Walk in the Dark, the closed chapters

[BLACK BART]

~ For RedHairedandFriendly and I ~

OOC: Thank You for not letting a naughty tale fade before its time: rose:

*************************************************************

One week had passed.

Seven days.

How cynical fate was, to let you think all your troubles had ridden away on the bus, then laugh at you as you found out they were back...

It began with a phone call.

The greedy voice on the other end informing Richard Shanus of "Important and vital facts", whining with pleasure as Richard reassured him there would be "something extra" in his envelope that month.

His wife was in the hospital. Bruised and scraped, but otherwise physically in good condition, her status stable and breathing on her own.

Good news you would think. On the surface you might agree, but on further scrutiny and after knowing ALL the facts, you'd be just as confused as Richard was...

The facts being...Richard Shanus wasn't married. At least NOT anymore...

and his "Wife" was in perfect physical condition....healing well from the delicate operation performed on her...but in a coma...

So what was the problem?

Looking back at their short but violent history you'd think Richard would be relieved...and that having Celestial Cummings Shanus in a coma and out of his way would be a blessing.

But in his mind, knowing the fiery stubbornness of the woman, Richard Shanus KNEW he had trouble...IF and WHEN she woke up!

Standing over her bed Celestial didn't look like a problem. Rather with her pale skin and full figure, and her red, red hair fanning around her face she looked more like a goddess or an angel

Angel? No!

Goddess? Of was or spiteful revenge...Perhaps...

Richard Shanus had talked with the Surgeon, rousting him our of bed and not letting him return until he had a clear and full picture.

He had talked to another specialist about the mysteries of comas for hours, leaving the confused Doctor wise enough to not ask his own questions, but offering his card and help "anytime" Shanus needed it...

Finally he had listened to the staff that had cared for "Rose Doe", the erotic and unknown woman’s assigned name, hearing how much of a "miracle" it was that she had survived...and how sympathetic they all were for her recovery.

All in all drawing entirely TOO MUCH attention to matters Richard considered extremely private...and dangerous

Matters he decided needed attending to, and with the decision was glad for the chance to act, and did so...

Arrangements were made. A live in nurse was hired and the services of the best physician as well, both already under the control of the "Shanus Loan and Mortgage Company" and dependable because they owed him...

That afternoon "Rose Doe" was sadly, but not unexpectedly, reported to have died, her demise dutifully recorded and witnessed, her "body" sent directly to the morgue for immediate cremation...

And Celeste Cummings Shanus was brought to her new home, an immense three story mansion Richard had restored with the hopes of selling for a huge profit, but instead he now used because of the remote location and controlled access.

"You look pretty good for a dead woman"

Shanus spoke to the red haired beauty as she slept...His own resting spot for the week a modified couch a few steps away

"Too bad you're not much of a conversationalist, I'd enjoy talking to you without having a fight...just once."

 

[RedHairedandFriendly]

Awakening

Another week went by and a third, when Saturday morning of week four began its day, Celestial Shanus woke up. Her eyes darted around the room. She took a deep breath and swallowed. Her throat was dry. Her tongue darted out and she licked her lips. There was a noise, in the room with her. Voices? Machines? Where was she? Thoughts filled her and for a moment she started to panic. Then a woman came over and stared down at Celeste. She heard her call for a doctor another joined them.

“Hello Misses Shanus. We’ve been waiting for you for quite a while now,” the man said. “Nurse Marie is going to get your husband.”

Celeste’s eyes grew wide. Her husband? Who was he talking about? Who was Misses Shanus? “Who?”

The Nurse stopped at the door and turned back. She walked over to the bed and stared down at the woman she’d been caring for along side the skills of Doctor Alan. She looked up at the highly respected professional and chewed on her lower lip.

“Your husband, Richard. He’s here and he’s been anxious to see you awake and aware.”

The doctor pulled a chair up to her. He took her hand and squeezed it. “Tell me what you remember.”

Celestial looked around the room. She didn’t have a clue where she was and her face showed it. “I don’t know. What happened.”

“We’ll let your husband talk to you. I’m sure Marie will be happy to go get him. I have to ask you a few things first. You do remember Richard? Don’t you?” He studied her close. His eyes flickered to his nurse.

