Never Expected Love

by S. M. Stryker

  We approach the judge, he's an older man with kind eyes. He smiles at us and makes a couple jokes to break the tension. I glance at Nicole and that's all it takes, one smile from her and all the trepidation melts away. She centers me.

  The judge starts in and when he asks for the rings, she pulls out the most unique ring I have ever seen. It's a black titanium ring with a silver rope inlay on the front and backside and channel set black baguettes diamonds set inside, it's amazing. Then it's my turn, I pull out my mother's ring and the wedding band as tears fill her eyes. After that to be honest, once I looks at Nicole, I have no clue what the judge says. My world stands still, completely mesmerized in the moment. Moments later the judge announces us as husband and wife and my heart skips a beat. I take her into my arms kissing her as if I wouldn't ever have that chance again. The judge clears his throat, and I slowly pull away with the biggest goddamn smile on my face. I turn to the judge to shake his hand and once we sign our papers, we’re gone. I want to scream I'm so excited.

  Once outside I swoop her in my arms spinning her around as a laugh bubbles out of her. I let her body slide down mine. I look deep into her beautiful sapphire blue eyes as my love for her cascades out of me. I cradle her face in my hands, "Before I met you I never knew what it was like to be able to look at someone and smile for no reason. You changed that for me. Thank you, Nicole, I love you." I bring her lips to mine, kissing her with all the emotions that I am feeling.

  We pull apart as she places her free hand on my face, her bouquet still in her other hand. Richard, you changed something in me too. I never knew what I was missing until you came into my life." She kisses me lightly as she caresses my face. "Thank you for showing me your love."

  We walk hand-in-hand down the sidewalk until we reach the stairs that lead to the beach. I feel like a teenager again as we run along the shore teasing and chasing each other.

  That evening at dinner, I receive a text from Beckett:

  Thank God!

  What? What is it?

  They caught Brad and everyone is safe.

  Oh my gosh! That's wonderful!

  Now maybe they can get on with their life as well.

  As we sit waiting for our dinner, I take her hands in mine. "I guess we need to see how you want to do this. We never really talked about what each of us want or where we want to live or even when you want to tell everyone that we got married," I say.

  "I figured we would stay at your place, and when Harlow moves out then I would rent mine out. After all, it's larger than mine and if we decide to adopt then we'll have room for a couple of children."

  "Okay, when do you want to tell everyone?"

  "I don't know, I mean I don't want to take the spotlight off of Harlow and Beckett, I know now that Brad is out of the picture they will probably move just as fast as we did." She winks at me. "I won't hide the fact that I have a wedding ring on, and if someone asks I'll tell them, maybe in a month or so. Is that okay with you?"

  "That sounds fine with me. I'll need to call Ben and get my will changed. Harlow knows that I asked you to marry me."

  "She does? When did you tell her?"

  "When we were at the hospital with Beckett that Sunday morning, she asked me and I told her. It's funny, she wasn't surprised a bit.”

  After dinner we take a moonlight stroll on the beach, the tide is out and the moon is large in the sky as we walk hand-in-hand, not really in any conversation, but just remembering the day. Nicole squeals with excitement when she finds some sand dollars in the surf, and it makes me smile. I have to remind myself that she's never had the opportunity to find shells on the beach before. She picks them up and says she is going to give them to Talon and Skylar, and I wonder how Sophia is doing. "What do you think of the idea of Sophia moving into our house? That way we would always be there for her if she needed us."

  "You would do that for her?"

  I tilt my head to the side looking at her questionably. "Of course, I'm gravely concerned about her and where she is living. Not just for her but for the babies too. That way we would both be there in case one of us has to work late."

  She leans, kissing me. "Have I told you how much I love you, Mr. Stone?"

  "Oh well, I don't think you love me as much as I love you, Mrs. Stone." God, I love that. Mrs. Stone. I'm married, hell, could life get any better?

  Today we did the usual sightseeing with a tour of the Oregon Aquarium followed by window-shopping at the different little museums around the area. We ate fresh crab at a little rustic restaurant alongside the road. They have huge boiling pots to cook crab in with a big blaze heating from below.

