Murder In New York
Chapter 22
October 10
JAG OPS
1300 HoursMac sat at her desk staring at the palm trees on her computer screen. It was silly, but it was her lunch hour, and if she wanted to look at vacation destinations, then by God, she could. It had been almost two months since they had returned to D.C. Clay had spent three weeks at the agency’s training facility before assuming his duties as Assistant Director of the Central Intelligence Agency. It was a plum, and she was happy for him. Plus, he was home every night. However, that week in New York when Greenwald was helping him expect and deal with the depression and the flashbacks brought on by his torture and the drugs Clark Palmer had administered could hardly be considered a vacation.
When they returned he had asked her to move in with him. They hadn’t fought, and the nights when she was in town were good. Mac chewed the inside of her cheek trying to ignore the worry that had been eating away at her. Before his kidnapping, Clay had been an enthusiastic partner. When they were alone he couldn’t seem to keep his hands off her. Now, while he held her at night and always responded to her advances, he was circumspect, seldom initiating their lovemaking. She hadn’t wanted to mention it, knowing he was dealing with so many issues, as well as new duties at Langley. She missed her fun and spontaneous bed partner. "Maybe a long weekend in Aruba? Nah, terrorists would decide to hold a convention there or something," she muttered darkly. Shutting down the website she sighed, "I should get something to eat."
She noticed Rabb hurrying across the bullpen. "Well at least he’s happy." Rabb had been busy helping Mary Perkins move into her apartment. Once, the four of them had double dated, but that was such a rarity that a perfectly normal dinner stood out as one of the highlights of the past two months. He glanced her way, but kept going, a funny look on his face. «Probably planning a nooner at the motel down the road. Lucky bastard.»
The weather had turned decidedly breezy, so she was just reaching for her trench coat when her phone rang. "MacKenzie."
"Do you trust me?"
The words send chills down her spine. He had said those very words that night in the car before their first time together. When she had expressed her concerns about relinquishing control in any aspect of her life, including sex, he said, "Do you trust me, Sarah?" That night he had shown her just how good sex could be. He had taken complete control that night. He hadn’t since.
Her breath came out shakily, "Y-yes. You know I do, Clay."
"Good. Go to AJ; ask him for some time off. You said this morning that your caseload was light. Do it. He was willing to give you three weeks of leave last August; see if he will give you another week."
"A week Clay? You can get a week off? Now?" Her heart sank, "Or is this some mission you need my help with?"
"Do it, Colonel. Be downstairs at 2:30 – that’s 1430 hours, Marine." His voice was firm, but she noted the playfulness behind his stern command.
"Okay. I’ll ask him. If he won’t give me the time, I’ll call you back. You going to give me a hint?"
"Do it, Sarah." With that he hung up.
AJ barely looked up from his paperwork when she asked. "Give Turner the Paradine case and Bud the Radner file and have a nice time. I assume you’re going somewhere?"
She gulped. "I don’t know, sir. Clay just wanted me to take a week, and since we haven’t had that much time…" She blushed and stood at the attention. "Thank you, sir."
AJ took off his reading glasses and smiled, "Just be sure to relax, whatever you do. Dismissed, Colonel."
She hurriedly put her desk in order, quickly going over the salient points with the men who were going to take her major cases. Grabbing her cover and trench coat she stepped out into the bullpen and asked Harriet Sims, "Where’s Rabb?"
Harriet didn’t look up from her screen. "I don’t know ma’am. He and the Admiral both left in a hurry about an hour ago."
"Oh. Must have been important. He didn’t even say good bye." It saddened her a little that they had so little time together anymore. She cherished her friendship with Rabb, and she really did like Mary Perkins. She just hoped that once things were settled, the four of them could find an easy friendship. «Yeah, settled. Sure. That’s gonna happen real soon.»
She stepped out of the building and was greeted by the sight of a stretch limo, the driver lounging against the hood. When she started down the steps he approached her, "Colonel Sarah MacKenzie?"
"That’s right." She was instantly on alert.
"Ma’am." He handed her a small envelope.
He’s fine, Sarah. Just let him drive you to the airport. Have a nice cup of hot cocoa and enjoy the ride. He’ll take you where you need to be. I love you, Clay.
"What the hell is he planning? He knows I hate surprises." She stifled a giggle.
