Protecting Her Heart

by Chance Carter

  “Well, you’re probably right. I wouldn’t be here today with Brad if I had been with anyone before. He was looking for a virgin, you know?”

  “Really? Interesting. I guess this all has a way of working out. You’re still a virgin, right?” her mom smiles, hoping it is true.

  “No comment, Mom,” Jane replies, turning her eyes away to look over at the next table to decorate.

  “Here, let’s keep working over here.”

  The sun starts to go down, and they only have a few more things left to put up. Brad is at the other side of the house with his buddies, and they have a huge spread laid out for a barbecue.

  Jane and her mom walk together slowly, wanting to get all their special moments in.

  “When did you realize you wanted to marry Dad?” Jane asks, surprised she never asked this before.

  “Oh well, that’s quite a story, I have to tell you. Where do I begin?” her mom considers. “Well, honestly, Jane, my mother thought it would be a good idea to meet him. His family was considered to be the envied family in the town. They had the latest farming technology and had the most money.

  “My mother would take me over to their farm all the time, from when I was a kid, right up to age 16. Finally, his mother forced him to ask me to the prom. He wanted to go with so many other girls, but his mom insisted he take me. So, he did… out of obligation.

  “He was nice enough, though he ignored me most of the night to be with his friends. Then, that summer, for some reason he wanted to ask me out on dates. I later found out that his mom had coerced him to do it, feeling sorry for me, but also because my mom was a new board member in the community.”

  As Jane’s mom is telling the story, Jane realizes her mom has never known love. She thought her mom and dad were pleasantly content with each other, but really, they never had feelings for each other. It was a marriage of convenience.

  “Wow, Mom, that’s so crazy. Did you date anyone else other than Dad?”

  “No, I really didn’t have a chance to. We just kept dating and then got married a year later. We took over his parent’s farm 10 years after that. It’s where we live now,” her mom sighs.

  “That’s so… oh Mom… that’s so sad,” Jane comments, reflecting on how her relationship with Brad is so different—the passion, the aliveness, the sex, the tenderness, and the deep desire.

  “Oh Mom, I’m so glad you didn’t pressure me to be with anyone, so that I could make the choice myself,” Jane acknowledges.

  “That’s all I’ve ever wanted for you, dear. I never wanted you to end up the way I did. I knew I was missing something,” she says, looking off into the distance, “but we wouldn’t have had you, now would we?”

  “Let’s go eat, Mom. We’ve worked hard for it.”

  “Yes, let’s,” says her mom, picking up the pace.

  Brad is chatting with his friends when he catches Jane’s eye.

  “Jane, come over here, sweetie. I want you to meet everyone.”

  Jane walks up beside him, and Brad wraps his arm around her.

  “Guys. This is the love of my life. No kidding. This woman has caught my heart in ways no one else ever could. She has brightened up my life and turned it upside down. Don’t underestimate what comes in small packages!

  “This is the woman I’m going to marry tomorrow, and I can’t wait to show her off to the world.” He leans over and kisses her in front of everyone.

  His friends cheer, hoot, and cat call. “Go get ‘er, buddy.”

  Jane looks over at her mom and dad, standing separately and not holding hands. Her mom has tears of joy in her eyes, seeing how much love is between her and Brad. Jane’s eyes well up, too, seeing how lucky she really is.

  Chapter 65

  At noon, Jane is in the room getting ready. Her mom is there helping her get dressed.

  “Here, Jane, don’t forget the bridal garter for your thigh,” says Barb, one of Brad’s closest friends. “It’s a good luck symbol to make sure he never strays on you,” she says, opening the small box.

  “I’ve never heard that tradition before, Barb,” Jane says, pulling the small garment out. “Besides, I know he would never cheat on me. That’s not his style.”

  “Never say never. We can all use safety measures,” Barb says. “Even though you are the cutest ballerina out there, we want to make sure he only has eyes for you.”

