Chapter XVI: Captivated by Paradise
Author's Note: All previous disclaimers apply along with a spice-meter alert warning! The previous chapters haven't included racy scenes, so thought it relevant to warn once again. Happy reading and thanks for all the wonderful feeback/comments/reviews thus far!
The sun was bright and the air crisp with the scent of the briny salt water. Shane and Oliver sat back as they enjoyed the sailboat ride to Bonita Island, just off the coast of Marbella. It was a shorter ride via catamaran, but Oliver opted for the romance of going by sailboat. It took longer, but they had all the time in the world. Well, at least for a few more days.
"What are you thinking about, darling?"
Shane was getting awfully good at reading him, Oliver thought. He knew he'd never be able to keep anything from her.
"I wish this didn't have to end." Oliver replied, looking at Shane ruefully.
Realization dawned on Shane. "Oliver, are you worried the honeymoon will be over once we return to Denver?"
"They honeymoon will be over once we get to Denver, my love."
"Look at me." Shane turned to face Oliver, taking his face in both of her hands. She could see a bit of sadness in his eyes and she didn't like it. "Sweetheart, the honeymoon trip will be over, but who says the honeymoon stage has to end?"
"Isn't it somewhat daunting when you stop to consider what it will be like to return home and face everyday life, after the amazing couple of weeks we've had?" Oliver pondered out loud.
"Maybe… but I am very excited about continuing to create memories with you, Oliver."
"That sounds beautiful," he replied, placing a soft kiss on Shane's forehead.
"I know these couple of weeks have been out of this world, but just think… we'll see Dad and get together again with Norman and Rita. We'll get to play with baby Ellie and get to know Charlie better! Not to mention hanging out with Ramon and taking those dance classes we talked about in New York. We'll go to church on Sundays and together thank God every day for the blessing that is our marriage. We can develop our own traditions… for birthdays and holidays. Think about it, Oliver, we can start creating our home and building our new life together."
Oliver's eyes stung a bit, and it wasn't from the wind or the salt water. He felt a tiny prick in his eyes when Shane said "we'll see Dad", knowing very well she meant Joe. He had a real whole family now! That was the most precious gift he could've been given, after feeling lost and adrift for so many years.
Clearing his throat, Oliver said, "You are so right, my love. I don't know what I was thinking."
"I'm pretty sure I know what you were thinking, darling."
"Pray tell, Mrs. O'Toole, what was I thinking, since you believe you already know me so well?" he said, crossing his arms with a smug smile on his face.
"You're thinking we're going to lose the romance and the passion once we go back to Denver."
It was humbling having such a perceptive wife. He thought he could hide his feelings well…but, joke's on you, O'Toole, Oliver couldn't help but think!
"I know routines can sometimes take a toll…"
"Sometimes they do, darling, but we won't let them. Just think, we're embarking on another adventure together. Aren't you just a wee bit happy to go back to work as husband and wife?" She gave him a tiny smile, looking up at him through her lashes.
Oliver chuckled, "Those are definitely uncharted waters."
"We'll work through everything together, I promise, dear husband." Shane slid up against Oliver and threaded her arm through his, as she laid her head on his shoulder. "Do you know what we can do? Let's schedule date nights. Once or twice a week… or twice a month…whatever works, depending on what we have on our plate when we get home. And we can trade off planning for them. That way there will always be an element of surprise."
"Mrs. O'Toole, have I told you today how much I love you?"
"A couple of times, but you can do so again."
"I love you, Shane."
"And I you, Oliver," Shane responded, looking up at her husband from the corner of her eye. She caught him looking back at her, and the realization of their simultaneous sideway glance had them both grinning contentedly.
The sailboat ride was over in the blink of an eye, finally arriving on Bonita Island. After docking at the pier, a golf cart was available to use to make their way to the villa Oliver had reserved for the night.
"All the places you've taken me, Oliver, have been simply spectacular! I have to say though, this one takes the cake! How on earth did you find it?"
"I have to admit I had an overall idea in my mind of what to plan for our honeymoon, but Rita did the heavy lifting tech wise. I just gave her my credit card and she made all the arrangements after running them by me." Oliver grinned wryly.
"Of course… that makes sense! She was the one who packed my bags knowing what I'd need!" Shane laughed. "Poor Rita…it must have taken a huge toll on her to keep all your secrets and surprises to herself!"
"I had her swear on her marriage to Norman, and again afterwards on baby Ellie. Not my finest hour, but desperate times call for desperate measures!" Oliver admitted.
"This is magnificent, Oliver. You have outdone yourself at every turn. I will return the favor someday." Shane said, as Oliver pulled the golf cart in front of the astounding villa that would be their home during their stay.
"You don't have to do that, Shane. I've done all this because we deserved to celebrate the beginning of our marriage in a way worthy of the deep feelings I have for you. This has been my gift to you for everything you've given me since the first day you walked into my life."
