M
ud squelch
ed as he sat up, but he ignored it. Face somber, he gazed at me.
“Listen to me. I’m paying because I want you here with me. I don’t expect you to pay for any of this. I probably wouldn’t be able to either if it wasn’t for my family.”
“But you run their big company doing whatever it is you do,” I
said.
“And you write and get coffee.” He laughed softly and reached out, trailing a hand down my mud-slicked arm. “I’m surprised you haven’t been pulled into modeling. Kendra’s one of the big up and comers and you’re so beautiful. I’m sure somebody has seen you, noticed you…”
My stomach dropped.
“I did,” I said slowly.
“Oh?” His brows shot up.
“I did a shoot. Once. I was never called back.”
“Sounds like it didn’t go well.” Concern darkened his eyes.
The sight of it had my belly twisted. “It’s not that. I just…”
“Tell me you didn’t end up with one of those slimy photographers who seduces every woman he gets in front of the camera,” he said, disgust thick in his voice.
And that clinched it. Shame a hot, heavy weight in me, I lied. “No. It just wasn’t my thing. When he didn’t call me back in, I was relieved.”
“It’s not for everybody.” Edward caught my hand and squeezed, swinging back onto the table. “I’m glad you’re here with me, Gabriella. I
want
you here with me.”
Face burning, I closed my eyes.
Between the guilt from the lie and the annoying sense that I wasn’t doing anything to earn what I had going on, it was almost impossible to relax, but slowly, bit by bit, I did. Succumbing to the heat of the bath, the tension gave way and the guilt that sat like a stone in my belly began to dissolve.
I hadn’t intended to sleep with Flynn.
I’d thought I’d sensed something with him, something real. But I hadn’t. Maybe he was one of those sleazy photographers. I’d put it behind me. There was no reason for it to cloud things between Edward and me and it wasn’t like it was going to ever haunt me again. I hadn’t even signed a release for the pictures, so he couldn’t use them. Photographers had to have a release—that was one thing I knew from working with Kendra. I had taken the money though.
As to the opulence of the lodge, and everything else that came from being with Edward…that was just as complicated.
Mentally groaning over the frustration, I told myself to let it go.
You’re not trying to get anything out of him, Gabs. It’s not like you’ve ever asked for anything from him.
Finally, the logic pierced me and the misery began to sink away. I hadn’t
asked for him to treat me to these extravagances. I didn’t expect them. I was still working and struggling and paying my own way in life.
I just needed to relax and enjoy what he was giving me…right?
But still, the uneasiness lingered.
So did the weight of the lie. Even if I tried to pretend otherwise.
***
By
the time we were done, both Edward and I were happy rag-dolls and I’d all but forgotten about the awkward exchange. As we headed back to our room, Flynn and the photo shoot were the furthest things from my mind. Edward was the most caring, considerate, and generous lover I had ever been with and I wanted to spend my time making him feel how much I appreciated him, not thinking about past mistakes.
As he lay on the bed, loose in a plush hotel robe, I dropped mine to the floor and slowly crawled up next to him. When I saw his sleepy grin, I gave him a long, thorough kiss before trailing my lips down his jaw to nuzzle underneath his ear.
The faint scent of lavender and bergamot was still on his skin from the massage oil and I tasted him with my tongue before trailing kisses down his chest. I could feel his heart thumping wildly as I pressed my mouth over it. His robe parted easily and my breasts brushed against his erection as I slid down his body, a singular destination in mind.
He was already starting to harden, but still soft enough that I could take all of him. He smothered a cry when I took him between my lips and a thrill went through me. I loved knowing I could make him feel this way, make his cock stiffen and grow.
I held him as long as I could before he was too big and I had to settle for wrapping my hand around the base of him while
I began to move my head up and down. The thick vein pulsed against my tongu
e
and he started to move against my mouth, until I pressed down on his hipbones with my hands.
“Be still,” I said, lifting my head to smile at him.
“Witch.”
He groaned
, dropping his head back onto the pillow.
I slid my lips up, then down his length, loving the way the caress made him shudder. His hands fisted in the elegant brocade of the comforter below him. A raw noise left his throat as I sucked on him, taking him all the way to the back of my throat before changing to softer, slow licks up and down his cock.
His hands
left the comforter to grip my shoulders, tugging on me and I lifted my head to smile at him.
“Dammit, Gabriella.”
Coming to my knees, I crawled up his body and hovered over him. I was so wet, so ready for him. The inside of my thighs were slick with my need as I straddled him. Edward gripped my waist, staring at me with hooded, hungry eyes. I caught his cock, still wet from my mouth and held him as I began to lower myself down.
He slid his hands up, cupping my breasts, plumping them together as his cock stretched me wide. T
he sensation was almost too much, too fast, and my legs
trembled.
Then he was fully sheathed inside me and I sighed at the way our bodies came together. I didn’t stay still long though. His head arched off the pillow as I began to ride him.
His hands left my breasts to grip
my hips, fingers digging into my flesh, his mouth open in soundless ecstasy
. I felt him swell inside me and I cried out because it was too much. The head of his cock rubbed against my g-spot, sending waves of heat arcing through me. Edward started to arch up off the bed, rising to meet me until we were driving into his each other.
The intensity of it overwhelmed me. I went flying into orgasm and I thought I was spinning, flying—then I realized Edward had flipped me over, planting me under him. He slammed into me and I cried out again. Harder, harder...he sent me into another climax just as he began to come.
