by R. E. Laurel
“Ha ha.” They boarded his private jet and on their way.
“We have a fourteen-hour flight ahead of us,” Victor said with a sigh as they sat on the couch.
“Fourteen hours? Wow. Want to make love?”
He smiled at the bluntness returning.
“Or, maybe some heavy petting,” she hinted, sliding closer to him to press a seductive kiss against his lips.
She felt him urging her against the back of the couch. His hand lay at the base of her neck his kiss deepening. His hand went to her hair, gliding through the soft tresses. Her arm wrapped around his neck holding him near. Easing back, he looked into her eyes.
“I wish you could see how you look at me when I touch you. When I kiss you. The taste of your lips makes me high wanting more. You are such a gem to me.” He fervently stated. Her finger caressed his lips as he spoke.
“You take my breath away just by how you look at me. I miss you when we’re not together. Vic, take me here, now,” she lustfully demanded, reaching down to undo his jeans. She felt his hands at the waistband of her leggings easily sliding one leg out. The urgency was there between both. Their hands anxiously tugged at one another’s clothing demanding, wanting intimacy. Covering her body with his he guides her to lay back. “Oh yes,” she purred feeling him push aside her panties and fully enter her. “Oh shit yes,” she repeated. “I can’t seem to get enough of you.”
Victor gazed into her eyes and saw the love deepening, softening each time she looked at him. He couldn’t get enough of her either, of being with her. He never believed he could fall for any woman but here he is. He’d do anything, go anywhere for her. She could be sometimes unpredictable and had a quirky side to her but she entered his life and instantly walked away with his heart. Soon, her cry of pleasure filled the cabin as once again he put his mark on her, hopefully, his mark deeper in her heart.
They remained on the couch savoring this moment until her giggle broke the feeling, then she spoke. “I just realized that I made it into the mile high club.”
“You’re not kidding. Wow.” He muttered, giving her a quick kiss as he moved away to rearrange his clothes and watched as she slowly did hers.
“I’ve been too excited to go to bed this evening. With a fourteen hour flight, I think we should.”
“I have a lot planned for us once we land..”
“Where,” she interrupted.
“Someplace.”
Heaving an exasperated sigh, Maren went to the bedroom with Victor behind her. She changed into her red flannel pajamas with the black Scottie dogs and Victor stripped down to his boxers and settled in bed. Assuming the usual position, Maren curled on her side with Victor behind with his arm draped over her hip.
But sleep didn’t come as quickly for him. Victor lay awake listening to her soft breathing. He had a lot on his mind that forbid him to fall to sleep. This lady he held against him came to mean a lot to him. The feelings he felt for her were immediate and he had to slowly get her to accept how she felt for him but now he knew how she felt. The many I love you’s that were spoken, the many days and nights just being together and the times, those wildly sexy intimate times made him realize that he wanted to spend the rest of his life with her.
“I’m so in love with you and each time we’re together it keeps getting better,” he whispered as sleep finally claimed him.
It seemed that as soon as Victor fell asleep he would wake up. Finally, he sat up to rest against the headboard while turning on the television. Scanning the programs he opted for a Lethal Weapon movie, hoping it would help him to fall asleep.
***
“Vic? Vic the pilot said we’re ready to land soon.” Maren said, giving him little shakes.
Still having his eyes closed he muttered, “All right. I’m up.” Taking a deep breath, his eyes fluttered open to find Maren already dressed in jeans and sweater as she sat next to him on the edge of the bed. “What time is it?”
“Close to four in the afternoon, I think. These time changes are confusing.”
“I had a hard time falling asleep so I watched some television and watched you sleep. I maybe dozed off and on a few times.” He stretched his arms out and quickly grabbed her down with him. Her squeal of alarm quickly changed into laughter. He just as quickly got up to get dressed. She reclined on her elbows watching the socks go on then his jeans, sweater, and boots.
“Let’s get in our seats to land.” Reaching out, she put her hand in his to be pulled from her position and lead to the cabin.
“I glanced out the window and I couldn’t tell where we are. Can you tell me yet?” She hopefully pleaded.
“Gorgeous, it’s a surprise. I’m not telling you again. Christ, you’re worse than a child at Christmas.”
She sidled closer to him, placing her arm across the front of his chest and leaned in to press a kiss on his cheek before sliding onto his neck. He let her nuzzle away when finally he stated.
