Hello to Goodbye

By S J Brown

Her.

Simply sweet and independent, she was quite content with her life and its offerings, until a certain situation occurred, causing a tumultuous turn in her world when she is swept off her feet and taken on adventurous journeys filled with mystery and excitement.

Is all what it seems?

Is it all a bed of roses or a hanging basket full of unanswered questions?

Him.

He is charming, smart, and handsome, with a desire to escape feelings of entrapment. Lustful compulsions take him on a ride filled with twists and turns.

Will he get what he yearns?

Enter the world of these two individuals as their raw and true feelings are exposed through many escapades . . . Will you judge or try and understand?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris UK
• Release date: Apr 13, 2018
• ISBN: 9781543489880

S J Brown

S. J. Brown was born and raised in Birmingham City, England in the UK. From a very young age she always had a thirst for reading books. After having to make necessary adjustments to her life, she decided to fulfil her time doing what she enjoyed the most and with that came the decision to have a go at releasing her first ever novel, Secret Lives.

Book preview

Copyright © 2018 by S J Brown.

ISBN:                  Softcover                  978-1-5434-8987-3

                            eBook                        978-1-5434-8988-0

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models,

and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Rev. date: 04/11/2018

Xlibris

800-056-3182

www.Xlibrispublishing.co.uk

777213

CONTENTS

Acknowledgements

Her

What’s Your Name?

Can I Take You Out?

What’s Your Occupation?

Can I See You Again?

…How Do You Know?

Do You Wanna Play?

How Do You Know My Size?

Orange Wednesday Or Should That Be Blue?

Blue Suede Shoes

Love Letters

It’s All About You

Breathe And Stop

I’m Missing You

Welcome To My World

All I Want To Know Is…?

Over Dinner

The Morning After

Whisper Outloud

Will You…?

Happy Holidays

Welcome Home

It’s A Secret

Mr. Mysterious

Hello To Goodbye

Mr. Fenton

Sunshine Sunday

Mad Monday

Dinner Time

‘Let’s Catch Up…’

…Until Somebody Gets Hurt!

I Wish I Never Met You.

Him

What’s Your Name?

Can I Take You Out?

What’s Your Occupation?

Can I See You Again?

Do You Wanna Play?

How Do You Know My Size?

Orange Wednesday Or Should That Be Blue?

Blue Suede Shoes

Love Letters

It’s All About You

Breathe And Stop

I’m Missing You

Welcome To My World

All I Want To Know Is…?

Over Dinner

The Morning After

Happy Holidays

Welcome Home

It’s A Secret

Mr. Mysterious

Hello To Goodbye

Mr. Fenton

Sunshine Sunday

Mad Monday

Italy

Down South

Dinner Time

‘Let’s Catch Up…’

…Until Somebody Gets Hurt!

I Wish I Never Met You

Epilogue

I dedicate this book to Lianna and my M&M’s,

‘Missy’ and ‘Mousy’

xxx

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

This is my third book which I know has been highly anticipated.

Not to make excuses but I hope that once read by my loyal audience, the reason for the lengthy wait becomes apparent.

Thank you to Lianna, Missy and ‘Mousy’ for encouraging me to pursue and complete this project with constant support and excitement to fuel me.

Thanks to Hannah Lewis for editing my work yet again and making it a serious yet fun task at that, always providing me with great advice, sensible suggestions, positive criticism and most importantly, taking time out of her busy schedule to do so.

Finally, a massive thank you to all my readers who have constantly nagged me, queried as to when it would be complete and huffed when my response was always, soon. (Hehehehehe)

I hope you enjoy.

HER

I remember it like it was yesterday, our first encounter. An encounter that opened the doors to a world any woman would dream and fantasize about - a paradise.

On that vivid day, I never understood as I do today, what was meant when one said, the same thing that will make you laugh will make you cry.

I remember it like it was yesterday, but never did I expect it to result into a flaming, twisted, enticing, bittersweet liaison. If I told you every detail, you would never believe me…

WHAT’S YOUR NAME?

Although it was the cold depth of winter in England I was feeling warm inside, clinging on to my holiday heat, my body tanned and glowing from canned sunshine. My sun kissed hair and sparkling brown eyes separated me from the dull, grey, moving figures of the city.

Post-Christmas blues had set into society, drained physically from the festive rush and dried up financially from trying to keep up with the Jones’.

