After bidding their friends and family goodbye, Fran and Maxwell ran to the limousine under a shower of rose petals that dotted the driveway like confetti.
Slipping his arm around her waist, Maxwell drew Fran's body into his own and left a gentle kiss on her temple.
Neither of them said a word as their limousine maneuvered through the streets of Los Angeles and made its way toward the airport.
It was a beautiful late spring Wednesday afternoon as the plane made its approach to San Francisco. After they claimed their luggage, Fran and Maxwell headed to Terminal 3 to meet their driver.
There was a slight drop in temperature as the limousine moved silently toward Napa Valley. Fran snuggled against Maxwell's chest, settling contently in his arms.
"I love being here."
"I thought you've never been to Napa Valley."
"Not Napa Valley Max. I love being here in your arms. I feel so safe and secure."
Nuzzling the curve of her neck, Maxwell replied, "I love having you."
Turning in his arms, Fran asked, "You love having me? Having me where?"
"Every where."
Meeting her mouth in a gentle kiss, he pressed her body into the cushions of limousine. Maxwell ran his fingers across her face, tracing the curve of her jaw, down the column of her throat before cupping her breast in the palm of his hand.
As their kisses turned passionate, Fran moaned at the feel of Maxwell's fingers kneading her breast. Shifting under him, Fran slid her hand over his waist. Her nails scraped Maxwell's skin through his shirt, drawing slow, soft circles on his back.
Maxwell's lips followed the path of his fingers, lightly nipping and tasting her skin. He inhaled the soft scent of her perfume as his nose nudged along her collarbone.
"You get turned on in the oddest places."
He pulled away from Fran and looked into her eyes. "Why do you say that?"
"Maybe it's because you always try take advantage of me in the back of limos."
"I do not try to take advantage of you in the back of limousines." Kissing the shell of her ear, Maxwell spoke in a low erotic whisper. "Besides, you like it when I take advantage of you."
Before she could respond, the limousine swerved then came to an abrupt stop, tossing them to the floor.
"Bloody hell!" Maxwell massaged the back of his head then reached out to Fran. "Are you all right?"
"I think so. Are you okay?"
"I'm fine."
As they pushed themselves off the floor and settled in their seats, the door on the driver's side opened. Muttering a soft string of curse words, the driver lowered the privacy glass and turned in the seat to face them.
"Mr. and Mrs. Sheffield? Are either of you injured?"
"We're just peachy," Maxwell irritably replied.
Fran popped him in the arm. "We're fine. What happened?"
"The car has a flat ma'am. Once I change the tire, we should be back on the road in no time."
"Can you put a time frame on no time?"
"Minimally, a half an hour; at the max, an hour.
"Thank you."
The driver smiled then tipped his hat before raising the privacy glass. When she turned to face Maxwell, Fran found him intensely staring at her.
"What?"
"There's always some complication whenever we go on our honeymoon."
"What are you talking about Max?
"Think about it Fran. Our first honeymoon, you fell overboard and now we have a flat tire."
"So what are you saying that this is my fault?"
Maxwell nonchalantly shrugged his shoulders. As he watched her eyes narrow, he bit the inside of his jaw to still his rising laughter.
"I know you're not really mad with me."
"Oh? And what makes you so sure?"
"Because my darling, I have been on the receiving end of your temper many times over the past twenty-five years. I know when you're genuinely angry."
Fran sat in the corner of the limousine with her arms folded across her chest. She knew Maxwell was teasing her but Fran wanted to see who would be the first to give in.
He slid across the seat, inching closer to her. Maxwell smiled then pulled her underneath his body.
"What are you doing?"
"Breaking your resolve."
Fran swatted Maxwell's fingers away from her midsection as he began to tickle her. She tried to fight him but fell into a fit of laughter.
"Stop it! Max, please!"
"Are you still mad?"
"Yes."
"Liar."
Gasping for air, Fran's body squirmed as she desperately tried to free herself. Maxwell's eyes lingered, watching the rise and fall of her chest.
Fran looked up and met Maxwell's gaze when she realized his body stilled. He swiped her cheek with his thumb, brushing away the tears that spilled down her face. With a quick flick of her tongue, she wet her lips. Her eyes began to drift shut as he bent his head toward her.
Maxwell parted his lips and brought his mouth down to brush against Fran's lips when they heard a knock on the privacy glass.
"Mr. and Mrs. Sheffield?"
Fran and Maxwell sat up, quickly separating from one another. Fixing his clothes, Maxwell glanced at Fran and waited until she finished straightening her appearance before he answered.
"Yes?"
Lowering the privacy glass, the chauffer said, "I just wanted to let you know that I've already contacted the inn where you're registered and informed the concierge that we're behind schedule."
"Have you been able to fix the flat yet?"
"I'm almost done. We should be back on the road in about ten minutes."
Maxwell sighed in relief. "Thank you. We appreciate everything you've done for us."
"You're welcome Mr. Sheffield."