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Sorry for the delay in getting this chapter done. The last couple of months have been extremely busy ones with the holidays. I hope to get future chapters out on a regular basis.
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I moaned softly as the alarm woke me, my mind still clinging to the dream I'd been having, shutting off the alarm but wanting to fall back to sleep and return to the dream. The sound of a deep groan coming from beside me had my eyes flying open as the dream fled from my mind. I bit my lip and looked over at my new husband, his eyes still shut, brows drawn down in a slight frown.
"I left some aspirin and a glass of water on your nightstand, love." I whispered, knowing James would have one hell of a hangover. He always did when he drank Apple Pie Moonshine.
"Thank you," James croaked from a dry throat. "You're always a step ahead of me."
I slipped from the bed and went into the bathroom, turning on the shower and stepping into it, letting the water sluice over my body as I quickly washed myself letting my mind replay the dream before stepping out of the shower and adjusting the water a bit hotter for James.
"Your shower's ready, it might help make you feel more human." I said as I returned to the bedroom and smiled at James as he sat on the edge of the bed looking confused.
"Why am I still dressed?" He groaned as he dropped his head into his hand. "I...Did we?...I..."
I placed my finger against his lips. "Yes you did; No we didn't and I know." I told him with a smile. "You and Apple Pie Moonshine had a wonderful night. We are definitely married and I know you are sorry. It's not like we haven't 'consummated' our marriage over the last couple of years. Come on, in the shower with you, we have a Wedding breakfast to attend!"
I pulled on his hand and guided him to the bathroom. Taking his clothes as he stripped and moving back into the bedroom of the suite and folded them neatly into his overnight bag. After laying out some slacks and a shirt on the bed for him I dropped my robe and started getting dressed. I heard a ding from my phone and grabbed it to check the message. It was from Shari, asking if I was awake and how James was. I texted back we were awake and he was moaning in the shower, and that we would see her at the planned breakfast in half an hour.
James came out of the bathroom drying himself off and slid his arms around me as I sent back the text and whispered. "Mrs. Cardiff you look very hot in that thong and bra, but I think our family and friends might be shocked if that is what you wear to breakfast." He kissed my shoulder. "I am sorry love, I should have told Daniel no when he gave me the moonshine."
I nodded slightly and turned my head to kiss his cheek. "It's ok," I assured him and slipped from his arms, reaching for the dress hanging over the back of a chair.
James eyed me as he pulled his boxers on then his slacks. "I promise to make it up to you tonight love."
I smiled as I smoothed the dress over myself and turned to him. "Zip me please, and I will hold you to that promise!"
James kissed the back of my neck as he zipped up the dress. "Mmmm, I look forward to it."
I stepped into the bathroom and quickly put my hair into a loose french braid down the back of my head and put on some mascara and lips gloss then stepped back into the bedroom. "Ready?" I smiled at him as I stepped into some low heeled sandals and adjusted the strap over my heel.
"Ready as I will be, hopefully coffee and food will get rid of this headache." James smiled and took my hand. "You look beautiful Mrs. Cardiff."
"You clean up rather nicely yourself, Mr. Cardiff." I smiled at him and we headed for the door.
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Walking into the Lounge of the Lodge I smiled and waved at Shari as she motioned to us and we headed in her direction. Exchanging hugs with her I frowned at Daniel. "You are on my shit list Mister."
Daniel raised his hands."I know, I know, I'm sorry Karina, Shari already took my balls for giving James the moonshine."
I looked at Shari and smirked."Oh I am sure she did. If I didn't love her so much I would finish the job and make you a eunuch." I grinned at him and then winked at Shari.
Daniel squirmed, "Thank goodness for that," He chuckled.
I poured James and I some coffee and sat down as Janet and Mari came to the table. I smiled at them both, "Good morning you two, I hope you enjoyed the reception after we retired."
Mari hugged me and slipped into a chair. "I danced the night away." She leaned forward and smiled at James. "Is your friend Cord joining us this morning?"
James sipped his cup of coffee and his brow furrowed. "I am sure I told him about the breakfast. He must have overslept what with the timezones and stuff. I'll call and wake him up." He answered as he pulled his cell phone from his pocket.
Shari nodded to a waiter standing by the door and he stepped away, returning quickly with several others and setting bowls of cut fruit, yogurt, scones, jams and clotted cream on the table. Others came in and moved to a sidebar setting trays of eggs, meats, waffles and potatoes on warmers before quietly leaving again.
James tapped his phone and shook his head. "I guess I forgot to charge it last night," he said quietly. "Does anyone know what room he is in."
"Here use my phone and I will go put yours on the charger in our room." I smiled and handed him my phone.
"Thank you hun. You're too good to me." He said and started dialing on the phone as I stepped away to go to our room.
After putting James' phone on the cordless charger in our room I stepped out of the door and literally bumped into Cord. "Good m...morning." I stammered as Cord lightly gripped my arm to steady me.
"Karina, Good morning." Cord looked over my shoulder at the room.
"Everyone else is at the Breakfast. Did James not tell you about it?" I asked. My body tingling as his hand lightly caressed my arm.
"He told me..." His phone beeped and he glanced at it and stuck it back in his pocket. As he did so I realized he was carrying his suitcase and had been headed away from the lounge.
"You're leaving?" I whispered.Raising my eyes to his, biting my lower lip to keep it from trembling.
Cord groaned as our eyes locked. "Kari don't...please." Glancing down the hallway before cupping my face and running his thumb over my cheek. "I don't know if I can face him."
My body flushed at his touch, a frisson of pleasure, excitement and desire rushing through me, my breath catching at his intimate caress. My eyes searched his, seeing the same lust, excitement and desire I was feeling, along with a hint of sadness. Time seemed to stop as we stood there staring at each other, the Lodge, everything seemed to dissolve around us and only the two of us existed. "Please..." I whispered.
Cord groaned and he leaned his forehead against mine, eyes closing for a moment."I will stay and come to the breakfast. Go ahead to the Lounge, I will put this in my car and be there in a moment."
I nodded and rubbed my cheek against his hand which still cupped it. "You'll come....you won't leave?"
"I will be there in a moment. I promise," he answered.
His phone rang again and he pulled it from his pocket. "Do you know this number? It's a local number here isn't it?"
I looked and smiled. "Yes, it's my number, James' phone is dead and he is using mine to try and wake you for breakfast."
"Ah, that would explain. I'll be there in a moment." He turned away and tapped his phone."Hey buddy, sorry I was in a conference call. What's up?" He turned to look at me and smiled. I turned and went back to the Lounge as he walked toward the exit.