Ranger took me to the house. I let Bob out in the back yard. Ranger waited in the living room while I went upstairs to beautify. I changed into tighter jeans, threw on a pair of high heeled boots, and changed my top to one that showed a whole lot more cleavage. My ring wouldn't stay concealed in my shirt since it was so low cut, so I stuck it with the chain in my front pocket. I did a full face makeover like I was going out to the club—smoky eyes with lots of mascara and red lipstick that screamed siren.
I descended the stairs. Ranger was again messing with his phone. He looked up briefly and then back at his phone. Then he looked at me again. "Are you trying to seduce me?"
"No, I'm just trying to measure up."
He rose from the couch and stared at my breasts. "You have no idea how much restraint it is taking to not throw you on the couch and have my way with you."
My eyes lit up because I was hoping I looked that good. "You mean it?"
He pulled me into his arms. He drew his face just inches from mine. I could smell the sweetness of his breath. I felt my nipples harden as they pressed up against his chest. "Are you sure you want to do this?" he whispered.
LUCKY RANGER, UNLUCKY ME
Yes! No! Shit! "I can't," I said, as I turned my head away.
"Can't—or won't?" he pressed.
"I won't."
He released me. "Too bad. I would have been willing to miss my meeting if you had said yes."
"Thank you for respecting my wishes."
"Babe, I've never forced you into bed. I'm not about to start now. Get your dog in and let's go to lunch," he said calmly.
He followed me out the door. We walked to the car, and he held my door open for me. He angled his way into the driver's seat and let out a big sigh.
"What's wrong?"
"There's something about those jeans."
"They're a little tight," I confessed.
"That's it."
"Do you think I should take them off?" I said, as I realized that I'd be eating Pino's food.
Ranger shot me a look. It was pure evil.
"Oh!" I said, as I realized his intent. "Just drive."
"What time is Morelli coming home tonight?"
"Early," I replied, in the hopes of discouraging him.
"What time?" he reiterated.
"Ranger, it's not going to happen," I said flatly.
"Babe, I want to show your husband the options we have for security systems."
"Oh!" My face grew hot.
Ranger glanced over at me and grinned. "Still refreshing."
We arrived at Pino's. Ranger met me as I got out of the Porsche. He offered me his arm. I thought it was odd that he would walk into the establishment where his girlfriend worked with me on his arm. Personally, I didn't care. I liked the fact that she'd see me on his arm. What I didn't take into account was the implications on my side, being an engaged woman. After all, this was a cop hangout.
Ranger sat with his back to the wall in the booth just as Tank had done. My ass barely hit the seat before a beautiful Latino waitress with dyed auburn locks was upon us.
"Chulo!" she trilled. "It's so good to see you. I called you last night. Quien es?" She practically shoved her silicone breasts in his face.
Ranger smiled and took my hand in his. "Anarosa, I'd like you to meet a very close friend of mine. This—is Stephanie."
"Ahhh—the girl you protect."
"Yes, she is engaged to a police officer. Maybe you know him. His name is Joe Morelli."
Her eyes got wide for a moment, and then she spoke calmly. "He's a regular here," she spoke nonchalantly. "What can I get you to drink?"
"I'll take a diet coke." He gestured to me. "Babe?"
"Um—Unsweet tea with lemon."
She gave me an icy stare and walked away.
"Gee, is there anything about her that's real?" I growled sarcastically.
"I'm pretty sure the accent's real," he joked.
I smiled. "I still love you, you know that?"
"I guessed that back at the house."
"What are you talking about? I said no to your advances."
"True, but you wanted to say yes."
He was right. If I could, I'd continue to bed them both, but it was time I settled down, and I knew I'd made the right decision choosing Joe.
Anarosa returned with our drinks and asked if we were ready to order. I ordered a cheese steak with the works. Ranger gave me a hard stare in front of Anarosa.
"Carlos, don't look at me like that."
"Have you got your nausea under control?" he said with an air of superiority.
"I've been with you all morning. Have I thrown up?"
"You haven't eaten anything to throw up."
