by Marnie Cate
Being with Jeremy changed everything. I found myself consumed with the new world he showed me. Even though he despised the ballet and the theatre, he thought it would be useful to impress future clients.
He was well-rounded in his experiences. He could recommend the newest and hottest dance club or recommend a vineyard for a weekend getaway. His ability to know what you wanted before you did charmed everyone he met.
I wondered, sometimes, why he was with me. Anytime I mentioned my concern to Thomas, he reminded me that Jeremy was not my father. The great thing about the fast moving life I now lived was that before I could drown in my self-doubt or fears, Jeremy would whisk me away on another adventure.
Four months after we met, a package arrived by courier service. Inside the silver box, I found a snowsuit and ski sunglasses. Inside the note read:
Colorado and the slopes are calling us.
Come away with me, Caitlyn?
In the time we spent together, we kissed and were affectionate, but he never pushed it further. He was a gentleman, but I knew I was ready for the next step with Jeremy. I was in love, and I hoped he felt the same.
When we arrived in Colorado, a heavy snow had fallen the night before. My first sight of snow was exciting. The joy wore off when I realized how my attire really wasn't adequate. My sexy sweater did nothing to block the chill.
I snuggled closer to Jeremy as we rode up the mountain towards what looked like a resort in the Alps. The hotel looked like a designer log cabin. Shivering, I let out a sigh of relief as we entered the hotel lobby and found the warmth we had left behind in California.
"Mr. Whittaker, you have been checked in. Sean can take you straight away to your residence," said the desk clerk as he greeted us.
"Great." Jeremy clasped his hand in mine and squeezed it.
Along the way, the young man described the history of the property and the winter opportunities available to us. When he opened the door to our accommodations, he continued, "The Penthouse offers a view of the mountains from every angle." The young man set the bags down and opened the curtains. "The kitchen has been stocked with the essentials per your request. I'll bring the bags to the master suite. Would you like me to give you the full tour?"
"I think we would rather explore ourselves," Jeremy said, taking my arm.
"Very well. Please let us know if you or Mrs. Whittaker need anything else, sir," the young man said.
"We will. Thank you." Jeremy slipped some cash into the man's hand. "Just be sure to put up the ‘do not disturb’ sign."
I blushed as the man's eyes met mine.
"Of course, sir. Enjoy your stay." He nodded and left.
"Mrs. Whittaker?" I questioned.
"I may have told a little white lie to make sure we would be spoiled all weekend," Jeremy admitted. Clasping both my hands, he pulled me towards him and kissed me. "I hope that is ok? We should have talked about my plans. Instead, I just jumped and hoped you would agree."
"So what perks does a pretend bride get," I asked, feeling intoxicated by the romance of the vacation.
"Well, you have a fine kitchen where we will be able to prepare a meal together," he said, opening the fridge, confirming it had been filled with food. "Then, we will have a romantic dinner," he continued as he led me through the lavish space. "When we are full, we will relax in front of a roaring fire."
The bedroom we saw next was smaller than I expected. The queen size bed was exquisite, but not as grand as the rest of the space.
"So, this room is available for you."
My heart fell a bit. We will be sleeping separately?
"Or, if you're into bunk beds, you can stay here?" Jeremy suggested pointing to the room across the hall.
My mind raced. Didn't he tell the bell man I was Mrs. Whittaker? Did I read the situation wrong?
"Let's continue the tour," he suggested.
We returned to the dining room and opened a door I hadn't noticed. The master suite. Inside the room, there was an oversized king bed with crisp white linens. Rustic furniture filled the room. I was in awe. The master bathroom was as big as the room and had an oversized tub with an adjoining glass shower.
"Caitlyn, I would like for us to stay in this room for the weekend," his voice was husky. "I don't want you to feel pressured. We should've talked about this before we got here."
"I… I want that, too," I blurted out, and then felt foolish. Instead of the sophisticated woman I wanted to be, I sounded like a school girl.
