Don't Say You Love Me (Boundless Love Book 1)

by Deorre, Iris

  Don’t Say You Love Me

  Published by Iris Deorre

  Copyright August 2014 Iris Deorre

  For Nana

  You were and always will be an amazing woman to me!

  This book is a work of fiction. All names, characters, locations and incidents are products of author’s imagination, or have been used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, locales or events is entirely coincidental.

  Chapter One

  ‘Oh my god! I can’t believe it’s your special day already!’ Sahara gazed at her best friend through the reflection of the mirror.

  Emily turned and looked her friend in the eye.

  ‘I can’t either.’ Her eyes began to water. ‘If only it was this way for you too.’ She sniffed.

  ‘Don’t you dare!’ Sahara warned. ‘This is your day, we promised not to make it anything, but about you and Myles.’ Sahara swallowed back the pain she felt.

  ‘I know, I just.’

  ‘No tears,’ she said again. ‘Absolutely not!’ She turned her friend around so that she could see herself in the mirror again.

  ‘Okay, but I’ll only settle if I ask you one question.’

  Sahara gave her a look.

  ‘Please, after that I promise to only concentrate on my day.’

  Sahara nodded.

  ‘What number are you today?’

  Sahara pursed her lips.

  ‘Please.’

  ‘Eight,’ she said.

  ‘Really?’

  ‘Yes really, now it’s back to you.’

  ‘Are you sure?’

  ‘Emily!’

  Emily pouted in the reflection.

  ‘It’s an eight because it’s my best friends wedding and I couldn’t be happier.’

  Emily nodded; it satisfied her a little, but not enough to convince her.

  ‘Now no more questions about me. Look at you, you look so beautiful!’ Sahara smiled.

  Emily gazed at herself, all dressed in white. It was true, she looked and felt beautiful, but she still couldn’t help feel the sadness that was deep within her. Her blond locks had been bundled up to the top of her head and a beautiful silver tiara circled her head.

  ‘I want you to be happy too, you know,’ said Emily.

  ‘I’m happy. I’m happy because you’re happy, today is a very happy day.’ Sahara rubbed Emily’s shoulder gently. ‘The only thing I’m not happy about is not having my long locks for your wedding.’ She tried to smile. She missed her beautiful long black hair everyday.

  Sahara looked younger and prettier than her thirty years. Her brown skin was smooth, her dark brown eyes were always mistaken for black, eyes that gave her a mysterious look. She almost looked twenty five instead of thirty. She had the gentlest smile, a smile that hid a lot from the world, and yet gave a lot to the world. Sahara wore a ring of flowers around her short hair, and it made her look more like a flower girl, than a maid of honour.

  ‘I look like a pixie,’ she said.

  ‘It suits you, it makes you look so young.’

  ‘Nah, it makes me look like a boy. My long hair made me look like a woman.’

  ‘Oh nonsense, you’ve always been strikingly beautiful, whether it’s with long hair or short hair. You will probably steal the limelight from me.’

  Sahara giggled and was grateful for all the love and support Emily gave her.

  ‘Don’t worry about me, and don’t try to cheer me up. I’m so happy, nothing will dampen my mood today.’

  Emily smiled and nodded at their reflections. Just then Felicity stuck her head round the door.

  ‘Ladies, are we ready or what?’ asked their friend.

  ‘We’ll be out in a second. And tell my mother she can stop sending you in to check on us!’ said Emily.

  ‘It’s Elizabeth this time.’ she snorted.

  ‘Oh boy, tell my mother to just stop,’ said Sahara. ‘And tell her that I’m just fine, she doesn’t need to send you.’

  ‘I know hon, but I still wanted to check on you guys anyway.’

  ‘Thanks, we’ll be out in a second.’ Emily winked.

  Emily turned back to the friend she’d known since high school. They’d met on the very first day they stepped into year seven. Sahara had been just as nervous as Emily was. They’d sat beside each other in their new form. It had been friendship at first sight. They had so much in common, it was as if they’d known each other for years. They never left each others side. But there had been some hard times during their friendship, but they stuck it out. They did everything together, and here they were again, at a life changing moment for Emily.

