Secrets of a Shy Socialite
Page 17
“They have an opening. For you to...” She blushed.
Justin hoped she’d never stopped blushing for him. He thrust up. Made contact. So damn good.
“I’m on birth control,” she said. “And since both our STD panels came out negative...” She sank down, taking him inside of her, naked skin to glorious hot, wet, naked skin. His first time ever and it felt so good Justin wasn’t sure he’d survive it.
She leaned forward to whisper in his ear. “I’m not sure if I mentioned how much I appreciate all your understanding and patience over the past few weeks.”
She had.
“Or how lucky I am to have you as my soon-to-be husband.”
Yup. But he didn’t mind hearing it again.
“Or how much I love you.”
Now that he’d never get tired of hearing. “I love you, too, Jena.”
In a move that far exceeded her experience she jerked her hips and took him even deeper, making using his big brain near impossible. He fought to remain focused on the conversation.
Unsuccessfully.
He gripped her butt, withdrew and surged back in then pulled her down for a kiss. “Thank you for choosing me as your one and only.” He started to lift her teddy, needing to see all of her, to show her he was okay with the changes to her body, that they didn’t matter. Because he loved her.
“No,” she said, holding it in place. “I’d prefer to leave it on.”
Perfectly fine, as long as she didn’t push him away. “Did I mention my fondness for sexy negligees?” He caressed the smooth, luxurious wisp of fabric covering her belly.
“I’ve got dozens of them.”
And Justin couldn’t wait to see and feel and snuggle up against every single one of them.
EPILOGUE
Two weeks later
“YOU look beautiful,” Jaci said to Jena.
“So do you,” Jena replied. Identical, in fact, from their matching ivory wedding gowns in simple, understated, tasteful, elegance to their updos, makeup and manicures.
“Mom would love that we’re getting married here.”
In her beautiful garden. “Thank you for suggesting it.” Insisting actually, just as she’d insisted on waiting to get married until Jena was all healed and ready to participate in a double ceremony. “I feel like she’s here with us.”
Jaci looked around and smiled. “Me, too.”
Jena would forever be indebted to her stubborn sister who’d refused to let her be content with a quickie courthouse wedding.
“Is that harp music I hear?”
Jaci listened. Then smiled. “Surprise!” She bounced on the tippy-toes of her pricy pumps. “I couldn’t help myself. I’d seen her at Patsy’s wedding last year. I came across her card while looking for a ring I’d misplaced. I called her and she had room in her schedule. It was meant to be.”
“You did it,” Jena said. While she’d been preoccupied by the twins, Justin and adjusting to her new body and her new life to realize. “Except for the hundreds of guests and mom being here, you’ve put together my dream wedding.” Right down to the harpist. “How did you know?”
Jaci picked at her bouquet. “You only talked about it incessantly when we were teenagers.”
“I didn’t think you listened.”
“Well I did,” Jaci said. “Over the years your fantasy kind of became my fantasy, too.” She shrugged. “So here we are.”
“I love you.” Jena hugged her sister. “And I don’t care if you wrinkle.”
“I love you back.” Jaci squeezed her tight. “I want you to be happy.”
Jena stepped out of their embrace. “I am.” So happy. So in love. So blessed. “And I want you to be happy, too.”
“I am.” Jaci smiled.
“Well,” Jena said. “Neither one of us thought it possible, but we both managed to find great guys who love us as much as we love them. Despite daddy’s mandate.”
“And Jerry’s underhanded maneuvering.”
No. Their childhoods weren’t perfect. But with each new generation came the opportunity for change. “I won’t ever force my girls into marriage. Or allow either one of them to give up their childhood to take on adult responsibilities just to make my life easier.”
Jaci set her hand on her flat belly and looked down at it. “And I won’t allow my children to ever feel the pain and degradation of physical abuse. I will accept them and love them, faults and all, no matter how wild or badly they behave or how much they act out.”