As quick as I said I was ready, a tinge of doubt filled me.
If he knew what you had done, he wouldn't want to touch you, the voice inside chided.
He doesn't need to know my past, I argued.
"The bathtub looks very inviting," I said, trying to sound sexy.
"It does." He kissed me and let his hands drift to my blouse.
I felt the cool air hit as we began to undo each one slowly. I shivered in anticipation. He kissed my shoulders as he slowly removed my shirt.
He stood back and gazed at me. "God, you're beautiful. Let me fill the bath for you."
Jeremy started the water and poured a rose scented liquid under the stream. Bubbles filled the tub as we both silently watched. The anticipation was agonizing.
I knew how I would have behaved before. I would have seduced and dominated him. That girl was gone.
I felt sick as I thought about how I treated myself, and the men I found. All of it to hurt Christopher. A boy that had used me and never looked back.
"Test the temperature," he suggested.
Shaking my dark thoughts away, I dipped my hand under the bubbles. It was perfect. I stood back up to tell him, and I found myself face-to-face with him.
"Is it ok?"
"Yes, very warm."
He slipped his hands behind me and in a quick movement, unhooked my bra. His fingers trailed down my shoulders, sweeping the straps off, and the garment fell to the ground. His eyes filled with desire as he traced down my arms, stopping at the button of my jeans.
His touch was torture. I wanted him to sweep me up and carry me to the bed. Our eyes locked as he removed the rest of my clothing.
"Don't let the water get cold," he said, taking my hand and helping me into the tub.
I slipped under the water, and my heart began to beat frantically. "There's room for two."
He knelt by the tub and removed his shirt. I sighed as I took in his strong shoulders and tight abdominal muscles. It was my turn to be forward. I stroked my finger down his chest, and slipped my fingers into his waistband. I tugged him towards me.
"Not so quick, Cait," he whispered as he slipped his hand under the water and began to explore my body.
With the expertise of an experienced lover, he teased and prodded my sensitive areas. Just as I felt I would peak, he pulled away, directing hands to other parts of my body. He slipped his finger inside me, and I rocked against him. I ached from the pressure building inside me.
"Now," he whispered.
My body was under his command, and I cried out in pleasure. When I opened my eyes, I saw him smiling down on me. Self-consciously, I tried to slip under the bubbles, but the water was lower. He had pulled the plug.
"That was –" I struggled with words.
"Let me dry you." Jeremy quickly grabbed a towel and held it open for me.
I stepped into it and allowed him to wrap me in the warm cloth. Slowly, he dried me, teasing me along the way. After I was dry, he scooped me up, and carried me to the bed.
He laid me under the silky sheets, and I rolled over to watch him undress. The blissful torture intensified as I watched him slowly remove each remaining piece. I trembled with excitement and fear as he slipped under the covers next to me.
"Let's just explore each other," he murmured in my ear and rolled me into his arms. "I have never met anyone like you, Caitlyn. You're different. I want this to last."
After every ounce of my body had been kissed, caressed, or examined, it was my turn. I
t was nothing like Paul's scientific exploration. It felt raw and emotional.
Rolling on his back, Jeremy smiled at me. It teased and taunted him until he was moaning. I ached again.
Abandoning my task, I murmured in his ear. "No more teasing. I'm ready."
Jeremy grabbed a condom from the nightstand and covered himself. I wondered if he could tell how many men I had slept with. Would it be obvious?
He slipped on top of me and moaned, “God, you’re tight.”
My fears were calmed. My secrets would remain locked away.
Jeremy was a considerate lover. His movements were gentle and caring. For the first time, I understood what it felt to make love.
His thrusts sent chills throughout my body, and I clutched him as I orgasmed. With my pleasure achieved, I thought it would soon be over. Instead, Jeremy slowed his movements and stopped his own release.
This act of selflessness sent me over the edge. I didn't know it was possible to feel this way. For a second time, I writhed and moaned in ecstasy, and then he shuddered and slowly collapsed on me.
