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Chapter 38
April 2005
Lizzy, Marianne,
and Chris descended from the shuttle bus from the Superdome where
they had parked Chris' car after picking up Lizzy at her apartment.
Lizzy tried to look inconspicuous while scanning the area around
the front gate for a sign of Will Darcy.
"Hey, there
he is!" cried Mari as she waved. "Will!"
Lizzy turned. Sure
enough, Will was leaning against a power pole near the street,
arms crossed over his chest, perfectly relaxed, in his casual
clothes and shades - like he had just stepped off an exclusive
desert golf course. Lizzy was melting - and it was only ten in
the morning.
"Hi ya, Will,"
said Chris. "Where'd you park?"
"Hey, Chris.
A couple of blocks away. I know someone who lets me park in their
driveway. Mari. Hi, Elizabeth."
Lizzy had to say
something. "So you didn't have to park downtown like the
rest of us? It's good to be the king."
"Sometimes."
Had he not been
wearing sunglasses, Lizzy would have seen that Will was as unnerved
about seeing her as she was about him. Her own attire caught
his eye, especially the bit of midriff peeking out below the
hem of her shirt. Her bright and enchanting eyes may have been
hidden behind her sunglasses, but her dazzling smile was not.
She was hot and fresh at the same time.
"C'mon, you
two," said Mari, "let's get in before the rest of the
city does!" Her black hair tucked behind her visor and breasts
bouncing in her shelf-bra red tank top, she pulled Chris towards
the gate.
Will smirked. "Shall
we join them?" He waved for Lizzy to precede him. They moved
towards the ticket takers, the crowd getting heavier as they
continued. Will instinctively placed his hand on Lizzy's lower
back, his pinky touching the skin just over her rear. As this
was one of Elizabeth's more sensitive spots, it was no wonder
she shivered in pleasure.
"You okay?"
Will had no clue.
"Yeah, fine.
It's just a little crowded."
A few moments later
and they were in. "Meet y'all at the flagpole!" cried
Chris.
~*~*~
New Orleans is known
for great festivals and parties. The most famous is Mardi Gras,
but almost as well known to music lovers world wide is the annual
New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival - two weekends of music,
crafts, and food held on the last weekend in April and first
weekend in May.
Unlike the other
great spring and summer music festivals, such as Milwaukee's
Summerfest, the Jazz Fest tries to concentrate on the music of
New Orleans and the south. Sure, the organizers bring in such
artists as James Taylor, Steve Winwood, and the Black Crows,
but they are the exceptions - the draws for the tourists. Once
the people get there, they are introduced to acts like Irma Thomas,
the Neville Brothers, Olympia Brass Band, Steve Riley & the
Mamou Playboys, and in the Gospel Tent, gospel choirs from all
over. Mardi Gras Indians and Native Americans. The roots of music
and its future. Rock, Dixieland, Jazz, Modern Jazz, Bluegrass,
R&B, Zydeco, Soul, Blues, Latin - it's all there. Held for
most of its thirty-six years in the infield of the New Orleans
Fair Grounds horse track on Gentilly Boulevard, there is music
going on from numerous stages and tents from 11:00 a.m. to sundown.
(As the Fairgrounds are deep in the Mid City neighborhood, there
are no night acts and the bands wrap up at about 7:00 p.m.)
The other big difference
is the food. It is quite simply one of the best food fairs on
the planet. The Taste of Chicago might be larger, but does it
have crawfish Monica? Alligator sauce piquante? Cochon de lait
po'boys? Oyster loaves? Spicy Natchitoches meat pies? Abita beer?
White chocolate bread pudding? Café au lait? Food is the
soul of a city, and not many metropolises in the world could
boast more soul than New Orleans.
The big crowds usually
show up for the Saturday and Sunday shows. Fridays are more intimate.
Hippies in their tie-dyes bump shoulders with yuppies in their
button-down shirts and loosened ties, playing hooky from work.
Groups of people often carry large poles to which numerous flags
in varying combinations would fly, to let their members know
where on the vast grounds their rendezvous point is. Sometimes
it's chilly, sometimes it's broiling hot, and sometimes it's
muddy and wet, but the vibe is always hopping as thousands absorb
the atmosphere in pure joy or alcoholic stupor - or both.
The NOPD is out
in force to watch out for drunks and pickpockets; but, as they
are the best crowd control police in the world, they are unobtrusive
and welcome. The same can not be said of the legion of meter
maids that descend upon the neighborhood, marking for towing
any vehicle that an unsuspecting visitor might have left questionably
parked. Not a few happy revelers would have their day ruined
by finding that their rented Focus or Malibu was now in the custody
of the City of New Orleans. At least they take plastic.
