Guilty Pleasures

by Deborah Fletcher Mello

  From her great-uncle’s home, they decided to stroll the length of Rawai Beach. Offering a unique local feel, the beach was home to long-established fishermen who made their living from their daily catches, boat chartering, and selling the exquisite shells found in the warm oceanic waters. The area was known as Gypsy Village, and along the right side of the bay, the shoreline hosted dozens of longtail boats, canoes, and speedboats.

  The number of seafood restaurants that lined the beach couldn’t be counted on two hands. Families were enjoying their evening meal under the shade trees as children danced in the bright blue waters. The views were beautiful, and the atmosphere was peaceful.

  As they walked the sandy shoreline, Sarai reached for Alexander’s hand, entwining her fingers between his. The look on his face reflected his surprise. “Is this acceptable?” he asked, glancing around to see if anyone was eyeing them.

  She smiled and nodded. “We are official. Hand-holding is okay, but nothing more. Not in public.”

  He nodded. “I like Thailand. I love Phuket, but I’ll be glad when we go back to Colorado. I hate not being able to touch you when I want to. I sometimes want to wrap my arms around you and hold you, kiss your lips, give you a light tap on the backside, and it really pisses me off when I can’t.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “It’s nothing for you to apologize for, baby! I understand that you and your father don’t want people looking at you badly. Hell, I don’t want people to get the wrong impression about you. You’re my fiancée. But I can’t help but think that some of the thinking is just a little antiquated.”

  Sarai squeezed his fingers and nodded. “Next week we’ll be back in Colorado and you can tap my backside anytime you want!”

  Alexander laughed. “I’ll probably embarrass myself not being able to keep my hands off you!”

  She laughed with him. “We won’t be doing that kind of touching in public!”

  * * *

  Mama Lynn and Westley sat in Zachary’s soaking pool, the warm waters easing the day’s stress away. Westley had spent most of the day with Gamon, discovering all the man did around the property for his son. When Zachary and Alexander had disappeared to run wedding errands, he and Gamon had snuck into Phuket Town to watch the go-go dancers and share a beer.

  Mama Lynn had gone shopping, venturing out to the shops and markets to explore all on her own. The experience had her feeling all out of sorts, and she was venting as they tried to relax in the warming waters.

  “She asked me why I was fat!” Mama Lynn exclaimed. “Just came right out and said, ‘Why you so fat!’ And then she jiggled me!”

  Alexander and Zachary both stifled their laughter, fighting not to show their amusement.

  “It wasn’t personal!” Westley exclaimed. “Thai people don’t see questions like that insulting. They just ask about what they see or want to know. It’s just full disclosure as far as they’re concerned.”

  “Well, it’s rude! Just downright rude. And then another one asked me about my birth control! Do I look like I need some birth control?”

  With that the twins lost it, both cackling heartily. Tears were streaming down their faces. Sarai shook her head. “It takes some getting used to, Mama Lynn, but they really didn’t mean any harm.”

  “Humph!” the matriarch scoffed, sucking her teeth in annoyance. “Tch!”

  “So how’d your day go, Pop?” Zachary asked, changing the subject.

  “Had me a good time. Gamon showed me the ins and outs around here. It was a really good time!”

  The twins exchanged a look, Sarai’s cousin Sing having already gossiped about the good time the two men had enjoyed. Both bit down on their lips, trying to contain their emotion. Alexander laughed, the sound abrupt, and his brother gave him a push. When Westley turned to stare, they both burst out again, the laughter gut deep.

  Sarai moved onto her feet. “I really need to be going,” she said, waving her hand at her future in-laws.

  “You be safe, baby!” Mama Lynn exclaimed.

  “Drive safe,” Westley chimed in.

  Alexander walked her to the door. “Are you excited?” he asked, wrapping his arms around her.

  She nodded. “I’m excited that I will be your wife tomorrow.”

  “Me, too,” he said, leaning to kiss her lips. “You can still change your mind, you know.”

  She smiled and shook her head. “Never.”

