“Not officially, but I’ve seen you at several functions. The first was two years ago at the Spring Dance in North Wind. You were wearing flowers in your hair.” The words come out of my mouth before I have time to sift through them, but the image is burned into my brain. Her in the sunshine with her face tilted toward the sky, and how beautiful she looked standing there. It was at that moment I knew she’d be mine. All I had to do was bide my time.
“I don’t remember that.” She finally puts her hand in mine, and I cover it with my other one, giving her no way to take it from me.
“Don’t worry, we’ll have lots of time to make new memories.”
We’re asked to come inside, but I don’t let go of her hand as we walk into the house. Our parents are ahead of us discussing something about the wedding, but I ignore them. Nothing about it matters to me because all I want is Amelia.
“Why don’t you show me around before lunch?” I say a little louder than necessary to get everyone's attention. I turn to Amelia expectantly, and she opens her mouth and closes it before finally answering.
“Um, yes, I guess I could do that?” She looks to her father, and he nods.
“That’s a great idea. It will give you two a chance to talk.”
She tries to pull her hand from mine, but I give it a gentle but firm squeeze, letting her know that it’s not happening. The little scowl she gives me is adorable, and if I wasn’t already madly in love with her, that one look might do it.
“Where would you like to go?” she asks, and I don’t miss her sigh.
“Your room?” I offer, and she rolls her eyes.
“As I suspected you’d say.”
“All right then, how about your favorite room in the house?” She shrugs and leads the way, and I follow along beside her, holding her hand and gently tracing my thumb over the back of it.
“It’s beautiful here,” I say in passing, and she nods.
“I’ll be sad to leave it.” She doesn’t look at me as she says it, but I let it slide.
We walk through a long hall with large windows and sunshine streaming in. At the end of it is what looks like a glass gazebo with flowers and plants.
“This is the conservatory, where I like to come and read.” I drop her hand as she walks over to one of the flowers and leans down to smell it. “It’s quiet here, and the sunshine makes me feel happy. Plus it smells nice.”
“It does,” I agree as I tuck my hands into my pants and follow her around. She names the plants and then talks about the books she’s reading. She seems calmer as she talks about what she loves and part of me wonders if she’ll ever speak of me like that. “And this one?” We’re on the far side of the room surrounded by greenery, and I notice a flower on the vines.
“That’s white jasmine.” She smiles as she reaches out and takes a blossom, then holds it out for me.
I take it from her and then bring it to my nose while I keep my eyes on her. “It reminds me of you.” She swallows hard as I take a step toward her and bring the flower up to her cheek. “Tell me, my bride, do you taste as sweet?”
Using the petals of the flower, I trail them down her neck and watch as her breath catches. Bending down, I run my nose over the same place and inhale the nectar while my lips linger on her skin.
“Tell me, Amelia, are you as pure as this flower?” I open my mouth below her ear and let my tongue taste her, just a little. “Have you saved yourself for me?”
Her body shivers as I gently pull her against me, and I know she can feel how hard I am.
“Have you saved yourself for me?” Her words are meant to be cutting, but she’s turned on, and it nearly comes out as a moan.
“Sweet wife-to-be, do you think I could possibly stand the sight of another woman while I had you in my sights?”
My teeth graze her neck as she tilts her head back. “W-what?”
Her sweater has ridden up, and I can’t help when my fingers find the bare skin of her stomach and follow it upward. When I reach the cup of her bra, I pull it down and pinch the tight peak waiting for me.
“How could I want anything except this?”
“But-but you—oh god.” I’ve backed her against the table behind her, and her legs have spread, sending her skirt up her thighs.
“Let me have a taste of what I’m promised.” My mouth moves up her jaw as my fingers slide up her skirt and to her panties. “It’s only fair I should see all that’s mine.”
She gasps when my finger dips inside to her wet lips, and then I kiss her to keep her quiet. I circle her clit before pushing into her opening and then groan at how wet she is.
“Amelia? Felipe? Are you in here?” her mother calls, and Amelia jerks away with wide eyes.