The Lab Test

by Chris Taylor

  CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

  Five months later

  Dear Diary,

  The crisp May air filters through my gauzy curtains, but the sun is shining bright. I’m glad. No bride wants it to rain on her wedding day. Once, I would never have dreamed I could be so happy. I thought my world came to an end the day my beautiful sister died… And Marnie, sweet baby Marnie…

  But it’s strange how things work out. Without their deaths, I would never have met my future husband, never have known love as deep as this. They say all clouds have a silver lining and I can’t help but feel it is true.

  I know you’re up there watching, little sister and I’m sure there’s a wave for me from my niece. I miss you now; I’ll miss you forever, but finally, I am at peace…

  * * *

  Dani took the hand of her new husband and pressed a soft kiss against his palm. She never got tired of touching him. The wedding had gone well and though the bride’s guest list was a little on the light side, the crowds of Craigdons more than made up for it. They’d welcomed her in as if she were a precious jewel, unique and highly prized. His parents had called her their daughter and shyly asked her if she’d like to call them Mom and Dad. She’d brushed back tears when she’d nodded. They couldn’t have made her feel more included.

  “A penny for your thoughts, Mrs Craigdon?” her handsome husband asked.

  She looked up at him, so resplendent in his formal wedding attire, and offered him a smile.

  “I’m so happy,” she whispered. “I never imagined I’d feel this way again.”

  His steady gaze held hers and he nodded. “You’ve made me the happiest of men.”

  Coming to a halt outside their hotel room, she waited for Jett to swipe the key. The door opened with a soft beep. A moment later, she was taken by surprise when he bent and swept her up in his arms. Carrying her over the threshold, he kicked the door closed behind them and deposited her gently on the carpet.

  His hands went to her bare shoulders, and pushed down the thin spaghetti straps that held her sequinned bodice in place. Moments later, he captured her mouth in a kiss. As if finally being given permission, desire swept like wildfire through her veins. Out of respect for Jett’s beliefs, they’d done little more than heavy petting since the time they’d become engaged. It had been a long five months and Dani could hardly wait to feel him on top of her, inside her, surrounding her, loving her.

  She reached up and undid his bow tie. The black satin slid through her fingers and she nonchalantly tossed it away and went to work on the tiny black buttons that decorated his white pleated dress shirt. It was the first time she’d seen him in such formal attire and the sight of him waiting for her at the end of the aisle had stolen her breath.

  His longish dark hair had been tamed with a brush, but still looked roguishly sexy. His blue eyes shone with happiness and love. He looked like a man who couldn’t wait to be married—and knowing she was on the receiving end of that look had warmed her all the way through.

  Spreading open his shirt, she splayed her fingers across his warm skin, sliding through the light covering of chest hair to caress his firm muscles. Her fingers grazed over his nipples and knowing how much he loved it, she paused to tweak them into hard nubs.

  His breath hissed between his teeth, but he remained still and submitted to her attentions. In her five-inch satin heels, they were almost the same height. She bent her head and flicked her tongue over his nipples.

  “Dani, you’re killing me,” he groaned and his hands tightened on her hips. He pulled her in close and his hard cock pressed into her belly.

  She pressed back against him, loving the feel of his hardness. With her arms around his neck, she buried her face against his skin and breathed in deeply of his scent. Warm, masculine, spicy. Every part of him smelled divine. Though they’d served alcohol to their guests at the wedding, Jett had chosen water over wine.

  Curious, Dani had questioned him about it. His eyes were bright with love and desire when he told her he wanted a clear head for his wedding night. He intended to remember every single second of it.

  The heat in his gaze had sent her pulse racing and it was the same heat that coursed through her now. His expression was filled with deep yearning and she was in awe at the thought that his desire was all for her.

  Desire from men was nothing new, but with Jett, everything was different. When she’d suggested they refrain from making love in the fullest sense until after they were married, she had no idea how difficult it would be.

