When Grace left, I took one more minute to myself, making sure everything was perfect. Even though this whole situation was wrong on so many levels, I still wanted to look good. I mean, what girl wouldn’t?
Finally, I stepped out of the bathroom, trying my best to walk in the strappy heels Mr. Black had insisted I wear with the outfit. It was no easy feat given the plushness of the carpet. But somehow, I crossed the bedroom into the hall and headed for the stairs without incident. There, I held on tightly to the banister as I made my way down.
Not yet ready to confront Mr. Black, I rounded in the opposite direction, trying to remember my tour with Grace.
A few moments later, I arrived at the windows that overlooked the infinity pool. I stood there, admiring the beautiful Tucson view. It was breathtaking, with bright lights twinkling against the dark mountains. A part of me found it hard to believe that this gorgeous city was my home.
Eventually, I pried myself away from the heart-stopping view and headed for the foyer. Mr. Black immediately appraised me with his eyes, drinking in my every inch. His gaze made me go warm inside, with delightful tremors pulsing in my sweetest spot.
His smile widened as those blue eyes gleamed.
“You look beautiful,” he rumbled, stepping closer. “But, you’re not quite finished.”
I furrowed my brows in confusion. Huh? I had put on everything he asked of me. What was missing?
Without a word, he reached into his pocket, pulling out a deep blue velvet box. “For you,” Black said.
I took it after a moment of hesitation. I dared to look up at his eyes, but he gave nothing away.
What was it?
Silently, I opened it.
Inside was a pair of sapphire earrings, accentuated by a cluster of smaller diamonds.
What?
All I could do was stare at them.
They were so beautiful that it almost hurt to look at them. They couldn’t possibly be for me. My mind refused to believe they were real, so I didn’t move. I just kept staring at them like a deer caught in headlights.
“Let me.” Black took the box from my hand. With a gentle touch, he helped me put the earrings on, stepping back to see how they looked.
I gave him the ghost of a smile. “Thank you,” I whispered, my voice barely audible.
“All right. We’ve delayed long enough. Let’s go.” He held out an arm expectantly.
I slipped my arm through his, feeling my cheeks grow warm. This still didn’t feel real but nonetheless I allowed him to guide me to the front door where an expensive red sports car was already waiting for us in the driveway.
To my surprise, he opened the passenger door for me, acting like a perfect gentleman. Black held my hand and made sure that I was settled before letting go and rounding the car. I watched him, mind still buzzing with everything that was happening. This all felt like some sort of dream. I waited to wake up, but I never did.
Black slipped behind the driver’s seat, starting the engine. It purred like a kitten. He smiled as he quickly put the car in drive and whipped down the driveway.
A few seconds into the ride, it dawned on me that I had never gotten his first name. Would it be rude of me to ask for it? I fidgeted with the hem of my dress trying to decide what to do.
“Is something the matter?” he asked, glancing in my direction.
“It’s just that … well, you never told me your first name.”
He quirked an eyebrow. “Really? Maybe you’re right. How rude. I’m sorry. My name is Aaron.”
I paused for a moment.
“And can I call you Aaron?” I ventured timidly.
“Sure, sweetheart. In fact, I insist that you do so. Mr. Black is much too formal. Besides, if you’re going to be my live-in companion for the next three months, I would rather us have a more intimate relationship. Calling me by my first name is absolutely the way to go.”
I gulped. Intimate? Oh no. And yet my insides grew hot all over again with delicious anticipation.
Chapter Eight
Aaron
This wasn’t the first time I’d had a gorgeous girl in my car, but it was the first time in a long time where I was excited about it. There was just something about her that made me feel alive. Every time I looked at her, it was like I was breathing in a gust of fresh air.
“Have you ever explored the city?” I asked after a long stretch of silence. I could tell by her stiffness that she was still nervous. It was to be expected, after all. This was probably all a little overwhelming to her. I could only imagine what it must feel like to be thrown into a whole new lifestyle in the span of less than twenty-four hours. Her head must be spinning.
“Not really. I’m more of an introvert. I’d rather stay at home and read a book than go out. Plus, I work long shifts so I don’t really have much time for all that.”
“Well, that’s about to change,” I rumbled, reaching over to grab her hand and squeezing it gently as I drove. If she had been any other girl, my hand probably would have crept up her dress but for some reason I refrained from doing so. Her nervousness almost made me feel guilty. Was she really a virgin? I found it hard to believe given how gorgeous she looked in her dress. She was mouthwatering and her curves were just begging to be touched. Surely, I wasn’t the first man to notice her.
For most of the ride, she was silent.
I didn’t bother to keep the conversation going. For now, I was perfectly content with stealing glances in her direction. Already I could feel my excitement growing but I did my best to hold it back. I couldn’t understand why but I wanted to take things slow with this girl. I wanted to make her feel comfortable, so if that meant acting like a gentleman for a few days, then that’s exactly what I was going to do. Besides, things are always a thousand times better when a girl is as into it as you are. And I’m not just talking about sex.
When we pulled up to the curb, I grinned as I slipped my car into the valet parking space. I stepped out, tossing the keys at the young man that would be taking it out for a spin. “Careful,” I growled, handing him a tip before I rounded the car to open Melanie’s door.
