‘Florence, wait!’ he shouts, running down the stairs after me. ‘Just fucking wait!’
‘Leave me alone, dickhead,’ I shout back scathingly, trying to concentrate on the steps in front of me.
He catches up to me on a small landing, grabbing my arm, forcing me to turn round and face him.
‘I can’t believe you,’ I snarl. With a sudden surge of fury, I throw him away from me. ‘Having her round for a cosy chat when I’m at home, heartbroken.’
His face twitches at the word heartbroken. I suppose we haven’t declared our undying love for each other or anything. Just, you know, planning on spending the rest of our lives together.
‘She just turned up!’ he shoots back, dragging his hand through his hair. ‘We were just talking.’
‘Yeah,’ I scoff, ‘about how you should get back together, no doubt!’
‘No!’ He narrows his eyes at me looking unrepentant. ‘She was just being a concerned friend. You need to get this idea of us together out of your head.’
‘How can I, when you have so much history, and she’s still so involved in your life?’
‘Look, I think us getting married has shocked her, that’s all. It has shocked everyone, hasn’t it.’
He’s so clueless. Why is it men are so stupid?
I roll my eyes. ‘If it was so innocent then why hide her inside? Why try and keep it a dirty secret?’
‘Because I knew you’d jump to conclusions, just like you have!’
I cross my arms over my chest. Dammit, I hate when he’s right.
I sigh, a fat tear escaping down my cheek with no warning. ‘How can you not see that she wants you back?’
He sighs, exasperated. ‘Even if she does, I’m not interested. I’m with you, not her. I’m marrying you, not her. I love you, not her.’
My eyes bulge out at the word love, and within a second it’s like he’s realised what he’s said too, as his eyes mirror mine.
‘You...love me?’ I ask, glancing down at the floor so I don’t have to look at him while he denies it. Calls it a slip of the tongue.
I hear an inhale of breath. ‘Yes, I fucking do.’
I look up in disbelief. His eyes lock deeply into mine, so intense it’s as if I can feel them burning.
Within a second it’s as if there’s no argument. It’s just him and me in this stairwell, him declaring his love for me. I’ve never felt so fucking turned on in my life.
I crush my lips against his, suddenly desperate to have him close to me. It’s been too long since I’ve felt his warm body crushed up against mine. He runs his hands through my hair, deepening the kiss until it’s hard to breathe. I tremble, ready to melt with the heat roaring through our bodies.
He hikes up my skirt and rips my knickers clean off. Shit, he’s so strong. He’s like Tarzan on steroids. And Jane is just about to get it. I shiver with excitement.
He sticks a finger straight up inside me with no preamble. I gasp from the feeling of fullness, the gasp quickly turning into a groan. My hands find the top of his jeans and unbutton them, springing his erection free. I stroke it through his boxers, making him hiss with delight.
His kisses travel down my neck, before sticking a second finger inside, his thumb circling on my clit. Shit, if he carries on like this I’m going to come right here on the spot.
I don’t want that. I want him inside me. Now. I yank his boxers down and fight for his jeans to follow. He lifts me up, my legs automatically wrapping around his waist. God, I can feel his dick so close to my entrance, it’s like I can taste it. I need to be connected to him again, to fuck away all of this misery.
I assume he’s going to throw me down on the floor but instead he places my bottom on the handrail. Woah! I grab onto his T-shirt; sure I’m going to fall to my death.
‘Argh!’
‘Don’t worry,’ he growls huskily. ‘I’ve got you.’
At that moment, I believe him. I’d trust him with my life. He loves me. And more than anything I need him right now, more than I need to consider my safety.
He locks eyes with me and keeps intense eye contact while he thrusts into me fast, causing my bottom to almost fall over the edge.
‘Shit!’ I shout, grabbing onto his T-shirt.
I scramble my hands up to wrap them around his neck, desperate not to fall. If I were feeling sensible, I’d tell him this isn’t safe, but I’m too fucking turned on right now. His thrusts are hard and demanding, his biceps bulging from the force of holding me in place. He seems completely confident that I’m not going to fall.
