Fresh Cut Romance (12 page)

Without thinking, I blurted out, "You-u…had an affair?"

She laughed, "Am I so old and decrepit that you cannot visualize me with a man?" The she grew maudlin. "Forty years ago I was a young, attractive woman who fell in love. I went so far as to renounce my temporary vows and shared an apartment with him. This was during the
Viet Nam war and my man was a soldier. We met and fell in love between tours. Two weeks after we moved in together, he was sent on another tour—a tour from which he returned in a coffin.

"I became a bumbling mess. Thank God for the sisterhood. Going back and saying my permanent vows, making the sisterhood my life saved my sanity.

"I don't begrudge any woman for seeking happiness with a man. I still think of the glorious five weeks I spent with him. Those were the happiest days of my life." A tear rolled down her cheek, matched by another on the other cheek. She brushed her tears and straightened up. "And these are the most meaningful times of my life."

What a tragedy. I can't even conceive of losing Julian like that.

"Now, enough about me and back to you. We understand love is a very strong emotion. If you renounce your temporary vows, there will be no hard feelings and should you wish to return, you would be welcomed with open arms." Sue winked. "And I would be at the head of the line."

"Should you and your man go forward and get married we ask only two things. That you marry in our chapel and any children resulting from your union be raised with Catholic values."

Big Problem!
My hands became sweaty. "Ah, there could be a slight problem."

Sue cocked her head and the bottom of her wimple covered her chin. "Oh!"

My nose scrunched from my reluctance to explain, "Julian is…" I sighed. "An atheist."

Mother Superior
's face contorted, evolving through a series of emotions and finally settling on condescension. "More than likely he's never been exposed to the teachings of our Lord. We must talk. Can you bring him by?"

I knew better. Suddenly, my arms began to itch, something that occasionally happened when I get agitated. As I rubbed my forearms, I explained. "No, he's very smart and thoughtful. Julian was raised as a Christian, I'm not sure which denomination. However, after a thorough examination of the facts in favor and against God, he decided God is a hoax, perpetrated upon the unsuspecting for the elevation of the few."

"But surely you don't agree with him?"

"He has some very persuasive arguments, but no, in my heart I can feel him, I can feel God. Julian is a fair and honorable man and he's graciously consented to let me sustain my belief."

"Still, atheist or not I would like to meet with your young man."

* * * *

"No! I see no reason to meet with your Mother Superior. I know there's no God. As sure as I know you are sweet and beautiful and I love you, I know there's no God. And if you'd open your mind instead of your heart, you'd know it, too."

I'd never seen Julian so
…so pig headed! "I know no such thing. I don't want to get into it with you. My Mother Superior merely wishes to meet you. That's it."

His head shook in obvious disbelief. "Yeah right. She's not going to proselytize or discuss religion in any manner?"

Without thinking I took a defiant pose—hands on hips, feet spread. "I didn't say that. Of course, she'll discuss religion, but with the certitude of your beliefs why should you worry? You have to realize a deeply religious person has trouble believing anyone can believe any other way."

"And you have to understand a person with an open, logical mind has trouble believing anyone could buy the obvious hocus pocus, being touted in churches and even by the evangelists on TV, which by the way are the biggest frauds of all."

I wagged a finger in his beautiful face and he mockingly snapped at it with his teeth. "Fine if you're too stubborn to go to her. I'll bring her here."

Julian sat on his living room couch and crossed his arms. "Fine, I'll be waiting." He crossed his arms and gave a 'so there' nod with his head.

I grabbed my purse and headed toward the front door. Julian rose and intercepted me, grabbing and holding my hand tightly. "I have one thing to say to you before you leave."

I looked up into his jocular, blue eyes. "What."

"I love you!" His other arm wove around my backside and he pulled me in close. Embracing me, his lips lowered to mine. I closed my eyes and felt the moistness of his slippery tongue on the crease of my lips. They parted and his tongue languorously washed across my teeth and into the slick trough between my lips and gums. Warmth and moisture collected between my legs, my breathing becoming a mixture of gasps and pants. I loved how his tongue felt in my mouth. Then my mind wandered to last night and how good it had felt in another more personal area, not to mention how good his other lower placed organ felt in the same place.

I jerked away and a surprised look formed on his face. Though not as surprised as when I took his hand and led him into his bedroom. "
Mother Superior can wait until tomorrow. First, I want you to teach me—I want to explore all the nuances of sex.

C
hapter Ten – Engagement

Love is a many splendid thing. Love lifts us up where we belong. All you need is love!
~ From the movie Moulin Rouge ~

I
twisted and stretched as slivers of morning light penetrated the window coverings giving the dark room a warm rosy glow. I put a hand to my mouth and my yawn gave way to a blissfully happy,
top of the world
smile. My world was wonderful, made even more wonderful with the addition of Julian. I glanced his way. He was awake and watching me.

"You are the most exquisite creature in the universe."

I looked at the ceiling and laughed. Then I rolled on my side and touched his nose with a forefinger. "And you sir, are an unabashed flatterer, whose nose by now should be at least two feet long. However, I am hopelessly in love with you."

Julian rolled over toward me and leaning on his elbows bent over and kissed me. "You make me so happy, I could scream. So I think I will.
Julian Peters loves Laurel Adams!"

I covered my ears from his loud exclamation and laughed. "Now that I made my mind up to be a wretched sinner, I've never been happier."

"There's nothing wretched or sinful in what we do. Even if I believed in God, I find it hard to believe he would find fault with two people deeply in love, sharing intimacies and finding fulfillment with each other."