“Miss Shanus,” Marie said, quietly, not wanting to upset the young woman. “Do you know your name?”

“Of course I know my name.” But she said nothing as her mind became a blanket of dark ink that refused to spread out and light up corners that would reveal secrets to her. “Give me a minute.” She closed her eyes, clenched them as she tried to will herself to remember. A tear fell down her cheek and she reached up to swipe at it.

“Please. Please help me,” she whispered.

The Doctor looked to his nurse and hung his head. “Misses Shanus. I’m going to go speak with your husband. Marie will stay with you.”

He looked to the woman and then the nurse. “Marie. I’ll inform Mister Shanus of the situation, stay with our lovely patient. We don’t need her falling back to sleep on us.”

He left the room and felt a sick wrenching in his gut. The beautiful woman was at the mercy of a heartless man and that was the worse place to be. He didn’t know what Richard truly felt for the angelic being that had been asleep for just over three weeks, but if it wasn’t love, which he knew Richard was incapable of, then it only meant trouble for the erotic beauty.

He found Richard in one of the lower rooms. “She’s awake, but...” he took a deep breath, “she doesn’t remember anything, including who she is.”

He quickly informed Richard that it could be temporary, or permanent, either way, if he didn’t want her to slip away again, which could happen if she’s upset, he needed to proceed with caution.

 

[BLACK BART]

Shanus sat quietly in the over sized easy chair, absorbing the "good Doctor's" diagnosis and carefully guarded warnings.

For some reason the look in the Doctor's pious words and looks irritated Richard more than usual, the disturbing news Celeste had amnesia, made even worse by the warning not to upset her with actions or words grating his very fiber.

And yet he was no fool, Doctor Alan was indeed the very best in his field, and Celeste's awakening was no small accomplishment.

"You're worried Doc, I can see it in your face and hear it in the way you talk, your patient no doubt will need to be checked up on a regular basis...a fact that will make both of you feel better, I'm sure?"

He spoke the words coolly, letting his own disdain for the Doctor's attitude and approach carry gently through, his eyes telling the man quite clearly he knew JUST what kind of man he was...

"Trot along now boy"

Shanus spoke with an edged tone, addressing the man who was born 20 years before in a slighting tone.

"I'll go upstairs and see my.... Wife , I think...and see if we can start.... Fresh ."

He didn't bother to see the man out, instead turning to climb the stairs, taking his time and admiring the dark woodwork and how it offset the painted white walls and high ceilings, arriving at the third and highest floor a good ten minutes later.

When he walked into the immense bedroom Celeste was sitting up, running a brush through her red, red hair...the sun playing through the windows of the balcony doors and washing over her delicate features...

For some reason he felt as if he had entered a different world, in that moment and time he wondered, was he actually in the presence of a Goddess, after all?

"Hello Celeste...I'm glad to see you back with us, do you remember who I am?"

He addressed her gently, letting a smile come to his face and eyes as he admired the diaphanous gown she wore and how the light shined through it.

 

[RedHairedandFriendly]

The brush paused in mid stroke and she turned to the door. There stood a striking figure of a man and though she couldn’t recall him, she knew this was the man the Doctor and Nurse had been talking about. Her brow furrowed as she studied him. She lay her brush down and moistened her lips. The Nurse excused herself and for a moment a rush of panic filled Celeste. She took several calming breaths, trying to ease the panic that was rising inside her.

Eventually she spoke, though her words were quiet. “Are you Richard Shanus?”

He looked surprised that she knew his name. She held up her hand, “No... I’m sorry. Marie, the Nurse told me your name and mine.”

The look fell or was it relief? She wasn’t sure. “I’m Celeste? Celeste Shanus?”

She pushed back her hair and let it spill down her back. “I’m trying. I really am.” Her fingers shook and she reached for the small glass of water that rested on the table next to her bed. She shifted nervously and slid from under the covers.

Timidly she pushed her feet out and then scooted off. She wavered slightly and fell back on the bed. She looked back at Richard. “I guess I don’t have land legs yet. Marie said you slept in here every night after I was released. Thank you.”

