A Window to Love (Windows) (Volume 1) (17 page)

Evan…

I WAS FINALLY able to break away
from my parents' friends to look for Melissa. Walking into the foyer, I heard
my younger sister Jennie. “Oh there you are Duke,” she said throwing her arms
around me hugging me tightly. “I heard you brought a woman to the party. I'm
impressed. That’s a first. She must be very special,” she pulled away, elbowing
me in the ribs.

I laughed and kissed her on the cheek. “Definitely.” Looking
up, I could see my gorgeous woman and nodded in her direction, “That's her over
there.”

“Lissa?” With a shocked look on Jennie's face, she started
laughing. “I can't believe you are dating Lissa.”

“Melissa. Her name is Melissa Bennette.”

“Maybe that's the name she goes by now, but she used to go
by Lissa, as in 'the good girl.' Ring any bells? Mom and dad were friends with
her parents. They always wanted you two to meet.” My sister started laughing
again. “Hmmmm, ‘The Duke' and 'The Good Girl.’ Wow!” My sister finally stopped
laughing when she looked at the expression on my face. “Wow! You really like
her, don’t you?”

“No...” I said as my chest tightened and confessed, “I love
her.” I paused, looking at my beautiful Melissa and continued, “She supports
me, lets me be me. And she gives her love freely which is something I'm not
used to. She also lets me be in control.” I smiled as I see Melissa look my
direction briefly and added, “She wants nothing from me.”

“She doesn't need anything from you.”

“I know, but she needs and wants my love and I'm willing to
give it to her. I’m going to marry her.” My sister looked at me stunned, but
suddenly I’m too busy looking at Melissa whose expression turned to shock as I
watched my parents embrace her.

Melissa…

“WHO ARE YOU here with dear?” Evan’s
mom Layla asked as she hugged me tighter. “It’s so good to see you. I think of
you often.”

“Evan brought me.” I answered in a voice just above a
whisper as Evan's dad Alex gathered me into his arms.

“What? Our Duke? I mean Evan. You are the woman he’s been
talking about?” Alex said pulling back looking at me with a questioning look on
his face.

“Oui. I mean yes.” I was suddenly nervous with people I've
known for years. I felt as if I was meeting them for the first time and I was
hesitant to speak about Evan, I wasn't sure what he had told them about us.

“Isn’t this ironic, we wanted to set you two up for years,
and you get together on your own. You're parents would be shocked and
thrilled.” Evan’s mother remarked, shaking her head and laughing softly.

I swallowed hard at the mention of my parents. “I vaguely
remember that. That was a long time ago.” Before Duke became Evan, I thought to
myself.

“I still can't believe it,” Alex remarked rubbing his chin
and then asked, “How did you two meet?”

“I work for an ad agency. Evan has been doing campaigns for
them. We've been around each other at various shoots.”

“So you've been building a friendship that blossomed?” Layla
inquired.

“No...” was the only word that escaped my lips. I was about
to answer her question when we were interrupted by guests arriving, wanting to
say hello. Evan’s older sister Sylvie stepped in to greet me at about the same
time.

She gave me a big hug. “It’s been too long. You look great,
Lissa.” I told her the same. It was so good to see her even though it was quite
shocking that she was Evan’s sister.

While Sylvie and I were catching up, a tall brunette in a
tight red, cocktail dress sauntered over and extended her red lacquered hand to
me. In a deep smoky sexy voice, she introduced herself. “I’m Isabelle.”

Isabelle was absolutely stunning. She was sexier than I
imagined. Modelesque. Long legs made even longer with seductive red heels. Her
slightly below shoulder-length dark hair was perfectly coiffed, not a strand
out of place. Her dark brown penetrating eyes were framed by long fake lashes,
her lips stained in a deep noir red. She had an amazing hourglass figure;
voluptuous on top and curvy on the bottom. She was a sultry masterpiece.

“I’m Melissa,” I managed as I firmly shook her perfectly
manicured hand.

