We’re seated quickly at a table in the grand downstairs dining area, and then served with a pot of tea and a circular-shaped metal tray with several thin tiers. On each of them are more delights, tiny sandwiches cut into fingers, miniature cakes and brownies of several different shapes and flavors, and gorgeous scones with jam and cream to spread on top. Each bite is delicious, and the iconic setting makes it even more exciting.
Finally, when there are only crumbs left, I look at Edward with total satisfaction and a smile. “What’s next?” I ask.
“Next, I thought I might take you home.”
“Home?” I frown. “My flight’s not until the end of the week.”
Edward laughs. “Not your home. My home.”
“Oh!” I take this in, slowly thinking about it. Of course, just because I’ve been staying in a hotel, Edward wouldn’t be – he lives here all the time. I just never really considered where he was going when he left me on that first evening. And then it strikes me that going to his home is an intimate step – it means seeing another side of him, the private side that only friends and family have access to, and it means going to the place where his bedroom is. “Oh, right.”
It’s Edward’s turn to frown at my reaction. “You don’t want to?”
“No, I do,” I tell him quickly. “I just… I suppose I’m a little nervous.”
Edward reaches across the table to take hold of my hand. “You don’t need to be nervous. I’ll take care of you.”
I look into his eyes. “I know,” I say, because it’s true. He will. I trust him – and I know that whatever happens next, it will be the best experience it could possibly be, because I will be with him.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Edward
Casey seems a little quiet in the taxi ride back to my home. I reach for her hand and hold it, between us on the back seat, hoping that I can give her some measure of comfort that will help to soothe her nerves. I understand her being nervous, of course – this is all new to her. But I hope that she can trust me to treat her well and make her feel good.
My own heartbeat increases in pace as we get closer to my house. I have barely been able to restrain myself these past two days, and the thought of finally getting to claim Casey is almost too much to bear. I want to have her, right here in the taxi – but I can wait a little longer. I have to make sure she enjoys every moment of this.
We get out of the taxi in front of my home in Notting Hill. I bought it when I moved here, perhaps optimistically though I’ve never met a woman who could fulfil my dreams until now, I purchased a home big enough for a family, grand and furnished with all of the latest accessories. There’s a small garden behind it, five bedrooms, three bathrooms, and a huge kitchen where I can see myself gathering one day with a family. Or at least, I can now – because while I could never quite fully imagine it before, now I can easily picture Casey as my wife, doting on our children.
“This is your home?” Casey asks, looking up at it from the sidewalk.
“Yes,” I tell her, taking my keys out of my pocket as the taxi speeds away. “Come inside.”
“But… you live here alone?” Casey asks.
I laugh at the look on her face. “So far, yes. I’ve been waiting to find the right person to share it with. I know it’s too big for one person, but I had hope that one day I would be able to fill it.”
We step inside and I enjoy watching Casey, all of this is what I’m used to, the things I see every day, but it’s new to her. Her reaction reminds me of how I felt when I first toured the property.
She turns in a circle in the entrance hall, admiring the tiled pattern on the floor, the wide staircase reaching upwards, the light flooding in from the large windows. In the lounge she runs her hands over the back of the couch admiringly; she pauses in front of the painting I have in my study. When she’s seen everything downstairs, including looking out of the windows at the garden, I take her by the hand and lead her upstairs – to the reason I brought her here instead of going back to the hotel.
“This is the master bathroom,” I tell her with a grin, after leading her past the bed and built-in double wardrobes. I let her step in front of me to take it in, the white marble tiles, the rainforest shower with a wide space blocked in by clear glass, and the jacuzzi bathtub beside it.
I put my hands on her shoulders from behind, leaning close to murmur into her ear. “Would you like to take a bath?”
Casey nods silently, her eyes not moving from the tub, and I smile to myself. This day is going to be just as special as I had hoped.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Casey
Mood music fills the room from nowhere, as well as a wonderful scent of flowers and honey as the tub begins to fill with water. Jets pour out from four directions, as Edward – still behind me – carefully eases me out of my clothes, pulling my t-shirt over my head, my jeans down to my ankles, and then my bra and panties until I’m again naked in front of him.
Just like before, it doesn’t feel awkward or embarrassing to be bare in front of him. I feel the adoration he has for my body, the way he runs his hands over me carefully like I’m something precious, and I only feel a sense of peace and worth.
Edward holds out his hand and
