Chapter Twenty-Nine
Starlight Room
Elizabeth
“Look at me, Elizabeth,” Grant demanded, and I opened my eyes and attempted to focus on him. We were on the settee in his room. He was straddled over the chair, and I was in his lap with my legs wrapped around him. I’m not sure how we ended up here, but I’m glad we did.
It was late, very late. I came back from taking care of Vivi and Grant wanted me. Never one to complain, I took him up on his offer.
The moonlight was streaming through the opened windows and was bathing our bodies as they moved in sync with one another. He was buried deep inside me. It felt so right, that I had to beat back the emotions it was causing.
“Do you feel it, Elizabeth? Do you feel what I’m saying to you with my body?”
I stared into his eyes, confused by his words. What was he talking about? I couldn’t focus on his words, only on what he was doing to my body. Each time I rocked over him, I was closer to losing my mind with how phenomenal he felt.
“Grant. Make love to me.” I wrapped my arms tighter around his shoulders and tilted my pelvis to change the angle.
“I am, love. Feel it. Every time we come together, it’s us making love. It will always be more than just sex.”
“Yes,” I breathed as my orgasm shook and tightened my body. I rested my forehead on his and held his gaze when his washed over him. He planted himself inside me, holding me down on him tightly while his cock throbbed inside me.
“Elizabeth. Please tell me you felt that connection.”
I nodded, and my forehead rolled on his. Maybe he did want to be more than f*ck buddies. My heart leapt with the thought. I really wanted to ask him, but I needed my rest, and I had it all planned out for tonight when we didn’t need to worry about being interrupted by Vivi.
“Good,” he whispered. “Elizabeth, we need to–”
I put my finger over his lips to silence him. “Let’s talk about this later. I don’t want to ruin this moment in any way, shape or form. It was perfect.”
“Okay.”
He kissed me softly and tenderly before lifting me off him and going to take care of the condom.
When he joined me in bed, we curled up together. His chest was to my back. Both his arms wrapped around me, and our hands interlaced. For the first time in months, I dared to feel hope.
?????
I woke up alone in bed. Stretching I took in the bright morning sun and mentally prepared myself for tonight. I was anxious to work things out with Grant. I didn’t imagine the passion in his eyes last night or the intensity of his gaze. I had to believe for Vivi and for me that we could make this work.
A knock on my door had me pulling the sheets up. Grant would never knock.
“Come in,” I called out and was surprised to see my mom pop her head in.
“Good morning, sweetie. Rise and shine. We have a big day ahead of us.”
“What are you talking about? And what are you doing here? We were supposed to be visiting you next weekend.”
“Oh, I know, dear. I thought it would be fun to explore the city. Besides, I have an appointment with that new cardiologist Grant found for me. And I really wanted to see my granddaughter. So here I am. Now get up. You have a date tonight, if memory serves me and you’ll want to be all primped and ready to go.”
This was so weird. I knew she had a doctor’s appointment this week because I offered to meet her there when George drove her into the city for it. She had been feeling tired and winded lately, so we weren’t taking our chances and wanted her to see the best physicians she could. This was my mom. There was nothing I wouldn’t do for her.
That still didn’t explain why she invited herself to stay over for a few days. It was Saturday, and her appointment wasn’t until Tuesday morning. That was a long time, especially if Grant didn’t know about this. We’d been having sex all over this apartment. That was one of the things I loved about him, his spontaneity and the fact that he was so creative when it came to sex. I wasn’t so sure he’d be thrilled about curbing his intimacy with me, but we’d see.
“Hand me my robe.” I pointed towards my robe on the chair across from the bed. When she gave it to me, I put it on as discreetly as possible and got out of bed.
“Where’s Vivi? She should be hungry by now.”
“Don’t worry about her. She’s with Jennie right now. I fed her a bottle from the stash in the fridge. Now come on. You need to shower.”
“Why are you pushing this? I don’t have to be ready for hours, Mother.” I looked at the clock and back to her. “Eight hours to be precise. You need to settle down.”