Her slim fingers tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear and she placed her hands in her lap as her feet dangled off the edge of the massive bed. “Richard. Who am I?”

She’d been told she was married to this man and something inside her told her he was strong and passionate, about her? She didn’t know, but right now he was all she had and something told her she wouldn’t be happy with herself if she ever learned what darkness kept the light out.

“Would you tell me, about Celestial Shanus?”

Her eyes moved back to him and she stared with the look of innocence and wide-eyed belief that the man in front of her loved her the way a husband was supposed to love his wife.

 

[BLACK BART]

“Richard. Who am I?”

Shanus had wondered the very same thing, why had this woman affected him, when a dozen others hadn't?

“Would you tell me, about Celestial Shanus?”

Could he?

Richard Shanus was quietly puzzled, his head telling him one direction to take, his heart another complete opposite...

He found himself kneeling on the floor in front of Celeste, his hands taking one of her tiny feet in his massive hands, rubbing it gently as he tried to give her an answer.

"Your name before we were married was...is....Celestial Cummings."

Shanus congratulated himself for telling Celeste the truth, his hands warming to the touch as well as to the task of rubbing Celeste's foot.

"We've only been married a short time, counting the time you've been...sleeping, less than two months, but in that time you've been the deciding factor in my life...and all my decisions..."

Again he had spoken the truth, and as he looked up to Celeste's eyes he felt a tiny thrill at the look she gave him in return.

"We never had a real chance to....become a man and wife....my business demanded that we make a trip that went, unfortunately, for the worst...When we returned...you had the accident. Do you remember anything...Celeste?"

 

[RedHairedandFriendly]

Celeste watched this man, this stranger, run his hands over her skin. It felt different, odd, unnatural. But it didn’t feel bad or scary, just different. “Celestial Cummings...” she giggled. “That’s a name one wouldn’t forget or one may just wish too. I wonder what that was like growing up.” She rolled her eyes.

Her words brought her up short though and she chewed her lower lip. She closed her eyes, trying to remember growing up. Nothing came to her, the black void was thick and as much as she willed it she couldn’t bring anything to the surface. Her eyes opened and she blinked back at her husband.

She started to breath deep and shiver. Eventually she felt the panic rising and watched as her husband tried to calm her. She did as he suggested, taking deep breaths and trying to relax. When she was calm again she tilted her head to the side.

“Does that happen often?” she asked.

“What?”

“The panic attack? I had one with the nurse after the doctor left, but she did what you just did and walked me out of it. Do I have a problem with them?”

“Sometimes, yes. But I try to help you when I can.”

She smiled softly and touched his cheek. “Thank you.” She felt a spark of energy roll through her and she drew her hand back. A blush caressed her and she turned her head.

“I’m sorry. I don’t remember anything right now. Perhaps if you show me some things that I find appealing or are important to me,” she paused and thought for a moment, “rabbits... do you have any?”

Her eyes grew wide. “Do we raise bunnies?” Her look was one of disbelief. There was no way this man, who reeked of wealth and sophistication had bunnies so why did she want to see one?

 

[BLACK BART]

Bunny....rabbits?"

The idea of a grown woman playing with a "bunny" nearly floored him, but as Richard thought about it he realized he was asuming inside that full grown body was an adult mind....and what if it wasn't?

"There are...rabbit's on the estate, I'm sure? As I had breakfast several times I remember seeing them down by the pond...Perhaps when you're head clears and you're able to take a short walk I might take you to the southern veranda..."

The idea seemed to please her and Richard reasoned the need for the animal might be a childhood memory emerging, then cautioned himself as he knew so very little about her present life...much less as to her past....

"Celeste...do you mind if I call you that...it was sort of "our" pet name for you..."

He began gently and sat beside her on the bed.

"Can you tell me how old you are...or if you remember how we were married?"

 

[RedHairedandFriendly]

She saw the concern on his face and she was touched by it. She stroked his hair back, then ran her fingers over his brow. “I just thought I may have had one. There was a time when I think I may have.” She shrugged her shoulders and sighed. “Richard. I assume, I’m old enough to be married. I don’t see you as one to play with the children.”

