Where Promises Die: A Second Chance Romance
Page 27
Her laugh guided him to her location, and he stopped dead in front of the bedroom doorway, taking in a beautiful Grace splayed across the bed. She had pulled the pins out of her hair and it was now splayed across the pillow in its vibrant, silky glory. Her eyes were half lidded and her shoes still on. Eisav’s gaze landed on her feet.
“I liked them too much to take them off.” Grace smiled. “I’ve never owned anything like it.”
Eisav stalked slowly toward the bed, eating her up with just his gaze. She squirmed, trying to get away. He unbuttoned his shirt quickly and worked at getting his pants off even faster. He was about to take off the thumb ring and leave it by the bed.
“No,” Grace’s voice cut the silence. “Leave it on.”
“Hmm, you liked it huh?”
He put the ring back on his thumb and moved over her, placing small kisses on her cheeks then her forehead. If she had any doubts about how he felt about her, his soft, gentle kisses should lay them all to rest. It was clear that he cherished her. A small kiss on the corner of her mouth. A soft kiss close to her eye. His nose slowly moving down her jaw … placing a soft kiss under her ear. He felt goose bumps erupt on her skin from that one kiss as she moved her hands up and down his back. He dipped his head into the crook of her neck, sucking and kissing slowly. He wanted to cherish her body now. They had a lot of makeup sex to take care of. He got to work untying the bustier.
“It may be the hottest piece of lingerie I’ve ever seen, but I need your nipples in my mouth,” he said, his tone deep and commanding. A little gasp left her lips. With the bustier off, he moved down to her breasts, licking her nipple then closing his mouth over it, allowing his teeth to graze it softly. Grace let out a moan and pushed her hips into him. He was already hard like a rock. His attention moved to the other breast, nipping, sucking, tasting. Grace continued to buck her hips. He slowly moved down her torso spreading kisses all over and hooked his fingers in her thong, lowering them slowly over her thighs while kissing the inside of each thigh. He was pleased to feel her panties were drenched.
“Eisav, please,” she rasped.
Her thick voice spurred him on even more, so he took his time spreading kisses down her abdomen then down to her thighs, avoiding the place she needed them most. He felt her thighs tremble with need and so with his thumb and the ring, he rubbed her folds, spreading her juices across her clit. This bought him a few hungry moans as her breaths quickened.
“I like to drive you wild. I like to see you dripping with need,” he said with a thick voice as he continued to rub her with his thumb. “What do you want me to do next?” he asked, looking up to her and enjoying the view of her hooded eyes and flushed cheeks.
“I want your mouth on me,” she said breathlessly.
He nodded his head and parted her folds with his hand before dipping his tongue inside her. She let out a strangled moan and her head tipped back as he flat-tongued her folds from front to back in a hungry motion of lapping and sucking. His teeth grazed her clit, and she murmured something incoherent. He felt her folds swell even more as her juices rimmed the area, and that’s when he picked up speed, driving her over the edge. Her thighs quaked, her insides clenching down on him, as her moans grew louder, cursing his wicked tongue and how good it felt. Her curses caused a small amount of pre-cum to glisten the tip of his cock.
“I need inside of you,” he said and it wasn’t a request.
“Please, Eisav, give it to me hard. I need it hard. I’m not a porcelain doll. I’m okay, and I want what you have to give.”
Those were all the words he needed.
Eisav dipped his head for a hot possessive kiss filled with tongue. With his cock aligned with her pussy, he plunged inside her, causing Grace to lift off the bed and press into his chest. Then he took her fast and hard. She wrapped her legs around his back and her hands rested on his ass. She helped him pump hard and fast into her. It didn’t take long for their orgasms to build. Eisav was already a loose cannon waiting to fire.
With one harsh grunt, her orgasm hit and he thrusted deep inside her, fast and hard, rubbing her clit while burying himself balls deep. Then he fired his load as if his life depended on it, and she milked him for everything he was worth.
