The One Adored (The One Trilogy Book 3) (31 page)

“Seb enough! I can’t, no more!”

I get up, leaving her boneless body, to get wipes, before returning to kiss her closed eyelids, and full mouth. No, it was fair to say we didn’t need toys to stimulate our sex life, they were fun granted, we could already attest to that, and knew that they could definitely add lots of layers to a relationship but they were a bonus; when it came down to it, good hard sweet and frantic vanilla was enough for us. For me.
 

Anything else was playtime, Lu was the only thing I needed to get me off, her hot, juicy body and tight pussy - her intelligent mind and sassy ways and her cheeky banter. She was the whole package and I was going to be lucky enough to be doing this for the rest of our lives. Who’d have ever thought that I’d have preferred the restraints of marriage and monogamy in the bedroom to handcuffs and harnesses?
 

*******

Five days later, I am about to enter Unveiled Bridal, the place Gigi had recommended I come to select my dress. I’m filled with nervous anticipation but ready now to take this big step and tick another box for the list. We’d sorted the wedding cake at the weekend, booked the photographer we had met at the Wedding Fair and he’d then highly recommended a Videographer. Gigi had sent out all the invitations already, which had taken some time to go through our combined lists but we’d done it and been happy with our end result. It had to be done, it was only 4.5 weeks away now!
 

I take a last look at the old fashioned little bridal boutique, nestled in a quaint little courtyard away from the madding crowds in Holdgate. It’s chocolate box exterior presented a petite boutique but as I step through the doors I realise I had been wrong to judge a book by it’s cover, or rather a bride by a bad dress. Much more apt in this case.
 

Where three terraced shops have been knocked through to create one large retail space. The small cream door opened up to a huge reception area, which then opened up into four further rooms, each beautifully decorated in soft taupes and creams - I wince at the thought of Finn in here on this carpet. Large rococo mirrors filled the walls along with row upon row of wedding dresses in all styles and fashions. Gigi had been right, this was the place.

I see pictures with I presume the owner decorating the walls, some showcasing celebrities from well-known soaps and TV dramas, and names of designers I recognise at award ceremonies; Amanda Wakeley, Carolina Herrara, Suzzane Neville, Maggie Sottero to name but a few. Yes, I was definitely in the right place - these designers were all timeless and their work was exquisite.

In awe at the beautiful array of gowns on display I hesitantly touch the odd dress, an A-line shape here, a ball-gown fit for royalty there - the detailing on both was angelic. The next is more of a cocktail gown and perhaps a little too simplistic and the next, more 50’s style tea-length - not for me but very trendy right now for all these vintage weddings themes in barns.
 

They really dod have an excellent range of styles for me to select from. As I fliter through the rail, I’m definitely more drawn to the fit and flare and mermaid silhouette as I sense it will flatter my body but I decide to be open to suggestions as I’ve never tried a wedding gown on before.

“You must be, Lucia?” A welcoming female voice acknowledges my entrance behind me.

I spin to meet her with a smile. “I am. I’m afraid my other people aren’t here yet but they are on their way.”
I hope.

“Lovely to meet you. I’m Camilla, you’re bridal Godmother.” Her tinkly laugh is contagious. She was too young to be my God-mother but I see where she was going with her joke. “You’re here to get your wedding gown for your marriage in 4 weeks, is that correct?”

I nod. “I’m nervous.” And I am.

“Ah, don’t be - we’ll make this special for you. A stunning woman like you makes my job easy. I’ll just go prep the changing room and we’ll get started - everyone else can come in as and when they arrive.”

“I like this lady immediately and knew we’d have a rapport. I was leaving Unveiled with a dress, if it took all afternoon and well in to the night - #projectfindLu’sweddingdressison

*******

“Sorry I’m late, my boss decided to land a call on me just as I was leaving the office, as per.” Abby falls through Unveiled’s door and drops her bags in a dramatic fluster, under the picture window. “What did I miss?”

“Nothing at all. I’ve just got here myself. The owner is just preparing the changing room for us and Suzie and Mum aren’t even here yet.”

“Did you invite Seb’s mum?”

“I did but they are away in Spain, so she’s going to come to one of my fittings with me in a couple of weeks.”

“Sounds like a plan - good to keep her on board.”

“Bitzi’s brilliant, it’s no biggie - I
want
her to be involved.”

“She seems cool.” I watch my friend shrug nonchalantly.

I can tell that Abs is distancing herself from all things Nathan right now, including his parents; her defence shutters are down big-time. I need to set aside some serious best-friend- time for her, and soon but decide to change the subject in the meantime.
 

“Work is really putting it on you right now, hey?”

