Sacred Serenity (Lotus House Book 2)

by Audrey Carlan

  Before we left the cathedral, Dash tugged me over to a quiet indoor walkway that also included a labyrinth. The light streamed through myriad intricate stained glass windows. Stone walls and vaulted ceilings gave the space a heightened, cavernous intensity. Dash toed off his shoes, and I followed suit, wiggling my bare feet and pink-painted toes against the cold stone floor.

  “This path is for us. It’s mirrored. You walk from that side, and I’ll walk from this side. We meet in the middle.”

  “Okay.” I took the strides needed to start on my side.

  With our eyes focused on one another we slowly made our first steps. The symbolism of watching where I was going, following the path’s curving lanes but knowing at the middle it would lead to my greatest desire, was soul defining. I wanted to run to him, but something in his eyes prevented me from doing so. This was important to him. To us. And while I weaved through each lane, keeping a steady pace, it dawned on me. Dash and I were individuals. Two people with a mirrored path. And at the center, we would always meet, coming back to one another. No matter where we started or ended, we could backtrack and follow the other, or walk ahead, but throughout the path, it would always lead us to the center of our universe.

  Our love.

  When we got to the middle, I went into his arms, placed my chin on his chest, and looked up at the man I’d spend my forever with. “I understand.”

  His smile stole my breath.

  “Even when we’re working toward our own goals, individual desires, our paths mirror one another so that our happiness is in the center where we come together as one,” he whispered and then kissed me. It was our second kiss as husband and wife but here, alone, we fully committed to one another privately, without the hoopla of a ceremony or witnesses. Aside from the good Lord above, this would only ever be ours.

  “I love you, Dash Alexander.”

  “I love you, Amber Alexander.”

  Epilogue

  AMBER

  Cool air swept up my legs as Dash lifted me over the threshold of our loft home. Tomorrow, we’d leave for our honeymoon in Cancun, but tonight would be our first night as husband and wife in our home. I’d already moved in a few months ago. Dash was unwilling for us to be separated after the day he proposed. I gave him that compromise because I knew he needed the reassurance. And in turn, he gave me my vow. Tonight, I would give him all of me.

  The entire loft was lit up with vanilla-scented candles. Speckled lights flickered from various places throughout the space. Dark red rose petals lay in a heart shape on what would now be our marital bed. Champagne sat in an ice bucket on the dresser next to the bed, alongside fresh fruit and the top tier of our small wedding cake. I’m certain Genevieve was to thank for the set up. And as a wedding present, Genevieve and Trent announced that they were engaged and planned on marrying in the fall after the next baseball season. Two best friends, married and living happily ever after with our mates. The stuff of fairy tales, for sure.

  Dash walked all the way to the area we considered our bedroom, even if there weren’t any walls. He let my legs go, and I slid down his muscled frame. My husband was something to behold in a suit on a normal day, and on this day, I basked in it.

  “Did I tell you today how handsome you are?” I ran my hands from his shoulders to his cuffs.

  He grinned and looped his arms low on my waist. “No, but I kind of got the hint with how many times you trailed your fingers down the arm and back of my suit. Once, you even copped a feel of my ass.”

  I huffed. “I did not!”

  “You so did! In front of my mom and Father McDowell and everything. Frankly, I was surprised myself.”

  “You are lying!” I smacked at his chest, but he caught me and pulled me into a kiss. It started sweet and simple but turned ravenous, his hands roaming my body, hot with intent.

  “Okay, I was kidding,” he admitted when he pulled back.

  I giggled. “You’re forgiven.”

  He glanced over at the champagne and treats. “How about a drink?”

  “That would be lovely. I’m just going to go inside the bathroom and hang up my wedding dress.”

  One of his eyebrows rose into a point. “Please, Mrs. Alexander, by all means.” He lifted a hand toward the bathroom, the only space in the entire loft that had official walls.

  I swayed my hips, allowing my tea-length wedding gown to sweep from side to side like the ringing of a bell.

