Max had truly thought of everything. The ship, their stateroom, even the little basket of toys and treats waiting for Junior. They had eight luxurious nights to look forward to as they sailed to Manhattan, with plenty of stops for sightseeing and shopping in between. Without saying so much out loud, both Jennifer and Jonathan agreed to make this trip a joyous one, and follow Max's orders with enthusiasm.
They were about to embark on a life together that they hadn't yet experienced - just the two of them (plus Freeway) against the world. It was going to take some getting used to, which of course Max understood. He'd given them much more than a surprise vacation. He'd given them a chance to rest and heal together, and take the first steps to their new reality side by side.
So they'd dressed for dinner in a stunning sheath dress and a well-cut suit, eyeing themselves in the full length bedroom mirror in approval.
"A handsome couple," Jonathan remarked, winking at his wife in the glass. She chuckled and hustled him out of the room, lest they be late for their very first dinner.
Their table mates were perfectly lovely and they chatted amiably with them over the sumptuous dinner courses. One smitten couple was on their honeymoon, much to the delight of the table. Jonathan ordered champagne for them, and when the newlyweds asked how long they'd been married, there was another toast to twenty years.
Eventually they found themselves on the dance floor of the lounge, Jennifer tucked into Jonathan's embrace. They were dancing, but only barely. The songs had been a series of standards, all of which they'd heard at one time or another on Max's record player.
Jennifer's heart tugged painfully and she squeezed her eyes shut against the tears that threatened to fall.
"He'ill always be with us, won't he?" She asked, her voice partially muffled by Jonathan's shoulder. Her eyes stayed closed as they shifted, her whole body relaxed as Jonathan swayed them gently to the beat.
Jonathan didn't speak, his answering nod just a rustle of movement above her. She still didn't open her eyes, knowing that if she looked at her husband at that moment they would both lose their composure. Instead she brushed her hand over his back in circles, the motion soothing them both. It was going to be like this for a while, she guessed. Happiness and grief in a constant ebb and flow, giving and taking a little at a time. They'd had twenty years of happiness in their little family, twenty years of memories. And with Max's blessing, they would make many more.
They hadn't been alone, really alone, since all this had begun. Not without intrigue hanging over their heads and one more strange adventure for the road. It was time, Jennifer thought, for them to truly get on with the exciting business of life.
They owed Max that much. They owed themselves, even more.
"Darling," Jennifer murmured, waiting until Jonathan hummed in response. "Just before we left the table, Celine asked me what our secret was…to a happy marriage."
"What did you tell her?" Jonathan spun them a little. He too was shaking off the grief that was threatening to undermine their evening. "Being married to a wonderful, handsome, sexy, virile man?"
"Oh, of course." She rubbed her cheek against his shoulder. "And communication, adventure and laughter."
She raised her head and stalled their dancing, waiting until he focused on her face.
"And good sex. Lots and lots of really, really good sex."
"You didn't."
Jennifer shrugged and they resumed dancing, her tone nonchalant. "I don't lie."
He lasted through another half of a song before he stopped dancing and took her hand, hustling them out of the lounge and towards the elevator bank. He'd missed her too. She wasn't surprised, but warmed all the same.
"Where are we going?" Jennifer asked, all innocence as he jammed the button.
He answered her just as the elevator opened to reveal several couples dressed for the later dinner seating. "Lots and lots of really, really good sex."
Jennifer's eyebrows hit her hairline and Jonathan turned his charming smile to the group of gaping guests. Unperturbed, he flattened his hand and made a presenting motion towards his wife.
"Can you blame me?" A few husbands chuckled.
"We'll take the next one."Jennifer said, giving the smallest finger wave to the stunned group as the doors closed once more. "I can't take you anywhere."
They managed to make it back to their room without another incident, although not for lack of trying on Jonathan's part. At the door, as Jennifer dug in her small clutch for the key, Jonathan drew her hair over one shoulder and dropped a line of featherlight kisses against her neck.
Momentarily distracted, she relaxed back into his touch and closed her eyes, key forgotten.
Jonathan's fingers tightened on her hips and he spoke against her pulse. "Darling…the door."
"Mmmm." She arched and slowly opened her eyes. Her blood was already thickening, warmth spreading from her belly to her chest.
