More Than Darkness
35
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This is a crossover smutty story featuring the character of
Tess/Salida ie Tess' Voice in Neon
More Than Eyes Alone Can See, and More
Than Life, and Sands/Jeffrey from Merrie's OUATIM fic
on ff.net, Darkness Rising. This story will make some sense, probably, if you
read it without having read either of our stories, but it'll make a hell of a
lot more if you just read them. They're all worth reading, we promise. Anyway,
on with the show.
Rated for what has happened, and what might happen.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Salida was bored.
Well, she supposed she was, but it was more than that really.
or so, and she – there was no way to get around it – was languishing.
As she sat on the
couch and stared unseeing at the flickering light of the TV, she wondered what
was wrong with her. She used to go out
and do things, screw anyone who got in her way or thought differently.
housewife. Perhaps not a traditional
one, not with Aida around, but she’d been domesticated
nonetheless.
to get up and do something.
didn’t. No matter how many times she
thought that, she never made it farther than the grocery store.
lately was Mexican cuisine. None of the
Mexican delivery places she’d called had been up to snuff – according to her –
so she’d taken to cooking her own meals.
When she wasn’t sleeping or staring blindly at her surroundings, whether
she be indoors or outdoors.
around for a clock. It was going on
be mad still. It was a depressing
thought, but it fit her mood. Being
depressed was better than being bored.
Another hour
passed, and she was woken from a light nap by loud hissing, spitting, and
various sounds of feline distress.
Raising her head from where it’d sunk to a
the presence of Grant and Sands’ kittens.
It amused her for some reason.
Logically, she knew that Des simply didn’t like anyone but her, but it
was nice to pretend the cat was doing it out of loyalty to her and Jeffrey.
Just as she was
sinking into a daydream about that, the phone rang, startling her.
levered herself up off the couch and answered.
“Hello?”
“Good evening,
vixen,” Jeffrey drawled, happy to be talking to her even as he rubbed at the
long gouge he had woken up with on his right leg.
pretty sharp fucking heels on and Jeffrey’s leg had paid the price.
“It’s early
morning,” she corrected gently, sliding down the wall to sit on the floor.
racket, but she’d ignore it until blood was about to be spilled.
“What do you mean
it’s early morning? It’s-oh.
Time difference. Sorry, vixen.
slight frown, leaning forward on the plush leather couch.
“No.
I don’t seem to sleep anymore.
Just nap on and off all day long.
I’m turning into a slug.”
“Can’t have that,”
Jeffrey said with a it of a laugh, only half serious.
on it.” Jeffrey sighed and sank back
into the couch again. “I won’t be back
‘til fucking Sunday.”
“I know.”
you too. She’d heard the tone of his
voice, and it’d set up an echo inside her.
“While you’re out there you should buy me something.”
but she didn’t want to dwell on things that were too depressing.
Jeffrey appreciated
the change in topic, none the less. “Oh
really? And what makes you think you
deserve a present?” he asked wryly, grinning wide.
“Really want me to
answer that?” she retorted, glancing down at her belly.
Jeffrey paused,
guessing her meaning. “Fine.
anyway, so it wasn’t that big of a deal.
“I believe the
traditional gift for the woman bearing your child, is jewelry,” she teased.
Jeffrey snorted at
that. “Yeah, but is that what you
fucking want?” he pressed. “If so, no
fucking problem. Makes my job easier.”
“I don’t care.
The only thing I really want is for you to come home to me safely.”
“I will, vixen.
passionate, loving wife,” he asked with another sad smile, missing her even
more.
Salida was going to
answer, but a particularly loud feline challenge interrupted her.
pulling her ear away from the phone and checking on the cats.
and Obsidian had apparently taken umbrage at the hostile treatment.
“Vixen?”
phoned sld slowly pressed it back to her ear.
“Yeah?
“What’s going on?
war.” A pause.
“No . . . not
really. If I leave them alone for a bit
longer though. . . .” She shrugged.
“Should I let you
go?” Jeffrey asked softly, not wanting to.
paid for him, Jeffrey had laid claim to the little black kitten as well.
“No.
stood, walking over to the cats and scooping Des up in one hand.
recognized her mistress, it turned into a boneless heap in her arms.
it was still growling.
Sitting back down
against the wall with Des on her lap, sheked ked the phone up again.
“Let me guess, your
little demon was the instigator?” Jeffrey teased.
“Are you talking
about my angel?” she asked, scratching the cat’s ears.
“She just
recognizes a kindred spirit in you, that’s all.
I still have the fucking scratch marks.”
And
a whole lot more than that. Fucking
Sands, Jeffrey thought to himself, looking down at the numerous “self”-inflicted
marks on his chest and stomach with a short pained hiss as his fingers sought
out one of the deeper ones.
His comment
immediately put her up in arms. “I don’t
hiss at you all the time.” Her voice was
less than friendly.
“What?
fucking hissing at you, vixen. If I was
hissing at anyone, it would have been fucking Sands.”
Less than placated
she said, “No. You said we’re kindred
spirits. I don’t hiss and spit at
everyone I meet.”
“Oh.
. . hiss and spit at is me.”
fucking cat that made me think of you. That’s
why I bought it.” He go off off the
couch and began to pace with the phone as he attempted to explain.
taking shit from anyone. And you both
seem to know how to fucking put me in my place,” he added dryly.
his explanation. “Someone has to,” she
murmured softly, a smile on her lips.
“Perhaps so,”
Jeffrey said with a shrug, still pacing a path through the main room of the
suite although it wasn't as frantic as before.
“Ie ane an
appointment today,” she said after a short silence.
“For when?” Jeffrey
asked, his pacing beginning to pick up a little speed again as he frowned.
“Monday.
“Alright.
relaxing a little. Not a whole lot
considering the nature of the appointment she had set up, but some in the
knowledge that he would at least be there for her.
“Don’t tell me you’re
nervous,” she laughed dryly. “It was
your idea in the first place.”
“Nervous?
pacing.
“A little.
“So?
defended himself. “Doesn’t mean I’m
fucking nervous.”
“You sped up when I
mentioned the doctor,” Salida pointed out.
“Fine, I’m fucking
nervous, alright,” Jeffrey muttered, extremely annoyed that his wife seemed to
know him so well. “I don’t like doctors.
And I . . . worry about you.”
For once she agreed
with him rather than offering profuse assurance.
“Not very reassuring,
vixen,” he muttered. “Thanks for the
fucking truth at least. But that doesn’t
fucking matter. You’re my wife and the
day I fucking stop worrying about you is the day they’re fucking tying on the
toe tag,” he admitted blithely.
