gorgeous earlier when they had spoken and played together via webcam. He hoped she knew just how much he missed her and not just for her physical presence in his arms. He missed their late night chats about all their crazy dreams and ambitions for the future. He loved the way she would look at him with that sparkle in her green eyes when he suggested a new song that they should dance too. She would have loved every minute of this life on tour with the singer, band and other dancers.

Spotting an email blinking on his phone he opened it to find it was from his mother. With trepidation he opened it but it was just a quick chatty thing to ask how he was, tell him she had sent some more money to his bank account. She mentioned that her friend and daughter would be attending the concert i
n
New Yor
k
if he wanted to contact them at all. He winced at the suggestion, he didn’t need anyone else in his life
;
Charlott
e
could never be replaced. Finally she finished with an invitation for him to call in and see her on his return as she had a business proposition for him. He typed a quick reply, thanking her and answering all her questions before he pressed send. Then he opened up the saved file of his dances with Charlie and watched them all again, imprinting the image of her onto his eye lids once more.