Until I Met You

  “Hey,” I said, swatting him. He let go of the hug and placed his arms on my shoulders. “I didn’t say you were a bitch, I said you were acting like one to him. There is a difference. Now, why don’t you just stop being so nasty to the guy—accept the fact that he is here, and enjoy yourself? Don’t think too much, just enjoy your time with your family.”

  Looking into Jack’s sincere brown eyes, I smiled. “Okay, I can do that.” He visibly relaxed, sinking down further into the sofa. “Good.”

  I watched as Jack sighed, and it was then I remembered. “Aren’t you supposed to be going to the doctors today?”

  He looked at his watch and smiled. “Yeah, the appointment’s at two. We both wanted to take the day off work together and find out the news. I’m feeling quite nervous and excited about it actually.”

  He was already acting like a proud father and they didn’t even know if they were pregnant yet. I could understand it though. They’ve known each other for years, and starting a family only seemed like the next big step in their wonderful future together.

  “Let me know the minute you both know, please?”

  With a push of his knees, he got up and held his hand to me. “Don’t you worry, the minute we know, we’ll be round here ready to celebrate—if it’s good news of course.”

  Taking his hand, an idea came to me that I wanted to put into action straight away. I wanted to wait until Seth got back before I could go through with it though.

  When I heard the sound of the Jaguar pull up, my heart skipped a little beat. I found myself wanting to run to the window and take a look outside. It was silly, but I couldn’t help it. I tried strolling over so that I didn’t look too obvious, but who was I kidding? I could see the others smiling and looking at each other. “It’s a really nice Jag,” I said, trying to explain my actions. I could tell it wasn’t working.

  I didn’t think my heart could beat faster, until he got out the car wearing a New York baseball cap. Suddenly, everything burned, including places that shouldn’t—when I’m here—standing in my parent’s kitchen. I could feel my face flush and my body practically quivered at the sight of him in something so normal. My mouth was hanging open, and I was almost dribbling onto the sink. When he looked up, he caught my stare, and winked as he came closer to the door. I noticed my dad was all smiles, so I could tell he had a great time in the car.

  I could hear them both laughing as they got through the door. I was hoping that once he was inside, he would take the baseball cap off, but alas—no. He walked behind my father into the kitchen with a big cheeky grin on his face. I didn’t know what my face was doing, but if lust was an item of clothing, I was wearing it now. He seemed to spot my change and his cheeky grin turned into something more serious—more intense. It just made the burn that more powerful. My God, he was sexy.

  “That car is a beauty. I must say I’m a little jealous of you, Seth.” My father smiled and Seth reluctantly dragged his attention from me and onto my dad.

  “I need to go out,” I said, breaking any conversation. They all looked up at me and Seth’s grin was back.

  “I’ll take you wherever you need to go.” He placed his hands in his chino pockets, jiggling his keys as he stood.

  “You’ll have to go in that Jag, Angel. I promise you’ll be impressed.” My dad looked up at me from the table and nudged his head in Seth’s direction.

  I smiled back. “Okay, I won’t be long.”

  “Take all the time you need,” my mum said, winking at Seth. I couldn’t believe how obvious my mum was being.

  Grabbing my coat and bag, I said my goodbyes to everyone. I hugged Julia deliberately and whispered good luck in her ear before I left. It was now lunchtime, so I would assume they both would be gone by the time Seth and I got back.

  Once at the car, Seth quickly edged around me and opened the door. “I see chivalry hasn’t been lost on you.” He leaned in close, one arm on the door and the other on the hood. I was pinned, with nowhere to go. Not that there isn’t any other place I’d rather be.

  “My parents brought me up to be courteous. It’s only the polite thing to do. Besides, you’re the sort of lady that should have doors opened for them.” He leaned in a little closer and I could feel his hot breath on mine. I know I said no kissing, but I knew that if he leaned in that little bit more, I would accept it and to hell with the consequences.

