Believe Series box set
Page 20
“Can I have a little kiss bye?” He asks sheepishly.
I nod, moving my lips closer to his and dropping a little kiss directly onto them.
“Perfect, a little sweet memory.”
I feel the heat start to rise in my now bright red cheeks. I am happy he cannot see the other effects he has on me like the dampness pooling between my legs and hardening of my nipples. There is no way he can be the man I desire, not this quickly.
“I will come and collect you to get the results. Text or call me if plans change,” he says while taking hold of my hands.
“Okay, I will. Thank you,” I state.
I stand and watch Warren walk away. Could he be the one?
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Five days have finally passed and today is the day I get my test results. I cannot wait to find out what they say. I am slowly feeling normal again and beginning to move around better. I roll out of bed and reach for my mobile.
Morning babe, I’ll come and collect you at 11ish, then we can go for lunch after. X
I am surprised he remembered me today.
HI, that’s fine by me. Thank you
I will be happy to finally see someone. It is a huge bonus that someone just happens to be Warren. I keep thinking about him. I cannot get our night of passion out of my mind. Every time I am in the shower, I get all hot again. He took my shower sex virginity. He did things to me I have only ever dreamed of. I just don’t know what to do though. I need to place myself first.
At five this afternoon, I am off to visit a studio flat five minutes away from where I work, and hopefully, I will like it and can get the contract signed in the next few days. Then, I can get out of Megan’s hair. I am sure she does not want me hanging around all the time.
Megan is due back today. She stayed away longer to sort out stuff in order to protect Lucy. Unfortunately, she does not have many available options in which to choose. I just want her to marry Mark and be happy. That way the problem with Lucy would be fixed. Well, I think it might be, but I have not looked into it as much as Megan has.
I do not think Megan is the big wedding type like me though. After all this with Rich, I am definitely never getting married. I grab my favourite pink silk top and little vest top and slip them on. I add a pair of jeans and some dolly shoes. I decide to put my hair up in a loose bun. It will be the first time Warren has seen it up. I smile at the thought as I hear my mobile go off.
Jenny, let me know if you have it. Will you?
Ok I will do Rich even though it’s none of your FUCKING business anymore.
I am so annoyed with Rich. We have spoken about the house and other important items a couple of time. He is keeping the house, and Chad moved in with him two days ago. I told him I want my name removed from the mortgage and I plan to cancel the direct debits that are paying for items linking to the house. I emailed him all the codes he needs and contacted all the suppliers. He refuses to give me anything else from the house, not even a photo album that contains pictures of Lucy. I’m heartbroken over it. It’s sentimental to me, not him.
My neighbor Lori went past yesterday and said there was a skip outside the house. She told me what she saw inside it. He has thrown out all the little things I bought and asked him to return to me. I wish he had just given them back. That is my money he is throwing away. It is a joke and not a funny one at that.
I stand there getting angrier the more I think about my belongings inside the skip when my mobile signals a text.
I’m here, sorry I’m early. I’ll wait in the car till you’re ready. W
I smile, grab my bag and jacket and head out of the house. It is the quickest I have moved in days. I lock the door and head to the car just as the heavens start to open. Warren gets out of the car to open the door for me. I wonder how long he keeps that up.
I watch him run around the car to the driver’s side. He has such a fit body. He is wearing a black shirt and those same jeans again, very smart and casual. I like it. I like it a lot.
“Hi, babe. Trust the rain to start now.”
“Hi, I was always told to love the rain.” I laugh.
Warren pulls out of the driveway, swings the car around and starts heading towards the hospital.
“Everything will be fine today,” he states.
“I hope so,” I add.
The journey does not seem to take as long this time. He is eager to get it all over and done with just like me. I am sure he has been driving over the speed limit. Naughty Warren. When we arrive at the hospital, we park in the same space as last time.
“Now, no throwing up this time.” He laughs.
“I will try not to.” I add.
We head straight up to the ward, standing side by side the entire way. We stand in line at the reception desk waiting for our envelopes.
“Please take this down to Room 4,” the bold man says to me, giving me the envelope. I head down the only corridor and take a deep breath as I knock on the door.
“Hello,” the tall lady says. “I’m Olive.”
“Nice to meet you,” I state, trying to seem polite.
“Let’s open this, shall we?” She asks.
“Yes, please,” I reply.
She opens it and reads it to herself then nods.
“And…” I add, being all impatient.
“You have the all clear. You have nothing at all,” she informs me.
I jump from my seat and head over to her, giving her a massive hug. “Thank you so much.”
“You’re very welcome. Now, please take a seat.” I sit down. Here we go. The safe sex talk.
“We need to do a small blood test. Some of your levels are not right. It will take about five minutes, and we will have the results back straight away.”
I nod, unable to speak. Olive is very quick and gets on, not making me hang around.
“Miss Wright.” She pauses. “I have some news for you.”
