by Krista Lakes
His face relaxed into a comfortable smile. “Care for another drink?”
She barely had time to answer before he had a glass pressed into her hand.
“To the best date I could have brought to the wedding,” Jace said, holding up his glass.
Ella giggled. “You didn't really bring me, you know. I was kind of already here.”
Jace playfully narrowed his eyes at her. “Fine, to the best wedding liaison a man could hope to have decide to let him dance with.”
“I'll toast to that,” she agreed, loving the way he made her heart feel lighter. Tonight couldn't get better.
Chapter Sixteen
Jace wished he had come up with a better toast. It sounded so fake and terrible, yet it was all his love-struck brain could seem to come up with. He just wanted to see her smile again. His world was perfect when she smiled at him the way she was right now. He wanted her to tell him all her secrets, and maybe even tell her some of his.
“Tell me about the inn,” he said, trying to think of something that would make her feel comfortable. He remembered how her face had lit up at the barn when she started to talk about her work, so he thought it would be a good place to start.
“What do you want to know?” she asked.
“Everything.” He guided them to a quiet area of the garden and sipped on his champagne, watching her beautiful face.
“Um, well... I guess I should start at the beginning.” She smiled and fiddled with the stem of her champagne flute for a moment. “My father bought this place when his parents died. Used his whole inheritance on it. He had these amazing dreams, especially for the times. A couple of years later, he met my mother, and together they made this amazing place.”
“They're the two people in that photograph of the gazebo you sent with the invitation to hold the wedding here,” he said, thinking of the image that brought him here. It was that picture that had led him to show his sister this place.
She nodded. “That was them. It's one of my favorite pictures of them. I was born about nine months later.”
“They looked very happy,” Jace added.
“They were. Their happiness shone through this whole place. People used to come for miles around to stay here. It was 'the place to be' for anyone who was anyone. They even hosted the wedding of the vice president's daughter.”
She paused to take a sip of her champagne and Jace could feel that the story was about to darken.
“Then my mother died. I was only two at the time, but my dad took it really hard. Without her, he couldn't run this place like he used to. Things got scaled back, but it was still doing well.” She glanced up at him, making sure he was still interested.
“A young daughter and a business? That would be hard for anyone,” Jace said. She smiled, glad to see he was actually paying attention.
“When I was twelve, my dad decided that I needed a female in my life and that he needed a partner. I told him we really didn't, but I think the idea of raising a teenage girl scared him. He missed my mom and wanted someone like her.” Ella looked down at her champagne. “Then, one day he went to Vegas for a conference and came back married to Delores. How she convinced him she was like my mom, I'll never know.”
Jace had heard this story before from more men than he cared to count. It was classic gold-digger money hungry woman meets wealthy man.
“Things were good for a few years. Delores loved playing the wealthy wife and she didn't do much around the inn. I spent most of my time at school or learning how to do things around here. I never really had to deal with Delores or Allison very much, despite my dad's attempts to make us into a family.” She played with the champagne flute, twirling it in her fingers and watching the liquid spin inside of it. “Then, one day, his heart just gave out and he was gone.”
The simple ache in her voice made him want to wrap his arms around her. “I'm sorry.”
She shrugged, as if the motion could move the pain of his passing from her, but the weight of it still hung heavy around her. “That's when I found out that the inn was willed to Delores until my twenty-second birthday.” She shrugged again, the weight of the world still on her shoulders.
Jace nodded. He could imagine how it all went down. His own father lost twenty-five percent of his company to wife number two because she'd convinced him that a pre-nup was a sign he didn't love her. A woman with a mission, especially one as wily as Delores, would find a way to get anything.
“I'm sure you can imagine Delores's shock at finding out that the inn was the only property to my father's name and that it wasn't exactly the easy money she thought it would be.” She looked up at him and brushed a strand of hair behind her ear. “He'd barely been supporting her spending habits before all the medical bills and funeral arrangements happened.”
“Ouch.” Jace took a sip of his champagne, not feeling sorry for Delores at all.
“In order for me to inherit my father's inn, I have show that I am devoted to managing the inn for five years. If I leave, I lose my inheritance. So, I've worked my butt off under Delores's management. I've even offered to buy it from her, to get her out of here faster,” Ella said. She shook her head and the small strand of hair fell out of place again.
“I'm guessing she didn't take your offer.” Jace took another sip of champagne and fighting the urge to fix that strand of hair. It was the same one as at the gazebo yesterday.
“Nope. But, my birthday's in six months and no one can deny that I've worked for this place.” She looked up at him, her eyes excited and bright. “I'm so close to getting this place I can taste it.”
He loved how she lit up when she talked about her future and her plans. She was so full of hope and enthusiasm, he was tempted to just write her a check for however much she needed. If she asked, he would.
“Once it's yours, what are you going to do?” he asked.
“Everything.” She glanced around the garden, already seeing things changing in her mind. Her eyes danced with excitement and he couldn't look away for even a second. “I was the one who set up this wedding and made it work. If I can do it once, I can do it again. This place is going to be bigger and better than my father ever dreamed.”
