Holding On (10 page)

The elevator went past the floor where they’d stayed on their wedding night. Marienne was surprised he hadn’t booked the same suite. It was lovely and overlooked the koi pond in the atrium. She didn’t care. Any room where she got to spend the night alone with Daniel was absolutely fine with her.

They followed the bellboy down the long hallway. He stopped at the door at the end. Daniel’s lips twitched into a smile again. She narrowed her eyes, but he said nothing.

The door to their room swung open and he placed his hand on her back to usher her inside. It took her breath away. The suite they had stayed in previously was spacious but this room was palatial. Her jaw dropped as she saw the fireplace and the baby grand piano in the lavish sitting area. There was a long polished dining room table and a full kitchen.

“Should I put your bags in the bedroom?” the bellboy asked.

“Yes, please,” Daniel answered.

“I can’t believe you,” she said.

His face bloomed into a full grin. He handed the bellboy some folded up bills.

“Enjoy your evening.”

“We will.” Daniel took Marienne’s hand. “Want to see the bedroom?”

She gasped when she saw the canopy bed. “Oh my God, I didn’t even know they had a room like this. And the flowers.” There were centerpieces just like the ones from their wedding all around the room. “You’re amazing.” Her eyes filled with tears.

“Don’t cry.” He swept a finger beneath her eye to catch the one tear that had leaked out. He kissed her, his fingers massaging the back of her neck. He rubbed his nose against hers. “You okay?”

She nodded, not trusting her voice.

Daniel checked his watch. “Are you ready to head to dinner?”

“Yes.” She managed, wiping under her other eye. “Do I look okay?”

“You look perfect.”

She reached for her coat but he stopped her. “We’re just going downstairs.”

“Oh okay.” She followed him into the hallway. She didn’t care where they were headed as long as they were together.

****

Daniel had a hard time keeping the grin off his face. He steered her toward the ballroom.

She furrowed her brow. “I thought the restaurant was over there.” She pointed toward the stairs.

“It is,” he said. “But they’re having a special Valentine’s Day event in the ballroom. I hope that’s okay.”

“Sure,” she said, her brow still crinkled.

He pulled a reservation card from his jacket pocket. “We’re at table 25.”

He scanned the room until he spotted the number. They made their way toward it. He held out a chair for her then slipped into the seat beside her as soon as she was seated.

She looked around the room. The lights were dimmed and candles flickered everywhere, making her eyes sparkle even more than usual. The band was setting up but she didn’t seem to be paying attention to them, instead she was staring at him.

“What?” he asked.

“I’m just thinking about how happy I was the night of our wedding. And how I’m even happier right now.”

“Me too.” He rubbed her hand. The other guests were taking their places around the table, making introductions. Daniel could see the band members taking their places. He wondered how long it would take Marienne to realize who they were.

“Good evening, folks.” The lead singer spoke into the microphone.

Marienne looked up, her eyes wide. “Isn’t that….” She turned toward Daniel.

He nodded.

“They played at our wedding. I can’t believe they’re playing here tonight.” She leaned over and kissed him.

Daniel took her hand, rubbing his thumb against her wrist. His heart fluttered with anticipation.

The singer turned to face them and Daniel nodded at him. “We’re going to be playing an assortment of tunes for you tonight, in hopes of making your Valentine’s Day extra special, but first I have an announcement to make. Last year on Valentine’s Day weekend we played a great gig right here in this ballroom, only it was a more private affair. It was a wedding for this lovely couple seated over here at table twenty-five.”

Marienne’s eyes grew huge and darted to Daniel’s. He squeezed her hand.

“Now I’ve played lots of weddings before, and I’m always happy when folks ask me where else they can see me play, but I’ve never had anyone suggest a venue for me a year ahead of time. The groom had his first anniversary plans in mind before his wedding night was even over, and now here he is tonight, celebrating with his ever more lovely bride. So, if you folks wouldn’t mind I’d like to start the evening off with the couple’s wedding song. Daniel, Marienne, come on out onto the dance floor.”

“I can’t believe you,” Marienne whispered. Her cheeks were glowing and he saw the tears back in her eyes.

Daniel helped her up and led her to the dance floor, his hand on the small of her back. The band was softly playing the opening chords, waiting for them to get into place. “I see you two have made good use of the past year,” the singer said. “Let’s all wish Daniel and Marienne a happy anniversary.” The room filled with the sound of clapping.

Daniel placed his arm around Marienne and took her hand, then bent to kiss her. The applause grew louder.

Marienne blushed a shade deeper. Daniel had never seen her look more lovely.

“How about if all you folks join them on the dance floor,” the singer said, as the song began.

It didn’t matter how many other people were dancing with them, the only person Daniel saw was Marienne.

****

After dinner they made their way back up to their room. As soon as they closed the door, Daniel swept Marienne into his arms. He pulled her into a delicious, slow kiss. She moaned against his lips. “Do you want anything from the kitchen?” he asked, running his mouth along her neck. “I had them bring us chocolate covered strawberries and sparkling cider. Let’s go take a look.”

She followed him into the kitchen. He took the plate of strawberries out of the fridge. “You thirsty? Cider? Water?”

“Water.” She grabbed two glasses from the shelf above the sink and placed each one under the icemaker. The cubes tinkled against the crystal. He filled them both.

Marienne took a sip, the cool water doing little to quiet the heat that was surging through her. “I have something for you.” She took him by the hand and led him into the bedroom. “Sit here.” She pushed him onto the bed. She unzipped her suitcase and extracted a box wrapped in red paper with white ribbon curls. “Open it.”

Inside the box was a hand bound leather journal. “You told me you used to write a journal when you were younger, and I thought maybe you’d want to start up again. And in case you do.” She brought her hand out from behind her back and held out a long thin box.

