Chapter 33
Act III, Scene VI: Montague House, Surrey
Titan
I never wanted to wake up any other way.
Kalina lay beside me, her eyes shut and her breaths slow.
I’d been lying awake since she woke me in the middle of the night, shoved a protein bar into my hand, then climbed on top of me.
Another way I didn’t mind being woken.
I got up and, with careful precision, extricated my arm from under Kalina’s head. She shifted a little, but continued to sleep.
I needed hot water on my aching muscles, and padded across the room.
I must’ve been in there for about two minutes when Kalina walked in, the gown she wore bunched up in certain places, the sleeves were too long, and the slit in front revealed a lot more than I thought she was aware of.
‘Hi,’ she mumbled sleepily. She rubbed at her eyes then yanked off the offensive item.
I would never get used to seeing her like this. Better than every dream I’d had.
I opened the door and she stepped inside, before nestling against my chest.
‘I need breakfast first, dimples.’ I chuckled.
She laughed. ‘I’m broken. That was my limit.’
I looked down at her and smirked. ‘I’d be happy to test that theory.’
She met my gaze and stood on her toes.
I closed the distance between us and kissed her.
The effect of the shower head above was not too dissimilar to our first real kiss yesterday, and I could see it becoming something we’d recreate often.
‘What time are we leaving?’ Kalina asked.
‘After we have breakfast. I want to show you around.’
She beamed. ‘Exciting. A private tour, how romantic.’
We got dressed and made our way downstairs. The formal dining room had a wall of windows overlooking the terrace and the gardens. It was all blue-grey skies outside, and only a drenched lawn left behind after the storm.
‘You should know I love breakfast. Especially hotel breakfast.’ Kalina handed a plate to me as I stepped up beside her.
‘This feels like something I already knew about you.’
‘You do know me well.’
Every time she looked up at me, I leaned down to kiss her because I could.
The dining room was mostly empty, so we grabbed our food and drinks before heading to one of the tables near the French doors.
I pulled out her seat then sat down beside her.
‘My thighs are aching,’ she said under her breath.
It immediately made me look down at her legs, wrapped in sheer black tights. ‘I can massage them for you.’
She shook her head. ‘We know what that’ll lead to… Maybe later.’
I laughed and kissed her neck. It wasn’t a no.
She giggled with delight.
‘Has Savi called?’ I asked.
She took a sip of her tea. ‘She tried to. I texted her.’
‘She’s probably losing it.’
She took my hand and gently massaged each finger. ‘I just want it to be the two of us. For one night.’
‘I can make that happen.’
‘What did you have in mind?’
‘A surprise.’ I lifted her hand to kiss her knuckles.
Kalina reached over and grabbed a blueberry from my bowl and popped it into her mouth. ‘You know I don’t like surprises.’
I planted a kiss on her lips. ‘Last surprise. Maybe.’
She narrowed her eyes.
‘You are everything I never knew I wanted.’
Her cheeks went red. ‘You can’t say stuff so casually over breakfast.’
‘Why not? I’m going to tell you every single thought I have about you.’
‘I’m going to enjoy this.’ She did a little dance in her seat.
We finished breakfast and took a walk through the grounds.
The pond was similar to the one I’d taken her to so many weeks ago. How things had changed between us.
I was so glad they did.
We walked to the conservatory and Kalina relayed the night of the ball to me.
‘When I saw Ted and Savi standing here that night, my entire body went cold. I can’t believe she didn’t recognise him. His face is plastered everywhere.’
‘Same goes for Ted,’ I said. ‘He didn’t realise it at the time either. They were too far gone already.’
We’d been the ones to rein them in, but we were also the only two people who knew about their secret letter writing. We were actually in the middle of it all.
‘I’m glad we were spies together,’ she said.
‘I wanted any reason to see you.’
She pulled me down for a kiss this time.
We walked into the main building from the garden entrance. On our left was a grand staircase, lined with clear hurricane vases, that swept upward to the platform where the ceremony would take place.
