Three Thousand Miles - Forever, (book #3 of Three Thousand Miles, Series) (29 page)

“You don’t want to disagree with her, trust me.” Sophie narrows her eyes at
him and then she continues to scramble the eggs. I shake my head at her and
then I give up as I take a seat next to James. He smiles at me and then he
begins to talk about our trip.

“I just want to say thanks to you and Adrian for putting us up whilst we are
here in London. And I want to thank you for the amazing trip that you guys are
taking us on.” I nod at him and then I turn to Sophie.

“Are you sure that you are up to taking a trip? You have already flown so far
and I would hate for you to become exhausted.” Sophie smiles and then she
has a sarcastic answer.

“Are you kidding me? It’s St. Tropez I would happily take the exhaustion for a
few days in the sun.” I laugh and then I burst her bubble.

 

“The weather is cooler this time of year and it might not be that sunny.”
Sophie rolls her eyes at me.

 

“It has to be warmer than here.” I laugh again and then I simply nod as James is
right, I really shouldn’t disagree with her.

We have breakfast and then James steps outside as he has phone call to make.
I clear up and then Sophie and I head into the lounge and we relax on the sofa.
We begin to talk about New York and as Sophie fills me in on what’s been
going on, I begin to remember how much I miss my family. I haven’t seen my
parents and Penelope since the wedding and that just isn’t acceptable. I am
missing so much of their lives and I am absent frommy little sisters life. I have
missed so much stuff regarding Penelope. My mom called me the other day
and she told me that Penelope has started to take ballet lessons and that is
shocking to me as I had no idea that she liked to dance. When my mom tells
me about all of the new things that she and my dad are thinking of doing, it
makes me feel like an outsider, looking in on someone else’s life. My family
and I used to be so close, but now that I live in London that thought seems like
a distant memory.

Adrian arrives home about a half-hour later and he is accompanied by William.
William embraces me with an excited hug and then he takes my hand. I escort
him into the lounge and I gently smile at him as weenter. Sophie’s eyes light
up when she sees him and James is staring blankly at Adrian’s son. I walk him
further into the room and then I introduce him.

“William this is my friend Sophie and her boyfriend James,” William looks at up
me and his are tense as they glow. I smile at him and then I feel a hand on my
back. I turn around and Adrian is standing behind me. He looks down at
William and he winks as he urges him to say ‘hello’.

“Aren’t you going to say hi?” William smiles at his father and then he turns to
look at Sophie and James.

 

“Hello my name is William,” he says in a sweet voice. I gently pat his head as
Sophie beams at him.

“It’s lovely to meet you, aren’t you just the cutest.” I laugh at Sophie’s gush
and then I escort William over to the sofa. I sit down and William positions
himself onto my lap. I gently wrap my arms around his waist as I comfort him.
He is a very smartly dressed kid; he is wearing light brown chinos, a blue shirt
and a Ralph Lauren sweater. His light chocolate hair is messy – just like
Adrian’s and his eyes are a sinful shade of green. He has the cutest little, plump
face and he has dimples in his cheeks. William is a small child for five and I
can’t help but wonder if he will grow up to be as tall as Adrian.

William sits on my lap – until it’s time to leave for the airport. I clutch his hand
as I lead him towards Adrian’s car. Adrian opens the back door of his Range
Rover and he gently lifts William into his car seat. Adrian buckles him in and as
I watch Adrian with his son, I can’t help but admire this little boy. For five years
of his life, he believed that Chad was his father and I admire him because I
can’t believe how easily he has accepted Adrian. William looks at Adrian with
love pouring out of those green eyes. He has relished the fact that Adrian is his
father and he has accepted me in his life. He never misbehaves or causes
problems for us. William is the most wonderful child and he has so much of
Adrian in him – that it actually scares me. I look at him and I see Adrian staring
back at me. He is Adrian’s son, but the more time that I spend with him, the
more he feels like my son as well.

