Chapter 23
The jet had landed. Fitz could hardly wait to get off of the plane. A car was waiting and he was off to pick up Olivia. Damn, he was so needy. He wasn't at all sure that he could wait to get back to the plane, endure a flight check, get into the air, and be given the all-clear signal. He needed Olivia right now like he needed air to breathe. It had been too long. He wasn't sure he could go through this again and again. This separation had been the worst three weeks of his life. He wasn't just talking about the sex either. Sex was important but it wasn't everything. He missed Olivia, period! He missed her body next to his as he slept. He missed opening his eyes and having her there staring back at him. What in the hell was he going to do about this separation?
He couldn't simply abandon his firm he knew that. His clients depended on him and his expertise. The only alternative was to move wherever Olivia was planning to do her residency. Still, he couldn't invade her space and be there demanding time for himself. He couldn't alter the course of her life to suit his needs. He had talked to his father about his dilemma seeking his counsel. His father had advised him to follow his heart. All the rest would fall into place. His father had adapted to his mother's profession by joining her all around the globe. He had made it possible for his wife to have a career and a family. His father's case was very different though. His mother was solidly established within her profession when they met!
Olivia was embarking on a required portion of her profession of which there was no way around it. It was mandatory in order to start her career. His wealth could provide quite a bit of adaptability but it was a dicey undertaking. He had done some primary research on medical residency. Those initial years after med school were the worst. He had friends and clients that were doctors. What was coming next for Olivia wouldn't be easy. His job was to help Olivia, not hinder her! He didn't want her to have one regret about him being in her life, not a one!
During the ride to her home many things were going through his mind. He was filled with joy to be seeing her again but there were still some worrisome issues. Those issues were weeks away. He would shelve them for today and concentrate on the here and now! He was about to see her again in the flesh. He was a happy camper! Was she as happy as he was about their impending reunion? He hoped so. He had missed her so much. He picked up his phone and hit her number.
"Fitz, are you here? I'm so ready to go! I've only got an overnight bag. You said pack light and I did. Should I just come right down once you are through the gate?"
"I'm about thirty minutes out Olivia. I needed to hear your voice. I've missed you terribly. I love you so damned much. You are all I have ever dreamed. When I arrive, I will come up and get you myself! Patience, my love. It won't be long now. I can't wait to see you and hold you. It's been much too long between us."
"I know Fitz. I feel the exact same way. It's been much too long. Do we have to wait until we get on the plane? You could come inside and we can be together if you want. I'm feeling extremely needy."
"No, restraint is the name of the game Olivia. I have such wonderful plans for us onboard the jet. It's a much longer flight than before. We have so much to accomplish this time. We can manage to keep our hands off of each other for an hour, I'm sure."
"Perhaps we can but do we want to? Do you want to? I'm not sure that I do. Three weeks is a long time without you. I have dreamt of nothing else but you making love to me for all these weeks!"
"Olivia, I'm going to hang up now. And on second thought I will send Robert up to retrieve you and your bag. We need to get back to the airport. If I come to your door myself that may not happen. We will be there in twenty minutes, be ready. I love you."
"I love you back. I'll be ready."
Meanwhile on a Caribbean Island, Thomas Pope was pacing. He had just gotten home and was reading the missive from Huntington and Huntington again. They had lain out everything that Tessa had supplied them with to hang him out to dry. She had copies of everything. She knew where all of his monies were, legitimate and otherwise. She had alternative names and account numbers. His properties on other islands, she knew about everything. That bitch had been doing more that rejecting him; she had been snooping around in all of his business. He had been a fool thinking she was a docile mouse. Tessa was a hell cat awaiting to be turned loose. She intended to destroy him if he didn't give her a divorce.
There had to be a way around all of this! He didn't want to give her a divorce. Not today, not ever! He had to nip this thing in the bud. He needed to rein Tessa in. This rebellion of hers needed to come to an end. His children Tommy and Olivia, hadn't even bothered to answer his calls. Didn't they believe him when he said that their mother had lost her mind?
She was proposing to destroy the family name in this foolish quest of hers. The Pope family name had been elevated because of him and now she would wallow it in the mud for her so-called freedom? She was being ridiculous. Nothing he had done merited her current behavior. He had been a harsh taskmaster but that was his purpose as head of the household. He had more than provided for his family.
