Quick announcement: The fanfic site wasn't sending out proper alerts when I published chapter twelve two weekends ago. Please make sure you read that one before diving into this one! Enjoy!
^^TotS^^
BPOV
"Edward…nothing's happening."
"Shhhh. Just…give it a second. It'll come back up again."
I sigh in frustration. We've been staring for at least ten minutes. Come on. A girl gets bored after a while.
"Edw—"
"Hush," he whisper-shouts at me. "You're putting too much pressure on it…you're scaring it."
I roll my eyes and look away. "Well, can I at least eat a snack while we're waiting? I'm starved. We've been at this all morning."
He rolls his eyes right back at me. "Yeah, eat…whatever. Just, don't look away for too long."
I grab a granola bar out of my bag, tear it open and sit up again… and stare.
"Look! Look! Look! There it is!"
I follow Edward's outstretched arm to where he's pointing and see the nose of a humpback whale breach the surface of the water. A moment later, a second whale leaps out of the ocean as if he thinks National Geographic might be filming him.
"Oh, my God! That's incredible!" I screech and jump up. "I hope it comes back up again soon!" What majesty!
I smile and nestle myself back between Edward's legs on the lounge chair. It's not built for two people, but we're not complaining. Ever since we crossed the threshold into unbridled passion while camping, we've been pretty much insatiable for the last few days. This sweet man, who's done the best job of taking care of my every desire on this vacation, has me swinging from the goddamn chandelier; he's such an expressive lover. Sexy, commanding, giving…and always ready for me. It doesn't matter if we're being slow and sweet with each other, or quick, dirty and rough. We've run the gamut from animalistic fucking to— dare I say it? — making love. Granted, "love" hasn't entered our vocabulary at all, but we've definitely been making "really, really, like" at the very least…and it's only been three days! He's turned me into a wanton mess, but I couldn't be happier; I've never felt more alive. I'm deliciously sore in all the right places and often find that I'm walking around like I just participated in a cross-country cattle-drive on horseback.
When we're not tangled up in bed together, Edward's giving me foot massages, making me dinner, we're playing board games together or he's just holding my hand gently while we relax on our balcony. He's wooing me to the point of no return. I can safely say that he's ruining me for any future relationships. I don't know how they'll ever measure up to Captain–soon-to-be-Major Edward Masen, United States Marine Corps.
"You must be somebody special," a groundskeeper pipes up from beyond the fence. "The humpbacks are usually gone by the end of May…they must've stuck around to give you an early-June show."
"Hear that, Cap'n?" I tease and jerk my head to the side. "He thinks I'm special."
Edward's throaty chuckle sends shivers up my spine and a rush of heat between my legs. He drags his nose up the side of my neck and pauses at my ear, whispering, "The man knows what he's talking about. Too bad for him he can only guesstimate just how special you are." He nips at my earlobe. "I, on the other hand, have first-hand knowledge."
I hum hearing his sweet words. "Flattery will get you everywhere, you know." I look out on the water and realize that our whale friends must have moved onto greener pastures, or deeper oceans, as it were. "That was too freakin' cool. Thank you for making me stare at the water until my eyes practically crossed."
He laughs and pinches my side. "You're welcome. I knew you'd be upset if you missed them. Bailyn's gonna flip when she hears about it. She has an obsession with whales."
I smile and close my eyes, relaxing and enjoying the quiet of the poolside. This resort is such a gorgeous piece of property. Its design is ornate with the open terrarium running down the center. Plus, I love the fact that we can lounge next to the pool, but just beyond the waist-high rock wall and iron fence is the ocean with its waves crashing against the craggy rocks.
Just then, a thought pops in my head and I turn my face up toward Edward's. "Hey, speaking of Bailyn, did you ever send her that picture our waiter took of us at La Bourgogne? She was begging to see what I looked like in that yellow gown."
His eyes widen. "Oh, shit! We're in the doghouse now. We were supposed to call her the next day, too!" He twists his wrist to check his watch. "We're gonna have to call later. I have a very legitimate excuse though; I've been a little too distracted by this bathing beauty currently shifting around so much, she's giving me a semi. I think I need to get you alone," he murmurs in my ear and runs his fingers up my thigh to the strings of my bikini.
