I tenderly caress his face with the back of my hand. How can I leave this handsome man behind? I can’t lose everything I’ve built with him, but at the same time, I don’t have a choice. In three months, I’m going back home to France. Thousands of miles away and across an entire ocean.
So I’d better make the most of our time together. Pulling away for a moment, I manage to slither out of the olive green dress and stand before him in nothing but the tiniest g-string, my big breasts bouncing.
“I said I’d let you do anything to me tonight,” I say in a throaty purr, “and I meant it.”
My lover’s eyes go from blue to almost black with desire.
“Then come here, pretty girl, because I’m gonna take you up on that offer.”
And with a sigh and a gasp, I give myself up to this man again – body, heart, and soul. He ravishes me like a knight plundering an innocent virgin. His lips touch every inch of my body, leaving trails of ecstasy and blazing paths of desire. And like a conquering hero, my man spurts into me non-stop, filling me with that hot, virile seed. Yet even as I cry out his name, my heart cries internally because I love Christopher Jones … but how much longer do we have together?
Chapter Thirteen
Marie
I paint my lips with my favorite bright red lipstick. It matches the hip-hugging little red dress I plan on wearing this evening on my first date with Chris. Jenny is away this weekend, so we finally have a moment to ourselves. I‘m excited about the time we’ll be spending alone, but I can’t help but feel like the world is coming to an end. This is my last weekend here in the city that never sleeps. In less than a week, I’ll be back in France, far away from my significant other. My smile dissipates, vanishing into thin air.
This is supposed to be a joyous moment. I finally get to go on a date alone with Chris in public, just like I’ve always wanted. I should be twirling in the mirror as I fantasize about the wonderful evening we’re about to have, but I can’t help but think about what’s going to happen when I hop on that plane in a couple of days. What if I never see Chris again? I’ll die. Mon Dieu. And what will my parents think? They didn’t send me to America to fall in love with my host, and they would absolutely flip if they found out I’ve been secretly dating my American guardian. Merde. What am I going to do?
But I can’t think about all of that right now because I don’t want to ruin the evening before it’s even begun. Carefully, I apply mascara to my lashes, struggling to keep my hand from trembling. Our six months together may be up, but they’ve been the best six months of my life. In that short amount of time, I’ve fallen deeper in love than I ever imagined was possible. My candy apple red smile returns tentatively, and I decide to twirl before the mirror just for the hell of it.
I slip into my bright red dress, my breasts heaving with anticipation. I hope it’s not too much for our first official “date” together, but at the same time, excitement is beginning to suffuse my form. When Jenny mentioned she planned on going away to a photography retreat for the weekend, it took everything in me not to scream and shout with joy. Because if Jenny’s gone, then Chris and I can finally be a normal couple instead of sneaking around like we have been for the last six months. Well, there’s still the random chance that we could run into someone from Bradford, but at least Manhattan is a big city. Hopefully, we’re going to some tucked-away place that no one knows about.
I lightly spray myself with my favorite perfume from France. Chris loves this scent; it drives him absolutely crazy. He says it’s the sweetest aroma ever, and I giggle whenever he comes close to nuzzle at my neck. I can’t wait until he sniffs me tonight, and ever the naughty girl, I spray a few puffs between my breasts and then between my thighs. My man will be tasting me down there for sure later tonight, and a shiver runs down my spine. Suddenly, a light knock at my door startles me a bit.
“Just a moment!” I throw on my favorite pair of stilettos before adjusting my dress and opening the door. Chris stands on the other side, dressed in a suit perfectly tailored for his body. He got all done up just for me, which makes me melt. I can’t stop smiling at how handsome he looks, and it seems he feels the same.
“My God, you look absolutely stunning,” my lover growls before pulling me close. As always, he inhales the sweet fragrance at my neck, which is so intimate. He steps back and admires me again. “How is it possible?”
“What?” I ask shyly.
