Welcome To Aspen
RENEE
“…We’ve reached our destination.” Robert spoke up, mischief dancing in his eyes as he glanced at me.
The Jeep accelerated slightly before coming to a halt in front of large, automated gates, opening of their own accord. As we were scanned by a state of the art security system, a narrow red light flashed over us, accompanied by a peculiar whirring sound from the back of the car. Then everything went quiet.
The car crept forward, but slowly, until I could see what lay ahead of us, and my jaw dropped in surprise.
“What is this place?” I muttered, my gaze riveted on the massive structure beyond the gate. It was unlike anything I’d ever seen.
The architecture itself appeared to be formed of an alloyed metal and glistened, looking like something out of a sci-fi film.
I took a look around. Men in full black uniforms flanked the entrance door of the enormous facility. Guns slung about their waists. Some wore earpieces and held walkie-talkies over their mouths. They all appeared serious and vigilant but not dangerous.
“Who are these people? Robert, where are we?” I inquired once more, frantically zipping up my jeans.
Robert laughed. “You’ll see soon enough.” He unbuckled his seatbelt and stepped outside into the frigid night air. My car door simultaneously opened, and a tall, well-built man greeted me.
“Evening. Miss Micheal.” He said.
He stood by my side, dressed similarly to the men in all black, and offered a hand to help me out of the Jeep.
The sweet gesture made my cheeks flush, and as I whispered my thanks, I pondered, how could he have known my name? I’m sure Robert told him about me and…
“I’ll take it from here, Rick.” Robert’s deep voice broke me out of my musings. “Thank you.”
Rick gave a nod. With a bow, he strolled away, disappearing through the building’s front doors.
Robert grabbed my hand and winked. “Come on, baby girl. Let’s go inside.”
As we approached the massive entrance doors, they slid open automatically.
My breath hitched at the sight before me. “Wow.”
Fleets of various models of planes, from jets to helicopters, stood proudly in rows and columns. The building was packed with luxury-themed aircraft, each sporting different colors and designs.
The inscription “CLARKE AIRLINES” was emblazoned across the top of each of their wings, and my jaw dropped open as realization struck.
“You own all these?” I gaped at Robert, who only chuckled, amused by my expression. “No freaking way!”
“Yes, freaking way.” He said, laughing. “When I decided to come to Orlando for you, I made some important decisions. Like buying a house, changing my corporate headquarters, and moving my planes here.” A warm smile flickered across his handsome features as he gestured grandly at the spacious hangar. “So here we are.”
My mind raced. Robert stunned me, and my chest tightened with emotion. He’d done all of this without blinking. For me. He was making it abundantly clear that I was his future. That we would be together for a long time, if not forever.
I was speechless. Speechless and overwhelmed. My eyes stung, threatening to spill tears. But I didn’t let them. Not now. Not when he deserved a thank you and my undivided attention.
So, instead, I grinned brightly and flung my arms around him, pulling his lips to mine.
His lips opened eagerly, and I felt him smile against my mouth. He kissed me deeply, holding me tight, as if he didn’t want to let go.
This man. My sweet, perfect Daddy who would do anything for me. He was so amazing. So caring, it made my eyes water.
We drew apart after a minute, and I rested my head on his shoulder, savoring our closeness. His scent-strong, clean, and very male-flooded my senses and made my heart race madly.
“Renee.”
“This is incredible, Robert. Thank you so much. For everything. For-”
“Shhh, love.”
“Please let me talk. Let me express my gratitude and-”
He interjected, laughing, “You can talk all you want, baby, but that’ll have to wait. For now, let’s meet the crew. We’ve got a flight to catch.”
“The crew? A flight?” I repeated, dumbfounded, and he grinned.
“Yeah. The crew and jet are waiting for us in the prepping area. We’re flying out of the city.”
“What the hell?”
“That’s your surprise, baby girl.”
“Woah. What are we going to do? I don’t have any-”
“God, sometimes you talk too much.” He groaned fondly as he effortlessly lifted me into his arms.
