I called Courtney and asked her to meet us here in an hour after Lory enthusiastically nodded. The three of us opted against going shopping again and instead chose to unwind by the pool. While Lory was still experiencing jet lag, I needed a break from all the shopping. A few hours later, Lory was holding a chilly beverage in her hand and floating around the pool in a tube. "This is the life," she sighed. Courtney and I were laughing as we dried off in the sun after our swim. Sunscreen, bikinis, girl talk, and sunshine made for the ideal day. "Willow, you're a lucky girl," Courtney said. I shook my head and put my sunglasses back on. It was nice to have all of that, but it was hard to believe how much had changed in my life in the past few weeks. But I hadn't sought it out myself. I had never lavished myself with things, only working hard to take care of myself. It wasn't my fault that Nicholas swooped in and handed me everything on a silver platter. "It was more likely fate than p
I finally understood what Nicholas meant when he cautioned me that his mother may be overbearing. "Oh my!" Lory chuckled. I beamed at her and Courtney, who were both delighted by the thought of a party. Before I knew it, the conversation had changed to include what each of us would be wearing. Nicholas caught my attention and I leaned in so that we could talk privately. "I promised you that I would tell you before anything else happened. So, you should know that the announcement of our wedding will be in the newspapers soon." I wasn't surprised but glad that he thought of telling me. He was a quick learner in this aspect. "I only hope I'm not attacked for stealing the man every woman in Quentin dreams about," I teased. He looked serious as he shook his head. "There will be gossip about our age difference but don't let it get to you, okay?" I focused on him as I worked to control the butterflies in my tummy. "I won't." There was little I could do to change what people thought;
He gave me a crooked grin when he glanced over, his sunglasses covering his eyes. "It is just us today. I wanted to introduce my other woman.""What?" I cried, yanking off my sunglasses and looking incredulously at him. "Other woman?" I smacked away his hand that was heading for my thigh. "If you have someone else, I'm going to chop off your balls."His loud laughter only made me angrier. He grabbed my arm just as I was going to open the door and leave.He muttered "Wait" in between chuckles. "It isn't what you think." I gave him the stink eye as he began stroking the dashboard. "I was talking about my pretty car.""Oh gosh!""Yes. And don't even make light of hurting my balls. I know you love them.""Calling your car 'the other woman' is such a manly thing to do. Of course, that is aside from your tremendous overestimation of my love for your balls." I turned my nose up."This is not just a car!""I'm sorry, I slept through the class where cars driven by rich and famous people were
Naturally, I didn't want to add fuel to the fire by strutting around in a gaudy dress.We selected the ideal one that went with my wishes to wear something refined and minimal. It had an off-white color and strapless. As soon as I put it on, I knew it was perfect.Courtney and I stopped for lunch at a local cafe after stowing the bags in the car."Are you looking forward to the party?" she asked.I sighed. "I suppose. I'm a little uneasy around all their acquaintances, but Clara is excited enough for the both of us."Monday afternoon, when Clara and I had lunch, she told me that each and every person she had invited had accepted. Her excitement was contagious and I enjoyed listening to her gush about the arrangements. I was happy that she loved planning for events because I wouldn't know where to start.I knew Clara Rowe didn't like to accept no for an answer. She has the ability to get anything he desired. That's most likely where Nicholas acquired the same talent from. By the time o
"Rosemary." The moment he said it, my thoughts started to wander to a million different places. Why was she there? Who invited her? Was Nicholas going to become agitated? Would she sabotage our party? I inspected the woman who had hurt and broken Nicholas' heart. She was gorgeous, which was as predictable as it was depressing. Her jewelry and hair both shone brilliantly. Her radiant skin made it clear that she had received the same amount of buffing and pampering as the other society ladies at the party, but she also had a steely appearance. I couldn't quite put my finger on it, but perhaps it was simply the icy, menacing look in her eyes. She was a couple of inches taller than I was, but stick thin. I smirked remembering how Nicholas ogled my ample curves. Rosemary and I couldn't be more different physically. And in personality, too, I believed we were poles different based on what I knew about her. I could give her a good beating any day. She gave Nicholas her entire attent
Geoffrey was standing there with a sheepish look when we turned in the direction of the noise. He cut in, saying, "I thought I'd interrupt before this went X-rated. Your absence there is standing out more and more. Is everything okay?" Nicholas and I pulled out of our embrace and he took my hand before asking, "Shall we have dinner, then?" Geoffrey promptly left and I nodded, asking Nicholas to follow after. I was really happy to see only friendly people at our table. I sat down between Nicholas and Lory, grinning as I did so. Apart from Francis, his date was also seated at our table. Under the table, Lory grasped my hand and bent close to whisper. "Did anything happen?" I gave her hand a squeeze. "It's okay. I swear." She examined me with a doubtful look but allowed me to lie. Salads were served and I enjoyed the light conversation around the table. Francis introduced me to his date, but she looked utterly bored throughout the meal and didn't speak much. I somewhat felt bad f
"I have to tell you something, baby." He gave me a kiss before saying, "Although you have numerous talents, singing is definitely not one of them." I giggled as he tickled my sides. As the next song came on, he arched a brow in silent question. I smiled sweetly at him. "I chose music from your time period." "Oh, you've done it now!" He tickled me so fiercely that tears began to roll down my cheeks. He gripped me tightly as we both calmed down, and I felt comfort from hearing his heartbeat. I drew his face close to mine after a period of stillness. "Happy birthday," I wished between delicate kisses exchanged. They suddenly became passionate after my words. When he groaned into my mouth, I clutched his hair. His hands travelled down my body and I sighed when his kisses slowly made their way down my neck to my chest. He traced his fingers over my bra and inquired, "Is this a part of my present?" I blinked. "Yes. You prefer red, I believe." I considered the red and white polka dot
He chuckled briefly before returning to seriousness. "When...um... how did you know?" He abruptly ended his sentence, but it was obvious what he wanted to know. "I believe I've known for some time, but I didn't come clean with myself until the evening of our reception party. While I watched you there with all those prominent individuals, you did everything you could to make sure I was comfortable." I chewed my lip as I struggled to find the proper words. "I suppose I now understand how fortunate I am to have you." He kissed me so hard that made my toes curl. Then he spoke against my lips. "I had no idea I could be this happy... I'm the lucky one." I basked in his love, his sentimental words had filled my heart to overflowing. "You will be even happier when I am pregnant." Before his hand slid slowly down to cover my stomach, his kisses ceased. His touch was light. Nearly reverent. His eyes followed the same path before flitting back up to catch my gaze. When his forehead wrinkled