“That you look beautiful in anything you wear.” I blush as he twirls me around. I can feel the magic beginning already, and suddenly, all of my fears vanish. In this moment, it doesn’t matter what will happen next. All that matters is the here and now, and right now, I’m getting ready to go on a date with the man that I love.
“You look handsome in your suit,” I compliment him while fixing his tie.
“I was hoping you would like it.” He kisses my forehead. Butterflies flutter in my stomach uncontrollably. It amazes me how he still makes me weak in the knees. I’ve felt puppy love before, but this is the real deal. This is the kind of love you only read about in books with princesses, where white knights swoop in to carry them off into the sunset. I was never the kind of girl who dreamed about a fairytale romance, but now I know why there are girls who spend their whole lives planning the perfect wedding. This man makes me want things I never really thought about having before; he makes me want the happily ever after.
“Where are we going tonight?” I ask softly, brushing imaginary lint from his broad shoulders.
“It’s a surprise,” he grins, showing off that gorgeous smile. Usually I don’t like surprises, but anything Chris has planned, I’m sure I’ll enjoy. He’s a huge romantic and is always thinking of ways to make me happy. At first, his gifts were alarming because I’d never had someone spend that much money on me before, but now I understand that Chris’ generosity is how he shows his affection. Each gift is special and represents a different facet of his love for me.
“I can’t wait.” His eyes twinkle as they stare into mine. Mon Dieu, this feeling is insane. It scares me to be this deeply in love with someone, but it’s a feeling I can’t run away from. Instead, I want to run towards him with my arms wide open, ready to embrace whatever may come our way.
He opens the passenger side car door for me. This is really happening! I’m being whisked away on a romantic date with my secret lover. It’s our first appearance in public together, and our first real date! I literally thought this day would never happen, and my heart melts.
Pretty soon, we’re whizzing through the Holland tunnel to New Jersey. I turn a questioning eyebrow toward my man, but he merely smiles and grasps my hand while he’s driving.
“You’ll love it,” he assures me. I settle back into the leather bucket seat, satisfied. His touch is comforting. Whatever he has planned will be tres romantique, I’m sure. Jazz music lightly hums from the car speakers as we ride through the tunnel, creating a tranquil atmosphere. Blissfully, I smile and close my eyes.
“Do you like jazz?” Chris asks. He must have noticed me drifting away to the melody.
“This is my first time listening to it, but so far I like it.”
My lover nods as the scenery goes by in a blur.
“It’s my favorite style of music. I used to go to concerts in Central Park, but I haven’t been able to find the time to make it to one in a while.” He taps his thumb on the steering wheel along to the beat. I wish I’d known how much he loves jazz because I could’ve planned a night out for us at a concert. He hums along with the horns, his baritone voice perfectly imitating the sound.
“What’s the name of this song?” I ask.
“‘My Funny Valentine.’ It’s one of my favorites,” he admits.
“It does sound nice,” I say shyly.
Chris shoots me a sideways grin. “What type of music do you listen to?” he asks. I feel kind of silly admitting the truth because his style of music is so sophisticated compared to mine.
“Um, I like pop an
d rock music,” I giggle a bit nervously.
“Just like Jenny,” he laughs. “Let me guess, you love Lady Gaga?”
“Is it that obvious?” I ask wryly.
“Most girls your age do. I’ll admit, I like a few of her songs too,” he says. “She’s talented in her own way.”
“Really?” I had no idea Chris was into the Top 40 hits.
“Yeah, Jenny got me into her music. I even took her to a concert last year at Madison Square Garden. I got us front row seats, and as you can imagine, Jenny was ecstatic,” he smiles, remembering his daughter’s excitement. “I thought the non-stop screaming teenage girls would drive me crazy, but I even found myself singing along to her greatest hits.” I actually find it kind of sexy that Chris can admit he has a secret love for bad music. And it makes me smile to think of this dark, magnetic man sticking out among a crowd of hormone-crazy teen fans.
We pull into a parking lot near the Hudson River. The moonlight glistens on the waves, and I feel myself becoming nostalgic again. Is this really going to be our one and only date? But I don’t want to ruin his mood with my somber state. I can’t let him see I’m feeling a bit down in the dumps.
