Chapter 22
As the sun rises and warmth fills the room, I am gently jostled awake by two arms and sweet lips that trace my bare back.
This is how every morning should be.
“Tell me I am dreaming,” I whisper out into the room as I feel feathery kisses along my spine. Tenderness fills my heart with such love.
“Not a dream. It’s just us,” he whispers against my skin. “Care for breakfast?”
“Mmhm…” I moan.
“Why don’t you shower and meet me in the kitchen?”
I turn over and see the most amazing sight. His eyes shine bright in this morning’s light.
“What?” he asks, confused.
I lean up and kiss his sweet lips. “I’m thankful this morning,” I say.
“Join me when you are done. I’ll wait for you.” He kisses my shoulder and rolls out of bed.
For a moment, I just I watch him shuffle around the room after he throws on a pair of shorts then leaves with a wink. Even after everything, it’s hard to think that this is my real life. Sitting up, I gather the soft threads around my torso, covering myself. I rake my fingers through my tangled hair, unable to help the smile that plays along my lips.
Swinging my legs off the bed, I get up and walk around the bedroom again to see it in the daylight. Looking at all the simple and thoughtful things, I don’t think Victor ever realized that means more to me than a dollar bill. The pictures he framed, seeing my reflection in the glass. I don’t think I’ve ever looked this happy. The thoughtfulness of my favorite magazines and auto books. My head snaps at the paintings on the wall. I bite the inside of my cheek to suppress a squeal when I notice there isn’t a TV here. Because there are better things to do, right? Honestly, it’s the folded clothes on the chair in the corner. I don’t know why, but a man who thought of being first in every way possible folded my clothes.
My bare feet carry me to the bathroom. On the far wall, there is an enormous window that faces the ocean. Bright orange, yellow, and red hues paint the sky, welcoming me to a new morning. The white tips of the waves call to me. Cheering me on this new adventure. A giggle tickles at my lips when I realize that this floor to ceiling window gives the illusion of an outdoor shower. Another way to match his lifestyle with mine.
I take my time showering, soaking in the moment. There is a sense of freedom in a calm love. There is no rush, no fight, nothing holding me back. Drying myself, looking at my reflection, the hardness I kept up as a front has faded. My lungs fill with fresh air.
I walk down the hallway but stutter my steps. Victor’s voice carries with such a harsh tone. I stop short and look around the corner to see him on the phone. His back is to me and his shoulders are stiff. His entire demeanor is taut. He’s in a heated conversation with whoever he is on the phone with.
“I’m sorry you feel that way. You interfered in my case, and that is unacceptable.”
“I was not slacking on my work. I was up to speed on everything at every single point. The only thing that interfered with my job was you, Father.”
I silently gasp. I continue to listen as I lay my head against the wall.
“How I conduct business is none of your business. You have never interfered in my work until now. Why?”
“Don”t talk about her like that! No, I changed. It wasn’t her fault. Don’t you dare put this on her, I pursued her.”
His father’s voice carries over the silence. Muffled, but I can still hear the displeasure in his voice.
“You are stepping over the line, old man. Watch it.”
I feel like I am watching a car wreck. It’s horrible, and I can’t look away. Guilt feeds my veins, knowing that I caused his argument with his father. I can’t seem to make my feet move. They are planted in place and I am forced to hear more.
“The other location is less populated and counteracts the higher price tag. It’s also an area the judge has wanted to improve for years but could never get the government on board. We finally had an agreement, and then this area would be left alone. I had it all worked out, and then you fucked it up. Not only that, you went behind my back!”
Victor is huffing into the phone.
“That is why I quit. You overstepped and now are talking about Collins that way.”
“I am sorry, but that is unacceptable. Janet has my shares to be sold. I don’t care if it gives up the controlling share in the firm. My resignation is firm. I will not come back, I will no longer work for you, and I will no longer be in contact with anything, business or family. Blood is not thicker than water. Not in our family.”
My mouth falls slack at his statement.
“Until you accept Collins is the one for me, I’m not giving her up for anything or anyone! She’s my future. If she isn’t welcome at your table, then neither am I.”
I’m fighting to stay upright.
“My only mistake was thinking you had any sort of heart. You are worse than anyone I’ve ever met, and that is saying a lot. Wish you the best, you selfish old man.”
My body jumps when Victor slams the phone down on the counter. His words send me into a world of shock. I’m it for him? It’s one thing to speak in that manner with me alone, but to hear him proclaim it so adamantly brings my love for him to a whole new level. I peek around the corner to find him running his hands through his hair. His chest heaves as he attempts to take deep breaths. I have to admit I am standing between feeling honored and confident and feeling selfish, not in a good way.