  When we get back to the hotel I begin to fill the Jacuzzi. The sun is just starting to set, and I thought it would be nice to watch it set while making love to Nicole in the tub. While Nicole is in the bathroom, I light some candles and place them throughout the room. The soft flickering flames offer a romantic luminescent glow to the room. I switch on the fireplace and pull out the fresh strawberries and whipped cream that I had room service deliver before we returned to the room.

  As Nicole emerges from the bathroom, the look on her face is one I will always remember and try to replicate on a daily basis. It was one of surprise, love, and wonder. I meet her at the entry to the living area, her eyes dart from the candles to me then back to the platter of strawberries and whipped cream. Her smile lights up the room.

  I step behind her unzipping her dress and it floats to the floor in a pool at her feet. I take a step back and gaze at her. She looks up at me shyly through her long, wispy lashes, her face flush as if embarrassed. I whistle through my teeth. "You look so lovely." She's stands there in a white lace bra that lifts her beautifully formed breasts, her aroused peaks press against the tight lace as if trying to escape their bondage. Her matching white lace panties barely cover her folds. I hold out my hand to her, my eyes never leaving hers. "I thought we could sit in the Jacuzzi and watch the sunset."

  "I would like that."

  I reach behind her and undo her bra strap as it slides off her alabaster shoulders. I knew her skin would be devoid of a tan, she never takes time off to be out in the sun, well, with the exception of the last couple of weeks. I then drop to my knees in front of her and slowly slip her panties down her long, slender legs. I notice pink toenail polish on her toes which makes me smile. Nicole doesn't wear much makeup so to see polish on her toes and not on her fingers just strikes me funny.

  "Mr. Stone, I think you're way over dressed, I think you need some help to rectify the problem."

  "So, Mrs. Stone, I'm already a problem?"

  "Oh no, Mr. Stone, just the clothing you have on is, but don't worry, I can solve that for you."

  "And how exactly would you be doing that, Mrs. Stone?"

  "Let me show you." She grabs the bottom hem and slowly pulls shirt over my shoulders. Her nails rake my sides and back, and my dick hardens at her contact, anxious to be inside her. She then slowly unbuckles my belt pulling it out of my shorts. She folds it in half and pulls it taut with a loud snap and my dick twitches again, harder this time. Shit, I don't know why, but that was hot. She then unbuttons my shorts, slides the zipper down as she runs her hand down my abdomen under my boxer briefs, and takes my swollen, hard dick in her hand.

  Sweet Jesus. A moan escapes my lips as my head lulls back, and I absorb her touch on me. I lick my lips and she grabs me around the neck pulling me to her. Her fingers grab my hair as she pulls it ... hard. Jesus Christ. She pulls my bottom lip into her mouth, sucking it, then she bites down on it. Hard, but not too painfully hard. Then sticks her tongue between my lips as she starts to rub her tongue up and down mine. Our tongues start to dance as our kiss gets more intense. Passion takes over. No, it's more primal than that. She fucks my mouth with her tongue as her nails dig into my back.

  I pull my shorts down letting them slide down to the floor, never breaking our kiss. Little moans flow from her mouth and are swallowed by mine. She sticks her hand between the ela
stic waistband of my boxers and my skin, taking hold of my now throbbing cock. She wets her palm with the bead of liquid that seeps from the tip of my dick and starts to stroke me fervently as her other hand grips my hair. I pick her up, she wraps her legs around my waist, and her arms are now around my neck, pulling me closer into her mouth. This isn't passion, this is carnal and raw, and I've never wanted to fuck so badly. I push her against the wall then pull down my boxers freeing my raging dick. I position my crown at her hot, wet pussy and let her slowly slide down my length. She pulls away from our kiss, her eyes are closed with a look of ecstasy across her face as I tilt my hips into her. A loud moan slips from her lips. I thrust in to her repeatedly as mewls now continuously escape her sweet mouth. I close my eyes drinking in the feeling of elation and the sounds emanating for her as I feel her legs start to tremble, and I know she's close. As I thrust into her, again, she lets out a loud scream as her fingernails grip my back, the pain pushes me over, and I fill her with my essence as I let out a fierce growl. I hold her there as I rake in air, filling my starving lungs.