We laid still for seconds, our heavy breathing in unison. The blood pumped through every bit of my body. I sighed when he lifted from me and left the bed. The chilly air prickled my skin.
That's what you're used to, Caitlyn. They always leave when they are done. Just as the negative thoughts came to mind, Jeremy slipped back under the covers and he hugged me tightly.
"Cait, you wrecked me." His mouth was pressed against my neck. "Was I worth the wait?"
Twisting around, I kissed him. "Yes. Next time, let's not wait so long."
Growling, he held me closer, and I felt our wait wouldn't be much longer at all.
Instead of testing out my new snowsuit, we found excuses to make love in every part of the suite. Jeremy didn't know it, but I tried to replace each of my cheap acts of lust with his loving. Pretending to be the scientist, the bookstore clerk, the biker, and the prom date, he thought I was role playing. Our new love was insatiable.
On the last day, we forced ourselves to test out the slopes, but one fall led to a frigid make out session. Our four days of bliss had to come to an end. As the plane landed in San Diego, Jeremy kissed my hand.
"I don't want anyone else, Caitlyn. This is the real thing. Am I enough for you, too?" he asked.
Tears of joy filled my eyes and I answered him with a kiss. The door to my past was locked and I threw away the skeleton key.
Thirteen
Everything changed. I was officially Jeremy's girlfriend. We became inseparable. Thomas, Jacob, and my mother were happy I found a kind man who stole my heart. Even with this affection, my mother warned me that a man like Jeremy would be hard to keep devoted. I ignored her jealous words.
Months after we returned, Jeremy was offered a job with The Hayes James Group. The marketing director's promises of a seventy-five thousand annual salary, plus bonuses, were too tempting for Jeremy to not take the job. I was worried since the headquarters were a hundred miles away in Los Angeles, but Jeremy juggled everything with finesse.
He worked in the San Diego office three days a week and was put up in a corporate condo during the weekends. Jeremy had been hired to wine and dine the cliental. This meant Thursday through Sunday, he had to be in L.A. and ready to treat the clients to a weekend they would never forget.
During the week, I found myself staying at his apartment. It was close to my job. Also, I would see him the minute he returned from LA. At first, my mother was worried about the arrangement, but before I knew it, Jeremy had worked his magic on her.
"Caitlyn, you told me you are ahead of the game with your edits. Come spend the weekend with me. The clients love you," Jeremy pleaded. Enveloping me in his arms, he nibbled on my neck.
"I'd love to go, but I need to focus on finishing this novel." I wriggled out of his grasp. I knew, if I didn't break the spell, I would be packing my overnight bag and forgetting my responsibilities.
"Fine." Pouting, he flopped on the couch and continued his guilt trip, "I'll go all by myself to the big scary city."
"I am sure you will be fine. Do you want to take my pepper spray to protect you?" I laughed.
Jeremy caught my hand and pulled me onto his lap. "I'll forgive you this time," he purred in my ear. "We will just have to make the best of the next few hours before I leave you."
Instead of changing my mind about going with him, Jeremy and I spent the next two hours quenching our physical desires. Jeremy was the master of seduction. He would bring me to the brink, and then slowly tease until I was begging for him. It was like the universe made us for each other. His technique worked, and we both exploded in pleasure.
"This should keep you tied over," Jeremy said breathlessly.
I snuggled into his arms, inhaling his scent. I traced my nails down his chest and along his tight stomach muscles. He shuddered from the sensations I sent through him. I knew every freckle, every scar, every inch of his body.
"Do you have to go?" I whispered in his ear, pressing my mouth to his neck.
"Yes, my temptress." He laughed. This time it was his turn to wiggle out of my clutch.
I watched him walking away, admiring his tan body. The shower turned on, and I waited until I knew he would be nice and soapy. Quietly slipping behind the shower curtain, I let the water drip on me as I wrapped my arms around him.
