Brace Yourself – By CuteWhenSassy

“I can keep you warm.” John said, his blue eyes lustfully grazing down Marlena’s body.

Marlena stared at John with wide eyes. On one hand, she wanted to smack him across the face. On the other, Marlena really wanted to throw herself into John’s strong muscular arm’s make John remember who she was. “Well, I’m thing along the lines of not wanting to get hypothermia. Marlena responded.

“Okay suit yourself.” John replied dryly before turning around to walk into the tent. Marlena was about to follow John and give him a piece of her mind when she heard Chloe crying. There were more important things going on then fighting with John. Marlena turned on her heel and made her way to her family and friends, making sure to check each one’s injury and give some moral support when was in needed.

John bundle of up in the tent, sulking in a bit. Inside John was battling with himself. Why did he care if Blondie didn’t want to cuddle up with him? He didn’t need her. He didn’t need anyone. Yeah she was cute in all. Yeah Marlena was sexier as hell. John would give her that. Her personality was pissing him off, condescending arrogant patronizing judge mental. She got on his nerves. Always wanting him to be like that other guy from the past when she knew damn well he wasn’t that guy anymore. John was so damn tired of hearing how great their love was. How they were soulmate, bound to each other forever or some crap like that. If they were so in love, then why couldn’t he remember her? Maybe it was the sex that was so great.

John has been thinking about when he had seen Marlena after the crash. Her hair was messed up. She was bleeding on her face, bruises already forming. For some reason, he wanted Marlena so badly at that moment. It was as if Marlena was perfect anymore. Marlena was just like him… Lost and alone. John like her like that. He didn’t know why. John contemplated this theory has he felt his body relax lightly.

Marlena had attended to everyone before making her way to their tent. Marlena hesitated slightly before entering it, taking a deep breath before unzipping the tent and walking through. Marlena was relieved to find John asleep, but in a way she was sad and disappointed he didn’t wait for her. But what could is she expect? This wasn’t her husband anymore. This was a stranger to her. As much as she wanted him to care about her, she had to face the facts that this was the way it would be until John remember who he was. There would be no tenderness, no thoughtfulness, no love passing between them. They would act like to strangers forced to share the same space for now.

Marlena lay down facing John, being careful not to hurt her injured shoulder. Marlena‘s body was crying now to get closer to John, but she didn’t know if it was appropriate. Marlena also didn’t know how this John would respond. So she bundled herself up into a ball, trying to keep warm while silent tears streaming down her face. How had this become her life? Marlena’s thoughts were interrupted by John repositioning himself. Suddenly John’s left strong muscular arm and leg flung over her, covering in her body. Marlena froze and position, carefully wiping at the tears on her cheeks. What the hell is he thinking? Marlena trying to back away from his grip on her, thinking he was dead asleep. Marlena stopped when she heard his voice.

“Didn’t you say body warmth is key to survival?“ Marlena looked up at John. His eyes were closed. Marlena sighed, relaxing slightly as she learned into John’s in brace. Marlena had to admit she was warmer with him being so close. In fact, it felt a little too familiar for her. Marlena felt the heat emanating from her center, spreading throughout her body until she felt she was on fire. How on earth could he do this just by being close to her?

Marlene felt John’s fingers begin to brush up and down her back. Marlena told her self he was just rubbing her, trying to keep her warm. Secretly, Marlena hoped John wouldn’t stop anytime soon. Marlena‘s lips begin to quiver. She thought he might take it as a sign that she was still cold. This could word to her benefit.

John’s masculine leg casually rubbing Marlena’s calf. Marlena peered up at John slowly. As his eyes were still closed. Was he even aware of what he was doing, or was this just instinct to John? Marlena was about to ask when John shift again, this time laying half of his body on top of hers. Marlena froze again she felt John’s erection against her thigh. Marlena knew he wasn’t sleep now.

Suddenly John grab the Marlena’s ass, pushing her against him as John bit her neck. Marlena put her hands on John’s broad chest pushing him away.

“What do you think you are doing?“ Marlena said indignantly, wincing from the pain in her shoulder.

John watch Marlena wincing . He knew it was her shoulder had to hurt. Rather than answer her question, John decided to try a different tactic.

“Let me look at your shoulder.“ He said in a robotic voice of his.

John sat up pulling Marlena with him. John brought his hands to Marlena neck, kneading her flash as if he was searching for anything out of the ordinary. John began unbuttoning Marlena’s shirt. John was going to act as if this wasn’t affecting him, until he caught sight of Marlena’s creamy breasts. They were full underneath her bra. Marlena’s nipples were erect. John sat entranced as he watched Marlena’s chest rise and fall with each breath. John’s hands were skimming over Marlena’s shoulder. It took every ounce of strength he had to keep his hand from grabbing Marlena’s voluptuous breast.

Marlena was watching this new John intently, noticing the way he was looking at her chest. John had the same look on his face that he always got when he saw her flash. For a moment, it was as if time was forgotten. Marlena saw the old John came back to her. It was there for a flash and then gone. Marlena was hell-bent on getting it back.

When John looked into her hazel eyes, Marlena threw caution to the wind. Marlena lean into John, grabbing his face in her hands. Marlena kissed John full on the mouth, a tentative kiss at first, testing the waters. Marlena urged John to open his mouth with her tongue..

John was frozen for a second. What the hell was she doing? He hadn’t expected this. John thought it would be much harder to persuade her. His eyes where open as Marlena probed his mouth with her tongue. Marlena looked so serene as she kissed him. John relaxed into the kiss at that moment, his eyes were closing as John gave Marlena entrance into his mouth. Their tongues danced together for a few moments. Marlena brought her hands around John’s broad shoulders, pulling John closer to her. John grabbed Marlena’s ass once more, pulling their lower halves together. Marlena wrapped her leg around John’s hip.

It wasn’t in until John grab Marlena‘s breasts then Marlena began to feel the difference. Usually John adored her chest. John would squeeze and lick and kiss and pull in a loving way. The way he grabbed her breast now was brutal. John savagely took her breasts in his hand, kneading it, almost leaving a bruise. It reminded Marlena of how John got when she would tease John a little too much. It was a game they played where one of them had to be punished. But this kind of rough sex usually didn’t happen during foreplay. It happened when John had enough and couldn’t wait any longer.

Marlena pulled back, staring up into eyes. Marlena saw the hunger and intensity in them that scared her slightly. Marlena realize she did this know what is John with capable of. Would he force her if she said no? Would he overpower her?

John could see the doubt in her hazel eyes. Marlena was sizing him up. John could sense it. Marlene wasn’t ready yet. That was OK with him. He could wait, but not much longer. He sighed as he let go of Marlena slightly, his muscular arm came to rest on Marlena‘s hip. Without thinking he kissed her for head lightly. “Get some sleep. It’s been a long day.“

Marlena breathe a sigh of relief. She was glad he made the decision for her. Marlena didn’t know if she would have stopped John. But she also didn’t know if that would have been a mistake.

John was still on top of Marlena, his masculine leg over her legs, his muscular arm resting at Marlena’s hip. John buried his face in between Marlena’s neck and her good shoulder, inhaling her perfume. John liked it on her. He didn’t know why it brought a smile to his lips. Maybe she was starting to grow on him. Maybe he was becoming more comfortable around her. Maybe he was just horny.

Marlena crossed her arm crossed for chest. Marlena held onto that arm with her opposite, hand, hoping to alleviate some of the pain in her shoulder. Marlena leaned her head against John, bringing his face deeper into her neck. Marlena felt John’s lips ever so softly against her neck. It sent shivers down her spine. John brought his hand up against Marlena’s back, bringing her close to him.

Marlena smiled, inhaled John’s masculine scent as she let sleep overcome her weary body. When John was sure Marlena was asleep, he kissed her neck again, whispering to her ever so softly. “Why am I so drawn to you Blondie?“

Marlena was cold. She shivered in her sleep and began mumbling incoherently. John was staring at Marlena. They were still wrapped around each other. John shift slightly. Marlena’s breathing changed. She was starting to come out of the fog.

John poked Marlena on her good shoulder. Marlena opens her hazel eyes up at him in annoyance for waking her up.

“Rise and shine.”

John was way too happy for how early it was. Marlena stretched a little. John watch as Marlena‘s body molded itself against him in a more comfortable position. Marlena made a little mewling sound. She looked like a kitten to John. It was driving him crazy. John shifted and comfortably in his pants.

“I thought last night was a dream.” Marlena said in a voice that it was deep in throaty. Her voice got like that after sleep John had realized. It was sexy as hell. John imagined for a moment waking up every morning to that voice. It turned him on just thinking about it. John shook his head a little, chastising himself for letting her get him.

“The rough landing or that kiss?” John asked.

“Both.” Marlena replied.

“Oh, that kiss was no dream.” John look down Marlena intently when he said it.

Marlena found herself swimming in John’s blue cerulean eyes. She made a decision then and there. “I want you back John. I want my John back.” Marlena is hazel eyes implored him.

“Well…let’s get him back then.” John replied, surprise etching his face then he was even considering trying to find the old him.

“I don’t know how to.” Marlena said sadly, tears threatening to slide down her face.

John looked up to the top of the tent, pondering their dilemma. When John looked at Marlena again, Marlena couldn’t tell he was thinking about.

“Will intimacy triggered any memory for me?” John asked innocently.

Marlena could swear she saw the hint of an eyebrow rising, but it was gone in instantly. Marlena fought urge to smile as she spoke. “In my experience, I have found that intimacy is very strong trigger. It might just work.”

“Well then why are we wasting time? Or does this fall under the category of cheating since technically I don’t remember you or myself for that matter.”

Marlena thought about that for a moment. With John being mad that she slept with him when he couldn’t remember her? Or himself? It was complex, skimming on the line and indecent.

“Well Blondie, here it is. This is the moment. Just what would you do to get your husband back?”

Marlena bit her lip and she stared at him. That old feeling of pride overtook her. Marlena would be damned if she was going to let Stefano win. She would get her John black if it killed her. “I would do anything to get you back.” Marlena said definitely.

John smiled smugly. Marlene was getting feisty. He liked her that way. John grabbed Marlena’s arms pulling her down beneath him. “Brace yourself.” John said a moment before he crashed his lips to Marlena’s.

Marlena moaned in his mouth and his tongue gained entrance to hers. John was kissing her brutally, his hands holding down her arms. Marlena could feel the bruises that would show tomorrow.

Marlena’s mind was racing with information. Were his kisses familiar, the way his hands roamed her body? Was anything the same?

John ripped Marlena’s should open with one hand. Marlena gasped, she stared up at him and John possessively looked at her chest. That looks scared her slightly. John was possessive, but not like this. He looked hungry enough to eat her, literally.

When John unhooked, Marlena bra and grabbed her breast roughly in his hand, Marlena forgot to think about anything. She arched her back against him, her hands finding their way to his dark chestnut hair. Marlena pulled hard with her hands, bringing John’s face to look at her. If he wanted rough, she would give him rough.

Marlena pulled John down to her, taking the bottom lip between hers. Marlena bit into John’s lip, tasting blood. John pulled back surprised. Marlena was serious turning him on. John felt his control starting to leave him. He wasn’t sure what he would do to her if he didn’t keep it under wraps. Marlena reached for him again, brutally taking his mouth in hers. Their tongues began dueling for control. Marlena pulled off his sweater, yanking it from him. Marlena couldn’t even feel her throbbing shoulder anymore. All pain was forgotten.

John was on his knees now. He roughly pulled Marlena up to him, sinking his teeth into Marlena’s neck. John was biting her and sucking on her, leaving a deep mark. Marlena couldn’t move her arms with his hands holding them. But she could lift them a little to reach his belt. Marlena‘s hand instantly went to his lower region. She undid John’s belt, his button and zipper in a flash. John moved to kiss Marlena on the mouth again just as her hand slipped inside John’s pants. As Marlena open her mouth to let his tongue mold with hers, Marlena’s hand wrapped around John. John opened his eyes as their kiss ended. Marlena was staring back at him, her eyebrows arched high. Marlena began pumping John up and down as she looked at him intently.

Marlena was challenging him with those eyes while her hands were driving John mad. John let go of Marlena to grab her hand and stop her moments, but Marlena pulled a fast one on him. Marlena threw her weight on him, pushing John onto his back. Marlena grabbed John’s hands, forcing them above his head while her legs straddled John’s hips. Marlena leaned over John, an almost sadistic smile on her face. John smile beneath her. He would let her have her way for now. Might as well let her think she was in control.

“Are you going to be a good boy?” Marlena asked John, tilting her head slightly.

“I’m always a good boy.” John replied, smiling up at Marlena.

“Good, don’t move.” Marlena licked her lips as she let him go, making her way down John’s body. She tore at his pants and boxer briefs, throwing them across the tent as she pulled them off.

Marlena settle herself between John’s legs, taking him into her hand. Marlena pumped John a few times while Marlena watched John’s head sink back against the pillow. She watched as John hands became fists at his side. Marlena smile that knowing smile, the smile that said she has him in her the palm of her hand…literally.

Without warning Marlena took John completely in her mouth. John bolted up but was stopped by Marlena’s hand forcing him back down. Marlena began pumping John with her mouth, using her tongue to swirl John’s tip, occasionally using her teeth to graze the underside of John’s dick. John was panting hard underneath her. Marlena was moving so fast over John. Marlena wasn’t slowing down. It was making John lose control. His hands down her soft hair to try and slow her down. Marlena swiped his hands away and continue to pump John with her hand and mouth. Marlena begin to moan, her mouth quivering over John. John shuddered against Marlena. In a moment of clarity, John grabbed Marlena’s arms, yanking her onto her back. Marlena screamed out, hitting The ground hard. John pinned Marlena’s arms above her head and with one thrust opened her legs. Marlena struggled against him, trying to free her arms.

“Are you going to be a good girl?” John asked Marlena

“No!” Marlena replied defiantly.

“Good try to move.” John said before he ducked down to grab Marlena’s breast in his mouth. He bit her nipple hard and pulled. Marlena shrieked as she brought her chest up against John. John was hurting her, but it felt so good at the moment that she didn’t care. Marlena gritted her teeth as she squeezed her thighs against John’s hips. Marlena used all her force against him. John let go of Marlena’s breast as he groaned out. John looked down at her, watching her as Marlena smiled victoriously.

John looked at Marlena in surprise. This broad was stronger than he thought. So far she hadn’t been offended by anything he had done. In fact, it seemed that she liked it. The rougher for he was, the more she came back for.

A sly smile appeared on John’s face. Marlena looked at him wondering why he was so happy about. Without warning John grinded into Marlena roughly, his hips bucking against her so hard that they move slightly across the tent. Marlena screamed out, the scream turning into a moan at the swift contract between them. Marlena was still recovering from his thrusting when John released her to make his way down her body. John ripped Marlena‘s pants off, flinging them behind him. John pulled Marlena‘s panties hard, ripping them in two. Marlena moaned, arching her head back against the pillow. John pulled his pants down and off, letting them join their other clothes John moved over Marlena slowly like a panther, holding himself up in his hands. Marlena watched him slightly, her hazel eyes never leaving John’s. Each was wanting for the others to make the next move.

Times seemed to stand still. Marlena‘s nerves were going haywire. Marlena felt like a wind-up toy that was about to bust. Marlena wanted to hurt him so badly. She didn’t know why. Maybe to Snap John the hell out of this damn fog he was in. Maybe she blamed John for leaving her. Maybe this new rough John was turning her on more than the old John. It felt like she was cheating on John. She didn’t want that, but she couldn’t fight with her body wanted. She decided to fight him instead.

Marlena’s hand, rose up slapped, smacking the shit out of him hard across the face John wasn’t expecting that. John’s head snapped to the side she left her handprint branded his face. John slowly brought his head back to look at her. “that wasn’t smart.” John said menacingly wiping, the blood off the corner his mouth.

Marlena knew it wasn’t. She was in uncharted territory. This could backfire completely. She could really be hurting if she didn’t watch her strep. But the way he looked at her with making her mad. Marlena wanted to take it all out on him. Making him pay for the hell she was going through. “Damn You… bastard DAMN YOU ! TO HELL.” Marlena yelled as she began hitting him anywhere hard as she could. She was slapping him, punching him with her fists, pulling his hair scratching. She was moving too fast for John to catch her arm.

“Stop that… Blondie…I said STOP!” John yelled ferociously as he slammed down on top of her. This broad was becoming more difficult.

“Let me go you I hate you! son of a bitch I HATE YOU!” Marlena Screamed as she tried to take her nails across his face again.

“What The hell woman! Stop clawing me. What is wrong with you?” John asked as he finally caught Marlena‘s hands in his. John brought them above her, holding them down both in one of his hands.

“You! You are what’s wrong with me! Damn you! Get the hell off for me! Right now!”

“I don’t think so Blondie you started this remember you would do anything to get your husband back?”

“I lied. I don’t care if you ever remember anything. You can rot in hell for all I care! son of a bitch your Stefano creation you will never be John.” Marlena struggled against him, thrashing about.

John decided he’d had enough of this. John brought one hand to cover her mouth, Covering it. Marlena tried to bite his hand. She might have done it too, if John hadn’t removed his hand from her arms and snaked it between them. John brought his hand to Marlena’s mound, his fingers finding Marlena’s clit immediately. His hands were rough as he moved over her, flicking her clit up and down.

Again her will, Marlena’s body began thrusting against John’s hand. She was moaning against his hand. John lifted his hand only to replace it with his mouth. Marlena bit his lip, her teeth grazing over his flesh. Marlena’s arm wrapped around his broad shoulder, pulling him closer to her. His opened her mouth, his tongue delving deeper into her depths. The battle was turning passionate. Marlena wrapped her slender legs around John.

Marlena was calling him baby now. Her whole demeanor had change. John was entranced by her. John couldn’t stop looking at Marlena’s face. She was arching her Head back, Marlena‘s eyes closed, her skin was glowing, her lips smiling in sweet satisfaction. Marlena was a goddess. Why has he noticed that before?

“Please… John…please!” Marlena is hazel eyes were pleading with him.

“What do you want Blondie? Tell me what you want.” John knew it. He just wanted to hear her say it.

Marlena purred against him, her hips gyrating against his hand.

“Tell me…” John asked against her lips. John took Marlena’s bottom lip and his, sucking on it slightly.

Marlena couldn’t think anymore. God, she was about to cum against his hand. “I…need you…now.” Marlena managed to get out before she kissed him for full on the lips. John grazed Marlena’s opening with his finger, slipping two of them inside her.

Marlena mound in his mouth. Her head fell back, a low guttural sound escaping her lips.

“What do you need Blondie?” John taunted Marlena with those fingers, slipping another one inside her. John began pounding, into her with his fingers. It wasn’t gentle. It wasn’t love. It was fucking. She didn’t care at the moment. She wanted him anyway she could get him. “I need you to fuck me!” Marlena said, her leg squeezed his hips once more as she thrust up against him. “Fuck me John…now!” Marlena demanded.

John withdrew his fingers, holding himself in his hand. He pumped himself a few times and brought his tip to Marlena’s pussy. He rubbed himself against her. Up and down making her ache for him even more.

Marlena scratched his back up in anticipation. John gritted his teeth against her neck. He grabbed her hips to still her. without warning John entered Marlena swiftly, completely encasing himself inside her. Marlena screamed again him, her body shutter. Tears made their way down her face.

John was panicking for a minute. Why she was crying? “Blondie?”

Marlena composed herself. The pain was lessoning already. “I’m ok John. I… forgot to tell you…” Marlena didn’t continue.

“Tell me what?” John asked he was freaking out.

“You … are too big for me… you have to… go slow… in the beginning…” Marlena said panting.

“How Long have we been married?” John asked.

Marlena laughed wryly. “I’ll explain later.” A seductive look flashed across her face. Marlena began rotating her hips beneath him. She was ready for him now.

John withdrew completely from her, his tip grazing her opening. He bucked into her with one hard thrust.

Marlena braced herself against the tent, her arms coming above her to hold on to something.

John grabbed her breast and one of his hand, pinching it painfully between his fingers. Marlena mound his name as she brought her chest closer to him.

Marlena began to feel those familiar stirrings in the pit of her stomach. She was closed. She began to squeeze her muscles each time John entered her. “Don’t stop John…don’t stop…oh god…” Marlena‘s head was shaking from side to side, tears fell from her eyes.

For a moment John thought he was being too rough. When Marlena began moaning his name, he knew it was passion that was making her cry.

Marlena squeeze her legs around him, her head coming up to bite Johns broad shoulder, her nails raking down his muscular broad back. “Oh…fuck me…please John…don’t stop… JB” Marlena cried out as she grabbed him for everything he was worth. Her body convulse around him. She held onto him with a death Iron grip. Moments later her body began to relax, but John wasn’t giving her enough time to recover completely. He was once again thrusting in and out of her. Tossing her over on her stomach. he wrapped his muscular arm around her stomach and pulled her against him, entering her swift from behind. Marlena braced herself on her arms, her ass arching up to him.

John was admiring her backside. Marlena I had the kind of ass that made you want to smack it. So he did. John smacked her good and hard. Marlena cried out at first, but the stinging was soon replace with a warm feeling that spread throughout her body. Marlena arched her ass up to him more, turning her head to face him, teasing him slightly by licking her lips. He smacked her again on the other cheek. Marlena‘s head fell against the floor, her groans muffled in her hair.

John was grunting now against her. He reached around her, with his fingers finding her clit once more . Marlena’s head popped up, her hair flying behind her. Marlena pushed herself against him as he pushed into her. Their bodies began making a smacking noise as they hit against each other. John had never been this rough, but it was exquisite to her. Marlena on longer cared about anything except the way he felt inside her.

“Fuck me harder John.” Marlena cried out. John brought her up to him with his other hand. With her that arch slightly, Marlena managed to grab a hold of his dark chestnut damp hair behind her. Marlena twist her head around, her mouth at his neck. “Fuck me harder baby.” Marlena mouth against him. John began pounding into her violently. He was sweating profusely now, grunting with each thrust. He was determined to make her come again. “Cum for me again Blondie.” He said as he bit into her ear, sucking on her lobe.

John’s hips were pounding and to Marlena‘s ass. She feels sore already, but the pleasure outweighed the pain. Marlena arched her head back, leaning against his broad shoulders. She was crying out with each thrust. Marlena pulled a little of his hair out each time, which made him yelp, but she didn’t have any idea what was going on at that moment. Her orgasm was taking her away, her moans overpowered his. Marlena began screaming his name over and over.

It was the best sound in the world to John. He kept pumping into her over and over. He didn’t know where the control was coming from. John pulled out of her, flipping her again. She was now beneath him once more. John settled between Marlena’s thigh’s, wrapping his strong muscular arms around her as he pulled her on top of him. Marlena could barely hold herself up. She braced herself against his broad muscular chest as he entered her once more, bucking up into her. John grabbed her hips, pushing her up and down on him. Their bodies slapped against one another. Marlena began rotating her hips above him. She arched her back, her stomach and breasts leaning into his broad chest. Marlena brought her lips down to his, but didn’t kiss him. She hovered above him as she pound away. Marlena smiles wickedly as she began rising up. John grabbed Marlena‘s face, bringing her down against him. John kiss Marlena full on the mouth. his tongue delving deep into her. Marlena couldn’t breathe. She fell herself suffocating. It was the best feeling in the world. Marlena thought she might die right there. She found herself sitting up now, John against her, John against her, his muscular arms wrapped around her. Marlena ended the kiss to look a him. Her hands were on his face, caressing. She could see the vein that throbbed at his temple.

John was losing control fast. He wouldn’t last much longer. He brought his hand to cup her once again. Marlena sighed against him. He was an expert with his fingers. Marlena cupped his face, Staring him in the eye as Marlena felt a third orgasm starting. Marlena wanted to tell him she loved him, but she didn’t. He wouldn’t understand. John would take it the wrong way. Instead she kissed him sweetly on the mouth. John grunted against her. He could feel her muscles trying around him. John grabbed her hips again, helping her to cum for him. Marlena wrapped her arms around him, pulling his dark damp hair, Again arching his neck. Marlena kissed his neck, biting his broad shoulder as he moaned out “Doc!” her name it was the first time he hadn’t called her Blondie. Marlena relish it. John grabbed her to him, bucking into her fast and hard. Marlena came against him, moaning against his ear John grab her ass, pulling her into him he came in her. He yelled out her name against her chest.

Marlena wrapped her self around him, content and satisfied. John was breathing harshly into her neck. John fell back against the pillow, taking her with him. Marlena’s body quivered and again John. Marlena curled herself into him, kissing his broad chisel firm chest, her damn hair cascading over his face. They were still connected. Marlena never wanted to move. Secretly Marlena was happy that John hadn’t him pulled out of her yet. She always loved John to stay inside her as long as possible.

After a while Marlena began to feel the cold. She moved off of him, siding to his side. She wrapped a leg around him, her arm coming to rest on his broad chest. Marlena idly played with his hair sleep begged to take over her. John hadn’t said anything yet, just lay there stroking her back. Marlena wondered if he had any memories. “John? Are you okay? Did you have any memories yet?” Marlena asked hopefully.

“That was great. I don’t remember doing anything that felt like that Amazing good. Incredibles let’s do it again!”

Marlena started I am in this morning. He look like a kid in a candy store. John was practically drooling like a dog in heat.