Truth.
being good at the moment.” The
reassurance she’d held back earlier, came forward now.
“Well that’s
something. But don’t get me wrong.
two-shoes. What fucking fun would that
be?” Jeffrey said teasingly, trying to lighten the mood a little.
“Well, considering
the amount of frustration it might cause you. . .”
“And just what do
you mean by that?” Jeffrey asked suspiciously, not liking where this was going.
“Just that it might
be fun for me.” Salida was having a hard
time not laughing; she could see the look on her husband’s face, the suspicion
and dismay such a suggestion would have caused.
“Well, it wouldn’t
be fun for me!” Jeffrey insisted sternly.
“But that only
makes it more fun for me,” she
insisted.
Jeffrey let out a
sound of utter exasperation, half wishing he could reach though the phone and
throttle his wife. “You’re utterly
impossible. I don’t know why I put up
with you sometimes,” Jeffrey muttered. “Oh
yeah, cause I’m insane, I love you, and I’m your husband.
“Nice to know
insanity is your first line of defense,” she observed dryly.
Jeffrey smirked at
that. “You fucking drive me crazy,
vixen. Perhaps that’s why I said it
first.”
“I do what I can,”
she murmured, moving so she was lying down.
Her back hurt.
“That you do,
vixen.” He let a few moments of silence
pass. “How are you feeling?”
“Pregnant.”
sunk in. She may have accepted her
condition, but that didn’t make it a comfortable one – physically or
mentally. “And not in a good way.”
Jeffrey cursed
softly. “Is there anything I can do?”
“From where you
are? No.
Unless you want to make some long distance calls to here and find me a
hunky pool boy who can give killer back massages.”
Jeffrey let out an
involuntary growl, low in his throat. “Are
you trying to make me even crazier, vixen?
far,” he said dryly. “If
be me!”
“Then I suppose I’ll
settle for some Tylenol or something. I’d
take a bath if I weren’t afraid of falling asleep in it.”
Jeffrey frowned,
still wishing he could do something for her.
asking me not to come back right away. I
. . . understand the want to have some time alone.
“I’m bored,” she
confessed in return. “Lots of time on my
hands. It’s probably the only thing that
forces to me to think about anything in the first place.”
“I get that too.
far be it from me to intrude on kitty and Sands’ fucking time together,” he
said with a sneer.
“We make the same
demands on him,” she said softly, not really wanting to start a discussion that
could turn into an argument.
“Doesn’t change the
fact that I feel like a fucking prisoner within my own fucking mind,” Jeffrey
said darkly. “I think . . . I need to
take a fucking walk or something. Get
out of this fucking love nest for awhile.”
“Alright,” she
whispered. “I should probably try to get
some real sleep anyway.”
“I’ll call you
tomorrow,” Jeffrey promised. “I love
you, Salida. And I fucking miss you too,”
he admitted.
“Same here.
“Goodbye, vixen,”
Jeffrey said after some hesitation.
“Not goodbye,” she
replied, suddenly taking a dislike to the word.
“Just . . . just I love you and I’ll talk to you later.”
“I love you and I’ll
talk to you later,” Jeffrey said with a small smile.
“I’m fucking going
out for a little while, kitty,” Jeffrey called out after he had hung up the
phone. He needed to take a walk, clear
his head, have a drink . . . he didn’t exactly know what he needed to do, but
he needed to do something.
Sands and kitty had their fun. He was
fucking bored out of his mind.
Aida mumbled some
sort of reply, obviously still asleep, and rolled over in bed.
stilled.
Jeffrey rolled his
eyes and muttered something under his breath before rising to his feet and
moving across the room to one of the small tables that lined the walls and
grabbed a keycard and stuck it into his back pocket.
without asking that Sands had left the gun and the knife back in
Orleans
just about to head out the door when he risked a glance at kitty and noticed
something sharp lying not so innocently on the floor next to the bed.
muttered to himself with a wide grin, clomping down the stairs loudly to pick
up the new knife, not caring if he woke Aida or not.
eyebrows raising into his hairline upon seeing the restraints and the crumpled
nurse’s outfit – he located the sheath the knife had come in, stuck it on his
belt, and made his way out the door.
******************************
******************************
Jeffrey didn’t make it very far.
after-dark
to go home. Since that wasn’t a fucking
option at the moment, he decided he needed a drink.
to be traipsing all over an unfamiliar city.
After enough drinks
that he could no longer effectively see straight anymore, he woke Sands up and
instructed him to get himself back up to the hotel room before Jeffrey passed
out on top of the bar.
“You inconsiderate
bastard,” Sands slurred, more than a little pissed off at Jeffrey’s choice of
recreational activity.
“Fuck you, I got
bored but didn’t have the fucking energy to . . . see the sights.
glass of scotch in the hand and telling the bartender to send the bill up to
the room.
“Leaving me with
the fucking bill too, I see,” Sands muttered, ignoring the bartender’s curious
stares as he watched Sands and Jeffrey argue.
“Yep,” Jeffrey acknowledged
with a wide grin before passing out.
“Fuck,” Sands
muttered, visualizing the long way back up to the suite and into bed.
his head a little in a vain attempt to clear his alcohol clouded thoughts, he
made his way back up to the suite.
******************************
******************************
“Fuck! Goddamn stupid
piece of shit table! That fucking hurt!”
Sands growled at a table that he could swear leaped right out at him as soon as
he had closed the door and walked into the main area of the suite, attempting
to get down into bed so he could pass out next to his wife.
steps without further incident and sat down heavily on the bed next to his
wife, managing to take his shoes off and chuck them across the room before he
fell backwards on the bed, still fully dressed and armed, one foot hanging over
the edge for balance.
“Sands?”
sleep. She wasn’t totally awake, but she
was conscious enough to know he was being unneedfully
forceful. Then a peculiar odor reached
her nose, and she woke up even more. “What
is that smell?” It was just familiar
enough to drive her crazy until she identified it.
“That . . . would
be me. Jeffrey decided . . . it’d be a
fucking . . . grand idea to get us
both drunk while he was out,” Sands mumbled, not opening his eyes and not
moving from his rather precarious position half on and half off of the bed.
There was a distinctly angry tone in her voice.
“He got . . . himself
. . . and consequently me, drunk, spitfire,” Sands reiterated slowly.
“Wake him up.”
make that known.
“That might be a
little . . . difficult, spitfire. He’s .
. . passed out.”
“Wake . . . him . .
. up,” she said through her teeth.
After a
mouth and his face clenched in a glare.
Jeffrey practically spit out.
