Don’t Forget to Remember Me (39 page)

“Yeah.”

I moved back and picked up
my wine. “
So
? What went down?” I
prodded. The pleasure on her features filled me
up with
happiness.

“He was so pissed!” She
lowered her voice and tried to imitate Aaron’s low growl,
“What the fuck are you doing out here, shaking your ass in front
of these assholes, Jen? You’re practically my wife!”

I laughed so hard I almost
spewed my wine across the room. I could picture it. However, at the
time, I was occupied with being hauled off the dance floor. I
gasped for breath. “Oh, my God! That’s not exactly a storybook
proposal, but it is
so
Aaron! I
love it! What did you say?”

“I crossed my arms and
stared at him for a minute then said,
‘To quote Beyonce’,
‘if you like it then you shoulda put a ring on it!’”

“No you didn’t! Jen! I wish I would have
seen the look on his face!”

We fell into a fit of giggles when the door
opened and the men walked in. They looked tired, but in good
spirits.

Ryan’s lips lifted in a crooked grin and my
heart thumped in my chest. I couldn’t tear my eyes away as he
dropped his book bag on the living room chair before sitting on the
couch to remove his shoes. “Something smells good, Julia. What are
you making?”

“
We
are making fettuccini Alfredo, Caesar salad and
garlic bread. Would you like some wine?” I moved to the back of the
couch and placed my hands on his shoulders
,
then bent to kiss the skin on the side of his neck.
“Mmm…Yummy,” I whispered near his ear and
his
hand moved up to cover one of mine.

“Missed you today,” he murmured with a
promise in those deep blue eyes. “I want to kiss you,” he said
softly. I nodded as his eyes fell to my mouth. It was agony not to
fall into his arms right then.

I looked at him regretfully when Aaron’s
voice intruded as he embraced Jenna in a tight bear hug.

“What’s for dessert?”

“
Dessert
?” I teased. “What makes you
think I made you dessert?” Reluctantly, I moved away from Ryan who
held onto my fingers; he had no choice but to drop them.

“
Please
. You’re you.”

“Zabaglione and fresh berries. I’ve heard
the doctors here prescribe a light finish.” A bottle of Marsala
waited on the counter until I would cook it with egg yolks and
sugar, shortly after dinner.

I took the cream from the refrigerator and
added it to the pot with the garlic and butter and then turned the
heat on beneath the pasta pot.

Two strong arms circled my waist from behind
and pulled me close as Ryan’s head bent into the curve of my neck.
His open mouth traced a series of kisses along my skin, sending
shivers running through my entire body.

“Mmmm, God, you feel so good,” he murmured
softly. I turned my head so that he could capture my mouth with
his. He tasted like mint and Ryan. I moaned as his lips moved in
unison with mine. Always so perfect. He pressed into my backside
and I could feel his arousal against me. “See, all I have to do is
touch you and I’m wrecked.”

I smiled. “Baby, I wish I could, but I have
to watch dinner. You know this sauce is delicate, and we’re trying
to take care of our boys.”

Ryan smiled and moved to the cupboard,
pulling down a wine glass and filling it. Aaron and Jenna were in
the other room, so they wouldn’t hear our conversation. “Aaron
proposed.” He leaned back against the counter, close enough to feel
the heat radiating off of him.

I flashed a smile. “I know. Jenna was just
telling me. I didn’t get a chance to tell her about us.” He ran his
index finger down my arm, left bare by the white, v-neck t-shirt I
was wearing.

“I can’t wait, Julia. Literally. I can. Not.
Wait.”

I reached up to cup his cheek, rough with a
full day’s growth of scruffy beard. His eyes burned into mine,
unflinching, but his cheek pressed into my hand. “You make me very
happy, Ryan. I love you, so much.”

His eyes smiled and his hand grasped mine
before he turned his face to place a wet, open-mouthed kiss on my
palm. “Show me later.”

“Ryan! Get your ass in here and play Guitar
Hero!” Aaron called from the other room and I laughed.

“Go ahead. I’ll finish this.”

“I don’t want to.” His lips moved against my
temple as he spoke.

“Ryan.
Go
.” His arms tightened in protest as he
kissed my cheek and lower toward my mouth. I couldn’t let him
continue if I wanted to keep my wits about me. I turned my head
away so his lips landed on my cheek again. He groaned aloud. “If
you don’t want scorched cheese sauce, you’ll go.”

“God forbid. Okay,
I’m
going.
But, it’s under
duress.”

My heart swelled as I
watched him leave the kitchen. I was overflowing with love for him.
It was in his eyes and every touch of his hand. He loved me,
too.
Could things be any more perfect?

It was dark. I glanced toward the nightstand
where the clock shone bright red in the darkness. 3:17 am. I was
lying across Julia, my head resting on her now fully-healed chest,
right arm around her hips. I closed my eyes and breathed in her
scent, feeling her steady breathing beneath me, her warmth all
around me. I was as content as I’d ever been.

At dinner we talked with
Aaron and Jen about our plans for the wedding. I enjoyed the
pleasure that blushed Julia’s cheeks and the smile dancing on her
mouth as Jenna went on and on about dresses, and flowers. Julia’s
eyes would meet mine on occasion as she bit that luscious lower
lip. Maybe I was wrong to deny her a big wedding. She
deserved
all the
things girls dream about
and there was no denying that I wanted to see her dressed as a
bride. My bride.

I ran some butterfly kisses along the
concave planes below her navel. Her skin was like velvet beneath my
mouth. She was the sexiest thing I’d ever seen, always so warm and
giving. The strength of my love for her never ceased to amaze me
and, over time, only seemed to intensify. The fact that she loved
me in return was the greatest gift of my life.

