Contingency Plan(14)

“I needed time with you, baby.” His answer blew me away.

I thought back on all the houses we’d toured, the lunches we’d eaten, and his offer to help me this weekend. “You did it all for me?”

“Don’t you get it, Elisa? I want this.” He waved between us. “You and me together, my ring on your finger—a symbol showing the world you belong to me. Don’t take that away from me, baby. Tell me you want it, too.”

It was crazy. The height of insanity. I hadn’t even known him a month, but in my heart, I knew what my answer needed to be. “Yes,” I whispered, throwing caution to the wind. It wasn’t like we were going to run off and get married tomorrow. We still had time to get to know each other before we said our I do’s.





Chapter 9


Brysen


Her whispered yes was music to my ears. I surged forward and took her mouth in a deep, passionate kiss. Then I showed her how much it meant to me, spending the next couple hours worshipping her body, making love to the woman I was so very in love with.

Unfortunately, there were several work events on her agenda for the day and we were forced to leave the cozy warmth of our bed sooner than I liked. She kicked me out of the bathroom when I went to shower with her, citing the time and arguing about not wanting to be late.

I grumbled, but understood her point. Going against my every instinct, I dragged my ass out of the room where she stood naked under a waterfall. I was looking forward to some time on my skis in the snow, hoping the cold would help manage the extra pole I was carrying in my pants.

Elisa’s morning consisted of “employee only” meetings. I wasn’t too happy about her being forced to spend time with the Botox Brigade without me, but I was able to come to terms with it knowing the diamond on her finger made it clear she was taken. After the night before, I was pretty sure the spineless wimp was duly intimidated.

Before I hit the slopes, I took the time to make arrangements for Sunday. Elisa would be done by two, so I called up the concierge and gave him a list, trusting he would complete the tasks. Next, I placed a phone call to Maddie and one to Elisa’s sister Charlotte, making a special request. Charlotte wasn’t an easy sell, but I convinced her and she agreed with some trepidation.

With those things accomplished, I took off for the black diamond trails. It had been a while since I’d enjoyed the freedom of skiing—breathing the sharp winter air, clearing my mind, and focusing on nothing but the slope in front of me. This time, the calm and peace weren’t so much those things as much as they were thoughts of Elisa. She was my center, she had become my reason for being, and by the time I headed back to meet her, I was anxious as hell to see her.

I lounged at the bar, watching the sports channel while keeping an eye on the elevator. When the doors finally opened and she stepped out, I sped over and lifted her up into a big bear hug, then kissed her soundly. I needed her in my arms, but the pageantry was for any guy who was checking out my girl.

“Hey, baby. How was your morning?” I asked, my face still buried in her neck, breathing in the scent of cherry blossoms.

She giggled and wiggled her feet to be let down. “I missed you,” she said, her tone a little shy. The blush that spread across her cheeks and freckled little nose made my muscles tighten with arousal. She was so fucking sexy, and how she managed to be adorable at the same time was beyond me.

“I missed you, too.” I winked and draped my arm over her shoulders as I led her to another set of elevators. These went straight to the penthouses and I smirked when I saw Ken and Barbie glaring at us, practically green with envy. I enjoyed my wealth, but I didn’t usually throw it in people’s faces. This was one time I went out of my way to show off. Eat your heart out, Bimbo Barbie, Elisa’s got the stud and the dollar signs while you’ve got knockoffs and a limp dick.

“Go change into your winter gear, baby. I’ve got a night of surprises for you,” I told her once we arrived back in our room.

I couldn’t keep my eyes off her delicious body while she stripped, but I gathered my restraint and kept from touching her. After bundling up, I walked with her to the ice rink at the back of the resort. When she realized we were going skating, she squeaked with delight and jumped up and down. So. Fucking. Adorable.

“I used to go ice skating at Rockefeller every Christmas with my family,” Elisa exclaimed happily as she laced up her skates. “Charlotte and I haven’t done it since the year after our parents died. We’ve just been too busy.”

She stood and wobbled a little, holding my forearm to steady herself.