Un-Break my Heart: Book 2 (The Heart Trilogy) (21 page)

“Hey, beautiful you shouldn’t be loitering on street corners” he laughed, pulling me into his arms “Some flash git in a Porsche might whisk you away” In the dim evening light James didn’t notice the red rash of guilt associated with his last comment.

“That was my boss Greg, you just missed meeting him” I said.

His lips tenderly touched mine and my mind fled from images of my slight indiscretion.

Chapter 31

Breaking apart, James took my hand and I fell into step with him

“So where’s your car and where are we going” I asked, curiously.

“I got Mitchell to drop me off, we can get a taxi home and come and collect your car in the morning” James said “As for where we are going, you’ll have to wait and see” As the moonlight lit the pavement with a softer glow than the street lights I leaned in closer to James. People bustled around us, some off to work, some heading home from work and some like us lingering in the evening atmosphere.

Reaching a small Indian Restaurant, James held the door open and I stepped into a cloud of scents. Sweet cardamom, spicy chilli and succulent lamb mingled in the air to get my taste buds sweltering.

“Table for two” the waiter asked. James nodded and we were shown to a small booth in the back corner of the restaurant. A selection of dips and poppadums arrived and a couple of Indian lager’s.

“You look wonderful, powerful but sexy at the same time. I hope Greg took notice all of your great ideas” James said, snapping a poppadum “But didn’t glimpse your other assets” Slipping my shoe off I ran my stocking covered toes up the inside of his trouser leg, having missed teasing him in the car.

Peeping over the top edge of the menu I grinned and although he couldn’t see my lips, my eyes told him of the desire burning brightly inside me. We chose our food and then his hand ventured beneath the table to caress the leg that was now pinioned between his thighs. I knew I was in for a fun night later as we devoured our starters and main course. When we jumped into the taxi later I was feeling a little inebriated and extremely lust fuelled. The house was in darkness and I tried to stifle my giggles as we crept in and upstairs.

With the door shut firmly behind us James reached for me and turned me around so that he could undo the zip on my dress. As it slowly descended to the floor he sucked in his breath when I revealed the front view.

“Wow” he marvelled, his hands tentatively touched my waist and then slid to the top of my stockings.

“My favourites” he sighed as he sank to his knees before me.

“I know, this outfit has been turning me on all day, just imagining this moment”

My body ignited as his tender touch found the sliver of skin revealed at the top of my thigh.

Our night was filled with passion that kept us awake into the early hours, but I didn’t care. I was with my one true love, my soul mate, my James. My body craved his touch like an addiction that I was happy to embrace. With the morning light falling onto our bodies I reached for James and he enfolded me into his arms and just held me, our breath rising and falling together in perfect unity. Eventually a light tap on the bedroom door roused us more fully

“Mum, James, if you’re awake breakfast is ready” Charlie said, softly.

“Morning sweetheart, we’ll be down in a few minutes” I said. It felt great to hear her voice and she sounded happy, despite the fact that Mitchell would be leaving fo
r
Los Angele
s
without her.

In the kitchen the music was on and Mitchell looked quite at home in front of the cooker.

“Hi Mitch, this smells great” James said, grabbing some mugs and pouring the coffee. A Saturday morning and a full English breakfast surrounded by my new family. Darren and Sophie appeared in the doorway and I smiled over at them, the showdown at the party long since forgotten.

“Hi Dad, Stephanie” Darren said “Are you still ok to help us move today” he said. It was going to be a full day getting the two of them settled in their new home i
n
Manchester. Sophie’s parents were meeting us there at noon, Darren had hired a Van and the rest of us would follow in James’ 4 by 4 so that we could help to unpack on arrival.

“We spent all day yesterday loading that van” Charlie said, slipping into the chair next to me “How was your day at the new radio station”

“It was great thanks Charlie, did I tell you that Jack’s moving up too”

“Cool, I love Jack…is he bringing his boyfriend Jeremy” she enthused, before tucking into her plate of food.

“Are you ready for the move and your new jobs” I asked Sophie. She looked up and smiled

“I can’t wait; it’s going to be so exciting working on all the period dramas”

“I’ve told her that if she gets to work on the costumes for Strictly Come Dancing could she get us some tickets for the show” Charlie said.

“I’d rather they offered us a job, but unfortunately we don’t know enough ballroom dancing” Mitchell said “Although we can do a mean Salsa”

With breakfast over we all hurried to get ready and James took Jester down to his parent’s place. Pam and Peter came out to watch us all depart. Jester sat between them, a sorrowful look on his face.

“Take care everyone, good luck Darren and Sophie” Pam said, as we pulled off the driveway and headed up the motorway. Thankfully all Felicity had provided was the money for the van and some for new furniture so I didn’t have to see her at all. Despite the large group of us, we all mucked in and the van was soon unloaded and the house filled. Sophie’s parents were stopping the night in a nearby hotel but the rest of us needed to head back.