"Unless you want me to take you right here." Jennifer shivered noticeably and Jonathan chuckled. He ought not tempt her. One day she might call his bluff. Instead she raised the key and Jonathan took it from her fingers. With his arms bracketing her, he let them into their room.
Junior met them with a hopping dance of joy, little high pitched pants accompanying each bounce. His joyous, almost hysterical welcome, put their seduction on a temporary hold.
Jennifer knelt down and the little dog leapt into her arms. "He doesn't like to be alone."
"I know the feeling." Jonathan ruffled the scruffy head and tossed the key on the small table by the door. Jennifer set Freeway on the floor and when she straightened, Jonathan grabbed her hips again and dragged her tight to him. "Now where were we?"
Deft fingers located and unzipped Jennifer's dress in one smooth, impressive motion. It pooled at her ankles, leaving her in freshly purchased lingerie. Long gone were the days she could go without a bra, but Jonathan had always been fond of her lace and silk underthings. He groaned when she turned, showcasing the set she chose just for him.
She never felt sexier than under his gaze, when his ocean blue eyes went storm-tossed with need and his fingers clenched uselessly at his sides.
"You're so goddamn beautiful." He rasped, as he always did. It was sincere appreciation, though, and he stepped forward to yank her against his chest. He nibbled a line over her shoulder and to her throat. His tongue drew nonsensical patterns on her skin and he bit lightly above her pulse. "So fuckin sexy."
"You're overdressed." Jennifer's voice had gone deeper in her desire and this time it was Jonathan's turn to shiver. Her fingers nimbly plucked at his buttons and he tugged at his pants. It took only a minute for Jennifer to be the one over-dressed in her demi-bra and extremely high cut panties. Jonathan's strong fingers stroked over her legs, nearly whimpering in his need.
Jennifer worked hard to keep her legs toned and limber so she felt a rush of pride from the way Jonathan watched her walking backwards towards the bed. When her knees hit the mattress she sat abruptly then fell back, tossing her arms up over her head.
"Scoot up," Jonathan instructed, staring at her breasts, moving between her open thighs. "If I get down on my knees, I'm not getting back up."
Jennifer crawled back towards the headboard and crooked a finger, her stomach tightening as he stalked closer until he was leaning over her, his lips scant millimeters from hers.
He was still so broad and imposing, deliciously muscled in all the right places. He, too, worked hard for his impressive form and she appreciated the effort. When he loomed over her, she felt small and delicate and, his dark eyes scanning her curves, very desired.
Arousal, when it arrived, was no longer a fast, sharp punch but an achingly slow rise. Two decades have given Jonathan the flawless technique to draw that desire from her, to flood her senses so thoroughly she was more than ready when he was. At first, it had been a difficult transition for her, the realization that she wasn't as young as she used to be and she needed the extra help to take him inside her. But Jonathan had shown great keenness for the task and as always, his presence made even that heartbreaking change more bearable.
With the enthusiasm of a man 30 years his junior, Jonathan roved slowly down her body until he was settled between her legs. He buried his face against her, breathing deeply and moaning. She was a lucky woman to have a husband so desperate to pleasure her at every opportunity. She was lucky, too, at his skill and willingness to adapt. Jennifer's insides clenched and she wriggled, already feeling the heat begin to bubble low with just his hot breath on her center.
Her back levitated clean off the mattress when he licked her, flat tongue passing slowly over her underwear. She hadn't been ready, but obviously he was because he hooked a finger in the leg hole and snagged them out of his way. He didn't even bother to remove them fully.
She felt the briefest nudge of his nose, and then Jonathan set to his feast, holding Jennifer's hips steady while he drove her wild.
Her hands slid blindly over the duvet, twisting and releasing the covers in time with his swirling tongue. The need to touch him was overwhelming and she threaded her hands in his thick hair, accidentally tugging sharply when he suckled a little harder than usual.
The restraining touch of his arm released and Jennifer had to work hard to focus her eyes. Jonathan was staring up at her, still bent to the task of pleasuring her, but his eyes shone with wonder and he nodded encouragingly.
When she bucked and rolled her hips against his face, she could feel more than hear it when he praised her, spurring her on, "That's it. Like that."
Jennifer wanted to ask him if he was sure, but there were no words in her head. Only the white hot heat he was building inside her, and the uncontrollable urge to grind against his lips.