  ‘Are you ready to marry the love of you life?’ asked Sahara.

  Emily pursed her lips together. It was a bittersweet moment. She was the happiest woman alive at that moment, but also quite sad. Sahara shook her head, she could see the worry in Emily’s eyes.

  ‘Just let me say one more thing, then I promise, I won’t again.’

  Sahara sighed. She’d asked Emily not to make the day about her, but as stubborn as she was, Emily wasn’t about to heed that advice.

  ‘Okay, just one more thing.’

  ‘You are the strongest and most amazing woman I’ve ever known. I thank you for being in my life. I wish I could change things for you, make them easier, but I know I can’t. I just want you to find love too, to find and feel the happiness I feel at this moment.’

  ‘I do, I feel the happiness radiating from you.’ She smiled boldly. ‘Now enough.’ she warned her. ‘Let’s go.’

  ‘Okay.’ Emily nodded finally. ‘Okay.’

  ‘Okay.’

  Sahara led them out of the hotel room and into the waiting car that would take them to the church.

  ****

  ‘No fucking way!’ Myles couldn’t believe his university friend was standing in his room as he got ready to marry the woman of his dreams. ‘I can’t believe you fucking made it!’

  ‘I did! And does the unlucky lady accept such foul language.’ Eugene joked.

  ‘Come here!’ He took his friend into a hug, and patted him on the shoulder.

  They gave each other a warm hug, and then stepped back.

  ‘How could I miss it? How could I miss the fact that my friend has finally succumbed to the ball and chain shackle of marriage.’

  ‘I take it you’re still a ladies man.’

  ‘You know me.’ he smiled. ‘You know me.’

  ‘You haven’t changed a bit.’

  That was certainly true. The tall handsome hunk with the dark hair and ice blue eyes always had the women falling over themselves for him. He was like honey to bees, women always returned whether they wanted to or not. Eugene knew how to play the field and he wasn’t ashamed to admit it.

  ‘Absolutely not, the world is filled with beautiful women. I don’t see the point settling down with one. You my friend have sold your soul to the devil.’ He chuckled.

  ‘That maybe so, but I love her.’

  ‘Love, that’s a loaded word.’

  Myles looked back at the mirror and fiddled with his bow tie. It was certainly a big day for him. He’d never felt this excited about anything in his life.

  ‘It is a loaded word and it has a true meaning for me.’ He gazed at his friend through the mirror.

  ‘You must really love this one.’

  ‘I do,’ he turned around to face him. ‘You know I do.’

  Eugene had been too busy travelling the world and meeting women to notice that his friend had fallen in love with Emily. He’d met her a few times, but had never really taken the time to get to know her. His business took him away a lot, and he loved the fa
st lane. A life that never stopped! If he wasn’t jumping onto a plane to go somewhere in the world, he was drinking and having a good time with a beautiful woman on his arm.

  ‘I’m guessing you’re passing through?’ asked Myles.

  ‘You know me, I’m a very busy man.’

  ‘I know, I’m quite surprised you made it.’

  ‘I wouldn’t miss it.’

  ‘I’m sorry I couldn’t make you my best-man. It’s pretty hard to know for sure, whether you’d be around or not.’

  ‘Don’t worry about it. You were right not to. Nolan’s a great man.’ He patted Myles’s shoulder.

  On cue, Nolan knocked and let himself into the hotel room.

  ‘Hey! When did you get here?’ Nolan took Eugene into a bear hug.

  ‘Just a few minutes ago, I sneaked in. You know me.’

  ‘I certainly do. You look great!’ Nolan looked at the handsome hunk from top to bottom.

  ‘I feel great! You don’t look so bad yourself.’

  ‘Ah, well, I wouldn’t say so. I mean after a marriage and two kids, it isn’t that easy to stay in good shape.’

  ‘Speak for yourself. I will not be making any excuses. This man stays.’ Myles patted himself.

