I feel a blush begin across my chest and make its way up to my cheeks and we lock eyes. His fingers stroke my neck and I find myself leaning into his strength.
“Oh, you like the sound of that do you, beautiful?”
I nod, unable to speak, my throat dry at just the thought of what his words could entail.
“Don’t you worry I’m going to take care of you and it all starts this weekend. This weekend we’ll have fun. You just need to let your guard down. I know you find it tough but I’m not going anywhere.”
I already feel better, his words comforting, like a security blanket yet at the same time all I want to do is pull back the freshly made bedlinen, climb underneath and have him fuck me senseless.
It feels so good to feel supported and protected - maybe I could just enjoy it for a little while and stop worrying about my independence? He said he’s not going anywhere - at least not until our negotiated month is up. After that, who knows?
I listen to Finn’s happy chatter next to me in the passenger seat as we make our way to The Ashton through the lush Yorkshire Dales. Ariana Grande blares from the radio and we sing in unison, giggling at my attempts to reach the high notes; I fail miserably but it humours Finn so it’s worth it. I’d grabbed him from Kiddi-Crèche, nipped back home and thrown our bags in the boot before heading off early in the hope we could get settled and do any last minute finishing touches before the gang arrived.
“Are we nearly there yet, Mummy?”
Ah, the eternal question on a child’s lips in a car journey. “Nearly, baby. Here, look we just need to go up this long drive and right at the end, you’ll see the hotel - it’s massive!”
We weave our way up the sweeping drive and I continually take quick glances at Finn’s face to capture his expression when he claps eyes on the place he’ll be staying the night in. He doesn’t disappoint and his little jaw drops dramatically when he see The Ashton for the first time.
“Wowsers!”
“Impressive huh?”
“Its like Sub’s house.”
I chuckle at his exaggeration. “Well not quite - Seb’s is big, yes but nothing compared to this Sweetheart - then again this isn’t a home anymore, it’s a business. It has over sixty bedrooms!”
Parking up, we take a minute to enjoy the view of the lake, resplendent and spilled out like a welcome carpet. I’d never get bored of this place. Definitely the best job I’d ever had the privilege of working on. “Right you, let’s go get booked in and we’ll go see about getting you some snacks - I don’t know about you, but I’m ready for some cake?”
“Yay - cake. Can I have the hot scones you told me about when you came last time with jam Mummy?”
“I think that can be arranged for such a cute little man. We’ll make sure we ask for extra slugs and worms in yours, yes?”
“Eew - yuk!”
I laugh at his screwed up face. “Come on, out you get.”
We head up the impressive entrance, through the huge doors, which are open for us, and go past the sparkling bay trees, with fairy lights that twinkle at all hours of the day and I listen to Finn’s ooh’s and ahh’s - he’s not bothered about the details I’m interested in, he’s already seen the curved staircase and bannister, and is trying to work out the logistics of how and when he can slide his little butt down it, without being caught.
“Bout time you two got here!” Colin’s hysterical whine hits us the second we reach the foyer and I wink at Finn to make sure he knows that the crazy man in a buttercup yellow Pringle jumper, red skinny jeans and white leather shoes is not crazy (honest!).
“Darling, are you stressing? That’s not like you.” The sarcastic lilt to my voice is extremely apparent.
“Sarcasm doesn’t DD-breasted suit you, Lucia - I’m not stressing per se, just feeling a tad overrun - Jamesy has me running my tight little butt all over this mausoleum, making it look pretty.” His pout makes my grin widen. “I don’t know who I work for anymore you or the client, my boyfriend or my boss - it’s all just too much!”
“Oh the drama! Right. Let me book in, get Finn settled and I’ll come assist, I need to do my final checks anyway - give me half an hour; sound good?”
“That would be great, doll - I’ll go check on the flowers for the rooms. They should be here now?”
“Who did you place the order with?”
“Fresh Water Couture like you told me - well Jacks did.”
“Oh well then, nothing to worry about; they’ll be here. Off you go and take a chill pill. You’re not usually so on edge.”