“Jesus, Avery.”
“Is that a good reaction?”
“You are unworldly.”
“Thank you.”
“We have to go now or we won’t make it.”
“We’re not late.”
I step closer. “No, but we’re going to be if I get my hands on you.”
Avery grins, hiking up her gown and twisting her leg around so I can see the seamed stockings, then drops the dress. “Ready to go?”
“You may be sorry for teasing me like that.”
“Unlikely.” She picks up her clutch. “So before we go, can we agree to no jealous fits between either of us?”
“Deal.”
“Good.”
“Will you dance with me at the ball?”
“Two dances in one day?” She grins as we step into the foyer. “You’re spoiling me.”
“I would if given the opportunity.”
She steps so close to me our bodies touch. “Maybe I’ll give you the opportunity.”
As my eyes search hers for a brief moment, I lean down to kiss her, but as she closes her eyes, I move back, deciding to save it for later or I’ll ruin her hair and lipstick. “We should go.”
She opens her eyes. “Yes, we should.”
On the lift, I glance at her, noticing the cleavage enticingly peeking above her gown. She looks comfortable dressed like that, as if it’s no more special than the jeans and sweater she wore earlier. She would be a perfect partner for me. We could go to charity balls and fundraisers and then at night we could have our dinner together before I took her to bed and made love to that amazing body.
“Something wrong?” Avery asks.
“No, why?”
“You sighed.”
“Did I?” I offer a smile. “It was nothing.”
“Okay.”
The doors open and we step off, then walk down the hall to where the ceremony is being held. I guide her through the door by placing my hand on her low back, and instead of correcting me, she smiles. It’s going to be difficult to keep my hands off of her.
I locate our table and we take our seats whilst Avery begins to look at the program. It isn’t long before Patrice Noble appears in front of us. She has a man about half her age standing beside her, looking quite chuffed with himself.
“Good evening, Ellis, Avery,” Patrice says.
Avery looks up and barely smiles. “Good evening.”
“Ellis, darling, did you see the tongues wagging about us this morning?”
“I did. Avery gathers that information for me.”
“How helpful.”
“Well, it is my job,” Avery adds.
“Of course it is. Your gown is lovely. Did you pick it up in America?”
I know it’s a veiled insult, likely Avery does too, but she doesn’t even flinch. “I’m surprised that a woman like yourself doesn’t recognize a gown by renowned Parisian designer Anisa Renee.”
Patrice’s eyebrow raises. “That’s an Anisa design?”
“It is. I ordered it from a boutique in London.”
“Oh, well, it is lovely.”
“Thank you. Is this your son?”
I have to stifle my impulse to laugh as Patrice’s face burns red with anger and the chap next to her looks embarrassed.
“I am her date,” the bloke says while Patrice continues to steam.
“Ah.” Avery smiles. “My mistake.” She returns her attention to the program, and if she had a microphone in her hand, she would’ve just dropped it.
“Well,” Patrice continues, composing herself. “Henry and I should find our seats. Enjoy your evening.”
“You as well,” I say, as she saunters off taking her boy toy with her. “She’s gone.”
“I hate her.”
“She is rather unpleasant isn’t she?”
“To say the least. She flaunts her young date in your face, while still flirting with you and insulting me. I want to punch her in the face, but my fist would probably bounce off from all the Botox keeping everything in place.”
Chuckling, I nod. “I have to agree. Well played, you, with your son comment.”
She grins. “Thanks.” After a moment, she continues. “But if it weren’t for me, you would’ve fucked her, right?”
“Yes, in all honesty. It would’ve served me well to do so.”
“Until you said you didn’t want to see her anymore. She’s toxic. No way would she go in peace happy just to have had your time and attention.”
“Correct, I would have had to make it seem like her idea. That’s how I handle that type of woman.”
“Clever. I should give you more credit.”
“I shouldn’t be given credit that I know how to expertly disentangle myself from women. I only learned through practice. I’m no saint.”
“You aren’t sitting next to one either.”
“Good. I’ve always preferred the company of sinners over saints.”
She laughs softly. “Same.”
The evening goes on as several awards are given out. I hope I am awarded tonight, not only for the positive press, and the sheer honor of it, but so I can deliver the speech I so desperately want Avery to hear. An hour later when the nominees for my category are announced, Avery discreetly squeezes my hand underneath the table as my name is listed along with my numerous contributions. When I’m announced the winner, I stand as everyone around me honors me with a standing ovation.
Walking to the front, I wave and smile at the crowd, then walk up the stairs of the small stage to the podium where the presenter, Claudia O’Neill, hands me the crystal trophy with my name on it. I take a moment to look at it, understanding now that whilst I was just out trying to make the world a little bit better, I actually did. When I look up again, I am truly humbled.
