Walker wiped beads of sweat from his forehead. “I thought we were starting over?”
Jeremy lifted his brow. “I’m all for new beginnings and closing the door on the past, Walker. You can’t deny Nicole’s health could take a turn without her purposely causing it to happen. One bad pregnancy could put her life at risk. Protect your family and take the money as a precaution, or give it to her to open another boutique.”
Walker messed his hair by fingering through the fresh cut layers. “You win. I will take the damn money if it gets you off my back.”
“Finally—I win a battle against you.” Jeremy checked his watch. “We have to get going or you will be late to your own wedding.”
Walker rolled his eyes, folding the envelope to fit safely in his pocket. “I’m ready to do this.”
*****
Nicole fanned her face feeling flushed and sick to the stomach. What was she doing? She questioned if she was emotionally stable to take on the role of wife and, one day, mother. Six months ago, she worried about finding a job to keep her head above water. The last two months she sat on the couch in the evenings, hand-stitching beads on her wedding dress, while Walker read descriptions of houses to her from the newspaper.
Life was moving too fast. Time was moving too fast. She checked her makeup in the mirror for imperfection, not finding any she didn’t dare touch her makeup and piss Curtis off. For a bank executive, he had an excellent eye for style and fashion.
Patty came in the small dressing room carrying two large boxes. “I have your veil and flowers.”
“Awesome, I was worried the flowers wouldn’t arrive on time. We have a few minutes before the ceremony starts.” Nicole switched to the floor length mirror to admire the gown. The full-length eggshell silk and beaded wedding dress clung to her shapely figure as she’d hoped it would.
“I have to admit, you look stunning, Nicole,” Patty said fixing sprigs of Baby’s Breath in her hair.
“I am pretty as a princess. I made this dress as a prototype for my bridal line I was going to launch when my brand took off. Since that didn’t happen, I altered the dress to be my wedding gown. I added beading to bodice, attached the silk train and red trim. This is the end product.”
“You are a princess today. I have to say your prince is very handsome also. I saw him in the hall with his face full of smiles. I’m so happy for you.”
“Patty, do you suppose I am rushing into marrying Walker?”
“My answer would be no since I’m a true believer of love at first sight. Look in the mirror, Nicole. Ask yourself if you love him. Does your heart yearn for him?”
Nicole looked into her own eyes staring back at her in the mirror, doing as Patty suggested. She answered yes to the love and a double yes to yearning for him. Her nerves instantly calmed and her racing heart returned to a normal beat.
Patty came up behind her looking over her shoulder. “Well, did you get your answer?”
Nicole’s eyes shifted to Patty. Her ginger-colored hair swirling with curls and delicate sprigs of Baby’s Breath flowed over her bare shoulders. She’d asked Patty to stand with her since she was her only friend and Walker had asked Jeremy.
“I did. I’m marrying the man I love and ain’t nothing gonna stop me,” she said laughing and twirling her finger in the air.
Patty wiggled her hips. “Go girl—go get your man!”
They shared a laugh as Curtis entered the room hurrying them along. “Clap, clap ladies; the big show is ready to begin in five, four three,” he said handing Nicole her bouquet of red and white roses.
Patty shuddered excitedly. “The next time we meet you will be Mrs. Nicole Albright. And as I make my toast to you, I will take full credit for bringing this union together.”
Curtis popped his fingers. “Un-huh and I will sit quiet and not spoil your glory for not finding a love for me.”
“All right, Curtis, I promise I’ll pay closer attention to the people I meet and find you a life partner.”
“You do that and remember I’m picky.”
Nicole affixed her veil, adjusting the brim of the lace to cover her eyes. “Curtis, don’t fret. There is someone for everyone and I’m a testimony to that.”
“Nicole, it’s not fair you are taking that hunk of a man off the market. You broke my heart; I’m a little resentful.”
Patty tapped her pointed-toed shoe. “Curtis…”
“I know I didn’t have a chance in hell with him—he isn’t gay. That tidbit doesn’t stop him from being whatever I want him to be in my dreams,” Curtis said snapping his fingers.
Nicole frowned. “I did not need to hear that. Anyhow, let’s go guys. I don’t want to keep Walker waiting.”
*****
The ceremony began with Walker and Jeremy entering the rotunda decorated in hues of soft red and white and flowers of the same color decorating the rows of gold tall-backed chairs. Sweat returned to Walkers forehead. The anticipation of seeing the woman he loved, his bride walk down the makeshift-aisle had his knees knocking.
The few friends Walker invited, sat in the gold chairs waiting for a first look at the unknown woman that’d stolen his heart. Nicole persuaded him to invite his closest friends to celebrate his wedding day. In the last row, Octavia Carpenter sat all alone.
