Goin' Down 1 Read online

  "You're claustrophobic?” Jessica asked Marietta.

  "No.” She double blinked her eyes at Jessica and gave a tiny nod toward Katie. Jessica smiled.

  "Why do you think Marietta's claustrophobic, Katie?"

  "I don't,” Katie said innocently. “You do."

  Jessica's eyes widened in feigned surprise. “I do?"

  "You said she became claustrophobic while she was trapped in the elevator and that's why she's been so distracted."

  "You did?” Marietta asked.

  "Katie, I said if someone was stuck in an elevator, they'd have good reason to become claustrophobic. I didn't say Marietta was claustrophobic."

  Katie blinked. “Oh. Well, I guess she's not then."

  Marietta and Jessica grinned, while Katie flagged down the recently rebuffed waiter and ordered a beer.

  "I wish all diagnoses were that easy,” Jessica said with a chuckle.

  "I'll have a beer, too,” Marietta said.

  "A daiquiri,” Jessica told the waiter.

  They all fumbled for their cards while deciding whose turn it was to buy. When their drinks were served, they dissected Jessica's shopping efforts. She didn't spend much time on the souvenirs, but paused dramatically before opening the jewelry box.

  "It's beautiful, Jessica."

  She modeled the diamond pendant before packing it away.

  "What have you been doing all afternoon, Marietta?"

  "Just thinking, watching the ocean."

  "Brooding."

  "I'm not brooding."

  Jessica leaned back and crossed her legs. “Give. Something is bothering you and I don't think it's the elevator per se."

  Marietta couldn't help the flush that rose to her cheeks.

  Jessica tilted her head. “If I didn't know better I'd say you'd been naughty."

  The heat in her cheeks flared.

  "Oh, my God. You were naughty. With who?” She sat up and looked around the deck. “Is he here?” Jessica asked teasingly.

  Katie looked around. “Who?"

  "Whoever Marietta was naughty with."

  "I wasn't naughty—"

  "Oh, cut the crap. You did the dirty and are failing on your obligation to share the details with your friends."

  "You do the dirty all the time and don't tell me about it."

  "It's not the dirty when you're married. It's duty."

  "Duty my ass. You like a good fu—"

  "Marietta!” Jessica gasped.

  Marietta laughed. She'd distracted Jessica very well if she had to say so herself.

  "Which one is he?” Katie asked looking behind her.

  "How can you be so flighty when you shouldn't be, and stay on track at all the wrong times?"

  "It's a gift,” Katie said with a serene smile.

  "Come on, Marietta.” Jessica put a hand on Marietta's arm. “We love you and we know something is bothering you. If you don't tell us, how can we help?"

  "You can't help. Nobody can."

  "That sounds ominous."

  Marietta pulled herself upright. “All right. He's not onboard but he was. And yes, it was the elevator."

  She watched as surprise and shock came over Jessica's expression. Katie just looked puzzled.

  "You didn't."

  "I did. And I would again.” At Jessica's silence, Marietta turned defensive. “I don't have a husband at home, someone waiting to take care of all my needs. Or wants. And I wanted him."

  "Who?” Katie asked.

  "But ... an elevator?” Jessica whispered.

  "What happened in the elevator?” Katie asked.

  "It just happened.” Marietta shrugged.

  "Things like that don't just happen, Marietta."

  "Things like what?” Katie asked.

  "Well, it did this time."

  "You could have been caught."

  "We told them to call before they opened the doors."

  "Like that would keep your secret,” Jessica said.

  "What secret?” Katie's question came slower this time. Marietta could see her working it out in her head.

  "Nobody saw anything so it did work. I only told you because you kept bugging me about it."

  "It's bothering you, Marietta. That's what we were worried about."

  "I know, Jess, but ... I think I'm in love."

  Jessica snorted. “You weren't in the elevator long enough to get his phone number, never mind fall in love."

  "You had sex in the elevator!” Katie's voice carried across the deck chairs, the pool, the whirlpool and the deck bar. Conversation quieted, heads turned.