  ‘Yep that’s what I said, until I had the little ones. Soon there’ll be not enough hours in the day.’

  ‘That is why, I’m planning to stay single the rest of my life. I just wouldn’t be able to cope,’ said Eugene.

  The two men looked at their old friend. It was no surprise to them that he’d admitted that. Eugene just wasn’t the settling type.

  ‘Your looks won’t carry you forever.’ Myles teased.

  ‘That I know, but every woman loves a rich man, right. There’ll never be a shortage of women like that.’

  ‘So you are okay with having a woman just interested in your money?’ asked Nolan.

  ‘I’m pretty dam shallow myself, so why would it bother me.’

  ‘Hmmm, yes, that’s right, how could I forget,’ said Nolan.

  ‘Anyway gentlemen, this day isn’t about me. It’s about Myles. You my friend are going to do alright.’

  Myles looked at his friend. ‘You really think so?’

  ‘Of course, you’re a good man. Now go and make that woman of yours happy.’

  Myles nodded, deep down within him he couldn’t wait to make Emily his wife. After all, she was the woman of his dreams.

  ****

  The men arrived at the church. Myles and Nolan made their way to the front, while Eugene found a seat amongst the congregation. It was his fault he wasn’t part of the wedding party, after all, he was always busy, but that didn’t seem to bother him much. The moment he sat down, his eyes travelled around the crowd. He nodded to the woman to his left, and to her husband who sat beside her. So far no one had caught his attention, it was like he was fishing, looking for someone to entertain him while he was in the county.

  There was a red head that had caught his eye. The moment she walked past, he sat up and gazed at her, hoping she’d notice him, but soon she was joined by a man. Eugene blew that off, his eyes quickly settled on the dark haired woman who sat across from his row. He coughed gently hoping she would look his way. He did it twice, and just like he’d played out in his mind, the woman looked his way.

  Bingo! He thought, and he smiled. The woman smiled back. From what he saw, she looked stunning. He made a hand gesture, to which at first she wasn’t so sure what he meant.

  ‘Can I sit over there?’ he mouthed.

  The woman nodded.

  ‘Excuse me,’ he said to the woman who was beside him. ‘I think I’ll just move over there.’

  ‘Oh don’t mind us,’ said the woman.

  He quickly moved across the church and made himself comfortable beside the attractive woman.

  ‘Hi, I’m Eugene.’ He held out his hand.

  ‘Lisa.’ The woman beamed. She’d never seen such a striking and confident man in her life. There was something about him she couldn’t deny, and he knew that.

  ‘Nice to meet you, Lisa, how do you know the couple?’ he asked.

  ‘I’m Emily’s cousin, not that we get along.’ She chuckled at the latter.

  ‘Hmmm, well that’s the way it goes with family.’ He wasn’t really interested in the dynamics of the family. He had his eye on her beautiful face and body.

  ‘You? I’ve never seen you around.’

  ‘I’m a close friend of Myles. I’m always out of the country, probably that’s why you’ve never seen me.’

  She nodded. She couldn’t believe just how hot the man was. His eyes sealed the deal. He could say anything, and she’d trip over herself just to be with him.

  ‘Well, it’s great that you could make it.’

  ‘Yes, I’m glad now, very glad.’ He chuckled.

  Lisa smiled getting the gist of what he was saying. Just as she was about to open her mouth to say more, the organ began to play, and everyone stood up. The bride had arrived.

  ‘Oh, here she is now,’ Lisa whispered.

  At first two flower girls walked in throwing yellow rose petals to the floor, Sahara walked behind them. It took him by surprise, the woman who had just walked past did something to him no woman had ever done. It wasn’t just the way she looked, there was something about her that drew him to her. He couldn’t tell what it was, but he wanted to know who she was. He looked at Lisa briefly and smiled, only just, and then back at the woman who had just stopped at the altar. She radiated like never before. There was something about her that drew him in like never before. He couldn’t put his finger on it, but she was amazing. He’d never been drawn in that way.