He leaned over to Jeremy. “I gotta do something real quick.”
Jeremy turned to him. “Walker, the ceremony is about to start.”
“It won’t take but a second,” he said walking away.
He walked to the last row where Octavia sat. “Judge, will you come with me?”
“What is it, Walker.”
“Just come with me please,” he said extending his hand to her.
“Well, all right, she said taking his hand.”
He escorted her from the back row to the front to sit with his friends and some of Patty’s family members. “Sit here. It’s not right the mother of the bride is sitting in the back.”
Octavia hugged him. “Thank you, Walker. Thank you.”
Taking his place next to Jeremy, he fixed his tie. Jeremy whispered in his ear. “You are a class act, man. That was really nice of you to do that.”
“I’m doing my part to repair the wounds. Besides, my mother can’t be here, so there has to be one mother at this wedding.”
Missing from their courthouse ceremony, were bridesmaids and groomsmen. There wasn’t a cute flower girl wearing a frilly ankle length dress, dropping rose peddles nor was there a toddler ring bearer entertaining the guests as he danced around not paying attention to his mother directing him to stand still. Also missing was Leslie Albright. The depression she suffered following Mitch’s death forced Walker to put her in an institution. She had tried to commit suicide twice. The second attempt came close to being successful.
As the string quartet began to play, Air on a G String, Walker’s wobbly legs barely held his 175 pound frame.
Jeremy nudged him, whispering, “Breathe, before you pass out.”
“I’m freaking out, man.”
“Stop freaking out and focus on your lovely bride walking down the aisle. She’s gorgeous man.”
The grin breaking across his face as Nicole glided down the aisle to the music resonating from the acoustics the space offered, made it feel like a royal event. He couldn’t take his eyes off how elegant she looked in her dress with the train flowing behind her. The veil covered her eyes but left her trademark smile open for all to see.
He wanted to run between the rows of chairs and grab her in his arms. All his adult life, he waited for this to happen; for that special woman to come along and complete him. The music stopped as Nicole stood by his side taking his hand.
Her hand was warm but shaking. “My God, baby, you are fantasy come true,” he said lovingly.
She squeezed his hand. Walker, I was not looking for love but somehow you knew we were meant for each other. Your persistence turned me around to believe I deserved to be loved. Baby, I’m so honored you chose
me to be your wife.”
He choked on his emotions. No way was he going to cry in front of his friends and be teased about it later or worse have it on videotape. He kissed her hand and gathered his composure. “I’m the one that is blessed you agreed to have me as your husband.”
Judge Lassiter cleared his throat. “Shall we begin the ceremony?”
They nodded listening to the Judge and repeating after him the traditional wedding vows he recited. When it was over, Walker took Nicole into his arms to kiss her as if for the first time. Lowering his head, his lips captured hers giving a kiss that would set the platform for many more passionate kisses to come.
Walker released Nicole smiling wickedly. “I can’t wait until the honeymoon,” he said winking.
She replied draping her arms around his neck, “Mm, me either, baby.”
Shortly afterwards, Walker and Nicole appeared on the steps of the courthouse. Running through the shower of birdseeds raining down upon them, a chauffeur held the door open for them to enter the white limousine.
Inside the car, Walker immediately raised the privacy window. Brushing birdseeds from Walker’ hair, Nicole gleamed. “I can’t believe we got married! Walker, we are married. How outrageous is that!”
“Believe it, Mrs. Albright. From here on, it will only be the best for us, Nicole. I love you and will always love you.”
“Walker, I have never been so happy with life. I know I still have to work on many aspects of my life; one being my mother. With your help, I will be a good wife and a damn good mother to our children.”
“Just be you, Nicole. That’s all I’m asking.” He looked at his watch. “We have a few hours before the reception; want to go home and rest after we take pictures?”
She lifted her eyebrow and hesitated. “Okay, but we can’t be late to the reception.”
“We’ll be on time.” Walker popped the cork on the champagne bottle and filled one glass for them to take a sip. “To my beautiful wife; I love you.”
“To my handsome husband; I love you,” she said smiling.
*****
Walker stopped in front of the hotel door. He removed his wallet to peel off a couple of bills for the bellhop. “I’ll take it from,” he said patting the man on the back.
Nicole smiled inhaling the island’s aroma. “I can’t wait to try the food.”
Unlocking the door, Walker laughed. “Is that all you want to do is eat?”
Nicole slithered next to him running her hand up and down the front of his shirt. “Don’t be silly. Tonight is about my man and how we are going to make love in every corner of the bridal suite.”
“You vixen,” he said picking her up to carry her over the threshold.
