“I’ll call the airport when we get to our room.”
The bright, contemporary-styled lobby awaited them. Tall windows from floor to ceiling allowed a perfect view of the city. “You think I was excited earlier? Now I’m wild with anticipation. You’ll need to look out because tonight I’m the bucking bull.”
Velia giggled and took his arm. “Oooh, baby. I have a feeling I might turn into a bull rider tonight.”
“Hah, more than a feeling. It’s going to happen.”
Their room opened to a panoramic view of the Chicago River, flowing forward until it dumped into Lake Michigan. Velia stood in awe, looking out at her city. The river and lake being a constant occurrence in her growing up years, yet she had never seen it from this prospective.
“You never cease to amaze me. It’s so expensive here.” She turned toward him when he came to hold her. “With the money for this room, we could stay a week anywhere else.”
“Not exactly, but close. Are you ever going to get it, Velia? I want to give you everything.”
“I don’t need everything.” She pulled him close.
“But maybe I need to give you everything.”
Velia kissed his cheek. “Will you never understand I don’t need the world? I’m not a material girl.”
“Can we not talk about it now?” He glanced at the bed. “Before or after dinner?”
Velia saw their image in the mirror, liking the way they looked together. “Are you hungry?”
He smiled and nodded a lot.
“You’re a bad boy. I meant for food.”
“I could eat.” He took her hand and led her to the bed. “We only have so much time.”
Velia prevented him from coaxing her down. “But we have the rest of our lives.”
Caulder ran his hand over her thigh and stopped half way, titillating her with a vengeance. He continued caressing her thigh until he touched the warmth between her legs, wanting to sneak into her most tender places.
She pressed her hands against his chest. “Food first. I want to look at you across the table and think about what will be waiting.”
“Your choice.” He stood and reached for her hand. “This is what I get for letting you make the decision. I should have closed the door and tossed you on the bed.”
“Uh huh. Did you get reservations?”
“I don’t think we need them for the bar. Like Sushi?”
“I don’t eat raw food unless it’s fruit and veggies.” She took a look at the menu in their room then took his hand. “Let’s go. Let’s see if you’ll eat raw fish.”
“Yeah, I’m ordering raw for both of us so we don’t have to wait for anything to be cooked. We’ll get back here sooner.”
“You’re a bad boy tonight.”
He held the door. “You keep telling me I am, so I’ll have to prove you’re right.” He whispered in her ear as she stepped into the hall. “When we get back here later, you’ll see.” Taking her hand he pulled her to a stop and pressed her against the wall. “If I can wait that long.”
Her hands went to his chest. “Stop! We’ll get kicked out for being obscene.”
“Damn, I thought you liked an adventure.”
Velia gave a smirky smile as she pulled him along.
They took the elevator to the mezzanine level and Caulder kept his arm around her waist the whole time down, every now and then leaning over and kissing her neck. Obviously, his sexual excitement ruled his thoughts, and Velia relished each minute, tender nibble, and perfect kiss.
The bar and lounge spoke classy and jazz pouring through the speakers made for an energizing atmosphere. At their table for two, they had views of the Chicago River and Michigan Avenue Bridge. They began with white wine and sat hand in hand, taking pleasure in the backdrop full of a glowing sunset. “This is a relaxing way to prepare for a wild evening.” Velia smiled at him beside her, then took his fingers to her lips and kissed them, keeping it light so no one noticed. “I’m looking forward to the rest of the evening with you all alone.”
“It seems forever, doesn’t it? A sexual storm inside has been building and I can’t remember the last time I wanted to take you to bed like I want to this minute.” Caulder pulled his hand back and grasped his cold glass. He downed the wine and set it down. “Finish your drink. We’re leaving.”
Velia didn’t question him or give any rebuttal. She swallowed her wine in three gulps and took his hand when he offered. At the elevator, he held his arm around her shoulder and turned toward her. His hard package pressed against her thigh made her eager to wrap her leg around his, so she could feel him full on. The elevator was full, so she made him behave. It wouldn’t take much before she gave in to his seduction, and she’d rather not do it in an elevator full of people.
