Chapter 19

I followed the delicious smell of bacon downstairs, and into the kitchen. Sean stood with his back to me, shirtless in just his black boxers that clung to the wonderful curves of his ass. I leant against the doorframe, watching him as he cooked at the stove, my mind more on him than the food he was busy cooking.

"I can feel you staring." Came his smug voice, turning a few sausages before he faced me.

His hair was dishevelled in the most adorable, yet sexy way, it was clear that he hadn't tried to tidy it from last night. I bit my lip as my gaze drifted south, over his toned and sculpted abs, and towards the bulge in the front of his pants.

"Eyes are up here sweetheart."

"I know," I pushed away from the door, stepping slowly towards him. "But this viewpoint isn't half bad either." I murmured when I reached him, allowing my chin to tip up and our eyes to meet.

I brushed past him, my fingers dancing over the soft, warm skin of his chest.

"Juice or coffee?" I asked, opening the fridge door.

I felt him come up behind me, the pan sizzling just as much as the sexual tension in the room. His fingers swept my hair from over my shoulder, and his lips closed over the curve of my neck. He placed a trail of delicate kisses along the skin, coming to a stop at my jaw and nipping me with his teeth.

"I think I'm hot enough right now, I'll take some juice, I could use the cool down."

The low, heated raspiness of his voice, along with the scruff of his stubble sent a tingle down my spine. I felt him move back to the pan and released the breath I was holding. Reaching for the jug of juice I pulled a strawberry from the carton beside it. I popped it in my mouth and sighed happily at the cool, sweet tang of the berry as it rushed over my tongue. I swung the door closed with a push of my hip and collected two glasses from the cupboard, setting them down on the table and filling them.

"Red or brown?" Sean asked adding sausages and tomatoes to the plate of eggs, bacon and mushrooms.

"Definitely red." I said as I headed past him to another cupboard and pulled the ketchup from the shelf. "How about you?"

"I'll take brown please."

I grabbed the daddies sauce with the other hand and nudged the cupboard closed, depositing the condiments on the table and grabbing some cutlery.

Sean finished serving and carried the plates to the table setting them down on each side, before taking a seat. My mouth watered at the site of the food, my stomach rumbling with hunger.

"Wow, this looks fantastic, thank you."

I was touched by the kind gesture of him making me breakfast, and the effort he had gone to to prepare something other than cereal or toast.

"You're welcome." The corners of his lips quirked up and he applied a drizzle of sauce to his plate.

Grabbing the ketchup I made sure to put a healthy amount across my dinner, then cut into a sausage and speared the section with a mushroom and took a bite, letting out a little moan of content at the hot and delicious food. I heard him chuckle and looked up to see him gesturing at my plate.

"Got enough sauce there?"

I rolled my eyes at the familiar question.

"Actually no, I think there's still an ounce or two left in the bottle." I pretended to glance at it, Sean burst out laughing and I winked at him, helping myself to the eggs and bacon section of my plate.

"Evan's the same, although his biggest weakness is mustard. He can't get enough of it. Sandwiches, steak, chips just everything with mustard, and ample of it."

Once we were done eating, I collected the plates, loading them into the sink and flicking on the kettle for some coffee.

"Want a cup?" I called over my shoulder.

"Yeah, thanks, as long as you're in no rush to get rid of me."

His hands snuck around my waist, holding me against him, the heat of his bare skin burned through the thin silk of my robe.

"No rush at all."

I had no idea what Sean's plans were for the day, but I didn't want our time together to come to an end yet.

"I was thinking actually, why don't we-"

A loud ringing sound cut through the kitchen and Sean held up a finger.

"Hold that thought." He crossed to his phone and picked it up, "Sorry Rox, I've got to take this, it's work."

"Sure, no problem." I nodded and turned back to the sink.

"Campbell." He said authoritatively as he answered the phone.

I felt a small sinking feeling as he began relaying instructions over the phone, whatever the call was about sounded important, and I had the instant realisation that, the plans I was thinking about making for the day with him, were about to go out the window.

He finished up the call and rejoined me at my side.

"I'm really sorry, something has come up and I have to go in to take care of it."

