Page 94 of Savior
“I just want you to be happy.”
“I am happy, with you.”
“I want you to tell me when you want things.” He seems to almost blurt the words out.
I glance up at him curiously. “What do you mean?”
“I know I’m not rich… Not like your parents. Not like Jack’s family… But, that doesn’t mean I won’t try to give you everything. You don’t ask for much as it is.”
“All I want is a life with you, Dean. A night with you, strolling along the ocean shore, under the Flower Moon, is more special to me than material things.” I assure him. Especially after nearly losing him. It’s always been the little things, that I love experiencing with him the most.
He smiles slightly, humor in his grin as his fingers squeeze mine just a little bit tighter. “The Flower Moon?”
“That’s what the full moon in May is called.” I explain. “Mainly because there are a lot of flowers in bloom in May. Nature is bursting with renewal and creativity. This full moon is about celebrating the joys in life.”
“Then I’m in perfect company.” Dean seems to study me for a moment as we continue to walk, not far from the crashing waves. “I’d like for our family to have some traditions.” He finally says. “I’d like you to teach me, for Ace. What Pagan celebrations are coming up?”
“Well, we missed out on Beltane. You would have enjoyed that one.” I laugh. “It’s the one night of the year you’re pretty much guaranteed to get laid.”
He glances at me with playful curiosity. “Oh yeah?”
“Lots of fertility celebrations. Bonfires and sex.”
His grin widens slightly as he lifts our joined hands for a moment, nodding towards the protection bracelet I made him on his wrist. “That sounds familiar.” He teases me. “Devil shit.”
I roll my eyes. “It’s not Devil shit.”
“Are there things we could do with Ace? Kid friendly, you know?”
“Of course.”
“Beltane does sound like it’s gonna be my favorite. Though, Ace might hate it.”
“Why would he hate it?”
“Early bed time.”
I can’t help but laugh. “Such a rogue.”
“So, we missed out on Beltane this year. What’s coming up next?”
“Litha, the Summer Solstice. It’s all about abundance, growing crops. For some it represents the marriage of the God and Goddess, which was promised at Beltane. Many celebrate the Oak King’s wedding to the pregnant Goddess.”
“Oh, so the sex at Beltane represents knocking up the Goddess.” Dean replies, and I have to stifle another giggle.
“It’s a time for handfasting’s, too.”
“Maybe something we should keep in mind.” He nudges me playfully.
“Litha is celebrated with a feast and a fire as well. We could take Ace out to pick berries and herbs. He could participate, safely, in the bonfires as well. There are arts and crafts we could do with him. Look at Ostara and Yule. Easter and Christmas. Those holidays are very kid friendly and Pagan as all get out.”
“True.” Dean says, suddenly tossing the shoes he’s been carrying in his other hand, further up the beach, before wrapping his arm around my waist and spinning me away from the water. In a whirlwind of motion, I land with my knees in the soft sand, straddling his waist as he lays beneath me, folding his hands behind his head.
I drop the sandals I’ve been carrying as well, bringing my hands to run down his strong chest. “What are you up to?” I smile down at him.
He tilts his head back in a gesture for me to look behind him. “Figured we might want to take advantage of this dune.” He says. I glance up at the sea-grass covered mound of a sand hill, that effectively blocks us from view of hotel balconies. It’s a good twenty-foot stretch in both directions. “Kinda reminds me of our spot behind the jetties back in Fort Fisher.”
“A little sex on the beach for dessert?” I tease him, leaning down to kiss him. As our lips meet, his hands run up my thighs beneath my dress, but he doesn’t grab the waist band of my panties. His warm hands linger on my skin as we spend the next while kissing beneath the moon. I eventually end up on my back against the sand, Dean lying beside me, propped up on his elbow. He skims a finger across the swells of my breasts, peeking out the top of my dress.
