Home // Completed Stories // Short But Sweet // Poetry // Stories In Progress

Antoine’s Heart
By Dedi’s Lady Hawk

Disclaimer:  I do not own the character of Antoine Laconte, but I do own all others.  No infringement or offense intended.

Rated: R for sexual content

Comments:  Sequel to “Antoine’s Comfort.”  If you have any comments send the to dedisladyhawk@hotmail.com

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Antoine let out a sigh as he walked up the steps to his condo.  He carried his suitcase in one hand and his mail in the other.  He was glad to be home but he still had an empty feeling inside, an empty place that ached for her.  He had spent the last six months in Italy trying to get away, organize his life, and sort out his feelings.  It was a long time but he was starting to feel centered now.  He unlocked his front door and stepped inside.

He took his suitcase to his room and flopped it on his new bed.  He was happy to see it had been successfully delivered.  He went out to the bar and poured himself a drink before heading to the living room.  He passed the fish tank, and walked over to it.  “At least he remembered to feed them,” he thought.

“Hey, fishy, fishy, fishy,” he said tapping on the glass.

His answering machine was full and he couldn’t help but wonder what kind of reactions he was going to hear to his out going message.  He saw a stack of tapes on the counter next to the machine.  It was going to take hours to go through all that.  If it was anything like his e-mail it was going to be heated.

He sat down on his sofa and spilled the mail out on his table.  He went through it sorting out the junk and the magazines.  He soon came across an envelope addressed to him.  He noticed the beautiful handwriting and tore it open.  He pulled out the stationary and opened it up.

Antoine,

            I hope you remember me, my name is Joyce, and I made arrangements for you to spend the night with my friend Janice several months back.  I know that she saw you again after that and there was a problem between you.  I also know that she has feelings for you, feelings she’s afraid to admit.  I know what you do for a living but after hearing how she talked about you and what you shared I find it hard to believe you don’t feel something for her. 

            I’m afraid she’s doing something rather rash, because of all this.  She’s marrying a man named Kevin.  I truly do not believe that she loves him.  I think she’s marrying him to conceal her true feelings for you.  They’re getting married on June 21^st and I was praying that you could stop her.  Of course all this hinges on you feeling the same for her.  If you don’t then I suggest you simply disregard my letter.

Joyce

Antoine folded the letter and leaned back on the couch.  June 21^st was just three days away, how was he ever going to win her back in three days.  He also had to be in New York in three days.  He reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out his address book.  He soon found Joyce’s number and dialed it.  He was grateful he had saved it.  Soon someone answered.

“Fellows, Phillips, and Davis, Mergers and acquisitions.  This is Beth, how may I direct your call?”

“Joyce Davis,” he said.

“May I ask who’s calling?”

“Mr. Laconte,” he said.

“One moment please,” said the secretary.  He waited and soon he was greeted again.

“Joyce Davis,” came her voice.

“Joyce, it is Antoine,” he said.

“Hi,” she said, “I’m so glad you got my message,”

“Yes,” he said, “I’ll need you’re help,”

“Well why don’t we meet over lunch and discuss that,” she said.

“She is there?” he asked.

“Uh-huh,” she said.

“Where?” he asked.

“How about Raphael’s at one?”

“Yes,” he said.

“Good, I will see you then,” she said, “Bye,”

“Bye, bye,” he said hanging up.

“Who was that?” asked Janice from her desk.

“Client,” she said, “No one special,”

“Well don’t forget we have to pick up our dresses after work,” said Joyce.

“Don’t worry, I won’t forget,” said Joyce with a smile.

Joyce met Antoine and over lunch they discussed what to do.  Just the fact that Antoine had called told Joyce that he cared for her friend.  Antoine confessed to Joyce that he hadn’t been with a client since the second time he was with Janice.  He told Janice he had suspended that part of his life indefinitely until he figured out what he wanted to do.  What he wanted to do was be with Janice.  They laid out the strategy and Joyce then headed back to work as if nothing had happened. 

~*~

After work they stopped at the bridal shop to pick up their dresses.  Janice took her gown into the fitting room and changed.  Joyce saw Antoine come in and turned her back to him.  She didn’t want to give any indication to her friend that she was involved in this, at least not until after she was sure it would work.  Antoine had the perfect pretense for being there, since they sold tuxedos as well. 

