His Unbearable Desire 1 (3 page)

It was easy to see why people wanted to get married in such a place, it was perfectly romantic and Ana was envious of all the people she had seen get married there. She’d always dreamed that one day she would be rowing along the lake with the man of her dreams and they’d disappear down the lover’s tunnel and enjoy married bliss. It didn’t seem to be happening any time soon though.

She walked down the long hall and nodded a greeting to the people working there. They were mostly young and seemed flustered. She imagined that few of them had ever been around people of such stature as the ones who were getting married the following day.

Even Ana had to admit that the idea of being around billionaires was exciting. Rose had enjoyed many notable clients but none that had such a high place in society. It was practically the equivalent of hosting royalty and Ana could only imagine the type of friends they would be bringing along.

With a few hours to go until she had to be on duty she dumped her bag in her room and then went outside to walk around a little more. First she strolled around the edge of the lake. The crystal water shimmered under the glare of the sun. It looked peaceful and still, and the air of tranquility was soothing.

Ana bent down and let her fingers linger in the water. She wiggled them and small ripples burst forth in different directions, disrupting the serenity of the moment. She pulled them up and cool drops of water trickled down her milky skin. They lingered on the edge of her palm and then fell back into the lake, landing with a small splash. The lake became a drop, then the drop became an ocean.

She gazed in wonder at the perfectly-formed droplets and smiled at the beauty of nature. She waved her hand through the water again and then flicked away the drops before drying her hand on her shirt, leaving a wet mark near her stomach. After this she rose and walked around the edge of the area and headed into the woods. The warm sun quickly dried her skin and as she walked she brushed her hand along the plants and branches.

Some leaves were soft, the branches were gnarled, and some plants were spiked and tough. The sharp edges of leaves scratched at her skin but she didn’t mind the different textures because it was all a part of nature. As the trees met overhead she was bathed in a green glow as the sunlight fought futilely to break through the cover of trees. It was peaceful and still and she was able to escape for a while and simply enjoy the surroundings.

It was a path she used to walk many times when she was younger, and she hoped she would walk it again many times since. Caught in between Trinity Falls and Newtown this lakeside retreat seemed like the natural stepping stone in her journey, and being in the woods like that made her think that anything could happen.

She walked deeper and deeper into the woods, thinking about the move and her life in Newtown. She imagined all of the things she could see and do, and the new life she could lead.  She heard a strange sound. It was a sharp rustling. Her breath caught in her throat as she peered through the emerald light but nothing came to her attention.

She was just being silly, she told herself; she had gotten so lost in her thoughts that she was being scared over nothing. It was probably just a small animal. She continued walking but this time she was more aware of everything around her and kept an eye on the atmosphere. There was another rustling. This time it came from behind her.

She twisted around so quickly that she almost lost her balance, but she definitely saw something. It was a large figure cloaked in shadows, and it was gone before she could make anything out. A chill crept down her spine and her heart started to thump in her chest. She glanced around as sweat began to prickle at her temples. Slowly she moved backward, wincing as she stepped on a twig and a sharp snap pierced the silence.

Closer and closer she reached the edge of the wood. Her eyes darted about trying to find any semblance of proof of the creature, but she heard no more noise and saw no more vague form. She breathed a sigh of relief when she turned and saw the cabins. At first she brushed it off as a trick of the mind; but she found herself looking uneasily back at the woods, wondering if there wasn’t some mystery lurking in there after all.

Chapter 4

“Are there any animals in the woods?” Ana asked Aunt Rose. Her Aunt had popped up to her room to see her while the two of them had a few spare moments. Rose laughed.

“Only the birds and a few small things, but nothing notable, why?”

“Oh, it’s nothing really. I just went for a stroll today and I thought I saw something. It was probably just my mind playing tricks on me though.”

“You always did have a good imagination. Remember when I told you that fairies and fawns danced in the middle of the night?” she chuckled as she remembered her little white lie.

“I used to stay up every night hoping to see them. That was a cruel trick to play on a little girl.”

“Is it cruel to tell children that Santa exists?” Rose asked.

“But Santa does exist,” Ana replied quickly, but she could only hold the straight face for so long and the two of them quickly collapsed in laughter.

“I just wanted you to feel a bit of magic in your life. I love your parents but they are so straitlaced and I didn’t want you to be completely pragmatic at that age. Besides, everyone could use a little magic in their lives.”

“Isn’t that your slogan?” Ana asked, screwing up her face, “You can’t use your slogan on me!” They laughed again and settled back.

