Un-Break my Heart: Book 2 (The Heart Trilogy) (18 page)

“Deadly serious…..I want you Jack for my laugh a minute lunch time show” I replied.

“Why me…..and why are you asking….who made you station manager”

“Greg did, yesterday and told me I have full control of all the recruitment” I replied, reaching across to take the hand of one of my best friends.

“Fucking hell Steph…I don’t know what to say” Jack stammered. It was strange to see him so short of words.

“Just say yes and you will make my life a whole lot easier” I said.

“Yes then…..yes” he said “I guess it’s time I moved on, especially if my best friend is too”

Picking up my glass I held it aloft

“Here’s to Jack’s big brunch” I said “Starting on the 1
s
t
of December”

“Wow, that sounds great” Jack replied as he joined me in the toast.

“I don’t have much more for you yet but I’ll get Greg to draw up a contract for you and I’m sure I’ll see you before then” I said, downing the last drops from my glass.

“Want another” Jack asked. I shook my head.

“Sorry I’ve got to dash, I have something pending” I grinned.

“Don’t you mean someone” he joked.

“Exactly” I finished. Kissing Jack goodbye I watched him sit back down and get out his phone, no doubt to let Jeremy know his good news.

Chapter 27

Opening my front door I was greeted by enthusiastic barking and tail wagging as Jester allowed me into the hallway, only after a long tummy rub. The scent of herbs and spices filled my nostrils as I realised that it was James’ signature dish from all those years ago, Spaghetti Bolognaise. I peeped around the kitchen door to find James wearing my apron and as he turned back to the pan on the stove I realised that he was completely naked beneath. His ass looked more delectable than the mince browning in the pan.

“Shit I don’t know what to taste first, you or the food” I said, dropping my bag and advancing towards my naked chef.

As I reached James, I went up on tip toes to bring his lips closer to mine and then as we kissed I let my hands run down the bare skin of his spine to rest on the object of my sudden desire.

“Not just yet” James said, reaching around to take my hands in his. I pouted up at him and he grinned and ushered me towards the kitchen island. His laptop was open there and he motioned for me to sit in front of it.

“Take a look” he said. The screen was filled with a picture of a waterfall, the blue water leapt out tempting me to touch it and really feel it’s coolness on my skin.

“It looks a little like the waterfall from the film Cocktail” I said. My mind flew back to the cinema screen i
n
Gloucester, James hand lightly resting on my leg.

“I can’t fool you can I” James said “You are spot on, it’s i
n
Jamaica” he replied. I was temporarily lost in thoughts of romantic plans I had made when I was too young to imagine that true love was not the same as the movies.

“Would you like a drink” James asked, removing his fingers from my shoulders and walking towards the fridge. He returned with two long glasses filled with ice, pineapple juice
,
Malib
u
and a cocktail umbrella.

“I’m not sure this goes with Spag Bol” I said, accepting the glass and glancing back at the screen.

“I hope you can spare ten days out of your now busy schedule to help me recreate a special scene from a movie we watched” he murmured. His lips close to my ear. I turned so that they found my upturned lips.

“I guess I had better speak to Greg if you can tell me the dates you have in mind I can probably give him a call straight away” I replied.

“How does the last week in October sound” James asked “I have the tickets on hold for the next forty eight hours” I could tell he was excited as he watched me search my handbag for my phone and the business card that Greg had given me. A few moments later I had my answer and reached for James.

“Yes, book it now” I said, my breath catching in my lungs.

“I’m glad you said that, as I already booked it” he said, moving the laptop aside to reveal the plane tickets and hotel reservations in his name.

“This year just doesn’t stop getting better” I managed, before his lips crushed mine.

When I surfaced for air I couldn’t stop the smile from spreading over my face. My daydreams as a young girl had somehow transpired into reality on the open laptop screen next to me and I almost felt like pinching my arm. Instead I looked into the eyes that were watching me and fell a little further back in love. Before I could respond my mobile phone rang and I picked it up to see Charlie’s name lighting up the screen.

“Hi sweetheart, what’s wrong” I asked, as normally she didn’t ring unless she needed something.

“Nothing Mum, just wanted to ask if you still have my passport” Charlie asked.

