Lulu's Loves

by Barbara S. Stewart

“You are far more sexy, but you don’t see it. That makes you even sexier and more beautiful to me.” His hands slid under the nightgown. His lips found mine in a passionate kiss. He pleasured and excited me with his hands, and finally, we made love.

  I had dinner with my dad on Thursday.

  “How’s married life?” he asked. I’d gone early and made his favorite meal. Robbie was working late.

  “A journey. A learning expedition with a few bumps in the road,” I answered.

  “Lulu?”

  “It’s just different than I thought.”

  “You didn’t really have an example, did you? You were too young to know your mom and my early journey, as you put it.” He smiled as though he was remembering.

  “Did I ever tell you about the time she was so mad at me that she threw the backdoor open and was chucking pots and pans at me to keep me from coming inside?” He laughed and I was intrigued.

  “No!” I was shocked. “I can’t even imagine. The mother I remember was so sweet and caring…”

  “She was, Lulu, but oooh wee, she had a temper,” he snickered.

  “What on earth did you do to make her so mad?” I asked as I placed our meal on the table.

  “A misunderstanding. After it all played out, she laughed, and then cried over the dented pots that I retrieved from the lawn. I was working and Aunt Edie, Welkie’s mother’s sister, came by the dealership with a fender bender. It wasn’t a bad one; she just didn’t like that it “announced to the world” that she’d backed into something. I made arrangements for the guys in the repair shop to pop the dent out the next day. You remember how tiny she was. She kissed me on the cheek to say thanks and got lipstick on my collar. Your mom just knew it was another woman…”

  I bowed my head in shame.

  “What is it, Lulu?”

  “I had a similar situation with Robbie last week–perfume.”

  “It takes time to trust. You will.”

  “Are you sure?” I wiped my mouth with the napkin I’d been twisting in my hands, while my dad told his story.

  He reached across the table for my hand. “Lulu, every day is a learning experience. You’ve had some bad ones and trust seems to be an issue. You have to let that go, or you will live your life on pins and needles. You’ll be so worried about being hurt that life will pass by and you’ll miss it.”

  I hear Keelin Wynn in my ear when we first became friends. “LIVE!”

  “I love you, Dad. Thanks for telling me about the pots and pans.”

  When I got home, Robbie was waiting. He was on the sofa and rose to greet me.

  “Nice suit,” I said as he wrapped his arms around me.

  “Custom fitted, Davis Brothers.” He grinned, trying to contain his excitement. “My bonus for helping get the deal.”

  “Robbie, you look like a model in that suit. It kind of makes me want to see what’s under there.”

  He roared with laughter at my comment. “I have to take it off. It needs to go to the cleaners. I wanted you to ‘experience it,’ and you need to go shopping.”

  “For?”

  “A formal for a gala that Lofton’s is hosting to debut the line. You have a month to find the perfect dress. I want to see just enough to make me wonder what’s under there.” He stepped closer and nuzzled my neck.

  We went upstairs and made crazy love. Lying in bed afterward, he leaned up to kiss me.

  “How was dinner with your dad? I got off track when you commented on the suit and forgot to ask.”

  “You’re sweet. It was good. It’s always good. I made his favorite dinner and we talked. Sometimes his talks are lessons for the soul. Sometimes they are memories that he wants to share. Tonight was both.”

  “Tell me,” he said and kissed behind my ear, pulling me closer.

  “He asked how things were going. I told him it was a journey with bumps in the road. He then told me about a bump him and my mom experienced. I’m sorry that I didn’t give you more of a chance to explain the night you came home smelling like Malayna’s perfume. Dad told me a lipstick story, and I’ll just tell you that you faired better than he did.”

  “Lulu. Let go of the past. I won’t ask you to tell me why you are hesitant. I’ve seen it since day one. When you’re ready to tell me, you will, but you need to trust us.”

  Work kept us both busy the next week. When the weekend came, we took off for Orlando to go dress shopping. I told him I’d ask Keelin, but Robbie wanted to help me pick the dress. When we arrived, we had a nice lunch and then the shopping began. The first mall we stopped in had three stores with formal wear. We scoured the racks in the first store and found three dresses that we both liked.

