Beautiful Boxset: Beautiful Series, books 1-4

by Anderson, Lilliana

  “Isn’t it funny how things change?” I say as we’re driving home. I’m running my fingers through my hair in search for any remaining pins from my semi up-do.

  “Like what?” David asks, glancing at me briefly. I let my eyes rest on him for a moment before I answer. I enjoy looking at his profile as it’s illuminated by the lights on the dash. I reach my hand toward him and run the back of my fingers down the side of his face and over his shoulders. I can’t help it, I just want to touch him.

  He flashes a grin, and tilts his body towards me slightly, but keeps his focus ahead. “Are you going to tell me?”

  “Well, I was just thinking that a few years ago, we’d spend our Saturday nights out getting drunk and dancing all night. But now we’re having civilised dinners that are counted as running late and it’s only a little after midnight.”

  “Yeah well, we grew up I guess,” he says to me, reaching over and taking my hand in his to rest on his leg while he drives. We hold hands and listen to the music playing over the radio for a while before he speaks again. “Do you still want to go out dancing?”

  “No. I’m not into nightclubs anymore, although I do miss dancing with you all night.”

  When we arrive home, David takes me by the hand and leads me inside. He’s focused on his phone and I wonder what he’s doing as he walks us into the living area. But when he docks his phone on the speakers, Colorblind by Counting Crows starts to drift out of the speakers, and I realise what’s going on.

  I smile at him as he lifts my hand to his mouth and presses a kiss on my knuckles. “Shall we?” he murmurs.

  His arms encircle my waist as mine slide up over his shoulders and I lace my fingers across his back.

  “This is nice,” I purr into his ear as I rest my head on his shoulder, our bodies pressed close and swaying together along with the music.

  He hums and we keep moving in a slow circle, swaying together, holding each other. When the song ends a new one starts to play, although I’m not really listening anymore. I’m more focused on the hunger in the eyes of my fiancé.

  “Kiss me,” I whisper, brushing my lips against his, nudging him gently. We take it slow, letting the music guide our movement. First it’s just gentle touches and soft sucking of lips. Slowly our mouths open and we give each other access, our tongues dancing together with the strains of the song.

  I start to work at the buttons of his shirt, taking my time with each one as I start to trail kisses along his jaw, down his neck and between his pecs.

  He grips my buttocks and presses me to him, showing me his arousal as it presses firmly into my abdomen. Placing my hands on his chest, I push back a little, freeing myself from him and then reaching down to the hem of my dress, pulling it over my head and dropping it on the floor so I’m standing only in my underwear.

  “You are so beautiful Trina,” he breathes, his eyes dragging over my body in the dim light of the room.

  “I thought I was your princess,” I tease him.

  “You are. You’re my everything.” A slight skitter of excitement rolls around in my stomach as he approaches, and I watch him remove his shirt and drop it near my dress on the floor. The moment our skin touches, the skitter rolls down and causes a throbbing between my legs.

  Sliding my hands down his well defined chest, I undo the buttons of his pants. I love to feel him, hard in my hand. At the same time, he undoes the hook of my bra and being strapless, it falls easily to the ground with our other things.

  “Bed?” I suggest. I want some space to move around.

  “Bed,” he agrees.

  We move together, kissing and removing the last items of our clothes before landing on the bed. He slides his hand up my thighs, sending shivers of longing toward my core. Involuntarily, l roll my hips, I’m desperate for his touch.

  When his fingers meet my centre, he lets out an appreciative growl. “You’re so wet. You feel like silk,” he comments as he trails kisses down my throat and along my collarbone. “I should dance with you more often.”

  “You should. It makes me putty in your hands,” I utter, as I slide my fingers into his hair. I gasp, closing my eyes and luxuriating under his touch, as his fingertips spread my juices up over my clit. He circles the throbbing bundle of nerves as l writhe beneath him, rocking my hips, urging him on.

  His kisses move down my body as he makes his way over the small mounds that are my breasts. When he takes my nipple into his mouth, he drives his fingers inside me, pulsing his hand as he drags his teeth and tugs playfully on my nipple.

