Chiltern Hotel Series Box Set 2

by North, Avery

  She had discovered that Carl had booked a few days off, and Susan knew precisely where to find him. The Cabin. The one place he always went to when he was troubled. The place they found so much happiness.

  Knocking at the door, Susan waited anxiously. She had rehearsed what she was going to say to him when she saw him but knew once she started to talk, the words would get mixed up.

  Opening the door, Carl looked at her. “Susan?”

  Susan looked at him; his dark curly hair was messy, indicating he had just gotten up, and he was only wearing his pajama pants, and Susan tried not to stare at his muscular chest. The chest she loved cuddling up to after making love.

  “I need to say something to you, and I need you to listen,” Susan blurted.

  Looking at her, amused, he smiled. “Okay, would you like to come in and have a coffee. I just made some.”

  “No, I need to say my piece, and then I’m leaving,” Susan said, trying to stop her knees from shaking. “I saw you and Lucy Preston together in your office, and I overheard part of your conversation. I thought you had gotten her pregnant, that’s why I reacted the way I did. I thought you had cheated on me, and I was angry, and I was heartbroken.”

  Carl looked at her trying to take in everything she had just said then burst out laughing. “Me and Lucy? Really?”

  “Don’t laugh. It wasn’t funny at the time. Anyways, I’ve since found out the truth, and I wanted to say I’m sorry for treating you the way I did. I had no right to jump to conclusions.”

  “Wow. If you had only talked to me about this, look, please come in and sit down. We need to talk about this," Carl said, opening the door wider.

  Reluctantly, Susan walked in and sat down on the sofa.

  “Okay, so I found Lucy in the supply closet in tears that morning. I brought her up to my office to find out what was going on. That’s when she told me about Peter getting her pregnant and how he told her he wasn't going to help her. She was scared, and she was alone,” Carl said, sitting down beside Susan. “I guess with my work with kids over the years, I have compassion for them, and I offered to help her any way I could. That must have been the part of the conversation you overheard.”

  Susan looked at him. "I guess I should have asked you. I'm sorry about that. I was just so heartbroken. I saw red."

  Carl smiled. “Can I get you a coffee now?”

  Susan nodded. “Thanks.”

  Getting up, Carl poured her a cup and brought it back to her. "You have to believe me when I tell you that I love you, and there is no one else I would rather be with and share my life with. You are my world, Susan, and I was devastated when you turned me away."

  “I’ve missed you so much,” Susan said, looking at him, feeling tears on her cheeks. “I’m such an idiot at times.”

  “Not an idiot but a woman in love,” Carl said. “I’ve been so lost without you.”

  Susan looked at him and smiled gently. “Anyways. I don’t know if things can ever be the same, but I just wanted you to know before I left.”

  “Left. What do you mean left?” Carl said, surprised.

  “I guess you haven’t heard. I accepted a job at the Marigold. I applied, and they hired me as the Head Waitress,” Susan said.

  Carl threw his head back and laughed. “You accepted the job as Head Waitress?”

  “Yea, what’s so funny?” Susan said, putting her coffee cup down on the table.

  “I bought the Chiltern. It was going to be a surprise.”

  “You bought the Chiltern? I didn’t know it was for sale,” Susan said, looking at him confused.

  “Well, it was a private deal. Being the accountant, I got the news firsthand, and when I heard, I jumped on it and bought it. For you.”

  “For me? Why?”

  "Well, for one, you have a great Management Degree that you don't use, and two, we won't have to hide anymore, and three, we can both still work at jobs we love," Carl said, reaching out and putting his hand on her cheek. "Oh my Susan, this whole situation is so damn funny. We are such fools at times."

  Susan looked at him, her eyes filling with tears. “Carl, I love you,” she said, giving him a silly grin.

  “I figure after we are married, we can start renovating the hotel,” Carl said.

  “Married?” Susan said, looking at him.

