by Ann Jacobs
“You are. And I do love you. But it’s too soon…”
“No buts about it. I love you, too, and I say we’re going to enjoy Fiesta together. We’re going to say hello to family and old friends, eat some oysters and have a beer or two. Afterward I’m going to take you back to my place and fuck you until we’re both too tired to move. I’ve got some other plans for us tomorrow. Come on now, let’s have some fun.” With that Tom stood and held out his hand.
* * * * *
She had to admit it felt good to be part of the enthusiastic crowd, savoring the filtered sunlight that offset the coolness of a sharp afternoon breeze. Tom’s constant attentiveness helped her fight her inclination to find a shady spot and hide rather than mingle with the crowd, almost as much as his offhand declaration of love boosted her self image. As they approached the raised platform where Tom had said his mother would be, Selina tried hard to absorb some of his optimism, to tamp down the sense of impending disaster that had her fighting a strong urge to run for cover.
“There she is,” Tom said, winding his way through the sea of bodies toward the platform. “I’m going to tell her you’re my future wife.”
Oh, no! “For heaven’s sake, Tom, why?”
He grinned. “Because it’s true. We love each other. We’re dynamite in bed. And it’s not as if we just met yesterday. We’ve known each other for twenty years.”
“Omigod, I didn’t think you’d remember that dance.” She’d never forget it, but when she tried to remember whether she’d been pimply that night instead of just fat and painfully shy, she drew a blank. “I did. For a long time you were the Prince Charming of all my teenage fantasies.”
Taking her hand and bringing it to his lips, he laughed. “I had a hard time persuading myself you were jailbait. Thank God you’re all grown up and even hotter now than you were back then.”
“But isn’t it a little quick to start thinking about something as permanent as marriage?” Selina could only imagine the shock such an announcement would cause his mother. Hers, too.
“Not at all. I’ve got two weeks’ vacation, and I intend to spend every minute of it with you. I couldn’t ask for a better match than you, even if I tried.”
More than a little bit overwhelmed, Selina looked up at him. ”Shouldn’t we wait, test our feelings?”
“I’ve been waiting twenty years for you, even if I was too stupid to know it until now. And you say you love me. So consider us engaged, and get used to the idea of marrying me very soon. Put on a happy face, sweetheart. Mom has noticed us coming her way.”
Selina was able to pick Tom’s mother out from three women conversing at the edge of the platform. She looked a lot like Tom—same twinkling eyes, lips that curved up in a welcoming smile. Not quite as determinedly youthful as her own mom, Tom’s was well-preserved, with glowing skin and a nice figure, although she’d let her hair go natural, a salt and pepper shade that seemed to fit her style. She wore sensible gray heels with a pale gray dress. It was conservative yet festive because of the silk designer scarf and a huge Dolce & Gabbana handbag in colors that picked up the bright tones of the scarf.
The woman was well put together. Calm, collected, full of self-confidence—everything Selina wasn’t. Before Tom and Selina reached her, she’d broken away from her friends. “Tom! What a lovely surprise,” she said, her arms outstretched for a hug when they finally found their way to her side. “And dear, you must introduce me to your friend.”
“Mother, this is Selina Harrison. Selina, my mother, Helen Latimore. And Selina’s not just my friend—she’s my fiancée.”
Mrs. Latimore hesitated just a moment, but Selina sensed her horror before her lips tightened and she spoke in a low, controlled tone to her son. Why on earth couldn’t Tom have waited? “I’m sure I must know Selina’s family, dear. Still, your announcement comes as a surprise.” An understatement if Selina had ever heard one.
“A surprise to us, too.” Tom grinned, louse that he was, as he snaked out his arms and drew Selina close. “I took one look at her and lost my heart.”
Selina felt every movement of her eyes as Mrs. Latimore gave her the once-over, imagined the horror that must have been going through the older woman’s head. Her obviously precious only child—Tom had mentioned he had no siblings—getting himself caught up by a dumpy, gauche woman who was so damn scared she could barely manage to put together two coherent words.
When Tom’s mother held out her hand, Selina managed to take it. She hoped she achieved a smile, but she wasn’t at all sure. “It’s good to meet you, Selina. Forgive my temporary shock at Tom’s announcement. I’m glad he’s finally decided to settle down. I’ve despaired of having grandchildren to spoil before I’m too old to enjoy them. Hmm. Harrison. I believe I know your mother, dear.”
“I’m happy to meet you, too.” Selina didn’t dare say anything else. Not now. Not when it appeared that Tom’s mother was actually taking his announcement fairly well.
Tom squeezed Selina’s hand. “Let’s go somewhere a little more private and chat a little while. Mother?”
“There’s hardly anyone in the little Mexican restaurant next door. I imagine we can find a quiet table.”
Selina was all for hiding. Especially now that she’d seemed to pass muster with Tom’s mother. She didn’t want the glow to go, which she was sure it would if she had to confront her own mother. Just after dark, she and Tom said their goodbyes, bought some oysters to take home and headed back to his condo. By the time they got there, he had her in a sexual frenzy, driving along the back streets with one hand on the wheel, the other doing exquisite things to her pussy.
