Chapter Seventy-Three

Mac woke up a little after 8:00 a.m. He looked over at Grace, with her hair tousled and her arms over her head. It was enough to give a man some very naughty ideas.

“I can feel you looking at me,” she said, with her eyes still closed. “Why are you not touching me?”

Mac laughed, “God, I missed my sassy redhead!”

Using one hand to hold her arms into place, he straddled her and used the other hand to take a breast out. He helped himself to her erect nipple, sucking and nibbling while Grace moaned. He did the same with the other breast and ended up making her cum without even touching her below the waist.

“You’re so talented,” Grace purred.

“Mmm, just taking what’s mine and enjoying it. It’s after eight,” Mac said as he kissed his way up her collar bone to her neck. “Do we have any plans today?”

She smiled seductively. “Well, you need to fuck me, of course.”

“Of course,” Mac said, grinning.

He lifted the skirt of her nightgown and let his fingers run along the slick opening of her incredible pussy. It was so soft and inviting, and all his. He rubbed the head of his cock in her wetness and then inched himself into her slowly. He saw her eyes flutter as he entered and close completely when he was entirely inside her.

He moved in and out with a deliberate rhythm while he massaged her sweet, tender nub. She arched her body, her hips moving at the same seductive tempo.

“I love watching you while I take you like this,” Mac said. “I love seeing the pleasure on your face and feeling the desire as your body moves with mine.”

Grace panted and moaned, “Oh, God, this feels so amazing. I don’t know how I could ever be with anyone else after being with you like this.”

Mac felt his emotions stirred. While he didn’t dwell on it often, Grace had been with many other men. So, her words uttered so casually meant the world to him. It was funny how knowing that she felt this way made anyone who came before him insignificant.

“You are so incredibly beautiful and so fucking hot,” he said as he started to pick up the pace of his thrusts.

Eventually, he was ramming into her with lust in his eyes. “That’s right, Grace. Take my cock deep! Feel me inside you, filling you, taking you, owning you.”

Their hearts were beating wildly, and they were panting like animals when Mac felt the familiar tug inside his balls. “You make me so hot, my sassy little slut. Cum with me, baby! Cum while I fill you with my seed!”

His release was intense, and he felt Grace climax again while he emptied himself into her.

They lay still for a moment or two before Mac finally spoke. “That was one helluva welcome, baby!”

Grace cuddled up next to him and sighed a happy sigh. “I was disappointed when you said you had a long night ahead of you and couldn’t have phone sex with me. But I understand now. I can’t believe you spent seven hours in a car to get here quicker.”

“Totally worth it!” Mac said, wrapping his arms around her. “I wouldn’t even be here yet if I’d waited for the morning flight. And look how much fun we’ve had already.”

Grace’s stomach took that opportunity to make a very unladylike growl, making both of them laugh.

“I think I’d better feed you before we do anything else.”

“I wouldn’t mind some breakfast,” she said as she got up out of bed and headed into the bathroom.

They enjoyed some eggs and bacon, ala room service. Mac said, “So, we have the rest of the day today and then tomorrow before our work begins. What would you like to do?”

“You’re not going to work remotely today or tomorrow?” she asked.

“Nope, I’ve worked enough hours this week dealing with Astrid and Brigette and the whole bunch of nonsense that has been going on in Stockholm. It’s my own fault. I was too trusting of Astrid, and I stopped paying enough attention. But it wore me out, and I need some time away from it before I begin Copenhagen’s transition.”

“I shouldn’t argue, but won’t you need some time to go over your presentation?”

“I spent time yesterday looking at it and the reports that they sent. I can look it all over one more time, but that will only take me about an hour. I can do that while you’re still sleeping tomorrow morning.”

“What makes you think I’ll still be sleeping, and you won’t be?” she asked, puzzled.

“Because I plan to wear you out tonight,” he answered, grinning impishly. “But this afternoon, I’d like to go be a tourist with my lovely fiancée. Got any ideas?”

“Tivoli Gardens,” she answered quickly. “I’ve been waiting for you to get here so we could enjoy it together.”