“How could I not have seen it?” Jena said, eying Jaci’s protective, loving caress of her abdomen. “You’re pregnant!”
Jaci smiled and nodded.
“Oh, Jaci.” Jena wrapped her arms around her sister again. “I’m so happy for you. Now our children will be close in age. They’ll grow up together and be best friends.”
“Which is exactly what I wanted. But please, don’t say anything. I’m going to tell Ian tonight.”
“Dah-lings, you look mah-velous.” Aunt Mill, who’d spared no expense dressing up for the wedding and looked very Hollywood glamorous, walked down the stone pathway to where they stood. Out of hiding from her abusive husband just for the day, Jena and Jaci had decided having Aunt Mill at their ceremony was more important than any other local guests. “It’s time to go.” She reached them, turned around, and held out an elbow to each of them. “Your young men are getting antsy. I need Jena on the right and Jaci on the left.”
Jena looked at Jaci. And Jaci looked and Jena. And with sweet smiles they switched places.
Completely unaware, Aunt Mill led them down the pathway.
“I can feel your mother all around us.” Aunt Mill looked up to the clear blue sky and inhaled deeply. “As she was before the cancer and the head injury and she is exuberant.”
A fragrant breeze blew past.
They turned a corner and Ian, Justin, and the judge who would be performing the ceremony, came into view.
Marta stood to the right beside Justin, holding Abbie and Annie. Mandy stood to the left beside Ian, holding Maddie.
Justin, so handsome in his tuxedo, looked back and forth between her and Jaci.
Ian, looking equally handsome, winked at Jena then focused in on his real bride.
Aunt Mill stopped about five feet from the men.
Justin looked at Ian who motioned for him to go first so he walked toward Jaci and Jena’s heart squeezed. After all they’d been through together he still couldn’t recognize her. He extended his hand palm up in front of Jaci. Jena debated what to do. But at the last possible second, he turned toward Jena and quietly said, “I believe I’m supposed to be marrying you today, Jena, unless you’ve changed your mind.”
Joy fluttered just under her skin. “I haven’t.” She took his hand and accompanied him to stand before the judge.
A warm, fragrant breeze enveloped her in love and Jena knew, without a doubt, her mom was in attendance.
Abbie started to fuss.
Justin made a move toward Marta then stopped himself.
The judge started to speak.
Abbie started to cry.
“She’s not going to stop until you hold her,” Jena whispered.
And sure enough Justin took Abbie into his arms and she immediately went quiet.
“Sorry,” Justin said.
The judge continued.
Then Annie started to cry.
Jena took her from Marta and she immediately went quiet.
“Sorry,” Jena said.
The judge continued.
After they repeated their vows and as the judge said, “You may now kiss your brides,” Justin handed Abbie back to Marta and took Annie and handed her to Marta, and over their cries of protest said to Jena, “I love our
girls, but some moments aren’t meant to be shared.” And he took her in his arms and kissed her.
During the small luncheon at Jaci’s condo—because Aunt Mill couldn’t be seen out in public—that followed, Jena whispered in her husband’s ear, “I forgot to tell you, your package arrived this morning while you were at the store.” The surprise present he’d ordered for her to wear on their wedding night.
Since Jena preferred to keep her foobs—fake boobs—under wraps, she and Justin had taken up the fun and surprisingly stimulating hobby of searching out enticing negligees and arousing outfits for her to wear to bed.
Justin smiled that smile that never failed to put her in the mood. “I can’t wait to see you in it,” he whispered back with a quick swipe of his tongue in her ear.
“And I can’t wait to see you see me in it.” Modeling for Justin turned out to be a highly erotic form of foreplay they both enjoyed, and Jena loved to watch his lust-filled eyes when she performed for him.
Their sex life had changed, but was no less satisfying than it’d been before surgery. Jena couldn’t remember what aroused nipples felt like, and she didn’t miss them at all.
* * * * *
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ISBN: 9781460304457
Copyright © 2013 by Wendy S. Marcus
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