“I have a record signed by Elvis himself,” he revealed temptingly. “Belonged to my grandad. He actually shook his hand, you know. That was a big deal back then. Not like now…”
Gina felt like there was more to Tyler than just what the tabloids were writing about, or what he allowed to get out. She also knew what it would lead to if she went to his place. This much was obvious, Elvis or no Elvis. But she didn’t care. Her life had been wrought with troubles lately, and she couldn’t remember the last time she was this relaxed and had so much fun. Couldn’t she let loose, just this once?
“I’d love to see that signed record,” she heard herself say. Upon deciding this, she could feel her body relax and finally go with the flow, which was something she had almost forgotten how to do.
Apparently, Tyler lived not far from the little French place, or perhaps it was that Gina had lost her sense of time, just this once. Whatever the reason, when they arrived at their destination, the situation was completely opposite to that with the car. The place Tyler Reid lived in could never have been mistaken for a mortal person’s dwelling. It was one of those new, high buildings that one gets to see in modern architectural magazines, the latest scream of technology and fashion, all merged together perfectly. And, of course, not everyone could just go in and claim they were visiting a friend or a relative. There was an attendant who wouldn’t even let you get into the lobby without a specific purpose and proof of one.
When the two of them entered, the attendant cocked his hat that was a part of his uniform, and bid them both good evening, referring to Tyler by his surname. They went to the top floor.
“You’ll get used to it.” Tyler smiled as he noticed she was eyeing the elevator buttons with a confused look.
Maybe it was the wine, but she liked the sound of that, the possibility of her coming here more often and actually getting used to the baffling elevator buttons. There was a little ping, and the doors opened.
“This is us.” He gallantly showed her down the hall, with only one door at the very end of it, allowing entrance.
“This is all yours?” The hallway was huge, and if there was only one door, she couldn’t imagine anyone else living on the same floor as him.
“Yeah. The entire floor. But it’s not as big as you might think.”
She stopped before entering his apartment, and looked down the hallway again. Not big, my ass! She almost giggled at her high school comment, but then immediately went back to her serious self.
When she finally entered his apartment, she gasped at the beauty of it. It wasn’t the apartment of a playboy, with signed guitars hanging from the walls or bars opening up from every nook and cranny. It was done in what one could almost call a classical note, with a dash of the modern. Gina thought about his office and remembered how she felt the same way upon entering it for the first time. Not a single piece of furniture was mismatched, everything seemed to blend in perfect unity together. She noticed a few pieces of art that, in her humble opinion, belonged in a museum, and she couldn’t escape the feeling that they must have cost a fortune. Everything in this apartment was screaming expensive, though not with its flashiness or exuberance, but rather its toned-down nature.
Tyler noticed she was admiring a set of Warhol’s prints.
“They’re real,” he commented. “Not just a print. It was one of those forgotten pieces of art that finally got its chance to shine on my wall.”
“A little selfish, isn’t it?” she teased. “You being the only one who gets to enjoy it.”
“Well, me and my guests.” He winked. “But what’s wrong with that? There are so many out there, where’s the harm in selfishly keeping one to yourself?” He approached the framed work of art and eyed it with affection. “I don’t know. It really speaks to me. The boldness of colors, the different versions of the same thing. After all, isn’t that how each and every single one of us views life? We look at the same thing, but we see it and remember it slightly differently. The event is colored by our own mind, just like these prints.” He turned towards her as he finished his sentence.
Gina had to admit she was intrigued. She still couldn’t believe that underneath the serious businessman and the tabloid playboy, Tyler could be anything else. However, this night was proving to be extremely enlightening. She never expected him to be so deep, to have such thoughts about life and even to understand anyone else’s perspective of it. It all came as a surprise to her.
“I couldn’t agree more.” She smiled.
“I wonder how you are going to remember this night.” He spoke with a tempting tone, almost whispering right next to her cheek. She could feel the warmth of his breath and smell the aroma of that wonderful French wine they had.
He lifted his hand slowly, and placed it gently on her cheek. It was burning. She felt like his touch sent a million little shocks throughout her body, electrifying every single hair on it. She saw him approach her even closer, her lips perking up subconsciously, as his hands traveled down her back, pulling her close to his body. She wanted to do the same, to slide her hands around his neck, to grip his hair between her fingers, but something was still preventing her from doing so. All she could do was inhale the sweet fragrance of his body that was standing inches away from her, ready.
“I’ve been wanting to do this since the first time I laid eyes on you…” he whispered, as his hands traveled down her back and stopped right on her butt, gently squeezing as he did so. Without even realizing, her body reacted to his touch immediately, making her prop herself up on her tippy toes, shaking at the very core of her being.
She could still feel the warmth of his breath, spreading down her neck, and now on her cheek. He was brushing his lips across her chocolate skin, until finally, their lips locked together. It was as if this was the sign her body was waiting for to make a move, and she slowly raised her arms, clenching his neck with her fingers. The sudden pressure of his bite on her lips made her shudder with delight as she gripped his hair and tightened her clutch.