“What?” I ask, shaking like a leaf. I suddenly feel sick to my stomach.
“You’re pregnant.”
“What?” I pause. “That can’t be right.”
Olive gets up and shows me the test. She is right. I sit there crying uncontrollably. Why? Why now? Why me? Oh, my life is screwed.
I calm myself and head out to find Warren.
“All clear,” he says as he walks towards me.
“Me too,” I reply.
“Let’s go to lunch,” he states.
“I don’t know. I have an appointment at five to view a studio flat.”
“We can do lunch, and then I will go with you to view it.” He pauses. “You are not staying in some grotty run down shit hole.”
I laugh. “Thank you.”
Chapter Twenty-Eight
We drive to an old village pub near the place where Warren grew up. I love spending time with him; I keep finding out all these little things about him that make me smile. I have never been here before, but I have heard the place serves amazing chicken dinners. I think that is what I am having for sure.
“Here we are,” he says as we pull up into a car park beside an old barn.
“Is this the pub?” I ask.
“Yes.”
“It’s beautiful.” I look towards the pub, a very old-fashioned barn. It has a rustic feel outside and looks exactly like a barn for animals. I climb out of the car and walk towards the building, placing the pregnancy news at the back of my mind for the time being. I do not want to think about it because you never know what might happen. I feel really hungry today like I have not eaten for days. I skipped breakfast so that I would not be sick, so I am starving now.
“Welcome, how many for the table?” The short male waiter asks.
“Two, please,” Warren replies.
The man takes us to the far side of the pub near an open fireplace that I am happy to see is not lit. It is too warm for it. I take a seat on the opposite side of the table facing Warren. The waiter explains everything to us before leaving us with the menus.
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“What do you fancy?” Warren asks.
“I don’t know,” I state.
I continue looking down the menu pretending I am reading when I already know I want to order the chicken dinner.
“I am going to have the chicken dinner,” Warren states, placing his menu back in the wooden table stand. I jump as I feel his foot slide up the side of my leg. Oh my. I place my menu with the others. “I think I will to,” I add.
“Perfect. I’ll go and order.”
The food arrives to our table within minutes of Warren placing the order. Wow, it is amazing. The chicken dinner features loads of chicken, a big Yorkshire pudding and three different types of potatoes. It also comes with a shared plate of different seasonal vegetables. As I start to eat, I find little sausages and bacon rolls in it, too. Oh, I’m in heaven. As soon as I have a car, I will be coming here for lunch, even if I am by myself.
“Is your dinner okay?” Warren enquires.
“It is, thank you. Yours?” I ask.
“Beautiful. What an amazing day! Eating this and watching the most gorgeous woman in the world,” he states.
I turn around and pretend to look for who he is on about.
“I was on about you,” he adds.
“Yes, I got that. I was just checking. Thank you, but I don’t feel gorgeous.” I know my face is turning a shade of red the more I talk.
“What else do you need to do today, hobbly?” Warren asks.
“Hobbly?” I question, placing my cutlery down on the empty plate.
“Yes.”
“Just to see the flat. Get it over with, then I can get a contract and everything else signed tomorrow,” I inform him.
“Have you seen it before?”
“No, I have read the information. I just need to be out from under Megan’s feet. I want to be independent.”
“I understand that, but please do not rush into a place that is not safe,” he adds.
“I will not. I promise.” I take a sip of my water.
“Pudding?”
“I think I am too full to eat any more.”
“Okay then, we can take it out to eat. Their hot chocolate fudge cake is to die for.”
“I like.” I smile because that is my favourite pudding.
“I will go and get them to box it up. We can pick up some ice cream or cream later. Oh, what fun we could have with that.” His eyes light up. No doubt about it. We both desire each other. Is it just sex for him, though? I do not want to be someone’s sex toy. I am not saying I want a relationship, but I could cope being friends with benefits. That is, if I were the only friend that got those benefits.
“Right, let’s go. Can you move your appointment to see the flat?” He asks.
“I can view from two, just go when we want.”
“Let’s go then. Give me the address,” he demands.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
The drive to the flat takes a while and slowly gets my mind off the worries haunting me. We pass lots of fields with a variety of different things happening in each one. I would love to live in a cottage in the countryside. I think it would be amazing. It would be nice to have a place for my horse Topaz and be able to spend more time with her. I do wonder what it would be like to be a full-time country girl and live off the land. I do not think I could do it though. However, no one ever really knows what life will bring.
I wonder if I can ride Topaz now that I am expecting. I cannot get the fact I am pregnant to sink in my mind. I have decided not to tell anyone till after my doctor’s appointment to ensure things are all right. I do not even know who the dad is. How bad is that? Am I one of those sluts now? I feel my eyes sting.
“What are you thinking about, babe?” Warren enquires as he continues to drive.
“Nothing,” I state.
“Has to be something. Your eyes are starting to fill up.” He is so attentive.
I shake my head and look down to my knees.
