Wilder, Lauren - Her Heart's Desire [Highcroft Saga 1] (Siren Publishing Classic)

by Lauren Wilder

  ‘I miss you so much. The thought of never having you with me again makes me feel utterly desperate.’

  ‘Tomorrow, James, bye.’ Her voice trembled slightly as she left his side. She moved towards the door, yet her heart screamed for her to stay.

  ‘I’ll call you in the morning. Have your phone on,’ James called out.

  Chapter Eleven

  Later, at home, Marisa thought about everything James had said. She wanted to believe him, and seeing him again only made her want him more.

  ‘What are you going to do?’ Melanie asked.

  ‘What do you think I should do?’

  ‘It doesn’t matter what I think, but for what it’s worth, the guy seems pretty genuine to me. I don‘t think he would have come all this way if he didn’t really love you.’

  ‘If I believe him and go back, and he breaks my heart, it will finish me. I couldn’t take that.’ Marisa sighed, feeling confused.

  ‘Life is full of risks, honey. If you don’t take a chance, you may never trust anyone again. Just because Mike was a creep doesn’t mean James is, too.’

  ‘So I believe him and accept Mrs. Reed was lying. He said she was obsessed with him. I could quite believe that. I always knew something was not quite right with that woman.’

  ‘Well, it makes perfect sense then. She wanted him for herself, and that’s why she lied to you and spoiled things, devious bitch!’ Melanie seethed.

  ‘So you think she did lie about Corinne, they were never engaged?’

  ‘Of course she did, the crazy bitch wanted him for herself! I think you believed the lies because of what Mike did. Reed knew exactly what she was doing. She read you like a book.’

  * * * *

  James sat alone in his suite at the Plaza, his mind racing. He needed to do something to convince her he was true. He had to come up with something spectacular, something that would prove to her he loved her.

  He flicked the television on, hoping for inspiration. An old movie was playing, and in a flash of serendipity, one of the characters mentioned the Rainbow Room. It grabbed his attention instantly.

  ‘That’s it!’ he shouted, excitement surging through him as he grabbed his jacket and dashed out of the room.

  He made some calls as he sat in the back of a taxi, heading for Rockefeller Center. He knew he could pull this off. The taxi stopped in traffic outside Tiffany’s, and James knew what he had to do.

  ‘Stop!’ He banged on the Plexiglas, gesturing for the driver to pull over outside the illustrious jewelers.

  * * * *

  Marisa had made her mind up. She would meet James and give him a chance to explain his side of things properly. She wasn’t certain she would ever trust him completely again, but she chose to give him the chance to prove his love.

  ‘Any phone calls?’ she asked Melanie.

  ‘No, hon, not yet. He’ll ring soon, don’t worry.’

  ‘Yeah, I know.’

  ‘So you’re going to meet him?’

  ‘Yes. I need to give him a chance. If I‘m still unsure, I’ll walk away at the end of the night. I can’t risk getting hurt again. I’ve been through the mill this year. It’s enough.’

  ‘Okay, honey, just follow your heart.’

  ‘That’s what I’m afraid I will do,’ Marisa said. Her tummy fluttered with nerves as her phone rang.

  She heard his deep voice, and her heart flipped.

  ‘Please meet me tonight outside the Rockefeller Center. It’s important,’ he said. ‘If you decide we don’t have a future after tonight, I swear I will return to Highcroft and never bother you again. But please allow me the opportunity to fight for you.’

  How could she refuse a request like that? Marisa’s heart boomed at the sound of his voice, and she felt herself weaken.

  ‘Okay, I’ll be there,’ she said softly.

  ‘Great. I shall meet you outside at eight. Thank you, my darling.’

  * * * *

  Marisa took a long bath and got ready for their date, choosing a purple strapless dress. It was figure hugging and elegant, not too sexy, but just right. She wore it with a black fitted jacket and strappy heels. Finishing her outfit off with her pretty diamante earrings her mother had given her.

  ‘Okay, Melanie, I’m going. I’ll ring you later.’

  ‘Sure, just let me know you’re okay.’

  Melanie hugged her.

  As her taxi pulled in, she saw him standing on the sidewalk, looking nervous, and her heart went out to him. She stepped out of the taxi, and he reached for her hand.

  ‘Thank you for coming,’ he said, kissing her cheek gently.

  ‘You look beautiful...Come on, I’ve got a surprise for you.’

  He led her towards the Rockefeller entrance, and they got into the lift. He stood close to her, and she wanted to fall into him .

  He smelled delicious, the longing for him was still there; she ached to touch him.

  They reached the sixty-fifth floor, and Marisa realized they were headed to the Rainbow Room. Her heart sank. Feeling a pang of disappointment, she squeezed his arm gently.

