CHAPTER 9

Waking up to the sounds of the water lapping at the shoreline was something that made my heart happy and soothed my soul. After setting up our campsite, Ram and I had talked late into the night about our families, after delving into Vince's family backstory. We had snuggled together under the covers in his bed, both dropping off to sleep holding one another, some time around 0300.

Through sleep heavy eyes, I watched Evan sleep, his face turned towards me ever so slightly. During our conversations, he had asked me to start calling him by his given name and it thrilled me that he trusted me enough to ask that. He appeared so much younger asleep. Long blonde lashed rested on high cheekbones, many a girl would kill for. The fine lines and crease marks from the typical frowny/pissy face he sported around Rangeman were conspicuously absent, leaving his face smooth and unbroken. I was tempted to run my fingertips along his supple skin, but feared that I'd wake him. He deserved to sleep after earning himself a long vacation by working an entire year without breaks despite the two missions he had run for the government. He admitted that he decided not to re-sign his latest contract offer back in March. He was now free from the government and wanted to live his life without strings attatched.

We spoke about what dreams and hopes we had for our lives, including what we saw for ourselves in the future. He hoped he would find a lovely woman in which to share the rest of his life, love and future with. He planned on working at Rangeman as long as he was physically able, squirreling away as much of his pay as he could. He had a wonderful investment company that helped him to grow his portfolio. Admitting he was worth well over a couple million dollars shocked me. I didn't ask for that information, nor did it matter to me. It was his money to do what he wished. He wanted to buy a home where he could hopefully raise a family with lots of kids, though adoption was always an option.

I confessed that even though I had told the world that I didn't want to get married again, I felt that I was probably ready sometime in the not so distant future, if and when the time came with the right person. I still wasn't too sure about having kids, but maybe it would be okay with the right person. I didn't necessarily want a house with a white picket fence, but it would definitly need to be outside the confines of the Burg. I was done subjecting myself to the Burg's accepted idea of a normal nuclear family. Clearly, it was antiquated and archaic in this day and age. I wanted to forge my own path. I wanted to be happy despite what my mother and the Burg thought I should do, or be, or even whom I should marry.

I explained what the courtship, marriage and subsequent divorce from Dickey Orr had been like. I was seriously proud of myself for making him suffer through the worst possible divorce case in Burg history. It showed how little I believed in the stupid expectations for Burg wives, including ignoring any dalliances the husband might have during the marriage. I also told him about chopping up my dining room table with an axe and settng it on fire in my front yard.

What can I say? It was cathartic.

Evan talked about what it was like going into the Army at 18, two days after graduation. His heart had been broken by his high school sweetheart and just couldn't take being around anything that reminded him of their time together. Signing up for the Army turned out for his benefit. He made it through Basic, Ranger school and specialty sniper training to only be offered a position in Officer Candidate School. He flew through the training to end up one of the few elite which were selected to run black or special ops. He wouldn't tell me any specifics, but I knew he had done some pretty heavy things in order to keep our country and world a better place.

We talked about what I had been like losing my job at E.E. Martin and the hardships I had endured after the fruitless job search. He seemed concerned when I talked about my Miata getting reposessed while I was at my mother's for dinner. We laughed at how my Grandma Mazur shot the chicken in the gumpy with the handgun hidden in her purse. My description of how I blackmailed my cousin Vinny, was something I don't think he ever knew about. Painfully, I recounted the encounter with Ranger at the diner. Evan stopped me then and told me I didn't have to explain any further if I didn't want to, so I took him up on that. I did tell him about the first time I met him, I was in awe of how calm cool and collected he was. My explaination of how jealous I was of his ability to compartmentalize between work and personal life was something I was trying to learn.

He kissed my forehead, snuggling closer to me and told me he wished I never learned how to compartmentalize. He loved me just the way I was, nothing needed changing. I was perfect the way I was. It warmed my heart and we fell asleep, thinking about our lives and what we meant to one another.

The cries of gulls outside the window were what eventually woke Evan from his deep sleep. A slow sleepy smile spread across his face before his eyes fluttered open, his forest green eyes meeting my ocean blue.