~*~*~
The two couples
quickly made their way to the crafts area of Congo Square and
the Louisiana Marketplace. Strolling through the stalls and tents,
they looked at countless examples of sculptures, paintings, masks,
clothing, jewelry, and other items, including the ubiquitous
annual Jazz Fest Poster, which the tourists were buying like
they were gold. This year it was a colorful painting of Jazz
legend Charles "Buddy" Bolden and his band by the artist
Bill Hemmerling.
Even with the relatively
modest crowds on a Friday, it would be impossible for anyone
to meet up with their friends if they did not have a pre-arranged
rendezvous point chosen. For many, it was the giant flagpole
in the center of the infield. It was there Lizzy and Will spotted
Mari's fire truck red top.
Eschewing the large
corporate stages and the headliners, they made their way to the
Economy Hall tent to take in the Dukes of Dixieland. From there
they drifted to the Fais Do-Do Stage. A couple of Abita Ambers
later, Lizzy and Will and Mari and Chris were swaying with the
music. Finally, during a set by Buckwheat Zydeco, hunger reared
its ugly head.
"I'm gonna
get something to eat, Will," said Chris. "You and Lizzy
want something?"
"I'll go with
you," Will automatically replied out of politeness. He really
didn't want to leave Elizabeth's side.
"No, y'all
stay here," advised Mari. "Chris and I'll take care
of it. What'cha want - crawfish Monica or cochon de lait po'boys?"
Lizzy and Will looked
at each other. "Can't we get both?" asked Lizzy.
"Yeah,"
said Will. "One of each."
"You got it,"
said Chris. "Give us about fifteen minutes."
"Oh, and some
mandarin orange iced tea?"
"Okay, Lizzy."
Mari and Chris moved towards the food booths, but stopped after
a dozen steps.
"What's up,
Mari?" She had grabbed Chris' arm.
"Nothing, babe.
You think its working?"
Chris glanced back
at the other pair, partially obscured by the crowd. "Heh…Will
hasn't moved from Lizzy's side since we got here. The boy's got
it bad."
"Good -Lizzy
needs someone in her life, and Will would be just right."
Her arms snaked around Chris' neck. "Just like you are for
me." She gave him a light kiss.
"What do you
want, Mari?"
Even though she
had on sunglasses, Chris could tell she was giving him a serious
look. In a low voice she said, "I want you to take
me home and take me to bed, Chris…"
Chris grinned.
"…but
what we're gonna do is get the food."
He kissed her. She
kissed him back.
"Okay, what
can I get'cha?" broke in the vendor.
Mari and Chris looked
at each other and laughed.
~*~*~
Meanwhile the crowd
grew at the stage. Buckwheat was tearing into "Hard to Stop."
Will and Lizzy were being gently pushed from all sides. It seemed
natural for Will to stand behind Lizzy and put his hands on her
shoulders.
"It's so
hard to stop when you're on the floor,
It's so hard to stop when you zydeco
It's so hard to stop when you're having fun,
It's so hard to stop when you're with everyone.
It's so hard. It's so hard to stop. It's so hard. It's so hard
to stop."
Before either realized
it, Lizzy was leaning back into Will's embrace, moving with the
music. Will was surprised and pleased. He was trying valiantly
not to rush things. He did not want to blow things like he did
so many years ago. But his hands seemed to have a mind of their
own and soon he had them over Elizabeth's trim midriff.
"It's so
hard to stop when you're on the town,
It's so hard to stop when you throw it down.
It's so hard to stop when the music's loud,
It's so hard to stop when you're with a crowd.
It's so hard. It's so hard to stop. It's so hard. It's so hard
to stop.
Can you get it?"
Lizzy was continuing
her determination to go with the flow, to follow her heart, not
to overthink things again. It felt so good, so right, to be in
William's arms. With the greatest of efforts, she closed her
eyes and allowed herself to get lost in the moment - the music,
the sun, the man. Her nerve endings were going nuts. She could
feel William's strong warmth against her back. She could smell
his masculine scent mixed with his aftershave. She felt hot and
chilled and nervous and relaxed at the same time.
"It's so
hard to stop when you're looking good,
It's so hard to stop even if you should.
It's so hard to stop when you're feeling great,
It's so hard to stop when you know it's late.
