The Rhythm of My Heart (21 page)

Her smile is blinding as her anxiety eases and she climbs into my lap. Placing the watch back in its box and setting it on my nightstand, I turn back and capture my beautiful woman in a tight embrace. “Now about that replay of our outdoor escapades,” I quip.

Gracie’s giggles echo around the bedroom as I roll her onto her back and position myself above her. The sound is music to my ears and one I could listen to for a lifetime. And here in my bedroom heading toward another state of resplendent bliss, I mark this day, my twenty-ninth birthday, as the best birthday that I have ever had.

Chapter 24

The camera lens magnifies my view as the cocksucker sinks his dick into my prize.

I focus in on her face that’s overcome with lust and pure ecstasy, but when she screams out his name and not mine, my hard dick instantly goes soft.

I’ve been sitting here with a hard-on for hours, watching her move around his house like she belongs here.

She fucking doesn’t.

I feel like climbing out of this tree and ripping his throat out when he roars her name.

He didn’t even use a fucking condom.

He’s tainted her; put his filthy seed inside her.

I zoom in on her perfect tits and the rapid-fire clicks of the camera ensure that I’ll have plenty of images to enjoy and gain pleasure from later.

I’m fucking furious though.

Some other bitch is gonna have to deal with my dick tonight whether she likes it or not.

Chapter 25

Grace…

Life is great! No, scratch that. Life is freaking fantastic! I’m blessed, that’s something I’m certain of. I have an amazing father, brother, an adorable niece, the best friend anyone could ever have, and a man who takes my breath away every single day. Another bonus is the new people that have come into my life over the last five months. Cole’s family has welcomed me warmly, and I already have a deep affection for all of them. April has become an amazing friend and Sam has become another big brother figure. The more time we spend together, the closer we get. John has become more open and, honestly, a little protective of me since realizing who my mom was. And Olivia… well, Olivia has become the mother figure I haven’t had for fifteen years. The reality is that I’m falling in love with Cole’s family just as much as I’m falling in love with him.

Yes, after five months, I’m finally admitting to myself that I’m falling in love with Cole Tierney more and more as each day passes. Not that I will express that yet… I just can’t. Even though I have faith in Cole and my feelings for him are very strong, I can’t take that leap. I’ve been cheated on several times before in relationships that held nowhere nearly as much meaning; for that reason, I have become overly cautious when it comes to guarding my heart. If, and when, Cole says those wonderful three words to me, I’ll be able to return them freely with a full heart that is pure and true.

“You gonna day dream all day, little sis, or are you actually going to get some work done?” Charlie chuckles, as he sits in front of my desk.

“Ha-ha, funny guy,” I retort, as he gains my attention and smiles widely at me.

“Actually, I didn’t think that you’d be in today, what with the award ceremony tonight and all. Don’t women need six hours to get ready for stuff like that?”

“No, jerky jerkison, not all women take that long. For your information, I have everything set out and ready for me when I get home; I’m only leaving work an hour early to get my hair done.”

Charlie laughs and shakes his head, “What the hell is jerky jerkison?”

“It’s my new name for people who say jerky things that don’t apply to me. I dub thee, jerky jerkison,” I smirk.

“Does Cole realize what a freak you can be?”

I smile innocently and bat my lashes. “Yes, and he loves me just the same.” As soon as the words tumble from my mouth and Charlie’s eyebrows almost shoot clear off his forehead, I know I’ve said the wrong thing. If I wasn’t embarrassed by my words, I would have laughed at how comical he looked, but instead, I nervously look away and fiddle with some papers in front of me.

“Has he told you that he loves you already?” Charlie asks.

“Umm, actually, no, he hasn’t and neither have I. It was just a figure of speech, forget about it.”

I can feel Charlie examining me and I know he can see through me. You don’t have a close sibling relationship like we do, without knowing each other inside and out.

“But you do, don’t you. You love him.” It’s not a question but a statement of fact. I can’t hide anything from my big brother.

I look up into his blue eyes, which are just like our fathers: loving, accepting, and nonjudgmental, and slowly nod my head. “I think I do. But I’m scared it’s too soon,” I openly admit.

Charlie gives me a small smile as he stands and walks around my desk. When he reaches me, he puts his hand out, which I take without hesitation, and he pulls me into a hug. Every girl should have a big brother like Charlie. I take comfort in his arms. “Don’t be scared, Gracie. If you don’t take this chance, give your heart this chance, you might just miss out on something truly incredible,” he reassures me.

“When did you get so smart?” I quip.

“I didn’t get smart, sis, I’ve just lived. I took a chance with Nicole, and yes, she broke my heart; however, the love I found with Ruby is something I will be forever thankful for. I’d never want to miss out on that.” He kisses the top of my head and pushes me back so he can look at me. “If you love Cole, love him without hesitation, Gracie. Love him completely. Because I would stake my life on the fact that by the way that guy looks at you, even if he hasn’t told you, you own him.”

“I love you, Charlie; you know that, right?” I implore, with tears pricking me eyes.

“I love you too, sis.” He pulls me in for another hug.

“What’s going on here?” Dad’s voice interrupts us.

As Charlie releases me and I smile at my dad and wipe the tears from my eyes, I reply, “Just a sibling moment, Daddy.”

“Guess your old man raised you right.”

“Hey, Dad, guess what?” Charlie says, as he heads for the door.

