by Lori Maguire
He moved slowly, reverently. Closing my eyes, I concentrated on all of the sensations that were coursing through me due to our bodies being joined in such an erotic way.
“Eyes on me, Mrs. Hart,” he whispered.
As soon as I opened my eyes, the fire radiating out of his consumed me. He moved more urgently, quickly pushing us both to our release together.
Afterwards, he curled up next to me resting his head on my chest. I casually ran my fingers through his sex-mussed hair. The smell of Xavier’s scent mixed with mine was sexy. It hung heavy in the air, clinging to the sheets.
He placed a hand on my abdomen. “You’re getting a nice little bump,” he said softly before he leaned down and kissed it reverently.
“I know,” I groaned. “I don’t want to be reminded of how big I can expect to get carrying twins right at this moment.”
“It’s beautiful.” He turned his penetrating gaze on me. “You’re beautiful. A new year. New lives. New beginnings.”
He said exactly what I was thinking. I pulled his face up for a kiss.
I woke the morning after our wedding in almost the same position I had fallen asleep in. Xavier was wrapped around me with his head resting on my chest and his hand resting protectively and reverently over the little bump that was our babies. I hated to disturb him but nature was calling. Carefully, I extricated myself from his arms.
As I stood at the sink washing my hands, thoughts of climbing back into bed with that handsome husband of mine dominated. Just as I exited the bathroom, the shrill ring of his cell phone started. I slipped my robe on to cover my nakedness as Xavier fumbled for his cell on the nightstand. Groggy with sleep, he rasped a hello into his phone.
“What?” he shrieked as he bolted upright. His eyes, looking wild and wide, locked with mine. What the hell could have happened? Feeling shaky, I sat down on the edge of the bed.
“Are you certain? … When? … Do you know when are they due back? … Thanks … Yes, first thing tomorrow … Thanks for letting me know.”
He sat in bed staring at his phone for a moment before returning it to the nightstand. I waited for what felt like hours for him to start talking.
“You aren’t going to believe this.” He turned to look at me. “I had invited Carline’s parents to our wedding but they declined. They said they were going to New York to be with Stephen and Carline for the New Year.” He paused for a moment. “It would seem they actually went out there for a wedding.”
I stood for a moment allowing what Xavier said to sink in. A wedding? Who’s wedding? Carline and Stephen? My eyes widened. Xavier nodded at me as if he could read my thoughts. No. It can’t be. I got up and walked out of the room.
“Ella?”
I ignored Xavier and kept walking until I got out to the living area. I sat down on the couch and put my head in my hands.
Shit! I’m never going to be rid of him. The realization that he will forever be connected to me in some way made my stomach roil. That feeling of freedom that I had when I first arrived here in Seattle was euphoric. Sure, I was scared shitless at the prospect of being on my own for the first time in my life, but it was worth it if it meant I would be free of the emotional pain that Stephen had caused. All I wanted was to be able to move on, to start over. I thought that was going to happen with Xavier, but that bastard Stephen just won’t go away.
Xavier came rushing into the living room. A frown marred his beautiful face. He knelt down before me and took both of my hands in his. There was nothing but pain and confusion on his face.
“You want to tell me why you seem so upset over the news of your cheating ex-husband remarrying?” He sounded hurt.
I frowned at him. “You don’t get it, do you?”
“Get what?” He gave me a puzzled look.
I pushed past him heading for the window not wanting him to see the tears that threatened to stream down my face.
I pulled the curtain back and stared out at Seattle. The angry-looking clouds matched my tumultuous mood. Breathing in through my nose and out through my mouth, I attempted to calm myself, knowing that stress was the last thing I needed.
Minutes later, those warm, strong arms that I loved to feel on me wrapped around my waist. He pulled my back against his muscular front. I let my head fall back against his chest, which expanded as he took deep breath.
“What don’t I get, Ella?” he asked for the second time. “Please talk to me. I’m not sure why you were so upset by the news, but you’re leaving me to think that you still have feelings for him. I realize how ridiculous that sounds. Of course you don’t still have feelings for Stephen, but I wish you would help me to understand why you’re so upset.”