"Yes, I did. I had a bagel and cream cheese while you were taking your shower."
Anarosa shot me a dirty look. "Do you want the cheese steak or not?"
"Yes, did you think Chulo was going to change my mind?" I snapped.
A chuckle burst forth from Ranger's lips. Anarosa gave him an even dirtier look.
"I'm sorry," he said reeling in the smile. "I'll have tuna—easy mayo on wheat. Hold the chips. Instead, I'll take a side salad with low fat Italian dressing."
Anarosa jotted down the order. "Anything else?"
"How about a smile?"
She grimaced and walked away.
"I think she's pissed off," I remarked.
"Ahh, she'll get over it. Besides your concern should be with your husband, who's headed this way and moving in pretty quickly."
"Joe?" I turned to see him lumbering toward us. I scooted out of the seat. "Hi. What are you doing here?"
"I came in to have lunch. I eat here pretty frequently. What's your excuse?"
"Ranger said he had to meet someone here."
"What's that all over your face?"
"What?" I hadn't even eaten yet. Don't tell me I've already got something on my face.
"At what point did you decide to get all dolled up for your lover?"
"It wasn't for him."
"Then what was it for?"
I folded my arms over my chest. "I didn't want to look like a leper next to the beautiful Anarosa."
"How did you know she even worked here?"
"A little birdie told me. Is that why you're here?" I snapped.
"You're going to pull the jealousy card on me?"
"You're the one who told me you could have slept with her if you wanted to. Maybe you're trying to keep your options open."
Joe turned to Ranger who was sitting quietly at the table texting someone on his phone. "Will you excuse us for a minute?"
"Sure, no problem."
Joe grabbed me by the wrist and dragged me out of the restaurant and around to the side of the building. There was a cold wind whipping in from the north. He turned to me and released my wrist. "First of all, I have no options to keep open. I chose you. You are the only woman I want to be with."
"But look at her!" I lamented.
"I don't want to look at her. I want to look at you! Jesus, Stephanie!"
"Okay! Look at me, then."
"Those jeans are tight."
"I know. I'm getting fat."
He leaned up against me. He didn't have to pull on my shirt to see my breasts. They were already out there. Joe brushed his lips across my neck. "Maybe we can go to my car, and I can help you out of those jeans."
"Joe, I have cheese steak coming."
"You're killing me, you know that?" He grabbed my hand and placed it on his hard-on. "You see what you do to me?"
Oh boy…
"I promise you can screw me tonight until the cows come home."
"Can I at least get a decent kiss?"
"Bring it."
He was still leaning against me. He placed his hand on my neck. It looked like he might choke me if he had the mind to. His lips touched mine, and I couldn't feel the cold anymore. He pushed his tongue into my mouth, and I suddenly had the urge to take him up on his offer of sex in the car. His tongue darted in and out of my mouth as he tasted my lips over and over again. I couldn't move my head because he had control of my neck. I started to feel a little dizzy. Joe was losing control.
"Joe," I whispered.
"What?" he said as he continued to kiss me. I realized that he never got a piece of me last night or this morning.
"We have to stop."
"Why?" he murmured as he kissed my collarbone.
"We're in a parking lot, and two squad cars just pulled in. Do you want them to see you jumping your fiancée in broad daylight?"
He stopped and leaned his forehead on my shoulder. I took his hand and led him back into the restaurant. I saw a man I didn't recognize sitting with Ranger. My cheese steak was sitting on the table next to Ranger. I approached him, and he noticed me coming.
"Stephanie, if you'd like to take your lunch and sit with your fiancé while I finish my meeting…"
"Yes, I'd like that. I'm sorry I interrupted."
The man smiled at me. "No, no, little lady. I'm sorry to barge in on your lunch."
"Ranger informed me of the meeting, so it comes as no surprise."
I picked up my plate and handed it to Joe. Ranger handed me my drink. I did an about face and followed Joe to the counter. We sat with our backs to Ranger and the unidentified man.
"Who's that?" Joe asked.