  Once in the bathroom, I unzipped the bag I’d hung earlier that held my wedding night lingerie. A full-length white satin slip nightgown gleamed under the track lighting above. The front had the same sweetheart neckline my wedding gown did, but the back had a severe V that highlighted the dimples above my bum. A prickle of excitement whispered across my skin as I slipped it on, thinking about how Dash loved to kiss those two indents. There were slits up each side that went almost to the hip. Under the lingerie, I wore nothing. Panties would just get in the way.

  My heart pounded like a base drum against my chest. Tonight was the night we’d finally make love as man and wife. Waiting to give Dash my virginity as his wife had been the hardest decision of my life. Especially after I moved into the loft and we’d planned our wedding. I had offered him entry, in light of the platinum band I wore on my finger, but he wouldn’t have it. In truth, it made me love him more because not only was he worried about my faith, he didn’t want me to have any regrets. I’d spent hours over the past few months promising him “no regrets.” In fact, it had become my motto for the better part of those same few months, but to no avail. His response was always the same.

  “When you’re my wife legally, I’ll accept that gift.”

  Well, tonight I would lie down with my husband. Shivers rippled down my spine, and my gut twisted into knots. I wasn’t sure if it was anticipation or anxiety controlling my movements as I removed my grandmother’s heirloom from my hair and set it on the vanity with shaky fingers.

  “Come on, Amber. This is Dash. Your husband. You have nothing to fear. You’ve wanted this for months. Go out there in your sexy nightie and make love to your husband,” I said to my reflection in the mirror.

  Get on with it.

  I pinched my cheeks and licked my lips. My hair flowed in long, dark waves over my shoulders and my eyes were still a startling green from Genevieve’s makeup job. This would have to do. Shifting to the side, I checked out the nightgown. It framed my breasts perfectly. The nipped-in waist gave me the hourglass shape I didn’t normally have with my athletic build, but the slits up the legs did wonders for my body. Dash liked my long legs. Thank God my husband was tall because at five ten, I needed a man like Dash to make me feel petite. And he did. But then again, that could have been because his personality and energy were so large and in charge that things in the general vicinity around him seemed to get smaller.

  A soft knock broke the silence of the room. “Hey, you okay in there?”

  I chuckled, gripped the handle, and pulled the door open in a whoosh.

  “Oh, shoot.” Dash stepped back, surprised at my action. He balanced himself against the doorjamb and stopped moving. Nothing but his chest rose and fell with his labored breathing. Then his gaze took in my nightgown from top to toe and back up. Then he did it again. I could almost feel his eyes caressing each dip of the satin over a delicate angle as he looked his fill.

  “Amber, my God…you’re…I’m…” He continued to stare, his eyes never staying on one spot for long. “I’m the luckiest man in the world. Your beauty…your soul, my love, it captivates me.”

  I smiled and walked toward him. I removed the champagne glass from his hand. “Does that mean you like the gown?”

  He nodded, and his voice rumbled when he spoke. “I like the gown. I like what’s in the gown. I’d like to have what’s in the gown.”

  Ah, there was my possessive Dash making an appearance. I chuckled, reached for the other filled glass on the dresser, and handed it to him. “A toast.”

  Dash raised
his glass next to mine hovering within the two-foot space separating us. “What should we toast to? I’ve already gotten everything I’ve ever wanted standing right in front of me. You.”

  “You haven’t had all of me.” I smirked.

  “Yes. That ends tonight.” His eyes were ablaze with desire and lust. He didn’t even try to hide it. I glowed under his scrutiny, feeling like a goddess.

  “God willing,” I whispered.

  “Oh, God gave me express permission the second I made you my wife.” He bit down on his bottom lip, and his gaze roved over me once more. My nipples puckered under his inspection.

  “Screw the toast. Drink. Now.” He tipped his head back and swallowed the entire drink.

  I sipped mine, but the glass and its contents magically disappeared. Dash’s hands appeared around my form, and my back hit the bathroom door.

  “Ooomph,” I muttered right before his lips descended. He was gluttonous, voracious in his need to control the kiss.