We arrive in St Tropez and as I expected the weather isn’t the best. The sky is
blue, but a cool wind blows its twelve degree temperature through me. Adrian
has arranged for us to stay at a hotel and I was a little a mad at his decision.
Adrian owns a massive villa here in St Tropez so why he wants to stay in a busy
hotel is beyond me. Adrian, William and I are traveling in the one car whilst
Sophie and James follow behind us in another. We are driving along the coast
of the French Rivera and I am lost for words as I take in its beauty. The skyline
is gorgeous and the sea is glistening below us. The car begins to travel uphill as
I constantly stare out of the window. I am mesmerised by the view as we drive
further into the hills and I turn to look at Adrian.

“This view is to die for,” Adrian smirks at me and then he gently pats William
on his head.

 

“You are a little quiet are you okay?” Adrian smoothly says as he locks his eyes
on Williams.

“I’m hungry,” William confesses. I gently laugh and then I lift my bag from the
floor. I rummage through the contents of my Louis Vuitton purse until I find a
small packet of potato chips. I smile at William and then I give him his snack.
Adrian pats him again on his head and then he winks at me. William tucks into
his snack as he thanks me.

“Thank you, Alanna.” I smile at the sound of his bright English accent and then I
turn my attention to Adrian as I want to quiz him on why we are not staying at
his villa.

“Why do you want to stay at a hotel when you have a huge villa?” Adrian
stares at me as he gently rolls his eyes at my question. I am sensing that he
doesn’t want to be quizzed on his reasons why, butI hold my gaze as I
patiently wait for him to reply.
“The hotel is much nicer,” Adrian says coolly. I narrow my eyes at him as I alert
him that I am not buying what he is saying.

“You actually expect me to believe that?” Adrian’s nostrils flare as my words
ring in the air. I roll my eyes at him as I make a darting look towards William.
He is still eating his potato chips, but his eyes are fixed on Adrian. I hate to
think of how scared William will be if he witnesses Adrian losing control of his
temper; therefore I position my eyes firmly on Adrian’s.

“Your right the hotel is much nicer.”

The car pulls up at the entrance of the hotel and as soon as the car halts, there
is a door attendant ushering me out of the car. Adrian and William get out of
the car and William runs over to my side and he grips onto my hand. I smile at
him and then I feel Adrian’s hand on my back. He escorts William and me into
the hotel and he firmly tells us to wait over by the seats as he checks us into
the hotel. I walk William over to the large chesterfield sofa which is positioned
right next to a large glass window which looks out onto the sea. William sits
next me as he maintains his grip on my hand. I watch Adrian as he talks fluently
in French as he explains exactly what he wants. I roll my eyes at his firmness
and then I scan the hallway of the hotel. The furniture is classic, white shabby
chic and there are massive displays of white lilies filling the gold, carved tables.
Most of the walls are mirrored, but the ones that aren’t are decorated with
large paintings of flowers and children. The white marble flooring is gleaming
and the entrance is scented with the smell of lavender. I slightly inhale the
fresh scent and then I smile as I notice Sophie and James pushing their way in
through the glass doors.

James is carrying their bags as he follows behind Sophie. The couple march
over to me and Sophie takes a seat onto the sofa asshe stares over at Adrian.
James looks a little tense and I quickly ask him if everything is okay.

“Is there something wrong, James?” He quickly shakes his head as he sets the
bags down onto the marble floor.

“I feel bad,” he admits. I scowl at him.
“About what?” I urge him to answer me as I stare deep into his dark eyes.
James looks over at Adrian who is still rambling on in French to the woman
behind the desk. Then he looks back at me as he explains his feelings.

“I feel bad that Adrian is paying for all this. It was generous of him to fly us
over on his jet, but now that he is practically taking us on vacation, it’s just
too… much.” I stare at him as I understand his frustration. Adrian and I have
had many conversations about his over-generous sideand all of them have
ended with Adrian manipulating me into believing that his actions are right. I
feel guilty all the time that Adrian has the need to buy me over-expensive
things and I hate it when he refuses to accept anything in return. I especially
understand how degrading it can be and as I look at James I can see that he is a
proud man, so for Adrian to be taking the control, it must be very frustrating
indeed. I look into James’s eyes and then I try to reassure him not to feel bad.

“James, don’t feel bad. Adrian won’t have it any other way, believe me there is
no way that he is going to let you pay for anything. It’s best if you just accept it
and move on.” James considers my words and then he talks again.

