Vengeful Love: Black Diamonds (10 page)

I move my hand between us and cup his solid package over his chinos. “No. That would be very
un
thoughtful.”

He breathes heavily into my mouth as I hear Jack Johnson’s “Bubble Toes” strike up in the main room of the jet. He pushes my dress to the floor, his eyes black and wild with hunger. Then he lifts my thighs to his hips and lays me back on the single bed—arse, back, head. I lick my lips with desire as he unbuttons his belt and chinos and slips out of his loafers. He crawls between my legs and pulls the curtain closed across the bed, feigning privacy. There’s something about him wearing his clothes, something about the fact that our best friends are just feet away from our frivolity, and there’s
definitely
something about entering the Mile High Club on my boyfriend’s jet.

Chapter Eleven

Standing in the French doors of the balcony to Sandy’s five-star suite, the warm afternoon Caribbean breeze kisses the skin where my deep purple dress exposes my shoulders.

Pulling my stylist-perfected ringlets across one shoulder, I look over the white sand of the beach in front of the hotel. Gregory surprised me but almost floored Sandy and Jackson by hiring the entire resort for the thirty guest wedding.

The resort’s private beach has been transformed into a picturesque wedding setting. Lara, of course, had to step in to make sure everything was just-so and I have to hand it to Gregory’s mother, the scene is perfect, serene. From the four-post altar, strewn with white chiffon and decorated in all shades of white, purple and violet flowers, to the pillar bouquets lining the walkway. From the wooden chairs adorned with white satin cushions, to the woven beige flooring that creates an aisle. I have to look away before I cry,
again
.

The door to the master bedroom opens and a nervous looking Sandy makes her way into the lounge, her shoulder-length black hair pinned part up at the back with white flowers and her makeup professionally complete.

“Are you ready for your dress, Mrs. Jackson-to-be?”

She nods twice, quickly, and inhales sharply. I take hold of her hands. “Sandy, this is you and Jackson. Forget everybody else.”

She nods again, so nervous and apprehensive I want to pick her up and cradle her, stroke her hair the way she would for me as a child and tell her that everything is going to be just fine. “Let’s get that dress on.”

“I’m here, I’m here.” Amanda shuffles in a dress identical to mine but for hers being strapless and mine having thin straps that cross behind my back and meet the dress mid-way down my spine.

She hangs the wedding dress on a doorframe and unzips the bag, revealing Sandy’s fifties-style, three-quarter-length ivory dress. Amanda unbuttons the back of the dress and we lift the material carefully over Sandy’s up-reached arms. Once she’s fastened in with no make up on the dress and her hair still in place, I help her into a lace shrug.

“One more thing.” I take a royal blue velvet box from the dressing table drawer. “Go ahead, open it.”

Tentatively, she peels back the lid to reveal a thin platinum chain with a small diamond drop and the matching earrings.

“They’re actually your something borrowed. They’re on loan. For now.” I turn her away from me to face a floor-length mirror and fasten the necklace around her soft mocha skin. “Then they’ll be a gift. A thank you for letting me do you the honour of giving you away. But I’ll buy them when we get home. I don’t think that’s cheating, do you?”

Her eyes glaze. “You really did grow into a wonderful woman.”

“That’s because of my stand-in mum.” I wrap my arms tightly around her waist and press my cheek against hers.

“Oh, Jesus, the pregnant lady can’t cope with this.” Amanda wafts a tissue in the air theatrically. “I’m going to head down and give you two a few minutes together. You’re going to knock him dead, Sandy, you’re stunning.” She pecks Sandy on the cheek and gives her a quick squeeze at the shoulders. “And you look a million dollars,” she says, when she pulls the same move on me. “I’ll see you out there.”

“I’m glad we have a moment alone,” Sandy says when the door shuts behind Amanda. “I want to tell you that I’m incredibly proud of you, young lady, for everything you are, and I’m glad you and Gregory have worked things out. He makes you happy, that’s plain to see, and let me tell you, that man adores every bone in your body, like you deserve.”

“Sandy—”

“Let me finish. I’ve watched you grow up to be a beautiful, clever, wonderful woman and I’m pleased now that we both have someone new to share things with and look forward to a new chapter with. Seeing you happy has been my goal for more than twenty years and I’m ready to let someone who deserves you take over that job. And you need to do the same for me, do you hear? I have Geoffrey to worry about me now. You need to have your own life and stop worrying about other people.”

