Bared Souls

by Ellie Wade

  “You can try any of the flavors, too, so you know what you want to buy.”

  “Really? Ooh, this could get dangerous.” I laugh.

  Peering into the glass case where the fudge is displayed, I read the labels. There must be at least thirty different kinds. I don’t know where to start.

  Leo gets an employee’s attention. Her warm smile complements the bright pink-and-white striped apron that she’s wearing. “Can I please try the butter pecan, chocolate, chocolate caramel sea salt, and chocolate cherry? And then she’d like to try the chocolate mint, chocolate peanut butter, chocolate pecan, and peanut butter chocolate chip.”

  The lady chuckles. “Do you just want to try them all?”

  “Yes, please,” I say. “I promise we’ll buy a bunch. You can freeze it, right?”

  “No problem. Yes, you can freeze it, and it lasts for a long time.”

  “Thank you!”

  She starts to cut little chunks out of each fudge and places them on top of the glass display case.

  “Let’s do the plain chocolate first because it’s the original,” I say to Leo.

  “Sounds like a plan.”

  I drop a square of the fudge into my mouth and groan. The fudge melts against my tongue, and the flavors are so rich and delicious. It’s truly incredible.

  “Right?” Leo nods, his lips tilting up in amusement. “I knew you’d love it here.”

  “I don’t think anything can top that. It’s so good.”

  “Try the next one. They’re all so good.”

  I taste the turtle fudge with caramel and pecans, and as Leo said, I can’t pick which I love more. We continue taste-testing until my stomach can’t take any more, and we end up walking away with boxes of a dozen flavors.

  Leo holds our sweet treasures as I window-shop. It feels good to walk after consuming so much sugar. The main part of town isn’t that big, and then we pass a small harbor. Towering up on a hill overlooking the water is an old fort.

  “Can we tour there tomorrow? I love old forts and buildings with history.”

  “Sure,” Leo replies.

  We turn around and walk through town and up to the hotel. When we’re back in our room, I see three large white boxes lying on the bed.

  “What are these?” I ask.

  “They’re for you.”

  “Should I open them?” I look to Leo.

  “Yes.” He grins.

  I pull up the lid to the first box. Inside is a black cocktail dress and matching heels. There’s a smaller box with a silver bracelet and earrings. A complete ensemble. “What is all this?”

  “Well, there is a dress code for the dining room, and you said you didn’t own anything fancy, so I had some options sent here for you.”

  “You had formalwear and accessories sent to an island on the same day you requested it? How?” I laugh.

  “I have connections.” He shrugs with a smirk.

  “You are unbelievable. Thank you.” I open the other two boxes, each one complete with a cocktail dress, heels, and jewelry. “I feel like a princess.” I run my fingers along the fabric of the black dress.

  “You should always feel special, baby, because you are.”

  Stepping toward Leo, I circle my arms around his body. “Thank you,” I say again. “I love you so much and not because of all you buy me and do for me, but because I love you. You know that, right?”

  “Of course I do.” He places a finger beneath my chin, tilting it up until our eyes meet. “I do things for you because it makes me happy, and because I can, and because you deserve it. Yet I know if I were penniless and lived out of my car, you’d love me just the same.”

  “I would.” I stand up on my tiptoes and press my lips to his. “Should we get ready for dinner?”

  “I think so. Which dress are you going to go with tonight?” he asks.

  “The black one.”

  “Good choice.”

  I pick up the box and make my way to the bathroom, thrilled to get dressed up and go to a fancy dinner.

  I spend extra time on my hair and makeup. The dress is beautiful, elegant, and sexy, all at the same time. My long hair falls in waves down my back, and as I take in my reflection in the full-length mirror, I seem so much older. For being a jean shorts and T-shirt kind of girl, I do clean up nice.

  I exit the bathroom. Leo’s back is to me, and he’s looking out the large window toward the water. He’s sporting a black suit, looking like a GQ model. He really is so gorgeous.

