How had I slept in that late? I had to get back on my regimen and would do that as soon as I returned from Chicago. Speaking of Chicago, I knew there were texts and voicemails I needed to return, one of them being Harrison’s from last night.
“Harrison, I’m glad you called,” I said when he finally picked up. “I need to catch up with you about the apartment and the car.”
“Is everything okay with you, Alex?”
“Everything’s perfect, but I’m going to be staying on here in Dallas and taking a different role with PMC. They’re sending me a proposal to look at today. I plan to fly back up tomorrow, pack up my things, and return. I don’t know how to thank you enough for being there for me.”
“Alex, you’re a special lady. I want to see you happy, which brings me to my next topic. Are you back with Grayson?”
“Yes, Harrison. We’re together and we’re happy. I hope you can be happy for us, too. There will be time in the future, someday, when I want…no, I need…to understand how to bring you two back to the same planet in a cohesive way. Just so you know. I am not letting that rest.”
He didn’t respond, as if he wouldn’t tell me what secrets the past held. I would eventually get to the bottom of things, but for now, Harrison changed the subject.
“Tell me what time you’re planning to get in, and I can pick you up,” Harrison offered kindly.
“I’m getting in around noon on my dad’s plane again. Do you know which hangar?” I wasn’t sure if Harrison had ever been on Dad’s plane.
“Sure, I’ve flown with your dad a few times, and I don’t mind picking you up. It’ll give us a chance to catch up. By the way, didn’t know if you saw it or not, but it seems our Bears have let us down. You may need to call the coaching staff!” He laughed, sounding a lot like he was only half joking. I was sure if I actually knew someone on the coaching staff, Harrison wouldn’t have minded me putting in a call.
“If you’re sure it won’t be a problem, I’ll text you when we land.”
“Great! See you tomorrow,” he said, and he was off.
There was something he’d wanted to say, but I could tell he’d held back. I was more determined than ever to find out what the mystery was.
I was struck by a sickening thought when I made it to my closet to get ready for tonight. I realized I was on my own for stylist duty.
I had nearly reached full panic mode when Cooper flew into the room. “Hey, there, Alex. Whatcha trying to find?”
“I need help finding something to wear, but I don’t know where we’re going!” I half-whined at my couture savior. “It’s a surprise, so I haven’t the faintest idea what to put on.” I gave him a questioning look, hoping he would come clean, but it didn’t work.
“Don’t look at me, I have no idea. Doc was carrying a box but didn’t say a word, so this is news to me.” He immediately started rummaging through the pieces hanging in my closet, snatching at different fabrics and matching them with other pieces.
We finally decided on a green and cream shift dress, three layered necklaces, wedge sandals and a wrap, which would easily cover dressy or casual, indoors or out. I had no idea where we were going, but the excitement was killing me.
After my shower, I fussed with my hair before finally deciding to blow it straight and pull part of it up into a mini-chignon at my crown, letting the rest of the tendrils hang down. I hadn’t realized how much my hair had grown. It was almost to my waist in the back, with a few long layers.
I packed my bag, admiring the lingerie Grayson had given me before I carefully placed it on top still wrapped in its tissue paper. Just running my fingers over the lacy edge made my stomach fill with butterflies, full of anticipation.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
“Now that we are in the car, can you tell me where you are taking me?” I leaned over the console and started teasing his neck with soft flutters of my lips while purposely letting my hot breath slide over his skin, determined to get the information out of him one way or another.
“No way. You’ll see when we get there. You look absolutely amazing, by the way. I love your dress and your hair.”
“Oh, we’ll see how long you can hold out on me.” I nibbled my way up to his ear and flicked my tongue at his ear lobe while reaching my hand over to stroke his thigh. I knew this would torment him.
“Nope. No good. I can hold out forever. I’ll never crack. I should have been a spy.” His voice changed on that last word as my hand found its way to the growing bulge between his legs, my lips hitting their mark at a tiny spot behind his ear. He shuddered for just a moment before trying to regain his composure.