“Sandy—”

She holds up a finger. “A-ah, I’m not done. I know why you want to give me the money from your father’s house. It’s because you’re worried about what I’ll do next. But look outside, Scarlett, I’m going to be
just
fine. And, I have a little news.”

I raise my brows.

“Geoffrey and me, we’ve decided we’re going to try to adopt a baby.”

“What? Sandy, that’s, oh my gosh, that’s wonderful news.” I forget her hair, make up and dress, and throw my arms around her.

She giggles, a hearty, chest wobbling, Sandy giggle. “You’ve always worried that I missed out. Well, I’ve never thought that. But Geoffrey and I would like to share a little someone together and we know we’re far from spring chickens.”

“You’re only in your early forties, Sandy.”

“Yes, well, we think we could make a little boy or girl a good home.”

My damn eyes fill again and threaten to stream mascara down my already hot cheeks. “Me, too. I’m not sure this day could get any better.”

“We’ll see,” she says, wet-eyed, holding my face in her palms.

I add the finishing touch to Sandy’s outfit—white, crystal decorated, low-heeled Mary-Janes—whilst she pops in her something-borrowed earrings.

“Ready?” I ask.

“Let’s do it!”

“You look incredible.” It’s true. In fact she’s never looked more beautiful.

We link our arms, each of us holding a lilac bouquet. The staff at the hotel have formed two lines and clap as we step out onto the wooden path across the white sand to the aisle. A string quartet begins to play behind the small gathering of guests, now standing in rows, fifteen on each side of the aisle, enough to shield the groom and his best man from sight.

I squeeze Sandy’s hand as we begin our entrance. We walk behind one half of the guests and pause before turning left onto the aisle. Then we take the final steps towards Sandy’s new life.

The quartet grows louder and for the first time today, I see the man I love. Gregory turns in his pale grey suit and white shirt, open two buttons at the top. A silk pocket handkerchief matching the colour of my dress rests in his blazer. His dark hair is slicked back and he stands with his hands held together behind him.

Jackson keeps his eyes on the female registrar, not looking at his bride until she arrives by his side. I hug Sandy, take her bouquet and move to where I can enjoy the view of her, ecstatically happy. Gregory shakes Jackson’s hand, kisses Sandy on her cheek, and moves to a position opposite mine by Jackson’s side.

The ceremony is beautiful. More than once I look out over the glistening sea and think there’s nowhere else I’d rather be. Definitely more than once, my eyes are drawn to the most mesmerising man I’ve ever known. And whilst I try to keep it at bay, more than once I wonder how happy my father would be to witness Sandy in love, getting married and about to bring up a child of her own. I glance up to see one thin floating cloud in the sky.

He’s watching.

* * *

Dinner is served alfresco on the hotel veranda with all guests seated in a square, Sandy and Jackson central and blissfully happy. The whole event is luxurious—exquisite seafood, fine champagne, wonderful music—yet, all very intimate and charming, all very much Sandy and Jackson.

Lara looks wonderful in a soft-pink, floor-length dress, decorated with subtle pearl drops around the hem, the inch-thick straps and the neckline. She’s gone matchy-matchy with Gregory’s stepfather, Lawrence, teaming his cream linen suit with a pink shirt that actually kind of works.

We return to the table for speeches and toasts. I smile happily at Jackson’s rare public display of affection for Sandy, and through Gregory’s easy mannered speech for his bodyguard, personal trainer and close friend. Even Amanda rolls her eyes because I catch her smiling and laughing in all the right places as Gregory speaks.

He’ll win you over, Amanda Darling, just you wait and see.

There’s a break after the speeches to give the evening entertainment a chance to set up. The string quartet strikes up again as the guests spread out around white rattan furniture, which Lara has had draped with purple fabric.

“Could I interest you in a stroll, Mademoiselle?” Gregory asks, the French twist on his words masking his South African accent as he holds out his hand.

He takes my fingertips and raises my knuckles to his lips. He’s discarded his blazer and now looks outstanding in just grey trousers, resting invitingly on his hips and across his pert arse. His white shirt is now unbuttoned by three. The heady mix of champagne, sun and raging hormones makes me think of where else I’d prefer to be with this man than in public. Where else I’d like to feel those lips.

I brush off my desirous, wanton thoughts. “Oui, Monsieur.”

