Following The Light (Out of the Dark Book 3)

by Arlene Gonzales

  I stand up to give her a hug. “Thank you, Mama.”

  Until Ms. Miller comes in to inform us that dinner is ready, we don’t realize just how long we have been planning the wedding. Everyone walks into the dining room.

  I head upstairs to check on Aiden. I quietly walk in and see that he is still sound asleep. Standing there, I move a strand of hair from his face. I take a deep breath in and let it out with a sigh. Exiting the room, I close the door behind me.

  Halfway down the stairs, Shannon is waiting for me. “Hey, you wanna talk? We’ve hardly had any alone time. I know you are really missing your mom, dad, and Erik right now.”

  “Seeing their names on the invitation earlier hit me hard. My dad isn’t here to walk me down the aisle. Mom is supposed to help me pick out my wedding dress. She’s not here to help me get dressed on the big day. Erik isn’t going to be here to dance with me, or give me advice that only he would be able to give me. I grew up thinking of this day. Mom and I talked about it so many times. She would always say that she knew I’d make a beautiful bride. Now she isn’t here to see me.” Both Shannon and I are in tears. We embrace for a minute. I pull back, wiping my eyes. “Oh god, look at us. A couple of babies who have been on the verge of crying all day.”

  “No one is going to hold this against you. It’s okay that you miss them, especially now. Hey, why don’t we spend one day alone, just the two of us, before we leave for Italy?”

  We agree to set aside one day before we depart next weekend. When we walk into the dining room, Johnny asks, “Is everything all right?”

  I smile and tell him, “Everything is good.”

  This time we have rigatoni and meatballs. As we finish our meal, Mama talks about how Ms. Miller is a really great cook. Then she asks if maybe one night for dinner she would make us an America meal. “I’ll let her know, Mama.”

  Shannon and Johnny say their goodnights to everyone. Papa and Mama hug and kiss him just like they haven’t seen him in years, even though it has only been around two months. I can see the love they have for their children. After everyone walks up to their rooms, I go into the kitchen. Irene is cleaning everything from dinner. She smiles when she sees me walk in. “Did they like what I made?”

  “They were very impressed with your Italian cooking. Mama would love it if one day you made something American. We also need to discuss Thanksgiving. Thursday is just around the corner already. Would you like for me to hire some help for you on that day? There are going to be more people than just the ones who were here today. Shannon’s parents will be spending the day with us. My boss, Michael, is also coming. He’s bringing a date.”

  She tells me not to worry, that cooking for twelve people is no problem—but also that she does not want strangers in her kitchen. I hug her goodnight and go up to bed.

  Chapter 11

  In the bathroom, I brush my teeth, comb out my hair, and put on one of Aiden’s t-shirts. I have so many beautiful nightgowns, but I like wearing his shirts. They always seem to smell like him. It makes me feel like I have him with me.

  Turning off the light, I walk to the bed. I whisper into my husband’s ear, “Sweetheart, let’s get you out of those clothes and under the covers.”

  All day he has been asleep where he fell on the bed, which was at the bottom end of it. Not wanting to disturb his sleep, I had just laid a blanket on him. Now I need to help him get in bed. He slightly opens his eyes and smiles. Sitting up, I unbutton his shirt and slide it off of him. I start to unzip his pants. He simply lies back down so I can take them off. He turns over on his side and crawls up the bed, then puts his head on the pillow and falls back to sleep. I turn off the nightstand lamp, get in bed, and hug my husband. I must be exhausted because I fall asleep right away.

  ***

  Lying on my side, I am facing away from Aiden. He wakes me by pulling me to his chest. I turn to see those beautiful blue eyes smiling at me. I yawn and stretch. “Good morning, my husband.”

  Without speaking a word, he covers my mouth with his own. It is a long, heated kiss. He pulls away, leaving me breathless. “Good morning, Mrs. Steffan.” He rolls me over to lie on top of him. “You let me sleep for almost an entire twenty-four hours.”

  “Aiden, you looked so peaceful and I knew you were tried. I wanted you to get the rest you needed, and I was right. Your body was exhausted; if it hadn’t been, you wouldn’t have slept like you did.”