“If you keep this up, I’ll have to take drastic measures. I might be forced to defend my manhood by pulling over and taking you right here in the car,” he said with a sexy growl. I could feel his erection growing under my hand.
Grayson looked so sexy in a lightweight navy sweater and khaki pants. He smelled appetizing, his cologne a mixture of bergamot and linen called Light Blue. I lost myself in the realization that I had become comfortable with him, that his patience and expertise had taught me to enjoy each and every wanton experience in a different way. He’d helped me learn to express what felt exhilarating, what satisfied my urges of arousal, and when to take control. Control in the bedroom had been so far removed from anything I could have ever imagined for myself intimately. He made me eager to learn and go farther into enjoying every touch and manipulation he exuded over my body. I had given of myself to him completely…heart, body, and soul.
Grayson drove very smoothly as we made our way through traffic. I could tell we were headed east of downtown Dallas. I was not familiar with the area we were in. We continued to drive when a song came on I didn’t know, but one that Grayson seemed to know quite well. He sang along.
“This song is beautiful,” I said reverently. “What is it?”
“‘Taking You Home’ by Don Henley. He’s one of my favorites and this song fits us. It’s how I feel about you.” He brought my left hand to his lips and tenderly kissed it.
“Where are we?” I asked, looking around and seeing the gorgeous scenery outside of the car for once.
“This is Lake Ray Hubbard in Rockwall, just east of Dallas.” Glancing at me with a big grin on his face, he said, “I rented a private yacht for a sunset dinner, just the two of us, and then after that, we’re going somewhere special to spend the night.” He was so proud of himself he was beaming.
“Oh, Grayson, how exciting. I love it!” I was so giddy I was beside myself. Such a romantic evening, and he’d planned this all by himself. As we pulled up to the bridge, I could see the yacht docked down by a pretty little lighthouse; everything was just lovely. We met the captain and boarded the yacht. He and Grayson quietly discussed the details of the evening.
We enjoyed a fantastic dinner as we sailed around the large lake, taking in the magical colors of the sunset. Never in my life had I been so happy and sated.
The chef personally came out to ask if dinner was to our satisfaction and expressed that he had prepared a special dessert for the evening of triple layered chocolate mousse. As my dessert was set in front of me, I noticed the chocolate twirl on top held a trinket, a beautiful diamond ring glistening in the moonlight.
Grayson was now beside me, down on one knee…
“Alexandra, I am so deeply, profoundly in love with you. I can’t imagine another day of my life without you in it, completely mine. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Will you marry me and make me the happiest, most foolishly in love man on the planet?”
I felt the air rush out of my lungs as I looked between the ring and Grayson’s hopeful, beautiful face. I burst into tears then took his face in both my hands and kissed him feverishly.
He pulled back, grinning from ear to ear. “Is that a yes, Alexandra?”
“Yes, yes, yes, Grayson. I will marry you! I love you so much. I was the fool for not seeing what we had, for running away, for not being able to acce
pt what I felt was real. Yes, I love you so much!”
Grayson stood and took me in his arms, both of us lost in each other’s eyes, not speaking for what seemed like eternity, communicating our love without words. He kissed me tenderly at first, then passionately, like he was taking my mouth for his dessert, leaving us breathless.
As he pulled away, I could hear “Someone Like You” by Van Morrison playing in the background. How appropriate.
Grayson took me for a spin around the narrow dining area, singing the song to me. The lyrics mirrored our own relationship; we had both been looking, searching for happiness but also too afraid to find it. We’d waited so long for each other.
The lights of the harbor were reflecting off the water beautifully. As the waves moved, it appeared as though a million fireflies were fluttering. An incredible sight.
“Now for dessert, Mrs. Grayson Brooks-to-be,” he whispered to me as he took me back to our table. He took the ring from the chocolate, licked it seductively, and placed it on my left ring finger.
The beauty of it finally caught my eye. A large emerald cut diamond sat tall on a beautiful diamond encrusted mount, nestled on a delicate, diamond band. It was absolutely exquisite.
