It's Got A Ring To It (26 page)

Armed with only my
plan to endure the stifling silence of words unspoken, I quickly showered and
stepped into my little black dress. It wasn
’t what I would have chosen, but it suited the seductive mood I was
feeling. Outside, a watercolor orange painted the sky and a warm breeze blew
softly on my still dampened bare back, leaving
goose bumps
in its wake. Beneath the toiletry
bag were my special occasion pink suede heels, the ones that I normally hid in
the back of the closet waiting for a worthy occasion to wear. One by one, I put
them on and twisted in the mirror to see them from every angle. They were the
finishing touch on the outfit, flirty and fun. Quickly, I let my hair down and
freshened up my makeup, adding a touch of rosy pink lipstick and a few swipes
of mascara. One more look in the mirror, nothing else to add.

“How do I look?” I asked
hesitantly. “I hope this is okay.”

“
You look…stunning
.
H
e rose at my
entrance,
his wide-eyed appraising look spoke volumes. It was all I needed to know. Only,
the pained expression that followed hurt me to know that I caused it.

“
Myles—” I began again. And again, he tried
to walk away. But, this time, his refusal to let me respond, enraged me. The
next thing I knew, I was yelling at him. “The tour
will
wait. You need to let me have my say, too.”

“
Laila
, don’t say anything that you don’t mean
.
”
H
is reprimanding tone stilled the room.

“
Myles, will you just listen?” He stood there
hovering over me, perturbed and fuming. “Will you just give me a chance? Hear
my side?”

Without moving an
inch, he focused his eyes on me and immediately the weight of his stare made it
that much harder.
“When you told me
you loved me, it mirrored everything in my heart, but it rendered me
speechless. Not because I don’t feel the same. Because I do feel the same.” He
remained frozen in his demeanor, hardened to my words.

“
I didn’t want to believe it. I thought we could
move past this and be much stronger for it, but now I know.” Back and forth,
Myles paced the room with his eyebrows furrowed in knots, debating an argument
with himself.

“
You know what, Myles? You didn’t want to believe
what?”

“
Ethan.”

“
What about, Ethan? Myles, you’re not making sense.
This has nothing to do with Ethan
.
” I retorted.

“
This has everything to do with Ethan,” he remarked
poignantly. “Everything to do with you holding back. With what you didn’t say.”

There wasn
’t a choice at that point. Measure for measure, he
coaxed me into the deep end. “You don’t know anything!” My voice reverberated
throughout the room, and cut off sharply with a tear. I began a second time,
steadying myself. “What I didn’t say? Huh? I didn’t want to bother you with all
the things I didn’t say. I didn’t want to bring all that toxic baggage into
whatever it was that we were beginning. It’s more than what you think, Myles. I
told you that Ethan
left me at the altar
, but what you didn’t
know is that
he
stole
from me.
He
hurt me.
So, yes.
Yes, I’ve held back a little, but
for good reason.
For the best reason.
To be for damn
certain before speaking those words again.” All at once, the questions in his
eyes, washed into the flood of sympathy and warmth that came over him. His
shoulders released and his expression softened. It was my undoing. “I know you
have questions, Myles, but I don’t regret the pain that I’ve been through. It’s
gotten me to this place. I’ve been falling for you since we met, and it scared
me.” Gently, he brushed his lips against mine. “The way I say them to you means
as much to me as the words themselves.”

“
Laila
…,”
he uttered softly as he closed the distance
between us.

Determined, I squared my
mind and body on him and held his face between my hands to ensure that his
attention did not waver
.
“I’m in love with
you, Myles Donovan.
The kind that I wish for everyone else to
experience.
A love that will not go away with time or
space.
The kind that I’ll never grow to regret.”

twenty-two

As the
limo pulled into the second vineyard, Myles slid his hand in mine and kissed me
softly behind the ear. I wanted more, but it would have to be enough for the
moment. On several occasions, I had to force myself to pay attention. Since we
left the room, my mind seemed to focus only on Myles. The slight opening in his
lips as he told me he loved me.
The strength in his hands, as
he pulled me into a mind-melting kiss.
The
increasingly urgent pulse of the hollow ache between my thighs.
I wanted
to take him right then. If it weren’t for the tour, I would have.

Eagerly, I read every microscopic-lettered label. Smelled every
aromatic wine. Forced myself to listen to the tour guide, no matter how bad the
comedic timing of his scripted banter. And finally, my mind got the hint and
allowed me to concentrate on anything but Myles. This place was exactly what I
had envisioned a vineyard to look like. A room lined wall-to-wall and concrete
floor to wooden ceiling with barrels of wine.
A dash of
industrial
amid
a countryside setting.
The aroma was sweet with a robust flavor
lingering in the air, smoothed with a hint of chipped wood. Dim lights only
added to the atmosphere, giving it ambient warmth.

