Starr Fated

Starr Fated

By G E Griffin

Book 1 of the Starr Series

G E Griffin has asserted her right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 to be identified as the author of this work.

This book is a work of fiction. Names and characters are the product of the author’s imagination and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

All rights reserved; no part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publisher. G E Griffin has asserted her moral right to be identified as the author of this work.

First published in Great Britain in 2013

Revised 2020

Published by G E Griffin at Smashwords

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase a additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own very reasonably priced copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

ISBN 978-0-9576745-6-1

Copyright © G E Griffin 2015

Cover by ToMe Designs

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

To all my wonderful loyal CG Blog followers, because without them I would never have had the courage to write my own book.

To Sue B for her proof reading skills.

To Jacqueline Crowley and Heather Murphy for their help with the chapter set in Southern Ireland.

To Jane Harvey-Berrick for all her help and advice about self-publishing.

To Lizzie Anders for all matters BMW related.

To Nick and Daniel for putting up with all my weird questions.

And of course a huge thank you to my husband and my three daughters for their support and encouragement.

Chapter 1

Seraphina

"One of these places will have to do," I told myself, as I sat on the tube train one afternoon in September. I quickly scanned the details of the three rooms I’d shortlisted as possibilities to rent. They were all in a suitably cheap, and therefore rough area of London, but at least I’d be able to walk to my lectures at Central Saint Martin’s College of Art and Design, where I was about to start the final year of my BA Graphic Design degree.

The snotty cow in the accommodation office had tutted at me for leaving it so late when I’d asked for a list of approved digs, but I’d had to work through the summer holidays to save up the rent deposit before sorting out somewhere to live.

I’d spent the summer sleeping on my best friend Abbey’s sofa, but as her student house was already bursting at the seams with five other girls, some of whom had made it plain I’d outstayed my welcome, it wasn’t a long term option.

I’d set aside the small nest egg my mum had left me when she died, saving it for essentials such as a laptop, and the photographic equipment I needed for my course. I hated living hand to mouth, but that’s how it had to be when you didn’t have wealthy parents to support you through university.

My father had been killed in an accident on a building site when I was only two years old, so sadly I don't remember him. My mother never remarried, so growing up it had just been the two of us, and we’d been very close, both having the same creative, artistic nature.

I’d only just turned eighteen when she died, killed instantly by a stolen car being pursued by the police, which failed to stop at a pedestrian crossing. When she was taken from me so suddenly, my whole world fell apart, leaving me numb and barely able to operate. But I forced myself to carry on, knowing it was what she would have wanted, and I still heard her voice in my head sometimes, trying to guide and help me, which my Irish Grandma claimed was Mum’s aura living through me, but that was just some old Irish superstition she clung to.

So sadly, Mum wasn’t there to celebrate when I got my place at Central Saint Martin’s, nor was she there to support me through the three long years of hard work a graphic design degree demanded. Her wish to see me follow her dream kept me going when I was tempted to give it all up and just get a job instead.

When I glanced up, I realised we’d nearly reached my stop, so I hastily gathered up my belongings. I’d noticed the tall, good looking guy sitting opposite me, but had ignored his flirty smile. He was a lean build, looked to be in his early twenties, had messy dark blonde hair and cheek bones to die for. Yep, seriously gorgeous. Too bad I hadn’t got time for distractions like flirting and dating.

Being considered attractive by males could often be a hindrance rather than an advantage. It was much harder to be taken seriously if you had a pretty face, because you couldn’t possibly have a brain as well. And other females would often assume I was a man-eater, when I really didn’t have the time or inclination for a boyfriend, although I did have friends, some of whom happened to be boys.

I inherited my looks from my mother’s side of the family, who all lived in Ireland. My mother had come to London to study art and design, but had fallen madly in love with my father, ending up pregnant and married at the age of eighteen and dropping out of college to raise me. I’d been named Seraphina to balance out our boring surname of Jones, but I preferred to use Sera most of the time.

