Loving Alex (The Alexandra Drake Series) Read online

  Loving Alex

  Part two of the

  Alexandra Drake Series

  Sarah Elizabeth Ashley

  © Copyright Sarah Elizabeth Ashley 2013

  LOVING ALEX

  All rights reserved.

  The right of Sarah Elizabeth Ashley to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted in accordance the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

  No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, nor translated into a machine language, without the written permission of the publisher.

  This is a work of fiction. Names and characters are a product of the author’s imaginations and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events and organisations is purely coincidental.

  Condition of sale

  This book is sold subject to the condition that it shall not, by way of trade or otherwise, be lent, re-sold, hired out or otherwise circulated in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published and without a similar condition including this condition being imposed on the subsequent purchaser.

  Praise for Loving Alex

  “Don’t think for a second this is just a love story, there is suspense and twists that will leave you shocked…”The Page Princess

  “To me this is a story of hope, love, family and courage. The courage to never give up or give in. To move on...James what can I say ~ Strawberries!...” A Goodreads Reviewer

  “I am completely amazed by James and his devotion to Alex. Loved this book and am eagerly waiting for the next book to see where these characters end up!!” Dirty Hoe's Book Blog

  “I loved Freeing Alex but loving Alex takes it to a whole new level. Girl power rocks this book with strong determination, strength and will power…” A Goodreads Reviewer

  CONTENTS

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chatper 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  The Alexandra Drake Series

  Part One – Freeing Alex

  Part Two – Loving Alex

  Part Three – Eternally Alex – Early 2014

  Acknowledgement

  With immense gratitude to Clare, for listening to my ramblings and for letting me bounce ideas off her and for making me cry with your comments. To Aconi’s Angels Kim, Tracey, Clare and Jean for their support and honesty with the series so far- thank you.

  To my loving husband and children who have stood by me and picked up the pieces when everything felt as it was falling apart, and yes this has happened many times, there have even been moments when I have cursed Alex and James and swore that I would end their fictional existence immediately and vow never to speak of them, ever again! And to my mum, my biggest critic and support, for your continued and unending encouragement, yet again I say, “I’m sorry I kept you awake!”

  To everyone who has left reviews, sent messages, supported with blogging and your kind words.

  Thank you and I love you all.

  Dedication

  There was once a very special man in my life. Unfortunately he was taken away too soon, much too soon. The launch day of Loving Alex is his birthday, 8th November.

  Wherever you are, you will always be in our thoughts, in our hearts and in our memories.

  I hope that I have made you very proud.

  “Gregga”

  x

  Playlist

  Avicii – Wake me Up

  David Guetta – Play Hard

  Avicci – Levels

  Swedish House Mafia – Don’t you worry child

  Simple Minds – Don’t you forget about me

  Andrea Bocelli – Con Te Partico

  Stephen Curtis Chapman – I will be here

  Labrinth – Beneath you’re beautiful

  Andrea Bocelli – Vivo Per Lei

  The The – This is the day

  Find Sarah on Facebook: facebook.com/AlexDrake

  http://sarahelizabethashley.com

  Twitter @SarahEAshley1

  Loving Alex. Part Two of the Alexandra Drake Series.

  Loving Alex continues the story of Alex Drake, the formerly downtrodden and abused wife and mother.

  After receiving the huge legacy from the woman she always regarded as Aunt, Alex finds herself flung into a world she could have only dreamed of. A world where money is no object, where she is loved, adored and worshipped by her lover, a younger man, James. Her life is a million miles removed from her old “existence”, surely it can only get better and better

  Chapter 1

  I sit in the middle seat and hold onto James’ hand tightly as we take off on our return flight to London. I’m sandwiched between him and a podgy bloke whose arse somehow spills into my seat.

  I lean towards my lover, “I love you.” I whisper. I never, ever thought I’d say that to anyone else ever again, but this past few days James has shown me that it is possible to love again and to be loved, he’s been kind and caring, he’s made me laugh and comforted me when I’ve cried, and there has been some crying! He’s supported me when I miscarried our baby, although prior to the actual miscarriage I didn’t even know I was pregnant and when I met my birth father for the first time, checking at each step of the way to make sure that I’ve been happy with everything. He’s instigated the lesson that my soon-to-be ex husband, aka the bastard, received, although he won’t admit it and most importantly he’s shown me that not all men are the same, that some, like James, are truly loving and caring.

  He holds my hand tighter, “Not as much as I love you! You complete me Alexandra Drake.”

  “Don’t call me Alexandra!” I slap his arm playfully.

  “Okay……Blossom!”

  I frown, “That’s worse!”

  We sit quietly as the aircraft ascends to its cruising level, once we’re levelled out and the cabin crew start their drinks service I think it’s time to ask a question that’s been hovering at the back of my mind for the last few days.

