I feel like the princess Tobi is always saying I am. It’s hard not to as I stare at myself in the full-length mirror in my bedroom. I fidget nervously at the bodice of my red satin dress as I study my reflection. The dress clings provocatively to my bust and waistline, flaring slightly at the hips and falling right above my knees.

It’s a gift from Cedric, placed upon my doorstep with a single red rose. The gesture alone made me even more excited about our upcoming date.

I’ve been seeing Cedric for almost six months and it’s the happiest I’ve ever been. The fact that my father approves and isn’t trying to break up our relationship is more than a relief. I never imagined that walking into my father’s office to meet my future employer would lead to a lifetime of happiness.

When my dad had suggested I nanny while looking for full-time work, I’d been hesitant at first. It was for purely selfish reasons I’d wavered. I worried that I would fall in love with my charge and it would be difficult to leave once I found a teaching job.

And I was right. I had fallen in love with Tobi. She was the perfect little girl. Curious, intuitive, smart and loving. Who wouldn’t look at her heart-shaped face and contagious personality and not fall in love?

But it was Cedric that had been the surprise. The moment I first saw him, nervously pacing in front of his locked office door, I felt my heart shudder. He’d looked so concerned. Handsome, yes, but oh so much more than that. And when his hazel eyes met mine my entire world tilted off its axis.

He stopped time with just one glance.

I hum a happy tune as I twirl in front of the mirror, watching the hem of the dress flirt about my knees. Cedric has already done so much in my life, giving it meaning and purpose. He brought my father and me closer together, gave me an opportunity to reach out to my sister whom I hadn’t spoken to in over four years. His impact on my life stuns me, almost brings me to my knees.

He is selfless and loving.

And the sex. I did a quick shimmy. We shattered worlds and put them back together. That’s how it is with Cedric.

And tonight, tonight will be the first time he’s treating me to an all-out, put your fancy-shoes-on kind of date. We’ve both finally settled on a new nanny for Tobi, and she’s great. A real Mary Poppins kind of woman. She was an accidental find and Cedric and I are overjoyed.

One of his employees’ mother had been looking for work. She had experience in childcare and voila! We met, Tobi warmed to her instantly, it was love-at-first-sight.

I sigh, running a hand through my blonde waves. I grab my perfume bottle off my vanity and spritz some in the air, waving my arms to let the scent of sandalwood drift over me gently. Cedric loves this scent, has said so on many occasions. I’m pretty sure I’d buy out the entire stock of perfume if it would please him. I laugh at myself.

Cedric makes me think and do crazy things. It’s amazing how powerful love can be.

Cedric told me to ‘dress to the nines tonight’ and I have. I want him to take one look at me and fall to his knees. Because every time I look at him, that happens to me. I look around my room, checking to make sure I’ve grabbed everything. My purse is on my vanity, along with miscellaneous makeup and hair bands. I set my perfume bottle back down and glance towards my bed, checking for any missing accessories.

I have a large queen sized bed with a wrought iron bed frame, complete with four posts and gold tinted, sheer bed curtains. I like to untie the fabric from the hooks and let the gauze fall around the bed at night, cocooning me in a net of comfort.

Perhaps someday soon I’ll share that with Cedric and we could fill the space with love. I sigh happily before glancing at the clock on the night table. At the same moment, I see the time, six o’clock, and a knock sounds at my door.

“Right on time,” I say to myself. Laughing, I shake my head and grab my purse, heading out of my room. Opening the front door I stop dead in my tracks.

“Good evening, Dalia,” Cedric says in his deep, baritone voice. It washes over me like warm chocolate, warming me from the inside out. He’s dressed in a form fitting, gray Italian suit that makes my mouth water. It outlines every curve and muscle of his form. I’ve seen that sexy body naked, his washboard stomach, the sprinkle of dark hair that runs down his lower belly to end in a V. My mouth waters at the thought. He looks gorgeous. Delicious.

I want to jump into his arms and never let go.

I mentally shake myself before giving him a big smile. “Why hello there, handsome,” I say softly. I watch his hazel eyes darken as he takes me in, the tell-tell signs of desire tightening in his face.

