See You in September : The Refuge Series Book One

by Debbie Zello

  “I guess I did too!” he said.

  The plane came in for a picture-perfect landing, and soon Gareth was walking up the skyway. His eyes were darting back and forth looking at all of the faces there to meet the plane. He had scanned all the way to the right and was slowly working his way back to the left; sure, that he had missed her gorgeous face, somehow. His eyes fell on the man holding a sign with his name on it. Gareth walked to him and said, “I’m Gareth Marshall.”

  “Welcome back Mr. Marshall. This is for you,” he said handing him the note. “Have a great weekend.”

  “Thank you. You too!” Gareth tore open the envelope and pulled out the note. As he read, his face broke into the most stunning smile ever seen at that particular gate.

  “You just win the lottery?” a woman standing near him asked.

  “Yes ma’am, I certainly did. I have to find the sky-bridge to the Hilton. Do you happen to know where it is?”

  “Straight down that way,” she said pointing. “When you get to the end turn right. You’ll see the signs.”

  “Thank you so much.”

  Cheri hoped her seduction skills were up to the task. She asked the desk attendants to go along with her plans and they were all too happy to play along. She took the elevator to the room, opened the door and stuck her overnight in the way to keep the door open. Taking the small sign out of the paper bag along with the tape, she held it in place securing it to the door.

  The

  September

  Suite

  Cheri took a few seconds to admire it, wondering again if he would think it was sweet or stupid. Picking up her bag, she went in and set it on the luggage rack. Once she unzipped it she began pulling out flameless candles, her favorite room spray, and naturally, her shoes and teddy.

  After she positioned the candles where she wanted them, she began to draw a bath. She soaked in her expensive vanilla oil, carefully shaving her legs so as not to cut herself. Getting out, she dried off and smoothed vanilla body lotion all over herself.

  She brushed out her hair with a thousand strokes like those that her mother did when she was very little, before everything changed. She felt that in the low light of the candles, she didn’t need any makeup. She stepped into her teddy and shoes.

  Cheri looked at the bed and sighed loudly. “Do I sit on the end? Get under the sheets? Lay on top? Stand in front? I’m no good at this. There must be a site on how to release your inner bad-girl,” she said aloud picking up her phone to investigate.

  Gareth wanted to run the length of the sky-bridge but didn’t want to arrive all sweaty and disheveled. So, he merely walked as fast as he could. It ended in the lobby of the hotel. Gareth approached the desk and said, “May I please have the key to the September room?”

  “Your name sir?”

  “Gareth Marshall. Do you need an ID?”

  “No, Mr. Marshall. Your name and the description left with us is enough. Here’s your key. Take the elevator to the fourth floor and it’s on the left. Have a pleasant stay with us,” she said smiling.

  Gareth almost tripped over his feet in his hurry towards the elevator door. By the time, he got off the elevator, his heart was pounding. “Rein it in, boy, or you’re going to die of a heart attack. You haven’t even seen her yet, for Christ sake,” he was talking to himself. Taking several very deep breaths, he stood at the door looking at her sign.

  “I know I don’t deserve her, Lord. I know I’m asking for a lot. If you would see fit to let me have her for fifty years or so, I’d be eternally grateful,” he prayed, taking the key-card and swiping the lock.

  The sensual scent of vanilla came to his nose and he smiled, knowing Cheri was indeed here. It took a few moments for his eyes to adjust to the dim light given off by the candles he saw around the room. He pulled his bag in and silently closed the door behind him for he could see she was all curled up hugging a pillow, asleep on top of the bed.

  Kicking off his shoes, removing his shirt and throwing it on the floor. Within seconds his pants, boxers and socks joined the pile. He wanted to jump on her but he didn’t want to scare her to death.

  He sat on the side of the bed and swiped her hair over her shoulder. “Baby, wake up. Cheri, baby,” he whispered. Slowly her eyes opened as she fought to focus on her surroundings her eyes found his smile.

