“Oh God. She keeps saying that.”
“Your dad is an amazing man and you should be proud to be like him. Anyway, I wanted to get away for a couple days and get myself together before I called you and begged you to take me back.”
“Amelia,” I whispered as I kissed her neck. “You won’t ever have to beg me.”
“Your mom told me about your drinking binge last night.”
“Of course she did,” I said as I nipped her neck.
Amelia giggled. “Why did you come to Chicago?”
“I was sitting in my office, looking out the window, and thinking about you, when I thought of our little chat about the Field Museum and T-Rex Sue. That’s when I decided, at the last minute, to hop on a plane and come to Chicago.”
“So you were going to go to the Field Museum without me?”
“Yeah. I guess I was.”
“You beast! How dare you? You promised me we could go together.”
“Amelia, are you going to tell me that you weren’t going to go there yourself?”
“I would never!” she exclaimed.
“Liar.” I smiled as I splashed her with water.
She turned her body around so she was facing me and wrapped her legs around my waist. “I love you so much. I was so stupid for getting mad at you about the house.”
“It’s okay, baby, and I love you too.” I smiled as I pushed a strand of her hair behind her ear.
“No, it’s not okay. You’re the most loving and generous man I’ve ever met, and you love me. How could I be mad at you for that? A part of me feels guilty about the house because my mom and dad should be the ones enjoying it, not me.”
“Amelia, you need to stop with that. You survived. You need to accept that and try to live the rest of your life as fully as possible. With me in it, of course.” I winked.
She placed her hands on each side of my face and rubbed her nose against mine. “I missed you last night and I don’t ever want to sleep apart again.”
“I missed you too and, trust me, we won’t. We need to make a promise to each other right now that we’ll never ever go to bed angry. If we get into an argument or a fight, then we need to work it out first. Deal?” I asked.
“Deal.” She smiled as she kissed my lips.
Chapter 36
Amelia and I had the best time in Chicago. We visited the Field Museum, and we had someone take a beautiful picture of us in front of T-Rex Sue. I took her to my mom and dad’s art gallery, showed her Black Enterprises, and introduced her to Mac.
“Mac, what are you doing here? It’s Saturday.”
“Hey, Collin. I was just about to ask you the same thing. Why the hell are you in Chicago?”
“Mac, this is my girlfriend, Amelia. Amelia, this is Mackenzie. She runs this office for us.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Amelia.” She smiled. “I was just catching up on some work. I’m going on vacation next week.”
“Ah, nice. Are you going with anyone I know?” I asked.
“Yeah. Carla and I are going to the Bahamas.”
I looked at her with a twisted face. “Carla, as in Carla from design?”
“The one and only.” Mac smiled.
“I didn’t know she was—”
“Yeah, well, she hasn’t really told anyone yet. So, let’s keep our little vacation under wraps.”
“Ah. Okay. My lips are sealed.”
“Anyway, it was great seeing you, sweetheart,” she said as she kissed my cheek. “And it was great to meet you, Amelia. You’ve changed my boy here. I can tell already.”
“Have a great trip,” I said as we headed down the hall.
“She seems really nice,” Amelia said.
“She is. She’s one of the best in the company.”
We went to dinner that night and, as soon as we got back to the hotel, I ordered a bottle of champagne and we drank and had sex all night long.
****
My dad sent the plane to Chicago for us and we went back to New York. Amelia’s break was over and she went back to her classes and clinicals the next day. As soon as we got home, my mom and dad came down to see us.
“I’m really happy the two of you worked things out,” my dad said.
“Me too, Dad. Me too.”
“How weird was it that you were both going to Chicago at the same time and on the same flight? The universe works in mysterious ways. I’ve learned that over the years. By the way, I’m starting to interview people tomorrow for Diana’s position and I want you to sit in on them.”
“Why?”
“Because you’re a great judge of character and I want your opinion.”
“Thanks, Dad. I’ll be there early tomorrow right after I drop Amelia off at the hospital.”
“Ellery, are you ready to go home? I believe you have a promise to keep.” He smiled.
She looked at him and bit down on her bottom lip. “You’re right, sexy. I do. I hope you can handle me.”
“That’s it! Out. You two can take your little sex talk out of my apartment. I don’t want to hear about you two handling each other.”
My parents both laughed and kissed me and Amelia good bye. I rolled my eyes and shook my head.
“I absolutely love your parents.” She smiled as she put her arm around me.
“As crazy as they can be, I do too.”
****
My mom and dad threw a going-away party for Diana at the Waldorf Astoria. The entire company was invited and I think just about everyone showed. They were all a bunch of suck-ups to my dad, so it didn’t surprise me. We mixed and mingled and I could tell Diana was a little upset.
“What’s wrong?” I asked as I walked up to her.
“It’s nothing. I’m just going to miss you all. It’s a little scary starting somewhere new.”
I put my arm around her and gave her a light squeeze. “I know, but think of how much better you and Jacob will be. And it’s not like you won’t know anyone there. You have Mason and Landon.”
“I know and I’ve been talking to Joel almost every day, either on the phone or Skype.”
