It doesn’t take long for her to finish getting ready, her makeup is simple, and she’s pulled her hair in a twist at the back of her head, but she still looks like my same Elle.
“Good luck today, sweetheart.”
“Thanks,” she says as she wraps her arms around my neck. “Are you going to be okay all by yourself?”
“I’m sure that I can keep myself entertained. Do you think the hotel has Pay-Per-View?” I joke and she laughs, those small worry lines from earlier quickly replaced. She hasn’t mentioned that she’s nervous about this meeting, but I know she is. This meeting can put her business on an entirely new path.
“You’re funny.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll be fine. Go knock ‘em dead.”
“Thanks.”
Her bottom sways with each heeled step as she moves toward the door and then an urgency rushes up inside me, and I know if I don’t say something now then I’ll regret it.
“Elle,” I call out, and she peers at me from over her shoulder. “I love you.”
Time stands still as she lets my words wash over her. The small hitch in her breath is the only indication that she hears me. I know that my words aren’t a revelation for her, she has to have known by this point that I was falling deep for her. How could anyone not?
“Thanks, Jackson,” she whispers behind a smile and then exits the room.
I won’t lie to myself, I’m a bit disappointed that she doesn’t say it in return, but I know that she’ll say it in her own time. Elle reminds me of that little seed we used to have to grow in elementary school. Weeks and weeks of nothing while the seed sprouted deep in the soil with the roots twisting and expanding until the ground has had enough and then a beautiful flower would blossom from the tiny seedling. Elle reminds me of that seed. She burrows her emotions deep inside, letting the roots fester and grow until she’s overcome by them and shares them with the world.
Neither Elle or I have been to New York before, so I call down to the concierge desk and ask for some recommendations for a day trip and two dinners. Half an hour later I’ve got reservations for Elle and I and a full tourist day planned for us.
Elle had planned to be at the Elver’s headquarter for about four hours, so I head downstairs and make my way down the busy street. The hotel we’re staying at is in walking distance to a bunch of restaurants and shops. Kind of what I always imagined New York to look like.
A small shop catches my eye, and then soon my sense of smell, because as I stop in front of the door the aroma of chocolate is so enticing that I can’t help but walk inside. An older woman mans the counter and finishes checking out a customer before she turns her attention to me.
“What can I help you with, young man?”
“I don’t know. What do you recommend?”
“Well, that’s a loaded question. I would recommend something different for everyone depending on their personality. Tell me about yourself.”
“Well, I’m in love with a beautiful woman that has two amazing kids and I’m trying to get her to give me the time of day.”
She blinks at me a few times, and at first, I think that I’m being set up, but then she smiles warmly and heads behind the front of the store saying that she’ll be right back. It takes just a moment but she exits holding a small white box.
“This is my specialty. White and dark chocolate swirl with bits of hazelnut. Two different flavors mixed together with a little extra helping of deliciousness.”
“Wow, it sounds great.”
“There are two in the box. One square for you and one for your lady love.”
“Thank you. How much do I owe?” I ask as I glance toward the register.
“Oh, those are on the house. I don’t ever charge for love.”
I start to question her but then she gives me that look. You know the one you always got growing up when you were about to say something smart back to an elder and you had to visibly keep yourself from shaking because they could see into your soul? Yeah, that look. And the woman in this chocolate shop gives a mean one.
“Thank you. I’m sure we’ll both enjoy it.”
“Come back and see us.”
As I head out of the door, I wave goodbye to the woman manning the counter and step out into the bustle of New York. But instead of feeling squished and trampled by the people pushing and shoving their way down the sidewalk, I feel a sense of calm. My breath is steady and slow, and my mind is clear.
I turn to head back to the hotel but a sign across the street catches my eye and I move to the crosswalk to head in that direction. A bell dings as I walk in and I take in all of the items around me, lost in a world I’m completely unfamiliar with.
“Sir, how can I help you today?”
And then I launch into the same story that I told the chocolatier.
One hour later I’m strolling back into the hotel lobby with two small bags dangling from my fingers. I’ve stayed at high-end hotels before when I travel for conventions but nothing like this. The floor looks like It’s been painted in gold and the columns in marble. It’s exquisite but not more so than the woman strolling toward me from the elevators.
Elle has a broad smile on her face and a skip in her step so I know that her meeting went well.
“Hey, how did it go?”
“It went amazing. They’re open to all of my ideas and know exactly what they’re looking for. I just have to discuss a few things with Sara about my recipes.”
“I’m so happy for you.”
“Thanks. Now what do you have there?” she asks as she tries to sneak a peek into the bags.
“One is for now and one is for later.”
“Hmm. . .I smell chocolate.”
“Are you done with work?” I question as I wrap an arm around her waist.
“I am,” she whispers, and I tilt my head slightly to press a kiss against her lips.
“Great. I have some plans for us then.” I escort her back up to our room where I show her how proud I am of her accomplishment for the day.
We take a taxi to the restaurant recommended by the concierge for dinner and I give Elle the chocolates that I snagged earlier for dessert.