  He gives me one of his one-sided smiles. His eyes sparkle. He places a hand on the back of my head and lowers me to meet his lips. Normally I would stop him until I brushed my teeth, but not today. As he slides his tongue between my lips, I let him in.

  We both moan, and he rolls us over so he is on top. We are running our hands up and down each other’s bodies. Aiden slips the t-shirt off of me, both of us panting. As soon as he pulls it up and off, he attacks my mouth again, wrapping his arms around my waist, bringing our bodies so that every inch of them are touching. Without warning, he is plunging himself into me. I release us from the kiss, throw my head back, and moan yet again. He takes advantage of that by sucking on my neck. Bringing my head down again, I bite his shoulder. He is fucking me fast and hard. I feel a chill going down my back. Aiden’s muscles on his thighs tense up. My own legs start to tremble. He brings his hand up and squeezes one of my breasts. He covers my mouth with his own again, and he growls into it. He is like a lion.

  One more thrust and we both find release. He is breathing heavily into my ear. “Fuck, I love you, Alexis. Baby, I love you so much.”

  Trying to catch my breath, I say, “I love you too, Aiden.” Neither one of us is letting go of the other. Lying there as if we had just run a marathon, we gasp for air. After some time has passed, he slides off the bed and holds his hand out for me. “Take a shower with me.”

  I give him my hand. “Always.”

  As I get off the bed, my legs still feel shaky. “Are you okay?” he asks.

  “Better than ever.”

  ***

  As I brush my teeth, Aiden gets the water at the right temperature. I watch through the mirror as he enters the shower and lets the water hit him. He is standing directly under it, running his hands through his hair.

  I breathe deeply again at the sight of my gorgeous husband. His broad shoulders and toned, firm torso. His thighs are muscular, and that ass perfectly chiseled. I lick my lips and feel myself getting wet again. Walking into the shower, I begin to run my hands up and down his back. I squeeze his ass. He turns around and lifts me up with no effort at all. As he presses me against the wall, the hot water isn’t the only thing steaming up the glass. This time he gently leaves a trail of open-mouthed kisses all across my jawline, down my neck.

  When he reaches my breast, he licks and sucks my nipple, then gently pulls on it with his lips. I wrap my legs around his waist at his request. He takes one arm from my waist and lowers it, so his hand and fingers are playing with my clit. He opens my folds and slides two fingers up my entrance. I slowly tilt my head side to side, moaning at the sensual, erotic feeling with my eyes closed.

  “Open your eyes. Look at me, baby.”

  Taking a deep breath, I do as he asks. I look into hooded eyes staring back at me. I can see the burning desire in his eyes. I am ready to be burnt by them, by him. I know he’s in control over my mind, body, and soul. This is the fire that he’s always talked about. And he was right, it will never be put out.

  Even with the hot water hitting our bodies, I have chills from head to toe. Lowering me down, he asks me to sit on the bench in the shower. As I do, he goes to his knees, opens my legs, and works his hands from my knees to the upper part of my thighs. He never takes his eyes off of me even as he lowers his head and opens my folds with both his hands. He begins to lick, suck, and nibble my clit, swirling his tongue in and out of me. My hands are in his hair. I want to close my eyes, but I also can’t stop watching him pleasure me so intensely.

  Brought to the edge of an orgasm, I start to bite my
lip. I want to shout out his name. I feel my nipples getting harder than ever. I am lost to the blinding storm that overcomes me. With every touch, he is devouring and consuming me. He rises and is about to turn around when I stop him, taking his engorged penis in my hands. I smile and in a seductive voice, tell him, “My turn.”

  With one hand still on his cock, I grab his ass with the other one, squeezing it and bringing him in as close as possible. Slowly, I start to lick him from crown to base. I can hear him making a humming noise. Taking him in completely, I suck with such urgency it’s as if I’ve tasted my choice of drug and am now addicted to it.

