Father & Son: Book two of the Jensen Family Series (45 page)

His backside resting on a low railing,
Novak took a few minutes to catch his breath as they paused in their usual
daily run. What he was looking at had his full attention.

A few feet away, Gavin was carefully
peeling the skin from an orange, squinting in case the fruit decided to squirt
him in the eye with juice as its predecessor had, as he dropped the peel into
the bin.

“Gav, we need to take dancing lessons.”

Looking over at his friend as he broke the
orange in half and moved to sit beside him, Gavin followed the line of sight
long enough to see a line of lovely ballet dancers waiting outside one of the
local dance schools.

“I’m not wearing tights. Not even for
you.” He said.

Grinning, noticing that his friend hadn’t
actually said no to dancing, just to tights, Novak grabbed half of Gavin’s
orange and began to walk across the road. “I think a tutu would suit you but
whatever.” He said over his shoulder, confident that Gavin would follow.

Gavin got stuck waiting for cars to pass
but he caught up with Novak as he started up the stairs to the entrance.
Bastard
nicked half my orange,
going through his head.

Shoving the door open, the sight that
greeted them warmed Novak’s heart. The lobby was full of scantily clad dancers
of varying genres. Smiling, he started to walk forward as the lobby descended
into silence.

“Fear not ladies, your new leading men
have arrived.” Novak grinned through his words as he swept down the hallway.

Gavin shook his head, not quite believing
Novak’s brashness. He heard a few giggles and more than a few snorts of
derision. Turning back to the crowded lobby, he glanced at a few people before
drawing a breath, “Sorry about him, he’s an acquired taste but you’ll warm to
him.”

Seemingly ignoring his words, one of the
dancers stepped forward, “Can I have a bit?” She asked pointing the remaining
half of his orange. Once he nodded, the mob descended upon him and by the time
Novak grabbed the back of his shirt and dragged him along the hallway, the
fruit was gone.

“For once could you try not to be such a
babe magnet?” Novak asked.

“They ate my orange.” Gavin responded.

Carmen had recently become concerned with
her son’s interest in the opposite sex having caught him several times in the
midst of stripping usually Cara, the girl next door but occasionally it would
be another equally nubile teenager.

She had expressed her concerns to Paul,
she really should have known better. Her former lover had laughed and told her of
all people, she knew very well what teenage boys were like and at least he had
one up on his father by not, as Paul phrased it “Knocking some bird up and
having a kid by sixteen.” Carmen had slammed the telephone down on him.

Otherwise impressed with the way Gavin had
stayed out of trouble along with his improved attitude, Carmen was happy to
allow him to accompany Novak on a much hyped surfing trip down to Bournemouth.
Novak guarded her son like a precious gem and she was confident nothing would
happen to him.

It would do both boys good to be away from
the house for a few days. Since Helen’s two foster children had moved in, as
sweet as they were, both older boys had begun to complain about a lack of
privacy and their former garden play equipment had been reclaimed by the
youngsters within weeks of Gavin and Novak turning it into an outdoor gym. That
did not go over well.

Paul’s solution had been to hire
contractors to convert the loft into a den for the teenagers much to their
delight and her horror as they had complete control over who gained access to
their space.

She heaved a sigh of relief as Novak’s car
slowly withdrew from her sight. It had been a tense morning with the younger
children using the older boys’ bags as a chance to play dress up, even Novak’s
cool exterior had cracked and he had raised his voice far more than necessary.

Clearing up the mess left by her son and
his cohort she decided she would take a leisurely bath and ready herself for
her date that evening, part of her get over Paul once and for all strategy. As
she sunk beneath the bubbles, she silently thanked Helen’s boyfriend Art for
picking up that stray dog that had firmly attached itself to her. Without him,
she would never have met the charming vet.

