Forget Me Never (16 page)

              Being asked for ID at every casino began to irritate me, plus it was so hot, I wished I had put my shorts on. I did enjoy the intensity Alec had on his face while he played at roulette and black jack. He also won quite a bit too. Warren was a chancer and for a while his winnings were up and then he put everything on the roulette table on red to win and it came out black. He was annoyed for all of about ten seconds, right until Elisa kissed him and muttered something into his ear. He smiled and kissed her cheek, whatever it was she said to him, it placed a smile on his face that nothing would remove.

We headed back to our hotel as the sun began to set. Alec held my hand and we slowed our pace, whatever Elisa promised Warren, they couldn’t wait to get back.

              “You’re a bit quiet, are you okay?” Alec asked me.

              “Yes,” I nodded.

              “I thought we agreed to be honest with each other,” he frowned.

              “I suppose I wasn’t too happy having our sex life discussed…”

              “Hold on a minute, no details were given, they were teasing and I played along with them. It was written all over our faces, Grace.”

              “Well, it won’t happen again,” I pouted.

              “Shame, because it’s going to be a hard week with no sex.” He almost smirked, I stopped walking and dropped his hand forcibly.

              “I meant, no more quickies.” I elaborated.

              “I am winding you up, Grace.”

              “And I am being serious, our sex life is private, not a joke.” I huffed crossing my arms over my chest.

              “Are we having a fight?” he asked. “Because if we are, can we fast forward to making up?” he stuck out his bottom lip. “I hate fighting with you, Grace, it hurts my insides.”

              I gazed into his eyes and smiled, “Why can’t I be angry at you for long?”

              “It’s all to do with my boyish charm.” He grinned and took me into his arms, “I love you so much, when we fight, it causes me physical pain.” He explained.

              “My mum says fights give a relationship sparks,” I smiled slightly, “But I don’t want to cause you pain of any kind. I never want to hurt you.” I kissed him tenderly.

              “Can’t you two wait to get back to your room?” Warren bellowed over the heads of everyone around us. I stepped back from Alec, he frowned at a grinning Warren.

              “Thanks a lot, mate,” he called back.

              “When are they leaving?” I asked taking his hand in mine again.

              “We’ve only just got here, but I think he has to head back to LA on Sunday.”

              “I like them, don’t get me wrong,” I stated as we began to walk towards them, “but Sunday can’t come quick enough.”

              “Now Warren knows it embarrasses you, he will have a dig every chance he gets.” Alec explained.

              “All I can say is, his sex life must be very dull.”

              “He just likes to wind up anyone he can get a rise out of, if you don’t bite, he’ll soon get bored.” He stated.

Arriving back at the hotel shortly after that embarrassing moment, gave me such a relief. I felt like my body was melting and I needed another shower. Together with the fact that I had begun to fume over Warren’s wind up, I think the temperature around me increased.

              I left Alec with them in the hotel’s small casino and went up to our room, stripping off my clothes as I headed to the bathroom. I switched the shower to cool and jumped in, it felt like ice was hitting my body at first. As my body cooled, I could feel the water warm slightly. When I got out, the air conditioning kicked in and I felt so much cooler.

              With a towel wrapped around my body, I headed back into the bedroom and began searching my case for something cool to wear. As I searched my bags my mobile phone began to ring in my handbag. I found it quickly and looked at the picture of Saff,

              “Hello?” I smiled all prepared to tell her where I was.

              “Guess where I am,” she said sourly.

              “Okay, I have no idea, where are you?” I asked with a smile and sitting on the bed.

              “Let me give you a clue or two, okay? Because the traffic is bad at this time of day, I left early. I paid an extortionate ten quid to park my sodding car and then almost four quid for a coffee. I found a seat, which is virtually impossible, and I waited, checking the screen, checking for your
flight
to come in…”

              “Oh my God, Saff…”

              “No, no, please let me finish. So after watching every idiot on that bloody flight exit the gate, I went to the Virgin desk and asked if you had been delayed or missed the flight, believing that there is no way you would change your plans and not tell me, because you are my best friend and would never do such a thing. No because if a millionaire tycoon offered to take her to Vegas allowing her to change her flight to next week, she would have thought about her poor friend, back home where is pouring with rain and bloody freezing, even though its nearly May.”

              “I am so sorry, Saff. A lot has happened here and it’s no excuse, but…”

              “Of course you are sorry, but really, Grace, a bloody text wouldn’t have hurt.” She snapped.

              “You are right; I should have sent you a text. I forgot, okay?”

