Chapter 15
He wasn’t in their bedroom. She had expected that as well, but it hurt just the same to realize that he was avoiding her.
Taking a deep breath, she marched over to the adjoining door and shoved it open, just in time to see him walking out of the bathroom. A towel was slung low on his hips and the water was still glistening on the hairs of his chest. He lifted a hand to drag it through his damp hair, when he caught sight of her.
“Don’t you know when to back the hell off. I am not in the mood.”
His voice was icy with displeasure, but she was not going to allow that to stop her.
“I want to apologize…”
“That is not going to work. I need to be alone...,” he stopped when she marched over and stood in front of him. “Don’t!”
He went rigid when she placed her hands on his chest, her head drifting back to gaze at him. The sight of those limpid pools of dark brown eyes combined with her touch was weakening him. “I know you do not like me very much right now and I admit that I hate what I said to you. But I want to show you that I have changed my mind.”
His muscles jerked.
“Why is that?”
“I made a knee-jerk comment about the pregnancy. I was blindsided and certainly was not looking forward to being a mother, at least not yet.” Her fingers curled into the hairs. “I am asking you to forgive me…” She jolted slightly when he gripped her wrists as if to push her away.
“I need time.” He told her harshly. “Just give me time to think…”
“No!” Dragging her hands away, she quickly gripped the edges of the towel and untied the knot.
“Stop!” He hissed out a breath as she curled her fingers around his hardening flesh. His hands landed on her shoulders, and he was still fighting the magnetic pull, when she zeroed in on his other weakness.
Bending her head, she caught a nipple between her teeth and started sucking on the flesh. If that was not enough to drive him to utter madness, she was using her thumb to massage the reddened tip, spreading the moisture over the flesh.
His control – thin at best, simply broke. His limbs felt like liquid and his blood was boiling, he had spent a week away from her, determined to get her out of his head. Coming home to see her curled up on the sofa made him realize how futile his efforts had been. Now all he could feel was a need so intense, he was being swallowed by it.
Dragging off the thin silk robe, he fisted his fingers in her hair and dragged her head up. Seizing her lips, he devoured her mouth. She melted against him, her slender body molding itself to his. The feel of her, the potency of her nipples rubbing on his chest, shattered him even more.
Lifting her into his arms, he carried her towards the bed and without breaking the kiss, eased her down, following her down. He savored the taste of her on his tongue, the feel of her slender curves against his starving body.
Ending the kiss, he trailed the curve of her cheek, the sides of her mouth and down to the sensitive spot at the side of her neck.
Her cry of triumph quickly turned to fevered moans as he blaze a fire to her breast, his tongue toyed with the nipple and had her grabbing his hair, clutching at the thick strands as he first used the tip of his tongue on the pebble like flesh before taking it between his teeth and suckled.
Her cries echoed around the room, her body arching frenziedly towards his. “Now! Now!” she demanded, lifting her body and trying to force him to enter her.
“Not yet.” His voice was a harsh whisper as he switched to the other nipple to give it the same thorough treatment.
“Please.” She dug her fingers into his shoulders as he went further down.
He was mad to have her, but was determined to have his fill, determined to taste and pleasure her until she was as mad as he was.
Lifting her legs, he draped them over his shoulders and lifted her hips. As soon as his tongue entered her musky moistness, she came. The climax had her jerking upwards, fingers curling into the sheets and her body convulsing. Tilting her head back, she screamed hoarsely, the climax pommeling her until she could hardly bear it.
He scooted up and covered her trembling body with his, driving into her with a force that shoved her towards the padded headboard.
He stayed still for a minute, his teeth gritted as he fought for control. Her familiar tightness wrapped around him like a cloak.
Her hands drifted up his chest slowly as she opened her eyes.
His hands framed her face gently, head lowered to take her lips. The kiss was gentle and sweet and had her leaking again.
