Posted by hummingbird on 10/6/2014, 8:03 am VVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVV
I know (I know) with the dawn that you will be gone, but tonight you belong to me...
Chapter Eleven
It was still dark when Bo awakened Nora the next morning.
“Come on, honey. Time to get up if we’re going to see the sunrise,” he whispered nuzzling her neck.
Nora groaned and rolled over.
“Come on,” Bo encouraged nudging her, “you promised…”
“I did NOT promise,” she mumbled, “I agreed...there’s a big difference…” she murmured drifting back to sleep.
“Well...you did agree, though, Red. So...come on, let’s get going.”
“Ohhh,” she grumbled. “Please….really Bo, we’ve seen the sunset here…”
“And?...” he asked her, puzzled.
“And...sunrises are the same as sunsets,” she said in a sleepy voice, “...they’re just at the opposite end of the day...sunsets are better...they don’t come at some ungodly hour…” she said burrowing her head comfortably into her pillow.
Grinning, he wrapped his arm around her waist from behind and began kissing her neck. “Please?...I really want to watch the sunrise...and I want you with me…” he continued. “We’ll take a blanket and make love on the beach…” he said nibbling her earlobe.
She rolled to her back and played with his hair. “I have an idea...let’s just make love here...and then go back to sleep...” she said wrapping her arms about his neck.
He chuckled. “Nope, you agreed to watch the sunrise with me. Now...are you going to come willingly or…”
Nora emitted a deflated moan as she tried to roll over.
“Well...I guess that’s the answer to my question then,” he said crawling out of the bed and putting on his shorts.
She opened her eyes to peek at him. “So...are you mad at me?” she questioned quietly.
“Nope,” he quipped. “Why would I be mad at you?”
“Well...because…”
“No need for me to be mad,” he interrupted, “when you’re going with me,” he said pulling her across the bed blanket and all.
“NOooo!” she squealed. “Bo!”
“You come or I’m taking you blanket and all,” he told her.
She sighed and gave him a look.
“Well...there’s my answer then,” he said grabbing her and the tangled sheets up in his arms.
“No! Bo!...Oh...okay…,” she sighed, “just let me throw on some clothes,” she told him.
“Not too many clothes,” he teased as she walked away.
“You’re impossible, Bo Buchanan.”
* * * * * *
They sat on the blanket under some palms watching the dark sky. Wisps of clouds traced their shadows over the dark blues. Each minute brought quiet changes of color as the sky prepared for the entrance of the sun...black to blue to orange. Finally, the great sun emerged over the horizon piercing the dark sky with it’s golden hues.
Nora broke the silence.“It’s breathtaking,” she murmured. “The water is more calm...so peaceful.”
“It is,” Bo agreed quietly looking at the horizon. He glanced at Nora, “So...are you glad you came?”
“Mmm,” she considered softly, “I think so.” Then she met his gaze as she leaned against him. “Why don’t you make me glad I came?” she asked raising her eyebrows and giving him a kiss.
He smiled. “I can do that,” he said quietly as he took her into his arms.
She ran her hands inside his already open shirt and around the small of his back pulling him closer. As she drew closer to him, she pushed the shirt off his shoulders to help him undress. Her mouth met his in a succession of gentle kisses which became quickly more demanding. Breathlessly, they undressed each other between kisses. Bo entwined his fingers with hers and lowered her to the blanket beneath them. She ran her hands through his hair as he planted gentle kisses all along her body until he found her mouth once again. Their bodies awakened to their passion in the warmth of the rising sun. They became oblivious to the beauty of the sunrise and the sound of the surf...they became oblivious to everything but each other.
When the tide of their passion ebbed away, Nora snuggled in Bo’s arms. A soft sea breeze caressed their kindled bodies as their heartbeats returned to normal.
Bo posed his question again. “Now are you glad you came?” he asked as he caressed her back and held her close.
“Oh...yes,” she answered softly, “that’s a definite yes…”
* * * * * * *
They spent the rest of the morning on the beach walking and searching for seashells. Finally, they made their way back to the bungalow hand in hand to make some lunch.
As they neared the bungalow, Bo was first to notice the yacht at the end of the dock.
“Looks like the honeymoon’s over,” he commented. “Vince is back.”
Nora glanced at the yacht, then at Bo. “You don’t sound very happy.”
