“How did you and my brother meet?” Tatiána inquires. She and I haven’t had much of an opportunity to talk one-on-one yet.
“We’ve known each other for quite a while but never really talked much until recently. Fallon and I went to different schools. He actually kind of scared me back in high school,” I admonish, remembering how uneasy I used to be around him.
I wish I could go back and smack Old Elizabeth for being so clueless and timid. She never fully opened her eyes to see what was truly around her. How much living she missed out on because she was afraid and let others make choices for her. Fallon was never the scary, crazy guy she built him up to be in her mind. If she would have taken the time to look closer, she would have seen a lost boy trying his best to survive in a world where his family hurt him on a daily basis and life continuously screwed him over.
“Eduardo scared me as well. I had been aware of him my whole life since our families were close, but I remember the exact day when I really saw him for the first time through the eyes of the young woman I became. It both thrilled me and scared me at how fast I fell in love.”
Tatiána upturns her face and Eduardo presses a kiss to her lips. “Our age difference must be confusing to you,” he adds.
I go with honesty. “Fallon filled me in when we got here, and I did ask him questions. But what I notice most is how in love the two of you are. How Tatiána glows standing next to you, and how you look at her like she’s the most precious thing in the world. When it comes down to it, that’s all that really matters.”
“Tell us more about you, Elizabeth,” Tatiána invites as she offers a roasted grape tomato to Eduardo with her fork. He bites into it and she eats the rest. The way they act with one another reminds of Julien and Elijah. A pang of longing cracks through, causing me to miss my best friend. Julien and Elijah are two more relationships I’ll need to salvage when I get home. It’s just another reminder on how I have fucked everything up so horrendously.
“There’s not much to tell,” I reply with evasion because my life has been a shitty soap opera up to this point. Fallon is silent next to me, but I feel his hand reach over to my leg under the table to let me know he’s there to support me.
“Everyone has a story, Elizabeth. What is yours?”
“Why are you being so fucking nosy?” Fallon snaps at Tatiána.
I see Eduardo tighten up ready to say something. In order to avoid an argument, I blurt out, “I had amnesia.” Both Tatiána and Eduardo’s mouths fall open then shut. “I lost my memory a year and half ago, but everything came back two weeks ago. My life is a bit messed up at the moment. I created a new life for myself, one that I loved, but then my old life came crashing back. Fallon is helping me work through some things. He’s been great. Exactly what I’ve needed.” Fallon’s hand squeezes my thigh.
“I’m sorry that I pried. I meant no offense, Elizabeth.”
“It’s okay. It’s just hard for me to talk about.”
Thankfully, she changes the subject to something I’m more than happy to talk about. “Elizabeth is a very talented pianist,” she tells Eduardo. “Perhaps you wouldn’t mind playing for us again after we eat?” she asks me.
“It would be my pleasure. I composed a new song last night. I love your Steinway, by the way,” I tell Eduardo.
“Before I forget,” Tatiána says, looking to Fallon, “I had to make a last-minute decision. Eduardo and I will be leaving tonight to go back to Madrid. We would still like to show you around town before we leave. You are both more than welcome to stay and enjoy the house for as long as you would like.”
I’m a little disappointed because I was hoping to spend more time with her, getting to know Fallon’s sister better. “Is everything okay?”
“Everything couldn’t be more wonderful.” She beams, grabbing hold of Eduardo’s hand on the table. “I didn’t want to say anything until I was able to tell Eduardo first, but…I’m pregnant.”
Fallon is up and rounding the table to hug his sister before I can tell her congratulations. Dual emotions swirl around my mind; happiness for Tatiána and a sad sense of loss for Elizabeth Ann. I choke down the melancholy and join Fallon in celebrating their good news.
“How far along are you?” I ask her.
“Twelve weeks.”
“I’m so happy for you,” I tell her and kiss each cheek.
“Thank you, Elizabeth. Now, let’s finish lunch, listen to you play the piano one last time, and enjoy the remaining hours we have together.”
