by C R Riley
"What?" Jaxon isn't sure if he is more worried now about the haircut or this plan Johannah has schemed up in her head.
Music starts playing through the sound system of the salon. Jaxon remembers hearing this song the night they danced in the club around back. It's a fairly new one. While he is straining to remember the name of it, Johannah appears out of nowhere, wearing one of the salon’s robes. It's almost identical to the one she was wearing the day Jaxon saw her in San Diego, the day his life changed forever.
"Hannah." Her name escapes his lips so easily. "Why are you dressed like that?"
Johannah nods to the stylist behind Jaxon, as she tugs on the knot holding her robe closed. Underneath she is wearing a short white baby doll gown that he can see right through. It has spaghetti straps that so easily could slide down her shoulders. That lacy gown would drop and pool around her feet with just one tug. Leaving her standing in the barely there thong, she has on under it.
She removes the robe. Dropping it to the floor as she starts dancing like she would if they were alone. Grabbing the hem of the short nightgown, lifting it slightly to reveal just a little more skin. She even runs her fingers and hands down her body suggestively, doing her best to distract him.
Her body heats from the exotic dance she is bravely performing for her soon to be husband. She is pretty sure she is blushing from head to toe. The only thing keeping her from stopping right now is the fact that Jaxon seems to be zoned in on her. The more she shakes her hips, or slides her fingers into the dip between her breasts, the more dilated his eyes seem to get. The expression on his face is what keeps her moving around in this empty salon. Dancing like some exotic dancer striving to earn a big tip.
Johannah is pretty certain it is working. He seems to be completely entranced with her, as if he has forgotten all about what is going on around him. His eyes are currently scanning her body, tracking her every movement. So far, he doesn't even seem to notice the woman frantically cutting his hair. Making him look even sexier than she had envisioned.
She can hardly believe how well this all appears to be working. Okay, so maybe she can believe it. Jaxon seems to have a one-track mind when it comes to all things sexual. Once things start heating up, it has always been difficult for him to focus on anything else. So, the fact he has all but forgotten about the woman standing behind him is really no surprise to her.
After the second song ends, she notices the stylist is unsnapping the cape because she is finished. So Johannah quickly bends down and slips the robe back on, covering her body. Before Jaxon can jump out of the chair, she retreats to the spa area so she can change back into the clothes she had on earlier. Afraid if she sticks around, he will get a few ideas, and they may never get out of here.
Jaxon wobbles his head, dazed from the sight of his Hannah dancing like that just for him. His mind was fixated on the sight of her wiggling that delicious body in front of him. Touching her curves just like he imagined himself touching them later. His focus became tunneled, and he almost forgot where he was. Until the woman cutting his hair removed the cape from his shoulders and gave it a good shake.
"Mr. Cristiano, what do you think?" She runs a brush through his hair a few times and then spins him around, so he can see his own reflection.
Jaxon can hardly believe the man staring back is him. He looks completely different, more sophisticated. The top is still moderately long, as are the sides. But the rest has been tapered off at his chin. His neck is visible now from all directions, he can't even remember the last time that was possible. He reaches up and runs his fingers through it a few times and nods once.
"Thank you. It will take me awhile to get used to it, but I believe I like it very much." Jaxon leans forward, so he can retrieve his wallet from his back pocket. He pulls out three one-hundred-dollar bills and hands them to her. "For the haircut and your discretion about all of this."
Johannah gaits back into the room, dressed in the clothes she had on earlier. Now he understands why she complained about him not packing her a dress.
"Thank you," Johannah tells the woman as she excuses herself.
Jaxon reaches down and adjusts himself before he stands. That motion has Johannah focusing on his crotch, instead of the new hairstyle she convinced him to get.
"Stop staring at my erection." He growls and reaches down, slips his hand inside of his pants to moves things around the best he can. "So, do you plan on giving me a show like that every time I require a haircut now?"