"You may be right. A week ago, I would have cringed at the thought of what we've done, yet now I feel as if I've done nothing wrong. No regret, no remorse." I suddenly choked up at the thought of the life changing transition I was making.

A tear rolled down my cheek and Julian wiped it away with a finger. "What's the matter baby?"

"Loving you so much scares me. I would die if I lost you. Promise me you'll never leave me."

Now Julian's eyes grew watery. "I love you more than life itself. I would never leave you."

"Swear to G
—" I paused at the absurdity of an atheist swearing to God.

Instinctively Julian knew why I paused. "I so swear on the Atheist Creed."

I jumped into him and squeezed so hard I heard his breath push out. "Ooh. Careful."

"I'm sorry. Is it okay if I get
Mother Superior and bring her over now, Mr. Atheist?"

"Of course."

"How about Father Brennen?"

"Sure, bring forth all your heavy ammunition. You have inspired me. I feel like debating, but not until I fix you breakfast."

Julian insisted I stay in bed. His home was so small; I heard his busyness in the kitchen, while he fixed me, what he called 'a gourmet' breakfast.' Recalling the previous evening and all the sensuous things we did, I knew I wouldn't be satisfied unless we made love one more time before I went to the dormitory.

Even though I never experienced sex before three days ago, I seemed to have become addicted to it.

Initially, wearing only an apron, Julian brought coffee and that day's LA Times. "What I have planned will take a few minutes, so I hope this will help you pass the time."

I giggled quietly when he turned to leave the room and his cute buns were revealed to me. 

After roughly thirty minutes, my love returned carefully carrying two trays. He set one down on the nightstand. "Sit up please."

I did and it exposed the upper half of my body, including my breasts. Initially embarrassed, I thought about pulling up the sheet, but decided against it.

"Thanks." He folded the tray legs down and set the tray across my thighs. Then he got in bed and did the same with the other tray.

The first thing I noticed was the bud vase with three beautiful roses—one red, one white and one pink. I leaned over and smelled them. "Teresa thinks roses equal romance."

"I remember."

"Dad said seduction."

Julian smiled. "I know, and I said love."

"I think they're all three."

"Me too, that's why I brought you three."

I raised an eyebrow. "Which is which?"

He laughed. That should be obvious. White is for romance, red is--"

"For seduction." I giggled. And pink is for love!"

He laughed. "Smart girl."

"Thank you. This all looks wonderful."

He smiled. "You're welcome, dig in before
breakfast gets cold."

The meal consisted of two pieces of cinnamon swirl French toast, blueberry compote, three sausages and a bowl of mixed fresh fruit. "That was scrumptious," I said as I finished. You are really a great cook."

He bowed his head. "Thank you milady. Here is the last course of breakfast."

To my shock, he set a ring box on the tray. "What's this?"

"I'm a not going to tell you. You're going to have to figure it out for yourself."

I knew I wore a silly grin as I picked up the box. I looked at him as if to reassure myself.

"Go ahead. Open it."

I flipped the box open and the dazzle of an enormous diamond engagement set took my breath away. "Oh, Julian. It's breathtaking, but you shouldn't have spent all this money on me."

He grabbed the box and took the engagement ring out. Then he reached for my left hand a slipped it on my ring finger. It truly was beautiful…and big.

"It's only four carets and I can't think of anything I rather spend my money on than you. I think by now you've probably figured out I want to marry you." He bent down and kissed my hand. "Laurel Adams, will you marry me?"

"Oh yes!" Once again, I jumped into him and squeezed the breath out of him. "Julian."

"Yes?"

"Can we make love all day? Today, I feel naughty and I don't want to bring religion into it."

"I would love to make love all day and for starters I think I'd like a taste of you for dessert. Let me show you another way we can do that." He doubled a pillow and lay back on top of it. "Come up here baby, and lay your wondrous,
classy cunt
across my lips."

Once again, I blanched at his use of cunt, but it turned me on, too! I turned and rose to my knees aboard his four-post bed. I spread my knees wide and straddled his muscular chest. He placed his hands upon my hips and I rested mine on the headboard, as he guided my pussy lower and lower to his intended target. He inhaled, deeply, seeming to savor the organic bouquet of my genitals. Initially, his tongue darted between the vaginal folds, and lashing deep inside my warm, moist pussy and back out.

He pulled away enough to study my pussy. I gasped when his arms circled my hips where his hands parted the petals of my sex to study my opening. As he moved forward and took my clit in his mouth, my body began to tremble. Glorious, tingly feelings inundated me as he sucked my tender bud in and tickled the end of it with his tongue. Meanwhile his fingers spread, probed, massaged, and fingered my recess, all the time examining me, as if my sex was on exhibition.

If it'd been night, I'd have preferred dim or no light, but it was morning on a bright sunny day and I felt exposed. It felt wonderful, but it also made me nervous. Perversely, I also felt a thrill from his examination, sharing my most personal possession with the man I loved more than anything on Earth. That's why I ceded my vagina
—
my cunt
—to the man I loved to do with, as he pleased.

I fidgeted and squirmed as his hands snaked around my thighs to my breasts as his tongue resumed its rightful place upon my clit and cunt, by licking slowly up my slit. "So fucking sweet," he murmured into my sweltering moist channel.

He pulled away. "Your juices are sweet and so is your tasty twat." Fervently, he lapped the bountiful juices, turning my heart into a beating drum.

When he moved with equal passion to my clit, sucking, nibbling and lapping, my moans became yelps of delight. "Dear God
… Don't stop… Ooh yeah… That feels so good…"