Grayson took my left hand to his lips. With tears in his eyes, he whispered, “I look forward to the day I add a band to this. I love you and our plus one so much!”
“I love you too, Grayson…and our plus one. I love you so much it hurts, deep in my soul. I can’t get enough of you!” Tears streamed down my cheeks uncontrollably.
“Please tell me those are happy tears.” He used his thumbs to wipe my cheeks.
Laughing out loud through more tears, I answered, “Yes, HTB, they are happy tears!”
“HTB?” He raised his eyebrows in a questioning glance.
“Husband to be!”
Both of us laughed before embracing tightly, not wanting to let go.
“Well, WTB, I have another surprise for you,” Grayson promised as the yacht pulled up to a long dock.
As we got off the boat and walked up the initial steps, there were winding stairs that led up to a beautiful illuminated home. I tried to guess what we were doing here, and my mind drifted in so many different directions.
As Grayson held me tightly with his arm wrapped around my waist, we made our way up to the home. At the top of the stairs, we entered through an iron gate that led us through a cobblestone pathway around to a breathtaking pool and waterfall, then on to a private covered porch with an outdoor fireplace that popped with crackling wood. The picturesque home was elegantly lit, but no one was home to greet us. We were all alone.
I looked up questioningly at Grayson. Furrowing my brows, I asked, “Are we alone here?”
“My angel, welcome home.” Shock must have registered on my face, and he seemed disappointed at my reaction. “Only if you love it, of course!”
“Grayson, I’m sorry. I’m just so overwhelmed by this gorgeous house. I had no idea we were here to look at it. I was expecting people, maybe a party of some kind, what with all the lights and everything. You have thrown me a magical curve ball tonight. Let’s take a look at the home, shall we?” Beginning to tremble slightly from the excitement, holding tight to Grayson’s hand, I couldn’t control my smile. I felt like my cheeks were going to burst!
We viewed all of the rooms and found the home to have luminous, old-world charm. I loved all the colors of the decor, all my favorites. Stepping back outside on the patio by the fire, I announced, “Well, I can completely see us happy here. We’ll wake up to coffee outside by the lake, our children playing on the grass. I love it, I have no complaints.” I give him a soft kiss on the corner of his mouth. “You’ve thought of everything, Grayson. This evening has been magical. And I love you for it.”
He held me close, burying his face in my hair, and not saying a word. Then he led me out the front door to his car parked in the front drive, opened my side for me, and leaned in to whisper against my mouth. “The best is yet to come.”
He gave me a soft lingering kiss that left me wanting him deep in my body all over again. As we pulled away from the home, he slowed so we could both take in our final views.
Neither of us spoke for a long time, just listened to his playlist as we headed back into Dallas. We held hands, his thumb rubbing back and forth across the weight of my engagement ring. “Tangled Up In You” by Staind came over the speakers, taking me out of my thoughts. That was exactly what we were, tangled up in each other exquisitely. The sound of Grayson’s voice was so warming, so inviting as he sang along with the song, singing the sexy, heartfelt words to me as he stroked my fingers.
As we drove, I thought we were headed back to his place, but he pulled into the Joule Hotel in downtown Dallas.
“Grayson?” I looked at him as we left the car with the valet, and a gentleman got our bags, but he wasn’t saying anything. He simply looked like a man on a mission. We strolled through the lobby and back to the private elevators, hand-in-hand.
It was just the two of us in the elevators as Grayson pushed the “P” button and turned to me, taking me in his arms. “Tonight, all night, you are mine. No Cooper, no phones, no roommates, just you and me…and no restrictions!”
As we kissed, our breaths quickened with anticipation. The elevator door opened, and he escorted me into a penthouse with a stunning view of the lights of downtown Dallas. The staff had already been in. Music played softly, and a table was set up for us with non-alcoholic champagne and strawberries, assorted cheeses with fruit, and chocolate.
