Chapter 5
We both slept like the dead and didn't wake until just before dawn. I felt Seth awaken behind me as his breathing pattern changed and his hand around my waist shifted ever so slightly. I sighed again in contentment. We finally crossed the bridge into lovers and it was magnificent. I reach tentatively with my left hand behind me to his thigh and pull him closer against me, hearing an intake of air on my neck at the implication.
"Good morning, Jess. Have something on your mind?"
I blush even though he can't see me.
"Seth, I want to feel you again."
I know he is already aroused, I can feel him, and waking up in the nude, I am as well.
Instead of saying anything further, he leans down and nuzzles my neck, as his hand strays up to cup my chest, and his hips begin to rub against my backside. I begin to breathe shallowly and I reach again for his thigh, even as I try to move my hips in sync with his. Oh, how I have missed this!
Playing with my nipple, I can feel my belly heat up with desire and I moan in response. Seth hums in reply to my moan, and moving his hand away from my breast, his hand travels lower and reaches between my legs. I jerk against him and I hear myself begging for him.
"Please, Seth."
Instead, he continues touching and teasing and I become rigid against him. My arousal is so intense that I can think of nothing else. "What do you need, my love?"
"You. I need you, Seth." I whisper and pant out.
He moves my body forward just enough to reach his hand to guide himself inside of me. With my back still to his torso, he is holding me firmly to him. I have one hand on his leg still and the other on the arm that is wrapped around me. I move my hips with his and he reaches down again to fondle me. I feel so full and complete and with his added touch, it takes little time for my body and mind to go overboard, as I shake against Seth's body, letting out a long low cry of pleasure.
I am completely limp, but I want to see my beloved as he has not reached his peak yet. I gingerly turn around and pull him on top of me. Now, I can claim his lips with my own, even as I wrap my legs around his, encouraging him to reach his own climax. Gripping his head as I thread my fingers through his hair, I deepen our kisses, feeling his passion and tasting his desire.
I pull back to kiss a line down his neck to his collarbone, and I whisper with as sultry a voice as I can manage, "Let yourself go, Seth. I won't let go of you. You are mine."
As soon as those words leave my mouth, he shudders explosively and I hold him during the aftereffects of the small and minute shivers that continue for several minutes after. When he finally calms, I pull back to look into his warm hazel eyes.
"Good morning, husband."
"Good morning, wife."
"Shall I get up and make us breakfast?"
"Have you forgotten what I said last night?"
I arch an eyebrow at him. There were many things said last night.
"I told you that I would still pamper you for several weeks so you don't overdo it. So, no, woman, you will not be making us breakfast. Instead, why don't you enjoy a few minutes relaxing here and I will make you breakfast in bed?"
"Oh, how lovely. If you're sure?"
"Ayuh," and with that, he gives me a quick kiss on the lips, before sitting up and reaching to put on his boxers and robe.
I waited until I heard Seth move around in the kitchen opening cabinets, before I got out of the bed, walking into the bathroom slowly. Even though I woke up wanting Seth, I knew the moment my eyes opened that I was terribly sore after our lovemaking the night before. Even so, I had no regrets about seducing him this morning. Because even with the soreness, I felt emotionally and mentally so wonderful, that it had to outweigh anything else. There was no pain even so. Although I was worried that if Seth saw me walk just now, he would be upset with me for this morning. After going to the bathroom and putting my pajamas back on, I took two ibuprofen before walking back to the bed. It was perfect timing, because as I leaned back against my freshly fluffed pillows, I heard Seth climb the stairs.
When he entered our bedroom, I smiled at him. He had cut one of my roses from the garden and put it on the tray he was carrying, its delicate pink petals still wet with morning dew.
"Here you go, Jess. A couple of eggs, some buttered toast and a few slices of melon with hot tea."
"Thank you, my dear. This is wonderful. But where is your breakfast?"
"I ate mine as I cooked. I need to run back to my house to grab some things. Will you be alright if I leave you here for half an hour or so?"
