Chapter Twenty-Five

Lauren

One month later

Standing in front of the full-length mirror in my newly renovated room at the mansion, I can barely recognize myself.

There I am in an intricately embroidered, sleeveless, nude golden gown, a slim, golden belt making it cling to my waist. As I take a step back, its hem rustles above the carpet, concealing my sling-back stilettos.

My coal black hair is swept back into a low but elegant chignon, fastened with countless pins, with just a few curled strands left free to cascade down my cheeks so I can brush them aside when I feel nervous.

My eyelashes are darker than ever, my hazel eyes popping out from beneath them. My cheeks are pink, permanently blushing. My lips are bright red like a fresh bloom of rose. Strings of diamonds and pearls weigh my ears down – presents from Chase given just a few days ago.

I touch one of them then run my fingers down the front of my gown, between my breasts, taking a deep breath.

Is this really me?

I look different. I look like a doll on a shelf that’s never played with. I look like one of those actresses I see on TV or one of those women in a beauty pageant.

One thing’s for sure. I definitely don’t look like a farm girl anymore.

“You look beautiful,” Maggie says, beaming with pride behind me.

Ever since I moved into the mansion, she’s been my personal maid and tonight, she helped me prepare for the party.

“Thanks, Maggie.” I walk to the bed, sitting on its edge with my shoulders slumped. “I feel nervous, though.”

Maggie sits beside me.

“Well, of course, you’d feel nervous. There are plenty of powerful people out there tonight, after all. And all their eyes are going to be on Mr. Donahue and you.”

I sigh. “Gee, Maggie. Thanks for the words of encouragement.”

“But you’ll be fine.” She kneels in front of me. “No one will dare insult you in this mansion.”

I frown. “I’m not sure that’s comforting.”

“And no one will have a reason to,” she adds, standing up and pulling me to my feet. “Because you look amazing. That gown is to die for. I’m so envious.”

Ah. So it’s the gown.

“It feels strange, though.” I run my fingers over the gown once more. “I know nude gold is supposed to be a color, but that’s also how it feels. I feel… naked.”

I rub my arms.

Indeed, the fabric clings to me like a second skin, so perfectly I can barely feel it’s there.

“That’s because it’s well made.” Maggie kneels down to touch the hem. “How much is it again?”

I shrug. “I didn’t look at the price tag.”

“Ah.” She rises to her feet, waving a finger at me. “You’re thinking like a billionaire’s wife, already.”

“Shut up,” I scold her.

“Who would have thought, though, that you’re Chester Donahue’s girlfriend?” She places her hands on my arms. “I mean everyone thought he was dead and that you were just a maid. And to think you’re not even a maid.”

I chuckle.

“You said you had a boyfriend and you said he was hot, which is right because he is so hot…”

I raise a finger. “You promised you wouldn’t daydream about him.”

“I’m not,” she protests. “I’m just paying him a compliment. And you. You are so, so lucky that you have a hot billionaire for a boyfriend. Or wait. Is it fiancé now?”

“No,” I answer, showing her my hand. “Just boyfriend.”

“Still a hot, rich boyfriend,” Maggie says.

“Still the man I love,” I correct.

She lets out a deep sigh and reaches for my hand. “See. You’ll be with the man you love and who clearly loves you. So, what’s there to be nervous about?”

I squeeze her hand, smiling. “You know. You make sense every once in a while.”

Her eyebrows furrow. “Was that a compliment?”

I chuckle.

Just then, I hear a knock on the door.

“Who is it?” I ask.

“Elsa,” a voice answers from behind the door.

Maggie quickly lets go of my hand, stepping back.

I face the door, standing straight. “Please come in.”

A nurse pushes Elsa’s wheelchair in.

She was taken out of the mental institution as soon as Terrence was arrested but she had to be hospitalized for a while because of the side effects of the drugs that were given her, some of which made her muscles weak. She’s better now but she’s still on her way to full recovery, which is why she decided not to attend tonight’s party.

Chase thought of postponing the party for her sake but she insisted that it continue, saying that she’d had enough of parties and life in the spotlight and now, it is Chase’s turn.

“How are you feeling, Mrs. Donahue?” I ask as I approach her.

“Please.” She holds my hand. “Call me Elsa. You saved my son’s life.”

I shake my head. “He saved mine.”

“I just came to give you something.”

She hands me what’s in her other hand – a large, satin box.

“Open it,” she urges.

I obey, gasping when I find a gold Cartier watch inside. I close the box, handing it back to her.

“Elsa, I can’t accept this.”

“Please.” She opens the box and gets the watch, putting it on my wrist. “I know I’ve had it for years but it’s still good as new and…”

I place my hand over hers. “That’s not why I didn’t want to accept it.”

She closes the box, sighing. “It’s just that I wore this watch to the very first corporate party I attended with Walter so I thought it would be fitting for you to wear on this occasion.”