"Beats me. He just said he had a meeting. He didn't elaborate with whom."
Joe eyeballed my plate. "That cheese steak looks good."
"Touch it and die, cop!"
"You know, you might want to watch what you eat. You don't want to gain fifty pounds. Then how would you compete with the likes of Anarosa?"
I smacked him. "You take that back!"
"Give me a bite of your sandwich, and I'll take it back."
"You're a dick!"
He wrapped his arm around my neck and pulled me toward him, so he could kiss my forehead. "Yeah, but I'm a lovable dick." He picked up half of my sandwich and took a hearty bite. He was chewing as he spoke. "Besides, I wouldn't let you get fat. I'd drag your ass to the gym."
A different waitress other than Anarosa took Joe's order at the counter. She looked at me suspiciously since I already had food. I felt like I owed her an explanation.
"I was sitting at the booth over there, and my fiancé came in, so I moved."
Joe ordered a chicken parmesan sandwich and a mountain dew. He folded his arms on the counter and stared at my breasts.
"They're not as big as Anarosa's," I said flatly.
"Yeah, but they're real, and the best part is they're mine. Which reminds me, you've got all that cleavage showing. Where's your wedding ring?"
"It's in my pocket."
"I wouldn't think you couldn't fit anything into those pockets."
I stood up and produced the ring. Joe nodded his satisfaction, and I placed it back into my pocket.
I finished my sandwich with Joe's help, and the waitress brought his order.
"I need to call Valerie and see if she's available this afternoon."
Joe nodded as he munched on fries.
Val answered quickly. "I'm coming!" she said abruptly.
"Val?"
"Oh, Stephanie. I'm sorry, I can't talk right now. I'm trying to get to Mom's. She's watching Lisa and the baby, so I can get my nails done."
"Oh, I thought maybe you'd like to come shopping with me to look for a wedding gown."
"Oh my God, yes!"
"I went with Mom the other day, and I found a few I liked, but I really need your opinion. Plus, we could look for bridesmaids gowns, too."
"Do you want me to pick you up?"
"No. I'll meet you at Mom's. I'm at Pino's with Joe, but Ranger is my bodyguard for the day, so…"
"Bodyguard? Why do you need a bodyguard?"
"It's just a precautionary measure. Joe's worried about someone who's been sort of harassing me."
"Is he coming with us?"
"I don't know. Since I'm with you, I don't know that I'd need a bodyguard. I honestly don't think this guy would do anything unless he caught me alone."
Ranger came over to where Joe and I were sitting.
"Val, let me go. I'll meet you at Mom's in a bit."
"Okay. I'm so excited!"
I disconnected. "So, I'm at your disposal. What are we doing?" Ranger asked.
"I'm going to try on about twenty wedding dresses. Is that something you want to do?"
"Honestly, shopping for a dress is not exactly high on my list of favorite things to do, but considering the model…"
Joe wiped his mouth with a napkin. "How about this? You take Stephanie to her mother's, so she can go shopping with Valerie. I think she'll be okay. I'll give you the key to my place. You can take your guys over there to install the security system."
"I'm not sure which system you're interested in. I have three that I think will do the trick, but they range in price and have different functionalities. Do you want a system that is linked into Rangeman? Do you want one that will set off an alarm? Do you want one that will alert the police?"
"I want the one that will be most effective to keep Stephanie safe."
"Well, to be quite honest, Rangeman will respond a hell of a lot quicker than the Trenton police department. Do you have an hour? You could come down to my office, and I'll show you what I've got. Each one has a powerpoint presentation that takes about ten minutes to see."
"Joe looked at his watch. Okay, but let's do this thing now."
"I'll meet you back at my place. I should be set up by the time you drop Stephanie off."
Joe summoned the waitress. Ranger moved towards me. He hugged me probably just a little longer than he should have. "It's been an interesting morning—not at all like I pictured it. You don't even have slop on you."
"I'll see you soon. Have fun in Atlantic City."
"Entertainment, that's the goal."
Joe gave me a queer look as Ranger departed. He didn't even stop to say good-bye to Anarosa. He just gave her a little wave at the door.