  I'm pulled from my euphoria when the house phone rings. Luckily, we’re next to the nightstand, and I bend to answer it. "Hello?"

  "Mr. Stone, this is the front desk, I’m just checking to make sure that you’re accommodations are to your satisfaction."

  "Thank you, yes everything is alright."

  As I hang-up the phone, I can't help to laugh knowing we were just busted for loud sex. "Seems the front desk was concerned if we were alright," I say looking into a Nicole's now flushed face as I raise my eyebrow.

  "You are such a bad boy," she says as her eyebrows tease, she then pulls my face to hers as she bites my lower lip again. I growl at her aggression.

  "Keep that up, and I'll show you just how bad I can be."

  "I think that's your job to keep it up." She giggles.

  I kick off my boxers and walk over to the tub setting her into it the deep bubbly water as I follow her.

  We feast off the strawberries and whipped cream and shortly after, I feast off her.

  The next couple of days fly by. We spend most of the days cuddled together in bed not wanting to leave our little bubble of heaven. Unfortunately, reality is waiting outside the door, and we both have responsibilities to get back to.

  Nicole's boss has called her several times while she has been gone, and it is irritating the shit out of me. They call it a vacation for a reason. He's very demanding of her wanting to know where she is and whom she is with, almost as if she is his property. This won't last long if he keeps it up. I won't bring it up while we are still on our honeymoon, but I will put an end to it if it continues when we return home.

  We walk along the beach one last time. We sit quietly, each of us deep in thought. At least the beach isn't too far from home, we can always make a day trip to escape our reality.

  "Thank you, Richard for this wonderful week you've given me." I intertwine my fingers with hers rubbing the back of her hand with my thumb as I glance over at her. God, I'm one lucky bastard. She is so beautiful, not just on the outside, but on the inside as well. With a heart that's so big always wanting to help others. Then I stop as realization sets in.

  "What is it, Richard, what's wrong?" she asks as she looks up at me, concern etched across her face.

  "I just realized that you're just like my mother, beautiful inside and out and always giving of yourself. She had to have sent you to me. She knew I wouldn't settle, she knew exactly what I needed in my life." Tears burn the back of my eyes with my acknowledgment of what I think my mother has done for me.

  "I'm honored you think that, but from what you have told me about your mother, I'm a long ways off from being like her, but thank you." She reaches over sliding her knuckles down the side of my face. "She did raise an incredible son though." I pull her hand to my mouth kissing it.

  "I can't express how much I love you. Thank you." I kiss her hand again. "Were you going to stay at my pla ... our place tonight?" I'm hoping she'll say yes, I love having her in my bed. I never thought I would like sharing my bed, but I love the feeling of her soft warm body as she curls up into me. I love watching her sleep and the soft sound emanating from her warm lips as she nuzzles into my chest.

  "I would like that. I need to stop by my place to pick up some work clothes though."

  Here's what's you can look forward to in the next book

  SACRIFICE

  OF

  LOVE

  S.M. STRYKER

  A NEVER EXPECTED LOVE CONCLUSION

  I walk into the office feeling an exhilaration that I've never felt before and smile at my memories of the weekend.

  Raven greets me from the front desk, “Good Morning, Richard, welcome back, did you have a good ... time...?” She lifts an eyebrow and gives me a once-over. The corners of her mouth curve into a megawatt smile as awe transforms her face. She comes out from around her desk and stands in front of me, scrutinizing me. "Oh My God!" she exclaims. Her eye glimmer with unshed tears as she gazes up at me. "You did it ... you got married," she says under her breath.

  I look at her in confusion, my head tilted to the side as I try to read her. "How the hell do you do that?” I ask quietly.

  "Oh my gosh! You did! I can't believe this, who all knows?"

  "Shhh, no one."

  "What do you mean no one? Beckett ..."

