by Sam Herrera
“Where do ya think?” I beamed back. The sun-kissed shores of Honolulu awaited us. I had so missed them. I put an arm around my wife and pulled her close, as we sat on the comfy seats, until her head was in the crook of my neck and kissed her forehead.
“I love you,” I whispered.
“I love you too.” Grinning like goofs, we snuggled against each other.
“So, where are you taking me?”
“You’ll see.”
*
We strolled slowly along the white, sandy beach of Kalakauka Avenue to our specially booked room at the Pink Lady Hotel, an island of palm trees, rosy-pink stone and gray slate sandwiched between the ocean and all the other, uglier concrete blocks spoiling the tropical jewel. Cuffy kept straining against the lead, dying for a paddle no doubt. I looked up at the place with a fond smile. Mara and I had stayed there on more than one occasion and I’d often thought it looked more like a converted church than a hotel; it even had its own steeple. Its square, boxy, many-windowed walls were tipped with dome-like balconies. This beach and its hotels were made for honeymooners and it was practically deserted. We walked, arm-in-arm, between the pink and white parasols above the lawn tables, up to the front desk.
“You know,” Sarah remarked as we walked down the corridor to the honeymoon suite, “since what happened, I can feel this so much more.”
“What?”
“Everything: the sand and the carpet under my feet, the water, the breeze, everything.”
“That’s a side-effect.” I nodded. “Blind men and women’s other senses sharpen amazingly.”
“Cool, just don’t fart around me. I don’t think I could stand that.”
“Shut up,” I grinned, I scooped her up and kicked the door in, throwing her onto the bed. Cuffy gave one, uninterested snort and curled up in the corner, falling asleep. Just as well; the last thing I wanted was an audience. “Wow,” I whistled, closing it behind us and taking my first look around this suite. “Beautiful.”
“Describe,” she asked, propping herself up on her elbows.
“The bed has a high canopy above it. It’s rosy-pink above a four-poster with a dark-wood frame. The place is all one room with a fireplace. Grated, with stone pillars on either side. Above the lintel, on the shelf, there’s a Hawaiian dancing girl in a grass skirt and coconut bra. Maybe we should get you one of those?” I grinned, indicating it.
“Later,” she beamed. She gave a surprised, little whoop as I grabbed her ankle and pulled her to the foot of the bed. She sat up and we kissed, long and deep.
“Okay, now tell me about you. What are you wearing?” It took me a while to prepare my answer, but then…
“Nothing.”
“Rrrrrealy?” she purred, her luscious mouth curving upwards in a smirk. Grinning wickedly, she got up and felt her way to me, her hands moving downwards. “I guess I don’t need you to describe this to me, do I?”
“You certainly don’t, ma’am.” We kissed again, our tongues dueling as she stroked me all the way. I was instantly hard as steel.
“Take off your clothes,” I whispered into her ear. She stood back and removed her thin white sweater, tank top and white canvas pants. I felt as though she could see me. She stood, for a few moments, with another wicked little smile, in her lacy red bra and matching underwear and then removed them too. I swallowed hard, my physical condition now a torture. She was, as always, perfect in every way: ivory skin, blushing rosy-red in the firelight. Her strawberry-blonde hair glowed as though lit from within. Her pink cheeks, beneath high cheekbones were either side of a mouth that sported full, curving lips and a slightly pointed chin. Her neck was long and graceful, her shoulders gently rounded, her breasts were high and firm with vivid-red nipples. Her hips were trim yet shapely and her legs tapered off into small, neat ankles. My gaze lingered on the neatly-trimmed triangle at the apex of her thighs. She tried to stop me as I lifted my hands to her bandages.
“I need to see it,” I said, steeling myself. I gently unwrapped them and swallowed, the sight wounding me. Her eyes were white, ruined orbs with an angry, red scar halving them both, cutting through the bridge of her nose and slicing deep into both temples. Kevin, you fuck. Finally she took pity on me and, pulling me down to the bed, on top of her, guided me inside. Before the grand culmination, and oh God was it grand, I kissed her scars while she kissed my bullet wound and we knew it was official: we had earned this joy, both of us.
