by Alexa Davis
"I know, I know," he reassured me. "But Benoit is a whole other matter. Apparently, he's connected to the Germans that Daniel is dealing with in Berlin and there are some shady deals going on between the competing groups. I tracked down a guy who knows the ins and outs of the Camorra and he's going to meet with me later this evening to give me the scoop."
"This is insane," I said. "Absolutely insane. I need to get back there, don't I?"
"Nah, I've got it under control for now," Bax assured me. "But you might want to be ready to deal with the ex-husband quickly and decisively, if you know what I mean."
"Don't tell me what I think you're telling me," I warned.
"No, I'm not saying we need to off him," Bax laughed loudly. "I'm not Camorra material, man. I'm just saying that maybe you want to consider paying him off simply to keep him quiet and then shuttle him out of the country away from Daniel's reach."
"I don't want to give that jackass a single dime," I protested as I gingerly touched my side with my free hand. "He nearly killed Emily and me."
"I know, and I'm sympathetic to your aversion," he replied. "But this is strictly business, and we need to think about what's best for the company right now, Austin."
I paused as I thought about what Bax was suggesting. My ego resisted the idea, but my good sense told me he was right and that I should go along with his plan. I just wasn't sure how Emily would react to me telling her the news that I was paying off her drunken ex and spiriting him out of the country. I shrugged and decided it was the wisest thing to do. No matter how she felt about it.
"Okay, fine," I ceded. "Find him, pay him off, and get him away from anyone who could possible connect him up with Daniel. And do it now."
"Will do, boss," Bax said. Then in a softer voice he added, "Austin, it's the right thing to do. I know you know that, but I want you to know that I do, too, and that when you explain it to Emily, she'll know it as well. I promise."
"I sure hope so," I replied before I disconnected the call.
#
I went back to the deck where Emily was lounging in the sun and stood a few feet away admiring her. She had gotten a little too much sun and her skin had a pinkish glow set off by the blue bikini she was wearing. Her hair was piled in a messy bun on top of her head and her lips were slightly parted as she dozed underneath the shade of a large umbrella that one of the staff had put up to keep her from burning. She looked lovelier every time I saw her.
"Oh, hey," she smiled sleepily as she pushed herself up on one elbow and shaded her eyes with her other hand. "What did Bax say?"
"Well, he's figured out what's going on in Paris," I began. Then I took a deep breath and sat down next to her on the chaise. "And, he's figured out a way to deal with Tommy."
"You're not going to kill him, are you?" she blurted out with a horrified look on her face.
"Good lord, woman, what the hell kind of person do you think I am?" I growled.
"Well, you big business guys..." she trailed off as she scanned my face for a sign that I wasn't going to order a hit on Tommy.
"No, I'm not going to kill your ex-husband," I said. "I am, however, going to pay him off and get him out of the country and away from the reach of one Mr. Daniel Wentworth."
"No! You cannot pay off my debts and take care of my problems!" she shouted as she sprang up off of the chaise. "I won't have it! I'm not some mindless little twit who is out looking for a sugar daddy to make all the bad stuff go away! You're not a cash machine, and if you do this, then you'll be enabling Tommy and keeping him dependent on me through you! NO, I won't stand for it!"
"Emily..." I began. I wanted to say something to calm her down, but I wasn't sure that there was anything I could say at this point that would. "Emily, listen to me. I'm not trying to turn you into a dependent or do anything to undermine your autonomy. This is simply a good business decision."
"Oh right," she said narrowing her eyes. "It's always about business first."
"That's not what I said!" I yelled. "That's not fair and you know it!"
"You just want to protect your interests," she spat. "And now that I'm one of them, you're going to take over and protect whatever you think it is I have to offer. God, I should have seen this coming a mile away. All of you rich guys are alike. You think because you have money, you own everything. Well, I've got news for you, Mr. Marks – you don't own me, and you never will!"
