Back There Again (Chapter VI)

The next morning, Miranda woke up to see that Ben was gone. She was completely naked beneath the covers and her braids were fanned out on the bed. And she felt good. A couple of twirls in the sack with her man had her bones bouncing and behaving. Plus, he'd left a note to say he'd gone boarding with Janet and there wasn't a hint of jealousy as she read it. Out of bed, she showered and pulled her hair into a ponytail. Going to get some coffee, she saw Milo occupying the kitchen. "Good morning!" He said with a big smile. "How'd you sleep?"

Miranda tilted her head to the side, thinking: "Pig!" before actually saying: "I slept well. The bed feels so good!" She declared, taking the cup of coffee he was holding out for her. "Thank you."

"Yes, only the best mattresses and coffee for my guests," he said. She nodded, leaning against the counter. "I also made breakfast. So feel free."

"It looks delicious."

"It is. It is." His accent pulled her in and she smiled. "My Janet's taught me a thing or two." Her face told the truth in her head before she could stop it. Nose turned, lips taut, eyes pissed. "I know that My Janet's told you about our situation."

"Situation?" Miranda asked feigning ignorance.

Milo gave her a knowing grin. "Yes, that I'm married and she's not the woman I'm married to."

"Oh… " He nodded. "I may have heard something about something," she said as she fixed her plate.

"Please don't blame My Janet."

"I don't."

"But you blame me?" He asked following her into the small sitting area connected to the kitchen. There was a large window and through it, about a hundred or so feet away, she could see Janet standing on board as Ben paddled away looking like a pro. He turned on the long board sharply, sailing toward her. And the look on his face was so pure and happy, she wished she had her camera. "You don't like me, do you?"

"Does it matter?" She answered truthfully.

"To me, it does. To My Janet."

Miranda inhaled slowly. "It's just that… I've been the wife." His eyes widened as he stared out of the window. "No, no, no. Not Ben. My first husband."

The man's brown hand went to his chest. "Wow. My heart stopped."

"Did it?"

Milo leaned over the table. "I've told him that you are a phenomenal woman, so I'll repeat the same to you. Your husband is an amazing guy. Anyone can see that."

"Thank you, Milo. That's kind of you to say."

"I mean every word." Suddenly, she realized how he was able to charm two women. He was smooth and good-looking and his accent just sealed it altogether. "You two are lucky."

"We are."

"I wish I could turn back time and start over sometimes." Miranda hid her shocked face behind a piece of toast. "But life's not like that, so I do my best." She had a feeling he was talking to himself, so she didn't respond. The breakfast was delicious and she enjoyed it quietly. "Sorry, for, ah, dumping that on you," he said finalizing his musings.

"It's okay."

He checked his watch. "If My Janet asks, please tell her I'm in my office."

"Will do."

"And thank you for listening."

When he was gone, she sat and watched the other two. Her husband paddled the board toward the yacht as Janet sailed next to him. Miranda took her plate and coffee up on the deck. The sun seemed to shine right on her as she watched her husband and her new friend. "Good morning, beautiful!" He called out.

She beamed. "G'morning, my love," she answered. "Good morning, Janet."

"Morning. Um, Miranda, your husband is crazy."

"Don't I know it?"

Ben interjected with a laugh: "Ha, ha, ha! I'll be right up." He jogged toward her, shirtless and dripping water. She would never get over how fine he looked. His arms folded around her and she didn't even mind how wet he was.

He whispered something in her ear and she shivered. "Hey," she said grabbing his head. Her thinking that he could even or would even look at another woman the way he did her was foolish. "How was your swim?"

"So much fun. Want to take one later?"

"Maybe."

"Got it." He kissed her one last time before walking away.

Janet came up from the water and plopped down next to her. "You two are disgustingly cute," she joked, pushing Miranda playfully.

"Um, I saw you and Milo last night…" The woman began cracking up. "What should we say about that?"

"Nothing. We move on." The two of them glanced at each other before laughing again. "So, speaking of Milo, he and I are heading out today. I have to get back to work and he has to…" She cleared her throat. "Get home and get some things done." Miranda looked at her friend and wondered if the indifference she exuded was real or was it all an act. "When do you two leave?"