Janice stepped from the dressing room and Antoine froze.  She was breathtaking standing there in her wedding gown.  Her dress was absolutely stunning.  It was a sleeveless, strapless, gown with beading and sequins in a floral pattern on the bust and at an angle from the waist to the front hem.  There was also beading along the hem.  The gown had a wrapped appearance at the waist and a corset like lacing up the back. 

She had white silk mules, with a 2¾-inch heel with a satin bow.  Her veil was a cathedral length veil with Venice lace trim and clear Swarovski crystal drops at the end of each point.  It was two tiers and attached to a beautiful diamond tiara.  She looked like an angel.  She saw him just then and gasped.

“What’s wrong?” asked Joyce.

“What is he doing here?” she asked.

“Who?”

“Antoine,” she said, “Oh God, I don’t need this,”

“They sell tuxedos here,” said Joyce, “He’s probably just shopping,”

“Oh no, he’s coming over here,” she said turning away.  Her heart was beating wildly in her chest then.

“Hello Janice,” he said gently.

“Mr. Laconte,” she said coldly.

“Would you excuse us for a moment?” he asked Joyce.

“Sure, I’ll be right over here,” she said.

“Joyce,” hissed Janice.  She ignored her and stepped away.

Antoine moved up the steps to where Janice stood in her gown.  He slowly walked around her drinking in her beauty.  She was a true vision and it made his heart race.  He saw her chest heave, and her cheeks flush, as he looked her over.  There was a flash of anger in her eyes and he didn’t know who she was madder at, him or Joyce.

“You look beautiful,” he said as he moved to stand in front of her.

“Will you go away,” she said, ”I have nothing left to say to you,”

“I have much to say to you,” he said.

“I don’t want to hear it,” she said, “Save your act for your clients,”

“Janice,” he said, “There was no act,”

“Antoine, I’m getting married, in case you haven’t noticed,” she said grasping the skirt of her dress in her hands, “Don’t do this to me,”

“You are making a mistake,” he said.

“My only mistake was getting involved with you,” she said, “Now please leave before I have you removed by the police,”

“As you wish,” he said stepping closer to her.  He gripped her hand in his as he leaned into her.  His lips were dangerously close and he could see her trembling, “However, I still have two days to change your mind.  This is far from over Bella,”

He walked away and Joyce watched her.  She followed him all the way out her eyes never leaving him.  She could tell that Janice was scared and confused.  She also knew it was up to her to make her come to her senses before it was too late.

~*~

The next day Antoine continued his assault on Janice’s heart.  She had taken the day off for the wedding rehearsal was that night.  Through out the day bouquets of roses arrived at her front door.  Each arrangement was a different color, and more elaborate then the last.  She knew they were from Antoine and it was making her crazy inside.

She was grateful when it was time to leave for the church.  Kevin was waiting with the guys.  He was wearing a platinum colored silk shirt with a black suede vest, black slacks, and black cowboy boots.  He looked very handsome.

Joyce lined everyone up, the guys at the alter and the girls at the back.  They went through the whole ceremony the first time and just skimmed over everything.  Everyone got the general idea of the ceremony.

The second time they went through with full music, and going over the vows, unity candle, and communion.  When they were done they headed to the restaurant for the rehearsal dinner.  They had reserved a private room for their dinner, it was decorated with white, and platinum balloons as well as streamers and such. 

Janice and Kevin made their way to the head table and they all sat down.  Their Pastor blessed the food before it was served.  The had prime Rib with baked potatoes or rice, steamed mixed vegetables, salads, soup and hot buttered rolls.  After dinner they had Baked Alaska for dessert. 

Then they handed the presents for their wedding party.  They started with the jewelry first.  The girls got platinum solid heart shaped pendants with diamonds on them, lever back earrings with channel set princess cut diamonds, and platinum watches with gold and diamond accents.  The men all received gold rings with onyx centers with diamond accents on the stone and on each side of the onyx stone. 