‘It’s going to be so perfect,’ she said.
I could see the way her head filled in the gaps.
‘I know they said they’re happy without all of this, but they’re going to love it.’ I wrapped an arm around her waist
There were rows of seats, to our right, for the two hundred guests. Which shocked me to my core. ‘I can’t believe two hundred is too little for your family.’
Kalina laughed. ‘Oh, you should see what they do when there is no limit. It’s…overwhelming to say the least.’
I looked down at my watch. ‘One more stop then we can leave.’
I led her to the ballroom, where we’d first met.
‘It’s as beautiful as I remember.’ She looked around at the opulent wallpaper and chandeliers.
Everything about this place exuded luxury.
‘Savi and Ted can finally be together openly with no secrets between them.’
‘I’m really glad they get to recreate that night,’ she said.
‘Actually, there is one thing I’d like to recreate.’
She tipped her head to the side.
I took her hand in mine and spun her around before pulling her close. ‘Will you dance with me?’
She giggled and wrapped a hand around my shoulder. ‘There’s no music.’
I lifted a finger and pulled my phone from my pocket, scrolling until I found the perfect song. We swayed and moved around the marbled floor until she broke into a fit of laughter.
‘You’re a great dancer.’
‘And now I can finally dance in this room with you.’ I leaned down and kissed her in the middle of the dance floor.
I had one night to get this right.
One night to tell and show Kalina what I’d been holding back for the last week and a half.
‘Dimples,’ I said into the speaker of my phone.
‘Yes, Titan?’
I grinned like an idiot as I did up the buttons on my shirt. ‘I love the way you say my name.’
‘Like your name is meant to be said?’ She laughed.
‘Like you’re a little irritated.’
‘Old habits die hard.’ The smile in her voice was clear.
‘Are you ready?’
‘You said seven?’ her voice rose.
‘I was checking if you were impatient like me.’ I glanced at my watch.
It was six.
There was a pause and some shuffling on her side. ‘I’ll be ready in fifteen minutes.’
‘See you soon.’
Fuck, I was so nervous.
It wasn’t like we’d never gone out together.
Or kissed.
Or made love.
Not even twenty-four hours ago we’d been tangled up with one another.
But this was Kalina.
And she deserved the best.
I grabbed my jacket and made my way to her house, arriving at exactly six twenty.
The door swung open, and the air was knocked from my lungs.
Kalina stood in the doorway wearing the green dress from the night of Savi and Ted’s dinner. Soft velvet wrapped around her body dipping low in the front, accentuating her breasts. It looked like it was made for her, and also, me.
‘You look…’ I didn’t have the words.
‘You look handsome.’ She beamed back at me then took the bouquet of yellow and white flowers from my hand. She breathed in deeply above the soft petals. ‘Thank you. I need to put my shoes on.’
‘Take your time.’ I leaned down to kiss her. ‘You look beautiful.’
A blush spread across her cheeks.
‘Okay, stop or we won’t go out tonight and I’m really excited about it.’ She spun around and I followed her into her bedroom.
We’d shared so many memories between the front door and her bedroom, and it all came full circle to this moment—me sitting on the edge of her bed, while she stepped into a pair of black heels as we got ready to go on our first official date.
‘The shoes that started it all.’ I gestured for her to step closer.
She stepped forward then tilted her head to the side. ‘I’m so confused.’
I knelt down in front of her, and pulled her foot onto my knee to tie the strap at her ankle before switching to the other. I focused on my fingers and not the way the dress dipped like a heart on her chest. ‘The ones from the expo.’
Recognition set in and she laughed. ‘To be fair, I didn’t know this would be the outcome.’
I let my fingers graze up her calf, and she inhaled sharply.
No. Later. I needed to focus on getting her out of the house and not onto her bed.
‘I’m glad it was.’
‘Hair up,’ she asked, grabbing her hair and scooping it into a makeshift ponytail, ‘or down?’ She dropped it, letting it fall down her back.