At the center of our group
,
the vineyard owner, Pierre, a tall reserved
man
,
w
ore
faded jeans
and a button-down flannel shirt with rolled sleeves. He didn’t say much, but
when he did, everyone listened intently. He included historical significance
and minute details that somehow added to the experience, making us feel like we
were a part of something great. A deeply rooted passion for wine and the
process of
winemaking
was apparent as he described the unique flavor of each wine. Cabernet
Sauvignon, he confessed, was his favorite. Briefly, he noted that it was a
black wine grape native to Bordeaux, France, which he now grew locally. Pierre
continued to talk, teaching simultaneously. Watching him swirl the glass “to
aerate and pull out the real essence” was strangely entertaining. I found
myself on edge, waiting for something magical to happen, like a
jack-in-the-box, winding until a clown pop
ped
out. Pierre sipped, and a sigh of
complete bliss seeped from his mouth as if he’d just consumed heaven in a
glass.

The group repeated the same steps as instructed, but there
was
no heaven.
Just speedy gulps, taking it down.
All the
hype and brouhaha, followed by an even bigger letdown.
I swirled, slowly
and with as much grace as Pierre. The aroma filled my nose as I inhaled the
effervescent miasma, intoxicating my senses. Suddenly, I relaxed with my mouth
watering for the flavor. With the first swallow, I was wholly consumed. My eyes
closed and my taste buds delighted in the tantalizing allure of this gift. This
was no boxed foul-up or cheap corner store impostor. Fresh. There was no way I
could go back. As a favor to myself, I promised myself only the good stuff
going forward.

When I finally reopened my eyes, Myles was staring at me intently,
but I couldn't turn away. He locked me in and I was helpless to his unsavory
intentions. “What?” I whispered.

The sides of his mouth curled up, in that way that only his
mischievous
grin did. He
said nothing aloud, but he held my hand slightly tighter and walked slowly. As
the group moved past us, we began to lag behind. Next thing I knew, we were
running off between barrels, like hamsters in a maze.

“What was that all about?”

“I had to get you alone,” Myles spoke, breathlessly
.
“I just can’t take it
anymore.”

Without warning, I was up against the wall with Myles’ chest pressed
against me as he nibbled on my neck. A cool night breeze rushed through the
door, chilling me to the core. My nipples hardened at his touch, blazing
against my pulsing skin. Swiftly, he lifted me up in his capable hands,
straddling my legs around his waist. We swayed rhythmically, panting with
desperation and eager anticipation. Frantically, I looked around to see if
anyone was around, but there was no one. This wasn’t just heavy petting going
on. My conscience shut down. It wasn’t a circumstance that made time for
impulsive second-guessing.

As Myles slid the halter around my neck to the side, my breasts
throbbed impatiently. The need was palpable. All I could do was thank Lena for
packing the dress and my lucky stars that I shaved
earlier
. Through my panties, his length
pressed against me, the anticipation volcanic. Restlessly, my hands combed
through his hair, wildly rubbing his broad shoulders. Our breathing was heavy
and labored as we panted with anticipation. I already knew he was good, but
this was like getting a sex do-over. What a
first time
should be like.

Beneath my dress, Myles shifted my panties to the side, and when his
warm flesh touched mine, an explosion erupted that felt so good, my head jerked
back, so my chin lifted b
a
ring my neck to him. A feverish moan seeped
from my mouth as Myles trailed his tongue from the tip. As he followed the
path, abruptly,
a couple
from our tour group
startled us
.

“Newlyweds!” they teased. From afar, I heard the woman say, “
D
on’t even think about it.”

Myles and I couldn’t hold back and burst with stifled laughter.

Back on my feet, I shifted my dress trying to put myself together
again. He patted my wild
-
woman
-
in
-
heat hair down and thumbed away smeared
lipstick. I still felt giddy and exuberant, adrenaline running on high. “Can
you believe they think we’re newlyweds? Is that how they behave?” I questioned,
laughing it off.

“Yes,” he murmured. Though, it was unclear which question he was
actually answering. Still, my heart did a little summersault, just thinking
about it.

We rejoined the group a few minutes later, but I couldn't stop
smiling and giggling. Mockingly, Myles kept shushing me, feigning
embarrassment. It got so
bad,
I’d fake a cough in
between uncontrollable snickers. He was just as bad. He only made it worse with
each knowingly impish glance he gave me. People kept looking back, but had
anyone said anything, I would’ve blamed it on the alcohol at the drop of a
dime. What’s worst, the couple that caught us kept shooting us the stink eye, then
winking like we had some secret inside joke.

By the time the third tour ended, we were hankering with a thirst
that couldn’t be quenched with wine. Myles tipped the driver quickly as we
arrived back at the inn, practically dragging me to the room, until he couldn’t
wait another second and swooped me up into his arms. At the door, we were
downright animalistic. Ripping at each other’s clothes without a care. It was
all hands in hair. Rubbing and suckling. I was unbuttoning his shirt and pants
while he unfastened the straps on my halter dress.

Then, abruptly, he stopped everything.

“
Laila
, I love you and I really wanted this
time to be special. I told you I wanted to make love to you. Should we slow
things down?”