“No, we can’t just mooch off you guys, it isn’t fair. I can pay for our room.”

“Of course you can pay, but Adrian won’t let you. You can try but you won’t
have any luck. Please just thank him and forget about it, okay?” Sophie looks
up at James as she notices his anguish building.

“Babe, please just let it go.” James exhales and then he lifts their bags from
floor as Adrian marches over to us.

“Okay we are all set follow me, come on William.” Adrian stretches out his
hand for William to take it but he resists. “What’swrong, mate?” Adrian says
as locks his eyes on Williams. I make my way over to his side as I stare down at
William.

“I’m tired,” he says in a sleepy voice. Adrian’s lips curve as he bends down and
swoops William into his strong arms. Adrian reachesout and takes my hand in
his as he leads us to our rooms.

“Oh mate, leave the bags, the bell-man will carry them for you.” Adrian says
firmly to James. I make a darting look towards Sophie as I urge her to comfort
James. Sophie notices my silent plea as she links her arm into his. James smiles
at his girlfriend and then he hands the bags to the small, dark haired bell-man.

We glide up the stairs and along the wide hallway of the hotel until we reach a
row of dark, oak doors. Adrian slides the key card into the slot and then he
gently pushes open the door of Sophie and James’s room.

“Here you go,” Adrian says firmly as he hands James the key card. Sophie
smiles at Adrian and then she marches into the room, James shakes Adrian’s
hand as he enters the room and then Adrian leads me to the next door.

We enter our suite and Adrian instantly makes his way over to the four poster
bed and gently sets William down. I move closer into the room as I watch
Adrian with his son. Adrian has slid off William’s shoes and now he is gently
stroking his forehead as he soothes him to go to sleep. William yawns and his
large green eyes are heavy as he gently rests his head against the soft gold
pillow. Adrian tries to move away, but William wraps his tiny arms around his
neck – forcing him to stay. I laugh at William’s control as he reminds me of
Adrian. I walk closer to them, but I maintain my distance as I don’t want to
disturb them. William pulls Adrian’s head down towards him and he gently
places a soft kiss onto Adrian’s jaw and then I hear him whisper.

“I love you … daddy.” I have to hold back my tears as William’s words ring in
my ears. Adrian sniffles and then he softly kisses William’s forehead as he
returns his gesture.

“I love … you.” William smiles at Adrian and then he loosens his hands from
around his neck as his green eyes gently close. Adrian stays with him for a few
moments and then he gently pats his head as he leaps off the bed. Adrian’s
eyes are water filled and I lunge into his arms as I want to share this precious
moment with him. Adrian grips onto me as he gently kisses my neck. I have
never seen him so emotional and I am glad that he has shared this side of
himself with me. I squeeze him tighter – until my hands feel numb and then I
pull back from him as I look into his deep green eyes.

“He called me daddy and he said that he loved me.” I smile at Adrian.
“You are his daddy and of course he loves you. Just look into his eyes and you
can see it.” Adrian bites his lower lip as he remembers his son’s words.

“I don’t know what I have done to deserve a family like ours. I was blessed
from moment that I laid eyes on you and now I have a child. I finally have a real
family.”

“Adrian you deserve our family because you are an amazing person. I love you
and William loves you, trust me we are the lucky ones to have you.” Adrian
shakes his head as he gently kisses my neck again. He gently sighs when his lips
collide with my skin and then he pulls back from me. His eyes have deepened
and his hands are gently shaking. Adrian stares atme and my heart races as I
await his next words.

“I will make you safe again, if it’s the last thing that I do.”

We spend a few hours in our room and then William wakes up from his nap
and he alerts Adrian and me that he is hungry. I have quickly gotten changed
into a lighter outfit consisting of a long maxi dress. Adrian has also changed out
of his suit and now he is dressed in dark blue jeans and a crisp white shirt.
Adrian was right to tell me not to pack because when we arrived in the room,
the closets had already been filled with new clothes. Adrian had his French
personal shopper, go out and buy new clothes for the three of us and as usual
everything in the closet is stunning and fits like a glove.