Eagle's Destiny (39 page)

I nodded and stretched again while he got out of the bed.  I watched him walk around the room naked and realized how comfortable he was with his body.  It would have been far more difficult for me to walk around like that. 

Michael turned quickly toward me, “Caught you looking!”  He kidded.

I laughed and pulled the sheet over my head.  “You better put some clothes on or I’m going to ravage you all over again.”  I called from under the sheet.

“Promise?”  Michael answered and then he gathered his stuff and closed the door to the bedroom as he left.

I heard the shower in the other bathroom and groaned when I threw back the covers.  It had gotten cold in the room with the sun setting and I closed the balcony door.  The shower was steamy and hot, and felt good.  While I was in the shower, Michael had switched on the Giants baseball game on the television in the bedroom.  Michael yelling at the television in the other room made me smile.

Blow-drying my hair took ages, but eventually it was dry and I loosely braided it.  Next, I pinned it up in a chignon at the nape of my neck.  I added a little more makeup than I usually wore because I thought the lights would probably be set lower. 

The sexy lingerie was next.  Even though the dress had boning in it and I would not need a bra, undressing with the bra was far more exciting.  I was looking ahead to later on tonight, although after this afternoon’s romp I didn’t know what to expect.  Since the dress was strapless, the bra needed to be also.  The sexy sheer bra didn’t offer any support, but that wasn’t the point was it?  The best was the garter belt, and I figured with a vintage dress what
c
ould be more appropriate?  I put the garters and stockings on first and then the panties.  I know, everyone else reverses it, but it was far more practical when I had to use the bathroom, besides, I intended leaving on the stockings later tonight.

My dress was a vintage 1950s floating black chiffon Ceil Chapman dress that was gathered and draped to perfection.  I found it in a small Hollywood shop after I had sold my first book and had never had an occasion to wear it.  The strapless, fitted bodice led to a fitted draped skirt with a floating partial overskirt.  From the back or sides, it appeared as if I had a full twirling skirt on, and from the front, I had a sexy, tight figure. 
The bottom of the dress hit just below my knees
.
  The little black sandals made my legs look long and shapely.  A small diamond necklace and a matching pair of earrings finished the ensemble.

I gave myself one final look in the full-length mirror.  Now, to see what the man of the hour thought.  Slowly opening the bedroom door, I walked into the other room.  Michael was standing by the television and turned.  My breath caught in my throat, I had never imagined him a tuxedo.  My rugged, outdoorsman looked amazingly suave and James Bond like.  Michael didn’t say anything either.  He stood standing looking at me. 

It felt likes minutes had passed, and then I finally broke silence.  “Is this okay?”  I gestured to my dress.

He still did not speak.  Taking both of my hands, he brought them up to his lips.  “Elizabeth, you look…you did this for me?”  He bowed his head over my hands and gently kissed them.  “I can’t believe you are mine.”

I touched his face tenderly and he caught my fingers again kissing them.

“Do you really like it?”  I asked.

He sighed, “I didn’t think you could get more beautiful but I was wrong.”

A blush crept onto my face.  “You cut quite a figure in your tux.”

Michael kissed my lips, “I am looking forward to showing you off tonight.”  Then he laughed.  “Do you have underwear on?”

I pursed my lips, “Of course I do.”

“Show me.”

“What?  You don’t believe me?”  I teased with disbelief.  “Oh I get it.  You just want to look at my underwear.”  Michael kneeled down in front of me, and placed his hands on the bottom of my dress.  “Michael, get up.  Don’t ruin your pants.  I’ll show you.”

Michael didn’t stand up but continued to kneel on one knee as I inched the dress up.  When I got to the top of the stockings and the garter belt, he gasped, “Oh Babe, I’m going to be hard all night.”  He leaned in and kissed the top of my thigh. 

