Chapter Eighteen

Elliot

The table for two is set up on the beach with candles and tropical bouquets of purple orchids, tiger lilies, stargazer lilies and orange gladiolus. It’s a lot fancier than I expected given how little time the staff had to work with. On the other hand, this is why Aylster charges what it charges.

The dinner is simple: a green salad with edible flowers and grilled grouper with some kind of dark butter sauce. Since we aren’t drinking champagne, our waiter serves us sparkling water with fresh lime slices instead.

My wife’s got that scrubbed look—her cheeks flushed, her hair soft and shiny over her shoulders, her only makeup a pink lip gloss. The white sundress is casual but airy and positively bridal.

With the sky completely black now, the candlelight casts a soft glow, turning her so ethereal and beautiful that it hurts to look at her. She smiles at me, and I smile back even though a cold shard cuts through me.

More complicated than expected. How deep do you want to dig?

Paddington’s text doesn’t mention money. The people who hire him don’t worry about how much things cost. I told him to go all the way, but my apprehension won’t leave me.

Just what the hell is in my wife’s background? Her finances and so on should be straightforward, and it shouldn’t take Paddington and his team more than a couple of days to pull everything.

A part of me wants to blame the intern—he’s probably the one with some messy crap in his past. But even as I tell myself that, I don’t believe it. Paddington’s been looking into him on Gavin’s behalf already. This isn’t about Dennis Dunn.

I pull my shirt over my head and glare at Annabelle. The clothes land in the laundry hamper in the bedroom. “Why the hell were you meeting Han?” I demand.

“Oh for god’s sake, it was nothing,” she says.

“Nobody meets my dad’s assistant—his right-hand man—for nothing.”

“Are you accusing me?” She puts a hand between her breasts, which are rising and falling rapidly. “And how did you know I was meeting him anyway? Were you following me?”

“I didn’t have to do anything. You were at the table with him in the café across from that chocolatier you like so much. I happened to be driving by and saw.”

“And you didn’t stop to say hello?” She throws her hands up in the air. “Then you would’ve known I have nothing to hide.”

I’m tired of her deflections and anger. Why can’t she give me a simple answer? “So tell me now.”

She crosses her arms, the motion making her tits balloon. The nipples push against her thin magenta blouse. “He was fishing for information about you. Somehow, your dad figured out that we’re dating, which was a big surprise to me since I thought we were keeping it quiet. I told you I wanted to keep it quiet because Marlin will lose it if he finds out.”

That makes me pause. Marlin is Lucas’ and my mentor, and he is extremely protective of his niece. Childless himself, he treats her as though she’s his own daughter.

“Did you tell your father about me?” she says, her voice accusing.

“Of course not.”

“Then how did he know?”

“I have no clue, but he’s always been a nosy bastard.” The asshole probably hired a PI to spy on me and Lucas. He knows we’re up to something, but he doesn’t know exactly what. And he won’t find out until we’re ready to tell him. Not even Annabelle knows, even though she’s practically my fiancée. Well… We’ll be engaged as soon as the company sells and I have the money in my bank account. I want to make sure I can provide for her before I make my move. I know she values financial security.

She sighs, her shoulders drooping. “Why are we fighting?” She comes closer and presses her body against mine.

My arms wrap around her. When I hold her like this, it’s hard to stay angry. I still don’t like it that she met with Han or that she tries to deflect and accuse me every time I question her, but I push those feelings away. I’m probably being over-sensitive, what with so many things going on at the company. There’s the matter of organizing the sale and dealing with Keith the embezzling asshole. I shouldn’t let the stress and pressure spill into what I have with Annabelle. She is one person who will never lie to me.

“I’m sorry,” I say.

“Me, too. I should’ve been more careful so I don’t do anything to arouse your suspicions. I know you don’t react well when it comes to your father.”

“And I should trust you.”

“You should,” she says, smiling now. “You know I’d never betray you.”

Within a month she announced her engagement to my dad. It still turns my stomach that she was spreading her legs for both of us. It infuriates me that I let her blindside me, that I ignored all the warning signs.

I look at my wife over the rim of my glass. Dad won’t try to marry Belle. At this point, that would be…unoriginal.

She finishes her fish and sighs, the curve of her lips soft with pleasure. Her gaze drops to my plate, where my meal sits half-eaten. “You don’t like it?”

