by Penny Henry
"Where are we going, Travis?" asked Temple dreamily, not caring where they went as long as they were together.
"You'll see," answered Travis, dreading the fact that the day was almost over. He had one more surprise before they returned to reality and to the conflict they had left behind.
Chapter Thirteen
The fairy tale turrets of Cinderella’s Castle rose above them as Travis led Temple through the performers in the courtyard.
"Where are we going, Travis?" repeated Temple. "I want to spend some of your Disney dollars in the shops on Main Street before we leave."
"There'll be plenty of time for that. If we're staying to catch the fireworks later we need to slow down a little. I don't know about you but I think I've had enough rides for one day. And enough walking," he added as an afterthought.
"Next time we'll use the railroad," enthused Temple. "It's a lovely little train that runs right round the Magic Kingdom. We can get off anywhere," she explained as if Travis had been blind to the narrow gauge railway and its busy load all day long.
"So there will be a next time?" ventured Travis in the desperate hope that the day would prove to be more than just a truce in the ongoing battle for Hart Leisure. He knew how much the complex meant to Temple. And he was acutely aware that his Company was fully committed to the agreement with Andrew Denham and the Pegasus Hotel group. He also knew that to Temple the justification for his actions was unacceptable. Life was black and white to Temple. There were no grays, no ifs, or buts, or maybes. Travis had a gut feeling that his acquisition of the Hart Leisure complex would turn out to be the worst day's work of his life. And he was powerless to prevent it happening.
Temple had mulled over Travis' question. Her thoughts had run parallel to his speculation. How she would love it if there was to be a next time. But at this moment she was unable to think farther than the defeat of Travis' plans for the leisure complex. She had to be realistic. Their day in the Magic Kingdom had been a wonderful, unexpected interlude in the proceedings. But Temple had a dreadful premonition that this just might be the calm before the storm. "Who knows, Travis," she finally replied. "I'd like to think we could do it again, but we mustn't fool ourselves." She squeezed his hand as she spoke. "Will the real Travis Campbell please stand up," she mocked. And that succinctly captured the division between her heart and brain. Would Travis be lover or businessman? Temple didn't think she could love them both.
They had walked under the gateway to Cinderella's Castle and Travis announced, "Your table awaits you, princess." He guided her to the entrance of the Grand hall that led to Cinderella's Royal Table restaurant. Cinderella was there herself to greet them and Temple was wide-eyed and speechless as she posed for the complimentary portrait. She was still in a dream as they mounted the spiral staircase.
Travis had booked for dinner when whey had first entered Main Street. 'A storybook dining experience' had been promised. Their first glance exceeded every expectation. Temple was living a fantasy come true. They were escorted to their table with the same courtesy extended to every princess that dined within the magical castle. Temple was captivated by her surroundings and only by great effort and Travis' continual reminding did she manage to focus on the menu for a few minutes. At least the food was down to earth. Travis ordered prime rib with all the trimmings. Temple chose a seafood platter and salad. The wait for their meal was if anything too short for Temple. There was so much to occupy her attention that the arrival of the food was almost an irritation to the spellbound Temple. Then they discovered how hungry they were and how good the food tasted. They ate ravenously and in silence at the beginning. Then they relaxed and began to take their time.
"Thank you, Travis," said Temple quietly. "It's been a wonderful day."
"It's not over yet," Travis reminded her. "There's still the fireworks display as advertised and promised," he solemnly informed Temple. "And if we don't hang around we can fit in an hour's shopping before then if you like."
"You know what I mean," insisted Temple. "I've had a really great time." She pushed her arm across the table to rest her slim fingers on the back of Travis' hand.
Travis turned his hand to take her fingers into his palm. "I know," he admitted. "It's been a good day. I've loved every minute of it. I haven't felt so alive since—" Travis changed his mind. "In a long while... too long. And being with you has made it just perfect," he finished.
