A Fresh Start
Chapter One Hundred Thirteen
"They make you feel safe. What else do they make you feel?" Richard asks, slowly moving his fingers up her arms.
"Warm." She replies, turning her head to look at him.
"Is that all?" He asks, watching her.
"No, that's not all and you know it." She says, smiling as she leans into him
Reaching to kiss her, he buries one hand in her hair as she moves around to lay against him. "I love you." He says softly, nibbling on her lower lip.
"I love you too." She says, leaning back to look at him.
She leans in again, kissing him as he wraps one arm around her, pulling to him. He deepens the kiss as she moves to straddle him. Kneeling over him, she wraps her arms around him, burying her fingers in his hair as he breaks the kiss, looking up. She smiles at him. He moves his fingers up her body, softly caressing her stomach, playing with her navel for several seconds. Sparks of electricity rushes through her as she moans softly. "You like that." He says, leaning forward to gently play with her navel. She sucks in a deep breath.
Laying her hands on his shoulders, she lets her eyes fall closed as she sucks her lower lip into her mouth. Reaching for him, she buries her hands in his hair, holding him to her. After a few moments, she releases him. Moving her hands down his neck, she slowly moves her hands over his chest, caressing him as he sucks in a deep breath and holds it. Pulling his mouth away from her navel, he glances up, watching her.
Leaning forward, she lays her forehead against his before she reaches to kiss him softly. "Cassie." He murmurs, wrapping his arms around her and pulling her down to him, holding her against his erection. She moves back, smiling as she leans in, bracing her hands on the edge of the tub to make sure no part of her body was touching him, except her mouth. She begins to nibble on his ear, slowly running her tongue around the rim of it, nibbling on his earlobe.
Hot waves of desire rushes over him, building his need higher. He reaches for her and she pulls away from him, shaking her head. "Puts your hands on the side of the tub."
"Cassie." He says his voice full of desire.
She shivers but she doesn't give in. "Put them on the sides of the tub." She orders, moving back and kneeling over his thighs.
He lays his arms on the sides of the tub. "Didn't we play this game at the palace?"
"Yes, we did. And I believe you enjoyed it a lot." Cassie whispers, moving down his neck, gently kissing the pulse pounding there. She softly kisses her way across his chest as she moves her hands down his body, scratching his chest. Leaning forward, she nibbles on his chest while she moves her hand below the water, playing with his navel.
The heat of the water and gentleness of her caress brings his need to the next level. He wants to touch her, but he's willing to let her play her game for now. He knows that even if he's not touching, she feels everything he's feeling. The sweet swells of passion. The fiery sparks of electricity. He can hear it in her breathing and that alone makes him want her. "I know you want me to touch." He whispers, as she leans in and licks his left nipple. He feels his heart rate jump and then settles into a steady pounding.
She looks up at him through her lashes, watching him as he looks down. She smiles before she moves over to his other side, nibbling on him as she moves her hand over his stomach, scratching him and playing with his navel. She teases him while she watches him. Letting his head fall back, he closes his eyes, letting her continue. Releasing him, she continues to watch him. She's not touching him, but she knows that he's burning up with desire. "I love to listen to you breath when you want me." She whispers.
"You want me too." He whispers, opening his eyes. "Let me touch you." He says lifting his right hand.
"No, not yet." She whispers, reaching for his hand and holding it in place. She leans in to kiss him, slipping her tongue inside his waiting mouth while she begins the process again, slowly moving her hand hands down his chest, scratching him, playing with his nipples, nibbling on the pulse beating in his throat, listening to him struggle to breath, playing with his navel. After a few seconds, she moves on for him navel, reaching for his erection. She squeezes it as she wraps her fist around him.
"Cassie!" He groans, lifting his hips, caressing him, slowly at first, barely touching him, her finger skimming his erection as he grips the side of the tub. She leans in to kiss him, swallowing each of his sighs as she deepens her caress, gently rubbing her thumb over the sensitive skin beneath the tip of his erection.
Staggering waves of desire washes over him with each caress, bringing him closer and closer to release. His fingers are white against the tub as he fights to hold on. He wants release but he also wants her to continue. She moves closer to him, laying her body against his, her nipples poking his chest. Her body feels heavy with desire. He pulls away, looking up. He watches her before he releases the tub and lays his right hand against her neck. He feels her pulse pounding against her throat. Moving his hand down, he slowly moves down her body, to her breast, cupping her for a few seconds before he begins to pinch her nipple.
