Where did your heart go? (The Heart Trilogy Book 1) (31 page)

“You are a cheeky minx” he murmured his lips reaching down to capture mine.

“I think we should call it a draw” I responded, suddenly not feeling so cold even though the snow surrounded me and started to soak into my jeans. I couldn’t deny the feel of his hot kisses on my cold face and neck. His fingers slid down and opened the zip on my coat so that he could run his hands down my jumper and then up and under it too. I jumped when his icy touch seemed to burn into my skin and made it to my already rock hard nipples that tingled even more from his touch. My hands found their way round his back and then under his coat and jumper as I felt him shudder as my fingers touched the skin of his back but I continued to pull him closer down upon me. It felt as though I was sinking even further into the coldness of the snow enveloped in its numbing feel yet my body fought against it the fire licking its way around every nerve ending.

Eventually we broke apart and without his body close to mine I suddenly felt the icy chill spread through to my bones and I started to shiver from the cold instead of the passion. James pulled me up and brushed the snow from my body as we walked together back into the warmth of the house. My fingers were so numb that I struggled to remove my clothes quickly but James covered that and soon had me naked as we headed upstairs. He wrapped me in his dressing gown and then headed into the bathroom and started to fill the tub. As we watched the water steam and fill the bath I was cocooned in his arms, as if he never wanted to let me go.

When the bath tub was full I broke the bubbles on the top and lowered myself into the comforting heat and then James eased in behind me so that I was able to lie back in his arms. It felt as though we were lying in heaven as the chill from the snow melted away into the scent of the bubble bath that surrounded us. James rested his chin on my shoulder as my hands entwined in his beneath the surface.

“Kiss me” I requested, turning slightly so that our lips could meet and benefit from the heat rising in our bodies
. I melted further into his embrace and as the numbness was released from our fingers we began to re-awake the frozen nerves with each caress.

Turning around carefully so the water remained below the rim I was soon looking into my favourite blue eyes, they seemed brighter than ever before as my lips captured him and I poured my very essence into him. Our hearts began to beat faster but still in time as his one hand ran through my hair and kept me close, whilst the other travelled down my hips and then parted my lips. I was wet anyway with the surrounding water but mine was slick as he pushed a finger inside me and then back out and over and over again as my breathing came faster and faster. I felt him hard against my thigh so I just moved his finger away so that I could capture the whole of him inside of me. As the waves of the bath lapped again our skin, spilling over onto the floor; the waves of our orgasms mingled together and joined us as one, over and over again.

Neither of us said a word as we eventually climbed out of the bath and wrapped ourselves into large towels to dry. As it was already late afternoon we put our comfy clothes on and decided to walk to the chip shop. The snow had already stopped falling and you could almost guess that by tomorrow it would have melted and disappeared once more. The sweet smell of the hot oil got my taste buds working and once we reached home again we just opened up the wrappers and ate immediately out of the paper on our laps on the sofa. James had lit the fire and I made us both a mug of Hot Chocolate as we sat cuddled up together, just happy to be in each other’s company.

That night we made love once more, a gentle heart felt moment that I felt bonded us even further as I fell asleep in his embrace.

Sunday 13
th
November, 1988

I awoke suddenly to the phone ringing yet again, James had also heard it so he jumped out of bed and put his dressing gown on and headed downstairs.

“I’ll bring us back a coffee” he said, as he headed through the door.

I quickly snuck a look out of the window but it was rain softly falling now and almost all trace of the snow had vanished again. I reached over and put the stereo on and found the copy of the mix tape James had done for me then I lay back and listened to all the familiar songs on it. Smiling as I remembered the various events that had taken place during different moments in our relationship.

After about ten minutes I started to get restless, this was a long conversation for nine in the morning and I hoped that nothing serious had happened. I shrugged on his shirt and stepped out onto the landing making my way to the bathroom. I couldn’t make out any of the conversation just James saying ‘yes’ or ‘no’ and ‘I will soon’ I headed down the stairs and as I passed him in the hallway he looked surprised or was it shock as I ducked into the kitchen and gave a signal that I would make the coffee. He finished the conversation with ‘speak to you soon, bye’ and then he entered the kitchen.

Once again for a brief second he looked troubled and there was a strange sadness that flitted across his eyes before the smile broke on his lips and he advance towards me. I held my arms open to him as he quickly lifted me up and placed me on the worktop so that I could wrap my legs around him. It felt cold on my bare ass for a brief moment before his lips captured mine in a kiss so long and sensual. I surrendered completely to him as he fucked me in the kitchen, it was short, sweet and satisfying.

As we ate breakfast together I turned to James and said.

“Who was on the phone?” I noticed James hesitate and he seemed to pale ever so slightly.

“Just Aunt Sue wanting Mum but having a general catch up” he replied “It’s ok, it hasn’t ruined our morning, sex in the kitchen is just as much fun as sex in the bedroom” he finished, grinning at me.

