Erin dialed. She counted the rings with a pounding heart, holding her breath.
"Hello?"
"Hi Sean."
"Hey. I was wondering if you would call."
"Is this a good time?"
"Sure. I’ve got nothing going on. Is anything up?"
"No. I just missed you. I wanted to talk to you for a while."
"I miss you too. This is a really weird situation, isn’t it?"
"It is. Good thing it’s temporary. What’s going on with you?"
"I talked to my parents today."
"Are they mad?"
"Mom’s a little hurt that we didn’t tell her sooner. Dad’s actually great with it."
"Oh, okay."
"Is Danny right there?" His voice took on a lascivious tone.
"Yes."
"If she weren’t, I would make love to you right now."
"How?"
"Oh Erin, there’s so much you have to learn. It’s called phone sex."
Erin blushed a little.
"Sounds interesting."
"Hmmm. At least let me hold you for a while. Close your eyes baby, and imagine you’re here. Can you visualize it in your mind?"
"Yes."
"Good. You’re lying on your side in bed with me. I’m pressed up against your back, spooning you, with my arm around your waist. Can you feel me there?"
"Almost."
"Try hard. I can almost feel you too. Now, I sweep your hair away from the side of your neck and kiss you there."
Erin giggled.
"What is it?"
"You left a hickey on my neck. I was so busted with my woodwind ensemble this evening."
"I did? I didn’t even realize."
"Me either."
"Well anyway, I would kiss you right there. And I would hold you close while you fell asleep. I love you Erin."
"I love you too."
"Good night baby."
"Good night."
"You see," Sheridan said softly as the phone beeped signaling the end of the call, "he loves you and he wants to talk to you. Just plan to call him every night at bedtime, okay, and save yourself worrying about it."
"Okay. I’ll do that."
******
The next day, when Erin was at her oboe lesson, Sheridan called her mother.
"Hi Mom."
"Hello darling. How are you doing?"
"I’m great. I just finished reading some amazing poetry. Would you like to hear it?"
"Um…" Mrs. Murphy was not a great lover of poetry and both of them knew it.
"I’m just kidding Mom. Listen, did Sean talk to you yesterday?"
Ellen didn’t even pretend not to know what her daughter was talking about.
"He did. I simply can’t imagine what came over them. Couldn’t you have talked them out of it?"
"Actually, it was my idea."
"What? Why?"
"I’ve always known those two belonged together. I set them up in high school too. They’re a great couple."
"So you’ve known about them all along? Why does no one tell me anything?"
"It wasn’t the right time then. You know that. Our family, wonderful though it is, was strained to its limits. Who knows what might have happened if there had been a fight over a girlfriend. And even though Erin was only eighteen, she’s always been older than the calendar admits, and was perfectly marvelous with Sean. Now she’s twenty-two. I’m healing, everyone is better, and it’s time for those two to come out and be a couple for the world to see. It’s the perfect timing."
"I just don’t understand it at all. Why Erin for Sean?"
"Why not? We all know what a wonderful person she is. Mom, the question isn’t why Erin. It’s why do you have a problem with her?"
"I’m not really sure. Something about it just feels wrong."
"It’s not wrong for them to be together. It’s ideal. You know, if you’re saying, after everything that Erin has done for all of us, that she’s not good enough to marry your son... Well it’s like she’s a servant or something."
"What? I don’t appreciate that comment at all."
"No seriously, think about it. Erin’s good enough to cook our Thanksgiving dinner, play her instrument for us, baby sit me until her own life nearly passes her by, but not good enough to be Sean’s wife? What sense does that make? Mom, you need to get over whatever is bothering you and let this be."
"That’s what everyone keeps telling me. I’m not going to order her out of the house."
"But will you welcome her into it?"
Mrs. Murphy didn’t say anything, and the conversation ended without any further resolution.
Later that afternoon Ellen Murphy went to talk to her priest. She had intended on just getting information about how a Catholic couple could turn a civil marriage into a church sanctioned one. It was something she would absolutely insist they do before Erin’s Christmas break was over. The priest was very kind with her about the situation and she ended up pouring out to him her concerns and frustration, and her hurt about being left out of such a momentous decision from the very beginning. It felt good to vent to a disinterested third party, but it wasn’t enough. The next time she saw Erin, she intended to give the girl a piece of her mind before she even considered welcoming her into the family.
***Chapter 18***
Unaware of her new mother-in-law’s intentions, Erin threw herself vigorously into finishing her second to last semester of university studies. When she had free time, she attended to certain details such as applying for a new social security card. She would keep using the last name James while she was in school, but would add Murphy after it. Once she graduated she intended to drop her parents’ last name altogether. Of course, she practiced like a fiend. With Christmas approaching, there were so many different performances she was involved in, from the university orchestra to the woodwind group, to her end of semester juries, a playing test designed to show her progress. Just for fun she also ferreted out a few pieces of sheet music featuring Christmas songs for solo oboe. If the Murphys wanted her to play for them again she would be ready.
Finally, there was only a week left, and it was a whopper: finals in all of her classes. Her juries had taken place the previous week during dead days, and had been fine, fully up to her usual standards. However, this week it was time for the paper tests.