“I’m onto you. It will not work.”
She sat up, playfully slapping his chest. “Shit.”
“I’m guessing we should be in our hotel room in an hour or so. Get a shower and change for a New Year’s Eve party.”
“Party?”
“They go all out. We’re going to The Artic Fox Inn near Anchorage.”
“As in Alaska?”
“Yes. After we change, we can catch supper at the Steakhouse or a wine bar. Then go to The Hotel Captain Cook or go to the Crystal Ball at the Center.”
“That sounds like fun.”
“We’ll have a private car with us all evening to take us wherever you choose.”
“Honestly, I have no idea what is here. I’ll just follow wherever you lead.”
“They even have a fireworks show. So I’m figuring once we get changed we’ll hit the town.”
An hour and a half later they were delivered to the lobby of their Inn and were taken to the top floor apartment. Maren rushed to the sliding doors leading to an outside balcony and took in the mountain view in the twilight. Turning, she faced the open kitchen combination living room where a dark brown soft leather couch sat facing a large window where you could sit inside and look at the view. The oak hardwood floors were throughout. Following the corridor, she found a huge bathroom and the bedroom with a Queen size bed filled with pillows.
“I love it! This is perfect.” She rushed to Victor who was looking around and wrapped her arms around his waist to give him a bear hug.“Let’s get changed.” She disappeared into the bathroom carrying her overnight luggage as he followed placing the remainder of their luggage on the bed.
He went to the other bathroom to shower and then get dressed in a black three-piece suit, white shirt the top buttons were undone. Going to the kitchen, he was pleased that he thought ahead to have the refrigerator stocked with a few items of food. Removing a piece of cheese he turned as Maren appeared from the bedroom.
“Whoa, wow. Look at you!” Victor was taken totally by surprise when Maren emerged wearing a short dress of red satin loosely touching her feminine curves on the front. The back dipped daringly low above her buttocks displaying the delicate line of her spine. The top was buttoned at the nape of her neck and then was clasped. She wore her hair pulled back in a tail also tied with a red ribbon, the ends of her hair were beautifully curled in deep waves brushing her shoulder blades.
Dropping the piece of cheese, he gently grasped her hands to hold out at her sides. The front of the dress had a gently scooped neckline and he didn’t miss that she wore the necklace and earring set he bought. Down to her feet, she wore black patent leather heels.
“Words escape me,” he declared still in awe.
“Let me tell you that I feel like I have nothing on. This material is so soft.”
“Are you wearing anything beneath?”
“Me to know, you to find out.”
“Gladly,” he growled leaning in to brush his lips on hers as he proceeded in dipping her backward.
“Vict
or!” she squealed, gripping onto his shoulders. His kiss instantly silenced any further protests. She felt herself being stood upright. “We have a party to go to.”
“And more,” he added, receiving a conspiratorial glare at him. “Let’s go.”
They ate steak and fish and salads. Victor had wine brought to them. After the waiter opened and then poured the contents into crystal stem glasses, Victor held his in the air towards her. Instantly she lifted her glass.
“To the best thing, that walked into my life. I can’t get over how lucky I was, I am to have met you, fought with you, learned from you. I’ll never take you for granted. My drop dead gorgeous Maren. I love you with all of my heart.” They touched their glasses together, then. “What’s that look for?”
Maren’s lower lip slightly protruded and then quivered from those sweet words he spoke to her. “Oh, Victor. If only you knew what you mean to me.”
“I think I know. Take a sip of the wine,” he interrupted before they put the glass to their lips then he leaned into her to brush a kiss on her lips. Then he stood, holding his hand out. “Come on, let’s dance.”
She let him lead her to a dance floor, twirling her a few times before taking her firmly into his arms. They gazed long into one another’s eyes moving slow with the music. His hand lightly rubbed up and down the bareness of her back before sliding lower onto her hip and then her back. Maren looked into his eyes noticing a certain softness enter. He dipped his head to press his lips onto hers, pulling slightly away only to cover her again, longer, as the fire began to ignite.
The next song was faster and she moved from his embrace getting into the beat, dancing tiny circles around him, laughing as she tenderly ran her fingers across his back, touching a finger on his chin as he finally began moving. They danced that way between going back to take drinks of their wine. Victor sat down watching the show of Maren dancing by herself on the edge of the crowd.
