Authors: Terry Towers
Grant Rivers nervous.
Now she'd seen everything.
"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here..."
Chapter 6
With the ceremony and pictures taken, Grant and Nikki, still in their wedding clothes, were led to the banquet and show area. They were placed at the small two person head table overlooking the large empty lot used for the performances and dancing. Surrounding the show area were tables filled with other guests and
tikki
torches were the only source of light, giving the whole area a soft yellow glow.
"The Escape Resort is proud to present to you the guests of honour for the evening. The beautiful, newly married couple, Mr and Mrs Grant Rivers!" A voice from the hidden speakers called. Grant stood pulling her to her feet beside him.
Nikki's cheeks reddened at the cheers and applause of hundreds of strangers as she stood by her husband. Looking up at him, he seemed unfazed by the attention.
"I think everyone here would love to see this handsome couple kiss," the voice announced.
Oh sweet lord! Here?
In front of everyone?
Grant gave her hand a quick tug and with a soft surprised squeal she fell against his hard chest. He grinned, his eyes shining mischievously. "Shall we give the audience what they want, Mrs Rivers?"
Her shyness fell away as she looked into his loving eyes. "I think that's a fine idea, Mr Rivers." She slipped her hands around his neck as he lowered his mouth to hers and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her tightly against him. The cheering increased, along with a series of whistles and whoops from the onlookers as they deepened the kiss. A shiver rushed down her spine as his tongue slipped past her lips to caress hers.
The sounds of the crowd around them disappeared into a soft lull as she gave herself to him and the passion behind his sweet lips. This strong, courageous, beautiful man was hers.
All hers.
When Grant finally pulled away she was left breathless, her heart thumping wildly against her chest. She looked up at him, her eyes glazed over with her love and desire for him. "Do you suppose they'd notice if we snuck off," she teased.
Laughing Grant looked out at the hundreds of eyes glued to them. "I think they might. Besides, you need to eat. You'll need the energy for the night I have planned for you, Mrs Rivers." Walking behind her he motioned for her to sit and pushed her chair in for her once seated.
A soft tremor rocked through her and a stirring began between her legs at the thoughts of what he may have planned. Grant was seating himself when the voice over the speakers sounded again. "As most of you are aware tonight is Hawaiian night so we have a great dinner and show planned."
Nikki glanced quickly over at Grant who gave her a smile and nod.
"The food is now ready so our waiting staff will take you all table by table to the buffet. Please wait until your table is called before coming up."
Grant and Nikki had already given their meal orders to the wedding planner so as the first of the tables stood to make their way to the
buffet,
two female servers approached Nikki and Grant with plates laden with Hawaiian cuisine and a bottle of chilled champagne.
Both servers were stunning with dark mocha skin, long dark hair and perfect figures, accented by the grass skirts and coconut shell tops they were wearing. "Congratulations, Mr and Mrs Rivers," they said in near perfect unison as they placed the delicious smelling dishes in front of the couple.
Nikki glanced over at Grant and was pleased to see that while he nodded his thanks to the women, his eyes were glued to her. He smiled as they locked gazes. How could a man not drool over the stunning women pouring their drinks? Even she was in awe of their beauty and charisma. But he seemed uninterested.
"If you need anything more..." the server assigned to him stated. Nikki noticed the lustful look in the woman's eyes as she looked at Grant.
He's married!
A hint of jealousy and possessiveness rose to the surface and she took Grant's hand in hers, and glared at the server. "That'll be all thank you," she snapped.
As they nodded and turned leaving the table a soft chuckling caught her attention and she whipped her head over to glare at Grant. "What?" She knew what.
He chuckled a little louder as he dropped her hand, cut into his pork and raised a forkful to his mouth. He took his time chewing, swallowed and grinned.
"The jealousy.
It's cute. But unnecessary."
Nikki huffed and turned from him pretending to focus on the food in front of her. However, his good humour over her outburst was infectious and she found herself also grinning over her behaviour. "I know," she finally admitted popping a piece of pineapple into her mouth. "But I have to defend what's mine."
His laughter grew louder and he shook his head. "When you say it that way I completely understand."
****
Once all the tables had been served and their occupants re-seated the man hosting the master of ceremonies behind the hidden speakers announced the attraction for the evening. "Ladies and gentlemen, we have secured some of the best fire performers in the world for your entertainment and pleasure. Please help me welcome your entertainment for the night!" A loud tribal beat began to play over the speakers as six performers - three men and three women donned in jeans and skin tight tank tops entered the center of the show area.
Grant watched Nikki's reaction to the show in quiet amusement. Her eyes widened and an expression of childlike wonder touched her delicate features as the torches were lit and the show began with the performers, "spinning" the fire. Two balls of flame attached to chains whipped and whizzed around their bodies.
"How do they not get burnt!" she stopped eating and continued to stare.
"It's a skill." Grant stabbed at some more of the pork and thrust it into his mouth. It was cooked to perfection. Everything about the resort was perfection, which is why he wanted to take her there. After the previous weeks of worry and night terrors and stress that she'd undergone, he couldn't have thought of a better place to sweep her away to than this little island paradise.
The wedding ceremony had been quaint. The photos he knew would be nothing short of spectacular. And she was being taken care of, which was his main concern. She'd been so stressed over the wedding and pleasing everyone and over what people were whispering about their 'relationship', that he was glad she'd agreed to them eloping. Here, they were surrounded by people who had no prejudices and were here for one purpose only - to have a good time and be happy.
