Chapter 14-The Greatest Wish
By: Amkp
Disclaimer: One last time. Not mine, hers. Never will be, damn! Thank God, for Fan Fiction!!
Author's note: This is my first attempt at writing smut. Yes, I'm a smut virgin….please be gentle!
RPOV
As I come awake from my nap, I do a quick scan of my surroundings, born of habit, then look to the woman still asleep in my arms. After a quick glance at my watch, I realize I need to get a few things in order before she wakes. Shifting slightly so that I can support her body, I ease from behind her and stand next to the lounger. She sleeps on.
Going to my office I make two calls, one to check in with Tank and the other to confirm our dinner reservations. After that business is done, I go upstairs to shower and get ready for the rest of the evening.
SPOV
I feel a tingle go up my spine that always alerts me that Carlos is near. I open my eyes to see him standing above me, gazing out at the ocean, lost in thought. He's not yet aware that I've opened my eyes, so I take moment to study him. There's many emotions going across his face, the 'blank' expression is nowhere to be found today; I couldn't be happier that he uses it less and less in my presence.
"Hey Batman, you've changed." I give a small chuckle as he's obviously startled by my voice. Score one for Steph, I've caught Mr. 'always be aware of your surroundings' completely unaware, if the little jump he gave is any indication. I let my eyes continue to do a slow perusal down his body, taking in the perfectly fitted suit that shows off his board shoulders and trim waist. This man is smokin' hot!
"Babe, everything's ready for you upstairs. You have about an hour before we need to leave." He reaches his hand down to me, giving me a gentle tug that pulls me up tight against his body. I feel a rush of heat starting at my chest and traveling straight down to my toes. I flick my eyes up to his as I rub myself shamelessly against him. His eyes darken to rich, warm chocolate and his arms tighten around me like steel bands.
"Babe," he growls. "We don't have near enough time to finish what you're trying to start. In fact, I'll probably have to carry you from the house when we leave on Sunday, because walking is definitely going to be a problem for you. Now go, before I forget the rest of the plan."
"Maybe I'd rather have my birthday wish granted now." I purr as I run my hands inside his suit coat, applying a little pressure to this situation.
"Steph, you're killing me here. Please let me finish the rest of my plans, ok?" Damn! The 'please' word, it gets me every time. That's what I get for applying pressure to the master of the game.
"Alright, you win. I'll go upstairs." He runs the back of his hand, feather soft, down the side of my face, then leans down to whisper just below my ear, "Thanks, Babe." The feel of his hot breath sends chills down my body. Damn, this man is good. He can make me dissolved into a puddle in three seconds flat!
But all joking aside, as I take myself upstairs I feel a tightness in my stomach. There's something I felt in Carlos' body language; something in his eyes, and his guard is obviously down. He almost seems nervous; I realize that I've never seen him in quite such a state. It was so slight, this 'thing' that was different, and not something a person who wasn't close to him would even notice. I just can't put my finger on what 'it' is.
As I step into the master bedroom, I find a beautiful gown with all the accessories lying on the bed. I pick up the dress to look at it more closely. Oh, my God! It's a Valentino!
I step to the mirror, holding the dress up against my body to study it. Several details about the dress are a given, considering Batman was buying. It's black, of course, and it has a plunging neck line, so no bra will be needed for this dress. I'm sure that was the whole idea when he picked it out. The back is practically non-existent. Thankfully, there's a piece of material that stretches across the top at the base of the neck that holds everything together, and will keep the dress from sliding down my shoulders.
The waist line will fit snugly; I'm hoping not too snugly, since we certainly don't want to see a roll of stomach fat. I did have birthday cake for breakfast, yeesh!, I hope it doesn't show! The length of the dress touches the floor, so adding the 4" FMPs that are at the foot of the bed will have the dress ending at my ankle.
There's a slit that travels from the hem of the dress nearly up to the Promise Land. Yikes! All in all though the dress is fabulous, and yet another surprise in this wonderful day. I'm overwhelmed by Carlos; he's really pulled out all the stops to make my birthday special. I'm not sure why I'm surprised, he always thinks of everything. But seriously, who'd have thought such a romantic and attentive man lived under the quiet armor of Carlos Manoso. It blows me away!
