Chapter Eight

Amelia

"The award for the Entrepreneur of the Year goes to the CEO of Sunshine Group, Amelia Farrell."

Roaring applause fills the air, drowning the high-pitched voice of the announcer as she welcomes the winner to the stage. I stand up slowly, then glance around at the excited faces of my friends. Their encouraging smiles do nothing to rouse my spirits. I feel dead inside. My eyes meet London's, and I can see the sympathy in her eyes even as she smiles brightly at me.

Only she knows how hard I cried in the past weeks. How pathetic I was. Tonight, she arrived at my house, dragged me off my couch, and encouraged me to put on this glittering dress and do my makeup. I listlessly went through the routine, wishing that I didn't win the award so I didn't have to speak in front of all these people.

Who was I trying to fool?

London gestures towards the stage as if to remind me that everyone is waiting for me to get on it. Taking a deep, steadying breath, I plaster the biggest smile I can muster and walk up the stairs.

It's not my first time in front of a crowd, but this time, my heart is palpitating. The lights are too bright, the stage too wide. I can feel the weight of a hundred stares on me. The applause feels fake, almost like a mockery. Just like my relationship with Seb.

I smile wider as I take the award plaque from the presenter and somehow manage to keep my voice steady while I say my thanks.

"Finally, I'm grateful to my brother, Curt, and his gorgeous wife, London, for always being present and…"

Suddenly, a woman busts out of the crowd to stand directly in front of the podium. She's petite with pretty eyes that are filled with the smug malice common to paparazzi reporters. In her hand is a gleaming black camera, aimed directly at my face.

"Miss Farrell, can you confirm that your engagement to the man named Sebastian Knight was a hoax?"

Another man joins her, his expression cynical. "Was the engagement really a cover-up for your affair with a French magnate?"

Another comes forward. "Why is Mr. Knight not here tonight?"

The applause has died, replaced by scandalized whispers, shouted questions, and the flicker of camera shutters. I stare at them, stunned speechless. I suddenly feel like an animal trapped in the spotlight, willing desperately for the ground to open up and swallow me.

My heart is beating too fast.

My palms are sweaty.

I tighten my grip around the award plaque, holding on so hard that the edges start to bite into the flesh of my palm.

"Here I am," says a deep, familiar voice. The voice that I've desperately longed for in the past few days, that I've desperately listened for in my dreams. It's calm and firm, effectively cutting through the thick tension that's settled in the room.

I look up and our gazes clash. Sebastian's walking towards me, his strides long and sure. At that moment, everything seems to pause. The world around us ceases to exist. Nothing else matters… Not the savage reporters. Not the shocked audience. Especially not the petty emotions that I've worn around myself like a coat armor in the past two weeks…

What matters is what I refused to let myself see: a kind and warm-hearted man who's protected me right from the beginning. He couldn't have faked that sparkle in his eyes when he laughed, nor the tenderness in his touch when he made love to me… None of those were a lie.

Oh, God, why am I just realizing that now?

Seb climbs up on the stage beside me, taking my hand in his.

"Hello butterfly," he whispers, smiling reassuringly into my eyes.

I wish he'd kiss me, but I know he won't.

My heart clenches at the shadows under his once-lively blue eyes. I see now how tough the past two weeks have been on him. How selfish I've been.

He squeezes my hand gently before turning to smile in the direction of the gossip-hungry reporters. They're aimed and ready to strike, cameras flashing.

"Ladies and gentlemen of the press, we appreciate your interest in our relationship, but we kindly ask for respect and privacy regarding our personal lives. Your understanding in allowing us some space will mean a lot to both of us. Thank you, everyone."

With that, he pulls me closer against his body and guides me off the stage, through the flashing cameras and hushed murmurs of the audience, and outside to his car, parked directly in front of the building.

"I'll take you home," he says quietly, looking into my eyes as he gently rubs my shoulders.

I nod, just grateful that I didn't have to do anything. Or say anything.

He opens the passenger door for me, waits until I'm all settled, then closes it gently. The ride to my apartment is silent, but filled with the roaring emotions standing between us.

"Do you want to come in?" I ask after he walks me to my door.

"Yes, please."

Something flutters in his eyes. Relief? Gratitude?

I can't really be sure of anything at the moment. Not with my heart thundering loudly in my chest and my stomach tied up in knots.

I open the door and let him in first, then close it behind me, taking a deep breath before turning around to face him.

"I'm sorry," we both say at the same time. We laugh at the coincidence: a nervous and relieved sound at the same time.

"You can go first," I finally say, not quite meeting his gaze.