"Of course. I will miss you though," I say as I wink at him. He leans down and brushes his lips against mine, but before he can stand back up, I put my hand on his face keeping him in place and deepen the kiss, exploring his mouth and putting all of my emotions in this kiss, to hopefully encourage him to hurry back to me.
"My love, I promise I will be back as soon as possible. And don't try to take that tray downstairs. Set it on the reading table when you are done, and I will carry it back downstairs when I return."
I might have ignored him on most mornings, but in my present state, I would readily listen to him.
With that, he turned and walked towards the door.
Before he crossed the threshold though, I said, "Seth?"
He turned to me, "Yes, Jess?"
"I love you, Seth. So very much."
"Jess, I love you, woman. More than you know."
I had finished breakfast quickly and moved the tray to the table. The soreness was still present, but I was hoping that by the time I had to get up in front of Seth, that the ibuprofen would have taken effect and I could walk without any trouble.
True to form, Seth was back in half an hour, as I heard the back door open and his steps around the kitchen, likely cleaning up after making breakfast.
I heard Seth begin to climb the stairs again, and put my bookmark into my book, ready to greet him.
When he came into the room, he had a huge grin on his face.
"What has you in a good mood, my love?" I asked.
"Have you forgotten this morning already?"
I chuckled, "Of course not."
As he reached my side of the bed and perched on the edge, he planted a quick kiss on my lips, before sitting back up and holding my hands.
"But, there is more that I am in a good mood about, as you surmised."
"Oh? And just what is that?"
"Before this whole town learns of our wedding and demands to celebrate, it's high time we have a proper honeymoon. So, I went back to my house just now and got my fishing pole and waders, and I have rustled up yours, and we are going to stay in a cabin in Acadia for the next week. Just you and me and privacy."
I know my eyes light up. "Oh Seth, that sounds wonderful."
"I know it does, woman. That's what I love about you. You may live in a glamorous world sometimes with your books and publishers and awards, but take you fishing, and you are happy as a clam. So, do you want me to pack you a bag while you get ready or would you prefer to do it?"
"I can do it. I might have a few surprises up my sleeve, just like you," as I wink at him, before moving to get out of the bed. Unfortunately though, my face must betray me, as I moved because he grips my hand tightly.
"Jess, what's wrong?"
"Nothing, dear, just a little sore."
"From what?"
I just look at him, even as I stand up.
"Jess, you promised that if I hurt you that you would tell me."
As calmly but as firmly as possible, I look into his eyes and say, "Seth, you did not hurt me and I am not hurt now. I'm just a little sore. Which is a result of lovemaking after years of nothing. I know you don't know what it feels like to be a woman, but it is a common occurrence to be a little sore after it, either when it happens a lot in a short space of time or after a long absence or if it's a little…too vigorous. It's like trying a new form of exercise that your body isn't used to and you are sore for a few days after."
"Are you sure?" His eyes are so worried.
I place my hand on his cheek to reassure him as much as I can, "Positive. I have already taken ibuprofen and if we have time, I will take a short bath, and I know I will be fine."
Seth reaches his strong arms around me and holds me tightly against him.
"Yes, take a bath. As long as you need. And maybe we should wait a day or two before we make love again."
"Absolutely not! We are going on our honeymoon. Waiting any more time is the last thing I want to do."
He continues holding me tightly against him, even as I feel his head nod.
When I pull away, I see his eyes again and they are still troubled, as they follow me as I head to the bathroom.
I soaked for half an hour. Even though I was getting anxious to leave for our honeymoon, I knew my body needed the hot water. The sooner I got my muscles to relax, the sooner Seth would stop worrying.
Getting out and draining the tub, I got out and wrapped my robe around me. I began gathering my toiletries and clothes, setting everything on the bed, so that when I get my suitcase out, it will be an easy transfer.
Seth comes back upstairs and sees me moving around. I can tell the bath helped me as my movements are more fluid and I think he notices as well, because he seems to relax.
"Jess, I am done packing and have moved my suitcase and our fishing things to the car. Is there anything I can help you with?"
"Could you get my suitcase out of the hall closet?"
