Chapter XVIII: A Concert of Perfect Love
Author's Note: All previous disclaimers apply. And once again, spice meter is at its highest in this chapter. Please be advised of the racier content.
It had been the night of nights, and that was saying something! Since their wedding, every single night had been out of this world. Finally, there were no barriers between them. There was no hesitation, no hangups, no worries, no concerns over the past or the future. They lived fully in each moment, freely expressing their love without any fear.
Last night, after easing the tension they'd built up at the beach, over dinner and then while dancing, they came together once again. This time around they took their time, finally making it to the bedroom. Shane was still in charge… because of course, the agreement was for the entire night, and Oliver couldn't deny her anything. Shane's heart soared remembering how Oliver, in the throes of their passion, had pulled himself up to a sitting position, simply because he needed to be fully skin-to-skin with her. How they clung to each other precipitated her orgasm, but this time one wave after another crashed over her. The continuous loop of pleasure and excitement left her completely drained, but in the best way possible. A little shiver ran up and down Shane's spine as she remembered how amazingly loved she felt the previous night. Her lips curved into a smile in remembrance.
Shane smiled the smile of a woman who knew she was well-loved. Oliver took care of all her needs. While the jaded would think of only physical desires, Shane knew their physical relationship couldn't be this way between them if it weren't for the deep emotional connection they had. The slow development of their relationship was instrumental in creating their solid foundation. Shane relished those memories of times past, as they had become friends and then something more. She knew the days before their wedding and their glorious honeymoon had continued to contribute to a deeper connection with Oliver. Naturally, their love was evolving, but to Shane the pace of its evolution was exhilarating.
Oliver rolled around in his sleep and pulled Shane closer to him. Even in an unconscious state, he gravitated towards her. She was sure it was the same for her, as she'd woken up quite a few times curled up next to him. After keeping their feelings at bay for so long, they couldn't go very long without having some sort of physical contact between them, even while sleeping. This was going to prove interesting when they got back to work. She wondered how she and Oliver were going to navigate that. It was going to be tricky.
Shane felt Oliver nuzzling her hair, as he tenderly rubbed her belly as they spooned. She rolled over to face him and smiled sleepily. His eyelids were heavy, his lips were softly curved, and his mouth was slightly open. He breathed out softly, and Shane felt it on her face. The dusting of freckles was still as adorable as the night before! She couldn't help but reach out with her forefinger to softly rub the bridge of his nose.
"I love you, Shane." Oliver whispered, his voice low, the words almost imperceptible.
Shane's chest tightened, but in the best way possible. His words felt like loving hands cradling her heart. She couldn't love this man any more than she did at that moment. He was everything, absolutely everything she'd ever hoped for and more! Unable to resist, she touched her lips with his. It was so enticing, kissing Oliver like this, when both were in a sleepy, dreamy state. She took his bottom lip between hers, slightly nibbling it, softly running her tongue around it, feeling his rush of breath as he reacted to her ministrations.
Shane loved feeling him against her. His warm skin was addictive, and she adored waking up skin-to-skin with Oliver. Previously, Shane always donned a nightgown and Oliver a pair of boxers after making love. Last night, that practice was tossed aside. Shane relished sharing that vulnerability with him.
"Sweetheart, if you continue pressing yourself against me like this, I won't have any other choice but to make love you to again." Oliver's voice was gritty with sleep and it did inexplicable things to Shane.
"Maybe that's what I want…" She responded with a provocative sigh.
Shane laid back, bringing Oliver with her to land on top of her. Their movements were languid from a night of restorative sleep. She loved his weight on her and how his hands cradled her face, smoothed her hair, and tenderly caressed her cheeks with his thumbs. He slowly lowered his mouth to hers, kissing her like she did him a few minutes ago, taking her bottom lip between his, and babying it gently with his teeth and tongue.
"I enjoyed when you did that, my love. Does it feel good when I kiss you like this?"
Shane's response was a low whimper.
"Does it feel good when I touch you like this?" He asked, as he glided his hands from her face, down to her ribcage, waist, and hips.
Finding her voice, she managed to utter a breathy "yes".
