by K L Rymer
I can’t stop the tears from falling as my heart breaks into a million pieces.
It all makes sense. Why he’s so aloof and cold all the time. He was broken, and I vowed to myself then to not only be the one to make him smile but laugh too. The type that hurts his lungs and makes him pee himself.
We lock eyes again, and Eli watches me nervously. “Why do you look so determined all of a sudden?”
I purse my lips and sit up, straddling his waist. “Mark my words, Eli. I will be the one to make you happy again. I won’t rest until the day I hear you laugh.”
“Ha, ha, ha. How was that?” he says, his mouth forming into a smirk, but I can see the pain.
“I mean it. You will laugh and smile again. I just want you to be happy.”
Eli rolls his eyes then releases a long, heavy breath. “You really do talk too much, Crystal. Now shut up and take my shirt off.”
I narrow my eyes. He’s trying to steer away from the topic, but this wasn’t over.
I will be the one to make him laugh again.
“Very well. I guess I can make you happy in other ways...”
His eyes spark with anticipation, and then I rip his shirt open, displaying his sculpted muscles.
He sighs when I reach down and kiss his chest, exploring every nook, cranny and swelling with the slightest touch of my lips. Then I reach his belt.
His breaths increase as my mouth lingers there for a while, and then his length swells beneath his pants, trying to break free, and I can tell it’s a big one.
I giggle, biting my lip. “My, look who’s come out to play...”
He peers up, his eyes gleaming. “Don’t tease me, White. You’re making it incredibly hard not to fuck your brains out right now.”
My mouth opens in horror. “Eli... no cussing.”
He gives a sinister chuckle, yanking me closer till we’re nose to nose. Now his manhood pokes at my lady parts, and I give a delightful gasp.
It feels so good there...
“You only pretend to be an innocent angel, don’t you?” he growls, his breath scorching my cheeks. “But you’re really a horny little devil deep down.”
“Well, you’re the one who makes me horny.”
I nibble his bottom lip, and he snarls, rolling me around to pin me to the bed. His length jabs at my panties now, and I whimper, yearning for his thrust; I don’t think I’ll be able to wait until the wedding at this rate.
“Let’s get married this week,” I blurt.
Eli stops, blinking down in shock. “Excuse me?”
“Why wait?” My heart’s pounding as I’m speaking in the heat of passion, but I don’t care. Nothing has ever felt more right.
“Let’s get married this week, and start the rest of our lives together. I don’t need a fancy dress or a venue. I only want you, Eli.”
His eyes expand as he sits up, his face blank and expressionless. His dress shirt hangs open, revealing his chiselled torso, but I keep my focus on his face.
It’s been a while since he’s said anything.
My rapid breaths echo through the room as I wait for his response. He leaves me hanging for some time, and I start to grow impatient.
Finally, he blows a sigh and ruffles his hair, and it cascades his face. “All right. Let’s do it. Let’s get married this week. We can get you the dress and the venue easily. I’m Eli Black, Crystal. I can get you anything you want.”
He leans forward, planting a soft kiss to my lips, and I shut my eyes, unable to fight off the tears.
Eli would be mine sooner than I’d hoped.
I truly was the happiest girl in the world.
13. Eli
I’m getting married this week.
Fuck.
I call Misaki after Crystal falls asleep, and then I hear her smug little voice down the phone. It grates on my nerves.
“Are you still one hundred per cent sure you’re not in love, Eli?”
I pinch the bridge of my nose. “Shut up and listen. You’re a girl. You’re good at this shit. What do I do?”
“Well, you don’t even have a ring for one. How sad.”
“That can be arranged...”
“Or a venue.”
I roll my eyes, smacking my hand against my forehead.
I’m in deep shit.
Misaki sighs. “Look, this is the perfect opportunity to get her to the Black Estate sooner than planned. Once she’s in the compound, you can ransom White. So my suggestion: get married at the estate.”
My cousin makes a point. The quicker I get Crystal out of London, the better. The only other person who knows she’s at my house is her boss and landlord, Babs. But after we get to the estate, I can cut Crystal off from everyone she knows, and blackmail her.
Operation ‘kidnap Crystal’ can finally commence.
My chest squeezes, and I grunt in pain. Fudge... I’ve definitely developed feelings for that angel. There’s no denying it. But it’s too late. I’ve already come so far.
No second thoughts.
My mother’s face flashes up before me next, and then it morphs into Crystal’s. I sigh.
Mother was the only person I ever loved. Well, until that beautiful angel came along...
Before, I’d justified to myself that what I was doing was okay because it avenged my sweet mother.
What a horrible twist of fate that I would fall for the daughter of the very man who’d killed her.
Screw the universe and her mysterious, fucked up ways.
Crystal truly was beautiful, and not just physically. I always hear the saying “true beauty is skin deep,” and it couldn’t be any truer for her.
Me, on the other hand, I’m an ugly cunt.
And she knows it. Yet she still loves me.
I don’t deserve her.
One thing I know for certain: I won’t hurt her. Well, physically, anyway. When she finds out about my true intentions, which she’s bound to, she’ll be heartbroken, and then my shrivelled, black heart will writhe with guilt when I see the look of betrayal on her sweet face. But I will still have to blackmail her if I want my plan to succeed.