“Would you help me please?” she asked.

He watched her try to again stand, this time she grabbed onto his arm. She took several deep breaths and then smiled. “I’m okay now. I want to look at myself.” She walked over to a mirror and stared at the woman that was married to a handsome man, who obviously cared for her, but she saw only a vacant face. She stared into it and then ran her fingers over her pale skin.

“Celeste,” she whispered to the six-foot-two, redhead with gold highlights and green eyes. She tilted her head back and forth, noticed her body, raised a brow in admiration. “Richard, I’m twenty-four.”

She spun around and smiled wide. Her feet carried her to him and she circled his neck with her graceful arms. “Twenty-four, born on April 1st.”

“I don’t remember anything else right now, but that isn’t a bad thing. I’ve remembered a little. I like rabbits and I’m twenty-four.”

Her eyes fell to his lips and she swallowed. “Sorry,” she whispered and slipped away from him. “Would you show me our wedding pictures, maybe that will help, jar my memory?”

 

[BLACK BART]

Richard inwardly breathed a sigh of relief. Celeste's memories were lost to her, for the moment, but she wasn't lost in time.

In fact her recollection of her age was a break-through, one that hinted she might quickly recollect everything and return to the distant person she once was.

He smiled as she openly admired herself and then spun gracefully, the move making him think she had the skills of a dancer to add to her growing talents. that thought making him wonder just hpw talented of a lady she was...and why he was such a bastard in ignoring her as he tried to use her.



“Would you show me our wedding pictures, maybe that will help, jar my memory?”

He sighed as she asked the question and dropped her arms from around his neck, knowing he had no right to expect more, and yet an emptiness inside him was made too evident each time she was near him.

"Richard?"

Raising his eyes he met her questioning pair and sighed a second time, then opened his hands to her, wondering if she'd take them...

"I asked you once...to trust me. You chose not to, and it put us at odds. We weren't exactly the most...agreeable couple considering the circumstances."

Her eyes were confused as he spoke, her hands cupped together in front of her, and she nodded, then spoke softly...

"Go on...Richard, was I that terrible of a person?".

Her composure amazed him, she had just woken from a coma, discovered she had amnesia...and was now listening to the man introduced as her husband tell her they weren't...together?

"No ma'am, it wasn't you."

He corrected and wondered what was coming over him.

"I was...am the person in the wrong. I based my decisions and actions on my own past experiences and tried to control the events I put into action, when it backfired on me you did what you had to...made the best of it, so to speak..."

Quietly cursing himself for ignoring the Doctor's order not to get her upset, he was once again impressed by the strength of her mind and her quickness in grasping the situation...

"Yet when I woke, you were there....and had never left my side according to the nurse and doctor YOU hired to care for me, WHY?"

Dropping his head Richard stared at his feet and wondered the same himself, ~what logical reason did he have?~

Then lifted his eyes to give his answer...

"I was alone once...no one to turn to, no help to be had...None ever did turn up, but I got along...made my own way...maybe I didn't like what I had to do to survive...and didn't want you to have to make those same....decisions, by offering you a friendly shoulder to lean on, when you need it...with no strings attached"

 

[RedHairedandFriendly]

Celeste stepped back and stared at him for several minutes, before talking. When she did she did so with a hint of confusion in her voice, something she was becoming to recognize as well as feel, the more she stayed awake.

“So we are married. But not happily.”

She moved over to a large plushy chair and sat down, pulling her legs up to her chest. “Why would we marry if we weren’t happy? Am I pregnant?” Her face paled considerably and then pinked, “Did we ever...”

“No.”

“Oh,” her face fell slightly and she wondered why she’d marry a man she’d never been intimate with. With her arms hugging her legs she looked over to the man that was supposed to know everything about her, yet he knew nothing? How? How could he simply marry a woman he didn’t love? Why would he?

“Richard. You have to explain this to me. I don’t understand.”

She drew in a ragged breath and felt the tears threatening to fall again. “I mean. You are all I have and yet you aren’t telling me anything. I mean do I have a mom or a dad? Sister? Brother? A god-damn dog?” Her tears fell and she brushed them away.