Hearing those words, I feel warmth explode in my chest and I place my hand over my heart.

“Oh, Elsa, thank you so much.”

“Mind you, that night was perfect for me.” She touches my chin. “It will be perfect for you. In fact, you look perfect already.”

I squeeze her hand. “Thank you.”

“Now, I know all eyes will be on you but just enjoy yourself. And then everyone else will enjoy it, too.”

I nod. “I’ll do my best.”

She gives a signal to the nurse, who gives me a nod and wheels her out of my bedroom.

Maggie grabs my hand, looking at my watch. “It’s stunning.”

I lift my arm to take a closer look at it. “I know.”

“I didn’t know she was so kind,” Maggie says.

“She has a heart of gold,” I remark. “Which is why I’m sure she’ll be just fine.”

Maggie nods. “So, do you still feel nervous?”

“A little less,” I admit.

Moments later, there’s another knock on the door. “Lauren?”

It’s my father.

“Come in, Dad,” I tell him.

He enters but pauses when he sees Maggie.

“You can go now, Maggie,” I tell her. “Thank you for all your help.”

“Good luck tonight.”

She squeezes my hand then heads out the door.

I turn to my Dad, who’s wearing a tuxedo this evening.

“What?” he asks, looking at it.

“Nothing.” I step forward, smoothing the lapels of his jacket. “You look dashing.”

He snorts. “Look who’s talking. Besides, I only came to this party because Chase– er, Chester– asked me to.”

“I know.”

After making sure Elsa was fine, the next thing we did was go back to the ranch to have a serious talk with my father. He didn’t want to listen, at first, even trying to scare Chase off with his shotgun. But Chase didn’t flinch and in the end, we all sat down and we told him everything and he listened. The fact that he’s here is proof that he’s forgiven us, which of course, I’m very grateful for.

“Thank you for coming, Dad.”

He touches my cheek. “I don’t know if I ever told you this but I’m proud of what you’ve become, Lauren. You’re a strong woman, beautiful inside and out just like your mom.”

I press his hand to my cheek. “Oh, Dad. You don’t know how much those words mean to me.”

“You deserve a good man and now, you have him.” His voice cracks. “You belong by his side now.”

“Dad.” I squeeze his hand. “You make it sound like I’m getting married.”

He raises an eyebrow. “You’re not?”

“Chase hasn’t proposed,” I tell him. “He’s just my boyfriend.”

“But you are going to be by his side tonight?”

“Yes.”

“Hmm.” He rubs his chin. “Maybe I should talk to him.”

“No, Dad. It’s fine. Everything will happen at the right time, I’m sure.”

“Okay.”

“At any rate, I’m not getting married tonight. Tonight is Chase’s party, celebrating him taking his place as the rightful CEO of Glacier Pharmaceutical and head of the Donahue family.”

He grips my hand. “Well, you sure you married a big shot.”

“I know.”

“I always knew he was meant for bigger things than just being a farmhand, though.”

I nod. “And tonight, those bigger things begin.”

I glance at the door, wondering how Chase is feeling. If I’m nervous, I’m sure he’s even more nervous.

---

Well, he doesn’t look nervous, I think when I meet him out in the hall.

He just looks… handsome. Perfect in his white suit and golden bowtie, with his freshly shaved chin and his neatly combed curls.

He almost looks like a prince, in fact. My prince.

I curtsy in front of him. “You look amazing tonight, Your Highness.”

He chuckles and grabs my hand. “Oh, please. Don’t make me any more nervous than I already am.”

He touches my cheek, his other hand on my hip. “Besides, if anyone looks amazing, it’s you. You’re radiant.”

“Because of my gown?” I step back and give a whirl.

“Not just the gown. It’s you.” He grabs my hands. “You’re glowing.”

“It’s because I’m in love,” I tell him unabashedly.

“Then that makes two of us.”

He steps closer to me, pressing his lips against mine. Then he offers me his arm.

“Shall we go down to the party and let everyone know how much in love we are?”

I take his arm. “I thought the party is for letting people know who you are.”

“That, too. It’s time for everyone to know the new and improved Chester Donahue.”

---

Just as I imagined, the party is sensational. Dozens of crystal chandeliers bring the ballroom, with its glass dome and gold-painted columns, to life. There is a huge crowd, many people having come to see the new Chester Donahue after all that’s been published about him recently in the papers. The women are in their glittering gowns, the men in their impeccable suits. The champagne is overflowing. The music from the orchestra keeps playing. Everything is perfect.

Of course, Chase is at the center of it all.

With confident shoulders and powerful strides, he moves through the crowd, winning every woman over with a charming smile and every man with the right words. They love him.

I love him.

Watching him mingle with them, a glass of champagne in my hand, I can’t help but overflow with pride, joy, and love. Now, at last, Chase has what is his. He’s back in his world and boy, does he belong in it, thriving, standing above everyone else.