From time to time I caught Charlie gazing around at the small terraced house, envy in her eyes at what she hoped for herself and Mitchell at some point in the future. Pam had promised to make us all supper for our return and as we travelled back our slightly smaller family felt a little bereft. Back at the house we ate and then all departed for our beds, the days labours making us tired. I watched James pause and look into the empty bedroom that once belonged to Darren and tried to imagine how it would feel if it were Charlie leaving. Opening my arms I pulled James close, knowing that the following week we would be saying goodbye to Mitchell.

Across the hallway Charlie lay sated in Mitchell’s warm arms. Ever since they had made the decision to be apart so that he could go t
o
Americ
a
their lovemaking had been even more urgent and feverish than before. It was as if they were trying to cram in enough to last them through the six weeks when they would be separated by a vast ocean.

On Sunday, James and I replayed the favour and rather than a cooked breakfast we all went out for lunch. Over the table we talked about the future.

“So when are we moving in” Charlie asked. I looked across at James and he smiled and nodded.

“Probably the middle of November, I need to get our house sorted out and rented out before I officially start my new job”

“So if I swapped courses to Mitchell’s old college could I start there before mid November” Charlie asked.

“Yes, if that’s what you want”

“Cool, I’ll get all the paperwork filled in next week and then I can come back up as soon as I can” Charlie said. Mitch nodded and smiled, his expression was lightly tinged with sadness.

Charlie and Mitch opted to walk home so that James could drive me over to collect my car that was still in the compound outside the studio. I was heading home early in the morning as James was back at work, then back up here to the new studio for work on Friday and the following Monday. This was good as Mitchell was leaving early on Monday morning and I wanted to make sur
e
Charlott
e
was alright before I went back to Ross for the final week before we jetted off t
o
Jamaica.

Pulling up to the gate I noticed a light was on in the studio buildings and Greg’s Porsche was parked in the compound next to mine.

“Greg must be a workaholic, here on a Sunday before the station is even open” I said.

“As long as he doesn’t expect you here at all hours” James said “Otherwise I will have to have words about keeping you away from me” Pulling back out onto the road I saw the door open and Lesley appeared, looking a little less than her polished self. She didn’t notice my car as I watched Greg fill the doorframe, dressed more casually in jeans and a shirt.

He must have said something and as I glanced in the rear view mirror I watched her fill his arms as their lips met. Breathing a sigh of relief I hoped that he had moved his affections to our PR girl instead of me as I disappeared around the corner and back to James’ house.

Greg had thought that his afternoon tryst with Lesley would have worked to clear his mind of Stephanie. He had been surprised to still see her car in the parking area when he had pulled in. Returning to his desk he cleared away the empty wine bottle and glasses, Lesley had been surprisingly easy but he knew that as she had been panting for him all the way through the interview. With her in reserve he could happily take his time with Stephanie if that was required. Leaving the studio he noticed the missing car and wished he had seen her arrive and depart, perhaps he could have persuaded her inside for a drink and a chat?

The drive home was quick and when they arrived they grabbed the lead and took Jester for a walk in the weakening sunlight. Reaching for his hand I held it tight in mine and looked up into his eyes, how could I have been so lucky to get a second chance to be with my one true love? Reaching into his pocket James pulled out a tube of love heart sweets.

“Since we were too full for dessert earlier” he said, handing them to me. I pulled the first sweet out and read the inscription

“Forever mine it says” showing James who opened his mouth. I popped it in and then took the next sweet out for myself.

“What does it say” he asked.

“All yours”

“Are you?”

The fizz filled my mouth meaning that I couldn’t answer straight away so James stopped and let Jester loose from the lead. Then he turned to take me in his arms so he could stare into my eyes.

“Are you” he repeated.

“Yes” I whispered, looking up into eyes that I always fell inside, like the rabbit hole i
n
Alic
e
in Wonderland. His lips touched mine and slowly opened, mine synchronised as our tongues collided and slid across each other’s. I could feel my heart beating wildly and the blood started to race around my body. The park around us slipped away as we enjoyed a precious moment together.

Chapter 32

In the morning I felt bereft as I drove away from James. Charlie sat in the passenger seat and within minutes of turning the corner her phone was out and a smile was on her face as she continued her conversation with Mitchell. Charlie spent Monday in the office at college sorting out all the paperwork but now she had the hardest part to do, telling Julia she was leaving.

On Tuesday evening I went over for supper with Sarah which meant that Charlie had a pizza ordered for Julia coming over. As I left I spotted the look of distress on my daughter’s face.

“You know you can always finish college here, Sarah said you could stay with her as Chris is away…it’s up to you” I said.