Rushing into the bathroom, I take a quick shower, then start the process of wrangling my hair into a style befitting the elegance of the dress. I use a light hand in the application of my make-up, just a little eye shadow and mascara. I dab my lips with a tinted gloss. After I walk through a cloud of perfume, I go back to the bed to put on the gown. I slip on the lacy black thong first and then step into the dress. Sliding my feet into the shoes, I bend down to buckle the straps around my ankles.
I walk over to the dressing room to do one final inspection in the full length mirror before I go find Carlos. Ok the dress is a perfect fit, no belly fat showing, thank God! And if I'm very careful when I sit, then Carlos will be the only person to see the promise land tonight! Ok, Stephanie, don't start thinking about that, there was only one set of panties lying out. We can't ruin this pair now! I give a little gasp when I realize my allotted hour is nearly up. I quickly throw my few cosmetics into the matching handbag, grab my wrap and head downstairs.
I find Carlos sitting on the pool deck, jacket off, staring out at the ocean. He notices my approach and quickly rises to his feet.
"Stephanie, you're absolutely breathtaking."
"Thank you. Most of the credit goes to the dress. It's incredible and a Valentino for crying out loud!"
Carlos shakes his head at my description, then pulls me against him and tucks his face into my neck. His body seems tight with tension as I wrap my arms around his waist. I pull back so that I can look into his eyes; my curiosity is killing me on what's bothering Batman.
"Is everything, ok? You seem, I don't know, sort of tense."
He takes a deep breath, and the tension eases a bit before he gives me a small smile. "I'm fine, Babe. Are you ready to go?"
"Sure."
We exit through the kitchen into the garage. There is a black Lamborghini in the first space, and several other vehicles parked in the bays next to it. Carlos takes me around to the passenger side. He opens the suicide door, helps me into the seat then closes the door. As he slides into the driver's seat he presses a button on the visor to open the garage door then fires the car up. It roars to life, causing an instant reaction in my doodah. Geez, these panties are doomed!
"Holy Shit, Batman! This is a Lamborghini!"
"Babe, I know." He nearly chuckles, I've amused him with my screeched exclamation. "Do you like it?"
"Like it? I love it!" It's sexy as hell, add the man behind the wheel, and it makes for a deadly combination. Stand back female population, he's all mine!
Carlos lets go of his suppressed chuckle, and I whip my head to the side to shoot him a look. He answers before I can ask. "Out loud, Babe." Right, how embarrassing, I ease back further into my seat and try to get a grip on my hormones before I respond back to him.
"Yeah, umm, anyway I think the Turbo just lost the top position on my list of your cars."
Within moments we're flying down the Oceanside highway heading south. After a short while, Carlos pulls up in front of a very posh looking restaurant named "Angelo's", where the valet is instantly opening my door. As Carlos walks around the back of the car, the valet greets him.
"Good Evening, Mr. Manoso."
"Michel, it's good to see you again."
"Angelo has your table ready. Please go right in, he's waiting for you at the desk. I'll just leave your car parked here in front." Michel says, all of this with a smile as he holds the door open for us.
As soon as we step into the foyer, a robust little man comes forward to greet us.
"Carlos, I was so happy to see you were joining us this evening. Who is this lovely lady?"
"Angelo, this is Stephanie Plum. Stephanie, this is Angelo. He's a long time friend, owner of this establishment and a client of Rangeman."
"Ms. Plum. It's my pleasure to finally meet you. Carlos has spoken of you often. It's so nice to put a face to the name; may I add you look amazing, a perfect complement to my friend here."
"Thank you, Angelo. Please call me Steph."
"Well, I hope you both came here hungry. The chef has prepared an excellent meal for you this evening. Let me take you to your table."
