Chapter 14

• HayleyAs we make our way up the front steps, the front door opens to reveal a smiling Grandma Helen. She steps forward and crushes me in a warm embrace “Look at how beautiful you are!” She beams“Hi Gran” I smile a little overwhelmed.Xander places his hand on my lower back as he ushers me into his mansion.My mouth drops open as I enter a foyer the size of my entire house. There is an oval table with an exquisite bouquet of pink and white flowers with bright green foliage that sits at the foot of twin staircases on either side. Above the entryway hangs a large crystal chandelier catching the light at different angles creating an array of mini rainbows.An elderly man in his fifties approaches us “ Good afternoon Sir, Mam…can I offer you some refreshments?”“Hayley, this is Charles he oversees the day to day running of the house.”“Nice to meet you Charles, I’m fine for now thanks.”“ I’m also fine Charles. Thanks.” Says Xander.Xander moves his hand from my back and transfers it to my hand where he grasps my fingers. The sparks fly again…not that it ever stops when I’m near Xander. “ I’d like you to meet my friends, they’re in the lounge.” We pass at least three areas I would deem lounges before we enter another lounge area with pool table and massive curved television and stereo surround sound overlooking a sparkling pool. The guys are relaxing with what I think are scotch tumblers? They rise to greet us as we approach them. “Hey guys" greets Xander “ This is Hayley.”“Hayley,  this is Tyler, Henry and Kyle” he says as he points to each in turn.“Hi Hayley” they say as each steps forward to hug me in greeting.“ Hi” I reply as I try to offer my best smile and not look as petrified as I feel.They do their best to engage me in conversation and like Xander they are very socially adept. I never feel like an outsider as they talk and am constantly being drawn into the conversation.“Excuse me Sir" says Charles as he enters, “Your guests have arrived.”“ Thank you Charles, we’ll be right there.”Xander stands up and reaches for my hand,“ Let the show begin. We have to be more physical around your family, just go with the flow okay?”More physical? I’m already melting at the barest of his touches… go with the flow? “Sure" I reply, as I pray I don’t embarrass myself.I can tell my family is as impressed and shocked by Xander’s obvious wealth as I am. But Xander is a consummate host and makes everyone feel both welcome and at home.  It isn’t long before the men make their way into the games room for pre-dinner drinks and the ladies are taken to another lounge area. Even though I haven’t set foot in this house before, I have to pretend that I have to my family, which is no easy feat as this is no three bedroom house. Luckily Gran Helen is in on my dilemma and is always one step ahead, helping me pretend as if I’ve been here tons of times.XanderI am deep in conversation with Hayley’s brother Ethan when Charles announces dinner is ready and we follow him into the formal dining hall. I have to admit that I like Hayley’s family. They seem pretty close knit and its obvious they love her.The smells wafting around us has my mouth watering and I’m not the only one. Chef has outdone herself. She’s like a second mother to me and hearing of my upcoming wedding has led to her cooking up a feast fit for any royalty.I find my fiancé and kiss her cheek as I draw her to my side. Her cheeks turn an attractive pink as she blushes. I don’t think I’m ever going to get tired of seeing her blush. We sit together and while Hayley doesn’t say much , she isn’t as stressed as she was when we first pulled into the estate. I draw lazy circles in the palm of her hand that we have joined on the table and I can feel the shiver go through her. Fuck she is so responsive to my touch. She’s looking so hot tonight with her hair pulled to the side in that of-the-shoulder dress, exposing her delicate neck and shoulders to me. I’ve been using every excuse to touch her tonight, especially around the guys. I almost wish I hadn’t told them about the arranged part of our marriage because its obvious they think my wife to be is hot too. It’s a good thing I know they wouldn’t try anything with her. Not that it would bother me if they did try something, I just need things to look real, I try to convince myself.The evening goes well. Conversation is flowing and talk turns to the wedding. Gran and the ladies take over, chatting about guests and seating arrangements. Hayley and I are both grilled by the women about our preferences and how many guests each side of the family wants to invite. I try to look interested but when they start talking about floral arrangements, I know its time to make my exit.“Guys, I need to discuss something with Hayley in private. Please help yourself to desert in the meantime, we won’t be long.” I say as I rise to my feet and offer Hayley my hand. The guys give me knowing grins which I ignore.“Thanks" she whispers once we are out of earshot.“Anytime sweetheart. Want a tour of your future abode?”“Are you kidding? Ofcos I do. Lead the way…” HayleyAfter we escape the dining hall, which is more a banquet hall, Xander offers to show me around the mansion he humbly calls home. As we go from room to room I am very conscious of his hand still holding mine and despite the opulence around us I find it hard to concentrate…that is until he stops in front of a master bedroom on the second floor….his bedroom.The room is huge to say the least.  A large king size bed occupies the centre of the room covered in plain white bedcovers and pillows. Off to the side is a lounging area with its own sofas in grey with various cushions and throws in different shades of blue. A huge flat screen television covers the wall directly opposite the bed. There’s a door slightly ajar that leads to an en-suite and there’s also a walk in closet larger than the size of my room at home.“So this is my room and erm… yours too".“Huh?” I say a little dumbfounded. “We’ll be sharing a room?”“Yeah, I thought it best to get it out of the way now…gran lives on the property, she has her own wing . So she’s always around. We can’t exactly say we’re giving our marriage a go if we’re sleeping in separate rooms.”“I see.”“ You can change anything you want to and as for our sleeping arrangements…the bed is more than big enough for the both of us, but if it bothers you, I can sleep on the couch.”“ This is becoming realer by the second “He laughs at that “It sure is. We better be getting back before they start getting the wrong idea.”