“You look beautiful,” he whispers. I shiver. I wish I could show him in a thousand different ways how beautiful he makes me feel.

“Shall we go?” he asks, holding out his arm. I nod, eager to be off and on our date. Happiness and excitement is a cluster of butterflies in my stomach. I press my hand there in an attempt to settle them, but it doesn’t work. I laugh at myself and Cedric gives me a funny look, tilting his head to the side with a half-smile. I shake my head at him, feeling too silly to answer his unspoken question.

“I’m ready,” I say, closing and locking the door behind me. Taking his arm, he leads me down the walkway and to the street, where a black stretch limo is waiting. I think I feel my jaw hit the ground. “Oh my gosh,” I breathe, turning to look at him.

I’m sure I have surprise written all over my face.

“I told you I was taking you out in style, didn’t I?” he says, laughing at my expression. The driver is waiting for us, dressed expertly in a black suit and tie. He bows low before opening the door and gesturing for me to get inside. I’m impressed when I see his hands in white, immaculate gloves. It makes me feel even more like a princess, and the limo, like my horse-drawn carriage.

I stand there, stunned into immobility, awash in pure surprise. I only move once I feel Cedric’s hand at my lower back, exerting gentle pressure to propel me forward. I duck my head and slide inside, my eyes wide in wonder.

I’m surrounded by luxury. Creamy, buttery leather, silver accents, dim lighting, a stocked bar. He’s thought of everything. It isn’t as if I’ve never been in something so fancy. I just hadn’t expected this. And I am touched.

I feel spoiled and loved and I almost melt into the seats of the limo because of it. Cedric scoots in beside me and the driver closes the door. He wraps his arm around me and pulls me close. The press of his hard body against mine is intoxicating.

“Don’t go too far,” he says, giving me a squeeze. I give him a nonplussed look.

I am not going anywhere without him, that’s for sure.

“This … this is amazing,” I breathe, leaning over and kissing him on the lips. I flow into it, his familiar scent and taste a welcoming beacon.

“Mmmm,” he murmurs against my lips. Breaking the kiss he leans back slightly. “Let me pour us some champagne.” I grin. Champagne sounds perfect.

He treats me like royalty, pouring me a flute of the bubbly liquid and toasting our love. We drink, snuggled up close together while the low sounds of New Orleans jazz filter through the limo’s speakers.

Before long, I feel the limo come to a stop and Cedric grabs my empty glass. We’ve managed to drink over half the champagne and I feel just the right amount of tipsy.

“We’re here,” he says eagerly. I laugh. He suddenly looks like an excited child, throwing glances my way that makes my heart tremble. If he’s looking for approval, he has it. He’s already aced this date.

The driver opens the door of the limo and Cedric gets out first, reaching back and putting his hand out for me. When our hands touch, that familiar warmth I’ve grown addicted to travels up my palm and straight to my chest. It burns bright there, right inside my heart.

Outside of the limo, I’m struck speechless again.

“Oh, Cedric,” I whisper, once I’m able to breathe again. He’s brought me to The Grotto. It’s a high-end, five-star restaurant that takes months to get a reservation. How he managed it, I’ll never know.

“By that look I see you’ve never been here,” he says happily. I shake my head, looking at him dazed.

“This, this is a wonderful surprise.”

“We’re not done yet,” he says softly, giving me such a look of longing, of love, that I almost faint into a puddle, right then and there.

I’m afraid I’m going to embarrass him. I’m not immune to wealth, although my father has done well for our family. But this, it’s different. The Grotto is so trendy, the preferred night spot for New York City’s most A-list celebrities. The atmosphere is dizzying and I feel like I’m in a fairytale.

The restaurant is like walking into the ocean, a grotto of deep greens and blues with flashes of bright pinks and purples. I’ve never seen such an array of color, filtering across the ceiling in swirling patterns. The entire space is literally a fish tank. Everywhere I look I see life, moving and swaying with the rush of saltwater.

The area is lit from within the waters, casting a soft glow about the restaurant, a romantic and magical atmosphere I can’t resist.

I grip Cedric’s arm tightly and take it all in, a bubble of giddy excitement still flittering about in my stomach. We’re greeted by the maître d’ and led to a semi-enclosed table with a view of the live band and dance floor. Some couples are taking advantage and slow dancing to a soft tune.