“Gardens? Sure, we can walk around and look at flowers. Whatever you want as long as I get to hold your hand.”

Grace giggled, “It’s a lot more than flowers.”

“Well, whatever it is, lead the way.”

He marveled at how she managed to look both casual and sexy at the same time. She had a sleeveless red shirt dress on with a matching belt. He watched Grace bend over to put on her Keds, hoping to catch a glimpse of whether she had any panties on.

“I can feel you staring at my ass, Mac.”

“Sometimes, I think you have eyes in the back of your head,” he joked.

“Here, I’ll add a hat so those eyes back there can’t spy on you,” she teased back as she placed a cute tweed hat on her head. She’d straightened her hair, making it look even longer than usual, and the hat completed the look that was both comfy and sophisticated all at once.

When he saw that Tivoli was much more than flowers, he felt a little silly. “This place is huge.”

They enjoyed walking hand-in-hand for a while. Then Grace suggested they go on a few rides. Mac realized as he strapped himself in on a roller coaster called The Demon that he hadn’t done anything like this since he was a teenager. After experiencing the vertical loop and the zero-G roll, he was pretty sure he remembered why it had been that long. But he’d never admit to Grace that it had scared the shit out of him.

Fortunately, the next ride was less daunting. When they got on the Ferris Wheel, Grace said, “The wedding coordinator said this is called Ballongyngen in Danish and that it was built in 1943.”

As Mac enjoyed the much calmer pace of this ride, he decided that Grace had just provided a segue into talking about the wedding.

“So, you said she had a lot of ideas for you to consider,” he waded into the subject carefully. “Are there any that you want to bounce off me?”

“Besides eloping?” she laughed.

“Grace.”

“I was just kidding,” she said, realizing that idea was not going to fly with Mac. “I don’t know. It all feels so overwhelming.”

“You are an experienced event planner who is struggling to plan her own wedding?” he asked with amusement.

“Sadly, yes. Pathetic, huh?” Grace remarked.

“Not pathetic at all. How about we spend some time later looking at several possibilities and use the process of elimination for whittling it down some?”

“That would be very helpful,” Grace sighed.

“What’s next?” Mac asked as their turn on the Ferris Wheel was over.

“The Himmelskibet,” she said. “The Star Flyer. It’s like giant swings, only way up high,” she explained.

When they got closer, he saw The Star Flyer in action and sighed. He must love her madly to get on that ride!

Chapter Seventy-Four

After an afternoon enjoying rides, games, food, and music, Grace texted Bjorn.

Are you available to take us to Copenhagen Harbor? I’d like to show Mac the Little Mermaid statue.

Bjorn was just dropping off a couple at the hotel when he saw Grace’s text.

Ah, so you have your gentleman to escort you now! That’s good. I can pick you and Mr. Stewart up in about five to ten minutes.

Thanks! See you soon!

Seven minutes later, the silver Mercedes pulled up at the entrance of the park. Mac opened the door for Grace and got in beside her.

“I’m glad to see you made it to Denmark sooner than later, sir. The worried frown has left your fiancée’s face,” Bjorn said as he drove them to the harbor.

“Well, I appreciate the help you’ve been getting Grace to and from places and hope we can count on you for any other transportation we might need over the next couple of weeks,” Mac replied.

“Of course, it’s my pleasure, Mr. Stewart.”

When they got to the harbor, Grace practically skipped to the statue.

Mac laughed. “She’s quite taken with that statue, I see.”

“She told me that when she was a little girl, she used to pretend she was a mermaid. I think maybe it holds nostalgic sentiment for her,” Bjorn explained.

“Of course,” Mac said as he raised an eyebrow. He suddenly realized he knew very little about his future wife.

When they caught up with Grace, her shoes were off, and she was out on the stones near the statue. She reached out her hand as if talking to the mermaid.

“Come and meet her,” Grace said playfully.

“I’m good from here,” Mac said.