“I mean. There has to be some reason you married me? What was it?”

 

[BLACK BART]

“I mean. There has to be some reason you married me? What was it?”

He could hear the delerium creeping into her words, and knew by the statements she made Celeste was growing more and more upset by the moment at her loss of memories...and the answers he couldn't give her.

"You needed someone to watch over you, until you were able to take care of yourself...as for myself...I was hoping to find in you a strong partner...and someone in time...that might love me...as I hoped to love you."

Perversely he forced himself to tell the truth. A carefully edited part of it, true..., but the truth regardless as to the feelings Celeste had brought out in him...and still was...

It was shaky ground for him at best, and Richard forced himself to concentrate and not be rattled...

"If you feel strong enough, let me walk you to the garden in the rear of the house, it is lovely in the evening and I can have the nurse bring you something to refresh you...cool water, or perhaps a warm drink?"

 

[RedHairedandFriendly]

“I think that would be a good idea.” She let him help her up and she felt subconscious in her gown. “A robe?” she asked.

He brought her one and she shivered with a flush of warm heat as he helped her into it. “Thank you,” she whispered.

They made their way down to the gardens and he eased her onto a bench. A drink was there within seconds, how he’d done it she didn’t know. Something told her, her husband would provide for her no matter what and the help would simply disappear without a moment’s notice.

“I needed a new start?” she laughed, one full of indecision. “Funny. . .it seems I need a new start again.”

“Richard. I don’t know the woman I was before. Maybe someday I will.”

She sipped at her ice water and stared at the cubes as they danced about. “If you’re still willing to help me. I’m willing to stay. It seems I have no other place to go.”

Celeste looked up at him. “Where do we begin? How do I be your wife?”

 

[BLACK BART]

“If you’re still willing to help me. I’m willing to stay. It seems I have no other place to go.”

The look he saw in Celeste's eyes made his cock twitch in desire, even as he felt a twinge of something he thought long dead in himself...

“Where do we begin? How do I be your wife?”

"Trust me Celeste."

He sighed and looked at the pale and erotic vision her face made at that moment.

"Know deep in your mind that I have only the best and right things in my heart for you, despite the methods I use, despite how...wrong they might appear. Can you do that, now?"

Again he felt that twinge, as Celeste's eyes met his, and in them he saw a naive acceptance and vulnerability.

And Richard Shanus knew the name of the pain that was returning to him as he waited for her answer...

He was beginning to have...a conciense.

 

[RedHairedandFriendly]

Celestial smiled back at him. “Richard, until I feel otherwise, I will trust you. I married you didn’t I? Surely there was more than just you helping me start over.”

She sipped her water and leaned back against the bench, her eyes closed and she breathed in the aroma of the flowers that surrounded her.

“So. . .no bunnies. I bet I had one as a kid. Perhaps a dog or a cat?” She licked her lips, then chewed on the lower one, a habit she didn’t remember, but still fell quickly into.

“Since I have nothing to offer you, but my wit, or so I hope I am witty. . .and my charm, again, I do hope I am somewhat charming,” she grinned and then opened her eyes, “you’ll have to let me know about you. What do you do? And. . . how did we meet?”

Her green eyes sought the truth out from him, and for a moment she was lost in them. She shook herself and felt the blush rise up on her cheeks. “I’m sorry,” she whispered. “I find myself trying to remember you. . .something tells me it is very important, how could it not be, you are my life, it seems.”

Timidly she moved her hand to touch him, but she let her fingers curl back and fall into her lap. This wasn’t right. There was something keeping her held back, she didn’t know what it was, but she would have to let him show her, teach her. . .after all she’d promised to trust him.

 

[BLACK BART]

“I find myself trying to remember you. . .something tells me it is very important, how could it not be, you are my life, it seems.”

In truth there was absolution, or so Shanus had been told over and over by the priests, but in reality...all you found was brutality...and no shame...

"I had hoped to be Celeste...but all I managed was to complicate your life....I shared my last name with you in order to give you protection....from another force that wanted to harm you. But instead of giving you a safe place I put you into a situation where you had no where to turn"

Little by little Celeste was drawing the truth from him, and with each admission he knew he was digging himself a deeper hole...