"Mornin'." His voice broke, thick with sleep. His arms reached far above us, stretching, giving me a wonderful view of his well muscled body and lickable tan skin. "Lickable, huh?"

My face reddened at the realisation I had spoken out loud once again, voicing my internal thoughts. He just winked and captured my lips with his. Soft, supple and kissably plump. Unable to stop, I nibbled on his slightly fuller lower lip, goading him into deepening the kiss, as his arms wound themselves around me, drawing me closer. I could feel my heart pounding in my chest as he nipped and kissed me silly. My brain just completely shut off as I relaxed into his embrace, loving the way he worked my lips. Teeth grazing on the juncture between my shoulder and neck brought shivers up and down my spine, my loud moan pierced the air, uncensored. It only caused him to step up his ministrations of my body.

My sleep shirt found it's way to the floor, as his mouth found my breasts. Eyes closed, my head fell back and my moans became more breathy as he worked the peaks into tight buds. His mouth caused insane reactions in my body. An extremely large lump had formed in his shorts, pressing against my thigh. I inhaled sharply as he pressed it against me harder, seeking relief.

"I don't want to push you into anything you don't want or aren't ready for, Sweetness." He groaned as I pushed back on the large, thick bulge.

"I know. What if we just enjoyed ourselves without any expectations?"

"Friends with benefits for now?" He clarified with a searching look.

"Yeah." I agreed, wanting him as badly as I had ever wanted someone before. I could feel my body about to combust from the heat and want between the two of us. I rubbed my thighs together to try to give myself some relief. "I need you." My plea was met with questions.

"Are you...? Do I need a condom?"

"Implant. I'm covered."

"Oh thank God." He swept my lips up into a heart stopping kiss, as he tore off my panties and his sleep shorts. Propping himself onto his elbows, he nestled his narrow waist between my legs, brushing his thick, weeping shaft across my clit, sending shockwaves through our bodies. Our lips broke apart as his face nestled into the crook of my neck, he panted as he attempted to keep his control, while my teeth found his shoulder. I bit down hard as he slid into me, filling me. He was deliciously long, thick and unbelieveably hard. A low hiss escaped Evan as the sting from my bite and the heaven from pushing himself into my warm wet sheath combined, nearly overwhelming him.

Our lips crashed together, teeth gnashing, tongues fighting, as he began thrusting in a punishing pace, his shaft hard as steel, creating a delicious friction as he pulled out and thrust back inside. My fingers clawed at the sheets, his back and even his ass, trying to ground myself as the sensations were overwhelming.

All I could do was beg.

More.

Harder.

I prayed for my release.

My orgasm was temptingly close. I could feel it just out of reach, teasing me. No matter if I spurred him to go faster it wasn't enough. He slowed down, gaining a growl of frustration from me. "I need to come. I want to come so bad. Please." I pled, nearly in tears as I reveled in the pleasure his body gave mine. The burning need to reach the end was driving me mad with insanity. "Make me yours! Fuck me!"

Evan muttered dirty, dirty things into my ear as he drilled me into the mattress. How thick and hard he was for me. He was going to force me to come over and over. He was going to lick my pussy from sun-up to sundown. He promised that I would flood his cock when I came, soaking both he and the bed. He was going to lick and finger my ass, making me ready for him to fuck me there.

I was dangling over the precipice once again, ready to fall over the edge. My body ripe for it's release. Evan changed his position, rocking back onto his heels, my legs wrapped around his waist. It changed where his member rubbed against my ribbed channel. His began to rub long and strong against the top of my walls, dragging over the most sensitive area I had. In the matter of a few strokes, I fell over the edge, keening as I rhythmically contracted around his thick cock, rippling around him like crazy.

As he had promised, I began to squirt uncontrollably around his buried shaft. I flooded his cock and the bed with my juices. It was insane. The feeling was so intense, it sent him over the edge, forcing him to shoot thick ropes of his seed deep into my womb, crying out my name. He kept thrusting, refusing to stop, refusing to allow us to come down from our high. My orgasms came. Steamrolling, one after another; continuing as one long orgasmic bliss. We finally came to a stop when we both had no more to give. No more to receive. No more.

