Chapter Eleven: The New Mrs. Chasez
The wedding itself was a quiet affair performed by a Justice of the Peace at the Chasez home. Scott was his father’s best man and Krista was her mother’s maid of honor. Bess watched from her perch on her grandfather’s arm. Even Digger sensed something of importance was going on and stood relatively quiet at his grandmother’s side. JC had purchased a hand-made bouquet with daffodils for his bride, making her shed a few tears at his romantic thoughtfulness. He and Lisa exchanged simple platinum bands during the ceremony.
“By the power vested in me by the State of Illinois, I now pronounce you man and wife,” the Justice stated. “You may kiss the bride.”
JC turned to Lisa. Her eyes were shimmering with tears. “Good tears?” he asked in a whisper, fearing she was thinking about Greg at the very moment he would claim her as his.
Lisa nodded slightly, her face luminous with her soft smile. “Good tears,” she affirmed quietly.
“My Lisa…” He kissed her long, slow and with heart-aching tenderness.
Unexpectedly, she felt her head spin and the floor disappear from beneath her feet momentarily. Oh, wow!
When JC lifted his head, he was pleased to note the dazed expression on her face. He pressed his forehead to hers, murmuring, “Well, that’s done.”
Lisa giggled at the relief in his voice. “Was it that bad?”
“I was afraid you’d back out and leave me at the altar.” He gave her another quick kiss before he felt a tug on his sleeve.
“Now what happens, Dad C?” Scott asked in a stage whisper.
JC turned to the boy with a grin and said, “We eat cake.”
Cake was the last thing JC had on his mind as he watched Lisa with the children. He couldn’t take his eyes off of his new bride. She’d felt something when he kissed her; he knew it without a doubt. She hadn’t expected to but she had. Somehow he needed to fan that meager spark into a full-blown conflagration.
Lisa sensed JC’s gaze on her and smiled in his direction. She wished she could see his face, read his eyes, so she could know what he was thinking. Did he realize the sensual jolt he had sent all the way to her toes when he’d kissed her? She recalled he’s always been an excellent kisser in their youth. He had always taken his time to draw out her response until she’d melt into him. She was a widow, dammit. Greg had been dead a mere ten weeks! But the devilish little voice within reminded her not only did she have Greg’s blessing in this union, it had been his request – and Greg had not been able to be her lover very much prior to his death. She was still a young, healthy female just reaching her peak. JC was an attractive, sexual, virile male – and all hers…The two Lisa’s were going to have to duke this out. At the moment, the outcome was uncertain.
“By the way, Roy and I would like to keep the children overnight,” Karen announced. “That way we can spoil our grandchildren and you two can have a quiet wedding night.”
Oh, no! Lisa’s stomach sank. She and JC alone? With no children? With her reawakening libido? That could only be trouble.
“Cool!” Scott exclaimed.
“Yeah! Coo!” Digger agreed.
“But I didn’t bring any of their things,” Lisa protested.
“Baby, I can make a run back to the hotel, toss some stuff in a bag and buzz back here in no time,” JC offered. And while he was there arrange a romantic dinner for two complete with champagne and her favorite things.
“Please, Mom?” Krista added her voice.
“Pwease?” Bess mimicked her older sister.
There was no way Lisa could say no and it not seem strange. “Seven against one. I guess the majority rules,” she said ruefully.
There was a round of cheers from the children.
“Be right back, baby.” JC gave her a quick kiss and headed for the door.
Stepping off the elevator at JC’s side, Lisa nervously bit her bottom lip. Alone. All night. With JC Chasez who she had been wildly in love with at one time…Well, she wasn’t in love with him now, she told herself. She was merely horny as hell. It wouldn’t be right for either of them if they—
Lisa let out a startled squeal when her legs were swept out from under her. She found herself being held against a solid wall of muscular, male chest by two strong arms. With her small fist she punched his shoulder.
“Hey, that hurt!” JC complained.