  Inside I’m a mess, that familiar pressure blossoms and builds, threatening to spill before I’ve had him inside me.

  “Oh!” l call out, my orgasm making its way to the surface. “Oh! Get inside me! I want to come with you inside me!”

  With an erotic grunt he obliges, pulling my legs either side him and circling himself in my juices. He drives himself inside and I yell out as he touches my depths.

  Pulsing back and forth he strokes my core, pushing against all the right spots in a rhythm that has my eyes rolling back as wave after wave crashes through my body.

  I cry out, calling his name as he drives into my wetness, stilling only after he has shuddered, spilling his juices deep inside me with a loud moan.

  Breathing heavily, he kisses me leisurely. “I like it when you call my name,” he growls low in my ear as he nips playfully at my lobe. I reach over to the bedpost and grab a towel to press between my legs as he withdraws from me.

  We lay together in a tangle of limbs gently running our hands over each other’s skin.

  “What would you say, if a bit after the wedding, I stop taking the pill?” I ask him out of the blue.

  He sits up suddenly and twists his body so he can properly face me.

  “Are you serious? I mean, what about your job? I thought you wanted to make partner.”

  “I do, but I can do that after we have kids. It might take a bit longer, but I’m sure I could still do it. Or… I was thinking, we could eventually start our own firm. Be our own bosses.”

  “Trina, I…”

  “What? You don’t want kids anymore?”

  “I do. Oh my god, you just….” He sits up more and takes my face into his hands looking intently into my eyes. “I always knew you were the girl of my dreams and this… well, wow this is even better than I dreamed. Trina. I would love nothing more than to start a family with you. Nothing.”

  “Good, because I want your babies David. I want the dream.”

  He grins at me, his smile so wide that he almost has a second dimple.

  “I love you Trina. So much.”

  He takes my mouth in his, his tongue sliding over my lips as my body lets out a moan and calls for his touch all over again. I feel him stir against my thigh and hum my pleasure.

  God, I love this man.

  Nineteen

  David

  Christmas has come and gone and we’re now back at work, leading up to the New Year. While we did exchange gifts at Christmas, nothing compared to the gift Trina had already given me – she wants to have a baby.

  I think I have this permanent grin attached to my face lately, as everything is falling into place.

  And the wedding is soon. The wedding is really soon.

  Katrina

  “Oh my goodness. What a day!” I sigh as I drop my bag on the dining room chair and kick my heels off. I had to work overtime so it’s almost 8pm, but it’s still light and still hot, so I head straight for the air conditioner in the lounge room, and stand under its gust while I shake my sleeveless blouse to circulate the air.

  David is sitting on the couch, his glasses perched on the end of his nose and a book on his lap as he watches me. His lips are curved up as though he’s amused and I pause my movement and turn to face him.

  “What are you grinning about?”

  “Nothing. I just like watching you.”

  “Is that so?” I ask as I move towards him. He’s shirtless and wearing o
nly pair of short khaki cargo pants, his bare foot hangs over the side of the couch’s arm. Even though it’s hot outside, it’s cool in here, so I slide myself onto his lap and kiss him hello.

  “Mmm. So tell me. What happened at work?”

  “Oh, you wouldn’t believe the amount of people we’ve had starting divorce proceedings this week. It’s like they woke up Christmas morning and decided they couldn’t stand each other anymore.” I shake my head, thinking about it.

  “Since you’re surrounded by divorce and family drama all the time, does it ever make you worry that we won’t make it?” he asks after a moment of thought.

  “No David. Never. My life is incomplete without you in it.”

  I lean closer and kiss him to show him I mean it. He chuckles happily, then taps his hand twice on my thigh and asks me to hop up. “You hungry?”

  “Famished,” I reply, standing up and then following him into the kitchen where he pulls a plate of cold bbq chicken out of the fridge and a bowl of salad.

  I grab the dressing and two bottles of apple cider, then follow him to the table where the plates and cutlery are waiting for us.