‘You are mine,’ he growls, making me ache to taste those lips again.
I chastely kiss his neck before placing one arm out and using it to wrap myself round the bannister. He takes this as encouragement, and his thrusts become more demanding and urgent. I feel my body start to turn to jelly, every nerve ending quivering frantically.
I hold on tighter than ever, sure me coming will result in my death. But it’s like the thrill of it is making everything more intense, all the blood is rushing to my head.
Before I know it, I’m shaking my head around like a desperate whore screaming his name at the top of my lungs. I almost let go of both him and the railing, but he grips me tighter, so tight I fear I’ll bruise. He grunts and stills, finding his own release.
His head collapses onto my shoulder, his laboured breaths mirroring my own.
‘Fuck,’ he groans, slowly pulling out of me and placing me down on my unsteady feet.
‘Yeah,’ is all I can say, my mind still reeling. Fuck, that was amazing.
‘Come on,’ he says, taking my hand, his eyes glowing with mischief. ‘Let’s go and tell Felicity to piss off home so we can do that all night.’
I think I can safely say that the wedding’s back on.
Chapter Fifteen
Tuesday 20th December
You should have seen Felicity’s face when we arrived back at the apartment, clothes ruffled, my hair well and truly fucked, lipstick smudged. If I wasn’t sure before, now I know she regrets dumping him. She was in equal parts horrified and jealous. Ha. He’s mine bitch.
We spent the night snuggled up in front of his roaring fire watching Christmas movies and having mind-blowing sex. It was actually the happiest I can ever remember myself being.
I wake up next to him on the rug, a blanket pulled over us, the last embers of the fire going out. It makes me realise I don’t care where we live. As long as I have him. And okay, maybe a fireplace.
‘Morning,’ he croaks, his eyes still closed.
‘You want a coffee?’ I ask, getting up, my own need for coffee driving me.
‘I knew there was a reason I was marrying you,’ he grins, slapping my arse as I stand up.
‘I think last night proved that’s not the only reason,’ I add with a cheeky wink.
He smiles lazily, rolling over onto his stomach so he can watch me boil the kettle stark naked.
‘I have a surprise for you today.’ A mischievous devastating smile re-arranges his features.
A flutter of excitement flies around my stomach. ‘Really? What?’
‘If I told you it wouldn’t be a surprise.’ He looks at his watch. ‘So I hate to say it, but get dressed, we have somewhere to be.’
An hour later we’re walking into a stylish industrial-looking coffee shop round the corner from Hugh’s apartment.
‘This is the big surprise?’ I ask, looking round. ‘Fancy coffee?’
‘It’s not the place,’ he smiles. ‘Its who we’re meeting.’
‘Riiiight. And that is?’
‘It’s a surprise,’ he grins. He notices something behind me. ‘Ah, here he is.’
I look up to see a man in his late fifties, early sixties approaching us. I rack my brains for who this could be. Another estate agent with the perfect house?
‘Florence?’ he says, staring right at me with a strange intensity.
I look to Hugh, confused, then back at the stranger. �
�Um...sorry, but who are you?’
‘Florence,’ Hugh says, looking perplexed. ‘Don’t you recognise him? He’s your father.’
I look back at the stranger in front of me. My father? My Dad that walked out on me all those years ago?
‘It’s so good to see you, sweetheart,’ the stranger says with a broad smile.
I look back to Hugh, wanting him to protect me from this man.
‘Hugh, you’ve got it wrong. I don’t know this guy.’
‘Well,’ the stranger starts, ‘you were young when I left. God, you look so much like my mother.’
Eww. What the actual fuck? This is him? This is the abandoner?
‘Sorry, so you’re the fucker that up and left my mum and me when I was young?’
He sighs, clearly the emotional reunion he foresaw not happening.
‘There was a lot more to it than that.’
‘Yeah,’ I snarl sarcastically. ‘I’m sure there was. Something far more important than the thought of us struggling to keep a roof over our head while you were off wherever doing God knows what.’
