A Taste of Pleasure (18 page)

I wonder when he put that there
, she thought.

She looked at him with surprise as she pondered what the contents might be. She was sure it was jewelry of some sort, diamond earrings probably, or maybe a Pandora bracelet. The suspense was killing her, but at the same time she didn't want it to end, just like Christmas, and just the same way never wanted their time together to end. Every moment they spent apart felt like forever to her. There were so many times she went without receiving a phone call or a message from him, but she never gave up. He was so deep within her heart, and she cherished the time she had with him.

“Would you open it already?” Deacon insisted.

As she began to unwrap the paper, and just before she opened the box, Deacon got up off the couch and down on one knee. She looked at him nervously as she revealed the contents . . . a large white aquamarine gemstone glistened in the firelight as her eyes twinkled with the tears welled in her eyes.

“London, I have loved you from the moment we met, even though I couldn't do anything about it at the time. I believe that things were meant to be this way, and now that I am free, I have to be with you. That's why I came to live here in New York, because I had to be close to you. Please be mine forever. London, will you marry me?” Deacon pleaded.

“Yes! Yes, I will marry you, Deacon.”

She cried as he hugged her with one arm, wiping away her tears with his free hand. He carried her back to the bedroom, snuggled in behind her, and tucked the blankets in around them.

“Merry Christmas, my love,” he whispered in her ear.

“Merry Christmas, darling,” she replied, and she smiled as she gazed at the sparkling ring on her hand. She finally had her prince, and she felt like the royal princess once again. It was by far the best Christmas she'd ever had.

H
er days started earlier ever since Deacon had been staying overnight. He'd moved some of his belongings into the château on Christmas Day, since the lease on his condo was up, and he was looking for another place. She had been cherishing her mornings waking up beside him, and she would sneak into the kitchen to prepare breakfast. She enjoyed feeling domesticated and he was thrilled to awaken to the delicious smells wafting through the house. Today was Friday and she decided to bake chocolate chip muffins, a special recipe Jon had passed along to her. She chuckled as she read Jon's personal note he'd included on the recipe card:
THE BEST WAY TO A MAN'S HEART IS THROUGH HIS STOMACH
! As the muffins baked, the aroma traveled upstairs and she smiled as she heard Deacon stirring. He greeted her with a sniff. They chatted over coffee and warm muffins, oozing with melting chocolate. He looked handsome in his three-piece suit, and she snickered as she kissed him good-bye, wiping chocolate from his chin. She sat by the window watching him exit the driveway.

She felt wonderful as she looked at the sparkling ring on her left hand, lounging, warm and snuggly in her fleecy
pajama outfit, a Christmas present from him that marked a change in her usual way of dressing. She smiled as she recalled him saying, “I want you to be comfortable, sweetheart. You're always sexy to me in anything, and even sexier when you wear nothing at all.” She curled up by the blazing fireplace, and her mind was afire with thoughts of other attentive things that she could do for Deacon. She had never imagined wanting to please a man so much and she felt somewhat out of her realm.

She thought back to the conversation they'd had earlier this week. They were lying in bed, spent after three amazing rounds of lovemaking, but unable to sleep. London had talked about the loss of her parents in a car accident when she was ten and the passing of her grandmother later on. Deacon had opened up and shown immense compassion. “I am so sorry, hon, it must have been very difficult for you. I can't say I understand your loss, since I have both parents still alive, but I am sure you felt alone and very scared, especially when you lost your grandmother.” He put his arms around her and held her while he kissed her cheeks. There was no doubt that they felt connected to each other physically and emotionally, but this deep outpouring of honesty began to link their souls on a much deeper level as they began to feel their own mortality together. That was when Deacon had confided in her and revealed more of his desires. “Not to change the subject, but have you ever heard of a ‘bucket list'?”

“Yes, I saw that in a movie, but I don't have one. Do you?”

“As a matter of fact I do.” He reached in his back pocket and took out this worn piece of paper. “I made this when I lived in England.” He laughed as he unfolded the paper. “Here are some of my wishes. She looked at them, the first five were:
1. Move back to United States. 2. Try to recapture my life and find London.
She blushed and snuggled closer
to him.
3. Get into a great law office, or 4. Open my own law firm. 5. A ménage à trois.
She never finished the paper as she folded it up, thinking about number five. Most men secretly wished for a ménage à trois, but she wasn't so sure he still wanted one now that he had proposed. “Do you still want this?” she asked as she pointed to number five.