              “No, it’s not okay. You are going to have to make up for this. I mean it, Grace. Majorly pissed off now.” I cringed, when Saff swore at me, I knew I was in her bad books and quite rightly so.

              “Saffron, I am so sorry. I will pay you back for the petrol and the parking, I will take you to Starbucks in Piccadilly and I will make sure you have the newest perfume on the market.” I promised.

              “If you can do all of that, I may consider forgiving you,” she muttered.

              “Please be happy for me,” I frowned.

              “I am happy for you; I just hope you know what you are getting into. His circle of friends is extremely famous and rich. Will you be able to handle that sort of life?”

              “I will because as long as I am with him, then I can do anything.”

              “Wow, Grace, you know this after two weeks, two weeks, Grace.” She shrieked in my ear.

              “Yes, two amazingly wonderful weeks and after everything that twat put me through, I deserve this, I deserve Alec.” I snapped back. “I’ll see you when I get home.”

              “Don’t you dare turn this on me. I was there for you, Matthews. When Kevin broke you into little pieces, I glued you back together. I mopped up your tears, I held you as you sobbed. I talked you out of suicide over an idiot that never deserved you or your love, not for you to fall for the first guy that dangles carrots in front of your nose.”

              “Alec doesn’t dangle anything, I thought you wanted me to be happy.”

              “Happy yes, stupid and reckless, no. Never, Grace. You are not thinking properly and I am worried about you.” She barked.

              “I’m a big girl, Saffron.” I insisted angrily.

              “Yes, and big girls can get their hearts broken more than once. Just remember that.”

              I heaved in an angry breath, “You told me to go out with him, you said to screw his brains out and now, because he may be the one, you are changing you mind?”

              “Screw him, yes, have some fun and smile, yes, not run away to Vegas with him and if you come back married, I swear to God, I will never forgive you.” She roared and ended the call.

Married, no one mentioned anything about getting married. I had known him a fortnight for Pete’s sake. I switched off my phone and threw it on the bed, how could she?

Thirteen

I put on a thin, cotton dress and sat on the bed. I was furious with Saffron, though in some ways she was right. It seemed I had fallen fast and hard, I knew that and it scared the hell out of me. But if everything about Alec felt so right, so good for me, then how could I be wrong? Was it wrong to trust my heart again after it had been through? Maybe I was just a fool, but it felt right. When I was with Alec everything felt amazing, food tasted better, the sun shone brighter and my life held meaning.

              Saffron was there for me, she was the one to tell me that Kevin had cheated on me and held me as I sobbed, realising all the empty promises and lies he had fed me, were just that. She was only looking out for me and I have to admit, not telling her about Vegas was stupid, for one thing, I had begged her to pick me up from Gatwick. It was going to take a miracle to get her forgiveness and after the way I spoke to her, a hell of a lot of sucking up too.

I waited in our room, sat on the bed watching TV. Alec seemed to take ages to come up and get me for dinner, but to be honest, I think he wanted to show Warren he was happy for them to be there. I was too, don’t get me wrong, he just reminded me of Kevin’s best friend back home, Pete, he was a nice enough bloke, but everything was a joke and sex, if he found something out, he never let it drop.

              Elisa told me Warren was a multi-billionaire, he would never have to worry about anything ever again financially and Elisa didn’t strike me as the gold-digging type as Gerald had cruelly accused me of doing. I just didn’t understand why some men felt the need to make fun of someone for being naïve and if Warren was the new Pete in my life, I had to toughen up.

Warm, soft lips pressed against my shoulder, I snapped my eyes open. The room was dimly lit and the cool air caused my skin to cover in goose bumps. Alec smiled as he flicked on the bed side lamp. I could smell whisky on his breath and his eyes danced.

              “Sorry, Grace, Warren got us sucked into a poker game and it ran on a bit.” He explained. “Are you all right?”

              “I had a huge fight with Saffron,” I moaned and sat up, I looked at the clock, it was almost nine, “It ran on a bit?”

              “Sorry,” he frowned. “It ran on a lot.” He corrected. “What’s happened with Saffron?”

              “I forgot to tell her I was staying an extra week and as I had practically got down on my knees to beg her to pick me up, when I didn’t arrive, she freaked out.” 

              “Oh dear, so now you are not talking?”

              “Knowing Saff, no, not for about two weeks.”

              “I’m sorry, Grace. I seem to get you into all sorts of trouble.” He pecked my cheek. “Are you hungry?”

              “Not really,” I shrugged, “I could do with a drink though.”

