“I could go on all night and into tomorrow morning easy.”
“Well gee,” she faked a grimace, “that’s gonna make it pretty hard for me to give you this yes you’re after.”
“This is me shutting up.”
“And this is me telling you yes. I’ll marry you. I love you.”
“Still?”
“Always. I’m crazy for you.” She reciprocated his words as he pulled her onto his lap. “It’s probably not a smart thing for me to be telling you that there’s quite possibly nothing you could do that would change that.”
“It’s a smart thing,” he grazed his nose along her jaw. “Besides, you're liable to shoot me if I step out of line.”
Persephone closed her eyes and cringed. “Am I gonna have to endure these shooting jokes forever?”
“Quite possibly. Kiss me.”
She obliged happily and felt positively radiant when he let her up for air. “Will I have to endure such treatment forever?”
“Definitely.” He said while easing his ring onto her finger.
She kissed him then with all the desperation and hunger that love roused. Happiness shimmered like a living thing throughout her body. The emotion was conjured by thoughts of how blessed she was; despite her faults, to have this potently bold man waiting for her-wanting her twice in a lifetime.
“Mmm...this is such a great restaurant,” she said when he released her for air that time, “too bad it doesn’t have a hotel.”
“Goddess…” he shook his
head, while patting the side of her thigh, “always underestimating
me. I can do way better than a hotel.”
~~~
Hill lived up to his boast. Persephone was undoubtedly curious when he instructed the waiter to have champagne and strawberries delivered in a few hours. She was certain he meant for the delivery to go to Caiphus’ and SyBilla’s; floored when he drove them deeper into the vineyard where the road forked off into a maze dotted with numbered signs.
He took a road leading to ‘Number 5’. Persephone watched wide-eyed as a small cottage, complete with a puffing chimney, came into view in the midst of the wooden environment. Gaping, she studied him and got a matter-of-fact shrug in return.
Hill shut down the truck and left to escort Persephone from the passenger area. “What?” He’d lifted her off the seat and was holding her high and snug against his chest. “We’ve gotta consummate the engagement, right?”
She laughed. “It’s the marriage that has to be consummated.”
He jerked her closer, pressing his forehead to hers. “I like to be thorough,” he was kissing her before she could laugh again.
“Besides,” he was saying then as his long strides carried them to the door of the rainwashed stone construction. “It’s been years since I’ve had you all alone.”
Persephone gave an amused, surprised gasp and realized he was right. Since their return to one another’s lives-one another’s arms-they’d been well within range of their family and friends.
“What’ll you do with me now that I’m here at your mercy?” She asked.
He put his forehead to hers again. “Telling
you won’t do it justice.”
CHAPTER
THIRTY-ONE
The brilliant fire was a welcomed treat against the cool night. Persephone was grateful for it, as freeing her of the confining gown was first on Hill’s list. It fell with a whisper around the toothpick heels of the stunning sandals that showcased her pedicure and adored her shapely calves with the wraparound straps that could be glimpsed when the gown parted as she walked.
Hill didn’t see the need to remove those when she stood before him in nothing more than the satiny strapless cream bra and matching panties. As though he were, for just a moment, overwhelmed he rested his forehead to her shoulder and inhaled as though he were coming off the end of a long race and was thankful for the reprieve.
Persephone rested her cheek against his head as they stood there for a time. Hill absorbed her scent while she stroked his ebony hair.
She smiled, adoring the sensation of his mouth feathering her collarbone when he began to move. Another rush of cool air hit her skin when he released her from the bra and skimmed her hips to curve into the waistband of her panties.
Persephone made an honest attempt at pushing Hill from the jacket he wore over the olive green shirt that was unbuttoned at the collar and hanging outside the trousers that matched his casual jacket. It was a half-hearted attempt she made at undressing him. She was quickly overcome from the pleasure stoked by his fingers when her panties glided down to bunch at her feet while he plundered her sex already slick with her need.
“Hill-” her voice wavered on his name.
“Shh...wait for me…” he breathed against her skin as he went to his knees before her.
“Are you serious?” she moaned when he’d taken a knee before her to drape one of her legs across his shoulder.
Cupping her upper thigh, he held her open for his exploration. His free hand coursed the lengthy beauty of the leg that was stationary at his chest and he secured her by cradling one taut cheek of her derriere.
Persephone was by then quivering from head to toe. Her pulse quickened to dangerous levels before his mouth even touched her where she most wanted him to.
“Wait for me, Sef,” he urged her once more softly. Her name silenced on his tongue as he sheathed the organ inside her body.
She was grateful to be held for she’d started to go limp then. Her walls contracted instantly, securing his tongue in her erotic cavern of darkness and moisture. His tongue was secure, but not immobile and began a slow rotation tempered by seeking thrusts that sent Persephone to the toes of her seductive sandals.
Thrusting with a hungrier drive then, Hill took the time to ply her with his standard caution. “Wait for me…”
She replied by slamming a weak fist to his shoulder. “Hurry up then,” she demanded.
He chuckled and then used his tongue to bathe her with one long lick from her belly to the underside of one plump breast. Then, he was squeezing her ass in his hands while spreading her to ply her with another lazy drag from his tongue.