"What was that about?"
"He's stressed. He says he's going away to A.C. for a little R & R this weekend."
On the way to my mother's house, I told Joe the story about Tank. I left out the part where I barged in on Ranger sitting in his boxers and the parts with the sexual innuendo. Joe was on edge when it came to Ranger already. The last thing I needed was for the two of them to duke it out. He was very interested in the fact that Anarosa was Ranger's supposed girlfriend.
"She's not his girlfriend, exactly. Ranger doesn't really do relationships."
"You told me that just before you found out you were pregnant, he asked you to stop seeing me. Sounds like he was about to make it into a relationship to me."
"And we'd been intimate for how long?"
"I don't know. Why don't you tell me?"
"Joe! Things really only heated up in this last year because it seemed like you weren't ever going to take the next step."
"And that's my fault?"
"You could have asked me!"
"I asked you to move in with me like five times!"
"Why buy the cow when the milk is free?"
Joe shook his head in disbelief.
"It doesn't matter now. You're my husband, and if you don't bail in the next twenty-four hours, you're stuck with me."
Joe chucked a U-turn in the middle of the block. "What are you doing?" I asked.
"I'm headed to courthouse. A lifetime sentence with you? What was I thinking?"
"You don't want to be married to me?" I croaked.
Joe wrapped his arm around me and pulled me close to him. "After five years of putting up with your shit, do you think I'd just give you up?"
"I've put up with your shit, too."
"My shit smells like roses next to your shit."
I couldn't argue with him. Joe turned left and went the back way to my mother's. Valerie was already there. Joe walked me in. My mother hugged Joe. She didn't hug me.
"I'm making ham for dinner. You two should come."
I looked at Joe.
"Yeah, I think we can make it. Stephanie was supposed to cook me dinner, but I'm kinda sick of peanut butter."
I smacked him in the shoulder. "Jerk!"
He smiled. "I love you, cupcake. Try to stay out of trouble."
Mom had the baby in her arms and Lisa was on the couch watching Dora the Explorer. Grandma entered the living room wearing her coat. "I heard we're going shopping for dresses."
I looked at Val.
"Mom begged me to take her with us. Grandma and Dad still aren't on the best terms."
"Fine," I sighed. "Where is dad?"
"He went to pick up Angie and Mary Alice from school."
"Okay, so we can go?"
"Yes," my mother replied. "But please, make sure you're back by six."
We settled into Val's SUV. "I meant to ask you. How is Mary Alice these days?"
"She's all girl. On Saturdays, the three of us play Barbie, and I put make-up on the girls and do their hair real pretty. She doesn't think she's ugly anymore."
"That's sweet."
"Are you hoping for a boy or a girl?"
"I don't know. On the one hand, it would be nice to have a little girl to dress up real pretty, and I know Joe wants a girl."
"He told you that?"
"No, but every time we are near a little girl, he gets—sweet. On the other hand, I would love to have a little Joey that I could love. Joe was so cute even when he was eight years old."
"I remember him as being the terror of the neighborhood," Val replied.
"At least he's not a clown," I shot back.
"Ha-ha, very funny. Maybe you'll have twins. Have they done an ultrasound on you yet?"
"No, shit! I'm supposed to make an appointment today. It's on my list of things Joe wanted me to accomplish today!"
"Joe has a list of things you had to do today?"
"Yes."
"Is he your fiancé or your boss?"
"Shut up."
"I would never let Albert tell me what to do."
"I'm not going to get into an Albert versus Joe discussion with you. Let's just shop." The truth was I did not want to trash my sister's husband. I wouldn't even sleep with that man, never mind marry him.
"Would you help me make my appointment?"
"Sure. My gynecologist was a woman. I didn't want a man poking around in my private areas. She hooked me up with a female obstetrician."
"I don't have a gynecologist."
"Don't you get a pap smear?"
"Yeah, but my PCP does it when he does my yearly physical."
"Ew! Creepy old Dr. Brown?"