Another knock on the door and this time it flew open before I could say anything. Maya came waltzing in with two women behind her. “Chop, chop sleepyhead. You need to shower. Then you’re getting a mani, a pedi, a facial and a massage.”
My mouth hung open as the women began to set up tables and other accouterments. What was going on here?
“I don’t understand,” I said because I didn’t.
“It’s a gift from Grant for being such a good mother. He wants to pamper you and I say let him. Now shoo. Get in the damn shower already. And shave real good. Trust me. Just do it.”
Totally baffled by the turn my morning took, I jumped in the shower and did as I was told.
Hours later when I was primped, massaged and painted, I sipped on a glass of champagne while looking out at the views of Manhattan. I couldn’t remember a time I had been more relaxed.
“Okay, sweetie. Before they do your hair and makeup, we have a gift for you.” My mother walked into the walk-in closet and came out with two boxes. One was massive, and the other definitely held shoes of some sort.
I walked to the bed where she set them down and carefully opened the larger box. My heart was racing with anticipation. If I knew Grant, this was going to be something special.
I pulled out an elegant and sleeveless white gown with a modified boatneck. The back was a beaded cowl design that would showcase my freshly buffed and smooth back.
I held it up in front of me and its length swept the floor, and it appeared to have a smallish train in the back.
“Holy cow,” I breathed in wonderment. This was the most breathtaking dress I had ever seen in my life.
“I know, sweetie. I thought the same thing.”
“Me too,” Maya chimed in as she walked in with yet another box. This one clearly containing jewelry.
“Here. Open this one first.” My mother handed me the shoe box. Inside was a gorgeous pair of Louboutin shoes covered in Swarovski crystals. They were my favorite style of peep-toe sling back and they were enough to give a girl an orgasm.
“I already had a dress and shoes for tonight.” I stupidly pointed out. Never look a gift horse in the mouth, I know.
“Grant wanted you to have something special, sweetie. I think it really is something. I loved your father dearly – may God rest his soul – but he never treated me like a princess after I bore you. He might have shown his appreciation a time or two in the bedroom afterward, but this is a whole other level of appreciation.”
“Lalalalala. I can’t hear you talk about sex with my father. Lalalalala.” I covered my ears and Maya laughed.
“My turn.” She thrust the jewelry box into my hands, and I opened it.
Inside sat a sapphire and diamond choker style necklace, matching drop earrings and ring. It had to have cost a fortune. There were so many diamonds and sapphires. It was amazing.
“It was his grandmother’s. Devereaux gave it to him when he died. He wanted you to wear them tonight.”
Tears filled my eyes as my finger gently traced the necklace. He wanted me to wear his grandmother’s necklace, something that meant everything to him. And he trusted me with it.
“I was thinking we would go old Hollywood glam for your hair with waves around your face,” the hairstylist chimed in from across the room.
“And we’ll mirror that look with your makeup. Nothing too heavy, just a lot of glamour,” the makeup artist added.
The next hour was a flurry of activity while they coiffed and styled me. It seemed a bit more than was necessary for a fundraiser, but Grant was over the top sometimes so I decided to roll with it.
Once I was dressed, I couldn’t believe how unbelievably perfect the dress and everything was on me. I remembered back to the way I felt all dolled up for the gala that first night with Grant. I had felt beautiful and sexy, but it was nothing compared to this. I couldn’t wait to show my appreciation to him. Hell, I couldn’t wait to see the look on his face when he saw how I looked.
Speaking of which, I checked the clock and felt a knot of nervousness in my stomach. Grant was late. We needed to leave, and he wasn’t home yet.
I headed out towards the Great Room. George was standing in the entryway, grinning at me.
“You look beautiful, Ms. Ward.”
“Thank you, George. If you’re here, where is Grant?” I looked around him and into the room. Only my mother sat with Vivi on her lap. No Grant and no Maya.
