The Wandering Caravan (Forever and Always #8)

by E. L. Todd

  I led her to the fish tanks and we looked at specimens swim through the water. An eel was hidden in the rocks, and I pointed it out to Scarlet. She was fascinated by the life behind the glass. She watched everything, her eyes never blinking.

  When we got to the jellyfish exhibit, she was more impressed. “I wish I could electrocute people.”

  I eyed her then stepped away. “I don’t.”

  She wrapped her arms around me then squeezed me tight. “Why? Would you be scared?”

  “Do you want me to be scared?” I asked with a laugh.

  “A little,” she said with a smirk.

  “I’d be terrified.”

  She kissed me gently. “As long as you’re nice to me, I’ll never sting you.”

  “I’ll have to always be on my best behavior, then.”

  “You should be anyway,” she countered.

  We arrived at the seastar exhibit. The tanks were short and you could stick you hand in the water. Scarlet dived right in without thinking twice. She touched the top of the starfish and felt the bumps along the surface. She eyed the stingrays then felt their fins.

  “So beautiful.”

  I stared at the joy on her face and felt my own grow. I loved seeing how happy she was. I wanted to make her look that way every day. I’d do anything to make it happen.

  When we came to the shark tank, she pressed her nose against the glass and watched them glide through the water. Coen and Sydney stayed behind us and gave us our space, but I heard them whisper to one another. When I glanced behind me, I saw Coen rub his nose against hers. Sydney’s hand was tight around his forearm, where a green seahorse was featured.

  I turned back and looked Scarlet again. “Pretty cool, huh?”

  “It makes me wonder what else lives in the ocean.”

  “I think that’s a question that will always be unanswered.”

  “Maybe that’s for the best,” she whispered.

  Sydney came beside us, Coen’s arm still wrapped around her. “Would you like to meet my friend Rose?”

  “Who’s Rose?” I asked.

  “She’s a dolphin,” Sydney said. “And she’s pretty cool.”

  “I would love to,” Scarlet said with wide eyes.

  “Come on,” Sydney said.

  She led us to the back of the aquarium where a pool stood. We gathered around the edge and looked into the water. Sydney clapped the water ten times then the dolphin appeared. She was immediately talkative and playful. She rested her chin on Sydney’s thigh and squeaked.

  “This is Rose,” Sydney said. “We’ve been friends since I started working here.”

  “Wow,” Scarlet said. “That’s so amazing.”

  “Tap the water and she’ll come to you,” Sydney said.

  Scarlet did as she asked and the dolphin swam to her. Her eyes lit up as she stroked her hand against the dolphin’s head. Scarlet’s dress was getting wet but she didn’t seem to care. I loved watched her pet the dolphin. I could do it all day.

  We stayed by the pool for half an hour before Sydney fed the dolphin and stood up. “We should let her rest now.”

  I helped Scarlet to her feet then guided her back to the entrance. Scarlet wrapped her arms around my waist and held me tightly. “Thank you so much for taking me here.”

  I kissed her forehead. “You’re welcome.”

  “It’s nice to be out of the hotel.”

  “And I can’t wait to go back,” I whispered.

  “Do you think about anything else?”

  “No. Have you seen you?”

  She rolled her eyes. “I’m nothing special.”

  “Ha. My cock says otherwise.”

  We walked out the door and Sydney locked it behind us.

  “Thanks for showing us around,” I said.

  “Of course,” she said with a smile. “How long are you here for?”

  “A few days,” Scarlet said.

  “Would you like to get tacos with us tomorrow?” Sydney asked. “It’ll be fun.”

  “Sure,” Scarlet said. “What time?”

  “Seven.”

  “We’ll be there,” I said.

  “Good night,” Coen said as he pulled Sydney to their car.

  “Night,” I said.

  On the drive to the hotel, Scarlet kept talking about how much she loved the aquarium and how much she loved Sydney and Coen.

  “We barely talked to them.”

  “But they were so cute. You can tell they are newlyweds.”

