The Wedding Date

by Zrinka Jelic

  “This hit the spot. How about you?” Wax paper crinkled under Neri’s fingers as she crumbled the wrapper and walked to the nearby trashcan.

  He stared at her shiny hair, those thick locks bouncing on her full chest with every step she took. A truly stunning woman of classic beauty, and the way she embraced humor and goofiness, rather than posing for glamor shots and insisting her hair is just so before anyone sees her, made her irresistible. It amazed him that he found her in this world. He had never met anybody so genuinely kind, caring, honest, devoted and pure. And he’d be proud to be the one who could call her his girlfriend or wife. All he had to do was convince her to spend the rest of her days with him.

  She lowered next to him and he wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her onto his lap. “I could go for a dessert.”

  “Sure, something small.” She laced her fingers with his, resting over her shoulder. “Or I’ll split something with you. What did you have in mind?”

  “Love, what I had in mind is not small by any means and it’s all for you.” Her floral scent registered on his senses when he placed a slow kiss behind her ear.

  She drew in a broken breath. Her then face flushed a pretty shade of pink. She leaned into him. “Dessert sounds like just what the doctor ordered right now. What time are your parents expect us over for dinner?”

  Damn, he forgot about that. He pulled his phone from his cargo short’s pocket. Half past three flashed on his screen saver. “We should hurry back to my place. I’d like to take it nice and slow this time. Are you up for a challenge?”

  She pulled her lower lip between her teeth, and the way she stared at him, he could swear she was undressing him with her eyes. In a next moment, she bent over and took Tag’s leash, kissed Mark on his mouth, then bolted from his lap. “You’re on. Race ya.”

  “Hey! We just ate, you shouldn’t run,” he yelled after her, but disposed of his garbage in a hurry then caught up with her. He could easily pass her, but the way her buttocks bounced while she ran had him mesmerized. He slowed down, staying a few paces behind her.

  She jogged backwards, coming abreast with him. “What’s the matter? Can’t keep up? Faster.” Slapping his butt, she laughed and sped up.

  He’d show her faster. Kicking his feet harder, he gave her behind a firm squeeze as he passed her. Thank God, they were rounding the curb leading to his street. Forget slow and sensual, he wanted to take her against the wall right there in the hallway. He shucked his t-shirt off. Why not get a head start?

  At the foot of his driveway, he took her by her wrist and pulled her along. She panted next to him until he unlocked the front door and ushered her inside the foyer. He unclasped Tag’s leash from his collar, pointed at the open gate leading into the backyard. “Tag, protect the house.”

  The dog whined but obeyed all the same.

  Before she had the chance to kick off her sandals, he grabbed her around the waist and pressed her to the nearest wall. “You vixen.” His voice was gruff with passion that slammed into his groin. His mouth crushed hers and his free hand roamed over her torso, pulling down on the thin straps of her tank top, until it found the softness of her breast.

  “Oh, yesss,” she hissed, unzipping his fly and rubbing his hard cock in his boxer shorts.

  He tried to move, but invisible threads held him steady. She worked his pants and underwear down to his hips. He glided the zipper of her shorts and she shimmied out of them. Her hot pink thong panties didn’t leave much to imagination. Damnit, he would come faster than he wanted.

  He took in a long breath, calming the storm brewing inside him, then stepped away from her, kicking off his pants and boxers. “No, I said I wanted to take my time and that’s what we’ll do.”

  In a swooping motion, he draped her over his shoulder and took the stairs to his bedroom. With her on top, he dropped on the unmade bed they’d shared just last night. Now he would show her what the bed was meant for, and sleeping was the last thing he had in mind.

  She giggled as he glided her thong panties down, leaving the slow kisses on her skin. Soon, he’d have her panting and gasping for breath, and by the end, she would be screaming his name. He returned his attention to her lips, his tongue stroking, teeth nibbling her bottom lip. Molding his hand between her legs, he found her wet and hot. He slipped one finger inside, finding the spot, then continued to rub it until her moans turned deep and throaty.

