Ned worked most of the day to ready the house for their first-anniversary dinner. Katie wasn't usually one to celebrate their anniversary in such a big way, but it's important to Ned to honor their first year of being together as a real married couple.
He remembered this morning when he'd run with Jim to get advice on possible gifts. The father had laughed, telling him that Katie already loved him and he didn't need to go all out for her but had still suggested some chocolates that she'd loved as a child. Jim reminded Ned that he didn't need to woo Katie anymore either because he had her, forever, and Ned knew that, but he still wanted to do something special.
He nodded to himself, satisfied with his plan, and readied the house for her impending arrival. She'd gone into the high school today to ready her classroom now that her orientation was done. Everything was in its place for when Katie strolled through the front door. He'd finished grilling the steaks and made her favorite pasta salad and the aroma of the bottle of champagne he'd opened was infused around the entire house. Candles flickered in the entry and led into to the dining room, through the living room, and up the stairs.
When the front door jiggled, alerting him she was unlocking the door, he smiled. She didn't even know he was home early.
Katie came through the front door and passed through the front hall, he could hear her stomach rumble. The scent of dinner waiting brought a smile to her face in spite of the sting in her feet and ache in her back from a long day of errands and fixing up her classroom. She tried to stay out as long as possible since she realized Ned was up to something for their anniversary after her mother declined her asking if they could come over for dinner tonight. She didn't know what he had planned but was well aware of his romantic schemes.
It crossed her mind that if he went to the lengths of making her dad's chili, she might have to skip dinner and take him right to the bedroom, or better yet, have him on the kitchen table. But actually, she'd eat first, then take advantage of him.
"Ned? I'm home," she called, wondering where he was hiding.
"I'm in the living room," he said, pouring two flutes of champagne. He turned just as she entered the room, eyes wide like a child looking at all the colors of ice cream in the shop.
"Oh, Ned. I think I love you even more if that's possible." She gazed at the sight in front of her, wondering how each day she's that much more attracted to him. His rugged handsomeness shone through his wavy blond locks and the soiled apron that he proudly wore when he grilled. "You grilled? Did finally set the one we got for our wedding up?"
"Thought it was worth the occasion," he smiled. "But that's not all. I have a couple more surprises in store for you, Katie." He lifted the apron over his head, put it on the back of the chair, and looked his wife in the eyes. He noticed she appeared tired, but content with a smile on her face. "I missed you today. Did you overdo it? You look exhausted."
She shrugged. "I'm a little achy from all the carrying up and down the stairs, but it's nothing this meal and your attention won't cure."
He placed his hand at the small of her back, walked her over to the table, flashed his charming grin, and pulled out the chair for her to sit. "My love," he teased as he motioned for her to take her place at the table.
Katie attempted her best curtsy gracefully as she sat. Rolling her eyes, she joked, "I told you I'm not made for this fancy stuff."
"You did that so elegantly," he whispered, leaning into her ear. "I think you'd make a fine queen." He kissed her.
She gave Ned a playful jab in the thigh with her elbow for that comment, but the two laughed at the vision he described.
He changed his tone, standing behind her chair with his hands on her shoulders. "I want you to relax tonight. Let me do everything for you. This night is about us and how happy I am that you're my wife…for real." He swept her hair aside to expose her bare neck underneath. He lowered himself to place his soft lips against her sensitive skin. He whispered as his hot breath lingered above her, "I love you, Katherine. Are you ready for dinner?"
She nodded but was silently overwhelmed by everything he had done for her. Katie was used to being the one in control, the girl who made the rules, but He was asking her to follow his lead. She didn't like giving up her authority or allowing herself to be putty in someone else's hands, except maybe with Ned. She trusted his hands. She knew they would always protect and care for her.
She'd never felt more vulnerable, but completely safe at the same time with someone in her entire life.
Ned served the steak dinner and sat across from her, the candles flickering a dim glow that caused shadows to dance across their features. He scooped up some pasta salad and offered it to Katie. Her lips turned up slightly into a smile as she recognized that he'd made her favorite salad. He really was the same man who used to be that boy.
That same boy who, many years ago, let her be the captain when they played make-believe as kids. That boy who'd always buy her an ice cream cone too whenever the ice cream truck came through the neighborhood. That same boy who'd broken her heart more times than he could count on his hands.
He was the same person but more mature, more comfortable in his own skin. She admired who he had become. His green eyes have not changed, nor has his generosity of spirit and selflessness. He'd always had the side of him that could be a jerk and he'd shown that side to her multiple times, but he'd also shown what he was willing to sacrifice himself for her and she recognized that as she gazed upon him.