  “Because they told us,” I said.

  “I wish we were cute like that.” She looked out the window.

  I grabbed her hand. “We are cute. I’ll show you when we get home.”

  “We’ll see…”

  “We will,” I said firmly.

  When we walked inside, she opened one of my drawers and pulled out a t-shirt. She removed her clothes except her underwear then put it on. She was playing hard to get, but I wasn’t easily swayed. She had no idea wearing my t-shirt was the biggest turn on of all. It was better than sexy lingerie—because it made her mine.

  She got into bed then lay under the covers.

  “Tired?” I asked as I undressed and came beside her.

  “Yeah,” she said with a sigh. “Too much fun for the day.”

  When I was naked, I lay beside her, my erection announcing my thoughts. My hand moved to the area between her legs. “You want to take a break? You’re probably sore. We’ve never had sex this much.”

  “No, I’m okay.”

  “Are you sure?” I asked as I kissed her neck. “We don’t have to do if you don’t want to.”

  She pushed me off then moved on top of me. “No. You deserve something special for being such a wonderful husband.”

  “I like where this is going…”

  She pulled her underwear over then aimed my tip at her entrance. The fact she didn’t even take them off was a turn on. Like she could read my mind, she pulled off her top and revealed her breasts. She knew how much I loved to stare at them. Her brown hair hung around her shoulders, framing her perfect face. Her mouth was slightly open, and I could spot her small teeth. The wedding bands she wore felt cool against my skin when she touched me. I never allowed her to take them off. I put them there for a reason.

  I grabbed her hips and waited to slide inside her.

  “No. No touching.” She pulled my hands away and placed them on the bed.

  I growled.

  “Just sit back and enjoy.”

  “I love touching you.”

  “Pretend you can’t.”

  I growled again.

  She slid me inside her then moved up and down. She arched her back then rocked into me, taking control. The bed stared to thud against the wall. Since we had a villa, we didn’t have any neighbors. And I liked it that way. I didn’t want some guy beating off while he listened to her sex noises.

  Scarlet dug her nails into my stomach while she shoved me deep inside her. She was wet and tight. Every thrust made my cock twitch in preparation for an amazing orgasm. Keeping my hands to myself was an effort. I wanted to touch her everywhere, grab the tits that were bouncing in my face.

  “So beautiful,” I whispered.

  “Mmm…”

  She was enjoying it more than I was. Scarlet was amazing in bed. She was better than all my other partners. She knew when to be aggressive and when to let me fuck her brains out. She was sexy without even trying.

  I knew she was going to come soon. It was hard for me to hold myself back. A gorgeous woman was riding me and thoroughly enjoying it. And the fact she was my wife made me want to blow my load. I grabbed my phone from the nightstand then started to record her.

  She saw what I was doing but didn’t stop me. I knew she trusted me. I would never share this with anyone. I wouldn’t want another man to see the sight anyway. It was for my eyes only.

  Scarlet started moaning loudly, gripping me tightly. Her pussy tightened around my cock, telling me she was having an i
ntense orgasm. She moved harder, her voice being high and loud. I recorded her the entire time, knowing exactly what I would with it later.

  My hand shook as my orgasm started in my balls. It exploded through my shaft then burned me on the way out. I filled my wife with my seed, loving every second of it. Scarlet moved faster, making my orgasm last as long as possible.

  When I finished, I put the phone down and she pulled me out of her. It suddenly felt cold. She pulled my shirt back on and lay beside me, snuggling against my chest. We took the position we always did when we went to sleep. I couldn’t imagine not having her by my side. I loved her so much, and words could never describe it. I kissed her forehead then held her tightly. I wanted to tell her I loved her but there was no need. She knew.

  “What are you going to do with that video?” she asked.

  “Beat off to it when I’m at work.”

  She shook her head. “You’re taking over a company and that’s what you’re preparing for?”

  “When I’m at work all day, I’m going to miss you. At least this way I can still be with you.”

