by lanie love
“My tech guy?” I’m not really wanting to endure having my picture taken by some amateur.
“Yes, I’ve seen his work.”
“When did you see his work?”
“He has pictures in his office.”
“When were you in his office?”
“Oh, will you stop it. He was just helping me with the slide presentation. He’s very good and I expect you to set the example and cooperate.” She says, wagging her index finger at me.
“Yes, ma’am.” I tease. “Are you heading home?”
“In about thirty minutes.” She says.
“Don’t forget, I want to take you somewhere tonight. I’ll have Kyle pick you up at eight.”
“I hate that you’re working so late. I miss us going home together.” She says.
“It won’t be for much longer; the new hotel is almost ready to open.” I tell her, kissing her goodbye. “Eight o’clock.” I remind her. “Dress warm.”
“In this heat? Okay, I’ll be ready.” She says, blowing me a kiss before she exits the conference room. I rush to my office, lock the door, and sit at my desk. I pull out the engagement ring I had custom made for Jane a month ago and hold it in my hands to inspect it one last time. I’m really hoping she likes it. I’m nervous as hell, now that I am actually going to propose to her tonight. I pick up the phone to call my mother.
“Mom, I’m nervous.” I tell her. “What if she doesn’t like the ring? Maybe it’s too soon for her? What if this drives her away? What if she says no?”
My parents are the only ones in my family that know about this. There is no way that Jimmy Junior would have been able to keep this to himself for long. I would have liked to talk to Jane’s brother and get his blessing since he’s the closest thing she has to a father. Unfortunately, they’re not speaking at the moment. She won’t say what it’s all about, but I have a feeling he doesn’t approve of us being together and I can see his point. No man wants to have his baby sister dating the guy that had an affair with her abusive stepmother.
“Don’t be ridiculous, Michael. Jane loves you very much. I can see it every time you two are together, every time she mentions you. She won’t say no. Trust that this is right.”
My nerves relax enough so that I am able to at least function again, after Mom reminds me of what I already know. I call for the third time in an hour to make sure that everything is ready for tonight. Hopefully, by the end of the night, Miss Mary Jane Winters will agree to be Mrs. Mary Jane Mason.
Chapter Ten
Indian summer of 1968
Michael
“Michael, what are we doing here?” The newly fixed Maserati Kyle’s driving us in, comes to a stop at the end of the Santa Monica Pier.
“I think it best fits the occasion.” I help her out of the car, taking her hand. “Let’s go.”
A light wind is coming off the beach, but it’s not too chilly. The cashmere sweater Jane has on is just enough to keep her warm. The full moon is low in the sky and its reflection is illuminating the ocean’s horizon. The tide is high and the waves crashing to shore are making an incredible calming sound that makes Jane smile when she hears it. Stars are just now twinkling in the darkening sky. I could not have planned a more perfect night.
“What occasion are you speaking of?” She’s trying to figure out why I’m being so secretive.
“You’ll see when we get there. Now, come on.” We walk down the boardwalk of the now deserted pier.
“But the pier is closed.” She looks around, noticing we’re the only ones here, with the exception of the employees and security.
“It’s okay. I had them close it early tonight.”
“Is that even legal?”
“Very legal.”
As we get closer to our destination, she realizes what I intend for us to do.
“Absolutely not, Michael.” She pulls her hand out of mine and looks up at the giant Ferris wheel. “This monster is even bigger than the one at the carnival. There is no way I’m letting you get on this thing.”
“Jane, it’s okay. I want to do it.”
“Man, I’m all for conquering fears, but this is going too far.” She says, gesturing around herself with her hands. “Did you really close down the entire pier just so you could ride on the Ferris wheel?” I take a deep breath.
“You are really going to make me work for it aren’t you, Sweetheart?” I ask her. I am inwardly freaking out. The thought of her not getting on the Ferris wheel never entered my mind, but I kick myself because it should have. When has she ever done anything without questioning the reason behind it first? It’s one of the things I love about her. My only option now is to level with her. “I need to ask you a question and it has to be on the Ferris wheel. Please come with me.” Her hand slips into my extended one and I help her on to her seat. “Wait for the signal.” I tell Kyle, who readies his binoculars.
Unlike at the carnival, this Ferris wheel rises straight to the top. Good God, she is so right. This monster is way bigger than the one at the carnival. Jesus, I can see all the way to Malibu up here. Focus. Deep breaths. We’re fine.
“Michael?” Jane calls to me softly after we’ve been sitting for a good fifteen minutes, I’m sure. Her bottom lip is being kneaded between her teeth and her worried eyes are searching mine for any signs of freak out. I need for her to not look down. I’m sure she’ll see all of the activity happening on the ground. I take a deep breath and turn to her. Here goes everything.
“Jane.” I start, then clear my throat to stall long enough for my nerves to calm down. “I brought you here, to the top of this Ferris wheel tonight because being here like this with you on our first date, was the day I realized that my life would never be the same. I looked at you and I knew that you were it for me. That was the moment that I fell in love with the most beautiful, intelligent, and caring, woman that I have ever met. You took this experience that I have dreaded all my life and you made it incredible. That’s what you’ve done to my life Jane, you have made it incredible and I want you to be the most important part of it forever.”