“Tell me.”
“I will in time,” I state.
“Something happened at the hospital, didn’t it?” He asks.
“Yes, I’m okay though,” I state, turning away from him. I do not want him to see me weak.
“Babe, please tell me,” he says, pulling over into a parking spot.
“I’m pregnant.” I turn to face him, gathering strength to tell him everything.
“Oh, wow. Congratulations.”
“I don’t even know who the dad is. You or Rich…” I pause to gauge his reaction.
“It does not matter. Does it?”
“No, but I feel bad.”
“I will support you no matter what, babe,” he says, placing his hand on my knee.
“Thank you. Now, let me go and get this flat so I have somewhere to raise the baby,” I state.
“Okay,” he says, restarting the car to drive to the house.
“Please don’t tell anyone I’m pregnant yet.”
“Sure.” He smiles with a little twinkle in his eye.
“What are you smiling about?” I ask.
“Pregnant women have a good sex drive, or so I have been told.”
I can’t help but laugh. “One track mind.”
“How couldn’t I with you? The other night was amazing.”
I feel myself start to blush. “Maybe we can repeat it sometime, take my mind off everything,” I add. I really want a repeat. The thought of him doing those things to me again makes me wet. Oh please, please make me scream.
“Here is the street. Now to look for the number,” Warren says.
“It is that one there,” I say pointing to the “For Sale” sign in front of the building.
Warren parks close to the flat. I jump out of the car and head to the building. I am eager to start my new life. I stand at the front of the three-story building with only a few little steps to walk up the door. I slowly climb them. There is no garden with this place, but it is somewhere to stay for now. Two of the flats are for sale, but the third one, which I am considering, is to let. That works for me. We walk through the entrance hall only to be greeted by the horrible smell of urine and muck covering the grey walls.
“I do not care what you think, Jen, but I am not letting you live here. I dread to see what the flat looks like.”
“But...”
“But nothing. Come stay with me. We can sort out something.”
“As friends?” I question.
“Jen, you are going to have to get used to this. I am never leaving you. There is something about you. A spark I cannot explain, but I felt it the first time I saw you. I do not care who the dad of your baby is. I will still be there for you. You are not moving into this shit hole. You are moving in with me. I want to look after you, love you, be with you. If it is not what you want, then I understand. I think I might love you, Jen.”
I sit there crying, I am an emotional wreck. I love this man. I have never felt like this before. I want all he wants. I can do this. I can be happy. Can I really trust him? I need to believe that he will be different, but I just don’t know anymore.
Acknowledgements
Mum - Thank you for everything. You mean the world to me. You have always been there for me no matter what. I hope I can make you proud of me. Love you!
Paige - I can’t thank you enough for all your help. You have been the best editor a girl could wish for. You are an amazing friend, and I am so lucky to have found you. Can’t wait to work on future books with you. Love you.
Melissa - Thank you so much for doing my book cover; it is amazing. Thank you.
Kendra - Thank you for being an amazing proofreader and finding the things we missed. You rock. Love you.
Brenda– Thank you for formatting for me. You have done an amazing job, and it looks so pretty.
Alison - Thank you for supporting me and making my amazing book trailer. You are one amazing lady.
Anna-Marie, Buffy, Tina - Thank you so much for being my beta reading angels and always being there for me. I don’t k
now what I would do without you.
Jennifer, Chelle, Carey, Melissa, Saoching, Ana, Michele, Suzanne, Antoinette, Megan, Julie, Mindy, Miranda and E.K – Thank you for all your support. As a team, we can do anything together.
Jen, what can I say – Thank you for your craziness, singing to me at 3 am, making me laugh, sending me pictures, keeping me sane and just being amazing.
Lori- Thank you for our crazy music time. I love it, but don’t tell anyone. We will get in trouble since we were supposed to be working. Bring on our next music time!
My Amazing Street Team, - Thank you for working your bums off to get Trust and Veiled out there. You keep me on my toes and pick up opportunities for me. You are all so talented, and you rock.
Claire, Kim, Paige, Mandy – Thank you for your support, for keeping me laughing and busy when I have those quiet five minutes. Not to forget the pictures of yummy men. He he! Love you all.
Emily, Lynetta, Nicole, JB, Jodi, Beth, Terri - Thank you for your continuing support and chats to keep me sane.
To all the bloggers that have pimped me on the lead up to the release of Veiled- You rock, and I don’t know what I would do without you all. I would try to name you all, but I would forget one for sure.
And lastly, I can’t forget all my amazing fans. Thank you for your support.
I heart my cheerleaders.
Do you believe?
A Believe series Christmas special
L Chapman
Image Copyright Vladyslav Spivak, 2013. Image ID: 120436312.
Used under license from shutterstock.com.
Cover designed by Sprinkles on top design
Edited by - Paige Maroney Smith
Proofread by – Wendy Schaefer Samuels
Formatted by – Angel Steel