Found By You (The Spring Rose Bay Series Book 1)

by K. L. Jessop

  “Wow, Marcus, that’s beautiful. Nobody has ever done anything like this for me before.” Her expression is priceless. It’s just a blanket with wine and nightlights yet she’s acting like I’ve giving her the world.

  The sun is downing to set and the sky becomes illuminated in vibrant oranges and reds as we sit against the dunes drinking wine and talking about our childhood memories. Even though there’s still an air of hesitation, Amelia’s more relaxed to when I first picked her up earlier and moulds perfectly beside me. “Tell me something true,” she murmurs, twirling the stem of the glass between her fingers.

  “What?”

  “It’s a game me and mum played when I was a kid. It can be anything. Big, small or completely ridiculous as long as it’strue.”

  I take a sip of my wine and try to think of what truth I could possibly say, there were so many things that ran through my head when it came to this woman. “You’re beautiful.”

  “Ugh, I’m serious.”

  “As am I. Your turn.”

  She thinks for a little before a cheeky grin forms her face. “I had a slight crush on Andrew when I first moved here. Everyone think he’s an ass but he’s just a pussy cat behind a mysterious mask.”

  “My favourite colour is blue.”

  “I hate my laugh, it sounds weird.”

  “It’s sexy,” I replied, finishing my drink. “When was the last time you slept with a guy?” What the fuck did I say that for?

  Her head snaps up to look at me, a flicker of anger and pain in her eyes. “There aren’t questions in this game, Marcus, just truth.”

  “Exactly. So tell me.” I request softly, unsure if this was right of me to even ask. She’s already closed off; the last thing I want her to do is freak out and run, yet as she searches my face I see her anger subside. Exhaling an unsteady breath and closing her eyes for a moment before her line of sight is fixed solely on the ocean.

  “I don’t know,” she murmurs. “The last time I recall being with a man and feeling anything was around seven years ago. The last time I had sex with him was a little over five, and by then all feelings had died.”

  “You stopped loving him?” The silence was icy as her eyes glassed with unwanted memories and sorrow.

  “I stopped loving him long before that. By then I’d stopped living.”

  Lifting her chin I cup her cheek, smoothing my thumb over her soft skin. How can anyone as beautiful as her feel so low they needed to stop being who they were. More to the point how can anyone make her feel that way to begin with.

  “Then we need to make you feel alive again.” I could tell by the pleading look in her eyes she didn’t want this conversation to continue, so I diverted back to the original topic and went for the something ridiculous.

  “Seagulls scare me shitless.”

  Her laughter was like music to my ears, making me join her with my preposterous but true confession. “You’re so weird.”

  “Am not. Have you seen their eyes?”

  “It’s just a bird,” she says through the breaks of her giggles. Clearly finding my phobia amusing I jab her in the waist to stop the teasing, making her jump with a squeal.

  “Oh, I’ve found a ticklish spot it seems.” My grin was a mile wide as I raise my brows in devilment.

  Her eyes-widen as she chokes out her words. “Don’t even think about it.” She retreats and was up on her feet in a flash, backing down towards the beach as the grin still plastered my face. “Marcus…you wouldn’t dare!”

  “Oh I totally would.” I’m up and charging towards her as she sprints the sand in high pitched squeals and laughter. Turning her head to catch my approach as her red hair flies high in the wind as she heads across the beach. “You can’t run from me that easily.” I’m behind her in seconds, grabbing her hips and pulling her to the sand as she shrieks. Straddling her she twists her body begging me to stop with uncontrolled breathing and laughter as I tickle her ribs.

  “Stop! Marcus...I can’t breathe!” she pants as the air leaves her lungs.

  “You want me to stop? But you love it.” I chuckle.

  “Stop...Please!”

  Taking her hands in mine I pin them above her head, both breathing heavy from our hysteria, our eyes hold each other’s heated gaze yet hers show a trace of apprehension. She’s so fucking sexy. “I have a powerful urge to kiss you right now, Miss Weston.”