“What, Charlie?” Dad responds.

Charlie glances back at me smirks and starts to laugh, and then sings, “Gracie loves Cole; Gracie loves Cole.”

“Oh, my God, Charlie, could you be any more immature? Why spoil the moment?” I yell, and throw the stress ball I had sitting on my desk at him. It misses, but Dad’s hand clipping the back of Charlie’s head doesn’t.

“Grow up, boy,” Dad says, in mock sternness and Charlie grunts.

“Jesus, Dad, I was kidding.”

“I can still strike like a snake,” Dad laughs, and I join in because there’s always some silent, sick pleasure in seeing your sibling get in trouble from your parent.

Charlie sulks off and Dad stands there staring at me for a moment. “You need something, Daddy?” I ask.

His eyes convey his love and his smile conveys his happiness. “No, Sweet Pea. But why don’t you head home early and relax before tonight; this stuff…” he waves his hand to my desk. “It can wait until next week. It will still be here then.”

“Are you sure?”

“Absolutely. My princess needs to look her best for the ball,” he says.

I quickly shut down my computer and grab my things, and then walk over and hug my dad. “Are you are still coming tonight?”

“I wouldn’t miss it, Gracie. John helped your mom so much. No one deserves to be honored more than he does. But promise me one thing.”

“Anything, Daddy,” I swear.

“Save a dance for your old man,” he chuckles.

“I might just save you two,” I reply with a wink and move past him to the door. “See you tonight.”

“See you tonight, Sweet Pea.”

Time to transform myself into the princess my dad said I was and the princess that Cole deserves to have on his arm.

The ballroom is exquisite with chandeliers sparkling above us as we walk through the double doors. Soft music from a band on the stage plays throughout the room, all older songs that perfectly suit the generation of the majority of attendees. There are silver and black touches everywhere. The white covers on the chairs have a black sash tied in a bow at the back. The centerpieces are tall, thin silver vases with what looks like long black branches sticking out the top, which are covered in small twinkling fairy lights. The whole room is beautiful; why wouldn’t it be, when Olivia had a hand in the preparations for tonight?

“I just have to tell you again how gorgeous you look tonight, baby. You take my breath away, and as beautiful as that dress is, I can’t wait to see it pooled on the floor after I strip it from your sexy body,” Cole whispers close to my ear, his breath caressing my face and sending shivers through my body.

“You look amazingly handsome yourself, Doctor Tierney, but we’re here to celebrate your father’s achievements, so compose yourself, mister,” I breathily reply, but if anyone needs to compose themselves, it’s me. Cole in jeans is sexy as hell; Cole in his scrubs is mouthwatering. But, for the love of God… Cole in a tuxedo is a heart attack waiting to happen. Thank God, I’m in a room full of doctors because I don’t think my heart can take the frenzied beating rhythm that began when I stepped out of Cole’s bedroom and drank in the sight of him.

The red floor length strapless gown I’m wearing does amazing things for my curves. It hugs my body and shows off just enough of my cleavage to still be classy, but very sexy, too. My hair has been pulled back off my face into an elegant twist, with an abundance of big loose curls cascading down my back. I’m wearing more makeup than I normally would, but not too much that I feel overdone. I feel exactly like a princess. A princess whose prince guides me through the room with his hand on the small of my back, stopping occasionally to introduce me to people and chat with them as we make our way to the front of the room where John and Olivia are holding court.

“Cole. Grace. You’re here. And my goodness, how utterly exquisite you both look.” Olivia greets us, wrapping us both in hugs.

John steps forward and kisses my cheek. “Congratulations, John,” I say.

“Thank you, Grace. I’m so happy you’re here,” he responds sincerely, and then reaches over and shakes Cole’s hand before pulling him into a manly embrace. “Hey, son,” he simply says to Cole, but the emotion in his voice is evident.

We chat briefly before John and Olivia are whisked away into the crowd. We’re soon joined by April and Sam, and then my dad and Charlie. I was really touched when John said that he would love Dad to attend tonight, and Dad being Dad, brought Charlie as his date. Ashley is looking after Ruby so that Charlie could come and not have to worry about a sitter who couldn’t sign. If she weren’t like another little sister to him, Ashley would be the perfect woman for Charlie.

So many people stop by to talk to Cole and Sam; clearly, they are both highly regarded at the hospital, and not because of who John is. They have built up their own reputations and careers, and I couldn’t be prouder to be standing beside them, especially Cole.

After a few glasses of champagne that have been coming round with servers, a man takes the stage to announce that dinner is about to be served and to ask everyone to find their tables. We’re all seated together, which is another surprise. I wasn’t expecting Dad and Charlie to be at the same table, especially, with John’s peers and hospital executives in attendance.

Dinner is impeccable and filled with happy banter around the table. I glance around taking in my family and Cole’s, and happily sigh in contentment. After dessert is served, attention is again called to the front of the stage where the formalities of the night begin.

The emcee, a director at the hospital, regales us with the history of John’s career, from his residency right through until now. He congratulates John for being a pivotal member of the staff at the hospital for twenty-five years. He also makes special mention about John becoming the head of the oncology department at only thirty-seven years old, and of his treatment and research advancements for cancer. It’s amazing to think that someone can be so passionately dedicated about one thing for so long and still lead a relatively normal family life.