We're shown to an intimate table to the back of the room. The meal, wine and especially the dessert are so delicious that words simply fail to describe my enjoyment. Thank goodness that there isn't anyone sitting too close to us. My moans may have been a bit loud at times. This caused some obvious discomfort to the man dining with me, which I might have enjoyed as much as the meal. It's good to know that I have a such an effect on him. The sexual tension between us is pliable, but then it has been for a while, try like three years and the last two months have been sheer torture! My birthday wish can't be granted soon enough.
As soon as the dishes are cleared away and the bill settled, Carlos rises and helps me from my chair.
"Care to dance, Babe?" I nod my head in agreement as I realize this is the first time I've had the opportunity to dance with Carlos.
He leads us back through the dining area then into a lounge that has music playing softly, and a small wooden dance floor the centerpiece of the room. Carlos pulls me into his arms before moving us in a gentle rhythm. Of course, he's as skilled at dancing as he is in every other aspect of his life. It's a heady feeling to be dancing with such a strong, powerful partner. He leads us around the dance floor with hardly any effort, like he's barely thinking about it. It says something to the depth of feeling I have for Carlos, that I follow him without hesitation, and not just on the dance floor, but in our day to day life as well. Oh sure, sometimes I might put up a fight or try to change his mind on certain subjects, like 'protection' in the form of a Merry Man when I'm not with him. But, I know he truly has my best interests at heart, that he'll protect me even with his own life, and most of all that he loves me unconditionally, as no man ever has before.
We continue to dance for several songs before Carlos asks me if I'm ready to go. It's getting close to 10pm and I know he'll grant my birthday wish before midnight, so I'm all for getting this show on the road!
We arrive at the house in no time at all. Once there Carlos guides us out onto the pool deck and helps me into a seat. He bends down to remove my shoes before removing his own. Carlos slips his jacket off and removes his tie, throwing them on the lounger nearby. He grabs a blanket from the cabinet then reaches for my hand as we head down to the ocean.
We walk hand in hand for a long time down the beach in relative silence, just enjoying the sounds of the ocean and the feel of the sand beneath our feet. We're almost back to the house when I feel the tension return to the man at my side. I stop and turn to face him.
"Carlos, what's the matter? You feel tense again."
"Babe, can we sit for a while?"
"Of course."
He spreads the blanket out on the sand. I step onto it and fold my legs under me. Carlos drops to his knees next to me. I grab both of his hands in mine, looking deep into his eyes.
"Tell me. Please." The concern in my voice is evident as my mind races over the possibilities of what could be wrong. Oh, my God! He's leaving on another mission. Suddenly I feel panic rising up in my body.
"Steph. No. I'm not leaving."
I let go of the breath I wasn't even aware I was holding, it escapes in a large whoosh.
"Do you remember the envelope Henderson handed me when we left Bethesda?"
I give a nod remembering how curious I was at the time about it.
"Babe, that was my termination contract with the Black Ops. There'll be no more 'in the wind.' The only time I'll have to leave is for Rangeman business or to come here to see Julie. You can always come with me on those trips."
"Carlos, I can't tell you how relieved I am to hear that. I don't know how I would've lived through another mission. Ok, if that's not the problem then what is? Don't tell me nothing, I know you too well."
"You do know me well, Babe, probably better than anyone ever has. These past two months with you…they've been the happiest of my life. I'm really sorry I pushed you back to Morelli after our first night; I've wasted so much of our time. I knew then that I wanted an opportunity to make a life with you, but well….I don't know, I usually don't allow myself to do stupid things like that." He pauses, obviously reflecting on that night. I momentarily feel some of the pain that came with his words the morning after that incredible night of passion. I felt hurt, betrayed and certainly confused by his actions.
He continues, his voice low and steady. "I guess my only defense was that I was scared of what I was feeling, that I didn't know how best to act on it. I watched you and Morelli go through the motions of your unhealthy relationship and it tore me apart bit by bit, because in a small way I knew I was responsible. You were never really going to be his, I know that now, you've always been meant for me."
I see Carlos reach into his pocket withdrawal a small wrapped jewelry box, which he hands to me.
"This is your last birthday gift."