  “Oh, give me that!” Jane says, pulling it up her thigh. “There, does that make you feel better, Miss Cynical? I do hope one day you find true love, and you realize that not all men are pigs.”

  Jane’s mom gets her to suck in as she does up the back of her dress. It is made of fine satin, a white dress with a corset for a bodice. The train is about 12 feet long with delicate pink flowers on it.

  They put the veil on her head—a long one, reaching down her back. They fuss over her some more and primp her up before turning her to look in the mirror. Jane looks to see herself.

  “Oh my gosh! Wow! I can’t believe how much you guys made me look like a princess. I can’t even recognize myself.”

  “It’s because you are a princess, my dear,” whispers her mom. “It’s time you go out there to claim your prince.”

  Jane starts welling up.

  “No, you don’t, dear. You’ll ruin your makeup.”

  Jane can hear the crowd gathering downstairs. The wedding will start in five minutes.

  “Oh, Mom. Is this the right thing to do?”

  “First of all, Jane, this isn’t the time to ask that. Secondly, yes, this really is. You are in love with each other. That’s all that matters.”

  They turn around with the bridal party in front of them. Jane’s mom leaves to go to her seat downstairs.

  The live harp music starts playing in the background as the bridesmaids lead the way down the winding staircase. Jane walks behind, feeling jittery and nervous. She takes each careful step down, lifting her gown so she doesn’t trip over it. She sees her dad at the foot of the stairs, looking up at her in tears.

  When she meets him there, he reaches out his arm for her to take it. He leans over and whispers to her, “You look absolutely stunning. I’m so proud of you, Jane. I couldn’t have imagined a better life for you.”

  Her dad has never said such kind words before. He was usually the quiet one at home, leaving her mom to do all the talking.

  “Oh Dad, thank you. You have no idea how much that means to me,” Jane says. “I love you so much.”

  “I love you, too, Janey,” he says.

  They walk down the aisle, through the crowd of 500 people, mostly Brad’s friends. People are taking pictures and videos. She hears gasps in the crowd at how beautiful she looks.

  Even though Jane has danced in front of audiences full of strangers, today feels so different. She’s more self-conscious, feeling like she is transforming into a woman she has yet to know.

  She sees Brad up ahead, dressed in a white tuxedo with a purple tie and cummerbund. He looks so dignified, handsome, and unbelievably sexy. He takes a breath in when he sees her. It brings out his gorgeous, green eyes.

  Jane wishes she could just run up the aisle to be with him, hugging and kissing him right there. Instead, she patiently takes each step forward.

  She makes it to the front and holds Brad’s strong hand, warm and tender. He leans over and whispers in her ear, “You are the most beautiful woman in the world, and you’re making me the luckiest man alive.”

  Jane blushes, as if they are meeting for the first time.

  The minister conducts the service, and gets to the place of offering the rings to each other.

  “Will you, Brad, take Jane to be your lawfully wedded wife? To have and to hold, ‘til death do you part?”

  “Indeed, I do.” Brad smiles, putting the one-carat diamond on her ring finger.

  “And do you, Jane, take Brad to be your lawfully wedded husband? To have and to hold, ‘til death do you part?”

  “I wouldn’t have it any other way,�
�� replies Jane, putting the pure gold band on Brad’s finger.

  “I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.”

  Brad lifts her veil and leans in to kiss her. He holds her close to him and gives her the deepest, longest kiss it seems they’ve ever shared. The crowd cheers and stands up clapping and whistling.

  The happy couple runs down the aisle, everyone throwing lilac flower petals at them, and following them out to the reception area outside. They all start the festivities while Brad and Jane slip away to the back guest room.

  “Give me a quick peek of what’s under there,” Brad says, pulling her dress up. He lays her down on the bed and pulls her panties down.

  “Jane Halliwell, let’s do something really naughty before our honeymoon, okay?”

  “I wouldn’t have it any other way,” she repeats.

  “Can I fuck you right here and now?”

  “I thought you’d never ask.”