“So, what will it be? A trip back to the ol’ country house, cuz?”
I haven’t been back home in ten years. The last thing I want to do is see my dad, but it’s the best place to get married.
“But it’s best you give good old daddy a call first and tell him the big news!” Misaki continues.
I sigh through clenched teeth. Just the mere sound of my father’s condescending tone was enough to send me off on a bender, and that’s pretty much what I did when I first moved to London.
I’ve taken all kinds of drugs, and being the demon I am, it barely has much effect on my body, but it was still reckless.
My father thinks I’m a failure and not good enough to carry on the Black name. He’s always hounding at me to settle down with a lady in order to carry on the Black legacy.
I am nearly thirty now. Too old to be doing all my usual shit. Though I have calmed down in recent years. My real last bender was at my 25th birthday bash. That was the article Crystal found online. It’s four years old.
Honestly, I don’t want kids. Ever. My childhood was hard enough with my shitty father growing up. I couldn’t do that to another human being.
No kid would ask to be born into my life.
I saw the wide-eyed wonder on Crystal’s face when she first arrived at my house, but truth be told, her childhood sounded much nicer. Home-cooked meals every night with her loving grandparents, sitting by the fire, and reading bedtime stories.
Pure heaven.
She was the real lucky one.
I glance down at my phone, searching for my father. I have him typed by his first name: Randall.
Hideous name.
It’s nearly midnight but I know he’ll still be working in his office since he’s such a busy, busy man. He does run a conglomerate after all, and it will all be mine when he finally hits the bucket.
“What
?” he snaps when he picks up the phone.
I pause a moment. Seriously, I don’t know what other response I was expecting.
“Well, I love you too, Father...”
“Have you seen the time, boy?”
“I am twenty-nine now, Dad. You could at least address me like an adult.”
“I will the day you start acting like one. Banged any more whores lately? Sniffed any more drugs?”
My eye twitches. This was exactly what I was talking about.
“No... I was actually calling to tell you that I’m engaged.”
He falls silent. I can just picture his bulldog face, twisting and snarling with a grimace.
Thank god I got my looks off my mother.
“With whom?”
“You won’t know her.”
“What family?”
My heart jumps to my mouth. The last thing I want to do is tell him who Crystal’s father is. My father’s a dangerous man.
“She’s not from any prestigious family. She’s not even a noble.”
It was half true. She was illegitimately born after all.
He gasps in horror. “Middle class?”
I roll my eyes at the ceiling. And I thought I was the snob.
“No...”
“W-working class?!” he shrieks down the phone.
I refrain from snorting. He’s too old-fashioned.
“That’s the one. And American too. Louisiana born and bred, y’all,” I say, trying to do a convincing southern accent. I don’t.
I can hear his blood pressure rising on the phone.
“Come on, Dad. Everyone loves a sweet Cinderella story...”
“Are you joking with me, boy? If this is another one of your jokes.”
“I’m not, Father. I love her and I think she’s the one.”
Shit. Did I just say that out loud? I suppose I needed to sound convincing to him though.
He starts breathing heavily down the phone, and I wince. The sound grates on my ear.
“What’s her name?”
“Crystal Wh... Whitestone.”
He doesn’t have to know her real name.
“Age?”
“Twenty,” I reply.
“Twenty?! What’s the matter with you, boy? You couldn’t find a woman your own age? She’s practically a child!”
“She’s not, and besides, she’s twenty-one in a few more weeks. Pretty grown.”
“And when did you meet?”
“Three weeks ago.”
He grumbles over the phone, and I grind my teeth. The sooner I can hang up, the better.
“I think you’ll really like her, Father,” I say again. “She’s a real sweetheart, and I want to make beautiful babies with her and carry on the Black family legacy.”
He’s stunned into silence. I bet he never expected to hear me say that.
I smirk, preparing my next words. “And... we’re getting married this week at the estate. Just thought you ought to know in advance. Bye bye, love you, got to go.”
I hang up before he can protest, throwing my head back in relief. Finally. The most awkward phone call of my life.
My bedroom door creaks and I glance over. A pair of beautiful, big blue eyes stare straight back at me, and then I hear a small gasp. The door shuts and I grip my hair, suppressing a yell.
Fuck. She must have heard everything I said on the phone about loving her and wanting to have her beautiful babies.
Someone kill me now.
14. Crystal
I shut the door, processing everything I just heard.
I know I shouldn’t be eavesdropping on Eli’s phone calls, but I heard it; he’d just said he’d loved me!
And the way he stuck up for me to his father only proved he was dedicated to me and only me.
My heart flaps, and I place my hand against my chest to calm it down. But it’s no use. I’ve never felt more in love.
I should really go back to sleep. Eli will come inside at any moment.
Hurrying along to bed, I slip back under the sheets just as he enters the room. I close my eyes, trying not to breathe too fast lest I give myself away.
He comes to stand by my side for a while, and his spicy, erotic scent washes over me. I hold my breath. He’s quiet, and I’m tempted to peer up and look at him, but I stay put.
