This is basically a little sexy filler...enjoy ;-)
Chapter 23
The bed was empty, a fact Harm noticed when he rolled over and reached out to find cold sheets. With half-lidded eyes he followed the only gleam of light from the partially opened sliding door that led to the balcony.
He pulled himself upright and sat at the edge of the bed staring at the wispy curtains which blew from the light breeze. The gap made it difficult to see but he imagined his wife leaning against the rail with a cup of coffee in her hand and a spectacular smile on her lips. Mac was always the early bird while he often struggled to get his body moving in the morning.
Every second of this weekend needed to count because it was likely the last time they'd be able to relax until his trial ended. His wife intended to be part of his defense, even in a small capacity which would leave little time for them to enjoy being a married couple.
"My wife…Mac's my wife...My wife." The words spilled from his lips in a whisper that made him take pause and stare at the ring on his finger which replaced his Academy ring. It felt foreign, lighter, the thick silver band that officially meant he belonged to someone.
The idea of being tied to one person for the rest of his life was always meant with unrelenting trepidation. It wasn't a conscious intention that made him remain a bachelor though it may as well have been. To Harm, women were another species with different wants and needs that he could never fully wrap his mind around.
He hated that the fairer sex never understood his love of flying and deemed it an obsession while others couldn't stand military structure. They liked the look of a man in uniform but stomaching the unpredictable nature of military life was an annoyance. Saddling himself with a partner which refused to accept those parts of his life made him keep significant others at a safe distance.
Mac had broken all of his carefully built walls. Being in the Marines meant she understood the military structure when civilians could not. She held an undying love for God and country just like him and wanted to serve as long as she could.
She supported his flying, although it scared her. Mac also understood his past trauma and was the only person willing and capable of following him to a war-torn country - twice. She tested his strengths, protected his weaknesses and was his partner through and through.
There waa no one better to become his life partner - their marriage was inevitable. He should have just dropped to one knee at the White House rose garden and proposed then and there. It would have saved a boatload of heartache.
With a groan he pulled himself upright, located his boxers and sought out his bride.
It was rare for Mac to sleep in, her body was accustomed to thriving on little sleep and copious amounts of coffee. Although she wanted to stay next to her sleeping husband, rest didn't come easy. Rather than wake him, a cup of coffee was in order and after donning on a terry cloth robe, Mac stepped out to the balcony.
The city had barely begun to awaken and from their room she could see the sunrise out in the distance. It was obscured by fog and clouds except for the roque rays that broke through majestic orange hues. Mac was a married woman now and though she should have stayed with him, her mind couldn't rest.
Twelve hours, six minutes and forty two seconds, that's how long they'd been married. She'd secured early at work, rushed to the venue and was glad that Pete's wife Sofia volunteered to help dress her.
Mac loved the look of her dress and she loved how Harm stared at her as she walked into the small room that had been turned into a wedding chapel. No, it wasn't the wedding she dreamt of; in reality she'd only fantasized of marrying him once.
It was the night before he left for quals and Mic had moved to the apartment he was subletting. Sleeping in different beds would make their wedding night more memorable. At least that was the story she conjured up when it became impossible to forget Harm's kiss the night of her engagement party.
In her dreams Harm stood at the altar in dress whites, a look of pride and love adorning his face. They said their vows in front of family, friends and coworkers and then kissed to the delight of all around. The reality was intimate, special and she enjoyed not having to be the center of attention until they were finally able to escape the wedding guests for a proper celebration.
After one dance Harm whisked her up to their hotel room and pleased her more than she could imagine. Unfortunately, sleep wouldn't come easy, her mind insisted on torturing her about work, his case and Vukovic.
"Morning beautiful." A husky, sleep laden voice said. She knew when Harm was awake. Besides the scent of him and the way her body practically hummed as he came near - strong arms wrapping around her middle gave him away. "Why aren't you in bed, Mrs Rabb?"
