They exchanged excitable looks, then Elias swiftly closed the gap between their faces and planted a kiss on her lips. One she returned with relish as her heart and body filled with warmth, making her forget all about the cold weather.
Elias apparently hadn’t forgotten. He pulled away, beaming. “Much as I’m enjoying kissing you, shall we continue this at my place, in the warm? It’s just a couple of minutes’ walk away. Or if you feel more comfortable, we could go to yours instead.”
Mia shook her head. “No, there’s no need to go all the way back across town. I feel perfectly okay with going to your place—though it’s very sweet of you to check. Especially since we’ve already,” she lowered her voice, “had sex. Or had you forgotten?”
His laugh, clearly as unexpected by him as by her, rang out loudly.
She clapped a hand to her mouth to try to stifle her own mirth, but to no avail. Elias’s filthy, throaty laugh was surprising, but infectious. And she loved it. She allowed herself to join in, and fell into step beside him happily when he tugged at her arm, apparently unable to speak. She hadn’t even thought she’d said anything funny, but maybe the wine and the stress of the evening had gone to his head. And did it really matter why he was laughing? He was happy, she was happy… they were a young couple, newly engaged. Wasn’t that what really mattered? She kind of wished she could also say they were in love, something which usually went with new engagements—or at least the romantic in her hoped it did—but the more time she spent with Elias, the more she was sure that side of things would develop before long. For some people, love at first sight might be a thing, but not for her. Besides, they had plenty of time for all that.
Right now, all she had to think about was what was going to happen when they set foot in Elias’s apartment. He hadn’t been exaggerating, it really was only a couple of minutes away, and he’d only just stopped laughing as they passed through the security gate and into the complex.
Mia raised her eyebrows as she drank in the sights around her. She wasn’t at all familiar with this part of London—it was a colossal city, constantly developing and changing—and this newly-built tower block was highly impressive. Although she really preferred classic styles and older buildings—her own property in west London was part of a white stucco Italianate villa and was Grade II listed—Elias’s chosen abode was beautiful in its own way. And this was just the outside.
“Come on,” he said with a grin, tugging her again. “You can have a good nosey around some other time when it’s not freezing out. You think this is nice—wait until you see the view from the balcony.”
“Penthouse?” she asked.
Elias snorted, apparently still easily amused. “Bloody hell, Mia. I work at the bank, not own it!” He winked. “But I hope you’ll still be impressed. I’ve lived here almost two years now and the view still takes my breath away.”
“I can’t wait to see it.”
They entered the building and made their way to the lifts. As luck would have it, one of the four cars was on the ground floor, and the doors pinged open immediately. “After you, fiancée,” Elias said.
Mia arched an eyebrow as she stepped past him. “Fiancée, huh?”
He joined her, then selected the button for the eleventh floor. The steel doors closed, then the car shifted and began making its way smoothly up the inside of the block. “That’s what you are now, isn’t it? I’m just trying it out, to see how it feels on the tongue.”
Now she giggled. “That just makes it sound dirty.”
He adopted an innocent expression, but the tiniest indentations in his cheeks told her he was on the verge of laughing again. That and the wicked glint in his eyes. “Me? You’re the one whose mind twisted what I said!” He swatted playfully at her backside. “Dirty girl.”
She shrugged. “Maybe I am, but if you don’t like it, it’s too late now. You’re stuck with me.”
“Oh dear,” he replied, wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her close, “what a terrible shame. I’m stuck with the smartest, most beautiful woman on the planet. Woe is me.”
Heat blossomed where their bodies touched, hotter now than before since they no longer battled with the winter climate, but Mia suspected also because it was obvious what was going to happen next. She wasn’t entirely convinced they’d get as far as the balcony and the view—not right away. “Stop being an idiot,” she commanded, “and kiss me.”
He did, but not for long as the lift soon slowed to a halt at their floor. Elias gestured she should go ahead of him out of the car, then pointed to the right. She walked where he’d indicated, quickly realising there was only one door that way—wow, the apartments in this building must be enormous—and waiting outside it while Elias retrieved his keys.