Shifting her weight
away from him for just a bit, Aida quickly reached out and slapped Jeffrey
sharply across the face. “That was to
make sure you’re awake.” Since he was
drunker than any man had a right to be, she was able to then catch his ear
between thumb and forefinger. Squeezing
hard, she said over his yelp, “And this is to make sure you’re listening.”
sto.
to baby you, because I won’t put up with it.”
Having said that, she released him and climbed out of bed just in case
he tried to retaliate, taking the sheet with her.
Jeffrey just lay
there, utterly stunned. “You know, your
wife’s a real fucking bitch sometimes, Sands.
wincing. “But if she ever tries that
again I’ll fucking cut her into little pieces.”
unconsciousness once more.
“Fuck,” Sands
muttered, putting a hand to his ear and rubbing it, sitting upright on the bed.
If it hurt this much now while his
senses were dulled with alcohol, it was going to hurt like a motherfucker
tomorrow. “I get what you were doing,
but fucking ow,” Sands muttered, not for the first
time wishing he was separate from Jeffrey if only to be saved the pain he was
currently causing him.
“Don’t worry,” Aida
soothed, climbing back into bed. “I did
that to my brothers all the time, and it doesn’t hurt as bad as you would think
the day after. It doesn’t even bruise.”
“God, I’m exhausted.”
“In a good way, or
a bad way?” he asked, slumping back down to the bed, managing to pull the knife
off of his belt and drop it to the floor next to him so he wouldn’t roll over
on it.
“What do you mean?”
“I mean, are you
exhausted because I wore you out or. . . ?”
“Hard to say.”
treatments, made her drowsy. “I’m a
little uncomfortable, but not in pain.
It’s only to be expected after being so . . . intense.
that. But a few months ago I wouldn’t
have been so tired after a t dat day.”
“Get some rest,
then,” Sands mumbled, both closing his eyes and throwing an arm over his face.
“Not your
fault. And I am sorry about the
slap. And the pinch.
“Oh, I’m sure he
did. You . . . heard what he said after?”
He pulled his arm away and opened his
eyes to look over at her.
“That he’d kill me
if I tried that again?”
“Yeah, that’s about
what he said,” Sands said slowly.
“That doesn’t mean
that he took me seriously.” Aida was
snuggling down into her pillow and pulling the blankets around her.
“Worry about that .
. . later. Sleep now,” Sands murmured,
his voice thick as he undid his belt slowly and pulled it off, dropping it to
the floor on top of the knife, his arms then falling limply at his sides once
more.
“Alright.”
her.
“Love you, Aida.
sunrise?” he asked slowly, turning his head to look at her again.
“If I’m awake.
“Don’t have to make
promises. Just, wanted to know,” Sands
assured her.
“Alright.
“
and drunkenness.
******************************
******************************
Sands let out a soft moan as light began to assault his
closed eyes, silently cursing the lack of proper curtains for the large windows
that surrounded the suite. He cracked an
eye open, cursed and wished he hadn’t, then opened them both and looked out the
window to see a rapidly brightening sky.
sleeping wife gently. “You’re going to
miss it.”
Aida moaned, and
turned towards him, tucking her face into her shoulder to shut out the bright
light.
“Sunrise, Aida.
share with me?” Sands mumbled, pressing the heel of his hand to his aching
hung-over head. “If you don’t want to see
it I can always go out there, find the magical tasseled pull cord, and switch
it off,” he murmured, closing his eyes once more as well.
That made her open
her eyes. She gazed at him fondly, still
half asleep. “You’re silly,” she
informed him before turning her head towards the windows with a groan.
“Maybe so,” he
returned, opening his eyes again with a wince.
for a change.”
“And what hour
would that be?” she asked slowly, her eyes half shuttered as she watched the
rising sun.
“Sometime not now,”
Sands responded, watching the sun with her and trying to will his hangover away
through sheer force of will. All he
succeeded in doing however, was to make his headache intensify due to the level
of concentration he was attempting.
As beautiful as it
was, Aida couldn’t keep her eyes open. “Sounds
good. Wake me up for the instant replay.”
“You got it,
spitfire,” Sands murmured, feeling sleep steal over him once more as well.
“Sands?”
“Mmm?” he murmured,
still somewhere in the place between full sleep and consciousness.
“Do you like your
name yet?”
“Huh?”
figure out what was was talking about.
“Do you like your
first name yet?”
“Oh.
muttered, somewhat surprised he’d been able to string a sentence like that
together.
“Alright.
Sands immediately
felt a hint of what he took to be guilt flood through him.
that’s all. Never said I wouldn’t.”
point he was trying to make.
“I don’t want to
call you something you don’t like,” she murmured, moving closer to him.
“Yeah, but you like
calling me . . . Sheldon. You made it
yours,” Sands responded.
“But you don’t like
it,” she repeated.
“There are far
worse things I don’t like in my life, spitfire.”
“And I don’t want
to add to that list.” As far as she was
concerned, the case was closed. She’d
never call him by his first name again unless he asked.
“You’re impossible
sometimes,” Sands murmured without animosity.
use the name. Whatever.
made such a big deal out of it. “I love
you, Sands.”
“I love you too,
Aida,” Sands murmured. “Can I sleep now?”
he asked, not wanting to be woken up again by another conversation, but not
entirely minding staying awake a little longer if she still wanted to talk.
“Yes.
I am.”
Sands nodded,
feeling himself slip back into sleep’s embrace before he could fully answer
her, pulling her close to his chest unconsciy any and holding her there.
Aida sighed in
contentment and followed him into slumber.
Her last thought nothing more than a smug certainty that she would win
in the end.
******************************
******************************
“Stop your whimpering,” Aida said, gathering a beach towel,
a bottle of water, and a bottle of sunscreen.
She was dressed in her swimsuit and a lighter green wrap cover-up.
sleep and soft, teasing touches, but she was ready to get out of the room, and
determined to get to the beach.
“Why the hell do
you want to go out there for? It’s
bright, hot, sunny, bright, sandy . . . did I mention bright?” Sands murmured,
still feeing a little out of it due the last lingering remnants of his
hangover.
“Take some Aspirin
and wear sunglasses. I want to ut out on
the beach. Besides, you should like
sand.”
“Why?” Sands
grumbled, pulling on a clean pair of pants and an airy silk shirt which he left
unbuttoned, rolling up the sleeves.
“Well, besides the
matter of you name. . .” she teased, “there’s other similarities between
you. You’re both gritty, occasionally
irritating, and get in the darndest places.”
“Ha, ha,” Sands
muttered, a grouchy scowl crossing his face.
blaming you,” he said, giving her a look before grabbing his sunglasses and
putting them on. “Let’s go.”
“I’ll put
“Won’t that be fun?”