Erin called Sean on Friday afternoon, clearly very upset.
"What’s wrong baby?"
"You know how I said I would be there by evening?"
"Yes."
"Well there’s no way. I’ve been delayed on one of my finals and I have to take it tonight. If I don’t take care of it, I’ll fail the class and put my scholarship at risk. I don’t know how long it’s going to take, but I won’t be there until very late."
"That’s okay. Don’t be upset. It’s fine. Take your test. Do your best. I’ll wait up for you."
"No, don’t wait Sean. It could be after midnight before I get there. Go to sleep. When you wake up in the morning, I’ll be there beside you."
"Okay. Good luck. I love you Erin."
"I love you too."
Sean did try to wait up for his wife, but he had been so busy working on the surprise he was giving her for Christmas that by eleven he simply couldn’t stay awake anymore and fell into a deep sleep.
About four hours later, Erin entered the apartment quietly. It had been terrible trying to drive so far in the dark, after such a difficult week, but she had managed it. She set her bag quietly on top of the dresser and approached the bed. Sean, beautiful sexy Sean, her husband, was lying on his side, deeply asleep and relaxed, the blanket riding low to reveal his powerful shoulder and chest. He had left a little space for her beside him. She must be the luckiest woman on earth to have such an amazing husband. She simply looked at him for another moment, and then, having brushed her teeth before she left, she slid into the bed beside him and pressed her body gently against his, her back to his front, the way they always talke
d about on the phone.
He didn’t wake up, but stirred slightly, cuddling closer to her, his arm falling over the soft curve of her waist. She pulled the covers over them both and closed her eyes. It was so wonderful to be home.
******
Sean woke up rather early the next morning feeling very warm and comfortable. He opened his eyes to see his wife snuggled close in front of him. His arms tightened around her waist. She must have arrived very late for him not to be aware of it. Silly girl. He hoped she had been able to drive safely. Not wanting to wake her he kissed the top of her head gently and carefully lifted his arm from her waist, rising slowly from the bed.
He just looked down at her for a moment, admiring her beautiful face, thinking of all the decadent things he was going to do to her once she woke up.
Smiling, Sean walked into the kitchen to make some coffee.
Around nine, Sean walked back into the bedroom and knelt beside the bed, stroking Erin’s hair and leaning down to kiss her softly on the lips. She stirred and made a little humming noise.
"Wake up baby," he said softly.
"Ugh," Erin groaned, "What time is it?"
"Time to get up. Listen, I know you haven’t had enough sleep, but if you sleep all day you’ll be mixed up tomorrow too. How late did you get in?"
"Around three."
"Oh wow, that’s really late. Well, there’s some coffee for you if you want it, and you need to have some breakfast too."
"Why?"
"I’m sure you can guess. I intend to put you through your paces today little girl, and it won’t do to have you getting faint from lack of nourishment."
Erin smiled.
"That sounds pretty intense. I can’t wait. Can’t we just get started?"
"Nope. Food first."
Erin stretched, the blanket falling away from her upper body and Sean pressed a soft kiss to each of her breasts before extending a hand and helping her to her feet. She stepped into the cradle of his arms for a long welcoming hug and then headed into the kitchen in search of that coffee.
She sipped it as she poured cereal into a bowl and splashed milk on it, and then sat down at the small table.
Sean joined her.
"What happened yesterday? Why did your test go so late?"
"It was the weirdest thing. That test was supposed to be Wednesday, first thing in the morning. I got there, all ready to be done with political science forever, and sat down, but after I had barely started, I got really sick. I actually had to go to the bathroom and throw up. It was embarrassing. I guess the cafeteria food wasn’t too good or something. The professor could see I wasn’t up to working on it, and he said I could take it later. He would email me the questions and I could work on them at my own pace, but that they were due by midnight Friday or it would be a zero. That sounded fine. I spent the rest of the morning throwing up, but I was okay after that. He never sent me the questions though. I called and left messages, emailed him, and looked at his office, but I couldn’t find him. Finally on Friday I just waited for him. It was two hours before he showed up. He had forgotten completely. So I stood there while he sent the email, but then I had to go and take a final in one of my music classes. That was supposed to be the last one. I finished around six, had some dinner, and then started the test. It was so hard, and my grade in there isn’t very good. If I aced the final, I could possibly get an A, but I still had to do really well for a B. I don’t want to end up with a C, so I worked my butt off on it."
"One C is not the end of the world."
"I know, but I don’t like it. I don’t even like getting a B, and I’ve only had three of them so far: both semesters of chemistry and algebra."
"You’re such a good student."
"Thanks. I do try hard. Anyway, I finished the test about ten and spent another hour looking it over. Then I submitted it electronically, but I wasn’t about to go until I got confirmation that he had received it. He didn’t do that until midnight, and that’s when I was finally able to leave."
"You probably should have waited and come down in the morning," he told her seriously.
"Sean, I don’t want to sleep away from you one more night than I have to."
"That’s sweet, but please don’t risk your safety. We have a lifetime of nights to spend together."
"It’s not enough."