  “You’re not going to make this easy for me, are you?” His smile broadened and I realised quickly that I’d made a mistake. I’ve just gone and told him that he affects me.

  “I’m not kissing or touching you Angelina—but no—I never said I would make it easy on you. I will endeavour to perform your wishes to the fullest whilst we are here, but I won’t make it easy.”

  I shook my head, and slipped down into the seat. The only problem was I was now face to face with his crotch. Somehow, I felt I was being tortured.

  “See something you like?” Seth looked down into the car and could see my expression. I had obviously been leering.

  Quickly turning my gaze away from him, I stared straight ahead. “No, not at all.”

  I was a big fat liar and we both knew it!

  “Whatever you say,” he said, closing my door.

  As he ventured around the other side, I took a moment to look around the interior of this beautiful car. I couldn’t help but swoon. It was a contrast of red and black, making it look sexy and sleek. It didn’t have a lot of room, but what it did have was sex appeal. I could see why my dad was gushing when he got back home.

  Once Seth was inside, he pushed a bronze button and the Jaguar came to life. The sound it made nearly had me orgasm on the spot. That coupled with Seth being so close was all too much.

  “You like that, don’t cha?”

  I couldn’t hide it at all. “Oh God, yes.” He laughed loudly and set off from my parent’s home.

  “So where am I taking you?”

  “I need to go into town, about ten minutes from here. I’ll give you directions. I want to get a couple of bottles of champagne.”

  He frowned, glancing over to me for a second. “What are we celebrating?”

  “Hopefully some baby news.” He looked over at me hesitantly and I couldn’t help but laugh. “It’s my sister and Jack. They have an appointment at two to see a doctor. They both think she might be pregnant.” His mouth formed a big ‘O,’ and he looked relieved.

  Seth fell silent for a few seconds, but then frowned. “Aren’t you being a bit presumptuous?”

  “I’m going to hide the champagne. If they’re pregnant, then it’s popping time, if not, I can just give the bottles to Jack, and he can keep them for when they are. I know they’ve been trying, so I’m sure it will happen for them one day.”

  “And what about you?” He looked at the end of the road and I told him to take a right.

  “What about me?”

  “Don’t you want kids one day? Normally every woman does.”

  I shook my head. “Well, I’m not like every woman.”

  Seth chuckled. “You’re certainly telling me. You’re something else.”

  “And what is that supposed to mean?” I was immediately on edge making him wince a little.

  “I didn’t mean to offend you. I meant it as a compliment. I’ve never met anyone like you before. You always seem so focused, so on edge, so determined to not let anyone break you.”

  My posture picked up a little. “You say that like it’s a bad thing.”

  Seth glanced my way with a smile. “It’s not, but soon you’re going to have to trust someone, Angel.”

  I crossed my arms and huffed. I seem to be doing that a lot around Seth lately. “You have bunnies,” was all I could say. I think it was all I needed to say.

  “Don’t you remember what I said last night?” I looked at him, confusion all over my face.

  “I thought not. You obviously had more to drink than I thought.”

  “It’s not my fault. I didn’t even thin
k you were real.” He glanced my way, his expression, serious.

  “I’m real, Cookie, and I’m not going anywhere.”

  I sighed at his words, but more in contentment than anything else. He was here and I wanted him here. Despite my protests, I liked him, and I couldn’t hide away from that fact.

  With that conversation ended, I gave him the directions to a local off-licence I knew which sells good quality champagne. I bought a couple of bottles but Seth bought a couple more, telling me that we may need more—if it’s good news.

  At the car, Seth held the door open for me again, and again came in real close when I turned around to him. “I think you should take that cap off.” Seeing him in it was really bugging me.

  “Why, is it distracting you?”

  “Yes.” I was a little surprised I had admitted that, but who was I kidding? Of course it was a distraction. His beautiful face was shocked, but then that cheeky smile formed on those beautiful rosebud lips of his.

