“It’s beautiful.”
He turned her around. “Just like you.”
A bright smile lifted Paula’s cheeks. “I can never get enough of hearing you say I’m beautiful.”
“Glad you feel that way,” he asserted, “since I plan to keep saying you’re beautiful, because I mean it from the bottom of my heart.”
Paula reached up and gave him a mouthwatering kiss that made Chase appreciate that he was a man. The fact that she was his woman and here with him in Antwerp made him believe life truly was looking up for both of them.
After freshening up, they went to the hotel’s restaurant for dinner.
“How nice to see you again, Mr. McCord,” said the maître d’ as he took them to their seats.
“Nice to be back in Antwerp,” Chase told him.
“The diamond business must be still very good in the States, yes?”
“Everyone likes diamonds,” Chase said with a smile.
“Ahh, but of course.” The maître d’ flashed his teeth. “May I suggest you start off with a glass of Châteauneuf-du-Pape Château de la Gardine red wine?”
Chase eyed Paula. “That sounds fine.”
“Very well,” he said. “Enjoy your stay in Antwerp.”
“Just how many times have you been to this hotel?” Paula asked curiously after the maître d’ left.
Chase picked up his menu. “Actually, just one time. It was earlier this year.”
“And he remembers you from then?”
“Well, as a gentleman jeweler of color with an American accent who happens to leave big tips, it probably wasn’t that much of a stretch to remember that I dined here some months earlier.”
“I suppose.” Paula studied her menu. “So, were you here alone, or should I just mind my own business?”
Chase grinned, not at all put off by her inquisitiveness. “It’s a fair question. Yes, I was here alone for business. I haven’t come with anyone since Rochelle died.”
Paula flushed. “Oh, I’m sorry, Chase. I really didn’t mean to sound jealous.”
“It’s okay. You have the right to be curious about my relationships,” Chase said. He didn’t want to keep anything from her. “I’ve gone out on dates over the past two years, mostly as a result of well-meaning friends who felt sorry for me being on my own. None of them amounted to anything. Then you came into my life…”
“I see.” Her eyes batted. “And how much has that amounted to?”
“Everything,” he told her evenly. “The more time we’ve spent together, the more time I want to spend with you.”
Paula met his gaze warmly. “You really mean that, don’t you?”
“Every word of it.”
“Well, you’re not alone in those feelings,” she said, offering a warm smile.
“I was hoping you’d say that.” Chase smiled back. “Now, what would you like to order?”
The following day, Chase took Paula to visit the famous Diamond Museum. Walking down the dark corridors containing brightly lit cases filled with diamond jewelry from the sixteenth century to the present, she felt as though she’d stepped back in time. Paula was awestruck at everything from regal diamond diadems and bravura tiaras to a replica of the British Crown Jewels.
“This is really amazing,” Paula told Chase, holding his hand comfortably.
“Yes, it is. Diamonds are the wonder of the world.”
This was something Paula could truly appreciate. Her grandmother’s sad tale of lost love had left an indelible impression on Paula of the power of a diamond ring and the eternal bond between two people meant to be together in spirit forever.
Paula wanted more than anything to have that same deep bond. She sensed such might be possible with Chase. Though he had known this kind of great love once, she sincerely believed there was more than enough room in his heart to experience it again with her. Paula sucked in a deep breath, wanting to stay on an even keel, but finding it hard not to allow her imagination to run wild with romantic possibilities. If Chase were ever to propose to her, she couldn’t imagine turning him down. Not when the feelings stirring within her were as real as any she had known and figured to get stronger over time.
“Let’s go upstairs,” Chase said enthusiastically. “You’ve got to see a diamond cutter at work. You’ll also learn more about the production of diamonds. I think it’s all quite fascinating.”
“I have no doubt about that,” Paula said, her interest piqued. Just as she didn’t doubt Chase had proven to be every bit as fascinating as any diamond might be.