“You‘ve got to be kidding me! No I don’t think so There will be No more sex not Until you get your memories back ”

Brace Yourself : Chapter 2 [NC-17\R]

John was driving Marlena crazy! At first she thought that moving into the Dimera mansion was a good idea. Marlena could be around him more and keep her eye on John. Marlena could maybe convince John to try hypnosis. Unfortunately Marlena realized too late that this was possibly the worst idea she’d ever had. For days now Marlena had to put up with John’s foul moods and monotone voice, his uncaring personality, and, what was worse, his damn outright flirting with Anna Dimera. He would do it right in front of her. Poor Anna didn’t know what to do. Marlena could tell that she felt uncomfortable. On one hand, Anna could never resist a man that flirted with her. On the other, Anna liked Marlena and didn’t want to hurt her. So Marlena confronted Anna about possibly getting another job, but when Anna refused and gave her the reason, she could understand why. Anna was trying to make Tony jealous and trying to get him back at the same time. It made Marlena feel a little better knowing who Anna’s heart belonged to.

But John was another story. Ever since she told him that there would be no more sex between them until he got his memory back, John had been on a mission to make Marlena’s life hell. The final blow came about an hour ago.

Marlena had walked into the den to talk to John about hypnosis. She heard Anna’s voice in the room as she approached the door. Opening it slightly, Marlena saw both of them at the fireplace, talking quietly. John leaned in to whisper something in her ear. Anna twit ass laughed that high pitched cackling laugh that sounded utterly fake as hell. Anna turned around to grab her coat and purse. John slapped her on the ass, making Anna jump slightly. She looked flustered.

And that was when Marlena closed the door, turned around and ran up the stairs, tears running down her face.

Marlena had been in the bathroom for god knows how long crying her eyes out. She didn’t know what to do anymore. What could she do?

She could leave and go back home and resume her life without John. Let him take over the Dimera fortune and business and watch with sadness as he became just like all of them. Marlena would be miserable, but she would still have her pride.

Marlena could start to treat him as cruel as he treated her. Flirt with other men in front of him and act as if she didn’t care about him in the least. She would be miserable and completely lose any pride she had left, but she might be able to get some kind of emotion from John.

Or, Marlena could do exactly what she had been doing. Let him know she loved him and that she would never give up on her John. Try as hard as she could to get John to remember their life and their love. Follow him around like a damn idiot in hopes that being around her would jog John’s memory. Marlena was miserable, had no pride left whatsoever, in despair and so far the only emotion the new John showed was sitting in his pants.

Either way Marlena looked at it, she was fucked. And not in the good way.

******

John had smelled Marlena’s perfume when she had opened the door. Which amazed him, considering Anna practically wore the whole damn bottle. John decided to test Marlena once again by flirting with the dumb nitwit. How the hell Blondie could ever think he was interested in that woman was beyond him. But it seemed to get a rise out of Marlena. He liked it when she got like that. It did something to him deep inside. What he couldn’t tell you. But he was addicted to it. No. John was obsessed with it. He couldn’t get enough of that feeling. Because at some point when they were fighting, that spark would flash across her hazel eyes, and that look did something to his soul. He craved that look.

John noticed when Marlena closed the door also. As soon as Anna left, John made his way upstairs, sure that he would find her in the bedroom crying. John didn’t like to see Marlena cry, but he couldn’t find another way to get that look from her. When John found Marlena’s bedroom empty, he became frightened. Had she left for good this time? Had she reached her breaking point?

Suddenly he knew where she was. John smelled Marlena’s perfume coming from the bathroom. As John stepped closer, he could hear her.

Marlena was sobbing uncontrollably. It was muffled though. She was probably holding a towel up to her face. Marlena didn’t want anyone to hear her. He noticed that a lot. She was one of the few people John knew who time after time refused help. She was stubborn like him. Marlena thought she was strong enough to handle anything. But these sobs were different. They were sobs of despair and loneliness. He knew she had reached that point. Marlena wouldn’t be able to handle much more without losing all hope. John tentatively stepped up to the door and knocked softly. “Open the door Blondie.”

Marlena stopped crying, her body going rigid. John was at her door. Had he heard her crying? What nerve he had “Go away! How dare you come in my room.” Marlena said as bravely as she could.

“I said open the door Marlena. Now.” John’s tone was more menacing than before.

Marlena rose up from the position she had on the floor, leaning against the wall for support. “Leave me the hell alone John!”

“Open this door before I throttle you Doc.” John said through gritted teeth. He didn’t like that she was refusing to be around him.

John called her Doc. He hadn’t called her that since they made love weeks ago. What did that mean?

“Don’t you have something better to do!? Like go fuck Anna fuckin Dimera!?” Marlena growled out. Her confidence was coming back slowly.

“Where are you?” John asked.

“What? the hell does.. that matter!” Marlena replied confused.

“Where are you in there? Are you by the sink or the tub?”

Marlena looked at him strangely through the door. Not sure what the hell he meant. “I’m by the tub if you must know. Now go away!”

John stepped back and brought his leg up, kicking in the door.

Marlena screamed out as she wedged herself between the shower and the wall.

John closed the door behind him, although he couldn’t lock it anymore. He glared at Marlena from across the room. Marlena had really pissed him off this time. John was trying to calm himself down before he let her have it.

“How dare you! Don’t you have any respect for my privacy! Or my feelings you bastard!!!“ Marlena snarled out at him.

John reached her in two steps, grabbing her hair and forcing her head back. “Don’t you ever refuse to let me in when I ask. Is that clear?” He pulled her hair even more until she cried out.

“You’re hurting me! You Son of bitch“ Marlena whispered in a tight voice.

“So fight me Blondie. You’re not the sort of woman to take crap from any man, are you?” John asked, not letting go of his hold.

“Go to hell you’re an asshole!”

Marlena thought briefly of kicking him in the balls, but couldn’t bring herself to hurt him there. So she grabbed his dark chestnut hair as well and pulled with all her might pulling out hair drawing blood. John yelped out and released her. Marlena smiled in satisfaction, swiping his hands away from her.

They stared at each other for seconds, but it seemed like hours. Time just stood still.

John grabbed her shoulders with his hands, pushing Marlena against the wall. He devoured her mouth, forcing his tongue inside. Marlena was pinned to the wall and tried valiantly to not succumb to John’s ministrations, but Marlena failed miserably. Before she knew it she was moaning deep in her throat. Damn him and his tongue.

John pulled away from Marlena, putting his hands against the wall at her sides. “As you can tell, I have no respect whatsoever for your privacy or your space. You’re just going to have to deal with that.” John said, his gaze dropping to admire her body.

“Don’t dare even think about it! I hate you!” Marlena snarled out; smoke practically coming out of her nose and ears. Marlena was hopping mad now. How dare he use this tactic on her. The nerve of this guy astounded her.

“Why not? You are.” John smiled at Marlena as his gaze once again came to rest on her face.

“I beg your pardon!?” Marlena replied as her hands came to rest on her hips.

“You don’t think I can tell when you’re aroused?” John asked as his fingertips softly touched the button on her skirt.

“I don’t think you know the first thing about my body Mr. Black. My husband knew everything about my body, and he would never hurt me! but you are most definitely not my husband. Therefore, you know nothing about what you speak.”

And there was that spark that flashed across Marlena’s hazel eyes. It was magnificent each time it happened. It entranced him. It was a mix of fire, courage, stubbornness and lust all mixed into one amazing helluva woman.

“Well let’s just see what I can muster up, shall we?” John stepped back just a bit to look Marlena up and down.

“By all means, give it your best shot.” Marlena said icily.

“Let’s start from the top. Your hazel eyes are wild, almost glossed over. Your lips are trembling. Your neck and chest are flushed. I can see that your pulse is erratic and I can hear that your breathing is shallow. In case you didn’t notice it, your nipples are hard.” Marlena stared at John. She was finding it hard to breathe with John this close. “Maybe I’m cold.”

“Let’s not start lying to each other. We have such a truthful relationship.”

“You son-of-a-bitch. You don’t know what the hell you’re talking about.”

“Well truthfully I’m not done. There is one more way that I can tell you’re turned on.”

“Well do tell. This should be interesting.” Marlena crossed her arms.

John leaned in until his lips were just touching Marlena’s.

“I can smell you.”

Marlena’s mouth became dry. She tried to swallow, but it was no use. John was so close, too close. Marlena couldn’t think. How did he know she was wet already? “I think you’re grasping for straws.” Marlena replied defiantly.

“You know what I find funny. I can’t tell when other women are aroused. I could be all over Anna and not know what she was feeling. But you are another story. All I have to do is walk into the room and look at you and I know. I see all the signs and I know. Now what would the shrink in you say that means?”

“I would say that you’re horny.” Marlena replied matter-of-factly.

“Tell the truth.”

Marlena sighed, looking anywhere but at him.

“LOOK AT ME!” John yelled as he grabbed her face.

“Get your damn hands off of me..I can’t think when you’re this close! I am getting sick and tired off you manhandling me“ Marlena cried out.

“You don’t have to think to find the answer. Just say it Doc.”

Marlena closed her eyes briefly and took a deep breath.

“I would say that your body is connected to my body.”

“Try again.” John demanded.

“What do you want me to say?” Marlena shrieked out.

“The truth!” John yelled back.

“All right! It means you know my body better than anyone else! Are you happy!?”

Marlena looked off to the side, tears sliding down her face.

“Don’t be such a poor loser Blondie. You may have lost the battle, but you sure as hell haven’t lost the war yet.” Marlena looked at him coldly, rolling her eyes when he smiled at her.

“So, we have established that I know your body better than you know it, and we are finally telling each other the truth. I would say this has been a productive day, wouldn’t you?” John brought his hands back to the wall, encasing Marlena between them.

“Oh yah. This has been such a great day. I can’t thank you enough.”

“No need to be sarcastic Marlena. Today I beat you at your own game. Tomorrow you might win.”

Marlena sighed, her hands wiping at her eyes.

“You know what John? I’m tired of this game. I’m so damn tired of watching you flirt with other women. I’m tired of trying to make you remember your past. I’m just so damn tired.”

“Stop trying so hard Doc.”

“Excuse me?”

“Let’s spell it out for you. I flirt with other women because I’m trying to make you jealous, and I must say it worked fabulously. And if you stopped trying so damn hard to make me remember, you might find that the new John Black isn’t such a bad guy to get to know. In fact, you might like him.”

Marlena stared at him as if he was an alien.

“Why are you trying to make me jealous?” Marlena eyed John suspiciously.

John grabbed Marlena’s skirt with both hands and pulled it up slightly. John reached a hand underneath. Marlena began to fight him off until John fingers found their target. John cupped Marlena gently; his fingers feather soft over her.

“I made you jealous because of this. Don’t you understand Blondie? You are the one I trust. You are the one I want. And you are the only woman I want. You’ve been so blind to my actions because you haven’t given the new me a chance. You’re still waiting for that other guy to show up. What are you going to do if he never comes back Doc? What if you’re stuck with me forever?”

John’s hand was driving Marlena mad with want and need. Her hips gyrated against his hand. Marlena felt like she had no control over her body. It was doing what it must to find release. Marlena’s leg came up suddenly to wrap around John’s torso. Marlena couldn’t contemplate what she would do if John didn’t come back soon. She couldn’t even think about living her life with this new John.

“Can we talk about this at another time?” Marlena managed to squeak out.

“You don’t have to think about the answer Blondie. Just tell me what you would do if he never comes back.” John thrust two fingers inside Marlena while John used his thumb to flick her clit up and down.

Marlena moaned as her head came to rest against the wall. She couldn’t speak at the moment. Why couldn’t she find any words to say? Was she afraid of the truth?

“Tell me!” John shouted in Marlena’s ear.

“I…I don’t know!” Marlena screamed back. She brought her hands up to push him away hard as she cloud. Marlena needed to get some distance between them.

John grabbed Marlena’s hands in his and brought them above her. John shoved himself against Marlena, knocking the air out of her. When John had both Marlena’s hands firmly encased in one of his, John brought the other hand back to Marlena’s center and began stroking her once again.

Marlena writhed against John, shutting her eyes so she wouldn’t get lost in his.

“Tell me Doc.” John said in a menacing tone.

Marlena opened her eyes to look at him. “Don’t make me say this.” Marlena pleaded with tears falling from her hazel eyes.

“Say it baby. I need to hear it.”

It was the first sweet endearment he had shown her. Her heart melted. His blue eyes were watching her so intensely that Marlena felt the need to look away, but she couldn’t.

“Please say it.” John begged.

Marlena felt herself falling into an abyss. She didn’t know what she was going to say before it came out, because it was coming from her heart, not her head. “I just want you. I don’t care how and I don’t care what you remember. I just know that I can’t live without you. I can’t imagine being with anyone else. I can’t imagine any other man touching me. I love you and I’ll take you anyway I can get you.”

John let go of Marlena’s hands to bring his to her face. John caressed Marlena gently, his hand cupping her chin. “You’ve got me, as much as I can give you. I don’t want anyone else. I never will.”

John kissed Marlena gently, nipping seductively on her bottom lip. Marlena grabbed John’s around the neck, pushing him against her even more. She whispered against his lips.

“Take me to bed.”

John’s hand was still under Marlena’s skirt. He didn’t want to break the contact. John grabbed Marlena’s ass and leaned down a bit, pulling her up so Marlena could wrap her slender legs around his torso.

Marlena clung to John’s strong broad shoulders, pulling herself against him. She bit his broad shoulder as her hand pulled at his dark chestnut hair.

John had to lean against the doorframe before he dropped her. John loved it when she bit him. Marlena was too good at it. He garnered enough strength to resume walking to the bed. Once there he sat down on the edge, flicking his shoes off. John reached behind him to grab Marlena as well, tossing them on the floor.

Marlena pulled off John’s shirt and threw it on the floor. Then she guided him backward, down until he rested on his back, staring at him all the while.

Marlena climbed over John and captured his mouth, darting her tongue in and out, tasting John completely. Marlena slid her body over his, teasing him endlessly.

Marlena nipped at John’s chin before bringing herself into a sitting position. Marlena slowly unbuttoned her shirt, tossing it to the side lazily. She undid the button on her skirt, raising it up and above her to land on the floor. Her bra followed suit.

John’s fingers were still inside Marlena, pumping her as his thumb worked Marlena’s nub back and forth. Marlena’s fingers found John’s nipples and she pulled on them slightly as she arched her center against his hand.

Marlena lowered herself, took one of John’s nipples into her mouth and sucked hard.

John cried out, his jaw clenching, his eyes closed. His hand found her soft hair, pulling on it until he forced her face up.

“You’re killing me Blondie.”

“I have no doubt that you can handle whatever I dish out.” Marlena smiled wickedly as she pressed her lips to the other nipple, biting it slightly as John’s thumb increased its tempo over Marlena’s clit.

Little sighs escaped her mouth as Marlena made her way to John’s torso, licking his salty skin.

John stopped Marlena from further exploration with his hand, bringing it to her face to make her look at him.

“Not yet. Come back here.” John commanded.

Marlena smiled knowingly down at John and made her way back up, kissing John here and there. Once Marlena found his neck, her hand pulled on John’s dark chestnut hair to arch his head back. Marlena dove at John’s skin, biting and licking the thick muscular tendons between his neck and broad shoulders. Marlena’s hips rocked back and forth over John. Little growls of pleasure escaped her lips, vibrated against his skin.

A light sheen of perspiration fell over Marlena’s body. Her muscles tensed, her hips undulated erratically. Her hands quivered as they grasped his broad shoulders. John’s hand held her chin, then her cheek.

“Look at me baby.” John said softly.

Marlena opened her hazel eyes to see John’s baby blues staring up at hers.

“Let me watch you.”

If Marlena hadn’t been so close to her orgasm, she might have shied away. But she was close, so close. Inhibitions no longer existed for her.

Marlena kept her eyes glued to John’s, bringing her hand to his cheek. Marlena laid her head next to his, twisting her neck to look at John.

The beginning of her orgasm hit her and Marlena briefly closed her eyes. The pleasure was too intense. Her eyes fluttered open after a few seconds and settled on John again. John was breathing harshly now, his fingers plunging into Marlena at a rapid speed.

Three more thrusts and Marlena’s moans filled the bedroom, her thighs squeezing John’s hips as her orgasm ripped through her body. Marlena convulsed around John’s fingers, burying her head in John’s neck.

John could hear Marlena’s cries in his ear. He closed his eyes, trying to keep his control intact.

A vision of Marlena danced around in John’s mind. Marlena was feeding him a strawberry. Marlena smothered whip cream over his lips and then proceeded to lick it off with her tongue. He grabbed Marlena to him as Marlena brought herself up over his, her slender arms going around his broad shoulders. They began kissing sloppily as passion took them over the edge.

Marlena had come down from her high, her heartbeat returning to normal while she lay on top of John. Marlena began kissing John’s neck and broad shoulder. Slowly she slid herself lower, until her head rested against his belly. Marlena licked and nipped across John’s stomach, marveling at the muscles beneath her tongue. Marlena unbuttoned John’s pants slowly. John was egging Marlena on with his groans and his closed eyes. John looked like he was in blissful agony. Marlena unfastened the button, taking her time with the zipper, drawing out the torture of waiting. Finally she had them open, and Marlena caught the engorged penis in her fingers, guiding the head into her mouth.

John nearly flew off the bed, a roar erupting from deep in his throat.

“Stop! Stop now!” John uselessly tried to brush Marlena off him, but Marlena’s hand against John’s firm chisel chest kept him down.

John was still reeling from the images of Marlena in his head. Was that real? Was he fantasizing? John was about to tell Marlena what he saw when Marlena sucked on the tip of him and stroked the length of him, dipping her fingers between John’s legs to caress the soft sac there.

John grabbed the edge of the bed, grabbing hold, his eyes squeezing shut. Marlena was relentless, this wife of his. But god almighty, the things she did to him when she was like this more than made up for it.

Wait a minute! Had he just called her his wife? What the hell?

Marlena licked the underside of John’s dick, coming to the tip. Marlena licked over it once, twice and then took John in her mouth as far as she could.

John screamed holy hell, flew up to grab Marlena and toss her on her back. Marlena was now positioned perfectly on the pillows. A startled look befell her face. John stared at Marlena for a few moments. Her face kept changing. One second John saw Marlena as she was now, the next she had longer hair, somewhat curled. She wore different make-up. Marlena looked younger to him, but not by much. And then the Marlena he knew now would come back.

Marlena tilted her head at him. “John? Are you all right?” She asked concerned.

Marlena looked so worried, John thought. Don’t lose it, man. Keep your cool. Everything is fine. Just concentrate on her.

John grabbed his jeans and pushed them down his legs, tossing them to the floor. John turned to Marlena, a look of raw hunger taking over John’s face. His blue eyes turned black as night at the sight of Marlena naked beneath him. He slid up to her slowly, lowering his broad chest to hers as Marlena opened her legs to settle John against her.

“Are you all right?” Marlena whispered faintly against John’s lips.

“Never better Doc.” John rested a hand against Marlena’s cheek, his finger crossing over her lips lightly. She took it in her mouth, sucking on it deeply, moaning as Marlena took John’s hand in hers.

John made his way down Marlena’s neck, nipping lightly, letting his tongue trail down Marlena’s chest. John took first one nipple, then the other in his mouth. Passion poured through her with each pull of John’s lips.

Marlena shifted a few inches, enough to bring John to her opening. Marlena took John in her hand, pumping John a few times before bringing the tip of John inside her.

John groaned against Marlena’s chest. John looked down at her, his tip encased in Marlena’s warmth.

The vision of Marlena came back to haunt John. Marlena looked so beautiful above him, a hint of a smile on her face. Marlena was whispering to him. She loved him. And then he felt it. This undeniable force ripped through him. He loved Marlena like no other. He would do anything to protect Marlena, to save her from danger. His love bordered on obsession. And yet, so did Marlena’s love for him. He felt it as Marlena rocked above him back and forth in his dreamlike state. The love he felt in that moment was so powerful he couldn’t speak. John’s body was floating in the heavens and there was only him and his Doc in the world. No one else existed.

When the vision faded, John was staring into Marlena’s hazel eyes. She had the same look on her face as she did in the dream. There was something different though. The passion was there as was the fire. The love and adoration overflowed from her hazel eyes.

But when John looked deep enough, he saw the sadness that she must feel, the utter loneliness that surrounded her. It was at that moment that John’s heart broke in two. He had caused this despair that Marlena felt. He had to fix it somehow.

The only thing John could think of was what Marlena needed right now. And that was love in every form that he could manage. John would begin now to repair the damage that Stefano Dimera had caused his family.

“John? Don’t stop baby…is everything okay?”

Marlena was wondering what was wrong with John. He just didn’t seem here with her. It was starting to disturb her a little. John smiled down at Marlena. “I was just thinking…”

“Thinking about what?” Marlena asked.

“That I would really like some strawberries right now.” John thrust deep inside of Marlena. Marlena convulsed around John. Her mind was racing furiously. Marlena wanted to talk to him, but John pulled himself out of her and then surged forward to fill her once again, and Marlena lost all train of thought.

John did it again and again, growling when he was deeply imbedded within Marlena. Again and again he stretched her to her max while Marlena writhed beneath John. Marlena’s legs wild against John’s back, his breath against her hair, their palms entwined as they reached the precipice of their passion. They screamed out each other’s names, shuddering against each other. She stroked his dark damp hair as she allowed her body to relax underneath his. John let his full weight fall on Marlena, savoring being this close to the woman he loved. John licked at the creamy skin on Marlena’s neck playfully until she was squealing beneath him.

John looked up then, settling his head on Marlena’s chest, watching her while still deeply embedded within her soft warmth. Marlena softly played with the stray damp silk hairs on his forehead. She was waiting for John to say something. When John didn’t, Marlena fought the urge to say something. She had told him she wouldn’t push him.

John could sense Marlena wanted to ask something. She seemed timid, shy even.

“What’s on your mind, Doc?”

Marlena was brought out of her inner discussion. She looked flustered for a moment. “Oh…I was wondering if you were going to tell me…uh…what you meant by your comment…about strawberries?”

“They sounded good at the moment. Don’t you like strawberries?” John asked.

Marlena grinned up at John, a soft glow surrounding her face.

“I love them. Especially with whip cream.” She replied seductively.

“Good to know. I’ll file that somewhere in my mind.”

“Just don’t lose it, okay?” Marlena tried to hide her smile, but failed. She began laughing hysterically.

“Real funny Doc. You know just for that I may not tell you how I remembered those damn strawberries. In fact, I don’t think you deserve to know.”

John moved off Marlena and turned over, his back to her. John smiled into the pillow, counting the seconds until she would say something.

Marlena went over John’s comment in her head. John said remembered the strawberries. Does that mean John had a vision from the past? Oh my god! His memory was coming back!

Marlena sat up and looked at John. Was it possible? Marlena noticed John’s broad shoulders shaking. She heard John’s muffled laughter. The son-of-a-bitch was laughing at her?

Marlena grabbed John’s broad shoulder, pulling John onto his back. Marlena straddled John, Marlena’s arms finding John’s hands and yanking them above him. Once she had John where she wanted him, Marlena spoke.

“You…I swear to god John, if you remembered anything you better tell me now.”

“Okay.” John replied.

Marlena waited, but John just gave her an impish smile. “Well? I’m waiting.”

“Oh…uh you see I had this vision…in fact we were in this very position in my vision. You were feeding me strawberries and…you smothered whip cream all over my lips and then you licked it off…and well…you can pretty much guess what happened after that right?”

Marlena let go of John’s hands. They glided down John’s muscular arms as Marlena rose up to a sitting position over him. Her hazel eyes were brimming with tears. A hand rose to stifle a cry from her mouth. Months of pent up emotion threatened to erupt from her.

John came up to Marlena immediately, holding Marlena in his muscular arms as John rocked her back and forth. Marlena buried her head in the crook of John’s neck, sobbing against him. John soothed Marlena with his hands on her back and his gentle kisses in her silk hair.

“Doc, I thought you would be happy about this.”

Marlena looked up at John through her tears.

“I’ve just dreamed about this for so long. I can’t believe it happened. I thought it never would. I am happy my love. So happy.”

Marlena kissed John full on the lips, her arms encompassing him to bring him closer.

John leaned back, taking Marlena with him. No words were spoken between them as they kissed gently, eventually settling against each other, too spent to talk anymore. They fell asleep against each other, holding hands on top of John’s broad firm chest.

John woke up in a cold sweat. He flung his body up to a sitting position. The dream he was having was over, but it still lingered in his mind. John rose from the bed, making sure not to wake Marlena as John made his way to the balcony. He opened the doors, embracing the cool air.

John couldn’t get the image of Marlena in that dream out of his mind. He hoped that it wasn’t real. He hoped that it was something his imagination came up with.

Because the thought of Marlena stripping for Stefano and letting him touch her was just too much for him to bear literally made John sick to his stomach physically. He had to know what the hell was going on.

John looked back to the bed where Marlena slept. She looked so peaceful with her silky hair splayed around her face. Like an angel. Could it be? Could she have loved Stefano at one point?

John breathed in deeply, the night air shocking his system. But it couldn’t alleviate the pain he was feeling in his heart. John was falling in love and yet his heart was being broken into a thousand pieces.