Bjorn looked at Mac as he watched Grace. He wondered privately if the man had any idea of how lucky he was. Here was this lovely, sophisticated woman who wasn’t afraid to take off her shoes and allow her inner child out to play. His Sophie was the same way. Without thinking, he took out his phone and took a picture of Grace with the statue.

Mac frowned at Bjorn, who held his finger up for a moment. Then he said, “Check your phone, Mr. Stewart.”

If I had suggested you take out your phone and take a picture, the moment would have been lost. Forgive me for my boldness. But,

if I were you, this is a picture that I would treasure.

Bjorn watched Mac’s face as he studied the picture and then looked up at Grace.

“You seem to know her better than I do. You’ve captured her essence in this simple photograph,” Mac said.

“I assure you that Ms. Remy and I have only had a handful of conversations. Part of my job as a driver is also to be observant of people and anticipate their needs. Perhaps, when a woman reminds me so much of my own wife, I pay better attention. But not in any way that would be inappropriate,” Bjorn explained.

Mac nodded. “Thanks, you’ve been a true gentleman, and I appreciate that. I just didn’t realize that there is so much about her that I don’t know. Like the fact that she loves thrill rides, adores cotton candy, and is enamored with a mermaid statue.”

“She’s a lovely mix of sophistication and child-like wonder. And if she’s a little bit of a mystery at times, that makes you a lucky man,” Bjorn said.

Mac pondered that thought as Bjorn walked toward the car. Then he looked at Grace, who had come back onto dry land and was carrying her shoes in her hand.

“Thanks for humoring me,” she said. “The head is modeled after ballerina Ellen Price, but the sculptor’s wife posed nude for the body. It was unveiled in 1913.”

“Let me show you the picture Bjorn caught of you with the statue.”

She grinned. “I love it.”

Grace slipped her hand in Mac’s and said, “Let’s go back to the hotel and have a quick dessert before dinner.”

“You’re insatiable,” he said as he brought her hand to his lips and kissed it.

“Yes, and you love that about me,” she said.

“I do, indeed.”

Traffic was slow, so they got back to the hotel later than they planned. They decided to multitask and enjoy each other in the shower. Grace put her arms around Mac’s neck as he plunged into her, opening her up with his thickness. She wrapped her legs around his waist and met his every thrust until they came together.

While he watched Grace get ready for dinner, he smiled wistfully. Tonight, she wore a body-hugging black dress with black heels and a long strand of white pearls clipped together about breast level with a silver and black onyx brooch. Her red curly hair spilled down her back and looked sexy as hell.

Bjorn was right; he didn’t need to know every single thing about Grace to love her. Each new detail, like when he’d discovered the gold ball of her pussy piercing, was something to be treasured. It didn’t mean that he didn’t know her, right? Didn’t he just prove moments ago that he knew her body quite well? Why was he allowing doubts to plague him?

While they enjoyed steak, potatoes with truffle butter, and a salad of mixed greens at Nimb Brasserie, Mac thought again about Bjorn’s comment. It still bothered him that he felt like he knew very little about Grace. Maybe he had rushed things a bit in telling her to plan a wedding. There was no doubt that he loved her and that she loved him. But maybe her indecisiveness about the plans was an indication that she was concerned about getting married so soon. He hated that he kept wavering back and forth all day on that. The last thing he wanted to do was hurt her.

Mac suggested they take a walk after dinner. They held hands but said nothing. The silence was deafening.

“You’re thinking very loudly for a man who barely said two words all through dinner,” Grace finally said.

“I’m just tired,” Mac explained. It wasn’t a lie, but it wasn’t the whole truth, either.

Grace hesitated a moment, then said, “I’m getting such mixed signals from you, Mac. One minute you’re looking at me as if you’d like to eat me up in big, greedy bites. Then you look like you’re about to make a run for the hills. If you’ve changed your mind about marrying me, just say it out loud.”

“That’s not it at all. I do want to marry you. It’s just…”

“Just what?” Grace asked, feeling like someone was about to pull the rug out from underneath her.

Mac saw the hurt in her eyes and said, “Nothing. I’m just overthinking things.”