  She reached for his cock, but he grabbed her wrist and placed her hand on her breast. He made circular motions over her nipple. That seemed to ignite her ecstasy to a new level and she squirmed under him.

  “Want me inside you now?” he murmured against her lips.

  “Let me do all the work this time.” Pressing her hand on his torso, she held him down and straddled him.

  “Turn around. I want to watch your ass bounce on top of me.”

  She hesitated for a moment and in one long, delicious move, she slid straight down his hard shaft, using her hand to slip him inside her.

  He sucked in his breath and grabbed her hips. Her body arched like a cat on a stretch. Once she had him deep inside her, she slowly rotated her hips. He timed his strokes to the pressing of her legs to his sides. His erection grew larger and harder.

  “Ah, Mark,” she panted. “Ah, yes. Oh, yes, f…”

  “Say it, love. I know you want to.” He stroked her ass, the crease where it bounced on his pelvis. So close to coming, he slowed down, fucking her gently until the sensation passed, then resumed with strong bursts of thrusts.

  She cried louder, “Ah-ah, I can’t hold it, fuck, Mark, I need to come. I can’t…”

  He held her firmly, restricting her movements. “Say it first, baby. Then you can come.”

  Her muscles closed in around his cock tighter. “Fu-fuc—fuck me hard.”

  “That’s my girl.” With one final push, he propelled his hips up and held her on top of him. A white light burst behind his closed lids and he dug his head into the pillow. His orgasm ripped through him as she rocked her pelvis and moaned then screamed his name, milking the last drop out of him.

  Finally, she slumped over him bending his cock still inside her. He reached around her waist and rubbed her clit, releasing the last shudder from her, then pulled her down, nestling her against him. The scent of their sweaty bodies and arousal filled the air.

  “You’re the greatest dessert chef.” She kissed his lips and buried her hands in his hair, pulling his face to her bosom.

  “This was just an appetizer.” He smiled. Wait till I prepare the main course for you. “Wish I didn’t promise my mom we’d come for dinner.”

  “I don’t mind these kinds of desserts.” Neri brushed her fingers over his stomach.

  “No? Good, I plan to serve them to you more often.” He tapped Neri’s ass. “Let’s get ready. I need to throw my hair into a man bun to freak out my dad. My mom likes to do cocktails before dinner. Oh, and I think she wants to ask you if you would play at her tea party in two weeks. Don’t feel obligated, it’s nothing important and it’s kind of a short notice. She won’t be offended if you decline.”

  Neri’s eyes widened. “Couldn’t you spring this on me earlier?”

  “Which one? The man bun or my mom’s request?” By her narrowed eye glare and tight lips, he concluded the later. “I’m sorry, it slipped my mind. I thought maybe it would be a good rehearsal before the wedding to try your set out on a bunch of stiff, middle aged ladies. If they like it, they’ll tell all their friends and before you know it, you’ll become the newest sensation.”

  “That’s exactly what I don’t want to become. I’m happy with teaching music to kids and not looking for fame and fortune like my cousin. After so many years, he’s still willing to play for free in some off chance that a big name agent would notice him and give him the break he’s been waiting for.” She shook her head, letting the mass of her hair sway around her pretty face. “That rarely happens.”

  “Love.” He smoothed her hair fro
m her neck. “At least give it a try, that’s all we really have, keep trying and it just may happen.”

  “But, Mark—”

  “You’re a good, no you’re a great, violinist, why are you hiding your talent from the world? Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone. It's at this edge where you find your inner strength, grit and determination. It's the birthplace of transformation.” Those were his dad’s words, and hearing them coming from his lips, they finally rang true.

  She expelled a long breath. “You’re right, I’m good, but many devalued my talent saying it won’t get me far. It’s a popularity contest and I’m not charismatic. People with no talent getting ahead just because they have friends who’d support them, and that’s what the record labels want, large following not the talent.”