The driver handed her into the car. "Are you comfortable back there, ma’am? Do you need me to turn up the heat? There’s a thermos with cocoa and another with coffee there on the bar there."
"No, I’m fine. Where are we headed?"
"Now, ma’am. That would spoil Mr. Webb’s surprise. Don’t worry, he said he would meet you there."
"Where?"
A snort was her only answer. She was relieved that he didn’t raise the security window between the front and back though. She could see out the windows and she was only a little worried to see that they were turning into Regan National. "Oh, for heaven’s sake." She muttered as the car bypassed check in and went to a private gate at the far end of the thriving airport. She wasn’t really surprised when the man pulled out identification and they were waved right through security. The car pulled up to within twenty feet of a small Lear jet. She waited and let the chauffer help her out and escort her to the plane. There, another man met them.
"Good afternoon, Colonel." He handed her an envelope. "Mr. Webb said to go and ahead and open it before you get on, in case you were nervous."
Call me. She reached into her purse and pulled out her cell phone. She reached him on the second ring. "Hello."
"Clay?"
"Hey. I know you’re nervous and everything. Kind of smacks of a set up."
"Yeah, it does. What’s going on?"
"Classified, Colonel." Barely controlled humor tinged his voice.
"Clay!"
"Babe, remember our first night together?"
Mac blushed and stepped a little farther away from the man at the base of the stairs. "Yes." She couldn’t really whisper, but with her back turned and the noise, hopefully she had some privacy.
"When I saw what you were wearing under your uniform, I told you I never had a chance."
"I remember." She had never told anyone and she doubted if someone could have figured it out. "Okay, it’s really you. Now what?"
"Get on board, have a light lunch and get some sleep."
"Did you pack something for me to change into?
"Nah, its better that you wear your uniform."
"You are in deep trouble if this is a mission, Mister."
"I swear to God, Sarah."
"Oh, okay. Where are you? Are you coming with me on the plane?"
"Nope. And that’s all I’m going to say." She could hear the laughter, the glee in his voice. She would go to ends of the earth to hear that again. Closing her phone, she let the steward help her on board.
"Ma’am. Mr. Webb said to tell you to eat before it got cold. I’ll be up front."
She walked to the table and laughed out loud. "Oh, my God! Beltway Burgers. Mr. Webb, you sure know how to wine and dine a girl."
She ate and found he had provided her with a stack of magazines, something she seldom had time for any more. As she flipped through the latest issue of Paleontology, she was rather surprised that she was getting sleepy as the plane headed west.
She woke as the plane touched down. She felt surprisingly refreshed until she realized that she had been asleep for nearly seven hours. "I haven’t slept this well in ages."
The steward came back. "Ma’am, your car is just outside."
"Give me a minute. I want to wash my face and comb my hair."
"No problem, ma’am. There’s a bag in the bathroom in back."
"Holy shit. He packed everything!" She stared into her necessary bag. "Toothpaste, brush, comb, deodorant. Hell, even my makeup." She opened the door to find the steward talking with a uniformed chauffeur. "Hey. I know you."
"Yes, ma’am. Charlie Olmstead. I drove you and Mr. Webb back from New York."
"Where are we, Charlie?" She tried to peer out at around the two of them but all she could see was airport activity.
"Now, Colonel. It won’t be a surprise much longer."
"It can’t be! He would never!" She exclaimed as the garish city rose around them.
Charlie met her eye in the rear view window. "Actually, Mr. Webb has been to Las Vegas many times, Colonel."
"Clay? My Clay? He’s never mentioned it."
"Well ma’am, it’s been a few years. Have you ever been?
"No. It’s not someplace I ever really considered. I don’t gamble."
"Oh, there’s lots of stuff to do. But just check out the view to the northwest."
The mountains seemed to blaze from the sun just beginning to set.
"Now look to the south. Is that a sight or what?"
The giggles that had threatened ever since she read Clay’s second note erupted. "It certainly is something. I just can’t believe…Oh, my god. So where are we going? I’m sure the nicest hotel in town."
"Well, I won’t argue with that. There’s your hotel, Colonel."
It took her breath away. Against the darkening sky, the arc of the building rose up as a background for the fountains before it. "What is it?"
"That’s the Bellagio. Nicest hotel in Vegas. Most expensive one too."