‘Down,’ I said without hesitation. I wanted to move the pieces brushing her collarbones just to get a glimpse of her skin.
I failed dismally at listening to her as I stared at her calves and the way they curved from the shoes, the hem of her dress as it brushed her thighs, and how the back of the dress was done up with velvet laces my fingers itched to undo.
I tilted her chin up and leaned down to kiss her. Fully this time. She wrapped her arms around my neck and pulled me down until her body arched up against mine.
I couldn’t get enough of the way she tasted and felt. I wanted to drown in it.
She stroked her hand down my chest and moved it lower and lower.
‘Wait,’ I whispered and pulled back. ‘Let me buy you dinner first.’
She sank back and tapped my chin with her finger. ‘You’re working backwards.’
‘I’m trying to do things right.’
‘Kiss, practice dates, confusing middle bits, sleep together, and date?’
I laughed. ‘We know how to keep things exciting.’
She took my hand and a beatific smile set in. ‘Let’s go then.’
We were met with Scarlet—wearing a huge grin on her face—as we stepped out of Kalina’s bedroom.
‘You two look cute.’
I rolled my eyes at her.
‘Thank you.’ Kalina squeezed my hand.
‘Do you want me to stay out late tonight? Give you two some space…’ She grimaced mockingly.
‘No, you stay in. Don’t go anywhere.’
Kalina swatted my arm lightly. ‘He’s kidding. You can go out. You’re not under house arrest.’
I opened my mouth to say something, but Kalina’s look said don’t push it.
She was so sexy when she was bossy.
‘Okay, we’re going. Be good,’ Kalina called over her shoulder as she dragged me out the house.
‘You too,’ Scarlet yelled back.
Kalina shook her head then stopped short on the pavement. ‘Are we really going to risk the car again?’
‘You never got to experience it fully. I checked the tyres and replaced the spare.’ I opened the passenger door to the Jaguar, and helped her into the seat.
‘Okay, but if there’s a flat this time I’m not offering to help. I can’t risk getting grease on this dress.’
I gave her another kiss, for good measure, and because I could. ‘Deal. There’s something for you in there.’ I tipped my head toward the centre console.
Her groan was loud, even from the driver’s side of the car.
‘Really?’ She threw me an impressed look.
‘We have to be prepared and I don’t trust you.’
‘I have never met anyone more worried about lactose intolerance than someone who was not lactose intolerant.’
‘Now you know how much I care about you.’
Her gaze softened. ‘I appreciate it.’
I took her hand in mine as I started the drive.
‘Are you going to tell me where we’re going?’
‘No. I told you what to wear. Isn’t that enough?’
She huffed. ‘You’re no fun.’
‘Not what you said last night. Or this morning.’
‘Titan.’
‘Definitely what you said last night.’ I grinned as I snuck a glance at her.
She shook her head and bit her bottom lip, but couldn’t hide the little half-moons in her cheeks.
‘I’ll give you a hint; I’m recreating the moment I messed things up so I can make it right.’
We’d stopped at a red light and I looked over at her.
Her hand was on her chest, her eyes were glossy, and she’d pursed her lips. ‘That’s…the nicest thing you’ve ever done.’
‘You’re too easy to please.’
We pulled up outside Basilic ten minutes later. I helped Kalina out of the car before I handed the keys to the valet attendant. I wrapped an arm around her waist and leaned down to whisper, ‘I’m regretting asking you to wear this dress now.’
‘We could skip dinner.’ She danced on the spot, ready to get back into the car.
‘Absolutely not. I’m trying to court you.’ We walked towards the doors.
‘You’re such a charmer.’
‘You’re so mesmerising.’
Being back here made my chest ache. Sadness overlapped with immense joy when I looked down at Kalina.
The table we were shown to was pushed up close to the glass, giving us an unobstructed view of the outside.
‘I actually get to look around this time,’ Kalina said. She rested her chin on her hand as she took in the views below.
‘All I want to look at is you.’
‘Your lines hit differently now.’ She looked over at me.
