Posted by hummingbird on 5/22/2014, 9:44 am VVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVV
The dance scene at the end of this chapter was inspired by a similar scene in the movie Waterloo Bridge (Vivien Leigh, Robert Taylor, 1940). I added the clip at the end of this chapter if you would like to view it. By the way, this is a great movie if you're into sappy romance... The other clip is Michael Buble` singing the title song from this story...the clips are from Waterloo Bridge.
Chapter Thirteen
It was 7:40 when Bo and Nora stumbled into the hotel room again their arms laden with shopping bags. Nora dropped her bags onto the settee.
“That was fun,” Nora exclaimed perusing the bags. “You shouldn’t have spent so much. You’re spoiling me, Mr. Buchanan,” she said happily.
“I like spoiling you,” he said wrapping his arms around her waist from behind and kissing her neck.
“Where did we get the money for all this? We can’t keep spending like this. Don’t we have a budget?...”
“Not this weekend,” he answered. “Pa sent us cash for a wedding gift. So, this spree was a gift from Pa.”
“I see...guess I’ll stop worrying about it then. What’s in this one?” she asked picking up a floral printed box.
“Oh! That’s a little something I picked up for myself...a little gift for me…” Bo said.
She turned her head to look at him, a puzzled expression on her face. “Awfully frilly box...I can’t imagine why anyone would package a man’s item in something so...fluffy…”
“Fluffy?” he laughed.
“Yes, fluffy...oh, you know what I mean!”
Bo continued smiling at her. “Well, maybe you should open it,” he said, “see what it is. I hope they didn’t give me the wrong box…”
“I hope not either. Do you think they did?” She looked up to see his eyes sparkling.
“Bo? What are you up to?”
“Nothing...nothing at all,” he said releasing her and moving to stand beside her. “I’m serious. You better open that. I’m worried it might be ‘fluffy’, and I’m not so sure how I’ll look in ‘fluffy’. Open it.”
She looked him in the eyes. She knew he was up to something. She slowly opened the lid and removed the tissue paper. A look of surprise came over her face.
“Oh!….well!….you’re going to look really...nice in this…” she said, looking at him. “Bo Buchanan!…”
He looked at the gift and feigned disappointment. “Oh no...I’m afraid that’s not my size...might fit you though…do you think?...”
When she looked into his eyes, she could see a fire kindling there.
“I do believe it’s my size...I must say...I’ve never worn anything quite like it before…” she stammered blushing a little.
“Well, I hope not,” he said, “but...will you wear it for me?” he asked pulling her to him again.
She looked into his eyes. “For you?” She laid the box down on the settee and wrapped her arms around his neck. “Absolutely...I’d do anything for you…” she said kissing him seductively.
“Mmmm. Well...later, I’ll take you up on that. Right now, though, we had better get ready for our night out,” he said.
She left his arms to hold up two clear garment bags each one holding a new dress. “You choose...which would you like me to wear?”
“They both look great on you, but my preference is the black one.”
“The black one it is then...I’ll be ready in a few minutes,” she said kissing him again before disappearing into the bathroom.
While Nora was busy, Bo changed also. He looked very handsome in his dress uniform. He was combing his hair when he heard the bathroom door opening. As he looked up, Nora emerged in her new black dress. It was very form-fitting and straight with a wide white collar that rounded the neck and buttoned with a single large covered button at the base of a low-cut v in the back. She wore her hair up in a beautiful coifed style leaving a few tendrils of her auburn locks framing her face. Stockings, heels, and dangling pearl earrings completed her look.
“I forgot my black gloves,” she said. “Do you think I should wear the white ones or let it go?”
“You look stunning…gorgeous...just the way you are,” Bo replied.
Nora went on, “There’s no full length mirror in that bathroom, so are the seams on my stockings straight?” she asked turning around for him to see the backs of her legs.
“Perfect,” he murmured. “Come here…”
She made her way to him and wrapped her arms around his neck. “You look gorgeous,” she told Bo, kissing him. “So handsome and...you’re mine,” she said between kisses.
“Absolutely. I’m yours, Mrs. Buchanan.” He pulled her closer and claimed her mouth for a more intimate kiss, wrapping his moist tongue with hers and drawing her to him...teasing her…
After several minutes of this, she murmured, “Bo….”
“Hmmm…” he absently replied continuing his quest.
