"Get used to it," Clarise advised. "Will's the same and he just gets annoyed every time I bring up the topic. Anyway, I thought Rob wanted to buy instead of just rent."
"He does but it will take a bit of time to find the right property. How are you and Will going with your house hunting?"
"We went to four open houses last weekend and there wasn't one that we really liked. We're thinking of postponing buying a house until after the wedding. There'll be too much to do otherwise."
"Hmm. You're right. In our case, Rob has his hands full with growing his Sydney client base. He wants me to look around but it's going to be his house, not mine, so I feel a bit funny about that."
Faye and Clarise exchanged a quick look just as they heard a voice sing out, "Hey, girls! Where are you?"
Victor!
"We're here, darling!" she cried out.
"Oh, this is so great. We're all going out together."
"Happy birthday, beautiful Jess!" Victor greeted her with a big kiss. He turned to Faye and Clarise. "By the way, the caterers are here."
Caterers?
Jessa felt spoilt. Very spoilt. Rob had organised a surprise birthday party for her at their new home with the help of her friends. Even Ray, and some of her colleagues at work were there. She was not expecting it. This was her twenty-ninth birthday, not her thirtieth. It was just another year. But all this fuss made her feel special. She took a deep breath and let that feeling wash over her, making her eyes water.
"What are you thinking?" Rob whispered in her ear as he placed an arm around her shoulder.
She smiled shyly up at him. "I was thinking about how special I feel today. Thank you."
He kissed her lips. "You're special to me everyday."
She put her arms around his waist and they held each other for a long moment as they watched her guests chat and laugh and drink.
"Are you ready for your next surprise?" Rob asked all of a sudden.
"There's more?" Her eyes were wide.
Rob nodded and turned her around so she was facing the front door. Her parents and her sister were making their way in. She shrieked and ran to them.
"There is still so much food left," Alice commented with wonder. "It looks like Rob ordered for 100 instead of 25!"
"Everyone would just have to take home some leftovers. The caterers were so organised they also left us heaps of take-away containers," Jessa replied. "And there'll be plenty of food for us tomorrow since you guys are here —" her voice trailed as everyone started to sing 'Happy Birthday'.
She watched with a huge grin as Rob carried her cake, complete with number two and number nine candles, to the dining table. She walked over to have a look at it for the first time as her guests continued to sing. She gasped at how pretty it was. The cake, which she guessed was chocolate mud as that was her favourite, was square but in the middle was a big bouquet of edible, red roses. She did a quick count. Thirty-six. Three dozen.
Her friends and family hip-hip-hoorayed. When they finished, she took a deep breath, closed her eyes and made a wish, then blew out her candles in one puff. There was loud cheering and several people called for a speech.
"Wow," she heaved. "I really don't know what to say. But thank you, everyone, for being here especially mum, dad and Jas for flying all the way from Melbourne. I feel so loved and I'm really grateful I'm sharing this day with you all. And," she turned to Rob with love shining in her eyes, "thank you, sweetheart." She gave him a chaste kiss on the lips.
"Is that the best you can do, Jess?" Victor teased.
"Whoa, the dad is in the room," Joe bellowed to everyone's laughter.
"Now you've got to cut your cake, baby," Rob said. "But first you have to take out those yummy flowers so you can cut properly." His voice was hoarse and a little breathless.
She took the candles out first. When she started pulling out the roses, Rob took a step back and watched her intently. She placed the flowers on a plate Clarise put on the table. She thought it would be a brilliant idea to put one rose on each piece of cake for her guests. They were really beautiful and she couldn't wait to taste them.
She'd removed about ten of the roses when she noticed there was something underneath. She pulled out another one and stilled. A stunning emerald-cut diamond ring sat beneath the flowers. She turned to Rob. Her mouth dried and her heart pounded so loudly she was sure everyone heard it.
Rob licked his lips nervously and dropped down on one knee.
There were a few gasps from around the room, then there was deafening silence.
Rob reached out for her left hand. "Jess, before I met you, I never imagined I would even consider being seriously committed to anyone. But you've stolen my heart and I can't imagine a future without you. I love you so much, baby. Will you marry me?"
She didn't notice how much she was crying until she answered Rob. "Yes," she sobbed, nodding her head enthusiastically in case he didn't hear what she said.
Relief flooded Rob's face. A dazzling smile played on his lips as he reached out to get the equally dazzling ring from the cake and slid it on her finger. It fit perfectly.
Rob stood up and gave her a slow, sweet kiss while everyone around them cheered.
"Well, that's all the surprises I have for you today," Rob murmured against her lips.
"This is the best day of my life - so far," she declared emphatically.
Rob chuckled. "What was your birthday wish?"
"It already came true," she whispered.
She pulled his head down to hers for another kiss. As their tongues met, desire heated their blood and they kissed deeper, more passionately, forgetting where they were.
"Oy," a voice rumbled. "The dad is still in the room."
They pulled apart reluctantly. "Sorry, dad," they said in unison.