  “James,” I draw his attention to me, “how would you feel about giving up the General Manager’s job at Reid’s?”

  “No way! I’m not freeloading off you Alex, I work for my keep!” He’s very defensive.

  “I wasn’t suggesting that you would give up work and freeload. I was thinking more of creating a new role, someone to still run the hotel but in a more senior position.” I explain.

  “As what?” He’s abrupt.

  “I don’t know. I did say that I wanted to stay close to the hotel, to be involved, not like Maggie, my - distant. But, I’ve so enjoyed these last few days away it’s given me time to think, and I want to be involved still but I really don’t want to be there all the time, so I need someone to do it for me - you!” I look at him, he’s listening intently, taking everything in. In my mind I’m willing him to say “yes”.

  He
stares at me, blankly giving nothing away, “I enjoy my job, I can’t think about it now.” He’s dismissive and, unlike James doesn’t sound too sure of himself.

  I look longingly at him, “Please!”

  He turns his terribly handsome face towards me, “I promise, I’ll think about it, but really Alex, I don’t know?”

  “Your main issue being?” I press for his rationale behind this refusal.

  I can see him thinking, formulating his response, he opens his mouth as if to speak but stops, the cogs continue to whir around under that stunning hair. “The main issue being that people will think that I’m being kept and I don’t like that, I don’t want it!”

  I lean forward and look out of the window, seeing the white clouds, I huff. “Will you at least think about it some more. Please?”

  “I will Alex and that’s it. End of conversation.” He dismisses me turning his face to the window.

  I root around for a magazine in the pocket in front of me and flick through the pages as the flight attendant approaches us with the drinks service. “Can I get you anything?” She asks looking at the three of us in the row.

  The podgy man asks for a whiskey and soda, peanuts and a bar of chocolate. The attendant completes his transaction and then looks at me, “Anything for you Madam?”

  “Do you have any champagne?” I ask.

  “We’ve some Prosecco.” She pulls on the metal drawers from her trolley and shows me a small bottle of fizz.

  “That’ll be great, thank you.” She places two plastic cups on mine and James tray and a small square napkin on each. “You don’t have anything strawberry flavoured do you?” I ask quietly, I know it’s probably a stupid question, but worth asking.

  “No,” she says looking puzzled, maybe is was a stupid question, “I’ve got some nice chocolates!”

  “They’ll be fine, thank you.” She places the little packet of luxury chocolates on my tray and I hand her my Coutts debit card. She looks at it, looks at me, smiles and swipes the card, her hand held machine whirs producing a slip which she presents to me for signature.

  I nudge James and hand him the bottle, he opens it and pours us each a glass. “To us, to the future.” I say raising the tumbler towards my handsome bloke. He smiles and kisses my cheek, “God, I love you!”

  “I’m going to be free James…Free. Can you believe it, can you really believe it?” I’ve such an excited feeling in my stomach, I want to run around waving my arms like a mad woman, I really do. The bastard is on his way out, I have an amazing lover and a new best friend in James – What more could a girl want?

  “You deserve nothing more Blossom, really and truly.”

  We sit sipping our fizz holding on to each other’s hands, so happy just to be in each other’s company. I open the little bag of chocolates. “Want one?” I ask offering James first choice.

  “Chocolates! I didn’t see you get those!” He grins.

  “Umm, they didn’t have anything strawberry flavoured so you’ll have to make do with chocolate.” I say as I pop a Bailey’s truffle in my mouth. “What is it with strawberries anyway?”

  “The ancient Greeks thought of them as the fruit of temptation and seduction.” He says with an incredibly sexy smile. He bends towards me and places as chaste kiss on my lips which earns us a filthy look from the bloke sat next to me.

  “Really, well I never knew that. I know that they can be used to clean your teeth, but I didn’t know the Greeks had any form of mythology about strawberries.” I’m surprised, I really am.

  “Well, they say that when Adonis died the Goddess Aphrodite wept with such passion that her tears fell as small red hearts, strawberries, as the years passed they became associated with temptation and seduction…and anyway I love them, but I really like the British ones, when they’re in season.” He says as he takes a deep swallow of his wine and another chocolate. I look at the bag, “There’s only three left!” I complain, “How many have you had?” I look at him sternly.

  “Only two or three.” He mutters.

  “Two or three! There were only eight in there to start off with and I’ve had one!” I tease him. Honestly, I’m not overly bothered about the chocolates anyway and only got them for the Bossman.

  “I need the loo,” I whisper to him, “won’t be a moment.” I look around and see that the toilet at the front of the aircraft is vacant, the podgy man next to me is now dozing as I squeeze past him and into the aisle. It’s a small aircraft with several seats unoccupied, the cabin crew are at the rear of the plane continuing with their service. “Wait,” I hear James hiss from behind me. He stands and puts his arm around my waist, “Want to join the mile-high club?” He whispers.