“Thank you,” I begin as the crowd quiets down and takes their seats again. “I prepared a speech in the event I was awarded this honor, but the gravity of it didn’t hit me until this very moment.” I pull the folded note from my lapel pocket. “The public thinks a lot of things about me. Some of them are true, some of them are not, so I thought I would take a few moments to clarify some things about me that I’ve not shared publicly before.” My eyes shift to Avery, who watches me with a proud smile on her face. “Firstly, it’s been said that I donate to charities in an attempt to save my cold dark soul.” I smile to show that I have a sense of humor as the group quietly chuckles. “To be clear, I do not donate to charities for salvation or merely for tax purposes. I’ve always felt like the blessings I’ve enjoyed should be shared, and I’m about to tell you why. Many years ago, when I was still a young man starting out, I worked with a woman named Ruth. Ruth and her husband were expecting their first child, and we all donated to buy them a package of nappies. I didn’t know much about nappies, and admittedly I still don’t, but I threw my quid in the pile in support of a nice colleague.” I look around the room for a moment. “When Ruth’s child was born, he was beautiful and strong and healthy, but just a year later, he was sick. He had cancer, and I watched Ruth’s life fall apart as she watched her first child slip away. I felt helpless. We all did. We pooled our money and tried to help as much as we could, but they didn’t need money. They needed a cure. As I stood at the funeral of a two-year old boy named Elijah, I vowed that if I was ever in a position to help find the cure, I would. Elijah is why I donate to charity.” The crowd claps for me, and I wait a moment for them to stop. “The other thing people say about me is that I’m demanding, arrogant, a bit of an arse, and I would have to agree with them.” The crowd laughs. “But I am also kind, understanding, and fiercely protective of those I love. I have a best friend, and we like to go to the pub and drink beer and talk about rugby just like all the other blokes in England. David and his wife Annabelle have been by my side, and they are part of the reason I am the person I am.” I smile. “I have a beautiful family, a mother whom I adore, and a brother who is on the verge of marrying a great lady. I have a father, safel
y in heaven, who pushed me to the success I enjoy today. I didn’t understand it at the time, but someone very special to me helped me see just how much he loved me.” When I glance at Avery, she looks at me with pure awe. “I have someone in my life who has helped me see myself differently. This person has helped me see the world differently, and I’ve begun to redefine what’s possible. I’ve learned that no matter what is said, written, or thought of me, I know who I am. The people who love me know who I am, and anyone who takes the time to get to know me, will know who I am. So I thank you for this immense honor, but it is not solely for me. It is for the people who have benefitted from my help. It is for the people who still need my help. It is for the people who stood by me when others found it so easy to run. It is for David and his wife, for my family, and everyone in my life who cares for and loves me. It is for the special person who knows who they are. Mostly, it is for Elijah. We still have work to do, and I will do that work as long as I am able to. Thank you.”
I pose for several photos and stand humbled before the crowd as they grace me with another standing ovation. My eyes search the room for Avery who stands clapping for me with the most stunning smile I’ve seen to date. I have to tell her how I feel. She’ll understand, even if I don’t entirely. I know she will.
Chapter 32 Avery
As I stand watching Ellis accept his award, my heart is close to bursting with pride, with admiration, with…I exhale slowly. All I know is I have to tell him how I feel. Tonight. As soon as I can get him alone, I’ll just look into those mesmerizing blue eyes and say, Ellis, I think I’m in love with you. Should be fine.
He makes his way back to the table and embraces me when he arrives. I look at the sizable crystal plaque in his hand, and then up at his face.
“I’m so proud of you for opening yourself up.”
“Thank you for encouraging me. It actually felt good.” We sit in silence for a moment. “You know I was talking about you, yes?”
“Yes.”
“What do you think about that?”
“I would tell you if we were alone.”
“Then let’s go be alone.”
I turn toward him slightly. “Won’t that be sort of obvious if you just disappear?”
“I do it all the time at events. It’s pretty standard actually.”
“Oh.” I smile. “Where should we go?”
“To the sixth floor. We’ll order a bottle of scotch, admire the lights of Paris after dark, and see where the night takes us.”
My breath suddenly feels heavy in my chest as the anticipation of what’s to come starts to settle over me. “Okay.” When my eyes meet his, the pure desire reflecting in his eyes makes me feel like the downward dip of the highest rollercoaster. Oh fuck. It’s on. Tonight’s the night. Paris. Scotch. Naked Ellis. Fuck.
“You look afraid, Avery.”
“No.” I blink rapidly, shaking my head. “I’m not afraid of you.”
“You never have been. One of many traits I admire.”
“Because I know underneath it all there’s nothing to fear.”
“Good. Why don’t you go up first, and I’ll join you after saying goodnight to a few people?”
“Okay.” I stand on shaky legs and make my way through the ballroom. Once I’m up in my room, I hurry to the bathroom to brush my teeth and check my appearance, pulling my hair down and running my fingers through it. So much nervous energy courses through me I’m surprised I can think straight. When I hear the knock on the door, I actually gasp, then laugh at myself. I can handle this. I can handle anything. I’m ready.
Opening the door, I offer my best smile. He’s holding a bottle of scotch in one hand and loosening his tie with the other. “Hello, Avery.”
“Hi.”
He looks down at the floor between us, then back up at me. “What could be better than you and me in Paris with a bottle of good scotch?”
It’s a dream come true. “Nothing I can think of.” I step back, opening the door wider. “Please come in.”