“It’s fine.” It tastes like sawdust. “I’m just not that hungry.”

Her cheeks turn pink. “Are you hungry for something else?”

“Something like that.” I place my glass on the table. “Belle.”

“Yes?” She lifts her guileless eyes to meet mine.

“You would tell me if there’s anything important, wouldn’t you?”

“Important? Like what?”

If you’re thinking about betraying me. “Secrets that can impact both of us.”

Licking her lips, she reaches for her water. “Of course, but what is this about? Did something happen?”

“No, nothing. Just wanted to make sure we’re on the same page with regards to our marriage. This is a new beginning. I don’t want to treat you callously the way I did before. But that also means we have to have an open and trusting relationship.” I put a subtle emphasis on trust.

Maybe it’s my imagination, but did her knuckles whiten briefly? I wish we were someplace with better lighting.

She leaves her seat and sits on my lap. “Elliot, I appreciate everything you’ve done.” She takes my big, callused hand in her smaller and more delicate ones. She brings it to her lips and kisses each knuckle. “And I trust you.”

It’s such a simple and innocent gesture. There’s no accusation, no trying to put me on the defensive. Maybe Paddington meant figuring out what happened when she was fifteen is harder than expected.

I told her it was a new beginning, but I’m letting my own past get in the way. What did Elizabeth say about me being a hypocrite?

No jumping to conclusions until I know more.

I wrap my fist in Belle’s hair and pull her down for a kiss.

* * *

Annabelle

I return Elliot’s kiss, my mouth open and hot. The way he spoke of secrets and trust tightens my chest. Guilt pricks my heart, but even though he talked as though nothing would change from my sharing, I know he’s wrong. People say whatever sounds good to get what they want, but their actions don’t always match their words. Not that I think Elliot is lying. But he might be under the delusion that he can be steadfast when he really can’t. I’ve seen how quickly people’s hatred for one thing can bleed into another. The scandal involving my father turned my life upside down even though it had nothing to do with me.

I’m too afraid to see the warmth in Elliot’s eyes change to ice—or worse, contempt. The problems I have with Mr. Grayson and Dennis are my own, something I need to take care of. Elliot and I only have twelve short months together. Is it too much to hope for a fairy tale year?

I dig my hands into his hair and pull him closer, tighter. Mine. Mine. Mine.

My heart beats with a staccato rhythm that knocks against my chest with such force that it almost hurts. I tunnel my hands under his shirt. His skin is warm and taut. I trace the tight lines and ridges of his abs. The hardness of his thighs feels delicious between my legs. I twitch and catch my breath as the vibrator suddenly starts up again.

Elliot gets up, his arms gathering and supporting me. I wrap my legs around his waist. My fingers dig into his wide shoulders. Everything about him is powerful and sexy as he carries me to the bedroom. Pressed this tightly to him, I can feel every ripple of his solid, heavy muscles.

As soon as the door shuts behind us, I glide down his body. I tug at the halter-top knot holding my dress up. It pools at my feet, all crumpled whiteness. I unhook my bra, letting it drop, and my matching panties soon join the rest of my outfit.

Elliot’s eyes have flared. The light in the room hides nothing of my reaction to his nearness. My breasts ache, fuller and heavier under his hot gaze. The tingling sensation deepens in my pointed nipples, at the juncture of my legs. I’m so wet that even my inner thighs are slick. Elliot runs his thumbs over my nipples, and I cry out at the sharp pleasure that courses through me.

His cock strains, thickly outlined against his pants, and I drop to my knees before him, licking my lips. I want to show him with my body that he can trust me—that I’d never betray him.

My hands shaking, I unbuckle and unzip his pants. Elliot waits, his breathing uneven. I pull down his boxer briefs, just low enough to expose him. His erection springs into my eager palm, the plum-shaped head already glistening with a few drops of precum. I make a fist around the thick shaft, feel it pulse as though begging for more of my touch.

I breathe over it softly. His scent is strong and earthy. Anticipation and need tighten his breathtaking, beloved face, and desire heats my blood until it’s all I can do not to whimper. My gaze on his face, I pull the tip of his cock into my mouth, my lips creating a tight seal.

His eyes darken, and a soft groan tears from his bare throat. I run the tip of my tongue across the spot between the bottom of his head and shaft, and feel him grow harder and thicker.

