What the Heart Desires

by Victoria Rose

parents or anything.” He smiled kindly at her

  “I don’t want to think what that would be like! Can you imagine your parents drilling me about my past!”

  “They wouldn’t do anything of the sort, honey!”

  Becca gave him a firm look. “They are your parents, honey—it’s what parents do—they try to find out whatever information they can about the people in their children’s lives. Don’t try to tell me that your parents are any different! They would want to know everything they possibly could about my background.”

  “You could be right, but aren’t we forgetting something here?”

  She raised her eyes to look at him.

  “What?”

  “That I’m a grown man. I will be thirty in exactly two and a half months. I’m not their little boy anymore. My parents do not have that much say in my personal life anymore. Don’t get me wrong; they can voice their opinion if they so wish, but that does not mean that I have to listen to them or do as they say. And speaking of; my parents have invited us to spend New Year’s with them in the Hamptons. They have a home there. They will be flying in after Christmas. They are dying to meet you, especially my mother.”

  “You told your parents about me!” She gave him a worried look.

  “I have, darling.” There was a wide grin on his face. “I couldn’t keep you a secret forever.”

  “And I’m just finding out about this now.” She frowned at him. “What if I don’t want to meet your parents, Keane, haven’t you thought of that?”

  “You don’t mean that, do you?” He sounded disappointed. “Come on, honey. They are just curious to know who you are. They are harmless. They won’t bite!”

  “You don’t know that! And you should have given me a heads up before you told your parents I would meet them,” she tried to explain to him.

  “My hands were tied. They called early this morning. You were probably too exhausted to hear the phone.” He flashed her a very naughty. “They wanted to say hi to you, but you were still asleep, and I didn’t want to wake you.”

  “You could have told them that I wasn’t here—or that I left.”

  “Okay, I could have done that, but we don’t have to decide right now.”

  “But you already told them we were coming.”

  “It doesn’t matter. They are still in Europe. They will be spending Christmas in Switzerland. They called to fill me in on their plans for the holidays, and to find out about mine. But if you prefer not to go, I can always make something up and

  get us out of it.”

  Becca looked at him and sighed. It was his parents after all.

  “I think we should focus on one thing at a time. Let’s get through this dinner first, okay, and then we will see how it goes from there.”

  He stroked her hair. “Okay, if that’s what you want.”

  “You do know that my decision has nothing to do with me not wanting to meet your parents, don’t you? I will love to, when the time is right.”

  “But just not now,” he finished for her.

  “Sorry.” She looked at him with sad eyes.

  “It’s okay; really it is. I know you have a lot going on, and I respect that. My parents will be there whenever you want to meet them.” He caressed her cheek and smiled at her.

  She pecked him on the cheek. “Thanks for understanding.” she told him with a very grateful smile. “I guess I’m making myself crazy thinking about how things will go with your friends.” She twirled her finger around her hair. “What if they ask about us; you know the typical question people ask about how we meet?”

  “Then tell them! We aren’t hiding anything.”

  “You know our situation is a little different than other people’s,” she told him

  quickly.

  “No, it’s not! Couples meet in a lot of different ways all the time.

  There is nothing unique or wrong about ours.”

  “I’m talking about my amnesia, Keane,” she reminded him. “Wouldn’t they

  find it a bit strange that I can’t remember anything about myself? People can be very cruel at times, especially when a close friend of theirs is involved. They might be overprotective of you. They might think that I’m not right for you!”

  She looked at him for reassurance.

  “They can’t make that decision for me, darling. Only I can, and you know how I feel about you. And they don’t know anything about that, and even if they did, I don’t want you to agonize yourself about it. It’s a sad reality we can’t change at the moment. You will get your memory back.”

  “But what if they find out?”

  “Then let them! There’s nothing wrong with you, honey. You know that. You have nothing to be ashamed or afraid of. You were involved in an unfortunate accident, and you lost your memory because of it. There’s no shame in that.”

  “I just don’t want your friends to think that I escape from some sort of psychiatric hospital, that’s all.” She let out a loud sigh. “It’s not every day you meet someone who can’t remember who she is!”

  He hugged her close.

  “You are beating yourself up for nothing. I can easily put an end to this by picking up the phone.”

  She slipped her arms around him. “I don’t even know why we are still talking about this!” she told him brightly. “I think it’s time I step out of my comfort zone! I can’t hide behind you or at this ranch forever! I’m ready to meet your friends, and whoever else you invited to dinner. Bring it on, baby! I’m all game!” she said with a hearty laugh.

  “That’s my girl!” Keane drew her in his arms and squeezed her tightly. “Now let’s get some sleep.” He let out a knowing laugh. “Although, I don’t see any of that actually happening. But we can pretend!”

  She giggled as Keane pulled her on top of him, and as he buried his face into the small of her neck.

  “We can’t fake something like this, honey. You know that! We are as real as they get!”

  She wrapped her arms around his neck and laughed some more.

  Chapter twelve

  They spent the next day getting ready for the dinner.

