Chapter 413

"Tell me about your father. Your family." Christian said, as they lay naked together in bed.

"Well, my father is a good man. A little strong willed and hot headed. I have one brother, Marcus. He is younger than I am and just finishing up college. Pediatric medicine. He starts his first residency soon. My father is so proud of him. My mother passed away when I was 20. Breast cancer. She was my best friend. My entire world. I don't have much extended family. My father has a sister, my aunt Rooney. She lives in Colorado. Big hippie and nature lover. She has a tiny house, off the grid. She lived in a van for a decade when I was a kid. My uncle Luke, my mother's brother, is an artist in Manhattan. He and his husband, Fabian, own a gallery in Soho. That is about all. We are a small, quiet family." She said.

"I look forward to meeting them." He said.

"You do?" She asked.

"Yes. I do." He said.

"Tell me about yours?" She asked.

"Another time. It's a much more complicated story." He said.

"Understood. I won't push until you're ready. We should get ready soon." Nora said. "I have a lot to do."

Christian kissed her belly as he lay on her chest.

"Let me clean you, dress you. Let me get you ready." He said. She looked at him, inquisitively.

He got out of bed, his strong build and dark hair making him look like a chiseled statue, and offered her his hand. "I want to know you." He said.

"Alright." She said, taking it. He lead her into the bathroom and ran the bath. He looked at her, standing naked in front of him, admiring her curves, her tattoos, her messy hair and her unashamed vulnerability. He helped her into the tub and began to wash her hair, massaging her scalp and making sure to get every strand. She moaned and he could tell she was enjoying it. He had never washed a woman's hair before and he found it incredibly erotic. He conditioned it next and after he rinsed it, he moved to the rest of her body, cleaning and kissing every inch of her. He rinsed her off and helped her out, towel drying her wet skin, careful to run it down her legs, and in between them.

"Christian, I don't think I can get ready like this. Can we go back to bed for just a little while. I'm so turned on right now." Nora said.

"We don't want to be late." He said. She nodded but he could see she wasn't thrilled about it.

He helped her into the panties and bra she laid out, putting lotion on her legs and arms, then spraying perfume onto her neck.

"Christian… " Nora said.

"Shhhhh." He said, having her step into her beautiful dark green gown and pulling it up, then zipping it in the back. He kissed her neck and along her shoulders.

"You are so beautiful." He whispered.

"Thank you." She said, breathlessly.

He brushed her hair and handed her the brush. "I'll leave you to the rest. I'll see you in the front room soon." He said, kissing her.

"Alright." She said, sounding constrained.

"Don't be overwrought, darling. We have a long night ahead of us." He said, looking back with a smile.

"Uh huh." She said, clearing her throat.

The intensity between them was stifling and strong. He couldn't deny it.

He toweled himself off and put on his tuxedo. He felt the box in his pocket and patted it with a smile.

He poured himself and drink and walked out onto the balcony. He sipped the whiskey and took out the ring. It sparkled like fire in the late afternoon sunlight. He smiled and imagined it on her finger. He was a ball of nerves at the thought of her response. What if she said no?

A few moments later, he heard her voice.

"Christian?" She asked. He walked inside. She stood there, looking like an angel. Her hair was pulled back and pinned and her makeup was darker than usual, with bright green eyeshadow making her golden eyes pop. The off the shoulder ball gown was perfect. It was all perfect.

"Nora." He said her name and if felt like he had named the world. "You are breathtaking." He said. She smiled and curtsied.

"Thank you, your majesty." She said.

He picked her up and spun her around. "Come, let's get you to the ball, Cinderella." He said.

She laughed. "That's not funny. This all feels like a dream. I'm terrified I'll turn into a pumpkin at midnight." She said.

"I promise you, it isn't a dream. But if it is, I never want to wake up." He said. He took her hand and lead her down to the waiting press outside and into the car.