Two months later…
Grace and Eisav, along with Cain, decided to spend the summer in New York. They made small weekend trips to the Hamptons and enjoyed family time at the beach, staying at a mansion Eisav rented for the summer.
Spending all that time together solidified that they were a family in every sense of the word. By fall Eisav was scheduled to tour. He had make-up dates still scheduled in Europe and an American branch to the tour as well. That was why they decided to settle in the hills of L.A. It was much quieter than the bustling streets of New York and it would be easier for Eisav to make stops at home while on the West Coast end of his tour. Eisav purchased a mansion on a large piece of land out in the Hollywood Hills. Cain was registered for daycare while Grace opened her own art gallery in Beverly Hills, where she hired a nice woman named Shelly to run the gallery. At first she thought she would do most of her painting in the large backroom of the gallery, but her home in the hills sparked her inspiration with the picturesque views. The mountains fed her soul’s need to draw beautiful landscapes.
When Eisav parted for his tour in the U.S., Grace and Cain stayed behind. She felt lucky to have Ilana and Marie living close by since they could visit on a daily basis. Grace was happy Cain had his aunt, who adored him, living so close. It reassured her that she made the right decision by moving out west.
On this particular fall day the sky was gloomy as the housekeeper announced a guest had arrived. Grace went running to the door, with Cain at her heels, to welcome Ilana and Marie.
“Hey there, you two.” Ilana tussled Cain’s messy dark hair and then leaned in to give Grace a hug. “How you holding up?” she asked, referring to the fact that Eisav would be gone for a full month and it had only been two weeks.
“You know, he texts me like twenty times a day,” she chortled. “But it’s still hard.”
“I’m heading to Memphis to meet him next week. Why don’t you come along with Cain?” Ilana asked, knowing how Grace felt about giving Cain a stable home life. Grace’s own life had been filled with instability from her mother’s death and living with unaffectionate parents that she had a different vision for her own son’s upbringing. She wanted her son to feel stability. His own life had been chaotic with Eisav’s arrival, having to move in with Greta, then her accident. It had been very overwhelming for him.
“Not this time. He wants us to come to Europe in December though. I’m considering that. Dr. Accorsi delayed his lecture for December, and he invited me to speak if I wanted.”
Ilana’s eyes turned wide as she followed Grace into the kitchen.
“Lemonade?” she asked Ilana and Marie.
“Yes, please.” Marie smiled with Cain perched on her hip.
“Me too, thanks.” Ilana grinned.
“That’s amazing, Grace. You should totally go with him. He’s got the England show, and you guys can spend some time honeymooning in Paris.”
Grace let out a loud laugh. “Ilana, need I remind you that a honeymoon requires a marriage first.”
Ilana nodded. “Seriously, don’t you think it’s time?”
Grace rolled her eyes playfully and motioned to Ilana to speak quietly, not wanting Cain to get any ideas.
“Sorry,” she murmured.
“It’s okay. When Eisav’s ready, he’ll ask,” was her only response.
Ilana didn’t want to push further. She had a similar talk with Eisav before he left, and he said he wanted to make sure Grace was ready since he had been ready the day he stepped foot back on the Duncan farm. She kept that information to herself.
Marie placed Cain on the ground and took a seat on the bar stool beside Ilana. Ilana took her hand and looked over to Grace. “We have news.” She grinned widely.
Grace waited
expectantly.
“We’re getting married.” Ilana and Marie cheered at the same time.
Grace clapped a hand over her mouth. “That’s awesome.” She went around the island in the kitchen to hug them both. Then the three ladies discussed wedding plans while Cain cut in and asked questions.
In a way it felt like they had come full circle and landed in a better place. Now Grace thought it was her turn for a happily ever after.
Three months later….
Grace boarded a plane in early December with Eisav and Cain. Eisav finally bought the private jet he was holding off on simply because he didn’t want to put his family through the ruckus of all the attention that came along with being on a plane with him. The Manchester show was expected to be a big one. Ilana had come along, so she stayed back in the hotel to babysit Cain since Grace wasn’t comfortable leaving him with a babysitter she didn’t know. Taking him to a rock concert with such loud noise wasn’t an option either.