I looked at her strangely. “Really?”
“Yeah. He’s a great and interesting guy. We have a lot in common.” She smiled.
“Really?” I asked again.
“Why do you look so shocked?”
“I don’t know. He is a great guy and his wife passed away a couple of years ago.”
“We’ve talked about her and my husband.”
I got the feeling that she and Joel might have started something or would start something when she got to California.
The next afternoon, I picked Amelia up from her classes and we headed to the airport to say goodbye to Diana and Jacob. I’d been dreading this day since she agreed to move to California. My mom and dad were already there and so were Julia and Jake. I walked up to Jacob and knelt down in front of him as I placed my hands on his shoulders.
“Hey, buddy. I want you listen to me. Okay?”
“Yeah, sure, Collin. What’s up?”
“I want you to have the best life in California. Really take in that ocean air. I’ll be coming out to visit you quite a bit and to check up on you. This is a new start for you and your mom and you’re going to need to be there to help her out. Mason will be around a lot and I just know you’re going to do great,” I said as my eyes instantly filled with tears.
“I’m going to miss you, Collin.”
I pulled him into an embrace. “I’m going to miss you too. We’ll keep in touch almost every day through phone calls and text, and whenever you want, we can Skype.”
“Okay,” he said as a tear fell from his eye.
I gave him one last squeeze and then patted him on the head. “Go on. Get out of here and go meet some hot California girls.” I smiled.
He smiled and held up his fist. I bumped mine against his and stood up and said goodbye to Diana with a hug and a kiss.
“Stay in touch and enjoy California. Amelia and
I will be out soon to visit.”
“Thank you, Collin. I will never forget what you’ve done for us. This isn’t goodbye. I’ll see you later.” She smiled.
They walked to the plane and, before Jacob got on, he stopped and waved at me. Amelia put her arm around my waist and laid her head on my shoulder as we both waved goodbye.
Chapter 37
Two Months Later
“Baby, are you ready? The plane is waiting for us.”
“I’m coming. I’m sorry. I had trouble deciding what to bring,” she said.
I had to go to Vegas for a business meeting and we decided to make a long weekend of it. Amelia had never been to Vegas and she was really excited to go.
“Have you ever gambled?” I asked her as we sat on the plane.
“No. But I can’t wait to.” She smiled.
“If you have any addictions, gambling could become a problem. So you better be careful.”
“Hmm. I do have one addiction: you.” She growled as she kissed me.
She had me hard and we were going to be landing in about ten minutes. “You’re a very bad girl, Miss Gray, and as soon as we get to the hotel, I’m afraid I’ll have to punish you.”
“Only if you promise to punish me hard.” She smiled.
“Jesus, Amelia. You’re killing me,” I said as I kissed the side of her head and buckled my seatbelt.
She giggled.
We arrived at The Bellagio Hotel and I had to get ready for my business meeting. As I was in the bathroom, Amelia threw herself onto the king-sized bed.
“I thought you were going to punish me?”
“I am. After my meeting. I promise you I won’t be gone long. The meeting should only take an hour. I’ve booked a massage and facial for you down at the spa.”
“That was sweet. Thank you,” she said as she walked up behind me.
“You’re welcome, baby. My meeting is here in the hotel. If you get done with your spa appointment before my meeting is over, come back up to the room and, when I get back, we’ll go and do some gambling.”
“Sounds good, babe,” she said as she kissed my back.
I put on my suit coat and I walked Amelia down to the spa.
“This is where we part ways. I’ll see you soon. Enjoy the spa, baby.”
“I will. Enjoy your meeting.”
“That I won’t.” I smiled as I kissed her and headed to the board room.
My meeting ran a little longer than I planned, but I signed the deal for the company and my dad was going to be extremely happy. I walked over to the spa to see if Amelia was done and saw her walking out the door.
“Perfect timing. How was your massage?” I asked as I gave her a kiss.
“Exhilarating, relaxing, amazing.” She smiled.
I chuckled. “Maybe before we leave Vegas, we can get a couple’s massage.”
“I’d like that,” she said as she laid her head on my shoulder and looped her arm around mine.
We spent our first night at the black jack table and I taught Amelia how to play. She was either very lucky or she was bullshitting me about not knowing how to play. She cleaned up and she cleaned up well. I was more in love with her than ever, and playing against her and watching how excited she got when she won was an amazing feeling. I reached over and stroked her blonde hair and asked her if she was ready to go back to the room.
“Are you ready, baby? I think we have some celebrating to do.” I winked.
“Yeah, I’m ready.” She smiled.
I took her hand and we entered the elevator. Once we hit the tenth floor, I pushed the stop button.
“What are you doing?”
I turned to her and placed my hands on her thighs. My fingers slid their way up to the edge of her panties and pushed them to the side. I slipped my fingers inside her, feeling how excited she already was.
“I’m giving you a little something before we go to the room. Judging by how wet you are, I think you want it.”
I pushed her against the elevator wall and she brought her knee up. “Collin, you’re so bad.”
“Tell me how much you want me to make you come right now,” I whispered as my tongue stroked her neck.
