Atonement (29 page)

I stood by my dad, my tearful eyes locked on his. He looked so handsome and so young too. I was thinking about the gorgeous picture he and Mom would make at my wedding for the mantle of my new home. As I got closer, I could see his emotions written all over his face. My dad’s face was red, his cheeks slick with lost tears. But he was looking at me with pure, honest love.

“Reese my baby girl, you’re breathtaking.” He hugged me gently, careful not to mess up my hair. “I can’t believe this is the day. You won’t be just my little girl any longer,” he paused to swallow the constriction that was fighting to take over his speech. “You’ll be someone’s wife. I’m not sure how I feel about that yet.” Then he chuckled. “But, I’m so proud of you honey. So proud of all of the decisions you’ve made along the way. It hasn’t always been easy, I know. I was young once
remember?” He winked at me. “Tate is one lucky young man Reese. I love you.” He hugged me again, “always and forever.” His shoulders were shaking with emotions. I was so fortunate to have a Daddy’s love, unconditional and protective. I loved him so much.

“Oh Daddy, I love you too,” and I hugged him hard. I was fanning my face to help keep the tears from falling. I wiggled my promise ring off my right ring finger. Grabbing my dad’s tanned, weathered hand, I gently placed the ring in his palm. “I think it’s time to replace this Daddy. I hope you don’t mind?” I said with a little smile.

Unable to speak, he wrapped a tight fist around my shiny virtuous reminder and then stuffed it in his pocket. With another wink, he reached for my elbow.

Straightening out my dress, trying not to cry, my eyes caught the man in front. Tate. Oh. My. God. He was absolutely divine. He had on a dark beige suit with a white shirt underneath, the first two buttons undone. My pastor was standing just behind him in the middle.

My breath caught. This gorgeous man would soon be my husband, to have and to hold…and to do
everything
else with. I couldn’t help but be a little giddy. The makeshift carpeted isle seemed to take forever to walk down. I think I held my breath the entire way. Tate never took his eyes from mine. The smile on his face spoke a thousand words. When my dad put my hand in Tate’s, I felt it…electricity…love…lust. You name it, we had it.

{
Tate}

I stood at the front of the tent, waiting for Reese. She truly was a vision. She looked like a far away queen whom all of the villagers worshiped. Her dress…shit it fit her like a glove. Her hair, her walk, her smile. God I loved that smile. I couldn’t take my eyes from her. She had cast a spell over me a long time ago…I was still entranced. She would forever be mine after today. I dare anyone to try and change that. I will protect her, love her, and adore her until the day I die. I can’t believe she agreed to marry me. I just want to kiss her now, throw her over my shoulder, run out of here, and threaten anyone to come after us. I wonder if they would notice? Oh God, has she even taken a breath. I know she’s nervous. Hell, I would be nervous marrying me. I’m so glad the media didn’t catch wind of our little beach wedding. It wasn’t for their lack of trying. But, I know Reese isn’t used to that part of my life. I hope she’s okay with all of the attention she’ll get in San Diego due to my crazy MLB status. With her beauty and sexiness, she is sure to have it. I know she can handle it. The question is, can I? She’s moving closer, closer to being my wife. The charge between us is literally making my hairs stand on end. God, I love this woman…thank you for bringing her into my life. I have to stop these tears.

The vows, the music, crying, cake, toasts, champagne, dancing, anticipation, we experienced it all! I’m so lucky to be Mrs. Tate Justice. I have never been happier in my entire life. Although in the next few hours, I may have to retract that
statement to add a new happiest moment; at least a most fulfilling and happiest moment.

It was late Saturday evening, and still beautiful out. The weather held out for our special day. We were leaving for a surprise location tomorrow morning. So, for tonight, we were staying in a newly built ocean front beach bungalow on the other end of the island. Tate said we couldn’t have any interruptions from people just stopping in. Who would do that anyway on the night of someone’s wedding? But I agree. No need to take chances. A car service had dropped us off; that way we wouldn’t have any vehicles here. We would just take a cab to the airport in the morning. From our secret honeymoon destination, we would take a flight straight to California at the end of next week. Tate was smack in the middle of baseball, and couldn’t take more than a week off. My parents were shipping the majority of my clothes, and a few other items out this week so they would be there when I arrived in my new home. MY NEW HOME! I still couldn’t believe it.

This was my life now. I was married (soon to be twenty-one years old) to a Major League Baseball superstar, whom I am deeply, madly in love with. And…he is staring at me right now like he wants to rip my clothes off.

“Mrs. Justice. Are you in deep thought…again?” He said coming over to me. Because, if you are, I want your brain to take a vacation. I am only interested in your body right now.” I laughed out loud, throwing my head back.

“Is that so? Well, I happen to feel the same way about you Mr. Justice. Maybe we should just not speak, tear each other’s clothes off, and make wild, passionate love for the next…oh…10 hours or so?” I said pretending to look at the watch I
wasn’t wearing. Tate jumped on top of me, scaring the ‘t’ total shit out of me.

“Now you’re talking…or not talking.” His words were muffled as he was speaking between smashed kisses.

“Okay, okay.” I laughed. “Now you listen here Mr. Justice. Your new wife has some preparing to do. I have waited and made you wait for entirely too long! Too long to get it on now in a matter of seconds. Got it? No peeking. I’ll be out soon.” I said sauntering in to the bathroom in the master bedroom suite, my overnight bag in hand. Halfway there, I paused.

“Actually, you know what?” I came back and sat on the bed, throwing my feet up crisscross and leaning back comfortably against the headboard. I grabbed the remote. “On second thought, I wanted to catch the game. Let’s do that first.” I said as serious as I could possibly be. It took Tate about three seconds to stand there with a heavily confused look on his face before he jumped on me on the bed.