"Of course. If he had to pick Vegas he would have picked the best." Sarah swallowed her disappointment. If he had asked her, she would have preferred a quite little inn high in the mountains of Virginia or upstate New York. «Whatever possessed him…stop it. Right now. You were just bitching that he never initiated anything. Oh my.»
She wondered who would meet her this time, but she spotted him right away, pacing back and forth in front of the entrance into the lobby. The bright lights detailed every line of worry on his face. While most of the people milling around him wore casual clothes or evening dress, he was wearing a three-piece suit. She was struck by the fact that this was how she always thought of him. She had seen him in all manner of dress and undress, but this was the way she had first seen him. «Hell, it might be the same suit. That was a desert too. But if he’s dressed like that and he wants me in uniform, I know that there’s something going on. I’m gonna kick his butt!»
She let him open the door for her and help her out. They stood facing each other, both a little uncertain how to proceed. He gulped. "Hi."
"Hi." She didn’t bother to hide the smile on her face. "What are you up to?"
He held out a small jeweler’s box. She gasped when he opened it. "I asked you to marry me. I realized that you might not think I meant it without a ring." He took out the diamond and slipped it on her finger. She was completely oblivious to the people milling around them.
"Oh, Clay. It’s beautiful." She leaned forward and captured his lips in hers. "You know it wasn’t necessary. I know that when we get the time, we’ll have a very nice wedding. Porter is still talking about where she wants to have it."
"Yes, and if you remember, we can never find a date that we both have free – and we can’t plan too far in advance. So?"
Her eyes grew round. «Jesus! Are you dense, MacKenzie!» "Oh, my God. You don’t mean…You want to get married this weekend? Clay! Your mother will have a heart attack. We can’t do this. Can we?" She glanced around her. «It really is very pretty. Almost tasteful, I guess. Oh, listen to you! Thousands of people get married in Vegas.» She could see his anxiety grow, and her heart beat faster knowing how much he really did love her. "Yes. Okay. What do we do?"
"You’re sure?" He took her face in his hands and looked deep into her eyes. "You are absolutely sure?"
"Of course. Though Rabb is going to kick your butt, and I won’t get between the Admiral and your nose."
He grinned, and it was like the weight of the past four months fell away. For a while they could forget National Security, her job, his job and the number Clark Palmer had pulled on his head. "Come on." He took her by the hand and pulled her into the lobby. She barely registered the field of hand-blown glass flowers that covered the ceiling. She expected him to take her to the elevators, but instead he led her down a long corridor. Happy revelers were everywhere, a few already very drunk.
One man, who would have dwarfed the Admiral or Harm, stopped them. "Whoa, Nelly! Damn, we never had Marines like you when I was in the service." He came to attention, albeit rather unsteadily, and saluted her. "Ma’am! Master Sergeant Kevin Petroviski, retired, reporting for duty, ma’am."
"Kevin! Leave the nice people alone." A woman came down the hall and grabbed his hand. "Excuse us," she muttered and pulled her protesting husband away.
Webb continued on until they reached a set of dark oak double doors. "Last chance to back out."
"Ain’t gonna happen, Clay."
"Good." He opened the door, standing as long as he could between her and the chapel beyond.
It was a small, beautiful room filled with flowers and gentle colors. She hardly noticed. Her hands flew to her face, and tears began to fall.
"Oh, dear. I think that’s supposed to be what I do, dear." Porter Webb rushed forward and hugged her tightly. "You’re not mad, are you, Sarah?"
"Mad?" Mac, glad she seldom wore mascara, swiped the tears from her face. "Admiral? Harm?"
"You didn’t think Webb would plan this without us, did you, Jarhead?" Rabb stood a little behind AJ. Cassie Ryan and Mary Perkins stood off to one side.
"Oh, my God! Harriet? Bud? Sturgis?" Mac just stood there staring at all her friends. She felt a tug at her skirt and knelt down before little AJ. "Oh, baby, I can’t believe you’re here too."
"I tried to get Chloe, but she couldn’t make it, Mac." Clay sighed in disappointment.
"How long have you been planning this?" She demanded.
He counted on his fingers. "With the time change? Twelve, or is if fifteen, or is it nine? Oh, I don’t know, since 7:00 o’clock this morning."