I spun around in his arms breaking his hold on me. “You’re right. I don’t still have feelings for him. That bastard killed any feelings I had for him the day he decided to stick his dick in someone else. I do not have any feelings for him, and I will not ever again.” I sighed heavily and turned to look back out the window.
“Carline’s father is a part of your life. With the two of them married that only means that I will never be rid of him. He will always be around and there’s not a damn thing I can do about it. All I wanted was the chance to start over. To flee from him and the pain he caused. But there’s no respite for me,” I said sadly.
“Ella, you make it sound like Carline and I are best friends. So we might see them on occasion at some company function. That’s no big deal. Honestly. Don’t worry about this, baby. You’ve escaped the pain he caused. You started over with me. Don’t you see? I’m your respite.”
I looked back to Xavier. He was right. I knew this, but I loved hearing it from him anyway. We stared at each other not saying a word. The air between us seemed to shift and then I felt it. I felt that familiar tingle across my skin that raises the hair on my arms and the nape of my neck, and that magnetic pull that always exists between us. I knew he felt it too when a small smile played on his lips and his azure eyes darkened.
He pulled at the belt of my robe causing it to fall open. A low rumble broke from his chest when he found I was completely naked underneath. Without hesitation, he scooped me up. With long, determined strides, he headed for the bedroom.
“What are you doing?” I asked as I tangled my hand in his hair. His breaths became faster as I nuzzled my face into his neck.
“We are going to forget any of this ever happened. I’m going to show you exactly how I planned on us waking up this morning,” he rasped.
He set me down on the floor beside the bed. Quickly, he pulled my robe off and tossed it on the floor. “Get in,” he said in that commanding tone that I loved. A shiver ran down my spine as I hurried to comply. My eyes never left him as he walked around the bed, removed his robe, and climbed into the bed.
Rolling over, he tucked me under him. Before I could do or say anything, his mouth crashed against mine. He kissed me hungrily, running his hand along my ribs under my breasts causing the ache in my core to throb.
Wrapping my arms around his shoulders, I dragged my nails down his back. He broke the kiss and rested his forehead against mine as he softly moaned.
“Ella,” he rasped between quickened breaths.
I wrapped my legs around his waist, pushing my heels into his backside urging him to take me.
“Please,” I whispered. It was all the coaxing he needed.
A few hours later, we sat in bed enjoying some room service. Breakfast was no longer being served by the time we got around to calling, but being who Xavier is and the suite we were staying in, he somehow managed to coax them into making omelets for us.
After scarfing down the food, I placed my empty plate back on the cart. Collapsing back into the bed, I started yawning like crazy.
“I’m exhausted now. I could use a nap.”
“We have a few hours before we have to meet your parents for dinner. Get some rest, sweetness.” He kissed me on the forehead as he tucked the blanket around me.
I was
in the bathroom putting the finishing touches on my make-up when Xavier strolled in. He looked devastatingly handsome in his black Armani suit.
Placing his hands on my shoulders, he leaned in and gave me a kiss on the cheek. “I’ll be down in the car, sweetness,” he whispered in my ear.
I frowned as I watched his retreating form in the mirror. That was odd. He always waited for me. I was quickly distracted watching his perfect ass disappear through the bedroom. The smell of his cologne hung in the air. My cheek tingled from his kiss. Will this ever get old? Will I always feel this way about this incredible man?
As I walked through the lobby of the Fairmont, I saw the long, black limo waiting under the overhang of the grand entrance. The doorman graciously held the door open for me before rushing to open the limo door.
“Have a nice evening, Mrs. Hart,” he said, smiling at me.
I was surprised that he knew who I was; then again he was working the door when we arrived at the hotel yesterday. It was startling to hear him call me Mrs. Hart, though. It was the first time since we had gotten married that someone other than Xavier had called me that.