"I'm sorry about everything, butterfly," he says, his expression sober. "I didn't mean to hurt you, but I did and I'm truly sorry. ACE Investment was in the middle of merger plans with Coral Groups; they would only agree to a merger if we expand their operations to 53rd Street. They wanted the exact location where Sunshine Café was located. That night I came into the cafe, it was just to get some intel, but then I walked in on a robbery."

He takes my hands in his. "I was attracted to you at first sight. Everything I felt from that time on was beyond my control. I should have come clean to you, but I was afraid you wouldn't understand. Not like that's any excuse."

"I'm sorry too," I say, my tense muscles relaxing for the first time in weeks. "I shouldn't have accused you of being an accomplice to the robbery. I shouldn't have said any of those hurtful things. I guess I was scared of how fast things were moving. I was scared of… being so vulnerable with you. It seemed too good to be true, so I guess I jumped at the first excuse to paint it in a bad light. I'm so sorry."

"I'm just glad all that's behind us," he says, his eyes brimming with emotions that have my heart lurching in my chest. "I missed you, butterfly. I missed you so much."

I rise on my toes and kiss him, wrapping my arms around his neck and burying my fingers into his hair. He moans into my mouth, wrapping his arms around my waist to press my body closer to his. We kiss for a long time – slowly, then aggressively, hands roaming, tongues meshing in a hungry dance, expressing the things we couldn't put in words.

I want to tell him that I love him… and I'm afraid he wouldn't feel the same. But I can't seem to find the words to express myself, so I surrender my body to the mercy of his touch. Maybe in time, I'll have the courage to bare myself heart to him. But for now, I'll take all he's willing to give.

And when we finally find our way into the bedroom and get our clothes out of the way, he slides inside of me, slowly, his eyes boring intensely into mine.

"I love you, Amelia," he says while moving inside of me, filling me.

Tears spring to my eyes even as my heart leaps with an immeasurable joy. This moment feels so surreal, like a dream. One I never want to wake up from.

"I love you too, Sebastian."

He leans forward to capture my mouth in a long, passionate kiss, thrusting deeper into me. I raise my hips to meet his strokes, my fingers digging into the skin of his shoulders. Our moans fill the room gruff and breathless, our bodies desperate for release.

"Sebastian!" I scream as a wave of insurmountable pleasures overwhelms me. I claw deeper into his back and shoulders as I submit to the powerful orgasm that rocks my entire body.

Sebastian comes just as hard, burying his head into my neck and muttering my name over and over again.

A long time after, I'm half lying on his chest, almost drifting asleep to the rhythm of his heart when he speaks up. "I resigned from my position at the company. "

"What? Why?" I ask, raising my head slightly to search his face.

"I'm going to paint now. Professionally," he replies, his eyes sparkling with a contagious excitement. "And I was wondering if you'll continue to be my muse. Forever."

"Is that a proposal, Mr. Knight?" I ask, laughing.

He nods, his smile bashful. "Of course, I'll get a ring and get on my knees. I just want to…"

"Yes."

"...be sure that… what? Did you say yes?"

"Yes," I reply, laughing despite the tears spilling down my cheeks. "Yes, I'll marry you, Sebastian."

He laughs heartily, wrapping his arms tightly around me. "Oh, I love you so much, my butterfly."

Epilogue

Sebastian

Three years later

I walk into the bedroom in search of her, my heart soaring when I hear humming in the bathroom with the sound of water running. A stab of desire steals my breath as I imagine my beautiful wife standing under the shower, water trailing down her pale skin.

I undress quickly, my heart racing with excitement. The need to make love to her consumes me, urging me faster. I walk into the adjoining bathroom and watch my wife through the glass shower cubicle.

There she is, just like I imagined, standing under the spray of water, her smooth, pale ass cheeks turned towards me. I silently admire her, watching drops of water trail down the sensual curve of her body.

Three years and I still want her with a staggering vigor. Right now, watching her sway slowly to whatever tune she's humming, I'm reminded again what a lucky bastard I am.

I slide open the shower cubicle, its squeaky sound announcing my presence. She turns around, her gorgeous gray eyes widening in surprise even as her lips turn up in a big, affectionate smile.

"Hey, butterfly."

"I didn't expect you back so early," she says, wrapping her arms around my neck as I pull her body against mine.

I slide my hands down her back to her ass, affectionately squeezing each cheek. "I couldn't wait to get home to my dear wife."

She laughs, shaking her head playfully at me. "How was your day? Did you find a suitable space for the exhibition?"