Once they finished dinner, he removed the plates and took them into the kitchen for cleaning.
Ned came back soon and helped her up from the table, taking her phone from her. "C'mon, I have a surprise for you. We'll have dessert and phone time a little later."
"Okay," she said, leaning into him. "But if this is the gifts part, let me go get yours."
He nodded and let her slip past with the price of a kiss on his cheek and heard her snicker all the way upstairs. She came back with a small blue box that she'd wrapped in a blue bow and gave it to him.
"Happy anniversary," she whispered, pressing a kiss into his shoulder as she looped her arm around him and watched as he opened it.
He opened the box and rose his eyebrow, seeing a small silver key inside. "A key? You better not say to your heart," he chuckled. "That's a little too cheesy, even for you."
"No, it's a key to a safety deposit box. What's inside is a secret. Just open it if you ever feel doubts about us or something. I don't know. I'm trying to be inconspicuous while keeping the traditional first-year gift of paper." She shrugged as he placed a quick kiss on her nose and spun her around to face the opposite direction toward the couch. She was puzzled, not certain what Ned had in store for her. "What's my surprise?"
"Now, it wouldn't be a surprise if I told you. Are you going to trust me?" He pushed her lightly to keep her moving forward, even though she was so stubborn that she stopped several times to turn to face him in the short distance. "Move it. If you fight me, you won't get to feel these hands all over you."
He placed his hands on her bottom and scooted her forward again. He noted a little smile form on her lips and her obvious attempt to keep it to herself.
"Okay, I won't fight it." Secretly, Katie was always aroused when he took charge. And if he was threatening not to use his hands on her, then that's simply out of the question. She'd do everything he said, for tonight at least. She watched him grab a bottle from inside a bag on the floor and she sat on the couch. "What's in the bottle?"
"I can tell you what's in the bottle, but let's get you undressed first." Ned kneeled before her and set the bottle on the coffee table and brought her mouth to his as he wrapped his arms around her waist. "Take off your blouse." Katie closed her eyes and flicked the first button open. She worked her way down as Ned's hands moved against her bare skin searching to unlatch her bra. He succeeded and Katie shrugged her shirt off her shoulders. He took the shirt and her bra in his grasp and placed them aside. He spun her hair up into a bun, holding it on her head while he kissed the nape of her neck softly. "Remove your pants next. I want you completely naked." His lips move along the curve of her shoulders, wandering to either side before they trail down her collarbone.
As Katie stood up slowly, he turned her around and pulled her body flush against his, his hands moving over her hands. As she slipped off her pants and tugs off her socks, she was overcome by her body's responsiveness to Ned's touch. As his lips and hands glided down her back, she's already throbbing for him, her wetness evidence that his seduction was working.
"Lie on your stomach, babe, and I'll tell you about the oil in the bottle." He said, patting her rear lightly.
"It's oil?" Sh asked.
She's curious what he planned to do with the oil. They mostly used it for cooking and baking but never in the bedroom.
Well, not cooking oil that was.
"Mmmhmm," he hummed, enjoying the sight of Katie in all her nudity lying prone on their couch. He removes his shirt to make the work easier. "I concocted a mixture of almond oil, vanilla, and a pinch of cinnamon so I can massage you. It's edible, so I can remove it easily." He licked her from the base of her spine up the slope of her neck. "I found it online."
She quivered as he sat atop her, straddling her bottom. She had not expected this tonight, but her senses were alive, anticipating the moment his hands make contact. She was certain she had every ridge and scar of Ned's hands memorized since she stared at them incessantly.
She heard him open the bottle and pour before setting it back down and then his two palms squishing together to share the oil. The fragrance of the vanilla, almond, and cinnamon was heavenly. It reminded her of fresh cinnamon buns.
"Ah, Ned, mmm. So good." The feel of his hands dispersing the warm, slick oil along her low back gave her such pleasure she feared she may fall asleep from the calming movements alone.
He used the heel of his hands to rub into her low back, just above the curve of her bottom. As his hands swept up, his thick thumbs apply gentle tension onto the pressure points adjacent to her spine. She remained quiet and enjoyed the sensation as her mind drifted off to the moment she knew she wanted to spend the rest of her life with him.
It wasn't that she'd loved him her entire life or something as simple as the way he looked at her in the morning. It was almost losing him that made her fall even more in love. It was during her second year at NYU, that they struggled with the most. With him in Grandview and her in New York, their schedules were hectic and they hardly saw each other.