Grace had butterflies in her stomach as she sat in a special spot at the side of the stage, watching her man. It was a completely different experience than the personal serenades she had become accustomed to. His lyrics were personal and meaningful to her and held secrets of their relationship. Watching him sing those personal words in front of the world sent a new type of excitement through her body. It was evident that Eisav was in his element on stage, the way his deep raspy voice carried through the stadium. It sent a shiver through her body. She could only imagine all the women with melting hearts in the audience. It made her think of Eisav as a small boy with little self–esteem. His family had almost made him believe that he was a black sheep. It actually seemed crazy and ironic to her now because the man on stage was loved and adored by millions. She had learned in previous months that he sponsored all kinds of charities from foster care to hospitals for sick children. He was a man with a kind soul that spread light into the world through his voice, heart, and the lyrics he wrote.
As Eisav played his guitar on stage, Grace swayed to the music. The last year had felt like a whirlwind. Just when she had felt like she had hit rock bottom, her Eisav showed up to the door, soaking wet with that dark look in his eyes that spoke more to her soul than his words ever could.
Eisav turned his head and a slow smile spread over his lips. Then he blew her a kiss. The last song had ended, and now he was speaking to the audience.
“Hello, Manchester,” he yelled into the microphone as the crowd went ballistic hollering his name. “I love this city,” he continued. “Tonight is especially important to me because I have my lady here with me,” He paused while the crowd continued to cheer.
Grace felt her stomach drop. It was one thing to be the center of attention in a small art gallery, where she was in her element, but to be the center of attention in a stadium holding thirty thousand people was something she wasn’t prepared for.
“Thank you … thank you … you humble me,” Eisav continued into the microphone, lowering his head and raising his guitar with his other hand. He waited for the crowd to settle down and then again, his eyes landed on Grace as he placed his mouth close to the microphone.
The sinking feeling in Grace’s stomach turned into warm flutters as his dark eyes filled with mischief landed on her.
“Grace, baby, come on out here and say hello to my fans.” Eisav waved to her.
Grace brought her hands to her mouth in shock, shaking her head frantically. “No. No way,” she repeated anxiously, but the stage manager beside her had a different idea.
“Come on, he planned this for so long. Don’t let him down.” The stage manager standing beside her gave her a little nudge. There was no backing away from this.
“Hey, everyone. Her name is Grace and she’s a little shy so let’s give her a warm welcome,” Eisav belted into the microphone.
While Eisav was addressing the crowd, Grace was having a melt down on the side of the stage. “I can’t. I simply can’t.” She shook her head from side to side, repeating herself while the manager pushed her gently toward the limelight. She kept protesting with “I can’t,” until she discovered she was center stage and there was no turning back.
The fans chanted her name. “Grace. Grace. Grace.” Eisav raised his hand and asked for quiet.
“Thank you, everyone. I have something special planned for tonight. I’ll be singing a solo for Grace, it’s something new …” he explained as a man from the side of the stage brought him a guitar and switched it out with the one in his hand. “I’m going acoustic for this one and flying solo, so bear with me.” He turned to his band and gave them a nod, and Grace noticed that they placed their instruments down and walked off the stage. Now it was just her and Eisav.
As his low, gravelly voice rasped into the microphone, the words seemed familiar to her. The words were from one of the first poems he composed for her. Her heart melted as the thousands of people in the crowd melted into the darkness. It felt like just she and Eisav were on a large stage beneath a starlit sky. As he sung the song, her heart melted. That husky voice had been her undoing from a young age. She never stood a chance against it.
When the song ended, the crowd went wild. Eisav removed the guitar strap from around his neck and the same man from before appeared on stage to collect it, only this time he placed a small red box in Eisav’s hand.
Eisav then removed the microphone from its stand and got down on one knee.
