He raced to her then stabbed his board upright in the sand.
“Didn’t go well?” Plonking next to her, he rested an arm around her shoulder. “What did she say?”
“She’s fine,” she stammered. “Said she’s been sober for years. And get this, she’s getting bloody wed to Landscaper Luke.”
“Wow, I’d like to hear how the drunk and the handyman fell in love.”
“Yeah, they’ve renovated the whole of the inside of the house, and she’s been burning the paint off the outside to prep for a new coat of color. She’s even working, as a waitress at Coffee ’n Cream. It’s only seasonal, but still. My mum? Working?”
“Wow, your mum serving coffee to locals… Never thought I’d see the day.”
“And she apologized.” She burst into sobs. He wiped away her tears and promised her she’d be okay. “She apologized for not protecting me the way a mother should.”
“If things went so well, why did you finish it so quickly? And why are you shaking?”
“Dennis?” Shifting to the side, she kneeled and swept her hair behind her ears.
“Yes, baby.”
“Can we go away somewhere?” She glared up at him with her big eyes, pleading with him as if asking for sweets from the corner shop.
“I can’t say no to you.”
“Somewhere abroad. Spain, maybe? Or Greece?”
“Anywhere.”
“And we should bring Jane along, the three amigos back causing trouble again,” she sniffled.
“You want my sister to come along on our dirty weekend?”
“Yes to Jane. No to the dirty part.”
“I’ve got two weeks over Easter, and we have all summer. The benefits of being a teacher. Where should we go? Somewhere relaxing, or do you want to do lots of sightseeing?”
“No, let’s go now,” she said, her tone high, her hands outright shaking. “Can you swing time off?”
The panic in her demand worried him. This quick getaway wasn’t about recovering after meeting her mum. Something bothered her. There was something she hadn’t told him. “Lola?”
Slumping back to sitting, she sighed and whispered, “It’s Al. He’s been here.”
“And you weren’t going to tell me?”
“I want to forget he ever existed.” She pulled her knees tighter into her chest and pressed her lips into a tight line. “Why can’t he let me move on?”
“Did you tell the police?”
She nodded. “First thing I did after I got out of Mum’s, but he could be anywhere. He could be here, right now, watching me.”
Dennis’s phone buzzed to alert him of a text. It read, She was mine first, and she’ll always be mine. Walk away while you still can.
“What is it?”
His nostrils flared, and he gritted his teeth. Al was some piece of work. He needed to meet his fists, and soon.
He battled himself to calm, Lola didn’t need to know. Or did she? He tossed the question in his head a few times over and decided that for now she didn’t need further upset. “It’s nothing.” Hitting the archive option to save the cheap threat, he vowed he would protect her from that man’s madness no matter the cost. Be there for her. Forever. Never would anyone hurt her again. If she wanted to go on a holiday, he’d find a way to make it happen. Wrapping his arms around her, he said, “I’ll need to head back to London to arrange some time off. After that, we can go anywhere you’d like.”
She pulled out her mobile and dialed a number. Her bastard ex, he presumed. “I’m sick of hiding from him.”
“Are you calling Al now?”
She nodded. “To give him a piece of my mind.”
Dennis whipped the phone out of her hand before she clicked the ring command. “Don’t even. He doesn’t deserve your time or your attention. If you call him, or go to him to talk, you’re giving him just what he wants. Ignore the bastard.”
“I’m scared of how far he will take his infatuation.”
“I won’t let him near you. I promise.”
“I trust you, Dennis. I do. There’s nowhere in the world where I’d feel safer than in your arms, but I can’t lie and pretend I’m not scared. I am. I’m petrified. But mostly, I’m over it.” Snuggling into his arms, she shivered against him. “I just want to put him behind me.”
Dennis kissed her head and cradled her. God, how he needed to fix everything for her, but all he could do was offer distraction. And he remembered the surprise he’d arranged for later and figured it couldn’t wait. “Hey, how about we indulge in a beachside picnic?”
