Page 88 of Body

He opens the black velvet box and a platinum diamond ring is nestled in the center. It’s made of three lines of large bright sparkling diamonds that wrap completely around the circle. It’s incredible, like nothing I’ve ever seen. “Each band represents something special.” His fingernail touches one delicate band. “One for our past, our present and our future.” My head springs up and searches his eyes. Just like my soul sisters. The trinity. “I want to be a part of your everything. Marry me.” His eyes sparkle and swirl, the most intense blue I’ve ever seen.

“Yes,” I whisper.

His head snaps up and his gaze holds mine. “Yes, as in yes, you’ll marry me, or yes, you believe me?” He clarifies.

“Yes, I’ll marry you, and yes, I believe you.” I’m not at all shocked by the weight and depth of my answer. Chase and I were only ever meant to be together.

He puts the ring on my left hand then kisses it. “I’m going to make you so happy, Gillian, I swear!” Those delicious lips slant over mine. He pours everything into this kiss and I accept it all. His control freakiness, attitude, frustrations, over-protectiveness, sexiness, and most of all his undying love for me. Anything and everything he gives, I will own and give back in spades.

He pulls away quickly. “Let’s get married tomorrow!” he says excitedly.

“No,” I say flatly and he blinks a few times.

“Next week?” he says hopefully, layering on the sexy crooked grin.

“No. A year from now,” I offer.

“An entire year? You want me to wait to make you mine for a year?” He sounds incredulous.

“If you love me, you’ll wait.” He knows my statement is final. He got me to agree to marriage, he’s going to have to put in the time to prove his commitment.

“Move in with me then?” he barters. The man is always negotiating something. Probably why he’s so insanely wealthy.

“Okay.” I agree. It’s a solid compromise.

“Okay?” he smiles.

“I’ll move in with you. But, you have to move Maria into one of your secure buildings that has video surveillance and a doorman, oh and rent controlled.” I add.

“Done. She will not pay a dime!”

I take a deep breath. “That’s not what I said.” I roll my eyes.

“Baby, I’ll give you the world.” He kisses me and slides his hand up my leg to settle on the lacey fabric surrounding my thigh. “You’re wearing stockings?”

I smile into his kiss.

He groans. “You know what they say about a woman who wears stockings? She’s inviting a man into her most private--”

“Oh shut up and kiss me!”

***

I blow on my morning vanilla latte, courtesy of the lovely Bentley. Chase is munching on his fourth fresh baked cookie. I actually watched him dunk the cookie into his coffee. Note to self…never share a cup of coffee with my fiancé, it’s liable to have cookie crumbs in it. I watch Chase as he hums and flips through the pages of the Sunday paper. He’s beyond happy this morning. After everything that happened last night, I still feel a bit raw and needy for his attention, but twirling my engagement ring around my finger repeatedly with my thumb definitely helps my insecurities. I love feeling the weight of it against my hand, knowing its meaning, anticipating our future together. It’s the stuff true dreams are made of and I’m going to enjoy every moment.

“A package has arrived for you Ms. Callahan.” Austin enters the room and sets the box on the living room table. Chase snuggles into my side and kisses my neck. I hold up my hand and look at my new engagement ring sparkling in the morning sunlight shining through the windows. He smiles against my neck.

“It looks good on you,” he murmurs against my ear. I turn and kiss him lightly.

I remove myself from Chase’s grasp none to easily, and grab the package. I open the box and pull away the tissue paper. Inside I pull out a handful of black and white photos. They are all of Chase and I very close up. One was taken a month ago, several others were taken over the past few weeks. In every picture, Chase’s head is cut or crossed out with a deep red X across his image. My hands start to shake and Chase jumps up and grabs the photos, scanning them quietly.

“Fuck! Jack!” he yells. Both Jack and Austin race into the room.

I pull out the soft fabric that’s deep within the box. My hand catches on soft lace and a sticky substance. I pull it out and realize it’s a pair of my underwear and a matching bra in deep purple. I drop the items on the table and stare at my hand. There’s white sticky gunk all over it. Chase grasps my wrist, takes a long look. His nostrils flare, his face turns white hot with rage. His jaw clenches and that nasty tick pounds out a beat along with his anger. Instantly I know what the substance is. It’s my admirer’s semen.

I close my eyes. My body starts to shake. The stalker went into my apartment, found my undergarments, and jacked off on them before throwing them in a box to mail to me. Chase drags me to the kitchen and puts my hand under the water. He pours soap over my hands, and I scrub them. I grab the sponge and scrub roughly against my skin with the scratchy side.

“Gillian, stop. It’s off, you’re clean,” Chase says and pulls my hands away from the sink, then kisses each one. “Take a few deep breaths.” He mimics me and we both take five deep breaths together. The panic lessens and I’m much calmer as we walk back into the room.

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