"You know, sometimes it's not the mind that decides, Susan," Brandy gently whispered. "Sometimes it's the heart, and we just have to follow where it leads."
Susan turned to Brandy and pulled her close for a hug. Rising, she walked across the space that separated her from Marcus. Reaching, she slipped her hand behind his neck and pulled his startled face to her, kissing him passionately right there in front of everyone, ignoring the hoots and jibes from the others.
Marcus slipped his arm around her and kissed her back, pulling her tightly against him.
"I'm sorry," she whispered in his ear when he released her. "I would never do anything to hurt Kelsey and I withdraw my objection. I can see that they love each other dearly."
"Good girl." Marcus sighed quietly as he inhaled her perfume. "Now let's hope you see a few other things more clearly, Red."
The next few days were a whirlwind of excitement and new experiences. After checking into their suites, the five couples met for a late dinner and talked into the wee hours of the morning. Susan learned that John, the man who came with Erica, was originally from Texas. He had an understated charm that went along with his almost imperceptible Southern drawl. A very attractive man, he seemed to have a calm personality, and Susan could see him as a good friend, but frankly she didn't understand the attraction between him and Erica. John was nothing like the uber-intense Erica. Although she never raised her voice or had a hair out of place, Erica was clearly a micromanager, and John didn't seem at all like the type of man who would give her much of a challenge.
Jeff and Elena, now there was a couple who could set the sheets on fire, Sue thought as she sipped her drink. If that man didn't check his watch ten times in the last hour as he looked longingly at the petite woman beside him, she'd eat her cocktail napkin. Still, considering the fact that little Rosalie, Elena's daughter, was being cared for by Elena's mother, she couldn't blame him. It was probably one of the few nights they would have all to themselves and the dark-haired beauty did look ravishing in her low-cut red cocktail dress.
Mike and Brandy sat close together, holding hands as the conversation flowed around them. Frequently Mike kissed the back of her hand, and Brandy smiled in pleasure when he asked her to dance. The other couples soon joined them, leaving Marcus and Susan alone at the large round table.
"What changed your mind?" Marcus asked, leaning back in his chair and studying Sue as she watched the couples gliding around the dance floor.
"Look," she said with a grin, nodding at Erica and John. "He's letting her lead. Wonder how long that will last?" she snorted, ignoring his question.
"It will last until he tires of the game and takes control away from her," Marcus replied.
"Maybe he won't," she said, stabbing the olive out of her martini and pulling it from her toothpick.
"Trust me, he will," Marcus stated dryly.
"You know him? I mean before today?" she asked surprised.
"Yes."
"And you like him?"
"Very much. John's a good guy. Why all the curiosity about Erica's choice of a date?"
"I don't know," she answered truthfully, resting her chin on her hand as she saw Erica laughing. "I look around and see how happy everyone seems and I wonder how long it will last. Sam and Johanna are engaged, Mike and Brandy can't take their eyes off each other, and Jeff is in such hurry to get Elena alone, I half expect to see him carry her away at any moment. Kelsey is glowing and Ty is so puffed up with pride I can't help but feel like it's all a dream or a scene out of a movie."
"And this disturbs you?" he asked smiling slightly. "Is there something fundamentally wrong with this picture you're seeing?"
"No, but if something seems too good to be true, it usually is," she responded signaling to the waiter for another drink. "At some point the curtain falls, the lights dim and the credits roll. What happens when the real world comes charging in? When all the glittering lights and beautiful costumes disappear?"
"Susan, you sound absolutely maudlin. If I didn't know better I'd think you were jealous," Marcus drawled taking the glass out of her hand and pulling her to her feet. "Come on, I think we'd better dance before you're weeping in your drink."
"I am not jealous," she insisted, letting him guide her to the floor and into his arms.
"Okay, you're not jealous," he soothed, placating her as he snagged her closer. "You, of course, are seeing everything clearly; it's just the rest of us who have a skewed perception of the real world."