He looks to Hugh, flummoxed. ‘I thought you said she wanted to see me?’
I stare at Hugh aghast. How could he do this to me?
‘Er...I may have embellished slightly,’ he admits, avoiding eye contact. ‘But I figured you’d both want to see each other. You know, find out answers.’
I nearly boil over with rage. How dare he do this behind my back? Bring someone back into my life that only ever caused me upset every time I thought about them?
‘I’m not fucking interested in anything this piss stain wants to say. Or his stupid excuses.’ I turn to Hugh feeling nothing but rage. ‘I can’t believe you’ve done this to me.’
I get up and run out of the shop and don’t stop until I’m half way down the road, bent over with a stitch. Fuck, I really need to take up running, but with these cuts still healing it’s not going to be anytime soon.
‘Florence! Wait!’
Why is this like Deja fucking Vu? Him upsetting me and me running away. I don’t want this to become a habit.
I turn, out of breath and shove him back as far as I can. He stumbles back, his face alight with shock.
‘You fucking bastard!’ I yell, so loud some people in the street turn to stare.
He frowns. ‘I’m so sorry, Flo. I had no idea you’d react like this. I thought you’d be happy.’
‘Happy that you’ve found the man that abandoned me?’ I snap, giving him the hardest look I can muster. ‘You’re supposed to protect me from things like this. From people doing me harm, but instead, you’re trying to shove him in my face?’
He takes my hands, assumingly so I can’t flounce off again.
‘I’m so sorry, Flo. I just figured that it was every girl’s dream for her Dad to walk her down the aisle. I thought you’d have loads of unanswered questions for him.’
‘Well, I don’t,’ I cry, a tear trickling down my cheek. ‘I don’t give a shit about him. Anyone that left me like that doesn’t deserve my time, and you should appreciate that.’
He frowns, pain in his eyes. ‘I’m so sorry. Forgive me, please.’
I nod, brushing away another tear. The truth is that I need the one person who can make me feel better and that ironically happens to be the person that did this. He pulls me into his chest, rubbing my back in relaxing circles.
‘I’m so so sorry, Flo. I didn’t know.’
‘Now you do.’
Chapter Sixteen
Thursday 22nd December
We’re at the pub today, making it beautiful. It’s not an easy feat. Luckily Nadine has taken control of the situation and is bossing everyone around with a clipboard in her hands. I’m a little overwhelmed whenever I think of all that needs to be done in just three days, but she keeps telling me to go home. That she doesn’t need me.
‘Nadine’s right, babe,’ Hugh says, wrapping his hands around my waist. ‘You’re just stressing being here. Why don’t you go home and chill?’
‘I’ll die of boredom.’
He smiles like he finds me adorable. ‘My Mum and Nan are going out for lunch today. Why don’t you join them?’
Is he serious? Willingly spend time with his Mother?
‘I think I’ll pass,’ I snort. ‘I doubt your Mum wants me anywhere near her.’
He frowns. ‘Don’t say that. I spoke to her last night, and I think she’s finally accepted it.’
I laugh cruelly. ‘That’s like saying Cruella De Vil suddenly likes puppies.’
‘Hey,’ he says softly, giving me a hard look. ‘You’re making her out to be far worse than she is. I really don’t want you guys to be at war at the wedding.’
‘Too late,’ I say dryly, staring heavenward.
He tilts his head to one side. ‘Seriously. Can you at least try to get on?’
‘I’m sorry, but I can’t pretend.’
He sighs. A long, drawn out sigh. ‘Why not?’
This is it. The time I have to choose whether to tell him about his Mum’s indecent proposal or not. Fuck it. I’m not protecting her and making myself look like I have a grudge for no reason.
‘Because she offered me money not to marry you, that’s why!’ I shout, my voice exploding in pent up frustration.
Everyone turns round to stare at me. Oops, I obviously spoke too loud.
He takes my elbow, his face like thunder, and guides me to the corner of the room.
‘She did what?’ he hisses.
‘She offered me a million to leave you alone.’