“So what shall we do with the rest of the day before you have to take me home?” I asked

“How about a swim, my parents have just got membership to this nearby health spa and said I could use it with you this weekend” he replied.

“That sounds great” I replied, as we headed back upstairs to get dressed.

We spent an enjoyable few hours at the health spa, the pool was almost deserted and I had never been in a Jacuzzi before where I discovered that bubbles could reach places that
had never been reached before. It was just a shame that the place was not deserted enough for some fun.

“When we have a place of our own we should get a Jacuzzi” I murmured as I relaxed into the bubbles, and leaned into James’ arms. James stayed silent at this comment so I wasn’t sure if he had heard me or not.

The drive home was as usual, we chatted and sang along to the music but as always the heavy cloud of despair at being
separated again, hung over us. It had been late when we had finally left James’ place so he declined the offer of a final coffee as he needed to get back as he was starting early on the Monday. The clouds overhead hid most of the stars from view as he wrapped his arms around me for the final time.

“I’ve had the most wonderful time this weekend” I breathed, ch
oking slightly on the words as the tears started to kiss my eyelashes but I held them back.

“Me too Stephanie, you are the best thing that has ever happened to me and I will love you till the end of time” he replied, his voice thick with the emotion as in the dim light I spotted tears glittering on his cheeks. I reached up and wiped them away
.

“Till the end of time” I replied, as we kissed for a final time before I reluctantly released him from my arms. As always I watched the rear of the mini disappear from view at the turn of the corner and then headed inside to the desolation that I felt.

Chapter 38

Charlotte’s phone suddenly tinged and she looked down to see a text from Mitchell. Quickly she wiped her eyes as the last diary entries had really tugged at her heart and made her realise how much her Mum had been in love with James.

“Hi Charlie, I am safely home and in bed already, it feels too big without your sexy body beside me!! Keep in touch this week and I will be down as soon as possible on Friday, let me
know what time you finish college and I’ll come and fetch you on the bike. Love Mitch x x x”

Charlie, hugged herself and smiled before she replied back

“Hi Mitch, I am in bed too, wish you were here or I
was back there!!!! Been busy reading the diary and will speak to you tomorrow. Night, night. Love Charlie x x x”

“Goodnight my Baby” his final text said. Charlie put her phone on the side and turned the light off, it was too late to read anymore but she knew that time was tight with only a fortnight to the competition.

I had to shout
Charlotte to wake her up for college this morning, as she eventually emerged bleary eyed into the kitchen

“Morning Mum” she managed, sitting down and immediately tapping out a text on her phone.

“Morning Charlie, what time will you be home later?” I asked

“After school and practice it will probably be about seven before I am home” she replied “Why?”

“I’ve got a meeting after my radio show to discuss Rock on the River with the guys and knowing them it will probably involve late lunch at the pub but I’ll try and get home for then” I replied, as I handed her a coffee and a plate of toast.

“Don’t worry if you’re later I can put a pizza in”
Charlotte said, as she finished her toast and then after a quick trip to the bathroom she had her bag for college and dance practice in hand.

“See you later” Charlotte shouted, as she danced out of the door and spotted Julia waiting for her at the end of the road.

“Have a good day Charlie” I replied, as I switched the radio on in the kitchen and sat down in front of my laptop to plan my lunchtime show, all the while Paul kept me company in the background with his usual mix of irreverence for the morning show. I was really looking forward to later as I headed into work in the car. The sun was shining and all felt right with my world at last. I couldn’t wait to hear the final plans for the day, which would be taking place o
n the first weekend in August. The only thing we couldn’t plan was the weather.

In the studio I was soon live on air with the usual lunchtime request show as I answered phones, texts and emails. All of a sudden on the computer screen came a request for me, it was ‘Hunting High and Low’ by A-Ha and it was from my secret admirer again. I giggled as I searched the database and found the track as I announced

“This next song is apparently for me from my secret admirer”

As the song played I searched through the text for any further clues as to who it might be. My initial guess was again Jack from the hospital so I dropped him a text saying ‘very funny’. He replied back saying ‘what are you talking about’ I responded with ‘My secret admirer’ and he finished by saying ‘It’s definitely not me you really do have a secret admirer’

I spent the rest of the show pondering as to who my secret admirer might be. He could easily find out what I looked like and that my favourite artists were George Michael and A-Ha due to the profile on the radio website. Ian soon poked his head in towards the end of the show

“So Steph, who is this secret admirer of your
s” he asked, grinning at me.

“I really don’t know, I thought it was Jack playing a joke but he has denied it” I admitted, before I cued up the next song.

“It’s not you or Paul winding me up is it?” I finished.

“No, it’s not us” Ian replied “We’ll have to get our heads together later in the pub and see if we can’t work out who your mystery man might be” he finished.

I wrapped up the show and then Ian took over for the afternoon.

