Page 1 of The Lies
Chapter One
I’veno idea how he manages it, but somehow, within the hour, Blake’s flirted his way through three members of staff to get the suitcase I checked in not so long ago back. I might be jealous of the smiles and winks he gives each woman he speaks to, but the reason he’s doing it in the first place is at the forefront of my mind. He stopped me getting on that plane—he wants me here with him, even though I have nothing. He has a life, a successful business, a home, and a daughter, and I have nothing but the Lois Vuitton suitcase he’s currently dragging behind him as he walks our way.
The smile on his face is infectious and I find my own getting wider the closer he gets to me. I’m so lost to him I don’t notice Aunt Addy and Sinead step away.
“Too late to change your mind now,” he says, stopping right in front of me, his chest almost brushing mine. He stares deep into my eyes as if he’s trying to say that if I’m going to change my mind, I need to do it now. His voice is full of emotion, and the slight Irish twang he has gives way to an accent I’m yet to decipher.
“I won’t,” I whisper, unable to properly voice how serious I am. I never wanted to go back; I just thought it was the best thing to do. Blake was right: I was focusing on material things instead of what’s really important.
“Good,” he says, almost harshly, before I feel his hand come to the back of my head and his fingers thread into my hair. He pulls me forward until my lips are against his and he kisses me right in front of everyone in Belfast International. His hand falls from my head and gently skims its way down my body. Goosebumps erupt in its wake, and my body’s on fire in seconds.
If there was any doubt in my mind that Blake didn’t really want me to stay, it’s definitely just been smashed to pieces. Not only is this happening in front of all these strangers, but his daughter’s stood mere feet away. He wouldn’t be doing this if he wasn’t serious. He’s too good a dad to put her through something like this.
“Let’s get out of here,” he says, the deepness of his voice sending shivers down my spine. That kiss wasn’t enough after the day I’ve had—I need more of Blake. I need him to show me that this is real, that I’m not dreaming.
“Okay,” I agree, sliding my hand inside his.
He gives me a gentle tug and I follow him when he begins walking towards the exit. Looking over my shoulder, I see Aunt Addy and Sinead fall into step a few feet behind us.
* * *
“We’re going to have a sleepover at my house,” Aunt Addy announces once she and Blake have paid their horrendous parking fees.
“Perfect,” Blake says with a smile, and a glint in his eye that’s far too inappropriate for his twelve year old daughter to witness. Aunt Addy doesn’t miss it, because when she catches my eye, she winks at me. “I’ll bring her back tomorrow. You two have fun.”
“Sinead, please let your nan get some sleep,” Blake instructs, before giving my hand a squeeze and pulling me away from them.
“Thank you for showing her where she belongs,” I hear Aunt Addy shout after us, and I can’t prevent a lump appearing in my throat at the thought of leaving her again.
We walk in silence towards Blake’s van. I’m still a little shell-shocked by the last few hours; I’ve gone from the highs of last night with Blake to the shock of finding out my ex-husband’s left me with nothing and having to leave the place I love, only to be convinced to stay by a man who affects me like no one else I’ve ever met.
Blake throws my case into the back of his van before opening the passenger door for me. He keeps eye contact with me the whole time and the naughty glint in them ensures my excitement simmers just under the surface. If he has anything planned that isn’t going straight back to his house to make use of his bed, I’m going to be seriously frustrated. He started something inside that airport and he needs to finish it—and fast.
It’s all going well until he takes an unexpected turn towards the town centre. The journey so far has been in silence, both of us too busy trying to process all of this to speak.
“Where are we going?” I ask, breaking the silence.
Blake reaches over after changing gear and places his hand high on my thigh. “It’s a surprise.”
“A surprise isn’t what I need right now,” I mutter as I look out at the passing buildings.
I hear a groan from beside me. The expression on Blake’s face when I glance over amuses me; he looks like he’s in pain.
“You okay?” I ask, trying to contain a laugh.
“Yeah, I think so,” he answers after clearing his throat.
When he pulls down a back road and stops in a dark and deserted car park, I’m even more confused.
“I know I may be a little desperate, but a quickie in the back wasn’t exactly what I had in mind.”
“As incredible as it would be to christen my van, that isn’t why we’re here. It’s giving me ideas, though,” he says, before jumping out and running around to open my door for me.
“I’m not having sex with you in your dirty work van,” I announce once he’s shut the door behind me.
“We’ll see.” Blake catches up to me and places his hands across my eyes.
“What the fuck?”
