The Heart Series: Complete Boxed Set (28 page)

I gasped in amazement. “I’m on the London eye.”

He kissed my cheek softly, and his lips brushed up against my ear. “Happy birthday, baby.”

“How did you know?” I asked, turning around to fully face him. My eyes searched his in wonder of how he’d have guessed such a thing.

“I overheard you say to Elijah one time that you’d love to see the city at night and that this would be the ideal setting to share with someone special.”

He really was too perfect.

My fingers weaved into his hair, guiding his lips down onto mine. He softly moaned when our mouths finally connected. My eyes finally reopened only to notice the pod was filled with over a hundred candles. Tiny white fairy lights twinkled around us, I gasped in surprise at how wonderfully magical and romantic it all looked.

I turned back to look at Joel, who’s eyes questioned mine. He was looking for confirmation he had succeeded in giving me the best surprise ever.

“Joel,” I managed to croak out as tears filled my eyes. “Thank you for making my birthday so amazing. Just when I think it can’t get any better, you pull something like this out of the bag and take my breath away again.”

His eyes glazed over at my words. I knew how much effort would have gone into this kind of planning. His dedication in giving me a birthday to remember, to have this wonderful memory for always, was just so unbelievably amazing.

His thumb gently stroked over my lower lip, his face barely inches away from mine. “Can I take your breath away once more tonight?”

I looked at him in surprise. “There’s more?”

He pulled out a box from his trouser pocket, and I gasped, my knees almost buckled from underneath me.

Oh god, please tell me he didn’t.

He grabbed me and guided me into him before I ended up in a heap on the floor, noting the look of fear on my face.

“Iz, it’s okay, I’m not asking you to marry me —well not yet.”

I instantly relaxed.

As much as I loved Joel, I was only nineteen. I was not ready for that kind of commitment yet. We hadn’t been together that long and marriage was a big step.

He opened the box, and my eyes widened, revealing two rings nestled inside. They were beautiful white gold bands and the smaller one had three exquisite stones running through it.

“Iz, I love you with all my heart. Nothing will ever compare with what we have, and I will love only you till the day I take my final breath. I want us to wear these promise rings as a sign of our love and commitment to each other, until you’re ready, and I can replace it with a wedding ring. Will you wear my ring, Iz and promise to be mine?”

His sweet, loving words sent me into a spin. I looked deep into his eyes as tears streamed down my face. I had always been his from the first moment we met.

“Of course, I’d be honoured to wear your ring.”

A look of relief flashed over his face, and he visibly relaxed, letting out a loud sigh.

He lifted my hand gently slipping the ring onto my finger before I did the same for him. He guided my hand to his lips, gently placing a soft kiss onto the precious gold.

“Thank you, Iz, for agreeing to be mine.”

“Like that was ever an option. It’s only ever been you and always will be until the day I take my final breath too. I have loved you for so long, there will never be anyone else.” I snuggled into his chest, lightly kissing his neck. “I will love you forever, Joel.” I felt his arms tighten around me as we slowly began swaying to the music softly playing in the background.

When our song began to play, my head snapped up to look into his eyes. “Seriously, could you be any more perfect?”

“We’ve got to play our song. It was the one thing that kept me going when we were apart.” His face frowned slightly at being reminded of that dark time. The pain was evident in his eyes; I could barely handle looking into them.

I closed mine as the pain came flooding back. “I couldn’t listen to it. It just reminded me of happier times, when you would softly sing it to me each night. The thought alone of never hearing you sing it again broke my heart.”

His thumb swept across my cheek. My eyes fluttered open to reveal the tears I was so desperately trying to hold back. He placed a soft kiss on my lips, drawing me in tight to dance with him again. He sang the lyrics softly into my ear as we swayed together. We held each other so tight, only breaking apart to kiss. Our hearts and minds connecting, becoming one, momentarily lost in the magic. It was the perfect ending to an amazing day. My prince charming had certainly surpassed himself in giving me a birthday with a happily ever after.

Warm, gentle sunlight stirred me from my short and restless sleep. I yawned and stretched as my hand reached over to Joel only to find a cold, crumpled sheet where his warm, sexy body should have been. The aroma filtering through the flat told me he was in fact busy elsewhere making breakfast. I took advantage of the empty bed, star fishing out, straightening and stretching my stiff sore limbs.

God, I felt sore.

But every ache was well and truly worth it. A smile touched my lips on how I came to be in that condition.

The sparkle of white gold caught the light and it brought my attention back to the ring, now perched on my finger. I marvelled at how good it looked, knowing the meaning and significance of it all. It was the most precious gift I had ever been given. I knew with all my heart with each day that passed I would cherish it even more.

A light thud distracted me, and my head snapped up just in time to see the bedroom door slowly open, revealing a half naked Joel carrying a tray. He cursed as the coffee spilt over slightly, making me giggle.

He shot me a look, and his smile grew ever wider seeing me sat up in bed naked, apart from the sheet wrapped around me. “Morning, gorgeous, how did you sleep?” he asked, grinning at the last part.

Always such a tease.

