Chapter 77

Richie woke to streaming sun, soft skin and a quiet sense of peace he didn't think he'd ever find. They'd managed to make their way back to the beach house and hadn't come up for air for two solid days. If he didn't know every square inch of Elena's body before then, he certainly did now.

A whisper and a murmur, a plea and a scream, even a sigh could all be named now. Instead of feeling itchy for newness, he just wanted to hear each and every sound from her for the rest of his days.

He traced the line of her spine with the tip of his finger and slid from their bed when his body let him know that even a naked and more than willing mate would have to wait for other more urgent things. She turned into his pillow as he stood and curved her lithe little body around it with a soft smile on her lips. Groaning before his morning erection talked him out of nature's call he padded into the bathroom.

Taking advantage of a little alone time he took a quick shower after he emptied his bladder and brushed his teeth. Tugging on a soft pair of worn cargo shorts he zipped them, leaving the button open as he sat down next to his wife. Wife, he snorted softly. Still couldn't believe that.

He pressed a kiss along her shoulder, down to the soft skin of her back, to the tiny flare of her hips. "Wakey, wakey my beautiful wife."

She murmured softly into the pillow as sleepy eyes fluttered opened slowly. She shifted slowly and turned, her gaze roaming up his body, a whispered hint of a smile playing about her lips. God he was beautiful, even this time of the day.

Her husband, it still felt a bit unreal to even think, but after two days of unadulterated pleasure, of learning each inch of him, each gasp and groan, each little growl, it was becoming more and more real. Funny that a growl could be defined into groups, but they could and each one could set her to shivering on the barest of whispers.

Her hand reached out and traced his forearm as she began to speak, "Mmmmm, someone's awake a bit earlier than usual."

"As much as I love making love to you in every," He leered with an exaggerated waggle of brows. "Imaginable way, I figured it might be nice to actually leave the house today." He leaned in and pressed a light kiss on her upturned mouth.

A bright smile flashed into her eyes as she sat up swiftly then leaned in to plaster a kiss onto those sensual lips of his. "Mmmm, you mean I finally get to show you off huh?"

He grinned into the kiss. "Absolutely. Bad sea salted hair and all."

She tilted her head and pretended to study him carefully. "Might SHOULD get you some conditioner." She laughed softly, knowing her hair was probably as frazzled as his from the sun and salt water.

He pushed his fingers through his rat’s nest of hair. "We could do a little shopping in the village. Not to mention we're completely out of food. Especially mangos." His eyes lit with hunger as he remembered just how he'd eaten the meaty, stringy fruit the night before. His fingertip slid beneath the sheet to tease a soft nipple to readiness with just a light stroke.

A slow flush built in her cheeks as a soft whispered moan escaped her. "Ahhh mangoes, yes," her eyes lighting as his inventiveness coursed through her memories. "Eating, it’s a good thing." She leaned closer, her skin rubbing along his slowly, her head dipping down to kiss that slight valley in between his pecs, even now that one spot fascinated her.

Trying to be strong against the soft little licks and the feel of her soft, soft skin against his he let his arms fold around her. "Eating is a very good thing, and if I could sustain myself on you and your rather delicious taste, I would." His stomach made the argument for him as it growled loudly. "But I only had mangos for dinner last night," he laughed. "That ain't gonna cut it, love."

A fine brow arched as a she sighed softly over his skin, her lips sliding up to his lips for a gentle kiss. "Right, real food it is." She leaned back before sliding from the bed. "Give me ten minutes?"

"Too late, I already gave you forever," he smirked. "But you can have ten minutes to get ready to leave the house," he said and leaned back on the bed with his fingers laced on his stomach.

She shook her head and began to chuckle as she walked to the closet, "and if I take twenty?"

"I'll have to just come help...um, dress you." He said with a wide grin.

She reached into the closet and pulled a couple of items out before turning towards the bathroom. "I'll hold you to that honey." She laughed all the way to the bathroom, intending to be out in less than ten just to prove a girl could get ready faster than expected.

Eight minutes later she exited the bathroom, hair washed and brushed up into a pony-tail. Standing in the door way she let her gaze wander over each glorious inch of him, so casually reclined on the bed. "Well I'm ready and you’re still just laying there?"

Richie opened one eye. A white denim skirt sat low on her hips showing off her tanned and toned stomach. Her legs were showcased and looked smooth to the touch. He opened his other eye to take in the full effect of the cropped purple shirt that tied at the back of her neck showing off her sun-kissed shoulders. "I'm deciding if that cute denim skirt can flip up quickly."

