THE HEALING HEART

by Zelda Clemens

  “I’ll manage them better next time,” he whispered to Avery.

  “Next time?” She almost hit him with her bouquet. In such a fragile state of balance, the impact of the flowers would have knocked him backwards, so she elected to spare him.

  ****

  The double wedding was conducted without further drama, and the newly-married couples emerged triumphant from the church—although Elliott was now leaning heavily on the army medic’s shoulders.

  “Between your legs and her belly, I doubt you’ll be consummating the marriage any time soon,” Manny said to his friend.

  “Don’t you believe it, buddy. A good Marine always rises to the occasion.”

  Elliott was as good as his word. Although he needed help to get to their marriage suite, the moment the door was closed, he grabbed Avery and sat her on his lap.

  “My, aren’t we keen?” She was silenced by his firm lips, and was soon kissing him hungrily. One hand was big enough to cup both her buttocks; the other stroked her hair.

  “At long last, you’re all mine.” He treated her to a deep movie-villain chuckle, then applied his lips to her neck, just below the ear.

  She shivered. “Save your strength, lover. The reception’s in two hours.”

  “We have a whole two hours to enjoy?”

  “You should use it to rest.”

  “Not a chance.” He returned to kissing her neck. Heat flushed her skin where his lips landed. Elliot was being sly. He knew she melted whenever her neck was nuzzled and kissed.

  “Not fair! Seriously, baby,” she groaned. “You did great… back at the church, but you need… to pace yourself.”

  “A Marine never paces himself.” He kissed her ear, sucking her lobe. “A Marine goes flat-out until he drops.”

  “And that’s what worries me. You’re not a Marine tonight. You’re a husband and a father, and main host at the reception. Tomorrow, you can be all Marine on me again.” She writhed in his lap as heat spread down her neck and across her chest.

  “I can be all Marine on you tonight, if you like.” He winked at her.

  “Seriously? You want… to make love… more than you want… to rest?”

  “Seriously.” He trailed his tongue across her bare shoulder, then downward so he could explore her wedding day cleavage. Avery sighed as he worked his way across the top of her breasts, then back up to the other side of her neck. He moved her hair out of the way so he could attend to the soft, sensitive skin beneath her ear.

  “There’s no way…” He sucked gently at her earlobe. “…you can resist me.”

  “I can too,” she lied. “I can stop you… whenever I want. Oh fuck…”

  “Even when I do this?” He sucked on the skin beneath her ear, and stroked the tip of his tongue upwards over and over.

  “Mmm…” She pressed her forehead to his shoulder and clung to him. Her hips rolled around. His hardness pressed into her leg, indicating his readiness for her. He would feel so damn good inside her, she knew. But he needed to rest, he did, really he did…

  But maybe one fuck wouldn’t do any harm. If she was quick and took control. She could make him come quickly, she was sure. And it would feel so good to have him inside her. So damn good.

  “I love you, baby,” she murmured. “I want to make love to you so much, I really do, but-”

  He grabbed her buttocks—with both hands this time—and spun her round until she fell back onto the bed. He was careful to slow her fall. The last thing they needed was an unexpected birth on their wedding night. She laughed out loud at his antics. Elliott never let a little thing like debilitating injuries slow him down.

  “But you need to rest,” she protested.

  “I do?” He bent to kiss her neck again. Heat flushed her neck, her chest, and her pelvis. His erection was hot against her leg. It would feel so good, she knew. And it would be so easy to slip inside… Her lower body warmed at the thought of him sliding his hardness into her. Suddenly, she needed him. She needed to make love to him.

  “Okay, baby, okay. You win,” she said softly. “Your devious plan has worked.” Her hand reached up to stroke his face.

  “It did? That was easier than I thought it would be.”

  “But we do this my way, okay? No exhausting antics—until after the reception,” she added as he started to protest.

  “Sure, babe.” He caught her hand and kissed it. “Whatever you say. I know you’re only taking care of me.”

  “You big, dumb bear. Lie back on the bed and let me take care of you properly.”

