“Right. So strange to think of a whole country knowing about something. Living here, that’s impossible, except I guess if you’re a celebrity or like the president or something.” I look up at him. “Are you a celebrity?”
He tilts his head at me. “No, not at all. You could say my father is very active in the political community. Keep in mind, it’s a very small country. It’s easy for word to spread.”
“True. I probably just have no concept of what it’s like there.” I sip my wine. “Do people visit?”
“People?”
“Tourists, I guess.”
“No. We’ve discussed as a country creating a tourism campaign to make ourselves known, but we’re not in 100% agreement. There are pros and cons to be considered, but we have beautiful churches and castles and gardens and beachfront. People would like it there.”
“So you’re pro tourism?”
“I am. It’s the older generation that isn’t. They worry about damage and immigration and other things. We live in this protected little bubble avoiding all of these things that plague other parts of Europe, but we also don’t have a strong world perspective. Most of what we know is from textbooks and television. That’s why it was so shocking when I took off for America. No one leaves Havendon.”
“Except your brother.”
Lathan laughs. “Yes, the two brothers who break all the rules, but for very different reasons.”
“What are Arlan’s?”
“Avoidance. He feels like an outsider so he became one. Me, I just like to experience life and push my boundaries.”
“Well, I’m happy you pushed your boundaries to Boston.”
“So am I, my darling. So am I.”
“Why don’t we sit down and I’ll bring out dinner?”
“Sounds good,” Delaney says. “Did you order in?”
“One better. I hired a personal chef service and they came over and prepared the menu for us tonight. We’re having filet mignon with truffle mashed potatoes and roasted root vegetables. For dessert, they’ve prepared chocolate dipped strawberries which I will delight in feeding to you. Then, I have a surprise in our bedroom waiting for you.”
“Our bedroom?” she questions with a raised eyebrow.
“As long as you are in my life, then it is our bed. Just like I hope the bed at your place is also mine.”
She nods. “It is.”
“Anything I have, Delaney, is also yours. Anything.”
“That’s super sweet, but all I want is you. If you had no money and were just barely getting by, it wouldn’t change the fact that I want to spend every moment of every day with you.”
Smiling, I lean forward and softly kiss her. “You have no idea how much that means to me.”
“I bet I do.” She sits at the dining table. “As previously discussed, you’re loaded, and a lot of women care about that.” I nod as she continues. “I won’t lie. It matters to me that a man takes care of his responsibilities. I don’t respect people who run up credit cards buying stuff they can’t afford just to show off. On the other hand, it doesn’t matter to me if you make a million dollars or fifty thousand as long as you have your business handled.”
“I had this feeling about you, right from the beginning, that superficial things weren’t the way to your heart. I’ve stopped myself from buying you things on more than one occasion because I wanted you to understand who I am behind the things I can offer.” I kneel down so that we’re eye to eye. “It matters to me that the woman I choose to be with is with me for the right reasons. Money is fluid. It can go as quickly as it came.”
“Exactly.”
“But who I am as a man will never change.”
“I hope not, because who you are is breathtaking.” She cups my cheek. “Who you are is amazing, and awesome, and…” she pauses smiling. “Being with you is like a dream.”
As I gaze into her eyes, I’m tempted for a moment to tell her what I am. Who I am. It affects her, if we keep going, and I pray that we do. She tilts her head at me with questions in her eyes.
“What’s on your mind, Lathan?”
“Am I correct in my thinking that…” I pause, carefully considering my next words.
“What?”
“I believe that you and I are heading into a territory neither of us has been in before. I know that for us to be together, it will require a great deal of bravery on both our parts.”
She nods. “I know.”
“I suppose what I’m asking, what I want to hear, is that you are brave enough to keep wading into this ocean with me. I want to know you’ll hold my hand as the water gets deeper, and we’ll keep each other from drowning.”
“Is the ocean your life in Havendon?”
