He’d never expected it to be this easy, for it all to happen in one glorious night, but now it was he couldn’t quite get his head around it. She wanted him; this wonderful, beautiful young woman wanted him. And if she only knew how much he wanted her - maybe she’d never know how he really felt about her, but he would do his utmost to try and show her.
“Stay with me tonight, Michael. Please.”
“Oh, baby girl, you don’t have to ask me twice.”
She smiled, giving him one last lingering kiss.
“Oh, Jesus, get a room will you,” Terry said, coming over to them and pulling his sister away from Michael for a hug. “When did this all happen then, sis? You nearly gave old Reece there a heart attack when he saw the pair of you together.”
“I’ll go get us some drinks,” Michael said. “Happy birthday by the way.”
“Thanks. Can you grab me a beer while you’re over there?”
“Sure.” Michael smiled at India, who mouthed something to him that was most definitely meant only for him.
“He’s practically old enough to be your father, India.”
“Shut up, Terry. He’s a wonderful man, and I love him.” She looked almost dreamily after Michael as he walked over to the bar. “I do. I really think I love him.”
“You love him?” Terry raised an eyebrow. “How long’s this been going on?”
She was still watching Michael as he chatted and laughed with Vince.
“About half an hour.”
“What? Are you kidding me?”
She looked at her brother. “No. I mean, it’s probably been there, beneath the surface, for a while really but ... I didn’t know until tonight. I never knew he felt that way, never knew I felt that way.”
“Are you sure about this, India?” There was concern in his voice now but that was only to be expected.
“Is anyone ever really sure about anything, Terry? But yeah, I’m as sure as I can be.”
“Well, if he makes you happy ... you seen Kenny by the way? He came in a few minutes ago. What do you reckon he’ll say about it?”
“It hasn’t really got anything to do with him, has it? Not anymore.”
“I caught sight of his expression, India, and believe me, surprised doesn’t even begin to describe it.”
“If he’s the friend I know he is then he’ll be happy for me.” She kissed her brother’s cheek and smiled at him. “Happy birthday you, now go and enjoy yourself. One of those cute girls over there by the bar there was giving you the eye a second ago. Play your cards right and Michael won’t be the only one getting a present they weren’t expecting.”
“Too much information there, sis.” He winked at her and grinned. “See you later. I’ve got work to do.”
She laughed as he made his way over to the bar, one of the girls who’d been standing there watching him turning to him and smiling as she struck up a conversation. She was so glad her brother was finding his feet in this country. His confidence was so much greater than she’d ever seen it and Charley seemed to be nothing but a distant memory. For both of them.
As she turned around she suddenly caught sight of Kenny, his eyes meeting hers for a second, a brief smile passing between them before he turned his attention back to the girls he’d come in with, and India watched him for a while, trying desperately to banish memories from years ago to the back of her mind.
She had a new chapter of her life beginning now, and a new man to move forward with. She’d speak to Kenny later. Right now she just wanted to get back to Michael. The night was only just beginning, but she most definitely had plans for the rest of it.
***
Kenny didn’t quite know what to feel as he watched Michael kiss India, watched as she smiled up at him. There was something in her eyes he hadn’t seen since - well, since they’d got together all those years ago. He knew he was damn lucky to still have her in his life, to still have her as his best friend, but this was hard. He knew she’d stayed away from relationships all this time while he’d done the usual Kenny Ross thing of jumping into quick and meaningless flings at any opportunity and he’d hoped, somewhat egotistically maybe, that she still had a thing for him. He’d still hoped they could go back to what they’d had before, that she was staying away from getting involved with anyone else because she would, one day, come back to him. But now, well, now the evidence was there, right in front of his eyes that she’d definitely moved on. But, Michael Walsh? When had that happened? He’d known they had a growing friendship, known he’d taken her out a few times and he’d always thought it had been nothing but platonic. But he’d never seen her so happy. Her face lit up every time she looked at Michael. She was acting like a little kid at Christmas. When was the last time he’d seen her like that?
He leaned back against the bar and ordered himself a shot of vodka. He suddenly needed an instant kick. Michael Walsh had to be at least sixteen years her senior, what was it she saw in him? Kenny had always thought he was a bit of a control freak whenever he’d worked with him, just a little too much into getting his own way. He was a fantastic actor, nobody could deny that, but there’d always been something about him that Kenny hadn’t trusted. He didn’t know what but there was something about him that made him slightly uneasy.
He took the shot of vodka and knocked it back in one, immediately ordering another one.
India looked amazing tonight. The older she got the more beautiful she became. She’d changed from a girl into a woman and at times Kenny couldn’t believe he’d thrown away that chance to live every minute with her just because he’d needed a quick escape from reality for one night. He’d re-lived that scene in his head so many times over the years, the night one mistake had changed his life and lost him the one girl he’d ever fallen in love with, and now it was hard to watch her with someone else. It was really, really hard. His own fault, and he knew that, and he often wondered if he’d just, maybe, fought that little bit harder for her if they’d still be together. But that was all pointless, it was a waste of his time going back over things when she’d obviously made up her mind. He had her friendship or he didn’t have her at all, and he wasn’t willing to let her go. Maybe false hope still hung around somewhere but it certainly looked like that had been put to bed tonight. Jesus, had they slept together yet? Had Michael Walsh touched her the way he’d used to? Had he lived inside that perfect body? Kenny suddenly felt like he just wanted to run away from it all but this was a party and Kenny did parties like no-one else.