I hated Christmas, hence making a yearly effort to disappear to the beach, book and bikini life for the duration, but I was back home for my sister’s birthday (well a day late) and on this day, I was gracing her with a surprise visit.

I pulled up across the road from her house and spotted her partner cleaning his car.

You look fresh off the plane, he shouted, smiling and greeting me into a hug once I had crossed over safely to his side.

I wish I was back there, I skulked, where is she?

She’s inside hoovering upstairs, the doors open, he informed me.

I made my way inside seeking her out, hearing the hum of the hoover and noticing the cable trail leading up the stairs. I switched off the switch at the wall socket knowing she would make an appearance to see why the hoover had stopped.

Hiding, I waited for her to appear and as soon as she did I jumped out to surprise her, but she was far from impressed. In actual fact, she jumped out of her skin, and so that joyful feeling I had attempted to throw out had failed and left me in an apologetic state.

I handed her her card and gift followed by a hug and a kiss and decided to leave her to get on with her house work in peace, having rudely interrupted her flow.

Waving goodbye to her partner I got into my little car and took off ready to continue my ‘back to reality’ rounds.

Erm, why can’t I see? I asked myself as I checked my left, wing mirror. Because it’s shut in you dummy, I giggled, answering my own question, maybe somebody knocked it in, I assumed.

Not fortunate enough to own a car where my mirrors could be controlled electronically, I had no choice but to pull over safely and exit my vehicle to manually push them back out.

I pulled safely over to the side of the road and parked up in front of an eye-catching, white car. I promptly jumped out of mine, ran around to the passenger side and pushed out the mirror lacking the strength to do so from inside of the car. (Call me weak.) Just as I began to make my way back around to the drivers’ side I weakened at the sight of the attractive, white vehicle that I had parked in front of. It’s wide, flat front, its defined arches, edges and body work, smooth and slender yet rigid and sturdy all at the same time, not to mention the black tinted windows against the white paintwork. It seemed as if the car was checking me out the same way I was checking it out. I know it’s ‘just’ a car but to me it was one ‘sexy ass’ car full of a mysterious energy that I was involuntarily drawn to.

I assembled myself together, wiping the drool that slid from the side of my mouth and with great effort detached myself away from the machinery that had cast a magical spell upon me, the material object had lured me into a trance like state.

I opened the door to my drivers’ side ready to jump in, buckle up and continue with my journey when someone suddenly touched my hand, oh so softly.

I turned around slowly to face the person who was guilty of touching me without my permission, such a gentle caress at that.

There he stood, tall, strong and with a powerful stature, shoulders back, straight posture, sparkling hazel eyes, with his black cap seated comfortably on his head at an angle. He grinned exposing a mouthful of perfect, pearly white teeth, his thick, silky eyebrows raised and arched, ready and waiting for my reaction to his presence.

Just like I did with the car, I checked him out fully from head to toe and toe to head at least a couple of times, taking in the fine specimen of a man that stood before me. At the same time, I tried to stifle the feelings that he had awakened inside of me and neutralize my facial expression so as not to reveal my true, initial feelings.

His physical appearance impressed me much, his demeanor, his style and his stance, but still I was wondering who he was? Where he came from? And why he was touching my hand?

Can I help you? I couldn’t help but smile back at him as I elegantly freed my hand from his grasp.

He stood firmly holding my gaze, stepping forward a little to erase the distance between us.

I saw you admiring me the same way I was admiring you and I thought I’d come and introduce myself, he stated, no time wasting.

I was totally confused. I looked at him and narrowed my eyes before tilting my head. My eyes darted between him and the white car that I had scoped out before it registered. I bit down on my bottom lip timidly before making eye contact with him, You have been sitting in that car watching me for all that time, haven’t you?

He didn’t speak, he just grinned a cute grin and nodded.

I’m sorry, it’s just I really adore your car, I didn’t realize-

Before I could finish justifying the situation he cut me off, You don’t have to explain, I’m glad you stopped to admire it. I saw you pull over to fix your mirror and as I admired you I thought to myself, you don’t look like you’re from around here, I mean as in you’re not from this country, you own an exotic look. You’re a very beautiful woman.

I was stunned to silence; he didn’t hold back on the compliments.

