Chapter Nine
Hello everyone. I would just like to thank everyone who has read and reviewed my story. Hope I don't disappoint with this.
It had been probably the best two months of Naomi's life. She was doing well at college, even though it was very stressful. She had managed to make a couple of good friends in her classes and she was glad that they were separate from Steve's circle.
Thinking of Steve she smiled as she walked to the library. He had been great, very understanding that she needed to be independent and that she needed to invest a large amount of time in her studies. However they did manage to spend a lot of time together. Either he would come over after work and they would eat dinner at her place or he would take her out. Either way they made sure they spent their evenings and weekends together. In fact if she needed to study she would go to his house and she would study on the beach while he surfed or lazed next to her.
Unfortunately, Mary had to leave and go back to L.A. It had been a terrible scare for Steve, when he had discovered that the same men who had broken into his house one night had kidnapped her. And the worst was that it was all somehow connected to his father. She could feel his tension and tried to do as much as she could to alleviate it by being there for him, listening to him if he needed to talk.
One thing that had become clear to Naomi after Steve's house had been broken into was that she was confident she was in love with him. The thought that he had been hurt, tasered, scared her more than she could have imagined. Steve was always the big strong hero, but in this instance his vulnerability was made more obvious. He was after all a man, he could get shot, and if not used correctly a taser could just as easily kill a man.
She missed Mary a lot, but they made sure they skyped or talked on the phone often enough. It was like losing a sister, and even though they had promised to meet again, it was going to be hard once they both settled into their lives to take time out.
At the moment, Naomi was preparing for an exam and for the life of her could not concentrate. All she could think about was the fact that she had come to a decision.
She was ready. Finally, after all this time, she had known Steve for a long time now and was sure she was in love with him. The next logical step would be to take their relationship to the next level.
Like the nerd that she was, she had read up on all the information she could get and skipped all the romance novel bullshit. It was a realistic expectation that her first time would not be as good as she and every other girl hoped it would be. And she had decided that this Saturday would be the night.
Steve had called her last night, since he had not been able to come over. She had been cramming for her exam in the 24/ 7 section of the library.
"Hey baby. How's the brain?" he joked with her.
"It hurts and I still have another two hours before I can allow myself to sleep" she sighed with exhaustion.
He sounded worried, "You push yourself too much".
"Look who's talking Mr. Pain-Is-My-Middle-Name Navy SEAL".
Steve laughed at that, remembering one of their recent jogs on the beach, "You were the one who said you wanted to get fitter".
"I said I wanted to get fit, not join a fucking bootcamp!"
"Well, sweetie you want to work out with me, you gotta do what I tell you to" he used his best SEAL voice. "That reminds me you have missed the last few morning sessions".
"That's because my muscles have staged a protest against you" she laughed and earned a nasty look from another student. "Okay you're disturbing me at two – thirty a.m, I'm getting dirty looks from others. Speak".
"Now who's being bossy?" he asked with a laugh.
"I learnt from the best. Okay now tell me why you called and why are you not sleeping at this hour?" she asked sounding a little concerned.
"I was working on the stuff that Mary left for me. Couldn't sleep".
She sighed, "Steve you need to rest. I worry that you're not looking after yourself".
"Don't worry about me babe, I'm fine" he dismissed her like he usually did when it came to talking about his health. "Okay the reason I called is that I have a surprise for you this Saturday".
"What is it?" she asked a little suspiciously.
"Nothing much, it's your birthday so I figured we go to a nice restaurant, I know you like Spanish. What do you think?"
Naomi smiled, "I think that sounds great. But we don't have to do anything fancy. Just you and me on your beach would be just as great" after all she had a surprise for him as well, but she wouldn't tell him.
"It would, but I want to wine and dine you. Besides we never do anything fancy" she heard him yawn.
"Okay, that's great and I'm looking forward to it. Now sleepyhead, go to bed".
He yawned again, "Alright, I'll see you tomorrow for dinner. Wanna go over to that Chinese place near your apartment?"
"Sure, I finish at four".
"If I finish before that I'll pick you up, if not I'll call you".
