“You’re kidding, right? You’re not kidding.”
She watched with great interest as he finished taking off his clothes. His body gleamed in the firelight, and she sighed as he stretched out full length with his hands behind his head. She stood up and slipped the apron over her head and tied it around her waist as he’d requested. His eyes burned her flesh as she slipped off her bra and panties.
But she was right. And the apron didn’t stay on for long, either.
He worshipped her body with delicate kisses and indelicate touches. He practiced a rough magic, suckling her breasts until she cried out for more. His hands were everywhere at once and still somehow fleeting in their attention.
She traveled on her own journey, using her hands and mouth over his naked chest and bare back, down his long legs and flat stomach. She was relentless in her pursuit to please him. But in those final moments when he pushed inside of her they both stilled and fought to prolong the joining, to capture the passing reverence that held them both in thrall. But her body had a hunger that demanded satisfaction, and she soon lost her mind dancing to the rhythm that led her to completion. He found his own release and collapsed, gathering her close.
She listened to him breathe and matched her rhythm to his. Donny Joe had made love to her many times since the night he’d decided to serenade her on the front porch, but this night was different. She was going to marry this man, tie her future to his, and say good-bye to a lifetime of not belonging.
He moved against her seductively, arousing her again without effort. “Are you ready to talk about phase three?”
She kissed his neck and ran her hands down his back. “Does phase three involve zip lines and hot air balloon rides for the guests?”
He rolled her underneath his body, stretching out so they touched inch by inch. “Don’t be silly. That’s phase four.”
“So, what’s phase three?” She kissed his chin.
“Phase three is where we discuss kids. If we want any or not. And cats. Gabe could use a friend or two, don’t you think? What about dogs?”
“I always wanted a parakeet.”
“I bet Gabe would like a parakeet, too.”
She smiled. “Okay, no parakeets.”
Wrapped in Donny Joe’s arms, Etta fell asleep that night to the sound of his voice and the feel of his heart beating next to hers.