Chapter 62
CHAPTER 62
CALEB
K at has come through. Everything is organised. Our accommodation, our travel. April is sitting next to me, clutching my hand as if it’s a lifeline, and I’m happy to let her.
“You’ve not heard a word I’ve said, have you?” I say, turning my body to face hers.
“Huh?”
“My point exactly,” I chuckle, gaining her attention. “Do you want to talk about it?”
She scrunches up her nose.
I take her face in my hands and drop a kiss on the offending wrinkle. “April, you’ve been staring into space for the past hour, have grunted answers to every question I’ve asked. It’s not surprising, you’ve got a lot on your mind. You’re about to meet the woman who gave birth to you, a woman you haven’t seen in twenty-two years.”
“Sorry,” she says, pulling absentmindedly at her lips.
“Don’t be sorry,” I say, rubbing my thumb over her lips. “I just want you to know. You’re not alone. I’m here for you if you’ll let me. ”
She tilts her head into one of my hands, as she looks at me, her eyes clearing.
She sighs.
“I don’t know what to think, or what to say. My mind is like the inside of a washing machine on a fast spin cycle. Everything is going around and around in my head. Rolling over itself. Every sentence, question, sounds wrong. Suppose she hates me? What if I despise her? What do I do? What if I can’t get past all this? We end up hurting each other more than we already have. What then? And then, of course… what if we get on? How do I shut away all the hurt I’ve got bottled up inside and move forward?”
I pull her into my arms, and I’m amazed when she comes willingly. She rests her head above my heart, and I draw her closer, rubbing circles on her back. When she closes her eyes, I kiss the top of her head.
“What will be, will be.”
I smooth her hair back from her face. “This meeting is just a point in time. How you navigate it, after tomorrow, will depend on so many factors. Try not to second guess. Just be yourself. I’m here with you.”
Whether she appreciates my lack of platitudes I don’t know, but I have a feeling telling April. She’s going to love you. You’re going to love her, won’t help matters. Guarantees do not exist, and we are both aware of that.
She wraps an arm around my waist and squeezes, “Thank you for being here with me,” she whispers.
“I wouldn’t be anywhere else,” I tell her honestly.
We stay like that for the rest of the journey.
April’s jaw drops when we pull up outside the hotel. Unlike New York, this is one of our boutique hotels. A style more reminiscent of our family home.
“Cal, this is stunning,” she whispers as Mason pulls up on the gravel driveway. The bellboy collects our cases, and I take April’s hand in mine as he leads us through the large double doorway and into reception.
“Welcome Mr Frazer, Ms Wilson. We hope you enjoy your stay. If there’s anything I can do. Please ask.”
“Thank you, Miriam,” I say, greeting the manageress. “Can I confirm you have reserved the private sitting room for our meeting tomorrow?”
She smiles warmly. “Of course. We’ve set it aside for the day, as requested. Someone will take tea and coffee orders when your guest arrives, and we’ll serve lunch when you indicate. Your sister was very clear in her instructions.”
“That sounds perfect,” I say. Kat likes April and will want everything to be perfect. That thought alone eases my mind, and hopefully Aprils. “Are we in the family suite?”
“You are,” Miriam holds out a key card embossed with the Frazer family logo. “Your bags have already been taken up. Mason wanted me to let you know he’s in Room 42, should you need him. Can I book you a table in the restaurant for this evening, or would you prefer room service?”
I look at April, taking note of the dark rings around her eyes. “Room service,” I say without a second thought.
After the two-and-a-half-hour drive and an early start at the studio, I get the feeling April will want to put her feet up and chill out. If she needs a distraction, then I’m sure we can find something to do.
“There is a menu in the room. Just make a call, and the chef will have your dinner brought up to you,” Miriam says, smiling over at April.
“Thank you,” April says before I lead her to the elevator .
“Do you have family suites in all the hotels?” April asks as soon as the doors close.
“We do. It was something my grandfather insisted upon. When my father and his siblings were younger, he would often take them with him. He felt it was safer if he knew the environment was somewhere they knew.”
“Your father took over the hotel chain?” April asks.
“Dad followed his father into the hotel business, like Kat. The rest of his siblings followed their own paths, like the rest of my family. My aunt oversees Frazer Jewellery, and my uncle runs Frazer Entertainment. My cousins are all in business with them. It was a stipulation of my grandfather and father’s wills, all family members are free to use the family suites.”
“Wow, there are a lot of successful Frazer’s out there,” April laughs.
“What can I say, we’re a pushy bunch.” When April rolls her eyes, I pull her into my arms, dropping a kiss on her lips.
I let us into the family suite, and April freezes in the doorway, her jaw slack, making me smile. I grab her hand and pull her into the room, closing the door behind her.
“Through there is a small kitchen. It will be stocked with snacks and drinks. Help yourself.”
Like a child in a toy shop she wanders off into the small kitchen. I hear the fridge door open. “Holy—“ she mutters, making me smile and I know she has found it fully stocked with everything she might want, from yoghurts, to fresh fruit platters, and a ready-made salad. As well as a selection of cheeses and cold meats.
I sit down as I listen to her move around. The sound of the cupboard doors opening and closing.
Her face appears in the doorway. “Is this you?” She holds up her favourite brand of coffee.
I stand up and walk towards her, wrapping my arms around her waist. “I didn’t think you should be without your favourite beverage this weekend. I called Kat and she made sure they ordered it in.”
“Oh gosh, what will Kat think. She’ll think I’m one of those high maintenance women.”
That has me laughing. “High maintenance women?” I ask, knowing she has no idea. She would struggle to be high maintenance if she tried.
“Yes,” she says pulling out of my arms and putting her hands on her hips.
I pull her back towards me and drop a kiss on her nose. “Kat would never think that, and like me, she wants you to feel comfortable this weekend.”
“Well, I shall make sure I thank her. This is amazing.” April says, gesturing to the room and kitchen. “Let me put this coffee back,” she says turning away quickly.
I watch her go, knowing something is wrong.
I walk up behind her when she places her hands on the kitchen sideboard and drops her head. Wrapping my arms around her waist, I envelop her in my embrace.
“What’s wrong?” I ask.
She turns her head, her eyes bleak. “I’m just a little overwhelmed, I guess.”
I rest my forehead against the side of her head and draw her closer. “That’s to be expected. It’s a big weekend. Just remember I’m here. I’m not going anywhere.”
She spins in my arms, her arms going around my neck. “I couldn’t do this without you.” Her words make my heart sing.
I drop a quick kiss on her lips. “Let me run you a bath and then we can order some dinner.”
She moans at my words and my cock hardens instantly. It’s been too long since I’ve had her in my arms. “That sounds like heaven,” she says, pressing herself against me .
I lead her into the master en suite and April chuckles.
“Your family understand luxury,” she says appreciatively, as I lean over the extra-large bath and start the water going. I pass her a basket filled with oils and bath salts. She places them on the side and begins to smell them. “This one,” she grins.
When the bath is ready, I turn around, pulling April to her feet. My eyes catch hers as I draw her towards me. I begin to unbutton her shirt, sliding it off her shoulders, before following with the rest of her clothes.
“Get into the bath, and relax,” I say, keeping my eyes on hers and my hands on her shoulders and not on her naked body. “Would you like a glass of wine?”
Her lips twitch as she looks at me, her arms snaking up and around my neck.
“What I’d like, is you, in the bath with me. Helping me to relax.” She draws my head down to hers, her tongue tracing the seam of my lips.