"Again? Goodness gracious, you're needy," I kid, but continue to wriggle my tush into his crotch causing him to groan some more. Turn down another round of sex-sent-from-the-heavens with this man? I think not.
"You complaining?"
"Hell no! I just don't want to put you in the hospital. I think I'm working you out more than your latest PFT!"
Edward bursts out laughing, his chest hair tickling my upper back with the motion. "Well, I'm not going to deny that at all. I'd get a high-scoring, first class PFT for the younger age bracket, no doubt, let alone a perfect score for my thirty-three-year-old self!"
I giggle. "Okay, sir, focus. Bailyn first, physical fitness training after. Your niece may disown you for blowing her off for the last four days."
"I know, I know," he sighs. "I'm actually surprised my cell hasn't been ringing off the hook!"
"Well, let's call her now. My skin needs a break anyway; we've been out here since breakfast."
^^TotS^^
EPOV
Once we get back to our condo, I sit on the couch and dial Lauren while Bella announces she's checking her email behind me at the dining room table.
"Edward Anthony Masen! You are pushing your luck, brother of mine."
"Ouch, am I in that much trouble?"
"She's been whining for you in the evenings ever since she called Monday, but lucky for you she's busy during the day at summer camp. Have you been having fun? Where are you now?"
"The Big Island. I'm sorry I never called her back like I said I would. Bella and I went camping at Kilauea. We got back Wednesday and spent the last few days recovering from the rigorous hiking and stuff."
"And stuff."
I laugh at her bluntness and decide not to deny it. "Yeah, well…y'know."
"Mhmmm, say no more. Any chance we'll actually get to meet this one? I'm convinced she's the reason you've done a one-eighty over the last few weeks. Bailyn can't stop talking about her Princess Belle, and Mom is positively giddy…speaking of which."
"Hi honey!"
"Hey, Mom, how are ya?" I get comfortable on the couch, preparing for the impending third degree.
"I am fine…the real question is, how are you? This one sounds special."
I take a deep breath. I don't want to hide Bella away. So much about her deserves to be shared; there's no sense in acting guarded about it. "She is, Mom…very special."
"Oh, Edward, I don't even know what to say. So I won't say anything at all; I don't want to jinx it." I roll my eyes at her superstitious ways, but am happily surprised that we've skipped the grilling session. "Just know that I'm happy for you."
"Thanks, Mom. I'm happy, too. Before you hijacked the phone, I was about to ask Laur where the goofball is."
"She's still napping….should be up in…like a half hour. Can she call you back and Face Time then?"
I glance behind me to check the wall clock and notice Bella beaming at her computer and then make eye contact with me. Fucking gorgeous. "Sure, Mom. I'll be available then. See you later?"
"Yes, definitely. I need to put my eyes on you. Miss you."
"Miss you, too. Talk to you soon." I end the call, pocketing my phone in my shorts, and walk over to Bella to investigate what has her looking so happy.
"Whatcha got there, Clementine?" I gruff in her ear while wrapping my arms around her. I may have brushed a nipple over her suit as my hands found their resting place on her side. Whoops.
She turns her face toward me, a sneaky glint in her eye, and spins her body in my arms. Instantly, her lips are on mine, and she's pulling us up and into her bedroom. I'm not at all complaining about her eager display, but I really want to know what had her smiling so brightly.
Once the backs of my knees hit her bed, Bella pulls her mouth from mine. She gives one hefty tug and my suit falls at my feet with a dull thwack, still saturated with the moisture from our dips in the pool. My eyes widen at her fervor and I return the gesture by slipping my fingers beneath the strings at her hips while she yanks off her top. Her luscious tits bounce up and down with the quick motion and my cock responds by stiffening all the more.
"Anxious?" I tease.
She kisses me ravenously in response and pushes me down on the bed, getting ready to settle between my thighs for what I anticipate to be the "be all-end all" of blow jobs; she looks like a woman possessed. But I want to taste her, too.
"Flip yourself around, Bella," I moan while she teases the head of my cock with her tongue.
