Not So Easily Broken

by Annalisa Simon

  “But I don’t have one to give to you!”

  Without saying a word Ramon reached into the box and suddenly grinning he asked,

  “Do you recognize this?” and showed her his ring.

  Immediately Courtney remembered the ring he was showing to her. It was the same one that she had asked Ramon to try on at the mall. Again, she could not believe that Ramon had been planning this for so long.

  “Yes I do, but I think that I am only just beginning to really recognize you, “she replied her voice trailing off in wonder at the man who stood before her.

  They completed the ceremony after their union was blessed again and they took several photos with their guests. As they did servers came out with hors d’oeuvres and everyone ate talked, laughed and congratulated the happy couple. At one point in the festivities, Courtney noticed that her friend Natasha Nicholls and her husband Marcus gave each other a hard look and spent most of the night apart on opposite sides of the tent. For a few seconds she wondered if everything between them was okay. She did not have time to reflect on it too deeply because at that point Ramon took her hand and led her down to the end of the boardwalk and onto the waiting catamaran. Again she was amazed by how much attention and detail was paid to the decor with the floral vines of tiger lilies and roses encircling the boat. She took off her heels to climb in and as she did everyone chanted, “Throw the bouquet!” “Throw the bouquet!”

  Laughing and just to humour everyone she turned around to face Ramon and threw the bouquet backwards not looking at who caught it on the boardwalk. Instead she dropped her shoes and walked straight into the arms of Ramon, amid all the catcalls and well wishes. As they drew back from each other Ramon asked her if she was ready and she nodded. He signalled to the Captain and they cast off to sea.

  “Ramon, where are we going?” asked Courtney.

  “It’s a surprise, and I don’t want you to worry about anything!” replied Ramon. “Let me take care of you, you can trust me.”

  As they sailed along the west coast of Derrien Island, Courtney admired the lights from the many restaurants and resorts that held many of the prime beachfront locations along the coastline. This night was pure magic and Courtney did not ever want it to end. As she sat with his arms wrapped protectively around her, the catamaran eventually left the deeper waters and went in to the shallows in front of a large elegant hotel. The captain then proceeded to take the catamaran as close to the beach as possible before mooring it in the sands. One of the exciting features of a catamaran is its ability to navigate safely in extremely shallow water and the captain did an excellent job navigating his craft. As they stood up together, Ramon took her hand to keep her steady as the boat rocked gently on the waves. Suddenly, he scooped her up in his arms and walked down the ramp that the captain had lowered into the shallow calf-deep water and onto the beach.

  “Welcome to the Derrien Island Hilton, Mrs. Belham,” said Ramon before lowering his head, capturing her mouth and tenderly kissing her lips. Being here with her like this meant so much more now when he realized what could have been lost today. He would tell her all about it tomorrow, but right now all he wanted to do was to make passionate love to this woman standing in front of him, with her golden eyes and honey coloured skin now beckoning invitingly to him in the moonlight. Again he picked her up and walked across the beach with both of them laughing at the squishing sounds coming from Ramon’s shoes. In his excitement he had completely forgotten to take them off when he got off the catamaran. Courtney mimicked the sound of his shoes as they continued to laugh at his efforts to get off the sand and onto the walkway. It was so refreshing that they had something to laugh about after their harrowing experiences that day.

  As per his request he wanted their arrival to be private and without any fanfare and it was so. They walked in through the restaurant walkway and as he passed under the arch he saw Darius Brogan sitting at the bar. Acknowledging that he kept his promise to oversee the rest of the plan was carried out, he and Ramon gave each other a discreet nod.

  Upon reaching the lobby, they took the elevator to the tenth floor and all the while Courtney was simply stunned by the beauty of the hotel. This was her first time seeing it in person and it lived up to its reputation as the new five star luxury choice on Derrien Island. By the time the elevator reached the tenth floor they got off and walked half kissing, half stumbling to the door of their room, somehow unable to keep their hands of each other. Finally disengaging his mouth to make sure they were at the right room, Ramon used his passkey and opened the door.

  “Mrs. Belham, allow me the honour of taking you over the threshold,” said Ramon smiling broadly. Nothing could have prepared Courtney for what she would see when she entered and although Ramon had planned and envisioned this, the reality was even more incredible to him as well. The room was lined in lit candles in gold and red glass orbs, so the room had a sensuous glow. Music was already playing in the background and the floor was again spread with rose petals.

  “Ramon”, gasped Courtney as he put her down and they both surveyed the room.

  Courtney turned and touching his cheek said “Ramon, I love you. I will never forget this.” She then tiptoed and kissed her incredibly amazing husband with as much ardour as she could muster. As she did the flame of desire that had been ignited in her earlier expanded and incredible sensations of heat flooded her body from the inside out. She did not want to be conservative Courtney tonight or on any other night in their future. Instead, tonight she would let Ramon truly have all of her, the woman she knew always resided inside that she never let come to the surface.

