by Maci Dillon
“This suite looks much more prominent in person than it did in the photos online,” I say.
Will smirks.
“If you must know, the suite you booked was the penthouse suite. This…” he spread his arms wide in front of him, ”… is the presidential suite.”
My eyes bulged.
Taking my hand, Will guided me into the master bedroom.
“Fucking spectacular,” I marveled as I ran to the edge of the bed and fell backward onto the plush comforter. After messing up the covers and admiring the high ceilings, I sat up and took in the ocean view. Between where I sat on the bed and the floor-to-ceiling window, there was a sitting room with a door off to the side.
“What’s in there?”
“Go ahead, take a peek.”
A freaking office. “All of this in the master bedroom? Are you kidding me?” I danced around the room like Baby from Dirty Dancing, after all, “Nobody puts Baby in the corner.” Will laughed at me as I rushed to him, my smile wide, and wrapped my arms around his neck.
“Wait until you step into the bathroom, it’s magical.”
I’d already begun to walk out of the sitting room onto the balcony when Will pulled me to the opposite side of the room and through the double doors. We stepped into the most opulent bathroom I have ever seen. It has a double vanity, double shower, and an oversized spa elevated in the corner, overlooking the ocean and vast shoreline to the south.
“I’m never going to want to leave, Will. Did they upgrade us? Is this why I received the cancelation email?”
Will’s head falls back with a laugh, his rippled pecs flexing with each chuckle.
“You’re so fucking adorable when you’re confused.”
I frown, unsure what he means.
As I followed him out the door, we explored the other three bedrooms, all double-sized, two with partial ocean views. On the opposite side of the chef’s kitchen and expansive living room where we walked in from the elevator, an indoor pool overlooked the shoreline to the north, along with a separate sauna room and bathroom.
I turned to Will while my mind exploded with possibilities. “Am I dreaming? Who has a pool inside their apartment? With a sauna, three living areas, three bathrooms, and four bedrooms?”
I walked out onto the balcony to soak up the views and rays of sunshine, and salt air hit my face. It was so refreshing.
“The number of tiles used for this balcony alone is more than we have in our entire apartment.”
Will crept up behind me, hugged me at the waist, and kissed the side of my neck. I leaned back into him, and my face lifted to the heavens.
I was floating.
I returned my view to the horizon and released the railing to clutch Will’s hands secured in front of me when I spotted it.
In his hands was the envelope he was holding when I first stumbled in here.
“I have an early Christmas present for you,” he whispered.
I spun around as he released me from his hold. Tentatively, I took the envelope he offered. “Will, we agreed not to do presents. Spending ten days in a lavish suite together was to be more than enough.”
“Open the envelope, Chloe.” His voice was firm.
I eyed him suspiciously and pulled out the lip of the envelope. I slid the folded sheet of paper out of its pouch and opened it.
Words lodged in my throat, and my hands unsteady as I scanned the document I was holding. Slowly, everything started to come together.
“Will,” I whispered and glanced up at him. “You own this suite?”
The canceled reservation, being sent up to the owner of the suite, who turned out to be Will, Raven bringing me here and pushing me out of the elevator, and this being the presidential suite instead of the penthouse suite. The penny finally dropped. It came crashing down, bounced off the slate tiles where I stood in my bare feet, and rolled across the length of the balcony.
HOLY FUCK.
“When, how? I mean, why didn’t you say something?” I had so many questions.
As for how, we hadn’t spoken much about his financial position yet. He’s a successful property developer and owns a lot of properties across several states. But the details were irrelevant to me and my decision to be with him.
My question was not about the financial ability, it was the timeframe, the idea. “As an investment property?” It was the only explanation.
As he gazed deep into my eyes, I anticipated the answer before he spoke.
Slowly, he began to shake his head. He ran his hands over my shoulders and up the crevice of my neck, finally cupping my face. Hair whipped lightly around my face from the ocean breeze, but my eyes remained locked on his.
“No, little one. As a home. A permanent one for the both of us.”
My mind buzzed with excitement.
With anticipation.
Happiness overwhelmed me.
“Will—”
Fingers brushed my lips. “Shh, before you say anything, I bought this suite for us. A new beginning. I sold off many of the properties the company owned to do this for us. For our future together. All the property Amanda and I owned together, I signed over to her. We owe it to ourselves to live a new life together, free from the past. Th—”
“But Wi—”
“Let me finish,” he interrupted and smiled patiently.
“This will be our home, even if you choose not to move in with me straightaway. The last thing I want is to walk back into your life and take away everything you have built on your own.”
He tucked a rogue curl behind my ear. My heart melted at the tenderness of his touch.
This incredible gesture.
Tears welled up in my eyes as he continued to speak. His tone was gentle and loving. “I will wait until you’re ready to take this step with me. And when you do, we’ll decorate and make this place exactly what you’ve always dreamed of.”
A tear fell, and I dipped my head to stop the flow.
“Tell me what you’re thinking, little one. Is this all too much?” Genuine concern masked his features. My heart tensed.
I nodded. “This is…” I sigh. “It is a lot, yes.” So soon to be talking about moving in together.
But was it?