  She’d always been a passionate woman in touch with her sexuality. Though she’d done a lot of things in her youth she wasn’t proud of, that didn’t change who she was. The months of enforced abstinence had sharpened her needs to the point she was about to explode—but this wasn’t so much about her. Not only had Jett given her the gift of his heart, he’d given her an even greater gift: his purity.

  All of a sudden, she was beset with nerves. It was his first time. He’d waited for this his entire adult life. What if she disappointed him? What if the experience didn’t measure up?

  “Dani? Is everything all right?”

  Jett’s quiet query cut through her increasingly panicked thoughts. She blinked rapidly and drew in a quick breath.

  “Yes, of course.” She offered him a smile, but it came out shaky. The concern in his eyes increased.

  “Dani? What’s wrong? Please, talk to me.”

  His somber plea cut through the noise that had been building in her head. Her shoulders slumped on a sigh. Though the thought of sharing her fears with him had her burning with embarrassment, he was her husband. There was nothing she couldn’t tell him.

  “I… I don’t want to disappoint you,” she mumbled and fire exploded across her cheeks. Her confession was met with silence. She snuck a peek at him and found him gaping at her, a stunned expression on his face.

  “Disappoint me? How the hell could you do that?” he finally managed, his tone incredulous.

  Dani averted her gaze, still embarrassed. With her eyes fixed on the carpet, she offered him a shrug.

  “Dani, look at me.” His voice was soft, but commanding.

  With reluctance, she lifted her gaze. Jett reached out and grasped her chin between his fingers, removing any means of escape.

  “I love you, Dani. I’m proud to call you my wife. I promised to honor you with my heart, my soul and my body. I promised you all of my worldly goods. Everything I have, everything I am, is yours.”

  “And I promised you the same,” she whispered.

  “I’ve been waiting for this moment all my life, Dani. To make love to the woman who is my wife. The woman I chose above all others. The woman I will love until I die. There’s nothing you could do to disappoint me. At least, not in a sexual way. I love you and the physical act we share will be the epitome of that, but I don’t just love you for your body. I love you. Danielle Veronica Craigdon. My wife.” He sighed quietly. “I don’t know what else I can say.”

  Dani swallowed the lump in her throat and stared at him through her tears. The love she felt for him overwhelmed her. Sabrina had been the only person in her life who had shown her such unconditional love and her sister was gone forever. While it still hurt to think about what had happened, having Jett beside her helped ease the pain.

  She reached up and pressed her lips to his and kissed him with all the love she held in her heart. Within seconds, the kiss caught fire and their lips moved with a frantic haste. She tore off his shirt, he tugged at the zipper of her dress and then cursed when it got stuck.

  She giggled. He tried again, but the zipper was still firmly caught. He cursed a second time and she giggled harder. A grin tugged at his lips. On the third attempt, the zipper gave way. Jett pushed her dress off her shoulders and Dani shimmied it over her hips, revealing lacy white underwear beneath.

  She heard Jett’s breath catch at the sight of her and was filled with a shy kind of warmth. With her gaze locked on his, she stepped out
of the white satin and lace concoction and reached for his hand. She walked backwards until she came up against the side of the bed and sank down onto it, bringing him with her.

  “Let’s take it slowly,” she whispered. “I want this night to last forever.”

  “Me, too. But I can’t make any promises.” His gaze drifted down her near-naked body and then back up again. “I feel like I’m going to explode.”

  His words sent a fresh wave of desire coursing through her. Need burned even hotter in her core. His naked chest gleamed golden in the soft lamplight.

  Pushing him back against the mountain of pillows, she straddled him, deliberately pressing her butt against the hardness in his pants.

  “Dani,” he cried out hoarsely.

  She smiled, loving the power she had over him. She bent over and kissed him once again. Next, she moved across his stubble-roughed cheeks and his chin, before burying her face in his neck. She breathed in deeply of his scent and nuzzled him. Nipping at his skin, her hands wandered across his chest. She found his nipples, pebble hard and teased them with her fingertips.