I slid onto the bench seat next to him smiling like the love-struck fool that I was. As soon as the car door closed, the limo started pulling away not even giving me the opportunity to buckle my seat belt.
“Hey!” I hollered, frowning at the black privacy screen.
As they sped out of the Fairmont’s driveway, I got jostled into Xavier’s side. I watched in horror as he slumped over and fell to the floor of the limo. My blood ran cold as he rolled over onto his back revealing a single gunshot wound to the chest. His crisp, white button-down was stained crimson.
I opened my mouth to scream but nothing came out. The limo stopped short causing me to fly off the seat and land directly on top of him. My hands slammed down onto his bloody, still chest. Hot tears were streaming down my face as a stared into his lifeless eyes. Who would do this? How could this happen?
The whir of the black privacy screen caught my attention. When I glanced up, I found myself staring into the barrel of a gun. Stephen’s cold eyes were staring at me from behind the gun. Carline was sitting in the passenger seat with an evil smirk on her face.
“Die, bitch,” Stephen said scornfully.
My legs were tangled up in my gown from being thrown out of my seat. I struggled to get to the door. My blood soaked hand slipped on the door handle, causing me to stop and stare at Xavier’s blood smeared on my hands. Suddenly, someone grabbed me from behind. Fighting hard, I tried in vain to break their hold, clawing at the arms now wrapped around me. I finally found my voice as a blood-curdling scream ripped from my throat.
“ELLA!”
Hearing Xavier bark my name in that commanding tone made my eyes fly open. The hotel room was dark. I was in bed drenched in sweat. My legs were tangled in the sheet. My hands gripped the side of the bed while Xavier’s arms were wrapped around my waist keeping me from falling off the bed.
“Holy … shit …” I gasped for air as I collapsed into the bed.
Xavier released me. He got out of bed and opened the heavy drapes some, allowing some light from the cloudy afternoon to stream in. I watched with wide eyes as he made his way into the bathroom. My heart was pounding in my chest. I sat up struggling to take deep breaths. The water ran for a few moments. Xavier came back into the bedroom carrying a washcloth.
“Easy, calm down, sweetness. It’s all right,” he said soothingly. He brushed the hair off my damp forehead before wiping the sticky sweat off my face. “Do you want to talk about it?”
I shook my head causing him to exhale roughly in irritation. The dream was so life-like I wasn’t sure if I was ever going to be ready to talk about it.
“I had to keep a pretty hard hold on you. You were fighting me so vehemently I was afraid you were going to fall out of the bed. I didn’t hurt you, did I?” he asked cautiously.
I shook my head at him. “No. What time is it?”
“It’s 4:30. We don’t have to meet your parents downstairs until 6:45. I’m afraid it’s the Metropolitan Grill again. Apparently, your father enjoyed their prime rib so much he was asking to go there again instead of the hotel restaurant like we originally planned for tonight.”
“I’m sorry. I warned you about my father and his love of prime rib.”
He chuckled. “Yes, you did.” He lifted my chin to make eye contact with him. His eyes were full of worry. “Are you sure you’re all right?”
I smiled weakly at him. “Yes,” I said not sounding very convincing even to my own ears.
He frowned. “I’ll go start us a bath.”
After our relaxing bath, I sat in front of the mirror finishing my make-up when a sense of deja vu washed over me. Xavier strolled into the bathroom looking devastatingly handsome in his black suit and crisp, white shirt.
“You look gorgeous as usual,” I said, smiling at him in the mirror. “What suit is that?”
“Armani.”
I blanched, but he didn’t seem to notice. He was too busy looking at his watch and frowning. “I’m afraid our bath left us running a bit behind. I’m going to go down to the lobby to meet your parents. I don’t want to leave them waiting.” He placed his hands on my shoulders and kissed my cheek. I stared as he walked out of the bathroom. Suddenly, visions of my dream came flooding back to me.
I jumped up so quickly the little bench I was sitting on toppled over. It landed on its side loudly on the ceramic tile. “No! Wait!” I frantically yelled.