It's so hard. It's so hard to stop. It's so hard. It's so hard
to stop!"1
Will started humming
along to the song, and Lizzy turned up to watch him. She almost
lost her breath, he was so handsome. Will, for his part, stopped
humming as his eyes took in the delightful sight of looking down
Lizzy's top at her beautiful breasts. Time seemed to stop. Lizzy's
hand came up to caress his face. Will's lips descended. Lizzy's
head tilted and lips parted.
The kiss seemed
so natural that it took a moment for them to realize what was
going on. They drew apart and looked deeply into each other's
eyes. Then Lizzy turned in Will's arms, and Will claimed her
lips again. This kiss was more deliberate, more certain, as Will
and Lizzy tried to communicate with their bodies what their voices
had failed to do. They drew back one last time. Their sunglasses
prevented them from looking into each other's eyes, but there
were other clues to their feelings. Will saw that Lizzy was flushed,
her lips full and wet. Lizzy watched as a devastating grin spread
over Will's features, those damn dimples making their presence
known again. Neither wanted to say anything, for fear of breaking
the spell. This time Lizzy initiated the kiss, her arms around
his neck, to signal to him that his response was accepted and
desired.
It was in this manner
they were discovered by their friends.
"Woo-hoo! Get
a room!" cried Mari.
The couple broke
apart, embarrassed.
"Here, Will,"
Chris smiled as he handed him their order. "It looks like
you were hungry there."
"Umm…"
Will looked at Lizzy. To his amazement she stepped close to him,
her arm going possessively around his back.
"Well, you
guys took so long we had to find something to do," Lizzy
tried to joke.
"Yeah,"
he agreed lamely, his awkwardness endearing him to his lady.
"Well, before
he devours anybody, let's go find a place to eat," teased
Mari.
The two couples,
now both arm in arm, went in search of an open spot. Once a place
was found, Chris withdrew a blanket from his knapsack, and the
four paired up on the ground - Lizzy and Will reclining next
to each other, nearly touching, while Mari sat leaning back against
Chris's chest.
"What do you
want first, Lizzy?" asked Will, holding up the food.
Lizzy glanced over
the see Mari feed some of her crawfish Monica to Chris. When
in Rome… She took the crawfish, scooped up a spoonful
and held it out towards him.
"Here, have
some," she said with a sexy smile. There was only a slight
hesitation before he accepted her offering, his mind on something
other than food. She took a bite herself, making a bit of a show
licking the spoon, and continued to share the crawfish between
them.
After a sip of the
tea, Will unwrapped the po'boy and held it out to her. "Watch
it…it's pretty sloppy."
"Is there any
other kind?" she asked as she bit down.
The juicy roasted
pork, garlicky gravy, and crunchy French bread was almost heaven
on earth. Almost - heaven was actually the crawfish Monica. But
the po'boy was a good second place. Between the two of them,
they made short work of it.
"Do you want
anything else?" Will asked as he wadded up the wrapper,
fighting off the temptation to kiss Lizzy's lips clean with his
own - as Mari was doing to Chris.
"Maybe later,"
Lizzy answered as she lay down, her head in Will's lap. "Right
now I want to just take it all in."
The surprises just
kept on coming for Will. "Ummm…don't go to sleep."
She grinned at him.
"And what if I do?"
"Then I'm stuck,"
he laughed. "But, you'll get sunburn if you're not careful."
"I brought
some suntan lotion, never fear."
"Need any help
putting it on?"
Lizzy smiled. "Maybe…if
you play your cards right."
~*~*~
A short time later
the couples folded up the blanket and joined the crowds again.
A New Orleans All-Star Music Tribute with Irma Thomas, Allen
Toussaint, Deacon John, Ivan Neville, and others was rocking
the audience. Marianne was enraptured.
"Maybe one
day, babe," said Chris as he slipped his hand around her
waist. "One day," he pointed, "you'll be up there.
With them."
"I wish,"
Mari whispered, bopping with the beat.
Meanwhile, Will
had other things on his mind. "Hey," he whispered in
Elizabeth's ear, "what about that suntan lotion?"
Lizzy smiled as
she dug the bottle out of her purse. "Here, Mr. Sunburn
Police." She turned around and held up her hair so that
he could apply it to her shoulders. "Now, don't miss a spot."
~*~*~
In the early evening,
the group made their way to the shuttle bus stop to await the
ride back to Chris' car. Will had his arm around Lizzy's shoulders,
and she held on to his fingers with her free hand, her other
arm around his waist. They glanced at each other, and then Lizzy
put her head against his shoulder. Will came to a decision.
"Hey, Chris,"
he said, "y'all go on ahead - I'll bring Lizzy home."