Brace Yourself : Chapter 3 [NC-17] Violent

Marlena awoke to the morning sun blazing across her face. Marlena turned her head and yawned, stretching her body luxuriously across the bed. Marlena sat up and looked at John’s side of the bed, noticing that he wasn’t there. A noise from across the room snapped her head up. John was in the corner of the room, sitting cross legged in a chair, staring her down. Marlena tilted her head at him. John was either mad or turned on. Marlena couldn’t tell, but she was having a good day so far. She wasn’t about to ruin it now. Marlena arched her eyebrows at John, threw the covers off her, rose up slowly to her knees and crawled across the bed towards John. Marlena figured watching her slither around naked should put John in a little better mood. When Marlena reached the end of the bed, she put one foot down on the carpet, then the other. Marlena sauntered over to John seductively, swinging her hips slowly. When Marlena reached John, Marlena separated John’s legs with her hands, climbing on top of John and settling herself on John’s lap. Marlena’s slender legs dangled off to the side. “Morning Sailor.” Marlena said in that low growl of a tone that she had in the morning.

John had been watching Marlena for hours. Just sitting here, staring at her. Images flashed across John’s head of the dream he had last night. John couldn’t stop thinking about it, and the longer he didn’t say anything, the more resentment he felt. John was about to boil over at any second.

Then Marlena woke up and looked at him. Marlena had made her way over to him, thinking she could use her slender body to get out of this. John knew Marlena knew he was mad. How could you not with the look he had on his face? Marlena was trying to weasel her way out of being in trouble. John became livid, his fingers curling into fists. Did she use this tactic with Stefano? Is that how she got him to do things for her?

“Morning.” Marlena replied in a low, menacing tone.

Marlena stared at John with wide eyes. She had thought she could put John in a better mood with her little walk, but John still looked mad. What was wrong with him? “John? Are you okay?” Marlena asked as she reached a hand up to his cheek.

John grabbed it quickly in his, stopping Marlena from touching him. John put too much pressure on Marlena’s wrist and she winced.

“John you’re hurting me.” Marlena said through gritted teeth.

John didn’t let up. He squeezed harder. Marlena cried out, trying to free her wrist from John.

“JOHN! Please stop! That hurts! Let me go!” Marlena was shaking with sobs now, her voice quivering with fear.

John smiled sadistically at her as she suffered.

“Did you plead like this with him? Did you? Did you try and turn him on walking around naked? Did you?” John yelled out, shaking her arm as he did so.

“JOHN STOP! I don’t know what you’re talking about! Please stop! Hurt me.” Marlena was sobbing uncontrollably now, her voice reaching hysterical.

John grabbed Marlena around her waist, grabbing hold of her tightly. John picked her up slightly and threw Marlena down, her body flopping onto the floor.

John stood up, straightening his shirt. He looked down at Marlena, his blue eyes ablaze with hatred.

“I remember Blondie! I know all about your little affair! In fact, I think I understand why you got him out of the way. You didn’t want him to tell me about you two, did you? You shut him up so he wouldn’t open his mouth! What are you trying to do? Play both of the brothers? Do you want this fortune for yourself? Is that it?”

Marlena’s head was down. Marlena was in shock over the way John had treated her. She didn’t even hear what John was saying. She was still dealing with the fact that John threw her to the ground. Her soul had shattered at that moment. Marlena was still trying to find the pieces to put herself back together.

When Marlena didn’t reply to him John got down on his knees in front of Marlena. John repeated his question. Marlena looked up at John through her tears.

“Is what it? I don’t what you’re talking about” Marlena asked confused.

“Have you heard a word I have said?” John asked angrily.

Marlena shook her head slightly. Her lips quivered as she tried to hold in a sob. Marlena was shaking like a leaf. Marlena looked like a little girl lost. For a second John was tempted to hug Marlena. And then the image of her stripping for Stefano blazed across his eyes again and the anger resurfaced. John grabbed Marlena shoulders, shaking her.

“Why did you do it Blondie? Why did you lie to me?” John pleaded.

“What did I do? You won’t tell me!” Marlena screamed out.

“You slept with him! I remember seeing you! You took off your clothes! You let him touch you! How could you!?” John screamed back.

“Who are you talking about?” Marlena cried out.

“I am talking about Stefano! I saw you! How could you strip for him!?”

John let go of Marlena, disgusted by her. John got up on his feet and turned from her.

“I want you out of my house. Today would work for me. Get your things, get out and never come back. I want a divorce. I will contact my lawyer and have him draw up the necessary papers. Goodbye.”

Marlena sat in a slump on the floor as she watched John walk away. Marlena tried to speak but nothing would come out. She couldn’t breathe at the moment.

When the door slammed shut, sobs of anguish engulfed her. Marlena cried her heart out for hours on the floor where John had left her, repeating over and over the same sentence. “I did it for you my love.”

John paced back and forth across the room downstairs. He was waiting for Marlena to come down with her bags. Any moment she would show her guilty face and try to explain. He was prepared for anything she might come up with. He wasn’t going to fall for it. He would stand firm.

After an hour John whelmed up sitting on a chair flicking his lighter wondering what was taking Marlena so long. She didn’t come with that much stuff he thought to himself. How long does it take this woman to pack?

Another hour passed. John was flicking through the channels on the television. He didn’t even know what he was watching, or attempting to watch. Marlena taking off her clothes was all John could see in his mind; that and the lascivious look on Stefano’s ugly evil, sick twisted , deprave, monster, fatass face. Just thinking about Stefano’s hands on Marlena made the hair on the back of his neck stand up.

An hour later and John had enough. He bounded up the stairs two at a time to Marlena’s room, not bothering to knock as he let himself in.

Marlena was sitting on the floor in the position he left her in. Marlena was naked, her face puffy from crying. Marlena’s arms were wrapped around her chest as if she was holding herself together. Her hazel eyes were distant, unmoving. Her lips quivered with every breath as if she was about to break apart at any moment.

John didn’t know what to do. He stood there staring at Marlena with one hand on the door. Should he stay firm? Should he go to Marlena and comfort her? Would Marlena even let him? John wasn’t used to Marlena being weak. She was always strong, like him. What happened to her? Where was the fire? Marlena stared straight ahead. She didn’t know John was in the room. Marlena wasn’t aware of anything around her right now.

John left his place by the door, approaching Marlena slowly. He stood in front of her, looking down at her. John was torn between his love and hate for Marlena.

Obviously he had been too harsh with Marlena. John knew that now. He would have to repair the damage somehow. John leaned down on one knee to look at Marlena. Her hazel eyes were unfocused and hazy. Marlena appeared to be looking at nothing. John reached out to touch Marlena’s shoulder, to bring her back from wherever Marlena was. As John hand touched her skin Marlena’s whole body tensed.

John felt it under his hand. It was like an invisible force field went up around Marlena. She brought her eyes to John’s. What John saw there made him gulp. Marlena’s hazel eyes were dark and cold. There was no feeling in them. John saw hatred and resentment.

“Take your hands off me.” Marlena said in a deadly tone.

John took his hand away as if he had been burned. John looked at Marlena with big eyes, eyes that said he didn’t understand why she was being like this. Marlena rose from her position on the floor. She walked into the closet, gathering some clothes. Marlena took her luggage down and threw it on the bed. She grabbed the clothes and walked to the bathroom, not bothering to close the door as Marlena changed and got ready. All the while she left John on the floor, not speaking to him, not looking his way.

John was fighting with himself. This was what he asked of Marlena. He told her to leave, to pack up and go. So why was he wanting her to stay now? Why did he feel this overwhelming urge to talk to her, to listen to her view of his memory? John realized he couldn’t have it both ways. He couldn’t treat her like this and expect Marlena to forgive him. That was asking too much.

John watched Marlena as she walked out of the bathroom, throwing her things into the luggage bag. Marlena quickly removed her clothes from the dresser and added them to the bag, zipping it up loudly. Marlena grabbed the bag and made her way to the door, walking right through it without looking back. John shot up, running after Marlena. John followed Marlena down the stairs as she reached the front door. Marlena grabbed the handle and opened it, stopping suddenly before walking out of the mansion. Marlena stood there with John behind her, Her shoulders square, her head held high.

John didn’t even breathe, he didn’t move an inch. You could have heard a pin drop at the silence that overcame that room. Without warning Marlena spoke one sentence to John. “I did it for you.”

And then Marlena was gone, the door slamming shut behind her. And somewhere inside John an ache began to hurt. An ache that made his breath shallow and his blue eyes shed tears he didn’t know existed.

******

Paul Hollingsworth stepped into Chez Vous tentatively. He was unsure of what was going on, but Marlena Evans had offered a lot of money for him to meet her. Considering he needed money desperately, he jumped at the chance to earn a quick buck.

Marlena was already waiting at a table, looking over a menu. To his eye, John Black was the luckiest son-of-a-bitch on the planet. Too bad he kept screwing up his chance with this incredible Beautiful classy woman.

“Dr. Evans?” Paul asked as he extended his hand.

Marlena looked up perplexed for a second. A smile came across her face as she set her eyes on Mr. Hollingsworth. Marlena extended her hand to his, shaking it firmly. Marlena noticed his hand was warm to the touch. She liked that. Yes Mr. Hollingsworth would do just fine,

“Please sit down Mr. Hollings-“

“Please call me Paul. May I call you Marlena?” Paul asked congenially.

“Yes I would like that very much.” Marlena smiled warmly at Paul.

Paul looked over the menu for a few seconds and then looked up at her.

“So, Marlena, tell me why you wanted me to meet you here at seven and why you wanted me to call John to meet him here at seven thirty?”

“Okay Paul. I’m just going to come right out and say it. I want to make my husband jealous. I asked you to call John and have him meet you here because I want John to catch us in the middle of a heated moment.”

Marlena smiled at Paul innocently.

Paul took a deep swallow of water, suddenly feeling like his tie was a little too tight.

“You uh…you want John to catch us in the middle of a…you realize John will beat me to a pulp once he sees us?” Paul replied as he loosened his tie.

“Yes I realize John might get violent, which is why you will be generously compensated.” Marlena looked him directly in the eye, challenging him.

Well hell, he never could back away from a challenge.

“Go on.” Paul said.

“John and I shared a great love for many years, and when I lost him…no I can’t even think of that time. When he came back and we realized John had no memories of us, I thought it would just take a little time and patience. I was sorely mistaken. I never even thought of the chance that John wouldn’t want to remember. I recently moved into the mansion to be closer to John and uh…well one night we got a little closer and John had a memory. A good memory of us and I was just ecstatic. But…the next morning he was unemotional, cruel even. John accused me of having a relationship with Stefano Dimera. It appears that he had another memory that night in his sleep, but John only remembered part of what happened.”

“What was the memory? If you don’t mind me asking?” Paul asked.

“Well it had to do with a time when Stefano had captured John and then kidnapped me. I was trying to save John. I got a hold of some sleeping pills and I thought I could seduce Stefano and slip the pills in his drink. It worked, or we thought it did. I managed to get John out of the room he was in. We made it to the front door, but Stefano tricked us. He met us there with a gun. Unfortunately John only remembers seeing me seducing Stefano on a monitor that was in the room he was in. John doesn’t remember anything else. He accused me of having a relationship behind his back and of wanting the Dimera fortune for myself. I…I sort of lost it a bit that day. I left the mansion because he commanded me to. John said he wanted a divorce and he never wanted to see me again. John didn’t really give me a chance to explain. It was like he had already made up his mind what happened.”

Marlena looked off into the distance, her eyes glazing over.

Marlena looked sad to Paul. It was like she was somewhere else at the moment.

“Marlena? Do you want to continue?” Paul asked.

“Oh…yes forgive me. Anyways I haven’t seen John since then. I’ve been in our home, sitting in our bed, just waiting. I thought John would calm down after a while and contact me. Call or come by, maybe inquire about me through Belle or Sami. So far John has made no contact with any of us. John hasn’t even come by the hospital to see me. So basically I’m desperate. I want my husband back Paul. I need him to feel something, even if it’s jealously. I need to get some emotion out of him. I know this is drastic, but that is how John operates, or at least it’s how he used to operate.”

Marlena smiled sheepishly at him. He felt sorry for her. Here was this wonderful woman doing everything in her power to get her husband back, and the sorry bastard didn’t deserve her. Maybe he used to. Maybe the old John Black was worthy of her. Well if he could do something to get him back, then he would do it, for her.

“So tell me your plan for tonight.” Paul inquired.

“Well, I thought we could be dancing when John walked in and as soon as we spotted him, you would kiss me. I don’t know how John is going to react. John could get violent, or he could walk right up to us and offer us his best wishes! Unfortunately I can’t read him anymore, so I never know what he is thinking. I suppose if John doesn’t get mad, then I will probably just leave and go home. This is my last attempt at trying to get my husband back, so if it doesn’t work, I go back to my life and try and move on. If it does work and John gets jealous, then I will try to get hit him where it hurts. In some crazy way, even though it isn’t his fault, I still want to make John hurt as much as I have these last few months. Every cruel word or gesture he’s made towards me…I can’t seem to let it go. I want John to pay for all of it. It might horribly backfire on me, but I have to do it.”

“I can understand where you are coming from. John appears to be unemotional, well ever since I’ve met him. He seems to be ruthless and arrogant. I’ve heard a lot about him over the years. Never thought a man that was so generous and kind could turn into what this man is now. I can say that even though I don’t like him much, he is paying me good.”

“Are you really going to do what he has asked? Are you going after Kiriakis shipping?”

“No, I’ve decide not to do it. John doesn’t know that yet. He has paid me so far for things that I looked into for him, but I just can’t bring myself to do this. I have too much respect for Victor and Philip. Even though God knows I need the money.”

“Well that’s where I come in. When John died, his fortune was given to me. When we found out that he was actually a Brady and a Dimera…well he is going after that fortune now. So I have all this money and nothing to spend it on. Name your price Mr. Hollingsworth.”

Paul looked at Marlena hard. He needed money badly. He just couldn’t bring himself to ask her for it. It seemed wrong and he respected Marlena too much to do it.

“Why don’t you decide on a price Marlena. I trust you.”

Marlena tilted her head, a sad smile on her face.

“How much do you like your job Paul?”

Paul laughed sarcastically.

“I hate my job. I feel it’s beneath me, but I needed the money once my wife left me. Now I’m just trying to get back to the way I used to live. Unfortunately all the money we had was hers. In truth I don’t think I will ever get back there, unless I do something illegal or under the radar, as in what John wanted me to do. But I’m smart enough to realize that it’s more important that you can live with yourself and your actions then it is to live in luxury and wealth. It’s a flaw to have in business, a conscious. But I’d rather be happy in my later days than rich I suppose.”

“How would you like a new job Paul?”

“I would love it. I would jump at the chance. Wait, what are you offering?”

“Vivian Alamein gave complete control of the Alamein fortune to John, which as you know went to me when he died. It’s still in my control. Along with all of the business ventures they were involved with. One of the businesses I own is in dire need of help. Someone with your expertise actually, considering it involves shipping. It’s based in Europe. Italy actually. Your own corner office, $250,000 a year, wear a suit every day. You would still be involved with shipping, but you would be on the other end of it. And while you were over there, perhaps you could keep an eye on the Alamein estates in Europe and some of our investments. It would certainly help me tremendously knowing that I have someone I can trust taking care of things. So we both win in this situation. What do you think?”

Paul locked his hands together in front of him, kneading them in between in each other. This was a chance of a lifetime. He had to take it.

Paul extended his hand across the table.

“I think you have yourself a deal Marlena.”

Marlena smiled victoriously as she shook his hand in hers.

John arrived at Chez Vous early. He smoked on his cigar outside; contemplating what had happened this last week. He hadn’t seen Blondie since that day she left his ass. The ache was still there, endlessly letting him know he was a Damn fool. John breathed in as deep as he could, the night air feeling his nostrils. Nothing seemed right without Marlena by his side. He was bored already with his job of taking over the Dimera finances. It had been exciting when he thought she was with him; when Marlena stayed by his side no matter what. Now it seemed trivial. Everything seemed less like what it should be. It was as if the world had dimmed without her presence. Nothing sparkled, nothing shined. His world was a dull place without Marlena. Belle’s words came back to haunt him. What had she said? That he was going to be very lonely with just money surrounding him. How could a kid be right about something like that?

Paul took Marlena in his arms, twirling her around then dip, her on the dance floor. Marlena laughed out loud, her head thrown back. In truth, this was the most fun she had had in a while. Paul proved to be quite the dancer.

“So what should we do if John gets jealous?” Marlena said with a sparkle in her hazel eye.

“Ya know I’ve been thinking about that. In fact I have an idea.”

Paul took out his phone and dialed The Salem Inn, reserving a room for two. Paul winked at Marlena, giving her the thumbs up. When he got off the phone he took Marlena back in his arms.

“Okay there is a room reserved for us at The Salem Inn. Champagne will be chilled, and if everything goes right, you and John will be sharing that room tonight. But he won’t know that. Here is the plan.”

Paul whispered to Marlena for several minutes as they danced. If one had been looking, they would have seen Marlena’s eyes sparkle with mischief.

“Paul! It’s positively wicked! And brilliant! It has to work. Did we ever decide on a price for tonight? I think I might raise it a little for this utterly brave plan of yours.”

“No we didn’t come up with a price and we aren’t going to. Let’s just say that one good deed deserves another. You saved me tonight, offering me that job. And now it’s my turn to save you and your marriage. Deal?”

Marlena smiled up at Paul. “You got yourself a deal.”

Paul smiled down at Marlena , holding Marlena close to him. The smile suddenly faded from Marlena’s face. Her body became slightly rigid.

“Marlena? What is it?”

Marlena hadn’t taken her hazel eyes off his yet.

“John just walked in. I can feel him here.”

“Don’t look away from me. Look right at me. We can’t let him know that we know he is here. We have to look entranced by one another. Which isn’t too hard on my side tell you the truth.”

Marlena giggled at him, her cheeks becoming flushed.

“I should probably kiss you now, right?” Paul asked.

“Yes you should. Make sure it’s really passionate. John can still sense when people are lying. Somehow he knows by body language. So let’s try and make this as real as we can.”

“Okay you pretend I’m John, I’ll pretend you are you and we will pull this off.”

Paul smiled down at Marlena as she laughed again. She pulled him closer to her until there was no space between their bodies. Marlena head tilted up, her neck arching. Paul leaned down slowly, one of his hands coming up to Marlena’s neck, his fingers grazing her chin and ear. Paul kissed Marlena with everything he had in him. If John was going to beat the hell out of him, it better be worth it. Besides soon he would be on a plane to Italy and never have to see John Black again. While Paul didn’t kiss as good as John did, Marlena had to admit he was doing a damn good job. His kiss was gentle but filled with passion. Truth be told she thought Paul had a little crush on her. Which made this work all the more better. Marlena smiled slightly as he nipped at her lips.

I’ve got you now Sailor, Marlena thought to herself.

John Black had walked into the restaurant expecting to find Paul Hollingsworth at a table by himself. John heard Marlena’s laugh as he was taking off his coat. When he found where that laugh was located, John was shocked to find Marlena in Paul’s arm being swept off the dance floor. He had watched in morbid horror as Marlena laughed once again and thrust her body closer to Paul. And then the unthinkable happened. Paul kissed Marlena, and she didn’t pull away. In fact Marlena seemed to like it way too much. When he saw Marlena pull Paul’s hair slightly as Marlena threaded her fingers through it, and Paul’s hands went down Marlena’s mid back caressing her back .. a red fog came across his blue eyes. John was no longer thinking. He stormed into the restaurant at full speed, heading straight for Mr. Hollingsworth. When he was directly behind Paul and Marlena, John tapped him on the shoulder.

Paul and Marlena broke apart and looked at John, surprise all over their faces.

“What the hell are you doing kissing my wife Hollingsworth?” John said in a menacing tone as John’s hands became fists.

Paul looked at Marlena, winked and turned back towards John, facing him as he pushed Marlena away from him.

“Well, well..we’ll John, it looks like you know how to handle business, just not at home. If you were doing your job there, your wife wouldn’t be here, having the time of her life, in my arms.”

Paul Hollingsworth braced himself for the punch he was sure was coming. But being the brave and good guy he was, he kept one eye on John and one on Marlena, making sure if he got hit, she would be out of harm’s way.

John Black turned his head slightly. Leaning back as his muscular arm came up swiftly John made contact with Paul’s face a mere second later. Paul was sent flying, landing on a table that thankfully was cleared of dishes. Marlena screamed out, her hands covering her eyes. When she opened them, Paul Hollingsworth was knocked unconscious, sprawled out on the table, not moving and John Black was brooding over him, John’s hands in iron fists, waiting for the fool to wake up so he could hit him again. Marlena rushed over to both of them. Marlena pushed John out of the way, her hands going to Paul’s face. She screamed for someone to get her water as she tapped Paul on the cheek trying to get him to wake up.

Marlena looked over at John, who was watching her like a hawk. She wanted to kiss him badly. He still cared for her. John might even love her. But if she wanted this plan to work, she had to keep a straight face. Marlena thought of John throwing her down that last day at the mansion and all the ugly feelings came back up. Marlena look turned to disgust and she lashed out at John. “HOW DARE YOU!” Marlena snarled at John.

“Is it my fault he’s a lightweight?” John said casually, although Marlena could see the vein pulsating at John’s forehead. John was keeping himself in check, but he wasn’t doing a very good job of it.

Marlena walked up to John, getting as close as she could, her nose practically touching his. “Everything is your fault. All of my sorrow and sadness. All of my loneliness and despair. It’s all because of you. I don’t want you in my life anymore John Black. We are no longer together. I don’t love you. You sure as hell don’t love me. This marriage is over. It’s been over a long time. I’m with Paul now. Get used to it. Stay away from us. Stay away from me. And stay away from my children.” Marlena jutted her chin out, her hazel eyes blazing with fire. She looked John directly in the eye. She wasn’t giving anything away.

John backed up suddenly when Marlena mentioned the kids, a look of hurt flashing across his face. As much as Marlena wanted to take that look away, but deep down she knew John definitely deserved it. Tough love would be what he would have called this. Sometimes you have to hurt the ones you love.

Marlena turned to go back to Paul, who was starting to come around. Marlena leaned over him, putting a washcloth across his forehead as she quietly talked to him.

“Am I dead?” Paul said weakly.

“No just knocked out.” Marlena replied as she laughed a little.

“How long did I last?”

“About one second.” Marlena said, biting her lip.

“Wow. That’s a boost to my ego. Did it work?” Paul asked hopefully.

“Well I hope so. I told John what we talked about. He looked hurt. Do you really think he will do this?”

“Yes I do. He won’t give up this easily Marlena. He’ll fight for you. You just wait.”

Marlena smiled bravely. She looked over her shoulder at John’s lone figure walking away. His broad shoulders were slumped, his head down. Her heart went out to him.

Don’t give up yet John, Marlena said to herself. Just hold on a little bit longer, for me.

Brace Yourself : Chapter 4

Marlena and Paul walked out of Chez Vous holding hands. Marlena was laughing hysterically at something Paul had said. John watched from a few buildings away. Anger built up inside him. He had hoped Marlena would go home alone. John had hoped he could follow Marlena and talk to her calmly. Now plans had to change. He waited in his car as Marlena and Paul waited for Marlena’s car.

Paul hopped into the driver’s seat of Marlena’s car. Once in he familiarized himself with it, checking out all the gadgets and gauges.

“You still have that feeling that John is watching you?” Paul asked.

“Yes. He is watching from somewhere. I can feel it in my gut. I only get this when John is close to me. So where are we going now?” Marlena answer Paul as she made herself comfortable.

“Let’s head over to Salem Inn. I don’t want to make the guy madder than he already is.” Paul replied as they headed down the street.

Marlena kept her eye on her side mirror as she spoke.

“I think that is a great idea actually because John is following us.”

“What?” Paul said as he checked the rearview mirror. “How do you know that? I don’t see anything.”

“I know John. He taught me a few things over the years. You know how to tail someone or how to tell if you have a tail on you. I mean really informative stuff that I actually have used over the years. Too bad John doesn’t remember teaching me all of it or he would know how easy he was to spot.” Marlena laughed cynically to herself as she kept her eye on him.

“You act like John was a spy or something.” Paul laughed as he looked at Marlena.

Marlena gazed at Paul intensely, her face unchanging for a few moments. Paul’s mouth dropped open. His eyes opened wide.

“Marlena are you telling me your husband was a spy? So if I try to disappear because I do this for you tonight he could potentially find me anywhere in the world? Is that what you are trying to tell me with that look?”

“I swear Paul; once you leave I will try to soften John up so he won’t go after you.” Marlena said as she smiled sweetly.

“Holy shit.” Paul replied as he sank into the seat more, his hand nervously going through his hair.

“Relax Paul. I’m kidding with you. Look John will be mad as hell, but you will be long gone by the time he wants to deal with you. In reality, he’s a softy and he doesn’t really hold grudges. So you have nothing to worry about okay?” Marlena placed a hand on his thigh and squeezed it reassuringly.

“Okay if you say so. I mean I like you as a person Marlena. But I don’t think I’m ready to die for you ya know?” Marlena laughed heartily, throwing her head back as she smacked him lightly across his arm. Paul joined in as he began to relax and enjoy the ride.