I let out a weary sigh at her question. It's my first exhibition since my debut as an artist three years ago. All preparations were going well, local and international artists were confirmed, and invitations were sent out. Then the management of the initial gallery canceled last minute due to maintenance issues.

"I did find a great place, but I'm not sure it complements the theme of the exhibition," I reply. "I guess I'll keep looking."

"I'm sorry, honey," Amelia says, stroking my cheeks. "Thankfully, we have six months before the exhibition. I'm sure we'll find something before then. The exhibition is going to be a huge success. I have a good feeling about this."

"I don't doubt that," I say, kissing the tip of her nose. "You, after all, are my muse."

And it's true. In the past three years, she's been my biggest inspiration, always pushing me to do more, be better. And now, I can't remember what life was like before her, nor can I imagine where I'd be without her now.

"How was your appointment at the doctor?" I ask, search her face. I've been anxious all morning, knowing she went to the hospital for a checkup after losing her breakfast two days in a row. "I hope it's nothing serious?"

She sighs, her expression somber. "Quite serious, my love."

My heart stops as several horrible scenarios flash in my head. "W-what's wrong?"

She breaks into a grin. "We're having a baby!" she exclaims excitedly.

"What?" I ask dazedly.

"I'm pregnant, baby," she says, her eyes brimming with tears even as her smile grows bigger.

My heart starts a low thrum in my chest as her words take root. Slowly, I place my right hand over her flat tummy, staring in awe as I imagine a baby growing inside. Our baby.

"We're having a baby," I repeat softly in awe, massaging her tummy.

My cock hardens in excitement, poking her stomach at the thought that I put a baby in my wife's belly.

"Oh, Seb. You're excited!" Amelia says with a giggle.

"Of course I'm excited. And I can't wait to show you just how much," I whisper against her ear, smiling wickedly at her gasp.

I push her against the glass wall and kiss her slowly. Deeply. Water rains down on us, streaking down my back as I revel in the hot sensations of her mouth. She moans, shivering when I squeeze her ass roughly.

I pull away from her mouth and trail hot kisses down to her breasts, lavishing attention on them, kneading and sucking until she moans my name in frustration.

"Seb!"

I smile to myself at her reaction, growing even harder. Always eagerly ready. My butterfly.

I drop to my knees in front of her and lift one of her legs over my shoulder. I slip a finger into her. She moans, burying her hands into my hair, her grip tightening as I put my mouth on her. I suck hard on her throbbing clit, slowly fucking her with my fingers, teasing her until she becomes a quivering mess. I push her to the brink and then bring her back just in time before she falls over the edge.

I continue to tease her, licking and lapping. Fucking and sucking. Desire pools in my groin, causing me to grow harder until my balls are almost blue with the pain. Precum drips down my shaft to the shower floor; still, I continue to pleasure my wife, determined to blow her mind like she did mine.

Then she comes hard, her hips bucking and her body quivering with the intensity of her orgasm.

I stand to my feet and pick her up, loving the way she automatically wraps her legs around my waist.

"Seb, I need you to fuck me right now," she orders, her voice slightly hoarse.

"Not yet. We need to get to bed. You're pregnant and I don't want anything to go wrong." I groan as she grinds her wet sex on my cock.

"I don't need a bed, Seb! The baby will be fine!" Amelia replies, laughing even as she tries to maneuver my hard cock into her slick pussy.

"Oh, fuck," I groan, clamping my hand tight on her butt to prevent any further movement.

I rush into the bedroom and slowly deposit her wet body on the bed. I slide up above her, entering her sheath in one, sharp thrust.

"Ohh!" she cries out as a sharp orgasm ripples through her body.

I let out a grunt as her walls clench around my cock. I move slowly and deeply, in and out, looking into her gorgeous eyes filled with endless love. The need to release consumes me as goosebumps spread over my body from heightened sensations. I grit my teeth to push down the feeling, changing the tempo of my movements, pistoning my cock at an angle that allows me to go deeper.

I gaze into her eyes, willingly getting lost in the deep gray pools. A familiar warmth suffuses my body, reminding me how much I love her. I watch as her breathing changes, growing fast and erratic as another orgasm consumes her. She cries out, clenching around my length and triggering a euphoric orgasm. I grunt, releasing hot jets of cum into her wet pussy.

I roll onto my back, taking her with me so that she's lying on top of me. A warm feeling unfurls in my chest at her soft, contented smile. A sense of satisfaction spreads slowly around my chest and throughout my whole body.

"I love you, butterfly," I say, looking deeply into her eyes.

She smiles, and at that moment, I'm reminded of how I'd choose this life over and over again.

"I love you, too, Sebastian," she says softly. "Now and forever."

~The End