Sucking in a deep breath, scorching waves of heat burst throughout her body. Slowly he rolls her nipple between his thumb and forefinger. "Lean back." He whispers. For a few moments she doesn't move. "Cassie, lean back, darling." He whispers again, gently pushing her back. Looking up, she leans back. Leaning into her, he gently licks her left nipple.
Waves of sweet desire rolls over her. She feels her body clinch inside, reaching for him. "Richard." She moans, feeling herself burning up inside. Wrapping her arms around him, she buries her fingers in his hair, holding him to her. Settling her body against his, she lets her head fall back as he plays with her nipple, nipping at it gently before rolling his tongue over it before he moves over to her other one, loving her. She feels her insides clinch tighter, reaching for him again, needing him and burning up inside. He leans back and looks up at her, smiling as she moans softly.
Slowly he moves his hands down her body, playing with her navel for a few seconds, before he moves on. Slipping his hand between her thighs, he lays it over her, feeling the heat radiating from deep inside her. Slowly he begins to caress her desire. "Richard!" She cries, as she reaches for him again, wrapping her hand around him, squeezing him before she begins to move her hand along his erection, running her thumb over the skin beneath his tip, as he slips a couple fingers into her, pulling them out before pushing them back in. He feels her shiver softly as he leans up to kiss her. After a few seconds, she breaks the kiss.
Releasing him, he looks up in shock. Realizing what she wants, he pulls his hand away as she moves up to him. Reaching for him again, she guides him inside her. "Darling." He groans, his hand falling to her hips, holding her to him. "You feel so good." He groans, closing his eyes. Feeling her body wrap around him, clinging to him as she begins to roll her hips.
Before long, he wants to thrust. Lifting his hips, he pushes against her but it's not enough. Bracing her hands against the tub, she begins to rise and fall as the water in the tub begins to roll, caressing them. "Richard!" She cries when he brushes against her deepest desire. "Cassie, darling." He groans, wrapping his arms around her. He leans into her, and begins to softly nibble on her nipples. The feel of him inside her, and his mouth playing with her nipples brings her so close to release that she begins to slow down. He looks up. Looking down, she sucks in a deep breath, reading the desire in his eyes. Rolling her hips again, he clings to her, laying his head over her left breast, listening to her heart beat. He knows from the rhythm of her heart beat that her release is coming before he feels her body clinch, squeezing him as wave after wave of release bursts inside her. "Richard!" She screams, her head falling back. He lifts his hips once before his release screams through him, filling her as waves upon waves burst from deep inside him. Sagging against him, she wraps her arms around him, burying her face in his neck.
"I love you." She whispers softly.
"I know, and I love you too." He replies, wrapping his arms around her.
The sun shone brightly outside as Jeffrey rolls to his side. He reaches for Sam, but she's not there. Slowly opening his eyes, he looks around as he calls. "Sam." When she doesn't reply, he sits up. The room is empty as he pushes the covers. Reaching for his boxers, he pulls them on as he walks towards the bathroom. Opening the door, he expected to see her in there and he feels his heart begin to pound as he looks around the room, trying to see where she could have possibly gone.
He's looking around the bathroom again when he hears the door open. Rushing out, he sees her come in. "Where did you go?" He demands.
"I was downstairs." She says, looking around as he walks across the room.
"Why?"
"I went to see if there was another tour today. We missed yesterday and I thought…."
"Why didn't you tell me where you were going?"
"I… you were asleep. I didn't want to wake you up. We had a long night last night." She says, surprised at his reaction. "What's wrong?"
"You should have woke me up and told me where you were going."
"I was downstairs Jeffrey. I was only gone for a short while. You were asleep and I sort of wore you out last night." She says, walking over to him.
"I'm sorry." He says, taking a deep breath.
"It's okay. I guess I should have left a note but I thought I would be back before you woke up." She says, wrapping her arms around his waist.
"It's okay, I'm sorry." He says, kissing the top of her head.
"You thought I left, didn't you?" She asks, laying her head over his heart. He doesn't answer her. "I'm sorry. I started this." She says softly.
"It's okay. It's that I woke up and you were going and I didn't know where you had gone and…."
"You thought I left again." She says, pulling back and looking up at him.
"It's okay." He says, caressing her cheeks.
"It's not okay. I hurt you last night being jealous and I'm sorry."
"Shhh, it's okay. We've got to learn to trust each other again. What did they say about the tour?"
