13. Thirteen

Thirteen

The weeks post-Christmas passed by in a blur. Even the dull January days, where everybody anxiously waits for payday, hadn’t seemed to drag like they normally would. At work, the mediation sadly hadn’t helped the case, it was more like a process that just had to be done before the lengthy, eye-wateringly expensive trial would begin. I may have been working for the millionaire’s side, but my heart was pledged to the single mum who struggled to pay her bills. I knew Luke wouldn’t be earning a penny from this unless they won, no way would he leave her struggling with more debts than she already faced. I tried not to dwell on it, or him, too much, however.

In a blink, February rolled around, which meant Zack’s birthday trip to celebrate the big three-oh. Everyone had done an amazing job of keeping it secret, he didn’t have a clue. The sheer volume of secret messages and sneaking around I’d been involved with was insane. I was surprised he wasn’t more suspicious of what I was up to with the way I kept hiding my phone.

His whole family, plus Cassie and the girls, were on a morning flight together, and we would follow later in the afternoon, giving them time to decorate the villa for a surprise party. Zack was going to be beside himself with excitement, I was sure, but that didn’t stop my nerves in case something went wrong. I also worried I hadn’t packed enough clothes as half my suitcase was full of cards and gifts for Zack from friends and colleagues who weren’t joining us.

I drummed my fingers nervously against the armrest as we waited for the plane to taxi up the runway.

“Are you OK?” asked Zack as he took hold of my hand.

“Mmhmm. Just not flown in a long time.”

He smiled at me. “You’ll be fine. We’ll get you a large gin as soon as we take off.”

I kissed him, loving the feel of his soft lips; he was so sweet. I adored that about him.

“And,” he continued, “I have your undivided attention for two and a half hours, no escape. We are talking weddings.”

I laughed. “It’s not that I don’t want to plan it, there’s just too many choices. I’m struggling. ”

He subconsciously squeezed my hand tighter as the plane picked up speed, barrelling down the runway. My vision blurred for a moment as the front wheels left the ground. I wanted to close my eyes but kept them focused on Zack.

“I was thinking spring would be nice because it’s when we met. But that means either two to three months’ time or wait until next year?”

I screwed my face up as the plane left the runway; the force pushed me back in my seat. “We wouldn’t get the right venue with such short notice. I agree spring is perfect, but it would have to be next year. You didn’t want to wait that long, did you? Maybe we need to go with winter?”

“I thought about that too.” Zack wriggled his jaw from side to side, I mirrored the motion, my ears crackling and popping. He was a frequent flyer now, unlike me, and he obviously knew all the tricks. “We’ll be in the house by spring. The garden is beautiful and there’s loads of space. Why don’t we get married there? Just picture it - marquee on the lawn, band over at the back, flowers up the staircase. Fairy lights in all the trees…”

“Wow,” I smiled, picturing it, vivid and beautiful. “You’ve really thought about this.”

He shrugged; his cheeks pink with a slight blush. “I don’t want to wait ages for the sake of a country hotel or manor. We’re about to start our whole lives in that house, why not get married there? ”

“That’s ridiculously romantic.”

“Is that a yes then?” he asked.

“I already said yes once.” I held my hand up as I spoke, my engagement ring sparkled even under the yellowed lights of the cabin. “But yes, it’s another yes. I love that idea!”

He pulled me to him in a long, slow, seductive kiss, unfortunately interrupted by the stewardess coughing in disapproval as she checked our seat belts.

“How long until we get there?” he whispered as he stroked my arm. “I’m having bad thoughts about you right now.”

“We took off about four minutes ago. You’ve got a while yet! And no to any thoughts you might have about anything happening on a plane. I’m not even taking my seat belt off.”

We spent the flight sipping gin and making lists of what we needed to book and choose. Even having the wedding at the house, this was going to be tight to get it all arranged. But maybe it was better than stretching it out over a year. I made a note to message my mum as soon as I landed and get dress shopping booked in urgently.

Zack was extremely handsy in the taxi on the way to our destination, we were giddy with the thoughts of our future. The villa appeared, whitewashed and beautiful, also absolutely huge. The sun had begun its descent towards the horizon, and the spotlights around the large pool sparkled in the glow.

“Wow, is this all ours?” Zack asked me.

“Yep! Happy birthday gorgeous.” I kissed him. “Turning thirty isn’t all bad.”

“Turning thirty is fantastic,” He glanced out of the car window. “I don’t know if even we can christen all the rooms in a place this big in one long weekend, though.”

I elbowed him. “One track mind.”