Though heavy, I liked that his body collapsed on top of me, both of us gasping for breath, sweat covering our bodies. I was in tears. That had been the single most intense and mind blowing experience I had ever had with a partner in my entire life. I wasn't sure about him, but it was beyond amazing for me.

"Sweetness. Angel. Oh God. That was..." He stared off into space, clearly at a loss for words.

"Yeah." I gasped out, unable to say much more than that.

"Are you okay? You're crying." He was fearful as he wiped the tears from my face. "You don't regret this, do you?"

"No. Oh, God no." I rolled over and kissed his forehead, his nose, and finally his lips, lingering, enjoying the feel of them. "I love what we have together. It was... I don't know how to describe it. It was just... wow." Best summary I could think of was wow.

"Next time will be even better. I promise." His voice was shakey, as his body was still reeling from our intense bout of lovemaking. Was it fucking or was it lovemaking? I wasn't too sure, but at this point in time, I didn't want nor need to think about it. I just want more sex with Evan. Later, but first, a little nap.

We napped on and off during that first day without Vince, only leaving the bed to shower together or to eat. We had frantic sex four more times before we got up about 1900 to make dinner and lounge on the couch to watch a Monty Python movie. I was deliciously sore in all the right places and I could feel a smug sense of satisfaction rolling off of Evan. The final time we had sex before we fell asleep, it had been slow and meaningful. We stared into each others eyes as we came; the full, warmth-filled crests, washed over us like gentle waves of an ocean of bliss. We fell asleep holding each other, Evan still sheathed in my body.

~0~0~0~

The first hint of dawn was in the sky when Evan's phone began to ring. He rolled over, his hand slapping around on the side table trying to feel for it. Holding it up to his ear, he growled out, "This better be good." I rolled out of bed and headed to start the coffee before grabbing my clothes for the day.

"Yeah. We made it... No, she's fine... she's worried about you... I took care of her... yeah we did... no it wasn't... I'm sure you'll be fine when you get back... how's your dad and Mario?... that's good to hear... what's she up to?... no shit?!... well keep your head on a swivel... naw, we'll meet you either in Oregon or California... yup... yup... back at 'cha... I'll tell her... later." He ended the call and dropped the phone back onto the sidetable, and began to look around for me.

"I'm gonna jump in the shower. Give me a couple of minutes and I'll get you a cup of coffee." He grinned and his head sagged back onto his pillow. "I'm going in alone or else we'll never leave and explore." I ducked the pillow thrown in my general direction and dodged into the bathroom.

Pike Place Market was such an iconic place to visit despite it being over priced and cliche. We watched the fishmongers throw the salmon through the air, nearly landing on the lady standing next to us. We worked our way through a dozen doughnuts bought at one of the famous bakeries located inside the market and two extra large coffees as we strolled along, taking in all that was offered. I threw my head back in laughter when I spied a different bakery with the name, I'll Be Your Cupcake. A small wooden sign hanging above it's door, was adorned with a cartoon cupcake holding a heart. Evan took my picture pointing to the bakery sign with a pouty face before sending it to Vince.

Strolling through Kerry Park on Queen Anne Hill was spectacular. The views were unmatched and breathtaking. We walked hand in hand, enjoying each other's company as we walked. We stopped to eat a couple of hotdogs, while watching a small group of kids play tag in the grassy area around an art sculpture. Their laughter and joy filled my heart, making my ovaries twinge a bit. I received some jealous looks from other women, as well a few men, while we walked hand in hand. It just made me feel a tad bit smug. Eat your heart out Bitches!

We took an Uber to the Space Needle, walking through the surrounding shops, window shopping until we came to a boutique for women. Evan grabbed my hands in his and dragged me inside telling me we just had to check it out. The young sales associate took one look at Evan and practically began to drool. Even after clearing my throat a few times, she ignored me as she chatted him up. He dismissed her blatent attempts and focused on the dresses on display. Stopping in front of a gorgeous black silk wrap halter dress that flowed from the cinched waist outward to the ankles of the mannequin. "This one." He spun around to look at me for approval.

