Cora stretched her arms up to him and he lay down with her again. On top of her this time, in the traditional manner, her legs wrapped around his waist. A warm solid weight over her, inside her, around her, kissing her hard now. He was moving with intent, intent to give her pleasure, to take pleasure in her, to bring them both to the edge and over. Cora met him halfway, lifting her body to meet his, her arms tight around his shoulders.
He shifted and buried his face in her neck. Kissing, licking, kissing again. He found the place just there on the side of her neck. And he bit her. That sent Cora right over the way it always did, her big secret that Paolo had apparently taken one night and one morning to discover, and he was biting hard, oh boy oh boy, Mister Hidden Depths was taking her on a ride. And going on it with her.
“Mine,” he said, in her ear, and he was almost growling. Cora had never heard Paolo like this before. “Mine,” he said again and followed it by thrusting into her hard and holding himself there and coming.
He stayed there for a long while afterward, breathing with her while they both came down from it, brushing his lips against her neck, nuzzling her ear. Cora stroked his back. His skin was damp with cooling sweat.
He rolled off her and onto his back, and blew out a long breath. Cora sat up and retrieved the blankets from the floor where they’d been kicked. She spread them out over Paolo, who was rubbing his forehead. He touched her arm.
“Everything all right? I wasn’t too, er, Neanderthal?”
“I enjoyed primitive Paolo. You can go all bone club smashy on the toast racks.”
“I’ll be sure to, ah, grunt while I smash.” Paolo yawned wide enough to show her all his teeth. He covered his mouth with the back of his hand belatedly. Cora smiled down at him fondly. Yawning Paolo. Yawning fiancé.
She said, “We’ll kill the bad toast racks later. Nap now.”
He lifted an arm to her. Cora tucked herself under it, head on his shoulder, and snuggled in. Rainy mornings were good.
*****
“Is this the most awkward wedding in the universe or is it the most awkward wedding in the galaxy?” Mace asked stepping into the room in her purple tuxedo and fussing with her hair.
“You exaggerate.”
“Do I? Half of New Orleans is out there, singing, dancing, scaring the Italians…and your mama is holding court like she’s the queen while your dad and Paolo’s dad are sulking by the open bar. Paolo’s brother is trying to flirt with Fridah of all people while she’s trying to put the moves on his sister Elta…it’s a fucking circus.”
“And you’re enjoying it all a bit too much.”
“Hey. I’m just here for the drama. And to punch anyone out who tries to disrespect you.”
“And to be my bridesmaid.”
“Oh yeah. That too.”
The door banged open, “Hey sister, what’s the deal with that Fridah girl?” Elta breezed into the room, slamming the door behind her, “Is she for real asking me out?”
Cora applied her lipstick slowly, “Yeah,” she said casually.
“Great. Still got it. Even the lesbians cannot resist me,” Elta crowed happily.
Cora smiled, “So are you gonna give her a shot?”
“Hell no. My father has enough trauma in his life right now without his daughter turning lesbian.”
“Oh well…that’s too bad. She tells me she’s very skilled with her tongue.” Cora said.
“Have you ever…” Elta asked eyes widening.
“No. But then I’ve mostly been pining, then seeing Paolo, pining and then having make up sex with Paolo since we met. The time just didn’t seem right.”
“Oh….too bad.”
“Eh..”
“Awkward conversation,” Mace commented in amusement.
Elta turned to look at Mace, doing a double take at her clothes, “Are you gonna change?” she asked.
Mace looked down at her suit; it was deep purple worn with a white ruffled shirt underneath. The jacket had one bejeweled button closed at waist level and her pants were bell bottoms with a bejeweled hem.
“Why would I change?” she asked puzzled, “This is my bridesmaid outfit.”
Elta stared as if she was absolutely lost for words. Cora looked away so she wouldn’t burst out laughing. Elta spun to look at her with disbelief, “And you’re fine with this sister?” she asked.
“Yes. I am.” Cora said trying to contain her smile, “You shoulda seen the other options.”
“My mother is going to collapse. I am going to get her some champagne,” Elta said striding out. Cora and Mace exchanged glances then burst out laughing.
“What’s so funny?” Fridah asked coming into the room.
“Nobody knocks anymore,” Cora complained.
“Oh ma gaaad gworl, you look hot.” Fridah exclaimed.
“Thanks,” Cora said dryly, “You sound horny.”
Fridah fanned herself, “I know right? It’s the champagne I think. Plus everyone’s so pretty.”
“Okay well, keep it in your pants until after the ceremony?”
Fridah curtsied her acquiescence which was a feat in her body hugging latex aquamarine dress. Cora felt a twinge of anxiety; she was happy with letting her bridesmaids choose their own dresses but she didn’t want people, especially Paolo’s super boogie people, to make fun of or look down on them because of it. She shrugged internally. It was too late now to worry about that shit. And if anyone could hold their own it was Mace and Fridah. Cora stood up and hugged them both.
“Thanks guys for holding my hand through all of this,” she murmured to them.
“Hey. Don’t thank us for that. It was our pleasure,” Fridah said.
There was a knock at the door and the wedding planner poked his head in the room.
“They’re ready for you now Cora. Your mother’s here to walk you down the aisle.”
“Okay Chandler, thanks.”
*****
“I, Paolo Agnelli, take you, Cora Lafitte, to be my lawfully wedded wife. I promise to be true to you in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health. I will love you and honor you all the days of my life.”
“I, Cora Lafitte, take you, Paolo Agnelli, to be my lawfully wedded husband. I promise to be true to you in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health. I will love you and honor you all the days of my life.”
“The rings?”
A little boy walked up and presented two bands.
“Cora,” he picked up the ring and began to slide it onto her finger, “come health, happiness, and prosperity, I will stand with you; come illness, trouble, or poverty, I will stand with you. Take this ring as a sign of my love and commitment.”