Theron's Hope (Brides of Theron) (22 page)

She couldn’t believe her ears.  She thought the exact same thing but was scared to death to ask.  She didn’t even know if she could put into words a description of the way it felt for when they kissed.  He was looking into her eyes and waiting patiently for her answer.  She figured what the hell. She would have to admit her feelings for him soon enough.  Her attraction to him was growing every day and it would not be long before she gave herself to him completely.  She continued to look him in the eyes when she said, “When we kiss it is magical for me.  When you touch me it is like I am about to explode in all directions and be consumed by fire at the same time.  When you kiss me I feel like I am going to overflow with happiness.  I really can’t describe it any better than that.  I have never felt this way about anything or anyone before in my life.  Zane, I think that I love you.”  She choked out the last bit.  Her eyes started brimming with unshed tears.

He took his hands and cupped her face.  “Oh my Gods Grace, you have just made me a very happy man.  I have loved you from the moment I set my eyes upon you.”  He pulled her face to him in order to kiss her lips.  The kisses started to get heated and he lifted her up and placed her on the bathroom counter.  She could feel evidence of his desire rubbing against the base of her pelvis as she wrapped her legs and locked them around his body.  He was just about to carry her to the bed, when someone could be heard knocking on the door.  It was Jo letting Grace know that the tailor had arrived. 

She ended the kisses in wanting and yelled out to Jo, “Just bring him to the living room.  We will be right out.” She smiled meekly at Zane and said, “I guess we will have to finish this later?  I need to get dressed for company now.”  They let their gaze on each other linger for a bit longer than they should have and he kissed her one more time as she reluctantly released him from her grasp. 

“Alright, I will go and meet the tailor.  What is he supposed to be doing exactly?”  He asked her curiously trying to divert his attention from her and the hardness that resulted from his attraction.

“Well, seeing as you are much larger in size and build compared to the typical men on my planet, we will have to have some suits custom made to fit your overly large and handsome body,” she said and bit her lip as she went to pull her hair up into a pony tail away from her face.  “I will be right out in just a moment.  I am going to get dressed as quickly as I can.  He is waiting for you in the living room.”

“Alright, but please hurry,” Zane said not looking forward to what was about to come because he did not know what to expect. 

When he left the room she breathed in deeply trying to absorb all that had just happened.  She actually told him she loved him.  She shared her most intimate feelings with this man and he told her he loved her back.  This was a lot for her to grasp since she always avoided such intimate exchanges in the past.  It just made the relationship more complicated than it needed to be and when that would happen she would always find that the most convenient time to check out.  In the end, she decided to postpone any more analysis of what just happened any further and quickly get dressed to save Zane from the tailor.

When she walked into the living room, the tailor had Zane all wrapped in his measuring tape.  He looked at Grace and said, “I can see what you mean miss.  This is the largest man I have ever made a suit for.”  He looked up at Zane and asked, “Do you dress left or right?”  Zane looked puzzled at this question and looked to Grace for help. 

She glanced at his pants and said to the tailor in jest, “I think that both you and I can clearly see that he dresses left.”  She giggled as Zane looked uncomfortable with this man measuring his inseam.  “Zane, it is alright.  He will be finished soon.”

The tailor stood up and even at his full height which
was several inches shorter than Grace said, “Sir, could you please sit while I take measurements of your chest and arms?”

Zane sat down waiting for the man to finish his work.  Just as the tailor finished his measurements, Michael walked and kissed Jo on the cheek.  “Grace, I am here.  Sorry, I am a bit late.  Can you tell me what all this is about now?”  He walked in to see a very large man sitting in a chair that looked way too small for him and his tailor packing up his supplies.  “Hello, Mr. Johnson.  I hope you are well.”

Grace came from the study with a check in hand for the tailor.  As she handed him the check, he looked at Michael and said, “I am well, Mr. Jameson.  How are those suits I made you last month?”

“They are great, it’s the reason I gave Grace your number last night.”  He went to go ask Jo for a cup of coffee and left the room looking oddly at Zane as he quit the room.  He wanted to get her take on this man the tailor was obviously measuring for a new suit.

“Now, Miss Abernathy, if you will pick the fabrics that you want me to use, I will be on my way.  I will send an associate over with the first suit no later than 6 pm.  Will that be alright?”  He asked her. 

She selected the swatches that would best go with his eyes.  “Could you send some shirts and several ties to go with them?  You have excellent tastes in colors and ties in general.  Just pick five each of the shirts and ties.  You sell shoes as well, right?”

“Why yes, Miss.  Should I measure him for some?”  Mr. Johnson asked.

“Please do.  Black Italian leather would do best.  Money is no object so get him the best. We will need dress socks as well. Oh, and don’t forget a belt, he will need that too.”  Mr. Johnson knelt on the floor to measure his feet. 

“I will have that all together for you and deliver it as soon as it is ready,” Mr. Johnson said to Grace as he made his exit. 