‘You never believed me; I meant what I said. Always.’ I took her hand and placed a kiss on the inside of her wrist.
If the waiter hadn’t appeared at that very moment, I’d have skipped dinner and taken her straight back to my place.
They introduced themselves and handed each of us a menu. Kalina flicked straight to the dessert page, and her eyes scanned the items.
‘Lavender creme brulee. Mmm…sounds good,’ she said.
‘You haven’t checked the starters yet,’ I said, a smile playing on my lips.
‘You’ll likely choose something super amazing and I’m great at choosing desserts. Know your strengths.’
‘Do you want me to order for you? I’m going to order the same thing.’
‘No, that’s no fun. You know we’re going to end up sharing our food.’ She grinned widely. ‘And if I don’t like my food, I’ll steal yours.’
‘That’s what I thought.’
Our waiter returned a while later and I ordered the seared scallops and salmon starter. ‘Something I know you love and something you can try.’
Kalina ended up loving the salmon.
‘I knew it.’ I took her hand on the tabletop and held it as we finished the rest of our starters.
‘This is a very fancy first date. I would have been fine with burgers.’
‘We’ve already had burgers with each other. Besides, I wanted to spoil you. Maybe celebrate a little.’
‘Celebrate?’
‘With the advance from Mae, and my investments, I bought the studio.’
‘Titan,’ she squealed and jumped up, nearly tackling me to the ground as she sat in my lap and gave me a kiss.
‘I regret coming out with you dressed like this,’ I said, and adjusted the front of my pants carefully as the restaurant goers eyed us.
‘Foreplay,’ she said and winked at me.
‘Cheeky.’
She grinned down at my lap as she stood. ‘Now I’m going to have to put a lot of careful thought into our next date.’
‘Come here.’ I leaned over and pulled her seat next to mine. ‘You were too far away to begin with.’
Our mains arrived—lamb and chicken—that shifted back and forth between the two of us.
‘Okay that was a tie, they were both really good.’ Kalina leaned back in her seat and rubbed her stomach. ‘I can’t even think about dessert, where is it meant to go?’
‘Good thing we have some time,’ I said and called the waiter over.
‘We’re not staying for dessert? What about the creme brulee?’
‘Not here, no.’ I settled the bill then offered her my hand.
The drive was filled with longing gazes and soft touches. I’d steal a glance at her at every red light, and she’d stroke my fingers as they interlaced with hers.
Recognition lit up Kalina’s face as we pulled up outside the old warehouse.
‘Ice cream?’ She grinned.
‘Yup.’
‘I’ve been thinking about the lemon cheesecake flavour since that night.’
‘I’ve been thinking about you since that night.’
She chuckled. ‘Okay, that was smooth. I’ll give you that one.’
I leaned over the console to kiss her until we were both breathless. ‘Ice cream then my place?’
‘This is quickly becoming my most favourite date ever.’
‘It’s number one in my books.’
‘Your wooing is working.’
I winked at her and we strolled to the ice cream vendor, holding hands and sneaking kisses in the queue. I ordered one cone and when Kalina eyed me questioningly, I simply held it out to her to take a swipe.
‘Nothing for you?’ Her brows furrowed with concern before she took a taste.
I leaned down and kissed her. The coolness of the dessert mixed with the warmth of her lips. The combination of tastes was exquisite. ‘I’ve been wanting to do that since I brought you here. Never imagined I’d be able to.’
Her cheeks flushed, from the kiss, my words, or the warmth in this space. It didn’t matter. She was perfect.
‘You can keep doing it.’ She licked the ice cream and lifted her chin for another kiss.
I obliged without hesitation.
‘Now, you’ve gotten your sweet treat, let’s get mine.’
She giggled as I took her hand and led her back to the car. We were at the studio in record time. My hands were on her as soon as we stepped through the door, my fingers curled through her hair, and my lips on hers.
She sighed and reached up to cup my face. Such a tender action it made my chest ache.