She raises her head, a sly grin appearing on her face. "Ooooh, I've never done that before," she says, wiggling her eyebrows.
"There's a first time for everything, sexy. And right now, it would be a crime for me not to lick you till you scream while you're sucking me down your throat."
Bella's eyelashes flutter and she visibly shudders. She launches herself at me, planting a hard kiss on my lips. "You and your dirty talk are going to kill me dead, but in the best way," she moans into my mouth. "I swear I could probably come just from hearing you whisper filthy fantasies in my ear."
"Hmmm, that does sound very pleasant to experiment with," I breathe into her neck while she sucks on mine. "But right now I want you to ride my face till I'm soaked in you."
"Holy shit," she squeaks breathily and turns her body around, her legs now on either side of my head. She timidly lowers herself down to my eager mouth. I run my hands up the outside of her smooth thighs and grip the tender flesh at her hips, helping her along. The scent of her arousal creates a Pavlovian response in me. I'm salivating before I'm even able to make contact with her pussy. I can feel her nipples tickling my abs as she tries to get a hold of herself and focus on my cock. Her composure is waning even though we've barely started. I hear her whimper, and all I can do is chuckle inwardly. I've only just blown on her exposed center and she's already coming undone.
"Better concentrate down there, Clementine." I use my fingers to open her up and I flatten my tongue, licking her hard from her clit to her slit.
"OHMYGOD!" Bella buries her face in my thigh in response to that first touch of my mouth. The tip of my tongue slowly traces her outer lips and then the inner ones as her wetness continues to pool into my waiting mouth. After a few circuits with my tongue dancing figure eights, I can't help but moan loudly as I feel Bella's hot lips wrap around my dick and pull back up, creating a mind-blowing level of suction.
I grip her hips tighter and tug her down so that she's lying flat on my chest but spread-eagle before me. I waste no time and start lapping at her, flicking my tongue over her swollen nerve bundle and then burying it in her creamy slit. She's soaking my mouth and chin and I can feel her thighs shaking a bit as they rest on my shoulders. Damn, I wish I had a picture of us doing this. That probably sounds freaky. I just told her a few days ago that I wasn't into the kinky scene…but for this visual, hell yes, I would love to see what we look like sixty-nining the fuck out of each other.
"Goddamn, you're delicious," I gruffly whisper, still devouring her juices. I thrust my hips in response to her playing with my balls while she drags her tongue up and down my shaft. "I'm not kidding, Bella…fucking five-star cuisine." I close my mouth around one of her inner lips and then dig my tongue back inside her sodden entrance.
"Oh fuck, Edward…I cah—can't concentrate when you're— ahhh! And then talking like that and—"
I don't let her finish her sentence before I slide my middle finger inside her, feeling her soft, moist walls clench around it in response. I curl it down, rubbing and tapping on her G-spot and I go to town rolling and pinching her clit between my lips while my other hand travels between our writhing bodies in search of an erect pink nipple or two that needs attention.
"Mother of GOD!" Bella shouts in crescendo. "Huhh! Fffffffffffuh—!" She loses her breath on that last nonsensical utterance and her legs lock against my shoulders while her walls pulse around my finger. She's completely forgotten about my cock in this process, but I can't be mad at her…just means I get to switch positions and bury myself inside her sweet walls next.
I pull my mouth back while she's spasming. "That's it, Bella." I replace my finger with my tongue again and continue to dart it in and over her lips. Drenched. The lower half of my face, and her pussy and thighs are fucking drenched.
Her whimpers die down as I slow my attack. While still flicking at her clit with my tongue, I slide my other hand between our bodies and pull her up to a sitting position, then I help her swing her leg over my body so she's no longer straddling me.
"I didn't do very well, did I?" she questions, panting. I can only smirk in response.
"No worries, I'm going to be just fine…c'mere." I sit up as she props herself on her elbows and we meet for a scorching kiss. "Mmmm, you taste that, Bella?" She's nodding as I'm fisting my hands through her hair. "That's you. All over my face…your essence, your body's perfume…you're my oasis in the desert."
Bella's breasts continue to rise and fall as her breathing returns to normal. I can't wait any longer though…I've tasted her with my mouth, now I have to taste her with my cock.
