Chapter 9
She realized what he was up to. He was making up for the way he had greeted the news and reacted to it. And she let him. They were going to have to face the pregnancy and the fact that she was carrying multiples at some point, but for now, she was willing to let him take the lead and not mention what was hanging between them.
This was their moment of solace. When they returned home, the craziness was going to continue. She was ten weeks pregnant and surprisingly, the nausea had settled for now.
She was armed with pills- including Vitamin D, calcium, protein, folic acid, iron, omega threes and Vitamin D. She took them in the bathroom and was very diligent about doing so. He never asked her about them even though he had noticed them in her case.
And she never supplied any information. It might be foolish, but they both needed to get away from the decision she had made.
“How about a walk?” She decided the next morning. They had finally made it to bed and had slept like a log wrapped around each other. His lean length wrapped around her had given her peace and she was able to sleep like a baby.
“It’s below ten.” He pointed out. It had snowed during the night. Soft pretty white pellets hitting the windows. He had held her in his arms, and they had watched the snow falling together. She had made hot cocoa with marshmallows and her stomach had been cooperative.
She insisted on making breakfast even though he was not a breakfast person. A cup of coffee and he was out the door, usually.
This morning, he sat with her at the small dining table tucked beneath the large bay window and enjoyed a healthy breakfast of strawberry and blueberry pancakes, topped with whipped cream and mountains of fluffy eggs and bacon. She felt like a wife for the first time since they were married. And could pretend that this was their life.
“If only there was something we could use to combat the cold.” She tapped the side of her head as if trying to come up with a solution. “Ah! Layers. Sweaters, jackets, gloves, and hats. Thermal underwear as well.” She grinned at the mild look he sent her. He was finishing another cup of excellent coffee she had poured him.
If he noticed how domesticated she was, he made no mention of it and seemed to enjoy the role she was playing.
“If you freeze your fine ass off, don’t blame me.”
“I won’t. We could make a snowman.”
“We will not.”
“Please.”
Her mahogany eyes had always been his weakness, and this time was no different. With a resigned sigh, he nodded. “If it starts snowing again, we are done.”
“Agreed.” Excitement lit up her lovely face and had desire stirring inside him. He had been hungry for her. Last night he had alternated between being gentle and rough and feeling guilty about it after.
“Just make certain to put on a thick sweater.” He advised gruffly, feeling slightly upset that she had this influence over him.
“I will.” She left the kitchen to go and get dressed. Rising, he went to pour some more coffee and took it with him to look out the window. Bill, the caretaker had already sent someone to clear a path along the driveway and the thick white snow, untouched by dirt and footsteps, was piled high on either side of the walkway.
The vehicle was covered with the powdery stuff and as far as the eye could see, the glaring white was everywhere.
He felt a touch of melancholy as he continued to take in the spectacular scene. It was perfect picture card. And something his wife would probably want to put on canvas. Up here, they were away from the hustle and bustle of their very busy life.
They weren’t surrounded by family and friends, not influenced by outsiders. It was just them. And it felt right and perfect. He dreaded returning home and wished fleetingly that they could stay here forever.
But that was not practical. He had responsibilities. He was Vice President for a huge company. He loved his job; wine was in his blood. He knew everything there was to know about the fermentation – from start to finish. But now things had gotten complicated or more so.
His wife was carrying four babies. He had noticed the thickness of her waist and had no idea what to feel or how to navigate around it. He was aware that they were both avoiding the subject altogether and that was fine with him. He wanted this time with her, where there were no others involved, not even the babies she was carrying.
He was so deep in thought; he did not hear her approach until she was standing behind him. Staring at her reflection in the window, he smiled slightly at the picture she made.
She was wearing dusky pink, a fluffy hat jammed on her head and covering her ears. The sweater was thick, and the scarf matched the hat and gloves. He stood there while she came and wrapped her hands around his waist, leaning her head on his back. He used his free hand to clasp hers.
“Ready?”
“Hmm.” She murmured. “I just want to stay like this for a bit.”
