by Sasha Combs
“Well, you don’t have to worry about me, because I’m never getting married. You’re living proof that marriage doesn’t work.”
“You’re wrong Precious.”
“Hmph.” she grunted. “You’re one to talk. Hamilton, you’re divorced. You can’t forget that.”
“There were extenuating circumstances. I thought I explained that to you.”
“Yeah... You married a crazy woman who once was married to a drunk. They had a wonderful daughter and you were sucked into their awful world.”
He smiled, then said...
“That about sums it up.”
“Yeah... And it proves my point. Actually it proves two points. Will and Bobby’s marriage failed. Then Bobby and your marriage failed. Two marriages down the tubes.”
“Precious the only way that I can persuade you that you’re wrong... You would have to marry me. Then you would see that marriage isn’t all that bad. You just have to be with the right person.”
“After being married to Bobby, how can you still believe in marriage?”
“I can say that because I was never in love with Bobby.”
“That isn’t any proof.”
“It is for me.”
“Hamilton...”
She felt his arms tighten around her waist. He pressed his lips along the nape of her neck. She could feel the throbbing of his sex, as it pulsated near her rump. He was aroused and his stirring fire was awakening her desire. His hand rose to her chest, kneading her breast. She loved the way he payed special attention to her body. Precious could stay wrapped in his arms forever; leaving her cares outside, beyond the trees and the forest.
When he lifted his head, his voice sounded low and husky.
“Precious... Do you even know how much you mean to me?”
She was quiet, then she said...
“Hamilton, I...” she couldn’t find the words. She knew... Or at least, she thought she knew. Hamilton said...
“Precious, I’m in love with you.”
He waited for her to say something and when she didn’t he said...
“You asked me... How I could still believe in marriage... That’s an easy question with an easy answer. Marriage can be a wonderful thing if you’re with a person that you love. I know that now. When I’m with you, I never want to be away from you. That’s the way married couples should feel. I feel that Precious. I have those kind of feelings whenever you’re near me. I’ve had these feelings for a long time. Sometimes, I would travel to Michigan for no other reason than to see you. To be near you.”
She didn’t know what to say after hearing this. She’d been fooling around earlier. Precious had not expected him to take her so seriously; but he had.
He said...
“Look... I don’t expect you to say anything. I just wanted you to know.”
He kissed her neck again, then he said...
“Sleep. It’s late.”
He held her tight, until her breathing was even and he was assured that she’d fallen asleep. Hamilton didn’t know where this relationship would take them, but he knew that he didn’t want her to leave him. He didn’t want her to return to Michigan. From the moment he’d been notified to contact Precious about the reality TV show; his concern had never been about the program. Hamilton had been worried about Precious; even now, he no longer cared if she chose not to return. But he did have one worry. He couldn’t imagine his life apart from her. While fixing her reputation; he had to devise a way to fix her. Precious had a warped understanding of marriage and relationships. She saw a woman’s role as being black and white and nothing in between. He had to get her to see that a life with him would be different. He had to make her want to be with him.
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Chapter 8
Roses are red, Violets are blue, I don’t believe in marriage and neither should you
Now, with Precious knowing about his ex-wife Bobby, he avoided any subjects dealing with marriage. All things considered, he was relieved that she knew, but he would have preferred being the messenger. Precious had her own views concerning marriage and no amount of talking would influence her opinion. It had not taken him long to recognize the stubborn streak in her character. When her stance was set on a particular position, she failed to see the obvious, and Hamilton grappled with how best to make her see reason. Everyone person is entitled to have their own opinion, but certain aspects should never be viewed from a single point of view. As a person who had experienced marriage, Hamilton could bear witness to this. Sometimes life’s punchlines aren’t the entire story and it’s the gray areas where the truth is found. But Precious didn’t subscribed to this theory. For this reason, Hamilton couldn’t use front door approaches. He would have to come at her from an angle that would take her by surprise. While pointing out the gaping holes in her logic, he would have to avoid tipping his hand. He would have to start by using other methods of persuasion to point her in the right direction. Hamilton would need to nudge her, using parts of his body to aid her on her way.