Chapter Thirty-Five
Caulder ran water in the spa as soon as they got in the door. “We’re going to start out here.”
“Oh?”
While Velia stared, he unbuttoned his shirt and tore it off. He flexed his muscles. “I should go to the health club and work out.”
“Okay, I’ll read while you’re gone.” Velia waited for his next snarky comment.
“Like hell!” He pulled her against him, already starting on the buttons in the back of her blouse. “Strip and get in.” When he reached for the button on her pants she halted him. “Let me go pin up my hair.” She pulled out of his arms and glanced back, grinning as she went into the bathroom. “Have you seen this room?” She spun in a circle, admiring everything. “There’s a TV in here,” she yelled through the door.
“Don’t watch it. I’m waiting for you. I mean I’m really waiting for you.”
She heard him snicker. “They gave us bathrobes.”
“I ordered them. Are you coming out here, or do I have to come get you?”
Velia opened the door. “I forgot my bag.” She went back inside, snickering as she pinned the back of her hair. She laughed at how he kept calling her from the Jacuzzi. She fixed her hair around her face knowing it would curl with the steam. She removed her clothes and wrapped in a towel then took the robes from their hangers and carried them to the Jacuzzi. “How’s the water?”
“Perfect. The heat from my body kept it warm for you. Get your ass in here.”
“Bossy, aren’t you?”
“Yeah, you better know it because I’m the bull and I’m about to charge.”
Velia removed her towel and took a step before getting in. “I don’t know. I’ve heard what they say about getting in a pen with a bull. Supposedly, it’s not a good idea.”
Caulder reached out, grabbing her into his arms, and he lifted her in. He kissed her hard on the mouth. “God, I’ve wanted to do that for a long time. Kissing you with the chance of your father walking in took something away.”
“He’s not here now.” She wrapped her arms around his neck and moved as close as she could get.
Caulder ran his hands along her waist, easing toward her hips, and he turned her around and moved closer to one of the jets. “Lean against me and spread your legs,” he whispered close to her ear.
Velia closed her eyes and let him direct her. She sighed when the warm stream of water tickled her labia, and his hands followed. He scattered little kisses across the side of her neck while his fingers joyfully excited her. She pushed into him, allowing his eager body to thrust against her back. “Mm, no wonder you wanted to get in here. We have good memories of hot tubs.” She leaned into his chest and relaxed
Caulder turned her toward him. She rested her arms along the side of the Jacuzzi, lifting her legs around his waist. His muscles were tight, phallus hard, and she accepted him, moaning when he fully entered. Velia clamped her legs tighter around him, moving with his easy rhythm until she lost all consciousness of her body, knowing only that a feverish passion began in the pit of her stomach and moved over the rest of her. A frenzied craze built inside and made its way to her psyche, bringing her closer to a volatile climax. Caulder lifted her as he stood, ta
king her quicker, pounding against the inner walls of her lady parts, until they both screamed with satisfaction.
They dropped to the bench in the Jacuzzi and she remained on his lap, clinging while her breathing slowed. Caulder’s heart beat erratically against her breasts as the top half of their bodies cooled. She moved off him and dipped in the water to her shoulders, bringing him down with her. “Warm up, babe.”
“I’m warm. Between you and the hot water, I’m more than warm. You always do this to me, with or without the hot water.” He fell into her arms.
“Mm,” she whispered, “I’m happy to make you feel good.”
“Good? Hell, multiply it by a hundred.”
“I know what you mean.” She kicked her legs out in front of her and grabbed the rim of the Jacuzzi, laying out flat in the bubbly water. Caulder ran his hands over her breasts, sliding them easily over her slippery skin. Her breathing remained deep and steady.
“You sound like you’re ready for more love.”