  Marietta laughed to cover her mortification. “One more time, Katie. I don't think the Captain heard."

  Katie clapped a hand over her mouth. She waved at the people rude enough to stare. “I meant her characters had sex in an elevator. She's a writer."

  People smiled warily, nodded, and went back to their conversations and liquor.

  "I'm sorry,” Katie said. “It's just, well, so romantic."

  "Romantic?” Jessica asked. “Having sex in an elevator with a stranger is not romantic."

  "But she said she's in love, so it is romantic. What a way to meet the guy you love."

  "And how is she going to find this guy again, hmm? He's off the ship and she has no idea who he is."

  "I didn't think of that."

  "I did,” Marietta said. “He was in the wedding party."

  Katie grinned. “See? She can too find him. We find the bride and groom and ask who he is."

  Jessica turned to Marietta.

  "They left the ship. She was seasick. The Purser won't tell me anymore."

  "Oh.” Katie deflated, just as Marietta had when she'd heard the news.

  "Yeah. Oh."

  None of them came up with any good ideas on how to find Marietta's man that night. Or the next. Until, in the middle of their last dinner onboard, Katie snapped her fingers.

  "Give the Purser your card and ask him to forward the information to the honeymooners. They can't object to that."

  Marietta looked hopeful but Jessica put the kibosh on that.

  "I don't think the Purser is going to play matchmaker for you."

  Marietta thought a moment. “You're probably right."

  "It's worth a try, isn't it? You said you loved this guy. Work for it, girl."

  Grinning, Marietta lifted her glass. Jessica and Katie followed suit. “To our ever hopeful friend, Katie."

  "Here, here."

  * * * *

  Cord paced and worried. This had to work. Marietta hadn't been off his mind for longer than two minutes since he'd walked off the ship. He checked the set up again.

  Balloons. Check. Flowers. Check. Sign. Check.

  Heart rate. Elevated. Worry level, through the roof.

  The ship was docked and passengers were disembarking, but there was no sign of Marietta.

  "What if she got seasick, too?"

  "She didn't."

  "How do you know?” He looked at Mason, his cohort in greeting Marietta.

  "I just do."

  Cord groaned and looked back to the stream of passengers. “Why did I let you talk me into this?"

  "Because I'm more romantic than you are."

  "The only thing you are is nuts."

  The steady stream of passengers was thinning. Small groups entered the terminal, stared at the display, and kept walking, embarrassing Cord. Time between groups was lengthening and his spirits were plummeting.

  "She's not here."

  "Jeez, you are such a pessimist."

  Slamming his fists on his hips, he faced his brother. “What do you want me to think? The ship docked at six this morning and now it's almost 10:30. Everyone that is coming off, is off. Let's go,” he said turning his back on the gangway.

  Mason tapped him on the shoulder.

  "Uh, you might want to turn around."

  Cord, hearing the amusement in his brother's voice, snorted. “Why?"

  "If you don't, you
might miss the target."

  Carefully, Cord turned. And there she was.

  Marietta Halsey, the woman he'd fallen in love with in a stuck elevator, trudged along ignoring the two chattering women with her. With her head down she didn't see what her companions did, until they stopped and physically turned her to face him.

  The tote he fondly recalled hit the floor with a thud. Her mouth opened but no sound came out. Cord was horribly afraid she thought he was an idiot and a moron. After all, who fell in love during elevator sex? Only an idiot and a moron like him.

  Marietta walked slowly toward him. She stared at the dozen balloons bobbing on their strings and the bouquet of roses cradled at the bottom of the sign. She stopped to read the sign. She looked at him and strode forward, looking like a warrior on a mission of violence.

  He was relieved and grateful when she threw herself at him, wrapped her arms around his neck, and kissed the hell out of him.

  He filled his arms with her and rubbed her back. Holding her tight, he returned the passion and heat of her greeting.

  "I didn't know how to find you,” she said between lip locks.

  "I'm sorry. I got pulled away without saying anything."

  "I thought of you constantly."