  Brad unzips his pants and rubs his cock around her pussy, getting her wet and turned on. He pushes himself inside of her, fucking her deep, fast, and hard. He bangs her while she thrusts her cunt against him, both grinding against each other.

  They come at the same time… together. He holds himself inside her while she squeezes him with her muscles. Jane lays back, her whole body surrendering completely.

  “Oh Brad, never stop fucking me,” Jane says.

  “Never,” Brad promises.

  They get cleaned up, change into their reception clothes, and head to the party.

  Chapter 66

  The next morning, Jane and Brad lay in their bed with champagne colored satin sheets, surrounded by flowers and fine wines. There is hardly any room for all the gifts everyone gave them.

  Brad turns over and sees Jane lying on her belly. He eyes the outline of her back and ass, her smooth skin, and her hair resting delicately over the pillow. He gets a hard-on just looking at her. Leaning over, he kisses her spine from the base of her back up to her neck.

  Good morning, Mrs. Halliwell,” he whispers into her ear. “You are the most beautiful creature alive.”

  Jane moans and rolls onto her side, letting Brad spoon her from behind. He puts his arms around her belly and moves up to her tits, holding them in his hands. His cock gets harder and he presses himself between her ass cheeks, the tip of his cock right on her anus.

  Jane reaches over and grabs the lube from the side table and hands it over to him. He squirts a lot on his cock and rubs her ass to make it all wet.

  “Give me that beautiful cock, Brad. I want you right now,” Jane moans.

  He slowly pushes himself into her ass and then pulls out. He feels her tightening and opening for him, which makes him get even harder. He goes in fully and pauses, holding her whole body against his.

  “We are united, Jane. You and I will never let each other go. You are the most precious woman, and I will always take care of you.”

  Jane feels his love pulsing through her and feels so relaxed and safe for the first time in her life. She relaxes her ass more to receive him, and he starts thrusting in and out.

  He reaches down to play with her clit to get her excited. He comes inside her and she loses her mind with her own orgasm.

  The sheets are sweaty, and they both moan with ecstasy. He cradles her in his arms and holds her like that for a good while in the same position.

  “We are going to have a wonderful life together, Mrs. Halliwell. I have big plans for us,” he says.

  There is a knock on the door and a voice quickly follows.

  “Breakfast is ready.” They hear the footsteps walking away.

  “I’ll get it, my love,” says Jane.

  She wraps herself in the satin sheet and makes her way over. She opens the door to find a tray of fruit, mixed baked goods, mimosas, and a canister of coffee. She pulls the tray in and sets up the table.

  “Time for breakfast, sweetie,” she announces.

  He comes out with his bathrobe on and his hair disheveled. She goes up to him and runs her fingers through his hair.

  “If only the rest of the world could see you as I do.”

  “Well, that would be a scary thought,” he says, kissing her and grabbing her backside. “When we finish, I have a surprise for you.”

  “Really?” she says.

  They finish up and get showered and dressed. Then, Brad puts a blindfold on Jane and asks her to trust him.

  “You know I always trust you, don’t you?” Jane says, smiling and giggling.

  “Good,” he says.

  They walk together down the stairs, and he takes her through the house. Jane has only been there for a week, so she hasn’t had a chance to tour the whole place. There are far too many rooms to explore.

  She feels the change in temperature between rooms, and senses that they are going through a room with a pool in it, then a greenhouse. Finally, they end up in a room with hardwood floors.

  “Okay, are you ready?” Brad says, untying the blindfold. “Open your eyes.”

  She does and looks around. She sees the walls covered with mirrors and lined with wooden bars. A skylight shines through from the ceiling, and the floors are made from the finest pine. Jane is stunned.

  “It’s your very own ballet studio, Jane. It’s all yours. You can teach classes here, practice, and make all your dreams come true.”

  Jane tears up and looks over at Brad. “Oh my God, sweetie. I never… you shouldn’t have… oh I don’t even know what to say.”