I didn’t have time to wonder why my friend hadn’t said goodbye. I looked back to George.
“I’m to escort you, Miss. But first I need you to put this on.” He held up a white slip of fabric.
“What’s that?” I eyed it suspiciously.
“It’s a blindfold, Miss. Mr. Morgan insisted.”
“Just do it, Elizabeth,” my mother scolded from across the room.
“Fine but if he messes up my hair I’m going to scream.”
George blindfolded me and led me out to the car. The whole way to wherever we were going, my anxiety grew. I wasn’t good at surprises. Especially ones I couldn’t see. Not having any idea what Grant had up his sleeves was giving me serious heartburn.
The car stopped and George helped me out onto a sidewalk.
“Ms. Ward,” a friendly male voice greeted me. “I’m Marcus and I’ll be escorting you the rest of the way.”
“Nice to meet you, Marcus. George is this alright?” I asked before letting him wrap my hand around the unknown man’s arm.
“Yes, Ms. Ward. He’ll take you to Mr. Morgan.”
“Thank you,” I muttered and the man led me into a building and up some stairs, which weren’t exactly easy to navigate when you couldn’t see where you were going. I might have stumbled a time or two, but I refused to think about how ridiculous I looked. It would be mortifying if I did.
I heard an elevator ding and assumed we got on the car when I heard the doors close. Unable to stand the silence, I spoke. “Marcus, mind telling me where we are or where you’re taking me?”
“Sorry, Ma’am. I have strict orders not to answer your questions. I assure you you’ll enjoy it once we arrive.”
“I sure hope so,” I mumbled under my breath, feeling a bit like a petulant child.
When the elevator doors opened, we stepped off and he ushered me down a corridor of sorts. After a few minutes, he stopped me, and I felt him step away.
“Thank you, Sir,” I heard muttered off to my side and then I heard a door close.
“Grant?” I asked, a bit unsure of where I was or what was going on. All I knew was Marcus left me potentially alone.
“You look stunning tonight, Elizabeth.” Hot breath fanned across my cheek and neck. I felt Grant’s warmth as his body neared mine. My body instinctively swayed towards him, wanting more contact. I breathed deep and took in his masculine scent mixed with his expensive cologne. Such a potent mixture.
“Thank you,” I whispered. My anxiousness was completely gone. My body strained for his and my mind shut off. He always had that effect on me.
I felt him reach up, and the blindfold fell away. I blinked a few times to adjust to the lighting and gasped in surprise at where we were.
“What?” I breathed as I spun around and took in the candlelight all around the center room of the Starlight Lounge at the Waldorf. We were in the middle of the room that was completely empty except for the candles and white rose petals. There were hundreds of both surrounding us.
Grant was wearing a black tuxedo that made him look even more G.Q. than he usually did. The effect was devastating.
“This is where we started, Elizabeth. You, me, and the stars. I lost my heart to you that night and I’m standing here now to tell you that you can keep it. I want you to have my heart forever.”
A sob left my throat and tears pooled in my eyes before spilling over.
“You do? But Travis and my hiding Vivi from you… you can get past all that?”
His hands cupped my face, and his thumbs brushed tears from my cheeks. “I know you never had an affair. If I had really thought about it that night, I never would have said those horrible things to you. For that I ask your forgiveness. For not believing in you the way you always believed in me. For not being the man whom you deserved. I regret that night and the months we spent apart more than I could ever relay to you. I backed you into a corner back then. I know your heart, Elizabeth. You would have never kept our daughter from me once she was born. Forgive yourself because I forgave you a long time ago.”
“I love you, Grant. I never stopped and the last few months I thought you only wanted sex from me. I think that hurt worse than the things you said to me that night. I have to have more. With you I have to have it all. Anything less isn’t acceptable.”
He placed a tender kiss on my lips and then fell to a knee in front of me. I gasped and covered my mouth with both hands.
“I’ll never make you settle for less than you deserve. If you’ll only say yes, I’ll give you everything.”
