My Pulse

Chapter 30: Quinn Keane

This is madness. I told Cian I loved him and It's really starting to sink in now. I'm staring at myself in the mirror and I feel like a different person. I am a different person, I realize. I wouldn't even recognize myself this time last year. My cruel lover has done a number on me. He introduced me and seduced me with his darkness. That may be the truth but yet I feel stronger and more alive than ever. The woman staring back at me from the mirror is strong, confident, and poised. My dark plum evening dress flows gracefully down my body. It hugs my hourglass figure and makes me feel ferociously feminine. I am ready to begin this new life. I am anxiously awaiting the meeting tomorrow with all of the heads of our operation. The key will be to act strong and present myself in a way that conveys leadership. I am also going to wear this dress. I smirk and take in the beautiful white new number that was added to my side of the closet. Everything in here is too much. Over the fuckkng top really but I am not going to complain because of this one dress. It is the most perfect coming out dress. It's a white strapless dress that has a bustier that exposes my slim waist and pushes up my breasts. I tried it on earlier when I saw the closet. It fit me like a glove. The satin white fabric spills from the cinch at the waist flowing elegantly to my toes. It's the most beautiful dress I have ever tried on and perfect for tomorrow. I am as ready as I can be for this meeting even though I'm still weary. Cian hasn't told me much about it really. I will ask him more about it tonight. I almost forget to check on Rory before going to go downstairs so I pull out the cell Cian gave me. I punch in Rory's number and hit send. It rings a few times before going to his voicemail and I hang up. I try him again with no answer. That is weird Rory usually picks up. I send him a quick text "Where r u? Are u ok?" I text out and send to him. No reply as I stare at the sent message. He must be busy. I will check in on him later.
I guess it's time to go down to dinner but I am nervous to see him again. It is all out there now and I agreed to move in with him. He won't let me take that back now. The outfit is missing something as I look at myself in the mirror. Then I remembered Cian's necklace he gave me. The sapphires would be perfect with this gown. I open one of the jewelry drawers and gasp. He has filled these too. My god. Cian this is absurd. I still search for the one he gave me and find it in a drawer next to.. Is that a fucking crown? Why would anyone need this? I take it out and look at it. It's gorgeous of course. Stunning with the largest sapphire diamond protruding from the top silver band. Sparkling with diamonds and smaller sapphires it is a work of art in itself. I put it away, determined to ask Cian about that as well later. Now it's time to go down I think as I see the shimmering reflection of my necklace in the mirror. Now or never, I smile and shake out my nerves. I don't know why I am so damn nervous to see him. Descending the stairs, my stomach rumbles again in hunger and it's the only thing that makes me feel one ounce less sexy as I make my way to the kitchen. I am glowing with sex and my dress is as dark as I'm feeling. As Cian takes in my appearance, it doesn't seem like he cares about food at all. A slow smile stretches across his face as he says "My sweet queen of darkness." I smile back at him and tilt my head up to meet his oncoming kiss. It's a sweet kiss, a surrendering one. He has given me everything I have asked for and more. Cian has even given me honesty. "Let's get some food before we get carried away." He tells me as he pulls away and leads me to the dining room. My mouth waters when we walk in and I smell tonight's dinner. "I had everything prepared fresh from the local farmers market this morning. A seafood spread. You love seafood don't you?" He asks me. I bob my head up and down and it's all I can do not to run to the table. Cian laughs as he takes in my sudden haste. He pulls out my chair for me as I stare at the large fish tank wall that separates the living and dining room. This place is amazing. A sea castle with actual fish inside. I feel like a mermaid who lives on a cliff near the ocean just waiting to return home. I am home though I realize. This was always my dream to live here. To have my kids grow up here. To Cian's credit it looks a helluva lot different but the changes fit us. He made it ours. The long oak dining table is much too big for just us two but we sit across from one another so we are still close. The food is delicious, the best shrimp I have ever had, that is for sure. Homemade potatoes with freshly caught halibut. Cooked green beans and homemade crab cakes with a special lemon cream sauce. The shrimp are freshly steamed with lemon and garlic. A variety of sauces help enhance the classic stables I grew up with. Eating halibut here in this dining room, although different, brings back memories. My dad would cook it fresh from the market every thursday. "What is it? Is everything okay?" Cian asks me when I stop eating the halibut and stare around. "Oh nothing really. I was just thinking of when my dad used to make this for me." I tell him, picking my fork back up. "He used to make it often for you and your mom?" Cian asks. I nod and look away from his prying gaze. "That can't be all, what has made you sad all of a sudden?" He inquires again. "Cian, I can't help but to remember old family memories in this home. In my home, my family's dining room. My parents aren't your cup