Chapter 42 – Elijah
Chapter Forty-Two
ELIJAH
S he loves me. She fucking loves me. And she wishes I were there. And… Shit, should I just go? What’s the point in having a private plane if not to do crap like this? If I left now, I could be in Charleston by three. In her bed by half past…
I’m still turning it over in my mind when Mason nudges me so hard I almost drop my phone.
“Bro,” he whispers, nodding toward the balcony. “Look.”
I’m annoyed at being dragged out of my fantasy of being in Amber’s bed, but I follow his gaze. Drake and Amelia are out there alone. “So?” I ask.
Maddox sidles over, drinking orange juice out of a cut-crystal champagne flute, and grins at me. “Drake’s been shifty all day. I think this is it.”
I realize how wrapped up in my own drama I’ve been. I worked late, catching up on the Kim deal, and by the time I arrived, the party was in full swing. I chatted with my brothers, caught up with Ashley and Tyler, and checked in with my dad—but if I’m honest, none of them had the whole of my attention. I’ve been waiting all night to message Amber. To catch her near midnight and let her know that although we’re apart, I’m still thinking of her. I remember all the New Year’s Eves I spent here without her and wish I could take them back. All I can do is try to move forward, and I meant every word when I offered to join her in South Carolina.
Now, my focus is drawn back to my family—and to that balcony.
“Oh man, I hope he’s going to,” says Mason, glancing at his watch. “She’s perfect for him. Come on, come on, Drake. It’s almost midnight.”
Luz and Dad start the countdown, and the place erupts into cheers as the clock turns. As soon as that dies down, we all turn our eyes back to the balcony, where Drake is down on one knee. Fuck, he’s actually doing it. None of us can hear what he’s saying, but her hands are on her face, and he’s holding out a small black box.
“Put the ring on her finger before she changes her mind, bro,” yells Mason, making us all laugh. We whistle and holler and look on as Drake does exactly that. I feel tears brimming in my eyes. Fuck, this is a great start to the new year. My baby brother, finding his happy ending. I couldn’t be more pleased.
It doesn’t take long for everyone to storm the balcony like fans at the end of a football game. We smother them both with hugs and kisses and congratulations. Maddox and Mason hoist Drake up on their shoulders and parade him around, and as soon as Nathan joins, we do the same. He clings to us, laughing and telling us to put him the fuck down so he can get back to his fiancée.
We eventually do, but we don’t let him go without another round of hugs and handshakes.
Now, as I watch my family celebrate together, my heart filled with warmth and love, I know it’s time to leave. It’s time to find my own happy ending, and the only person in the world who can give me that is Amber James.
* * *
Finding a pilot willing and able to fly me to Charleston after midnight on New Year’s Day isn’t easy, but this is one of those occasions when having vast wealth is extremely useful. Our usual guy suggests some colleagues, and eventually I find someone who is both sober and happy to work—at inflated rates, of course. I don’t care. This will be worth it.
I’ve been to Lucille’s charming home a few times before, but it’s been several years. Little has changed in her historic neighborhood, and I smile as I’m driven through the pretty streets. It’s almost five, and only a few of the buildings are lit up and active. Lucille’s is one of them.
I climb out of the cab and stretch my legs. Is this a crazy fucking idea? It definitely is. But Amber and I have been cold and civilized for way too long. The passion of Mr. and Mrs. Smith unlocked something in us, and it feels right to act on impulse like this. I know I told her I’d give her space, but I’m going to start my year the way I intend to finish it—with my wife by my side. I think deep down she wants that too.
The front door is open, and inside, I find the remains of what was clearly a legendary party. The house is quirky at the best of times, and now it looks like the aftermath of a Halloween frat party. Slumbering guests are sprawled on the couches covered in crocheted blankets, and one is sleeping upright beneath the broad green leaves of a monstera plant. Goblets, glasses, and paper cups cover every surface, and the huge punch bowl is completely empty. Low music is playing in the next room, and I find Granny Lucille curled up on a large bean bag with a woman with long gray hair. Lucille looks up at me and smiles, not looking remotely surprised to see me.
