"Beautiful, so beautiful," he whispered, his expression of wonder still bathing her with passion. "Thank you… thank you… thank you."
Tears filled her eyes, tears of gratitude to experience this divine union. "This is so beautiful, Jack."
Her body moved in rhythmic answer to his inviting thrusts. It was a primal dance, earthy and sacred, and they were willing participants, yielding to, each other's movements.
The moon rose, basking the entwined lovers in iridescent white shadows. Time faded with the moment of merging, receding like the desert sun as Mairie and Jack released a passion kept too long under control. It was timeless and Mairie reveled as Jack threw back his head, filling the room with a primitive cry.
"Mairie…!"
Power filled her, a feminine power of mutual giving and receiving, and her mind, body, and soul took flight along with him… anywhere he was, she would follow.
And he took her to a height she had never known.
Paradise…
She felt Jack's entire body relax against hers as he rested his head on her shoulder. Their bodies rhythmically twingeing from climactic pleasure as they descended from their admission.
Mairie lovingly stroked Jack's hair as he caressed her sides and slid his hands behind her shoulders and held her closer. His body slowly and naturally withdrew from hers and they lay in silence, the beating of their hearts in unison the only sound filling their senses.
Mairie stroked his back with the lightest touch and softly whispered, "I love you, Jack."
He lifted his head and gazed at her. She sensed absolute adoration in his eyes as he slowly, tenderly kissed her lips. A kiss that defined she was cherished. She knew she had never been so loved before. It was as if he were the one she had been talking to all those years in the secret recesses of her heart. The one. The one she believed existed, but resigned herself to thinking was a myth, never to be found in this lifetime. But here he was, with her… now.
This was the confirmation for why she had traveled back in time. She went beyond reason to find love. And it was safe. Safe.
Love was safe!
He rose slowly from the bed. "Come with me, Mairie… I want to adore you completely." He took her by the hands. She stood before him on shaky legs and he embraced her once again. Laying her head against his chest, she felt the vibrations of his deep voice. "Come bathe with me. I shall anoint you with oils and perfumes."
He led her gracefully by hand to the bathroom. She followed willingly.
He filled the tub and she stood behind him, encircling his body with her arms, as they waited. Words were unnecessary. They were communicating now on another level that needed nothing beyond touch.
Steam filled the air as she lay with her back against his chest and hot water covered their bodies like a blanket. He was massaging her shoulders with the sponge and scented gel she had purchased for bathing. Their bodies slid together and she ran her hands down his legs, memorizing each muscle, each endearing mole or scar that made him unique.
Peace descended upon them, so tenderly sensuous, until they both could feel the exquisite tension building again, coming over them in a wave that couldn't be held back. Turning to him in the water, Mairie slid over his body and captured his mouth.
"I'm hungry," she whispered, stroking his damp hair off his forehead. She reached for the phone and ordered room service. "Wait till you taste a pizza," she said, after hanging up and slipping back into his embrace with a giggle.
"I'm hungry only for you."
Their mouths met in an intimate mating. The hunger in their bodies was forgotten as the hunger in their minds and senses demanded attention. The scent of the soap, the heat of the water, the slippery texture of skin were enhancements that banished all thoughts of food.
She smiled down to him before kissing him again. "I want you," she murmured into his mouth, as his hand slid over her back in a wet caress.
His lips touched hers and lifted into a smile. "You have me," he answered. "I think, dear lady, you always have…"
It was an insatiable passion.
"All these people! So many in one place!" He stood in the middle of McCarran airport and seemed frozen in awe. "Why, it's like a city itself."
Mairie giggled as she pulled on the sleeve of his sweater and pushed her sunglasses up the bridge of her nose. "Come on, Jack. We've got to find our gate." She led him through the throng of traveling passengers to the departing flight monitors. Her eyes scanned down the list. "Okay, there we are. Gate fourteen. Follow me, we have to pass through security now."
