Intrigued and Enchanted (23 page)

When the alarm goes off at 9am there is nothing I want to do less than get out of this nice cosy bed.

“Time to get up sleepy girl. London awaits.” Now that gets my attention. I’m up like a shot, jumping up and down on the bed, much to Brandon’s amusement.

“I can’t believe we’re going to London today. I don’t think I’ve ever been so excited.” Brandon’s got an amused look on his face.

“You mean you’re more excited than you were our first night together? I’m deeply wounded by that Miss Pritchard.” The fake pouty face he gives me melts me.

“How can I make it up to you Mr Redgrave?” I stand astride of him on the bed.

“Oh I’m sure I can think of something.” He pulls me down onto the bed and shows me exactly how excited he can get me.

Brandon reluctantly leaves me sated and happy in his bed to go and take a shower. The sight of him striding to the bathroom, gloriously naked, a sheen of sweat from our love making covering his toned body is enough to get me worked up again.

“I’ll be in to join you in the shower in a minute honey.” He turns to give me an incredibly sexy grin.

“I’ll be ready for you baby.” I know he will.

I lie for a minute, listening to Brandon moving around in the bathroom, the shower running, and enjoying the peace and quiet. That’s when my phone starts ringing. I grab my cell from the nightstand to see that it’s my mom. It’s a bit early for her to be calling me, but I totally forgot to call her and tell her I’m going to London today so it’s good timing on her part.

“Hey mom. I was just about to call you. Brandon is taking me to London today for 5 days as a graduation present. Can you believe it?” Radio silence. I wait for her to say something but it doesn’t come.

“Mom. Are you still there? Is everything okay?” I’m starting to worry now.

“I’m here Lily. I’m so sorry to have to tell you this when you’re going on holiday, but it’s probably for the best that you’re going away at the moment.” There's another pause as she tries to calm the obvious upset I can hear in her voice.

“Just tell me mom. Are the girls okay? What’s happened?”

“Lily…Ron Peterson escaped from prison last night. The police just called to tell me. They have units out tracking him down as we speak, but they wanted to let us know.” I fall to my knees on the floor. The man who killed my dad, the man who tried to rape me is on the loose.

“Lily darling. Are you there?” I’m shaking so badly I drop my phone. I scramble around trying to see it through my tears to pick it up.

“I’m here mom.” It’s all I can manage to say.

“I know this is scary darling, but they
are
going to catch him and put him back where he belongs. By the time you come back from London he’ll be behind bars.” I know she’s right, but I can’t control the terror ripping through every fibre of my being.

“He’s already taken so much from you Lily. Don’t let him spoil your time with Brandon in a city that you’ve always wanted to visit. I just felt that I had to tell you. I promise I will let you know as soon as he’s been caught. Promise me you’ll go and enjoy yourself. You deserve it more than anyone.” I deserve it? Maybe she doesn’t blame me. I start sobbing into the phone.

“I’m so sorry mom. I should never have gone out that night. I’m so, so sorry.”

“Lily Pritchard you listen to me. You did nothing wrong. None of this was your fault. It is that monster’s fault and only his. Do you hear me?” I’ve wanted to hear these words for so many years. The relief I feel is gravity defying.

“I hear you mom. Thank you. I really needed to hear that. I thought you blamed me for what happened to dad.” My mom is sobbing now.

“My darling baby girl. I have
never
blamed you. I just never knew how to reach out to you. I’m sorry. I was lost when your father died. I should have been stronger for you.”

“I love you mom.”

“I love you too Lily. So much. Now enough tears. We’ve both shed more than enough tears at the hands of Ron Peterson. You go to London and have a fabulous time with Brandon and when you come home, everything will be sorted. Okay?” She’s right.

“Okay mom. I’ll let you know when I land. I better go and get ready. Love you mom.”

When I hang up the phone I crawl up onto the bed and into the foetal position. I think about everything my mom said. She’s right. I’m not going to let that monster ruin what should be a magical trip with Brandon. I’m going to put it out of my mind and enjoy myself. I can’t tell Brandon, it would ruin the trip. I’ll tell him when we get back. By then there won’t be anything to worry about.

“Where did you get to sweet girl? Did you fall asleep on me?” Brandon crawls up the bed towards me, brushing my hair back from my face.