"All fours, baby," I demand. "I'm not done with you yet." She hisses a "yessss" in response. Once her perky ass is in my face, I kiss both cheeks and drag my fingers through her pussy once more, making sure she's completely ready for me. I hear her moan, and I line my cock up and drive myself in with a grunt.
"Mother FUCK!" I cry out, dropping my head back as her walls grip me instantly and start pulsing. "You feel so fantastic, Bella." I pump in and out of her several times with deep, long strokes, taking my time and running my hands gently up and down her back. She's sighing and moaning in delight.
"So tight, so wet." I close my eyes and lose myself in the moment. It's never been like this with any other woman. Everything about Bella is new and natural; there's nothing forced when we're together. The ease and comfort we feel…it's like an involuntary response. How could I ever let go of this?
She clenches around my shaft, and it shakes me from my thoughts. I knead her hips with my fingers, then slide them up her ribs and massage her jiggling tits. "It's mine, Bella. You may as well get a fucking tattoo over this pussy with my name... mine to eat and mine to fuck."
"Oh, God, Edward," she groans. She continues to push back on me and I take it as an invitation for more, more, more.
I alternate from a few fast pumps and swivels of my hips to several thrusts of deep penetration, causing Bella to whimper and slap her hand against the headboard. Bella twists her head to look over her shoulder, eyes hooded with lust. She licks her lips and bites down on her lower lip, running her hand through the hair that's flying around her face with every jolt of her body.
"Yes, Edward! Fuck me harder… more, pleeease!" Harder? Oh hell yes, she doesn't have to tell me twice. I grip her waist tightly and, while I piston my hips faster, I pull her back on my cock, slamming into her. It only causes her to cry out and then pitch forward, burying her face in the pillow.
"That's it, baby, claim it. This is all yours." I grind harder for good measure. "Anytime you want it…anywhere you want it."
Bella starts moaning and pushing herself back on me faster. My words are seriously cranking her up in the lust department. My girl is a FREAK, and I fucking love it. I see her wriggle one of her hands between her legs, and she starts to play with her clit; I can feel her fingers every time my balls slap against her ass. The smell of our mixed arousal is everywhere, and it's making me high. My spine starts tingling at the base, and my thighs are beginning to tense…an epic orgasm is moments away and I'm going to come like rolling thunder.
"Oh shit, Bella. I'm on my way." I slow down, watching my slick cock, glistening with our combined juices, glide in and out of her. I can't hold it off any longer, so I speed up just as Bella's hand falls away, and she screams into her pillow, constricting around my shaft and sending me hurtling over the edge.
"Nnnnnnnngh! FUCK!" I sputter out, losing my rhythm and bucking into her repeatedly. After I empty myself inside her, I slow my strokes again and eventually pull out, kissing her on the small of her back, and we collapse next to each other, spooning, completely breathless.
Minutes pass and I run my hand up the side of her body; she twitches. "You okay over there?" I whisper. She holds a "thumbs up" in the air and it makes me laugh and pull her to my chest. "You are too much, Clementine."
She rolls herself over and tangles her legs with mine, her fingers gently scraping through my chest hair. "So, are you ever going to tell me where you got my nickname from?"
I smile. "Call it a hypothesis…perhaps even a prophecy."
She tilts her head up, looking at me incredulously. "You want to elaborate on that one?"
"Well, you told me that clementines are your favorite fruit because they're so juicy and sweet. It was our first day together, on our hike up Olomana, and I didn't think it entirely appropriate to give you my theories just then, so I kept them to myself. But now that I've experienced the sweetness and the juiciness up close and personal," I waggle my eyebrows, "…yeah, you are most definitely my Clementine." I pull her into me further and kiss her cheek.
She narrows her eyes, playfully. "I should probably think you're gross for making that determination about me back then, but I think it's adorable. You really think I'm that sweet, Cap'n?"
I smile and nod. "And very, very juicy!" I laugh as she attacks me, trying to tickle me, and I give it right back to her. We roll back and forth, laughing, pinching, and kissing each other. I finally pin her and go in for a deep kiss. Slow and tender, with a few chaste kisses to end the moment. "My Clementine," I whisper, gazing in her eyes.