“I’m hungry to try some of these oysters, see if they really get us horny,” he said as he got out of the car and retrieved a large bag the vendor had packed in ice. “Don’t know if it’s possible to get any hotter than you’ve already made me.”
* * * * *
“Take off your clothes and sit up here,” Tom said, patting the kitchen counter as he shucked the oysters and set them on a bed of crushed ice he’d dumped into a jelly roll pan. “Want cocktail sauce?”
“Yes, please.” Selina did as he asked while he opened the refrigerator and came out with a bottle of the red, horseradish-laden condiment. “Where are the crackers?”
“Here.” He grabbed a box out of the cabinet and came to her, his erection obvious through the lightweight khaki pants. “Anybody ever eat oysters out of your hot little cunt?”
“N-no.” Surely he wouldn’t. Or would he? She slid out to the edge of the countertop at his urging, let him put her legs over his shoulders and bury his face in her pussy. His tongue snaked out, filled her, sent waves of excitement racing through her body.
By the time Tom stopped and reached onto the tray for an icy oyster that chilled her flesh as he worked it up her cunt, she was too hot to think about protesting. After all, she’d had stranger things than that shoved up her vagina. Besides, every cell in her body was singing, anticipating the delightful heat of his pierced tongue when he fished it out.
“Mmm. Good. Almost as tasty as your juices by themselves.” His hot breath tickled her labia. “Give me another one.”
“Want cocktail sauce?” She wondered if the stuff would burn her insides but wasn’t about to say so, not when her pussy creamed at the thought of his tongue snaking inside, retrieving it, pushing her toward the edge in a way she’d never experienced before.
“Just your pussy juice, sweetheart. Be a good girl and eat your share because I’m not fucking you until all the oysters are gone.”
“Okay.” After handing him another of them, she leaned back, let her own oyster slide down her throat, the sharp taste of the sauce tickling her taste buds while his talented tongue brought her to the edge of orgasm. One at the time, he inserted the oysters and sucked them out until there was nothing but empty shells left on the tray.
She had to have him, feel his huge cock invade her body, force her climax. Ready to beg, she slid her legs o
ff his shoulders, spread them wider and let out a moan.
“Ready for this, sweetheart?” He stood back a little, his eyes on her sex as he unzipped his pants and slid them and his underwear off to reveal his pulsating cock and testicles tight with desire.
“Please, yes.” She was more than ready. “Take me, please.”
The change in his pocket jingled when his pants hit the tile floor. His hands tightened on her splayed knees as he stepped between her legs and impaled her on his cock. Her pussy sucked him in, squeezed him on each inward thrust as shards of ecstasy spread through her like a wildfire.
“Play with your nipples for me,” he ordered, and when she loosened her top and obeyed him she hardly thought about the heavy rings, only about the delicious feeling of touching them, making them swell for her lover to tight, puckered points.
He lifted her legs over his shoulders again, changing the angle of penetration. Stuffing her fuller than she’d ever been, never missing a beat as he fucked her faster, deeper, harder. He glistened with sweat. She could see the pulsing of a vein in his neck, the tightening of his expression as he held back, wanting…
“Yes, sweetheart, I want to come. With you. Not alone.” He slowed his thrusts, moved in a circular motion, seeking and finding the G-spot that set her off, made her scream with the pleasure-pain of it. “That’s it. Oh, yeah, squeeze me now.” When he let out a bellow of triumph, she felt him come inside her, spurt after spurt of hot ejaculate that set her to coming again.
“I love you,” he whispered in her ear once his breathing had eased.
And she loved him. But she wasn’t ready yet to believe this was real, wasn’t completely convinced she was more to him than a sexual toy to be discarded once the newness wore off.
What she was ready for was to enjoy it while it lasted. Later, after they’d showered and toweled each other dry, she lay in the dark, listening to him breathe and wondering what he had in store for her tomorrow.
* * * * *
“Wake up, sleepyhead.” Tom noticed how soundly Selina slept, which was a good thing since his workday started early. He’d hate to have to tiptoe around to keep from waking her once his vacation was over.
Rolling over and opening her eyes, she looked up at him and greeted him with a sleepy smile. He couldn’t resist bending and kissing her. “What?” she asked, a surprised look on her face.
Obviously she wasn’t used to getting up early, but then she didn’t have to, now or ever. He kind of liked the idea of her being home when he left, and there when he came back from the hospital, as old-fashioned as that might be. “Time to get up, sweetheart, we’ve got a busy day ahead of us.”
“Okay. Give me a little while to get ready.”
“Sure.” He was glad he’d taken the loose diamond he’d bought out of the safe behind an abstract painting on the wall before she woke up. While waiting for her to change, he called a jeweler across the street from the hospital and made an appointment, letting him know he already had the center stone but wanted Selina to pick the setting. Good thing he’d had the sixth sense that had kept him from proposing to Jo. She wouldn’t have liked the old-fashioned rose-cut stone, but he had a feeling Selina would.
About fifteen minutes later Selina came out, looking good enough to eat in the pants outfit he hadn’t picked for her last night. “I’m ready, I think.”