“You can’t bring this up and then say it’s nothing.”

“Grace, I love you.”

“But…”

“No buts, I love you with my whole being. I just worry that I don’t feel like I know you very well.”

“You seemed to know me pretty well when you were fucking my brains out in the shower earlier.”

“Grace, don’t you feel the same way? I mean, you’re an event planner, and you’re struggling to plan our wedding. Isn’t that a sign that maybe you have concerns too?”

“No, I don’t have any concerns, or at least I didn’t until now. I meant it when I said there were too many options to choose from by myself. But if you’re not ready, then we should wait. Just know this, McKinley Stewart, I would have eloped on that beach in Corsica.”

“I do want to marry you. I know in my heart that…”

“No. Stop saying that you know we are meant to be together if you are having doubts. Stop getting my hopes up that happily-ever-after isn’t a fairy tale. Stop fucking with my emotions and my heart.”

Grace turned and hurried off, leaving Mac standing there feeling like a first-class jerk. What the fuck was wrong with him? He felt the faint beginnings of a headache, but he didn’t have time to deal with it. He needed to go after her and make things right.

Chapter Seventy-five

He assumed she’d gone back to their suite. But when he opened the door, she wasn’t there.

“Damn it, Grace, where are you?” He asked out loud as if expecting an answer. He tried calling her, but she didn’t answer her phone.

He texted Bjorn

Has Grace contacted you?

Bjorn replied quickly.

No, sir. Do you need a ride somewhere?

No, sorry to bother you.

No worries, sir. If you change your mind, I’m on until 10:00 p.m.

Thanks.

Is everything okay, Mr. Stewart?

I just keep having this nagging feeling that I should know my fiancée better than I do. I’m sure it will all work out. Thanks.

I keep this thought in mind, and it helps. The minute I learn everything there is to know about my wife, what will be left to surprise and delight me?

You’re very wise. Thanks, Bjorn.

Mac decided to try texting Grace since she wouldn’t answer his calls.

I know you’re angry, but I need to know where you are.

He waited anxiously for her reply.

I’m by the pool on the roof. I’m not angry. I’m hurt and confused.

He breathed a sigh of relief.

Can I come and talk?

It took her almost a full minute to answer.

Sure.

Mac found Grace sitting on the edge of the pool with her legs hanging over into the water.

“Hey,” he said softly.

“Hey,” she said back.

“Thought we agreed you’d stick around and fight it out with me,” he said, referring to the agreement they’d made in Florence.

“Technically, I didn’t leave the premises. I just came up here because I needed to think. I didn’t take the bracelet off this time,” she answered quietly.

“I love you, Grace.”

“I love you too, Mac. But I’m worried now that love isn’t enough, that I’m not enough.”

Mac shook his head. “You’re more than enough.”

He pulled up a chair near the edge of the pool and sat on it backward, resting his chin on the back of the chair.

“Can I tell you something?” Mac asked.

“Sure,” Grace answered.

“There’s a reason that everywhere we have gone, my colleagues kept telling me not to fuck things up with you. It’s because I’m an idiot, and I get in my own way sometimes.”

Grace shrugged and raised an eyebrow.

“The whole car ride from Stockholm to Copenhagen, I kept wishing the driver would speed up a little so I could get to you quicker. I was so excited at the idea of surprising you and having you back in my arms.”

She looked at him now, searching his face for a clue as to what he was about to say.

“And then I blew it by being ridiculous.”

She was quiet for a moment. “Do you really think it’s a mistake to get married?”

“Grace, I never said it was a mistake to get married. I was just worried that I was rushing things. Throughout the day, I kept discovering things I didn’t know about you, and I let that mess with my head.”

“Oh,” was all Grace had the energy to say. She felt emotionally drained and suddenly exhausted. She found herself turning her engagement ring around on her finger, wondering what it was doing on her hand if he wasn’t sure.

“Bjorn said that he never fully expects to know everything about his wife. But then I started thinking about the fact that I don’t even know your favorite color.”