  Still reluctant to hand over control, Elliott obeyed, shuffling back from the edge of the bed. Avery rose up onto her knees and towered over him until he was settled. The skirt of her large wedding dress—her mother’s choice— covered half the bed, it seemed. She lifted it out of the way as she straddled him, then let it settle back onto the bed, hiding his lower body. Her hips rocked, rubbing her increasingly-hungry pussy against the front of his pants.

  “How’s that baby?”

  Instead of answering, he reached down, fighting past the layers of wedding dress, and stroked her pussy with his thumb.

  “No panties?”

  “Not today. I decided to go commando.”

  “Commando?” he laughed.

  “Unzip that monster and I’ll show you what I can do with it.”

  He did as he was told, and was treated to the exquisite sensation of wet, slippery lips sliding back and forward along his hard shaft.

  “Oh, wow.”

  “How’s that for starters?”

  “Perfect. More, please.” He grinned up at her. She titled her hips, rubbing along his full length, coating him with her juices.

  “Oh, boy…” she groaned. “Oh, boy, that’s the spot, right there.”

  “You having fun without me?”

  “Having fun… with you,” she groaned. “Oh, wow…” She pressed her clit against his slippery cock and rubbed herself back and forward along his shaft.

  “That feels so damn good.”

  “Uh-huh…” she murmured. Her eyes were fixed on his face.

  “And the best thing is, I’m not exhausting myself, just as you wanted.”

  “You’re… loving… this…”

  “Damn straight.” He reached up and pulled down the bodice of the dress, freeing her breasts. He caressed one, stroking the nipple with his thumb, and she squeezed the other, gripping it roughly. Her lips pressed together as she moaned and squeaked her way to a shivering, gentle climax.

  “Oh, fuck, holy shit!” Her mouth fell open and she gasped in air.

  “That’s the way, baby. You have fun.”

  “Oh? You… not having… fun?”

  “I’m loving this.”

  “So how about we take it to the next level, Marine?”

  “I’m ready if you are.”

  “Oh, I can feel you’re ready.” She slid forward along his length until the tip slid past her clit, then arched her back. With a twitch of his muscles, and a wriggle of her hips, he slid into position, and Avery bore down on him.

  “Oh, baby…” she cried. She pressed her lips together as he slid deeper, filling her passage with masculine heat.

  “You’re so tight around me.”

  “And you’re so hard for me.”

  “I love you, Avery.”

  “I love you, Elliott. You’ve made me… the happiest woman… in the world.”

  She began to ride him, rising up and down on his length, relishing the wet noises their coupled bodies made. Elliott tried—once—to lift up her dress so he could see the action, but there was too much fabric. The dress defeated him, so instead, he concentrated on caressing Avery’s breasts, teasing the swollen nipples until she cried out.

  As they made love, cries of ecstasy reached them through the wall, and they grinned at each other. Alice and Manny were hard at it in the next suite, enjoying each other as much as they could.

  “I wonder what else he can do with that new arm,�
� Avery said.

  “The hand is detachable,” Elliott confirmed. “And can be replaced with other devices. Battery powered ones, he tells me.”

  “Oh, my God, wouldn’t that be great?”

  “I could ask him to show you, if you like.”

  She slapped his arm. “Don’t you dare!”

  He laughed, then groaned as they resumed loving, with Avery moving faster on him as her nearby friend cried out her ecstasy.

  “Oh, yeah, baby. Like that,” he groaned.

  “You gonna cum for me, baby? You gonna cum inside me?”

  “Uh-huh.”

  “I want to feel you cum inside me, baby. I want to make you cum so much.”

  “Uh-huh. Keep doing that.”

  “This?” She rolled her hips as she bounced up and down.

  “Oh, yeah. That. Fuck, yesss…” His hips lifted as his climax hit. He dropped his hands from her breasts and caught her wrists, squeezing hard as his entire body tensed. Avery chuckled as liquid heat filled her, warming her passage and pushing her closer to her second orgasm.