A carriage ride through Central Park shows us the New York nightlife, but nothing compares to the sparkle of the lights from the window in our hotel room as they bounce off of Elle’s skin in the darkness. Her body looks like a series of fireworks as the lights twinkle in the distance.
The next day I get us up early and start by taking a double-decker tour bus through the city and then waiting in line to go to the 86th floor of the Empire State Building. We finish the day with a viewing of the 9/11 Memorial and Museum. Neither of us feels celebratory enough to continue our ventures after the Memorial, so we head back to the hotel and order some room service.
Before we know it our mini vacation is up and we’re at the airport about to board our plane.
“I had a really great time, Elle. Thank you for bringing me,” I tell her as we take our seats.
Since our dinner, she’s been overly flustered, more than her usual self. I’ve tried to label it as being excited about her new business venture, but the longer it lasts, the more I fear that it may have something to do with me.
I’m usually not a talker, I like things to work themselves out, but the way Elle has new feelings inside me blossoming, it has my mind in a swirl.
“Hey, if it was too much for you I can back off when we get home. Give you some time to yourself,” I suggest even though that is the farthest thing from what I want to do.
“No!” she shouts, startling the passengers across from us. “No, this has been the best two days of my life.”
“Well, you’ve just seemed different, that’s all. I was going to give you-”
“Time? I don’t want time, Jackson. I just want you. I loved being alone with you these past couple of days. They’ve been the best. God, I love you, Jackson, okay? I do, and that scares the crap out of me, and I don’t know what to do with th
ese feelings.”
I cut her off with a kiss. Not just to shut her up, but because if I don’t do something now, then I’ll most likely carry her off to the bathroom to join the mile high club.
“Those are the best words I’ve heard in years.”
“Don’t you have something else to say?” she whispers against my lips and I can’t help but smile when I say, “I love you too.”
As our plane touches down our hands never pull apart. Our fingers stay intertwined through the landing, baggage claim, and Uber pick up. Anyone looking at us would think that we’re a new couple in love and that is a unique experience for me – being a part of something so humbling.
“What should I tell the kids when we get back?”
“You tell them whatever you’re comfortable with,” I say as I help her into the car. “I just don’t want us to be a secret anymore.”
“I know. I don’t either. I just don’t want to confuse them.”
“I think they’ll be fine, they’ve been around me enough.”
The Uber drops us off in front of Elle’s house and Sara steps out from the front door with Elle’s parents. Elle had called once we boarded the plane to let them know we were heading home.
“Well, well, well,” Sara calls out as I exit the car and rush around to open the door for Elle. “Look what the lovebirds dragged in.”
I look down at Elle’s face and I’m expecting her to roll her eyes or hunker back into the shadows of the car, but instead, I’m awarded a gleaming grin and her hands on both sides of my face before she tugs my head down to plant her lips against mine.
A catcall cries out from the direction of my house and I pull away from Elle to find Cooper leaning against my porch railing with a smug grin on his face, but he isn't looking at us. He’s looking at Sara’s reaction. Of course, she rolls her eyes and heads back inside with Elle’s parents.
“I have one more question for you before our little vacation officially comes to an end. Would you go with me to my parents’ anniversary party next week, as my date?” I ask.
“I would be honored to be with you, Jackson.”
Chapter Thirteen – Elle
I’m putting the final touches on Stan and Naomi’s cake just as Jackson walks into the kitchen from the back porch. He whispers a hello in my ear and I practically melt at the feel of his breath against my neck.
Since we arrived back home a few days ago, our relationship hasn’t changed much, but we did tell Noah and Kennedy that Jackson would be around more. I even gave him a key to my place.
I never expected to feel a weightlessness after telling him that I loved him, but the burden of trying to hide my emotions must have been taking a toll on me. Even Sara says that she can see a change in my demeanor since I’ve returned from my meeting with Elver’s Catering.
Sara and I are still tossing around the idea of selling my recipes to the group. It will mean a lot of income for me but then I will no longer be able to produce the recipes under my own name, and that’s been the hardest pill to swallow.
Just as I’m piping my last flower on the two-tiered cake and remember how fondly I enjoyed making special occasion cakes, I hear clicking of shoes on the hardwood floor and then I’m assaulted by a pair of arms around my legs.
“Mommy, look! I’m a princess,” Kennedy murmurs with her mouth pressed against my knee-length chiffon skirt.
“Yes, and you look beautiful. Which princess are you today?” I ask as I take in the color scheme of the dress I laid out for her. We’re going through a Little Mermaid phase, so her dress is green and purple.
“I’m Ariel!” she proclaims as she pulls away and swirls in a circle letting the skirt of her dress puff out.
“Well, you make a beautiful mermaid, sweetie.”
“Thanks, Mommy. When can I have cake?”
“When we get to the party.”
“How much longer will that be?” she follows up, but I’m saved as Jackson steps through the sliding doors and garners her attention. “Jackson!” she shouts, leaving me in the dust and wraps herself around Jackson.
“Hi, princess. Don’t you look beautiful?”
“Thank you,” she says behind a splattering of blush on her cheeks.
Jackson glances over at me with that look in his eyes that brings me to my knees just as Noah rounds the corner.