MARA
I found I was enjoying flying solo. It was easy; I just angled the joystick and hit the arrow, pointing in the right direction.
The Atlantic was flashing by like the scenery seen from a bullet train. It took me a while to find the Lake District, but when I did Redstone House stood out like a sore thumb. I cruised slowly just above Windermere’s glittering surface. The sky was an ultramarine blue with Phthalo clouds drifting across the full, yellow moon. Its pale blue light cast the inland sea in a ghostly, sparkling glow. I beamed fondly as I recalled Michael’s smile, even brighter than this. I looked across at him as he slept in his baby seat in the co-pilot’s chair beside me. I’d heard from ads and statistics that babies moved a lot in their sleep. Mike was clearly the exception; he had barely twitched all the way over.
*
I parked in the back garden, unbuckled my belt, pulled Mike’s cover up to his chin and got up, headed for the ramp’s opening. I walked up the steps to the front door. Someone was in; I could make out a vague shape behind the curtains. Caleb was the one to answer and my heart filled to bursting at the very sight of him. My eyes roamed over his black sweater and jeans then up to his disheveled thick, black curls and flushed face. It looked as though I’d woken him up.
“Hi,” he blinked.
“Hi,” I smiled.
“Caleb, who is it?” The bitch was home? Great. I held a finger to my lips and he nodded.
“No one, Summer, just some guy who’s lost.”
“Are your parents home?” I asked, whispering as I crept in.
“No,” he grinned. He shut the door behind me and I tiptoed up the stairs with him hot on my heels. We kissed, the moment we were in his room, long and deep.
“How’d you get here so quick?”
“I said I would be on the first flight over, didn’t I?” I grinned.
“Yeah, but—”
“Shh,” I said, shaking my head, overcome by my need for him.
“How are they, Kyle and Sarah?”
“They’re fine,” I smiled, nodding. I slipped off my jacket and threw it behind me.
“Whoa. Are you…sure?” he stammered, looking as scared and excited as I felt.
“Yes,” I nodded, cupping his face with both hands and kissing him again. I sat back on the bed, breathing hard, my heart pounding, as I watched him take off his sweater.
“Are we doing this?” he asked, a grin spreading all across his face.
“I think so,” I giggled. “Gonna have to be quiet, though.”
As if to emphasize this, there came a knocking on the door. “Caleb, what the hell happened to watching TV?”
“I’m tired. I’m going to bed,” he snapped at the door.
“Where are your parents again?” I whispered.
“It’s their anniversary. They’re out having fun.”
“And we’re in here. Having fun,” I grinned, wiggling my eyebrows. My pulse and heart rate skyrocketed as he unbuttoned my pants and took off my shoes. He kissed my feet, every inch, and then stood up. The moonlight, shining in through the curtains, caused his tanned skin to glow white, but cast his face in shadow. He offered me a hand. I took it and let him pull me up. I looked into his beautiful blue eyes as they flickered to my shirt. Obeying, I pulled it off. Before I even knew what was happening, his hands were removing my bra and his mouth was around my left nipple, sucking and nipping. Oh. Dear. God! What was happenin
g to me?
“Caleb, do you know where the toilet pap—? Oh, shit! Sorry!” I stared at the door, covering myself, as it slammed shut then we turned to each other, giggling, feeling so embarrassed.
“Ah, well.”
“That’s killed the mood, huh?”
“Not for me,” he smiled. He pulled off my jeans and underwear and took a step back to drink me in with his eyes. I loved those eyes and the way my body responded to the feral light in them. I loved his taught muscular frame. I loved the ridge in his pants that showed clearly he wanted me as much as I wanted him. I was instantly soaked. I dropped my arms by my sides and, grinning wickedly, struck a pose.