  “Then I’ll keep it on,” he said. “I’ll even wear it to bed, and then you can think of me in it.” He leaned in that little bit closer and my breathing hitched.

  “You’re evil, do you know that?” I tried to make it sound like a joke, but I was failing miserably. He was hot and I’m seriously lacking in the orgasm department lately.

  Our eyes were locked so tight on each other that we were not even aware of the company that was behind us. Not until I heard a, “Ahem.”

  Looking over Seth’s shoulder, I saw it was Brian and Veronica. Oh shit, this was all I needed. Seth turned and gave them both a smile. Veronica immediately blushed.

  Does he never have that effect on anyone?

  “Angelina, you never said you were coming to town.” Brian’s face seemed a little bit hurt and confused. I could see him sizing up Seth, and the look he was giving didn’t go unnoticed. Seth’s back immediately arched like he was a man about to attend battle. The way Brian reacted to him soon saw to that.

  “It was a spare of the moment thing really. I haven’t seen my mum and dad since I left and thought it about time I came here.” Brian looked at me for a long time. It was almost as if he was asking why. It was the same look I had to endure at Julia and Jack’s wedding.

  I saw Veronica grip Brian’s hand a little tighter, giving me a very unwelcome fake smile. That was a smile I had become accustomed to by her. When she looked across at Seth though, her smile was completely different.

  “And who have you brought with you?” she asked, staring at Seth.

  “This is Seth Jacobs from London. He decided to come for a visit last night.” I wasn’t going to explain who he was to them, and I didn’t need to. Not to mention the fact that I wasn’t quite sure myself. I can’t call him a friend, because I have never fantasised about any of my friends the way I fantasise about Seth. I can’t really call him a client anymore, because what client follows someone to their home and meets their parents? I couldn’t call him my boyfriend, because he wasn’t.

  Just thinking about that last idea had spidey senses standing to attention.

  “How long is he staying for?” Brian looked toward me, completely ignoring Seth. He didn’t want to know how long I was staying, just how long Seth was staying.

  “We’re both leaving on Sunday,” Seth said with obvious delight. Seth knew there was something off with this situation, and I already knew by now how much he liked to wind people up.

  “Well, it was nice to see you both. Hope you have a pleasant stay. Brian and I were just doing some shopping before we headed back home, weren’t we darling?”

  I really wanted to laugh. I think she was flaunting the fact that she had Brian now, and was trying to wangle it in my face. It wasn’t working though. I couldn’t give a toss.

  “Yes, we better be going. It was nice to see you again, Angelina.”

  I nodded in Brian’s direction, but he seemed to huff in Seth’s. If I was Veronica now, I wouldn’t be too happy. All it did was confirm my theory that having a relationship was too damn complicated.

  Once they were out of earshot, Seth turned to me. “I take it that was an ex-boyfriend with the way he was glaring at me? I’m assuming it’s not been that long considering it’s so obvious that he hasn’t gotten over you yet.”

  “He wasn’t my boyfriend.” I didn’t want to have to explain myself to him.

  “Then what was he then?” He looked me in the eye and something in my expression must have given me away. “Ah,” he said. “He was one of your bunnies, wasn’t he?”

  “Don’t be so silly.” I tried to get back in the car, but there was no escaping him.

  “Don’t be coy with me, Angel.” He gave me a serious look. One that told me he wasn’t budging until he had heard my story.

  “Okay, okay. We were friends,” I began. I couldn’t quite know what to say next. Seth answered it for me. “With benefits?” he asked.

  “I suppose so. I don’t know. It got complicated in the end. I had to end it before I came to London. He wanted more, I didn’t. End of story.”

  He searched my eyes for something and it made me uneasy. I kind of knew what was coming next.

  “You knew I wanted you from the beginning. Why did you turn me down?”

  I knew he was going to get round to that, and I was completely unprepared for an answer. I had to think of one quickly before he got suspicious.