He had given Tessa everything a woman could want. A beautiful home, a vacation paradise on another island, furs, cars, her own bank account, prestige amongst her peers, everything; and this is what he gets in return? An ungrateful wife that was a cold fish in his bed. He was the one that should be aggrieved. He's the one that should be seeking a divorce. She had refused him his conjugal rights. He had every right to have sex with his wife when he wanted it. Her accusation of rape was ludicrous. This entire mess was ludicrous. He had to put a stop to it. He needed to talk to Tessa, alone!
Tessa was anxiously awaiting a call from her attorney. Surely Thomas realized that she was serious. He would either meet her demands or she would ruin him. She was never going to be treated as she had been for the last thirty years. She had been a creature of convenience to Thomas Pope, nothing more. She was done with that role. She hadn't any idea what her future held but she was would never be his wife again in any sense.
The man had called her five times today at the resort. She hadn't taken his calls nor did she intend to. She had plainly stated any contact between them would be through her attorney. Not one word of his pleadings did she want to hear. He needed to sign those divorce papers! And she wasn't going to play hide and seek with him. If he approached her and dared to touch her again; she would secure a restraining order.
James Lockheed wasn't feeling good about Tessa Pope and her husband. He had received a report a couple of days ago. Thomas Pope had approached Tessa at The Roma and had to be removed from the premises. He and his wife had words but no real altercation. Still, he didn't like it.
Thomas Pope was accustomed to getting his way. He expected the man to do something stupid and he had. He had actually showed up at his office tonight to rant and rile about his wife. Tess was refusing to see him or even talk to him. According to Thomas, his wife had somehow gotten her sister to put her up in a high price resort. He had been banned from going to the place after a run in he had with the head of security.
He had asked Thomas to leave him out of it. Yet here he was again asking him to do something, anything to help him get his wife back. Nothing had changed he wasn't going to lift a finger to help him with this. If Tessa left him for good over his shenanigans, so be it!
"I told you I wasn't going to get into this mess and I meant it. You have undoubtedly crossed one too many lines and your wife has had enough. If she has truly hired an attorney, she probably intends to divorce you. You've given her grounds; we both know that. Plus, Tessa and I are hardly friends. She only tolerated my presence in your lives because you insisted that I be godfather to your children. She doesn't care for me. We barely speak to each other."
"She holds it against you because you rented me the suite at Bellehaven. I'm sorry about that Jimmy but you need to man up and go over there and talk to her. She may listen to you if you present my case in a good light. All I'm asking is for you to go over there and talk to her. Tell her that I'm contrite and have learned the error of my ways. I want her back Jimmy. I need her back. Tell her I've closed down the suite. Tell her I'll welcome the children back home. Tell her anything! I want my wife back!"
"You haven't closed out the suite Tommy. And it is very unlikely that either one of your children will ever come back to the fold after the way you treated them. I'm sorry to say this, but everything you have done so far seems to be the exact opposite of a man that wants a wife back. And I won't tell one lie for you. Perhaps if you gave her some time…"
"I will close down room 119 today. I'm begging you as a friend to go and plead my case to her. She just might listen to the godfather of her children. Tommy and Olivia are the children you never had. She knows that you love them and it could possibly have some sway with her. Will you do this for me Jimmy? Will you help me save my family and get my wife back? They know you over at The Roma. You're a big-time resort owner yourself. We've been friends since we were twelve. We lived our lives as brothers. I need your help!"
Jimmy was thinking long and hard about this. If he actually talked to her, he could ascertain for himself if she were alright. He could make sure she didn't need anything. He certainly wasn't going over there to plead a case for Thomas Pope. Tessa should've left him a long time ago. In fact, she never should've married the son of bitch, but she had. He had already dealt with that fact and he wasn't going to revisit it. Nor was he going to plead a case for Thomas Pope. The man had made his bed and he would lie in it.
"Tommy, I'm your friend. I have been for a very long time. I warned you years ago that one day Tessa was going to wake up and say enough. I doubt seriously if anything I might say or do will change her mind. You need to really sit down and evaluate where you are in your marriage and see if you see anything that's salvageable. Think long and hard as to whether you see a future for you and your wife. Think of all that's been said and done. Determine if you would forgive a wife if she had done as you have done. You have lived your life as if you were free Thomas. Perhaps that's what you need to be.