“About damn time,” she says. “Upstairs, third door down. She’s been in bed for hours—the youth of today have no stamina. And Elijah?” I nod for her to continue. “Two things—one, happy New Year. And two, if you hurt that girl again, I will find you, and I will kill you. Capisce?” She says the last word like a Mafia don.
I hold my hands up in surrender. “Capisce, Lucille. I have no intention of hurting her.”
I climb the stairs, stepping over a fat black cat that glares at me with vivid green eyes, and find the right door. She’s asleep on her side, only half covered by the sheets. The light from the hallway shows me she’s wearing a silky pink slip, and her hair is spread over the white pillows. After closing the door, I quickly take off my clothes and climb into bed next to her. Careful not to startle her too much, I curl myself around her and stroke her hair back from her ears. Fuck, she is so beautiful.
“Baby,” I whisper, “it’s me. Happy New Year.”
She mumbles and smiles, then her eyes flutter open. She looks adorable, her eyes widening with surprise. “Elijah… What are you doing here?”
I cuddle into her and kiss her cheek. “I wanted to be with you. Is this okay?”
She pulls my arm more firmly around her. My fingers gently explore her, and she sighs as I caress her breasts. Her nipples are immediately taut under the silk of her slip. She wriggles her backside against my already-stiff cock. “Yes. This is okay,” she murmurs, her voice still sleepy. “It’s more than okay.”
She stretches languidly against me, and I kiss her slender neck as she makes contented little noises. I push up her slip and let my hands wander. Her skin is soft and warm, and she angles herself perfectly to take me. “Oh baby, you’re already soaked.”
“I know. I was dreaming about you. It was a very naughty dream.”
I groan and slide my cock deeper. She feels like heaven. She gasps, leaning her head back against me. Her pussy is tight and wet, and it takes all my resolve not to rail into her. Instead, the moment is sweet. Our bodies work as one, perfectly timing each thrust, both of us moaning at the simple pleasure of being together again. I reach around to stroke her clit as we make love, and it doesn’t take long for me to get my reward. Her perfect pussy squeezes around me, and she lets out the most divine little cries as the ecstasy takes her. We ride it out together, and I build up my rhythm. Her coming is enough to push me toward my own release.
“I love you, Amber,” I whisper as I shudder against her.
We stay like that for several minutes, her lean body snuggled into mine, my arms wrapped around her. She strokes my hands and kisses my fingers, and it’s pretty much one of the most perfect moments of my entire fucking life.
Eventually, she rolls over to face me, and her whiskey-brown eyes are sparkling. She places her palm on my cheekbone and smiles. “We don’t seem able to stay away from each other, do we?”
“No, we don’t—and why the fuck should we? You’re mine, Amber, and I’m yours. We can’t give up on us. I won’t give up on us. Not ever.”
“Did you tell them where you were going?” She doesn’t need to explain what she means by that.
I shake my head and hope like hell she understands. “I didn’t, but not because I didn’t want to. It was because it wasn’t my night. Drake proposed to Amelia.”
She looks delighted and laughs, and the tension eases out of me at the sound. “Let me guess—at the stroke of midnight, on the balcony?”
“Yeah, how’d you know? Did he tell you what he was planning?”
“No, it’s just… Well, it’s classy. It’s romantic, and since he met Amelia, so is he. I’m thrilled for them, and I completely understand that you didn’t want to step on their toes. Was your dad pleased?”
I examine her words for any traces of pain, any evidence that she’s faking this, but I find none. “He was, yeah. Everyone was, including me—but all I could think about was this. You. Being here by your side. And if you’re willing to give us another chance, I will tell them, I promise.”
She looks solemn, and my heart sinks. “I think I am, Elijah. Willing, I mean. But I’m still… I don’t know, scared?”
“Of course you are.” I drop a kiss on her forehead and pull her closer. “So am I, truth be told. But I believe in us. We can do this.”