So it's been a while...
Hello to those of you still around. I hope you're doing well. As you've seen, I have taken an extended break. I didn't plan on it, but I definitely needed it. I won't bore you with details but let's put it this way - it's hard to write a romance full of love when you've been dumped and had your heart broken.
But I've taken some time to heal and I'm ready to start embracing the fluff again. Thank you for your patience and understanding.
Let's do this!
Much Love,
Chelsea x
A quick summary of what's happened thus far: Ana and Christian are engaged and their wedding will take place on New Year's Eve. It is currently early November in the story. SIP is up for sale after the death of the CEO and unless a buyer is found soon, jobs will be at risk - including Ana's. Ana tried to reconcile with her mother but Carla turned out to be a bitch, so Ana has cut her out of her life for good. Dr Flynn and Rhian have welcomed a new addition to their growing brood. The couple are currently on their joint bachelor/bachelorette parties in Las Vegas.
"Oh my god…" I giggled uncontrollably as I dropped onto a chair. I shook my head, my eyes still aghast at the situation I had somehow found myself in. "Okay, okay, I admit it. I was wrong. This was incredible!"
"I told you!" Kate grinned. She pulled up a seat next to me and brushed her dampened bangs from her face. Her cheeks were as dewy and blotchy as no doubt my own were. "Did I do good or what?"
"You did," I agreed. "I bow down to you, oh great one."
She blew me a kiss.
"Hey, Daphne –" Kate called out, turning to face the stage behind us. "Thank you so much. The show was spectacular."
"I'm glad you liked it," the woman with shocking pink hair smiled. She winked. "And I hope your guys enjoy everything you've learned."
When I realised Kate had hired a stripper for my bachelorette party, I freaked out. The last thing I wanted was a random guy swinging his crotch in my face. But Kate had promised everything would be fine. She even confessed Christian knew all about her plans. As it turned out, the 'stripper' was actually one of the finest burlesque dancers in the city. A star in her own right, Daphne St John had her own show and had taken time out of her intense schedule to teach us a few of her top tricks. From seductive stripping to lap dances, and even a turn on a pole, she imparted us with a million ways to tease and titillate our significant others. She came dressed in a basque the same colour as her hair, and was now wearing just a black robe having danced for us.
I had considered myself okay in that department. The art of seduction. I mean, Christian has never complained and he has always struggled to keep his hands and eyes off me, but Daphne showed me a few moves I knew I'd want to try out on him. She had also brought along her personal range of lingerie – some tasteful, some tacky, some downright obscene – and a spectrum of sex toys she had collaborated on. I had impressed – and confused - both Kate and Mia with my extensive knowledge where they were concerned.
"I've done a lot of reading up on this stuff," I had fibbed. It was a half-truth. "It was for a manuscript I was editing."
They seemed to believe me.
"Do you have any toys?" Mia asked us as she came over, sipping on a water bottle. She had been a pro on the pole, demonstrating her natural athletic skills. "Like vibrators and stuff?"
"Of course," Kate nodded. "I firmly believe that every woman should have one. Single or not. You?"
"I have a few," Mia nodded. "Ana?"
"Yeah," I admitted, feeling my cheeks starting to burn up. "This is so embarrassing."
"Talking about sex shouldn't be embarrassing," Mia replied with a shrug.
"It is when you both know my fiancé," I shot back. "And especially when he's your brother, Mia. It's weird."
She rolled her eyes and turned her attention back to the table full of phallic shaped objects. Daphne had set it up, allowing us to peruse what she has to offer. She promised a healthy discount if we wanted to take some away with us. I didn't think I needed to add to mine and Christian's collection.
I glanced at Kate and she smirked.
She knew the truth about mine and Christian relationship and how it began. The club, the fetishes, the kinkiness. Christian had confided in her when he offered to do the newspaper article after the fire at Maîtrise. He had kept the details to himself and none of it ended up in the paper, but she knows the basics. Our balance of kinky and vanilla, the experimental side of our sex life, the playroom.
Being the protective friend she is, Kate had taken me aside not long after and checked I was okay with everything. She wanted to make sure I wasn't being pressured into it.
I loved her for that.
"I think we should all get one," Mia said, holding up a trio of neon-coloured vibrators. "It says these are guaranteed to blow your head off with pleasure!"
"I'm game," Kate grinned. "I love a bit of me time. My vibrator is actually the love of my life."
"Does Elliot know that?" I joked.
"He knows," she nodded. "There's no contest. My vibrator doesn't talk back and it doesn't fart in its sleep."
Stumbling back into the casino for another turn around the room, our luck and laughter only continued to increase throughout the night. It was nearing twelve and we were having way too much fun to call it a night.
Mia's group of admirers had captured her again, a mini party seeming to appear around her the moment we returned. I didn't mind her being whisked away. She was having a good time and it can't be fun as the only singleton in the group. I could see one or two of her admirers trying to grab her attention.
Leaving Mia to her posse, Kate and I found a quiet corner and slipped into a booth. We ordered another round of cocktails full of crushed ice. I picked up a menu and began fanning myself down with it.