“This is amazing,” I whisper to Cedric from across the table. His face is wreathed in one of the biggest smiles I’ve ever seen. He reaches over and grabs my hand, playing his fingers across the tender flesh of my wrist.

It sends sizzles of pleasure up my arm and straight to my core, where it hums, heating me from the inside out.

We order drinks and talk, laugh and eat dinner, all the while I drift in a haze of love and need. I’ve had too many drinks, I know it, but I’m having so much fun that I don’t care.

“Come on, dance with me,” I purr at Cedric, my eyes glued to the dance floor. The band has gone from soft and crooning to new age and upbeat. It reverberates through me, calling to something deep inside me. I want to be out there with Cedric, rubbing against him. To just let go and be free with the man I love.

His cheeks are flushed and I’m surprised when he agrees to join me. I don’t know why it surprises me, but it does. The band sings a seductive melody that has my heart pounding, my body moving in a rhythm as old as time. I don’t know how much time passes, it doesn’t matter, it’s as if Cedric and I are in our own little world.

His body presses against mine, his chest to my back, his arms circling my waist, squeezing me tight. I feel the pound of his heart in pulse with the bass, a deep resonating mark of each passing second.

The dip and sway of our bodies seduce me as I press my ass into his crotch, relishing the feel of his erection. I can feel the tension, the push and pull of our need and desire. It’s chemical, mind-blowing, intoxicating.

The music picks up pace and our bodies follow suit. I feel his hot breath on my neck before a quick jab of pain. He bit me, and I love it. His fingers dig into my hips and I gyrate harder against his body, feeling his cock buck inside his pants against my backside. That familiar haze of lust I’ve grown accustomed to burns hot, threatening to combust.

“Come with me,” he breathes into my ear. It makes me shiver and yearn. His voice is husky, full of desire.

“Anywhere,” I say back, throwing him a sultry look over my shoulder. There’s so much heat in his gaze I feel like I’m on fire. He turns me swiftly and crashes his lips down on mine, and I can’t stop the moan. He tastes like heaven.

Quickly he’s pulling me off the dance floor and deeper into the restaurant. People become few and far between before I find myself hidden in a more private area, dense foliage and a rushing waterfall nearby. I can hear the water crash against rocks as fish swim above my head.

It’s almost surreal.

“I love you, Dalia Cooper,” Cedric says deeply. My heart takes flight in my chest and I can’t help but laugh.

“I love you too, Cedric,” I say back.

“I can’t imagine what my life would be like if you hadn’t come along.” He reaches out and caresses my cheek. “You complete me.” My heart stutters.

“Cedric …” My eyes widen as he falls to his knee, looking up at me through thick, dark lashes.

“Marry me?” he asks, pulling out a black box and opening it. A large, solitaire diamond twinkles back at me and I gasp. A variety of emotions crash into me and I begin to cry, nodding my head vigorously.

“Yes, yes, yes,” I repeat, again and again, between laughing and crying. He puts the ring on my finger and something clicks in my chest, falls right into place. I can see his own happiness, his own relief and the hope and wonder I’m feeling is mirrored back in his gaze.

And then suddenly we’re in each other’s arms, kissing and caressing, grabbing each other and pushing closer as if we can’t breathe without the other. That’s how it feels with Cedric.

He’s everything to me.

* * *

Even though I knew she was going to say yes, I can’t lie to myself and say I wasn’t nervous as hell. I’ve planned this night of seduction so the woman I love would promise herself to me forever. And she did.

I deepen the kiss, pushing Dalia up against the rough stonework of our hidden cove. Every part of my body is roaring to take and claim, sink so deep inside her that I can’t feel anything else. I want to lift her dress and fuck her right here against this wall, make her scream out in ecstasy.

But not here. The small voice at the back of my head is telling me it’s time to go.

“Let’s go,” I say urgently against her lips. She presses her hips to me in response, grinding against my erection. I feel the pleasure of it all the way down to my toes.

We leave the restaurant quickly, laughing, my heart full of so much joy I think I’m going to burst. Our limo is waiting for us out front, and the minute we get inside and the door closes behind us, I pull Dalia onto my lap.

