Wishing For A Happily Ever After (I Wish Book 2)

by Lisa Helen Gray

  “Ah, I see,” he mumbles.

  I hit the top of the stairs and my eyes widen. Shit, both of my brothers would have a field day up here. Not only do they have a state-of-the-art television hanging on one of the main walls, but there are gaming chairs, a sofa, a pool table, a ping-pong table and, if I’m right, an arcade-style Pac-Man machine against the farthest wall.

  “Holy crap, this room is amazing…. Wait, is that a balcony?”

  Drake chuckles. “If a roof counts as a balcony, then yes. Do you want a tour?”

  “Does a priest pray?” I ask, giddy as I rush to the glass doors.

  Before he’s fully pushed the doors open, I look out onto the back of their house, my eyes widening further. Holy crap, I thought my parents owned a lot of land, but these guys… they don’t mess around.

  Large greenery as far as the eye can see in the dim moonlight spreads out before me, settling into a forest with trees so high it almost looks magical.

  “What do you think?” he asks. The amusement in his voice would normally ruffle me, but I don’t care with a view like this. I can even forget I touched his dick accidentally this morning because nothing could pull me out of this fantasy.

  “It’s breathtaking. What I don’t understand is why the hell you gave up this room for the one downstairs. I’m not saying it’s shabby or anything, but this one… it’s everything,” I breathe, gazing up at the stars.

  “That it is, but when you’ve walked the length it is from here to the gym a few times, you’ll understand. Plus it was much harder to sneak girls up here,” he says, chuckling.

  “I bet.” I giggle, looking over the side of the house.

  Holy crap, that’s a long way down.

  “Come on, let’s put a movie on. Do you have any preferences?”

  “As long as it’s not horror, I’m fine.”

  “No to watching The Blaire Witch Project, then?”

  I shudder. “God no.”

  “Duly noted.” He laughs and walks over to a door I hadn’t seen before.

  I follow, curious as to where he’s going, when I see the rows and rows of DVDs stacked high in a room the size of my bedroom back home.

  “You got enough films?” I ask sarcastically.

  “Meh,” he mutters absently, looking along the rows of movies.

  “I’ll just get comfy, then.” I take a seat on the largest, deepest sofa I’ve ever seen. The minute I plant my arse, I get sucked in and sigh, lost in heaven, wondering if this too would go unnoticed when I leave.

  I seriously need to get a start on that list.

  *** *** ***

  I’m tipsy.

  Yes, tipsy, and I’ve only had three beers.

  I giggle again when Roman tells Mia to hide the baby oil in Fast and Furious 7, but the minute Hobbs tells Roman to hide his big forehead, I fall to my side, laughing my arse off.

  No matter how many times I’ve watched it, it never fails to make me laugh.

  “I love this film,” I tell Drake, hiccupping. I wipe the tears of laughter from under my eyes as I sit back up.

  “I can see,” he murmurs. I turn to find him doing the whole staring thing again, and I give him a small smile. His lips twitch as his expression warms.

  He reaches out, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. A nervous flutter swirls in my stomach and I freeze, wondering what he’s going to do next. But he just turns back to the television, ignoring the emotions he’s stirred inside me.

  We’ve spoken a lot during the two films we’ve watched, and I’ve found out a lot about him. He’s currently between jobs since he left his practice, wanting something more. He’s a doctor, working between two hospitals as a step in.

  We’ve talked about my family, his family, and managed to keep the subject light and fun. He also told me all about the manor’s history, which I found fascinating. Apparently the house has been in his family for generations, being passed down to the firstborn ever since his great-great-great-great-grandfather built it.

  Knowing something has been passed down to each generation, keeping the family alive, is kind of special. I can see my dad doing that for us.

  My granddad owned Cabin Lakes before he passed away and left it to my dad. He plans on passing it down to Dean when the time comes. It’s only a start for us, but I kind of like knowing that in years to come, our great-great-great-whatever will own Cabin Lakes, know where it started, and will add their own touch to it. I’m actually thinking about talking my dad into starting a journal or a family one of sorts so it can be passed down.

