Chapter 11 #2
She didn’t look at him; she was too busy poking around in the fancy basket of bath supplies. “No. Well, maybe. This is really nice though.”
“We sure didn’t have anything like this when I was here.
Everyone slept in the bunkhouses. Or had their own place to go to after work.
” He wandered into the bathroom to take a look.
There was no tub in there, not that they needed a second one, but the glass shower was fancy with nozzles on every wall, and steam functions.
“Come look. I’ve always wanted a shower like this. ”
She poked her head in. “Yeah, I’m pretty sure this is to justify the huge price tag on this adventure. Everyone who was mad about having to stay in a bunkhouse will get over it when they see their new accommodations.” Allegra moved over to flop on the bed, sending up a shower of rose petals.
Carter snorted. “How do you know what the price tag was? You didn’t even know we were coming.”
“Duh, I have a phone. I looked.” As if the bratty tone wasn’t enough, she stuck her tongue out at him.
“Someone seems to be getting too big for their britches and since we have privacy now … I could take them right down for you,” he said, sweeping her with an unamused look. It was at odds with what he was really feeling, and keeping the grin off his face was a struggle.
“Oh, um, sorry, Daddy.” She sat up, rose petals stuck in her hair at odd angles. “After a week, if I’m getting spanked, I’d rather it was a fun one. And also, with sex please.” Her smile was wide and hopeful.
“After dinner.” His tone suggested she skip the argument.
She sighed. “Okay, well what are we going to do for the next hour then?”
“I don’t know about you, but I smell like horse. I’m going to take advantage of this fancy-ass shower.” Her mouth opened immediately, but he held up a hand. “You are not going to join me, as fun as that would be, because if you did … we wouldn’t be leaving the cabin tonight.”
The sound that came out of her mouth wasn’t quite human. He couldn’t help laughing as she fell back into the petals again.
“I know, I’m awful. Consider it a very long edging session,” he suggested.
That morning they’d packed their things and left them on their bunks, as directed. At some point it had all been moved over to the private cabins, and now he dug through his bag for a clean T-shirt. “I won’t be long.”
It was a lie, but not an intentional one.
It took a few minutes to figure out the complicated shower, and then once he had it going, it felt too good to get out.
He, or at least his body, was regretting the earlier acrobatics.
“I’m getting old,” he muttered, as he turned so that one of the angled sprays pounded his lower back directly on a sore spot.
Carter stayed there until the water started to cool, and then he finally forced himself to get out. He wrapped a towel around his waist on his way back to the bedroom. His wife was asleep, surrounded by rose petals and snoring softly. For a moment, he just watched her.
It was tempting to crawl into bed, just to lie next to her as they both slept. Over the past week they’d both been focused on the sex they weren’t allowed to have, but it occurred to him now, that the separation had taken more from them. He ached to hold her in his arms.
But his growling stomach was a reminder that it was almost dinner time. He shook her leg. “Allegra, time to get up.”
She cracked one eye sleepily. “Why?”
“Because I’m starving and it’s almost dinner,” he reminded her.
She yawned and stretched without sitting up, watching him as he pulled on fresh clothes. “You sure we can’t just order room service and stay in tonight? I’d be fine with that.”
Carter laughed. “Sweetheart, there’s zero chance of you getting room service around here.”
The look she gave him would have peeled paint. “Ugh, fine,” she said, pushing herself up. “Let me clean up a little and then I’ll be ready.
While she was in the bathroom, Carter unpacked and put their clothes away. The dinner bell rang before she was done and he knocked on the door. “Ally…”
“I know I heard it.” A second later she yanked the door open.
She’d taken the time to brush her hair out and apply a little makeup.
The messy ponytail she’d worn all week for work was gone.
“Ready! How do I look?” She gave him a sultry look, running her tongue over her bottom lip so that the lipstick glistened.
“You look gorgeous.” He pulled her into his arms and kissed her hard before letting her go. “But we’re late and I’m starving.” Despite the delay, they weren’t even close to the last to walk in, and a few couples didn’t show up at all.
The dining room had been rearranged. The one long table was gone and now the room was filled with two-person tables.
The lights had been dimmed, and each table had a glass bowl with a candle in the center.
Dinner was served with small romantic touches, and it was clear that they were entering a new phase of the experience.
Once everyone was seated and the plates had been served, Ma and Pa stood up at their table and waited until everyone noticed and gave them their attention.
They made a little speech about how well everyone had done in the first week.
Then they talked a little about some of the partner-building activities they’d all participated in, while Carter eyed his food and wondered whether he could go ahead and start eating.
No one else was eating yet, so it felt rude. On the other hand, if he didn’t eat soon … He settled for shredding a dinner roll and sneaking it into his mouth a piece at a time.
Since Ma was the more talkative of the two, she began.
“By now you’ve all seen your cabins and I’m sure you can tell there has been a shift toward the romantic.
So during this second week, we’d like to encourage you to be mindful of your partner’s needs.
Take the energy you’ve built and use it to reconnect with each other.
Appreciate the intimacy now that the barriers between you are gone. ”
Pa took his turn next. “Celebrate each other, enjoy each other. And as a reward, you can all take the morning off. We’ll handle the early chores, and…
” He paused to allow the suspense to build.
“Breakfast will be delivered to your cabins at eight, so you can have a leisurely breakfast in bed. After that, however you use the rest of the time is up to you.” He winked broadly and there were scattered snickers around the room.
Allegra leaned in, whispering, “The couples who skipped tonight are going to be so maaaaad when they get up at dawn for no reason.”
Carter grinned. “Told you it was probably a test. She’s always been good at sneaking in little lessons and rewards. Those who took her advice and delayed gratification get to sleep in. Bet you’re glad I made you wait now, huh?”
She leaned in and nipped his shoulder. “Don’t gloat, Daddy. The only reason you put me off was because your belly was snarling.”
Well, she wasn’t wrong. Although he liked to think he’d have had the self-control. “Either way, you can thank me later.”
“Anyway, we won’t keep you from your dinners any longer. The chefs have put together a special meal for tonight and we don’t want it to get cold. Dessert will be served to go, once you’re ready,” Ma said, flashing everyone a smile before she sat down.
Dinner was wonderful, but he wondered if anyone really noticed, considering everyone was clearing their plates in record time, so they could return to their cabins.
As each couple prepared to leave, they were presented with a pretty red box tied shut with a ribbon.
Before he could ask what was inside, the waiter was gone.
His wife took it from him and undid the ribbon to peek inside. “Oooh, strawberries dipped in dark chocolate,” she told him.
Carter couldn’t help laughing as they left the dining room and made their way outside. “They aren’t taking any chances.”
Ally tilted her head. “With what?”
“With everyone getting lucky tonight.” She looked confused, so he explained.
“Didn’t you notice everything we were served is considered an aphrodisiac?
Salmon with honey glaze and asparagus. Oysters on the half shell.
The salad had a pomegranate dressing, and now dark chocolate and strawberries. ” He jerked his head toward the box.
“Oh. I don’t think I knew any of those were aphrodisiacs, except the oysters maybe.” She squinted, pursing her lips. “I read something about oysters, but I hate them. Too slimy.”
“That’s okay, I was happy to eat your share.
” He flashed her a grin and then took her hand as they walked back to their cabin.
He doubted any of the guests would need the help of an aphrodisiac tonight.
Their hosts had done their job too well, and Carter couldn’t wait to lay his wife down on that bed and ravish her body.
Their leisurely walk picked up speed without a word of discussion, and before they knew it, they were racing down the path together.