Chapter 6 #3
He knew it was wrong to make love with Juliet without telling her everything. But he needed to be close to her one more time before he could take that huge step.
So for now, he led her to his bedroom. He needed help getting her dress off, then he knelt at her feet to remove the thigh- high stocking and heels, then her why-bother underwear.
Finally, he threw off his clothes and they slid onto the bed.
She was smiling the whole time which ripped him inside.
“I love you, Ryder.” She said the words, so meaningfully that he wanted to weep.
Instead, he kissed her, emptying all his love into her.
He made his way down her body finding every erogenous zone on her.
When he realized she had tears in her eyes, he moved away. “What’s wrong, sweetheart?”
“Nothing, absolutely nothing. I’ve never been happier.”
She surprised him by pushing him to his back. He let her kiss and touch him as she wanted. By the time she finished, he was throbbing with need.
Juliet had never seen Ryder this like this before. So…needy. She eased back and drew him over her, treasuring the feel of his weight on her. He stared down at her face. “I love you…” he pushed inside her. “I love you so much. Remember that. This.”
He plunged deeply, again, and again. She spiraled with sensation so acute it was almost painful. Almost. She erupted into pleasure and love and commitment.
So did he.
* * *
The next morning, the rays of sun filtering into the bedroom through slatted blinds awoke Juliet early, even though Ryder had kept her up late.
They’d made love and it was like never before.
For a moment, she luxuriated in the sight of him at rest and gently caressed his scratchy cheek.
Then she slid out of bed and tiptoed naked to the bathroom.
When she finished in there, she slipped on the plush maroon robe he’d bought for her to keep here.
She crossed to the bureau and grabbed her phone.
As quietly as she could, she headed down the long corridor to the kitchen.
She made a cup of coffee with the Keurig and sat at the island grinning down at her ring.
Last night had been magical. Ryder had introduced her as his fiancée to all his friends and associates.
Juliet almost couldn’t believe all this was happening to her.
When the coffee finished dripping, she sipped the dark brew and thought about how much she loved him. God, she was sappy.
To tamp it down, she reached for the remote and switched on the television hanging on the wall she was facing.
She liked the Morning Show on Sundays and tuned to that channel.
The host, Will Guest, was smiling at the camera.
“We have some breaking news, ladies and gentlemen. We’ve just learned the identity of the recluse painter Rice Prescott, so stay tuned until after the break. ”
Hmm, that’ll be fun. His paintings were full of emotion, yet strong and relatable. She wondered what he’d look like.
The commercial ended. “Now we’re back. Rice Prescott has been a recluse since he first appeared on the scene twenty-five years ago.”
“Juliet, wait.”
“Come on over,” she said not glancing back. “Rice Prescott’s identity has been discovered.”
Ryder grasped her shoulder from behind. “Juliet, it’s me.”
“Of course it’s you. Who else would be standing behind me?”
“No, no, the TV. It’s me.”
Finally, Will said, “Rice Prescott is a pseudonym for Ryder Pace, the financier, the philanthropist and the owner of Pace Industries. He’s currently living in upstate New York.”
The ceramic cup in Juliet’s hand crashed to the counter. It broke into pieces and coffee dribbled over the surface. She turned around. “It’s you.”
* * *
He could barely tolerate the expression on her face. So different from the adoration of the night before. “I was planning to tell you last night. But we fell asleep.”
“You lied to me. Something you promised never to do.”
“A lie of omission. But yes, still a lie. I’m sorry.”
“No, no it goes deeper than omission, doesn’t it? When do you paint?”
“Sometimes at night, when I wake up and can’t sleep.”
She bit her bottom lip. “Did you paint while I was here? Did you leave me in your bed to go do it?”
“A few times. It calms me. I think more clearly after I paint.”
“Good for you.” She shook her head. “Then you must have a studio in the house.”
“Yes.”
“Which you hid it from me.”
“Well, there were a lot of rooms you didn’t see here.”
Her eyes narrowed. “And you must do some of the business associated with selling your art at home.”
“I have a manager and an agent.”
“And you talked to them while I was here?”
“A few times.”
She waited. Then, “Did you know your identity was coming out today?”
“Uh-huh.”
Briefly, she closed her eyes. “All these lies and covert activities right my nose. Honestly I can’t believe the level of the deceit involved.”
“Again, I—"
Her eyes widened. “Wait a minute. Oh, my God. You made love to me last night. Why? To soften me up before you came out as Prescott this morning?”
“No, no. I wanted to be with you before I told you because I thought you might walk out of my life over it and I’d never have another chance to love you.”
She scraped back the stool, stood and faced him. “Well, you were right about that, Rice.”
Grabbing her phone on the counter, she punched in numbers; she had to clear her throat before she spoke. “Mom, it’s me. Can you come get me at Ryder’s house? As soon as possible.”
When she clicked off, he said, “I’m not going to let you go like this.”
Her eyes flamed. “Contrary to what you obviously think, you don’t control the universe.” She circled around him then turned back at the door. “And don’t follow me. Don’t contact me. I never want to see you again.”
* * *
Juliet rushed out of the room. She didn’t go back for her clothes; instead, she hurried down the long corridors, through the living room and out the front door barefoot, wearing only a robe.
She made her way down to the gates, not noticing the pavement beneath her feet or the frigid air.
She unlocked the first gate then the second.
He’d given her the code so she could come to his house whenever she wanted to.
Now, the notion seared her heart. In minutes, her mother pulled up.
She must have been out this morning so she was close to his home.
Juliet whipped open the passenger door and practically fell inside. Jacquie Lockwood reached over and held her while she burst into tears.