Chapter 35: Chapter 35
It was then that she tore the bracelet off of her arm. "I don't require the bracelet at this time. I can no longer avoid dealing with the past. I'm done letting it define me. I'm resigning from my job. I'm going to begin from scratch. It's time for me to start over. And I want to accomplish it alongside you.
His expression suddenly changed to one of surprise. A glimmer of optimism. After that, it was gone, and the chill returned. "Until such time as I do something that causes you to have doubts about yourself or possibly my motives. Something that has you seeing myself as a negative influence despite the fact that I am not."
“No.” How was it possible for her to communicate with him? At this point, it would be pointless to declare her love because no one would listen. He was under the impression that she did not have a favorable opinion of him and that she did not trust him on some level. She recalled a chat the two of them had back in Houston; therefore, she was aware of what steps to take.
Before getting to her feet, her eyes searched the room thoroughly to locate the item that she was looking for. At the window, she dislodged the sashes that were keeping the curtains in place, and then she resumed her previous posture in front of him, kneeling on her hands and knees.
Anna fixed her gaze on him with the expectation that he would recognize the sincerity in her expression as she continued to speak. "I believe in you. I trust you." She displayed the sashes to the audience. "Tie me up, Jerome. You should know that I wouldn't give you permission to do that if I didn't have complete faith in you. Take the lead here. Take the last spot. Be the lone one."
His expression changed to one of complete bewilderment. “What?”
She kept repeating her statements in the hopes that he would eventually internalize them. "You stated that I wouldn't let you tie me up until I entirely trusted you, but I'm not ready for that yet." I do. I…Jerome.” She inhaled deeply to muster up her bravery. "I am completely oblivious to the way you feel about me, yet I—"
After that, he was holding her in his arms. After pulling her along with him, he leaned back on the mattress. A split second later, she found herself on her back with Jerome's large body on top of her, kissing her and consuming her with passion while she felt the warmth of his embrace.
After what seemed like an eternity, he tore his lips away from hers. While maintaining eye contact with her, he asked, "You want to know how I feel about you?" "I love you, Anna. I adore you with with single beat of my heart.
She encircled his neck with her arms, the happiness in her heart growing ever more intense. "I love you, too. I adore you so much."
His expression was one of tenderness. "Run away as fast as you can. Anna, I need you to come with me. Take a year off from your job to see the world and experience different cultures. Alongside me. We'll be careful. It is not possible for Randy to keep up with us.
When he continued speaking, her thoughts were still processing what he had said earlier, which was to "take a year off and see the world."
"Don't worry about it, caria. If we are fortunate, he will have been apprehended by the time you and I arrive at our first location together. After hearing that the answer is yes, Phil will proceed to coordinate the rest of the details. So say yes."
Everything was starting to come together nicely. “I…Yes. Okay.” She removed a stray hair from his eyes with the tips of her fingers. But of how appealing it may be, I won't be able to just disappear for a whole year. It is necessary for me to determine what my next step should be. Perhaps even my own company. I do have some cash on hand, but..."
He gently took her hand in his and kissed it as he did so. He did that frequently when they were intimate together, and she enjoyed it very much. "Don't worry about the money," he advised. "As I was saying, I do have money. For travel, as well as anything else you could require."
"I can't let money slip my mind." Her job as a public worker didn't leave her much room for savings, and if she borrowed money from her father, it would require her to work for him, which she swore she would never do again.
"If you didn't have to worry about money, would you take the year off and have fun?"
"Okay, but..."
He gave her a kiss. And kissed her some more. She was overcome with want by the time his lips parted her hers, and she was unable to recall what it was that they had been discussing before. However, he did it. He stated unequivocally that monetary concerns were irrelevant. "We'll depart the day the trial is over," the defendant said.
She didn't give any thought to starting a fight. She loved him, and he loved her back, and for the first time in her life, she believed that their love was mutual. Anna muttered, "All right, then," as she continued. She was perplexed as to how she managed to keep the sashes in her grasp. She flashed a grin. "Would you like to tie me up to make the deal official?"
"Later," he mumbled in a husky manner. "All I want to do right now, Anna, is make love to you. Calm and unhurried" And then he kissed her once more, this time beginning with her lips before moving on to exploring, tasting, and loving her to the point where she trembled with relief. After that, he began the process all over again.
