Chapter 37 Make Her Yours!
Skylar didn’t argue with him and it took him by surprise. She was too engrossed in the beauty all around her to give it much thought.
She saw the name of the estate embossed on a huge board with awe.
Saint James Frascati Winery.
“Is there a wedding happening here?” she gasped as her gaze fell upon an arch constructed in the front yard of the resort building. There were guests gearing up to welcome the bride. She gazed at the officiant, the altar, the aisle, and the groom with wide eyes. Seeing them she could easily envisage her wedding with Christian here.
“Yes, we’re fully booked right now although the inauguration was supposed to happen two days later.”
“Oh, where will we stay?” she gasped, turning to glance at him.
“There’s a cottage specially reserved for us wherever we visit. It’s for our personal use. Otherwise, there are only thirty guest rooms on the property right now. The response has been massive so far. We’ll surely expand in the near future.”
“The wedding decor is impressive! Wow! Look at the bride!” she gasped but Christian watched her with surprise. She seemed too lost in the wedding to listen to him.
“We’ll have a grander wedding here if you want. I’m sure you’ll look better than her.” His remark made her turn to give him a look of disbelief.
“Are you serious?” He nodded, and the car stopped to drop them off. A few staff came rushing towards them on seeing Christian emerge from the car.
“Good evening, Mr. St. James! Hope you had a pleasant journey!” said a tall, suit-clad man, approaching them.
“Yes, Mr. Costa. How’s it going?” he gestured towards the wedding venue. Mr. Costa nodded with a satisfied look on his face.
“It’s all under control, sir. They’re satisfied with our hospitality!”
“That’s good!” Christian helped Skylar alight and placed an arm around her shoulders possessively. “This is my fiancée, Skylar Carnell.”
“Hello, ma’am! I’m Lorenzo Costa, the General Manager here! I hope you will have a pleasant stay.”
“Hello, Mr. Costa. Thank you for your efforts! The wedding arrangements look lovely!”
“Thank you, ma’am.”
“Your room is ready, sir. Please come this way.” He led them towards a cottage at the far end overlooking the lush vineyard landscape. The cottage was spacious with a separate dining area and a private porch. The resort staff brought in their luggage while they looked around the place. Skylar noticed there was only one bedroom and a small children's room. Could she sleep in the children's room?
“Should I send your dinner here, sir?” asked Mr. Costa.
“Where are you hosting the reception and dinner? In the banquet hall?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Then we can go to the restaurant to have our dinner,” said Skylar, eager to explore the place.
“You can return to the wedding event, Mr. Costa. We will freshen up and go to the restaurant.”
“Call me if you need me, sir.” Mr. Costa left and they went towards the restaurant. The sun had set and Skylar felt her stomach rumbling for food.
“I’m dying of hunger. Can you imagine, we missed lunch today? This is so weird. We’re having dinner right after breakfast in a matter of a few hours.”
“Yes, you could experience jetlag if you’re not used to traveling across time zones. Let’s eat first and hit the bed.”
“Yes, I'm feeling a little dazed already.” He grabbed her hand and led her inside the two-storied restaurant with open-air sit-out options in the front and on the terrace.
“Let’s go to the terrace. It will be less crowded!” Everyone greeted them with respect, leading them to a seat on the open-air terrace.
“Will you have our signature four-course truly Roman meal?”
“Yes, I’d love to. My mouth is watering at the mention of it!” Christian ordered the best wine from their collection combined with their four-course signature dinner. He smiled at seeing Skylar watch the newlyweds proceed towards the banquet hall. His heart skipped a beat with hope. For the first time, Skylar didn’t fight with him on everything. Ever since he went back for her, she stopped arguing with him about every little thing. It was an improvement indeed in their relationship.
Although he couldn’t get physically close to her, he was happy with the way things were shaping up between them. Maybe soon she would kiss him willingly. Until then, he had to take things slow with her. It was like treading on shredded glass! He just crossed his fingers that she remained this way! No one knew when she might flare up!
Their food arrived and they tucked in hungrily. “Mmm, this is so good! You’re so lucky that you own such a place!”
“It’s yours too.” Skylar looked up at him with a puzzled look on her face.
“How?”
“You’re mine and I’m yours. So whatever I own is yours too.” Skylar’s cheeks colored at his blatant confession. So, did they truly belong to one another? Christian’s words confused her a lot. She didn’t know now whether they were marrying for real or going for a contract marriage. But she was too tired to argue with him! Her head was already reeling and she needed sleep.
Christian ate with a small smile on his lips. His heart sang with delight when she didn’t argue about his declaration. So did she agree that she belonged to him? His heart and mind wanted to break into a happy dance.
‘Make her yours, Christian!’ they chanted in unison.
It drove him crazy but he couldn’t make a move towards her. She looked so happy as she grasped his arm while he led her toward their cottage.
“My head is reeling, Christian!” she whispered, closing her eyes momentarily.
He didn’t wait for her permission and picked her up in his arms, bridal style! She wrapped her arms around his neck and laid her head on his broad shoulders. It made his heart soar with happiness that she trusted him enough to sink into him for support. There was a time when she jumped at his slightest touch.
“Thank you, Christian!” she murmured against his neck. It made a shot of electric current course down his body. Her soft lips against his neck were enough to arouse him. He could feel himself harden but what could he do? Thankfully, it was dark all around and no one could see his hard-on.
“My pleasure, Skylar!” he whispered back, inhaling the heady scent of her silky hair brushing against his skin. “Don’t worry! You’ll be fine after a good night’s sleep.”
On reaching the cottage, he placed her down and unlocked the door. He helped her inside and locked the door after them.
“Thanks, I can go to my room now!” she said, staggering towards the kid's room.
“You’re sleeping with me, Skylar. The bed in the kid's room is too small for you,” he ordered.
“I don’t mind a small bed.” Christian lost his patience and grabbed her hand to stop her. He pulled her into his arms and picked her up again.
“What’s the matter now? It’s not like you haven’t slept with me before,” he growled with frustration.
“Put me down, Christian. What’s wrong with you?” she protested as he led her inside the bedroom and placed her on the bed.
“Nothing is wrong with me. I won’t touch you if that’s what you’re so worried about,” he stated, picking up his clothes from his suitcase and heading to the washroom.
By the time he emerged after a refreshing, cold shower, she had already fallen asleep. A strange tenderness enveloped his heart as he looked at her tired face. She was new to so much traveling around. It would take her time to adjust to his busy schedule. She would have to since he would take her everywhere with him. He couldn’t live without her now!
As he lay down, the feel of her soft body pressed against his played havoc with his senses. He had loved to carry her in his arms. It made him feel her warmth! If only he could again pull her closer to sleep like last night. He waited for a long time for her to fall into a deep slumber.
When her breathing was finally steady and she didn’t stir at all, he snaked an arm around her waist. Pulling her closer to him, he spooned her from behind to sleep. It was bliss and he soon was transported to a land of his dreams where there was no one but them.
They were splashing on a sun-kissed beach, happy and in love! Their children were busy building sand castles in front of their majestic beach villa, their home! It might be a dream right now but Christian knew he wouldn’t give up until he turned it into a reality!
Skylar stirred in his arms and turned around to face him. Christian’s eyes immediately flew open and he watched her with dread. Would she wake up and fight with him for holding her without her permission?
She sighed against his neck, the soft heated breath making him go hard again.
“Mmm, you smell so good!” she whispered, still with her eyes closed. Christian stilled wondering if she knew it was him there with her on the bed!