With her new feelings of contentment, Aviva was ready to agree to anything. “Okay.”
When the car came to a stop, she did as Jason asked and kept her eyes closed. Subconsciously Aviva’s other senses tried to hone in on her surroundings, but the only sound that greeted her was that of silence.
The sound of the door opening was accompanied by a blast of frigid air that made Aviva gasp as its icy fingers touched her warm skin. For a short while the coldness was blocked out as Jason bent over her seated form and released her seatbelt.
Unprepared for his next action, Aviva was caught unawares as Jason scooped her out of her seat and into his arms. When he straightened to his full height, she wrapped her arms around his neck and held on. She never protested when Jason elected to carry her. When she was in his arms, Aviva always experienced a feeling of contentment like no other. She knew some women didn’t like to be carried, but for her, with Jason, it was one of her greatest pleasures.
The slam of the car door. The howl of the wind. The touch of the cold night air. The warmth of his body and the sure knowledge that he was by her side filled Aviva with happiness.
Jason slowly lowered Aviva to her feet. As she slid from the security of his arms, true to her word, her eyes remained closed.
From behind and overhead Jason’s deep voice floated around her, and Aviva felt each deep rumble pass through her where her back was still connected to him. “Open your eyes, Angel.”
Laid out before her was a vista of the city that Aviva had never seen before. It was as though a thousand stars had been laid at her feet. Where the horizon ended it was met by the land forming a magnificent scene of the city they now called home.
“What do you think of your surprise?”
“Oh, Jason, it’s beautiful!”
“It gets better.”
Turning, a question on her lips, Aviva’s hands sprung to her face in surprise. The love of her life was down on one knee on the cold hard ground before her.
“Aviva Esther Johnson, I will never be able to tell or show you just how much I love you, and what you mean to me. From the moment I saw you, I knew you were special. For me, there will never be anyone more perfect. For you, my angel, I would do anything, all you would have to do is ask it of me, and it’s yours.
Each day with you humbles me. Aviva, would you do me the honor of marrying me, of spending the rest of your life with me, of becoming my wife and the mother of my children?”
“Oh, Jason.” Aviva couldn’t have stopped the tears from falling if she had wanted to. “Yes... yes, I’ll marry you. Yes, I’ll spend the rest of my life with you, and I would be honored to be the mother of your children.”
The smile that met Aviva’s eyes was so wide, displaying the dimples she loved so much that if it were possible, she fell even more deeply in love with him.
Rising to his feet, Jason took out the ring that Aviva up to that moment hadn’t paid the slightest attention to.
“This ring belonged to my grandmother–”
“But how... when did you have time to–”
“Aviva, let me finish!”
“But...” At the raise of an eyebrow, Aviva drew quiet. “Sorry,” Aviva said with a cheeky smile and a regal wave of her hand “you may continue.” Although this was one of her perfect moments, she just couldn’t help being herself.
His sigh was so long and drawn out Aviva had to chew her bottom lip to stop herself from laughing with joy.
“This ring belonged to my grandmother. When, Jake was in LA, I told him that I intended to propose to you on Christmas Eve. I wanted his opinion of what type of stone I should get you. That’s when he told me about this ring. Apparently, our grandmother wanted our father to give it to the first of his sons to get married.”
Taking the ring from the box, Jason pushed it onto Aviva’s finger. It was a perfect fit.
For the first time, Aviva looked down at it. It was perfect in every way. She was no expert, but she was sure the diamond matched the stones his brothers and father had gifted her.
The ring was an emerald cut three stone design. The two smaller diamonds perfectly balanced on either side of the larger central stone. Instinctively Aviva knew the diamonds were of a rare clarity. That they had once belonged to his grandmother, gave her a feeling of connection to Jason’s past.
If she had needed confirmation of her total acceptance by the Kingdoms, that Jackson had honored his mother’s wish, the fact that she was the one wearing this ring would have removed all doubts from her mind.