She pushed my jacket down my arms and onto the ground.
‘I don’t think I’ll ever tire of this. Of you.’ I traced kisses down her neck.
‘You may want to spend more than a week with me before you make those kinds of confessions.’ She teased.
‘I’ll always want you,’ I said. I pulled away until our gazes met. ‘I’ll look for you in every room, I’ll listen to you talk for hours. I’ll. Always. Want. You.’ I punctuated each word with a kiss.
‘You can’t say things like that and expect me to focus.’ Her amber gaze met mine.
‘All you have to do is have a good time. Don’t worry about anything else.’
I reached around to grab her ass and lifted her off the ground.
She squealed before kissing me.
I walked her to the kitchen and set her down on the counter top.
‘I need you,’ I said, my breathing laboured.
‘You have me,’ she replied.
I leaned over her, taking her bottom lip between my teeth and sucking on it lightly.
She moaned against my lips, sending a jolt down my body.
‘Now,’ she sighed as I pushed her dress up.
She reached for my belt.
‘Let me…’ I squeezed the skin above her thigh highs. Those were a welcome surprise.
‘I want you inside of me.’
I reached into my back pocket.
‘I meant now. Are you clear?’ she asked, breathless with anticipation.
‘Yes.’ I brushed the hair back from her face. ‘I was just tested.’
‘Me too, and I have an IUD. I could totally email you my results right now.’
‘I believe you.’ I laughed then hesitated for a moment.
‘What’s wrong?’
‘Nothing. I’ve…never had sex without a condom.’ The idea alone nearly sent me over the edge.
‘Do you want to? We don’t have to.’
He chuckled. ‘Of course I do. I want everything with you.’
‘Good. Then it’s a first we can both share.’
‘You are so many firsts for me.’ I brushed her hair behind her ear.
Her forearms rested on the marble as she leaned back. Her skin was flushed pink.
I wasn’t going to last.
‘You’re going to end me.’ I pushed her dress up until my fingers grazed elastic and lace. I yanked it down her legs then reached between her thighs. ‘Fuck, I love how wet you get for me.’
‘Titan…’ she sighed as my thumb circled her clit.
I leaned down to kiss her, swallowing her moans as she rode my fingers.
‘Stop teasing,’ she said, and grasped my cock. She stroked until I hissed through my teeth.
‘Now, please…’
I pulled her hips towards the edge then sank into her.
‘Oh Titan…’ she sighed against my lips.
‘I can’t go slow.’
‘I don’t want you to.’
It wasn’t gentle and slow like the first time we’d been together. It was a desperate need to be close, to feel each other everywhere.
‘Are you close?’
She nodded.
‘Tell me.’ I sucked the skin along her neck.
She let out a breathy moan. ‘I’m very close. So close—’
‘Come for me, Kalina.’
She arched against me, her cries lost in my mouth as she climaxed hard. It was all it took for me to let go and find my own release.
She held me against her chest as our breathing slowed.
‘That’s definitely going up to the top of the list. This dress really is as magical as I thought it’d be.’
I pushed myself up onto my forearm and kissed her softly. ‘It’s the girl in the dress.’
Her face flushed pink.
‘Let’s go to bed.’
‘Here?’ She sounded surprised.
‘Yes? What do you mean?’
‘You don’t let anyone stay here.’
‘Kalina, I’m currently inside of you on my kitchen counter.’
She bit down on her bottom lip. ‘You’re bending all of your rules for me.’
I moved out of her then kissed her head. ‘My rules never applied to you.’
Her gaze softened and her lip trembled a little.
‘I knew I wanted to be with you. From the moment you asked me to kiss you. Just took me a while to get there.’
‘It was the sex, right? Too good?’ She teased.
‘Better than good.’
Our nighttime routine was effortless and less than twenty minutes later, we were lying in bed; Kalina’s leg draped over mine and her arm wrapped around my waist.
‘Hey dimples?’
‘Hmm...’
I inhaled deeply. ‘I love you.’
‘I love you too.’