Page 37 of Once Upon a Prince
It was the look, his reaction, and my own personal need that made me bolder than I had ever been with a man in my entire life. It might be a huge mistake but if I didn’t take the chance, I knew I was going to regret it.
“Ella, it was, but I shouldn’t have said it. I shouldn’t even be thinking it,” Dax said and shifted uncomfortably.
“I’m glad that you are. I’m glad that you said something. I’m thinking and feeling the same things.”
Dax reached over and put his hand on my leg. I felt the heat of his hand through my entire body. I longed for him to move his hand higher, to lean forward and bring his mouth to mine. He didn’t, but his fingers tensed around my leg as if he was preventing himself from doing more.
“Ella, I want you. You have no idea how much. It isn’t that I don’t want to do all the thousands of things that I’ve thought about doing with you. It’s just if I start, I know I will never want to stop. When I have you, and I will have you, I don’t want any distractions. I don’t want to have to leave your side for anything. Understand, it isn’t that I don’t want you, it’s that I want you too much.”
Just when I thought I knew the man, that I understood him, got what he was thinking, and what he wanted, he turned and threw me for a loop. It was the last thing I had ever expected him to say. I had wanted him to respect me, I had needed him to want me, but I had never known that it went as deep as what he was saying.
His words made me think of all the things that he wanted to do or at least all the things that I wanted him to do to me. It only made me want him more, but I knew he was right. We had an important event to go to that night.
“Dax,” I said with a sigh.
“I shouldn’t have come to talk to you. I had meant to turn and walk in the other direction but I couldn’t help myself. You looked too good, too amazing, too sexy sitting out by this pool. I had to see if you were real or just one of the many dreams I’ve had about you. Standing next to you, seeing how incredible you looked in that bathing suit with the sun showing off your amazing body was better than any dream I’d ever had.
“I want to do right by you, by us. If that means we have to wait then so be it. I’m not saying it’s going to be easy but I don’t want us to rush anything and do anything that you might regret.”
“I wouldn’t regret it,” I said.
Dax smiled and squeezed my leg again before leaning back away from me. “I have a feeling that in the short run, I might regret waiting. In the long run, I know it’s the right choice.
“I know that because I know that you’re different and better than any other woman I’ve been with and because of that, I want to be a better man to you. Which is why we’re going to table this discussion and you are going to go upstairs. I have a little surprise for you in the room and it should be ready for you now.”
“What do you mean by surprise?” I asked.
Dax reached down and took my hand in his and kissed it lightly. I closed my eyes and leaned towards him. My mind immediately went to what it would be like if he was kissing more than my hand. I thought about moving toward him, straddling him, and finding out once and for all what it was like to feel his mouth next to mine.
With a sigh, Dax dropped my hand back down and said, “If I told you, it wouldn’t be a surprise.”
I tugged on his hand and smiled at him. “You said that before. Please, can you tell me? I’m sure you want me to know and to see my reaction when I find out,” I said.
“You’re starting to know me a bit too well. I can’t decide if that is a good thing or not,” Dax teased.
“I like knowing you. I want to get to know you even better if you would let me.”
“You can count on that. In many different ways.” He leaned forward as if he was going to kiss me. I sat up taller, my body almost vibrating with the need for him to kiss me. But he didn’t. Instead, he leaned back in his lounger and smiled at me.
“There are a few people waiting for you in your room. I’ve asked them to come there so that they could help you get ready tonight. I’m not saying you don’t know how to get ready for an evening such as this, but I thought it would be fun to have some help. Pablo has arranged to have your hair and make-up done as well as your nails. If you would like, there should be a masseuse to help you relax before the evening, too.”
“Dax,” I was touched. I had been nervous about getting ready and making sure I looked good for him. Not only because I was representing him and the company but it was a big first date for us. I wanted him to be impressed by me. It was kind of him to help me to look my best and I appreciated the gesture.
“You do know how to make a girl feel special,” I said and could feel myself blushing.
“It’s easy to do because you are. Will you allow me to escort you back to your room?” he stood up and put his hand out so I could take it.
“That would be lovely.” I took his hand in mine and then stood up.
Dax kept my hand in his as we walked back to the hotel. We didn’t talk, but the heat, the energy, the sexual need that passed between us spoke enough for us. I could feel how much he wanted me. When we got into the elevator, I thought for sure that he would pull me into his arms and kiss me, but he didn’t. His finger did make slow work of moving around my hand and every time he did, shivers of excitement ran through me.
As he offered, he walked me to the door of my hotel room. Only then, did he take his hand away from mine. As he stepped away and gave me a slow smile, I missed his presence and comfort of his hand. I watched him walk away and when he got to the elevator he turned and smiled at me. The smile told me how excited he was about the night, how excited he was to be spending time with me, and the lingering look of desire told me that he was looking forward to what would happen after we got back.
Chapter 22
Dax
It turned out Ella took longer to get ready than I had anticipated and she wasn’t ready when I came to get her. Pablo answered the door and seemed annoyed that I was even there.