Her hands came up around his shoulders as she kissed him back – pouring her heart and what she had been feeling for the past week into it. He moved then, slowly at first as if trying desperately to stay in control, but that was not to be.
As soon as she started moving, he was lost. His control broke into a million pieces and forgetting about finesse, he drove into her forcefully. She came again, her hands racing up and down his back, fingers biting into his shoulders. Emotions swept through him like a violent storm as he poured himself into her until he was completely empty.
It took minutes for the shuddering to stop and for him to gather enough composure to realize he was more than likely crushing her. When he started to slide off her, she clung, wrapping her arms tight around his neck and her legs around his waist.
“Just let me…”
“No.” She whispered against his throat. “Do not leave me. Please.”
His heart shuddered at the plaintive sound of her voice. “Baby, just…”
“I love you.” She blurted out. He went still as emotions stormed through his body. Lifting his head, he shifted so that he could see her face.
“What?”
Her cheeks were still damp with tears, her lips swollen. “I was such an idiot. It took you staying away for a week to make me realize what I have.” Her hand cupped his jaw. “I hurt you and I am sorry for that. But I was scared and selfish and determined not to be hurt again.
I want this baby, Leo; our baby and I am sorry I said otherwise. I spent the last week living in fear that you were going to call and tell me to leave.” She swallowed the lump in her throat. “I wanted to call you, but I was afraid of what you would say and scared that you were with someone else.”
“You love me?” His voice was thick, his eyes intense.
“Yes.” She laughed shakily. “And I know you probably hate me…”
“Never.” He placed a hand over hers and closed his eyes briefly. “Sweetheart, how could you not see that I have been in love with you for two years?”
She went still, her eyes widening. “Sorry?”
He chuckled at her stunned expression. “Ever since I bumped into you while I was crossing the street.”
“The first time we met?”
“Yes. Baby, let me…” He shifted so that he was lying next to her.
“But – but – I was with…”
“Yes. You were engaged to another man, and I kept hoping that something would go wrong.” Lifting her hand, he kissed the knuckles.
She could hardly believe what she was hearing. “but even after Greg died and you were still coming around…”
“You made it plain that you were not on the market for a relationship, and I could see you were grieving. I did not want to stand in his shadow.”
“Leo.” She felt as if her heart was breaking, and the tears started again.
“Baby, no.” Using the pad of his thumbs, he wiped at the tears. “That’s supposed to be good news.” He added teasingly.
“I can’t.” Moving forward, she buried her face in the warmth of his throat and clung.
“Sweetheart…”
She shook her head, fingers digging into his chest. “I wasted so much time falling for the wrong guy and all the time…,” she lifted her head, her cheeks wet with tears, eyes dripping. “I can tell you it’s hormones, but it’s not only that.” Taking his hand, she laced her fingers through his. “How could you love me all this time and never say anything?”
She could not comprehend it and thinking of how he had stayed faithfully in love with her when she had never given him the slightest bit of encouragement, made her want to curl into him and never let go.
“It seems that when I fall in love, it’s for keeps.” He told her wryly.
“Leo.”
“Baby?”
“I want to be your wife and have children. Maybe three or four. And I want to marry you. I want a proper wedding with all the bells and whistles, even if that means telling my aunt that the first wedding was a sham.
I want the world to know that you belong to me. I am going to flout tradition and make my own wedding cake, one that is going to be spectacular, and I want to go away with you, just the two of us to some isolated location where I can make up for the time I lost.”
“Sweetheart, words failed him, and he felt as if he was melting inside. His hands cupped her face. “I have not asked you how you are feeling. I left you alone and never called to find out.” One hand drifted to her flat stomach. “How are you darling?”
She told him about the visit to the doctor and shook her head as a frown touched his brow.
“You were understandably mad at me. From now on, we will go to my appointments together.” She eased away the frown lines gently. “I thought the pastry shop was all I wanted, the most important thing to me.
