The Lion (22 page)

Rion studied her. “So you don't mind having a Khemetic ceremony?”

Tauri smiled. “I'll have to explain it to Granny and Granddaddy, but I think it's incredible.”

  He took her into his arms. “Well I think that you are incredible Tauri Patterson, incredibly strong, incredibly brilliant and incredibly beautiful.”

  “I can't believe this is going to be my wedding,” she said softly looking at him. “I can't believe I'm marrying you. It's like a dream.”

  “A dream with death threats, trials, attempted murders, and crazy ass exes,” Orion joked.

She smiled. “With young gods and fierce goddesses, crazy family and true love.”

  “I think I like this dream,” he told her kissing her gently.

  “I don't think I ever want to wake up.” She kissed him back before Julian knocked on the door.

He whisked into the room. “Okay lovebirds, time to sample food.”

Tauri looked at Rion. “I guess we won't be having spaghetti and fried chicken?”

Rion laughed. “Nope, not having free range chicken and organic rice either.”

  “We're having whatever my goddess chooses today and everybody is going to eat it and shut the hell up,” Rion told her. “Plus it will be close to midnight when everyone is served so they won't really care.”

  “My grandparents are not going to understand a wedding that starts at night,” Tauri said shaking her head.

  “We are Orion and T-Tauri, the stars of the universe. Where else would we be getting married except under the night sky?” He smiled at her. “Plus, it's the full moon.”

  “Where dreams and manifestations are received...” Tauri told him repeating what he had told her the first night on the rooftop.

He nodded as she stared into his eyes. “I guess it's really true,” she whispered.

  *********

  Nine days later Tauri watched her life change in a magnificent whirlwind. She'd managed to keep focused on the case while selecting a dress, begging her grandparents to behave at the wedding and planning to move her things into Rion's apartment.

  She looked out as both families and all guests were standing outside waiting for her. Rion had explained that it wasn't just her family giving her to him, they were giving her to all of Rion's family and friends. Rion was not just receiving Tauri, he was receiving Tauri along with all of those who loved her. Together they all pledged to love, protect and support the new couple.

  As she slowly approached, she saw a small table with four glasses filled with different liquids. Rion came to meet her dressed in a designer black tuxedo with a bowtie and cummerbund reflecting the colors of the motherland. His dark hair was cut to perfection along with his mustache and goatee. His dark eyes held hers as he led her to the table and their family watched.

  Rion looked at his future and felt his heart jump. This woman was all he had searched and waited for. When he looked into her eyes he saw their home, their children and the rest of their lives together. She looked amazing in the white dress that hugged the womanly curves passed down to her through generations. She smiled shyly at him and his heart melted.

  Their vows to each other were based on the glasses that now sat between them as they stood on each side of the table. Rion's father, who was presiding over the ceremony, lifted the first glass.

  “This represents sweetness, the quality you must always show to one another.” He handed the glass to Rion.

  “This sweetness represents the woman standing before me. Sweetness is what she possesses and what she always deserves. I will display sweetness to her throughout my days.” He took a sip of the sweet beverage before handing the glass to Tauri who accepted with a shaky hand.

  “This sweetness represents the man standing before me. Sweetness is what he has always shown to me. Sweetness and kindness is what he is and I will always return that to him.” Tauri took a sip and smiled at Rion before looking at his father.

  George reached for the next glass. “This represents bitter. There will be times when you have to swallow things that do not go down easy. They will require determination and strength.” He handed the glass to Rion.

  “I wish that I could shield you from all bitter things in our lives, but since I can't, I promise you that no matter what harsh things we face, I will always be by your side.” He drank from the glasses and gave a little frown from the taste.

  Tauri watched him closely as he handed her the glass. “Your strength makes me stronger. Just knowing that you are there makes every bitter thing worthwhile.” She took a sip then groaned while frowning and everyone laughed at her expression.

  George smiled down at her before he continued picking up the third glass. “This represents sour. Sometimes you will not see eye to eye. Do not let disagreements sour your relationship.” He handed the glass to Tauri this time.

  She took it with a smile then turned her attention to Rion. “I know that I can be as sour as a lemon...”

  “Yes, Lawd!” her granny added and everyone looked in her direction.

  Tauri shot her grandmother a look before continuing. “I'll save my sourness for the courtroom and not for my husband.” She took a sip then scrunched her nose and pursed her lips.

  Rion took the glass from her hand and turned to her grandmother. “Lemons are my favorite.” He winked at her before looking at his bride. “If you give me lemons beautiful, I will make you lemonade. There will be no sourness that we can't make sweet.” He took a sip while staring into her eyes.