  Upon hearing me, he turns from the window. “Holy shit.” His expression darkens, his eyes hungry.

  “I hope that’s a good thing,” I say with a chuckle.

  He steps toward me, his stare heating my skin. “You are the most gorgeous woman in the world, Alma.”

  “Thank you, but you need to stop looking at me like that. We have to go,” I echo his words from earlier, knowing full well that he’d undress me right now if he could.

  He stands before me and runs his finger down my cheek, so lightly that I can barely feel it but it sends tingles shooting down my body. He swallows and presses his lips together. There’s something in his deep blue eyes that I can’t make out.

  “What is it?” I ask.

  “I just love you so fucking much,” he utters, emotion thick in his voice. “I … I want to give you something. I had another plan, but I can’t wait.” He steps back and quickly retrieves a white box, a little larger than a shoebox, with a pink satin bow from his suitcase.

  He comes back to me and says, “I made you something. When I was … away for those months, they encouraged us to learn a new skill to keep our hands and minds busy, you know? So, I took up woodworking and made you this.” He gives me the box.

  “Ahh.” I smile up to him and pull the pink ribbon. When I lift off the lid, I see a wooden jewelry box inside. There’s a quote carved into the top.

  you are burned into my soul forever.

  I run my finger across the words as tears well up in my eyes.

  “Do you remember?” Leo asks.

  “Yeah, the fortune cookie from the night we first made love.” I press my lips together, trying to keep the tears at bay. “It’s beautiful.”

  “I feel like that fortune was written for us. You’re the only person in my life that I’ve had this deep of a connection with. It’s indescribable.”

  Leo takes the gift from me and sets it on the table. He opens it and removes a small box. Dropping to one knee before me and opening the lid, he reveals a diamond ring.

  My hands go to my mouth as I gasp.

  “My entire life has been spent searching for love, acceptance, and a sense of wholeness. Then, I find you, and you’re everything. You bring so much goodness to my world. I get this feeling when we’re together, and I have from the very first moment I saw you in that restaurant. It’s like I can finally breathe when you’re near. Almost like I’m not fully myself until I’m with you. Without you, my soul’s ripped wide open—bare, vulnerable, and hurting. I’m incomplete and empty. Your soul restores mine, threading through the gaps until we’re one, protected by love. I feel that our love is once in a lifetime, and I want to promise you forever. Whether we get married tomorrow or in ten years, you’re it for me. I want to wake up every day, knowing that you’re mine and I’m yours for always. Alma, my soul, will you marry me?”

  Tears wet my face, and my heart beats forcefully within my chest. I inhale deeply, catching my breath. It’s fast and a little scary, but everything Leo said is true. He’s my person. He’s the one, and part of me—despite everything we’ve been through—has always known that.

  “Yes,” I choke out. “Yes, I will.”

  Leo gifts me with the biggest, most stunning smile I’ve ever seen, and in this moment, I’m a hundred percent certain that this is right. He slides the large diamond on my ring finger. The band is exquisite. Platinum vines thread around my finger, ending in an incredible design that cradles the diamond, as if it were a flower. It’s whimsica
l, unique, and amazing.

  “It’s perfect,” I say through my tears.

  Leo stands, and as if he can’t wait another minute, he crashes his lips against mine. Our lips move against one another, and our tongues dance in a tango created just for us. My fingers slide into his short hair, pulling him closer. He wraps me in his arms, holding me against him.

  “Room service later?” he whispers against my lips.

  “Sounds good.” I reach for the button of his pants as he unzips the back of my dress.

  We make quick work of removing all articles of clothing and climb into bed. Leo hovers above, encasing me between his muscled arms. His length rubs along my entrance, and he looks to me in question.

  He was tested for all STDs during rehab, and as for pregnancy, there’s no more need for condoms.

  His fingers thread through mine above my head, and I nod, granting him permission. He slides into me, and we both release a cry into the lust-filled space. He drops his forehead to my shoulder, breathing heavily as he starts to move. Having him inside of me with nothing between us is intoxicating, and I never want it any other way. And now that he’s officially my forever, I never will.