“Why” I asked, my curiosity aroused. James looked at my puzzled expression and mouthed “What’s wrong” I shook my head and whispered “Don’t know yet”

“Mitchell and I are going on tour with Ne-Yo i
n
America, well that’s if you’ll let me” Charlie asked “Also Mitch says ask James for him too”

Putting my mobile phone onto loudspeaker I replied.

“You’re on loud speaker so James can hear you too”

“Cool, ‘cos Mitch is listening in on mine at this end” Charlie giggled.

“Perhaps we need to all discuss this when you get home on Sunday” I responded, cautiously. I had never considered that this would happen so quickly and it was about to floor me completely.

“Yes, I guess so…we don’t have to let them know until next week” Charlie replied. The bubble of her excitement slightly deflated at having to wait until Sunday.

“I’m doing a roast if you want to head back for about two” I said.

“That’s great Stephanie” Mitchell’s voice replied “Hi Dad”

“Hi Mitch, great news but we do need to talk about it, after all Charlie is only seventeen” James cautioned.

“Mum, you know this could be our big break” Charlie wined.

“I haven’t said no yet and I haven’t said yes either so just be patient and we can talk about it all together”

That comment seemed to placate her and after a final few words we hung up and James headed back to the cooker. I watched his naked ass with growing desire but every time I tried to sneak up on him he turned and shooed me away. I knew he was enjoying the build up of my sexual frustration and I decided that we could both play the same game. Quietly I removed my shoes and slipped my jumper off so that next time James turned towards me I was wearing just my bra and jeans. He grinned

“Feeling a little warm” he asked. I nodded and continued to sip my cocktail. As he filled a pan with water for the pasta I slid out of my trousers and then jumped down from the stool to start to lay the table in the dining room.

James noticed my skimpy g-string as I bent down and pulled out some placemats and then the cutlery. The plates were in a wall cupboard and I opened the door which shielded me from his eyes. I unhooked my bra and reached around to hang it on the handle as I pulled out the bowls we needed and walked across to the table. Knowing he was behind me I dodged out of his way as he tried to run his fingers down my spine and shook my head as I laid the table and made James wait. I glanced a look over my shoulder and noticed the bulge beneath the apron and knew it was working.

“Would you like wine with dinner” I asked.

“Sounds like a good idea” James replied. He watched me walk towards the wine rack before he returned to his pans on the cooker.

With the bottle on the table I wiggled out of my panties and put them on the back of the chair. I was completely naked as I wandered back through to the kitchen. The steam rose from the pasta as James poured on the mince and sauce, sprinkled with the scent of fresh basil from the plant on the windowsill. I paused in the doorway waiting for him to notice that I was now naked before him. My nipples stood to attention despite the warmth in the house and as James carried the bowls of food to the table his eyes travelled the length of me. When he passed I reached for the apron ties and it came un-done instantly so that when James reached the table he lifted it over his head so that he could join me.

It was such fun to sit across from each other and eat, the spaghetti flicked the occasional splatter of sauce onto our skin and I itched to reach across with my tongue and lick it off. James noticed my grin

“Are you thinking naughty thoughts” he asked.

“Oh yes, like I want to lick all the droplets of sauce from your chest and then do bad things to you” I breathed, as my heart beat increased. Standing up I ran my finger around the inside rim of my bowl, capturing the last of the delicious sauce. Then I stood up and walked around the table to where James sat. His pupils were dilated and black with passion as he opened his mouth to suck the sauce from my finger. My heart leapt in my chest as his hand wrapped around my waist to pull me down onto his lap.

He repeated my move with his finger and brushed the sauce over my lips so that we could both taste it as his lips captured mine.

“This is delicious” I moaned, as I manoeuvred to sit astride him. He pushed inside me and I sighed from the sheer release of the fission that had been welling up within me ever since I walked through the door. His fingers smudged the sauce that had dropped between the valley of my breasts, like blusher brush making a gentle sweep to highlight. I pressed my skin against his and increased my movements as we rode to the peak of our passion and then galloped down the other side.

The candles flickered on the table as the wax slipped down the sides and pooled in the holder beneath. I rested my cheek against James’ and enjoyed the silent afterglow of our love making.