He brings it in and I transfer everything over to it. I toss my robe inside next to my clothes, and standing in the nude, I reach for my underwear to begin dressing. I feel a vague shyness still being undressed in front of Seth, but it is fading every day and I know that he enjoys it. But before I can step into my underwear, I feel Seth's warm hand reach around my waist, as his face nuzzles my neck.
His gravelly voice whispers in my ear, "Jess, you are so beautiful. I still can't believe that you are my wife."
I turn in his arms, with my bare but still warm body and embrace him, feeling his hands run down my back and cupping my derriere. I sigh in delight, before whispering, "Believe it, Seth Hazlitt. I am yours, forevermore."
He growls in my ear, saying, "What you do to me, woman! Get dressed and let's get out of here, before we end up back in bed and never go on our honeymoon!"
I giggle and turn back around telling him not to look then, if it's too tempting, knowing he will continue anyway and loving that he will.
Ten minutes later, everything is loaded in the car and we head along the coastline for a couple of hours to Acadia. Seth tells me that we will stop once we get close to the cabin for groceries, so that we have ample provisions for our stay. There are a few restaurants close to where we are staying, but neither of us wants to be dependent on them.
Arriving at the cabin with our groceries, I realize that he did a good job of finding it. It is over a mile away from the nearest neighbor and there is a stream for fishing within view of the cabin's door.
Gaining entrance, the cabin is small, but clean and cozy. The bathroom has a deep tub big enough for two and the bed is a queen size. We quickly fall into the tasks of getting everything the way we want it. Seth allows me to put the groceries away as he carries the suitcases and fishing gear inside. I make us a couple of sandwiches, before heading into the bedroom and unpacking my clothes. I travel so much that I always unpack as soon as I arrive anywhere. I want to feel comfortable and know where everything is when I need it, not hunting for something in the bottom of a suitcase.
Seth and I head out to begin fishing an hour later and I am in heaven. Hearing the birds, seeing a few fish in the clear water, and feeling the wind through the trees is incredibly relaxing. I want to wade into the water as Seth is doing, but he asks me to hold off for another day or two, wanting to make sure that I have the energy. I know what he means. If the current is strong, it does take a lot of energy and stamina sometimes to maintain balance. Instead, I sit on a large flat rock by the stream and cast in, Seth going just slightly upstream of me.
We both catch several fish throughout the late afternoon, but as they are all small, we toss them back into the water after teasing each other that we caught the other fish's cousin.
Once we decide to stop for the day, we head the short distance back to the cabin and put all of our gear away in the closet.
Seth tells me to go soak in the tub and he will make dinner. I don't argue as I have begun to feel tight again after sitting on my fishing rock all afternoon.
When I emerge from the hot water, I wrap my robe around me and decide to investigate the good smells coming from the kitchen. Seth is laboring over the stove and I feel my stomach rumble in reply. He turns at the noise and smiles at me, before waving me closer to taste a spoonful of his creation. I lean forward to taste what looks like his homemade marinara sauce and it is delectable as usual.
"It's perfect."
He nods and tells me to sit down. He serves us both and joins me. I noticed that he brought our chess set as it is set up at the other end of the table. As we begin to eat, I thank him for cooking.
"You know I enjoy cooking for us, woman."
"I know, but I never want you to think that I'm not grateful or expect it."
He reaches over and squeezes my hand tenderly, as he looks down and for the first time, seems to realize that I am in my robe still.
He clears his throat, before saying, "Jess, are you wearing anything under that robe?"
I shook my head no, as I looked down and realized that I must not have dried off as much as I thought before putting it on, as the ivory color is see-through when damp, and damp it is, and slightly clinging to my chest.
"Oh," I say, before I reach to pull it away from me slightly to have it not plastered showing each curve and indention.
Seth clears his throat again and I try to hide my smile at his discomfort, but he sees it anyway, as I hear him growl under his breath.
Instead of saying anything further, I continue to eat.