"Hell, no. I see Dr. Sardelis. He's Greek and pretty hot."
"What if you get an infection? Do you want a hot doctor looking at your private parts? I'd rather have old Dr. Brown down there."
"Are you going to call your obstetrician or not?"
Val dialed the number and handed me the phone. I spoke to a receptionist named Jennifer at Bynum Obstetrics. I made an appointment for Monday afternoon. She asked that I come in thirty minutes early to fill out paperwork. Thirty minutes? Oh boy…
Grandma was quiet in the back seat of the car. "What are you doing, Grandma?"
"I'm texting my boyfriend."
"You have a boyfriend?" Val asked.
"You know how to text?" I asked.
"Yes, I know how to text. Moondog taught me."
"When did you see Moondog?"
"We have a standing lunch date on Tuesdays. He took me to upgrade my phone and taught me how to use it."
"How is he doing?"
"He's working in a sex shop over on Elmwood Ave. He even gave me some flavored oil to use with my boyfriend."
Val interrupted. "Who is this boyfriend?"
"His name is Carl. He's a widow like me, and he lives in his own place, so I can go to his place and have my afternoon delight, and your father can't do nothin' about it."
"Grandma! You're too old to do that stuff!" Valerie scolded.
"No she's not! I hope when I'm her age, me and Joe are still screwing like bunnies."
"That's disgusting," Valerie said, as she rolled her eyes.
"Sex with Joe is so not disgusting." I liked teasing my sister. I leaned toward her and whispered in her ear. "Tonight, I'm going to put on my sexy pink lace bra and matching underwear and I'm going to get on my knees and suck on his magnificent dick like a hooker and then…"
"EW! Shut up!"
Grandma started to laugh. "Valerie, if your husband was as hot as Joe Morelli, you'd be on your knees, too. That man is sexy."
"Grandma!" Valerie scolded.
"You want to borrow my Love Potion number nine? It's flavored."
"No thanks, Grandma. Joe smells heavenly, and he tastes even better."
"If you two don't stop talking about sex, I'm going to turn around!"
"You're such a prude!" Grandma teased.
We got to the bridal shop, and I tried on the dresses that I liked from the previous trip with mom. I was in the dressing room trying on another dress when Val came to me holding another gown.
"Try this one on," she ordered.
"Not another one!" I moaned.
"Just try it!" She opened the door and handed me a dress. It was exquisite. The dress was made of silk with lace overlay. The front of the gown had a plunging neckline. It was long sleeved and the end of the sleeves came to a point on the back of my hand. The bodice fit tightly on the upper part of my body and flared out just below where the plunging neckline ended. It was very pretty. But I was afraid my breasts would fall out of it if I moved the wrong way. I stepped from the dressing room, and Val's mouth fell open. Even Grandma, who was busy texting her life story to Carl, did a double take when she saw me.
"Oh my God! Stephanie! That's the dress!"
"My boobs will fall out!"
"We'll tape them in. That's what the stars do."
"I don't know. You don't think it's too…"
"Hot? Shit. Joe loves your boobs. He will flip out when he sees you in this dress. Call Connie. Tell her to come. She'll agree. I swear!"
Val ripped Grandma's phone away from her.
"Hey!" Grandma bellowed.
Val handed me the phone. "Call her."
I punched in the number.
"Vincent Plum Bail Bonds, Connie speaking."
"Hey, Connie."
"What happened to you today? I called you, and you didn't answer. Then I called Mattie, and he didn't answer."
"We played hooky."
"Together?"
I chuckled. "No, he's at his home in the suburbs doing his laundry and taking a 'me' day. I've been running around. I'm at the bridal shop. Val found a dress she thinks is perfect. I like it, but…"
"Is it too expensive?"
"No—I don't know. It's kind of revealing. Would you come here and give me your opinion?"
"Where are you?"
"David's Bridal. Where else?"
"I'll be there in fifteen minutes." She disconnected.
I looked at Valerie. "She's coming."
"Well, we can check out bride's maid's dresses while we wait."
"What colors are you leaning towards?"
