Page 33 of In the Light of Day

She smiles back at me, not shying away from my stare as I cement this image to memory. Continuing to look at her, I bring my hands up to her waist, a sharp intake of breath, my only clue that my touch has affected her. I drag my palms slowly around her, the warmth of her skin radiating through her dress. Our height difference means I have to dip down a little to spread my fingers wide across her soft stomach before finding the zip at the back of her dress with my other hand. Never breaking eye contact I slowly pull the zip down, her breath hitching slightly when my fingers graze the bare skin of her lower back. Touching her this way is seductive. A slow dance ofwhat could behappening between us.

Tenderly, I reach for the right strap of her dress that rests almost at the crook of her neck. My fingers caress her skin like a gentle breeze, showing her how much more I want but I will never use her like her past. It is the opposite of what we will be.

Pushing the strap to the edge of her shoulder, we both watch as it falls, the soft swell of the top of her breasts now visible in the light. I drag my fingers along the same path of the strap, bringing them down the length of her arm and up again. Moving her hair over her left shoulder, I take a quick glance in the steadily fogging mirror. I can see her mouth slightly parted and her pupils blown. A sight of pure lust looking back at me. Her fingers tightly hold onto the edge of the vanity basin, her knuckles turning white with the force of her grip.

The feminine curve of her neck is exposed to me and I drop my head, placing a series of soft kisses along her shoulder. I can feel the goosebumps on her skin with every press of my lips. Her breath stilted with each touch. The mirror has now fogged over as the steam of the shower fills the room. We can still see the movements of our bodies, her back arching from my touch.

“Take as long as you need, my love. I’ll sort dinner and have everything set up for when you get out.”

I try to say the words calmly but there is no way to hide how husky my voice has become by that simple expression of love to her. Nodding her head in response, I quickly check she has fresh towels and see there are two fluffy robes hanging up as well. Chuckling at the idea of her coming out of the bathroom like one of those fancy women from those housewife shows we watch. Closing the door I quickly adjust my hard cock. It doesn't bother me and I'm not ashamed of how my body reacts to her. The big difference is I will never take from her, something I'm confident she knows. Anyone who tries to will meet the swift edge of my blade or one of the bullets in my gun.

Chapter 26 - Nova

Sweet baby Jesus, what in the actual fuck just happened. I feel like I've run a marathon with how hard I'm breathing. In my experience of practically zero, that was the single most erotic thing I have ever had happen to me. I wanted to tell him to keep going. That I needed his hands on my body as much as I needed air in my lungs but the words never came. The way his lips felt as he pressed each kiss along my shoulder and up my neck. A small whine escapes me and I don't know if I've ever felt this needy.

Letting my wedding dress fall to the ground, I open the door to the shower. The hot rush of air causing goosebumps to form all over my skin. Everything is heightened and as I let the hot water rush over me, I can't help but let my hands explore my body. Touching myself in a way I hope Ace will one day trace. Skimming my fingers over my soft curves, I finally give up resisting and bring them up to my breasts. Cupping them, I firmly squeeze my nipples, picturing Ace standing behind me, his strong calloused hands the perfect amount of roughness against my soft skin. Closing my eyes, I lean against the shower wall, regretting now more than ever that I didn't pack my travel vibrator into my toiletries.

Rookie mistake.

My fingers slip between my folds, briefly circling my clit before dipping two fingers inside me. Biting down on my bottom lip I have to stifle a moan as I rock against my hand and I can't help but tweak my nipple. A little touch of pain with my pleasure.

It took me a long time to relax into my body after everything. Reclaiming yourself and your sexuality is not an easy feat. Some days I couldn't even look in the mirror, too scared to face the reflection looking back at me. A lot of therapy and a whole lot of love from Ma and Pop helped me find this new version of myself. As well as having Ace by my side almost every day. We talked every chance we could as he worked the remainder of his contract with the Army and before he moved to Hidden Valley with me. His vague reasoning of not having any other family to go to seemed to only grow our connection stronger. Understanding that his childhood of being passed around different foster care houses meant he never really felt he had a place, other than when he enlisted. The fact that he wanted to move near me, with me, was one of the many times his actions showed the true character of the man he is.

Images of Ace flicker in and out of my mind as I think of his hard muscles pressed against me. What it would feel like to have his mouth on me, his cock in me.

Rocking harder against my hand, I press the heel of my palm to my clit, finally getting the extra friction I’m looking for. Small whimpers escape me as I fall over the edge, after-shocks rolling through my body in the wake of my orgasm. Before today, I would have been on the fence if Ace could ever want me like that. Sure, there have been times over the years that I thoughtcould this mean something different, but our friendly banter, our constant touching, and our love for each other always overshadowed the need for sexual intimacy like this.

But now ... our first kiss, his tenderness when he helped me with my zip. All it does is highlight how much I really want this part of him ...and I think the feelings mutual. Turning the shower off, I dry myself, silently cursing that I didn't take a change of clothes in here. Tying one of the fluffy robes around me, I try to ignore any notion that he'll know what I just did in the shower but also remind myself to be more confident. To make sure he understands, without a shadow of a doubt, what I want from him.

Stepping out of the bathroom, I'm trying not to think of the fact I'm naked underneath this robe and with the simple tug of the tie, it will fall loose. Cringing slightly at how much that sounds like the plotline in a bad porno. I need to remember that I'm not that desperate ... yet.

Ace crosses the small room, giving me a quick embrace and kissing my forehead.

“Hopefully you’re nice and relaxed after that, love. I know it's been a bit of a long day and tomorrow’s going to feel even longer.”

Blushing, I can’t help the little smirk I make knowing that I was touching myself to thoughts of him and he just thinks I was unwinding. Well, technically I was, I guess.

“Let me just grab a change of clothes and I'll be ready whenever dinner is,” I say smiling up at him. “What did you end up ordering, anyways?”

He leaves my side, picking up my suitcase and dropping it onto the bed. A small hum starting to vibrate from the impact.

“Must have nudged your toothbrush on,” he says looking at the suitcase and scratching the back of his head.

Gasping in horror, I cover my mouth. A sudden fear taking over. Charlie and Mila packed some of my bags, knowing that I would be getting married.

“Oh gods, they didn't,” I mumble under my breath as I frantically try to get my suitcase open.

“No, no, no, no,” I continue.

“What is it?” Ace says, prying the zip from my fingers and throwing the lid open.

It's like a spotlight suddenly appears, highlighting the number of sex toys crammed into my suitcase. The pulsing vibration of a fluorescent purple vibrator bouncing all over them. I look up at Ace in horror, utterly speechless at the man I just masturbated to was looking at a pile of sex toys, on what is technically our wedding night.

“I'm going to refrain from being inappropriate right now for the sake of the colour draining from your cheeks. I take it you didn't know about this.” He says, trying to keep his voice under control but failing at the smile creeping over his face.

“Ace” Is all I manage to gasp, shaking my head at the sight before me.

“Here, I'll pack this all away and we can just put it down to a silly prank.”

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