The One Adored (The One Trilogy Book 3)

by North, Alexandra

  I head up the few steps to the front door, slip inside and holler into the chaos that echo’s around the house, and within minutes Lu appears at top of the stairs, her arms full of clothing, looking beautiful and stressed in battered denim cut off shorts and a checked flannel shirt tied at the waist; my mouth instantly dries at the sight of her. Fucking effortless. Fucking edible. Fucking mine.

  “Hey you. Good day to move house.”

  “It is isn’t it? Here, let me take those.”

  I jog up to meet her halfway, grab the pile and we make our way down together, the second we’re both in the hallway, the clothes are forgotten, dropped to the floorboards so I can grab my woman. “Come here, beautiful!”

  “Seb!” Her delicious giggles of protest only make me harder.

  “What? A man can’t take advantage of his soon-to-be hot room-mate?”

  “Not at all - we’ve just got so much to do and only today. I have the professional cleaners coming in tomorrow and then the new tenant moving in on Monday.”

  “Well then you shouldn’t have worn denim shorts that make me want to just peel them down and lick you out, this second!” I raise my brow, challenging her to retaliate and she doesn’t fail me.

  “But where would the fun be if I covered all of this up? You have to get a taste of the goods you’ll be unwrapping tonight…” her fingers trail from my neck down my chest, and stroke across the waistband of my jeans, hitting the slightest bit of skin, as my T lifts. “… speaking of tasting…”

  “Er guys? Save it for later - yeah?” Na’s voice interrupts us and we both chuckle, leaning in to indulge in a long sweet kiss.

  “Just a few more hours baby and I’ll have you in our bed.” I stroke the fancy plait she’s wound her hair into, that’s dangling over her shoulder and reach out to feel the silky texture of it between my fingers, giving it a sharp tug. She looks adorable and sexy and entirely fuckable. “Seriously, Lu! Are you trying to crucify me? A plait? Come on!”

  Her chuckle is victorious as she leaves me to join Nathan downstairs in the basement kitchen and I shake my head on a grin. I’d join them in a couple of minutes, give my hard-on a chance to subside, its evidence straining at present. I adjust myself and dip into the lounge, where box after box is piled high, ready to be collected and loaded. A quick glance around the room, locates the expected list attached to a clipboard, detailing each box, its number, contents and the room said box should be presented in at Silver Birches. I smile knowingly. She was good, so organised and I’m suddenly taken back in time to a moment years before - the day I helped her move into this place. God, was that 5five years ago?

  So much had happened since then.

  That day I’d been moving my two mates in to their new home. I’d happily offered to be removal man for the day, but knew within an hour of being there it had been the wrong play. Niall had irritated the fuck out of me, namely due to his crass and verbal acknowledgement of how he wanted to christen the house. I’d been jealous as hell. Flirted with Lu and left with a bitter taste in my mouth. I hadn’t thought about that day in years and now I’m standing here, in a very different predicament. I’m about to move the same woman out of this house into my home. She is now my woman - my fiancée and Niall can well and truly fuck-off. He’s had his chance and messed up, royally and now it’s my turn. I’ve waited patiently enough and I’m determined to erase all memory of his mistakes.

  “We ready to start loading yet, Mr. Silver?” A voice behind breaks through my thoughts.

  “Just give me one sec and I’ll go get the all clear from the lady of the house - be back in a tic.”

  Four hours and two runs later we are back at Rose Avenue for the final load up. So far, the move has gone to plan. We’ve left the removal guys at the house with Gino, off-loading the furniture and boxes and I’ve instructed them to unpack any boxes marked Finn in his bedroom first - I wanted his room to be ready for my surprise reveal when we returned in a few hours.

  “So, last few bits?” I place an arm around Lu’s shoulder, aware that this may be tough for her. This place held a lot of memories, good and bad.

  “Yep. Just the ones in the guest room, my office and those last few boxes of shoes in my wardrobes.” Her wrinkled nose makes my smile. Bloody shoes - she was obsessed.