  The vein in his penis is throbbing, pulsating. His moans are becoming louder. His hands on the back of my head add fuel to my fire to bring him to ecstasy. There is a growl from deep in his chest. The hot liquid is traveling down my throat. I drink every last bit of him. Even through the noise of the water, I can hear his heavy breathing. Once released from my mouth, he takes a step back. I raise my head to look at his intoxicating eyes. Reaching down, he picks me up and turns off the water.

  I’ve learned to read my husband’s facial expressions. I can tell by his grin, the way he is pressing his lips together, that we are not finished. Lifting me into his arms, we exit the shower without drying ourselves. My hair is dripping wet. There is a water trail all the way to the bed. Aiden sets me on it. Without saying a word, I lie down.

  “Alexis, the fire is still burning in me.” He is rock hard again. “I want us to be connected in every possible way. I want every inch of you.” Sliding a hand under my ass, he says in a soft, sensual voice, “Do you love and trust me?”

  “Yes, with my life.”

  “Will you let me take you to new experiences?”

  I know exactly what he is talking about. He wants to take me from the back. My heart races with the unknown. At my hesitation, he sits on the bed by me. “If it is too scary or you can’t, I will understand.”

  “Will you go slow at first and be gentle?”

  “Yes, baby, I will never hurt you.”

  “I want us to be together in every way too, Aiden.” I take his hand and move to the middle of the bed. Lying on top of me, he kisses each inch of my body.

  Once again, my breathing hitches. He turns me over so that I am on my stomach. Although I am scared, I’m also very aroused. With his arms around my waist, he slightly lifts my ass. One arm remains around me while the other goes to my folds. He plays with me, making me wetter.

  I can feel his cock at my asshole. Releasing the hold on my waist, he positions himself to take me. Bringing his mouth to my ear, he says in a low, rough voice, “I love you so much.”

  Slowly, he slides in a little at a time, letting me adjust to the size of him. I moan from the excitement, from the pain, and pleasure.

  My legs are trembling. This is all new to me. I dig my nails into my pillow, biting into it as so many emotions swirl in my head. My body is completely his.

  Once he is fully inside of me, he asks, “Are you okay? Do you want to keep going?”

  I lift my ass and nod my head. He pulls out to the tip and starts to fuck me slowly from behind. I let go of the pillow, but keep my head buried there. Now I’m moaning loudly into it. The pain is undeniable, but the hurt becomes less and less with each thrust. “Argh, oh, Aiden. Yes, oh god, don’t stop.”

  Reaching back with both my hands, I grab his ass and pull him into me. This gets him even more excited. He lifts me so we are both on our knees, but in an upward stance. Picking up the rhythm, we are both grunting sounds of ecstasy. He brings one arm around my waist and the other goes to my breast, squeezing it hard. I let out a yelp.

  “You are mine, Alexis.”

  “Yes, yes, I am yours.”

  His mouth goes to the back of my neck, sucking on me. I’m on the edge. I can feel him tingling in me. He bites down on my shoulder and says, “Fuck.”

  We let ourselves fall on the bed. Neither one of us says a word. He slides out of me. With the crown coming out, there is a pinch of pain. He rolls over to lie by me. I turn my head toward him and our eyes meet. Through deep breaths, I say, “I love you, Aiden.”

  “Alexis, you are my life. I love you with all my heart.” Still there is no movement from either of us. Finally, after a while, I say, “Well, you had a lot of energy. I counted three times. Not that I’m complaining. Maybe you should sleep for twenty-four hours more often.” We both laugh.

  “Are you saying that I don’t give it to you enough? That you want it more often?” With that, he slaps me on the ass.

  “Ouch! No, believe me, you keep me very satisfied.” My eyes go to the clock on the nightstand. “Shit! It’s eleven o’clock. I’m supposed to go shopping with your mother early this morning. Then we’re supposed to meet Renata Rossi to have her design my wedding dress. I have to get washed up and go.” I leap from the bed. The pain hits me. I grab my ass. “Ouch.” My whole body is sore. I walk slowly to the bathroom.