Her
hand
started to massage my scalp and tug softly on the
strands between her fingers. I lifted my head slightly and nuzzled
underneath her right breast and then placed a gentle kiss on the
soft swell.

“Can’t sleep? I thought I wore you out
before.” Her voice was whisper soft, but wrapped me up tight.

“Mmmm…
Never
.” I moved up so I could pull
the nipple of her breast into my mouth and suckle gently. She
sighed heavily and arched her back slightly, bringing her flesh
even deeper into my mouth. I increased the pressure and she moaned.
“Do you know how much I love you, Julia?
Every day
it’s more,” I sighed against her, letting my
breath rush over the nipple still wet from my play. “You’re
probably sick of hearing it.”

“I’ll never get tired of hearing it. I love
your words, your mouth…”

My hand closed around her thigh and pulled
it over my hip as I moved so I could look for her reaction. I
pressed my now raging erection into her. She smiled. “Your hands,
and mmmm…” Her hips surged against mine in delicious want. We moved
slowly, my hands exploring her curves, her hands kneaded the
muscles of my back and ass as she pulled me closer. My mouth and
body were hungry, but I wanted to talk to her about the
wedding.

“I want to talk for a
minute. If we start making love, there will be no more words.” Her
eyes opened, yet hooded with desire.
God
,
she is
stunning
.

I brushed her hair back as her full lips
parted. She wanted me as much as I wanted her, a gift of immense
passion and overwhelming love. My heart actually ached with it.

“What about?” Her hand
came up to
grasp
my jaw as her mouth asked
for mine. Her lips moved and she licked my upper lip with the tip
of her tongue and then sucked my lower lip in between hers and
nipped at it with her teeth. I tried to resist, but gave in with a
groan and rolled on top of her as my mouth took hers hungrily, my
tongue plunging deep into her mouth as she opened and kissed me
back deeply.
Oh God
…I pressed my
hips forward seeking her heat. She was as ready for me as I was for
her and I slid inside her without even trying. She moaned into my
mouth and she drew her knees up so I would sink even deeper into
her body. Soon, we were lost in the passionate dance, frantically
clutching and kissing, we couldn’t get close enough as we rolled
around on the bed. Minutes ticked by, the rhythm tangible, passion
palpable.

“Julia, I could make love to you forever. I
never want this to end.” Her hands clutched in my hair at both
sides, her liquid eyes filled with a mixture of love and desire. I
nuzzled her nose with mine, our breath mingling, as I pushed into
her again and again.

“Uhnnngg…Ryan, never stop,” she whispered
breathlessly and I could feel her insides quivering and clasping
around me. I slid my hands beneath her to grasp onto her shoulders
so I could increase the pressure of my pelvic bone on hers as I
felt my own climax build. I turned my forehead into the side of her
face as we worshiped each other.

“Oh yes, Julia…I want to feel you baby, come
on.” My hand moved between us and I softly massaged her swollen nub
and felt her involuntarily squeeze around my cock. Damn, she was
hot.

I felt every touch of her
hand and every tremor of her body around mine. Every breath, every
little mewling sound she made deep in her throat drove me insane
with desire. Her breathing was labored, and she panted in time with
my thrusts. It was so fantastically sexy and sent me over the edge
after three more strokes. I stilled as I came hard, spilling deep
into her body. Her legs wrapped around me and her heels dug into my
ass, pressing me deeper as her hands twined in my hair and we
kissed again as our
bodies tensed
and
twitched.

“I’ll never comprehend how incredible this
is.” My body still embedded within hers, I lifted my head and my
fingers traced the line of her face.

“This isn’t possible, Ryan. Oh, God…”

I rolled to my side and slid out of her
body, pulling her until she was nestled on my chest, head under my
chin as my arms tightened around her. “It’s possible, Julia. I
swear.” Emotions welled and I felt my throat tighten. “You own me
so bad,” I said, expelling a shaky breath.

Her arm that was across my middle tightened
and she lifted her head to kiss my chest, her mouth hovering and
then opening to press hot, sucking kisses. “What did you want to
talk about?” Her features were soft, satiated…full of love as her
chin rested on one of her hands. My hands threaded through her hair
as I stroked it down and over her back.

“Well, I’m wondering if I’m being selfish
asking you to forgo a big wedding.” She started to speak, but I
placed a finger to her lips. “If we get married now, we won’t get a
honeymoon and I want to give you all of that.” I searched her face,
looking for her true feelings as I continued to stroke her
hair.

“Weren’t you listening? You are all I want,”
she said softly. When I didn’t respond she continued. “Ryan…could
any honeymoon be better than this? Every moment we’re together is
perfect and I just want more of these moments. I want to get
married as planned. I’ve already told everyone and they’re so
happy. Harris’s band is coming to play for us. Ellie is already
working with designers on the dresses. I just wonder if we should
run off to the courthouse and not bother with the dress. Is it
silly when there will be so few people with us?”

“No. If you’re not doing
the dress, then I won’t do the wedding like this. I told you,
Julia. I
need
that.
Please.”

Her eyes glossed over and her arms wound
around me, two hot tears fell on my skin as she lay on my chest.
“How are you so perfect?”

I smiled into the darkness. There was a
small stream of moonlight shining in through the window and casting
a soft blue glow across her bare skin. I was distracted by the
slope of her breasts and the curve and swell of her waist and
hips.

“Mmmm.” My hand ran down her body to rest on
her hip. “I don’t want the courthouse. Maybe we could get a
ballroom at the Four Seasons, get married and have a small
reception all in the same space. I’m thinking around 75 people.
What do you think?”