I don't see the need to approach your wife directly. I'm willing to call her and ask her intentions. Beyond that it isn't any of my business. I have no influence over your wife, none at all! I'm willing to call The Roma and speak to your wife. If you are thinking that I can change her mind, you are indeed a bigger fool than I thought you were. Go home Tommy and pray for some enlightenment!"
"Anything you could do I would be grateful. I know it's a long shot but I have to try everything. Thanks Jimmy. I have no one else to ask for help. My children won't even answer my phone calls. After all I've sacrificed for them. I simply can't believe it!"
"Believe it Tommy. You have been awful to your children. Your indifference and intolerance have without a doubt scarred them for life. They have exorcised you from their lives and at present appear to be thriving in spite of that fact. Get yourself a counselor. You need intense therapy. You can't treat people as you have and expect a return on your devilment.
You ruined your marriage with Tessa yourself. You ruined your relationship with your children yourself. No one but you. Until you accept that fact you have no way to turn. I have been your dutiful friend for a lifetime Tommy. I've watched you destroy entire families including your own without a word. I won't do it again. However, I will call your wife. I will ask her intentions. If she is done, so be it. That will end my involvement in your problems. I will not interfere. If our friendship rides on my involvement I fear that friendship may be over. I will no longer put your concerns before my own. No more."
"What are you saying Tommy? You refuse to be my friend anymore? You will also exorcise me from your life? This world, what is it coming to? Friends and family turning their backs to you when you need them most. If you were ever my friend, I need you to be one now. This is serious Jimmy. Tessa has threatened to ruin me. She says she will expose some investments that I have made and she also plans to expose my extra marital activities. She seems to be willing to ruin all of our lives to be free from me, a man that has given her everything. I've done nothing that no other man would do!"
"Go home Tommy. You have done much more than the average man would've ever done. Stop trying to justify your actions. Especially to me. I don't want to hear it. I told you I would speak to her and I will."
"Will you speak to her tonight? Please Jimmy, tell her a divorce will destroy us. It will have repercussions that she can't imagine. You have to convince her that what she's thinking of doing is wrong."
"I've told you what I will do. That's all I will do. Tessa is a woman grown. In fact, she always has been. You and I both overlooked that fact. Now you and I both should accept that fact. Goodnight Tommy and good luck."
James walked his old friend to the door and nodded for him to go through it. He would ask Tessa Pope if she intended to continue her marriage and that was all he would do. He wouldn't encourage her one way or the other. Whatever happened in that unholy alliance, he wouldn't be a part of it. To end his tedious conversation with Thomas Pope he agreed to speak to his wife. If the man thought he would utter one word to encourage Tess to return to Overton Place he was sadly mistaken.
Tess should've never been there. He had been a fool to stand there and watch her marry the man thirty years ago. He hadn't any idea where this entire thing was heading but… But what? For the first time in a long time James Lockheed had a lot of buts in his life!
Olivia opened her door and was surprised to see Fitz standing there. She rushed through the door and threw herself into his arms. Fitz picked her up and twirled her round and round on the porch before he enclosed her into an embrace and kissed her soundly. It was a ferocious kiss filled with hunger and passion. Their bodies were meshed together as if they were born that way. It was the cold crushing wind that brought them back to reality. There is in fact nothing more shocking that the blistery winds swirling in Cambridge this time of year. Tonight, it was mixed with snow and sleet. It seemed to matter little as their bodies responded as if they were in the Caribbean heat!
Fitz was the first one to come to his senses. Olivia was so into the kiss and so very glad to be back in his arms, she barely noticed the biting cold. Besides living here for the last three and a half years she was in adaptation mode. She wasn't even shivering. Her entire body was on fire. She had missed him so much!
"I decided to come and get you myself. I couldn't wait another minute to see you. Let's step inside Olivia. It's cold as hell out here. Besides we have hours and hours to start and put out fires. I'm so glad to see you Sweet Baby. You can't imagine how much. I've missed you terribly."
"Oh yes, I can Fitz. I guarantee that I missed you more!"
They walked inside and closed the door. Fitz pulled Olivia back into his arms. He crushed her to him. He breathed in her scent and it was intoxicating. She was intoxicating, molding her body to his. They embraced for minutes savoring the feel of the other. Finally, they pulled apart.
"I've missed you every day for three weeks. I'm so glad you are here. I'm so happy to be going with you to California. I'm so excited to spent another eleven days with you. However, it will never be enough. Our separation has been the hardest thing I've ever done in my life. It was like a part of me was missing. I was functioning, doing what I must, but I was lost without you. So very lost."