Finally, he moves out of the room, and I look up as he shuts the door.
Wait, he’s not coming back to bed?
Well, never mind.
I curl up under the sheets, falling asleep with the comfort of hearing him say that he loved me and he wanted my babies.
I’d love nothing more than to bear his beautiful child one day.
I SHUFFLE DOWN TO BREAKFAST the next morning, clad in my bright pink unicorn PJs. To be honest, I was surprised Babs sent them, and I’d almost been too afraid to put them on in fear of looking stupid in front of Eli. But he loved me, and I didn’t have to worry about impressing him anymore.
Babs also sent my stuffed animals, and now Eli’s black, sombre bedroom looks bright and cheerful.
Not that I’m trying to make any changes.
At least I still have the lingerie; he’ll be especially surprised when I reveal them to him on the night of our wedding if he’s too accustomed to unicorns.
I step into the room, yawning.
Misaki is seated at the table, and I feel myself shrink in her presence.
Oh, fudge. I’d have at least dressed if I’d known she was going to be here.
She’s too beautiful. Her black hair shines like oil and her makeup’s absolutely flawless.
She looks like all the models on social media combined.
Misaki wears a figure-hugging, black velvet dress, and a headband with a top hat. It’s like I’m joining the Mad Hatter for a tea party, but a much more fashionable and gorgeous version of the classic Lewis Carrol character.
Eli was rather the eccentric dresser too, always wearing his signature cravat, but it suited him. Besides, it looked good on him; I just wanted to tear it off with my teeth whenever I saw it around his neck.
Misaki gives me a dazzling white smile, and I watch her in awe. Seriously, she could be in a toothpaste commercial.
“Hey, cute unicorn PJs!” she says in an American accent.
I blink at her. I was sure she spoke with a refined British accent like Eli’s yesterday.
“Thank you,” I reply, sitting down at the table. I glance over at the spare plate across from me. “Where’s Eli?”
“He had to make an errand, but he’ll be back soon enough, sweetie.”
I look back at her, and I know I didn’t imagine that American tone that time. It’s nothing like my slow, Louisiana drawl, more east coast maybe, but still, I’d heard it.
“I... I hope you don’t mind my asking, but... are you American? I’m pretty sure you spoke with a British accent yesterday.”
She laughs good-naturedly. “No, darling,” she says once again in that British voice. “I’m British born and bred, but I did attend private school in New York for four years. Moved when I was fourteen and came back at eighteen, but I occasionally switch back and forth between accents. A habit.”
“Oh... of course. That makes sense. So, you have two different accents?”
Misaki goes to answer, but then a new voice echoes through the house.
“More like a split personality...”
My heart jumps as Eli enters the room. He comes to stand beside me, leaning down to kiss my cheek.
“How’s my beautiful bride to be?” he whispers into my ear, and I shudder at the feel of his breath.
“F-fine...”
Misaki groans. “Oh, get a room, you two.”
Eli stands up straight again and faces her. “We already have a room, thank you.”
Misaki rolls her eyes and that reminds me. I turn to Eli. “Where were you last night? It was awfully lonely inside that big bed without you.”
He narrows his eyes suspiciously, and suddenly I rememb
er the phone conversation he’d had with his father, shrinking in my seat.
Fudge. I knew he’d seen me.
“Couldn’t sleep,” he replies, his tone clipped. “So I decided to go out first thing this morning, and make this proposal official.”
Eli pulls out a black velvet box and my heart hammers. “Oh my...”
He flips the lid open, and there sits a gorgeous diamond ring. It’s nearly as big as my eyeball.
“Crystal White. Will you—?”
“Yes!”
I stand and launch myself at him, and we crash against the wall. Eli catches me in his arms, releasing a handsome chuckle. “Rather the daredevil today, aren’t—?”
He doesn’t get to finish his sentence as I crush my mouth to his. Then he closes his eyes, melting into my kiss.
His hands go up beneath my PJs, caressing my back, and we kiss for some time, enjoying the taste of each other. Misaki makes mock gagging noises at the table, sticking her finger in her mouth.
“I... I love you, Eli,” I mutter between kisses. “I always will, I promise.”
He meets my eyes, and nothing but pain stares back. It’s probably been a while since someone told him they loved him. I know he wasn’t close with his father, and after the phone call I’d heard last night, I see it’s a complicated relationship.
And he lost his mother so young.
He has no one really. Though he seems to be close with Misaki, so I’m glad he has her at least.
She seems like a really sweet girl.
Eli drops me back to my feet and takes his plate from the other side of the table and joins me.
I smile at his grand gesture as we eat side by side, unable to take our eyes off each other. Misaki continues to complain about how we’re putting her off her food, but I don’t care.
I’m having breakfast with the perfect man of my dreams. Something I’d never realised I’d wanted until I had it.
LATER THAT DAY, MISAKI helps me dress.
Eli announced we were heading to his family estate after breakfast, although I kind of already knew since I’d eavesdropped on his phone call last night, but I still feign surprise.
It wasn’t too hard as the horror on my face was all too genuine.