Xavier came charging back into the bathroom. “Ella, what is it? You scared me half to death.” He walked over and righted the bench seat.
“You can’t go down. Wait for me. Please.” I clutched his arm sounding like a crazy person.
“Ella, I …” Placing a hand over mine, he frowned. “Baby, you’re shaking like a leaf. What is it? Are you not feeling well? Is it the babies?” he asked, sounding panicked.
I shook my head at him. “The babies are fine. It’s … it’s my dream from earlier.”
He gripped both of my arms. “Tell me,” he demanded as he guided me down to the vanity bench.
I sat and explained the entire dream to him watching him wince, squirm, and frown during certain parts. I was sure not to leave out even the tiniest detail. Usually, I forget a dream or a big chunk of it over the course of the day. But the last two times I’ve dreamt about Stephen, both vividly, the dreams remained with me with full details intact. I remember them as if they were memories and not dreams. It was unsettling.
I chuckled nervously as Xavier remained quiet. “I’d say I blame the pregnancy hormones, but the last time I dreamt about Stephen I wasn’t pregnant.”
He met my eyes. “That’s not entirely true, Ella.”
I frowned at him. “How do you figure?”
“Granted, your first dream about Stephen occurred shortly after the first time we were together. But, you know, it’s possible that you could’ve gotten pregnant then. It only takes once.”
“True, but you were wearing a condom.”
He gave me a cheeky smile. “Not the second time. Remember?”
Holy shit. He was right. I gaped at him. We were all over each other. I told him not to bother. I couldn’t wait. At the time, I thought it was impossible for me to get pregnant.
He smirked at me. “Finish getting ready. I’ll ring your parents room.”
He held my hand as we rode the elevator to the lobby. I obsessed over my choice of dress. “I should’ve changed,” I said for the fifth time since we got in the elevator. I was wearing a simple, red, sheath dress that was formfitting. It totally accentuated my little baby bump, leaving me feeling self-conscience. Wrapping my coat around me, I attempted to hide it.
Xavier pulled my hand from my coat allowing it to fall back open. “You’re beautiful. Relax.”
My parents stood as soon as they saw us approach. “Ella,” my mom said excitedly as she patted my abdomen. “Is that a little baby bum
p?” I glared up at Xavier as I wrapped my coat around me. He just smiled and winked.
Following dinner, Xavier turned to me and said, “I have a surprise for you.” I looked at him expectantly. “While I really wanted to fulfill your dream of visiting Tuscany, the doctor felt a twelve hour flight would not be conducive to your condition.” He paused to give me an apologetic look. “So, I’ve made other arrangements. We leave tomorrow out of SeaTac. That’s all I’m going to say about that. I’d prefer to leave it a surprise.” He gave me a wicked smile.
“But my parents are here.” I gave them an apologetic look.
“Ella, your father and I have several appointments to look at houses over the next two days. We’ll be heading back to New Jersey after that. We have a lot of things to do before the move. We’ll see you again real soon.”
Once back at the hotel, we said our goodbyes to my parents. Mom promising to keep in touch with me concerning their progress on finding a house and all that had to be finalized before leaving New Jersey. Having quit my job, I thought the distraction of having them move out before the babies were born would be good for me.
As soon as we got back to the hotel room, I was surprised to see our suitcases sitting by the door. “What’s this?” I asked curiously.
“Stewart will be by to get them shortly. We leave tonight,” he said casually with a wicked gleam in his eye.
“What? Tonight?” My eyes widened in surprise.
“Ella, the flight is going to take about six to seven hours. I arranged to go on the company jet. The chairs completely recline so you’ll be able to get some rest before we arrive at our destination. It was the only way I could get the doctor to agree to let you go.”
“But we haven’t packed for any kind of a vacation,” I said, sounding a bit panicked.
He gave me my favorite half-smile. “It’s all been arranged, Ella. Your mother and Renatta were quite busy today.”
“What?” I was stunned.
“I couldn’t allow you to pack yourself. That would have given too much away about where we were headed.”