“Are you wearing a tie too?” Noah asks as he messes with his small clip-on that I put over a collared shirt for him to wear. “I’m not, but your buddy is,” I say just as he rounds the corner, his eyes lighting up instantly when they fall on Jackson.
“Are you all ready to go?” I ask, slipping my feet into my sandals that I placed by the back door.
We pile into my SUV, the cake safely secured in the back, and head downtown for Jackson’s parents’ anniversary party. They’re celebrating forty years together. When we arrive Stan and Naomi greet us warmly, especially the kids, who get love and affection poured on them in spades.
As I bring the cake into the venue Naomi’s eyes light up like the fourth of July.
“Wow, you outdid yourself, Elle,” Stan tells me as Jackson and I carry the cake inside and place it on the small dessert table. I take a peek at Naomi and she has moisture pooling along her lower lids and a smile painted along her lips.
“Thanks.”
The concoction is two tiers of almond cake with raspberry filling. I covered it in white buttercream icing and created gum paste flowers to cascade down one side. The flowers may be my favorite part. They’re white with just a hint of pale pink along the edges.
I step back as some of the Diver’s closest friends marvel at my creation, a few even asking how they can order one as well.
By the time the party is in full swing the cake has been devoured, two pieces eaten by Jackson himself who said he was eating my slice too. I rarely eat anything that I make. I’m glad I had the forethought to leave some business cards at the table and with Naomi; her guests have been snatching them up left and right. By the sounds everyone had been making as they ate the cake, I am assuming that they all enjoyed it.
The party is reminiscent of a small wedding reception and I can’t say that I’m disappointed. Cooper and the kids have been keeping themselves entertained by playing a mean game of hide-and-seek. Noah seems to be winning.
I’m going to have to thank Cooper later for taking the time to play with my kids. All Noah talked about during the dinner is how he wants to be a police officer like Uncle Cooper. From my vantage point beside Jackson at our table, I can see Noah duck underneath a small alcove on the stage. Cooper will be searching for him for hours.
“Are you having fun?” Jackson asks as he leans back and rests his arm against the back of my chair.
“I am. Your family and their friends are so nice. And they’ve all been amazing with the kids.”
“Your kids make it easy. And how could anyone not love you?”Jackson adds just as the DJ calls over Stan and Naomi to dance.
A song by Billy Joel begins to blare through the speakers, “Just the Way You Are,” and the couple moves in unison to the melody.
A shiver passes across my body as Jackson presses his lips against my ear. “Dance with me,” he states rather than asks, and I would be a fool to say no.
His chair scraps against the linoleum as he stands up and offers me his hand which I gladly accept. As we approach the dance floor Jackson’s parents smile over at us, his mom’s gaze lingering a bit longer than Stan’s, before they turn their attention back to one another.
Jackson’s hand presses against my back, pulling me as close as possible, as one of my arms rests against his bicep, curving up toward his shoulder. Our other set of hands stay clasped together and nestled between our bodies.
The rest of the crowd fades away as Jackson and I slip into our own world. The heat from his hand sears my skin beneath my dress. He can ignite me with a single touch and it’s only become more pronounced the longer that we’ve been together.
“Thank you for coming with me tonight,” Jackson says as he spins us around the floor. I didn’t know Jackson could dance but I shouldn’t be surprised, he can do almost everything with skill and finesse.
“Thank you for taking a chance on me,” I whisper back.
A look detonates in his eyes and I recognize it as desire. Just when I think he’s going to bend down and kiss me, I feel two sets of spindly arms wrap around our legs.
“We want to dance too,” Noah and Kennedy cry out as they cling to our legs and try to sway with us.
Instead of getting upset by them interrupting our moment, something Dan would have done, Jackson releases my hand and softly cradles Noah’s head while gazing down at the two mood-breakers. The DJ must recognize our desire for another slow song and he doesn’t disappoint.
We continue to rock back and forth to the beat, the kids clinging to us with the full force of their grip. I worry that Jackson may be feeling overwhelmed by their attention so I begin to pull back but his grip on my waist tightens. Jackson turns his face back toward me and I’m surprised by his expression – love, so much love shows in his eyes. I can’t pull away from his stare to take in the full effect of his smile because I’m entranced at the light sheen covering his irises.
“Thank you, Elle,” he whispers, trying to mask the gravelliness of his voice. I know that he’s not seeking a response; it’s not that kind of statement. He’s thanking me for giving him this opportunity, a chance to have a family, to be a part of our family.
It doesn’t take long before the party begins to wear on the kids, both trying their hardest not to fall asleep in their chairs, so Jackson and I decide to head back home.
Kennedy is sleeping soundly in my arms with her head burrowed against my neck and Noah is in Jackson’s arms. Naomi and Stan notice us leaving and they rush over.
“Thank you so much for inviting the kids and me,” I tell Naomi after congratulating them on their anniversary.
It was sweet to watch them today. They always seem to be touching each other or giving each other looks. It reminds me of what you imagine a fairytale couple growing older to emulate. It’s what I had envisioned when I got married to Dan. But now? Now that vision is clouded with images of Jackson and me, and that thought doesn’t scare me nearly so much anymore.
Stolen Nights (The Stolen Series Book 1) Page 17
