~*~Chapter 8~*~

Elizabeth smiled seductively at Ric. "So, Mr. Lansing, may I have this dance?" She asked, holding her hand out to him just like she had before their first dance. He smiled at her and took her hand. He pulled her into his arms, and they started to sway to the music.

It seemed to be like the perfect thing for you and me

It's so ironic you're what I had pictured you to be But there are facts in our lives we can never change

Just tell me that you understand and you feel the same

When they were children, Elizabeth would sit with her sister, Sarah, before bed and talk about who they wanted to marry. Elizabeth's dream man was intelligent, handsome, sophisticated, charming. He had to love with all of his heart. He had to put her first always. She'd abandoned this idea when she started to grow up, so when Ric Lansing strolled into her life she was taken aback, to say the least. He seemed to be everything she'd always wanted. And now, after everything they've been through together, she's even more convinced he's that man.

This perfect romance that I've created in my mind

I'd live a thousand lives each one with you right by my side But yet we find ourselves in a less than perfect circumstance

And so it seems like we'll never have the chance

Ric's left hand slid from Elizabeth's waist to the small of her back, pulling her tight against his front side. Their hips began to move in sync with the music. Elizabeth couldn't believe she'd given up on love. Before Ric came along, she had decided that it wasn't something that the fates had in store for her. Lucky was taken from her twice. She thought maybe love could have happened for her and Jason, but it didn't. Then Ric came along and everything changed.

Ain't it funny how some feelings you just can't deny

And you can't move on even though you try

Ain't it strange when your feeling things you shouldn't feel

Oh, I wish this could be real

Elizabeth stared directly into Ric's eyes. He really loved her. She could see it in the way he looked at her. There was so much passion in his eyes. She remembered a time when she couldn't look into them for too long because they were so powerful. But now she let everything she was feeling for him come through in her eyes because now she really knew what it was like to love unconditionally. And she wanted to give that to Ric.

Ain't it funny how a moment could just change your life

And you don't want to face what's wrong or right

Ain't it strange how fate can play a part

In the story of your heart

Fate had finally gotten it right for her. It was funny because she met Ric the same night she had decided that love wasn't something for her. She'd given up on Jason. She knew Lucky wasn't someone she wanted to be with. And then Ric grabbed her drink. She did have to admit, she went to that side of the counter to order because she thought he was hot. But it wasn't then that destiny struck. It was when she went to his room after hearing him play the guitar. He was behind her when she was looking in the mirror, trying to get the paint out of her hair. Their eyes met and...click! She knew they had something.

Sometimes I think that a true love can never be

I just believe that somehow it wasn't meant for me

Life can be cruel in a way that I can't explain

And I don't think that I could face it all again

Ric used his hand that was resting on Elizabeth's back to nudge her into a spin. She effortlessly twirled under his arm, then fell right back into his hold. She let her head fall back, and her face burst into a beautiful, excited, no-holds-barred smile. She'd never been this happy in her entire life and she wanted him to know it.

I barely know you but somehow I know what you're about A deeper love I've found in you and I no longer doubt

You've touched my heart and it altered every plan I've made

And now I feel that I don't have to be afraid

"A deeper love I've found in you and I no longer doubt." Elizabeth started to sing along with the song. She could see surprise in his eyes. She'd never sang for him before. She was so self-conscious about her voice, but she wanted him to know the words in the song were exactly what she was feeling.

He pulled the hand of hers that he held to his chest. "You've touched my heard and it altered every plan I've made.and now I feel that I don't have to be afraid." He sang to her. She smiled big again. His voice was so beautiful. She loved just sitting and listening to him sing. She remembered the first time he'd sang for her. She was supposed to be going to her grandmother's house for Christmas Eve, but she didn't want him to be alone. She wasn't sure why, but she couldn't make herself leave him. So he brought out his guitar, they made hot chocolate, and he sang for her.

Ain't it funny how some feelings you just can't deny

And you can't move on even though you try

Ain't it strange when you're feeling things you shouldn't feel

Oh, I wish this could be real

Ric moved both of his hands to her waist and slowly eased her back into a low dip. When she came back up, she was firmly planted against him. Instead of loosening his grip on her, he wrapped his arms tight around her chest and held her even closer. She wrapped her arms around his neck, and they began to sway to the music again.

Ain't it funny how a moment could just change your life

And you don't want to face what's wrong or right

Ain't it strange how fate can play a part

In the story of your heart

There were quite a few men that had taken up shop in Elizabeth's heart, but not until now did she know what love really was. The rest of them were just the opening act to her story. Ric was her happily ever after.

