Tempest Torn

by Nicole Andrews Moore

  Realizing Joey was scared, too, was incredibly comforting. Yet, he was determined to be with her and working through his fears. He had hurt her in the past, but hadn’t she hurt him too by constantly pushing him away? He worked to be a better man. What was she doing? Remembering what Joey said when he convinced her to go on this trip, she sighed. It was time to start trusting. Would anyone else ever be more worthy? How could anyone else ever make her feel so alive? Wasn’t her favorite place in the whole world wherever she was wrapped in his arms? Smiling, Marti tapped him on the shoulder. “Hey.”

  Crawling through the grass, he didn’t even look up. “Just a minute, babe. I’m trying to find the ring and not completely freak out here.” Seeing the way his hands shook, Marti knew the truth of his words. She watched as he glanced up at her briefly and offered a forced grin.

  “Hey!” she cried more insistently as she dropped the ground in front of him. “I have something to tell you.” Marti willed him to look at her.

  “Yeah? What’s that?” This time he didn’t even look up.

  Marti could sense his panic. Then as she placed her hands in the grass to steady herself in squatting position, she felt it. The ring. It was just under the forefinger of her left hand. Shyly, she picked it up and slid it onto her ring finger. “Yes,” she murmured. “My answer is yes.” Then she held her hand out for his inspection.

  Joey stared at her finger. “You said yes.” He held her hand looking stunned. “What made you say it? I was beginning to doubt you would.”

  Laughing, Marti admitted, “Would you believe it was when you dropped the ring? Up until then the proposal, here, it all seemed too perfect. It didn’t feel real. It seemed so contrived, right down to the reason for proposing.” She held his face in her hands and forced him to pay to attention. “More than anything I want a real marriage, with a real man who I can really love for the rest of my life.” Wrapping her arms around his neck, she leaned in and murmured, “I love you, Joey Masters. For life.” Then she moved in until their lips were touching.

  Cheers erupted from the crowd. It startled them so, they broke off the kiss and Joey merely wrapped her in his arms.

  “Now what?” she asked quietly. Marti half expected him to want to go back to the hotel for hours of passionate lovemaking. Had she answered differently at the hotel, they wouldn’t even be here now. Maybe she was the one who secretly wanted to spend the rest of the day in bed. She smiled, waiting to see how he would respond.

  Once again he surprised her. “Now we sail off into the sunset.”

  Taken aback, all she could manage was, “What?”

  Pointing toward the water, Joey helped her stand and the two of them walked off in the direction he had indicated. Soon they were on a dock. “Seriously, we’re taking a sunset cruise.”

  “Gah! Too perfect. I was kinda hoping I could convince you to take me back to our room so I can show you how much I love you.” She winked at him meaningfully while her eyes gleamed in anticipation.

  “If it will make you happy,” Joey began almost reluctantly. Then he scooped her up in his arms and kissed her neck. “As you wish.”

 

  Together, they walked quietly back to the car. Joey was speechless, utterly in awe of their new status. At the end of the last year, if anyone had asked him where he saw his life going, he never would have expected this. If anyone had told him he’d be crazy in love with Marti, he would have laughed. She was so much more than he ever thought he would have. No wonder he never expected to marry or have children.

  Squeezing her hand, Joey looked at the down at their hands, intertwined in public, no less. Her finger, well, he’d put a ring on it. As he imagined everyone’s reaction, he began beaming. Naturally, Marti noticed.

  “What has you so happy?” she asked playfully. He guessed in her mind, she imagined it had something to do with her agreeing to be his wife. In truth, that was a big part of it, but there was so much more.

  “I can’t wait to tell Brantley.” Joey let out a huge sigh.

  Laughing, she jabbed him in the side. “Of course that’s what you’re thinking.”

  Looking at her sideways, he asked, “And you don’t want to rub this in Finn’s face just a little bit?” He gestured with his finger and thumb. “Come on. Just a little? Admit it.”

  Shaking her head vehemently, Marti grumbled, “If I never see her again, it will be too soon.” For a moment, she frowned, then she gazed up at him. “Let’s be happy. Let’s go back to the room and…”

  “Plan a wedding!” he shouted.

  Laughing, Marti stopped walking a moment. “Actually, I was going to say we should go have wild crazy animalistic sex. Of course if you’d rather pick color schemes and talk venues…”

  “Or sex,” he agreed, nodding. Picking her up, Joey carried her the rest of the short distance to the car. “Only, I promised the doctor there would be only vanilla sex,” he whispered in her ear. “You good with that?”

  The way she looked at him while biting her lower lip, he could actually see the lust in her eyes. It excited him, but he was accustomed to heating women up, making them want him. With Marti, he wanted a whole new experience. This time, he wanted to really make love. They’d had sex. When it was safe, he’d gladly fuck her. For once, he wanted to pour into her how much he loved her. There would be no fear, no need for being self-conscious. For the first time ever, Joey had the security he’d always craved.

  Opening the car door, Joey carefully set Marti down and let her slide in on her own. Once she had settled into the seat and was safely in the vehicle, he shut the door and walked around to his side. His mind was elsewhere while he worked on autopilot. He wanted to get back to the hotel immediately. Starting the vehicle, he drove back, while holding her hand. He couldn’t stop touching her.