He jumped in surprise before whipping around and kissing me deeply. His mouth broke from mine. He turned me around and pulled me towards him. It was my turn to shudder as his hot breath against my neck sent chills throughout my body.
"I love you, Caitlyn. I can't imagine my life without you," he murmured, his strong arms, holding me tighter.
I froze.
In the nine months we had been together, he never said those words. He was going to eventually move to LA. He was my long term fling who would leave me one day.
When he moved, I planned to visit him, but I never thought of permanency. He was my ‘right now.’
His arms released me and I felt a twinge of sadness. When I turned to face him, he was on bended knee, water drenching him.
"What are you doing?" My voice cracked.
"Caitlyn Elizabeth Chase, I am madly, deeply, and insanely in love with you. You are my yesterday, my today, and I want you to be my tomorrow. I want you to be my wife," he declared.
"This is so impulsive."
"No." He jumped up. "I have wanted to do this for several months. I've been thinking about it since Colorado."
I clearly did not hide my look of doubt well enough. Our trip would confuse the clearest mind to think we were in love, it had been so intense. It was too soon to fall in love. Our weekend was nothing more than a passionate affair. Wasn't it?
"Seriously. Stay here." He hopped out of the shower. The flip flop of his bare feet slapping on the tile ended.
Sighing, I slipped under the stream of warm water. He is joking. He has to be joking. But, what if he isn't?
The curtain waved, his shadow outlined on the other side. Peeking out, I saw Jeremy naked, except for a black bow tie. Once again, he was kneeling, but this time he held out a burgundy box. I pulled back the cloth dividing us, and he caught my hand.
"Marry me," he insisted.
The feelings I had been holding back flooded me. A single tear that dared to release flowed down my cheek.
With the flip of his thumb, he opened the box. Nestled inside was a pear halo engagement ring. The larger diamond was encircled with smaller diamonds and the delicate platinum band had five sapphires on each side. It was beautiful.
"If you don't like it, we will get a new one. If you want me to propose in front of an audience, I'll do it. Just say yes. Caitlyn, we are meant to be forever." His strong words were tinged with hesitation.
Don't mess this up, I warned myself. You love him.
"Will you…"
Before he had a chance to ask again, I threw myself into his arms. "Yes! Of course I'll marry you."
&n
bsp; Jeremy slipped the ring on my finger and scooped me into his arms. "I've caught you now, Caitlyn. You're mine forever."
"Forever," I whispered as I melted into the arms of the man I never thought I would find. He was real. I would really get my happy ending.
Fourteen
"Simple, Mother," I warned.
My mother sighed and stepped away from the full skirted monstrosities. "Fine. We will find you something elegant and –"
"Simple," I reminded.
Walking past the rows, and rows, of fancy wedding dresses, I stopped at one of the mannequins. "Like this."
My mother wrinkled her nose at my choice. "It is so plain."
"Can I help you ladies?" A matronly woman appeared from behind the racks.
"I want to try this one on." I pointed at the high neck ivory dress.
"Are you sure? It is so plain." My mother's frown deepened.
"It is perfect," I insisted.
Two months later, I was standing in front of my bedroom mirror praying Jeremy would never change like my father had. My fear of moving to Los Angeles was squashed. Jeremy was a vital player in the San Diego scene, and they decided to cut his time in L.A. down to one week a month.
Things are going to work out, Caitlyn, I told myself.
As I hoped, the simple dress was perfect. The high front was countered with a deep V in the back that trialed long ruffles. It was elegance meets seduction. I twirled around as I admired my image.
"You're beautiful," my mother gushed as she held out tear drop diamond earrings.
"From Daddy?" I asked, my voice cracking.
"Yes, he gave them to me on our fifth wedding anniversary. I always planned you would wear them one day. Are they ok?" She fluttered around me. "I know I should have asked you before, but I wanted to surprise you."
"It is like the best part of him is here," I said, quickly putting them on and hugging her tightly.