A slightly evil grin started on her lips and traveled to her eyes as she turned around, letting the wrap around skirt flare slightly, the absence of even thongs apparent. "Oh I dunno, do ya think it might?"

He slid off the bed and hooked an arm around her waist, letting his other hand cup her butt through the material. "I'm thinking I could go without food for at least another ten minutes."

She leaned back against him, her hips slowly shimmying against his crotch as she offered up a soft whimper. "But your tummy keeps growling."

He nosed his way around to the back of her ear, nipping none too gently. "I know something else that's growling louder," he said and pressed his quickly hardening erection into her belly.

She gasped softly, her body trembling slightly, "Richie.. food??"

Easing away slowly he hissed. "I'm never going to pick food over sex darlin'." He dipped in and caught her lips, letting the heat and the hunger free as he backed her into the long bureau that took up half the wall from the bathroom to the door of their bedroom. Hiking her and her skirt up, he groaned as skin was her only underclothing.

Her tummy chose that moment to grumble and protest, and rather loudly, "But baby I'm hungry, you don’t want me fainting from hunger do ya?" She batted her lashes as she turned her gaze upwards as a soft smile gracing her lips. "I could really do with a juicy burger or something."

His finger slid up the sweet slit that her skirt had covered. "Something else seems pretty juicy."

She wiggled quickly and slid under his arm and scooted to the door. "If you feed me now I'll make it even better later...." She fluttered her lashes his way and backed slowly to the door. "Come on, you need fuel handsome."


He banged his cock then his head against the wall and pouted over at his wife. "You're really going to leave me hard and aching?"

She giggled softly as she studied him, "What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, but I promise to kiss it better later." She arched a brow and stepped closer to the door, "I'll even buy a bit of ice too."

Groaning he backed up and shifted himself inside the roomy cargos. "Better be a big bag, beautiful." He grabbed a shirt from the dresser in front of him and tugged the fitted cotton shirt over his head. He held out his hand to meet her at the door. "Let's go get you something to eat."

She twined her fingers with his and winked, "Only takes one piece if you recall. We both need to eat baby, can’t be getting too weak." She wandered out the door and almost turned left, forgetting that the small town was in the opposite direction.

Curling his arm around her shoulders he steered her right. Some things would never change, he thought with a laugh. "This way, darlin'."

A soft blush suffused her cheeks as she walked beside him. "Ahh right, this way." Her eyes brightened and a wide grin floated onto her lips. As much as she loved the alone time with him, seeing people, shopping, just being in around other people was a joy. Being the social animal she was, she looked forward to the next hours. "Pony?"

"Hmm?" he answered absently as they headed into the village, fingers twined with the sun blasting overhead. He maneuvered them into the bazaar, making a beeline for the straw hats that caught his eye.

She watched as he bee-lined for the hats. Of course it would be the hats, he seemed to have an obsession of all things with strings, and headwear. As he plundered through each hat, trying each one on she grinned, "You think maybe we could go to that little club we saw the other day, you know the one that had the band and the dancing?" She missed dancing, dancing in the sheets excluded, she just missed the throb and thrill of moving. "I'm sure they'd even love for you to jam with them, the band that is."

He turned and settled a wide brimmed hat on her head, grinning down at her as her sweet face went instantly Audrey Hepburn. "We can go wherever you like, love."

With a laugh he settled a wide pair of shades on her nose to finish the look. "Sexy as hell," he murmured.


She nearly squealed with delight before striking a pose, her smile widening if possible. "You won’t mind going out?"

"Nah, I like watching you dance." He ducked under the brim of her hat and kissed her nose, then grabbed the rolled cowboy hat with the feathered decorations above the brim and tugged it on. "We'll take both of these," he grinned down at her dazzling smile and motioned to the shades. "Those too."

His hand slid down to clasp hers again as he tugged her over to the outside restaurant with the wrought iron seats and scrolled iron-worked tables with their tiled tops. "How's this? We haven't tried this place yet."

She smiled up at him and nodded. "This will be fine baby, if it’s got food its entirely wonderful."

A waitress waved them in. "Pick any seat folks, I'll be with you in a sec."

Richie picked a square table along a railing of vine flowers and held the chair for her. Pressing a quick kiss at her shoulder when she sat down he picked up the menu before he even took his own seat.

They talked over fresh salsa and chips while they waited for a very non-traditional Caribbean fare. Large burgers with salty fries and a huge beer for each of them started off the day just perfectly.