“Thanks Mum, I really love Mitchell and even though he will be away I want to start fitting into life in Warwickshire with you and James, Julia can always come and visit” she replied “I’m just not looking forward to telling her, we’ve been friends since we were six so that’s 9 years”

“If she’s a good friend like Sarah is to me then she will understand” I said, pulling my coat on and preparing for the short walk to my friends house.

Charlie had just put some music on in the lounge when the doorbell rang and Julia stood there.

“Hey, long time no see” she said, hugging Charlie in their usual manner.

“You too, I’m waiting on pizza but Mum said we could have a wine spritzer if we want”

“You were in the office a long time this afternoon” Julia said.

“Yes, I need to tell you something” Charlie said, sliding a glass over the kitchen island towards her best friend.

She was about to start when the doorbell rang again and she hurried to grab her purse to pay for the pizza. Back in the kitchen they opened the box and dived into the food, the scent of pepperoni, spicy chicken and melted cheese prickled their senses and the air around them. Between mouthfuls Charlie started to fill her friend in.

“I was filling in paperwork as I’m transferring to college i
n
Warwick” Charlie said, once she’d finished her first bite of the hot, gooey pizza slice. She watched Julia pause in mid bite, her eyes wide with surprise and shock.

“Mum and James are definitely back together and Mum’s been offered a job as Station Manager for Love Shack radio i
n
Birmingha
m
starting in December” Charlie continued.

“Fuck, does that mean you’re moving in with Mitchell” Julia gasped.

“Yes” Charlie replied and then her voice trailed away and her best friend noticed sadness spread over her friend’s usual bright visage.

“Oh shit, you guys haven’t split up have you” Julia said, dropping her unfinished slice of pizza back into the box.

“No…no nothing like that, but Mitchell has been offered a six week tour in the States with Ne-Yo. I was offered it too but unfortunately because I lied about my age for the video I can’t go as they are only insured for age eighteen and over” Charlie said “And I can’t fake my age on my passport”

“So Mitch just decided to leave you and go for it” Julia exclaimed “I thought he was so in love with you that he would have decided to say no”

“We had a long talk and both decided it was best for him to go, after all I don’t want to stand in the way of his dream, even though it’s a dream we share”

They sat in silence for a couple of moments, each caught up in their own thoughts.

“I’m going to miss having you around” Julia said, glumly “College won’t be the same”

“I know but at least you still have the others in the dance group and I’m not going to the other side of the world, just an hour away. You can come and visit, stay over and there is a cracking Salsa club i
n
Birmingham” Charlie enthused.

“Yes, and I might be able to see Simon too” Julia beamed, realising the potential in her friend’s move.

Just then her phone beeped and Charlie spotted a message from Mitch.

“The video is showing in the next half hour on MTV, I’m really excited to see us on screen x”

“Wow, I’ll be watching and speak to you later, Julia is over at the moment” Charlie replied.

“That was Mitch, the video is being premiered on MTV in the next half hour, let’s watch it together” Charlie said, moving the pizza box through to the lounge. With baited breath they watched as the screen suddenly flashed into light and the set appeared with four couples motionless on their podiums.

Charlie looked across at her best friend as she leaned into the screen for a closer look.

“Oh my god, there you are” Julia exclaimed. All of a sudden the screen showed a close up of her in Mitch’s arms, the starting position. She blushed at the sight of her semi naked body and once again hoped her Mum wouldn’t see this.

“Fuck, you guys look so hot and almost naked in that bra top and shorts” she breathed
.
Charlott
e
was captivated once more by the sight of Mitchell on the screen, even when they were just in the background she couldn’t help but feel her eyes being drawn to him.

Inwardly she suddenly felt nervous and worried about letting him go t
o
America, what if his head was turned by a gorgeous American girl, tanned skin, blond hair and everything she wasn’t. She had already noticed the way other females looked at him, even when they were together, what would happen when she wasn’t by his side? How was she going to last without him, touching her, kissing her? Even when they were apart they could just send a quick message and they were connected again, she knew she would have to adjust to the time difference and also the times when he would be performing.

“Earth t
o
Charlotte” Julia piped up, shaking Charlie from her minefield of unanswered questions and worries.

“Sorry, just got caught up in my own thoughts” Charlie replied, smiling at her best friend and clocking the final piece of pizza in the box.

“Shall we split it” Julia said, her ability to mind read was unnerving sometimes.

Once she was alone Charlie rewound the recording of the video and pressed play. Reaching for her phone she called Mitchell who must have been waiting impatiently as he answered before the first ring ended.

“So what do you think” he asked, immediately.

“I’m watching it again at the moment and I think we were definitely the best couple on the podium” Charlie breathed. She froze the screen to view the lift that was mid-way through and remembered the nerves at first followed by the elation when they nailed it. She could clearly see the effort etched in Mitch’s whole frame along with a sparkle that could only have been meant for her.