I nod. “Yes. Maybe, Delaney, there doesn’t have to be an end for us. If things keep going like they have been, someday, I might ask you to visit my home and meet my family. We’re not there yet, but—”
“I am,” she says in a barely audible voice. “For you, I’ll wade into the deepest water. I’ll never let go of your hand, and I’ll keep you from drowning. If you slip beneath the surface, I’ll pull you up and offer my own air so you can breathe. For you, Lathan, I’ll be brave enough.”
I brush my fingers over her cheek, then lean in to kiss her. “I will go to sleep every night praying we have to fight the waves together because I can’t envision my life without you in it now.” I smile. “So keep your life jacket handy.”
“You make it sound like we’re going into a war zone.”
“Perhaps not that dramatic, but as Tristan says, it will cause mayhem.”
“You talk to him about me?”
“All the time. Like you talk to Fallyn about me.”
“And he says I’m mayhem?”
“No, not you, my darling. Me…” I stop again, deciding to just say it. “Me falling for you would be mayhem. I told him I was giving you the commitment ring, and in my country, the next thing coming is a formal proposal.”
“I see.”
“I told him we weren’t quite there yet, but that perhaps I could see it in the future.”
Her eyes well with tears as I speak. “That announcement would stir things up quite a bit back home.”
“Right. I know.”
“I feel better knowing that my instinct about you was right. If we get to that point, we’ll be able to handle it together.”
She nods. “Yes.”
“So back to tonight. Here I am asking you to stay present, and I’m talking about things that might happen in the future.” I smile. “I’ll go get dinner and we’ll enjoy tonight.”
“That sounds good.”
As I stand and walk into the kitchen, I look back at my beauty, carefully blotting her teary eyes. Immediately, my heart flutters in my chest, knowing that she could be the one. I have no idea how I’ll handle that at home, but at least I know she’s brave enough to weather the storm. Now, I just have to work on being brave enough myself.
I stare down at the ring sparkling on my finger. It’s the nicest thing I own now. My feelings about it, about Lathan, are a jumbled mess. I love that our relationship keeps getting stronger, but I’m scared it will all come crashing down one day. He wants me to be brave, but bravery isn’t what I saw reflecting in his eyes. That was pure fear. All I can do is hope that if we get to that point, I can win over his friends and family. I twist the ring on my finger. Six weeks ago I never would have imagined my surly cooking partner would become my boyfriend. I chuckle softly. If that can happen, I guess anything can.
“What’s funny?”
I look up as Lathan comes back carrying two plates. “Nothing.”
“You sure?”
I nod while he sets the plate down. “Yeah, I’m sure. I was just thinking about how crazy it is we’re together after our first night of cooking class.”
“Oh, you mean when I was terrible to you? Not my finest moment.”
“It was stressful.”
“Yes considering I�
��d never even touched an onion much less diced it.” He shakes his head. “I’m afraid I was far too spoiled at home.”
“Yeah, well now you can make a mean clam chowder.”
“Say it with your accent.” He sits next to me, grinning.
“Chowdah? You want me to say chowdah?”
Lathan laughs. “God, I love that.”
“I’m glad, but I’d rather sound like you.”
“Why is that?”
“Your accent is sexy and sophisticated. It’s very elegant.”
He bows his head slightly. “I humbly accept those adjectives.”
“You shouldn’t humbly do anything, Lathan. You are unbelievable. I’m the luckiest woman in America, no actually, in the world that you picked me.”
“You give me too much credit. It is I that can’t believe my good fortune in crossing paths with you.”
I lift my wine glass. “An American style toast.” Lathan lifts his too. “To good fortune.”
“I’ll drink to that.”
We each take a sip. “And to being humble even though we’re obviously badasses.”
Lathan throws his head back in laughter. “Badasses, are we?”
“Well, I think you’re amazing, and you think I am, so together… total badasses.”
Lathan grins. “To the badasses we are.” We sip then he leans forward to kiss me. “Now, let’s eat so we can get to the rest of the evening.”
“Sex and strawberries?”
“Not necessarily in that order.”
“It doesn’t sound like a bad order to go in to me.” I wiggle my eyebrows to make him laugh again.
