Chapter 66
Chapter Sixty-Six
ONE YEAR LATER
A swarm of buzzing nerves built to a frenzy inside me as I rocked on the balls of my feet, scanning the street outside the hotel entrance.
Any second now…
A black cab emerged from the line of traffic rounding the corner. I held my breath as the driver pulled up in front of the hotel. Even before the door opened, I recognised the familiar shape and movements of Neil unfolding from the backseat.
For a heartbeat, time seemed to stand still.
Neil got out and straightened to his full height on the pavement, those dark eyes seeking me out and locking onto me with laser focus. He rolled his shoulders to work out the kinks. His hair was longer and more tousled than usual, the tips brushing the collar of his black wool coat. He looked good. Really good. I’d forgotten just how gorgeous he was. So much better in the flesh than in my memories and on screens.
For a second, we just stared at each other. The faint crinkles at the corners of his eyes deepened as a smile tugged at his mouth. He moved towards me, rolling his carry-on over the cobblestones. “Hi,” he said.
His voice! That soft yet deep, velvety baritone.
“Hey. Welcome to Vienna.”
Neil closed the remaining distance between us, enveloping me in his arms. “Missed you,” he murmured against my temple, sending a delicious shiver skittering down my spine.
“Missed you too.”
When he released me, I seized his hand and intertwined our fingers, electricity thrumming through every point of contact. Neil squeezed gently as we strolled through the opulent lobby and into the lift.
“How was the flight?” I asked.
“Endless. All I could think about was getting back to you.”
“Not too busy thinking of me to get some sleep, I hope? I’ve got quite the itinerary planned for us.”
“What’s on the agenda?”
“Museums, galleries, parks, restaurants… The usual.”
“I thought you’d be all travelled out by now. I thought we’d spend most of our time… in private.” His voice carried a sinful note.
Heat prickled up the back of my neck and into my cheeks. “In that case, I promise we won’t spend too much time sightseeing.”
We paused outside the door to the suite as I dug through my purse for the key card. After I swiped the card and pushed inside, Neil rolled his luggage to a stop beside the closet door. His gaze roamed around the room, sweeping over the king-sized bed with its sumptuous linens, before flicking to the windows showcasing a view over Vienna’s frosty rooftops. One brow inched upward as he took in the details. “You really went all out.”
“You booked this place, remember?”
“I suppose you’re worth it.”
I swatted at him in faux indignation before turning my attention back to the pretty view. “It’s certainly a big step above everywhere else I’ve stayed.”
“If you weren’t so bloody stubborn, maybe you could have stayed in places like this more often.”
“If I stayed in places like this, then I wouldn’t want to leave my room, and what’s the point of that? Besides, I don’t want to have to rely on you all the time.”
“It’s okay to rely on me.”
“If it’s any consolation, I’m prepared to let you spoil me rotten for the rest of the time we’re here.”
With a firm tug, Neil hauled me flush against his body. “Good, because I plan on doing exactly that.”
He slanted his mouth over mine. My eyelids drifted shut as I surrendered to him, but he offered just a taste before he broke away, stroking my cheek. “How have you been?”
“Apart from missing you? I’ve had a wonderful time. Where do I even start? Paris was amazing, so was Lisbon, Florence…” Words failed me as a rush of memories resurfaced—winding, ancient streets; stunning art and architectural treasures at every turn; cafes overflowing into sun-dappled piazzas. A brilliant, breathtaking world which made all my anxieties feel insignificant in the grand scheme of life.
“You looked gorgeous in your photos. Radiant. Happy.”
Averting my gaze, I blinked against the unexpected sting of tears. “The first couple of months were hard. I was constantly looking over my shoulder. If it hadn’t been for Lana… She was amazing. Kept me occupied, kept me laughing so the anxiety and fear wouldn’t get to me. My other friends helped too.” I shook my head in silent awe of my resilience. “Eventually, things got easier.”
Neil tilted his head down, brows knitted. “I’m sorry I couldn’t be there to take care of you myself.”
“No. This was the way it had to be, and it was exactly what I needed. I’m glad I did it. But now, I can confidently say I’m ready to go back home and start our lives together.”
Neil squeezed my shoulders. “We can still have holidays. Romantic getaways.”
“I’ll hold you to that.”
“Be my guest.”
An unbidden smile burst onto my lips as I discarded my coat and scarf. “Fancy a cup of hot chocolate?” I asked, moving towards an area for preparing drinks.
“Sounds… indulgent.” Neil shrugged free of his suit jacket and tossed it over the arm of a couch.