He follows my lead and we finish. He asks if I want to play a match and I tell him yes, but I excuse myself for a few minutes first. Going into the bedroom, I select a new peach silk chemise to wear. I bought it several months ago in New York on a whim, well before knowing I would be married soon. For whatever reason, I had not worn it yet. It feels bridal somehow, with the lace and the pale color and the silk material. There is a scoop neck with beading and it stops just at my knees. When I packed this morning, this was one of the first items of clothing I put in my suitcase, as something that I hoped Seth would enjoy. I slip it over my head and then put the robe back on, as well as take another dose of ibuprofen. Looking in the bathroom mirror, I am hoping we are intimate tonight, but I don't want to pressure him. I know he is still worried about me and afraid that we overdid it already.
I return to the dining area and sit across from him, sipping hot tea that he had set beside me, as we begin to play. He beats me as usual, but on our second effort, I come away triumphant, which is the first time I have beaten him since my illness.
I meet his eyes across the board and I know he knows what I am thinking. I can see the conflict in his eyes, as they darken with desire, but also worry for me.
I stand up and reach my hand out to his. He clasps my hand tightly and stands, as I lead him into the bedroom.
Standing by the foot of the bed, with only the soft glow of a nightlight from the open bathroom door illuminating us, I reach up to hold his face, as I lean to kiss his warm lips. His hands and arms circle my back as he answers my kiss. My tongue enters his mouth and as it does, his hands tighten around me.
As I pull away, I begin to kiss down his jaw, below his ear, and down his neck.
He groans, but does not pull away. "Jess," he says.
"Hmm?" I say, but I do not stop kissing him. If he is going to stop me, I won't make it easy on him. Maybe I should. But I really do believe I am okay and that he is just being too cautious. If I thought he was right and I was hurt, I would like to think, I would listen.
"Jess, I don't know about this," he murmurs, even as I hear his breathing hitch.
"I'm fine, Seth, I promise."
I begin to unbutton his shirt, as I continue my onslaught on his neck as I move down to his clavicles and his chest.
His shirt undone, I pull it off him, even as I undo the tie around my robe, flinging it on the end of the bed. I am standing in front of him wearing the peach silk chemise. It hugs my curves and I hope leaves nothing to his imagination. His eyes widen and now he steps forward, moving me back against the bed, before reaching down to lift me, setting me gently in the middle of it, and lowering himself over me.
Somehow the power has shifted, as he is on top of me, kissing me, as his hands roam my body. I feel a warmth pool in my belly and move outward, as he grabs my left hand with his right, and holds it firmly on the side of the bed, not letting me move it.
He pulls the small straps off my shoulders and tugs the chemise down, exposing my breasts, as he leans down to begin nuzzling me. I feel his warm breath all over my chest, as he does not stay in one place long. I gasp and pant with a frequent occurrence, as I can't keep my breathing regular at this point. Every time I start breathing normally again, he changes the pattern, intensity, or location of his passion, and ignites an involuntary response from me, that is both thrilling and out of my mental capacities to control.
In the middle of this heady time, when I can't make sense of anything except our mutual passion, he leans up and kisses my mouth again, even as he begins murmuring. It is hard at first to understand what he is saying, which he must realize, because he eventually pulls away and makes eye contact, ensuring that I am listening.
"Jess, I don't think we should have intercourse tonight."
I immediately start to object. How can he say that when I am this aroused already? It seems cruel somehow and Seth is never cruel. Is he?
"Jess, listen to me."
I stop and try.
"Jess, I don't think we should have intercourse tonight. I know you think you are fine, but we still need to be careful." He must see the mutiny on my face, because he smiles slightly, as he reaches his other hand to my face. "But my love, that doesn't mean that I can't give you pleasure in other ways."
I must appear as confused as I feel, because he chuckles.
Instead of explaining further, he simply asks, "Do you trust me?"
I don't know what he is talking about, but I trust him with my life.
"Implicitly."
With that, he seizes my mouth again. I respond to his lips and tongue, but almost as soon as he claims my mouth, he begins to move down my body, back to my neck and then my sternum, kissing each breast, before moving further down again. He pulls up the bottom part of my chemise, exposing the bottom half of my body now, with it bunched in place across my midriff. He pauses at my stomach, kissing the line down my incision site that has healed well, thanks to his medical expertise.