With shaking hands I unwrap the gift, stealing a glance at his face before I pop the lid open to the box. At the sight, I burst into tears. It's a beautiful heart shaped diamond engagement ring in a platinum setting. Then I hear the words I never let myself dream I'd ever hear from this man.
"Stephanie Michelle Plum, would you do me the honor of becoming my wife? Marry me and be mine forever."
Carlos looks at me; I'm trying to find my voice but I'm so overcome with emotion nothing is coming out. I can tell my silence is starting to bother him as he starts talking again. Who knew he had so much to say?
"Babe, I know this is a surprise and maybe a bit sudden by some standards. Since that day in the diner I knew you were going to be special to me, but now I want to pull you close to me as I fall asleep and wake with you in my arms everyday for the rest of my life." He squeezes our clasped hands tightly, emphasizing his feelings, giving power to his words.
"We don't have to rush into a wedding, hell we don't have to get married at all if you don't want to. Just live with me, share my life with me, and be mine. I don't care what label we put on it, just wear the ring. I'm yours from this day forward. If you want the formal words and the piece of paper, we can make that happen. I would love to call you my wife, but if you're not ready for that yet, I'll wait."
Finally, feeling of calm washes over me. I can't believe what I'm about to say with no fear or reservations. I know this is right; it's what I've been waiting for my whole life. I literally throw myself at this wonderful man, catching him completely off guard for the second time today. We crash back onto the sand, with him landing flat on his back and me sprawled on top of him.
"Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes…." I continue to say the word as I place kisses all over his face. He reaches up with his hands placing them on either side of my head to stop me and hold me still so he can look at me.
"Steph, really? Dios, you've just made me so happy. I was starting to get a little worried, you're never that quiet."
"So we're really going to do this? I can't believe this is happening! I'm going to marry Batman! Wait, will there be Batbabies?"
"Babe."
"No, I'm serious Carlos. Do you want more children?"
"I'm not opposed to more children, Babe. Just not right away, ok? I'd love to have some time with you before we start a family, that is if you even want to be a mother, it's up to you."'
"I can't believe I'm saying this, but I think I would like to be a mother…someday. I'm ok with waiting. I've been on birth control for so long that it'll take a while before we could even start to think about getting pregnant." I do an exaggerated eye roll. Listen to me, I'm babbling on like an idiot! "Geez," I say trying to cover up my embarrassment. "We haven't had sex in like two years and I'm already talking about babies."
"Don't worry, Babe, I plan on making up for lost time where the sex is involved. I wanted my ring on your finger before we went that far again. I didn't want any doubt in your mind regarding my commitment to you, that I won't be pushing you away again. This is forever."
Carlos reaches to take the box I still have clasped in my hand. He pulls the ring out, slides it onto my finger and places a kiss to the top of the ring before pulling back to look at me.
"I was drawn to this ring immediately when I entered the store, then the salesperson told me it was titled 'You're Mine' by the designer. I didn't look at anymore rings; I knew this was the one. Do you like it?"
"Carlos, it's perfect, I love it. I'd really like to 'show' you exactly how much….in that bed upstairs!" Ok, it's official, I've completely lost control of my hormones.
Apparently that's all it took for him too because Carlos quickly scoops me up in his arms, twirling us around in a circle as soon as he's fully standing. I laugh, I couldn't help it, it just bubbled out. Carlos began laughing too, the laughter rich and full, rumbling through his body and causing me to laugh harder. It felt good to be so happy!
He put me down lightly on my feet, grabbing my hand and the blanket, pulling me towards the house. When we reach the threshold Carlos sweeps me up into his arms bridal-style,
and I attempt to raise one eyebrow in question.
"Babe, I need to practice."
Carlos kicks the door closed with his foot and engages the security system before heading towards the stairs. I decide not to waste anymore time as I begin to unbutton his shirt slowly, tracing my finger along the exposed skin. Carlos sucks in a breath, nuzzles my neck and ascends the stairs.
When we reach the bedroom, he lays me onto the bed and settles down next to me, pulling me tight against his chest. He works his hands into my hair, slowly pulling the hairpins out and setting them on the bedside table. I close my eyes and enjoy the feeling of him freeing my hair from its restraint. When he completes that task, his hands travel down my back to drag down the zipper of the dress. He then slowly peels the dress away from my body, unwrapping me like a gift.