Mac stiffened at the use of his last name, one that she purposely did not take in effort to avoid issues in the military. "Harm-"
"Mac, I know what you're thinking and I don't care that you aren't using my last name. It takes months to approve that stupid paperwork anyway. You've made a name for yourself as Sarah MacKenzie - keep it forever if you want. It doesn't change the fact that you married me yesterday."
She relaxed but only slightly. Yes paperwork would be a problem, it wasn't as easy as changing the name above her door or the tape on her ACUs. There was her driver's license, social security, contacting the Bar for the handful of States where she was licensed to practice law.
When they applied for a marriage license she'd initially written 'Sarah MacKenzie' out of habit. If Mac was honest with herself, she was caught up in the moment, laughing with her soon-to-be husband, teasing him when Harm jokingly said he had cold feet.
He shrugged off her mistake, told Mac she could change her name when they both retired and then signed. She'd taken his word and moved on until the early morning when Mac wondered if he resented her choice.
Harm's lips teased the curve of her neck and one bare shoulder from where the robe had slipped enough to expose her sweet skin. She leaned her head back to give him better access and guided a hand to her breast that he gently squeezed.
"We're gonna give the neighbors a show." Mac said casually as the evidence of his arousal pressed against the small of her back.
"I don't mind."
Harm's comment made her turn to face him. A devilish grin made her laugh especially considering how prudish the man could be about sex. She tested his bravado by letting a hand slide down his chest and stop just beneath the elastic waistband of his boxers. "You don't mind, huh?"
Her fingers tugged the underwear down past Harm's hips and a second before his erection was sprung free, he took her hand and pulled Mac back inside the room. "On second thought…"
"Not into sex in public?" She teased while he fought with the sash at her waist.
"Nope. I prefer to keep you all to myself." He made a frustrated sound and then held up the end of the sash that seemed to be superglued into place. "A little help here? I'm tryna make love to my very sexy wife."
"No." Mac swatted his hand away.
"No?"
"Nope." She flattened her hand against his chest and gave a slight push that had him walking backwards until Harm dropped unceremoniously into a plush armchair. "Remember when I said 'No foreplay'?"
He nodded stupidly and out of their own volition, his eyes dropped to her lips. She licked them, bit the lower half and before Harm knew what was happening Mac lowered herself between his knees, tugged down his boxers and took him in her mouth.
Thunderstorms rolled in with the early evening and reservations for a romantic dinner at the hotel's French restaurant became a room service kind of affair. Mac actually prefered the change, it allowed them both the privacy to lounge in front of the fireplace wearing nothing more than the plush robes the hotel provided.
Throughout their partnership she'd seen him wearing a similar garment once or twice. It was usually a well worn crimson kind that made its appearance in the later months when the temperatures began to dip. Mac always thought a robe made him look incredibly dapper and now, the fact that she could peel it off of him with no repercussions gave her a little thrill.
Not nearly long enough, Harm's stopped above the knee which allowed ample admiration of his runner's calves with that perfect definition of muscle. She watched him stoke the fire, the hotel was old enough that the wood burning variety was still used. And when he returned to his spot on the sofa, Mac instinctively snuggled against him.
They'd been lovers for less than two weeks, married for less than twenty-four hours and yet all of this intimacy felt familiar. She liked the comfort between them, the ease into which they'd fallen into as if they'd been dating for a decade. This was the kind of life she dreamt of for them.
"I'm a little worried." Harm's voice sounded small and Mac didn't have to ask what he was alluding to. "I don't want you to get in trouble."
"I married the man I love, why would I get in trouble?"
It wasn't that simple and both of them knew the ramifications would likely be swift. Their shotgun wedding was not discussed with anyone except Pete and that meant Creswell would not be happy with the brash decision. And then there was the plaintiff who'd likely rain hell on them both. "It's clear Vic has friends in high places. When you recuse yourself and he hears why you can't prosecute me-"
"He'll become more than the annoying sack of shit that he is. I know and I'm mentally prepared to handle him."
"I don't want you to get hurt, Mac."