Sands muttered, walking down the hall to enter the elevator.
“See . . . this is
where those similarities between you and the beach start, Sands my love.”
“And yet, I’m still
coming with you,” Sands pointed out, half wondering why.
“You know you want
too.” The elevator dinged as it came to
a halt in the lobby.
“Oh?
turning to glance at her through the darkened lenses of his sunglasses, his
expression unreadable.
“Because you like
seeing me have fun.”
Sands grumbled
under his breath. She had him there.
least one of us will. Lead the way.”
Aida did lead the
way. She led the way for fifteen
minutes, walking past the hordes of people from the hotel and the small strip
of beach they’d all flocked to. Once
they were a few hundred yards away, she walked closer to the waterline and
spread her towel out and took off her wrap.
“Me first, or you?”
“Me first or you .
. . what?” Sands asked, squinting even behind the dark sunglasses, and feeling
the black of his clothing eagerly soak up the hot sun.
“
up the bottle. “What . . . were you
expecting another offer?”
“A man can always
hope. Give it here.”
on his hand with a look of distaste, and began to rub it into her skin,
meticulously covering every inch of her that was exposed.
“Your turn.”
started to strip his shirt off him.
“Just . . . don’t
miss any spots. And I don’t want to wake
up with a nice pale fucking smiley face or something surrounded by burnt skin.
“How about a pink
smiley face surrounded by white skin?” she teased, taking the time to massage
the lotion into his shoulders and back.
“Oh, well that
might not be too-No!” he insisted, moving his hair out of her way.
“Spoilsport.”
she could rest her back against his chest.
“Know what we should do tonight?”
“Oh?
“We should rent a
car – a sports car – and go for a drive.”
“Ok.
tilting his head back a little and glaring at the sun overhead.
“How’s your
headache?”
“Irritating,” Sands
grumbled with a soft wince.
“Here.”
them, pulling out the bottle of water and a single dose package of Ibuprophen.
“I love mfe,”fe,”
Sands said with small grin, opening the packet of aspirin and the bottle of
water and taking them both.
“I should have let
you suffer,” she sighed. “It’d teach you
not to be so stubborn.”
“No, it wouldn’t
have,” Sands said stubbornly, leaning over to kiss her forehead.
would have taught you to follow the advice of your wise wife.”
Sands shrugged.
mine?”
“Look both ways
before you cross the street.”
Sands rolled his
eyes at that. “Always do.
“Don’t pet snapping
turtles.”
“Uh, ok.
“Don’t drink soda
right after eating Pop Rocks – your stomach might explode.”
“That’s a myth,”
Sands said with a wry grin.
“No, it hasn’t been
around long enough to be a myth. It’s an
urban legend.” Closing her eyes, Aida
relaxed into the strength of her husband’s body – it was nice to just sit here
and talk.
“Whatever.
with a grin, wrapping his still bare arms around her.
“Whatever.
visualize the indulgent smirk he’d be sending her way.
take warning. Red sky at night, sailor’s
delight.”
“Never fully
understood that one,” he muttered, not really caring though.
“What one hopes for
is always better than what one has. . .” she was running low on wisdom.
“A penny saved is a
penny earned. A rolling stone gathers no
moss. Don’t count your eggs until they’ve
hatched. If you can’t take the heat, get
out of the kitchen. Love conquers all.
Aida craned her
head around and mock-glared at him before sticking her tongue out at him.
“Was that a yes or
a no?” he asked with a smirk, nipping on her protruding tongue before pulling
back so she could answer.
“Spoilsport,” she
charged again before falling silent to watch the wav/p>
/p>
“’s t’s the second
time you’ve called me that today. What
sport am I supposed to be spoiling exactly, spitfire?”
“My fun.”
watching frustration flare up in her face.
Not that she was ever able to stay frustrated with him for long.
time.
“Well, I guess I’ll “Yes. Sands made a noise “What goes around Sands just grunted “Sands, don’t “I’m not pouting.” “Then you’re Sands blinked at “Ahh . . . then that’s Sands sat in “No. “Yeah, if you want “Why should that He leaned over and “No . . . not “Be lazy. They sat in silence “If you like,” “When Jeffrey found Sands hesitated, Aida pulled away a “No. Aida’s eyes “It won’t. “No. “You don’t have to “No. “What are you “The day you met me “You knew the only “Maybe I did. “What does your “Who says I have a “You have a heart,” Sands’ eyes slowly “Then don’t worry “I’ll wash him off “How do you put up “I thought we talked “We did, but we “Plans?” she asked, “And for us?” he “I don’t know,” she “I will be,” Sands They fell silent, “Can’t think of “How about. . . ‘Do “Oh hell yes,” “I’ll make you “Why, want to give She tried. “Good luck,” Sands “Just because I’m “You staking your “And what would you “Grabbed their “Hmm . . . see, I “Well that’s where “Sugar and spice,” “Oh? “Men just beat the Sands mulled this “You know what they “Hell hath no “That’s right. “Oh I will, don’t “That’s what I like “Oh, and where “At my complete and “Yes, ma’am,” he Aida grinned and ****************************** “Oh . . .” Sands “Yes I know you “If I drown because “Perhaps I should Sands returned the “Better not too “There’ll be plenty She gave short Sands mumbled something She grinned, and Still smiling, she With a sigh of mild “Why haven’t I “Because you never “That’s the idea.” “Now you really are “That’s the idea,” Sands gave a soft “I know.” Sands grumbled Aida held out a Sands nodded and Aida grinned as she Glancing around the “I’m always ready “That’s good. “Definitely . . . should “I’m glad you’re Very carefully, she “You . . . stopped.” “I did. Had he more energy, “Do you want to “Well, I Aida laughed and “Twenty-seven. What he saw was his One of Sands’ eyebrows “No.” “Tell me anyway. Her eyes Sands let his “Mmm-hmm. “When have I lied “You haven’t, that Sands had been “Better act fast or While just a few Aida smiled at his “So what?” she “It would seem so,” She couldn’t Sands let her kiss “Myself. “Uh . . . ok. His mouth was hot “I’ve never been “Oh,” she said “Still sounds Aida knew he was “Sands . . . He might have She grinned, and “Yeah, well, don’t “What’s wrong “Not nearly,” he “Don’t worry. “Much . . . better,” “Sands?” she Sands wanted to ask “Now it’s easier to “I’ve always liked “Hold me,” she Sands wrapped his She would have “What-what are you “Y-you don’t want . “In about two “You asked for it.” Sands let of a “You were right,” “Of course I was. “This was better “Much better,” “I’m not a Sands let out a “I should get up,” “Why? '> “No, I need to take Sands frowned “Always.” There was a “Are you alright?” “I’m fine. “Golden, huh? “Did you know that “No, I did not know “It is,” she “I did not know “It’s wisdom ala “Well ok, if that’s “Don’t,” she “Then sleep Aida smiled, “ “I like that.” “Want me to keep “It’s nice,” she Sands nodded Whether Aida ever Sands gave her a
just have to make my own fun then,” he said with a
kiss that left them both slly oly out of breath.
that was.”