  His tongue explored my mouth, licking feverishly. One of his hands cupped my cheek and restrained all my movements. He had me pinned against the door, his body a wall of flames. I gripped the broad muscles of his back and took his kiss, relishing in the connection and allowing the fire to consume me.

  Dash ran a hand from my waist to my breast, squeezing and molding the weighted globe in his hand. I sighed and mewled when his thumb rubbed circles over the furled tip. My husband ripped his mouth away from mine on a rough intake of air, before running his mouth down my neck. He licked a long line from my clavicle, up to my ear, where he nibbled on the edge.

  “There will be no part of you untouched or untasted. I’m going to consume you, little bird, until there is no more you and me. Only us.”

  I moaned and then I begged. “Please.”

  DASH

  Hearing Amber’s plea broke every ounce of restraint I had left. I wanted in my wife, but I also wanted it to be the single most explosive experience of her life. A woman only lost her virginity once. I cherished and honored Amber for choosing to give it to me.

  I still couldn’t believe I was somebody’s husband. The idea had been so archaic and unnecessary to me nine months ago. Now, with my whole world plastered against the wall, begging me to make love to her, I realized how insane I’d been. Getting married legally wasn’t a death knell. It was a new beginning. The start of Mr. and Mrs. Dash Alexander. I’d forever thank my wife for showing me the possibilities, and I planned to start by giving her a night she’d never forget.

  Sliding my hands over her heaving breasts, I tweaked each succulent tip through the satin, adding to the sensations. Her eyes closed, and her mouth opened on a quick intake of air. “These are only for me now,” I said, allowing my dominating side to play in the night’s activities.

  She sighed. “Yes.”

  I leaned forward and pushed both breasts up until they were bulging and stretching the fabric to its limits. With a flick of the thumbs, the fabric slid down and two sandy-colored nipples popped out. Beautiful. I tongued both tips mercilessly, enjoying how Amber’s body twitched against the door. Her elbows knocked against the wood, and her head turned from side to side. Her breath caught, the telltale sign that my love was going to come.

  “Dash…” Her pelvis moved restlessly against mine.

  “Your orgasms are only for me now, too.”

  “Oh God, yes.” Her body stiffened when I bit down on one tight peak. “Dash!” she cried out as the spasms took her.

  I hummed against her tips, letting her come down from her small high. That one was only the first of many I’d planned on giving her tonight.

  Amber gripped my suit jacket and shoved it to the floor. Her eyes opened and the pupils were so dark, I could barely see the stunning green they normally were. She was so far gone with lust, I only needed to finger her, and she’d go off again like a rocket. Thank the Lord my love was so responsive. Her sacral chakra was primed and ready for me all the time. Driven by love.

  Her fingers grappled with the tie, and in a far more forceful move than I expected, she ripped it up and over my head to the floor. The shirt came off my body so fast I wasn’t sure if she had magical powers. Then again, I was lost in her eyes. The hungry gaze owned me, and I never wanted to be free.

  Helping her along, I tugged off my belt, undid my pants, and let them fall to the floor. Amber dropped to her knees, curled her fingers around the waistband of my boxer briefs, and lifted them down and over my straining erection.

  “So if I’m all yours, does this mean this is for only me now?” Her sensual smirk made my dick twitch.

  “Absolutely.” I cupped her cheek, running my thumb over her sexy-as-sin lips. I dipped my finger into her mouth. She responded, never blinking, just sucking the digit before biting down just enough to spark a minimal amount of pain.

  Continuing her effort to get me completely naked, she removed my pants the rest of the way and pulled off my socks. Then her delicate hands curled around the back of my legs and slid up to cup and knead my ass. She licked her lips and then flattened her tongue. Starting at the root, she licked the entire length of my cock, wetting every inch until she flicked the tip and took my length down her hot little throat.

  I gripped her hair and fucked her mouth. She loved it when I took her mouth hard. Proved to me that my little bird would take my cock in her pussy the same way. Tonight, I’d find out.

