by Kris Bryant
“We should do this more,” she says. We both laugh. Her laugh is husky and mine sounds strained. I’m wound tight and eager for release. She pulls me to rest between her thighs and guides my lips up to hers. It is a fierce kiss. Her lips are hot against my tender mouth. She moans as she tastes herself on my tongue, the provocative sound adding to my need to orgasm. She tries to flip me, but it’s too late. I need to come right now. I reach down and massage my clit. Her hand follows mine and I feel her slip inside me, the delicious friction speeding up my movements until I crash into my orgasm, welcoming it with every wave. I feel Amber running her hands through my hair and I open my eyes to look down at her. She leans up and kisses me softly, her lips so smooth and warm. She is perfection. I have never felt this connection with anybody before and I fall deeper in love with her every time we touch.
Chapter Six
“Are you getting excited?” Carmen asks. I’m trying to be casual, but I’m bouncing my leg. She points at it.
“Definitely. I can’t believe it’s going to happen in two days,” I say.
“I can’t believe you’ve managed to keep it quiet this long,” she says. I frown at her.
“There are some things I can keep to myself. This is the most important thing in my life ever. You know, Stacy knows, Carol from the winery knows and some dude who’s going to make me a chocolate bar and that’s it. My parents don’t know, her parents don’t know. I can’t risk somebody blurting it out.”
“So Amber doesn’t have a clue?”
“Not even an inkling. At least, I don’t think so. She seems so calm and normal. I’m the one who’s going to accidentally give it away unless Friday gets here soon.”
“Well, it’s kind of hard to propose without a ring,” she says. I smile when she hands me the box. “Take a look at it again. I think it’s gorgeous, Finn.”
I open up the box and sigh with happiness. “I think so, too. You don’t think it’s too big, do you?”
“No, not at all. She will love it. Are you going to wear a diamond, too?”
I never even thought about it. I just assumed she would wear the diamond engagement ring and we both would wear wedding bands after the ceremony. “I don’t know, really. I wouldn’t mind wearing one. I guess I just didn’t consider a diamond for myself. I thought we could design our own bands. At that time, if Amber wants me to get a diamond, I’ll get one.”
We decide to Google the protocol.
“It looks like most lesbian couples both wear diamonds,” she says.
I’m looking over her shoulder, reading the same things she is. “But not everybody does. I think it’s personal preference. I don’t think I want to wear something flashy when I’m on camera. Maybe we can come up with a band with diamonds already in it. A compromise of sorts,” I say. Now I’m starting to stress over the additional cost of another ring.
“I think it’s whatever you want.” That calms me down. “So, what are the plans for today?” Carmen asks. I hand her back the box and she carefully locks it in her desk.
“I’ll grab the ring on Friday on my way back into town after the interview. Today, I have a few things to wrap up. I have to meet Antonio, the chocolatier. His shop is downtown so I’ll go there first, then head to the winery to finalize things with Carol. I’m also thinking about having the tasting room full of her favorite flowers.”
“Wait, wait, wait. Back up to that part about Antonio. Is his shop Chocolate? Off of Broadway?” Carmen has an excited gleam in her eye.
“Yes, have you been there?”
She gives a half moan and half yummy noise. “It’s the best kept secret in town. We should probably do a story on that place at some point.” I store that in my list of possible upcoming stories. It might make Antonio jump through hoops a bit if he knows there is something in it for him. Free press is fantastic for any business.
“Too much to do both stories in one?” she asks. I shoot her a look that is a cross between a glare and disbelief.
“Really? My big day and you want me to focus on chocolate?”
She shakes her head, suddenly looking embarrassed. “Never mind. Just take whatever you need to get your perfect story. I’m sorry I can’t give you more than Kevin and a few extra cameras to hide,” she says. There really isn’t anything else I need.
“Don’t worry about it. I think I have enough. I’ll head up there and go through things with Carol before we film the final interview,” I say.
“Good luck and let me know if you need anything. Anything at all,” she says. Normally she isn’t this agreeable. I think she’s feeling a bit guilty about suggesting a cross story about Chocolate at the same time as my proposal. I probably should have taken advantage of her guilt and asked for the company town car to drive us to the winery, but that would have been a dead giveaway to Amber. I’ll just stick with my sedan.
*
You can actually smell the delicious cocoa and sweetness a block before you reach the store. How did I not know about this place? At two in the afternoon, there is a line of people waiting to be served. There is chocolate covered everything here. Cookies, pretzels, fruit, popcorn. If you can eat it, they can cover it in chocolate. Stacy has agreed to meet me. I think because she’s excited about free samples more than supporting me. She’s in line ready to order something from the case.
“I can’t believe you never told me about this place,” I say, leaning over her shoulder, looking down at her almost full basket. She has chocolate and caramel covered apples, chocolate popcorn and chocolate potato chips.
“I can’t believe you don’t already know. This is the latest craze,” she says.
“Well, we will probably end up doing a story on this store. Carmen actually suggested combining this story with my proposal. Can you believe that?” I reach down and try to open her popcorn and she smacks my hand away.
