by Zuri Day
“That’s what I’m about to find out,” Nicholas said.
“Sofia’s bringing in cinnamon rolls, just so you know.”
Nicholas patted his stomach. “I’ve got a brand-new tuxedo for the next charity ball. That cummerbund has got to lie flat.”
Christian nodded, totally understanding. He got all of his style from his father. But he hadn’t come by to talk about fashion. And not having much time, he got right to the point.
“How did you know Mom was the one?”
Nicholas’s eyebrows rose in obvious surprise. “Whoa, that wasn’t the question I expected.”
“Thought this was going to be about work?”
“Why, yes, I did, son. Don’t mind your asking, but can I ask you something first?” Christian nodded. “Is this about Lauren?”
“It is.”
There was a light knock at the door and once given permission to enter, Sofia brought in a tray of rolls and wheeled it over to where Christian sat. The smell of cinnamon, sugar and butter wafted under his nose. His stomach growled in delight.
“I brought coffee and tea, along with the milk.”
“Thanks, Sofia,” Christian said. “You’re the best.”
He reached for a saucer, picked up a roll and took a hefty bite. “This should be illegal,” he said around the mouthful.
“For me, right now, it is,” Nicholas replied.
Christian took a couple more bites before reaching for one of a stack of linen napkins, dipping it in a small crystal bowl filled with water and wiping his hands. “When Mom hired Lauren, I didn’t remember that we’d met before.”
“I don’t know why you didn’t. Faye and Vic have been friends for over twenty-five years.”
“Lauren reminded me that it was her older sister Renee that I’d checked out.”
Nicholas smiled, nodded. “Time brings about a change. She’s a beautiful woman. But then, I’d imagine that’s why you’re here.”
“Ah, Dad. I don’t know what to do. We became close during that first trip to Africa and dated a couple times once we returned. But then she decided that mixing business with pleasure wasn’t the best idea.”
“Sounds like somebody I know,” Nicholas replied, with a pointed stare toward Christian.
“All right, I admit to sharing that same viewpoint. I agreed with her, especially given that her mom and mine were friends.”
“So what’s the problem, she wants more now?”
“She did, but I messed it up.”
“How?”
Christian stood and slowly paced the room. “By not being able to get over what happened. That’s not exactly what I told her, though what I did share was the truth as well.”
“Which was?”
“That perception is everything and that considering the fake marriage scandal, I wasn’t sure dating her wouldn’t mar the CANN image, have the public more focused on my private life than the next public offering.
“But that was only part of it. The other part is that she lied, big-time. I know there was a reason. I know it went further than she intended. I know she came clean. Intellectually, I get all that. I’ve forgiven her. But Dad, I just can’t seem to forget.”
“Did you tell her that?”
“At one point I did, right after reading the blog. She wasn’t happy and not long ago came straight out with what she desired...for us to be together.” Christian ran a hand through his curls and plopped down in a chair.
“Then I’m not sure I get your dilemma, son. According to Vic, Lauren is by far the best assistant she’s ever had. Just the other day she told me that she could resign tomorrow and feel totally confident in her ability to lead the foundation on her own. Is she not producing the same level of work with the Island project? Is her attention to the gala interfering with what you need?”
“Not in the office,” Christian mumbled.
Nicholas leaned against the back of his chair. “Earlier, you asked what it was about your mama that made me know that she was the one. It’s when I started to think more about her than I did about any other woman, or even the business. It’s when I started feeling lonely whenever she wasn’t around. Let me tell you something, Christian. All the money in the world doesn’t compare to the right woman warming the other side of your bed. You hear me?”
“I hear you, Dad. Thanks.”
Christian gave Nicholas a hug and headed toward the door.
“It’s good that you hear me,” Nicholas said. “But the real question is, what are you going to do about it?”
It was a fair question, Christian thought as he headed to the car. He was determined to figure out the answer.
Twenty-Four
Lauren felt like pinching herself to make sure she wasn’t dreaming. Partly because in preparing for the concert she’d gone nonstop, and sleepwalking was a real possibility. But mostly because her entire family would be attending before they continued to California for a long-overdue visit with some of their West Coast friends. Even Renee and hubby Thomas, always tied to their children, had left them with a sitter to spend some alone time in Sin City.
Lauren had balked at Victoria’s suggestion that they all stay at the CANN but then she pulled the “it’s my gift to Faye” trump card, putting her parents, sister and brother-in-law into a two-bedroom suite.
Lauren was staying at the CANN, too, along with most of the Breedloves. The concert and dance finished at twelve, but a private party for VIP guests would likely last well into the night. Staying there only made sense. As she sat perfectly still, letting the makeup artist Frankie had insisted on getting for her work her magic, Lauren thought of a third reason the night felt like a fairy tale. Her gorgeous couture gown, a gift from London and Ace, which was part of his latest HER collection.
As the makeup artist was finishing up, there was a knock at the door. One of the assistants went to open the door. It was Frankie, his pose regal, as he leaned on the jamb.
“The party can start now, darling,” he cooed. “Fabulosity has arrived!”
