ONE YEAR LATER
Syd pov
We are back at The Parkstone Hotel where 18 months ago my life changed forever, and where the wedding will be held tomorrow. Security staff are busy making final arrangements to keep fans and the press out, florists and decorators are dressing the grand ballroom in varying shades of pink, white and silver. Beautiful and fragrant peonies, lilies and roses create the most magnificent floral arch under which the ceremony will take place, roadies are setting up the stage for the musicians that will play at the reception, and hotel staff are laying tables with incredible crystal glassware and the shiniest silverware I've ever seen. Everything is going according to plan thanks to Amelia, the hotels amazing wedding planner, who is surprisingly getting a lot of assistance from my newest friend Eloise! Who'd have thought that she would become one of my closest friends.
She and I are alike in many ways, we share passion for our loved ones, both have strong protective instincts and are fiercely loyal to those we care about. Of course, our methods differ hugely, she is more direct and uses aggression as her defence.
I prefer a less confrontational approach and choose passiveness and reverse psychology.
We have some very interesting, erm... let's call them 'debates'.... about many situations, but have learned to respect each other's differing opinions. She is actually a very nice person, I often think of her as an m&m ..... once you make it through the hard shell you meet the sweet middle! She hates it when I tell her that, which I do at least once a week to keep her on her toes.
We both understand it's fun, and when it's not we will talk about it and stop the banter. Its working for us.
I tell her what a great job she and Amelia are doing, praising their efforts. The room does look truly stunning, large windows allow ample natural light into the huge space. Motes of dust dance on the rhythm of the breeze illuminated by the rays of the sun, beaming streams of light onto the parquet flooring of the grand ballroom. I kiss her cheek and tell her we will see her at dinner as we leave.
Laura and I return to the suite we are sharing for the night, after all, it is bad luck for the groom to see the bride before the wedding. Laura is showering ready for dinner and I am lying on our huge bed gazing at the two couture dresses hanging from the curtain rail, one mine, the other hers. I can't wait to wear mine, it is the most expensive and beautiful garment I've ever owned and I know I will want to wear it over and over again. Yanni will have to be pretty persuasive to get me out of it tomorrow night!
Dinner is early at 6pm to allow us all to get some much needed sleep before the big event. I'm actually getting nervous and I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to eat much tonight, but I'm going to smile and pretend I'm fine, I don't want Laura worrying about me.
We both apply our make up, then style each other's hair before dressing in outfits we have chosen for one another. It's our occasional silliness, something we've done for years actually. We have chosen some terrible outfits for each other during the course of our friendship, some just bad judgment, others very definitely deliberate attempts to embarrass the other. It's fun, usually!
Not today. Today is not fun at all. I can't go outside like this?
Think 'High class hooker with Uber confidence in herself' meets '1990's VOGUE Era Madonna' and you have a good idea of what Laura expects me to wear!
The shawl collar, pale pink Chanel blazer dress is beautiful. Perfectly tailored and double breasted with four gold buttons, it has undertones of a military style. It'd look amazing with a pair of leather trousers and heels, but that's not what Laura has in mind for me.
A sheer black bustier style ankle length body stocking is what I'm wearing beneath the dress. It is plain but for the pinstripe up the back of the leg, intended to draw the eyes upward to the impossibly short hem of the dress which is barely covering my lace covered cheeks. It's to be teamed with black calf length biker style boots with more silver buckles and chains than I've ever seen on one item of footwear!
A more shamelessly brazen beacon of gaudiness is hard to imagine for me. This outfit is so far out of my comfort zone, I'm going to be self conscious all night.
I am at least happy with my hair and make up.
I'm naturally a lot more conservative, often wear trousers, skirts are infrequently worn but are always knee length, and darker colours are my preference as they allow me to blend into the background, standing out the last thing I ever want.
Laura loves what I chose for her. A black knee length cocktail dress with lace bustier and a chiffon skirt, paired with some simple and elegant black heels and some pretty diamond studs. She really does look stunning, and I beg her to reconsider my outfit, but she won't be swayed. I love her, but right now I don't like her very much. I'm already embarrassed and we haven't even left the room yet!
We exit the lift and head towards the hotel bar, me self consciously tugging at the hem of the blazer, all too aware of how revealing this outfit is. I'm feeling so vulnerable, the many pairs of eyes following our progress through the lobby adding weight to my anxiety, seemingly testament to the fact that this outfit is too much. Or should I say, too little?.
I swallow down those negative feelings and decide that I am going to have to own this outfit. I know what Laura is doing. She knows I love roleplay, as does she, and she has decided that tonight is a perfect night to set me up for that kind of evening. She says that is what Hen Nights are all about, to test your love for someone fully before committing to them for the rest of your life. I internally instruct my body and mind to relax, stop fidgeting, and embrace the situation, play the role! Have fun with it.
"Test yourself because I know you have doubts about your wedding" she says hugging me then leaning back with a wink and a smile, turning and walking into the bar area.
I rapidly expel a self reassuring puff of air, pull up my head and square my shoulders and decide on my character for the night.
I don't want to play Madonna tonight, not 1990's Madonna anyway, she was far too extrovert and too much of a character for me to even consider emulating, but a high class escort? That I do believe I can manage!
We find the guys in a large booth at the rear of the bar. Yanni, Vinni and Eloise, Jimmie, Teddi and Parker, and also Noah wait together for our arrival, drinks littering the table between them all.
