Blossom in Winter (Blossom in Winter #1)(86)

“Why haven’t you been here for so long?”

He smiles at my usual curiosity and caresses the long black strands of my hair. “Too many memories, Ms. Van Gatt.” He plants a long, tender kiss on my forehead. “Let me show you around.” Alex holds my hand and walks me to one of the rooms, turning on the lights. “This used to be your bedroom…” I step into the suite with a private bathroom and a terrace with direct views to the lake and mountains. I smile, noticing that the porter put my luggage here. “Not sure if you still want to sleep here though…” I giggle at his comment. Alex remains leaning on the doorframe, hands in his pockets, a contemplative smile on his face.

“Indeed, I prefer to stay in yours,” I reply, wrapping my arms around his neck. “By the way, I’ve never seen it…”

A small smile settles on his mouth. “You’ll need to change first,” he replies. I swallow nervously. “Meet me in the dining room once you are ready.” Alex gives me a quick kiss on my lips and leaves the room, closing the door behind him.

I feel my entire body shiver at his words. My hands are shaking as I open the first suitcase to look for my dress. I take it out and lay it on the bed. Then I rush to take a shower. Damn, I have never felt this nervous. My body is trembling and sweating for no apparent reason. I spread some perfume on my neck, my chest, and my wrists; put on my dress and matching heels; brush my teeth once more; apply some cherry gloss on my lips; and take a deep breath. You got this, Petra. You are an adult, and you got this. I touch my pendant to calm myself down, smiling at my reflection in the mirror.

As I slowly walk down the corridor, only my loud breaths and heartbeats can be heard. Arriving in the dining room, I see a cozy, bright fireplace. I just want to run over there and warm up my hands, but as I look to my right, I find Alex sitting at the table, a bunch of papers in front of him and in front of my empty seat, with a Montblanc pen in between. I notice how he’s already removed his sweater, sporting a slim white shirt, sleeves rolled up as always.

“Hey,” I timidly greet him.

His gaze goes instantly to my dress, the corners of his mouth lifted. His eyes marvel, and he takes a sip of his whiskey. “Have a seat,” he replies back.

Not what I was expecting, but I obey and sit in front of him. I glance down at the papers. “What is this?”

“It’s a confidentiality agreement, Ms. Van Gatt.”

My heart skips a beat. I blink twice. “A what?”

“Read it over carefully. If you agree to it, kindly sign every page on the bottom right corner, as well as the last one.”

I swallow hard, scared of such formality. I wasn’t expecting any of it. This is very far from the romantic evening I had in mind. Nevertheless, I start to read and realize his signatures are already there. I gasp in horror. “It says you have the right to move forward with legal procedures if I say anything?”

“No.” He takes the first page of the contract. “It says: ‘Both parties have the right to move forward with legal procedures if there is a voluntary breach of confidentiality intended to damage or to harm the reputation, dignity, and the good name of the other.’ Petra, this is also in your own interest. I’m protecting both of us. I care about your reputation. The world is full of assholes who are ready to publish anything in the press to discredit us.” He pauses. “You are eighteen now. Welcome to the adult world.”

“Alright,” I mutter. Then I take the pen lying between us, sign all the pages on the line next to his signature, and give him back the contract. “Here, Mr. Van Dieren.”

He scans through every single page to make sure I didn’t miss any. “Thank you.” And he hands me a copy with all the pages already signed by him. “Here, Ms. Van Gatt.”

I play his game and check every page thoroughly, while adding my own signatures. “Very well. Thank you.” I cross my arms, dazed and confused at his behavior. I wonder if he does this with every woman he sleeps with. Is this really necessary? Doesn’t he trust me enough?

“You’re welcome.” He smiles and gets up from his chair, but I remain seated, digesting such rigid procedure. As he stands behind me, I feel a shiver down my entire spine at his presence, his fragrance, his warm breath. But I don’t dare to look. Alex starts to fondle my long black hair, my neck, my shoulders… until he bends down to my ear. “May I show you our bedroom?” he whispers.

My heart skips a beat, and my breath comes out in short gasps. He has this power over me. The power to make me shiver, sweat, nearly cum at his words, at his question. He turns the palm of his hand up. I grasp it, stand up, and follow him. We leave the dining room, crossing the hall, and go down the corridor past my own bedroom until we finally reach, at the very end, a closed door. I’m about to open it, but he stops me. “No shoes inside.” I chuckle but remove them and place them alongside his.

Finally shoeless, I open the door and gasp in surprise at seeing the main wall in front of me made entirely of glass. It overlooks the lake, the small village down in the valley amid the mountains, and the ski runs, all lit with a blanket of bright stars. A fireplace is burning in the corner. I walk closer to the glass and admire the view. Unbelievable. It looks just like a painting.

With his body pressed against mine, Alex bends down to smell my perfumed hair and slowly starts unzipping the back of my dress. I feel his fingers removing the garment while he kisses my shoulders. I don’t dare to move; I let him to discover me all over again.