"I'm not a good man Celeste, haven't thought of being one in almost ten years, but I've always tried to deal you from a fresh deck."

 

[RedHairedandFriendly]

“Then we both have faults and reasons to remain married.”

She stood up and walked over to a blooming rose. Her fingers stroked the petals. “Whatever I did wrong. . .wasn’t nice, I’m sure and so I needed you. You offered help. I obviously accepted. So. . .am I safe now?”

She turned back and walked over to him, holding a petal in her fingers. She ran it under her nose, inhaling the soft fragrance.

“You and I are here now. So let’s start over. If and when I recover my memory, then we will see where things stand. In the meantime,” she stretched out her empty hand, “I’m Celeste and you are Richard, a pleasure to meet you.”

Her smile was genuine as was the look in her eyes. When their hands touched, she felt a spark of something and she squeezed his fingers tight. “I’ll follow and I’ll trust you. What do we do first? Am I safe from my past? Or is there something I need to do?”

 

[BLACK BART]

“I’m Celeste and you are Richard, a pleasure to meet you.”

Richard took her hand and felt a ripple of pleasure move through his chest and groin, his mind playing tricks on him as it made him wonder how sweet her lips would taste if he kissed her...

“I’ll follow and I’ll trust you. What do we do first? Am I safe from my past? Or is there something I need to do?”


Even as he breathed a sigh of relief he felt the lust surge, and as he replied he KNEW what he wanted, and WHO.

"This is my City, Celeste, you and I are safe here, despite the enormous power of those that hunt us, when your memories return...hopefully they will blend with the understanding of what I've done...and why."

And then he told her...Of how he was once a young man and newly married, of the family that welcomed him in...and how thier dreams were robbed by that family...as was the young woman he dared loved...

"They killed thier own blood...she was the first born daughter of the family and could have had power...wealth....anyone....Instead she chose me...and her own death."

And then Richard discovered just HOW sweet Celeste's lips were, as he pulled her to him and gently kissed them, and he felt her body mold itself to his as she retuned the kiss.

 

[RedHairedandFriendly]

Celeste could hear his sorrow in his words, but there was more to the story, more to his and to hers, but there was also something else. Nevertheless when he moved closer and pulled her into him, all thoughts of whatever had been were no longer important. A moment of fear captured her, she was going to kiss the man that called her wife. She stilled herself, waiting to fill the terror of another she didn’t know claiming her, but it never came instead she melted against him. Her body leaning in and begging for more. Her lips answering his in a soft gentle wave of soft skin meeting more firmer ones.

Her fingers had initially clenched in anticipation and nervousness, but they relaxed as she opened her mouth and let her tongue slide along his. Her hands came up and ran over his chest. They continued to climb higher, taking a path along his shirt and then around his neck. The fingertips pressed against the pulse of his heart that beat under the fragile skin and when they toyed with his hair a moan of pleasure escaped her.

She felt the silky strands and toyed with them as she angled her head and danced a melody he led her on with her tongue, teeth and lips. When they parted, her gaze was full of confusion, desire, passion and want. Other things were there, curiosity and need. . .but there was a question too. Why had they not consummated their union? The kiss spoke of heat and mutual attraction, what was it that had held her back? Would she want to know? Would the past find her and destroy what she was feeling now as he held her in his arms.

Celeste didn’t want to ask herself those questions and she knew deep down she didn’t want to know the answers. “Kiss me again,” she whispered as she moved her mouth back toward him.

 

[BLACK BART]

When a memory is lost and then returns, what reality does the mind accept as real, the one it used to live in....or the one it now does?

Richard asked himself the question even as he enjoyed the softness of Celeste lips and body, feeling her uncertain touch grow more demanding as the kiss continued and she clung to him.

The tenderness of it all reminded him that her soul was a gentle and fragile thing..and he was the beast that raged his lust and anger on it, nearly destroying her.

He cautioned himself to remain gentle, to let Celeste assure them both that this was what she wanted, to give herself to him and not just let him take her as he had tried in the too recent past.