"You're going to make me cry. Again!"
"It's certainly not my intention, my love! Let's see if this takes your mind off crying…"
Oliver stepped out of the golf cart and helped Shane out of the seat. Pressing himself against her he swooped in, taking her lips into a deep kiss that immediately threw her into a frenzy. She grasped the thin fabric of his shirt, squeezed his arms, and melted into his kiss. Oliver had the power to turn her into a puddle of desire with a single touch. When he intentionally seduced her, she simply couldn't think. Shane surrendered to the staccato beats of her heart and the rush of fire she felt overpowering her.
"Come on, let's go to the beach," Oliver said against her lips, his hands caressing her back.
Shane opened her eyes to look into his and saw his were as hazy with passion as her own. Finding her voice, she said, "Seriously, Oliver, the beach? … let's find the nearest bedroom… heck, even a sofa or loveseat will do if we can't make it to a bed…"
"My lovely wife," he said, as he nipped her neck lovingly, "don't you trust me?"
"With my life."
After changing into their bathing suits, Oliver opened the master bedroom's sliding doors to reveal their backyard for the next 24 hours. The small stretch of beach was a wonder and completely private. It was a good thing the sun set much later this time of year, allowing them to take advantage of the extra hours of sunlight. Holding hands, they ran together towards the beach and splashed into the water, laughing like kids without a care in the world. Shane floated on her back for a few minutes while Oliver swam a few strokes. As he emerged from the water and saw his wife's blissful smile, he couldn't help but smile as well. Her happiness was his. It was as simple as that.
As Shane stood in the shoulder-deep water, she jumped into Oliver's arms, encircled her arms around him and wrapped her legs around his waist. "This is absolute paradise, Oliver. Thank you."
Oliver was still adjusting to the feeling of Shane in his arms - her insanely beautiful legs around him and her lips so close to his. The sway of the water lulled him into an even deeper sensual haze. Her scent mingled with sunshine and seawater and he wondered if she'd taste the same here on a beach, immersed in the water. Before he could put his thought into action, Shane claimed his lips with hers, devouring him with such a sensual sweetness he shuddered instantly.
Lost in all the feelings their steamy kiss aroused, they didn't notice the ocean current had pushed them closer to the shore. Oliver lost his footing and fell on the soft golden sand, breaking Shane's fall with his body. Their lips didn't break contact and they gave in to their passionate embrace. As they lay entwined together, the waves gently broke against them and the ocean water washed over their bodies like nature's blanket.
Captivated by the moment and the Mediterranean paradise, Oliver rolled Shane under him, pinning her on her back, as he continued to ravish her honeyed, swollen lips. Shane was an avid participant in their passionate embrace, curling one of her legs around his, her fingers digging into his hair and opening her mouth to tangle her tongue with his.
Shane hadn't felt arousal like this before. Knowing they were completely alone in such striking surroundings, with no threat of interruptions, had her undone. Could she persuade Oliver to make love to her right then and there? As he continued to kiss her with all the passion he felt, she lowered her hands to his shoulders and down his arms, flitting her fingertips towards his ribcage. She felt him spasm under her hand as she trailed her fingers down his sides. Finally, her hands rested on the waistband of his bathing suit. She hooked her thumbs inside the waistband, letting one of her hands slide in and gently begin kneading his hip.
Oliver felt like a man possessed. Shane's delicate touches, along with the ambience provided by the beach setting, were the ultimate aphrodisiac. When he felt her hand sliding inside his bathing suit, he almost told her to stop, but he found he didn't want her to. Instead, he felt like he had to touch her everywhere! His first impulse led him to free his darling Shane from her bikini top. The string fastenings were undone easily and Oliver filled his hands with the voluptuousness of her breasts. He was completely overcome, with his overpowering longing and need for Shane blinding him to anything else.
Just then, a stronger wave broke against them, jarring them back to reality. Oliver's breathing was labored, and Shane was still under the influence of the sensual spell they'd created. She then realized not only had she lost her bikini top, but her bottom was full of sand….an obvious hindrance to what she had in mind!
Shane sat up, covering her chest with her bent legs, laughing uncontrollably.
"Did I just play a part in you losing your bikini top?" Oliver dragged his hands through his hair, obviously mortified.
"Yes!" She exclaimed in between giggles. "What on earth has gotten into us?"
Sighing, Oliver took her chin between his thumb and forefinger, and his deep gaze bore into hers. "Desire. An uncontrollable desire that irrevocably takes over every time we touch. One that has deepened after all we've shared, and overwhelms us when it's wrapped within the paradise we find ourselves."
Oliver's words washed over Shane, warming her insides. The things he did to her heart when he spoke that way! "Oliver, there's nothing I want more than to make love with you, right here and right now…"
"That could be arranged, my love…." Oliver said huskily, whispering his words to her ear.