“As if you’re not just as bad.”

Zack grabbed the suitcases from the boot and tipped the driver. He set them off to one side, and before I knew what was happening, he picked me up and slung me over his shoulder in a fireman’s lift.

“Finally,” he said. “I get you alone.”

I screamed and kicked my legs, wanting to get down and open the front door to reveal his surprise. I had no chance, his grip on me was strong, tight. Any other time it would have had me begging for more.

As we approached the entrance he inched my skirt up, kissing the top of my thigh, just where it met my bottom. “Zack, stop.” I tried to say in between panicked laughter as his lips brushed lovingly against my skin. My heart flipped, knowing everyone near and dear to him was on the other side of the door, and didn’t need to see my arse .

“Nope, never. That was a torturous plane flight, went on forever.”

“Zack, listen to me, you need to put me down right now, you need to?—”

He spanked me hard as he opened the door. “Shush. You are getting it, right now, right here.”

The word surprise fizzled out from an enthusiastic start as everyone heard what he said. He plonked me down to the ground. “Shit, sorry.”

“That’s what I was trying to tell you.” My entire body burned in shame. “Surprise! Happy Birthday,” I shouted, desperate to cover up the embarrassment.

Aside from some awkward coughs, we were enveloped in hugs and kisses. Glasses of wine were passed around, and Zack’s mum took us out by the pool where a veritable feast of delicacies awaited us.

Zack pulled me onto his knee as we cuddled on an outside lounge seat, then we all filled him in on how we’d been plotting this for months. Hannah mocked us endlessly “Zack, I didn’t quite hear what you said when you came in, sorry, can you repeat it?”

He threw an olive at her, and I pressed my face into his neck to stifle a giggle. “That was mortifying,” I whispered.

His arm wrapped around me as he rubbed my sun-warmed skin. “You couldn’t have planned it for them to arrive after us? I still want to carry on with that intention. ”

“We’ll be married in three months, you best enjoy yourself while you can, it’ll be all downhill from there,” I teased as I stood and drained the last dregs of wine from my glass. “All big knickers and headaches, darling. I’m just going to take my bag upstairs and get changed.”

“Your room’s the last one on the left, at the end of the corridor.” Hannah called over as Zack followed me, grabbing our suitcases on the way.

I smiled as I glanced around our bedroom. It was beautiful, bright, and airy. So fresh, with crisp, white bed covers and turquoise accents. I inhaled a deep breath, appreciating the glorious air, exotic and warm, hints of citrus and the ocean.

“Finally.” Zack pulled me to him as he closed the door, the suitcases abandoned. His hands reached into my hair and held my face steady as we kissed.

I relaxed into him. The heat in the room, the wedding talk, everyone being here together for him… I wanted Zack so intensely that the desire snaked around my entire body.

He lifted me, my legs wrapping around him, claiming his body. “What did you say I was getting? I missed it before.” I nibbled on his lip.

“Don’t worry, you won’t miss it this time.” He slid his hand inside my skirt, teasing me as he traced his fingers softly over my skin, heading in exactly the direction I wanted .

“We need to be quiet; the doors are open.” I motioned towards the open balcony.

“I can be quiet,” he whispered. “But can you?”

At that point his fingers found my most magical spot. Zack pressed his lips harder against mine to muffle the moans that spilled from me. “Shh…” He pressed me against the wall, his leg moved up under me as a balance while he drove me crazy with his hand.

“I should make the most of this,” I said. “You turn thirty tomorrow, you won’t be able to lift me up like this for long.”

I pouted as he withdrew his fingers. “I can stop now if you’d prefer…” His breaths were rapid as he looked at me, those dark eyes full of love, lust, and desire.

I shook my head and pulled him back into another kiss as my fingers tugged his jeans down. “Please don’t stop.”

“Keep kissing me, be quiet, and hold on tight.” He pushed against me, his tongue met mine with urgency and stilled my pleasured gasps.

I didn’t even care right then if anyone could hear the rhythmic thuds as he pushed me into the wall, over and over again. I was on fire; the heat of the room made our skin hot and damp as we ground together. I was full of him, yet desperate for more, as we worked out all the frustration of the long journey. I honestly felt as though I could never tire of feeling him in this way.

He held me in place, kissing me softly for a minute as our hearts thudded together, alongside our breath. Then, with a smile, he placed me down on the bed and cuddled up to me, continuing to press kisses to my hot skin.

“So, Lily, you know when we get married?”

I took a deep breath of him, content in this moment. “Mmhmm.”