  “So I have a little bit of bad news,” he starts as he places chicken on both of our plates. I pause spooning out the salad and look at him with my brows risen in question. “I have to go down to Melbourne for a couple of days for work. One of the companies we’re representing has offices down there and I’m part of the team that has to go and see them.”

  “Oh ok, that’s fine. I’ll miss you, but that’s not really bad news – you’ve gone away before.”

  “Yes, but this will be in a couple of days. I won’t be back in time for New Year’s. They can’t get flights for us until the next day.”

  “What? Oh that really sucks. What about that harbour cruise mum got all of us for Christmas? We’re going to miss out now.”

  “No, don’t be silly. You go with your family. I’ll just make sure I’m on the phone with you when the clock strikes midnight.”

  I drop of piece of cucumber in my mouth and lay my head on his shoulder. “I don’t want to go without you.”

  “Yeah but Trina, your mum paid for the tickets and it’s not fair on her if we waste both of them. Go. You’ll have fun. Just no dancing with strange men. You’re mine ok?”

  I laugh and sit up again. “Alright I’ll go and I won’t dance. I’ll just sit and Snapchat with you all night.

  He raises his eyebrows. “That could be a very interesting night. I remember the last time you Snapchatted with me while I was away. They weren’t the kind of photos you can send from a harbour cruise filled with people.”

  I tilt my head and shrug one shoulder. “I have my ways.”

  Twenty

  David

  It’s New Year’s Eve. I’m sitting in a hotel room on my own. I’ve just had breakfast and given Trina a call to say good morning. She only has a half day at work today, so she’s going out to her mum’s as soon as she’s finished. They’ll all head into the city to get on the boat together.

  I flick my way through the channels on the tv in front of me, although nothing catches my interest. I wish I was with Trina right now. I don’t like spending time away from her.

  Katrina

  I haven’t had to catch the train out to Penrith station for such a long time. Normally David and I drive out on the weekends when we visit.

  And it’s hot. It’s ridiculously hot. I hate the train in the heat. Even though they’re air conditioned, the seats prickle me on the backs of my legs and no matter how I adjust my skirt, it doesn’t seem to stop.

  Dad picks me up from the station in his old beat up ute. The white paint is peeling off in sections, but it still runs well so he refuses to get rid of it.

  “How was the train ride princess?” he asks as I climb in the cab.

  “It was fine,” I laugh. “So you’re calling me princess now too?”

  “Yeah, well – it’s catchy and you’re my daughter, so of course you’re my princess.” He curls his mouth up on one side and starts to drive.

  My father isn’t a man of many words, but he’s unusually quiet as we drive along Castlereagh Rd, back towards my childhood home.

  “Is everything ok dad?”

  “Oh…yeah. I’m just a bit nervous of this cruise thing. You know I don’t like crowds, plus it’s hot and I’ll have to wear a suit.”

  “It’ll be fun dad. You’ll see. Besides, it’ll be cool on the water.”

  When we arrive home, it’s almost 4pm. Mum and Jenny are in the family room with another woman getting their hair done.

  “What’s this?” I ask.

  “Oh this is Jenny’s friend Liz. She’s doing our hair for the cruise. It’s formal you know.” My mum states.

  “Yes I know. I have a formal cocktail dress – see?” I tell them holding up the garment bag with my emerald green knee length flowing chiffon dress with a band of beading just below the bodice. “I even have ridiculously high heels to wear.”

  “That dress is beautiful Katrina. You’re going to look gorgeous in it.” Jenny says. “Do you want your hair done too? Liz – can you fit in one more?”

  “Oh I don’t want to be any trouble,” I say to Liz who smiles and tells me that it’s no trouble.

  “It won’t take long. I’m just about finished your mum so I can do yours in about ten minutes.”

  “Ok, well I’ll have a quick shower so I don’t stink of sweat all night,” I inform them, heading to the bathroom and grabbing a towel from the linen press.

