Chapter 4 – A Kiss is Worth a Thousand Words

Marshall watched Mary's sleeping form, taking full advantage of the opportunity to lazily study her naked body. His eyes ran over her from blonde tresses fanned out on the pillow, over her sloping shoulders, lingering on her full breasts, continued past her taut abdomen, her wide hips, the golden triangle between her legs, the long muscular thighs, the well developed calves, ending with her sturdy feet.

He propped himself up on one elbow, counting her breaths as her chest gently rose and fell. One hand balled in a fist as he resisted the urge to touch her.

Mary's stretched, arching her back and relaxing back into the mattress. She sleepily opened her eyes to find the sharp blue gaze of her partner on her. She smiled seductively and arched again, reaching out to take his hand.

"You can touch me, doofus. You know you want to." Her voice was throaty, rough with sleep and so sexy Marshall felt himself growing hard. Mary watched his penis spring to life and lifted her eyes to his. "You can do more than touch if you want to." The invitation was blatant, hopeful, pleading.

Marshall allowed her to guide his hand, running lightly over the pale skin, coming to rest on her hip. He looked at her expectantly, as if his intense gaze could pull what he needed from her.

"Marshall, please, I don't know what it is you need to hear."

A forlorn smile crossed his face, quickly disappearing as he cupped her cheek. "You'll figure it out Sunshine."

Mary glanced uncomfortably at Brandi, pondering her question. What was with her lately? She was confused, frustrated, horny as hell. She had no idea what it was that Marshall needed from her and he wasn't going to scratch her itch until he got it.

"Everything okay with you and Marshall?" her sister asked shrewdly. Brandi's blue eyes were focused on Mary's hunched shoulders as her sister slumped over her bowl of ice cream.

Mary fidgeted. She would really like to be able to confide in someone. For her, someone was usually Marshall, but since Marshall was the problem here...

She straightened up and answered Brandi in a tight voice. "Marshall and me, we haven't, you know." Her shoulder lifted in a shrug and her voice trailed off. Brandi's perplexed expression forced her to try again. "We still haven't slept together and it's really getting to me."

Brandi's shock showed in her face. "But you two, you've been a couple for months now. Why haven't you?" Brandi knew her sister, knew her appetites. No wonder she had been so grumpy, if she wasn't getting any.

Mary closed her eyes. "Marshall wants to take things slow. I'm okay with that. It's actually been quite enlightening, gradually exploring each other. But he has steadfastly refused to take that last step. I'm so frustrated I could cry. I need him to take me to his bed and do more than sleep next to me. I need him to rip my clothes off and screw me silly. I need him to show me what he's got. I'm so horny I worry I might jump Stan or Charlie or any other willing male in the office."

Brandi was looking at her thoughtfully. "Maybe there's something wrong with his junk."

Mary blinked, then dropped her head and said with a low chuckle, "Oh, his 'junk' is perfectly fine."

Brandi grinned as she grabbed Mary's hand. "So you've seen him?"

"In all his naked glory, yes." Mary hesitated. "He's so beautiful Brandi. And I know he wants me. He just won't. Not until I figure out what he needs."

Brandi was silent a moment as she considered her sister's string bean partner. She'd had a number of conversations with him. Enough to have some idea of how sensitive he was, how upright, how much he was in love with Mary. He would take every precaution possible to make sure this worked out between them.

"Well, you talked an awful lot about what you needed a few minutes ago, and not much about what Marshall needs. Why don't you just ask him?" Mary stared at her, scores of instances when Marshall had asked her 'tell me what you need', flitting through her head. His code for years for 'I love you'. Had she ever asked him what he needed? Could it really be that simple? To just show him she occasionally thought of someone other than herself?

Relationships had to be two way streets. Mary knew that, she just had trouble implementing it. She had become so used to protecting her heart by whatever means necessary, that she rarely considered the other person's feelings, seldom made any sacrifices.

Yes, her partner would need to know that she was willing to stake something on this relationship, that she was able to meet him halfway. That she didn't expect him to carry the relationship on his own. That she was as invested in him as he was in her.

She smiled at Brandi and squeezed her hand. "Thanks Brandi. I think you're on to something there."

Mary woke and groggily reached over to place her hand on the comforting bulk of Marshall's chest. He palm fell on the cool bedsheets and she raised her head, staring at the empty space next to her. Listening carefully, she didn't hear any noises in the house, nor see any light filtering in through the partially open door, She frowned, then relaxed suddenly tense muscles as the door swung open and Marshall quietly padded into the room, carefully easing back into bed.

Mary was hit by a storm of emotion that took her by surprise. He was back, back where he belonged, next to her. She slung an arm around his waist and muttered into his chest. "I missed you."

Marshall turned his head towards her and chuckled. "I was only gone ten minutes." Mary's hand was rubbing against his abdomen and she bunched her fingers up in his t-shirt.