“Yep. I’m not sure whether its time to jump ship, I’ve been there a while and mentally I think I’m ready for the next step up. Fuck, I deserve it, but I’m also thinking - am I really ready to set up on my own, like you?” she leans against me and gives me a hug. “I honestly don’t know. You’re truly my heroine, Lu!”

I wrinkle my nose a her over-the-top declaration. “I don’t know about that, but you
definitely
deserve a promotion and you could
definitely
set up successfully on your own. Your boss is a smarmy prick. Someone should report his arse.”

“He is and I wish, maybe one day someone will have the balls and the evidence to do just that. Anyway, we’re not here to talk about me, for God’s sake - we’re in a shop crammed full of
 
‘I’m going to commit to you for the rest of my life’ dresses and we need to get busy picking one out that will make Sebastian stop breathing at the altar.”

“Stop breathing huh?”

“Well, just for a few seconds. He needs be stopped dead in his tracks.”|

“What’s with all the death analogies? Anyone would think you’re not keen on the idea of marriage.”

“I’m not.” Her brown eyes are wide and mouth a firm line.

I stand from our position on the sofa at this. “Since bloody when? You and I have watched every romantic comedy going and talked about our wedding days for years? What’s changed?”

We’re interrupted before she can answer, as Camilla the owner arrives with chilled champagne for us, and guides us into the first wardrobe. Abs words echo my own thoughts.

“Wow. I’ve got chills down my spine, Lulu. This shit just got real.”

We step down into the plushly carpeted room, and I’m immediately drawn to the first rack of dresses - where every manner of style, hands, lace, satin, ruffles, pearls, bling. “There is so much choice!”

Camilla is standing in the corner, discreetly remaining quiet whilst we peruse but after a few minutes she steps forward. “Do you know what type of dress you after?”

I shake my head, unhelpfully. “Sorry, they are all so stunning - I did just see the mermaid and fit and flare - they are both lovely.”

“You have a great eye. Well, why don’t I select a few styles that I feel will suit your frame, colouring and height and then we’ll go from there.”

“Sounds like a plan.” Abs nods enthusiastically, already draining her champagne flute.

I’m bundled into the dressing area next door, and the heavy damask drapes fall to close me from prying eyes. Within minutes I’m stripped to my bra and panties. I nervously make banter with Camilla, as she lifts and squishes my breasts up and in. “I’ve only known you ten minutes and you’ve got me down to my underwear - you’re a fast mover.”

“Oh don’t worry, sweetie, I don’t even notice anymore - although you do have a figure to-die-for. Your future husband is a very lucky man.”

Smoothing my tummy, the one area I hate, I assess my body in the Snow White-esq mirror, from all angles. I could practically still see the tell-tale signs of Seb’s love-making from last night mapped across my skin and I flush at the memory.

“Ahhh, I take it you’re just as lucky - from that knowing look that just flashed across your face.” Camilla smiles knowingly at me. “That good, hey?”

“Hmmm mmmm. Dreamy.” I nod with an expected blush.

“Well, let’s get you looking good enough to make him want all the guests to disappear sharpish, so he can rip this dress right off you.”

I’d really warmed to this woman already. She recognised that a wedding dress wasn’t just about demure and traditional, it had to have sex appeal too.

By the time I have the first option on, and I return to lounge area, my mum and Suzie have arrived and as I walk out, the oohs and ahh’s erupt from all corners.
 

“Lucia, darling you look beautiful.”

My mum’s face is a picture as she stands, cuddling Suzie and Abs in unison, tightly biting her lip to stop the tears. “How do you feel?”

“I feel good; excited! But its not the one.”
I knew it the second I put it on.

“I agree. Too meringue for you.” Suzie takes a seat clutching at her protruding belly. “Sorry, my ankles are so fat, they’ve put out a warning on the news that Godzilla is on the loose, when I walk around Bodley. The council are going to have fill in all the cracks I’ve created in the tarmac! Gorgeous detail on the waist but too big.
Next!
” She hollers to Camilla.

I chuckle at her words - she was all over the place and pregnancy had seriously opened up her ‘honesty tunnel’. But I didn’t mind, that’s why they were here, to be blunt and say it as it is. I wanted honesty from the people who knew me best.

Heading back to behind the curtain, I’m undressed and re-dressed in tulle ball-gown skirt with crystal silver beaded bustier - it is stunning and very Disney Princess but if the first dress was too meringue then this was probably not a conten
. I’m swooshing the skirt too and fro, when Camilla slaps her notebook to her head, declaring she’d forgotten a card for me that had been delivered to the shop.

I frown as I await for her return. Who would send me something to shop? Seb? Maybe…

Taking the small white A6 envelope with Lucia Myers written across it in printed ink I slip open the back flap and slide out a card; it has a photograph of a married couple on the front, running through the fields, hand in hand. Flipping it over I see that it has come from one of those card companies you can order online. An ominous feeling begins to flood my body.