  “Oh, Damn. I forgot a step. Just a minute,” Carl said, jumping up and going into the other room. Coming back, he knelt down beside Susan, taking her hand.

  “Susan, you have stolen my heart and given me such happiness, I don’t want to go through this life without you,” he said, holding out a small black box. Opening it, Susan saw a sizable shiny solitaire diamond. “Marry me? Be my wife?”

  Susan looked at him, not sure what to say. Suddenly overcome with emotion, she cried out, “YES, YES, YES.”

  Carl slipped the ring on her finger and kissed her hand. “All this and more is yours,” he said, sweeping his hand around the cabin.

  “I don’t need any of that. You are all I want, and I couldn’t care less if you didn’t have a penny to your name. I love you,” Susan said, taking his face in her hands and gently kissing his lips.

  Reaching around, Carl put his hand behind Susan’s head, pressing deeper into their kiss, his tongue parting her lips. “I love you so much,” he murmured into her mouth.

  Susan reached up and ran her hand up and down his chest, circling his nipples with her fingers, knowing what that did to him.

  Easing back, Carl looked at her and smiled as he pushed her down on the couch, easing himself on top of her.

  Desire filled his eyes as Susan looked up at him and gave him a devilish smile when she felt his excitement against her thigh. "Why Mr. Wilson is that a gun in your pocket, or are you happy to see me?"

  Carl laughed. "Oh, I am very happy to see you, and I'm going to show you just how happy I am," he said, getting up on his knees and pulling up her skirt. Curling his fingers around the elastic of her panties, he eased them down her legs and threw them to the floor.

  Blushing slightly as she lay there naked from the waist down, she looked at him, reaching up and pulling down the front of his pajama pants. Taking his rock hard member in her hand, she looked up at him. “I know exactly where this goes.”

  Carl moved on top of her, looking her in the eyes as he thrust his hips forward, entering her. Letting out a gasp, Susan looked up at him and smiled. They lay joined together, each one afraid to move, gazing in each other’s eyes.

  “I hope you realize you aren't going anywhere today,” he said, looking down at her.

  “There’s no place else I want to be,” Susan whispered. “I’m home.”

  Epilogue

  Susan walked across the lobby of the Chiltern, waving and smiling at the many staff that were fluttering about.

  “Beautiful day isn’t it, Mrs. Williams,” Sam, one of the bellhops, called out.

  “It certainly is Sam. Keep up the good work,” Susan called back before walking into her office.

  Easing herself down into her chair, she leaned back and rubbed her hands on her belly. “Two more weeks, little one,” she whispered, looking down at her enlarged stomach.

  “Hey, Boss,” Rachel said from the doorway. “How are you today?”

  “Tired but good. How are things with you?” Susan answered, smiling. What she really wanted to do was crawl under her desk and sleep for hours.

  “Everything is great. We have five weddings booked next weekend, and the conference rooms are booked up for the next six months,” Rachel said. “I’m heading to get a coffee. Do you want anything?”

  “No thanks,” Susan smiled, picking up her file folder. “I have some reading to do.”

  After Rachel left, Susan sat back in her chair. Almost two years had gone by, and her life was amazing. Not only was she married to the love of her life and led an extraordinary life, spending weekends at the cabin, but she owned and ran one of the most prestigious hotels in the area, and now, she and Carl were
expecting their first child in two weeks.

  “How’s my princess this morning,” Carl said, poking his head into her office. “You were sleeping so soundly this morning I didn’t want to wake you.”

  Susan smiled at him. “I was tired, and I still could sleep. I’ll be glad when this little monster is out of me,” she said, grimacing as she felt a kick on her left side.

  “Well, try not to work too hard. You should be home resting, but then I can’t tell you what to do anyway,” Carl said, laughing. “I have a meeting, so I’ll check in with you at lunch.”

  “Sounds good, Mr. Wilson,” Susan said, laughing.

  “Till then, Mrs. Wilson,” Carl said, blowing her a kiss.