  “You’ll get used to it, Alexis.” We both step into the shower. Aiden quickly washes up and gets out, informing me that he’ll see me downstairs. I decide on washing my hair again since I am drenched in sweat. It’s funny, but I feel drained and energized at the same time. Letting the water rinse out the shampoo, I close my eyes, smile, and remember how it felt to have him take me from the back. The feeling was very arousing. Yes, it was painful, but at the same time it gave me a different kind of pleasure. As I am drying off, I look in the mirror and think, he owns me mind, body, and soul, and I own every part of him.

  ***

  As I walk down the stairs, I can hear everybody talking in the kitchen. Aiden said that his family spends a lot of time in there. All eyes turn to me when I enter. Mama comes over to me. “We really must leave so we are not rushing afterward for the bridal shop.”

  Ysabel joins us. “I want to come too.”

  I give her a good morning hug. “You can’t, I’m shopping for the bridesmaids’ gifts—a gift from me to you for standing up in our wedding.”

  She claps her hands together and does a little bounce. “Ooh, a gift for me!”

  I remind her that we have an appointment for the dresses at two. Shannon will be picking her up and they will meet us there. Then Mama and I make our way down to the garage, where Anthony is waiting for us with the car door open. Aiden called him to let him know we were on our way down. He drives us directly to Van Cleef and Arpels. They sell by appointment only and are known worldwide for their sophisticated designs.

  ***

  The saleswoman is very helpful. She shows us different pieces of jewelry, as I’m not sure of what to get the girls. We see charm bracelets, earrings, and watches, and then she displays beautiful pendants to us. I’m loving everything, and so is Mama. We just can’t decide. I notice the time is almost one thirty. I am about to tell the saleswoman that the gifts will have to wait for another day when she brings out a simple, delicate necklace. The chain is silver, and it has a single diamond on it. The sparkle of the diamond catches my eyes. It’s elegant, and we both know this is the piece. I tell her that I want three of these.

  “Very good, ma’am. We will get them ready for you and deliver them Tuesday.”

  I open my wallet and hand her my credit card, but she refuses. “It has all been taken care of already.”

  “By who…?” Then I realize. Of course he would do that. “No, I will speak to my husband later. Right now, I will be paying for this, not him.”

  “As you wish, ma’am.” I hand her my card, and afterward Mama and I walk out to the car. Once in the vehicle, I phone Shannon.

  “Where are you?” she asks. “We’ve been waiting here for fifteen minutes already.”

  “I’m sorry, but we’re on our way.” Ending the call, I send a text to Aiden.

  Alexis: Why am I working if I can’t pay for things too?

  No less than a minute passes before I receive one from him.

  Aiden: I’d like to know that too. Why are you still working?r />
  ***

  At the boutique, Shannon and Ysabel both meet us at the door. A saleswoman walks over to greet us. “Good afternoon, Mrs. Steffan. Mrs. Rossi will be with you shortly.”

  Hearing someone, anyone, call me Mrs. Steffan is still surreal. “Thank you.”

  “In the meantime, could I get you anything to drink? A glass of wine, maybe?”

  I’m about to say no. Shannon speaks up. “Yes, please.” She shrugs at me. “What? She asked.”

  I say to the clerk, “Yes, a glass for each of us. Thank you.”

  With our glasses in hand, we all sit and talk about the color of the dresses I’ve chosen. I have butterflies in my stomach, I am so nervous. I don’t know why, but according to Aiden and his parents, this is going to be the wedding of the decade for Italy.

  A couple of minutes later, Renata Rossi walks out and straight to me. Standing, I hold my hand out to greet her. Instead she pulls me in for a hug. She kisses me on both cheeks, then stands back with her hands on my shoulders. “Ciao, Alexis. Oh my, you are even more beautiful in person. The pictures do not do you justice.”

  Mama chimes in, stroking my hair as a mother would, “Si, my new daughter is very beautiful.”

  I feel my cheeks blush.

  “Come with me. Let us get you measured for your wedding gown, shall we?”

  We follow her to the back of the studio.

  She measures my entire body, from head to toe, writing everything down as she is going. Then she measures Shannon and Ysabel. As she is asking if there is anyone else for the bridal party, Brandy comes running in. “Hey, I’m here. Hi, sorry I’m late, but there is so much to do for this wedding.”