“You'll certainly have me as a repeat customer,” he replied, loving the way she grinned at him.
“You can have the best room whenever you do,” she promised.
He grinned at her, enjoying their conversation. Any other woman he'd talk to like this would be naked and writhing in his bed by now, not sitting and talking like two friends. It surprised him that he was actually enjoying it. More than he ever would have thought possible. Even if nothing happened sexually tonight, he would still think tonight was fantastic.
The thought made him pause. No sex was still a good night? That sounded more like a relationship than a fling. And for the first time in his life, that didn't scare him. He wanted something more with Ella. He wanted to wake up tomorrow morning and find her still here. He wanted to wake up and never have her leave again.
“What about you? What's your story?” she asked, breaking into his thoughts. “I will admit, I did some preliminary research on you when you first booked the wedding, but I haven't really done much since.”
“What did you find out?” he asked, nearly finishing off his glass. He'd had this conversation with women hundreds of times, but was glad Ella at least admitted to looking him up.
“Your company is a conglomeration. You own companies ranging from pharmaceuticals to grocery stores to a lawn mower factory, with basically anything and everything in between,” she replied.
“Go on.” He took a sip of his champagne and waited for the part where she read all the articles listing his favorite colors and suit designers.
“Your father started the business, and you've picked it up. All the investors say that you are very good at it. I mean, I guess that's rather obvious.” She motioned to the inn, obviously referencing the wedding. “You have one sister and you work primarily in New York City.
And that's basically all I know.”
“That's all you looked up?” Jace stood up a little straighter.
“I made sure you could pay the bill,” she explained. “That's all I cared about. For everything else, I wanted to know what the bride wanted. Not what the media thought the bride wanted. It's much better to get the information straight from the source.”
“That's seriously all you know about me?” he asked, loving that she hadn't read anything else. Most of the people that tried to get close to him ended up pretending to know more about him than he did. It was nice to have someone not know his favorite place to vacation in the Bahamas and constantly be asking to go there.
“Yeah, I actually feel bad that I don't know more.” she admitted. She looked up at him, guilt in her eyes. “Why are you smiling?”
He didn't quite know how to answer. It was wildly refreshing and kind of a turn on to know that she had no expectations. He would of course blow them out of the water if she did, but to not have them was wonderful and freeing.
“You want to go for a walk?” he asked, not answering her question. He didn't know how, but she was even more perfect than he first thought. If her family wasn't so crazy, he would have thought he was dreaming.
She followed his gaze to beyond the party, toward the quiet lake. Some time away from the hum of the party sounded marvelous. Especially if it was just the two of them. She nodded and he grabbed her hand. With both of them grinning like school children, they headed off toward the exit.
Jace opened the gate to the path around the lake. Ella took one last glance back at the party, her need to watch and plan the reception pulling her back for a moment. A motion caught his attention, and he focused in on her stepsister. Allison raised her champagne glass in a silent cheers before grinning at the two of them and motioning them to leave. Jace flashed her a smile and hurried out the gate before anyone could stop them.
Chapter Seventeen
The lake rippled with moonlight and Ella was fairly sure that if she looked closely enough, she would see pure magic. Her hand was hot in Jace's, but she didn't dare let go. She was afraid she'd stop breathing if she did. Her heart was beating so fast and hard, and it was because of him. The way he made her feel was magical- more so than any moonlight on the lake.
The corners of her lips tugged upward when he pulled her off the main cement walkway and onto the carefully manicured dirt path. They were going to the small gazebo. Her thoughts flashed to the last time the two of them were there. The way the sunlight had caught his dark hair and sparkled through his eyes. The ache to kiss him reared back to life, and she hoped this time she could.
The gazebo was completely empty. Jace held her hand as they walked up the steps and stood in the center of the small wooden structure. A soft starlit breeze floated across the lake, sending chilly goosebumps up Ella's arms. She rubbed her arms without thinking, looking out at the perfect night.
Without saying a word, Jace removed his jacket and settled it around her shoulders. It held his warmth and smelled like him. Clean with just a hint of cedar. It was difficult for her not to bury her nose in the fabric and just breathe him in.
“Thank you,” she whispered, heart fluttering. She'd never felt so nervous and yet so comfortable at the same time. Being with Jace felt right, even if he turned her to jelly. “So, just to recap: you aren't marrying your sister and you didn't sleep with my stepsister in my stepmother's office.”
“Nope.” Jace shook his head, a crooked grin crossing his face.
“That's good,” Ella replied. How could she feel so breathless and yet like she didn't need to breathe at all?
She loved the way he was looking at her right now. Like she was beautiful. Like she was the only thing that mattered to him, and given that he was the CEO billionaire of a major international corporation in the middle of his sister's wedding reception, that was saying something.
Together they leaned against the railing and looked out at the moonlit waters. Crickets called to their mates and the wind whispered gently against the trees. Jace's shoulder pressed against hers and even through the silk fabric of his jacket, she could feel his heat. It was distracting in the best possible way.