Over the last few days, in their free time and when and if he wasn’t busy working. Hamilton made love to Precious, using moves once thought impossible. The man was a walking Kama Sutra Encyclopedia. He wooed her. Flattered her; not being insincere or phony. In every compliment, Precious sensed the truth behind his gestures. His honesty alone was a powerful love potion.
Hamilton had no doubts that they belonged together. They made a perfect fit, and each day his actions demonstrated this. He never said anything using words, or blaring hints. He expressed himself in ways that made her know they were two peas in a pod. While he did these things. As he showed her how much he longed for her. Hamilton romanced her because he wanted Precious to see them through his eyes.
From the moment he kissed her, then made love to her for the first time. His priorities had shifted. This trip wasn’t about saving her reputation for the shows sake; although, he would still see to it that the damage be repaired. When the revelation hit him, the uncanny feeling took root without him bothering to question it. Hamilton had decided in that instant. He wanted Precious in his life, and he would accept nothing less, than having her as his wife.
Precious snipped a rose. She smelled it first, before laying it in the basket with her other treasures. That morning, after eating breakfast with Hamilton, she promised him a meal he would never forget. After breaking his phone, Hamilton had to remedy the problem. They drove into town, stopping at the general store to pick up another one. As he’d warned her; the service provider in that area wasn’t one of the better ones but the store owner told him the best times to use the phone. Before leaving town, Hamilton used the phone at the general store. He didn’t want to risk not being able to update Audrey if the mobile phone worked as poorly as he’d been told. He also found out how Bobby obtained his cellphone number. His ex-wife had stopped by his office; making one of her unannounced visits. She coached an unsuspecting Sammy, to lure Audrey into Hamilton’s office. Bobby told his stepdaughter that Hamilton had bought her a new ereader and the pad had been preloaded with all of her favorite books. The entire story had been an utter lie and Sammy knew nothing about the veil of darkness that draped her mothers deception. While Audrey and Sammy searched for the nonexistent devise; Bobbie combed through Audrey’s desk and purse, stealing her mobile phone. By the time Audrey realized what had occurred, she immediately phoned Hamilton but his phone had already been broken by Precious. So, there had been no way to warn him.
As she recalled the past days events, her next thoughts concerned her new found closeness to Hamilton. It had taken a sticky smoothie to bring them together. Had that not happened; Precious would have gone on with her summer travel plans as scheduled. She stood, admiring lush green grass and towering leaf filled trees. She drew her shirt close. The weather was overcast and windy. She could hear rustling footfalls, approaching from the rear. She didn’t bother to turn, and seconds later she was being drawn into Hamilton’s arms.
�
�Mmmmm.” He said, with his lips pressed into her ears. He nipped her lower lobe with his teeth, then dipped his tongue in her ear. Precious found herself giggling, and the joyous emotion spilled over in her.
“You smell good.” He said. “I love seeing you outdoors enjoying the surroundings.”
“It isn’t so bad.” She shrugged. “Who knew? I kinda like it up here.”
He turned her around to face him. With his arms hugging her close; Hamilton lowered his head to kiss her. Man... She loved the way he worked his mouth. Every time he did this to her, Precious would feel whitewashed. Everything that she once thought she knew and believed about relationships and marriage; Hamilton’s kisses would cover it all up. Her mind would go blank and while they kissed, nothing else seemed to matter. It would take hours for sanity to regain its foothold. Allowing her to see life as she viewed it.
He pulled back from their shared kiss, but he kept his hold. His words were a mix of sex and rugged desire.
“I’m done for the day. Can I tempt you to share a shower with me?”
This was one of his usual ploys. Get dirty, then beg her to shower with him. In the end, after their body’s were clean, they would end up making love. She didn’t mind the sex because intercourse wasn’t just an action for them. Their expressions of passion held a deeper meaning. But their day in and day out lovemaking was beginning to take its toll. The lips of her vagina were swollen, and her inner walls were practically raw. Hamilton’s generous package had beaten her to a pulp. The man was more than well endowed and everyday sex had cooked her goose days ago. Apart from that, each day he touched her, pulling her into his arms; Precious found herself unable to resist him.