  “Oh, yeah, oh, yeah…” She squeezed her breast hard and thrust her hips back and forward. Mixed fluids coated her lips and his shaft, filling the room with wet noises.

  “Fuck, yes, fuck, yes. Oh, my God, that’s it right there. Oh fuck!” She shuddered to a halt, bucking her hips against him. Her breathing was deep, and fast; her eyes fluttered and her mouth hung open. He rocked his hips, but she laughed and shook her head.

  “No more?”

  “Not yet, baby. Not right now not yet no, no, no, please…” She began to fold over and collapse onto him, but he caught her shoulders and held her upright.

  “Careful, lover. Not with the baby on board.”

  “No, no, course not. Whew!” She ran both hands back through her hair and blew air up past her nose.

  “You were amazing,” he said.

  “I love you so much.”

  “Did you have fun?”

  “I did. It was good for your legs, and good for the baby.”

  “It was good for all of me.” He grinned.

  “Well, one part in particular.” She flexed her inner muscles and squeezed him tightly.

  He groaned. “More?”

  “Later, baby. Later. I gotta go clean up—before the dress is ruined.” She gathered the skirt as best she could and rose up. He slid out of her, to land with a wet slap. She shivered with delight at the sensation, then climbed off.

  “Sounds like they’ve finished next door, too.”

  “Nope,” Avery said. “They’re in between.” As she spoke, new cries rose, accompanied by loud slaps and a rhythmic knocking sound.

  “Marriage made in heaven?” Elliott asked.

  “Definitely. ‘Scuse me.” Avery hurried off to the bathroom, clutching the layers of wedding dress. Elliott relaxed on the bed, slipping his hands behind his head and considering what a lucky guy he was.

  He only had a moment to relax, however, before a cry from the bathroom made him sit up.

  “Baby?” Avery cried. “I think we’re gonna need a midwife.”

  “When?”

  “Right about now!”

  THE END

  Another bonus story is on the next page.

  Bonus Story 17 of 44

  The New Normal

  Description

  Love can build a bridge. Melinda Kemp has found happiness with a true American hero, Scott Mason. He is the man of her dreams. She knows he is hiding a part of himself he does not want to admit. She will bring the love of her life his fondest desire; namely, the man of his dreams, Dillon.

  Scott Mason came back from Iraq ready to commit to Melinda. He is ready to start a family and live a normal, happy life. His only challenge is he still has feelings for his ex-lover, Dillon Ward.

  Dillon is a hard-working cowboy who loves who he loves and that is Scott; a fact that Dillon realized too late when Scott joined the service.

  Years later, Dillon is still single. He will not settle for less than his heart’s desire. He wonders if life will ever bring him happiness. Melinda will show both men there enough love to go around.

  *****

  Just a few more hours, Melina Kemp reminded herself. The room looked festive but not too overdone. “I know Scott has only been gone six months, but he deserves a hero’s welcome back.” She looked over at the enlarged photo of Scott in his Army uniform and smiled, so handsome.

  “If there are cold beers and a dart board, I’m sure Scott is going to have a fun time.” Derek, Scott’s friend decided. “If I know Scott, he will forget all about the war and the sand and focus on you, Mel. If he’s smart,” Derek wiggled his eye brows at Melinda and smiled.

  She laughed at his light flirting then sighed. “It’s just, he sounded, I don’t know, tired or distant. I guess that’s to be expected.”

  “When my cousin, Jay, came back from the middle-east he had a tough time adjusting to normal, civilian life. But then, he was there almost two years.”

  Melinda looked at her watch. Two hours before his plane lands. She had time to change and still make it to the airport on time for his arrival.

  Scott’s mother, father and sister all agreed to meet her with a premade banner. One more look around, offered Melinda the satisfaction that her back yard and patio was ready for Scott’s welcome home celebration. “I’m ready to head out. You good Derek?” she asked, starting to fret just a bit.

  “All that is left to do is to put the kegs on the tables to the right, set up the cups and wait for your man to come through the door.” He smiled, seeming pleased with himself and his participation in the party.

