Chapter Thirty-Three
Elisa
“The views are truly stunning. This must be the most beautiful place on Earth,” I say, letting the awe I’m feeling filter through my tone as I sit on the window seat in the luxurious suite Caleb booked in the plush hotel set in the middle of Banff National Park in Alberta, Canada. Snowcapped mountains rise majestically outside the window, looming over the crystal clear smooth waters of Moraine Lake. Bordering the lake and surrounding the hotel, which has been built to resemble a sprawling castle, are copious trees and dense woodland. According to the concierge—a friendly older woman from the local area—the trees over on this side of the park are mostly made up of Douglas fir, white aspen, lodgepole pine, white spruce, and balsam poplars.
“Is it romantic enough for you?” Caleb asks, wrapping his strong muscular arms around me from behind. He nuzzles his nose in my neck before grazing his teeth against my earlobe, sending heady shivers cascading across my sensitive flesh. “I want this weekend to be special.”
“It’s perfect, Caleb.” I turn around and snake my arms around his neck. “It couldn’t be any more romantic.”
“That sounds like a challenge.” He waggles his brows, and a smile grows on my lips.
“I can’t believe you haven’t had a relationship before because you’re a natural boyfriend. You make me feel so loved.”
“It’s because it’s you. Everything is natural with you, Lili. Only you.” His lips descend in a tender kiss that turns my insides to mush. I pout when he pulls back, and he chuckles. “As much as I’d love to stay here and get lost in you, you have appointments at the spa.”
“I do?”
He nods. “I’m going to check out the gym and the pool while you get pampered.” He threads his fingers through my hair, tilting my head back a little. “Then we have a private dinner at the rooftop restaurant.”
“You are really spoiling me.”
“You deserve it.” He pulls me back in flush with his body. “I want our first time to be spectacular. I want this to be a weekend we look back on forever with fond memories.” His adoring gaze melts me into a puddle of goo at his feet. “I know you’re nervous, but you should know I am too. I have never had this, Lili. It’s all new for me as well. I’m experienced in fucking not making love. I’m as much a virgin as you are.”
Not technically, but I get the point he’s making, and it helps to settle my nerves to know he’s nervous too. That this is as much a big deal for him as it is for me. I trace my fingertips through the stylish stubble on his cheeks. “I’m nervous, but I’m excited too. I can’t wait to be intimate with you. To feel a part of you and to know this is what it’ll be like for the rest of our lives.”
“I’m glad you have come around to the inevitability. I’m glad we’re on the same page.” His eyes shine with some indecipherable emotion.
“I was protecting my heart and ensuring I didn’t set myself up for a fall, but you have more than proven how serious youare, Caleb. But know one thing, my love.” I stretch up and kiss his gorgeous mouth. “I always believed we were inevitable.” Even during those rough months when I believed he’d broken his promise to me, I couldn’t dispel the sense of rightness I felt whenever I considered us together.
“I love you, Elisa Salerno.” Caleb hugs me close. “So fucking much. You are my world, and I will do everything to make you happy and keep you safe. I promise.”
After a manicure, pedicure, facial, and massage, I’m brought back to our suite where a hairstylist and makeup artist are waiting to do my hair and makeup. Caleb is nowhere to be seen, but he’s clearly been back here if the gorgeous green and gold dress waiting on the bed is any indication. Exquisite gold strappy sandals and a designer purse complete the outfit.
Caleb shows up just as I’m ready, displaying perfect timing. He looks good enough to eat in a custom-fit black suit with his signature black shirt and a gold and black tie. “You take my breath away, Lil. Look at you,” he says as I twirl for him, feeling like a million bucks.
“I could say the same to you. You’re gorgeous.”
“I love you.” He reels me in, pressing a light kiss on the end of my nose.
A photographer arrives then to take photos. “We need to capture every moment,” Caleb whispers in my ear as he holds me close while we pose for the man.
The private dining area of the rooftop restaurant is tucked into a corner, shielded by an ornate patterned foldable room divider. We can still hear the patrons in the main part of the room, but we can’t see them, and they can’t see us. Our tableis pressed up beside the large floor-to-ceiling window offering the most incredible view of the landscape spread out below us. Twinkling lights shimmer from the trees surrounding the hotel, and they join with the moon in casting shimmering rays across the placid waters of the massive lake.
“You couldn’t have found a more romantic place in the entire world,” I say in a breathy tone, completely bowled over by the location and all the trouble Caleb has gone to. “I am the luckiest girl in the world to be here with you.”
“I’m the lucky one.” Caleb hands me a flute of champagne after the server has left with our order. “To us,” he says, holding up his flute for a toast.
I clink my glass against his. “To the future.”
We enjoy a sumptuous meal, and the atmosphere is romantic and relaxed. Conversation flows easily, and I’m floating on a cloud as we make our way back to our suite a couple of hours later. I’m relaxed, but excited nervousness lingers in my veins at the thought of finally knowing what it feels like to have Caleb inside of me.
A gasp escapes my lips when I enter our room to discover the rose petal path leading from the door to the large four-poster bed. Lit candles surround the perimeter of the room, and the curtains have been left open to maximize the beautiful backdrop. “I thought we might take a naked dip in the hot tub,” Caleb says, circling his arms around me and kissing my cheek. I look outside to our decked balcony where a large hot tub waits. Beside it is an ice bucket with more champagne chilling.
“Okay.” Nerves thread through my tone.
“Lili.” He turns me to face him. “It’s okay to say no. I just thought it might help to relax us and help to get us in the mood.”
“It’s a wonderful idea. Let’s do it.”