  ‘Oh, James, I appreciate the gesture. I can guess where we’re going, but it’s closed. They shut the Rainbow Room down.’

  ‘Oh, did they now…? Well, it’s a good job I know someone who knows someone. I managed to pull a few strings.’ He winked as he took her hand and led her to the grand entrance.

  He opened the door for her, and what she saw took her breath away.

  The cavernous room was filled with flickering candles. The lavish art deco interior was a feast for her eyes. She stared at the circular dance floor and the spectacular chandelier that hung above it. A solitary table was dressed with a white linen cloth and silver. A champagne bucket held a bottle of champagne on ice.

  ‘Oh, my God. James, it’s so beautiful!’ Marisa was overwhelmed.

  He grinned broadly as the melodic opening notes of ‘Fly Me to the Moon’ started to play and Frank Sinatra’s velvety voice filled the room. James took her hand.

  ‘May I have this dance?’ he asked gently.

  Marisa had tears in her eyes as he led her to the revolving dance floor, and they moved slowly to the music, their bodies pressed firmly together.

  She could feel his heart pounding in synch with hers as the tender lyrics described exactly how they felt. This had to be a dream, a beautiful dream she never wanted to wake up from.

  James smelled her hair, inhaling her scent, and he groaned.

  ‘Oh, God, I’ve missed you so much,’ he said, his voice cracking with emotion.

  ‘I’ve missed you, too,’ Marisa said as she held on tightly to his strong shoulders and gazed into his eyes. ‘I can’t believe you got this whole place opened up just for me.’

  ‘I’d do anything for you, Marisa, anything.’

  She was finally starting to believe he would. No one had ever made her feel so special, so wanted, in her entire life. If only she hadn’t believed Mrs. Reed. Still, this evening was worth enduring the pain of the past few days. She knew she would never forget tonight for as long as she lived.

  The music stopped, and they took their seats at the table, a waiter appeared, as if by magic, and poured their champagne.

  ‘To us,’ he toasted.

  All through the meal what they really wanted to do was tear each other’s clothes off and make love right there on the revolving dance floor. The chemistry between them was intense. After dinner, James decided it was time for his next surprise.

  ‘Let’s go up to the Rock. I have something to show you.’

  ‘Oh….What is it?’ Marisa asked. What more could there possibly be?

  ‘Ah, patience, you’ll like it. I promise you.’

  She held his arm, and they took the lift one more floor. They stepped out onto the viewing deck to be met by a magnificent full moon.

  ‘Just for you.’ He winked, grinning sexily, making her heart flip over.

  ‘Oh, thank you, it’s amazing!’ She giggled
.

  She loved his dry humor and effortless charm. She stood beside him as they looked out at the wonderful vista before them. The city sparkled beneath them, and she gasped as she stared up at the luminous full moon. It hung like a gigantic globe, as if suspended in the darkness, illuminating the city.

  Marisa knew nothing could ever surpass what she was feeling at that moment.

  She laid her head on his shoulder and squeezed her eyes shut. When she opened them again, she was relieved to see that nothing had changed. He was still there, the moon was still there, and their love was alive. It wasn’t a dream, it was real.

  ‘Gosh, it’s fantastic up here, quite takes one’s breath away, doesn’t it?’ he said, looking at her softly.

  ‘I know, it’s wonderful,’ Marisa said softly. ‘It feels like I can see the whole world from up here.’

  ‘I would give you the world if I could,’ James said tenderly.

  ‘Oh, James…I think I believe you would.’ She longed to feel his mouth on hers, to taste him, to love him.

  ‘I have one more surprise for you,’ he said as he went down on one knee.

  ‘Oh, my God!’ Marisa gasped as he took a Tiffany ring box from his jacket pocket and opened it. The beautiful oval diamond sparkled in the moonlight, taking her breath away.

  ‘I want you with me always. Marisa, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife, will you marry me?’ He looked at her expectantly with his amazing eyes, full of love and longing.

  ‘Oh, yes, yes, yes!’ Marisa replied breathlessly, overcome with emotion. ‘I will!’ she said, shaking as he took her hand.

  He slipped the ring on her finger effortlessly, and they kissed beneath the full moon.

  ‘This is just the beginning, my love. Nothing will ever part us again, I promise you that.’

  James took her in his arms, and Marisa hoped he would never let her go

  THE END

  WWW.WILDERROMANCE.COM

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Lauren Wilder has always been passionate about writing. She loves creating characters and worlds filled with romance and passion. Lauren currently resides in Berkshire, England.

  Siren Publishing, Inc.

  www.SirenPublishing.com