  For such a long time, he’d had to give her space, wait for her signal before it was safe for contact. Bringing her hand up to his lips, he grazed her knuckles, rubbing her fingers back and forth. When he felt her shiver, he knew he was on the right track. Finally, they pulled into the hotel parking lot. After backing into the first vacant spot, Joey walked around the vehicle to open the door for her. “Come on, gorgeous. It’s time for me to make you mine.”

  “I thought that’s what this was for,” Marti teased, waving the ring in front of his face.

  “No, that’s a commitment. This is something else entirely.” He walked her into the lobby and headed straight for the elevator. When the doors opened and they had it all to themselves, he hit the button to send them up to their floor. Standing behind her, he laid his hands on her bare shoulders.

  The strapless purple sundress in a batik print with the shirred elastic bodice and flowing skirt were perfect for Key West. Now, it was even more perfect for their alone time. Joey lovingly massaged her neck and shoulders during the short ride. As he worked out the tension, he could feel her backing up, leaning against him more. He knew if he turned her to face him, her eyes would be smoldering with desire. For now, he didn’t want that distraction.

  The doors opened and he nudged her out on the floor and down the short hall to their room. All he could think about was making this moment last. This was something that couldn’t be rushed. As soon as they entered the suite, Marti started toward the bedroom. “Where are you going?” he teased.

  Looking toward the bed, she murmured, “I just thought…”

  Smiling, he shook his head. “Not yet.” Walking over to the fridge, he opened it and pulled out the sparkling grape juice and the chocolate covered strawberries. “We have some celebrating to do.”

  “I thought that was how we were celebrating,” Marti groaned.

  Setting everything down on the counter, Joey walked over to her. “Impatient?”

  Smirking, she shrugged. “A bit.” Her face colored crimson. “I don’t suppose anyone ever explained to you about women’s needs during the first trimester,” she complained.

  Closing the distance between them, he pushed her
chin up with his forefinger. “I’ll fulfill every single one of those needs. I promise. Patience, cupcake.” Then he took her by the hand, walked her over to the dining room area, and pulled out a chair. “Sit,” he murmured.

  Staring up at him, Marti seemed to be completely entranced. She cocked her head to the side as if to suggest she was willing to play along for a bit. He paused for a moment. This was more challenging than he could have imagined. It required every ounce of his self-control not to scoop her up and deposit her on the bed. Joey wanted to worship every inch of her with his hands, his tongue, and his eyes. She deserved to be shown how precious she was to him.

  Reluctantly, he walked away from her to gather the glasses, juice, and strawberries. This he did silently, aware she was studying his every move. It was unsettling, yet at the same time, incredibly exciting. No one had ever paid so much attention to him, made him feel so important. No wonder he found her incredibly intoxicating.

  After pouring the drinks, Joey walked back to her and set them on the table. Then he picked up the strawberries and set them on the table as well. Lifting his glass, he announced, “A toast.”

  Nodding, she raised her flute. It was obvious, she was unwilling to speak, concerned she’d somehow ruin the moment. “Ann Landers said love is friendship that caught fire.”

  “You’re quoting Ann Landers?” Marti asked incredulously.

  “I would if you’d be quiet long enough,” he grumbled.

  She giggled, then gestured for him to continue. “Sorry.” She held a hand over her mouth.

  Joey waited a minute to be sure she really was going to let him continue. “As I was saying, Ann Landers said love is friendship that has caught fire. It is quiet understanding, mutual confidence, sharing and forgiving. It is loyalty through good and bad times. It settles for less than perfection and makes allowances for human weaknesses.” He stared at Marti a minute, convinced she was going to make some wise crack. He could think of at least three he would make himself, if not for the current gravity of the situation. No one was more ‘less than perfect’ than he. And part of him worried she might believe she was settling.

  “Babe, though Miss Gracie did her best to put out our fire, it simply can’t be extinguished.” He knelt before her. “We’re going to go through good times and bad. Just know my time of weakness has passed. Your trust isn’t misplaced. Every day, I love you more. Let’s drink to a bright future and a love without end.”

  There were tears in her eyes. Brushing at them, she simply nodded before they clinked glasses and sipped on the sparkling juice. “Sweet,” she murmured. “Sorry we can’t have the hard stuff.”

  Shaking his head, he assured her, “I’m not.” Setting his flute on the table, he picked up a strawberry from the plate and held it to her lips. “Taste,” he urged. Then he watched as she took a bite.

  Though she made every attempt to be as ladylike as possible, a dribble of juice slid down her chin. Joey contemplated leaning over and licking it off ever so seductively, but she wiped at it with her hand before he could make his move. “So good,” Marti moaned in pleasure. “You taste.”

  Smiling, he bent low, and reached under her skirt. His hands slid up her outer thighs and came to rest on her hips where the waistband of her bikini panties rested. “Don’t mind if I do.” He grinned before pulling them down, urging her hips up a moment, until he could yank them completely off. “Breathe,” he ordered. “And eat.”