“I know who you are darling. It’s nice to finally meet you.”
She looked me over, assessing me. “I’ve heard so much about you.” The tone she
used told me she was sick of hearing about me.

“You did an outstanding job on the apartment. J’adore
everything. Merci. I mean thank you. It’s a French habit, sorry.” She made me
nervous and I felt the urge to flee.

“It was nothing. You were one of Duke’s 'girls in need.’ I
did what I could for him. I always take good care of him.”

A very attractive older brunette woman joined our little
group. “I hear ‘Duke’ brought you tonight. Lucky girl. This is a first for our
wild boy.”

Isabelle did not miss a beat, “No one will ever tame ‘our
Duke.’

Wanting to appear confident and unfazed by her demeanor, I
matched her response. “And why would anyone want to? His wild side makes him
more appealing, non?” It was time to move on. “Excuse me.” I wanted to find
Evan. Where had he been whisked off to? At least I knew he’s not with her.

As I walked away, I was pretty sure I heard Isabelle say
something about my jewelry box, “Nice to have some back-up friends when he’s
had enough.” I hesitated for a moment feeling my face heat up. “Oh mon dieu,
she opened the box!” I said to myself then continued walking.

Right on cue, a waiter presented me with a new glass of
champagne. Also on cue, a firm hand clasped my arm, and a handsome face leaned
into mine. “Watch that champagne. I want you alert all night.” His lips were on
mine. I opened my mouth ready for a passionate kiss. He pulled me around a
corner out of view of others, giving me the kiss I was longing for. Grinding
his hips into me, feeling his hard cock, I knew he wanted me as much as I
wanted him. I was hoping he would take me into the powder room for some added
attention. Unfortunately, his sister Jennie walked up behind us, cleared her
throat and asked to speak to me privately. Evan released me, “Make it quick,
everyone keeps stealing her away from me.” Giving me one more deep kiss, he
growled, “I want her all to myself.” Breaking our kiss, he walked away
reluctantly.

“My sister Sylvie told me about your meeting with Isabelle.
Don’t listen to her. She’s just trying to get a rise out of you. Actually,
don’t listen to most of the people here. ‘Duke’ I mean, Evan is smitten with
you. It’s a first for all of us to see. I can see you’re special to him.”

“Thank you. I remember stories about ‘The Duke.’ Funny thing
is, I never got around to seeing a photo of him. I had no idea Evan is Duke.”

“He told me he never saw a photo of you either. My parents
kept telling him he should meet this ‘nice’ girl, ‘she’d be perfect for you’.”
Jennie reached out and touched my arm in a tender way. I knew what her next
words would be. “After the accident, your name was never mentioned again to
Evan. He didn’t think twice about it. He figured they had given up. Besides he
took off for Europe's runways. Sorry to bring up your parents. I’m sure you
will hear a lot about them from my parents.”

“I felt a little uneasy driving up here tonight. Your
parent’s home is so close to the home I grew up in as you know. When I walked
into the living and saw your family portrait above the mantle with Evan and
turned to see you, your sister and your parents, my heart dropped. My mind was
suddenly flooded with questions and then I put two and two together.” I was
suddenly feeling sick to my stomach. “I need a bathroom fast.”

Jennie took me upstairs away from the party to one of the
bedrooms with an adjoining bathroom. I made it just in time. My nerves had
gotten the best of me. I felt better after, but I was a little lightheaded.

“There are extra toothbrushes in the cabinet.” She handed me
one, and once I finished brushing, I swayed a bit. “Why don’t you lie down on
the bed for a few minutes? I’m going to go get ‘Duke’ for you.” She was out the
door before she could hear my response.

“I don’t want ‘Duke.’ I want Evan,” I said through tears
that flowed down my face. “Why can’t the rest of the world go away? I want to
go back a few days ago when it was just us.”

I closed my eyes and concentrated on getting my shit
together. I was going to have to go back down there. I had to look as if all
was well! When I opened my eyes, Evan was standing over me.

