After All - Part Thirty Six

Chapter Thirty Six

A/N Sorry at the delay, had an impromptu weekend away. But I think the moment you've all been waiting for is on it's way...eventually.

Dylan sighed into her mouth as Matilda responded to the kiss as passionately as he’d hoped. He had missed her more than he thought possible over the previous week, and being back in her office, seeing her for the split second before he pounced on her was like the greatest treat. His mouth moved over hers, his hands cupping her face gently, but insistently, as he slid his tongue between her lips as she moaned in pleasure.

He fought the desire to laugh in satisfaction, the last thing he wanted was to chase her away, but her surrender was like music to his ears. With a tug, he pulled her to her feet, wrapping his arms around her.

But it was too good to last, within moments; two hands wedged against his chest and pushed him away with force. With a half smile he looked down at Matilda’s face, flushed cheeks, full lips, “don’t be shouting at me, you wanted that as much as I did.”

She swatted at his shoulder then muttered something unintelligible under her breath, raising an eyebrow he leaned closer, “what was that?” 

                “You! All caveman, coming in here...you’ve not been here...”

Dylan could see that it had really affected her, him being away, her trying to make head or tail of what had happened between them. It made him smile, the fact that she was thinking through things meant that she cared...and he had wondered whilst he’d been away from her and not contacting her. She thought it was hard for her...it had been hell for him. Her scent seemed to constantly permeate his nostrils; he could hear her laugh on every street corner.

He’d come into the office aiming to pin her down verbally, make her agree to a date. She was going to Barcelona in a couple of days, he really needed to sort things with her before then, otherwise he had a feeling he’d implode with lust, and longing and probably frustration.

Now looking at her emotion ravaged face, all he wanted to do was kiss her again, and uncaring of the results, he did just that.

Mattie wanted to hit him, push him away, but she couldn’t. Being in his arms was magical, feeling the soft but insistent pressure of his lips, the solid body under her hands...and they were seeking him, needing to touch him almost under their own will. He was addictive, a drug and she felt for a moment that she was drowning.

A knock at the door forced them rather hurriedly apart, and she straightened her dress as she called out, “come in.”

The door opened and Mark from reception stood there, “sorry to disturb, but there’s a man at reception asking to speak to the manager...he won’t say who he is.”

                “I’ll go.”

Matilda turned around and stared at Dylan, he’d perched himself on the edge of the desk, and looked the epitome of relaxation and calmness as he smiled at them, “it’s ok. I’ll get it. I’ll see you a bit later?”

Tom Parker introduced himself as a journalist from a sport finance publication. It was against protocol and indeed courtesy to turn up and request an impromptu interview like that, but he explained they had a tight deadline, two days; a major story had fallen through. Now he was bringing forward a request to showcase the hotel in light of the recent golf weekend.

Matilda wanted to go back and tear strips out of Dylan, but this was a potentially huge scoop for the hotel, and she knew that he’d identified the sporting world as a way of increasing the hotel’s profile.

She showed the man into the board room, and called through to reception for coffee. Then they sat together and talked. The journalist was a receptive man, listening to her answers intently, and the interview was more of a chat than anything else. She’d had training in dealing with the media at her last job in the city, as it was common to be hassled by hacks on the way home wanting inside info. So her responses to this man were as interesting as she could make them whilst also being reserved. It was well after five when the man felt he had enough detail, and promised to send her the copy before it went to print. Something that he didn’t have to do.

Seeing him off at reception, she turned back to her office, as Mark called out to her, “Mr Wallace has gone up to his suite to get changed, he asked if you’d call up there when you were finished.”

                “Thanks Mark.”

She made for the bank of elevators that took her to the top floor filled with trepidation, thoughts about lamb to the slaughter or a spider’s web came to mind, but she also knew she had to do this. Had to confront him.

                “They’ve cancelled out flights!” An almost hysterical voice called out from behind. Turning slowly she saw Sarah almost in tears. “That bloody volcano had kicked off again. I’ve had an email that all short haul budget flights are cancelled. Barcelona is off.”

Mattie put a hand around her shoulder, “then we’ll go somewhere else.”

                “Twenty three of us? At short notice?”

Mattie took her hands in hers, “the location doesn’t matter, we’ll sort something out, you’ll see. Now let’s go plan.”

They were in the office hunched over the computer for more than an hour, desperately trying to find a reasonably priced alternative to their trip with little success. Mattie didn’t want to give up, but it was late, she needed to get home, she was supposed to be meeting her father at eight, it was almost seven. As she turned to Sarah to apologise and dash off, the door to the office swung open and a voice asked, “Wow. So who’s died?”

Both women looked up and Mattie knew that Sarah’s face emulated hers, devastation as they stared at Dylan standing there, all fresh from his shower. Mattie felt the air leave her chest in a whoosh, unable to formulate a word, but fortunately Sarah spoke first...in a tearful gasp.

                “They’ve cancelled my hen weekend.”

Dylan’s easy smile dropped immediately, “what?”

Sarah sniffled, and Mattie was amazed that she’d held onto her emotions this long. Placing a hand over her hand she gave her a reassuring squeeze, “our flights to Barcelona have been cancelled, more volcano shit. So we’re currently twenty three women, all dressed up with nowhere to go. Our searches of Google have so far thrown up nothing. Everything is sold out because we’re not the only ones cancelled.”

                “You can’t change your dates?”

Mattie grimaced then shook her head begging Dylan not to say anything else, didn’t he understand, “everyone has the time off, it’s all been planned, and there’s not long before the wedding.” She once again grimaced apologetically at Dylan, “we’ve been through it all. There’s no plan B.”

He gave a knowing nod, “you’re forgetting one big thing.”