I tell Laura I'll grab us some drinks and head over shortly, and she heads off towards them with a nod. I order us each a mojito and watch enthralled as the bartender mixes the delicious cocktails. A very broad man approaches my right side and settles beside me, so close our arms are touching, albeit through clothes. This is him. This is who my game will be played with. I shudder with the excitement of it, role playing an intoxicating temptress is so much fun, although these clothes are definitely not my usual attire.
"Good evening!" I hear almost whispered in my ear, a shiver of desire racing through me as his soft warm breath hits my neck, the timbre of his voice deep and mellow weakening my knees. I run the tip of my tongue over my bottom lip in an attempt to moisten it enough to speak but it is as dry as the desert, so rapidly improvising I grab my trusty lipbalm from my pocket and slowly begin to apply it, my lips slightly parted as I do this. I feel his eyes on my mouth and swear I hear a catch in his breath. Yes, got him! It's only after I replace the lipbalm in my pocket that I turn to speak to him and am floored by how incredibly handsome this man is. Words fail me.
Soft platinum blonde hair falls just above his eyes in thick, wavy tendrils which highlight the sparkle in his enticing grey eyes. I allow my gaze to roam his face, appreciating the full cheeks, high cheekbones and button nose, but once my eyes find his mouth all I can focus on are his lips. The perfect Cupid's bow, pink, full and plump, I think about how soft and warm they look, the devilish smirk on his face replaced with a cute pout and he speaks again, filling the tense silence with his words.
"You know, where I'm from it's customary to return a greeting if acknowledged by another in a public setting. It's not a law, but an unspoken rule of etiquette" he growls playfully with a smile on his face. It completely changes his face, from 007 style 'Mr Swagger' to 'Boyish jokester' in a flash.
"Of course! I'm sorry, I have something on my mind which is occupying far too much of my time. Please don't think me rude, I just lose myself sometimes when I'm thinking hard. Forgive me Mr...?" I pause, waiting for his response.
"Min. Mr Min... and you are?" he questions, holding out his hand for me to shake. As our skin touches shocks enter my body through my fingers and travel up to my skull, my brain firing synapses,sending the message of excitement around my entire body, the feeling incredible.
"Uh, I am Camille" I whisper, desire obvious in my tone. I smile and lift my drink, placed there with such discretion I had even noticed it arrive.
"Pleased to meet you Mr Min. Now, since we're now friends maybe you can help me with my conundrum?!" I suggest, leaning a little closer to him, our faces only inches apart.
He lifts a whisky glass to that beautiful mouth and waits for me to enlighten him.
"I need some male help. I'm here with my Fiancé for our wedding tomorrow but I'm so nervous. I don't know if I love him enough to marry him. I mean, I love him, but is it enough? The feel of his lips on my body, his touch, the taste of his skin are all so intoxicating, I don't know if I'm in love or just in lust!" I finish with a sigh, and take another long suck on my straw, the sweet citrus and mint blend fizzing deliciously on my tongue.
"That does sound like a problem. One I think I can help with, if you're willing!?" he says, raising an eyebrow and biting his bottom lip, his implication clear. "Come back to my room with me. If you find yourself in my bed then I would suggest that you are only in lust, but if you reject me after all the persuasion I'm going to hit you with, I'd say you love him"
I turn and look back at the group of people I should be with and then back at this man. He has me. I need this. I want it.
I pick up my drink and beckon the bartender, asking him to deliver Laura's Mojito and a message. He's to tell her I was far too uncomfortable and have gone to change, and for them to order without me. I'll meet them in the restaurant soon. He nods his understanding as I place £20 on the tray and thank him.
I place my hand on my companions arm and he picks up his drink, turning me towards the bar exit and the lifts beyond.
"Let's finish these drinks in my room and get to know one another better, shall we!?" he winks, and all my muscles below my waist contract, making me sway on my feet. He steadies me and asks me if I'm drunk. I assure him I'm not, just anxious to get to the lift.
We go quietly back to the room I'm sharing with Laura as we arrive on our floor first, he is in one of the four penthouses he tells me as I open my door and step aside to allow him access.
"You look absolutely stunning! Your Fiancé is an incredibly lucky man. I have to say, I'm pretty sorry that he beat me to your heart, but I'm going to try my damndest to get you to forget about him tonight" he drawls as he passes by, easing his tie from around his throat, his Adam's apple bobbing visibly as he swallows.
"Then let's not waste time talking about him, I need to know how I feel about him. I need you to tempt me..." I tell him shamelessly, moving closer to him as I slip the four buttons of the dress undone. I look directly into his eyes as I press my body fully against his and am left in no doubt regarding his excitement too, his eyes close and his head falls forwards onto his chest, firm against my soft boobs, his length pressing in to me. A low breathy moan escapes me as his hands cup my bum and pull me closer to his hardness which makes him smile. He has a smile that could light up even the darkest room. I'm enthralled by him, aroused by him and desperate for him!
He slips the dress off of my shoulders and follows its descent with his lips, teasing my neck with soft kisses, biting at the point where your neck becomes your shoulders, tracing his tongue along my more prominent new collarbones, planning the perfect wedding is hard bloody work after all.
Such simple but exquisite pleasure!
I'm lost to this man. He has me enraptured, completely at his whim. He steps back and looks at my body, clad only in the sheer body stocking with such lust I almost overheat, but I know in that moment I'm going to do anything for him.