He's Captured My Soul (Captured Series Book 3) (2 page)

“Right, give me a call when you're going and I’ll meet you there.”

I end the call; I know Phil’s right, and she has to think it’s her decision. I love her with everything I have. I have a need to keep her safe, after everything she’s been through in recent months. I can’t bear to see her go through anymore, and that includes her over-working. I know she thinks she has something to prove to Phil, with running the hotel. But I can’t sit back and watch her health suffer.

I’m desperate to see her skin with a healthy glow, her eyes sparkle and not just because I’ve helped in some small way, but both should be there all the time.

I look at the time and decide to text Sophie;
Can’t wait to see you
.

Straight away she replies;
Me too. Does Libby know?

Me; No and she won’t until she comes home from work on x-mas day.

Sophie; I’m looking forward to Libby showing me around.

Me; No leading her astray

Sophie; As if I would. Love you x

Me; See you soon

I hope I’m doing the right thing, having my family here. My mom was desperate for a visit, and with the opening of the casino, now seemed like the right time. Holiday season, after all is all about family. And what better way to spend the holiday season than being surrounded with some of the most important people in both our lives.

I look at the framed picture that sits on the bedside cabinet. It’s my favourite of the two of us; the night at the awards in Edinburgh. Everything about her, she looks stunning and that dress. What can I say about that dress. Red is most definitely a colour that suits Miss Stewart. But it’s more than just how hot she looks, so much more. In this picture I see the connection between the two of us. It’s there in the way she looks at me and I at her. The sparkle in her eyes, the slight flush on her cheeks and that beautiful smile. It’s all there, captured in a picture, but I want more than a picture. I want to see her look like that always, every damn day.

I smile fondly remembering our journey home that evening in the limo. It has to go down as one of the best nights of my life. It certainly made up for our lost limo ride in New York.

This is the woman I have travelled across an ocean to be with. The woman I would give up everything for. The woman I love with all my heart. This is the woman I want to make happy more than anything else. This is the woman I plan on spending the rest of my life with. She is my number one priority. Libby Stewart is my future.

24th December

“WHAT ARE YOU DOING OUT
here in the cold?” His voice startles me, distracting me from the vision in front of me. “And the snow? I thought I was meeting you inside?” he asks. I’ve not yet turned to his voice as his arms wrap snugly around my waist. I breathe in his scent and lean back resting my head against him, my eyes are still set upon the loch. Which is now hardly visible under the thick snow that is falling fast, in almost blizzard-like conditions. I had hoped for a white Christmas, looks like I got it after all. “Come on, before this weather gets worse.”

I’m not sure how long I’ve even been standing here, just staring into space. I angle my head so I can see him. I lift my hand and run it along his stubble that I’ve grown to love almost as much as the man himself. I can just make out the slight smile, but what I see is his concern, concern for me. I know he is worried about me; he’s been telling me on a daily basis for the last few weeks. I have tried to reassure him, that after the New Year everything will be back to normal in the hotel. I am just tired now with how busy I’ve been.

“Please Libby, come on I am taking you home,” Alex says as he turns me in his arms.

“Okay.”

“You look exhausted.”

“I am tired,” I tell him as we walk away from the loch and back to the hotel, hand in hand. “Only another week to go and it will all be nearly over.” I left home at five this morning and it’s now nearly four. I know everything is ready for tonight and Christmas dinner tomorrow. Kieran was the one that said I wasn’t working tonight, and to be honest I didn’t have the energy to argue with him. So he is working tonight and both of us are in tomorrow, although I don’t need to come back in until nearer noon and only need to stay for a few hours.

“I will be five minutes tops,” I tell him, pressing my cold lips against his as we reach the hotel.

“Right, I’ll wait in the car. No longer.”

“Promise.”

I dash back inside and have a quick word with Sally and Kieran before leaving to Alex’s waiting car. He’s no longer driving my shiny red convertible which, to be honest, didn’t really suit him.

He’s now the proud owner of a Range Rover. He claims it’s practical, me I’ve yet to see evidence of its practicality.

“So I have you all to myself for tonight?” he says softly as I close the car door behind me. “And we can be over at Ethan’s as early as you want in the morning for Lucy.”

“Yip, I’m all yours. Just whatever you have planned, be gentle with me.” I look over at him, but I can’t even bring myself to smile properly. And I know he knows it’s a fake smile. He can read me better than anyone; he knows just how tired I am. The hours I’ve put in this past month are not healthy,
I know that
, even Kieran has been pestering me to take a few hours off here and there. But I just don’t want to let anyone down at our busiest time of the year.

“Promise. It’s just you and me, some dinner and we can just lie up and watch a movie.” He leans across and kisses me softly, taking me by surprise. I feel as if we should have other plans with it being Christmas Eve, but even the thought of getting dressed up to go out makes me feel stressed. “When we get home, you go for a shower and I will cook. Is there anything you need to do at home before tomorrow?”

“I have one more thing to wrap up for Lucy.”

“You’ve bought her something else?” My smile is real with his words, I know I have spoiled her but she is worth spoiling, it’s her first Christmas after all. “You do realise she hasn’t a clue about tomorrow being Christmas?”

“I know, but it’s Christmas and all little girls need spoiling at Christmas.”

“And big girls?” His smile is warm and sincere as he speaks.

“All I need is right here,” I tell him as I stroke the side of his face.

“All I need is you,” he tells me, making my heart skip a beat.

The drive home is really pretty quiet. I could try and say I am lost in deep thought, but I’ve not really given anything much thought at all.