Her eyes grew wide. "You can’t be serious."
"Well ma’am, I don’t know how serious he is but he called here this morning at 6:00 am and got us to rearrange some things so he could have the chapel." A perky young woman came up. "I sure don’t want to be a pest, but there is another wedding planned in 45 minutes. And Father Fenton has dinner plans."
"You found a priest!" Mac hissed.
"Episcopal, that’s okay, isn’t it? Webb said softly.
"Yes, of course, it’s just overwhelming."
Taking command, AJ said, "Places, people."
"Webb asked Cassie to be your witness. I hope you don’t mind," AJ whispered as he firmly placed her hand in the crook of his arm.
As he led her down the aisle she was struck by the absurdity, and how absolutely perfect it all was. She had no idea how he had managed it in less than a day. But as the faces around her began to blur, all she could see was Clay standing there in front of the priest, her best friend and partner by his side smiling encouragingly at her. She fought to keep her emotions in check and bravely sniffed away her tears as Clay took her hand in his.
The priest smiled at them, then began, "Dearly beloved, we are gathered together here in the sight of God, and in the face of this company, to join together this man and this woman in holy matrimony." He paused and looked out across the congregation. "If any man can show just cause, why they may not lawfully be joined together, let him now speak, or else hereafter forever hold his peace.
Rabb cleared his throat and Clay and Mac both turned to glare at him. "Hey, just kidding. Hey, reverend, keep going before she kills me."
The priest continued. He had been doing this for too many years to be shocked by anything, even in the East Chapel of the Belagio. He doubled checked the small card in his book, "Clayton Webb, will you have this woman to thy wedded wife? Will you love her, comfort her, honor, and keep her in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, so long as you both shall live?"
"I will."
"Sarah MacKenzie, will you have this man to thy wedded husband? Will you love him, comfort him, honor, and keep him in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, so long as ye both shall live?"
"I will."
After Mary reached up and pinched him, Rabb didn’t pretend to lose the ring, but handed it over with a huge grin.
Mac felt a nudge and turned to see Cassie Ryan, her eyes bright with glee, or perhaps tears, hand her a gold band.
"In as much as Clay and Sarah have consented together in holy wedlock, and have witnessed the same before God and this company, I pronounce that they are Man and Wife, In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. May God bless, preserve, and keep you. You may kiss the bride."
They faced each other, hands resting lightly at each other’s waists. Keeping their eyes open, they kissed, almost chastely.
"Oh man, is that the best you can do, Webb?"
"Harm, hush."
"Yes, Mary."
They must have made a sight there in the fanciest hotel in Las Vegas. Mary and Cassie were both wearing business suits, as did Webb and Peter Anspach. Porter was wearing a simple rose dress. The rest of the company was in uniform. The woman who had told them of Clay’s early morning phone call met them outside the chapel. "We have a very nice room set up to your specifications, Mr. Webb. Do your guests want to go to their rooms and change before dinner?"
"Ah, no. They’ll have plenty of time for revelry later."
The room was done up in white and gold, candles on floor stands and one large round table in the center of the room. Waiters took their orders, and the newly married couple and their guests talked quietly. Even little AJ sat still, taking in everything around him.
"So, Mac? Were you really surprised?" Mary Perkins asked.
"Oh, yeah." Mac hadn’t stopped smiling since Clay had kissed her. She gave her new husband a long look. "You really just thought of doing this since this morning?"
Webb nodded and Anspach who was sitting next to Porter and couldn’t seem to take his eyes off her finally looked up. "I’ll vouch for that. He came to me with the word at 9:00 o’clock. Said, ‘Boss, everything looks quiet. You want to come to my wedding in Vegas?’"
Clay took her hand. "I hope you don’t mind. It was just they are so used to planning weddings; I knew I wouldn’t have to worry about that part. I had other things to get and plan. It is okay, isn’t it, Sarah?"
"Its wonderful. But what other things are you planning?" She wiggled her eyebrows suggestively. "Do we have the honeymoon suite complete with gold gilt…well whatever it is they gold gilt?"
He looked at his watch and shook his head. "Nope, in fact I want to leave within the hour. We have a long drive ahead of us."
"What?!" «Sex, Clay. I want to have sex! Stop it! Let him have his fun. I haven’t seen him smile this much since before 9/11.»