"Good night Steve. Sleep tight" she smiled as she spoke.
"Good night beautiful. And go to bed properly. When you get to your apartment just give me a call, I'll probably be up by then anyway".
Once she disconnected the call she couldn't help but smile. As she looked up more annoyed faces glared back at her, but she couldn't wipe the smile off her face.
-X-
Steve looked at himself in the mirror and had to admit he didn't look too bad. He had never been comfortable in a suit and avoided wearing one if he could get away with it. But tonight, he wanted to do something special for Naomi, although he refused to wear a tie. This was Hawaii, no one except Danny Williams wore one. So he had opted for an open necked black shirt to wear with his slim fitting black suit and fancy shoes that pinched his feet, since he hardly wore them.
They had been officially dating for the last two months and they had been some of the most fun times he had spent with her. She had opened up with him and he could see she was emerging from her cocoon slowly. She was more confident and was thriving in her independent environment. At times he worried that she would not be able to cope, or that she needed to be taken care of. But he understood that the reason she was doing so well was because she was independent and not being smothered by anyone. So all he could hope for was to be there for her whenever she needed him to be. She had her own life and she deserved everything she had worked to get it.
She was not spoiled. She went to college and studied hard, then she went to work at the local café on campus to earn a living like all the other struggling students. She loved the fact that she had to save now, as she had mentioned to him a few times. She had stopped shopping the way she used to and she had started to dress a little casually as well.
She still looked as beautiful and sophisticated as before, but she looked younger and more carefree in her summer dresses and shorts. She still dressed in her killer designer heels and sophisticated clothes but not as much as she used to. She was more relaxed now.
Tonight was her birthday, and Steve wanted to do something special for her. He had wanted to take her someplace fancy for their first date, but she had insisted they just went for a movie and dinner like others, stating very matter of factly that she had never done that. So Steve had obliged. But tonight he had thought he would surprise her.
He knew she liked Spanish music. Just remembering the night he had discovered that about her made him ache with want. They had been watching Vicki Christine Barcelona, one of Naomi's favourite movies. She had gone to the kitchen to get them some popcorn, and a sexy flamenco song was playing in the movie – she had danced to it the entire way to the kitchen and back. He had sat there gaping with his mouth open, watching her hips swaying to the music, hands twirling like he imagined a flamenco dancer would.
Since then he had noticed she loved listening to Spanish guitar, especially some guy called Paco De Lucia and Jesse Cook. And he always enjoyed watching her get lost in the music.
So when he learned that this Jesse Cook guy was doing a small show in Hawaii at some Spanish club, he had wrangled some passes for her birthday. He wanted to watch her dance and maybe dance with her.
Naomi was one of the sexiest women he had known. Without being conscious of that fact, she attracted him and looks from others as well.
The way she moved was sensual and graceful. Her gaze was sexy with the green eyes, and the best part was she effortlessly looked innocently seductive. It was a look that he had seen women, unsuccessfully try but they always fell flat on their faces.
He looked at his watch – it was time to pick her up. He checked his pocket for the tickets and his wallet – Danny never let him forget how he always managed to get out of paying for drinks because he never carried his wallet.
When he reached Naomi's apartment block, he walked up the steps to her door, checked his breath and rang the doorbell. Sure enough, Kat answered the door. For some reason he had never seen her in anything but gym clothes, showing too much skin.
"Oh my. You're looking hot tonight!" Kat had graduated from coy looks to outright comments about how 'hot' he was to his face, in front of Naomi – which made him laugh because she looked ready to scratch her roommate's eyes out.
"Thanks. Is Naomi ready?" he asked as he entered the small living area.
"Sure why don't you have a drink while you wait" she offered with a smile.
"That's fine, thanks".
Just then Naomi walked out looking different than he had expected, but sexy and effortlessly seductive as always. She had recently had a haircut and her long dark waves fell in sexy tousled disarray around her shoulders and down her back, he was glad she hadn't cut it too short. She was dressed like he had never seen her, not as polished as she usually looked.