Our waiter seats us at a small, intimate table with a view of the ocean. I listen as the waves crash in the distance. There’s a bit of enchantment in the air, the kind that makes you feel like you must be dreaming. He seizes my hand in one large, strong palm. “Marie, the last six months have been extraordinary. You’re the most amazing person I’ve ever met.”
“Thank you,” I whisper, losing myself in the blue of his eyes. The melancholy thoughts that were floating around in my head disappear. Every time the slightest bit of doubt rushes into my mind, he’s right there to fight away every uncertainty and bring me back to happiness.
“I’m so glad you came into my life,” Chris continues. “I never knew something was missing in my life until you came along. I never knew I needed you until I found you. You have no idea how much better my life has been,” he says in a slightly choked voice. I turn away as my eyes fill with tears. “What’s wrong?” he asks.
“Nothing,” I murmur as I try to retain my composure. But then I shoot him a tearful smile. “Tell me something funny about yourself,” I say with a half-sob, half-giggle. “Tell me something that makes Christopher Jones tremble.”
“What do you want to know?” he rasps, sensing my reluctance to dive into the hard questions.
“Anything. Like what’s your greatest fear?” The big male cocks his head to the side as he thinks. Sheesh! This man is gorgeous even when he’s not trying to be.
“Honestly, I’m terrified of roller coasters,” he confesses.
“Really?” I giggle, which keeps me from crying.
“Yeah, I know. It’s silly,” he laughs. “It’s that drop you feel in your stomach as the rollercoaster is plummeting down that always gets me. I’ve only been on a rollercoaster once in my life, but that feeling traumatized me. Never again,” he swears while sipping his wine.
I sniffle a little. “I love rollercoasters! The thrill of the wind in my hair as I zip through the air gives me such a rush. Almost like I’m flying. It’s one of my favorite feelings,” I say softly.
“You’re so brave,” he rumbles. “What’s your greatest fear, sweetheart?” That makes the knot in my throat come back. The truth is my greatest fear is having to live my life without him. It would be a life not worth living, but I can’t tell him that because it would totally kill the mood. I try to come up with something else instead. Something light and easy.
“Hmm,” I pretend to think. “Spiders,” I blurt out.
“Spiders?” he chuckles.
“Yeah,” I laugh again. “Is that hard to believe?”
“Kind of. You’re not afraid of racing through the air, but a tiny little bug terrifies you?”
I pout then. “They’re so creepy! Especially the big furry ones.”
“You’re bigger than they are. You can crush them,” he laughs.
“They’re still scary,” I giggle again. As usual, Chris is able to make me feel better. All of the heavy thoughts that were weighing me down have vanished.
“Well, I promise to protect you from any spiders,” he says sincerely. I know deep in my heart that he’ll protect me from anything, and that knowledge makes me go warm all over.
“Okay, it’s my turn to ask a question,” he growls.
“Okay, what do you want to know?” I tease.
“What’s your favorite movie of all time?”
“Hmm…” This one’s a no brainer for me. “Pretty Woman.”
“Really?” he asks, genuinely surprised. “That movie is a bit before your time, sweetheart. Do you even know who Richard Gere is? You know, the old guy with the gray hair?”
I giggle. “Yeah, but it’s the best! I love movies from the eighties and nineties. I kind of wish I’d grown up in that time period.”
Chris pulls a funny face. “Trust me, it wasn’t as glamorous as they make it seem in the movies,” he jokes.
“Aww, really? I was hoping life really was like every Molly Ringwald film.”
“Not exactly,” he laughs again.
“What’s your favorite movie?”
“A 1980s classic. The Shining.”
I gasp. “The scary Stephen King movie?”
“Yeah, I love horror movies. They’re my favorite.”
I clap a hand over my mouth. “I’m the biggest scaredy cat when it comes to horror films. I sleep with the light on for weeks after watching them, so I can’t believe you like that one. The spooky twin girls don’t give you nightmares?”