He floated in on beaded Louboutins, his long legs clad in sequined skinny pants, paired with a feathery top and long drop earrings. His makeup was perfection and his hair had been cut, gelled and slicked back. He was drop-dead beautiful, and Lauren told him so.
“Please go and check on the rooms for the silent auction. Make sure all of the tablets are set, working, with styli and paper backup below. I feel fairly confident with the team we’ve assembled but with the extravagant donations we’ve received, we can’t take any chances.”
“I’m already all over it, girlfriend. The proceeds from tonight are going to be huge!”
There were collector’s items being auctioned of Las Vegas greats—from Liberace, Jerry Lewis and the famous Rat Pack to more current headliners like Jennifer Lopez and Celine Dion. In an act of total selflessness, London donated her wedding dress. The bidding started at $250,000. Two interested parties had already phoned in.
A quick look at the clock said she needed to hurry. On cue, the hairstylist put down the rattail comb she’d been using to arrange Lauren’s curls. Her hair had been pulled up and piled high into a burst of curls on top of her head. After viewing her jewelry she’d decided none was appropriate to go with the masterpiece Ace had designed. The dress alone would have to be enough.
Now it was time to become Cinderella. Lauren carefully stepped into the skirt, layers of deep red silk organza and gold tulle. She held her breath as the corset was laced, and figured the next time she breathed would be sometime tomorrow. Shimmering crystals accented the waist even more, and a boatneck bodice showed just the right amount of cleavage. After stepping into red satin pumps, she looked into the mirror. Indeed, she looked on her way to a ball. All she needed was a prince to complete the tableau.
There was a knock at the door.
“What has
Frankie forgotten now?” Lauren asked the room. Although she’d given her family the suite number. It might be Renee.
It wasn’t Renee. It wasn’t family. It was her prince. Christian.
He stepped inside the door and stopped, his eyes drinking her in like a camel gearing up for a trek through the Mojave. Little did she know but her eyes mirrored his as she took in the deep red velvet tuxedo jacket, made more striking by being paired with a black shirt and slacks. His eyes caught and held hers, and she could swear the earth tilted. Everyone, everything in the room disappeared. Her heartbeat increased. She felt light-headed. Either the boning in the corset had cut through her windpipe or this sister was falling even deeper in love!
Seconds passed, and neither spoke. And yet an entire conversation passed through their eyes.
Yes. Me, too. Later. Can’t wait!
“...Lauren!”
Someone was calling her. The name cut through a haze of emotions, softly at first and then louder.
She gave her head a slight shake to pull it together. The stylists had been forgotten. “Huh, um, what?”
“Do you need us for anything further?”
“No, but my family might.” She gave them the suite number. “I’ll let them know you’re on the way.”
The group scurried away, as though feeling like interlopers, suddenly unwelcome. Christian’s eyes never left Lauren’s as the door clicked in place.
“Hi,” Lauren said shyly.
Christian visibly swallowed. “You take my breath away.”
“I know the feeling. You look—” she licked her lips without meaning to do it “—really good.”
“It’s from the HIS collection.”
“And this is HER.”
“Ace did his thing with the summer line.”
“Oh, I almost forgot. My family. The team. Let me call and give them a heads-up.”
Lauren walked over to where her phone sat on the dining room table, next to a square gold clutch. After alerting her mom to the glam squad’s arrival, she turned back to Christian.
“Shall we go down, then? I assume you’re here as my escort?”
Slowly walking toward her, Christian said, “That’s only one of many reasons why I’m here.”
He stopped mere inches from her face. “The other is to give you this.”
So caught up in his gaze, Lauren hadn’t seen the box he held. Now she did, and looked at him again.
“What is this?”
“A peace offering.”
“For what?”
“For telling you no when I should have said yes.”
“Christian, I...”
“Shh.” He placed a finger on her lips. “Let’s talk later. For now we have a beautiful concert and a wonderful dance to enjoy.”
Still staring at him, she lifted the lid and revealed another box inside, silver, with intricate designs. She let the cardboard box fall to the floor as she slowly lifted the silver box lid.
Her mouth dropped.
“No.”
Christian chuckled. “What do you mean, no?”
“No, Christian! These can’t be for me.”
“They’re absolutely for you, and now that I’ve seen how you’re wearing that dress, baby, this present is perfect.”
“They’re beautiful,” Lauren said, tearing up. “I’ve never...thank you.”
“You’re welcome. Here, you handle the earrings. I’ll help with this.”
Lauren turned, felt the coolness of the gem against her warm skin as he clasped the teardrop yellow diamond held by a thin gold chain. She put on the matching earrings and looked in the mirror. Now her ensemble was complete.
She looked at her watch. “I’ve got to go.”
“Don’t throw away that box. There’s something else in there.”
Lauren reached for the box and saw what lay at the bottom, what had been hidden by the intricately designed box that held the jewels. A hotel card key...to Christian’s private suite.
* * *
He didn’t know if she’d show, but Christian made the obligatory rounds at the VIP party, sent Lauren a text and then slipped out as quickly as he could. He entered the suite and looked around. His butler had staged the room to perfection, had followed every instruction to the letter. The candles, rose petals, champagne perfectly chilled, food flown in from Rome and Djibouti.