She wiped her tears. “Sounds perfect. When did you arrange this?”
“Earlier, when you were chatting with your mum.”
“Please say you got wine.”
“Of course.” He grinned, stood and held out a hand to help her up.
He had to be strong, had to be there for her. Be her rock. Now would be a perfect time to pull out his surprise. That would be sure to bring a smile. “I have the keys to my family’s chalet.”
“We used to hang out there all the time. Are the deck chairs and blankets still there?”
“Yup, and water and towels. We can clean up and start the day again.” He stood and helped her up. “So, your mum is doing okay? Tell me about this wedding.”
A hint of a smile appeared at the corner of her mouth. “She sure surprised me.”
He hooked his arm in hers and headed to the row of privately-owned chalets lining the sandy promenade adjacent to the beach, each a different color. He guided her to his family’s blue shack, still kitted out. Anyone who had a chalet took effort with them as the council waved tax fees for those adding to the appeal of the area.
After unlocking the door, he was sure to step back so she’d be the first one to enter and see his pre-arranged gift. Though it wasn’t too fancy given the short time he’d had to arrange everything, he hoped the gesture would be appreciated.
“I know you used to prefer yellow, but given Al, I changed it up a bit.”
Her eyes lit, golden hues reflecting from the five bunches of yellow and orange roses he’d placed around a spread picnic blanket. She spun and kissed his cheek.
“I used to give you a single rose before each show. For luck, right? With this lot, you should have a mountain of good luck.”
“I sure will. Thank you.”
The chalet gave shelter for the afternoon while they lay on a blanket on the floor and ate chicken and remembered their youth. The good and the bad times, but mostly of the bet they had made with each other the last year he was in high school. She had to hang with the beach crowd and surf, or try to, and he had to get into tights and take her place in three dance classes.
Giggling, they moved to the little porch where they relaxed the evening away on deckchairs.
Oranges and pinks swirled in the sky. Waves crashed ashore, seagulls squawking above, and the sun lowered over the horizon.
She let out a sigh, and he glanced in her direction. “Are you happy?”
“Very,” she replied and reached for his hand, her touch sending electric pulses to his heart.
Soon darkness would arrive.
He entwined his fingers with hers. “I’ve never been this connected to anyone before.”
“Same for me.” Her voice was silky, and her gaze piercing. “Basking in the sunset while holding your hand feels so natural, intimate almost. Like we’ve done it a thousand times.”
“I’m sure we’re meant for each other, and our years of being apart must have been for a reason.”
“Maybe, yes. Perhaps we’d have found a way to mess it up if we’d fallen in love years ago. Or rather, I would have. It feels right that we should be together now.”
“Louisa Lone, you’re perfect for me.” Sweeping her up into his arms, he carried her inside the chalet.
Rushed to nakedness, he inched back as she peeled away her clothing.
She removed her bra to reveal pert, round breasts.
He dipped h
is head and planted kisses over her neck, pressing against her. The peaks of her chest hardened against him, and goose bumps covered her.
“Are you cold?” he asked, peering up into her soft gaze.
She shook her head. “Just eager.”
“Oh.” He took a nipple in his mouth and caressed her warm flesh, kneading, stroking, exploring.
“Did you bring condoms?” she whispered, trembling, her voice breathy.
“Lucky for you, I did.” He flicked her nub between his teeth and she let out a yelp but pushed back against him for more. He chuckled and obliged by flicking his tongue over her tightened skin. “It’s in my wallet.” He thumbed for the foil packet in his pants sprawled on the floor then covered his length.
“I see, so you thought you’d be getting lucky today?”
“Nah, I just always carry a condom. It’s a responsibility beaten into me, I guess. Always be prepared. Now shush and stop with the sass.”
Before she could reply, he claimed her mouth and pushed her against his hard length.
“Oh.” She smiled against his mouth, the corner of her lips curling.
