Five: Time To Hit The Road

“Ready, darlin’?” Richie asked.

“Absolutely.” Jen pulled her laptop to her shoulder and Richie hefted her duffel. They held hands all the way down the hall to the elevator, and Richie smiled at their loosely clasped fingers. It felt so natural; so comfortable.

Once the elevator doors slid shut, Richie tensed, waiting for Jen to crush his hand. When it didn’t come, he chuckled. “Jen, darlin’, you’re not breaking my fingers; everything okay?”

It took Jen a moment to process what Richie had asked. Then she looked around at her surroundings. “I didn’t even realize we were in an elevator.” She gave him a gentle squeeze. “Guess I’m too weary from all the sex to feel nervous.”

“I guess we’ll always have to have sex before you get into an elevator, then. Keep the stress levels to a minimum.”

They left the hotel laughing, and the same car was waiting to take them back to the train station. Jen and Richie made their way to the platform, and started down the long expanse of concrete, Richie leading the way. “I know where our seats are,” he said, as he pulled Jen along behind him.

Jen’s heart raced as they approached the last car in the train. “Oh Rich, you didn’t!” she exclaimed.

Richie just pressed a kiss to her temple. “Sure did, baby.”

The car he had led them to was straight out of the 1950’s.

Yards of gleaming brass and distressed wood loomed in front of them. The windows were all covered with what looked like delicate lace curtains, and the sides of the car were polished to a high shine. Jen craned her neck and could see a brakeman’s balcony on the back of the car.

“How – where – ” Jen stammered. “Who do you know that has one of these?”

“Baby, I know everyone,” Richie laughed. “I wanted us to be comfortable, and this guy owed me a favor.”

When the butler, for the only thing you could call the liveried man that hovered just inside the door waiting for them was a butler, opened the door, the opulence of the car literally took Jen’s breath away. He ushered them in, taking Jen’s bags from them. She could mutter only a distracted “thank you”, for she was stunned at what she saw. Dominating the car, about halfway down, was a gorgeous, white marble fireplace with burgundy veining.

“Seriously, a fireplace?” Jen squealed. “This is just too much!”

She ran past the fully stocked kitchen area into the living area, trailing her hand across the back of the deep, plush sofa. Everything was done in white and wood-tones, with burgundy accents to tie in to the fireplace. The expanse virtually screamed elegance, and over-indulgence. A chandelier swayed gently overhead, the discrete wires holding it to the ceiling barely visible.

Jen sat on the couch and looked around, waiting for Richie. The tables were all mahogany, with thick, heavy legs. The table centered in front of the sofa was flanked on the other side by a pair of wide wing-backed chairs. The artwork on the linen-covered walls was tasteful and softly lit. The windows were, indeed, covered by white lace curtains. Jen crossed the car to finger the heavy lace.

Richie watched Jen taking it all in, and tipped the butler, saying, “Thanks, I’ve got it from here.” The other man nodded, and closed the door behind him as he left. Richie joined Jen on her little tour of the luxurious car, stopping her when they came to the sleeping compartment. He smiled at her gasp of surprise. The entire width of the car was taken up by mattresses. The massive sheets covering them could only be hand-made, and a veritable mountain of pillows was piled all around the walls, making an inviting nest.

“This is absolutely amazing!”

“I’m glad you like it,” he said, leading them back out to the sitting area. “Are you still hungry? I could maybe make you something.”

“I would love something to eat. Whatcha got?”

“You go sit. I’ll bring it over when it’s ready.”

A hiss and sizzle had Jennifer coming into the kitchenette. Richie had sliced peppers and onions, and was sautéing them in a large, cast iron pan. A second pan had thinly sliced steak drizzled with Worcestershire sauce, and was sizzling nicely. He had long hoagie rolls under the broiler, and was mixing Jen a fruity cocktail.

“My, my,” Jen said. “You are quite at home here, aren’t you?”

Richie smiled. “I’ve been a guest here before,” he said. “As long as you’re here, you may as well get some plates down from the cabinet over there.”