  "Me, too."

  She pulled her head back enough to look again at his display. “And you came to get me."

  "Oh, no. Don't cry, please. It gives me hives when women cry."

  "Always be prepared with an antihistamine then. She cries at Hallmark commercials,” the highlighted blonde said.

  "You must be Elevator Man.” The black-haired beauty was grinning.

  He felt heat rise to his cheeks. “You told them?"

  Marietta was on her feet again. “They beat it out of me."

  "In that case, should I beat them up for you?"

  "No, they tried to help me find you."

  "That's all right then."

  "This is Jessica and Katie. How did you know I'd be here?” Marietta asked. Her arms were still linked around his neck. He hoped she'd never let go.

  "Please. I'm a genius and a romantic."

  Mason stepped up. “Sounds like you two were made for each other. And I'm the romantic genius."

  The light in Marietta's eyes dimmed. “This was your idea?” she asked his brother.

  At Cord's laser glance, his brother chuckled. “I just reminded him he knew exactly where you'd be today. We were supposed to pick up our sister and her new husband."

  "The bride was your sister!” Katie exclaimed. She took Mason's arm and turned him around. “I have some great advice on seasickness."

  Jessica, the blonde rolled her eyes at him. “We'll meet you at baggage claim, Marietta."

  She nodded at Jessica, and smiled at him.

  "I can't believe you're here.” Lowering her arms—damn it—she stepped back and looked at his sign. “Do you mean it?"

  "Every word."

  The sign, white with red lettering, said ‘Marietta, I love elevators ... and you.'

  Hooking her fingers through his front belt loops, she tugged him close for another kiss. “And I love you."

  A smattering of applause had them looking up. The attendants and luggage handlers were smiling and clapping. Cord, happier than he'd been in a very long time, bowed. Marietta grinned and hooked her arm through his. They sauntered through the terminal for the luggage area.

  "What took you so long?"

  "The ship didn't dock until today."

  "Very funny. I think you three were the last passengers to leave the ship."

  Marietta laid her head on his shoulder. “I spent most of the morning talking the Purser into forwarding my name and address to the seasick bride."

  "Oh, babe. I can't wait until you meet my mother."

  "I saw her at the elevator."

  "Mom? No, she sent Roberta because her foot is broken. She's on crutches."

  "Who is Roberta?"

  "My sister."

  "Oh, God,” she whispered as they crossed the marble floor. “I thought she was your mother."

  "Please don't tell her that."

  * * * *

  "Feels a bit strange going on a first date when we've already, you know, had sex.” The dinner out had been nice. She didn't know where they were going now though.

  Cord chuckled. “Yeah, but we needed this.” He reached over and took her hand.

  Marietta almost sighed but held it in. She wasn't a starry-eyed teenager. Not even close although she had felt like one when Cord had introduced her to his family. She'd mumbled and blushed until his mother took her arm and pulled her to the side.

  "I like the look of you. You'll be good for him."

  "Well, thank you."

  "Don't hurt him or I'll have to kick your ass."

  Marietta had laughed along with her and that, as they say, was that. She was accepted. But she hadn't told them exactly how old she was. Not even Cord knew, nor had he asked.

  "Can I ask you something?"

  "Ask me anything you like, sweetheart,” Cord said.

  "How old are you?"

  "Old enough."

  "Come on, we need to know more about each other."

  Cord frowned. He swung the truck into a deserted parking lot and pulled up to the front entrance of a hotel. It was closed.

  "What in heaven's name are we doing here?"

  Cord turned in the driver's seat to face her. “Which question do you want me to answer first?"

  She'd pushed a button. Unfortunately it was her button, too. “The first one."

  "I'm thirty-three years old, have my own place, and manage my family's ranch. I didn't want to answer because I think you're going to make a big damn deal out of me being younger than you and it isn't. Second question—"

  "Hold it right there. I'm not going to make a big deal out of anything. It is a big deal. And you and your family might not care for it. I'm fifty-four, Cord."