That afternoon, while Chase attended to business, Paula visited the Royal Academy of Fine Arts, one of Europe’s most influential fashion academies. She enjoyed exploring the place that was the training ground for many of the world’s finest clothing designers.
Later she went shopping on one of the city’s pedestrian streets, featuring an eclectic assortment of posh boutiques and trendy stores. She bought a couple of nice dresses and a power business suit that Paula thought looked great. She eventually made her way to a cozy lingerie shop in search of a dazzling teddy. There Paula found the perfect hot-pink lace teddy. She couldn’t wait to put it on for Chase.
She paid for her purchase and went back to the hotel. While glancing over the room-service menu for lunch, the phone rang.
“Hello, gorgeous,” Chase’s voice said smoothly.
“Did you miss me already?” she asked playfully.
“Absolutely! I was taking a break from the diamond marketplace and thought I’d check on you.”
“That was thoughtful.”
“Find anything in the stores to buy?” Chase asked.
Paula chuckled. “What woman doesn’t go shopping and find things she likes?”
“Sorry I asked,” Chase said with a laugh.
“I bought something for you, too,” she told him.
“Is that so?”
“It is so.”
“A bit early for Christmas gifts, isn’t it?” asked Chase.
“It’s never too early for those,” Paula replied.
“Hmm, sounds intriguing. So what did you buy me?”
“I’m not going to tell you,” Paula teased, “or it would spoil the surprise.”
“I like surprises,” Chase said in a sexy tone, “especially coming from you.”
“See you soon,” she told him with a little mystery in her voice.
“Count on it.” Chase made a kissing sound. “Later.”
She hung up and realized that she’d begun to depend on Chase more each day. Was that a good thing? Paula believed with all her heart that it was a very good thing.
Chase wondered what Paula had bought for him. He had a few ideas, but was content to wait and see. Just hearing her voice had given him a rise. The lady was definitely getting under his skin, and he was growing very comfortable with that.
Chase continued making the rounds amongst his representatives in the diamond district. He purchased a variety of excellent graded, clean, certified loose diamonds, along with diamond bands, bracelets and earrings with variations in color, clarity, cut and proportion. They would all be shipped to Silver Moon, processed, and sent to the stores accordingly. Acting as a broker for customers, Chase also filled a few orders for diamonds that included an official international “cut in Antwerp” label.
He was particularly interested in getting something very special for Paula on this trip, short of an engagement ring, but a strong indicator of how he felt about her. If things continued to move in the right direction, Chase felt there was every reason to believe that this could eventually lead to marriage. He wanted nothing more than to have the same loving, committed relationship that he had had with Rochelle. Paula seemed to fit the bill more perfectly with each passing day, unlike others he had dated who were not marriage material in his eyes. Chase sensed that she was someone who had the same strong convictions as he did in wanting to make a life of love and commitment with the right person. Paula was a lady whom he felt he co
uld depend on through thick and thin, and Chase could easily picture himself showering her with endless affection and gifts to her heart and body’s content.
Chase stood at the counter, studying a row of diamond pendants. All were eye-catching, yet only one seemed perfect for what he had in mind. It was a four-prong, platinum, heart-shaped pendant with white and chocolate diamonds totaling one carat.
“What do you think?” the clerk asked anxiously.
Chase pretended to contemplate it further before lifting up the heart-shaped pendant he wanted to surprise Paula with. The diamonds sparkled luminously.
“I believe I’ve found what I’m looking for,” Chase said with satisfaction.
The clerk’s face creased when he smiled. “Excellent choice. I’m sure the lady will melt when you put this around her neck.”
“I think so, too.” Chase imagined that he would take delight showering Paula with diamonds just as he once had Rochelle. She had never failed to appreciate diamonds as an expression of his feelings for her. Chase felt certain that would also be the case with Paula, who had come into his life when he needed her most. Chase intended to do his part to make sure she was there to stay.
“What’s this?” Paula blinked while looking at Chase’s gift.