"Feeling flush?" Kate remarked. "Is all that money you've won tonight going to your head?"
"I haven't won that much," I shook my head, playing it down.
"You won a couple thousand before we left earlier," she said. "And you have easily added another thousand since we've been back. Seriously, Ana, you've raked in the chips!"
"I got lucky," I shrugged it off. "Besides, I'll donate the money anyway. I'll give it to Coping Together. I was only playing for fun."
She smiled knowingly, as if already aware of my decision despite me not mentioning it sooner. Whether I won one dollar or a million, I was always going to donate it.
"It's gotten really warm in here, hasn't it?" I sighed. I blew out my cheeks, trying to cool down.
"I guess," Kate hummed. "I'm feeling a bit warm… but I also feel fuzzy. That's the alcohol though."
I wasn't sure I could blame the booze. Whilst Kate and Mia had been hitting it hard tonight, I had slowed things down and only had a few drinks. I had sipped my way through two glasses of wine and only one non-virgin cocktail.
"I wonder if they've turned the heat up on purpose," I mused. Kate frowned. "Cal told me once that clubs often do it part way through the night. The warmer it is, the thirstier you get, the more you spend."
"Bastards," she grunted. She set her purse down on the table and began fiddling with the zip. "Seeing as I've got you alone… there's something I need to talk to you about."
"Okay…"
"Something important," she said. "I've been figuring out when to broach the subject with you."
It was my turn to frown.
"Nothing bad," she quickly added. "Promise."
"Thank fuck for that," I breathed out. "You know I hate it when people drop bombshells like that. Come on, spill, what's going on? You've got your serious face on."
"It's me and Elliot," she began. Her eyes lit up as a grin started to spread across her lips. "We've been talking a lot about our situation… and we've decided to move in together. We think it's time."
"Really? Wow, that's great. I'm so happy for you!"
Kate and Elliot had been taking their relationship one step at a time. They had gone in too fast the first time around and screwed things up, but this time they had taken the time to get to know each other properly. They waited a long while before sleeping with each other, and I knew they hadn't even touched on the subject of possibly living together until recently.
This was huge for them.
They were the opposite of me and Christian. But it worked. It worked for all of us. Pacing is so individual. It all comes down to the relationship. Whether you move at one mile an hour or a hundred, you still end up in the same place. As long as you're happy, what does it matter?
"There's a small catch though," Kate pursed her lips.
"What?"
"We've decided to move into somewhere new," she said. She paused and looked me in the eye. "Somewhere completely new with no memories. For both of us."
She hesitated.
"You want to sell the pike place apartment?" She slowly nodded. "And you need my approval," I added, finally catching on.
The apartment had originally belonged to Kate's grandmother but she had passed it onto Kate and her brother. It was their join inheritance, but Kate's sadistic father had taken matters into his own hands to rid Kate of what was rightfully hers. He forged our signatures and transferred her half to me. It was his way of punishing Kate for being the daughter he never wanted. Christian, being a true white knight, had stepped in and bought Ethan out. He gave Kate back her share, leaving the two of us owners.
"Kate, you know you don't actually need my approval," I shook my head. "Seriously, hand me the paperwork this second and I'll sign it."
"I know, but legally you need –"
"You should sell it," I urged her. "I never wanted any part in this. What your father did was despicable and wrong. It should never have happened… and I want you to keep all of it. Whatever price you get for the apartment, it's yours. I don't want a penny."
She was about to interrupt but I cut her off, shaking my head again.
"I won't budge," I told her. "And don't even bother going to Christian because he won't change my mind either. Take my half of the money and find an incredible place for you and Elliot to live in. Somewhere you can make your own."
"Are you sure?"
"Of course," I smiled.
I chinked my glass to hers, thanking the bartender as she set down our drinks, and toasted to a new and bright future.
"You're amazing," Kate smiled. "I'm so lucky to have you in my life."
"You are," I nodded, winking. "Ditto. I love you, Kavanagh."
"Love you too, Steele," she sang, blowing me a kiss.
I downed my drink in one long gulp.
"Now, if you feel like you need to pay me back in some way, you can get me another drink," I declared, setting my empty glass down.
"Coming right up," she snorted, taking a small sip of her mojito. "I guess we did work up a sweat earlier."
"I can't believe how exhausting it was," I sighed. "Trying to be all sexy and shit."
"It's fucking hard work!" she agreed. "I feel like I've been riding a horse bareback. My thighs are killing me."
"Guess you won't be rolling around with Elliot tonight then?"
"You kidding me?" she screwed up her face. "Babe, that's what doggy style is for. Us lazy girls can let them do all the work."
"I thought that's what you said about missionary?"
"As long as I don't have to be on top," she shrugged. "I hate being on top. Way too much effort."
I laughed at her, snorting loudly.
"What?"
"Nothing," I chuckled. "Just feeling sorry for Elliot, that's all."
"He knows which side of his bread is buttered," she shook her head. "And he knows how much of a tasty piece of ass I am. The boy is lucky to have me."
"He is," I agreed. "Now, hurry up and get me another drink. Some maid of honour you are!"
"Quit whining, bridezilla."
