Chapter 68

SPOV

We spent three more days at the beach house enjoying the idyllic setting. Making love with Carlos made me want him more and more, and the feeling seemed to be mutual. Each time took us higher and I never tired of the way he could make me feel. Lucia and Eric left us to ourselves, other than leaving us with food, that was tactfully left in the porch at the entrance to the house. On the fourth day I knew we would be leaving and the idea of being husband and wife left me feeling both elated and worried. Moods which didn't go unnoticed by Carlos.

"Babe what's worrying you"

"How do we tell people back home, I mean I've never met your family and I'm sure both our mothers will be annoyed with me"
"My family will be overjoyed, your mother, well we'll work out a way of breaking the news to her"
"Can we come back here again?"
"Of course, though there are so many places I want to take you"
"Like where?"
"Cuba, so you can see where some of my heritage came from. Europe, Indonesia, the Philippines and Australia"

"Have you been to those places"
"Some of them"
"I also want to go back to the cabin in Maine"
"We have a lifetime for making memories together"
"We do, don't we"

"Are you ready to leave?"
"I suppose I am. How long will it take?"
"About seven hours, we have to change at Houston"

We only had cabin luggage and I couldn't believe how comfortable being in first class could be. I mean I'd seen the seats and everything whenever I boarded a plane to get into economy class. Take off was still the same, but Carlos held onto me until we started to level out and fortunately, we didn't seem to hit any turbulence.

I admit I slept most of the time, come on, I'd had a very energetic honeymoon. Carlos somehow had a laptop with him so kept himself busy with work.

We were an hour out from Newark when I finally surfaced, and Carlos closed down his laptop. I hit the call button to get the attention of the cabin crew to bring some water and then reflected on why I felt nervous. Being married to Carlos brought a warm feeling through me which was negated by the idea of having to tell my mother and meet Carlos's parents. But it was more than that. I felt some freedom from having finally finished with the whole Buckley incident but was now worried about what I would do now.

"Carlos when we get back home what will I do"

"How do you mean?"
"Well, I want to work"

"Have you thought anymore about what I suggested?"
"Yeah, I did. I liked the idea. It means I can still keep doing the bounty hunting and helping find high level bonds will certainly be more rewarding than doing just ordinary searches"

"I mentioned it to Tank, and he was keen on it. I'll need to talk with Vinnie and draw up a new contract"
"What if Vinnie doesn't go for it?"
"He will"

"Okay, I have a couple of things to sort out when we get back. I promised I'd provide a plaque for the portrait at the church"
"Who did you speak to about that?"
"The clergyman who performed the funeral service for Buckley"

"Okay, what else do you have to do?"
"Well I had a look through my apartment and to be honest it wasn't just trashed it was wrecked. I need to get someone in to fix some of the kitchen cabinets"
"Luis will know someone who can help with that. What else do you have to do?"

"Decide with you how we'll announce we're married"
"I've been thinking about that. How about we ask Nita for the use of the entire restaurant and invite friends and family"

"Yeah, I like that idea, we could send out invitations asking them to celebrate with us. They'll assume it's an engagement party, but then we can announce our marriage"

"I'll speak with Nita"

"And I'll sort out the invitations"
"See you'll have lots to do"
"Okay I feel better now"

"Just better?"
"Excuse me sir, did you need me for anything before we landed?"
I looked across Carlos to see one of the cabin crew smiling sweetly at him. She was bent over with her cleavage showing, obviously a button had come undone on her shirt! Carlos looked to me and then back at woman.

"My wife asked for some service"
"So what does she want?"
I knew that women were attracted to Carlos, I mean I was. In some ways it felt powerful to know that he was mine, all of him. I decided I'd had enough of her flirting and to be honest she was just being rude to me.

"If you've finished ogling my husband, I would like you to fetch me some water"
At least she was embarrassed enough to blush.

"Err, certainly Ma'am"
I wasn't in the mood to thank her when she returned with a glass of water and dug my elbow in Carlos's side when he grinned.

"Do you know how annoying it is for women to flirt with you when I'm obviously with you?"
"Yes. You have no idea how much attention you get when I'm with you"
"Nah, any men staring after us are probably gay and fancy you"

"I don't think so. I don't care as long as they only look, and I'm totally devoted to you"

He lifted my hand and turned the band on my finger but was looking into my eyes.

"No end or beginning, like the true love I feel for you, my commitment and the desire of my heart."