“Uh, it’s only afterglow. You completely satisfy me.”
“Afterglow? I like afterglow. Your cheeks are rosy. I thought the heated water did it.”
“Non, hot water. It’s always my hot bull rider. It kind of rhymes.”
He grasped her hand and placed it over him. “See what you’ve done with your afterglow breathing?” He stepped out of the tub and donned one of the robes. “Come over here.”
Velia waded to the edge, and he removed the pins from her hair, separating the thick strands, allowing waves to fall over her shoulders. He lifted her over the side and wrapped the robe around her. “Should dry off before we get in bed.” He took her hand and they sat near the small sofa in front of the fireplace with the lighted cityscape before them. “Oh, forgetting something.” He took a bottle of champagne out of the ice bucket and poured two glasses.
Velia tapped her glass against his. “Thank you for doing this. I needed to be alone with you more than I thought.”
Caulder tapped their glasses again. “I enjoy hearing you say those words.”
After a sip, she asked, “Why?”
He took a deep breath and sat back. “I don’t know… I guess it makes me think you care as much as I do.”
She twisted to look at him. “I do care. Why would you question my feelings?”
He splayed his fingers through the air. “Not sure. It’s like I’ve done most of the work. Maybe I’m afraid you’ll think I’m pushing too hard.”
Velia sat her glass on the table and cupped his face with both hands. She looked straightforward into his bright blues. “A short time ago you said you loved me. Didn’t I say I loved you back?”
He nodded and moved a clump of damp hair away from her face.
“Please don’t doubt me.” She pressed two fingers against his lips. “Please, accept my love for you.” His eyes spoke sincerity at this moment. If she hadn’t fallen in love with him already, this would be the time she would have. His eyes said love, a future together. As much as she didn’t want to think about it, his eyes said trust. Something she didn’t think she’d be able to do again, but in his stare, she knew her heart could let go. Her eyes filled with tears. She sniffled, wrinkling her nose in the process.
Caulder held her face and wiped the drips with his thumbs. “I love you.” He glanced downward. “I had my mind made up I would never love anyone else. I didn’t want my heart to experience pain again.”
“I’ll try not to hurt you.” Tears fell over her cheeks.
Caulder wrapped her in his arms. “I love you so much and I’ll try not to hurt you either.” He buried his face in the hair lying over her shoulders. “I’ll try never to hurt you. I mean it.” He gingerly kissed her then pulled back and smiled. He took her glass then her hand. “Come on.” He turned off the lamps as they went past them. The only light in the room came from the fireplace and a candle at the Jacuzzi. He led her to the large windows. “Look, this is your city. I know you don’t want to leave it. All the pain you had here.” He stopped. “We’ll decide what to do after the tour.”
Velia wrapped her arm around his waist and looked out at her glowing Chicago. “It is a beautiful city. We have a lot of decisions. I like Tucson, too.”
Caulder turned her around and kissed her, gentle and caring, loving and kind. “You’re the most beautiful woman in these city lights. You glow brighter than the firelight. You were made for this life.”
“Maybe a life with you. Not necessarily this life.”
“I am this life. And you’re about to find out exactly what my life is.” He wrapped her in his embrace, twirled her around, and danced toward the bed.
Velia dropped the robe and pulled the covers down. Kneeling on the king-size bed she reached for him. He knelt beside her and drew her into his arms. She kissed him full and hard on the lips, moving on down to nibble his neck. She kissed her way to one nipple, flicking it with her tongue until it plumped.
He pulled her back to his lips. Caulder’s warm kisses and gentle touch tortured her beyond normal, in a good way. She kissed a line to his navel, stopping to plant a wet kiss there. “Lay down.”