“Yeah, I'm bad, I still want one.”

London poked playfully as she tucked it in her memory. She sat contemplating what it might be like to make love with Deacon and another woman. She convinced herself that since they were engaged, she could relax and enjoy that type of an encounter.

She decided to ask her friend Jen if she would consider the idea. Although London had never been with a woman, she knew Jen was bisexual and had experience in this arena. She also knew she would be very comfortable with her, not to mention that Jen was very attractive. After Deacon left for work, she grabbed her cell phone and dialed the number. After three rings, she almost hung up, but then Jen answered.

They recalled the party and chatted about the great time they had that night and about Christmas.

“Deacon proposed to me on Christmas Eve,” London replied excitedly as she told the story of her visit from Santa Claus.

“Oh my God! Congratulations. That is great news. Oh, I love weddings. Have you set a date yet?”

“No, we haven't, but I will certainly keep you posted. So how was your Christmas?”

“Same ol' stuff, ya know how that goes.”

“Yep, I sure do. Hey, do you have time to stop over for a chat?”

“Sure, I can stop in on my way to work. I'll see ya in a few.”

“Okay, see you soon,” London replied.

London took a quick shower and tidied up the house. She put out Jen's favorite flavored coffee, café mocha, filled the coffee machine, and anxiously awaited her arrival. She opened the gates then snuggled back down on the sofa. She looked around at her home, still all decorated and full of Christmas spirit. Her heart was filled with love, warmth, happiness, and excitement.

Soon Jen knocked at the door.

“Hi, hon.” She greeted London with a hug. Jen's perfume was wonderfully intoxicating.

“Thanks for coming,” London smiled.

“So let me see that ring,” exclaimed Jen.

London flashed her aquamarine gemstone proudly as she glowed with radiance.

“Oh my, that is beautiful. I'm so happy for you.”

“Thank you. I've never been happier in my life.”

They prepared their coffees and snuggled in on the sofa together.

“So what did you want to chat about?”

“I have something to ask of you.”

London took her time approaching the sensitive subject by explaining the deep discussion that she and Deacon had recently had about mortality and the “bucket list,” then finally blurted out the question as she felt herself beginning to blush.

“So, how would you like to be a part of our threesome?”

“With you and Deacon? It would be my pleasure, London. And when are you planning this surprise for him?”

“If you're available, I would love to get together for New Year's Eve.”

“That's perfect as my plans were just canceled for that night. Wow, Deacon is so hot, girl. Are you absolutely sure you want to share him with someone else?”

“Yes. I know it will make him very happy and I would do anything for him. You're the only one I could trust to do this with us. It will be a wonderful belated Christmas present for him, and a memorable way to ring in the New Year.”

“I'll say . . . as long as you're sure. By the way, you look fabulous, hon. You're glowing. Love looks good on you,” said Jen as she touched London's thigh. London felt a chill go up her spine and between her legs, a real sexy tingle. . . .

“Thank you. So how about dinner at seven?” London suggested. Jen agreed and moved toward London. She gave her another hug and whispered in her ear.

“Don't worry, I will take good care of you both.” She gave her a smile and raced off to work.

London was awed how easy that was.
Ask and you shall receive.

She raced out to the store for groceries to prepare a simple yet elegant meal, followed by champagne, which would serve two purposes. She picked up some of Deacon's favorite lavish scotch. She was sure he was going to need it after what she had in mind for him. She also stopped by Jon's Catering & Delicacies Shop to discuss the table setting. Jon was busy preparing for another eventful holiday weekend, but he greeted her with open arms. He pulled out a set of black-and-gold place mats and an arrangement that would complement her dinner table. She thanked him and was tempted to let him in on what the special occasion was, but decided to keep it to herself.

The day flew by between running errands and cleaning the house. By the start of the evening, Deacon called to let her know that he was picking up a pizza on his way home from work. “You've been cooking too much,” he said. And he wanted to relax and watch a movie with her. She was relieved to unwind for a while with him, but it was all she could do to
contain herself and refrain from ruining the surprise she had lined up for him.