“You are so funny sometimes.”
“I try.”
“Well done.”
We each dig into our meal, remarking on how good it tastes. As we eat, we gaze at each other, smiling like idiots, and I wonder if this is what falling in love feels like. After finishing dinner, I help Lathan carry the plates to the kitchen and load the dishwasher while he informs me it’s never been used.
“Go sit in the living room,” he says, smacking my butt. “I’ll be right out.”
Walking back to the living room, I’m filled with excitement over the rest of the evening. I sit down on the couch in front of the fireplace while Lathan joins me carrying a tray of strawberries dipped in chocolate in one hand and a bottle of champagne in the other. He sets the platter down then opens the bottle, while I watch every elegant movement. Everything he does is magic.
He fills two glasses before sitting next to me. “Happy Valentine’s Day, my beautiful, sweet, amazing Delaney.”
“Thank you for making this the best one I’ve ever had.”
“You deserve it.” We sip our drinks then Lathan moves in for a kiss.
I’m much more interested in touching this man again than the strawberries so my hand slides down until I rest it between his legs. He moans against my mouth as I massage his growing bulge.
“I want you,” I whisper.
“Now?”
“Now.”
“Then come and get your dick.”
I smile, tugging at his belt until I get it unbuckled. I can’t give him a ring, but I can give him this. Once I get his slacks unzipped, I free his cock from his boxers and slide off the couch onto my knees. Putting my hands on each of his knees, I grin.
“I love this.”
“This?” he asks.
“Your magnificent cock. I love the size, the thickness, the softness, the hardness. It’s literally perfect.” I drag my tongue along the underside. “I’ll never get enough.”
Lathan smiles, cupping my chin. “You are… so beautiful, Delaney. I can’t get enough either. Not of your body, your face, your eyes.”
Flicking my tongue out over his piercing, I gaze upward at him. “Can you get enough of my tongue?”
“Never.”
Rising up slightly, I swallow his cock whole, massaging his balls between my fingers, and swirling my tongue over the tip. He responds by burying his fingers in my hair and moaning my name.
A few minutes later, he calls my name. “Delaney, look at me.”
I shift my eyes up, keeping my mouth on his cock. He watches me for a minute.
“So sexy,” he whispers. “Open your mouth.” I do as Lathan picks up a strawberry and drags it along my tongue. “Is it good?”
I nod. “Yes.”
“Bite it.”
I sink my teeth into it, and as strawberry juice drips down my chin, Lathan leans forward and licks it off, eliciting a sigh from my lips. Chewing slowly, I keep my eyes fixed on his. He bites into the fruit then picks up another one, dragging it down my neck. His mouth quickly follows the trail of chocolate he left behind as he continues tracing any bare skin with the strawberry.
“What’s under the dress?”
I smile. “I thought you’d never ask.” Standing, I hike it up slowly revealing the lingerie I bought for tonight. “You like?”
He nods. “Take off the dress.”
I tilt my head, sliding the zipper down on my side. “I like how you get so demanding when you want me. It’s so different than your tender side.”
“What do you like more?”
“An impossible choice. Together, they make a spectacular man.” I slide the dress off one shoulder, then the other. “What else do you want?”
“That’s nice,” he murmurs as the dress falls to the floor. “Very nice.”
“What will you do to me now?” I rub my hands over my breasts. “Whatever you want, I am that for you.”
“You.”
“Me what?”
“You are all I want. Nothing more.”
Sliding back down to my knees, I inch between his legs, then slowly unbutton his shirt, kissing his chest as I do. I tug on his pants and he lifts his hips slightly for me to pull them off. Once he’s naked, I sit back on my heels admiring his body. Then, following his lead, I pick up a strawberry and drag it down his chest, following it with my tongue, stopping when I get to his dick to suck on it again. Lathan keeps his hands buried in my hair, intently watching me as I continue this pattern with another strawberry. Then, a few minutes later, he makes me gasp when he leans forward, grabs me by the waist, and picks me up, flipping me over until I’m flat on the sofa.
