by Jones, D. F.
“Make love to me.”
He chuckled. “I thought that’s what I was doing.”
She took another deep breath and said, “I’m serious. I want you to make love to me. You’re mine, Phillip Clayborn, all mine.”
Julia wet her lips and moaned.
It was too much. “I want to touch you, Julia.” He ran his hand between her jean-clad thighs.
Julia reached her arms around him. “I want you to touch me.”
Phillip kissed her gently and muttered against her lips. “You don’t have to be scared. Anytime you want to stop, just say the word.”
Julia’s wide-eyed innocence nearly undid him. She stood up and unzipped her pants and let them fall to the ground.
Phillip’s stomach did a somersault. He stepped in front of her and slowly unbuttoned her shirt, pausing in between to lean down and place kisses across the top of her breasts. Pushing the fabric off Julia’s shoulders, he let the shirt fall to the ground next to her jeans, leaving her standing in matching white lacey bra and panties.
His heart pounded as he kissed the top of her shoulders while rubbing his hands lightly up and down her arms.
Julia spun around and pressed her back next to the brick wall of his chest. Her head fell back against him, and he draped his arm around her waist. He reached up with his free hand, pulling the pins from her hair and shaking loose the soft curling strands to flow over her shoulders and down her back.
Turning to face him again, Julia stared at him with heavy lidded eyes and unclasped her bra. Her nipples hardened in the cool night air.
Phillip bent over and placed one in his mouth. He sucked and pulled on it before circling her nipple with his tongue. He knelt on the ground and rolled down her panties, sliding his fingers inside her warmth, and she released a loud moan of desire.
She twisted her fingers into his hair and moved restlessly under his ministrations.
Phillip picked her up again, and she circled her arms around his shoulders burying her face in the slight depression between his shoulder and neck. He laid her with care on the quilt, and Julia stared at him, barely blinking with her lips parted. She was so beautiful lying in the moonlight, so damn beautiful that he could’ve stared at her all night.
Phillip kissed her mouth slowly, savoring the feel of her full sweet lips, and then nuzzled into her neck before nibbling and tugging on her earlobe. He moved to kiss her shoulders while gently splaying his fingers across her chest, down her flat abdominals, and over her hips.
Phillip said, “Roll onto your stomach.”
“What?” she asked anxiously.
He nuzzled her neck and muttered, “Trust me?”
“Yes, I believe you. Phillip?” She looked at him nervously.
“Yes, my love?”
“I don’t know what I’m doing so I sure hope you do.” She giggled and rolled onto her stomach.
Phillip massaged her shoulders, the blades between her back, and placed kisses along the curve of her spine as her fingers gripped and twisted the quilt.
His hands roamed over her firm buttocks, and he traced his fingertips close to her valley of desire. He leaned in and slowly placed feather light kisses along her inner thigh to the back of her knee.
Julia turned abruptly and accidently kicked him in the head. She quickly cupped his face with her hands. “Oh, I’m sorry, I’m so sorry. Did I hurt you?”
Phillip reached to the back of his head and rubbed his scalp. “Just my feelings. I was trying to be romantic.”
“You were, or you are very romantic. But I have a terrible tickle bone, and I couldn’t stand it. Forgive me, please? And don’t stop. I just got tickled.”
Julia lay back on the quilt as he propped himself over her. “Oh, I’m not stopping. I want to see how much I can tickle you, sunny side up. I want to kiss you here.” Phillip firmly cupped her privates, and she closed her eyes.
Julia’s cheeks reddened in the moonlight. “People do that?”
He threw his head back and laughed, then leaned close to her face. “People do that, and they love it. May I?”
Julia let out a deep breath. “You may. Just don’t be surprised if I wiggle like a worm in hot ashes.”
Phillip moved between her legs, trailing kisses on her inner thighs. His intricate strokes aimed at her pleasure points. He deliberately took extra time caressing Julia, touching her face, looking into her eyes between each erogenous zone he targeted. His fingers stretched and trailed over every inch of her delicious body while kissing and tugging on her most tender areas. Her sweet face flushed while her hands clenched and released the quilt. Julia finally lost all inhibitions, yelling out with unbridled passion.