Knocking back his second vodka shot to try and numb the ache developing in his chest he looked around for Candy and Roxy, the two girls he’d arrived with. If Michael Walsh was going to get to heaven tonight then he sure as hell was going to get somewhere close to that himself. Even if it was only ever going to be a second rate place.
***
“Do you know what you’re doing?”
India looked at Reece. “Why is everyone asking me that?”
“Because we care about you,” Reece replied, trying not to sound too much like he was delivering a lecture.
“So does Michael, so stop worrying will you? I’m twenty-eight, not ten.”
“I’m well aware of that, but after Kenny ...”
“Why is everyone bringing up Kenny?” She was starting to get exasperated now and she wished Michael would make a re-appearance so she could escape.
“I’m bringing up Kenny because this is the first real relationship you’ve embarked on since him. And he hurt you.”
“I’m over it, Reece.”
Reece looked over towards where Kenny was leaning back against the wall, both cocky and handsome at the same time, his eyes more than occasionally drifting over to look at India.
“Yeah, well, I’m not altogether sure he is.”
India followed Reece’s gaze and caught Kenny’s eyes again. He smiled at her and she couldn’t help smiling back. He was still the most handsome man she’d ever seen, but she just hadn’t been able to live with him, or his w
ays. As a friend she could handle him, as a lover she didn’t have the energy.
She turned back to Reece. “That’s his problem, not mine.”
“Have you spoken to him tonight?”
“I’ve had a quick word, yes. He’s a bit pre-occupied with the centrefold twins though.”
“Well, that’s Kenny for you.”
India threw Reece a look and almost breathed a sigh of relief as she saw Michael come back into the room. Reece didn’t miss this and gently took her hand, making her look at him. Couldn’t she see it? Couldn’t she see what he saw every time he looked at her? Because the older she got the more evident it became.
“I’m sorry, India. I don’t mean to nag I just ... I just care about what happens to you. I always have done. I always will.”
She smiled at him, squeezing his hand and kissing his cheek. “I know. And I don’t care that you sound more like a dad every day because having a dad like you would make me the luckiest girl in the world.”
Reece felt his stomach do a million somersaults all at once. “India ...”
But she was gone, turning round only to blow him a kiss and throw him another smile as she ran off to join Michael. The only man who seemed to be getting India’s full and undivided attention tonight. Reece was just going to have to get in line.
***
“Is everything ok?” Michael asked, taking India’s hand as she ran over to him.
“Everything’s fine. Just Reece being Reece.”
“Over-protective?”
She smiled. “Very. Where’ve you been anyway?”
He pulled her into his arms and kissed her quickly. “I’ve been sorting out a little surprise for you.”
She smiled again, giggling like an excited teenager. “I love surprises! What is it?”
“Well, it wouldn’t be a surprise if I told you, would it?” he laughed, longing to slip that dress – sexy as it was – down over that perfect body and look at her naked. He wanted to do that so bad, just look at her and take in every inch of her.
“Can we go now?” She started to kiss his neck and he felt the excitement start to build up inside him. He’d waited so long for this. So long.
“You sure you want to leave now?” he asked, letting his hand slide down from the small of her back, knowing this was it, this was almost it. He was almost there. She nodded. “Come on then, beautiful.” He took her hand, leading her away from the party. “Let’s get out of here.”
When they got to her suite, Michael opened the door but let India go in first, and it took just seconds before she threw herself back into his arms with a little squeal of delight.
The room was lit by what must have been hundreds of candles, vases of flowers were everywhere, music was playing softly in the background, and it just looked beautiful. The most romantic thing she’d ever seen.
“You did all this?” she asked, still smiling.
“Well, not me personally. But I asked the hotel to arrange it.”
She gave another little squeal and hugged him again, kissing him quickly.
“Nobody’s ever done anything like this for me before, Michael. It’s beautiful. It’s perfect.”
He looked at her, her face glowing with happiness, happiness he’d created.
“You’re perfect,” he whispered. And he meant it.
She felt as though she’d been plunged head-first into some ridiculously crazy romantic film because she’d never thought she’d ever find anyone like Michael. After all, this kind of thing only happened in the movies she starred in, didn’t it?
She stroked his cheek with the back of her hand, kissing him gently, speaking with her mouth still resting against his, knowing exactly where this was all going to lead and she had no intention of hanging about. She wanted him. He wanted her. What was the point in waiting any longer?
“You are making it so easy for me to love you, Michael Walsh.”