Drawing back he stared at the beauty in his arms, how innocent and gentle she looked with her eyes closed, and wondered how he could have been so wrong about her?

And when her eyelids opened, and he saw the questions and desire in her green eyes, he felt himself helpless to think of anything else as she asked him...

“Kiss me again,”​

And even as the hard pain in his groin demanded he tear Celeste's clothes off and press her to the floor, the sweet, gentle pressure of her lips on his cleared his raging lust, giving him the strength to simply enjoy that eternal moment in time.

His hands carressing her face as she held it, then sliding to her shoulders and back, feeling her body tremble as he carressed one taut buttock and she pressed herself to him.

This time would be different. Richard Shanus promised both himself and Celeste. This time she would come to him willingly...or not at all...

 

[RedHairedandFriendly]

Her fingers slid from his hair to his shoulders and then back again. Her lips pressed against his and her tongue feasted from his mouth as if he were the finest wine she’d ever tasted. In the back of her mind she told herself this was not supposed to happen that it was wrong and she’d regret it. In her heart though she heard only that it meant healing and they both needed it. She pulled herself from him for a moment and sighed against his lips. “I want to remember,” she told him. The truth of it was in her voice. The longing to understand, the need and determination to, but underneath it all was fear, she pushed it away. “But not tonight. Tonight I don’t want to know who I was, I only want to be who I am right now.”

Her fingers teased the buttons of his shirt. Her eyes raised up and held his gaze. She released one slim disk and then another. She never left his gaze, waiting for him to stop her, when he didn’t she became bolder and let her nails trail over the flesh that was hidden behind the fabric. She blinked and worried her lower lip, before finally losing the tug of war with his eyes. Her lips pressed against the center of his chest and she breathed in the scent of him. She was lost in the moment, not even caring or thinking about the fact they were outside.

When she had released the final button and tugged his shirt from his slacks, she looked back at him. She stepped away and untied her sash, letting the robe hang lose upon her skin. “Richard,” she whispered, her breath catching in her throat. She swallowed and ran her tongue over her lips. “I don’t know the hows and whys, but I do know that for some reason we both have been given a second chance.”

She eased the robe from her shoulders and let it pool to the soft grass under their feet. “I would like to take that chance with you, if you’ll have me?”

 

[BLACK BART]

“I would like to take that chance with you, if you’ll have me?”​

Richard Shanus had bedded more than his share of ladies. His appetite was as large as his bank account, a fact that brought him both the most desperate.... and the most glamorous of women.

Over the years he had become an expert in judging exactly what a woman wanted from his as they took thier clothes off, looking past the beauty to see the truth in thier painted eyes and faces.

That ability failed him...as did his words...when the robe fell to the floor with a silken whisper, leaving Celeste quietly waiting for his reply.

"Have you, Celeste?"

He finally voiced his confusion as his eyes drank in the utter perfection of her body, and her own eyes spoke the honest truth she had spoken seconds before to him.

At that moment he knew the truth. He would never...could never...hurt this woman who offered herself to him... with her trust and exquisite body...and so much...more.

"I've imagined being with a Lady like you my entire life...someone who was as strong as I had to be to survive...and yet trusted me absolute..."

Still Celeste remained mute. Her eyes studying him, her face showing understanding and compassion, as she waited for him to pass judgement...

And Richard finally....understood.

Stepping forward he wrapped his arms around Celeste's waist and shoulders, lifting her as he continues to move forward, gathering her to his chest as he slid his lips over hers to kiss her ever so softly.

"In the bed Celeste...our first time together should be...in the bed."

He couldn't remember the steps that led to the second floor, didn't recall how his own clothes fell away, but as he drew her into his arms and kissed her a second time...he knew he was never going to forget the lovemaking....

or Celeste.

 

[RedHairedandFriendly]

She didn’t understand what he meant about being with a Lady like her. She didn’t know what type of lady she was. Her memories were gone, so she only had instinct to act on and though her basic instinct was to flee, a more primal and hungry one was overtaking her. Celeste didn’t want to run and hide, she wanted to feel what this man was offering. In his eyes she saw only caring and adoration, two things that she felt were missing in her life. Now, in his arms and his lips crushing against hers softly, she trembled and blushed. The heat of her skin washed over her and she knew she was burning deep inside.

