Pleasure and Pain – By Unknown Author

Marlena closes the door behind Hope and the baby then turns slowly toward John, her arms folded around her waist.

 

She is struggling to say what she needs to say yet desperately wanting to just drop it. She knew this charade had to end. John was falling deeper and deeper into deception, and she was fully aware of it. She had allowed him time and again to persuade her either by words or actions to push it out of her mind…but no more.

 

“So…” she keeps her eyes on the floor for a long while before raising her hazel orbs to look at him. “What do you know about this baby and Hope’s past, John?”

 

John has walked back toward the terrace when these words pierce his soul. He spins around quickly, his eyes piercing and fearful. “What?”

 

Marlena shifts her jaw and turns her gaze from him, tired of the lies. She closes her eyes and takes a deep breath. “Please? John, I’m so tired of this.”

 

John clenches his jaw and fights to keep his composure. There is long silence between them. The disturbing images of he and Hope play through his mind once more, as his face grows hot in anger.

 

“Honey?” Marlena gently touches his arm.

 

“Stop Marlena! Just stop! I’m sick you making accusations that I know something about Hope’s past!” John has taken hold of Marlena by the upper arms, his voice heavy with resentment and guilt.

 

“Just let it go!”

 

Tears well up in Marlena’s hazel eyes, visibly shaken and shocked by his reaction. When he releases his strong grip on her, she stands dejected and quiet, tears pouring from her eyes.

 

John’s chest heaves up and down, his mouth snarled in anger that she had not seen very often. Looking at her, knowing she was shattered by his actions, his heart begins to throb in pain, wanting to gather her to him. Instead, he storms across the room, grabbing his jacket and slams the front door closed without another word.

 

The sheer gossamer drapes dance gently at the terrace doors as a spring wind blows through the city. Marlena lay quietly, unable to sleep.

 

John left the penthouse hours before; he had not called or come home since. ‘God help him. I can’t. I can’t help him through this.’ A tear rolls subtly from the corner of her eye that she doesn’t bother to catch. Her senses are tapped when she hears the snick of the bedroom door latch. Her heart begins to pound in anxiety. She considered how she should react and quickly decides to pretend that she is sleeping. She closes her eyes and waits.

 

John crosses the moonlit room to the settee in their bedroom. Sitting, he removes his boots quietly and undresses down to his boxer shorts. He walks to the terrace and stands in the doorway for a moment before turning toward the bed. He stops at Marlena’s side and stands over her, watching her. “Baby, I’m sorry,” he whispers. He closes his eyes and turns his head upward to the ceiling. “God help me.”

 

Marlena lies as still as she can, struggling to stave off the emotion rising in her. John circles the bed and slips in beside her. He hesitates for a moment then moves his body against hers, wrapping his arms around her waist.

Marlena had always hated playing games, and she refused to give in to the imposter inside of her who urged her to be aloof. She loved him, more than life itself, and his pain was as much her pain. She gently covers his hand with hers yet doesn’t speak. Tears stream down her face as she draws in a deep breath.

 

John touches his lips to her ear and sighs heavily.

 

“I’m a jerk.” He pulls her closer to him. “I’m sorry baby.” Marlena is quiet but caresses the arm that encircles her. “I’m…just…sorry.”

 

Feeling the warmth of his body against her causes that sensation in the pit of her stomach to rise and fall. She closes her eyes struggling to keep her senses. His wet lips brush against her ear lobe and the spark is fanned into a flame inside of her. The need for him, to touch him and feel him, was too great for her to deny. Marlena turns to her back to face him.

 

John adjusts his position as she moves, inadvertently brushing a hand across her breast. Knowing her so well, he perceives that familiar expression on her face. His discernment of her and her needs were incredibly accurate. Something Marlena had always marveled at was his intuition about lovemaking. He could tell the moment she walked in the door from work if she was in the “mood.” He had told her once, ‘I know when you want to make love…by the way you smell, the way you look…the glow of your skin.’

 

“I love you.” Marlena whispers, searching his eyes.

 

John brings a finger to trace her delicate jaw line. Without words he conveys his own yearning as he shifts his body to conform to hers. He closes his eyes and slowly brings his lips down to hers, kissing with fervent passion.