  “Oh, you’re here,” she sounded disappointed.

  “Do you want me to go?”

  “God, no! I just had a completely sexy pose I was going to do but I guess I fell asleep waiting. I ruined it,” she said dejected. Gareth folded her in his arms and kissed her deeply.

  Whispering against her lips he said, “There is no way you ruined it. There was nothing sexier to see, than you on this bed sleeping. I loved this whole idea. Thank you, sweetheart.”

  “I didn’t think we’d make it back to the cottage. Your text had me panting.”

  “I meant every word. I want you so much. You’re all I can think about.”

  “I guess absence does make the heart grow fonder. You’re all I can think about every day. Piper is always saying I have a faraway look in my eyes and my mind wanders,” Cheri said holding him to her lips.

  Gareth’s lips began to move in a slow, even pattern down her neck and chest. Cheri’s breathing became shallow as his hands moved to accompany his lips.

  Cheri’s teddy and shoes soon joined the pile of Gareth’s things as he threw them over his shoulder. Their collective clothing mirrored the couple as Gareth flopped over pulling Cheri over him. “I want to see you tonight. I want you to look down at me so I can watch you,” he whispered.

  “Why?”

  “Because looking at you in the soft light of the candles is heavenly. There is no vision more erotic in my world. And I want as much of this dream as I can get.”

  They spent the entire night reacquainting their bodies with each other. At one point Cheri fell back against the pillows and said, “I can’t do any more Gareth. You’re too much for me.”

  “You had a nap.”

  “Not long enough. If you let me sleep some I’ll owe you one in the morning,” she said giggling.

  “Sleep and you’ll owe me several. How’s that?”

  “I think I can live with several.”

  A housekeeper walking past the room the next morning smiled at Cheri’s sign. Somehow, the entire hotel staff was told not to disturb that room’s occupants unless the hotel was on fire. Over the course of the night, all of them came up to take a picture of the quixotic September room’s door.

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  Cheri liked the feeling of Gareth’s weight on her. His hips gliding against hers rhythmically, drawing the most erotic sounds from deep within her. As she looked out the window on the drive to the cottage, all she could think about were these thoughts. “What are you thinking about right now?” Gareth asked her, examining her face.

  “If I say, you’ll get a big head.”

  “Which one?” he asked, with a smirk on his face.

  “You are so bad. I was thinking how much I love you. How you make me feel,” she said, squeezing his hand.

  “I can’t wait until we’re together every day. I was rough with you last night because I’m so wound up when I finally see you, I can’t control myself very well. I don’t know why you put up with me.”

  “I refer to my last two statements. I love you and you make me feel amazing. And I kind of like you out of control in bed.” She bit her lip to keep from grinning.

  “Why, Miss Winslow, are you becoming insatiable? I may have to step up my game to keep you satisfied.”

  “We’re way past satisfied, Mr. Marshall. We’re clear on to sated and content. I didn’t think I would ever be happy again. I’m pleased to say just how completely wrong I was.”

  “I’m very glad to hear that.”

  “In your arms, I’m invincible. You give me your strength and confidence. When I reach for you during the night, I know you’ll take me to a place that I won’t want
to leave.”

  “It’s never been like this before, for me. I’ve been with several women and I think I loved two of them. It wasn’t right, wasn’t good. It feels so right with you. It’s so easy to love you.”

  Cheri had taken care of most of the arrangements for the wedding. She hired a local caterer to provide a clambake menu for them right on the beach. They would have everything from a clam and oyster bar to steamed lobsters. With twenty to thirty guests, they could all eat on the surround deck with ease.

  She found a calypso band to play for them and a justice-of-the-peace to marry them. On Tuesday before Gareth’s flight, they would apply for their license.

  Piper had taken Cheri to the bridal salon where she had gone for her gown. Cheri’s first wedding had been a large social affair at a country club north of Boston. She wore a wide ball gown with a six-foot train.

