Theron's Hope (Brides of Theron) (29 page)

He made love to her again after the bath and she wanted it harder, rougher.  He held her hands above her head and she liked that. Most of all, he really enjoyed the way they slept last night.  He laid behind her with his arms around her in a spoon fashion.  She fit so perfectly in his arms, so warm and so right.  How he lived his life all this time without her, he had no clue.  Clearly, the Gods meant for him to find her here because they were truly meant for one another.  He sat out there for hours enjoying the fresh air mixed with the smells of breakfast being prepared in the local businesses and homes around him.  He listened to the sounds of the waking birds in the park and the swooshing sound of the wind blowing between the buildings.  The sound of the car tires on the pavement made it up to the terrace as it echoed bouncing from building to building as the city woke up.  At about 7 in the morning he heard the sound of the door opening behind him on the terrace.  He looked back and saw Grace standing there wrapped in the comforter from the bed.  He wondered if she even bothered to get dressed.

“Good Morning, my love.  How did you sleep?”  Zane asked her.

“I haven’t slept this well since I met you.  What are you doing out here?  It’s freezing.”  She said as he scooped her onto his lap.  He reached under the blanket to see that she indeed was wearing nothing under the blanket.

“Gracie, are you crazy?  I am about to burst out of my pants here.”  He proceeded to kiss her on her neck and see where that went.  “You are an amazing woman Grace.  Say the word and I will have you right here, right now.”

She turned her head and observed all that surrounded her.  “I have never made love on a terrace before and my reputation is pretty safe. It is very likely that I will never see any of these people again.”  She turned to face him on the chair as she straddled him with a devilish grin on her face.  She undid the fly of his jeans and he held the blanket around them to keep her warm as she sat on his hard and ready cock. 

He kissed her and held her close to him as she rocked up and down pressing him deeper and deeper inside of her.  She was insatiable and he couldn’t get enough of her as well.  He pulled her face toward him to kiss her passionately.  She took the kiss deeper and deeper.  He was under her spell.  He couldn’t help himself.  She had a way with him that drove his need.  He cupped her breast with his hand and explored her body with his fingertips.  She started to move slower so he reached around her, placing his hands on the smooth skin of her rear and helped her movement as she rose and fell in a rhythm.  He felt the pulse of her reaching her peak of desire and he let go of his seed and planted it deep within her.  They stayed like that for a bit.  He looked into her eyes, the eyes of his soul mate.  “You totally rocked my world just now,” he said in jest, trying but failing to keep a straight face. They laughed aloud when she realized that he was repeating what she said after the first time they made love.  His face suddenly became serious, “I love you, Grace”

“I love you too, Zane.” 

It was hard for her to finally release him.  It was getting to be that time to get dressed and if she knew Michael, he would be making an appearance before the meeting to make sure Zane was fully prepared for what was about to happen.  They went inside to get ready.  She couldn’t get enough of this man.  They hopped into the shower together to save time.  He shaved with the supplies that he brought with him and they both brushed their teeth.  Zane looked over at her when she started to apply her make-up. “You know you are so much prettier to me without all that stuff on your face.”

She smiled at him and said, “Thank you!  But I have to dress the part and wear all this because it is expected of me.  After we leave here, I don’t have to wear it ever again.”

“Good, because I love the way you look without it.  You are so beautiful.”  He hugged her from behind.

The spicy smell of his aftershave was intoxicating.  She had to squirm away from him.  It was way too much for her to take.  “Zane, I would love to have you once more before we leave but we really must get ready.  If I could, I would push you down on that bed out there and have my way with you.  It was hard enough for me to keep my hands off you in the shower.”  She giggled and he laughed with her. 

“Promise me that you will follow through with those plans at the first available opportunity,” he said seriously, as if he agreed that later was just too long to wait.  He left the room looking for the suit and pants that she laid out on the bed for him to wear today.  He put on his socks, underwear, and pants.  He swung the unbuttoned shirt around him and matched and fastened the buttons, tucking the tails of the shirt into the waistband.  He was not quite sure what to do with the rest so he figured he would wait for her assistance.  He slipped on the shoes.  Grace wasn’t lying about the shoes.  They were very comfortable despite their rigid appearance.

Grace made her way into the bedroom to find him holding the black leather belt in one hand and the tie in the other.  She smiled and went to assist him.  “The belt is fed through the loops on the pants like this.”  She said as she threaded the belt through and buckled the clasp.  With that done she took the tie from his other hand.  “The tie is worn around your neck like this.  I don’t have the time to show you how to tie it now, but if you are interested I can show you later.”  She put the tie over his collar, checking the length on each side, and through a series of tucks and knots she tightened it around his neck.  “You look very handsome dressed like this.  Why don’t you put the jacket on and see how it fits.”

He swung the jacket around his large frame and inserted his arms into the sleeves.  It fit perfectly.  She walked around him, her heels clicking on the wood floor in the bedroom.  She tugged at the back of the jacket a bit and returned to face him.  “The suit fits like a glove.  You can’t get a fit like this in the store.  Let’s go get some breakfast.  William will be here in 45 minutes to pick us up.”