“Okay. We’ll have breakfast after our first stop.” Getting up and checking his pocket for the box that held the diamond, he followed her out the door. “We’ll come back and get the car. Our first stop is less than two blocks down the street.”
When they turned in between two glass windows filled with sparkly stones and Rolex watches, Selina looked confused. “Why are we stopping here?”
“For your ring. I’m a guy who likes to stake his claim.” His hand at her back, they stepped inside. “Hey, Sol, I’d like for you to meet Selina, my fiancée.”
The elderly jeweler beamed as he showed them to a back room where he’d laid out a large selection of platinum and gold settings. “You have the stone you mentioned?” When Tom handed it over, the jeweler picked up his loupe and studied it. “Beautiful. A family piece?” he asked.
“I bought it at auction a while ago. Didn’t know until yesterday I’d find a use for it so soon.” He turned to Selina. “If you’d prefer another stone, we can trade this one in.”
“Omigod, don’t do that. It’s gorgeous. I love it. But it’s so big, I’d like a simple setting.” She looked over the tray Sol pushed her way then turned to Tom. “Please. You pick it out.”
He’d noticed she seemed to prefer silver jewelry, so he picked a plain platinum setting and band. “How about these, and a matching plain band for me?”
She smiled and nodded. Sol smiled. Tom asked how long it would take to set the stone and arranged to come back for the rings later in the day. “Thanks, Sol.”
* * * * *
Selina was thrilled yet none too sure about the wisdom of Tom’s insistence that they marry right away. Marriage had done her wrong before, in spades, but she knew for certain she wanted Tom, and she understood he came with his own set of rules.
“Where are we going now?” she asked when he pulled up in front of a medical building not far from the hospital where he worked, helped her out of the car and herded her into a third-floor office. Her hackles went up. As far as she knew, anesthesiologists didn’t usually practice out of an office, and Tom had mentioned he did his work at the hospital. The last time a man had taken her to a doctor’s office it had been her ex, and he’d been furious when the bariatric surgeon had refused to staple her stomach to force her to lose weight. “I don’t meet the criteria for weight-loss surgery,” she said before she could hold back the words.
He smiled. “I know. Remember, I’m a doctor. We’re not here for a surgical consult or to look into liposuction or anything else. Remember, I like you just the way you are, but if you want to slim down, I’ll hold your hand and help any nonmedical way I can.”
“I’m sorry…” She cursed silently because she’d jumped to conclusions—again. It wasn’t right, wasn’t fair to Tom that she carried all this hurtful old baggage.
“Don’t be. I’m not. We’re here because those rings in your nipples offend me. I’m going to get rid of them.”
Oh, no. She’d thought of that, but decided against having them sawed off when she realized she’d be left with huge, ugly holes. “I’m afraid the holes won’t close,” she said as he led her into an exam room where a wicked-looking saw had been laid out on a small table beside the chair where he told her to sit.
“How’d you like to have these instead?” Reaching in his pocket, he fished out a small box. Inside, when he snapped open the lid, she saw a pair of delicate platinum barbells with diamond-studded captive beads. “They come off. If you like, I’ll buy you a pair for every day of the week.”
What a Master! Interested not only in her physical pleasure but also in soothing her emotional hangups, Tom brought her practically to tears. She’d chosen badly before—but now she believed he’d finally bring her the ultimate pleasure she’d sought. Loving control, dished up with the hottest sex she’d ever imagined.
She pulled off her sweater and bra and sat very still while Tom cut off the hated rings. Surprisingly her flesh contracted, not a lot but enough that the beautiful new jewelry filled the space. “You do it, sweetheart,” he urged, apparently aware that if she tightened the captive beads herself, she’d know he was allowing her the measure of control she needed to feel safe.
“You know, Doc, I think I love you,” she said, blinking back tears when he bent and tenderly drew first one nipple and then the other into his mouth.
Looking into her eyes, he murmured, “I know I love you. Now let’s go grab the rings before we brave the storm and go spring the news on your mother. It’s already spitting drops of rain outside.”
“My mother?” Rain was the least of Selina’s worries. She could just imagine the scene, th
e hurtful barbs that at least she could count on being blunted because of Tom’s presence. Oh no. She wasn’t up for this.
“I called her, said we’d arrive at her house in time for lunch. She didn’t seem particularly surprised, so I don’t doubt that my mother clued her in.”
“All right.” As long as Tom was by her side, she could live through the inevitable inquisition.
And he was right. Her mother seemed almost content, smiled and made nice over the asparagus salad and cheese biscuits. She even brushed a kiss on Tom’s cheek and welcomed him to the family as they were leaving.
* * * * *
“Well, the worst is over. We’ve got smooth sailing now,” Tom told Selina later after arranging for Maggie and Eli to bring her car back from Club Rio Brava on Monday. He made a mental note to check out a lot that was for sale out there, near the riverfront lot where his two friends had their private dungeon. He liked his condo, didn’t too much mind hers for that matter. But Tom envisioned building a place out there that would accommodate their kinks and also provide room for a couple of kids. Come to think of it, they probably should seek out a house closer to the hospital, too, because they’d probably outgrow either of their places pretty quickly.