  I took the first one to the dressing room and slipped it on with a pair of shoes that I brought with me. They had the heel height I usually chose. After I was in the dress, the attendant zipped it up. I turned in the three-way mirror. It was beautiful, pewter and red, with rhinestones in a splash across the bodice. I stepped out for Robbie to see.

  “Beautiful.” He stepped closer and kissed my neck. It embarrassed me a little. I teasingly pushed him away. “Nice lines. It reveals just enough.”

  He ran his hand down my hip. The dress hugged my body like a glove. “I like it.”

  I went to the dressing room for the second dress. The attendant who was helping me let out a faint gasp when she zipped it. I turned to look. It was gorgeous.

  “Your husband has good taste. He knows your body. I mean what looks good on you,” she stammered.

  “He knows clothing,” I smiled.

  I stepped out and found my husband with a more than satisfied smile. “Do you like it?” he asked.

  “No.” He looked up, quickly. “I love it.”

  “Me, too.” This one was steel blue with silver rhinestones from the left shoulder to my right hip. It was mermaid-like and showed off every curve of my body. I saw his eyes follow the lines of the dress, and the smile that came next had me wondering what he was thinking.

  Suddenly, all I could think about was getting home.

  He noticed and grinned. “Ellie,” he said, noticing the gal’s name tag. “We’ll take this one.”

  It was the first weekend in December. On the evening of the gala, Robbie seemed energized and alive.

  “You look even more beautiful than the day we got married, and you looked pretty fucking hot that day. Damn, Lulu.”

  “You picked it.” I said, flashing a seductive smile his way.

  His eyes devoured me. He took my hand and kissed my cheek. “So I don’t mess up your makeup.” He put my hand on his crotch. “This is how hot you look, Lulu.”

  “Oh my.” I fanned myself and sighed. I moved his hand away. “You look pretty hot yourself. I swear that suit is almost as sexy as naked.”

  “I have something special in mind for you when we get home,” he teased.

  “I hate surprises. Tell me, so I can think about it all evening,” I whispered in his ear.

  “Just think about later. Think about us. Now, we better go, or we won’t get out of here,” he said, and I knew it was true.

  The Lofton’s had a beautiful home on the river. When we drove up, it was alight with white starlight lights in the trees. There was a circular driveway and we pulled up to be valet parked. Robbie took my hand and led me inside. The house was dazzling, decorated beautifully for the holidays ahead.

  Mrs. Lofton spotted us and made her way over. “Louisa, you look stunning.”

  “Thank you, please call me Lulu.”

  Mr. Lofton joined us at that moment. “Gorgeous, Lulu! You look gorgeous. You too, Robbie,” he said with a laugh and a thump on the back.

  There were several guests already present. Mr. Lofton took me around to introduce me. Robbie smiled whenever I was able to steal a glance. Then she walked in. If my dress was gorgeous, hers was ten times more so. I felt my back straighten when she leaned to Robbie for a hug. I tried to shake it.

  “All right? Lulu?” Mr. Lofton asked
. Then he saw what I saw. “No need to worry over her, my dear. Robbie loves you. He’d be an idiot to stray. Come on.”

  I let his words seep into my soul. Robbie loved me.

  Let it go, Lulu.

  Finally, we made our way back to Robbie. Malayna had wandered off and I was relieved.

  “Your wife is the most stunning in the room, next to mine,” he added with a wink to Mrs. Lofton.

  “I believe you’re right.” Robbie said. He reached for my hand to go get a cocktail.

  “The thing is,” he whispered in my ear, “I know what’s under that dress, the rest of them are all just imagining.”

  “Stop!” I laughed.

  Nuzzling my neck, he whispered again. “I can’t wait until later, Lulu.”

  Michael Davis arrived and Malayna seemed preoccupied the rest of the time we were there. The evening was a huge success. It seemed that the elite of Jacksonville were excited about the new line of suits, ties, even shirts and tuxedos. It was getting late and things were starting to wind down a bit.

