Chapter IX: In a New York Minute
Author's Note: Married themes apply to this chapter, although this one is more of a T rating. But, I am assuming if you've read this far, you are enjoying the content and have heeded the warnings! Thank you for reading and reviewing!
A sliver of sunlight filtered through the window. It flickered across Shane's face, waking her up from a deep sleep. She drowsily opened her eyes. She stretched and turned on her side, avoiding the sunlight. She was quite comfortable in bed with her husband, enjoying its safe cocoon.
Sometime during the night Oliver ended up on his back, arms over his head and legs splayed out on the bed. Shane loved how at ease and relaxed he looked as he slept. She was just grateful her Oliver was lowering his defenses, letting himself be loved and finding joy in the present.
There was so much to look forward to! They were leaving the following day for their tour of Europe, but they still had a full 24 hours in Manhattan. Shane already knew she wanted to visit the MET and take a walk around Central Park.
She wished she could suspend time, keeping them in this wonderful bubble of wedded bliss. Shane reached out to gently brush Oliver's hair off his forehead. She could just eat him up… loving the overnight stubble on his face and the mussed-up hair. Oliver shifted slightly and turned facing Shane, the sliver of sunlight now falling on his face.
He slowly opened his eyes and was greeted by the sight of his wife's smiling face on the pillow next to him. "Well, this is certainly a good morning," he said, his voice raspy with sleep.
"Good morning, husband." Shane replied, slowly running a finger down his cheek. "I could wake up like this forever, you know."
"Let's hope so, because you're stuck with me," Oliver replied, his eyes crinkling, his finger tracing a path from her shoulder down to her wrist.
"I want to be stuck with you forever, Oliver."
His response was to coax her into his embrace, her head on his shoulder, as he wrapped his arms around her. Oliver sweetly kissed her forehead as Shane placed a hand over his heart. They laid there for a while, basking in the joy of simply holding each other.
"I love you more every day, Shane."
"The feeling is entirely mutual," she said, as she dropped a kiss on his shoulder. "Isn't it something how far we've come?" Shane murmured. "At times I feel like I waited for you forever, but I am also amazed how time has flown."
"For what it's worth, my love, I am really sorry for making you wait so long. Especially the time between buying you the porch swing and asking you out on an actual date. Sometimes I go back to the events that brought us here today, reflect on my behavior, and know I was at times, a complete idiot."
"Sometimes you were…" Shane said with a small smile.
"And I will forever make it up to you."
"There's really no need. But you can promise me something…"
"Anything, my love."
"I am loving relaxed, sexy, and flirty Oliver so much. Care to stay like this forever?" She looked up to smile at him, while tracing lazy circles on his chest.
"So now I am relaxed, sexy, and flirty? What was I before?"
"Maybe a bit too controlled. Always sexy." Shane smiled sheepishly as she continued. "You certainly never behaved like a man who knows he's sexy though. At times, you were inadvertently flirtatious, but always maddeningly proper."
Oliver looked perplexed. "How on earth could I be flirtatious, but proper….?"
"Oh, Mr. O'Toole, there were quite a few moments there where you were calling me 'Ms. McInerney' and practically setting me on fire with one of those smoldering looks of yours."
"Hmmm. This is interesting information to ponder," he said, as he absent-mindedly stroked Shane's back. He chuckled. "Smoldering? I don't know what do with that."
"Don't do anything. Just cherish the joy of the present moment. And let your wife be president and sole member of #TeamSexyFlirtyOliver."
"What?" Oliver had the good sense to look totally bewildered. "What is with the hashtag thing? I don't get it. I never got it with that whole episode with Rita, Norman, and the Miss Special Delivery Pageant."
Giggling, Shane admitted, "I'm just joking, darling. It's just that I'm enjoying seeing you so carefree and happy."
"It's all you, Mrs. O'Toole."
"I think it's us. I love us."
"And I love you," Oliver replied, smiling brightly, as he remembered the first time they told each other those precise words. Shane's smile was equally bright, contemplating that same event and how much life had changed since.
"I love being like this with you, Oliver." Shane said, her voice pensive and serious.
Oliver hugged her tighter and replied, "I feel the same way. All the time, every day."
"I don't know what I would do if something ever happened to you." Shane's voice broke and tears started to well up in her sapphire blue eyes. "I still remember the angst about not knowing your whereabouts when you went on that camping trip with Joe."
"Sweetheart, you can't worry about such things. You have me here; you have me now. Worrying about the future is just unnecessary anxiety. I know what it feels like to be lost without you. I shudder to think something could happen to you too. Let's be happy because this is our best time yet." Oliver sweetly brushed off Shane's tears with his thumbs as he cradled her face. He drew her face closer to his and trapped her lips with his in a slow, lazy kiss that had Shane melting into a puddle.
"So, dearest wife, what do you want to do today?" Oliver asked, breaking off the kiss, much to Shane's chagrin.
