24. Gemma
Iswipe the red lipstick across my lips, smack them together, and check my reflection in the mirror.
It’s been a few days since I left his apartment, and I still can’t shake the feeling of disappointment that washed over me as I walked out the door. I made the right choice, but that doesn’t make it any easier.
As soon as this man looks at me or touches me, I’m a complete mess.
Betrayed by the woman he trusted. Would he tell me about it if I asked?
Lil bursts into my room. “You have to see this!”
“What?”
“It’s about Elijah.” She waves her phone, giddy excitement radiating from her.
With reluctance, I sit up from my bed and give her a pointed look.
“Elijah and Esther called off their engagement!” She squeals, shoving the phone in my face.
An article from some gossip rag declares the end of their relationship in bold letters. He told me the truth, and now the whole world knows. He didn’t write or call me today. Not that I would’ve responded, anyway. But still. If this is his way of proving he’d do anything for me, wouldn’t he have reached out by now? Am I being unfair?
“See?” Lil grins. “I told you he’s always wanted you. What do you think he’ll do next? Send you a ring?”
I nudge her arm. “Stop. He’s not getting off the hook so easy. I need to be sure this time. Sure, he means it.”
“I have no doubt he will. But…”
“But what?”
“Will you still go on your date?”
I check the time on my phone. 25 minutes left. “It’s too late to cancel now. I’ll go for an hour and leave.”
I finish getting ready, grab my clutch, and head out the door. As soon as I’m on the sidewalk, I stop.
Elijah.
“Wh—what are you doing here?”
“Taking you out.” He opens the passenger door of his sleek black car, a self-assured smirk playing on his lip.
“I already have plans.” I hold up my hand to call for a cab.
His smirk widens. “I am your date.”
“What?” My hand falls down in slow-motion. “How did you—”
“Convince your mother to set us up? I have my ways.”
“Why didn’t you call?”
“I tried. Repeatedly.”
I open my mouth—
“And you probably would have ditched me if you knew. Not taking that chance.” He pushes off the car, closing the distance between us. “I wanted to surprise you, and I thought it was more romantic this way. If you’ll give me another chance…”
“So you really ended it with Esther?”
“I told you I’ll never lie to you. Things between us started off... complicated. I was a jerk. But I won’t give up.”
Vulnerability flickers in his eyes, just like a few days ago when he begged me to stay. Feelings that mirror my own.
I get on my tip-toes and kiss him on the cheek. “Me neither.”
Elijah snakes his arms around my waist, yanking me close to him. It feels good to be in his arms. Safe.
“You still have to make it up to me,” I say.
“I’ll never stop.” He kisses the top of my head before nudging me towards the car, but I pause.
“Actually, can we do something else?”
“What do you have in mind?”
“Would you like to come up?”
His mesmerizing eyes lock onto mine, and he nods, following me up. Inside, I kick off my heels, leading him straight to my room.
“Here it is.”
Elijah steps inside, his eyes roaming the room until they linger on the sketches, swatches, and delicate lace samples adorning the wall—testaments to countless hours of my dedication and passion.
“Your work is truly incredible.” He runs his fingers along a delicate piece of silk. “You have a gift.”
“Thank you.” My cheeks flush. For some reason, his praise feels more significant than any other compliment I’ve received.
I pull my eyes away from Elijah, admiring my work, and walk over to my bed. “Hey, why don’t we watch a movie? I think we still have some popcorn in the kitchen.”
“That sounds perfect.”
“I’ll get the popcorn.” I slip out to the kitchen to prepare the popcorn. As the microwave hums, I peek back into my room, the door half ajar, and see Elijah taking off his suit jacket and draping it over the armchair. He toes off his shoes as well, looking perfectly at home in my space.
This feels right.
The microwave beeps, and I get back into the kitchen, grabbing the steaming bag. I take a big bowl and pour the popcorn into it. Walking back into the room, Elijah sits relaxed on my bed, waiting for me.
“Got the goods.” I crawl onto the bed, placing the popcorn between us. “So, what movie should we watch?” I scroll through the movie options on the TV. “Any preferences?”
“Your choice.” He wraps his arm around me, holding me close.
We continue browsing movies, finally settling on a romantic comedy. I press play and nestle further into Elijah. His hand strokes my hair as we both focus on the movie.
About twenty minutes in, Elijah shifts, and I glance up at him, his dark and heated eyes meeting mine. I can’t even say a word before he captures my lips with his. Not breaking the kiss for one second, I climb onto his lap and his hands grab my ass, squeezing and tugging me closer to him.