He unwrapped it and creaked the lid open. A sparkling Mont Blanc Pen lay on the blue satin lining. He ran his fingers over the smooth, cool metal.

“It’s engraved.” She pointed to the etched letters.

He lifted the pen out and tilted it to catch the light. He read the scroll-like script aloud. “D&M 2/14 Now, always.”

“I know you usually write on your computer now, but I thought—”

He interrupted her with a kiss. “I love it. I love you.” He wove his fingers into her hair, as he nibbled her neck. All she wanted was to pull him down onto the bed but he kept talking. “That reminds me.” He stood up. “Be right back.”

He darted to his suitcase and returned with a smile. “I have one last gift for you.”

“You’ve already done so much….”

He placed a box on top of her belly. “Open it.”

She ran her fingertips over the black velvet box. Her breath caught as she peaked inside. “It’s beautiful.” She picked up the sparkling gold pendant in the shape of a book. It was inscribed “Our Story”

“Open the latch.” His eyes twinkled at her.

She placed her fingernail beneath the tiny oval clasp and flipped it up. The book fell open revealing two locket pages. The first page had their wedding photo and the second had a picture of Ella. The other two remained empty.

“Room for our future memories,” he said.

Her hand trembled as she tried to remove the chain from the velvet holders. Her hormones were going wild. She didn’t know if she wanted to jump him or burst into tears or both.

“Here, allow me.” Daniel took the box and had the necklace out in a second.

“Will you help me put it on?” she asked.

He smiled and reached around her, looking over her shoulder so he could clip it closed.

She reached up to touch it, already liking the way it felt. “How does it look?”

“Lovely.” Daniel tilted his head to the side, narrowing his eyes. “Although I think it might look even better if you were wearing less clothing.”

“Oh you do, eh?” She tried to scowl at him but failed miserably.

He nodded, his eyes still on her. “So what do you think? You know, I want to make sure the necklace looks its best….”

She smacked him. “Fine. I’ll do it for the necklace.” She was actually dying to get out of her velvet dress, she was feeling overheated in more ways than one. Standing, she slipped off her shoes then pulled the dress over her head. She grabbed the room service menu off the nightstand and fanned herself as she sat back down on the bed. “I’m hot.”

“I’ve always thought so.” Daniel grinned.

He leaned in and kissed her, his lips trailing to her ear as he sprawled alongside her. She sank into the pillows still fanning.

His fingers grazed across her breasts. “You really are warm.” He propped himself on his arm and leaned past her, reaching his long fingers into her glass of water. He plucked out an ice cube. “Maybe this will help.” He rubbed the ice against her lips. She opened her mouth and ran her tongue over its smooth surface. “Well I don’t know if it’s helping you, but it’s doing wonders for me.”

****

Daniel pressed against Marienne. Her heat radiated right through his clothes. He traced the ice cube from her mouth to her collarbone, gliding it along her skin. She shifted, rubbing her legs back and forth.

He raised himself on his elbow, kissing his way along the trail of cool water. He pulled aside the lacy cups of her bra, running the ice over each breast. Her nipples puckered as melting ice pooled in her cleavage.

Marienne pressed her leg more urgently against him, rubbing her foot along his. He took a fresh ice cube from the glass and switched it to his other hand so he was free to explore the rest of her body. Her skin was scorching beneath his chilled fingertips.

She shuddered under his touch. “You’re making me crazy.” Her voice was husky, her eyes dark with desire.

He slipped his hand inside her panties. Her hips rose to meet his touch. She moaned at the first stroke. He rubbed the ice against her lips again. She arched her neck and rocked against his hand. Taking his time, he drew out each pass of his fingertips. The look on her face was exquisite. Eyes tightly closed, mouth forming a perfect ‘o’, her cheeks moist and flushed. She cried out as she came, clasping her hand on top of his to still his movements.

“Oh my God,” she said when she’d caught her breath. “It feels like my heart is beating between my legs.”

“Mmmm.” He smiled. “I’m familiar with that sensation.”

She pulled him into a kiss, her tongue licking its way into his mouth as her hand undid his shirt buttons. She kissed her way across his chest, unbuckling his belt. “Would you mind,” she said, between kisses. “Taking these off….” She tugged at his pants.

“If you insist.”

She smiled and sat up, reaching for her water glass. He wriggled out of his pants and boxers and lay back against the pillows. She wrapped her hand around him, stroking slowly. He closed his eyes, reveling in the sensation. Her hand was silky and warm, slithering up and down the length of him. He felt her hair brush against his hipbone as she shifted lower in the bed. His hand sank into her hair as he awaited the touch of her lips.

She ran her nose up the length of him, teasing him, then rolled her tongue around him, sucking him into her mouth. He gasped at the icy sensation. She’d left an ice cube in her mouth. He cried out, grabbing a handful of bedding. “Oh God.” It felt so good he could barely think. She let the ice cube slip out and began to suck harder. He felt the pressure building from his chest through his thighs and moaned as she took him deeper. Just when he thought he couldn’t stand it anymore she cupped her hand against his balls. The feeling of ice against his flesh was too much to bear. As the cool sting zipped through his body, the held back pleasure coursed out of him. Marienne moved her frosty hand and sucked gently until he stopped convulsing. He had to remind himself to breathe.

“Good God,” he said once he’d recovered his power of speech. “Where on earth did you come up with that?”

She grinned. “I read about it online.”

“Where?”

She giggled, her fingers playing with the hair on his belly. “On a site about sex during pregnancy.”

“I really do not read enough.”

She laughed, lying down beside him. He leaned in for a kiss. Her lips, now warm, parted beneath his. “Happy anniversary.”