  “Come,” said Ramon as he took her both of her hands in his. Walking backward for a few steps, Courtney watched as the colour of Ramon’s irises darkened two shades as his eyes held hers. For some reason she felt as giddy as a newlywed on her first honeymoon. He led her through the garden of petals and lights and as they turned the corner she saw a large ornate double French door hung with white chiffon curtains on the other side of the glass. Ramon opened the doors before her and she saw that the bedroom also had several candles in the golden and red orbs and the giant four-poster king sized bed dominating the centre of the room was also covered in rose petals. They walked in and stood beside the huge bed, each sharing the others thoughts, each wanting the other with a hunger that began to rise like an uncontrollable blaze. They both knew that as they looked at each other silently it would be mere seconds before everything in the room would be literally scorched by the heat emanating from their bodies.

  Feeling even more bold and wanting to show Ramon how deeply she loved and trusted him, she decided that she would do something she had always dreamt of doing but never had the courage to do. A slow striptease.

  “Wait, Ramon”, she said.

  Seeing his quizzical expression she gently placed both of her hands on his chest and gently pushed him so that he sat on the bed.

  “Tonight I am going to open up to you, not just my body but my whole heart,” said Courtney softly.

  In the candlelight and shadows, Courtney’s eyes simply glowed and he knew she had no idea just how powerful an effect she had on him, just by looking at him. Ramon felt as though with the words she spoke that someone took a match a set his blood on fire. Heat roared through his body and it took all of his resolve not to interrupt his wife and pull her down onto the bed with him and unite their bodies in a torrid rush. He knew since this morning that she was making steps toward opening up to him so he forced himself to control his breathing and let her do what she needed to do.

  Looking into her eyes he saw smouldering desire and with it deep love. She ran her hands along his chest and pushed his jacket slowly off his shoulders and Ramon helped her by wiggling his arms out of it. Her fragrance as she leaned over him was intoxicating and he just wanted to softly caress her beautiful and now partially exposed breasts and to taste her all over. But he waited. Slowly, she opened up the buttons on his shirt and opened them so that his neck and che
st were exposed to her view. At the sight of Ramon’s well muscled chest she ran her fingers around the curvature of his well defined pectorals and was rewarded by his shudder and the deepening of his breathing.

  “Courtney, I think you should know that I want you right now,” warned Ramon.

  “I want you too, but I need to do this for you and for me,” pleaded Courtney.

  Ramon closed his eyes for what seemed to be an eternity as he tried to steady his breathing and when he opened them, Courtney stood before him unzipping her dress. As she finished, she slipped the white dress from her shoulders slowly and let it fall to the floor forming a pool around her feet.

  In the candlelight her honey coloured skin simply glowed and Ramon ached all over just to touch her, to kiss her and to love her. She reached around her back and unhooked the white strapless bra that held her full breasts in place and as she did she let it fall to the floor, never taking her eyes from Ramón’s’.

  From her view it was impossible for her not to see the degree of his arousal, as he sat reclining on the bed watching every move she made all the while with his breathing becoming more quick and shallow. Knowing she was torturing him she moved quickly to remove the final barrier that would separate her from him. As she stepped out of the white G-string satin panties, she said,

  “Ramon, I love you and I want you to know that there is no longer anything between us, not in my heart and not in my mind. I choose to let go of my past. Will you take me as I am?” she asked

  Ramon needing no further invitation stood and looked at the vision of perfection standing before him. Courtney, though a passionate lover had never given him her mind, body and soul fully. He knew that this was her gift, and he knew it was a gift she would give to him alone, a gift he would treasure.

  Quickly removing the rest of his clothing and leaving them in a heap beside the bed he took Courtney by the hand and laid her on the bed beside him. Slowly, tenderly he caressed her body with his fingertips and tongue, taking the time to enjoy her sweet flavour and the soft suppleness of her skin. He ran his hand over every inch of her body as if he were playing music on a harp and it drove Courtney almost mad with longing for his possession of her body as she released her voice like music to his ears. Then covering her body with his own, he hungrily claimed her mouth and began to devour her with such abandon that they both felt as though lava itself was flowing through their veins. With every stroke of his tongue as he swirled and sucked and tasted his wife, he felt Courtney’s body arch against him and he could smell the heat of her arousal. Reaching between them he felt how hot, wet and ready she was for him. Her fragrance filled his nostrils and he knew that he needed to answer the question she asked him after she removed her clothes.

  Holding her hips in his hands and raising her up slightly from the bed, he entered her slowly, embedding himself deeply within the folds she offered to him as she released a cry of pleasure that caused every cell in his body to vibrate with need.

  “Courtney, I take all of you and give you all of me,” said Ramon raggedly.

  Completely surrounded by her softness, he paused letting them both enjoy the sensations of their joined bodies. Claiming her lips, he then began to slowly thrust into her heated core and she raised her hips to meet him and accept him hungrily each time. Slowly, they made love, their undulating bodies flowing together in a rhythmic ancient dance of passion, that created a score all of their own.

  Courtney, sensing the heat and electricity flowing from the juncture of her thighs up and across her entire body, knew that she was close to release. Ramon seeing her flushed expression and hearing the rapid sound of the moans leaving her lips he knew he could not hold back his release any longer either. Closing his eyes, he surrendered and together in the midst of almost intolerable pleasure they reached the glorious peak together both exploding in a shattering moment of ecstasy that caused them to hold each other tightly and be carried on waves of delight that felt as though their bodies were ascending through the roof of the hotel. As Courtney heard herself cry out and tremble with unabashed abandon, she also heard Ramon guttural groan and his shuddering release and she felt for the first time, the warm flow of his seed filling her.