of tea and they shouldn't be involved in all of this. They won't get to be in my life or enjoy this house anymore. We won't eat here all together or laugh around the table anymore." I tell him sadly. "Quinn, this home is ours to build a future together. Yes, our world is dangerous but I don't think it's necessary to block out your parents." Cian tells me and takes my hand from across the table. "Really?" I ask him worried. "Yes, we will have them watched discreetly of course for their protection." Cian tells me and I nod in confirmation. "You really think they could come here for dinners and holidays?" I ask him hopefully. "Yes, baby, I will make sure you are all safe, okay?" He assures me and squeezes my hand harder. "Are you all done?" Cian asks me and I shake my head and wipe my mouth with my napkin. "Here come with me. Dessert is out here." He tells me as he leads me through the living room toward the new addition to the back of the house. I follow him past the arched windows that let the moonlight in, to a door at the end of the hall. He opens it and I almost stumble back looking at the view. Cian catches me and pulls me close. "I've got you." He tells me and gives me a quick kiss. "Where are we going?" I ask him curious. "Follow me." He says and grins my way. The stairs aren't too steep that lead down to a beautiful new lit patio area. This is the best spot to enjoy the view. The patio has lanterns that help light up the dark cloudy night sky and a table in the middle. Two pieces of cake and champagne with glasses are neatly displayed on the table for two. "Cian this is so amazing." I tell him in awe of everything. He has transformed my parents property into my dream home and saved it from being sold. "I'm glad you like it." Cian tells me and stares out at the view. "This place has the most magical view." He says and takes my hand pulling me toward him. The moon is shimmering off the water below us as we both take in the vast overlook that is my favorite view in the world. High above up on the cliffs the view stretches far but the night sky fades out the view of the ocean into darkness. Cian walks toward the cliffs with my hand in his. "It's the best view in the world." I tell him honestly. He smiles at me and it's a gentle smile. A smile full of love and light. I can see the light in him dancing in his eyes shining brighter than the moon lit sky. "I love you." Cian says to me and I see that he means it. He truly and devoutly means it as he sinks to one knee before me. "Quinn I can't picture my life without you by my side. I want to make a future with you here and protect you for as long as we both live. For as long as I have breath in my lungs I will love you, cherish you, and you my mo cuishle will be mine. I can't live without you Quinn and I am never letting you go." Cian proclaims to me with a tinge of dark intent clouding around him. His proposal was exactly what our life would be together. I would be his and he would be mine. It was like he proposed without really giving me a choice. Sweetly and darkly with his soft unveiled threats. I have no doubt he wouldn't let me go. He has already promised to pursue me to the end of time. The inevitably of his dark love and passion for me can't be denied or ignored. Just as my fucking insane feelings for this man, the fire that burns so low in my core can't be extinguished. We can be good for each other. Cian and I will balance each other out well as long as we stay honest with one another. "I love you and I want to be with you but you have to promise me something first." I tell him as I gaze down into his eyes. "Anything, baby, anything." He says quickly opening the ring box to reveal the familiar sapphire ring. "I need you to be honest with me. No matter what. This is a partnership moving forward and we do things together. Make decisions together." I tell him and he nods. "I need you to say it." I say staring at him. "I promise to be truthful with you, to never forsake you, to make decisions together now and for as long as we both shall live." He promises me and slips the ring onto my finger where it belongs. "I love you." Cian says and I throw my arms around him in an open embrace. "I love you, Cian." I tell him back and he is pulling my body flush against his. Cian kisses my cheek and then my neck, biting at the sensitive spot behind my ear. "Let's have a toast." Cian says as he leads me back to the small table. He pops the bottle and I let out an excited yell. "Cheers baby, to everything that will come. To all the adventures with you by my side." He says and we clink our glasses. "Is this chocolate cake?" I ask with a huge smile. "Yes, with strawberry sauce your favorite." He tells me with a grin. I pick up my fork and he is watching my every move. The cake is delicious. So decadent and rich with the sweetest strawberry sauce to balance it out. It's fluffy and almost moist when I take my first savoring bite. I let out a literal moan and Cian laughed clearly enjoying the show. "This is amazing." I tell him with my mouth almost full. "I figured as much." He says, eyeing me with unmistakable lust. Cian is just waiting for me to be finished before he pounces on me. I quickly realize the feeling in the air. Our energy warms up my core and spikes my heartbeat. My pulse is starting to drum when I finish the last bite of my chocolate distraction. My eyes raise from my empty plate to his and a devilish grin spreads across his face. Everything has surely worked out well for him hasn't it? I can't help but think. Cian has gotten everything he has ever wanted and I just gave him me.