Johannah snickers as her eyes travel back up his body to his gorgeous face. She wanders toward him and stops short. "Just wow. You are hot. You still have that dangerous look about you that I have always adored. But now you also have this urbane CEO quality to you. That is certainly going to set you apart from the others. It's a good thing in a few hours you are going to be a married man. Otherwise, I'm not sure I'd feel comfortable letting you out of my sight. Too many women may get the wrong idea if it weren't for the ring that will soon encase the third finger on your left hand."
He takes a step closer and wraps her up in his arms. "That was the sexiest thing I have ever witnessed. You know I will be thinking about that for a very long time. I love you, Hannah. Tell me. What are you doing for the rest of your life? Marry me."
"I suppose." Johannah laughs when he nuzzles her neck and gives it a little nip. "No vampire marks."
Jaxon works his way to her ear, leaving fervent kisses along the way. "No visible vampire marks. Because after a show like that, my love, I make no other promises. Payback for that will be my pleasure."
They leave the salon laughing, excited about the plans later this afternoon. Once they get back to the house, they go their separate ways, with a promise to meet up in a few hours on the beach behind them.
Johannah is suddenly nervous a few hours later. Her mother has joined her in the master suite bathroom. Helping her get ready for the big event that is only minutes away. She is so thankful Jaxon invited her parents to join them for this. It just wouldn't seem right leaving them out, after making them wait so long to marry her off. Not that either of them has ever mentioned that.
Her phone buzzes in the other room, so she takes off to grab it. It's a text from Kendra.
Kendra: We finally did it.
Jo: Congratulations. I'm so happy for you and Wes.
Kendra: Yeah, yeah, and all that. I mean, we finally did the deed. Ruined and will definitely be walking around bowlegged from now on.
Jo: TMI
Kendra: No TMI. TMI would have been me telling you I wasn't sure it was going to fit. I felt like a virgin all over again. That would have been TMI.
Jo: Kendra, I really could have gone my whole life without that tad bit of information.
Kendra: So, what are you doing this weekend? I'm getting laid again later after I've recovered that is. Don't be jealous?
Johannah snickers as she types her next message.
Jo: Well, that makes two of us then.
Kendra: Wait!! What!!!! No Jo. Don't do it. Wait for him to ask you to marry him, then run off to Vegas. Trust me on this. It will be well worth the wait.
Jo: Ring? Check.
Kendra: You're engaged? Congrats!!! Now run off to Vegas.
Jo: No Vegas for us. We thought our favorite island sounded like a much better plan. Mom & Dad are here too. Who'd have thunk a trip to this island would have changed all three of our lives?
Kendra: Not me, that's for sure.
Jo: Next year I say we celebrate our birthdays, love, and who knows what else.
Kendra: I'm down with the first two. The who knows what else can hold off for a few more years, in my opinion. So not ready for that one yet.
Jo: Agreed. Gotta go. It's time.
Kendra: Make him cry. Then later make him cry out your name.
Jo: Touché.
"Ready?" Johanna's mother lays a hand on her daughter's shoulder.
"So ready." She stands and straightens her dress.
"Daddy likes h
im," Rochelle informs her daughter as they step out of the door. "Told me when Jaxon came to the hospital, after his heart attack, that he was here to stay."
"You don't think we are rushing this then?" Johanna is a little nervous about that.
"Not at all, Jo. I knew after you all stopped by the house after church, that Jaxon was going to be a part of our family very soon. He loved you then, just hadn't told you yet. I think you loved him too." Her mother shares as they maneuver their way through the house.
"Love is a funny thing. Sometimes it takes time to grow. Like it did for Caleb and Faith. Caleb had to see the big picture, and trust that what he was experiencing was real. Stubborn man that Caleb, but once his eyes and his heart accepted it, he never turned back, and he loves his Faith deeply now.
