Chapter 208

"Rhys." Pearl said. "Why are you here?"

"This is a children's hospital event. I am involved with several charities and the hospital I represent primarily is here tonight, affiliated." He explained.

"Oh." Pearl said.

"You look beautiful." He said.

She pretended not to hear him and sipped her champagne, looking around, hoping Erik was not long.

"I want to apologize. For everything. You have every right to hate me forever. I have been sober for a few weeks now and I realized a lot. I was glad to hear you were ok after your accident." Rhys said.

"Thank you." Pearl said dryly.

"It may have been in pieces, but I gave you the best of me." Rhys said, looking at her with sadness.

Pearl put her head down. She cared for him, it was impossible to share so much with someone and not.

"Thank you. Apology accepted. After all, you were the one to help me begin my journey down the road of realizing my value after my marriage. I will always be grateful to you for that. It was just unfortunate that the road eventually led to cowardice and deceit." She said.

Rhys looked down. "You will always be the one that got away." He said.

"Oh please, why ruin a perfectly good apology with lame bravado? Let's not romanticize it. You chose it. All of it. I didn't get away. And I hope you will remember that, always." Pearl said.

Erik returned to her side and looked at Rhys as if he might crush him with his bare hands.

"Mr. Tomlinson. I see your face has healed well since our last meeting. I sincerely hope that doesn't mean the damage done or the conversation we had was foolishly forgotten." Erik said, looking directly into Rhys' eyes.

"No. Nothing but respect for you both. I was just telling Pearl how sorry I am and how perfectly suited she is to be a princess." He said. "Your highness. Pearl." And he bowed and walked away.

"Are you alright?" Erik asked.

"Yes. Yes I am wonderful. I love you." Pearl said.

"I love you, nightingale." He said.

"Now, shall we show you off around this room?" He asked. Pearl smiled and took his arm.

A reporter was going around and asking everyone how their evening was going. She stopped at Pearl.

"Ms, Clarke, you look stunning tonight. Who are you wearing?" She asked.

"Pamela Roland." Pearl said. "But I have to give enormous credit to my personal stylist, Nico Natalli, for making me beautiful tonight." She said. The woman then commented on her ring and Pearl thanked her.

"That was wonderful, giving the young man credit like that." Erik whispered.

"He deserves it." Pearl said, smiling.

The rest of the night was spent chatting and dancing and meeting many new people. So many congratulated them on their engagement and told Erik he was a lucky bastard.

They finally arrived back the estate and Pearl was exhausted. Her feet were killing her and she was thankful to breathe again after taking off her dress. Erik ran her a bath and told her to relax. She gladly obliged and moments later, Erik arrived holding a bottle of wine and two glasses, and a book. He loosened his tie and poured her a glass. Sitting on the floor near the tub, he began to read to her. This time it was Byron.

"She walks in beauty, like the night

Of cloudless climes and starry skies;

And all that's best of dark and bright

Meet in her aspect and her eyes;

Thus mellowed to that tender light

Which heaven to gaudy day denies.

One shade the more, one ray the less,

Had half impaired the nameless grace

Which waves in every raven tress,

Or softly lightens o'er her face;

Where thoughts serenely sweet express,

How pure, how dear their dwelling-place.

And on that cheek, and o'er that brow,

So soft, so calm, yet eloquent,

The smiles that win, the tints that glow,

But tell of days in goodness spent,

A mind at peace with all below,

A heart whose love is innocent."

He read in the candlelight lit room, his voice soft and sexy.

"Pearl. Thank you." He said, closing the book.

"For what?" She asked.

"For loving me." He said. "And for being someone I can trust."

"You're welcome, Erik." She said. He got up and kissed her forehead.

"Come to me when you are through. I'll be waiting for you in bed." He said.

She smiled and nodded.

He was asleep when she found him, laying in bed with a book on his chest. He looked so innocent and sweet lying there, his glasses half down his nose. She looked at the book and saw that it was Jane Eyre he was reading. Her favorite book. Her heart felt so much love for him, seeing that.

She took his glasses off carefully and laid the book open to save his page on the bedside table. She laid next to him, and put her head on his chest. He stirred, turning to her and kissing her. He ran his hand down her back and pulled her to him. Lifting her night gown, he ran his hands up her legs and pulled her panties off, moving his hand back up between her thighs. She moaned and kissed him harder. He moved on top of her, opening her legs with his. "I love you." He whispered as he buried himself inside of her.

She arched her back and whimpered, kissing him and pulling his body closer to her. With every thrust, he kissed and caressed her, cradling her head and neck and looking into her eyes. "I can't get close enough to you. I can't." He said, penetrating her as deeply as he could.

After their lovemaking, Erik held her and kissed her, smoothing her hair and inhaling her scent.

"I can't wait to make you my wife." He said. She smiled. "I can't wait to be your wife." She said.

*************

"All packed?" Erik asked.

"Do we have to leave?" Pearl asked, pouting.

"Yes my love. We have much to do. But I promise you, Italy will always be ours." He said.

She smiled and handed Jim her bag.

"One more thing, though I think." He said, opening the door to reveal a Vespa parked out front.

"Take a ride with me before we go?" Erik asked.

"Hell yes!" Pearl said.