I realized I was still holding Leo's hand as we came to the glass door leading out to the porch, and I quickly dropped my hand from his as we positioned ourselves to peek out on the couple. I was trying hard to keep my distance and not touch him. Touching Leo only let my heart hope for things it couldn't have.
The night was dark and the porch unlit, but there was still enough light for us to be able to watch. I pulled on the curtain, hiding us further from their sight.
We huddled together in the dark, peeking through the small space available to see, and I couldn't help but notice how he was pressed into me. Or was I pressed into him? Either way, we were touching and it was making it hard to think. I took a deep breath to try and center myself, but succeeded only in taking in his scent instead. Pure, clean and male. My heart skipped several beats before I could force it to start again.
“What's going on?” Leo asked again, a chuckle in his voice. His muscled arm was strong under his suit jacket as I held onto him in the dark. “What are we doing here?”
“It's a romantic reunion,” I whispered back, trying my best to focus not on Leo and barely succeeding. Ten years of trying to ignore him helped, but it was hard with him this close.
Outside, Bastian was gripping the railing of the deck like he might tumble off the earth if he didn't hold on tight enough. Ava stood shaking in the pale moonlight with determination and fear on her face. I had promised her that he would welcome her back with open arms, and this wasn't exactly that.
“Damn it,” I hissed as Bastian's shoulders hunched. “He should have just kissed her when he first saw her. This isn't how it is supposed to go!”
“Just being happy? Eh, that's not Bastian's style. He's got to have the drama,” Leo replied, peeking out at the two of them with me. “What do you think they're even talking about out there?”
I shrugged, but noticed that Bastian had perked up at whatever Ava was telling him. Maybe this could be the romantic, happy ending I had hoped for. “I don't know. Hopefully something wonderful.”
I could feel Leo's eyes roll without even having to look at him. “You are such a hopeless romantic.”
I gave him a gentle push with my hip, trying not to notice how solid he was in the process. “I like being a hopeless romantic, thank you very much.”
Leo snickered and puffed up his chest. “Ava, I am a billionaire with a dark past, but I can't possibly look more handsome right now,” Leo said in a deep voice that was meant to make fun of Bastian.
I giggled. He had Bastian down perfectly.
“Oh, Bastian,” Leo continued, adopting a high, squeaky, feminine voice and tossing his head around like he had long hair. “You're absolutely right. The only man who could possibly look more handsome than you is Leo.”
I smacked his arm, but giggled anyway. “Shh.”
He grinned in the dark and reached for the door. I was afraid he was going to give us away, but the couple outside was too enraptured in one anther to notice. The smell of fresh ocean and sand wafted into the house, mixing with the wonderful scent of Leo's cologne. Their voices were soft, but audible.
“Why are you here, Ava?” Bastian asked, his voice thrumming with hope. Ava took another step forward and touched his cheek. She traced the scar from his cheek bone down to the tip of his lips before speaking. Her love for him was obvious.
“I'm here because I had to tell you I love you.” She smiled, and the truth of her words shone in her eyes brighter than moonlight. “I love you, Bastian.”
Bastian didn't respond with words, he simply pulled her into him, kissing her like she was everything he had ever needed in his life. I couldn't help but blush at the sheer passion, but I knew a sappy smile was plastered across my face. This was the ending I wanted for them.
“I love you, too, Ava,” Bastian replied, his voice rough with emotions. He bent to kiss her again and I grinned.
I wanted to whoop and jump for joy. My brother and my friend were happy. This was the moment I had wanted to create from the moment I saw Ava pull up in that cab. I grabbed Leo's arm and gave him a hug. He was so solid and strong beneath me that I let myself stay there for a moment. “It's perfect, Leo. That's love.”
Leo frowned, his whole body still as he watched the reunion scene. “He really loves her, doesn't he?”
“Well, yeah!” I grinned up at him, still keeping my arms wrapped around him. “Isn't it great? They're so perfect for each other. You should see them together, Leo. It's honestly the happiest I've ever seen him. He smiles more and he isn't so damn angry all the time. He actually can control his temper now. He's happy. Like really, honestly joyful.” I knew I was rambling, but I was just so giddy with their love. Bastian deserved someone as wonderful as Ava in his life.
“You really think they're going to last?” Leo asked, frowning as he continued to peer out the window. “I just remember the last time...”
I knew that Leo had been one of the major supports for Bastian the last time Bastian's heart had been broken. “You're a good friend to worry about him, Leo.” I looked out, reveling in the warm glow that surrounded the lovers. It brought tears to my eyes. “But, yes. I do. I really, really do. I've never seen anything like the two of them. It's basically magic.”
