by Tracy Reed
She thumbed through the pages. “Oh my God. I was wondering what happened to this.” She placed the book on the table and continued turning the pages.
“What is it?”
“It’s your father’s prayer journal.”
“His what?”
She got up and walked over to the box, digging and fishing until she pulled out another large black leather book. “Oh, mon Dieu.”
“What is it mother?”
She pushed the box aside, placed the large book down on the table and started turning pages. “I have been looking for this.” She covered her mouth and I saw tears landing on the pages.
“Mother…”
She looked at me with tear-filled eyes. “This is your father’s Bible.”
“His what?”
“His Bible.”
I don’t recall my father being a religious man. I remember when we lived in Paris, we would go to church, but I don’t recall him doing anything that would be considered religious. “How did it get into this box?”
“I don’t know.” She covered her mouth with her hands. “Excuse-moi, Phillippe.”
She took the Bible and went inside. I thumbed through the pages of the journal, and landed on a page that said Prayer for Phillippe’s future.
Dear God, I pray Your protection over my son. I know this woman he is with isn’t Your best for him. It is my desire that he return to You and allow You to bless him the way You have blessed me. Father God, I know he desires more, but he won’t get more until he lets You in. I pray You will keep him safe, and that he opens his spirit and heart to You and that good thing You have for him. I know the woman You have for him is a good woman like his mother…a genuine helpmate, a partner, a precious jewel known only by him. Thank you, Father. Your grateful servant, in Jesus name, Amen.
* * *
Oh, my God. This is dated a month before he died.
Chapter Twenty-One
gabriella
* * *
The pounding on the front door was so loud it resonated up to the second floor. Whoever is assaulting the door better have a good reason for disturbing my quiet time. I climbed out of the tub, put on my robe and ran down the stairs. I stopped at the door, got on my tip toes and looked out the peephole. I stepped away from the door, and then went back to the peephole to confirm what I saw. What the crap! I stood still trying to collect my thoughts, then realized I was only wearing my robe. I pulled it closed, tied the belt tighter, and opened the door.
Oh, my God. Standing before me was the ultimate lustful fantasy…a true alpha male raging with anger, but why? He had a dinner meeting, and I was excited about taking a hot bath and getting to bed early. None of this made sense.
“Phillippe…what are you doing here?”
He pulled me to him and crushed his lips against mine. My initial reaction was shock, then it turned into something else. My hands quickly found their way around his neck, pulling him deeper into my space. His warm tongue broke past my closed lips into my mouth, fighting with my tongue for control of this passionate dance. I needed air, and the only air available was from him. I kissed him harder, hoping to steal some air. We stood in the open doorway engaged in a hungry, demanding kiss so intense my body began to shake.
He pressed his body deeper against mine as his hands slid down my back lifting me slightly off the ground. I could feel his body coming alive through the thin fabric of my robe. His obvious arousal pressed against my stomach. He pushed my robe down my shoulder, followed by a gentle bite and I cried out.
His mouth moved across my chest, kissing the top of my cleavage. I could fill my body reacting in a strange way. My breasts felt full and ached, pressed against his hard chest. Every ridge of his large hands was apparent through the thin silk of my robe. I was on fire, and wanted him in a way I had been fighting.
I tried to pull back, but my body wasn’t cooperating. I couldn’t believe this was happening. Was I about to give myself to Phillippe right here? He dug his hand deep into my hair, pulling my head back as he ravaged my mouth. Then he pushed me inside, slammed the door, picked me up and took me upstairs, never removing his mouth from mine.
He kicked the door to my room open and tossed me onto the bed. I lay mesmerized, as I watched him strip down to his bare coffee colored skin. My eyes traveled the length of him, and I gasped at what I saw. He’s even more beautiful naked. I instantly went from excited to terrified. How was I suppose to…my God, he’s incredible in every sense of the word. I swallowed hard, remembering my Aunt Niki’s words. Everything on him was large.
He approached the bed without hesitation, and the moonlight bounced off his beautiful coffee colored skin. He glistened like one of the paintings I saw in Paris. He climbed into bed next to me and took my mouth, kissing me so hard I felt it deep in my core. His hand slid inside my robe, grazing my breasts before traveling down the front of my stomach stopping to pull open the belt of my robe. He pulled the fabric of my robe back and his mouth moved down my neck kissing a path to the wet spot between my breasts. My heart was racing, anticipating his next touch. He eased his large hand up the inside of my hot thigh and…
“Gabby…Gabby…Gabby!”
I shot up. “What!”
“Wake up, baby.”
“What?” I looked around, and then at myself.
“You’re soaking wet. Are you okay?” my mother asked. “Baby, you’re burning up. Are you okay?”
“Uhm…” I swallowed hard.
“That was some dream.”
“Dream?”
“I heard you screaming downstairs.”
“Screaming?”
“Yes. It sounded like someone was attacking you.”
Someone was attacking me alright. “Uhm…,” I rubbed my neck.