I am beginning to understand what he is doing, as he continues down my body, arriving at my pelvis, again peppering me with kisses, which makes my hips begin to move in anticipation.
Arriving at the very core, he settles in between my legs, moving them gently apart. He looks up at me, presumably to make sure I am alright and still giving consent. I am in shock, but not about to stop him. Everything he has done so far has felt wonderful, and although I have never engaged in this, I'm not a fool. I have lived in New York and traveled the world. I know what this is and even wondered before if I would be willing to try it.
Oh yes, I am very willing.
He must see my assent, as he lowers his mouth to me, and my back arches in reply, even as I feel the air I must have been holding in my lungs, escape in a rush.
The air comes out in a woosh, even as I cry out his name, "Sethhhh."
His tongue is soft and warm. He whispers, "Relax, Jess," as he continues loving me. I realize he means my legs, as he pulls them up slightly, squeezing my thighs, trying to get them to relax. I focus on them for a moment, and feel my body give way as I sink into the mattress more fully. He must be happy with the result, as he again settles into what he is doing with his mouth.
I feel as though I am riding a wave in the ocean. Everything is warm and I am floating, going up and down. Going up a bit more on the next wave and back down again. Up and down. Again and again. I feel Seth's fingers enter me, as his mouth continues his advance, and I continue to ride the waves. He begins to increase the intensity, and the waves are coming quicker and quicker with the height and the drop back down increasing. All of a sudden, I feel my body rise up on a particularly tall wave, and instead of falling back down this time, Seth pushes me overtop and I explode in spasms, back arching again, one hand clawing the mattress beside me, even as I reach out to touch Seth's head with my other hand. I lost all ability to think for several moments after, as my head crashed back onto the pillow, and I closed my eyes feeling overwhelmed but so wonderfully sated.
Seth pulls away, planting soft kisses all around my lower body, before beginning to move slowly back above my waist, before landing at my neck, as he reaches out to hold me, caressing my left arm, as my breathing gets back under control.
"Are you alright, Jess?"
I sigh before answering.
"Oh yes, I feel amazing. Will you let me…" I start to ask, even as I feel him shake his head no.
"Not tonight, my love. Just go to sleep. You need to rest," he answers, as I feel him kiss my head and shift to get comfortable, while still holding me tightly.
"But Seth, I'm not going to let you do that and not reciprocate in some way!"
"I don't see why not. You gave me a great deal of pleasure already letting me do that."
"I don't know what to say to that."
"Good. Now, go to sleep, woman."
"Seth!"
He lifts his head and looks at me in the darkness. When he speaks, his voice is kind, but firm, and I am not used to seeing this side of him.
"Jessica Beatrice MacGill Fletcher Hazlitt, I have waited years to have you. And now that I have you, I am going to make sure that you know beyond any possible shadow of doubt that I love you so much that I will do anything and I do mean anything for you. I have taken vows now, woman, and I will protect you from yourself if I have to. And after waiting years to be with you, I can wait until tomorrow to have another…climax again…if it means, that I make sure that you are well in the process. Do I make myself clear?"
"Yes, Seth."
How can I possibly argue with him? And how in the world did I get so lucky as to have not one, but two men, who love me so much? I think Seth would die for me if he thought he needed to.
He had put his head back on the pillow and closed his eyes, while I continued to stare at him.
"Seth?"
"Hmm?"
"I love you."
"That's good, because I love you, too."
I buried my head in his neck and fell asleep in his arms.
"Eve? Is that you, dear?"
"Yes, who's speaking?"
"Eve, it's your cousin, Marla in Portland."
"Oh, hi, dear. I haven't heard from you in ages. How are you?"
"I'm grand. I just heard something though that was so shocking and I wanted to make sure you knew."
"Oh really? Do tell."
"Well, you know I don't like to gossip, but I also didn't want you to be caught unaware."
"Well, are you going to tell me, or aren't you?"