John watched as they entered the Salem Inn. They were going to a hotel? Why not go to Marlena’s place? Or his for that matter. Something wasn’t right here. John watched their body language as they walked together.

Marlena had her arm entwined with Paul’s. Marlena was looking up at Paul, her upper body leaning into his. They were in step with each other as they walked to the front counter. If John looked at this scenario through those facts, it looked like they were a happy couple in tune with each other. They looked happy and in love.

But John supposed he never did just look at the facts. Because this all seemed a little too coincidental for his taste. The fact that Paul asked him to meet at Chez Vous and Marlena happened to be there. The fact that they kissed right when he walked in. The fact that Marlena appeared so angry, yelling at him and hitting him. What Marlena failed to realize, what she always failed to realize was how he affected her when they got close to each other. And this time was no different. John could see the flush that rose up her neck and chest. Marlena’s erratic heart beat thumping in that spot right between her clavicles. It was Marlena’s hazel eyes, however, that gave her away. Where there should have been anger, there was lust. When they should have been shooting darts at him, they were begging him to take her. Marlena never was good at lying. Too bad she didn’t realize that. He was going to have to teach her a lesson tonight.

Somewhere deep inside though, John thought it was awfully cute of Marlena to make him jealous. He watched a lot of movies where the couple would get together, break up, make each other jealous and then get back together. It seemed to be a thing that happened a lot in real life too. More than that, he was extremely happy that she was still willing to make him jealous. John had thought he lost Marlena forever when she slammed the door of the mansion. He dared not call her.

Truth be told John was waiting for divorce papers to show up at his door. He had no intention of divorcing Marlena, but after the way he treated her, John couldn’t blame Marlena for wanting one. Now it seemed that not only did she still love him, but she wanted him back for good.

Well he would rise to the occasion if that was what she wanted. In fact, just to show he was a good guy, he wouldn’t even rough up Mr. Hollingsworth too much. Just a few punches for kissing his wife.

Paul and Marlena walked through the door of their room, locking it behind them. Paul got out of his clothes and wrapped them in a bag, throwing them off the balcony to the alley below. He wrapped himself in a robe as Marlena walked out of the bathroom also in a robe.

“What did you do with your clothes?” Marlena asked in a conspiratory whisper.

“Threw them over the balcony. I talked to Mike the bellboy downstairs. He used to work at the docks few years back. He knows everything. He will pick up my clothes in the alley and hold them for me downstairs. He is also calling me a cab right now. It will wait for me. As soon as John throws me out of here, I am popping back into my clothes, getting into that cab and getting my stuff together to go to Italy. Are we all set on that?” Paul asked as he popped open the champagne.

“All set. I talked to Vincent who will be your assistant. Everyone knows you will be showing up on Monday morning. Vincent will see you at the airport and take you to your hotel room. If you have any questions ask him. Other than that, enjoy the sights and keep everything going smoothly over there. Oh and keep in touch with me! I want you to email me at least once a week and give me the figures. Anything new that you want to implement or change needs to go through me, but you know I trust that you will know what to do. Just enjoy it and have some fun maybe? Get yourself a girl? A nice Italian girl who will make you pasta?” Marlena smiled up at Paul as she socked him in the arm.

“Can you cook?” Paul asked as he laughed.

“Hell no!” Marlena replied.

“Well then in honor of you, I will get myself a girl who can’t cook worth spit.” Paul held up his champagne glass in honor of the toast.

Marlena giggled as she reached up her glass and clinked it to his.

As they finished swallowing their drink, a loud knock came at the door.

“Showtime.” Paul said under his breath to Marlena. Marlena nodded, looking at him and then back at the door.

“Who is it?” Paul asked as he approached the door slowly.

“Housekeeping?” A very high pitched voice rang out.

Marlena covered her mouth as she laughed. Marlena ran up to Paul, whispering in his ear.

“That’s John!” Marlena giggled slightly.

“What is he doing?” Paul mouthed to Marlena.

Marlena raised her shoulders, her eyes wide as she mouthed “I don’t know” back to Paul.

“Ugh, not now please.” Paul said nervously.

“I fold back your sheets?”

“No we don’t need anything right now. Thanks.”

“I leave mint on your pillow?”

“No really we’re fine right now. Thanks.”

“I leave you some towels?”

“Look we don’t need anything except to be left alone. Thank you.”

Paul looked at Marlena exasperated. Marlena kept laughing as she sat on the bed.

“I give you threesome?”

Paul whipped his head around to stare at the door.

Marlena put the pillow up to her mouth, laughing hysterically into it as tears slid down her face.

“Look I don’t know what you want but please go away. NOW!”

“You no want threesome?”

“No we don’t want a threesome.”

John kicked his way into the room, the door slamming against the wall. John caught it as it swung back at him. “So no threesome in here eh? Then get the fuck out of here Hollingsworth. Before I throw your ASS off the balcony.”

John looked at Paul menacingly, his hands turning to fists once more. Paul got the idea. He looked at Marlena, tentatively approaching her as he watched John.” Look Marlena, it appears that you still have some things to work out with your husband here. Why don’t you call me later when you work everything out okay?”

“Thank you Paul. I will call you later.” Marlena replied as she wiped at the tears that fell down her face.

John grabbed Hollingsworth by the shoulder, his fingers digging in deeply as he whispered in Paul’s ear. “Time to go pal get the hell out of here and never come back.”

They walked over to the door and John through Paul’s ass out. John stepped back and slammed the door.

Paul got himself off the floor, straightened his robe and began walking down to where the elevators were located, whistling all the way.

John approached Marlena slowly, watching her as she rose up from the bed.

Marlena wanted to say something, anything. Just when she needed her courage, it failed her. Marlena’s mouth was so dry she didn’t think it would be possible to get a cough out. John looked Marlena up and down, eyeing her as he spoke.

“Grab your things quickly. Be ready to go in two minutes.”

“I’m not going anywhere with you John.”

John was next to Marlena in two steps, pushing her down on the bed. John grabbed Marlena’s arms and threw them above her, pinning her down with his body.

“I’m not asking you. I’m telling you. Get your damn shit together and be ready to leave in two minutes. Nod your head so I know you understand the instructions I’ve given you.”

Marlena nodded slowly, her hazel eyes filling with tears. John sighed as he got off Marlena, helping her up. John stood out of the way as Marlena passed him, picking up her things to go change in the bathroom.

Marlena didn’t know what was wrong. She kept going to extremes with her emotions. One minute she was strong, the next close to tears. Why couldn’t she just stay strong in front of John? Was that so much to ask for?

Marlena wiped at the tears flowing down her face, frustrated with herself. Marlena took one last look at herself before leaving the bathroom and walked towards John.

John was sitting quietly on the bed, waiting for her. Marlena approached John with her head held high, but John could see the remnants of tears.

John sighed as he got up, his hands coming to rest behind him.

“Here are the rules Blondie. And you will abide by them. You are coming with me right now. You will not ask where and I will not tell you where. You will come willingly and without a fight. Once there you and I will discuss our past and everything that has happened to us so I will understand once and for all what my memories mean. That way there will be no more mix-ups. You will stop trying to make me jealous by kissing other men and flirting to get my intention-

Marlena opened her mouth to defend herself, but one look from John and she closed it.

-even though I know you like to see me fight for your honor. You will stop denying me my husbandly rights. I mean all my rights. We are still married. From now on we will live together under the same roof and sleep in the same bed. I will not accept anything less. When we get back home from our little vacation, I am moving back in to our home. I will be joining you in our bed. Is that clear?”

Marlena smiled shyly. She wanted to be mad at John. Here he was demanding things of her. How dare he? John was acting like a typical male. It was the things he was saying though that got to her. HE wanted to be with her. HE wanted to move back in and sleep in their bed. Marlena got all jittery inside just thinking about it.

Marlena sauntered up to John slowly, her mouth parting slightly.

“All right. I can live with that. But I have some rules of my own that you will abide by. Is that clear!?”

John nodded slowly.

“You will stop acting like an arrogant, egotistical, sarcastic, moronic caveman with one thing on his mind. You will actually look at my face when speaking to me instead of undressing me with your eyes. There is a time and a place for that and believe me, I love it when you do it, but not when I’m being serious. You will never, ever put your hands on me again or be violent with me again. I will forgive you once, but not twice. You do it again and it’s over. You will hold your tongue if you don’t have anything nice to say because truly I don’t want to hear it. I’m so sick and god damn tired of your negative demeanor and your wry comments that can break people’s hearts and truly hurt someone’s feelings. I will no long tolerate your disrespectful attitude anymore..You will stop rolling your eyes whenever I talk about the past and understand that this is difficult for me too. You may not remember anything, but I remember everything. Imagine for just one minute what I’m going through. I know what you’re going through. I put myself there everyday just so I can try to understand you more, but I don’t think you have once tried to put yourself in my shoes. If you did, you couldn’t treat me as you have.”

Marlena was practically ranting as she neared the end of her sentence. she stopped and breathed deeply, getting herself back to center as she started once again. “Basically what I’m demanding is that you try to be the best human being you can be. Someone who thinks of others, thinks before he speaks and does his best to treat his wife the way she deserves to be treated, and in return, your wife will do the same. That’s all I ask is just a little respect and understanding. Is that clear?”

John looked down at the carpet, biting his lip. John looked up once again and nodded curtly. Marlena smiled and walked towards John, grabbing her purse off the bed. Marlena extended her hand out, waiting for him to grasp it.

John looked at it as if it was foreign. This must be one of those respect thingy’s she was talking about. John grabbed her hand in his and walked towards the door, opening it. He was about to walk through when he remembered that the woman should walk through first. John stepped to the side and let Marlena pass first.

Marlena smiled at John’s thoughtfulness, stretching up on her tiptoes as she gave John a quick kiss on his cheek. Their hands broke apart as Marlena went through the door and made her way to the elevator. Marlena pushed the button as John came up behind her.

John’s right hand snaked out to grab Marlena’s right hand. John squeezed her hand, rubbing his thumb across her wrist. Marlena sighed as she leaned against John. Marlena looked over her shoulder at John, noticing him watching her intently. John brushed his lips across Marlena’s forehead, her nose, her left eye, before reaching her lips.

The kiss was tentative and soft at first, but soon became passionate and heated. John’s left hand had snaked out to grab Marlena’s left breast, making her moan in his mouth. Marlena’s left hand was now behind her as Marlena stroked John through his pants. John sucked on Marlena’s lower lip, driving his tongue into her mouth alternating his movements. Marlena was biting John’s upper lip, his cheek, wherever Marlena could reach, using her tongue to suck on the roof of John’s mouth.

The elevator dinged as it reached their floor. They broke apart regrettably as they straightened out their clothes. Thankfully no one was in the elevator as they hit the lobby button. John turned around to look at Marlena as Marlena leaned against the wall of the elevator.

“So honey…are we going to talk as soon as we get to this place that shall remain nameless, or were you thinking of doing something else before our little conversation?” Marlena asked seductively as she flipped the top button of her shirt.

John put his hands on either side of Marlena, leaning in close as he whispered to her.

“I’m thinking of doing many things before our little talk. And we will do them all. This is why we are leaving for the whole weekend. Tell you the truth we may not get to this talk until Sunday afternoon. But I’m guessing you don’t have a problem with that right?”

Marlena nodded her head no as she grabbed at John’s collar, pulling him closer to her.

“What will we do for the next day and a half?” Marlena asked as she licked her lips.

“As long as I’m with you, anything could happen.”

Marlena brought John down for a kiss again, her hands molding to his face.

John’s hand reached down to grab Marlena to him. John moaned deep in his throat as he backed Marlena up against the wall.

He just kept praying that no one would stop the elevator before it reached the lobby.

Brace Yourself : Chapter 5 [NC-17\R]

Marlena thrust John away from her, locating the stop button on the elevator and slammed it with her hand. John, still dazed, turned around to find Marlena and threw her into the wall again.

“We don’t have much time baby.” Marlena whispered as she drove her hands underneath John’s shirt.

“We won’t need it.” John gruffly responded as he put a hand up Marlena’s skirt. When his fingers skimmed over Marlena’s thigh and came across her silken curls, John realized Marlena didn’t have anything on underneath.

“Do you always go out without anything on underneath your clothes?” John asked as he cupped Marlena possessively.

“No…I only…do it for…you.” Marlena panted out as her hips began to grind against John’s hand.

John grabbed her around her neck, bringing her lips to his.

“I like that.” John said as he licked Marlena’s bottom lip. Marlena opened her mouth, inviting John in. John responded instantly, sucking Marlena’s bottom lip between his own before kissing her full on the mouth.

Marlena began working on John’s pants, using one hand to get John’s button and zipper down. Marlena reached for John beneath his boxers, briefs, pumping John up and down in the same rhythm that John was using on her. John’s fingers made their way to Marlena’s opening, and as John was about to enter her, Marlena pushed him away, spinning them around so that John was up against the wall.

“Later Sailor. We only have time for one of us right now.” Marlena said matter-of-factly as she ripped Johns pants down, his boxers briefs, following suit.

Marlena got down on her knees and pumped John a few times in her hand.

John had always been very visual, and as Marlena thought about this, an idea came to her. They really didn’t have a lot of time, so this would have to be quick.

Marlena hiked her skirt up a little, exposing herself to John. As Marlena looked him in the eye, she reached between her legs, her fingers and hand skimming over her wet cunt. Marlena brought her hand up and grasped onto John with it, using her essence to glide over John.

“Jesus…” John groaned as he leaned back, his eyes closing.

John began thinking of baseball statistics, the numbers running through his head, until Marlena brought the tip of John to her mouth, licking around it a few times and then plunging John into her mouth.

Numbers went out of John’s mind instantly. He couldn’t tell you what baseball was at that moment. There was only Marlena and her mouth and those amazing soft hands that seemed to be touching him all over.

Marlena began sucking John deep into her mouth, alternating her strokes with pumps from her hands. Marlena always knew when John was close because he would grab her hair and pull her off him.

This time was no different. John felt himself about to spill his load and attempted to grab Marlena and lift her up. Marlena wasn’t having any of it. She swatted John’s hands away, sucking John for all he was worth.

“Baby you have to stop…I can’t…Jesus that feel so oh good…” John grabbed her hair again, forcing Marlena to pump into him faster.

A few seconds later John grabbed Marlena and lifted her up, John’s hands making Marlena’s skirt rise up her thighs, exposing her to him once again. They fell against the wall as their mouths sought out each other.

John eyed Marlena, an eyebrow slightly lifting. “Who the hell taught you how to do that?” John asked with a husky tone.

“You did.” Marlena said with a big smile on her face.

“I’m fucking brilliant.” John said smiling.

“No Mr. Black. You fuck brilliantly. Speaking of fucking-“

Marlena grabbed John around the neck and forced him closer, his broad chest hitting her with such force she almost lost her breath.

Little mewling sounds escaped Marlena’s lips as John rubbed himself against her mound.

John’s hand disappeared between them, searching for Marlena’s center. John groaned when his hand reached its destination. Marlena was dripping wet with want for him.

“John…later baby…we don’t have…the time…” Marlena said breathlessly as she bit John’s neck.

Marlena’s hips bucked enticingly, her fingers gripping John’s broad shoulders; her lips fell apart as she arched her head back against the wall.

John brought himself to Marlena’s opening, sliding his penis up and down over Marlena’s clit.

Marlena cried out John’s name, demanding that he take her now.

John entered Marlena slowly, remembering that she needed time to get accustomed to his size.

John stopped a few inches inside Marlena, holding his position as he scraped his teeth over her neck. Marlena squeezed her thighs, gripping John’s hips even more as she brought her chest closer to him.

“More honey” Marlena cried into John ear.

John bucked into Marlena gently, fully encasing himself inside her.

Marlena was wet and warm velvety and in that instant John felt like he had died and gone to heaven. John never wanted to leave this spot.

John looked at Marlena as he slid out slowly and thrust inside Marlena again. Marlena’s head was arched back, her silk hair cascading down her shoulders. John leaned forward, losing himself in the scent of Marlena’s sweet soft hair, finding her ear and biting on the lobe. John bucked even further into Marlena and groaned as she squeezed her muscles around John.

“Baby…” Marlena cried out.

Marlena’s hands lost themselves in John’s dark chestnut hair, gripping and pulling until John grabbed them and put them above her, holding Marlena’s hands in one of his. John’s other hand went to Marlena’s creamy thigh. John leaned his whole body into Marlena’s, pushing them completely against the wall.

John thrusts became wild, his mouth openly reaching for Marlena, kissing her through the cries coming out of her mouth, his hand gripping hers tightly above them.

“Fuck me harder.” Marlena screamed out.

John’s thrusts became more forceful, their kisses turning sloppy as passion overtook rational thinking. “Baby…come on…you’re right there…god you feel so good…oh” John grunted against Marlena’s neck.

Marlena’s body tensed up, her hands became fists, her eyes closed as her head shot up to the heavens. She moaned John’s name over and over as her body shook.

John released Marlena’s hands, using both of his to hold Marlena up at a slight angle as he shot his load inside Marlena, John’s hips bucking against her until he had nothing left.

Marlena wrapped her slender arms around John’s neck, biting his broad shoulder as John thrusts slowed. Marlena made her way to his ear, nipping at it as she whispered to John. “Don’t let me go. Not yet.”

John grabbed Marlena around her legs and waist, bringing her closer to him. John inhaled Marlena’s sweet honey scent, savoring everything about the moment. The way Marlena’s creamy skin felt against his, how her silk soft hair fell over her shoulders, Marlena’s fingers tickling his broad back, her long lashes resting over her cheek, how Marlena’s hot breath on his neck got him hard all over again.

It was with regret that John leaned back to look at Marlena, the moment over.

John kissed Marlena gently, sucking her full bottom lip.

Marlena whispered against John’s lips. “We have to go honey.”

John heard the sadness in her voice. Marlena didn’t want to leave John’s muscular strong loving arms anymore then he wanted to leave hers.

And then something funny happened to John Black. Just as he was about to let his wife go from his muscular arms, a sudden overpowering urge overcame him. John couldn’t let Marlena go. He tried to put her down. But every time he attempted it, that same feeling of hurt hit his broad chest like a ton of bricks. John was on the verge of tears.

Marlena grabbed John’s face with her hands, looking into his blue eyes. Unshed tears threatened to fall down his face.

“What’s wrong John?” Marlena asked worriedly.

“I…don’t want to let you go…not yet.” John said, surprise etching his voice.

Marlena smiled at John. “Do you know why?”

“No…it hurts…physically I mean…in my chest…I feel like…”

“You feel like what?” Marlena asked quietly.

“I feel like I’ll die if I can’t stay inside you. What does that mean?” John asked simply.

“I don’t know. What do you think it means?” Marlena asked.

“I think it means I’m falling for you.” John stated.

“I think you get a gold star for that.” Marlena replied.

“I’ll settle for a kiss.” John smiled up at Marlena.

Marlena laughed as she put a hand on each of John’s cheeks, bringing his face closer to hers as Marlena kissed John seductively on the mouth. John groaned into her mouth.

“You’re killing me. We have a long drive ahead of us and you kiss me like that?”

Marlena smiled down at John.

“That’s just cruel.”

Marlena laughed again as John let her down gently. Marlena wrapped her arms around John’s waist, her neck arching back as she looked up at him.

“It’s not cruel if I take care of your little problem on the way to our destination is it?” Marlena replied temptingly.

“Mmm…I like the way you think…”

Marlena hit the stop button again and the elevator came to life. She straightened her clothes and fixed her lipstick. John was eying Marlena from his corner while he fixed his shirt. Marlena looked over her shoulder, winking at John.

The air was full of electricity as they stood on opposite sides gazing at each other.

John approached first, his steps slow and decisive. John reached the middle of the doors and stopped, waiting for Marlena.

Marlena licked her lips, her throat suddenly dry. Her right leg came forward without her even thinking about it. Marlena’s body began to move even though her mind hadn’t processed it. Her heart led her to John, her body reacting the minute she breathed in John’s scent.

John reached out his hand, grabbing Marlena’s and bringing it to his lips. Marlena held her breath until the moment she felt John’s warm lips kiss her hand. She expelled a slow breath as John’s fingers grasped hers, pulling her a little closer to him. It was at this moment that Marlena Evans Black realized she really didn’t care if her husband came back to her or not. She was going to fall in love with John either way. Marlena couldn’t lose. John had been right all along. All she had to do was accept the new John and give him a chance.

The elevator arrived at the lobby and the doors opened. Mr. and Mrs. Black walked hand in hand through the lobby, making their way to the front where John gave a ticket to the valet for his car.

Marlena turned towards John slightly, fixing his shirt button.

“Did you just fuck me in an elevator Sailor?” Marlena asked John quietly.

“No ma’am. You just raped me in one though.” John said smilingly as an elderly couple walked past them.

“Good boy. Just so we’re clear.” Marlena turned away from John, looking straight ahead as the wind picked up.

John grabbed Marlena’s hand once more, linking his fingers through hers. When Marlena looked over at John, he had the biggest, goofiest smile on his face.

For the first time in months, Marlena threw her head back and laughed so hard she cried.

Brace Yourself : Chapter 6 [NC-17\R]

There was silence in the car, peaceful silence between them. Nothing needed to be said.

John watched the road ahead, one arm placed at the top of the steering wheel, the other resting comfortably by his side, holding Marlena’s hand. John’s finger grazed over the soft skin on the inside of Marlena’s wrist, slowly, gently.

It was almost lulling her to sleep. Marlena hadn’t felt peace like this in months, not since before John’s so-called death. Marlena watched the scenery unfold before her eyes. Towns seemed to fade away, replaced by trees and fields of flowers.

Marlena looked over at John, a gentle sigh escaping through her lips. Marlena’s fingers linked through John’s, her hold becoming stronger as she brought John’s hand to rest by her knee. Marlena wrapped her other hand around his palm, bringing it to her lips, kissing John’s fingertips feather soft. Marlena watched as goose bumps broke out over his hand. Marlena smiled at the knowledge that her kiss could still do that to him.

John was holding his breath, savoring the feel of Marlena’s lips on his skin, her breath tickling the hairs on his hand. John gripped the steering wheel, his mouth tightening into a firm line. John shifted slightly in his seat, his pants suddenly becoming uncomfortable.

Marlena smiled wickedly to herself. She put the back of John’s hand on her knee once more, smoothing out his fingers as she rubbed hers over his. Marlena grasped John’s hand in hers, squeezing it tightly and then releasing, repeating this motion over and over.

Marlena didn’t look at John until he started clearing his throat. Then, and only then, did Marlena allow herself to turn her head and glance at John .

Marlena felt John’s hand become clammy. John was beginning to sweat. Marlena could see it by his temples, trickling slowly down John’s handsome face. She turned his hand over, placing hers over his. Marlena moved John’s hand down her thigh, making her way to the edge of her skirt.

John’s breathing quickened. He dared not look at Marlena. He would have run off the road if he had. When Marlena uncrossed her legs and moved John’s hand closer to the inside of her thigh, John swallowed deeply, his throat suddenly dry. Marlena shifted lower into her seat, tucking her ass under as she spread her legs a little. Her skirt rode up her thighs. Marlena flipped her heels off, bringing one leg up to rest on the dashboard. The other leg made its way over to John, rubbing his calf up and down. Marlena’s hand led John’s fingers under her skirt.

John could feel the muscles of Marlena’s thigh clenching as she anticipated his touch. Marlena’s hips were already rotating over the seat. John would have dove his hand closer to where he knew she wanted him to touch her, but Marlena kept his hand where it was, making it agonizingly slow torture for her. John took a quick glance at Marlena as she brought his hand closer to the juncture at her thighs. Marlena’s head was leaning against the seat, neck arched, eyes closed. A sweet smile of satisfaction adorned her lips.

Marlena was definitely in her element at the moment, John thought to himself.

Marlena’s skin was on fire. John felt like she would burn his hand at any moment.

Marlena urged John’s hand closer and closer, little moans escaping from her lips, Marlena’s hips erotically thrusting forward, searching for John’s hand.

John began massaging the inside of Marlena’s thigh, his fingers gripping her flesh, ensuring there would be marks left on her skin.

John was contemplating getting off the road somewhere. They were out in the middle of nowhere. No one would see through the brush. Marlena’s foot was now under John’s pants, rubbing his calf.

Marlena looked over at John , seductive eyes blazing into his skin.

“Keep driving.” Marlena whispered as she brought his fingers to her opening.

John’s hand grazed over Marlena’s lips and Marlena jutted her hips forward, wanting more contact. John felt her feathers of *!*hair and groaned when John’s fingers moved to Marlena’s clit. Marlena was dripping wet. John kept his fingers still against Marlena, mesmerized by the way Marlena pleased herself by rocking her hips against his fingers.

Marlena would thrust forward and then up and down and eventually move side to side. When Marlena found the perfect spot her hips would move in a circular motion, John’s fingers and Marlena’s wetness creating noises that made him ache.

“Blondie.” John said in a tortured voice.

“Keep driving.” Marlena cried out.

“Baby I’m going crazy over here.” John replied in that little boy voice Marlena loved.

“Drive faster.” Marlena demanded.

John looked over at Marlena, watching her body thrusting back and forth, her chest rising and falling, her neck arching as she cried out.