He turned to her. "If that's all right with you, of course."
"Umm…yeah.
Okay." Lizzy fought down her uncertainty. You love the
guy, for heaven's sake! She smiled. "That would be nice,
Will. Is that okay with you guys?"
Chris almost pointed
out that Metairie was out of Will's way when Mari's slight jab
to his ribs saved him from making a fool out of himself. "No
problem, guys. Y'all have a nice evening!"
"Drive safe,
buddy," Chris called out as the other two took their leave.
Mari turned to him.
"You were gonna say something stupid, weren't you?"
"Maybe,"
Chris dissembled.
"What would
you do if I weren't around, babe?"
Shrivel up and
die, probably. "Have
a more peaceful life."
"Ha! Peace
is overrated. You need excitement," Mari drawled.
He leaned close.
"And you're just the girl to provide this excitement?"
"You better
believe it," she said as she kissed his cheek.
~*~*~
Lizzy slid into
the passenger side of Will's BMW 545i sedan, the buttery leather
of the bucket seat caressing the skin on her thighs. Will hopped
behind the wheel, started the car, and pulled out of the driveway.
He smoothly drove the pockmarked side streets of Mid City towards
the Lake, to take the 17th Street Bridge over from New Orleans
into Metairie.
"Did you have
a good time, Lizzy?" asked Will after getting directions
to her apartment.
"I always have
fun at Jazz Fest…turn here… But this one was real special."
Before Will could
respond to that statement, he found himself before Elizabeth's
apartment building. "Well," he said, "here we
are."
Lizzy swallowed
and said, "Umm…would you like to come up for a coffee?"
Will looked at her.
"Sure - that would be great." He opened his car door
and got out, moving across the front of the BMW just as Lizzy
was getting her legs out of it. He held out his hand. "Allow
me."
Lizzy blushed as
he helped her up. Pressing a button on his key fob, he locked
the doors of his Beemer and walked her to her door.
Lizzy fumbled getting
the keys out of her handbag. Why am I so nervous? It's not
like he's the first guy I've invited in. No, not the first…only
he's…William.
The two walked into
the apartment. Lizzy felt a need to begin talking. "This
is the place. It's not big, but it's home."
"Nice,"
Will responded. "Very neat and clean."
"Ha! You should
have seen it last Sunday!" Oh, God! Why did I say that?
Now he thinks I'm a slob! "Uhhh…two bedrooms…in
case one of my sisters comes by for a visit."
"You've got
four, I remember."
"Yes,"
she answered, pleased at his memory. "Mary's on her own,
but Kit and Lydia are at home, still." At least Lydia
is supposed to be. "And Jane is in Covington."
He walked up to
a picture of Chuck, Jane and their kids. "Lucky guy."
"Huh?"
Will's eyes flicked
to her before returning to the photo. "Chuck. Beautiful
kids and a wife who loves him. What more could a guy want?"
Lizzy felt her stomach
do somersaults. "Coffee!" she cried, remembering. "I
am such a doofus!" She dashed into the kitchen. "Regular
or decaf?"
"I'm a Cajun
like you, Lizzy. Full leaded, please."
"Good man."
She busied herself readying the coffee maker while Will took
in the apartment. "Will, I'm gonna change out of these sweaty
clothes. I won't be a minute."
"Okay."
Will sat on the couch as Elizabeth went into what he assumed
was her bedroom. That was the only assumption he was making at
the moment. He had no expectations as to her motives for inviting
him in. Hopes, perhaps, but no expectations.
Will leaned back,
closed his eyes, and thought back on their history. While they
were in college, it seemed everything Will did got a rise out
of Elizabeth. He thought the teasing was admiration; the events
in the aftermath of the John Waguespack scandal had taught him
otherwise. Now, five years later, it seemed she had given up
her dislike of him.
Seemed to? Christ,
that kiss in the infield…Oh, stop it! Reading too much into
a situation is what got me into trouble before. I can read most
people, but I can't read Elizabeth. Why? Is it because we're
too dissimilar or because we're too much alike? Damn, but I don't
want to blow this. I gotta let her set the pace. It's the only
chance I've got.
"Oh, Will,"
came Lizzy's voice from the kitchen. "Coffee's almost done.
Do you want to wash up?"
Will looked at himself.
"Yeah. Where's the washroom?"
"Oh, just through
my bedroom there."
Will looked over
at the door. I didn't see her come out. I must be more out
of it than I thought.
