All or Nothing Read online

  ‘Quite a place you have here’ I mutter quietly.

  ‘Thank you’ he regards me warily.

  ‘Why are you looking at me like that? It is magnificent I mean it’ I slide in the bed and move over to Grant glancing at the clock, 6.49am ‘you ok?’ I nibble the stubble.

  ‘I have never been better’ he pulls me over him pushing my hair to one side ‘I love you’ he whispers into my eyes and I feel the emotion.

  ‘I love you too’ I murmur genuinely a tear escaping falling onto his bare chest, he frowns.

  ‘Then why are you crying?’ he strokes my hair away from my face an anxious look on his face.

  ‘Because I don’t want anything to spoil this and I have a feeling there isn’t anything I can do to prevent it’ another tear rolls down my face and he pulls me in to him.

  ‘Don’t let it Abi, please don’t let it’ he begs holding me tight.

  Chapter Eleven

  We spend the Sunday mostly around Grant’s he gives me a tour of the apartment and it is astounding to say the least. The whole apartment has three bedrooms each with an en suite attached, an office where Grant spends the majority of his time if the organized mess is anything to go by, the living area and a roof terrace. We eventually arise at 11am for breakfast before taking a bath and I dress in a pair of tracksuit bottoms and t-shirt of Grants. We sit chatting about our lives so far and snooze through an entire film sprawled out on the sofa.

  ‘I should go’ I mumble waking groggy from my sleep.

  ‘Stay’ he mumbles back.

  ‘I have work in the morning and the laundry won’t do itself’ I stretch.

  ‘Ok’ he runs his hand through his hair, ‘I should attempt some work this weekend’

  I stand and observe my attire, ‘can I borrow these?’

  ‘Of course, give me a minute to change and I will run you home’

  ‘Well I look like the poor orphan’ I glance down at my attire comparing it with Grant’s who has changed into jeans and a polo shirt with a leather jacket.

  ‘Maybe I should change into my dress, hold on’ I dive into the bedroom returning in yesterday’s clothes taming my wild hair with my hands.

  ‘You would look beautiful in a sack’ he responds warmly.

  ‘Thank you for a lovely evening’ I glance shyly in his direction.

  ‘You must be joking, thank you’ he wraps his arms around me and sighs into my hair ‘I don’t want to let you go’ he murmurs.

  ‘It’s going to go wrong isn’t it?’ I whisper my eyes wide.

  ‘No! It is up to us to prevent it from going wrong, I thought you loved me’ he remarks in an accusatory voice.

  ‘I do’ I glance up at him relaying my feelings in that one glance.

  ‘And I you, so we cannot allow anyone in between us’ he states strongly.

  ‘Even if it’s a tiny someone?’ I tilt my head my eyes wary.

  He sighs, ‘even then!’

  ********

  My week is busy with work, since I arrived early and stayed late during my keep myself busy days attempting to forget Grant my boss now knows the extent of my talents throwing more and more work in my direction. I have to say I am finding it more enjoyable being challenged the days flying the work less tedious.

  Since Sunday I have heard from Grant daily, he was away on business for two days but still managed to call me from Cyprus to ensure everything was ok. Bella and Mike are inseparable, Bella spending most of her time at Mike’s but he too was away with Grant so we reverted back to our single days during their absence watching chick-flicks wrapped on duvets on the sofa.

  ‘You happy?’ I ask Bella one evening.

  ‘Sooooo happy, are you?’ she grins.

  I nod, ‘I just hope things work out for us, you are fortunate you have no outside influences’

  ‘I know Abi but Grant thinks the absolute world of you that is plain to see. Love conquers all as they say’ she quotes optimistically.

  ‘Let’s hope so, meanwhile shall we watch ‘how to lose a guy in ten days?’ I tempt amused.

  Bella grins ‘I am sure I have done it in a lot less’

  ********

  It is Friday and I am full of nerves and butterflies, Grant is meeting me from work and we are spending the weekend at his apartment. I have missed him if that is at all possible in the short time we have been together. I have made an effort with my outfit for work dressing in a shorter skirt than I would normally have worn for the office reaching well above my knee with stockings and heels. I dress in a petrol blue blouse tucked into my black skirt. I leave my hair loose and straighten it which is something that I don’t normally bother with during the week opting to normally pull it back into a bun or pony tail.