“Mmmm. I’ve got you alone in my old bedroom.”

I looked around the room; a gentleman’s room, not the room
of a young boy. The only evidence of a boy was framed photos and some trophies.
The room was painted a pale grey. There was a seating area complete with a
sofa, a couple chairs and a coffee table. The bedding had a hotel suite look to
it. The artwork was very masculine.

“It appears you were a very mature youth.”

Evan laughed. “It didn’t look like this when I was a teen.
It’s been redecorated for my visits home.”

“That makes sense. You are very fashionable with a certain
look. Well groomed. Are you telling me it didn’t start in the womb?”

“Hardly. I was a normal teen playing sports, hanging with my
mates and chasing girls.”

“Mates? When did you turn British?”

“You like your French terms. Maybe I’ll start throwing in a
few British ones now and again,” he said with a laugh.

That made me giggle, and Evan sat on the bed next to me, and
pulled me into his arms. “You okay, bébé? Jennie said you got sick.”

“This is all so overwhelming for me. I haven’t been around
people who were close to my parents since the funeral. I had no idea that the
people my parents were headed to meet on that fateful trip were your parents,”
I said with tears in my eyes.

“I think you’ve had enough for one night. Let’s get out of
here. I told my parents I was taking you home and they understand. However,
they would like us to meet them for brunch tomorrow before we head back to the
city.”

“That would be nice.” I snuggled into Evan. “I’m sorry to
take you away from the party.”

“Don’t be. You got me so hard after that kiss in the hallway
and now finding you on my bed… I’ve got to get you out of here before I ravage
you right now, and we put on a loud show for my parents’ guests.” That wicked
look was on his face.

I couldn't wait another minute. I pushed him down on the
bed, pulled up my dress, and straddled him. “If I promise to be quiet, can you
please fuck me now?”

Evan slapped my bottom. “Oh my naughty, naughty girl.” He
kissed me quick then lifted me up off of him, straightened my dress, pulled me
out of the bedroom, down the steps and out the back door. We escaped to our
bungalow at the Inn.

IT WAS A lazy Sunday morning, and I
woke up to a pair of crystal blue eyes gazing at me. Instantly a smile spread
across my face: it was a perfect start to the day. Tangled up together in bed,
we had some pastry and café crème to hold us over before meeting Evan’s family
for brunch. This weekend had been filled with non-stop pleasure at the Inn. I
believe we christened every corner of our bungalow, including in front of the
fireplace, the bed, and the tub. Not too bad! Next time we needed to find a
place with more rooms.

Looking over at Evan, my mind began to wander. I was
thinking about the cocktail party. I still couldn't believe how close we lived
to each other while growing up or the fact that our parents were friends and
that Evan was Duke. Thinking about ‘us.’ I was remembering what Isabelle said.
Did she fancy him at one time? Was she letting me know she had him first? Was
she trying to warn me, hurt me, make me wake up and see what I really was to him?

“Melissa, did you hear me?”

Evan was talking, but I wasn't listening. I felt lost...
like a lost soul. Why would this gorgeous man want to be with me? What did he
say to me? He wants to fix my life? Make my life better? I was feeling more
secure about him until last night. He was someone else to me a day ago. Will
things be different now? Who is Evan? Maybe Isabelle was giving me a reality
check. He does not love you. You're nothing more than a project to him. I knew
I was different. I asked nothing of him.  Would he become bored with me?
Really, what did I have to offer him?

“Melissa?”

“Evan... you need... I need... I... need to do something…
this isn't going to work…”

“Bébé, stop talking. I just asked you to marry me.”

Shocked, I stopped and stared at him, fumbling through my
thoughts until I found what I wanted to say. “You don’t want to marry me. I get
what's going on. I'm one of your “girls.” I heard that last night. This is what
you do. You go from project to project. Campaign to campaign. Always perfecting
your life. Leaving your mark.  Your gorgeous mark on the world. And then one
day you turned your gaze to me and decided my life was the next fix-up job. I
don't want that from you. I need to make some kind of mark.  Some kind of mark
of my own. Not some mark someone made for me. I need to stop just existing.”