  Sahara seemed simple, but complicated at the same time. She was pretty but not overly beautiful. It was the natural simple look of her that made him want to know about her. Her smile filled him with warmth, he watched her as she spoke softly to the children. But his attention, along with everyone else’s attention was taken away when Emily began to walk down the aisle.

  She arrived at the altar with a wide grin, Myles was equally happy. The smile in both their eyes brought tears to Sahara’s eyes. Deep down, no matter how much she denied it, she wanted to feel that love. But her life style didn’t allow it, and she hadn’t allowed love in.

  Myles held out his hands and Emily took them. The priest began and there was hushed silence everywhere. The priest took a moment to talk about the gift of love, and its importance. He read a few scriptures that made almost everyone in the church think. It was magical, the presence of love was felt everywhere. The two gazed into each others eyes as the said their vows.

  ‘Do you Myles O’Brian take Emily Lewis to be your lawful wedded wife, constant friend, faithful partner and love of your life from this day forward?’

  ‘I do.’

  Emily sniffed, and Sahara quickly handed her a pretty white handkerchief that was patterned with purple flowers.

  ‘Do you Emily Lewis, take Myles O’Brian to be your lawful wedded husband, constant friend, faithful partner and love of your life from this day forward?’

  ‘I do.’ Emily was overtaken by emotion.

  Only slight sniffles could be heard throughout the church as the couple continued to speak their love for one another.

  ‘I now pronounce you man and wife, you may kiss your bride,’ announced the priest.

  There was a loud cheer, clapping and celebration as Myles stepped forward and kissed his bride. Sahara warmed with emotion, and Eugene couldn’t take his eyes off her. He had to get to know her.

  Emily turned to her best friend and smiled, with happy tears drizzling down her cheeks. Sahara was equally excited about the whole event. She wanted the best for her friend, even though she knew she wouldn’t get a chance at it herself.

  The wedding party started to make their way out, and the crowd followed behind. They shot off to wedding photos while the rest of the crowd, hung around and chatted, and finally set off for the reception.

  ‘Did you
drive?’ Lisa asked Eugene who had been caught off guard. He just couldn’t get Sahara out of his mind.

  ‘Urm…Yes, my car is just parked over there.’ He pointed at the black Porsche in the car park.

  ‘Well then, that’s my ride sorted.’

  ‘Urm…well…’ He wasn’t so sure he wanted to continue the day with Lisa. She’d been a great prospect at first, but the moment he’d set eyes on Sahara, there was no going back.

  ‘After all, we need to get to know each other better.’ She webbed her arm through his.

  ‘Hmmm…’ He wasn’t sure what to say. His mind clogged with Sahara.

  ‘Well, shall we make our way to the reception?’

  He nodded, there wasn’t much he could do, not in that moment. They moved away from the crowd towards the jazzy vehicle. Lisa ran her hands over the black metal impressed, she’d really scored herself a rich one. She smiled, biting back her lip as he pressed the door to unlock.

  ‘Nice car.’ She slid inside after he’d opened the door.

  ‘Thank you,’ he said.

  His Porsche had always been used to pick up the ladies. He knew just how thrilled they would be to have a man of means on their arm. It didn’t matter how feminist the woman tried to be, there was always that side to her that wanted the man to pick up the tab, be the one to sweep her off her feet. Eugene had certainly been king of that game for a very long time. But that day, he no longer wanted to impress Lisa, he wanted the maid of honour to notice him as much as he’d noticed her.

  He started the car in silence. Lisa explored the black leather dashboard and shrilled. The leather interior was immaculate, with black seats with the red Porsche sign in the middle. She shrugged her shoulders a little too excited, and it worried him.

  ‘Shall we take a little detour?’ She winked playfully. ‘Before we go to the reception? It’s only starting in an hour or so.’

  He gazed over at the beautiful woman as he started the engine. He had to admit she was gorgeous, but there was one thing stopping him. That woman in the church, he just couldn’t shake her away. She wasn’t like any other woman he’d met before.

  ‘I’d rather we go to the reception, I’m sure they’re serving pre-drinks, and it will give us time to mingle.’