Grace let out a loud gasp as her hands came up to her mouth and butterflies swam in her stomach. She may have dreamed of him proposing about a thousand times, but never like this.
“I fell in love with this woman when she was eleven years old,” he explained to the crowd.
Grace just stood there in awe. She needed someone to pinch her and make her realize that this moment was real and not a fantasy she had concocted.
Eisav waited for the crowd to calm down before he spoke again. His hair was matted and his shirt was a little wet from the workout of performing on stage. He was every bit the rock star Grace had known he would one day be.
“Grace, you are the center of my being. You ground me. You love me for who I am and you give me a reason to live. A reason to be a better man. I want to give you the moon, the stars, and everything in between,” he said then paused, placing one hand over his heart and over the tattoo. He extended his other hand to her opening the box. A diamond ring sparkled in the palm of his hand, catching the lights around them. “Will you marry me?” he finally asked, looking up to her, his dark eyes filled with hope and love. Grace had done that for him. She had brought him peace and made him feel wanted and safe. He had done the same for her.
Grace nodded her head immediately.
“YES. YES,” she screamed and then Eisav tilted the microphone toward her and she said it again in the microphone. Then he placed the microphone on the ground, placed the ring on her finger, and followed it with a hot kiss that made her knees buckle.
A huge media circus surrounded the proposal. The paparazzi had begun to follow them, trying to figure out the intimate details of the wedding the world-renowned rock star was planning. The world expected an extravagant event with a triple-A Hollywood guest list. However, what the world wanted and what Eisav and Grace dreamed of were very different realities. The couple had always been modest at heart. Yes, Eisav was filthy rich but it never defined him as a man. He never allowed himself to give in to the lustfulness and sin of having too much. It didn’t mean he didn’t like nice things. He still gave his family the life they deserved but it was never about extravagance.
Instead, two months after the proposal, Eisav whisked Cain and Grace off to Mozambique where he had been donating money for the development of a clean water system while educating the natives on the laws of sustainable agriculture. He wanted to be an example to his son … that with money came a responsibility to the world’s needy. While in Africa, Eisav worked hands-on helping the people. He brought Cain to meet children his age. Grace also enjoyed helping out.
It gave her a sense of fulfillment like she had never felt before. Africa had the most picturesque scenery she had yet encountered. In fact, she had become so entranced with the landscape and watching Eisav and Cain mingle with the natives that she couldn’t pull herself away from the canvas for very long. Although she watched them from afar, the fact that she hadn’t spent quality time with them caused a certain amount of guilt to build up inside her.
Once they returned to American soil, they set out to plan their perfect wedding. Of course they wanted something intimate and secluded from the media’s prying eyes. Eisav’s proposal had been a grand romantic gesture, but it unleashed a media frenzy. That was why he eventually whisked them off to Africa, for some much needed peace and quiet. That and the fact that he had been away on tour on and off for a six-month period and family time was at the top of his agenda.
Now a June wedding was in the works with Scotland as the destination. Grace, a romantic at heart, felt that a castle in Scotland was the perfect setting since Eisav proposed in Manchester. She chose the Thornburry Castle for its scenic views of a vineyard and the St. Mary’s Parish Church. Eisav chartered his jet. Needing their family with them, Eisav arranged for Greta, Dave and their children, Marie, Ilana, and even Ida to join them. After spending over six months in a rehab center away from society and her family, Ida managed to pull her life together and was now a student at UCLA, living in a small apartment off campus.
“I’m so glad you all could make it.” Grace smiled from her seat on the plane. She looked around to her siblings and felt overwhelmed. At age eleven they had been strangers to her. She spent most of her life thinking she was just an extra person in the family. She never dreamed that Greta, Marie, and Ida were truly her half-sisters. With time they had become like sisters to her, but now they were her blood relatives, here to support her. Grace felt fulfilled.
“Of course, Grace. I think all of us have been waiting a long time for you two to make it official.” Greta smirked. She had been Eisav’s most devout supporter growing up.