A moment later he pushed open the door and said theatrically, “Welcome to my humble abode. Please go on in and make yourself comfortable. Or would you prefer to head straight on out to the balcony to see the view? I’ll get you a blanket.”
Chapter Five
To Mia’s surprise, they not only made it out to the balcony, but stayed there for quite some time, too. If the view hadn’t been so spectacular, she might have been disappointed they hadn’t headed for the bedroom straight away—but they had hours ahead of them to indulge in that kind of fun. Hopefully years.
Right now, she was more than happy to be wrapped up in both a blanket and Elias’s arms as they leaned against the balcony railing, him tucked behind her and resting his chin on her shoulder. The fresh, spicy scent of his cologne, laced with what she suspected was his shampoo, filled her nostrils and she smiled contentedly.
There were high-rise buildings much taller than the one Elias lived in in the area, but because his was so close to the river they had uninterrupted views back towards central London. “It’s funny,” she said, twisting her head and pressing a kiss to his cheek, “how from here The Shard and the skyscrapers in the Square Mile look like they’re really quite close together, when they’re not even on the same side of the river.”
Elias nodded. “Yes, I’ve often wondered at that myself. Perspective is so weird. It’s easy to forget how much the Thames twists and turns, though we’re on one hell of a curve right here.” He pointed. “That’s where we got off the boat, look.”
She peered into the darkness, just about making out the pier they’d disembarked at earlier. “Oh yes. Wow, you really are well served for transport here, aren’t you? I always thought since not many Tube lines head this way that it’d be difficult to get around, compared to other parts of the city. Should have known better, really,” she tutted at her own stupidity, “it wouldn’t have become such a financial centre if no one could get here, would it?”
“Yeah, it’s great. Because it’s nothing like as busy as the centre of town, I can whizz out in my car if I want to without sitting in endless traffic. Or I can jump on the DLR, the Jubilee line, or even a boat. Then there’s all the work being done on Crossrail, too. That will make a big difference around here when it’s open. I walk to work, of course. There are loads of restaurants and shops within walking distance, too. And in nice weather, one of my favourite things to do is take the Thames Path down to the south end of the peninsula and use the foot tunnel to get to Greenwich, then climb the hill at Greenwich Park and admire the view from there. I always try to see if I can find this building, but I never do. There are too many bigger ones in the way. And there are more going up all the time.”
Mia raised her eyebrows. “That’s a lot of walking. I never had you down as the outdoorsy type.”
He snuggled tighter against her. “We still have a lot to learn about each other.”
“True. So what’s Greenwich Park like? Must be good if it’s in your list of favourites.”
“It’s huge. The naval buildings and stuff are at the bottom of the hill, and the observatory at the top. The climb isn’t for the faint hearted, but it’s totally worth it. It’s beautiful, and an amazing place to have a picnic—we’ll have t
o go sometime.”
“I’d love to. It sounds as though you’d like the grounds at my place—not my flat, my… house.”
Elias chuckled. “You mean your mansion?”
Frowning, Mia replied, “It sounds ridiculous to call it that. Like I’m showing off. I’m well aware it’s an enormous property, but to me it’s always just been, well, home.”
“All right, let’s go with that, then. It’s such a big part of you, I’d love to hear more about it—the house, the gardens, the wider estate. And see it for myself someday soon.”
She plunged into telling him about the house and gardens. She probably sounded like an estate agent trying to sell it to him, but if he thought so, he didn’t comment. Instead he listened, rapt, as she talked, and asked the occasional question.
When she was done, Elias nodded slowly. “Wow. It’s already becoming clear to me why you’re willing to fight so hard for it. It’s many things, isn’t it? A home, a business, a local landmark, an employer… no way should your cousin be allowed to ruin all that.” He smiled. “I know I’m already stuck with you,” he winked, “but I’m even happier now—though I wasn’t sure that was possible—that it’s within my power to help you keep it. Your passion for the place is so obvious. And catching. I love it already, and I haven’t even seen it yet.”
