Page 77 of Resisting Mr Black
His broad shoulders lift into a dismissive shrug. “Says who? All I know is that you’ve spent nearly every day since we’ve met, here. I want your face to be the first thing I see in the morning and the last thing I see at night.”
He’s right and the thought of waking up with him every day makes my heart do funny things inside my chest. I can’t suppress my smile or what I’m about to agree to. “Okay, let’s do it.”
He breaks into a grin. “Great. Tomorrow, I’ll give you your own key, and we’ll move your things in on Sunday.”
Twenty-Three
The big band strikes the first few chords of “I’ve Got You Under My Skin” from beneath the shade of the pagoda on the gloriously sunny terrace. As I walk through the Orangery, I breathe a sigh of relief, pleased that another wedding has gone without a hitch, and the weather has held to allow the bride and groom to have their afternoon reception outdoors like they wanted.
I hover on the periphery of the terrace. The wedding is due to finish at six o’clock, which means I’ll have just enough time to go home, get ready… and tell Art.
The chink of glasses makes me look to the right, where Olly is collecting empties from the tables in the bar area. I give him a smile and watch as he purposefully turns his back on me. It seems the news about me and Art has finally reached the hotel.It could only be a matter of time,I reassure myself.
I take a deep breath, determined not to let other people’s views put a downer on the happiest I’ve felt in a long time. Nothing is going to pour cold water on this.
My black heels click across the grey slate floor as I cross into the Summer Room, still laid out from this lunchtime’s ceremony. I scan behind the chairs as I walk down the aisle, checking to make sure none of the guests have left any belongings behind. Glasses and phones are the usual culprits.
“How’s it going?”
I glance over my shoulder to see Art headed across the room towards me. He looks effortlessly sexy, with hands in the front pockets of his chinos and the sleeves of his black shirt rolled back to reveal his thick, golden forearms. I still can’t believe he’s mine. And that he’s asked me to move in with him. Lucy is going to lose her mind when I tell her.
“Great. Everything’s gone to plan.”
“The band sound good.”
“Yes, they are. I’m glad the bride and groom got their wish to have it outside.”
He holds my hand in his and pulls me towards him with a smile.
I automatically look towards the door to check no one is around. “Is this a good idea? I think people know about us.”
He pulls me to his chest and wraps his arms around me and I’m gone. “What people?”
I dare not tell him about Olly’s reaction. “The other staff.”
“If they already know, it doesn’t matter whether I kiss you then,” he murmurs against my mouth as he kisses me. He begins to sway us in time to the music floating through from the band outside and I laugh as he releases me and takes a step backwards, twirling me round, then pulling me back to his chest.
I link my arms around his neck and laugh. “You’ve got the moves.”
“I do indeed.” He seals my lips with a kiss and wraps his arms around my waist, swaying us from side to side again and I’m suddenly lost in the moment. Swept away by the dancing and the beat of the music, in my head we’re dancing at our own wedding.
“I now pronounce you man and wife,” a familiar female voice declares snapping me out of my daydream.
Lucy stands in the doorway, one hand on her hip and a massive grin on her face, delighted to have caught us.
I’m not entirely sure what she’s referring to, then realise Art and I are standing at the end of the aisle where the bride and groom usually take their vows.
“You two need to get a room,” she giggles.
He’s gazing down at me with that look in his eye that tells me he agrees. “Maybe we do.”
“I’ve only come to remind you that I’ve booked the Uber for tonight, so we should get to yours for eight o’clock,” Lucy says, oblivious to the drama she’s about to stir up.
I can feel his heavy gaze land on me. “What’s happening tonight?”
This is what I was working up to tell him.
Lucy cocks her head in surprise at the fact I haven’t told him. “I’m stealing the lovely Sophie away from you for the night. Tonight, she’s all mine, Mr Black, and she’s going to be looking hot,” she giggles, and I want to tell her to shut up. “See you later, Soph.” She turns and disappears off through the doors, leaving me to clear up the carnage she’s left in her wake. I don’t want to look at him, but I know I’ve got to.