As the girls went to leave the restaurant Janice was bringing up the rear.  She felt a hand grab her wrist and turned to see Antoine.  Before she could speak he clasped his hand over her mouth and pulled her to him into the darkness of the corridor.  He felt her struggling against him and he pressed her to his body.

“Bella, please,” he said softly, “I only want to talk to you,” he felt her relax in his arms and he moved his hand.

“Why won’t you leave me alone?” she said.

“Bella please,” he said, “You can not marry this man, you do not love him,”

“How do you know?” she said, “You don’t know anything about us,”

“I know enough to know you were unhappy with him once before,” he said.

“It’s been six months Antoine, things change,” she said.

“How can you deny what we shared,” he said, “Can you honestly tell me you feel nothing for me?”

“Yes, because you felt nothing for me,” she said, “I was just another warm body in your bed, one of many,”

“That is not true,” he said gripping her shoulders.

“Please Antoine,” she said, “I’m marrying Kevin tomorrow, that’s the end of it,”

“He will never make you feel the way I did,” he said pulling her close, “You know that in your heart, you will never feel the pleasure and passion you had with me.  I am inside you Bella, in you heart, in your soul, I have touched you to the very core.  No matter how much you deny me you know it to be true.  You felt the connection, I know you did, I saw it in your eyes.  I am the only man who can love you the way you deserve to be loved,”

“Goodbye Antoine,” she said pulling from him.

He let her go and watched as she disappeared from him once more.  He still wasn’t done.  He had one more chance to convince her she was making a mistake.  He knew he had to tell her everything, including how he truly felt for her. 

~*~

The next day Janice stood in the bridal suite in front of the mirror.  She looked at herself in her wedding gown and wanted to cry.  She was feeling more confused then ever as she played with the engagement ring on her finger.  She was so deep in thought she didn’t even hear the door of her suite open.  It was Joyce’s voice that pulled her from her thoughts.

“You know you are the saddest bride I’ve ever seen in my life,” said Joyce walking over to her, “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” she said, “Just nervous,”

“Janice, I’ve known you too long, don’t lie to me,”

“It’s nothing,” she said.

“You’re having second thoughts,”

“No,” she said, “Don’t be silly,”

“All right,” she said, “I’ll come get you when it’s time,”

“Thanks,” she said.  Joyce left and Janice was once again left with her thoughts.  Antoine’s words rang loud in her ears making her shake inside, but it wasn’t what she had needed to hear.  Although she had seen it in his eyes, hadn’t she?

“Why isn’t it enough?” she said in a near sob. 

Then she saw it a note stuck in a bouquet of white roses on the table.  She hasn’t noticed them until just then.  She walked over and picked it up.  She opened it and pulled out the note.  As soon as the saw the opening she knew it was from him.

Bella,

            No more games.  Letting you leave that morning was the biggest mistake I have ever made.  I should have gone after you, stopped you, taken you in my arms and told you how I felt.  I was scared and confused by my feelings for you.  I left and went home to Italy to straighten things out.  I never dreamed you would consent to marrying another.

            Bella, there is no one but you.  I have not seen anyone since that morning you left.  I love you and I will do whatever it takes to prove that to you.  I am begging you Bella, do not wed a man you do not love.  Do not throw your life away on something that is not real. 

            I have to leave again today.  I have to go to New York and my flight leaves at four.  If I do not hear from you by three I will assume your answer is no and I will never bother you again.  However I hope you will truly follow your heart and come to me.  I do love you Janice. 

“Oh Antoine,” she said.

Janice hugged the note to her chest and a sob escaped her body then.  Her heart was racing, her mind reeling.  He loved her; he wanted to be with her.  Tears began to spill down her cheeks.  She looked at the clock.  It was nearly two.  If she hurried she could still make it.  She opened the door and saw Joyce.  She waved at her beckoning her to the suite.  Joyce hurried over and Janice pulled her inside.

“What’s wrong?” she asked.

“Help me get out of this thing,” she said reaching for her skirt.

“What?”

“The skirt is detachable for dancing,” said Janice.

“But why are you taking it off?”

“Because I can’t drive a car in a full skirt,” she said as she removed the pins from her veil.

“Where are you going?” she asked.