"Other times it just seems to show up out of nowhere. Like Jaxon and you. You only have to reach out and grab it and then hold on tight and never let go. As long as you enter this marriage with your eyes open. Knowing there will be turmoil along the way, while you get to know each other. Then you will be okay. Just make sure you keep the passion that is sure to arise, not only come out during a battle of wills but also is equally expressed when you come together in the bedroom."
Johannah shrieks. "Mother!"
Rochelle rolls her eyes at her daughter. "I was your age when I married your father, dear. That man was an arrogant prick who had lived as a bachelor his entire adult life. Trust me when I tell you, I completely understand what you are getting yourself into. The one thing you have going for you I didn't, is that your man has a soft side to him. It has taken your father years to develop his. Passion in and outside the bedroom keeps a marriage interesting."
"Again, mother. I don't want to think about you and Daddy, associated with the word passion, especially in the bedroom." A shiver travels through Johannah's body.
"One day Jo, you will be my age." She opens the door to the back patio where Timothy Kohl is waiting for his daughter. "I hope your young buck is healthy enough to continue adding passion to the marriage. Your father is recovering nicely from his earlier mishap. Now we both are taking each day as it comes, enjoying it the best we can. After he got his clean bill of health from his doctor, and a bottle of those little blue pills..."
Johannah covers her ears and starts repeating. "Stop. Please stop. Just stop."
Her father is laughing as he approaches and tugs her hands free. "Is your mother disclosing what a tiger I am in the bedroom?"
Johannah throws her hands in the air. "For the love of all that is sacred, please could we not discuss your all's sex life?"
Jaxon and the minister approach them, hearing every word Johannah just uttered. Her soon to be husband clears his throat. "Are you all about ready?"
Johannah shudders at the sight of her man dressed in a white cotton button shirt, which is untucked, with the sleeves rolled up. He left the top half of it unbuttoned, making him appear relaxed. He even cuffed his pants, so they don't drag in the sand. And his new shorter hair is freely blowing in the wind. Making him look like a delicious dessert she can't wait to get her hands on.
She hooks both of her parent's arms and nods. Once they start moving, she decides to give it right back to them.
"Now if you want to discuss how I plan on letting that man take advantage of me completely tonight, I'm game. Or how I plan on exploring every inch of that delightful body, as I peel his clothes off of him, I'm happy to share."
They pause at the top of the steps, while Jaxon and the minister take their place on the beach. When Jaxon spins around and stares up at her like he has been waiting his whole life for this moment. She starts crying. Never in her life has a man looked at her like that.
Her father tugs her gently. "Time to give you away."
They walk to the other men. When they finally reach them, Timothy reaches out for Jaxon's hand. Jaxon hesitates briefly, but then bravely gives it to him, knowing soon Johannah's will replace it.
"I am entrusting my most precious gift to you, son. Take care of her. Love her. Cherish her. Respect her. Protect her. Be her equal and stand by her side always. Never forget that God has brought you two together."
Her father takes their hands and joins them, then leans in and kisses them both on the cheek. Before he takes a step back to enjoy the ceremony, he offers them one last word of advice. "Oh, and tonight is only the beginning. You have both saved yourselves until now, which in today's world is saying something. So, don't hold back. Relish in the passion that will ignite between you. Allow it to bring you both closer together. Enjoy every minute of it. Because before you know it, you'll turn around and look at each other. Realize thirty-seven years have passed, and you haven't even got to the good stuff yet."
The couple stares into each other's eyes, both red-faced about what Timothy is suggesting. While at the same time they believe they understand what he means.
Johannah steps forward with Jaxon and before the minister can start, she nudges him. "Tell me. What are you doing for the rest of your life?"
Chapter Thirty-Six
The sun is about to set now. Jaxon can hardly believe he has been married now for two hours and twenty-nine minutes. To his surprise, well not really, but sort of. Hannah and he didn't run straight to their bedroom after the ceremony. Instead, they did a little celebrating with the older couple that came to the island just for them.