With their tent pitched, Gavin and Novak
dragged on their wetsuits and headed into the waves. It had been a long time
since either of them had surfed in the sea, they had been restricted to the
artificial environment of the water park where Novak now worked teaching people
all manner of water sports and thoroughly enjoying after hours relations with
one of his clients in the middle of the vast lake over the highly revved
outboard motor.

They made quite a sight in their
streamlined black wetsuits, both being tall, athletically built and new to the
area, they found their beach towels surrounded when they came back to shore and
although the weather had turned chilly, neither complained about the group of
young women willing to keep them company.

While his son was surfing, Paul fastened
the deep red cravat in place and slipped on his waistcoat. Gavin had been given
the option of attending the wedding but had politely refused. Paul’s daughter
Marissa on the other hand had been delighted to be invited to be a bridesmaid.

Suzanne had picked his wedding garb and he
had to smile at her traditional choice. Matt settled his dove grey tail coat
over his shoulders and smoothed it down, looking at his brother in the
reflection of the mirror.

Both dressed in dove grey trousers with a
black pinstripe, dove grey waistcoats and tail coats, gleaming black shoes,
they were quite a sight to behold.

“We scrub up well.” Matt smiled, “Ready?”

Nodding as he removed his jacket, Paul
followed his brother to the car. He laughed when he saw his mother’s BMW
sitting outside and questioned Matt. “What’s up with the Escort?”

“Nothing. She’s been running perfectly. I
just didn’t want to take the chance that she’d pick today to break down. Erring
on the side of caution.” Taking Paul’s coat from him, he laid it carefully across
the back seat. “Are you sure Suzanne’s transport is arranged?”

“Yes, it’s all sorted. She’s going to pass
out when she sees what I’ve done.” Paul smiled, wishing he could be there to
see the look on his soon to be wife’s face when she saw the horse drawn
carriage he’d arranged.

The church began to fill as he stood at
the altar. There were no nerves this time. He was standing there waiting for
the woman he was destined to be with.

“Paul. I’ve got this déjà vu thing going
on over the two rings in my pocket. I can ahem, “loose” one if you want.”

“I’m happy to wear a ring this time. I
want the world to know I’m hers.” He returned his brothers happy smile. “Let’s
see mine.”

“No. I am under strict instructions not to
show you. She wants it to be a surprise. She had it made specifically for you
and she’s got it spot on if you ask me. Besides, she scares me just a little so
there’s no way I’m showing you.”

“Matt.” Paul warned. “Show me.”

Matt didn’t get a chance to reply as the
first strains of the bridal march started and people came to their feet.

Stepping forward, Paul looked down the
aisle to see his little girl Marissa, beaming widely as she scattered petals on
the floor. There was a collective sigh of “Awww” as the little girl passed the
rows. Her dark hair had been curled into ringlets that bounced at her
shoulders. Her dress was the same deep red as his cravat with volumnous
petticoats beneath. She seemed to forget what she was supposed to do when she
reached the end of the aisle and came to an abrupt stop.

Paul swooped her into his arms, kissing
her cheek and telling her how pretty she looked. Kicking her legs out, Marissa
stage whispered “Look at my pretty shoes Daddy” while pointing to her red
patent footwear, causing a peal of laughter from the guests.

Next down the aisle was Faye and his
sister Tessa. Faye winked at him and Tessa took Marissa from his arms, telling
her Daddy needed to stand and wait for Suzanne. One of Suzanne’s sisters
preceded her down the aisle and then, there she was. Everyone else ceased to
exist for Paul. He locked onto her face as she smiled at him and held his gaze
for the short walk.

She had her hair styled in soft waves and
drawn back from her face. Her white, halter neck gown accentuated her bustline
before swooping downwards and taking on a pink hew at knee level before
darkening into the same deep red as the bridesmaids dresses as it reached the
hem.

He didn’t really take in anything other
than her hair, he was just captivated by her smile. He stood patiently as she
handed off her bouquet and kissed her father before turning to him. He stroked
a hand down her bare arm, whispering “Wow Suzie” before lowering his head to
kiss her.

