‘I meant his first name. From tomorrow everyone’s going to know him, but they’ll know him as Oliver Daniel Davenport, super-hot and sexy billionaire CEO, husband of best-selling author, Ellie Baxter. Are you going to keep calling him Dan?’
‘We haven’t discussed that since he decided to go public,’ I frowned. He’d been Dan to me for three years now, he was Dan to me. We looked up as the door opened and Molly stuck her head in.
‘O my God, you’ve been in here for ages. You’re not having another garlic episode are you?’ she asked.
‘No babe, I having nothing left to give, until that seven course meal meanders it’s way through my seriously fucked up system.’
‘Then shift that shitty sexy arse back in here, you’re both needed,’ she grinned. We headed out to find Oliver fast asleep on the sofa in the corner and everyone on the balcony. Dan tucked in behind me as a firework display, unlike any I’d ever seen, lit up the now darkened sky, brilliant colours reflecting in the water. He had his hands gently cradling my slightly protruding stomach and I placed mine over them. I couldn’t wait to meet our new arrival, or to find out what we’d be having. I lay my head back on Dan’s shoulder as we watched and spun around in his arms the moment they finished.
‘I couldn’t have planned a more perfect day if I tried,’ I whispered as I shook my head in awe. ‘And I just love my wedding ring and inscription. But I feel bad that I didn’t have a chance to choose one for you.’
‘I got one to match yours, maybe you can take it and have something engraved into it for me?’ he suggested.
‘I’d love to. Something that sums up how much I’m in love you.’
‘I’ve never seen you look more beautiful,’ he sighed, as he laid a delicate kiss on my lips. ‘And you on a bad day takes some beating.’
‘It’s the dress, no one could fail to look beautiful in such a gorgeous dress, I don’t know how to begin to thank you, for everything.’
‘How about you thank me later by calling me, Sir,’ he murmured in my ear.
‘O God,’ I groaned, as the thought of another hot session with him in charge made my skin prickle and my pussy flame. Every day with him made my love and need for him even stronger. He was a perfect package. My perfect package. ‘As soon as we get home and I put Oliver to bed, you have a deal,’ I confirmed, as I kissed his neck. He pulled his head back as his lips drew into a wide smile.
‘We’re not going home tonight, the helicopter’s on standby to take us to my 767. Two whole weeks for me to take advantage of you over and over, with no distractions.’
‘We’re going away? Tonight? But I haven’t packed, and what about Oliver, I can’t leave him for two whole weeks, I can barely manage a night without him,’ I uttered, feeling my heart racing.
‘You don’t need to pack, I ordered some new luggage and filled it with some essential supplies for you, but you’re not going to need many clothes where we’re going. Magda’s coming with us, she’s going to look after Oliver, so you and I can have some quality time together.’
‘Thank God,’ I sighed. The thought of being without my beautiful baby for that long had filled me with horror. ‘Where are we going?’
‘I own a private island,’ he smirked. ‘Somewhere hot and tropical. We have our own luxury villa on the beach and Magda will stay in the housekeeper’s cottage on the other side. Close by if we need her, far away enough that I can watch you wandering about naked and fuck you on the beach without anyone seeing.’
‘Sounds bliss,’ I groaned. ‘You and your islands. You spoil me so much, Mr. Davenport.’
‘Get used to it Mrs. Davenport, for my wife, the woman I love, it’s all part of the service,’ he winked, as he led me to the cleared space for our first dance, to a song he said summed up his love for me perfectly, to celebrate the beginning of our new life together, as husband and wife. Forever.