But I wouldn’t go any further if I were you.
rather . . . sore.”
of irritation, his expression clearly stating that he didn’t care that they
were in public in the least. “Sorry
about the soreness, but now you’re
being a spoilsport.”
comes around, Sands my love.”
at that, not saying a word.
pout. We can later.”
brooding and I get to claim another fine.”
that, having forgotten her little “game.”
alright.” She’d let him get off with a
warning this time, but the next. . . She
wasn’t afraid to be ruthless.
companionable silence for a moment before asking softly a slight grin on his
face, “Are you going to just sit here against me soaking up sun or do you have
other plans?”
Unless you want to go swimming.”
She pretended to be enchanted with the idea.
to get gnawed on by sharks,” Sands muttered.
worry me when I’ve got my own landshark to worry
about?” she teased, prodding him gently in the ribs with her elbow.
nipped the side of her neck in retaliation both for her comment and action
before sighing softly. “If you want to
go, I’ll go.”
really. Just teasing.
lazy. And enjoying myself, I might add.”
rolled his eyes at his unintentional pun.
for a few minutes before Aida remembered something she’d been meaning to ask
for awhile. “Sands?
Sands said with a slight shrug. “I’m not
going anywhere. Ask away.”
make me promise to answer it truthfully if its something I don’t want to talk
about.
out we were in
continue, but she swallowed hard and continued anyway.
something about Salida making you go away.
What did he mean?”
not knowing what to tell her. This was
one of those things he didn’t want to talk about. “Don’t worry about it.
bit at his refusal to answer. Part of
her knew that he simply didn’t want to discuss something that was obviously
complicated and unpleasant, but that didn’t mean she couldn’t be hurt.
wouldn’t be able to understand?”
her voice loosened his lips and he went on.
have the . . . greatest of introductions.
drugged me. She drugged me so that
Jeffrey could take over and I would simply . go go away.
allowing it to fucking happen again. The
second time . . . things happened.” <.”
wanted to tell her. Well, he didn’t
really want to be telling her any of this, but it was too late to hold much
back now.
narrowed and she was very glad the other woman wasn’t here right now, otherwise
she might do something rash. Instead she
turned to her husband and wrapped her arms around him.
whispered, “It won’t happen again. I won’t
let it.”
up somehow. Set Jeffrey off balance.
I won’t let that happen again.
promised solemnly.
protecting him at this very moment.
protect me, Aida. I’ll be alright,” he
said softly, giving her a gentle smile.
Not if what you said to me that day was true.”
talking about?” Sands asked with a slight frown.
at the theater. When we went to the
park,” she reminded him softly.
had a good little rant going that day, huh?” he murmured.
spilling all.” He gave a soft
self-depreciative chuckle.
thing that mattered,” she said softly. “I
was safe.”
heart tell you?” She waited in tense
expectation for his answer, not sure what to expect.
heart?” Sands muttered darkly before looking up at the sky and letting his
thoughts settle. “You’re safe.
looking down at her, his head still tilted back, staring up into the sun.
she told him. “I can hear it.
. . . and I think I know I line when I hear one.”
shut and he whispered, “I do love you, Aida.
closed behind his dark sunglasses.
about whether you have a heart or not, because I say you do.
husband backwards to lie on the towel.
She followed him down, her head pressed against his shoulder and one
hand resting over his heart.
murmured, attempting lighten his own mood once more.
the less.
once we get back to the hotel,” she promised, her fingers rebelliously refusing
to lie still. Without her direction they
started tracing meaningless patterns over his chest.
with me?” he asked wryly before shaking his head.
something to ask. “Tell me about
yourself. Like . . . what’s your
favorite color? Et cetera, et cetera.
about this over burgers,” she teased. In
reality, Aida was more than willing to answer his questions, but she was going
to need more direction than “et cetera.”
It was hard to sum yourself up in such general terms.
forest green. Like my swimsuit.
didn’t cover everything. What . . . are
your plans for the future? For yourself?
For . . . us?” Sands asked softly,
wanting to know, but having trouble finding the right questions to ask.
a bit bewildered. “I don’t really
know. I’ve never been one to make
plans. Not past tomorrow or perhaps the
day after. Que sera sera,
and all that.” Closing her mouth, Aida
took the time to think about his question.
“It’s hard to make plans when your life has almost been put on hold . .
. but I’d like to act again someday. I
already miss it.”
asked quietly when she didn’t immediately continue.
admitted. “I just know that I want to be
with you. Whatever happens after this,
whether it be tomorrow or in five years . . . I’ll handle it if you’re there
with me.”
said softly, holding her close and ignoring all else on the beach.
would. He’d die before he abandoned her.
And if she died first. . .
will. You know that.
his head. The voice did leave, but not
before letting out a gleeful cackle that echoed through his thoughts.
stay calm so he wouldn’t worry her.
and Aida finally had to rouse herself before she fell asleep.
any,” Sands said slowly, trying his best not to dwell on the voice’s words.
you want to go back to the hotel and let me give you a sponge bath?’”
Sands said without hesitation. “Make me
forget.” He paused as the words left his
mouth, tensing slightly. He hadn’t meant
to say them out loud. “Lead the way,” he
continued, hoping to gloss over his unintentional slip.
forget your own name,” she promised with a wink as she gathered their things
and re-tied her wrap.
me another one?” he asked with a hint of a smile.
let her ignore. “I like your name as it
is . . . perhaps I should simply settle for making you forget that you don’t
like it.” She tucked her arm through his
and led the way back to the hotel.
murmured, walking across the hot beach, avoiding and ignoring the scantily clad
people giving him odd stares. His
entirely black on black on black ensemble drew more than a few.
not using it doesn’t mean I’m not determined still,” she informed him, taking
great pleasure in wrapping her arm around his waist when a trio of women in
skimpy bikinis shot interested looks their way before beginning to walk
over. At her territorial gesture, they
glanced at each other and decided to search for other game.
claim, spitfire?” Sands asked, letting his sunglasses slide down his nose just
enough so he could look over the tops of them to her, an amused look on his
face.
have done had that group been three young hunks offering surfing lessons?” she
answered indirectly.
surfboards and used them to beat each one to death,” Sands said, his face
expressionless, making it impossible to tell whether he was joking or not.
would have settled for a sweet smile before flipping them off.”
you an I differ, spitfire,” he said with a grin, giving her a kiss on the
cheek. He wasn’t really worried about
her leaving him, not anymore, but he defended what was his.
she teased him. “Besides, I think women
are better able to protect what’s theirs than men are.”
letting her move ahead of them as they entered the hotel lobby.
crap out of each other and leave it at that.