That's exactly what Nikki needed, and to a lesser extent he did as well.
The fire show lasted over a half an hour and with each performance Nikki became more and more engrossed, practically forgetting about the food and focusing her attention on the six performers. To Grant's amusement she actually gasped when a couple of the male performers breathed fire. A loud boom sounded as a large, red and orange ball of fire extended from the tip of a torch in hand and out for close to ten feet into the air.
"Oh-my-God!" she slapped at his arm, not taking her eyes off the men.
"Did you see
that!
That's amazing!"
Laughing, he nodded and topped up their glasses with more champagne. "I did and it is."
She turned her eyes to meet his and gave him a sweet, brief smile before
reverting
her attention back to the show.
Five minutes later, with the vast majority of the couples and groups finished
eating,
the servers busied themselves gathering up the dishes and offering cold, mostly alcoholic beverages.
"And now we ask for the bride and groom to start off the dance section of the night," the voice over the loud speaker announced.
Cheers, whistles and applause sounded from the group of strangers as Grant stood and extended his hand to his beloved. "Please join me, Mrs Rivers."
Grinning, with a faint hint of colour touching her cheeks at being the center of attention once more she accepted his hand and rose from her chair. Hand in hand they made their way from the guest of honour platform and to the center of what was now to be the dance floor.
****
"You know you've never really had a chance to show me what you learned taking those ballroom dance lessons," Grant commented giving her hand a quick tug. She twirled twice and landed into his awaiting arms and they began to sway to the soft, sultry music.
He was right they never had and that had been the main reason for him taking her out on their first date; so she could have someone on whom to test what she'd learned. "Well, dear husband, we found ourselves otherwise preoccupied.
Though we did dance at the hotel."
Grinning, he lowered his lips to hers and kissed her tenderly. "But then you seduced me for the second time that night." He released her and she twirled away from him, but another tug, brought her back to him. She laughed lightly, and then yelped softly as he dipped her low.
The tempo of the music increased and he began to lead her across the makeshift dance floor, guiding her with expert ease. Nikki doubted there being a need for a single dance lesson in Grant's arms; he had such elegance and grace on the dance floor. He took control guiding her through the steps of which, due to lack of practice, she'd grown a little rusty.
"Oh, I doubt you could ever be seduced, Agent Rivers."
"Oh I beg to differ. You've got me wrapped around your pretty little fingers, Mrs Rivers." He pulled her tightly to him, lowering his head and kissing the side of her neck softly, his tongue flicking at the sensitive flesh.
A moan escaped her lips as a rush of need flowed through her. "And you I."
She was vaguely aware that they'd stopped moving and were currently at the center of the dance floor, Grant's hand snaked to the back of her head and he urged her lips to his. The cheers and clapping broke her from the spell of enchantment surrounding her and she pulled away reluctantly.
"Behave
yourself
," she scolded, wagging her French manicured finger at him.
"On our wedding night?" he teased, pulling her tight against him so she could feel his growing erection.
Laughing she kissed the side of his neck and then looked back up into his eyes. "Well, at least until after the fireworks."
He growled, deep and low in the back of his throat. "Those damned fireworks can't come soon enough."
****
The music ended and Grant had to admit, he was actually getting slightly tired. It had been a long couple of days and they'd been dancing for close to an hour straight, but he loved the feel of her in his arms. And the look of pure joy on her face tugged at his heart. She was happy and he would do anything in his power to keep it that way.
Once the music ended the host of the evening came back onto the speaker.
"And now for our grand finale of the evening.
We have a grand fireworks display, we ask that everyone make their way to the beach area."
"Come on," Grant tugged anxiously at her hand. He had a surprise for her on the beach. A little something he'd arranged on the telephone when he was booking their stay.
Nikki groaned her protest. "Honey, I am exhausted." She stepped close to him, pressing herself against his body. "Maybe we can watch them from our room? It has a great view of the beach."
Fuck! That's not going to work
. He needed her
on
the beach; he doubted it would work otherwise.
"I want to go to the beach. I want us to have the full experience." Damn, he was such a liar.
"Grant, but..." His tie was already undone and hanging around his neck and the first button opened. She reached up and undid the next two buttons, and kissed his bare chest. "Besides, you don't want me exhausted on our wedding night before we get to the good stuff do you?" She glanced up at him, her blue eyes dancing wickedly.
His cock came fully alive anxious to get on with the 'good stuff', but he pressed it down. No, he needed her on the beach so decided to switch approaches. "Please
Nik
, it would mean so much to me."
Frowning she stepped away from him and sighed. "Alright, let's go to the beach."
Hmmm, playing the sympathy card doesn't just work for women
, he mused. He made a mental note of that discovery.
As they walked hand in hand the short distance to the beach area, a number of strangers passed by giving their congratulations as they did. "I think you'll enjoy the display, I hear it's spectacular." He couldn't wait to see her expression when the show started.
They came to the beach area and most of the other guests were already gathered and waiting. Several loud bangs sounded into the air, startling a number of the people in the crowd and
seconds
later bursts of red and blue filled to air. A symphony of "
ohhhh's
and
awwww's
" sounded from the spectators. Several more bangs and several more bursts of colour filled the clear night sky.
A loud sizzle sounded to join the loud bangs and Grant stepped behind Nikki pulling her back against his front and nuzzling her neck. Suddenly a huge sign sitting on the beach lit up in flames.