Stranger (20 page)
“Ok. I will. Sounds like a good idea.” Suddenly I feel completely exhausted.
He turns my face to him and kisses my mouth lightly.
“I’m going to go talk with everyone. I’ll come and lie down with you in a little while. Are you ok?” He knows my grief is from more than the events we just went through, I can hear it in his voice. There’s trepidation and a little uncertainty there making his brows furrow.
I nod and smile warmly at him reaching up to stroke away the concern in those lines on his face and he relaxes under my touch. Yes, this is an end and a beginning.
“Put the towel on your eyes and relax. I’ll be back soon, baby.” And he leaves me with one more tender kiss. My sadness is pushed quietly away with warmth and devotion. This mysterious stranger came and pulled me from my isolation, filled me with life and hope and desire. My heart swells with happiness of the promise of new beginnings and how lucky I am to have been given a second chance at a love that comes along once in your life if you’re lucky. We’ve all been set free, even Santino. And I silently send a prayer of thanks out to the universe.
He’s not even out the door before sweet sleep envelopes me.
Three hours later my groggy eyes begin to open. I don’t want to wake up, the sleep feels so warm, so good and so velvety. But my chest and legs hurt with something that feels like a tree stump lying on top of them. My throat is aching and my body feels like it’s been beaten up. My mind begins to clear and I feel Marco’s body wrapped around me and his deep steady breathing next to me. I smile in the comfort of it, stirring just a fraction and he pulls me tight.
“Hi,” he scratches out with his sleep filled voice.
I snuggle up closer to him. “Hi.” The word comes out hoarse.
“Are you sure you’re ok, Elizabeth?” His voice is heavy with concern.
I turn to face him. He is such a good and beautiful man it makes me glow brightly inside. I put my hand on his cheek and smile letting some of that brightness shine on him.
“I am now absolutely positively ok.”
He looks into my eyes studying them, breathing out heavily.
“I understand why you did what you did, baby, but are you sure it was the right thing to do?”
I look off somewhere in the distance letting my thoughts drift.
“There has been so much pain and vindication. It’s time for forgiveness and moving forward,” I look back at him, “and it has to start somewhere, Marco. I have to forgive him and myself. Or no one will ever be free. So, yes, I’m sure it’s the right thing to do. For everyone.”
He looks at me for a moment before his lips curve up to one side in a crooked smile.
“You are amazing, Elizabeth.” He pulls me close, stroking my hair and I hold him getting lost in him.
I pull back and look at him my eyes wide in confusion.
“My door is wide open! We can’t be in here with it like that.”
He laughs out loud.
“Relax, it’s already taken care of. Brian and John went home to get their tools and went and bought some trim and paint. They’ve already gotten it fixed and painted. It’s good as new, baby,” he reassures me pulling me back to him, kissing my forehead.
“Wow, those two guys are pretty good friends to have. I have to repay them.” I say relaxing back in the comfort of his arms not wanting to leave.
“Don’t even think about it. They are very good guys and would get insulted if you even brought it up. And I’ve already taken care of things with them.”
I look up at him again with one more question.
“And what about Mr. Jones?”
A look of distaste crosses his face.
“I spoke with him a little as well but that is something you might want to address yourself, Elizabeth. I did let it be known that he was treading in waters of invasion of privacy. He acted like he was a little insulted but also a little scared.”
I let out a heavy breath feeling content in the aftermath of the storm. We sit quietly each of us deep in our own thoughts as we trail feather light caresses over each other’s skin feeling like this is right where we’re supposed to be.
“What do you feel like doing today, Elizabeth? You’ve been through a lot.” He’s holding me with his chin resting on the top of my head.
“Exactly this, just being with you.”
And that is just what we do.
Sunday morning I’m dreaming the most sensual thing, it has me moaning and writhing and I feel my climax building. My orgasm wakes me to Marco’s head between my legs licking me, tonguing me, filling me with his finger. The orgasm is intense, and thick like an opium high, somewhere between sleep and awake state. When I come down from my ride into bliss I return the favor, taking his engorged throbbing shaft deep in my mouth and suck every last drop from him.
Afterwards as we sit at the breakfast bar and I’m having my tea while he’s making us breakfast I think I’ve got to be the luckiest girl in the world. I must have done something really great sometime to have Marco come into my life.
“What do you think about looking at some places I’ve narrowed down to the ones I’m most interested in moving to? I’d like your opinion on the locations and the layouts.” He’s in his boxers dishing the spinach omelets onto our plates. Sitting next to me, I steal a forkful from his plate and his fork comes down grabbing a mouthful from mine.
“Are you kidding me? You’re the real estate developer. This is your thing.”
He bows his head laughing and says, “I still want your opinion.”
Trying not to choke on a mouthful of spinach omelet I say, “Ok, it would be fun.”
He smiles a huge grin with twinkly eyes. “Great, I’ll call the real estate agent so she can schedule the viewings today.” I see a hint of that naughty little boy he must have been as a child looking like he’s up to something.
“Ok, I’ll take a shower and get ready.”
