The Beautiful Ones (Arabesque) (22 page)

Chapter 32

T
he strangest things always seem to happen in Las Vegas. The infamous city always had a way of freeing people of their inhibitions. Visitors fall in love with complete strangers somewhere between the hours of two and three a.m.

However, that wasn’t the case for longtime best friends Ophelia and Solomon. After so many years, the couple had finally realized that everything they had ever wanted was in each other.

Upon landing, a limousine whisked them away to Clark County Marriage Bureau to obtain a license. Their next stop was to the Little White Wedding Chapel.

To Solomon’s great relief, an Elvis impersonator did not perform the honors, but two newly married eighteen-year-olds signed as witnesses to the union of Ophelia Rose Missler and Solomon Elijah Bassett.

An hour later, Solomon carried his bride across the marble entry of their MGM Grand Penthouse suite. “Here we are, Mrs. Bassett,” he said, accepting her lips in yet another kiss.

“Have I told you how much I like the sound of my new name?”

“At least a hundred times, but you know me. If you like it, I love it.” He kicked the door shut.

“You know what I would love right about now?”

“I’m hoping it’s the same thing I’m thinking of.” He chuckled, carrying her upstairs to the bedroom.

“Ooh, you know what? Maybe we should call for some strawberries and whipped cream,” she joked. “I seem to remember we never got to those the last time.”

“Sounds good to me.”

At long last, he arrived at the bedroom and lowered her onto her feet. “Did I tell you how beautiful you look in this dress?”

“I’m glad because it’s the only thing I have to wear.” She laughed and then just stared at him. “We did it.”

“Yeah.” He lifted her hand and pressed a kiss against the fifty-dollar ring he’d purchased at the chapel. “I want you to know I’m going to replace this as soon as we get back to Atlanta.”

“Don’t you dare.” She snatched back her hand. “I love this ring. It’s not too heavy.”

Solomon frowned. “What?”

“It’s a long story.”

“Okay.” He leaned down and began nibbling on her earlobe.

She moaned and melted against him. It wasn’t long before their lips melded together and elevated the newlyweds to wondrous heights.

Solomon’s large hands worked their magic on her dress buttons and zipper. In seconds, the heavy material dropped and pooled around his wife’s feet. He quickly discovered the dress was nothing compared to her lacy bra, panties, thigh-high stockings, and garter belt.

“Good Lord,” he whispered.

Ophelia chuckled and slid him out of his shirt. “I think you need to catch up.”

Once she had him down to just his boxers, her husband swept her back into his arms and gently placed her down on the bed. As his mouth returned to hers, his hands roamed over her body.

Solomon swallowed her low moan and found the bra’s hook in the front. He pulled his lips away long enough to watch the unveiling of her full, lush breasts. His memory had done them little justice, but their sweet taste was just as he remembered.

Sighing, Ophelia arched her back and aided in filling his hot mouth while her hands roamed freely along his short-cropped hair. During his pleasurable suckling and sporadic nibbling, she found it impossible to control her squirming.

However, Solomon was in no rush, and he teased her mercilessly by roaming his hands over every inch of her body before finally unsnapping the hooks to her garter belt and pulling off her delicate panties.

In a bold and surprising move, Ophelia rolled her husband over and onto his back, and then smiled as she took the dominant position. “You know, I owe you a favor,” she said, tugging down his boxers.

“Oh?” he asked with a half grin.

“Uh-huh.” She leaned forward and started raining tiny kisses along his broad chest and down his tight abs. His arousal continued to harden until it throbbed. The sight of her lips closing around his straining flesh was nearly enough for him to explode, and so was the feel of the slick walls of her hot mouth. His self-control held, but he knew if he didn’t take her soon all bets were off.

Ophelia laughed when he lifted and pinned her beneath him almost in the same motion. She braced herself and wasn’t disappointed at how her husband eased into her and filled her completely. Within a few strokes, his name drifted from her lips like a soft song—a song that was in perfect harmony with her heart.

Her response to him was like an erotic Picasso to Solomon. There was nothing more beautiful than to watch her in the throes of passion and to feel her squeezing every inch of his shaft. Heaven included the feel of her silky legs wrapped around his hips and the feel of her nails kneading his back.