We lived together for years before he left me. And we had already spent a decade apart.
Do I want to wait any longer to go all-in with him?
“As in, this place is huge and more than I ever imagined. Hell, I couldn’t even afford to book it for ten nights. Hence, why we reserved the penthouse suite.” I can’t believe this is my new reality.
I have worked hard to build what I have, but my financial status is minimal compared to Will’s.
Obviously.
I don’t want a sugar daddy. I want a lover to spend my life with, to grow old with, and experience all the best things life has to offer.
“When you called to say you had booked the penthouse suite in this building, I took it as a sign.” His smile grew broader. “I had already put in an offer on this suite.”
“You had?” I stepped closer to him, and my arms curled over his shoulders. I hugged him tighter than ever. “I’m so honored you did this. I am.”
“But?” he asked, stepping back from me, fear etched in his brow.
“But nothing. Our plan was for you to move down this way to be closer to me because of my job. I’m pinching myself.” I chuckled. “It’s actually happening.”
“It made sense. I’d do anything to be with you. I want to embrace our second chance at forever.”
“While I hoped for it to happen immediately because I was missing you like crazy, I never expected anything to fall into place this quickly. I figured there would be discussions and planning.”
“Always the planner,” he joked. “And by the shock on your face and questions in your eyes, it’s safe to say you never grew out of the I-hate-surprises stage.”
“Pretty much.” I smiled up at him.
“Seriously, though, I fucking love t
his suite, and I’m not unhappy you took charge and did this without speaking to me. Honestly, I’m…” I paused and looked around us, “… shocked is all.”
Will wiped his brow with the back of his hand. “Phew, shock I’m equipped to deal with. Unhappiness, not so much.” He wrapped his arms around my waist and dipped his head, so we were at an even height. “I never want to do anything to make you less than floating-on-clouds kinda happy.”
“I’ll hold you to that,” I joked.
I rose on my tiptoes, kissed him hard, and pulled his head to mine while I poured out all my love and appreciation through our kiss.
“On that note, let’s crack open the bubbly and celebrate.”
As Will prepared the bubbly and a cheese platter he had semi-organized before my arrival, I revisited all the rooms of the penthouse. Every single fiber of my being wanted to call this place home. It is beyond my wildest dreams. The extreme opulence and beauty I once cut from magazines and glued to my vision boards as a teenager.
Will and I had often talked about owning places like this.
Together.
This man chose to give us a second chance, purchased my dream home, and yet I would be as happy living in a run-down shack.
So long as I was with him.
For the moment, I will concentrate on us and our holiday plans.
In the new year, I will consider moving in.
Chapter Eighteen
Love Conquers All
“Love conquers all - love is the grace that transcends any kind of injustice in the end.” ~ Mark Ruffalo
WILL
The day was young, and I wished I was still curled up in bed with Chloe plastered to my chest. Instead, I sliced up garnishes for the morning mimosas and lunchtime cocktails together with some fresh tropical fruit and cheese for the platters to serve with them.
Only Chloe requested alcohol when asked what she wanted to dine on for the day. I smiled and thought about our day out yesterday and the way her face lit up when we purchased the stainless-steel cocktail maker with all the accessories.
And I mean all of the accessories.
Note to self—add more cabinets to the kitchen for the mixologist in my life. Though I’m fairly sure I’ll be mixing them as fast as she drinks them.
The past few days have been a whirlwind of perfect moments. Our nights were filled with lovemaking until the early hours of the morning. When we turned off the lights, the balcony doors remained open to enjoy the fresh ocean breezes. Our mornings commenced around ten with breakfast on the balcony, followed by a walk along the pristine beach in our front yard.
Afternoons were spent lazing about naked, happily exploring each other until we learned every inch of each other with our eyes closed. Our phones were left on silent, and the only outside noise has been the summer tunes cranking from the built-in surround system.
I am pulled from my thoughts when the intercom sounds to alert us of our guests’ arrival. I punch in the code and send them up.
Raven, Kassidy, and Miah haven’t seen the suite yet, and Chloe wanted to wait until they arrived to share the news. It will also be my first time meeting Kassidy and Miah, a meet-and-greet I’m excited about. Chloe’s friendships have always been important to her, and it’s evident these four women would kill for each other.
Therefore, I needed to make a good impression on each of them equally. Raven and I have established a rapport already, having met the day after we reconnected. To keep the surprise about the suite under wraps, I contacted Raven on Facebook to ask for her help.
She was delighted to oblige.
Chloe skipped out of the bedroom in a strapless white cotton sundress which made her girls pop and her golden tan appear darker. So fucking beautiful.
“I’m the luckiest bastard alive,” I growled at her as she entered the kitchen to show me exactly how lucky I am.
“You’re wicked,” I groaned. “Your friends will be walking in any second,” I told her. “I don’t want their first impression of me being a walking hard-on,” I continued and coaxed her hand off my growing cock.
She shrugged her shoulder. “It wouldn’t be a bad impression, though,” she teased.
The elevator dinged in the center of the open living space, and Chloe sprinted toward it.
“Merry Christmas, biatches.”
