So I know I said there will be fifty chapters but the last two were unplanned so I am two chapters behind so I am assuming now there will be about 54? Around that anyway. And yes there will be a part two of this book. I mean, unless you guys dont want one hehe 0:)

Also shoutout toooooo because you need some love and supporttt. Sending you and your family prayers. Please comment love if you have any to share

The grounds were beautiful. I wasn't surprised, everything in this town was beautiful, especially when kept and loved on so well. The gardens were so big, August and I explored them for a little bit, just getting our bearings.

"We did a lot last night." August says quietly, his hand holding mine.

Cue the blush.

"You are bringing this up now because?"

"Bratty." He laughs. "We're walking through beautiful gardens, there are fake candle lit paths, we are all alone, I don't see why I can't bring up the fact I made you cum multiple times."

My jaw drops, pushing his shoulder away from mine and he laughs, holding onto my hands as he stumbles to the side and I concentrate on staying upright.

I was used to my shoes now. Like my feet were better.

"Well I like to keep up the facade of innocence. Don't blow my cover."

He smirks at me, shaking his head and once again his eyes trail down me.

August doesn't compliment me, but the fact he's thinking it makes me happy.

"I was just going to ask you if you were chill, but okay."

I smile. "I am very chill."

"You should be, O's are good for the soul."

I roll my eyes at him and his cheeky smile is literally making my heart flutter.

"You're a little too proud of yourself August, do you usually struggle to make a girl-"

He throws his head back and laughs, squeezing my hand. "No Emersyn that has never been a problem for me."

"Well then you're happy, I am happy. Let's stop talking about it, I will blush and I already have blusher on, I don't need-"

"Baby you're already red."

I look up at the clouds, baby is killing me.

"August you need to stop calling me baby."

"I don't mean to." He chuckles. "You're just so fucking innocent but then not at all and it just leaves my mouth."

"Well it makes me wanna do non innocent things and we are trying to have a nice dinner." I say. August exhales in amusement.

"What does it make you wanna do Em?"

"It makes me wanna get a room." I smirk a little at his own smirk.

But his eyes grow hard as they lower to my mouth. "Don't smirk at me."

It only makes the smirk worse.

"Emersyn." His voice is low, stern and my smirk turns into a little heated smile, both of us just looking at each other as we walk.

He's so hot.

I was going to tease him more, question it, but we came to this little clearing and suddenly there were a lot of people. Not that many, but like people who were dressed similarly, dotted around on tables, on benches. It was the hotel lounge area, up the steps and towards the large outdoor extended summer area. People were sat around drinking wine, I guess relaxing before dinner and I grinned at August.

There was a harp playing. It was so posh.

"You need to stop looking so delighted." He says, smiling a little. "These people don't love life as much as you."

"Can I not act posh and also delighted to be here?"

"You can act however you like." He says, pulling me along with him and my eyes widen a little as we head directly towards a free table.

I guess we were just going for it. It was outside, along the stoned floor and each small elegantly placed glass table was separated by laced fences, decorated with delicate white and purple flowers, little jars with led candles in them flickered on the table.

I smiled, this table faced the outside bar and it was easy to watch everyone. Most people where older, or older but accompanied by younger couples. However, some where our age, we really did just blend right in.

August pulls the chair out for me and then instead of sitting he nods towards the bar. "I am going to go and investigate how this all works, you do the people watching, I know you're good at that, and I will go and try and get us drinks."

This was fun.

I nodded. "Can you get me wine?"

"Whatever you'd like."

"White?" I ask. "You just figure it out."

"Alright." He says, and I turn to get seated at the table properly and August nudges my thigh with his knee, I look up, he bends down and presses a kiss on my lips, a sweet short goodbye and then I watch dazed as he walks away from me.

The affection man, it's melting me.

"Michael get off your phone, you are supposed to be paying attention to me." A woman's voice whispers harshly, there was a couple in their thirties next to us, well more like behind us. They were seated the furthest away from any of the other relaxing rich people, but the pomposity in her voice makes me smile.

She sounded so posh.