"We could finish what you just started, have breakfast, then it's off to the MET, and I really want to go on walk at Central Park." Shane said, looking directly into her husband's eyes.
"What did I just start?" Oliver asked, raising both eyebrows, keeping his expression blank, as he knew how to do very well.
"You know."
"No, I don't."
"Oliver…"
"Shane…"
"Goodness gracious, you're going to make me ask for it? That's not very gentlemanly of you, Oliver." Shane said, in a southern belle affected tone.
"Hmm… I'm always a gentleman, so I think we are at a crossroads… Maybe you can show me?" He proceeded to trail soft kisses down the side of her neck, while his hand stroked the leg that was curled around his, slowly pulling up the hem of her nightgown.
"Oliver O'Toole, you're asking for trouble!"
"Well dearest, you must decide. Are we having sex or are you going to argue with me?" Oliver pulled his lips in, trying to reign in the raucous laughter that was about to explode from his chest. He absolutely adored teasing his wife in this brand new way. He almost lost it when he saw the dumbstruck expression on her face.
Shane's eyes narrowed. "I see what you're doing. You're actually liking this… getting me all riled up!" She proceeded to extract herself from his arms and knelt on the bed looking down at him. "Hmmmppfff, I'm taking a shower." In her best Scarlett O'Hara imitation, she told him, "Please send for coffee while I tend to my morning ablutions."
Oliver took a pillow and put it over his face, intending to muffle the convulsive laughter that overtook him. He then threw it towards Shane and it landed smack in the back of her head. Looking back, she lifted her nose up at him, turned her head, took off the nightgown she was wearing and walked naked towards the bathroom. Oliver was given quite an eyeful of her retreating figure.
He let her stew for a bit until he heard the shower running. With a satisfied smile, he made his way to the bathroom where he fully intended to share that shower with his Shane.
Under the stream, Shane's eyes were closed with her face tilted back as she let the warm water rush over her. She didn't notice when Oliver stealthily joined her. He lathered his hands with the floral shower gel Shane had brought with her and he lightly soaped her shoulders, lazily tracing a path downwards, ending with a gentle but firm massage on her lower back.
Shane sucked in her breath, turned around and caught Oliver's self-satisfied grin. He didn't give her time to react, nor say anything. He was already all over her kissing her senseless.
"So can we focus on our mutual pleasure, or will you continue to argue Mrs. O'Toole?" Oliver posed his question as he persevered in annihilating her senses. Shane felt a rush of helplessness, but let herself be carried away by the whirlwind of passion. Her legs felt like jelly, her skin prickled, every nerve ending frazzled, as his insistent mouth deepened his kisses in ways she hadn't thought possible. She couldn't utter a word, let alone string together a sentence while he continued his sensual onslaught.
Needless to say, Oliver won this round.
But, just you wait, Mr. O'Toole, just you wait, Shane thought, all the while surrendering in his arms.
###
That was a succulent, insanely incredible encounter. Shane couldn't get it out of her head for the rest of the day. While she had been an eager participant, she was slightly miffed Oliver got his way. She wanted him to pay for all the teasing. She decided she was going to reduce him to a puddle of excruciating want and make him beg. A slightly devious smile was curving her lips when Oliver asked her what she was thinking. She brushed him off, but his curiosity was piqued. She looked like the proverbial cat who ate the canary.
They finally left the hotel and were at the MET. Oliver was all contentment as they perused the Medieval Art and Cloisters exhibits, although he wondered what was going through his wife's head. Giving his musings no more thought, he decided to just enjoy the museum, letting Shane share whatever was going on when she was ready to do so.
Shane wanted to see the Nazi Era Provenance exhibit. The Lost Art of World War II was a subject dear to her heart, even before the POstables had taken on the Kellser vase case. But, she also wanted to take Oliver to the Greek and Roman art section. She knew they could spend a whole day at the MET and not be able to see everything, so she had chosen carefully which areas to visit.
"Sweetheart, I have a surprise for you later on, so we should leave in a couple of hours," Oliver stood by her side and pulled her closer, giving her a kiss on her forehead.
Shane almost felt guilty. While she loved their passionate kisses, these tender moments turned her into a gooey mess, especially now that Oliver was getting a bit more comfortable showing his affection in public. But, she was a woman on a mission and she always followed through. This time around it wasn't going to be any different.
"Another surprise! Oliver, leave something for our anniversaries, birthdays, and Valentines Day!"
Oliver just smiled, cradled her face with his hand and stroked her cheek with his thumb, gazing at Shane with an adoring look. Passersby at the museum noticed the doting couple and couldn't help falling in love with love. Oliver and Shane were that beautiful to watch.
"Want to head on to the Greek and Roman art exhibit?" Shane asked her husband innocently.
"Of course. Lead the way if you want. You know the lay of the land better than I do."
The gallery where all the magnificent sculptures from Ancient Greece and Rome was located not that far away from their current location within the MET. In minutes they were surrounded by busts, statuettes, sculptures, monuments and displays of assorted artifacts particular to Classical art and archaeology.