  Mark nodded, she was right, the competition wasn’t only fierce, but unfair. With several gyms in close proximity to his, it had taken him hard work to get the establishment on its feet. In the beginning, he had to drop prices so low, he was practically giving memberships away, and the place stayed operational, but at least brought the new members in and money trickled. And during those months he would forgo his salary so that staff could get paid. “I know what you mean, just know I’m your number one, biggest fan forever, and I find you irresistibly charming. If you accept my mom’s offer, she’d love you forever. She loves you already, but she’ll love you even more. Plus, I’ll be there for moral support.”

  Neri’s face mellowed and she kissed his lips, then slipped out of the bed. “Now that you asked so nicely, how can I refuse? But don’t do it again.”

  “Do what?” He propped his head on his arm and relished watching her taut ass wiggle as she pulled a clean pair of panties over her round globes.

  “Commission me to perform.” She struggled with her bra clasps and sat on the edge of the bed. “Help me with this.”

  Instead of fastening her bra, he slipped the straps off her shoulders and cupped her breasts.

  She leaned into him. “Hey, won’t we be late? And you need to do up that man bun, remember?”

  “I never was big on cocktails, we can skip them. My man bun won’t take that long. And as I recall, you said I can play with these puppies anytime I wanted.” He scooped her hair to the side. The creamy skin on her neck beckoned him to kiss her senseless as she was meant to be loved. Tomorrow they would go back to their lives and all the magic of their weekend together could diminish. Now Mark understood her reasoning behind no promises, they could be forgotten under his work demands. If he wasn’t allowed to pledge her anything, that didn’t prevent him from vowing to himself that he’d find the way to feed the spark until it bloomed into a raging fire of love.

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  Mark pulled up into the parking lot of Get Fit gym. Neri plopped her purse onto her lap. She rummaged for her car keys. In truth, she was hiding her face as tears prickled her eyes and if she looked at him, she would lose what little composure she held onto. Her chest squeezed and so did her throat. They were about to part and she may not see him until his mother’s tea party. Their weekend together was something she would relive in her head. The soreness between her legs would remind her of two wildest days of her life. Oh, the man could give pleasure and drive her inner sexual appetite. He made her come over and over again.

  “See you at cross fit? You’re bringing music, right?”

  His question pulled her away from her misery. Shoot, the music. She reached for her iPod in her purse, scrolled through the library and found the playlist she’d compiled. Setting the list on shuffle, she passed the small device to him. “In case I don’t make it, just hit play.”

  “Dave cleared you of any imminent danger and I’ll go easy on you, do the low weights and impact.” Mark took the iPod from her hand.

  “No, he said to keep the exertion levels moderate, and I think we exceeded them last night and first thing this morning.” The wink and wicked smile he gave her sent her into a fit of giggles. “I have to check my schedule. The music school said they’d slot the lessons I missed on Saturday over the week, so I may have to work longer today. I’ll try to catch Virginia’s yoga class.” She faced the window. Confusion disabled any coherent thought. Why did she have a hard time believing he could be genuine, even after he’d proved it to her time and again? Her ex had done the same in the beginning of the relationship, when fuzzy feelings turned her brain into a mush. She’d believed anything he’d told her. All it took was but a moment for their lives to change.

  Mark clasped her hand. “Look at me, love.”

  His soft tone pulled on her heartstrings and she swallowed the lump in her throat, then faced him.

  “Stay with me tonight?” His voice was barely above a whisper.

  After two days of making love to her in every imaginable position, he still wanted her. Her? A chub who could barely run a flight of stairs without getting all winded. She shook her head. “I don’t know. I’ve got things to do at home and—”

  “Do it for Tag. I never saw him as miserable as this morning when we were leaving.”