We actually spent the majority of the night making up for lost time. After giving me several mind-blowing orgasms, I begged Joel for sleep after the clock hit three. He conceded to my pleas, though I’m pretty sure he would have willingly carried on for the rest of the night. No one could ever fault his stamina.

He placed the breakfast tray down beside me, smiling as he leaned over. I closed my eyes as his lips brushed up against mine, momentarily getting lost in the sweet, soft kiss. He broke away and his nose stroked along mine, stirring me from my daydream. I suddenly remembered he had in fact asked me a question.

My eyes fluttered open, looking into his amused ones. “I slept well, thanks, though I was practically exhausted from all the mind blowing sex.”

“Mind blowing?” He arched his eyebrows in surprise.

Who was he trying to kid?

I rolled my eyes in amusement. “You know you’re good, I don’t need to boost that ego anymore.” If I told him exactly how good he was, I highly doubt he’d get his overly inflated head through the door.

“Well, it’s good to know I’m keeping my girl satisfied. I like to tend to all your needs.” His soft lips grazed against my neck and a low moan left my lips as my fingers entwined in his hair.

“Well, I would say you definitely go the extra mile,” I breathed. His teasing was beginning to make me lose all control. How did he have the capacity to undo me within seconds?

He grinned against my neck, and my body shuddered with his touch. He gave me one last kiss before sitting back down. “Well then I’m doing a good job, you’ll make sure to let me know if my performance ever slips.” He winked in delight.

He knew that was never a possibility.

I wanted to bash him over the head with a pillow for his cockiness, but a large part of me was enjoying the playful morning banter.

I narrowed my eyes at the amused look spreading across his face, his eyes lit up with excitement. “There’s no fear of that happening,” I said, tapping his face lightly, his hand curled around my wrist, kissing my hand.

“I think we need to eat. I said I was going to tend to all your needs, so we need to make sure you have plenty of energy for what I have planned later.”

Oh my.

Now my curiosity had gone through the roof. I had to stop the huge devilish grin attempting to break out across my face. “Oh yeah, like what?” I asked straight faced, trying to keep the façade going a little longer.

He shook his head chuckling. “Nope, my lips are sealed, now eat.”

Dammit!

My eyes dropped down to the plate, and my appetite instantly resurfaced. “Well, you don’t have to tell me twice.” I began tucking into the bacon, scrambled egg and toast he had lovingly prepared. I groaned with pleasure, my body welcoming every morsel of food. Which wasn’t too much of a surprise, I was ravenous after all of last night’s activities.

I looked over at Joel as I sipped on my coffee. He made short work demolishing his own breakfast. My eyes locked onto his wild hair, smiling at the fact my fingers had left it in that state from my overzealous hair tugging. His body still had that sexy after glow of a night spent together indulging in each other.

It got me every time.

I felt my cheeks burn with all the steamy thoughts. I knew I’d never have my fill of him, my body craved him. Every moment spent together was never enough, it just barely suppressed my need, and every part of me constantly ached for him all the time.

His touch dragged me out of my thoughts. He lightly grabbed my hand as his thumb gently stroked against the ring. “Beautiful,” he whispered. “This is my favourite view, you naked in our bed, wearing just my ring.” He lifted my hand, placing a kiss against the white gold band.

I gasped lightly watching desire begin to grow in his eyes. Sensing my own need, he grabbed the tray placing it on the table. He quickly dispensed of his boxers, and I smiled watching them glide down to the floor.

My breath slowed down watching in anticipation when he slowly climbed his way back up the bed. The only thing separating our naked bodies was the thin cotton sheet. My hands instantly reached out to touch his gorgeous, hard chest, dragging my nails lightly down his skin. He groaned softly with the sensation, dropping down to kiss me. My legs desperately kicked the sheet free to wrap around his waist, pulling him in tighter against my body.

“I need you,” I panted, barely able to draw breath in between kisses.

“I love it when you take charge.” He moaned loudly when I started to stroke him, mumbling incoherently. His eyes rolled back, and his hips pushed himself further into my hand. I began picking up speed, hearing his breath hitch, and I smiled. I loved how much my touch affected him, I wanted to satisfy him the way he always did with me.

His breathing became more erratic with each stroke. I felt myself becoming more turned on at his present state of arousal. I frowned when his hand grabbed mine, stopping me mid-stroke. “Baby, please, if you carry on, this is going to be over far too soon. I want to be buried deep inside you when I come.”

Despite my reluctance to stop, I felt my own desires begin to grow. Turning his attention back to me only heightened them even more.

“I want that too.” My body reacted to his intense stare, his eyes burning into me while he rolled on the condom.

I was gone.

Becoming hypnotised by the desire in his eyes.

He crawled back over, and his lips once again connected with mine. His body pressed me down into the mattress, but this time I wanted to be in control. His eyes widened when I placed both palms against his chest and pushed against him, rolling him over so I was now on top straddling him. My hair tickled his face as I leaned over. I lifted his arms over his head, pinning him down.