“It’s good to see you again Ana, it really is. I regret that I haven’t been back to Trinity Falls in a while.”

“I can’t blame you it’s not exactly like it’s a hotspot.”

“And it seems like you won’t be living there for much longer.”

“Not if I can help it. I’m finally at a place where I can afford to move out, and this weekend will help a lot, so thank you for that.”

“My pleasure.” The two of them were drinking some hot chocolate and it was like two old friends reuniting. There were many times when the two of them had bonded after a hard day’s work, and Ana appreciated her aunt taking the time out of her day to talk with her like this.

Sometimes it didn’t feel like she was her aunt, it felt more like they were sisters. There had been a question playing on Ana’s mind though and she had been afraid to ask it in case it offended Rose, but after seeing Evan and Holly it seemed to be pertinent and there wasn’t really anyone else she could ask.

“Can I ask you a question? And when I ask it can you promise not to take offence?”

“Yes to the first, no to the second. But take a risk. I’m sure it won’t be as bad as you think.”

Ana took a sip of her drink and then a deep breath before she spoke. “You do all this and work so hard to give people wedding days that they’ll never forget but did you never want one yourself? I mean, do you never feel a bit…left out?”

Rose bit her lower lip and smiled in a way that Ana wasn’t quite sure how to interpret.

“It’s never as simple as that. I suppose I should have told you this a long time ago but I was in love once but he was…he was lost and we never got a chance to have our wedding day. I know some people think it’s a shame but I’ve never really been able to move on from him.  I gave him my heart and he took it with him when he went. What else could I do?” she shrugged.

“So I made it my duty to make sure that other people could have what I missed out on. But it’s not so bad. I don’t think you should feel like you have to get married. I’m happy enough with my lot and at least I can say I have experienced love, which is more than most people get in a lifetime.”

“Hmm, yeah, I’m kind of worried about that. I just feel I’m at that age where I should be thinking about settling down and meeting the right guy. I don’t want to get crazy about it but I’d like to know I’m at least getting close.”

“You have nothing to worry about. You have no idea when you’ll meet someone, and if you’re moving to Newtown I’m sure you’ll meet someone there. All you have to do is open yourself up to possibilities and things will happen, you just have to look in the right places. Your problem is that you get caught up in your daydreams and you miss what’s happening down here on planet earth.”

She shook Ana’s shoulder and the young girl laughed as she remembered a similar lecture that Rose had given her a number of years ago. She supposed that although she had grown up a lot since her teenage years there were some ways in which she hadn’t changed at all.

The two of them enjoyed each other’s company for a while longer before they had to get back. Rose left first and then Ana started to get ready. She had to wear black pants, a white shirt, and a black ascot. She pulled her brown hair back into a tidy ponytail and applied a bit of makeup to accentuate her natural prettiness. She glanced longingly at the red dress hanging in the wardrobe and hoped that she would get to wear it at some point.

She went down to take her place at the bar. Her three co-workers were already there and they all seemed friendly. Mark showed her where everything was but Ana’s memories soon came rushing back and she remembered where everything was and how it worked; it was like riding a bike. The hall remained empty for a while and she found herself engaging in idle small talk with the other three.

The first guests started to show up at around seven thirty and Ana was called into action. After that a steady stream of guests entered the hall and congregated with each other. Ana watched them intently. She recognized some of them from passing photos in magazines but there was no-one too famous yet. Soon the room was filled with all manner of people and Ana was busy rushing along the bar, pouring out drinks as efficiently as she could.

She couldn’t imagine how big the tab was going to cost them. It seemed as though she could barely keep up with the orders and this open bar was available over the whole weekend. She would have loved to have enough money not to have to worry about that, but she knew enough about the cost of drinks to know that it was going to set them back a small fortune, and that was on top of the rest of the fee for the wedding.

At around nine the happy couple entered. He was tall and handsome with a strong, clean-cut jaw. He held himself well. On his arm was Seline, a lithe woman with long hair that came down to her waist. She wore glittering jewelry and her mouth was pursed in a half-smile that knew the attention was all for her, and she was going to enjoy every moment of it. The crowd parted and applause rippled around the room along with cheers as they strode down, looking completely happy. Ana was jealous of them, and not because of their money but because they had found that special person.