John’s foot slammed down on the accelerator. His BMW 745I hitting 130 mph. Thank god they were on a straight deserted road. Thank god no cop in their right mind would be out this far from town. Thank god it was midnight and most sane people were asleep because there was no way he could slow down in time.

John had to move his fingers. He had to feel Marlena’s inside. John’s hand moved south, his fingers searching for Marlena’s opening. Two fingers slammed into Marlena abruptly. Marlena screamed, her hand coming up above her, one pushing against the window, the other gripping the headrest of her seat. As John jammed his fingers into her, Marlena thrust her hips forward.

“Faster baby.” Marlena cried out.

John rammed into Marlena again and again, his thumb finding Marlena’s clit, flicking it back and forth. John curled his fingers inside Marlena as John thrust deeply, finding Marlena’s pleasure spot. “Come on baby,” John urged. “You’re right there. I want to hear you scream. Scream my name Blondie.”

John whisper was soft but demanding. John’s fingers inside Marlena were heaven. The scenery flew by her. Marlena couldn’t see anything. Her vision blurred. Marlena was screaming inside. Her release was imminent. John was right there; right where his fingers curled up inside Marlena was where the pleasure flowed in waves through her body.

Marlena whimpered as she arched her back, her head thrown back. Her arm reached out and found John’s broad shoulder. Marlena gripped it and then raked her nails over the skin of John’s neck.

John growled out his pleasure. His fingers rammed into Marlena faster. Marlena was tightening around John. Marlena was close. John put his foot down even more, bringing the car up to 145 mph. If he was going to die, he was going out with a bang.

Marlena’s hips bucked forward, her thighs tensing up as she found her release. Marlena’s hand squeezed John’s flesh, the muscle tense underneath her fingers.

“Oh god…John…don’t stop.” Marlena screamed out. John felt Marlena’s essence fill her inside, coating his fingers even more. John couldn’t take much more. He was at his limit. Marlena was moaning, her head against the headrest as her hips bucked slightly forward, her orgasm still resonating through her body.

The death grip Marlena had had on John’s broad shoulder loosened, her fingers now massaging John’s skin lightly.

“We have to stop now.” John demanded.

John slammed on the brakes, the car skidding around in a circle. Marlena was still coming down from her high, her eyes still closed. Marlena just whispered yes to John’s command, not caring what happened right now.

John maneuvered the car up a deserted road, finding a spot amongst some brush that would shield them. John stopped the car suddenly, putting it in park and jumping out. John made his way over to Marlena’s side, opening her door and lifting Marlena up to him. John slammed the door and pushed Marlena against it.

Marlena finally opened her eyes, staring directly at John. They were inches apart and it was too much for him. John grabbed her hair, forcing her head back as his lips crushed Marlena’s . John was already past his limit for control. There was no way to stop him now.

Somehow Marlena knew this. She pushed John off her, watching as a look of surprise came over John’s face. Marlena smiled and then grabbed John’s pants, her hands undoing them in a flash and bringing them down with his boxers briefs. Marlena grabbed John’s hips and pulled John towards her, leaning against the car, Marlena’s arms around John’s broad shoulders as Marlena opened her legs for John , wrapping them around John’s hips. John grabbed Marlena’s ass, molding his hands to her skin. Marlena sighed against him, sucking on John’s lower lip, anticipating the moment John would fill her up and make her complete.

Brace Yourself : Chapter 7[NC-17\R]

John was hovering above Marlena, inches from her lips, John’s erect penis rubbing against Marlena’s opening. Marlena was groaning, pleading with John to end the torment.

Later Marlena would recall how there was a light mist, how it almost felt like rain falling all around her. Marlena would remember that the trees swayed in the wind and that the air was electric, as if a storm was approaching.

But for right now, all Marlena could concentrate on was John’s lips on hers, his sweet breath mingling with hers, John’s skin hot against hers, his hands squeezing her, John’s body throbbing for her.

Marlena bucked slightly into John, urging him to fill her and put this sweet torture to rest.

John was done teasing Marlena. He entered Marlena slowly, restraining himself for now so that he wouldn’t hurt her. Halfway inside Marlena John’s head fell to her chest, a groan escaping from deep inside him. Marlena thrust against John, wanting him completely inside her.

John let go of any restraint he had been holding on to. John pounded into Marlena, slamming her body against his car. Marlena screamed out, Marlena’s arms coming above her to grasp the roof of the car. John smiled victoriously as he let Marlena adjust to him. John felt like he had finally conquered her completely. In that moment, in that abandoned field covered by brush, up against his car, Marlena had finally let go. She was John’s, heart and soul.

Marlena was filled to her core. John was so deep inside her Marlena thought she would split in two. Marlena pushed up against John’s ass with Marlena’s feet, trying to get John even deeper inside. Marlena’s arms wrapped around John’s broad shoulders as Marlena lifted her body up to mold against John.

John was pounding into Marlena with everything he had, control long since forgotten. John’s car was shaking to and fro, keeping in time with John’s thrusts.

Marlena nipped at John’s ear, Her nails raking down John’s back. Marlena groaned against John’s neck, biting him deeply as she squeezed John between her legs. John was right at the spot Marlena loved, fucking at an angle so that John hit her pleasure spot. The deeper John thrust, the louder Marlena’s screamed.

John’s blue eyes clouded over as he lost all rational thought. There was only Marlena and her slender creamy body. Marlena’s hands touching John everywhere, her skin so hot it scorched him, Marlena’s cunt so wet he could have died. John lost himself inside Marlena, not hearing her anymore, only seeing white hot light in his midst.

Marlena screamed out John’s name over and over. She didn’t know what else she said.

They came together, both flying high above the trees; no one else on earth could have touched them.

John was bucking into Marlena, even though he had nothing left. Marlena still gripped John with all her might, her pussy contracting around John as her orgasm slowly dwindled down.

John could hear rumbling in the distance. A thought vaguely went through his mind that a storm might be brewing. But the electricity between him and Blondie was far more interesting to him.

John could sense Marlena filling up his whole being. John could understand how he once was obsessed with Marlena and vice versa. At this moment it seemed so clear.

John was in love with Marlena and he was fully aware of it.

John had bravely tried to fight it in the last few months. He tried to fight his true feelings. He didn’t want to appear weak in front of Marlena. John got the vibe that he used to be a man that was strong and comfortable showing his feelings. He couldn’t be that man now.

John’s fear kept him from letting anyone in, until now. Marlena had gotten under his skin somehow.

Maybe it was because Marlena didn’t take any of his shit, because she fought back; or maybe it was because she couldn’t be bought like so many other people in this town could.

Blondie was different, like him. Sometimes John felt like they were both outsiders. They were the same. Now they just had to get over their fears together and there would be no stopping them.

Marlena kissed John’s salty skin at the juncture between his neck and broad shoulder. Marlena licked it lightly, making John shudder.

John looked down at Marlena, suddenly calm and comfortable in this moment, being inside Marlena still, John’s hips languidly moving against Marlena’s hips. John loved being inside Marlena. He didn’t think there was anywhere else in the world he wanted to be right now except inside Marlena on a bed perhaps.

Marlena leaned back, resting her body on top of the car. Marlena was still fully clothed, her skirt around her waist. John was rubbing Marlena’s back, his hands gliding down to tickle her skin where he could reach.

Marlena looked up at John, her hand reaching out to move John’s dark damp chestnut hair off his forehead. It was a gesture of love and he felt it. John was glad he could accept it now. Before he would have made a stupid ass comment and Marlena would have stalked off. John wasn’t afraid anymore though. Now he could accept it for what it was. Love pure and simple. And it was okay to reciprocate it. He knew that now.

John brought his hand down to cup Marlena’s cheek, his finger softly caressing her bottom lip.

“I think I’m falling hard for you Blondie.” John said softly.

Marlena held her breath. She had dreamed John would say something like that one day. Marlena still didn’t know if John was telling the truth. But she had told him she would trust him. She couldn’t go back on her word. She couldn’t make him second guess her.

John was going to say he loved her. He didn’t want to scare Marlena off though. She would think it was too soon and that he was being insincere. So John tried to tell Marlena what he was feeling the best way he could.

“I’m glad that you told me.” Marlena replied in a whisper, tears glistening in her eyes. “I feel the same way.”

John breathed deeply, not realizing he had been holding his breath.

John set Marlena down on the ground and squeezed her to him, wrapping Marlena in his muscular arms as if he would never let her go.

“Thank god.” John said over and over.

Marlena smiled as she rested against John’s broad chest, peering up at John to see a great big smile on his handsome face. John looked like the happiest guy in the world to her. This made Marlena’s heart soar, to see John so happy. It was something she hadn’t felt for a long time.

“John? Where are we going?” Marlena asked quietly.

John pulled back, looking at Marlena and then laughing.

“Oh no…not telling you. You just have to wait a little longer. We better get going actually. It looks like it’s about to rain and we have a lot to talk about once we arrive.”

Marlena turned around, her hand coming up to cover John’s mouth.

“You mean we have a lot of make-up fucking to do once we arrive right?”

“Yes honey. How could I forget? First we fuck, and then we talk, right baby?”

“That’s my boy.” Marlena replied as she kissed John softly on the lips.

John opened the passenger door for Marlena, but she didn’t get in. Instead Marlena walked over to the driver’s side and opened the door, flashing John an evil grin before ducking to get in.

“Oh no Blondie! Get out of the car! No one drives my car!”

John ducked down as he leaned on the car, giving Marlena a reprimanding look.

“Now John. We have to learn to trust each other, right? Well this is how we are going to start. You just tell me the directions as we go along okay? I promise not to hurt your pride and joy.” Marlena gave John a puppy dog look.

How could he resist that look?

John shook his head back and forth, regretting what he was about to say.

“Okay Marlena. I trust you that you will drive MY car safely and you will be gentle with it. Is that good enough for you?” John asked as he got inside and closed the door.

“It’ll do.” Marlena replied as she started the engine and put the car in drive.

Before John could get his seatbelt on, Marlena was already back on the main road, pushing his baby to 125 mph. John noticed that she was a smooth driver and Marlena handled his car like a pro. Marlena gripped the steering wheel much like she gripped other things.

John was getting turned on again.

Vaguely in the back of his mind John told himself to ask Marlena how she learned to handle such power so effortlessly. But deep inside he knew the answer.

Marlena seemed to be able to handle anything as long as he was right by her side.

Brace Yourself : Chapter 8 [NC-17]

John’s car fluidly drove along the empty road. They were back to silence once again, both realizing that nothing needed to be said right now. The radio hummed along quietly as it played a country love song about someone leaving and coming back to their lover.

John looked over at his wife, leaning his head back to fully enjoy the experience of watching Marlena uninterrupted. She was in command of his car, despite the small fact that they were traveling roughly at 135 miles per hour.

John was amazed that Marlena could handle this car almost exactly like him. John had to know how Marlena did it.

“Baby, who taught you to drive like this?” John asked casually as he reached for Marlena’s hand.

“A boy in college.” Marlena said absently as she closed her eyes while she savored John’s touch.

John’s smile and The happiness he felt disappeared “And what else did this boy teach you?” John inquired. As he Released his grip

“Just about everything a boy in college can teach you.” Marlena replied wickedly.

“Oh I see.” John said quietly removed his hand discreetly as he looked out his window, watching the scenery unfold. he was taken back and hurt by the way she talked about this boy… after he just confessed his feelings for her

“Honey that means he was fun for a while, but not serious.” Marlena reassured John.

John looked back at Marlena and realized she was laughing at his seriousness. He smiled, feeling sheepish. He was a little offended and his feelings were still hurt

“Sorry. I guess I took that the wrong way.” John replied as he still hurt raised his broad shoulders.

“It’s okay. You want to hear the story?” Marlena asked.

“I guess Yah. It would be interesting to hear about what you were like back then.”

Marlena laughed heartily. She and John had never really talked too much about her past because John couldn’t remember his. Marlena always felt it would have been a slap in his face to sit there and laugh about all the good times she had when John couldn’t remember anything about his life before he met her.

“Well there I was at college, studying psychology. I was really into my studies, always trying to please everyone around me. And one day, this boy popped into my anthropology class. He was a transfer from a college out of state. He was everything I wasn’t. Wild, adventurous, spontaneous and had no qualms about life or love or anything really. I thought that he would go after a girl like my sister Sam. But amazingly he didn’t. Instead he asked me out one day after class. I was so afraid I think I ran off without answering him! The next day, he showed up at school on his motorcycle and asked me to hop on and go for a ride. And let’s just say that was the first day I ever (John shifted in the passenger seat he was so uncomfortable and disturbed hearing how wild she was) played hooky. I remember kissing him a few times, but that was it. But he did have a really great car that we would cruise in. And that is where I learned how to really drive a sports car. On the weekends we would go out to this old field and do doughnuts and skids. I was terrified, but he made me feel like I could do anything. So I was fearless for him.”

Marlena smiled as she remembered her past, lost for the moment in her memories. John looked over at Marlena, entranced by her story so far.

“I thought that we would get together eventually, but he dropped out of college soon after that. He left with some girl to go to California. I never saw him again. At the most, he was a wonderful friend that I cherished. Many men in my life have been like that to me.”

John bit his lip, wanting to ask who in her life right now fit into that category. Marlena glanced at John, somehow knowing what he was thinking. She smiled, realizing John was still jealous of the men in her life.

“Would you like to know who those men were?” Marlena asked quietly.

“Yes I would.” John replied.

“Well, first there was Tom Horton. He was wonderful. A good colleague, a great friend and a wonderful father figure to me. Then Neil Curtis. He was a colleague too. So was Jordan. He was a psychiatrist like me. Then there was Josh, who was there for me after my marriage to Don broke up. Chris Kositchek was a very good friend to me. In fact, at one point our relationship almost turned into something more.”

“What happened?” John asked quietly.

“You happened.” Marlena replied, smiling widely.

John looked over at Marlena, confusion marking his face.

“Chris and I had been friends for some time when we started to get close. But then I met you and you sort of took over my life and my time. Soon after we met Chris moved away. But we were great friends.”

John nodded, understanding finally what Marlena meant.

“I was friends with Tony Dimera. Then there was Eugene. He would take up about an hour if we talked about him. But Gene was one in a million. I miss him terribly. He was my best friend at a time when I really needed a friend. He helped me tremendously through some hard times.”

“There were others along the way of course…Jack, Mickey, Doug, Shane and Steve. Mostly the two constant friends I had were Bo and Abe though. They have both been with me since I was married to Roman. My god…I think it’s been over twenty-five years. Those two men were the ones I leaned on.”

John watched Marlena as she spoke, noticing the nuances of her speech. He was amazed at the things he was just noticing about Marlena. How sometimes she had a slight lisp when she said a word that started with an s sound. How once in a while she would say a word and it would come out sounding southern. She constantly amazed him. He smiled to himself as he thought about how she probably always would.

“What about the men who weren’t friends? Who were something more?” John inquired.

Marlena looked over at John, hesitant to speak. Normally this was not spoken about. Yet John did seem to want to know.

“Well…I guess the first one would be Alex North. It’s complicated to explain it. The very short version is this: Alex and I met in college and we got married while I was still in college. The first time he hit me was on our wedding night and he didn’t stop until he disappeared in the war. He was a doctor who went MIA at some point. His death messed me up. I lost it after I found out. When I came to…I didn’t remember anything about Alex. They call it selective amnesia. Well…I chose to forget about Alex and what he put me through. And I led my life as if I never met him. And then one day, he showed up again, when I had had an accident and had full amnesia. He tried to take me away from you, but you wouldn’t let him. You fought for me and won me back.”

John smiled at Marlena.

“What did I do? Kill The bastard?” John laughed.

“Uhm…actually he did die, but you didn’t kill him. Well…not technically.” Marlena replied as she contemplated the situation.

John looked at Marlena incredulously.

“Did I kill The son of a bitch!?” John asked.

“You two fought and you were on a cliff…you fell to the ground and were rolling in circles and you both went over. Apparently you reached out to him to save him. And he could have taken your hand, but he chose not to. He let go with both of his hands and fell down to the ocean below. Hope and I pulled you up.”

“I see. So now you remember him?” John asked.

“Yes. With your help I was able to remember what he did to me. And with your understanding I was able to find myself again. You gave me time to be by myself and figure out how I lost who I was. You were wonderful actually.”

Marlena smiled at John with a sparkle in her hazel eye.

“You are always wonderful.”

John laughed as he grabbed Marlena’s hand and kissed her palm. John’s mind drifted to them making love against his car just a little while ago. John nipped at the pad of Marlena’s palm, licking it, tasting the saltiness of her skin.

“Keep going.” John said as he continued to hold Marlena’s hand against his leg.

“Okay…next would be Don Craig, my second husband. He was a lawyer. A great guy who after our divorce became a very good friend to Roman and I. Don and I butted heads in the beginning, but he eventually won me over. He became district attorney and eventually worked for Kellam Chandler who was involved in politics. I became pregnant soon after our wedding and we had a baby boy who we named DJ. Life was going pretty good until we lost DJ to crib death. I was the one who found him. I don’ t remember much about that day, just that I was hysterical and Don was out of town and no one could get a hold of him or find him. So I had to deal with our baby’s death on my own. That was hard to handle. Don blamed me for the baby’s death. Soon after, I found out he had an affair with Liz Chandler, who was Kellam’s daughter. At this point Don and I were barely getting along. I confronted him. He told me it was true. I told him to get out. We tried to make it work, but I resented him for cheating and he resented me for not being able to save our baby.”

John rubbed Marlena’s hand, grasping her thin fingers through his.

“I’m sorry you lost DJ.” John said slowly.

“Thank you for that. I still miss that little boy. I still see his face when I close my eyes at night. In a hundred years, I could never forget him. He was so perfect in so many ways.” Marlena sighed heavily.

John leaned back into his seat. “So who’s next? Roman!?” John rolled his eyes he hated Roman’s guts

Marlena laughed, giggling slightly.

“Yes…we now come to Mr. Roman Brady. He was my third husband. We also did not get along in the beginning. I couldn’t stand him and I think I infuriated him. He was a cop protecting me from the Salem Strangler. To make a point he took up house in my apartment because I refused to have a guard at work. Saying we butted heads is an understatement. But then…something happened. I don’t know how…or even why…but the anger and resentment turned to love and affection. It was a confusing time, considering both Don and Roman were vying for my time. But I chose Roman. I knew Don and I would never be anything more than friends. There was too much water under the bridge. So Roman and I started out a romance. We had some hard times. I was dealing with losing Don, DJ and being raped by Kellam Chandler. I was also dealing with my sister Sam’s death and being pursued by the Salem Strangler.”

John’s blue eyes got wide when Marlena mentioned rape. He never knew that Marlena had been raped. John’s jaw clenched tightly.

“I sort of lost it. I mean really lost it. I completely shut down. I avoided talking about everything. I went back to work immediately, acting like life was fine and everything was dandy. I wasn’t myself at all. Roman got fed up. He dragged me to Mexico to take some time off. It took me days to actually enjoy myself and to start dealing with what had happened in my life. He was there through every moment of it. Helping me to realize how strong I was, how I could conquer my fears, how I could deal with anything because I was so brave. He made me want to get better.”

John gritted his teeth his, blood boiled. Why the hell was it whenever Marlena spoke of Roman, he was infuriated just wanted to punch his Damn lights out? And Beat the hell out of Roman Loser ass in the ground.. What the hell was it about this pathetic, DUMDASS guy?

“After that trip, things started to look up. There were a few bumps in the road. Roman’s dead wife came back. That’s Anna. You’ve already met her haven’t you?” Marlena inquired as she shot John a look.

John laugh and smiled sheepishly and blew Marlena a kiss. “ she sure fun to make you jealous ”

“Anna showed up in town with Roman’s daughter Carrie. So we took her in. Then there was Stefano…I don’t want to talk about Stefano right now. I’ll crash your baby if I do. Let’s just say Stefano shot Roman and threw him off a cliff. And then he kidnapped him and somehow kept him alive for years. (John definitely loved that part) We all thought Roman had died. And so I mourned another death. But I took comfort in Carrie and Sami and Eric. They were just tiny babies when he left. So I had no time really to sit around and mope. I had children to take care of. I had a job and patients that needed me. And life moved on despite how much I just wanted it to stop.”

John kissed Marlena palm, putting her hand underneath his chin as John looked at Marlena adoringly.

“Am I boring you yet?” Marlena asked with a smile.

“Not yet. Your life has been one wild ride you know that?” John asked.

“I suppose it has. I never thought about it.” Marlena replied.

“So who is next?” John inquired.

“Well…after Roman it was Richard. He was with the police too. He actually knew Roman and had trained with him years before Roman and I met. It took me a long time to be with Richard. I didn’t feel ready. I was scared, I was afraid of rejection. More than that, I was deeply afraid he wouldn’t reject me. I’ve never felt so out of control in my life as I did during those few months that Richard and I were together.”

“What happened?” John asked.

“It turned out Richard used to be a great cop, but he turned crooked at some point. I walked into his cabin that he owned to find Abe pointing a gun at him. Abe had found out what he was doing. He was shipping drugs in and out of port. Abe asked him to drop his weapon and freeze but Richard didn’t listen. Abe had to shoot him. He died in my arms.”

Marlena was silent for a few moments. She didn’t talk about Richard for a reason. To admit what happened meant she also had to admit she fell for a bad cop. It was not something she wanted to admit to anyone.

“So…you fell for a crooked ass cop? You had no fuckin idea he was a bad guy? And your A so-call shrink” John asked

incredulously.

“How was I supposed to know? No one knew Richard was a bad guy! He was the boss for Christ’s sake. It took Abe months of researching to find out who was bringing in those drugs.”

“So…the brilliant, perfect Dr. Evans finally made a mistake. You fucked up Blondie”

John laugh inside smiled hugely as he looked Marlena up and down. John couldn’t Contain his amusement anymore he busted out laughing

“You don’t have to rub it in. I’m human John. I make mistakes sometimes.” Marlena said as her voice raised an octave. She was pouting as she bit her lip. Tears threatened to unleash themselves down her face.

“Pull off the road up here.” John instructed.

“I can drive John. I’m not some hysterical woman here. I’m in control.” Now Marlena was getting really mad.

“I never said you weren’t. I need to pee, so can you please pull off to the side?” John said calmly.

“Oh. Fine.” Marlena replied as she slowed the car down. She made a right turn and pulled onto a dirt road, coming to stop by a lake glittering in the moonlight.

“Thanks.” John said as he got out and made his way down the embankment.

Marlena burst into tears, putting her head against the steering wheel. Her hands came up to rest on her forehead. Maybe she deserved this. She always tried to act as if she knew what she was doing, always trying to be in control of the situation. She wanted people to respect her, but more often than naught, they ended up thinking she was Ms. Perfect who could do no wrong.

John came around the driver’s side of his car, approaching silently so as not to disturb her. Marlena had taken him the wrong way. Everyone screwed up now and then, but Marlena seemed close to perfection. Knowing she made a mistake like this made her even more perfect in his eyes. Marlena seemed more human now, more accessible. Now he just had to find a way to tell her that.

John opened the door and leaned down so that he was on his knees. Marlena quickly wiped at her eyes, hiccupping a few times as Marlena tried valiantly to make it look like she hadn’t been crying.

“I can still drive. I’m fine. Really.” Marlena babbled on as she straightened herself out.

John grabbed her hand and brought it to his heart. Marlena stopped talking to look at John. He said nothing, just breathed Marlena’s scent in deeply.

“John? What is it?” Marlena asked.

“Thank you for telling me about your past. I can’t tell you what it means to me. I know I reacted strangely to what you said about Richard. I’m sorry if you took it the wrong way. What I meant was that I found it very…refreshing to realize you aren’t so perfect. You are just like everyone else out there living their life. But there is something exceptional about you Dr. Marlena Evans Black that I find simply irresistible. I love it that you make mistakes and choose the wrong men and trust people you shouldn’t, because through it all, you are still the most incredible woman I’ve ever met. I think you must be the most extraordinary woman of my life. And I sure am glad that you have stuck around with me even though I say the wrong thing sometimes and I show the wrong emotion once in a while. I guess what I’m trying to say is…”

Marlena wrapped her arms around John as she turned slightly in her seat.

“I love you too.” Marlena cried out as she hugged John tightly.

John squeezed Marlena to him, crushing her against his broad chest. He breathed deeply, thanking whoever was out there that he hadn’t messed this up.

“I was so afraid that you wouldn’t believe me if I said it this soon.” John confessed into Marlena’s soft. hair.

Marlena laughed slightly as they broke apart to look at each other.

“I fell in love with you the first moment we met. You saved me from a man who had put a knife to my throat. (it was held at gunpoint) And ever since that moment, you have been the only one that I wanted. Sometimes I couldn’t have you, or I tried to do the right thing by staying away from you so that you could be happy, but through it all, my love for you was constant.” Marlena smiled through her tears.

“We are going to talk about our life…tomorrow…but for right now…I just want to hold you and be with you and love you…”

Marlena breathed in shallowly. How was it possible that John could get her aroused just by saying something so simple? But here Marlena was with heat emanating from her center, wet and ready for John. Their connection had always amazed her. It was something you couldn’t explain, fathom or understand. It just was what it was. And Marlena thanked God everyday that John had come into her life.