  “I don’t think that’s a good idea,” she exhales.

  “Why not? You might enjoy it.”

  “That’s exactly why it’s not a good idea.”

  My lips curve with her honesty as I place them on hers, coaxing them open to slip in my tongue. The taste of cherry wine and her sweet scent of honeysuckle and vanilla is intoxicating, making my stomach tighten with our connection. Her hands twist under my hold and when released they fly to my jaw and hair letting me know she wants this.

  “Christ your mouth is amazing, I could kiss you all day.” I pull her bottom lip between my teeth.

  “Then don’t stop,” she gasps, bringing us back together as I deepen the kiss. Her soft moans are enough my tip me over the edge as I press my arousal against her, making her feel exactly what she’s doing to me. The need to touch her is torturous but my head is screaming it’s too soon.

  “Shit, Amelia, I think I’m in trouble.”

  “Told you it was a bad idea,” she giggles.

  Even in the low lit sky her brightness radiates. Every man and woman on earth could be stood on this beach right now but all I see is her. “You really are beautiful.”

  “And you really need to stop saying that,” tapping me on the shoulder.

  “Hmm nope, sorry. I’m going to tell you every chance I get. Starting with breakfast when I come to yours with bagels and coffee in the morning.”

  “Oh really? And what if I’m not there?”

  I peck soft kisses over her skin trailing across her jaw and neck, “I know where you live. I know where you work and I also have your number.” I finish with a soft kiss on the silver scar on her chin. “Failing that, I’ll hunt you down via Megan.”

  “Oh god, I really do have a stalker don’t I?” she chuckles.

  “Absolutely, and one that plans to spend as much time with you as possible.” I help her to her feet before scooping my arm under her legs to carry her across the beach. “Now beautiful let’s get you home, a beautiful lady needs to sleep before her big breakfast.”

  “Ugh, enough with the beautiful already,” she chuckled as I head back to the dunes.

  Chapter Nine

  Marcus

  “Oh my god, I’ve always wanted to come here.” Amelia squeals with excitement as the car enters Primrose Lodge. The large country grounds set twenty miles in from the coast, acres of land filled with every flower you can imagine and a maze that goes on for hours.

  The past two weeks I’ve pushed further into Amelia’s world and brought breakfast of bagels, croissants or savoury cupcakes to her door followed by sweet kisses and wrapping her in his arms, consuming her thoughts and house space in every way possible. She is still yet to open up fully but I know trust is what is needed when it comes to her and even though it’s killing me wanting to touch her and be balls deep, I needed to show her that she could have faith in me. Today was a new challenge for her, taking her out of her comfort zone of the coast and away from the watchful eye of others-Megan.

  “You love flowers and you’ve never been to Primrose Lodge?”

  “Never,” she smiles as her eyes scan the surrounds.

  “Well you’ll be in for a treat…let’s go and explore.”

  Primrose Lodge was a stately home owned by the Dartman family who ran the estate for over a hundred years. Creating a fairy tale secret garden that shouted both mysterious and romance. Endless hideouts and trails, water features and wildlife filled the yards around us as the grand house stood centre stage amongst the veritable forest of colour.

  Amelia’s eyes are everywhere as she darts around in exciteme
nt, taking in the vast grounds and historic building as we head up the granite central stairs.

  The house inside was a magnet of attraction, open fireplaces, wood flooring and large windows with thick heavy curtains, all under the high ceilings and golden chandleries as brass ornaments consumed the living space. It oozed history and adventure and left a lingering smell of hard graft and polish as you entered each room.

  “This place is breathtaking,” Amelia gasps, taking in the rustic décor. “Mum would have loved to have seen this.”

  “She liked her history?”