“I haven’t even paid for it yet. Wait a minute,” Stacy says.
“Why are you getting so much and why are you in this line for more?” I ask. I can’t imagine her and Zoey eating all of this junk food.
“I want to get a few things for the office. They will be eating out of the palm of my hand if I show up with all of this deliciousness,” she says.
“Well, then I say you’ve succeeded,” I say. We reach the counter and I ask to see Antonio. A guy who is about twenty-five introduces himself to me.
“You must be Finn. I am Antonio, but junior. I understand you need my help with something.” He’s beautiful and has a strong Italian accent. I already know this boy is trouble. I’m suddenly aware that most of the customers here are women. Nicely played, Antonio.
“This place is busy. Do you want me to come back later?” I ask.
“No, this is normal for us. One moment while I get somebody from the back to help the customers.” He disappears for a few minutes and I take the time to look around at the store more closely. Near the window is a stout woman making fudge. She is surprisingly agile as she scoops and slaps the chocolate down on the marble and flings it back up. It’s very graceful and the action mesmerizes me until Antonio is back in front of me, seemingly anxious to get started.
“First of all, let me start off by saying I want to do a story on Chocolate and the services you provide. I know you do chocolate pairings with K Meadows Winery, but you have special orders for weddings, engagements, showers, correct?” He smiles at me, oozing charm. He has to know I’m gay if he watches our news station.
“Oh, that would be fantastic. Our family would love the attention,” he says. He’s smiling at me again, his lips curled back in a sexy smirk. Now, I think he’s not really flirting with me and that’s just him.
“So my plan is that I’m going to propose to my girlfriend on Friday. I need a piece of chocolate that has some sort of writing on it that says ‘Marry me?’ or ‘Will you marry me?’ or whatever you think you can create by then. Carol at the winery is going to close the place down and have it only open to us. So you, or whomever you send to the
winery, me, and Carol are the only ones who will know what is happening. Can you help me out?”
He is grinning from ear to ear. “I love it. I will help out the best way I can. Usually at a chocolate event such as a pairing, we send my brother Pete or my cousin Vic, but I want to be there. That sounds like such a great idea.” He shows me and Stacy a book of all different types of chocolate and different stamps or carvings they can create.
“So can we have chunks of the other chocolate that you are pairing with the wines so that this one doesn’t look out of place?” I ask.
“We usually do five or six wines and pair them with our chocolates. What is your girlfriend’s favorite kind of chocolate?”
I actually have to think for a few seconds. “Dark chocolate. She loves bittersweet,” I say.
“Then we will make the bar out of dark chocolate. May I recommend something other than the obvious question?” I nod, eager for anybody else to take the reins on this even if only for a few seconds.
“Well, instead of the question, give her the answer. That will allow you to set it up and ask the question yourself.”
I’m still nodding at him. “So a bar that says ‘Yes’?” I ask, somewhat confused and disappointed.
“How about ‘Just Say Yes’?” he says.
Stacy and I quickly look at one another as we process what he’s just suggested. “That’s brilliant. I love it. Let’s do it. Do you have enough time?” Even I can hear the panic in my voice. He reaches out and gently squeezes my forearm.
“Plenty of time. I’ll have it done and will deliver it to the winery Friday afternoon. A tasting usually starts about six o’clock. Is that enough time for you?”
“That’s great. Amber should be home by four thirty and that will give us enough time to get to the winery by six.” I give him my phone number in case there is a problem. He offers us chocolate to take home, but I don’t want Amber to know where I’ve been so I decline. Stacy gladly takes the samples he arranges for us. I figure I’m going to take home all of the chocolate Friday night since I’m paying for it and the service. We can pig out on it then.
“This plan is really coming together. I wish I could be a fly on the wall,” Stacy says. “At least I will be able to watch the video after you get back from your celebratory weekend at the beach. It’s going to be so wonderful, Finn. The stuff dreams are made of.” She kisses my cheek and she and twenty pounds of chocolate goodies head to her car to get back to work. I don’t have anything else to do today other than stress, so I decide to surprise Amber at work. I’m only ten minutes from her office so I turn around and head the other direction.
*
“What are you doing here, babe?” She is genuinely surprised and happy to see me.
“I was in the neighborhood and thought I would swing by and see if you wanted to take a quick break and grab a smoothie or coffee downstairs.”
“Sure. I can break away for a bit. Let me just tell Michelle that I’m stepping out for a minute.” She peeks into the office next door and suddenly Michelle is in front of me, all smiles.
“Take your time, ladies. No rush.” She is grinning ear to ear and I actually turn around to see if somebody has sneaked up behind me because I have no idea why her smile is so big.
“Um, thanks, Michelle. Do you want anything? A coffee? A cookie?”
Her grin is still the same size. “No, thank you. Have fun,” she says. She turns and heads back into her office. I raise my eyebrow and nod toward her retreating form.
“What’s up with your boss? She’s never this nice.” I’m whispering, but Amber still elbows me to shush me.
“Maybe the trial has taken a turn. I don’t know. Let’s just get out of here.” She grabs her purse and we’re downstairs at the coffee shop in only a few minutes. We order iced lattes and sit down on a bench, enjoying the warm afternoon.