  “You’re disgusting.” I could hear the smile in her voice.

  “I’m disgusting when it comes to you. We can have phone sex if you want. Or better yet, web came sex.”

  “Or you can just wait until you get home.”

  “Nah.”

  She turned slightly then hugged me. “I love you.”

  That was an unexpected response. “Where did that come form?”

  “No man has ever wanted me as much as you do. I’ve never felt beautiful or loved.”

  That broke my heart. “And you’ll never feel that way ever again.”

  “I know,” she whispered.

  I kissed her forehead again.

  My phone rang on my nightstand. Without moving Scarlet, I grabbed it and looked at the screen. It was my mom. I ignored it.

  “Who was that?”

  “Mom.”

  “Oh.”

  She called again. I sighed in annoyance.

  “Maybe it’s important, Sean.”

  “I don’t want to talk to her right now.”

  “She knows you’re on your honeymoon. She’s probably calling for a reason.”

  “Fine.” I answered it. “Hello?”

  “Hello, dear. How’s the honeymoon?”

  It didn’t sound like anything was wrong. “It’s great. We’re having a good time.”

  “That’s good. Have you guys gone snorkeling?”

  “Mom, did you call for something?”

  “I haven’t talked to you in a week,” she said. “I just wanted to check in.”

  I loved my mom but she could be really annoying sometimes. “I’ll talk to you when I get back.”

  I heard my father’s voice in the background. “Diane, I told you not to call him!”

  At least my dad understood boundaries. “Mom, I got to go.”

  “I just wanted to check on him,” she shouted at my dad.

  I rolled my eyes as I listened to them argue.

  “Don’t call a man when he’s on his honeymoon, Diane. If he needs something, he’ll call.”

  I seemed to be forgotten, so I hung up.

  Scarlet just shook her head. “I’ll try to get along with my mother-in-law but I have a feeling I never will.”

  I laughed. “I don’t blame you. She means well but she doesn’t understand boundaries sometimes. One time she walked in on me when I was…you know…and the next day she bought me Playboys. She was trying to be a cool mom but it just backfired.”

  Scarlet laughed loudly. “Oh my god.”

  “Really awkward.”

  “I thought you would get a lecture about how inappropriate your actions were.”

  “She hoped I wouldn’t have sex until I was an adult if I was masturbating.” I shook my head. “She couldn’t have been more wrong about that.”

  Scarlet kept laughing. “That’s so embarrassing.”

  “Has Ryan ever caught you doing anything?”

  “No,” she said immediately. “Because I’ve never done anything like that.”

  “Really?” I asked.

  “It’s not my thing.”

  “Wow. Now I understand why you were so…easy to please the first time we slept together.”

  “Thanks for being so sensitive about it,” she said with a smile.

  “I’d teach you now but you won’t need it.”

  “What about during webcam sex?” she asked.

  My eyes widened. “I forgot about that. I’m going to have to teach you.”

  “I’m sure it feels better when you do it.”

  “Then pretend it’s me,” I whispered.

  “I don’t know…I feel dirty.”

  “You are dirty.” I gripped her waist as I held her to my chest.

  “Only with you.”

  “It’s still me. As long as you’re thinking about me.”

  “I never think about anyone else, Sean.”

  “Good answer.” My hand moved to her back and I rubbed her gently. “We’ll start practicing.”

  Her cheeks reddened.

  “There’s no reason to be embarrassed.”

  “I just can’t believe my husband is the one to teach me all this.”

  “He’s the only who should teach you anything,” I whispered.

  She turned in my arms and faced me. When she lay on my chest, she was as light as a feather. I never snuggled with someone so much. Penelope and I always took separate sides of the bed. I never liked to cuddle, except with Scarlet. Even when we were just friends, she and I would still do it.

  Now I couldn’t image a time when she wouldn’t be sprawled on my chest like this. The slight weight was a comfort to me. As soon as she moved, I knew she wasn’t there. It was like an alarm system. I needed to have her near me all the time. As soon as she left, I was aching.

