Page 121 of Tamed By You

“I love you both so much. Thank you for always holding me up.”

“Always.” They say in unison. The moment is broken with a knocking sound.

Needing a second to get myself together, I walk towards the door, dabbing underneath my eyes, conscious of smudging my make up. I open the door, brows raising, surprised to see the guy’s driver at my door.

“Hi, Graham. You’re early.”

“Harry asked me to pick you up a little earlier.”

“Oh, oh okay, let me just get my stuff. Girls, we need to go...”

“No. No, just you. Another car will collect them shortly.”

I scan his face, trying to read his expression, but I can’t. He has the best poker face. I rush to pick up my clutch bag, forgoing ajacket, my body heating in anticipation of seeing Harry. I hug the girls goodbye and head down to the waiting car.

The New York December air hits me, and I instantly regret not bringing my jacket. I get in the backseat; thankful the heating is on full. I look out the window as we drive through the city. New York in December may be one of the most beautiful places, Rockefeller Centre, Central Park, every part decorated in twinkling lights and seasonal décor. It’s one of my favorite times of year, not just because it’s my birthday or Christmas, but because it’s the end of the year, a new one is around the corner, and I have a feeling my next year may be my best yet.

We arrive, the journey taking a little longer than I had anticipated. Graham opens the door and I step out onto the street. He gestures to the door, and I am so keen to get out of the cold I don’t register where he has taken me.

I push through the glass revolving doors of the building, not taking notice of the name of the place. A man dressed in a black dinner suit greets me and leads me down a dark corridor covered in pink flowers. There is a Parisian vibe to it, and it takes me back to my time in Paris.

He opens a set of white French doors to a giant room, and I gasp. The ceiling is covered in pink and white balloons. A table lines the wall to my left with champagne flutes, trays of all my favorite French foods are laid out and there in the corner, looking out over Central Park stands Harry, looking as hot as sin in a black tux and white shirt that opens round the neck.

He lifts his head, that sexy Walker grin spreading across his face, midnight eyes lighting up as I walk toward him like I’m headlining a catwalk. He whistles, biting down on his lower lip as he scans my body, drinking me in.

“I know it’s your birthday, Ali Cat, but damn, it should be illegal to look that fine.”

I do a little twirl, placing my hands on my hips, feeling like the old me again.

“Well, you better cuff me and punish me.” I wink.

“Fuck.” He groans, pulling me towards him, our mouths inches apart. “Let’s forget the party. I want to take you home now.” I let out a little laugh, and he presses his lips to mine, wrapping his strong arms around me, holding me close. And it’s my favorite place to be.

“I missed you.”

“I missed you too.” I smile against his lips. “Look at us being all soppy.”

“I know right.” He grins. “I have a present for you. I wanted to give it to you before everyone arrived.”

I pull away and eye him curiously. “I thought you gave me my present earlier.” My tone is playful and suggestive. Our sex life has amplified in the last few months. We can’t get enough of each other, but our relationship has become more than that. We may have started out as a physical thing, but he gets me, sees me and I do him. We connect on so many levels. I never really got the whole other half thing, how someone can feel like the other half of you, but now with him. I get it.

“There’s more of that later, but I have an actual gift.” He takes my hand in his and leads me to the table where there is a large white box tied with a silk pink bow. “Open it.”

Nerves and excitement dance through my body. Gently I tug at the silk ribbon, watching as it unravels and falls either side of the box.

Lifting the lid, I am met with pink tissue paper that matches the ribbon, and a white envelope with my name written in gold ink. I lift the card, peeling back the tab and pulling free the matching white card, taking a deep breath before reading the words written on the page.

The secret, Alice, is to surround yourself with people who make your heart smile. It’s then, only then, that you’ll find Wonderland. – Lewis Carrol.

Tears pool in my eyes, a droplet falling to the card and I sniff. I can’t look at Harry, I’ll fall apart. With shaky hands, I peel back the sticker that holds the tissue paper together.

I fold it back and my hands fly to cover my mouth, eyes widening at what I see lying in the box.

With a hesitant hand, I reach and lightly dust my fingers over the gold edges and outline of the face that is displayed in the center. There, in this beautifully crafted box, sits a first edition of Alice in Wonderland. Just like the one my dad left me, the one I have been saving for the past twelve years in hopes that one day I would have enough money to find one and buy it. I carefully lift it out of the box, admiring the red cover and its worn edges. I open the first page and I can’t fight it anymore. A sob escapes me as I read the same quote written on the card, a handwriting I’d recognize anywhere, one I’ve spent my life memorizing.

To my Alice,

The secret, Alice, is to surround yourself with people who make your heart smile. It’s then, only then, that you’ll find Wonderland.

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