by Kris Calvert
It had been one year since we’d taken our vows for richer or poorer—for better or worse. I couldn’t decide if we were—better…or worse. I’d tried to do what my second father Ron always told me—keep an attitude of gratitude, but even my gratitude was wearing thin. True, I had a husband who loved me. I had money, my health, and the world at my fingertips. But Leo and I would always be on the run and living in the shadows as long as the Balivino and Marcello family were in existence.
The one absolute I knew to be true was if I wanted to change my life—my fate, no one was going to do it for me. I had to do it myself.
I leaned against the side of the shower, the glass cool beneath my fingertips. Closing my eyes, I promised myself in my next year of marriage, I would take the steps needed to alter my fate—to change the course of my destiny—our destiny. In my mind, I pictured us raising our family in New Orleans at Jackson House. It was where Leo grew up. It was where I knew he wanted to be and I was determined to make it happen. I only needed to put it out into the universe. Well, that and force the hand of fate.
Keeping my eyes closed, I visualized that exact life for us. Playing with our children on the lawn at Jackson House. The white room in the antebellum mansion on Third Street in the Garden District decorated as a nursery for our first born child—a baby that looked just like Leo. I took a deep breath and willed it into the cosmos. As God as my witness, I wasn’t staying on this damn yacht for the rest of my life. I’d spent most of my life hiding from one man—The Shadow. Now that I’d killed him myself, I didn’t want to hide anymore. I was willing to do whatever I needed to do to finish the job and take back my life.
I fluttered my eyes open, the water blurring my vision. There he was. Standing outside the glass staring in at me, wearing nothing but a sexy smile. His dark tan lines were accentuated by his paler but more spectacular private parts. Arms above his head, he leaned into the shower, showing off his Adonis-like body. Chiseled abs, slabs of perfect muscle everywhere, I stared at the deep V that led to my favorite part of Leonidas Xanthus.
He sighed. “My wife…”
“Yes?” I asked, slicking the wet hair away from my face.
“My wife is so beautiful. So smart. How did I ever get so lucky?”
His deep voice was a soothing and sexy melodic line that relaxed and excited me at the same time. It was a concert of sensual music for my soul, an erotic invitation. All he had to do was open his mouth and speak and I was his. And he knew it. I could be angry. Irritated. It didn’t matter. When he came at me with that look in his eye and particular tone in his voice, I was done. I was undone.
I didn’t respond, but turned to slide my hands above my head in surrender, plastering myself to the side of the shower wall.
Slipping into the waterfall, Leo soaped my body from behind with care, caressing my breasts, then working his way down. “I love your tiny little tan lines.” His voice was hoarse as he fingered the white marks along my hips. “It marks off all the places that are mine and mine alone.”
“I thought all of my places were yours and yours alone,” I murmured.
I turned into him, pulling at his dark, wet hair, now in ringlets around his shoulders, directing his mouth to mine. The heat from his body enveloped me as he wrapped his arms around my waist, dwarfing me inside his massive body. The water beat down on us, his tongue stroking my mouth as he pressed every hard inch of himself against me.
We’d been at sea for what seemed forever, but this…this never got old.
Pulling away, I stared at him—the beautiful rugged face I’d fallen in love with so quickly. The man who’d swept me off my feet, saved my life and gave me something to live for. He was my dream come true and I suddenly felt guilty for wanting more than what we already had. Tears pooled in my eyes, a sentimental lump formed in my throat and I found it hard to speak—hard to breathe.
Leo pulled me close, his lips pressed to my brow. “Aw, c’mon now. What is it, cher? Are you getting misty on me on our anniversary?”
I tucked my chin into his muscled and warm chest. His heartbeat strong, I felt safer in his arms, more loved and secure than anywhere ever in my lifetime. I knew in my very marrow Leo was my soulmate. “I just love you.”
Lifting my chin to meet his gaze he replied. “I love you too.”