  This was a beach wedding, so she thought she would go with a short wispy design. That was until the sales clerk brought in the perfect one. It was a mermaid style with tiny seeded pearls in the shape of seashells dotting the dress. The shells didn’t overwhelm the dress. Just a few here and there. The best part was, it had a pale pink hue.

  Cheri tried it on never losing the giddy smile she had from first seeing it. A matching headpiece had the same small pearl shells on one side of a headband. It was all just perfect and Cheri bought it immediately.

  Cheri told Gareth all about the food on the ride. She also shared the meeting with the JP and the band. She told him she had found a dress but nothing about it.

  Gareth was wearing a pair of light tan pants rolled up at the ankle with bare feet and a crisp white linen short-sleeved shirt, no tie.

  The invitation had a view of the ocean and beach with a rising sun. At the bottom it read:

  Bare feet required.

  The complete opposite of the black tie affair she first had. Cheri was ecstatic. She still had three months to wait with only this weekend and July fourth weekend to spend with Gareth.

  They walked into the cottage and Gareth stowed his bag in the bedroom. Cheri started the coffee as Gareth built a fire to warm the morning chill. It was slightly cooler than normal this weekend. Neither of them really minded as they could snuggle by the fire.

  Cheri brought the cups of coffee over to the coffee table and set them down. She threw the pillows on the floor close to the fire and sat down, then lay across one.

  Gareth turned away from the fire and stilled, looking at her. He closed his eyes for a moment and said, “Cleopatra.”

  “What?”

  “When I looked at you for a split second you made me think of Cleopatra. The way you were holding your head against your hand resting there. Am I ever going to be able to look at you without getting turned on?”

  Cheri giggled and said, “I hope not!”

  They spent the day walking the beach and making love. Gareth teased her that even if they only made love once a day every day for the five weeks they’ve been apart, he figured they were thirty-five behind. He needed to catch up. Cheri figured every two and a half hours all weekend they would be engaged in “catching up” if they were to get it all in. Gareth wiggled his eyebrows and told her that was just fine with him.

  Sunday they met Piper, Ben and Grace for breakfast. Grace wouldn’t leave Cheri’s lap even for a taste of her father’s pancakes. Gareth watched with awe as Cheri mothered her friend’s daughter. It affirmed what he already knew…she was going to be a wonderful mother.

  As usual, their time together was flying by. Monday was much warmer than it had been. They even thought about going for a swim until they dipped their toes in the ocean. “It’s still too cold for me,” Cherri said running back to the sand.

  “You’re such a girl!” Gareth called out from waist deep water.

  “Lucky for you or you’d have some explaining to do, Mister!” she yelled back.

  “You’re right, as usual,” he said smiling.

  When Gareth came out of the water, he went in to take a quick shower to rinse off the sticky feeling of the salt water. Cheri had put a gauze cover-up on over her bikini. She was sitting on the porch when she noticed a huge cobweb in the corner against the ceiling.

  Standing on her chair, she had her towel in her hand to take a swipe at the offending web. She lost her balance as the towel flew propelling her towards the railing and certain disaster. Gareth flew out of the door and caught her with her breast landing in his open mouth.

  Cheri’s arms were wrapped around his head. Smiling down at him she said, “Thank you for saving me.”

  “Mmhhmm,” Gareth hummed closing his mouth around the gauze-covered nipple.

  “Are you having fun?” Cheri asked, clearly amused with his antics.

  “Mmhhmm,” Gareth nodded slightly.

  “Is that all you going to say?”

  “Mmhhmm, for now.”

  He took her to bed to finish what he had started. She lay on his chest, her favorite place to rest, and drew lazy circles on his abdomen. “Why were you on the chair, anyway?”

  “Taking a swipe at a cobweb. I think I got it but I was distracted by a passing breast man.

  “That is one of my many favorite things. Why didn’t you wait and ask me to get it? You could have been hurt.”

  “I didn’t think of it. I usually just do things myself.”

