Ian didn’t say anything; he just stared straight ahead as we kept running. When we arrived back to the house, Ian and I sat down at the dining room table and waited for breakfast to be served. It smelled wonderful and I was starving. Mandy brought us a fruit cup to start.
“I see that I’m just in time for a grand breakfast.” Adalynn smiled as she walked over and kissed Ian’s cheek and then mine.
“Good morning, Adalynn. Perfect timing as usual,” Ian said.
“Hi, Adalynn.” I smiled.
She took a seat across from me and pointed her finger. “I’m still mad at you, missy.”
Ian chuckled as he looked at me.
“And as for you, mister, don’t think it’s a coincidence. You know I’m a sucker for Charles’ cooking.”
Ian nodded his head as he bit into a strawberry. Mandy set a plate in front of me of something that I wasn’t quite sure of. It looked like a rolled up pancake with fruit inside. I picked up my fork and knife and looked at it as Mandy served Ian and Adalynn.
“Rory, it’s a crepe.” Ian smiled.
“A what?” I asked as I looked at him.
“Honey, just taste it. Trust me; you’ll die when you do,” Adalynn said.
I took a bite and it melted in my mouth. It was probably the best thing I’d ever had, except for the earth-shattering orgasms Ian gave me. “Oh my God, this is delicious.”
“Told ya.” Adalynn winked.
“Rory, I’m giving you the day off,” Ian said.
“Why?”
“Because the caterers are going to be in and out and so is the party planner. You can resume work on Monday.”
“Are you sure, Ian?”
“I’m positive, sweetheart,” he said as he got up from the table.
Adalynn looked at me and smiled. “Spill! How was it?”
“It was amazing. Absolutely f**king amazing!” I exclaimed as I got up and grabbed her hand. “Come with me upstairs.”
I told Adalynn to wait for me while I took a quick shower. When I walked back into the bedroom, she was admiring the necklace that Ian gave me.
“Did he give you this?” she asked.
“Yes. Isn’t it gorgeous? He told me that the key represents that I’ll always have a place to stay here.”
“I get the feeling you were hoping it meant more.”
“I’m falling in love with him,” I said as I looked down.
“Oh, Rory. What did I tell you?”
“I know. But I can’t help feeling what I feel.”
“Have you ever been in love before?”
“No.”
“Sweet, Jesus. Ian is not the person who should be your first love.”
I knew what Adalynn was getting at. She warned me and I didn’t listen. “I can’t help it. He’s an amazing person, and I know deep down he has feelings for me,” I said as I lightly applied some makeup.
“Ian Braxton has never had a romantic feeling about anyone in his life.”
“He bought me something else. I’ll show you after I blow dry my hair.”
Once my hair was done, I led Adalynn to the baby grand piano.
“Wow, this is beautiful,” she said as she ran her finger along it.
“Have you heard her play?” Ian smiled as he walked out from his study.
“You can play the piano?” Adalynn asked.
I nodded my head as I sat down and began to play. Adalynn stared at me in disbelief and then looked at Ian.
“I know. It gets me hard every time.” He winked as he walked away.
Adalynn sat down on the bench next to me. Once I was finished, her big eyes and wide smile stared at me. “That was f**king incredible. You have to teach me to play someday.”
“I will.” I laughed.
“Okay, doll, I have to get to the office. I’ll see you tonight for your birthday party. It’s going to be fun,” she said as she kissed me on the cheek and left.
I sighed at the thought of my party. There had never been a party to celebrate me. No sweet sixteen, no graduation, nothing. My aunt didn’t even come to my and Stephen’s graduation from high school. I was nervous about this party, and I prayed to God that Ian didn’t invite his father.
****
The house was chaotic between the caterers, florist, and the party planner. The party was being held outside in Ian’s gigantic and beautiful backyard. White tents with white lights were being set up, flowers were being arranged in vases, and tables were being set up with linens. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. Ian wouldn’t have gone to all this trouble if he didn’t have feelings for me. He came home and walked straight to where I was standing in the backyard.
“Looks great.” He smiled as he looked around.
I hooked my arm around his and laid my head on his shoulder. “It looks amazing. Thank you, Ian, but it wasn’t necessary.”
“It was. You should have a great birthday party. You deserve it,” he spoke as his lips touched my head. “I’m going to go shower and get changed. I suggest you do the same so you’re ready when the guests start arriving.”
We walked back into the house. He went to his room and I went to mine. After my shower, I wrapped a towel around me and walked over to my closet, searching for the perfect dress to wear. I turned on some classical music and listened while I put on my makeup and did my hair. I slipped into a chiffon black strapless dress and a pair of black heels. As I walked downed the stairs, Ian was walking through the foyer when he stopped and looked at me.
“You look beautiful, Rory.”
“Thank you.” I smiled as I walked up to him. “You’re looking pretty sexy yourself in that suit.”
He couldn’t look any sexier if he tried. The way he wore his black suit with a white shirt underneath that was left partially unbuttoned, showing a hint of his taut chest, made me want to forget the party and just make love to him all night, not to mention the scent of Ralph Lauren that poured from him seduced me. Ian smiled and walked me to the back and handed me a glass of wine.
“Here, this will calm your nerves.”
“How do you know I’m nervous?” I asked.
“I can tell. You have the same look on your face that you always get when you’re nervous.” He smiled.
I took a sip of wine and then a deep breath as guests started to arrive. The only people I would know at my own birthday party were Adalynn, Daniel, Ollie, and Jordyn. Ian introduced me to the guests as they arrived. There were a lot of beautiful women and it made me uncomfortable. A few of them I recognized from when Ian brought them home at night. I was talking to Adalynn when a boisterous voice echoed through the yard. I turned my head to see Andrew standing by the door, asking where the birthday girl was. I took in a deep breath and walked over to him.