The curse, when she let it loose, was high pitched and needy and it felt like she had no control over her arms and legs. Every cell in her body was focused on Jonathan's mouth and the fire he was stoking. She held him to her, taking her pleasure until at last it crested in a shimmer of lights behind her clenched eyelids.
The sparks subsided and when her vision cleared, Jennifer found her husband beside her. He had one fist under his head, watching her, while his other lazily stroked his burgeoning erection. Her muscles were still loose and uncooperative, but she framed his face with her hands and dropped kisses over his cheeks, nose and mouth.
His mouth opened under her lips and she immediately slipped her tongue to touch his. The distinct flavor of Jonathan was tempered with her essence and she kissed him harder, wanting and needing more.
She pushed his fingers away from his cock and took him in hand, continuing to work him to full readiness. She thumbed the tip, spreading the head of moisture with the flick of her wrist. Jonathan's abdomen clenched and he muttered sharply. He wasn't one to stay idle so he plucked her nipple, flicking and rolling the pebbles tip. Jennifer's slow rhythm faltered momentarily. She kept on, though, until he was thrusting into her fist.
"Ready?" He asked, voice deep and strained, lifting her thigh over his hip. At some point her panties had been abandoned and she wondered if she'd ever find them again. She could only nod and bite her lip, lining him up with her entrance.
She would never tire of the first moment when he filled her, so full and hot. The connection was instantaneous, a piece of her heart slotting into place with their bodies aligned. Jonathan stilled, taking a deep breath and pushing his forehead to hers.
"I love you," he whispered as he began to move, a slow rolling of his hips. Unable to speak, she chased his lips and kissed him deeply.
She loved him, so very much, sometimes she thought her heart would burst. When he held her like this, driving them slowly into a cresting wave of pleasure and his eyes never left hers. When he danced with her to old songs that reminded them of the things they'd lost, his own breath wavering with emotion. When he made her laugh. When he held her while she cried.
She loved him beyond all and with everything.
Before long, Jonathan rolled onto his back and pulled Jennifer atop him. He ran his hands up over her thighs to her hips and waist and back down again, urging her to set a pace that pleased her.
He was staring up at her, his expression awed and she couldn't contain her grin, adoration making her heart skip. Then he thrust hard into her and she dropped her head back, unable to do much more than let the pleasure wash over her, her muscles coiling as they chased release together.
It might have been minutes, it might have been hours. Time was measured in the carnal rhythm of their bodies, the slap of skin punctuated with sighs and groans. Jonathan gripped her hips and buried himself deeply, his body jerking in spasms of release. He might have said her name, but blood was roaring in her ears. Flickers of ecstasy bloomed to consume her and she collapsed on her husband's chest, sated and exhausted.
They rose and fell with Jonathan's labored breathing, holding each other close. Jennifer worked to get her own wild heart rate under control, marveling at how easily he had unraveled her, all things considered.
"It hasn't been like that," She spoke as though she was recovering from a marathon. Jonathan was softening inside her; perhaps 'marathon' was entirely accurate. She tried again. "It hasn't been like that in a while."
Jonathan's chuckle was hoarse and he scraped his knuckles between her shoulder blades. "For the best. That was…"
Yes, it was. Jennifer felt boneless, her muscles one again refusing to obey even the simplest command. Luckily Jonathan still had some of his faculties. He rolled to his side and carefully spooned her up against his chest. He surrounded her, his breath hot against the nape of her neck. She always felt safest in his arms, the cares and worries of the outside world unable to touch her. She believed, hoped, she did the same for him.
"Really, really good sex." He finally mumbled, nuzzling her hair. He would be asleep in moments, the physicality of their lovemaking sapping the last of his energy. It had been a long week. Perhaps an even longer, more difficult, month. They'd earned some rest.
Jennifer was floating in that liminal space between wake and sleep when she thought she heard the clock chime and Freeway's grumbling woof.
"Hush," She whispered into the moonlit room. "Everything is going to be fine."
Jonathan pulled her closer and murmured nonsensically to her, soft and soothing noises. The gentle rumble of his voice and the faint strains of the Carnival of Animals soothed her, lulling her into a blessed and restorative sleep.
It was just her and Jonathan (and Freeway) against the world. Tomorrow she would be ready.
