Copper to Red (The Dillwyns' Stories)

by Bladen, Ceri

  His hands grabbed the hair each side of her face to hold her still for a kiss, pulling painfully. Willow summoned all her strength, ignoring the pain ripping at her hair roots. She wedged her arms between their chests to get some space. Forcing her hips up quickly to push him forward, she opened her hand, her arm shooting up, smashing the underside of his nose with the heel of her palm. She saw the look of surprise and pain register across his face, before his weight rolled off her as he held his nose. She welcomed the darkness which beckoned her.

  Tom put his hands into his pockets. Was he doing the right thing going back to the pub? He stopped, ready to turn back around to go home. He shook his head, he was just fooling himself. He didn’t have a choice, he wanted the opportunity to be alone with Willow, needed to be alone with her. A chance to explain what had happened and how he felt, might start making him feel human once again. He realised that his desire and need for her never went away, he had just squashed it.

  He had a lot of time to think things over the last couple of weeks. If it was a straight choice between a future with Willow or Sarah, he knew Willow would have won it hands down. But there had been a baby in the midst of it all. He knew that there had been plenty of rumours about him over the years. People would, and could, call him anything they wanted, but he knew one thing he wasn’t and that was irresponsible. Now the baby wasn’t an issue to him, he intended on winning Willow back. And worried about her reaction or not, he meant to start tonight.

  He originally planned on staying in the pub until kicking out time, then asking her if she wanted help to close up, after she sent Sandra home. An excuse he knew that she would see through, but at least he might get some indication to how she felt about him. He knew he wanted her in his life and this time, they would not let anything or anyone get in their way.

  He kicked a stone as he passed it, unfortunately things hadn’t gone to plan. As events turned out, Tom had helped take old ‘Hugh the milk’ home. Hugh certainly hadn’t been drinking the milk he usually sold, he couldn’t stand up! Tom laughed, he dreaded the orders on the milk round tomorrow morning!

  When he pushed the door to enter the Red Lion, his smile faded fast. “Willow!” He watched, although it felt like slow motion, her hand shoot up and smash the man, who was straddling her, in the face. Tom rushed over.

  Grabbing the man, who was clutching his bloody nose, Tom briefly looked towards Willow. Relief flooded through him when he noticed her moving. He looked at the man again, rage snaked through him and he decided to finish Willow’s job off, flesh meeting flesh.

  Willow opened her eyes, pain shooting through her head. Tom was crouched next to her, his thighs under her head.

  “Don’t move - the ambulance is on its way.” He carefully used his finger to push away a strand of hair from her forehead, treating her like fragile glass, scared to touch her. He smiled when he noticed a little colour appearing in her cheeks, relief flooding through him. He saw her trying to speak and gently placed a finger over her lips, shaking his head. “Ssshh, don’t speak, everything is going to be okay.”

  ~~~~

  Three months later…

  “I didn’t do anything Willow!” exclaimed Tom.

  She whipped back around to look at him, her temper bursting like a dam. “That is not what I heard those girls talking about in the snug.” Willow was almost crying with frustration.

  Tom tried to stifle his smile, trying not to infuriate her any more than she already was. He felt confident that he hadn’t done any of the things that were flying around in Willow’s mind, he just had to convince her. He ducked just in time as he saw her open palm swing towards his face. He easily gripped her wrist, Willow’s angry struggling only bringing her nearer to his solid chest. He watched her as she tossed her head back, blonde hair flying, her hazel eyes glaring at him coldly.

  “I don’t care one iota what you have heard about my supposed ‘reputation’. People like to talk and gossip. Let me assure you, I have never told another woman I have dated that I love her. You are the only one.” He caught her chin, to make her look him in the eye. She regarded him with a wary expression. “Forget the gossips and what you overheard, ask any woman that I have gone out with if I have told them that I love them. After all, there is plenty of them around…” He saw her temper start to erupt again, “Hey, that last bit was supposed to make you smile.” He kissed the tip of her freckled nose.

  Willow’s temper distinguished, she knew in her heart that the girls had wanted her to overhear their conversation, they were winding her up. It was going to take a while to get over the doubts Robert forged into her heart, but she knew she would, with Tom’s help. She lowered her head so he wouldn’t see her smirk, she couldn’t believe she had been so riled up with him and would have to apologise – again! She would have to learn to control her strong emotions when she was around him. She felt the rumble of his voice under her hands that were spread over his chest.

  “Willow, believe me, I don’t want to hurt you any more than I already have. I love you. I’m not Robert, when I give my word, I mean it, you are not going to get rid of me that easily. I’m sure it isn’t going to be an easy road...” He tilted and lowered his head, trying to see her face. He was glad to see a smile teetering on her lips this time. “…not with your fiery nature and all.” A gentle punch on his arm made him smile, damn he loved her. “But I am just hoping and trusting that under all that animosity, you love me too…”

  Willow looked straight at his green eyes. She would say those three precious words in a little bit, for now she just desperately wanted his mouth and hands on her. She grabbed the back of his head and brought it down for a crushing kiss.

  That was a good enough answer for him, for now…

  Find out what happens to Johnny and Rose Templeton, in the newest instalment, ‘Red’. (Out Summer 2013.)

  “Come on, come on.” Johnny wound the curly telephone line round and round his fingers, nerves not letting him keep still for a second. “Come on, answer please…” His heart stopped briefly when he heard the click. “Dad?”

  After a moment hesitation he heard his mother’s soft voice, “No, your Dad is reading his newspaper… what’s wrong Johnny?” Johnny cringed, his mother had a knack of always knowing how he was feeling, which is why he was hoping his Dad answered. She must have sensed the strain in his voice. He tried to calm his voice, not sure if he could fool his mother or not, but time was ticking. “Is it possible to speak with him for a second? I’ll have a chat with you after.” He could tell his mother was taken a back slightly, but offending her slightly was better than destroying her.

  “Yes, of course. I’ll get him now.” He heard his mother shout, Morgan, Johnny is on the phone. He wants to speak to you. Hurry, I think something is wrong.

  “Johnny, what’s wrong?” came the low tone of his father.

  Johnny exhaled a breath he didn’t know he was holding when he heard his father’s voice. The tears that had been welling, finally started pouring out of his eyes. “It’s Rose. There has been a terrible car accident.” He heard his mother’s intake of breath, she must have been listening to the conversation. “She is in Singleton hospital. Dad, it’s bad. They don’t think she is going to make it.”