This time there was none of the awkward silence that so often followed a mention or near mention of his daughter's name. Temple was secretly pleased that Travis seemed to have avoided any comparison in his thoughts. At last they were beginning to make progress in the sensitive area of his preoccupation with Melanie’s memory.
"Why can't every day be like today?" asked Temple wistfully. "I don't mean just here at Disney World. I mean, why can't life be peaceful and happy all the time?"
"Life's just not like that," said Travis truthfully. "We all want more than we've got. And then it never seems to be enough."
Travis' truism rubbed a nerve. "I'm happy with what I've got," Temple contradicted him. "My problem is keeping hold of it."
Travis could see where the conversation was heading and astutely changed direction. "Hey, you've forgotten the shows we missed. Didn't you want to go back to Tomorrowland?"
Temple's eyes widened. "Of course! How could I have forgotten?" Then she paused for thought. "But, maybe it's not such a good idea to take anymore rides right now." She sat up straight and ran a hand across her stomach. "After what we've just eaten I don't think a spinning ride is quite what we need. Though we could go and watch a movie. What do you say?"
"Good idea," agreed Travis. He would have hated to embarrass them both by losing it on the last event of the day. His stomach was in no condition to take on another crazy ride just now. "Let's go before you get involved with something else," he added, referring to the entertainment that always seemed to revolve round the table of the enchanting princess with whom he sat.
Travis paid the bill and left in a flurry of smiles and farewells. They strolled into the park feeling like visiting royalty after such a splendid meal. The evening air was cool and refreshing sending them into the warmth of each other's arms. A brisk walk did them both some good and they were happy to have chosen a movie and not a spinning ride. When they emerged it was as part of a happy throng looking forward to the night-time display in the sky. The show had been fun and all was well with the world.
Temple discreetly shepherded Travis down Main Street to the stores she had planned to visit. He never once complained as she hesitated over the vast selection of gifts. He didn't even flinch at the bill for the items that she eventually selected. That was in the first store. By the second store all his Disney dollars were gone. At the third stop Temple was using her credit card. Travis' reward was a Donald Duck sweatshirt, a Mickey Mouse key ring and a $5 bumper sticker for his $100,000 Mercedes. Temple was buoyant and full of herself. She showed him every purchase and painstakingly explained who would be receiving each one. He was listening patiently as they stood outside the last store when the first fireworks exploded in the sky.
"Oh, Travis, Isn't it beautiful."
Cinderella's Castle was illuminated in all its glory. Temple clung to Travis' arm as the astounding display of synchronized pyrotechnics burst into the sky. The rainbow of color dissolved and reformed to a symphony of classic Disney tunes that kept its audience spellbound and the babies from crying. Too soon the spectacular show was over. The empty night sky appeared even blacker with the sudden absence of the illuminations. The crowds began to move down Main Street. The magic had ended and it was time to leave the park. Temple leant in against Travis, her arm wrapped tightly round his waist. They had been standing a good way down Main Street when the show had started and now they were in the leading group of the good-natured throng. They walked slowly from the park to get in line for the romantic ferryboat journey across the lake. The wait didn't turn out to be very long. Sooner than th
ey had hoped or expected they were being sedately transported over the water’s glistening surface and back to reality.
Their reluctant return to Travis' Mercedes was accomplished with a curious sense of sadness that was tinged with well-being. Travis hugged Temple to his chest in silence at the side of the gleaming automobile. He inhaled the scent of her hair that amazingly after their hectic day still struck him as sweetly perfumed as a high meadow. "Time to go, Temple," he breathed into her golden hair.
She clung to him for a moment longer then pulled away. "Okay," she answered unexpectedly brightly. "I'm going to be brave. We've had an amazing day and I won't spoil it by going all melancholy on you."
