Another concern rises to the top of my mind, if she thought that I wasn’t really interested in her physically – just using her for sex – then what else must she think? That this wasn’t serious? That there’s no future in it?
That’s something I have to correct right away.
“Olivia,” I say, gently, calling her attention back to my face. “What do you think will happen after this? When our stay is over?”
“I don’t know,” Olivia admits, biting her lip again. She makes an attempt at a smile which clenches my chest with pain. “I guess we’ll just go our separate ways.”
“That’s what you think of me,” I murmur softly. How could I have given her the opposite of the intended impression? Maybe I didn’t account for Olivia’s low self-esteem, the way I guess others have made her feel about the way she looks. She’s only just going to college; until now, she’s been surrounded by boys and girls, not adults. She hasn’t had the chance to learn what a real man would think of her.
“I’m sorry,” Olivia whispers. When I look at her again, her eyes are brimming with tears. “I didn’t mean to offend you.”
I cup her face gently with my hands, then bend to ghost a kiss across her lips. “I’m not offended,” I say. “I’m sad. I didn’t want you to think this was just a throwaway thing. I guess I didn’t get the message across clear enough.”
“What message?” Olivia asks, a little frown appearing between her blue eyes.
I smile slowly, rubbing the pad of my thumb across her lower lip. “I could tell you,” I say. “But I won’t. I’m going to show you.”
“What does that mean?”
I laugh a little at the expression on Olivia’s face, confused and a little indignant. She wants to know now. I get it. But that will make the build up all the sweeter. “It means you’re going to have to wait just a little while,” I say. “Now, go for a walk. I’ve got some calls to make to arrange a surprise.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Oliva
I take my time on my walk through the trees, trying to understand what Aaron meant by everything we talked about. I made sure to grab some clothes before heading out – despite what he said, there’s no way I’m risking some random hiker coming across me stark naked in the woods. Aside from being embarrassing, it sounds pretty dangerous, too.
Could he really mean that he actually has feelings for me – that he wants to see me again after this trip ends? I hadn’t even considered that he might feel that way, because it just seemed so ridiculous. He’s so gorgeous, with his height, his broad shoulders, his handsome face – and he’s so much older than me. Surely, there must be women at home who would be better suited to him.
But what he said earlier seems to dispute that. And now I’m confused; more than that, a little scared. I’m scared because there is a flare of hope inside my heart that has started to burn brightly, and if it turns out to be one big joke, then I know it’s going to hurt bad.
Because the truth is, I’d love to stay here forever. Just me and Aaron, never getting out of bed again. I don’t know if I would even miss the rest of the world. Being with him – it’s amazing, and not just because of the sex. I want to have this forever. I yearn for it. I’ve fallen for him hard and fast, and I’m so frightened that I’m about to hit the ground at a hundred miles an hour and have my heart smash to pieces.
When I arrive back at the cabin, Aaron isn’t alone. The sight of the first stranger since the beginning of the week is a shock – I had almost forgotten that other people exist or how to deal with them. There’s a man in a dark suit, neatly turned out with sandy blond hair combed back across his head, standing beside a black car. It’s parked right outside the cabin, and he’s talking to Aaron, relaxed in his more casual black clothing.
As I come closer, they break off talking and Aaron calls over to me, “How was your walk?”
“Good,” I say, warily. I don’t know who this is or how to deal with it. Should I turn and go back, do another circuit?
“My assistant’s just dropping off a delivery for later,” Aaron tells me with a wolfish grin.
“What is it?” I ask. I feel curiosity bubbling up inside me. This is the big surprise – the thing he said he would ‘show’ me what he wanted to say. What does it all mean?
“You’ll find out soon enough.” Aaron winks at me and gestures towards the cabin. “Why don’t you go into the bedroom and shut the door, so we can set up your surprise without spoiling it?”
I want to object, though I’m not sure to what. Maybe the fact that Aaron keeps telling me what to do. Not that I’m actually complaining, because I quite like it when he takes charge. Still, it’s the principle of the thing.
But I shut my mouth, partially because I feel strangely uneasy around Aaron’s assistant, and head inside to do as I’m told. I guess I’ve really grown used to it just being the two of us over the past few days. The presence of someone else here feels like an intrusion.
I shut the bedroom door and grab my notebook from beside the bed. At least if I have to be shut away for a little while, I can do some of the work that I actually planned to do while I’m here.
It’s not until over an hour later that I hear a knock at the door. For all this time I’ve been able to hear quiet noises out there, shuffling sounds and the movement of furniture and footsteps, but no speech. I guess Aaron imposed a vow of silence on his assistant so that I wouldn’t be able to guess what they’re up to. I’ve barely been able to concentrate on my work, and the sound of the knock on the door has me springing to my feet and flying over to it.
I open it in a rush and see Aaron standing there, leaning against the door frame with an easy smile. He’s changed into a black shirt that seems almost to ripple against his skin, the fine fabric cut exactly to his figure. It looks expensive. “Are you ready?” he asks.
“I don’t know what for,” I protest.
“Here,” Aaron says, shifting to reveal a large box behind him. He lifts it easily and passes it to me, then rests his hand on the side of the door again. “I got you something for tonight. Open it.”