She went into the bathroom and came back with a glass of water. “Here, drink this.”
“Merci.” I took a few sips of water and exhaled.
“Is everything okay?” She stroked my hair.
“Yeah, I guess I was a lot more tired than I thought.”
“I guess so. Are you hungry?”
“Uhm…not really. I think I’ll take a shower and…”
“You took a bath when you got home, remember?”
“I did?”
“Are you sure you’re okay?”
“I’m fine Mom.” I sipped my water.
“Do you want to talk about it?”
I almost choked. “No, no, no…I’m fine. Uhm, you know what, maybe I should eat a little something.”
She started towards the door. “I’ll make you something and…”
“I’ll be right down.”
She stopped in the open doorway. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
“Yes, Mommy. I’m going to toss some water on my face, put on some dry pajamas, and I’ll be right down.”
“Okay.” She walked out and closed the door.
What the crap! Where did that come from?
* * *
phillippe
* * *
“Have you ever kissed a woman so hard it seemed like she was having…you know…” I wiped my face.
I couldn’t believe I was embarrassed to ask this. Being with Gabriella has really impacted my life. In the past, I had no problem talking to Tony about the women I was dating. Now, I find myself being very private, protective, not of me, but Gabriella. I want that side of her that she shares with me to remain private. However, right now, I’m vexed about something that happened and I need my best friend’s advice.
“What?”
“You’re going to make me say it?”
“Yep.” He sipped his drink.
“When Gabriella and I were in Paris, and again last night, I could have sworn…Gabriella and I were having a good time, you know. Things were getting a little hot, and all of a sudden she started moaning.”
“That doesn’t mean…”
“Wait. We kept kissing and the moans got deeper and she was getting a little aggressive. Her bod
y was, uhm…the last time I felt a woman’s body react that way, she was on the verge of an orgasm.”
He spit out his drink. “What?”
“She was on the verge of…”
“I heard you the first time. Are you sure?”
“This is why I’m asking. I’ve never kissed a woman who reacted that way. And we weren’t in bed or somewhere rolling around naked.”
“You don’t have to explain.” He wiped his face. “Sweet, little Gabriella?”
“Sweet, little Gabriella was on the verge of exploding right there on the sofa behind a kiss.”
He shook his head, smiling. “Are you sure? You know it’s been a while for you, and everything is magnified when you ain’t getting any.”
“Tell me about it, but yes.” I finished my drink. “If we were to…I don’t know if, what am I saying. If we made love, it would probably be incredible and much better than I imagined.”
Tony nodded his head. “You could always take your grandfather up on his offer.”
“What, marry her so I can become CEO? No.”
“Why not?”
“A better job shouldn’t be the reason to get married.”
“It shouldn’t?”
“No. And for the record, I’m still trying to convince my grandfather to change his mind.”
“And if you don’t?”
“In case you forgot, I have a company of my own to run.”
“I’m very well aware of that. However…”
“I know what my grandfather wants But I’m not going to let him push me into something.”
“Uh-huh.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Nothing.” He sipped his drink.
“I know you. That meant something.”
“Okay, let’s see. You took Gabriella on a business trip to one of the most romantic cities in the world, and put her up in your apartment.”
“That doesn’t…”
He held up his finger. “You could have put her in the guest apartment downstairs or a hotel, but you didn’t. You let her stay in your home. Something you’ve never done before. You took her on a shopping spree... introduced her to your aunt....”
“Her meeting Aunt Hilarie was a coincidence.”
“Okay, I’ll give you that one. Oh, let’s not forget you told Cameron to personally handle her at Brockman’s and to use your discount.”
“That…”
“You and I both know the only people that use your discount are family. Oh yeah, and my favorite confirming fact of all…”
“What?”
“You became celibate. Gave up all booty.”
“Are you finished?”
“One last thing.”
“What?”
“When are you going to admit you’re in love with her?” I exhaled, opened my desk drawer, pulled out the small black box and placed it on the desk. “What’s that?”
“The answer to your question. Open it.”
He picked up the small black box and opened the lid. “Damn. I guess it’s safe to say you’re in love with her or, that’s one hell of a promise ring.” He closed the box and pushed it back to me. “When did you get that?”
“Paris.”
“That was only a few weeks after you guys agreed to do whatever it is you’re doing. Wait a minute… what else happened in Paris?”
Chapter Twenty-Two
gabriella
* * *
My phone started vibrating. I looked at the jumping device and read the message. I got up, walked over to the door and knocked.
“Come in.”
I pushed the door to the side, walked inside and pulled the door closed behind me. “I received a message to call your girlfriend.”
“That’s correct.” Phillippe looked at his watch as he walked towards me. “According to my watch, we are officially off the clock.” He stopped in front of me. My heart began to race, and I felt that strange tingle I get when Phillippe and I are alone.
“That’s true. However, I have a report to complete for my boss.”
“Well, I’m exercising my authority.”
“Your authority?”