Wrapped up in her thoughts, Aviva was unaware that she had been staring at the ring in silence for an inordinately long time.
“You don’t like it. That’s okay, I’ll get you something else.” About to pull the ring from her finger, Aviva jerked her hand away from Jason’s attempts to remove it.
“Are you kidding, I love this ring. This ring is probably the most perfect ring any woman has ever received.”
“Are you sure?”
Aviva could see his uncertainty and knew her long silence had been the cause. Reaching for the face that was so dear to her, she took it between hands that were rapidly freezing.
“I love it, my darling Jason. I couldn’t conceive of a more perfect engagement ring. I am the luckiest woman in the world and, I’d be honored to wear it.” Rising to her toes, Aviva kissed her man, ensuring she imbued the full extent of feelings in the touch of their lips.
By the time the kiss ended, Aviva was gasping for breath and Jason wore a look, so intense Aviva knew she had started something that had Jason’s eyes shifting around to finish.
From one breath to another, Aviva was again lifted off her feet. Opening the back door of the SUV, Jason placed her on the back seat. “Don’t move!”
Slamming the door closed he rounded the car and switched on the ignition. He was back moments later with intent in his eyes. Sliding in beside her, Jason wasted no time lifting Aviva astride his lap.
“Do you want me?” He asked, his eyes black with desire.
“Always! I want you every second of every day.”
“I can’t wait, Angel. I’m sorry, but I can’t wait.”
“You don’t have to wait. I want to feel you inside me... now.”
No sooner had the words left her mouth than Aviva felt her skirt being pulled up, the sound of his zipper and the rip of her panties being torn from between her legs.
Then everything slowed down. Aviva watched as Jason moved the remnants of material he had just rendered unusable towards his nose. Jason held her eyes as he inhaled, pulling her scent into him.
“These are wet.”
“I know, sorry, I can’t help it.”
The look he gave her was so lascivious, Aviva felt another rush of moisture leave her body.
“I’m not sorry. How can I be sorry when this is all for me? When this shows me how much you want me.”
Each word that left Jason’s mouth was a slow push forward, followed by a retreat as he found his way deep within her wanting body.
“Do you feel that, Angel? Do you feel how hard I am for you, and I’m not sorry. This is what you do to me. This is how much I want you every second of every day, my angel, my love... my wife.”
Aviva couldn’t think, she didn’t want to think, she only wanted to feel. This was Jason, and she threw back her head as he began to move in earnest. He held nothing back, he gave her what she wanted. Each thrust of his unrelenting body pushed her closer and closer to the edge of losing control.
“That’s it my angel, give it to me, it belongs to me... you belong to me. Give it to me, I want what’s mine. I want to feel you come for me, I want to feel you come all over me... give me what’s mine!”
He knew what his words did to her, and she loved his demands. Gripping him with her inner muscles, for a fraction of a moment Aviva was able to arrest his hard thrusts. The power of this man, the feel of him rock hard inside her was something she would never tire of. “You too, I want what belongs to me
. I want to feel you come inside me.”
Rippling her inner muscles, Aviva released him only to clamp down again and again as she moved along his engorged shaft. Her reward was a hiss as Jason threw back his head and began to move as though desperately seeking the core of her.
In that moment Aviva knew he was no longer in control. In that moment, she knew he was hers, her man, her love, and he was no longer thinking because he was lost in the feeling of their bodies joined together in an intimate display of their love for each other.
Aviva felt his palm at the back of her head as he moved her towards his waiting mouth for his lips to devour hers. Demanding what he wanted, his tongue thrusting, seeking, leaving no part unexplored.
With his lips still plastered against hers, Aviva was only vaguely aware of her sweater being pushed up, her bra being moved aside, her bared breasts being taken into his mouth. His relentless mouth latched on to her distended nipple. So strong was the pull of his mouth, Aviva felt a cord of feeling run through her body to make a connection to each thrust he delivered within her.