“You know where,” said Janice looking at her friend in the mirror, “Antoine sent me this note.  He loves me.  I have to get to him before he leaves town for New York.  Please,”

Joyce helped detach the skirt and Janice stepped out of it revealing a short white full skirt with beading.  She tossed the veil aside and grabbed her purse and coat.  She stopped and looked at Joyce.

“Thank you,” she said.

“For what?”

“For helping me see the light.  I know you had something to do with this,” she said.

“Go,”

“Here,” she said slipping off the ring and handing it to her, “Tell him I’m sorry,”

“I will,” said Joyce, “Here, take my car,” she said placing the keys in her hands, “Go,”

Janice slipped from the room and out the emergency exit.  She hated leaving Joyce to break the news, but there just wasn’t time.  She got in the car and couldn’t get to his home fast enough.  A curse escaped her lips as she ran into a traffic jam.  It was her fault.  She had agreed to move the wedding out of town to avoid Antoine.  That had proven pointless, now she knew why.  She pounded on the steering wheel in frustration as she looked at the clock. 

“God please,” she sobbed, “Please let me get there in time,”

She pulled up in front of the complex and parked her car.  She looked at the time.  It was five after three.  A knot formed in her stomach as she ran up the stairs and down the hall.  She ran up to his front door and knocked frantically on it.  He didn’t answer and the tears were streaming down her cheeks. 

“God no,” she said as she continued to knock, “Please,”

She stopped and placed her forehead against the door.  He was gone all ready and she felt a pain in her heart.  She turned and fell back against the door.  She didn’t know what to do now.  She couldn’t go back to the church and face Kevin, and she wasn’t ready to go home.  She slumped against his door and slid down until she was sitting on the front stoop. 

“Antoine,” she said quietly, “I’m sorry my love,”

She pulled her legs to her chest and sobbed.  He was on his way to New York now; she had no idea when he was coming back.  She had lost them both now and she felt totally helpless, if she had only given him a chance.  If she hadn’t been so cold towards Antoine it never would have happened. 

She curled up next to his door and wept as she pulled her coat over her.  She just couldn’t bring herself to leave.  She sat there for a very long time lost in the thought of him, all he had said to her, how could she have been so blind?  She wiped the tears from her face as she sat there.  The sun was setting now, and still she sat.  She had been there for well over an hour or more, but she just didn’t want to leave his door. 

“Janice?” came a familiar voice.  She turned to see him standing there, his suitcase in hand.

“Antoine?” she said looking at him.  She sat up letting her coat fall away, “I…  I thought you left,”

“My flight was canceled,” he said moving towards her, “How long have you been here?”

“I don’t know,” she said fighting back tears, “It was after three…  I got stuck in traffic,” she was shaking, “I thought…”

“Bella,” he said as he sat down his suitcase and moved towards her more.  Her face was red from crying, her make-up running down her cheeks, but God she was beautiful.

“Antoine,” she said stifling a sob, “I’m sorry,”

“Oh Bella,” he said dropping to his knees next to her.  She threw her arms around his neck and started sobbing hard. 

“I thought I had lost you,” she said crying harder, “I love you Antoine, I do.  I didn’t want to leave that morning, I was scared too,”

“Shh,” he said gently, “It is all right, we are together now,”

“I’m sorry I was so cold to you.  I was hurting so bad,” she said, “I mean I tried to see you again but you were gone.  I didn’t know you had left the country,” she pulled back and looked at him, “I thought you didn’t care and that’s why I told Kevin I would marry him,” he caressed her tear soaked cheek.

“Bella,” he said softly, “I will never let you go again.  I am done being a gigolo, you are the only woman I want, the one I love,”

“Antoine,” she said.  He pressed his lips to hers and tasted her tears as he kissed her.  She clung to him as if he were a dream.  He soon pulled back to look at her.

“Come inside now Bella,” he said gently, “I wish to make love to you,”

“Yes Antoine,” she said softly.

He released her long enough to unlock his door and then stood as he swept her into his arms.  He carried her inside and took her to his bedroom.  He sat her down on his bed and kissed her forehead.

“I will be right back,” he said.

