“At least you came to see me first. That’s some consolation. Congratulations to you both. She’s obviously the one for you, cuz. I’ve never seen you look at a woman like that before.”
“She definitely is the only one for me.”
“You two take your time in the shop. Whatever you pick out is on the house—my wedding gift to you both, even though I wasn’t actually invited to the wedding.”
“If it makes you feel any better, no one was invited. We got engaged last night and married this morning,” Layne replies.
“When you know, you know,” Serena replies. “Lock up when you’re done, Ace.” With a hug and a kiss goodbye, Serena trots to her car and leaves us alone in the store.
With my hand on the small of her back, I lead Layne inside and suddenly feel completely out of my element. There are see-through, lacy, racy lingerie sets in every direction. Each room has a different theme, some are sweet and sexy while others are provocatively racy. Each rack holds a different color. The dressing rooms are all in the back of the house, complete with elegant, brown leather chaise loungers, a full wall mirror, and a tri-fold standing mirror to provide a full-body view.
I can’t decide which one I want to see her in first.
“Oh, I like this one,” she exclaims.
I’m not sure what the thin straps of fabric are that she’s holding up, but I’m more than willing to learn. She picks out several others in different colors and fabrics before walking toward the dressing room.
“Hold up,” I call out as I jog toward her. “You’ll need help trying those on.”
“Uh-huh,” she replies. “What a good husband you are, volunteering to help me try on clothes.”
“I take my job very seriously.”
I take a seat on the lounge chair and intently watch her undress. Her eyes float to meet mine in the mirror a couple of times, but she’s focused on the task at hand. As soon as she gets the scraps of lace on, I’m instantly hard and ready to fuck her until neither of us can walk out of here. The white shelf bra only covers the underswell of her breasts, just enough to push them up and keep them on full display. The matching crotchless panties have me salivating uncontrollably. Add her high heels, making her legs seem even longer and leaner, and I couldn’t wait another minute if I tried.
“Living with you is hell on my figure. Look how much weight I’ve gained with you making me eat all the time,” she complains.
“You’re imaging things. I only see perfection in every inch of you. Come here and I’ll show you.”
Eager to get my hands on her, I shoot up from the chair and reach for her. She willingly steps into me, strips me naked, and pushes me back down on the lounger before the head on my shoulders can catch up. When she kneels in front of me and looks up from under her lashes, the impish grin she flashes me nearly undoes me. Then she takes me into her mouth, and the warm, wet sensation floods my entire body. With her soft lips wrapped around me, she quickly moves her head and hand in tandem up and down my length, bringing me closer to the edge with each stroke.
My head falls back involuntarily while my hands grip her hair. My hips automatically match her rhythm, thrusting up as her mouth comes down, until I feel the back of her throat. “Baby, you have to stop. Not like this.”
She slows her movements and meets my gaze. “You want me to stop?”
“Fuck no, I don’t want you to stop. But the first time I come as your husband, I want to be buried deep inside you.”
“How do you want me?” she asks seductively.
“On top. Climb on.”
I lean back and watch as she straddles me. The combination of skin and lace is driving me crazy. She guides me into her and I watch, mesmerized, as she slides down my shaft. She wraps around me with a perfect fit, her inner walls clenching around me as she grinds her hips. Pushing my hips up, I drive farther inside her with each thrust. Before long, the urge to empty myself in her is overwhelming and the way she throws her head back while screaming my name makes it impossible to wait.
“Now, baby. I need you to come now,” I growl through gritted teeth. I’m holding on by a thread. I drive into her harder and faster until her body contracts around me, soaks me, and milks me dry.
She falls forward until our bodies are flush. We’re both breathing heavily from all the energy we expended. “Layne,” I say softly. She lifts her head to look at me and I take the opportunity to claim her mouth. “You are incredible. I love you, my wife.”
“I love you, my hubby.”
Two outfits and two more rounds later, we’re finally ready to leave Serena’s shop. I drop a couple hundred-dollar bills on the counter to cover the extra two items we christened. We stop for a late lunch and arrive home relaxed, with a couple of hours to spare before we meet with the social worker.
After I unlock the front door, I scoop her up in my arms and carry her across the threshold. She looks at me with surprise and I wink. “Just a tradition,” I explain. “Nothing superstitious about it.” Once we’re inside, I kiss her softly and savor her unique taste before I put her down.
“Before we get busy with the home study, you should go pack for a few days. We leave first thing in the morning.”
“Where are we going?” she asks.
“Did you really think that was the only honeymoon you’d have? Make sure you pack those new outfits you just got.” I waggle my eyebrows at her. “We still need to get a lot more use out of them this week.”
The social worker arrives to conduct the home study and we share the news of our very recent nuptials. After several questions about our job security, reasons why we want to adopt, and how River will adapt to a new baby in the house, she unofficially says she thinks we’d be wonderful adoptive parents. When Zoe gets home from work, we share the good news with her and let her know that we’ll be away for a few days on our honeymoon.
Falling asleep with my wife in my arms after a day of lovemaking is the best feeling. She fills a part of me that has been missing my whole life. The missing piece of my heart, my soul, the part of me that makes me who I am. “Good night, beautiful. I love you,” I whisper to the darkness, knowing she’s already sound asleep.