Women are much more cruel. They’re
able to do and say things that will haunt their enemies for a lifetime.
country.”
over as they walked across the buzzing lobby and stepped into one of the
waiting elevators. “Perhaps you’re
right. I’m not agreeing, but you may
have a point.”
say about a woman scorned . . . there’s a reason they don’t say the same about
men.” It was cool inside the hotel; the
air conditioning was almost brutal after the hot sun.
greater fury, right. I know.
take you down, my very dangerous sexual predator,” Sands said fondly.
ever grow restless.” She knew it’d never
happen, but she was too happy that he was once again joining her in their
playful banter to care.
worry about that. I’m too afraid now not
to,” he returned.
to hear.” Just as the elevator do
ope
opened, she rose up on her toes to plant a kiss on his check.
would that be, spitfire?” he asked slowly, his eyes glinting with amusement.
utter mercy.” She shoved him through the
door to their room. “Now strip and climb
into the tub. I think I promised you a
sponge bath.”
said with a smirk, pulling off the shirt he hadn’t bothered to button, sitting
down at the table to take off his shoes, before rising again to strip off his
pants; he hadn’t been wearing underwear.
moment before striding into the bathroom, mindful of the large windows he
passed, but not caring in the least. If
there was anyone out there, they were more than welcome to get a good look.
shook her head, but didn’t say anything.
She had her husband back – that was all that mattered.
******************************
groaned as she trailed the soothing hot water down his chest. “You know I love you, right?” he asked with a
big grin, feeling his body relax in the hot water.
going to fall asleep then and there in the tub, and that would be somewhat . .
. embarrassing.
love me,” she teased, resting a hand on her forehead and pulling his head back
to rest on her shoulder. “Now, just keep
relaxing.”
you made me fall asleep in the tub I’m going to come back and haunt you,” he
threatened lazily, leaning into her gentle touch almost unconsciously.
practice my mouth to mouth,” she murmured, leaning her head down to press her
lips gently against his.
kiss with a languorous passion that started slow and small but began to build
almost immediately. When they finally
broke apart, Sands grinned again. “You’re
welcome to practice on me any time you want.”
so relaxed, at peace, content, whatever you wanted to call it.
been something overtly sexual involved.
often. I get the feeling that we’d
become more and more breathless instead of gaining any real skill.”
and Aida found herself bending her head again.
“You should tell me to stop and wash your back,” she whispered, gazing
at him though half-shut eyelids.
of time for back-washing later. You need
more practice. My life could be at stake
here,” he said with a wry grin, leaning upwards toward her to capture her lips
again in a kiss even more passionate than the last.
into the tub with him, strip her of the swimsuit she was still wearing, and
have a long practice session.
moan, but pulled away as he reached a hand behind him to capture her neck.
his mouth, Aida pulled away and pushed gently on his shoulder.
about how he was anything but patient, but did as she had asked.
dipped the natural sponge in the water before soaping it up.
soaps and shampoos, but Sands had insisted on buying his own on account that
the free ones were “too smelly.” Aida
hadn’t really complained since she liked the fresh scent of his chosen soap . .
. not to mention that it left more papaya/guava/cucumber shampoo her her to
use.
traced the sponge down Sands’ backbone before branching off to do his shoul
an
and ribs. She took her time, simply
enjoying seeing soap suds run down her husband’s wet body.
before becoming obvious, and she was reaching that point.
disappointment, she rinsed his back, planting small kisses down the crease of
his spine as the soap and suds were shunted down his skin by the hot water.
asked you to do this weeks ago? Good
god, Aida,” Sands murmured, even more relaxed now than he had been before.
caresses, but for the first time in perhaps . . . ever, his arousal was
secondary to his relaxation. He just
wanted to fall asleep with her in his arms, content to just . . . be.
before.
thought of it.” She was more than
pleased that he was enjoying her little gift.
After everything he’d done for her, after all the intrusive questions
she’d asked, she was glad to find that there was something she could give in
return. “But now you know, so don’t
hesitate to ask ever again.” Brushing
his hair out of her way, she nuzzled the back of his neck before kissing his
nape.
promised with a soft sigh, enjoying thelingling of her pleasantly cool lips on
his heated skin. “Feels nice. . .” he
murmured softly, his eyes falling shut so he could better focus on enjoying her
gentle touches.
Aida pulled her husband's head back to rest against her stomach.
of his body, she started massaging his temples and scalp.
troubled lover.
going to make me fall asleep if you keep that up,” Sands murmured, not opening
his eyes. s'> He knew what she was trying to
do, and appreciated the gesture, but he knew it wouldn’t really do him much
good. The problems he had couldn’t be
solved by a nice temple massage. Unless
he happened to fall asleep and didn’t dream, which didn’t happen often.
something stupid like that.
she repeated in a whisper. “Although, it’d
be nice if you didn’t do it in he tub, because the water will eventually grow
cold and I wouldn’t want you to catch a chill.”
Her hands kept moving until her fingers rested against his collarbone
and her thumbs worked away at the base of his skull.
snort at that, but still didn’t move or open his eyes.
relaxation where any movement beyond a tilt of the head was a monumental
undertaking. So she let Sands sit in
silence for another ten minutes before she removed her hands from him.
massage.”
under his breath. He had been a breath
away from falling asleep when she had moved her hands.
planned it. He could tell it would be
pointless to argue, however. She wouldn’t
continue the massage until he was out of the tub and dry, and he didn’t want
her to stop so he merely did as he was told with lazy movements that still
managed to be graceful somehow.
towel and helped him dry off before wrapping her arms around his waist and
planting a kiss on his chin. “Go get
into bed. I’ll be along in a
minute. I want to change out of this.”
turned to walk to the bed, casting a “Don’t take too long,” over his shoulder
before practically falling on the bed face-first.
breath, raised a hand to move his slightly damp hair out of faceface slowly
before letting his hand fall back to the bed and waited for his wife to return.
watched Sands flop down onto the bed, then stripped off her swimsuit with a
sign of relief. The spandex had been
starting to irritate her skin, making it itch.
