Forget Me Never

by M J Rutter

  He stopped at the steps of a small private jet and got out of the car. Two men unloaded our luggage on to a cart and wheeled it over to the jet. Daniel opened the door and offered his hand so that I could get out.

  “Thank you, Daniel.” I smiled.

  “You are very welcome, Miss, uh, I mean Grace.” He smiled. “I hope to see you again soon.”

  “Oh, you will, my friend.” Alec smiled and shook his hand, “As always, you have been brilliant, Daniel.” He handed him an envelope.

  “Sir, I can’t accept this, you already pay more than the going rate.”

  “You more than earned it. It’s to go towards your wedding, the next time I see you, you will be married.” He smiled and shook his hand again. Holding his hand out to me he smiled, “Shall we, Grace?”

  “We shall,” I smiled taking it. As we walked up the steps to the plane, I had to know, “Is this yours?”

  “Would it matter if it was?” he asked.

  “No,” I lied.

  “Well, it’s not mine, it belongs to…”

  “Alec,” Warren announced from the door. “And the lovely Grace, of course.”

  “Hello again,” I smiled.

  “Welcome aboard, hope you don’t mind us tagging along till Sunday,” he grinned as we reached the door. “Alec said he had asked you to go to Vegas and we love it there.”

  “Of course I don’t mind,” I nodded and stepped into the plane.

  “Here she is,” Elisa announced, “Rocky,” she added and hugged me. “If he had done that to me, I would have kneed him so hard in the balls, he would have two extra Adam’s apples now.”

  “Alec fired him,” I muttered.

  “He has been looking for a good reason to fire him for months.” She smiled. “Come and take a seat next to me.”

  She led me to one of the white, leather seats that looked more like an arm chair, handed me a glass of champagne and sat beside me. I felt grossly underdressed in jeans, she looked so glamorous all of the time and this day was no exception. Her tightly fitted, deep blue dress seemed to touch her body in all of the right places. She looked exquisite and I decided to make more of an effort for Alec from then on. Alec sat with Warren and we took off. We weren’t even in the air for forty-five minutes when we touched down on the heat rippled tarmac of McCarran Airport.

  The heat rushed in through the door as the co-pilot opened it for us. When we stepped out in the white, hot sun, I could barely see. I put on my sunglasses after finding them in my bag and we stepped on to the tarmac we were ushered to a small security office where our passports were checked.

  “Says here that you were meant to be flying out from LA to London today, ma’am.” The tall officer said to me. I looked at Alec.

  “I sorted it all out with immigration to extend her stay for a week,” he explained.

  “Just one moment, sir,” he said and left us at the desk, taking my passport with him.

  “I did sort out it, Grace,” he assured me. I took his hand in mine and smiled nervously. Around ten minutes later the officer returned to the desk and smiled as he sat.

  “We can’t be too careful these days,” he said.

  “I understand,” I muttered.

  “Well, all is in order.” He stamped my passport and handed it back to me. “Just a souvenir stamp there for you, Miss Matthews.”

  “Thank you,” I smiled.

  “No problem, maybe you’ll win at the tables tonight.” He grinned.

  “I doubt that very much, I can’t win a fart out of a wet paper bag.” I smiled. He looked at Alec and then back at me before bursting into hysterics.

  “That’s hilarious,” he chuckled. “I love you Brits and your quirky sayings.” He said as we left still laughing as we closed the door.

  Warren and Elisa were waiting in a white, stretched limo for us. The chauffeur opened the door as we approached. We climbed in and Alec explained about the security guard, he then told them what I had said and they all laughed. I had always said it, I have never even had three numbers on the lottery and did the same numbers for three years until I gave it up. I worked it out that if I had put the five pounds away every week, I would actually have two hundred and sixty pounds saved, so never did the lottery again.

  I had never been much of a gambler, yet here I was in the gambling capital of the world. This was hard core gambling though and it concerned me that Alec and Warren were both so keen to play at the tables.