I found a little note for me on the place setting, and as I opened it, I could see Grayson’s eyes twinkling like a little boy. The card read, “There is ice-cream for a 2nd dessert.”
I gasped, as though it was hard to contain my delight, then yelled, “Oh yes, ice cream!” and jumped up on Grayson, wrapping my arms and legs around him, kissing him passionately. Eventually, my feet touched the floor as we began to dance quietly to the music, kissing each other softly, stopping for champagne and strawberries.
“Grayson, tonight has been more than anything I have tried to imagine all day.”
“I’ve been imagining this night since we went on restriction and almost couldn’t concentrate today. You’re all I could think about all day. Oh wait! Come here, I want to show you something.”
He led me to the bathroom. There was an oversized Jacuzzi tub with candles lit on every surface, reflecting their glowing light in the mirror-like surface of the tall windows that overlooked the city. “We can enjoy the spa with the view, the glass is coated and no one can see in. Dare to join me?”
Voyeurism. Well, that was a first for me, for sure. “You’re certain no one can see in?”
“Yes, turn the lights out and look at other windows. You can’t see in.”
I turned out the lights, and he was right. We couldn’t see into any of the windows, but the view was sultry and set a very sexy vibe. I reached over and started the water in the spa, and Grayson pulled me to him, kissing me hard on the mouth, his tongue invading the interior, like he was hungry, hungry for intimacy, hungry for me.
“I can’t wait to be inside you. I want to feel you, taunt you, and taste you. I plan on making love to you the rest of the night. We have lost time to catch up on.” He started removing my clothes, and as they fell to the floor, I stood in front of him naked, as he explored my body.
Finally, breaking the spell his hot tongue had over me, he said, “Get in the bath, sweetie, and warm up. I’ll be right back.”
I was a bit confused, but I got in the bath as he’d asked.
When he returned, he had the tray of cheese, fruit, and our champagne with him. I could hear the notes of our music playlist swirling softly in the background. It was heaven on earth as he joined me in the spa. I watched the candles flicker and was nearly daydreaming when Grayson brought me out of my spell.
“Earth to Alexandra? Care to tell me where you are?” he said in a husky voice, grinning at me kno
wingly.
“Grayson, this has been the most romantic night of my life. How can I ever thank you? I can’t even think of what might compare to this evening.”
“Well, I hope you’re not planning to propose to someone else just to one-up me.” He laughed, ducking under his arm as I flicked water at him.
“Well, I might. Maybe I just want us to relive our proposal each year on our anniversary. Next year, it’s my turn to propose. What do you think about that, Dr. Brooks?”
“I like the ideas, keep ‘em coming. That tells me you’re already thinking about us as married when you say anniversary. Do you have an idea already?” As he massaged my feet, he stopped long enough to nibble my toes, sucking them into his warm mouth and almost making me forget what we were talking about.
“Um, yes, I was thinking a destination wedding in Austria, perhaps? I don’t want to be big as a barn for our wedding, so we should do it soon or wait until after the baby comes?”
“Soon, Alexandra, the sooner the better! I love you, and I don’t want to wait. Start planning it tomorrow, doctor’s orders!”
“There won’t be much to plan since the trip to Austria is already covered. My only concern is whether or not your family would be willing to make the journey.”
“It’s only Zoe, and she won’t be a problem. I’m certain your Dad and Gretchen would make it, too, so that just leaves running it by Cooper.” He continued to kiss at my toes, each one in succession.
I didn’t bring up Harrison because I knew it would just start a fight, but I fully intended to talk to Harrison tomorrow about everything. It needed to be fixed. Whatever the dark secret was, it could be repaired. And once it was repaired, he could stand by his brother’s side on one of the most important days of his life.
Finally, we got out of the spa and blew out the candles. Grayson went to retrieve our bags and slipped into a pair of black silk pajama pants. My heart practically skipped a few beats just seeing that body of his. This was his evening, the special night he had planned, so it took all my strength to let him lead, instead of throwing myself on him. He had orchestrated every minute detail, and I was willing to wait for him.
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