“Now, there is something that I don't understand,” Jace said after a moment. “Not to brag, but I'm kind of a big deal. My picture is everywhere. How did you not recognize me as Xavier Connor, billionaire CEO?”
“Honestly?” Ella bit her lip. “Terrible internet.”
“Terrible internet?”
“I'm not supposed to use the hotel's internet since it's for guests. So, I use the free wifi that comes in from next door. It's terrible,” Ella explained. “It's a lot faster to load everything without pictures.”
“What about magazines?” Jace asked, his voice amused.
“All the pictures right now are of your very photogenic sister,” Ella replied. “And, I don't exactly have the time to be reading more than just the covers in the checkout aisle.”
“I guess that means you missed my interview in Blush Magazine last month,” Jace said. “It's too bad. You would have found out my favorite flavor of tortilla chip.”
“I am horribly sorry.” Ella turned to face him, putting her hand on her heart. She was surprised to feel it beating so quickly under her hand. “How ever will I find out that information?”
Jace smiled. “It's Cool Ranch.”
“I'm so glad to know,” Ella said. “I would have guessed Nacho Cheese and that would have been terrible.”
“A disaster of epic proportions,” Jace agreed. “Nacho Cheese is a close second, but if you had guessed Salsa Verde, I'm not sure we could be friends.”
“I'll have Allison return the box tomorrow,” Ella assured him. He laughed, filling the night with the warm sound. If Ella's heart had been racing before, it was out of control now. That laugh was amazing.
Jace grinned at her. “My stay here has been fantastic. Not even a box of Salsa Verde chips could ruin it.”
“I bet you say that to all the girls who bring you chips,” Ella teased.
“No. Just you. I think this might be the best trip of my life.”
Her heart skipped a beat. “I'm glad you're enjoying your stay, but you've probably been everywhere. Here's not that special.”
“Here's where you are,” Jace replied. “And it was special enough to have a wedding for someone I care deeply about.”
“Good point.” Ella's voice squeaked a little and she couldn't look at him. If she did, he would know just how fast she was falling for him. “I guess, I've just always been here. I don't know that it's special.”
Jace reached out and tipped her chin up to look at him. His blue eyes caught the moonlight, making them mysterious and deep. “It is.”
Ella didn't know what to say. The quip she had ready about chips suddenly disappeared and all she could do was focus on his lips. His perfect, kissable lips.
“Have I told you how beautiful you looked today?” Jace asked, his voice husky and low.
“Looked?” Ella repeated, confused at the past tense. If anything, this dress was the best she'd ever looked in her whole life.
“The jeans looked sexy as hell earlier,” Jace answered, somehow moving closer to her. “And that blue dress at the wedding was perfect. It made you glow.”
“And now?” Ella was breathless. His fingertips were still on her chin and she was staring up into his eyes. This was what magic felt like.
“Beyond beautiful,” he whispered. “Beautiful doesn't even begin to describe you.”
She forgot to breathe because she no longer needed to. Jace tipped his head, taking his time to slowly capture her lips. As soon as their lips met, fireworks seemed to explode and Ella wasn't sure if they were a part of the wedding celebration or all in her mind. He lifted his hand, bringing it up to the back of her neck. As soon as he began to draw her in, she threw herself at the kiss, her mouth desperately seeking his.
His kiss was wild yet sweet, rough and soft, he
avenly and wicked. Quickly, his tongue found hers and tasted her. He was sensual and delicious, filling her with desire she didn't know she could possess. She could feel every nerve ending of hers tingling. Her whole body was going to explode with pure desire just from the sensation of his lips against hers.
He pulled away a little and she leaned forward, continuing the kiss for a moment before pulling back herself. He looked her over. “Wow,” he whispered.
“Wow,” Ella agreed.
He caught her up again, crushing her chest against his as his kiss grew more urgent. Liquid desire pooled in her stomach. Greedily, she took her fill, threading her fingers through his hair and giving into the desire that had been building within her for the past few days. Part of her wanted to go slow, to revel in his kiss, but the more she kissed him, the more she knew she couldn't wait.
She had never wanted anyone like this. Just the simple caress of his tongue against hers had her ready to melt right there in his arms. The world faded until all that existed was Jace and this kiss.
“Ella...” Jace whispered. She could feel his manhood throbbing against her hip and she realized she had her leg wrapped around his waist. She was surprised that she'd even managed to lift it up that high in this dress.
“So, what's your room number?” Ella asked, putting her foot back on the gazebo floor. “Maybe I'll stop by later, or something.”
Jace's lips quirked in a small smile. “That'd be cool. It's the business suite. 'Cause, you know, I'm kind of a big deal.”
“Oooh, the business suite. You must be important.” Ella was ready to run at a dead sprint to get to that room. “I think I can come by.”
Jace pulled her into another kiss that stole her breath and made her body ache for so much more. If just his kiss had her ready to explode with desire, she could only imagine what the rest of him could do. The thought made her shiver.
“Business suite, right?” Ella gasped, dizzy when finally pulled back enough to let them both breathe.
