Seduce Me (The Heart Series)

by Angela Estienne

  Then I got to thinking, I could now go on that holiday I was thinking about and buy my motorbike back. I had to sell it when I got the v dub, I just couldn’t afford both, the insurance alone was expensive. I loved to plan holidays, I was always a year ahead of myself with it. We hadn’t booked a holiday for this year as we were saving all our money for the wedding and the honeymoon. Now, it maybe seemed like a good plan. I looked over at Dylan.

  “What?” he said.

  “Nothing.”

  “Come on spit it out, I know that look sister, you are planning something.”

  “I was thinking, that’s all.”

  “Oh, this could be dangerous.”

  “Very funny Dylan, ha, ha, I was thinking about a holiday.” His face lit up, now he was paying attention to what I was thinking about.

  “Jazz that is an amazing idea, I could do with a holiday, I haven’t been on one for years.” He started gazing up at the ceiling.

  “I was thinking about it, who said you would be invited?” I replied grinning.

  “It would be no fun without me there, you know I am right.”

  “I will pick some brochures up tomorrow in my lunch break, then we can have a good look.”

  “You are the best Jazz, I love you sis.”

  “I know bro.” I couldn’t stop smiling at him. I really had missed him in my life.

  “J.B is still asking after you.”

  “Oh, I had forgotten about him.”

  “You weren’t very nice to him in the hospital you know?” I looked down at the table.

  “I am not proud of myself with how I spoke to him.”

  “Why don’t you give him a text, just to let him know there are no hard feelings?”

  “Yeah I suppose I should really.” I decided now was as good a time as any.

  “J.B It’s Jazz here, sorry about how I treated you when I was in hospital, I didn’t mean to take it out on you J.”

  I pressed send. Well at least that would clear my conscience for me. I got a text back within the minute.

  “Hi Jazz, I know you didn’t mean it, but thanks for the apology anyway, it means a lot to me J.B xxxxxxxxxxxxx.”

  Wow over the top on the kisses, I hope he doesn’t think this was an invitation to try to get in my life.

  When we arrived back at the house, I showed Dylan to his room, I told him he would have to sleep on the sofa next weekend when Cat arrived. He said that was no problem, I knew he meant it. He would do anything for Caitlin. I left him to unpack and get acquainted with the house. It would be nice having some company around for a while, and I would certainly enjoy cooking for someone again.

  Later on when he had finished unpacking, he came down to have a cuppa.

  “I am off for a run soon, do you fancy coming along Dylan?”

  “No thanks, count me out of that one, I don’t see why you enjoy it so much. You are mental.”

  “You’ll get a porky stomach if you’re not careful.” I still had a smile on my face.

  “Isn’t there a gym around here? Preferably one with a pool and Jacuzzi.”

  “I didn’t know you were into swimming Dylan, you are a dark horse you are.”

  “I am not, but it is a great way to pick up a new potential girlfriend.” I playfully slapped him on the arm and walked off to the front room to read my book. He was impossible, only Dylan could have come up with that sort of idea.

  I sat there for a while, maybe Dylan had a point, a gym sounded a great idea, but for different reasons. I really needed to tone up, my six weeks of no real exercise had taken its toll on my body, and I loved swimming. I will look into it tomorrow, I am sure Rachel will know if we have a gym in town.

  I got up early the next morning, as I hadn’t managed to get a run in last night, so I thought I would go for one before work. I could certainly afford to lose a few pounds. I was surprised at how quick my body had put it on. And now if we go on holiday, I wanted to look good in a bikini. I put my running gear on, filled my back pack, grabbed my MP3 player, now I needed the appropriate music. I had a quick search through my track lists, bingo I clicked on The Who–Tommy album, I loved running to different albums.

  As I was running, I wasn’t sure if I should mention the money to Rachel, I hadn’t known her long enough yet, but she appeared to be a genuine person. Maybe at a later date I could tell her, this seemed a perfect plan. I couldn’t wait for our regular catch up, I really wanted to let her know about the weekends evens minus some bits of information.

  Rachel was at the door, waiting for me.

  “Have you nothing better to do than stand here and wait for me?”

  “No,” she replied. Then started laughing. “I need to know what happened this weekend, you can’t keep me waiting, I nearly rung you to find out the gossip.” I started laughing.

  “We will talk properly over dinner, but they aren’t suing me, it was Greg’s Last Will and Testament reading.” she turned a lovely shade of crimson. I reassured her it was fine, I didn’t mind talking about it, it had actually solved many guilty feelings that I was having.

  I went through and got changed, the van had already been pre-loaded for me, I knew it had to be Zale that had done it for me. I went in search of him.

  “Thank you for doing my van for me.”

  “I needed to say sorry for the other night.”

  “You have got nothing to apologise for Zale.”

  “I do, I knew that Rachel was waiting in the wings for me to split with Lisa, but I was a coward for not talking to her, I know that now. I split from Lisa only because she figured out that I wasn’t into ‘women’ anymore, but we have remained best friends. I have a lot to thank her for.”

  “Seriously Zale, Rachel is fine now. I had a wonderful evening out. We will have to do it again sometime. Maybe you could invite Lee.”