She turned on her heel and marched into the house and down the hallway to the guest room where she flung open the door and then slammed it shut. I had no idea how I was going to fix this mess. I padded down the hall and tapped lightly on the door.
"Go away!" she shouted from the other side.
"Emily, please don't do this," I said quietly. "I'm not trying to undermine you or do anything to hurt you. Quite the opposite, in fact."
There was silence on the other side of the door, so I took it as a sign that I should continue explaining. "I just want you to be free from your marriage and for Tommy not to destroy my company with the lies Daniel is feeding him," I said. "I don't want a whole lot, but I do want to keep the position I have because I feel like I can really do some good in the world, but if Daniel takes over the company, I won't be able to do anything."
"So, why are you buying Tommy's silence?" she sniffed through the closed door. I smiled because I knew that she was standing on the other side leaning against the same spot I was talking to.
"I just want peace, Em," I sighed. "If I have to buy Tommy's silence, then I will. I just want peace."
"That's all?" she asked.
I paused for a long moment and then said, "And you. I want you, Emily Warner, if you'll have me."
"Oh, Austin," came a small sob as the door slid open and she threw herself into my arms. "I want you, too, but this all seems so wrong!"
"I know, I know it does," I nodded as I wrapped my arms around her and pulled her tightly against my chest. I rested my chin on the top of her head and quietly said, "But it's not, Emily. It's just life."
We stayed wrapped in each other's arms until the houseman came and told us dinner would be served on the beach at eight.
Chapter Sixty-Eight
Emily
After the emotional turmoil of Austin's revelation and his decision to deal with Tommy by paying him off, I decided that I needed a massage and a soak in the hot tub off the balcony of the master suite. Austin called over to the staff quarters and within twenty minutes, I was laying on a padded table on the balcony enjoying the feeling of Tanita's hands kneading out the knots in my muscles.
Afterwards, I ambled over to the Jacuzzi and sunk down into the warm water as I watched the sun begin to sink on the horizon. Its rays glinted on the water, sending beams of light down into the depths of the vast blue expanse, and I watched breathlessly as it shifted and changed. When I felt sufficiently relaxed, I headed into the suite to get ready for dinner.
The chef had said it would be served on the beach, so I decided on a blue floral print column dress that Trish had packed for me. The royal blue roses on the stark white background set off my tanned skin and made me feel like an island goddess when I slipped it on. I gathered my hair and loosely braided it, letting the tail fall over my shoulder before adding a swipe of blush and mascara and a dab of coral lip-gloss. I fastened a pair of small silver hoops in my ears and stood back to survey the effect. The effect was casual yet sexy, and I felt beautiful.
I walked into the living room and found Austin sitting on the couch scrolling through his phone. He inhaled sharply when he looked up, "Oh, Em, you look radiant!"
"Why thank you, Mr. Marks," I smiled. "You clean up pretty nicely yourself."
He was dressed in a pair of navy linen pants that simply tied at the waist and a button down off-white linen shirt, the effect was stunning and it made his shoulders seem even broader than they actually were. When he reached out and took my hand, I felt like a princess being carted off by her prince, and I smiled up at him as we stepped out of the h
ouse and headed toward the beach.
I gasped when we reached the site where our dinner would be served. The table was set near the water and the hundreds of small candles that had been used to encircle the table cast a warm glow on the inner circle. Austin pulled out my chair and seated me at the table that had been covered in a crisp white cloth and was formally set with china so thin and polished that I swore I could see my own reflection in it.
"This is unbelievably beautiful," I said as Austin reached across the table and took my hand.
"It's everything you deserve." He smiled as the server brought the first course and set it down in front of us. We enjoyed a luxurious dinner as the wine and laughter flowed. Neither of us brought up the problems with Tommy or Daniel or anything outside of where we were at this very moment.
After we'd enjoyed the last bits of our po'e, a rich banana pudding made with brown sugar and coconut cream, Austin stood up and pulled me up out of my chair, saying, "Let's walk on the beach and burn off some of this dinner, shall we?"