  They stood together for a few more minutes, trading easy caresses in the dim light that reflected out of the cottage window. Their kisses were gentle and sweet as they whispered words of endearment into each other’s ears. And then he helped her into her car, kissing her one last time before she pulled out of sight.

  As he stood in the doorway, watching until her taillights disappeared from view, Zachary joined him, leaning his large body against the doorframe.

  “This is your last night as a free man! You ready?”

  Alexander turned to look at his brother. He pushed his hands deep into his pockets. “I’m scared to death, Z. Ready, excited, and scared to death!”

  * * *

  The entire property at Revolution had been transformed for the wedding ceremony. Hours before the sun rose, a team of party planners and caterers had arrived to ensure everything was in order. Covered tables and chairs and large floral arrangements decorated the courtyard and the large dining hall. It was as if Xanadu had fallen from the skies while everyone slept.

  Up bright and early, the family was dressed and ready to go shortly after the breakfast hour. With his brother leading the way, Zachary and his parents walked across the property to meet Sarai and her father and the aunties, who had helped make everything happen.

  Gamon greeted them in the building’s foyer. With his prayer hands held in front of his face, Alexander wished him a good morning, then announced his intent to pay the bride price that they had negotiated to compensate him for the loss of his beloved daughter. Bowing slightly, he handed the patriarch a basket of money, the sum total of one million baht, or just under thirty thousand dollars. There were hushed whispers around the room, the Montri family nodding their approval.

  As the money was spread in a circle atop a table, Sarai entered the room. Alexander was awed, his mouth dropping open as he stared. She was stunning. She wore a traditional Thai wedding gown, the rich silk fabric a deep shade of gold with a lace overlay and white embroidery accents. One shouldered, it featured a tailored, ankle-length skirt and fit her petite frame to perfection. Her thick hair had been tamed into a chignon that featured a gold headpiece. From across the room, the two locked gazes and were barely able to take their eyes off each other for the rest of the day.

  The family led them into the main hall, where nine orange-robed Buddhist monks had been invited to perform the blessing ceremony. Facing the monks, everyone sat behind Alexander and Sarai, who knelt close together with their hands clasped in prayer, signaling their respect and supplication. After the blessing, the couple presented the monks with gifts and a small donation and then were prayed over a second time.

  When the blessing ceremony was complete, Mama Lynn and the aunties offered the monks a morning meal that was served by Sarai’s uncles. Everyone else exited the room until they’d finished eating, no one else was allowed to dine. Before the monks departed, they prayed and chanted over the couple a third time, applying a powdered incense to their foreheads.

  With the bride and groom kneeling side by side on a special pedestal, the guests were given an opportunity to bestow their individual blessings and good wishes upon the couple. One by one, each poured water over Alexander and Sarai’s hands, the moisture passing into a flower-filled bowl.

  Every aspect of the wedding continued with a series of traditional ceremonies. There was the candle ceremony, where two candles were lit for Alexander and Sarai to use to light a single candle that symbolized the joining of their two families and to invoke the light of a higher power into their married life.

  Ther
e was the veil ceremony, where a white veil was draped over the bride’s head and the groom’s shoulders to symbolize two people being clothed as one. The cord ceremony had a family member draping a decorative silk cord in a figure-eight shape over their shoulders to symbolize everlasting fidelity. Then Alexander gave Sarai thirteen coins blessed by a priest as a sign of his dedication to her and the children they would one day have.

  Everyone was surprised when the couple added their own ceremonial touches to their uniting. Mama Lynn clapped excitedly when Alexander dropped down onto one knee and pulled a small black velvet box from his inner pocket. Inside, a five-carat diamond ring shimmered in a platinum setting. He slid it and a diamond-encrusted wedding band onto her ring finger. They concluded the ceremony with the Western tradition of jumping the broom to honor Alexander’s parents and his heritage.

  The party afterward was truly a party. The food was abundant, and everyone was having a wonderful time. Alexander and Sarai moved from table to table to pay their respects to their guests. It was hours later when they finally sat back with Zachary and their parents.