“You will,” she said, fixing her gaze on the glittering lights of London in the distance, “but there’s something else we need to do first.”
“There is?” He stiffened.
“Mmm-hmm. Now it’s official between us, we need to do all the formal stuff. Announcement in the paper, all that jazz. Oh… and I’ll have to meet your parents, properly this time. The charity event doesn’t count—especially since they probably thought I was Alex’s girlfriend that night.”
“Oh yes. You’re right, of course.” He let out a groan and laid his forehead on her shoulder, causing his next words to be muffled by the blanket. “And we’ll have to do that first, I’m afraid. My mother would have my guts for garters if she found out about my engagement in the press, or from someone else.”
Mia chuckled. “That’s fine. I’ll leave you to start making the arrangements with regards to me meeting your parents. And yes, I can imagine most mothers wouldn’t be very impressed by finding out about their child’s engagement in the newspaper. I know mine wouldn’t have been.” She pushed down a wave of sadness at the thought neither of her parents would be at her wedding. Tonight was a night for happiness, looking to the future—not being melancholy. “And speaking of being unimpressed, how are your parents going to feel about the whole surname thing? I know you don’t have a problem with it, but how are they going to react when they discover that rather than me becoming a Pym, you’re going to become a Harrington?” It was only as she said it out loud that she considered she didn’t even know how she felt about it. Not like there was any choice, not if she wanted to inherit.
Elias put his head up again and replied, “Hard to say, and it’s a topic we’ll have to broach carefully. We don’t want anyone getting wind of the more, shall we say, practical reason we’re getting married, because we don’t want any interference—especially from your dear cousin. I’m not an only child, so I don’t have the last-of-my-line thing to consider, but people are still bound to ask questions. I suppose…” He fell silent for a moment, apparently deep in thought. “We haven’t discussed how or where we’re going to get married, or what type of ceremony we’re going to have, but the most obvious way of getting around that particular issue is not to mention surnames at all during the ceremony, then nobody’s got to know. We’ll make sure the officiant keeps quiet, of course. Or we bugger off somewhere and just get married with a couple of witnesses—random strangers off the street. Then none of our friends or family will be any the wiser about who has got whose last name. If they’re not there, they won’t give it a second thought. They’ll just assume, which is something I normally disagree with, but on this occasion can definitely work in our favour.”
“Oh, duh,” she said with a grin, “why didn’t I think of that? Well done.” She turned in his arms and linked her hands together behind his back before stretching onto tiptoes to give him a kiss. She murmured against his lips, “Looks like the guy I’m getting hitched to is smart as well as sexy.”
Warm, wine-scented breath gusted over her face as he let out a gruff laugh. “I don’t know about that, but one thing I definitely am is hot for you.” He gripped her hips through the layers of blanket and clothes and hauled her in close.
“That so?” she replied, suddenly too turned on to be bothered with telling him off for his cheesy line.
“Mmm-hmm.”
“And what are you gonna do about it?”
“I think we’ve probably spent enough time looking at the view from my balcony. How about we check out the view from my bed?” Elias began walking backwards towards the open sliding door leading into his apartment, pulling her along with him.
Mia chuckled. “Something special about the view from your bed?”
“You’ll have to wait and see, won’t you?” he purred, then suddenly stopped walking. He swept Mia off her feet into his arms, and marched indoors. After a brief but awkward moment where he fumbled to close the glass door while holding her, he carried her towards his bedroom. Apparently Elias had an automated setup with regards to his electronics, since lightbulbs blazed into life as they approached, illuminating their way from the balcony to the bedroom. Presumably they’d switch off by themselves after a set amount of time. Probably comes as standard in these luxury new builds.
On the way to the bedroom, Mia kicked her shoes off. They tumbled to the hardwood floor of the living room with a loud clatter, but she didn’t give them another thought. She was too focussed on what would happen next, too full of erotic anticipation. Like she’d said earlier, she and Elias had already had sex, but Alex had been present, so it had been a completely different dynamic—a threesome. An incredible, unforgettable threesome. What was it going to be like when it was just the two of them? Her heart pounded with a mixture of arousal and worry, but she reminded herself that when she and Tom slept together, it was no less satisfying than when she’d been with Elias and Alex at the same time. It was just… different. And given the direction her life was headed in, she would have to get used to different.