Dan’s Song for Ellie
Better Man ~ James Morrison
There was a time I had nothing to give
Well, I needed shelter from the storm I was in
When it all got too heavy you carried my weight
And I want to hold you and I want to say
That you are all that I need, for you, I give my soul to keep
You see me, love me, just the way I am
I said, for you I am a better man
I said, you are the reason for everything that I do
I’d be lost, so lost, without you, oh
And under the stars at the edge of the sea
There’s no one around, no one but you and me
We’d talk for hours as time drifts away
I could stay here for ever and hold you this way
You are all that I need, for you, I give my soul to keep
You see me, love me just the way I am
I said, for you I am a better man
I said, you are the reason for everything that I do
I’d be lost, so lost without you, no no no
I’d be lost, so lost without you
Ellie’s Song for Dan
Feels like Home ~ Chantal Kreviazuk
Somethin’ in your eyes
Makes me want to lose myself
Makes me want to lose myself
In your arms
There’s something in your voice
Makes my heart beat fast
Hope this feeling lasts
The rest of my life
If you knew how lonely my life has been
And how long I’ve been so alone
If you knew how I wanted someone to come along
And change my life the way you’ve done
Feels like home to me
Feels like home to me
Feels like I’m all the way back where
I come from
Feels like home to me
Feels like home to me
Feels like I’m all the way back where I belong
A window breaks down a long, dark street
And a siren wails in the night
But I’m alright, ‘cause I have you here with me
And I can almost see through the dark there is light
If you knew how much this moment means to me
And how long I’ve waited for your touch
If you knew how happy you are making me
I never thought that I’d love anyone so much
Feels like home to me
Feels like home to me
Feels like I’m all the way back where I come from
Feels like home to me
Feels like home to me
Feels like I’m all the way back where I belong
Feels like I’m all the way back where I belong
Epilogue
Monday August 9th ~ Year Three
I touched down in Heathrow and stretched my tired limbs. I hated long haul flights, especially now I couldn’t afford to go first class. Once I’d claimed my suitcase and cleared customs I headed for a much needed coffee, and to look at the headline again on the newspaper I’d spotted and purchased yesterday. A headline that had prompted this last minute flight to England. A picture of the billionaire former recluse, Oliver Davenport with his new bride, Ellie Baxter and their fifteen month old son. It was on every newspaper, probably all around the world. Reporting on his disappearance, continued rise to fame, along with his reasons for going public again, was a newspapers wet dream. I knew at some stage I’d catch a lucky break and find them. It was the only reason I was back. My lips curled into a smile, suddenly my shitty life seemed a little brighter. I downed my coffee and carefully stowed the paper in my carry on, then caught the tube to Victoria.
I managed to find a private room in a hostel in Tower Hamlets, barely larger than a prison cell. Private room made it sound nicer than it actually was. It was fucking squalid. At least prisoners got a toilet and sink, I didn’t even get that. There was mould on the windows, the wall paper was damp and peeling and the brown stained carpet was threadbare. I inspected th
e single bed expecting to find bed bugs, instead I uncovered a ripped mattress with broken springs and even more stains than the damn floor. The yellow duvet and pillows had me run to the communal shower room opposite to be sick and the stench from the toilet made me heave even more. I’d sold most of my designer suits and shoes for cash when I was really desperate, along with my expensive watch and cufflink collections, so I had some money in my back pocket, my carry on with my laptop and a small suitcase which contained the rest of my life. Namely a couple of pairs of shoes, some jeans and all that remained of the designer clothing I’d kept back to keep up appearances. I unpacked it all and put in into the broken chest of drawers, carefully hanging my last remaining suit in its protective clothes bag in the wobbly splintered single wardrobe. I used to live in a fucking penthouse and stay in five star hotels and this was what I’d been reduced to?
I headed out and found a cheap stationers where I purchased a cork noticeboard and some pins, a pair of scissors, and a hammer and hook. I then went searching and found a discount store and managed to get some cheap bed linen and a new duvet and pillows, before heading back to my dank new home. After stripping the bed and ditching the old supplies in a waste container at the back of the building, where a rat as big as a bloody dog shot past, I hung up the notice board and carefully extracted the newspaper from my carry on, smoothing it out on my lap. I slowly cut around the picture of them and pinned it to the centre of the board, then sat back on the bed and focussed on it. I’d been so tempted after the last year to just give up, not able to see a way out of this damn mess I was in. I’d lost my wealth, my apartment, my bloody Porsche and my fiancé and there they were, all fucking loved up with their billions. If Oliver Davenport thought he could take what was mine, without retribution, he was in for shock.