  “I could not have done this without your help, Derek. We should be back in a couple of hours. Just let anyone in as they arrive. I hope everyone shows.” She frowned. “I want Scott to know how much we all missed him and appreciate his service.”

  “You just get yourself dolled up and I’ll take care of the rest here.”

  Melinda smiled and walked to her bedroom, still not sure what she should wear. She had the choices down to three outfits. A black skirt and blue and yellow silky shirt; a red clingy dress that displayed her curves perfectly; or a pair of green capris with a matching tan and green floral shirt. All were lovely but she ended up picking the floral shirt so she could wear the matching hat. Twenty minutes of primping and she was ready.

  As she was leaving through the front door, a few friends were just arriving. “Hey ya’ll, I’ll be bringing Scott in just a bit. Help yourselves to some food and beer.” She hugged all three and headed out.

  #

  “Mr. and Mrs. Mason, Hello! And Emily, I am so excited. Are there any delays?” Melinda rambled a bit in nervousness. She enjoyed a fabulous relationship with Scott’s family and hoped they would eventually be her in-laws. She and Scott talked about it a few times in the last six months. How he was ready to settle down and start a family.

  Her last conversation with him was brief, he sounded fatigued and a bit more withdrawn from their usually animated conversations. The fact that Scott left at only a six-month tour of active duty was a blessing. She feared any longer and he might be like a few other soldiers she met who displayed various ranges of PTSD. This was a chronic condition most active war-time soldiers experienced. Some did well, others ended up with disability and unable to work or function in the real world.

  She figured Scott, while not full blown mentally traumatized, still must have experienced some challenges. He sounded more serious and more sedate last few weeks. “Has he seemed more distant, Mrs. M., when you spoke with him on the phone?”

  “Oh, please, call me Beverly.” She took Melinda’s arm, guiding them just inside the entrance from the tarmac. “I didn’t speak to Scott as often as you seem to have.” Mrs. Mason smiled knowingly at Melinda. “But I did notice he was not a chatty as he usually is.”

  “War will turn any boy into a man.” Mr. Mason said matter of factly.

  Emily walked to Melinda’
s free side and walked in pace with the other women. “Is your place all set? Do we need to bring anything, Mel?”

  “I think we are ready, we just need the man of honor.”

  They all stopped and watched as passengers exited the commercial plane Scott took to bring him home. He was not hard to pick out from the fifteen or twenty that exited just before and after him. God, he is handsome. Six feet tall, more muscular than she remembered and clean shaven. He had a goatee when he left. He looks better now she thought. His hair is nice and short in the military fashion.

  “Scott! Over here!” Melinda waved, fighting the urge to run up and jump on him with a big hug and kiss. “He’s not wearing his uniform.” He had on dark jeans and a pull over shirt with a hoodie. It was not sporty looking but casual. He always dressed so well. She was glad she also dressed for the occasion.

  “Well, he is technically not on active duty now.” Emily answered.

  Scott waved back, walking directly to Melinda and stopped. He hugged and kissed her then turned his attention to his family. “Hello Mother.” He hugged her, planting a kiss on her cheek. “Dad,” He nodded and shook his hand. “Emily, are you here alone? No Kevin?” He hugged his little sister.

  “Kevin and I split up again.” She rolled her eyes and laughed.

  “His loss,” Scott shook his head and turned to Mel again. “Hey, babe.” He pulled her away an arm’s length. “You look stellar in that outfit.” He hugged her again and tipped the brim of her hat with his index finger.

  Melinda blushed, smiling that he appreciated her outfit choice. “I chose it just for you.” She grabbed his hand.

  “We’ll meet you later, dear.” His mother hugged him one more time.

  They walked to the luggage conveyor and helped him with his two large bags. “How do you feel, Scott?” Melinda asked as they got in the car. He did not know about his surprise party and hoped he was up for it.

  He sat in the passenger side, sliding back the seat to accommodate his long legs. “I feel good, relieved, and ready to move on.”