“Good! You just scared years off my life. What do you think you’re doing?”
“I’m gonna carry you over the threshold,” he told her as he jostled her in order to open the door to their room.
She wrapped her arms around his neck, afraid he’d drop her. “Clue here, Chasez. I can’t see you coming.”
He frowned. He hadn’t thought of that when he had made the romantic gesture. “I’m sorry, honey.” As he strode towards the bed with the intention of laying her down, he announced, “Bed.”
She found herself placed on the wide bed with him coming down beside her.
JC ran his fingers through her hair gently and stroked her face lightly. Without sight she also missed the love in his eyes, he thought sadly. He had to show her with his tenderness. He decided he must be succeeding when she closed her eyes and turned her cheek into his caress. “Kiss,” he said in a whisper just before he lowered his mouth to hers. His lips nibbled and sipped, coaxing a response before settling fully over hers.
He was doing it again, she thought hazily as her hands slid up his shirt front to meet at the back of his neck. He tasted so good…so hot and vital…
At her eager response, he stroked his tongue along hers while his hand ran lazily from her shoulder to hip. His control slipped a little when she suck and bit at his tongue.
Spearing her fingers into his hair, she lifted her body into his, feeling the hard evidence of his need though the fabric of his pants and her dress. She urged him over her in complete surrender.
They shouldn’t be doing this, JC thought dimly, though he couldn’t recall just why at the moment. He reveled in the softness of her body beneath his. His mouth left hers to slash across her cheek then he bit at her earlobe. “Lisa…honey…” he whispered. His hot breath made her shiver. He rocked his lower body into hers in imitation of what they would soon be doing naked. “Baby, I need you so much,” he purred as his mouth skated down her throat.
There was a quick knock at the door and a female voice calling, “Mr. Chasez?”
JC groaned as he felt Lisa go stiff beneath him. Damn! Rolling to his feet, he went to the door. Next time he wouldn’t forget the ‘DO NOT DISTURB’ sign.
A fresh-faced young woman stood at the door, smiling and extending an armload of bed linen. ”Laundered to your specifications,” she announced proudly.
He smiled lamely. “Thank you very much…” He glanced at her name tag. “Diane. He’d have to remember to leave her an extra gratuity. She’d just prevented him from ruining his careful plans for that evening.
“If you need anything else, just let us know,” she said in parting.
JC let the door close and glanced back at the bed. As he suspected, Lisa had vacated it. She stood next to it, her hand covering her kiss-swollen mouth and looking about to cry. “Honey, why don’t you change clothes and stretched out in the kids’ room for awhile?” he suggested, knowing they both needed some space to cool down. “I’ve got some calls I have to make.”
She was about to tell him angrily she was not a fractious child in need of a nap then thought better of it. She needed to get away from him for the moment and get a grip on her wayward hormones. He was giving her the opportunity to escape without discussion. She should be grateful. “Thank you.” She went to the closet and chose one of her long sundresses. Counting the steps to the connecting door, she entered the other room and closed the door between them.
JC tossed the laundered, softened percale sheets he’s ordered for that night on a chair and dropped down to the bed. Oh, God! He hoped he hadn’t lost his chance with Lisa by his loss of control.
The stage was set. JC stepped back, admiring his handiwork. The table was set for a quiet romantic dinner. He had decided to forego the candles as they were more for ambience than light and since Lisa couldn’t see them, the dim bedside lamplight would do. A dinner of Lisa’s favorites of salmon filet and asparagus tips awaited. The bed had been made with the soft percale bedding and left ready for naked occupants. Soft slow jazz played on the stereo for background music. He had even taken the time to shower and shave, not wanting to leave whisker burn on Lisa’s delicate skin. Now all he was missing was Lisa.
Going to the connecting door, he opened it to find Lisa fast asleep on the girls’ bed. He sat beside her and stroked her hair tenderly. “Lisa,” he called softly. “Dinner.”