I opened my suitcase again and carefully cut the stitching of the lining in the corner and pulled out my last stash of coke. I needed to get a damn job if I wanted another fix, and if I was going to come up with a plan to dig myself out of this mess. I tipped it onto on the chest of drawers and used my debit card to form two neat long lines, rolled a ten pound note and snorted it up. I sat back on the bed and sniffed, waiting for it to take effect. Pretty soon I was buzzing. I lurched over to the noticeboard, reached up and traced my finger over her face.
‘So beautiful,’ I chuckled, then muttered ‘lucky bastard,’ as I jabbed at his face with my fingertip. Taking her would probably give me a pretty decent bloody payday, but to hit the fucking jackpot I needed that kid. No one held back when a kid was taken, especially not when an emotional mother was involved. I’d lay odds on him forking out a damn fortune for his brat, especially if she was sobbing on his shoulder.
I chuckled again as I lay back on my bed with my hands behind my head, ignoring the spring poking into my back. At last I had a direction, something to focus on, a way to dig myself out of this depressing fucking hovel and back to the lifestyle I’d become accustomed to. I didn’t care how long it took me to find them, months or even years, I had nothing but time. I’d find them eventually. I’d track them. I’d play it slowly and work out their routines to find their weak points. Everyone had them, no matter how much wealth they had. When they were least expecting it, BAM, I’d hit them right where it hurt and laugh all the way to the bank. I looked back over at the kid in the shot. He was my golden bloody ticket. And just for kicks, one last “screw you” for what I’d lost, once I got my pay day I wouldn’t fucking give him back.
Thank you so much for reading 31 Days of Summer
If you enjoyed it, please could you spare a moment to leave a review on Amazon and Goodreads for me? They mean so much to authors, they help new readers discover our work and make all the long hours sat alone at our keyboards creating these stories so worthwhile!
I’ll be back with a follow up to Dan and Ellie’s story sometime in the future and I hope you’ll join us then.
CJF x
Acknowledgments
A massive shout out to all my loyal readers who have continued to support me from my debut The Austin Series. Thank you and welcome to all my new readers as well. The support and messages you send me are never taken for granted.
Thanks also to my four Beta readers, Amy, Michelle, Pollie and Holly who give me invaluable advice and encouragement after reading my first drafts, to Michelle who also does PA work for me and Karen J, my new editor. I couldn’t have got this completed without all of your input.
Also I owe a debt to my Street Team, who are my most vocal supporters: Amy, Catherine, Chip, Holly, Karen, Laurietta, Michelle, Pollie, Sandra, Shirley, Sonjia, Toni and Tracy and also my author friends Georgia Le Carre and Lan LLP, love you all girls!