I have long, dark brown, unruly hair, which I usually restrain in a ponytail or braid. Thanks to my Celtic ancestry, I have pale skin and green eyes - my friend Abbey describes them as witch’s eyes, and I’m never quite sure whether that’s a compliment or not, considering her extreme tastes. She dyes her hair bright red, has assorted tattoos and piercings and wears clashing colours and patterns, as befits a fashion design student.

We’re about the same size, so she often gives me her cast offs, which are a very welcome addition to my charity shop finds. Like most girls, I love clothes, but I can’t afford designer labels, and don’t think they’re worth the ridiculous prices anyway. I like quirky outfits – why wear boring clothes when you don’t have to? And at Art College it’s expected that you dress pretty outrageously, so I count myself lucky to have a friend like Abbey, who’s happy to share her eclectic wardrobe. She has the most wicked sense of humour, and loves to shock people with her liberated attitude.

As the train reached my stop, I stood up and hefted all my bags onto my shoulders, clutching the directions I’d printed out to find my way to the first house on my list.

I made my way out onto the platform, and headed for the escalator. As I reached the top and walked over to the exit barrier, I fumbled for my handbag, which had my pass in it, then panicked when I failed to locate it. I frantically searched through everything I was carrying, but it definitely wasn’t there.

No, no, no, please tell me I did not leave it on the train, I yelled. You stupid idiot!

Everything was in that bag – money, cards, phone, but worst of all, the memory stick with all my course work on it, which was irreplaceable. Tears pricked my eyes, but what would bursting into tears achieve?

Is this what you’re looking for?

I looked up to see the tall blonde guy from the train standing there, and I literally sagged with relief when I saw him holding out my large brown tasselled bag.

Yes! Thank you so much, you have just save my life, I exclaimed, as I heaved a huge sigh of relief, and went over to retrieve it.

When I saw you’d left it behind, I did try to tell you, but you didn’t hear me, he explained in a laid back drawl that screamed of middle class affluence. So I went after you, but lost sight of you in the crowds.

I can’t thank you enough. Practically my whole life is in that bag.

Ah, so what’s it worth to get it back? Blonde guy teased, as he kept hold of it.

My undying gratitude. Will that do? I reached over and grabbed back my bag.

Hmm, I’m not sure about that. How about a date instead?

I don't think so, I laughed. I don't go on dates with strangers. Cheeky sod.

I've just proved that I’m honest and trustworthy by returning your bag rather than stealing all your valuables.

You wouldn’t have found much of value, I can assure you, I scoffed.

I could just buy you a coffee if you prefer, we don't have to call it a date. You look pretty shaken up, so I think a shot of caffeine is definitely called for.

I told you. I don't go anywhere with strangers.

I’m not a stranger. I’m just a friend you haven't met yet.

Where on earth did you get that line from? I couldn’t help laughing.

My mate Toby let me borrow his book, ‘The World's Stupidest Chat-up Lines’.

I think you should give him his book back, it’s not helping you.

 You’re probably right, so let me just introduce myself. I’m Jamie. Now we’re not strangers, especially if you tell me your name.

Fine, I’m Sera, and I really am grateful you returned my bag, but I have to go or I’ll be late.

 Where are you headed, Sera? I live around here, so maybe I can point you in the right direction, Jamie offered.

It’s okay. I have directions. As I held up the papers, he snatched them away and annoyingly held them out of my reach as he studied them because he was so tall.

You’re looking at rooms to rent? Well, I can tell you straight away that you don’t want to live in this street, he told me, as he looked at the details of the first one. Not unless you’re a drug dealer.

Give them back. It’s none of your business, I told him angrily. The nerve of the guy, but he just ignored me as he continued.

And as for this next place – you don't look like a hooker to me.

I’m sure it’s not that bad, and I have to find somewhere in the area before term starts, so please just give me back my list.

This final one is probably the best of a bad bunch, but even so, it’s in a pretty rough area. I go past there, so I could come with you if you like.

I keep telling you I’ll be fine, and don't need your help. I can manage on my own.