  “Really, are you being serious?” He said.

  “Absolutely,” I replied, “are you busy on Thursday night?”

  “No, we have no plans.”

  “Well do you fancy it on Thursday then?”

  “Yeah, that would be fun. Can I ask a favour though?”

  “Yeah, what’s on your mind?”

  “Can you bring Rachel along? I feel really bad, and I can’t talk to her at work, I just want to apologise, face to face.”

  “I will arrange it, which restaurant do you want to go to?”

  “Same one again?”

  “Cool, I will arrange it all, same time?”

  “Yep, thanks Jazz.”

  I had another busy morning delivering parcels, but I had so much fun, the people on my round were great, they always said good morning, all very polite, now I knew why I am keeping my job. I loved it.

  I got back to the office, filled out my paperwork, and went for Rachel. On our way to dinner, I asked her.

  “Do you mind if I could stop in at the travel agents to pick up some holiday brochures?”

  “You’re going on holiday?” She asked. It had been the first time I had ever really heard her seem down.

  “I am thinking about it. You know when you just want to get away, to relax, see some sights, it would only be for two weeks if I do end up going.” I picked up the brochures and we went for dinner. I felt slightly down for Rachel, I got the impression that she didn’t have many real friend, loads of acquaintances, so I said.

  “You could come along if you wanted too?”

  “Really, you mean it?”

  “Yes I mean it, I wouldn’t have said it otherwise. I was thinking in about eight weeks’ time, can you afford it?”

  “Yes I can, it’s only me at home, so I have money spare.” She got up off her chair and nearly strangled me with excitement.

  “I’m going to invite Cat. And her brother . . . well . . . he has sort of invited himself.” I couldn’t stop smiling.

  “That sounds good.”

  “Have you got any preferences to a possible location?”

  “No I am not bothered, as long as it’s h
ot.”

  “Cool, I will get back to you when I find some possible places.”

  “I am feeling all excited now.” She had the biggest smile on her face.

  “Is there a gym in town with a swimming pool maybe?” I asked her.

  “Yes there is, now what do they call it? Just give me a minute to think . . . Feel Good Leisure, its down on Seven Fu Road, I am sure it has a pool,” she replied.

  “Thanks I need to get rid of my pot belly, before we go.”

  “You’ve got problems.” she said sarcastically looking down at her own body.

  “What it suits you, what are you? 12? 14?”

  “14.” She answered looking down at the floor.

  “There is no shame in that, enjoy your life while you still can. Once I get rid of this pot belly I won’t be bothered anymore, I am in a size 12. Greg always said to me

  ‘You need a bit of meat on your bones for winter, you don’t want to be too skinny, we would only cause a fire when we made love. You know with both our bones rubbing together,’ he always made me laugh.”

  “Greg sounded fun, are you still missing him?” Rachel asked.

  “He was a lot of fun, and yeah I am missing him more than words could really express. I am feeling a little better after this weekend’s Will reading, he left me a set of instruction to follow, but only if I wanted too.” I reached into my bag and pulled out the list, I passed it over to Rachel. She sat quietly and read the note, then I saw a tear drop roll from her eye, “don’t cry Rachel.”

  “I am sorry Jazz, but that is beautiful, I wish I could have met him, but reading this note actually makes it like I really did know him, I know that sounds silly.”

  “No, I get it, I know what you mean.”

  “He has left me the proceeds from his apartment sale, his parents are not going to get a penny from the Will.”

  “How come?”

  “They turned on me after the accident, they actually want me dead.” I paused and took in a deep breath, I closed my eyes to regain control of my emotions, “they called me a murderer.”

  “That is terrible, what horrible people they must be.”

  “Greg saw it coming and made a clause in his Will, so now they end up with nothing.”

  “Well it is good to know he expected it. Why do people have to be so mean? It makes no sense to me at all.”

  “I agree with you there.”

  “Well congratulations on being a better person than them.”

  “So do you fancy coming to the gym with me then one night after work?”

  “Yeah ok, that would be fun, what night are you thinking of?”

  “Wednesday night, if I meet you there at about 7:00.”

  “That sounds like a plan.”

  “Oh I almost forgot. What are you doing Thursday night?”

  “Nothing that I know of why? What have you got in mind?”

  “I was talking to Zale earlier and we are going out for a meal again, do you fancy it?”

  “Yeah that sound really good, I enjoyed myself last time.”

  “I think I had better warn you of something first though.”

  “That doesn’t sound good, go on.”

  “Zale and Lee are together.”

  “I know, Lee already told me.”

  “So you are cool with it then?”

  “Yes, I have no problem with it. It will be good to see them together.”

  “Thanks Rachel, well I am going to have to make a move, I don’t want to be late to my afternoon job.”

  “See you tomorrow, bye.”

  I set off to the coffee shop, I was getting quite excited thinking about the holiday. Now I just need to ring Cat and ask if she fancied it, then I needed to pick a location, get the time off work, and we would be off. I would need a shopping trip at some point to buy some new clothes, mine were all so old, they were getting holes in them.

  I arrived at work feeling more upbeat about my future.