*****
Candlelight, the soft mellow breezes flowing through the windows off the ocean made for the perfect the wedding night. Walker’s tall body filled the majority of the shower they shared. His chest directly in Nicole’s face, his erection brushing against her belly. The water from the shower slithered down his body creating a waterfall over his muscular frame. Nicole slid her tongue across her lips resisting the temptation to lick his skin and taste him.
Nicole pressed her hands against his chest, leaning into him, her mouth rested against the middle of his wet chest. Dragging her tongue against his hard chest, she took his nipple in her mouth. His nipple instantly hardened under the tender pressure of her lips closing around it. His head dipped back from the desire surging through his body.
Her head traveled lower to be face level with his erection. Taking him between her hands, she caressed him, admiring the anatomy of what made him unique and knowing no other woman would ever be this close to her man again. She let her tongue circle the head of his penis tasting the pre-love juices escaping him.
Walker couldn’t resist, and looked at what she was doing. The sight of her sliding him between her lips and closing her mouth around him was enough to drive him crazy. He groaned holding onto her shoulders for balance, the spasms threatening to make him lose control as she sucked him harder, deeper into her mouth.
He released a deeper guttural growl as her hand moved up and down his shaft in a slow motion. Bracing against the tiles of the shower, he thrust his hips forward moving her wet hair from against his thigh so he could see her face. He groaned when her hands squeezed his balls, sending sharp spasms down his spine.
He turned off the water and stepped out of the shower. Opening an extra-large bath towel, he began to dry every inch of Nicole’s body. Tossing the wet towel aside after dying himself, he led her to the bed.
The fresh air from the warm Bahama night gently swayed the flames on the candles. Walker kissed Nicole’s neck tasting the freshness of her skin. He held her head between his large hands devouring her mouth; his tongue explored with hers.
He stopped kissing her long enough to lay her on the bed. Nicole’s nude body glistened under the glow of the candle light. “You are so beautiful,” he whispered crawling on the bed.
Parting her smooth silky thighs, he settled between them. Kissing her stomach, he blew in the curve of her belly, and she inhaled deeply from his hands squeezing her breasts. He dragged his tongue up her body until he was feasting on her taunt nipples, sucking, alternating back and forth; refusing to neglect either breast.
Nicole bit her lower lip, urging him to move lower. He obliged by moving down until his head was at her pelvis. His tongue traced the V between her legs teasing the lips protecting the succulence that lay within.
His tongue found her clit to suck on gently until swollen and her thighs quivered against the sides of his head. Her audible moans announced the pleasure he was giving his bride. Lowering his tongue, he entered the gates of her womanhood, lapping the sweet juices flowing readily from her.
Her hands pushed at his head as she cried out his name. “Walker, I love you, baby.”
His tongue resumed the assault on her clit, rubbing the flat of his tongue against the most sensitive area. In seconds, her body shuddered causing her hands to pull at the wet strands of his hair. He moved up to cover her body and entered her. The feel of her inner walls flexing from the orgasm ripping through her drew his breath away.
He began a slow thrust, careful not to bury himself too deeply at once. Her tight vaginal muscles slowly gave way and let him have full entry, closing around his engorged penis. His mind wheeled from the feel of her smooth velvety slick skin against his bare member. He slowed his pace; he wanting to make it good for the both of them but memorable for her. If he thrust too hard he would release before he was ready, and he wasn’t ready to be done yet.
Nicole hips shifted to thrust against him, her body withering beneath him, urging him to bring them to an explosive orgasm together. Her hands circled around his broad shoulders, her fingers feathered down his back to his buttocks to draw him in deeper. Her legs circled around his waist encouraging him to go deeper and harder. “Baby, give it to me,” she whimpered.
He followed her command thrusting harder. Sweat formed on his brow, his arms shaking as he supported his weight. Groan after groan escaped his throat as he sank deeper inside her body. “Damn, baby, you feel so good to me.”
His balls tightened as he slammed into her slick tight cavity. Nicole cried out with his quick, penetrating thrust that lifted her from the bed as her orgasm rocked her soul. Walker bucked and released his seed deep inside her womb. Grunting his body dropped from under his weakened arms to collapse on top of her. Pressed chest-to-chest, their hearts, beat wildly and as one.
Nicole lifted his head to kiss his lips, tasting herself all over him. “I love you, Walker Albright.”
He rolled off her taking her hand and kissing her wedding ring gracing her slender finger. “I love you too, Nicole Albright.”
He closed his eyes as she snuggled close to his body using his shoulder as a pillow. Together they drifted into a deep, satisfying sleep.
Love
Yearning for Love Page 18