* * *
“Where are we going?” Layne asks excitedly as we climb in the truck.
“Do you really want to know? Or do you want to be surprised?”
“I want to know. Always. In general, lawyers don’t like surprises.”
I throw my head back in a laugh. “Touché. I should’ve known that. The next four days, we’re staying in a luxurious, five-star beach resort in Destin. We’ll be completely alone to do whatever we want. No kids, no job responsibilities, no teenage baby incubators. Just my wife and me. Clothes are completely optional.”
“Is it a nudist beach?”
I cut my eyes over to her and arch one eyebrow. “No, it definitely is not. No one else gets to see my wife’s nude body.”
“Just clarifying the clothes are optional comment.” Her tone is so innocent it leaves no doubt in my mind that she’s messing with me just to see me riled up.
“You’re poking the caveman, Mrs. Sharp. Careful.” She knows all too well that my threats are only made in a fun and sexual nature.
“Did you say caveman? Is he coming out to play on our honeymoon?”
“Dammit, it’s going to be a long trip,” I grumble as I adjust myself. “We just got on the road and you’ve already caused this.” I point to my swollen crotch.
She leans over exaggeratedly and looks at it. Her lips are pulled to one side, and her eyebrows are drawn down in deep thought, like she’s trying to diagnose me. “That looks painful, pressing against your zipper like that. It’s more than a four-hour drive, isn’t it?”
“Yes,” I reply through gritted teeth. She’s leaned her head even farther over.
“As your wife, it’s my duty to tell you that more than four hours like that could be dangerous.” She puts her hand on my thigh, and a grunt escapes from deep in my chest.
“What a good wife you are, showing such concern for my health.”
“I am, right? I knew I’d rock at this job.” She slides her hand up my thigh and stops dangerously close to my stiff cock.
“I’m about to pull over on the side of the road before we even get past the county line,” I threaten.
“No need to do that, baby.”
She moves her hand higher, skimming over me on her way up to the button and zipper. In seconds, she frees me and my hardened cock stands up straight. Before I can comment on how much better it feels without the confines of my denim prison, her warm, wet tongue circles the head of my dick and I’m instantly unable to speak. Without warning, she takes me as deeply into her mouth as she can and gently rocks her head from side to side.
One hand grips the steering wheel, the other hand grips her hair, and I have to consciously concentrate to keep my eyes on the road rather than rolling back in my head. She swallows and her throat muscles clamp down around me. “Fucking hell!” She continues to change up her tactics, so I have no warning of what to expect next. One second, she takes my breath completely away and the next my tensed muscles can relax momentarily. Alternating between pleasure and pain, I am lost in the incredible woman who is my wife.
“Layne, baby, I can’t hold back. I’m going to—”
My admission only fuels her determination. Within seconds, she’s taken all I have and has left me in one hell of an afterglow. “Holy shit, baby, that was incredible. I think I need a cigarette now and I don’t even smoke.”
“It was my pleasure.” She smirks.
“Uh, no, I can definitely say that was all my pleasure. Your caveman can’t wait to return the favor when we get in our room.”
Several hours later, we’re finally pulling into the resort for our short honeymoon getaway. The long drive is lined with palm trees, ending at the circular drive in front of the resort entrance. The valet takes my truck, the bellhop takes our bags, and Layne and I get the keys to our honeymoon suite.
“Mrs. Sharp, your caveman is starving and becoming restless. It’s way past time to feed him.”
Determined, I advance on her and claim her mouth with mine. My hands start to undress her as I back her into the bedroom. When we reach the bed, I break off the passionate kiss to remove her bra and panties. My eyes roam over her body, taking in every beautiful curve. The matching black lace bra and panties she’s wearing make me want her every bit as much as the racy lingerie does. Actually, what I want is her, any way I can get her.
My fingers ache to touch her, my mouth yearns to taste her, my body begs to own her. I have to touch her. I can’t be this close to her and not have my hands all over her. Reaching around her, I unhook the clasp on her bra and let it fall to the ground at our feet. Then I hook my fingers in her panties and follow them down her legs until I’m kneeling in front of her, leaving my mouth at exactly the right height to taste what’s mine.
“Ready?” I ask, my mouth a breath away from her clit.
“Rea—ahh!”
With a voracious appetite, I feast on my love. With my tongue, lips, and teeth, I devour her and bring her to the brink of the most exquisite pleasure, only to back down just before she reaches her limit. Again. And again. Until her fingers grasp my hair and hold my head in place.
“If you’re sure that’s what you want.”
“I’m more than sure!”
With a quick, fluid movement, I repeatedly thrust my tongue deep into her and quickly pull it back. Her orgasm is building rapidly. I can feel her muscles tensing with anticipation. I move my mouth to her clit, licking and sucking it, while I insert my fingers into her slick channel. The tandem motions make her entire body shudder with release as she cries out in pleasure.
Her body is limp and limber from the intense orgasm when I softly nudge her to climb up on the bed. She starts to lie on her back, but I stop her with an arm around her waist. “Not this time,” I murmur against her. “I want you on all fours.”