He walked into the
dark room dominated by a queen-sized bed and saw the light from
the open bathroom door. He went in and proceeded to splash water
on his face, washing the sweat off, and ran his wet fingers through
his hair. As he grabbed a towel, he noticed her bra on the floor
near a hamper. Seeing it sent a charge through his loins. Shaking
off the emotion, he dried his face and hands, replaced the towel
on the bar, and returned to the front of the apartment.
He found Lizzy curled
up on the couch with a cup of coffee in her hands, another on
the coffee table. "You take it black, right?" she asked.
"Yeah."
He couldn't remember
how she would know that. He might have been able to recall, but
he couldn't concentrate. Elizabeth had done more than change
her bra - she was wearing a short crop-top white tank and blue
yoga pants. She was sitting with her bare feet on the couch,
but he could see the skin of her waist and abs as they peaked
out from the gap between her top and bottoms. Her hair was loose
and flowing and her face was freshly scrubbed. She was lovely,
and Will sat down quickly before his arousal became apparent.
"Good coffee,"
he was able to murmur. Lizzy nodded. She seemed nervous.
"Will…"
Elizabeth began. "I've wanted to tell you for a long time…"
Here it comes, he thought as his heart sank.
"…how
sorry I am for what happened back at school."
HUHH??
She couldn't look
at him. "What I did - what I said to you - that was so wrong.
You were right. I should have tried to interview the frat before
I wrote my piece. You had been nothing but polite to me - you
never lied to me, even to save my feelings - and I took the word
of an asshole like Greg Wickham…"
"Lizzy, stop!"
cried Will.
Lizzy turned to
him, surprised that he would interrupt her.
"Look, you've
got nothing to apologize for. You were just doing your job. It
was my fault. I should have been more concerned about making
sure Waguespack got what was coming to him than the reputation
of the chapter…"
"But Marianne's
reputation… George and Chuck said…"
"Yeah, I thought
about her, too, but that doesn't excuse what I said to you. You
did nothing wrong - Wickham and Waguespack did. Yeah, Wickham
lied to you, but he lies to everybody. He's good at it! I should
have been more mature. If I had talked to you, like you deserved…I
really screwed up." He turned away from her, his head in
his hands.
Lizzy was frozen
listening to him. She remembered their confrontation, how he
had declared himself in love with her, and how hurt he was that
she would questioned his motives over what had happened to Mari.
His words came to her.
"I thought
I liked you, maybe even loved you, but it's clear I really don't
know you. I don't know who the hell you are. But whoever that
is, I don't want anything to do with her."
She thought by apologizing
they would have the chance to start afresh, but was she wrong
again? Did he think there was no going back?
"Because of
me, you lost your career," he said to the floor. "I
can never forgive myself for that."
"What?"
Lizzy was startled out of her own agonized thoughts.
"You…you
left journalism. If I truly loved you, I would have supported
you…"
"Will, no…"
she said, shaking her head. "That's not your fault. It…the
whole episode opened my eyes. I found out what the news business
was really like. And I didn't like it." Instinctively she
reached over to touch his arm. "Will, I really like what
I'm doing. Working in economic development, I'm building something
up, not tearing people down. I'm happy…really, I am."
"That's good.
I'm glad, Elizabeth." Still he wouldn't look up.
Lizzy knew she would
have to explain everything. "William, what happened back
at Tulane was my fault, not yours. No, no - let me finish.
I was blind to the kind of man you were - smart, honorable and
loyal - the man I know is sitting beside me now. My troubles
were all due to my immaturity - my insecurity.
You challenged me by treating me as an equal, but I didn't see
myself as your equal. Instead of facing my fears and changing
my preconceived ideas, I took refuge in them.
"Because of
that, I was a bad reporter. I was so angry at what happened to
Mari that I had to find somebody responsible. I should have trusted
that you would have talked to me after I calmed down, after I
confronted you, but I didn't. All I could think of was revenge.
I listened to the first plausible story I heard. I let my prejudice
about wealth, status, and even fraternities, color my writing.
And when the paper added that stuff about your family and changed
the focus of the story, I said nothing. I was cowardly,
I was immature, and I was irresponsible - all the things you
weren't and never have been. I let you, Mari, the guys in the
chapter, and everybody else down. Too late, I realized how terrible
I had been.
"To this day,
I don't know why anybody has ever forgiven me. By rights, Mari
should never speak to me again, much less Chuck, George, Chris,
or you. That all of you have is a blessing I thank God for every
day.
"And I will
never forget how bad - how wrong I was. A person like
me should never be a reporter. I'm very thankful I've found a
profession that not only I can enjoy, but feel that I'm making
a positive impact on the community."