Drinks flowed freely as more people came in and Ana was rushed off her feet. Faces became a blur. She poured drinks as fast and she could and handed them to outstretched hands. Everything melted into one hazy evening until she eventually got the chance to have a breather. She poured herself some water and glanced around at the bar. Most of the people were deep in conversation, or congregating on the dance floor. The other three bar staff were enjoying the small breather as well, and Ana knew they would all be sleeping well that night, but as her eyes passed over the room they settled on a figure at the end of the bar.

Her heart froze and she stared at him. He was sipping on his drink and not caring what anybody else was doing. Where everyone else was looking immaculate he was wearing a disheveled shirt and a loose tie. His jacket hung over his shoulder. Wild, untamed hair ran down to his stubbly chin and his face was twisted in a permanent scowl.

He stared into nothingness and he looked completely out of place, yet somehow he was in the perfect place for Ana. His cuffs were rolled back, revealing a thick bed of hair running along strong, muscular arms. Ana’s breaths were halted. She had never seen such a man before, and even though it made her feel like a schoolgirl she had to admit to herself that she found him intoxicating. She glanced down at her water and tasted it again just to make sure that she wasn’t actually drunk because her mind was feeling hazy.

He drained the glass and slammed it down on the bar. Mark turned to serve him but Ana beat him to it. She wasn’t sure why but she just had to be near him.

“What can I get for you?” she asked, trying to keep her voice steady and even.

“Whiskey. On the rocks,” he growled. He looked at her with piercing, hooded blue eyes and her heart fluttered. He scowled as someone bumped into him and then he ran his hand through his long, shaggy black hair before resting his elbows against the bar.

Ana turned and reached up to pour the whiskey into the glass, then bent down to scoop up some ice. It clinked as it landed in the glass, and as she turned around she caught the man casting an admiring glance over her body. She flushed a little and set his drink on a napkin. He curled his leathery fingers around it and their skin met. His fingers were long and big, like paws, and they caught the tips of her fingers. A spark shot through her and she almost gasped at the strength of it.

He leaned back and examined her with his eyes, they never moved from her at all and she felt as though she was under scrutiny.

“Aren’t you too beautiful to be working behind a bar?” he said.

Ana giggled. “I’m just helping out my aunt for this event. I actually own my own business.” The man raised an eyebrow, clearly a little surprised, and his interest was piqued.

“And what does this business offer?”

“I sell clothes and accessories online. Some I make myself but others I just ship in. What do you do?”

The man smirked.

“Do you not know who I am?” he said with a smirk, revealing a row of perfect white teeth.

“I’m sorry, I live in Trinity Falls, we don’t get much news out there,” she said, cringing.

“I’m Colton Huntington,” he said.

Ana’s face dropped.

“I’m so sorry,” she said, for the Huntington’s were an old family that had been integral in the area’s history.

They were old money that had made their fortune mostly in shipbuilding, but had actually been the driving force behind Trinity Falls, and then the population had drifted more towards Newtown. She had learned about his ancestors in school so it felt surreal to be speaking with him now. Now that she knew who he was she felt even more self-conscious about the differences in their social status.

“Don’t worry about it,” he replied casually, “It’s actually nice not to be recognized for once. Certainly a chance anyway, although in this crowd you should really know who’s who.”

“I’m just focusing on my job. As long I get the drinks poured I’m happy.”

“Hmm, well, I still think you belong out there.”

“I’m not sure I’d have anything to say to them. I come from quite a different world.”

Colton scoffed. “As if they ever have anything of interest to say. Bunch of blowhards the lot of them. They all think they’re so enlightened but they only blow hot air at each other. I’m tired of it.”

“Then why are you here?

He sighed.

“Family obligations,” he muttered, but Ana got a sense that there was something else too.

She leaned against the bar and a lock of hair dropped over her shoulder. As she leaned closer she caught Colton’s masculine scent, and it made her quiver. She looked into his intense eyes and a connection burned between them.

Colton raised his hand and brushed the hair back over her ear. Ana trembled and had to bite her lip to stifle a gasp. The warmth of his fingers left their mark on her skin and she found herself smiling. The corners of his lips were being tugged upwards as well, but then the magic of the moment was dispelled as Aunt Rose called her to help with something in the back. Reluctantly, she stood back and left Colton.

“I’ll see you around sweet cheeks,” he said.

He rose and she saw how tall he was. He moved his broad-shouldered body through the hall away to one of the tables and he sat down, looking like he didn’t want to be there. Ana breathed and tried to compose herself. She touched the side of her head, it was still warm where he had touched her. She walked over to her aunt.