  When I walk into the office my boss whistles ‘someone has a date tonight’ he calls through the glass wall. Richard Hunt is in his fifties and very happily married to Alex who he shares two children with, he was a pleasure to work for.

  ‘Indeed I do’ I admit flushing slightly at his compliment.

  ‘Anyone I know?’ he queries his eyebrow arched. I know who he is referring to, Sean from accounts who is a regular visitor to my desk for a chat. Sean is handsome, charming and witty but I prefer not to date anyone from work opting to keep my personal and business lives separate.

  ‘No, not from the office’ I assure him.

  ‘Is it serious?’ he smiles lightly.

  ‘Maybe’ I smile.

  ‘Hmm that may be a problem, sit Abigail’ and he moves to close the door.

  ‘Is everything ok?’ I ask sitting in front of his desk.

  ‘Oh yes don’t worry Abigail this is a good thing. I am impressed with how you are working of late and wondered whether you would consider a bit of travelling for the company?’

  ‘Oh wow, well yes I would love to’ I gush as excitement flutters within me at the prospect.

  ‘The boyfriend wouldn’t mind?’ he enquires.

  ‘The boyfriend is a business man who is often away himself during the week’ I explain ‘he has just returned from a few days in Cyprus’

  ‘Oh ok, what business is he in?’ he probes his interest apparent.

  ‘Property’ I relay vaguely.

  He nods, ‘Ok well I think we would benefit from sending you out to shmooze the clients you are extremely approachable not to mention knowledgeable on our business Abi. There will of course be a salary increase’ he notifies me.

  ‘Great! Yes I would definitely be up for it Richard thank you for the opportunity’

  ‘No problem, we will discuss it further in the not so distant future. Meanwhile, I will organize the paperwork’

  Today is a good day I deduce as I continue with my daily tasks.

  A short while later I am wandering the top floor attempting to locate Sylvia the Managing Director’s PA when I notice David Thompson, the guy from the bar who by some strange twist of fate seems to appears wherever I am of late.

  ‘David!’ I smile shaking my head ‘now if I didn’t know better I would swear you were stalking me’ I tease as I kiss his cheek and he chuckles at my comment.

  ‘Lovely to see you again Abi, we do indeed continue to bump into each other. I take it you work here?’

  ‘Yes, Marketing. You here on business?’

  ‘I am, personal business’ he adds ‘how are you? I noticed you with a guy the other night I thought you wasn’t dating!’ his voice is gentle but I sense a tiny amount of accusation within it.

  ‘Well he was the reason I wasn’t dating’ I smile and he nods in comprehension.

  ‘Well you keep hold of that card Abi because I would love to take you out when you are available’ he smiles pleasantly towards me.

  ‘Thank you David’ I return the smile as I notice Sylvia ‘I must go, see you soon no doubt’

  ‘Hope so’ he grins as he moves to the elevator.

  I approach Sylvia and she smiles, ‘someone has an admirer’

  ‘Oh no, someone I keep bumping into’ I rep
ly flippantly.

  ‘Well I wouldn’t mind bumping into him’ she whispers and I chuckle he is a good catch David handsome and a gentleman but he doesn’t compare to my green eyed man.

  ‘Wait until I inform that gorgeous husband of yours’ I threaten teasing.

  Grant is waiting in reception as I exit the lift with Sean giggling at a comment he has made regarding my short skirt. He is standing there all handsome in his expensive grey suit his light blue shirt open at the neck his eyes drinking me in.

  ‘Goodnight’ I call to Sean.

  ‘Goodnight Abigail’ Sean rubs my arm affectionately ‘have a good weekend’ he nods at Grant who nods back.

  ‘Well hello’ I murmur quietly.

  ‘Well hello yourself sexy lady’ his eyes burn into mine as he drops a kiss briefly against my lips and grabs my hand leading us outside. A driver is waiting by the curb and Grant opens the door for me to enter.