  Marti shook her head wide-eyed.

  “What happened? I thought you were full of jokes.” Joey laughed.

  “Shit just got real,” she muttered.

  “That’s my girl,” he murmured as he pulled her hips closer to the edge of the chair. “Now why don’t you throw your legs over my shoulder like a good girl?” Slowly, she obeyed.

  Folding back her skirt, Joey leaned down. When his face was inches from her clitoris, he made sure she was watching, then he stuck out his tongue and began to lick. As soon as he connected with her skin, she began to pant. By the time he found his rhythm, a combination of licking, sucking, and playing come hither with her g-spot and his finger, Marti was writhing and whimpering.

  “In me,” she begged.

  His fingers continued to perform their dance inside her while he spoke. “I am in you,” he murmured against her thigh.

  With some effort, she managed to raise her head. When she knew he was watching, she shook it. “You know what I mean,” she moaned.

  Chuckling, he placed his lips on her clitoris and teased it with his tongue. “Yeah, I know.” He made sure he hummed the words against her, their special vibration resonating, causing her to quiver. “Come for me,” he urged.

  “Why do guys say that?” she cried.

  “You have a lot of guys saying that to you?” he asked, eyebrows raised.

  Shaking her head, she panted. “Movies. Books.”

  Pleased with her response, he continued to pleasure her. Almost inaudibly, she added, “Not like that in real life.”

  “So, you’re saying I can’t get you to orgasm by simply asking you to?” he teased.

  Shaking her head from side to side, she leaned back with her eyes closed.

  “Then I guess I’ll just have to make you.” Joey laughed. It was amazing how virile she made him, his sweet little cupcake. No one had ever stirred his blood more. This was probably one of those things he should tell her. “I’ve never desired anyone like I do you,” he murmured while his hands worked to free his cock. Once his shorts had dropped to the floor, he stood to step out of them, then pulled his shirt off over his head and removed his boxer briefs.

  In his absence, her eyes popped open. When she saw what he was doing, her lids fell some until she managed to achieve this unintentional, yet incredibly seductive look. That was half her charm. Nothing about Marti was contrived. She didn’t practice or plot. She was simply herself. It was more than enough.

  “You see what you do to me?” He took her hand and encouraged her to wrap it around his shaft. “Feel how hot I am for you? Only you. Always just for you.”

  Her breathing slowed. Sitting up, she leaned forward, clearly thinking to take him in her mouth like she had the other night. Such an act would finish him off. He couldn’t allow it. Instead, he moved from her grasp, scooped her up and carried her into the bathroom. Once in front of the vanity and the big wall length mirror, he set her on her feet.

  “Let me show you how I see you,” he whispered in her ear. “Keep those eyes open.”

  Marti nodded, but he knew he’d have to watch her. It was always her inclination to close her eyes and soak in the moment. This time, he didn’t want her to miss a minute. It was half the experience.

  “Making love is about so much more than feeling,” he explained. Standing behind her, he kissed his way down the back of her neck. Standing up once more, he laid his hands on her shoulders. While they were in the elevator, he’d had the sudden urge to do what he was finally about to do. Now he was glad he had waited. This was so much better. Ensuring her eyes were watching, he slid his hands forward until his fingers started to slip beneath the elastic bodice.

  Bit by bit, they crept lower until he had teased past the nipples and was cupping each breast. “You are so beautiful,” Joey assured her. “Those wildly expressive eyes. Those small full lips. Amazing cheekbones, which beg to be kissed.” He grazed one with his lips as if to offer proof. “That’s just the outside stuff. Inside, you are drop-dead gorgeous. You are the brightest light I have ever known. So powerful, and yet you use that power for good.”

  His hands forced her bodice down to expose her ample breasts. “Perfect. The most beautiful peach areolas I’ve ever seen. Those nipples, so hard, such tasty little nubs. I could lick and suck and tease them for hours. Let me show you.” Moving so he could squat down in front of her, he taunted one side, rubbing it between his finger and thumb. The other, he licked, and sucked until it disappeared within the depths of his mouth.

  Whimpering, Marti managed
to speak. “You’re killing me.”

  Laughing, he whispered, “What a wonderful way to go.”

  After lifting the dress over her head, she was finally as exposed as he was. “Look at us. Look how we melt into each other.” Joey stood behind her and wrapped his arms around her. Then he nudged her legs apart slightly, bent her enough to run his right hand over her buttocks, follow it around until he found her warm wet entrance. With little effort, he positioned his erection and slid right in. “Perfect fit,” he murmured in her ear. Gazing at her in the mirror, he was pleased to see her eyes were wide open. Her lips parted slightly with desire. Slowly, he moved his hips, thrusting deep inside and pulling back out, gradually creating the friction they needed. When he was comfortable with the pace he set, he moved his hand around to the front and played with her clitoris, watching as her eyes struggled to stay open. He could feel her quivering at his touch. Somehow, he found more words. “I want to feel your skin against mine every night. I want to wake up with you every morning.” His pace increased. His need was great. Quite frankly, he was surprised she hadn’t climaxed already. Maybe he had lost his touch.