"Gladly!" I laughed as I stood up and followed him. We walked along the shore and marveled at the beauty of the water now that the sun had set and the moon was hanging clear and bright in the night sky.
"I'm so glad you're here with me, Em," Austin said as he squeezed my hand.
"I'm so glad I am, too," I smiled as I squeezed back.
"I know things haven't been easy, and I know it's been confusing at times," he continued. "But I keep thinking about how much you've changed my life since you ran into me on that airplane the first time."
"I didn't run into you!" I laughed as I protested. "You were late and in a hurry, and you were not looking where you were going! You ran into me!"
"Well, whatever the case," he chuckled. "I can't imagine my life without you in it."
"I'm glad because I can't imagine my life without you in it, either," I said as I smiled up and him and wrapped my free arm around his.
"Emily, I keep thinking about this whole mess with Tommy and the business," he said, looking down at me. "And I know it's probably not the right time, but then when is it ever the right time?"
"I don't know," I shrugged. "You said it's just life, so I'm trying to go along with that little mantra."
"Em," he said as he stopped and turned toward me. "I want you to be with me. Always."
"Okay," I said. "Well, let's get this whole crazy situation sorted out and then we can work on that..."
While I spoke, Austin dropped on one knee in the sand and held out his hand to take mine as he slipped something hard and shiny on my ring finger.
"Emily, as soon as we get the mess sorted out, as you so eloquently put it," he smiled. "Will you do me the honor of making me the happiest man in the world?"
"Huh?" I replied.
"Will you marry me, Emily?" he asked.
I stood stunned staring at him and then at the ring that now decorated my finger. It was an enormous princess cut diamond that sparkled and glowed in the evening light. I looked back at Austin and suddenly realized what he was asking.
"I...I...I..." I stammered.
"I mean, if you want to," he backpedaled, unsure of what I was thinking or how I would respond to his proposal. I looked down at my hand one more time and then up into his warm brown eyes and smiled.
"Yes, Austin Marks, I will marry you," I nodded. "I will marry you."
"Emily, I love you so much!" he cried as he leapt up off of the sand and wrapped his arms around me twirling us both around as we laughed and kissed.
Chapter Sixty-Nine
Austin
After Emily said yes to my proposal, I scooped her up and carried her back to the bedroom where I slowly peeled off her dress and stood back to admire her naked body bathed in the moonlight streaming through the roof of the room. She looked like an ethereal angel spread out on the white duvet looking up at me.
I leaned over and kissed her gently as I ran my hands down her exposed skin and felt her shiver under my touch. I loved the way she responded to my hands as I spread her legs and slid my fingers between the velvety folds already dripping with moisture. She cried out as I slowly traced a path from top to bottom over and over every so often stopping to probe her wet opening with just the tip of my finger.
"Austin!" she moaned. "Don't tease me..."
"But I love the way you respond to my teasing," I said as I looked down at her already writhing beneath my touch. "And you know you love it, too," I whispered as I bent forward and lightly touched my tongue to her swollen clit.
Emily jumped as I flattened my tongue and began lapping at the delicate folds, sometimes making my tongue into a hard point and sometimes simply running it up and down in place of my fingers. She pushed her hips up to meet my mouth as I worked two fingers up between her hungry lips and inside where I could stroke her inner walls.
She was moaning more loudly as she clutched at my hair and pressed my face more tightly to her mound. I could hear her chanting, "Oh please, oh please, oh please," as she thrust her hips up harder and higher. I gave her what she wanted as she bucked and moaned against my tongue and fingers. Soon, she was crying out as I felt her orgasm take over and her body contract with pleasure. I stopped licking and pressed my tongue flat against the sensitive bud while she throbbed and pulsed around my hand.
When she was again able to speak again, she looked at me and shook her head eyes wide with awe and amazement. Then, she croaked, "Thank you."
"Oh, it was all my pleasure," I said as I looked up from between her legs and smiled.
