Chapter 38
After a delicious lunch in which Elizabeth forced into William's stomach as much food as he managed to eat, they cuddled on the couch with Attila at their feet, watching TV. Though in much better shape than the previous days and on his way to recovery under Elizabeth's loving care, William still tired easily and soon became sleepy. Drowsily, he lay down and made himself comfortable on the couch with his head on Elizabeth's lap and dozed off immediately while she played with his hair. It was delightful, magical. She loved to take care of him, he loved to be taken care of. She loved to be his, he loved to be hers. They had never imagined they would be able to feel such joy, such bliss, such communion, but they did.
William was awakened two hours later by a cold and wet nose against his own. "Attila, where's mum?" he asked sleepily.
The dog licked his face in response. William chuckled and wiped his face and attempted to sit up quickly, forgetting his broken rib. A sharp pain in his side cut the air of his lungs and he fell back again on the couch, rolling onto his side, gasping and cursing.
"William!" Elizabeth came running from the kitchen and knelt by his side. "Will, what happened!"
"Nothing. I made a wrong move." He panted as she helped him to sit and lean back on the couch "Goodness, this hurts."
Elizabeth sat by his side and stroked his hair until his body relaxed. "Better?" she kissed his temple.
William smiled faintly. "No, I'll need another kiss."
She kissed his nose. "And now?"
"No, not yet."
She tickled his neck with her lips. "Better now?"
"No, still hurts."
Elizabeth grinned mischievously and lifted his sweatshirt to kiss his stomach, near the bruise. He shuddered slightly. "Was that better?"
"Not yet, try a little lower."
"William!" She slapped him playfully and he began to laugh. "You are incorrigible!"
He wrapped his arms around her. "No, I'm in love."
If anyone says that after nap lovemaking isn't the best lovemaking of all, William and Elizabeth can prove exactly the opposite, twice. Happy and satisfied, the couple spent the rest of the afternoon putting the house into some order, warming up the bedroom and cooking dinner.
"These chickens have an incredible skin color," William noticed as he helped her with the vegetables.
"That's because I feed them mostly with corn." She peeled the potatoes.
"You feed them? These are chickens from this farm?" he asked, amazed.
She nodded. "I killed them two days ago."
"I see," William said slowly. "You killed them."
"Aha." She continued as if it were the most natural thing in the world. "But I asked Anselmo to remove the guts. That part is disgusting. Yuck." She flinched and shuddered.
William could hardly believe what he was hearing. "And ... I suppose you are used to murdering your own food with a certain frequency."
She took another potato. "Well, I don't kill them myself usually, but Anselmo didn't want to stain the cast with blood so I helped him."
William looked at the chickens and then at her. "And ... are there other kinds of food that you have also assassinated?
"Not really. We don't keep other kind of animals here for us to eat, but I can tell you absolutely that I'll never do pigs, they scream like ... well, like pigs; and lambs are too cute and helpless so I prefer not to be around. But they are delicious anyway." She looked at him with that expression of hers, so fresh and natural that was impossible not to kiss her.
William laughed. "I'm marrying Jack the Ripper."
"Jane says I'm wild, but I prefer your savage description. It's sounds more distinctive." Elizabeth grinned and kissed him. "I told you, you haven't seen the half of it."
He kissed her back. "Aren't you cooking too much food? Two chickens seems too much for the two of us."
"Charles and Jane are coming for lunch tomorrow and I don't want to cook. It will be better if I have everything ready today. That way we can stay in bed for as long as we please."
"Very smart." He stood behind her and embraced her, resting his chin on her shoulder as she washed the carrots.
"What time are we going to Misiones on Monday?"
He shrugged. "I don't know. We can go in the morning and have lunch there. I have to go to the hospital and to the Police station and perhaps the Judge's office. Eduardo will be there all day so I'll call him and see at what time we can go and do whatever is needed."
"Right. While you are there I'll try to see my doctor without an appointment."
"Doctor? What for?" He released her and stood by her side.
Elizabeth blushed and looked down. "Nothing. It's just ... nothing."
"Is anything wrong with you?" He sounded concerned.
"No, there is nothing wrong with me. It's just that, well, you know, we ..." she reddened even more. Though their intimacy had progressed quickly in some aspects and she was a passionate and uninhibited lover, she wasn't ready to speak freely about certain matters. " ... we, I had not been very careful about certain things and, well, hrmmmm, I made a narrow escape the other time we ..., and as we'll ... do it more frequently now ... and we don't want to have any consequences, I think I should see him." She shot him a shy glance and looked down.
"Oh," was all he could say.
He had never considered that she was risking the possibility of getting pregnant every time they made love. That only told him that he was being selfish with his actions and that she was being generous with hers. She had loved him unconditionally before, and he always assumed she was taking care of the details, though she didn't have a reason to do it. After all, they became a real couple a day ago and she didn't have a boyfriend in years. As magical and wonderful their previous encounters were, they were furtive meetings until now. But what made him feel worse was that the fact that he was the one experienced on this subject. Although technically he wasn't the first one, he was the only man in her life.
"I'll use something until you see the doctor."
"No, there is no need for that, not until Wednesday or Thursday, I guess. I had my period a few days ago." She was feeling hot and embarrassed. "And I'm sure the doctor will recommend something for me to … use."
William turned her so she was facing him. "Liz, my love." He cupped her chin. "Forgive me for neglecting you in that way. Once again I have been selfish, I've never considered the risks in the past, you must have been concerned about the consequences."
She blushed again and bit her lip. "No, you must think I was irresponsible, thoughtless. I ... I was sure that I wouldn't get pregnant the first time we were together, otherwise I would have asked you to use something. ..." She smiled for the first time. "The moment you pressed me against the counter I began to calculate the days."
He grinned at her candor and innocence and pulled her closer. "You are such an extraordinary person, Elizabeth. I know this is all too new for you, but I want you to feel comfortable around me, to trust me and confide in me. Please tell me all your wishes and fears."
Elizabeth gazed lovingly at him. "I will. Just give me time to make adjustments. I'm not used to sharing my life with anyone, and I'm very modest about certain matters."
William chuckled. "You are doing pretty well so far. But I noticed that. You lock the door whenever you go to the bathroom."
Elizabeth's color was close to scarlet now. "And you leave the door open, and sing while you are in there, doing God knows what."
He laughed heartily and tightened his hold. "I'm sorry. I'm so used to being alone that I don't have to worry about those kind of things."
She looked at him with bright eyes. "You will never be alone again."
After a long stroll through the garden filled with conversation about their future and wishes for their life together they went to the lab and William helped her to take care of the plants that were still there after the robbery. Later, they dined in the kitchen and William had to agree that murdered-by-fiancée chicken was much tastier and than the regular raised-with-hormones kind he could buy at the supermarket. It was still a little odd to think that his supper had been walking around two days ago and the fact that Elizabeth showed him the hen house and he actually met the mother of one of the exquisitely roasted animals made him feel somehow guilty; but it showed him that life could be enjoyed simply and naturally and was delighted that she was teaching him to do so.
Jane called to check on them that night and confirmed lunch on the next day and church in the afternoon. Later, Elizabeth called her mother to tell her the good news and, though the conversation was in Spanish, William caught the words 'wonderful', 'love' and 'moving away'. She promised her mother that they would stop at her house before they went to the airport and that she would bring her Godivas from England on her return. The rest of the evening was spent lying on the couch, comfortably entangled, just happy to be together.
"Elizabeth..." William asked in a low voice.
"I love the way you say my name."
He laughed softly. "I love the way you say mine. It sounds so different from your lips." William kissed her hair and sighed. "Liz, I need to ask you something."
"What?"
"Don't feel obliged on this subject, take your time to think about it and …"
"Say it."
She felt his chest resound with his deep laughter. "You are so direct sometimes."
"Come on, tell me, don't be shy," she teased him.
"It's just that … today you said that you wanted to be careful and that you didn't want consequences so I wonder if you …" Elizabeth realized what he was trying to say and was moved by his tenderness and insecurity. " … if you want to have children in the future."
