Katie's long, dark hair whipped around a bush in front of Ned as he struggled to keep up with her, his feet somehow managing to find every twig, rock, and shell in his path. Meanwhile, Katie's feet were sure and silent as she walked lightly across the beach floor, and she's managing it with a baby on her back. How she did it was beyond him; he could help to admire her for it. This was Katie at her happiest, freer than he'd seen her in months.
"It's not much farther," she assured him.
He was only able to grunt out a singular reply, his breathing too heavy to talk much. But if what she promised came to fruition, the hike to their spot on the beach will be worth it.
There was a lightness to this day that had little to do with the cloudless sky and accompanying balmy weather, and everything to do with the end of the summer. They enjoyed the last of Katie's leave from school. She had to go back in September, after having taken the last three months of school and the summer off when they had Asher.
A fresh start for their new family.
They walked through some dense brush for another ten minutes or so, and when they finally enter the clearing Katie described to him back at their home, he could see that she was right. It was beautiful and peaceful here, the ground abundant with wildflowers and the nearby lake water lapping against the shores in the midday sun.
Ned pulled a blanket out of the bag he was carrying and spread it on the ground so Katie could settle in with Asher. The baby always came first now, and it was around his usual time for him to eat.
At five months old, Asher was such a cheerful, vivacious baby. He had yet to say his first word, no matter how much Katie tried to coax him, but Melinda claimed that he babbled more than Katie or her younger siblings ever did. His giggles were the most infectious thing in the world. His mere existence brought them hope, that after everything they'd gone through, maybe they could have a happy ending.
While Katie fed the baby, he assembled a modest lunch from the contents of the bag he'd brought. Cold- cut sandwiches, Cheetos, and cookies that one of Katie's little sisters made with her mother. By now, Katie had mastered the art of eating a meal single- handed and she took a bite as soon as he handed her a sandwich.
"Are you sure you want to go back to school in September?" He asked, observing her reaction closely.
Katie frowned around the large mouthful of sandwich. "Of course, I'm sure. We don't have much in our savings to keep us going on just your salary."
"I'm only thinking out loud, I guess." He dug into his food with a big bite of his sandwich. "I just mean, if you want to take another month, you can."
"Shhh, Ned," she said, and she abandoned her sandwich to lay a finger across his lips. "We talked about this. I want to stay home with Ash every single day, but the more you remind me of it, the harder it will be for me to go back to work. I want to go back to work. I miss it, just as much as I love being at home with this little guy."
She made a fair point. They were running out of their savings, with only a little over a thousand left in their accounts. They did need for her to go back to work sooner rather than later.
Katie traced her finger along her jaw and down her neck. The contact was enough to raise goosebumps on her skin. They were close to kissing, but it was then that Asher finished his meal and Kaie shifted him away from her breast and to her shoulder for burping. The action was so seamless, so natural, that his heart soared as he watched her. The role suited her so perfectly that he couldn't imagine her any other way. He hadn't known it was possible, but his love for her has deepened immeasurably since their son came into their lives.
"Wanna go wading in the water?" He asked when their son had been burped and their food was eaten.
"If you want to, it'll be freezing so far up the beach," she said, rolling her eyes. She's probably right.
"Guess we'll find out!" Before she could stop him, he scooped up Asher from where he was playing with the sand with Katie and headed for the water, kicking off his shoes and socks as he did. He bounded into the water and halted immediately.
Katie was right. The water stung on his bare feet.
His wife stood behind him as he peeked over his shoulder, hands on her hips, clearly trying to hold back her laughter. "I told you," she said.
He gave her a mischievous grin, lowering Asher's feet toward the water.
Her eyes narrowed to slits. "You wouldn't."
He would. He knew it wouldn't too much damage to just dip the infant's feet into the water as he held him safely in his arms. He lowered Asher so just the tips of his tiny toes touch the surface of the water. It worked, just like he knew it would.