“Everything?”
“All of me. Forever. Please say you’ll marry me.” He opened the box he pulled from his coat pocket. Inside sat a cushion cut diamond ring surrounded by smaller diamonds with diamonds all the way around the band. It was easily four or five carats. It was amazing.
“Yes! Always yes!” I began bawling when he placed the ring on my finger.
He jumped up and gave me a toe curling kiss, dipping me backwards with his enthusiasm.
The door behind us opened and we broke apart. Jennie, Vivi, my mom, Maya and Travis, Tina and Nik, Nat and Asher, Mimi, Lola, Madison and an older woman I had never seen before all fell on us with kisses, hugs and well wishes. They were all dressed up, even Vivi, who was wearing a white dress with lots of frills and little pink bows. She even had a pink bow in her hair.
I couldn’t have asked for a better engagement celebration.
“It’s time!” My mother cried enthusiastically. I looked back and forth from her and Grant as people from the hotel streamed in from the north and south terraces of the room. On the north side, the divider came down to reveal tables set up lavishly with fine China and a table with a huge cake atop it. The south side room divider was taken down to reveal more rose petals, candles and an elegant archway at the far end of the room. It too was covered with flowers and twinkling lights. Underneath stood a minister holding a book.
“Oh my God!” I shouted.
“I don’t want to wait to be a family in every sense of the word. That’s why everyone is here tonight. To witness you becoming mine forever.”
“But a marriage license?” I couldn’t process how this was all happening so quickly.
“Is all taken care of,” he interrupted me. “Meet Gladys Sherman, the city clerk.”
“Hello, dear. Don’t worry about anything besides making this young man happy. You can sign everything today and I’ll be sure to process it accordingly. My lips are zipped,” the stranger who had filed in with our friends and family said with a smile.
Grant shrugged and looked smug with himself. “It’s all about who you know.”
“Thank you.” I accepted her embrace and gave her a quick hug.
“You have your something borrowed, something blue, and something old with the jewelry. And your something new is the dress and shoes,” Maya added. “See? It was all for a reason.”
“I don’t think I could love you any more than I do right now.” I kissed Grant and let him lead me to the makeshift altar.
“Dearly beloved…” The minister began and I held Grant’s hands as he spoke, trying to memorize every moment, right down to Vivi cooing in the background.
When it was time to say our vows, Grant surprised me yet again by saying his own. “Elizabeth, from the moment I first saw you across a crowded room, I knew you were the one for me. To spend my life with. To have children with. And to grow old with. That was the day I began living. And today I secure your place by my side as my lover, as my friend and as my future. I love you with every part of me.”
“Wow. You’re going to make me look bad since you had time to prepare. Let’s see,” I joked when it was my turn. “Grant, I never fought anything more than I fought loving you. It was then I realized if it wasn’t meant to be, I wouldn’t need to fight it. So I gave in and gave you all of me. Things may have gotten rocky, but I’ve never been more sure of the fact that we belong together. Thank you for loving me the way I need. I’ll spend the rest of my life trying to do the same for you.”
My mother, Maya and Tina cried audibly when we exchanged rings. His was a basic, platinum band. Mine was a diamond eternity band to match my ring.
“I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride.”
Grant drew me into his arms and gave me the most beautiful kiss I had ever experienced.
Off in the corner of the room, live music began playing. The tune was familiar, so I looked over and my jaw dropped to see the lead singer of the Goo Goo Dolls and a man with an acoustic guitar. He began singing “Come To Me.” Grant swept me up in his arms, and we swayed together to the song.
“I can’t believe you pulled this off. It must have cost you a fortune.”
“Believe it, love. There isn’t much I wouldn’t do for you. When Maya said you liked this song, I pulled some last minute strings to make this happen for you. The rest of it was all pretty much planned, with the exception of your day of pampering. Maya insisted on that.”
“I had my own plans for tonight you know. I figured we could talk about being more than f*ck buddies.” I cringed at the terminology given the fact that we were now dancing at our wedding. “I think I like your plan better.”