She raised her head to look at him and saw a deep concern in Harm's eyes. "You're scared for me?"
He was because Vic's intentions towards her terrified him. Harm would never forgive himself if he couldn't protect her and with his badge taken away, he currently wasn't allowed on base unless it was for his case. "I know, I know…You're a Marine and I know you can bend him into a pretzel-"
"Oh, God no…eww. He might enjoy that." She nudged him and chuckled as Harm cracked a smile.
"Hah, funny. Look, I know how tough you are, how capable you are to defend yourself but, I don't trust that he won't do something underhanded and I won't be there to protect you." Harm expected her to fight him or at least begin her patented "I'm a Marine" credo but Mac didn't.
Instead she kissed him sweetly before muttering a quiet "thank you" against his lips.
"We need a proper honeymoon, you know?" Harm said, "One that lasts longer than a weekend."
God knows she had considered honeymoon destinations since being a teenager. Magazines always pointed out these exotic regions on Earth with spectacular vistas too breathtaking to be true. Something was drawing her back to the canals and the various waterways they hadn't yet explored. What quaint villages awaited them? What narrowboat adventure would abound?
"Maybe travel another canal? I could see us spending a couple of weeks exploring the villages, trying the local food, checking the sights." Making love on the small bed that forced them to stay as close as physically possible. While it didn't allow for more athletic sexual endeavors, he'd satisfied her plenty and she wanted more of it - all of it - with Harm.
"Narrowboating?"
"You seem surprised ... .I enjoyed it. I wanted more of it."
He made a face and she giggled at his expression. "I was thinking some place tropical - the Bahamas. You on a private beach in a skimpy bikini that leaves nothing to the imagination."
"Oh, I hadn't thought about that."
"I have." If she only knew the fantasies rolling in his mind. The ones of them making love on a hammock, a lounger or even being lapped by waves ala 'From Here To Eternity.' "Frank bought a few acres down there, revitalized a sugar cane mill and built a small villa with direct access to a secluded beach. The ocean there is this magical shade of blue, crystal clear. I want you to see it. I want to spend days rubbing sunscreen on you."
"And days taking my bathing suit off?" She teased.
"Or you could do without, there's not another soul for miles…No one to see us."
When he put it that way the cliche tropical honeymoon sounded deliciously sensual. "How about we male a deal? While you're still in the UK we'll take a narrowboat honeymoon and when the dust settles, we'll both put in for some leave and take off to your island retreat."
"A compromise I can live with, Colonel."
"I'm glad, Captain but I'll agree to the Bahamas if and only if I get to rub some sunscreen all over you."
Harm laughed, she drove a hard bargain but he knew negotiating was out of the question. "Fine, I'll agree to your terms counselor. But under one condition."
"Hmm?"
"Kiss me."
"If you insist." Mac slid onto his lap and straddled his thighs. He moaned as her fingers gently ran through the strands of his hair and massaged his scalp.
Every touch from her was the sweetest sin he'd ever experienced and when her lips lowered onto his, Harm was in Heaven. "I love you, Sarah."
"Show me how much." She was wet when his fingers found her center and a quick pass over her moist folds made Mac gasp. He pressed one digit into her as his mouth plundered hers and the onslaught of a quickly building orgasm made her hungry for more.
Mac's sex rubbed against his palm, feverishly needing release and once another finger pushed into her, she quivered as wave after wave of ecstasy washed over her.
The intense pleasure of watching her come, of knowing he could easily bring her over the edge was fuel for his ego. She was so insanely gorgeous with her head tipped back, beads of sweat covering the parts of skin he could see. They way her thighs clenched around his hand and her fingers dug into his shoulder was an aphrodisiac like no other.
When she calmed, Harm stood with Mac wrapped around him, ignoring the mild protest of an aching back. The bedroom felt miles away and he kissed her with every step until they dropped into bed together. "I love you, Harm."
"Let me show you how much." He said and then parted her thighs and lowered his mouth to her.