They stood in line and Mairie could sense Jack's tension as their turn arrived. "Just place the bag on the belt and then walk through the metal detector. It's okay, Jack, if you have any change in your pockets, put it in the dish they offer."
"Why? Do I have to pay them to go through?"
She smiled. "No, you'll get it back."
"Sir?" They both turned to the security agent.
She watched as Jack placed the new canvas bag they had purchased onto the belt. He took out his change and placed it into the dish and then took a deep breath before walking through the detector. Thank God they didn't have anything to declare, for Jack looked so unwary and suspicious that she saw they spent time examining the contents of their bag.
The security agent handed him back his change and Mairie walked through. Picking up the bag, she handed it to Jack and said, "Well done. Now all we have to do is check in at the gate and get our seat assignments. Then we're on our way."
Even wearing sunglasses, he looked pale and nauseated, she thought. And he hadn't yet gotten on the plane. She reassuringly threaded her arm through his as they walked past gates announcing departures and lines of arriving passengers who impatiently wove their way to baggage claim.
"You'll be fine, Jack. I promise. Look at all these people. They've just done it and they look fine."
"They don't look fine, Mairie. They look grim."
She giggled as she adjusted her ponytail out the back of the baseball cap she wore as part of her disguise. "That's only because some have to make connecting flights, and others just want to get home."
A short loud beep startled them, and Jack jumped to the side as a courtesy electric cart carried an elderly couple along the terminal. Mairie bit the inside of her cheek not to laugh. She figured if the situation were reversed, she wouldn't want some future being to think she was so amusing in her naïveté. But it wasn't easy.
"Come on, it's okay, Jack," she quietly said, once more taking his arm and leading him down the terminal. "Once you get on the plane you'll be fine. This… this is just the frantic processing of passengers. Look, we're almost there. Gate twelve. Two more."
She could feel his muscles under her fingers tense even more.
"I'm fine," he muttered. He didn't look it.
They walked in silence the rest of the way. When they arrived at their gate, there were passengers in line and they got in the short queue. Mairie opened her purse and took out the tickets.
Jack stood at her side as she handed the tickets across the counter and said, "We need our seat assignments, please."
The airline employee smiled back at her and glanced shyly at Jack. The woman studied their tickets and started typing on the computer. She looked up at them and asked, "May I see some identification, Mr. and Mrs. Delaney?"
It was the first time someone addressed her by her fake name, and she experienced a moment of surprise before she slid a plastic card across the formica counter top, along with a piece of paper, and held her breath. The young woman looked at Mairie's new Pennsylvania license and Jack's new birth certificate, then glanced up at Jack. "Do you have any photo identification, Mr. Delaney?"
Blinking at the airline attendant, Jack began to stutter. "Ahh—"
"His wallet was stolen while we were vacationing here in Las Vegas." Mairie broke in. "We're pretty upset. We could only get this copy of his birth certificate and had to have it FedExed to our hotel just so we cou
ld get back home. The authorities assured us this would be acceptable. Is there a problem?"
"Well, no, it's just that we're supposed to get a photo ID. But the birth certificate will be fine. I'm sorry you had such a bad experience here in Las Vegas." The attendant slid the paper back to Jack. "Have you any bags to check?"
"No, we only have the carry-on." Mairie breathed a silent sigh of relief and looked at Jack. She was glad she'd learned to think quickly on her feet. It was a sales thing.
"Very good. Would you like a window or aisle seat?"
Exhaling, Mairie smiled. "Window would be great. Do you have the emergency exit row available? My… my husband would love the added leg room."
The clerk smiled prettily at Jack and then glanced at her computer screen. "Let me see what I can do."
Within two minutes they were thanking the woman and walking away. They had done it! It was clear sailing now, Mairie thought as she followed Jack to the large window.
Looking out as the plane was prepared, Jack touched his fingers to the glass and whispered, "Tell me again that something this big will stay up in the air."