It had been the first time in months since she'd seen him. He was working undercover in the city at some strip joint and to see him so close to other women, his mouth on their necks as they rode him, it nearly broke her. And she'd run out of there so quickly that Hannah could barely keep up with her that day. She hadn't believed Toby when he told her he'd seen him there and had gone to see for herself.
She knew now that he'd only taken the case because he was mad at her. That he didn't even tell her when he came to town. Living just minutes from her. He was so mad that she hadn't told him when Toby tried to make a move on her.
She just hadn't wanted the drama, you know? She saw why she should've just told him now.
Ned's hands slowed when he saw a single tear trickling down her cheek. "Katie, babe, what's wrong?" He moved back a bit, not knowing if she needed a breather. "Want me to lighten up?"
She quickly wiped the tear with her fingers and turned to look over her shoulder. "No, Ned, it's perfect. You're perfect. This whole night has been a dream. I was just thinking about how happy I am that we're together. That we made it through everything." She smiled at him, nodding. "Keep going. Your hands feel wonderful."
Ned applied more of the aromatic oil to his palms, repositioned himself at the end of the couch, and worked his thumbs up to her legs, starting from her ankles and up her calves. As he approached her thighs, he leaned forward and kneaded her muscles. His hands slide up to her glutes, his long fingers massaging those and her hips too.
"Mmmm Ned… Don't stop. That feels incredible…" Blissfully, she savored his large warm hands touching every one of her muscles. He worked them to the point of relaxation then moves on to the next until her body felt like it was made of jelly.
Her heightened state of pleasure was apparent as he decided he was ready to take it one step further. He moved his fingers up and between her thighs, coated them in her natural wetness, and slid one in.
She gasped, then smirks at him over her shoulder. "I like your methods, but you know I can handle more." They held each other's gaze as he added another more finger causing her mouth to open and her hips to jerk with the pressure. "Is that all you've got?" She teased, knowing how turned on he got when she coaxed him.
He shook his head, but as he added a third long finger to her, he pressed his thumb to her little bundle of nerves sitting just above. Ned watched her writhe as she brought her ass up to him and arched her back in ecstasy. She lost control of her movements. Her moans told him that he was doing exactly as she wished.
As he watched his bride get off from his ministrations, he felt his pants tighten uncomfortably. He used all his will to resist pulling himself out and taking her right then. He distracted himself by focusing on her pleasure, just how this night was supposed to be.
While he continued to work her clitoris and finger her, he took a lick of the oil off her hip, then up her side. He tasted her skin with his tongue and mouth, cleaning the delicious oil off her body. All of her nerve endings were alive with pleasure. She hovered so close to climax that she had difficulty speaking and breathing. She exhaled a loud moan and quickly took air back in, her body on the verge, but unable to hit the mark.
He recognized the frustration on her face as he leaned down, his mouth hovering over her center, licking the sensitive bud and sucking as she held her breath and teetering on the edge.
"Oh fuck, Ned. That's it. Yes! Yes!"
Ned was proud he had the ability to reel her back in when she was losing control, especially in the bedroom.
She nodded and remained intent on his actions. As he continued to work her, he solely focused on her needs and she moaned and arched her back, moving closer to him for more. That's what it took for her to lose it. She screamed his name, uttering words he couldn't understand, as her body trembled on the couch. He felt her climax against his chin, and he smiled at his ability to orchestrate her response.
He's practically delirious from smelling the vanilla and cinnamon mixed with her sex. His dick throbbed, captive in his pants, wanting to break loose, but he wanted to smell her, be right there to catch any of the sweetness that still dripped from her. He sat down on the couch and scooped her into his arms, holding her in his lap. His tongue licked up her neck as she pushed his shirt up and over his head. He removed his pants quickly and took his hardened length in his hand. He stroked himself as she positioned herself on top of him while bringing his lips to hers. She grasped his cheeks with both hands as he pushed into her and grasped her hips. She tightened her legs around his waist and raised her hips to take more of him. His thrust slow to a moderate pace. She hovered over him and he laid against the back of the couch so that their faces were only an inch apart.
"You are my world, Katie." He whispered as his gaze intensified and he readied himself for orgasm. He buried his face into the crook of her neck and sucked at the oily skin there, moving down over to grasp her breast and take her nipple into his mouth as he came inside her. The feeling of her ignited walls squeezing him tightly as he pulsated within was beyond compare.
They hold their embrace for some time before releasing and laid spent against the couch, rubbing his hand up and down her back. They're both tired and sweaty but smiling wide grins as they gaze at one another.
Still, on her high, she laid her head onto his chest. "I love you. You know that, right?"
He reached up to push the stray hairs from her face. "I know you do. But do you know why you'll love me even more?"