It’s an absolutely beautiful day, almost eighty degrees, clear skies, seagulls flying above and a light soft breeze. It’s always calmest after a storm. I decided on a pair of denim shorts, a long sleeve white jersey top that hangs off one shoulder and ankle boots. Marcos dressed in jeans, a white body fitting T which looks like it should be illegal on him and tan driving shoes. An hour and a half later we’re meeting the agent at the first location. When we arrive she is professional but I can tell she would have preferred being alone with the delectable Mr. Marco Kastanopoulis, her eyes can’t help but peruse his body. She is an impeccably dressed beautiful blonde southern debutante. Why couldn’t he have had some portly older man instead of this Venus de Milo?
“Good afternoon, Marco. Thank you for calling,” she extends her perfectly manicured hand to him.
“Hi, Brooke, thank you for agreeing to meet us on such short notice.” Marco shakes her hand.
“Of course, anything for you,” she replies flashing her bleached white teeth sweetly at him.
Bitch.
“This is my girlfriend Elizabeth DiStefano.” He never breaks contact with my body showing his possession of me. I adore this guy.
“Nice to meet you, Elizabeth, I’m Brooke Williamson.” She turns to me with a polite smile to shake my hand. I can’t blame her for wanting Marco, she’s not dead.
“Hi Brooke, thank you for taking time out of your Sunday, we sincerely appreciate it,” I say to her equally pleasant.
She takes us to the first unit which is a downtown top floor two bedroom, two bath loft apartment overlooking the river, not too far from my place. It is lovely. Of course, it’s an historic commercial building which was perfectly redone. The original bricks were left exposed along with the rafters and brushed glass was used in the main living area as partitions. The marriage of modern and traditional is beautifully done throughout the space.
I look at him, impressed. “Nice place.”
He smiles back at me, “Told you, baby, it’s like art.”
The second location is a cottage in the Frank Lloyd Wright style, also in the historic district. It’s quaint with the original stained glass windows and the dark woodwork gives it a masculine feel. Its two stories with two bedrooms and two baths with the original hardwood floors throughout and a small yard surrounded by black ironwork fencing.
The third unit is further out on the outskirts of Wilmington in the upscale Mayfair community. It’s nice but what makes it appealing is the area. The homes are condos above the trendy boutiques and restaurants and there is a movie theater, gym and a popular grocery store on property. The community is very large and high end.
Our tours of all the locations are finished and we stand talking on a street corner in Mayfair, the end of season tourists and shoppers passing us by.
“Thank you again, Brooke. I’ll call you and let you know what we’ve decided, maybe today or tomorrow.” Marco turns to her shaking her hand again.
She takes it with both of hers and I’m thinking, ‘Oh, no you didn’t!’
“I look forward to it. Just to let you know, all of the homes are available to move in immediately. I know that was a concern of yours,” she answers Marco sweetly.
He looks to me, ignoring her show of familiarity, and answers, “Yes, that’s perfect. Talk to you soon.”
She leaves us and Marco takes me in his arms.
“I think she likes you, Mr. Bond.”
He has the decency to look embarrassed, smiling sheepishly and blushing. “It doesn’t matter, I just needed someone to show me some places. I’m with the woman I want to be with. Shall we go have lunch and talk about them?”
“Sounds good. Do you want to eat here?” I tilt my head to one side looking up into his gorgeous face feeling completely at ease.
“Actually I’d rather go back downtown. Pick a place.” I can feel how relaxed his body seems against mine but he looks as if he’s got something up his sleeve so I decide to go along with it.
“Sure. Hmmm,” I look up as if I’m thinking hard, “how about the Riverboat Landing downtown? If the weather stays like this we can sit outside at a balcony table.” There are private balconies with tables overlooking Water St., one of the few streets still having its original cobble stones.
“Excellent choice, Miss DiStefano.” He puts his arm around me and we head back to the car getting glances from the passersby. I know they’re not looking at me. I smile thinking, ‘That’s right, he’s mine,’ as a shiver of anticipation runs through me imagining being alone with him later.
The wrought iron balconies at Riverboat Landing are small and intimate only accommodating a small two chair bistro style table. You can have the sense of floating over the street if the glass door to the dining room is closed giving the diners complete privacy and seclusion. We’re sitting at our table with our beers, waiting for our food to arrive when Marco asks me, “So, which place did you like the best?” I love how relaxed he finally is and I’m so grateful I have no more secrets between us.
I smile, really to myself, and say, “I think the first loft apartment really suited you.” I can picture him in the sleek modern kitchen in his boxers making breakfast and being right at home.
“I want to know which one you like, Elizabeth.” He leans forward and takes my hand and looks directly in my eyes. “I hope that you will move in with me. And don’t say that it is too soon,” he can see the surprise on my face, “because we both know that it’s the right thing. And to be frank I want it now especially after what just happened. It doesn’t have to be tomorrow...but soon.” So, which place feels like home...for us?”
I sit back crossing my arms in front of my chest as annoyance begins to rise in me.
“I don’t need your pity Marco.”