With shaky hands, I reach into my pocket and take out the little box that holds the symbol of my love for her. Please, don’t let me drop the ring. Please, don’t let me drop the ring. Please, don’t let me drop the ring.
“Oh, my God.” Her hand flies up to cover her mouth. Tears are falling down her cheeks.
“I love you. I have loved you almost from the first moment I saw you, when you ran into me with your car.” I tell her and she laughs. “You were so damn unexpected. When I think that I almost sent you away. What a fool I almost was. Mary Jane Winters, will you do me the honor of being my wife?” I open the box, letting her see her ring. She looks at the clear diamond and I hold my breath, praying to God with all I’m worth that those are happy tears she’s shedding. Then, she looks at me with so much love shining in her eyes, I nearly explode with sheer joy from the feel of it.
“I love you so much. Yes. Yes, I will be your wife.”
“I love you.” I whisper. My lips split into a grin as I slip the ring on her finger and pull her into a kiss. She holds her hand out to look at it. Perfect fit. “Do you like it?”
“I love it. It’s beautiful. It’s perfect. I love you so much, Michael Mason.”
“I love you.” I kiss her again.
Seeing the cue, the Ferris wheel descends bringing us back down again. The surprise look on her face when she sees everyone waiting to share our moment is priceless.
“She said yes!” I yell at the small crowd that is now gathered at the bottom of the Ferris wheel.
They erupt with applause and congratulations. In the distance, Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You is coming from the bandstand. We make our way over to where I have dinner waiting for us to all celebrate. Everyone that is important to us is here to share in our joy.
“Let me see the ring.” Donna exclaims, overly excited as we sit down at the table. I wasn’t keen on inviting her, but I know Jan
e has taken a liking to her.
“Wow boss, that must have set you back.” Betty says, practically drooling as she gets up from where she and her husband, John, is sitting to take a look.”
“She’s worth it.” I say while Jane gushes at me for it.
“It’s an amazing ring.”
I shake my head at all the hoopla over the ring. Hell, I would have got the damn Hope diamond if it meant she’d marry me. It must be a woman thing.
“Hey, I helped him pick it out.” Jimmy chimes in, shooting that theory down.
“Alright.” Dad says as he puts an end to it.
“What we really want to know is the wedding date.” Mom dabs the tears away that have gathered in the corners of her eyes.
Donna, Betty, and Kyle are now all ears and I’m sure it’s because of that pool that’s going on at the office. I look over at my fiancée and she grins wide at me. I’m sure that she’s worked out as well.
“Well, we haven’t gotten that far yet, guys.” She says, looking over at me to back her up.
“That’s right. She did just agree. Although, I want it to be soon.” And what I mean by soon is, let’s hop on a plane and head to Vegas tonight, soon. “Let’s enjoy the evening. We can figure it all out later.” I just want to enjoy this moment with my girl and our family and friends. We spend the next two hours eating and dancing the night away. Toward the end, Jane has disappeared. I say goodbye to my parents and our remaining guest then go in search of her. I find her sitting at the end of the pier, staring at the ring on her hand. “You okay, Sweetheart?” I ask, sitting down next to her, taking her hand, and lacing her fingers with mine.
“Perfect. Just a little tired, maybe. You’ve made me so happy, Michael.”
“I’m just returning the favor.” I press my lips to the side of her head.
“Come on.” I tell her, getting up and offering her my arm. “I want to go home and make love all night to my beautiful fiancée.”
****
Kyle drops us off at my place and judging by the way he kept fidgeting around in his seat, it couldn’t have happened fast enough for him. I am sure he was more than a bit embarrassed by the back seat make out session that Jane and I have been in. We leave a trail of clothes from the living room to our bedroom, discarding them as we go along. My lips leave hers just long enough for me to throw the bed covers back. My mouth finds her again as I pick her up and climb into bed with her. My mouth leaves hers again as it makes its way down her body. I take her full breast in my hand while my mouth captures her dusty rose-pink nipple bud. The sight of her arching her back as she moans in pleasure, spurs me on. I greedily latch on and suckle until it is bright pink and pebble hard, before I move on to the next one. I kiss and lick my way down to her belly button. She giggles when I stick my tongue inside.
“I want to taste the rest of you, Sweetheart.” I whisper to her as I settle myself between her legs. She impatiently lifts her hips to meet my mouth as I stick my tongue out to lick her.
“Oh, Michael.” She moans my name as I take her full into my mouth and suckle. She squirms with pleasure beneath me as she becomes extremely wet. Her leg muscles begin to tighten as she starts to spasm.
“Come for me, Sweetheart.”
“No.” she pants out squirming away from my mouth. “I want you inside me when I come.” She never has to ask twice as I make my way back up to her. She cries out in ecstasy as I enter her. “I love you, Michael.” She says as she orgasms.
Oh God, Jane.” Her orgasm triggers mine and it rips through me. “I love you.” I breathe out to her.
