The carriage ride and the diamond ring were a prelude of things to come. Naked foreplay in the hot tub followed. That led to another night of unforgettable passion. Every cell in her body had him somewhere in it – thoughts in her mind, fire in her blood when he ravished her.

Zara never imagined experiencing raw, unlimited sexuality. He was the type of man that never tired of sex. She was glad because she'd been emotionally starved. With Roman, it wasn't just a physical act but deep imprinting of his love. It felt like being under a refreshing waterfall. She lavished in his love, giving back as much as he gave to her.

There were no inhibitions between them. They explored whatever felt good and kept at it until they passed out. When she wanted him again in the middle of the night, he was always willing. The thought that she could express herself in that way, after doubting his attraction to her felt so satisfying. Zara slept so deep that she didn't hear him get up at 7:00 AM.

Roman smiled as he slipped from the bed. I've got a hot-live wire. He leaned down and kissed her, she didn't stir an ounce. He moved about preparing for his next surprise to lift her spirit. This would get her through the next few days as they hashed out things about Ethan. It would be a nice distraction in the midst of a serious matter.

Roman put fresh linens on the bed in another guest room. He stocked the adjoining bath suite with towels, soap, toothpaste, and other toiletries. Breakfast got ordered from the restaurant in the building and they would be bringing it up at any minute. He asked them to text him when they arrived because he didn't want to wake Zara.

He smiled thinking about how happy she was going to be. Within 20 minutes the wait staff had delivered the breakfast setting it up buffet style. It was a southern breakfast that he knew they would enjoy – scrambled eggs, shrimp with grits, bacon, and potatoes O'Brian. Roman pulled a few plates from the cabinet and utensils from the drawer. Finally, he got the text that he was waiting for.

Roman sent a few directions on how to get into the new elevator assigned to his penthouse in the text, and within a few minutes, the elevator doors opened. The arrival thrilled him. When he stepped up to give Trevor and Ava a hug, his ears cringed at the loudest scream. This cute little thing was reacting because he'd gotten too close to her mama. Roman stepped back and took a good look at the noisemaker and lost it. "She is beautiful...and those lungs. Come in. Come in."

Ava smiled. "It's so good to see you. Thanks for flying us up. This was to be a surprise, but I'm sure Zara must have heard Glory Rose."

"Oh my God," Zara laughed, "I really did hear a baby crying. I thought that I was dreaming. You guys are here!" Zara did a little skip before running over to Ava and Trevor. "This is the best surprise. Thank you, Roman. I needed this."

After their warm reunion and plenty of hugs and kisses for the baby, they all sat down and had a hearty breakfast. Reminisced about good times. Then Roman sent Ava and Zara off shopping and asked them to bring a bassinet back for the baby.

Though this was to be a nice gathering of friends, it was to prepare. Roman and Trevor had talked about Zara's situation for a few days. Trevor got clearance from his management that he could take an extended leave. He'd put together a navy seals team if Roman needed him for the mission that he was about to undertake.

Trevor's team had done undercover work for them before with exemplary results. And if there were anyone that he could trust with an assignment so personal, it would be Trevor. The two of them had a long history and were knitted together in a way that he always knew that Trevor would have his back. He would need Trevor to keep him on task as Mission Treasure kicked into gear. With them gone, he and Trevor could do a live conference with T-30.

***

Zara and Ava spent the day at the Westfield World Trade Center shopping. Christmas spirit flowed in the mall as people bustled about. They already had several stuffed bags between them, weaving through the very crowded space.

"Ava, hook a right," Zara said. "I want to go to the Swatch store."

The two bobbed between several crowds until they made it to the store. The counter was full of onlookers, but they were able to squeeze in and get a look at the latest fashions. "We got married so fast I just want to get him something nice until I buy him a ring," said Zara.

"Tell me about it. I just got Trevor's ring two days ago. He loves it."

Zara's eyes scanned the display case. "I like that one. What do you think?" Looking at Ava, she pointed to a blue watch called "Skinnavy." The Mediterranean blue face and silver ban were quite elegant.

"I like it."

"That settles it." Zara raised her hand, motioning for a sales associate. "Can you put this in a gift box?" The associate nodded and boxed the watch, handing Zara the bill. With one flash of her phone, the transaction was over. "He'll love it."

They pressed out of the store back into the busy mall. After a few more stops Ava picked up a set of Beats from the Apple Store. Then they headed to Victoria's Secret. The store set the appeal to say 'buy me'. It was so sexy in the store, seeing all the lingerie displayed in black backdrops. Perfume bottles and body sprays lined the wall with provocative names.

Ava grinned at Zara, shaking her head. She eased around her feeling the fabric. She lifted the outfit from Zara's hand, clearing her throat. "Lacy plunge -Teddy, my, my – in red."

"Is that a black corset, that you have in your hand, my dear? Let's not talk."

They looked at each other, wide-eyed and burst out laughing. The rest of the time they spent stuffing their shopping bags with all things lace, perfume, and lotions. They also purchased as many new bras that they could pack.

"Isn't it good that we can enjoy our men?" Ava said.

"It's nice. I've never, ever felt free like this."

"Welcome to the fun zone, Zara."

***

Roman's driver was exactly where he said that he would be to meet them. They watched the driver pop the trunk as they approached the car. He helped them to get the bags inside and then opened the door to the passenger's door.

"Were you able to find a bassinet?" Zara asked.

"Yes, I did, Mrs. Gray, and they should be delivering it to the house in about an hour."

Mrs. Gray – those words wrapped around Zara's ears. It was the first time anyone had called her by her married name. It felt thrilling. She rolled the sound over in her mind, soaking it into her being. "Thanks so much." Zara reached in her bag and handed the driver a pastry, a cup of coffee from Starbucks, and a two-hundred-dollar gift card.

"You didn't have to do that, Mrs. Gray."

"Look, it's cold outside and you've had to run around all day with a bunch of shopaholics, and then go find a crib. That's worth something to both of us."

"Well, thank you. He placed the coffee into the cup holder and then rolled up the privacy screen in the car.

***

"So what have you and Trevor decided to do, now that you're married. Will you be going back with him?"

"No, we decided that we'd keep things as they are. It works, though it's tough being apart. And you? What are you going to do about your life in Georgia?"

"I'll be commuting for a while. We'll figure the rest out later. But I'm pretty sure that I'll want to move to New York."

"Country girl in the big city. I can't imagine quiet Zara in this lifestyle."

Zara wiped the condensation off the glass, peering into the dense traffic. For miles ahead, they saw red taillights and sounds of honking horns. She pointed to the packed roadway. "Yeah, you're right when I look at this stuff. It's much better to ride a horse through the grassy fields or go fishing in the creek. But then another side of me says it's time for a change."

"There's something already different about you, Zara," she smiled. "And I like it. You seem radiant."

"Roman has that effect on me. If I'm radiant it's because of him."

Ava tilted her head trying to figure out what else she was sensing. She eyed Zara, reflecting on what she'd been like the last time she'd seen her. This is not the 'you' that I know. "Whatever is going on, girl, it's good."

"I've just figured something's out." She thought about the day she stood in front of the mirror decked in her jewels and nothing else. It was the first time in her life that she felt beautiful, bulges and all. The feeling of liberation and self-acceptance swelled through her.

"What did you figure out?"

"I love myself, and that makes my whole world better." And for the first time in my life, I've accepted Roman's, unconditional love. It took me almost twenty years but that's worth everything.

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