  “Just take it in, my dear. You deserve the best. You always have. You have so much to offer the world, and your grace is the most beautiful part of you.”

  Jane puts her hands on Brad’s face so he can see her tears of joy. “You have no idea how happy this makes me. You really don’t.”

  “Oh, I think I do. I really do.”

  “I love you, Brad. You are the best man there is.”

  “I love you, Jane.”

  They kiss in the middle of the room, wrapping their arms around each other with dreams for a happy future filled with the kind of love some only dream of.

  Room Service

  CHANCE CARTER

  Chapter 1

  Mona

  I took a deep breath, rolled my shoulders back, and allowed myself one more look in the mirror. Yes, I looked fine – and no, I couldn’t find a single reason to linger about in the hallway of my apartment for even a minute longer. I was stalling.

  I wasn’t sure why my nerves had suddenly overwhelmed me so late in the game. I’d had weeks of notice leading up to this moment, ample opportunity to work off all the nervous energy that had crept up on me in the last half-hour.

  No, my stupid anxiety had to choose right this instant to reveal itself, and here I was trying to calm down minutes before I had to get out the door and show up for my first day of work at Artemis Tech.

  I still couldn’t believe I’d landed the job. I had spent months looking for something and after so much rejection I decided it couldn’t hurt to apply for the position, even though I was certain they would take one look at my resume and toss it in the trash.

  I was a business graduate without a single minute of secretarial experience clocked, let alone any that would qualify me to work alongside one of the biggest names in the business world right now.

  Even when they had called me in for the interview, I convinced myself it had to be some kind of mistake.

  I sat down opposite the woman in charge of hiring, and I guess my complete lack of confidence and hope relaxed me enough to leave a good impression. I got the offer two weeks later. Go figure.

  I kept my cool long enough to accept the offer and write down a few details, but as soon as the woman from Artemis’ HR department hung up, I dropped my phone, punched the air, squealed and collapsed back into the couch, relieved that the search for gainful employment was finally over..

  My roommate Katya having heard the commotion, walked in with a furrowed brow.

  “Are you
okay?” she asked.

  “I got a job,” I said, still dumfounded. “I got a job!”

  “Oh, shit!” she said, cocking her head and grinning. She was well aware that my savings were almost completely depleted, so the news was as much a relief to her as it was to me.

  “Where’s the job?”

  “Artemis Tech,” I said, shaking my head in disbelief.

  Her eyes bugged out of her head, and I was sure I saw a flash of jealousy pass across her face. Still, she reached out to pat my shoulder.

  “Well, congratulations.” she offered, and turned to go back to her bedroom.

  I knew this was as much of a surprise to her as it was to me. Artemis Tech was the company everyone dreamed of working for.

  Oliver Paulson had created the kind of career everyone in my graduating class could only dream of, a start-up business he launched straight out of college. And he spent every waking hour since then working his ass off to turn his baby into a world-dominating enterprise.

  Now, I would be working alongside him.

  My heart jolted again. I fished my phone out from between the couch cushions and dialed my mom. I wanted to share my news with someone who wouldn’t think I was gloating.

  That was a month and a half ago, and I had spent a very lean six weeks doing every bit of research on the company I could manage. I learned the history of Artemis Tech back-to-front, scouring over as many profiles of Oliver as I could get my hands on and reading up desperately on advice from people who’d worked as secretaries in companies like the one I would be starting at.

  I signed my contracts, guaranteeing me six months at the company, and spent most of my nights staring at the ceiling, wondering what it would be like to work near someone like Oliver Paulson. I had repeated his name so many times in my head, it almost lost its meaning. Oliver Paulson. O-li-ver Paul-son.

  He was kind of hot. I had to admit that. Maybe it was because he held the future of my career in his hands, but I found myself gazing a little too long over pictures of him in the profiles. I noticed his sharp jaw and expensive suits, wondering if he had chosen his hair style because he knew how chiseled it made his cheekbones look.