“You look fabulous, so sexy in that outfit…I’m glad they let you keep it”

“You always look gorgeous” she replied “Good job I left the outfit at yours its one less thing that I have to pack this week”

In his room Mitchell was spread out on his bed, the said outfit in his hands. He had promised to put it through the wash but the immense scent of Charlie on it prevented him. He still couldn’t believe how much he had fallen for her and how worried he was about their impending separation. They had only known each other for a short while and with her changing college, moving in and being the new girl again in a strange place he knew she would undoubtedly turn heads. Male heads…she already did it now when they were together. She had an innocence coupled with a sensual aura that blinded him whenever they were together. He had noticed the way that the other dancers on the video shoot had admired her departing ass as she swayed to the changing room.

“So how is the packing going? Will you be finished by Thursday as I think I can get Friday off so that we can have three days together before I leave next Monday” Mitch said, hating the way the word leave sounded on his lips.

“I’ll get it done by then and I think Mum is seeing James on Friday night so she can bring whatever will fit in the car…the rest will have to wait until we finally makes the move” Charlie replied. She could hardly believe that she would be a permanent fixture in Mitchell’s life so soon.

“Excellent, I’ll be down on the bike for seven, then we can head back on Friday morning” Mitch said.

Opening the front door I could hear Charlie talking and popped my head around the lounge door. She spotted me and paused

“Hi Mum, just chatting to Mitch” she said.

“Hot Chocolate” I asked. She nodded and I headed to the kitchen.

“That was close” Charlie said “Mum’s home and the video is still playing on the television and I don’t think she’ll be too happy about the costume I’m wearing”

“Give her a chance, she must realise that you’re an adult now” Mitch said, although he guessed every parent didn’t want to consider their children grown up as it made them feel old. An image popped into Charlie’s mind of her Mum and James naked and making love and she shuddered, not ready to think about that.

“You weren’t thinking of our parents…you know” Mitch said, unable to say the words himself. Charlie giggled down the phone

“How did you know I was thinking that” she exclaimed.

“I must know you better than you think”

As the conversation ended with the promise of a goodnight text Charlie quickly pressed stop and the screen went blank. She made her way into the kitchen just in time to see her Mum hovering with the mini marshmallows in hand.

“Yes or no” I asked.

“Yes” Charlie grinned and jumped up onto the stool “How is Aunt Sarah”

“Good thanks, in fact I guess I need to talk to you about something” I said. Perhaps if Charlie could accept the thought of me carrying a child for Sarah then maybe James would, with time and a drink in hand on a white sandy beach?

I took the stool opposite and wrapped my hands around the warm mug, the deep dark scent of cocoa weaved their spell on my demeanour and I relaxed.

“Sarah and Chris would love to have a child of their own and can’t so they have tentatively asked me if I would consider being their surrogate” I said, hoping that Charlie understood what this meant. I looked into the velvety brown of my mug and then up again to gauge her reaction. The shock was clearly evident in her expression as she cleared her throat.

“Gosh Mum, that’s a big decision…what did James say about it” Charlie asked, straight to the point as usual.

“We’ve only touched on it at the moment, but your thoughts count too….it will be a family choice to make” I replied.

Charlie picked a couple of the marshmallows from the top of her drink and chewed them slowly.

“I love Aunt Sarah and Uncle Chris so much it would be such a special gift to them….but what about your job? Your age?” I made an attempt to lightly slap her for the age comment and then smiled.

“I knew you would understand, my baby girl all grown up now” I said, reaching to touch her hand.

“Enough of the slushy stuff Mum” Charlie replied, smiling but uncomfortable with my affection. Jumping down off the stool Charlie picked up her mug and headed towards the door. She turned in the frame and I saw for a brief second the child she used to be and the wonderful adult that she was turning into.

“Whatever you choose I’ll support you Mum, you’ve done the same for me all my life”

“Thanks Charlie, that means a lot to me” I replied, relief and gratitude softened my voice almost to a whisper.

“Night Mum”

I finished my drink and though about James on his night shift. On the landing I saw the glow of light from the crack at the bottom of Charlie’s door.

“Nigh
t
Charlotte” I said, before I headed for my own soft sanctuary. My phone beeped quietly and I read the message from James

“Quiet evening here now after the earlier fire, here’s a photo from the top of the high ladder over the hotel”

“Are you ok” I replied. Within a couple of seconds my phone rang and I settled back to our conversation. Finally, as the yawns started to get me I said goodnight and hung up. Through the drapes the soft moonlight from outside changed it’s hue from brilliant white to a soft shimmer of lilac. I couldn’t see the stars but James had told me that he had wished on some whilst he was on the top platform. I hoped he was wishing the same things as I was.