She wore a cream colored off the shoulder top, which floated over her arms and showed off her pale shoulders; with a black frilly gypsy skirt and a red crystal beaded belt around her waist and hanging to one side of her hip in beaded tassels. Her make up was minimal, only her green eyes accentuated with smoky eye makeup and her pink lips coated in lip-gloss. When she walked he noticed the full effect of the skirt, it had a split in the side so when she walked it swished around her legs revealing her left leg to the thigh and her sexy red strappy heels.
Steve had to remind himself to breathe as she walked toward him with a smile on her lovely face.
"Hi there handsome" she reached him, went on tip toe and kissed him on the mouth.
Steve kissed her back, tasting her berry-flavored mouth. When he managed to pull away from her, he took a deep breath, "Happy Birthday baby. You look sexy as hell". He watched as she blushed and lowered her eyes.
"Thanks".
"Ready to go?" he asked.
She replied yes, ran into her room to collect a small red purse. How she could run in those heels amazed him.
Everything about her amazed him, and although he had seen her dressed up many times, he had never seen her look this sexy before.
-X-
Naomi was pleasantly surprised by Steve's reaction; he had been speechless, which told her that her bold choice of outfit had worked. She had chosen to wear something other than the polished designer dresses she used to wear, simply because she wanted to be sexy for a change. Sophistication did not come into the picture – she wanted to look HOT! And it looked like it worked.
And not to forget the way Steve looked. He could almost be mistaken for a model, except that he was too rugged to be one. The all black suited him, he looked utterly sexy and all she wanted to do was skip dinner and get on with her plan.
They drove to a lovely, stylish Spanish restaurant and were ushered to a table near the window that overlooked the ocean. The ambiance was romantic with softly lit candles and light strains of Spanish music playing non-intrusively.
"God Steve, this place is great" she admired her surroundings as they were seated.
"I'm glad you liked it. I'm afraid I have no idea what to order so you'll probably have to order for me" he smiled at her over the burning candle.
She reached for his hand, "Don't worry you're in good hands".
As she started to pull her hand away, Steve stopped her, trapping her fingers with hers and staring at her wrist. She had purposely not worn anything to hide the scars.
"You didn't wear your silver cuffs" he brought her wrist up to his mouth and kissed her lightly, then repeated the same with the other one.
She shrugged, "I don't have to hide from you. You have seen me at my worst".
She watched as he slipped his hand in his jacket pocket and pulled out a small box. For a moment Naomi caught her breath, it looked like an engagement ring box. But that was impossible, she told herself. It was too soon.
He pushed the box toward her, "Happy Birthday sweetheart".
"Steve you didn't have to" her hands shook as she opened the box. She gasped at what she saw.
She had been right, it was not an engagement ring, but rather lovely olive green crystal vintage earrings that she had been admiring once when they had walked down Kalakaua Avenue at a stylish vintage shop. She had no idea he had noticed.
"I saw you looking at them and I thought you liked them" he mumbled self-consciously.
"Oh Steve, they're lovely. I absolutely love them" she took them out and wore them in her empty ears.
"They don't match your dress" he pointed out.
"I don't care. I love them"
Dinner was great, Steve didn't know much about Spanish food so she ordered for them both. They talked about random things, her friends at college and she was pleased when Steve shared a little more about his parents, especially the fact that his father's evidence had been stolen from his house.
"You must miss Mary" she said as she sipped her wine.
"Yeah I do, but it's safer if she stays away. Whoever is after my family, does not need the chance to do any harm".
She comfortingly touched his hand, "Nothing will happen to your family. You sent Mary away for her safety".
He looked at her with a strange expression on his face, "Maybe you being here wasn't such a good idea. If who ever it is that is after me finds out about us, you could be in trouble as well".
"Steve, I have made my life here. I cannot run away from things. Besides I'm not family, they don't know the level of our relationship. We could just be on a date" she patted his hand, "Now lets not think about it. Lets go for a walk along the beach".
Steve smiled, "Actually, we have somewhere to be" he looked at his watch.
He refused to tell her where they were headed as he paid the check and exited the restaurant. They walked down the Avenue and reached a well-known Spanish club and the marquee read "Jesse Cook – One Night Only".