"Of course I want many. I always liked big families." She smiled. "But not right away. I want to be just the two of us for a while, not too long, but we need some time to ourselves. Is that all right with you?"
William grinned broadly. "Just perfect."
Chapter 39
As predicted, they remained in bed for a long time that Sunday morning. Without much to do but rest and eat, Elizabeth ordered William to stay in bed while she prepared breakfast and she surprised him when she appeared with a tray with richly aromatic coffee, homemade bread, fruit and brownies. The fact that she was dressed only in his favorite T-shirt provoked a brief discussion about ownership and sharing where William insisted that some things just couldn't be shared and that ended in the removal of the garment in question and a long session of intense lovemaking.
"Elizabeth, you have a fabulous ass," a very disheveled William commented when she rose naked from the bed to go to the bathroom.
"William!" she turned and blushed.
"Yes, it is, beautiful, round, firm and perfectly shaped." He tilted his head to have a better view. "I've never seen a better one. You should be proud of it."
"Will, you are so ..." she said in and indignant tone.
He continued in his best connoisseur tone: "And your breasts, they are ..." She tried to slap his head but he avoided the blow.
"And you sir, have a ..." Elizabeth leaned closer and whispered something in his ear. William's eyes opened wide and he began to laugh so hard that he fell flat on the bed. She grinned and walked to the bathroom again.
"Goodness! I'd never heard anything so dirty coming from the lips of a woman. And I didn't catch the last words! Can I borrow your dictionary?" He was rolling in bed.
"That will teach you to watch your mouth, Mr. Darcy."
"Don't close the door, darling," he sang, "I'm coming after you."
Elizabeth screamed and ran to the bathroom, locking the door behind her.
Jane and Charles arrived at noon and found the couple engaged in a domestic discussion about the necessity -or not- of warming up the milk for tea or coffee. William insisted that those beverages should be served at a determined temperature and Elizabeth said that what will be the point of heating it if he would let it cool down before drinking anyway.
"William, you are looking at least five years younger. It seems that these days of rest improved your condition." Charles remarked with an amused glance in Elizabeth's direction. She was looking radiant.
William smiled. "Yes, I rested well enough. Though I don't think that you would complain about having Jane at home for the whole weekend."
"Indeed I can't. I think that the only reason why I didn't ask her to move in with me is because Elizabeth would stay alone at the farm. We were quite worried about her welfare after our marriage, but I'm glad that that isn't a problem anymore." He put his hand on William's shoulder in brotherly affection. "I am very happy for you, Will, even though you didn't tell me anything right away."
William smirked. "You have such a generous nature Charles. Sometimes I don't know how is that you cope with my moods."
"Neither do I." He laughed. "But is good to see you well anyway."
"Well?" Jane elbowed Elizabeth on the ribs with a knowing smile as the walked into the kitchen.
"Well what?" Elizabeth blushed and looked away.
"Come on, you sly thing, you haven't seen anyone since Martin and now you are marrying in a month? I will not stop harassing you until you tell me everything."
"Jane, there is not much to be said," she answered in hushed tones.
"Not much! Liz! I knew you were crazy about him, but I never imagined you two were involved in that way. I supposed that you were just good friends."
Elizabeth rolled her eyes. "We were not involved in any way and we were good friends at the time. It just happened that we discovered that we loved each other, and when we realized that, we decided to get married."
"And when was that?
"When was what?"
"That you decided to get married."
"On Friday."
"I see. Pretty fast, isn't it? He leaves suddenly, we don't hear about him for almost two months and all of the sudden he discovers that he loves you, flies down here to recover your trees and asks you to marry him. So that's why he called every day after you came back from Europe." Jane was trying to play her elder sister role without giving away her amusement.
"Well, something happened before he left," Elizabeth said in a small voice and blushed.
"I see, something." She crossed her arms over her chest. "You were seeing him in secrecy."
Elizabeth wanted to hide under the table. "No. I wasn't."
"Aha."
"It happened during that weekend you went to the falls with Charles for the first time."
"That was a long time ago, and what happened?"
"We … spend the weekend together," she said in a small voice and couldn't help but smile at the pleasant memory.
Jane laughed. "So, it was that good?
"Jane! You made me believe you were upset about it!"
"How can I be upset when I see you so happy? William is an excellent man and you two are made for each other." Jane embraced her.
The conversation in the kitchen continued for a while, with shy exchanges of information and sharing details and wishes for their upcoming marriages. Then, trays in hand, they joined their future husbands for a happy meal.
William rose to move the chair for Elizabeth to sit. "How was the interrogation?" He whispered in her ear.
"Not that bad." She smiled back.
During the meal, Elizabeth announced to Charles her decision about quitting her job and about her replacement. He was so happy for them that he wasn't upset on that subject, and they even agreed that once the larger transplants were finished, they wouldn't need a full time lab operator. Elizabeth told him that she would go on Tuesday with Carlotta Lucas, her research partner at the Institute and show her the basic procedure.
Lunch was followed by a long chat about the wedding preparations in which Jane gave Elizabeth a few tricks that would help her organize the upcoming event. The women were so entranced in that topic that their husbands-to-be decided to use their time in a more efficient way and retired to take a nap until church time arrived.
The couples attended the small country church together. Much to William's discomfort, half of the staff of the plant was there and he felt a little uncomfortable when amused glances and hushed gossip were exchanged as he walked in holding Elizabeth's hand. When the services ended, they went together to talk to the priest -another Giardino uncle- and asked him to officiate a simple ceremony at the farm on their wedding day. Since William was a divorced Anglican and Elizabeth a devoted Roman Catholic, they wouldn't be able to marry under the auspices of the Roman church, so they agreed that they would only receive a blessing surrounded by their family and closest friends.
To Elizabeth and William's comfort, Jane decided to stay at Charles' house until their trip to England, allowing them the privacy and time they needed to begin their new life together. On Thursday they would move their belongings to the farm and stay there until their return.
"Charles, I think you should move permanently to the farm," Elizabeth commented during dinner. "You two shouldn't be moving from one house to another like gypsies."
Charles and Jane exchanged amused looks. "Well, we were planning to live in my house after the wedding but now that you are marrying too, it would be a pity to close this house," Charles answered.
"Well, that house is very comfortable and has a good piece of land. We can stay there until the wedding when we return from England. Anyway, it won't be for too long," William commented and turned to Elizabeth. "But we'll need a place to live when we come here in the future. We can buy that house and redecorate it if you like, or look for new place not too far away."
Elizabeth was dumbfounded at the easiness in the way he used the word 'buy'. "You are right. That is a very nice house, we can use it until we decide what to do."
William smiled. "Done."
Once Jane and Charles left, the happy couple remained on the couch watching a football game with Attila spread out on the floor in front of them until bedtime. As the post-nap lovemaking couldn't be exercised because of the presence of the other couple, they updated their needs in a double session that night and finally fell into restful sleep happily curled around each other.
Elizabeth woke up with a big sigh and tried to stretch her body when she realized that she was imprisoned under William's limbs. She was lying with her back to him, his hand possessively holding her breast and his leg entangled around hers. She tried to move but he tightened his hold.
"No," he said firmly.
"No?"
"No."
Sure that he was still asleep, she tried to remove the hand from her breast and disengage herself from his grip. Now the attempt was impeded by a low growl.
"No."
Elizabeth began to giggle and moved slowly.
"I said no."
"I want to go to the bathroom."
"No, you don't."
"William, are you awake?"
"No."
She smiled and closed her eyes again.
William finally woke up about an hour later and he absolutely denied being capable of doing anything like Elizabeth's description of earlier. But as his hand had remained in its original place during all the discussion, Elizabeth's point was proven and he applied an enormous amount of playful kisses and apologies.
"Wow, what do we have here?" William eyed her appreciatively when she appeared already dressed in a fitting red turtleneck and knitted ankle length black skirt.
"Do you like it?" She put her hands around his neck and kissed him.
"You are looking beautiful. You are beautiful." His lips lowered to her ear and his hand to her bottom, pulling her close.
"I can't believe it." She chuckled when she felt his reaction to her proximity against her hip.