"Exactly!" she agreed, snuggling closer with a smile.
"As always, you are entitled to your opinion, my darling little pessimist," he murmured in her ear as he twirled her across the floor. "Just don't try to get away with raining on anyone else's parade," he laughed, slipping his large hand down her back and patting her bottom. "There's not a big enough umbrella in the world to protect you from my wrath if you do," he promised.
"Marcus, behave yourself," she hissed, taking his hand and moving it back to her waist as a tiny jolt of fear shot through her. Damn, now her freaking panties were wet and she'd done so well tonight, too. "Isn't it time to go upstairs?" she asked, pushing her tummy against him.
Marcus threw back his head and laughed. "As your employer, I think it's up to me when we retire," he said.
"Don't give me that 'employer' bull shit. You proved your point last night and you said you wouldn't hold a grudge if I remember correctly," she stated smugly as the music ended.
"So I did," he conceded as they moved through the crowd to the table, his hand on the small of her back, guiding her. "Funny how you can remember what I said at the height of passion but you can't seem to remember what I told you about those shoes."
"It's a special occasion," she shot back with a smile. "You didn't really expect me to come to Vegas for the first time wearing those ugly little flats you insist upon?"
"Heavens no, that would be unconscionable," he mocked, his eyes twinkling.
"What would really be unconscionable," she whispered as they neared the table, "would be me going upstairs and putting that marvelous handheld massager I saw in the shower to such good use that security might be called."
"Wow," he replied. "After last night I thought you might actually behave for a while, unless of course you are looking for a spanking."
"I suppose that's always a possibility," she purred.
"Well, goodnight everyone," Marcus said abruptly as they reached the table. Picking up Susan's purse, he handed it to her and took her hand. "It's been a long day and we're going to retire. See you all in the morning," he said over his shoulder as he towed the beaming Susan away.
As soon as the elevator doors closed behind them, he backed Susan into the corner and lifted her leg over his hip. Sliding one hand along the inside of her thigh, he encountered her wet warm panties and ripped the fragile fabric from her with a snap of his wrist.
"Marcus, how caveman of you," she gasped, laughing as he stuffed them into his pocket.
"Yes, isn't it," he agreed as the chime sounded and the door slid open. The elderly couple standing there waiting for the elevator was the only thing that stopped him from showing her just exactly what a Neanderthal he was capable of being. Instead, he nodded to the couple and murmured, "Good evening" as he took Susan's hand and led her down the hall.
Over breakfast the girls debated their best plan of attack for the day. Finding Kelsey a dress was top priority as well as checking out the various wedding chapels and seeing what would be available. Ty's parents were flying in the next day for the ceremony and the bridal dinner but they needed to return to their home in Arizona the day after. Everything was up in the air and what were their men doing? Apparently when the going gets rough, the men go golfing!
"The first thing we need to do is find Kelsey a bridal gown," Brandy offered, sipping her mimosa.
"No, no bridal gown," replied Kelsey. "I have plenty of beautiful dresses to choose from, including my pink cocktail dress. I just love that one," she continued,
picking up her milk. "And besides it's good luck."
"What is good luck?" Elena asked.
"My pink dress," Kelsey grinned. "It's what I was wearing when I met Ty."
"But a bride must wear a white dress," Elena gasped in shock. "It is the tradition, yes?"
"Only for a virgin," Kelsey stated firmly. "And I am not that."
"Kelsey," Jo laughed, "if only virgins wore white gowns, the bridal business would be extinct. It's acceptable for brides to wear white, regardless of their previous marital status, age or level of experience."
"I agree," Elena chimed in. "Besides, aren't we all virgins still in some ways?"
Everyone looked at each other, not exactly sure what she meant as Elena blushed. "Have I said something wrong?"
"Not at all," Sue replied. "We're just not sure what you mean. In what ways are we still virginal?"
"Well, I'm not sure how to say this correctly," Elena said quietly, "but surely some of us are virgin in certain areas, yes?"