“Fuck, yes,” he hisses between his clenched teeth.

I pull him deeper, as much as I can take of him. The salt of his precum coats my tongue, and I suck, trying to milk more of it. I bob my head and use my hand as well since there’s no way I can take all of him.

“The thing you do with your mouth…” He groans helplessly.

I drag my lips along his shaft as I pull back then suck him in deeper again. His hand sinks into my hair.

“Cup your tits and roll your nipples with your fingers. I want to feel you come with my dick in your pretty pink mouth.”

Obediently, I fondle my breasts. The touch of my hands is different from his—lighter and softer. I gasp as the fire burns hotter in my gut as I pleasure myself like this, his gaze on me and his cock between my lips.

He reaches for something in his pants pocket. The vibrator inside me pulses with greater force. I groan deep in my throat as need throbs in my core and spreads all over me.

“Touch your clit. Make yourself feel really, really good,” Elliot orders, his voice rough and guttural with arousal. His hand tightens around my hair. “I’m going to fuck you in the mouth, and you’re going to come on your knees over and over again.”

Despite the air conditioning in the room, a fine sweat appears on my heated skin. My sex clenches around the vibrator. Its ruthless buzzing and the feel of my finger strumming the swollen bundle of nerves between my legs push me toward orgasm. Elliot starts pumping in and out of me. Although the movements of his narrow pelvis are slow and powerful, he makes sure not to force more than I can handle.

The beginning of a climax simmers in my blood. My hands and fingers move harder and faster over my body, air sawing in and out of my burning lungs. Elliot says filthy things that I feel rather than comprehend.

“Don’t stop. Keep going,” he says, his voice almost unrecognizable. “Come for me, beautiful.”

His steely command pushes me over the edge. Every cell in my body convulses as a powerful orgasm rips through me.

“Again,” he commands.

My primed body obeys, even as he keeps driving into my mouth.

“Again.”

I climax for the third time, my scream muffled against his thick erection. I try to bob my head, wanting to get him to join me, but his hands hold me prisoner. So I hollow my cheeks and use my tongue, feel his cock jerk in my mouth.

“No, Belle. You aren’t making me come in your mouth.” He withdraws.

I blink up at him in confusion. I feel like someone’s taken away a special treat. “But I want you to…”

“I’m going to come in your tight wet pussy.”

He pulls me up and carries me to the bed. With a few rough jerks of his arms and hands, he strips himself. He is so magnificent, all chiseled angles and lines, without an ounce of fat on his gorgeous body, that he looks more like a sculpture than human. His cock glistens with my saliva and pulses greedily.

“Spread your legs,” he orders, sheathing himself with a condom.

I obey shamelessly, not caring that he can see how wet I am. I want him to know how much I want him.

He presses down on me, his body fitting mine perfectly. His mouth fuses with mine in a desperate, hot kiss that makes my toes curl. The crisp hair on his chest rubs against my nipples, and I whimper at the exquisite sensation.

“Beautiful,” he whispers. His fingers dip between my legs and pull out the vibrator, and he positions the head of his penis at my opening. “You’re mine. Say it.”

“I’m yours.”

He plunges into me in a single, smooth stroke.

“Ah!” I gasp, so full with him. He is enormous inside me, and my sensitive muscles tingle and adjust to him, wanting more.

He pulls out slowly, dragging his cock against the swollen inner tissue. His gaze locks with mine, and I know what he wants.

“I’m yours,” I say it again breathlessly. “Yours, yours, yours.”

“Yes.” He drives into me, each thrust deeper and more powerful than the one before. Without breaking the rhythm, he puts my legs over his shoulders, opening me wide and vulnerable to him.

I love it. I love how we are so closely connected in this moment. I love the pleasure twisting his handsome face, knowing I’m the one giving it to him.

And more importantly I love him. I love his gentleness, his protectiveness, the way he thinks about others. The emotions swell inside me, and I can’t stop the flow of words. “I love you, Elliot.”

His face grows taut, his gaze laser sharp and intense as he looks down at me. His fingers link with mine. I tighten my hold on him.

The subtle change in the angle hits the sweet spot inside me, and the sensation is so intense I feel like I’m about to faint.

He shifts just a tad bit, and his pubic bone grinds against my clit. I scream his name as white hot bliss burns through me. He lets out a wordless cry, then drives into me one final, rending time.