Page 1 of A Night To Remember

Prologue

One year of wedded bliss! Charlie hummed to herself as she danced around the kitchen, preparing Paul’s favorite dish—steak and garlic mashed potatoes. This night had to be absolutely perfect. A smile curved her lips when she remembered waking up in his arms that morning.

“Good morning, peanut. Happy anniversary.” Paul had leaned over to kiss her gently on the lips, running his hand along her body in a light caress.

She moaned in delight, returning his greeting. “Good morning, handsome. Happy anniversary, baby. Did you know that it’s a crime to look so damn fine this early in the morning?”

He chuckled showing off nearly perfect white teeth. “If that were true, you would have been arrested a long time ago.”

His retort brought a smile to her face. Paul had the ability to make her feel as giddy as a schoolgirl with his smooth words. “How is it that you always manage to say the right things to me?” She often wondered what she’d done to deserve such a loving, gorgeous husband like Paul.

She touched his face, running her fingers over his morning stubble. Charlie adored his warm, light brown eyes, dark brown skin, kissable lips, and a smile that made her heart melt and her body tingle with need.

They’d met when he had come into the accounting firm she worked for to have his taxes done. It was love at first sight, and they were married within six months. Though it had been a whirlwind affair, she never regretted her decision to be with him for a second.

Their eyes locked and he nudged her legs apart with his knee. Charlie sighed when Paul slowly slid his cock into her wet, ready channel. “Oh, baby,” she sighed as he began to move inside of her with slow, sensual strokes.

He kissed her neck, whispering words of love. Charlie clung tightly to him. “I love you so much, Paul,” she whispered, becoming lost in her desire for him. Nothing else existed except she and Paul, and nothing felt more right than being in the arms of the man she loved on their wedding anniversary. The year had gone by so fast, and she looked forward to spending many more with him.

The rhythm of his delicious thrusts sped up. “Oh God, yes, Paul!” She cried out as he slammed into her.

“Whose pussy is this?” He demanded, pounding into her with a savage frenzy.

“Yours! Only yours!” She tilted her hips to meet his dick, thrust for thrust.

“Damn right it is, girl. Oh God, peanut, what a sweet pussy you have.”

He knew it drove her wild with lust when he talked dirty to her. The heat of their passion for each other burned so strong, it threatened to consume them both. They made love for what seemed like hours until they both reach their mutual peaks, screaming out the other’s name.

They had lain in each other’s arms afterwards, both wishing they could stay like that forever, but Paul had to go to work at the fire station. Charlie worried about Paul risking life and limb for the sake of others’ safety. Every time he donned his uniform, she made him promise he’d come back to her. Paul usually laughed and assured her he would be okay.

“I will never leave you, baby. I’ll always be here for you,” was his usual reply.

After making love, Charlie showered with Paul and saw him off. She had opted to take the day off so she could prepare for their special evening. First she scrubbed their house from top to bottom, then threw rose petals in strategic places, and finally placed scented candles in every room. During the day, a huge bouquet of flowers was delivered to her. It was so like her husband to be so thoughtful.

She was nearly finished fixing dinner when the doorbell rang. Paul must have forgotten his key again.

“Just a minute,” she called out.

Charlie dashed to bathroom to check herself out. She slid her fingers over the pink teddy she wore that looked great against her dark skin. She wanted to make this evening as memorable as possible. Maybe tonight would be the night they’d make a baby. The doorbell rang again, a little more persistently this time.

“Hold on, Paul, I’m coming. She ran into the living room and pulled out a Teddy Pendergrass CD. Now they could really get the party started. The doorbell rang again just as she opened it.

The wide smile pinned to her lips fell. Standing at the door was the fire chief. Charlie’s heart stopped. Something was wrong. Terribly wrong.

Chapter One

“Well, baby, I’ve made it through another day without you. I miss you so much that sometimes, I can barely breathe.” Charlie spoke softly to the photograph that she held in her hand. “I don’t know how I made it through this past year without you, and I sure as hell don’t know how I’ll make it through another.” Her chest was tight with grief. “You promised me that you would always be here for me. You said that you would do everything in your power to make me happy. Well, I’m not happy. I need you, baby.” She broke off with a sob. “Oh God, Paul, I’m so very unhappy.”

She glanced up from the photo to see the sympathetic looks from the onlookers sitting around her, and the speculative gleam in the bartender’s eyes. Let them look. She didn’t know any of these people. They couldn’t possibly understand her pain. She turned her attention back to the photograph she held.

Taking another swig from her whiskey glass, she fought to keep the tears at bay. She winced as the warm amber liquid burned a trail down her throat. This was her fourth glass. She couldn’t stand the stuff, but it helped to numb the pain she felt inside.

Tears threatened to spill yet again. She dug into her purse in for a tissue, wishing she’d opted for a private booth instead of sitting at the bar surrounded by strangers. It was too late now as the establishment had become crowed.

Tonight was the loneliest she’d ever felt in her entire twenty-eight years and Charlie couldn’t stand the thought of spending another anniversary in her empty house. She should have been celebrating two years of wedded bliss with Paul; instead she was mourning his death.

“Paul, you broke your promise to me,” she whispered to the picture as if it would answer back. Paul’s image stared back at her, unmoving. His warm brown eyes contained a hint of mischief. The huge smile on his face tugged at her heartstrings. His smooth mahogany skin made her long to touch him one last time. Paul had often been likened to a movie star when described, but in Charlie’s opinion, Hollywood actor could hold a candle to her man.

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