Brandy got it first and coughed discretely into her hand to hide her smile. "I'm sure you're right," she assured Elena, patting her hand. "Not all of us have experienced everything and therefore could be considered virginal in that area, sort of," she said looking to Susan for help.
By now all the women were giggling and Sue shushed them.
"Now we are all friends here and Elena obviously has something on her mind. What is it honey?" she encouraged.
"If I marry Jeff, I want to be able to wear white and have a beautiful church wedding, so there have been a couple of things he has wanted me to do that I manage to wiggle out of. I was thinking that if I was a virgin in some areas I could still wear white," she said.
"Of course you can," Erica said smiling. "I for one intend to have a huge wedding when I finally find the right man, and I don't care what anyone thinks."
"Exactly," Jo agreed, "but Elena is there something Jeff wants you to do that is making you uncomfortable? Something you don't want to do?"
"It is not that I do not want to please him, it is that I do not know how," she sighed sadly.
"What exactly does he want you to do?" Sue asked, looking at the concerned women around the table.
Elena opened and closed her mouth several times, yet nothing came out. Finally, she reached to the middle of the table and picked up a banana from the fruit bowl. Slowly she peeled it and gently slid it between her lips, her face on fire.
Instantly silence engulfed them as each woman clearly understood what she was asking.
"I am sorry if I have offended any of you," she sighed. "I have no close friends and I can hardly ask my Mama."
Susan promptly picked up her glass and raised it. "A toast to Elena for being so brave," she said clearly, and each woman raised their glasses in turn and clinked them together smiling in approval.
"Now," Susan continued, deadly serious. "As far as your question, I don't think there is any wrong way to do what you've asked, providing you're gentle. I'm sure you will be able to tell if he's enjoying it. That being said, there is one cardinal rule. You must never allow him to sink his hands into your hair or even touch your head, for it is at that precise moment you will no longer be 'doing' him, he will be 'doing' you."
The table erupted in laughter, and after a moment, Elena got the clear picture of what Sue had said and joined in. Heads turned from every direction, wondering what was going on at the table of beautiful women, and it was several minutes before they had quieted to the occasional snicker and giggle. Even Kelsey had trouble getting herself under control, and she smiled at Elena.
"Thank you for asking that Elena," she said. "You and I are in the same boat and I just learned a valuable bit of information."
"Me, too," added Erica, blushing madly but smiling just the same. "Thanks, Susan."
"Glad I could be of assistance," Sue replied sweetly. "Now how about we 'blow' this joint and go find a dress suitable for our beautiful Kelsey to marry the love of her life in?"
The girls were laughing so hard, they were holding each other up as they made their escape from the curious eyes in the restaurant.
They found Kelsey's dream dress at the second store they hit. It was pink chiffon, so pale it was almost blush, and spattered with glistening stones that reflected every beam of sunlight that came through the shop window. The tea-length creation was as delicate-looking as a spider web with a full crinoline that made the dress swirl with each movement. A blush, elbow-length veil was perfect with the sleeveless gown and they added long gloves and Cinderella heels.
Kelsey balked at the price until Susan whispered in her ear that if she didn't buy the dress immediately she would tell Marcus to have Ty spank her.
"You wouldn't?" Kelsey gasped in shock.
"I certainly would," Sue informed her, with her hands on her hips. "That dress was made for you and if you don't buy it, I will and give Ty the receipt. Now, what's it going to be?"
"Please, Kelsey," Johanna added. "It's so lovely it will just about break my heart if you don't take it. You look like you stepped right out of a Grace Kelly movie."
"Who is Grace Kelly?" Kelsey whispered at Susan.
"A movie star who married a real live prince," Sue replied with an eye roll.
"I'll take it," Kelsey told the owner, handing over her credit card. "Do you know of any really nice wedding chapels we might look at?"