  “Because you were my client, and getting involved with you in that way would have just complicated matters. Not to mention the fact I could have lost my job.”

  Seth shook his head, obviously unimpressed with my explanation. “You and I both know that’s not going to happen. Jonathan worships you too much to ever let it go that far. Besides, you and I also both know that you’re lying. I won’t push you, but one day you will have to admit it to me. But what I really want to know is, do you have any more bunnies around here I’m going to have to fend off you?” He edged closer again and I could feel the heat radiating from his body. It made me quiver slightly knowing how close he was to me.

  “No, it’s just Brian.” Any of the others had long gone. There were a couple from school, and another couple that were passing by town, so thankfully there was only Brian left now.

  “Good, but I may have to go all alpha over Brian’s arse.” I started laughing, and his smile warmed my heart.

  “I love it when I can make you laugh. I want to be the one that can always make you laugh.”

  His longing stare had the butterflies fluttering wildly in my stomach. That coupled with the fact he mentioned ‘us’ and ‘always’ in the same sentence.

  He came closer to me so I was pinned to the door again. His eyes were searching my face, almost making love to every single inch of it. I thought I was going to faint with the pressure.

  “You’re making this so damn hard, Angelina. Do you realise how much I want to kiss you right now? How much I want to run my fingers down that beautiful face of yours. The one that’s buried in my head. The one that I can’t let go—I don’t want to let go.”

  I stared at his stubble, wanting so much to reach my hand up and touch him, too. Our eyes locked for what seemed like an age. Time stood still, lost in the moment. I was very nearly there. All I had to do was reach up and touch him. Tell him that it was okay to touch me, too. I could feel my hand rising, feel it without my mind telling it to. It was almost as if my body was in control and my mind had no say in the matter.

  I was so close, so very close. But life—as always—played that unpredictable game. Seth reluctantly pulled away from me and glided round to the other side of the car. The moment immediately lost. In a way I was glad, but a huge part of me was bitterly disappointed at the lost opportunity. The next two days were going to be a killer.

  Chapter 10

  Once back at home we had to figure out a way to hide the champagne bottles. I knew there was a fridge in the garage that my parents used in the summer for all their barbecues. Luckily for us, my dad was so worried about Seth??
?s Jag that he offered the spot to him. His car was parked on the drive as always anyway.

  He negotiated the car in, and once we were all parked up, Seth walked over to my dad and led him out of the garage. I shot out of the car and opened the tiny boot to retrieve the bottles of champagne. Once I knew they were hidden in there as best as possible, I made my way to the kitchen. Seth was sat all on his own smiling.

  “You know your mum’s still on about me staying here? I don’t think she’s going to let it slide.”

  I took a deep breath. “Me neither. I think it’s okay for you to stay. Charlie’s has rats anyway.” I smiled as his eyes widened. I winked at him and he immediately rewarded me with a full on beaming smile.

  Oh yes, I’m definitely in big trouble now.

  “Ah, there you are, Angelina. I was just saying to Seth here that—”

  “I know, I know,” I interrupted. “I’ve just told him that he can stay—in Julia’s room of course.” I glared at my mum so she knew I meant business. Normally mum’s try to keep couples apart when they’re in their homes, not glue them together in the same room.

  My mind suddenly raced at the word ‘couple’. It’s like I keep having to remind myself that he’s not anything to me. God, who am I kidding?

  “That’s great news. I’ll go and set up Julia’s old room for you now, sweetie.” I mouthed the word “sweetie” to Seth and he chuckled.

  “Thank you, Rachel. That’s very kind of you.”

  “Not at all. It’s wonderful to have you here. You’re very welcome. Make sure you make yourself at home here. If you fancy anything, just help yourself,” she said, waltzing out the door.

  Seth looked over to me when she said this. His cheeky eyebrow was hitched up, and I couldn’t help but laugh. “I don’t think she means everything, Seth.”