Victor glanced at his watch and realized they missed the fireworks a good three hours ago. Deciding to get her from the dance floor, he stood to dance one last time before going back to their room. He was feeling tired from the travel, surely she would be slowing down soon.
He held her in his arms slowly moving as she finally began to slow. Her cheek lay on his chest, hand in his her other dangled over his shoulder. She felt the heat of his hand at her back, slowly sliding around and feeling no sewn in bra. He snickered.
“Are you happy?” He asked her.
“Very much. Are you?”
“Very much. Are you ready to go back to the room?”
“I am.”
On the way back to the Inn, she laid her head on his shoulder, eyes closed. Sitting still finally brought her body to slow motion and caused her to fall asleep. Though it would only be for ten minutes, she fell. Victor held her left hand, his thumb rubbing her ring finger. A lot had been on his mind the past few days but he knew it was right.
She woke when the car stopped. “Here already?”
“It wasn’t far. Come on.” He urged. She had her eyes closed but he saw those aurora borealis lights dancing in the sky. He grinned, loving the fact they were in front of the building, semi blocking the sky. They entered their apartment. He noticed she was about to remove her coat.
“Leave on your coat. Come with me,” he quickly ordered, walking to the balcony door to open. He watched her waiting on her reaction which didn’t take long since this top apartment offered quite a view of the mountain range and the dark sky which was at this time putting on quite a show.
The sky was black with stars flickering and then colors of blues, pinks, greens, and yellows so vibrant sway about in the sky, dancing their age-old dance. They were so bright and so beautiful, moving slowly then undulate in dancing ripples only to sway, disappear and return with another performance. Victor watched her eyes, watching the colors shine in them. She was spellbound as she took it all in. He was happy he did this for her.
“Oh, Victor. Aren’t they beautiful? It takes my breath away.” She declared, clutching her coat closer around her as the winds picked up.
“Gorgeous. Maren. You have done something to me. I have a good idea what it is.” He began, pausing when she finally tore her gaze away from the heavens to look at his face. “The way you look laugh kiss cry move when you walk. Dance. You make me feel alive. You know that corny saying, you complete me?” he wondered.
“Oh yes. I hate that saying.”
“Well, I get it.”
“Huh?”
“I understand what it means. I’ve gone through life dating this one, that one, traveling here and there often with best friends but until I met you after you immediately caught my attention. Then talked and dated. When I wasn’t near you or didn’t speak I didn’t fill anything. When we’re together, I feel complete.”
His tone of voice caused her to remain silent.
“You have changed me. I don’t know how you did it but you did. I thank God he gave me you because I believed in only me. Only out for me. You have opened my eyes to so much more than what I can get out of life but now it’s what I can give to others to change their lives. I need you so much. You’re my angel.”
Stunned, Maren watched as he reached into his pocket and removed a box. “Shit,” she whispered when he dropped down on his one knee. He gently held her left hand in his as he looked up into her face filled with shock.
“I’ve never been this close to anyone else. You make loving so easy. Make loving you so easy. Maren, what I’m trying to say is that I, your dad gave me his permission and blessings.” He paused at her shocked look. “Would you marry me? I want you with me forever. Would you want to be with a man like me for the rest of your life?”
Maren watched him open the box to display a 4 karat large oval diamond with smaller diamonds down the band. French cut pattern encased the larger stone and it was set in rose gold.
Victor studied her face as she covered her opened mouth with her fingers of her right hand. She stared at the ring then at him then back at the ring. Then there is was, her lower lip protruded and quivered.
“Not the face, gorgeous.” He softly insisted, then.
“Isn’t very big, is it?” She asked as his eyebrows rose at her words. Then a scowl creased his brow. “I’m kidding. When I’m nervous I joke. You really asked daddy?”
“I did. He was shocked.”
“That’s why mom was bawling yesterday. Oh, Victor. Yes, I’ll marry you.”
He grasped her hand, noticing how bad she shook while he slipped the ring onto her finger. He pulled her hand to him as he placed a long kiss on the ring. Standing he pressed his lips to hers in a kiss telling her he meant everything he said.
“Shit, I need to take a photo and send to mom, Belinda. Oh, I just love you so much!” She held her hand out to admire the ring. She looked at him and saw the adoration on his face and love in his eyes. With a naughty grin, she then grasped his shirt to tug him inside and show him. “But first.”
He followed, his hand going to her buttocks. “You never let me down. No underwear either,” he growled, turning off the lights.