“That bit happens at the end.” The female
Deacon joked, making Paul step back smiling and the guests laugh. “Ready?” She
asked looking to each of them in turn.

Holding out her left hand to receive her
wedding ring, Suzanne watched Paul’s face as he slid the diamond encrusted
band, custom made to fit around her engagement ring, over the tip of her finger
and repeated the vows the Deacon spoke. There was an almost overwhelming look
of solemnity on his face but then she caught the sparkle in his eyes as he
looked up from the ring and into her eyes. The unmistakable look of triumph of
a man who had just got everything he’d ever wanted. 

The Deacon’s eyebrows raised as she
prepared to hand Suzanne Paul’s wedding ring when she caught sight of the
engraving on the thick band. Trying desperately to stifle a smile as she placed
the ring in Suzanne’s hand and asking her to repeat the vows as the ring was
settled into place.

With the vows and rings exchanged, the
Deacon tapped Paul’s shoulder and said the words he had been waiting for.
“Paul, you may now kiss your bride.”

“You don’t have to tell me twice.” He
grinned and gathered Suzanne in his arms. “I’ve got you now baby,” he whispered
as he broke the kiss.

Stroking her hand down his cheek, she
couldn’t help but mimic his smile. “And I have you lover.”

Handing his wife into the carriage, he
shook hands with the driver, before climbing in after his new wife. As he moved
the lower half of her dress out of the way, he noticed for the first time the
colouring on the bottom of it.

“What did you do to your dress?” He asked,
settling in beside her.

Tutting, she grasped his hand “Nothing, it
was made that way to my specification. Honestly, you are such an ignoramus when
it comes to these things. You didn’t even notice it when I came down the aisle
did you?”

“Nope. All I saw was you and my dreams
coming true.”

Snuggling into his side, she smiled to
herself. “That’s just won you a few points.” She whispered then sat up, turning
in her seat. “Take a closer look at your ring.” She demanded. “I had it made
especially for you.”

As she was almost vibrating with
excitement, how could he refuse? Holding his hand out, the first thing he
noticed was the colour, Rose Gold, matching his watch. The band was wide,
anything smaller would have been swamped by his large hand. Lifting his hand
higher and twisting the band around, he began to laugh. “This is perfect for
me, how the hell did you get someone to agree to do this?”

“I know people. Do you like it?”

“I love it.” He stroked a finger across
the intricate carvings and held his hand a little further away. From a distance
it just looked like the ring was engraved but under closer examination, you
could clearly see the figures performing several positions from the Karma
Sutra. “What do you think of the carriage?”

“It’s perfect. Thank you for arranging it.
How did you know I’d always wanted this on my wedding day?”

“Tessa let slip and I’m really glad she
did.”

“You only had six weeks to arrange it.
Most of these things are booked years in advance. How did you manage to swing
it?”

“I too know people and I have a reputation
for getting my way.”

When Matt started his best man’s speech
with the words “I didn’t think I’d ever be doing this again for Paul. Huh, who
am I kidding, I absolutely knew I’d be doing this again for him.” Paul hung his
head as his brother continued in his humorous vein for the entire speech.

Leaning closer to his brother as he
finally sat down, Paul whispered “Don’t forget I’ll be doing this for you one
day.” Satisfied when Matt’s smug smile faded, Paul turned his attention back to
his wife.

All in all, it turned out to be a very
good day despite the occasional disapproving look from his new in-laws and the
odd snarl from Michael, everyone seemed to enjoy themselves but Suzanne and
Paul were mightily relieved when the guests began to leave and they could
retire to their suite for the night.

Breakfast was served in their room the
following morning. The mood was subdued after the wedding. They both admitted
to being a little shell shocked and the expected passion of the wedding night
had given way to tender caresses before sleep had claimed them.

Wearing only one of the hotels fluffy
robes, Paul further examined his wedding ring as he waited for his wife
that
would never get old, calling her his wife
, to get out of the shower.

