Chapter 161

Dinner was amazing. Erik walked her around the grounds, showing her the infinity pool and hot tub and then gave her a tour of the inside. It was a sprawling mansion with 8 bedrooms and 11 baths. He walked her through a family room, an office, a full library, show kitchen with Miele appliances, catering kitchen, 12-seat theater, a 12,000-bottle collectors wine cellar, gym, 3-story elevator, and a 4-car garage. The primary suite had a sitting area with fireplace, private balcony, dual dressing rooms and spa-style baths.

"Erik, this house is, it's absolutely unbelievable."

She said, thanking him for the tour.

"You are the first guest I've had here. It's nice to show it off. I like it very much." He said. "My main residence is High Grove House in South west England, in Gloucestershire. The gardens are spectacular there. You'd love it." He said. He led her to the front door and told Charles to bring the car around. "Where are we going?" Pearl asked. "To the Chateau to get your things and bring them back here. Your security can stay as well. As you can see, we have plenty of room here for him." He said, kissing her hand again. "I'm not letting you out of my arms for three weeks." He said. "Good" she replied.

They stopped in front of the hotel and paparazzi were all over them. Charles opened her door and Jim shielded them as best he could. They walked to Pearl's bungalow and gathered her bags. She felt his arms around her and Erik turned her to face him. He kissed her and said, "We aren't in a rush. I want to do what I held myself back from doing the last night we were here." He said. He unzipped her dress and let it fall to the floor. Kissing her neck and shoulders, he moved his hands to the back of her strapless bra and unfastened it, running his hands down her back and up to her breasts. He took her panties down and stopped and stepped back, looking at her.

"Is everything ok?" Pearl asked.

"I've never seen anything more beautiful than you are, right now, in this light and in this moment. You are an absolute angel" he said, tearing up. She walked to him and kissed him. Taking his jacket off and unbuttoning his shirt, she looked into his eyes and smiled. She took his shirt off and unfastened his pants, dropping them to the floor and then his underwear. He stood there naked in front of her. She took a step back, looking at him. He smiled and she said, "I've never seen anything more beautiful than you are, right now, in this moment. You are... everything." She said. The intensity of his gaze burned through her and he took her in his arms, kissing her and feasting on every inch of her mouth and neck and then her body. He laid her down on the bed and looked into her eyes. "I want to be inside of you, need to be inside of you. I want to be inside of you so strongly that I can't feel peace until I am again." She wrapped her legs around his body and pulled him to her. "Please. Please take me. Please own me." She begged.

"I could never own you. But I will make you mine." He said.

"Forever." She whispered.

"And a day." He said as he kissed her, entering her body with his and finding the peace he needed once again.

"Good morning, nightingale." Erik said. Pearl had missed hearing that so much while lying next to him.

"Good morning, Prince Charming." She said. She opened her eyes and looked around the massive bedroom. It was even more beautiful in the daylight. He kissed her and took her hand, leading her to the shower. They bathed together and his maid had breakfast laid out for them. She poured herself a coffee and watched him. He had his robe and reading glasses on and his hair was a wet, tousled mess.

"What?" He asked.

"Nothing. You're just adorable." She said.

"Adorable? Like a puppy? I prefer regally handsome." He said, scoffing at her.

"That too." Pearl said.

"So, what's on the agenda today?" He asked.

"The guys from band are flying in and we are meeting at their hotel for dinner. Tomorrow we have an appearance on The Ellen show." She said. "What about you? What are you doing today?" She asked.

"Well, I thought I'd skulk around here for a bit and then join you and the band for dinner, if that's ok?" He said, looking down at the paper he was reading. Pearl looked at him with surprise. "Ummm.." she said.

"Yes, Pearl?" He asked.

"You want to have dinner with us?" She asked.

"Of course I do. I want to meet your band family. I'm excited about it, actually. Unless you don't feel comfortable with it. And in that case, I will be skulking around here all night as well." He said, with a mischievous smile.

"No. I mean. Yes. I want you to meet them. And no. I'm not uncomfortable with it. I'm just a little surprised you would want to is all." She said.

"Pearl, remember what we talked about last night. Assume I would, rather than wouldn't, in all things pertaining to you." He stood up and kissed her forehead. "You can invite them here if you'd like. I'll have Abigail and Benny make a full course dinner." He said and walked upstairs.

Pearl pinched herself again.