His mouth covered mine. I twisted his long hair in my hands and pulled him closer. I loved the way he kissed me—as if he needed me—as if he craved me. His hands slid in his favorite direction, south, the soap gliding our bodies wherever we wanted with ease. I could feel the prod of him against my hip. His kiss deepened and I leaned in, pressing myself so tightly against his body even the water no longer came between us.
Reaching down, Leo cupped my bottom in his hand, lifting and squeezing as he deftly placed me exactly where he wanted. Moaning, I shifted my body, wrapping my legs around his hips, grabbing the top of the glass shower to brace myself. Claiming my mouth, he began to move in a precise and relentless tempo. Gasping against his lips, I let out a loud and uncontrollable moan, my hands a white-knuckled grip on the glass.
Drawing a sharp breath, I recovered. “Someone’s going to think you’re killing me and not making love to me.”
“Fuck ’em.” Leo nearly growled the words. “They’re all leaving in five days anyway.”
I began to laugh, then halted when he went deeper, moaned louder, pushed harder. “Come with me, cher.”
Quickening the pace, I felt the buildup spread through me like the tide pulling from shore just before the waves crash. Twisting my face, I fought the urge to scream. It was the kind of pleasure I was powerless to contain—to hold in or mask in any way. Shameless, I writhed against him, my thighs quivering, my body thrumming with pleasure.
A deep moan rumbled in Leo’s chest and his teeth ground as he made a rough sound of gratification. Raw and full of need, his neck arched, my name in a gasp from his lips. His body jerked and shuddered. Collapsing against me, we both fought for air.
I held on tight and pushed the dark, wet mat of hair from his face as he gently placed me back on my feet. In a silent afterglow, his lips rolled over my neck and shoulder as he began to soap my body. I did the same for him. I washed his hair, tenderly rinsing the lather from his silky mane as he kissed his way along my body. When we were finished, Leo turned off the water, taking a white towel from the warming rack monogrammed with an X, and dried my entire body from head to toe before wrapping me in a terry robe with a matching monogram.
Placing his large hands on my shoulders, he leaned in and kissed the frame of my ear before whispering in it. “I put a little something in your dressing room for you.”
“I thought we were cooking.”
“Not tonight, mon amour. I have something planned.”
I gave him a playful scowl in the mirror and shook my head. “First a present, which we weren’t going to do, and now this?”
Leo patted me on the butt and sent me on my way. “Best get going.”
I padded into my dressing room adjacent to the Master suite and found a red ball gown hanging from the top of the closet, cascading onto the floor. Tied to the hanger was a bow and an attached note. Standing on my toes, I managed to grasp the thick card between two fingers, bringing it down while admiring the beading of the strapless bodice.
If we were in New Orleans, I would’ve thrown you a black tie party to celebrate our first anniversary. Meet me on the deck at eight. I’ll be the one in the tuxedo.
I love you, Mrs. X.
I let out a heavy sigh and sat at my dressing table. I stared at my reflection and squeezed the excess water from my hair. The sunshine had only made my blonde tresses lighter, my skin darker. I looked like one of the L.A. girls I used to make fun of at Princeton. I ran a comb through my wet head and stared at my face in the mirror. Dabbing lotion onto my cheeks, I rubbed it into my skin daintily and quickly flossed my teeth before reaching for the blow dryer.
The Ferrari hair dryer Leo purchased for me meant
keeping my high maintenance hair time to a minimum. But since we never went anywhere or did much of anything, my hair mostly dried in the sea air outside.
The high-powered blow dryer whipped my blonde locks into a frenzy. Once dry, I quickly twirled it, placing it in a French twist. I knew Leo liked it that way. He always wanted quick access to my neck.
A little blush, mascara, and a swipe of red lipstick was all I needed with my tan skin. Standing, I took off the robe and allowed it to fall to the ground. Opening my lingerie drawer, I stared at the many beautiful lacy panties Leo had purchased for me in the past eighteen months. I closed the drawer and stepped away nude, taking the dress off the hanger and into my arms.
With a tug of the zipper, I slipped it over my head. Struggling to finish the job, I arched my back and reached over my shoulder, finally pulling the zipper to the top in an awkward hop. The Carolina Herrera silk dress was a perfect fit. Leo always got it right.