I can’t believe that this handsome, powerful man is mine.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” he asks me as we dance in the middle of the ballroom, his hands around my waist and my arms around his neck.

“Nothing,” I tell him. “You seem to like parties.”

“I do, actually,” Chase admits. “Didn’t I tell you I used to party a lot?”

“No.” I shake my head. “But I’ve heard rumors.”

“You mean from Maggie? Don’t believe everything she says.”

“I don’t,” I assure him. “I believe you. So, tell me…”

I move my mouth closer to his ear.

“Do you always bring women to your bedroom after a party?”

He chuckles. “Not always.”

I frown.

He touches my cheek. “I do believe, though, that I’m bringing one woman after this one.”

“No, you’re not,” I tell him.

Now, it’s his lips that turn into a frown.

I lean closer to him again, whispering, “We’re going to my bedroom.”

---

“Your bedroom looks nice,” Chase says as he enters my bedroom.

I smile, closing the door behind me. “I do say so myself.”

A huge bed with a pink canopy and large, white pillows, is in the middle of the room. One corner is a reading nook with a bookshelf, a lamp and a rocking chair. Opposite that are the doors leading to the bathroom and the walk-in closet. Another corner has a round table with a tea set and two chairs. Another has the gilded mirror.

I know I have a bedroom back at the ranch but this, this is the room I’ve always wanted, the one I told myself I’d have if I ever lived in a big house.

“Do you really need a bedroom?” Chase asks as he sits on the edge of the bed.

I sit beside him. “Why? There are countless rooms in this house.”

“But you can always share mine.”

“You mean the one that other women have shared.”

He frowns. “Ouch.”

Then he takes my hand in his.

“You know, there may have been other women before but that was before I was nearly killed, before I met you.” He lifts my hand to his lips. “Now, there’s only you. You’re the only one who truly knows me.”

“Hmm.”

Chase grasps my chin gently, brushing his lips against mine. Then he lowers down on the bed, placing his hand on my cheek and pressing his lips to mine.

I kiss him back, running my fingers over his smooth cheek and feeling every bit of his soft lips on mine. Then I part my lips, letting our tongues taste each other, play.

I taste the champagne on his tongue and it is even sweeter there than in the glass, more intoxicating.

My hand goes to the back of his head, bringing his face even closer to mine so I can taste more of him. My heart drums and butterflies dance to its beat inside my stomach.

Chase’s hand travels across my side and I feel his fingers through the exquisite fabric. He grips my thigh, rubbing it, and I quiver in delight. The warmth from his touch spreads through me, spreading all the way down to my toes.

Then suddenly, his touch is gone. He kicks off his shoes and climbs on the bed, his arms behind his head.

I sit up to cast a puzzled look at him. “What are you doing?”

“Didn’t I say when I was fully healed, you could do anything you wanted with me?”

Remembering the promise, I grin. “Yes, you did.”

“Well, here I am.”

I nod. “There you are.”

I get off the bed, pursing my lips in excitement and suppressing a shiver of delight. Standing there, I remove my earrings first, setting them down on the table. Then I reach for the zipper of my gown, finding it after the third attempt. I pull it down, feeling the gown open behind me and then slip it off. It falls to my ankles and I step out, kicking the puddle of golden fabric aside.

Bending over the edge of the bed, I remove my shoes, tossing them aside as well. Then I stand straight, letting Chase have a look at my black corset and underwear.

His blue eyes grow wide and then narrow as he stares at me intently, the heat from them traveling across my skin. I blush but take a deep breath, climbing on top of the bed, climbing on top of him.

I lower my face to his, kissing him, gently at first and then passionately, opening my mouth wider and letting my tongue delve deeper. Then I pull my lips away to plant a kiss on his forehead and then on each cheek before working on the buttons of his shirt.

After the third, I frown. “Are you always going to be wearing shirts with plenty of buttons?”

Chase chuckles. “Well, since I’m the CEO, I guess I can put a new dress code in effect. No buttons.”

I grin, falling silent as I work on the rest of the buttons. Finally, they’ve all come off and I push the shirt and the jacket off Chase, leaving his upper body bare.

I run my fingers over his chest. The cut from the steak knife has faded now. The rest of his cuts and bruises have faded, too, even the one above his broken rib, now fully healed.

“Does it look better now?” Chase asks. “The wounds must have scared you before.”

I shake my head. “I didn’t mind how they looked then. I only minded because I know they must have been painful for you.”

“Well, they’re gone now.”

“They are,” I agree.

I can still remember where they were, though, and I plant reverent kisses on where they used to be on his torso, starting with the patch of skin above that rib. As for the cuts, I run the tip of my tongue over the scars, feeling Chase shiver and draw deep breaths in response.

“Do they still hurt?” I ask him.