She replies with a shy smile, "My Cap'n."
I'm tempted to say something but I'm interrupted by the ringing of my phone, and my eyes pop out of my head. Saved by the bell. "Shit! That's my sister!" I roll off Bella and the bed in search of my shorts. "Bailyn wants to Face Time with us, you better put something on," I call out, my head and hands digging under the bed skirt. Success!
"Hello?" I say, a little winded.
"Hey, you ready?"
"Yeah, just gimme a second. I'll call you back in a few."
"Okay! We're ready when you are!"
Bella's giggling into her pillow while I pull up my swim shorts and pull them right back down again. Gross. Damp bathing suits are no fun, I need sweats or something. "What are you laughing at?"
"Sorry," she tries to compose herself. "It was just funny to see you standing there naked asking for your family to give you a minute while you covered yourself." She erupts in laughter all over again, pointing at my junk. "As if…" she heaves, "as if they could see you and you needed to hide it behind your hand!"
I laugh along with her and jump back on top of the bed, covering her face in kisses. "Shall I tell them you can't come to the phone because you're naked as a jay-bird too, Clementine?"
"Lord, no. Just give me a couple minutes, and I can come say hi to Bailyn." She pushes me off and darts into the bathroom. I hear the shower turn on and figure that's my cue to grab some sweats and get ready for the call with California.
^^TotS^^
"Uncle Edwaaaaard!" Bailyn screeches, jumping up and down. "Where's Belle?"
I laugh, realizing that my rank on the totem pole has seriously diminished. "She's taking a shower, but she knows you want to say hi to her…and she wants to see you, too!"
"I wanted to talk to you…where were you?"
"Well, I went camping with Bella this week. We got to see a volcano, and we saw two whales jumping in the ocean today!"
She gasps, dramatically. "Really? Did you take pictures?"
"Oh, I didn't have my camera ready at the moment they jumped out of the water, but I bet Mommy can show you some videos if you really want to see them."
"I do! I do! Momma, can we?"
"Yes, when we're done talking to Uncle Edward, we'll find some whale-watching videos on YouTube."
"So how's summer camp, Bay?"
"It's fun. But I wish I could swim all the time. We only have swimming for a little while."
"Aww. I know you love being a fish in the water. Maybe when I come back home to visit, I'll take you to Nanny and Paw's house and we can swim together!"
Bella walks through the room and grabs a bottle of water from the fridge, offering one to me. I wave her over and make room on the couch.
"When are you coming back?"
"Probably some time in August. I don't know the dates yet, baby. I promise I'll tell Mommy as soon as I know, and she can make you another countdown calendar."
Bella approaches with a shy grin, and I turn the phone so Bailyn can see her. The little girl screeches like a banshee.
Waving wildly she shouts, "Hi Belle!"
"Hi Bailyn!" Bella waves back. "How are you today?"
"I'm good! I saw your picture!"
"You DID? Did you like it? Was it pretty, like in the movie?"
She gets shy and blushes. "Yes. Momma and Mom-Mom loved it, too!"
I hear Bella's breath catch and I thread my fingers through hers, to soothe her nerves.
"I'm sorry," Bella whispers through the side of her mouth. I furrow my brow and shake my head.
"I'm not. I sent the picture to my sister. Clearly, I knew she was going to look at it before she showed it to Bailyn," I smile, rubbing my thumb across her palm. "I like being able to show you off. I'm good, I promise."
"BELLE!" Bailyn shouts, attempting to get our attention.
Bella looks a little rattled. "I'm sorry Bailyn, I was talking to Uncle Edward. What did you say?"
"I sehhhhhd, do you have a purple dress like Rapunzel?"
"Oh," she laughs. "I do have a purple dress, but I didn't bring it with me on this vacation."
Bailyn's face crinkles. "Well, maybe you can wear it after your vacation, and Uncle Edward can take a picture and send that one to me, too!"
My heart rate picks up a bit. I'm smiling at the phone and trying to study Bella's reaction all at the same time. Leave it to me to use my four-year-old niece's line to help me figure out what the next step is with Bella, post-Hawaii.