“Where?” Marlena whispered against John’s ear.

“The lake is secluded. I looked around while I was down there. Come on baby.” John replied as he lifted Marlena up in his muscular arms. Marlena crossed her legs, making it easier for John to carry her down the embankment. Marlena giggled as she breathed in John’s masculine scent, her nose grazing against his neck. Marlena licked at John’s skin, nibbling the lobe of his ear between her teeth.

John’s hand on Marlena’s thigh squeezed her deeply as Marlena worked her magic on him. John’s fingers curled into Marlena’s skin, his nails rough on her flesh. His other hand around Marlena’s back began to push her up against him more, so that there was no room left between them. Marlena wrapped her slender arms around John, encompassing him in the perfume of her body.

John sought a place for them quickly, scanning the horizon as his resolve slowly melted away. Marlena made him lose the good sense he had, he thought as she sucked on the tender skin behind his ear. When Marlena began to suck John’s skin into her mouth deeper John cursed under his breath, almost dropping Marlena as his body began to weaken.

John suddenly put Marlena down on the dock at the lake. Marlena looked up at John curiously.

“Honey where is this secluded place that you were going to take me to baby?” Marlena asked huskily as she rubbed John’s broad chest, her voice playfully conveying that she was ready whenever John was.

“You’re looking at it.” John stated simply as he tore off his shirt and began working on his belt.

Marlena looked around her and turned back to John. She burst out laughing hysterically as she saw John practically down to his signature black boxers briefs.

“You seriously don’t think we are going to make love on this dock do you?” Marlena asked John between fits of giggles.

“Have you ever made love on a dock…doc?” John asked, his eyebrow rising inquiringly.

Marlena stopped laughing at John pun, her hands flying to her hips.

“I don’t have to do that to know I wouldn’t enjoy it John. This dock is filthy and grimy and hard…and it’s not happening now or ever.”

John took off his boxers briefs, and threw them behind him, walking up to Marlena and grabbing her to him.

“Are you sure about that statement Blondie?” John inquired.

Marlena wasn’t sure of anything when he was close to her. Hell she could barely tell you her own name when he was naked. John took Marlena’s breath away.

“I’m…not sure if…I’m sure…” Marlena began babbling once again, making John smirk at Marlena indecisiveness. He had her right where he wanted her hook, line and sinker

John squatted down to pick Marlena up, lifting her over his broad shoulder and wrapping his muscular arms around her legs. Marlena began shrieking loudly.

“JOHN BLACK PUT ME DOWN RIGHT NOW!”

“Relax Blondie. I won’t subject you to the pier okay?” John stated as he laughed under his breath.

“JOHN PUT ME DOWN! I HATE IT WHEN YOU DO THIS CAVEMAN ACT!”

“Scream louder Doc. I don’t think the neighbors heard you. Do you want to get us in trouble woman? We could be on private property ya know?”

Marlena shut her mouth quickly. She hadn’t thought about that. She lifted her head to look around, her head darting here and there.

John set Marlena down, grabbing the collar of her shirt and pulling her to him.

“See how things go much better when you listen to me?” John stated.

“Take me somewhere secluded John. This is too open.” Marlena began to back out of his embrace.

“Doc…you need to feel free tonight. Pretend your back in college riding that motorcycle, the wind in your hair, no worries or cares. Live a little dangerously Marlena. It’s okay to not be perfect remember?”

John brought Marlena towards him again, his muscular arms enfolding her tightly.

“You’re safe Doc, in my arms. I won’t let anything happen to you. Trust me.” John demanded of Marlena.

Marlena opened her mouth to interject when John put a finger to her mouth.

“No. No more talking for tonight. Just trust and love.” John whispered seductively as his mouth descended to Marlena, taking her lips between his own.

When the kiss broke Marlena slowly opened her eyes and lost all thought as she looked into John’s soul. She didn’t care where they were. Marlena wanted John . She wanted John now. The rest of the world be damned.

Brace Yourself : Chapter 9 [NC-17\R]

John stared at Marlena intensely as he waited for her to decide. His lips were slightly open, his breath hot on her face, John’s hands loosely cupping Marlena’s shoulders. John saw the apprehension fall from her face, Marlena’s hazel eyes turning to emerald.

Faster then John could blink Marlena had captured John’s face with her hands, her mouth forming to his own, Marlena’s tongue seeking out John’s, molding them together. John ripped Marlena’s shirt open, her buttons flying here and there. Marlena gasped in his mouth, moaning as John grabbed Marlena’s magnificent breast possessively, kneading the soft creamy flesh between his fingers.

When Marlena broke the kiss to come up for air, one solitary raindrop landed on her cheek. John stopped his movements, his hand rising to brush the drop of water from her skin. John looked up to the heavens, squinting in the night to make out the weather approaching them.

Off in the distance, a roaring thunder grumbled slowly among the hills, inching closer to them by the second.

“Shit.” John said under his breath.

“Don’t stop.” Marlena pleaded softly.

“Doc it’s going to start raining at any-“

Marlena put her hand over John mouth, hushing him.

“Don’t stop.”

John crushed Marlena to him, taking her mouth fiercely with his own. Marlena wrapped her arms around John as she opened her mouth to his, inviting John inside to mingle with her tongue.

John’s hand once again found Marlena’s voluptuous breast, pulling it tightly, forcing her upper torso to move towards him, until there was no space between them.

Marlena bit John’s lip affectionately, her hand pulling softly at John’s dark hair. His head arched back, his face facing the heavens above. Marlena nipped the flesh of John’s chin and neck, sucking deeply in her favorite spots. John groaned out Marlena’s name as drops of rain fell down, covering his face.

Marlena dropped one of her hands to reach between them, caressing John lovingly as she sucked on his earlobe.

John couldn’t take it anymore. He stopped Marlena movements suddenly, John’s face coming down to look at Marlena. Her hair was turning into ringlets that framed her face.

John grabbed Marlena’s face, bringing her forehead to rest against his.

“Did I ever tell you how adorable you look with wet hair?” John asked as he slowly brought his hands down Marlena’s neck to rest on her shoulders.

“You always did love it when it was like this. You liked my hair natural. It’s curly when it’s natural. I straighten it.” Marlena whispered as John hands grabbed her collar to take her shirt off.

“I like it curly. I want you to wear it like this.” John ripped Marlena’s shirt off her violently, possessively pinning her hands behind her.

For a moment, Marlena was reminded of that night on the plane, when John ripped her coat off her. It was the night that started their affair, the night where she let go of her fears and gave in to temptation.

Marlena arched her head up to look at John, her hazel eyes smoldering with passion as they were that rainy night so long ago.

“I will…for you.” Marlena replied hotly as she disentangled her hands, throwing her shirt on the ground. Marlena’s hands brought her skirt up, revealing her slick pussy in the moonlight. Marlena was ready for John to take her right now.

Marlena wrapped her slender arms around John’s strong broad shoulders, her slender legs instinctively coming up to wrap around John’s hips. John’s hands gripped Marlena’s ass, molding her body next to his as John rubbed himself up and down Marlena’s dripping cunt.

Marlena brought her mouth to John’s, Marlena’s tongue outlining John’s mouth before plunging in to take his breath away. It was all he could do to keep up with her. Marlena was being animalistic in nature and it was more of a turn on then John ever expected.

Marlena gripped John’s hips hard with her thighs, using her muscles to pull herself up slightly until her aching center was at John’s tip. Marlena broke the kiss abruptly, staring down into John’s blue eyes as the rain poured down around them. Marlena wiped the drops off John’s handsome face, smiling at him with her hazel eyes.

John brought Marlena’s hips down inch by inch while they stared at each other. No one else in the world existed in that moment. It was just them, loving each other in the rain, out in the middle of nowhere.

A flash of lightning hit the horizon and lit up one side of Marlena’s face. Marlena looked like an angel in that moment. Her blonde hair was curly and wet while it framed her face. Her hazel doe eyes her emerald in the night. Marlena’s wet lips arched seductively at John, for him, telling him how much she was enjoying John being inside her. John took a picture of Marlena in his mind as John fully encased himself inside Marlena’s warm depths.

Marlena closed her eyes and arched her head back, her mouth open as the rain came down so hard that John could barely hear her moan. John watched Marlena intently as he pumped into Marlena, John’s hands kneading into Marlena’s flesh, wanting her closer to him, needing to feel Marlena completely against him.

John took one nipple in his mouth and began to suck greedily on it, Marlena’s skin hot in his mouth even though the rain was freezing.

John’s legs could no longer support him, his desire overpowering his will as they sank to the muddy ground. John was on his knees now as he thrust up into her pussy. Marlena’s feet pushed against John’s ass with each pump of his body.

John bit her neck, making his way to Marlena’s sweet mouth as Marlena cried out John’s name, pleading for him to touch her, as if Marlena had an itch that only John could scratch, as if that itch was somewhere deep inside her, a place only John could reach.

John’s hand smoothed over Marlena’s hip, gliding across her lower stomach, encasing itself between them as John’s fingers found Marlena’s clit. Like a snake John slithered two fingers over her again and again, feeling Marlena’s muscles tense around him as John made Marlena cum instantly.

Marlena whimpered next to John’s ear, Marlena’s fingers squeezing the muscles of John’s broad shoulders. Marlena bit his skin, wet and musky and inhaled John’s masculine scent as her orgasm began to subside. John had never stopped pumping into Marlena, his mouth sucking at her favorite spot on her neck.

Marlena pulled back to look at John, a sly smile across her face. The same smile Marlena always had after John made her cum. It was part lazy and part sweet and utterly irresistible to him.

John kissed Marlena fiercely, his tongue plunging into her, his hips duplicating what his mouth was doing.

Marlena began tightening her muscles as John thrust up inside her. Marlena tensed around John’s dick over and over as her nails raked across the flesh on his broad back.

Marlena bit John deeply on his neck, sliding her tongue up the thick band of muscle to his ear, whispering her demands.

“Fuck me harder John. I need you deeper inside me. Please baby.”

John grunted against Marlena. John brought Marlena down to the ground, where puddles of mud had already formed. Right now he didn’t care about comfort or cleanliness. John had to be deeper inside Marlena or he would die.

Marlena arched her hips up against John, not wanting to lose the contact as John brought Marlena’s legs to his broad shoulders. John came down to Marlena, his hands holding him up as they came down on either side of Marlena. Marlena’s fingers wrapped around John’s neck, bringing John’s mouth down so she could kiss him as John plunged into Marlena again and again.

Their bodies, slick with rain and mud, slid against each other as if their souls had been connected since the beginning of time.

Within a short time, John’s hands were squeezing Marlena’s hips. He couldn’t hold on any longer, and as John rode the wave of pleasure he took Marlena with him, Marlena scream the only thing he could hear as all thought was lost to him.

They wrapped their bodies around each other as they tried to get their breath back. Marlena’s hands were still raking across the flesh of John’s broad back. John’s hands were still gripping Marlena’s ass to bring her closer to him.

John brought his head up to look down at Marlena, nipping her chin affectionately.

Marlena giggled that little girl laugh that drove him crazy. John grinned at Marlena, nipping her nose. Her giggling continued.

Realization hit hard when John looked down at the ground to see not just puddles around them. It appeared to be flooding already. John cursed himself out loud and regretfully broke contact with Marlena.

“Honey? What is it baby?” Marlena asked as John helped her up.

“Doc, let’s get into the water, fast. We’ve got to get this mud off us.”

John dragged Marlena down to the water, cleaning Marlena’s skin off the best he could. Once the mud was mostly off of them, John dragged Marlena back to the car, insisting she get inside without her clothes on.

“Honey what about my clothes?” Marlena asked as she laughed at the absurdity of this situation.

“Just get in Blondie, please?” John pleaded.

Marlena shook her head as she reluctantly got in on the passenger side of the car.

John shut the door and opened the trunk, searching for the items he needed.

John opened the driver’s side door and threw a blanket to Marlena, who laughed and wrapped it around her.

“My hero.” Marlena said smiling at John.

John grinned as he wrapped a blanket around his midsection and sat in the driver’s seat.

Once the car was on, John turned the heater on full blast and sat back for a few minutes, thinking about his next move.

“Honey it would be nice if you would let me know what is going on in that head of yours.” Marlena whispered.

John sighed and looked at Marlena.

“Doc there is a bad storm coming. I thought we had until tomorrow but it looks like it came early. We can’t be caught driving in it or be exposed to it honey. I need to get us to shelter to ride it out. It just so happens I own a place not too far away from here.”

“You do?” Marlena replied, surprise written all over her face.

“Yah I forgot to tell you about that. I bought it a few weeks ago. It’s a great little cabin out in the woods, but it’s got all the comforts of home baby. It’s just a few miles away from here.”

“Is that where we were going for the weekend?” Marlena asked.

“No. I was going to take you to West Virginia. It looks like now we won’t make it. I wish we could though. This storm just isn’t going to let up soon enough. We can’t be gone forever.”

Marlena gulped, wondering if John had remembered something else.

“Honey was there a reason you wanted to go there?” Marlena asked, afraid that John was going to say someone had told him about it. She wanted John to remember his memories on his own, not have people just giving him the information.

“I remembered it Doc. I remember being on the run with you. I just can’t remember why or what happened. I asked Samantha about it and she told me that in the very beginning of our relationship we went to West Virginia. So I thought it was a good place to start.”

John got back on the road and began navigating the car through the puddles.

“Did Sami say anything else?” Marlena asked.

“No. I got the information I wanted, so I didn’t ask anything else. Why do you ask that?” John turned his head to look at Marlena.

“No reason really. Sami has this way of twisting things around, especially the past and what happened in the family. I didn’t want you hearing about your past from someone else who didn’t know what happened or who wasn’t old enough to remember the circumstances.”

“Oh, well she didn’t say anything else. Just that we were there and on the run. I just remember that we fought and we were running from Victor. Anyways it looks like we won’t be driving that far for now, so this cabin will really work out for us if I can just get there before this storm gets really bad.”

“Baby please slow down before you take us off the road.” Marlena pleaded.

John laughed as he looked over at Marlena.

“You weren’t saying that a little while ago Doc. In fact I think you asked me to drive faster. I can’t really remember since I was concentrating on where my hand was under your skirt.”

She smacked him hard on the shoulder.

“John Black! That’s not fair to bring up right now! That was different. There was no storm coming.”

“Oh and that made it okay then? Doc sometimes you have a warped sense of humor you know that?” John asked with a little laugh.

“Yes I do, and you love me for it, so just keep your eyes on the road Black.”

A few minutes later John pulled the car up to a cabin covered by trees. John grabbed Marlena’s hand as they climbed up the stairs. As Marlena waited for John to find the key, Marlena looked into the night, wrapping the blanket even tighter around her. The rain began pouring down hard. It was at this moment that Marlena realized she didn’t have anything with her except her purse. She had nothing with her for an overnight stay anywhere.

“Honey does this place that has all the comforts of home happen to have pajamas in my size?” Marlena asked hopefully.

John opened the door of the cabin and turned towards Marlena.

“As a matter of fact Blondie, it sure does. Come on in.” John gestured Marlena in with a sweep of his muscular arm.

“Oh my…” Marlena gasped. “This is a cabin?”

Brace Yourself : Chapter 10 [NC-17]

“This is a cabin?” Marlena asked in wonderment.

The place was a palace in her eyes. In fact, she was feeling like she should go back outside so as not to drip on his floor.

Marlena turned around as John came through the door behind her.

“Whom did you buy this from?” Marlena inquired.

“You don’t want to know Doc.” John said flatly.

“Jooohhhnnn…”

“Dooooccccc…” John whined back.

John swept his muscular arms out, moving around in a circle.

“Come on! Who cares who I bought the place from! Isn’t it great? All the comforts of home!” John smiled hugely trying to lighten the mood.

Marlena folded her arms across her chest, tapping her foot as she gave John a reprimanding look.

John caved immediately.

“I bought it in an auction over Victor Kiriakis.” John mumbled out.

Marlena inhaled sharply.

“And why did you do that?”

John pursed his lips, looking briefly at Marlena and then sighing.

“Because I can’t stand to see that asshole win anything over me.” John stated simply. He flung his hands in the air as if to say the situation was over.

Marlena smiled as she sauntered up to John. Marlena wrapped her arms around John, which made Marlena blanket drop to the floor.

“Thank you for telling me the truth.” Marlena whispered as she played with John’s wet dark chestnut hair.

“I always tell you the truth Doc.”

Marlena raised an eyebrow at John, her lips curving up in a devilish smile.

John cleared his throat and hurriedly brought his muscular arms around Marlena’s waist.

“So…is this my present for being a good boy and telling the truth?”

Marlena giggled.

“Maybe. Depends…” Marlena replied slyly.

“On what?” John asked confused.

“Depends on if you feed me first. I’m starving.”

John smiled broadly.

“I got everything you need baby.” John smacked Marlena’s on the ass.

“Oh! Why yes you do, don’t you?” Marlena asked John as she batted her lashes.

John groaned.

“Don’t tempt me woman. We need to eat. Come on and help me.”

John grabbed Marlena’s arm to take her to the kitchen, but Marlena stopped him.

“Honey, I would love to help you, but I’m in serious need of a shower baby Do you think it would be alright if I showered while you cooked?” Marlena asked as she played with the hair on John’s broad chest.

“Don’t think I don’t know what you’re doing.” John said.

“Who me?” Marlena asked as she put her hands in the air.

“Yes you…get over here.” John grabbed Marlena quickly, making her yelp.

John tickled Marlena mercilessly as he bit her neck.

“I GIVE!!! BABY STOP!!! I GIVE!!!” Marlena pleaded.

John pulled Marlena up against him, both of them naked.

“Alright Blondie, I’m giving you twenty minutes in that shower and then I’m coming up there to physically bring you to the kitchen, okay?”

“Yes Mr. Black.” Marlena replied in her best secretarial voice.

“Stop that. I won’t be able to concentrate on the food.” John said as he pinched Marlena’s ass.

Marlena kissed John quickly on the lips as she turned around and began climbing the stairs.

“Honey where is it?” Marlena asked.

“First door on the left Doc. There should be towels in there under the cupboard.”

John began rummaging through the kitchen getting out pots and pans.

“Oh and there is a terrycloth robe in the closet for you. Your robe is white. Mine is black.”

Marlena paused mid-step as she listened to John. He bought her a robe?

John was now in the fridge getting out food for dinner.

“Oh yah I forgot to tell you that your stuff is already in the shower for you…your shampoo and conditioner and your soap…and I got that little loofah thingy you like? I have no idea what it’s called but I know you like it.”

Marlena stood on the stairs with a confused look. How did he know what she liked? As far as she knew, John hadn’t stepped foot in her room when she lived in the mansion. What was going on?

John was now pouring things into pots here and there.

“You can use my razor Doc if you need to. I know you always liked mine better than yours and I was able to get some of your special lotion that you always used. What’s it called again…something like…Mer…La Mer or something? Well I don’t know what it is, but I got it.”

Marlena’s hand flew to her mouth. She covered a gasp. She hadn’t used La Mer since John died last year. He couldn’t have known that! She slowly turned around until she was looking down at John.

John finally looked up at Marlena, pausing what he was doing to smile happily towards her.

“If you open the mirror you will find your perfume and deodorant and all your little knickknacks that you use. Our room is the second door on the left. Inside the closet there are clothes for you and the first three drawers are for you also.”

Marlena tried to speak, but couldn’t get any words out.

John smiled sympathetically up at Marlena. He knew she was in shock.

Marlena managed to get out a thank you to John before flying up the stairs and rushing through the bathroom door. Marlena turned on the shower and sat on the rim and cried harder than she could ever remember.

John was done with dinner and put it in the oven to keep it warm. He cleaned up his dishes and climbed the stairs two at a time, making his way to the bathroom. He hoped that the door wasn’t locked, and to his delight, it wasn’t.

John stepped into the bathroom, throwing the blanket covering him on the floor. Marlena was in the shower, washing her hair. Through the glass doors John could see Marlena’s puffy eyes and red nose. She had been crying hard for some time.

Marlena turned toward the water and put her hands against the wall. She let the water filter down her face and hair as it made its way down her body. Sobs engulfed her once more and Marlena slid down the wall, curling herself in a ball as the water continued to beat down on her. She cried until her vision was blurred. When she tried to calm herself down, she began hiccupping. She closed her eyes, trying not to feel sorry for herself, but failing miserably.

Marlena didn’t know why she was scared all of a sudden. She didn’t know why she ran away from John instead of running into John’s strong muscular arms. She didn’t know why she was so confused that John was getting his memory back. At this point, she didn’t feel like she knew anything. She hated being at this point.

John sighed as he walked up to the glass door separating them. He hadn’t wanted Marlena to get confused. It just happened that when he started remembering her, he only remembered things about her and Stefano and nothing else. He needed to explain it to Marlena, but first, he needed her to be in a rational mood.

John slowly opened the door to the shower and climbed in, closing the door behind him. Marlena was so involved in her thoughts that she didn’t hear him. It was only when John sat beside her that she was brought out of the fog she had been in.

Marlena looked at John as he settled in next to her. He smiled warmly at her as John grabbed Marlena’s hand and wrapped it in his, rubbing his thumb along her palm.

“Hi.” Marlena whispered.

“Hi baby.” John replied.

Marlena smiled briefly at John’s words, but it slowly slid away a few seconds later.

Marlena looked at John confused.

“What do you remember?” Marlena inquired.

“You. Just bits and pieces here and there, like what you like and don’t like and cute little things you used to say. I remember names I called you that you hated and what each of your looks means. That’s how I knew all the products that you use and the clothes you like. I don’t remember me though, or anyone else Doc. Except I have had a few memories of Stefano, which left me confused. That’s why I wanted this weekend, so that we could clear the air and handle my memories as they appear.”

“You remember me? I mean…are you my John? Or are you still that other guy who didn’t seem to want to be married to me? The guy who flirted with Anna and threw me on the ground? I don’t know who I’m talking to anymore…” Marlena sniffled a little as a few tears made their way down her cheeks. She wiped them away quickly.

John inhaled sharply. He was disgusted with himself about the abuse he showed Marlena a few weeks ago. It was something he would never be able to forgive himself for. He could never be violent with Doc. Never. He had no idea what was going through his mind when it happened. John only knew he had to make it up to Marlena somehow.

“Doc…I was really confused back then. I have no excuse for what I put you through. All I can do is say I’m so…sorry about what happened, promise you that it will never happen again and do everything in my power to make you happy until the day you die.”

Marlena smiled a little at that, squeezing John’s hand briefly.

“As for your other question, I’m not completely back, but I’m getting there. Let’s see…I remember that you hate to be woken early and you’re in a foul mood all day if someone does it. I remember that you can’t stand waiting for surprises. Somehow you always got them out of me early by someway or another. I remember your favorite flower is lilacs and you love the scent of lavender.”

Marlena giggled a little and relaxed against John slightly.

“Hmmm…then there is your love of massages and gin rummy played late at night, your utter distaste for phone calls and doorbells ringing while we’re kissing and your amazing ability to always see the silver lining in any situation you’ve ever been in. Oh and I also remember that you were quite smitten with me, dare I say almost as much as I was, and still am, obsessed with you.”

Marlena laughed out loud as John nuzzled her neck.

“Yep I would say you’ve almost got it. Do you remember our wedding?”

“Which one?” John laughed.

Which made Marlena laugh.

“All of them!” Marlena squealed.

“I remember some of what you wore, but not what was said. It’s strange, the memories I mean. Its little tidbits that come to me, and it’s usually a look or a glance or a smell, but they are all about you. I haven’t had any memories of the children or our friends, nothing. It’s confusing to me, but I’m trying to handle it. Would sure be easier if I had someone with me who knew what they really meant.”

Marlena looked over her shoulder at John, beaming.

“I’m your girl then.”

“Always…you’ll always be my girl.”

John slowly brought his lips to Marlena’s, kissing her lightly. Marlena deepened the kiss immediately, wrapping one of her slender arms around John’s neck.

John pulled away after a while and smiled down at Marlena.

“Are you trying to kill me woman?”

Marlena giggled into John’s neck.

“I can’t help it baby. The minute I’m in your strong muscular arms I just have to touch you.”

“I don’t mind honey. I’m more worried about you. I don’t want you to be sore tomorrow.”

“Too late.” Marlena laughed as she buried her face once again.

“Doc! Baby why didn’t you tell me?” John implored.

“It was worth every minute of being with you.” Marlena tapped John on the nose lightly.

John smiled down at Marlena.

“No more for the rest of the day okay? Besides, tomorrow is Saturday. We have a lot to talk about.”

“I thought we were talking on Sunday?” Marlena pouted.

“I may not be able to wait that long. I’m getting antsy for answers. Let’s get you washed up and ready for dinner okay?”

“Okay.” Marlena mumbled.

John stood up and grabbed Marlena’s hand, bringing her up beside him. John pulled Marlena into his muscular loving arms and gave her a deep kiss. When he pulled away, she smiled up at him, slightly dazed. John smacked Marlena on the ass and helped her finish washing.

