Notice Me (38 page)

“I didn’t mean those words I said last week,” Charlie whispered behind me.

“Megan is looking for you,” I glared.

“Shannon, I don’t care about Megan. I love you.”

“If Will sees you here talking to me he...”

“I don’t give a crap about Will either. Shan, please just look at me,” Charlie interrupted touching my arm.

I turned my heart melted, as I took in the sorrow in his eyes. “Charlie, you need to move on from this.”

“I know you still love me Shan. Please whatever hold Will has over you let me protect you. I’m not afraid of him.”

“There is no hold. I love him.”

“You don’t. I can tell,” Charlie smirked moving a stray hair from my face. “You are forcing yourself to love him.” Why did he have to read me so well? Charlie had no idea of the danger he was putting himself into. “Lorna has had a little breakthrough with the information about your parents. She has located the doctor who delivered you.”

“Why are you even bothering?”

“Shan, the…” Charlie and I both froze as we noticed Megan and Will making their way back to the table.

“Charlie, you need to go, now,” I whispered panicked. Charlie studied my face.

“I think I will stay right here actually,” Charlie smirked.

“Charlie,” Megan beamed. “So wonderful to see you again so soon.”

“And you Megan. You look stunning tonight.” Megan blushed as he kissed her hand. Was he trying to make me jealous? It was working. “William, really it has been too long,” Charlie held his hand out and Will took it firmly.

“What brings you here Charlie?” Will asked sitting next to me wrapping his arms around my waist.

“Sir Straton loves the charity work. We were in Paris as Megan knows. I decided to visit a few old haunts before I go back to New York on Friday.”

“You are in London for another five days?” Megan beamed. I knew what she was thinking and it was crushing me. Would Charlie do that? Why not, he thought I was sleeping with Will. I was marrying him after all.

“Yes I am,” Charlie smiled warmly at her.

“Can I speak with you alone for a moment Charlie?” Will glared standing up. I was freaking out. Will wouldn’t hurt him I was sure of it. Charlie had stumbled on us by accident, but what if Charlie told Will about last week? I tried to hold it together as I watched Will and Charlie walk outside.

“What do you think Will is saying to Charlie?” Megan whispered as we both glared outside. I could still see them. Both were shouting throwing their arms around pointing back into the room.

“I have no idea,” I muttered watching Charlie.

“Will is so over protective,” Megan chuckled. “He is such a big brother sometimes. I would only sleep with Charlie anyway. He is too messed up for a relationship. I can tell.”

 “Megan don’t degrade yourself,” I spat out as fury filled my body.

“Easy,” Megan chuckled. “I am lucky you and Will look out for me.”

“You wait here. I am going to make sure Will is okay,” I replied rushing outside as Charlie pushed Will hard against the wall. Crap, was he trying to get himself killed.

“You son of a bitch. If I find out you have done anything to her…” Charlie was yelling. Will just laughed at him.

“Charlie, Shannon loves me. Just get over it. I am her match in every way and in two weeks she will be my wife.”

“CHARLIE,” I screamed just as he was about to hit Will. “Stop this.”

“Why him Shan?” Charlie asked. “Is it really about the money?”

“No,” I sobbed. Charlie would never know the tears were for him. “I love Will. I want to be with him forever.” Charlie dropped Will in defeat looking between the two of us.

“Now do you understand Charlie?” Will gloated walking over to me pulling me into his arms. “Shannon is mine. She has always been mine. Your delusional affair meant nothing to her. Being with you only made her realise I was the one she wanted. ”

“Shannon, is that right?” Charlie pleaded. All I could do was nod, crushing Charlie’s heart right in front of me. “You were one hell of an actress Shan,” Charlie whispered. “Just be happy. It’s all I want for you.” I could see the moisture in his eyes, but he walked away before I saw any tears.

I wanted to crumple to the ground, but Will held me in place against his chest.

“That was remarkable,” Will smiled. I wanted to slap him. When we were alone I would.

“I hate you William Field,” I muttered.

“There is a fine line between love and hate, Shannon,” Will laughed pulling me near. “Do I get another kiss?” I winced pulling away. “I’ll take that as a no.”

“When did you become so evil?” I asked as a tear fell down my face.

“When I fell madly in love with you.” I sobbed even more. This really was my own entire fault. I had no one to blame but myself.

Chapter 28

“Where did Charlie go?” Megan asked when Will and I came back.

“He has gone Megan,” Will replied sipping his whiskey.

“What did you say to him?” Megan sobbed.

“Megan, I am not having Charlie Collins break your heart again.”

“But I still love him,” Megan muttered. Will saw red smashing his whiskey glass on the floor. Megan and I both jumped.

“This infatuation with Charlie ends now. Do I make myself clear?” I wasn’t sure who Will was talking to anymore. “We are leaving. I have had enough of this party.” Will got up taking my hand in his firmly. “Megan, come on you are leaving too.”

“You can’t order me around. Who do you think you are – Father?”