  “Enough.” I gripped the roots of her hair and pulled her up far enough so that my dick slipped wetly out of her mouth. She kissed just the tip and blinked up at me. My own personal celestial being. Amber could turn a Buddhist monk a decade into a vow of celibacy, into a begging, pleading, sex-driven fool.

  I leaned forward and helped my wife up from her kneeling position. Then I lifted her up in a princess hold that made her giggle like a schoolgirl. Treating her as if she were a porcelain doll, I laid my precious bounty on top of the bed. The rose petals scattered around her, their flowery scent not even coming close to masking the scent of her musky arousal.

  I slid both of my hands up her silky, bare legs. Her satin gown parted beautifully. My surprise came when I got to her pussy and found it bare and glistening. “No panties, wife?”

  “Did you want panties?” Her eyebrow quirked up.

  “No, I want to taste my wife’s wet pussy.”

  She grinned. “Consider it a wedding gift then.”

  “Oh I do, consider this…” I pressed her legs open wide so that I could fully view the most vulnerable part of her. A part that no man other than me has seen or will ever see. I ran my finger over her slit and twirled it around her hot little button of need. “This is my favorite gift.”

  She hummed and arched her hips when I inserted a finger into her heat. Christ, she was so tight. Just my finger felt hugged in her viselike grip. I’d planned on taking her now, especially after she’d sucked me so good, I could have easily come in her mouth. Now, seeing the heart of her so wet and greedy, my dick throbbed at the desire to pound home.

  Taking my time, I inserted a second finger, scissoring inside her to make room for what I knew was going to be an intense joining. Her arousal coated my fingers when I lifted up and found her sacred spot.

  “Oh, oh, God. Dash, come in me.” She widened her legs and fucked my hand.

  I almost lost it when her hands moved to her breasts and she cupped and lifted each one. Her nightgown strings had fallen delicately down her shoulders allowing her breasts freedom. Each sandy tip had turned an almost raspberry hue as she plucked and pulled at them.

  Wanting her too far gone to even know her new name, I moved to her wet center, licked around her clit, and then sucked her dry.

  She cried out, her hands going to my hair, her hips jerking against my face. I massaged her G-spot repeatedly, until her second orgasm rolled into a third and finally a fourth. She was so wet, there was no way my entry would be too painful.

  Removing my hands, I allowed myself a minute of licking up her honey. When
my woman came, it tasted like the purest nectar. I could so easily stay between her legs and spend the evening gorging on her sopping essence. Something to look forward to on the honeymoon. She sighed as I kissed and sucked, making sure to run my tongue deep into her slit, soothing the walls I could reach within her.

  Tasting her, eating her, feeling her around me made my cock hard as steel. Copious amounts of precum leaked from the tip. I straddled her and rubbed the liquid around the crown.

  She watched in fascination as I slid my hand up and down the length. “Are you ready for all of me?” I asked, needing her to give me permission this one last time to seal all that had crossed our paths and our lives before us. This was the single final hurdle between us becoming husband and wife. She had to choose to give it freely.

  Her fingers bunched at her waist around the white satin. She shimmied it up and over her body and let it fall behind her. We were lying sideways on the bed completely bare to the other.

  “Make love to me, Dash,” she requested.

  That single phrase broke any further resistance I had. Shifting her up the bed, I placed one forearm next to her head and took her mouth. Her fingers threaded through my hair and held on while I used my legs to spread her. My hips aligned with hers, our most private parts kissing hotly in greeting. Adjusting my pelvis, I ran one hand down her body, over her heart, breast, and rib cage and down to her hip. I squeezed her lightly and then let go to take hold of my cock. I notched it at her slippery center.

  “I love you, Amber. My little bird. My love. My life,” I said before wrapping my hand around her ass and plunging home.

  She cried out, her entire body arching at the intrusion. I covered her cry with a kiss, muffling it while I shifted my hips back and thrust home again, seating fully inside her. Lights and stars streamed across my vision. Our bodies were finally merged in every way. I had to grit my teeth not to come inside her heat the second she took all of me. Embedded completely, I stilled, kissed her, taking long sips of her mouth. Rubbing my hands all over her body until the tension loosened.