“It’s a box of Belgium chocolates,” he said. “I definitely couldn’t let you leave here without trying some.”
She smiled at the gesture. “Thank you. I love chocolate. Maybe even a little too much.”
Chase gave her the once-over. “If that’s true, I can’t see it anywhere.”
Her lashes fluttered. “And just what do you see?” she challenged.
“I see a lady who obviously takes very good care of herself.”
Paula beamed. She was happy to hear that her hard work as a jogger and fitness buff had paid off. She eyed his tight physique, envisioning his body naked. “I could say the same thing about you.”
“Thanks.” He grinned. “I have something else for you, too.”
“You do?” She met his gaze.
“Yes. Close your eyes.”
Paula did as he asked, very curious as to what he might have up his sleeve. She felt him put something around her neck.
“Okay, you can open them now.”
She opened her eyes and couldn’t believe it when she saw the sparkling diamond pendant. “Oh, Chase…”
“You like it?”
Paula turned to him. “I love it. It’s absolutely gorgeous!”
Chase’s eyes crinkled. “A gorgeous diamond pendant for a gorgeous woman.”
She held the pendant, mesmerized by the intensity of the chocolate and white diamonds, and lifted her face to look at Chase. “Thank you.”
“I wanted you to have something truly memorable of our visit to Antwerp,” he said sweetly. “When I saw this, I knew it was made just for you.”
Paula kissed him. “You’re so good to me.”
“We’re good to each other and for each other,” Chase said as he gazed into her eyes.
“I totally agree,” she said, looking up at him.
“I was hoping you’d say that.”
Chase wrapped his arms around Paula and kissed her lustfully. Their mouths stayed connected as she put her all into the kiss and the man behind it. Everything else seemed to be a blur, so focused was she in the moment at hand.
After several hot minutes of kissing, Chase separated their lips, but continued to hold Paula. “So how long are you going to keep me in suspense about what you bought for me?”
Paula licked her lips. “Not long at all. Why don’t you get ready for bed, and I’ll be right with you in a couple of minutes.”
A wide smile played on Chase’s lips. “I’m always up for getting naked to be with you.”
“Me, too,” Paula said shamelessly, though this time she had something else in mind for him.
She was aroused just thinking about his perfect nude body and his full erection aching to be deep inside of her. After another look at her diamond pendant, Paula was even more eager to pleasure her man.
Chase waited impatiently on the bed while Paula was in the bathroom. He was always incredibly turned on at the thought of making love to her. This time, doing so in another part of the world made it all the more erotic and thought provoking. Chase knew without a doubt that Paula was someone he simply would not ever tire of intimately. Did that mean real and sustainable love was not far behind? He wondered if she was asking herself the same question.
When Paula came out, the bathroom light shone on her hot-pink teddy. Embroidered with sequin and a black bow, it was very revealing, with a deep V neckline bordered by Chantilly lace. The satin fabric clung to every curve of her sexy body, while the thigh-high cut accentuated the length of Paula’s legs.
“Here’s your present,” she said teasingly and turned all the way around to tempt him even more, showing in the process an erotic stretch-lace thong back. “I hope it meets with your approval?”
He salivated. “Oh, yes, I’m more than satisfied.”
“I’ll keep it on all the way through, or take it off when you want.” Paula posed sinuously. “Better yet, I’ll just leave that part up to you.”
Chase grinned lustfully. He loved seeing and touching her naked body, but he also felt she looked sexy as hell in lingerie. “Right now, all I want is you, baby,” he told her in a husky voice.
“Then you’ll have me every way you can imagine,” she uttered, “and maybe even a few ways beyond your wildest imagination.”
“Hmm, I definitely like the sound of that,” Chase murmured.
Paula grabbed a piece of chocolate and climbed atop Chase. She bit off half and then held the rest to his mouth. He took it in greedily. He’d begun to chew when she bent her face down, licked his lips and kissed him passionately. Chase reciprocated as the melting chocolate passed between them.