"Day after tomorrow," Miranda said poking out her lips. She missed her son, of course, and her career. Medicine was one of the only things she'd ever been interested in. But Lord knows she was going to miss the weather and uninhibited free time. "I'm not ready to leave."

"That I understand," she said pulling up her towel, "but clients are calling me and patients are waiting for you."

While the other two showered and dressed, Milo showed Miranda how to steer the boat. "You're good. Even better than your husband."

She chuckled into the steering wheel. "Don't tell him that or I'll never hear the end of it." They stopped and got off of the yacht to get something to eat before reboarding. On the way back to the resort, Miranda had the idea to take the dip she'd promised Ben earlier. They relaxed on two paddleboards in the water, holding hands so that they wouldn't drift apart. Miranda closed her eyes, letting the sun soak in her skin.

After a long while, she woke up when she felt something bump her board and water splashed on her legs. "Stop playing, Ben," she said. When he didn't respond with something cheeky, she looked over to see that Ben was asleep. Her first thought was that her husband was a gorgeous being. But her second was: "What the heck was that?" She shook him gently and he roused, shielding his eyes. "Hon?"

"Yes?"

Carefully, he sat up, peering into the water, hoping that it was a turtle or a little fish, maybe nothing and what she'd felt was a big rush of wind. "I just felt something."

"Is that a proposal?"

"I'm not kidding right now," she said frantically. Her heartrate was quickening with every second.

He sat up and put his legs over the side. "What are you talking about? What's wrong?"

Miranda crossed her shaking legs. "I'm trying not to panic, but I…" She looked around.

"Okay, calm down. What happened?"

"There was… something…" She gestured. "And it woke me up.

Ben glanced around. "Babe, I don't see anything."

"I'm not crazy."

He started to chuckle. "I didn't say you w—woah! Holy shit!"

She watched his eyes grow and hers did the same. "What? What?! WHAT?!"

"Sorry. Alright, um, so… there's a bunch of unfriendly looking dolphins passing by." Miranda held her breath, moaning. "Just relax."

"Don't tell me to relax," she snapped. He rolled his eyes. "Just help me."

"There's nothing I can do, Miranda. As long as we don't bother them, then they won't bother us. Or whatever Rafi said." Her face wound as they waited. "I kiiinda want to touch one."

"Don't."

"I know, I know, but still…" They laughed. "Hey, um, what's a group of dolphins called?"

Miranda looked into the water to see several of the long creatures wiggling by, the water and boards rocking heavily from their travels. Part of her still wanted to swim with the ocean bullies. The other part knew that if she tried with these wild ones, they'd be playing volleyball with her body. She shrugged. "I don't know."

"You are not even telling the truth."

She grinned. "Fine. A pod."

"Nerd."

"What are we in fifth-grade? Wait 'til we get back on the boat, punk."

He chuckled. "Punk, huh? It's like that?" She thought about kicking water at him, but didn't want her feet being used as some kind of bait. A moment later, she heard him say: "They're gone."

The two of them paddled back to the boat and Miranda hurried onto it, telling Janet everything, trying to seem calm about it all though she'd been close to having a full-blown panic attack. "Wow!" Turning to her boyfriend, she said: "Babe, see, we should have gone with them!"

"Next time," Milo answered, winking at her.

Janet smiled and for a second Miranda forgot that they weren't married. "Yeah, next time."

"'Next time'? What's happening next time? Are we coming back here again?" Ben asked walking up the stairs and holding out a bowl of grapes for them.

"I guess so," Miranda said plucking up a few, grinning.

"Definitely," Janet confirmed getting some fruit. When the four of them arrived back at the resort, Miranda held Janet tightly. "Make sure you keep in touch."

"You, too. Plus, Seattle and Kentucky are not that far."

Their laughter began filling the air. "What's a couple of thousand miles between friends?"

They hugged again. "You deserve better, Janet."

"I know, Miranda."

While Ben hugged Janet, Milo sidled next to her saying, "Goodbye, my dear."