They stepped into the car and settled into their seats as the horde of Disney guests split into ever-smaller factions searching for their parked vehicles. Travis set the top to slide over them and eased the powerful machine into the flow of traffic piling up for the exits. There was no gain in jumping lanes, Travis slotted in line and followed the signs for the Buena Vista exit. Temple played some music and they relaxed to watch the occupants of the surrounding cars heading home. Most were filled with sleepy families, kids holding balloons in tired fists, animated teenagers and irritable parents. Some held excited tourists excitedly discussing what they had seen on their first visit to the Magic Kingdom. A young couple in a Mustang were heatedly arguing the merits of electronic wizardry and live performance. A family from out of state were sharing out a picnic that had been left all day in the hot car, dubiously selecting what was fit to eat. Another Disney day was ending the same way as countless others. Life was taking on the sharp edge of reality. But for Temple and Travis there was still magic in the air. They hit the Buena Vista ‘On-ramp’ and glided along the I-4 with the music low and an intimate silence between them. They were content in each other's company and neither of them in any hurry to get home.
"Will Molly or Angus be waiting up for you?" Travis broke the silence.
"Never can tell," she said lazily. "Sometimes Angus doesn't sleep so well." She swung her head to take in his profile. He was devastatingly handsome in the pale moonlight. His jaw line was square and clean-cut below a firm mouth that was in perfect balance with his straight nose. Without being able to see, she knew the beauty held in his deep brown eyes. His thick unruly hair glinted like Spanish silver. She glanced at his strong hands resting on the steering wheel and his muscular shoulders resting against the leather seat. Travis Campbell was all man - and then some. "Why do you ask?" queried Temple. "What did you have in mind?"
"Nothing in particular," drawled Travis. "I just wondered whether I might be invited in for a cup of coffee."
"Oh, did you now?" teased Temple. "And what makes you think that I would want to invite you into my house at this time of night? I mean, you could start to get ideas."
"And what sort of ideas might you be thinking of?"
"Well, you might have trouble controlling your urges." Temple feigned a look of horror. "You know what I mean, your masculine urges."
"Hold on now, missy," protested Travis. "It could be worse than that."
"Worse than that... Whatever can you mean?"
"Well, I might only want a cup of coffee."
"What!" Temple, forced herself into a corner against the passenger door. "Now that’s what I call an insult."
They laughed together and Temple slid across her seat to rest her hand on his thigh. She began to work her fingers against the muscle of his denim-clad thigh. Travis concentrated on the road and Temple grew bolder, stroking and squeezing his upper leg as the heat began to build inside her body. Her careless hand roamed higher up his thigh until a groan from Travis stilled her movements. He shifted position in his seat and Temple's hand rose to encounter his hardness. Her fingertips traced his erection almost to his belt before slowly returning to massage his inner thigh. She thought twice. What the hell. She twisted in her seat to use her right hand to retrace her path and stop at Travis’ belt buckle. The buckle came undone easily. The zip was a shade more difficult until he raised his hips. Freeing his erection took no time at all. Temple lowered her head and took the tip of Travis’s shaft into her mouth. She lifted her mouth away to tease him with the tip of her tongue before dipping her head to envelop his hardness. There wasn’t a lot of time and Travis was manfully staring at the road. Temple wrapped her fingers round his pulsing cock and pumped up and down. She dipped her head to join the plunging rhythm that was drawing sharp breaths from the recipient of her wicked mouth. The steady pace she kept left no time to for Travis to utter a word as she gorged herself on his thick cock, sucking hard and anxious to bring him to a climax. She didn’t have long to wait. Travis took his foot off the gas and his legs stiffened as Temple’s bobbing head drew him to an explosive finale. A long hiss escaped his gritted teeth as every last drop was extracted by Temple’s squeezing hand.
She sighed and raised her head before settling back into her seat. "Wow," she whispered. "You really did need that cup of coffee."
Travis smiled hugely and slowed the Mercedes to take the turn off the I-4 that would lead to Temple's house. The timing had been perfect. He booted the engine to bring on a burst of speed on the homeward straight. He was in need of getting somewhere fast. "Is this road getting longer?" he asked impatiently.
"What's the rush? Slow down," said Temple. "Coffee's hot and there’s plenty in the pot. It'll be nicely brewed by the time we get there."