You’re a student?

I nodded.

Me too, and I know we’ve only just met, but as luck would have it, there’s a room available in the house I live in, which is in a much nicer street. Why not take a look, see if it would suit?

I very much doubt it would be in my price range. So thanks for the thought, but no thanks.

Actually, the rent is pretty reasonable because it’s the attic room, so it’s no good for anyone taller than a midget. You’d be okay though, he winked, looking down at me. At five foot five, I’m average height, but Jamie must have been about six foot one or two, so I was short compared to him.

Thanks for the offer, but I’ll be fine. Now please, can I have my papers back? I glared at him, holding out my hand.

Okay, but I’ll put my address and phone number on here, in case you change your mind after the viewings. Jamie produced a pen from his pocket and quickly scribbled down his details. It’s all above board, nothing dodgy, and I know the landlord personally. It’s a decent house or I wouldn’t be living there. Anyway, let me know. Seriously.

I couldn’t help smiling at how keen he seemed. He did seem genuine and he had taken the trouble to return my bag. And as everything about him reeked of middle class money, I couldn’t imagine him living in a dump.

I’ll bear it in mind. And thank you again for returning my bag, you really did save my life, I smiled up at him, and was rewarded by a heart meltingly gorgeous smile back.

No doubt such a good looking guy had a whole string of girls to keep him occupied, while I didn't have time to even think about anything like that.

So I left him standing there as I hurried out of the station, and headed for the first house on my viewing list.

Chapter 2

Jamie

"Why the fuck didn't you think to get her number before she walked away, you total moron," I cursed as I stared at my mobile, willing it to ring as it lay there silently taunting me on the kitchen worktop. There’d been no phone call from Sera, and now I had no way of making contact.

I’d noticed the pretty girl sitting opposite me on the tube train, but it wasn’t until she looked up and I caught a glimpse of her amazing green eyes that I started to take notice. This girl really was something else, and I took full advantage of sitting opposite her to appreciate her sexy, long legs shown off by a short denim skirt. Her loose baggy top hid the rest of her figure, but I couldn’t imagine it would disappoint. Her long, glossy, raven coloured hair was in a messy, twisted knot, and as she glanced at me, my jaw might have slacked open a little bit. Wow. She was the full package, a total hot babe.

I tried flashing my best award winning smile at her, but she ignored me, cut me dead. ‘Not interested’ came over loud and clear, which intrigued me even more since I’m not used to being ignored, most chicks find my best smile hard to resist.

So when this girl left her bag behind, I seized the golden opportunity to go after her, even though it meant getting off the train a stop early.

She still blew me off when I managed to catch her up and tried to get a date, but at least I found out that she was a student, and that her name was Sera, and when I managed to get hold of the details of the places she was about to view, I was genuinely concerned. No nice girl would want live in those areas if she could avoid it, and Sera did seem a really nice girl, so that was when I had the brainwave of offering her the spare room in our house. I wasn’t really surprised when she turned it down, as we’d only just met.

Now I wished I’d insisted on going with Sera to the viewings. She probably didn't realize the difference being just one or two streets away could make, otherwise she might have been more receptive to my offer.

I was deep in my thoughts when the doorbell rang, and sighed as I went to open it, assuming it was Toby, one of my house mates.

For fucks sake, how many keys can one person lose…?

I was completely gobsmacked to find Sera standing there.

Sorry, is this a bad time? I hope you don't mind, only you did say…

No, no, not at all. Sorry, I just thought you were my housemate, he’s always losing his keys, I burbled as I stood there gawping. Sera was even more stunning than I remembered.

Did you mean it? About the room I mean. You were right about the ones I looked at, they were pretty awful. The third one would do at a push, but then I thought that as your address was only a couple of streets away, I’d call round, but if it was just a joke, I’ll go back and take the other room.

No, no, honestly it wasn’t a joke at all. Please, come in, and I’ll show you the room. I just about managed to reconnect my brain sufficiently to speak coherently. I just assumed you’d ring first.