"And how about this?" Oliver asked, as he gently lifted her thigh, his hand caressing the outside of her leg, moving upwards to her bottom.
Shane's response was purely instinctive. She lifted her hips towards his, seeking him out in need. Oliver reacted intuitively. In one swift movement, they became one once again. Both released a rush of breath, Shane's sighs exciting Oliver even further. He opened his eyes, wanting to see the beautiful picture that was Shane during their passionate joining. He pulled himself up on his forearms, not wanting to crush her. All the while he kept his gaze fixed on hers. Oliver saw a deep flush rising from her chest to her neck. As he felt her writhing beneath him, he couldn't help but think how beautiful she was; how beautiful their lovemaking was.
"Oliver…" she tried to communicate how wonderful she felt but words would not come. The blissful pressure, the weight of him, and their combined heat had her almost on the verge of madness.
He kept his movements controlled and methodical, knowing he was driving them both insane by prolonging their lovemaking. There was just something about having Shane melt in his arms that made him want to savor every second. He concentrated on her and how she felt, while trying to keep to an unhurried rhythm, which was getting harder and harder to do. Every muscle in his body was tense, trying to hold back as long as he possibly could.
Shane felt her heart could explode at any moment. The tension building in her body escalated, along with all the feelings in her soul. She was fully aware of the blood flowing in her veins, every fiber in her body vibrating, and every nerve-ending fraying in a deliciously chaotic whirl. She wanted her climax, but she didn't want their lovemaking to end. It was delicious, sweaty, steamy, and astonishingly perfect. In a burst of energy, her hips met Oliver's. One of her hands found his hip and the other his shoulder, her nails digging into his skin.
Unable to hold back his climax any longer, Oliver brought a hand down and placed it in between them. He found her and touched her fleetingly as they connected once again. Shane came undone. Oliver kept his eyes on her, as he saw her forcefully shut her eyes, then open them wide again. He watched in awe as her orgasm took over her body, making her tremble all over. As much as he wanted to draw out her pleasure, he exploded, finding absolute heaven in her arms.
Knowing he was completely spent and wouldn't be able to hold up his weight without crushing her, Oliver grudgingly disengaged himself from Shane's embrace and laid on his back. He pulled her up against him and stroked her back, his fingers strumming the elegant line of her back. Shane laid her head on his chest and her hand over his heart. She felt it thumping erratically, still recovering from their marvelously passionate interlude.
Shane was the first one to get her bearings. "Will it always be like this?"
"Oh, my love, I certainly will do my best to make it so." The hand on her back slid up to her head, sinking into her hair. He tilted her head for a kiss. "You are my love, my very essence. I don't know what I would do without you, Shane."
Tears started to trickle down her cheeks. She was overcome by everything… their lovemaking, the emotions, the all-consuming love she felt for Oliver, the knowledge the honeymoon trip was ending, and the uncertainty of how they'd navigate married life back in Denver. For a fraction of a second it was too much to bear.
Oliver knew. Oliver knew what she was feeling. Cradling her face with his hands, he kissed away her tears. As he smoothed her hair back from her face, he whispered a comforting, "Shhhh…my love, everything will be alright. Trust God, trust the timing." Shane buried her face in his chest, holding on to him like a lifeline. She surrendered her concerns, letting Oliver's words and comfort wash over her.
Oliver held tightly onto Shane, letting her body, heart, and mind find resolution. He sometimes felt the same way, like his body couldn't contain the overflow of emotions. He felt Shane's tremors and just held her, trying to smooth them away by gently caressing her back, softly squeezing her shoulder as he held her in his arms. After a few moments he felt her heartbeat stabilize and her breath even out. Her shivers had also subsided, and the tears had stopped.
"Your wife is a piece of work, isn't she?" Shane lifted her head, looked him directly in the eyes, as she sheepishly asked her question.
"I would never think that, my love."
"I love you, Oliver. With every fiber of my being." Her eyes glimmered and Oliver felt like he could see his soul reflected in them.
"It's overwhelming sometimes, isn't it?" Oliver's tone was reflective. Shane perceived he was as affected as she was, but he obviously channeled his emotions in a different way.