"You are right." He laughed. "I think I'm becoming obsessed with this. Let's go or we'll never leave this house today."
Misiones was the second biggest city in Santo Domingo, next to Santo Domingo City, the capital. It wasn't a very big city, just a few modern buildings, and the rest was a lovely town with traces of the Spanish colonization still visible. The Misioneros were very traditionalist people and almost all the city preserved the old architectural style, keeping its special atmosphere.
Elizabeth found a place to park near the police station, which happened to be not two blocks away from her doctor's office. They walked together in that direction and as Eduardo was waiting for William at the station, Elizabeth would continue by herself.
As they crossed the street arm in arm, William observed that a young man coming from the opposite direction was looking appreciatively at Elizabeth as he passed beside them. He couldn't blame him, Elizabeth was beautiful, even more so this morning, and he accepted with some sense of pride that she had the ability to attract the man's stare. Oblivious to their interaction, Elizabeth continued to talk as William turned slightly, following the man's impertinent actions with a very possessive look on his face, only to observe how his eyes admired the posterior of his fiancée as she walked by. Much to William's annoyance, the man pulled his sunglasses down his nose to have a better view and, on noticing his fulminating look, shrugged, smiled and gave him a 'thumbs up', complimenting him for his woman.
William laughed and shook his head.
"What?" Elizabeth asked.
"Nothing. I forgot that you Latins are very hot blooded," he said as he remembered his own comments about her bottom.
"I don't get it."
"It's just that … forget it."
"The Police station is here." She pointed at the building. "My doctor's office is two blocks away. I'll meet you here when I'm done." She was going to kiss him goodbye when he took her hand.
"I'll walk you there."
"It is not necessary, William, I can go by myself."
"No, it's OK, I'll go," he said as casually as he could.
"Will, really, we are in front of the station."
"Elizabeth, don't argue with me, I'll go," he said flatly.
She raised her eyebrow. "We are a little authoritative this morning, aren't we?"
William smiled guiltily. "Just watching over my fiancée."
Elizabeth laughed. "Watching over?"
William couldn't help but laugh at his irrational possessiveness. "If you think I'll let you go by yourself with all these men around, you are crazy," he said playfully, pulling her close to him.
"You are crazy, Mr. Darcy." She kissed him noisily. "But I love you anyway."
William walked into the Police station and spotted Eduardo talking with a group of men at the other end of the hall. He recognized the man that took his testimony the day after the incident but the others were completely unknown for him.
"William, you are looking well. I never imagined that you would recover so fast. It seems that Elizabeth is taking good care of you," Eduardo said with a crooked smile.
If anyone else insinuates that I've been shagging all weekend, I'll kill them. "Thank you."
"You're welcome."
"So, how is everything progressing?"
"I talked to the judge. Denny is charged with qualified theft, injuries, attempted murder and a few other charges only for this case, and they are connecting his participation in about 25 other robberies plus the complicating circumstance that he is a retired public servant. He will not come out easily from this one. At least 15 years, or more, depending on the judge."
"I hope he stays there until he dies," William said bitterly. "When are they returning the girls' stuff?"
"The judge said that perhaps Thursday or Friday." He laughed when William rolled his eyes. "Things work a little differently here, William, but everything is fine. I checked it out and everything that was reported missing is there, in custody of the judge."
"Fine, and the trees?"
"They seem OK, I watered them this morning."
"You?" William grinned.
"Yes." Eduardo laughed. "Five years of studying the law and I ended working as a gardener for my client."
"I'll ask Elizabeth if she wants to see them when she's back, but I don't think she would like to go, she is a little sensitive on this subject."
"All right."
"What about Lydia?"
"Well, she is under 18, and she didn't have much to do with the planning, she is just a minor accomplice. From what she said, she thought that George would only take the trees and give her some money. Neither of them was present during the robbery so I don't think she will go to jail for long, perhaps for six months, but no longer than that. She never thought that they would attack her own grandfather and make such a mess."
"Find her a good lawyer and try to get her out, I'll pay for it. She is just an empty headed girl and I'm sure that George dragged her into this."
"That's very kind of you after what she did." Eduardo raised her eyebrow. "Do you know she was wearing one of Jane's shirts when she was arrested?"
"I'm doing this for Anselmo, after all, she is his grand daughter and he is very upset."
"Fine, as you wish."
William didn't want to ask but he had to. "And what about George?"
Eduardo smiled crookedly. "The bastard is peeing in his pants. Like Christopher said, he never realized what he was getting himself into until the robbery. He is in absolute panic. Do you know that he even called D.I.D. and asked for legal aid?" William raised his eyebrow at that piece of information. "It seems that when he commented this matter about the trees to Denny he thought it was easy money. His participation was mainly to do the contact with the US. He is charged of accomplice of robbery and conspiracy for committing a crime, 3 to 5 years in prison. "
"That's all?" William smirked. "He deserves a little more."
"It's his first felony here, so he might take the lightest punishment." Eduardo bit his lip. "William, he wants to talk to you."
He looked at him. "Do you know what he wants?"
Eduardo chuckled. "Do you need to ask? He wants to beg for help!"
William smiled. "Let's make him beg."
"William!" George's face was washed with relief when he walked into the tiny office. "It's so good to see you. You must help me to get out of this place!"
William sat opposite of him and leaned back on his chair without saying a word.
"You don't know how it is in here!" George was desperate. "I'm in the same jail with 8 other men, some of them had never seen a toilet in their life. We have to use a latrine! It's disgusting!" He leaned closer and looked around before he continued in a low voice. "One of them even tried to rape me last night, and the guy didn't even have one single tooth in his mouth. William, you must help me to get out of here."
"Why?" William remained immutable.
George shook his head in repentance. "I know what I did was wrong, Will, but I never intended this to happen, it was all Denny's idea. The guy is crazy, he thinks he is some kind of Rambo that does whatever he pleases. I just commented him about the trees and when Elizabeth didn't cooperate, he organized the whole thing and I couldn't stop him."
"Cooperate?"
"I tried to ask her out and do things properly, after all she is a very pretty girl and it would be a pleasure to teach her a few things, but she refused. I would have married her if necessary, she was going to be rich after marketing those trees. You know me, William, I'm no criminal, I'd never take anything away from a woman that she wouldn't willingly want to give. You know how they are, some sweet talk and a good piece of flesh between their thighs and they are ready to give you everything you ask."
"Like Caroline."
George swallowed. "How …?
"George, the only reason why I don't strangle you at this moment is because you are not worth the effort."
"Will!" George exhaled and leaned back on his seat dramatically. "We've known each other since we were children, you can't leave me here just because of that! Caroline wasn't important, and she asked for it, she suggested the apartment, the clothes and everything! I'll do anything to rectify this! … Will? … William, where are you going? Will, don't leave me here! Wiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiilllllllllllllllllll!"
Chapter 40
On Tuesday Elizabeth had to go to the plant to meet Carlotta Lucas and explain the essentials of the job to her. As the doctor found William in excellent condition and his wounds were healing satisfactorily, Elizabeth allowed him to go to work. She knew that she would not be able to make him stay at home if he didn't want to, but just to make him know that she was in charge made her feel important. So, after changing his bandages -now much lighter than the previous ones- and asking or telling him to call her if he did not feel well, William went with her and he worked with Charles all morning reviewing what had occurred since his departure.
As William suspected, Elizabeth did not want to see the trees on their trip to Misiones. In fact, she did not want to be informed about anything concerning the robbery and left every decision in William's and Eduardo's hands. Her only concern now was to see William fully recovered as soon as possible, so she accompanied him to the doctor and learned how to take care of the almost healed wounds.
William's unannounced arrival awakened many speculations and gossip all around the plant. As happens in every small town, everyone knew that George and Denny had been arrested and that they were involved in the robbery at Elizabeth's farm. To make things even more spicy, William's presence holding hands with her at church last Sunday was enough to produce a series of conjectures that went from a secret engagement since before he left to the involvement of the British Secret Services in the investigation.
After lunch, Elizabeth drove William to the farm so he could rest and she returned to the lab to continue with Carlotta's training. Anxious to return home, she rushed the coaching session so she could to go back to him as early as possible but she could not leave until 6.30. She drove all the way back with a dreamy smile, anticipating the reunion, not believing how her life had changed in only a matter of days.