And poor Michael.

"Ferity." He sighs. "Please, look I know we are on a date, but I spend every night with you. I need a second to just reply to-"

"It's not good enough anymore."

"Sweetheart your father's yacht isn't going anywhere until tomorrow, we have a room booked, we are staying here tonight so I swear to God, please stop picking a fight."

"I just don't trust you."

"Damn it Ferity. You're the one who can't be trusted." He mutters and then suddenly his phone starts to ring.

Oh goodness.

I love this. Okay, so I probably shouldn't. But how can I not?

He starts to push his chair out and she curses him and my goodness it's the poshest insult I have ever heard.

"You tosser Michael, sit back down."

"It's Laurance. I can't." He stresses and answers it, telling this Laurance on the phone to wait.

She huffs and Michael walks past my table and to my utter joy he ends up not too far away from me, he's literally leaning against our little fence, the opposite side of theirs and I knew she wouldn't be able to hear him. But I could.

"Lauren. Babe." He says. "I am with Ferity I can't keep texting you when I am with her."

Oh.

I was on his side. Damn.

"I know, I miss you too. We will go sailing in a few days? I'll say it's for business. I know. I do. You, me, Sea Senora and the stars."

He pauses.

"Yes I will leave her for you, I just need some more time. You know this, I love you."

Oh god.

The worst part about being nosey, people watching, is that sometimes you watch nasty people. You discover the little dark edges of our beautiful world and it just makes me wonder why some people are the way they are.

I wonder why this man, Michael can do this to Ferity. I wonder why, if they are both so unhappy, they are together and I wonder why they both had brilliant smiles on their faces when August and I walked past. I wonder how that works, how they can be that false.

Michael ends his phone call and my eyes drift from the table to August, he was talking to the bar person, he was charming them, and the barman was nodding, explaining something to him and my attention immediately gets pulled to the conversation being had as Michael sits back down.

I was unnecessarily focused on these people.

"I can't believe they still have that wench working here." The woman says and my eyebrows lift.

"I know, when I complained they said that she is the best waitress they have."

The woman, Ferity, snorts. "She's just so unattractive to look at. Like we are eating."

Michael laughs loudly. "This is why I love you. You tell it how it is."

I decide I hate these people.

August is heading back to me and he has two glasses of wine in his hand, one red and one white and he sends me a quick smirk, his eyes warm.

Goodness me.

"Hey you."

"Hi." I say. "These people are awful." I whisper as he places the white down in front of me.

"I have discovered what we need to do to get in." August says and I smile at him, taking the glass to my lips and he lifts his red to his lips.

Something about him drinking red wine is so sexy, I don't even understand myself anymore. I think just everything he does is attractive.

"So basically." He starts. "You literally just have to give them your room number, like at the bar he just asked for a number, and when I asked about dinner he said you need a name so they can find your reservation and then you sign your room number at the bottom of the receipt."

I smile at him. "So have you got a plan of action?" I ask.

"Mhm." He hums. "We just go for it, make up name, make up room number, we act utterly annoyed that they have no idea who we are and then we scurry the fuck off."

I smile a little. "They might ask for a room key, and how did you get these." I say nodding to the wine.

"I told him I forgot it, that you had the key in your purse."

I smile at him. "We need actual identities Leo." I say quietly. "This has to work because I am hungry as hell and I don't wanna be kicked out."

"You sound like you have a plan."

I smile, nodding to his wine and I tell him to drink up.

I did have a plan.

I watch as August downs his glass of red wine and I try to do the same but I was less successful. "Here." I say, handing it to him.

August finishes it.

"Right um, take my lead. I promise they deserve it." I say standing up and August looks confused, setting the glasses down and he reaches for my hand again as he stands.

I pull it away.

He gives me a cold look.

I grin. "Leo chill." I laugh, pressing a quick kiss to his lips. "Commence Actress Emersyn."

We push the chairs back in and we start walking back away from the table, heading past Michael and Ferity and well, I tragically stumble, I take a small trip and August goes to catch me and well I expertly reach out and accidently knock Ferities glass of wine over onto her.