  She helped picked out the wine from the wide selection in the wine cellar, and she oversaw the dessert and food, giving her seal of approval to one of the three main dishes the chef presented to them.

  By seven that evening everything was done, including the Christmas decorations. She had helped Lila and the other women decorate the huge pine tree in the foyer, and the rest of the house.

  Keane had taken her out in the woods one morning, and the two of them had chosen a tree. They had cut it down and brought it back to the house, and set it up in the large foyer. There was another smaller tree in the living room that she and Keane had decorated together the night before. It was a beautiful tree, and the whole house smelled of fresh pine.

  The dinner and everything else had suddenly put her in a festive mood. She was looking forward to spending Christmas at the ranch with Keane. She couldn’t wait.

  She was soaking in the tub when Keane came looking for her. He had been

  gone for most of the day, and she was glad when he finally appeared. She smiled when she heard him running up the stairs. At one point she had been afraid that he wouldn’t be there to meet his friends when they arrive for dinner, and she would be the one doing it.

  “Darling!” He burst into the bedroom. There was a huge smile on his face when he saw her.

  “In here,” she called out to him.

  He strolled in with a bottle of champagne and two glasses in his hands.

  “Celebrating something?” She eyed the expensive bottle of champagne in his hands.

  The bottle was already opened, and he poured some in the two glasses he was carrying, and handed one to her. He sat on the edge of the large tub and leaned in to kiss her on the lips.

  “Loving you.” He clicked his glass to hers and took a sip.

  “I guess that’s something worth drinking to, but champagne!”

&n
bsp; She smiled at him.

  “Yes, darling, you deserve nothing but the best. And every day with you is a celebration.” His hand went down into the water and he poured some of the bubbles on her back. “I would love to join you,” he reached in to kiss her again. “But I have a few last minute calls to make.” He took the sponge and washed her

  back, then her arms, legs, and the rest of her body.

  She put her head back, closed her eyes, and allowed him. The sleeves of

  his shirt were soaking wet by the time he was done. She opened her eyes and gave him a dreamy look.

  “Are you sure you won’t change your mind about coming in?”

  She blew the bubbles away from her body for him to see. He glanced down at her bare breasts, and legs, then back up at her. There was a sly smile on her face, for she knew exactly what was going through his mind.

  “As much as I want you, and would love to stay, I can’t. Call me when you are all dried. I have a surprise for you.”

  He winked at her and was out the door before she could ask him about it.

  The size six, Oscar de la Renta strapless, pretty pastels dress was lying across their bed when she walked into the room. She had given up the room she had at the beginning, and had moved into the large master bedroom with Keane when he had asked her to.

  There hadn’t been any arguments about her switching rooms, not even a very small; “I will think about it,” from her. She had quickly jumped at the chance of sleeping in the same bed with him. She loved going to sleep at nights with Keane’s arms wrapped snugly around her body, and waking up with him next to her in the morning. And most of all, she liked having his warm body there to cuddle with whenever she wanted.

  It was all pluses for her, and for him too, she was sure! The days of Keane

  sneaking out of her bed at all hours of the morning to go back to his room were over and done with! And so far, the sleeping arrangement had been far more satisfying for both of them than she anticipated.

  She found out that neither of them snored, nor talked in their sleep. They weren’t restless sleepers who rolled all over the bed, either. They were just two compatible people in every way!

  She glanced at the dress and smiled. Maybe this was the surprise he had been

  talking about. She picked up the dress, and inspected it quickly before laying it back down again. There wasn’t a price tag on it, but she knew it was expensive. It was from the upcoming winter collection. It said so on the bag; Winter 2021 Collection!

  Keane must have gotten it directly from the designer, she thought, and it was probably one or two of a kind. She was going to feel special wearing it. She couldn’t believe that he had gone through all this trouble to surprise her with the dress.

  She was slipping into the dress when he made an appearance.

  He took one look at her and whistled his approval. He came towards her, his

  eyes and mouth dripping with desire.

  “Wow! You look absolutely stunning! I must say that I surprise myself!”

  “Whatever do you mean, darling?” She batted her long lashes at him and

  gave him a demure smile.

  “I’m surprise that I haven’t taken you into my arms already.”

  She touched his cheek. “You are finally beginning to learn that you can’t always have what you want, darling, when you want it—that’s good.” She patted him playfully again.

  “Please, stop teasing me!” His eyes went down to his front, then moved back up to admire her again. “You know this is torture.” He gave her a pained look.

  She smiled sweetly at him. “Self control, darling. You do have a very long way to go when it comes to containing your urges for me!”

  “Fine! You have a lot of making up to do when this party is over.”

  “With pleasure,” she retorted with a sweet smile

  “You will be the best-looking girl there.” He went around to help her with the zipper.

  His opened palms lingered on her pert behind when he was finished. He rubbed it a few times and whistled some more. “I can’t get over how very beautiful you look.” He leaned in and nuzzled the side of her neck. “You know it’s still not too late to call off the whole thing.”