Marlena opens her mouth to deepen the kiss, caressing his tongue with hers. Her mind swirls with confusion as thoughts of his despondency over the last few weeks invade her mind. Tears begin to swell in her eyes, and she can’t stifle a cry.

 

John moves away slightly and knowing her pain gently nuzzles against her. “Shhh…baby…don’t cry.”

 

The sheer agony of wanting him and knowing full well that she was helpless to resist him—a battle ensues inside Marlena. A fight against her determination to find out what was so obviously wrong in his life…their life and her weakened flesh when touched by him.

 

“John…” she cries. “d…d…don’t.”

 

Placing a slender hand over his bare chest, she pushes him back, turning her face from him. Tears stream steadily from her eyes as she moves to get up.

 

John allows her, closing his eyes in pain. He knew the struggle that was going on. He knew completely what she was feeling and wanted desperately to comfort her. He himself had averted feelings, serious issues, just to touch her, give and find immense pleasure for a moment to satisfy his flesh. Although their lovemaking wasn’t about a momentary thrill, in fact, it had always been a place of healing and restoration for both of them, it still could not dispel the seriousness of the problems that were plaguing the now. John knew that, and he knew his wife was too wise to ignore it.

 

Marlena stands at the open terrace doors, the wind whipping at her sheer white nightgown. She wraps her arms around her waist as a warm shower blows its way across the night sky.

 

Soon she feels him once again, taken slightly by his touch, her body tenses against him. John’s jaw flexes in tension as he lays his head on hers. He rubs her arms and then begins to gently massage her neck and shoulders. Marlena closes her eyes, relishing his tender hands. “Let me…love you tonight.” John whispers into her ear.

 

Tears begin to stream down her face. “John, it won’t dismiss my…fears.”

 

John forces her to turn to him, “What’s fears, Marlena?”

 

“Something is happening to you…to us. You aren’t being honest with me,” She bites her lip through a knowing half smile. “That scares me.” She lowers her head wrapping her arms a little tighter around her waist.

 

In frustration, John releases a heavy sigh and walks to the balcony–droplets of rain begin to bead up on his bare skin. He runs his hands through his thick hair, turning his gaze up, letting the shower wash over his face. Marlena wrinkles her brow in concern at his careless behavior. “Oh Doc.” John breathes out, wiping his face. He leans heavily on the balcony railing, lost in deep thought. Finally, determined that regardless of the issues that lay pressing, he loved his wife…more than anything and she needed him, and she wanted him. John turns abruptly and grabs Marlena around her waist and pulls her onto the balcony.

 

“John!” She lets out a slight scream of surprise.

 

John brings her fully into his arms, covering her lips with his. He takes her face in his hands and thrust his tongue into her mouth, causing her breath to catch in her throat. “Ummm…Jo…John…” Marlena’s eyes roll in the back of her head as John presses his strapping frame against her, his hands cupping her firm buttocks.

As the rain showers down over them, Marlena’s diaphanous apparel clings to her body, molding with each curve of her supple breasts. John kisses her hard and then works his way across her cheek to her ear lobe.

The feeling in the pit of his stomach rising with each labored breath. “I want you…”

 

Unable to deny him any longer, Marlena releases herself physically and emotionally. John has made his way to her chest—bringing his hands up, he cups her breasts, gently pinching her nipples. “Oh…honey…” Marlena tilts her head back in ecstasy, struggling to breathe normal. “John!” she cries out in pleasure. Feeling his manhood rise against her wet body, she brings one leg up locking it around his thigh.

 

John reaches to the hem of her gown, pulling it above her head and then lifting her around him. He walks slowly to the edge of the door way, their rain drenched bodies burning with fire and passion, he lowers her to the thick rug in their bedroom.

 

Marlena’s eyes never leave his body as he stands just long enough to remove his satin boxers, clinging helplessly to his hardened shape. Seeing his naked form causes her body to tremble in want. Instinctively, she brings her legs up and sits up on her elbows, the excitement and anticipation of feeling him against her…inside her…was almost overwhelming.

 

John bends to his knees, and Marlena sits up as he places his hands around the back of her neck. She runs her finger down the dark hair below his navel, tracing it all the way down. She takes him in her hand, working up then down gently as John’s body tenses, the muscles in his cut abdomen jump and twitch at her touch. Marlena leans forward to take him in her mouth, gripping his backside with one hand, caressing him with the other. She strokes and sucks him with her lips and tongue until he is rigid. “Oh…Mar…lena…”

 

John chokes out as he gently thrusts back and forth to meet her rhythm.