She lifted up on tiptoes, pressing her lips with his. He held her tight; lifting her feet off the ground. Their tongues took hold; dueling and touching sensitive spots that made them each moan. When she finally gained enough strength to pull back, it had been his eyes that captured her. Those beautiful gray eyes. He stared right through her. Already her clit was tingling, nearing an orgasm by default. He had not even touched that part of her body, and already her panties were wet with cum.
But she couldn’t keep doing this to herself. She needed to rest parts of her body for their night time lovemaking. At least then, she would have given her body more time to recover.
“Hamilton...” she edged. “I think I’d better decline your offer.”
He frowned saying...
“Too much, huh.” She smiled, while nodding. Hamilton already knew about her swollen labia because he’d gone down on her that morning after waking. But her puffy lips had been to irresistible to pass up. He’d sucked the area tenderly. Using his fingers to move and manipulate her clit. He smiled, then said...
“All right. You stay out here, while I go take my shower.”
He lowered her back to earth. Precious picked up her basket, deciding that she was done.
“I’ll go inside with you. I need to start marinading those steaks.”
“Will there be baked potatoes to go with that meal?”
“Yes,... And a spinach salad. I’m also making my homemade salad dressing.”
“My... You’re just a regular gourmet.”
“And honey...that’s just the tip of my iceberg.”
He smiled at her, while thinking, she’d given him the perfect segue to steer the conversation in another direction. If he wanted to, now was an excellent time to talk about marriage and its hidden layers of multifaceted secrets. But Hamilton had a plan and he would stick to it.
As they walked inside of the house, she went into the kitchen, while he padded off down the hall to take his shower. He cleaned up quick, not wanting to be away from her. When he returned, he found her setting the table, and preparing the salad. She shooed him from the kitchen and he readily obeyed.
They were eating their dinner, when Precious lay down her fork, placing the utensil on the side of her plate. She asked.
“Did you call Sammy yet?”
He swallowed a forkful, then nodded while saying...
“I called her when we went into town. I didn’t want to risk the possibility of poor reception when we returned to the house.”
“I hope she’s okay.”
He smiled, grateful that she cared.
“Yeah... Sam’s fine. She’s a resilient kid. But with parents like hers; Sammy has to be strong.”
“I hope she still isn’t angry that you forgot to call her.”
“She was slightly miffed but that crying that you heard. Her tears were due to Bobby. Sam was upset when she realized that her mother had lied about the ereader. And a few other things concerning me. Her mother told her that I’d found a blond substitute to replace her. She told Sam that I was off vacationing with my newest plaything. Man... That Bobby really knows how to push Sam’s buttons.” He frowned while saying... “Before I got off the phone, I cleared everything up. I told her, this summer we might not get to spend any time together.”
“Are you sure that’s a good idea? You two seem to be very close. Maybe you should return to LA to check on her. Just to be sure that she’s all right.”
He touched her face, while saying...
“I could never leave you Precious. Don’t worry. I told Sam that I’ll make it up to her.”
“Maybe Sam can come here.”
“No... That’s not possible. I’ve never brought her here and I never will. I bought this place for those times when I want to get away from the craziness in my life. You’re the first person that I’ve ever brought here as a guest. Only a few people know about this house. I’ve always wanted to bring Sam here but as a way to protect her from her mom; I’ve never told her about it. I know Sammy would never intentionally tell her mom about my hideaway but Bobby gets what Bobby wants. She would have no compunction about deceiving her daughter. Even if she had to drug her own kid, to weasel the information out of her. I wouldn’t put it pass her, and I would never put that kind of pressure on Sammy.”
He could see how concerned she was, so he said...
“Don’t worry about this Precious. I told you what Audrey said. Just a little longer sweetheart.”
After talking to Audrey, Hamilton learned that his PR team had all hands on board. With those odds, Milt was sure to see results soon. Or so, he’d been told.
Precious chewed on her lower lip, unsure that Hamilton was doing right by Sam. She didn’t want to come between Hamilton and his stepdaughter. She rose from her seat, lifting her plate to clear the table. As she passed him, Hamilton reached out, taking hold of her arm. He pulled her to sit on his lap. He placed her plate on the table; stacking it on top of his.
