Chapter 101. plus
Lilly Bradley
I had lost my breath upon hearing his last words: "Was he giving me this amazing apartment?" I felt a tingling sensation run through every corner of my body. Jackson smiled at my reaction.
"Impossible," I said, and he raised his eyebrows.
"Impossible?" I nodded slowly.
"It's very expensive, it's very..." I stopped my words as I looked around the place, then looked back at Jackson in front of me. "It's very luxurious, I can't imagine the cost of maintenance. Besides, the dress was already too much, can you imagine an apartment? I can't accept such a... big gift."
"I'll give you some privacy," said the man I had forgotten was still in the room.
"Thanks, Henry," said Jackson. After confirming that he had left, he looked back at me. "It's my gift, darling."
"Even if you give me those puppy eyes, it's too much."
"Come on, do you want to see the rooms?"
"Jackson," I used a warning tone, but he didn't care.
"Come on, let's see..." He grabbed my hand and pulled me down the main hallway. "Look," he opened the first door, it was empty. "Here you can set up an office," we entered. "Here a big bookcase, from floor to ceiling. A desk near this window, lots of light comes in and..." he continued talking about what could go where. I sighed as I looked at the room, even though I didn't want to imagine his words, I got excited about having my own place. "And here some paintings..."
"It's beautiful," I said honestly. "A lot of light must come in, that's good."
He took my hand again and pulled me out of the room, we passed by each one until we reached the last door. He opened it and let me in first. The room was illuminated by candles on the floor, in the middle, and on the wooden floor, a large bed. Beside it, a table with a cheese board, fruit, and bread, and next to it, in a container filled with ice, a bottle of wine.
I walked in and put a hand to my heart; the atmosphere was filled with romance. I turned to him, and he smiled at my reaction.
"Surprise," he said, loosening his tie before tossing it to the floor.
"It's beautiful, Jackson..." I approached him and hung onto his neck, he wrapped his arms around my waist, and we stayed like that, looking at each other in silence. "I don't want to ruin this moment but..." he leaned in and gave me a quick kiss.
"Then don't say anything. Just enjoy it." We kissed for a moment, his fingers caressing the curve of my neck with their tips, then sliding down to the curve of my breasts. I shivered when his other hand slipped under my blouse, his skin warm against mine. He broke our kiss and leaned in to whisper in my ear, "I'm going to make love to you, Lilly." I gasped at his words.
"I've been waiting for it eagerly."
We made love twice: slow, tender, and filled with desire. Later, we were lost in the cloud of our climax while we listened to the distant notes of a piano. I was lying face down and naked, the silk sheet covering only my backside, while Jackson's fingers slowly caressed my back. My gaze was fixed on the night view through the window, watching the lights of the other buildings.
"What are you thinking about?" Jackson asked in a low tone, not stopping the gentle caresses on my back.
"I like the view," I confessed. My mind had wandered to how I would decorate the room, and though I scolded myself for doing so, I allowed myself to dream a little.
"Me too." I shifted to look at him.
"The one outside, or are you talking about something else?" He smiled.
"Your half-naked body is the best view I could have right now." He leaned in to capture my lips, and we melted into a hungry kiss. When we pulled apart, he looked at me intently, caressing my lower lip with his thumb. "I want you to enjoy this gift, to have your own space. We can buy the furniture together, I'll help you decorate it, maybe even..."
"Jackson..." He pressed my lips with his thumb.
"It's my gift, one that comes from the bottom of my heart. Are you going to give it back just like that?"
"It's too much," I whispered.
"To me, you deserve this and so much more."
"I'll accept it on one condition." He raised an eyebrow.
"I'm listening..."
"Let me give you..."
"No." It was a firm "No."
"Weren't you going to listen to me?" I complained.
"I don't want you to give me anything."
"Then enjoy the apartment by yourself." I tried to get up, but Jackson stopped me and started tickling me. I burst into laughter, and with one move, his large, muscular body was on top of mine. He slid one of his legs between mine. When I stopped laughing, he was looking at me again.
"I'll listen. I promise."
"A down payment." He rolled his eyes for a moment and shook his head. "It's the only way I'll accept it," I raised my hands to caress his face.
"I'm not asking for anything in return, Lilly."
"But I'll feel less uncomfortable." He raised an eyebrow. "It's too much, Jackson. You already bought me the dress for Saturday."
"And there's still a third gift to come." My eyes widened, and my heart raced.
"Another one? Why? It's not my birthday."
"But it's our first day as official boyfriend and girlfriend. Just let me spoil you," he leaned in and kissed me. When we pulled apart, we were both panting.
"You can spoil me in other ways."
"Lilly, please. This is my way of wanting to spoil you, to show you that I'm happy we're in an official relationship. Besides," he left a kiss on the tip of my nose, "you would have looked for one anyway. I just got ahead. It's one of the best buildings I have."
"And what's the third gift?" I asked, frowning.
"Get dressed, and you'll see." So I gave in. We changed clothes and went down together in the elevator. When the doors opened, I realized we were in the underground parking lot. He took my hand and led me.
"Are we going somewhere? To dinner?" He didn't answer. Then he stopped halfway and handed me a key, and I paled. "No, no, no, no, no, Jackson." He smiled.
"Don't you want to know what the gift is?" I looked at the key, which had an emblem imprinted on it, the letter "B" in uppercase decorated with wings, indicating the supernatural potential of this brand. I looked up at him, my heart could stop beating right here from the shock.
"Did you buy me a car?" I quickly corrected myself. "Did you buy me... a Bentley?" His lips slowly widened into a proud and satisfied smile.