“What’s this? The dance of the seven towels?”
He asked as she emerged a waft of steam following her through the bedroom and
into the sitting room of the suite.

“Isn’t it seven veils?”

He watched as she removed the towel from
her head and shook out her long blond hair. “Yes but we don’t have veils, we
have towels.”

“But I only have two.”

“Good, less for me to take off.”

Backing up, Suzanne shook a finger at him
“Don’t we have places to be?”

“Hmmm? What was that?” Paul closed in on
her. “I need you Suzie. Right now.” When he didn’t hear any further protests,
he quickly slipped the remaining towel from her body and shrugged out of his
robe to press his body to hers.

Without her signature high heels on, she
was tiny when pressed to him. He enjoyed her shorter stature and her curves
melted him every second of every day. His hands settled on her waist as he bent
to kiss her.

Coming up onto her tip toes to return his
kiss, Suzanne pressed her hands to his chest, dragging her nails over his
perfect skin. She had no idea just how he made her desire him so much so she
just went with it.

It’s hard to kiss someone when you are
smiling but that’s exactly what her sigh caused Paul to do as he kissed her
neck, working his way to her breasts. Her hands went into his hair, gripping
tightly but being forced to release it when he dropped to his knees and
positioned her leg over his shoulder.

She was thankful for the wall behind her
as his fingers and mouth worked her into a frenzy. He had obviously been taught
well and no doubt had thrown in a few tricks of his own.

Paul loved how she came apart for him.
He’d had plenty of responsive women but none had tasted as sweet or responded
as well as Suzanne did. He lifted her with him as he came to his feet, her legs
automatically wrapping around him as he sunk into her. She held his face in her
hands, cleaning her essence from him as he began a slow grind, keeping contact
with her clit, building her up again.

Holding her tighter, he lifted her away
from the wall and slowly walked backwards to settle his backside on the rolled
arm of the sofa. Untangling her legs from around him, he hooked them over the
arm supporting his behind. Linking her fingers behind his neck as his large
hands supported the small of her back, she bore down on him, gaining extra
leverage from tightening her calves against the sofa.

“That’s it Suzie, slower, deeper. Ahhh
yes. This is how it’s going to be every day now. You and me. I’m going to find
new ways to please you, I’m going to make sure you start each day completely
devastated but with a huge smile on your face. You won’t be able to make any
early appointments baby because you’re going to need recovery time from all the
salacious things I’m going to do to you.” He bit his lip as she tightened her
thighs over his hips, his fingers digging into her flesh as he encouraged her
to move faster now. “Come on baby, claim me. Make me yours.” His back arched
when she wrapped her arms around his neck, her legs tightly around his waist
and rode him without mercy.

This is why she loved being petite. This
man of hers made no effort at all when he lifted her, still clamped to him like
a limpet and moved them to the bedroom. Laying her on the bed, covering her
with his weight and still moving slowly even though she’d been sure he’d just
had the orgasm to surpass all orgasms.

Slow movements now. Soft kisses, gentle
caresses and murmurs as they moved together, keeping eye contact. Oh yes, if
things carried on this way, they would almost certainly be happily married for
a very long time.

Lost in each other, it took a while for
either of them to notice the phone by the bed ringing.

“Fuck.” Paul breathed, his rhythm
disturbed by the ringing as he rested his forehead to hers.

“You should get it. It might be a problem
with one of your kids.”

As he hadn’t heard from Gavin in a few
weeks, Suzanne’s voice of reason had him removing himself from her lovely warm
body and reaching for the phone. Laying on his back as Suzanne snuggled into
his side. The caller the reception desk put through had him sitting up, his
skin chilling at the words. 

He jumped off the bed as he replaced the
receiver and began shoving his clothing into the overnight bag.

Halting him in his tracks buy removing the
bag from him “What’s wrong?” She asked.