“What’s wrong baby? You’ve been crying.” I decide on a half-truth.

“I just called my mom to tell her where I’m going and we had a really good talk. It got a bit emotional, but things are so much better between us.” Brandon searches my face for answers I can’t give him just now.

“Well that’s great Lily. I’m glad things are good with you guys. Are you sure that you’re okay?”

“I’m sure. Take me to London Brandon. Take me away from here.” Brandon lifts me into his lap and strokes my hair.

“I can do that my sweet girl. Let’s get you ready and then you’re all mine…in London.” True to his word, Brandon helps me to get dressed and organised, treating me like glass, as if I might break at any moment. I know he can sense there is something I’m not saying, but he doesn’t push me, he just looks after me, showering me with affection.

The ride to LaGuardia is quiet but Brandon’s hand in mine soothes the twister of emotions raging inside me. When Angus pulls up at the entrance, Brandon gets our bags and holds his hand out to me.

“You ready sweetheart? Let me take you to London.” I look into the depths of his stunning blue eyes and I know I’m exactly where I want to be.

“I’m ready.” I take his hand and leave my worries behind. Ron Peterson will not ruin this for me. We move swiftly through the airport and into the first class lounge to await our departure. London here we come.

20

Flying first class was even better than I thought it would be. I had the most comfortable seat with great legroom and a nice blanket to have a snooze during the flight, and the time passed by quite quickly really. Brandon and I watched a few inflight movies and spent a lot of time talking. Even the food in first class was better than I expected. My only problem was the flight attendants – They were practically drooling over Brandon. It was nice to get away from them when we disembarked.

I can’t believe I’m actually here. I’ve wanted to come to London since I was a little girl. My mom loves British literature and raised me reading all the classics. The history here is so fascinating; I am speechless in the car on the way to the hotel. I want to soak in everything around me. I’m like a kid on Christmas morning as we drive through the city.

The car pulls up outside a stunning looking building – Brown’s Hotel. Wow. Of course we didn’t take a taxi from Heathrow airport; Brandon had arranged a private transfer to the hotel. I can see why now. I wouldn’t want to pull up in front of this place in a standard black cab. I am desperate to take a ride in a Hackney black taxi while we’re here though.

The staff are beyond helpful and everything is taken care of without fuss. Before I know it Brandon is opening the door to a penthouse suite, ushering me into the definition of English decadence.

“Brandon…” I am literally dumbstruck at how beautiful this suite is.

“Pretty nice huh?” The smug grin on his face right now is beyond adorable.

“Nice? Brandon this is breath-taking! I can’t believe you did this.” His arms are around my waist from behind before I’ve finished the sentence.

“Breath-taking? I definitely plan on giving you multiple
breath-taking
moments in here Miss Pritchard.” The feather-light kisses he trails down my neck sends shivers down my spine.

“You deserve the best of everything Lily, and I want to give it to you. My Princess needs a palace for her slumber while she explores the
many
delights that London has to offer.” He closes the door to our suite and leads me by the hand into a grand master bedroom with a huge four-poster bed with sumptuous cream and gold bedding. I instantly forget that I am in London, my dream city. I lose myself to Brandon as he shows me the many delights
he
has to offer.

It’s a few hours before we’re ready to leave our room and explore some of the city. I bought a cute little pop-out map of London at the airport which tucks into the back pocket of my jeans. I’m hoping I won’t look like such a tourist – fat chance. I’ll be walking around with a perm-a-grin on my face the entire time.

The weather is warm; not like New York, but lovely all the same. Brandon takes my hand in his as we leave the hotel behind to go on an adventure. We’ve got the whole afternoon ahead of us with the time difference so hopefully I’ll last the day!

First stop is Buckingham Palace. We spend the afternoon around the palace area, taking a long stroll through Hyde Park and watching the Queen’s swans. The atmosphere is electric. Obviously London is a bustling world city, but it’s strange just how different it feels compared to New York. Its energy is different, and I’m loving just milling around and soaking it in. We do a whistle-stop tour of the major sights before dinner – Big Ben, West Minster, Trafalgar Square.

I want to save The Globe for tomorrow when I’m rested and can spend the whole day steeped in Shakespearean history. Plus, I don’t think Brandon will be able to drag me away from it once I’m there! Seriously!