  ‘A driver?’ I question as we settle in the back.

  ‘Means I can do this’ he tips my chin and rests his lips on mine gently as the electricity begins. I move my hand to his neck and pull him deeper into me as I open my mouth for him to explore, I groan as he strokes my tongue with his my insides heavy with need it has been way too long.

  His hand finds the edge of my skirt and strokes gently up until he reaches my stocking tops when he gasps and ends the kiss ‘what the fuck’ he grumbles his eyes heavy with lust.

  ‘Where we going?’ I whisper oblivious to the driver in the front.

  ‘Home?’ he murmurs.

  ‘Bed’ I croak as I pull him in to me to continue where we left off.

  ‘Oh yes’ he growls against my mouth ‘it has been too long’ he mirrors my thoughts exactly.

  We don’t resurface until 10pm when I am in need of sustenance. I drag one of Grants T-shirts over my head which barely covers my naked backside. Grant has ordered Chinese and we are sitting in the living area catching up on our week. Grant pours my first glass of wine of the week and hands it to me clinking his glass against mine ‘to us’ he whispers.

  ‘To us’ I smile up at him.

  ‘So have you been busy?’ he enquires.

  ‘Yes extremely I think I have been promoted’

  ‘Really! That’s exciting doing what exactly?’

  ‘Well it appears when I became a workaholic whilst attempting to forget a certain pair of green eyes’ I smile at him ‘it was noted and the directors believe that I would be of benefit to them meeting the clients which would entail a bit of travelling’

  ‘Great, what around London?’ he sips his wine his eyes intent on mine.

  ‘No we have clients all around the globe’ I inform him.

  He regards me for a while, ‘not too far though?’

  I shrug ‘I am up for some travelling, you travel with work’ I accuse defensively.

  ‘I know’ he smiles ‘I just prefer having you nearby’

  I frown, ‘well if you aren’t here it doesn’t make a difference does it?’

  ‘Well not at the moment but further down the line maybe’ he utters.

  ‘What do you mean?’ I frown dread filling my insides.

  ‘Nothing really, I am pleased for you honestly’ he throws his sexy smile at me but I am uneasy, does he think I am going to be available for babysitting? This is the elephant in the room whatever happens between us however much we feel for each other our relationship is in its early stages, it is delicate.

  The intercom buzzes and I jump, ‘who is that?’ I ask.

  ‘The Chinese no doubt’ he moves to the intercom pad and presses a button to release the entrance door. I grab the plates from the warmer and place them on the breakfast bar along with the cutlery. Grant retrieves our glasses and is in the process of placing them alongside our plates when the door knocks. He moves over opening the door and Amber strolls in.

  ‘Why is your phone off Grant?’ fury radiates from her towards him before she notices me clothed in next to nothing glaring down at her, ‘you again!’ she moves towards me, where is her pregnancy bump she doesn’t have one!

  ‘Amber!’ Grant warns ‘you have no right turning up here unannounced’

  ‘Anything could have happened Grant with the baby and how would I have contacted you? Meanwhile you are screwing Miss Yo-yo knickers here’ she glares at me and I laugh, whether it is hysteria I am not certain but the whole situation suddenly becomes comical.

  ‘Last time we met you were his fiancé’ I murmur ‘what is today’s story Amber?’ Her face turns red before she turns around to Grant, ‘are you going to let her speak to the mother of your baby like that?’

  ‘Yes’ he fumes ‘what the fuck are you doing here Amber?’ his face is angry and tense.

  ‘I need to talk to you about some concerns I have in connection with our child Grant’ how many times can she say our child or the baby in one conversation?

  ‘So send me an email Amber, until I have proof this baby is mine I am not interested’

  ‘Can I enquire, where is the bump?’ I ask curiously my voice icy.

  ‘Some of us have self-control where our weight is concerned’ she murmurs her glance moving over me with distaste.

  ‘What are you starving yourself whilst you are pregnant?’ I gasp ‘what the fuck woman eat something men like curves’

  ‘Well you would say that wouldn’t you being chubby and all’

  I laugh again putting my hand over my mouth what is wrong with me?