"Well, it's fall, so I thought about autumn leaves. You know—reds, golds, or browns."
"Okay. Grandma, you want to help look?"
"Do I get a dress?"
"You won't get a bride's maid's dress, but you can get a dress suitable for the mother of the bride."
We started sifting through the hundreds of dresses. A sales clerk approached me.
"Miss, you'll have to take that dress off while you're searching for other dresses."
"I'm waiting for someone to get here to get her opinion on the dress."
"Yes, well, you can put it back on when she gets here."
I was getting a little perturbed. "What's the big deal? It's not like I'm eating."
"No, ma'am, but that's imported Italian lace. If you sweat, you'll ruin the gown. Are you wearing shields?"
"Do I look like I'm wearing shields?" I hissed.
"Just take off the dress until Connie gets here," Val ordered in an effort to appease the sakes clerk.
"Fine!" I stripped out of the dress in the middle of the aisle. I was standing in only my panties.
"Ma'am! Please! You need to put something on!" she said horrified.
"You're the one who told me to take the dress off! It's not like there's anyone else in here, is there?"
"Ahem."
I spun around and Ranger was standing there. He was wearing a big, toothy grin. "This day just keeps getting better and better."
"Carlos!" I pulled the nearest gown off the rack and held it up in front of me. If there was ever a time I needed dress shields, it was now. I could feel the sweat beading on my entire body. "What are you doing here?"
"After the meeting with you fiancé, I got in my car and realized that you left your phone in my car. The bug in your purse led me straight to you."
"You bugged my purse?"
"Babe."
"Give me my phone."
"Please," he goaded.
"Please."
Ranger reached into his pocket and produced my phone. Val was standing in a state of shock. Grandma strolled up to Ranger. "I could take my clothes off if you want."
The clerk spoke up. "No one is taking off their clothes unless it's in the dressing room!" She turned to me. "Would you please put some clothes on!"
"Would you like some help?" Ranger asked as I walked away from him in my red lace panties still clutching the bride's maid dress to my chest. "You know the rear view is as good as the front view."
I turned to him. "Don't you have someplace to go?"
"I thought I did, but now I'm not so sure."
Valerie finally found her voice. "No, stay! You are the perfect person to tell Stephanie that this is the dress!"
"She's wearing orange?" He said referring to the pumpkin colored bride's maid dress I used to shield myself from him.
I entered the dressing room and threw on my shirt and my pants, omitting the bra since I would only have to take it off again when Connie arrived. I exited the dressing room, and everyone was standing in a circle talking about the dress. Once again, Ranger's eyes went directly to my breasts. I folded my arms over my chest.
"You know, you never told me shopping for a wedding dress would be this much fun. This is like soft porn."
"The only reason I'm letting you stay is, so you can tell me the truth about the dress."
A minute later, Connie entered the shop with Lula in tow.
"Why didn't you tell me you were shopping for a dress? I need to find the perfect dress. It should be pink, don't you think?" Lula squawked.
"No pink!" I said adamantly.
"Why don't you go try on the dress, so Ranger can go about his business," Val suggested.
"Sure."
I tracked down the clerk who took the dress from me. "Can I have the dress? Everyone is here who needs to see the dress."
"Are you going to let your fiancé see you in the dress?" she asked referring to Ranger.
"He's not my fiancé. He's…." I was searching for the right words. "He's my ex."
"Oh," she sounded almost pleased.
She carried the dress to the dressing room and hung it on the hook. "I'll be right outside if you need me." Where the hell was she before Ranger showed up? I slid into the dress and exited the dressing room. Everyone was standing in a line, but it was Ranger's eyes that I sought for approval.
The answer I got certainly wasn't what I expected.
"I have to go," he said abruptly.
"Carlos!"
He turned and headed for the door. I took off running after him. I got in front of him. "What's the matter? Don't you like the dress?"
"The dress is fine," he replied.
"Then what is it? Is there some kind of emergency?"
"Babe, you look like an erotic angel. I'm starting to regret my decisions regarding you."