“I’m glad you’re here.” I pull back, looking at his lips and back up in his eyes.
“That makes two of us.” He leans in for another kiss, but I put my fingers on his lips.
“Can I ask you something?”
“You can ask me anything.”
“Why did you choose Esther?”
His hands halt, the grip on my hips tightening. “It’s like I told you at the gala. It was all a sham because of my father’s wish. I had to make it happen, even if it meant entering into a fake engagement.”
“I didn’t mean why you did it. More… why her? Do you find her attractive?”
“Esther?” His hands drive up my sides.
I shove at his chest, trying to put some distance between us, but he tugs me closer, his grip firm.
“You really want to talk about her right now? When I’ve got you in my lap?” His teeth graze my skin. “The only woman I want is you. The only name on my fucking lips when I come is gonna be yours.”
My protests die on my lips as his hands slip under my dress, fingers trailing up the inside of my thighs.
“Esther doesn’t even register.” His words are a low rumble as his fingers brush against my core. “Not when I’ve tasted this sweet pussy of yours. Not when you screaming my name as you come on my cock is the best thing in the world.”
A moan escapes me as he strokes me through my panties.
“You’re everything I want, my little gem.” His fingers slip beneath the lace and find their way inside of me. “Everything I fucking need.”
I gasp, my hips rocking against his hand.
“That’s it, my gem. Take what you need.”
He chuckles, low and dark, pumping his fingers in and out. My head falls back, eyes squeezing shut. He knows exactly how to play with my body, fingers curling and twisting until I’m writhing in his grasp.
“Eyes on me.”
I force my eyes open at his command, meeting his heated gaze.
“I want to watch you come undone.” He brushes his thumb over my clit, and I whimper, my thighs trembling. I’m on the edge of release.
“Don’t stop,” I beg.
He growls, fingers pumping faster until I cry out. My orgasm crashes over me in waves, and his fingers continue their relentless pace, drawing out every ounce of pleasure. I’m a shaking and spent mess in his arms.
Slowly, he withdraws, bringing his slick fingers to his mouth. “Delicious as always.”
I flush, hiding my face in the crook of his neck.
“Did that answer your question?” he asks.
“Maybe.”
“You need another demonstration?” His teeth nip at my ear.
“No. Please. I want to talk with you.” I place my hand on his chest, pushing him back against the pillows. “It did answer one part.”
I reach for the bowl to get some of the popcorn, but I’m too far away. Elijah snatches some and holds his hand out.
“Thanks.” I pop a piece in my mouth. “So why did you?”
“Why did I what?”
“Esther.”
“Her father and mine are good friends. She’s always been after me.”
“Did you ever…”
“No. And I never had the intention of making her my fiancé.”
“But you did.”
Elijah hesitates for a moment, his gaze locked on mine. “I was going to propose to you.”
“What? Why?”
“We had an amazing night, so I could see myself with you, even if it was just sex. Bonus to presenting a picture-perfect family to my father before…” Emotion cracks in his voice, and he clears his throat. “But you didn’t show up that night. Esther was there, and time was running out...”
My chest constricts, and I lower my head. If only I hadn’t been afraid. If I’d gone to him as I wanted to. How different things might have been?
He tilts my head back up with his index finger under my chin, forcing my eyes to meet his. “I don’t expect anything from you. And I don’t want to rush you into another marriage so soon.”
I nod, throat too tight to speak. That’s not the problem here. I could have saved us from a lot of turmoil.
His hand moves around my waist, hugging me close to his body, and we stay like this for some time.
“I was there…” My eyelids shut close, exhaustion taking over.
“Hm?”
“I came to the restaurant.” I nestle closer to his body.
“I didn’t see you. Why didn’t you talk to me?”
Because I crawled out of there.
“I was running late, and then I saw you with Esther. You seemed… cozy.” My words are slurred, sleepiness dulling my senses. “That’s why I left without saying hi…”
“You thought I was with her? Fuck. I met Esther there by pure coincidence. I told her to fuck off. If I’d known you were there…”
“It’s okay…”
His fingers scratch my head. “Is…”
My sleep-addled brain struggles to comprehend his next words as they become more and more muddled as I doze off.
Stretching my limbs, I blink to dispel the traces of sleep lingering in my eyes. The bed beside me is empty, sheets cold.
Elijah?