  His breath came faster in her ear. She pressed back against his crotch. She moved slightly lower and captured his nipples in her mouth, licking and sucking the hard nubs. He groaned and his hands came around to tighten on her hips. He ground her against his erection and she tingled all the way through to her cleft.

  “I want you,” he growled, his eyes glittering in the light.

  “And you shall have me,” she quipped, her voice a little tremulous from the desire that held her in its grip.

  Releasing his belt, she slid it out of the loops and then went to work on his pants. First the button, then the zipper. Her hand stole deftly inside. He wore black satin boxers and the shiny fabric slid over her seeking fingers. The sensation of the silky soft fabric across the hardness of his erection was exhilarating.

  She encircled his erection and gave it a firm squeeze. His hips lifted and his breath hissed. He looked flushed, like he was in the throes of a fever. She worked his pants down, along with the satin boxers. He lifted his hips to assist her and then kicked away his clothes.

  Naked and magnificent, he lay sprawled on the bed before her. His cock stood at attention, thick and long and proud. She ached to feel it inside her, but she wasn’t anywhere near ready yet. This was his first time and she wanted to make it a night he’d never forget.

  Reaching behind her, she undid the clasp of her bra and tossed it to the floor. Free from their restraints, her breasts bounced and jiggled. She leaned over and brushed them across his chest and her nipples hardened from the contact. Jett reached out to fondle them and she couldn’t hold back a groan.

  Rolling her nipples between his fingers, he lifted his head and began to suckle. First one, and then the other. Fire burned between her thighs. She pulled away gently and moved lower, kissing her way down his chest. Pausing at his belly button, she flicked the slight indentation with her tongue.

  Jett stirred restlessly beneath her, but she wasn’t done yet. She lifted his erection and swiped his head across her lips. He gasped and dug his fingers in her hair, holding her head in place. Her tongue swirled around his tip then she opened her mouth and sucked him all the way in. She tasted his desire.

  Jett’s grip on her hair tightened almost painfully, but Dani wasn’t through yet. Without releasing his cock, she reached down and cupped his heavy balls. Fondling them in rhythm with her mouth, she continued to work his shaft, driving him to the edge of reason. She pulled up just before he toppled over the other side.

  “Dani,” he gasped. “You need to stop.”

  She stared up at him. His face was flushed, his eyes glittered; there was tension around his mouth. She nodded. With a swift movement, Jett rolled her over and positioned himself between the legs.

  With hands that were far from steady, he undid the clasps on her stockings and peeled them down her legs. Her garter belt and lace panties quickly followed. She lay before him, naked and let him look his fill, loving him and the wonder and awe that lit up his face.

  “You’re so beautiful,” he breathed. “I can’t believe you’re mine.”

  She smiled and reached out for him and he immediately complied. Drawing him down on top of her, the feel of his weight and hardness pressing against her drew forth a sigh. There was nothing about this man she didn’t love. She would love him until she died.

  * * *

  Jet’s cock throbbed with so much pressure, he didn’t know how much longer he could last. He hadn’t been exaggerating when he’d told Dani if she didn’t quit her teasing, he’d explode.

  The day had been perfect and now he was there, in the bridal suite, making love to his beautiful wife. It was everything he’d ever dreamed of and he couldn’t believe this was only the first night of the rest of his life.

  She’d walked down the aisle toward him on the arm of her best friend. Ben had handed her over to him with a low word about keeping her safe and never breaking her heart.

  He didn’t need to be told. She was a treasure beyond value. He couldn’t ever imagine not loving her or yearning to hold her close. Now, she lay beneath him, naked and resplendent and even though she’d blown his mind with the sexy underwear, the feel of her warm, soft skin against his was beyond wonderful.