“That was the best meal I’ve had in a long time” I said.

“Well if that’s what my cooking does for you I’d better learn a few more recipes” James replied “Now I believe that it’s your turn to clean up”

Between the two of us the dishwasher was loaded and we headed upstairs for a shower. We spent the rest of the evening curled up on the sofa as we watched Cocktail and I knew that my dream of the waterfall was going to come true.

As we lay in bed later I lazily traced patterns over James’ chest and felt so content.

“Do you think we are going to last” I asked.

“Of course we are, I wish we had the first time but perhaps it’s even better the second time around” James replied. He sounded so sure about us that I snuggled in closer and tried to remove the still nagging doubts I had found in my mind.  I had doubts about our children’s relationship lasting, doubts about my new job, worries about Sarah and Chris and the lack of a baby and finally the deep seated fear about what Felicity would do this time now that I was back in James’ life.

In Warwickshire Charlie hung up the phone and turned to Mitch.

“Do you think we can persuade them to let us go” she asked.

“Of course we will, didn’t you notice how happy they sounded even though they were trying to be serious parents” Mitch replied. Charlie shook her head but smiled anyway. It was going to take all of her persuasive powers to convince her Mum to let her go.

“Anyway, I’ve been on the computer and noticed my Dad had been looking at holiday’s so perhaps he is thinking of taking your Mum somewhere nice” Mitch said.

“Lucky for them” Charlie said, reaching out to stroke Mitch’s arm.

“No lucky for us” Mitch replied, pulling her close so that he could once more drown in her gaze.

“America” Charlie breathed once more before his lips bruised hers with their strength of feeling.

Turning to Mitch she ran her tongue around the hot, moist interior of his mouth and felt her senses swell with the wonderful first tingles of desire that flew through her veins.

“Shall we have an early night” she whispered, her lips moving to nibble his earlobe. She knew he could never resist that feeling as he reached for her hand and they headed upstairs to bed. As their bodies touched from length to breadth her skin caught light. Burning beneath his touch they once more found their souls home within each other.

Chapter 28

Saturday dawned and I crept from beneath James’s arm and headed downstairs to make breakfast in bed. It was my turn to treat him in response to last night’s epic meal. Jester greeted me and I let him out into the garden for his usual morning sniff. As I toasted some crumpets and let the tea brew I felt his wet nose on my leg.

“We’re going for a lovely long walk in the woods today” I said, leaning down to fondle his velvet ears. Jester looked at me and wagged his tail as if he understood completely what I was saying.

Leaving him with his bowl of food and a sneaky crumpet that had fallen on the floor I returned to my room. James had tossed the covers off his side and lay sprawled on his stomach, one leg slightly bent and after putting the tray down I gently ran my finger up his thigh. He remained motionless so I replaced my finger with my lips instead and trailed them up to his neck and then ear.

“Morning sexy” I whispered. It was all he needed to turn over and pull me off balance and into his awaiting embrace.

“Morning, gorgeous” he replied, returning my kisses.

“I bought breakfast up and Jester is busy working on his downstairs so that we can all go for a walk this morning” I said.

After satisfying all our desires we headed for a quick shower and then got dressed. The sun continued to shine and although the wind was chilly I was eager to get outside.

“I think I still remember the way” James said, once we were loaded into his four by four.

“Ok, but if you forget I can direct you as I recently sent Charlie and Mitch there”

“In so many ways our children are like us and yet so many ways they are different”

I nodded in agreement and reached over so that my hand lay on his leg and with the other I turned the stereo on.

“Love Shack I see”

“Of course” he replied “I need my daily fix of you, whether in person or over the airwaves”

Leo
n
was doing the Saturday morning show and somehow whilst I had been getting ready James had sent them a request for us. I smiled to hea
r
Leo
n
dedicate “Never tear us apart by INXS”

             
“I was standing, you were there

              Two worlds collided and they could never tear us apart”

“Great choice” I acknowledged, as the countryside passed by the window. Jester sat on the back seat with his head out of the window, the wind making his ears flap wildly. You could tell he was looking forward to a new adventure of smells on the impending walk.