  George lifted the final glass. “This represents hot.” He looked between the couple. “I don't think I need to explain this.” He handed the glass to Tauri who eagerly took it.

  She gave Rion a sultry look. “This represents the incredibly handsome and hot man who I love more than anything in this world. May we always have heat.” She took a sip without taking her eyes off him. She licked her lips after she swallowed the hot contents and handed him the glass.

  Rion watched her as he took the glass and emptied it, swallowing all the contents. He lifted a brow at her as he sat the glass back on the table and she smiled.

  George looked between the two. “Well that's not what was supposed to happen but it's their ceremony.”

  Everyone stood looking at the couple as they watched each other like they were the only two people in the room.

Lance turned to Corvus. “Guess they starting on them five babies tonight.”

  “Damn! They look like they might start right now.”

  Pam looked at Corvus after overhearing their conversation and he smiled at her before George declared Rion and Tauri a couple joined together in love. Rion stepped around the table to his bride, taking her hand and staring into her eyes.

  “I asked for beautiful and I received exquisite; I asked for smart and I received brilliant; I asked for strong and I received fierce...I asked for love and I received you.”

  Her hazel eyes shimmered up at him as he lowered his head to her ear. “I love you Tauri Patterson.”

  “Shaw,” she whispered before his lips connected with hers.

  Later Tauri stood staring up at the sky outside the venue. She'd stepped away from the festivities of food and dancing to catch her breath for a moment. The full moon lit the dark water and she recalled another night she'd stood watching the bright orb against the black backdrop. Orion had told her it was when dreams came true and she truly felt that hers had indeed.

Strong arms enfolded her from behind and she smiled. “Did you enjoy your ceremony?”

Tauri leaned back into his strength. “It was so beautiful.”

  “Your grandparents even seemed to have a good time,” Rion commented.

She smiled. “I think Lisa had the best time of all.”

  “She was all over every single dude here.”

  “She doesn't discriminate, that's for sure,” Tauri confirmed.

Rion laughed and hugged her closer kissing her neck. “You're so beautiful baby.”

  She threw her head back against him and he continued until he turned her in his arms and claimed her mouth kissing her senseless.

He lifted his head and looked down at her. “I've loved this mouth since the first time I saw it.”

  Tauri smiled up at him and touched his face. “Thank you Orion...for coming into my life and not letting me run away.”

  “I know it was fast, but it was right... so it doesn't matter,” Rion told her. “I'll never let you run from this love.” He lifted her off her feet and she gasped in surprise. “In fact, you're about to get all of it tonight.”

  “Where are we going?” she asked as he started walking.

  Rion glanced down at her. “You can tell our kids that the young god took you to heaven on our wedding night.”

  Rion walked back inside where everyone was waiting to see them off. He carried Tauri through the building and out to the waiting car.

  Rion sat in the middle of the king sized bed in the Presidential Suite at the Atheneum Hotel. His new bride was currently in the bathroom, according to her “making herself beautiful”. Rion knew there was no way she could improve upon the perfection he saw every day.

  He had brought Tauri over to his way of thinking, sometimes kicking and screaming, and now they could begin their lives together. They'd survived much up to this point and they'd get through the rest as well.

  Rion looked around the room with the scented candles burning brightly. Soft music was playing in the background and a bottle of non-alcoholic champagne awaited them.

  Rion began to reflect on their joining ceremony. Standing across from the most beautiful woman in world with all of his family and friends in attendance had been the completion to one of his dreams. This woman was his love, his life and his future. Tauri held the key to everything he desired and he desired her more than anything. He'd consumed the hot beverage to show her just how much he wanted her and always would.

  “Are you ready?” she called from the bathroom.

  Rion sat back against the pillows in nothing but silk boxers. “All my life goddess. Get in here,” he said smiling.

  “Close your eyes.”

Rion frowned. “Are you serious right now?”

  “Close your eyes Orion.”

Rion sighed and closed his eyes. “Okay, bring your ass out here.”

  He heard her soft laugh. “The young god is anxious,” she whispered and he opened his eyes to perfection.

  Tauri stood with a hand on the wall wearing a sexy, sheer white baby doll teddy with stiletto heels. “Was it worth the wait?” she asked.

  Rion moved from the bed to stand in front of her. He scanned her slowly from head to toe then connected with her eyes. “Honestly, you look this beautiful every day,” he told her. “Whether you're awake fussing at me or asleep and snoring, Tauri Patterson Shaw is the most beautiful woman in the world to me.”

She smiled at him. “I swear you can talk my panties off so easily.”

  His hand went to hips and hooked around the strings. “These panties?” he asked sexily and she nodded slowly watching him.