“Oh my God,” she moans as she complies willingly.
Gripping her hips, I position myself at her entrance that’s already soaked and ready for me. Surging my hips forward, I drive deep inside her and she cries out from the sudden invasion. Adjusting my position to get deeper penetration, I continue my relentless pursuit of the second orgasm of the night. Our bodies soon become slick with a thin layer of perspiration, her loud cries bounce off the walls and reverberate back at us, and we both find the sweetest release.
“I will never get enough of you, baby,” I grunt as I pump the last drop into her. Leaning to the side, I pull her with me so we’re lying on our sides. She’s wrapped securely in my arms, and I’m still inside her. My lips keep finding spots on her skin that need to be kissed, places I missed that I feel the need to brand with my touch.
Her soft fingers run along my body, touching, feeling, and squeezing as they go. The smell of her arousal hangs in the air and I’m instantly getting hard again. She feels my cock growing between her thighs, inside her body, and she moves her leg to give me full access to her. Like a madman, I’m plunging into her body again with abandon.
The sensation of the last climax in her has barely subsided and she quickly climbs to the peak again. She reaches one hand behind her and grasps my head, holding my face close to hers. With our mouths locked, our tongues tangling, my hips rock into her until she screams in my mouth and I eagerly swallow it.
“Three in a row,” she breathes heavily. “My body doesn’t know how to handle this.”
“I have to make good on my promise, remember? This is just day one. By the time we leave here, you’ll have lost count.”
Each day was spent with basically the same agenda. We hit the beach during the day, played in the ocean waves, and lounged in the pool. In the evenings, we went out to dinner or ordered room service, and went to shows. At night, we explored every inch of each other’s bodies, making love and making memories that will last our lifetime.
On our last day, we waded into waist-deep water in the ocean. As I lifted her, she wrapped her legs around my waist and her arms around my neck. “You’ve made me the happiest I’ve ever been. I don’t think you really know what you’ve done for me.”
I shake my head, because she has no idea what she’s done for me. “Layne, I wasn’t even living my life until you walked into it. I’d still be dead inside if it weren’t for you. That’s only one of the reasons why I’ll never let you go. You’re stuck with me until I die.”
“I’ll love you until I die.”
I’ve never been happier in my life. She holds the key to my heart, my mind, and my soul.
* * *
“When does River come home again?” she asks.
“Tomorrow. They’ll be back in the late afternoon.”
“I can’t wait to see how she takes it when we tell her we’re married.”
“She’ll be thrilled. She loves you.”
My cell phone rings and it takes me a moment to recognize the number from Detective Ledger. When I do, my stomach drops because he’d only be calling with news about the fire investigation.
“Sharp.”
“Hey, Ace, it’s Matt. Listen. We have some news for you and Layne. Can the two of you come by the department today?”
“Yeah. We’re still a couple of hours out, but we’ll come straight there.”
“Sounds good. See in you in a couple of hours.”
I relay what little I know to Layne and her demeanor instantly changes, the tension rolling off her in waves. “I hope it’s good news. Like they caught whoever did it and they’re already behind bars.”
“Whatever it is, we’ll do this together.” I squeeze her hand to reinforce she’s not alone.
We arrive at the sheriff’s department, and Matt’s standing at the front counter talking to one of the deputies when we walk in. “Ace, Layne, come on back to my office.”
We follow him down the hallway and into his office and he extends his arm, t
elling us to have a seat. He pulls a television into the office from another room and takes a seat behind his desk. He points the remote at the television and a dark figure fills the screen.
“We’ve obtained the security footage from the camera mounted on the back of the cabin,” he says.
“There’s a security camera on the cabin?” I ask. First I’ve heard of it.
“Yeah, we didn’t know either. It’s one of those pen-sized cameras that only the people who installed it know about,” Matt explains.
“How did you find them?” I ask.
“From me,” a voice says from the doorway. I turn to look and instinctively stand up. “Hello, son.”
“Mom,” I reply flatly.
“Mom? Marcia is your mom?” Layne asks.
My gaze snaps to Layne. “How do you know her?”
“She’s my boss at the law firm, or she was before I came down here, anyway. She’s your mother?” Layne asks again, her eyes darting between my mom and me. “Marcia, how could you never have told me?”
“Layne, you, Ace, and I need to have a long talk when we’re finished here. For now, we need to work with Detective Ledger on this case,” Marcia replies.
Matt redirects our attention to the television again and asks us to watch the tape. A figure moves toward the house through the darkness in the backyard. Once the figure gets close enough to the camera, the infrared kicks in, picking up the close proximity, and a face is clearly visible. The garbage cans are opened, newspapers and plastic jugs are removed, then dry leaves are piled on top. What appears to be a can of paint thinner is used to saturate the pile of garbage and the side of the house. It clearly soaks the ground around the garbage cans before the match is lit and thrown onto the pile.
The fire instantly lights up the area enough that the camera clearly picks up the perpetrator’s face.
“Margot,” I state disbelievingly. “She really did this. I suspected her from the beginning, but part of me just couldn’t believe she’d do something this stupid. This is stalker-crazy.”
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