Simone wanted to argue, but the look on the designer’s owlish face discouraged her.
Then there’d been the woman who was making the wedding cake. She and Sam tasted them together and decided on a vanilla with strawberry cream. The cake would be white with flowers that matched her diamond “belt.”
After that she and Sam spoke to the party planner. It would be a small affair, with some friends and family. They discussed flowers, food, an open bar, and dancing. The night sounded like one to remember and by the end of the day Simone was tired, but contently happy.
“It’ll be a quick trip. I promise,” Sam said, bringing her out of her thoughts.
“Alright.” Simone leaned her head back and closed her eyes. Sam squeezed her hand.
They arrived at the airport and climbed aboard his jet. Sam pulled a black scarf from his jacket pocket. “This is so you don’t get any ideas.”
Simone laughed. “Uh-huh. Right. Tell the truth, you’ve got kinky plans for me.”
He lifted an eyebrow. “Maybe.” He placed the scarf over her eyes and the pilot took off. While they were in the air Sam fed her grapes, strawberries that smelled freshly picked and a delicious almond flavored pastry. To wash it down they had orange juice laced with champagne.
“It’s a little early for that, isn’t it?” Simone asked giggling. The bubbles tickled her nose.
“It’s never too early for champagne.”
After they ate, he read to her from The Count of Monte Cristo. She loved listening to his voice. The deep timbre, the way his voice caressed the words. If she hadn’t been in love with him before, she would’ve been now. There was something extremely sexy about her man reading to her out loud.
More than once Simone tried to attack him. They hadn’t made love last night since she’d said they needed to wait until their wedding night. She was seriously regretting that crazy decision.
Sam laughed. “Oh, no. You don’t get any of me until after we’re married, young lady.”
Simone whined playfully. “Come on, just a little make out, that’s all I want.” There was something freeing about the blindfold. She felt bolder.
“You need to relax,” he said, laughing.
She sat up, rearranging the blindfold. “Fine. More grapes then, please.”
He pulled her into his arms and kissed her forehead, then her eyes, and the tip of her nose, each of her cheeks, her chin, and her neck near her ear. She reveled in the feeling, enjoying the warm scent of his aftershave and the way his lips caressed her skin.
Chills ran the length of her body. “You are evil,” she said, her voice breathy.
He turned her so she was fully on his lap and rolled a grape across her lips.
“So evil,” she said again, opening her mouth.
He stuck the grape in her mouth and kissed her lips while she chewed. After she swallowed she leaned her head against his shoulder.
“Sleep if you want, love.”
She closed her eyes. “Impossible,” she pouted, sure she was too nervous to sleep, but it seemed like minutes later he was helping her to get buckled in her own seat for the plane’s descent.
Once they landed, she said, “Can I take off the blindfold?” Simone touched the soft material still around her eyes and took a deep breath. The air smelled familiar.
Sam pushed her fingers away. “Not yet.” He helped her off the plane and into another limousine. The brief moments outside told her nothing about their whereabouts, but she had a feeling.
He fed her again. This time it was some dry wine, cheese, and green apples. She couldn’t see, but she could taste the flavors. The combination was delicious.
When they stopped, Sam helped her out of the car. She immediately knew where he’d taken her. Home! It was the sound of the waves and the smell of the ocean that gave it away.
“Sam,” she sighed, yanking off the blindfold off and throwing herself into his arms. “What did you do?” she whispered into his neck.
“You’ll see,” he said, hugging her tightly.
They walked hand in hand down the wooden steps. Wild daisies and thistles grew on either side. She ran her fingers along the tops. The wind whipped at her hair and she leaned into it, enjoying the heat from the morning sun. When they rounded the bend next to their rock she noticed a man in black. It was the Reverend Smythe from their local church. He had a book in his hands and a white collar around his neck.
Simone stopped, focusing her gaze on him. “Sam, you didn’t.”
He turned to her and touched her cheek. “Your mom told me you always dreamed of getting married at the beach. I had to make that happen.”
“Serious?” Simone said. Tears of happiness streamed down her face. “That is… You are the kindest man I’ve ever known.”
He took her hand and they walked toward the Reverend.
When they were close, Reverend Smythe smiled and closed the distance. “Simone, it’s good to see you again.”
“It’s good to see you, too.” She practically overflowed with happiness. When he stuck out his hand, she took it and then hugged him. “Thanks for doing this.”
His wrinkled face reddened. “Of course, dear. Wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Sam stuck out his hand for the Reverend, who shook his hand heartily.
“You must be the lucky man our Simone loves,” Reverend Smythe said.
“Yes, I am.” Sam gave Simone a sideways glace.
“Well it’s good to meet you then.” He eyed Simone. “Is he the father of your child?”
She nodded. “A very good father, too.”
The Reverend cleared his throat. “That’s very good news.”
Simone took Sam’s hand and pressed it to her heart. “It really is.”
It looked like Reverend Smythe started to get choked up, but he pulled a pair of glasses from inside his jacket pocket and put them on. “Dan. Ava.” He called to a couple who stood behind him, hand in hand.