“I love this feisty side to you, Iz.” He was panting hard, trying to maintain his control. I could tell he wanted to flip me over, to be back in charge again, but he was giving me this. He always got a thrill seeing my commanding side.

“Yeah?” I breathed, stroking my nose teasingly up and down his. His breathing slowed back down before I ground hard against his erection.

“Fuck me,” he yelled. I pressed against it even harder, slowly driving him stir crazy.

I dropped down, so my lips brushed up against his ear. “Don’t worry I intend to.” A large smile spread across my face hearing his breath hitch at my words.

Oh yeah. I was totally taking control.

* * *

“Do you think it will always be like this?” I asked Joel. My face was nuzzled against his chest, slowly rising up and down as his breathing gradually returned to normal. I sighed in contentment, feeling his fingers lightly trace up and down my spine.

“Yeah, I don’t think I could ever get enough of you, I’ll always want more.”

His words were enough to appease my doubt, I felt exactly the same. No one else could ever evoke that kind of reaction inside, he owned me completely.

“Thank you for the best birthday ever, Joel.” I pushed myself up onto my elbows, so I could place a sweet, soft kiss against his lips.

He lifted his hand to run his fingers along my cheekbone. “My pleasure, baby. I am making it my mission to spoil you and let you know how much I love you.” 

“You know I would have been happy with you naked with a bow tied around your neck, lying on our bed.” I giggled when he raised his eyebrows suggestively as his smile grew even wider.

“Oh, well now I know what to do for Christmas then.” He chuckled. I stroked my fingertip along his bottom lip, and he stopped my hand mid-stroke, tenderly pressing his lips against the gold band. “I can’t believe you’re wearing my ring.”

His face held a look of uncertainty like he still had moments of doubt I wasn’t truly his. How could I appease him anymore than I already had? But I knew it all stemmed back to the darkness he kept hidden inside.

I cupped his face, the sincerity burning in my eyes as I looked into his. “Always.”

He blinked, and I watched the uncertainty slowly fade away with just one word. Though in my heart I knew it would resurface again, like it always did.

“I have another surprise for you, but you need to take your ring off.”

I frowned, scrunching my eyebrows together in confusion. I never wanted it to leave my hand. Ever.

“I don’t want to.” I saw the hint of a smile at my reluctance.

“Just take it off for a minute, I have something to show you.” His hand hovered over mine, and I slipped the ring off begrudgingly, scowling at his amused face. “Don’t pout, you’ll love it.” He lifted us both up together, repositioning me so I was now sitting on his knee, with just the sheet pooled around us. He held the ring aloft, whispering for me to read the inscription inside.

My eyes focused, then instantly widened filling with tears at the beautiful words inscribed inside.

‘I carry your heart with me, always and forever, Joel x’

He slipped his ring off, showing me the same inscription engraved on the inside of his with my name. “See we match.”

I turned to look at him. “How do you know that’s my favourite poem?” I asked looking bewildered, my mind quickly recollecting if I’d ever mentioned it before.

He sighed lightly with a smile. “Iz, you have the poem framed by your bed. I’ve read it a million times while holding you. It’s burnt into my brain and when I read it, all I picture is your face. It seemed perfect to have it inscribed onto our rings.”

I smiled, closing my eyes as the lines from the beautiful poem by E.E. Cummings now danced through my head. I had discovered it looking through the poetry section in my usual favourite haunt, the library. The emotions I had felt devouring every single word, my heart suddenly felt so heavy. The words were so beautiful I was filled with such sadness. Would I ever find someone who would love me with so much intensity? Would their words hold so much conviction? I checked the book out, not satisfied with just reading once, with the need to devour each poem over and over again. It was that particular poem that stayed with me, the words touched me so deep. I wanted to memorise each and every line so it would remain with me forever.

I typed out the poem, hanging it on my notice board as a constant reminder. That even on the darkest of days, the words would give me hope that a love like that did truly exist.

On one particular birthday when I had turned fifteen, my mother presented me with a breath-taking, elegant silver frame with butterflies and flowers entwined through the metal. It was exquisite, but it was the contents inside that brought a tear to softly roll down my cheek. As my eyes took in every curl, every flick of each letter of the poem I held so dear to my heart. That had now been professionally scribed by a calligrapher, making the words appear even more beautiful, if that were possible. I’d asked my mother how she knew this was my favourite poem, and she told me she would always stop to read it, whenever she ventured into my room, and that words so beautiful deserved to be presented in a way that matched its beauty.

It was the most special gift I’d even been given until now. I sat staring at the inscription. “It’s perfect.” I choked back the tears as Joel placed the ring back on my finger, sealing it with another kiss.

“There, this doesn’t come off again.” He placed his own ring back on too, forging the special union bonding us together.

“Never,” I whispered, stroking the ring with my thumb.

It would never leave my finger. Ever.

* * *

The warm sunshine felt comforting against my face. I closed my eyes, leaning back against the bench, enjoying the feel of the rays against my skin. I flinched when I felt a cold sensation against my nose. I snapped my eyes open to find an amused Joel standing in front of me with two ice creams in hand.