Marriage of Convenience (19 page)

Caroline followed him to the door and flipped the deadbolt. Not that she was expecting company. But she’d learned long ago that it was better to be safe than sorry when her sister was around. Sarah and Cody had rooms a few floors down across from Gloria and Denzel. Caroline wasn’t taking chances. They had just enough time before they had to be ready for dinner to … visit, as her prudish mother would say.

With his back to the room and his hands splayed out in front of him, Malcolm leaned into the window. The position accentuated his broad shoulders and tight butt. Caroline was glad she still had her crotchless panties on. She crossed the room silently and wrapped her arms around him from behind. He shifted his weight to both feet and pulled her around so that she was in front of him, chest to chest. Caroline snuggled her head into his shoulder. He leaned over her pulling her closer as he ran his hands down her back and under her cheeks. Cupping her bottom, he asked huskily, “How much time until dinner?”

Understanding what he was really asking, Caroline nipped his earlobe and enjoyed the shudder that rippled through his body. She turned her head and found his mouth. He responded with hot, hungry kisses. He cupped a breast in each hand, massaging the perky mounds and plucking her nipples until they budded into tight knots. With her hands braced against his shoulders, Caroline arched back, offering herself to him. She sucked in a ragged breath when he pinched her hardened nipples through the fabric of her shirt. He kissed his way down her neck and throat and then raised her top to tease each nipple with his teeth. Laving the tender skin around them with the flat of his tongue, he squeezed gently, then tugged harder on their taut peaks. After putting an arm around her waist he nudged her backward so he could part her thighs and run his fingers through the tight, damp curls.

He lifted her right leg off the floor and wrapped it around his hip. Leaning into her hip, he pinned her to the window as his other hand worked between them, dragging her skirt above her hips. Clearly satisfied he had full access to her, he dipped his hand back down between them and cupped her heat. Caroline moaned and arched her back. This wasn’t what she’d been thinking they’d do, but this was good, too. Malcolm ran his fingers over the lacy fabric until one slipped through, and his skin made contact with hers. She spread her legs and cried out when his fingers found her wet heat. His fingers slid over her clit and though the silky folds. He pushed one finger and then a second one into her core, and she arched, encouraging him to go deeper. He drove her frantic as he stroked her. She shifted her head, and he kissed her again, his tongue mirroring what his fingers were doing, pushing in and out, gently stroking her until she thought she would go mad with need.

****

“Oh, yes.” Caroline moaned. “Please!” Malcolm rubbed his thumb over her clit and watched her head fall back against the window. Her heat thrust up against his hand, encouraging his movements. Her breathing increased, and his hand moistened as her hips bucked wildly.

He used his fingers and thumb to tease her while he greedily sucked at first one nipple and then the other. She writhed against his hand, her body coaxing for deeper penetration. When he thought she was close to climaxing he stopped his caresses and demanded another long kiss until her body calmed and her breathing slowed. They kissed deeply, passionately. Then he thrust his fingers into her hot, wet depths and drove her higher.

Each time she strained for release he taunted her by calming her and then driving into her deeper, keeping her strung, tight, and needy. He teased her until neither of them could stand another second, until her nails dug into his shoulders. Unzipping his fly with his free hand, he buried himself inside her as deeply as possible.

“Oh God.” Caroline arched when he pumped his hips.

“That’s it. Take it, baby.” Malcolm thrust in and out of her, his tempo growing faster as he fucked her with a hunger he couldn’t satisfy. “You’re so hot. So wet.”

Not having been in a relationship, sexual or otherwise, in quite some time, he wasn’t used to the overwhelming need that coursed through him every time he was near Caroline. But he was quickly realizing that only she made him feel this slow burn, and only she could satisfy his need.

“Open your eyes. Watch me.” Their eyes met as he pounded inside her with animalistic ferocity. She squeezed his flexing muscles, pulling him to her as she lifted her hips toward his.