Jen did as she was bid, and set the small table with two plates, linen napkins, and heavy silver. “I just can’t believe how beautiful this is. And how utterly decadent.”

“It is over the top, isn’t it,” Richie laughed. “But man, we’re going to be SO comfortable on our trip to LA, and we don’t even have to get out of the car when we get to Portland.”

Jen blushed. “Yeah, that’s what I thought too,” she said.

The train whistle blew two short bursts and a long one, and with a little lurch, they were underway. “Here we go,” Jen said, smiling as she took a bite of her lunch. She reached across the table to give Richie’s hand a squeeze. “I love you so much,” she said.

“I love you too,” Richie said around a mouthful of steak, pepper, and onions. “So, uh, after lunch, you wanna try out the bed?”

“Absolutely.”

As soon as the dishes set into the sink, Richie swept Jennifer up into his arms, making her squeak. He strode to the bed and swung her over the expanse of mattress.

“And a one,” he said, swinging her out.

“No!” Jen said, laughing.

“Oh yes,” Richie answered. “And a twooooo,” he sang, swinging her out again.

Jennifer looped her arms around Richie’s neck, holding him tightly. “You go, I go,” she said.

“Oh, I don’t think so,” Richie said, tickling Jennifer as he swung her out again, causing her to drop her arms. “And a THREE!” He tossed his giggling woman to the middle of the bed, and followed after her. He sprawled next to her, his eyes twinkling and dimples flashing with his laughter. Even with the two of them in the bed, they didn’t come close to filling it.

Jen turned to him with a look of pure, unadulterated lust, and his laughter dried up. The shift to a positively possessive look in her eyes had him hard in an instant. “Damn,” he said. “You bewitch me. I should be too worn out for this.”

Jennifer’s eyes flicked down to his belt then back up to his eyes. She smiled, quite pleased with herself, and reached for him. “That’s nothing compared to what you do to me.”

They worked quickly to unfasten each other’s clothes, bunching and pulling and throwing until they were both naked. Richie slid in between Jennifer’s legs, and braced himself up on his hands. “That look in your eyes drives me crazy.”

“And what look is that?” Jennifer asked, grabbing for Richie’s distended cock.

“The one that says ‘mine’,” he answered, as he let her guide him to her core.

He stayed where he was for a moment, relishing the feel of his thick head against her wetness. Jennifer raised her hips, taking him in just a little. “You are mine,” she said. “Now gimme.”

Richie smiled and slid slowly into her, stretching her until he was fully seated again. He groaned with pleasure when she started to flex her hips a little. Richie flexed his as well, his strokes working against the rocking of the train, causing him to push deep into her with every thrust. He felt her walls slacken then tighten as she rushed to her orgasm.

“What’s the hurry, darlin?” he asked, stilling his hips.

Jennifer cried out in frustration, and tried to push Richie over so she could ride him, but he wasn’t going anywhere. “Please,” she begged. “I’m so close; please don’t stop.”

Richie chuckled and withdrew so only the very tip of him was inside her. Then he thrust hard, making Jennifer arch off the bed with a scream. “Again!” she gasped, grabbing his forearms.

He complied, pulling and thrusting until Jennifer’s knuckles were white from the force of her grip. When her eyelids fluttered closed, he gently shook his arms free of her grip and rose up to his knees. He raised Jennifer’s legs, gripping her calves and spreading her wide. He braced his hands under her hips, letting her legs drape over his arms, and held her steady as he pounded into her. Jennifer’s entire body went slack for a split second before every muscle her body contracted and her orgasm exploded from her.

Richie felt her walls ripple and clench, and when the rush of wetness came, he redoubled his efforts, sliding his flesh in hers until she exploded again; gripping him so tight it almost hurt. Only then did he let his release come, pulsing endlessly until he collapsed beside her, sweaty and spent.

Sated and exhausted, they cuddled together, pulled blankets over them, and let the gentle rocking of the train lull them to sleep.

Hours later, Richie woke, forgetting for a moment where he was. He felt his woman shift in his arms, and he smiled, gently holding her closer. “I love you,” he whispered to her, kissing her temple.”