Katie ran after him, splashing into the water. "Ned! You'll give him pneumonia!" She gasped, reaching to grab him into her arms. But their son was giggling and kicking his chubby legs, toes skimming the surface of the water.
"See, he's fine," he reassured he
When she started laughing, he joined in too. Then Asher gave a particularly hard kick and splashed his mother with the icy water. Katie stopped dead, and he took the opportunity to scoop up a handful of water and hurl it at her, too. She shrieked as the water doused her front and Asher giggled more than ever.
"Oh, you two think that's funny?" She said, reaching toward the water herself.
"Ah ah ah, I have the baby!" He said sing-song, holding Asher up in front of his face as a shield from her retaliation.
"That's playing dirty, Banks." She huffed.
"What are you gonna do about it?" He challenged, peeking from behind their son.
She stared at him dead in the eyes for a second that contained an eternity. Then without warning, she whipped her shirt over her head to reveal the thin cotton swimsuit she'd worn, it was completely soaked through and leaving very little to the imagination.
"I'm going to go dry off." She flounced away in a very un-Katie-like fashion, leaving him in the stream, mouth agape.
His wife and he have made leaps and bounds together since they'd first gotten married, but the physical intimacy between them had been lacking, largely due to the lack of privacy and time since they'd had their son. But now, a half-naked Katie lounged in the sun only a few yards away from him.
His body began to respond in ways that have been dormant for months now, enticing him to act on it, despite his son whom he was holding in his arms. Asher kicked again, splashing water around them before he scooped him up and held him to his chest.
"Your mother is too beautiful," he sighed, looking at his son.
The baby gleefully blew spit bubbles from his mouth as they trudged out of the water and back to their picnic spot. He dried his feet, change his wet diaper with the skill of a practiced pro, and wrapped him in an extra blanket, just in case he was cold from the water. He did not protest. The boy gazed up at his father with huge brown eyes as he stroked the soft hair atop his head in the way that promised to lull him to sleep.
They remain that way for several minutes, father and son wrapped in each other. Then his eyes became heavy, his blinked last longer, and soon he had drifted off to sleep. It's too easy. He would wake up again soon and demand attention once more, and he or Katie will be only too happy to oblige her. But for now, it felt like he was giving his mother and him the alone time they desperately craved
He would never take it for advantage. He settled their son in a nest of blankets just beside them and moved over to where Katie laid, eyes closed and soaking in the afternoon sun that trickled in through the few clouds. His fingers trailed up the skin of her arm, around her shoulder as he turned in to press a kiss to the nape of her neck. His hands continued to move over her body and across her stomach, which still had a little more weight from their son, but it only made her more beautiful to him. His eyes cast over her damp top and bottoms and the dark wisps of hair across her shoulders.
He could tell that she was awake, but she hadn't opened her eyes since he left the water. Stubborn girl, like always. She startled a little when his lips touch her upper cheek.
"You look so pretty," he whispered.
She cracked open an eye. "Is everything okay?"
"Uh huh. Asher is fast asleep," he whispered and rubbed his hand up and down her sides. He would stay here all day if she'd let him. "And so sexy, Katie."
"Shouldn't we try and get some rest while he is sleeping?" She asked softly.
He nibbled his teeth across the lobe of her ear, his hands running over her backside as she rolled to lean into him. "I can take care of you," he whispered.
"I don't feel sexy," she sighed, rolling around his arms.
"You're so sexy, mommy." He said and leaned down to kiss her.
Their kiss began slowly. They fit perfectly together, like the two missing pieces of a puzzle. She tasted the same as she always did. Sweet and earthy and simply his wife. There was no other way to describe it. She was impossibly beautiful and unique. When he inhaled, her scent filled his senses.
And then there was heat, sparking where her lips were melded to his and spreading through his entire body. The sensation warmed his chest and limbs, burning all the way out to his fingers and toes. The arousal that began minutes ago became more prominent as more blood rushed south.
