by Eileen Green
The count of orgasms he had given her was lost sometime early in the morning. The sex had been so wonderful that she wanted rest, but wanted more. However, they both needed rest. It was several hours later that they knew they had to get back to reality.
The aroma of coffee lingered in the room when Heather stepped out of the shower the next morning. Matthew had told her he was going to get some coffee along with some breakfast for them that was being served downstairs. He must have returned.
Grabbing a white fluffy towel, she wrapped it around her body, her slightly aching body. They had made love several times last night, the last time on the floor in front of the fireplace. That had been a fantasy of hers since she had read her first romance novel in high school.
Now, she walked out of the bathroom, her body sparked at the sight of Matthew sitting on the couch. A tray sat on the coffee table before him, two cups of what she thought was coffee sitting on it, along with two plates of eggs, bacon, and pancakes.
“Hey there, babes,” Matthew said as he stood and stepped over to her. “How was your shower?”
“It was great.”
“Still sore?”
“A bit,” she responded with a smile. “I have to admit you wore me out.”
“I hope not too much. I don’t want you to be too sore for our last adventure of this trip.” He smiled as he took her hand.
He led her to the couch, sat her down, and handed her a cup of hot chocolate. She held it up to her nose and smelled the heavenly aroma. It was just what she needed.
“What do you have planned?” she asked before taking a sip.
The sweet taste danced on her tongue, nearly instantly waking up any of her nerves that still were a bit drowsy.
Matthew placed a plate of food in front of her, but she wanted more hot cocoa before she ate. “We’re going to go to Lewis and Clark caverns. Will you be up for that?” he asked as he bit into a piece of bacon.
“That sounds great!” she responded. Matthew knew how to show a woman a good time, even if it wasn’t the standard movies, dancing, or other more lady-like places. She was having a blast doing the things he had arranged for them.
“My boots will get more of a workout,” she continued with a laugh. “With me getting busier as the months go by, I don’t know when I’ll be able to go hiking again.”
His hand covered hers on her half-naked thigh. “I hope you can go for a weekend at least one more time before winter sets in. I’d like to go Glacier.”
“I’d like that also.”
Once that was settled, the two ate before she dressed.
The trip to the caverns was not terribly long. When they got there, they descended into the cooler cave system. The tour was two miles long, taking approximately two hours to complete. There were steps, and a lot of bending, and even some sliding to get through the system which was fun. Heather had to admit she had a blast inside.
Multiple formations of rock made up the caverns, giving for an interesting time.
Once they were finished, they had lunch before making the trip home.
* * * *
As predicted, Heather’s time began to run away with her at the beginning of September. There was one more weekend that she and Matthew were able to get away before her time was no longer her own.
They had been able to go to Glacier National Park in early September, staying at a quaint little motor lodge, reminiscent of those in days of old along Route 66. The sun hadn’t begun to seep color in the eastern sky when they left, as they had a lot of mileage to put behind them to get everything Matthew wanted to do.
They drove up past Lake McDonald, stopping at McDonald Falls. The sun had only been up for a little over an hour at that point. Matthew followed the Going -To-The Sun road, some of the sights to be seen along the highway. Logan Pass Visitor Center where the Continental Divide marked east and west of the Rockies, was nearly deserted as there weren’t many visitors at this time of the year. The chance of getting caught up on bad weather kept people away.
Sun Point Nature Trail was on the agenda as was Rose Creek trail. They spent the night in Rising Sun which was along St. Mary Lake. That Sunday morning, they rose early and drove back to the southern end of St. Mary Lake to Jackson Glacier Overlook. They met the sun along the road, the fiery ball offering little heat to the couple.
For their last hike, they took the trail that took them first to St. Mary Falls, and then farther on to Virginia Falls. Along the trail, Heather was in awe of Dusty Star Mountain as it towered up in front of them. There were four other mountains that were visible, all commanding attention. She knew that the sights here would be beautiful, but she didn’t know how much.
At the waterfalls, due to the time of year, there wasn’t a lot of water as they needed the runoff of melting snow higher up in the mountains to feed them, but they were still beautiful. At Virginia Falls, Matthew pulled off his jacket and carefully walked out on the rocks toward the pool that sat below the three-tiered cascade. The falling water must have chilled him for from where she stood, Heather could see him shiver. A picture was taken, to add to the multitude of ones stored in her camera.
When he arrived back at her side, he tried to grab her up in a hug, but she could see beads of moisture on his clothes and skin and she rushed away from him after a squeal escaped her. They both laughed at his antics, but Heather feared he would get sick after getting wet from the falls. The hike back to the truck warmed him up, and the sun, when it wasn’t blocked by the conifers that grew in that area, did dry him off.
The drive home was spent warming up with the heater on, the two of them holding hands on the console. A late lunch was eaten at a small restaurant as they drove down out of the park, and Matthew had Heather home before dark.
Matthew had opened Heather’s eyes to the natural wonders that sat around them. Knowing they were there as she grew up was one thing, but truly being able to experience them with the person you loved was something she would treasure forever.