  Michael Davis lightly tapped a spoon on his glass. “Thank you all for coming. Thank you, Mr. and Mrs. Lofton, for not only hosting such a lavish event, but for taking a chance on Davis Brothers. We hope that the quality and reputation of our product brings you, and us, great success in this area. Robbie Muir and Malayna Camara were instrumental in making this happen. We are appreciative and excited to work with this team. We’ll be beginning print and television ads soon and look forward to showing you all that we’ve got.”

  Robbie squeezed my hand. I looked questioningly. “I got a huge raise,” he told me, proudly.

  “Robbie and Malayna will be working with our media team to make this happen. It’s going to be a lot of work. We’ll start running ads the first week of April.”

  “I’m proud of you, Robbie,” I said. He slipped his arm around my waist and gave me a squeeze.

  When Michael Davis was finished with his announcement, he whisked Malayna and Robbie away for everyone to congratulate.

  Mrs. Lofton walked over to me. “You have a wonderful husband, Lulu. He’s going to do big things for us. He already has, but this…this is huge.”

  “He loves you two. He thinks of Mr. Lofton as a father figure.”

  It was true. Robbie’s parents divorced when he was young. His father was off somewhere with a new family. Robbie didn’t even call him about the wedding.

  “Lloyd will keep him on the straight and narrow and make sure that his hours are manageable for his home life. Family is most important to us. You and Robbie are family,” she added.

  If he was energetic earlier, driving home Robbie was electrified.

  “I had to keep it a secret. It’s just local advertising, for now, but if this goes national, and based on the market and trends there is no doubt that it will, this could be huge for us, Lulu!”

  “It’s exciting,” I said.

  “But?”

  I turned to him in question. “No but. It’s exciting. If your suit is an example of what’s in the line, you are going to be a busy man. I can see women driving their men to the store and demanding a custom suit. I know how looking at you made me feel.”

  “Tell me,” he encouraged, playfully.

  “You’re a handsome man; that suit was made for you. It laid in lines that showed off your body. I didn’t know a suit could be that sexy,” I replied. “It’s the coming together of the suit and your body.”

  “Coming together, Lulu?” he teased.

  Even in the dark glow from the streetlights, his smile dazzled.

  “I can’t wait, Robbie.”

  Once we were home, he poured us each a glass of wine and led me up the stairs to our bedroom. He turned on a small lamp that sat atop the dresser while I waited.

  “To the hours ahead,” he said tapping my glass with his. We had a sip, and at last, he pulled my into his arms, whispering softly in my ear as he held me close. “I love you, Lulu.”

  “Hours?” I asked, with a sigh.

  “I think it’s going to be a long, slow ride this evening,” he said, kissing my neck. I trembled with anticipation.

  “I haven’t been able to stop thinking about what’s under this dress. Every time you moved, the light would catch your dress and flash what looked like fireworks from across the room. Everyone else noticed too. You’re a stunning beauty.”

  I’d put my hair up for the evening; he pulled the clip away and it fell freely. Pulling me closer, he ran his fingers up my back to my neck, lightly caressing where they touched.

  I loosened his tie. I’d done it many times before, but it never felt as sensual as this. Maybe it was the knowledge that we were about to begin an amazing journey but his touch, and mine, had me aroused. I stepped closer, tighter, in his arms. I felt the zipper at my back slide down, and his fingers trace the path from the top of the dress to my bottom.

  He pushed the sleeves down my arms and pushed the dress down my hips. It landed in a soft puddle at my feet. I stepped aside and he picked it up, tossing it on the chair. He took his jacket off and threw it there, as well. Stepping closer to me once more, I unfastened his belt and pants. He took them off, kicking them away.

  He unhooked my bra, sucked in a growl of a breath, and pushed it away, leaving hot breath and kisses behind. I knew I wouldn’t be able to stand there much longer; my knees felt weak. Finally, as though he knew, he led me to the bed.

  “Lulu…” He whispered my name as his hands moved to my breasts. That’s the only place he touched me. I wanted more. He kissed between them, and I wanted to scream out.