Mimicking him, I take a few breaths to grasp my composure. I poke my head around the corner and squeak the question I need answered for reassurance.
“Is it true?” My voice hitches for the sake of being even more vulnerable.
Victor’s head snaps up, his eyes find mine, and I soften at his bewildered glance. “How much did you hear?”
“All of it.” I push my body past the corner, still not moving closer.
“I mean yeah, he thought I wasn’t on my game.” he shakes his head. “Which is true. He also didn’t take my resignation seriously.” Victor huffs a laugh. His hands rest on his hips as his head shakes.
“No, not about the job.” My hand covers my chest, trying to steady my rapid heart.
“Then what?” He genuinely seems confused. Pulling his hands from his hips, he rests them on the edge of the counter. Leaning his light, muscular body toward me.
“That I’m it for you?”
His eyes soften, and his tawny eyes glisten in the morning light. “I mean, yeah. I bought this house.”
“You did. But that’s not what I mean, and you know it.” I say. I lick my lips as my mouth waters as if I’m drowning in desperation. “But do you see a whole future with me? Long term? It’s one thing to say it to me, but it’s another to put it out in the world.”
He walks over to me, smiling his sexy smile. “I can’t imagine a life that doesn’t include you, Collins. Your sassy mouth and hard exterior only cover the selfless heart. I see who you truly are. So does everyone else.”
“What if I don’t want that?” I challenge him.
“Bullshit, you wouldn’t be here.” He cocks an eyebrow up as he playfully smirks at me. Fine, he wins. Check fucking mate on that one.
“Awe. As if you know me so well,” I throw a fake gasp.
He’s not wrong. I nod, and he takes my hand, guiding me to the outdoor seating area that overlooks the ocean. The modern and sleek white wooden table is decorated with rustic furnishings. A piece of dried driftwood sits on the other end of the table, surrounded by candles. I can imagine at night how the shadows will dance across the hollow crevices of the wood. Two plates with covers sit next to one another. Victor prances over and lifts the covers to expose one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever seen.
“Leo’s breakfast?” I recognize their food, but it’s the smell that catapults me into a world of memories.
“It’s not a picnic in bed, which is fun, but…”
“It’s perfect.” Releasing a deep breath, this whole feeling of being taken care of is so new to me. It still doesn’t feel real.
We sit down and dig in to eat our weight in food. My eyes dip between bites and then I look up at the most gorgeous man. The ocean waves crash onto the shoreline in the background. Its pattern matches my own breaths.
“So, what do we do now?” I ask. Desperately wanting to fill the quiet spaces of this moment. A reaction to calming the constricting anxiety of not having to worry. A feeling that will take time to get used to.
“I was thinking of hosting a dinner. I have a big announcement.” He speaks with a mouth full of food. He groans, shoving another forkful of food into his mouth. “God, this is so good!”
“Care to share?”
“If it’s okay, I’d like to tell you when I tell everyone else.” He swallows his food and drops his fork. A pang of apprehension crosses his face. He turns to me to explain. “I just need to hash out a few more details to feel confident about it all. And I’ve already told people to be here. We just need to go to the store.”
I study his face more closely to see that this part of him is new to me. For someone so confident, uncertainty must scare him. This is something he is trying to work out on his own. So, I’ll just go with it. “Okay.”
“You’re not going to fight me on this?”
I shake my head. “Not this. I’m trusting you.” I smile. “But don’t get used to it!”
He shakes his head and laughs as we finish our breakfast. Victor stands and collects both of our plates, taking them back to the kitchen. I follow along and help him clean up. When the last dish is dried and put away, he ushers us out the door.
He drives us to the store and I mindlessly follow him as he gathers a cartful of groceries. His hand finds mine every chance he gets.
When we get home, together we sit in the kitchen making all the food.
Everything I talked to Lawson about, wanting everything, is right here. This moment is far more than I ever thought. Feeling slightly emotionally overwhelmed with it all, I take a moment to sneak out to the garage for a moment of clarity. I sit and examine this large, open space. I’m doing my best to absorb everything. The universal pull between us last night was so clear. And on the flip side, how easy it would’ve been to have never talked to him, just walked away.
How different it all could’ve been.
My eyes land on the brand-new tool set and workbench. They still have the tags on. The alloy smell is like heaven on earth.
“Baby? Are you alright?” Victor’s voice echoes in a hollow space. I turn to see this angel of a man.
“More than… I just…” Words escape me.
Victor comes and sits in front of me, taking my hands in his. He carries a worried look. His fingers rub against my knuckles, applying just the right amount of pressure for comfort.
“I just … I don’t know what to say. You are giving me the world.”