I slipped on a pair of tall, sparkly sandals and hurried to my jewelry box for the diamond and pearl earrings he’d given me. The dress didn’t need a necklace. The embellished top was dazzling enough all on its own.
Checking the time, it was eight on the nose. I breezed through the master bedroom, tripping on the polar bear skin rug and cursed before opening the bottom drawer of my desk to take out the small book I’d wrapped earlier in the day. Leo wasn’t the only one who had an anniversary surprise.
3
LEO
I adjusted the opal cufflinks on my stiffly starched shirt and gazed over the bow. Zakynthos dotted the skyline in the darkness—the water catching the light of the full moon. The captain had lifted anchor and we’d set sail for Italy. We’d be out to sea for a few days with nothing and no one to worry about except maybe a pirate or two. It wasn’t uncommon in these waters for thieves to try and take over luxury vessels, but we were well equipped and Captain Steve, an ex-Navy SEAL was ever on the lookout and always prepared.
“Wow. You look handsome. Got a hot date?”
Her voice rang out behind me and I turned to find Polly in the gown I’d shipped in. She was a vision in red, the crystals on the top glistening in the moonlight. We’d spent most of the past year and a half in bathing suits, shorts, tank tops or nothing at all. I clutched my chest in awe of her beauty. She was breathtaking.
“Aren’t you going to say anything?” she asked.
I shook my head and gasped, holding my hand firmly to my beating heart. “I don’t think there are words to describe how beautiful you are, mon amour.”
Polly blushed and looked to her feet as I made my way to her. Taking her face in my hands, I kissed her exposed neck, then claimed her mouth.
“Happy anniversary, Leo.”
I brushed the stray tendril blowing in the breeze from her temple. Staring into the face of my stunning wife, my chest tightened with sheer pride. She was exquisite in every way and my heart literally ached. “Happy anniversary, cher.”
Taking her by the hand, I led her inside to the main dining room where the staff had outdone themselves. The table set for two was covered in red roses to match her dress. The main steward was awaiting our arrival with champagne and a smile.
“Good evening and happy anniversary, Dr. and Mrs. X.
I took the two flutes from his silver tray and replied, still staring at the beauty that was my wife, “Thank you.”
“The chef has prepared a very special dinner for you this evening.”
I nodded, but couldn’t take my eyes off of Polly.
“Shall we start with the first course?”
“In a bit.” I handed Polly her champagne, still not giving the steward my attention. I couldn’t tear myself away from my gorgeous bride.
I kissed Polly’s hand, admiring how her engagement ring sparkled in the candlelight.
“You know,” Polly whispered, leaning into our laced fingers. “You could look at him when you’re speaking to him. He’s off the yacht in five days. You said it yourself.”
“Tonight cher, I’m powerless to see anything but you.” I watched Polly’s face flush and couldn’t hide my smile. “You’re blushing. Again.”
“No I’m not.”
I leaned in and stole another kiss, careful not to muss her lips. I’d save that for later. “You are. I adore that I can still flatter you.”
“I highly doubt you’ll ever lose your charm, Leo. It’s in your DNA.”
I caressed her fingertips with my own and watched her skin chill at my touch. Holding the champagne flute in the air she joined me. “I will love you until the stars go out and the tides no longer turn, mon amour.”
The crystal rang out as we touched glasses and sipped the Veuve Clicquot Yellowboam Ostrich Limited I’d handpicked for the occasion.
“Samesies.”
It was Polly’s response when she didn’t have the words to express how she felt, and it always made me smile. “Come sit.” I took her hand and led her to the couch. Terrible at keeping secrets for too long, I was anxious to see her anniversary present around her neck.
“What are you up to, Leo?”
“I want you to open your present, cher.”
“Now?” she asked. “You don’t want to wait until after dinner?”
I shook my head and looked away to search behind the oversized pillow where I’d hidden the jewelry box. When I came back to her, she had a small package wrapped in brown paper tied up with twine sitting in her lap.