She arched her back as he kissed her neck, his fingers skillfully looking for the zipper that would reveal her body to him in all its glory. Her breath became heavier as she realized what he was trying to do, and she let out a slight cry as she felt her dress loosening up around her body. It was time.
When her dress fell to the ground, Tyler’s kisses traveled downward, lavishing her breasts, as she anticipated the moment when she would be stripped off of that last bastille of modesty that were her bra and underpants. And with one skilled flick on his fingers, her bra fell to the floor. She could feel his manhood pressed tightly against her thighs, quivering and tormented, just like she was by this slow moving dance. But that was what made it so mind-blowing.
Suddenly, he fell to his knees, and she could feel his fingers moving the lining of her underwear, forcefully driving his tongue deep inside of her. She released a loud, uncontrollable moan. With her hands still gripping his hair, she kept pulling him closer, as if afraid that he would change his mind and stop. Her thighs shivered as she felt his finger slide easily inside, hitting just the right spot. She closed her eyes and saw millions of little dots in the darkness. She took short, shallow breaths as he worked her towards what she already knew was going to be one long, exploding orgasm.
Then he went back to his feet. Lifting her off the ground, he brought her to the bedroom, as if he realized only then that not showing your first-time guest the entire apartment wasn’t very nice. The bedroom was equally tastefully done, though Gina had no desire to comment on the art on the walls at this point. He threw her playfully on the bed, and as he kept kissing her, he turned her around, on all fours. As he practically tore her underwear, she could feel his manhood pulsating against her butt, before he finally did what she expected him to do all this time, without even knowing.
He buried his fingers deep into her flesh, yanking her butt back towards him, and gave her deep, hard thrusts, pushing the air out of her lungs each time he did so. Her own fingers
clenched at the sheets, and her entire body shivered, waiting for that final push, which would send her over the edge. When he finally released himself into her, they tensed in synchrony, their bodies sweating from the sheer ecstasy. Once the passionate hour was over, both of them fell asleep, exhausted, not giving a damn about what would happen tomorrow.
Gina woke up much earlier than usual, and only then did the severity of the entire situation hit her. A still slumbering Tyler was next to her in bed.
Gina! What the heck? she scolded herself as she squinted and buried her face in her hands. This wasn’t how it was supposed to go. She wasn’t even sure if she wanted to make Tyler her baby daddy in order to solve her financial troubles, and now that she gave him exactly what he wanted, there was no way that he would want anything else from her. She’d become just another check in his little black book of conquests.
Oh well. She suddenly calmed down. Not like you didn’t have fun, the bad Gina said. She looked at Tyler, and a little smile appeared on her face. Not bad at all. But playtime is over.
She tried to get out of bed without waking him up, unsuccessfully.
“Hey there,” he said, still half asleep. “Where are you going?” He propped his head on his hand, bending his elbow.
“Oh…” She felt like a thief, caught in the act of escaping with the loot. “I didn’t mean to wake you up, but…”
“But you have to go, right?” he said with what she thought was a slight tone of disappointment. Probably because he was usually the one who got to say that sentence and not the girl.
“Yeah, promised Jill I’d help her with something today.” She got out of bed, completely naked under his watchful gaze. She actually had no plans for the day, but the last thing she wanted to do was stay and become even more embarrassed upon having to learn that Tyler had some business and that he’d give her a call, which, of course, he never would. So why bother? She’d rather just skip the courtesies and go back to her regular life.
“Well, since you’re busy for the day, how about dinner tomorrow?” She almost fell to the floor upon hearing his offer.
“Dinner?” she repeated, not sure she heard it right.
“Uh-huh.” He was still eyeing her with great pleasure, knowing that her dress was in the living room and while she was in his bedroom, her beautiful ebony body was his to look at.
“Uuuum, well…” She had no idea what to say to that, simply because she didn’t know what his agenda was. She doubted he was so mesmerized by her that they’d actually start dating, and she was not really in the mood for being someone’s go-to girl every time they felt horny. Even if that someone was Tyler Reid. She didn’t have much left at this point, but she still had her dignity.
“Yeah, I’m not really sure,” she managed to say as she put on her underpants.
“How about I give you a call tomorrow and we’ll see?” He seemed really persistent, and she didn’t know why. It was really strange.
“Okay. That works.” She replied, knowing very well that he probably wouldn’t call. And that’d be for the best.
“Are you sure you can’t stay for breakfast?” he urged, like a little child.
“Yeah. Jill must be worried sick already…” She exited the bedroom, went to find her dress and reappeared again. “Thanks for the…evening.” She smiled. She had no idea what else to call it.
“My pleasure.” He winked, still in bed, but then he jumped up. “Let me at least walk you out.”
“Oh, no, no. It’s fine. I can find my way out. You just…relax. And I’ll be seeing ya.” She waved clumsily and headed towards the door, almost bumping against the wall.
To her complete and utter surprise, he actually did call the following day, and Gina could find no excuse to say no, no matter how hard she tried. What followed was yet another pleasant evening, though this time she managed to say no and got home before she slept with him again. She was sure he didn’t like it, but at least he was a gentleman about it.