"Oh, I thought…"
"Look, I'm happy that you're happy. Get the dress."
"You think I should?"
"Absolutely." He forced a smile, but I could see his pain.
"Bye—thanks for returning my phone," I said with sincerity.
I returned to the girls. "He thinks I should get the dress."
"Good. I agree," Connie answered. Lula was missing. She was off looking for the perfect bride's maid dress with Grandma. "How much is the dress?"
"I don't know." I looked at the clerk.
She looked at the tag on the sleeve. "I'll check." She left us standing there and went to the counter and sifted through a big book. She returned with the book in hand. "Thirty two hundred dollars—and that includes alterations."
My eyes widened. "Are you kidding me?"
"I told you. It's Italian lace—very chic."
I turned to Valerie. "That's three times what I allotted myself for a dress!"
"Maybe you should talk to Joe about it."
"No. He's already tapped out with this alarm system."
"What alarm system?" Valerie asked.
"The one for my protection."
"I think an alarm system is a great idea," Connie added.
I handed the dress back to the clerk. "Sorry, I should have looked at the price first."
"We'll find another dress," Val assured me. I had gotten excited about the dress and now even the dresses that me and my mother had picked out seemed subpar.
I sighed deeply. "Let's just see if we can find some bride's maid dresses since you're all here."
"What about your wedding dress?" Val asked.
"We can look somewhere else this weekend."
The girls had a blast looking for dresses. I was subdued. When we finally left, my two bridesmaids and my matron of honor had found burgundy dresses that they agreed upon. I was just happy that Lula settled on something other than pink.
"You should ask Joe for the money," Val suggested.
"I'm not going to ask him. We can't afford it—and I don't want you to bring it up. Do you got that?"
"Sure."
We arrived just in time for dinner. Joe wasn't there.
"Where is Joseph? He's late," my mother scolded.
"I don't know. I'll call him." I dialed his number. It went to voice mail. "He didn't answer."
"Well, I guess we should eat," my mother said sullenly.
We sat down to eat. I was down in the dumps. Not only did I not get the dress that I wanted, but my ex-lover managed to see me practically naked, and my husband was M.I.A.
Joe finally entered as we were finishing our dinner. He was carrying a garment bag.
"Joe, where were you?"
"I got a call from your boyfriend."
"What are you talking about?"
"It seems he got a call from Connie. She asked him to purchase a dress for you."
My eyes got wide. "No, she didn't."
"It seems that you told her you didn't want to approach me on the subject because you said we couldn't afford it. He called me and offered to buy the dress for you."
"He didn't."
"No. I bought the dress. You had better check it. All I knew was that it was the dress with the Italian lace. I haven't seen it. She could have stuck a bathrobe in there for all I know."
"Joe! Thank you!"
"Remember when I said earlier that I'll probably spend the rest of my life mad at you?"
"I didn't ask you to buy it," I said in my defense.
"No, you didn't, but you should have. Stephanie, if something like a wedding dress means that much to you, I don't want to hear about it through the grapevine."
"But it's so expensive."
"So, we'll go to Aruba instead of Maui. I just want you to be happy."
"Awwww!" Valerie crooned.
"I'm sorry." I felt like a scolded child.
Joe stepped forward and kissed my forehead. "All I ask is that you communicate with me."
My mother interrupted our moment. "Stephanie, take the dress upstairs. Joseph, sit down, so I can feed you."
I took my dress upstairs and opened the garment bag. It was the right dress. Val came up behind me. "Try it on, so Mom can see it."
I thought it was a good idea. Besides, I wanted to make sure the dress was still pristine.
"Mom!" Valerie called down the stairs. "Come on up and see Stephanie in the dress!"
My mother trudged up the stairs. She entered the bedroom and as soon as she laid eyes on me, she covered her mouth with her hands.
"You don't like it?" I said, fearful that my mother would hate it.
"You look beautiful," she croaked. "You look like a sexy angel!"
Valerie clapped her hands. "I know, right? Joe is going to love it!"
"But it costs so much!" I lamented.