  Alec checked us in at the hotel and we were shown to our suit on the twenty-third floor. It wasn’t a penthouse, but was just as nice as my room back in LA, with a huge king sized bed and dark red and black covers. The bedroom had an adjoining bathroom with an enormous shower that sprayed from all directions and the living room area had black leather couches and lit candles running the length of the narrow, smoked glass, coffee table. Warren and Elisa had their own room, and apparently were a few floors up from us.

  As I unpacked my smaller case, the one I had packed especially for this trip, I gazed around the room. Alec appeared from nowhere behind me and placed his lips on my neck.

  “I wanted to make love in that jet with you, then Warren asked if he and Elisa could join us, I could hardly say no, it’s his jet after all.” He explained huskily before he kissed my neck again,

  “What time do we have to meet them?” I asked turning to face him.

  “For lunch, we have about thirty minutes,” he said checking his watch.

  “Good,” I smiled and pulled my shirt off over my head, I pushed him back against the bed and began to unbutton his fly.

  “Now?” he asked.

  “Yes, now,” I grinned and pushed my jeans down my legs, kicking them to the side. Removing my new lace thong, I watched as he took off his shirt and pushed his boxers down his legs while shuffling up the bed. I crawled to join him and as he stopped moving, I straddled him, lowering myself onto his erection and allowing my insides to smother him.

  I began rocking my pelvis, riding him while he caressed my breasts with his hands. I leaned forward so that he could take a nipple in his mouth, holding his head there, he groaned into my body. Grabbing a tuft of his hair between my fingers, I pulled playfully, his head moved back and his eyes met mine, smouldering with ecstasy and desire, they had never looked more alive. We came together, our bodies smashing together, the wave smothering us until we cried out, letting it quake through our bodies leaving us panting and shaking.

  “That was incredible,” he smiled and kissed my dry mouth.

  “You are incredible,” I corrected.

  “So are you, Miss Matthews.” He said and kissed me again. “I think we’ll need a shower after that.”

  I climbed from his body, “Meet you in there,” I smiled leaving him panting on the bed.

  We showered and dressed in no time. Hand in hand, we walked from the lift through the hotel lobby to find Warren and Elisa. We found them at the entrance of the huge restaurant, she smiled as we approached, I suppose it was because Alec had this sparkle in his eye and I had a red cheek from his stubble.

  “We’d almost given up on you two,” Warren smiled.

  “Grace wanted to take a shower,” Alec lied.

  “And change my clothes,” I added.

  “Why is that, I wonder?” Elisa smiled. “Did they get all messed up?”

  “And creased,” I grinned linking my arm with Alec’s. “Now then, I am starving, shall we go in?”

  I led Alec towards a staff member before they could say anything else. We were shown to a table and waited for Warren and Elisa to join us.

  “Okay, you two, are you going to be humping every chance you get?” Warren asked, “Because we can entertain ourselves.”

  “We haven’t been humping,” Alec scoffed.

  “Yes you have,” Elisa smiled and winked at me, my cheeks, already red, began to warm. “And we’re dead jealous.” She added. “I can’t remember the last time we were spontaneous.”

  “Spontaneity has nothing
to do with it,” Alec smiled smugly, “she can’t keep her hands off me.”

  “Is that so?” I asked.

  “Yes,” he chuckled, “but I can’t keep my hands off her either.” He winked at me. My blush just deepened.

  “Can we change the subject please?” I asked almost dying from embarrassment.

  “We’re just messing around with you, Grace.” Warren smiled.

  “I am a great believer that what happens in the bedroom stays in the bedroom.” I retorted smartly.

  “Or the bathroom, or the pool,” Alec winked. I blushed again and was thankful to see the waiter standing beside me ready to take our order. Not that any of us had even looked at the menu. Alec ordered white wine and we all settled for club sandwiches.

  After an uncomfortable few moments, I excused myself to go to the bathroom while we waited for our order. I didn’t know I was being followed until I got to the sink and gazed at my reflection, sparkling eyes and red cheeks, sinful signs of romping.

