Second Chance at Love (Love Conquers All) (29 page)

Breaking the kiss, Dom whispered for her ears only, “Baby, I love you so much. I’m so glad you’re finally all mine.”

That was it. She’d been fighting all day not to let the dam break. Although this was her second marriage, Karen finally believed in her heart she belonged to a man who would love and cherish her for the rest of her life. And she was so ready to return the favor. “I love you, too.” Leaning back she looked up at him, her teardrops glimmering like diamonds. “And I’m glad you’re finally all mine, too.”

Later that evening

The reception had been a lively occasion, full of joy and happiness. As promised to herself, Karen made a beeline to Henry Stiles. He wasn’t the least taken aback when she gave him a huge hug and kiss on the cheek for the part he played in dealing with the Johnstons. Returning the affectionate gesture, he boasted with pride as if she were his own daughter, “You’re a good mother and that young man of yours is going to make one hell of father to your children. I couldn’t just sit back and let those scoundrels railroad you.” Winking at Karen, he leaned in and whispered, “I promised my golf buddy I’d hook him up with a babe. Since you’re all taken, I guess I’ll push him in Beatrice’s direction.”

Throwing back her head, she laughed, then gave the judge another squeeze before joining Dom in greeting the rest of their guests. No way was she commenting on that last remark.

The bride and groom, along with well wishers, danced to the grooving sounds of the live band. The buffet spread spilled over with delectable American and Italian cuisine fit for kings and queens. The three tier chocolate banana cream frosting cake was to die for. Feeding each other the decadent dessert, the happy couple kissed in between nibbling on cake.

Ashley, Kyle and Zoe sat off huddled in a corner from the adults, praising themselves for their well executed scheme.

“I told you we could do it,” Kyle boasted, grinning and sticking out his puny chest.

Ashley and Zoe nodded their heads like bobble dolls in agreement.

Zoe, on a mission for another adventure, waved her hands in the ‘come here’ gesture to her cousins. When they leaned in, she whispered loudly over the music, “Now it’s time for you to help me make my Mommy and Daddy have a baby.” She so desperately wanted a little brother or sister.

Ashley and Kyle looked at each other as if to say, how are we going to do that? Neither one of them wanted to bust her bubble. Zoe’s eager puppy dog look wouldn’t allow them. Putting her arm around Zoe’s tiny shoulder, Ashley promised, “We’ll do what we can.”

Ava and Langston stopped dead in their tracks as they approached the three little bodies hunched over. Ava shook her head. Her poor child couldn’t whisper to save her life. Looking up at Langston, she lifted an amused brow. “Do you think we should tell her?”

Langston kissed her left temple. “Nah, let’s wait until you get through your first trimester like we agreed.”

“Okay.” Chuckling she added, “I sure can’t wait to see what these three are going to cook up this time.”

Backing away they decided to give Zoe a few more minutes with her cousins before heading out. This pregnancy was draining every ounce of Ava’s energy. Her body was so craving a nice comfortable bed.

The evening was brought to an end with the throwing of the bouquet and garter belt. Karen’s coworker, Patty, dived through the air, knocking any and every potential wannabe bride out the way as she snatched the tumbling flowers out of midair.

However, with the throwing of the garter belt the single men had to be dragged, pushed and shoved to the center of the floor. Dom’s roar of laughter vibrated off the walls. The garter belt landed smack dab in the middle of the head of one of the guys who worked with him on his latest construction project.

Making their final rounds around the room, they thanked, hugged and kissed the remaining guests. “Now you two be good for your grandparents,” Karen lovingly, yet firmly, warned the kids. Donna and Patrick had volunteered to stay at Karen’s place so the kids’ daily routine of school and afterschool activities weren’t interrupted while she and Dom were on their honeymoon.

Karen snuggled up next to Dom in the back of the limo, blindfolded. Her hand was gently smacked as she reached again for the hundredth time to sneak a peek.

“Stop that,” Dom chided just before leaning in to kiss the protest off her lips.

“No fair,” Karen pouted when he finally let her up for air.

“I told you our honeymoon was a surprise. Now just sit here and be a good little wife.”

Karen giggled, feeling giddy all over. “Okay husband, whatever you say.”

She could feel the warmth of his mouth as he leaned in closer to hers. “It is what I say.” He swallowed her groan as he took her mouth in another passionate kiss. Karen squirmed as deft fingers unhooked the wool cape she wore to stave off the March night air. Her heartbeat pounded triple time as he released her mouth to place tiny kisses down the column of her neck and across her delicate collarbone. She couldn’t help the escaping moans as those same fingers were now easing up her stocking clad leg.

“Oh dayum baby,” Dom hissed into the crook of Karen’s neck as his fingers hit the edge of her stockings. The smooth, satiny skin of her upper inner thighs had his engorged manhood painfully pressing against the zipper of his tux trousers.

Sliding down on the soft leather seat, Dom pressed her back into the cushioned seating. Sinking his teeth into the tender flesh of her neck, he nibbled as his fingers ventured a little farther, sliding the flimsy, lacey scrap of material masquerading as panties to the side.

Karen bit down on her bottom lip to keep from screaming. She wasn’t quite sure if the privacy glass between them and the driver was really soundproof. This man, her husband, was driving her insane with his magic fingers.