He ignored her and stood. Everyone stilled. "I want to thank you all for putting your weekend plans aside for Sarah and me. It means a lot. As you know I reserved rooms for all of you. Please do me the honor of staying the weekend if you choose. It’s my treat – Rabb, your gambling losses are your own." When the laughter had died down Webb turned serious. "I know you know it means a lot to Mac to have you here. Frankly, I’m not sure I would have done it if you couldn’t have made it. But I also want to thank every one of you who…" his voice broke and he found that the room was blurry for a moment. But he knew this wasn’t the beginning of some quick flash of pain, his eyes were tearing up. He sniffed. "…well, I just want to say…" Mac took his hand and smiled encouragingly. "Thank you. I don’t know how you managed it, you…you’ve become my friends. And…"
Before he could get maudlin, Harm stood up. "Hey, buddy, enough of that. We just wanted Mac to stop picking on poor Tiner. Now kiss her and get going. I want to get to the poker tables."
"Harm!" Mary poked him.
"Oh, yeah. I forgot." He picked up his wine glass, signaling everyone else to do the same. "Mac, Clay, we’ve known each other for over eight years now. Clay, you and I haven’t always seen eye to eye. We’re pretty good at getting each other’s danders up. But I know one thing. You make her smile. Mac." He voice wavered, "Damn. You’re my best friend. That will never change. I love you, both." He lifted his glass. "To Mr. and Mrs. Clayton Webb."
Mac studied her partner looking for any trace within his solemn gaze or her own deepest recesses. She recognized a friendship that would last forever. Whatever else might have happened between them just wasn’t meant to be. She glanced away and saw Clay gazing at her. She leaned into him and squeezed his hand. "Thank you, Harm. That means a lot to both of us."
"Good. Now can we get to the gambling?" He laughed and grabbed Mary’s hand before she could hit him and sat back down.
AJ stood next and raised his glass. "Mac, you are one of the finest officers and women I have ever had the pleasure to command. Webb, you are the most annoying person I’ve ever liked. Be good to her."
"Hear, hear!" the table cheered.
The party broke up soon after, with each person coming forward and hugging the couple and wishing them the best. "Mr. Webb, ma’am. Harriet and I hope you’re really happy together. Mr. Webb, thanks for flying us out here to witness the ceremony. Thanks for the room and the tickets to Cirque de Soleil."
"I’m glad you could come, Roberts. I just wanted you to have things to do with young AJ there." Webb shook the hand of the man who had been his gentle adversary for the past eight years. "Just be sure not to look up into the sun while you’re outside."
Everyone laughed at that and the Roberts led their son out of the room. Sturgis Turner was next. "Mac, Webb. I’ll spend the night and try and keep Rabb out of trouble." They all turned to look at the top gun who was standing with Mary talking with Porter Webb and Peter Anspach. "Course, I don’t know if I’ll be needed."
"I’m sorry Congressman Latham couldn’t make it." Webb said.
Turner shrugged. "She’s got something going on back home this weekend. I think I’ll head back tomorrow, though. Maybe see if I can change the tickets around a bit."
"Your call." Webb reached into his vest pocket and pulled out a card. "Any trouble, call this number. Tell Marie I said to call."
"Who’s Marie?" Turner asked.
"The secretary to the president of the airline. She’ll make sure it’s okay."
Finally they were alone, and Clay pulled her to him. Ready?" he whispered before kissing her.
"You gonna make me wear my uniform to wherever we’re going?"
"Nope. Come on." He led her to a door that opened onto a small sitting room. There was a couch, a television and a small wet bar. An open door showed a bathroom. Clay pointed toward the couch. Put that on for me."
"Oh, Clay, it’s beautiful." She picked up the simple silk sundress that felt like it weighed less than air. "I don’t have a bra to wear with it, though."
"And I would have a problem with that?"
She dropped the dress back on the couch and stalked up to him, her eyes narrowing. "Just what do you have planned, Clayton Webb?"
"It’s still classified, Mrs. Webb." He kissed her and held her tight. "I can call you Mrs. Webb, can’t I Sarah? We never talked about it. I don’t expect you to change your name with the Corps but…"
"You know, I haven’t even thought about it. Do we have to decide tonight?" She wrapped her arms around his neck and rubbed against him.