She knew the dry skin was a result of her chemo, but she was reluctant
to let Sands know. He was having a rough
transition, and she didn’t want to add more worries to his already burdened
mind. This time was to relax and
forget. Sunday would come soon enough
now.
room, she picked up the abandoned black shirt on the floor and slipping into
it, only fastening the first few buttons.
After gathering a clean pair of underwear from a nearby drawer, she went
to the bed and climbed on, moving to straddle Sands’ waist.
down the skin of his back.
for more, wife. Especially if it’s
coming from you,” Sands said softly, a lazy and contented grin on his face.
now. In fact, if she kept massaging him
like she was now he might decide to overlook that little fact and purr
anyway.
time to come.” Not giving him a chance
to reply, she started kneading the muscles of his back, exerting enough
pressure to cause him groan and the joints of her fingers to pop.
have asked you to . . . do this sooner,” Sands murmured, groaning again as she
moved lower, literally feeling as if he were about to melt into the mattress at
any moment under her fingers. And the
thing was, he didn’t mind that in the least.
a hell of a lot at the moment.
enjoying yourself.” Because I certainly am. Aida
took her time working every bit of tension from every muscle from his head to
his toes, even going so far as to massage his fingers and palms.
motionless and soundless underneath her, his breathing deep and even.
wasn’t then he was close.
moved off his back and onto the bed beside him, simply laying there and gazing
at his face. He looked at peace, and
that made her relax.
fingers ever so softly over his hair.
Sands’ voice sounded heavy and thick
even to his own ears. He could feel
sleep clawing at him, and he was about to give in without any further fighting.
Not the wae was all that tired, but he
was so relaxed that it was all he could do to stay conscious.
under her fingers, allowing her to mold him in any way she saw fit.
he didn’t care. If being under her
control felt like this every time then he’d definitely have to give it up more
often. He leaned into her touch upon his
head a little, but nothing more than that.
would become too lazy to work. And what
use would a dead husband be to me?
Besides making me a very rich – and very lonely – widow?”
he might have made a smirking comment about necrophilia to her, but he wasn’t
feeling up to it so he merely made a slight gee.
he murmured. “No worries.”
sleep?” she asked softly. “Or would you
rather put the old ticker to the test?”
present an interesting challenge. One I
think I might have to take on to keep my dignity intact and prove my ticker’s
not old. Unfortunately, for what I hope
you have in mind, I’m not quite up to the challenge at present.
leaned against him. “Just how old is
your ticker?” she asked idly, still playing with his hair.
olE>old’s yours?” he asked with a carelessness that he
was still feeling after her long massage.
. . . seven years ago? Right?
single eye to look at her for the first time.
awake.
wife, frozen in place, with a smile on her face that was clearly meant to
change the subject. It was a guilty
smile. The smile of someone who knew
they’d been found out but was too stubborn to give in right away.
rose as he opened both eyes to look at her, but still didn’t move from his
position on the bed. “Something you want
to tell me, Aida?” he asked casually.
want to tell him that perhaps she’d exaggerated just a little about her age. He’d
only laugh at her, but she found even that prospect distasteful.
before smirking. “You wouldn’t be taking
advantage of a younger man, now would you?”
actually.
narrowed. “Not that much younger.
known had been coming.
laugher die down enough for him to breathe properly before attempting to speak.
“I do love you Aida.
that.
age and I’ll believe everything you say for now on.”
but there was a rueful smile on her face.
to you?” he asked, raising a curious eyebrow.
had. He may have omitted certain truths,
but he didn’t think he had full out lied to her before.
I know of. But that doesn’t mean you
haven’t exaggerated some things in the same way I have.”
cheek in silent assurance. She didn’t
doubt him; she just took some of the things he said with a grain of salt.
about to respond but when shechedched his cheek in the gentle way she did,
combined with the fact that he was still feeling rather relaxed, he decided it
wasn’t worth it and merely shrugged slightly.
I’m going to end up joining you in a nap, r.”
minutes ago that had seemed like the best idea in the world, it didn’t seem so now.
“Roll over on your stomach,” he
instructed, moving to straddle her waist after she had done so.
massage as she had with only one good hand, but he would try.
make you fall asleep faster, I don’t intend for that to happen,” he said,
moving a hand in between her legs and reaching under her to rub her clit gently
befoetureturning the hand to her lower back, continuing her massage.
persist, bu, but let him continue. As
long as they were gentle this time around, things should go smoothly enough.
murmured as she stretched her body out under his.
you scratch mine’?”
Sands said, kissing a gentle path down the curve of her spine.
with.”
contain her mirth. Laughing freely, she
wriggled until Sands let her turn over onto her back.
his face, she pulled him down for a kiss.
him long and slow, enjoying the lazy arousal he was beginning to feel, but once
they had separated, he pulled back a little to look at her and asked, “What
were you laughing about, spitfire?”
of two monkeys grooming each other.”
smirk before leaning down to take one of her nipples in between his lips and
roll it around in his mouth gently, enjoying the sounds she made in response.
and wet through the silk of the borrowed shirt, making her moan as the fabric
barrier denied contact between his teasing tongue and her hot skin.
murmured, “I really think we should take a nap.
Plenty of good, clean, wholesome fun –”
Her suggestion ended on a gasp as he nipped at her and his hand slipped
under the waist of her panties.
much a fan of good, clean, wholesome fun myself.
with a smirk, moving to nibble on her throat and neck as his fingers gently
caressed her clit once more.
faintly, trying to control the urge to move underneath him.
usually more than able to say . . . wake up and watch the sunrise.”
boring to me. Getting dirty only leads
to fun times in the bath or shower, what causes the tiredness is usually more
than worth it, and while watching the sun rise is ok every once and awhile, it’s
generally overrated. I like sunsets
better.” While he had been talking, his
hands had been moving over her body, doing everything they could to torment her
into a reaction. Just one little moan, a
bucking of the hips, that’s all he was asking for.
searching for a reaction, and she was willing to give it to him.
wasn’t long before a soft keening sound escaped her throat and her legs
clenched together.
pl.
Her entire body was still sensitive from their games of the day
before. Even light touches were torment,
and she found she couldn’t stand them any more.
denied her, wanting to tease her some more, but hen’t n’t really in the mood
for games at the moment. Besides, he was
also feeling generous after the massage she had given him.
pulling off her panties and moving up above her.