  A yawn escapes me. I try to hold my hand up to cover it, but I’m too late.

  Drake hears and turns to me with a smirk on his face. “It’s only nine, you lightweight.”

  Pouting, another yawn starts but this time I have chance to cover my mouth. “I was also pranced around London by my best friend, who I might add acted like she had never left Winchester before. Therefore she dragged me to every shop she laid eyes on, eating everything from liquorice, candy floss, burgers and, heaven help me, sushi. I’m dead on my feet, and I also think I’ve got a little sunstroke. Oh, and I’m a teeny bit tipsy.”

  His eyes widen and I can’t help but giggle at his expression. I didn’t mean to bite his head off.

  “Can I have my head back now? I’m kind of fond of it.”

  I giggle, shaking my head at his meaning. “Whatever. I’ll leave you to it. Thank you for keeping me company tonight. I’ve had fun.”

  “My pleasure.”

  His eyes warm and I look away, trying to hide how much he affects me. I get up from the sofa, stretching my back when I do and trying not to sway. I hear a groan and look to Drake to find his heated gaze on me. And that’s when I realise my dress has ridden up and he got a good view of my arse.

  I blush, ducking my head as I hear him chuckle darkly. “Well, you’ve seen mine. It’s only fair I get to see yours.”

  “Asshole,” I mutter before moving towards the stairs.

  “You’ll come to love me, Pagan,” he says, and the heat behind his words causes a shiver to race down my spine.

  I don’t turn around, leaving him with a quick “Goodnight” before rushing down the stairs.

  In my haste, I don’t really watch where I’m going, so when I come to another turn five minutes later, I sigh in frustration, knowing there weren’t this many turns when we went to the games room.

  “Seriously, they should have maps on the walls in this place,” I grumble, walking down another corridor, one that looks far too familiar.

  Just as I turn the next corner, I slam into a hard body, my hands going to their waist. “I’m so sorry.” I look up into Drake’s eyes and huff out a breath when I see his amused and cocky expression.

  Asshole.

  “Did you come looking for me?” He grins.

  Not wanting to admit I got lost, I straighten and take a step back. “Yes. I thought it would be decent for you to walk me back to my room like a true gentleman.”

  “We’re not on a date,” he points out, grinning wider now. “And have you really been waiting down here for me for ten minutes just so I could walk you back?”

  That’s when I notice the stairs to the game room on the left of me and I growl, frustrated.

  At least I was heading in the right direction.

  I think.

  “Yes, I just didn’t think you’d be this long,” I say rather snottily.

  “You got lost, didn’t you?” he chuckles.

  I sigh, defeated. “Yes,” I snap. “If you could point me in the right direction, or even walk me to the stairs, I’ll be able to find my way.”

  He laughs. “Come on, princess. If you ever get lost again, follow the paintings of landscapes to the stairs. And if you need to check that you’re going in the right direction, just lift the painting a little and on the bottom left-hand corner there will be a tiny arrow pointing the way.”

  “Are you serious?” I ask, peeved and kind of impressed. Not that I’m willi
ng to admit that to him.

  “Yes,” he laughs. “As a kid, I’d get lost all the fucking time, and our favourite games to play were ‘hide and seek’ or ‘murder in the dark’. It wasn’t fun not knowing where you were. Scared the shit out of me.”

  “But you’ve lived here your whole life,” I point out, confused.

  “Yeah, but I swear the walls move in this place.” He shudders. Warily, I look around, hoping he’s not insinuating that the place is haunted.

  “So you drew underneath expensive artwork just so you could find your way around?”

  “Yep.”

  “Wouldn’t it have been easier to get a map put up down every hall?”

  He laughs. “You’ve seen the place. You really think my mother would have a map of the building hanging up? Plus if we’re ever robbed, which is highly doubtful, the robbers wouldn’t know where to go and would end up getting caught.”