She simply mentioned that they would be having a special guest for dinner on New Year's Eve. He explained that he did have to go to the office again, even though it was Saturday and New Year's Eve, but he promised to be home in time. She scowled a bit about him working so much, but he dodged the subject by tickling her until she laughed uncontrollably, then he carried her up to the bedroom for another glorious night of lovemaking.

New Year's Eve morning, she sent him off with a full tummy, a smile, and a kiss. She spent the day preparing the guest bedroom for their evening interlude. She soaked for what seemed like hours in a bubble bath, refilling it several times to keep it warm, and massaged her body parts that were still a little tender from the night before. When she finally got out, she dried off and lathered perfumed lotion of the same divine fragrance over her entire body. She dressed in her short little black dress with her black thigh-high stockings, garters, lace bustier, and no panties.

She moved into the dining room, where she set the table with sheer black-and-gold place mats, gold chargers with round black plates, and goblets with gold trim. Gold silverware and black napkins with gold napkin rings added to the place settings. In the center of the table was an elongated gold vase with black, cream, and gold artificial flowers, matched at each end of the arrangement by a gold candleholder and a black candle. The house was immaculate and the table setting looked like something straight out of a magazine. Pleased with her accomplishments, she proceeded into the kitchen and slipped on an apron. She prepared a light meal of salad, baked chicken, baked potatoes, and fresh Italian bread with butter.

Just as she was finalizing the last-minute details, the gate buzzer lit up. She pushed the button to let Jen in, who had arrived early. She watched the car lights follow the curved driveway to the back of the house. London felt tightness in her tummy. She was a little nervous, but this would be something new, something to please Deacon. She welcomed Jen inside and they embraced warmly. Jen joined her in the kitchen to help with serving.

More car lights appeared. Deacon was right on time. She pushed the button to shut the gate and they were now secure. London's heart was beating fast as she greeted him at the door. She welcomed him with a warm kiss and handed him the bottle of champagne to uncork.

“Deacon, you remember Jen from the party, don't you?”

“Surprise,” Jen said as she came out from the other room.

“Sure. Hi, Jen, of course I remember.” He had a curious expression on his face.

Jen snickered as she watched the two of them, knowing the secret surprise London had in store for him. He joined them at the table and uncorked the bubbly. Jen and London giggled and squealed, “Happy New Year!” as the cork popped out and the champagne ran down the side of the bottle. Deacon filled their flutes and the three of them toasted the holiday. Their dinner flowed with conversations of work, travel, and holidays. Jen told a few wild stories about her and London's younger days together.

Afterward Jen helped London clear the dishes, the two of them taking turns, intentionally and dramatically, to bend over to reach across the table. The body language of the two made Deacon even more curious. He could sense anticipation in the atmosphere between them, but he wasn't sure what it was all about. He retired to the front room and poured a
scotch, thanking London for remembering to pick it up for him. He flicked on the intercom for some soft music, but kept looking over his shoulder as he sipped his drink, watching the women together. He noticed Jen was very touchy with London, feeling her back, and that London responded with no hint of surprise. They drank the rest of the champagne as they finished cleaning up.

Once the dishwasher was loaded and everything was tidy, Jen took London's hand and led her to the guest bedroom. They strolled past Deacon, who was champing at the bit to know what was about to happen. They left the door open so that he had a full view of the room. He saw Jen pull London toward her, kissing her on the neck and lips. London took a deep breath and thought,
Here it goes.
She felt funny about this kiss with another woman. She noted how soft the lips of a woman are. Yet in some ways it was like any other kiss. Their breasts were brushing against each other's and that felt a bit odd too. She told herself to relax and began to train her mind on Deacon to be aware that he was watching. That made her hot and wet. He soon turned around and gave the women his full attention. A bulge in his pants was evidence that he liked what he saw. He gulped down his scotch and poured another. Jen noticed and took the occasion to slip from the room. London took her clothes off while Jen approached Deacon and took him by the hand. She pulled him close to her for a kiss, but his eyes were still fixated on London, and hers on him.