“Oh hell no, if your ass is on this bed, you are SO getting laid.” He was already trying to undress me. God he was hot! I was squealing and trying to get out from his grasp

“Okay, Okay, I was joking…I’m going…I’m going.” I laughed all the way to the bathroom.

I had brought one of my favorite lingerie gifts from my party. It was a completely see- through white gown that had satin and lace trim and came to about mid-thigh. The other gowns were beautiful too, I couldn’t wait for Tate to feel them and see them on me. I freshened up, brushed my teeth, and put on Tate’s favorite perfume. After pinching my cheeks for a little color, I didn’t know what else to do, except psyche myself up that this was finally happening.

When I stepped into the bedroom, I heard music, Van Morrison’s ‘Have I Told You Lately’ was playing and I smelled Tate’s cologne. The musky scent was so manly and so fitting of this moment. The covers were turned back, the lights down low, and Tate was sitting on the bed with his boxer briefs and his shirt completely unbuttoned now. Holy Crap! My man was hot! I heard him take in a sharp breath. He looked a little nervous, I felt a lot nervous. This was it. Would I know what to do? Where to touch, how to move? I couldn’t imagine being more ready though. I had waited so long for this moment.

Tate stood up and walked over to me with a most delectable grin on his face. “Reese, I have never seen anything more amazingly beautiful in my life. I mean the wedding gown image will be forever engraved in my mind, but this…this is without a doubt trumping all other pictures I have stored up here.” He said tapping his head. I wasn’t wearing a bra, so he could see the entire outline of my breasts and my nipples through the sheer fabric. He ran his hand slowly over the right breast causing me to gasp out loud. He turned me around and I heard him sigh when he saw the back of my gown. It was plunged down low, like my wedding dress, but he could see my white thong completely through it. This time he cupped my rear cheek with his other hand then ran it up the inside of my thigh. I let out a low moan. I was feeling the sensations already low in my belly. And luckily, we were just getting started. When he reached the top of my thigh he said, “Oh Reese, you are so ready for me,” with a catch in his breath.

Tate pressed himself up to me from behind; pushing my hair to the side he began trailing soft kisses on my neck. My heart rate had picked up, and I could feel his heart thumping
into my back. “Oh Reese, I just want to devour every inch of you…Every. Single. Inch. He said between deliciously wet kisses across my shoulders. Turning me back around, he was staring in to my eyes. “I love you Reese. I want to stay here in this room with you forever…” He kissed me with such passion. We both sucked in a deep breath. Our tongues were fierce with fire, rolling against each other, dipping and taking one another for all we had. Tate nipped at my lips. I loved when he did that. It made the kiss seem that much more sensual. He was walking me over to the bed. If it was possible for my heartrate to spike further, it just did. My hormones were suddenly raging. I wanted Tate so badly, but I was incredibly nervous. I knew the first time (at least my first willing time) might hurt and pinch a little, and I wanted to enjoy it as much as I could. The anticipation was almost unbearable.

“I love you too Tate. I can’t believe we are getting ready to make love.” Those words caused him to moan out loud.

“Oh God, I can’t get enough of you saying that…’making love’. That’s
exactly
what we are going to do.” After easing me back on the bed, he sat up and just stared at me, raking his eyes up and down my body. I was doing the same to him, but I couldn’t quite peel my eyes from his. Having him worship my body like this was so…erotic. I wanted more…much more. Tate was still kissing me all over. Every chance I had access to his neck, ears, and shoulders I was kissing on him too. Then his hands were moving down low. Holding himself up on his left arm, he was exploring my backside, my stomach, and then…oh God, me. He paused kissing long enough to remove his boxer briefs, and my panties. Oh! Tate in all his glory was standing naked in front of me. He was obviously ready…at
least I was hoping he was. If not…oh God I was in trouble. When he climbed back on top of me, his arousal was pressing into my side. I had to take short, quick breaths to keep my head from swimming. Then his hand moved back down, his fingers slipping into me. I let out a gasp, and he was circling my very sensitive spot…Oh… that feeling was indescribable. I was circling my hips, letting him know how much I liked, no loved what he was doing.

My mind was going numb, my muscles were tightening everywhere, I just wanted to scream suddenly, and then I did. I let out a loud cry, and my body was reeling from the explosion. Tate groaned out loud too. Then he laughed. “Holy shit Reese, I want to do that to you every minute of every day. I can’t believe you did that. Watching you was… Ahhh, there are no words.” He was shaking his head. His body was trembling.

I reached up and grabbed his face between both of my hands. I had finally gotten back my equilibrium enough to show my appreciation for what he just did. I had NEVER ever had that type of sensation before. I had no idea…now I know what all the fuss is about. “Tate…that was AMAZING. Uhhh.” Closing my eyes I let out the deep breath I must have been holding until now. My whole entire body relaxed. Then I felt for Tate, and Oh My, I found him.

“Reese, don’t. I need to be inside of you. If you hold…just don’t, not right now.” I knew he was saying he wouldn’t last if I didn’t quit touching him. So he hovered over me, staring into my eyes, he settled right between my legs. He was beginning to inch his way in. The pressure and the fullness were nearly more than I could handle at first, but slowly, and passionately, we were making love. My eyes were still closed. “Reese, please
look at me. I want to see you while I’m inside of you. I want you to know how much I love you.” I opened my eyes, totally bewitched by my husband. I couldn’t believe I was making love to Tate. Once I adjusted to his body, I was really enjoying it; more than enjoy…it was utterly mind-blowing. I couldn’t think straight, I wanted as much as I could get of him. I felt like I was building again, ready to explode, everything tightened, and…then Tate stopped, he made a loud groaning noise, and nearly collapsed on me. His breathing was highly irregular. He looked up at me with hooded eyes.