Forever After Page 6

  “Do you have any issues with spending the night?”

  “I own my company. I can go in whenever I feel like it.” She chuckled.

  They were all escorted to rooms and left to their own wills.

  “Where’s my room, Mr. Press?”

  “I have a special room for you, Miss Evers.” He grabbed my hand and led me down the hallway to his ornate room.

  “Hmm, this looks familiar.”

  His face suddenly became very serious as he stalked toward me. My head felt so foggy from the wine. I fumbled with the zipper on the back of my dress before Declan moved my hands away and slowly slid it down. Once my back was exposed, I could feel his lips kissing between my shoulder blades and heading south.

  Declan stood and spun me around so that I was facing him. I held on to his shoulders to steady myself, but he grasped my ass and lifted me up. I wrapped my legs around his waist and kissed him. Hard.

  Declan’s smoldering gaze burned into me as he bit his lip. “I’m going to fuck you now.”

  “Make it hard,” I whispered in his ear.

  He let out a low groan, and I could smell the familiar whiskey on his breath.

  His dick rose and his body shuddered. He tossed me onto the bed, and without any foreplay, he thrust himself into me.

  Chapter 12

  After that night, Sam said nothing about Declan and I moving too fast. She didn’t even complain about our girls’ only nights turning into couples’ night. Even Veronica had transformed into an entirely new person. When she wasn’t working, she was with Liam. He seemed equally as infatuated with her as she was with him. Normally I would caution her to guard her heart, but, hell, I was throwing caution to the wind entirely as I let myself fall in love.

  Yes, in love. I am in love with Declan Press.

  The weeks that flew by felt like an eternity. It was if I had known Declan forever.

  “I have a surprise for you,” he said one evening as we returned to his house after dinner and a movie.

  “What sort of surprise?”

  “You’ll have to wait and see.” He grinned from ear-to-ear.

  “Hmm. I don’t know how many more surprises I can take.”

  “You’ll really like this one. I promise.”

  “All right,” I replied cautiously as he opened the car door for me and led me straight to his bedroom.

  “It all looks the same.”

  “Almost the same,” he said, walking to his dresser.

  I followed and watched as he opened one of the long middle drawers.

  “It’s empty.” I bit my lip as it quivered.

  “It’s yours,” he declared, beaming with pride.

  My eyes lit up as I looked into his gentle face. “Mine?”

  He nodded while he half-smiled at me. “Do you like it?”

  “Love it.” Tears welled in my eyes. I hadn’t had a drawer at someone’s house in years.

  “Are you sure? You look like you’re going to cry.”

  “I’ve just never taken things this far with a man since . . .” I let my voice trail off.

  “We’re moving too fast. I’m sorry.” He shut the drawer.

  “No!” I shouted. “I mean, don’t apologize. I want the drawer if you still want to give it to me.”

  A grin spread across his face again. “It’s yours.”

  He wrapped me in a hug and kissed me. He led me by the hand to his bed. I turn the tables on him and pushed him back. Climbing on top, I straddled him while slowly unbuttoning his shirt. A burning passion kept us going every night. I had never had so much sex in my life. I didn’t know two people could have so much sex. It turned into a craving. I loved every muscle, crevice, and feeling of Declan. His scent, how he felt under my hands, and inside me. No man could possibly compare to him.

  I slid down his legs a bit and unfastened his belt, undid the zipper, and tugged the jeans off him. He bucked up and sent me flying to the other side of the bed.

  “What are you doing, crazy man?” I looked at his wicked smile.

  He said nothing. He grabbed me and flipped me onto my stomach. Pushing up my skirt, he yanked my panties down and surprised me by sliding two fingers into my pussy. I moaned lightly as I got wet. Once he had me primed and ready, he slid his cock into me. I’d never had a man his size before. My eyes were bigger than pussy. His width and girth created an entirely new sensation. He wrapped an arm around my stomach reaching down to tickle my clit while grabbing my breast with his free hand. He pounded me from behind, bringing me to orgasm at least three times before he did even once. I collapsed on his bed, breathing heavily, his arm was draped over me.

  I think our relationship is built around sex. Is that healthy?

  Who the fuck cares, Sarah!

  My office at work always had a new arrangement of flowers in it, supplied by the amazing Declan. He also seemed to be fond of chocolate. I didn’t mind one bit. I personally loved the chocolates. They were never the same and always so exotic. Gabby and I were becoming quite the connoisseurs of chocolate because of him.

  “He’s going to make us fat,” she said with her mouth full of chocolate-covered strawberry.

  “We’re signed up for that new gym in Market Square.”

  “How? There’s like a six-month waiting list to get in! And it’s expensive.”

  “He’s Declan Press,” I said with my mouth full. “Plus his grandfather’s corporation owns it. Our memberships are free.”

  “I love your boyfriend, Sarah.”

  I laughed. My boyfriend. I had never called him that. I suppose that’s what he was. My boyfriend. My lover. My second half.