"I know. Let's sit down and talk a bit, Olivia." He pulled off his coat and hat. He then walked them over to huge oversized leather love seat and they sat. They stared into each other's eyes for an eternity before either of them spoke again.
"We could feed the sexual hunger we have for each other right now if we choose to Olivia. God knows I want to but I'd like to talk if you don't mind. We have plenty of time before we have to be back at Logan. And we will have hours and hours to appease our hunger. Can we talk about our long-distance romance?"
"Of course, we can Fitz. In fact, I want to. We need to. I have some topics for discussion. You go first. You seem anxious about it."
"It's not so much that I'm anxious. I'm simply in love with a woman I want to share my entire life with and right now I can't. It's very vexing for me Olivia. To be very honest with you I'm accustomed to having my way in just about all things. It's swirling in my head how do we do this thing? How does your dreams come to fruition with me in it? I worry that there may not be a place for me Olivia. And that frightens me to my core. I can't lose you! I've only just found you!"
"Fitz, you'll never lose me! Rest assured on that account. Do you think that I don't know that you have dreams as well? I know what your dreams are. We have talked about them. You want a home, a wife that loves you, and a family. You want children. Never doubt that your dreams are my dreams as well!"
"Our romance Olivia has been a challenge to us both. I know you have never experienced a full-blown love of your life type thing and neither have I. We have talked about so many things over the past month. They have been good productive talks. I believe we are making progress in that neither one of us intends to give up the fight to be together. I know I will move heaven and earth to be with you. That is a fact. I was thinking maybe I could commute and try to work out a schedule whereas I attempt to keep actual trial cases scheduled Tuesdays through Friday. I could come here for long weekends. I'm not sure I can go through this thing of being apart from you for weeks. I've been more than lost!"
"It has been a challenge for me as well. All of these night without you have been pure torture. I've missed you so much. Our separation left such a hole in my heart. As I said, I've been functioning but not wholeheartedly. You know that I love medicine. It's my chosen profession. However, medicine and being a doctor isn't my whole life. In fact, my life can no longer be whole without you in it.
This is my first full-blown love affair. I intend for it to be my one and only. I intend to become your wife Fitzgerald Grant. I intend to establish a home with you and become the mother of your children. I intend to help you fulfill your dreams, every one of them. I love you. I don't want to live my life without you in it.
Just as you have things swirling in your head, there are things in mine. I have discussed with my advisor the possibility of starting my residency elsewhere than here in the greater Boston area. There are some great teaching hospitals in the New York City arena. I have excellent credentials. There is a probability that even at this late stage I could be considered."
"Stop right there, Olivia. I could never ask you to give up your dreams, any of them. Without a doubt you will be chosen to do your residency at Mass General. I know it was your first choice. It ranks number five in the world in the area you have chosen to eventually specialize in. You have spoken of it many times."
"Yes, I have. Things have changed. Diabetes took my beloved Nana from me. I made a promise to her that I would become a physician and dedicate my life to medicine. I have plans to specialize in Endocrinology. I want to extend the lives of persons like my grandmother. Diabetes shouldn't be the killer that it is. Do you know how many people lose entire limbs and eventually their lives to the disease? Nana was going into that phase when she gave up. She had no desire to live with her body not whole. I made promises to Nana on her death bed but I've also made promises to you.
I can learn to be a great physician outside of Boston. Mass General has a unique program but it wasn't my only choice. Furthermore, any teaching hospital can serve my needs. My career will end up being what I decide to make of it. I intend to be great no matter where I choose to learn! I want to be with you Fitz. I don't want us to be apart. I've decided to enter my name into the pool of hospitals in the New York City area. I want to be with you."
"Listen to me Olivia, let me come to you. I can work this out. You have earned the right to enter a residency at one of the world's most prestigious hospitals. I intend to see that you do. I hope you haven't made any changes yet. I don't want you to. It's up to me to make the sacrifices for us right now, not you. Let me work out a plan. I already have a make shift office in your home. I can easily afford an office in the greater Boston area. I can also afford to commute as I need to. There are any number of ways to communicate within a law practice other than face to face. Believe me when I tell you that I have Audrey working on this. She realizes the importance of the situation. We will be together. You don't have to do anything. I've made my decision. All I want from you is to continue to love me."