  FORTY-FIVE

  Alma

  If my life were a movie, the three years following my engagement to Leo would be a series of short video clips played to a romantic song, highlighting our amazing time together. These images would show a fairy-tale life, the kind that only happens in romance movies.

  Upon returning from Mackinac Island with stunning bling on my hand, I officially moved in with Leo. I kept my scholarship-allotted dorm room each year, just in case, though I never needed it. The practical side of me knew to maintain that safety net. I’d worked too hard to potentially find myself homeless.

  Leo finished his business degree the year following our engagement, and two years later, I completed my teaching degree with magna cum laude honors.

  We remained close with Amos, Quinn, Ethan, and Ollie and hosted dinners and game nights often. Neither of us felt the need to attend college parties anymore. Truth be told, it was never my style, and now that Quinn had a house full of girls to party with, I didn’t feel bad about my stay-at-home life. Leo avoided the parties for obvious reasons. He said that they only ever served one function for him—to escape and forget—but now that he was with me, he didn’t want to do either.

  We volunteered often, helping in the community frequently. I tutored kids, and Leo took in every opportunity to help others where he could, trying to find his passion in life. We both agreed that working for his father and brother wasn’t the right or healthy path.

  We visit my parents a couple times every year—when they can be pinned down. I can’t say everything is great between us. I’ve come to realize that they’ll never change, and our relationship will always be what it is. But I still try and show up for our uncomfortable get-togethers. They are my parents, and I love them. In their own way, they care for me too.

  Leo’s family dynamic has remained the same. We visit once a year around Christmas—not on the actual day, but close to it. I told Leo I wouldn’t have the holiday ruined every year out of obligation. Cat, sometimes accompanied by Stephen or Leo’s mom, visits every few months, and we’ll go out for dinner and catch up. She’s definitely the glue that keeps the family connected.

  When we aren’t volunteering or in school, we travel. Leo wants to show me the world, and I want to see it.

  FORTY-SIX

  Leo

  I tap the tassels of Alma’s graduation cap that’s hanging from the headboard. Memories of her walking into the bedroom last night, wearing nothing but the cap, have me immediately hard again. She’s the sexiest woman I’ve ever seen, and she’s naked in my bed—our bed.

  Leaning toward her, I kiss her bare shoulder. She smiles and releases a sleepy groan as my hand traces down her abdomen, stopping when I’ve reached my destination. I insert two fingers into her, and her pelvis rises from the bed to meet my hand. Pulling my fingers out, I rub them against her clit and apply pressure in slow strokes.

  “Leo,” she breathes.

  “Morning, baby.”

  My hand increases speed as my fingers alternate between rubbing her sensitive ball of nerves and fingering the hell out of her. Her breaths deepen as she squirms and moans against the bed. I’m so hard, it’s painful.

  Bending down, I take her peaked nipple into my mouth and suck.

  “Oh, Leo,” she cries as her hips buck from the bed and her body starts to tremble.

  Watching her come undone is my all-time favorite pastime.

  My tongue flicks her nipple, and I kneel between her legs. Holding her knees back against the bed so she’s wide open and ready, I enter her slowly, watching every inch of me slide into her. The visual is better than anything I’ve seen in my life. I grunt, primal and fierce, while Alma whimpers at the pleasure, a satisfied hum escaping her lips, and then I pound into her.

  Hard.

  Fast.

  So fucking good.

  “Leo. Yes,” Alma yells, clawing at my forearms.

  Her eyes roll back, and her chest arches from the bed. She loves this position, her legs spread wide. My thrusts are deep and punishing, bringing her an intense and brutal pleasure.

  “Leo.” My name is a strangled scream coming from her mouth, and I know she’s about to explode.

  I drive into her harder, chasing my own release, and when she breaks and cries out, I empty inside of her before falling to her chest, slick with sweat.

  “Oh, babe.” She skims the tips of her fingers down my back. “That was an incredible wake-up call.”