She shook her head, a grin forming as she wondered what other surprises he had in store for her.
"I got you a present for desert. Give me a minute. There's something in a box on the lounge chair for you to wear." He moved her to the couch, grabbing a blanket for her and kissing her. He pulled on his pants, leaving them on buttoned as he headed to the kitchen to grab the box of chocolates he'd gotten from the candy store just a little drive out of town. He grabbed the bottle of wine he'd yet to open and the glasses.
Katie, who had pulled on her new silky see-through black robe, joined Ned in the kitchen and pushed herself onto the counter while he opened the bottle. "Can I see what desert you got me? You made me work up an appetite for something sweet." She winked and took the bag from the counter and placed it on her lap before he could say otherwise. "You got me chocolates from Dolly's Candies?"
"I did. Do you like them?" He asked. "I hope I got good ones."
She pried the box open and popped one in her mouth and lifted another one for him to have. Her wide grin should be his answer, but he wanted to try them for himself.
"Mmm.. pretty darn good." Ned exclaimed as licked the caramel off his fingers. Katie loved caramel and coconut chocolates. They were her go-to sweets. He bent forward and kissed her lips. "I was worried that I wouldn't pick the right kinds. I know how picky you can be."
Katie blushed, nodding and then pressing a soft kiss. "Yes, but I like them. Did you ask my dad?"
"Maybe," he shrugged, moving between her legs to hold her closely in a hug. "Hey, I'm sorry for being so distant lately. I've just been busy with work and tired when I get home. I know that's no excuse-"
"Don't worry about it," she whispered into his cheek, rubbing his back. "We always work through our rough patches, right?"
"Right," he said, pulling back to take another chocolate. "These are actually really good."
"I told you," she laughed, stealing a bite out of his candy and snickering as he noticed and kissed her neck as he pulled her back in. "Oh come on. You know you love it when I do that."
Melinda was cranky, to say the least. She hadn't gotten much sleep because her six month was teething and Payne was being a pain in her behind. He hadn't stopped yammering about a lecture from last week and much as she usually loved to listen, she didn't want to hear it today.
She typed away at her laptop as he sat in front of her, speaking loudly. The bell rang out, pulling her attention from her keyboard to her eldest daughter, who was an unexpected visitor.
Her daughter waved, mouthing the words, "You busy?" She held a two coffee cup in her hands and beaming smile on her face.
"Excuse me, Payne." She said, standing up and smoothing out her dress. Melinda took a proper look over her daughter, seeing the sun at the cabin had done her some good. She wore a pink sundress with a jean jacket over it, her hair finally starting to reach her shoulders now. "You look beautiful baby, why the random drop by?"
"I need to vent," Katie sighed, giving her the coffee. "Amber has been taunting me in my dreams."
"Dreams? Amber? Who's Amber?" Payne turned, his smile growing. "I knew I sensed one of the kids were here. Hello Katie."
"Professor Payne," Katie nodded to him and with a smile and then giving him a hug. "How are you?"
"Good. I see marriage is treating you quite well," Payne smiled. "Give my regards to Ned."
"Yes, it has. Our first anniversary was yesterday actually. I'll tell him you said hello." Katie smiled and then turned to Melinda again. "Anyway, about Amber. She's mostly been tormenting me with the same dream of the day she died and gave birth to her son, but last night was different. It was like it was something completely different. I don't even know how to describe it."
"What do you mean by different?" She asked, sipping her coffee and moving them into the back room for more privacy. Payne shut the doors as Katie stole his chair and she took hers, leaving him to stand. "Was it from someone else's perspective?"
"No, it was Amber's. It was like I could see what she was doing," Katie explained, a ghostly expression on her face.. "I saw Mason. He was in his car outside my house with binoculars. He was watching me with Ned. I couldn't tell how far back it was at first, until I saw that I was pregnant. Which makes me think… were they planning all of this all along? Was Amber working with Mason all along? And if she is, can he see her?"
Melinda took hold of her shaking hand and squeezed it. "We'll figure this out. You just go home and relax. Letting your mind fester won't help, okay? Your birthday is in a couple of days and you deserve to enjoy your summer." She looked at Payne and then back to her daughter. "Payne and I will look into things."
"Okay," Katie whispered. "Let me know if you find out anything. I haven't pieced together the rest of my visions lately. I've been trying writing them out as best I can, so I'll stop by and bring my journal for you."
She nodded and as Katie stood and wiped her tears away, Melinda came over to her daughter and pulled her in for a hug. "Maybe you could go see Ned. He might be in between stuff, you never know."