  “I couldn’t live without you,” I whispered. I didn’t think before I spoke. It just came out. I knew it a year ago when she left me in New York. I stood on the curb, crying while she left me. I knew I lost the most amazing thing in the world and I’d never get it back. I couldn’t breath. I couldn’t think.

  She sat up and looked at me. “I couldn’t live without you either.”

  “Then it’s a good thing we got married.”

  She lay back down and closed her eyes. “A very good thing.”

  The next evening, we met Sydney and Coen at the taco shop by the coast. They were already sitting at a table by the window. Coen had his arm around her and he was whispering in her ear. She smiled while she listened to him. They looked like a young couple in love.

  Scarlet and I took the seat across from them. I could tell Scarlet was smitten with Sydney. They reminded me of each other. Scarlet had a natural ability to be friends with everyone she met. It didn’t matter where or who.

  “Hey,” Scarlet said happily. “Thanks for inviting us.”

  “No problem,” Sydney said. “You have to take break from…you know…sometime.”

  “I didn’t need a break,” Coen said.

  I held up my hand and high-fived him. I knew we’d get along just fine.

  We ordered our food at the counter then returned to our seats. Scarlet and I both had tacos. Coen had a burrito and Sydney had veggie tacos.

  “How long have you been here?” Sydney asked.

  “Over a week,” Scarlet answered. “It’s beautiful here.”

  “Where are you from?” Coen asked.

  “New York and Seattle,” I answered. “We’ve been going back and forth recently.”

  “Cool,” Coen said. “What do you do for a living?”

  “I own a software company.”

  Coen didn’t seem impressed. “Cool.”

  Now I liked him even more. Every one was always impressed when I revealed this, or they instantly liked me more because I had money. Coen didn’t seem to care. Sydney didn’t either.

  “What do you do?” Sydney asked Scarl
et.

  “I’m an editor.”

  “What kind?” she asked.

  “I edit novels.”

  “Cool. Coen and I both go to the university. We’re marine biologists.”

  Scarlet’s face lit up at the announcement. “That’s so cool.”

  “Thanks,” Sydney said. “We both like it.”

  “No wonder why you’re married,” I commented. “I’m assuming that’s how you met?”

  “Yep. I was his tutor and it took off from there.”

  Coen inhaled his burrito then placed his arm around her shoulder. “I didn’t give her a choice.”

  “We didn’t date very long before we got married,” Sydney said. “Only for three months. But when you know, you know.”

  I looked at Scarlet and we shared a look. I knew she was the right person for me but it took a lot longer than three months to figure that out. We weren’t as fortunate. “We’ve been dating officially for a year.”

  “Officially?” Coen asked. “I can already tell you’ve had a complicated relationship.”

  “We were friends before we were lovers—for about ten years.”

  “Wow,” Sydney said. “So you know each other really well.”

  “There are things I wish I didn’t know,” Scarlet said with a laugh.

  Sydney laughed at her joke then finished her tacos. “Are you sad to go home?”

  “Yes and No,” Scarlet said. “I really miss my family. I see them everyday and now I’m getting homesick.”

  I rolled my eyes. “She has a sick codependent relationship with her brother.”

  Coen looked at her. “Reminds me of you and Henry.”

  Sydney glared at him. “I doubt it.”

  Scarlet ignored the comment. “We managed to explore the island and do everything we wanted to do in just a few short days.”

  “I thought you were here for over a week?” Coen asked.

  I smiled. “I held her prisoner in the bedroom most of the time.”

  Coen winked. “That sounds about right.”

  Scarlet’s cheeks reddened. “I finally persuaded him to leave the hotel room.”

  “It sounds like he’s trying to get you pregnant,” Sydney said.

  I shrugged. “It wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world.”

  “No,” Scarlet said firmly. “We aren’t having kids for a few years. I already have to baby Sean.”

  “You don’t baby me,” I said.