“Magic, huh?” Leo asked, turning to look at me. I realized I was still snuggled up and holding onto his arm. I released my grip on him go with a blush. Leo's eyes were dark and I could see thoughts running through them. He was probably just thinking of his friendship with Bastian and how it would change with a new girl in the picture.
I went back to looking out the window at the happy couple, wrapping my arms around myself. I was just so glad to see two people I cared about getting their happy ending. I was glad it was Leo here sharing it with me. Of all the people in the world, I wanted to share a moment like this with him.
He was still close enough for me to be able to feel his warmth. The air conditioning was running at full blast inside the house, so his heat was a welcome respite from the cool. I wished I could cuddle up into him and soak the heat from him directly. My chest squeezed with longing, my heart aching for more of Leo than I could ever have.
“Charlotte...” My name came out heavy like honey on Leo's voice. The way he said it sent pleasurable shivers down my spine. It was how I always wanted him to say my name right before he kissed me.
I turned, expecting to see Leo looking at me the way Bastian was looking at Ava, hopefully as caught up in the magic of their love as I was, but instead I found him looking at the event coordinator hurrying down the hallway.
“There you are!” the woman called out gratefully, stopping whatever Leo was going to say next. She hurried up to the two of us, barely giving our strange position behind the curtain a second glance. “Do you know where Mr. Belrose is? It's time for his speech. The champagne is being passed out. There isn't much time.”
“Thank you, I'll let him know,” I replied, rising from my spot and smoothing my dress. I hoped she didn't think we were peeping toms. I just wanted to make sure that my brother and my friend got the happy ever after they deserved.
The woman nodded and hurried back toward the sounds of the party. With a sigh, I looked over at Leo. “Were you going to say something?”
“It can wait.” He shook his head with a sad smile that made me curious. He probably just had some droll comment about me being a hopeless romantic. “Go get him for his speech. He worked hard for it.”
I grinned at him and went to the door.
“I'm sorry to interrupt,” I announced stepping outside. I grinned at the two of them, even though I was obviously interrupting their kiss. “But it's time for your speech, Bastian.”
Bastian grinned at the beautiful woman in his arms. “Come with me.”
She willingly took his arm as he escorted her inside. I held up my hand and gave them both high-fives as they passed. The two of them walked with a happy glow surrounding them that I couldn't help but envy as I held the door open. I'd never seen my brother look so happy, and that filled my heart with joy.
Once they were off the porch, I came inside to follow them. I got two steps down the hall before Leo grabbed my hand.
“Come with me.” It wasn't a question or a demand.
“But the speech...” I stammered, feeling a new heat in his gaze as he looked at me. Something had changed in his eyes, but I wasn't sure what.
“You know what he's going to say,” Leo said, giving me a gentle tug back toward the moonlit porch. “Do you really need to hear it?”
I paused for a moment, looking after the happy couple and then back to Leo. His hand was still on mine and I didn't want him to let go. Ever.
“Okay,” I whispered, just happy to have him with me.
Leo still had my hand wrapped up in his and it was doing strange things to my heart. He'd never touched me for this long, at least not on purpose. With every moment, I knew I was falling just a little more in love with him and that I would crave his touch for days after this. It was almost cruel to know I wouldn't get it.Outside on the porch, the night was calm and beautiful. A cooling wind came in from the ocean, bringing the scent of salt and sand with it. The waning moon's small crescent shape was a silver glitter against the dark water of the Caribbean sea.Just before Leo closed the door, I heard the soft rumble of applause as Bastian began his speech inside. The door sealed with a soft thud, separating Leo and me from the rest of the world. It was warm and dark out here, and still thrumming with the magic of Bastian and Ava's reunion. I wanted to be in a world with just Leo, even if it was only for a moment. Even if I couldn't really have him, I wanted this moment.“Charlotte?”
