You reviewers make my day. Seriously.
I've been posting a chapter every week with this fic, but due to the fact that I'm going away next week then there might not be another instalment for a while - I'll try my best though.
Taylor - in reference to your request - all I can say is stay tuned ;-)
With a title like this fourth chapter, it seemed so easy to go down a deep and serious road with it. So, on a whim,, I decided to take them to a whole other place. Literally.
Enjoy!!!
*****
Wonder Number Four - Trust
*****
I hear him call my name, shattering the still, humid air around my skin.
Lifting the upper half of my body, I peer over the rims of my sunglasses across the beach.
I catch a glimpse of his form in the water, bobbing up and down with the waves as they carry themselves to the shore.
"You coming in?"
Nice one Carter.
He may be far away, but I can still make out his mischievous grin as he mimics the words I spoke not so long ago.
In some ways it seems like yesterday, in others, a decade.
I lay back down again for a few seconds, trying to muster up the energy I need to get up. It doesn't take long. I may be the most relaxed I've been in a while, but taking a swim with John Carter doesn't exactly sound like the worst thing in the world.
After taking off my t-shirt, I pad through the sand to the water wearing my black bikini-top and black shorts. It's at moments like these that I'm glad he knows his way to the most secluded beaches. I'm not exactly comfortable showing so much flesh, but then again there isn't a part of me that this man hasn't seen. Besides - wasn't I completely naked when we did this last?
I reach the waters edge and look up, using my hand to shield the sun from my eyes as I try to spot him once again.
It's not hard.
He's sat with his legs dangling out of the giant rainbow coloured rubber ring he bought this morning from a street vendor, his face turned towards the sky no doubt in an attempt to try and catch a few rays.
You should practise what you preach, Carter.
I hesitate briefly while trying to remember if he put sun block on, only to remember that through my insisting that he put some on this morning I ended up putting it on for him myself.
Taking a deep breath in an attempt to prepare myself for the temperature change, I step into the water. I'm surprised at how warm it is, and allow myself to wade in until it's up to my waist.
"Take your time."
I look up and roll my eyes at him, floating around a few metres in front of me. We hold our playful gaze until he speaks again.
"I thought I was going to have to carry you in - I don't think you moved from that towel in an hour."
I deadpan my answer back to him, a look of mock annoyance on my face.
"You know I can't resist you when you're wet."
He laughs at this, attempting to propel himself closer to me with his hands.
"Come on. . . I'll let you share my ring. . . "
He finishes the sentence with a wink, as I raise my eyebrows in surprise.
"Is that a promise?"
"What. . . you don't trust me?"
I decide to meet him half way, raising my legs off the floor to allow myself to swim. Reaching the ring, I twirl him round so our noses touch. Kissing him lightly, I move my lips around to his ear and speak in a whisper.
"I trust you. . . "
Seconds later, I grab the ring and push it over, sending him crashing through the surface of the water. His head appears once more, coughing and spluttering for breath. I, meanwhile, have struggled my way into the ring and am mimicking his pose from before.
". . .I just don't wanna share."
He hold onto the sides of the ring, treading water with his feet.
"Well. . . that's hardly fair to someone who's brought you all the way to Hawaii for a week."
I kiss my fingers and then place them on his nose.
"Talking of which. . . how come you never told me you owned a beach house here?"
"I don't. My Dad does."
"Yeah but still. . . "
"I wanted it to be a surprise. You like it here?"
I avert my eyes from his face to the rest of my surroundings. Clear turquoise water surrounds us both, the sandy beaches to our right, secluded rocky coves to our left, and directly above us the sun basks in a completely cloudless sky. I turn my attention back to him.
"I could get used to it, I guess."
He knows me well enough to comprehend the real meaning behind that sentence.
I love it here.
He lays his head in my lap, allowing his legs to rest for a while. I trace the outline of his ears, causing him to grin ever so slightly. He starts to kiss my stomach, moving his affections higher and higher until he reaches my mouth. I find myself completely relaxing in his touch. . . his taste. . . his scent.
And that's my mistake.
As soon as he feels this, he flips me over and out of the ring, sending me tumbling into the water much in the same way as he did a few minutes ago. I somehow find my way to air again, staring at him with counterfeit anger once I've regained my composure.
He's now floating in the ring, his arms resting on the sides, his body in the centre hole.
Looking at me like butter wouldn't melt.
I figure two can play that game, and taking a deep breath I dive beneath the surface, find my way underneath the ring, and break to air again through the centre hole.
It's a squash with both of us in it. . . but that's half the fun.
I keep afloat by wrapping my arms around his neck, pulling our bodies closer.
"Hi."
