Page 92 of Entwined

I SMOOTH THE SATIN GOWN with my hands, nervously as Christos drives. He’s been such a gentle yet demanding lover. After my bath he towel-dried me, brushed out my hair and braided it. Then helped me dress in a fresh set of lingerie and slid the gown over my body, kissing every inch of skin in its path.

I feel cherished.

Desired.

Loved.

He’s respecting me as a woman, a partner and a lover like he never has before.

“Where are we going?” I’m confused as he drives onto campus.

“Somewhere magical.”

“The barn?”

He snorts. “No. But that does remind me. Cressida has been expelled. Sally caught her red-handed placing that burr on the bottom of your saddle pad. She brought it straight to the dean. She’s gone.”

I nod, as we drive through campus. He stops outside the conservatory and planetarium. “I’ve always wanted to go inside but it’s been under construction for months.”

“I know. As soon as I found out you where here. I gave a grant to have it updated.” He lifts me from the car, carrying me to the door. I giggle as I look at my feet. One foot is wearing a sexy heel and the other a huge wrap. “Good evening, Miss” A doorman greets me. He’s dressed in a formal uniform and wearing white gloves.

I gasp as we enter. It’s dark, but inside the dome-shaped ceiling is a million twinkling stars. “Christos?”

“It’s state of the art. It’s all digital; a digital glass ceiling like a huge curved iPad screen.”

“Wow.” I’m stunned. He carried me forward placing me on a velvet dining chair at a table covered in a linen cloth where a delicate vase of roses sits in the middle.

“You’ve become quite a romantic.”

“What can I say? I’ve been inspired.” He pours two glasses of champagne after he uncorks the bottle. The lighting is dim, only the stars and candles burning on stands around the table give any light.

“Are you celebrating?”

“We are. To us, for finding ourselves as much as we found each other. I love you, Jessie Montgomery, with all of my heart and soul. Be my dove, fly with me beyond the stars. Forget the world—the universe is ours.”

I take the glass of champagne he offers, clinking my glass to his. “To us. To a new beginning; the one we needed in order to make this last. Thank you for being strong when I couldn’t be. If you hadn’t walked away when you did—I doubt we’d be here. We would’ve crashed and burned to the ground; our future going up in smoke.”

“You really forgive me? For what I did to have you?”

“Yes. But I won’t forgive you, if you ever break my heart again.”

“I won’t. I swear it.”

“Okay.”

“Okay?”

“Yes.”

“Thank fuck. I can’t wait another night to be with you. Come home with me…stay with me?”

“Just for the weekend. You’re not winning me that easily. I’m keeping my flat with Jecca. I’m not dropping out of school either.”

“I’d never want you too. I’ll wait. But the second you walk off that stage in your cap and gown—I’m putting a baby in you, then a ring on your finger.”

I raise my eyebrows, “Cocky much?”

“Yes. That hasn’t changed.”

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