As Sera picked her way through the messy pile of smelly trainers dumped by the door in the hallway of our Victorian end terrace house, I silently cursed that I hadn’t tidied up.

I haven't got much credit left on my phone, so I'm saving it for emergencies. But if calling in is problem… Sera frowned.

Not at all. You’ll just have to excuse the house being a bit messy .We’ve… umm… all been studying too hard to do much housework. This lame excuse was the best I could come up on the spur of the moment. Where would you like to start your tour?

The bedroom maybe? No point in looking any further if that doesn’t suit, Sera suggested, smiling at my flustered efforts to tidy things as we walked through the house.

Okay. As I told you, it’s the attic bedroom, so follow me. I led her upstairs to the first landing.

That’s my room, that one is Toby’s, and the smaller one to the right is Adam’s, but he spends most of his time at his girlfriend’s place. And that’s the main bathroom. I pointed out each room in turn. And the attic room is this way. It’s been vacant since Ollie dropped out of uni and left.

It’s just you three boys sharing?

Yeah, that’s right.

I led her up the second narrow set of stairs, bending my head as we reached the small landing, where the ceiling sloped down sharply.

There’s a small bathroom up here, but I’m not sure the shower works very well. You’d be welcome to use the bathroom downstairs if you preferred. Especially if you happened to forget to lock the door while you were showering.

The room has its own bathroom? Wow! Sera poked her head around the door.

Like I said, I wouldn’t get too excited, it’s not that great.

But still, it’s something I’ve not had before. And this is the bedroom? She nodded towards the other door.

That’s right.

Sera stepped into the room, which appeared quite large on first impression, but the sloping ceiling restricted access. There was a basic desk, a small double bed, a single wardrobe, and a wonky bookcase. The carpet was a nasty dingy red, but the walls were white which helped to compensate, plus the late afternoon sun was streaming in through the two large velux roof windows

Does it get the sun in here all day Sera queried, as she gazed up.

No idea, I shrugged.

It’s just that good light is helpful when I'm working on my course pieces, she explained. I'm doing Graphic Design at Central St Martin’s.

Ah, the arty type. We’re all at the London School of Economics, I explained.

Ugh. Number crunchers. She wrinkled her nose up disapprovingly.

Hey, don't say that like it’s a bad thing. I was more used to people being impressed . 

Sorry, but I always hated maths at school.

Well, I’ve never been interested in art, but I’d be willing to let you educate me, I offered hopefully. At least Sera seemed to like the room, so that was positive.

We’ll have to see about that. What’s the rest of the house like?

I’ll show you.

We went back downstairs to the lounge, which was dominated by our large, flat screen TV, which we’d clubbed together to buy to watch the rugby. Sera was more interested in the kitchen, and I was surprised when she closely examined the oven.

That’s surprisingly clean, she commented.

That’s because we never use it. No need. I pointed to all the discarded pizza boxes and take away containers by the bin.

"You never cook?" she raised her eyebrows.

Depends what you mean by cook. I do a pretty mean ready meal in the microwave, and Toby’s a dab hand with a pot noodle. Adam lets his girlfriend Chloe handle catering for him I think.

That’s terrible! Apart from being unhealthy, it’s such a waste of money, Sera argued, but I just shrugged.

If you lived here, you could show us how to cook some cheap nutritious meals, I suggested. You cook, we eat.

Oh no, I’m not falling for that one, Sera laughed.

Damn, it was worth a try, I smiled. So, what do you think? Would sharing with three blokes be a problem at all?

No, that wouldn’t be an issue.

So you’ll take the room? I asked hopefully.

Well, I do like it, but there are a couple of things.

Such as?

How would your house mates feel about me moving into your all-male environment?

They’d be totally cool about it, trust me.

And we haven't discussed the most important thing yet, which is how much the deposit and rent are. I could stretch to the top of my budget, but if it’s over that, then it’s just not possible.

Parents keeping you on a tight rein?