  “I’ll grab those, why don’t you grab me a beer and take a break?”

  “I’m fine, Seb - I can pull my weight.”

  “I know that, baby - just want you to take it easy - for selfish reasons of course.” I wink at her and she caves.

  “Ok. I’ll get us some drinks but only because you’ll be needing me awake tonight.”

  Twenty minutes later, both our cars are packed full and we’re ready to leave. The house is empty, bar the curtains and a few extras that Lu has agreed to leave for the new tenant. It looked huge but lonely.

  “You OK?”

  “I’m fine.” I watch her wander around the kitchen island, checking in the odd drawer and cupboard. “I thought I’d feel sadder but I’m ready. I’m excited,”

  I move to hold her in my arms. “I love you, Lu. This is a big step for you, for you and Finn but please know that I would do anything for you both.”

  “I know, baby. I want this. It’s just…”

  I feel fear slice through my heart, nerves fluttering around my tummy - I’m waiting for her to say the words, I’ve worried she’ll say all day. I’ve changed my mind. Lets wait. I can’t do this.

  “…it’s just I’ll miss my kitchen.”

  WTF? Phew! Is that all?

  “So much has happened in here - it’s the one place I always am - with Finn, cooking, working at the island, chatting with the girls…”

  “Fucking with me!”

  Her face flushes daintily and she takes a deep breath - the sooner we’re home the better. We have a couple of hours before Finn is back. I can do some serious orgasmic damage in that time.

  “Yes, that is one memory I won’t forget.”

  “And we’ll make plenty of new ones baby, I promise.”

  I consider her pose, her head down watching her feet and then she raises those huge lime green eyes to mine and I melt at her words. “Yes, we’ll make plenty of new ones, together, the way we should have done here all those years ago.”

  We lock eyes, in that moment, both understanding her words and their meaning, exactly. It should have been me, moving in with her five years before. I should have been Finn’s father. But we could move forward as us, as one.

  We head upstairs and Lu suddenly squeals. “Ooh, I nearly forgot the roses. I’m leaving the console table for the tenant, that’s why I missed the vase.”

  “Aren’t they a bit ya know…dead?” I wince, assessing the rather drab and dry roses in glass vase.

  “Ah, don’t say that - I’ve kept each one and I’m going keep them until they’re brittle and broken. You know how sentimental I am.”

  “Ok?”

  “What?”

  “Nothing. Women and their shit that’s all. ”

  “How can you say that after you’ve gone to all the trouble of sending them, each one individually box…”

  I hold my hands up as her words compute. “Wait. What? I sent them?”

  “Yes.”

  “I didn’t send these roses, Lu.” I wish I had but I didn’t.

  Her face drops. “Of course you did silly. One rose, each time, from Flowers Couture with a message. They came in these beautifully packaged black velvet boxes tied with a ribbon, they’ve been the talk of the office for weeks.”

  I suddenly feel a chill run up my spine. I hadn’t sent the roses, I knew that but Lu was convinced that I had. I’d sent her flowers, many in fact whilst we've been dating but never a single red rose. I’d thought it was a little valentines so I’d gone with her favourites, lilies and peonies and I’d used Flowers Couture occasionally, yes, but I certainly hadn’t sent her these. This was not good. I watch as the colour
drains from her normally olive complexion.

  “But if you didn’t send them to me… then who did? Seb?”

  “Let me think.” I begin to pace, mind working ten to the dozen. “Do you have the messages still?”

  “I do, but they’re packed and at yours.”

  I nod, we’d get them and I’d go through them later tonight. “Look, let’s get you home, we’ll take these with us and we’ll call Detective Murray, Ok? This could be a lead, could be what we need as evidence, baby.” I hug her to me, hoping to absorb some of her angst.

  “Wait, do you think this has anything to do with my accident?”

  “I don’t know, baby - but I intend to find out.”

  *******

  “Keep your eyes closed until I tell you you can open them.”

  “Seb, you know I hate surprises.” I wrinkle my nose at him playfully.

  “You’ll love this one I promise. I want you to see it first. Anyway shut up and let me do something nice for you.”