“We should get a puppy,” she says. I look at her like she’s crazy. Neither one of us has the time. “Bob brought his golden retriever puppy in today and she is just a giant fluff ball of pure love and energy.”
“Well, since you work all day, five days a week, I would probably have to spend most of my time with it and you know I’m not completely responsible with other life forms. Just ask Charley. Even he knows that I can’t keep a plant alive,” I say. Charley is Amber’s cat. We aren’t the best of friends.
“You would be completely different with a dog. You’re a dog person, you just don’t know it yet. And one day, we might even have kids and then what? I’m not going to be the only mom changing diapers and staying up late.” I freeze. This is the first time she’s ever brought up having children together. We’ve talked about kids, but never mentioned the other’s name in the same sentence. I have to play this cool. I take a breath and casually bring my latte up for a quick sip before saying something clever. I manage to snake the thin, almost invisible straw up my nose a good inch before I even realize what has happened. In pain, I drop my drink and it splatters over both of us.
“Ack! What happened?” Amber jumps up and brushes off the drink from her lap. I’m holding my nose as if it is hemorrhaging blood. “Are you okay?” My eyes are watering as I look up at her. She pulls me up so that the drink doesn’t continue to spread all over my lap.
“Am I bleeding?”
She gingerly removes my hands and inspects my face. “No, no blood. Did you stick the straw up your nose?” Once she realizes I’m fine, she starts laughing. “Bad time to bring up children?”
“I just wasn’t expecting it. We haven’t really talked about kids, only talked about how horrible they are in general.”
“Oh, Finn. You’re so good with your niece and nephew. I love watching you with them. You’re all bark and zero bite.” I snort in response and regret it immediately because my nose starts throbbing again.
“Well, family is different. I’m allowed to discipline them. I’m talking about the kids out in public who scream and wail and throw big tantrums when they don’t get what they want.” Amber gives me her incredulous look.
“Really? I’m sure our children will be well behaved. I know between the two of us, we’ll get it right. And we have a strong support group in our families.” This is true. My mother would love to have a million grandchildren and thankfully has not leaned on me. Yet. Once she finds out I proposed, then it’s full steam ahead.
“Well, how do you feel about being pregnant?” I almost hate the question as soon as it leaves my mouth. I don’t know if there is a right way to ask. Amber is five years younger and gorgeous. I can’t imagine her not carrying our children. They would be tall and beautiful like her.
“Oh, I think it would be great. I’ve always wanted to be a mom.” How do I not know this already? Have I always been this selfish and have made our relationship only about me?
“So, if we decide to have children, you’re all right with getting pregnant?” I want to be absolutely sure that this is what she wants. “And you know I will be a complete mess during labor, right?”
“Even if it’s me carrying the baby?” she asks.
“Because it’s you carrying the baby,” I say. I’m the worst person in emergency situations. Especially, when dealing with loved ones. My nephew broke his middle finger during basketball practice and since I was the coach, he showed it to me and asked me what he was supposed to do. I casually sent him over to my brother, I excused myself, and hurled in the bathroom. I can’t do pain and suffering. Amber knows this. She reaches over and holds my hand, running her thumb along the back of it, calming me.
“It will be fine, I promise. I would love to have a baby with you. The pain is only for a little bit. They say you forget it the moment you hold your baby in your arms for the first time.” I’m not so sure. There are so many horror birthing stories. Plus, Amber is slender and she has small hips. “Stop thinking about it. You can worry about it when we actually make a decision.” She’s right. Right now, I have other things on my mind. This can wait.
“I
know, babe. I just worry about you. Come on. Let’s get you cleaned up and back up to work. I’m sorry I splashed coffee on you.” I look down at our clothes. Thankfully, I got the brunt of my awkwardness. Her skirt is dark, so the splatters don’t show as much. I’m not worried about my clothes. I can go home and change. I walk her to the elevator and decide to ride up it with her since we are the only ones waiting for one. We spend the fifteen seconds it takes to get to her floor kissing. I know there are cameras inside the elevator, but I don’t point that out. I’m just happy to have her in my arms again. When the doors open, I let her go, but squeeze her side. “Have a good rest of your day.” She turns her head and winks at me. There’s a little extra sway in her hips. She knows I’m watching and she knows I like what I see.
Chapter Seven
The flower shop is small, but smells delightful. Unique Blooms is two towns away and I hope they will be able to find purple and white calla lilies in time for the proposal. In my mind, the room has a vase of them on both sides of the bar and maybe near the windows. I’d put them all over the room if I could, but Stacy already warned me that if it’s obvious, Amber will know something is going on the minute she walks into the room. Her favorite lilies aren’t the easiest to find and every time she sees them out in public, she is completely surprised.
“Can I help you?” An attractive woman in her forties calls out to me from behind a very large arrangement she is designing on the counter. It is full of birds of paradise and other tropical flowers. It reminds me of the time Amber and I were in Hawaii. The hotel we stayed at had flowers everywhere. I’m not a flower person, but like wine, Amber knows a little bit more about them than the average person.