"Fitz, are you sure? It seems so unfair to put the entire burden upon your shoulders. I don't like the idea of you flying continuously or making long commutes between states to support our relationship. There is an inherent danger in it."
"I personally like the idea of me in NYC Tuesday through Friday and coming here on the weekend. Of course, it isn't perfect but it's much better that what we just went through. That, I didn't like at all. Could you manage with me coming here on weekends? Do you think we could make that work?"
"In theory it sounds good Fitz but my weekends may or may not be free. An intern hasn't a schedule or a life really. I could technically be on call all week and off on weekends or it could be the other way around. You could come here and I may not see you at all! Or I could be so completely exhausted our time together really wouldn't be quality time. Then you would be disappointed and… I just don't know Fitz. To me, my coming to New York seems the better option."
"You could never disappoint me, Olivia. Never. Let me be clear on this. I don't want you to alter your plans on your medical future. In fact, I won't allow it. Let me work out how we will maneuver this. I chose you and I will work this out."
"I chose you too, Fitzgerald Grant. We are in this together. However, this plan of yours it must include us never being separated as we have been for these weeks. It was unbearable. A few days is within reason but not weeks at a time. I miss you too much. I need you too much."
"Leave everything to me Olivia. All will be well. By the way, would you consider leaving your condo? I would like to purchase something for us that has a greater safety component to it. You would get to house hunt and purchase whatever you want. We can wait until you know your hospital assignment and get something closer to that particular hospital."
"When you say a greater safety component to it you mean some grand gated estate, don't you?"
"I do Olivia. Soon you will be my wife and I will have you safe."
"You really intend to marry me, don't you?"
"You better believe I do!"
"Knowing that's the case, let's end this discussion right here. Let's put on our coats and get out of here! There's my bag. Let's go get on that plane of yours and fly west. I understand we have more than five hours in the air. I've decided to give you that much time to convince that your plan is the better plan. Are you up to the task Mr. Grant?"
"You better believe I'm up to the task. I have a few tricks in my bag that are guaranteed to get you to see things my way."
"Will there be any preliminaries en route to the airport?"
"That all depends on what you have on under that dress, Ms. Pope."
"Well then. I expect there will be preliminaries."
Tessa had decided to call it an early night. She was out on the balcony sipping some wine. It was delicious. She hadn't tasted a good wine in years. Thomas only bought cheap wines. She was also nibbling on some caviar and crackers. She was living the good life here at The Roma. To be honest she was enjoying herself. Being alone for the first time in years without someone standing over her scrutinizing her every move was wonderful. She was never going to give up that freedom again for anyone!
Her inhouse phone rang. She was no longer incognito. She had decided she was no longer hiding as well. It was probably her wayward husband again. She decided to answer the phone. She wasn't running away from him anymore.
"Hello, this is Tessa Adderley, how may I help you?"
"Tessa, it's James Lockheed. I hope I didn't awaken you. And I trust all is well for you."
Tessa heart almost jumped from her chest upon hearing his voice. So, he knew where she was! He knew! Hearing his voice was reminiscent of the old phone calls that they use to share. His voice was still husky and sexy. He had always started their calls with a 'Good morning, Tess. What does the woman I love wish to do today?' She would always respond, 'Whatever you want.' He would always have the same answer and she would have to say, 'Anything but that.' What a fool she was not to have given herself completely to Jimmy. Now it was very unlikely that she would get the chance again!
"No, you didn't awaken me. And I'm doing well, thank-you."
"I won't draw this out Tessa. Your husband paid me a visit this evening. And to say the least, he's a very distraught man. I see you have finally come to your senses and are seeking to end that farce of a marriage you are in. As I said your husband just left my office. He was pleading with me to tell you to return to Overton Place. I'm to convince you that your place is with your husband.
He overstepped the boundaries of our longstanding friendship trying to insert me into your business. I won't interfere in your marriage. Unfortunately, Tommy doesn't understand that! This call, is for my conscience to be clear. Tommy and I have been friends since we were children, best friend until… Anyway, I called you. No doubt he will follow up on this absurd idea that I have some influence over you. We both know that isn't true. I suggest you simply tell him that I called and you told me to mind my own business."
So, he wasn't calling because he knew that she had left her husband. He didn't see this as a step toward their future. Of course, he didn't. He had told her if she went back to her husband, they were done. She had gone back and James Lockheed had gone on to pretend that she didn't exist, except for that one night. That one magical night.