"Take care of my girl," Miranda said meaning every word.

"But of course." He kissed both of her cheeks and then, they were gone, returning to their respective homes.

In their bungalow, Miranda rushed to the bed and flopped down on it. "I still feel like I'm on the boat," she said after Ben dropped beside her, hooking his leg over her body. "Do you feel like that?"

He paused, squinting. "Nah. I don't think so." Over his shoulder, he asked: "You want me to find some medicine or something?"

"No, I probably just need to rest."

"Alright, well, I'll let you have the bed and I'll sleep on the—" Miranda shook her head slowly. "No?"

"No. Stay with me." They snuggled on the bed and he stroked her hair until she fell asleep.

A waving feeling surged through her and she sat up slowly, breathing deeply. When her eyes were closed, she was back on the boat. Open, her vision was blurry and shaky. If she'd known her body was going to react like that, she wouldn't have spent two days on a yacht. Miranda rolled her neck and started to get off the bed. A bout of dizziness struck her. "Woah!"

Ben popped up. "Hey, you alright?"

She put a finger, silencing him for a second. Inhaling through her nostrils, she exhaled through her mouth. "I'm fine. I just need—"

"More sleep?"

"Um… yes, but no."

"Sex?

"No, goof. I need—"

"Coffee. I'm on it."

"Thank you."

"Of course." He put his lips on the side of her neck. "You do feel a little warm, though. Do you…?"

"I'm probably just tired," she said. She didn't know why, but it felt like she was lying. "Just tired."

While she felt okay, her balance was still off. She'd even tried to convince Ben that she was experiencing a disorder called mal de debarquement. And he'd reminded her that it hadn't even been a full day since they'd gotten off of the yacht, her body just needed to adjust. When he handed her the cup of coffee, the heat soothed her momentarily. "We'll just lay here, so you can feel better."

"No, no, don't get holed up in here because of me. Go snorkeling or something."

"I'm good right here."

Miranda sighed. He was so considerate to the point of frustration. "Come on," she said sipping her coffee. It took a while, but, eventually, she got her husband to go standup paddleboarding with Rufi while she lounged on the beach. For hours, she was the only one on the beach until Maria and Gregor sent her a snack by way of Luna. "Here you go, Dr. Bailey," she said placing a medium-sized box of deliciously-smelling food next to her along with two cocktails and a bottle of water. "Maria said she'll send more if you want."

"Oh, goodness, Luna," Miranda said pushing up her sunglasses and inviting the sun to briefly blind her. "Tell Maria, that's enough. Please."

"I told her, but she just put more food in the box."

The two of them laughed. "Well, thank her for me. And thank you for bringing it over."

"Of course, Dr. Bailey. Anything else I can do for you?"

"No, I'm good. Thanks for asking."

When the young woman left, Miranda opened the box and started to eat. When she finished, she went back to the room to take a nap. At some point, Ben returned and was asleep next to her when she opened her eyes, stretching. "Mmm," she said rolling her neck. The clock on the wall, told her that it was going on almost eight o'clock. Stilling herself, she was pleased to note that her body seemed to be back to normal. She sighed, "Finally."

"Hmm. Finally what?" He asked not turning over.

She leaned on his back, putting her lips to his ear. "I feel so much better."

"It was the rest and the sun, babe," he said facing her making her drop onto his chest. He kissed her forehead. "Your temp is better, too."

"Thank you, Dr. Warren."

"Mmm, say that again."

Miranda slid her hand across his chest, kissing Ben's chin. He moaned as her lips moved down to his neck. "Thank you so much," she started and he flattened and mounted her. She touched his face, staring into his eyes. "Dr. Warren."

"You're welcome, Dr. Bailey," he said attacking her skin with tiny bites.

Her next orgasm did wonders for her body and after dinner, she was positively buzzing. The owners fixed up a special table for them and she and Ben sat, talked, ate and drank as their energy skyrocketed and they were forced to dance it out. Miranda kicked off her shoes and pulled Ben toward the dancefloor. With perfect rhythm, they moved together, their bodies bumping as the music played loudly over their laughter and sloppy kisses.