Tatiána wasn’t exaggerating when she said lunch was their big meal of the day. We eat and talk under the gazebo for about two hours before Tatiána asks if I’m ready to play something on the piano. After hearing me play the song I wrote for Fallon and a few other classical pieces, Eduardo writes a name and contact number on the back of one of his business cards and hands it to me. He tells me if I ever decide to pursue a career as a concert pianist, I should give the number on the back of the card a call. It’s for someone who works with the Spanish Symphonic Orchestra in Madrid. I’m a bit dumbstruck by his offer, so I say thank you and tuck the card away in my dress pocket, knowing it’s a path in life I will never want to follow professionally. I’m determined to become a doctor, but Eduardo’s compliment is still flattering.
Afterwards, we’re driven into Barcelona and spend the rest of the day walking around the city. It’s a phenomenal city with incredible architecture; Gothic-style being my favorite. Tatiána and I exchange contact information and she invites me to come back to visit her in the future, with or without Fallon. We do a little window shopping and a little real shopping. I add to my collection of souvenirs I’ve bought from every place Fallon and I have visited. I think it’s going to take a suitcase of its own to carry back all the things I have purchased for Ryder, Jayson, Julien, Elijah, Meredith, and Trevor. I also sneak in a few surprise items that I will give to Fallon later, and pick up a few baby items that I give to Tatiána as a thank you for hosting me in her home. Knowing all the different foreign transaction fees I’m accruing, I don’t want to see my credit card bill next month.
Tatiána and Eduardo make their departure around seven in the evening, leaving me and Fallon to while away the rest of the night together. Fallon takes me to the Gothic Quarter, and we party until two in the morning. Once we return to the estate, it’s almost three and I’m utterly exhausted from my long day. I flop down on the slate-blue and pale yellow striped sofa that sits in the family room. Fallon makes himself comfortable next to me and picks up my legs to drape across his thighs. I’m about to ask him what he’s doing when he starts massaging my feet, and I emit a very unladylike moan.
“You sound like a fucking porn star,” he muses with a chuckle and I slap his leg.
“Don’t ruin my Zen, asshole. Oh my God, that feels incredible,” I enthuse, falling back on the arm of the sofa and closing my eyes in pure pleasure at what his hands are doing to my feet. I purr like a cat getting its ears stroked. “What do you think about becoming an uncle?”
The rhythm of his hands slows. “Shit, it never occurred to me. I’m going to be an uncle. Christ, that kid is so screwed.”
I peek over at him. “Fallon, you are great with kids. Don’t sell yourself short. You’ll spoil that kid rotten.”
“At least I know he or she will have two great parents and a loving home,” he replies.
And just like last night, my heart breaks for the boy he once was. “What are you doing for Thanksgiving?”
That catches his attention. “What I usually do. Enjoy a tumbler of good scotch and find a hot girl or two to fuck.” I kick him in the ribs with my left foot, making him grunt.
“Why don’t you spend it with me?” I throw it out there hoping it’ll stick. I’ve got a plan in mind. Something I’ve been thinking about the past few days. I don’t know if the boys will still want me coming home with them like we planned, so if that falls through, I will create my own Thanksgiving with Fallon, and somehow convince Trev
or to come as well. I’ll invite Meredith, too. And if I do go home with the twins and Ryder, Fallon can still join us. I’m going to make sure that Fallon’s Thanksgiving and Christmas this year are good ones filled with laughter and love.
Fallon says incredulously, “You want me to spend the holiday with you?”
“Did I stutter?”
He pulls my legs and slides me down the sofa in punishment for my sass, then braces himself over me. “Why?”
I slide back to sit up and tuck my legs underneath me, my dress spreading out and draping down the front of the sofa. “Why not? Do you already have plans, or anything better on your turkey day to-do list other than a ‘good scotch and a hot fuck’?” I say with air quotes.
He turns over and lays his head on my lap. His beautiful blue eyes fix up on mine. “No, but—”
I stroke his sandy-blond hair the way I know he likes it. “Then it’s settled. With you around, it’ll be the best fucking Thanksgiving ever,” I exclaim, trying to sound like him.