When he lay flat against the cool, silk sheets she started at his feet then caressed each one between her hands. He squirmed when she tongued his toes, and she realized how much the act pleased him, convincing her to continue to his calf then to his knees. She glanced at his face and loved that he watched. She caressed his inner thigh and her kisses followed. Running her hand over his abdomen and up to his chest, she savored the deep pump of his heart beneath her hand. The kindest heart of the man who loved her. She continued moving her hand lower. Tenderly, she eased her fingers over his tumescent shaft until he arched his hips against her hand. She only had a bad memory for an instant, knowing now she wanted to do this for Caulder.
He seized her hand and stopped her. “Not yet.” He took her shoulders and laid her flat against the bed. One nipple grew hard beneath his lips while his fingers readied her. She couldn’t help but moan as his fingers worked to please her. Velia wrapped her legs around his waist, and he took them over his shoulders and entered her. She melded to his body like perfection. With her subdued cries, came quicker thrusts, and he rode her like a wild thing. Her gentle breaths turned to deep heaves until she shouted out into the candlelit room. He didn’t stop until they screamed out in unison, satisfied and panting.
Caulder collapsed beside her, grabbing her into his arms. They lay spent, wrapped in a loving embrace, sticking together with their own sweat. “I can’t believe how I longed for you. I love you, my sexy, little Italian vixen. God knows how much I love you.”
Velia wrapped her arm around him and fell asleep with many reasons to have pleasant dreams.
Chapter Thirty-Six
After the short flight to Pennsylvania, Velia was glad to be on the ground again. She rested her head against the headrest in the rental car. “It’s so beautiful here.” She observed the stunning scenery of tall pines, red and yellow maples, and oaks covering rolling hills.
Caulder glanced around both sides of the highway. “Yep, this is what I grew up with. It looks like we missed the best part of the color change. We’ll be there soon. Why don’t you close your eyes for a while and I’ll wake you when we get close.”
“Will your parents like me?” She snuggled under her jacket.
“How can they not like you? As soon as they see how I look at you, they’ll know. Never could hide a damn thing from my mom.”
“But, I mean, you...you were married before. I’m a little worried about being compared.”
“There’s no comparison. You’re you and Calli...well, you’re you.”
“It must have been difficult for the whole family.”
“Yes, very tough, pure hell.” Caulder took a deep breath. “I might as well start talking about it sooner or later. When I get home, the memories will be right in my face. Photos, the smells—I have to face it. Now is about as good a time as any.”
Velia leaned
over a bit and rested her hand on his shoulder, wishing instead, to wrap him in her arms and squeeze tight.
“Two years ago, a drunk driver killed my family. He came out of the accident with barely any injuries. I was mad at God for a long time, but I learned you can’t ask why. If it’s God’s will, you can’t fight it. Nothing will change the end result. I lost my family, my baby girl.” He glanced over at her. “You’ve helped me to be strong again.”
She wrapped her fingers around his arm. “I’m so sorry.” She couldn’t say more for a painful lump stuck in her throat. If she cried, it would tear him apart.
“I had a show, the Invitational in Brazil when I got the call.”
“The reason you didn’t want to go this year.”
“Yes. Last year killed me and I don’t know if I’ll ever go again. It reminds me too much of the agony. It doesn’t matter if I’m there or not, the points don’t count for my championship. No one will question why I don’t go.”
“I understand.” Velia swallowed hard, hoping she wouldn’t start crying. He didn’t need to see tears. She wanted to wrap him in her security and give him enough happiness to make up for his pain.
“Without my mom, I don’t think I would have made it through. She set her own pain aside and took care of me. My dad, well, he was almost as broken as me after losing his only granddaughter not long after losing my brother. It wasn’t easy for either of them. But, my mom is stronger than she looks.”
“It’ll be a privilege to meet them.”
“Don’t forget Granny. You’ll meet her. I think a part of her is still broken. Grannies aren’t supposed to lose their great grandbabies”
“Oh, I like grandma types.”
“She’s a cool old lady. She’ll probably want you to cook with her, but she’ll really be testing you. She won’t want me with someone who won’t fatten me up some.”
“She should be quite happy then because no one ever said Italian food wasn’t fattening.”
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