  ‘Get out!’ Grant roars ‘how dare you enter my home and insult my girlfriend’

  ‘Your girlfriend! Really Grant, well maybe I should just leave you to your girlfriend and take my baby back to Italy’ she states maliciously.

  ‘I wonder what the courts would say about that’ I mutter ‘a woman taking a child away from its family, they give custody to the father a lot more these days I hear’ she turns to me her eyes cold, ‘yes I saw my family lawyer friend today, David Thompson in case you think I made him up, some very interesting stories he has informed me of in connection with young babies with manipulative mothers’ I raise an eyebrow and she narrows her eyes.

  ‘What do you care, I cannot imagine you sticking around with a snotty nosed brat running about the place’ she smiles.

  ‘Why would you say that? No child around here would be snotty nosed or a brat I assure you, we have more class than that’ Grant has gone quiet and I test a glance over towards him to notice him grinning at me, this spurs me on.

  ‘So if you don’t mind leaving we have an evening planned of….well I will leave that to your imagination Amber, goodbye’

  She throws an evil glance my way before turning to Grant, ‘make the most of it Grant it won’t happen when the baby’s here I can assure you’

  ‘Goodbye Amber’ he calls, the intercom buzzes once again and I saunter over in Grant’s t-shirt and let the Chinese take away guy in downstairs before opening the door wide gesturing for Amber to leave.

  She storms out without a backward glance facing the elevator her face stony until it opens carrying the delivery man who raises his eyebrows at the scene before him as he hands me the bag containing our meal. His eyes appraise my attire and he grins wolfishly despite Grant appearing beside me. He ushers me inside paying the man before closing the door rapidly and frowning at me.

  ‘Jesus Abi, no clothes only when it’s the two of us please’ he mutters and I giggle, the whole event is so overwhelming. I notice his lips twitch before he too chuckles shaking his head, ‘what the fuck it is mental around here!’

  Chapter Twelve

  We sit and eat our Chinese and things seem calmer it is as if the whole event is bigger in our minds than if we face it head on.

  ‘How can she be nearly six months pregnant?’

  ‘I don’t know’ he shakes his head.

  ‘Do you know for sure she is actually pregnant?’ I enquire.

  ‘She showed me a pregnancy test and a scan picture but I haven’t attended any scans or app
ointments’

  ‘Why not Grant? That is exactly what you should be doing the scans tell how far pregnant she is, she must have had a couple by now?’

  ‘I have only seen one’ he sighs ‘it’s a fucking mess isn’t it?’

  ‘Only if we let it, do you have a family lawyer?’ I ask.

  ‘I have a business lawyer’ he informs me.

  ‘Would you mind if I discussed this with David it is his area of expertise?’

  His face alters, ‘did you really see David today?’

  ‘Yes, he was working with the Managing Director on a personal matter’ I glance towards him ‘why?’

  ‘Well he wants to take you out and tends to appear everywhere’ he notes sternly.

  ‘I did ask him if he was stalking me’ I smile gently.

  ‘Did you?’ he appears surprised.

  ‘Yes but he assured me he isn’t, he still wishes to take me out but was there for legitimate reasons’ I grin ‘chill out jealous boy!’

  ‘Hmmm. I guess it is worth an ask, obviously I will pay him for his advice’

  ‘Ok I will call him’ I promise.

  ‘Who is the other guy who couldn’t take his eyes off of you at work?’ he looks less than pleased.

  ‘Who?’ I puzzle.

  ‘The guy who departed the elevator with you’ he takes a mouthful of food his eyes intent on mine.

  ‘Sean’ I glance up, ‘Sean is a friend I don’t date guys from work’ he contemplates this for a while before replying.

  ‘Does he want to?’

  ‘Yes’ I shrug, ‘I am only interested in you’

  His eyes light, ‘good to hear’

  Our eyes connect and the familiar pull between us is even stronger, I smile gently and he sighs.

  ‘So I bought the property in Vegas’ he changes the subject.

  ‘Did you?’ I had forgotten he had legitimate business reasons for being in Vegas.

  ‘I thought we may take a trip together to refresh the memories’ he smiles over towards me ‘get your take on the property’