CHAPTER TWO: Arrival in Paradise
As they came down the stairway from the plane the stars above twinkled in the night sky, the warm breeze caressed their skin, and the wonderful smells of the native flowers assailed their senses. Della held out her hand to Perry and said, "I must have died and gone to heaven."
He grinned at her, "I knew you would love it but remember heaven is wherever we are together."
She playfully slapped his arm and said, "Oh you."
Slipping his arm around her waist he led her to the waiting limousine while the pilot and chauffer put their luggage in the trunk. Once he had her seated inside, he joined her on the soft leather seats. Della leaned forward and told him, "they have champagne chilling."
Smiling he commented, "I think you have had enough young lady, all that happened was you went to sleep."
Quirking an arched eyebrow at him she laid her hand on his thigh. "I am wide awake now," she proclaimed.
As he took the bottle from the ice he looked into her gorgeous hazel eyes as he remarked, "by all means then let's have some champagne."
Della laughed at him as she relaxed against the luxurious seat and held out her glass.
Perry looked at his wife and told her, "this is an interesting country made up of islands. There are a number of things that will really interest you."
"How do know all this?" Della wanted to know
The chauffer rolled down the dividing window and told them, "It is sixteen miles to The Fiji Orchid so sit back and relax. I see you found the champagne and there are snacks in the mini bar. We will be there before you know it."
They thanked him and relaxed with their drinks. Della wanted to look at everything. As they came closer to the resort lights twinkled like a fairyland. She grabbed his arm and exclaimed, "oh Perry it is just beautiful when were you here and I didn't know about it?"
Answering casually, he replied, "I came here the month you were back East for your father's final illness and funeral."
"That time was a blur," she conceded, "but I'm surprised you never mentioned it."
"It was just a quick trip on business. A friend needed a will, called me, and I flew out. He recovered nicely and moved up into Canada somewhere. I never heard from him again."
She was quiet for a moment and the inquired, "did I ever meet him?"
"No, he was someone I met in the service and kept in touch with, once in a while. He had heard about me and called in that emergency," Perry explained.
Before anything more could be said the limousine stopped in front of a charming looking cottage called a bure. The lights were on in the sitting room and everything seemed to sparkle.
Della absorbed the wonderful odors as she rolled down a window. As she was being helped out she murmured, "this setting takes your breath away."
As the chauffer began taking their luggage inside Perry circled her waist with his arm and said, "I am so glad you approve darling."
She took his hand as they hurried toward the door. "As always you have planned the perfect surprise."
Perry tipped the driver and closed the front door. His bride was wandering around the rooms. He came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her kissing her slightly windblown curls. "I love you very much Mrs. Mason."
Della leaned against his chest and sighed. "I love you too and one thing when you make a promise you come through magnificently."
He laughed as he reminded her, "you didn't always say that."
Turning in his arms she slipped her arms around his neck pulling his lips down to hers. The love of his life began by nibbling his lower lip and finally pressed her lips to his in a sensuous kiss. As she pulled back slightly Della murmured, "those were the days when we rushed from case to case."
He pulled her in closer to him moving his arm to her lower back. "I'm planning on making this a trip to remember."
She ran the tip of a finger across his beard. "Every trip we have ever taken was something to never forget," Della asserted. "I still remember all about our very first trip to the orient. That is until the man went overboard."
Perry laughed, "yes mystery and murder seemed to follow us everywhere in those days."
Looking around the room his, ever practical, head of office remined him, "it is getting late counselor, and I need to have some kind of meal. We also need to unpack."
He smiled down a her, "I'll make you a deal I'll fix something in the kitchenette. I asked they put some supplies here. Then you unpack and it should be ready when you are done."
"Alright," she agreed, "but I am changing into something more comfortable."
He watched her walk away. "I'll cook slow." He couldn't believe that at 70 years old she was just as beautiful as the first time he laid eyes on her. Her skin was still soft and supple. The years had flown by and he wouldn't have believed it, but he loved her more with each passing year. Perry Mason thought he was the luckiest man in the world.
Walking toward the small cooking area he realized her perfume had lingered in the room. All those years ago it had been the same. He would walk into the office and there would be that fragrance. When he smelled it everything was right in his world. Della would be in her office straightening things and had left a pile of mail he MUST answer himself. He had to smile it was their private joke she knew he hated answering letters. Then pressing the intercom he would let her know he was there, and she would come in with her pencils and a notebook, sit in her chair, cross her legs, and just look at him.
Sometimes they would laugh, other times he would try to be stern, and he always would be praying for an interruption. He rarely got that wish unless they were busy with a new case. In the old days it was hectic, now he had slowed down and carefully picked his cases.
He was just setting the table when Della came out wearing a wispy pink negligee with beige lace edging the front and sleeves. Suddenly his throat went dry. She was a vision of loveliness. "Are you sure you are hungry?" He choked out.
"Perry!" she exclaimed. "You have one thing on your mind. Aren't you tired?"
