[Hello Kittens!...I am SO sorry I left y'all hanging & waiting for the last chapter!! My "proper job" blew up pre-Christmas - and then I ended up on a little surprise getaway (hard life, I know!), and this is the first chance I've had to log in!
Thank you so much for all the comments and messages though - can't lie, it made me blush a little that so many of you are so invested!
ANYWAY! Here you are - the big finale - chapter 29 - enjoy! EG x ]
A knocking sound stirs me from sleep and it takes me a few moments of blinking to work out that it's coming from my front door. I look at the clock - 5pm - I must have fallen asleep reading.
The second, louder knock forces me up, reluctantly. I peek behind the curtain to check it's not Sam and see a courier van parked at the end of my path. Still half asleep, I open the door and sign for a small brown package.
As the driver heads back to his van I rip it open impatiently. Immediately I'm frozen to the spot as I gaze in awe at what's inside.
It's a hardback book.
The cover reads: 'An Untameable Girl' by Jessica Blake.
It's a hardback copy of my book. I open the cover and there's a hand written inscription inside:
'My Beautiful Jessica, I believe in you. And I love you. S x'
I feel a rush of excitement, followed by total confusion and bewilderment.
'Do you like it?'
I look up and lock eyes with Sam, standing in front of me. His are full of caution as he works to keep a little distance between us, probably worried he might get slapped again. I feel tears stinging in mine as I whisper
'It's amazing.'
My emotions get the better of me and I throw myself at him, clutching the book in one hand and wrapping the other around his neck to kiss him. He catches me around the waist and returns the kiss passionately.
As he breaks away, hands still holding me firmly, he whispers
'You know you could at least invite a guy inside before you pounce on him. The neighbours will talk.'
He adds, casting his eyes down to my silk negligee which is now brazenly on display where my robe has slipped open. I blush and pull him inside; he pulls the door shut behind him.
He's suddenly cautious again as he eyes me staring at the book in my hands, completely dumbstruck.
'It's only a mock up, and a rush job at that, but I wanted you to have it today.' He starts, 'The woman you saw at my place this morning was Emily Bennet. She's the editor in charge of the publishing branch of my aunts - of my company.' He continues, gently moving me to sit with him on the sofa. I probably look a bit like I might pass out.
'I thought she was taking my place in your playroom.' I say in a small, quiet voice, feeling utterly stupid.
'Yeah, I figured that much out after you slapped me.' His words make me wince in embarrassment, looking down at the book in my lap. Gently, he tilts my chin to make me look at him. 'I told you Jessica, there's nobody else I want to share that room with.' I smile a little at that, 'Besides, Emily's happily married, to a woman called Maria.' He adds, smiling, obviously trying to make me feel better, which I really don't deserve.
'I didn't even know your company had a publishing branch.' I say, still baffled.
'Me neither.' He admits, 'but we do, apparently Byron Books is a pretty big deal?' he shrugs
'Byron Books is part of your company?' The penny drops and I feel like a complete idiot for not making the connection before now. He nods,
'And my aunt thinks it should be one of the parts I oversee, since it's 'artsy' as she puts it.' We smile at each other briefly, both well aware that for all his artistic talents, Sam doesn't really 'do' literature. 'I only met Emily on Monday -- Louisa thought she should be involved with my subsidised creative arts school idea.' He explains.
'Hang on.' I say, turning the book over in my hands, 'Byron Books are publishing MY novel?' pieces are falling into place, but they seem ridiculous. Byron Books are huge. He nods at me again and says,
'If you want us to. After I got your letter, I showed Emily your manuscript, and she loved it, she wants to schedule it for publication as soon as possible. She also mentioned screenplays and movie rights.' I look up at him, my eyes wide. 'All pending your approval, obviously!' He adds quickly. Taking the book from me he says 'I don't know much about literature, but Emily does and she says this is great.' He smiles, genuinely.
'The cheque was an advance, I was planning to give it to you with this,' he holds up the book, 'I guess you didn't notice it was from my company account.' I blush with fresh embarrassment -- of course I hadn't noticed, I saw another cheque and then saw red. 'I admit, the note was probably pushing my luck, but you can't blame me for trying, beautiful.' he shrugs with an apologetic half smile.
Taking my chin gently between his finger and thumb, making me look him in the eye, he concludes 'You are incredibly talented Jessica, and it's time the world knew.' I can't help smiling as I find my voice again,
'So, you'd be happy for me to share my talents with the world, Mr Byron?' I ask over-innocently. He scowls at me with a smile playing on his lips.
'Your writing talents, yes. The others, I'd very much like to keep for myself.' I see a flash of lust in his eyes before he continues 'And, I'd very much like to spend the rest of my life showing you how much I appreciate them.'
'Well, that's lucky Mr Byron, because when I'm not busy editing a best seller, it looks like I'm going to have a lot of free time on my hands.' He looks at me quizzically. 'I didn't get the chance to tell you last night -- you were as distracting as ever,' I pout and he smiles, 'I went to see Crystal yesterday and Amber is officially taking a sabbatical.'
His grin widens as he takes me by the waist and turns me to face him.
'Are you serious?' he asks, pulling me closer, his full lips inches from my mouth and his eyes fixed intently on my face. 'No more clients, just you and me?' I nod with a smile and in a heartbeat his lips are on mine, kissing me hard and taking my breath away.
I kiss him back eagerly, pulling him close and tangling my fingers in his hair. I pour every drop of what I feel for him into that kiss, desperate for him to know how sorry I am, how much I want him, how much I need him; how much I love him. His response tells me he feels the same way; his tongue meeting mine, his lips claiming me as his own while his hand fists in my hair at the nape of my neck, holding me tight and close. I realise that I never want him to let me go.
Still kissing me deeply, he stands, taking me with him, cupping my bottom in his strong hands. I wrap my legs around his waist as he carries me to the bedroom.
'So, you're officially all mine?' he asks as he sets me down on the bed. I nod again, smiling, and flush from his ambush.
'Every inch of me, Mr Byron.' I pout suggestively. His face lights up with sheer deviant delight as he finishes undressing and climbs on top of me, pressing his naked body against me as his lips claim mine again.
'Do you have any idea how much I've wanted to hear that?' he growls between kisses as he hitches my silky gown up over my thighs. I sit up and shrug out of my robe, letting him lift my flimsy gown up and over my head. As he tosses it to one side, he takes me in his arms and eyes me with pure, unadulterated desire.