“I want you to,” she said breathlessly.
“You want me to what?”
“I want you to make me come now and then multiple times in the room.”
I took down the strap of her dress, exposing her bare breast as my fingers moved in and out of her at a rapid pace. She tried to contain her moans, but let loose once my mouth surrounded her breast. My thumb rested on her clit as she swelled against my fingers. I knew that a few short strokes on her clit would have her coming in no time.
“Come, baby. Show me how good I make you feel.”
“Don’t stop. Please don’t stop,” she begged.
I moved my fingers in circles and hit her g-spot. She let out a howl and her body tightened against me.
“Oh my God!” she said with bated breath as her orgasm came to full force.
I smiled as I looked at her and pulled up the strap to her dress. I then kissed her on the lips and pushed the button to go up to our room. The elevator door opened and there was a group of people standing in front of it.
“Are you two okay?” a gentleman asked. “The elevator was stuck.”
“Yeah. We’re great.” I smiled as I took Amelia’s hand and we went to our room.
Needless to say, we were up all night and barely slept.
****
I rolled over and opened my eyes when I heard my phone buzz. I picked it up from the nightstand and saw a text message from my dad.
“Morning, son. Congratulations on closing the deal. We’ll celebrate when you get back to New York. I hope you and Amelia are having a great time.”
“Thanks, Dad. We’re having a blast. Amelia loves Vegas and she cleaned up last night at the black jack table. See you in a couple of days.”
I rolled over and looked at how peacefully Amelia was sleeping. I got out of bed, put on some clothes, and went downstairs to the reception desk. When I came back to the room, Amelia rolled over and looked at me as I stood in the doorway with red roses.
“Morning, baby.” I smiled.
“Where did you go?”
“Down to the flower shop to get you these,” I said as I handed her the roses.
She brought them up to her nose and smelled them. “They’re beautiful. Thank you,” she said as she reached up and kissed me.
“You’re welcome. Our breakfast will be here soon. I ordered you your favorite.”
“Chocolate chip pancakes?” She smiled.
“Yep. Chocolate chip pancakes,” I said as I kissed her nose.
While she was in the shower, room service was delivered and set up at the table for us.
“Amelia, breakfast is here,” I said as I walked in the bathroom.
“I’ll be there in a sec. Don’t start without me.”
I sat down at the table and waited for Amelia to join me. A few moments later, she came out in her silk robe and sat down across from me.
“I’m starving,” she said.
“Me too.”
She lifted off the silver lid from her plate and stared at her pancakes. She put her hand over her mouth and looked up at me with tears in her eyes.
I got up from my seat and took the five-carat diamond ring that sat on the stack of pancakes. I got down on one knee and took her hand.
“Amelia, I want to spend the rest of my life with you. You have given me the best gift in life; true love. I fell in love with you from the moment I saw you walking past the beach house that morning after you saved me. My world was crumbling down before I met you, and then you came along and changed my life. There is nothing that I wouldn’t do for you or give you. I want to build a future with you. I want you to be the mother of my children and I want to do nothing but grow old with you. I love you so much that sometimes it hurts. I can’t stand to be away from you and, when I see you at the end of the day, my
whole world lights up again.”
I placed my finger on her promise ring. “I gave you this ring as a promise of my love and a promise to marry you. Now, I’m fulfilling that promise by giving you this ring and asking you to be my wife forever and always. Let’s get married, baby. Let’s do it here in Vegas. I don’t want to wait a year to plan the perfect wedding. I want you now as my wife, Mrs. Amelia Black. What do you say, baby? Will you marry me today?”
The tears fell from her eyes as she stared into mine. “Of course I’ll marry you. Yes. Yes, I will marry you today!” she said with excitement.
I removed her promise ring from her left hand and placed it on her right. I slid the diamond ring on her finger and kissed it. We both stood up and I swung her around, holding her tight and kissing her nonstop.
“You have made me the happiest man alive!” I said.
“And you’ve made me the happiest girl in the world. I love you so much, Collin Black, and I can’t wait to marry you.”
“I love you too, Amelia. I have everything all arranged already.”
She looked at me when I put her down and smiled. “What if I would have said no?”
“Well, that’s the chance I took. But somehow, I knew you’d say yes.”
“What am I going to wear? I need a ring for you! Flowers? My hair, makeup! Oh my God, I’m starting to panic.”
I laughed. “Amelia. Calm down. I’ve arranged all that. There’s a jewelry shop in the lobby; we can go pick out my ring. I have two women catering to you today. They will be helping you pick a dress and they’ll be doing your hair and makeup.”
She took in a deep breath. “Okay. You’re truly amazing. Did you know that?”
“I’ve been told a few times.” I smiled.
We sat down at the table and ate our breakfast. “Collin, I’m scared.”
“Why are you scared?”
“Your parents are going to be so upset. Not to mention Julia.”
“When we get back to New York, I’ll let my mom plan a reception for all of our family and friends. She’ll love it. Listen, Amelia, I don’t want to wait. Once we get back to New York, you have your classes, your clinicals, and you’ll be graduating in a few months. There won’t be any time to plan a wedding.”