“Honey...Bo…” she said breathlessly, “we’re going to be late…”
He continued kissing her. “They said they would hold the table fifteen minutes…”
“Bo...we need to go...or we aren’t going to get there…” she whispered putting her hands against his chest. “We can play later…”
He let out a sigh. “I can’t wait,” he murmured gathering one more kiss. “Okay, Mrs. Buchanan. Let’s go dining and dancing so we can come back for…”
“Romancing?” she added.
“Well...that wasn’t the word I was thinking of; but, hey...that works too…” he said taking her by the hand and leading her swiftly out the door.
* * * * * * *
The Waterloo Ballroom was located on the top floor of the hotel and was built so that it extended out over the water with windows overlooking the lake on three sides. The tables, with their linen tablecloths and globed candles, sat close to the windows, the small orchestra was on the wall with no windows, and the dance floor itself was in the center of this massive room. The room was dimly lit with electric wall sconces; and, in addition to the table candles, candelabras were strategically placed around the orchestra. It was very elegant and very romantic.
Bo dabbed his mouth with his napkin. “Well...that was an excellent meal. I just hope I’m not too full for dancing.”
“You better not be,” she said as she finished eating. “Tonight I only have to dance with you. I want to dance the night away,” she said smiling.
The waiter came by the table displaying a tray of desserts.
“Would you like something, Honey?” Bo asked.
“No thank you, not now,” she told Bo. Then to the waiter she added, “But check with us again later. It all looks delicious.”
“Yes, Ma’am,” the waiter replied.
They could hear the orchestra warming up as Bo poured them more champagne. Nora watched him from across the table.
He glanced up and caught her looking at him. “What?” he asked her.
“Just memorizing how you look here in the candlelight...tucking the memory away for later.”
Bo nodded his head in understanding. “I’ve been doing a lot of that myself lately...You should see the pictures that I have collected in my mind...things I want to remember...” He reached across the table and enfolded her hands with his own. “...you, the first time we danced...you, barefoot in the creek...you, as my Daisy Queen...you, as my beautiful bride...you, beneath me the first night we made love...you tonight…I could go on and on...”
He leaned closer. “So, when we’re far apart, I can just close my eyes and bring up a picture and...I’ll be seeing you. I hope you’ve collected some memories so that you can do the same...it’s what will see us through.”
She nodded, and the tears brimming in her eyes spilled over onto her cheeks. Bo took his thumb and wiped them gently away. “No tears tonight...okay?”
She nodded again.
They listened as the band began it’s first song of the evening. “You hear that?” Bo asked. “I think it’s time to dance...shall we?”
He led her by the hand to join the many other couples on the dance floor. He pulled her close as they listened to the sweet melody…
I love you...for sentimental reasons I hope you do believe me I'll give you my heart...
I love you... and you alone were meant for me Please give your loving heart to me and say we'll never part...
Nora buried her head against Bo’s neck and fought back her tears. No tears tonight, Bo had said. She wanted this night to be another good memory that they could tuck away for later, so she fought to gain control of her emotions.
Moments later, the band played a livelier tune and Bo began leading Nora in the fast pace of the Lindy Hop.
Say, it's only a paper moon sailing over a cardboard sea... But it wouldn't be make-believe if you believed in me...
Yes, it's only a canvas sky hanging over a muslin tree... But it wouldn't be make-believe if you believed in me...
Nora came out of her melancholy mood the longer they danced. Bo was right...this was not a night for tears. It was a night to make memories...and they were.
The band continued to play a variety of music, beautiful romantic songs for slow dancing... As Time Goes By, It Had To Be You, Long Ago and Far Away. Then there were the fast-paced songs for kicking up and having fun...It's Only a Paper Moon, Pennies From Heaven, and Chattanooga Choo Choo.
In between dances, they returned to their table to sip champagne, talk, and laugh together. They ordered two rich desserts which they fed to one another, and they stole kisses that promised more for later. It was a beautiful evening filled to the brim with new memories.
At last, the final dance of the evening was announced. The light from the wall sconces was extinguished leaving the room bathed only in soft candlelight.
Bo drew Nora close as the orchestra began the sweet strains of I'll Be Seeing You...
I'll be seeing you in all the old familiar places That this heart of mine embraces all year through...
“This song,” Bo whispered to Nora, “It’s just what we were talking about earlier, isn’t it?” She nodded, once again finding herself being overcome with emotion.
In that small cafe, the park across the way, the children's carousel, the chestnut tree, the wishing well...
The room was slowly getting darker. They noticed that, at the end of each line, one of the orchestra members would cease playing and snuff out a candle...