He squeezed her hand. “This trip ended up much better than I expected. I guess I hate to go back to reality.”
“Well...at least we go back to reality together...thanks to Asa,” she commented. “Bo, I’ve been wondering...you don’t think Asa and Matthew devised this plan together, do you? I certainly hope Asa would know better than to get a child’s hopes up when he was uncertain of the outcome.”
“No...I can’t imagine Pa taking that risk with Matthew’s feelings. I’m sure it was all Pa’s doing.” Bo shook his head and pulled Nora close to his side. “Good ole Pa. He never gave up on us, did he?”
“No,” she agreed smiling, “and I’m glad he didn’t.”
“Me too,” he said, “still…I’m thinking we should pay him back for this stunt he pulled on us. I’ve been thinking of a plan, but we’ll have to see if Vince will help us…are you game?” he asked her.
“But, of course! So...just what is this devious plan you’re considering?” she inquired, eyes sparkling.
Wrapping their arms about each other, they continued up the beach toward the bungalow. “Here’s what I was thinking,” Bo began…
* * * * * * *
Bo and Nora talked to Vince who was very willing to help them with their plan to fool Asa. Almost too willing, Bo thought begrudgingly.
Knowing they were leaving the next day, they spent their afternoon doing some of their favorite things on the island. Nora wanted to revisit the waterfall, and Bo wanted to do more snorkeling. After they finished the snorkeling, they built another sandcastle...this one complete with a moat. Then they walked barefoot along the surf, arms wrapped around each other, as the sun set.
“You’re awfully quiet,” Bo commented as they walked along.
“Just thinking,” she said.
“About?”
“Us,” she said.
“Us,” he repeated. “Who would have thought a week ago that there would be an ‘us’ again.
“Not me,” Nora answered. “You were pretty angry when you found me here. Hard to believe that was the same guy who made love to me on the beach this morning.” She smiled at him as she rubbed his back.
“Mmmm...now there’s a good memory.” He smiled. “We’re taking a lot of good memories home with us, Red.”
Nora started laughing. “And a lot of crazy ones too...that spider?”
He chuckled with her. “The spider from hell...may he rest in peace.”
“And the monkey who stole our coconut...”
“Well...I’m grateful to that monkey. The fear of that monkey is what drove you to my side in the hot tub. What you don’t know, honey, is that I cut a deal with that monkey. He would scare you into my arms and I would let him have a coconut.”
“Oh...is that how it worked?” she asked, nodding knowingly. “Very clever, Buchanan.”
Both fell silent for awhile as they continued their walk. The sky was getting dark, and a full moon could just be seen hanging over the water.
“It’s going to be a beautiful night,” Nora commented. She turned to face Bo and wrapped her arms around his neck. “Why don’t we...go back to the bungalow for a soak in that hot tub,” she asked.
“Mmmm, I like that idea,” he said pulling her close.
* * * * * * *
Bo let out a long and contented sigh as he gripped Nora closer and buried his lips at the base of her neck. Nora held him close running her hands through his hair. Their mouths met once again with melting kisses as their racing hearts calmed within them.
Nora leaned back a bit from where she sat atop Bo in the hot tub. He looked at her with drowsy eyes. She ran a finger down his jawline and across his lips as he leaned in to kiss her again.
She smiled at him and played with the hair draping onto his forehead. “Need I remind you again about how sexy I think you are...especially when your hair is wet and wild?” she whispered.
“I would wear it ‘wet and wild’ more often if I knew it was going to evoke this kind of response from you. You are a-ma-zing...do you know that?”
She raised her eyebrows at him. “I try,” she murmured claiming his mouth again. They explored each others mouths until Bo started whispering between kisses.
“My mind is made up.”
“About what?” she asked softly still kissing him.
“I’ve decided we’re getting a hot tub at home.”
“Oh?” she murmured, distracted by kissing him.
“Mmhmm,” he whispered between kisses, “then I’ll get ‘wet and wild’ every night and you will find me irresistible and make mad, passionate love to me every night...and maybe even in the mornings...or even in my office…I could just douse my hair at the water cooler and you could have your way with me…”
Nora started laughing. “Right there at the water cooler, huh? That might create a scene.”
He chuckled with her pulling her hips closer.
“You are adorable, Bo Buchanan.”