  ~~~~

  Persona (The Professional Series) by Ceri Bladen. Read about the lives of Daniel Spittle and Ella Hender.

  “Wow. Does that always happen? I didn’t think we were going to make the train!” Ella tried to catch her breath. She hadn’t run that fast in a long time.

  They squeezed into the full compartment and she grabbed the bar to steady herself. She couldn’t believe how many people asked for Daniel’s autograph when they entered the tube station. If they didn’t have paper, they didn’t mind what he signed! How did he smile sweetly at each and every one of them? He must have been thinking about missing his train, in the back of his mind, but you would never tell, he gave them all time.

  That is why they ended up running for the tube. He h
ad suddenly grabbed her hand and pulled her along after him. She was laughing so much and running, she was surprised her lungs hadn’t burst.

  “Hence the reason why I don’t take public transport too much!” Daniel replied, while smiling at some more fans who were staring at him. He was holding on tightly to the overhead handles as the train started. He bent down to whisper into her ear. “Luckily the train is so full, most people are too afraid about losing their seat to ask me for an autograph.”

  Daniel straightened back up and caught in the corner of his eye, various men looking straight at Ella’s bottom. He knew it was beautifully encased in a tight fitting pair of trousers. He himself, had had a look earlier, when she had stood up after zipping up her knee high black leather boots. A surge of jealously tore through him, he didn’t want anyone else looking at her peachy bottom.

  The doors opened and another crowd of commuters piled into the already overcrowded compartment. Daniel was forced to move much closer to Ella, their bodies now touching as he towered above her. He noticed that even in heels, she barely reached his chin. Normally, he went out with tall models who could look him in the eye. Looking down on to her, nearly surrounding her with his body, his protective instincts all went into overdrive. He liked the feeling, he liked it a lot. He caught her unsteady inward breath as he moved nearer.

  Gosh, Ella was hot. It wasn’t just the pure amount of bodies in the compartment, it was the proximity of Daniel. His nearness was doing major things to her heartbeat, she was sure she could feel her nerves jangling. She felt his breath tickling the top of her hair, smell his musky scent with a hint of aftershave and feel his strong thighs on hers. Oh gosh, this wasn’t good for her blood pressure! Ella looked up to try and start a conversation, which in retrospect was not a good idea. Daniel was staring at her, a strange look in his eyes. She noticed him quickly scan her face, before his gaze was brought back sharply to her lips, which sent a jolt through her. A little smile was playing on his lips. If they were not in a crowded subway compartment, she would swear he was just about to kiss her. Everyone around seemed to blur away, the noise of the train and conversations merged into one noise. Oh gosh, he was bending closer. Here comes the kiss…

  Hope you enjoyed reading my books. Happy reading!

  Ceri Bladen