Lizzy asked the
question that had plagued her for five years. "I explained
that all in my letter. Did Charles give it to you?"
"I got it,"
he admitted. Will was silent for a time. "I…I couldn't
answer it, Elizabeth."
"That's okay.
I understand," she said automatically as she began to draw
away. But Will's next words stopped her.
"If I did,
I couldn't stay mad at you, and I needed to be mad at someone.
My dad had died - my sister was without a father. I had to protect
the company - what my family had built. I lost you…Hell,
I never had you in the first place. I felt that the whole world
had come crashing down on me. So I used you. I figured if I stayed
mad at you, I wouldn't hurt so much. It was months before I would
even read it." He gave a dry chuckle. "Didn't work,
though. I never could stay mad at you."
"Why?"
she asked in a soft voice.
"Because…you're
the best person I've ever known. Your passion, your loyalty,
your courage. I've always admired it. I still do. You've always
had my admiration."
"But not your
love," she whispered.
He shocked her by
responding. He had heard her words.
"Elizabeth,
I've never stopped loving you."
"What?"
"Shit, I'm
blowing it again…"
"William, please!"
she cried, causing him to look at her in pain. "Are you
saying you still love me?"
His eyes grew dark,
a phenomenon she had witnessed before. "Forgive me, but
I will always love you." As he gazed intently at her, he
saw her eyes fill with tears. "I…I can't help it, Lizzy.
I'm sorry… Don't cry. I'll go now…leave you alone…"
He made to rise from the couch.
He halted as she
grabbed his arm. "NO! Don't you dare leave!"
"What…?"
"Don't go…"
She knelt on the couch, leaned in and kissed him, her lips warm
and damp from her tears. He could taste the salt. She pulled
away with a small smile. "I'm crying because I'm happy."
His hands clasped
her shoulders. "You're happy?" She nodded. An uncertain
smile began to grow on his face. "With me?"
"Oh, Will…"
She kissed him again, her hands cupping his face. "Don't
you see? I love you."
Will took in her
statement for a moment before crushing her against his chest.
He felt her cry in relief and release, and held her trembling
body against his until she could talk again. "Lizzy, I love
you. I always have and always will. Give me another chance to
prove I can be the guy you want, the guy you deserve. Please?"
"Will, I love
you just the way you are. You never have to prove yourself to
me."
"I don't deserve
you."
She smiled cheekily.
"Maybe not, but you're stuck with me."
Will had no answer
to that so he kissed her. It started out sweet and warm, but
as it went on it grew in intensity. Soon, Lizzy was pulled off
her knees and into his strong arms, getting as good as she was
giving. They broke apart, gasped for air and resumed their tongue-dancing.
Her arms were around his neck, playing with his hair, while his
arms held her close. One hand began to wander, caressing her
back through her top. In his lust-filling consciousness, he discovered
that Lizzy had neglected to replace her bra. He couldn't stop
his hand from searching for skin. Lizzy's only response was to
explore his mouth even deeper with her tongue.
The next either
knew, Lizzy was lying back on the couch with Will on top of her.
She gasped as his hands came from around her back to glide up
her abs and cup her breast. In the instant of choice between
acceptance and rejection, she made the final decision to go with
her feelings and arched her back in arousal. Will sensed her
desire instantly, pushed up the top his hands itched to remove,
and began an enchanting assault upon her nipples with his fingers.
His lips left hers to trail kisses along her throat and neck.
Lizzy moaned in pleasure - moans that turned into cries of delight
as he took a nipple between his lips. Will suckled her as his
free hand caressed her bare stomach and fabric-covered hip. It
was then that he realized that Lizzy was missing more than her
bra.
William gained control
of himself and returned to Lizzy's neck. "Liz… Oh my
god, Lizzy…We gotta stop…"
Elizabeth blinked
and craned her head to look at him.
"I don't have…any
protection," he gasped in frustration.
"It's all right,
Will. I'm on the Pill." Lizzy desperately fought to remember
if she had taken her Pill that morning. I think so…yeah.
Yeah, I did.
He shook his head.
"It's not just that…" He struggled with his voice.
"It's not you! Look, it's not like I've been painting the
town red, but…that's a lot of trust on your part."
Lizzy tried not
to giggle at his "paint the town red" reference. Who
says that anymore? "Will, I trust you haven't been promiscuous."
He shook his head.
She grinned. "You
never slept with Carrie Bingley, right?"
"Carrie Bingley?
