Always & Forever

by Scarlett Avery

  “Let’s sit down and I’ll tell you everything over breakfast.”

  Even though I had set the table to allow us to eat near the banquette located near the floor-to-ceiling window in the kitchen, Nikolaj and I end up enjoying our waffles and bacon perched side by side on stools in front of the granite counter. I spill my guts for over an hour, leaving nothing out. When I’m done he takes my hands into his and he stares at me incredulously.

  “Honey, why haven’t you brought this up before?” His voice is gruff and laced with what I think is regret. “We’re in this together. You do know that, don’t you?”

  “Every time I broach the subject, you’re always quick to put the onus on me, since I’m the woman and all.”

  “Dad was concerned my mom was latching on to my wedding like it was a lifeline to prove to the world she’s not a bad mother and my eldest brother isn’t an unscrupulous fuck-up who doesn’t have a soul. I thought my father was exaggerating, but hearing what you’ve just shared, I think I was the oblivious one in this whole story. I’m very sorry I wasn’t more attentive.”

  “I didn’t speak up because I didn’t want to overstep my boundaries when it comes to your mom and I couldn’t figure out how to tame Anton without her thinking I was pushing her away.”

  “I thought you wanted to create a lavish wedding day. I thought that’s what all women wanted.” He combs his fingers through his hair and tugs like he always does when he’s agitated. “You have to work with me here, Ciara,” he says, gripping my shoulders and bringing me closer to him. “This is my first time…” He stops. “Look at me, baby.” I slowly meet his gaze. “… and my last time walking down the aisle.”

  I curl up my lips and beam when the full impact of his confession hits me. “I love you for saying that.”

  “I truly mean it. You’re my everything.”

  “God, you always know how to find the right words.”

  “Listen, honey, I only have my sisters’ and cousins’ example to go by. So if you’re unhappy with something, anything, you’ve got to find a way to catch my attention and let me know. I’m just a man, I’m not a mind-reader,” he mocks.

  “It turns out I don’t care about lavish or extravagant. I just want you.”

  He folds his body so our eyes meet. “I just want you too, baby.”

  “I’ll be honest, Nikolaj. When you proposed on Christmas Eve, had you also invited a priest on that bridge, I would’ve married you on Le Pont des Arts right in the middle of Paris in my tight fitted jeans and my winter coat. No fuss, no muss. Just two hearts uniting.”

  “Are you kidding me? Are you saying you’re willing to bypass all of this nonsense?”

  “Abso-freaking-lutely.”

  We both laugh.

  His gaze leaves mine for a second. “I’m going to have to go into the office real soon. If I recall correctly you have a meeting with Kayla in a few hours?” I nod. “Why don’t we tackle this tonight when we both have more time?”

  “Yes. I love your suggestion.”

  “Brilliant. Let’s put our heads together and figure this out. I don’t think eloping is an option for us because we’d hurt too many people, but we’ve got to be able to come up with something that will make us happy.”

  “I agree. If we were to run away and get married without telling anyone it’d kill both my fathers, my mom would never forgive me and I’m pretty sure my sister would never speak to me again.”

  “Imagine what my family would do to me. But we’re no longer going to hide our heads in the sand like ostriches. Hell, I don’t care if we get married in our backyard in our new four-story townhouse in New York or if we fly everyone to our home in Copenhagen, but this is our wedding and you’re entitled to have the day of your dreams. We’re definitely going to have to find a better plan because I don’t want this to turn into a circus where we invite more business contacts than family members and I refuse for this to become a glorified social status repair event for my mom.”

  “Thanks for saying that.” I exhale.

  “My mom has always preferred Jakob and she’s done little to hide that. She always blames the fact that she had him at such a young age to justify their unshakable bond. Whatever. Now that he’s out of the picture, I’m all of a sudden the chosen one. If she wants to play that game, fine, but not on our wedding day. This is about you and me.”

  I nod, choked up by my emotions. “I’m so lucky you’re mine.”

  BOOK 6—ALWAYS & FOREVER

  Chapter Four

  “Madame, I didn’t expect traffic to be so heavy in the middle of the day like this. It must be all this construction, but we’re nearly there.”