"The next one isn't until next week. Do you want to go over to the falls?"
"We can." He says, releasing her.
"Good, because I went to get some gas while I was gone too." She says, with a smile.
"You did."
"Yes."
"Pretty confident that I'd want to go."
"You saying you want to stay here."
"No, we can go." He says, leaning in to kiss her.
An hour later, they are walking downstairs. When they reach the first floor, he turns to her. "Go on to the car and I'll be out there in a few minutes."
"Okay." She says with a smile.
As the door closes behind her he walks over to the front desk, a young woman is sitting there as he walks up. "Can I help you?" She says softly, staring at him.
"Yes, I was wondering if you could do me a favor."
"Of course." She says, smiling up at him.
He realizes that she's flirting with him but he ignores it. "I'm staying in the honeymoon suite."
"Yes Sir."
"I was wondering if you could set something up for me and my wife."
"Of course, Sir."
"We have a hot tub in our room."
"Yes, is something wrong…?"
"No, here's what I want. Could you arrange to have candles placed around it when we get home, along with red roses, enough to cover the bed and tub? We'll need a bottle of sparkling cider." '
"Yes Sir, do you know when you will be returning?"
"I'll call you when we're on our way back to the inn." Jeffrey says, with a smile.
"Okay." They young girl says, smiling at him.
"Thank you." Jeffrey says, turning to walk away.
"You're welcome." She says, sighing softly as he walks away.
He hears her, but pushes the door open and walks out. Walking over to the car, he gets in. Backing out as the young girl walks up to the door, watching them. She sees him take Sam's hand and bring it to his lips as he backs out of their space and leaves. "Josie." The owner says, walking up to her. When she doesn't answer, she says again, snapping her "Josie Taylor."
"Yes ma'am." She says, turning away from the door.
"Did you clean the room on the second floor yet?"
"Not yet ma'am, I was taking care of Mr. O'Neill."
"What did he want?"
"He asked if we could have candles around his hot tub and roses in the water and on the bed along with a bottle of sparkling cider for them when they get back later tonight."
"I'll take care of that. You need to get upstairs and clean those rooms before the guest arrive.
"Yes ma'am." She says, glancing back outside before she walks towards the stairs and the owner smiles.
"Mr. O'Neill has another admirer, I think." She says, walking over to the front counter.
The roar of the falls reaches them before they ever saw the falls. And as they walk up the roar is deafening. People are milling around, looking at the falls, talking to each other as Jeffrey takes Sam's hand leads the way up to the rail. Standing behind her, he wraps his arms around her as she leans back against him. They stand there, watching the water roll over the falls and fall in brilliant crystals of white foam. A thin mist of water hangs in the air. They watch a boat in the river below, circling at the base of the falls. "Are you sure you don't want to do that?" Jeffrey whispers in her ear.
Shaking her head, she moves closer to him. She wasn't exactly scared of water, but she didn't invite trouble either. She knew how to swim if she had to, but the idea of being that close to the power of Mother Nature made her stomach turn over. "Okay." He says, kissing her cheek softly. They hang around the falls for a while, taking pictures before Jeffrey asks. "Are you ready to go?"
"Yes." She says, looking once more at the falls before she takes his hand and they leave.
He holds the door for her when they reach the car. Walking around the car, he gets in and they leave. They drive through countryside, stopping to take pictures and roadside markets, picking up souvenirs. They passed vineyards of grapes. "Do you want to stop?" Sam asks, looking over at him.
"No." Jeffrey says, glancing at her.
"We can."
"You can't taste it."
"I'll be fine."
"It's okay. I've got other plans for tonight." Jeffrey says, continuing on.
"You've got plans."
"Yes."
"What?"
"You'll see." He says, as they pull up to the border.
She hands him her passport as he rolls the window down. Handing the guard their passports, he watches as another guard walks around the car. "You're cleared." The guard says, handing them their passports.
"Thank you." Jeffrey says, taking the passports and putting the car in gear.
They cross back into the US. He drives back downtown, holding Sam's hand. They park just down from the market where they had been the previous night. "What are we doing back down here?"
"We didn't finish looking at everything last night." Jeffrey says, opening the door. She follows him, getting out as he walks around the car.
"There's more to see."
"Yes." Jeffrey says, taking her hand and leading her down the sidewalk. He walks back to the point where she walked away from him the night before.
"We're taking up from where we left last night." She says, looking around.