Hell, no!" He was pleased to see the return of Lizzy's sauciness
that so enchanted him.
"You haven't
been a regular in Storyville?"
"Lizzy, Storyville
hasn't existed for a hundred years," he grinned in return.
"But, you're right. I don't patronize professionals."
She reached for
his shirt. "Then come on, lover," she purred as she
unbuttoned it.
The kisses and caresses
resumed for untold minutes. Finally, as Lizzy's hands slipped
into his pants and traced the outline of Will's arousal, it grew
too much for him. He broke the deep kiss they had been sharing
and looked down on her. It was better than a wet dream: Elizabeth,
below him, top pulled up, breasts exposed and nipples erect,
her face flushed with desire and excitement, her half-closed
eyes locked on his, her hair in complete disarray. He could feel
her heat through her pants.
No, he thought, I am not going to have
her here on the couch like some coed! She deserves better than
that. He swooped in, gave her a brief kiss, and quickly got
to his feet. Before Elizabeth could protest, she found herself
in his arms as he picked her up. She wrapped her arms around
his neck and giggled as he made his way into her bedroom.
Softly Will deposited
her upon her bed. The room was a mixture of shadow and light,
lit by the open doors to the bathroom and living room. Almost
immediately Lizzy tugged down her yoga pants, confirming Will's
guess as to the existence, or non-existence, of panties. He shucked
his shirt off and began undoing his pants as Lizzy threw the
covers toward the foot of her bed. Lizzy, on her knees, looked
back as Will yanked his shorts and boxers down his legs. Will
staggered as he realized that he still had his shoes on, and
Lizzy giggled. As he kicked off his Topsiders, Lizzy took the
opportunity to admire his manhood.
Will joined his
laughing love on the bed. "What's so funny?"
"You bob."
"Sorry - they
haven't invented a way to remove a man's shoes gracefully."
He took her into his arms.
"That's okay…I'll
be good." Her hands encircled him. "You are
a big boy, aren't you?"
"Oh god, Lizzy…"
He kissed her hard as they fell backwards on the bed, and Will
began to explore her body. They lost themselves in pleasuring
one another, hands and lips driving the pair into a much desired
insanity.
Will wanted to hold
out, to bring Lizzy to climax first, but she would have nothing
of it. She lay flat on her back and reached to cup his buttocks,
pulling his tip to the very core of her. She nearly screamed
as he withdrew.
He whispered in
her ear, "No, you don't understand. I've dreamed about this
night for years. I know exactly what I want to do to you."
With a grin, William
slid down her body, settled between her thighs, and demonstrated
what he meant. Slowly, with infinite patience, he lovingly drove
her mad, first with his fingers and then his mouth. Her thighs
quivered and her muscles tensed as an orgasm swept over her.
Lizzy's climax was quick and violent.
Will softly kissed
the insides of her thighs as she stilled, her hands running though
his hair. Lizzy was quick to reclaim his lips as he rose from
between her legs, her hands reaching for him. Will gladly allowed
her to guide him to her again.
"Please, Will…I'm
so ready for you…I need you - now," she whined.
Will could no longer
resist her. With a mighty cry he sank his length deep inside
her. She gasped as he filled her slick wetness. She swiveled
her hips to adjust to the size of him and wrapped her legs around
his waist.
Will's mind was
dizzy. Finally he was here with the love of his life, after so
many years, so many sleepless nights. "Oh, Lizzy…it's
too much…so good…so wet…I'm trying to hold out."
The knowledge that
it was her sweet William inside her brought relieved tears to
Elizabeth. "It's for you, William. All my love for you.
Do it, lover…Look at me, and don't hold back…Give it
to me…Fill me with your love. Deep inside…Do it!"
Lizzy's words ran
down a direct line from his ears to his core. Will's eyes swam
with desire, and he growled like a wild animal as he reached
his climax. His entire body shook as he fired again and again.
He lost himself to a pleasure so great it was nearly painful.
A small part of him understood why some cultures called it le
petit morte - he felt as if some part of his very life-force
was transferring itself to her. It seemed to go on forever.
Lizzy could feel
his molten love fill her to overflowing. Every stoke, every pulse
- she had been intently aware of it all. She was still reveling
in it as aftershocks buzzed and raced through her body. She embraced
his now sweaty form as he fought for his breath, warm and content
that it was she that had done this to him, that had inspired
him to such an effort that had left him exhausted and her satisfied.
She could not believe she could have loved him more than she
did before, but this felt so right. They fit so
right. Any tiny shred of doubt that might have remained in her
died. She was his forever.