He swatted her on the butt. "None of that. Change please. I want to get on the road soon; we’ve got about a two-hour drive ahead of us."
"And is this all I have to wear this week?" She picked up the dress again.
"Nope and you’re fishing. You said you trusted me."
"Okay. But remember, I can still take you."
"Anywhere you want, sweetheart." He went into the bathroom.
"Hey! I want to shower. Can I join you?"
"I’ve showered and if we did, we’d never make it out of here. Come on, don’t tease."
"You are definitely anal, Clay. Say, something’s been bothering me."
"What?" His voice was muffled as if he were pulling something over his head.
"How come it took so long to get here? I’ve flown from DC to LA in less time that it took to get here."
"Had the pilot take the long way so Turner and Roberts’ plane had time to beat you. I knew you would be suspicious if everyone left before you did." He stepped out of the bathroom. "All yours."
She slowly raked her eyes over his body. He was wearing a cotton shirt, loose fitting cargo shorts and boat shoes with no socks. "Damn straight you’re all mine," she growled and started to reach for him again.
"No, you don’t. Get in there. You have ten minutes, Colonel. Hop to it!"
She left the door open and slowly stripped out of her uniform, knowing he was staring at her. She stood there for a moment in her panties and stared back at him. His face was flushed and his breathing was definitely a bit labored. "Sure you don’t want to join me?"
"If I do, it will ruin the surprise," he whispered but took a step toward her.
"Can’t have that, can we?" She smirked just before she closed the door. She laughed as he heard his forehead hit the door in frustration.
"You’re a tease, Sarah."
"You love it!" She quickly showered. She saw the door open and thought for a moment he was going to give in and join her, but then she saw him picking up her clothes instead. After she was done and drying off, she looked for something to put on. Shrugging she opened the door and saw him leaning against the wall, his arms folded across his chest. "Well?"
"Get dressed, Sarah."
"Hey, I need some underwear."
"No you don’t."
"Clay!" She stood there naked, hands on her hips glaring at him.
He walked over to the couch, picked up the dress and held it out to her. "Please?"
There was raw, naked passion in his eyes and she couldn’t resist him. "Okay. But I hope we don’t meet any of them. I’ll die of embarrassment."
"Why? The dress isn’t tight. And it isn’t sheer. No one but the two of us will know."
She picked up the strappy little heels and put them on. "Well I hope there aren’t any air vents. You know, like in that movie with Marilyn Monroe."
His eyes widened. "Yeah. Me too."
As they walked through the lobby, he kept his arm around her waist. "This really is impressive, Clay. How come we aren’t staying here?"
"Because I don’t want to share you with any distractions at all this week. I promised mother that she could plan a reception for all her friends, my colleagues, your friends, the whole damn city if she wanted, but this week is just you and me from here on out," he said firmly. They walked through the doors and found Charlie waiting for them. "You find it?"
"As specified, packed and ready to go. Here are the keys, boss."
Clay helped her into the passenger seat of the Hummer and ran around to the driver’s side where Charlie was holding the door open. Clay stopped dead. "Damn. When did they do that?" He pointed to the high, very wide console between the two seats.
"What were you expecting, that Humvee we used in Desert Storm? You wanted an off road vehicle with luxury. This is it buddy."
Clay sighed and climbed in, his plans definitely dashed. Mac looked at the console and then at him and burst out laughing. "Probably safer this way." When he had closed the door she leaned over and whispered, "But I always wondered what you would do if I gave you a blow job while you were driving."
Webb groaned and pulled out into traffic. He opened the moon roof and let the lights and sounds of the city envelop them. "If you want, we can leave where we’re going a few days early and see some of the sights."
"We’ll see." She looked in back; the seats had been put down. "Sleeping bags? Climbing rope? Did you pack any clothes?"
"Nah. I figured we go naked."
"Well, not if we’re using the rope. But…well, maybe even then." She leaned back in the seat and just looked all around her. The smile on her face wouldn’t go away. "I can’t believe what we just did," she giggled.
"But you’re okay with it?" he asked anxiously, yet again.
She leaned forward and stretched across the console. "So far, Mr. Webb, this is the only thing wrong with the whole trip." She kissed him on cheek, reached down and rubbed the front of his pants, slapped the console keeping them apart and sat back.
