Chapter 43

***Levi.***

***Two days Later...***

Saturday evening came quicker than expected.

We had to leave from our Pent house on 57th Street, to avoid arriving the party late.

My dismay at Benjamin's sore words nights ago, still lingered. And I worried he could spread words about Belle's death that could reach Kenya's ears.

Destroying our relationship further.

I could still feel the tension between us. Although since Thursday night, there was a softness. I saw it in her eyes, when I carried her to bed, after our moment of passion. It was there, when we awoke the following morning, easing into our routine. And while she went shopping with her stylist for tonight.

Though she still bore some terseness, yet I could feel her walls thinning. An opportunity, which I hoped to build up on, to have a wonderful marriage with her. Even though she hadn't given me her word of forgiveness, I was hopeful that we could still find a peace.

I hadn't expected anything on toward, when she had found me in the cave. Her presence had both surprised and pleased me. Making me ponder the reason she had sought me. A part of me had hoped that she had missed me. And when she had confessed her concern for me as her reason I had still accepted it. At least it was a start. A bridge to our old ease with each other.

The sex had come unexpectedly. Dressed in that burgundy dress, I couldn't resist her and that chain that had only given me more ideas. More so as she stood before me, the thoughts of how she had attempted to reach me in my vulnerable state, only impressed me more. I hadn't expected her to role play with me the way she had, knowing her limited experience in sex. However, even that innocuous act of pleasure from her, had been enough to simmer my insides. Distract my frayed thoughts.

In the end, we had both burst into flames, our hearts beating in unison. Filled with unspoken promises.

"Sir, we've arrived." I heard the driver, Marcus announce.

I turned my eyes to the window and saw other elaborately dressed guests, strolling into the foyer of the enormous hotel. My gaze turned to Kenya, who had barely uttered a word since we got into the Limo. She looked exquisite, dressed in an emerald green mono-sleeved satin maxi dress. Her hair was held in a high bun, a small diamond comb pressed to the side. A pair of dropping emerald jeweled earrings graced her. The gems catching the light from the hotel's entrance.

"You look stunning." I remarked, my lips quirked in a smile. Kenya turned her eyes to me, catching my breath. I remembered she once commented on my eyes.

"Did you wear this because of my eyes?" I couldn't help but ask. *Did she?*

She demurely shifted her eyes and I got my answer. Stuff swirled inside me. I couldn't describe them. I didn't know what this meant.

Helplessly, I found her lips and placed a tender kiss on them. Her lips parted, a soft moan escaping from them.

I smiled contentedly, as she kissed me back. The action giving me peace. This was where I belonged, in her arms. In her soul. All that was needed was for her to succumb to me for the rest of our lives.

A valet, dressed in black and red, opened her side of the door, interrupting us. I lingered a little longer on her lips, before I slowly pulled away. Her gaze faltered, before her next words came.

"That night of the reception when we went intimateII have neverI never knew that was"

"Great." I smiled, slyly. My heart soared with warmth, knowing that the night she spoke of had meant something to her. She smiled shyly, before she replied.

"I wanted to say possible. That is, I had no idea it was possible to findrelease with that position." Our gazes held briefly, before she turned them to the opened door. A smile played on my lips, knowing that she still had a lot to enjoy with me.

Stepping out of the sleek white limo, and coming around her side of the car, I held her.

The Ivory Palace, an enormous and captivating tower that was always highly sorted out by the 'A' list celebrities of the country and the world. Owned by Canadian Hotel and Tourism Tycoons, Dylan and McCarthy Macklesfield, cousins to Henry Macklesfield, the hotel was highly sorted. It's ratings on the internet were off the charts, luring elites around the world to always have a feel of The Ivory Palace. It had once been owned by the twin's father, Philip Macklesfield. Sadly, after his death, the twins had inherited the establishment, which they hadn't operated until they had reached their majority. Taking over from their mother, Catherine, who had initially run the business on their behalf.

The foyer was alive with a throng of guests that walked absently, before the flashing cameras, not minding the attention. Kenya's tension was palpable beneath my possessive hand on the small of her back. I rubbed her, to ease her. I knew she was still new to all this attention. But I was here to help her transition into her new life.

"Mrs Ruthford, who are you wearing?!" Someone among the reporters called. Kenya stilled her eyes on the camera. I immediately came to her rescue. The reporters were always ready to chew on vulnerable prey.

"Don't worry." My voice came hot against her right ear. My words a caress. I grazed the shell of her ear with my lips. "You don't have to answer them. The designer would give the information away. So don't fret it. You're still new to this." My eyes found hers and it held. I saw her relax and I felt at peace.

Finding herself leaning into me, I kissed her head at the gesture. I had her. She was mine to protect forever.