She was reminded of how Jimmy had stood by stoically and watched her marry another man without flinching. He had congratulated them and smiled in her face. He had gone on with his life. He had dated many women over the years. In fact, Tessa had thought he was going to marry Etta Murray. They dated for over a year. That was the longest he had ever been with anyone. He had never married and he could have. He was still single after thirty years. That was meaningful to her.
She had hurt the man on the other end of the phone tremendously. She knew that. She was going to have to be patient if she was to get her life back on track. She had waited thirty years minus one night. She smiled into the phone and silently said to herself. "Yes. you do James Lockheed. You have a tremendous influence over me."
What she said aloud to her former lover was something entirely different. "Thanks for the heads up on what Thomas is doing. He doesn't understand yet that this is between me and him but he will. Thank-you for calling. Was there anything else you had to say?"
His heart was beating so damned fast it was almost interfering with his breathing. Damn, all these old feeling hadn't resurfaced so strongly in years. He felt humiliated to a degree knowing he still loved and lusted for this woman after all of these years. His blood was boiling just hearing her voice. He needed to get off of this tangent. Her ill-begotten marriage was still on the books. She was married to his best friend. No, he didn't have anything else to say.
"No, there isn't. Goodnight."
"Goodnight Jimmy." It had been so long since Tessa had experienced lust and desire. She had thought she would never feel it again. She was wrong! Memories of she and James Lockheed flooded her mind. The images that flashed through her mind were vivid and explicit. She grabbed hold of the night stand to steady herself. She replaced the phone in the cradle and closed her eyes.
James Lockheed hung up the phone but he felt like his hand had been singed. Did she just call him Jimmy? Dammit! He was remembering shit he had no business remembering. None whatsoever. It had been over a year for him since he'd gone out on a date. Longer still since he'd been intimate with a woman. He simply hadn't wanted to. Years ago, he had placed all of his energy into his work. And all the love he had felt for Tessa Adderley, he had showered it on her children. It had been more than twenty years since he had finally claimed her for himself. He hadn't truly had real sexual desire since the night she had walked away from him and returned to her husband.
Her rejection of him the second time had almost destroyed him. He had closed his heart to love. When he finally chose to become involved with the female species again, he found that he had nothing to give a prospective mate. He was still a man though with sexual needs. When he found a desirable woman, he would pursue her to that end. He had gone through the motions but it had all been so clinical and emotionless.
His only serious relationship had been with Etta Murray. They dated for almost two years but he wouldn't commit. She wanted love and marriage. She gave him an ultimatum that he ignored. He would never love again. He got back into the ring when he felt the urge. Which truthfully didn't happen often. He attributed his lack of sexual desire to aging. He simply just didn't think about sex that much anymore. Until tonight! He couldn't believe the immense surge of lust streaming through his body right at this moment. He closed his eyes.
Fitz and Olivia were settled into the car for their ride to Logan International. Fitz had pulled Olivia into his arms and was holding her. Olivia had folded herself into his arms so grateful to be there. She had missed him so much.
"I'm so happy right now. This is where I've been yearning to be for weeks. I don't want to do it again. I don't want to be separated like that again Fitz. Promise me, we will work something out."
"We will and it will be sooner rather than later. Now tell me Olivia about this little black dress you are wearing. I know you wore it for me. No one wears a little black dress the way you do. It's clinging to you in all the right places. It's fitting you like a glove, a seamless glove. I can see the imprint of your nipples Olivia. You don't have on a bra, do you?".
"No, I don't. Actually, there's nothing under this dress but me. I rarely beat around the proverbial bush. I wanted to entice you, straight away. What better way to do that than to wear your favorite dress and nothing else?"
"So, you are bundled up in this heavy winter coat, boots, toboggan, and gloves but you are naked as a jaybird under that dress?" He had the partition between them and the driver closed as soon as they entered the vehicle. The entire Grant Security force was trustworthy. He had done serious foreplay but he had never had sex in the fleet, but his parents had. Neither his father or mother had ever explicitly said that they had. As a child and an adult, he had greeted them on more than one occasion and he knew what they had been up to. If he wanted to, he could have her right now! For Olivia's ears only he whispered.
"So, I could actually pull you on top of me and put myself inside you right now, if I wanted to?"
"Yes, if you wanted to."