We stroll barefoot and hand in hand along a deserted section of the beach until the sound of music is replaced with only the gentle swooshing of waves and synthetic lights are replaced by the late setting sun. For once, there’s no work, no crazed biological father drama, no Alzheimer’s, no probate issues or trying to sell my childhood home, it’s just us and the vastness of the Caribbean Sea. A light wind causes my hair to tickle my bare back and a contented shiver kisses my body.

I halt our walk and turn to face Gregory. “In case I forget to tell you, this whole thing is wonderful. I mean, what you’ve done for Sandy and Jackson, flying everyone out here, paying for the wedding, you’re amazing.”

He takes my hands to the small of his back, pulling me to him. “It’s not just for them, baby. I know how much you wanted Sandy to have the wedding she dreamed of.”

He brushes my hair from my cheek and I lean into his palm as he speaks. “You’ve saved my life, in more ways than one. I feel reborn with you. Like I get a second chance to live and have everything I want.” He pecks my nose. “Need. I want you to have everything you want, too.”

“I already have everything.”

“If there’s ever anything that you want or need, just tell me. I mean, do you even want to work? You don’t need to and I would never think any less of you. I could have you as my plaything at home.”

“And let them call me your gold-digging girlfriend in the next
Times Rich List
?”

He doesn’t laugh.

“I enjoy my job, Gregory. Being a lawyer is part of me and it’s part of the person you fell in love with. I want her to stick around for you.”

“I had a feeling you’d say that,” he says with a mischievous grin.

“Why are you looking like that?” I pout, playfully raising one brow.

“I have two questions to ask you.”

My heart flutters in my chest. “Go on.”

“Well, we make a good team you and me. And I don’t give your firm legal work, not really, I give
you
legal work.”

My heart rate returns to normal and I internally curse.
Of course he wasn’t going to ask you
that.

“Are you listening?”

“Mmm, yes, of course. We make a good team.”

“Well, I was thinking, why don’t you move in-house? Come and work for me at GJR, as my head legal advisor?”

“Work for you?”

“Ja.” He laughs nervously, his eyes searching for an answer.

I step back and nibble my bottom lip, turning slowly on the spot, the hem of my dress floating up from my thighs. “That could be trouble.”

He looks to the sea across my shoulder and it’s his turn to bite his bottom lip as his hands move to his trouser pockets. “Ja.”

I stand still, hypnotised by his uncommon vulnerability. “That would mean you’d have to start listening to me.”

“I can do that.” He looks up from his feet and releases his lip from his teeth.

“And I’d need benefits. Good benefits. Financial and...”

“And?”

I blush, running my tongue across my lip. “And good physical benefits.”

His nerves are replaced with his exquisite half smile. “That can be arranged.”

I waft a hand flippantly through the air. “Oh, what the hell, Neil hates me anyway.”

“So you’ll do it?”

I pause for a second, then laugh. “Yes. I’ll do it.”

“She’ll do it!” He picks me up under my arms and turns me in a fast full circle then sets me back down in front of him.

“Gregory, you don’t owe me anything, please remember that.”

“God, you’re amazing.” He takes a deep breath in then kisses me. My body instantly yields, instinctively curving into his. I wrap my fingers around his neck and pull him towards me.

“Wait, wait.” He removes my hands and places them by my sides. “My second question.”

Panting, bereft and confused, I shrug. “Oh, yes, what was the second question?”

His chest expands beneath his white shirt. Then he exhales, a long, tense breath out, and reaches his warm palm to my cheek. “It amazes me every day that you know everything about me. You know my worst. And you’re still here.”

I feel my eyes widen. My lungs slowly empty.

“You’re the most beautiful, brave and true woman I’ve ever met. More than that, you’re the best person I know.”

My stomach flips.

“You were wrong when you told me I couldn’t see what was standing right in front of me. I’ve always known. I knew from the second I first laid eyes on you in my boardroom.” He sighs on his exhale. “But I was afraid. Afraid of what I could feel, what that would mean, and afraid to believe that you could love me.”

He lowers his hand from my cheek but his big brown gems wrap around my soul, making my heart rate soar.

“All my life, I’ve searched for a reason why I’m still here. A purpose. After everything I’ve put you through, by some miracle, you’re still standing in front of me, utterly spellbinding. I know, in this moment, that
you
are the reason I exist, Scarlett Heath.”

Tears cast a haze across my eyes that I will to disperse so I can see him clearly.

“
You
are my reason. My angel. My everything. I’d like you to let me show you that for the rest of our lives and after.”

A silent tear trails my cheek. “That’s quite a speech, Mr. Ryans.”