Another kiss, then she stepped back from him, unzipping her dress, and he watched as it slipped slowly down over her breasts, over her hips and thighs, falling to the ground and she kicked it away, standing there in front of him, naked except for those sexy-as-hell boots. She’d been naked under that dress all along. She really was any living man’s wet dream and he was about to live that dream, after all this time he was finally going to know what it felt like to be inside her. No more wondering, no more pretending. He was this close to making love to her.
He couldn’t take his eyes off her as he walked over to her, pulling her against his still clothed body, feeling her against every inch of him as he kissed her, her hands pulling at his clothes, freeing him up to make every dream he’d ever had come true and he wanted it to last forever. He wanted every second of this night to stay etched in his brain for the rest of his life because he still couldn’t believe it was actually happening.
But, as she lay back on the bed, opening those perfect legs and inviting him into paradise, he knew he was slap bang in the middle of his very own fantasy. She still had the boots on and that was turning him on even more as he positioned himself over her, her legs wrapping around him as he kissed her again, the kisses becoming harder and faster and he just wanted in, just wanted to go where he’d dreamed of going for so long but he held back, touching her gently, listening to her moans as his fingers explored the heaven he’d soon be entering. A warm and welcoming heaven that he knew he’d never want to leave.
She arched her back and cried out quietly as he finally put himself inside her, ending that ache for him that had begun to take over. He was pushing gently and she pushed back with her hips, raising them up to press against his before pushing down and letting him go deep, her arms up above her head, her eyes closed. She’d never known it could feel this way, never known it could feel so beautiful. With Kenny sex had always been hard and fast - had they ever really made love? But with Michael - with Michael she was feeling like this was the very first time someone had ever touched her this way. He was making her skin tingle and her heart race as he held her against him, moving inside her, and she just wanted to hold onto him, to keep him where he was because he was a part of her now. It felt so right, so beautiful, and she felt tears start to slowly fall down her face, tears that he gently kissed away, whispering that it was ok, everything was ok, and she just felt the most overwhelming love for him, something so strong and so powerful that it scared her.
She didn’t want it to end. She didn’t want to have to leave this feeling of it being just the two of them, she didn’t want to go back to the real world. She didn’t want to let him go. She didn’t ever want to let him go, and he wasn’t putting up any kind of fight because he just wanted to lie there with her exactly like this, to live inside her, to look at her forever. She was his obsession. He couldn’t, wouldn’t live without her, not now, not ever. The last few years had been building to this, from the second he’d seen her he’d needed to have her and now he was here, now he was with her, loving her just like he’d always dreamed of doing and it couldn’t have been more perfect.
With another harder push he felt her body jerk in his arms, her hips thrust up against him as she cried out his name and he watched her face, her perfect face with the tears falling slowly, as that final climax built up inside him too, something he was trying so hard to prolong so as not to have this end. But he couldn’t do that forever, so he closed his eyes and buried his face in her blonde hair, letting her hold onto him and stroke his skin as their breathing got faster and faster, the end hitting both of them like a head on collision. If he never had sex again he wouldn’t care because he didn’t think it would ever be like this with anyone else. He didn’t even want to find out. He’d just been to heaven and now he couldn’t settle for anything less.
He rolled over onto his back, pulling her against him, kissing her forehead, his arm tight around her shoulders, and she snuggled in next to him, resting her head on his chest, listening to his still fast-beating heart.
For a second her mind wandered back to the
times when she’d sat in the cinema back in England, watching him up there on the screen, thinking what a great actor he was but never harbouring anything other than admiration for him. Never in her wildest dreams had she ever even wondered what it would be like to hold his hand never mind have him kiss her. Unlike Kenny – her fantasy man and movie star idol. Yet she’d fallen head first in love with someone older, wiser and altogether more perfect. But, despite that, she was scared. With Kenny everything had been free spirited and uncomplicated but this, what she was feeling for Michael, this was intense, this was frightening.
“Are you ok?” he asked, gently stroking her hair, kissing her quickly.
She responded with a longer, slower kiss, turning to lie on her side, resting her body against him, carefully running her fingers over his mouth, just looking at him for a second. She’d never really stopped to look at him before, not properly. Not when he’d been her director and not even when he’d been her co-star, but now she wanted to take him in, to know every line on his face, to look deep into his eyes and see the man she was in love with. There was something about him, something so very, very different.
“I’m fine.”
He smiled and her heart did a little back flip. It was like being back in high school, that’s what it felt like. Who knew somebody could do this to another person so out of the blue? She hadn’t expected anything like this to happen tonight, she wasn’t even sure she’d ever expected anything like this to happen between her and Michael at all, but now, well, now she was just glad that it had.
“I didn’t hurt you, did I?” he whispered, his fingers stroking the small of her back, moving down to rest on her thigh.
She shook her head. “No. You didn’t hurt me.” He had the most beautiful mouth. Why hadn’t she ever noticed that before? He had the kind of mouth she wanted to kiss for hours. Maybe they could find a day when they weren’t busy and do just that – kiss for hours.
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