“Yes,” she whispered against his lips and then nuzzled his neck with the soft petals of flesh. He’d carried her to the bedroom, sat her on the floor, her feet only there long enough for him to pull away his own clothing. Her gown was eased from her body, the robe lay in a pile on the garden floor below them. He came back to her, pulling her in, kissing her deep yet with the gentle lips of a lover that knew how to love a woman.

She trembled in his arms. Her fingers were once again toying with the hair that lay at the nap of his neck. Her nails grazed his scalp, while her toes were forced to give her a boost in height as she tried to deepen the kiss. She wanted to drink him in, to feel him pressed against her, to feel their bodies mold to each other.

“Richard,” she whimpered and dropped a kiss to his shoulder. She took one of his hands and lifted it to her breast, letting him hold the soft ivory globe. She shook and moaned quietly as she slid the other to her waist. She knew that then he’d spoke the truth. Celestial had never been with Richard, her body though spoke of knowledge and she knew she’d been with a man. . . but who?

She pushed the question away, knowing she would ask Richard later, perhaps he knew. For now though only Richard existed and only he could please the hunger that was growing inside her. She trailed one hand down his chest and the other over his shoulder as she moved up to taste him again.

 

[BLACK BART]

Celeste was no virgin.

Richard knew that before they began.

But as he merged with her, became one...he quickly found she had too often been denied the pleasure gained when two lovers joined.

The clues being in her reactions to his body as he gently laved at her nipples, then sucked them into hard nubs...

when she gasped as he arched his body to slide his hard length across her g-spot below...

How she whimpered as he cupped her buttocks in each hand, to lift her body and gently force her to open her sex wider to him...

And how she cried out as he drove his full length deep into her tight canal and felt her squirt her juices around him in response...

But the final proof was in her eyes....as he lifted his head and met hers....to see the amazed wonder in them at the pleasure they had begun to share....as well as the growing want and lust for more...

 

[RedHairedandFriendly]

Celeste closed her eyes and felt the heat of Richard as he filled her completely. Her gaze met his and she read need in them and knew hers was just as hungry. She felt her body hold on to his as if she knew exactly how to please him. Her body reacted on instinct, holding him deep urging him on.

“Richard,” she moaned and buried her lips into his neck, nibbled gently as she breathed in his scent. Her fingers danced across his skin as she felt herself taking a ride on a wave of desire.

She’d never felt so wonderful, so beautiful and pure. Everything felt right as she pushed doubt away and allowed her heart to take control.

Whatever was in the past could stay buried there, she only wanted him. “Ohhh. . .Richard, there. Don’t. . .oh please don’t stop,” she begged and pleaded him, wondering how he could mean so much to her and yet she couldn’t remember him.

“Hold me, please. . .”

She was already in his arms, but she felt as if she were floating on a cloud that was spiraling out of control. Her nails bit into his flesh and deep within her sex, her body began to shiver violently as her nectar erupted and flowed hot over his sex. “Ohhhh my God,” she muttered, biting his neck and sucking on the flesh while liquid sheets of white fire skated behind her clenched lids.

 

[BLACK BART]

There was no holding back with Celeste...

As she writhed and moaned under his body Richard felt his own control slip away.

There was something in her face that told him this was a new beginning for her, trying to put all the pain behind her, to replace it with as much pleasure as she could gather from this...loving.

That belief...that need...made Richard helpless, and allowed her emotions and lust to flow into him...and to respond to her in a way long forgotten..

With each tender kiss, with each long, slow stroke of his cock in and out of her velvet, wet puss...he felt the emotions of needing to love...and being loved.

And as Celeste's eyes opened wide to meet his...he knew she felt it washing over herself as well...

Minutes later it was that thought...that sensation...that drove him over the top, to find his release and pound into Celeste's body, feeling her own juices wash thier thighs to merge with his...

"Celllll-lesssssste!"

Calling her name before falling to the side of her, and drawing her into his arms...