He answers my greeting with a long, lingering kiss. I may be submerged in water, but I can still feel every inch of my skin tingle with his touch.
Like I said - I can't resist him when he's wet.
We both draw apart for air, leaving our noses pressed together. We're grinning at each other like idiots.
Thank you, John Carter.
Thank you for whisking me out here, far away from my responsibilities and work which sometimes threaten to overrule my actual living.
Thank you for reminding me of what it's like to feel completely and utterly at ease.
Thank you for knowing exactly what I needed without me even uttering a word.
Suddenly, I feel the ground beneath me once again. We must have drifted inshore with the tide. Without a word, he removes the ring over the top of our heads and grasps it with his left hand. With his right, he reaches around my waist, leading us to the shore.
Maggie used to take us to the beach sometimes when we were kids. I remember one summer being taught how to swim by one of her many male admirers.
I used to love the sea, but one of my pet hates was when the sand used to stick to my wet skin after a dip in the ocean.
Like it's doing now.
But for some reason I don't care.
I've barely even noticed.
He sits down on my beach towel, and in an instant I'm sat between his legs, his arms wrapped around me.
I've got tiny yellow grains stick to my legs, feet, even between my toes.
But I'm also wrapped up in John Carter.
I think I can cope with both.
He starts kissing my neck. Tiny butterfly kisses that are barely there, but still have the capacity to send shivers down my spine.
I run my fingertips down his arms, causing goose pimples to arise on the surface of his skin. The reaction he has to my touch never ceases to amaze me.
His hairs stand on end.
Of course, he has exactly the same effect on me. But the knowledge that you can make someone feel like that. . . it's almost overwhelming.
"You ready to go?"
His voice snaps me out of my thoughts. No I'm not ready - I don't ever want to leave. I take one more look around and decide to tell him what I dodged before.
"I love it here."
"I know you do."
Once again, he continues with his butterfly kisses.
"But we can come back tomorrow."
Around my shoulders.
"Or the next day."
Down my back.
"Or the day after that. . . "
I smile. I guess we can. A whole week of sun, sea, sand. . . and Carter.
I tilt my head back letting him know I'm seeking his face in my view. He complies, and I smile even wider as I look into his eyes. My voice is barely above a whisper.
"Please."
He returns my smile, kissing me quickly before attempting to gather up our belongings. I help him do so, and we make a move from the beach after linking out hands together in a perfect fit.
It's a mere 5 minute walk to our beach house, and on arrival we just drop everything on the front porch before entering knowing that no harm will come of them.
Yet another difference between here and the city we're used to.
Once inside, I'm overcome with a need to just hug him - just to feel his body next to mine. So I do. He seems surprised, but I can feel his smile on my hair.
This is enough to remind me that I better go and wash it. There's enough salt in it to flavour a meal for an army.
Looking up, I catch his gaze.
"What do you want to do for dinner tonight?"
"I thought we'd take the car down to that little place we saw on the way up here. We ate in last night, so I figure it would be nice to go out tonight."
I agree, nodding my head.
"I'd like that. Just so long as we get to come back here for dessert. I gotta say, the strawberries here taste much better than at home. . . or maybe it's the object I'm eating them off that makes all the difference."
I swear his eyes light up at that. He mutters his reply before leaning in for another affectionate embrace.
"If your taste is anything like mine, I'd go for the latter. . . "
After a few more minutes, I give his arms a final squeeze before leaving them and heading to the bathroom. He goes back outside to hang the towels up to dry, ready for tomorrow.
Undressing, I leave my clothes in a heap on the floor ready to join the towels later. Fiddling with the shower dial I finally hit the right temperature, and I step in being careful not the slip on the wet floor.
For a while I just stand under the shower, letting the warm water wash away the salt water and sand. All of a sudden I hear him enter the bathroom, calling my name.
"Abby?"
"Yeah?"
"You thinking of getting out of there any time before Christmas?"
I smirk.
"5 minutes and then it's all yours."
I hear him scoff under his breath. He doesn't believe me, and I don't blame him. I'm not exactly renown for my quick showers.
I peel open the shower curtain, and pop my head out. He's leaning against the basin, clad in nothing but his robe, a playful look on his face.
Uh oh. What's he up to now?
I decide to play along for the time being. Cocking my head to the side, I shoot him my best innocent look, speaking in a shocked voice.
"What? You don't trust me?"
He moves closer to me, kissing me lightly.
"No, I trust you. . . "
He takes off his robe, opens the shower curtain a bit more and steps in.
". . . I just wanna share."
Taking me in his arms, he nuzzles at my neck, his hands running up and down my back. I move my head trying to gain access to his mouth, and I'm rewarded as his tongue explores every crevice of my own.
What can I say.