I'll be seeing you in every lovely summer's day In everything that's light and gay I'll always think of you that way I'll find you in the morning sun and when the night is new....
There was a single candle and one violinist left to finish the song in the darkened ballroom…
I'll be looking at the moon... but I'll be seeing you...
As his last note faded; this candle, too, was snuffed out.
* * * * * * *
Later, in the privacy of their suite bathroom, Nora opened the floral box and wrapped back the tissue paper. Her heart skipped a beat at the idea of wearing this gift...yet, she smiled at the memory of Bo giving it to her and at the idea of pleasing her new husband…
She pulled the corset from the box first...made from rich, black satin, it was pre-laced in the back and opened conveniently in the front with silver button hooks. It was pleated all the way around and was trimmed with a satin ruffle across the bosom which matched the ruffled satin panties. Black hosiery and garters completed the ensemble.
Nora undressed and slipped on the corset and panties first. As she fastened the button hooks, she noticed the effect of the corset...how it cinched in her waist and uplifted her breasts. Next she slid on the hosiery and attached it to the garters. When she was finished dressing, she stood on tip-toe as far back as the room allowed to see herself in the mirror above the sink. She ran her hands down her sides feeling the sleek satin, and up under her breasts noticing how well she filled out the corset. I actually look well-endowed...like some madame from the old west, she giggled to herself nervously.
She decided to leave her hair up as she had worn it to dinner. She spritzed on some sweet cologne and patted it along the corset. She wished she had a full-length mirror to view herself Before Bo saw her, but trusted he would be pleased. I look sexy...I actually feel sexy, she thought to herself. No shy bride tonight, Mr. Buchanan...
She walked to the door and placed her hand on the knob. Taking one last deep breath, she turned it and entered the room…
* * * * * * *
Bo, in his robe, was having a brandy. At the sound of the door opening, he turned. A look of awe came across his face. He placed the brandy on the table and ran a hand through his hair.
“Wow…” he breathed. She sauntered closer to him. “look at you…”
“It fits,” she said smiling and turning around in a circle to give him the full effect.
“That it does...perfectly…” he said in a hushed voice.
She closed the gap between them. “So...what do you think of your package, Mr. Buchanan?” she asked him alluringly.
He put his hands on her satiny hips and drew her to him. “You take my breath away,” he whispered. He started to kiss her, but she interrupted him by placing a finger on his lips.
“But...how do I look?” she asked him peering up into his eyes.
“You look beautiful, gorgeous...sexy…” he whispered.
“Really? Do I really look...sexy?”
He looked surprised that she would ask him that question dressed as she was. “Yes...very sexy…” he murmured huskily.
She beamed at him. “I thought so too...that I looked sexy, I mean. For the first time in my life I actually look sexy…” Then in a softer, more serious tone, “Do you know…I even feel sexy…” she whispered.
He chuckled at her now. She was just so adorable. “You do, huh? You feel sexy?...”
“Yes, I do…” she said running her hands across his chest. Then in a more serious tone she said, “and so, Mr. Buchanan...I thought that tonight...I would make love to you…”
“You’ll make love to me?...and how will that be different?”
“Well, we’ll just have to see, won’t we?” she asked as she wrapped him in her arms. He encircled her tiny waist with his strong arms enveloping her completely. She began planting kisses on his neck working her way up to his earlobes. He could feel her warm breath against his ear as she nibbled and tugged. She moved her arms from around his neck to slide them down over his shoulders and chest where she removed his robe. Then taking her hands in his, she pulled him toward the bed where she leaned close to him for a kiss. She kissed him softly at first, slowly, tasting him; but by this time, Bo was wanting more. He placed his hands on either side of her face and kissed her with urgency, devouring her. She pulled him down on the bed with her, running her hands through his hair as she kissed him... hungry wet kisses with a desire matching his own. They rolled over together and she sat atop him, both were breathless and unspeaking. Bo reached up to gently remove the pins that were still holding her hair. He laid them on the bedside table and ran his hands through her hair loosening it. Then he began undoing the button hooks of the corset releasing all of her natural beauty. After the last button hook was opened, he wrapped his arms under the corset and pulled her down with him. They finished undressing with a fevered urgency, and she loved him with a fire and intensity that she had never shown before...that she had never really experienced before. They shared wave upon wave of ecstasy before finally reaching their summits and collapsing in each others arms. At last, their racing hearts returned to a normal pace and they drifted off into an exhausted and blissful slumber...