I gasped. “Robert! Put me down!” I protested, smiling and wiggling around in his grip, but it was futile. I settled for wrapping my arms around his neck and closing my eyes. “You win. You win. I give up,” I mumbled, and Robert laughed. Loud and full-the sound echoing throughout the expansive hangar.
~~
“Wake up, princess.”
“Five more minutes, please.” I grumbled, snuggling closer to Robert, who was stroking my hair.
I started to drift off again, a comfortable sigh escaping my lips when I felt Robert’s chest rumble with laughter.
“Welcome to Aspen.”
My eyes shot open, and all traces of slumber instantly vanished. “Aspen?”
“Yes, baby.” He breathed. “Aspen, Colorado.”
I sat up immediately, and that’s when I realized we weren’t in the jet anymore. Instead, we were crammed into the confines of a beautiful, elegant vehicle. Its windows were tinted, revealing only darkness outside.
“We’re not in the jet anymore?”
“No, we’ve landed.”
“How? When?”
Glancing up at Robert, I found him grinning. His ornate blue eyes sparkled with amusement, and his hands grasped mine fiercely.
“The flight was three hours. We arrived only a few minutes ago. You were asleep when I carried you out.”
“Oh.”
“Figured I owed it to you…” He continued playfully. “I might’ve tired you out with all those orgasms at the mile high club.”
My cheeks flamed. It took me a minute to shake out the filthy images of Robert stroking me until I came. I quickly changed the subject. “So, the surprise was Aspen?”
“Is Aspen.” He corrected, gently squeezing my hand.
My excitement grew as I sat forward and chirped inquisitively, “Why Aspen? What are we going to do here?”
He raised an eyebrow and grinned. “Miss, we’re going to do a whole lot. But if you’re wondering why I chose Aspen, it’s because I’m here on business.”
“Business?”
“Yes. And I brought you along because I could use some company, and yours is my favorite.”
“Really?” I asked shyly.
“If I remember vividly, Nicole said, and I quote, ‘Renee is unemployed at the moment and doing nothing, so a change of scenery will do her good. You have her for the entire week.”
“That sleazy bitch!”I cursed.
“I approve of the sleazy bitch statement.”
“Ugh.” I huffed. “I’m not unemployed.”
“Oh really?” Robert cocked his brow.
“Yes. I own the restaurant! You purchased it in my name, and-oh shit!”
He gave a sly grin. “Does this mean you’ve finally accepted my gift?”
“I…Um… I’m not sure yet. I’m still considering it.” I stammered. “You know, it’s a lot, and there are so many things I have to think about. Do I have the ability and intelligence to manage the restaurant? How will I handle its affairs and-”
“Hush now, love.” He whispered while brushing a strand of hair behind my ear. “Mrs. Andrew is still around. I never fired her. Thus, she’s still officially your employee. You two can work together to keep the business running properly, and if you need help or money, let me know.”
“No. You’ve already done a lot for me. You bought the restaurant. I don’t want anything else from you.”
“Nonsense. I’m here to help you in any way you want. Whether monetary or not. If I had my way, you wouldn’t work a day.”
“Robert! You can’t possibly mean that.” I laughed at what he said, but he looked so serious.
“Of course, I do. You should live off me. I make enough money to provide for the both of us anyway. For ten of us!”
“While your offer is enticing, I won’t accept. I enjoy working. I want to work. I want to do something. I can’t just stay at home all day and do what? Watch TV? Sleep? Read books? I’d get bored easily.”
“Well, I can think of some not-so-boring activities you could engage in.” He winked, and I hit his arm playfully.
“If I’m going to accept the restaurant, then I’ll accept the work that comes with it.”
“Whatever you say, my queen. Whatever you say.” He drawled seductively, leaning in and brushing his mouth against mine.
“So where are we headed now?” I mumbled against his lips.
He pulled back and smiled at me. “We’re going home, sweetheart.”NôvelDrama.Org © 2024.
“Home? As in your Aspen home? Hm, I like the sound of that.” I hummed contently, resting my chin on his shoulder as the limousine sped into the night.