“Mmmm, I love you too, baby. What time is it? Where are we?”

“I have no idea,” Richie answered, softly, “on either question”. When he felt Jennifer’s hand traverse his flank and drop around to the front, he chuckled and gently grabbed her wrist. “Definitely not time for that. Not yet.”

“Then what should we do instead?” She pushed up to her elbows and looked at Richie through heavy-lidded eyes.

“We could have something to eat, maybe watch a move or something?”

Jennifer smiled. “Whatever you want, sweetie.”

“I already have what I want,” he said. “You.”

“Yep, and now you’re stuck with me for-EVAH!” she retorted, sounding like a cartoon villain.

“I can live with that.”

With much difficulty and laughter, they climbed out of bed. Richie pulled on his jeans while Jen wrapped the sheet around her like a sarong. The train abruptly switched tracks, jostling Jen and Richie as they made their way to the living area. Jen let out a yelp and collapsed into one of the wing-backed chairs, and Richie had to catch himself before he fell into the coffee table. Their eyes met as their hearts were returning to normal, and they burst out laughing.

“Almost forgot we were on a train, and not in some hotel room somewhere,” Jen said, wiping her eyes.

Richie turned the chair so he was kneeling between Jen’s legs. He leaned in to kiss her, and hugged her close, resting his head on her breasts. Jen stroked his hair, letting the silky soft locks slide through her fingers. Jen felt Richie fidgeting around, and stopped what she was doing. “Everything okay down there?” she asked.

“Just fine,” Richie said. He straightened away from Jen and dug into his pocket. “You know I love you, right?” he asked her, locking eyes with Jen.

“Of course I do,” she answered, tracing the laugh lines around his eyes with gentle fingertips.

“Do you know how much I love you? That I don’t feel whole unless I’m with you? That I miss you when we’re apart something awful? That you made me the happiest man in the world when you said you would give up your life and join mine?” He captured Jen’s hands and kissed her knuckles.

“You make me so happy,” Jen answered. “I can’t remember a time when I’ve been this full of joy. I love you with my whole heart and soul.” She pulled Richie in for a kiss. He obliged, sliding his tongue between her lips. She eagerly stroked his tongue with hers, and slid forward in the chair so she could pull Richie closer in to her. Chest to chest, they each wrapped their arms around the other as their tongues danced. When Jennifer let out a contented sigh, Richie pulled back and kissed the tip of her nose.

“I have something for you,” he said.

“What more could I possibly want?” Jen answered. The look she caught in Richie’s eyes made her heart beat wildly. “You’ve given me so much already.”

“This is something that Ava and I picked out together for you,” he explained, as he pulled a small blue box from his pocket.

“Oh my God,” Jennifer breathed. Her gaze dropped to the box, then back up to Richie’s face. He smiled at her and cracked open the lid. Nestled in a bed of deep blue satin was the most beautiful ring she’d ever seen.

Jennifer’s eyes moved to see the ring. “Oh, Rich...” she said.

A one-carat emerald cut diamond was flanked by half carat stones. The diamonds sparkled in the light. When Richie took the ring from the box, she saw red flecks embedded in the platinum.

“It’s so beautiful,” Jen said.

“The tiny stones in the band are chips of rubies and opals, my and Ava’s birthstones,” Richie said. “It was Ava’s idea to put both of us in the ring for you. She wanted us to give it to you together, but I told her there are some things a guy has to do on his own. Jennifer,” Richie said, his voice cracking, and unshed tears pooling in his eyes. “I love you more than I thought it was possible to love another person other than my daughter. I want us to share our lives together, however long or short that may be. I know it’s soon, but will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”

The train lurched again before Jen could answer, sending Richie sprawling. He still had hold of Jen’s hand, and when he fell, he pulled her from her chair. They lay on the floor, giggling while Richie slid the ring onto Jennifer’s finger.

“It’s a perfect fit,” she said, smiling.

“Just like you are for me,” Richie answered. “But you didn’t answer my question.”

“Yes, of course I will marry you,” she said. “I will share my life, my heart with you.” She kissed him deeply, rolling him so he was on top of her.