Shane stood in front of the sculpture of Stephanos, admiring how talented the Greek and Romans were at creating a most realistic human form out of a slab of marble.
"The Greeks and Romans certainly had an obsession with the human form in all its naked splendor." Oliver commented.
"Actually, Oliver, he reminds me of you."
His eyes widening, he asked, "I beg your pardon?"
It took all of Shane's self-control not to bust out laughing. "Yes, he reminds me of you. The very well-defined chest, the musculature in the abdominal area, the sinewy back muscles. And he has a very perky butt. Like you, too." Shane delivered this information in a very composed manner, placed a hand on his shoulder, smiled demurely, and walked ahead to the following display.
Oliver had turned beet red and was completely speechless over the words his wife had just spoken. He could certainly take them as a compliment, but he was particularly worried about another area in which sculptures tended to be slightly lacking…
They concluded the MET visit in quiet contemplation, Oliver slightly worried, and Shane laughing on the inside. Both had kept the conversation to comments regarding the exhibits or about plans they had for later that day.
"I have something prepared for us. Care to join me, Mrs. O'Toole?"
Giving him a bright smile, Shane let herself be led. She had to think quickly once she found out what the surprise was, so she could continue her devious plan.
A hired car took them to Central Park. Oliver had outdone himself once again. A picnic was set up in Bow Bridge, the most romantic area of the park. It had been featured in many movies, including one of Shane's favorites, The Way We Were.
"Oliver, how wonderful!"
"I remember you mentioning the Streisand and Redford movie. I had to bring us here."
The picnic setup was something else. A yellow and white checkered blanket was spread on the Cherry Hill lawn overlooking the bridge. Parasols had been set up to shade them from the sun. There were a couple of small vases filled with daisies. Shane loved yellow roses, but daisies were her next favorite flower. They were such happy blooms. There was also a picnic basket with sandwiches, potato salad, and cookies. A silver bucket with champagne chilling on ice completed the set-up. Shane was amazed at the service Oliver had hired. They even included crystal flutes and place settings.
The food was scrumptious. Oliver had roasted ham and swiss on rye with Dijon and arugula. Shane's sandwich was a petit baguette with brie, prosciutto, and a basil pesto. The potato salad was delicious, with a touch of green apple to give it a fresh and tart crunch. The cookies were chocolate chip, and huge, as per the style of New York bakeries. The champagne was effervescent and refreshing, an added element that contributed to their overall relaxation.
"That was the best picnic lunch ever, Oliver."
"I am so glad you enjoyed it, my love."
"I feel so lazy and relaxed right now. It's such a beautiful spring afternoon. I just want to take it easy and soak up the sun." Shane kicked off her shoes and proceeded to hike up the skirt she was wearing, revealing her thighs. She also unbuttoned her blouse just enough to show some cleavage without baring herself in public.
Oliver started to sweat. Just a glimpse of his wife's toned thigh and a slight view of the swell of her breasts set him off.
"Are you okay, Oliver?" Shane asked coyly. She shifted on the blanket, her skirt hiking up even more, her blouse stretching over her breasts.
It took all of Oliver's efforts not to start panting right then and there. Good heavens, was he actually seeing the outline of her underwear?
"Get up, Shane, we're leaving."
"But why? We're having such a lovely time, and it's a beautiful, warm spring day—" Oliver didn't let her finish as he dragged her up to her feet. He grabbed her head and gave her a hard scorching kiss.
"We're going back to the hotel." He proclaimed firmly.
"You will have to tell me why, Oliver." Shane fluttered her eyelashes shamelessly. "Otherwise, I think I'll just stay here for a while. I do so want to get some color on my legs." Shane tried to keep it together without bursting into a fit of giggles.
"You know what you're doing to me."
"I don't quite know."
"Yes, you do."
"No, I don't."
"Shane."
"Oliver."
Both stood, staring each other down, waiting to see who'd capitulate first. Understanding Oliver was holding down his own, Shane did the only thing she felt she could do, which was hook her foot around his ankle and send them sprawling down on the grass. She landed right on top of Oliver, knocking out his wind.
"Ooooooof," Oliver groaned as he tried to catch his breath.
"I'm sorry, Oliver. That was a desperate move. You're not hurt, are you?" Shane asked with worry tinging her voice.
"Just my pride." He laughed. "This has been payback for my teasing this morning, hasn't it?"
"Mmmmm…maybe?"
"How about we go back to the hotel, and you can do whatever you want with me. I'll take the punishment."
"I could be tempted…."
"Let's see, would this tempt you?" He threaded his fingers in her hair pulling her face closer. His lips were so close to hers, their breath mingling, the heat rising. Oliver softly pressed his mouth to Shane's, gently nipping her lower lip, babying it with the soft glide of the tip of his tongue. He opened her lips with his, claiming her tongue, twining together in a most sensual dance.
Shane broke off the kiss. Dazed as she was, she had the good sense to remember they were in public. "Consider me tempted."