  Life was undoubtedly full of surprises. Susan now had everything she ever wanted in life; a loving husband, wealth, a beautiful home, a cabin in the woods, a job that she loved, and soon a beautiful baby boy. Susan leaned back and closed her eyes. Carl's arms were where she belonged, and there was no place else she wanted to be. She'd found her knight in shining armor, and with arms around her to protect her. She would never be afraid again.

  Breaking Promises: Book 5

  Chapter 1

  Rachel stepped out of the shower, grabbing the fluffy white towel that hung on the hook and proceeding to dry herself. As she wiped the steam-covered mirror clear, she smiled at the reflection staring back at her. Her wet auburn hair clung to her face as she quickly dried it with the towel. She had been awake since five and knew that the day would require several coffees, but she wasn’t complaining. There was something about waking up to someone softly kissing your back that just felt right and beautiful, she didn’t understand why, but what followed was even better.

  Ross, her boyfriend, had spent the night, which he hardly ever did, but after eating her delicious homemade pasta the night before, they had made love long into the evening. Afterward, Ross said he was too exhausted and didn’t feel like going home, much to Rachel’s delight. She loved laying in bed next to him and loved waking up with his arms wrapped around her. His kisses down her back at five this morning had led to more wonderful lovemaking, and Rachel hated that she had to get up and get ready for work.

  Coming out of the bathroom, she smiled at Ross, laying on his side, sound asleep. He was so handsome and such a gentle lover, Rachel felt lucky to have found him. He had been the Chiltern Hotel’s IT guy for six months before Rachel had actually met him, and it was love at first sight for her. After their first introduction, she always made sure she was around when she heard he was coming in to check something with their system. She would never forget the day that changed their relationship forever.

  * * *

  “So, you said you needed to check my computer,” Rachel said to Ross as she sat at her desk, and he looked at her from the other side.

  “Yes, I was just wondering if it was working okay after the last time I was in,” he said. “Mind if I take a look?”

  “No, not at all,” Rachel said, standing up so Ross could sit down and access the machine. “It’s been working fine since the last time you fixed it. I was going to get a coffee; do you want one?”

  “Sure, that would be nice. I haven’t had one all morning,” Ross said, smiling as he sat down.

  Rachel nodded then went down the hall to the staff lounge. She found it hard to concentrate when he was around her. Shaking her head, she tried to get the naughty images out of her mind − images of Ross doing all kinds of things to her body. She had to stop fantasizing about this man; she was sure he wasn’t interested in her in the slightest. At least he didn’t appear to be.

  “Here’s your coffee,” she said, walking back into her office and putting his steaming mug on her desk before going over and sitting on the sofa she had in the corner. She sometimes had to work the night shift if the front desk was short-staffed and liked to lay down and rest when it was slow.

  “Oh, thanks. Everything seems fine,” he said, getting up and taking the coffee cup. “Awww, that is some good coffee!”

  “Yea, we have good coffee here. So, how long have you worked with computers?” Rachel asked, trying to start up a conversation. She didn’t want him to go, not just yet.

  “Going on three years now,” Ross said, perching on the corner of her desk. “How long have you worked here?”

  “Five years,” Rachel said, smiling.

  “Okay, are we going to continue with this stupid banter, or are you going to let me come over on that couch and kiss you?” Ross said suddenly, looking directly at Rachel.

  Rachel felt her heart skip a beat, and her whole body tingled with excitement. “Close the door,” she said boldly as she put down her coffee.

  Ross went over and closed and locked the door, turning around and undoing his shirt as he walked towards her. “I’ve wanted to do this for a long time,” he said softly to her as he sat down beside her on the couch, taking her face in his hands and kissing her softly on the lips.

  Rachel felt like she was losing control of her senses as she yielded herself to him. Her body ached for his touch as she parted her lips, feeling his tongue explore her mouth as his hand unbuttoned her blouse buttons just enough to slide his hand inside and stroke her breasts.