Climbing up from sleep, Lisa was aware of a gentle hand. “Hi,” she purred.
He smiled. “Hey, honey.”
“How long have I been out?”
“A coupla hours. It’s dinner time.”
“Goodness! Why did you let me sleep so long?”
Because you aren’t gonna get much tonight, he wanted to say. “Because you look so angelic and beautiful when you sleep. You look like Krista. That’s how I know she is gonna be a stunner like her mom when she grows up.”
“Flatterer.” She sat up and accepted the hand assisting her to her feet.
“Not when it’s true.” With her hand in his, he led her back to their room.
“Mmm…something smells delicious.”
Guiding her to her chair, he served her. “Salmon filet at nine. Asparagus tips at twelve. Sweet potato at three. Roll at six,” he told her so she knew where the food was on her plate, then took the chair across from her.
“This is lovely, JC. Thank you.” She decided this was his way of apologizing for what had happened earlier.
“I figured with the kids gone, we could indulge in grown-up food.”
“Just imagine trying to get salmon down Scott.” The boy had an aversion for fish and seafood.
“No thanks.”
“JC, do your parents know not to—“
“It’s cool, honey. I asked them not to say anything about him being mine.”
“Thank you.”
“I tend to agree. There is no reason to single him out right now.”
She smiled. “You really are a sweetheart, ya know?”
“So are you.”
They ate in companionable silence, both choosing not to mention the turmoil of the afternoon. JC appreciated how she savored her food, unlike some women who were afraid to eat for fear of gaining an ounce. Lisa would never be model thin. Her breasts were too full, owing to nursing four children he had discovered. She had hips for ‘birthin’ babies’ she had once joked. If that meant she had an hourglass figure, then he guessed so. He hadn’t seen her out of her clothes, but he assumed she might have a bit of a tummy and fading stretch marks from carrying the children. He wondered if that would make her self-conscious. He hoped not – it was her proof of fertility, of being a loving mother.
“Want dessert?” JC asked when she set her flatware across her plate, signaling she was finished.
“What do you have?”
“Your favorite.”
“You didn’t!”
He chuckled. “Oh, yes, I did!”
“You are a wicked man, Mr. Chasez. You know I can’t resist those things.”
JC rose to retrieve a plate of chocolate-covered strawberries and offering one to Lisa by placing it against her lips.
Lisa bit into the confection, chewing it slowly, enjoying the combination of smooth chocolate and sweet berry. “Mmm…Can we save the rest for later though?”
“Sure, honey.” He popped the rest of the berry in his mouth, then began clearing away the dishes.
“I like this,” she teased. “You waiting on me, feeding me strawberries…A girl could get used to this.”
“If you tell me to peel you a grape, I’m outta here,” he quipped laughingly as he rolled the cart of dishes to the hall. All that remained was the champagne and the strawberries. “Lisa, would you share a glass of champagne with me? I do feel like celebrating our marriage.”
“That sounds wonderful.”
JC opened the bottle expertly, not spilling a drop of the golden liquid. He poured two flutes, pressing one into her hand.
“What shall we toast to?” Lisa asked.
“To us. To the blending of the Castle-Chasez family. To our family.”
“I like that.”
JC lifted his glass. “To my beautiful bride and to becoming a family.” He tapped his glass lightly to hers. She giggled as the bubbles of the sparkling wine tickled her nose when she took a sip. He thought it was good to hear that girlish sound from her again.
Lisa lifted her glass. “To the boy who became a wonderful man. He is my best friend and my partner,” she toasted him.
He clinked their glasses together once more and took a sip. “Wanna dance?”
“I tend to have two left feet when it comes to dancing now.”
“That didn’t answer my question.” As he recalled she loved slow dancing. “Do you wanna dance?”
“Actually, I’d love to.”
“Then let’s do it.” Taking her glass, he set both on the table. He led her to the wide, open space on the carpeted floor and took her into his arms.
Things were going as planned.