  “No amount of makeup will cover the fact that you and Alec had sex before coming to lunch.” Elisa smiled. I stiffened, straightening my shoulders. “Oh, Grace, so bloody what. Enjoy it, because it will change soon enough.” I turned to face her, watching as she touched up her red lipstick. “It’s true, the heat between you two will die down and that’s okay, that’s what makes the relationship real.”

  “So, what you’re actually saying is, he will go off me?” I questioned sourly.

  “No, I am saying when you are back in real life, at work, endless rainfall and that, the heat will fade a little bit.”

  I frowned and gazed at my reflection, “I’m not stupid, I know holiday flings never last.” I shrugged.

  “Oh, honey, if you think this is just a fling, then you really are sorely mistaken. That man is in love with you, so completely and utterly, it’s almost tragic. I am not surprised either, everyone who has met you seems captivated by you. You have this charm, this naivety and sincerity. Honestly, we both agree that you and Alec have met your soulmate. This isn’t a chance in a lifetime thing, you were meant to come here and meet him.” She smiled and pressed her lips together. “All I want to know is, when is the wedding?”

  “Don’t, Elisa, not even as a joke.”

  “I know you have only known him two weeks, but stranger things have happened.”

  We returned to the table to find that our wine and sandwiches had arrived. I felt a bit better after talking with Elisa, but still not happy that our sex life was a topic for discussion and that Alec would brag about it.

  After eating we agreed to explore the strip. Elisa kept calling me the Vegas Virgin and insisted we did everything at least once. It is true, the lights did make it look as though the pavements were made of gold. Even in daylight I could see what and extraordinary place this was.

  Being asked for ID at every casino began to irritate me, plus it was so hot, I wished I had put my shorts on. I did enjoy the intensity Alec had on his face while he played at roulette and black jack. He also won quite a bit too. Warren was a chancer and for a while his winnings were up and then he put everything on the roulette table on red to win and it came out black. He was annoyed for all of about ten seconds, right until Elisa kissed him and muttered something into his ear. He smiled and kissed her cheek, whatever it was she said to him, it placed a smile on his face that nothing would remove.

  We headed back to our hotel as the sun began to set. Alec held my hand and we slowed our pace, whatever Elisa promised Warren, they couldn’t wait to get back.

  “You’re a bit quiet, are you okay?” Alec asked me.

  “Yes,” I nodded.

  “I thought we agreed to be honest with each other,” he frowned.

  “I suppose I wasn’t too happy having our sex life discussed…”

  “Hold on a minute, no details were given, they were teasing and I played along with them. It was written all over our faces, Grace.”

  “Well, it won’t happen again,” I pouted.

  “Shame, because it’s going to be a hard week with no sex.” He almost smirked, I stopped walking and dropped his hand forcibly.

  “I meant, no more quickies.” I elaborated.

  “I am winding you up, Grace.”

  “And I am being serious, our sex life is private, not a joke.” I huffed crossing my arms over my chest.

  “Are we having a fight?” he asked. “Because if we are, can we fast forward to making up?” he stuck out his bottom lip. “I hate fighting with you, Grace, it hurts my insides.”

  I gazed into his eyes and smiled, “Why can’t I be angry at you for long?”

  “It’s all to do with my boyish charm.” He grinned and took me into his arms, “I love you so much, when we fight, it causes me physical pain.” He explained.

  “My mum says fights give a relationship sparks,” I smiled slightly, “But I don’t want to cause you pain of any kind. I never want to hurt you.” I kissed him tenderly.

  “Can’t you two wait to get back to your room?” Warren bellowed over the heads of everyone around us. I stepped back from Alec, he frowned at a grinning Warren.

  “Thanks a lot, mate,” he called back.

  “When are they leaving?” I asked taking his hand in mine again.

  “We’ve only just got here, but I think he has to head back to LA on Sunday.”

  “I like them, don’t get me wrong,” I stated as we began to walk towards them, “but Sunday can’t come quick enough.”