“You’re not the only one who snuck away and bought an anniversary present,” she said with a wicked grin.
A smile erupted across my face. “You sneaky little minx.”
“Who goes first?”
“Ladies first. Always.”
I handed over the silver package. The six by six velvet box that held the million-dollar necklace was deceiving in size and looked oddly similar to the present in Polly’s lap. I watched her slip the red satin bow from the top and tear away at the paper until she reached the hinged box.
She stopped and looked up at me, her eyes twinkling in the glow of the candles lit around the room. “I’m afraid to open this.”
I stroked her arm, excited for her to see her gift. “Why?”
“Because I know you, and you…”
“I what?”
“You go overboard.”
I smiled, unable to stop myself. “You promised me, a year ago today that you’d love me forever—until death do us part. You promised me,” I said, taking her hands in mine. “That you’d accept fully and openly all the love I had to give you—and I have a lot. I’m never, and I mean never, going to stop telling you, showering you, worshiping you with love. You’re my wife, my love, my very soul. You’re my reason for being. There’s no measure on earth to show you or the world what you mean to me. And until the time comes that there’s such a measure that counts love—that shows what’s in my heart for you, then I’ll continue to show you in any way I can. Ways that are small and large. Things that cost money, and others that don’t cost a thing. Because you, Mrs. Xanthus, are my whole world and there’s nothing you can do about that. You’re stuck with me. And you’re stuck with my gifts.”
Tears pooled in her eyes and I knew I’d gotten to her. Polly tried to put up a tough girl front, but I knew her weakness. It was me. It was us.
Without another word, she opened the box. The thirteen diamonds caught the light from the candles illuminating her face as she let out a gasp. “Oh Leo!”
I sat in satisfaction as the tears welled again in her eyes and spilled onto her cheeks. “Come now, cher. No tears.”
“Leo, it’s t—”
“Don’t say it’s too much. You’ll hurt my feelings.”
Taking the box from her trembling hands, I unhooked the clasp and stood to place the diamonds where they belonged—around her neck.
She stroked the stones lovingly with her open palm as they lay perfectly against her delicate collarbone.
“There are twelve perfect teardrop diamonds—one
for each month of our first year.”
“And the center stone?” she asked, gently fingering the biggest diamond.
“It’s a three carat canary. It represents all our future years.” I whispered into her ear as I kissed her neck and squeezed her shoulders. I didn’t know who was filled with more joy in that moment, Polly or me. I was as thrilled to give it to her as she was to receive it. It was truly the first piece of jewelry I’d ever spent the time to pick out myself. Most men did that with the engagement ring, but since I proposed with my grandmother’s ring I didn’t have that experience. This was my moment. “I handpicked all the diamonds myself. Each one is perfect and exquisite—just like you.”
I sat down to admire the necklace on her body. It was stunning, but still paled in comparison to Polly. She was the true gem of my life.
“I’ve never had anything so perfect,” she whispered. “So elegant.”
“This is just the beginning, cher. We have many anniversaries ahead of us.”
I watched Polly swallow hard, one hand on her new necklace the other on the package in her lap. “This makes my gift seem small.”
Leaning in, I brushed my lips across her mouth, dipping my tongue in to meet hers for only a moment. “You are my gift. Every day of my life, cher.”
Pulling away, she bit down on her lip and handed me the brown paper package. “Happy anniversary, Dr. Xanthus.”
I tore through the string and paper like a kid on Christmas morning. The old, leather bound book gave me no indication at first as to what it was. Opening the cover, the spine cracked with age and I stared at the inscription.
On the occasion of our first wedding anniversary, I say thank you for being Perseus to my Andromeda. I love that you rescued me and I love you. Mrs. X.
“What?” I fanned through the pages written in Greek.
“It’s the story of Perseus—in Greek of course.”
I stopped and looked at her in bewildered amazement. I’d thought for sure she’d never remember me telling her the story of Perseus and Andromeda the night of our first date. She’d gotten a little tipsy and didn’t recall a lot of our first night together. “How did you—?”