  Alexander grabbed Sarai’s hand and kissed the back of her fingers. He held up her fingers, waving her new ring for them to see. “I’se married now, Pa!” he said with a deep laugh. “I’se married now!”

  Mama Lynn laughed at his mocking the infamous line from the movie The Color Purple. “This was something,” she said, her face flushed. “I have never seen anything like this before. It was a beautiful wedding!”

  Zachary nodded in agreement. “Your wife is amazing. I hope you realize that,” he said to his twin. He gestured with his hands, pointing out everything around him. “How she managed to pull this off in one week is beyond me.”

  Sarai laughed. “I’m good at everything I do. You should know that by now, brother!”

  Zachary cringed. “She called me brother!” he teased, feigning annoyance. “Now I have a sister!”

  Alexander wrapped his arm around her shoulder. “You’ve always had a sister.”

  His brother smiled.

  Westley cleared his throat. “Okay, these folks are big on tradition around here. So you know your mama and I couldn’t let you get married and not give you something . . .” He paused, reaching into the pocket of his suit for an envelope that he slid across the table to Alexander.

  “What’s this?” Alexander looked from her to him and back.

  Mama Lynn grinned. “Sarai’s aunts were telling me that in the old days there would be a wedding chamber ceremony where an older married couple would prepare the wedding bed for the newlyweds.”

  Sarai giggled, cutting an eye at Alexander.

  Westley nodded. “That’s right. I told Mama that was a bit much so we thought we’d just help get your honeymoon started,” he said.

  Alexander peeked into the envelope and grinned, pulling a hotel room key from inside.

  * * *

  The Shore at Katathani was a luxury beachfront villa resort in the southern end of Phuket. The luxurious property boasted boundless space and seclusion, the honeymoon villa featuring a private infinity pool, ocean views, and a garden-enclosed patio for sunbathing. It was extraordinarily beautiful.

  Still dressed in their wedding clothes, Alexander and Sarai moved from the entrance through the living room, into the bedroom, eagerly inspecting the space. She came to an abrupt halt at the foot of the king-size bed, tears suddenly misting her eyes.

  “What’s wrong?” Alexander asked, concern vibrating in his tone. He moved to her side, a large hand caressing her back.

  She shook her head, gesturing to the bed top. A large gold platter rested in the center. The platter held an assortment of fresh fruit and other tokens that she explained. “They symbolize fertility, good luck, and prosperity. Your parents have honored us with good fortune.”

  “They’re your parents now, too!”

  She pressed a hand to his chest. “All of you make me very happy!” she said, sniffling slightly.

  Alexander pulled her into his arms and kissed her, their tongues coming together. His mouth danced atop hers with easy abandon. It felt like an eternity before he came up for air, voicing the thought that had been on his mind. “The minute you are unhappy, you tell me and I will do everything in my power to bring you back your joy,” he whispered, and then he kissed her one more time.

  Chapter Twenty

  For two days Alexander and Sarai made love over and over again. When they weren’t making love they slept, showered together, played in the pool, and just enjoyed holding each other. For hours on end they exchanged the sweetest kisses and traded teasing caresses.

  Sarai had just stepped out of the shower, an oversized white towel wrapped around her. Alexander stood at the foot of the bed, staring at her, when he felt his warm cock growing into a thick erection.

  The lights in the room were dimmed, and music played out of speakers built into the walls. An interlude of flutes and violins resounded through the air. Alexander crooked his index finger and gestured for her to come to him. As she moved to his side, Sarai let the towel fall to the floor beneath her feet.

  She pressed her palms to his bare chest, rising on her toes to kiss his lips. Her tongue danced against his, exploring, teasing, entwining, and she tasted like mint and fruit, sweet and fresh against his tongue. Blood surged, coursing through his veins as he wrapped himself around her, his hands skating the length of her torso.