“Be my guest.” He stroked the silk of her skin. “I suppose we’re going to have to root around for supplies to make your snowman?”
She laughed at his disgruntled tone. “I already have berries for the eyes, and I think I have seen carrots. Speaking of which, I think I will make stew for supper. There’s beef and a ton load of vegetables in the fridge.”
“Sounds lovely. Shall we?” He finished the coffee and turned to face her. Tugging the hat further down, he tipped her chin up and kissed her lips gently. “Let’s do this.”
The sound of her laughter echoed around the space, shattering the serenely like stillness that enveloped the cottage and its environs. Cayden felt the pleasure blooming inside him at how carefree she was.
And the simple pleasure she had with such a mundane task of stacking the snow. She was covered from head to toe in layers, with only her face visible and looked like a teenager up to no good.
No other woman in his past had ever suggested they venture out into the cold to do anything like this. The women he was used to would have been horrified at the very idea of staying somewhere so rustic and isolated.
His wife brought out the child in him. He had the opportunity of witnessing her interaction with her ‘kids’ the one she taught and had been amazed and amused at the length she went through to impart her knowledge.
“What do you think?”
Stirring himself, he focused on the huge bulk of the snowman with the enormous head and beady eyes.
“I think the head is too big.”
“It’s not.”
“You asked for my opinion, and I am giving it.” He reminded her.
“It’s proportionated to the size of his body.” Stepping back, she squinted at it. “Okay, maybe, I went overboard with the shape. Why didn’t you stop me?”
“And end up spoiling your fun?” He asked with a grin as he came up behind her and wrapped his hands around her waist. Resting his chin on top of her head, he studied the object more closely. “It looks ominous. Enough to scare away any predators. Like bears.”
Her head drifted back to stare at him, a frown touching her brow. “You said there were no bears.”
“I might have lied about that,” he grinned at the quick dart of fear in her eyes.
“Don’t worry darling, the snowman and I will protect you.”
“You might think that is funny, but it’s not. And bears hibernate in the winter.”
“Not here, they don’t.”
“Stop trying to spoil my fun.” Tugging his arms from around her, she went about collecting the twigs he had managed to find and started to make the arms. “There.” She packed more snow in place and stepped back to view her work.
“Perfect. We need to take a selfie.” Sliding her phone out, she took his hand and positioned them so that they were standing in front of the giant snow figure. She took several pictures, determined to have them printed and framed for posterity so that – God please!
They could show to their children. She did not say it out loud, but that was what she was hoping. She was also hoping that in the years to come, they would come back here as a family, during the summer and winter months to play with the children and watch them frolic.
They were taking a walk when he noticed the ominous clouds rolling in. “I think we’d better cut our walk short.” He scrutinized the clouds with a frown. “Looks like we’re for a storm and you’re getting cold.”
Pulling her against him, he rubbed his hand up and down her arms as they made their way back.
“It’s so pretty,” she murmured a little wistfully. “The snow covering everything and the serenity of the area. There are no neighbors in the immediate vicinity.”
They had reached the porch, but he stopped with her to look out over the wide expanse of snow-covered grounds.
“I saw a few farmhouses when we were coming here. Is it mostly farming lands around this area?”
“Yes.” He pulled her in and tucked her close to him. “It is an undeveloped section, with mostly retired people. The town is small and intimate, and the people are determined to keep it that way. They want to preserve the natural beauty and clean air.
Part of the reason we have left the cabin just as it is. The ground is fertile and at first we were planning on planting vineyards. The winter is harsh in this area, but the land is rich.”
She looked around and as far as she could see, there was nothing much except for a curl of smoke a small distance from them.
“I think it should remain like this.”
“Do you?”
She nodded. “A kind of escape from reality and the pressures of life. I love it here. It speaks of peace and tranquility. Which reminds me, I want to capture some of it. I am taking pictures and making sketches for when we get back home.”