No, my parents are dead, so I have to live on my student loan plus whatever I can earn, and I already work as many hours as I can. That’s why I have to get my accommodation sorted today, I’ll be too busy after this.

I did some quick mental arithmetic, having seen how much the rent had been on the places she’d viewed. I just had to calculate how low I could make it without my brother kicking off.

Let’s sit down with a coffee and run through the figures. I'm sure we can work something out, I suggested to buy a bit more time, because there was no way I was going to let the gorgeous Sera leave until she’d agreed to move in.

Chapter 3

Seraphina

I tried to keep calm, so I wouldn’t be disappointed if I couldn’t afford the rent. But I could just see myself living in that quirky room, especially as it came with its own tiny shower room, which would undoubtedly benefit from a deep clean, but that didn’t bother me. Compared to other places I’d lived, this would be sheer luxury - if I could afford it.

Just as Jamie and I sat together at the kitchen table with our drinks, having formally introduced ourselves now, the front door slammed and another guy walked in. He had thick, dark brown hair, chocolate brown eyes, wasn’t as tall as Jamie, but was a much broader, stockier build.

Sorry, am I interrupting? he asked, staring at me.

No, come and join us. Hopefully this is our new housemate, Seraphina Jones, Jamie replied breezily, while studiously avoiding his house mate’s eye.

 Woah, she’s moving in with you? That was quick work, he said admiringly, as he continued to stare at me.

No, I meant that Sera is hopefully going to be taking the attic room.

 Really? What does the big guy have to say about this?

The big guy? I frowned.

Liam. Jamie’s older brother. The control freak who owns this place. Our landlord.

He’s away in New York on business at the moment, but he’ll be cool. He’s been nagging me about letting that room ever since Ollie left, but none of the guys were interested, they all said it was too small.

 Liam doesn’t know yet? This is going to be interesting. Toby raised his eyebrows. But I’m forgetting my manners. Toby Harris. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Seraphina, he smiled.

Likewise, Toby, and please, call me Sera. It’s not definite about the room anyway, we haven’t even discussed the deposit and rent, so if you think there’s going to be a problem with your brother….

There’ll be no problem with Liam, he’s just used to organising and controlling these matters, so he’ll be a little surprised I’ve got this sorted.

Liam likes control in all matters, Toby muttered, earning him a glare from Jamie.

If it’s going to cause any problems, maybe this isn’t such a good idea, I said, trying to hide my disappointment. I really wanted that room, especially after sleeping on Abbey's lumpy sofa all summer.

No. There won’t be any problem, just leave Liam to me, Jamie insisted.

Gladly, muttered Toby. He scares the hell out of me.

Before we go any further, can you tell me how much the deposit is? I wanted to get the facts straight before I got too excited.

Jamie looked over at Toby.

How much did we pay? Did we actually do the whole deposit thing?

Can’t remember. My dad probably sorted it out, Toby shrugged.

We’re a bit vague because Liam took care of all the details. He said it made more sense to buy this place as an investment, rather than shell out rent while I was at uni. He’s a bit of a financial genius, Jamie explained.

Must be, if he can afford to buy you a house like this. Just as I’d suspected, Jamie came from a comfortable, moneyed background. Of course he knew the landlord personally, it was his own brother.

Have you forgotten how he insisted on personally vetting each of us? Toby glanced at Jamie.

It’ll be fine. Trust me, Jamie insisted, looking rather uncomfortable. We can come to some arrangement about the deposit, and the rent will be around £500 a month. Is that within budget, Sera?

Toby barely masked his surprise, and I suspected Jamie kicked him under the table when I saw him wince.

Is that with bills on top? I was already at the top of my budget.

No, they’re included. Toby winced again as he glared at Jamie.

Great, I can just about manage that. I made a mental note to make sure I got this in writing before I moved in. Jamie seemed genuine enough, but I wanted everything to be legal and above board.

I didn’t want to count my chickens yet, but if things went according to plan, I might actually have somewhere half decent to live for a change this year, all because I’d left my bag on the train.

What a serendipitous piece of luck that had turned out to be.