I closed my eyes and swayed, not sure my feet would hold me upright.  I continued to inch the dress up until just the bottom of my panties were visible.  I felt his lips trail up to the elastic bottom of the bikini and his mouth pushed the edge higher as he planted another kiss. 

Somehow, I found my voice, “Are you satisfied now?”

He grinned and as he pulled my dress down he planted another kiss on my knee.  Michael stood up and said roughly, “No that did not satisfy me.”  He pulled me closely taking my hand, “So tonight, every time I kiss this hand,” he said fixing a kiss on my hand.  “Think that I’m really kissing you in between your legs and tasting you.”

I closed my eyes and swayed in his arms.  “Now, I’m going to be wet all night long.”  I whispered in his ear.

Michael grinned.  “Good.  Both of us are in the same state.  We’re starting the evening out right.”

We managed to make it to the lobby to meet the two other couples who were taking the limousine with us.  On the short ride over to the aquarium, I became acquainted with the two other honorees for tonight’s festivities. 

We started with cocktails and mingled after we arrived at the aquarium.  We were approached by many of Michael’s former collogues.  Admittedly, I was nervous.  I wanted to make a good impression with his former working associates.  Michael didn’t seem the least bit uncomfortable, but then, he wasn’t trying to remember everyone’s name.  He introduced me to the chairman of the board and his wife. 

As I shook their hands, the wife immediately put me at ease by commenting on my dress, “Elizabeth, your dress is almost too delicious for words!  I think I had one like that way back when.  Is it a Ceil Chapman?”

I nodded my head in amazement.  She linked her arm with mine and pulled me away from Michael.  “Come with me darling, I have to introduce you to Betty.  You know she was madly in love with Michael, but oh my, she’s what, thirty years older than he is.  She is going to love your dress.  Why is it that women don’t dress like that anymore?”  She clucked her tongue and continued with what had become a one-sided conversation.

I threw a wild look at Michael and he just winked at me.  “Mrs. Chapman,” he called, “I want Elizabeth back for dinner.”

She just waved at him and continued to pull me through the crowd, which magically parted, for her.  She made the introductions to all of the other board members and they all told me how much they valued Michael.  Finally, we wended our way back to Michael.  He wrapped his arm securely around me when I returned. 

“Sorry.”  He whispered in my ear.  “I couldn’t prevent that one.  There’s only one more person I’d like you to meet.  She’s the executive director of the aquarium.  Jennifer and her family are responsible for the beginning of the aquarium.”

We turned to a woman in her late forties standing next to Michael and he introduced her as Jennifer Page.  She had a firm handshake and a warm welcome for me.  “Thank you for coming Elizabeth, this is an honor way over due for Michael.”

I
smiled, “This is a treat for me.
I’ve never been to the aquarium.  It’s beautiful.”

“You’ve never been here?”  Jennifer glanced up at Michael, “You’re neglecting your duties.  You need to bring Elizabeth to the aquarium tomorrow afternoon for the grand tour.”

He nodded, “It’s already on the agenda, after the Chapman’s brunch.”

Jennifer grinned, “Yes well we can’t forget the brunch can we?  Welcome Elizabeth, please excuse me, I have to get to my MC duties.” 
Jennifer left us while we found our seats at the head table. 

“Brunch?”  I murmured as we sat down.

Michael grimaced and quietly said, “Yeah, I just found out about it.  We’re expected tomorrow at 11:00 at their home.”

“Where do they live?”  I asked.

“Carmel.  I’ve been there a couple of times.  It’s very nice.  You’ll enjoy it.”

We settled into our chairs and the program began.  Honored first for some discovery that I could never pronounced let alone spell, were the two marine biologists who accompanied us in the limo.  Then a slide presentation started as Jennifer spoke.