“I thought you might.” He rubbed his hands over her belly slowly. They both looked up as the first drops of snow hit them in the face and stood there for a few minutes enjoying it.
“Time to go inside.” He gently steered her up the steps and opened the door.
“How about you sit by the fire, and I make you some tea?”
“I would love that.” Her stomach was acting up and she wondered if he had suspected she was feeling a little queasy.
Taking off her boots, she spread the blankets out and added some wood chips to the dying embers. The flames leapt upwards and shrouded the room in a warm glow that had her feeling comfortable in less than a few minutes. He came back with tea and crackers he had found in the pantry. “Figured you might need it.”
“Thanks.”
He came to sit next to her and placed the tray in front of her.
“How’s your ankles?” He asked solicitously.
“A little swollen,” she admitted.
“Here.” Putting the tray at a safe place, he put her feet on his lap and started to massage them.
“How’s that?”
“Wonderful.” She picked up her cup and took a sip of the tea, tasting the lemon and honey.
Did you always know you wanted to follow in your dad’s footsteps?”
Tugging off her socks, he used his fists to deal with her insteps.
“Always.” He responded. She was leaning back against the wall, her fingers wrapped around the cup. “You have to remember that we grew up in the industry. We were introduced to it as children, taught the rudiments…,” he moved to her ankles. “As Italians, we went from Italy to the States.
We were born here of course, but from the moment we could understand, it was told to us that our roots lay in Italy.
Which wasn’t bad. We enjoyed the thrill of switching from one country to the next. And wine was a fascination for me.” He slid his fingers up her calves and caused her skin to tingle. “I was ten when I experimented with making my own wine.”
“And almost burned the place down.” He had told her the story and had her in stitches.
“Mixing several elements at the same time proved to be a disaster and almost a tragedy.”
“You burned off your eyebrows.”
“And gave mother a moment of great distress. I had never seen her cry before and she did that day.” He grinned. “Dad was a little less unemotional and leaning towards fury. I presented an argument that I was following in the footsteps of those who had gone before me and was quite lofty in my dissertation.
I got a wallop for it and a stern speech. I was also forbidden to go down to the wine cellar for a month. It was the appropriate punishment for me, because he knew how fascinated I was with just sitting there and reading the labels.”
His green eyes met hers. “Better?”
She nodded and did not want him to stop.
“How about I take this off?” He tugged at her leggings.
“You just want sex.”
“Always.” He concurred. “But for now, I just want to cater to my wife.”
“I have no objections.” Putting down the cup, she lifted her hips, so he could take it off. Her sweater was next and the scarf. The fire warmed her skin through the thin camisole she had donned and had her feeling drowsy.
“You roped Clive in at the time.”
He grinned, his hands moving towards her thighs. “He was always following me around, wanting to do whatever I was doing. But being the coward he was, he stood far behind me and missed all the injuries.” He worked his hands over her supple flesh and felt her skin shivering.
“Cold?”
“No.” She cleared her throat and felt the drowsiness disappearing. “It’s – don’t stop.”
“I was not planning to.” With his eyes on her face, he used his thumbs to knead her flesh. “You have the softest skin. Reminds me of silk.”
“Your hands are working their magic in more ways than one,” she murmured huskily.
“I live to please.” He eased the edges of her panties and worked his fingers through the hairs covering her sex. “How do you feel now?” His voice had thickened, and he could feel the familiar response of his body.
“Over the moon.” Her body shifted restlessly.
“Perhaps I should stop.”
“If you do, I’m going to have to kill you.”
“You were not feeling well. I know you, baby. I cannot…,” he hissed out a breath when she simply opened her thighs. “Darling…”
“Don’t stop.” She ordered. “Please. It feels so good. I am sensitive right there. Yes.” She panted. “That is it. Keep going.”
“It’s best if I…,” he peeled the panties off her and tossed them aside, coming back to his position. “Here?” His clever fingers soothed the folds of her vagina.
“Yes. And oh! There.” She arched her back as he slid a finger over the sensitive mound.