I can't resist him when he's wet.
I've been posting a chapter every week with this fic, but due to the fact that I'm going away next week then there might not be another instalment for a while - I'll try my best though.
Taylor - in reference to your request - all I can say is stay tuned ;-)
With a title like this fourth chapter, it seemed so easy to go down a deep and serious road with it. So, on a whim,, I decided to take them to a whole other place. Literally.
Enjoy!!!
*****
Wonder Number Four - Trust
*****
I hear him call my name, shattering the still, humid air around my skin.
Lifting the upper half of my body, I peer over the rims of my sunglasses across the beach.
I catch a glimpse of his form in the water, bobbing up and down with the waves as they carry themselves to the shore.
"You coming in?"
Nice one Carter.
He may be far away, but I can still make out his mischievous grin as he mimics the words I spoke not so long ago.
In some ways it seems like yesterday, in others, a decade.
I lay back down again for a few seconds, trying to muster up the energy I need to get up. It doesn't take long. I may be the most relaxed I've been in a while, but taking a swim with John Carter doesn't exactly sound like the worst thing in the world.
After taking off my t-shirt, I pad through the sand to the water wearing my black bikini-top and black shorts. It's at moments like these that I'm glad he knows his way to the most secluded beaches. I'm not exactly comfortable showing so much flesh, but then again there isn't a part of me that this man hasn't seen. Besides - wasn't I completely naked when we did this last?
I reach the waters edge and look up, using my hand to shield the sun from my eyes as I try to spot him once again.
It's not hard.
He's sat with his legs dangling out of the giant rainbow coloured rubber ring he bought this morning from a street vendor, his face turned towards the sky no doubt in an attempt to try and catch a few rays.
You should practise what you preach, Carter.
I hesitate briefly while trying to remember if he put sun block on, only to remember that through my insisting that he put some on this morning I ended up putting it on for him myself.
Taking a deep breath in an attempt to prepare myself for the temperature change, I step into the water. I'm surprised at how warm it is, and allow myself to wade in until it's up to my waist.
"Take your time."
I look up and roll my eyes at him, floating around a few metres in front of me. We hold our playful gaze until he speaks again.
"I thought I was going to have to carry you in - I don't think you moved from that towel in an hour."
I deadpan my answer back to him, a look of mock annoyance on my face.
"You know I can't resist you when you're wet."
He laughs at this, attempting to propel himself closer to me with his hands.
"Come on. . . I'll let you share my ring. . . "
He finishes the sentence with a wink, as I raise my eyebrows in surprise.
"Is that a promise?"
"What. . . you don't trust me?"
I decide to meet him half way, raising my legs off the floor to allow myself to swim. Reaching the ring, I twirl him round so our noses touch. Kissing him lightly, I move my lips around to his ear and speak in a whisper.
"I trust you. . . "
Seconds later, I grab the ring and push it over, sending him crashing through the surface of the water. His head appears once more, coughing and spluttering for breath. I, meanwhile, have struggled my way into the ring and am mimicking his pose from before.
". . .I just don't wanna share."
He hold onto the sides of the ring, treading water with his feet.
"Well. . . that's hardly fair to someone who's brought you all the way to Hawaii for a week."
I kiss my fingers and then place them on his nose.
"Talking of which. . . how come you never told me you owned a beach house here?"
"I don't. My Dad does."
"Yeah but still. . . "
"I wanted it to be a surprise. You like it here?"
I avert my eyes from his face to the rest of my surroundings. Clear turquoise water surrounds us both, the sandy beaches to our right, secluded rocky coves to our left, and directly above us the sun basks in a completely cloudless sky. I turn my attention back to him.
"I could get used to it, I guess."
He knows me well enough to comprehend the real meaning behind that sentence.
I love it here.
He lays his head in my lap, allowing his legs to rest for a while. I trace the outline of his ears, causing him to grin ever so slightly. He starts to kiss my stomach, moving his affections higher and higher until he reaches my mouth. I find myself completely relaxing in his touch. . . his taste. . . his scent.
And that's my mistake.
As soon as he feels this, he flips me over and out of the ring, sending me tumbling into the water much in the same way as he did a few minutes ago. I somehow find my way to air again, staring at him with counterfeit anger once I've regained my composure.
He's now floating in the ring, his arms resting on the sides, his body in the centre hole.
Looking at me like butter wouldn't melt.
I figure two can play that game, and taking a deep breath I dive beneath the surface, find my way underneath the ring, and break to air again through the centre hole.
It's a squash with both of us in it. . . but that's half the fun.
I keep afloat by wrapping my arms around his neck, pulling our bodies closer.
"Hi."
He answers my greeting with a long, lingering kiss. I may be submerged in water, but I can still feel every inch of my skin tingle with his touch.