“You’ve made a mark on my heart. I love you, Melissa. I want
forever with no one else but you!”

“What?” I said as I was snapped out of my trance and stared
directly into those intense, piercing blue eyes. “You barely know me. You just
want to fix me.”

Evan…

“MELISSA, LISTEN TO me and listen
closely. I've been watching you for awhile. From the first time I saw you at
the ad agency, you fascinated me. You were always cordial to me, but you only
spoke when you were spoken to. You never really said more than what was
necessary to me. Then, one day, three months ago, when I was there doing a
shoot you lightly touched me.”

“I remember it vividly. You quickly pulled away from my
touch and gave me a strange look,” she said looking down at her hands.

I reached out and lifted her face and gave her a quick kiss.
“When you touched me, I was shocked. It felt like being hit with electricity.
I'd never felt that before. The look on my face was not anger. It was
confusion. I'm sorry, I didn't say anything to you, and just walked away. What
you need to know is from that day on I thought about you a lot. There was
something about your touch. When I returned to the firm two months later for a
meeting, I was so happy to see you.”

Pulling her into me, I continued, “I knew I had to have you.
I abstained from having sex with anyone and got a physical. I wanted to be
ready for you. I went to the McDimel-Sanders’ party with the intent of taking
you home.”

“You said you were just making sure I was safe.”

“I watched you all night from the VIP area. I had a perfect
view of you.”

“Stalking your prey?”

“Something like that. I wanted you alone, away from your
co-workers. I have to say, I didn't like how some of them touched you.”

“Jealous? Not you.”

“Very. I felt like you were mine from the moment you touched
me. I wanted it to be official then, but now, finally, I am officially asking.
Will you be mine? I won't... I don't want to share you. I want to take care of
you forever. I want you to be my wife; mother of my children. Melissa, will you
marry me?”

I reached behind my back to the nightstand and pulled out a
box and opened it. A round champagne coloured diamond set in platinum
surrounded by several diamonds with additional diamonds set around the band sat
nestled in a bed of blue velvet.

With tears rolling down her cheeks and a smile on her face,
Melissa whispered “Yes.” I slipped the ring on her delicate little finger and
kissed the ring when it was in place. Then I drew her up on her knees and
joined her, separating her knees with my thigh. She wrapped her arms around me
pulling us closer together. I gripped her waist firmly with one hand and with
my other hand I grasped her chin tilting her mouth to mine. She was so beautiful,
I bit her lower lips, and as she moaned I slid my tongue deep into her mouth,
devouring her.

“Mmmm. My future wife you taste divine,” I said running my
tongue down her neck, “I had planned to propose to you with clothes on and out
of bed, but it seems we have a hard time staying out of bed and keeping our
clothes on when we’re together.”

“I prefer you with no clothes and inside of moi,” she moaned
loudly pushing me backward and straddling me, taking my cock deep inside of
her. “I’ve got you right where I want you. I love you, Evan”

“Bébé, I’m exactly where I want to be. I love you, Melissa.
Nous sommes parfaites ensemble! We are perfect together!”

Melissa…

WE WERE A little late arriving for
Sunday brunch with Evan's family. Everyone was already together at a large
table in a private room.

“Sorry to keep you waiting, but I had to do a little
convincing.” Evan said raising my hand to announce our engagement.

“What's wrong, Duke? You don't always get what you want from
every swooning woman?” Joked his youngest sister Jennie.

“Shut up, brat!” Evan replied.

Evan's parents jumped up to hug me and welcome me to the
family. They both told me how thrilled my parents would be to see that after
all these years, we actually got together. I choked back a few tears.

Sitting down, champagne was brought to the table.
“Congratulations to the happy couple,” said Evan's dad Alex.