"Surprise" he said as they reached door and he pulled out two passes from his inside pocket.
"Oh my goodness. This is the best birthday I have ever had" she impulsively kissed his cheek as they headed inside.
-X-
Steve had not anticipated enjoying himself as much as he did. Dinner had been great; she had loved her gift as he had hoped. He had never really bought anything for a woman before.
When they had talked about Mary and that he had to send her away, he had started to worry about Naomi. She had started to become an important part of his life, and even though she brushed off his worries, he was still anxious. What if who ever was after him, came after Naomi. He tried to forget about that and enjoy himself.
The guy was good, he had to admit. He danced with Naomi most of the time like a lot of the crowd. The music was fun and enthusiastic one moment, and the next it was sexy and sensual. It was then that he would pull her close to his body and dance with her as he had never danced with anyone.
She was in her element, at the moment a slow sensuous song was playing, very romantic. She had her eyes closed and her head rested on his chest, one of her hands in his and the other around his neck.
He couldn't resist, so he bent his head and kissed her mouth. She instantly responded to him; her mouth opening under his, letting him in, her hand playing with the hair at the nape of his neck. They danced and kissed lazily the rest of the night, not noticing anyone else.
When the show ended, Steve wanted to take her home, but he knew the decision had to be hers. Throughout their time up till now, they had not had sex, and even though he always hoped, he was ready to wait till when she was ready.
As they headed toward the parked car, Naomi walked quietly beside him hand in hand. Her silence was more contemplative.
"What are you thinking?" he asked her.
She stopped walking; it was late at night so there weren't many people around. She looked up at him and smiled shyly, "I want to come home with you" she said quietly.
For a moment he just looked at her, "Are you saying what I think and hope you're saying?"
She nodded and came closer, "Yes Steve, I'm saying what you're hoping".
"Sweetheart, you have to be sure. There's no hurry, I'll wait for you to be ready" he caressed her cheek.
She stroked his hair and shifted her body against him, "I am sure Steve. I am ready; scared but ready".
All Steve could do was groan as he dropped his forehead to her shoulder, inhaling her perfume. "If at anytime you are not comfortable or you want to stop, I will".
"I know. That is why I want to do this. This is not a hasty decision, I have been thinking about this for a while".
He didn't say anything but just kissed her mouth. He cupped her cheeks and slanted his mouth over hers and automatically she opened up, letting him in.
Neither of them noticed passers by and neither did they realize when they got in the car and reached his house.
He held her hand as they entered the house. Instead of switching on the lights, he managed to find some of Mary's old candles and lit them, then opened a bottle of wine.
"Wanna go to the beach?" he asked her.
"Yes".
He shed his suit jacket and shoes, Naomi took of her shoes as well as he rolled up his pants and sleeves. Without glasses he just took the bottle and walked her to the beach.
He pulled her between his knees so she sat with her back to his chest as his arms went around her. Naomi snuggled her head on his shoulder as they sipped wine straight from the bottle, listened to the waves and kissed.
Steve didn't realize when his shirt had disappeared, and so had her top, all he knew was that he loved the sensation of her bare breasts against his chest.
"We should get inside. I don't want our first time to be on the beach. Especially without a blanket" he wiggled his eyebrows at her suggestively, making her laugh.
"Steve I have to tell you something" she said as she looked at him.
"Do you want to stop?"
"God, no way" she sighed and touched his chest as if she couldn't help herself, "It's just that this is going to be not just our first time but mine too".
Steve looked at her, her comment not registering in his head. Then he realized what she was saying, "Oh. So you never… with your fiancé…?"
She shook her head, "That was part of the problem. I didn't feel comfortable enough with him".
Steve looked into her face and all of a sudden he started to feel nervous, "You do realize that sex is very different from what the movies and romance novels show".
Naomi glared at him, "Steve, I am a pre-med student. I know what to expect, the first time is never great for a woman".
"Gees, way to make a guy feel good" he joked.
She smiled back, "I'm being realistic. If the first time isn't great, then the second time will be better, and then the next".
Steve just kissed her and gathered her close. Somehow they managed to get inside the house and into his room. Whatever happened now, Steve knew this was going to change their entire relationship.
