CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR
CLARISSA
I kissed Aidan goodbye. His lips, swollen from feasting on me all morning, left a moist, sex-infused imprint.
“Are you sure you don’t want to come down for a quick dip?” Aidan asked, rubbing Rocket on the belly.
Putting aside the three orgasms I’d just experienced, that handsome face had me gaga. Aidan’s unshaven face accentuated his full lips, and those deep turquoise-blue eyes, phew—they really stole my breath away.
I shook my head. “My day’s too full. I’ve got the hair stylist coming to deal with this.” I lifted a tangled, wet strand of hair.
“I love it wet and hanging in your face.” Aidan’s off-center grin faded into an earnest frown. “There’s one thing I insist, Clarissa.”
I frowned. “What’s that?”
“That you’re on my arm greeting the guests when they arrive. I want you by my side,” said Aidan, gazing deep into my eyes.
My eyes widened. “Are we ready for that? I mean, to tell the world that we’re together?”
“Don’t you want that?” Aidan’s eyes narrowed.
My heart punched my head out of the way. “Yes, Aidan, of course I do.”
The tightness in his face faded. Aidan’s lips curled divinely. “Good. We’ll meet… what time are the guests arriving?”
“Seven o’clock in the garden. Like the last time.”
He nodded. “Have you got the same musicians booked, inside and out?”
“As instructed,” I said in a business-like tone.
“You’re not just a drop-dead beauty, but our best PA ever as well. It will be sad to lose you.” Aidan pulled an enigmatic grin.
My brow lowered. “What?”
“We’ll talk about that later. Only promise me one thing.” Aidan’s tone returned to serious. “Promise me you’ll wear the earrings. They look stunning on you.” He ran his finger up my neck. “I’m dying to see you wearing them,” Aidan husked with knee-weakening tenderness.
I hugged him and whispered, “I’ll wear them. And look forward to them quivering against my neck when you fuck me.”
Aidan’s mouth curled up at one end. “When we make love, you mean.”
“Yes, that too.”
I watched Aidan glide off. Man and dog, it was such a heartwarming sight. Aidan moved with a leisurely, self-assured gait, his calves muscular and lean. I exhaled slowly. He certainly was six-foot-two of mouth-watering masculinity.
My phone buzzed. It was Tabitha. I didn’t have time, but I picked up anyway.
“Hey, Tabs.” With one shoulder hunching the phone against my ear, I moved about, getting ready.
“Hello, old friend.” Tabitha sounded morose.
“Oh… Tabi.” I chuckled at her theatrical tone. “I’m sorry. I’ve been so flat- out busy. I’ve spent the morning with Aidan. Can’t talk for long. I will make it up, promise.”
“Hmm… heard that before. Anyway, guess where I’m going on Monday?” Tabitha’s mood had shifted to exuberant.
“Where?” I asked, lifting the earrings out of the velvet box.
“Hawaii,” she sang.
“Oh, wow. With Evan?”
“Yes… for two glorious weeks. Can you believe it? He’s got a little apartment there. Clary, I’m so, so in love,” she crooned.
“And I’m over the moon for you,” I enthused. “Tabi, I want to ask you something.”
“What?”
I exhaled slowly. “Aidan has just gifted me a pair of Cartier diamond earrings.”
“You’re fucking kidding me.” Tabitha screamed. I had to hold the phone away from my ear.
“No, I’m not. It freaked me out, to be honest. Are they worth much, do you think?”
Tabitha squealed. “Cartier… hell, yeah… Tell me, are they studs or single strand?”
“No, they’re chandelier, with lots and lots of diamonds— quite heavy.” The earrings collected the light shining through the window. I’d never witnessed anything so luminescent before.
“Oh my, Clarissa. You’ve been blinged,” she shrilled.
“Blinged? What sort of word is that?” I mixed my words amongst giggles.
“Bling. Get with it, girl. This is the twenty-first century. They’d be worth at least fifty thousand if not more. I can google if you like.”
“No, don’t.” I sighed. “What am I to do?”
“What sort of question is that, you wild child? They’re yours, take them. Hello. You’re fucking a billionaire.”
I winced. “Tabi, that sounds obscene. It’s more than fucking. I think I’m in love.” My voice cracked. After being in Aidan’s arms all morning, having mind-blowing sex—or love-making, as he insisted on calling it— and receiving a ridiculously expensive gift. And then following that—Aidan’s request for me to accompany him that night. My tears just tumbled.
“You’ve got it bad, Clary,” she said gently. “It sounds like you’ve had a few toegasms. That’s enough to make any grown woman cry, not to mention diamonds.”
I laughed and cried simultaneously. “Toegasms? Oh, Tabs, you’re wickedly hilarious.” I sniffed, ripping a tissue out of the box. “I’m so glad you called. Where would I be without your sage, if ribald, advice?”
“No idea what ribald means. I take it’s something to do with dirty-talk.”
“It sure does. I’ve got to go, Tabs. Hey, let’s talk tomorrow.”
“No chance of a catch-up?” she asked. “Hey, by the way, you haven’t told me what you’re wearing tonight. Go on, tell me you’ve got an Oscar de la Renta so I can borrow it sometimes.” Tabitha laughed. “One with a slit right down to your belly button, robbing every man of his senses and ability to move.”
“Nothing of the sort. In fact, you’ll go crazy when I tell you.” I was unsure how my dress would be received that evening, despite loving it.
“Let me guess: something vintage?”
“You know me too well.” I picked at my unpolished toenails, reminding myself they needed painting for my open-toed shoes.
“Well, then, put me out of my misery and tell me,” said Tabitha impatiently.
“It doesn’t even have a name or a brand. I think it may be a homemade job,” I said, hearing Tabitha bristling in the background. “It’s silk, turquoise, 1950’s, I’d imagine, with a lace empire bodice and silk chiffon layers that fall elegantly to my feet. The only problem is I have to wear skyscraper heels because I haven’t had time to get it shortened.”
“Turquoise is a yummy color. It’s very you. I want photos, selfies, anything with you and Mr. Perfect on your arm. Speaking of which, have you googled Aidan lately?”
“No, I never do. Why?”
“God, Clarissa, what universe do you live in?” Tabitha sighed. “I’ll send you the link. There are a few snaps of you in the green dress with Aidan on your arm. They’re fabulous shots. I only just stumbled on them.”
“You’re kidding.” I was suddenly curious as hell. I checked the time. “Email it. I really have to run. Ta-ta. We’ll talk soon.”