Then blind need took over and they entwined and folded to the floor.
Atop her, he inched inside her until he burrowed deep into her tightness.
“Head tilted back, she rounded her mouth in her special way and moaned, “Ohh.”
Rosy and lush. He couldn’t resist claiming her mouth mid O. He edged between her lips and explored her heat with his tongue. She met his slow, deep pace, and he sank into the moment. Engulfed by his love for her, he wanted to stretch their lovemaking out for as long as possible, wanted the memory to be one to savor forever.
He stilled inside her and rasped out her name, thick with vowels that fell from his lips like melted butter. “Lo-la.”
Daring himself not to move inside her proved impossible. He twitched, and her muscles tightened around him. He edged a tad farther into her, rubbing his groin against hers. Slow and deep. Deep and slow.
“Oh, Dennis.” Her soft moans brushed over his cheek and skated down his neck. “I think, I think…” She moaned and arched into him, digging her nails into his back and thrusting her hips so he went deeper inside.
Her muscles fluttered over his length and she relaxed her grasp.
“Hmm, I love being buried inside you.” I love you.
“Feels so good.”
“I want to stay inside you all night, Lola. And I would, too, if I wasn’t so close to exploding.”
“Come for me.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.” She clawed at his back. “Now.”
His balls tightened, and his hardness throbbed.
He flipped them over, sat her on his hardness, and pushed down on her hips so she took all of him. Guiding her back and forth—deep, slow, tight—he kept eye contact with her the whole time, reaching out for that moment, the one he’d dreamt of. He wanted that closeness making love brought versus sex.
He wanted to feel loved, to be lost in her with the full depth of trust he was yet to experience.
She whimpered, her pupils widened, and she shuddered. Sweet moans fell from her mouth, and she leaned into him and smothered his mouth with hers. He really did love her. A rush of semen blasted through his cock, and he squirted his thick liquid into the latex covering.
Withdrawing from her warmth pained him. A quick removal of the condom, he then tossed it in a nearby bin. The salty scent of sex tickled at his nostrils, and a sense of accomplishment trickled over him. He collapsed at her side in bliss, a silent purr of satisfaction vibrating deep inside him. “Where have you been all my life?”
“That was amazing, Den. Corny as it may sound, we were made for each other.”
He buried his head in her hair and breathed in the subtle strawberry scent of her shampoo.
“I love you,” she whispered.
He’d been waiting to hear those words fall from her lips. Over and over he replayed her sweet voice in his head. I love you. I love you. I love you. “I love you.”
“Tomorrow night,” she continued, “I dance for you and you alone. And it will be my last performance. I have decided I want to teach ballet.”
“Teach?” He remembered how sweetly she’d spoken with the younger girls at her dance classes, how she’d nurtured them and gave them confidence. “That’s a wonderful idea.”
“I’ve always wanted to be like Miss Lilly, my ballet teacher. Not because she danced with perfection, or because of her tales of travel and adventure, but because she inspired so many dancers. She inspired me. That’s where my purpose lies now, but, more importantly, my heart lies with you.”
Life was perfect, complete somehow, now that he’d opened his heart to her. “Lola, I—”
She stopped him short, her words spilling so fast he struggled to keep on track. “It’s time for a new chapter in my life, to build a life with you. Can’t you imagine us making the most beautiful children?” She sighed.
“I can, yes.”
“Perhaps when you become the Principal for the technical college, we can return to Torquay together? I could talk to Miss Lily and convince her she needs my help with her dance school.” What do you say?”
“You wouldn’t rather stay in London?”
She shook her head. “No, silly. Haven’t you been listening? I’m done being the big city girl. I’m not a London Doll. Not like your sister. I’m so ready to get that little cottage beside the sea…with you.”
“Are you sure? Because it doesn’t matter where we are, so long as I’m with you.” He kissed her to keep from getting too mushy. “And our children would be the luckiest babies in the whole world because they’ll have your beauty and my wit.”