He gulped and silently cursed himself for not just taking her upstairs to a penthouse suite and making love to her for the next 158 hours. "Yeah, I know. I remember them a little less refined."
"So if this weren’t here what would you be doing right now, Clay?" she whispered seductively.
He gulped and turned off the highway onto a state road. "Well, first of all, you would be seated next to me and my arm would be around your shoulder."
"Should have had old Charlie pick up a vintage Caddy, instead, then," she teased.
"Wouldn’t have worked." He grinned over at her and nodded ahead. "I think you’ll like what I have planned."
"We’ll see. Right now I’m kind of wishing I were closer to you."
He gulped. "Why? What would you do?"
She watched the mountains ahead of them illuminated by the car lights and the rising moon. "Well, first I’d tease you for a while. I would rub my hand up and down your thigh. I might nibble on your ear."
"Not very safe."
"Oh, I would insist that you keep your hands on the steering wheel and your eyes on the road. If you didn’t, I would stop."
"Then what?"
"Those shorts look awfully loose. I bet I could work my hand up under the leg opening. What do you think?" Before he could protest, she released the seat belt and knelt on the seat, facing him. Bracing her weight on her elbows and resting on the console, she leaned over and reached out one hand. "Yep. Feel."
"Oh, Jesus! Sarah. Sit back down."
"Keep your eyes on the road and your hands on the steering wheel, Mr. Webb." She ran her hand under his shorts, caressing his inner thigh. She blew long hot puffs of air along his neck. "Pity I would end up on my head, because I could lower your zipper like this and pull you free like this, and then I could lick your cock until you were begging me to suck you off."
All Webb could do was tighten his hands on the steering wheel. He thanked God this road was mostly deserted at night. "Shit. Sit down, there’s a car coming."
"Why?" She fisted his cock and began to stroke him. "You like this Clay?" Right as the oncoming car crested the hill, she released him and sat back down. "Maybe we should have showered together?" She laughed softly.
He was so hard for her. He was always hard for her, in some degree or the other. Just thinking about her while he was at the office was difficult. Now his cock was free, and all he wanted was a little relief here. He reached over and turned on the GPS.
"I don’t think you’re supposed to drive and watch TV at the same time, Clay."
"Funny. There." He snapped it off and sped up a little. "You drive me nuts, you know that, Sarah? I think about you at work and it’s all I can do to keep from embarrassing myself. I know I haven’t been the most attentive of lovers this past month or so, but it’s not from the want of you."
Instantly sorry she had teased him, she reached out and took his right hand off the steering wheel and kissed it softly. "I know. It’s been so hard for you. For me too. I hate him, Clay. Even though he’s dead, it was too easy. God forgive me, but I hope there’s really a fiery hell, and he’s burning in it."
"Don’t think about him any more. Thinking about him gives him life." He sighed and whispered, "There it is."
"What?"
"Oh, just a rest stop. He pulled between two boulders. A small sign declared, ‘Scenic View.’ Pulling up to the edge, he pointed. "See." Far to the south, Las Vegas stretched out before them million of lights turned night into if not day, a fairy tale version of day. The beacon on top of the Luxor pyramid slashed the sky straight up into the heavens. He got out and came around and opened the door for her.
"It’s incredible." She started to walk to the edge of the lookout, but he pulled her back and pushed her against the side of the car. Before she could say anything else, his lips captured hers, and his tongue thrust deep inside. She instantly wrapped her arms around him and returned the kiss, twining her tongue with his.
Kissing down her neck, his hands lowered the tiny straps holding up her dress. When her breasts were exposed to the cooling mountain air, they instantly hardened, and he flicked his tongue across one and then the other.
Her hands rubbed up and down his back, straying occasionally to the waistband of his shorts, dipping underneath to caress the bare skin of his ass. "Cammo, Clay? Dear lord. You’ve really stripped away the layers for me, haven’t you?"
"Only you. God, how I want you," he growled and sank to his knees in front of her, not carrying that loose gravel on the blacktop was biting into his knees. Lifting the skirt of her dress, he planted delicate kisses on her thighs. She sank down a bit on the side of the car opening herself to him, guiding him to where she needed him.