"Yes."
"Alright, where to?"
"Why don't we walk this way?"
"You're up to something?"
"No, I thought we could finish what we started yesterday. There are some great shops down here."
"How do you know that?"
"Because I walked through some of them before I headed back to our room."
"You didn't want to come back."
"A part of me wanted to be stubborn and stay away because you were being ridiculous and then a part of me wanted to wrap my arms around you."
"Okay." She says, slipping her arm around his waist.
They walk along the street, stopping at different shops. They walk around for about another hour. Before he asks, "Are you hungry?"
"Yes." She says.
"Come on, then." He says, walking back to the car.
"Where are we going?"
"We've got to go change."
"Why?"
"Because, I found something last night that you're going to love." He says, holding the door open for her. He closes the door and then walks around the car. Getting in, he pulls out while she watches him. When they pull up to the inn, they get out and she follows him in. He hoped that the staff hadn't setup everything in the room yet. He nods to the clerk as they walk in before he starts up the stairs followed by Sam.
Unlocking the door, he holds it open for her. She walks in and then turns to him. "What are you planning?"
"You'll see, go take a shower and we'll get ready for dinner." Jeffrey says, smiling as she watches him.
"Alright." She says, deciding to play along. She walks into the bathroom, as he walks over to their clothes. He pulls out a black bag.
Opening, he pulls out his tuxedo and a soft silk evening gown and heels for her. The dress is a dark purple, so dark it almost appears black. It's strapless with a shrug that she can put around her shoulders. The heels are about an inch and a half high, bringing her up to his shoulder. Inside the bag is a jewelry box, he reaches for it. Opening it, he stares down at the amethyst ring, bracelet, necklace and earrings. He smiles as he runs his fingers over them before he closed the jewelry box. Turning he walks over to the bathroom. Opening the door, he walks in as Sam steps under the water. He watches her though the clear glass door.
He quickly he takes his clothes off. Walking over to the shower, he opens the door as she turns around. Smiling, she says. "I was wondering when you were going to join me."
"Why did you think I would join you?"
"Umm, you can't resist this." She says, as he walks up to her.
"You think I'm that predictable."
"No, but I do know you and you like doing this." She says, wrapping her arms around him.
"Umm, you're right." He says, wrapping his arms around her.
She leans up to kiss him, softly flicking his lower lip with her tongue until he opens his mouth. Opening his mouth, he lets her tongue slip inside his mouth, caressing his mouth. "Sam." He sighs, stepping back against the wall.
Slowly moving his hands down her back, he pulls her against him. His hips cradling hers. Slowly she moves her hands down his chest, softly scratching him. Pulling back, she looks up. Watching his face, as she moves her fingers over his chest, playing with his nipples as he sucks in a deep breath. Leaning in, she lightly kisses him, moving over his chest, playing with his nipples.
Bending his knees, he lifts her as he turns around. Wrapping her legs around her as he presses her up against the wall. He looks up watching her. She looks down, seeing the look in his eyes, and knows he's trying to take control. Slowly she rolls her hips, smiling as he sucks in a deep breath. After a few short seconds, he lifts her and then slips inside her, leaning in to swallow her sigh.
"J." She moans softly.
"Beca." He whispers, slipping out of her again only to sink inside again.
She clings to him, rolling her hips as he thrusts against her, driving them higher. She feels the waves of desire rush over her, clinging to him as she squeezes him tightly. He thrust once more, sweet desire flows through him, filling her. "I love you." He whispers, sucking in a deep breath.
"I love you too."
He holds her. Letting their heart rate slow down as they breathing returns to normal. Slowly he lets her down. They finish taking a shower and getting out, he hand her a towel. They dry off before he opens the door and they leave the bathroom. She notices the bag on the bed and she looks over at him.
"What do you have planned?"
"You'll see." He says, opening the bag again and takes out his tuxedo and the evening dress.
"We're going someplace formal." She says, taking the dress.
"Yes."
"Alright, I'll let you play your game." She says, unwrapping the towel from around her.
He follows her. They dress quickly and she goes into the bathroom. Putting her makeup on, she reaching for the brush to brush her hair as he walks in. He stops to watch her. Walking over to her, he wraps his arms around her. "It amazes me how beautiful you are." He says, kissing the side of her neck. She leans back against him. After a few minutes, she feels him responding to her. Pressing his body against hers. "Is there a time limit to these plans of yours?" She asks, looking at him in the mirror.