Hovering above me, he presses his thumb across my bottom lip. “Enough teasing. I need you.”
Grinning, I pull the lingerie to the side, revealing my newly shaved physique. “Need what?”
Lathan doesn’t even respond choosing instead to bury his face between my legs. Throwing my head back, I sink into the couch lost in the overwhelming pleasure I’m experiencing. He claws at my thighs, grazing my clit with his teeth, while I writhe beneath him. All of a sudden, he spins around until his cock is above my face, so I greedily suck him into my mouth.
“Oh fuck,” he murmurs. “You’re so good. So good.” He pulls me by the waist until my ass is in the air while he goes hard on me. I can’t reach his dick anymore since he’s now standing and I’m completely upside down. I grip the side of the couch as all the blood rushes to my head. I might pass out, but I don’t give a shit. This is amazing.
Feeling his tongue slide to my backside, I gasp and squirm, but that doesn’t make him pause. He licks and sucks until I’m bucking against his face when the most intense orgasm grips my body. Before it’s even over, Lathan lays me down, grabs my hips, and enters me from behind hard and fast. He twists his hand in my hair and pounds into me.
His intensity is astonishing as he turns me around, only briefly pulling out and then pulls me onto his lap. As I straddle him, he pulls at my lingerie, literally tearing it off my body. His eyes lock on mine, not once glancing away, as his hands claw at my breasts.
“Delaney…” he grunts as he pumps into me.
“Tell me. Whatever you’re feeling. It’s okay to tell me.”
He nods. “I know.” His movements increase in intensity, and I know he’s going to come so I reach between us and rub my
clit, knowing how much he loves it we can climax together. “Keep your eyes on mine,” he demands when I try to look away. “I want to see your face.”
I nod as my body twitches, and as Lathan’s entire body tenses against me, he doesn’t break eye contact. As our breathing calms, my mouth falls open as a tear slides down his cheek. He lifts my hand to his mouth, pressing it against his lips as he kisses it, then before I can speak, he grips my neck, gently pulling me in for a kiss. We fall back on the couch in a passionate embrace as Lathan holds me close. Holding me tight, he cuddles me, but says nothing.
After several minutes, I whisper his name. He doesn’t respond so I try to look up at me, but he holds me so close I can’t.
“Why are you upset?”
“I’m not, my darling” he replies softly. “Not even close. I can’t really explain what it feels like to make love to you.” He loosens his grip on me allowing me to see his face. “Each time we’re together, I think you become a part of me, piece by piece, you move into my heart, and it’s honestly like nothing I’ve ever experienced.”
“I understand.”
“You do, don’t you?”
I nod. “It’s the same for me. Like you said, it’s all new territory.”
“I can’t wait to see what we do next.”
I wipe his face. “You seemed sad.”
“No.” He smiles, kissing my fingers. “Being with you feels so good, it makes me emotional. I was quiet while I absorbed the fact that I was comfortable enough to show you. I was raised to believe men don’t cry for any reason, but sometimes you just can’t help it.”
“I think it’s sweet, and sensitive, and sexy that you can just be yourself with me, and you can. All of you, Lathan. Every part.”
“I know, my darling.” He pulls me close again. “I just want to hold you for a while, then I’ll bathe you, then we’ll make love again. What do you say about that?”
“I’d say it’s wicked nice.”
Hours later, as I hold a sleeping Delaney in my arms, I think back over the evening. I can’t find the exact adjective to describe how she makes me feel. So overwhelmed by her, I actually let myself get emotional in front of her, but she didn’t care. She didn’t think less of me, in fact, I think she even admired it. She’s the best thing that has ever happened to me, and I’ve had a lot of wonderful things happen. I’ve always known how blessed I was to be born in the family I was, how fortunate my upbringing, how privileged my life, but it was never that important to me. I just wanted to live and experience and be. That desire has been both a gift and a curse, but it led me to her, to this moment, holding this amazing woman. I have to figure out how to keep her, because letting go is just not an option anymore. Not now. Not ever.
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