She lifted back up, arching her back, and began to stimulate his nipples adroitly with her fingertips. Chase shut his eyes and reveled in the pleasure. His hands reached inside the teddy and cupped her breasts, stroking and titillating them. Paula gasped when he squeezed her nipples and gently ran his fingernail over them.
She took hold of his engorged penis, fondling the length of him and playing with the tip. Chase bit his lip, fighting off the urge to come then and there, as he loved when they climaxed together.
Paula spun her body around so her back was to Chase. She lowered her face and went down on his erection. He trembled as her mouth covered him and her tongue teased expertly. With a salacious view of Paula’s backside, Chase was eager to taste her sweet goodness. He held her buttocks and lifted his head, using his tongue to push past the teddy till he found Paula’s clitoris. He licked and sucked and twirled his tongue while she moaned with pleasure, trembling wildly.
Soon Chase’s mouth covered the entire area of Paula’s genitalia, kissing and sucking even as she did the same to him in glorious sixty-nine. Once the oral copulation had resulted in mutual powerful orgasms, they rearranged themselves on the bed. Still hungry for more of his hot lover, Chase slipped on a condom and climbed on top of Paula.
He slid inside her, penetrating as far as she wanted him, thrusting mightily while she tightened around his erection. Her legs were splayed wide, and their slick bodies pressed together in harmonious movement. They kissed passionately, the scent of their sex intoxicating, raising the intensity of Chase’s arousal to new heights.
“Go deeper,” Paula urged him, lifting her legs off the bed. “Much deeper.”
Driven by her words and his overpowering desire, Chase propelled himself forward in rapid motion, burrowing through the soft, moist walls of her sexuality. His penis conquered the depths within, bringing cries of exultation from Paula.
Chase moaned and quavered with his second climax, leaving him slightly light-headed. He continued to perform determinedly till Paula yielded to her pleasure, her contractions coming in waves. She huffed and puffed, digging her nails into the flesh of hi
s lower back till settling down.
They kissed zealously as the perfect way to finish what their desire had started.
Chase and Paula spent the following day touring Brussels, the largest urban area in Belgium and the capital of the European Union. Paula enjoyed visiting Grand Place, the historic market square; Bruparck, a leisure and shopping center; the Belgian Comic Strip Center and the Basilica of the Sacred Heart church. At one point, they stopped at a street vendor, and Chase bought Paula a single long-stemmed red rose.
“A rose for a lovely lady,” he said affectionately.
“Oh, how beautiful,” Paula gushed.
Chase flashed his teeth. “Not half as lovely as you are.”
Paula ate it up, feeling like she was the most fortunate woman in the world in being with the most desirable gentleman.
She kissed Chase on the mouth. They held hands as they continued to explore the city. Paula was sure this was all leading to something neither of them could control, and it was more powerful than anything she had ever experienced.
On their last day, they took a scenic candlelit-dinner cruise around the Antwerp harbor. Chase hand-fed Paula, and she did the same in return, finding the experience very romantic. They washed down the cuisine with goblets of sauvignon blanc.
Paula felt the heat of Chase’s gaze. “What?” she asked, fearing she might have food on her face.
He maintained a serious look. “I’m falling in love with you.”
Her heart skipped a beat. “Really?”
“Yes.” Chase took her hand in his. “I hope that doesn’t scare you, but this seemed like the perfect time and place to say it.”
Paula was moved to hear the words, agreeing with him wholeheartedly that the moment could not have been more perfect. “It doesn’t scare me at all,” she assured him, meeting his eyes. “The truth is, I’m also falling in love with you.” Paula spoke from her heart.
Chase grinned widely. “I was hoping you’d say that.”
Her eyes grew wide. “How could I not develop such feelings, Mr. Everything?”
He chuckled. “That would make you Ms. Everything.”
Christmas Diamonds Page 15