Screaming commenced as if it had been months, not two days since they were all together. I waited in the kitchen watching from the sideline as they hugged, kissed, and exchanged compliments on all the girl things.
“Welcome to our home,” Chloe announced, and my heart swelled at the use of her words. She instantly realized what she implied and flashed me a coy smile. I only hope the grin on my face cements how much I want this to be ours.
I moved to Chloe’s side, slid an arm around her shoulders, and formally met the wing squad, as they hilariously called themselves.
“I’m so glad you’re all here. Merry Christmas.”
Objectification—it was not a familiar experience of late. Standing in front of these women, each of them gorgeous in different ways, I sucked it up and endured their indecent inspection. Their eyes drew a path from my head to my feet and back again. Kassidy and Miah turned to each other with wide smiles and high-fived Chloe as they all broke out in hysterics.
“Girl, you did gawd,” they yelled in unison. I coughed into my hand in an effort not to laugh.
Chloe rolled her eyes and mouthed, “Sorry.”
“Seriously, what are you, ten?” She chastised her friends, who simply shrugged and continued smiling.
I took it on the chin like the man I am.
Once the pleasantries were over, I invited everyone to the kitchen to collect their mimosa. “Chloe will take you on the grand tour,” I suggested, passing out the glasses.
“OMG, wait until I show you the pool and sauna,” Chloe yelled above the excitement.
“The fuck?”
“In the suite?”
“No way, that’s mad!”
“Maybe start at the opposite end so they can put their stuff in their rooms?” I said, raised my eyebrows, and tilted my head toward their belongings.
“Great idea, let’s do it.” Chloe took the lead and introduced her best friends to our forever home.
By the end of the tour, I had a jug of Mimosas and nibbles all set up on the balcony table. Chloe insisted on a metal Christmas tree to place in the center of the table and a mega box of large bonbons.
Usually, not one to celebrate festivities, Chloe reminded me it was an excellent opportunity to create new traditions. I pictured many Christmases on this balcony, and I was excitedly anticipating our announcement.
Raven was the first to raise a glass. “We should make a toast.” We all followed her lead and raised our glasses.
I still cannot believe I’m drinking fucking Mimosas, but yeah.
“Chloe, we love you. If anyone deserves to find their happily ever after, girl, it’s you. We are so happy for you both. Will, welcome to our crazy family. And by family, I mean, if you hurt our girl, we will cut your dick off, wrap it in silicone and stick it so far up your ass you’ll choke on it.”
Everyone laughed and toasted in unison.
“Cheers.”
Me? I clutched my junk and squeezed my ass cheeks together.
We all erupted into a fit of laughter.
“Cheers,” I added, and the toast was unified.
Together we drank and grazed on the brunch platters while overlooking the beautiful Pacific Ocean and crowds of beachgoers across the road.
“Where did these pastries come from?” Chloe asked.
“We brought them with us from the bakery we love,” Kassidy answered.
“You mean the guy on the corner you’ve been crushing over for months?” Miah teased.
Kassidy rolled her eyes.
“Figured it was the least we ought to do. If we’d known we had been upgraded to the presidential suite, though…” Raven huffs, “… we might have
brought something extra special.”
I laughed and glanced at Chloe, who was all smiles and gave me the nod. She placed her glass down in front of her. “I told the girls about the upgrade when I gave them the tour. They were super impressed.”
She gave me an over-the-top side wink which caught the attention of Miah, but Raven beat her to it.
“Yeah, how dare you keep it from me after everything I did to help get Chloe here,” Raven pouted.
Kassidy slapped her upper arm. “She, I mean we, are all appreciative, Will. Thank you.”
Raven clutched her arm, faking pain. “What? That’s what I meant.”
“Anyway,” Chloe interrupted, bringing the conversation back to our news we were dying to share. “We have more exciting news.”
“Oh my God, you’re getting married?” Kassidy shrieked with excitement.
“No,” Chloe answered with a frown.
“Not yet,” I corrected her. When her eyes met mine, my heart melted. She wasn’t opposed to marrying me, not in the slightest.
She smiled and shook off the comment to continue, “We didn’t exactly get upgraded. Will, he umm… bought the suite... for both of us.”
Cue the squeals.
I guessed the wing squad was team Chloe and Will, after all.
“You bought this entire suite?”
“As in you’re moving in here permanently?”
“Chloe, you’re moving out?”
“Whoa,” Chloe interjected, her hands raised to protect herself from the barrage of questions fired her way.
I jumped in to help her out. “Yes, I bought the entire suite, and yes, I’ll be living here permanently from now on. My life is here with Chloe, and when she is ready, I hope she will move in with me and create our forever home.”
“Ahh…” Chloe interrupted. “I have a Christmas gift for you, too, Will.” She rose from her chair and came to sit on my lap, her arms on my shoulders. Everyone fell silent, waiting for what she had to say.
My heart beat faster by the second.
“I love you, Will, and I don’t want to waste another day being apart. I want today to be the beginning of our new life in this suite, in our home.”
“Chloe.” Emotions threatened to overwhelm me and burst from my eyes. I framed her adorable face in my hands and brought her lips to mine for a short but heated kiss.