  He took her hand and spun her around a few times, his eyes resting on her cleavage. “You are the true meaning of beauty, darling,” he told her. “I love you.” He leaned in and whispered close to her mouth.

  “And I love you.” She kissed him back.

  She felt his hands on her butt again, drawing her close to his middle, and she

  withdrew quickly. She knew where this would lead if she encouraged him, and she didn’t want to, not when they were that close to receiving guests.

  He leaned in to claim her lips again and she pushed him away gently.

  He searched her face and grinned. “You know I’m not responsible for my

  actions, don’t you.” He warned her with temptation in his eyes. “I’m completely weak when it comes to loving and wanting you. My body has a mind of its own! You should know that by now.”

  He tried to find the zipper of her dress again, and she held him back.

  “Not so fast, Romeo! You aren’t ruining this dress for me!”

  He stood back and grinned. “And by ruining, you mean ripping it off your gorgeous body! I can get you another one. Hell! I can get you a thousand if you want!”

  “I happen to like this specific one.”

  He chuckled. “Okay, but nothing is off limits, including the dress and those

  sheer stockings you are wearing. I will have my way with you when the guests

  are gone.”

  She met the gleam in his eyes with likewise bravado. “Same here!”

  “Good, can’t wait! Now that’s been settled, I have something for you.”

  She saw him fumbled with the rectangle velvet case he took off the

  dresser.

  “What do you have there?” She eyed him with a shy smile.

  She had seen the box sitting there about two days before, and had resisted

  opening and peeping into it. She had an idea what was inside, but she guessed she

  would have to wait and see what he pulled out. She liked surprises!

  “This!” He opened the case and took out a solid diamond bracelet. It looked like an antique to her. It looked similar to one she had seen on Princess Diana years ago, and then on Kate Middleton not that long before.

  “It’s an heirloom, thought it will go nicely with the dress.” He placed the bracelet in her hand for her to see it.

  She took it, and held it in her hand, her eyes admiring the shiny diamonds.

  She gave him an excited grin.

  “It’s exquisite. It’s lovely! Thank you,” she told him, her eyes hardly leaving the bracelet.

  She passed it back to him and held out her right wrist for him to put it on.

  “I thought the dress was a lot, but this!” She held up the bracelet and admired it

  some more. “I didn’t think I would ever own anything this lovely.” She shook her wrist, and smiled at him.

  “It’s just the beginning, darling. Nothing but the very best for you. You

  deserve it.” He kissed her on the cheek.

  “Don’t you think the dress and bracelet are too extravagant for dinner with your friends?” She dragged her eyes away from the bracelet to look at him. “It looks like we are making an appearance on the red carpet.”

  He laughed hilariously and pulled her close to him. “I can make a few frantic

  calls and see if I can find a red carpet; if that’s what you want, honey.”

  “I’m serious! I feel like I’m dressed for a black tie event!”

  “There’s no harm in showing you off, darling.” His finger trailed the outline of her full bosom. “You didn’t think that I was going to hide that gorgeous body of yours in some frumpy dress, did you!”

  “Oh, darling! I hope I won’t be the only one there who’s
dressed like this. You want your friends to like me, not hate me, don’t you.” She gave him an uneasy look.

  “You are dressing for me, not for them” He pecked her on the side of the face. “And I like what I see, very, very much!” He lowered his head to her chest and planted light kisses on her cleavage.

  “And are you sure I won’t be overdressed?” She ran her hand nervously down

  the front of her dress.

  “What made you think you would be?”

  “It’s your party. You know who’s going to be there.” She pointed out to him.

  “It’s our party,” he corrected her. “And who cares if you are the best looking girl there. It’ll be their fault if they can’t handle the way you look.”

  “You aren’t helping!” She swatted his hand away gently as he tried to caress her again.

  “You will be fine! I will wear my best tux if it will make you feel better.”

  “Great! We will both be overdressed! Your friends will hate you for being a show off! All eyes and mouths will be on us the entire evening!” She appeared more anxious than ever!

  He grinned and kissed her quickly before she could say another word.

  “Now you get it! I will be back in a minute.”

  He took off quickly, leaving her standing there with her mouth opened gazing after him. She shook her head and went back to getting dressed.

  At twenty past eight, she was at the door, standing at Keane’s side greeting his friends as they came in. He was right, everyone seemed friendly and genuine, and she finally decided that she had worked herself up into a frenzy about them for nothing.

  His friends, well except for Margo-the-B, who appeared extremely aloof the

  very moment Keane introduced them, were people she felt she could build a a friendship with. Although she didn’t count on becoming BFF with any

  of them, but the possibility of a mutual friendship was definitely there.

  And she was relieved to see that she wasn’t overdressed. The women were all wearing couture gowns, and expensive jewelry, although none of them were as risqué as hers. The plunging neckline on hers stood out from theirs. And it was because she had a fuller chest than any of them.

  Everyone appeared to be either in their late twenties or mid-thirties, and was older than her. There were about thirty-two people all together. And all of them appeared to be couples, or had brought a date, except for Margo and Jerry, who had clearly showed up alone.