Sliding down, he crouched between her thighs, his eyes on her face as he continued to torment her with his fingers.
“So wet.” His voice was unrecognizable, his body already pulsing in anticipation. “So tight.” He whistled through his teeth as he worked his way further in. “The first time I entered you, I could not believe you were so tight. Practically a virgin.”
“You know why.” Her hands clutched the folds of the blanket as she tried to anchor herself.
“You have only been in one relationship, at College.” He was finding it more and more difficult to hold onto his control. His fingers made slick, slippery sounds as they worked their way in and out of her. “I am a very lucky man.” Bending his head, he first used his tongue and then his teeth on the raised flesh and had her calling out his name.
“Cayden… Oh God!” Her body lifted, head twisting from side to side as heat swamped her. “Please. Oh Please!” The thin sound of her voice drove him mad. Dipping his tongue in, he cradled her hips and brought her closer to him, his mouth tormenting the flesh.
She smelled musky and sweet and the scent of her, of his mate, his woman was steeping inside him, working its way through his bloodstream and making him pulse with a need that was filling every inch of his body. When she came, he sipped, the taste of her driving him mad.
Stumbling to his feet, he practically tore at his clothes to get rid of them before turning her on her side and sliding into her. His arms came around her waist and for a minute, he could not move. He held her trembling body against his, spooning her, feeling the frenzied beat of her heart against her skin.
Bending his head, he whispered words of love and comfort, his breath sliding against her flesh. When she turned her head, he took her lips in a kiss that had the tears slipping down her cheeks. He moved then, slowly at first, sliding into her, easing out again, only to slide back in.
One hand drifted past her swollen belly to cup her sex, his fingers toying with the acutely sensitive flesh and had her going over again. Her body jerked and trembled as he swallowed her moans deep inside his throat.
He came then, the climax slamming through his body like a jackhammer. Ending the kiss, he just held her, his own body shuddering, his heart splintering as love poured through him like a molten lava.
When he finally settled, he held her still. His body was coated with a thin sheen of sweat, his eyes damp, his emotions whirling. Bending his head, he pressed his face into the silk of her hair and just breathed her in. His woman, his wife, his entire being.
*****
“It smells divine.” Coming up behind her, he wrapped his arms around her waist. They had fallen asleep after the tumultuous hour of passion, with the fire in the background providing much needed warmth.
The storm that Cayden had predicted had started while they were in the throes of ecstasy, and it had taken them some time to realize that the sky had opened up and was pouring out powdery white snow at a rapid rate.
“It’s ready.” She turned the flames off and just leaned back in his arms. They had stirred themselves enough to take a hot bath, where he had spent time bathing her and doing a thorough job of it.
“We should eat at the table so you can see the snow coming down.” He nipped at her ear playfully. “I’m afraid your snowman is ruined.”
“I suspect as much.” She turned in his arms and went on her toes to link her hands around his neck. Brushing her lips on his, she breathed him in. “I love you.”
“I love you more.” He rubbed her back. She had not bothered with clothing, but had donned a soft white cashmere robe she had brought with her, and he could feel the imprint of her nipple through the cloth. “Let me set the table.”
She nodded, feeling more than a little overwhelmed by the emotions raging through her body. She chalked it down to hormones. Her body was rapidly changing, both physically and mentally. But this weekend was going to be recorded in her diary to be taken out when things got a little rough.
Kissing her on the mouth, he reluctantly released her and went to set the table.
She stood there watching him for a minute, her eyes misty, before turning away to get the bowls.
They ate in companionable silence, each lost in their own thoughts as they stared out at the snow coming down. Within minutes, everything was once again covered, the stark whiteness giving off a glare that rivaled the sun.
Inside the warm and cozy kitchen, they could pretend that they were an ordinary couple, enjoying the weather and taking a break from their tasks.
For another day, they could keep up the pretense and not think about what was going to happen when they returned home. For now, it was just the two of them – husband and wife, lovers and best friends taking advantage of a very romantic and surreal setting. Nothing more.