  “Now Warren knows it embarrasses you, he will have a dig every chance he gets.” Alec explained.

  “All I can say is, his sex life must be very dull.”

  “He just likes to wind up anyone he can get a rise out of, if you don’t bite, he’ll soon get bored.” He stated.

  Arriving back at the hotel shortly after that embarrassing moment, gave me such a relief. I felt like my body was melting and I needed another shower. Together with the fact that I had begun to fume over Warren’s wind up, I think the temperature around me increased.

  I left Alec with them in the hotel’s small casino and went up to our room, stripping off my clothes as I headed to the bathroom. I switched the shower to cool and jumped in, it felt like ice was hitting my body at first. As my body cooled, I could feel the water warm slightly. When I got out, the air conditioning kicked in and I felt so much cooler.

  With a towel wrapped around my body, I headed back into the bedroom and began searching my case for something cool to wear. As I searched my bags my mobile phone began to ring in my handbag. I found it quickly and looked at the picture of Saff,

  “Hello?” I smiled all prepared to tell her where I was.

  “Guess where I am,” she said sourly.

  “Okay, I have no idea, where are you?” I asked with a smile and sitting on the bed.

  “Let me give you a clue or two, okay? Because the traffic is bad at this time of day, I left early. I paid an extortionate ten quid to park my sodding car and then almost four quid for a coffee. I found a seat, which is virtually impossible, and I waited, checking the screen, checking for your flight to come in…”

  “Oh my God, Saff…”

  “No, no, please let me finish. So after watching every idiot on that bloody flight exit the gate, I went to the Virgin desk and asked if you had been delayed or missed the flight, believing that there is no way you would change your plans and not tell me, because you are my best friend and would never do such a thing. No because if a millionaire tycoon offered to take her to Vegas allowing her to change her flight to next week, she would have thought about her poor friend, back home where is pouring with rain and bloody freezing, even though its nearly May.”

  “I am so sorry, Saff. A lot has happened here and it’s no excuse, but…”

  “Of course you are sorry, but really, Grace, a bloody text wouldn’t have hurt.” She snapped.

  “You are right; I should have sent you a text. I forgot, okay?”

  “No, it’s not okay. You are goin
g to have to make up for this. I mean it, Grace. Majorly pissed off now.” I cringed, when Saff swore at me, I knew I was in her bad books and quite rightly so.

  “Saffron, I am so sorry. I will pay you back for the petrol and the parking, I will take you to Starbucks in Piccadilly and I will make sure you have the newest perfume on the market.” I promised.

  “If you can do all of that, I may consider forgiving you,” she muttered.

  “Please be happy for me,” I frowned.

  “I am happy for you; I just hope you know what you are getting into. His circle of friends is extremely famous and rich. Will you be able to handle that sort of life?”

  “I will because as long as I am with him, then I can do anything.”

  “Wow, Grace, you know this after two weeks, two weeks, Grace.” She shrieked in my ear.

  “Yes, two amazingly wonderful weeks and after everything that twat put me through, I deserve this, I deserve Alec.” I snapped back. “I’ll see you when I get home.”

  “Don’t you dare turn this on me. I was there for you, Matthews. When Kevin broke you into little pieces, I glued you back together. I mopped up your tears, I held you as you sobbed. I talked you out of suicide over an idiot that never deserved you or your love, not for you to fall for the first guy that dangles carrots in front of your nose.”

  “Alec doesn’t dangle anything, I thought you wanted me to be happy.”

  “Happy yes, stupid and reckless, no. Never, Grace. You are not thinking properly and I am worried about you.” She barked.

  “I’m a big girl, Saffron.” I insisted angrily.

  “Yes, and big girls can get their hearts broken more than once. Just remember that.”

  I heaved in an angry breath, “You told me to go out with him, you said to screw his brains out and now, because he may be the one, you are changing you mind?”

  “Screw him, yes, have some fun and smile, yes, not run away to Vegas with him and if you come back married, I swear to God, I will never forgive you.” She roared and ended the call.