“Your gloves.” Ooooh. Slowly, hesitantly, I pulled off my glove. He gave a gasp as my silver hand caught the blue light. “What is it?”
“I lost my hand in a car accident. This is a new prosthetic. Mechanical,” I stammered. In the dim glow I might just about get away with that.
“Wow. You never told me that. Anyway it looks pretty cool.” He took it in both hands and placed it over his heart then gathered me in his arms, naked flesh meeting warm cloth and very, very tightly stretched denim. We kissed, long and deep, our tongues dueling. He stepped back slightly to look his fill again. For a while, I thought he was just going to stand there, gawking, forever. Get your ass over here. But, instead, he gently pushed me back on the bed. I looked down at myself as the four-square pattern of the window shone down on my naked body. Giggling like a schoolgirl, I propped myself on my elbows and watched as he finished undressing. He stood before me, gloriously naked and gloriously rock-hard. I reached for him, unable to take much more foreplay. He crawled on top of me and began to kiss my face everywhere: my forehead, my nose, my eyelids, my cheeks and my lips, sliding his tongue between them. Flinging my arms around his neck, I responded, matching him thrust for thrust. He pulled back to give my throat, shoulders, breasts, stomach, hips and swollen and weeping center the same thorough TLC.
“Please, Caleb. Please!”I gasped, throwing my head back, unable to stand the sweet torture a second longer. My entire body throbbed. Showing mercy, he slid inside me. As one we began to move together, going faster and faster, reaching a furious pace. I had to bite hard into his shoulder to stifle a scream as we climaxed together. We lay, our sweaty limbs entwined and our bodies pressed together, him remaining inside me to prolong the intimacy.
“I love you,” I confessed, looking into his eyes. “I know it’s too soon, but—”
“I love you too.” We kissed softly and I fell asleep in his arms. My first time ever and it was just so perfect. He. Loves. Me.
*
I woke to the bright glare of the sun and stretched, feeling like a contented cat. I looked down at his sleeping face, captivated as always by his long lashes, full curving lips and the cluster of freckles on the bridge of his button nose. Inspired by the vision of masculine beauty beside me and the love that he invoked, I opened the bedside table and found a pen and notebook.
The Owner of my Heart
I feel a great surge of pleasure and pain
At the thought of all I’ve lost for this gain.
You fill me with such joy. You’re my compass, my chart.
I feel a deep dread at the thought of losing you, the owner of my heart.
There’s a pain deep inside me, where you have been.
I have never felt this before. What does it mean?
You have unlocked the door to so much.
I tremble at the raw power in your lightest touch.
I feel a great surge of pleasure and pain
At the thought of all I’ve lost for this gain.
You fill me with such joy. You’re my compass, my chart.
I feel a deep dread at the thought of losing you, the owner of my heart.
You are my one and only; I knew it from the start.
You are human; you piss, shit and fart.
And, though I know you’re not,
My soul says you’re perfect and pretty fucking hot.
I feel a great surge of pleasure and pain
At the thought of all I’ve lost for this gain.
You fill me with such joy. You’re my compass, my chart.
I feel a deep dread at the thought of losing you, the owner of my heart.
I’ve never told anyone they’re beautiful; I’ve never professed to feel.
I don’t know if I’m ready for you to melt my steel.
But you cleave my shield anyway.
You turn every barrier away.
I feel a great surge of pleasure and pain
At the thought of all I’ve lost for this gain.
You fill me with such joy. You’re my compass, my chart.
I feel a deep pain at the thought of losing you, the owner of my heart.
My heart trembles when I am united with you.
I know what it tells me: this is true.
You make me feel and though I’m terrible at it.
I feel your warmth and understanding. You’re above all the bad shit.
I feel a great surge of pleasure and pain
At the thought of all I’ve lost for this gain.
You fill me with such joy. You’re my compass, my chart.
I feel a deep dread at the thought of losing you, the owner of my heart.
Mixed Emotions
I have, before my eyes, a glorious vista.