"Our wedding vows"
I leaned over and kissed him, biting his lower lip and then licking my tongue over it. His mouth automatically opened allowing me access to plunder his mouth, I heard a moan, I'm sure from me, as the kiss deepened. My heartbeat sped up and a tingling seeped from my stomach south. I felt a hand moving up the inside of my thigh and I was sure my panties were ruined. As I moved slightly away to catch my breath, I felt a juddering and suddenly the feeling of being pushed back into my seat. As I looked at Carlos's face his eyes were obsidian, and his lips turned up in a grin.

"Next time we fly by private jet"
"Why?"
"Then I can introduce you to the mile-high club"

"Are you already a member?"
"In another life Babe"
Okay I knew he'd probably had far more experience than me. Was I jealous? Yes. But then he wouldn't be as good as he was without all that practicing.

"Babe, you are my life now"
"I know and we both have pasts that brought us here together"

As I said that the sound indicating that seat belts could be unfastened chimed. Carlos stood up and retrieved our bags and let me walk ahead of him. It was a quick walk out of the terminal and as the doors slid open, I spied Les and Tank waiting for us. The journey back to Rangeman was spent with Tank updating Carlos on happenings with the business. He was also talking about recruits and how it was going so well.

"Do you want me to run background searches Tank?"
"I'd appreciate that Little Girl. You gonna be working with us then?"
"Yeah, we'll see what turns up"
As I said that Tank looked through the mirror at Carlos. I knew they'd spoken about changing things with Vinnie, but I wasn't too sure if Tank knew something else. It wasn't long before we were back at Rangeman and I was surprised when Les entered the elevator with us. He hit his fob at the cameras, meaning any conversation wouldn't be heard.

"Tank and I haven't said anything about you two getting hitched. We weren't sure if you wanted to be the one to tell the men"
"At the moment don't say a word. The men here can be worse with gossip than old women and as yet our families don't know"
"Hell I don't want to be around when that happens"
"We're planning a celebration when we'll surprise everyone all at the same time"
"Your mama will just be pleased for you and that you actually got your shit together"
"Santos not a word to family"
"I know most of the men won't notice the ring, but Ella, man she's bound to see it"
"I'll talk to Ella"
The elevator stopped on five and Les left us leaving us to go up to seven. It was almost 6.30pm and I was starving, knowing Ella she'd be here soon offering us dinner. Once inside I took my bag to the bedroom, dropping it on the floor and then ferreted in the closet for something comfy. I headed for the bathroom needing a hot shower after travelling. The water felt wonderful as it cascaded down my body and I wasn't surprised when Carlos stepped in behind me running his hands down from my shoulders to my hips. He reached forward for the sponge and soap and started to rub the sponge across my breasts then lower onto my hips. By the time he reached my thighs I was moaning with anticipation and tried to turn around.

"Stay still, do you trust me?"
"Always"

He'd lost the sponge but there was still soap on his hands as he slid one between my legs and started to slowly rub me. A finger slid inside of me followed by a second as his other hand came around and tweaked at my breasts. I could feel how aroused he was as his erection pushed against my back. My breathing was fast, and I could feel the hot sensations coursing through me when he suddenly removed both hands. I found myself on my hands and knees with Carlos bent over me, surprised when I could feel him at my opening. Thank god, because I was so close to coming, I was shaking with anticipation. He entered fully, hard and fast bringing the feelings back to the boil. Fingers ran from my clit and up the crease of my but. As he increased his speed, I felt some pressure at my other opening. I didn't want him to stop as he slid thumb in. The feelings that came with that were new and totally exquisite, I experienced a whole different type of pleasure. At the same time as his final long hard thrust entered me, every nerve in my body was tingling and every muscle contracting. I screamed out his name hearing his voice echo from the walls and then I blacked out.

When I was aware of being conscious, I could still feel aftershocks rippling through me. I wasn't in the shower though. Instead I was wrapped in a towel on Carlos's knee sat on the floor. He was gently stroking my cheek as I opened my eyes. He looked worried, what the hell had happened?
"I'm sorry, I don't know what happened"
"You blacked out Babe"
"Why would I do that"
"It can happen. Your orgasm was very powerful"
"It felt amazing"
"It sure did, I didn't do anything to hurt you did I?"
"No. I trust you, remember?"
"I know, but I also know you have your boundaries"
"Not with you. I would never allow anyone to touch me like that, only you"
"Good to know. Maybe I can get you back then for some of those things you tried on me"
I'm sure I blushed as he said that, how was I supposed to know he got so turned on with my strip tease, or he liked being massaged all over with oil.