My hands go up her dress and I suck in my breath when I feel only skin.

“You aren’t wearing panties?” I ask, my body so fucking hungry for her that my eyes cross at the revelation.

“No, I’m not,” she purrs against my ear, before taking the lobe into her mouth and tugging with her teeth. I groan deep in my chest as my fingers find her wet heat. She whimpers when I slide two fingers inside her easily.

“So wet for me,” I whisper, pleased. She crawls to the side so she can kneel next to me on the bench seat, her naked ass in the air and her red dress pooling at her breasts. I reach her pussy easily as she begins to undo my pants.

“I need to taste you,” she murmurs into my lap. My cock pulses. I slide my fingers out of her, then quickly back inside. Dalia arches her back and moans.

“You like that, don’t you?” I ask, doing it again, this time quicker, harder. She shudders next to me. I continue to finger her as she frees my dick and my eyes close tight when I feel her hot mouth take me inside.

My hips jerk in response as she begins to suck and slide, lick and squeeze. Sounds of our lovemaking fill the limo.

“So hard,” she whispers against my cock, before taking me back inside her mouth. Her hand squeezes and slides in unison with her bobbing head, sending me closer and closer to orgasm. I feel my balls tighten, pleasure so intense builds.

She teases me, keeping me on the edge, and just as my orgasm is in sight, and I start jerking quickly in her tight mouth, she pulls back, nibbling at my inner thigh and placing light kisses up and down my cock. My hands are fisted in frustration, and my cock is so hard it almost hurts. I’m just about to flip her over and start fucking her when she goes back down, taking me so deep in her throat that I’m moaning. “Fuck, Dalia, you’re killing me,” I hiss out. I go to put my hand on her head and she suddenly pulls away again, my cock springing free in the chilled air. “Hands to yourself, Cedric. I’m in charge,” she teases. But she means it, and I have to sit on my hands as she continues her torturous, fucking amazing assault.

“Dalia, Dalia,” I ground out, my body taking over. My fingers return to between her legs again, and they dance across her clit. I can’t believe how wet she is. Apparently what she’s doing is torture for her, too. I have two fingers inside her, and I concentrate on fingering her and bringing her closer. It’s the only way I’ll get her to finish me off and end this exquisite blowjob. My hard work begins to pay off and I feel her start bucking against my hand.

When I feel the walls of her sheath ripple against my fingers, and then tighten in release, I take the opportunity. I twine my fingers through her hair and start bucking in her mouth, finally setting the pace and in charge. In no time I’m throwing back my head and shouting. I can’t help it. I come so hard I lift off the seat, my body taut, one hand tightly holding her hair, my other hand, on her pussy and rubbing her clit.

Dalia takes it all, and gives me more, coming on my hand with a cry of her own.

We both relax, Dalia falling onto me, my fingers still buried deep inside her. My cock is still half hard, resting against her cheek. I listen to our breathing, rough and quick, echoing around us.

“I’ll never get enough of you,” I say finally after my heart has settled in my chest. She murmurs unintelligibly against my lap and I smile. She always does get a little sleepy after I’ve pleasured her. But I’m done with her yet. We have all night to ourselves and I’m taking full advantage of it.

I feel the limo slow and I know we’re nearing our destination. I’ve rented a suite at the most decadent hotel. Dalia deserves to be spoiled. I have a lifetime to do it.

“We’re close,” I whisper, looking down at her. She shifts on the seat and looks up, my hand falling away from her as she straightens her dress. She has a look of smug satisfaction and I grin. “You’re beautiful,” I say softly. I watch her blush and heat spreads through my chest.

As the limo stops, I straighten my pants, the uncomfortable sensation of being crowded pervades me as my stiffening cock presses against my belly. Just seeing her disheveled and warm from my body makes me crave her again.

We exit the limo and Dalia’s gasp of pleasure has me chuckling. We check in quickly and make our way to the top floor. Elegance surrounds us as we enter our suite. A spacious living room with floor to ceiling windows overlooks New York and Times Square. I catch a glimpse of tile and soft, muted colors before Dalia’s squeal of delight distracts me.