I finish unbuttoning his shirt, remove it from his chest and toss it to the floor. My hands travel slowly over his chest, learning, memorizing, exploring the feel of him. I tentatively lick at one of his nipples, and get a rush as it hardens instantly.
RPOV
Dios mio, the feel on her tongue on my chest nearly had me cumming in my pants. I have to take control of this or I'm never going to last. I flip Steph over to her back, pressing her into the bed with my body. Her breasts are beautiful as I lean down to suckle them, weighing them in my hands, pinching lightly on the nipples until they rise to attention. I continue to deliver kisses down her stomach, stopping briefly to tongue her bellybutton. Her breathing is becoming heavy and labored as I make my way down to top of her black panties. I want to taste her so bad, but I know that's going to have to wait until later; my self control does have limits. So instead I run my finger along the edge of the panties teasingly, then continue kissing my way down her leg.
I stand at the foot of the bed and quickly shed my pants, my eyes never leaving hers as I finish disrobing. Steph rises up to her knees in front of me before I can climb back onto the bed, grinning mischievously. She reaches out and wraps her hand around my cock, leaning forward and just taking the tip of my erection into her mouth. My world tilts, and I can barely remain standing. Dios! The sight of her lips wrapped around me is almost too much…it's a snapshot out of one of my many fantasies involving her. But right now, my need for her is so great, there's no way I'm going to last if she fullfills that fantasy.
It's torture to pull her mouth away from my cock as I reach down and bury my fingers in her curls, tipping her face up to look at me. Her blue eyes are shimmering pools, reflecting a fathomless depth of love.
"Steph. Babe. Please."
"What, Carlos? Don't you like what I'm doing?" Mischief leaps into her eyes again; she's enjoying her effect on my self control way too much.
"Babe, I told you once before, I may have the muscle but you have all the power. If you keep going 'down on' your current path, round one will be much too quickly."
She continues to stroke me as I push myself against her hand while reaching to caress and tease her breasts. Two can play this game. I bend down, delivering a deep plunging kiss to her mouth, our tongues dueling, then I withdrawal my tongue to suck on her bottom lip. Applying pressure to her upper body with my own, I tumble us back flat onto the bed. Thankfully, she releases her hold on my cock to run her hands up my back as she nips at my neck, my ear, oh Dios, my nipple.
I lightly drag my hands down her body, stopping when I reach her panties. They're soaking wet, and suddenly a primal instinct takes over. With both hands, I savagely rip them off her, tossing them to the floor, then lay myself down on top of her, stilling her for a moment. The feel of our naked bodies pressed together is driving me insane, and I want, no need to touch her everywhere with my hands. I roll to her right side, running my right hand down her body until I reach her mound. I trace a fingertip between her folds, giving her clit a flick as I continue down to find her wet, throbbing center. As I circle the area teasingly, my Babe starts to squirm, making incoherent, almost animalistic noises in her throat.
I plunge my finger inside her and she arches up off the bed, moaning in pleasure. The sight excites me further, if that's even possible. My own breath is becoming labored, my cock twitching in anticipating being inside her. Curling my finger slightly and finding her 'g-spot', she moans and grabs at my forearms, twisting and squirming. I add another finger and begin to move in and out, watching her face as a myriad of emotions fly across. She starts moving to match the pace my fingers are setting, urging me on faster, harder. I know what she wants all too well but I'm trying to prolong this first time as long as possible, so as I feel her getting close to her orgasm I pull out and travel back to her clit. She cries out instantly at the loss of my fingers inside her, but resumes her noises as I begin my assault to her clit, bringing her close again, then slowing, and finally stopping.
I position myself between her legs, balancing most of my weight on my knees. Her thighs are draped across mine, lifting her slightly off the bed as I ready myself for the moment I've been waiting for, for nearly two long and agonizing years.