  I peel my eyes away from my phone. “Thank you, Jerome.”

  I have to say I’m totally spoiled. Since we left our apartment, I’ve had the luxury of catching up on email while riding at the back of our chauffeured Benz without a care in the world. Jerome drove Nik to his office and when I suggested I’d take a cab to Kayla’s office, my fiancé protested, stating Jerome’s job was to be at my beck and call.

  In theory the ride to La Défense neighborhood should have taken us ten to twenty minutes, but half an hour later, I’m still stuck at the back of this car on my way to Paris’ major business district. This bustling area of the city is located near the Louvre museum and continues along the Champs-Élysées. It’s the modern part of this legendary city and it’s also home to Regent Park Luxury Developments’ office.

  After a few more minutes of driving we finally arrive.

  “Nous y sommes. We’re here.”

  “Finalement.” I grin at my chauffeur’s grimacing face. He always forgets I speak French. “Vous oubliez que je parle couramment le français, mon cher Jerome.”

  “Bien sûr, Madame. C’est que je perds l’habitude avec Monsieur von Henningsen.”

  “There’s nothing I can do about my fiancé’s lack of skills when it comes to Molière’s tongue.” I laugh as Jerome opens the door for me.

  “We can’t master everything, madame.”

  “Touché, mon ami.”

  “When should I return to pick you up?”

  “I’m not sure yet. Kayla warned me it would be a long day. Why don’t I text you? When are you picking up Mr. von Henningsen?”

  “He said he would be done before six tonight.”

  “I’m sure I should be just about done at that time as well.”

  “Have a great day, madame.”

  “You too, Jerome.”

  I take a step forward and head to the top of a billion-dollar mirrored-glass skyscraper that stretches before me with the banner Le Regent Park plastered at the top. The Ellisons live larger than life.

  When I reach the executive floor, I step out of the elevator and stop dead in my tracks. I’ve visited Kayla at her New York office plenty of times, but this is my first visit to their French headquarters.

  “Holy shit,” I mumble under my breath as I take in the view of

  the Eiffel Tower and a good part of Paris.

  After a few minutes of contemplation, I remember that I’m slightly late and I quicken my steps towards the reception. When I push the glass door open a perky receptionist looks my way.

  “Bonjour. Bienvenue au bureau du Regent Park Luxury Developments, le developer de choix pour les accommodations de prestige à courte et long durée. Good morning and welcome to Regent Park Luxury Developments, the premier developer catering to those seeking prestigious accommodations for short and long stays. My name is Marie-Louise. How may I help you today?” A brunette in her mid to late thirties with brown eyes and a strong French accent greets me with a warm smile.

  Gosh, that’s quite the mouthful. “Bonjour à vous. Good morning. My name is Ciara Herrera and I’m here to meet Ms. Kayla Ellison.”

  “Of course, Ms. Ellison is expecting you. She’s already in the boardroom. Let me get her assistant to take you there.”

  “Thank you.”

  “If you’d like to take a seat over
there,” she says, pointing to the beautiful white leather couch, “Camille should be here in a few minutes.” She smiles again and I can’t help but notice her flawless makeup. “Lunch will be served during your meeting, but should I get you a coffee?”

  “A macchiato would be amazing. Thank you so very much for offering.”

  “But of course.”

  I love how the French have translated “mais bien entendu” into English. Just like in French, they use it to punctuate every sentence.

  Marie-Louise is already busy punching buttons on her state-of-the-art phone and I take a few steps towards what seems to be an exquisite Italian design. Instead of taking a seat, I take in the stylish reception area. Everything about this space spells success—from the marble and granite floors that spread out beneath my feet, to the steel and glass staircases leading to a second floor Kayla mentioned houses the top executives’ offices, to the rich dark wood that offsets the white walls and furniture, to the dozens and dozens of beautiful vases of purple fleurs-de-lis. It’s no surprise they would be the flower of choice since the French have a well-documented love affair with their lilies.

  The Ellisons certainly don’t kid around nor do they skimp on anything. This office is jaw-dropping.