“I try,” he said imitating her earlier response. After a few more kisses, he said “I want another drink...how about you? Brandy?”
“Sounds good,” she said moving to sit next to him.. “You get to be the bartender.”
He rose dripping wet out of the hot tub and went to tend bar. Nora laughed.
“A naked bartender...what kind of joint is this?” she asked.
“It’s wet and wild, honey,” Bo responded pouring their drinks. He returned in moments handing her a brandy. He groaned as he sank back into the steamy water.
“What was that all about...that groan?”
Bo sighed. “I think I may have pulled something when I fell in that creek. I’m getting some stiffness in my lower back.”
“Mmm...remind me and I’ll give you a backrub later,” she said.
“I’ll take you up on that,” he answered reaching behind her to shut off the jets and lights in the tub.
“What’s the matter?” Nora asked.
“I hear something.”
They listened quietly. There was a scuffling sound. Suddenly glowing eyes pierced the darkness staring in their direction. They sat perfectly still.
“He’s back,” Bo whispered.
“That monkey?!” Nora leaned toward Bo and watched as the monkey rolled their last coconut along the deck.
“Are you sure it’s the same one, Bo? This one looks a little bigger to me,” Nora said quietly.
“Nope...it’s the same one alright. I can see it in his eyes. He has devil eyes,” Bo whispered poking two fingers out in front of him.
Nora giggled. “Devil eyes, huh?”
“Mmhmm.”
The monkey screeched making them both jump. Then he grabbed the coconut and bounded from the deck.
“There he goes!” Nora exclaimed, “and with our coconut, that little b...”
“Monkey,” Bo interjected. “Don’t worry about it. We’ll get Matthew another one.”
Nora sipped her brandy. “So, you really think that was the same monkey? I thought it looked bigger.”
“Nope...same one,” Bo insisted. “I’m a police commissioner, honey. I can read the eyes. I could pick that monkey out in a police line up.”
Nora glanced at him. “Well, gee, what would give him away? His short stature and hairy face?” Nora giggled. “or maybe it would be his long tail…” she said with wide eyes.
Bo gave her a frown. “I meant a line up of monkeys, not just him in a line up!”
Nora laughed and snuggled closer to Bo.
“I fear you doubt my skills,” Bo said looking at her seriously.
“Not at all, sweetie, I know you’re very skilled,” she said raising her eyebrows and planting kisses on his neck.
“And don’t you forget it,” he murmured pulling her close and taking another swig of his brandy.
They sat quietly listening to the night sounds. Finally, Bo turned to face her.
“I have a question for you, Red.”
“Okay…”
Before she could continue, he interrupted her, “...and I know when I ask this question, you are probably going to tell me we should ‘take our time’ and ‘ease into’ this relationship…”
“Like I did a few days ago? We both know how well that worked,” she said smiling at him. “Then I found you too hard to resist.”
“Well...I hope you find me too hard to resist again.”
He stopped to conjure the right words before rambling on without even taking a breath. “You see, Red, I don’t want to waste any more time. We have wasted too many years apart already. I love you and you love me and we both love Matthew...it’s time we were a real family. Not living in separate houses and spending an occasional night eating together and playing video games, but being a real family. And I don’t want you to just move in with me or me with you...I want to find a house where we can make a fresh start as a family without all the ghosts of our pasts hanging in the corners...and I don’t want to just move in together either. I want to get married. I want Matthew to have a real family. I love you, Red…”
He stopped abruptly and found her looking at him with a gentle smile.
“I’m sorry,” he said. “I guess that wasn’t a very pretty proposal. ‘I want, I want, I want.’ I just know how you are, Red. You’ll tell me you think we should ‘take our time’ and ‘be sure’ and…”
This time she interrupted him, “Don’t put words in my mouth, Bo Buchanan.”
He looked at her intently.
Then she continued, “Maybe I don’t want to waste any more time either. Maybe I want us to be a real family. Maybe I want a commitment too. You know I’m crazy in love with you. I always have been...If you’d only ask me the right way instead of being so demanding,” she teased running a hand along his jawline. “Now,” she said looking into his eyes, “what did you want to ask me?”
He looked into her eyes. “I love you, Red. Will you marry me?”
“Well, that was simple, wasn’t it? And my answer is just as simple. My answer is ‘yes’ she said with a smile.