Her husband grinned and his gorgeous blue eyes twinkled with mischief, "My dear Mrs. Mason, I was tired but seeing all of you in that outfit weariness flew out the window."
Running a finger up his sleeve Della murmured, "if you are a very good boy, after we eat it might be a good idea to take a shower in one of the biggest showers I have ever seen."
"I'll dish up the food right now," he pronounced. He heard Della's laughter as he filled their plates with eggs and bacon omelets, sliced tomatoes, and hot steaming coffee "It looks delicious," she declared.
"Anything for Madam," he said with a smile.
For the first few minutes they concentrated on eating. Della stretched and asked, "what time do you want to get up tomorrow?"
"There isn't any great hurry," Perry declared. "Why don't we just sleep until we wake up."
"Hmm, that sounds wonderful and I can't wait to try that rain shower," She said seductively.
Perry took her fingers and kissed each one. "I have an idea I think we should try it out together and then we can compare notes on how we liked it," he suggested with a grin on his face.
Squeezing his hand she told him, "I am going to warn you now I am not taking a pencil and notebook in the shower with me."
He pulled her up and nuzzled her cheek as he whispered, "All you need in there is me. I think I can make an indelible imprint on you."
Walking away from him swaying her hips she looked over her shoulder and she said, "Promises, promises, big man."
"Miss Street, I believe this is some dictation you will like." He could hear her laughter as she headed to the bedroom. Della knew when he called her Miss Street it brought up memories of things, they couldn't stop themselves from doing before their marriage.
She had soaped up her hair by the time he cleaned up and joined her in the shower. Their eyes met and the old magic was still there. It took only that look of tenderness and caring and she was putty in his hands.
He began massaging her shoulders and she leaned her head against his chest. "Even after all these years all you have to do is lean against me and I am ready to ravish you," he whispered in her ear.
"You're not getting tired of me?" She asked coyly.
"Get rid of my lucky charm? Never," he proclaimed.
Turning around she asked cheekily, "Never?"
"Don't play demure with me Miss Street," he said.
Della ran her fingers lovingly through his chest hairs as she told him, "You are the most loving, generous, man I've ever known. I thought my love for you couldn't grow but even when you're grumpy I love you."
He raised his eyebrows. "I'm grumpy? I might get distracted as I am right now, but I didn't think I was anything but charming with you."
She put her hands on his broad shoulders and leaned back her head. He began to lightly nip her neck. The rainwater splashed over them making their bodies glisten. His hands slid down to her bottom and he pressed her tight again him. Then Della could feel his growing need.
Making sure her hair was clean his wife took his hand and informed him, "I don't know about you darling, but I am not young enough to do anything more in the shower. I suggest we adjourn to that King-sized bed."
"Anything you say my lovely wife," he replied turning off the water and wrapping her in a king-sized towel.
Della took a smaller towel and wrapped up her hair and the big towel wrapped almost twice around her. By the time he got to the bedroom she was sitting on the comforter wearing nothing but the beautiful black pearls he had given her for her birthday and the reason for this trip.
Perry just stopped and gazed at her. He was always amazed that every year she seemed to grow more beautiful and he desired her more than when they met all those years ago.
As he sat down beside her and fingered the pearls he announced, "you bewitch me more with each passing day my beauty."
"Sweetheart, when you talk like that all I want to do is make sweet passionate love to you."
"You know I always want to make you dreams come true as you made them come true for me when you finally married me," he confessed.
He took her hand and kissed the palm and proceeded to move his lips up her arm to her shoulder until he was pressing soft kisses on her neck and behind her ear that made her shudder.
She moved his face so she could press her mouth to his in a passionate kiss increasing the pressure until she was allowed access to his mouth. As they breathed together their hands began to move to parts of their bodies that gave them greatest pleasure.
Perry brushed his fingertips across her full breasts becoming more excited as he felt the hardening peaks. When he broke their kiss and moved his lips to those growing tips, he heard Della groan deep in her throat. This spurred him to draw them into his mouth gently but firmly giving her even more enjoyment.
As much as he would have desired to explore her body, every inch of it longer, it had been a long day and his yearning to join them as one was greater. Adjusting their bodies into more comfortable positions he began making love to her with great tenderness and passion. She wrapped her legs around his waist to bring him closer as her finger traced his lips. The warm breezes and sounds of the oceans wrapped them in a blanket of ecstasy as they moved upward toward the ultimate climax that sated both of their bodies.
When she came down to reality Perry felt her relax in his arms and gently kiss his jawline. He held her tightly and brushed one hand over her silky curls.
Della sighed, "Just when I think it can't get more perfect you top yourself my love."
"You know I never do anything halfway my precious girl," he reminded her.
The clock sounded midnight and Della yawned as she cuddled up closing her eyes. Perry leaned against his pile of pillows and looked down at the beautiful woman in his arms. Her sheer loveliness always amazed him, and the years had not dimmed her beauty. As he was finally falling asleep, he put his lips to her forehead. She stirred slightly and sighed, and it was the last thing he remembered.