Steph has her hands clenched around the sheets in tight fists, attempting to anchor herself to the bed. I reach out to untangle her hands, weaving my fingers between hers then stretching our arms out to rest above her head.
I enter her in one long, slow stroke, stilling a moment to savor the feeling as her body stretches to accommodate me. She's so warm and tight, the velvety softness of her wrapping around me like an embrace. Our eyes lock on one another and hold, speaking words neither of us can voice. I lean forward to rest my forehead against hers and our eyes shutter closed, letting our other senses take in the feeling of being joined intimately together. We are one.
I haven't been inside a woman without a barrier since Julie was conceived. This feeling is a homecoming like no other; it's so powerful, so right. I was glad when Steph said she was on the pill, so that we can feel everything between us, with no restrictions. She's the woman that was created just for me. She's my purpose in life; to love, honor, protect and cherish her. She completes me.
"Carlos, you feel….oh, God…..perfect."
I brush my lips down across her face, kissing randomly, before settling in the hollow at the base of her neck. I suck and bite at the pulse point as she resumes her squirming, wrapping her legs around my waist, pressing me deeper into her. We both gasp at the sensation, breathing slowly and steadily in an effort to keep control of our bodies.
Setting a slow rhythm, I begin the lover's dance. My impatient fiancée is having none of this as she clamps her hands on my hips, urging me to move faster, deeper. I can feel that she's close again; I'm only a few strokes away myself. There'll be plenty of time for the slow ride I want to take in her body later and I quicken the pace as she begins her chant.
"Yes…oh, God….yes…Carlos, please!"
My name, spoken in passion, is all it takes, and my control snaps like a twig. I reach down, wrapping one arm around her waist, securing her to me, holding her still; with my other hand I move down to her clit, grasping the bundle of nerves with my fingers. I begin to pound into her, rubbing her clit frantically as she begins to climax. Her inner walls clench around me, tightening on my cock like a vise until she screams out, her body spasming as she falls over the edge. I give one more deep penetrating stroke and plunge over the edge to join her, growling out her name as I empty myself inside of her.
I collapse into a heap on top of Steph, careful to keep most of my weight on my forearms so as not to crush her. We're both covered in a fine sheen of sweat, sated and exhausted. As I raise myself up with my forearms to look into her eyes and kiss her, I see the telltale tracks of tears coursing down her face. Concern and fear grip my body, causing me to still in alarm. Great Manoso, you hurt her! I reach up to brush at the tears with my thumbs as she speaks in a breathless voice.
"Happy tears, Carlos. Don't worry, you didn't hurt me."
"Babe, I lost control, and you're so small; it wouldn't take much for me to hurt you."
"Stop. It was wonderful, the greatest actually. I've never felt so loved."
She pulls me down tight against her body, locking her arms around my neck and kissing me slowly, deeply. I shift my weight and wrap my arms and legs around her to flip us, reversing our positions so that she's on top of me. My cock is still buried deep within her, hardening again, ready for round two. Steph's eyebrows shoot up and a smile lights up her face as she gazes down at me.
"Happy Birthday, Stephanie. I love you." I say as I weave my fingers into her hair, and pull her face to mine, kissing her with all the love and passion I feel in my heart.
She pulls back, starting so deeply into my eyes, I swear she's looking into my soul. It doesn't bother me in the least, because now there's no reason to hide anything from her. Everything I have, especially my heart, is hers.
"It really has been the greatest birthday ever. All my wishes have come true. I love you, Carlos Manoso."
The End
The engagement ring link is on my profile page if you'd like to take a look. It is entitled "You're Mine."
Author's note: I hope you've enjoyed Birthday Wishes, my first fan fiction story. I'm evaluating if I want to continue writing or if I should just stick to reading. This is not the end I originally planned for this story. A sequel is a possibility, if you, my readers, feel you'd like me to continue. Please review or send me a personal email with your thoughts, good or bad. I appreciate honesty.
Special thanks to my Beta, Sharon. Her support, guidance, and 'fleshing out' of the story have been terrific and much needed. She's an inspiration and the perfect teacher for a new writer. Also, to Cara, for everything…thanks, Babe!