  I look at him shocked, “Really?” I gasp.

  “Really! Come on, no-one’s looking.” He speaks so softly, so quietly, his smile is playful and mischievous.

  I squeeze forward as James follows closely behind me. I open the door of the toilet and check again, nobody’s watching us, I wink at James and we both cram into the tiny cubicle giggling and laughing as we do.

  Once the door’s locked he pulls me close and holds on to me tightly. He plants his firm soft lips on mine kissing me deeply, his tongue lapping at my bottom lip, prising my lips apart. I throw my arms around his neck banging my elbows against the walls of the cubicle and sending a bottle of hand soap flying. His hands drop towards the waistband of my jeans and he undoes the top button quickly. He reaches for the tab of my zip and pulls it down, all the time his mouth upon mine, my jaw and my neck. His hands slide into my jeans and he eases them down over my bum, I wriggle out of the denim, kicking my shoes off and pushing the legs of my jeans over each foot with the other. He undoes his own jeans and I help push them as far as his knees, I shove his boxers down as his huge cock springs free straight at me. I laugh, “I thought the mile-high club was a myth?”

  “Well, we’re going to be part of it!” He mumbles as he lifts me up and places my arse on the edge of the sink, “You’re going to have to hold on baby, I don’t want you to fall.”

  I put my arms around his neck as he holds me and wrap my legs around his waist as he finds my entrance, he thrusts forward, filling me. “Good God Alex, you’re so fucking ready for this!” He murmurs, “It’s going to be hard and fast baby, no time for anything else! You ready?”

  “Very ready Boss.” I gasp.

  He pounds into me as I cry out, “Quiet Alex, you’ve got to keep it down.” He whispers.

  “You try being fucked hard without making a sound then!” I snap back as he continues to drive into me harder and harder.

  I gasp again “God James, Hell!”

  “Sssh,” He whispers again to my ear. “You’ve got to keep it down baby. Be quiet!” He grumbles.

  I dig my fingers into his shoulders, my lips against his ear, “I can’t. James, you’re a bloody arse, you can’t expect me to be silent…not when it’s this …Oh James, James!” I try my hardest to restrain my voice.

  “It’s all about pleasure baby, all about pleasure.” He growls as I shatter around him, as he releases holding me so tightly, I feel him pulse in me over and over again. We hold onto each other. Our breathing rapid against each other’s neck and cheeks.

  “We need to get gone,” He laughs as he lowers me to the floor. I’m feeling dishevelled, satisfied but wrecked! “I’ll go first.” He pulls his boxers and jeans up, rearranging himself, checks himself in the mirror, running his fingers through his gorgeous curls and opens the door slightly. “Clear.” He slips out of the cubicle and I lock the door after him. I try to reassemble my clothing and make myself look a bit presentable, if nothing else.

  I use the toilet and splash some water over my face. Dressing awkwardly in the cramped confines of the tiny cubicle before I leave. There’s a lady waiting as I exit, I’m sure I look flushed, she smiles sweetly at me, she knows I think to myself. I continue to mess with my hair as I return to James squeezing past the still sleeping podgy man as I go. I drop into my
seat and fasten my seat belt as James leans forward and kisses my cheek so softly, “You’re amazing Alex.” I smile back at him, there’s no need for words.

  The flight passes quickly and we’re soon dropping into London City Airport. “You did ask Archie to pick us up?” James nudges me.

  “I did, I gave him the flight number and all the details. He’ll be there, you know he’s ultra reliable.”

  We pass quickly through the airport and after we’ve collected our luggage, which I am not permitted to carry, we exit through the automatic doors and find Archie waiting for us. As usual he’s impeccably turned out in his silver grey suit his dark blonde hair groomed to perfection, he smiles warmly as we walk towards him, “Good trip Mrs. Drake, Mr. Aconi?” He asks, his bright blue eyes twinkling as he opens the door for me.

  “Great thanks, and please it’s Alex!” I smile. He acknowledges me with a nod. Archie is so prim and proper, insisting that things are done the right way. Will he ever call me Alex?

  I climb into the back of the Mercedes and reach for the door to close it but am beaten to it by Archie who shuts it and walks to the rear of the car to help James with our cases, although James seems perfectly capable of doing this himself, I think it’s an Archie thing, the desire to help with every little thing!

  Once were all settled he pulls the car away and we’re soon into the heavy mid-day London traffic but, unlike me who detests driving in London, Archie makes it look so easy, we move smoothly, negotiating the day to day obstacles with ease, the cars pulling out in all directions, pedestrians stepping out from footpaths, the bicycles, the heavy goods vehicles and the huge red London buses, not to mention the black cabs.