  Since their father Alistair died five years ago, Logan, the eldest in the Ellison clan, has taken over his father’s mammoth multibillion-dollar luxury real estate development company. Kayla and her baby brother Walker have also stepped up to the plate to take the family business to a whole other level of unprecedented success.

  I met Logan at a design conference in Los Angeles a year and a half ago and he came on strong. The man is handsome, smart, extremely seductive and stubborn like a mule. I mean he wouldn’t take no for an answer, but since I was fully aware of who he was, I played it safe. I was one of the four design firms competing for the career-changing contract of the Bishop boutique hotels across North America and nothing was going to get in my way—not even a night of short-lived debauchery with one of New York’s most notorious man whores, I mean bachelors.

  Logan has quite the reputation and if the rumors are true, I would’ve remembered that night forever. Although he pursued me relentlessly for months and showered me with gifts, flowers and chocolates, I returned them all, with a smile of course, because I refused to mix business with pleasure. As a result, I won this lucrative project with Regent Park Luxury Developments fair and square. Kayla and I have an incredible working relationship and I’m very grateful there’s never been any doubt as to why I was awarded the contract.

  As I salivate over a large piece of colorful abstract art, a high-pitched voice behind me calls out my name. “Ms. Herrera?”

  I turn around and face a studious-looking petite blonde with a pair of thick designer frames set low on her nose. “Yes?”

  “Good morning. I’m Kayla’s assistant, Camille.” She smiles, extending her hand to shake mine. “I’ll take you to the boardroom where she’s already waiting for you along with Logan and Walker.”

  “Oh, I didn’t expect the two brothers to be part of our meeting.”

  Camille brings her hand up to cover her mouth. “From what I understand, this meeting is a pretty big deal since all three top executives have cleared their schedule until the end of today.”

  “Yeah, scooping up the old Chaville hotel is certainly a big deal. Don’t even get me started on the blocks of old buildings they’ve also acquired this week.”

  “I can’t even explain how busy it’s been in the last few days. I barely have time for a lunch break anymore. If I blink, I’ll miss half of the action around here.” She chuckles before taking a step forward.

  Although Kayla has already shared the big news with me, I’m still completely bewildered by the fact they’ve chosen me as their lighting designer for their upcoming Parisian projects. “There’s no stopping them.”

  “Tell me about it,” she says, pushing open a heavy-looking glass door. “Please go right in and I’ll be back with your coffee.”

  “Thanks, Camille. It was great talking to you.”

  The second I walk into the boardroom, Kayla, Logan and Walker all get up. It might not be obvious at first sight, but these three are some of the most successful luxury developers in America and if they have their way, they’ll extend their colossal success throughout Europe and beyond.

  “Ciara, come in, we’ve been waiting for you.”

  “I apologize for being a few minutes late. It’s a nightmare out there with all this construction.”

  “Don’t worry about it. We were just getting ready for the meeting.” Kayla closes the gap between us and hugs me as if we’re long-lost friends.

  I’m quite tall, but I’m always surprised when I’m standing near Kayla. Even in high heels the brunette is considerably shorter than I am. I’d say she’s no taller than my older sister and my best friend. I’m always teasing Sofia and Harley about their height and they’re both quick at reminding me how good things come in small packages, right before they tease me about how hellish a time I have when it comes to shopping for pants that fit.

  “To be fair,” Logan says, “the construction season over here doesn’t even compare to the types of horrendous bottlenecks and gridlocks we experience in New York during the summer months.”

  Gosh, the man has such a rich deep voice.

  “Logan, I couldn’t agree with you more,” I say, shaking the eldest Ellison’s hand.

  “Is it me or do you get more ravishingly beautiful every time I see you, Ciara?”

  You’d think that after a year and a half I’d get used to Logan’s forwardness, but I flush at his compliment. “You’re such a flirt.”

  “Ciara, you should know in advance that your getting married in a couple months is no deterrent for my big brother here.” The youngest Ellison struts towards me while flashing me an amused smile. “Logan still feels he has a chance of convincing you to marry him instead of your European fiancé.”