“Fine,” Will snapped almost dragging me away from the party.

My heart sped up as I noticed Charlie waiting for a taxi outside. I wanted to run to him. Tell him I would always love him as I had in my letter. Why did I turn the letter to ash? I should have sent it to him so he would always know I loved him. No, it was better this way. Charlie would move on and find love again. No matter how much that thought destroyed me. I wanted him to be happy.

“I know what you are thinking, Shannon,” Will muttered against my neck. “Do you see those two men behind him.” I did notice two men close behind him in black suits. “They work for me. I called them when I knew Charlie was here. Just one word and it’s all over for Mr Collins.”

“Will, you wouldn’t. I mean… nothing…” I was rambling petrified for Charlie’s safety.

“I just wanted to prove a point. You will love me Shannon. When you are my wife you will adore me.” Will nodded at the men. I watched in horror as they approached Charlie from behind.

“Will, please stop them,” I begged.

“Tell me you love me.” I just looked at him. “Tell me you love me and push me against this wall with your desire for me, Shannon.” I didn’t even have to think about it. Charlie was all I saw.

“I love you Will,” I replied pushing him hard against the wall in fury. Will moaned as my lips found his. His hands were everywhere as I pinned him against the wall. I knew this display was for Charlie. It was killing me knowing there was every chance he was watching me.

“Wow,” Will smiled as I pulled away. I turned to see Charlie alone just watching me. “My guys only asked him for the time,” Will chuckled against my neck. My body tensed. “Careful Shan, you are meant to adore me remember.” Will kissed down my neck. “I can’t wait until our wedding night, Shannon. You have teased me too long. I think it’s safe to say I no longer have to worry about Charlie Collins.”

I shuddered to his touch watching as Charlie got into a taxi without so much as a glance in my direction. So this was it. Charlie had finally given up on me. He was safe and I was ready to take the next step to make sure he would always stay that way.

****

The countdown to the wedding was now just days away.

I had nowhere left to turn. Slowly I was becoming accustomed to the life I would have to lead. I was trying with Will. What other choice did I have? Once he was my husband I would be bonded to him forever.

I would switch off all my desires locking Charlie in the back of my heart. I had to think of it as a small victory. I had kept him safe. That was all that mattered.

Will and I had arrived at our New Zealand hideaway retreat to relax ready for our magical wedding day.

“So are you feeling nervous?” Will asked as I looked out towards the crystal shimmering water. It was a paradise island just as Megan had described. My large white beach hut was spacious and comfortable. With a long porch weaving its way around the hut.

“A little,” I smiled walking out onto the soft white sand.

The setting for Will and I to say our vows was perfect. Mrs Gray had done herself proud. A long trail of flawlessly arranged white colour rocks led the way down towards the pure white sand. On the beach a huge red canopy covered a silver stage where Will would be waiting for me as I walked down the aisle to become his forever. The sun would be setting towards the east as our wedding ceremony finished, everything was faultless.

Only a few of the press had been invited, it would still be enough for our pictures to be all over the news for a few days. As far as the guests went there would only be the Field family and a few of their close friends. Tears swelled in my eyes. Who would I have? I could only think of Mrs Gray.

“So Shannon dear. What do you think?” Mrs Gray asked pleased with herself as she began unfolding a large roll of ribbon.

“It’s perfect. I can see why you are the best,” I replied helping her to fasten red bows to the silver chairs laid across the beach.

“I’ll do that. I don’t want you chipping your nails.”

“I just feel so useless.” I sat down on one of the chairs. I could see Will watching me from the distance. “Will has been watching me like a hawk. I mean what does he think I am going to do? Make a swim for it?”

“Who knows what goes on in his head,” Mrs Gray laughed.

“Do you think he wants to talk to me?” I asked looking at Will again leaning against the porch fence.

“I would say so,” replied Mrs Gray. “I expect he is feeling guilty. Forcing you into this must be preying on his mind. He loves you so he must care about your feelings dear.”

“Not enough to set me free I bet,” I mumbled taking a deep breath as I made my way over to him.

Will was a handsome man. I had always thought that. It seemed strange looking at him in shorts and a cotton shirt. I had never seen him so casual as if I was seeing a whole new side of him not consumed by work.

“Shannon,” Will greeted me holding his hand out for me. I placed my hands behind my back watching him as Will withdrew his hands placing them in his pockets.

“You look like you have something to say to me Will,” I looked up at him.

“I am just finding it hard to take this all in,” Will pointed towards Mrs Gray still fastening reds bows to the chairs.

“I know,” I whispered.

“I never realised how much you loved him Shannon. That you would do all this for him,” Will whispered. I looked in his ocean eyes they were troubled.

“What are you saying Will?” I asked as a slight flicker of hope filled my heart.

“I just wish things could have been different. That I could have made you love me that way. I can’t understand what he has that I don’t,” Will turned me to face him. “What is so special about him Shannon? I know he is good looking, but are you really as gullible as my sister?”