It’s strange when we enter the flat because Murphy and Joan are usually here. Joan usually busily away in the kitchen, but they have gone to spend Christmas with family in Ireland. So the flat is unusually quiet and I for one am looking forward to it just being the two of us. I slip my shoes off as soon as we enter, already feeling a slight relief.

“On you go, head on up and wash away the day. Do you need anything?” I know he’s trying to give me some space at the moment and I appreciate the gesture.

“No, I am good, I won’t be long.” I give him a kiss before heading upstairs. I can feel his eyes on me, watching me.

My shower is just what I need, washing the stress away. I take a couple of painkillers for a slight sore head that has been working on me all day, which would also explain my mood. I give myself a shake. This is our first Christmas together and I should be happy, and I am happy even though I’m a bit stressed and tired. I want to enjoy our first Christmas together and make it special, or as special as it can be with me working.

I find Alex in the kitchen standing over the hob; I walk over and wrap my arms round his waist. “I love you.” He turns his head at my words.

“I love you too, my sweet girl. Now go and sit in the sitting room with your feet up, it will be another few minutes before this is ready.” He is stir-frying some king prawns.

“I want to help,” I tell him as he turns to face me.

“Help or distract? Because I know what you are doing, standing here with just your shorts and vest on. If you want to help, you can open a bottle of wine.” He waves me away. I only go as far as the fridge taking out a bottle of wine. I grab two glasses and head into the living room. I laugh to myself as I go because he still calls it a sitting room.

I open the wine and pour it, leaving it on the table before walking over and switching on the Christmas tree lights and lighting a few scented candles. I switch off the rest of the lights before getting comfy on the couch. Now this is how I envisaged spending Christmas Eve. Romantic candle light, some good food, wine and the whole evening with my sexy man. What more could a girl possibly want? My thoughts wonder to a few weeks ago, when we spent an evening putting up the decorations, the fun and laughter that rang through the flat and then the lovemaking.

Right on cue, Alex comes through carrying our dinner, king prawn noodle stir-fry. He’s actually quite handy in the kitchen considering he doesn't do that much cooking.

“You feeling better?” he asks.

“Much, although when Christmas and New Year are out of the way, I am taking a couple of days off and staying in my bed the whole time,” I answer as he gives me a plate.

“Well, just let me know what days you plan on taking and I will do the same. Can’t think of anything better than spending a few days in bed with you.”

That statement brings more than a smile to my face and Alex’s; my mood has lifted and an altogether different mood I now find myself in. How does he manage it? He always manages to say the right thing at the right time.

His eyes hold my gaze, so many emotions drifting between the two of us. I turn on the sofa so I am sitting crossed-legged facing him, my position of choice the last few weeks when we get to eat dinner together. Having Alex here has been perfect. My feelings for him have grown stronger with each passing day. There really are no words to describe the depth of my feelings for this beautiful man who has chosen to spend his time and love with me.

We continue eating and drinking wine, but our eyes never travel far from the other. His eyes tell me a story, as they always do. He wants me, the desire is there simmering away. I’ve not done it intentionally but I know the last few days I’ve been closed off. Well, time to take my focus back off work and back on the two of us, after all this should be a Christmas to be remembered for all the right reasons.

As soon as we finish, I stand to clear the plates away, but Alex just tells me to stay put. My eyes follow him as he walks away and I know he knows I am watching him. I settle into the couch, TV remote in hand flicking through the channels, you would think there would be something to watch? But I suppose it’s still early, although for parents with kids they will be trying to get them all in bed early tonight.

My parents are staying at Ethan’s tonight, so he’s not alone in the morning, and Alex and I are going over there for breakfast in the morning. I plan on being there as early as I can.

My head turns as I sense him being back in the room. In one hand he has another bottle of wine, but he has a much smaller bottle in the other. He walks toward me changed; he’s lost the jeans for a pair of jogging bottoms. His smile is one of caution as he strides purposefully across the room. He’s up to something.

“What are you up to?” I ask.

His eyes light up and his smile grows. “Me? I’m not up to anything,
yet.”
He stops in front of me and places the wine down on the table and holds out the other hand to me. Baby oil. This has some very interesting possibilities. My guard is down where he is concerned; well, I was fed up putting it up for him to chip away at it. I did try to keep my heart and emotions behind that guard, but he found a way to push into my heart and soul.

He stands there, watching, trying to work out what I’m thinking. “It’s not what you think.”

“So what am I thinking and what’s that for?”

“I am going to help you relax. I can still see how tense you are.”

“You can always help me relax.”

“Get those thoughts out your head, for just a little while,” he tells me. “Now vest off and lie on your stomach.”

“Do I have to?”

“Can you not just do as you’re told for once?” I do this time. I stand and take my vest off and his eyes follow every move I make, trailing over my body before I lie back down. “You will need to move your hair; I don’t want to get it covered in oil.” I pull my hair up and out of his way. He kneels across me without resting his weight on me. The first drop of oil that falls on my skin is cold and I jump slightly. “Stay still.”

“That’s easy for you to say,” I reply as his hands make a connection with my skin. “That feels so good. You do know if I lie here like this I will fall asleep?”

“That’s fine, close your eyes then. I promise I will still be here when you wake up.” He leans forward and places the briefest kiss on my cheek.

I do close my eyes as his hands work in circular motions starting at my neck and slowly working away the knots that are underlying. These will all be caused by stress, that I am certain of. This feels good, great even just what I needed without even realising it. My body sinks deeper into the couch, relaxing under his now warm touch. I do feel his hands work into my shoulders as I feel myself drift off.