“Really, honey?” he chuckles. “It’s just actors pretending to be murderers and monsters, you know. They’re probably the nicest people in real life. In fact, those two girls are probably adults now.”
“Yeah, you’re right,” I say with a sweet smile. “I guess I never really thought of it like that.”
“Once you think of it that way, they’re not so scary anymore,” he comforts me. And my man is right. There he goes again, fighting my fears. He’s starting to become my favorite superhero.
“How do you do it?” I ask, cocking my head to the side curiously.
“Do what?”
“Make everything okay. It’s like a magical power you have.”
He smiles devilishly. “You bring it out of me, sweetheart. You make me into a better person.” Can that be true? Do I have that effect on him? A wide smile spreads across my face.
And with the light banter going on, the meal is over before I know it. Our conversation is so easy and comfortable that it’s like we’ve been married for fifty years already. I treasure this time together so much. Who knows if this will ever happen again?
The waiter places a fancy tiramisu between us. I’m a little stuffed from the ginger-garlic swordfish and roasted potatoes Chris recommended, but I saved a little room for the delightfully sweet pastry. We both grab our spoons and savor a bite.
“Mmmm,” I moan almost in ecstasy. “This is so good.”
A glint shows in those blue eyes.
“Now, don’t go having an orgasm,” he admonishes in a dark tone. “I want you to save those for me, sweetheart. Because all of your orgasms belong to me. Every single one.”
Flushing, I swallow. How does Chris always do this to me? What was nothing more than a bite of dessert has suddenly become a sensually sweet experience. He has the ability to keep me on my toes, my body throbbing even as I yearn for him with every cell of my being.
Honestly, I don’t want tonight to end. I’ll relive it over and over again in my mind, but that’s not enough. As Chris leaves the table to go to the bathroom, my fears about the future return, and questions begin swirling in my head. Why would the universe bring us together just to rip us apart? Deep in my heart, I know he’s my soulmate. He has to be. So this isn’t fair! I should be able to be with the man that I love without any restrictions on our relationship. Why does society look down o
n our liaison?
My eyes fill with tears again. I quickly dab them away with a napkin as Chris approaches the table. Hopefully, he doesn’t realize I’m on the verge of losing it again.
“Let's take a walk on the boardwalk,” he suggests in a low voice.
Silently, I get up and take his hand. We stroll along the boardwalk, lit dimly by glowing lights that hang overhead. The waves continue to roar, competing with the clamor of seagulls settling in for the night. The stars shine a bit brighter on this side of the George Washington Bridge, and I stare up at the sky, admiring the way they twinkle.
Our first date was even more magical than I expected, but I’m torn between my current happiness and my inevitable grief. I chase the negative thoughts away and force myself to bask in the joy I feel now. Sure, I’ll be back on a flight to France in less than a week, but I’m not going to let that ruin the few moments I have left with my lover.
A soft melody plays in the distance. He holds me in his arms as we sway to the rhythm. I rest my head on his shoulder and close my eyes as I lose myself in the moment. We dance together on the dimly lit boardwalk like no one's watching. Deep down, I hope someone is. I hope there’s a witness to our love. Someone who can sense the passion between us.
“I don’t want this night to end,” I murmur.
“Me neither,” he replies, swaying with me in his arms.
I look up at him. “Do you promise to love me forever? No matter what?”
I hate how my voice sounds pitiful, but so be it.
“Of course,” he growls without the slightest hesitation. “Nothing could ever change the way I feel about you, sweetheart.”
Pacified, I rest my head on his shoulder again. I’m not sure what the future holds. I’m not even sure if there will be a future for us. After all, time is running out, and there’s nothing either of us can do about it. C’est la vie. And unfortunately … those words break my heart.
Chapter Fourteen
Chris
A tight red dress hugs Marie’s curvaceous body. Her curls flow down her back, each lock stopping at her waist. I watch as she sways gently, putting me in a trance. She looks amazing tonight.
My Best Friend's Dad Page 10