“Mac, you had me vetted. Then you hired a private investigator to dig deeper. Just what more do you think I am holding back from you? Because I refuse to believe this is about my favorite color, which is blue, by the way.”

“I don’t think you’re holding anything back. But I had no idea you were a thrill seeker until you dragged me on that Demon ride,” Mac said, trying not to sound like an idiot.

“So, the fact that I’ve fucked and sucked countless men is something you can deal with, but my love of roller coasters is a deal-breaker? You’re a piece of work, McKinley Stewart.”

“You’re twisting my words, Grace. Can we just rewind to the part where you ask what I am thinking so loudly about? Because if I could do that conversation over, it would sound a lot different than the nonsense that came spewing out of my mouth.”

“Typically, the first thing that you say is the truth,” Grace said cynically.

“Please? Just give me a chance.”

She shrugged.

“What I feel for you is so intense that it scares me sometimes. I worry that once you dig beneath the surface, I’m just not that interesting of a guy. What happens when the mad desire to have sex with each other all the time dissipates? Will I be enough for you then?” he asked, baring his soul.

Grace looked up into his eyes. “Do you honestly think I would allow myself to fall madly in love with you if all I wanted was the fabulous sex? You’re so much more than that. I enjoy working with you during your presentations and in your transition meetings, and I find myself feeling proud that my man is so business-savvy and wicked smart. The way you conduct business is impressive. You care about people. Your employees aren’t just nameless faces to you.”

It was Mac’s turn to shrug and nod.

“What I feel for you is so intense that it scares me sometimes, too. But I’m not worried about what’s below the surface. I’ve dug down deep enough to know that you’re who I want to spend the rest of my life with. If you feel that way about me, then let’s get married. But if you don’t, let’s end it now,” Grace said.

“Then let’s plan a wedding,” Mac said without hesitation. “Because life without you is not an option I want to explore.”

“Even though there are bound to be countless things about me that you may not be aware of?” she asked wearily.

“Maybe because of those countless things. Bjorn said that the minute I learn everything there is to know about my wife, what will be left to surprise and delight me?”

Grace nodded, feeling that the fear that things with Mac were over was melting away. “I was excited earlier when you offered to look over the options for our wedding. Now, I just feel emotionally drained. I don’t know if I can muster the energy to talk about it tonight,” she admitted.

Mac knew he’d taken the wind out of her sails and was sorry that he’d caused this rift that wasn’t entirely smoothed over yet. He took her hands in his and said, “We can wait till tomorrow. Right now, why don’t we go back to our suite and look over what else we might want to do as tourists tomorrow? Then I can brush your hair and try to seduce you into having make-up dessert with me.”

“It’s going to take a lot of brushing, just so you know,” Grace said with a weak smile.

“I know. I’m sorry, Grace. Can you forgive me for being such a dumbass?”

“Yes, as long as you realize that wanting to have sex with each other all the time is not likely to fade any time soon,” she answered, trying to lighten things up a bit. But part of her wondered how long it would be before Mac freaked out again.

Chapter Seventy-Six

When they got back to their suite, Mac could tell that he’d done more damage than he realized. Grace was right next to him, but she seemed a million miles away.

“Hey, grab your tablet and pull up the places you’d still like to see in the city. Then get your brush,” Mac said. She went into the bedroom and retrieved both things. When she came out into the living room, she noticed him rubbing his temples and suspected his head was hurting. Her heart softened. She hated seeing him in pain.

“I have a better idea, although you will owe me a hair brushing session. How about we take a bath together? The tub is gigantic, and it seems a shame not to enjoy it the way I’m sure it’s intended. I already have a pretty good idea for our itinerary tomorrow,” Grace said.

“On one condition. We need to fit time in to have either lunch or some tea at Café Miao,” Mac replied.

“The cat café with ten resident cats?” she asked. “That sounds purr-fect.”

Mac smiled. While he wasn’t typically the kind of guy to soak in a tub, the idea of being naked with Grace right now was just what he needed.