  My hair isn’t very long, so Liz pins curls around the base of my head so it looks like my hair is longer. It looks like a low thick bun. She pulls the hair back softly from my face, but still enough of it falls forward so my scars are covered.

  “That looks really nice. Thank you Liz,” I say as she shows me all the views of it between two mirrors.

  “You’re very welcome.” She tidies up the tools of her trade and wishes us all a good night, although I can’t help but wish David was coming.

  I’ve sent him a bunch of Snapchat messages today but the app tells me when he’s seen them, and they’re all unopened. I take a selfie of my hair and curl my tongue up so it’s touching my top teeth in one of those silly seductive poses girls like to take of themselves. I know that if David looks at it, he’ll have a good laugh.

  Once we’re ready, we all pile into Tom’s car and head to what I expected to be the train station but he keeps driving through.

  “We’re driving into the city? On New Year’s Eve? Are you crazy?” I ask him.

  “Relax sis,” he says. “Me and Jenny have a hotel room for the night, so we’re going to park there and walk to boat.

  “In our formal wear?”

  “Yes, in our formal wear.”

  “It’s really not that far. Plus there’ll be the whole boat full of people dressed up. We won’t be the only ones,” Jenny tells me.

  “True, I’m just wishing I wore lower heels now.”

  By the time we get into the city and park the car, it’s almost 7pm, which is when we’re supposed to board the boat. We all walk as quickly as three women in heels can, and reach the small cruise boat that looks beautifully decorated, even from where we stand on the wharf.

  We walk up the ramp leading from the wharf onto the boat and enter what appears to be a reception hall or dining room. I’m surprised when I look around and see… no one.

  “I thought we were running late? Where are all the people?” I ask. It was that moment that the well-known notes of Bruno Mars’ song Marry You starts to play. “What the hell?” I mutter, looking around the grandly decorated dining room. My eyes land on the tall man standing at the doors leading out to the deck at the bow of the boat. “David?! You’re not in Melbourne? What…? Does this mean? Oh my god! Is it today? We’re getting married today?!” I’m squealing and bouncing up as I watch him grin and nod. I rush over to him and throw my arms around his neck, raining a shower of kisses over his face
out of my excitement.

  “I can’t believe it, how did you do all of this? This is amazing!” I gasp. It’s then that I notice that his eyes are closed. “What are you doing? Open your eyes,” I laugh.

  “I can’t see you before the wedding,” he smiles, keeping his eyes firmly closed. “It’s bad luck.”

  “David. Don’t go all traditional on me now. You chose the dress. I don’t think that stuff matters anymore.”

  “No, I didn’t choose the dress. Well, not technically anyway. I chose the style and our mothers decided on the final one.”

  Noticing movement over his shoulder, I see his mother and her partner standing and smiling, watching us excitedly. Her hands are clasped in front of her like she’s praying and she has tears in her eyes.

  “Surprise!” she says to me when our eyes meet.

  I move over to hug her and then rush around the room, hugging everyone. I’m jumping like an excited school girl. I can’t believe this is finally happening!

  When I finish attacking everyone with my excitement I return to David. “So what do we do now?”

  “Now we get ready. You have one hour.”

  I’m whisked away to a private room where my dress is hung up and waiting. It’s white silk and has a heart shaped strapless bodice, which is gathered around the bust and has a strip of gold beading, just below the breast line. The waist gathers toward the right and swirls around the dress before meeting on the left hip and falling into a full skirt, covered with evenly spaced trails of beautiful gold flowers and vines. They fall where the skirt curves, extending the length and down the mermaid train. It’s the most exquisite thing I’ve ever seen.

  “Do you like it?” my mother asks, looking slightly worried as she watches me run my fingers over the detailing.

  “No. It’s absolutely breathtaking. You chose well,” I tell her turning to embrace her. “You both chose well,” I say to David’s mum over my mother’s shoulder before I move over to her and hug her as well. “Thank you Helen. Thank you mum. Thank you both so much. I don’t know how you all managed not to talk about it, but I really had no idea. This is just amazing.” The excitement suddenly starts to overwhelm me and I start to choke up.