Michael barged in madder than she had ever seen him before.  She deduced that he talked to Jo and now had questions for her.  “Are you mad Grace?  What the hell were you thinking?  You married this man without a prenuptial agreement?  I could have had one drawn up in a matter of minutes and emailed or faxed it
to you even.  Really, Grace!”

Zane did not like the way this man was shouting at his mate.  He started to stand up in an attempt to defend her and Grace pushed him back into the chair.  “Michael, we have much to discuss.  First of all, I would like to introduce you to Zane, my husband.  Then, I need you to accompany me to the study so that I can summarize the details of the business I have in mind for you to complete for me this week.”

Michael did not say anything and gave Zane the dirtiest of looks as he made his way into the study with the mug of coffee and his computer bag slung across his body.  Grace stayed behind and said in a whisper, “Zane, he is my family and he wants to protect me.  Many men on this planet would be after my money and that would be reason enough to marry me.  He is understandably concerned and is really being sincere.  I will be in the study discussing what I need to complete before we leave here.  Please, be patient and do not under any circumstance disturb us.  It is going to take a lot of talking to bring him down after this.”

Zane nodded reluctantly and moved to pick up the book on the table next to him.  He wondered just how long a lot of talking would equate to in hours.

Grace entered the study and closed the door behind her.  She sat behind the desk looking at Michael who was giving her a look of spill the details in his eyes with the added do it right now because I don’t have very much patience.  “Michael, I know what you are thinking,” she said upon entering.

“No, Grace, you have absolutely no idea what I am thinking,” he stated tartly, truly agitated.

Grace took a second to collect her thoughts and come up with a plausible story for him.  “Michael, you promised you would always be in my corner,” she added that pouty look for good measure.  It used to work well when they were children. “I have discovered something on my last story that puts me and Zane in great potential danger.  It is something that exposes matters of great national security.  I have been given 6 days to get my affairs in order and leave.”

“Grace, be honest with me, who is threatening you like this?  You know I can defend you, we can take this to the highest court of law and I will stand up for you,” he asked.  “They cannot make you leave the country.”

“On the contrary, they can.  This is even bigger than the United States government.  It affects the safety and beliefs of humans as a whole on the planet,” she said.

“Who is the guy in your living room?  Does he have anything to do with this?” He started to shake his head in his hands in disbelief.

“Zane is my husband.  He has a bigger fortune than I do.  This is why I need to discuss several matters of business with you today.  I need to dissolve my interests in all my businesses.  First of all, I want to give you enough shares for the firm so that you have 51% of the controlling stock.  I have a list of properties here that I own and would like to have sold or given to certain individuals including the details of the transfers I am requesting.  This is a list of all my current assets.  I would like to put all my money and liquid assets into a trust.”

“What is going on?  I don’t understand.  You can’t make decisions with regard to the firm without holding a formal board meeting.  These properties should be brought in front of the family before being sold as some were inherited by your parents.  You want me to take all your money and put it in a trust?  For whom do you intend the money to be held in trust for?”

“This is why I need you here this week,” she said to her cousin with emphasis on the word you.  “You said not a week ago that you would always be in my corner.  Right now, I need you more than ever Michael.  You have to trust me and believe that I know what I am doing.”  He still looked impassive.  “Please, Michael,” she pleaded with him.

“Fine, Grace!  I will review all the properties and go over what you can legally do with them.  Also, I will call a board meeting and let you know when all parties can make it.  As for your assets, I will start drawing up the papers you requested.  Can I use your desk and phone so I can start this process.”

“That is the Michael that I know and love.  You are the greatest!”  She jumped out from behind the desk and went out to hug her favorite cousin. “One more thing, I have six days to make all this happen.  I will need all of these things complete because I will be leaving then. Also, I need you to be here when I leave.”

“Fine Grace, just let me tackle everything one thing at a time.  Let me call Beth to set up the “emergency” board meeting ASAP.  Is two days from now alright with you?  That will be Monday. Besides, Grandmamma is on the board and I wish you a great deal of luck trying to convince her that you are doing the right thing.  She is going to freak out,” Michael chuckled and smiled as he made his way to the desk and set up his laptop.

“I know that well enough. Your parents are on the board as well.”  She shook her head thinking about the heaviness of the situation, “I am going to have to prepare for that.  I also want you to draw up a power of attorney.  I am giving you full control of my affairs after I leave,” she added.

“Like I just said, let me process these tasks one thing at a time.  I will be using your phone all day so plan on using your cell.  Will you be here?”  He asked.

“Do you need me to be?  It would be nice if I could go out and show Zane some of the city.  This is his first time in New York.”  She looked at Michael and knew that she really could not help him much with his task.  She had already outlined what she wanted done and other than answering the occasional question, which she could do by cell phone, there was not much she could do.

“Of course you don’t need to be here.  There is really not much you can do.  I will work from here or from home this week to stay away from the distractions at the office.  Without interruptions, I should be able to concentrate and complete the enormous amount of work you have just given me.”  She kissed him on the cheek and gave him a quick hug and turned to leave the room.  Right before she left the room, Michael shouted out to her, “Hey, if I am not here I will be at my house.”