He savored every sensation, every touch, every sight and scent as he thrust in and out. He wanted to prolong the deep, intimate connection, but he needed her badly, needed the hard, thrusting movements to relieve his desire. He thrust hard and strong, every muscle tensing as the pleasure built. Too quickly, they both spun out of control and hung suspended for a moment in the dizzying warmth.

And just in time. As they cradled each other against the window pane, there was a knock on the door.

They groaned in unison. Dinner.

“So what do you think, Sarah?”

Caroline twirled from the full-length mirror in the dressing room off the small chapel to show her sister the veil she’d found. Her hair hung in a mass of red curls, flowing over her shoulders. The white veil sparkled with crystals, but didn’t shimmy or swish with her hair as the edges were weighted down with pearls.

With her sister looking over her shoulder, Caroline studied the fitted gray tee shirt, the hip hugging jeans, and black flip-flops she intended to wear down the aisle. Her only other accessories were tea-length gloves and a large Japanese Akoya pearl necklace with matching earrings. The pearls matched those woven into the lace around the edges of the veil. She smiled at her reflection. She was going to have her wedding her way. The necklace and earrings had been gifts from Gloria and Denzel, but she and her sister had searched far and wide for the veil. They’d spent hours together looking for the right one. She was happy to have had the chance to bond with her sister over the process. And she could honestly say that she loved the veil.

“I think the veil is gorgeous. And the rest of the ensemble is definitely you.” Her sister fluffed the veil, then worked out the uneven layers until they lay nicely over Caroline’s hair.

Caroline watched Sarah smooth her tea-length leaf green shantung dress over her thighs and admire her reflection.

“I couldn’t guess how you could choose such a lovely dress for me, but be satisfied with jeans and a t-shirt for yourself.”

Caroline smiled. “It’s a beautiful dress. Just not for me at my wedding. I want to be me at my wedding. I want to be surrounded by the things and people I love. And I love these jeans, this t-shirt, and these flip-flops.” She turned to look at her profile in the mirror. “And I’ll just borrow it from you when I need it.”

“Well, I look amazing, if I do say so myself. Excellent choice, love. And I can wear it again for an evening function with the hubby. Very practical.” Sarah pretended to push her out of the way of the mirror to preen at her own reflection.

They giggled like school-girls. When tears filled Caroline’s eyes she swiped them away. “I think I must be getting a little giddy. If this continues I’ll ruin my makeup.”

“You’re allowed, dear. It’s your wedding day. And I don’t think Malcolm cares about your makeup.” Caroline pulled her sister into her arms and hugged her tight, knowing she was right.

The mention of Malcolm’s name brought a smile to Caroline’s face. Her motivations for agreeing to their first date were different from those that had her fussing over her hair and makeup with strains of Bach’s “Minuet in G Major” filtering in from a wood paneled door that led to a wedding chapel. But the first date had led to a second, and with each moment she’d fallen more deeply in love.

Or at least that’s what she thought it was. She’d never felt this way about anyone before. She ached to be in his presence and couldn’t wait to be his wife. Not having acknowledged these truths to herself before, she felt her chest deflate and her heart falter. She knew that what she was feeling were not last-minute doubts, but only a few bridal jitters. She was resolute in her desire to spend her life with him despite some unanswered questions.

“Oh no, come back, this day is not over yet.”

“What are you talking about?”

“You do that every time you think about him.”

“Do what? I was just looking at myself in the mirror.”

Sarah snorted. “No, you were getting all dreamy eyed and sappy.” Caroline watched her sister’s face go slack and her eyes rolled to the side as she fluttered her lashes.

Caroline swatted her sister. A knock at the door interrupted more laughter. “Hey, ladies,” Gloria said. “Have you been doing some premature celebrating and hitting the free bubbly without me?” She closed the door behind her and smiled widely at the two sisters. “You two look beautiful. You realize most folks would be confused as to why the one in the gray t-shirt was wearing the wedding veil, right?” Caroline held out open arms to her friend and squeezed her tight.

“I’m so glad you guys could make it.”

“Are you kidding? You and Malcolm are our two most favorite people. And you’re getting married to each other. We couldn’t be happier!”