“Me too. It means you’re mine, Mrs. Morgan. Tonight we’re going to stay in a suite here at the Waldorf and after your mom’s doctor’s appointment on Tuesday, we are flying to the Amalfi Coast in Southern Italy for two weeks. Jennie is coming with us to help with Genevieve. I know it isn’t a proper honeymoon, what with the baby and all, but I didn’t want to leave her behind.”
“Me either. I can’t wait. Does she have a passport?”
He kissed the top of my nose. “Remember I once said you never have to worry? That I’ve got you? Well, I’ve got her too. Always.”
He was right. He did have us. And we had him. In that moment, I knew the journey was worth it, regardless of how difficult it may have been. I knew this because my soul was right where it needed to be. With its perfect mate.
Epilogue
Bliss
Five years later…
I walked through the rooms in our estate in Scarsdale and ran my fingers over all the pictures lining the walls and furniture. Happy memories. Sad memories. Sweet memories.
Grant and I moved here from the city just over two years ago when we found out we were pregnant with our second child. We sold the apartment in the city and never looked back. It didn’t make sense to keep a place so large, and we both wanted our children to grow up in the suburbs.
I paused in front of the large portrait in the family room that never ceased to make me want to cry. It was from our first photography session after Vivi was born. Grant was lying shirtless on his stomach. His hands were tucked under his head. His iridescent blue eyes looked into the camera. They were filled with happiness. That was because Vivi was lying naked on his back, her head resting on the back of his. Her little hand draped over his neck. It was one of the most beautiful pictures I had ever seen.
Next was a similar portrait. Only this time Grant sat in profile with our newborn son, Devereaux James, in his arms. DJ’s little head rested on Grant’s naked chest. His cheek was cushioned by Grant’s pectoral, and Grant was kissing the top of his head. Okay, maybe that was the most beautiful picture I had ever seen. It was always up for debate.
Little boy giggles had me smiling and walking to the French doors overlooking our large backyard. Grant had DJ upside down in his arms while Vivi ran after them.
“Daddy! Wait! My legs aren’t big like yours!” Our five-year old daughter yelled, making Grant slow his pace so that she could catch up. She was the spitting image of her father, with dark hair and piercing blue eyes. We were going to be plagued with tons of boys when she got older.
“Faster!” Our two-year old son demanded, not liking the fact that his father was abiding by his sister’s wishes. DJ had Grant’s dark hair, but my hazel eyes. I was fearful for pregnancy scares and broken hearted women when he was older. For now he was my baby though. Whereas Grant spoiled Vivi, I spoiled DJ.
I smiled and wrapped my arms around my middle enjoying the sight of my family playing with each other.
“We’re here,” Maya called out from the front door.
“In the family room,” I called back.
Maya and Travis came in with their one-year old son, Max. Today is Max’s birthday and we plan on celebrating with a barbecue and cake.
They still lived in the penthouse in the city. I kept my eye on the real estate market nearby though. I knew one day I could convince her to move out here.
Maya had kept up the concierge business once I moved out to Scarsdale, but now she was happy being a full-time mom. I couldn’t argue with that choice, seeing as how I already knew how fulfilling it was. Sure, Your Personal Concierge was once my dream. Now I dreamed bigger. My family was my everything and that would never change.
“Our parents should be here soon,” she said. Travis set all their baby luggage and presents down and then took Max from her arms and headed out back to join Grant and the kids.
I turned back to the doorway and watched them all again. I did this often. Cataloging all these memories for a time when I would need them.
“She’d be so happy today,” Maya whispered and a choked sound came from me as I held back the sob that threatened to tear from me. “To see all the love here.”
“I know,” I whispered. Maya wrapped her arms around my waist and rested her head on my shoulder.