  “Walker, is that what the two of you discuss when you’re not chasing after skirts?”

  “Just between the two of us, I believe you are the one who could’ve put an end to my brother’s whoring and womanizing.” Walker raises his eyebrows and I can’t help doing the same.

  “Is that so?” I leave Walker’s piercing grey gaze and turn to the tall and impeccably well-dressed man standing to my left. His green eyes are dangerously irresistible and had he not been a potential client, I would’ve surely succumbed to his charms.

  Logan is the type of man every woman wants to fuck and every man wants to emulate. Even though my heart belongs to Nikolaj and nothing, and I mean nothing, would ever make me waver, I haven’t gone completely blind.

  “My little brother’s right. You and I are a match made in heaven, but you refused to give me a chance.”

  “Oh, yeah, cry me a river.”

  “Let’s be honest here. You turned down every single one of my attempts. Do you know how much you’ve crushed me? You’ve ruined me for all the others.”

  “Please, Logan, you wouldn’t be able to commit to a woman even if your life depended on it.”

  I used to be just like him, jumping from one bed to another, never wanting more than a few nights with the same guy. Until you meet the one who steals your heart, you keep chasing. It’s a never-ending game.

  “With someone like you, I’d drop all the others in a heartbeat.”

  “Sure.” I roll my eyes.

  “Are you seriously considering marrying a foreigner? Couldn’t you’ve kept it American? I’m still in favor of us giving it a shot.” He leans in and gives me a friendly peck on the cheek.

  Man, he’s blunt. This guy doesn’t sugarcoat anything.

  This relentless nature is what makes Logan Ellison so formidable and astute when it comes to taking the family business to the next level and transforming it into a veritable empire.

  I shake my head, amazed at his boldness. “Well, according to Google, your ancestors came to Ameri
ca from the other side of the Atlantic. Last time I checked Great Britain was a different country than America, which means that at some point in time one of your forefathers was also a foreigner. I think these facts exonerate my future husband from any wrongdoing.” I squint, putting my right hand on my hip. “If I were you, I’d phrase this very carefully, Mr. Ellison.” I grin.

  “Yeah, but that’s ages ago. I’m pretty sure we have Native American blood in our lineage since we crossed the pond. Don’t we, Kayla?”

  Logan’s sister looks so offended I bite my bottom lip to curtail my own amusement. “What the heck do I look like to you? Ancestry.com?”

  All four of us burst out in laugher.

  “Ciara, I apologize profusely for their teenage behavior,” Kayla says, jumping back into the conversation. “I don’t know what else to say other than to beg you to please ignore my delusional brothers. I’m not sure what it is, but when they’re around you their competitive natures flare up tenfold. Nah, make that twenty.”

  “Big sis, I disagree. I’m much more of a gentleman than my brother will ever be.”

  At six foot four, Walker Ellison is as sexy and as debonair as his older brother, but he operates very differently. Logan is in your face, whereas Walker is more subdued. That said, I’m certain he’s as much of a lady-killer as Logan is. Rumor has it that both brothers are as insatiable and demanding in bed as they are in business. From features on fashion blogs and men’s magazines, they avidly collect luxury watches, pricey Milanese hand-made shoes, fast cars, art pieces and well-cut suits that would make the entire Italian men’s soccer team drool. These guys make no excuses for being heavy rollers. It’s not surprising they’ve been voted New York’s hottest eligible bachelors for many years in a row.

  Kayla is a different story. She’s the middle child and just like her brothers she grew up with a silver spoon in her mouth. Although she’s a brilliant and extremely ambitious woman, it’s clear she’s stifled between her big brother’s business prowess and her baby brother’s creativity. It’s been well documented in the press that the matriarch of the family, Virginia, is a tough nut and she’s impossible to please—especially when it comes to her daughter. There’s no doubt the Ellisons are very old New York money. All three kids had a headline on the day they were born and their destiny was laid out for them before they even took their first steps. I guess this much privilege has huge advantages, but from a few more personal conversations I’ve had with Kayla, it also comes at a high price.