Caroline pulled Gloria to her side and gazed at their reflection in the mirror. She really was blessed to have such great friends, especially when she didn’t have a great family base for support.

“And I am thrilled you decided to get married in this get-up. We will all definitely look back at these pictures and chuckle later.”

Caroline saw tears well in her friend’s eyes and kissed her cheek. “Now stop, or you’ll make me cry, too, and I’ll mess up my make-up.”

Gloria cleared her throat. “Well, the guests are all seated. The preacher’s here, and the music has started. It’s time!”

They all laughed. There were no guests besides each woman’s significant other, and there was no preacher, only a justice of the peace ordained by the state of Nevada to provide some legalese to make the event official.

“Thank you both for all your help. For being here to share this with me.”

Sarah hugged her sister again and picked up her bouquet of gardenias. The room was heavy with their sweet fragrance. Gloria kissed Caroline on the cheek before smoothing her veil back into place.

They made their way into the foyer and to the double doors leading into the main chapel. The doors were flanked by large blooms of gardenias. Gloria slipped in and gave the justice the thumbs up.

The music swelled and segued to Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy”, Sarah’s cue to make her way down the aisle. With a brief smile, Sarah handed the large bouquet of gardenias over to the bride and clasped her own smaller version to her abdomen and made her way slowly toward the front of the chapel.

Then it was Caroline’s turn. She hadn’t expected to feel so nervous, but she was fairly certain she was hyperventilating. She drew breath in and tried to control the exhale. She felt her skin heat up. She was glad for her choice of outfit—anything more revealing would make the red splotches of color that grew on her neck and chest too visible. She fought for control as she looked down the short aisle to the groom.

The groom, she marveled for the hundred times that morning. That wasn’t a word she’d planned on using personally in her lifetime. But there he was. Her groom.

The music changed again, and as Pachelbel’s “Canon” blossomed, she inhaled a deep breath and took a slow step forward. She’d determined not to have anyone walk her down the aisle, so she took the step alone. She took another. And another. She didn’t hesitate along the way. She grew confident in her walk and the new life that would result. She came to a stop beside Malcolm. He wore his own favorite pair of Levi’s 501. She admired the way his burnt orange tee shirt stretched tightly across his well developed pectoral muscles. He looked good enough to eat.

Malcolm lifted his hand toward her. Caroline curled hers fingers over his, and they turned to face the judge.

The judge inclined his head toward them, and in a voice filled with warmth and promise, he recited the words that would bring Caroline and Malcolm together forever. With the announcement that they were husband and wife, they turned toward each other and kissed deeply.

Their few guests made enough noise to make up for all those missing, and the couple turned to greet them as man and wife. Caroline giggled as Malcolm scooped her into his arms and carried her back down the aisle. She was very tempted to tell him to continue through the lobby and on out to the limousine waiting to take them to the airport, but she thought this would probably be frowned upon by their guests. She couldn’t wait to be alone with her husband.

Malcolm put Caroline on her feet under the gardenia-laden trellis. The trellis arched over a mock fountain set into the wall of an alcove. As though on cue, the photographer began snapping pictures. They tolerated the attention for a few minutes, even kissing tenderly for the sake of the wedding album, but both were anxious to continue with the celebration.

The early evening found them saying goodbye to the wedding party and holding hands as they stepped into the still-too-warm air that suffocated Las Vegas year round. A limousine picked them up at the main entrance and whisked them to the airport. Caroline and Malcolm rested their heads on their respective head rests, their hands joined together on the seat between them. Both were reliving the day and night before, not wanting to forget a detail.

It wouldn’t be until they were forty thousand feet in the air and on the final leg of their flight to the island that Malcolm would feel married. Away from their everyday world, alone and focused only each other, he would then feel that she belonged only to him and he to her.

The vows and the exchange of rings and the reception had been beautiful. She’d thought of everything and even things that didn’t seem so obvious, but by far he was simply happy that she’d thought of him as she planned. He wasn’t sure that if he’d been asked his opinion beforehand about certain details that he’d have been able to articulate a definite preference. But having been through the experience he wouldn’t have changed a thing.