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| I LOVE YOU by Melody Carly stood nervously outside of Martin's office, summoning up the courage to enter; she knew how he hated to be disturbed. She smoothed her deep blue linen skirt, ran her fingers through her red hair and pulled it into spikes, took a deep breath, knocked and walked in. "Sorry for disturbing you Martin but there seems to be something wrong with the phone lines. We've contacted the phone company and they'll sort it out ASAP." "Ok, what can I do for you?" "Terri has been trying to contact you for an hour. She text me 'cos your mobile is off. It's important that she speaks with you." Her eyes caught James' and she quickly diverted her glance, desperately hoping that none of the others had seen it. Nicky had. "Thanks for letting me know," smiled Martin warmly. "You guys go and get a coffee and er James, go have a cigarette. I'll be about twenty minutes." "You were expecting this?" asked Sean. "I suspected that things may get tough for her," Martin giggled. "It's all about knowing your clients." Carly stepped out of the office and went to her own. Several minutes later she was joined by James. "I was wondering if I'd see you here today," he smiled, walking over to her and taking her in his arms. "We are still on tonight I hope?" "Yes," she whimpered. "You're shaking, what's up babe?" "I find it hard being around you in public. This is all a secret after all." "Is that still a problem?" "I find it hard to disguise my feelings Jamie. If you hadn't been there I'd have been fine." James felt like shit. The last thing he wanted to do was make Carly uncomfortable, especially in her work place. "Sorry darling, I ought to have told you." "Yeah you should. I only found out when I saw you all arriving here." "I am sorry." He kissed and sucked at her neck. "I love you Carly, let me tell Martin about us. I know that he'll be happy." "If you do that I won't work with you again," she sighed heavily. "That doesn't matter," explained James tenderly, stroking her back. "I'll be seeing you all the time." "Oh really. How do you work that out?" "I want you to move in with me." Carly was stunned, this was the last thing that she had expected to hear. "Jamie we can't..." "Yes we can." He nuzzled lazily at her neck. "I'll tell the others if that is what is scaring you." "It isn't. Our being together in a clandestine relationship for four months is. I haven't been introduced to any of your friends or family as your girlfriend so how can we make that leap?" "So I'll start taking you out as my girlfriend and then you can move in." "Jamie I don't know," she said sadly. "It all seems a bit sudden." Carly moved away from him and stood beside the huge window, tilting her head to catch some of the breeze and cool her down. James shook his head and sat on the edge of her desk, dejection taking a hold of him. "I thought that you'd be happy to know how much you mean to me. I've never lived with anyone before, you know that." "I am," she spun round to face him, "but it's all come right out of left field from nowhere. You have to understand how confusing this is for me." James bit on his top lip a little to reign in his temper, which he was losing at a rate of knots. "It was you that kept moaning about me keeping it secret. I can't win can I?" "That isn't what I said," she replied quickly, walking over to him and taking his hands in hers. "Why don't we start dating properly and see what happens? Forget all about moving in for now." "Oh so I'm ok to sleep with, go out with but not to live with is that it?" He hadn't meant for the words to come out as angrily as they had, and immediately apologised and held her against him. "I love you Carly." "I know that," she smiled, kissing the tip of his nose, "and you know I love you. Once the press gets wind of this they won't let go. I don't have to remind you of the lengths that they've gone to to try and catch you and you mystery love do I? They'll be on Martin's back a lot as well, making it difficult for all of us." "I still wanna do it Carly." Carly moved right against him, put her arms over his shoulders and pulled him in for a passionate embrace and a long deep kiss. "Yes, lets start dating properly, then," she grinned. "We'd better tell Martin before you leave though, he deserves to know." James couldn't stop grinning like a Cheshire cat, she had made him so happy. "No worries, I'll tell him, Sean and Nick as soon as we finish the meeting," he whispered, lightly kissing her ear. "We still have plenty of time before our little break is over, any more of those kisses going spare?" "Jamie I have to work!" she laughed, swatting his roaming hands away. "Oh no," he chided mischievously. "You are taking a break as well." Sean and Nicky had taking their cold drinks outside to try and get some cooling air. "Did you see the way Carly gazed at James when she came in?" asked Nicky. "They locked eyes briefly then both turned away, blushing like mad. Something is going on there." "Maybe she just fancies him," answered Sean without commitment. "James has that affect on women." "I doubt it, not by the way they looked at one another. I think love is in the air." "You are always misreading thinks Nicky," Sean giggled, teasing his mate. "They've maybe had a one night stand and now they're both embarrassed by it." "Nope, that wasn't it, besides, you know Carly well enough to know she wouldn't do that." "But this is James we're talking about and..." "Yes I know," interrupted Nicky in exasperation, "with his legendary affects on women." "Precisely! Don't know how he does it." "I guess we have to wait and see now." Martin laughed when James was the first to re-enter his office after the break. "Not like you to be first in James, I usually have to prise you away from your cigarettes." "Actually," he said nervously, closing the office door behind him. "I have some news for you." "Oh?" "I was going to mention it later but now is as good a time as any." Nervously he shuffled around and rubbed the left side of his face, trying to find the words. "Come on James, spit it out." "I'm dating Carly." Martin stared at him, taking in the news. "Oh." "Is that good or bad?" Martin stood up and embraced James warmly. "I think its wonderful. I'm pleased for you both." "Really?" "Yes really! Oh James, I've suspected for a long time, there's something about they way you two act together, and the little clandestine glances and smiles that get flashed around." At that moment Carly entered Martin's office again. "Sorry for interrupting," she blushed, "this fax came to my desk by mistake and its marked urgent. It arrived this morning but my secretary has only just given me it, she's not been to well today so I've let her go home." Martin took the fax and thanked her. "That's fine, let me know if she's going to be off for a while and I'll get someone to help you out. I think its great news Carly, by the way." "What is?" "You and James." "Oh, he told you?" "I thought I may as well," smiled James, giving her a kiss on her forehead. "No point in waiting longer than we need is there?" "Oh and no need to worry about you not working with the band any more," smiled Martin. "I trust you to be professional." "Thank you, I was worried about that," Carly sighed, relief washing over her. "I won't let you down." "I know that!" "Will it be ok for me to whisk her away a bit early tonight?" asked James with a cheeky smile, still holding Carly in his arms and bestowing lots of little kisses over her face. "We're going out, our first official date." "I don't see why not, you deserve it. Tell you what, why don't you send the bill for tonight to me? It can be my treat. Oh and I expect to see you with James at the barbecue this weekend Carly, and I won't take no for an answer." "Oh thank you, I'd love that." "Thanks Martin," said James giving Martin a big hug and a pat on the back. "I'll be going," said Carly. "I still have loads of stuff to get through." "I'll come through when we've finished," said James taking her in his arms and kissing her deeply, making Martin smile. "Don't keep me waiting." "I'll see what I can do!" Playfully Carly tweaked his bum. "I told you!" came the booming voice. "Ok, so you did," admitted a disgruntled Sean. "No need to gloat." "I've got you on camera Bradfield! Nice picture I have to say." "Nicky!" "It's ok, I'm kidding," he winked. Carly heaved a sigh of relief. "You had me worried there." She turned back to James. "I'll see you later love." "Definitely." Once again he kissed her, no longer caring that they were being watched. After all, he was with the woman he loved so what was wrong with that? <<< Melody's stories |