Nothing Left to Lose - Part Seventeen

Chapter Seventeen

Laughing, Heidi hung up the phone, then dived down the steps and leapt excitedly onto the thick fairly fresh snow that had fallen at some point that afternoon, and then with renewed vigour, she tramped her way to the road, and then followed Cosmo’s directions down to the river that bisected the town. The snow in the centre of the town was hard packed and far more slippery than at the hotel, so she had to slow down, be careful. Completely at loggerheads with her emotions, she wanted to sprint until she was in Cosmo’s arms. 

Finally she reached the bridge he’d directed her to, and with an uncontrollable smile she started to cross it, still taking care of the snow and ice underfoot, when she was grabbed from behind, in a bear hug. The momentary panic at being grabbed AND losing her footing faded as she was pulled up against a hard familiar body. Turning in his arms, she was swamped by everything that was Cosmo as his lips found hers, kissing her as though his life depended on it, driving her wild, like a match to the driest wood she went up in flames.

Eventually they pulled apart, breathless and hearts racing, he rested his forehead against hers and smiled looking deep into her eyes. “I have missed you agápi mou!” His hands cupped her face, holding her close, his body pressed against hers.

She slipped her arms around him, increasing the contact, “ditto.”

The journey across the resort was punctuated by them stopping every few metres for a chaste kiss, grope and cuddle, but eventually Cosmo led her up the opposite bank of the town to the alpine lodge he’d rented for a few days. It was equally as pretty as the hotel, and Heidi followed him up to the house with wide appreciative eyes. Climbing the steps, he threw open the door, stepping back to allow her to enter first. It was perfect, pale wooden walls, simple furniture and a large open fire with rugs enticingly placed to appreciate the crackling warmth, more picture postcard images that warmed her heart.

As she kicked off her snow boots and unzipped her thick coat, she felt arms Cosmo’s arms link around her once more. He helped her slide the coat from her shoulders, then divested her of her scarf and hat.

                “That’s better! I can see you now; you were hidden under a dozen layers.” Pulling her back into his arms, he chuckled as she desperately tried to remove his coat too. Suddenly there was that familiar urgency between them. Intrigue had led to desire and passion, their weekend in the Cotswolds seemed so long ago that they started to rush, frantic, desperate. They were literally flinging clothes over their shoulders as they peeled off layer after layer. When he finally found her shirt, Cosmo sighed, pulled back and unbuttoned it slowly, revealing the sexy red bra.

                “Red hey?” he raised an eyebrow as he unveiled her.

She smiled, “well you never know who you’re going to meet in a place like this.”

He nipped with his teeth at a strap giving a fake snarl, “this better not be for anyone else!”

Ripping at his t-shirt, pulling it over his head, she replied coyly, “you just got here first.”

Laughing, he scooped up her legs and purposefully strode across the lounge, taking the stairs with an ease that belied the fact that he was carrying her, then kicked open the bedroom door. Lying her down on the soft duvet, he tugged her jeans over her hips, and looked down at her, lying there in her matching underwear.

With a groan, he unzipped his jeans and slid them over his own thighs, kicking them off before climbing to kneel next to her.

His kiss melted her, her body hot, wet, wanting. Still kissing her, he cupped a breast, rubbing a thumb across her encased nipple, the abrasion of the lace enhancing the sensations. His lips were expert, plundering hers, his tongue teasing, distracting her from the fact that at the same time his fingers were pulling at her bra.

Lifting his head he groaned at the sight of her puckered nipple, peeking out from behind the lace, then lowered his lips to capture it, nipping and sucking furiously.

Heidi felt her hips rise, her body wanting more of this man, her skin buzzed, her thighs throbbed, every inch of her wanted every inch of him. Reaching out she grabbed his shoulders, pulling him closer, not caring that her nails may have punctured his skin in her desperation.

Cosmo’s hand snuck down over her tummy, electric shocks lighting a path under her lacy knickers. Sliding them down, he let his fingers slide into her wetness. She groaned dropping her head as his fingers travelled across her, sliding into her. A moan escaped his lips and she dropped her head back, closing her eyes.

                “Watch!” he ordered, his voice thick with passion, “don’t close your eyes.”

Popping open her eyes she looked up at him, and he gave her a wicked smile, before lowering his lips to the delicacies of her body.

Obeying his command, she propped onto her elbows and watched him move to kneel between her thighs. Lifting her legs, he rested them on his shoulders, then provocatively licked his lips before delivering every promise he’d ever made.