"Oh, yes. Just like that. Please, Clay." She whimpered as he teased around her clit, delving deep into her core then moving up until his tongue found her belly button. Rising from the ground, he brought the dress with him until she was naked, and the dress rested on top of the Hummer. He licked and suckled some more at her breasts. She arched away for a moment then a frenzy took her. Grabbing at his shirt, she pulled it over his head. Even as she was flinging it up to join her dress, he was kicking off his shorts and pulling her back to him.
Their skin was slick even in the cooling mountain breeze. It had been over 100 in the valley below; up here it was closer to 70 and dropping, but neither cared. They held each other, content to simply to caress and touch for a moment, but soon, Mac raised one leg to rest on his hip. "Fuck me, Clay."
Taking his cock he guided himself to her opening until he could plunge home. Their gasps of pleasure echoed down through the canyons. Wrapping her other leg around him to hold him close, she whispered encouragement in his ear. "Harder, Clay. Deeper. Oh, God! Just like that." He rocked deep and only pulled out enough to slam back into her.
"There’s no one else for me, Sarah. You’re everything I’ve ever wanted. I love you so much."
"Close, Clay. I’m so close," she gasped as he changed his rhythm and pace just enough to rub her clit against his pubic hair. "Clay!" she cried out as her orgasm shook her. "Oh, God. Come for me now, Clay. I love you so much, baby. Come in me now."
"Sarahhhhhhh." His whispered entreaty seared her soul and made her his forever. More than the marriage before their friends, making love here in the beauty of nature, with the ultimate absurdity of man’s ego spread before them, completed their vows to each other.
Slowly, as they came down, they rested their sweat soaked brows against each other. "So," she finally managed. "Is this where we’re using the sleeping bags?"
He gave a shuddering laugh. "No. Wait a minute." He went to the back of the Hummer and, pushing the tire aside, opened the back. He rummaged a bit and came back with a towel and a bottle of water.
When they were done cleaning up and pulling on their clothes again, they set back out. They rode in companionable silence up into the mountains. Rugged rock gave way to thick alpine forest. Clay finally had to close the moon roof. "There’s a sweater in back."
"I’m good."
"Well, you might be a little cold leaving the car. But it won’t be long."
"Clay, there’s snow on the ground."
"Yeah, we’re pretty high up now." He slowed down and then grinned in triumph. "There it is. This is the back way. Tomorrow – or maybe Sunday – I’ll take you down to the restaurant halfway down the other road. The people there are nice. We don’t have to, though. The house is fully stocked."
"Holy shit. You don’t own this?" she gasped as the house of stone, timber and glass rose up out of the pine stand. Security lights illuminated the house and the forest beyond. The stars showed the drop off 50 yards in front of the house.
"Me? Heck no. A friend of mine, his company does. Jerry said I could have it for the week." He pulled up to the back door and shut the car off. "I really wanted to be here so you could see the sun rise tomorrow. It’s something else."
"Sunrise? You expect me to wake up at sunrise?"
"Wake up? That would imply I was going to let you sleep."
: :
Sunrise found them spooned together naked on an enormous lounge chair in the glass enclosed solarium. He had kept his word, making love to her throughout the night; throughout the house. They had barely started the fire in the huge stone fireplace when he wrestled her playfully to the large fur rug nearby. Later, he had shown her the pleasures of the handheld showerhead in the master bath. They even christened the kitchen when he found her making coffee. He pushed her over the kitchen table and took her right there. She wasn’t sure if she had stopped laughing until she came shouting his name. His orgasm took him moments later. They finished up with one last all consuming climax in the hot tub not three feet from where they now lay, her back to his chest; his arm wrapped tightly around her stomach. The steam from the hot tub made a blanket unnecessary, even though just beyond the thermal glass the snow lay at least six inches deep. She smiled in exhausted contentment. For a while the troubles of the world were beyond the mountains. For a week they could pretend that no one else existed.
Now as the sun climbed over the eastern mountains she gasped at the beauty as the rocks seemed to burst into flames. "Oh, Clay, you were right. It’s beautiful. Clay?" She twisted her head and smiled softly. He was sound asleep, and for the first time in a very long time the worry lines on his forehead were gone.
As she turned back, rearranging herself as she did, he murmured in his sleep, "Sarah," and pulled her tighter still.
~~~Fini~~