I take the package – surprisingly light, given its size – over to the bed and lay it down, prying open the folded cardboard to reveal an interior swathed in tissue paper. Pulling it all aside, I find the most unexpected thing, a delicate dress in a pale blue fabric, folded perfectly to avoid creases. I glance at Aaron in surprise.
“Try it on,” he says, stepping away from the door. “It’s just us now. You don’t have to worry about privacy.”
I stare after him into the now-empty doorway, unsure of what to do. But what is there, except to follow his instructions? Everything is so strange, and I still don’t have any idea of what he has planned. But I slip out of my clothes and into the dress. I see the label as I lift it out of the box and cover my mouth for a second, worried about even touching it – I know of the designer, and I know this is probably worth more than everything I’ve earned in the last couple of years. I would never be able to afford it myself.
But looking at myself in the bathroom mirror, I can see why the price tag is justified. It fits me like a dream, a blue waterfall of silk moving over my body, emphasizing all of the best parts and minimizing those I don’t like. How did Aaron manage to get it so right, and find something that would fit me perfectly? It’s incredible.
Like this, I can’t help but feel that going out without my hair and makeup done would be a sin, so I grab my bag and start putting on a simple look. After a moment’s thought, I finish it with a dash of blue eyeshadow to match both the dress and my eyes. That feels much more fitting. Done at last, I step out into the main room of the cabin.
I have to gasp. Not only is Aaron incredibly handsome in his fancy clothes, but he’s also leaning against the table, set once again with some elegant silver covered dishes. More scatter the countertop in the kitchen, and candles burn in the center of the table filling the room with a soft floral scent.
“Your dinner awaits,
my darling,” Aaron says with a lazy smile, then steps forward to take me by the hand and look me up and down. “You look incredible.”
“I know,” I say, and then laugh at myself. “I mean – I’m not being arrogant, I just…”
“It’s not arrogance at all,” Aaron smiles. “Just the truth.”
I feel my cheeks flare pink, and I laugh. I feel strangely emotional – like I might burst into tears. Is this how it feels like to be beautiful all of the time?
“Take a seat,” Aaron says, leading me over to hold my chair for me and slide it under as I sit. Then he takes his place opposite me and pulls off the silver covers with a flourish. “Our appetizers. Tonight, we dine at my favorite restaurant – just a little further from the main dining area than most guests.”
I take in the sheer number of covered dishes dotted around the room. There must be five courses set out here, all of them just for us. The food on the plate in front of me is delicately arranged, carefully balanced elements literally on top of one another, a smear of sauce here and a deliberate drop there. How it all got together in one piece is a miracle.
Or, maybe, just the power of Aaron.
I lift up my fork and take a bite, figuring that there’s no sense in wondering about the miracle for so long that the food goes cold. Every bite is decadent and indulgent, rich sauces, meats cooked exactly to perfection, the very best ingredients. I know this must have cost a lot.
“This is incredible,” I sigh, halfway through our main. Though the food portions are smaller than what I would expect at the restaurants I usually eat at, the sheer number of dishes makes up for it. Each one is exquisitely arranged and detailed, and the flavors are rich and sharp, all complementing one another rather than vying for attention.
“I’m glad you like it,” Aaron says. “I’d like to take you to the restaurant itself some day soon. I can get us a table whenever we want.”
I glance up at him through my eyelashes. This is the first time he’s made any mention of the future, even though he promised that tonight he would show me what he wanted for us after this.
Could it be that this is what he meant – the two of us, out on a normal date together? In front of the whole world, not shy about who sees?
In spite of myself, the thought makes me feel a little weak at the knees. To be out in public, flaunted as his woman – yes, it sounds sweet. Sweeter than I could have imagined. I think about the life I had in mind, college, getting my degree, becoming a writer. It’s all about working towards happiness in the future. But with Aaron, I could have happiness right now.
It’s a thought that carries me all the way through to dessert, making me see everything in a more serious light. The way we talk so easily, flowing from topic to topic without having to try. The way that Aaron looks at me with a smile as he drinks from his wine glass. The good food, much better quality than I could ever afford myself.
I don’t know anything about him, it strikes me again. Not even his last name. Not how he could afford something like this. But as I look at him, I realize it doesn’t really matter. I feel the way I feel, and that’s not going to change just because I know what name he inherited from his family.
“Do you understand what I wanted to show you?” Aaron asks.
I look up at him. “I don’t know,” I say hesitantly. “I just… I’m not sure.”
I hope. But I don’t want to say it.
Aaron lays his hand over mine. “That I will do anything to make you happy,” he says simply. “Because I love you.”
He loves me.
The words settle in around us, hanging in the air. I take them in with my heart feeling like it will burst.
“Well?” Aaron asks, gesturing at my empty plate, interrupting me from even thinking of a response. “What did you think?”
“Everything was amazing,” I sigh wistfully. “I’ve never eaten anything that amazing before.”
“Good.” Aaron is grinning now, though I don’t exactly know why. “Would you say it was a special meal?”