  “He is amazing.” I sighed.

  “This chocolate is amazing!” she exclaimed, grabbing another from the box.

  I laughed as I grabbed a white and dark chocolate one.

  “How long have you two been together?” she asked, taking a long sip from her coffee mug.

  “I don’t know. Three months, I think.”

  “He doesn’t waste time, does he?”

  “I guess not.”

  “I wonder how fast he moved with other women,” she mused, gazing out the window.

  My eyes widened, and I glared up at her.

  “Not that he would be like this with other women,” she said nervously.

  “Eh, I know he was no virgin before he met me. I wasn’t either.”

  “Enjoy him. Who knows? Maybe you’ll be Mrs. Press one day.”

  I smiled at the thought.

  Married to Declan. What an idea.

  Chapter 13

  “Hello?” I said into my phone.

  “What are you doing November sixteenth?” the baritone voice on the other end asked.

  “Um, I’m not sure. Why?”

  “The corporation hosts this charity costume gala every year. Come with me.”

  “Are you asking or ordering?” “Asking. Unless you refuse, then ordering,” he replied pleasantly.

  “Do I ever say no?”

  “Hmm, I don’t believe you do. When you finish with work, I’ll pick you up so we can find your costume.”

  “What sort of costume?” I hated costumes. I never enjoyed Halloween and thought it was ridiculous to spend so much money on something you would wear once and probably get to drunk to remember.

  “Victorian era garb.”

  “Fun.”

  I hung up and went back to work thinking about the infamous costume gala. It was always front pages of the tabloids, the local magazine, and newspapers. The law firm I worked for always bought tickets and donated loads of money and I had hoped for an invitation. Of course Mr. Williams was taking his ass-kissing intern and his sexretary. I was about twentieth on his list.

>   Now I was going. On the arm of the heir to the corporation.

  Ha! Take that, Williams! Score one for Sarah Evers!

  I managed to finish my to-do list for the day, which was nothing but going over contracts and terms for clients. I enjoyed my non-client days. It gave me time to daydream and not pay one hundred percent attention to my work. I tried to not stare at the clock for the last half hour. I couldn’t wait to go with Declan to get costumes for this thing.

  Outside a BMW i8 Spyder revved its engine. The passenger-side window slowly went down and I saw the gorgeous face of my love.

  “Do you own normal cars?”

  “I like my fancy cars.” He patted the side of it.

  I shook my head and got in. As I put on my seat belt, Mr. Williams walked out of the building. I winked and put the tinted window up. He stared, gawking at the car. Even he didn’t have one of those.

  Ha! Take that, you hardass.

  “Where are we going?”

  “There is a quaint little shop that always provides me with my costume.”

  “All right.” I kissed him on the cheek and sat back to enjoy the ride.

  We zoomed through the city and down the highway. Soon we were surrounded by trees and a sporadic house.

  “Where exactly is this shop?” We zipped past trees and far beyond anything I recognized.

  “Boston.” He laughed.

  “B-Boston? The city of Boston?”

  “Is there any other?”

  “That’s eight hours away from here.”

  “It’s a beautiful drive.” He pressed his foot on the clutch and shifted gears.

  I sat back and shook my head. “You are something else.”

  “It’ll be fun.”

  The journey to Boston didn’t last eight hours. I should have known it would be shorter considering Declan did eighty most of the way there. He turned the car into a parking space in a very quaint, old town. A shop with a beautiful old dress was right off to the side of us. Helping me out of the car, he led me inside. A small bell rang as the door hit into it. A plump, older woman emerged from the back with rosy red cheeks and a small nose.

  “Declan!” Her loud voice echoed off the walls of the shop.

  “Hello, Aunt Helen.”

  I looked up in surprise. Aunt Helen?

  “Who is this lovely, dove?” She smiled at me with a twinkle in her eye.

  “This is my girlfriend, Sarah. She’s going to the gala with me and needs an amazing gown.”

  I blushed and looked down at my shoes hearing him call me his girlfriend. He lifted my hand to his lips and kissed it lightly.

  “Well, my little one, our dear Declan must like you if he brought you here.”

  “Oh?”

  “I didn’t call her Aunt Helen for no reason.” He laughed. “Sarah Evers, meet my mother’s dear sister, Helen. Aunt Helen, this is Sarah Evers.”

  “It’s good to finally meet the girl who has had our little Declan in such a tizzy the past few months!”

  “I’ve had him in a tizzy?” I asked.

  She laughed again. “You most certainly have! Now let’s see if we can find you something amazing.”

  She led me through the shop, stopping at this dress and that dress. Looking at me, looking at a dress. She’d shake her head and continue along. At the back wall, she stopped in front of an elegant blue gown.

  “It’s not Victorian era, but most of those twits won’t know the difference.” She beamed, grabbing the gown.

  The bodice laced up the back and was a remarkable shade of royal blue with gold thread detailing about it. The skirt puffed out at the hips and was the same shade of blue. Instead of gold thread detailing, there were beautiful diamond-like stones sewn into swirling patterns.