He watched her undress and put her hair back into a high ponytail. Then she wrapped it around to form a bun, so it was entirely off her neck. Mac wasn’t sure why that simple act was such a turn-on, but he couldn’t wait to get in that tub with her. He quickly took his clothes off and stepped into the soothing hot water.

“You’re so beautiful,” he said as he gazed at her.

“It’s going to take more than flattery to convince me that you’re serious about marrying me,” Grace said quietly.

Mac inhaled sharply and let the air blow out slowly. He’d come awfully close to fucking things up, and it was up to him to fix this.

“I brought the prenup papers from Michael Stone for you to look at. I wish you’d let a lawyer look them over. But at the very least, please make sure you read them carefully. I want to go on record as saying I don’t feel the need for it, but I understand and respect the fact that you do.”

Grace laughed, “Well, I guess you are serious. I will look it over, and if there is anything I don’t understand or agree with, I will consult a lawyer.”

Mac sighed, “I feel like I keep stumbling over my own feet where you’re concerned. I’ve created distance between us that I can’t seem to…”

Grace grabbed the back of Mac’s head and pulled him in for a passionate kiss. While their tongues danced, her fingers wrapped around his cock and cradled his balls. She broke off the kiss and said, “Stop talking, Mac.”

He grinned, “Yes, ma’am.”

She turned around in the tub so that her back was resting on his chest. “Put your hands on me, Mac. Show me that you want me. Make me feel that this is forever.”

He needed no further invitation. Each hand cupped a breast and captured a nipple to roll and pull. He felt her body relax against him as she moaned softly. He increased the pressure and felt her hips move, causing her body to rub against his cock. He was hard in no time and wanted desperately to slide into her. But he owed her more than a quick tub fuck.

He rolled those nipples between the thumb and forefinger of each hand and had her panting and writhing. “Come on, baby. You know you can cum just like this. I don’t even need to touch that sweet pussy, do I? I love the way your body is wired. Cum for me, Grace.”

Her back arched, and her cries echoed in the bathroom, “Oh, God! Yes!” Her entire body shook as she climaxed. Then she fell limp against his chest.

Mac put one arm around her waist and let the hand of the other one move down between her legs. Then he nibbled on her ear as he let his fingers play among her pink folds. When he found the prize he sought, her hard little nub, he whispered hoarsely, “You need to cum for me again, baby.”

He nipped at her neck as he rubbed her clit, her body rocking and splashing about.

“Oh, fuck!” she cried out as she came.

“Again,” he demanded.

He kept massaging her sensitive little button until she came three more times for him and fell utterly limp in his arms. He planted kisses along her collar bone and up the side of her neck until he reached her ear. “Flip over and hold on to the edge of the tub.”

She did what he asked without protest and felt his rigid shaft slide into her, opening her up. “God, yes!” she cried out again.

He started slowly, teasing her with deliberate strokes. It felt so damn good to be inside her that he couldn’t help but start pumping into her soft wetness. She clamped down hard on him as he moved in and out like a piston.

Grace cried out, “Oh, my God. I’m cumming again!”

Her orgasm ripped through her body and triggered Mac’s. He felt his balls tighten and release like a geyser as he filled her with his cum. He pulled out and watched his seed spill out of her. It was an erotic scene, and suddenly, he was overcome with emotion.

He pulled her into his arms and kissed her. When he finally let her up for air, she placed her head on his chest and listened to his heart beating wildly.

They stayed like that for several minutes before Grace said, “I love you, Mac. It hurt like hell when I thought you were pulling away from me. There are plenty of things about each other that we will discover along the way, but I see that as a good thing. We’re good together, Mac. But if you need to wait, I understand.”

“I love you, too, Grace. I love everything about you, even all of the mysteries I’ve yet to discover. I don’t need to wait any longer. I’m done being a fool. You let me know when you want to get married, and we will make it happen together.”

Grace was quiet for a moment. Then she said, “Let’s get married a week from Saturday.”

Mac smiled as he held her tight. In eleven days, she would be his wife. Suddenly, he realized his head didn’t hurt anymore. All he needed was Grace.