Brandon takes me to a great restaurant for dinner called Vertigo 42. It’s a champagne bar and I’m completely underdressed, but Brandon makes me feel like the most beautiful woman in the room, and all of a sudden I don’t really care about what I’m wearing. Of course, every woman in the place notices Brandon. Dressed in scruffy jeans, a black fitted T-shirt and leather jacket, he is still by far the most stunning man in the restaurant. The way he carries himself, with such an air of confidence, commanding the room as if he owns it. It is sexy as hell.

Dinner is amazing and we have a great time chatting about everything we’ve seen today. I know Brandon has been to London before, but he’s as excited as I am about being here. We laugh a bit too loudly at some of the selfies we took today at each landmark. You know the kind I mean – The ones that you regret almost as soon as you’ve taken them. I seem to have an inability to just smile like a normal human being in photos; crazy face, pout, cheesy grin – I’m your girl. Brandon looks mouth-watering in every picture, even when he’s pulling silly faces next to me. He looks so carefree when he laughs, it’s stunning. While we're playing around on our phones with the photos I receive a text from my mom.

Mom: No news on Ron Peterson yet. Will keep you updated. Have a wonderful time. Love you. X

That brings me swiftly down from my high. I had put him out of my mind as soon as I set foot on British soil. I just pray that they find him before we get back. I’m hoping I won’t need to tell Brandon what’s going on. I look up into the eyes of this wonderful man and try to quell the sick feeling in the pit of my stomach, immersing myself in Brandon’s carefree laugh as he sends some pictures to Simon.

After dinner we take in the city lights as we leisurely make our way back to the hotel. It’s surreal to be here in London, nestled into the side of the most amazing man I’ve ever met. I keep wondering when I’m going to wake up and go back to my humdrum existence.

“What are you thinking about sweet girl?” How does he always know? Do I have a beacon on my forehead?

“Just how amazing it is to be here with you. It’s like a dream I don’t want to wake up from.” Brandon stops dead in the street, turning me to face him, lifting my chin to meet his intense gaze.

“Sweet girl – I want to make all of your dreams a reality if you’ll let me.” If I was a cartoon I would be melting into a puddle at his feet right now.

“Kiss me Brandon.” I can’t pull my eyes from his as he moves in to meet my demand. Every touch of his lips is like manna in the desert; I’m starved for his kiss, every single brush of his lips a lifeline to sate my hunger for him. It’s beginning to get indecent when we realise where we are. All thoughts of Ron Peterson obliterated from my conscious.

“Hotel. Now.” Brandon’s breathing is ragged, his voice filled with desire. We don’t say another word as he pulls me by the hand back to the hotel, like a caveman – taking what he wants without question. He has a brief lapse in control in the hotel elevator on the ride to the top floor, which I welcome – every lick of his tongue on my neck, every nibble of my ear, a taster of what’s to come.

As soon as the door to our suite is open, Brandon becomes animalistic in his pursuit of me. He has me stripped bare in seconds, and splayed on the bed for his eyes to devour every inch of my naked flesh. He doesn’t wait long enough to undress himself, he’s over me, capturing my mouth with his. As much as I want to see his gloriously naked body looming over me, it’s a thrill to be naked for him. It feels a bit naughty and it makes me wet with anticipation. He runs his warm callused hand down my chest and in between my legs, spreading them wider as he goes.

“You like that baby? You’re soaking wet sweet girl. You feel naughty don’t you? You like being naked for me don’t you?” I can only groan my agreement. Brandon lifts his fingers to his lips, spreading the evidence of my arousal on his lips before sucking his fingers into his mouth.

“Oh baby. You taste so damn sweet. Do you want to taste your sweet little pussy on my lips?”

I’m so aroused, I would do anything Brandon asked without hesitation. I pull his lips down to mine, darting my tongue out to lick the seam of his lips, tasting myself. A satisfied groan rips from his chest before he pins me to the bed, my hands above my head, my chest arched off the bed begging for his attention.

“I’ve got you sweetheart.” His mouth capturing my nipple, teasing and twisting into a tight bud of sensation. He moves his other hand, roaming all over my body, leaving a feather light trail of desire buzzing over my flesh, strengthening with each stroke of his fingertips. Before I know it I’m shamelessly writhing beneath him, begging him to take me. He pulls away completely, leaving me bereft.