"Hey, don't be embarrassed. I love this new part of you. I'm glad I'm the only one you feel able to express yourself with"

"Love you"

"Te amo Querida"

As I dressed in the clothes I'd brought into the bathroom Carlos went out to the bedroom. I found him in the kitchen talking to Ella, so I quietly walked over to join them. Carlos's arm came around me and pulled me into his side as Ella stood and looked at us. She was wiping tears from her face.

"I'm so happy I'm crying. I'm so pleased for the two of you"

"Please Ella, remember not a word to anyone"

"Not a word, though may I help Nita with the celebration event?"
"Ella you can help me with the invitations"

I knew Ella would want to be involved, want to be part of helping with the event. After all she would know who to invite from Carlos's family and friends of the family.

"Shall I speak with Nita, look for maybe next Sunday evening?"
That would give us a week, could everything be done by then?
"I think that would be good timing, don't you Babe?"
"Yes. I know it's a lot to do but I won't be able to keep it from getting out much longer, someone is bound to notice my ring"
"There's some food for you in the oven, I'm sure you're hungry. I'll see you tomorrow"
"Bye Ella"

The dish prepared was a chicken biryani, far better than from a take-away. It wasn't too hot but had an amazing blend of spices in it. Once we'd finished eating, I was rinsing the dishes when Carlos wrapped his arms around my stomach, my back to his front.

"I have to go downstairs and catch up with the other offices"
"No problem, can you ask Tank to have the files ready for me to do those searches?"
"Will do. Don't wait up, I may be late coming up"

He kissed the side of my head before disappearing through the door. Maybe now would be a good idea to catch up with people and then decide what to have engraved on the plaque for the church. First up would be my mother, so once I was sat comfortably on the couch I steeled myself for that conversation.

"Plum residence"

"Hey Mum"
"Stephanie, why haven't you called before now or come to visit?"
"Carlos and I went away for a few days"
"Working?"
"No relaxing. He took me to the beach so we had a wonderful time"
"What, you couldn't let your mother know, Mrs. Dalty's daughter tells her these things. I have a daughter who just disappears"
"I'm telling you now"
"Well I expect you for dinner on Thursday"
"Sorry Mum, I have a lot of work to get caught up on. Maybe I'll see you Sunday"

"That's a week away"
"Yes, it is"
"If you'd just married Joe you wouldn't need to work. He'd have looked after you"
"I don't have to work Mum, I want to work"
"Well I hope once you're married, you'll stay home"
"No, I don't think so"

"And where are you going to live, you can't live in a building with all those men"
"Mum, please stop. It's my life"
"I know, I just can't help but worry about you"
"So how are Val and the kids"
Yeah I knew how to redirect the conversation and continued to listen as she told me all the news about them. Once I'd managed to say goodbye to her, I decided Mary Lou was next in line, I knew I hadn't spoken to her for a while.

"Hello"
"Hi Lou"
"Steph, I was just thinking about you"
"Why's that Lou?"
"I heard Joe is moving for good. His house is up for sale"
"Is he going back to New York?"
"Not sure, his mother isn't speaking much about it"
"She's probably not happy about it"
"Probably. So what happened to you the other night?"
"Other night?"
"Yeah, we were supposed to meet up for a girl's night out"

"I know, but to be honest I had a better offer"

"Ranger?"

"Yeah, we went away for a few days"

"Good for you girl"

"Yeah we had a really romantic time"
"I heard about your engagement, when are you going to show me the ring?"
"How about next weekend, Sunday night, are you free?"

"You know the gossip is saying Joe is heart-broken because of your engagement to Ranger and that's why he's leaving"
"I don't think so"
I knew differently. No doubt it was his way of saving face.
"I'll see you Sunday then"
"Okay see you then"

Well that went better than I thought it would. I knew Lou would have heard about our engagement but knew she'd want to see me and try to get all the details. I had no idea how far the Burg gossip had gone talking about me. That Morelli had maybe used me to cover his departure didn't surprise me, selfish bastard. I tried to call Connie, but it told me I couldn't connect. That made me curious as to who her new man was and if it was going well. Maybe I'd invite her plus a date next Sunday. It was later than I thought so decided to head to bed. Even though I'd slept on the plane I was feeling tired. Tomorrow I'd order the plaque and spend the day doing searches with some time with Ella to plan this party