~~~~~~~
Jessa noticed Clarise and Victor engaged in an animated whisper as they helped clean up. "What are you two talking about?"
"Just have a look at who our Faye is flirting with," Victor replied.
She looked around and spotted Faye outside in the courtyard, obviously having a wonderful time in the company of none other than Ray, their boss.
"Oh."
Clarise sighed. "I know. But it's none of our business, it's theirs. And we know what Faye's like. She'll tell him exactly how things are so it's not as if we have to worry too much about her giving Ray the wrong impression."
"Yes," Jessa agreed. "And Ray's a grown man. He can handle himself."
"For all we know, it's just a physical thing for Ray, nothing serious, even if he's had a thing for Faye for months," Victor added.
"So we leave them alone?" Jessa asked.
"Yes, we leave them alone," Clarise and Victor agreed.
~~~~~~~
"Now all we have to do is get rid of our friends and we could be alone again," Rob said as they waved goodbye to Jessa's family who borrowed her car so they could go to their hotel.
Jessa chuckled. "It was so thoughtful of you to organise hotel rooms for mum and dad and Jas."
"Well, we may have the extra rooms but we don't have beds in them yet. They couldn't very well sleep on the floor. Besides, I want to be alone with you tonight." He kissed her neck. "You know how loud we get when we make love. Imagine your family - your dad - hearing us."
"Eww." She closed the door and turned to Rob. "Now let's get those remaining guys out of our house and on their way so I can properly thank you for today, starting with running a bath for you - with me in it," she said seductively.
Rob's eyes darkened with lust and love. "Lead the way, my little witch."
###
Other Books by Miranda P. Charles
Lifestyle by Design Series
Will To Love (Lifestyle by Design Book 1)
The love story between Clarise Carson and Will Matthews.
Ray of Love (Lifestyle by Design Book 3)
The love story between Faye Summers and Ray Thackery.
(Turn the pages to read ext
racts from Lifestyle by Design Books 1 and 2.)
Coming Soon
Secret Dreams Series
Four friends with different gifts, distinct dreams and deep secrets. Follow their stories as love enters the picture and changes their lives in ways they didn't even imagine.
Secret Words (Secret Dreams Book 1)
The love story between Jasmine Allen and Kane Summers.
Connect with Miranda
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Or follow me on Twitter: @MirandaPCharles
Ever since I was a young teenager, I have loved reading romance novels. My auntie used to send me boxes of her Mills and Boons and Harlequins and I would devour them one after another.
Every so often, I would read a mystery or a suspense or a paranormal novel as I love those books too. But romance is still my favourite.
For many years, I wrote technical and non-fiction materials for professional use and had only dreamt about writing a novel.
One day, after a period of binge-reading sexy romances, I decided to sit in front of my computer and start writing my first fiction book. The result? My debut novel, "Will To Love", the first in the hot and sexy Lifestyle by Design series.
After that, I knew that I would love to tell more beautiful love stories through my books.
I live in Sydney, Australia with my amazing husband who lovingly cheers me on (and yes, sometimes irritates and annoys me) in my journey as a novelist.
Will To Love (Lifestyle by Design Book 1)
Extract
CHAPTER ONE
Victor will be there with me, looking his usual, gorgeous self. He assured me he'll be very attentive. Everyone will see how mad we are for each other. Well, hopefully, that's what they'll see. Surely, this would work. It should stop my dear sister from going ahead with her matchmaking plans. If it doesn't, well, plan B is to die from embarrassment.
It will work, Clarise Carson thought confidently before taking a deep sigh and focusing back on her last piece of work before she ended the working day.
After a final review, she was done with her latest article for Lifestyle by Design magazine, the popular, monthly magazine read by those with loads of disposable income keen to know which restaurants and bars were worth going to, which exotic destination they could holiday on next and what new gadgets they must own to make their busy lives easier.
She was still salivating at the memory of the glorious food she had at Stillwaters Restaurant, the newest restaurant in Sydney by an upcoming Australian chef, and the latest establishment she had researched and reviewed. The atmosphere and the service completed the wonderful dining experience.
Yes, she nodded. They definitely deserve this glowing article. She knew the new restaurant will soon have a very long waiting list of patrons wanting to dine there once the magazine hit the stands.
Feeling satisfied with her day's accomplishments, she shut off her laptop, grabbed her handbag and walked into the office of Victor Michaels, the magazine's very good looking head graphic designer.
"I'm done for today, darling. Are you ready to go? I'm starving," she said to Victor. "I'd also like to talk to you again about Megan's engagement party this Saturday night. Seriously if you can't go with me, I don't know who else to ask," she said, voicing her worry.
"Just give me five minutes and I'll be ready to go. And of course, I'm going with you, darling," Victor replied to her with a grin. "I'm really excited about it. And, I'm already looking forward to meeting your family and showing them just how much I want you." He said this in a very low, sexy voice that, if it wasn't Victor saying it, she would have blushed. Instead she laughed and settled herself on Victor's visitor's chair and waited for him to finish.