A flash of anger passes across his face. So angry that I feel a sudden fearful thrill. ‘I’ll fucking kill her!’ he yelps, slamming his fist into the wall.
‘Shit! Calm down,’ I whisper-hiss.
Dammit, I shouldn’t have told him. I knew he’d go mental. What the hell was I thinking? What bride makes her husband to be this furious three days before the wedding?
He storms off, hitting anything in his way. Thankfully that’s just artificial Christmas trees.
‘What the hell has happened?’ Nadine asks, rushing in, bringing a gust of cold wind with her.
‘I told him about his mum offering me the money.’
‘Shit.’ She grimaces. ‘I think you should have kept it quiet.’
Where was she five minutes ago?
‘It’s a bit bloody late to be giving me that kind of advice!’
Chapter Seventeen
Friday 23rd December
Hugh hasn’t mentioned his Mum since yesterday. I haven’t brought it up for fear of him losing it again. With only two days until we get married I really don’t want to push him over the edge. It’d be pretty embarrassing if he lost it and backed out now.
Not that it seems to have mattered. I’ve just taken my second phone call telling me that something’s wrong. First of all, the florist told me she couldn’t get the flowers I’d picked out and would have to improvise, then the pub rang and said they couldn’t get Hugh’s favourite Peroni in stock with it being so close to Christmas. He’s seriously pissed.
‘Can’t even have a Peroni on my wedding day. What the fuck else can go wrong?’ he whines, almost to himself, busying himself in the kitchen.
‘I know,’ I agree, standing on my tiptoes behind him to rub his broad shoulders. ‘But it’s not the end of the world.’
‘Really?’ he asks, turning round to face me. ‘I’m glad you said that because they rang earlier and said they were out of Prosecco too.’
I grit my teeth. ‘WHAT?’
His eyes crease. ‘Only joking.’
I punch him on the shoulder. ‘That’s not even funny!’
‘Oh, it is,’ he grins, kissing me on the shoulder. I get a shiver of excitement every single time he touches me affectionately. I hope that continues through our marriage.
‘I’m just hoping nothing else goes wrong.’ My eyes wander towards the kitchen window. Oh my god. Is that...snow? ‘Oh my god.’
‘What
?’ he asks, his eyes following mine. Realisation dawns on him. ‘Oh shit. That could cause more problems.’
I slump down dramatically onto the kitchen floor. ‘It’s all going to shit. The love pixies are against us!’
He squats down next to me, a sparkle of delight running through his face. ‘Do you think you might be being a teeny, tiny bit dramatic?’
I pout like a petulant child. ‘No.’ I can’t help but smile back at him. ‘Coming from the man who was just having a hissy fit over his Peroni.’
‘Dare I mention the Prosecco again?’ he warns, giving my shoulder a playful shove. ‘Anyway, I have the perfect thing to take our minds off it.’
‘I bet you do, big boy,’ I purr as seductively as I can.
He grins. ‘Not that, my little minx. We’re going out to play in the snow.’
I roll my eyes. ‘I doubt it’s even settled yet.’
‘I won’t have any of that whinging,’ he snaps. ‘And I’m calling Nadine asking that she take over all disasters from now until the wedding.’
Just, pass on all our problems to Nadine. That’ll calm me down, not having any idea what’s happening with my own wedding.
‘But what if something truly awful happens?’
He frowns down at me. ‘Then she’ll call us.’
He takes my hand and drags me into the lift. He pulls my hips into his, a wicked grin on his lips. ‘We’re going to have to christen this lift at some point too.’
My lady parts tingle at just the idea.
‘So...did you chat to your Mother the other day?’ I ask as casually as I can.
He nods sternly. ‘Yes. I told her she wasn’t welcome at the wedding.’
‘What?’ I gasp, mouth hanging open. I mean, I knew he was going to go mad at her, but banning her from the wedding is a bit much. She’s still his Mother.
‘I don’t know why you’re surprised,’ he says with a frown. ‘I thought you’d be happy.’
‘That you’ve fallen out with your Mother because of me? Of course that doesn’t make me happy.’
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