Fallon doesn’t respond for a minute and I wait anxiously as he processes through his thoughts. I hear his phone ding and he holds it out to the side where I can’t see it. He takes a quick look then puts it back in his pocket. “Are you sure, Elizabeth?”
Without hesitation, I answer, “Absolutely.” And then I aim my arrow true to its target when I tell him, “You’re my friend and I love you. I couldn’t imagine you not being there to share the holidays with me. That includes Christmas as well, by the way. What do you say about getting a ten-foot tree? I’ve always wanted a huge tree.”
I expect Fallon to give me one of his cocksure grins or one of his mirth-filled laughs. I wouldn’t have been surprised if he flat out said no, or better yet, fuck no. What I never would have predicted was for him to flip back around, get up in my face, and plant a whopping big kiss to my mouth. It’s not a sexy kiss filled with tangling tongues or a sweet kiss filled with airy caresses and barely-there touches. It’s a kiss where he smashes his lips against mine in a way that feels like desperation. I’m too stunned to react at first because it came out of the blue. I’m about to push him off of me when Fallon pulls back and places something small and metal in my hand.
As I look down to see what it is, he gets up from the sofa. “Password is kitten,” he says and leaves the room.
I stare at the phone he just laid in my hand and my breath hitches. “Fallon, what?” I look up but he’s already gone. He gave me his phone. What does this mean?
I turn it on and type in ‘kitten’ to unlock the screen. Holy shit. Am I ready for this? Deep breath in, exhale out. I dial Ryder’s number. My heart is beating so fast, I feel it might beat a hole right through my chest. Ryder’s phone rings once, then twice. On the third ring, I hear his baritone voice answer and I about pass out from how much it affects me.
“Ryder?”
I hear shuffling noises and something like the low hum of a car engine in the background. “Elizabeth?”
I swallow a few times not knowing what to say next.
“Elizabeth, are you still there?”
I answer with a breathy, “Yeah.”
Just like the last time, Ryder goes silent and my stomach clenches with nausea. Every self-doubt I’ve been carrying with me comes flooding back like a tsunami, breaking my resolve and decimating my hopes that everything will be okay.
“Open the door, baby.”
“What?” My ears pick up a faint noise coming from the front of the house.
“Open the door, Elizabeth.”
I hear the noise again. I jump off the sofa and run as fast as I can to the front door. I fling it open like the house is on fire. And standing before me, looking handsome as sin, is Ryder Cutton. The man I love more than anything. The man I want to spend the rest of my life with.
My body starts shaking uncontrollably and I drop Fallon’s phone. He can afford another one.
“How?” I can’t seem to speak anything other than monosyllabic words.
Ryder gives me that heart-stopping grin, his amber eyes liquid with unshed tears. “There’s my girl.”
I burst into tears.
Chapter 11
Day 17: He Found Me
Barcelona
Before my legs have a chance to buckle, Ryder swoops me up in his arms and I swear to God, I have never felt anything more wonderful in my entire life.
“I love you so much. I’m so sorry,” I weep uncontrollably, the floodgates to my heartbreak opening, dumping everything out.
“Sweetheart, everything is going to be alright.” Ryder kisses the side of my hair, my face, and my lips several times then buries his face deep into my shoulder, inhaling deeply. I clutch him to me tightly, afraid that if I let go, he’ll disappear, and I’ll be lost again.
“How did you find me?”
“I called him,” Fallon says from behind me. My head swivels to where he’s standing at the bottom of the stairs, hands shoved in his pockets, wearing an inscrutable expression.
“Fallon?” I say his name in question.
“Private jets, kitten,” he says with that infamous Fallon smirk. I think it takes about nine hours to fly from North Carolina to Spain. Ryder must have left immediately after Fallon’s mysterious phone call this morning to be here now.
Ryder puts me down and I rush over to Fallon and hurl my arms around his neck, hugging him fiercely. “Thank you. How did you know I chose Ryder?”
“Kitten, there isn’t much I don’t know when it comes to you.”