“Do you think… that maybe…” He seemed nervy. I stroked the side of his face in reassurance. “Maybe you could stop taking your pill straight away?”

I gazed into those gorgeous brown eyes. I could imagine our babies so vividly, they’d be angelic. Zack watched me, earnest and eager.

“How about the day before our wedding is my last one?” I bit my lip as he pulled me close and took a deep breath of my skin.

“That sounds perfect. This is like heaven, you know? You and me, this beautiful place, all my family. Knowing that when we get home we have the house, the wedding and an absolute ton of baby making to look forward to.”

“Not even turning thirty could bring you down then?” I asked with a smile.

“Definitely not. I can’t wait for it. I love you so much. I don’t think you understand how deeply.”

“I understand, Zack.” I rubbed my nose side to side against his. “You know that your whole family knows what we’re doing up here, though? ”

“They’ll get over it,” Zack grinned at me as he spoke. “Round two while we’re here?”

“Yes please…”

If anyone was suspicious about what we’d been up to, they thankfully didn’t show it. Except for Cassie, perhaps.

“I can’t believe I’ve ended up with the bedroom next to yours.” She elbowed me in the side as she headed over and filled both of our wine glasses to the brim. “Hope you two got it all out your systems earlier?”

“Very funny,” I rolled my eyes. “Were the girls OK on the flight?”

“They loved it,” she smiled and glanced over to where they played with Zack’s nephews. “Pity that Guy couldn’t make it, but you know what his work is like.”

I nodded. “I expect it’ll be the same with Zack now, not much flexibility.”

“Well, that’s just a perfect excuse for us to come to places like this together without them.” She winked and we headed back to the group arm in arm.

My soul felt full to bursting as I looked around. Such beautiful surroundings and all this love and happiness. How did I end up this blessed?

Zack pulled me close and kissed my cheek. “Shall we tell them? ”

Maisie immediately piped up, loud and shrill, “Are you pregnant?”

“No!” I said with a pout as I looked down at my flat stomach. Why would she say that?

Zack laughed. “No, but we can announce the wedding date and venue.”

There were excited noises and everyone focused on Zack as he spoke. “The thirtieth of May, and the wedding will be at our new house.”

Lydia gasped. “That’ll be beautiful! Are you going to put a marquee in the garden?”

We laughed as we nodded and shared our plans. The next couple of hours passed in a blissful blur of wedding and birthday talk. I’d never felt part of such a big, happy group before. It was incredible. I felt loved. So complete. Luke had been absolutely right, my future with Zack was beautiful.

I facetimed my mum and dad, sad that they couldn’t be here to share the moment, but neither of them was keen on flying, and I knew there’d be more celebrations when we got home. As soon as the call ended, Hannah shouted over.

“How many bridesmaids are you having, Lily?” Her face was full of mischief as suddenly, four stunning brunettes and a cheeky blonde all turned to me with intense gazes and hopeful faces.

I blushed at the attention. “Erm, I don’t think I need any with it just being at the house and?— ”

“Lily Forshaw!” Cassie pointed her finger at me as she sternly spoke my name. “This is your chance to get revenge for that blue monstrosity I made you wear at my wedding. I demand a vile bridesmaids dress.”

I smiled broadly as I looked around at all their faces. “You all want to be bridesmaids?” Lots of nodding and chorused variations of ‘yes’ met me. “I guess, I’ll have five bridesmaids then, and two flower girls.” I glanced at Ruby and Emilia; how adorable would they be? “Maybe page boys, too?”

A multitude of whoops and cheers rang out as we ended up in a giant, girly hug. Prosecco splashed down tops and hair got tangled in earrings. Zack looked on in amusement. “I always wanted a girlfriend who liked my sisters, but this is too far.”

As we all sat back down, Lydia refilled glasses, never happier than when looking after her family. Maisie looked towards Zack, “Have you chosen a best man?”

“I haven’t asked him yet, but it’ll be Adam.” Zack took a long drink from a cold beer bottle. A drop of condensation dripped onto his arm and I momentarily longed to lick it off. The heat was doing strange things to me.

“Please, please, please invite all those hot Icelandic guys,” begged Leah with a cheeky grin. Her dad did not look impressed. The twin babies of the family were one hundred percent out of bounds to boys as far as Zack’s dad, Harry, was concerned.

We stayed out by the pool until well after the sunset. Ruby and Emilia had, as always, gravitated towards Zack, and were fast asleep, cuddled up to him on a large outdoor sofa. Everyone seemed content together, warm, tipsy, and full of hope and happiness. I wanted life to feel like this, always.