Also, the more time she spent with him, she found his sense of humor quirky and fun. He was spontaneous, showing up at the house when she was certain she wouldn’t see him for days, just to give her flowers, or to give her a hug and a kiss, tugged on her heart.
The more the plans for the wedding came together, her jealousy was building. No, he hadn’t asked her to marry him, but they had declared their love for each other. Perhaps he needed more time to decide if he wanted to settle down with anyone, or, maybe he didn’t want to get married at all. That thought hurt, and she tried to push it to the back of her mind.
Matthew began to work on the bridge that would take the brides over the pool and to the altar that was created by an arch. Since the pool area would most likely not be used at this time of the year, even though it was heated, he worked at building it where it was going to need to go.
He hoped that he wouldn’t need to put any piers in the pool for he didn’t want to take a chance of messing up the small tiles that gave the pool its beautiful blue color, nor did he want to have to drain it. Of course, he was depending on the color and light from the pool as a background for the masterpiece itself. Also, with it being winter and having the heat on in the pool, there should be a bit of a mist from the water when it kissed the cooler air.
The bridge itself was to be curved upward on both ends that would lead up to the deck. Railings on both sides would keep the bride safe as she crossed over the bridge, but be decorative, as well, matching the arch.
The arch would be painted white and have twinkling lights woven in and out of the slats. Flowers would be placed at certain intervals on the arch, lending it a natural feeling, yet magical with the lights.
His construction work began to wane as the weather turned, first to rain, and then to snow, with the first snowfall coming at the beginning of October. Since he wasn’t working once winter set in, Matthew was able to help Heather with odds and ends.
By the beginning of November, the bridge was finished, as
was the arch. Matthew proudly met Heather at the door of the club, the actual front doors of what would be the house. Usually, they would go through the lobby and then the locker rooms, but for the wedding, things would change a bit since they were going to be rearranging things in the club.
Of course, with there being a month and a half before the wedding took place, they had to let things be as normal as possible for people to continue to visit the club for their kinks.
“Welcome,” Matthew greeted her as he swung open one of the two oversized heavy doors. “Have you been here before?”
Heather let Matthew help divest her of her parka, and while she was on the small rug, she moved to take off her boots. She didn’t want to drag snow through the club.
There were hardwood floors throughout the first floor, except for the kitchen. However, there were areas where scenarios were to take place that had carpeting squares put down.
“I was here when I first took the job, you know to measure, and get a layout of the place.” She looked around at the squared off areas nearest them. “I still don’t understand some of this stuff and why people would want to do them.”
Matthew chuckled. “I know there’s one station I’d like to see you in.”
Surprise registered on Heather’s face, along with a blush that Matthew could feel the heat from a few feet away. “Wh-what?” she stuttered.
Taking a step, Matthew pressed up against her body. “I want to see you in the schoolroom setting.” He circled his arms around her waist. “I could be the naughty teacher who seduces you in your little school uniform.”
She looked sexy as her eyes lowered and her teeth nibbled on her bottom lip. He loved when she looked shy.
“I didn’t think you were kinky,” she said softly as she looked up at him. Her eyes were flashing with excitement.
He cleared his throat nervously. “It’s a fantasy I’ve had since I saw you at the Tipsy Tavern back in June. The other stuff, I don’t have a hankering for. Just my little fantasies that don’t deal with too much pain.”
Heather raised her hands up to his chest. “You mean you don’t want to tie me up and whip me?”
Blood rushed to Matthew’s cock with her words. He didn’t want to go as far as his brother, Kyle, and Lily, or their friends, but he wouldn’t mind slapping that fine ass he loved so much. He could picture it in his mind, turning a bright pink as it bounced under his hand.
He had to clear his throat again and take a step away from her, otherwise, she would know what he was feeling. Taking her hand, he led her past equipment that dominated areas, and to the large sliding doors.
The doors were floor to ceiling and accordioned open and pushed off to the side. There was no barrier between indoors and out, offering an unobstructed view of the pool and patio area, along with the trees and the valley in the distance. This was a perfect setting for the summer time.
Now that the cool air had hit his front side, he felt safe to speak. “I’ll do whatever you want me to do to you,” he finally answered. “But I’m not a sadist, and I don’t want to be a dominant to you. I’m just not created that way.”
Heather smiled. “I was joking, Matthew. I wouldn’t want you to change for me.”
Looking down at his woman, he smiled. “And the same goes for you, too.”
A hand clamped down on his shoulder, scaring the crap out of Matthew since he thought they were still alone in the club. He was surprised to find Jake and Andrew standing behind him, both in black leather pants and vests. It was Andrew’s hand on his shoulder.
Aww, fuck! I don’t need this right now!
Nerves attacked Matthew’s stomach. If he had known Heather’s mother and her fiancés were going to be here, Matthew wouldn’t have had her come check out the bridge. He looked down at her and found her face flushed and her eyes averted, looking out at the patio with intense interest.
If the situation wasn’t so uncomfortable, he would have laughed at its comical air.
“Trying new things in a relationship is always a good thing,” Jake said seriously. “But unless it’s something you both want, then it’s not worth trying. You both have to be willing to risk putting yourselves out there to see if you both like it.”