They lay together
for long moments, entangled, exhausted, and content until Lizzy
realized that Will could be too close - too close to breathe,
that is. Will, understanding that his weight was a bit much for
her, rose up on his shaky elbows and sweetly kissed her eyes
and nose.
"Oh, Lizzy…god,
I love you," Will murmured. Lizzy said nothing; her heart
was too full. She could feel him sliding out. As much as she
wanted things to remain as they were, she knew it was impossible.
"It's okay,
Will."
With a final groan,
Will was out of her. He allowed himself to fall on his back by
her side, his forearm over his eyes. Lizzy smiled, reached over
to kiss his elbow, and scampered out of bed.
Will assumed she
was headed for the bathroom. He just lay there, taking in all
that had happened. For so many years he had dreamed of this night.
Now that it was here, he could not believe his good fortune.
Elizabeth loved him. She was his, and he was hers. So where did
they go from here? He knew what he wanted, but was Lizzy
ready for that? For forever?
His thoughts were
cut short by the movement of a hip on the bed as a warm, damp
washcloth encased his organ. Will looked from under his arm to
see Lizzy cleaning him, a sweet smile on her lips.
"Lizzy! You
don't have to do that!"
"Hush! Lay
back, Will. I want to do this."
He noticed a bath
towel beside her. Knowing instantly what that was for, he reached
over and took it into his hands. Flipping it open, he draped
the towel where it was intended. He then rolled over on top of
it.
"Will! What
are you doing?"
"What any true
man would do in my situation, Miss Boudreaux! Don't you know
a gentleman always sleeps in the wet spot?"
Lizzy laughed as
she crawled in bed to join him. She pulled the covers over them
as she snuggled close. "Since when were you a gentleman?"
"Lizzy! You
wound me!" He pulled her close. "I may have been a
jerk and an asshole, but I've always been a gentleman."
"Don't say
that," she said seriously.
"Why not? It's
true."
"William, stop.
Let's not fight as to who was most at fault. I'm too happy right
now."
"Anything you
say, Lizzy."
~*~*~
They lay together
for awhile, the light from the other rooms still illuminating
the bedroom. As was her wont, Lizzy began to worry again. Would
he stay, or would he go? She wanted nothing more than to awake
in his arms tomorrow, but she had no idea if he wanted to remain.
While she wrestled
with her uncertainties, she felt Will move to leave the bed.
"Will, where are you going?" she blurted out.
"Lizzy, are
you still awake?"
Elizabeth was mortified
that she had revealed her fears, but she had no choice but to
confirm his departure. "I was just dropping off."
"I'm sorry.
I didn't mean to wake you up."
"Well, aren't
you going to kiss me goodbye?" she whispered.
"Huh? What
did you say?"
"Nothing."
Will kissed her
forehead. "I'll be right back." He walked to the bathroom.
Elizabeth wasn't
completely sure what he meant by that, but she wasn't ready to
get her hopes up. A couple of minutes later, a still naked William
walked from the bathroom out the bedroom door. A moment later
the room was plunged into darkness; he had turned off the lights.
Her heart began to soar as he returned and got back into bed.
"Miss me?"
She hugged him.
"Yes," she said into his chest.
"What? Lizzy,
I only went to the bathroom!"
"I…I was
afraid. I thought you were going to leave."
"Aww, Lizzy…"
He hugged her tightly. "Look, I'll do whatever you want…"
"Stay."
"You've got
it. Elizabeth, there is nowhere else I want to be but in your
arms."
"Good."
Her smile returned.
Will turned and
took her face in his hands. Lizzy could only make out shadows;
the streetlamps outside threw very little light into the room.
But while she couldn't see his eyes, she knew his gaze was intense.
"Elizabeth,
this is important. I love you. You say you love me, and I believe
you. But - and this is the important part - Elizabeth, do you
trust me?"
So this was it.
The Big One. The Trust Question. If William wasn't worth it,
who was? She mentally closed her eyes and jumped off the cliff.
"Yes. I trust
you." She closed her eyes for real, the relief in surrendering
was apparent on her face. "I trust you with my life."
"Okay."
He kissed her. "And I trust you. I will never let you down.
If I ever disappoint you, if there is anything that I do or say
that you don't understand, if I ever do anything that bugs you,
promise me you will tell me."
"I promise,"
she smiled. "You know me - opening my mouth is not my problem!"
"Oh, I know
a good way of shutting it."
~*~*~
1 - "Hard
to Stop" by Stanley "Buckwheat" Dural &
Ted Fox
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