  Rion stepped closer pressing her back against the wall. He kneeled in front of her and gave the strings a tug over her rounded hips and down to her thighs. “These panties and all the sweetness they hold inside belong to me.” He placed his mouth over her sacred spot and she lost her breath.

  Rion quickly disposed of the matching panties and continued to pleasure her against the wall on his knees. Tauri spread her legs wider to receive his offering. His strong hands held her hips in place as his warm tongue invaded her slowly.

  Rion placed her leg over his broad shoulder and loved her into her first orgasm of the night. There would be no snoring tonight only deep, intense pleasure. He looked up into her passion filled eyes and smiled at her before he got to his feet. Rion kissed her softly before walking over to the bed and pulling the covers down to the end.

  He turned to her still standing against the wall trying to regain her senses. “Do you want something to drink?” he asked smiling at her reaction to his loving.

  “You know damn well I don't want anything to drink. Get your ass in that bed.” Tauri told him and he complied immediately.

  She came and climbed over him. “I love when you talk like Prosecutor Patterson. She's so damn sexy,” he told her wrapping his arms around her.

Tauri looked down into his dark eyes. “You're the only one who can handle her.”

  “I know what she likes.” His hand moved to stroke her swollen woman's bud and she moaned. Tauri captured his mouth as he continued to make her weak. Rion returned her kiss tangling his tongue with hers while her body released her liquid passion.

  Rion flipped her over onto her back and began a full assault on her mouth. Tauri wrapped her arms around him holding him closer as he sucked her tongue and nipped her lips. “I love you Tauri,” he said quietly as she tried to regain her breath. Her chest was rising and falling rapidly as she looked at him.

  “I love you Orion.” Her eyes darkened. “Let's make babies.”

  Rion stared down at her as he released the ties at her breasts then caressed and pleasured both mounds before removing the teddy, leaving her completely nude. He slowly removed his boxers before lying on top of her letting their naked bodies mesh as she accepted him in the cradle of her hips. Rion took her hands and lifted them above her head then threaded their fingers together before closing them.

  He started by kissing her jaw. “You are so beautiful.” Moving to her ear he whispered, “So sexy...so strong.” He moved above her lips. “So hot that you set me on fire. I want to live inside your heat.” He kissed her softly. “When you wrap those soft legs around me, I am your willing servant only wanting to please you.”

  Tauri followed his instructions lifting her legs to open herself to the rigid rod waiting for entrance. Still looking into her eyes he asked, “Do you want to create with me now goddess?”

  Tauri was ready to be one with Rion with nothing covering their love for another. She wanted to feel the heat of his passion as he released his love deep inside of her. Then she wanted to watch that love develop into an extension of them both. She wanted to be connected to Rion in every way that was humanly possible.

  “Yes baby, I want to create with you. Only with you...”

  Tauri caught her breath as he began to glide into her walls slick from the passion he'd aroused within her. She squeezed the hands that held hers as he began to love her in deep, slow strokes. With her head thrown back and her eyes closed, she tightened her legs around his chiseled back.

In her ear she heard him say, “I only want you Tauri. You hold my life in your hands.”

  The pleasure of him was so intense that Tauri felt tears behind her eyelids. Feeling the love of a man with every fiber of your being was foreign to her. With every kiss, every touch and every stroke she felt herself being lifted higher and out of her mind.

  “Orion, what are you doing to me?” she whispered in a daze.

He continued driving her to madness. “I'm loving you goddess...”

  Tauri shook her head. No, Orion was doing more than loving her. She'd made love to him many times, but not like this...never like this. He was binding them together. He was giving her something he'd never given her before and she realized he was claiming her as his wife.

  That was her last coherent thought as lights burst behind her eyelids that she had tightly closed. She heard his name over and over then realized it was coming from her own mouth. Rion covered her mouth with his as he delivered his seed to be fertilized within her womb. Tauri welcomed the warmth of his love and cradled him closer as they squeezed each other's hands still in a tight embrace.

  Rion kissed her softly nipping at her lips then released her hands to gather her into his arms. He went to lift away and remove his weight from her but she held him tightly.

  “Not yet,” she whispered reveling in the feel of him. She ran her hands along his body over the smooth skin and muscles.

  “I don't want to hurt you,” he told her.

Tauri held him tighter. “It doesn't hurt. It's warm and solid.” She looked at him. “I feel safe.”

Rion rested on his elbow. “You are safe with me beautiful.”

  “I've never felt safe with anyone...until now,” she said quietly.

He touched her face. “I've never felt safe until now either.”

  Rion meant that he'd never given himself completely to a woman before. He'd never shared his heart, his love and his seed.