“I first met Michael Hoffman when he was a young man studying marine biology at UC Santa Cruz.  I should have known something was unusual about him at that time because every time I saw him he had a camera around his neck.  After we opened the aquarium, we offered a position to the newly graduated marine biologist.  Little did we know that we were receiving a two for one package.  Michael started honing his photographic abilities in his spare time and I started seeing photographs pop up on staff’s walls.  When Michael finally got up the nerve to show me a photograph,” she paused and up on the large screen next to her appeared one of Michael’s otter photographs.  Jennifer waited for the applause to die down and she continued.  “And, I was completely blown away.  At that moment, I knew we had found our photographer.  Michael became our go to person for all of our photography.  We called him the eyes of the aquarium.  We were not the only people to notice his photography either and he began to make a name for himself in animal conservancy photography.  Now he is the man to contact if you want to call attention
to
your project from polar bears to penguins, and currently Michael is working on a whale migration project.  Please join me in congratulating Michael on being this year’s recipient
of
the John F. Page Monterey Bay Aquarium Excellence in Conservancy award.”

The applause was deafening with a standing ovation and I realized how little I knew about Michael.  These were his friends.  It was evident that Michael was the reason they had all attended.  As he made his way to the podium the pride that I felt almost made my heart burst open.  I couldn’t b
elieve that he was here with me. 
I felt like the most special woman in the room.

Michael gave a hug to Jennifer
as
he stepped up to the podium.  The crowd settled back in their seats as
he began
speaking.  “I want to thank you all for coming tonight.  I can’t tell you how much this award means to me.  The Monterey Bay Aquarium is doing such important work in marine conservancy and as I travel, I am always hearing about the aquarium breakthroughs.  ‘
Saving the planet and the animals
’ is not just a catch phrase for
me.  It is about respecting all life whether it walks on two legs, or four, flies in the air, or swims in our seas.  We were made the stewards of all life on this world and it our responsibility to
ensure the
well being of
this planet not only for us but for future generations as well.  My only desire through my photograph
y
is that
it
provide
s
the catalyst to making a change in our thinking.  Okay,” he laughed, “I know I’m preaching to the choir.  So, I’ll just end with a big thank you
for this incredible honor
.”

Michael received another standing ovation and I waited for him to give him a big hug when he reached the table.  Sure enough, he lifted my hand to his lips and kissed it.  He looked at me and I raised my eyebrows, which is when I felt the tip of his tongue lightly touch my knuckles.  At that point my knees almost buckled as a flame of desire shot through my body.  Michael chuckled and I vowed under my breath to get him back later tonight.

“Promise?”  He asked.

We were beginning to attract attention, “Sit down, and behave yourself.”  I whispered.

We sat down and he took on a devilish grin showing his deep dimples, “I am not going to behave.  Not tonight, I feel too good.”

Our dinner arrived and as we ate, our dinner companions kept Michael’s attention in conversation.  I did not participate much in the conversations since it was mainly surrounding Michael’s days at the aquarium.  I was also a little intimidated, and I felt out of my league with a table of mostly scientists.  When Michael was not eating
,
his hand kept drifting to the back of my neck and he gently caressed my shoulders.  He was able to concentrate quite well on the conversation and I was just becoming a little puddle in my chair with his ministrations.  His eyes kept glancing over to me and his smile was soft and warm. 

The
small band started playing dance music and couples began to rise from the tables to dance by the large windows overlooking the bay. 

Michael looked over at me, “Would you like to dance?”

I nodded and he took my hand to lead me to the dance floor.  Before we started dancing, he kissed my palm and again I felt his tongue against my hand.  I blushed. 

He put his arms around me and I whispered, “Stop that.”

He smiled the same devilish grin, “Stop what?”  Michael held me closely as we slowly danced to “Put Your Head On My Shoulder.”  If there was a heaven then this was what it was like.  He moved me effortlessly around the floor.  If nothing ever happened between the two of us again, I would be content forever with this memory.  Our dance was as if we were the only two people in the world.  The outside world had completely vanished.  When the song ended, we stood perfectly still holding each other.  His kiss on my lips was tender.