I took a drink of my champagne and nearly spit it across the
table when Evan announced that our wedding would be Thursday evening at my parents’
favourite hotel, The Pierre. “What?” roared out of my mouth.

“Bébé, I can’t wait another moment. I want the day after
Christmas to have new meaning to your life. A day to remember your parents with
a happier event. I love you, Melissa. I want to bring you nothing but
happiness.”

“But there's not enough time.” I replied.

“I've already got people working on everything.”

I looked around the table; I could see that Evan’s family
was not surprised. Did they already know? “Are all of you in on this?”

I could see smiles appear around the table. The noise level
increased as I heard what everyone had been up to.

Quietly, I whispered in Evan's ear, “What if I had said no?”

With a wicked eyebrow rising, he growled, “We would still be
in the room until you gave in to me. No, was not an option.”

“You're very controlling.” I giggled and received the most
delicious kiss from my fiancé.

“Hey you two, give it a rest. Let's order. I'm starving,”
Sylvie chimed in.

Orders were put in, and chatting about the wedding continued.
I couldn't believe everything Evan and his family had put in motion. I just had
to shop for a dress apparently. I think some brides-to-be would've been upset
being told what was happening, but I liked how he took charge. Everything he
had done for me to this point had been exquisite; I could only imagine how
spectacular our wedding would be. Without having my parents to help with my
wedding, I was sad yet with everyone involved, I didn't have to think about
things I would miss out doing with my mom.

The company was wonderful. I hadn't been around family in
years. I realized how much I missed family life. I was a little dazed as I sat
and listened, then Alex pulled up a chair next to me.

“How are you doing Melissa? A little overwhelmed by my boy?”

I laughed. “He is a little overwhelming.” I looked across
the room to Evan who was deep in conversation with his mother and sisters, and
smiled. “But he makes me so happy.”

“He better or he will answer to me. Listen Lissa, this isn't
easy for me to bring up, but I would really like to walk you down the aisle on
Thursday. If that's okay with you?”

Big tears rolled down my cheeks as I smiled at his kind
offer. “I would be honoured. Delighted.” I threw myself into his arms, and the
tears really pour.  As he was holding me tight, I felt another set of smaller
arms around me. Layla was hugging me too.

Layla eventually pulled back and wiped my tears. “I know
what he asked you. I take it you agreed and that makes me so happy. We will
make sure the day is special for you, sweetheart. You deserve it.”

“Thank you, but I do feel badly that this wedding is taking
time away from the holidays.”

“We will celebrate the holiday at the wedding. It will be a
‘Marry’ Christmas,” Layla jested, and we all laughed.

We started chatting about good times. Evan sat back and gave
me time alone with his parents. He looked over and smiled at the three of us
from time to time.

Settled back around the table to eat, brunch was served, and
I decided to ask Alex about his business dealings with my father. “I was
wondering if you still have any real estate dealings with EJB Investments.”

“Not really. We never moved forward with the ski resort
venture. I didn't feel I could handle the dealings at the time of the accident
and afterward we sold off the rest of the resorts as part of trust settlement,”
he answered somberly.

Evan leaned in to give me a kiss as his Dad replied, “Are
you interested in getting involved Lissa?”

“No, not really. I leave EJB Investments to the attorneys.”

“EJB Investments? Wait a minute. Melissa is your dad ‘EJ’ as
in EJB Investments?” asked Evan with a shocked look on his face.

I turn to Evan with a stunned look on my face that matched
his. “Yes. Edward James Bennette is my father.”

“Oh bébé, your Dad was a great man.” Evan moved closer to
me.

Alex stepped in and explained that Evan had met my parents,
specifically my Dad, about nine years ago. Alex advised him to invest his
modeling earnings in real estate. When he was home for a visit, he was
introduced to my parents. Evan hadn't seen them since the initial
introduction, but he continued to invest his money in projects with EJB
Investments until their untimely death.