He moved back up across her body, and breathed her in. “I love you, Julie. Let’s elope, tonight. We’ll drive all night to Las Vegas.”
“Oh, Phillip, I’ve dreamed of my wedding day since I was a little girl. Besides, I want our families and friends with us.” Julia circled her arms around his neck and kissed him, making him crazy with the want of her.
Phillip kissed her again and released his grip on her thighs. He stood and removed his clothing. “It will be as you wish. Did you like what I did?”
Julia smiled and threw her arm over her forehead. “Oh, my goodness, I loved it.” She giggled and then she propped herself up on her elbows. Her eyes widened at the sight of his naked body. “Good grief, Phillip. Is it going to hurt much?”
He knelt beside her and held her hand. “I’ll never hurt you. Like I said, you tell me the word, and I’ll stop. But I’m pretty sure you’re ready.” Julia gushed with desire, and he would enter her as gently as possible.
He said, “There may be a moment of discomfort, but I promise things will get much better.”
Julia released a sigh. “I know. I read all about doing it for the first time. I’m not scared anymore, Phillip. Make love to me. What can I do to make it better?”
“Wrap your legs around my waist.” Julia did as he instructed, and he began to move inside her, slowly and shallowly back and forth stretching her to accommodate his width until he pushed past the barrier between them.
“Oh, Phillip.” Julia held him tightly as Phillip moved back and forth with a gentle rhythm.
Soon Julia began to move with him, and his strokes became bolder as she released moans of ecstasy. The building of their lovemaking was intense and incredible. More than he could’ve ever dreamed possible. Making love to Julia was the most exciting and memorable moment of his life. “Julie. I love you.”
Phillip rolled onto his back, out of breath, and Julia slid on top of him.
She bent over, placing kisses on his face, neck and upper chest. “Can we do it again with me on top?”
Phillip grinned and brushed his fingers along her jawline. “You’re my little vixen. Give me a minute, darling. We can do it all night long if that’s what you want.”
Julia leaned down and kissed him passionately. “Time doesn’t exist when I’m with you.”
* * *
Present Day, Burkett Falls
Julia read Phillip’s letter several times before eventually crying herself to sleep. She loved him with every fiber of her being. An invisible cord stretching across decades of time tethering her heart to his. An unbreakable cord.
Their love story transcended time.
She just knew he could feel it too. As Julia dozed somewhere between dreams, she saw Phillip in his bed, her eyes focused on him in the dim light. He saw her too, and simultaneously, they reached for each other, the tips of their fingers touched, before Phillip shimmered away.
* * *
The next morning, she dragged herself into the kitchen to the smell of Applewood bacon, scrambled eggs, and fresh coffee.
Andy handed her a cup and said, “Rough night?”
“Some of my dreams were the sweetest, but the others were nightmares. Breakfast smells good. What time are you leaving this morning?” She sipped on coffee, holding the cup with both hands as she sat in one of the kitchen
bar stools.
Andy loaded a plate with food and placed it for her on the kitchen bar counter. “Denise should be here any minute. I want you to meet her. She’s going to love you.” He moved to the stove to grab another plate and joined Julia at the bar.
“What does Denise do for a living?” Julia nibbled on a piece of bacon.
“She’s an accountant for a large firm and travels in the Southeast.” He ate several bites of bacon and eggs before washing it down with orange juice.
“Are you in love with Denise?”
“Ah, I guess I could fall in love with her. She is so sweet and kind. We like the same things, but I’m taking this one slow. Let’s just say, for now, Denise is a friend with benefits.” He waggled his brows. “I fell head over heels for the one who will remain nameless, and my heart couldn’t take another devastating disappointment.” After eating the last piece of bacon, Andy pushed the plate away.
“You can’t make Denise pay for someone else’s mistakes. It’s not fair to her or you. Give love another chance, because you never know when you’ll get another one.” She finished the rest of her breakfast, then helped Andy with the dishes.