"Oh, I want to Ms. Pope. I want to hear you scream my name when I make you come."
"And I want to hear you hiss like a snake when you push inside of me."
"Girl you are asking for trouble and I swear to you I'm the one that can give it to you. A quickie would be nice Olivia but no way is the first time we are together after three weeks going to be rushed. On top of that, I purposely didn't bring a condom with me. I needed reinforcement Olivia. You can easily drive me over the edge and I know it! Once we are on that plane all bets are off. I will have hours and hours to show you how much I've missed you. Do you mind waiting sweetheart?"
According to her Gynecologist Olivia was now protected from pregnancy. Her method of birth control was in place. Fitz didn't need a condom. However, even though sex without a condom was their new reality, it was one of her Christmas gifts to Fitz. She could tell him now or she could wait until Christmas. She was hoping Fitz would consider it a precious gift. She had gotten him a couple of tangible gifts but this would change the course of their lives. She had decided to wait to tell him the news. "Of course not. We can talk some more about where we are taking our relationship, and other thing to take our minds off of sex."
"Olivia, with you as a girlfriend, my mind could stay on sex 24/7 if I would let it. You are the most beautiful and sexiest woman in the world! We have at minimum forty-five minutes to get back to the airport. I don't think we have to take sex entirely out of the equation, we just have to bank it for now, so to speak. I say let go over your Christmas list. Let's see where you are. What do you say Ms. Pope?
"I say a least one more real kiss Fitz. We are both adults. We know how to end a kiss before it gets out of control, don't we?"
"We do."
That kiss held a lot of potential but they banked their fires and blew out the embers. Olivia was eager to tell Fitz about the treasures she had secured for his family. She wanted his honest input. If she had overstepped any boundaries she wanted to know. He had given her some intimate details about the people she would get see on this extended vacation. Some of them she had met at the Thanksgiving Gala. Others she would meet for the very first time. Her gifts weren't extravagant but they were thoughtful gifts. Olivia planned to be in this family for the rest of her life. She wanted his relatives to like her.
The ride from her house to the airport was sweet and loving. They held hands as they talked. Fitz had told her that he had put two days aside for them to continue her shopping spree. Olivia had thought of telling Fitz that she had spent her entire allowance and some of her savings to buy gifts for his family. Her budget was drained. Technically her shopping spree was over but it wasn't. He was taking her shopping and he had made it clear that she would be spending his money! His money was now her money according to Fitz. Would she ever get accustomed to being the girlfriend of a millionaire, or was it billionaire?
As for Fitz, his shopping was complete. He no longer had to search for a ring. He had made his selection right in his office. Winston Jewelers were very accommodating to the rich. He hoped and prayed Olivia would love the ring. Olivia didn't like obnoxious. She preferred simple. It was a simple emerald cut diamond. The thing that wasn't simple about the ring was the fact that at its center was a ten-carat stone surrounded by two smaller one-half carat baguette diamonds. Did he mention he had paid a cool two million for that little bauble? His wife to be was worth every cent!
Olivia would get to choose the matching wedding band that would one day surround it herself. The engagement ring he carried in his pocket was the first step in securing their future. He planned to ask her to marry him on Christmas Day. He needed her to say yes and then he felt her could breathe a little. Her saying yes would help him better accept their current circumstances. She was his, and he was hers. He knew that. He simply needed positive reinforcements.
He was still talking but Olivia was no longer listening. She was staring at him, at his mouth, his beautiful eyes, and his basically wrinkle-free face. Olivia couldn't believe how much she loved this man. Was it really possible to love so strongly after knowing someone for only a month? Apparently, it was. She reached up and touched his face. She cradled it with both of her hands. She turned him toward her and heart was on her sleeve. She loved this man so much. She couldn't bear to be away from him.
"I love you Fitz. You are everything to me. I hope you know that. This trip with you to your home and to be part of your family is such a gift. Thank-you for inviting me. I can't wait to be with you again. And I do mean sexually. I have missed your touch Fitz!"
When she had touched his face all he had been trying to bank, the fire he felt for her, it all came to the surface. He was burning. He was on fire instantly. Dammit! He was trying not to touch her until they were on the plane. He wasn't a beast that would jump on her the moment they were alone. They weren't really alone. There was Felix. There was an element of privacy but it wasn't enough. He couldn't share what they would do to each other with anyone. He had closed his eyes at her touch and thought to pray for strength. They were now less than ten minutes from the plane.