“Yes.” He slipped his hands around my waist, pulled me close and kissed my neck.
“Phillippe…” He moved his lips up my neck to my cheek. “Uhm…” He pulled me closer and covered my mouth with his. and I quickly gave in to his kiss. I slipped my hands around his neck and we stood in the middle of his office locked in a deep embrace. My mind drifted to the dream I had, and I quickly pulled back.
“What’s wrong?”
“I uhm, I really need to finish that report.” I started to walk away and he grabbed my hand.
“What’s going on?”
“Nothing. I just need to finish that report.”
He led me over to the sofa and we sat down. “Talk to me.”
“What do you want to know?”
He leaned back and his shocked look was apparent. “What do I want to know? I want to know why you’re acting so strange.”
“I’m not acting—”
“Gabriella, I know better. What’s going on?”
I closed my eyes and rubbed my forehead. I looked at him, trying to find the words to answer his question. “I uhm…I haven’t been sleeping well.”
“You haven’t?”
“No.”
“What’s going on? Why aren’t you sleeping?”
“I’ve been having these dreams.”
“Dreams or nightmares?”
“Considering I’m not sleeping, I’d say they’re nightmares.”
“Come here.” He pulled me over onto his lap, rubbing my back. “Tell me what’s going on.”
I exhaled. “I’ve been having these dreams that are uhm…intense.”
“Intense?”
“Yeah. They uhm…”
“Close your eyes and just spit it out.”
“I dreamt that you had come to my house and took me up to my room and we…”
“What?”
I thought I could get away with skipping over a few parts, but no. He wanted to hear the whole thing. “In my dream, I was taking a bath and went downstairs to see who was pounding on the door. When I looked out the peephole, it was you.” I recounted the dream and watched his face for a reaction.
“So you had a sex dream about me.”
“What? Where did that come from?” I half smiled.
“You just described a very detailed sex dream. How was I?” he smiled.
“I don’t know.”
“You don’t know?”
“My mother woke me up.”
“Your mother interrupted us?”
“No, she woke me up. Apparently, I was screaming very loud.”
“Really? Then I guess I was good.” He teased.
I playfully socked him. “I don’t know about that.”
He kissed me on the cheek. “Mon amour, it’s clear this is symbolic of something.”
“Like what?”
“I would venture to say, it was about me meeting your family.”
“I don’t think so.”
“Think about it. I went to your house, demanding entry.”
I covered my mouth. “Oh, my God.”
“Your mother had to wake you up before we could…”
“Oh, my God. You’re right.”
“I think once I meet your family, the dreams will stop.”
As much as I don’t want to admit that Phillippe is right, the time has come for him to meet my family. God help us. My mother is going to tear Phillippe to shreds. Right now, my only saving grace is that she hasn’t been able to find out anything about him on the internet. His lack of internet exposure is also his biggest flaw. She thinks he has something to hide, and that’s why he has no web presence. I say his lack of exposure is the result of a lot of money. It takes a lot of money to disappear in plain sight, or a friend in a secret government agency. It sounds farfetched, but it’s not impossible.
* * *
phillippe
* * *
I have been trying to convince myself my father’s words don’t mean anything. Unfortunately, there’s no one remotely interested in that lie. In fact, the people that are close to me and now, those that aren’t even in this realm, know what I’m trying to deny. I’m in love.
I can’t believe it either. Every time I look in the mirror, or read my father’s prayer journal, or allow that still voice to speak, the same phrase comes up. “You’re in love with her.” For a while, I tried to pretend I didn’t know what her the voice was talking about. But, I can’t deny that either. I’m in love with Gabriella. I think the reason I’m fighting it is because it’s a foreign feeling for me.
I’m no saint. In spite of my upbringing, I’ve been…let’s just say, I found it very easy to embrace my French heritage. Yes, I’ve been with quite a few women. However, I never loved any of them, not even Chantal, and I was considering marrying her. Looking back on the debris of that relationship, I’m wondering why I was willing to settle.
She didn’t love me. It’s for sure I didn’t love her. Yet, I was doing everything I could think of to convince her to stay. I can’t believe how grateful I am for my grandfather’s meddling. If he hadn’t strongly suggested it was time for me to step in and take over Morgan Grant, I would have locked up my life with a woman who only saw me as a mediocre man with a fat wallet. I know she said she admired me. But the night we broke up, thanks to the very expensive wine, she let her true feelings shine. She didn’t want me without the powerful job.
If she only knew the truth about my grandfather’s offer.
Every morning, when I sit down and read my father’s journal, I’m plagued by his words, “I pray You send him a wife like his mother.” I know he wasn’t talking about Chantal. She was the complete opposite of my mother. However, Gabriella and my mother are a lot alike. I thought my mother’s lack of interest or non-interest in my father’s wealth was because she came from a similar background. To a degree it was. After reading my father’s words, I see he faced the same challenge as me. She didn’t care about the money. All she cared about was his character, his heart, and his spirit.