My
body ached in the most delicious way and I wouldn’t have traded it for anything.
***
When I came out of my shower more than an hour later, Edward wasn’t there, but I did find a luscious blue satin dress laid out on the bed. A thin black velvet box sat next to it and on the floor were a delicate pair of designer shoes. A note on the hotel’s stationary was propped up like a sign:
The gifts I give you are nothing compared
to your beauty, your time, and your love.
All of which I want always. –Edward
My heart soared. All of my doubts and suspicions were erased with those words and I dressed in a whirl of fairytale thoughts.
Chapter 9
The Catskills lodge was old-fashioned, with a two-story curving staircase leading down to a chandelier-lit foyer. As per instructions I received via text, I went down on my own. I was practically floating as I came down the stairs and found Edward waiting at the bottom with a single white rose.
He held it out to me. “You look like a dream come true.”
I touched the delicate sapphire and diamond necklace
, tears stinging my eye
s. I’d never had anyone treat me this way before. “Thank you.”
He leaned down and kissed me softly, a bare brush of lips but the contact was enough to send a rush of heat through me. He straightened, looked down at me for a moment, then tucked my hand in the crook of his elbow and led me down a candlelit corridor to the back porch.
The wide porch ran the entire back of the hotel and offered a seemingly endless choice of white sofas, softly cushioned rattan armchairs, and swings. The whole expanse was lit by hurricane lamps and lanterns casting a soft glow on the other guests enjoying a drink before dinner.
Edward and I each took a glass of champagne from a passing waiter before
he
took me down the stairs and onto
a path winding through
the great lawn. It swept gracefully away from the lodge and out to a breathtaking view of the Hudson River Valley. The sun was just past setting, the sky
bleeding to a deep velvet glow. It would gradually give way to the inky darkness of night.
Away from the
soft lights
of the porch, stars already
twinkled i
n the cloudless sky.
“I don’t think this night could be any more perfect.” I sighed.
He clinked his champagne flute against mine and we paused to sip and stare up at the
diamond glitter overhead
. The silence between us was thick with tension, but it was a pleasant kind, the kind that promised something more to follow.
“I meant what I said in my note.” Edward broke the silence.
I kissed his cheek, not trusting myself to try anything chaste enough for public. “Always,” I said.
“I was hoping you’d say that.” He walked me along a narrow stone path down to the rose garden where a stone fountain splashed gently. The underwater lights made the water shimmer. In the undulating glow
,
he caught my eyes and held my gaze.
He brushed back a few strands of hair as he spoke, “I’ve never felt this way about any other woman. The time I spend with you is truly the best part of my life.”
Suddenly, he went down on one knee and caught my hands before I could smother my cry of surprise. This couldn’t be happening. It couldn’t be real.
“Gabriella, would you do the great honor of marrying me?”
The night sky spun above me and I hung on to Edward’s hands to keep myself grounded. I knew if I let go, I wouldn’t even be able to stand.
“Are you—are you serious?” My eyes were wide, heart racing.
He looked up at me with a pained smile. Clearly, that was not the reaction he’d been expecting.
“Yes!” He rolled his eyes. “How can I convince you?”
I let go of his hands and cupped his face before leaning down to kiss him. It was short but fierce. “Like this.” His eyes were shining as he looked up at me. “Yes, Edward. Yes, I’ll marry you!”
***
It was a little past three in the morning when I sat bolt upright in a cold sweat. The heavy diamond engagement ring winked at me in the dim room and I stared at it as my heart pounded. It was unreal, the flawless emerald cut diamond flashing at me like a star in the night. What had seemed like a fairytale dream now felt like the start of a nightmare.
“What’s the matter?” Edward asked sleepily as my sudden movement woke him.
“What
if we’re rushing this?
” My doubts came pouring out.
There were a hundred of them and I couldn’t even begin to list them all. As he sat there staring at me, befuddled, I raked a hand through my hair.
I still didn’t know his last name.
I didn’t know what he did for a living.
His family...oh, shit.
Clambering out of bed, I grabbed the robe that had been draped over a nearby chair. Shoving my arms into it, I started to pace. The doubts grew larger and larger and I could feel Edward watching me, feel his concern and his care. Turning, I stared at him.
“I haven’t even met your family, Edward. What if they meet me and hate me?
They’ll convince you this was a huge mistake.
You’ll
think I’m a huge mistake.”
He pushed himself up on his elbows. His hair was mussed, making him look younger than usual. His expression was serious. “I’ll never think that.”
I shook my head. “You’re already under enough pressure from them, running the family empire. I’m just going to make things worse for you.”
“Only if you don’t let me sleep.” His voice held a teasing note as he sat up.
He held out his hand and I went to him. He pulled me into his lap and I sat down. He tucked his chin into my shoulder and held me close, my body pressed to his.
When we were like this, any and all doubt faded. I felt certain. I felt safe and loved and right. But...
“They’ll think I’m a gold-digger,” I continued. “How could they not? I don’t bring anything to the table. I don’t even know what table I’m bringing it to.”
“Gabriella, we’re adults.” He brushed my hair away from my neck. “I’m an adult and I’m not going to let my family tell me who I can love
.
I love you.” His voice softened. “Don’t you believe me?”
“I do,” I said. “I want to believe you.”
“I understand.” His hands fell away from my shoulders.
Shit. I’d hurt his feelings. I turned towards him, needing him to understand. “I believe you. I love you. I do. I’m just scared. This feels like a dream.”