  Gasping softly, Rachel wrapped her arms around his neck, leaning back and pulling him closer against her. She wanted him desperately, and now all those nights of dreaming about what his lips felt like was finally happening. He shifted his position, so he was kneeling between her legs and continued to unbutton the rest of her blouse, opening it up completely. Kissing the side of her breast, he moved her bra to the side and then took one of her erect nipples into his mouth, sucking on it gently as his other hand slowly slid up her thigh.

  “Want me to stop?” he asked in between kissing her nipple.

  "Oh, God, no!” Rachel moaned as his fingers pushed her panties to the side. She knew she was wet and ready for him.

  “Do you like that?” he grinned up at her, sliding his fingers inside of her. He had complete control, and Rachel was at his mercy.

  “Oh, yes!” she cried out softly, “I want you. I want you inside of me – now!”

  Standing up, Ross quickly unzipped his pants. Rachel could see his erection straining against his underwear as he pulled them off. His hard throbbing penis sprang free, making Rachel gasp at the impressive sight. “Ride me,” he commanded, sitting back down beside Rachel and using her hand to pull her onto him.

  Rachel stood, reaching under her skirt and pulling off her panties before straddling him. She wanted to feel him inside of her so bad it almost hurt. She reached down and guided him in, filling her completely and making her gasp. Taking his face in her hands, she kissed him as their bodies moved rhythmically together, their bodies entwined, moving faster and faster until they both cried out in ecstasy together. Their moans turned to gasps until they collapsed into each other's arms.

  Raising her head, Rachel looked at Ross and smiled. “Wow. I don’t know what else to say except – wow.”

  Ross smiled back at her. “That was pretty intense. I think it was meant to happen,” he said, kissing her gently, “Can I see you again?”

  “You mean like here in my office,” Rachel said, getting off his lap and pulling her panties back on.

  “No, I mean like outside the office. Like normal dating,” Ross said as he watched her button up her blouse.

  “I’d like that,” she said, nodding, “I hope there will be many repeats of what just happened as well.”

  “Oh, you can count on it,” Ross said, picking up his pants and getting dressed quickly.

  Walking over to the door, he unlocked and opened it. Before leaving, he turned to her and said rather loudly, just in case there was anyone nearby, "That's great, Ma’am. Your computer seems to be working just great. If you have any other problems, just call me.” He smirked and winked at her before walking out.

  Rachel smiled to herself as she went back and sat behind her desk. It was funny how things happened, and like Ros
s, she felt that this was meant to be.

  Chapter 2

  Ever since that amazing afternoon in Rachel’s office, she and Ross were an item. Everything was going really well except Ross would never spend the night at her place. It bothered her, but she tried not to make a big deal about it; after all, there had been no discussion about commitment between them. They were just two people, enjoying each other’s company, so Rachel didn’t think she had any right to be upset. Besides, at times she still enjoyed her privacy and being alone.

  “So, you and Ross?” Susan said to Rachel one day while they were hanging out in the lounge. “How did that happen?”

  Rachel looked at her friend and smiled. She hadn’t told anyone about their little tryst in her office. Susan was her best friend, but she was also her boss now, and Rachel just didn’t think talking about it would be a good idea.

  “Well, we’ve been seeing each other now for almost a month,” Rachel said. “So far, so good.”

  “I’m happy for you, Rachel. I know you were hurt badly by that last asshole you dated. What was his name? Gerry?”

  "Gary, and he was a double asshole," Rachel said, shaking her head at the memory. “I still can’t believe I fell for his lies.”

  “Love will do strange things to you,” Susan said, sipping the last of her coffee, “Sorry, sweetie, I have to run. I have a conference call with Switzerland in five minutes.”

  Rachel nodded. “Say hi to Sam for me.”

  After Susan left, Rachel sat back in her chair and sighed. She hadn’t thought of Gary in years. She had met him on an online dating site, and they dated each other for almost a year before Rachel found out he was married with four kids and another on the way.

  * * *