  “You liked it?” I kiss her collarbone.

  “Mmhmm,” she hums, sated and happy.

  “I wanted to warm you up.” I roll off to her side and prop my head up on my hand.

  “For what?”

  “I have an idea.” I cup her breast in my hand, twisting her nipple between my finger and thumb. I have a difficult time keeping my hands off of her. I want to touch and please her all day long.

  “What’s that?” She leans forward and plants her lips against my jaw before licking down my neck.

  “Let’s fly to Hawaii and get married this week, on the beach, just you and me.” I rub my hand up from her breast to her neck and then cup her face. “I want you to be my wife.”

  She kisses the tip of my thumb against her lips. “I want that too. Let’s do it.”

  “Really?” I ask, mildly shocked that she didn’t take more convincing.

  “Yeah.” She chuckles. “I graduated, which I’d wanted to accomplish before marriage, but now, I’m ready. I don’t need a fancy wedding. I only need you.”

  “How did I get so lucky?” I kiss her.

  She extends a hand to find my length firm and ready. She strokes me a couple of times, and our kiss deepens. I roll back onto her and enter her again. This time, it’s slow and sensual. Our mouths never separate as we make love.

  She’s worn my ring for three years, and finally, this week, I get to add the wedding band that I had designed to lock in with the engagement ring. I can’t wait to slide it onto her finger and make her truly mine forever.

  It’s a perfect day for a wedding, as most days in Hawaii are. I rented a house with a private beach. An officiant and photographer are here. The former because we needed one and the latter because Alma’s only request was that our wedding be photographed. She wants the memory of this day in print.

  I haven’t seen her since our marathon shower sex this morning. Nothing turns Alma on more than being a bride. After we made love under the spray of the shower until my lips were sore and my body was spent, she left to get ready for the wedding.

  Now, I’m standing here, on the pristine sand, in a gray suit. Wind blows lightly across the beach. The palms of the trees sway in a rhythm at my back, creating their own island wedding march, accompanied by the splashing of the waves and the calls of the tropical birds.

  I see her foot fi
rst as she steps out of the line of palm trees and into view. Tears well in my eyes, and my chest aches. I bite the inside of my lip, holding in my emotion. She’s wearing a simple dress, white and almost sheer. It hugs her chest and waist and then flows in the breeze behind her. There’s a slit up one side, and her leg peeks through with every step. Her deep brown hair cascades in waves down over her bare shoulders and back. The bright sun makes her natural auburn highlights shine. She wears minimal makeup, as always, just a small amount to highlight her already-gorgeous features. Her tan skin looks utterly delectable against the white dress and beach backdrop.

  Tears shine in her enchanting brown eyes as she nears. She holds a simple bouquet of pink and white lilies, and I swear she looks like a princess, a perfect and pure angel, and I’m the lucky son of a bitch who gets to marry her.

  The wedding officiant gets to the important parts—simple vows and I dos. I told her I didn’t want any fluff. Just the basics. Alma knows every part of my soul, as I do hers. We don’t need poems and scriptures of love from a stranger on our wedding to tell us about commitment. We live our love story every day. It’s one of forgiveness and hope and a love that transcends pain, a love that heals and gives life.

  The minister says the words I’ve been waiting to hear, “You may now kiss the bride.”

  I take Alma Harding, my wife, into my arms and kiss her with every promise I have.

  “How do you feel?” I ask against her lips.

  “Amazing,” she whispers against my mouth. Pulling my face closer to hers, she presses her forehead against mine.

  “I love you more than anything in this world,” I tell her.

  “And I love you the same,” she answers.

  We sign the marriage documents and take some more photos. Then, the two party crashers leave, and it’s just me and my wife.

  I thread my fingers through hers. “Let’s go for a walk.”

  “I figured you’d want to get me out of this dress as soon as possible,” she teases.

  “Oh, I do, but you in that dress is the best foreplay there is. I want to watch you wear it for a little while longer.”