“I’m still listed as Carmen’s next of kin.
She’s been in an accident, prognosis is dire. I have to get hold of Gavin.”

Taking over from packing the bag, “Call a
cab. You should go to Gloucester.”

“What? We are going on honeymoon tomorrow.
I just need to get Gavin home.”

“Paul, pause for a moment. You should be
there too. She’s the mother of your son. I know a part of you still cares for
her and I would think Gavin will need you there.” She reasoned. “I’ll take care
of postponing the honeymoon and anything else you need.”

“You are amazing, do you know that?” He
leaned down to kiss her quickly. He tried Gavin’s phone a few times during the
cab ride home but it didn’t even go to voicemail. Growling in frustration as he
watched his new wife flit around packing a bag for him, he found Novak’s
number. His phone rang for a while but went to voicemail. Leaving a curt
message, Paul hung up, ran down the stairs and picked up the bag that was
waiting for him. “I don’t know how long I’ll be gone.” He told Suzanne.

“Take as long as is needed lover. I’ll
still be here. Call me if you need me. I can come up ok?”

“Ok. I’ll call you later.” He didn’t look
back as he threw his bag into his Porsche and fired it up.

Suzanne watched as he drove away, hoping
he’d take it a little easy on the way there. She frowned when she saw someone hovering
by the electric gates that were slowly closing behind her departing husband.
Bloody
nosy neighbours
she thought but didn’t think any more of it. Closing the
door, she set about packing her wedding dress ready to be sent for alterations.
She wasn’t the type of woman to have the garment sitting in the wardrobe for
years. No. The dress was to be shortened and used again.

After drying off, the first thing Novak
did was reach for his phone. The flashing light telling him he had a message.
Thinking it was probably his mum checking up on him, he moved away from the
crowd around him and leant against his car.

His jovial mood changed as he listened to
Paul’s message and there was no hesitation when he was given the option to
return the call.

“What do you want me to do?” His opening
gambit when Paul answered on the first ring.

“Tell Gavin there’s been an accident
involving Carmen and I want him home. Pack everything into your car and find
out where the flying school is.” Paul gave Novak the name which he wrote in the
dirt on his car. “I’m sending a helicopter for you both. Give your car keys to
the pilot and he’ll make sure it makes it home.”

“You don’t want me to elaborate do you?”

“I think it’s probably best if you don’t.”

Novak stood for a few moments watching his
friend, his brother. He looked happy surrounded by strangers but Novak knew the
darkness that resided inside him. Gavin’s life was about to be changed forever
and Novak feared that the darkness inside his friend would overwhelm him. He
faked a smile when Gavin beckoned him beckoned him over.

As discreetly as he could, Novak wrote
down the directions to the flying school Paul had told him to get to then he
announced to the surrounding crowd that he and Gavin had to start making their
way home. Phone numbers were exchanged then they began to dismantle the tent.

“We have another week here.” Gavin looked
at him over the roof of the car as they stashed their boards on the roof rack.

“We have to get home.” He walked around to
Gavin’s side. “There’s been an accident. Your mum is in hospital and your dad
is sending a helicopter for us. We have to leave. Now.”

“Is she ok?”

“I don’t know Gav.” He hated lying but had
to admit Paul was right. A Gavinesque freak out right now wouldn’t help anyone.

Normally they would have been excited to
squeeze into a helicopter and take flight as this was their virgin journey so
to speak but you could cut the tension with a knife. Gavin had tried to call
Paul but his phone had died and he didn’t have a charger. Calling him from Novak’s
phone proved equally as fruitless as it went straight to voicemail.

The helicopter pilot had obtained
permission to land on a playing field close to the hospital prior to collecting
the two teenagers currently in his charge. He had to hold Gavin back until the
rotors had stopped before allowing him out of the aircraft. It was a testament
to the boys’ upbringing that he received thanks for the flight before they both
sprinted across the playing field and disappeared from sight.