Ferity.

Ha. She deserved that one I promise.

They both look outraged and I gasp, looking at the blonde woman straight in the eye.

"I am so sorry, I am so clumsy."

August lays a hand on my back. "Em, it's ok."

"IT IS NOT OKAY" The poor woman erupts. "This is a unique-"

August hasn't caught on that this is my little plan and as I frantically pick up her glass, fussing over her, I swipe the room key which was just sitting there and I hold it behind my back, hoping August will grow a brain and take it.

He quickly does.

"Look what you have done, oh my-"

Yeah her dress was ruined. Oopsies.

I ignore her statement, and I dramatically turn my eyes on her boyfriend, my eyes dart down to his hand, shit, wedding band. Ha. That makes what he's doing with that Lauren chic even worse.

"Michael?" I say, throwing pain into my voice and even August suddenly tenses.

Michael tenses, like Ferity does.

Michael is searching my face, he doesn't recognise me. It's clear. I mean, he shouldn't do, we haven't met. But I for sure am going to pretend we have.

"Oh my god." I whisper, looking back at Ferity.

"You asshole." I say. "How could you do this to me?"

"I-" He starts shaking his head. Utterly confused.

Ferity's jaw drops.

"Michael you said I was the only one. You said I was your true love."

Eyes are tearing up, I shake my head at him. Devastated.

"I don't you know." He says. "Ferity, I don't know this woman."

I look at her. "He's my boyfriend."

She looks outraged. "He's my husband!"

"Husband." I gasp, turning back to him.

"We have never met." He says. "I swear."

I take in a painful gasp. "How can you say that? All our nights on your boat, on Sea Senora, did they mean nothing to you?"

He looks dumbstruck.

"My mother's boat!" Ferity harshly stands up from the table. "Michael Cope. You asshole."

"Ferity you have cheated on me!" He calls back. "I am not even sleeping with this one."

"This one!" She erupts and he pushes past us, chasing after her and she runs down the path.

I wipe my eyes, trying not to smudge my makeup and I turn back to August and I give him a grin.

He just blinks at me.

"You just broke up a marriage for our date?"

I laugh. "They were horrible people, honestly I promise. She had cheated on him, she talked about people disgustedly and he was cheating on her with some poor lass called Lauren."

"I-" He smiles at me, shaking his head. "Priceless."

August takes the room key out of his pocket and looks at it. "Room 205."

"Shit there's that many rooms here." I ask and he smiles.

"Look behind you Em."

I turn around, looking up and fair enough the hotel seemed like a mansion, it was old stone brick, covered in plants and beautiful embellishments.

"So all we gotta do now is find out their names." He says.

I turn to him. "weren't you listening?" I ask. "Michael and Ferity Cope. You're Michael, I am Ferity."

"Okay." He says, shaking his head at me. "God Emersyn you are-" he pauses.

"I am what?" I ask, smiling a little and he shrugs, shaking his head.

"Who knows, I for sure don't. You hungry?"

"Yes." I smile.

"Let's go find out their reservation time okay?"

"Okay." I grin, grabbing his hand and when we turn back to walk up the main entrance steps, we notice a few judgemental looks.

"You recon that's because you just caused a scene or because I am black and holding your hand?"

I shrug and give his hand a little squeeeze. "Nobody had an issue before, probably because I just made a scene."

"Or maybe just because you honestly look incredible."

I gape. "August." I say shocked.

He smiles a little. "I am Michael. Michael can say how he feels."

I let out a low breath. "Okay well um their stares were judgemental, so I doubt that is the case."

"Jealousy." Is all he says and he goes to jog up the stairs.

"August." I mutter, pulling my hand out of his because he for sure is about to pull me over with all his energy.

"Sorry. You want me to carry you?" He laughs, watching as I glare at him and carefully climb the stone stairs.

"Maybe but not right now."

August's eyes are hot, amused. "But maybe?"

"Dunno it might be fun at some point."

"Oh of course." He chuckles and he walks back down the steps to take my hand and steady my climb up.