-X-
Naomi cracked open one eye. Something was different; she was not in her bed and she was very warm. Then the warmth by her side shifted and a weight settled on her back. She turned her head and looked into the sleeping face of her handsome lover.
She had always thought him good looking, but when he slept he looked rather boyish. She smiled at the tousled hair and the moons of his lashes. She reached her hand and traced her finger down his forehead, over his nose and reached his lips. She didn't expect it when he caught her finger in his teeth.
"You're awake" she gasped, trying to burrow under the sheet.
He didn't reply, just grunted as he pulled her closer into his body. During the night he had thrown off the covers, but she managed to cover herself up as much as she could. For all her bravado last night, in broad daylight she felt self-conscious.
With his eyes still closed, Steve bent his head and settled his mouth on her throat, breathing in her scent. Then he suckled on her skin there, using his teeth and tongue. She realized he was giving her a hickey!
She didn't care. She closed her eyes and enjoyed it. Her body felt sore, muscles that she never knew existed, ached. But she felt good. She had been right, the sex itself had not been that great, it was painful and as much as Steve tried, she wasn't able to reach satisfaction.
But during the night he had woken again, and they had made love again. This time it had been better, her body had been more receptive, both to Steve and the pleasure he gave her.
"How are you feeling?" he asked her, finally opening his sleepy blue eyes.
"I feel great. How are you?" she snuggled closer and tucked her leg between his.
He looked at her and caressed her cheek, "I would feel better if I didn't hurt you as much as I did".
"It wasn't that bad" she tried to reassure him, even though it had been. There was nothing romantic and glamorous about first-time sex!
"Are you kidding? You cried!" he propped himself on his elbow and looked down at her.
Naomi touched his cheek and traced his lips, "It was just the first time. The second time was good".
He smiled at that, "Yeah it was" he bent and kissed her. It was a deep and intimate kiss, and it lead to the sheet being pulled from her.
-X-
Steve watched as Naomi came into the kitchen, dressed in nothing but one of his t-shirts, she had just come from the bath he had drawn for her. She had tried to entice him into joining her, but he knew if he got into the tub with her, she would be really sore.
She came over to where he was standing at the stove, cooking breakfast. She wrapped her arms around his naked waist and kissed his back.
"Need help?" she asked running her hand up his stomach.
"No, you just sit and relax. Today you get pampered".
She went to the fridge and took out some orange juice and glasses, "You know I have to thank you for last night".
He turned to watch her, "No you don't".
"You don't understand. I don't think I could have done it with anyone else" came her reply.
That was good, although he didn't say it out loud, "You don't know that".
She looked at him while pulling out plates, "I was engaged and I didn't want to make love with my fiancé. The minute he did more than kiss me, I would freeze up" she sat at the table, "For a while I thought I was frigid".
He brought the eggs over, deposited them on the plates then crouched down next in front of her. He ran his hands over her thighs and pulled her closer, fitting his body between her legs, "You had been through a trauma. Luckily you weren't raped, but what they did to you made it hard for you to trust a man sexually" he reached up and cupped her face in his big hands, "I'm glad you trusted me enough to make love with me".
He loved her this way, sleep tousled in the morning after spending the night in bed, making love. When he had woken up with her in his bed, she had still been wearing the earrings he gave her last night, looking sweet and sexy at the same time. He had no idea he could be this attracted to a woman. He never had been before.
-X-
He looked amazing, dressed in nothing but a pair of board shorts. He had already had a swim and showered while she had lazed in the bath. Her body had needed it, even more than when he usually made her do those sadistic exercise.
And now as he crouched in front of her, assuring her that she had nothing to worry about made her realize that she could never be without him in her life again.
Naomi knew that what she was about to say would either ruin everything or make it better, but she was not able to keep it in anymore. Last night had been hard enough.
"Steve, I love you".
He blinked, said nothing, pulled her closer and planted his mouth on hers and kissed her like he had never kissed her before.
All the links to Naomi's dress and earrings she gets from Steve are in my profile. Hope this was as good as the buildup was and thank you for all the reviews. Please Review!