A final thanks to all the bloggers who have supported me in my first year’s journey as an author. Without you I wouldn’t have reached the audience that I have. It would be impossible for me to list you all, but I’ve mentioned some of the key ladies that I’m in regular contact with, who also blow me away with their amazing reviews:
A Bookish Escape ~ Ria
Author Groupies ~ Lorena
Brit Nanny Reads ~ Cara
Inside the Book Bistro ~ Becky
J&M’s Book Diaries ~ Jenny & Malisa
Love Between the Sheets ~ Christina
My Book Filled Life ~ Nicole
Obsessed by Books ~ Maria, Nadia, Emma & Wendy
Reading is a way of Life ~ Ella Marie
Reading the Sheets ~ Laura and Dawn
Two Ordinary Girls and their Books ~ Klaire, Lilly and Kaprii
Song Lyrics sourced by www.metrolyrics.com
The Austin Series
“You must read this series. I have read all the books separately and this series will not disappoint you. I have read a lot of series and this one is one of my favourites and will never leave me. CJ writes in a way that connects you to the characters and with this series you will guarantee, laugh out loud, cry and get mad. These books take you on one hell of a journey and you will fall in love with all the characters. Gabe and Mia are two lost and broken souls who cannot deny their instant attraction to each other. Both have their demons and commitment issues but what they grow to feel for each other cannot be denied. Are they willing to put their hearts on the line and break down each other's walls? The journey they embark on is passionate, fiery, loving, romantic full of drama, hot passionate sex. But can they make it to their HEA? Not without their ups and very low downs. Get the tissues box ready as you'll need them. If you love sexy, dominant, controlling, sensual alpha males that adore the women they love and would do anything for them you will also fall in love with Gabe Austin. He's my new book boyfriend. Once you have finished this series you will not forget it and like me you will want to re-read and not let go.” Toni, Amazon Reviewer.
Available exclusively to Amazon, you can buy The Austin Series Complete Box Set at a saving of over sixty percent compared to purchasing the books individually.
For the Night Series
A selection of comments from some of the Book Blogs reviews of
Strangers for the Night (For the Night #1)
Cara ~ Brit Nanny Reads ~ 5*
“To say this book is HOT is an understatement! It is hot, sexy, calculating and delicious! So for strictly over 18's. Logan is a sexy, hot man! Personal trainer by day and an exclusive gigolo by night. He has his standards and he sticks to them. He demands the best because he is the best….and I think I fell in love with him a little during this book.”
Nicole ~ My Book Filled Life ~ 5*
“Having recently finished up C.J. Fallowfield's The Austin Series, I knew going into this book the sexy times were going to be hot. And let me tell you: this book does not disappoint!”
Christina ~ Love between the Sheets ~ 5*
“I’ve become a fan of Ms. Fallowfield’s writing and the idea of this novella series, based on a series of different clients is intriguing … The book is sweltering, the writing is excellent and the characters are spot on.”
> Lorena ~ Author Groupies ~ 5*
“C.J. does not disappoint and I am just so excited for the next instalment of this series. I will read anything, and I mean anything by this author because her books really captivate me and are also interesting. It's not all about sex, there's actually a storyline in her books. You will not regret reading this book, trust me. There is a little bit of everything in here and it will captivate
your attention from page 1 of the book.”
Malisa ~ J&M Book Diaries ~ 5*
“First of all, we applaud C.J. for writing a very enticing mini-series. Strangers for the Night started off with an unforgettable chapter, and introducing us to the protagonist Logan Steele. One word, Sexy! … Immediately we were drawn to the story it was very compelling! The way C.J. Fallowfield introduces her characters, they are always unforgettable. She’s a very great story-teller & developer. It amazes us how much we have withdrawals of her characters after we finish her books.”
Klaire ~ Two Ordinary Girls and their Books ~ 5*
“"Logan Steel, licenced to thrill." Hot on the heels of Gabe Austin, C.J. Fallowfield gives us Logan Steele, the quintessential British escort. A little bit of James Bond (in his own words) and studiously professional in giving the ladies what they desire. At a cost, contractually and unemotionally. He will rock your world and leave you begging for more, make you wish you were the only lady in his sights. "Women want to be with him, men want to be him" He oozes a confidence that quite often comes across as arrogant, drips charm and charisma and takes absolutely no nonsense. You just know you're in for one steamy ride right from the start! … A quick easy read, more for the fact that it captures you right from the first page and doesn't let go until the last word. It felt long enough and there was enough there to compel you to want to read further into the next book. It's beautiful, I loved this book but then again there's a magic to C.J. and the way she weaves her words. She had me a firm fan when I read "New Leaves, No Strings" quite some time ago, I was quite anxious for this release hoping desperately that it would live up to all that the Austin Series is. And you know what...nailed it!!”
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