Van
The master bedroom bath contained a large rectangular tub with windows that looked out onto the balcony and beyond. As Julia ran the warm water, I dimmed the lights, certain that when it came to this lovely woman, I didn’t want the world to watch. I wanted her all to myself.
My earlier concerns evaporated at the moment Julia’s blue stare met mine and she stepped from the car in front of the hotel. It wasn’t my style to show public displays of affection, but in that second, I didn’t give a shit who saw. The thoughts and worries I’d battled all afternoon vanished with her in my arms.
Soon we’d be back to Ashland, in our snow globe, a place I could control. I’d already called Jonathon Curry, Margaret’s husband, and asked him to contract a new and improved security company. The property was too large for a fence; however, the roads to and from each building could be monitored. The main gate could be improved. Other gates could be installed. Cameras could be added with motion detection. I’d probably get a thousand notifications for deer and foxes—the only mammals I wanted getting close.
Leaning against the vanity, I grinned as Julia began to undress. It wasn’t a striptease as she’d done weeks ago at my request. No, her movements were slow, unbuttoning her blouse and unbuckling her belt. Her back was to me as she was lost in her thoughts. It was as the blouse and slacks hit the bathroom floor that she turned, her eyes wide, her lips parted as she caught me watching.
Finally, her smile formed. “Do you like what you see?”
“No,” I replied, my voice dropping an octave.
In two steps I was close, lifting her chin as her blue gaze met mine. “I love what I see. Every inch of you is perfection.” I tilted my head. “There is one thing…”
“What?”
I brought my palms to her temples. “Stop thinking about today.”
Julia sighed. “I didn’t tell you about packing.”
“Tell me in the tub.”
She nodded.
Soon, my clothes joined Julia’s as she removed her bra and stepped out of her panties. Reclining in the hot water near the far end, I offered my hand as she stepped over the side and settled her tight ass between my legs with her back against my chest. Wrapping my arms around her, I exhaled. “I don’t think I answered you before, but I love your plan.”
“What plan?”
“Our wedding. I’m free tomorrow night.”
Julia quaked as the air filled with her laugh. “Let’s say a week from Saturday. That will give me time to plan with Paula and Margaret. And I didn’t get to see Vicki, but I can call and ask her to come north.
“Maybe before we leave, I can go to one of the department stores and get a dress.” She didn’t wait for me to reply. “No. I remember Margaret saying there are nice boutiques in Ashland.”
I cupped some water and rained it over her slender shoulders. “You do whatever you need to do to make our wedding exactly what you want. After all, it’s a first for both of us.”
Julia’s gaze came over her shoulder. “I believe you.”
“Now isn’t the time to discuss her, but I want you to know that there’s no competition. There was a time when I was obsessed with Madison. I’m in love with you.”
Julia settled against my chest. “The only important detail for our wedding is the man who says his vows with me. I want him to be you.”
“Deal, beautiful, you have me. Do you want to tell me about packing?”
She craned her neck backward and grinned. “I brought what you wanted.”
My eyebrows arched. “As in you brought it with you or you packed it?”
“Brought. I didn’t want Rosemary or anyone moving boxes to find it.”
“I like the way you think.”
Exhaling, her weight settled again against my chest. “Rosemary helped me. She has been around since I was young. When she came into my room, I was crying.” Julia shook her head. “She understood and had boxes brought up. We packed everything I want.”
It broke my fucking reawakened heart to hear her say that, and yet there was another reaction, one that I couldn’t completely describe. Julia was opening up, sharing her pain. Experience told me that doing what she was doing was more difficult than sharing our bodies. While sex was an intimate act, baring one’s soul was a thousand steps beyond that.
I continued to rain the warm water over her soft skin, her shoulders, her arms, and her legs as Julia continued to talk.