“Well, it’s easy when you don’t ask for much.” He bounces our hands, trying to lighten the mood.
“Yeah.” I let out a soft giggle. “It just doesn’t seem real.”
Victor pulls my hands to his lips and leaves sweet kisses along each of my knuckles.
“I never knew how much I loved these small gestures.”
“Well, it’s a first for me. I never knew how much I enjoy doing them to make you smile,” Victor states. “Ready to have this BBQ?”
“I guess. Who’s coming?”
“Everyone important.” Victor still doesn’t give much away. “Let’s go show everyone how bad you are at cooking.”
“What? You are worse.” I retort.
“No way.” He shakes his head. He jumps to his feet and pulls me up to him. My body falls flush with his as his arms sneak around my back, holding me close.
“Why are we having people over if we both suck at cooking?” Suddenly, I realized this might be a bad idea.
Victor lets off a hearty laugh. “I didn’t think about it. We’ll be fine.”
I try to drag my feet as he pulls us back into the house. His hearty laugh makes my whole chest explode. A loud ring plays out through the house.
“Ah, everyone is here,” he says.
I rush to the door and rip it open. My brothers, Massey, and her dad stand outside wide-eyed. Massey and I laugh. I rip open this door pretty harshly. I usher everyone in, and now I’m more excited than anything. This will be our first time sitting at a table with Massey’s dad. I’m curious to why he’s here.
“Hey,” Victor’s voice over my shoulder is warm and inviting. “Come on in!”
Everyone piles into the house and talks over one another. Victor chimes in on their conversation, offering a handshake to everyone. Through the mass of people, Massey seeks me out.
“Show me around.” She shimmies her shoulders as her feet tap against the hardwood floors.
Secretly, I’m thankful she did this. I take her hand in mine, and we rush off. My fingers jut out, pointing to different rooms or decorations as we dash toward the master. When we get to the primary bedroom, she geeks out.
“Collins, this place is amazing! Look at these photos of you guys!” She looks at every single one.
“I honestly don’t remember taking them. I mean, I remember taking them, but I didn’t remember looking like that.”
“Well, we all saw.” She places the pictures down with tender care.
The photos are of us are completely happy. I tiptoe to the door and close it. Massey looks over her shoulder and sees the nervousness in my face.
“Collins, what’s wrong?”
“Do you think this can work? I mean, on paper, this shouldn’t work. Shit, his dad isn’t accepting of this relationship. I mean, Victor is more suited to someone like you than for me. Massey, what if he sees the differences are too much there, and he wants a high-class woman who can work a country club setting?” I say without a breath. I huff at the flood of anxiety. It felt good to get it out and off my chest.
“Well, here’s the thing… you are stupid.”
I breathe a nervous laugh. “Interesting response. Baring my emotions, and you call me stupid.”
“Listen and listen well. I don’t think he would do anything he didn’t want to do. I’ve heard briefly about the falling out with his dad.” She tries to ease my fears. She holds up a picture of us and her manicured finger taps on Victor’s face. “Look at how happy you make him. He’s just as far gone in this relationship as you are. Seriously, he’s just as stubborn as you, too.”
My eyes water as her words soothe the ache of anxiety.
“You hold your ground, he holds his. He’s also used to women adjusting to his way of life and following his lead. You’ve never cared what anyone else thinks. This is your life, period,” she explains. “He sees the value in a person like you. You don’t overstep or look at him as a meal ticket. You show him what’s important in life. In return, you don’t expect him to take care of you. That’s a relief to a guy like him. He actually wants to provide for you and you push back and turn it into a partnership. Even though you are poor as dirt.”
There she is, there is my best friend. “True.”
“This will only work if you want it to work.”
“I do. I really want this to work.”
“Then fuck everything else. You guys will be fine.”
I have to shake my head at Massey. I stand and hug her. “Thanks.”
“Always,” she whispers. “Big waves…”
“Big rewards.” I respond.
We walk back to the living room and Lawson jogs over to Massey, immediately taking her hand in his. He walks them back into the small crowd of people. Then Victor notices our presence and cautiously approaches.
“Baby?”
“I’m good. I promise. Now, let’s go give these people food poisoning.”
His concerned face turns to excitement.
“Lead the way.” He gestures.
Everyone takes a seat around the big dining room table, settling in. As we reach for the dishes in the middle of the table, the doorbell rings.
“Who could that be?” I turn to ask Victor. He looks suspicious.
“So, I did a thing.”
Victor launches himself from the table and rushes to the door. He takes a moment, looking back at all of us before reaching for the door handle. When the door opens, I understand why he was cautious. This is like opening Pandora’s box.
“Oh, shit,” Massey, Lawson, and I say at the same time.
This can go bad quickly.