Was it, though, worth the painful blister?
How can I know? This is unpredict-able.
There are so many parts to me; to hold them all, am I able?
A tremor of fear, a spark of hope, the despair of fixed notions.
It’s all so confusing and terrifying: so many mixed emotions.
So much depends on me and so many are wishing the best.
All I want is to give hope in return, not leave them depressed.
My love, how can I draw a chart, a way to preserve your fragile heart?
You have let me past your walls, not knowing if I was a cheat or a tart.
A tremor of fear, a spark of hope, the despair of fixed notions.
It’s all so confusing and terrifying: so many mixed emotions.
I can’t go back. Without you my life will be gloom.
The past has its claws in me, telling me it’s all to doom.
It whispers in my ear that I’m a fool and know nothing of this.
I ask, though I don’t know who’ll listen, for their blessing on our bliss.
A tremor of fear, a spark of hope, the despair of fixed notions.
It’s all so confusing and terrifying: so many mixed emotions.
“What are you writing?” Caleb groaned, wiping sleep from his eyes.
“Nothing,” I smiled. I put the pad away and leaned in for a soft, lingering kiss, then rested my head on his shoulder, gazing up at the ceiling. Reality suddenly hit me and I grabbed the sheets to my chest.
“What’s up?”
“Your sister knows I’m here,” I hissed, wide-eyed.
“So?” he smirked. “What’s she gonna do, call the cops?”
“I was thinking of your parents.”
“Come here. Relax.” I relaxed. I couldn’t help doing so when he slid his arms around me and began kissing my cheek and jawline while stroking my stomach and breasts. I loved it too much.
“You keep that up and I’ll sleep through breakfast,” I grinned, covering his hand with my own.
“I love this.”
“What?”
“This: just lying here with you. It’s never happened to me before.”
“No?” I frowned, turning my head to look at him, “I would have thought girls would be throwing themselves at you.”
“To be honest, they do. But I have never really…wanted any of them before.” I s
miled warmly, my heart filling. I’m the first girl he’s ever wanted. “Are you sure this is a prosthetic?” He frowned, holding it. I swallowed. It was broad daylight and he could see it clearly for what it was and how it was joined to my arm. “It’s weird looking.”
“I know, but it’s fine. See.” I flexed my fingers and he blinked, surprised.
“It looks almost real.”
“Being rich…” I shrugged.
We took turns in the shower. Ever the gentleman, Caleb insisted that I go first. While I dried off, I called Kyle, needing to hear from him.
“Hello.”
“Hey, Kyle.”
“Mara, hi. Enjoy your own little honeymoon?”
“I did.” I smiled, hearing the happiness in his voice, mirrored by my own. “How’s Sarah?”
“She’s glad to have me. Of course it’s a big adjustment.”
I nodded, not needing him to tell me what it was.
“How are you?”
“Well,” he sighed, “I knew for some time, but, being burned by a friend…”
“Hmm.”
“It’s just unbelievable. Kevin Greer: hero of Iraq, model citizen for ten years, devoted husband, loving father,” he scoffed as I mooned my eyes, “gun nut, extremist, child abuser and, of course, serial killer.” I shook my head in disgust.
“I’m sorry, for Michelle,” I sighed. “For everything.” For doubting you especially. “I have to go,” I told him. “Tell Sarah I said hi, huh?”
“Okay, bye. Wait. How’s Mike?”
“He’s asleep onboard the Winter. He’s fine.” I think. I’ll check.
“Check on him, will ya?”
“Sure. Bye.” I hung up, sat on the toilet to piss then dressed and allowed Caleb his turn. We walked downstairs, hand-in-hand. I was feeling very nervous, but Caleb refused to hide me.
“Hi, Mum. Dad.”
“Hi, Caleb,” David Grey said. Jamie Grey blinked when she saw me and I went red. “Hello, Mara.” The atmosphere became pretty awkward as they looked from me to their son and back again.