  "Doesn't know," I cut her off. "We decided that we didn't want to wait and with everything that was happening with Harlow, well, we didn't want to take the spotlight off of them. This should be their time now."

  "Richard, I am so happy for you two. Except how are you going to keep it a secret? I mean look at the ring you have on."

  "Oh, that's how you knew," I say under my breath.

  She wrinkles her brow, this time she's tilting her head with a confused look. "No, your hand is wrapped around the handle of your briefcase, I just now saw it."

  "Then how ..."

  "You know me, I just felt it," she says as she swings her arms around my neck and pulls me into a big hug. "Congratulations." She pulls away and gives me a puzzled look. "Babies ..." The word slips out of her mouth. I could barely hear her.

  "Excuse me?"

  Her eyes widen as they flash to mine in shock, and she forces a smile then draws her lower lip into her mouth. "Nothing, it was nothing." She turns and walks back to her desk. She keeps her head down ignoring me when the phone rings. I walk back to my office and close the door trying to figure out what she was thinking.

  I'm buried under a mound of phone messages that need to be returned, but I would do it again in a heartbeat to relive last week.

  I call Nicole to see how her day is going, knowing that her manager has been a real ass about her flexing her hours and not working the overtime like she used to. As I predicted, he's been giving her a hard time. She tries to sugarcoat it thinking I won't see through her frustration, but she’s transparent. I want to go down there and give him a piece of my mind, but I also don't want to embarrass her at her place of employment. I let her know that if she needs me to talk to him I will, but that will be up to her.

  "Have I ever told you how much I love you?" I say to her.

  "Yes you have, but I never tire of hearing it again."

  "Good, because I never want you to think for one second that I don't love you more than life itself." We hang up as my intercom buzzes.

  "Richard, I have lunch in my office if you want to come join me."

  "Thanks, Beckett, I will be there in a couple minutes."

  I walk into Beckett's office and take a seat on the other side of the desk from him. He gives me a quizzical look and to distract him I say, "So tell me what happened last week."

  "God, Richard, I thought I lost her. Mitchell told me that there had been a fire in the back of Harlow's bakery. Luckily, Davis was inside. Mitchell always had one of his security team members planted inside the bakery just in case. Davis let Mitchell know that everything was okay. I left the offic
e just to be there ... I don't know why, but I just wanted to make sure she was okay. When I arrived, Shannon, one of Harlow's employees, was strapped up with tape and Davis had a gash on his head from being pistol-whipped.

  "God! Are they ok?"

  "Yes, once I removed the tape from Shannon's mouth, she told me that Brad was in a pair of firefighter turnouts." Beckett looks up at me, tears brim his eyes. "I thought I lost her Richard, he had her, with everything we had done to keep her safe he still got to her. I thought I wouldn't see her again. Then taking a deep breath I knew I needed to pull myself together. I ran out the back door thinking I could easily find him but it was a sea of yellow and black turnouts. I asked one of them if they saw a firefighter carrying a woman out of the building and he pointed in the direction he went with her. When I caught up to them he was trying to shove her into a van, but she was fighting him." A big smile spread crossed Beckett's face. "He pulled a gun, and you should have seen Harlow's face when I took it away from him. Shit, you should have seen his face. He thought I would just cower, and of course I hadn't told Harlow about our training."

  "So how do you feel?"

  "Shit, it was amazing, all those years of pent up frustration of people bullying me and then to see the look on Harlow's face of utter disbelief."

  "We had a conversation about you while you were in the hospital, and I knew you hadn't told her. It's funny how she thought she still had to be your protector."

  "It's so nice for it to be the other way around, and I am so grateful that I was able to find her before he got her in the van."

  "I don't know how you stayed so calm after everything he had done to her. You are definitely a better man than I am. I think someone would have to pull me off of him."

  "Don't get me wrong, I would have loved to take all that aggression out on him, but I also didn't want to scare Harlow. Besides, Mitchell was heading in our direction to take Brad to the police."

  "Well I would say that you had quite the exciting week. How are you feeling?"