by Anita DeVito
“If you need any research done, I’m your woman.”
He gave her a soft smile. “I just might take you up on that offer. You’re beautiful. Jeb’s a very lucky man.” He leaned down and kissed her cheek.
“Clyde, I think of you as a brother, which means you need to think of Carolina as another sister. Get your hands off my wife.” Jeb pulled Carolina out of his arms and tucked her under his shoulder.
Tom shoved his hands in his pockets and looked Jeb in the eye. “Clyde, you should spend less time jawing with the boys and more time worshipping the goddess who married your sorry ass. I’m taking off. Congrats you two. Jeb, thanks again for the flight. Carolina, I’ll be back in a few days if you need me to kick his butt for you.”
“In your dreams. Call us and let us know how it goes.” Jeb stood with Carolina as Tom went into his wing, then he swung her into his arms and carried her off to their wing amid a wave of cheers from their guests.
She clutched onto him, waving as they passed their guests. “What are you doing, crazy man?”
He carried her into their wing and up the stairs to their private rooms. “Worshipping you. Just because he’s getting a PhD doesn’t mean all his ideas are nutty.”
She laughed, unable to contain the happy. She giggled as he manhandled her frothy dress through the doorway to their bedroom, and it was there she was awestruck. The simple, masculine room had been transformed into a lover’s sanctuary. The deep blue bedspread was gone and in its place was a white comforter sprinkled with rose petals. The bed glowed, enchanted by the bright sunlight that poured through the windows overlooking the fields. Champagne waited on ice, chocolate strawberries stood in line and white candles covered every surface, unlit. Norah Jones music played low and quiet, creating the feeling that everything said was secret.
“Katie did it. For you. A wedding present.”
She let out a very feminine sigh and pressed her hand to her heart.
He set her on her feet, shrugged his shoulders and let the jacket slide to the floor. “After she built you a rack, I thought she could have come up with something more creative than candles and flowers.” When she started to protest, he covered her mouth with his fingers. “Come away with me?”
“Anywhere. Everywhere.” Her arms circled his head, swaying to the music, and she melted into him and he into her. None of her fantasies came close to this single moment with this man. Giddy with happiness, she nipped his bottom lip. “Come to bed, Mr. McCormick.”
“Yes, ma’am,” he said, turning her to slowly undo the tiny pearl buttons that held her dress. “Did you know, Mrs. McCormick, that I never thought someone could love me, broken as I am? And the way I love you goes worlds beyond what I thought love could be?”
“Did you know, Mr. McCormick, that I love the way you love me, and I thought that was impossible?” Her body ensconced in white satin, Carolina climbed onto the bed and nestled into the rose petals. She opened her arms to her husband, the sun making his gray eyes predatory, sexy.
“Never.” He settled atop her, careful of his weight, and took his time, patiently, thoroughly kissing her. He lifted his head and glanced to the open window. “I’ll close it. There’s a hundred candles I can light and watch the shadows play over all that satin.”
She savored his touch and delighted in knowing he was hers to love, to cherish, to indulge. She wouldn’t hide. Never again.
She buried her hands in his shirt and pulled sharply. Buttons mixed with petals as she rolled on top of Jeb. “To hell with the shadows. I want to live in the sun.”
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About the Author
Anita DeVito is a Cleveland, Ohio, native who grew up on a diet of mysteries, rock-n-roll, and her nonna’s homemade pasta. By day, she works as a Civil Engineer unraveling the mysteries of water challenges, while by night, she applies her talents to the vexing question of “Who dunnit?” Visit Anita’s website at www.AnitaDeVitoWrites.com for more information on her fast-paced style of storytelling and to sign up for her news-less newsletter, Equinoxious. Start every season with short stories, games, puzzles, and some brain teasing fun. Anita lives with her husband, two sons, and two ornery dogs.
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