The ceremony had been performed at dusk and Tasha and Russell stepped out into a festive lit atmosphere glowing with candles and torchiere's. Luminaries were hung on rose adorned poles with a white canvas over the tables. His parents were rushing to and fro with the help of assistants in an attempt to fill the plates of the guests.
She excused herself for a moment to go and change into a simple white dress. It was a must, considering she wanted to save her wedding dress. When she returned, she clasped Russell's hand and they joined their guests. It was time to toss the bouquet. The single women had gathered to one side and were urging her to throw it. She turned and closed her eyes. The bouquet went flying backward and landed right in the hands of her sister Emily who grinned and laughed heartily about walking planks.
There was a stage setup to their right with a flat wooden area placed in front of it. The members of TOFOG were on the stage, instruments in hand and Tasha heard the first strains of a familiar song. She turned to Russ and he grinned widely.
"Yes, it is the song you think it is. Bon Jovi's Bed of Roses. Lovely song. In honor of our nuptuals, I asked them to learn it. Dave is going to sing for us. Will you allow me the pleasure of a dance? Seeing as we are married and all now." He winked.
Her eyes, which had been continuously misty for the last hour or so, threatened to spill over into full force tears but she took his hand. He led her into the dance area that had been set up in front of the stage. With the hauntingly beautiful melody resounding and hovering in the still air, they clasped each other as he pressed his lips to her ear. Singing the lyrics softly to her, she allowed herself to melt into him. It felt as though he were sweeping her across the entire universe and that she had only to open her eyes to come face to face with a twinkling star. It was as though his warm body was the only thing substantial and solid in the immense rush of infinity. She wondered if souls could touch, for she had never felt closer, physically or emotionally, to another living being as she did Russ at this moment. He blended in to her and she in to him.
With a sigh, she heard the song come to a close. They kissed deeply, still in the throes of the moment. Suddenly she became aware that their entire crowd of guests were on their feet clapping and shouting encouragements to them. She blushed and they both laughed, turning to the crowd and bowing. Grinning at each other, they made a beeline for the seats of honor reserved for the bride and groom. His mother served them with her own hand, heaping massive amounts of food onto their plates and pouring Chablis into their wine glasses. The band had put off playing music for a bit. They turned on their music machine and came to join the feast. As best man, Terry made the traditional toast, kidding Russell about some of their childhood escapades and playfully joking with Tasha about her sanity for marrying Russ.
Russ leaned over to Tasha after the toast was over. He pointed at her sister and said, "Looks like David is quite taken with your sister!" And indeed, Dave Wilkins was at the next table over from them laughing and flirting with Emily. As they watched Dave whispered something into Emily's ear. She grinned and swatted at him.
Tasha turned back to Russ, laughing. "Well, it appears, Mr. Crowe, that you and I are not the only ones having romantic thoughts about each other." She said, arching a delicate brow.
He grinned and leaned in close to her, carressing her face ever so lightly. He said, "You are most likely right, Mrs. Crowe. I confess to having many romantic thoughts of you, me and that canopy bed on the other side of the villa." He winked. He giggled and said very softly, "If I said you have a beautiful body, will you hold it against me?"
She laughed at his use of an old pick-up line. It was all the more amusing considering the fact that they were now husband and wife. Humoring him, she pressed herself a little closer. Both were almost oblivious to everyone around them. She murmured, "Nothing would give me more pleasure than holding that against you."
The rest of the evening seemed to take wings and fly. TOFOG played some more songs with Russ singing a few to his new bride. Many toasts were made and much champagne, wine and beer was consumed. Russ and Tasha had refrained from the heavier drinking, but both were pleasantly mellowed. Soon their guests began to depart, after wishing them well.
They decided to make their own discrete disappearance as well, escaping to the private bower awaiting them. Her parents had lit the candles only a few moments before. There was the sweet smell on incense hanging in the air and the veranda had rose petals strewn about. There were even rose petals on the satin sheets covering the spongy soft mattress. As they stepped about, glancing about at the wonder of it all, he could wait no longer.
Her hand was clasped in his and, with it, he pulled her in close to him. Her hair was held in place by a scattering of pins and the sheer ribbon.
Untying the ribbon, he whispered with a primal urge lending itself to his voice, "You look so lovely I'm almost reluctant to pull these pins out. But I want to see you hair soft and shimmering and falling all over me."
She guided his hands as the pins came out, one by one. Her tresses streamed down, one by one. When her hair was completely free of them, he thrust his hands into the hair at the base of her neck and pulled her in to him for a breathtaking kiss.
Running his tongue over her lips, he bit lightly upon her upper lip and took it into his mouth. He sucked softly and then transferred his attention to her lower lip. Her hands grasped him, pulling him as close as she could get him. His hands then found their way to her hips. He gave them an eager squeeze and they moved back up to find the zipper on her dress. She shivered as she felt the dress loosen. He pulled away from her to slip the sleeves down her arms.
The dress fell away to reveal the lacy white bra and gaters complete with lacy panties and sheer white stockings. He breathed in the beauty of her as the soft light flickered around them. |