  TAKE ME NOW!

  I arched my body to let him know I was ready. “Jesus, Robbie, I want you.”

  “Say it again, Lulu,” he taunted. “Tell me you want me.”

  “Robbie.” The whisper burned my throat as I said it. “I’m begging you to make love to me.”

  “Not yet,” he teased. I reached for him, to touch his erection, but he moved. “Not yet.”

  Moving my arm, he kissed the side of my breast and moved lower. He kissed my hipbone. The feel of his breath on my skin, so close to where I wanted him, had me begging.

  “Robbie, please. Now.”

  “Not yet.” He moved so that I could feel his breath between my legs. I was so ready for him, but he pulled away.

  “What are you doing?” I panted, pulling him back to me.

  “Making you want me.”

  “How much more do I have to want, before you give yourself to me?”

  He reached between my legs. His grin was wicked.

  “I think I’m drowning.”

  “You are, but not yet.”

  “Robbie,” I whimpered. I never wanted a man more in my life. I needed him. “You want me. You can’t hide that. What are we waiting for?”

  “I do want you.”

  At last, he straddled my body. I felt his erection, oh so close. Digging my fingers in his back, I raised my hips. I kissed his chest and raised myself higher. I could feel him touch me.

  “Please.”

  He held me closer, kissing passionately and at last, he entered me.

  “Oh, my God,” I whispered.

  He didn’t move. He was so hard, but he didn’t move. The weight of his body eased me flat on the bed, but he didn’t move. “Not yet.”

  “WHY!” I cried out.

  He smiled.

  “Robbie!” I yelled his name. “You’re driving me mad! I can’t take it anymore!”

  He remained still. Burying his face in my neck, running my hair through his fingers, he nibbled my earlobe and whispered. “I love you, Lulu.”

  Finally, it began. It was slow. I wanted it frenzied, but Robbie kept it steady. I knew that I was leaving marks on his back, clawing at his skin, urging him to hurry. Begging, “Robbie, please.”

  “Not yet.” He was pleasuring me. I knew that he was enjoying it, but God, I wanted it faster. I wrapped my legs around him so that I could get closer bring him deeper. He increased h
is pace, harder and faster.

  “Robbie,” I panted his name with each thrust, and finally, he slowed the pace and fell on me in a shudder. He fell back on the bed, breathless, and reached between my legs to bring me to an orgasm.

  “Oh my God, Robbie.”

  “It was good, Lulu,” he said in a sleepy, sexy voice.

  “It was amazing,” I whispered, and he wrapped me in his arms. I felt loved like I’d never felt.

  No one has ever brought me to this place before.

  Our days were busy, mine with school, Robbie’s with his work and the photo shoots for the ads. Those were scheduled for the end of his workday. He’d come home with proofs to show me the pictures each time they met. It was easy getting caught up in his excitement. The first ad was set to go to print in three weeks.

  Robbie’s days got longer and longer. I had to wrap my head around all that meant: he was working late with Malayna. I tried not to let it, but the smell of Plumeria remained constantly on my mind.

  “You’ve been quiet lately,” Keelin observed. We were sitting in the break room between classes having coffee.

  “Brain overload,” I laughed.

  “Obvious fake laugh.” I looked, and saw him cross his arms across his chest. “It’s not school, so tell me what’s going on.”

  “Just my brain, my thoughts running wild. I can’t seem to rein them in,” I said honestly.

  “Robbie?”

  “Yeah,” I scoffed. “Long hours…”

  “Are you worried?” he asked before I finished my sentence. Keelin knew my fears.

  “Yes. He’s working with Malayna on this project,” I answered.

  “Trust him, Lulu, until he gives you a reason not to.”

  I knew he was right, but it didn’t make it easier. Suddenly that conversation Robbie and I shared early on repeated over and over in my mind.

  “I’m not a one woman kind of guy. I don’t want to be tied down, but something about you makes me want to be only with you.”

  You need to let that go, Lulu. Trust him. But my heart thinks differently…I feel as though I’m waiting for the inevitable.