Gregor and Maria joined them and when the two couples switched, Miranda found out that the much older man had decent moves of his own. By the time she was back with her husband, the band was playing a slow song and he wrapped his arms around her, his face in the crook of her neck, unknowingly (or not) pushing the straps of her yellow, flowy dress off of her shoulders.

She pulled away a little and stared at him in the moonlight, pausing their dance. Her fingers brushed the back of his neck. "Are you having a good time?"

"Tonight or in general?" He asked grabbing her butt.

"Both."

"It's been amazing." His smile nearly knocked her out. It was one of her favorite things. And she knew it was the smile just for her. "What about you?" She stood on her toes and kissed him gently. "That's not an answer."

Miranda took his face in her hands and brought him in for a long, deep kiss. "Does that answer your question?" She asked, batting her lashes.

"Kinda."

Getting a brilliant beyond brilliant idea, she took his hand. "Come with me." Pulling him off the dancefloor, she grabbed her shoes and a couple of beers as Ben pulled out money to tip the restaurant staff.

As they left, his arm slinked around her waist. "Where are we going?"

"Mr. Flip Off the Side of a Boat is afraid of a little spontaneity?"

Ben sucked his teeth. "Yeah, right. And it was a backflip by the way."

They stopped by the main bungalow to grab a couple of blankets before heading to the beach. There was a spot she'd scoped out the day of the accident, it was secluded and spacious. They fixed the blanket and he pulled her down on top of him. Her dress flapped about for a second before settling over her open thighs. Their bodies were less than inch from being perfectly connected. His hand crept over her ass and up her back. "What are you doing?" She asked.

"About to make love to my wife," he said sitting up, his dick rubbing her already swollen slit. Miranda whimpered softly. "If she wants."

"You sh-should probably ask her," she told him, gripping his back, moving her hips glacially as he pulled aside her thong and entered one finger, probing lightly. "Ahhh."

"Mmm, you are so fucking wet," he said removing his hand from between her legs, the emptiness filling with the chill air. Ben licked his finger before sharing with her. "Can I make love to you, baby?"

She was glad there was no belt to deal with as she leaned back and unzipped and unbuttoned his khakis. "Out here?" She asked like she wasn't the one who'd initiated the excursion.

He nodded, helping her release himself and she tugged on him carefully. "Since we're redoing our honeymoon. Might as well try sex on the beach again, right?"

"It was good that one time," she agreed while biting her lower lip.

He nodded. "God, baby, remember how loud you were?"

She blushed, sinking onto his hard dick. "Remember how deep you went?"

Her husband took her chin between his teeth softly. "I do. And remember you scratched up my back?"

"Yes, Ben," she whined as he held her tightly. "Yes!"

"And how I sucked on your titties and had you coming, wetting up everything?" Miranda felt like exploding already. He pushed up her dress and jerked it over her head as she did the same with his white t-shirt. His lips felt magnificent as he nibbled and marked her skin temporarily. Outside of her body, she could hear the ocean keeping time and her hips joined in. "Shit, baby."

The pleasure she got from disempowering him during sex would never fail to make her smile. She put her hands on his chest, grinding him into the sand. "And…" She said trying to catch her breath. "Do you remember when I came on your dick? Like I'm about to do now?" He shook his head. "No?"

"Show me," he begged, sitting up again, hugging her, his lips tracing her clavicle. They kissed passionately and she cursed into his mouth. His finger was on her clit, pushing it quickly. "Show me… show me."

"Oh, God, Ben!" Now, she was bouncing on him, her breasts flying around with Ben trying to catch them in his mouth. Miranda clawed his back, moaning and stirring them to a blissful finish.

"I just…" He licked a nipple painstakingly slow, forcing her hips to mimic the speed. "I just don't remember that," he confessed in her ear.

How could he not remember that? "Well, what do you remember?" She asked, slapping his hand away from trying to end her.

"Uh… Damn, woman." He smacked her ass hard and Miranda moaned from the depths of her soul. "I do remember coming in you and you dripping all over me though." His lips were against her ear now and she was trying to delay her orgasm, but he was making it difficult. "And how I was… slow down a little, baby."