As per usual I knocked my fantasy head off my shoulders and re-attached my logical head firmly. I don’t mean to be rude, but I have to go, I let him know shyly and attempted once again to get into my car.

Before I knew it, he had gently grabbed my waist and spun me around preventing me from walking away, I can’t just let you leave like that, not without a name or a contact number, I’d really like to see you again and get to know you, he said still clinging onto me, his grip soft but firm.

And what if I have somebody in my life? I questioned him, removing his hands from around my waist.

He laughed confidently, Do you?

I couldn’t lie and although I tried my hardest to calm the heavy pounding of my heart beating hard against my chest wall as I gazed into his welcoming eyes, all I could muster was a light breath.

You haven’t, he smiled.

I smiled.

I’ve never met a lady like you before and although you have hardly spoken to me I feel as if we could really get along, just a vibe I’m picking up. I don’t want to frighten you or seem pushy, but I would seriously like to see you again, I would really like to get to know you.

You own a page full of lyrics, I giggled.

And you’re beautiful, he finished.

His persistence was key, but caution took a seat in my logical head. He drove an expensive, fast car, he looked suave and on point, why did he want to get to know a simple, plain girl like me? Not wanting to seem rude I tried to wiggle out of it, I have a really, busy schedule, I’m a really, busy person, I don’t have the time-

Again, he refused to accept my excuses and was adamant in what he wanted, Please darling, you don’t have anyone in your life and all I’m asking is that you give me a chance. One date, one date is all I ask.

I knew he wouldn’t let me leave without agreeing to at least one date. I looked down at my feet and he placed his fingers beneath my chin and gently lifted my head. Our eyes met and were level with each other’s.

Ok, I said glancing at my watch, I’ll meet you right here at 2pm tomorrow, I’ll wait no longer than fifteen minutes, if you’re not here I will leave.

He smirked and dropped his hand from my face, Ok, I see, no number, just like the old times before mobile phones?

Exactly, I agreed chuckling at his sarcasm before eventually getting into my car.

Do I at least get a name? He shouted.

I gave him my name which I heard him repeat out loud a few times to practice and perfect his pronunciation, I’ll be here at 1:45pm baby, I’ll see you tomorrow beautiful!

CAN I TAKE YOU OUT?

Date day. The date that I had stupidly settled to go on with a man that I didn’t know from Adam and although I had carelessly let my name slide off my tongue into his possession, I never once thought to ask him for his. Was it because I was nervous?

No, I was afraid, afraid of what he was about. I’d had my fair share of ‘bad boys’ in the past. I was anxious of how he made me feel, so ‘floaty light’ just from one encounter.

Admittedly, I was just as curious of him as he was of me; I wanted to know what he was all about.

As I steered back to the spot where we first met I wondered what he had in mind for our first date. Probably Nando’s and the cinema I thought out loud, deeming it as a pointless combination because A) I’m a vegetarian and b) the cinema is hardly a place to communicate effectively.

As I drew nearer to my destination the butterflies started to flutter and the trembling in my hands became obvious even more so when I spotted his ‘sexy ass’ car.

It was too late to turn back, he’d already caught sight of my car as I parked up. I couldn’t resist but to stare at him discretely in admiration as he stepped out of his vehicle in preparation to greet me.

I composed myself. Unsure of what the day would entail I had opted for a pair of thick, black, biker leggings, long, knee high boots and a cropped, khaki, woolly jumper, wrapped up in my black winter coat. I still had my sun kissed complexion, so a little Vaseline was sufficient enough to compliment my lips and protect them from the cold.

Hey beautiful, he hugged me as I stood on my tip toes to embrace him, fighting the control he had over me. I felt safe and secure, I wrapped my arms around a man whose name I didn’t even know, I inhaled his scent, mmmmm, he smelt fresh and sweet. I wanted to stay right there in his arms.

You smell nice, he said squeezing me a little bit tighter.

Eventually I detangled myself from his embrace before he asked what I wanted to do that day.

What did you have in mind? I asked, reversing the question back to him.

I thought maybe Nando’s and the cinema.

Immediately I burst out laughing at his typical response.

Why are you laughing at me? He asked with a confused look plastered all over his face.

I stood shaking my head, You’re so predictable, I giggled.

And you’re not? He asked intrigued and ready for me to show and prove.

No, and I’ll show you too, but before we commence, may I take your name?

He told me his name.