  I grin at his bossiness but do as I’m told and hold out my hand for him to assist me. His fingers clasp mine, thumb brushing reassuringly across my own, and whilst its meant to be comforting, it has the opposite effect, sending shockwaves of electricity up my arm. I want nothing more than my surprise to be him - naked.

  “Right. Now that you’re doing as you’re told for once, let’s go down here. Down these few steps, not far now… nearly there. You still got them shut?”

  “Hmmm mmmm.” I hear a door click open and shuffle forward a few more steps, stumbling slightly. Are we in the East or the West wing of the house? I’m completed disorientated.

  “Just through this door, and… we’re here!” His hand drops from mine and I can hear the excitement bubbling in his voice; it’s contagious. “You can open them… now!”

  I unscrew my eyes and peel them open hesitantly, blinking rapidly to clear the blurry image in front of me. We are in a bedroom - a child’s bedroom, going by the brightly coloured walls and I know in that split-second that it is Finn’s - Finn’s new bedroom. And the theme was Marvel; no doubt about that.

  As I hurriedly scan the room I notice that every detail has been considered. Finn’s name is spelled out in huge 3D letters, in the same famous ‘Marvel’ font, and made from a collection of old comic books, showcasing Spiderman, Hulk, Thor, Captain America, Ironman, pretty much all of the Avengers, then back lit with lights which changed colours on a timer. The main colours were a pale light blue with soft white and bold red, these then worked as a backdrop for all the other brighter more primary and secondary colours which came in as accents in the form of pictures and toys.

  My eyes drift to the bed area, where a sporty looking red racing car with comic Marvel bedding replaced the usual rectangular mattress and base. Shelves adorn the walls, the most predominant, a huge Captain America Shield, which doubled up as a circular bookcase. All were displayed with Finn’s familiar trinkets and books, plus many news ones, and the full Marvel hero action figures collection. We’d never see Finn leave this room, especially when I locate the pièce de résistance resting in the corner, its screensaver flickering across the screen. A computer! He bought him a computer! The apple mac sits neatly at Finn’s very own work station, where everything a child would need for drawing and writing is neatly packed away in clear plastic boxes and placed beneath the desk, out of sight. Even the mouse was Ironman’s mask and rested on a Captain America’s shield mouse mat. He really had thought of everything.

  The window dressing, was a real focal piece, where long cream curtains lined with marvel comic imagery hung in puddles to the floor, and were tied back with 3D red metallic ironman hand repulsors. These were then housed by a darker blue pelmet and finally a matching dark blue blackout blind completed the look. It was stylish but perfect for a young growing boy.

  I can hear Seb’s breathing behind me and after allowing me the time to peruse, he speaks.

  “Do you like?” Arms encircle my waist, his breath at my neck. I can hear his nerves and I spin in his arms, launching myself at his hard, strong body. This wonderful man - so wonderful to me and my boy.

  “Whoa, steady, hey - baby?” He catches me, my legs wrapping around his hips and I bury my head in his chest, the tears erupt - I am unable to stop them. “Baby, did I do something wrong? Please…look at me.”

  I sniff and raise my eyes to his, shaking my head emphatically at his words. How could he think that? I can see torment in his own chocolate brown orbs, devastation at my reaction. “I’m so sorry, I’m fine, honestly. It’s amazing!”

  His lips find my forehead, my cheeks and finally my mouth, and I taste my tears, on him. Slowly, I slide from my position to stand and lean into his embrace. “I adore it. I adore you. It’s the best surprise ever!”

  “Well, thank fuck for that - I’d hate to see your reaction to a surprise you hate.”

  I chuckle at that and slap his shoulder, earning myself another tight hug and I revel in his scent. “I don’t know what came over me - I’m just so happy you love Finn as much as you do. This room, really shows how much. Truly it does - the thought you’ve put in to it- the detail, everywhere.”

  “Baby, I told you, I’m all in this. The Finnster means the world to me and he needed his own room, own space to feel like this was his home, you know? It’s a big change for him right now moving away from Rose Avenue. I wanted it to be a smooth transition.”