Especially after I found out about Greg. I closed myself off from everything else and focused fiercely on that one aspect. Even when I got close to you, when we made love, I refused to see what was right in front of me.” Her finger traced his strong jawline.
“None of it matters anymore, except you and the baby I am carrying. I love you Leo. I think that I started to fall in love with you when we went to Paris.” She smiled whimsically. “Maybe it was the magic of the city, or it was you, but I love you so much, that I spent the last week pining for you.”
He kissed her gently, exploring her mouth with a tenderness that stole her breath. And then he gathered her against him, wrapping his arms around her possessively. Words failed him again.
He had come home thinking he was going to have to tell her goodbye and here he was, with her in his arms and a declaration of love he had been longing for in what seems like forever. She was his, finally. She belonged to him. His heart had always been hers, but now it was no longer one-sided.
“How about Christmas Day?” His deep voice rumbled against her cheek.
“I think it’s perfect.” She told him dreamily.
“Great.” He shifted so that he could look into her eyes. “Now, if you are not too exhausted, I would like to make up for lost time.”
“I was going to insist on it.”
*****
Michael took in the sparkle in her eyes and the smile on her lips.
“I take it that everything is now coming up roses?”
She nodded. “What are you doing here?”
“I was just on my way to a meeting with my agent and decided to drop by and see how you were getting on.” He followed behind her as she zipped from stove to counter, preparing something that was making the saliva pool inside his mouth.
“I am making raspberry and banana cream pie. An order for Leo’s Christmas party at his office. I promised him I would not overdo it, so I hired two more staff and – taste this,” She handed him a delicate pastry.
“I think I just died and went to heaven. This is amazing.”
“Something new, I am trying.”
“You succeeded. What is the chance of me getting a box of it?”
She looked over at him and laughed. The renovations were finally finished, and the men were out of her hair. She was trying to get everything in place before the wedding.
“Which reminds me, we are getting married. In a church this time and with me wearing a champagne-colored gown. Christmas Day, so whatever plans you have, cancel them. I want you to be my man of honor.”
He hurried to keep up with her as she went to box some things and handed them to the hovering staff member.
“That’s a week away.”
“I know. We want to get it done, so that we can go away for two weeks.” She grinned at him over her shoulder as she moved to the oven.
“Darling, such short notice. Who will you be inviting?”
“My aunt, Ingrid and Ben, Leo’s mom, and that’s it. Just an intimate ceremony.”
“How are you going to explain the second ceremony?”
“Leo is telling his mom the truth and I already confessed to Aunt Gloria.”
“You did? How did she take it?”
“Surprisingly well. She is so happy about the pregnancy, and she loves Leo. Told me that I finally landed myself a good man and it does not hurt that he is also loaded.”
“Where are you going for the honeymoon?”
“Some undisclosed location where there are no cell services. Now shoo. I have a million things to do, and I am meeting with Monique to discuss my wedding dress.”
“Darling, I am so happy for you.”
She stopped and took a breath. “I love him, Michael.” She pressed her hand to her stomach. Pulling him aside, she told him that Leo had loved her for the past two years. “Even when I was with Greg.”
“I suspected as much,” he mused.
“I still cannot believe it and I have no idea what to do with that kind of information.”
“Treasure it and him, darling. And you deserve to be happy.”
*****
Their wedding day dawned cold and crisp, the sun barely flickering through the puffy white clouds.
But to the couple, it was the most beautiful day ever and simply perfect. The chapel was tiny and lavishly decorated by members of her aunt’s women’s group. Whatever Leo had told his mother had obviously worked and the woman had flown over for the ceremony.
“You have made my son a very happy man and are carrying my first grandchild, something I have been looking forward to for years.” Celeste told her in an emotional voice. “For that, I am eternally grateful.” She had surprised Sherrian, by hugging her tightly. “I had my doubts about you at first, but no longer.”
The ceremony was completely different from the one they had before, but that was to be expected. The marriage before had been a fake, something cooked up to get her what she wanted.