She grabbed my hand for support. It was then that I really noticed how dainty and small her hands were. Unable to help myself, I pulled her fingers up to my lips, gently kissing the back of her hand. “Are you ready?”
“Y-yes,” she stammered, looking up at the restaurant with doe eyes. The place was a palace with a huge archway out front complete with potted palms and uniformed livery me. It was a little over the top for my taste, but Melanie couldn’t stop staring.
“Impressive, isn’t it?” I chuckled.
To my amusement, Melanie’s awe didn’t fade and I was forced to tow her into the restaurant. The hostess immediately recognized me, guiding us toward my usual table. The table was situated toward the back, right beside the roaring fireplace. She lit the candles and handed us both a menu.
“Can I start you off with anything to drink?” the hostess asked, looking at Melanie. Of course, she already knew what I wanted.
“Um,” Melanie bit her lip, squinting at the drink selection. “I’ll have…” I could tell she was struggling.
So I ordered for her. “She’ll have a glass of the 2011 Chateau Lafitte. Please bring out the bottle as well.”
Melanie’s eyes widened. “
You mean the Rothschild Chateau Lafitte?” she asked in a strangled voice. Her finger hovered over the price tag. At two hundred and fifty dollars per glass, it wasn’t even the most expensive item on the menu, but it was the best wine the restaurant had to offer, so that was exactly what she’d drink. She was my companion for the next three months and deserved to be treated well.
The hostess nodded knowingly.
“Of course sir,” she murmured before walking away to put in our order.
While we waited for the waitress to arrive, I thought it best to strike up conversation, starting with something easy, food. Anyone can talk about food, especially at a restaurant. Ne
rvous or not, Melanie should be able to handle it.
“So does anything on the menu look good to you?”
“Um.” She looked down at the menu and back up at me. “If I’m completely honest with you, I’m not quite familiar with any of these dishes. What language is this in?”
“French,” I answered wryly. “This is a French restaurant, after all, sweetheart.”
“Of course, I knew that,” Melanie muttered under her breath, looking down in embarrassment.
“Let’s forget about the menu for a second. Why not just tell me what your favorite food is?”
“My favorite food?” She stared at me blankly.
“Yes.”
“Um, well, I really like pasta.”
“Okay, what kind of pasta?”
“Usually alfredo, but really any kind. Spaghetti and meatballs is also a good one. But my all-time favorite would have to be mac and cheese,” she trailed off, her cheeks turning rosy. “I know that’s not very high-class or anything but I like it anyways,” she said a little defensively.
I chuckled. “You know, I love mac and cheese.”
She looked up, eyes wide with disbelief. She was cute. Very cute.
“Really?”
“Yes. I have my chefs make it for me at least once a week. Usually on Monday after I’ve had a busy day. It’s the ultimate comfort food, you know?”
“Mmm, tell me about it!” She perked up, leaning forward ever so slightly. “Especially when it’s made right and the cheese is still gooey. Then, the breadcrumbs have to be nice and crispy to give it a little bit of crunch.”
“I know exactly what you mean,” I nodded. “If I had known you liked pasta, I would have brought you to the Italian restaurant.”
“Why did we come here?” Melanie asked. She shifted in her seat, obviously becoming more comfortable. She was no longer stumbling over her every word. Good. The more relaxed she became, the easier this would be.
“It’s my favorite restaurant.”
“Why’s that?”
“I have a soft spot for escargot.”
Her face scrunched up in disgust. “Isn’t that just buttery snails?”
I shrugged. “I guess you can describe it that way, sure. But I assure you that it tastes amazing.”
“I don’t know.” She started, fidgeting with her fork, sliding it back and forth a few inches. “I don’t think I could ever bring myself to eat a snail.”
“I promise that if you try it, you won’t regret it.”
She bit her lip. The sight of her doing so caused a flare of excitement to spark inside of me. If she kept looking so damn sexy I’d have a hard time keeping true to my promise of no sex tonight. I adjusted myself in my seat, trying to keep my member from springing to life. I really wanted tonight to be something casual, a time for us to get to know one another.
“Maybe.”
“All right, I’ll order it as an appetizer and if you’d like to try it, you’re more than welcome to.”
“Okay.”
“But we still haven’t decided what you’ll be getting for an entrée. If you like pasta, then I’d go with…” I paused, looking over the selection. “Either the shrimp and champagne pasta or the tagliatelle with crab and tarragon. If it was up to me, I’d go for the shrimp.”
“All right. Then that’s what I’ll have. It sounds good.”
“Perfect.” I smiled, closing my menu and placing it on the table.
“What are you getting?” she asked, tilting her head and genuinely looking curious. I wondered for a moment if she was actually interested or if she was just playing the part of a good escort. I held her gaze for a moment, studying those beautiful brown eyes of her. I could tell, without a doubt, that this girl was innocent. Her intentions were pure and angelic, just like her face.
“Beef bourguignon,” I answered.
“What’s that?”
“It’s a very hearty stew. It’s really flavorful and I like how they serve it atop a piece of bread in this restaurant. It really completes the meal for me.”