Katie made the first sound that either of them had made since the beginning of their kiss. A deep, longing moan that sunk into his bones. He ached to touch her, and she must read his mind because she pulled him down to rest on top of her. His hips gave an involuntary thrust at the contact. Even through their clothing, he could feel her center hot with need. She wrapped her legs around his waist, giving him better access, and lifted her hips up into his. She pulled a groan from the back of his throat when her fingers curled into his hair, further securing his face to hers. If this keeps up, he was going to blow his load far too soon.
It took all his willpower to wrench himself away from her, and when he did, the look on her face nearly broke his head. She thought he didn't want her. Nothing could be further from the truth. He leaned down to place another gentle kiss upon her swollen lips, explaining wordlessly thatatn this moment he was entirely hers.
She moved his hand to her chest, slipping his fingers under the material of her swimsuit. Together, they shimmy the damp fabric over her head and cast it away. His lips fall immediately to her chest, lavishing kisses over both breasts, giving each the proper attention they deserved. It was both familiar and brand new at the same time to cradle them in his hands as she writhed beneath him, squirming with pleasure.
When his lips met hers again, her fingers fumbled to find the hem of his shirt. He helped her along, sliding over her shoulders, and allowing her to run her hands up and down his chest. He had been working out a lot more lately, ever since some rookie from the academy took his so with a faster mile. By the look on her face, it had paid off. Her fingers left a trail of pleasant tingles wherever they touched his naked skin.
Suddenly, the urge to feel her skin on his was overwhelming. He grabbed her hands and held them above their heads, pressing himself into every line of her body. Her perfect breasts heaved into his chest with each panting breath she drew.
"As much as I love our boy, I don't think we're quite ready for another baby yet, don't you think?" He breathed into her ear. "I don't think I brought anything…"
She rolled her eyes at him and pulled away from him, looking disappointed at the implication that they should stop here, but agreed with him, nodding her head yes. "You better be glad I brought these along then," she rummaged through the picnic bag one- handed, finally locating the items she wanted.
She pulled out a small box of their usual brand of condoms and he grabbed it eagerly. "I love you," he admitted, a deep blush coloring his face and neck. She only smiled in return. "And you brought the whole box with us today? You had lofty expectations for a trip to the beach, didn't you?"
She shrugged her shoulders. "What can I say? I'm an optimist for later on too. The clear air will knock our son our early tonight." She smirked, pulling one of the wrappers from the box. "What are you waiting for, then?"
That's all it took.
He peeled his swim shorts away from his hips while Katie did the same with her bottoms. She settled herself in his lap, knees apart, straddling his legs. He hadn't even touched her there yet, and already he could feel that she was dripping wet for him.
Sinking two fingers into her only confirmed his suspicions. He was so happy they'd hiked down to the secluded part of the beach. Katie moaned and ground herself onto his hand. When he removed his fingers and placed them in his mouth, her taste came back to him like the sweetest memory. How could he have ever forgotten this? In this moment, it doesn't seem possible that he could have.
He knew now was no the time and if she would let him, he would lie her down tonight and savor every inch of her. He was goin to taste her and pleasure her until she forgot her own name. But she seemed hell bent on getting what she wanted. And right now, what she wanted him. This time, he would allow it, but his plans would not be tempted with later on.
She gripped his erection her hand, and ignoring his own needs up until this point had made him extremely sensitive. His whole body succumbed to mush when she ran her hand up and down his length. She leaned down to place a single kiss on the tip. "I've missed this so much," she mewled.
"Then what are you waiting for?" He challenged her with the same words she'd said to him.
Her warm, brown eyes snapped to his, and the corner of her mouth quirked up the slightest bit. She grabbed the condom and rolled it down over him, then lunged forward to capture his lips with hers, his cock trapped between them and absolutely begging for release. He grabbed her ass and lifted her up to position her just right. She grasped his shoulders and he swallowed her gasp as she sunk onto him, all the way to the hilt.