"My turn," she said as she sat up and pushed me back on the bed. I gave her a questioning look, but she was quicker than I realized and soon had me propped up against the headboard as she positioned herself between my legs, running her fingers up and down the insides of my thighs while she leaned forward and lightly kissed my lips.
I was soon hard and she wrapped one hand around my shaft and began slowly stroking as she kissed her way down my chest and abdomen. When she reached the origin of my pleasure, she smiled up at me before she dipped her head and began running her tongue up and down the entire length coating it with her warm slick saliva.
"Oh, Em," I gasped as she stopped at the tip and teased it with her tongue before wrapping her lips around the head and gently sucking as she traced a pattern that had me gasping for air. She worked her magic as she moved lower, taking more and more of me into the back of her throat until all that was left was a small bit at the base, which she wrapped her thumb and forefinger around so she could squeeze as she sucked.
The sensations were coming from all directions and as Emily moved up and down sucking and licking, I felt myself moving closer and closer to the edge where I'd lose control. She pulled up and teased the tip of my shaft again before rapidly slamming down and forcing me all the way to the back of her throat. It only took two or three strokes before I groaned and released my warm sticky seed in her mouth. She sucked it as it sprayed from the tip and when I was spent, my hips only slightly jerking, she looked up with a big smile on her lips and swallowed.
"Oh God, Em," I groaned as I reached out and pulled her up to me cradling her in my arms. "That was amazing. You are amazing."
"You're not so bad yourself." She grinned as she snuggled into my arms and rested her hand on my chest.
"I love you, you know," I said.
"I know," she nodded, then looked up and held my gaze as she said, "And I love you, too."
I hugged her tighter as we both drifted off to sleep.
Epilogue
Chapter Seventy
Emily
"Awww, that was high, ump!" Austin yelled. I put my hand on his arm and smiled when he turned and looked at me. He grumbled with a half smile,” Okay, fine, I'll try and keep it down."
"No, I'm just saying that when you get worked up, you stand up," I explained with an amused smile. "And then I can't see whether it's high or low. Just saying, honey."
"Oh no you don't," he laughed. "I'm not going to argu
e the ump's call with you!"
"Why? Because I'm a woman?" I asked as I spread my hands out and looked at him expectantly. "You don't think I know baseball because I'm a woman?"
"I never said that," he protested as the two guys next to us shook their heads as the third guy drew his finger across his neck and gestured at Austin to stop while he was ahead. "All I said was..." he trailed off.
"Yeah, that's what I thought," I smiled smugly as I leaned over the kissed his cheek.
"Whatever," he said in a faux grumpy tone and turned his attention back to the game. "Have you texted your mom to find out how things are going?"
"I did it five minutes ago," I sighed. "I'm sure things are just fine! Would you please just relax and enjoy the game?"
"I would if I didn't have the peanut gallery picking at my strike zone calls," he grinned as he signaled the hot dog vendor to bring a few our way. "You want one?"
"Yeah, sure," I said. "Just mustard on mine, please."
"Hey, Bax? Anna? You want a hot dog?" Austin asked as he turned to the seats on the other side of him.
"Yeah, I'll take one with the works," Bax called.
"Oh please, do I look like a woman who eats hot dogs?" Anna asked in an exasperated tone. Bax looked at her for a moment and she dissolved into giggles. "Don't answer that!"
Austin flagged the vendor down and got us all what we asked for before he turned his attention back to the game. It had been an exciting one and now the Yankees were within one hit of pushing into the lead. Bax and Austin tensely discussed the ways in which the next batter could force the play so that the runner on third could slide in and score. I looked over their bowed heads at Anna and shrugged. She threw her head back and laughed loudly.
"It's what we signed up for, Emily!" she called as Austin reached out and grabbed my hand and squeezed it.
"I know," I smiled. "I'm certainly glad we did!"
To celebrate the Yankees’ winning run, Austin suggested we have a late dinner at Balthazar, and when I protested that we were going to be late getting home, he smiled and said, "Don't worry, I've got it all worked out."