In the parking area I looked around and noticed that there had been changes since the last time I had been here. “Cannop Ponds” had become a more tourist focused spot, with a neat parking area and more picnic benches than twenty four years ago. However the neat row of stepping stones next to the bridge were still there and as we hooked up the lead Jester pulled us towards the path alongside the lake. James let Jester run loose and he reached for my hand as we strolled along. With each step it felt like we were back in the past, on one of our first ever dates.

Another couple ahead stopped to say hello to Jester who was always pleased to make new friends, and then walked past us. We soon reached the weir at the half way point and as if reading my mind James found two sticks.

“I think we need a re-match” he said, as we leant over the railings of the bridge.

“Ready, steady, go” I said, as we dropped the sticks and they raced down on the current of the water. Suddenly we heard a splash and Jester was on his belly heading in the same direction as the sticks. The tidal wave at the bottom meant we never saw whose stick was first, but an extremely wet dog returned to our side with both sticks firmly in his mouth.

“Jester nooooo” James shouted, as we were both covered in river water as he shook himself dry.

Pulling me close James wiped the flecks of water and mud from my face and planted a kiss on my nose. I smiled up at him and reached out to wipe some flecks from his face before I reached up to return his kiss. Leaning back against the railings Jester left us to our embrace as past memories reignited the love between us. Sitting on one of the free benches I watched the occasional leaf fall from a branch and drift gently to the ground.

“Today has been perfect” I said.

“Yes it has and I aim to keep it that way, every day should be like this now that you are in my life” he replied. I giggled

“That’s so corny” I laughed “But I love it”

“I love you” James said, joining in the laughter, but I could see the seriousness in his eyes.

After a relaxing afternoon on the sofa at home we headed over to the Health Spa restaurant and were soon joined by Sarah and Chris. They both tried to look happy but beneath their careful exteriors I could see the turmoil they were in and had a thought about how I could help them. The food was delicious and conversation flowed about all the exciting plans I had for Love Shack radio i
n
Birmingham. Sarah was still anxious about the prospective library cuts and Chris revealed that he was in line for early retirement but a fantastic pay off that would fund his business plans. We tried to get more details from him but he remained closed lip but I knew that Sarah would tell me at some point.

Back at home with James I decided to risk it and share my possible plan with him to help Sarah and Chris.

“James, you know I was telling you about how Sarah and Chris can’t have children” I said, cautiously.

“Mmmh” he replied.

“Well, what if I was to offer to be a surrogate for them, as last time I spoke to Sarah she said the problem lay in the egg connecting with her womb and….”  My voice trailed off as James turned to stare at me, shock in his eyes.

“Fuck Steph…where did that idea come from” he exclaimed.

“I…I…I’m not sure I just hate seeing them so miserable when I know how good they were with Charlotte when she was a baby and I was kind of not functioning as well as I could have”

My hand reached to rub my scar, my usual nervous inflection when I knew that I had perhaps said something wrong or scary.

“I wanted to ask you for your thoughts first before I say anything to Sarah about it, as I will only go ahead if everyone is ok” I said. The silence stretched between us as I could see a myriad of emotions flash across James’ clear blue eyes. The biggest one being sorrow, as I waited for him to speak.

“What about your promotion at work, what about us being together, what about our family”

“I know, but for some of the most difficult moments in my life they were there for me and if possible I want to repay the favour in any way that I can” I stammered. I realised that I hadn’t thought this idea out and I stood up and hurried from the room.

Looking out upon the garden, the moonlight hid behind the clouds, casting brief swathes of brightness across the garden. Leaning my head against the cool glass I wondered how I could help my friends in another way that would be better for James. I heard his footsteps on the tiles as he crossed the room and took me in his strong arms.

“You are truly a beautiful person and I’m sorry if my response seems selfish” he said “But I’m not sure I could share you in that way, especially as we can never have a child of our own” A single tear rolled slowly down his cheek, but he quickly brushed it away.

“Give me some time before you say anything” he asked. His lips sought mine out and I responded back with love and understanding. I was pleased that we could be this way with each other already and I knew that my mad idea might not come to fruition but at least we could talk about it.