She slid her arm around his waist and leaned her head against his shoulder. "Oh, Jack… do you think I would ever let anything happen to you now? I'm your partner, remember? I've got your back… and you're safe."
He leaned down and kissed the top of her head. "I couldn't ask for a better partner, Mrs. Delaney."
She smiled and looked up at him. His eyes held an expression of love. Even though he hadn't said the words, Mairie knew he loved her. Nothing had ever felt this real, this true, in her life. She didn't care any longer about being his teacher. He would have lots of teachers now. She wanted to share his life, wherever they wound up.
"Hey, it worked, didn't it? No one questioned that we're married. Especially here, where there are wedding chapels on every corner. It could have happened."
"Yes," he whispered, looking back to the plane. "It could have."
Mairie was shocked to realize that she wished it were true. She was glad when they called out the boarding, though Jack once more became nervous. "All you have to do is follow me," she said, as they got in line and handed over their boarding passes.
In the jetway, Jack kept breathing heavily, as if preparing himself for battle, and Mairie wanted to hug him. Instead, she entwined her fingers through his and said, "This is like a portable bridge from the terminal to the plane. See? You can make out the side of the airplane now. We just step into it and find our seats. That's all there is to it, Jack."
"Right," he mumbled, as he cautiously ducked through the door hatch. "I'm going to fly."
She laughed. "No love, the plane's going to fly. You're going to sit back and enjoy it."
Jack rolled his eyes.
"Welcome," the lovely attendant said, with a bright smile for Jack.
"Thank you," he said, and bowed his head slightly.
Mairie tugged on his hand. Really… the way every female reacted to him was ridiculous, yet she wouldn't change a hair on his head. Especially his hair, she thought with a grin, as they walked through first class and entered the coach section.
Jack moved stiffly, following Mairie down the narrow aisle. He could feel his heart slamming into his ribs and his stomach muscles clenched in fear. His brain was telling him that it must be safe for all these many people to do it daily, yet his belly was shouting at him that people were meant to stay on the ground. He didn't care how Mairie described it. It didn't matter if the plane flew or he did… how could something this big stay in the air?
"Here we are," Mairie announced in her continually cheerful voice. She took the cloth satchel from his hand and deposited it in a small compartment over the seats. He knew she was trying to ease his fears, yet her blithe manner was beginning to grate on his already raw nerves. Of course he wouldn't tell her for fear of hurting her, and he'd vowed never to do that to this amazing woman. She was his gift.
After a life without, he knew how to treasure such a rare gift. Even if it meant following her onto this bizarre machine and entrusting his life to it. Mairie had assured him the parachute would work. It did. So, in a sense, he'd already flown. Okay, he was seating himself in a metal contraption and flying across the country.
"Now, these are the seat belts, Jack. We need to buckle up."
He held the gadget in his hands and placed them together as he had seen her do. Nothing happened, and the straps fell to his lap.
"No, here," she said, and reached over to slide the flat piece into the larger one.
He felt like a child. "Thank you," he answered, and looked out the small window. He could see the long expanse of white metal wing along with men who were working somewhere under the belly of the plane. Hearing thumps, he turned to Mairie and said, "What is that? What is happening?"
She shook her head and grinned. "They're just loading the luggage and cargo into the bottom of the plane. It's nothing, Jack. Relax."
"Hmm." He watched the other passengers take their seats. No one else seemed frightened, not even the children, who, he noticed, buckled their seat belts quite easily. Perhaps his nervousness was not necessary, he thought, and leaned his back against the cushion behind him. After all, if children could travel through the air without fear, he surely could.
He watched everything… the pretty women in uniform who walked up and down the aisle like train conductors, closing the compartments by the ceiling, talking to passengers, checking those seat belts. He showed his when the woman looked at him. Why did Mairie roll her gaze upward? Wasn't he supposed to show it?
He heard a male voice suddenly start speaking and looked around him in fright.