There’d certainly be no opportunity to get bored.
By the time Elias shoved the bedroom door closed behind them with his backside, the worry had evaporated, leaving only arousal. She giggled as he lowered her to the bed, then opened the blanket like he was unwrapping the world’s best present. “Did I tell you how beautiful you look in that dress?”
“You didn’t, actually,” she replied with a mock pout.
He gaped at her for a second, his eyes wide. Then he said, “You’re right, I didn’t. How very remiss of me. I apologise, but I was a little distracted, and a lot nervous about the evening—asking you to marry me. So, belatedly, you look stunning in that dress.” He pursed his lips thoughtfully. “Actually, you look stunning all the time. But that’s no excuse for me not to tell you so.”
“Elias?”
“Hmm?”
“You’re waffling.”
“Sorry.” He gave a small smile, which quickly widened and turned suggestive. “Mind if I find out just how stunning you look out of that dress?”
“Be my guest. As long as I get to see how handsome you look out of that suit. Fair’s fair.”
He inclined his head. “Once again, you’re right. Hold that thought.” After pressing a quick kiss to her lips, he crossed to the window and closed the blinds, sealing them off from the outside world. Then he removed his shoes and jacket, tossing the latter over a chair in the corner, and tucking the former underneath said chair. Only then did he return to the bed and join her on top of it. “Now, where were we?”
Instead of replying, she grabbed his tie and pulled him in for a passionate kiss. As their lips clashed and their tongue
s twined together, she released her grip on his tie and used both hands to undo and remove it, before tossing it across the room. Then she hurriedly undid each of his shirt buttons until she got to his waist, where she tugged the material out of the waistband of his trousers, before releasing the last couple of buttons. Immediately, she smoothed her hands over the bare skin of his chest, delighted to find it beautifully warm to the touch. She moaned happily into his mouth, then shifted her hands to his shoulders, ready to push the shirt off and reveal more of his luscious body.
Elias broke the kiss. “Ah-ah, hang on a moment.” He sat up, then held his arms aloft. “Gotta get these bloody cufflinks off first. Talk about a passion killer.”
Mia rolled her eyes, suddenly impatient. “Hurry up, then… fiancé.” My God, I have a fiancé—officially. How the hell did that happen?
He snapped his attention from his left wrist to Mia’s face at that word. He narrowed his eyes. “What did you say?”
“You heard me.” She grinned. “I said hurry up, then… fiancé.”
He ran his teeth over his bottom lip and shook his head. “That sounds bizarre and amazing all at once. And yes,” he carried on wrestling with his cufflinks, “I’m hurrying, I’m hurrying.”
The moment Elias got to his feet, his back to her, she took matters into her own hands. Quickly but quietly, she shoved the blanket off the bed out of the way. Next she unzipped her dress and wriggled out of it, then dropped it to the thick carpet, where it landed without a sound. Then she carefully removed her jewellery—except for her gorgeous new engagement ring—and placed it on the nearest bedside table.
By the time Elias had put his cufflinks down on his dressing table, ditched his shirt, and turned to make his way back to the bed, Mia had arranged herself in what she hoped was a sexy pose.
The deer-in-headlights look on Elias’s face as he spotted her implied the pose was to his liking. Very much so, she realised as his pupils enlarged and the bulge in the crotch of his trousers grew increasingly apparent. In the space of a heartbeat, he went from deer to predator as he grinned widely, then flipped open his belt before yanking it smoothly from the loops and dropping it to the floor. His trousers and socks followed, and within seconds he’d settled down beside her and dragged her into his arms. “Just as I suspected,” he murmured, pressing kisses to her neck, “you look just as beautiful out of the dress—more so, in fact.”
Mia's Wedding Page 4