They were sitting next to each other by the fire, eating dinner and drinking some wine. Marlena had found an array of clothes in their bedroom. Marlena finally settled on a pair of black sweats with a pink cutoff sweatshirt. It was the kind that they had used in the movie Flashdance. Marlena flung it slightly off one of her shoulders and wore nothing underneath. To her it was comfortable and relaxing. To John, it was sexy as hell. John had put a pillow over his torso area to hide how turned on he was. John was trying his hardest to keep to his promise, but it was almost unbearable. He cleared his throat and shifted slightly.

Marlena looked up from her meal to see John’s discomfort.

“Honey, are you okay? Are you sick?” Marlena asked as she felt John’s forehead.

Marlena was now leaning towards John and he could see down Marlena’s shirt. He groaned inwardly as he closed his eyes.

“Baby you’re sweating. Are you getting a fever?”

John cleared his throat again.

“I think it’s just the wine honey. I’m fine baby.” John smiled faintly as she looked into his blue eyes.

“John Black don’t you lie to me. If you’re sick you need to tell me.”

“Honey I don’t feel sick, just slightly uncomfortable. I’ll be okay baby.”

Marlena put her hand on John’s broad chest. His heartbeat was fast.

“Baby why is your heart racing. It’s like you were just in a marathon. Honey what’s going on?”

Marlena was beginning to worry. If he didn’t come up with a good excuse she would worry all night.

Maybe I should just tell her? John thought to himself. If I just tell Marlena, she won’t worry.

John sighed, looked at Marlena and then looked down at the pillow situated over his groin. John pulled it off and flung it behind him on the couch.

“This is what’s going on Doc. I’m so sorry to worry you. You just look so damn sexy in that outfit that I couldn’t stop myself. I’ll be okay honey. I’m not sick.”

Marlena looked down at John’s massive engorged erection and smiled. She knew all along he wouldn’t be able to keep to that promise. But she did think it was strange that John got turned on because she was in sweats.

“You want some help with that Sailor?” Marlena asked as she moved closer to John, her arm going across his broad shoulders, her other arm wrapping around John’s stomach.

“Baby its fine. You just go back and finish dinner. Okay?” John pleaded.

“No.” Marlena replied defiantly.

Marlena grabbed the plate in John’s hand and put it on the floor by her own. When Marlena turned around to face John, Marlena lifted her leg and straddled John’s groin, bringing her upper torso against John’s broad chest.

“My man needs to be taken care of first. Dinner can come later.” Marlena said as she took John’s face in her hands and kissed him thoroughly on the lips.

John groaned in Marlena’s mouth as he leaned back against the couch, his head resting on the seat of it.

Marlena made her way down John’s neck, ripping off his shirt and sliding down even further, licking each of John’s nipples and nipping at his stomach muscles.

Marlena’s hands went to John’s jeans and she had them undone in seconds, Marlena’s fingers sifting through John’s black boxers brief, to find him.

John’s cell phone rang in the kitchen. Marlena groaned and gave it an evil stare. John laughed.

“Lemme get that honey. It could be the kids.”

Marlena looked at John as she pushed on John’s broad chisel firm chest to keep him from getting up.

“No! No phones. For once nothing is going to interrupt us. Not the phones, or a storm, nothing! Do you hear me John Black?” Marlena vehemently replied.

John put his hands up in the air.

“Okay baby, I won’t get it.” John smiled at Marlena, a sweet smile.

Marlena smiled back and kissed John. He grabbed her face with his hands.

“Hey…you know I love you don’t you Marlena?” John asked her between kisses.

“I know. You know I love John you right?” Marlena asked back.

“Yah. I know. Why you love me, I’ll never know though.”

Marlena put her hands on top of John’s that were holding her face.

“Because you saw the real me when no one else could. Because you have given your life for me more times than I can count. Because you love every part of me. You’ve never tried to change me, not even slightly. You’ve always just let me be. You’re the most amazing extraordinary man I’ve ever known John Black. And I’m so proud to be your wife and to love you.”

John smiled at Marlena and wiped away her tears, bringing Marlena to rest against his neck and broad chest.

“I’ve got a secret to tell you Mrs. Black. I’m the luckiest man on the face of this planet, because I get to love you and comfort you and hold you every night. There is no greater love in this world than the love I have for you.”

John squeezed Marlena to him and then looked down at her. Marlena smiled up at John.

“Okay luckiest man in the world…now about your problem…” Marlena said seductively as her hands glided down John’s torso.

“You’re killing me woman.” John groaned as his head fell back.

Marlena laughed as she nipped at John’s chin as Marlena’s hands wrapped around John.

Brace Yourself : Chapter 11 [NC-17\R]

 

Marlena pumped John furiously as Marlena bit John’s nipple lightly, using her tongue to tickle the skin down his stomach. John groaned as his hands came up to his face. John rubbed his hands over his face and hair, his fingers latching behind his neck as he watched Marlena loving him.

 

Marlena’s hazel eyes briefly met John’s before she took him in her mouth. John was already steel hard for her. There was no need for sweetness right now. Marlena used both her hands to grip John the way he liked: one hand pumping along with her mouth and the other massaging John’s balls between her fingers.

 

John bit his lip, whimpering slightly. John’s hips lifted to meet Marlena’s mouth as his hands found her soft silk hair. John bent slightly to rub Marlena’s shoulders and back, trying to give her pleasure at the same time.

 

Marlena moved her hands to grip each side of John’s hips. Marlena took John in at his tip and moved down on him slowly, taking over half of John in her mouth. John groaned out his approval. It was a feat for any woman and he knew it.

 

Marlena did this maneuver a few more times until John grabbed her up to kiss him. Marlena found John with her hands and pumped John as she gyrated against John’s torso. John grabbed Marlena’s face in his hands, biting her lower lip.

 

“Baby I gotta be inside you so bad.” John groaned.

 

“Okay.” Marlena responded eagerly.

 

John gave Marlena a reprimanding look.

 

“Marlena. You are too sore. We can’t do that right now.”

 

“How about if we go real slow?” Marlena slyly asked, her hazel eyes dancing.

 

“No.” John said regrettably.

 

Marlena pouted, her lips resembling a porcelain doll.

 

“Are you sure honey?” Marlena asked hopefully.

 

“No.” John replied, laughing wryly.

 

“You seem confused Sailor. Let me help you make a decision handsome.”

 

Marlena stood up above John, whipping her shirt off, her sweats following. Marlena wore nothing underneath. Marlena used her foot to rub against John, up and down, until he grabbed her leg. John bit at Marlena’s calf, rubbing the creamy soft skin at her knee sensuously.

 

“Come here baby .” John commanded.

 

“Yes my husband.” Marlena obeyed.

 

Marlena sank on top of John, her legs folding beneath her. Marlena put her hands on John’s broad chisel firm tone chest and looked at John, batting her lashes a few times.

 

“You’re a naughty minx for doing this. If you are sore tomorrow I’m going to feel like shit you know that?”

 

“I promise you won’t hear a peep from me baby.” Marlena

promised as she held up her hand. “Scout’s honor.” Marlena solemnly said.

 

John laughed against Marlena as John grabbed Marlena’s hand in his.

 

“Tell me you were a girl scout. Oh god what a fantasy.”

 

“As a matter of fact-“

 

“No that’s all I need. Thank you.”

 

John grabbed Marlena to him and picked Marlena up to place her on the floor beneath him.

 

“You mean you don’t want to hear about my pigtails?” Marlena asked as she rubbed John’s broad chisel firm chest.

 

“Jesus.” John groaned.

 

“I used to wear this short little skirt too…” Marlena slyly replied.

 

“Enough!” John whispered against Marlena.

 

John’s hand snaked between them and he rubbed his fingers in a circular motion over Marlena’s clit. Marlena sucked in a breath, instantly forgetting about her teasing. Marlena whimpered slightly as her hips rocked against John’s hand.

 

“You like that baby?” John asked as he sucked on Marlena’s bottom lip.

 

Marlena nodded her head as she arched her head back.

 

“I can’t hear you Doc. You want me to stop?” John’s fingers slowed to a standstill.

 

“NO!” Marlena shouted.

 

“No what?” John teased as he flicked Marlena’s clit once.

 

Marlena groaned against John’s mouth.

 

“No…don’t stop…I like it ..baby.”

 

John smiled in satisfaction as he began to rub his fingers over Marlena.

 

Marlena bit her lip as she spread her legs more for John. Marlena wrapped an arm around John’s broad shoulders casually, her fingers splaying over his neck to bring John in for a kiss.

 

Marlena kissed John desperately, her other hand gripping his John’s muscular arm, her nails digging into his flesh.

 

Marlena slid her fingers down John’s masculine strong arm until Marlena reached John’s fingers, the ones that were giving her so much pleasure.

 

Marlena put her fingers over John’s, mimicking his movements.

 

Marlena felt her wetness on John’s fingers. She could hear the sounds it made as John rubbed her clit back and forth. It turned her on even more.

 

“Honey I’m ready now.” Marlena whispered.

 

“You are?” John asked in an overtly perplexed way.

 

“MmHmm…” Marlena said seductively.

 

“Well let’s go check shall we?” John asked as he raised his eyebrow.

 

Marlena had missed that eyebrow. She brought her fingers to John’s handsome face to trace it as he moved down her body.

 

“Honey where are you going baby?” Marlena asked bewildered.

 

“To see if you are ready.” John said matter-of-factly.

 

Marlena chuckled faintly as she watched John get comfortable between her legs. John removed her hand, kissing it sweetly before putting it on her tummy.

 

John rubbed his fingers over Marlena once again, using different movements now. John brought his thumb directly over Marlena’s clit; putting more pressure on it as his other fingers grazed her opening.

 

Marlena’s head sank back down to the floor, her arms stretching above her. She purred like a kitten.

 

“Mmm…baby you are so wet. But you aren’t ready for me yet.” John surmised.

 

Marlena was in heaven at the moment, not completely understanding or caring what John said. Marlena’s hips lifted off the floor to seek John’s fingers more. John took his opportunity as she did this.

 

Marlena moaned as John’s tongue grazed the tip of Marlena’s clit. John flicked her a few times as his fingers slid inside Marlena’s velvety warmth with ease. John plunged two fingers deeply within Marlena as she whispered John’s name.

 

John sucked Marlena’s clit in his hot mouth, rolling it with his tongue while Marlena’s hips thrust against John. Marlena’s hands grabbed fistfuls of his dark chestnut hair, tugging John’s face closer to her moist center.

 

John nibbled on Marlena’s clit, searching for her pleasure spot. When Marlena cried out in ecstasy John moaned against Marlena. Marlena began to convulse around John’s mouth, Marlena’s hands seeking John’s broad shoulders to steady her. Marlena whimpered John’s name over and over as she squeezed John between her legs.

 

John continued to pleasure Marlena for a few moments until her body relaxed under him. John’s fingers dove into Marlena’s warmth as he kissed the top of her mound. John moved to nip the inside of Marlena’s thigh, licking the spot after.

 

Marlena moaned her approval as she stretched languidly. John made his way up Marlena’s slender curve body, kissing and licking Marlena’s neck between the shoulders her creamy velvety sweet skin in John’s favorite places.

 

“Mmm…now you’re ready for me baby.” John growled against Marlena’s lips.

 

“I’m always ready for you Sailor.” Marlena said playfully, licking John’s lips with the tip of her tongue. John captured Marlena’s tongue in his mouth, mating with her as John slowly entered Marlena’s warmth velvety tunnel.

 

John thrust with even movements, taking his time. John knew Marlena was already sore. He didn’t plan on putting her in further pain.

 

Marlena was trying in vain to get John deeper inside her. She looked up at him in wonderment.

 

“Honey…I love it that you’re being gentle, but-“

 

John put his finger on Marlena’s lips, quieting her instantly.

 

“Just enjoy the change of pace Doc…okay?” John said quietly. This would be one of only a handful of times that he would be able to keep his control intact.

 

Marlena smiled and wrapped her slender arms around John’s broad shoulders, wanting John to put his full weight on her. John complied, wrapping his muscular arms around Marlena’s waist. Marlena brought her slender legs up higher on John’s broad back enjoying the closeness of him.

 

Marlena brought her hands to either side of John’s handsome face, caressing him lovingly as she held his gaze. Marlena hadn’t felt this close to John in years. John was being so gentle with her, staring into her hazel eyes, into her soul, completely in the moment with her. There was nothing else that existed in that moment. Just John and his body rocking against Marlena’s, bringing Marlena’s body to a climax so deep that she cried from deep within her heart. Marlena kissed John deeply, her moans mingling with John’s as he found his release. John squeezed Marlena tightly as he came, crying Marlena’s name over and over. He buried his head in her neck, biting her skin as John thrusting slowed until he had nothing left.

 

After a few moments John pulled Marlena on top of him, still embedded deep inside of Marlena. Her silky hair cascaded over John’s broad shoulder. Marlena sighed dreamily, her hand playing with the hair on John’s broad chisel firm chest.

 

Marlena brought her head up to look at John, resting her chin on her arm.

 

“John?”

 

“Yah baby?”

 

“Honey what do you remember about Stefano?”

 

John looked up at the ceiling and let out a pent up breath.

 

“Doc…I wish I had remembered why you did the things you did before that day. I can’t say I’m so sorry enough.”

 

“Honey no-“

 

“Doc! I was violent with you! There is no excuse…all I can do is tell you I love you and how sorry I am. All I can promise you is that it will never happen again.”

 

John rubbed Marlena’s cheek with the pad of his thumb, his blue eyes watering slightly.

 

Marlena sucked in a breath and exhaled slowly.

 

Marlena nodded her head while a few tears fell down her cheeks.

 

John sat up with Marlena in his muscular arms, until Marlena was sitting on his lap.

 

Marlena leaned her forehead against John’s as her hands went around his strong broad shoulders, grasping his neck.

 

“Thank you for saying that John. I…forgive you. I’m able to do that now, knowing why you did what you did. You were confused and frustrated. The moment you finally felt you could trust me was the moment you started remembering things that made me seem untrustworthy. I’m not happy it happened honey. I wish I could go back and change it, if only to make you feel less guilty. I will admit that for the first time since we’ve been together I was actually afraid of you. It seemed as if you didn’t know your own strength.”

 

John grated his teeth, his face distorting into agony.

 

Marlena grabbed John’s face between her hands.

 

“Look at me John!” Marlena commanded.

 

“I can’t.” John whispered as if his throat was closing off.

 

“Please baby?” Marlena pleaded.

 

John looked up reluctantly.

 

“I know that you didn’t mean to do it honey. I know that my husband, the man that I have loved almost all my life, isn’t capable of making me fear him. You were not you when this happened. You were not my husband. So I want you to focus on something for me. Can you do that?”

 

John sighed.

 

“I don’t know Doc. Is this some sort of hypnosis thing?”

 

“Somewhat. I want you to focus on that morning. Close your eyes.”

 

“Doc I don’t want-“

 

“Do it for me baby. Now.”

 

John closed his eyes.

 

“Okay. You’re sitting in the chair in the corner of the room. It’s morning. You’re watching me sleep. You’re angry and hurt and you’ve been thinking all night about what this memory means. The more you think about it, the angrier you get. I wake up and approach you wondering why you look mad. This makes you furious. You’re so mad that your hands are fists. You feel betrayed and used. Can you feel it?”

 

John’s broad shoulders tensed up. He saw in his mind her. Marlena came toward him with that sexy smile on her face. She sashayed her hips, naked as she sat on his lap.

 

John nodded his head roughly.

 

“Okay John. Now I’m on your lap. I’m smiling at you, but you aren’t smiling back. I’m concerned. I reach my hand out to rub your cheek.”

 

Marlena’s hand strokes John’s cheek. John’s blue eyes fly open. For a split second he is back in the mansion on that horrible morning. The moment vanishes and John sees Marlena as she is now.

 

“Instead of grabbing my hand John, you ask me what you’ve wanted to know all along. You trust me enough to know I will tell you the truth.”

 

Marlena nods her head softly, encouraging John.

 

“Why did you strip for Stefano Doc? When did it happen? Why did it happen? Where were we?” John asked, confusion hurt written on his face.

 

Marlena sighed.

 

“It happened at Maison Blanche, in Louisiana. You had gone down there to do some investigating about your past. Stefano kidnapped you. He tricked me into coming down. When I got there, he kidnapped me too.”

John took a deep breath

 

“And…that’s when…you did the striptease?” John asked quietly. Marlena touched John’s face feather soft.

 

“Yes. Stefano gave me sleeping pills each night to help me sleep, but I didn’t use them. We made a deal. I promised to sleep with him if he would let you live.”

 

John visibly tensed shifted uncomfortable.

 

“But I couldn’t go through with it. I couldn’t sleep with him, but I loved you so much that I couldn’t bear to see you suffer. So I did that striptease for him after I had slipped those pills in his drink. I made sure he drank all of it. I was trying to stall until the pills started to work. He passed out and I grabbed the keys off his chain. I ran as fast as I could to the dungeon and got you out of the chains he had you in. We made it to the front door, but Stefano tricked me. He was waiting for us with a gun in his hand. You tried to fight him, you tried so hard my love, but Celeste came out of nowhere and grabbed me. She had a gun too…and she was going to shoot me…”

 

Marlena shook her head as if she didn’t know what to say next. She looked up at John with tears in her eyes.

 

“I let you down John. I should have made sure that he was passed out. I should have hit him over the head or done something, but all I could think about was getting to you. I was just-“

 

John put his fingers over Marlena’s lips.

 

“Doc. You risked everything to save me. That in itself is enough. Believe me when I say if it wasn’t for you I wouldn’t be here today. If you recall, it was you who saved me a few months ago from Stefano.”

 

Marlena smiled a little and wiped her eyes.

 

“You were the only one who believed I was alive. You fought anyone who got in your way. Pretty Lady…it’s because of you that I’m here, in your arms, right now. Don’t forget that.”

 

Marlena nodded her head, hugging John close to her.

 

“I don’t know about you baby, but I’m pretty beat. What do you say we hit the hay?” John asked casually.

 

“All right.” Marlena pulled away from John.

 

“Hey Doc?”

 

“Hmm?”

 

“I do feel better about that day now. Not completely. I still feel guilty, but…well somehow that helped a bit. I don’t want this to eat me up inside. I want to be able to talk about it. So…thank you for doing that baby.”

 

Marlena kissed John sweetly on the lips.

 

“You’re very welcome. Take me to bed Black.”

 

“With pleasure.”

 

John scooped Marlena up in his muscular loving arms, carrying her up the stairs to their bedroom. By the

 

time John placed Marlena under the covers, she was yawning. By the time he stretched out next to her, pulling her to his body, Marlena was asleep.

Brace Yourself : Chapter 12 [NC-17\R]

The next afternoon

John was in the kitchen making a spectacular meal for his love. Marlena was still passed out in bed sleeping like a log. John wanted to wake Marlena up this morning, but Marlena looked so peaceful John just couldn’t. He also hoped that the longer Marlena slept the more her body would recover from their marathon lovemaking of the previous day. He had slept fitfully with dreams of Marlena. John remembered making love to Marlena on a plane several times and had finally remembered something about one of the kids. John remembered the first time he held Belle. John looked out the kitchen window at the birds chirping and sighed. It was going to be a good day. He could already tell.

Marlena stretched luxuriously in the huge king size bed. Marlena rolled over and reached for John only to find the bed empty. Marlena rose up, pushing her hair out of the way and looking around the room. John was nowhere in sight. Just then she heard whistling coming from downstairs. Marlena smiled to herself. Her husband was in a good mood today. She hadn’t heard John whistle in a long time.

Marlena jumped out of bed and made her way to the bathroom, brushing her teeth and getting on some clothes. Marlena made her way downstairs and stopped at the bottom stoop to watch John.

John was just putting the finishing touches on brunch when he came up with an idea. John ran outside and gathered some flowers from the rose bushes. Once back inside he cut the stems and arranged them in a vase. It was while he was putting the vase on the kitchen table that John looked up and saw Marlena by the stairs. Marlena was smiling sweetly at John, her hair cascading down her shoulders. Marlena looked downright delicious in a pair of tight dark blue jeans and a simple black baby doll top.

“Hi.” Marlena said shyly.

John cleared his throat and smiled back at Marlena.

“Hi baby.” John managed to get out before he swallowed hard. “I made you something to eat. Are you hungry?”

“I’m famished.” Marlena growled out as she walked towards John.

Marlena reached John in a few paces and stood on the tip of her toes, placing a soft kiss on his lips.

“What have you made for me my handsome husband?” Marlena inquired flirtatiously.

John cleared his throat again, stammering slightly.

“Well Doc…um we have some strawberries and assorted fruit…and uh…some…waffles and…some other stuff…”

Marlena laughed silently. John was staring at her body as he spoke. She guessed that John liked what she was wearing. Marlena sauntered away from John into the kitchen, sashaying her hips more than usual. John groaned and turned around to stare at the roses on the table. John tried valiantly to calm down his overheated body by breathing deeply. Marlena’s slender arms silently wrapped around John’s waist and Marlena squeezed John to her.

“Breakfast looks delicious honey. Thank you baby.” Marlena kissed the back of John’s neck and patted John’s stomach before Marlena returned to the kitchen. John turned around suddenly, staring deeply at her.

“How am I supposed to do this Doc?”

Marlena looked at John quizzically.

“Do what John?”

“How am I supposed to have a rational conversation with you when all I can think about is throwing you onto this table and…well we wouldn’t be talking I can tell you that much.” John laughed wryly as he put his hand through his hair. Marlena sighed.

“I don’t know. Maybe we feel this way because we haven’t been together in so long? Maybe we feel the need to make up for lost time? We lost months John. It’s normal that we would want to spend every moment in each other’s arms.”

John sighed.

“That makes sense. I just don’t want you to think…”

Marlena rushed up to John and put her hands on John’s broad chest.

“John I would never think that. I never have. I know the special bond that we have. I know that being together in that way is more of a communication between us than just sex. Please don’t feel that way.”

John placed his hands in Marlena’s. He smiled down at her.

“I love you. I just simply…love you so much Doc.”

“I love you so much John.”

They laughed together and Marlena wiped her eyes.

“What do you say we have some food and talk?”

“I would say you got yourself a date Mr. Black.”

They spent a good hour eating in the kitchen and talking about current events going on in their lives. Sami came up numerous times. As did Stefano and his son’s Tony and EJ. They retired to the back porch where John put up a hammock. John pulled Marlena close to him and lay back, adjusting himself to find a comfortable position.

“So…let’s talk.” Marlena said as she settled against John’s broad chest.

“Let’s start from the beginning…when we first met. I know that I saved you from a guy who was holding a gun to you.”

“That’s right. You were so…interesting…mysterious…you captured my attention immediately. You shook my hand and I felt sparks fly through my body. It was a simple touch and yet it was like electricity flowing through me. It scared me so that I immediately left. The next time I saw you, was when a man had attacked me in my car. You came to my rescue once again. You got me out of the car and covered my body with yours. You protected me completely, and if we are being completely honest, I quite liked the feel of your body next to mine. Even though it was dangerous what had just happened, my body and my mind were alive for the first time in many years. It was exhilarating to say the least.”

“So the sparks flew from the beginning.” John replied as he rubbed his hand up and down Marlena’s back.

“Mhhmmm…although I was hell bent on hiding how I felt about you. I don’t know why I was so scared, even to this day. Maybe because I thought you could be THE ONE. The man I had been waiting for. I had been so hurt in the past, with Don’s affair, Kellams’ rape, Roman’s death and then Richard’s betrayal and death. I just felt like I had nothing left emotionally to give. I had my babies and Carrie. Yet somehow you fit right into my life and I began to want to help you. I so wanted you to be happy and secure, and I hoped that once you found that place, that there would be room for us.”

John cringed just as before when Marlena mentioned Kellam raping her. John’s hands became iron fists and he gritted his teeth at just the thought of that man hurting one hair on her beautiful head. Marlena noticed the change in John. His body had become rigid and unyielding. Marlena looked up at John as her hand slid up John’s broad chest to touch his face. John blinked as if in a trance and shifted his head down towards hers.

“I know you don’t like to hear about the bad things that men have done to me, but its part of my past and I want you to know everything. Okay?”

John nodded silently and looked back up to the sky as Marlena began talking again. Marlena told John about finding out he had amnesia and how she helped him over the next few months to grasp what had happened to him. Marlena began to whisper, as she spoke of how her feelings for John began to grow until she could no longer hide them, as if it was a secret shared only by the two of them.

“So there we are out in the middle of the wilderness hiding from everyone in the world it seemed. I thought you could be Stefano and yet I was completely falling head over heels for you. You meanwhile are barely keeping it together what with the KGB, Victor Kiriakis and Bo and Shane after you, not to mention you have me on your heels constantly yelling at you and trying to escape! Honestly when I look back on it I think I really deserved that slap you gave me. Of course you deserved the slap I gave you as well…”

Marlena hadn’t noticed John staring at her.

“I mean you were completely forward when you kissed me, and even though I enjoyed the kiss it came out of left field and you caught me off guard. So of course I slap you across the face like any self-respecting Woman would do…”

Marlena looked up to see John staring at her wide-eyed.

“What?” Marlena inquired.

“I hit you? Really hit you?”

Marlena chuckled a little. She rose up on one elbow and looked John in the eye.

“No honey. You slapped me because I was being irrational and irritating. I was about to get us caught by one of the people chasing us. Of course you slapped me. You were trying to save both of us. I just couldn’t see it yet. I was so confused baby I didn’t know which way was up or down.”