I locked away my heart but you just set it free

Emotions I felt held me back from what my life should be

I pushed you far away and yet you stayed with me

I guess this means that you and me were meant to be

There was no way to describe Ric and Elizabeth, but as soul mates, destined, meant to be. So many obstacles were thrown in their way, but they kept finding their way back to one another. If there really was such a thing as fate, it was telling them to make it work.

Ain't it funny how some feelings you just can't deny

And you can't move on even though you try

Ain't it strange when you're feeling things you shouldn't feel

Oh, I wish this could be real

"Is this real?" Ric whispered in Elizabeth's ear.

"This is the only thing that is real." She whispered back. "Us, together. Our love. And it's all that matters."

Ain't it funny how a moment could just change your life

And you don't want to face what's wrong or right

Ain't it strange how fate can play a part

In the story of your heart

As the music ended, Ric pulled his hand from behind Elizabeth's back and gently stoked the side of her face. He pushed a few wild strands of hair out of her eyes, before resting his lips against hers. She relished in the gently strokes they made. They weren't eager or demanding. They were soft and loving. His light kisses made her entire body tingle with delight.

She pulled back a fraction of an inch to glance into his dark, passionate orbs. She pulled her hands from behind his neck and ran them through his disheveled, curly locks. The corner of his lips curved up giving the hint of a smile.

"I...I can't believe...you're here. It all seems so...surreal." Ric's hands climbed the small journey from Elizabeth's hips to her upper chest, then made their way back down. She could feel a stream of heat follow in their wake. "How can you..." He choked back tears. "How do you love me after...after everything I've done to hurt you?"

Elizabeth felt her own tears threaten to spill out. "It's easy. Loving you comes naturally. You are everything I've been waiting for my entire life." She ran her hands along his cheeks.

"But, there are so many things wrong with me. And I hurt you. I lied."

You're perfect..

Oh... perfect...

She put her index finger to his lips to quiet him. With her cheek rested against his, she whispered into his ear, "You're perfect."

Elizabeth could feel Ric's tears drip onto her shoulder. His hands came up to cup her face, and he pulled her so her forehead rested against his. Her eyes began to pour matching water droplets. "I don't deserve you." He ran his thumbs under her eyes in an attempt to dry her tears. "But Elizabeth, I can't live without you."

"I can't live without you either, Ric."

I just can't control myself I can't be with no one else

She watched him squeeze his eyes shut and mutter "Thank you," before pulling her lips back to his. "Thank you," he uttered a few more times between the delicate kisses he placed around her face.

No matter how loved his baby kisses made her feel, she wanted more. She wanted to feel his hands all over her body. She wanted his lips to attack hers urgently. She wanted to feel him inside her.

It seems like I'm addicted to the way you like to touch me I don't think they understand

Elizabeth grabbed hold of Ric's hands and pulled away from his lips. She smiled warmly at him before turning and leading him up the stairs to his bedroom. When they reached the doorway, she dropped his hands and walked to the bed. She spun towards him and slowly unzipped her dress from the back. It fell to the floor in a pool at her feet. She stood wearing nothing but her matching red panties.

Ric stood in the door frame silent. His hungry eyes roamed her exposed body. Her confidence began to drain until he finally spoke. "Words can't describe how unbelievably beautiful you are."

Why love at your command from The words you speak so deep

She felt an embarrassed smile tease her lips. But as soon as Ric closed the distance between them in three long strides and pulled her up against him, the mood became serious again. The feel of his rock hard chest against her swollen breasts sent a wave of heat through her body. Their chests began to rise and fall in unison as they stood together, just staring into each other's eyes.

"I missed feeling your body against mine." Elizabeth said, more to make sure she was still capable of speaking rather than to inform him of something that her body and eyes were making clear.

Ric's mouth curved into a devilish grin. "Then I guess I'm wearing too much clothing."

Elizabeth smiled back at him and helped him pull his shirt over his head. She let her hands run back down his arms, graze across his chest, and land at his pants buckle. She looked back up at him, before she unbuttoned, unzipped, and dropped his jeans to the floor. He stepped out of them before enveloping Elizabeth in his arms and crashing his lips to hers. She instinctively wrapped her arms around his neck pulling him as close as possible.

Our bodies read I have to have you...

Ric's tongue vigorously sweeped across her bottom lip and then her top, urging them to part. When she obliged, he entered her mouth and explored, licking and teasing her senses. His hands tangled in her hair easing her head closer to his.

Elizabeth ran her hands down Ric's chest stopping only to lightly flick his nipples with her thumb. When a small moan escaped his lips, Elizabeth smiled into his mouth. She liked knowing she could make a man---one who probably had a lot more sexual experience than her---react like that.