As she approached the house, she noticed that there were no lights coming from the inside though it was already dark. She turned off the pickup and looked around. Attila wasn't there. She became worried. With the robbery still playing around her mind, she opened the front door and walked inside cautiously.
The scene that welcomed was one she was not prepared to see. William fast asleep on the couch, on the verge of falling on the floor, sharing the place with a comfortably settled Attila, who was lying partially over his legs and with his head on William's stomach. Elizabeth grinned. It was worth a photograph. She approached them silently and Attila acknowledged her presence by wagging his tail, curling his ears and looking at her with happy eyes.
"So you didn't even come to greet me, you traitor." She knelt in front of him and squeezed his muzzle.
Attila blinked guiltily a couple of times and made himself even more comfortable over William's body.
"Don't wake up daddy," she whispered, "I'll cook dinner."
"Daddy is already awake." William's arm pulled her to him. "So give me a kiss."
Elizabeth grinned broadly and turned to shower his face with kisses. Like every dog, Attila became jealous and moved and growled, playfully attempting to get in the middle but was completely ignored by the couple.
"I'm going to cook dinner." Elizabeth pulled back.
"It is not necessary." He kissed her nose. "I already cooked something."
She was delighted. "And you didn't cut yourself?"
"No, I only burned down half of the kitchen," he said proudly and tried to pull her over him.
"What did you make?" Elizabeth made a vain attempt to remove Attila from where he was resting so she could lie over William.
"It's a surprise." He slid from under the dog and lowered himself to the floor. He rolled over her and kissed her deeply. "I missed you."
Elizabeth was about to burst with happiness. "I missed you too."
"How was your day?" William's mouth was nibbling her earlobe and targeting her neck.
"Fine." She gasped when he descended to the hollow of her collarbone.
"I'm glad to hear it." He unbuttoned her blouse and cupped her breast.
"And yours?" Her hands fumbled with his shirt.
"Good." His mouth went to her breast and bit her nipple over the bra.
"Everyone was amazed to see you there." She squirmed when he lifted her skirt and moved his hand between her thighs.
"I noticed that." William felt her hands unbuttoning his trousers.
"Lots of gossip." She bit her lip and rocked against the hand stroking her.
"Too (gasp) much." Now he was free and she was stroking him.
"Attila is (gasp) watching." She observed over William's shoulder as he moved between her legs after removing her underwear.
"Attila, get out!" William ordered and chuckled when the dog left after an annoyed growl.
"He is a … very obedient dog." She sighed when he entered her.
"Indeed." He moved in and out.
"And … large." She arched her back and grabbed his buttocks.
"Huge." William was now thrusting deeply.
"And stro…" She cried out as she convulsed.
"Very st …" He filled her and collapsed breathlessly.
"So," she played with his curls as he rested over her, "what did you prepare for dinner?"
"I told you, it's a surprise."
Chapter 41
Wednesday began early for the couple. Early sex, early shower, early sex in the shower, hasty breakfast and rush to work. As they had to be at the airport on the following day and with a 6 hour drive ahead, they preferred to leave soon after lunch so they would arrive at Santo Domingo City in time for dinner with Elizabeth's mother. They would stay the night in a downtown hotel and then part to catch the 12:00 PM plane to Rio de Janeiro and make the connection to their flight to London.
"Liz!" Alicia kissed her daughter effusively. "You are positively radiant!"
"Hello, mum." Elizabeth grinned.
"And you, William?" She kissed him and squeezed his cheek affectionately. "So you appear all of the sudden and take my girl away. You didn't even give me time to prepare the wedding. Well," she sighed, "she is just like me. When I met her father we ..." she raised a suggestive eyebrow, "we married a month after a very passionate courtship."
"Mum!" Elizabeth couldn't believe she was telling him that.
"We Giardinos are very decided. You'll see, and my Lizzie is just like me, she knows what she wants." William chuckled and nodded. "Anyway, you are such a nice man and incredibly handsome too and ..." She pulled back a little to look at him better. "And you lost weight since the last time I saw you!"
Elizabeth rolled her eyes and William was holding back his laughter before she continued.
Alicia stood between them and linked her with them as they walked into the house. "Elizabeth, you are not feeding him well. Do you know which is the best way to keep a man?" The couple somehow guessed what was she about to say. "Satisfy him in bed and table and he will never go away." She turned to William. "Tell me if I'm wrong, William."
"No, madam, perfectly right." He smiled.
She released them and put her hands on her chest dramatically. "Oh, my! That accent! If I had someone with such a smooth voice in my ear every morning be assured I would never leave the bed!" Elizabeth covered her face with her hands and William exploded in laugher. "William," Alicia leaned closer to him to tell him something conspiratorially, "you call me if she is not behaving, will you? A good mother to daughter talk can improve certain things."
Elizabeth wanted to vanish at that instant.
"Do not distress yourself on those matters, madam." William smiled charmingly. "I assure you that my dearest Elizabeth is very a accomplished woman."
"I'm sure she is." She smiled knowingly at William. "You look very pleased with yourself."
"Mum, where is Aunt Celia?" Elizabeth decided that it was time to end that subject.
Alicia gasped. "Virgen Santa! She is in the kitchen! Excuse me, make yourself comfortable. Oh God," she trotted away, "if she stirs the gravy she will ruin it!
Elizabeth looked at William apologetically and leaned her head on his chest. "She can drive anyone crazy."
"I like her, she is very wise." William kissed her nose. "She gave you some very sound advice. But I would include the rug, the shower, the couch and the kitchen on the list."
"The kitchen? We never made it in the kitchen."
"We should fix that as soon as possible."
"Hello, dear." A nasal voice interrupted them.
"Aunt Celia." Elizabeth kissed the very petite old lady and continued in a loud voice, mouthing carefully every word, "This is William Darcy."
"A party?" she asked back.
"No, Darcy. We are getting married next month. We are engaged."
"You are angry at each other?"
"No, not enraged, engaged." Elizabeth was losing her patience and William's amused face was not helping.
"You shouldn't be angry at him, he is a very fine man. If I had someone like him beside me I would never be upset." She turned to William and took his hand to lower him down to her. "I'm Celia, sweetheart." She kissed his cheek. "So you are marrying our lovely Elizabeth? It was time for her to catch a husband. I was about to lose hope and declare her a spinster."
"Aunt, don't you have something to do in the kitchen?"
"Arturo? No dear, the kitten died five years ago." She looked at William who was barely containing his laughter. "You should do that more often, young man. You are extremely handsome and those dimples were made to be shown."
"Thank you, madam." He smiled charmingly.
"You are welcome. Now, come and sit down, Alicia pushed me out of the kitchen. Do you want something to drink?"
"Do you have white wine?" Elizabeth asked.
"Lime? I don't think so. And you, gorgeous?"
William bit his lip. "Coke or Pepsi will be fine."
"I'll bring you a Pepsi and see if there is any lime." She walked to the kitchen.
Elizabeth leaned back on the couch. "God! She is even more deaf than last year."
"Elizabeth, she can hear perfectly well," William remarked.
"You heard her, Will, she is deaf."
"She heard every word I said," William insisted.
"Of course." Celia appeared with the tray. "How wouldn't I listen to such a fabulous male specimen? You are worth every word you say."
"Celia!" Alicia called as she came from the kitchen. "Stop harassing him. You will scare the poor fellow away if you continue like that."
"A rat? Where?"
Elizabeth helped her mother to set the table and serve dinner. Just like her daughter, Alicia was an excellent cook and prepared a delicious supper. Conversation was funny and awkward as Celia miraculously heard clearly only what William had to say. But much to Elizabeth's mortification, the interrogation began with coffee.
"So, William," Alicia asked, "tell me a little about yourself."
"What do you want to know?"
"Everything? No, not everything. A man should keep some secrets to himself, but some juicy details will be fine. How old are you?"
"Thirty three."
"I thought you were thirty two," Elizabeth frowned.
"I turned thirty three almost two months ago," William replied calmly.