  “What are those?” I ran my fingers over the sparkling gems.

  “Diamonds,” she replied with a glint in her eye.

  “Real diamonds?” I bit my lip and stared at the sparkling gems.

  “Of course!”

  “Don’t think about price.” Declan browsed around the masks.

  “I should.” I ran my hand over the delicate fabric.

  “I’m buying it,” he stated bluntly.

  “Declan . . .” I started.

  “Let the boy spoil you.” Aunt Helen winked.

  “What?”

  “He never spoils anyone. Ever.” She arched her eyebrows at me.

  “Oh,” I whispered.

  “How’s this mask?” he asked, gliding over with a black and red sparkling thing.

  I cringed and Helen shuddered.

  “What is wrong with you, boy? The gown is blue. Not black and red! No.” She snatched the mask out of his hand and put it back.

  She went to the display and picked up a royal blue porcelain mask. Gold was swirled about it and on the trim. Gold feathers protruded from one side and a beautiful gold ribbon was attached to the sides.

  “I suppose that matches better,” he mumbled, turning it over.

  “It’s beautiful.”

  “We’ll take it, Aunt Helen.”

  “Wonderful. I wrap them up for you.” She disappeared into the back.

  I was all smiles and excited until I noticed Declan didn’t have anything. “What about you?”

  “She’ll ship my costume out to me.”

  “You don’t pick it out?”

  “Never have. She has better taste in these things than I do. I trust Aunt Helen.”

  “Everything will be at your house in a few days.” She hugged Declan.

  I stood to the side and was surprised when she grabbed me and wrapped me in a tight hug. “Make an honest man of him.”

  “I’m trying,” I whispered to her.

  “Now that you are ready for the costume gala;, let’s get dinner!” She turned the open sign to closed and ushered us to an adorable restaurant a few blocks away.

  The three of us ate, drank wine, and laughed until Declan and I had to leave. We left in hugs and returned home in good spirits.

  I really hope the rest of his family is as wonderful as Helen, I thought to myself as I kissed him goodnight and headed up to my apartment.

  Bob sat near his food dish, glaring at me.

  “Oh stop, Bob. You’re not starving to death. Dinner is just a little late,” I told the pudgy cat as I warmed up his can of wet food.

  He twitched his tail at me in return.

  “You are an impossible cat.”

  Chapter 14

  The few weeks to the costume gala went by quickly. I woke up early the morning of and headed out to the salon. I had been doing research and had the perfect idea for a hairstyle.

  “What are you doing?” Declan asked on the other end of the phone.

  “Getting my hair done for tonight.”

  “Hmm, how?”

  “Up, curls. Lots of curls,” I replied, examining the beautiful job the hairdresser was doing.

  “I like curls,” Declan mused.

  “Good.” I laughed.

  “Your gown is hanging up in my room. If you get here before I get home, you can get ready.”

  “Where are you going?” I asked as the stylist twisted my hair around the curling wand.

  “I have a few errands to run. I should be done before you get here though.” He took a deep breath. “Are you ready to meet my family?”

  “How much of your family?” I asked.

  “All of it.”

  “I think so.”

  “Don’t be too nervous. Veronica is going as Liam’s date.”

  “She is?”

  “Yeah. So she’s meeting the family, too.”

  “Oh good,” I said in relief.

/>   “I’ll see you tonight, love.”

  My heart skipped a beat. “Okay.”

  Love? Does he love me? Oh my god.

  “Hello, Sarah,” Andrew said as he opened the door for me.

  “Hi, Andrew. Is Declan home yet?”

  “I’m afraid not, ma’am. But your costume is ready in his bedroom.”

  “Thank you.”

  “Would you like a snack or drink, ma’am?”

  “A drink? Is his family that bad?” My heart pounded against my chest.

  “I meant nonalcoholic, but honestly?”

  “Yes, please.” I grabbed the elder man’s hand.

  “His grandfather, grandmother, father, and brothers are wonderful.”

  “Oh good.” I sighed with relief.

  “His stepmother, on the other hand . . .” Andrew’s voice trailed off.

  “What?”

  “I shouldn’t speak ill of sir’s stepmother.”

  “Please tell me the truth,” I pleaded with the man.

  “To put it bluntly, ma’am, the woman is a vile bitch.”

  “Oh god.”

  “But the rest of his family will love you. You are the sweetest, most caring woman Declan has been with.” He wrapped me in a tight embrace.

  “Thank you, Andrew.” I hugged him back.

  “And you will look like a princess.” He smiled.

  “I’ve felt like one since I met Declan.”

  I left the butler and headed to Declan’s bedroom. The beautiful blue gown hung on his armoire and the satin blue shoes rested below it. I quickly undressed and took the gown off the hanger. It was so heavy. I slid it over my head and wiggled into it. I took a few steps back and stared at myself in the mirror. The sapphire necklace Declan bought for me as my first gift completed the outfit.