"I still missed you," she sighed into his shoulder. "I love you. I love you Marshall." He turned on his side and pulled her close against him, his hand starting a hypnotic circling motion on the small of her back. Mary reveled in the familiar touch. His hands, his lips had been all over her body by now. He had explored, touched, kissed, caressed, adored every inch of her. Mary grudgingly acknowledged that Marshall's approach to courting had its advantages.

She smiled to herself at the use of the old fashioned word. Marshall was courting her. He definitely had a goal in mind. And he had the patience and self-restraint of an ascetic. Mary's desire for him was subsumed into her skin, sunk into her very bones. He had moved by very small steps, advancing their physical relationship forward so slowly that Mary found herself cursing sometimes. But he held very firm.

Mary had finally realized that Marshall wanted something from her, needed something from her. And he wasn't going to take that final step until he had it. And he wasn't going to help her figure it out. Mary opened her eyes and smiled lazily at him. The pale moonlight that spilled in through the lace curtains allowed her to see his face. She brought a hand up and stroked his jaw, her heart swelling with love. And she knew what it was now, the thing he had to hear from her.

"Tell me what you need," she whispered, watching as his eyes sparked deep blue. "I'll give it to you." He drew a shuddering breath and a tear slipped down his cheek.

"I need you to love me, to open yourself fully to me," he mumbled into her neck. "To be able to put me first on occasion. Completely trust me."

"I do, I am, I can, I do," she said softly, "I'll do anything you want. I'm yours."

Marshall gathered her to him, kissing fire down her neck, nuzzling her collarbone, his gentle hands sliding up under her top to cup her breasts. He thought of the words in the Anglican marriage ceremony, with my body I thee worship. Yes, he wanted to worship her with his body. She had finally put his needs ahead of hers, had asked him what he needed. Marshall would never ask her to put his needs first, but he needed to know that she was willing to do so. Their relationship had to be a two way street. His undying love and adoration of her wouldn't be enough to sustain them, if she didn't return the feelings, wasn't willing to make some sacrifices.

He kissed her softly, his lips and tongue exploring her mouth, pressing forward, pulling back, waiting for her response, forging ahead again. He never got tired of kissing her. He moved down her neck to her breasts, suckling on one while caressing the other. The rigid peak in his mouth sent signals straight to his groin and he rose up hard and rigid against her belly.

Marshall trailed kisses down her abdomen, feeling the quivering muscles contracting under his lips, his hands on her hips holding her still. Lean, nimble fingers hooked over her pajamas and drew them down her legs. He knelt between her legs and looked at her, drinking in the sight of her; vulnerable, exposed. The dark blonde curls glistened.

"My God, do you know what seeing you so wet does to me?" It was almost a growl. He did this to her. He aroused her so much the moisture slipped over his fingers. Him. The power in that thought was intoxicating. Stimulating. Arousing. He was hard as a rock.

"I think I have an idea," she said dryly, reaching out to skim her fingers lightly down the length of him. He captured her lips again and kissed her so deeply she thought he would extract her tonsils.

He stretched a bit so she had better access to him and bent down to take one stiff nipple in his mouth as his fingers trailed down her abdomen and caressed her hip. He suckled on her until she arched her back and lost her loose grip on him. His clever fingers found their way into her and started stroking. Mary heard a whimper escape from her own throat. She gave a small cry when he withdrew his fingers.

"Don't stop," she begged, her body thrumming. Marshall kissed her, his tongue demanding entrance and Mary complied, gasping as his wet fingers skimmed down her back, over the round globes of her buttocks and entered her again from behind. The short strokes left her almost crying, she was so close.

"Marshall, please, now." He pulled his fingers from her body and rolled her flat on her back. He gazed down at her, her beautiful body ready for him, for him. She was begging for him. She was wet for him. Mine. It was a primitive thought, primal, possessive. She belonged to him.

"Mary," he murmured, his eyes like lasers as his gaze bored into her. "Mary, hold yourself open for me." There was a hint of a command in the request. She had been waiting so long for this moment, she would have done anything he asked, anything. She reached down and spread herself open, watching his face as he watched her. Her folds were slick with moisture and she ached for him.

He slid down her body and placed a kiss between her legs, a small gasp escaping her, bringing a smile to his face. Rising up above her, Marshall braced himself on either side of her head, leaned down to kiss her, then placed his mouth on her ear.

"Invite me in, Mary." She thought her heart would stop. No one had ever asked for permission before. This was it. It was finally it. As a grin spread across her face, she reached out and delicately took him in her hand, guiding him to her entrance.

"Welcome home, Marshall." She placed his head between her spread lips. Yes, home, he thought, ready to walk through the door, into the welcoming arms of his mate.

He gently pushed into her, pausing to let her body adjust, his eyes trained on her face, hesitating as he saw the quick flash of discomfort cross her face. He stilled, shifted her body slightly to deepen the angle, then he was pushing again until he was fully inside her. He rested on top of her, their bodies flattened against each other from shoulders to hips. He stilled, waited for the thrust of her hips, accompanied by a grunt, that told him to get moving, then started a slow rhythm, easily pulling out, then plunging back in. Mary's hips thrust up to meet each deep entry into her body, hoarse words of love falling helplessly from his mouth at each thrust.