"Maybe. I'll think about it." Katie shrugged, pulling back and wiping away any smudged makeup with a swipe of her finger. "I don't like to bother him at work right now. He's really busy with his new case." Katie walked out into the shop, leaving Melinda and Payne behind. She looked for Delia, but she was busy with a customer and Katie took care of one waiting at the register. At first, she didn't notice, but when the man reached out to hold her hand, she looked to his face and found Mason looking at her. "What are you doing here? Why can't you ever just leave me alone?"
"I love you, don't you get that?" He whispered as she read his total and he gave her the money and pushed the bag toward you. "It's for you. I just knew you'd love it."
Katie had never regretted not telling Delia about Mason in her life. As her mother sat blinded by the backdoors being closed and Delia, unknown to his predatory status, she was left cornered by him as he leaned in close and pressed a kiss to her lips.
She pulled away quickly and slapped him, earning the attention of her mother-in-law now.
"I shouldn't have done that," he said, smiling at the audience they were gaining. "I know you don't want us to be public yet."
She pushed past him and out the front doors of her mother's store before anything else could be said and got into her car, breaking down quietly once she was alone. She couldn't take Mason anymore. She just couldn't.
And how was she going to tell Ned about this?
Ned's phone began to rang as he walked out of the third women's shelter he'd been to. He and Jamison had been to everywhere in Grandview and surrounding areas that they can think to visit. Homes for runaway girls, shelters for the homeless, and any bars women are known to go for a good time.
They told the women to report any suspicious behavior. He doubted they listened, but he looked up from his notepad as he waited for Jamison to see a small, slight teenager nervously walk toward him. She almost looked scared of her own shadow, the girl.
And then her eyes landed on Ned. She took a hesitant step forward.
He smiled, and the girl was encouraged.
"I — I've been staying at the Salvation Army with my mom," she told Ned quietly. "And you came by and said yesterday that, um, we should talk to you about, um, about suspicious stuff. Right?" She chewed on her lip.
"I did," Ned nodded, his pen ready. "Do you have something to tell me?"
"I think someone's following my mom," the girl blurted out. "She's been going out to drink a lot and the same guy walks behind her when she comes home."
"Okay. Don't worry," Ned said, reaching to take her hand. "It's gonna be alright. What's your name?"
The girl let out a shaky breath, and smiled. "Reiley."
Ned told Reiley not to go anywhere without her mother or her friends, and if she needed a ride, she could even call him if she needed to. Ned walked into the shelter, flagging Jamison and telling him everything that the girl had told him. His phone rang as they left together this time and he picked it up on the second ring once he saw who it was.
"Mom, I'm kind of busy working a case." He said, sliding into the passenger seat. "This better be important."
"I thought you'd want to hear about what happened from someone you know," the phone crinkled, his mother's voice sounding almost delirious. "Something happened at the store today between your wife and a strange man. He accused her of not wanting to go public about them when she wasn't too pleased about him kissing her."
"Who?" His anger raged, already knowing who the culprit was. No one would act like that besides Mason.
"I don't know who," his mother sighed. "I didn't get a good look at him. He was tall and had dark hair, but Katie, she definitely knew who he was. She stormed out as soon as she realized who he was. She didn't say anything. She just left."
"Don't worry about it mom," he said, holding back any information. Katie didn't want Delia knowing. He'd agreed. His mother was too much a gossip to tell her anything you wanted to keep private. "Katie would never cheat. Never. I don't want you to ever think that about her."
"I know that," his mother said. "I'm not saying she is. I'm just telling you what happened."
"Thank you for telling me, but I need to get back to work." He muttered and then slammed his phone into the dash.
"Something wrong?" Jamison asked.
"It's just my mom. She irritates me." He sighed.
Jamison nodded, sighing. "I heard your side of the phone call and I agree with you. Katie would never cheat on you."
"I know," he said. "That's the one thing I'm glad I'll never have to worry about."
"I wasn't done," Jamison cleared his throat, taking a controlled, but sharp turn into the police station's parking lot. "I also agree that your mother can be troubling sometimes, but you need to patient. She is your mother after all." Ned looked over at him, sighing, but knowing his partner was right. Jamison usually was. "Now go home. I'll do the paperwork on this Reiley girl's tip. Go home and be with Katie, you and I both know you need to talk whatever this stuff is through."
They both got out of the car, Ned going toward his truck. "Thank you," he said.
"I'm doing it for Katie," Jamison called out. "Not because I like you."
Ned laughed, his voice echoing between the walls. "You have to like me at least little."
The older man shrugged, tossing back at him, "Don't get your panties in a bunch, Banks."