Heidi could barely catch her breath, he was a great kisser, but here....here he was a master. Within seconds she’d lost control completely, his tongue and fingers overwhelming her. She lasted less than a minute before she convulsed around him, and as he rose back to his knees he laughed for a moment, then reaching for a condom, he buried himself in her, joining them together completely.

Eventually, he collapsed over her, kissing every inch of her face. “I keep promising that this will be spectacular, but I lose it with you Heidi!”Despite his words, his face was adorned with a satisfied smile.

She indulged that satisfaction, “I assure you that WAS spectacular Cosmo.”

He laughed, “it’ll only get better, I figure now we’ve got that out the way, I’ve got the rest of the night to show you just how good, at our leisure.”

And boy did he!

Heidi hated leaving Cosmo the next morning, but she had to sneak back to the hotel early the as there was so much to do back at the hotel, and she didn’t want to be missed. After all if anyone found out what was happening between the two of them, then it was guaranteed to be the only thing that could ruin the celebrations. It wasn’t going to be an easy day, for so many reasons, and she was SO glad that she had the memories of the previous evening to help her through the day.

Glad of the discretion of the quiet early morning, she was unlocking the door to her bedroom, when she heard whispering coming from along the corridor. Turning, she saw Eleni emerging from a door along from where she stood, her dress rather crumpled, her shoes hooked over a finger. She froze when she spotted Heidi, glaring for a moment, then smiled in a conspiratorial manner, before disappearing down the corridor with a swagger.

In the past Heidi would have been disgusted at that sort of behaviour, a married woman sneaking out of another man’s bedroom. Eleni was doing that, it was blatantly obvious. But suddenly Heidi was no innocent, she was doing exactly the same, sneaking back for the same reason that Eleni was sneaking out.

After a long shower, she blew dry her hair methodically, then curled it into large glossy ringlets with the knowledge that they’d drop out into more gentle waves by the time the wedding rolled around. Her face was still scrubbed clean as she’d agreed to have make up and her nails done with her mother. For her sins...and today they were mounting.

Once she was settled she knew she needed to eat, otherwise the day would start to disappear in an out of control kind of way. So heading quickly to the restaurant, she ordered some croissants and jam with strong black coffee. She was eating heartily, fully aware of why she had such a great appetite, when she felt someone approach. Looking up she saw Nikos and Cesare searching for a table.

                “Good morning Heidi. I trust you slept well?”

Heidi nodded at Cesare hating the blush that swept over her cheeks, “why don’t you join me?”

Both men smiled, “are you sure?”

 “Of course, though I’ve only got a half hour before I’m summoned to the bridal suite, so don’t think that me rushing of is personal.” When Nikos laughed, she added, “but until then it’ll be nice to have some non hair or make up conversation!”

Cesare laughed too, “I can guarantee that one thing!”

The two men slid into the seats opposite her both smiling and ordering huge hot breakfasts from the waitress.

                “So are you nervous Cesare?” Heidi had finished her food before the waitress had brought theirs, so she sat back in her seat and observed him. He had a beautiful, friendly smile, and at those moments Heidi could understand her mother’s devotion to him.

“I am more nervous than before my first marriage, but then I think that’s because we have both lost in the past, and know how much us being together means. And how hard it would be to be apart.”

It was a perfect answer, and just what he needed to hear, “that’s good enough for me!” She smiled before leaning over to kiss his cheek. “So I’ll see you in the marquee a bit later?”

                “You bet! I shall be the man looking VERY nervous.”

Her mother was serene when Heidi reached her bedroom. She’d expected calamity and hormones, but instead there was a Cary Grant and Doris Day film on the TV with French subtitles, her mother was sat sipping champagne, her toe nails painted and currently drying before her manicure which was due in ten minutes.

                “Hey Mum!”

Her mother turned from the TV and smiled, “hi darling. Do you want a drink? Reception sent up some champagne earlier,”

Nodding, she followed her mother’s gesture and found the chilling bottle of fizz, “I’m not allowed to stand until this sets.” Her mother indicated her toes. “Apparently it’s like enamel, chip resistant if I let it harden. But a complete disaster if I don’t.”

                “It looks lovely, be worth the wait.”

She slumped in a seat next to her mother, champagne flute in hand, when the door opened, and in came the hairdresser.

The next two hours passed in a blur as they were coiffed, teased and sprayed, then it was the turn of the beautician to decorate their faces with subtle makeup. Heidi had had enough by then, so she escaped to her room to dress, whilst her mother relaxed for a few more minutes.