The kitchen was on fire.Or at least, it had been.The acrid scent of smoke lingered in the kitchen despite the open windows and the industrial fan sucking up as much of it as possible. Luckily, the scent had remained contained and wasn't frightening the guests.The chicken however, was very frightening.“I'm so sorry Ms. Page- the chicken flambé, it wasn't supposed to do that!” The poor caterer looked to be about two seconds away from bursting into tears. This was probably one of the biggest events on the island, and definitely not how she had planned on making an impression on our guests. “I've done this a thousand times and-”“Are you okay?” I cut her off, putting my hands on her shoulders. “Are you or any of your staff hurt?”“I'm okay, the staff is okay,” she sniffled, not meeting my eyes. I could smell the scent of burnt hair lingering around her, and upon closer inspection noticed her eyebrows were singed. A single tear rolled down her flushed cheeks. “But the dinner isn't.”I
Everyone was seated in the party tents to the back of the mansion. Despite the massive size of the mansion, there just wasn't a good place to seat one-hundred and fifty for a formal setting. Especially not with the unparalleled view of the ocean that the tents offered. Tomorrow, these tents would be used for some of the smaller, more durable pieces being auctioned off.White linen and stringed lights gave the dinner a very Caribbean flavor that managed to look both comfortable and elegant at the same time, especially with the perfect ocean view. The tent doors were open to allow in the breeze, but the steady hum of the air conditioners kept the room comfortable. Camera flashes went off at regular intervals as the rich and powerful mingled over cocktails and appetizers.I immediately located Bastian, Gabe, and Leo all sitting at the head table. Ava sat next to Bastian, positively glowing with happiness. There was an empty chair next to her and the final two seats contained two friends,
Leo led me to the open dance floor, spinning me expertly into the music as a fresh song began. I fit into his arms like I was made there. Leo was an excellent dancer and following his lead into a waltz was easier than breathing. Cameras flashed and zinged as we danced, and as I looked up at my prince charming, I felt like a princess.“So?” I looked up at him, half expecting him to tell me it was all a mistake, or even worse, that I would wake up and find this all a dream.“So.” He grinned at me and spun me around, making my skirt flow out in a shimmer of blue fabric before pulling me back into the safety of his arms. “I wish we could get out of here. I'd like to kiss you some more, but-”A camera flash interrupted his words and accenting how public our setting was.“-But the auction should be front page news. Not us,” he finished, spinning me away from the camera. “I'll just have to be content with holding you until later. Then I want to kiss you again. And again.”Happy bubbles fille
Leo reluctantly let go of my arm to pull out my chair for me. I tried not to shiver as he brushed his hand along the bare skin of my back as he left to take his own seat. Heat built in my core at the slightest of his touches.In the center of the table was a beautiful bowl full of meringue covered ice cream. The caterer gave me a nervous smile as she cut an orange peel into a long thin string. After pouring liquor on the meringue, she dipped the string of orange peel into a saucer of Grand Marnier. With a deep breath, she lit the orange peel on fire.The sweet scent of alcohol and orange filled the tent as she set the pretty dessert danced with blue and orange flames. The caterer carefully made sure nothing burned, definitely hyper-aware of the danger of the flames. It was a beautiful dessert and as the flames slowly died, the scent of sugar hit me.The caterer let out a small sigh of relief as everyone clapped. She grinned at me before carefully placing seven small cups of perfect cr
Present Day“And that concludes our auction. Thank you to all of our bidders and to Mr. Sebastian Belrose.”I leaned against the back wall and let out a huge sigh of relief. The auction was over. My work here was done. Everything was now in the hands of the auction house and Realtor, so I could go back to my normal job and not be doing double duty. For the first time in weeks, I was free. After the gala last night, and the auction all day today, I was beat. But, with everything finally finished, I could finally relax.My sigh turned into a yawn, which I quickly stifled. I'd been up since before dawn making sure that everyone and everything was ready for the auction today. Luckily, the auction house run by Ava's aunt had their act together. Even my least favorite auctioneer in the world managed to show up on time and do a good job.My stomach rumbled, reminding me that the last meal I ate was coffee and a granola bar sometime around sunrise. I needed to eat soon or I'd be chewing on th
The thrum of the engines vibrated the entire helicopter. I loved the feeling flying in a helicopter gave me. It was so easy and free. In a helicopter, I could go anywhere. There were no limits to how high or how fast. I wasn't human anymore, in here, I was a dragonfly.Leo squeezed my hand. From the light in his eyes, he was a dragonfly too. There wasn't anyone else that I wanted to be a dragonfly with more.The copter skimmed the shore for a while, each wave merging into the next as we sped onward. Dark shapes moved in the water, leviathans of the deep. But we flew past them without a care. Onward, into the island the helicopter flew.The only flights I'd been on around the island were just ones for coming and going from the mainland. I'd never really had the chance to explore the island, especially this past trip. I'd been so busy working the auction that I'd barely even had time to leave the mansion, let alone explore.The helicopter flew toward the middle of the island. Key Island
It took me all of two seconds to decide that yes, yes I was ready for that. I'd been ready to be naked with Leo for ten freaking years. But I didn't want to be the only one getting naked.“Only if you do, too,” I replied, slowly inching the skirt of the dress up. Leo's eyes went to my bare thigh, the blue slowly disappearing to the dilating black of his pupils.“Done,” he said, whipping his shirt over his head and tossing it to the shore.I nearly dropped my dress hem. His chest gleamed in the sun, muscled and perfect. He liked to keep active, but he usually stayed dressed around the office, so I didn't get a regular look at his body.He smirked as he caught me looking. “Were you going to take it off or what?” he teased, loosening the zipper on his shorts. My breath caught a little. It was time. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, hoping that I looked as good to him as he did to me.I pulled the dress up and over my head, balling it up and tossing it onto the pebbly beach. I star