“Ah. That does sounds good.”
Just then, the waitress returned with our drinks, setting them down gently. She smiled at me, recognizing me from all the other times I had come to this restaurant. “The usual, sir?”
I nodded.
“And for the young lady?”
“She will have the shrimp and champagne pasta,” I said.
“Of course. We’ll have that right out for you in just a second.” The waitress grabbed our menus off the table before walking away.
“So, Melanie, tell me about yourself.”
She once again bit her bottom lip, drawing attention to it. The urge to lean forward and kiss her surged inside of me.
Not yet, I told myself. Play it slow with this one.
“Um… what do you want to know?”
“Anything.” I said. Melanie gave me a helpless look and I chuckled. “Whatever you’re comfortable with sharing,” I finished.
“Um…” Still, she struggled.
“Okay, how about this? If you could drop everything and pursue any path, what would you do? Money and resources are not a problem.”
“Oh, that’s easy!” she smiled. “I’d become a docent at the Louvre. I’ve never been but it’s a dream of mine to go there one day and just get lost in that underground wonderland.”
“So you’re a fan of art?” I asked, raising an eyebrow in interest.
“Yes. I studied art history in college, but I never made it to graduation.”
“Why’s that?”
She frowned. “Well, you saw my mother. If I didn’t put food on the table, then no one else would. I had to grow up pretty fast just to take care of her.”
I thought back to my experience with Miranda. She had been rather abrasive. I could only imagine the repercussions of having such a mother. “That’s unfortunate. Are you looking to go back to school?”
“If I could, I would,” Melanie said softly. “But, I don’t exactly have the money. And, the deal you made with my mom, well, that money is for her. She promised she would go to rehab so I’d rather she did that. College can wait.”
“Don’t you think you deserve a part of that money?”
She shook her head. “Not if it means watching my mother go back to drinking all the time.”
I studied her for a moment, surprised by how selfless she was. In my field, people are constantly cutthroat, crushing each other just to get on top. Very rarely is there an altruistic person in the mix. Part of me found it hard to believe that she was this kind hearted. But at the same time, it was easy to see that she loved her mother. Clearly she did, or she wouldn’t be here right now.
“I see. Well, as I’m sure you noticed, I have quite an interest in art myself. Specifically, Renaissance Art.”
“Of course,” Melanie’s eyes instantly sparkled. “I mean with all those beautiful pieces, it’s impossible not to. Plus, there’s so much rich history behind all those paintings.”
“Oh yes. I’m not a very religious man but pieces like The Last Supper or The Creation of Adam are just so fascinating to me. The church was a major patron in the art world for so long. It’s incredible.”
“Yes, yes, yes.” She leaned forward in her seat, clearly getting excited by the topic. “If it wasn’t for the beautification of churches, imagine all the art we would have lost. Just take a look at the Sagrada Familia. I know it’s not Renaissance, so it might not interest you as much, but my God that building is an unfinished masterpiece.”
“I know. I’ve been there quite a few times.”
Her eyes widened, nearly bugging out of her head. “You’ve been there?”
“Yes,” I chuckled. “It’s quite the experience. I made a hefty donation to their tourism account, so they can expedite the process of finishing it.”
“What’s the projected completion date?”
“Circa 2030.”
“Wow, that’s not too far off. I hope I can see it by t
hen.”
“I’m sure you’ll get to see if before then.” I said with a wink.
“Maybe….”
We fell into silence for a moment. To my surprise, she was the first one to speak up after that.
“So what about you? Do I get to know more about you as a person?”
“Sure.” I leaned back in my chair, unbuttoning my blazer.
Her eyes instantly fell to my midsection, taking in my body. Curiosity danced behind her irises. I wondered, for a moment, what was going through her head. Was she thinking about me the same way I was thinking about her? If she really was a virgin, did the idea of being with me excite or scare her? Probably both.
“I’m the owner of Tucson Technologies. When I was younger, I went to business school, wanting to follow in my father’s footsteps. I assumed that I would just go into the stock exchange for a while, build up my capital, and then open a financing company. Typical. But, while I was studying, the engineering department caught my attention. So I decided to take a few introductory classes. I completely fell in love with the topic. I switched my major completely and graduated with high-honors.”
“Wow,” Melanie breathed and nodded. “That’s very impressive.”
It was strange – I’d heard those words from countless women before. But somehow tonight was different. Melanie was different. She actually seemed to mean it, like she was actually impressed with my accomplishments.
“Two years after graduating, I perfected the art of turbine technology. So, all those power-generating windmills you see on the outskirts of the city are all mine. My company provides electricity for over fifty percent of Tucson. And, I’ve already expanded into the rest of Arizona with a high rate of success. In less than a decade, I should be able to convert most of the country to wind-based energy.”
She looked at me like I was a beast with three heads. “Whoa.”
“But all of that didn’t come easy. Most people think that CEOs just sit in their office with nothing to do. Not me. I like to get my hands dirty with every facet of the company. I like to keep myself involved, you know? Which means, I tend to work long, hard hours. Some nights, I don’t even make it to my bed.”
Buying A Bride_A Romance Collection Page 7