"No," she said pushing him back down.

"Miranda, shit!" Her husband shouted.

A shaky grin cast across her face. She knew what that meant. "Mmhmm," she said leaning in to kiss him. He slipped out of her and instead of putting him back in, she lifted and turned around, inserting him again. Her pussy was aching and her spine was tingling. Ben grabbed her stomach, pressing his lips to her back, thrusting into her. "Fuck me, Ben!" She called out, praying that no one could hear them. He stroked her hard, ramming into her. "That's it. Right there, baby!"

"This the spot, ain't it, baby? The one that makes you—"

"Shut up. Shut up. Shut up!" She screamed, grasping the blanket.

"Careful now," he told her with a laugh.

"Don't stop. Don't stop. Baby, please, don't… oh, my God! I'm coming!"

He licked her ear. "Now I remember." He touched her clit as she shook on his lap, her body out of control. "Yesss." Miranda clenched her body on his and his fingers dug into her skin. "Damn," he whispered. "Do that again."

She indulged his request. "Like this?" She asked, throwing her ass back, plunging herself onto him more.

"Miranda…"

"Yes, baby?"

"I'm about to come!" He announced. She nodded, a second mini-climax attacking her as he filled her up, holding her so tightly, breathing hard. "Motherfuck!"

Her hips moved purposefully as their bodies pulsed, trying to come down. "I love you, babe. Do you love me?" She inquired, turning around to face him while he softened inside of her. Miranda already knew what he was going to say, but hearing him say it was something that rocked her every time she heard it.

"Of course, my love. I love you so much." Stray braids shaped her face and he pushed them back. "So much. Okay?" She nodded, still trying to catch her breath. Each one she took, seemed to pull an imaginary string attached to her core. She lifted herself and started to fall next to him, but he kept her frozen. "Say there's no one for you but me."

"There's no one for me but you."

Before she could demand the same, he was saying: "And I was made for you." A few tears fell from her eyes landing on his beard. "Why are you crying, Miranda?" He asked throwing a second blanket over them.

"Because I'm so lucky to have you and I want you to be so happy."

"I am."

"You'd better be."

He smoothed her naked back. "Are you happy?" Her body was wasted, thoughts jumbled, voice gritty—all she could do was nod. "You'd better be," he echoed before kissing her one last time, letting her go. Her fingers swirled in his chest hair and her brain buzzed thinking of this second honeymoon. It had been lightyears better than their original one. But without that one, they wouldn't be here, comfortable and content. And the best news of all… when she rubbed her legs and thighs together, she felt no particles of sand. "You okay?" Ben's voice startled her a little.

"I'm better than okay. Why do you ask?"

"You're quiet."

Miranda turned to him. "Now didn't you just say that I was loud?"

Ben rotated to face her, licking his lips. "I just don't remember that," he said moving on top of her stealthily while her laugh filled the air.

In their bungalow, they showered separately with Miranda going first taking her time to thoroughly clean and scrub her skin. Her assessment on the beach had been correct. Besides her toes, there was no sand in any crevice of her body. Even after their second round while completely naked. On the bed, she yawned and hugged a seemingly frozen Ben from behind. "I was… elsewhere." The slightest movement in his spine told her that he was alert and listening. "I know you love Tuck like he's your own. I am so, so grateful for that, Ben. I'm—we're so blessed to have you. And I know I said I was done having kids, but only because I…" He spun her arms. "I'm scared, hon." He grasped her body, pushing them closer. "I want to grow our family. I do, but pregnancy, for me, is not uncomplicated."

His eye contact asked if she was finished and she nodded. "I want to grow our family, too. Another kid or two would be amazing. But if it stayed Tuck, you and me, that would be perfect, too." Miranda wished the tears in her eyes would go away. Why did he always say the right thing? Why was she so emotional? "And I want you to know that I'm not pressuring you. There is no rush. Take a breath." Miranda exhaled. "We have time, babe." He pushed his lips against hers, the mint from the toothpaste cooling their heated kiss.