As weeks passed by, his interest didn’t diminish, to her complete surprise. On the contrary, it seemed that every time she went out with him, he wanted more of her. She tried to be elusive, and not really available to him whenever he thought it appropriate, but she did allow herself the pleasure of sleeping with him a few more times. What’s the harm? she’d think, remembering her current state.
One night, as they were revisiting the little French place from their first date, Gina noticed that Tyler seemed a little distracted, nervous even.
“Is everything okay?” she asked. Maybe this is him losing interest in you. So far, she didn’t really plan anything. The original Tyler becoming her baby daddy plan was still a go, but as she kept getting to know him, she actually started liking him more and more, and the idea didn’t really sit well with her. He was a truly good guy underneath it all, and if nothing else, he really did show her the time of her life while they were together.
“Well, honestly…” Gina knew this was the beginning of the end. Well, at least he had the decency to tell you this to your face, and you didn’t have to find out from the tabloids that he’s found another girl. But she allowed him to do his own talking. “There’s this thing I wanted to talk to you about.” He smiled, a little nervous, but more adorable than she had ever seen him look. She actually felt a little pang as she expected him to dump her right then and there.
“You see, I was wondering…” He fumbled in his pocket, taking out a little blue plush box. Gina’s eyes widened in disbelief as he got down on one knee. He opened the box, and revealed a baguette-cut sapphire and diamond engagement ring that sparkled like a miniature sun. She gasped. “If you’d make me the happiest man in the world and be my wife…”
The dimmed lights in the restaurant kept them hidden from curious glances, and never before had Gina been so grateful to darkness. Not that she wished to hide herself, but she thought that a proposal was an intimate affair, and she was happy to notice that no one was really paying attention to them. She just stood there, frozen in time and space.
You’ve got him right where you want him, girl! the bad Gina was saying. And she couldn’t escape the feeling that Jill would share this opinion once she told her what had happened. She didn’t really know if she should go through with this or not. She was in love with him, that much she did know. But should she marry him for the previously stated reason? All of a sudden, without allowing herself anymore thoughts, she replied.
“Yes!” she whispered, leaning towards him, and kissing him on the forehead.
He smiled as he put the ring on her finger. His own fingers were shaking a little, and she could feel the clamminess of his palms. The ring was a perfect fit, not that she expected anything else from him.
Chapter 11
The days preceding Tyler and Gina’s wedding passed by in a daze, or at least that’s how Gina herself felt. It had been less than a month since she first walked into his office, and ever since then, it was a rollercoaster ride, with both ups and downs.
It was all a mess of meeting Tyler’s family and friends, and getting everything ready. In all honesty, she wanted a small event, nothing too big, but Tyler’s family wouldn’t hear of it. Apparently, they had been waiting for him to settle down for so long that they weren’t going to miss the chance to make a huge deal out of their only son’s wedding. She couldn’t really blame them for wanting this, so after some persuasion, she gave in.
As she eyed herself in the mirror, wearing the wedding dress Tyler’s mother and she had picked out together, she couldn’t help but feel that this whole thing was wrong. She wasn’t sure if she was marrying Tyler because she loved him or because she was so afraid of her crushing debt and that it would eventually destroy her life, unless she did something about it. As luck would have it, Tyler came along, offering her everything she had ever wanted…yet she was still unsure.
“Everything okay, Gina?” Jill asked as she entered the room. “I didn’t mean to barge in; it’s just that I knocked twice, and you d
idn’t reply…”
“It’s fine, Jill, come in.” Gina smiled. She was happy Jill was there, even if it was only for her support of the whole thing. When Gina told her that she had accepted Tyler’s proposal, Jill was over the moon. But, Gina also knew the reason behind this: Jill was sure that Gina would be well taken care of, and as a result, happy.
“How do I look?” Gina asked, still eyeing her reflection in the mirror.
“Breathtaking,” Jill whispered. It looked like Jill was on the verge of tears, and Gina could barely believe it.
“Hey, hey now…” Gina walked over to Jill. “Don’t you go all soft on me now.” She gave her a hug.
“It’s just that this is all so beautiful…” Jill returned the hug, trying to hide the few tears that rolled down her cheek.
“Okay, you softie…” Both girls laughed. Then Gina suddenly got serious.
“What’s wrong, Gina?”
“Do you think what I’m doing is right?” she asked Jill, knowing very well that she wasn’t really the right person to be asked this question, but there was no one else around whom she trusted that much.
“What do you mean?” Jill was surprised.
“Well, this whole thing, the wedding…” Gina gestured at all the whiteness around her, and then down at her beautiful lace wedding gown.
“Don’t tell me you’re getting cold feet, Gina,” Jill warned her. “Not two hours before your wedding to Tyler freakin’ Reid.”
Gina had to laugh at that. “But seriously…am I doing this for the right reasons?”
“This is not the time to be asking yourself this,” Jill spoke seriously. “You decided this when you said yes to Tyler. And now you should go through with it. It’s too late to back down now.” Her tone was almost ominous.
“Maybe I should just come clean and tell him everything, about the plan, the baby…”
Not his baby: A BWWM Billionaire Romance Page 8