The dress she had made for herself was red wine coloured stiff taffeta, a tight sleeveless bodice, bisected with a much redder coloured sash that tied behind her in a bow, the dress then fell to the floor, covering the perfectly matching heeled shoes. The hair dresser had set small reddish flowers into her hair, and with the mink coloured faux fur shrug, she felt appropriate. She hoped that she hadn’t let her mother down, or that she wouldn’t look dreadful compared to the beautiful Eleni. But there was nothing that she could do about that. As she pondered how Cosmo would react to her dress, she suddenly realised that how Eleni looked was incidental. He wanted her, and after the previous night she had no doubts.

As she re-entered her mother’s room full of strength, confidence and bravado she paused, there stood Eleni. All that seemed to evaporate as she studied Eleni; she wasn’t sure what to think. She was clad in scarlet, a tight dress with spaghetti straps, hugging every curve of her body without leaving very much to the imagination, and finishing just below the curve of her buttocks. There was neither much of it, not any real class to it. Suddenly, Heidi felt regal, she may not be skinny and beautiful like Eleni, but for once she felt right. For once Eleni had shown her lack of class. And that only reinforced Cosmo’s words to her earlier.

When she emerged from the bathroom, her mother stared at her, amazed at the way the rich colour enhanced her daughter’s dark hair, the smoothness of her skin, her height, her elegance.

                “You look absolutely beautiful Heidi. Breathtaking.”

Heidi smiled, so pleased that her mother approved, “all eyes will be on you, and I hardly can compare to such a beautiful bride.”

                “Yes you will look beautiful Barbara.”

Heidi almost burst out laughing, but managed to contain it, Eleni’s comment was pointless, a way of driving into a conversation that didn’t include her, she’d not seen her mother’s dress, so in all honesty she had no idea how her mother would look. Where she’d previously have been concerned, pushed onto her back foot, all of a sudden she Heidi felt strong, important, and classy. Her mother had looked at her with adoration, so much so that Eleni felt threatened. Cosmo had told her that morning how he’d never felt about anyone the way he felt about her. Three definite strikes in her book.

Beaming, she led her mother into the bedroom, closing the door behind them with the comment, “sorry Eleni, I just need to make some final adjustments!” She knew that was a bitchy thing to say, but this was HER mother. Not Eleni’s. She wished she could have photographed the model’s stunned face. This victory would be short lived, she knew that, but she was still going to enjoy her moment in the spotlight of favour.

Her mother as expected looked beautiful. The dress was simple yet extremely flattering, and the cream velvet fur trimmed wrap that matched the style of Heidi’s gave an almost Christmassy feel to the outfit. Perfect.

                “Beautiful Mum!” Heidi exclaimed, and the two women shared a rare hug, an emotional moment where they’d lacked so many.

Heidi was the last person other than her mother and Lucas to arrive at the marquee. It was a winter paradise. Everything was white, and crystals caught the glint of so many minute lights scattered around the room, glass snowflakes at the windows, white drapes on the walls. Heidi had to pause to take everything in. It was faultless.

She walked slowly to the front, having a seat reserved in the front row next to where her mother would stand. As she moved most eyes were on her, normally she’d have shunned that sort of attention, but today she felt great, so with her head held high, she shimmied down the aisle and into her seat. Feeling eyes on her she turned to her right to see Cesare and Nikos smiling. Next to them was a still less than pleased Eleni. As her scanned past her, she felt her heart skip a beat. There was Cosmo, beautifully groomed, his dark hair immaculate, the black dinner suit looked divine, and the hot appreciative gaze in his eyes sent shivers to her toes. With a gulp she turned to the front.

Suddenly her mother was waltzing down the aisle to the music of Nat King Cole, pleasure lighting her eyes as she came to stand next to Cesare. Cesare was shaking; Heidi could see that as he placed a hand on the small of her mother’s back. Lucas and Nikos moved in to flank the couple, and the simple service commenced.

There were no hiccups, but as her mother read her vows Heidi felt the tears well in her eyes. She was happy, so happy that her mother had found Cesare, and as she told him just how her life had changed since meeting him, it was all Heidi could do to contain the tears. When she did manage to smile, she realised that Cosmo was watching her intently. So she gave him his own smile. No one noticed the exchange as all eyes were on the happy couple, but it was almost as comforting as an arm around her shoulders, knowing that he was aware of her distress; that he was looking out for her.

                “I now pronounce you husband and wife.”