Their bodies fit so well together; they were like two separate pieces of one being. The act came so naturally and he was relieved that this, at least, was one thing he would never have to relearn.
Katie moved first. His hold on her ass tightened as she lifted herself up and plunges back down with a soft grunt. She did it again, this time so slowly it was almost painful. He allowed this exactly one more time before he took control. Grabbing her hands, he lifted them above their heads and rolled them so that she laid on the blanket beneath him.
As much as he loved the view of her on top of him, he wanted her now and fast. Her legs locked automatically around his waist, pulling him even deeper inside her plush walls. It jolted him into action, pulling out almost all the way before entering her again, just slowly enough so that he could feel every facet of her. He knew from way too many years with this one, beautiful woman, that he'd hit just the right spot when her fingernails dug into the skin of his back and she gasped, but he relished the pain. It helped to stave off the pleasure threatening to engulf him.
Katie had other ideas. "Ned, baby," she mewled. His name was pure desire on her lips. It was a wanton promise, a desperate need. And it was going to be the death of him. His erection swelled impossibly harder at the sound of her voice. "Let go, baby. I want to feel you..." Her words ghosted over his face as he gazed into her eyes, pupils dilated so her warm irises have all but vanished.
"I can't," he croaked. Not yet. He wanted her to let go first. He could give her that much. He didn't know if he would have the energy to get her there after. "You first…" He angled himself so that his pubic bone brushes against her most sensitive area as he moved in and out of her.
She cried out each time he hit that spot, pleading for more, more, more. He would never deny her what she asked. His hips snapped into her with reckless abandon, quickening with each thrust. Warmth began to curl his toes, spreading from the place where he and his wife were joined as one.
With a final deep thrust, her head fell back and she let out a strangled cry that reverberated around their intimate clearing. His mouth latched onto hers when he knew he could hold it back any longer as her walls contract around him. The pleasant warmth in his bones became a fire that scorched blissfully through my body as he reached his peak, falling into ecstasy right alongside her.
His limbs felt like jelly. He didn't think he could move if he wanted to, but Katie held her even closer to her, as though she was afraid he would disappear if she so much as loosened her grip on him. His lips seek hers, and she met him in a long, lazy kiss.
It was the very definition of a perfect moment.
"What are you thinking?" She breathed in his ear.
He shift himself so as to look directly into her eyes. A million things that he could say raced through his head, but only one thought made it past his lips. "I still can't believe this is real," he breathed. "This… us.. our beautiful son." He reached for his bathing shorts and pulled them up over his hips.
Katie smiled. "It's real, baby. I promise."
"I know," he whispered. "It's too good to be true."
She hummed softly and leaned up to kiss him again. Their languid kiss increased in intensity, tongues clashing in the heat of their mouths. He could feel himself getting hard again already. But there was one thing he wanted to do before anything else. He broke away from the kiss to nibble the sensitive area at the base of her neck. Her skin was beaded with sweat and soft as velvet under his tongue. His lips painted a trail down her body, from the valley of smooth skin between her perfect breasts to her stomach, taught with anticipation. Her legs part willingly under his touch.
"Oh, Ned," she moaned when he reached the mound at her center. Her silky voice transformed his name into an ethereal song.
He wanted to listen to it for the rest of his life. He lapped at her sweet warmth again and again until she grasped his hair tightly in between her fingers. She had never looked more at peace to him than she did now, sprawled beneath him with her hair sprawled around her head and still moaning with the aftershocks of her orgasm.
The pair lock gazes as their bliss faded to be replaced by a sated relaxation. He's quick to la beside her and hand her a towel to lay over her as her eyes begin to drift closed. He couldn't blame her for falling asleep.
"Honey, let's hike back to the car. You can nap on the drive home," he whispered.
She slowly nodded and patted his chest. "Get Asher ready and then wake me up."
He chuckled and leaned in to press a kiss to her cheek. Anything for her.