He walks in and I follow him to the small couch in my room where we both sit. I’m as nervous as a virgin on her wedding night as I watch Ellis open the bottle and pour two glasses, his every move filled with elegance and class. He hands me one and clinks it with his.
“To Paris.”
I smile. “To Paris.” We both sip our drinks, then I sit back, wondering how to start the conversation. “Ellis, I have something I want to say, but I’m not sure how to start.”
“Me too.”
“Really?”
“Yes. Do you want to start?”
“No, you go.”
He takes my glass from me and sets it on the table as he puts his own down too. “I think it’s best if I just get to the point.”
I nod. “Okay.”
“I want you, Avery, more than I want to take my next breath. More than I want the sun to rise tomorrow. More than anything else. I want you.”
I smile as my body starts to shake. “I want you too.”
“But… what I learned quite recently is that I want so much more than your body. I want to share your bed, but I want everything else too. I want your smile, your laughter, your eyes on me first thing in the morning. I want your every thought to be of me because I assure you, all of mine are of you.”
I swallow hard, trying to process his words.
“What I want most, Avery…” He pauses as his voice trembles, and he grasps both my hands in his. “What I want most, my darling, is your heart, because you have mine. Avery, I have no idea what I’m doing, but I believe I’ve managed to fall in love with you, and I promise I will learn.”
My mouth drops open. “What?”
“I’m in love with you, Avery. Please tell me I have a chance that you might love me too.”
“Oh my god.”
“It is a shock, I’m sure. You might not have considered me beyond the physical, but I want more. I think we can be fantastic together. I don’t know what we’ll do about our work relationship yet, but we’ll figure that out. All I know with absolute certainty is I had to tell you. I can’t keep it to myself anymore. I love you, Avery.”
I just stare.
“Avery?”
Throwing my arms around his neck, I kiss him hard as we fall back on the couch. He holds me close as his mouth explores mine. After a few minutes, I rise up just enough to look into his eyes. “I love you too.”
“You do?”
“I do. I was gonna tell you tonight.”
His shoulders relax as a smile spreads across his lips. “You were?”
“Yeah. I don’t know what I’m doing either, but I guess I’ll figure it out.”
“Well, isn’t this fantastic?”
“It is. What do we do now?”
“Now, my beautiful, Avery, we erase that bloody line.”
We kiss again as Ellis manages to lift us both into standing position and carry me to the bed, where he tosses me down.
“I’ve been obsessed with those damn stockings since yesterday.”
I pull my dress up extending a leg in his direction. “These stockings?”
He grabs my leg and drags his tongue along the side of it. “Exactly these.”
“What will you do now?”
“Follow the seam, love.”
My breath catches as he drops to his knees, wraps his arms around my legs and pulls me to the edge of the bed until my knees are resting on his shoulders. I lose sight of him as he disappears under the skirt of my gown, but I’m well aware of his presence as he licks and nibbles his way down my leg to my thigh, and finally grazes his teeth over the tiny lace panties I wear. I can barely breathe at this point, and have to remind myself to take a few deep breaths.
Ellis shoves my dress up around my waist, making eye contact with me again.
“Your scent is intoxicating.” He drags his fingers between my legs. “I’m going to be down here for a very long time. Until I’ve had enough or you can’t take any more, whichever comes f
irst.”
I nod. “And then?”
“And then I’m going to finally, gratefully, make love to you. Until the sun comes up, or you can’t take any more, whichever comes first.” He grips my chin. “Be warned, I have incredible stamina.”
“So do I.”
“We’ll see.”
He disappears between my legs again, as I struggle to get the heavy gown off, tugging it up until it’s over my head. He still hasn’t made contact yet, instead choosing to tease me by kissing and licking everything but. Once my dress is off, he moves up my body, kissing my mouth and yanking down on my strapless bra until my breasts are freed. He sighs when he sees them, sucking each hardened nipple into his warm mouth. He rolls them between his teeth, smashing both tits together so he can suck them easily. Our eyes are locked together as I reach forward and start to unbutton his shirt. I need to see his body. Once I get his sleeves unbuttoned he sits up and pulls the shirt off revealing his toned chest. Oh Jesus, he’s amazing. I sit up enough so we can kiss and I can run my hands down his incredible torso, until he tosses me back again.
“You are so fucking beautiful, Avery.” He unbuckles his belt, causing my breath to catch. “I am near speechless.”
As his slacks fall, I gasp at the sight of his impressive bulge pressing against his silk boxers. Oh god, I want that. I get to have that. Ellis grabs his package, rubbing it.
“Do you want this?”
“You know I do.”
Ellis lets his boxers drop. Fuck. I knew it. I knew he would be fucking perfect. He doesn’t say another word as he flips me over, dragging his tongue along the seams of my stockings, from my ankle to the tops of my thighs, until he finally buries his face between my ass cheeks. As his tongue explores this part of me, I’m overcome by how good it feels. He flips me over in one quick move and goes to work again. My back arches the moment his tongue makes contact with me, and I reach forward to claw at all his luxurious hair I’ve wanted to touch forever. Soft moans escape my lips and the louder I moan the harder Ellis goes at me. Ellis fucking Worthington is eating me out right now.
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