This time, she was marrying the man she loved, and it felt as if she was walking on air. She had insisted on doing it right and spent the night at her aunt’s place, which was in the process of being sold. Aunt Gloria had accepted the offer of taking over Sherrian’s house, since she would not be needing it anymore.
Their vows were repeated and before long, they were husband and wife.
The reception was being held at the townhouse, with caterers hired to take care of the meals. Sherrian had spent three days preparing her wedding cake and as she had told Leo, it was spectacular.
The towering six tier, raspberry, chocolate, and cream ganache was too much for the small crowd, but it was so delicious, it had them coming back for several more slices.
The bride was ethereal and exquisite in a clinging champagne silk that highlighted her slender curls. Her hair had been styled by a professional and had pearls intertwined through the strands. She was wearing the same wedding rings he had given her before and firmly told him that they were perfect. “I don’t need anything else.”
Mrs. Elliot had already packed their bags, and they were almost ready to go.
“We have ten minutes to say our goodbyes.” Her groom came up behind her and wrapped his hands around her waist as she was talking to Michael. Leaning against him, she tilted her head to look at him. He was still wearing the tux that he had chosen for the ceremony, but had loosened the tie and it was hanging around his neck.
“And you have been on your feet for the entire time.” He glanced over at Michael who was staring at them in fascination. “I owe you a debt of gratitude. Sherrian told me you accompanied her to her doctor’s appointment.”
“She is my best friend.”
“While I am very grateful, that responsibility is now mine.”
Michael’s lips curled into a smile at the hidden warning.
“I would not have it any other way. Enjoy your honeymoon.”
*****
“You really meant it when you say this place was off the grid.” She exclaimed as he brought the vehicle to a stop as soon as they cleared the winding stone driveway.
She had fallen asleep during the two-hour long journey and was just now waking up.
“You were not very good company,” he teased, “I had to hum to keep from falling asleep.”
She cast him a look. “I would have loved to hear that.” Pushing the door open, she stepped out and breathed in the clean, icy air. “It’s a cottage, with a chimney and there’s smoke coming from it.”
Hefting out their suitcases, he took her hand and led them to the front porch of the faded pink and white stone structure.
“Who owns it?”
“I do.” Fishing the keys from beneath a stone, he opened the door to a lovely living room where a fire was blazing cheerfully inside the hearth.
“Yours?”
“Hmm.” Putting the cases down, he helped her off with her jacket and hung it along with his on a peg just inside the doorway. “It was originally my dad’s. Hungry?”
She shook her head and went to stand in front of the fire. The room was plain, with wooden floors polished to perfection and a pair of corduroy-covered sofas arranged around the fire.
Taking her hand, he led her to a rocker near the fireplace and sat with her on his lap. “It’s a fishing cottage.” He inhaled her seductive scent and closed his eyes in contentment.
He had cleared his schedule for the next two weeks and intend to enjoy every minute of the time spent with her. In bed. It was too cold to go exploring anyway and all he wanted was to make love to her until they get tired of each other. Something he did not foresee happening.
Leaning against him, she felt the peace washing over her.
“Tell me about him.” She invited.
A whimsical smile touched his lips as he ran his hands up and down her arms. “He was strict. A man of exceedingly high moral standing. But he was a very good husband and father.” He bent to kiss her cheek absently.
“He and my mother were madly in love with each other. They did everything together and sometimes I would get the feeling that I was intruding.
They never said anything to make me feel that way and I knew without a doubt that they loved me, but they were a unit.” He tilted her chin up. “I was very young when I decided that I would not settle for anything less than what they had.”
His eyes wandered over her exquisite face. “I have a lot to give thanks for. I am with the woman I am utterly and completely in love with and wonders upon wonders, she is in love with me.”
“I am.” Wrapping her hands around his neck, she brought his head down. “I think we should get this honeymoon started.”
“I agree completely.” He whispered against her mouth.