I don’t think I’ll mind too much, but
you have to tme,”me,” he said before thrusting into her as slowly and as gently
as he could. “If you want, to be on top,
it might be easier to control how far and fast we take this,” Sands said with a
bit of a moan at the instant their bodies were fully joined.
flipped him before the words were fully out of his mouth.
being on top,” she murmured, leaning down to kiss him.
his lips and ignored the place they were joined.
get too comfortable up there, spitfire. I
like being on top too,” he said with a smirk after moving away from her half
kisses. His hands moved up to cup her
breasts and run his thumbs over her nipples since she obviously wasn’t
thrusting down onto him, much to his annoyance.
lo
love? Am I not moving fast enough for
you?”
said with a grin. “But I’m generally
impatient, so it may be just me.”
back and forth, making herself gasp. “How’s
. . . that?”
Sands said, letting out a gasp to echo hers.
god it still felt good.
whispered, still moving. “Sit up?”
why, but he just kept his mouth shut and slowly moved himself up so that he was
leaning against the headboard of the bed.
get closer to you.” Placing her hands on
her chest, Aida leaned in close enough to trap them between their bodies.
started moving again, this time raising up a little as she moved forward, and
settling back down as she moved back.
it when things are made easier,” Sands managed to moan, tilting his head back a
little and enjoying what she was doing to him.
her how much he was enjoying this but that pithy little phrase being all he
could come up with at present. His mind
had better places to focus on than forming complete sentences.
demanded in a harsh whisper, her pace quickening almost imperceptively.
arms around her and made sure her hands were out of the way before pulling her
so tightly against his body he couldn’t feel where he ended and she began any
more. Not that that mattered of course.
his chest felt almost as good as her riding him did, and soon he was moaning,
lost in the dual sensations.
kissed him, but she was breathing too heavily.
Instead she panted, her hot breath washing over his neck, her ragged
inhalations ringing softly in his ears.
Suddenly, all movement stopped and she sat on his lap, quivering with
the tension of a withheld orgasm.
doing? Don’t stop.
screaming for release. He was so fucking
close. Why had she stopped?
. . want to keep going . . . for longer?”
They hadn’t been at this long, and she’d only stopped to make sure he
was going to be satisfied. A single tilt
of her hips was going to send her over the edge, but she’d wanted him to come
with her.
fucking seconds it won’t matter what I want anymore because I will have come so
hard inside you I’d think my head was about to explode.”
his voice had sounded. It was amazing
what he could push his body to do when he wanted something.
down into his lap, crying out as her release shot through her like a bolt of
lightening. With every nerve ending in
her body on fire, she kept moving over her husband, clinging to him as if she
were afraid of what would happen if she let go.
string of unintelligible prayers and curses at her abrupt movement before
arching as much as his body would allow with her weight on top of him and let
out a gravelly yell that tore at his throat and left him hoarse.
statements that he wasn’t completely aware of ranging frow bow beautiful and
sexy she was to how good she was making him feel.
called her before; his subconscious somehow managed to keep them in check for
her sake. Once he was finished, or at
least once he thought he was, he leaned back against the headboard again,
letting out a mixture of a moan, gasp and a whimper as dwindling spasms of her
inner muscles around him drew his orgasm out longer.
she murmured, her orgasm completed and her body completely boneless against
his.
her limp weight against his body.
than good, clean fun.” Her eyelids were
heavy, but since her head was resting on his shoulder, she didn’t bother trying
to keep them open.
Sands agreed. “If you’re going to fall
asleep on me, the least you can do is let me actually lay down on the bed
first. This isn’t the most comfortable
position to sleep in, you know,” he said gently.
heifer. You move.”
soft snort of a laugh at her statement, but did as she directed.
wryly, laying flat and holding her tightly against him, enjoying the way their
bodies were so intimately joined and the way he could feel her breathing and
her heartbeat against cheschest. It both
calmed him and made him sleepy.
she murmured, moving closer to him.
my pills,” she murmured. Shortly after
they’d arrived, Aida had sucked it up and called her doctor.
was in
much to be done about that. Instead, the
doctor’s office had faxed a few prescriptions over and Aida had dutifully
picked them up, if only to assuage her own guilt.
deeply, but couldn’t find the will to argue to not do something to make herself
better or more comfortable. He may be
sociopathic and without conscience, but he couldn’t do that.
slight sigh.
out of bed.
rattling of pill bottles for a minute of two, followed by the sound of water
rushing into a glass. Aida padded back a
little while after that snugsnuggled up to her husband.
Set for another day.”
Sands asked softly, kissing her forehead gently as she lay on his shoulder.
reveal how worried all of this made him feel – but he hadn’t been able to stop
himself.
these with food, but for the moment I’m golden.”
smile, a niggling worry still eating away at him.
himself while that fucking other voice wasn’t around.
but he hated that biting, nameless voice even more than Jeffrey.
gold is the only metal that doesn’t rust, tarnish, or anything else?” she
asked, clearly not entirely awake anymore.
that, spitfire,” he said softly, smiling at her seemingly random comment.
yawned. “And did you know that if you
screened all the trace amounts of gold out of the world’s oceans, there’d be
more than enough to pay off the National Debt?”
that either. Is this more wisdom ala
Aida? Should I be writing this down?”
Sands teased. He could see that she was
about to fall asleep, but he was wide awake at the moment.
It wasn’t a bad deal really.
bite me,” she murmured, nuzzling her face against his neck.
what you really want.” He tilted his
head and bit her on the shoulder. It
wasn’t a hard bite per se, but it wasn’t exactly a nip either.
innocent love bite that she had asked for.
protesteushiushing him away ineffectively.
“Wanna sleep.”
spitfire. I’m not stopping you.”
began whispering soft murmurings into her ear to get her to fall asleep.
bella ho visto
cosa che
mondo. Ti
that now, only that it seemed the thing to do.
clearly enjoying his little demonstration of affection.
the edge of sleep.
significa,” Sands said with a smirk before sighing
softly. “It means, ‘You are the most
beautiful woman I have ever seen. < sty style='mso-spacerun:yes'> I love
you. You are the only thing that
matters. You are my world.’”
happiest woman on earth, but she was too tired to relay that bit of
information.
going? It doesn’t have to be in Italian
if you don’t want,” he whispered.
murmured. “I want you to . . . hold me
in your arms . . . and . . . and tell me all the things you’ve wanted to but
never could. And I won’t understand what
un . . . unless you tell me.” This
declaration was broken by several yawns, but Aida clung to consciousness.
gently. “Alright.
his arms around her and holding her close.
Mi rendete
Lo mantenete
qui. Siete
mia vita che vale
Ti amo.”
above a whisper. “You make me care.
anything. And without you, I am nothing.
Mi fuoco
heard the translation or not was debatable.
All Sands knew was when he finished speaking, the soft, even breaths of
his sleeping wife filled the room.
small smile and ran a hand over her head gently before settling back to watch
her sleep. “I love you, spitfire.