"What's our name and room again?" He asks.

"Michael and Ferity Cope. Room 205." I say quietly, we walk towards the entrance of the lounge and there is a man stood there.

"Evening sir." The woman smiles. "Miss."

I smile.

"The restaurant?"

August's voice is cold, serious and he has straightened his back and immediately his presence has turned from light jokey Leo to cool, dominating August and I just stare a little dazed up at him.

"Oh just down there. Would you like me to lead you?"

"Please." August says, nodding for the woman to walk and Leo's eyes find mine, he winks, and then his eyes widen a little at the look of probably heat on my face.

This August makes me dizzy. It's the same August that pushed me away with his hand around my throat and the same August that whispered in my ear about dominance. It makes me warm.

He follows her and lifts his hand to my lower back, his skin brushing against my open dress and I shake my head at myself.

"You like me like this don't you?" It was a whisper, directly into my ear and I squirm away from him, our hands linked and he chuckles. "Your palm is getting sweaty."

"You're making me flustered. Behave."

He just looks mischievous.

"Here we are." The woman says. "I am Allison, if you need anything throughout your stay here, let me know."

"Thankyou." I say softly and August just nods once, slowly, letting his eyes drift to the next worker coming to greet us.

"Hello ou Bonjour?" He asks, his accent deeply French and honestly it was a little hot.

August narrowed his eyes at me as I looked at the waiter.

"Hi." I say when August stays quiet.

"We have reservations under Cope." August's voice was firm, demanding.

"Sir it seems as if your reservation isn't until 7:30."

"Is that a problem?" August immediately asks. "Miss Harrington and I would like to eat now."

I blow out air, goodness.

Also I am supposed to be Cope.

I pull a face a little.

The poor french waiter looks stressed. "Not at all a problem sir. Just bare with me two seconds and I will just make sure your table is all ready and set for you two."

"Mhm." August hums, nodding to dismiss the guy and I look up at him.

"Firstly, yes this August is fucking hot and secondly-"

He interrupts me. "Ladies do not swear Miss Harrington."

"Get fucked."

August snorts, grinning at me and I send him back a very quick grin.

"What I was saying is that I am Mrs Cope no?"

August grins. "You look phenomenal, but you do not look old enough to be any bodies wife. I am Mr Cope, you are Miss Harrington."

"Okay." I say, smiling and I push his arms away from his side a little and I lean into him as we wait. He moves his arm around me and spreads his hand again open against my back.

"You feel warm Em."

"I am glad, I hate being cold."

He smiles slightly and his hand lifts to my face, tucking a piece of hair behind my ear and I slide my hand across his back, just feeling him and his eyes search mine.

We are close right? Like I can't just be on my own feeling this.

Like is he just playing the role? He can't be.

Goodness.

I tap his back three times, purposely, not just absentmindedly like before and August's eyes grow warm and he lifts a hand to my forehead and he pokes me three times there, smirking at me and pushing me away from him.

I grin, laughing and we exchange this look. It's got a lot behind it but I don't know what his eyes are saying, I wonder whether he can read mine. I shake my head, smiling at the floor and then we are greeted back by the same guy.

"Okay all ready, if you would follow me."

August's grin drops and he gives this guy such a cold look and it makes me laugh, his eyes slide over to mine, hushing me with a stare and I just shake my head at him, biting my lip a little and August zeros in on it.

"You do that, and I will punish you, hurry up." August snaps this in front of the waiter and my jaw drops, looking at him and the waiter just looks slightly uncomfortable, but not shocked. We follow him, and I take in this incredible restaurant.

Goodness I am going to fuck it up somehow aren't I? It looks so perfect In here. The tables are grand, all set up with three sets of cutlery that makes me feel a little under prepared, big cream embellished table cloths hand over the tables, candles and flowers in the centre and that sort of is reflected on the ceiling. Big gold chandlers are dotted around, but they are connected by vines of green which white flowers and bright twingling lights, it's beautiful and August knows I am staring up instead of concentrating where I am walking so he is guiding me.