Elizabeth suspected that he was alone and pining for her on his birthday.
"Liz, you should learn the birthday of your man," Alicia scolded her. "Do you have any siblings?"
"A sister, Georgiana, she is twenty two." He looked at Elizabeth and noticed her surprise. She didn't know about her either.
"Close your mouth, Elizabeth, or you'll swallow a fly. And your parents?"
"My father lives in London and my mother died more than twelve years ago."
"What a tragedy, son, you were so young." Alicia's eyes immediately watered.
William turned serious and looked down. "That was a very difficult time for all of us."
"I understand you well. We all suffered so much when my husband died." Alicia sighed and shook her head.
"Have you been married before?" Celia asked suddenly. She had not participated in the conversation until now and everyone thought she was asleep on the table.
William looked at Elizabeth and then back at Celia. "Yes, once."
"I can't believe someone allowed a stud like you to go away."
Elizabeth coughed her coffee across the table. "Aunt Celia!"
William bit his lip in amusement. "Well, sometimes things don't work out."
"Bullshit. When a woman wants things to work out, she makes them work. I'm sure she was just a frigid cow if she let go of you."
William erupted in laughter. "That would be a good way to describe her."
"Of course. You are too handsome, nice, charming, tall, sexy and rich to be ignored. You take care of him, Elizabeth, or any whore that is out there might try to steal him away. Satisfy him in bed and table, that is the recipe."
"Thank you, Aunt." She looked at her mother significantly. "I think it's time to go, mum. It's getting late."
"Of course, dear. You need to rest before the long flight." And then she mouthed her so no one would hear. 'Take him away before Celia says something really stupid.'
"I heard you Alicia."
"You never told me you had a sister." Elizabeth climbed into bed and snuggled comfortably by William's side.
"You never asked." He adjusted the pillows behind his head.
"Do I need to ask every time I want to know about your family?"
"Elizabeth, we can't say that ours is a long term relationship. If I'm not wrong, we had been only ..." He made a quick count. " ... ten full days together, if you count the first Saturday as a full day, because we saw each other after noon."
She laughed at his reasoning. "And we were too busy to talk. Tell me, what is she like?"
"Georgiana?" William laughed softly. "Indescribable. You'll see."
"Are you two very close?"
"We were closer when she was a child. She was the cutest little girl there could be. Then I went to university and she turned into a rebellious adolescent phase. She is ten years my junior and in some things we are polar opposites, and though we have our fights, we always had a good relationship. But when I got married ..." He looked at the ceiling pensively. "... she and Caroline hated each other. And after that ..." It was not easy for him to talk about this. "... well, I wasn't in my best mood for some time. She is kind of extravagant, but adorable."
"I'm looking forward to meeting her." She smiled.
"You will like her."
Elizabeth bit her lip. "What did you do for your birthday?"
William sighed. "I had lunch with her and my father."
"And at night?" she asked in a small voice.
"I slept." He preferred not to tell her that he drowned in a bottle of scotch after looking at the picture of the two of them for hours.
"Oh." She was sure that he had been suffering.
"Your mother is an incredibly spirited woman." He kissed her hair.
"Sometimes too spirited for my taste."
"She and Celia don't look very much alike."
"They aren't sisters really, but sisters in law. Celia is the widow of one of my uncles." She smirked. "I can't believe that she called you a stud."
William shook her playfully. "Why, do you think I'm not?"
"Well," she laughed, "I can't complain about your breeding aptitudes."
"My What?" He turned her abruptly on her back and rolled over her.
"Reading aptitudes." She giggled as he bit her neck.
"You didn't say that." He began to tickle her waist. "Say it again."
She closed her mouth firmly.
"Say it." He began to kiss and force her mouth to open.
Elizabeth began to laugh. "mphfreeding mphtitudes" she managed to say while he kissed her.
"I'll show you how this stud breeds."
Chapter 42
"Don't you want to sit down by the window?" Elizabeth asked William as they reached their first class seats.
"No. I prefer the aisle seat." He said, averting his eyes from the window.
She shrugged and took her seat. "I can get used to this. First class is far more comfortable than economy. Look, we have our own TV! "
He smiled at her enthusiasm. "British Airways first class is even better that this one. You'll see."
William fastened his seat belt and became tense as the time to depart came closer. Elizabeth was looking outside the window, observing how the plane took his position for the takeoff and turned to say something to him when she noticed that he had his eyes closed and his knuckles were white on the armrest. She struggled to remove his hand from it and entwined her fingers with his. His palm was sweating and he was holding her so tight that she feared he would break her hand when the plane gained speed to leave the ground.
"Are you all right?" she asked softly when they were flying.
"Fine now." He kissed her hand still entwined with his. "I'm sorry, I don't like to fly, but it's much easier when you are by my side."
"Bahamas?" Elizabeth asked.
"That's a good one. What about Maui?"
"Interesting, but it would be a long flight."
William admitted her point. "You are right. It has to be on the beach?"
Elizabeth nodded. "I want to go sea bathing. What about Greece?"
He thought a little. "I like the Polynesian beaches. They are fabulous."
"We'll look on the internet as soon as we arrive and search for a good place for our honeymoon." She kissed his cheek and rose from her seat.
"Where are you going?"
"We've already landed. Do you want to stay the night on this plane?"
"Will you stay around here?" William asked Elizabeth as she was scanning the cosmetics isle of Rio's free shop.
She nodded without looking at him and took a nail polish to see it closer.
William smiled. He never thought that she would give her undivided attention to such frivolous matters. "I'll go to the book store and buy something to read on the plane. Do you want one too?"
She shook her head and chose another polish, all her concentration focused on the cosmetics. William grabbed her chin and turned her face to him. With a wide grin, he forced a pout on her mouth and kissed it noisily.
"I love you. I'll be right back."
Elizabeth grinned. "I love you too. Don't take too long."
William left and Elizabeth turned her attention to the perfumes. What was William's favorite perfume? She bit her lip, she didn't know it. He always had that masculine scent that she would buy him gallons of it if she knew the name. She looked around and decided to try some samples and surprise him with a gift. Turning abruptly, she collided with the man behind her.
"Elizabeth!"
"Martin?" Elizabeth did not recognize her old boyfriend from school immediately.
"Look at you, you are looking gorgeous." He swept her up and down with his eyes.
"Thank you." And you are fat and bald and you are only 28 years old.
"It's been a long time. How are you?" He seemed very happy to see her.
"Fine." She knew she had to ask. "And you?"
"Well, it could be worse. What are you doing in Rio? On your way back to Encarnación?"
"No, on my way to London."
"London! I've never been there. Are you going on vacation?"
"No." Elizabeth was becoming impatient.
"Work?"
"No …" At that moment she felt a hand on her elbow and turned to find William by her side.
"Love, I bought you som…" He looked at the other man when he realized that he was talking to her.
"Will, this is Martin Ramos. Martin, William Darcy, my future husband. Martin and I were school mates."
William's nod was an effective combination of politeness and indifference.
Martin looked up at William's long, six feet and very fit frame. "I have to go or I'll lose my flight. It was very good to see you again, Liz."
As soon as he turned away, William encircled Elizabeth's neck with his arm and kissed her possessively. "Two minutes away from you and you already attract a man?" he said playfully. "I should have brought Attila, so he could act as your bodyguard when I'm not present."
Elizabeth encircled his waist and laughed in delight at his outburst. "You know my heart is only yours."
"I know." He smiled. "And I will never be able to thank God enough for that." His lips descended on hers and kissed her until the security guard coughed beside him. They pulled back and smiled as they walked to the exit.
Martin Ramos remained in the hall looking at the happy couple. William was giving something to her and she stood up on her toes and encircled his neck, grinning and kissing him repeatedly. He had forgotten how delightfully adorable Elizabeth could be. God, what was he thinking then?
Chapter 43
"Welcome home, sir." The old chauffeur greeted them with a smile.
"Thank you, Foster, it's very good to see you." William shook his hand. "This is Miss Elizabeth Bennet, my fiancée."
"Madam." He bowed formally. "It's a pleasure to meet you."