"Yes." Shane's answer was simple and succinct.
"How about we save the deep conversation for later and take care of more urgent matters…like coffee, and breakfast? And maybe planning the rest of our day?"
"Say no more, darling." Shane immediately got up, donned a robe, and scampered into the kitchen.
First order of the day was coffee, which was the only thing Shane could make. She handed Oliver an espresso, while she added milk and plenty of sugar to her latte.
"Oliver, I believe your minions left the fridge and pantry stocked."
"My minions?"
"Well, yes. Whoever took care of our dinner last night made sure we'd have food and plenty of supplies for today. I won't ask how you did it because it would ruin the magic." She grinned, as she took a fortifying sip of her latte.
Oliver shook his head at her remarks. As he perused the offerings in the refrigerator he asked, "What would you like for breakfast, my love?"
"Are you cooking?" Shane asked. "Because I have a confession… I can't cook." Her words were muffled, as if she were mumbling. Oliver thought he hadn't heard her correctly.
"Did you just say you can't cook?" Oliver blinked.
"That's right." Shane winced and grinned sheepishly.
"Not even basic stuff like scrambled eggs and toast?"
"I can't even boil water without starting a fire."
"How do you survive?" Oliver was flabbergasted.
"Takeout. Ready-made stuff at the supermarket. Frozen meals. Microwave." She bit her lip as she finally came clean with what she felt was a dirty little secret.
"I finally understand the horrible salad you fashioned that time at the Mailbox Grille." Oliver chuckled. "But, you love food and you know a lot about it. You've really appreciated all our fine dining opportunities during the trip!"
"I can appreciate food and act as a connoisseur without being able to cook!" Shane's face fell. "A few weeks into our marriage and I've already failed as a wife!"
"Shane, it's not the end of the world. I can cook and you can learn."
"Will you teach me?" She asked flirtatiously, her voice low with a sexy undertone.
"Of course, my love. Maybe we can even take a class together."
"I'd really like that, Oliver." They smiled into each other's eyes, thinking of their future together, letting their minds wander at all the possibilities.
Oliver ended up making a simple breakfast of scrambled eggs, toast, and fruit. They enjoyed it in companionable silence, not wanting to think about it being the last day of their honeymoon. Deciding to spend the day at the beach, they changed into their bathing suits and stepped out of their bedroom terrace onto the sublimely warm golden sand and gorgeous stretch of beach. The foamy water softly lapped the shore, inviting them in with its silent allure.
They swam together for a while, finding their ground in the ocean water. They let themselves become one with nature, letting the saltwater have its therapeutic effect on their bodies. Feeling considerably relaxed, they sat at the edge of the water, where ocean and shore met, letting small waves crash at their feet. Shane tilted her face up towards the sun, letting its golden glow wash over her, feeling its warmth. She smoothed back her wet hair and sighed in pure contentment.
"I will certainly miss this. I wish we lived closer to the ocean."
"I have started feeling that way myself," Oliver replied. "We can certainly plan beach vacations more often."
"I know the harsh Colorado winters will make me appreciate warm weather vacations a lot more."
Leaning back on his hands, Oliver looked at Shane. "My love, you do know everything will be alright when we go back home."
"Yes, I do, Oliver." She regaled him with one of her angelic smiles, her eyes squinting because of the sun in her face. "Trust God, trust the timing." She took a deep breath, wanting to fill her lungs with the salt air. "For a second there, I think I scared you with my reaction this morning."
"More concerned about you than anything else, my love."
"Do you believe me when I say sometimes the love I feel for you is so big, my body can't contain it?"
"I believe you. Because it's the same for me."
"Everything has been so resplendently beautiful… this trip…the places you've taken me… our conversations…Oliver, our conversations have moved me in such a way as I've never been moved before." Her voice started to shake.
Oliver took both of her hands. "Shane, you don't have to continue. I get it. I get you."
"Oliver O'Toole, the love I feel for you defies everything I thought I ever knew about love."
"I will treasure it forever, Shane McInerney O'Toole, because you are my perfect love."
"Ready to face the music in Colorado tomorrow?" Shane asked.
"As long as I'm dancing to it with you, my love."