“I’ll take that as a yes. Don’t worry, it’s bittersweet.” I filled the electric kettle with water and switched it on. “So, how’s Veronica getting on as the new leader of Zelthia?” I asked as I rummaged through the wooden case of complimentary drink sachets and tea bags.
Neil removed his shoes before sitting on the couch. “She’s taking it in her stride. Her first order of business has been to dissolve the partnership with Magnium Oil. Even that has been a challenge. It’s lucky Natasha’s so supportive of her career and stays home and looks after Benjamin.”
“And the Luxmore handover?”
“As smooth as I could hope for. Petra has returned to the admin department with a promotion, Winston is driving for the new CEO, and James is… well, carrying on as usual. Christine is also looking to get back to work. She’ll do great wherever she ends up.”
“So, you’re officially unemployed now?”
“As unemployed as you are.”
“And Daniel Ling.”
“Yes. His first trial was cut and dry. He’s languishing in a prison cell as we speak.”
“Will the police restart the investigation into Alex Patterson’s death now that Daniel is a confirmed criminal?”
Neil shook his head. “His family doesn’t want to, and I don’t blame them. Why reopen old wounds? It won’t change anything.”
“I agree.”
“I stand by my original conclusion that Alex was scared of Daniel, and that played a prominent factor in his death. The file I put together backed this theory. It helped build the case against Daniel when we submitted all our evidence.”
“I suppose that’s a worthwhile outcome.”
“Yes. I think so.”
The kettle came to a boil. I warmed a small pitcher of milk in hot water, then poured the contents of two hot chocolate sachets into mugs. I brought our drinks over to the couch, the rich, comforting aroma of cocoa wafting in the air. Neil accepted a mug, letting the whorls of steam kiss his face.
I sank into this moment, the two of us together, all the worries and dangers of the past behind us, with nothing but the promise of our future ahead. Watching Neil, I thought I saw the same sentiment reflected back at me.
“What?” Neil asked, smile widening.
I shook my head, unable to wipe the matching grin off my face. “Nothing. I’m just… happy.”
He draped an arm around my shoulders, pulling me snug against his side. I laid my head against his collarbone.
“Me too,” he said. “More than you could possibly know.”
He lifted his cup to his lips before taking a reverent sip. I followed suit, closing my eyes as the decadent beverage warmed a trail down my throat.
Neil let out a murmur of contentment. “Almost as delicious as you.”
I cocked an eyebrow. “But not quite?”
“Not quite.”
His eyes darkened with a molten intensity that made my stomach swoop. I set my drink down before he leaned in to claim my parted lips in a deep, luscious kiss. I flung my arms around his neck, my fingers tangling in his hair, as I met his ardent passion with my own. His mouth was warm and sweet. His tongue, imploring and insistent.
Our kiss broke just long enough for him to murmur against my lips, “God, I’ve missed you…” before his mouth ravaged mine again. He twisted to press me against the arm of the couch, and his thigh nudged between mine, making my back arch.
Neil unknotted my hair from its ponytail, letting it tumble loose around my shoulders. He parted from the kiss to mouth his way to the freckle behind my ear. His palm slid under my shirt, fingers mapping the rise and dip of my ribs before cradling the swell of my breast. My head tipped back against the cushions as I let out a trembling gasp. I pulled him closer, needing to feel more of him against me. He clutched my hips as he dipped his head to lap at the hollow of my throat, stubble rough against my skin. I bucked against him.
“Getting impatient?” he growled.
“I’ve waited months.”
“Don’t worry. I won’t make you wait much longer.”
He scooped me off the couch, my legs wrapped around him, then carried me to the bed. As soon as he set me down, we divested each other of our clothing. Neil quickly took care of protection, then he dove back to me, our naked bodies crushing together, mouths meeting, devouring. I ground on him, aching for him.
“Want me?”
I nodded, biting my lower lip in anticipation.
In gentle, fluid motions, we rocked into position.
“How’s that?” Neil asked.
“Amazing.”
I moved, letting my body dictate what it wanted, chasing what felt good.
“Yes. Take what you want from me,” Neil groaned.
I clung to him, nails digging into his back. I felt his muscles ripple and strain beneath my touch. Pressure built in me, every nerve ending screaming for release. I didn’t let up until I teetered on the edge. One more ragged thrust, and I tipped over, head spinning.
I collapsed with a languid sigh.
We lay there, bodies entangled, hearts thumping. My head rested against Neil’s chest, rising and falling with his deep breaths. His fingers toyed with the ends of my hair while I traced idle patterns over the ridges of his abdomen. “I love you,” I said against his skin, pressing a soft kiss over his heartbeat. “So much.”
Neil tilted my chin up to meet me eye to eye. “I love you too. And I’ll never stop loving you.”