He looked upset about the turn of events, and cautious that I may not take it well. Not that he needed to worry, I understood work emergencies too. Especially ones at the drop of a hat.

"Hey, don't worry about it," I clasped his hand softly running my thumb over the back of his knuckles. "I get it, I know all too well about having to dash off at the drop of a hat. You wanna try dealing with an angry bride, who has discovered that her napkins are ecru instead of beige on the day of her wedding.

He seemed to brighten at my touch and understanding. Before scrunching his face in confusion.

"What's the difference between them?"

I rolled my eyes with a sigh.

"I don't even have a fucking clue."

He pulled me in, kissing me on the lips, a soft and tender kiss that quickly turned into something far hotter. I pulled back before it reached the point of no return reminding him that he had to go to the office.

"I don't care, I'll quit." He replied, needy and breathless, before kissing me again as I chuckled against his lips.

I moaned when his tongue caressed my own, his intention clear with the determined motions of his mouth against mine.

"Nice try, but somehow I don't think that'll go down too well. Go on, you need to get going." I had to practically shove him from the kitchen to go get dressed.

Not long after, his hurried steps sounded on the stairs. I walked into the hallway, coffee mug in hand. He smiled as he saw me, and stepped forward, he pulled the mug from my hands and took a sip. I chuckled as he handed it back, and I stood it on the side table. He pressed a quick kiss to my lips once more, the rich taste of coffee lingered on my lips.

"I want to see you again, and soon."

"Good, because I don't know how long I can last without a repeat of last night."

He groaned, I could tell the thoughts that were now rushing through his head.

"I wish I could get out of this, I'd take you upstairs and we'd have that repeat right now."

I placed my hand on his chest, feeling the cool fabric of his shirt beneath my fingers, leaning up to whisper in his ear.

"Why bother wasting time with stairs, you could take me right here."

I heard him exhale sharply.

"Fuck, why are you doing this to me right now."

I gave him a playful smirk, leaning against the bannister.

"I have no idea what you mean."

His eyes narrowed and his grin rivalled my own. He knew exactly what I was doing and he was enjoying the moment just as much as me. Begrudgingly he made his way to the front door, just as he reached out to the handle. I had an idea, something to definitely make sure I wouldn't have to wait too long. Something that would keep me at the forefront of his mind.

"Sean?"

I pulled the tie at my waist, and shrugged the silk from my shoulders, feeling it slide along my arms and catch at my wrists, leaving my naked body on full display, just as Sean turned around. His eyes bulged and he swallowed hard, shifting his weight to the other leg as I saw him twitch in the front of his trousers.

"You're torturing me right now." He gulped. His tongue traced his bottom lip before a mischievous look took over and he pulled on the door handle. "Just wait Rox, I'll enjoy making you pay for this."

With his parting promise making me ache between my thighs, he disappeared through the door.

Monday brought all of the chaotic rushing around that I had anticipated. I barely had enough time to think between meetings and finalising plans, and new clients. Sean and I had exchanged a few texts this morning, but I hadn't had time to speak to him for several hours.

I was catching the first break I'd had all day as my phone rang. I groaned when I saw the caller ID. Mel. I knew she would just keep calling, so reluctantly, I picked it up.

"You've got a minute and a half, go."

"Well that's a nice way to greet someone." I could practically taste the sarcasm.

"Not someone, just you. I'm busy and you now have a minute and twenty three seconds."

"Okay, okay. I need you to meet me later. I'm going dress shopping and I want you there."

My stomach flipped, and I felt like I was about to spit acid at the thought of watching her trying on dresses to marry Sean in.

"Why do you need me there?"

She sighed on the other end, an exasperated sigh of irritation and anger.

"Because you're my sister, and you're supposed to sit there and give me your opinion on my bloody wedding dress."

"Can't you just pretend I'm there, we both know you and Mom will have it sorted and wrapped up fast enough, and let's face it, it'll be easier if I'm not there anyway."

I kept my fingers crossed that there was a way out of it, that somehow she would concede and allow me to skip it. But that wasn't the case as she snapped at me some more.

"For God's sake, you're coming and that's it. Bells of Bliss on the high street at five thirty."

"Oh darn, it just so happens I have to work late tonight-"

"Roxy! Be there, don't be late!"