He shoulder-bumped Julia and said, “Hey, I have a surprise for you. Follow me.”
Julia followed Andy out the back door to a detached garage. Opening a side door, he hit a button on the wall and the garage door opened. A vehicle covered with a tarp sat inside. Andy looked at Julia and gave her a wide grin, then removed the cover.
Julia gasped, and her hand flew to her mouth. “Oh, Andy, it’s my car. You have my car. I can’t believe it.”
Andy leaned against the garage work counter. “Phillip bought it at the Boatwright Estate sale. He had it remodeled and left a note on the importance of regular car maintenance. So, I take her out for a spin about every other week. Now, I’m giving her back to you. It’s yours. At least while you’re here.”
He reached into his back pocket and pulled out a small card. “I also made you a fake driver’s license. It’s a good one. I don’t think you’d have any problems with the local police, but you might with the state cops. So, try and follow the speed limits, and with any luck, you won’t need it. Just in case you do get pulled over, the registration and insurance information is in the glove box. You have to show all three if you do get pulled over.”
Andy handed her the fake license, and she turned it over in her hands. He said, “I printed off the driving directions to Sloane’s, the mall, and the grocery store, and left them in my office. That way you can start getting a good feel for living here.”
Reaching into his jacket, Andy pulled out a phone and gave it to Julia. “And I bought you a prepaid mobile phone and programmed my contact information, in case you need me while I’m away. I also left my numbers on sticky notes in my office. I want you to be happy here, Julia. I want you to think of my house as your home.
“Oh, you’ve made my day. I was so depressed this morning that I didn’t want to get out of bed. Thanks, Andy, you’re the best.” She reached up on tiptoes and kissed his cheek.
A red sports car pulled into the driveway, and a long-legged blonde stepped out. Denise smiled broadly, showing two dimples on each cheek, and she had freckles sprinkled across her nose. She wore black sunglasses, jeans, and a long sleeve red flannel shirt. “Hey, honey. I love the ride. That’s very retro.”
Denise stepped over and extended a handshake to Julia. “Hi, I’m Denise, and you must be Kaye. I’ve heard a lot of great things about you.”
Julia said, “Nice to meet you. It looks like you’re going to have great weather for your trip.”
Andy draped an arm around Denise’s shoulders. “Yup, looks like it. You ready to roll, juicy fruit?”
Denise circled her arm around his waist. “Ready.” She giggled, then turned to Julia and said, “Why don’t you come with us?”
Julia shook her head. “No, no, no. You two have fun. I have a lot on my to-do list this weekend. Number one is to take this baby for a spin.”
Minutes later, Julia waved at Andy and Denise as they backed out of the driveway. She was alone for the first time since she’d slipped down the rabbit hole. She wouldn’t dwell on the loneliness that filled her soul. She went inside with a plan to take a shower and then she’d drive to see Sloane.
* * *
Driving the convertible along the familiar scenic back roads, passing miles of lush mountain meadows with sweeping curves and white water rapids, grounded Julia and gave her a sense of peace.
Regardless of her seventy-year jump into the future, in her mind, it only been one week since she and Phillip made love. Only one week since Phillip proposed marriage.
It seemed like a lifetime ago.
Julia had memorized directions from Andy’s print-out. Only one more street and she’d arrive at Sloane’s place of residence. It was hard to wrap her brain around the fact that her vibrant and vivacious sister was eighty-seven, but at least she was still feisty.
Delores worked in a small office behind the glass at the retirement home and remembered Julia. She opened the sliding glass window at the check-in counter and smiled. “Ms. Davis is looking forward to seeing you this morning, Ms. Bailey.” Delores handed Julia the key fob and beeped her through the security door.
Sloane sat outside on the patio reading the paper and glanced up to watch a foursome tee off from the ninth hole when Julia arrived.
Julia leaned over and kissed Sloane’s cheek. “Wanna play a round?”
Placing the paper on the table, Sloane chuckled. “The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. Hey, you want a cup of coffee or tea?”