  “I realize that but I want to help you do things and take care of you. You’re going to have to get used to that,” he said lifting her chin to kiss her.

  “I thought you were just here for a roll in the sack,” she whispered against his lips.

  “Well, that too, is one of my favorite things.”

  “It’s a good thing you’re not Oprah or your favorite thing give away would be X-rated.”

  “Good point.”

  Cheri lay awake most of the night just looking at him. The way his chiseled chest rose and fell with his even breathing. He moaned a few times and his fingers moved. She wondered what he was dreaming about. She marveled at how soft his whiskers were against her cheek.

  No, she hadn’t known him long but she was waiting for him all of her life. She had been side-tracked once, but found her footing.

  She was going to marry this man and live happily ever after just like all her childhood fairytales had promised her. She just had to get through David’s trial in June.

  They stopped at the town hall to apply for their license and then headed for the airport. Cheri was very quiet on the ride there. She was never very good at saying good-bye and this was harder than usual.

  Gareth held her hand and said, “I’m going to go back. You’re coming to me in July and I’ll let you go back. Then I come to you in September and I’m never letting you go again.”

  “September.”

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  It was hard going into the office, after dropping Gareth off at the airport, but Cheri knew keeping busy was the best way to pass the time. She wasn’t at the office long when her favorite process server came in. “Here’s my best client. I’ll be able to retire when I’m done with you!” he said laughing.

  “Glad to be of service,” Cheri replied. She opened the envelope to find David’s trial date was in three weeks. She was called to testify for the prosecution again. Finishing what she needed to do, she got back to her car and headed home with the windows down and the radio cranked up.

  As she pulled into her driveway, she noticed the For Sale sign was taken down at the Weisman’s house. She saw there was a flurry of activity there over the long weekend. Gareth even went over while she was making dinner to introduce himself to whoever was there.

  Cheri was in contact with Mr. and Mrs. Weisman every other week or so. Just checking on their health. She should make the trip to see them before the wedding. She didn’t know if she would ever see them after that.

  “Change is good,” she muttered as she walked around to her door.

  Gareth didn’t mind flying from east to west. You could fly for hou
rs and yet arrive only two hours later than the time you left. He loved time zones. He no sooner got his door open and his phone rang. Looking at the number, he shook his head. “Do you have me under surveillance or something, Dude?”

  “I slipped a tracking device in your phone. I know your every move. Be afraid!” Tucker quipped.

  “Good, what am I doing right now?”

  “Giving me the finger.”

  “Bahahah, you’re a fucking nut, you know that! I just got in. Is there some purpose to your call or did you just need to bust my balls?”

  “How’s Cheri?”

  “Phenomenal. I can’t live without her,” Gareth said with a sigh.

  “Pussy-whipped much?”

  “Totally and I’m grinning just so you know.”

  “I’d be grinning too bro, if I had someone that fine in my life,” Tucker said sadly.

  “Nothing stopping you, Tuck. Get out there and grab one. You’re not going to find anything sitting in your studio.”

  “You noticed that. And here I thought you were slow.”

  “I’m hanging up now.”

  “You coming over in the morning?”

  “I am. Nine-thirty or so. Good?”

  “Bring coffee and bagels, or I won’t let you in.”

  “I have a key.”

  “I changed the locks.”

  “Good-bye!”

  Craig knocked on Cheri’s door. She opened it and he said, “I checked the beach and all around the house. Everything looks good and I’ll be out in the car if you need me. Blink the lights or hit the panic button, your choice.”

  “You got the detail tonight? Where’s Walker?” Cheri asked.

  “He’s home with his kids. His wife had something to do tonight.”

  “Okay. Do you have dinner with you?”

  “I have a sandwich,” he said shrugging his shoulders.

  “I’m making grilled chicken and Caesar salad. You interested?” Cheri offered.

  “I would love that. I have some paper work to finish. How’s forty-five minutes’ sound?” he asked.