"Don't get in a huff now! I was at the church potluck tonight, Eve, and I sat down next to a neighbor of one of our parishioners. She introduced herself as Janet and she works at the courthouse."
"And I assume there is a point here?"
"Eve Simpson, you may be my older cousin who I worshiped as a child, but you can't boss me around anymore! Be nice or I'll hang up the phone now."
"Alright, Marla, I'm sorry. Please continue."
"Well, I sat talking to Janet for a while and she was a really pleasant but fairly quiet woman. I tried to ask her about her work, and she mentioned that her boss is the justice of the peace and one of the more interesting things about her job is when couples come in to get married and don't bring their own witness, so she gets to stand in."
"Ohhhh, did she witness someone we know get married?"
"She certainly did, Eve! Or at least you know them, I'll wager, being as they are from Cabot Cove."
"Are you going to tell me or not?"
"I swear, Eve. If our mothers were still alive, I'd tattle on you for not being nice!"
Eve sighed, but tried to be nice. She really did, but it was so hard sometimes.
"I'm sorry, Marla. Please tell me though, who got married?"
"Why, it was JB Fletcher and that doctor in town!"
"Jessica and Seth got married?" Eve shrieked.
"Ow, Eve, my ear!"
"When?"
"That's just it, Eve. This happened weeks ago apparently. You mean you didn't know?"
"Weeks ago?"
"Yes, that's what Janet said. When I reacted with surprise, she was worried that she had spoken out of turn, but then said that because it happened several weeks ago, she didn't think it was a secret or that people wouldn't know by now, even though often when people run off to the justice of the peace, it is a secret at first."
Eve is silent. Which admittedly does not happen often, except when her mind races and she can't decide what direction to go. She is shocked and yet, not shocked at all. Everyone in town knows that Seth has been in love with Jessica for years. Jessica had a bad health scare recently and that makes people realize their own mortality. If she was honest though, she was a tad angry that she just found out and had to learn the news from her cousin. Yet, she was also delighted, because she knew that she must be the first person in Cabot Cove to know. Unless…
"Eve? Are you there?"
"Yes, Marla, I am. I have to run though. Thank you so much for calling!"
"Eve, wait!"
But Eve had already hung up.
"Sheriff?"
"Yes?"
"Eve Simpson here."
"Ms. Simpson, do you know what time it is?"
"It's only nine o'clock, Sheriff. Surely, I didn't wake you?"
"No, but I am home, which means I'm not working. Is this a social call?"
"Not exactly."
Mort sighed and waited for her to continue. He knows she will.
"Sheriff, are you aware of anyone in town getting married recently?"
Mort freezes, not sure how to answer, knowing that whatever he says will be a trap.
"I don't know what you mean," he says, even as he knows he sounds nervous.
"You do, don't you?"
"Ms. Simpson, is there a point to this conversation?"
"You know! You knew that Jessica and Seth got married! How long have you known?"
What in the hell does he say now?
"Um, I don't know if I should answer that, Ms. Simpson."
"Oh, Mort! Really!"
He makes a decision, clearing his throat before speaking, "Look, Ms. Simpson, Mrs. F has been really sick for weeks. She is getting better, but they wanted to make sure she was well before telling people and having a lot of visitors. You can understand that, can't you?"
Eve sighs dramatically, "I guess, when you put it like that."
Mort says, "Thank you."
"Oh no, you aren't getting off that easily. What are we going to do about it?"
"Do about it? Nothing! They are the ones who got married!"
"Sheriff, they deserve a celebration. They are our friends after all. Does anyone else know?"
"I don't think so. But before you go running off planning things, they aren't home right now. Doc took her to Acadia for the week for a honeymoon. He called to tell me before they left."
"Alright, Sheriff. I'll be by your office tomorrow and we will make plans."
"Can I avoid that?"
"No, you can't. See you then."
And Eve hung up.
A/N: I think there will be one more chapter. Hope you enjoy this one. It can be quite a vulnerable feeling posting these, especially the chapters with all the emotion and passion like the last two! Please leave me a review and thanks for the ideas about how the townspeople will react!