“Coffee, but I’ll get it.” Julia walked over to the baker’s rack next to the brick wall and poured a cup from the coffee service. Sitting down in the seat opposite Sloane, she said, “Andy gave me the keys to my convertible this morning. Did you know Phillip restored it? It drives like a dream.”
Sloane cast Julia a look with bright eyes and nodded in agreement. “Phillip was a good man. Have you made any progress on finding a way back home?”
Julia stirred the coffee with a swivel stick. “Andy’s helpful, and we found blueprints for a spaceship in one of Phillip’s journals, but it would cost millions to build. Oh, I did meet a colleague of Andy’s from the University. Ruben Callaway is working on some time travel theories. To be honest, I don’t think I’m going anywhere anytime soon. I think I’m stuck here for the foreseeable future.”
“You can move in here with me. We can spend whatever time I have left together.” Sloane held Julia’s hand.
Tears welled in Julia’s eyes, and she blinked them away. “I’m not supposed to be here visiting my baby sister in a home for the aging. It’s not right. I’m not meant to be living in 2017.”
Sloane let out a deep breath and leaned back in her chair. “Life is never what we think it’s supposed to be. Remember what we learned in church? It’s God’s will, not ours. Try to embrace the opportunity, and maybe you’ll find purpose here in this life.”
Julia closed her eyes and said a silent prayer asking for guidance and patience. “How did you get so smart?”
“I pay attention.” Sloane giggled, and for an instant, Julia heard the girl Sloane used to be.
With a grin, Julia asked, “Want to go shopping with me at the mall? Ride in my convertible like the old days?”
Sloane’s face lit up like a Christmas tree. “Do you think my mobile scooter would fit in the trunk?”
“There’s only one way to find out.”
Julia and Sloane spent the day shopping with a break for lunch, and during the afternoon they had manis and pedis. Sloane was spry for her age, and the motorized scooter had Julia practically sprinting most of the day.
In one of the boutiques, Julia tried on a summer dress, the color of lilac irises. The store clerk walked up and said, “That color looks spectacular with your hair.”
Julia turned and smiled. “Thank you.”
The store clerk’s eyes w
idened, and she gasped. “OMG! You look just like Julia Boatwright.”
Sloane giggled under her breath, and her shoulders moved up and down. “She gets that all the time. Kaye’s a distant relative.”
With a wide grin which made her jaws ache, Julia replied, “Thank you again for the compliment. I’ll take it.”
Sloane bought Julia tons of outfits, shoes, and matching accessories. She wouldn’t take no for an answer. “Look at it as your inheritance.”
Pulling back into Sunnyside Meadows, Sloane tilted her head toward Julia and with a quiver in her voice, she said, “You’ve given me a great gift today. If I go to meet my Maker tonight, just know I love you. You were the best big sister growing up. I’ve never forgotten, and today, you reminded me how much I had missed you.”
Tears flowed down their cheeks as Julia reached across the car and hugged Sloane. “I’ve missed you too.”
* * *
Entering Phillip’s house without Andy gave Julia a disconcerting feeling. Photos of his son and grandson peppered the walls, telling a story of Phillip’s life without her, while his letters cried out for Julia’s return.
Julia paused and stared at a larger photo of him that hung in the main living area. Phillip had been handsome as a young man, but with age, he seasoned into a fine wine that she longed to taste.
Shaking out of her reverie, Julia took her shopping bags and walked slowly down the hallway. Ruben would arrive soon to ask questions for his time travel study, and she needed to get dressed. She swiftly showered and readied herself for the evening.
Sloane had helped Julia pick out a long sleeve denim shirt that snapped up the front and hit low on the hips, and for a bit of fun, Julia added a gleaming silver concha belt. She mixed it up with a Southwestern skirt that had multi-colors of dark purple, blues, and orange in an A-line hitting at her ankles. She’d also bought a pair of dangling turquoise earrings.
When Julia had tried the outfit on in the store, Sloane’s eyes smiled with wrinkles creasing in the corners. “You remind me of the desert at sunset. Brooks used to take me to Arizona in the winter months.”