I glance down at the plates that held fine-dining food, the designer dress, Aaron sitting in front of me. “Of course,” I tell him. It’s not even really a question.
“Perfect.” Aaron gets up from the table. “I was hoping you’d say that.”
“Why?” I ask, watching him. For some reason my heart is fluttering fast in my chest. Am I just imagining it, or did something change in the air?
“Because this deserves a special occasion,” Aaron says, and before I can ask him what, he goes down on one knee in front of me, his hands cradling the sudden appearance of a jewelry box. “Olivia, I know we haven’t known each other long. But I don’t need any more time to know. You’re the one I’ve been waiting for my whole life. I never settled down before, but that was because I just hadn’t met you yet. Will you do me the honor of joining me for the rest of my life, as my cherished, beautiful wife?”
I stare at him, my eyes and mouth both open wide. For a long moment, I can’t even think of anything to say.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Aaron
A flash of anxiety passes through me as Olivia simply stares at me in silence. For once, I can’t read her face. Does she have doubts?
Then her face clears in a rush of emotions, tears springing to her eyes, and she nods her head quickly. “Yes,” she says, gasping for breath. “Yes, I will. I love you, too!”
I grin, tears flooding to my own eyes as I fill with joy. I blink them back to open the box and take out the ring – an heirloom piece from my mother, cut with beautiful diamonds in a glittering setting. I slip it onto Olivia’s finger, feeling it fit perfectly. Last night while she was sleeping I made sure I had the right measurements.
I pull her into my arms, lifting her up from her chair and holding her tightly against me, then lower my mouth to claim hers in a deep kiss. A kiss reserved for my future wife. She’s mine now, and that’s never going to change.
Proving to her that I want a future with her was something that only came up today, but it doesn’t mean I hadn't been planning for this. Thinking about it. I just moved the date up a little to make sure she doesn’t slip away from me when we both leave this cabin.
Leaving this cabin that brings up a thought. We’re going to have to face the real world sooner or later, as much as we both might not want to. But it doesn’t have to be a bad thing. I lead Olivia over to the couch so that we can sit together, entwined as we lay back, digesting our opulent meal.
“Tomorrow was supposed to be my day to leave,” I say, letting the words hang in the air.
“You’re not going yet, though, are you?” Olivia asks. She clings a little tighter to my arm, wrapped around her stomach. “You’ll stay until the day after with me? We might as well both check out at the same time.”
I lower a kiss to her forehead. “I will. But it doesn’t mean we’ll be able to stay forever. Just one more day. Then we have to go back to the real world.”
Olivia sighs. “I don’t want to,” she says.
“We can make our own new world together,” I tell her. “Just because we won’t be here anymore, doesn’t mean we can’t make a new life.”
“But there’s so much to think about.” Olivia raises her hand in front of her face, looking at her glittering engagement ring. “My Dad is coming to pick me up.”
Oh. Now, that is unexpected. I thought she was planning to get a taxi back to the office where you drop off the keys.
Looks like I might be meeting her family just a little bit earlier than expected.
“Should you call him?” I ask. “Let him know about… well, everything?”
The ring catches the light from above us, sending rays of color across our faces. “I can’t,” Olivia says. “He didn’t bring me because he has a conference. I won’t be able to contact him until the morning when he comes, and then there won’t be any point he’ll be driving.”
“So, we tell him everything in person, then,” I say. It doesn’t sound li
ke the perfect way to do it, it would be better if he had some time to digest the news, especially with it being so sudden – but it will have to be this way.
Olivia shifts a little. I’m already getting to know her well enough that I can tell she’s uneasy about something. “The thing is,” she says. “My Dad’s kind of… protective.”
“Protective?” I repeat. Why does my heart rate increase at that word? Now I can’t shake a feeling of uneasiness myself.
“Yeah. He, um. Tends to warn off boys that I’m not even anywhere near. I don’t know if he’s going to like this.”
I swallow down a bundle of nerves. It’s not like I haven’t dealt with difficult people before – it’s just that it’s usually in the boardroom. Something like this – something personal, that matters so much – might be more of a challenge. Or maybe it’s just that there’s so much more resting on the outcome.
“It’s sure to be a shock,” I say, trying to think reasonably. “He might need some time to get used to the idea.”
“He might try to keep us apart,” Olivia admits. “I don’t want to worry you, but… I don’t think he’ll be open to the idea at all, not at first.”
I feel a surge of possessiveness, squeezing my arms tighter around Olivia. If anyone tries to take her away from me, they might find themselves on the wrong end of my fist – father or not.
“I won’t let that happen,” I tell her. “If he objects, you’ll just come away with me instead of going home.”
Olivia is mine. She’s not going anywhere – and besides, her father’s house won’t be her home for long.
“Maybe that’s the best option,” Olivia agrees. She relaxes a little against me. She must be reassured to know that I will fight for her. “But you should let me do the talking, at least until it gets to that point.”
“I will,” I say, pressing a kiss against the top of her head. “But I won’t let him take you away. If it comes to that, I’ll fight for you. I mean it. No matter who tries to come between us, I won’t let them stand a chance.”
His Cabin Obsession Wants Book 195) Page 7