  "Okay. Second question, we're here because my cousin is renovating this place and I asked if I could show you around."

  Marietta clamped her mouth shut. He'd bounced right over her age without a murmur. Had he heard her?

  "Did you hear what I said?"

  "Yes,” he said getting her with that crooked grin. “Did you hear what I said?"

  "I think so."

  "Good. Let's go."

  Cord got out of the truck and walked around to open her door. Still shell-shocked, she followed him inside the dark lobby. He walked over to the elevator.

  "Going up?” he asked with a sly look.

  Marietta looked around. There was power in the building. The elevator dinged.

  "It's a lovely idea, but I don't know if it's a good idea to get into an elevator in an empty building under renovation. What if we can't get out?” she asked.

  "How logical of you,” Cord said. “But we're not going anywhere.” He tugged her into the elevator. When the doors closed he pressed the Emergency Stop button. “I want you; I don't want to risk you.” He slipped his arms around her waist and she went willingly into his arms. “Did you look around when you got in?"

  She did now and noticed the rolled arm bench along the back of the elevator. Laughing, she tugged his head for a steamy kiss.

  "Do you think of everything?"

  "I like to think so."

  She ran her hands down his sides. “You missed one thing."

  "What's that?” he mumbled into her neck as he kissed and nipped his way to her earlobe. His hands cupped and kneaded her breasts.

  She opened his belt, pushed down his zipper, then slipped his jeans and boxers down to his ankles. Slipping to her knees, she smiled at his bobbing erection. She could almost taste it.

  "Going down,” she said just before she sucked his cock into her mouth. He moaned and locked his knees.

  "Good thing you remembered."

  She set up a good suck and pulled her head back. He was thick and hard. Pushing his knees apart she cupped his balls, fingered the tight sac
ks, and ran her hands down the inside of his thighs. He sat down.

  "Before I fall down,” he said. His hands bracketed her head as she pulled his dick deep into her mouth and let it slide out. She was enjoying the rhythm when he pulled her head up.

  "Enough. I want to see you."

  She stood and started a strip. He pulled his feet out of his clothes and took off his shirt while she lifted her dress over her head. Standing in her bra and panties—matching, as Katie had insisted—she looked her fill of her young man. Leaning back, his legs splayed with his dick glistening from her attentions, he looked back with a heavy-lidded gaze.

  She turned her back and bent over. Unclipping her bra, she spread her legs and let her tits swing into view. He reached up and peeled her panties over her buttocks, forcing her legs together to get them down her legs. She was a little disconcerted when he stood up and pulled the bench away from the wall. But he lay down, face up.

  "Come here,” he said. And crooked a finger at her.

  Marietta knew what he wanted. She stepped to the bench and grabbed the arm between his spread legs. Lifting her left leg, she straddled him and the bench. He grabbed her hips and pulled her backwards until her cunt was centered over his face. Squatting slowly, she lowered herself until she felt his tongue lap at her. Arching her back she spread her legs wider and groaned in pleasure as he sucked her clit and fingered her hole.

  Wanting to return the pleasure, she pressed her breasts together around his penis. The head stuck out of her cleavage giving her plenty of room to lick the pulsing head until his hips lifted. She licked and laved and slurped up his pre-cum, savoring the saltiness. She pulled her cunt away from his mouth and shimmied down his body. Holding his throbbing penis, she lowered herself until she was impaled to the hilt. Cord reached around her to play with her clit with one hand and grab a tit with the other. His hips pumped into her as she bounced up and down taking him deep and hard into her. Cord abruptly sat up and held her while he filled her with his seed.

  They sat together like that catching their breath. Then Cord lifted her and stood up.

  "Lay down,” he said.

  She imitated his position, on her back, legs spread. He knelt next to her. Kissing her breasts and sucking on her nipples, he buried his other hand between her legs. His clever fingers circled her clitoris, slicked between her engorged lips and slipped in and out of her cunt. She was in heaven.

  She felt an orgasm building, slowly warming her from the inside out. Groaning, she held his head to her chest.