Choosing to come to Atlanta was the right decision. I knew Amelia would start to have doubts with the distance between us and the time spent apart. I haven’t been in her life again long enough for her to trust that this isn’t going away. She thinks I don’t know her well enough, but the girl is an open book. Good thing she happens to be my preferred genre. The minute I stepped into her room last night, the doubt fled her eyes, and more of those walls came down.
Amelia was up early to take care of her business for the day, even though she worried I would get bored. I assured her I had plenty to do, but she was still hesitant. Only once she was reminded she needed to finish up everyone’s schedules before she leaves for New Zealand was she able to leave the room. Pulling out my phone again, I check my emails. I also have a text from York. Katie didn’t believe it when I told her I was leaving to go to Atlanta early and would only do business by email. She was even more shocked when I told her I would be on vacation the week after, out of the country with my girlfriend. York, on the other hand, continues to send me mild threats about treating his baby sister right. I don’t like it, but I will tolerate it because it’s York…but only for now.
York deserves to give me a hard time, who I did not need in my face last night when I got here was Beckett and Riggs.
“You actually showed up again.”
I turned in the lobby, away from the elevator and caught Beckett watching me, leaning against the wall, baseball hat pulled low over his face. Obviously, he was hiding his identity so he wasn’t waiting for me, but he took the time to stop me. My brow lifted, and I let a smirk tug at my lips while I shrugged.
“Amelia is here.”
Beckett’s face shut down and he took a few steps closer to me. “You sure stayed away from her just fine for years.”
“Things were different when we were kids. We’re adults now and we worked through all that drama.”
“Mia is an adult all right.” He grinned and made a dick move of adjusting himself. “We spent many days and nights piecing her back together, being there for her, loving her.”
My shoulders rolled back, prepared for his accusations and his hatred toward me. To Amelia, they were her family. I didn’t like it, but I wouldn’t hurt him because it would hurt her. But I also wouldn’t let him talk about her like that when she wasn’t around.
“I think if you really love her, you wouldn’t be talking about her private moments in a hotel lobby just to prove a point.” I practically growled at him, stepping into the space between us. “She loves you both. That isn’t a problem for me until you make it a problem for her. She’s mine now. Forever.”
Beckett’s eyes flared right as his fist clenched. Two things were certain at that moment, one, Beckett just realized that this was more than a fling to Amelia and me. Two, he would have punched me if Spyder hadn’t rounded the corner and laid his hand on his best friend’s shoulder.
“He’s right, man,” Riggs told him, “Let it go before you hurt her.”
The elevator doors dinged and I stepped in, needing to get to my girl and feel her in my arms. I kept my gaze trained on Riggs and Beckett until the doors closed. I didn’t miss the shocked look of loss on Beckett’s face, though.
Amelia had told me she told them, but clearly, it didn’t go as well as she made it seem. I didn’t tell Amelia about the confrontation, and I wouldn’t. It was her decision to handle her relationship with them how she wanted. I would never make her choose, and if they did, they would lose her. In the past, I gave Amelia plenty of reasons to doubt me. I can’t do that again.
In the next few hours, I’m able to set up all our plans for the evening, after I manage to check Amelia’s schedule with the infamous Tabbi. Once she hears who’s calling, I can tell I must be equally known to her, but she reassures me that Amelia does not have plans tonight. She does have interviews over the weekend though, before her flight leaves early Monday morning. I hang up with Tabbi and start to get ready before Amelia comes back.
At five-o-clock, she finally makes it back to the room. I take in her knee-length, white dress and watch as she kicks her heels off at the door. It’s not until she turns toward me, do I see the red splotches on her cheeks.
“Babe–”
“Did he really stop you at the elevator last night?” she asks calmly, but her body is shaking.
I step toward her and reach out my hands to touch her shoulders. “He didn’t stop me. It was a chance encounter.”
Her body relaxes somewhat, but I can still see the conflict all over her face. “I’m sorry if he said things–”
“Don’t apologize for him. He knew what he was saying. He wanted to hurt me, not you, that isn’t on you. Nothing happened. I left and so did he.” I pull her gently against my body, and she comes willingly. Her arms wrapping around my waist, her head burrowing in my dress shirt.
I rub my hands over her back until she’s breathing normally again and relaxed. “We’re going to be late.”
She pulls back and her eyes roam over my body. “What are you wearing?”
I smile. “You don’t like it?”
“I was hoping you would be here naked and waiting for me.” She shrugs, and I laugh.
“You’re funny, Amelia.”
“I try.” She smirks, and it’s stupidly adorable and impish. “But seriously, why are you in a tux.”
“We have plans,” I respond, giving her ass a smack before squeezing to pull her flush against me again.
“Oww!” She laughs. “What was that for?”
“To hurry and get ready before we’re late.” I lean down and do what I’ve been waiting for since she left this morning. I kiss her. Taste her, until everything feels right in my world again.
“Do we have to leave?” Her eyes deepen. “I’m still on board for getting naked.”
“Go.” I push her toward the bathroom, laughing at the lip she’s giving me.
“What are we doing, though? I don’t have anything that is as fancy as what you have on.”