              “Shall we join Elisa and Warren downstairs or would you rather we raid the mini bar?” I screwed up my nose, “Well, what if I can get some nachos brought up and some wine, we can sit on the balcony and drink to the stars.”

              “Sounds perfect.” I tried to smile.

              “Saffron will be fine, you’ll see.” He promised.

              “You haven’t met her; she will never let this drop.” I said standing from the bed. “I’ll be back in a moment.” I added and headed for the bathroom where I brushed my teeth and splashed cool water over my face to freshen me up a bit.

When I came out of the bathroom, Alec was standing on the balcony. I stood beside him and he wrapped his arm around me and kissed the top of my head as I rested it against his shoulder. The city lights glowed on our faces and sparkled in our eyes.

“When I get to Vegas, I believe my holiday truly starts, but this whole trip has been like no other. Honestly, Grace, you have changed my life for the better.”

I smiled at his words, “I expected a lot from this holiday, I expected a tan, to max out my credit card, to see someone famous and to enjoy it, even though I was alone, I was determined to make this a holiday to remember. I never expected to meet someone so wonderful, someone that is almost too good to be true. I never thought I would fall in love so quickly after getting hurt so badly, but I did.” Tears filled my eyes. “You have changed my life too, Alec, in more ways than I could have ever imagine, but maybe Saffron is right. Maybe I have fallen too fast for you. That being said though, I can’t help how I feel; I can’t help that all I want now is to be with you. Please tell me you are as scared as I am.”

He turned my head to gaze into his eyes, “Grace, I am petrified. I never want to be without you and I have never felt like this for anyone before. Believe me though, I will try my hardest to keep you happy, despite what others may say, I also know my heart and I trust it implicitly.” He folded his arms around me. “I don’t want this holiday to end and would spend everything I have so that we could have this holiday forever.”

“I would just settle for a life with you, no matter where we are. Rainy days in London can be just as fun, you know.”

“You’ll have to prove that to me then,” he smiled before pressing his lips to mine.

I pulled back from his lips and frowned, “I can’t believe how corny I have just sounded.”

“Something right out of those books you read no doubt,” he smiled.

“Yes, probably, cringe worthy stuff that would have me rolling my eyes because real people don’t say stuff like that.” I agreed.

“Well, be as corny as you want, because if you say those things to me, then I am fine with it.” He kissed me again briefly. “How about an early night?” he asked.

“I have just been to sleep; I am not ready for bed yet.”

“Who said anything about sleep?”

“Tempting,” I smiled, “but haven’t you ordered room service?”

“Yes,” he pouted playfully, “I suppose I could use some rocket fuel,” he added with a chuckle.

The room service arrived and we sat on the balcony listening the sounds of the city around us while sipping white wine and eating spicy nachos. He made me laugh when he topped a nacho chip with four jalapeño slices and sour cream thinking he could take the heat. His face turned bright red and I burst into hysterics,

              “You’ll suffer for that tomorrow,” I laughed.

              “I expect I will,” he smiled and took a large mouthful of wine.

              I dipped my finger in the sour cream and held it up, “Here, see if this helps,” I said moving my finger to his lips. Taking my finger into his mouth, he sucked off the cream, licking it clean with his warm tongue.

              “Mmm,” he grinned moving his mouth away from my finger. “That’s better.”

              I used a napkin to dry my finger and sipped my wine, “Glad it helped,” I smiled. He looked at the pot of cream and scooped some onto his finger.

              “Your turn,” he smiled bringing his finger to my lips. I licked it clean of cream, “God, that felt so good,” he said.

I stood from my chair and moved towards him, “There is a lot more of that if you want,” I said raising my eyebrows. He moved his hands behind the small of my back and pulled me closer to him. I straddled his lap and began to kiss him, cradling his head between my hands, I pressed myself against his growing erection as he moved the straps of my dress over my shoulders, finding my breasts.

“No bra,” he smiled pushing my dress down to my waist before cupping them and taking a nipple into his mouth.

“Guess what,” I said breathlessly as his lips found mine again, “no knickers either.” He rubbed his hands over my bare backside and groaned into my mouth.

“Why am I only finding this out now?” he asked. I stood so that he could remove his jeans and boxers before sitting back on the chair.

I glanced around to make sure no one could see, not that I cared to be honest. I lowered myself onto him, allowing him to slip inside of me and it felt incredible. I began to move, rocking my pelvis, feeling him reach in deeper than before. His hands moved over my back, through my hair and over my breasts as he kissed me, pushing his tongue inside my mouth, sweeping it around. His hands moved to my backside, squeezing and holding me, his fingers reaching almost inside causing me to press harder against him as we moved.