She’s standing in front of the windows, her hands pressed against the glass. We’re thirty floors up, overlooking the hustle and bustle of New York nightlife, the area lit from below. And just seeing her there, looking out with immense joy has my desire flaming to a painful point.

I need her. Now.

My future wife.

I rip off my shirt quickly as I make my way towards her. When I reach her back I’m naked, my clothes behind me in a trail on the marble floor. The room is barely lit, the lights from outside casting us in shadow. I press her against the glass and I hear her inhale swiftly.

“I’m going to fuck you against these windows, Dalia,” I breathe into her ear. My hard cock rubs against her ass. “I want to see your breasts pressed against the glass as I pound you from behind.” I feel her shudder and my cock bounces against her ass.

“Take off your dress,” I demand, my body shaking with the need to possess her.

“Cedric, the windows …” she breaks off as I grab the hem of her dress and rip it fiercely from her body, right down the middle. I can’t wait for her. I need her so badly.

“My dress!” she yelps, before I grab her hair with one hand and her hip with the other.

“I’ll buy you another,” I growl, pushing her legs apart and anchoring her. “Hell, I’ll buy you a thousand more.” She whimpers as I press the upper half of her body against the cool glass. I can see our reflection through it, me behind her, her breasts smashed against the glass, her nipples pink and pebbled.

“I want to hear how bad you want me,” I rasp out, brushing the head of my cock against her slick pussy lips. “And I think it may be pay back time.” Her ass flexes as she juts her hips back, seeking more from me. “You are mine,” I growl.

Dalia murmurs my name, nodding against the glass.

“Say it,” I demand.

“Yes Cedric, oh god yes. I’m yours!” she cries out. It’s all I need. I rear back and slam my cock home, balls deep inside her. She screams, in pleasure or pain, I don’t know, but her hips buck against me and I’m lost.

In and out I move, her juices coating my hard cock. The sounds of slapping flesh echo through the room, and every time I sink deep inside her, she makes the sexiest noise at the back of her throat. It makes me hotter for her.

I’d planned to tease her, to draw it out, but that can wait. We have all night. We have the rest of our lives. I reach around her body with one hand and spread my fingers through her moist curls, seeking her clit. Right now, I need this release. She cries out my name once I find it, and I stroke it in tune with each thrust. I feel her walls milk me, rippling along my hard length. I’m fast losing it, my balls tightening, my body stiffening in a precursor to one of the best orgasms of my life.

It’s different now that she’s promised me a lifetime. I’m fucking the woman I’ll grow old with, have more children with, cherish every moment with.

“Dalia,” I groan, my movements becoming even more hurried. “Come for me,” I demand. “Now, come for me.” She loves it when I dominate her. I feel her body instantly respond, her core tightening, her back arching like a bow.

“Cedric!” she yells, as I feel her shatter around me.

“Yes,” I moan, her orgasm triggering my own.

And right there, in front of all of New York, I claim Dalia as mine.

* * *

An hour later I have Dalia wrapped around me in the spacious hotel bed. It’s the biggest bed I’ve ever seen, and in that moment, I decide we need one just like it. After our lovemaking in the living room, we’d lavished attention on each other in the shower and then again here in the bed. I’ve taken my time about it, pushing her over the edge again and again, until she was hoarse from crying out.

I don’t think I’ve ever come so much or so hard in my entire life.

Our heartbeats are in sync, as she rests against me, her arm up and over my chest, the flash of her diamond a reflection of a star on the opposite wall. It feels right and for the first time in forever, I feel content.

At peace.

And tomorrow when I take her home, together we’ll tell Tobi that Dalia is never leaving. It is quite possibly the best night of my life.

“What are you thinking?” she murmurs, snuggling even closer. I squeeze her, closing my eyes.

“About you,” I say back. She lifts her head and looks at me, her blue eyes deep like an ocean. I could get lost in her eyes.

“Oh yeah?” she asks, smiling.

“I love you, Dalia Cooper,” I say again, for what feels like the hundredth time. She grins.

“I love you, Cedric,” she says back before kissing me gently on the lips. “Forever,” she whispers as she rests her head above my heart.

Forever, I think, never looked brighter.

* * *