Three days later In the courtroom, Anna was standing. As soon as she learned that Pedro had been found guilty on all charges, she felt nothing but joy and happiness. The time spent deliberating had only been for a total of four hours. Anna wanted to celebrate this victory on so many fronts and on so many levels that she wanted to dance. The next person in line would be Jack, but her supervisor was taking care of that one.
As soon as she was able to escape the pandemonium that ensued when the court was adjourned, her eyes immediately found Jerome's, and she and he exchanged a wordless glance of happiness with one other. It was a done deal. Never again would Pedro inflict pain on another person.
When it came to Randy, the FBI had located him with the help of a confidential source and had carried out the arrest flawlessly.
On the steps leading up to the courtroom, there was a group of reporters with flashing cameras waiting for them, and Anna made a brief remark. It was over much too quickly, and she was able to slide into the passenger seat of a car with Jerome standing just next to her.
There was no danger for Anna and her family. The plan that Jerome had devised was working out just as expected.
Because the advertisements featured such stunning imagery, Anna couldn't wait to finally visit Greece. For once in her life, she was doing things purely for the excitement of it, taking risks, and absolutely adoring it.
While driving away, Jerome made sure to keep a firm grip on her hand. Anna gave him a friendly smile. She gave a happy smile because she was about to embark on a new journey, and she couldn't wait to find out what happened next.
She was in a good mood.
Within the huge walls of the Greek villa that Jerome had rented for an extended visit, ANNA LAID TIED to a massive bed that was covered in fluffy white linens. The villa was located in Greece. A month, possibly even two. After that, they would proceed to their next location.
The patio doors were open, allowing fresh air to enter the room, and the breeze caused the sheer white drapes that hung from the bedposts to billow. Champagne, chocolate, and a game of sensuous play were all part of the festivities as they celebrated their future.
Even more reason to rejoice was the fact that Anna's sister had discovered the bright side in the midst of everything that was going wrong. After spending some time on the road with a hunky stranger she'd met in Hawaii, she planned to evaluate her options once she returned home. Anna entertained the idea that the two of them would launch their own legal practice together. After completing their travels across the world, they would both go back to their jobs.
At this point in time, however, there was only one topic that Anna was interested in investigating. Jerome stood at the foot of the bed, gorgeously naked and erect—a temptation she couldn’t approach. Her entire body hurt from a fire that he was the only one who could ease. The sensation that resulted from his devouring her with his eyes was extremely alluring.
She pleaded with a raspy murmur, "Please come here."
He asked her, teasing her with the tone of his voice, "Impatient?"
“Yes. And please keep in mind that I plan to return tenfold whatever it is that you do to me.
He laughed, and it was a low and resonant sound. After placing his knees on the mattress and spreading out her thighs with his hands, he lowered his shoulders until they were in the space between them. Her core was touched by a warm stream of breath, and she let out a cry.
She would have screamed for more, but he moved his hands possessively over her hips, and then out of nowhere, a velvet box appeared on her stomach. She would have cried out for more.
The sound of her breath got caught in her throat. Was she correct in her assumption that it was that? He leaned down and planted a kiss on her tummy before looking at her head. "Say you will marry me, and I'll show you what's really going on inside."
“You want to marry me?”
"More than anything else in all of existence."
She mumbled, "Yes," as tears began to gather in her eyes. "Yes." "I love you. It goes without saying that I'll marry you.
He gave a friendly smile before lifting the lid of the box. She closed one eye. She strained to find her voice. "It is without a doubt the most incredible diamond I've ever laid eyes on in my entire life. Bring it back please. It is an excessive amount of money." Because he worked for the FBI, he wasn't allowed to have investments of any kind, so he couldn't have that kind of money. Was he making an effort to win her favor? "I have no need for a flashy ring. I just need you."
Her thoughts were racing in circles. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. It was just like a story from a book.
Jerome mumbled "now" as he spoke. “Where was I? Ah, yes." His hands moved slowly down the sides of her body, pausing briefly on her breasts before continuing their journey. "I think I was in the midst of making you beg," the speaker said.
And when he slid back to the hotspot that he'd warmed with his breath only minutes earlier, she became increasingly confident that he would be successful. Only this time, giving up control did not mean relinquishing a piece of herself, which was a welcome change. It was a simple definition of sharing.
Moreover, delight. A great deal of satisfaction.
THE END