They made their way out into the kitchen.  On the bar, Jo laid out some freshly cooked breakfast.  It was fried eggs, sausage, toast, and hash browns.  It was hot and steaming. She placed two coffee cups in front of them already sweetened and milk added.  “Good morning, you two.  I hope you are well rested.  You have a big day today.”

“Don’t remind me, Jo.”  Grace said as she ate her breakfast.  “Yum, this is good.  I just wanted to say that we really enjoyed your company last night, I hope Miguel had a good time as well.”

“Yes, he wanted me to thank you for inviting us and to tell you that it was fun and that he missed you.”  She turned to look at Zane a big grin on her face, “He really enjoyed meeting you Dr. Zane.”

“You have a wonderful husband Jo.  Not to change the subject but, Grace is right.  This is delicious.”  He started to eat and Jo excused herself as she went about her duties of cleaning and laundry. 

“She is a wonderful woman. I see why you admire her so much,” he said to Grace.  “I have a question, what are these things here?”  He asked pointing to the hash browns.

“It is similar to your ugula.  It is a tuber that grows under the ground.  Here, add some salt and pepper to it.  It is good.”  She said as she took a bite of her freshly seasoned fried stringed potatoes.

Michael arrived just as he took his first bite.  “Good morning, I hope you two are ready for this morning.  I called my mother and prepared her for what should be an interesting day.  She will support us in every way and try to help us diffuse Agatha.”

“I knew I could count on you Michael.  How did Emily take it, our current situation I mean?”  Grace asked as concern clouded her eyes.  It took everything she had not to call Em to check on her last night.

Michael said, “Believe it or not, she took it a lot better than I did.  I think she had a gut feeling that she wasn’t going to see you again just a few days ago.  She has been working like a mad woman on a project and that has kept her mind occupied most of the week.  She even called Jillian to work the weekend.”  He placed a hand on Zane’s back, “Are you ready for today?  Did she warn you about Grandmamma?”

“Yes, we talked about her yesterday.  She is quite an eccentric woman, huh?” Zane replied.

“That she is.” Michael agreed as he made himself a cup of coffee.  “I think that after the meeting a very strong drink may be in order.”

“I am going to go change out my purse. Please, excuse me guys,” Grace said as the men nodded at her.

Michael sat next to Zane taking a bite of Gracie’s breakfast.  “Do people from your planet have a last name?”  Michael asked him.

“We do but it is unpronounceable in your language.  Is that a problem?”  Zane asked.

“Well, we might want to make up one for you.  What’s your father’s name?” 

“My father’s name is Arden.  Do you think we can use that?”  Zane asked.

“Yes, I believe we can.  From this point forward while you are staying on this planet, your name is Dr. Zane Arden.  Unfortunately, I know that you want to carry on this rouse that you and Grace are married.  I think that with no legal documentation to prove this and our inability to obtain such documents to make your marriage legal and binding, you need to refer to her as your fiancée from this point forward.   If anyone cares to ask, you are planning to marry soon and I am drawing up the prenuptial agreement, or so we will say.”

Grace came in and asked what was going on.  Michael did a brief recap of Zane’s name and their marital status.  “I think that is an excellent idea.”

“I have been thinking about the companies that have family ties to them and this is the only business you will discuss with anyone today.  You will not mention the trust or property transfers that are not included within the family’s interests.  They are yours and yours alone to deal with in any way you see fit.  The vineyard is a perfect example of this. Most importantly, you need to let me lead the conversation in the board room.  I will let you know when you need to proceed with your argument.  Look to me for cues alright?”

Zane and Grace nodded their approval of his plans.  He must have been hard at work with all this careful strategy since going into outer space last night.  Everything he was saying made perfect logical sense.  The less they told Grandmamma, the better. 

“Do either of you have any questions about anything I have just said?”  He waited a second and turned to Zane, “Zane Arden, you will not add anything to the conversation except when asked, understood?  You are a doctor and worked in Florence until recently.  You and Grace met on the plane to Italy and you both fell in love.  You just recently asked her to marry you.  Try to be as vague as possible.  The less information we offer, the fewer questions we are obligated to answer.”

“I will do as you ask,” Zane said, admiring the brilliance of Michael’s plan.

“Grace, do you have any questions before we go?”  He asked, taking her hands in his.

“No, I’ve only a statement.”  She couldn’t be prouder of him at this moment. “I know exactly what my father saw in you all those years ago.  I know I have his full support in the decision to put the firm in your complete control.  I am proud of you Michael.”

He gave his favorite cousin a hug.  “I am proud of you too.  I am really going to miss you.”  He looked at Zane, “You better take good care of her and protect her.  This woman is one of the most important people in my life along with my wife and children.  You need to promise me that she will want for nothing.”

“I promise, Michael,” he said as he looked at the clock on the stove.  “William is probably waiting for us at the front door now so we had better get going.”  He looked at Michael, “Are you going to ride with us?”