It had been so long since he’d been nervous about anything that at first he didn’t recognize the feeling. Once he did he walked over to the bar, poured a finger of scotch and knocked it back. He walked over to the wall panel and pushed a few buttons. The soft sounds of neo soul floated across the room. Fifteen minutes passed, and then fifteen minutes more. He took off his jacket. Ten more minutes went by. Christian finally got the message. She wasn’t coming. He walked into the bedroom, eased out of his shoes, and heard the soft click of the lock.
His heart thudded against his chest. There was another reaction, several inches below, as his sex twitched with anticipation. He walked into the living room. Lauren stood still, staring. She looked ethereal, like a goddess, the beads glittering, candles flickering off her golden skin. He walked over and pulled her into his arms.
“Thank you,” he whispered.
He stepped back. She looked around. “This place looks amazing.”
“It’s all for you. Can I get you something to drink or eat? I’ve got some special dishes I think you’d like.”
“Maybe later,” she said softly. She perched on the sofa arm and slid off her pumps. “Right now I’d very much love it if you’d assuage another appetite.”
Christian didn’t need to be told twice. He pulled her up, turned her around and undressed her, everything but her thong, right there in the living room. While she was still standing he went to his knees, gently spread her legs and pressed his mouth against her heat. As his tongue snaked its way under the thong’s silky fabric, his fingers splayed her cheeks and teased the star of her moon. Lauren groaned and joined him on the floor, using the $20,000 dress she’d just worn as a cushion against the cool marble.
Christian covered her naked body with his fully clothed one, took her face in his hands and kissed her deeply, her essence like nectar as he licked, nipped and teased. He stopped just long enough to pull off his shirt. As he worked with the buttons, Lauren handled his belt, button and zipper, and pushed down slacks and boxers in one fell swoop. It was a take-charge move that said “I want you now.” The plans for a slow seduction went out the window. He reached for the condom in his slacks, rolled it on, and slid home.
Coming together again was heavenly. For a moment they lay still, barely breathing. He basked in the feeling of being fully sheathed inside her, of feeling the muscles of her inner walls flex and tighten, heightening his desire beyond what he thought possible. He eased out to the tip and sank in again slowly, deeply, smiling as the increased friction made her moan. He increased the pace—plunging, thrusting, squeezing, grinding—branding every part of her insides with his hot iron. He made love until a thin sheen of sweat covered his body and still, he could not get enough. His tongue and hands were everywhere. No part of her body, no crevice, no cavern, was left untouched. He poured himself into her, body and soul, and his mind whispered... I love you.
After the second orgasm and a leisurely shower, round two began and Lauren returned the favor. She licked and tickled his long, thick shaft, savored his tip, followed the line of hair with her tongue and drove him wild when she pulled him inside her warm, wet mouth. Over and over, until the sun rose. Until there were tears, as both of them recognized and acknowledged that what started as lust had deepened to a soul-mate love. They heated the food and conversed about trivial, mundane things. No one talked about the past. No one talked about the future, although later they’d realize that at this time they both saw the other in it. For right now, however, they
only focused on the present, and each other.
Twenty-Five
The weeks between Memorial Day and the Fourth of July passed by in a blur of love, laughter, family and fun. Lauren and Christian spent quality time with Renee and Thomas, and dazzled them by scoring tickets to some of the best shows in Las Vegas—Cirque du Soleil and front-row seats to Criss Angel and MJ Live.
Afterward, Lauren traveled to California with her parents and marveled at the change in her dad. Or was it her just seeing him differently? Either way he seemed happier, his spirit much lighter. He still owed Gerald Miller a boatload of money, but hearing her dad’s hearty laugh at a warm-up comedian made Lauren feel that the worst may indeed be behind them.
Paul and Faye came back for the Fourth of July celebration. Victoria had insisted on it, and on them staying in one of the guesthouses on the estate where the party was held. Thousands of mini lights—red, white and blue—were strung around and between three large white tents, with paths of slate laid between them, perfectly smooth and evenly laid in order to accommodate the Choo, Blahnik and Louboutin heels that would walk over them.
The best foods had been flown in from around the world, along with several renowned chefs in charge of a menu featuring Breedlove beef, Maine lobster, Alaskan salmon, Nova Scotia bluefin tuna and organic everything. Not a hot dog or potato chip in sight. One tent had been arranged with intimate seating for the one hundred or so guests who’d been invited. The third tent held additional seating, a lit dance floor and a massive bar that would attract a crowd all night.
Christian and Lauren arrived, hand in hand, a standout couple among a crowd of jewels. They spotted their parents at about the same time, sitting at a round table of ten, chatting with another couple and among each other. The lovers headed that way.
“Don’t they make the cutest couple?” Victoria exclaimed after pleasantries. “And can you imagine their babies?”
“Victoria!”
“What?” Victoria held her ground while taking in Lauren’s shocked expression. “You do know that’s the end result of...hand-holding.”