  “Wait,” I say, as we reach my door. “On the wedding itinerary, it says ‘hide and seek’ or ‘murder in the dark’ is due in three days. I thought it was just a joke.”

  “Nope. We loved it as kids. Even as teens we would get our friends around to play. Best fucking game ever, especially when you’re drunk.”

  “So, what’s the difference between the two?”

  “Well, both are the same, except we play ‘murder in the dark’ in, well, the dark. ‘Hide and seek’ is for any time of day, lights on or off.”

  “Oh my God, it says murder in the dark. Which means we’re gonna have drunken adolescents running around in this huge house… in the dark.”

  “Um, yeah,” he says, looking confused.

  “I have to play that game as wedding planner. Oh my God! I’m gonna get murdered first, and then I’ll be the one on, and I won’t be able to find anyone in this godforsaken house. You’ll all end up falling asleep or passing out waiting for me. I’ll ruin your fun. Or worse, you could all die from starvation while waiting for me to find you. The staff will find your corpses a week or two from now.”

  “One, it takes a lot longer for a body to die of starvation and a lot longer to turn into a corpse. Plus we know our way around now. Sort of. But in any case, I’ll make sure you don’t get caught first and, as groom, my brother Jesse will be on first, so I’ll show you the good hiding places,” he chuckles.

  What the hell have I gotten myself into?

  “Okay, whatever. It’ll be fine,” I tell him, taking a deep breath. “Thanks for walking me to my door.”

  “My pleasure. And I’ll see you for breakfast. My brother and everyone else won’t be arriving until the night, so we won’t see them until the party.”

  “Okay. See you in the morning.” Once again I stare at his handsome profile as he walks to his door. I watch him go, ogling his fine arse.

  “Oh, and Pagan?” he calls once he reaches his door. “If you need to drop by again in the morning, feel free.” He winks, then saunters off.

  I stare in astonishment at his closed door, my mouth opening and closing like a fish as I try to come to terms with what he said.

  Was he flirting with me?

  No, surely not. Not someone as handsome as he is.

  “Oh God, I’m in so much trouble,” I mumble before I let myself into my room.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  After another peaceful night’s sleep, I was glad I set my alarm an hour earlier than normal so I could enjoy more time in the shower.

  It was better than I imagined.

  Loads better.

  I just wish I could transport their bathroom to my place. It would make showering and getting up earlier so pleasurable to deal with.

  After dressing in another floral, cream summer dress, my hair down but clipped back from my face, I leave my room.

  I never got to check on Alison last night, so before heading to breakfast I stop by her room, knocking lightly on the door just in case she’s still asleep.

  A hoarse croak comes from behind the door. “Come in.”

  Walking in, I immediately wince at the sight of Alison lying in bed, a pale green. She also looks relieved to see me.

  “Hey,” I greet softly, moving over to her bed. The second I reach her, she clasps my hand in a strong grip, using strength I didn’t think she was capable of in her current state. I wince, pulling my hand away and shaking out the pins and needles as I take in her anxious expression. “What’s wrong?”

  “Don’t you dare leave me with that woman ever again,” she announces heatedly.

  “Good morning to you to, sunshine,” I reply sarcastically. “Are you talking about Ada? She seems like a sweet old lady.”

  She scoffs, looking offended. “You cannot be serious, Pagan. That woman… that woman… God, I can’t even explain what she is, but she is not sweet.”

  “Alison, don’t be ridiculous.” I roll my eyes at her dramatics.

  “She tried to kill me!”

  “What?” I shriek, my eyes widening in horror.

  “Yes! She gave me this green poison to drink, forcing it down my throat… literally,” she declares.

  I relax and a small chuckle escapes. “Alison, she was just trying to look after you. She wasn’t trying to kill you, she was just being kind.”

  “There were things in that drink that moved, I swear.” She shudders.

  I laugh loudly, amused by her exaggeration. A disgruntled look crosses her face.

  “Sorry, but—” I choke out, laughing too much to continue.