"Oh dear…. there's only one teeny tiny detail…."
"And that would be?" Oliver asked, as he nuzzled kisses on her jaw.
"Half of the beach is inside my bikini bottom." Shane took a breath and felt Oliver stop kissing her jaw. They looked at each other and burst into laughter.
"Well, we can't have that now, can we?" Oliver affirmed, still shaking over the laughing fit that overtook them. "Let's go take care of this…delicate…situation."
Oliver led Shane inside the villa towards the ensuite bathroom inside the master bedroom. Turning on the rainfall shower and adjusting the water to a warm setting, he pulled her inside along with him. "Care to continue where we left off?" he asked seductively, stretching out his words in such a lazy way that Shane almost lost control right then and there. Both reached for the string fastenings at her hips. With his hands over hers, both pulled at the fastenings, quickly freeing her from the bikini bottom. Oliver's eyes darkened as he pulled Shane towards him, kissing her hungrily under the warm stream of water.
"Oliver… I want…" Shane gasped.
"What, my love, what do you want?" He filled his hands with Shane and felt her warmth. It filled his senses and his heart.
"I want to please you."
"You do please me, my love. So much…."
"I want to… do things to you…" Shane moaned softly, as she felt Oliver's hands on her bottom, distracting her from her plans.
"Let me take care of you first, my love… I promise you can do whatever you want with me later." With those words, he ran a lazy finger over her most sensitive area, making her clasp his shoulders as she sucked in her breath and let the rush of sensation overtake her. The pent-up desire that had been building all day roared over Shane at full tilt, catapulting her into an immediate climax.
Her chest heaving and her breathing labored, Shane clung to Oliver as if he were a life raft. Waves of sensations broke inside her over and over, much like those crashing on the beach outside, making her go limp in his arms. He held her face, stroking her flushed cheek with his thumb, and pressed his lips to hers. He then continued to shower quickly, washing his hair and lathering up in record time.
Dumbfounded, Shane regained her bearings and finally spoke. "Oliver, don't you…." But he didn't let her finish.
"My love, later on, you can do anything and everything you want to me. Take your time! Enjoy and take a bath if you want. Put on that beautiful dress you brought. I have to take care of dinner."
With those words, he finished rinsing off, quickly kissed her and stepped out of the shower to dry off. Shane was left speechless, standing under the stream of water with her body still recuperating from his assault on her senses. It took a few minutes to gather herself and realize Oliver had yet another trick up his sleeve. So… if she was going to be able to do anything and everything she wanted to do to him later tonight… she'd better get ready and look devastatingly beautiful. But first things first… she was going to take her time and take advantage of yet another amazing spa-like bathroom.
She lathered her hair with coconut scented shampoo and conditioned it with a dreamy hair masque that smelled like a tropical oasis. Shane took advantage of a sample size bottle of an almond scented shower oil that not only cleansed her skin but left it luxuriously moisturized. After the dehydrating effects of saltwater, it was absolutely necessary! She babied her face with a marvelous foam cleanser made with honey and rosewater. After rinsing off, she wrapped herself in a big soft fluffy towel. There was a hair dryer available, but she didn't bring her rollers or curling iron… so her hair would fall stick straight after drying it. She thought it'd be okay. It would be a change of pace and maybe Oliver would enjoy it.
Shane poured herself a glass of sparkling water from the fridge inside the bathroom. She couldn't believe there was a mini fridge inside the bathroom. A fully stocked one, at that! Taking a long sip, she took a seat on the vanity stool and applied simple, but glowy makeup that highlighted her features and enhanced the light tan she'd gotten that day. She had to decide whether to wear a bra with the dress she brought. The spaghetti straps and low-cut neckline would have needed one of those contraptions that she'd have to glue to her breasts. Since it was just her and Oliver in the villa, the decision was easy… no bra. The dress was a bright orange, contrasting well with her skin tone. The fabric fluttered over her curves and billowed around her legs. Her forever watch necklace completed the look, along with gold hoops in her ears, and strappy golden heels on her feet. It was the perfect beach night ensemble, and she felt both sensual and feminine. It was going to be a great night to seduce her husband. If she could incite him to half the puddle of desire he managed to do to her, she'd consider the evening a success.
She spritzed herself with perfume and emerged from the bedroom. Nothing could have prepared her for what she found outside. Oliver had outdone himself yet again!
A/N: I want to dedicate this entry to my dear friend Rhonda, who has a birthday today! She's the OG spice-meter fan, my gem of an editor, and the one person who inadvertently gave me the push to share my writing again after so many years. I will forever be in her debt. And I am so proud to call her "mi querida amiga".
Also…on an aside note, if you caught the From Here to Eternity reference in this chapter… yay! I had been dreaming that up for a while!