As luck would have it, she did. Her uncle owned one slightly outside the city limits that catered to a more traditional clientele. Handing her his card, she also called and asked if they could come right over and have a look at the place. After a short limo ride, they arrived at what resembled a quaint country church and Kelsey booked it without hesitation for four o'clock the next afternoon. She ordered pink and blush rose bouquets for her and Susan and boutonnieres for Ty, Marcus and their Dad. She also ordered a blush corsage for Ty's mother.
Their errands accomplished, the girls headed back to the hotel, arranging to meet at the pool for drinks later in the afternoon. It was there, soaking up the hot Nevada sun that Marcus finally caught up with Susan. Her cell phone rang just as she was turning over onto her tummy to let the rays add some color to her pale back. Having consumed several tropical drinks, she was in a mellow mood when she answered.
"Hey babe," she sighed, "are you back yet? Did you get everything taken care of? I see you found time to replace your phone."
"Yes, Ty got the rings and we made arrangements for a private dining room tomorrow night at eight. The hotel is taking care of the cake and Ty hired a photographer. Where are you?
"I'm at the pool with the girls," she replied.
"At the pool? Are you wearing sunscreen?" he questioned sharply. "I hope you're staying out of the deep end!"
"Geez, Daddy," she shot back sarcastically, her mood rapidly evaporating. "Give me some credit will you?"
"I wasn't aware you were interested in that type of relationship," he replied smoothly, his voice rich and dark, "but I'm sure I'd have no trouble setting up a nursery at the lodge if that's what you're looking for."
"Shit," she swore, sitting up and snatching her drink from the poolside table. "No, no, that's not what I'm looking for. I'm sorry," she apologized quickly.
"I know I'm a little older than you, but call me Daddy again in that tone of voice and you'll think you're about five years old when I get done with you," he promised.
"Okay, okay Marcus, I said I was sorry," she whispered into the phone as several pairs of curious ears strained to hear the conversation. Brandy and Johanna were grinning at her dilemma and she flipped them off as she continued trying to placate Marcus.
"We'll discuss this later," he advised her, causing her to suppress a shiver. "We're all meeting for dinner and a show around seven so don't be too long."
"We can do that," she informed him, turning back to the girls and raising her voice, "but after that we want to take Kelsey out, sort of a last single fling."
"Surprisingly that doesn't sound like the
Kelsey I know. Who wants to go out, Kelsey or the rest of you girls? If you think I'm turning you loose in Vegas, you have another think coming, and I'm sure the other men will agree with me."
"We'll stay in the hotel… Marcus," she promised, crossing her fingers just in case she couldn't get the others to agree. "There's a couple of clubs here that should be fun and really how much trouble can we get into if we stay here?"
"That my love is exactly what worries me," he answered dryly. "We'll talk about it at dinner. Right now Ty and I are meeting the others for a few hands of poker. I'll see you upstairs in a couple of hours."
"Okay, bye."
"He's not going to go for it, is he?" Erica asked, rubbing lotion on her arms. "Damn, I was looking forward to a night of really letting loose. You know what they say about what happens in Vegas," she teased with a wink.
"What about John?" Elena asked basking in the sun with her eyes closed. "Will he not be angry if you do not spend the evening with him after you asked him to accompany you?"
"John? John's a cupcake," Erica replied. "He'll do anything I say. I've never met a man more eager to please me. It's strange really. I was the one who interviewed him and yet I never would have guessed how amenable he would be based on his questionnaire. In fact, I may have to snatch him up myself. I mean, what more could I ask for? He's attractive, obscenely wealthy and caters to my every whim."
"I'd watch it if I were you," Sue offered, laying back in her deck chair. "Not all men are what they seem."
"I agree," said Brandy. "They say 'still waters run deep.' It's the quiet ones you have to watch out for."
"I think this is true," Elena added. "Mr. Jeff, I mean Jeff, was so very polite and soft-spoken when I first met him. He never raised his voice or got angry until the night of the party. All I did was follow Susan's advice and dance with another man and the next moment he was carrying me off the dance floor over his shoulder. He was a very angry man that night," she said with a shiver.
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