"That sounds like a great idea." Bella answers kindly, but her tone is unsure.
"Oh, Mom-Mom is here! She's gonna say hi now…and Momma, too!" My mom and sister come into view and both look like the cats that swallowed canaries.
"Hi-eeee," they call out in tandem.
"Hi Mom, hey Laur. Uhhh," I look at Bella who has a smile plastered on her face, it looks a little unnatural. I'm sure she's nervous all of a sudden. "This is Bella Newton."
"Hi!" Bella waves with her oddly-fake grin. "Nice to meet you…err, well, see you, I guess."
They laugh and nod. "You too! Are you enjoying your vacation?"
"Oh, yes. We're having a great time."
"What's your favorite part of the trip been so far?" Lauren asks.
Bella and I look at each other with a knowing smile. I'm sure it's written all over our faces, but she recovers quickly. "All the sightseeing has been spectacular. Kauai was incredible from beginning to end, but if I had to pick one place… I'd say our visit to the volcano was my favorite part. Edward over here is quite the planner," she says, nudging my shoulder, "and he made our camping and hiking experience one for the record books." She ends her little speech staring at me, communicating with her eyes how much it all meant to her. I swallow tightly and squeeze her hand in agreement.
"Aww, that's my boy! Always with a plan and another plan to back up the first one!" We all laugh at Mom's quip.
Lauren speaks next. "What's on the roster for the rest of your stay on the Big Island?"
"Well, I found somebody else who's as obsessed with coffee as we all are." They cheer and clap in response to my announcement. "So, we're definitely heading over to a Kona coffee farm; we haven't decided which one yet."
Lauren's eyes get wide. "Any chance we'll be in receipt of a care package?"
I laugh and nod. "Yes, sister dear; I wouldn't dream of leaving you and Mom out of the Kona coffee experience!" I look back at Bella. "Other than that, we're taking it day by day. Probably hit another luau at some point."
"And we're headed to Maui next week," Bella adds with a smile.
"Well, it sounds like you both are having a memorable vacation. Good for you. I know my son deserves it, and I'm sure you do too, Bella!" My mom smiles and winks at us.
"Belle, did you make Uncle Edward see Tangled yet?" We all laugh at Bailyn and her steel-trap of a memory.
"Not yet, Bailyn! I think we'll need to find a Redbox on the island somewhere…if not, I'll buy a copy for him! Because we all know you can't ever watch Tangled just once, right?" Bella teases while I groan. "I promise we'll call you right after we watch it and tell you how much he loved it, okay?"
She giggles. "Okay!"
"Well, we won't keep you anymore. Enjoy your vacation!" My mom calls out, waving.
"Thank you," Bella responds. "It was nice to talk to all of you."
"You too, Bella! Hopefully we'll chat again soon," Lauren hints, but again, I have no qualms. I've never felt calmer. Bella puts me at ease in everything, it seems. I actually want my family to meet Bella!
We all say our goodbyes and end the call. I squeeze Bella's hand in mine again. "Was that too weird for you?"
She shakes her head with a hint of a smile. "Not at all. You?"
"Not at all." We just sit there with dumb grins on our faces for another minute, and then I remember what I wanted to ask her before we got distracted with mind-blowing sex and phone calls.
"What had you grinning from ear-to-ear on the computer earlier?"
Her eyes widen in glee. "I got an email from DODEA. I was offered an overseas position!"
Oh shit, here it comes. Alaska, Europe. Guam. My spastic brain goes into overdrive.
"Osan Air Base," she reports with a huge smile and just a hint of seeking my approval. "My family is gonna flip, but I don't care. I'm totally taking it!"
South Korea. At least it's the same time zone. But it's not Okinawa.
I try and muster the smile that I know she needs and deserves.
"That's awesome. The start of a new adventure," I manage, wishing the sudden pit in my stomach would disappear. I stand up and plug my phone into the charger on the kitchen counter, trying to get it together. I'm not an actor, and I feel like the shittiest friend on the planet right now. What the fuck is my problem?
The silence is palpable for a good twenty seconds and then she pipes up, "I'm gonna call my parents and tell them the news. I'll be out in a bit. Do you mind?"