  “She was a history teacher and of course loved anything medieval or historic. When I were a little girl as well as exploring the beaches we’d hunt down the castles and stately homes in and around our area and spend hours soaking it all in. Dad hated it; he was more of a sportsperson and liked his race horses. Mum was the one that got me onto obsessing over flowers, and if the gardens where as good as the homes we were both in our element.” She smiles, digging out her camera from her bag and snapping away at objects around her, secretly taking a shot of her myself with my camera phone. Amelia was like a kid at Christmas all wide-eyed and speechless with a big ass grin on her face. I can’t help but chuckle as I watch the breath of fresh air in front of me sink into the environment.

  “Oh, Marcus, look! We need this for The Grand.”

  I follow her direction of sight and drew my brows. “We already have golden chandeliers.”

  “I know but we don’t have those ones and they look so pretty and sparkly.”

  I chuckle taking her hand and pulling her away as she looks over her shoulder one last time. “Come on, there’s more to see. This is just one of many rooms.”

  “How many are there?”

  “Another thirty.”

  After spending the morning exploring the house in great detail we head out into the summer sun to experience the wildlife and gardens. Lengths of flowers beds and features displayed the grounds with elegance and chic as tourists gather in groups to share their experiences. “How did you know I’d like it here?” Amelia asks as we lay facing each other amongst the flowers in the garden, the sun illuminating the vibrant colours that sways with the gentle breeze.

  “Because you always have some sort of flower in your house and I saw the photo of you sat amongst the tulip field. I thought this place was perfect.”

  “Very observant, Mr Matthews,” she grins. “It was a family holiday in Holland. Three hours I spent amongst the tulips field. Just laid there absorbing the sweet fragrances as I got lost in my dreams while the world carried on around me. Dad was about to send out a search party and went all over protective on me when I walked through the door, while mum just laughed it off with a wink as she knew where I’d been hiding. That was our last holiday as a family...everything changed after that.” Her eyes were focused on the grass and the sparkle that was there a few seconds ago had vanished along with her enthusiasm. After spending time with her at every opportunity I got, I’ve become to read Amelia through her eyes. She doesn’t have to say anything for me to know what she’s feeling, and right now like many a time her eyes were telling me she was hurting. I just wish she’d open up and fucking give me something that enabled me to comfort her in the way I wanted. But like a closed book, she never did.

  “Come on, let’s go get lost in the maze.” I smile, pulling her up and stretching.

  Primrose Lodge maze was enormous. High hedges of pure green twisted and turned every corner creating its own lost world, while the footsteps of shoes on gravel was all you heard as people tried to find their way out. On collecting our tickets at the entrance we were given a map of directions to the exit, but after a few wrong turns and Amelia realising I had the map upside down we were a little lost. Only now it seems I’ve lost Amelia, clearly taking a wrong turn when she was checking her phone for a way out.

  “Marcus, where are you?”

  “Come find me.” Although I couldn’t see her, her voice was telling me she was close. “Whoever finds the other one first has to kiss the shit out of them.” I shout into the air so she’s hear me.

  “Yeah, because the other person’s not going to shit out on that one are they?” she giggled. This was true. I couldn’t get enough of kissing Amelia and I know she felt the same regardless whether she said or not. “What if I don’t want to kiss you?” she shouts across the gardens.

  “Then I will make you pay. There are plenty of options for punishment.” Like tickling. I like how she has no control over her laughter when I get my hands on her. It’s pure, sexy and I’ll never tire of hearing it, each time she laughs her face and eyes come alive. I rounded the corner following her voice but find a dead end. “Amelia, are you close?” Nothing. “Is this where you jump up on me and give me a coronary?” Another dead end and still no answer.

  She’s playing me. I chuckled softly to myself, liking the mischievous side of her coming out. A few more turns around the hedgerows and shit loads of dead ends, I caught sight of her and froze. Up ahead she’s sat on the bench staring into space, frantically twisting her ring around her finger as her leg bobs. “Amelia?” she flinched when I touched her. Her pale skin is ghostly, eyes for the first time unreadable and she was clearly lost in another world, the world I didn’t like her in.

  “Are you going to punish me?” she whispers.