Happy, I smiled even harder summoning up the courage and the cheek to ask my next question, Erm… can we take your car and erm…can I drive?

Oh, I see, he chuckled, you came here because really you wanted a date with my car not with me, huh? He threw his car keys at me which I caught quickly as he gave me the heads up, Go ahead if you think you can handle it.

I locked my car and we both got into his car. He took the passenger side and I sat in the drivers’ seat. He watched me as I adjusted the drivers’ seat, dragging the seat forward, closer to the pedals to accommodate my short legs.

Music? I requested, and he pressed play on the system and educated me as to where and what the controls were for, noticing how overwhelmed I looked at the immense amount of technology and ‘mod-cons’ encircling me. Rico Love’s melodic voice filled the cars speakers whisking me away into a dream world. Here I was, seated and belted up in the car of my dreams, in the company of a fine man who made me feel at ease, listening to one of my favorite singers.

I blushed as he quizzed me, What’s up?

I can’t believe you know about Rico Love and I can’t believe your name is my favorite name. I tried to withhold any form of sincere, complimentary charm in case he felt he held me like soft putty in his hands, but the way he made me feel it naturally emerged.

Check you out Miss Driver, he said stroking my ego, so where are we off to then?

You’ll see, was all I offered as I diverted my attention to the road, attempting to manage and maneuver his amazing car.

My peripheral vision assured me that his eyes were scanning my profile and that he was biting down on his bottom lip lustfully. He positioned himself to sit at an angle where he could observe how I handled his car but wondering where I was taking him at the same time.

I sensed that he had never had a woman take the reins before and I could tell he was a little surprised yet taken aback by it, but I managed to play it cool.

WHAT’S YOUR OCCUPATION?

I’ve never played Crazy Golf before, he confessed with a joyful smile on his face, I must say, I really enjoyed myself, you did surprise me, I never expected that.

I was relieved that I had released him from the chains of his comfort zone and had the opportunity to show him something different and fun.

From the golf-course we made our way to a nearby pub and indulged in some well-earned ‘pub grub.’

He sat across the table from me scanning my eyes as if he were a puppeteer trying to control the direction of my focus…he wanted my eyes to connect with his and only his.

I grinned bashfully, avoiding his leering, hanging my head down to my plate, mounting my next forkful of food ready to eat. I can see you, I childishly laughed, unable to contain myself, knowing that if I didn’t react in some sort of a way that he wouldn’t let up gawping.

You’re just too cute, he winked, filling his fork also, ready for his next mouthful. I have had such a lovely time with you today, you’re not what I expected, you’re a quiet surprise…you’re fetching…

As I listened to his ‘cooing’ talk I also thought about our day and how I had had a great time too. He was witty, gentle, caring and calming. He wasn’t afraid to speak his mind and when he did he did so tactfully. It was time to strip down to the next layer, the important basics.

So, how young are you? I fidgeted and adjusted myself in my chair, sitting upright to attention.

Thirty-, he simply answered.

Do you have any children?

He then improved his posture to match mine feeding me his attention, detecting what I was up to. I have one child, a little girl, she’s four years old.

Do you see her? I continued, probing further.

I have her every other weekend.

And what’s your relationship like with her mother? (I had to ask, I wasn’t about to knowingly place myself in an awkward position.)

Before he answered he licked his juicy lips and batted his long, silky eyelashes at me, We finished a couple of years ago and she’s now moved on. She has a new partner and is having another child, he frowned.

I suddenly felt re-assured that she was now pre-occupied with a new life and ‘IF’ we were to become ‘something’ that she wouldn’t be a threat. These thoughts had to halt; they were galloping through my head causing me to get ahead of myself. I was a sucker for a cute face and succulent lips. I didn’t even know him; he could be – So what’s your occupation? I finally asked.

He immediately became silent and fiddled with his fork still holding my gaze. I watched him as he then neatly placed his cutlery together on his plate indicating that he had finished his meal.

Running his slender hand over his goatee beard he looked me directly in the eyes, I invest in small businesses here and there.

What kind of businesses? I requested to know.

Just business babes, nothing interesting.

I searched his face which expressed that he was trying to hide the true facts. I was disappointed in myself because I had a good idea what he ‘dabbled’ in. Yet again I was eating with a ‘bad boy.’ You mean you dabble in illegal business? I asked deliberately lowering my