"It's the pilot," Mairie whispered and patted his arm. "Just listen."
He did. The man said they would be departing shortly, that they would be traveling at an altitude of thirty-one thousand feet and their traveling time would be five hours and forty-three minutes. The weather in Philadelphia was cool and clear and sixty-two degrees.
He leaned over and whispered to Mairie. "Surely, I didn't hear correctly. He said thirty-one thousand feet. In the air?"
She nodded. "That's right, Jack. We'll be above the clouds."
"But the planes we saw in the desert were not that high!" Nothing could fly above the clouds.
"Those were coming in for a landing. We're taking off…" She pointed her finger up and grinned. "Just relax. Everybody knows what they're doing."
"Everybody but me," he muttered and looked out the window as the plane started backing away from the gate. His stomach again began twisting.
The pretty woman in uniform stood in the aisle and demonstrated how to fasten the seat belts, adjust masks, and identify exits. He immediately picked up from the seat pocket in front of him a copy of the safety features she mentioned and started reading.
He wasn't pleased by what he read.
"All right, what is this about a water landing? Why would they say this unless a crash were possible? This seat is a flo-ta-tion device. Explain this, Mairie. And please be honest."
He could see she was struggling to answer him.
"Just tell me. Are these instructions in case we crash?"
"Oh, Jack. You above all should know there are no guarantees in life. The chance of that happening are so slim you shouldn't even worry about it. They just have to provide those cards in the event—"
"So it is not safe?"
The pilot's voice came back into the cabin. "We're next for takeoff, ladies and gentleman. Enjoy your flight and thank you for flying with us."
"Jack, please. You must try and relax. Everything is going to be fine." Mairie took the card from his hands and slid it back into the pocket and looked at him carefully. "Please, love. Relax."
Jack stared at her wide eyed, still pondering his instructions. "The lady says I may have to operate this door. Mairie, I don't know if—"
"Don't worry about the door, Jack. If it's necessary, I'll open it. But it won't be necessary." Mairie's
words faded as the engine's roar overwhelmed his hearing.
"Dear God," he moaned, as he braced himself against the reverberations.
"Those are the engines I was telling—" Mairie stopped herself short as she watched the look of absolute panic on Jack's face.
He stared straight ahead and gnashed his teeth as the engines' thrust propelled them forward. He was moving at a speed he had never encountered in his life. How does a human being travel like this and survive? His knuckles were turning white, gripping the chair arms as he felt the lift of the airplane's nose.
"Oh… shit," he groaned, when the sensation of gravity pushed him even deeper into his seat.
Although she had a concerned look on her face, Mairie seemed calm. "Jack? Honey, are you going to be all right? You look as though you're going to—"
"Fine… Mairie. I'm… fine." He forced the words beyond his clenched jaw.
She reached over to his rigid hand and began to massage it. With her arm atop his, she began to hum a song. Her voice was barely audible over the engine's blast. He didn't want to look out the window. It would be better to concentrate on Mairie's pretty voice, he thought. Music does soothe the savage breast. She must know that also.
"Thank you, Mairie," he said, still staring ahead.
"Jack, it will be fine. I promise. You jumped off a mountain using a parachute. Believe me, this is not so bad." Her smile was supposed to be reassuring.
"I've already thought that. It doesn't help."
Suddenly he heard a grinding noise from under the floor of the cabin and jolted in his seat. "What's that?"
She laughed. "It's the landing gear. The wheels are going up, that's all."
"That's all," he repeated, and glanced out the window. Everything seemed so far away, even the mountains. He was mesmerized, staring out to the desert. He could even see small towns scattered and those vehicles traveling on the roads. So tiny.
The plane banked and Jack gripped the arm of the chair again. It felt like the thing was falling. "Mairie … we're going to crash."
"We're turning, Jack. It's okay."
He let out his breath and felt a sweat break out over his body.
Anywhere You Are Page 27
