Chapter 20
Chapter twenty
Eli
“Jack, leave the poor girl alone. She’s barely had a chance to take a breath between each one of your questions.” Mom playfully shoves my dad’s shoulder, shaking her head.
“What?” Dad exclaims. “It’s the first time our son has ever brought someone home, and I’m not allowed to find out a little about her?”
“I’m the first one?” Madeleine asks with a pleased smile, sliding her arms into her coat that I’m holding out for her.
“The only one,” Dad responds with a wink.
“For fuck’s sake.” I drag a hand down my face. “Don’t you have a game to watch?”
“Ah. You’re right. I think it’s time for a little American football.” He regards Madeleine with warmth. “It was lovely to meet you, dear.”
“Lovely to meet you, sir,” she responds politely.
“Sir?” Dad looks at me and points at her. “I like this one.”
“Yeah, I’m pretty partial myself,” I say, noting the blush that spreads over her cheeks. “You ready to go?” I ask her.
“I will be if you tell me where we’re going.”
“And where is the fun in that?”
Dad walks off, heading toward the living room, where I’m guessing he’ll spend the rest of the night in his favorite recliner.
Mom will eventually join him after she feels the house is put back together properly.
All my aunts and uncles will meander through the house with full stomachs and drinks in their hands before deciding to call it a night, while Ava will take all her new toys to her room to inspect.
The typical Christmas day at my family’s home.
Mom laughs at the two of us, a speculative gleam in her eyes. “You know, when Eli was just a little boy, he came home from school on winter break and told me story after story of all the exciting things he learned in the States. But one story always stood out to me the most.”
“Oh? Was it about the time he screamed like a little girl when he spotted a spider on his shirt?” Madeleine teases.
“I didn’t scream.” I roll my eyes but smirk, remembering that day. Unfortunately, I did, in fact, scream like a little girl.
“No.” Mom chuckles, appearing so at ease.
“He told me about a princess he met and how he was going to be her knight in shining armor. He never called her by her first name; he just kept referring to her as his princess. Told us she had hair as dark as the night with big, beautiful blue eyes and that she lived in a castle.” She smiles.
“I always wondered if I was going to meet you.”
Madeleine momentarily stills beside me, her lips parting and closing in surprise. “I didn’t…” She turns toward me, her eyes wide. “You did?”
Fuck, she’s cute when she’s uncomfortable.
“Well, thank you, Mom. Can always count on you to make things awkward.” I lean into my mom to place a kiss on her cheek.
“That’s what I’m here for,” she responds.
I shake my head, the corners of my lips lifting with ease. “We’ll be back later. Don’t wait up.”
“Oh, to be young again,” she muses.
I place my hand on Madeleine’s lower back as I guide her toward my Land Rover and open the passenger door for her before making my way to the driver’s side. The engine purrs to life as I accelerate, and heat quickly fills the space.
Madeleine sits quietly as I back out of the narrow driveway and turn onto the calm road. Streets that are usually bustling at this time of night are subdued, twinkling with strings of white lights.
It’s my favorite time of year.
And the fact that I get to spend today with her…well, this might be the best Christmas yet. One I’ll have to ensure she never forgets.
After driving for some time with only a soft hum of Christmas music in the background, Madeleine says softly, “I’ve never been to London before.” Her curious eyes remain glued to the window as she takes in everything that the city has to offer.
I know she hasn’t been, which is precisely why I’m taking her to the most prominent tourist attraction. Looking at my watch, I see we have just enough time to make it before they close for the evening.
I pull the car over to the side of the road and park.
“Where are we?” she asks.
“Do you trust me?”
“Of course.”
There’s no hesitation in her answer.
Only resounding confidence.
And it sends warmth through my chest.
After getting out of the car, I grab her hand and lead her around a building where we’re met with a view of—
“Oh my God.” Madeleine’s eyes widen. “It’s the London Eye.” She swallows hard, her eyes never leaving the attraction. “Are we… Are we going on that?”
“You better believe it.” I pull her along with me, wrapping an arm over her shoulder as we approach the ticket office.
A moment later, we’re next in line, waiting for an available capsule.
I look at Madeleine and find her quietly nibbling on her thumbnail as she peers up to the top of the structure.
It’s an old habit she’s had since childhood—one that always signaled her nervousness or fear.
I nudge her shoulder. “Don’t tell me you’re scared of heights?”