“You…are…so…amazing,” he groaned.

“So…are…Oh my God…” I cried out as my orgasm smashed into me, rushing through my body so fast it almost hurt. “Oh my God!” I said again, still moving on him until he groaned loudly, holding my shoulders down so that I was pressed against him. His soft, dry lips found my mouth and he kissed me.

“I think I like you going commando,” he smiled after a few composing moments. “Such a turn on.”

“I have to admit, I was so upset about Saff, I must have forgot to put on my knickers.”

“Well, please feel free to forget them more often,” he said rubbing his hands around my backside.

“If you keep this up, I promise you, there will be no sleep in this room tonight.”

“Is that a threat or a promise?” he asked playfully.

“Both,” I grinned and kissed him before standing from his legs. “I’ll be back in a few moments.” I promised and left him on the balcony, half naked for the world to see, but he didn’t appear to mind and neither did I.

When I came back from the bathroom he was sat on the bed in a white, hotel robe. Taken aback briefly by how gorgeous he looked, I paused in thoughts and movement, taking him in, rolling my eyes over his perfect feet, crossed at the ankles, up his hairy, tanned legs to where they disappeared under the robe, his hairy chest, peeping out from the ‘v’ shape, his cherub lips, white teeth as he smiled and his button nose. Moving up to his eyes, still dancing with the light in the room.

              “Is everything okay?” he asked.

              “Yes, just drinking in my man,” I nodded and joined him on the bed.

              “Is that so?” he checked raising one of his eyebrows.

              “It is,” I nodded and pushed my finger under his robe, stroking it up his leg to the silky, smooth skin of his hip. He wriggled a little, biting on his bottom lip with an insatiable smile. “Does that feel nice?” I asked.

              “Is feels fantastic,” he replied. I moved my finger across his pelvis, watching as his penis began to move in his lap, as if waking from a sleep. I went to touch it and he grabbed my wrist, stopping me, “I need to wash first,” he frowned. 

              “Why?”

              “Well, we have only just finished, I need to freshen up for you.”

              I pulled my wrist from his grip, “Nonsense.”

              “Please, Grace, I’ll be a couple of minutes,” he insisted and began to move from the bed.

              “If you take too long, I may have to punish you.” I warned playfully.

              “I’ll be two minutes, I promise.” He hurried into the bathroom and I laid back on the pillow.

Still wearing my dress and nothing else, I felt quite empowered, I wanted to play, I wanted to tease him and play with him. I had never been one for bondage, though I never judged or criticised anyone for what they did in the bedroom. But I liked the idea of having him at my mercy, how he responded to my touch and it excited me to think that I could have a little fun with him.

When he immerged from the bathroom with his robe open, his erection standing there for me, I smiled and beckoned him to the bed. I pushed the robe off his shoulders and nodded for him to get on the bed. I removed the belt from his robe and smiled.

“What are you doing?” he asked.

“Trust me,” I replied and lifted his arm to the bedpost, using the belt I tied his wrist against it and walked around the bed.

“Grace?” he frowned.

“We’re just going to play,” I smiled and lifted the belt from the other robe.

I lifted his other hand and tied that to the bed post on the other side. I knelt on the bed and lifted my dress over my head. Starting at his feet, I began to kiss him, slow, wet kisses, dragging my tongue up his legs, paying special attention to his knees, lifting his leg slightly so I could kiss underneath them. He wriggled at the tickle and laughed a little. I looked up at him,

“Sorry, I have such ticklish knees,” he explained.

Silently, I continued to kiss him, moving up his legs and stopping at his pelvis, allowing my breasts to move against his hard on. He groaned as I swept my tongue over him, before taking him into my mouth. Only moving my head a few times though, I was not finished playing.

Moving across his body to his other hip, I continued to lick and kiss him. Up his torso, his chest and his neck. Sitting astride him, I moved my pelvis so that I was rubbing against him, but not allowing him to enter me.

“Grace, this is driving me crazy,” he moaned.

“That’s the idea,” I smiled before pushing my breasts into his face.

“I want you now,” he said.

“And you need to learn to be patient, Mr Richards.” I retorted, “I haven’t finished with you yet.” I climbed from his pulsing body and lifted the bottle of wine from the table. Returning to the bed, I poured a little of the wine over his chest and flat stomach. He tensed on contact, I poured a bit of wine over the front of me before I climbed onto his body, facing away from him, I took him into my mouth again, only this time, he tasted of Chardonnay.