I took the time to do a quick shop and then returned to the studio to find Paul and Ian waiting for me, as we headed to the nearby pub Jack caught us up and the four of us soon found a table and ordered drinks and some nacho’s to pick at whilst we talked. Rock on the River was progressing well with only 6 weeks to go until the date. All the bands had confirmed, tickets would be on sale by the weekend and our advertising was already up and around the area. It was going to be an event to remember.

Then the conversation turned to my secret admirer

“Have you no idea who it could be?” Jack asked, leaning forward slightly with interest

“Nope not a clue”

“He could be a real weirdo, you know we do get obsessive fans sometimes” Ian said, looking over at Paul who laughed
.

“Yes I remember Mary” Paul replied, as we all remembered his fan; she would be waiting for him outside the studio every morning with a
box of doughnuts. I shuddered at the thought that a strange man might be obsessing about me.

“Or it could be a genuine guy and he certainly seems to have cheered you up” Jack finished

“Yes, I like his taste in music so far and it might be a bit of fun if I can counteract his songs with others” I mused.

“Yes that could be good, it will see if he is serious or just mad” Paul said, as he drained his pint.

We parted on high spirits and I walked back to my car, keeping alert to any strange guys who might be lurking around. But as I didn’t see any I dismissed the thought and I was soon driving home. I reached the driveway just before seven and had just put the lights on when
Charlotte breezed in too, hot and sweaty from her dancing

“How’s it going?” I asked, passing her a bottle of coke
.

“Great Mum, costumes look fantastic and I need to talk to Mitch about what he will wear for his short appearance at the end” she said, as she headed upstairs for a shower.

“Dinner will be in half an hour” I finished, as I flicked the cooker on and found some pizza’s and wedges.

After her shower Charlotte perched on her bed and picked up her phone to drop Mitch a text asking if she could call him later. He agreed so with a smile on her face she headed towards the tempting smell of food that was wafting up the stairs. Her Mum seemed happy again today, which was a good sign.

“How’s work?”
Charlotte asked, between slices of pizza.

“Good thanks, Rock on the River is shaping up to be a fantastic event”

“Yes, our group are looking forward to dancing at it, I am phoning Mitch later so I’ll ask him too” she said, still not sure if it was just this that had re-energized her Mum or something else.

I pulled out my laptop later and continued work whilst Charlotte headed for her room to speak to Mitch and to continue with the diaries. But I found myself drifting off into thoughts of my potential mystery man; I wondered what he looked like? Perhaps this was a good way of getting back out there? I truly felt as if I was finally moving on with my life. Over in Warwickshire James continued to scour through his music collection for songs that he hoped would speak to Stephanie.

Upstairs in her room Charlotte lay down on the bed and with some music on in the background she rang Mitch. He must have been waiting as the phone hardly rang before he picked up.

“Hi Charlie” he said, as she smiled as his lovely deep voice filled her ears
. It had been less than twenty four hours since they had parted but she was already counting down the hours until end of college Friday.

“Hi Mitch, how are you?”

“Fine thanks and you?”

“Yes, just been at dance practice we are rehearsing every evening this week and next until the competition to make sure we are as perfect as we can get”

“Yes, we’re doing the same up here, I’m aching already and it’s only Monday night”

“Me too, I have discovered muscles I never knew I had that could ache so much” Charlie said, imagining Mitch’s fingers spreading massage oil all over her body.

“Yes I could just do with you giving me a massage” Mitch replied, and she gasped as his words had just perfectly matched her thoughts.

“I was just thinking the same thing” she purred

“So the video clip is in your emails now and I have sent if off to the organisers who are hoping to make a decision by Friday so we’ll have to keep our phones handy” Mitchell said, the excitement bubbling in his voice.

Holding her phone Charlie got up and headed over to her laptop to turn it on so she could check her emails.

“So what’s the plan this weekend?” Mitch asked
.

“Lots of dance practice but I’m sure we could fit in something a bit more relaxing and fun” Charlie replied

“And did you have anything in mind” Mitchell replied, as she guessed that he was grinning and thinking of getting her naked.

“Cinema perhaps or a club?” Charlie replied “Oh and by the way Mum said you can sleep in my room” she finished, as again her mind shot of
f in the direction of what they had got up to the previous weekend.

“Excellent news, that spare room was a bit cold without your body pressed against mine” he murmured.

All of a sudden she clicked on the email attachment and the images started to fill the screen and with it memories of all the hard work they ha
d put in as well as feelings of elation when they had nailed the lift the first time.

“I’m watching it now” she gasped, tears brimmed on her lashes a
t the beauty of the two of them dancing together on screen “It’s perfect” she sighed.

“Yes I’m pretty pleased with it too, I hope we get picked” Mitch responded, as he could faintly hear the music in the background through her phone.

“So what time shall I aim to get to your college?” Mitch asked.

“About three thirty as we have practice in the hall at four so it will give us half an hour together before that” Charlie replied.