"Thank you." Elizabeth smiled brightly and not a little amusedly at the man's formality.
"Allow me, sir." He began to push the cart with their luggage and led the way to the limousine.
Elizabeth's eyes widened on seeing the huge black limousine that would take them home. "William, this is a …"
William just smiled and put his hand on her back as she entered the car. She would have to get used to this.
"Are you tired, my love?" William took her hand and kissed it softly.
"No. I'm fine. We had some very comfortable seats. The flight I took when I returned home after my last trip seemed more like a bus than an airplane."
"We'll order something to eat and go directly to bed, if you want."
"All right." She smiled.
"Foster." William frowned when the limo turned into Holland Park. "My flat is in the other direction."
"I know, sir. We are going to your father's house."
"Who gave you that order?"
"Mr. Darcy himself, sir."
"We just arrived from a long flight, Foster, we would like to have some rest." William knew it was fruitless to argue with him.
"I have very precise instructions, sir."
William sighed in defeat. "My love, I'm afraid we are being kidnapped."
The mansion of Holland Park was exactly what Elizabeth had expected. Big, solemn, classic, with marble floors and regency decor. A stern butler received them at the door but he couldn't mask the relieved expression at the sight of a healthy and recovered William. With his hand holding hers tightly, William led the way to where his father was waiting for them.
William opened the door of the enormous library and walked inside silently, not wanting to interrupt him during his phone call. Mr. Darcy turned on hearing the sound of someone coming in and look up at the couple from his seated position. His eyes lit up, but he managed to turn serious almost immediately, disguising efficiently his happiness on seeing his dear son there.
Mr. Darcy hurried to finish his call and walked silently in the couple's direction. Elizabeth was really impressed with the elder man. He was as tall as William, very handsome and fit for his age, with his curly and rather long dark hair stained with a silver patch on each side, giving him a very distinctive look. He stopped in front of William and the two studied each other with that intense and authoritative Darcy manner, the father trying to look imposing and severe and the son not willing to surrender his position. The staring contest lasted almost a minute until William's eyes turned more submissive and his lips curled up in a slow smile. It was then that Mr. Darcy grabbed William by the shoulder and shook him.
"You will never do something like that again, do you understand?"
"Yes, sir." William grinned.
"Never! I don't care about your reasons. I will not tolerate such irresponsible behavior ever again." His expression was hard and but his eyes were watering as he shook him again.
"Yes, sir."
Mr. Darcy took a sharp intake of breath and patted William's cheek a little too hard. "Have I made myself clear, Fitzwilliam?"
"Absolutely, Dad."
"Good." He patted his cheek again.
William put his hand around Elizabeth's shoulder and pulled her closer. "Dad, I want you to meet the love of my life."
"So you are Elizabeth." He smiled at her and took her hand. "At last I meet the girl that has bewitched my son. It's a pleasure to meet you, my dear."
"The pleasure is mine, Mr. Darcy." Elizabeth smiled, still a little shocked because of the previous scene.
"James to you. You are even more beautiful than in the pictures."
"Pictures?" She raised her eyebrow and looked at William.
"Yes, my dear. William showed some very nice pictures of you two." He commented as they walked to sofa.
Suddenly they heard a loud scream behind them and William was pulled back and turned around and Elizabeth could see he was trying to disengage himself from someone that was hanging from his neck.
William pulled back and said in a resigned tone. "Good God, it's purple."
"Just for you," Georgiana grinned.
He chuckled softly and looked at her hair. "You will never find a decent boyfriend if you look like this, Ana."
"Which one?" She looked from one arm to another.
"The left one." William stepped back because he was sure she would want to touch it.
"How many stitches?"
That wasn't a wise subject to talk about in front of his father or Elizabeth. "Georgiana, I want you to meet Elizabeth. We are marrying in a month."
"A month!" Georgiana rolled her eyes. "When did this all happen? You were behaving like a zombie the last time I ..." She shut up when her father shot her a dark glance. "Hi, Elizabeth." She smiled brightly and kissed her cheek. "William told me about you. You really knocked him out."
Elizabeth smiled at the dressed-like-Madonna girl. "Well, I'm at a disadvantage, he didn't tell me he had a sister until two days ago."
"You didn't? Fitzwilliam! You should be ashamed!" She pushed him away.
"I told you I wouldn't mention your name to anyone for as long as you insist on coloring your hair like that." William pulled her hair gently.
"But it wasn't even purple when you left!" Georgiana cried.
"No it was orange, so I don't see the difference."
"Enough you two." Mr. Darcy stopped the discussion before it continued. "Ana, why don't you ask Winston to serve dinner in half and hour?"
"All right, dad." Georgiana scampered away.
"I know you two must be tired from the long flight so we'll have only a light and informal dinner." Mr. Dracy smiled as they sat down. "But you must understand that I needed to corroborate with my own eyes that William was fine, Elizabeth."
William took Elizabeth's hand and kissed it. "I'm very well now, Dad. Elizabeth is taking very good care of me."
"I'm sure she does, now tell me about your wedding plans. I can't deny that I was somehow surprised when I knew you were getting married, but now that I see you together I can't think of a more perfectly suited couple."
"Thank you." Elizabeth grinned. "William is very anxious to get married as soon as possible so we are planning a very simple ceremony at the farm in about a month."
"So it seems I won't escape the flight." Mr. Darcy smiled. "Anyway, I would like to organize a small gathering here in your honor before you leave so Elizabeth can meet the rest of the family."
"All right," William commented and turned to Elizabeth. "Now it will be your turn to face the inquisition."
"They can't be that bad!" Elizabeth laughed.
"No, they aren't. My family is rather small, but all the difficulty is concentrated in Aunt Catherine."
"Don't worry, my dear. They will love you."
"Elizabeth!" Georgiana appeared again and sat by her father's side. "Do you want to go shopping on Tuesday? We can look for a wedding dress. I know some very fine designers that can make you something quickly."
Elizabeth looked at William and then at the eccentric girl. "I … I will be delighted."
William laughed. "Don't be afraid, Georgiana might look like a lunatic but she won't make you look like one. She studying to be a fashion designer and knows all that sub-world pretty well."
"It's settled." Georgiana clapped enthusiastically. "Now, tell me, what would you like for a wedding present?
"Normal hair," William hurried to answer.
Chapter 44
Their first weekend in London was spent indoors as the weather was rainy and damp. With the exception of Sunday lunch at Holland Park with William's father and Georgiana, they stayed at the apartment making room for Elizabeth's stuff. This was also the perfect opportunity for William to acquaint Elizabeth with every room and every corner of his large flat, and so he did, showing her passionately all the practical uses of each one during the whole weekend.
"Liz, there is some cash in the study's drawer for you to use while we are here." William appeared after a refreshing shower that Sunday night, dressed in sweatpants and his new favorite T-shirt, because the Mickey Mouse T-shirt was declared one of Elizabeth's possessions. He sat beside her on the couch and put his bare feet over the low table in front of h im. "I'll order your credit cards tomorrow. I don't think they will be ready for a couple of days, but until then I suppose that you can manage with that. If by any chance you need more, just tell me, all right?"
Elizabeth felt somehow strange about using his money, but she accepted all this the moment she agreed to be his wife. "All right, though I don't think I'll need too much money."
"London is an expensive city, extremely expensive if you compare it with Encarnación, and I don't want you in need of anything." He handed her a small adhesive bandage for his arm and rolled the sleeve up.
"You don't need it any more. This is already healed." She inspected the scar.
"Yes, but the stitches tickle with the sleeve. I'll ask DID's nurse to remove them. The doctor told me to do so after Thursday, but we were already flying here."
"Give me some scissors and I'll remove them." Elizabeth looked closer.
"You are joking." He pulled back.
"I've done it before." With Attila.
"No way." He would not allow Jack the Ripper to be near him with a pair of scissors.
"Coward." She covered the stitches with the bandage and positioned herself under his arm. "Are you going to the office tomorrow?
"Yes." He kissed her nose and turned on the TV. "Will you come to have lunch with me?"
Elizabeth smiled brightly. "I will."