“Now... I want it now! Come for me, Angel... come for me!”
Even though she wanted to prolong the delicious feeling Jason was causing to run through her body, her mind wouldn’t let her. Her body had taken over, and its demands would be met.
Aviva gave him and her body what they both wanted. She came. At first she tightened with pleasure, then came the continuous contractions and release that flooded her body with pleasure. Each wave washed over her longer and harder than the one before.
“That’s it, Angel, I feel you, can you feel me?” As the words left Jason’s mouth, Aviva felt a hot gush as he followed her into release.
Holding her close, Jason ran his big hands all over Aviva’s back, up to her neck, only to begin again. It was almost as though his hands wanted to touch each part of her all at the same time. As he caressed her, he placed whisper light kisses along her chest, neck and face.
As their breaths slowly returned to normal, Jason held Aviva’s face away from his with gentle care. Finally, she opened her eyes and looked at him.
“This is just a fraction of how much I love you and what you mean to me. I have so much more to show you.”
“I love you too, Jason, so much!”
“Of course you do, have you seen me?”
“Jason!” Aviva said, punching him in the chest.
“What, I was only agreeing with you. I thought that’s what husbands were supposed to do when their wives made a perfectly rational statement.”
Chapter 38
The drive back to the house was a fun one. Jason appeared to be in extremely good spirits insisting that Aviva sing to him every time a song came on the radio that he liked.
When they had finally moved to the front seat of the SUV, Jason had taken her hand and after kissing her ring finger had placed it on his thigh. For Aviva's part, she was content to leave it there.
At some point on the return journey, she had coaxed Jason into singing along with her. At first he had been reluctant, and when he joined in, she understood why. His voice wasn’t the worst singing voice she had ever heard, it was just that every now and then he would go off key in a way that made her shudder. But in the end, she didn’t give a damn, they were having a marvelous time.
By the time they made it home, it was close to 9pm. Aviva had been expecting their family and friends at around 7pm and felt a little guilty that they hadn’t been there to greet them. Her guilt at missing their arrival was short lived. Aviva could hardly wait to show Hope and MacKenzie her ring.
It had started snowing again on their drive back. By New York standards, the weather had been moderate. However, from what Aviva could see by the ferocity of the way the snowflakes were now coming down, that was all about to change.
Pulling up before the main entrance to the house, Jason stopped the car and suggested she go in so that she could stay out of the inclement weather. Aviva declined, telling him she didn’t think she would be able to stop herself from showing off her ring as soon as she stepped through the door. She wanted them to make the announcement together so she would wait for him.
Without comment, Jason put the car into drive and continued around the house to the garage.
Taking the back entrance they made their way through the kitchen. Aviva couldn’t help but notice that many of the counters were loaded down with the food Jackson had insisted they order from the hotel because he didn’t want anyone to have to spend countless hours cooking. In all honesty, she hadn’t put up one ounce of an argument against his suggestion.
Mrs. Emerson and Mr. Ronson, the Kingdom family butler who had been with them since Jake and Josh had been children were both in the kitchen when they entered. Both of the elderly staff appeared a little startled by their appearance. They were also dressed in their coats and had suitcases standing by their feet, ready to leave for the holiday.
As the thought registered with her, Mrs. Emerson answered the ringing of the kitchen telephone.
“Kingdom residence.” Her two words were followed by a short period of silence before she followed up with, “Okay” before she hung up.
“Are they outside?” Mr. Ronson asked.
“Yes, and not a moment too soon if you ask me. The way that snow is coming down had me worried.”
“Well let’s get out of here.” Mr. Ronson said, picking up both of their suitcases, ready to depart.
“Happy holiday.” Aviva said, giving the elderly couple a genuine smile, as she responded to the pull of Jason’s hand as he led her out of the kitchen, and along the walkway that would lead them into the spacious hallway of the house.