  Reaching between them, Sarai took him into her hand, stroking him gently as his dick hardened against her palm. She lifted her gaze, losing herself in his blue eyes as he smiled down on her. He shivered with excitement, and the slightest smile pulled at her lips, satisfaction gleaming from her stare.

  Disengaging herself from his embrace, she dropped to her knees. His erection was magnificent, and it jutted proudly from his tangled bush. Alexander marveled at how days of practice had made her so proficient, her mouth a talent as Sarai eagerly pleasured his dick with her tongue. She licked and sucked at the head before taking every inch of him quickly and easily down her throat. Her lips would lock tightly around his shaft as she withdrew; then she would roll her tongue all around the head again. The sensations were amazing!

  When she turned her attention to the underside, teasing that sensitive spot behind the glans, he almost lost it. And then she went back to sucking him, over and over, as he matched her rhythm, slowly pushing himself in and out of her mouth.

  “You are so good at that . . .” he whispered excitedly as he put his hands on the back of head, urging her on.

  Sarai suddenly pulled herself from him, moving back onto her feet. Her gaze danced over his face as she backed her way onto the bed, spreading herself open, her legs parting as she drew her knees to her chest. The invitation was unspoken; no words needed to say what she wanted.

  Alexander eased his body against hers, plunging himself into her in one swift motion. Sarai gasped, her ecstatic wail the sweetest sound imaginable. Turning her head so that she could see him in the mirrored closet door sent currents of electricity sweeping through her. She held her legs high in the air, engrossed as his ass pumped furiously in and out of her. Turning back to him, she moaned into his open mouth, latching her lips back to his.

  He suddenly rolled, turning onto his back as he pulled her above him. Sarai was no weight at all in his arms as she rolled easily with him, straddling her body over his. As she dropped herself down hard against him, Alexander slid his hand along the crack of her ass, then slipped a finger into the warm, dark tunnel, no part of her off-limits to him.

  It was sexual heaven for them both as he filled her, teased her, then flooded her with an overwhelming sensual warmth. Pushing the limits of their loving, she was in complete control as she lifted her body from his and lowered herself again, his thickness nuzzling the snug rosebud that his fingers had just teased. He smiled, sucking on his bottom lip as she slowly let her weight settle on him, the sensation delightful as his cock opened and filled her.

 
; He blew a low hiss of air as his body slipped into the tight, velvety confines of her rectum. Gripping her thighs, he held her as she impaled herself over and over again. Then he thrust his fingers between her legs, thumbing her swollen clit. They settled into a natural lusty rhythm, the intimate coupling raw and animalistic. It was pain and pleasure as she watched his climax building in his handsome face, his hips thrusting urgently, wanting more, and wanting it deeper and harder.

  Alexander suddenly tensed, his whole body erupting into orgasmic bliss. He gripped her tighter, pushing his hips higher, thrusting himself deep into her ass, and then he cursed, screaming his pleasure as every nerve ending erupted. As he spilled into her, the sexual electricity through her cunt vibrated, and she fell off the edge of pleasure with him. Every muscle in her body quaked as she dropped into the throes of her sexual ecstasy.

  Hours later they would lay side by side, her body pressed tight to his, savoring another sweet session of lovemaking. They would share how much love they had for each other and whisper their dreams and secrets to each other. They would be awed by the trust and the thirst that they had for each other. It was sheer bliss.

  * * *

  “Fuck!”

  Zachary and Alexander both turned abruptly, unaccustomed to hearing such foul language from any woman in Thailand. But the young woman coming through the door of the main office wasn’t Thai. Or at least Zachary didn’t think so.

  Her complexion was honey, a deep, rich, sweet coloration that paid homage to her African heritage. But her features were Asian, almond-shaped eyes, forest-thick lashes, and chiseled cheekbones. Her hair was a definite melding of the two cultures; thick, voluminous curls that fell past her shoulders. Her body was a contradiction, her petite stature boasting a small waist and voluptuous curves. She had a full, lush bustline and a bubble-shaped ass that could easily make a strong man weep.