With his finger, he guided her face to look at him. Then his warm lips pressed firmly on hers. He drew back then said...
“I love you Precious. Right now, you’re the most important person in my life. Don’t worry about Sam. I love her too but, right now... She doesn’t need me as much as you do.”
He kissed her again. While seated on his lap, she could feel his mounting desire. His fingers weaved in with locks of her hair; steadying her head as he deepened their kiss. Precious wrapped her arms around his neck; allowing her body to succumb to his advances. She wanted to make love to him, right there on the kitchen table. She didn’t want any part of her body to wait. When he drew back from her, his eyes were heavy with longing. Hamilton heaved in a breath of air, while debating what to do next. In his glare, he traced the gliding outline of her face. He counted her heart rate while staring at her carotid artery. The slope of her neck down to her shoulders; this recess had become his private seclusion. The place where he caressed and rested his head. To him, her shoulder possessed its own eroticism. As he looked at her...studied her. Hamilton wanted to ravish her completely, but he held back. His mind drifted to the way she’d responded to him earlier. Since their first time together; their had been no lulls and their sex life rivaled a pair of bunnies. He lifted her from his lap, then he rose; standing beside her. His hand lay on
her lower back, while he slipped between her and the counter. He said...
“I’ll wash and rinse... You dry.”
He faced the sink, busying himself with his chore. But before he’d turned on the water; Hamilton had noticed her dumbstruck expression when he’d said this. In spite of that, he hoped Precious had missed the bulging outline in his pants. He amazed himself. He didn’t allow her astonishment to dissuade him. As much as he wanted to make hunger passionate love to her; he didn’t dare. Not tonight. She needed a break from him. He wanted to give her body a chance to heal and recover. Then... Then he would make love to her. Slow and tender at first. Allowing his passion to build. If his mind got lost in his lovemaking; he would give her every inch of himself. All that she could handle. Then he would give her more. Dear God, he loved this woman. He just had to make her see... Being with him would be better than being alone. Better than being without him. His hold on her was fragile and he had a strong intuition that told him; if he left her, or allowed her to leave him... He might not see her again. He didn’t even want to consider that as a possibility. As he washed and rinsed the dishes; he told himself to think about the here and now. He would think about tonight and how he would hold her in his arms, until she fell asleep. He would hold her even longer, if she’d let him. He would let tomorrow take care of itself. As long as they had tonight; their future still stood a chance.
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Chapter 9
O Lordy be. Now it’s week three.
Precious was in her bedroom, stepping out of her robe. She felt like a fool, asking Hamilton to take her away from this place. While out in the garden, she’d been innocently picking flowers to decorate the kitchen table. This had been her ritual, after doing it the first time. The flowers scented the house with its bouquet of wonderful aromas. When she reached low to snip the stem closest to the ground; instead of feeling the flowers long stalk. A lengthy green snake, curled around her wrist like a bangle bracelet. Needless to say, Precious ran in circles; screaming like a howling banshee. Hamilton had not been around to disentangle her from the slithering creature. He’d been out on the lake, fishing for their nights dinner. When he returned to the house, he found Precious indoors with chairs barricading the front door. After persuading her to remove the couch, end tables and only God knew what else. When he finally got inside of the house, she blasted him for not being there to help her. Precious was screaming at the top of her lungs. She went into her room; throwing clothes and toiletries in a suitcase. As she put one item in, working at a frantic pace; Hamilton would remove it, all the while, attempting to calm her down. When she realized that he was impeding her progress; she stomped her foot, insisting that he leave her room that instant. That had been hours ago, and still she, secluded herself. She removed her clothes because the thought of the snake twisting itself up the length of her arm. She could still feel its warm slithering advance. Precious had peeled out of her clothes; throwing them in the back of the closet. She sat in the chair, with her feet off the floor, knees bent; tucked neatly against her body. After a while she reached for her robe. Now...she wanted to put on some clothes. She stood in front of the closet with only her bra and panties on.