The first day at the office was rather complicated so William had to call Elizabeth and cancel their lunch together. All in all he managed to resolve the most important matters quickly and returned home before seven, anxious to see his loveliest Elizabeth.
With all the day ahead with nothing important to do, Elizabeth decided to go out and buy a few things for the apartment and continue her abruptly ended discovery of the city. Though she had her own money -not much though- she was curious to see how much William had left for her to use. Mate in hand, she went to the study and opened the drawer. She gasped and closed it immediately. Still in shock, she looked inside again. Enough for her to use in six months. She took a few bills and went to the street.
William opened the door that evening while loosening his tie and was received by the agreeable scene of a feminine touch on what had been a man's domain. Flowers on the dining table, a huge aromatic candle lightened on the low table, Color Esperanza (*) playing on the stereo and Elizabeth's slightly off key voice coming from the kitchen. He walked in that direction and leaned on the doorframe, smiling at the sight of her putting something into the oven, swaying with the music. On hearing him coming, she turned her attention from the food for a second and bestowed the brightest of smiles.
"Hello, my love."
She was looking lovely in that little sleeveless denim dress she used the day she prepared the gnocchi. With a slow smile, he walked to her and stood behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist.
"I missed you." He kissed her neck and behind her ear.
"Mmmmmm." She sighed as he rocked her gently with the rhythm of the music.
"What did you cook?" His hands began to travel up and down her front.
"Lasagna." She leaned her bottom against him.
"How long will it take?" his voice was hoarse as he rubbed himself against it.
"About 20 minutes." She gasped as her nipples hardened under his touch.
"Good." William pressed his erection behind her.
Not much time, but enough. Much to her amusement, he lowered the temperature of the oven with one hand while the other secured her hips against his. Resolving the time matter for now, and without ceremony, he opened the front of the small dress down to her waist and slid his hands inside, taking possession of breasts over the laced bra. Elizabeth was melting. His mouth burned her neck and his hands touched with possessive demand. This was so arousing. Just to think that he was on his way to take right there was beyond any fantasy she had ever had. She finished unbuttoning the dress and removed it from in between their bodies, revealing black and very sexy lace underwear that contrasted with her light golden skin. Desperate to feel his lips on hers but not wanting to remove herself from his very erotic caresses, she arched her back and raised her arms to touch his head while her buttocks pressed firmly against his still imprisoned manhood.
He was so aroused. His hands left her breasts and toured her stomach and thighs, moving then to the back of her legs, up to her bottom and then bending her over to undo her bra. Then he ran them up and down her spine and followed the soft curves of her sides and breasts. It was too tempting to go on like this, there was no reason to prolong his agony, so he removed his clothes hastily, parting from her rear only to remove his trousers.
The warmth that irradiated from his body was driving her crazy. He was not touching her, just tempting her with his mouth on her back, shoulders and neck while the tip of his stiffness feathered her skin every now and then, teasing, but always leaving her wanting more.
She wanted him. Now. Still with her back to him, she hooked her thumbs into her underwear and lowered it seductively, ignoring the powerful effect that that action was producing on him. Maintaining the distance between their bodies, she looked at him over her shoulder in silent invitation to come closer. And he met her, fully. His arms enveloped her completely, turning her face to one side to meet his as her back lay on his chest. Mouth devouring hers, he cupped one breast as his other hand descended to her stomach and then lower to her crying wetness. He slid his finger to placate her need while his body waited for his turn behind.
She was so aroused that she climaxed quickly, shuddering as he rubbed her to the last spasm. Elizabeth bit her lip. He had not even entered her yet, and he had managed to weaken her legs with just one finger.
But now it was his turn. He held her hips firmly and bit his lip as he disappeared inside of her in one slow push. The sensation of him entering from behind was unique. Until now, all their encounters had been face to face, knowing or seeing what he was about to do, but now he was touching and reaching places he had never did, creating sensations she had never felt.
He was moving powerfully. Slow, deep and steady thrusts that forced her to support herself on the counter. She had never felt him so hard and so big. After her second peak she was already wanting another one, as he so masterfully kept her aroused. He never ceased to amaze her. This time he remained deeply inside, his whole body leaning on her back, breath on her neck, hand on lower lips and hips pressing against her buttocks. Arms securing her, he moved up and down without withdrawing, almost lifting her with his hard shaft while torturing her with precise fingers.
Elizabeth's knuckles were white when he leaned his forehead on her neck and stopped to regain control. It wasn't over yet, he was just preparing himself for the final assault and thought she wanted more, she wasn't sure her legs were able to support her and him.
After a soft kiss on her shoulder, William pulled back and turned her around to face him. She was delightfully flushed, her lower lip was red from chewing it and her eyes burning in pure desire and expectation. With anxious and commanding hands, he sat her on the counter, decided to finish this face to face, heart to heart.
Now his time had come. His mouth searched hers and kissed her hungrily as the final round began. Hands firmly securing buttocks, he moved her to the edge of the counter and was immediately embraced by avid limbs. Yes, this was his time, their time. He reached deeper, faster and harder and encouraged by her cries and spasms, he released himself in the last potent thrusts.
His climax was an eternity, it went on and on and emptied him in a way he never did, forcing his movements to continue until he was completely spent. Breathless, he leaned his head on her shoulder and released her hips to support his weight on the counter with extended arms, shuddering as his body relaxed close to hers. He felt her lips on his ear and then on his cheek, brushing his face all the way to his mouth.
A long and sweet kiss brought him back to reality. William leaned his forehead against hers and they smiled as they nuzzled their faced and exchanged soft kisses.
"I love you, William ." She dried his cheek.
"I love you, Elizabeth." He held her against his heart.
"I never thought I could eat this much." William put his hand on his stomach and leaned back on the couch, extending his legs over the low table and pulling Elizabeth to him. He was dressed in sweatpants and a T-shirt and Elizabeth was looking ridiculous inside his huge robe.
"The lasagna was a little dry but good anyway." She patted his leg. "Do you always come home this excited from work?"
"No, just when you are at home." He chuckled. "Anyway, It would be pathetic if it happened when I am alone."
Elizabeth laughed. "I can well believe it."
"I've been thinking of you the entire day." He kissed her hair. "I'm sorry I couldn't have lunch with you."
"It doesn't matter. Can I use your computer tomorrow? I want to search for seminars to attend."
"Of course you can. You don't have to ask."
"Do you have a password?"
"Yes."
Elizabeth waited for him to say it but he didn't. "Will you not tell me?"
"Guess." He tried not to grin.
"Elizabeth." She smiled but he shook his head. "Football."
"No."
"Savage."
"No."
"Gnocchi," she tried one after another while he shook his head and grinned. "Asado, salsa, pizza, Bekham, yarará, sex, belt, elevator, grapes, mate, more sex."
He laughed.
"Will you tell me?" She pushed his shoulder.
"Seeds."
She kissed him and leaned her head on his chest. "You will never forget about that, will you?"
"Never. I think that was the moment in which I fell hard for you." He turned serious and stroked her arm. "Too bad I wasn't ready to accept it at the time."
"Don't think about the past unless it gives you pleasure." She stroked his hand on her stomach. "How was your life before you went to Encarnacion?"
William chuckled. "Lonely and dull."
"Come on," Elizabeth said playfully. "I can't believe a stud like you didn't have dozens of women lining up the front door ready to jump over you."
"Well, if they were, I kept the door securely locked," he said in a light tone, but his meaning was very deep.
Elizabeth snuggled against him. "Sometimes I don't understand what a man like you saw in a girl like me."
"A beautifully situated navel." He laughed at her expression. "A wonderful, fresh, authentic, adorable Elizabeth." He held her tight and kissed her hair.
"Anyway, you must have been quite ladies' man."
"I don't know where did you get that idea from."
"You are very experienced. At least far more that me."
"And you are a very enthusiastic, talented, open, naturally gifted, wonderful and extremely tempting lover."
She was satisfied by his confession. "Sometimes I feel I'm at a disadvantage."
William shifted his position a little to make her even more comfortable into his embrace. "You are not. You can count the women in my life with the fingers of one hand."
"Really?" she was amazed.