She drops her hand and juts her chin out, holding her head high as she carries herself like royalty. “I’m not scared of anything.”
There’s a slight pull at one side of my lips as I say, “All right then.” A capsule stops before us, and the man opens the door. I gesture with my arm, letting Madeleine go first. “Prove it.”
She purses her lips and takes a few confident steps toward our awaiting pod, but the minute she places one foot inside, she turns toward me and grips my shirt.
“You won’t let anything happen to me, right?” she asks, her voice growing soft.
My brows furrow as I grasp her chin between my fingers. “I would never let anything happen to you.” Relief floats over her bright blue eyes. “But if you don’t want to do this, we don’t have to.”
She shakes her head, a smile tugging at her lips. “No. I mean, I came all this way. I might as well give it a try.”
I lean forward, brushing my lips over her ear. “That’s my girl.”
A soft blush spreads over her cheeks as she turns and steps into the capsule, walking to the other end, where she places both hands against the glass and gazes out at the view.
After thanking the attendant and giving him a few bills for some extra time at the top, I follow behind her, entering the warm space.
The door closes, locking us in together.
She doesn’t notice as I scope out the discreet camera in the corner.
And she definitely doesn’t notice as I reach inside my pocket and pull out a small roll of duct tape to cover the lens.
No, she’s too lost in the beauty that is London.
“How long does it take to go fully around?” she asks, still mesmerized by everything before her.
“About thirty minutes.”
I catch her smiling in the reflection. “I bet you take all the girls here.”
I come up behind her, letting my hands skim over the fabric of her coat. I rest my palms against her stomach, wishing there was no material between us. The opening of my jacket drapes around her as I rest my chin on the top of her head.
“What girls?”
“The ones who’ve kept you company over the years. Probably fallen head over heels for your sexy accent and charm, not knowing any better,” she teases.
I chuckle, pushing her hair aside and grazing my lips against the side of her neck. It’s funny if she thinks I’ve ever been with anyone but her. “And what about you?”
“What about me?”
“Do you find my accent sexy?”
“Depends on what you say.”
A motor churns beneath us, and the capsule begins to move.
Madeleine lets out a soft gasp at the slight jerk, but I tighten my grip around her, not letting her go anywhere.
She reaches in front of her, untying her coat.
The material falls open, and she’s ready to slide her arms out of it until I tell her, “Leave it on.”
She arches an eyebrow but slides the material back over her shoulders.
I inhale her enticing scent. “What do you want me to say?”
She glances over her shoulder, her eyelids appearing heavy, her chest heaving a little faster. “Tell me what you want to do to me…right now.”
Fuck.
I groan, my cock hardening uncomfortably against the zipper of my pants.
“You want to hear about all the ways I want to fuck you, Princess? Is that what you want to hear?”
“Yes,” she breathes, pushing her ass against me.
“Fuck, Madeleine.” I grip her hips, spinning her around to face me as I press my body against hers.
“I want to sink inside your tight pussy, thrusting so hard you come apart on my cock, screaming my name.” I snake one hand between us, scrunching up the fabric of her dress so that I can sneak my way inside her panties.
She bucks forward as I slowly slide two fingers through her wet center, dragging out the inevitable.
“Someone outside might see,” she pants, her legs parting wider.
“No, they won’t.” I dip one finger inside, using my palm to grind against her clit. “We’re facing the water, love. Besides, our coats are hiding all the good parts.”
“What about cameras?” She begins to ride my hand, seeking the pleasure she so desperately needs.
“I covered it.” My tongue trails up the side of her neck, stopping right below her ear.
“But that won’t stop them from hearing everything I’m about to do to you.
” Her eyes widen, and I smirk as I slip a second finger inside her.
“Don’t get shy on me, Princess. Let them know who this pussy belongs to. ”
She bites down on her bottom lip, fighting a grin. She motions zipping her lips shut, and I laugh.
“Is that a challenge?”
I’m about to pick up the speed when her hand shoots out, wrapping around my wrist.
“If you want them to hear who I belong to, then you need to earn it,” she says mischievously, licking her bottom lip.
I pull my hand from her pussy, shoving my fingers between my lips to taste. I groan in appreciation as her arousal coats my tongue. She watches me with rapt fascination. I bend forward, brushing my lips over hers. “And how should I do that?”
I’d do anything this woman asked of me.