Unable to resist any longer, he slides off her panties and spreads her legs, leaning in toward her. Tonight will be the missionary position because it’s all about love first and sex afterward. Ella would be his wife soon and he wants her to know how much he adores, even reveres her. He can say it with words but tonight he’ll also say it with every part of himself.
Chapter 48
As I am preparing for bed, I revisit our twilight boat ride earlier in the evening. Ian once again awed me with his abilities: he could man a sailboat like a pro. Was there anything this guy couldn’t do? I should also mention that he’s not just competent but he’s sexy-competent, that is, he looks mucho hot when he’s doing things well—graceful, buff, and just hard all over, mmm.
When he’d gotten us to a place where he wanted to float for a bit, he produced from underneath the helm a beautiful picnic dinner, prepared by our favorite restaurant: wine, cheese, grilled vegetables, and a baguette definitely worth the carbs were all wrapped in a red and white gingham cloth in the basket, along with a Caesar salad and espresso brownies for dessert—the most direct and rewarding way to max out on sugar and caffeine. As we ate, Ian told me what all the parts of the boat were called. I especially liked the jib, because it had a sword in a stone pictured on a purple and gold background in the shape of a shield—the logo for Excalibur.
When we finished our meal, we had the dreaded discussion. After, we watched the sun set, the darkening sky accompanied by a panoply of vibrant colors—it felt as if it were a display for us personally. When dusk fell, we drank wine and made love under the emerging starlight.
I take a moment to indulge in a sigh.
I know I set Ian’s mind at ease with my reassurances—and they were true. I trust him enough that I know he won’t make decisions lightly. He’ll examine them from every possible angle and choose the best path—his is a logical mind. Who am I to judge him anyway? The man carries the weight of the world on his beautiful, muscled shoulders.
I’m still, however, very worried about Natasha. If she manages to survive somehow, she’ll try to do very bad things to us; if she dies, Ian will forever have that terrible guilt on his conscience. This is a quandary I cannot help him climb out of. He’ll have to do what feels most comfortable for him.
Meantime, I’m going to do something fun for a change. I’m going to shop for the most beautiful wedding dress I can find. For one of the few times in my life, I plan to put looks before comfort and choose the most glorious gown ever, no expense spared. To assuage my conscience at the extravagance, for every dollar I spend on my wedding gown, I will donate the same to UNICEF, to help children in need around the world.
My first order of business is to call Mariah. My second is to make an appointment at an exclusive bridal salon.
So that’s what I do, hoping that Mariah could come with me. She is my maid of honor, and I’d like us to pick out her dress together. My mother will probably want to come, too. Ian and I are telling the mothers this weekend. When I finish in the bathroom, I go out to the bedroom to find him already asleep. Poor thing, he’s exhausted, probably mentally and physically. Tiptoeing over to his side of the bed, I pull the covers around him, kiss his forehead gently, and slip into the other side of the bed, trying my best not to disturb him. Problem is, he’s like a magnet, drawing me ever closer so I give in and cuddle him from behind, falling asleep holding onto him as a drowning person clutches fast to a lifeboat.
“Ella, just tell me what day you want to go and I’ll call in sick, for heaven’s sake. Your wedding gown is more important than making more money for my greedy boss.” Mariah sounds exasperated, her usual reaction to me.
“Okay. I’ll make the appointment at the salon and get right back to you. What time do you take lunch?”
“Whatever time I can sneak out of here. Sir Frederick is such a pain in the ass these days that I might just have to find a new job. Can you meet me for lunch?”
“Um… possibly. I may have to take Mason again.”
“Please do. I have more gossip for him to memorize.” An unholy cackle came echoing across the line, so infectious it gets me laughing even though it’s barely ten a.m. and I’m generally cranky in the morning.
“When is this wedding taking place, anyway?”
“Ian wants late spring or early summer. We still need to pick the actual date. Tonight we’ll call my mom and tell her the news and then tomorrow, we’re headed to Ian’s mother to share with her. We should have a date by the end of the weekend if all goes well.”