With that, she hung up and I sunk lower in my chair, sighing and running my hands through my hair. I tapped out a text to Evan, I was going to need back-up for this.

Meet me after work, we are going wedding dress shopping! X

Barely a minute passed, when my phone went off with his reply:

I'll be there, I'll bring popcorn... and running shoes, incase we need to escape x

Laughing to myself, I pocketed my phone and got back to work.

When work was done, I made my way to the lobby to meet Evan. He pulled me to his side, kissing me on the temple and turning towards the exit.

"Well you must be excited for this, do tell me, what percentage of you wants to kill her right now?"

I pretended to think for a moment, before replying:

"I'd say about seventy-two." I shrugged.

"Uhuh, right, well let me know when it gets to ninety and I'll sneak you out. Or, let me know when you're at ninety nine and I'll get the popcorn."

I swatted him on the arm and we continued along the path, getting nearer to the store with every step.

The dress shop was bright and shiny and clean. Little pedestals were set up across the floor, and women trying on dresses were climbing on and off them, surrounded by groups of people, that I suspected was their family. I spotted Mel standing with my parents near the back of the store, a tall blonde woman in black was talking to them and gesturing to the dresses on show around the store. Evan and I began walking towards them. Reaching them in time for the consultant to turn to us.

"Sorry, I'll be right with you both." She smiled politely.

Mel hurriedly interjected, shaking her head.

"Oh, it's okay, it's just my sister, and her best friend."

She looked at me, half confused and half angry, clearly wondering why Evan was here. The consultant shook hands with both of us then steered Mel away to collect a selection of dresses to try on. My parents barely acknowledged my presence aside from the brief "Hello" and "You're late" that they managed to choke out. Both greeted Evan a little icier than before, I presumed the confrontation from the night at their house, still stung a bit, and Evan's popularity with them was now nearly rivalling my own. Evan didn't seem bothered, instead sinking onto a comfy couch with me.

Mel came out a few minutes later wearing a full blown princess dress, the skirt made of bold ruffles and intricate beading coated the bust. I wasn't surprised that princess style was what she would pick first. It was just like her to go for the biggest she could find. I couldn't deny that she looked pretty in the dress, as much as the circumstance for it was tearing at my heart, the dress suited her and I couldn't deny that she would look lovely on the day. My parents fawned all over her, telling her how gorgeous she looked and building her up the whole time. As predicted none of them looked our way, for all intents and purposes we might as well not have been there at all. She disappeared out the back again, leaving my parents to talk about their ideas for an even better dress. We watched her try on dress after dress, the time ticking on and my will to live dwindling by the second as my boredom levels rose higher. Evan's commentary on the dresses was the only thing keeping me entertained, as I constantly fought the desire to laugh as his whispered words. What seemed like hours laters, Mel turned up in her favourite one so far, another princess dress, with sheer sleeves and beaded patterns, she spun in front of the mirror.

"I love it, but I don't know about the sleeves, do they make me look fat?"

"Oh don't worry about that, the size of your head will balance things out."

The consultant looked like she was about to laugh, but her professionalism wouldn't allow her to, I on the other hand let out a snigger, biting my lip to stop from letting myself cave to a full on explosion of laughter, the site of Evan's smug face made that a hard thing to manage. My parents shot daggers at us, before rushing to Mel's side and showering her with compliments.

"You know what? I'll take it!" Mel gave an excitable yip of joy and clapped her hands together, my mother and father scooped her into their arms. Evan rolled his eyes at the whole scene and held out another strawberry lace for me to eat. The consultant asked her about dates running up to the wedding for fittings and adjustments, and that's when I heard it.

"Well given your general time frame that we discussed over the phone, the adjustments can definitely be made in time, however we will need to know the exact date as soon as you and your fiance have tied it down."

"Well actually, we have set a date now."

Evan and me froze, midway through a bite of strawberry lace, he looked at me, a mixture of caution, surprise and sadness mingled on his face. My mouth went dry and I felt like a fist had clenched over my heart.

"Oh?" The consultant smiled sweetly and Mel and my parents grinned at her, Mel giving a girlish scream of joy.

"We decided on a romantic christmas wedding, we're getting married the day before Christmas Eve!"