  It was then that she realized that she did not insist on them using any protection as she always did since they got married. Somehow the thought of having his child no longer scared her to death. Feeling peace rush over her body, she held Ramon’s head in her hand and brought his mouth down to hers as she kissed him as the new love, openness and desire she felt for him flooded her soul. This was more than a defining moment, it was the start of what she hoped would be a new life and slowly she surrendered to the sleep that claimed both her and Ramon.

  Chapter 9

  It was now morning and Ramon sat across the room quietly watching his bride sleep, her form gently illuminated in the light that streamed in between the cracks of the curtains that covered the floor to ceiling windows. Last night had been so incredible that he was still wondering if he had only imagined it. Not only did Courtney marry him again but she had given him her whole heart this time around. Besides the ardent words she spoke, he knew that she was now completely his because she had not asked him to use protection. For the first time since they got married and began making love, Courtney had allowed him to truly feel her and to release his seed inside of her body. She could get pregnant! Just the thought of them starting a family thrilled Ramon in ways that he had not imagined were possible. As he rode on the waves of elation flooding his body, he recalled that he had always wanted a family but knowing Courtney’s background he was willing to forego starting a one until he knew that she was comfortable with the idea as well. He had been up early despite the fact that after they made love the first time, they awoke in the wee hours of the morning and the same passion engulfed them a second time.

  As Courtney stirred under the thick comforter, Ramon got up from the chair on which he was seated and sat on the edge of the bed beside her. As her eyes fluttered open, she looked disoriented for a few seconds as her unfamiliar surroundings came into view, before they settled on Ramon’s face. As she fixed her gaze on him, she smiled and sat up slowly so that she could hug him and lie against his chest. Wearing no clothes, because frankly she had none that she knew of as yet, she made no effort to hide her full breasts from his view. As he held her, enjoying the warm smoothness of her skin against his bare chest, he knew that at some point that day, they would have to talk about yesterday’s events and what happened with Marsha, because it would soon become a court case. Despite knowing that he still did not want to start the day with such an unpleasant topic. As he held her, he heard her voice and felt her warm breath against his chest.

  “Good morning,”

  “Good morning Courtney, did you sleep well?” responded Ramon as he stroked her back with his hands.

  “Yes, I did actually. My body aches all over but I feel amazing!” she purred as she arched her back and stretched against her husband.

  Ramon laughed at her confession, and pulled her even closer as she snuggled even closer to his chest. For a few moments they both remained like that until Courtney’s voice broke the silence.

  “Ramon, yesterday a woman called me at the studio claiming to be your mistress and had some photos delivered showing you and a woman named Alicia, having an affair.” started Courtney.

  Holding her away from his chest slightly, Ramon wanted to explain, but Courtney held up her hand asking him to wait.

  “In a way, I am glad it happened because it caused me to finally resolve my issues with trusting you. I was confused and hurt, but as Constance got me to think rationally I knew that I could not doubt you. The very idea that you would openly do that to me on a business trip, knowing how hard we have worked at rebuilding our relationship, was ludicrous! I must say though that the Photoshop work was excellent but they missed one detail.”

  As she paused, Ramon was surprised to see the smile that radiated from her face before she said, “C
onstance.”

  Ramon’s eyes widened as he listened to Courtney’s startling tale, “Constance?” echoed Ramon.

  “Yes, Constance, she was at the event the photos described and was standing in the background of one of the photos. Once she saw herself she was able to point out the rest of the deception to me with ease.”

  Growing serious again, Courtney continued,

  “Although that was the case and I am convinced that the way everything unfolded was a miracle, I did not like the idea that I could doubt you so easily especially when you have tried to show me again and again how much you love me. Ramon, I know you weren’t there at the time but I am sorry that I doubted you even for a second.” She said as tears slid out of her eyes.

  “Sssh darling, no, you were presented with evidence of the worst kind and you did what any normal person would do, he said. “What I am glad about is that it was resolved quickly.” Pausing briefly before he continued Ramon decided that since she had opened up the discussion, he would bring everything out in the open as well.

  “Courtney, I have to tell you my side of that awful mess too,” said Ramon haltingly.

  Wiping her eyes on the comforter, she listened to what Ramon had to say about his secretary Marsha and her diabolical plan to entrap him at the hotel and to have her way with him while he was drugged. She listened as he described the capture of Robert Delisle and how Marsha implicated herself through actions in room 307 that lead to her arrest.

  The horror that he saw in his wife’s eyes mirrored exactly what he felt in his heart the very moment he had discovered Marsha’s plans. Courtney did not say anything for a few minutes, only shaking her head as if she could actually see all that had taken place. Ramon patiently waited for her to respond searching her eyes for some clue about how she felt about yet another secretary being the source of problems for their marriage. He braced himself for the worst while still hoping for the best. But when she did speak the accusation he expected was replaced by heartfelt compassion.