Both heads looked up expectantly, and Dylan grinned, “This is a hotel. Have it here.” Mattie flinched but he wasn’t to be deterred, “think about it, private dining in the board room - we can convert it into the perfect lounge for you ladies, then there’s the spa. You can have a day there. Then there’s my friend Stephen, he wants to use this place as a helipad for his new passenger helicopter. If I consider that, then I’ll need a test drive...a trip up the Thames?”

Mattie’s mouth had fallen open in surprise, and she knew that Sarah’s face was the same before she turned to look at her.

                “You’d do that? For me?”

He shrugged, “you’re a valued member of my team, I promised to help...that’s just part of this.”

                “Do we have rooms?”

But Mattie was already tapping on the computer in front of her, “ten rooms free...perfect, and then there’s a cancellation in the restaurant...” She looked up at Sarah with a smile, “I think we can do this.”

Sarah gasped then threw herself at Dylan, embracing him in the most comical hug Mattie had ever seen. Dylan looked almost strangled as her friend threw words of endearment at him.

Then she disappeared out the door.

                “I was waiting for you...upstairs.”

Dylan watched as she opened her mouth, he wasn’t sure what she’d say, chastise...or encourage, but that was half the fun with Matilda, the unpredictability, that was what he loved. He gulped at that thought, shook his head to clear it...

But the buzz of the phone beside her disturbed the overly tense moment.

Matilda snatched for the handset, “yes?” Her eyes remaining on him, until a voice replied and her face broke into a smile, then a frown, “Dad! Shit, am I late? I am, I can see the clock. Will you wait if I come straight to you?”

                “Take my car.”

Mattie had almost forgotten Dylan was there in her panic.

                “I can’t...”

He grinned, “you can, park it in the basement of the apartment block, it’s the quickest way of getting into town this time of night.” He tossed her the keys and recited the registration plate. “Give your Dad my love, and I’ll see you in the morning?”

When she nodded mutely, he smiled then made for the door.

                “Dylan?” He froze at her voice then caught her as she flew across the room to throw her arms around his neck, “thanks.”

He dropped his lips to her forehead and gave a chaste kiss, “no worries, we’ll talk tomorrow?”

She nodded, but as he left she suddenly realised the depth that question held.

Her father was in fine form, he was already planning a trip back to Thailand, and Mattie realised that this time it might be permanent. She was happy for him, he deserved that, but she’d miss him. They rarely saw each other as it was, maybe him moving permanently would change that.

She smiled as he told her about the latest phone call with her brother, and the improvements Gareth had made to the house he’d recently bought.

                “What about you?”

The sudden topic change made her head snap up, “me?”

He nodded, “and the new boss?”

                “Ah,” she slumped back into her seat. “I don’t know Dad; I’m still not convinced it’s the right thing.”

Sighing he refilled their glasses with the wine he’d ordered, “there was me thinking I could relax with his looking after you.”

                “Like he did such a grand job first time!” She snapped out the words before she’d had chance to think about it.

Her father chuckled, “that doesn’t sound like someone who doesn’t care.”

                “Really? Well I don’t...” then she laughed, “I don’t know what I                 want, what I think...”

Reaching out he covered her hand with his, “I won’t go, I’ll stay here, you need me.”

He laughed, shaking her head, “you will NOT! I am fine, I can cope. I’ll come visit though, once you’re settled.”

Her father seemed genuinely torn, but she was insistent, and by the time they parted with a big hug her father was more relieved...unlike her.

The next morning she dreaded arriving in work, this unspoken issue between her and Dylan had kept her awake all night, part of her wanted to run away, never deal with this, but another part of her wanted, needed to get it over with. A huge part of her was telling her that a future with Dylan would kill her, but the other smaller part told her it was everything she’d wanted the last five years. What she couldn’t do was spend any more of her life in limbo.

                “Hi Hermione. Is Mr Wallace in?”

The receptionist shook her head, “he’s gone to a meeting in London. Said he’ll be back after lunch. You’ve had a few phone calls.”

Hermione handed her a list and she read them as she walked to her office. She’d dealt with a couple of the queries when her office door flew open, and in marched Sarah, arms filled with books.

                “Right. I have two days to catch up. Will you help?”

Mattie stopped what she was doing and smiled, “of course. Now what do we need.”

They perused books and catalogues for a while trying to organise getting everyone to the hotel and ordering enough food, drink and fancy dress for them all.

They were in that position when Dylan walked in casually, a smile on his face.

                “Nice to see my staff being so productive.”

They both poked their tongue out at him, and it was then he noticed Sarah’s stressed face, “not going well?”

She shook her head, “not enough time.”

He smiled, “I told you, leave it to me. Get yourselves here; Friday night six pm, I will sort out the rest. I can organise a party like the best of them.”

With that he gave a beaming smile and left the room.

Sarah happy skipped off to her office her trust in Dylan complete. Mattie wasn’t so sure.

                “What have you got up your sleeve?”

Dylan looked up from his desk and smiled, a warm, sensual smile, then leaned back in his chair, “it’s in hand Miss Davies, which is all you need to know.”

Seeing the smug grin she moved further into the office with an air of confidence she wasn’t sure she could carry off, then jumped as the door slammed behind her, locking her in with him.

                “Don’t lose your nerve, not now you’ve made it this far,” he stood as he spoke quietly and walked towards her.

                “We need to talk...” she offered, her throat dry, her heart pounding, suddenly she had become the prey, Dylan was stalking in her direction with purpose. “About...”

As he stopped in front of her, he brought his lips to within touching distance of hers and it stole her breath, silenced her, “...the kissing?” He finished the sentence for her, “oh I think there’s been FAR too little of it.”

And that was it, his lips found hers.