He left the bedroom and went back out to retrieve his suitcase.  He brought it in and locked the front door before rejoining her in the bedroom.  She had slipped her shoes off and moved back on the bed.

“This is new,” she said patting the bed.

“Yes,” he said, “I bought it in the hopes that…” he stopped, “I no longer wanted to make love to you in a bed I had shared with others,”

“Antoine,” she said softly, “Come here,”

“Si Bella,” he said softly.

He slipped his coat off and removed his shoes before walking over to the bed.  He moved slowly up the bed hovering over her as he covered her body with his.  She reached up and cupped his face in her hands drawing him close.  She ran her fingers over his beard and across his lips as he smiled at her.

“Bella,”

“Yes Antoine,”

“Tell me, you did not sleep with Kevin,” he said.

“No Antoine,” she smiled, “There has only been you,”

“Good,” he said, “There shall only be me,”

“I feel like I’m dreaming,” she said softly.

“I am very real Bella,” he said as he lowered himself, pressing his leg between hers, “And very much in love with you,”

“Antoine,” she said softly.

“Come to New York with me tomorrow,” he said.

“What?”

“I am going on business.  I am taking some of the money I have made and I am investing it.  I will be there for a week.  Come with me.  I do not wish to leave you here,”

“What would I do while you are conducting your business?”

“Whatever you want,” he smiled, “And when I am done with my business, we can get married,”

“What?” she gasped.

“I do not wish for you to be only my lover Janice.  When I do things, I do them all the way.  I want you to be much more, I want you to be my wife, the mother of my children,”

“Oh Antoine,” she said as tears pooled in her eyes, “Yes,” she kissed him.

“I did not mean to propose like this.  I do not even have a ring,” he said.

“That’s not important,” she said.

“While we are in New York I will take you to Tiffany’s and buy you any ring you want,” he smiled.

“Right now, all I want is you.  Make love to me Antoine,” she said softly.

“Si Bella,” he said gently, “Si,”

He pressed his lips to hers as she quickly opened her mouth to him.  He slipped his tongue into her sweet mouth and a moan escaped her body.  He kissed her slowly, tasting her deeply and thoroughly.  She ran her hands up his shoulders and sunk them into his thick dark hair.  After he was done there he let his mouth move from hers and trail over her jaw line up to her ear.

He nipped at her ear lobe, and sucked it between his soft lips.  The feel of his hot breath sent chills through her body.  He licked her hot skin as he let a hand drift up to cup her breast through her gown.  He felt her grow hard under his touch as she pressed against him even more.  She was rubbing against his strong thigh all ready trying to gain relief from the throbbing she was feeling.

“Oh,” she gasped as he licked and nipped his way down to her throat, “Oh Antoine, oh yes,”

“Cara Mia,” he said in a soft groan, “How I have ached for you,” she felt him moving his hands over her back.

“The zipper’s on the side,” she moaned as he continued to let his mouth explore her.

“Si,” he said finding it and drawing it down.

He slipped his hand inside and began moving the material aside.  She was wearing a sheer white lace bra underneath and he could see her hard rosy nipples through the material.  He brought his hand up and caressed the hard peak with his finger.  She sighed again under his touch.  He had to taste more of her.  He unlatched the front of her bra freeing her beautiful full breasts.

As he brought his lips to her skin his hair spilled forward brushing over her soft skin.  It sent more chills through her as he nipped and licked at her hot skin, his beard once again brushing against her.  He continued to kiss and caress her as she pressed against him.  He trailed kisses from one breast to the other as she moaned softly.  He felt her grab at the shoulders of his shirt.  He stopped as he felt her pulling him up to her.

He held himself up on his elbows as she reached for the front of his shirt.  He smiled at her as she worked the buttons on it.  She tugged it loose from his waistband and pushed it back.  He reared up, stripped it off, and tossed to the floor.  She pulled him close again and kissed his lips.  He let out a soft growl as she kissed him, sucking on his lower lip slightly.  She pushed at him just then and he looked at her.

“What are you up to Bella?” he asked.

“Lay down,” she smiled. 