  “Hi Yukari, how has it been today?”

  “Very, very quiet, too quiet, I have never known it so dead.” Good that would give me time to look through the brochures.

  “How is your Mum?”

  “Still the same, it’s going to be a long road for her.”

  “I am sorry to hear that.”

  “What have you been up to?”

  “I have just been to the travel agents to pick up some holiday brochures.” I went to the back and got changed. I headed to the front counter, to start my shift.

  “So have you got anywhere in mind then Jazz?”

  “No, not yet, I just want some place warm, with some local sights.”

  “How has your weekend been?”

  “Fantastic. Apart from my mum.”

  “Fantastic hey? Tell me more.”

  “I have been seeing this guy for about six months now and he asked me to move in with him.”

  “Congratulations, does this man have a name?”

  “Yeah sorry, Leo.”

  “Excellent, does he get on with your son?”

  “He is brilliant with little Sean, he plays with him for hours. I don’t know who the biggest kid is.”

  “Well it sounds perfect, I am really happy for you Yukari.”

  “Have a great afternoon Jazz.”

  “You too, see you tomorrow.”

  I opened the first brochure, how do I choose a location? I knew Dylan wouldn’t be bothered about where we were going, he just wanted to come along. I knew from talking with Cat over the years, she wouldn’t be fussy. I started flicking through, not a lot of the locations appealed to me so I at least it narrowed down my search. Turkey? Or Greece? I put the brochure under the counter when a customer came in. It was my regular big order. It gave me a nice break from the brochures.

  When she had left I put it back on the counter. I had four brochures all opened up at Turkey. Right things to do . . . let’s start. They had some idyllic beaches, Turtle beach, Pamukkale, Turkish baths with massage included. Dalyan Mud Bath. Now that I would have to try. Jeep safari, some lovely open markets, boat trips, loads of water sports not a bad choice of day’s out.

  Now Greece, wow it looked great, I fell in love with the description of Kos. Water sports around on the far side of the island, miles of beautiful beaches, more boat trips, volcano trip, loads of little islands, amphitheatre, Greek ruins, Asklepion, museum, they even had a trip going to Bodrum in Turkey, I was sold, Greece wins.

  Now to narrow down which side of Kos would be best. Kardamena, good nightlife, maybe a little too noisy for me, looks like the party side of the island. Kos town, nightlife looks quite tame, gorgeous harbour, looks like I have found a winner. Now just to pick the hotel, but how am I going to choose the short list? I wanted all-inclusive, so that narrowed the search down a bit, now let’s see accommodation and facilities. Whilst I was looking through I found my perfect place, The Pegasus, Gym, regular entertainment, massage, safe included, air conditioning in all rooms included, I got so distracted that I didn’t even realise that my next customer had come in.

  Chapter 11

  Slam! A hand hit hard on the counter, I jumped so much I thought I was going to pee myself. I looked up, oh no, it was Mr blue eyes.

  “Looking at going on a holiday are you?”

  “Yes I am, not that it is any concern of yours,” I replied. He was ‘mister, I am so god damn sexy and I know it Mr big blue eyes.’ I was glad I was resting against the counter, my legs almost gave way on me. I closed the brochure.

  “What would you like to eat today then?” He looked me straight in the eyes and wagged his finger at me.

  “Tut, tut, tut, are you trying to tell me it is not ready?”

  “What’s not ready?” I replied.

  “I should put you over my knee, right here and now.” There was that feeling again, he was stood in front of me and I was getting wetter by the second, this wasn’t fair, I felt my face going red. “I asked you to have a BLT sandwich waiting for me today.”

>   “Oh yeah so you did, I forgot, it must have just slipped my mind for some reason.” I hadn’t forgotten at all, I just wanted to see what he would do. Part of me really wanted him to put me over his knee and spank me, the other side wasn’t sure at all.

  I would just have to service myself tonight when I got back home. He unfastened his jacket as he was walking to a table. He turned to look at me, but I couldn’t avert my eyes. Wow look at what you do to him Jasmine, he is so, so, so big. I just wanted to rip his clothes off and take him right there, but I wouldn’t, I didn’t want to be just another conquest, another notch to his bedpost. He stood their perfectly still, staring back at me.

  “Is there something you’ve seen that you like?” Oh hell yeah. Shh, I don’t need this now.

  “No.” I said as I turned and walked into the kitchen to make him his sandwich. He was so hot, that image was going to stay with me for a very long time. That was going to be in my fantasy for tonight’s tension releasing session. I hoped he was going to have that boner for the rest of the day. It serves him right for making me all hot and bothered. I wish I had brought some spare pants, being damp for the rest of the day wasn’t going to be much fun.

  I took the sandwich over to him and asked him.

  “You didn’t tell me what you wanted to drink today?”

  “You,” he replied. God his mouth was so hot, I could just ride that face home like a Texan. Then I would have no need to service myself tonight. Shh I won’t tell you again, this is hard enough without you chipping in.

  “So do you want something to drink from the menu or not?” My arousal was now becoming unbearable.

  “Well if I can’t have my first choice I will have to settle for an orange juice.”