  “What? No I…wh-why would you think that?” I kneel down in front; shocked the thought has even crossed her mind. Her eyes dart all over my face but I still can’t read them.

  “You said you’ll make me pay.”

  I felt like the world’s biggest asshole. If I’d of known my words would have put fear in her like they have, I’d never of said them. “I meant like throwing you over my shoulder. I’d never hurt you, Amelia.” Pulling her up I wrap my arms tight around her and rest my chin on her head. Minutes pass in silence and the relief that funnelled through my body was welcoming once I slowly felt her relax against me. “Do you want to go home?”

  She shakes her head, her eyes now full of a silent apology. “No, I’m sorry. I want…I want you to kiss the shit out of me like you said you would if you found me first.” She smiles.

  Who am I to argue? I kissed her senseless, running my hands down her back to playing with the rim of her top. As my fingers begin to trail under she stops me, grabbing my wrist in force. This isn’t the first time and I want to groan in frustration with the need to feel her body in my hands. Flashing her lashes at me she grins, her lips red and swollen. “Come on. I want chips and a train ride.”

  ***

  “Have you seen the size of this thing?” I chuckle as I stand looking at the train Amelia insisted we go on. When I become aware of one that took us around the gardens I expected it to a least be adult size. Not some ridiculous small contraption that you knew full well wouldn’t be a pleasant ride.

  “Shit my ass is too big for the seat. You’ll have to sit behind me.” Amelia giggles, getting on the train that’s clearly meant for children. “The last time I was on one of these was with my dad and I was sick from too much candy floss and doughnuts.”

  “I’ve not been on a train like this since I was a seven year old boy. The leg room has certainly altered.”

  Amelia turns round and burst into a fit of giggles at the state of my lack of room. “Oh my god you’re practically eating your knees.” The eight short carriage train that travels around the outskirts of the gardens to view the wildlife is occupied by hyperactive children and two adults-the adults being us. As the conductor in a brown waistcoat makes his way along the carriages for tickets, he stops and cocks a brow clearing his throat.

  “Excuse me sir, there is a train to the west of the gardens for adults if you’re wanting more uh…room.”

  I look at Amelia who’s trying her hardest not to laugh and look back to the man stood in front of me handing him our tickets. “We’re good thanks, we’re reliving our youth.”

  “Ok, well enjoy the ride kids.”

  The
journey through the gardens was pleasant, capturing the scenery with the naked eye while Amelia captured it through the camera lens. I can’t keep my eyes of this woman, her creamy skin, big blue eyes and long red hair of fire, she’s addictive. Working my way down her body I become locked on the small area of skin that’s exposed between her vest top and shorts. My breath halts as an unknown feeling rushed through me, leaving my skin with a cold sweat. A glimpse of deep red sprung out between the separate pieces of fabric that covered her body, heightening against her pale skin with a silver shimmer. I wanted to rip her clothes off right then to discover what lie underneath. Have her blank canvas in front of me so I could paint my own marks on her body and not ones that no doubt created pain or haunts.

  “Marcus.” A nudge of Amelia’s hand presses against my arm, snapping me out of my thoughts. Her blues eyes crinkle at the corners as she looks with a wide smile. “Enjoyed the ride that much you don’t want to get off?”

  “Huh?”

  “The train has stopped. Are you ok?”

  “Yeah.” With a duck of my head I step out from under the train roof, stretching my stiff body from the cramped journey and confusion running through me.

  “Thank you for today,” she smiles, leaning into my chest for an unexpected hug. It’s not often Amelia makes the first move in the connection between us and each time she does I can’t help but notice the hesitation.

  I kiss the top of her hair. “Will you stop thanking me every time I do something for you. I do it because I want to. I do it because you deserve it.” I’d hand her the world on a platter if I could. This woman is doing things to me and making me react in ways I never knew existed. I wanted to protect her from the good the bad and the ugly and I’d be damned if anyone stood in my way.