"So what? You only get married once!" Valerie trilled.
I shot a look at Valerie. "Okay, you only marry a Morelli once."
If she only knew.
"How expensive was the dress?" my mother asked.
"It's imported Italian lace!" Valerie exclaimed.
"How much?" my mother reiterated.
"Thirty-two hundred," I said meekly.
"Jesus, Mary, and Joseph!" She made a sign of the cross. "That man must really love you. Take the dress off before you drool on it or something."
"Mom." I wanted to make sure she didn't tell Joe how she felt. She ignored me and turned to go. "Mom!"
"What?"
"Don't make Joe feel bad for paying so much. I didn't ask him to buy the dress. He did it on his own. Just tell him that he made his bride very happy."
She turned around and stared at me. "You do look beautiful in that dress."
By the time I got downstairs, Joe was finished eating. My mother took his plate from him, and I took the opportunity to sit in his lap. Joe wrapped his arms around my waist and stared at my breasts.
"Would you please not stare at her breasts like that?" my mother pleaded.
"I like your daughter's breasts. It's my favorite part of her," Joe replied.
"Gee, and I thought it was my sparkling wit and my love of adventure."
"Honestly, I could do without your love of adventure."
"Well, if it wasn't for my love of adventure, the train never would have left the station."
"What on earth are you two talking about?"
Joe blushed. I thought it was cute.
"I was talking about when Joe first fell in love with me. We were playing with his train in his garage when we were just kids."
Valerie bounced in from the kitchen. "Are we going to discuss the food for the wedding?"
"That's a great idea!" Joe said obviously grateful to segue away from the train conversation.
My mother, Val, Joe, and I sat down at the table and as it turned out, we couldn't agree on anything. Finally, Joe made an executive decision. "Tomorrow, I'll call the caterers and see if there is a date and time when the four of us can go and maybe sample some of the foods they offer."
I chimed in. "I like that idea!"
Joe turned to me and grinned. "Of course you think it's a good idea. That just means you don't have to cook—again!"
"Shut up!" I smacked him in the head.
Joe grabbed me around the waist and hauled me into his lap. "Let's go home and I'll give you something you can slap around."
"Joseph!" my mother screeched.
Joe was horny and it was evident in the liberties he was taking in front of my mother. We headed home. We got home just a little after nine. Bob was thrilled to get out of the house to do his business. With all of his bad traits, I had to admit, Bob was good at holding his bowels until we got home. Cleaning up his throw-up was nothing compared to the amount of excrement Bob deposited on the lawn every day. If he crapped in the house, there was a good chance Joe would be cleaning up my throw-up with it.
I climbed the stairs and rifled through the dresser drawer for the pink bra and panties that Joe had mentioned earlier in the day. When he entered the bedroom, I was lying seductively on the bed.
"I've been waiting for this all day," he declared.
Joe stripped down and slid across the bed. He buried his face in my breasts. He proceeded to kiss my body as he stripped off the bra. After spending an inordinate amount of time fondling my breasts before he moved to parts further below. He kissed my belly and slid his hand between my thighs. He moved back to my lips and his tongue caressed mine as his fingers did their magic. I was stroking his penis as he was stroking my labia. Before long, I was pulling him on top of me, and he took his time teasing me with his dick without penetrating me until I was begging him to ram it home. He finally pushed his way into me, and it felt great. He was in full control as he pinned my wrists behind my head. He continued to kiss my lips, my neck, and my breasts as he pumped in and out of me in a rhythmic motion. When he finally erupted inside of me, I let out a sigh of pleasure. He rolled to his back and pulled me into his arms.
"Sweetheart?"
"Hmmm?"
"Where's your wedding ring?"
"In my pants pocket."
"I wish you would wear it."
I climbed out of the bed and picked up my pants off the floor. I checked both pockets. Nothing. "Maybe I put it in my purse." I grabbed my purse off the chair and began to rifle through it. My heart started to thump in my chest as I realized that the ring wasn't there. I looked at Joe, and my eyes pooled with tears.
"It's gone!"
14