"Umm, yes." He says softly, stepping back.
She smiles softly at him and then continues to brush her hair. He reaches for the shaving cream and begins to shave as she twists her hair up as she glances over at him and catches him watching her. "Alright, I'll leave it down." She says, with a small smile.
He leans over and kisses her. Brushing his hair, he brushes his teeth before he reaches for his shirt. Buttoning them it up, he tucks it into his pants before he walks out to the other room. He returns a few moments later with the jewelry box he had earlier. He watches her again as he leans against the doorjamb. She checks her reflection as he walks over to the counter, holding the jewelry box at his side. She glances over at him. "I'm almost ready."
"It's okay, we've got time. I want you to close your eyes."
"Why?" She asks, looking at him.
"Just close your eyes, and hold your hands out."
She turns to him, watching him for a few seconds before she does as he asks, closing her eyes as she holds her hand out. He slowly opens the box before he places it in her hands. Leaning against the cabinet, he says. "You can open them."
"Umm, what…?" She looks down at the box in her hand "Oh my, Jeffrey." She says, staring at the amethyst and diamond necklace, bracelet, ring and earrings. "They're beautiful."
"I saw them at Spencer's and I thought they would go perfect with this dress." He says, taking the box from her hand. Laying it on the sink, he takes the necklace out of the box and walks around behind her. Unclasping it as she lifts her hair, he puts it on her and then moves to lean against the counter. Reaching up, she runs her fingers over the necklace. "Do you like them?"
"I love them."
Reaching for the bracelet, he helps her put it on and then she puts the earrings on and then slips the ring on before she turns to him, smiling. Moving over to him, she wraps her arms around his neck, leaning in, she kisses him softly. "Thank you."
"You're welcome." He says, kissing her softly before he leans back. "Are you ready to go?"
"Yes." She says, reaching for a perfume bottle. She sprays a couple of sprays before she turns to him, taking his hand and they leave.
Opening the car door for her, he closes it behind her before walking around to the other side. They leave again, driving downtown. He turns off onto a small side street and then pulls into a small parking lot. Shutting off the car, he gets out and walks around to the other side, opening the door he opens it for her. He helps her out and then closes the door behind them.
He leads her down the street to the end and then turns left. They walk about halfway down the street until the reach an old hotel. He pulls the door open and holds it for her. They walk inside and he slips his arm around her waist before they walk across the lobby.
"What is this place?"
"It's a very old hotel. But I found this last night." He says, opening a door.
When they walk inside, she stops, staring at the restaurant. It's setup like an old jazz club. In one corner is a large brass band, playing softly. Surrounding a large dance floor are tables. Some set for two, some set for more. He walks up to the hostess. "May I help you?" He asks.
"I have a reservation for tonight?"
"The name?"
"Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey O'Neill."
"Ok, right this way." They man says, after checking his list. He leads them over to a table set for two. It's in one corner of the restaurant. "Your server will be with you in a moment." The man says, laying their menus on the table.
"Thank you." Jeffrey says, helping Sam by holding out her chair. When she's settled, he walks around to the other side.
"This is beautiful." She says, looking around the restaurant.
"Yes, it is. It reminds me of the old Jazz clubs of the thirties and forties."
"You found this last night."
"Yes, I was walking and I heard the music coming from the open doors over there and so I walked up to them. I thought about coming in, but then I thought about you and remembered the story or dream that you told me about wanting to open a club like this and then I thought about you and I decided to go back to the room and see if you were okay."
Their server walks up to their table. "My name is Jacque and I'll be your personal sever tonight. Would you like two glasses of our own white wine?"
"No, thank you but we would like a couple of glasses of sparkling cider." Jeffrey says.
"Yes sir, do you need a moment to look over the menu?"
"Umm…" Jeffrey looks at Sam.
"I'll let you order for us."
"Alright, we'll have two of your steaks. I want mine medium rare and my wife would like her medium well, two baked potatoes. We'll both have a salad. Is the house dressing made with oil or vinegar?"
"Oil, Sir."
"Okay, we'll have the house dressing."
"Would you like to order dessert now?"
"No, we'll see about that after we eat."
"Of course, Sir. Will that be all?"
"Yes." Jeffrey replies, handing their menus to them.
Their server nods and then turns to leave as the band starts to play a soft waltz. "Do you want to dance?"
"Yes." Sam says, as he gets up and leads her out to the floor.