  “Stop laughing! It’s not funny. I had it coming out of both ends, and she wouldn’t give me any privacy. None. What. So. Ever! It was mortifying.”

  I fall to my back on the bed, laughing harder than before. My side hurts and when she kicks my hip, I laugh harder, a snort escaping.

  “Pagan,” she whines, sounding weak.

  “I’m sorry, I’m sorry. I’ll try not to leave you with her again.” My lips twitch as I avoid looking at her.

  She growls, narrowing her eyes on me. “I hate you.”

  I roll my eyes. “You love me. But in all seriousness, how are you feeling today?”

  “I haven’t vomited or gone to the toilet for a few hours, so I guess I could say I’m doing a little better.”

  “Teach you to eat―”

  “Stop! Don’t even say it because I’ll throw up all over you and your pretty little dress,” she says, turning a shade greener.

  “Okay, okay. So you won’t be joining us for breakfast this morning?”

  She gives me an annoyed, dry look, one I can’t help but find amusing instead of threatening. “Hell to the no. I’m going to stay in this bed. Pam said last night that she’ll have one of the TVs brought up for me. Will you be okay with work? I tried calling Jess to come in earlier but she didn’t pick up, so if you need me―”

  I cut her off, holding my hand up. “No, no. I’ve got this. You rest and concentrate on getting better. Your health is more important. I hate leaving you when you’re ill, but I really need to get going. I’ve got some things to go over with Pam before I meet with Jess. If you need me or need anything, text me. I’ll be picking up dresses tomorrow morning instead of today, so I’ll be around if you need me. Are you sure you’ll be okay on your own?”

  “As long as you keep that woman away from me, yes.”

  I shake my head, laughing as I get up to leave the room. I can’t even make that promise because something tells me there’s no stopping Ada when she puts her mind to something.

  “Pagan! Pagan, answer me, dammit,” Alison calls out as I walk down the hall.

  She’s totally going to quit on me.

  *** *** ***

  I’m invited back to the garden room for breakfast again when I reach the bottom of the stairs. When I walk in, Pam smiles up at me warmly from her seat at the table.

  “Good morning, Pagan. How is Alison feeling this morning?”

  I slide my gaze to Ada as I take one of the empty seats. Turning to face Pam, I’m about to answer when Ada makes a disgruntl
ed noise, interrupting.

  “I told you already, she’s fine. I made sure of it. Now, Pagan, tell us more about you. Are you single? What do you think of London? What are your parents like?”

  Blown away by the rapid-fire questions, I give Pam a kind smile, not wanting to ignore her. “Alison is fine and resting in her room.” Ada is giving her a smug look when I turn her way. “I am single, London is beautiful from what I’ve seen, and my parents are great people.”

  She smiles broadly, like I just gave her the answers she wanted. I actually feel like I’m being duped when she clasps her hands on the table.

  Why does she look like she’s about to take over the world?

  “My grandson is single,” she murmurs, more to herself than to the room.

  “That I am, Grams,” Drake’s deep, rumbling voice announces.

  Looking to my left, my mouth goes dry at the sight of him walking into the room wearing only a pair of basketball shorts and a towel wrapped around his neck.

  Holy mother of God!

  Sweat glistens on his hard, ripped chest, and I lick my suddenly dry lips. What would it be like to run my tongue down his hard body, right down to where the sweat trickles into the elastic band of his shorts?

  I bet he tastes as good as he looks.

  My thighs clench together when the image of him above me, his hard chest pressing against mine, flashes in my head.

  He sits next to me, snapping me out of my daydream. Having him so close is doing things to my body, so I distract myself by lifting the Donovan file and notebook from my bag and turning to Pam, clearing my throat.

  She’s looking from me to Drake with rapt interest, a small smile playing on her lips.

  “Pam, I’ve called the Hilton to confirm your rooms and booking. Your driver will be here tomorrow at eleven to take you, Mr Donovan, and Ada. He’ll be there until you leave Friday morning. I’m also advised to inform you that you can call on him anytime you’re there for his car services.