He shakes his head. “They just tickle a little.”

“I see.”

I lick the longest scar, the one across his chest, slowly, deliberately. Again, Chase draws a deep breath.

“You,” he hisses. “When did you become so naughty?”

I shrug. “You’re the one who made me like this.”

He frowns. “I am a bad influence on you.”

“Well, there’s nothing we can do about that now.”

I suck on one of his nipples, pressing the other with my thumb. Then I start a trail of kisses from his throat down to his chest, past his abdomen and up until the waistband of his pants.

Reverently, I kiss the bulge in his crotch, hearing him gasp and feeling it quiver beneath my lips. It makes my own sex throb in turn.

I pop the lone button with my fingers and pull the zipper down with my teeth. Then I pull his pants and his boxers off him, as well as his socks, leaving him completely naked.

And what a gorgeous, naked specimen he is.

As he lays sprawled there like a cat, my gaze travels over his smooth skin, over the toned muscles, over his engorged cock. My eyes gobble him all up as my mouth waters. My sex starts to leak, too, staining my black cotton panties.

I wrap my fingers around him, drawing another gasp. Then I start stroking, my fingertips going over every vein.

Then, meeting his gaze, looking straight into his half-lidded eyes, I take him inside my mouth.

His eyelids fall shut. He throws his head back, a curse escaping his lips.

I suck on him and then pull my mouth away to let just my tongue do its work, licking every inch.

His hands curl into fists, clutching at my sheets. His thighs quiver.

The sight of him gripped with pleasure, along with the knowledge that I’m the one responsible for it, causes heat to flow through my veins.

I may be the one doing the touching but Chase is making me burn to the core.

I cup his firm ass and wrap my lips around his cock, moving my mouth up and down. Again, I start slow and then fast.

He grips my shoulders, gasping as he trembles. His cock pulsates inside my mouth.

Suddenly, he pushes me off, his eyes smoldering with heat.

“I don’t think I can take any more,” he says. “Sorry.”

I shake my head. “I’m almost at my limit, too.”

Taking my underwear off, I climb on top of him, guiding his cock inside me. It’s thoroughly wet and so am I, so it slips in and I throw my head back triumphantly.

Chase reaches up, his arms going behind me to unhook my corset and let my breasts spring free, the cool air in the room going over my stiff nipples. He warms them, taking one between his lips while rubbing the other.

Next, his hands tug at my hair. The tarry strands tumble down my shoulders, bouncing and swaying as I start to move.

“Beautiful,” Chase mutters. “I think I like your hair better this way.”

“I think I like it better this way, too,” I confess.

He grips my hips and I move them, side to side and up and down, faster and faster. His cock reaches the depths of me, rubs against all the amazing spots and moans spill out of my lips. My heart races. I begin to pant. Beads of sweat form on my forehead.

Just when I think I’m running out of steam, he flips me over, sealing my mouth with his and bending me over in half. He swallows my moans as he pounds into me, faster and faster. I wrap my arms around his back, nails raking his skin.

“Faster,” I urge.

And he obeys, hips jerking.

With each thrust, I feel myself slowly unraveling until finally, I come undone, trembling around him, squeezing him tight as I scream his name.

“Chase!”

“Lauren!” he roars as he grips my thighs and gives a particularly deep thrust, his cock bursting inside me, filling me with all his warmth.

Then he collapses on top of me, breathless. I, too, gasp for air as I let my hands fall to my sides, desperately trying to fill my lungs.

Still panting, he lifts his head to gaze into my eyes. “Satisfied?”

“For now,” I say, brushing strands of his hair off his forehead.

He brushes his lips against mine, grinning.

“What?” I ask him curiously.

“Nothing,” Chase says, touching my cheek. “It’s just that it already feels like we’re married.”

I frown. “Was the sex that bad?”

He laughs.

“Speaking of which…”

He gets off the bed, looking for his pants. Finding them, he takes a small box out of the pocket.

I sit up, my hand over my heart, which hasn’t even begun to slow down.

“That isn’t what I think it is, is it?” I ask, shivering in excitement.

“That depends on what you think.”

He kneels beside me on the bed, opening the box.

My eyes grow wide, my jaw dropping at the diamond ring that’s inside.

“Lauren Calver, you are the one who gave me a new life. Now I’m asking you, will you share this life with me? Will you be my wife?”

I look up from the ring to his eyes, which are sparkling as well, gleaming with love. My heart flips. Joy erupts in my chest.

Chase is proposing. The man I love wants me to be his wife.

“Oh,” Chase adds, “and by the way, I asked your father for permission.”

I crease my eyebrows. “Is that what you were talking about so seriously earlier?”

He nods. “So, what is your answer, Ms. Calver?”

I place my arms around his neck, smiling from ear to ear.

“I will marry you, Mr. Donahue. I definitely will.”