  She moved beneath him and lifted her hips, as if encouraging him to take the final step needed for them to become one. He wanted so much to keep loving her with his mouth, his hands, his tongue, but his cock was throbbing with a need so great, he couldn’t ignore it any longer.

  Pushing her legs wider, he hesitated. Should he just do it? Thrust into her in a single stroke? Is that how it was done? Would it hurt her? Maybe he should just ease his way in, provided he could hold onto his self-control. He didn’t want to come the moment he got inside her. That would be beyond embarrassing.

  He cursed silently under his breath. He should have taken the pressure off the night before, like he’d thought about doing in the shower. Then he wouldn’t feel such a desperate need to explode. It was too late now. He’d have to deal with it the best he could. Perhaps he could think of his present police investigation? A distraction like that would be sure to take the edge off his need.

  Once again, Dani moved restlessly beneath him, silently encouraging him to proceed. With a deep breath, he probed her entrance. She was already slick with need.

  His cock slid into her moist warmth, only an inch and then two. He clung to his control with his fingernails. She felt better than anything his fantasies had revealed. He eased in a little further and her hands tightened around his shoulders. She made small murmurs of encouragement and all at once, he couldn’t hold back.

  With a guttural groan, he plunged into her, all the way to the hilt. It was like nothing he’d ever felt before, wild beyond his dreams. She surrounded him with her warmth and wetness, her cries of pleasure were music to his ears. He thrust his hips and stroked her, his rhythm picking up speed.

  He didn’t know how much longer he could last. He didn’t want to come before her, but he wasn’t sure how far away she was from her climax and his was banging on the door.

  “Yes, Jett, yes!” she said breathlessly as her fingernails dug into his skin.

  He plunged into her again and again and all of a sudden, she gasped and panted and then cried out her relief. The feel of her inner muscles contracting against him pushed him over the edge. He thrust harder, faster and then he was flying through heaven, past the stars, past the planets, until long moments later, he finally came back down to earth.

  Breathing hard, he stirred and realized he was lying full against her, crushing her with his weight. He immediately propped himself up on an elbow and looked down at her, unable to keep the smile off his face.

  “That was…” he started.

  “Amazing,” she finished and reached up to push back the hair that had fallen across his face.

  “And so much more,” he added, still feeling the remnants of his org
asm.

  She stared at him with an expression that was filled with so much love it made his heart ache.

  “I love you, Jett Craigdon,” she whispered.

  He kissed her softly on the lips with all the love and joy he felt inside. “I love you, too, Dani. I’ll love you until I die.”

  EPILOGUE

  Dear Diary,

  It’s the day after the most magical night of my life. My husband and I made love for the first time and I don’t have the words to describe it. For so many years, sex was nothing more than a commodity, a way to escape and feel wanted. While the attention from strangers wasn’t pleasurable, it helped fill the loneliness for a little while.

  But now I know what it feels like to make love to the man of my dreams. A man I love beyond reason, beyond anything I ever imagined I could feel. I now know why they call it making love. There’s no comparison to the frantic, emotionless couplings I sought out in the past. I think back on those days and shudder with revulsion, self-hatred and disgust.

  But I guess my past and everything in it, as sordid as it was, has helped shape me into the woman I am today: strong, resilient and a woman who knows what it’s like to love and be loved.

  I think about my sister. The memory of her is never far away. I’m grateful for the time we had, though it wasn’t nearly enough. I think of her husband and I am devastated that love drove him to the point of madness. He had a perfect life, a perfect family. He loved his wife and daughter like crazy, but he destroyed it because of his insecurity and blind jealousy and the innocent mistake of lab technician. The knowledge saddens me deeply.

  I hope and pray that time and the deep and abiding love of my husband will help me forgive Franklin for what he did. Right now, I can’t see it happening, but then again, I never believed in miracles before and yet I woke up this morning and turned to the love of my life. Even better, he feels exactly the same way.