Tauri smiled up at him. “Can we feel safe some more?” she asked.

Rion felt himself becoming harder again already buried inside his home. “Damn girl, I love you.”

*********

  Rion awakened to sunlight and an empty bed next to him. He slid from beneath the covers and grabbed a pair of shorts putting them on quickly. Looking out of the bedroom door, he saw Tauri sitting on the sofa looking through a menu. He made a pit stop in the bathroom before joining her.

  “I thought a husband is supposed to wake up to his wife kissing him all over,” he said as he joined her on the sofa.

  “Really, I didn't get that memo,” Tauri answered as he slid a hand underneath the robe she was wearing.

  “Hmmmm...I'll make sure you get it next time.” He caressed her leg.

  She smiled. “This wife was up getting breakfast for her husband.” Tauri leaned forward and kissed him. “Because he used a lot of energy last night.”

  He kissed her back. “And he's going to use a lot today.” His eye caught a glimpse of silver on the table and turned to see what it was.

Rion turned back to her. “Why do you have your weapon out?” he asked.

  “Because I'm waiting for breakfast to be delivered,” she said simply.

He smiled. “You're always ready.”

  “I told you from the start, this is Detroit and I send people to prison. Add in the fact that someone is trying to kill my husband and hell yeah, I'm ready.”

  “What if they poison us?” he asked.

  Tauri lifted a brow. “I'm not eating any food but my own. Although the menu does look delicious, I'm not that stupid.”

Rion was confused. “Then what are we eating?”

  “Granddaddy's bringing us some food that Granny made. I'm just watching his back when he gets here.”

  “I married a mafia princess,” Rion commented.

Tauri looked at him. “Where is your weapon?” she asked pointedly.

  “Which one?” he answered giving her a look.

She licked her lips. “Not the one I had last night.”

Rion moved his hand further up her naked leg. “It's in the closet with our things.”

  “You'd better stop before my Granddaddy catches us in the middle of something,” she whispered.

  He began to kiss her neck. “He didn't mind your Granny grinding on me on the dance floor last night.”

Tauri gasped. “My Granny was not grinding on you!”

  “She was. She put her booty right on me.”

  “Orion stop! You know that's not true.”

He smiled. “Granny was backing that thang up.”

Tauri frowned. “I hate you sometimes.” She pushed him away.

  Rion pulled her closer. “It's okay baby. You know Granny's panties are only for Henry Patterson.” He kissed her cheek. “Besides her granddaughter's panties are the hottest.” He winked at her.

  “Shut up Orion, before I kill you my damn self.”

He laughed. “I love you girl.”

There was a knock on the door and Tauri stood. “You're going to be divorced on the first day.”

  “You're not going anywhere. You know this loving is too damn good,” he boasted.

  Tauri gave him the finger before picking up her weapon and walking to the door as Rion continued to laugh. She opened the door and her grandfather entered quickly carrying two bags of food. She kissed his cheek and took the bags as Rion joined her.

  “Well I didn't come to stay. Millie wanted to make sure you youngun's had some food.”

Tauri smiled. “Thank you Granddaddy.” Tauri kissed him again.

  “Yes, thank you Granddaddy,” Rion added. “And please thank Miss Millie.”

Henry nodded then looked at the pair before turning to Rion. “Don't let her hurt you.”

  Tauri frowned and Rion laughed. “She can try though,” he told the old man which cracked him up.

  When her grandfather was gone, Tauri began to unpack the bags on the small table. Rion joined her from behind wrapping his arms around her and kissing her neck.

  “You can't be mean on our honeymoon,” he told her.

  “I'm not mean,” she said quietly and he heard something in her voice. He turned her to him and looked into her face.

  “No, you're not mean baby.” He lifted her chin. “You're strong and I love that about you more than anything.”

  “I have to be strong.” She looked away. “I had to be, I grew up in the hood. I had to learn to protect myself and my grandparents.”

  “I want you to be strong Tauri. I don't want someone who's afraid of her own shadow. You're my lioness,” he told her.

She smiled slightly. “You're going to make me attack you.”

  Rion pulled her into his arms. “I promise I won't tease you about your Granny. I think I love her so much because you're just like her.” He looked down at her. “If I was like seventy though...”

  “Okay, when I start joking about Pam Shaw we'll see how much you like that,” Tauri told him.

He froze. “Wait...what?”

Tauri smirked. “Yeah, I thought so.”

  “Now you just talking crazy,” he warned.

  She moved from his embrace and headed in the direction of the bedroom before turning back to him. 

  “Awww...what's wrong? The wittle young god doesn't want anybody talking about he Mom-ma?” she said in baby talk then pouted.

  “Don't play Tauri.”