Reaching for his hand I led him upstairs to our room and slowly removed his clothes. I showered him with a deluge of kisses and as he rose in my mouth I continued to run my lips up his body until he could no longer remain passive. His hand tangled into my hair as he pulled me close and his lips hit mine with force. His hands tore at my clothing until he could push me back upon the bed covers, naked under his probing tongue. My hips thrust under his caress until I could hold back no longer and he felt me throbbing endlessly on his mouth. Then before I could say anything more he plunged into my wetness, the drive so hard I had to bite my tongue to stop from screaming his name. His thrusts were harder and deeper than I had ever experienced before and I cried out as he filled me with his searing heat. Collapsing into my outstretched arms I held him close and tried to make my touch speak to him of the love that I felt but that words could not portray.

“Whatever you ask for that’s what I’ll be” I murmured, taking the lines directly from my favourite George Michael song.

“Till the end of time” James breathed, our pupils connected in a look of pure love as our souls sang to each other with lyrics that bound our love.

Sleep claimed us and prevented any further talk and in the morning I didn’t mention the subject again. James had asked me for time and I had plenty of that. After a quick walk with Jester we headed for a swim at the pool and more happy memories to dive into. James was upset that the diving board had been replaced by a small springboard, but he still managed to show off with an impressive back flip into the water. The simple swimming strokes served to calm our fears on the subject of the night before and as we caught our breath in the deep end I located the spot.

“Shall we, just for old time’s sake” I asked. James nodded and disappeared beneath the surface. I found him waiting for me as we both closed our eyes and became young and in love again.

Normal life resumed as we hit the surface and left the pool. As the music played in the background we took the time to chat about our future plans, the holiday and also the fact that our children had a big opportunity in front of them.

“I’m scared to let her go” I said, turning to James “I know Mitchell is a great lad, after all he is your son, bu
t
Americ
a
is so far away”

“I think we should wait to see what the paperwork says and then make a decision” James reasoned, as he let his hand rest gently on my thigh.

“I guess it’s no difference that we are going to be away for ten days” I replied, closing my eyes to picture that waterfall.

“I never thought of that, perhaps we should make their decision before we tell them about ours” James grinned “Otherwise we may not win the fight” I loved his logic as we headed back to check on the food and to lay the table.

When the motorbike engine died outside we were sitting together in the conservatory, as our children bought their infectious zest for life into the room.

“So Mum, can we go” Charlie asked. Her straightforward nature bringing the request to the surface before they had even sat down.

“Hi Charlie, Mitch lovely to see you both” I countered. I always enjoyed making my daughter wait as patience was not her thing and it was fun to watch her frustration.

“Would you like a drink” James asked, joining in the fun of making them await an answer that they so desperately wanted.

“Thanks Dad; that would be great” Mitch replied “I’ll give you a hand”

As the two of them left for the kitchen, Charlie sat down next to me.

“Please Mum, can I go. I’ll be good and Mitch will look after me and it will be such a huge break for us to dance ever night…live for everyone in America…who knows what might happen or who else might see us” she said, the words tumbling out of her mouth. Her excitement was clearly evident and I couldn’t help but smile back at her infectious expression.

“James and I would like to see all the information first” I replied “Then we can discuss it before we make a decision”

With drinks in hand James and Mitchell appeared and joined us. I saw James glance between the two of us and then he smiled.

Charlie and Mitch headed upstairs and I knew just from the sound of her footsteps that Charlie was eager for any decision now, good or bad. Mitch had left the paperwork on the kitchen island so as I finished the cooking James sat down to read.

“I think we may have a rather large problem” he said, after only a few minutes.

“What” I asked, as I headed over to lean on his shoulder.

“Apparently participants in the tour need to be eighteen or older” he replied, highlighting the sentence with his finger.

“So why would they have asked for Charlie if they knew she was only seventeen” my words petering out as I realised that she had lied to get the video shoot in the first place.

Quiet descended upon the two of us in the kitchen, the scent of the food permeated the air but savouring the enjoyment of this was soured by the lies.

“Should I talk to Charlie separately about this” I said, unsure of the best way to approach her.

“No, let’s do this together after we have eaten and perhaps shared our good news with them” James said, as he pondered the predicament.