Antoine smiled at her and lay on his back as she moved from the bed.  She finished removing her gown, letting it pool around her ankles.  He propped himself up on his elbows and let his eyes travel over her as she stood before him.  She was wearing only her white lace thong panties and white silk stockings also trimmed with lace.  She removed the panties and when she went to remove her stockings he spoke.

“No,” he said softly, “Leave them on and come here,”

She stepped from her dress and moved back up the bed to him.  She straddled his strong hips and cupped her face in his hands as she bent over him.  She could feel his arousal pressing against her as he drew he close kissing her lips once more.  She put her hands over his and then pushed them back onto the bed.  She smiled at him then.

“When was the last time someone gave you pleasure?” she asked.

“You give me pleasure,” he answered.

“No,” she said, “You know what I mean,”

“Too long,” he said.  She leaned in and pressed her lips to his neck.  She ran her tongue over the contours of his neck up to his ear, and then let it trail back down to his throat.  She moved down letting her lips trail over his skin as she moved to his neck and throat.  She heard a moan escape his lips as she nipped at his Adam’s apple.

“Do you like that?” she asked.

“Si Bella,” he whispered, “More,” she laughed lightly at his plea.

She let her lips and hands move down across his chest, caressing his hard muscles with her light touch.  She continued down his chest finding his nipple.  She let her tongue glide over it causing it to grow hard.  She then nipped at it and sucked it causing a string of foreign words to escape his lips.  She smiled at his reaction and did it again.  She continued her slow, thorough exploration of him moving further down his flat stomach. 

He smiled at her as she sat up and reached for the belt on his pants.  She undid and pulled it from his waist.  She moved to unzip his pants and a light laugh escaped her as she moved them down.

“That is not a sound I wish to hear as you are undressing me,” he said.

“I’m sorry,” she smiled as she drew his pants down over his hips, “I was just thinking, do you even own a pair of underwear, or just an endless supply of boxers you can’t seem to keep on?”

“Dolce Cristo!” he said, “Do you wish to discuss this now?”

“Easy Antoine,” she said moving back up his body.  She was now hovering over his arousal, “I’m getting there,”

“You Bella have turned into a dangerous woman,” he smiled.

“Well you once called me, your sweet tigress,” she smiled back.

“That you are Bella,”

“Shh,” she said.

She lowered herself between his strong legs and she could see the muscles in his thighs flex.  She caressed his thighs and touched him everywhere except where he wanted to be touched.  Finally she moved in seeing his arousal respond before she even touched him.  She moved in slowly licking the soft velvet sack that rested between his thighs.  He jumped as the pleasure of her touch shot through him.

She then finally moved to caress his manhood with her soft mouth.  She felt his hand slip into her hair as she caressed his fullness.  A deep moan escaped him as he felt her hot mouth finally engulfing him.  It took all his strength to lie there as she continued to pleasure him.  He had never felt anything quite that exquisite in his life.  He had for the most part kept clients from touching him in that manner because he felt as if he was giving up his control.  However to Janice, he would completely surrender.  He almost sat up when she stopped suddenly.

She moved up and straddled his hips again.  A groan escaped him as he felt her hand engulf him guiding him into her warmth.  She sank down on him as he gripped her hips in his strong hands.  She planted her hands on his strong chest as she began moving against him.  She moved slowly at first and he felt himself grow harder at the sight of her.  She felt so good and it had been too long.  She sat up as she began to move faster on him.

“Touch yourself,” he said softly.

He watched as she let her hands slid up her hips and over her stomach.  She ran her hands up further over her breasts as she rotated her hips on him.  He was mesmerized as she rode him; a light layer of sweat was forming on her creamy skin, her full breasts swayed from her motion.  She let her head fall back, her lips part as the pleasure became more evident on her sweet face. 

“Bella,” he said stifling a groan.

“Yes Antoine,”

He sat up grabbing her around the waist.  He shifted with her quickly pressing her back to the bed.  He never left her as he changed their position.  He pressed her legs wider apart, and pressed his lips to hers as a moan escaped her.  He held still for a moment as he engaged her mouth in a searing kiss.  He then broke the kiss and looked in her eyes.

“I love you,” she said softly.

“And I you,” he said back.