“Don’t insult me by saying that, Elizabeth. I have been trying to break down your walls since the night I met you. There is nothing standing between holding us back now.” His expression becomes serious as if he’s contemplating a problem that needs to be solved and continues, “There are, I’m sure....aspects of our personalities that both of us are not completely...familiar with yet but now that we have this behind us we can feel more...open and comfortable. So don’t be so stubborn anymore and tell me which one you like. I have a feeling it’s the same one I think.” He doesn’t rise to my unintentional bait by setting me straight and not letting me ruin the mood. This is why I love him.
I study his face seeing the sincerity of his emotions mixed with a hint of something else...maybe that secret I’ve felt that he’s kept from me, that part of himself he’s kept guarded. We look at each other, reading our expressions, he’s determined not to back down while I’m fighting with old demons. I know without a doubt that I can completely trust him, I feel safe with him but I know there’s a lot more to him than what’s on the surface. What I have to do now is decide if I’m ready to walk through this door because I know with everything in me that it’s a lot more than I’ve imagined.
Finally, I say quietly, “The first one.”
He stands, leans over the table taking my face in his hands and kisses me deeply. “Me too,” he whispers.
That night as we are luxuriating in the bath water that is beginning to chill, Marco says quietly in my ear, “Baby, I’ve arranged for you to have a court date on Tuesday to finalize your divorce. Don’t argue with me. It’s moving forward, love.”
I move slowly to the other side of the tub and rest my back against it, my arms lying on the sides and my breasts on the surface of the water as it laps against my nipples. I place one foot gently on Marco’s chest peering at him through lowered lashes.
“You know, it amazes me that one as confident, sexy and in control as yourself should even have to question my position, Marco,” I say huskily. I slide my foot down his chest to his abdomen.
“Miss DiStefano, don’t ever underestimate my knowing exactly how you are feeling, what you are thinking, and what exactly it is that you need. That would be a huge error on your part.” His voice is gravelly, his hands gliding over my foot, up my calf to my thigh.
“I do not doubt that in the least, Mr. Bond, and it is precisely that I’m counting on.” My foot slides down to press against his raging hard-on. “Now take me to bed and do what I need.” I feel his cock twitch under my foot as his lips curve up seductively.
“Your wish is my command, Miss DiStefano,” and he pulls my foot to his mouth and bites each toe then runs his tongue along my arch.
I push my breasts out wanting that tongue on my aching nipples, sucking in a deep breath.
“If you don’t hurry, sir, I’m going to take care of this need right here,” and I reach my hand down between my legs.
He grabs it stopping me, “Oh, no baby, I’m going to tease you until you beg me to let you cum. And I’m going to love every minute of it.” His smile is wicked, curving the corners of those delicious lips. I have to taste them now.
I move fast, splashing the water over the sides of the tub, I’m on top of him sucking his lips into mouth fiercely, shoving my tongue so far down his throat, his face in my hands as his tongue rams down mine as well. I’m rubbing my sex hard on his torso needing the friction as my walls are grasping to feel him inside of me, filling me.
“Please, Marco, I want you now,” I gasp.
His mouth clamps down on my nipple and a primal growl comes from deep within him. What we are doing is animalistic, a hunger so strong it can’t be stopped. With his hands on my hips he slams me down on his cock and plunges in deep.
“Ooooooohhhh, yes,” moaning I throw my head back, that’s what I want.
I am a junkie and he is my fix. I feel the high seeping through every fiber of my being, carrying me into oblivion.
My head is back, my back arching and I’m riding him, my clit against his pelvis screaming out. I meet him thrust for thrust as the water splashes around us furiously with our movements.
“Yes, yes, yes, Marco! Please more!”
“Fuck me, Elizabeth, you feel so fucking good!” This sophisticated man and his dirty mouth takes me to places I only imagined.
I feel the orgasm ready to explode. He knows it too, feeling it.
He grabs my hips and grinds me back and forth on his cock, rubbing my pulsing tiny bundle of sensations up and down him.
“Cum, baby, I want to hear you scream.” His head lowers and he pulls my nipple between his teeth and lip, flicking the tip with his tongue.
I shatter screaming as I dig my nails into his shoulders, rotating between grinding against him and slamming up and down on him. It’s so intense. He’s thrusting into me as his fingers press tightly into my sides, pounding me down hard on his throbbing cock, rotating my hips round and round teasing that bundle that’s my clit. He jerks his hips and buries himself deeper inside me.
“Fuck, Elizabeth! Oh, God, baby,” I feel him cumming and it intensifies my spasms.
Letting the aftershocks carry us down we lie still, breathing heavy, arms and legs entwined.
“Maybe we should get out now, Marco,” I whisper. “The water is cold and we’re all wrinkled.”
He laughs, “Yeah, I guess,” and he lifts my hips, releasing his semi-hard cock from me and my still pulsing sex clenches in protest. He reaches a hand down and washes his dripping cum from me while fondling my lips. Kissing me, he gets out to retrieve towels for us and one to wipe the water off the floor with.
“Wow, I’m surprised there’s any left in here.”
He looks up at me from the floor smiling sinfully.
“That was so hot, baby. You are incredible.”
I blush profusely. “You’ve awakened my beast, Marco. She can’t get enough of you.”