"That one, what?" I asked, confused.

"I want you to try that one on." He turned to the salesgirl. "You have it in her size?"

She startled a bit before glancing in my direction. With a frown she haughtily announced, "I'm sorry, but we don't. We don't carry sizes that large." She gave me a smug look, silently judging me as I stood there in a pair of jeans, a button up cotton short-sleeve blouse and a gray cardigan sweater. Was she saying I was fat?! I was quickly reaching my rhino mode as she stood there acting as if she were better than I. A salesgirl!?

Evan just frowned and turned his focus on the older sales associate standing by the register watching the entire exchange. "I'm sorry. But do you happen to have this dress in my wife's size?"

The older woman just smiled and indicated toward the changing rooms in the rear of the shop. "Size six, Madam?" I nodded and she nodded in return. "I'll be just one moment." Frowning with disapproval at the unprofessional behavior, she turned to the younger sales girl. "Jessica, why don't you tidy up the undergarments and empty the trash bins. We will be having a conversation about professional behavior before you clock out tonight." The younger woman looked at the ground, ashamed. Her cattiness on display right in front of who clearly was her superior, before rushing off the sales floor and into the back room.

Realizing that we were still standing near the register, the older woman appologized before indicating towards the changing room. "I'm so sorry for her behavior. It was unprofessional and uncalled for. It will not happen again, I can assure you. Now, if you would be so kind, the dressing room is this way, please."

We headed to the changing rooms, Evan seating himself in a comfortable wingback chair as I stood fingering the silk and bamboo blouses. A few moments later the older sales associate, Martha, arrived with the dress as well as a pair of shoes and accessories to match. "I believe you're a size six, possibly a six and a half shoe, Madam?"

"Yes! How did you know?" I accepted the items from her hands and closed the drapes behind me.

"I have worked retail since I the day I turned fifteen in 1961. I have a knack for choosing the correct size. Besides, I love fitting women in beautiful clothing. Your're just life sized dolls to me." She laughed softly.

The shoes fit perfectly, as did the dress. The earrings and necklace were superb with the cut and design of the dress. It made me feel like a million bucks. I stepped out of the changing room to find Evan grinning back at me, mischieviously.

"What did you do?" I asked, hands on my hips a small smile on my lips.

"Nothing, Dear. Nothing." He teased as Martha shuffled into the changing room as I admired the ensemble in the surrounding mirrors.

"What do you think?"

"You're beautiful." He walked over to stand behind me; hands on my hips, eyes meeting mine in the mirror. "I think you're ready for dinner and dancing tonight."

Martha handed me a shopping bag with my casual clothing folded neatly inside, then handed Evan a receipt as well as a black sportcoat that looked amazing with his dark slacks, and robin's egg blue button up shirt. I hadn't noticed until now, that he wasn't wearing his normal boots but was sporting a pair of black dress shoes. I was confused as to what was going on. Had he planned this?

"Our reservations are in thirty minutes, Darling." He dropped a light kiss on the nape of my neck, "Don't want to be late." He turned giving Martha a heartfelt smile. "It's perfect, thank you."

"You're very welcome. Have a wonderful evening. Mr. and Mrs. Ramsey." She winked at me before ushering us out of the boutique and turning the closed sign.

"Mrs. Ramsey?" I inquired, eyebrows raised as I teetered on the fabulous black, five inch, peep toe heels, that sported a tiny bow on the back.

"Kinda has a ring to it doesn't it?" He teased before placing my hand in the crook of his arm, leading us to the Space Needle. Despite giving me hives and panic attacks in the past, the thought of being called Evan's wife, didn't even register as a burp on the panic-meter. Hmm. Food for thought. Speaking of food...

"We'll have some hors d'oeuvres and drinks before hitting Micky D's on the way back to Bertie. If that's okay?" He seemed a bit nervous, not quite sure of himself. Puzzled at his current behavior, I figured it was definitely something to keep an eye on, for sure.

"That sounds absolutely perfect!" His stunning smile made my inside begin to melt.