Sean kissed her forehead. "So you’re feeling okay now?"
"I think so. I do feel a little funny, but that’s probably just fatigue."
"No doubt."
"Um, would it be okay for me to take a quick shower before we get started? I feel kind of grungy."
"Okay. Don’t bother getting dressed afterwards though." He winked at her.
Erin shivered with delight and hurried into the shower. While she was getting cleaned up, Sean deliberately lowered the temperature in the apartment slightly. It was freezing outside and the small adjustment made a big difference. He grinned. This was going to be fun.
Soon, Erin emerged, dripping. She dried off quickly and ran a comb through her wet hair before searching for her husband. He was sitting on the sofa flipping mindlessly through the television channels when she intentionally stepped between him and the screen. He looked up. Erin was completely naked. Between her damp skin and the coldness of the room, her nipples were harder than he had ever seen. They were also exactly level with his face. Beautiful. He wrapped both arms around her waist and pulled her to kneel straddling his lap.
"Sean, what did you do? It’s so cold in here."
"Don’t worry baby, I’ll keep you warm. Besides, you look so hot like this."
"I’ve gained weight."
"I know. In all the right places." He cupped one breast in his hand and teased her nipple with work roughened fingers. Erin hummed with pleasure.
"You do like that don’t you?"
"Oh yes. I always have." Her voice was slurred. He leaned down and took first one straining peak in his mouth and then the other.
Erin began to squirm with the stimulation, grinding herself against Sean, feeling his erection through his clothing.
Sean held his wife with his arm behind her back while the other hand snaked around her body to open and caress her intimate folds, spreading the copious moisture before stroking her softly in her most sensitive place.
Erin was so turned on that it only took a moment for her pleasure to build and burst. She came hard, moaning deep in her throat. It was a little disappointing that she had reached that peak so quickly, she thought. Oh, but Sean wasn’t finished with her. Not even close. He scooped her into his arms and pressed her down on the sofa, positioning one of her legs on the back, lowering the other to the floor, so she was completely open for him.
For some reason, Erin had never been modest where Sean was concerned, and the fact that she was spread out before him with her legs parted, far from embarrassing her, actually turned her on more. She watched him look at her, his blue eyes dark with desire. Then he moved, rubbing her wet sex again before sliding two fingers into her. Erin made a soft sound of pleasure and arched her hips as he penetrated her, wanting him deeper. He gave her what she wanted, burying those fingers to the palm inside her snug womanhood.
"Do you know what I’m going to do to you now, baby?"
She looked up at him.
"I’m going to go down on you. This time there’s no way you’re going to be able to come silently. I want you to scream."
Erin drew a shaky breath. They looked each other in the eyes for a wordless moment, and then Sean leaned down and delivered on his promise, licking her, sucking, teasing her clitoris with the tip of his tongue, and all the while his fingers flexed and tickled in the deepest part of her, teasing a spot she had never known existed. Every time Erin’s orgasm began building, he backed off, driving her higher and higher, more than she realized she was capable of going, until her whole body was hot and tingly and her sex was on fire. Only then did he give her that last critical lick that drove her over the edge. And she was
not silent in her climax. Her cry of pleasure nearly was a scream. Her whole body rose from the sofa with the force of the spasm, her back arching, her head tilting back. Sean watched, aroused beyond measure by the beauty of his wife as her passion burned through her. At last, the final moment passed and Erin lay, limp and sated, quite sure she would never move again.
"Poor Erin," Sean teased her, sliding his wet fingers out.
"Why?" Her voice was low; her lips would barely form the word.
"I’m going to take you so hard. It’s a good thing you’re ready for it."
"Be gentle."
"No. Not this time. You can take it."
He lifted her hips and lined up the tip of his sex with her opening. She was relaxed and drenched, ready for his entry, and he thrust hard, driving all the way to the hilt inside her in one powerful surge. He immediately began to pound into her, forcefully, not giving her time to adapt, just making her take it all. At first, she wanted to protest. He was too much, too big. But then she realized that he was right. She could take it. Take every inch, and because she was still so tight, she could feel each ridge rubbing inside her. Suddenly it was pleasure, the kind of pleasure that rode the edge of pain, powerful, undeniable and wild. Sean thrust hard until Erin was truly screaming, ground under with a wave of overwhelmed passion that swamped her and left her completely destroyed while he finished inside her with a shout.
A long moment later, Sean rose from the sofa, scooped his wife into his arms and carried her back to the bed. He tucked her under the blankets and slipped in beside her, pulling her close so he could just feel the sweetness of her supple young body pressed against him. She was still pretty wrung out from that intense loving. Despite her husband’s roughness, she felt cherished. He knew how she loved intimacy and had given her one for the record books, a beautiful memory to sustain her during their next separation. She smiled.
"Damn, you’re good honey," she told him softly.
"You’re not too bad yourself."
Erin rolled over and slid her arms around her husband’s neck.
"I love you. Let’s just stay in bed together forever, okay?"
"Well, we can for a while, but we’ve been invited to my parents’ house for dinner tonight."
When the Music Ends (The Winter Rose Chronicles) Page 14