  The picture of the moping dog squeezed her chest. How would she stay away from them? In truth, she didn’t have anything to do at home, but watch silly YouTube videos. Knowing she’d guard her heart and not let him in so he couldn’t rip it out, she caved in again. “He did look miserable. I’ll do it for Tag as long as you don’t expect me to have a dinner on the table.”

  “I’m bringing the dinner. Chinese?” He flashed his pearly whites as he smiled.

  Oh, that smile melted her insides. She was powerless against him. “Takeout? In that case, it’s my treat. You’ve been such gracious host, let me make it up to you.”

  He brushed his index finger down her cheek and below her chin. “No making up required. You gave me something no money can buy.”

  No friggin’ way. A new first for her. Mark didn’t appear as if he was hurting for cash. Then neither had her ex, yet the oaf had insisted they split all the bills equally so that their love could be equal, even though she hadn’t eaten or used any of the stuff he had. What bull she’d fallen for, but she was in love. No, if her past had taught her anything it was that the rich fought over finances more so than the poor. Well, one couldn’t fight over something one didn’t have. “You sound like a commercial, you know the ones advertising a credit card. Still, I feel like I should contribute. The last thing I want is for money to get between us. Those fights are the worst.”

  He snapped his head toward her, his eyes took on an intense look.

  Oops, perhaps she said too much. Better get out of here before she blurted more stupid shit about her past. She opened the passenger’s door, but he caressed her elbow before she could get out of the car.

  “You don’t get to leave without a kiss. Remember? We made the deal. I don’t make any promises and we don’t leave things unresolved. Something’s bugging you. I can tell.”

  Damn, he’s good. No way he would buy her faking that everything was hunky dory, so she’d just have to be honest. “It’s nothing. Just that my doubts and insecurities get the best of me and I—don’t mind me, as I said, it’s nothing, really.”

  “Come here.” He wrapped her in a hug and pulled her closer. “Never doubt if I want to see you, got that? I want to be with you all the time. You’re welcome at my place any day.” His kiss on the top of her head instilled her with warmth spreading down to her toes. “If you want to buy a dinner, then by all means, go for it, but don’t ever feel obligated to make up to me for something. Money will not come between us, I hope I can at least promise you that much. Well now, since you’re getting the food, make sure you get shrimp mein feng, my favorite.”

  I love you. She kissed his lips.

  He lightly pressed his forehead to hers. “I hate to let you go, I miss you already.”

  “Me too,” she whispered. If he popped the question right now, she would blurt yes, despite her opposition to the traditional marriage. She’d take him in any co
ndition and under any circumstance. What had he done to her? Never before had a man influenced her this much. It could be just a plain old infatuation that would wear off in time, but time was what she didn’t have.

  “Go now before I throw the car into drive and bolt out of here straight back to my place.” He leaned closer and whispered, “Then you’d be in trouble.”

  Great idea. Do it.

  Instead, he cut the engine and pulled the keys out of the ignition. “Wish I could, but...”

  “That thing called work, I know. I’m less than five minutes down the road. Text me if you want to meet for lunch.” Her hand instantly smoothed a few strands of his curly, black hair that fell to his forehead. A picture of him wearing a man bun at the dinner last night just to freak out his dad tugged on the corners of her mouth. Though his father must be used to his son’s antics, the older version of Mark couldn’t stop shaking his head in disapproval and kept calling him Toshiro. “You think we fooled your parents into believing we’re a real couple?”

  “We didn’t have to fool them, we are a real couple.” He opened the driver’s side door and slipped out. The hatch popped up, and he took her bags out. “Let me put these in your trunk.”

  Neri blinked fast, chasing away the gloom setting over her. Yes, they were a real couple, at the moment, and the moment could be fleeting.

  A young guy slipped through the gym’s door, a baby in his arms. The man bounced the boy and blew raspberries on the child’s exposed belly sending him into giggles.

  The scene transfixed her and stilled her heart.

  “Hey, Mark,” the man called out, approaching his parked car.