Jaxon made reservations for four at the five-star restaurant on the island. The last time he was here, they never got the chance to check it out. He has heard nothing but praises about the place. So, this time he wanted to mix a little business with pleasure.
They got the royal treatment, of course. Not only because he was the owner, and they were trying to impress him. But also because of what they were there to celebrate.
After dinner, they took advantage of the ballroom on the other side of the establishment. Since people typically dress up when eating here. The atmosphere differs from the club behind the hotel. The ballroom offers their guests an alternative. There is a live band that performs each evening, and right now they are just getting started.
Jaxon orders a bottle of champagne, as they all take a seat at one booth located on the edge of the dance floor. The band plays a few songs to warm up the crowd.
Eventually, the lead singer stops to address those listening. "Good evening. It's not every day we are blessed to entertain the owner of Cristiano Sand & Sun Resort, tonight however we do. Not just that though, I hear that only hours ago he married the love of his life. Please join us in congratulating the couple. Mr. and Mrs. Cristiano, if you would please allow me the pleasure of your first dance."
The place applauds as Jaxon and Johannah gracefully make their way onto the dance floor. The band starts playing Someone Like You. The lead singer waits for the couple to start dancing before he sings the words of the Van Morrison song.
Jaxon draws his bride into his arms and presses his cheek next to hers. He waltzes with her around the dance floor. Listening to the words that seem to say exactly how he feels about his new wife. The music is alluring, and he gets lost as he holds the only woman he ever will in his arms.
Her voice invades his senses as she whispers in his ear. "I love you, Jaxon. I'm glad I took a chance and followed my heart for a change. So, do you think it would be rude of us to make our escape as soon as this song is over?"
Jaxon chuckles at his lovely Hannah's declaration. "Rude or not, it is exactly what we are going to do. I have already arranged for a car to take your parents back to the hotel when they are ready. I love you too, Hannah."
So as soon as the song ends, Mr. and Mrs. Cristiano take a bow. They give the crowd a wave, and then hand in hand they make their escape. The moment they slide into the backseat of the town car, it begins.
Jaxon has been dreaming of this moment for months now. He has been fantasizing about it even more since that little performance in the salon. Therefore, he has no plans to wait one second longer to get this party started. Besid
es, tonight is going to be a night of first all the way around, he might as well have a first right now.
As soon as his rear hits the seat, and the driver closes his door. Jaxon is on her. His mouth captures hers in one swift move, as he slams into her and lowers her back to the bench seat. Pulling back only so he can give the driver a few instructions while closing the glass partition between them. "Give us fifteen minutes, please. Drive us around the island a bit before taking us back to The Bungalow."
Johannah tries to object. "You can't be serious."
"Very." Jaxon is on her again, and it doesn't take long before she seems to be on the same page. "I've never made out in the backseat of a car before."
Johannah drags her fingers through his hair. "Well then, by golly, who am I to stop you? Not sure I have ever made out in the backseat before either. Oh... please no hickeys."
He is currently munching on her neck, hitting all the right spots that are firing up her insides. Finding her mouth again, Jaxon kisses her in desperation. Definitely feeling like a teenager at the moment, he acts like one as well. He takes his right hand and places it on the back of her bare knee, and then gradually starts sliding it up.
The dress Johannah chose for the wedding was a simple chiffon A-line halter style. It is held up by one strap that snapped behind her neck. It had an empire waist and is accented by an asymmetrical hemline that ends at her knees. It was perfectly designed for her. Showing off her curves, while making her still not feel exposed to those around her.
When Jaxon's hand slides up the back of her leg, she is even more pleased with her choice. The loose material is not hindering his advances. He pauses right before he reaches his destination and begins kneading the area. Then allows his fingers to shift from the outside to the inside, just below the junction where her legs met.
"Jaxon." Her voice sounds so husky. "No one has ever touched me there before."