He began moving slowly within her again.  He took his time as he began rebuilding the pleasure within her.  He watched her face as he made love to her, the pleasure she expressed made his heart swell, and drove him harder.  Her breath was now breaking faster from her lips as he moved inside her.  She suddenly reached up cupping his face, locking her eyes with his as she shattered in beneath him.  She cried out and arched against him as the rapture over took her.

He too had found his release but she wasn’t done; he could feel it as the continued to move inside her.  She needed more from him and he was surprised when his body responded to her need.  He kept going feeling her whole body quiver and convulse as wave after wave swept through her body.  Finally with a near scream her whole body shook and tightened causing him to cry out as well.  He caught himself before he fell on her and held himself on his elbows as he rested his face against her neck.

She brought her arms around him hugging him close, her embrace telling him to rest on her.  He complied and hugged her close as he settled his weight on her.  Their breathing started to slow and he let out a soft sigh as she stroked his damp back.  She let out another sigh of contentment as she felt him melt inside her.  He let out a soft groan himself.

“Antoine, are you all right?” she asked quietly.

“Si Bella,” he said, “Si,” he said as he finally moved from her only to draw her close.  She rested against his chest hearing his heart beating as they lay together.

“Antoine,” she said moving up to look at him, “What did you tell your clients?”

“That I was…retiring,” he said, “Do not worry Bella, it will be all right.  When we return from New York we will find a nice house to live in,”

“I’m going to miss this place,” she said.

“It is nice, but we have only one room,” he said, “We can hardly raise children here,”

“I know,” she said smiling at him, “I love you,”

“I love you too Bella,” he smiled as he drew her close and kissed her.  Just then the phone rang and he groaned, ”Damn it,” Before Antoine could move from the bed, the answering machine picked up.  Janice recognized the voice instantly as Joyce.

“Hello, is anyone there?  I’m looking for Janice she didn’t come home,” said Joyce.  Janice moved from the bed, grabbed up Antoine’s shirt, slipping it on as she ran for the phone.  She picked it up.

“Joyce,” she said.

“There you are,” she said hearing Janice, “Did I interrupt something?”

“No,” she said, “We’ve all ready done that,” she smiled.

“I figured,” said Joyce, “So you made it in time?”

“Actually I was late, I thought I missed him but his flight was canceled,” said Janice, “What happened at the church?”

“Kevin was pissed.  He stormed out but he’ll get over it.  Your parents actually seemed happy.  I don’t think they liked Kevin very much,” she said, “Of course there’s all the money they paid out,”

“I’ll find a way to pay them back,” she said, “Listen, do you have my suitcase?”

“It’s in the trunk of my car doll, why?”

“Because I’m going to New York with Antoine tomorrow,” she said as she felt his arms around her waist, “We’re getting married,” Antoine started kissing her next as he held her.

“You’re what!”

“He’s got some business to attend to out there and then we’re eloping, don’t be mad,” said Janice pressing back against him.

“I’m not, I’m happy for you,” she said, “Let me speak to him,”

“She wants to talk to you,” she said handing the phone to Antoine.

“Hello Joyce,” he said.

“Listen Antoine, you’ve got a good girl there, you better treat her right,” she said, “She’s my best friend,”

“Si Joyce,” he said, “I will take very good care of her,”

“You better, because if you break her heart, you’ll have to deal with me,”

“Do not worry,” he said, “My Bella will never want for anything, I promise you that,” he caressed Janice’s cheek as he spoke.

“Tell her goodbye for me, I’ll see you when you get back,” she said.

“Of course,” he said, “Bye, bye,” he hung up the phone, “She wanted me to tell you goodbye,” he said. 

She turned in his arms.  He couldn’t help but smile at her.  She looked delicious wearing his shirt and he simply wanted to take her to his bed once more and ravage her beautiful body.

“So,” she said running her hands up his back, “Now what?”

“First we eat,” he said, “I am famished, and we will both need our strength,”

“Really?”

“Si Bella, because after dinner I plan on having you for dessert,”

“I love you Antoine,” she said caressing his cheek.

“I love you Janice, forever,” he said softly as he kissed her lips.

“Forever,” she whispered back.

The End

(For Now)