"The coffee isn't all that's hot and ready," answered Travis. "I’m looking forward to a second cup."
"We can fix that," murmured Temple. "That’s if you think you’re ready for a second cup so soon."
"I think I can manage that," said Travis assuredly, glancing round to meet her mischievous smile.
Temple twisted in her seat and her hand went to his groin. She gasped at the stirring she felt. His zipper was still lowered and she tugged his hardening weapon from his trousers, stroking its length and squeezing it firmly. “You are full of surprises, Travis Campbell.”
“There’s a lot of time to make up for.” A smile as wide as Donald Duck's backside decorated his handsome features. “And I reckon I’ve got a lot to make up to you too.”
Temple continued her feather-light caresses of his suddenly erect manhood. “Oh, don’t worry, buster. I fully intend to collect. You just make sure the coffee pot isn’t empty.” With that she eased his throbbing member back inside his jeans and squirmed away from him. She didn’t want to waste Travis’ next ejaculation on a pad of tissues. She didn’t bother trying to zip him up.
Travis winked at the flushed beauty sitting next to him. “Like I said, I’ve got a lot of making up to do. I’ve only got to look at you and I want you. You’re one sexy chick, Temple Hart”
“Why, thank you, sir. You sure know how to pay a girl a compliment.”
Travis glanced at her. She was stunning. Her head was resting against the headrest with the cutest smile playing on her lips. She was everything a man could want. The day had turned out to be one of the best days he could remember. He had to think of something to keep it this way. He didn’t want to lose her. Travis coasted the white Mercedes into the driveway before bringing it to a halt in the shadow of the house. A light was blazing from a side window that caused Travis to frown in irritation and Temple to giggle at his discomfort.
"Looks like someone is still awake," said Travis gloomily.
"Looks like."
"Why so happy?" he asked at her flippant response. "Won't the coffee go cold?"
"Not if we have our coffee out here.” Her tone had taken on a throaty note that warned Travis she was not about to be disappointed. After all, he had already received relief from his frustration. Now it was Temple’s turn.
Travis turned to gaze at Temple as she nestled into her seat. It was the first real chance he had to look at her in the soft half-light of night since leaving Disney. She was extraordinary beautiful and incredibly sexy. He was well aware that Temple had been the centre of attention w
herever they had gone inside the Magic Kingdom. No doubt some people had thought she was a studio actress taking in the sights. Other people had recognized her face from the giant posters and television ads promoting the Hart Leisure complex. Temple had appeared not to notice the attention and had focused on Travis the whole time. He had been flattered and impressed that she could handle such interest with ease. Her blonde hair had crept round the sides of her face to spread loosely over her shoulders as she relaxed in the large seat like an elfin on an oversize mushroom chair. Her violet irises glittered like a jeweled fire around which a tantalizing will-o-the-wisp danced to the swirl of the pipes. Her mouth was slightly, seductively parted with a promise playing in her smile. The skin of her neck beckoned with the invitation to explore the satin heaven of breasts that were gently lifting beneath her green top. Travis was enraptured with her loveliness.
While Travis contemplated her china doll beauty, Temple took action. She reclined the back of her seat and slithered onto the spacious rear bench of the Mercedes. She said nothing but flashed a wicked look as she slipped out of her top and pushed off her footwear. She slid down the zipper on her jeans and eased them over her hips. In the time that Travis held his breath Temple was naked. She wriggled into the far corner of the seat with one bent leg raised on the leather cushion and the other stretched to the floor. She dropped a hand to the vee of her open legs. Very slowly Temple slid her fingers between the swollen lips before dipping her middle finger inside the soaking entrance. "It’s coffee time," she murmured.
Chapter Fourteen
Travis needed no second invitation. He hurriedly pulled at his clothing as he clambered into the back of the luxury automobile. Temple burst out laughing as Travis flopped into the rear footwell, fighting to remove his trainers with his jeans shoved down to his ankles.