When they finished they went shopping again, another armful of clothes ended up on his arm while his ever frugal wife only snagged a pair of earrings for herself. "You know we don't have to bargain shop or window shop, right? Get whatever you want, love."

She glanced up at him and winked, "I got what I wanted." She tilted her head a moment, her eyes playing over the bazaar. It was making him a bit nuts that she never bought anything, she could see that. Her eyes settled on a vivid concoction of purple leather skirt and lace halter top. "But if it will make you feel better, we'll just get this." She placed the outfit on top of his assorted odds and ends a teasing smile lighting her eyes. "Now I’m done shopping."

He just shook his head and handed his card over to the merchant. Collecting his bags he moved onto the next booth. A wide array of fruits and fresh vegetables littered every box and he made his way to the mangos. "I'll take four please."

He did love his mangos and it made her grin as she wondered exactly how those mangos would fair. Quickly charming the vendor she quickly had a selection of other berries and fruits, along with other staples chosen. With a wicked grin she pointed back to Richie. "He's paying."

"Damn right," he grinned. "A husband provides, now doesn't he?" He pounded his chest and gave her a crazy monkey look.

She snorted softly and rolled her eyes towards the vendor. "Don't mind him, he’s been off his medication for a couple days. He'll be right as rain as soon as the next injection comes." She turned and winked at Richie before wandering down to the next stall.

He laughed and chased after her, bags bumping into her hips and thighs as he wrapped his arms around her. "Injection huh? I think you're the one that's going to get the injection."

She laughed as she reached up on tiptoe to give him a soft kiss. "Only if you’re a good boy." She flicked her tongue against his lips softly, "AFTER we go dancing."

"Well, we'll dump the bags and I'll change into jeans so we can head out on the town, how's that sound?"


"Sounds like a plan husband of mine. It will give me a chance to wear that new outfit." She placed her hand in his and waited on him to turn in the right direction. One misfire directionally a day is all she could handle.

"C'mon tell me which way to go," he said with a sly smile.

She cut a look his way, then glanced around the barest hint of frustration in her gaze. "Ummm, that-a-way" She pointed back and to the right. "Somewhere over there."

"Only if we want to go further into town," he said cheerfully and headed to the left. When her brows beetled he leaned down, "Even if you get lost, I'll always find you, Lains."

She shook her head as a wry grin slid onto her lips. "That's a good thing to know Pony." She walked along side him as she for the millionth time in her life wondered how she, a rather intelligent person could get lost so easy. It had become such a part of her that she simply used it to find the next adventure, but sometimes it was downright irritating. It was also why she always memorized certain routes til she could walk them in her sleep. "I'd hate to think of getting lost and NOT getting found."

He lifted her hand to his mouth. "Never going to happen." He let her hand go as he unlocked the door and headed for the bathroom. "I'm going to take quick shower."

"Ok." She moved into the room and quickly began to put their day's plunder away. Food, fruit ice into its cabinets or fridge, clothing into dressers, or hung in the closet so avoid wrinkles. With an arch of her brow she laid out a gauzy white shirt and pair of skintight blue jeans for him and the new purple outfit for her. She'd been dying to see that gauzy shirt on him for days.

Five minutes later he had a towel at his hips and a toothbrush between his lips as he walked out to find her mid change. Watching the stretchy lace hug her back and waist he envied the leather skirt for the way it curved around her hips and hugged her ass.

She turned and moved past him, stopping long enough to kiss his cheek before stepping into the bathroom to finish getting ready. A few minutes later, teeth brushed and a light coat of make up applied she stepped from the bathroom and slipped into a strappy set of heels, her gaze finding him as a slight heat began to burn in her veins. That damned shirt definitely should be illegal coursed through her mind as she studied him quietly.

He lifted the filmy shirt and looked at her thru the material. "I could just go without a shirt," he muttered.

"But then the hint of skin through that shirt wouldn't tease me and heat me up all night now would it?" She reached out to trail a finger along his chest, "Its all about teasing the eyes baby."

"Well when you put it that way," he grinned. "I was going to save it for the stage, but I'd be happy to torture you with it all night," he said with a leer. Shrugging it on, he tucked it into the jeans she'd chosen and a thick, shiny buckle to finish the job. "Do I pass inspection?" he said and fluffed his hair.


She waggled her brows as she wrapped her arms around him for a moment, her nose nuzzling into his chest swiftly. "Oh yeah. With an A+ even."

He slid his hand into her hair and held her there for a moment, enjoying her breath on his skin. "Alright, let's party," he whispered against her hair.