GRIND

And that was something I needed to get used to: the lack of controlling things and being more free, for once. He taught me that.

It was torture waiting to see him again. I wanted to tell him how I felt. With the support of my mother and Claire, I could brace any media storm or frenzy, at least I would try my best even if I had the occasional breakdowns.

I wouldn’t let the judgments of others, not even my own father’s disapproval, keep me from love.

* * *

BRADLEY

* * *

There was one thing on my mind and that was seeing her. Now. I made sure her gown was delivered to her room. Regardless of how she felt, there was a gift I wanted to give her. So much I wanted to tell her, say to her, comfort her in the middle of this media storm.

As soon as I made my way into my presidential suite, a sealed envelope laid on the table for me.

* * *

A poem, for you. By me.

* * *

For you

The doorbell of her soul rang

Unknown music to far away places

Closer than her own heartbeat

In another plane

In another dimension

Soul ties untied for all time

To dive in the sea

To revel in his kiss

To seal the fate forever

With just one taste

With no hurried action

At just the right time

You’re mine

* * *

Dear Bradley,

* * *

I may not be the best with spoken words, even in this tumultuous time. But spending days away with you in the middle of the world, in the waters of the most magnificent seas, you set my soul to rest. It wasn’t the backdrop of luxury, it wasn’t the rich lobster and the finest of wine; it was you. You made me feel different. You made me believe in me. You made me believe in us and what could be if let my guard down and let go of what other people think.

You’re the perfect package and have always been. What you did in India showed shimmers of your character. It made me stand in awe of your radiant brilliance. I don’t know of a man of such great wealth, inheritance, and with your family’s last name on the line, who would have done what you did this week with that sweatshop.

I just know you’re the type of man I’d want to follow.

So, I’m ready, Bradley.

Let’s do this.

You have my hand.

You have my heart.

With you I experience so much adventure.

Jail.

A blizzard that kissed the sea.

The world knowing my name.

You make me brave. You make me want to live life courageously dangerous. I’m not perfect and don’t expect you to be, either.

But I was crazy about you before I even met you. The feelings I had for you were teenage hormones that blossomed and matured to what I know now as real love.

I just wanted you to know.

I’ll be by your side tonight.

I may be trembling and feel like running and hiding, but you make me want to be brave and face my fears.

* * *

KATE

* * *

I paced the grand ballroom like a nervous family member awaiting news in a hospital waiting room. Had he changed his mind about me? Was I too much? Too emotional? Too analytical? Too frail?

Finally, my phone buzzed. I nearly dropped it from my sweaty palms.

* * *

Bradley: Meet me in my suite, please. I’m here.

* * *

My heart billowed, pounding in my ears as the adrenaline of seeing him again spun down my body. Utter excitement even buzzed down into my tippy toes like electricity.

I felt like I was in a ball and leaving the boisterous scene to be with a forbidden lover. A tall bulky man dressed to the nines offered me his arm. “Miss Meadows, Bradley would like me to take you to his suite.”

My heart swelled so big I swear it would burst. I hope he had read my letter. I pinched my arm because I felt so happy; it almost felt like a sin.

It was torture waiting for the elevator to stop five times on the way all the way to the very top to the penthouse suite. My cheeks flushed, my nipples hardened, my panties dampened thinking about him. Thinking about us. Thinking about how he made meel in his arms just in a gentle caress.

I just wanted to run into his strong arms as soon as I would see him like a crazy school girl in love.

Finally the doors opened.

There was the man of the hour, spinning around on the heel of his thousand dollar shoes. He took my breath away in his tux. Crisp white button up shirts always looked so sexy against his tan skin and aqua eyes.

I hadn’t even realized I took a step out of the elevator; I felt like I was floating to him in a dream. It was that much of an out of body experience. I didn’t know if I’d ever get used to this.

It was him!

Bradley Rainshaw, Jr.

“You came.”

“Of course I did.”

His lips crashed into mine and I melted into his arms.

“What you did for those children, I…” It was all I could think to say first.

“Shhh…we’ll talk about that later.” His lips trailed down my collarbone.

“Off. Take this off now.”

“You don’t have to ask me twice.”

Thirty minutes later, lying in a suite I never thought I’d ever be in, lying next to him in the city of love, we were two beings in love.

There was no doubting this connection.

“I have something for you.”

I watched him in the grand, gold baroque mirror as he draped the most beautiful diamond necklace over my naked body. I felt so admired, special, cherished.

“You are a woman to be admired, loved, adored, and adorned.”

His warm husky voice sent chills down my neck. My hands rested over the necklace that now rested over my cleavage. It was a yellow diamond.

“For my yellow rose of Texas.”

My breath was caught. I’d never been in possession of such jewelry in my life. Sure my mother had, but I never even bothered wearing her gigantic d

iamond once.

My jaw dropped and I couldn’t stop staring at the sight.

“You look so ravishing, I could eat you.”

“I’d like that.”

Later, and two panty changes after, my cheeks were flushed from the third orgasm he gave me, as he was a man of his word. I’d have to show him my thank you later tonight, in bed.

As he led me down the hallway to the elevators and to the grand entryway where my mom and Claire stood dressed to the nines, he asked me. “Are you ready for them all to talk?”

“You can talk about me behind my back, but at least you’re talking.” I winked at the TVnetwork cameras in the corner of the room. My mom gave me a thumbs up and her face was as bright as the sun. No, I wasn’t sure if I was going to sign up for the show or not, but at least we had these moments of footage captured for us. And for that I was grateful to be with my family.

To be with him.

My life had taken a complete 180 so fast and it felt good.

It felt good to be with my mom again. It felt good to be with my sister.

And it felt good to be with him.

Him.

“Come on, babe. I can’t wait for the world to see you by my side.”

World, here we come.

Me.

And him.

Finally.