“Everything you need is in there, plus Tabbi sent someone to do your hair, and they’ll be here soon,” I tell her, while sliding on my watch.
Amelia’s mouth drops. “You, you talked to Tabbi?”
“Of course, baby,” I wink at her, “she’s excited to meet me when I come home with you.”
“You’re coming home with me?”
A knock at the door interrupts us. “Get going, Amelia.”
Not needing another reminder, with someone outside the room, she ducks into the bathroom. Two seconds later, the shower turns on. I open the door and find a man and woman wearing identical purple shirts with sparkling letters that say, Beauty, Mona’s Way, on them.
“Mr. Knight?” The woman speaks and holds her hand out for me. I shake her hand.
“Thanks for doing this.”
“No problem. I’m Jessa,” she replies.
“Sam.” The man holds out his hand, and I shake his as well.
“She just jumped in the shower. She’ll be at least half an hour,” I shrug and they laugh, “can I get you something to drink or eat while we wait?”
I let them order whatever they want, while they set up and prepare. Sure enough, Amelia emerges thirty minutes later, her hair dried and wearing a hotel robe. My eyes rake over her, and I check a glance at Sam, who is respectfully keeping his gaze off her body. Jessa ushers Amelia over to the chair, and she starts on her makeup, while Sam works his magic with a trendy updo. His words, not mine. She looks beautiful to me when her hair is messy and piled on top of her head. He has it curled and pushed to the side with pins that have fake diamonds on the tips. I will admit, he knows what he’s doing, though. It looks as if she’s wearing a crown, like the queen she is.
When they’re done with Amelia, she runs to the bedroom to get dressed while I pay. Jessa and Sam leave, and I take their card, promising we would call them if we’re ever in the area and need their expertise again.
I glance at my watch, noting that the car will be here in fifteen minutes, “Ame–”
“Ready!” She steps out of the room, and this time, I’m speechless.
The material of the dress is a deep shade of gray that’s almost black, with sheer sides and flecks of glitter throughout. Not enough that it’s annoying, just a shimmer when the light hits right. Even at knee-length, her legs look impossibly long, probably because of the black heels with the straps. My eyes wander up to the spaghetti straps holding the dress together and showing off more of her soft, creamy skin.
Amelia’s bottom lip is caught between her teeth while she watches me looking at her. In two strides, I have her in front of me, her head tilting back. My hand cradles her head and my thumb pries her lip from her teeth. I run my finger over the glossy red lipstick lightly.
“Maybe we should stay here instead.”
Her eyes widen. “What?”
“You’re too beautiful to take anywhere, baby. All night, all I’m going to be thinking of is ways to get you back here and naked.” I feel her body relax at my words, and I groan before touching my lips lightly to hers. Not enough to ruin her lipstick completely, but enough to leave a mark on me, and make damn sure, other men know who she’s with. This event was a bad idea. I’m going to be busier deflecting attempts of men trying to flirt with her than actually paying attention to the charity.
“Too bad now,” she giggles, “I wanted to stay naked two hours ago. Now I’m dressed and look like this, so you’re taking me out.”
“We’ll just go for an hour then we can come back,” I reason, giving her shoulder a small bite. She jumps and hits my chest playfully.
“Where are we even going?”
I take her hand and lead her out of the hotel room. If we stay there any longer, we’ll never leave. “Remember when you told me about how your parents would get all dressed up and go to the Mayberry?”
She nods her head, a serene smile on her lips. “Yes. I always thought my mom looked like a princess when she and my dad went to the Mayberry. We came and stayed with my grandpa.”
The Mayberry is the largest, and often most profitable, charity event of the year. It is also the one I trust most that actually makes a difference. The fun thing about the Mayberry is that every year, it changes locations all over the country, and the location is kept secret until a few months before.
“It’s in Atlanta this year.” I lean down to tell her and watch as a smile spreads across her face.
“Is that where we’re going?”
We step out of the elevators and walk out the doors, where a white Town car is waiting for us. “You’re all mine tonight.” Amelia screams and claps her hands, practically doing a little dance on the sidewalk. I usher her in before sliding next to her.
The car takes us out of the city, and I watch her smile get bigger the closer we get to the gardens, where the event is being held at a conservatory.
“Am I going to know a lot of people here?” Amelia asks, her ocean eyes glancing from me to the crowd walking in.
I shrug. “There might be some people you’ve crossed paths with in your business dealings.”
She chews her bottom lip, looking around nervously, and I feel the tension rolling off of her. “I mean people from like high school?”
I immediately hate thinking she is second-guessing being here tonight with me because we might run into someone from high school. Those people don’t matter, and I could give a fuck less about. “Maybe a few. Who cares, though?”
Amelia’s eyes slice to mine. “I care. We didn’t exactly have the same high-school experiences, remember? The school followed your rules, and I was bullied. Now I’m here tonight as your date, I’m sure that looks real great.”
Anger burns in my blood that she only referred to herself as my date and that, again, she doesn’t want to be seen with me. With all the traveling back and forth and secluding ourselves in hotel rooms, we haven’t made any public appearances together. This is the first, and suddenly, I wish the paparazzi and news coverage would be here.