“Heather, I’m sure your mother will discuss things with you if you wish.” That was Andrew. His voice sounded a bit strained, as if this situation was as uncomfortable for them also.
“I’ll talk to her when I get a chance,” Heather agreed, her attention still on the patio.
She began to walk toward it, her step careful even though she wasn’t looking down. Small patches of snow dotted the black slate that was the patio, and she avoided them as she walked to the bridge he had built.
“Oh, my god, Matthew! This is beautiful!” she admired aloud. “This was exactly what I wanted.”
The bridge had been finished and painted the week before, when there wasn’t any snow in the forecast. He needed that time to make sure the paint went on evenly and wasn’t going to bleed.
Heather began to walk up the slight slope up to the deck of the bridge. She stopped in the middle and gave a small jump. A couple more jumps came right after the first. It was as if she was testing the strength of the object.
As he watched Heather jumping with glee on the bridge that was the true reason they were thrown together, Matthew made a decision. He had been playing scenarios in his head of how he was going to do this, and when, but he knew right then and there was the perfect time.
He turned to ask Jake and Andrew where Gwen was, but he didn’t have time to voice the question for his soon to be mother-in-law was just a few feet away. Luckily, she was wearing a dark blue kimono with red flowers on it, to hide anything she may, or may not, be wearing underneath.
“Hello, Gwen,” he greeted the woman.
Heather looked so much like her mother, that Gwen’s eyes were sparkling as she saw her daughter out on the bridge. There had been so many hard times in the women’s lives that seeing one or both ecstatically happy was a sight in itself. Gwen was smiling as Andrew wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her against him.
Throwing caution to the wind about asking permission, Matthew made his way to the bridge. At the edge, he pulled out a small velvet box from his jacket pocket, and held it hidden in his hand. Stepping up to the center where Heather was looking around, her mind most likely mapping things out for the wedding.
Heather looked up at him, a smile on her lips. Before she could say anything, Matthew dropped to one knee before her and her face changed quickly to confusion. She must have thought he slipped for she reached out for him.
“I’m fine,” he said quickly, noticing the nervousness in his own voice. He took her hand with his free one, kissed the back of it, and began one of the most important statements in his life. “Heather Bowers, when you asked me if I could help with the wedding that you are planning for all your friends and your mother, I felt that the universe finally was giving me the opportunity to be close to you. I have admired you from afar for so long, but always thought you were so much better than me. I mean, why would you want me, when you could have any man you wanted?”
“Matth…” she began, but he shushed her.
“You’re beautiful, smart, funny, and loving. I have been blessed these past few months to be able to spend time with you, to get to know you. I love you with all of my heart, and I would be honored if you would marry me.”
The words came a lot more easily than he predicted them to. Every time he had thought about what he was going to say, he would get all jumbled up inside his head, and he was afraid he wouldn’t be able to get the proposal out at all.
Now he was kneeling before Heather, waiting for her answer.
The look of surprise covered her features while tears shimmered in her eyes. Her hand was shaking in his as she gazed down upon him. The longer it took for her to respond, the more fearful he was becoming that what they had had together hadn’t meant as much to Heather as it had Matthew.<
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Suddenly, Heather dropped to her knees before him. She pulled her hand from his and proceeded to throw her arms around his shoulders. She buried her face in his neck below his ear, and kept repeating, “Yes! I’ll marry you!”
When she finally ran out of steam with her words, Matthew pulled back slightly, opened the velvet box, and showed her the ring he had bought for her.
It was a simple ring. A large round solitaire on a white gold band that was twisted at the ends that met at the diamond. The matching wedding band for it fit on both sides of the engagement ring but he left that part at home.
There had been a multitude of rings to choose from. Fancy ones, multi-stoned ones, different colored, and different shaped ones. Matthew had thought about Heather. She was a simple woman who didn’t make a lot of demands in life. All she wanted was to be happy.
“It’s beautiful,” she gushed as she looked up at him. Her eyes nearly matched the sky-blue sweater she was wearing, and tears glistened in them. “I love you so much, Matthew Campbell. You’ve made me the happiest woman in the world!”
She hugged him again and then pulled back slightly. “Oh, my mom’s here!” she blurted out. She rose to feet and rushed over to Gwen, who was now standing at the end of the bridge.
The two women fell into each other’s arms, crying.
Matthew watched the two hold each other. The crappy hand they had been handed in life was now far behind them. Gwen had made sure that Heather was happy as she grew up, even though there wasn’t much to give financially. Love had been their happiness in life.
Now both women were working, getting paid well at jobs they liked. They weren’t pinching pennies and eating Ramen Noodles for nearly every dinner. They each had love in their lives that was proving to make them even happier, and a wedding was in the future for both of them.
Gwen released her daughter. “Let me see the ring,” Gwen gushed.
Heather put her left hand out to show her mother. Her face fell when she looked down to see what Matthew was still holding it in his hand. In her excitement, she hadn’t given him a chance to slip it on her finger yet. She looked at him sheepishly.