“I could stay here forever, but it’ll be dark soon—”
“How about we spend the night?” he offered.
“No way, even wrapped in your arms it’ll be bloody freezing soon now that the sun has set.”
“The room at The Imperial that I booked it is, then.”
“Yes.”
“We should get a move on. If we leave soon, we might find a fish ’n chip shop open along the way.”
“Oh, yes. Nothing like fish ’n chips by the seaside. I’ve bloody missed ’em.”
“Not half as much as I’ve missed you.” He rose then yanked on his jeans.
“Den?”
“Hmm, yes?”
“I’m glad I kissed you ten years ago.”
“What an odd thing to say.”
“If I hadn’t, I wouldn’t have believed life could be better. I wouldn’t have thought for a second about us being so perfect together. I’ve found joy in your arms, Den. I hope you know.”
“You’ve found more than that.”
She knitted her brow.
“You found yourself, silly. Or at least, it sounds as if you have.” He hoped he was right.
She nudged him. “In my mind, finding you and finding myself are one and the same.”
His heart thumped hard. “Oh, Lola.” He’d thought he needed to get out of the city and go back home for life to be idyllic. But with Lola, he could live anywhere and be happy. This newfound calm would surely see him smash the interview in the morning. He could stride into that room and own it, simply for knowing it didn’t matter if he got the position or not.
Chapter Eleven
Friday night arrived. Lola had her usual level of nauseating stage fright, but not enough to make her projectile vomit.
Pre-show jitters were a normal affliction, even for the most seasoned performers. Prima ballerinas about to strip to almost nothing, she discovered, experienced an extra strong case of the butterflies.
“If I’m honest, it’s not the stripping that worries me, it’s dancing freestyle.” She sucked in a long breath, released it, and pinned back her shoulders. “I can do this.”
“You’re going ahead with this? You’re gonna share the real you with the world?” Dennis asked.
She nodded. Her
gesture said yes, but her topsy-turvy stomach told her no. “Go on, I need to get changed into my show outfit and swear several thousand times.” She painted on a smile and patted her man on his round bum, pushing him toward the heavy fire exit door leading to the front of the club. “Go.” Lively chatter echoed around them, and dancers raced back and forth in a haze of pre-show giddiness and half-nakedness. They knocked into each other, this way and that. No one seemed to know which way to go or what they should wear.
Not once did he try to cop an eyeful.
Impressive.
And after spending the perfect night in Torquay with him, she knew he was her prince. He’d been here for her every step of the way, and when she needed him to stand back, he had. He was the most supportive, the most loving…the most perfect man she’d ever known. She wouldn’t be at The Doll House, ready to perform a striptease, if it hadn’t been for him. Lost but now found.
“But…”
“I’ll be fine,” she promised. “Go on.”
“I could help you with zippers and do-dads.” Alight with mischief, she knew he planned on undoing zippers, not doing them up. Temptation tingled her sex and she considered making like bunnies in one of the private toilet stalls… No. So not classy. Besides, she had to get her show face on and perform a huge tease for the masses.
“I enjoy alone time before a show, to block through my dance and to double-check the technical motion of position transitions.” She hated lying, but she did need time to herself to breathe through the heavy heartbeat drumming in her ears, and a second to visualize kicking some serious striptease ass. Knowing him, he’d want to be there for her if he knew how her nerves controlled her in that moment.
“But this is no ballet, and those outfits are tricky.”
“Don’t you think I know that? I have no idea how I’m going to prep this time with no rules to follow, and no steps that would throw the whole performance if I mess up.”
“Oh, Lola.” He threw his arms around her and squeezed tight. “You will be perfect. You’ve got this. And if you look as if you don’t, I’ll jump on stage and treat the audience to my sexy moves.” He wiggled his tush then gyrated, his hands on his hips and his mouth puckered the whole time.
What Lola Wants (London Dolls Book 1) Page 10