They turned and smiled at his voice. The woman leaned in and kissed his cheek. “Dad.” Then she smiled at Simone and Sam.
“This is my daughter and her husband. They’ve agreed to be witnesses.
“Hi, Ava. Dad. Thanks for doing this,” Simone said. She knew them both, even though they hadn’t hung in the same circles. It’d been a while since she’d seen either of them.
“Yes, thank you,” Sam said, shaking their hands.
“All right. Let’s get started. I know you don’t have a lot of time.”
Simone and Sam followed the Reverend as he made his way toward their rock. It was a beautiful day and a tender peace filled her heart.
If I die, at least I can say I died happily, she thought.
Reverend Smythe stood with his back facing the ocean. The water twinkled in the light. Simone and Sam stood on either side of him.
“Face each other and take the other’s hands.”
They did.
There was a crowd on the beach and several stopped to watch.
“Do you, Samuel Dean Merrick, take Simone St. James to be your lawfully wedded wife? Do you promise to love her, honor her, and cherish her for as long as you both shall live?”
Simone listened to the Reverend, but inside all she kept thinking was, It’s happening. This is really happening. I can’t believe this is happening.
Sam said, “I do.”
The priest turned to Simone. “Do you, Simone St. James, take Samuel Dean Merrick to be your lawfully wedded husband? Do you promise to love him, honor him, and cherish him for as long as you both shall live?” At the reverend’s words, she got choked up. She hoped she would live a long, long time, but it might be only two more days.
Sam shook her hands. “Sim?”
She swallowed. “I do. Of course I do.”
Reverend Smythe smiled. “Then by the power vested in me by the state of Oregon, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride.”
Sam pulled her to him, lifted her into his arms and kissed her. Cheer
s came from the random crowd behind them. When he set her down, they shook the Reverend’s hand again.
“Thank you, Reverend,” Simone said.
“Thanks,” Sam added.
“It was a complete pleasure. You’re very welcome.”
Unable to help herself, she hugged the Reverend again. Then hugged Ava and Dad.
“Will I be seeing you in church anytime soon?” the Reverend asked with a wink.
Simone shrugged. “Anything’s possible.”
“Very true,” he said, clasping his bible to his chest and walking away.
For the next several minutes random people came over to the two of them and congratulated them.
It was the best moment of her life aside from the birth of Sabrina.
“I love you, Sam,” she whispered as they climbed the wooden steps. “Thank you so much for doing this. It was perfect.”
***
The limo drove the two of them to a restaurant overlooking the coastline where they dined on fresh lobster and cobb salad. Simone could barely eat. She kept thinking about spending time with him alone. When they finished, the limo drove them to her house. It was stuffy from a month of absence, so she went around opening the windows, letting in the fresh ocean air.
“Well, Mrs. Merrick, what do you intend to do with this house now that you’re going to be living with me?”
She beamed internally at the way he called her Mrs. Merrick. “I’m not sure. My mom and sisters already have their own houses.” She shrugged. “I guess I’ll put it up for sale.” She stared out the large window in the living room.
The thought of leaving the house made her sad. She had so many fond memories there, but she couldn’t expect her mom and sisters to keep it up. Plus, she still had a mortgage.
Sam came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. “You want to keep it, don’t you?”
Simone’s body tingled at his touch. She did want to keep it, but if she had to choose between Sam and the house, there was no contest. Of course she’d choose Sam. “Not as much as I want to be with you. But we should probably put it on the market quickly. I have a little savings, but the next mortgage payment is coming up soon.” She turned and put her arms around his neck, pulling him in for a kiss.
His face was serious. “You love it here, don’t you?” he asked after a kiss that was too short.
She nodded. “I always imagined taking Sabrina to the same beach I grew up on, but it’s okay. We’ll make new memories at your house, which is so small we’ll be cramped, but I’ll manage.” Simone was being sarcastic and Sam knew it. His house was a mansion with over ten thousand square feet. She wasn’t even sure she’d seen the whole thing yet. There were also two guesthouses, a pool house, and a barn. His shack sat on twenty-five acres of prime land. She knew for a fact she hadn’t seen the entire expanse of his land.
“Yes, it is tiny.” He smirked. “And we will make new memories at our house, but the beach is a part of you. How about we buy a house overlooking the beach?”
She gasped. “Are you serious?” That’d been her dream; something she figured would never happen on the small salary she received at the library.
“After your surgery, we’ll come back and look. I saw a little piece of land that would be the perfect spot to build a beach house.
She hugged him. “That would be beyond fantastic.” It was yet another hope contingent upon her survival.
“Now,” Sam said, lifting her into his arms, “there’s the matter of making love to my beautiful wife.”
“Sam,” she said, pretending shock.
He chuckled, walking into the bedroom. “You realize I’m the only man you’re allowed to make love to for the rest of your life, right?” He set her down on the bed and pulled her thick sweater over her head.
She went to work unbuttoning his shirt. “You’re the only man I’ve ever made love to—the only man I want to make love to.”
His eyes went wide in surprise. “Even after I left?”
She nodded. “My mom and sisters tried to convince me to get back out there, but you’re all I ever wanted.”