“You are a wonderful man, Fallon Parker Montgomery,” I whisper against his cheek.
“Go be with your man. It’s time, kitten.” He kisses my nose, then releases me, walking upstairs and leaving me and Ryder alone. I turn back around to look at the man whom I have loved for most of my life, so starved for the sight of him. He’s watching with curiosity as Fallon ascends the stairs.
As Ryder tracks Fallon, my eyes devour every inch of the man standing before me. I still can’t believe he’s really here. He came for me. I have missed him so goddamn much. His hair is a little longer on the sides and on top, like he hasn’t had a haircut in a few weeks. His eyes have bags under them like he hasn’t been sleeping well, and his face is slightly gaunt with worry lines etched at the corners of his eyes. He’s wearing his usual faded jeans and T-shirt, and the black work boots I like because they make him look badass. Haggard-looking or not, he’s still the most amazingly handsome man I have ever laid eyes on.
Ryder drags his gaze from the top of the stairs and slides those mesmerizing copper eyes my way. “You look good, but also different somehow,” he says.
Why does everything between us suddenly feel uncertain?
“I love you, Ryder,” I loudly exclaim, not able to help myself. I have so much to make up for. I will crawl buck-naked across broken glass for this man if he can find it in his heart to forgive me.
“Thank fuck,” he exhales, the tension in his shoulders dissolving right before my eyes. Neither of us makes a move toward the other, even though my body is screaming at me to catapult myself back into his arms.
“Please forgive me.”
“We have a lot to talk about, Elizabeth. A lot that needs to be said.”
“I know.” He’s too far away. I need him in my arms. I need my mouth on his. I just need him so much.
“You remember? Everything came back?”
I nod. “Yes.”
Tense silence ensues.
“I love you so much. It’s you, Ryder. I only want you. I will beg and plead and do whatever I have to if you can give me another chance. No more running. No more confusion. I know what I want. I know who I am.”
“And who’s that?”
“Yours, Ryder. I’m yours if you still want me.”
A joyous smile spreads across his face like an exploding supernova. I sprint across the entryway and into his ready arms once again, peppering kisses all over his face, neck, and jaw until our lips collide in a desperate open-mouthed claimin
g. His mouth goes deep over mine and I’m flying apart from the scorching heat being generated between us. I press myself into him, so hungry for his taste. It will take a lifetime for my craving of him to slake, yet I know I’ll never be satisfied; my need for this man is too great.
“I love you, Elizabeth,” he professes against my lips, languidly flicking their bottom fullness with his tongue like he’s reacquainting himself to the feel of me. It’s been weeks since we last saw each other; since I kissed him or touched him. There is no known hyperbole that can describe my state of concupiscence at this moment.
“Make love to me,” I beg in a half pant, half plea, as I push the hem of my dress up and hook my legs around his waist. His large, capable hands cup the round cheeks of my ass to hold me in place as he licks the sensitive patch of skin under my ear. I chase Ryder’s mouth because I have to taste him again. He is the sustenance to my starvation.
“Where?” he grunts against my mouth, the sound of it so sexy my entire body trembles with anticipated excitement.
“Stairs. Fourth room on the right. Hurry,” I pant harder, my desire to have him inside of me obliterating every coherent thought in my brain.
Ryder deftly carries me up the curved staircase with ease and once he gets to the correct room, he shifts me so that he’s holding me up with one arm. Using his free hand, he turns the knob and pushes the door open with a foot. Once inside, he quickly shuts and locks the bedroom door.
My mouth moves to his neck and I nibble every part of it while whispering dirty words that graphically tell him every little thing that I plan to do to him tonight and want him to do to me in return. We will not leave the bed until I have made good on each and every single one of my filthy promises. By my words alone, Ryder groans out a sexy moan and hurls us both bodily onto the bed, neither one of us letting go of the other.
“Rip it off. All of it,” I plead, wanting us skin to skin as soon as possible, the fabric of my dress too much of a barrier between us.
Broken Butterfly: Fallen Brook Series: Book 3 Page 11