Like I said - I can't resist him when he's wet.
We both draw apart for air, leaving our noses pressed together. We're grinning at each other like idiots.
Thank you, John Carter.
Thank you for whisking me out here, far away from my responsibilities and work which sometimes threaten to overrule my actual living.
Thank you for reminding me of what it's like to feel completely and utterly at ease.
Thank you for knowing exactly what I needed without me even uttering a word.
Suddenly, I feel the ground beneath me once again. We must have drifted inshore with the tide. Without a word, he removes the ring over the top of our heads and grasps it with his left hand. With his right, he reaches around my waist, leading us to the shore.
Maggie used to take us to the beach sometimes when we were kids. I remember one summer being taught how to swim by one of her many male admirers.
I used to love the sea, but one of my pet hates was when the sand used to stick to my wet skin after a dip in the ocean.
Like it's doing now.
But for some reason I don't care.
I've barely even noticed.
He sits down on my beach towel, and in an instant I'm sat between his legs, his arms wrapped around me.
I've got tiny yellow grains stick to my legs, feet, even between my toes.
But I'm also wrapped up in John Carter.
I think I can cope with both.
He starts kissing my neck. Tiny butterfly kisses that are barely there, but still have the capacity to send shivers down my spine.
I run my fingertips down his arms, causing goose pimples to arise on the surface of his skin. The reaction he has to my touch never ceases to amaze me.
His hairs stand on end.
Of course, he has exactly the same effect on me. But the knowledge that you can make someone feel like that. . . it's almost overwhelming.
"You ready to go?"
His voice snaps me out of my thoughts. No I'm not ready - I don't ever want to leave. I take one more look around and decide to tell him what I dodged before.
"I love it here."
"I know you do."
Once again, he continues with his butterfly kisses.
"But we can come back tomorrow."
Around my shoulders.
"Or the next day."
Down my back.
"Or the day after that. . . "
I smile. I guess we can. A whole week of sun, sea, sand. . . and Carter.
I tilt my head back letting him know I'm seeking his face in my view. He complies, and I smile even wider as I look into his eyes. My voice is barely above a whisper.
"Please."
He returns my smile, kissing me quickly before attempting to gather up our belongings. I help him do so, and we make a move from the beach after linking out hands together in a perfect fit.
It's a mere 5 minute walk to our beach house, and on arrival we just drop everything on the front porch before entering knowing that no harm will come of them.
Yet another difference between here and the city we're used to.
Once inside, I'm overcome with a need to just hug him - just to feel his body next to mine. So I do. He seems surprised, but I can feel his smile on my hair.
This is enough to remind me that I better go and wash it. There's enough salt in it to flavour a meal for an army.
Looking up, I catch his gaze.
"What do you want to do for dinner tonight?"
"I thought we'd take the car down to that little place we saw on the way up here. We ate in last night, so I figure it would be nice to go out tonight."
I agree, nodding my head.
"I'd like that. Just so long as we get to come back here for dessert. I gotta say, the strawberries here taste much better than at home. . . or maybe it's the object I'm eating them off that makes all the difference."
I swear his eyes light up at that. He mutters his reply before leaning in for another affectionate embrace.
"If your taste is anything like mine, I'd go for the latter. . . "
After a few more minutes, I give his arms a final squeeze before leaving them and heading to the bathroom. He goes back outside to hang the towels up to dry, ready for tomorrow.
Undressing, I leave my clothes in a heap on the floor ready to join the towels later. Fiddling with the shower dial I finally hit the right temperature, and I step in being careful not the slip on the wet floor.
For a while I just stand under the shower, letting the warm water wash away the salt water and sand. All of a sudden I hear him enter the bathroom, calling my name.
"Abby?"
"Yeah?"
"You thinking of getting out of there any time before Christmas?"
I smirk.
"5 minutes and then it's all yours."
I hear him scoff under his breath. He doesn't believe me, and I don't blame him. I'm not exactly renown for my quick showers.
I peel open the shower curtain, and pop my head out. He's leaning against the basin, clad in nothing but his robe, a playful look on his face.
Uh oh. What's he up to now?
I decide to play along for the time being. Cocking my head to the side, I shoot him my best innocent look, speaking in a shocked voice.
"What? You don't trust me?"
He moves closer to me, kissing me lightly.
"No, I trust you. . . "
He takes off his robe, opens the shower curtain a bit more and steps in.
". . . I just wanna share."
Taking me in his arms, he nuzzles at my neck, his hands running up and down my back. I move my head trying to gain access to his mouth, and I'm rewarded as his tongue explores every crevice of my own.
What can I say.
I can't resist him when he's wet.