He pulled off her boots, letting them fall to the floor. Then he removed her socks, running a finger along the middle of her foot. It should’ve tickled, but the way he did it sent a shock of desire straight through her.
“It’s going to be my pleasure to make sure you’re convinced your choice was the right one. Each and every day for the rest of our lives.” His voice was hoarse, filled with emotion.
Simone cupped his cleanly shaven face in her hands. “You better,” she said playfully.
Sam growled good-naturedly and pushed her back on the bed. One knee rested between her legs. He kissed her deeply, his tongue exploring her mouth. She reciprocated, running her hands along his back.
“Husband, I want you,” she said, tugging on his shirt.
Sam quickly got undressed, kicking off his shoes, socks, shirt, pants and underwear. His body was like a perfectly chiseled sculpture. Simone wanted to drag her tongue along every hard line, between every crevice.
He moved down to her neck. She grasped his shoulders, lifting into his mouth. He smelled so good, like man and sunshine with a hint of his aftershave. She nipped at his biceps, and then kissed the same spot.
“We’re doing this every day, at least once,” he said in her ear.
She pulled him down on top of her. “I’m looking forward to it.
Kissed Her
Fourteen
They were back on Sam’s jet by four in the afternoon and were back in Dallas a few hours later. When they arrived at the house, Simone’s mom and sisters were hard at work helping the party planner get the house and the back yard ready.
Simone glanced at Sam. “I guess I’ll tell them the news.”
Sam chuckled. “They already know.”
“Of course they do. It seems I’m always the last to know everything.” Simone crossed her arms in a playful sulk.
Sam snickered. “No more. I promise. From tonight on you’ll be the first person to know everything.”
“Except birthday surprises.”
“Are you sure?” He was still laughing.
Simone pulled his shirt from his pants and moved her hands up his stomach to his chest. She loved touching him. “Yes, I’m sure.”
“Fine, then I’ll keep birthdays a surprise. Anything else?” His hands moved along her sides, caressing.
She pretended to think. “That ought to do it.”
Sam kissed her tenderly.
“But the dress? I hope you didn’t pay for it?” Simone said, pulling out of the kiss. She had to admit she was a little disappointed she wouldn’t get to wear it. She felt like a princess with it on. And she’d really wanted Sam to see her in it.
“Yes, I bought the dress. We’re having another ceremony tomorrow.”
Simone giggled. “We are?”
“Hell yes. I want to see you in the dress. Claudine raved about the way you looked in it.”
Her heart was so full of love for the man in front of her. “You’re amazing,” she whispered.
“I know.” He gave her a hug. “Come on. Let’s get you a bath.”
She eyed him naughtily. “With bubbles?”
“Of course.”
“Awesome, but I want to see Sabrina first.”
“She’s already down for the night,” her mom chimed in.
“Okay, then I’ll just peek on her first.”
Sam laughed. “See you in a few,” he said climbing the stairs.
“You happy?” her mom asked.
“How was it?”
Simone spent the next few minutes giving her mom and sisters the highlights before heading upstairs. She peeked in on Sabrina, pushing a piece of hair off her perfect face.
Then went into the bedroom she shared with her new husband. At the thought of spending time with him in the bath, her skin tingled and she shuddered.
“You coming?” Sam asked, poking his head o
ut of the bathroom.
And A Wedding
Fifteen
Heather brought Sabrina into to Simone while her mom and other two sisters worked on Simone’s hair. It was the perfect way to spend the afternoon right before her second marriage to the same man. She, her mom and her sisters talked about the flight and the wedding on the beach. They teased Simone about her wedding night and she blushed profusely.
Someone brought up a tray of fruit, cheese and crackers along with a bottle of champagne. They snacked and drank and had the best time.
When the time came to get dressed Heather took Sabrina and her sisters left.
Simone’s mom helped her get the dress out of the garment bag. They slid it over her head and she zipped Simone up. Simone walked over to the full-length mirror.
Her mom started to cry. “You look beautiful.” Her hands were together as though she was praying and she pressed them to her mouth. “Are you happy?” she asked, coming up behind Simone.
“Very.” She turned and hugged her mom.
“Good. Keep that in mind, because there’s something I need to tell you.” Her mom was suddenly nervous.
“What is it, Mom?”
She walked to an overstuffed chair in front of the vanity and sat down. “I-I—” She stopped and shook her head. “I interfered,” she finished solemnly.
“You did? How? What did you do?” She wasn’t used to seeing her mom flustered.
“Well, you see,” she crossed her arms. “I knew his name. You’d told us his name and I hired a private investigator to find him,” she said, letting out a whoosh of air. It was obvious she was relieved to reveal her secret. It’d obviously been pressing on her for some time.
“So that’s how he got my email address? You gave it to him?” The question had been bothering Simone for a while, but she hadn’t found the right time to ask Sam about it.
“When the investigator verified he’d found the correct Sam, he gave me Sam’s cell phone number. I called and left a message, explaining who I was, that I thought it was awful he’d left like he had and that he needed to make it right. I gave him your email.”
Summer Love Page 7