With her line of vision blocked by the bulk of Jason’s body, Aviva jumped when a chorus of surprise reverberated around her as Jason stepped from before her.
“What are you all doing out here?”
“Waiting for you guys, of course!” MacKenzie spoke for the whole group who all stood around grinning.
Aviva was a little put out that they obviously already knew her news. Looking over at Jason, Aviva give him a dirty look that she hoped he recognized as her being pissed at his lack of ability to keep his proposal to himself.
“So what would you have done about all this if I had refused?” Aviva couldn’t help asking a grinning, Jason.
“Wasn’t going to happen because I would not have taken no for an answer.” Jason responded seeming not to care that their audience had grown quiet.
For the short time it had taken him to answer, Jason’s expression had changed. His regard so serious that Aviva knew his words weren’t spoken with cocky bravado for the benefit of the onlookers.
He was telling her in his own way how much her acceptance meant to him, but he was going about it as only Jason would.
Shaking her head, Aviva wrapped her arms around his waist and gave him a hug. “What am I going to do with you?”
“Marry me.”
“I already said yes, so you don’t need to worry. You are not getting away from me.”
“In that case, how about marrying me tonight?”
“Don’t be silly. A wedding takes ages to plan...” Aviva came to a stop as she realized why all the people she loved were standing in the hallway with the full knowledge that Jason had taken her out to propose.
“Well, Angel, what do you say, will you marry me tonight? Everything is in order, all you have to say is yes.”
Aviva knew she looked like a simpleton with her mouth hanging open, but she couldn’t seem to speak.
“It doesn’t matter, Angel. If you need more time, it’s yours.”
“But what about... my dress?”
“Jason took care of everything, Vee, and the dress is beautiful.” MacKenzie told her with a smile.
“Everything?”
“Trust me, every last detail is perfect.”
Aviva was still in shock. Everything was moving much quicker than she felt she could cope with.
She and Jason
had known each other for less than a year. His proposal had come as a lovely surprise. Although not giving it conscious thought, Aviva had imagined that they would go through a lengthy engagement before any discussion of a wedding took place.
Yet here she was standing in a hallway full of people, all of whom were watching and waiting for her response. Maybe it was too quick. But Aviva knew what she wanted, she also knew how Jason felt and what he wanted. They wanted to spend the rest of their lives together.
“Looks like you just got yourself a date, Jason King.”
“Well thank God for that! I thought you were going to leave my man hanging there like one of these Christmas decorations you have all over this house!” Josh quipped, getting a disgusted look from his father and brothers for the inappropriateness of his comment.
“Oh, and, by the way, I love all the decorations you have hanging all over the house. Good save, right?” Josh asked no one in particular.
It was just as well because no one was paying him the slightest bit of attention. What Aviva’s acceptance and his comment had managed to do was to set everyone in motion.
Hope and MacKenzie moved towards Aviva as though they were on a military mission, their expressions a bit frightening to Aviva.
“Come on, girl, we need all the time we can get. Aviva, when was the last time you did something about those eyebrows, and don’t let me get started on that afro.” Hope said reaching her side to give her sister a hug to let her know that she was joking.
“Forget about the hair, Ms. Hope, that’s my job. If yours is anything to go by, you are not going anywhere near my girl’s hair.”
“What’s the matter with my hair?”
“The fact that you have to ask that question is answer enough!” Hope quipped.
Being led away by her sisters, Aviva turned her head and caught Jason’s eyes. The smile they shared evoked memories of the day they had met, and they both knew that their circle was nearly complete.
**********
They had been upstairs in Aviva and Jason’s bedroom for nearly three hours. When Aviva had been told the ceremony was taking place at midnight, she had wondered what they were going to be doing for so long. She hadn’t reckoned with having to deal with Hope and MacKenzie. The only peace they had offered her was the time spent relaxing in her bath. Then the maniacs had gone to work.
The Ties that Bind (Kingdom) Page 28