Mary's eyes closed when she felt her best friend entering her body. She felt herself stretching for him, opening for him. When he was completely inside her, she opened her eyes, turned her gaze to their joined bodies and grinned. She felt magical. He treasured her like no one ever had. He touched her, aroused her, loved her, like no one ever had. He filled her like no one ever had. Not in just the physical sense, although that was very nice; he filled her with love.

Marshall suddenly wrapped his arms around her and flipped them so Mary was straddling him. He didn't miss a beat, continuing to thrust up into her, while gaining access to her folds. His caresses brought her close and his eyes flitted between her face and the triangle between her legs. Watched her watching him slide in and out of her. He reached over and gingerly parted the curls so he could once again watch the little hood quiver.

Mary watched Marshall's face as his eyes feasted on her body. She moved her gaze from his face to the action between her legs. She was fascinated by the sight of him moving in and out of her body, his stiff member glistening with her body's juices. She reached behind her and cupped his testicles, stroking, lightly squeezing. His fingers once again sought out the little bundle of nerves and flicked over it, before pressing firmly as he delivered a forceful thrust and sent Mary soaring over the edge, unaware of the tears rolling down her face or the guttural sound she made. Her body quivered and pulsed around him, drawing him even deeper into herself and she collapsed on him, chest to chest. Hands grasping his shoulders, she moved her mouth in an effort to kiss his neck.

"Love...you...Marshall..." The words were gasped out, the feelings sincere. Giving one last push up into her body, he spilled into her and clasped her slick body to him as if afraid she would disappear. Mary's knees tightened around his hips, to keep him from pulling out. She wanted him to stay inside her forever.

Slowly gasping breaths calmed down and Mary braced her arms to lift her head up and look at him. The blackness of his eyes was starting to lighten and he lifted one hand to tenderly cup her cheek. Searching her face.

"Was it worth the wait?" She stared at him, her overly full heart cracking a bit at the uncertainty she saw there. Even Marshall had a male ego that needed to be stroked she supposed. She pushed herself up and sat back on his hips, feeling him slip out of her with a sense of loss. She shimmied back slightly and carefully cupped his testicles and spent penis; his lovely package that belonged to her. Should have her name tattooed on it.

Mary's eyes met his and she nodded. "You big doofus. It was worth the wait. You were right, Marshall. Getting to know each others nooks and crannies, how to touch, what the different sounds mean. I've never felt like that before. And I know its because you love me. And I love you. It does actually make a difference." She drew a loving hand down his jaw and leaned down to kiss him. "It was worth it Marshall," she whispered. "You were worth the wait."

Mary stood watching Danny as he checked in at the ticket counter, Marshall nervously hovering behind him. Danny was excited, Marshall was worried. Like any father sending his child off into the world. Danny turned and walked back to Mary, tucking his boarding pass into his backpack.

"All set?" she asked, sparing a glance at Marshall's glum face. Danny nodded and set his pack on the floor, venturing a look at his inspector as he held out a book. Marshall took it in surprise and looking at the title, looked up with a smile.

"Thank you Danny. This is very thoughtful." Marshall was thumbing through the pages when Mary looked around and pinned Danny with a look.

"Girlfriend didn't come to see you off?" Danny shifted uncomfortably and Marshall studiously avoided looking at him. Obviously they had already talked.

"Don't have a girlfriend now." His lips compressed. "Had two girls last week and then they found out about each other. Now I don't have anyone." Mary struggled to keep from laughing. Oh youth. Well, some lessons were harder than others. She placed a sympathetic hand on his shoulder, Danny's baleful look testimony to her losing battle with the giggles.

"Sorry, Danny, but you had it coming." He shrugged sheepishly and mumbed agreement.

"Well. I guess I should head to my gate." Danny focused on the simple ring on Mary's left hand, with its row of tiny sparkling diamonds. He looked at Marshall, then back to Mary and grinned. "You won't have the big day before I get back will you?"

Mary followed his gaze and looked at her ring. Marshall had let her pick it out. He had insisted on a ring, stating that he wanted the world to know she was spoken for, but was more than willing to let her pick the ring she wanted. Simple, understated, no big stones, nothing flashy. Her eyes met her partners'.

"No, not before you return," Marshall spoke to Danny, but his gaze was on Mary. "Now you know the drill, call me if you see anyone suspicious, if anything seems off, if..."

"Yes Dad," Danny said impatiently, then grinned. "I'll keep in touch, every week, I promise."

Marshall slung his arm over Mary's shoulders as they watched Danny walk through security. He lifted a hand in farewell and turned to his fiancée, dropping a light kiss on her lips.

Fiancée. The very word made him feel warm. She had said yes. She had agreed to be his wife, to spend her life with him. She was wearing his ring, proclaiming to the world that she was pledged to him. She had agreed to love him forever. She was going to be legally required to be next to him every morning. She was giving him her heart, her body, her soul. And in return, he was giving her...everything.

The End

A/N: You guys rock! Thanks so much for your great reviews and encouragement.