Tears leaked from Ophelia’s eyes at the beauty of their lovemaking. She hadn’t realized how much she’d missed his lips, touch, and body. Now, she couldn’t seem to get enough of him. The thought of being able to hold him like this for the rest of their lives moved her like nothing else.

She loved this man and wanted to scream her declaration from every rooftop in Vegas. Her best friend was now her lifelong companion—just as it should be.

As time ticked on, their bodies rocked in the sexiest tempo until her wet heat sent several shudders of pleasure rippling through him. When a thin film of sweat covered their bodies, Ophelia’s inner walls tightened with her first explosion.

Solomon stilled his movements, grimacing through the sweet torture. “How do you feel, baby?” he asked, while he waited for her to relax again.

Her answer was in another kiss. It was amazing how her lips grew sweeter each time he tasted them. He moved inside of her once again and managed to fool himself that he was in complete control as long as he continued with long, measured strokes.

Minutes later, he knew he was in trouble when his breathing became choppy and a fire lit within him. Soon his thrusts became hard and fast. He didn’t want the ecstasy to end, and he sank deeper into her. His jaws clenched at the feel of her tightening again. She cried out his name, and he growled his release.

Sated, Solomon rolled to his side and drew her pliant body against him. Waiting for their labored breathing to return to normal, Solomon peppered kisses against her head while she planted a few along his chest.

“Do you think it will always be this good between us?” Ophelia asked, sighing and nuzzling closer.

“We have a good shot as long as you don’t bring up any more charts and statistics.”

“You know, you could’ve come clean at any time, too, lover boy.”

“Yeah, I know.” He squeezed her tighter. “Let’s promise that from now on, we’re completely honest with each other.”

“Sounds good. Why don’t we start with you telling me how you were able to afford this real diamond tennis bracelet back when you were a poor college student?” She held up her wrist.

He smiled. “I thought we agreed that the price doesn’t matter. It was the thought that counts.”

“Yeah, but—”

“Well, let’s just say I thought very highly of you.”

Ophelia dropped her hand and lifted her head to stare up at him while she waited for a real answer.

“Fine. I borrowed the money from Marcel’s dad. I’ve long since paid him back.”

“How did I miss so many clues?”

“Does it matter now? We’re together—forever.”

“Forever,” she whispered. “I like the sound of that.”

“If you like it—” Solomon leaned in for a kiss “—then I love it.”

Epilogue

“F
light 1269 to Los Angeles is now ready for boarding.”

“Oh, that’s me.” Toni dabbed her eyes and then slid her purse strap over her shoulder before she glanced at Jonas again. She didn’t quite know what to say to such a bittersweet love story, especially since he had gotten the short end of the stick. “It looks like I did a lousy job in cheering you up,” she admitted.

Jonas’s adorable dimples flashed. “I don’t know about that. It felt good to finally talk about it. It’s been a year, and Lord knows, my brothers, though well intentioned, have been unsuccessful in getting me to open up.” He met her gaze. “Looks like you are a good listener.”

“A year, huh?” Toni’s interest perked.

“Yeah. I heard Ophelia and Solomon had a beautiful girl last month. For the most part, I’ve been able to move on. I’m a little nostalgic because today would’ve been our one-year anniversary.”

Toni nodded as she studied him. “You know, I bet she was right about you,” she said. “One day, you’ll make some woman a wonderful husband.”

Jonas leaned back and crossed his arms while he studied her for the first time. “Is that right?”

A delicious warmth swept throughout Toni’s body, and if she was standing, she was certain her knees would’ve buckled.

“Now boarding flight 1269 to Los Angeles…”

Reluctantly, Toni stood from her bar stool. Where Ophelia and Solomon were fearful in taking a risk, Toni certainly was not. Quickly, she reached into her purse and withdrew a business card. “If you’re ever in Los Angeles, give me a call.”

Still watching her, Jonas accepted the card. “I just might do that, Ms… .” He glanced at her name and a wide smile eased across his lips. “Ms. Wright.”

“Until then.” She winked, and then made sure she swished her hips in just the right way as she strolled out of the Crown Room.

Jonas enjoyed the view as he pocketed the card. “Until then, Ms. Wright.”

* * * * *

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ISBN: 9781459230149

Copyright © 2012 by Adrianne Byrd

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