He opened his eyes and there she was, all he had ever dreamed. She was smiling that special smile of hers. The one that left him defenseless. He wanted her so much. He needed her so much. His lust for her had sprung forward with a mind of its own. It had only taken about a minute for him to be ready to burst from his britches. And then she lowered one of her hands to cup him. She began to stroke the bulge in his pants and he was lost.
"My darling Livvy, you could never miss me as much as miss you. I have craved your touch for so many nights. I have prayed for this very moment. We should be entering the airport right now. Soon we will get to appease our hungers I promise you. We will be in the air soon and in a matter of minutes we will have the all clear. After it is given, I intend to devour you. Not one section of your body will be untouched."
"You promise? I swear, I can barely wait!"
"Patience Livvy. Patience."
They walked the gangway and up the steps into the plane. They were greeted by the crew. They were the same crew that had brought Olivia home a month ago. They welcomed her on board.
"Captain, how long before we are in the air?"
"No more than twenty minutes sir. We are scheduled for a ten-forty takeoff. Once we are in the air, we have a five-hour thirty-five-minute travel time. We land at LAX and the chopper will pick you up for the short flight to Santa Barbara. Would you and Ms. Pope desire a meal in flight Sir? There are some excellent choices tonight. As you requested there isn't a flight crew. However, either Robert or myself are here to assist you if you need assistance."
"We can manage ourselves if we decide to dine. At the moment all we need is your direction once we are airborne on when we can move about the aircraft freely."
"Not a problem Sir. We should be in the air shortly. Welcome aboard Mr. Grant and Ms. Pope. Please enjoy your flight."
The would-be lovers took their seats and buckled up. Their eyes still didn't stray from the other. They were honed in to one another. When the plane started to taxi, they both were relieved. They were in the air. They were bound for California. There was nothing to see as they ascended through the sky. They stared at each other still. Surely it wouldn't be much longer before the green light appeared or the captain stated you may unfasten your seatbelt?
Finally, it happened. "You are now free to move about the cabin Mr. Grant. Let us know if we may assist you in anyway. Have a nice flight."
Fitz immediately got up from his seat. He unbuckled Olivia and pulled her to her feet. He pulled her into his arms and into a passionate kiss. Immediate fire consumed them. Olivia stood on her tippy toes to place her pubis atop of his erection. They both gyrated into each other. Fitz held her ass in his hands and savored the feeling of having her heat rubbing against his dick. It was heaven.
"Come with me. I want you out of that dress and naked on the bed behind that door. Be quick about Livvy. I need to be inside of you."
"I promise I will be quick. As you know I have nothing on underneath this dress. And to be very clear, I want what you want."
They walked into the bedroom and it was on. Fitz was divesting himself of his clothing as quickly as he could. Olivia was even quicker. She pulled the dress over her head and boom! There she stood in all of her Nubian glory. She was beautiful and she knew it. She watched him; her eyes ablaze. She kicked off her boots and lay down on the bed. She bit her bottom lip then she soothed it with her tongue. She was so ready for this. She began to massage her own breasts. She was on fire! She could barely wait for him to touch her.
"Hurry Fitz! Get out of those clothes and come to me!"
He had almost hanged himself pulling off his tie. Why did he have a tie on anyway? Why was his belt stuck? Seriously, what was going on? Why couldn't he get out of his fucking clothes? He was more anxious that he knew. It had been so long. She was so damned beautiful lying there watching him. He wanted her so much. He needed to get naked and join her on that bed. Had he remembered the condoms? He had. They were on the night stand.
Olivia was waiting. Well, she was sort of waiting. She was stark naked and laying on the bed looking good enough to eat. She didn't try to hide how much she wanted him. Her siren's call was silently emanating from her. He suspected she was going to start without him, and she did! She was going from one perfect breast to the other, making her nipples stand at attention. Shit! When he watched her drop one of her dainty little hands and push a finger inside of herself, he started to pant. When she tasted herself, he imagined the nectar!
He closed his eyes and said a little prayer. His woman was pure vixen. Finally, he dropped the last of his clothing on the floor. He opened his eyes to Olivia now holding a still wrapped condom in her hand and her eyes glued to his erection. This was going to be a hell of a flight!
"Oh my darling Livvy, where have you been all my life!"
"On a little island in the Caribbean waiting just for you Fitzgerald Grant!"