“Amelia, high school was forever ago. And, really, fuck what any of them might think. They were sheep, followers. You came out on top. You have your own business and you are making waves in the music world. If anything, people are going to think it’s me who is lucky to be here with you,” I tell her, holding her chin between my fingers before giving her another kiss, this time letting my anger seep in. When I pull back, her mouth is red and it’s not just from her lipstick. “Got it?”
She nods wordlessly, her expression dazed. I take her hand in mine, entwining our fingers, and lead her to the front doors. I want everyone to see her this way: beautiful, loved and mine. Love. Shit, I haven’t used that word in so long. I don’t think I’ve ever truly meant it until now. Looking at her, getting to know the woman she is, remembering the girl of my childhood, it makes me feel possessive, protective, and proud. It’s effortless to love her. Telling her now would be too soon. She wouldn’t believe me. When I do say the words, I want there to be no doubt in her mind that they are anything but the truth.
We move through the crowd and stop to look at the table of things being auctioned tonight.
“Did you donate?” Amelia asks, her head slightly tilted while she reads over some of the cards.
“A new surfboard and lessons,” I shrug and look for my donation card number.
Amelia’s jaw drops open. “In addition to a trip for two to Hawaii, including flights and hotel.”
I laugh at her shocked expression. “It’s for a good cause.”
I can feel her gaze on the side of my face. When I look at her, I can see the warmth, caring, and awe in her eyes. She’s looking at me like I hung the moon. My gift is hardly the most extravagant. Amelia leans up on her tiptoes and kisses me, pulling back before I can get my hands on her.
“Zander?” A masculine voice says from slightly behind us. I turn and bring Amelia into my side. Instantly, I recognize Morgan Ryan. He played baseball with York and me in high school, a grade younger than us. Now, I knew he was a stock market mogul in New York, making millions for the rich.
“Morgan,” I nod at him and turn toward him. Amelia stiffens next to me, my hand instinctively holding her side tighter.
“How’s it going, man?” Morgan grins and shakes my hand, “it’s been a while.”
It has been a while, almost ten years. We parted ways after my senior year, and we haven’t spoken since. Knight Industries does not cross paths with the company he works for.
“It has,” I agree, keeping my voice calm. I see his eyes trail over to Amelia, and they light up in appreciation. “Baby, you remember Morgan? Morgan, this is my girlfriend, Amelia.” I feel her eyes on me with the term, her mouth clamming together.
“Would she remember me, did you go to Magnolia Hills? What’s your name again?” Morgan’s grin grows wider, and I can tell he’s wondering if they ever hooked up.
“Amelia Allister,” I announce for her, and I watch the look on his face go from shocked to intrigued to acknowledging how beautiful she is.
“And you’re dating this guy?” Morgan laughs. “He used to threaten us away from you.”
Amelia’s face heats and tears line her eyes. I grip her tight to my side and kiss the top of her head. “Had to stake my claim, somehow.” I shrug, and Morgan’s eyes widen before he busts out laughing.
“Touché man. Well, I guess I can see why. You’re a knockout, Ms. Allister.” He shakes his head with a smile.
Amelia starts to relax at his words. She side-eyes me after my comments. This is a huge step for us. I’m taking responsibility for what I did in our past and spinning it, so nothing hurts her. It doesn’t matter if my intentions back then were different. I won’t let those mistakes hurt her now.
“Thank you.” She smiles politely at Morgan.
“All right, stop flirting with my girl.” I start to pull her away with a smile on my face. “Nice to see you again, Morgan.”
He laughs and we shake hands again. “You, too, Zander. Have fun tonight you two.”
Amelia waves politely, and I drag her away to the bar.
“See,” I whisper in her ear when we’re alone, “that wasn’t bad, was it?”
“You lied.” She shrugs, her ocean eyes staring right into my soul.
My eyes hold hers, and there are a million things I want to say, reasons to give. “It’s true now.”
“You called me your girlfriend. I never agreed to that.” She folds her arms and straight-up glares. I glance at the bartender, who raises his brow, even while pretending he isn’t listening. I grab her arm and pull her closer.
“You did agree to date me and to let me chase you. You also agreed to being mine and that’s what this means. Girlfriend is such an unequivocal term for the way I feel about you. To me, you are my girlfriend, but you’re also my future.” I let the gravity of my words settle over her until her arms hang loose and she’s looking at me again, without shadows of the past in her eyes. It’s going to be a constant battle forward to demolish them for good.
Amelia loops her arm around my waist and lays her head against my chest. I’m hit again with how right this is. We grab drinks and continue to walk around the room. We meet a few more people from high school and go through the same introductions. Each time, Amelia becomes less and less afraid of the situation. We eat, we dance, and Amelia surprises me by taking part in the auction and bidding on a ski trip in Connecticut.
“Might be fun over the holidays.” She shrugs and winks.
At least maybe she’s planning to be in the United States for the holiday season, hopefully with me. Visions of Amelia and me decorating my place and buying a tree occupy my mind the rest of the night. The future I want is within reach. I just need to get Amelia onboard. Good thing we have plenty of time.