 

She moves away from him, a lustful gaze cast toward his hardened shaft. Knowing she has abandoned him at a despairing moment but knowing him and knowing what pleased him, she lay back allowing him to drink in the sight of her.

 

Their eyes meet and lock in a tender and passionate stare as John bends close to her, his soft chest hair brushing against her taut breasts. He smiles a sweet smile and strokes her damp hair back away from her face. “I love you.” He whispers as he leans down to cover her lips.

 

Smoothing her hand across his chest, she returns a pensive smile, searching his sapphire eyes. “I love you.”

Wanting to bring her as much pleasure as possible, John spends long moments touching, exploring every inch of her body. Marlena arches her back as his tongue circles her belly button. “Mmmm…Honey…” she cries out. Her breath is heavy and staggered as he continues.

 

Biting her nipples, kissing her breast, John moves down the length of her shapely figure. He leans back on his heels and places a strong hand on each side of her thighs. She was ready and he knew it. Her pelvis rocked slightly back and forth, anticipating him. John watches her. He always loved watching her as she began to leave all control behind. Her breath quick and airy, Marlena spreads her legs, her middle pulsating with desire as John stroked himself in preparation. “Oh…” she whimpers, “make love to me.”

 

Her body racked with desire, John moves down on top of her, his hard shaft brushing against her soft mound. He reaches with his hand to her clitoris, rubbing it gently between his thumb and forefinger as she gasps with pleasure. “Oh…oh…” she cries out. “uh…oh John…I want you inside me…” Marlena breathes out, her body trembling and convulsing. John plunges two fingers inside her, causing her to cry out. “Oh! Baby… please!” she begs.

 

John gazes at her as he removes his fingers, he grips his shaft and directs the throbbing, purple head to her pulsing middle; he begins to move gently and then more vigorously between her slit, covering himself with her sweet moisture.

 

He hooks his arms around the back of her knees, placing his palms flat on the rug for support, forcing her legs up and her opening to widen so that his penetration will be deep and pleasurable. He rotates his hips in a slight circle with a few quick thrusts halfway in before he enters her fully.

 

Marlena cries out and grips his tight butt with both palms, pulling him inside her. She bucks her hips slightly finding the most comfortable position. “Awww…Doc!” John calls out as he leans down over her breasts, pushing deeper and deeper inside of her. His pubic bone rubbing hard against her clit causes Marlena to scream with uncontrolled pants of breath.

 

Beads of sweat turn to streams trickling between John’s pectoral muscles. He presses himself against her chest, burying his face in her neck. “Oh…baby…” he whispers, kissing and licking her. Marlena wraps her legs tightly around his back, the muscles of her canal constricting greatly against his rod as it plunges in and out of her. Finding her lips, John kisses her, taking her face in his hands and watching her intently as she reaches her first climax. “I love…you…” Sensing her nearness, John sits up slightly on his heels, continuing his forward motion. He grabs her hips and pulls her as close to him as possible, thrusting faster and deeper.

 

“Oh…Oh…” Marlena whimpers as her body begins another orgasm.

 

John’s breath catches with each thrust as he reaches under her and grasping her buttocks drives in deeper, hitting that spot in her that causes her muscles to constrict so powerfully, and, in turn, causing him to explode with intensified energy and force. Practice and attention to each other’s needs and desires has brought them to a level of passion and lovemaking unlike most couples.

 

“Stay inside of me…” Marlena has yet to loosen her hold around her husband. Her legs stayed locked around his waist as her lips brush across his neck, wet with perspiration.

 

“Okay.” John replies breathlessly. The effects of the epinephrine rush begin to lay hold of him physically. His fights to keep his eyes open until soon his body relaxes atop hers. John lays his head on Marlena’s chest as she cradles him in her arms.

 

She smoothes a wisp of his dark hair off his forehead and kisses the lingering beads of perspiration. John lay lifeless, his heart pounding against her breast until his body and senses return to normal. Soon, John feels her shiver beneath him, and he reaches to pull the down comforter and pillows from the bed to the floor. He wraps himself around his sweet wife and then brings the warm blanket over them both. They lay wet and weary, their bodies intertwined in post love making intimacy.