Renewed confidence flowed through her. Having Victor for her date would hopefully stop Megan's plan to introduce her to the single men who'd be at her and Rick's engagement party. Who knew how many single men they had invited. And it was supposed to be a small affair only! She shuddered at the thought of being introduced to a line-up of bachelors, with everyone there knowing what was going on. How embarrassing!
I wouldn't make a spectacle of myself even though Megan thinks she's only doing me a favour.
She tried to guess the reason why Megan was so intent on playing matchmaker. Their mum must have been in on it. Her mother and her sister must have felt sorry for her when she broke up with Daniel, especially when she asked her mum if she'd ever meet 'The One'. She winced. She could still remember her conversation with her mother.
"Don't worry, darling, maybe Daniel's not really meant for you."
"Do you really think I'll ever find 'The One', mum? You know, like you have dad and Megan has Rick?"
"Of course, you will! You are gorgeous and you are beautiful on the inside, too. Somewhere out there, there's a man just for you. And you know I'm not saying that just because I'm your mother. But you won't find this person if you don't go out enough! Most of your people contacts are work-related and you have such strict rules about not dating anyone connected to your work. You should socialise more, Clarise."
Clara Carson hadn't hidden the fact that she was worried her eldest daughter will end up a spinster and have no one to share her life with. With her track record of hardly going out on dates, and when she did, her relationships not lasting past two and a half months - her time with Daniel being the longest - she shared her mum's concerns.
She ruefully remembered the time when she and Daniel took her parents out to dinner so Daniel could meet them for the first time. He was the first boyfriend she had ever introduced to them. At twenty-nine years of age, Clarise Carson had finally brought a boyfriend to meet her parents. Her mother was so excited it was like she herself was going out on her first date. She was sure her dad was excited too although he was his usually reserved self and didn't fuss on Daniel like his wife did.
Three weeks after that, she was single again. She felt like she had failed at something significant and swallowed the pain and guilt that attacked her at disappointing her parents - and herself.
"Are you ok, Clarise?" Victor's voice brought her back into the now.
"Yes, just thinking of Megan's plan to foist single men on me. I don't want to look desperate! How embarrassing would that be?"
She shook her head and looked at the handsome face in front of her. She couldn't help but think it was, indeed, very unfortunate for the female population that Victor was gay. He was really hot-looking and a decent guy to boot.
"I'm so looking forward to your sister's engagement party but I seriously hope there are no handsome, muscular hunks there or I wouldn't be able to keep up our pretence."
They both laughed out loud.
CHAPTER TWO
Victor got out of the car, looking gorgeous in his light gray, long-sleeved, collared shirt and black pants. He went to the passenger side to open Clarise's door. She wore a chic blue silk dress that hugged her figure in all the right places. Together, they were a picture of a beautiful couple.
"Thank you, darling," she murmured to Victor as she stood up beside him, her eyes dancing with controlled laughter as she watched him act out their game. "What is your mantra again today?" she teased him.
"I'm a sexy, handsome, straight man who's crazy about you," he whispered. "Don't make me laugh out loud though or we'll give the game away," he said with a snicker.
They were fully aware that her parents were watching them, having just got out of their car themselves.
Her phone call with Megan two days ago played out in her head. She told her sister she was bringing a date after all.
"Is this your new boyfriend?" Megan had asked her.
"I work with Victor, and we, umm, get along really well and we really like each other," she had answered. Well that's not a lie. "There's the complication of working together but we seem to be managing it quite well. I'm really look
ing forward to introducing him to you guys at your party."
She tried to sound mysterious, wanting to make her sister believe there was something romantic between her and Victor. She knew Megan would tell their mum straight away about her having a new boyfriend. And right now, as she and Victor walked hand-in-hand toward her parents, she could tell her mum was sizing him up.
She made the necessary introductions and they all walked towards Rick's parents' house where the engagement party was being held. Her mum pulled her aside and whispered, "Well, he's better looking than Daniel, sweetheart. And he seems like such a gentleman."
She smiled with relief that her mother was believing this little charade.
The Smithson's house was in party mode. There was a large marquee at their manicured backyard, decked out with gold, silver and light pink balloons with a small dance floor towards one side and a sumptuous buffet and round tables on the other side.
Clarise marvelled at the number of guests invited. For what was supposed to be a small party for family and close friends only, there were still around fifty place settings. She knew Megan worried about the friends she couldn't invite and mentioned she and Rick had to be ruthless with their guest list for tonight. This wasn't supposed to be a "big" affair. They wanted their wedding to be the big one, the special one.
She nervously thought of the single men Megan had invited. Not many, she hoped, feeling guilty. She should have thought of the charade with Victor much earlier.
She caught sight of her sister, looking radiant and beautiful with Rick beside her. She felt a warm glow in her heart with seeing her younger sister so happy. With only fifteen months separating them, they shared a very close bond.
Heart Robber (Lifestyle by Design Book 2) Page 17