  I nod, through newly forming tears. It’s no good I’m done for - emosh and overwhelmed. Decorating Finn’s room is exactly what I’d wanted to discuss with Seb and soon and he’d already read my mind. The man was a master at reading me.

  “When did you do all this and more to the point, how?” I ask incredulous as I move to stroke the Marvel mural on the wall, Thor’s helmet horns sticking out of the wall to use as hooks.

  “Whilst you’ve been recuperating and with a little help from Colin’s magic wand. Actually a hell of a lot of help - that guy is a master at what he does - whatever you’re paying him just isn’t enough!”

  “He is paid very well, but I am considering taking him on as a partner. He’s really proven himself of late.”

  “He certainly has great ideas. I knew what I wanted to create here, but he just took it too a whole new level.”

  “He is brilliant. As a partner he’ll feel more invested and I can feel less fried. I’m only just getting back into a routine at work but I’ve worked my butt off and now Elysium is going places I need to run it sensibly not run myself into the ground and that means delegating.”

  “Hmmm, I like the sound of that - that will free up more time for lazy lie-ins with your fiancée.”

  “I don’t know about that, we are busy busy but I do want to spend more time with you and Finn and planning this wedding in a few weeks will be crazy!” I grin at his handsome face, so sexy and masculine. How did I get so lucky? “Anyway enough about that - come show me everything - I want to know how you came up with all these fabulous ideas. Finn is going to combust when he sees all of this.”

  I head over to the main wall which is completely covered with a fabulously detailed mural, with all the characters displaying their finery - it is utterly brilliant and so well executed - consideration had been taken to ensure that the images were suitable for a 4-year-old and not too scary. In the centre of Ironman’s chest, it actually glowed, where a light shone.

  “Oh, my God, you’ve thought of everything - it’s like a nightlight.” I wandered over to get a better look. “This is so great.”

  “Ah, its not the best part yet. Check this out…” Like a child himself, I watch Seb turn a dial in the front of the nightlight in question and I hear a small clicking noise to the far right of the wall.

  “Doesn’t it get hot, the light I mean?”

  “Nope. It’s set quite far back and covered completely behind several layers of heat protective glass.”

  I nod. “Finn is going to be made up when he se
es this.”

  “That’s the plan. See, you turn the Ark Reactor to the right, in Tony Stark’s chest and then it unlocks the secret door to Finn’s playroom.”

  “No way! Really?”

  “Really! But that’s not all.”

  “More?”

  I see the glint of giddiness in his eyes as he moves the the rectangular box that comes out of the floor, located at the end of the wall and painted to look like a rock, with Thor’s hammer embedded in it. No way really. Somehow I think this is more Seb’s bedroom dream come true than Finn’s. “Come, let me show you.”

  His hand grips the small hammer and pulls it upwards with ease. It looked much harder than it probably was. A door opens to the right of us, and I grin.

  “Seriously?”

  “Seriously. Step this way.”

  I allow myself to be taken through the concealed door, now slightly ajar. Inside, the same decor theme continues but the room is huge and I see now that Seb has had the two large guest-rooms in the West wing, converted to create one spacious suite. This was a full-on renovation.

  “Baby, this is out of this world - I can’t believe you’ve managed all this is such a short time and I never knew a thing.”

  “Believe me its been hard as I was worried you’d feel you were missing out on being part of the interior design aspect of your boy’s room but I wanted to do this for him, let you heal and honestly, I’ve loved every second of it - it made me remember why I went into construction in the first place. I just hope Finn does too.” He bites his lip in thought and I grasp his hand, as I look around at the play areas, filled with all manner of new toys both new and now beginning to fill with Finn’s own familiar playthings. Now I can see why Seb had wanted to focus on getting Finn’s packing boxes brought up first. The delivery team had obviously helped unpack for us.

  “Trust me - he will never come out of here - you were already his hero but now… we need a mural of ‘Sub’ adding to that wall!”