I love you... You're perfect A manifestation of my dreams

Ric unwound his hands from her hair and grazed them along her back. He cupped her behind and pulled her off of the ground and against his urgent desire. When Elizabeth felt his erection against her heated womanhood, she rolled her head back and gasped. She wrapped her legs around his waist and went in for another passionate kiss.

Without breaking their lips, Ric placed Elizabeth on his bed and laid on top of her. His hands lustily roamed her upper body, before settling on her breasts. He ran his fingers across her already hard nipples, causing erotic noises to escape her lips.

You made my... Body feel About a million different things...

Elizabeth was on fire. Her previous sexual encounters with Ric had been great---far better than with any other of her partners---but there was something exceptional about tonight. This was their first time since they'd declared their love for one another.

As if on cue, Ric broke their kiss to catch his breath. "I love you so much, Elizabeth." He whispered in a husky voice. "I've never felt this way before."

"I've never loved anybody like I love you." She reached up to capture his lips again, but as soon as she started another mind-blowing kiss Ric pulled back. His lips formed a mischievous smile as he slowly lowered himself down her body.

I think God made you for me A mix of passionate fidelity Baby you're so complete

Ric's hands gently stoked the skin along the band to her panties, before taking hold of them and effortlessly removing and casting them aside. He began tracing kisses up her legs. Elizabeth was able to keep some of her composure until he reached her thighs. She let out a loud moan.

Ric laughed naughtily. "And I haven't even gotten to the good stuff." He ran his index fingers along the outsides of her triangle.

"Maybe...we should...we should get to...the good stuff...before I lose...lose my head." Elizabeth managed to say between gasps. She ran her hands through her hair, trying---without success---to gain some control over herself.

Ric grinned devilishly at her before plunging his tongue into her tight, wet folds. Elizabeth began a series of ravenous wails that only encouraged Ric's vigorous, playful strokes. When she arched her hips into the air, he grabbed a tight hold of her waist and kept her firmly planted in that position. He thrust his tongue deeper and deeper inside of her sending jolts of pure pleasure throughout her body. She felt the familiar warmth course through her body that foreshadowed her climax. The heat grew and grew until it shook her and she felt herself go limp. Ric twirled his tongue inside of her a few more times before withdrawing.

I write this song to let you know That you will always be to me My lust, my love, my man, my child, my friend And my king...

"Oh, Ric..." Elizabeth smiled lazily. "I've really missed you."

Ric laughed. "Oh, I see. You're just using me for sex."

Elizabeth joined in his amusement. "You know it." She wrapped her hands around his upper arms---as best she could since his arms were huge and her hands were tiny---and she pulled him back to lie on top of her. "And I'm definitely not done with your expertise."

I love you... You're perfect A manifestation of my dreams

"Oh," Ric started in a mock-hurt tone. "You think I'm just some genie who just grants your every wish, huh?" Ric started to ease off of her, but she pulled him back down.

"You know you want it." She smiled up at him arching her hips a little to rub him. They laughed again.

You made my... Body feel About a million different things...

"Well," Elizabeth could feel his erection tease her opening. "I suppose I'm not all that great at hiding my desire, am I? I guess that's the downfall of being a guy."

Elizabeth snaked her hand between their bodies and gently stroked him. "I happen to think this is one of your best attributes, Mr. Lansing." She raised a seductive eyebrow at him.

"I suppose I'd better not keep you waiting then, huh?" With that he pulled her arms above her head securing them there and thrust himself deep inside her. As their bodies joined, they were both unable to stifle their moans.

There's no way I'd leave you It's just not a reality

Elizabeth and Ric locked eyes as he began to move inside of her. He was slow at first, but when she started to move against him, he quickened his pace. Ric lowered his head to capture her right breast in his mouth. He sucked and teased her nipple until in grew to a hard point, before focusing on the other.

Elizabeth grabbed hold of the forceful hands that were keeping her arms in place, and began to squeeze hard on them as her orgasm began to start. With every deep plunge he made inside her---reaching farther and farther into her core---she felt herself lose control.

Sometimes I... Feel like I'm... Livin' in a fantasy...

"Oh, Ric...Ric...RIC..." She screamed out as she reached her peak and began to fall into a dream-like state. She felt Ric shutter above her as his release came shortly after hers. He rested his head between her breasts for a long time before taking himself out of her and rolling to her side.

Ric pulled her into his arms and gently stroked her side. "I guess we forgot to use a condom again."

Elizabeth smiled down at her stomach. She ran her hand lovingly along the new life growing inside of her. "Well, Ric. It really doesn't matter." She paused. "I have something I need to tell you."

TBC

Music Credits: "Ain't It Funny" and "Dear Ben" both by Jennifer Lopez