"Elizabeth," William said seriously, "I was a faithful husband and fiancée, and before that, I was a loyal boyfriend to the few of girlfriends I had."
"And after you marriage?" she asked in a small voice.
William didn't understand why she insisted in knowing this, but she confessed her background to him and after all, he didn't have anything to hide. "I was feeling too vulnerable to see someone. Charles tried to fix me a couple of dates but I escaped very efficiently. You were the first woman I was attracted to after that, and I can positively say that it was a very intense attraction."
"That explains it." She smiled
"Explains what?" He tilted his head.
"Your eagerness that Saturday." She chuckled.
William blushed and laughed at the memory. He was really out of control that day. "I can't believe I behaved in that way, but you awakened passions I never felt before and made me do things I never did. My arrival today was another example."
Elizabeth turned on the couch to face him. He faced her too so she sat between his legs and her limbs embraced his waist. "You never did something like that?" She grinned, honored by the deference.
"I never used a kitchen in such a way." He pulled her close to him.
"Never?"
"Never." He pulled back with an enigmatic smile. "I have something for you."
"What?"
"Wait a minute." He rose from the couch and went to the pile of clothes that were discarded after their previous encounter. He returned then with his hands on his back and sat beside her.
Elizabeth tried to look behind his back to see what he was hiding. "Show me." She was jumping on her seat.
"Close your eyes."
She closed her eyes and swallowed as he took her hand gently. Her heart began to pound loudly as he lifted one finger and she caught her breath when she felt the cold of the metal sliding up.
Unable to resist any longer she opened her eyes and saw the biggest diamond she had ever seen.
"William," she whispered, "it's beautiful."
"I was afraid it wouldn't fit but it did."
Her eyes were filling with tears. "I don't know what to say, I'm ..." She wrapped his neck in a tight embrace. "Oh, Will, I love you so much!"
He leaned over her and pushed her onto her back so she was lying on the couch with her legs around his waist.
"Elizabeth, I have never done what I did with you, I never felt what I feel for you and I never loved as I love you. You brought me back to life, Elizabeth. You are my life." A tear rolled from the corner of her eye and William dried it with his thumb.
"You are my life, Fitzwilliam Darcy, you are my one and only love."
Chapter 45
Elizabeth fell in love with London by the side of the man she loved. The old buildings, the solemnity, the culture, the parks, the rhythm, the cozy stores and antiques shops, the pubs, the narrow streets and the two level busses. Everything was so right, so new, so modern and so old that that she felt that a new whole world was opening just for her. And William was there, always, supportive, protective, smart and wonderful. They would jog in the park every morning, dine out or go for a walk in the evenings and make love every night. He was at home at much as he could be and, and even when he had been at the office all day long and returned home tired, he had his best smile for her.
His family had welcomed her in a way she did not expect. Mr. Darcy fell in love with her at first sight and accepted her as if she were his own daughter. Like his son, he was a very charming and had this important air about him, but had the same sensible and generous heart and the relationship they were building was very special. Georgiana proved to be a great friend for her in these first days in the big city and helped her in the discovery of the London's most unusual places. Though at first it was a little odd to go out with somebody with purple hair, Elizabeth grew fond of the young girl and wondered how two persons so radically different could come out of the same womb.
"Hello. I'm looking for William Darcy." Elizabeth announced to the girl at the entrance of the 32nd floor.
"Your name, please?"
"Elizabeth Bennet."
The girl eyed the boss' fiancée from head to toe and called someone on the phone. Two minutes later a very nice blond appeared.
"Elizabeth, pleased to meet you in person. I'm Andrea, William is in the 35th floor with his father. I'll inform him of your arrival."
"Oh no, it's all right, don't interrupt him." She smiled at the secretary to whom she had talked on the phone several times.
"He told me to do so," she said knowingly. "I'll check with Meg."
"Will, I asked you to come because I have a couple of things I need to discuss with you."
William shifted on his seat. "I'm all ears."
"First of all, I must tell you that I'm very proud of the way you are conducting the New Project Division."
"Thank you, Dad." He smiled.
"But I have to inform you that we must find a replacement for you." Mr. Darcy seat back and waited for William's reaction.
"I see." William replied calmly.
"You will not ask why?"
"Do I have to ask?"
"Don't you want to know?"
"If you are congratulating me it's because you are not sacking me for inefficiency."
"But I could fire you for irresponsibility. That little escapade that almost cost you your life made me reconsider many things about you and your position inside this company."
William's stomach made a turn but he remained immutable. He knew his father was upset because of the 'accident' but had not thought at this level. "I will respect and accept any decision you make about my future in DID."
Mr. Darcy knew he was achieving his goal: having his son on the edge. "I know that." He played with his tie and rocked the chair. The silence was making William crazy. "That's why I decided to place you where I can watch you closer. Don't you have an idea of where?"
"Chemicals is doing fine under Harold's lead, I doubt that you want to remove Susan from the bank and you know that I'm not the appropriate choice for Pemberley Press. The only thing I know about publishing is about the paper in which they print and I fear that with my knowledge I would only produce a paper jam. As for the other 65 divisions, I must check on them and see in which one I could fit."
"It's not a division."
"Aha." That could mean two things: DID holding or the street.
"Steve Rosenberg is retiring in a couple of months."
THE Board? William swallowed. "I didn't know that."
"Nobody does, apart from the board." Mr. Darcy smiled as his son shifted his position again.
"Aha."
"I suggested a replacement to the board and he has been accepted. It will be made public as soon as he is notified and agrees to take the position. This person will be also in charge of the Investments Group, as Steve has done so efficiently until now. You know that Investments controls seven divisions, including New Projects."
"I do."
"Have you thought of a replacement?" Mr. Darcy's lips curled up.
"For Steve or for myself? Oh, silly me, Steve is already replaced, so I must find someone to take my place at NPD." William was repressing a grin.
His father laughed. "God, I can't understand how is that you remain so calm. Is this the same man that ran impulsively after a criminal for his bride two weeks ago?"
William laughed too. "I learned to keep my coolness after that, and I assure you that Elizabeth is the only one that can make me lose my mind in that way."
"She is a wonderful woman, William, you really did things well this time."
"Thank you." William was about to explode on his seat. "Well?"
Mr. Darcy grinned broadly. "Congratulations, son. You deserve it. You will join us on the Board in September, after your honeymoon."
William leaned back on his chair and exhaled, still trying to lower his adrenaline to acceptable levels. He saw his father rise from his seat and stood to accept his embrace. The slaps on backs and emotional sniffs were interrupted by the phone.
"Yes?" Mr. Darcy dried his eyes.
"Miss Bennet is here." Meg had precise instructions. No interruptions except for Georgiana and Elizabeth Bennet.
"Thank you, tell her to wait for us just a moment." He hung up the phone and turned to his son. "Your lovely fiancée is here."
William sniffed and smiled. His life couldn't get any better. "Thank you, Father."
Mr. Darcy patted his cheek, again a little too hard. "You are welcome, William. I'm very proud of you." He took in a deep breath. "Come, don't make her wait."
William opened the door and asked Elizabeth to come in. She kissed him softly as she walked in, noticing something strange in his attitude, but she couldn't decipher what it could be.
"Hello, darling, you are looking radiant today." Mr. Darcy kissed her cheek.
"Hi." Elizabeth looked puzzled from one man to another. Did I miss something?
"Liz, has William told you about the dinner at home on Friday?"
"Yes, he did." She smiled as William encircled her waist. "So I'll meet the family at last."
"Well, you have a week ahead to get used to the idea." Mr. Darcy laughed.
William kissed her hair. "We must go now, Dad. I promised to take her out for lunch."
"Before you go, should I make that matter public?"
"I ... think I must converse this with Elizabeth before making a decision. It might affect her life too," William said seriously.
Wise man. "Of course, son, take your time."
"What?" Elizabeth was puzzled.
William took her hand and led the way to the conference room. "Come, I must tell you something."
Five minutes later James heard Elizabeth's enthusiastic screams from the next room. "Meg," he called his secretary on the phone, "please call Danielle, we have something very important to announce."