Being blindfolded heightened her sensual desire for her husband. Each kiss, each touch, each stroke, each caress was magnified a thousand fold. Grabbing the sides of his face with her soft hands, she pulled his mouth up to hers for another kiss. Her hips rotated, riding his fingers in wild abandonment as she lunged her tongue into his mouth. Tasting remnants of chocolate, bananas and champagne, Karen deepened the kiss.

She released a long moan that Dom felt vibrating in the back of his throat as his free hand cupped a breast. Breaking the kiss, she panted, “Too many clothes.”

Goodness gracious, she was ready to strip in the back of a limo and ride the hard erection pressing against her thigh, not his fingers.

“I know baby,” he agreed, his voice deep and husky with need as his calloused hands continued to torture her. “We’re almost there.”

All she could do was groan in response as her body threatened to explode. The quivering started low in her belly, descending farther south, settling at the base of her pearl. Sensing she was near her completion, Dom applied just the right amount of pressure, wickedly massaging her pearl. That’s when she saw a burst of brilliant light behind her eyelids as her body convulsed in orgasmic spasms.

The limo came to a smooth stop just as Karen’s breathing returned to normal. Boy, had she missed being with Dom like this. A smile curled her lips. She wouldn’t have to ever miss out on his masterful touch again. He was all hers for the taking anytime she wanted him.

Dom eased his weight off her, gently pulling her up in a sitting position along with him.

Karen pouted in protest. She was already missing the warmth of his large body.

Dom chuckled. “Baby, we’re here,” he told her, adjusting her cape and smoothing her dress down in place.

“Oh…all right. I was hoping we could stay back here a little longer.” The ride from the Four Seasons had taken less than thirty minutes.

Tenderly kissing her lips, he promised, “Baby, that was just a little taste of what’s to come.”

Karen shivered from the sensual promise. “Aw, sooky-sooky now.”

“Come on, crazy wifey,” Dom teased as he took her hand, leading her out of the vehicle after the driver opened the door. He was eager for her to see his surprise honeymoon destination. With things up in the air with the Johnstons he understood Karen’s uneasiness with jumping on a plane and flying to some exotic island. But now that the former in-laws from hell were no longer a threat, they could plan the perfect honeymoon in a few months.

Gingerly stepping on the sidewalk, Karen was dying to snatch off the blindfold. “Why do I have to…whoa!” Her question was cut off when Dom swept her up into his strong arms.

Taking long strides, he kissed the tip of her nose. “I got you, baby.”

Karen giggled. “Ooh…you so romantical. I get carried across the threshold and everything.”

A smile curved his lips as he looked down into her smiling face. “Romantical? Is that even a word?”

Swatting at his broad chest, she laughed. “Oh, shut up.”

Effortlessly, Dom opened the door to their destination and walked across the threshold with his bride in his arms. The heels of his expensive Italian loafers clicked against the hardwood floors as he walked a short distance. Slowly setting her down on her feet, he pulled her hands away from her face as she reached for the blindfold again. Her protest died on her lips as he pulled her in for another kiss. She moaned as his tongue swept every corner of her mouth. She nearly became undone when he began a slow, torturous suckling of her tongue.

Releasing her mouth, he took a tiny step back and helped her out of her cape. He began to speak as he slowly removed the blindfold. “I hope you like your surprise honeymoon.”

Karen blinked as her eyes adjusted to the candlelit room. The room looked rather familiar. Scanning the room, her eyes were drawn to the antique marble fireplace that appeared as if it had been refurbished. Next she took in the high ceilings. The high polished hardwood floors were beautiful in the candlelit room.

Dom stood back as he watched Karen walk around the enormous room. As she slid her hands across the mantle of the fireplace he could imagine her racking her brain trying to figure out why the place was so familiar to her. His lips curled up in a smile as she pivoted around on four inch heels.

Karen covered her mouth with both her hands.
No, he didn’t.
“Dom?”

“Yes, baby?”

“Is this the brownstone you were working on?”

Crossing his arms across his broad chest, he nodded. “Yes.”

A perplexed expression washed over her features. “But…I don’t understand,” she stuttered, not wanting to believe what she was thinking.

“It’s yours.”

“It’s mine?”

“Well, technically ours.”

“Oh, Dom!” Karen cried as she ran the short distance between them, lunging herself into his arms.

Dom’s laughter was a deep rumble as she peppered kisses all over his face. “Thank you, thank you, thank you!” She had always wanted to live in a brownstone. She knew it was crazy, but while watching The Cosby Show as a young teenager, she imagined herself one day raising a family in one just like the Huxtubles.

Jumping out of his arms, she grabbed his hand, “Show me where the light switch is.”

Hitting the switch on the wall, the room was bathed in soft light.

Karen’s mouth hung open in disbelief. The living room was absolutely gorgeous with its high ceiling, pristine white walls, crown molding, and baseboards, which made the gleaming hardwood floors stand out.

Dom gently tugged on her hand. “Come on, let me show you the rest.” Smiling over at her he said, “I didn’t furnish downstairs because I figured you would want to be in charge of the decorating.”

Karen winked at him. “Smart man.”

The crystal chandelier hanging from the center of the ceiling in the dining room sparkled like thousands of diamonds. Karen’s gaze traveled around the room imagining how they would entertain their family and friends. In her mind she saw them laughing, talking and enjoying home cooked meals.

Just off the left of the dining room, Dom opened a door to another room. The room wasn’t quite as big as the others, but it was still a pretty decent size. “This will be my office.” Winking at her, he teased, “If you’re nice to me I might share.”