My mother passed away suddenly six months ago. She had a massive heart attack that she never came back from. It was her third heart attack, but that didn’t make it any less devastating. I missed her every single day. Whenever one of my children did something new or said something funny, my heart hurt with the knowledge that she wasn’t there to share it with. My children would never really remember or know their grandparents. And I think that was what hurt the most. The only thing that made it better was that I knew my mother had thoroughly enjoyed her time with them, especially after she moved into our guesthouse.
I was forever grateful that Maya and Travis’ parents loved our kids just as much as they loved Max, but it wasn’t the same.
“Remember what she said,” Maya reminded me something that my mother asked her to always tell me when she was gone. “I carry your heart. I carry it in my heart.”
Whenever I heard the E.E. Cummings poem I couldn’t help my uncontrollable tears. My mother quoted that poem to me after her second heart attack and told me to never forget that she would always be with me. God, I missed her so much.
Grant had given me a first edition, leather bound book of poems by E.E. Cummings for our first anniversary. Inside, he had marked poems that were special to him for me. The first that I loved was I Carry Your Heart and the other one I adored was Since Feeling is First. She knew how much that poem meant to me and now it means even more.
After several minutes of us crying in each other’s arms, I swiped the tears from my face and took in a deep breath.
“Okay. Today is supposed to be a happy day so no more tears.”
“Right,” she agreed as she wiped the last of hers from her face. “Let’s go find our men and watch while they take care of the children.”
“Good idea.” I laughed and we went outside and settled in the shade while the men preoccupied the children. It was bliss.
?????
“Grant,” I breathed when he slid inside me.
We rocked together, and I reveled in how perfectly our bodies fit together. I really was made for his pleasure and he for mine.
“Grant,” I said a little louder and more urgently. He pumped faster, but that wasn’t what I wanted. “Grant, I have something to tell you.”
He stilled inside me and looked down on me. “What is it, love?”
“We’re pregnant,” I announced and watched his face warm and a smile stretch wide across it. He began moving inside me again. A little deeper this time and I tightened my limbs, which were wrapped around him.
“Thank God. I love watching my baby grow in your belly. You are the most beautiful pregnant woman to ever grace this earth.”
“I love you,” I whispered against his mouth. Our foreheads rested together, and he moved more urgently inside me.
“Not as much as I do you.”
I closed my eyes and focused on the feel of him as he swelled inside me and twisted his hips to brush my sweet spot. He knew every nuance of my body and used that knowledge well.
“Let go. I’ve got you,” he whispered in my neck when my orgasm hovered just out of reach. I closed my eyes and let him catch me.
Bliss.
The Concierge Series will continue with
Maya and Travis’ story!
Acknowledgements
I must start out by thanking my husband. He is my rock and keeps me grounded. Thank you for holding my hand when I need it, wiping my tears when they fall, and encouraging me to dream big.
I’d also like to thank my family for all their love and support. You guys give me that push I need to continue sometimes. Love you guys!
A HUGE thank you to Belle Aurora for collaborating with me on LYC. As soon as I knew I wanted the book set in New York City, I knew I wanted you to be part of it. I love your Friend-Zoned characters and I think you have brought a little extra special something to this book.
A special thank you to my beta readers: Debi Barnes, Elle Wilson, Alicia Clark, and Lisa Maurer. You girls always help a sister out, but on this one you were invaluable. I always look forward to your feedback and the constant support you send my way! Hope I did you proud with this one… especially you Debi!
To the Naughty Girls – I hope you find a place in your heart for Grant right alongside Jacob.
To all the bloggers that have supported me and continue to support me, thank you! Indie authors would be nothing without you! A special thank you to Love Between the Sheets, The SubClub Books, Three Chicks & Their Books, and True Story Book Blog. I could never repay you for all you’ve done for me.
Ari Kar?i? – You knocked one out of the park this time! Thank you!
Kathy Krick – I love how fast and efficient you were with LYC! You made my stress level much more manageable. Thank you!
Last, but certainly not least, thank you to the fans. You guys make all these crazy hours and stressful deadlines worth it! XOXO