"Nope, not at all," I wave her off with a smile as she walks into her bedroom and shuts the door. Grabbing a beer from the fridge, I wander out to the balcony and lean on the railing, staring off toward the ocean.
Fuck. Bright side, bright side, bright side. Get it together, Masen. I feel my jaw tensing as my eyes close. What? Did I really think it was going to be this perfect ending to our vacation? Out of all the jobs on the planet, she'd miraculously get assigned to the same island in Asia where I'll be stationed for the next three years?
This is fucking real life. Not everything works out the way you want.
I don't know how long I'm lost in my "poor me" thoughts. Long enough that when I go to take another pull from my beer, it's less than chilled. Then I feel Bella's warm arms wrap around me from behind.
"Hey," she whispers into my shoulder blade.
I turn my head to the side and straighten up. "Hi. How'd it go with your parents?"
She snickers. "Well, they didn't love the idea. But they also understood my need to get out of North Carolina. They'll be fine. Mom's already starting to research airfare from JFK to Seoul."
"Good. I'm glad they're being supportive." I clear my throat. "You deserve it." I spin in her arms and wrap my hands around her lower back.
Gotta shake off this heavy feeling. "We should go out and celebrate. Want to go dancing again at Huggo's?"
Her eyes brighten. "I'd love to! But for now, I just want to curl up and take a nap. All morning in the sun and then strenuous bedroom activities have me yawning like a champ all of a sudden," she giggles, leaning her forehead into my chest.
"A nap sounds good. You worked me over something fierce earlier."
Her jaw drops in shock, "Me? You must be crazy! You were the one who was out of control this time…insatiable man," she mutters with a grin.
"Only around you, Clementine."
"We've turned into lazy slugs the last few days," she chides. "We used to be all 'get up and go' and now we just roll around in bed together."
I laugh out loud. "I think we earned it. Between two plus weeks of rising sexual tension and then all the hiking and traveling we've been doing…I'm pretty sure a few days of napping was a logical stepping stone. But hey, you just say the word and we're back on our jam-packed tourism schedule."
"As long as we can intersperse the laziness with the tourism, I think that'll make the perfect combination. We don't want to have to take a vacation from our vacation once we get back to Oahu," she notes. "After all, you'll have to return to work every day and I'll be at home, lazing around on your sofa and deck chairs!"
I can't help but smile at the image of Bella making herself completely comfortable at my place, to say nothing of the fact that she just referred to it as "home." "What a nice visual you've painted."
"Glad you like it, Cap'n."
I lean down and capture her smiling mouth in a kiss that's soft and slow. I try to communicate everything I'm feeling with my lips. Whether I'm succeeding or not remains to be seen. We still have time to get the words out.
In that instant, while I'm kissing Bella and lifting her up as she wraps her legs around my waist, I know that I'll have to make every moment we have together count.
Korea's not that fucking far from Japan, my glass-is-half-full side chimes in. What's to say this can't work…if we really want it to?
And as our kiss continues, and we collapse on the bed together, I know in my heart that I do. I really do.
Time to shift this game into high gear.
Military Terms:
PFT- physical fitness test
DODEA- Department of Defense Education Activity- a civilian agency that manages all schools for children and teenagers of military members in the United States and also overseas at American military bases worldwide.
A/N: Big thanks to all my usual pre-reading suspects: Born, Cejsmom and Jules. And always to my MFEO beta-Nazi, LaMomo. That girl has my back, fur realz.
Loving all your reviews. I got a chance to reply to all of them again this go-round. I know that won't always be the case, but I'm always so grateful to my readers, especially those who take the time to send me their thoughts/theories and such. Much love to all of you!
Last Call was just added to the Featured Fics library at twifanfictionrecs dot com. So honored by that accolade. Callward thanks you, too. In fact, come to my group, The Cabanaboy's Playground, to stop by and check out the Tip of the Spear photo album so that you can see all the sites Spearward and Adventurella/Clementine have been visiting thus far!
Another list for Last Call Girl t-shirts is circulating! V-neck shirt this time around! Want one? PM me or find the link in my group on Facebook.
xo, Jen