Chapter 4

Liam

I was not best pleased when I found that Kimberley hadn’t got out of bed yet, when I returned from my morning workout and swim.

Come on. You know I need you out of here by ten at the latest. I pulled back the duvet and smacked her naked behind.

Don’t worry, Liam. There’s still plenty of time for fun and games, Kim purred, as she rolled over to give me a better view of her voluptuous, naked body.

Smiling, she slowly opened her legs and raised her knees, letting one hand wander down between her legs to start stroking herself, while the other teased the nipple of one of her large breasts.

No, that’s not our arrangement, Kim. Now come on, I insisted as I stood next to the bed. I found it irritating that she thought she could call the shots and order me around.  She might be a highly educated and intelligent woman, but before we began our arrangement she’d agreed she liked to be dominated and let the man take control.

Not one to give up easily, Kimberley pouted as she kneeled up, and then reached for the waist band of my jeans to pull me towards her.

I’m sure you’d enjoy one of my special good morning kisses, wouldn’t you? she whispered, as she looked up at me through her lashes. But in the harsh light of day, I felt repulsed by her smudged mascara, the dark roots of her bleached blonde hair, and the orange tinge of her fake tan, even though last night, she’d seemed the perfect fuck buddy.

I’d been seeing Kimberley for just over a month, and at first she’d seemed perfect. She willingly agreed that she was more than happy to have a no strings, no personal involvement, purely sexual arrangement between us. She agreed we’d sleep in separate rooms once we’d fucked in whatever way I chose, and that she’d leave well before my kid brother came over for Sunday lunch.

But of course it hadn’t lasted. Women just can’t help themselves, it seems. They always want to complicate things, get more involved, however clear I make it from the outset that it’s not an option. Even though I was always brutally honest about only wanting lots of great uncomplicated sex, women looked on me as a challenge, a man to be tamed and domesticated. I’d known the writing was on the wall for Kimberley when she’d suggested adding some cushions to make my place more homely.

For fuck’s sake – do I look like the kind of man who’d want cushions dotted around the place?

My modern riverside penthouse is just how I like it. Uncluttered and organised, like the rest of my life. The colour scheme is mostly white, with light wood furniture, the same as my office. No glaring colours to annoy or distract me.

Although still in my early thirties, numerous successful business ventures have made me a wealthy man. I had to grow up quickly and make some tough decisions when my father suddenly died after suffering a massive stroke when I was only nineteen. I was left with the choice of selling the ailing family business, or dropping out of university to take it over. I opted to put into practise what I would’ve been studying at university, and then worked my nuts off to turn the business around, diversifying into new sectors, ruthlessly divesting the company of anything unprofitable, leaving no room for sentiment.

I was no fool, I was well aware that my very comfortable lifestyle was now the main reason women like Kimberley fell over themselves to be my friend with benefits. I doubt they would’ve put up with my increasingly kinky demands otherwise, since I easily got bored and constantly sought new ways of sexual gratification.

Unlike my brother Jamie, I’m not what anyone would describe as handsome, especially as some wild teenage years left me with a few scars on my face. I wear my dark blond hair short and leave it naturally spiky, unlike my vain little brother who spends hours achieving his supposedly effortless look. Hopefully he’ll grow out of it in time.

I said no, Kim. Now leave it, just go and have your shower, I insisted, as I gripped her hand with its long red talons before she could undo my jeans. I really wasn’t tempted, even though she usually gave great head.

Kim finally got the hint, and flounced off towards the shower. But afterwards she came and found me in the kitchen.

I don't see what your problem is about your little brother meeting me, so I thought I could prepare lunch for both of you, she suggested. Now that she was fully made up again, she looked a lot better, although looking at the time, it had taken her ages. She was wearing a clingy black wrap dress to showcase her ample curves.

No. It would only complicate things. And it’s getting late, he’ll be here soon. I need you to leave. Now. Could I make it any clearer? It was definitely time to move on from Kimberley and seek out a new, less clingy partner.