Out of
breath
and dizzy, I gave him props for
having any control at all. There’s no way, we could just start all over and go
slow. I was already nearing the edge. “Next time
.
” I managed, winded, ferociously pushing him
onto the bed. He l
ay
there waiting. Just the thought of being in control of the situation, gave me
an incredible surge of power.
Ironically, a calming effect.
I was emboldened by the prospect of controlling this moment. Seductively, I
stepped back and unzipped the back of my dress taking in the scene, never
breaking our gaze. Rose petals still adorned the bed and the walls flashed from
the candles alight around the room.
My hips swayed
slowly
as
I let the
dress fall to the floor. Myles’ head tilted and his mouth contorted into a
smirking smile. If anything, he was intrigued and pleased at the turn of
events. With his eyes locked on me, I
thumbed
the sides of my panties and tugged
until they joined my dress on the floor. The lights were all on and I wasn’t
the least bit put off by my nakedness.

“Take off your shirt,” I commanded, watching admiringly as he obeyed
. He
unbutton
ed
the first
two buttons of his long
-
sleeve
white dress shirt,
then
lift
ed
it
effortlessly over his head. “Now your pants.” The orders came
free flowing
, one by one, as
if this was a part of me that had been repressed. His slacks weren’t fastened
and his blue boxer briefs peeked teasingly at me. “Slowly,” I commanded as he
released himself, letting his pants circle around his ankles. He reached for
the elastic rim of his boxer briefs, ready for his next order, but I couldn’t
let him have all the fun. “Allow me,” I s
aid s
oftly.

Nearing him, he attempted to sit up, but I gently nudged him back
with a warning nod. Carefully, I tugged at the briefs, with fixed attention as
every carnal desire inside me heightened at the very sight of his erection.
Coquettishly, I climbed onto the bed with one leg on either side of him,
mounting him. I stroked purposefully until I was sure that he was fully
aroused,
then
I rolled the condom down and
position
ed
him at the
opening between my thighs. Gently, he thrust himself in until my walls
tightened
around him. I
closed my eyes in delicious bliss. Rhythmically rocking. Steadying my breath
with each inch of his full length surrounded by my depth. I sat into it,
winding him into position. As quickly as I ascertained the idea, he reached up
claiming
my mouth
with
his while his hands
explored my body. In one swift motion, he spun me onto my back, thrusting
himself deeper, as I opened my legs wider to receive all of him.

There was no point fighting it. I wanted him to control me. Relieved
and turned on at the same time, I conceded his victory over me and permitted my
body to release. He captured my pleasured gaze, as he lowered the full weight
of his body, pinning me down. Up and down, my chest rose and fell. Mouth agape
with exhilarated anticipation. He averted his attention to my neck. Warm and
wet, his tongue trail
ed
the length from nape to collarbone.
B
ehind my ear
it led,
then
burned a path downward to my breasts. Myles took one into his mouth, satiating
his hunger.
Licking and sucking, harder.
Harder.

He pulled himself out to the tip as his capable hands burrowed
beneath
me,
taking my
ass
within
their grip as he shifted to guide my legs open f
a
rther. Teasing me. Taunting me. His fingers
entered slowly, welcomed by moist wetness. That same knowing grin crossed his
face, meeting my eyes again. I was ready for him. Craving him. Pleasured by
him, when he reentered.

We
pulsed
to our own tempo,
swayed in motion. In. Out. In. Out. Deeper.
Harder. Harder. “Myles,” I moaned. In cadence, he plunged deeper and harder,
meeting my yearning throbs like a ticking time bomb, awaiting the inevitable
explosion that comes. As he found my clitoris, I wrapped my legs tightly around
him, locking him in place, so he could only go faster and deeper. “Oh, right
there. Right there. Right there
.
”
I gasped
.
A broken record.
Our labored breath hitched
on
lust
infused with love.

“
Laila
,” a winded groan seeped out. He was
nearly there
,
too.
On edge.
On top.
In
love.
Making love.
At the brink with me.
And
when I thought I couldn’t take anymore, he pushed until he reached the deepest
end of my sweet depth and held it there. Tremors rocked our sated quaking
bodies. Myles’ uneven breath gradually settled as he laid on me, still inside
me.

I never felt closer to anyone. Somehow, in the midst of such an
intimate moment, he touched my heart and though it still scared me, I reveled
in our proximity and forced myself to stay in the moment. We’d had sex before,
but it made such a difference to have sex without uncertainty. We were free to
talk about and act on our feelings. “Myles, I’m so in love with you,” I
repeated, relishing in the sweet sound of the words that I’d been longing to
say.

When he lifted his eyes to mine, he was smiling from ear to ear.
“Well, that’s good news since I’m in love with you too,
Laila
Smart,” he murmured leaning in for another heartwarming kiss followed by a
robust yawn and head to toe stretch.

“Are you getting tired on me?”

“Well, it is getting pretty late. Why? What did you have in mind?”

I responded only with a sinful smile.

“Round two?” And as I nodded my assent, he playfully tackled me back
down on the bed. “
What am I going to do with you woman?
”