Finally, after getting off three more times, we lay sweaty and exhausted, as we once again gain control of ourselves. I pull her into my arms as sleep threatens to overtake me. “Michael?”
“Hmmm?” My body is completely relaxed in the afterglow of being with her. Hers is warmly tucked into mine. Nothing will ever feel as good as this and I get to experience it for the rest of my life.
“What did you mean earlier, when you said you almost sent me away?”
Uh-oh.
“Well, Sweetheart.” I start, holding her close to me. The feel of her naked body snuggling closer to mine has me growling in her ear. “You know when we met, it wasn’t exactly in the best of circumstances. You did put a large dent in my Maserati. And then you mistook me for the chauffeur. I just got the impression that you were a bit daft… just a little.” I add that last part quickly.
“Daft, you say?”
“Just a little.”
“Well, excuse me for not recognizing the great and powerful Michael Mason. Your enormous ego is at it again.” She huffs. “Besides, I said I was sorry about your car.”
“Yes, you did, and I forgive you. And I give you permission to dent as many of our cars as your little heart desires.”
“Oh, stop patronizing me, Mr. Mason.” She says, pretending to fume.
“Oh, come now. It wasn’t like I made the best impression on you either, Miss I Don’t Date. You shot me down cold. I was so dead the buzzards were circling.”
She shrieks with laughter.
“It’s only because I was terrified of you back then. I knew you were going to be big trouble for me.”
“But I refused to give up on you.” I kiss her shoulder.
“Mhm, you wore me down.”
“Do you regret it?”
“The only thing I regret is fighting it for as long as I did.”
“I love you, Jane.” I sigh into her hair, letting the scent overtake me.
“I love you too.”
****
Three weeks later
It’s been a whirlwind of activity for us. Ever since the announcement was made about us being engaged, the tabloids have been unrelenting. Unbeknownst to me, I was one of LA’s most eligible bachelors. Why they bother with me when this city is overflowing with stars is beyond my level of understanding. LA Confidential printed close ups of Jane’s engagement ring with speculations on a quickie wedding because she’s pregnant.
She is very wary of all the publicity and I can’t blame her. She won’t voice the concern, but I know she is terrified that someone will find out about her past. I’ve hired a bodyguard for her in hopes that it will help alleviate some of the anxiety she is now experiencing from being recognized by reporters when she goes out. I’m sure that if she had known that her beloved privacy would have been invaded so drastically, she probably would have thought twice about agreeing to marry me. I would have no one to blame but myself. I should have prepared her better.
“Michael.” She says, poking her head into my office and pulling me out of my thoughts. She looks like an angel and I can’t do anything but be mesmerized by the light she brings with her. The way she looks at me takes away all of my doubts.
“Hey, Sweetheart, come on in.”
“Sorry to bother you. I just need you to sign off on my paperwork.”
“Not a bother, I love seeing my fiancée and her beautiful face in the middle of the day.” I take her paperwork and sign without even bothering to read it. It’s not like I’d say no. Whatever Jane wants, Jane gets.
“Aww, you see, that’s why I love you.”
“I’ll give you something to love.”
“Oh, no you don’t.” She says firmly as I get up from behind my desk and stalk towards her. “Jimmy Junior is about to start the meeting, and I am not going to go in there looking all hot and bothered or worse, like you just had me on your desk.”
“Sweetheart, you keep talking like that and I won’t be able to stop myself. I take her in my arms and press my nose in her neck. “I suggest you leave now before I have no choice but to take you over my desk and have my way with you.” She wraps her arms around me and presses her lips to mine. Before I can deepen the kiss, she moves away, grabs her paperwork, and heads for the door.
“Are you coming to the meeting?”
“I plan on popping in if I have some time.” I motion to the pile of paperwork on my desk.
“Don’t work too hard.”
“Me? Never.”
I make it just in time to see my take charge Jane in action.
“I love the idea of the makeover on the street and if you can get past Larry and Kyle, I say go for it.” She says to Donna who is all smiles. “Alright, I think my work here is done. Just keep in mind who you are representing and you all will do great.” I frown at the reaction of her parting words as everyone hugs her and files out of the conference room.
“Are you not going to continue with the project?” I ask, once we are alone, even though I’ve already been informed that she isn’t.
“Um, no actually I’m not.” She says, unsure of how to tell me she’s quitting Estabrook. I decide to tease her a bit.
“Well, that makes sense. You do have a wedding to plan. I’m glad you want to cut back on these other unnecessary duties.”
“Actually, I’m resigning from Estabrook.” She says. “I was planning on telling you. I just don’t think me working here is a good idea.”
“Because we’re getting married?”
“Partly, yes.”
“Great, this is good.” I slap my palms together. “I’m glad we are on the same page.” My sudden relief in her decision is confusing her. “No wife of mine is ever going to be allowed to work.”
Judging by the look on her face, I believe I just blew this conversation to hell. I pretend to cough to hide the laugh that just escaped. She’s looking at me like she’s just stepped into some very fresh manure.
“So, what are you planning to do? Are you going to club me over the head and drag me back to the cave like Fred Flintstone once I say I do? You are unbelievable.”