John sighed and looked back up at the clouds.

“Well…I don’t like the thought of ever treating you like that. It makes me cringe even to think about it. This is why I’m having such guilty feelings about a few weeks ago. Even though I know I was that other guy…there just isn’t an excuse good enough to hit you or cause you harm. I don’t know any other way to explain it.”

Marlena leaned down to kiss John gently on the lips.

“Do you know at one point you wanted to leave me out there in the woods? You didn’t want me to get hurt and you wanted to do the right thing. You were adorably sweet about your reasoning for leaving me, but I didn’t want you to go. Yet you did leave, and the minute you left…I’ve never been that scared in my life. I hadn’t realized how secure and comforted I felt when you were with me. I took it for granted. I only realized all of that as I sat there by myself wondering what to do next, and then Victor found me. He could have kidnapped me or done God knows what, but I tricked him. I told him you went another way and then I tried to find you, but you found me first and then we hid from Victor and…well…”

Marlena looked up at John searching his blue eyes.

“Sometimes even when we do the right thing it is harmful John. You were trying to be the good guy, and Victor could have hurt me. He wasn’t the same man he is now. He was ruthless back then. So that little slap you gave me? I wasn’t hurt by it in the least. It didn’t scare me or make me hate you. It helped me to calm down so we could move on and keep safe. Do you understand?”

John nodded his head and brought Marlena back into his muscular loving arms.

“Okay so we have established how we met and fell in love. I know about the whole finding out I was Roman thing. Let’s move past that. What happened once we got home?” John inquired.

“Oh…well you met Samantha that night. Eric was sleeping. Carrie didn’t take to you at first. I think she hated you with a passion. She refused to believe you were her father, and she was very vocal about it.” Marlena laughed a little.

“Just what are you laughing at Mrs. Black?”

“I was just remembering the screaming matches Carrie and I had about you. Now they are funny when I think about it, but back then I was really stressed about it. Life sort of went on as we tried to be a family. You were trying to figure out your past and I was trying to work and get Carrie to like you and take care of the twins.”

John frowned.

“It seems the relationship was a bit one sided Doc. You seemed to do all the work while I tried to figure out my past?”

“Well…for a little while it was. But relationships are like that. When you are consumed with something I kick in and take over as the leader. When I have something that I need to attend to you kick in and take over. It’s never just 50/50 John. It’s give and take constantly. But you did make it up to me quite quickly.”

“Oh I did? How?”

“Well I was helping a suicidal patient climb back in from a ledge. Unfortunately I fell and you witnessed it. I fell into a coma for six weeks. I woke up once but you said I went back under a short while later. So while I was sleeping you took care of the twins and you mended your relationship with Carrie and you got closer to the family. You went back to work with the police. When I woke up everything was different and yet it was okay because you were there to hold my hand and look at me adoringly. But the best part of that experience was the night you came in my room with some champagne and you proposed to me. I said yes immediately. I loved you so…”

Marlena snuggled next to John even more, her nose grazing his neck as she inhaled John’s masculine scent. John smiled and wrapped Marlena in his muscular arms tighter.

“Well it seems I redeemed myself. I was a pretty good guy back then wasn’t I?”

“Oh honey you are always good, in every respect.”

Marlena smiled sweetly before sucker punching him and rolling away, landing on her feet and running away from the hammock.

“You better run fast Doc!!!” John yelled out as he groaned half in pain and half in laughter. John fell as he disentangled himself from the hammock running after Marlena. Marlena turned around and started to laugh as she saw John trying to get out of the hammock. John gave her a death look.

“Uh-oh…” Marlena turned around and began to run faster.

John finally got free of the hammock and took off after Marlena at full speed. Marlena rounded the corner of the cabin and took a breather. She hadn’t felt this full of life in a long time. Marlena became very quiet to see if she could hear John’s footsteps. For a few seconds she heard nothing.

“Where did John go?” Marlena thought to herself.

Marlena looked to the left of her and saw nothing. Thinking John probably went into the cabin she stepped out from her hiding spot and began walking around the corner again. John was nowhere in sight.

“Oh he’s trying to pull a fast one isn’t he?”

Marlena turned in a circle but didn’t see John anywhere. She heard a slight noise but couldn’t pinpoint where it came from.

“What the hell?”

Before Marlena knew it, John had jumped out of the tree above her to land right behind her. John grabbed Marlena and threw her over his broad shoulder running. Marlena began shrieking with laughter while she pleaded with John to let her down.

“No way Doc. You are going to get a taste of your own medicine.”

Marlena thought John would throw her onto the hammock, but instead John placed her gently across the hammock so her feet and legs dangled off the side. Marlena rose up and poked John in the broad chest with her finger.

“Listen here buddy I was just making sure you didn’t get a swelled head thinking you’re so great.” Marlena poked his broad chest one last time before pretending to pout and crossing her arms over her chest.

“I must say I love it when you’re feisty.” John whispered seductively before he covered Marlena’s mouth with his. Marlena whimpered as John’s mouth took over her senses. John always did this when she got riled up, and, unfortunately for her it always worked against her. Marlena would thoroughly forget whatever she was talking about. As the kiss ended, John nipped Marlena’s bottom lip before pulling her away from him. John stared intensely into Marlena’s hazel eyes. Once the fog lifted Marlena was able to open her eyes and look at John, but nothing would come out of her mouth.

“So what happened next in our saga?” John inquired as he watched Marlena hazel eyes glaze over. Marlena licked her lips and gulped.

“I…uh I might need some incentive to carry on with my story.”

“How about I give you a hot oil massage after a luxurious bubble bath to soothe those sore muscles?”

“That’ll do…for later. For right now though, I think you better get your ass over here Sailor.”

“Feel like eating some lunch or maybe an early dinner?” John asked playfully.

“I am hungry now that I think about it.” Marlena replied flirtatiously.

“What would you like to feast on?” John inquired.

“Oh my…” Marlena smiled slyly as she continued to look down at John’s masculine sculpted body. John gulped and put his hand through his hair. He’d been on fire for Marlena since he woke up. He was in no shape to be slow and romantic right now.

“Baby I’m afraid if we make love right now I’m going to hurt you.” John said truthfully. Marlena looked up at John.

“Who said anything about making love?” Marlena replied casually. Before John knew it his shirt was off and Marlena’s hand was down John’s sweats cupping him.

“Jesus Doc.” John squeezed her shoulders.

“Baby?” Marlena whispered.

“Yah?” John softly replied.

“Do you think you could manage taking me doggy style against a hammock?”

John busted out laughing as he gave Marlena a bear hug.

“Well Doc…ya know I think we should give it a try anyways. I actually have a position I would like to try on this baby as well.”

John replied as John ripped off Marlena’s shirt.

“Oh do tell handsome.” Marlena said eagerly.

“I think I would rather…show you.” John replied as he stood over Marlena. Marlena arched her head back to look John in the eye. Marlena wrapped her slender arms around John’s broad shoulders as he kissed Marlena deeply and thoroughly, using his tongue to warp her senses as John laid Marlena down on the hammock.

John grinned evilly down at Marlena’s body as if coming up with a plan.

“Uh-oh. I know that look. What are you thinking about Sailor?”

John grinned from ear to ear as John unzipped Marlena’s jeans and pulled them down her legs.

“I’m being a very good boy; just thinking about the various ways I can pleasure my woman, that’s all.”

“Ohhh I like those thoughts. Want to share them baby?” Marlena asked as her toes slid in between John’s skin and the band on John’s sweats.

“Well…first I thought of doing this.” John casually replied as he brought one of Marlena’s legs up above her so he could bite her calf. Marlena cooed as John’s tongue licked up and down the underside of her knee.

John stood up abruptly and let go of Marlena’s leg.

“But then I thought…my woman wants it fast and hard doesn’t she? No time for romantic right now is there?”

“Uh-uh.” Marlena replied.

“So my next move would have to be this.” John ripped Marlena’s panties off and spread her legs wide. Marlena became wet at just the thought of John’s mouth on her. Marlena was practically begging John with her hazel eyes to touch her. John wrapped his muscular arms underneath her slender legs and grasped Marlena’s ass, pulling her forward until she collided with John’s thighs. Marlena groaned at the swift contact and arched her hips up to make contact again. John however pulled away and got down on his knees between Marlena’s legs.

Marlena grasped the end of the hammock with her fingers; waiting for the moment John’s lips would graze her opening. John flicked Marlena’s clit a few times just to watch Marlena’s thighs quiver. The slightest touch sent Marlena over the edge. John licked his fingers and softly rubbed Marlena’s opening, blowing lightly up and down. Marlena’s hips began to dance around John’s fingers. Marlena arched her head up to the sky as sultry moans escaped her lips. John licked the inside of Marlena’s thighs as his fingers grazed her opening. John brought his tongue to Marlena’s clit and sucked it in his mouth, nibbling with his teeth as his fingers slid inside Marlena. Marlena moaned her approval as she lifted her hips towards John’s tongue. He was moving agonizingly slow over her. Marlena desperately wanted John inside her now. Marlena was about to vocalize her want when John thrust his fingers inside of her harder than before.

Marlena forgot what she was going to say.

John could sense Marlena was at that place where she was ready for him. John had other plans. He did intend on making her pay for that sucker punch. Marlena just didn’t know it yet.

John’s fingers rammed into Marlena’s cunt faster and faster until Marlena was crying out each time John hit her pleasure spot. John grinned slyly when Marlena began calling his name, pleading with him not to stop. John used his other hand to open Marlena’s clit to him more, exposing the little nub. John straightened his tongue and began flicking it up and down in a rapid motion. It sent Marlena over the edge and Marlena arched her back as her legs wrapped around John, holding John in a death grip. John stood up and massaged Marlena’s clit and thighs as she came down from her high.

The second Marlena opened her eyes to look at John he grabbed her legs and turned her on to her stomach. John placed her feet wide apart and took hold of her hips. Marlena, still woozy from her orgasm, lay on the hammock, grasping the end of it and holding on for dear life. John thrust into Marlena in one stroke, which took Marlena by surprise. She tensed up immediately. John leaned down to cover Marlena’s body, John whisper in her ear.

“Open for me baby. Just let go.” John kissed Marlena lovingly behind her ear. Marlena relaxed her muscles and began pushing herself against John, a signal that she was ready for John to move. John stood back up and gripped Marlena’s hips as John stroked Marlena’s inner walls with each thrust. John increased his speed to a fast pace, the sound of Marlena’s ass smacking against him turning John on even more.

Marlena felt like she was flying, not even feeling the hammock beneath her. Marlena growled out to John to go even faster. On a hammock in this position, her back didn’t even hurt. She could handle her husband’s max speed. John was sweating with the effort but it felt so incredible he didn’t mind. John increased his speed more, knowing for sure she would be bruised on her hips and thighs. It seemed though that the faster he went, the more Marlena cried out in ecstasy. Marlena came again seconds later and John couldn’t believe he was able to hold his in because God knew he wanted to let go with Marlena.

For right now though, John wanted to see her face. He always wanted to when he came. He didn’t know why though. John eased out of his wife and turned Marlena around. She was no help to him as Marlena was still moaning from the orgasm that had just swept through her. John once again grabbed Marlena’s thighs and entered Marlena slowly, pushing her legs up to rest on his broad shoulders. John leaned down to give Marlena a kiss as John slowly gyrated in circles inside Marlena. Marlena cradled John’s face in her hands as she watched John above her.

“Have I told you yet how amazingly incredidle it is that you are this limber?” John asked playfully as he nipped her nose.

“You say that every time you have me in this position.” Marlena replied giggling.

“God I love your body. I love what it can do. I love how your creamy skin sweet tastes. I love that your skin is so soft. I love how your body responds to my touch. I love how I can have you in any position I want…”

“Oh…I know baby. I love how strong muscular your masculine sculpted body is. You take such good care of yourself. I love that you are packed full of muscle and yet your skin is smooth and soft to touch. I love how you seem to fit inside me like you were made for me and only me. I think I just love everything about you.” John kissed Marlena softly as John thrusts continued at an even pace.

“I love you too baby.” John replied. John knew then that he had lied. He was going to make love to his wife after all. But John didn’t hear one complaint from her. In fact Marlena thoroughly relished the slow even pace John set as John gently rocked against Marlena. He never took his blue eyes off her. Marlena never looked away. They memorized everything about the other’s face as passion overtook their senses.

After, John gently rocked the hammock back and forth as John lay entwined with Marlena’s legs. The sun was beginning its descent and the sky was filled with burnt oranges and reds swirling around. John rose from the hammock and picked Marlena up, carrying her inside the cabin. John fixed Marlena a sumptuous dinner and while Marlena was on the phone talking to Belle John drew her bubble bath.

When Marlena was off the phone with Belle John appeared from behind her. With a soft kiss Marlena was in John’s strong muscular arms again only to be whisked upstairs. John slowly took off Marlena’s clothes and John and placed Marlena inside the luxurious tub that was big enough for five people. As Marlena relaxed against the bubbles Marlena got a foot rub from her husband, which turned into a leg rub. The leg rub turned into more rubbing at the junction between her legs. Marlena came against John’s fingers as John’s tongue mated with hers, making Marlena forget her own name. Now that Marlena was thoroughly dazed John cleaned Marlena’s body from head to toe and dried Marlena off, picking Marlena up to take her to their bed.

When Marlena was settled on her stomach, John brought out the massage oil and proceeded to manipulate her muscles into relaxation. John’s strong fingers and big hands were soft and gentle as they rubbed Marlena’s whole body sensuously until she was writhing beneath him. Marlena begged John to take her once more, turning in John’s muscular arms to face him. John obliged willingly, bringing Marlena to the heights of pleasure and back down again.

Lying in John’s strong muscular arms, legs entangled, listening to the animals in the woods at night, Marlena sighed deeply and peacefully.

“Penny for your thoughts?” John asked.

“I’m just very happy…and lazy. I’m lazy happy.” Marlena said as she laughed.

“I’m deliriously happy. I can’t remember ever being this happy.” John said amazed.

“And what made you so delirious?” Marlena inquired.

“It’s the fact that nothing crazy happened today and yet I’m boundlessly happy. We ate, talked and made love. That’s it. No fights or storms or accidents. Nothing out of the ordinary…and yet it was the best day ever. I want more days like today. I want thousands of days like today, and, I want to spend them with you.”

“What are you saying?” Marlena asked as she looked up at John.

“I’m saying I don’t want to stay in Salem Doc. I want to move. I want you to come with me.”

Brace Yourself : Chapter 13

“Move? We can’t John. Sami and the twins and our friends…” John’s fingers on her lips silenced Marlena.

“Doc…Carrie and Austin and Will are in Switzerland. Eric is in Colorado. Belle and Shawn and Claire are off sailing the world. Brady is in Europe too. Our children are scattered around the globe. I think Sami will be okay if we move. It might be really good for her Doc. She has to stand on her own two feet at some point.”

Marlena put her head back on John’s broad chisel chest as tears fell from her eyes.

“I know she has to.” Marlena whispered. “I’m so afraid to leave her John. Sami’s always needed more love than our other children. She’s so sensitive sometimes.” Marlena looked up at her husband once more. She had to admit to herself that being away from Salem did feel good. Maybe it was time to move on.

“Maybe a little time away would be good for her?” Marlena responded feebly.

“I think it would be good for you too Doc. Maybe this is when Sami will prove to you and everyone else that she can take care of herself.” John said as he put a finger under Marlena’s chin.

“Maybe.” Marlena replied.

“As for our friends…Doug and Julie are always traveling. They can come visit us whenever they want. Maggie and Mickey travel a lot too. I’m sure that Bo and Hope would like to get together with Belle and Shawn at some point and we can all meet up somewhere. Don’t forget Doc…you have friends all over the world through your work. And you would have me right by your side.”

Marlena laughed a little as John smiled at her and then became serious again.

“John…Salem has been my home since I got out of college. I can’t imagine not being around these people. Alice? Abe and Lexie? Steve and Kayla? These are people I’ve known practically my whole adult life.” Marlena began looking aimlessly around the room, lost at what to say.

“Doc…for most of your adult life it’s been one thing after another that has happened to us. I know most people have problems here and there, but we have had serious problems. You can’t deny that. All I want is to grow old with you in a little picturesque town where our kids & grandkids visit us from time to time. I get to read my books and you get to garden. I want peace, quiet and lovely afternoons spent with my wife. We can’t have that in Salem Doc. As long as Stefano and E.J. are there we have to keep on our toes constantly. As long as Sami is there you will always have to bail her out of the jam she has herself in. I hate to admit it, but as long as Kate is in our life, you are always going to fight with her about Sami and the relationship I had with her. The same goes for me with Roman. Doc it is time to cut the cord honey. In order for us to grow old together we have to get away from Salem now, or we’ll never leave.”

Marlena bit her lip as she thought about the hardest decision she would ever have to make.

“And if I don’t want to go?” Marlena asked quietly.

“My place is with you Marlena. I would never leave you, not willingly. I wouldn’t be extremely happy about it, but I would stay in Salem if it were too much for you to leave.” John looked Marlena’s in the eye as he said this, and, she knew that John was being honest with her. Marlena took a deep breath in.

“How long can I think about it?”

“Open invitation. I want you to be sure that this is what you want too Doc. So, whenever you decide, you let me know, and I will handle everything.”

John placed his hands around Marlena’s, bringing them to his lips for a kiss.

“Where would we go, John?” Marlena asked.

“I will leave it up to you. I want to go see a few places, but I think I will be okay with whatever you choose. My business can be done anywhere in the world Marlena. However, if you want to continue your business, which I assume you do, well then it should be up to you where you want to live and continue your practice. What do you think?”

Marlena licked her lips, suddenly feeling like she needed a glass of water.

“I…think I need some water.” Marlena rose to put her slippers on and wrapped a robe around her as she walked to the bedroom door before turning around. “And I think I need some time to decide what I want to do about this.”

Marlena walked out the door before John could answer. John briefly began to worry, wondering if he had overstepped his boundaries. While he did remember things about Marlena and Stefano, he did not remember everything. Maybe he had suggested this very idea to Marlena once before and it didn’t go over well? Who knows, John thought. After a few moments of pondering, he grabbed a hypnosis book off the shelf and prepared to wait for Marlena’s return. Within five minutes, the book had fallen to the bed as John fell asleep.

Marlena inhaled 2 glasses of water, but couldn’t get the dryness out of her mouth. Marlena wrapped herself in a blanket and went to the front porch, taking a seat on the steps and breathing deeply the night air around her.

Could she really do this, Marlena thought to herself. Could she just leave all her friends to go travel a little with John and just decide to live somewhere else? What about her patients? Her charities? Her life?

If Marlena were being truthful with herself, then she would admit that none of those reasons were the real reason she didn’t want to go. While John loved her and wanted to protect her, he had been gone for some months when everyone thought John was dead. Marlena was left to pick up the pieces, and pick everyone else up in the process. It was hard, and lonely, and some days so cruel that she could not get out of bed, but she did it, on her own, and Marlena was proud of the way she handled the situation, even if she shot at EJ and put Stefano in a coma. She had once again become that feisty independent woman that everyone had loved. The Woman who didn’t take no for an answer was back and refused to settle for less.

But, if Marlena chose to give it all up just to be with John, would that mean she was giving in? Would that mean that Stefano and his family had won? Would she be able to look at herself in the mirror everyday knowing they possibly took the easy way out?

A chill crept into her bones as the wind picked up, and Marlena Evans contemplated the decision that would change her life as she wrapped the blanket even tighter around her body.

John awoke with a startling jump. A flash of lightning had illuminated the night sky, and the tiny, but quaint bedroom he was sleeping in. John’s heart lurched as he realized he was in bed alone, and without missing a beat, John was on his feet, wrapping himself in his robe and grabbing a blanket as he went in search of his Doc.

After searching the whole cabin, John became frantic. He whipped the front door open hoping to find Marlena on the porch, but she was nowhere to be found.

“SHIT!” John slammed the front door and scanned the downstairs again, looking for a note, looking for anything that Marlena might have left. But there was nothing, only the faint scent of Marlena’s perfume in the air to keep his heart warm.

With an ache John didn’t think he could ever feel, John slumped down against the bottom stair, entwining his fingers through the railing.

“Doc. Please come back. I can’t lose you now. I can’t…”

A few tears threatened to escape the creases of his blue eyes, until a noise distracted his thoughts. John body shot up faster than he thought possible. John ran to the front door and stopped cold in his tracks. He stepped back to the side, waiting to make his move.

“What the hell ..You’ve got to be kidding me…” John said beneath his breath.

Marlena shuffled up the steps leading to the front door, trying as hard as she could not to get any wetter than she already was. If John found out she had left, he would kill her. Hopefully John was still asleep and she could jump into the shower without John knowing.

Marlena hand reached the doorknob and turned it quietly. Marlena stepped through and shivered as she shook herself slightly to get rid of any excess water. Marlena closed the door quietly and put her hands to her mouth to blow on them. She was freezing, and her teeth were chattering so loudly she was sure she woke up every creature in a 10-mile radius.

Marlena turned around to a very upset husband staring her down, with crossed arms against Johns broad chest and his foot tapping against the hardwood floor.

Oh shit…Marlena thought to herself.

“Hi honey!” Marlena tried to lighten the mood, being as perky as was possible considering she felt frozen stiff.

“Marlena, did you have a nice little walk in the wilderness!?” John asked in a deadly tone.

“Oh…uhm…about that. You see I just wanted to get some fresh air and I always think better when I walk, so I took this little stroll just around the cabin, and I guess I was so lost in my own thoughts that I…kind of…lost my way…and then it started raining and the thunder and lightning…just scared me even more…but I found my way home…and I’m fine and I would just really love to go take a shower now so that I can warm up okay?”

Marlena rushed past John hoping to escape, but was not lucky enough to sidestep John’s muscular arm which blocked her way up the stairs.

“Not so fast Blondie!”

Marlena looked away, biting her bottom lip.

“John, I’ve never really liked that name. You have your memories back of me, so there is no need to keep calling me that.”

John counted a few seconds to calm his nerves.

“I’ve decided to use the name only when I’m so unspeakably pissed off mad as hell at you that I don’t know what to say or do.”

Marlena whipped her head around to stare at him.

“Pissed off at me? Give me a break John. I just took a walk. You were asleep. It wasn’t like I took your car and left you here. I needed some time alone.”

“No you didn’t just take a god damn walk Marlena. You took a walk, alone, at night, and got caught in the rain. You also completely neglected to leave me a fuckin note just in case anything happened!”

Marlena looked down at the floor, feeling like a teenager getting reprimanded by her father. However, John was right. She hadn’t thought things through.

“At least you had the good sense to put on some decent clothes, instead of your robe. Jesus what the hell were you thinking? Or were you thinking at all ..Do you know what I thought when I woke up and you weren’t there!? I thought you were downstairs and maybe you had fallen asleep on the sofa. boy was I wrong.. When I came down, you were nowhere to be found. No note, nothing. I searched around the cabin, but I couldn’t find you. I thought you left me. I practically was on the verge of having a breakdown before I heard you coming up the steps! So don’t even try to tell me that you simply took a damn walk to clear your head. We both know it wasn’t just that.”

John let go of Marlena’s arm and walked away from her, making his way to the living room. John threw some fire logs in and started a fire, breathing deeply to calm himself so that he didn’t completely lose his cool.

Marlena, silent with remorse, watched John from the stairs.

John sat on the sofa, his muscular arms resting on his thighs; John hands clasped together, his head down. He was waiting for her to speak. The silence was unbearable.

“I love you Doc.”

It was said so quietly, Marlena wasn’t sure John even said it.

“I really do. I love you so much that I can’t see straight half the time. I can’t eat or sleep or do anything that normal people do. I love you so much that I would die for you, just so you could spend one more day with our children. I would move heaven and earth just to spend one more day with you. One day, one hour, one minute even. I love you so much, that when I die, I’m going to be up there in heaven searching for your beautiful face, waiting until we can be together again.”

Marlena covered her mouth with a shaking hand, afraid to stop John from saying what he needed to get out.

“I just wanted you to know that, just in case I don’t say it enough or show it enough. I know I’ve done some things and said some things in the past, when I wasn’t quite myself, that would pretty much disprove the way I feel now, but that isn’t who I am anymore. Slowly, I am becoming the man you married all those years ago, and that man still loves you so much.”

Marlena jean-clad legs came into view as she stopped in front of John. John felt Marlena hand stroking his dark chestnut hair in lazy patterns. John opened his legs a little, John’s hands skimming Marlena’s thighs as they slightly pushed her forward. Marlena stepped into John’s loving embrace, and he let his head fall against her stomach.

Marlena held John, one hand in his dark chestnut hair, one skimming his backside, and rocked John like she would one of their children. After a few moments, Marlena turned and sat next to John, Marlena’s thigh against his.

John took Marlena’s jacket off her and wrapped her in a blanket and sat down next to her again, holding her hands in his and blowing on them to get her warm.

“John?”

John stopped blowing on her hands. John looked into her hazel eyes as he held her hands in his.

“I’ve made my decision. I want to stay in Salem…permanently.”

Brace Yourself : Chapter 14

Marlena awoke in a foul mood. She looked at the alarm clock over the blanket and became angry as she realized it was only 7 a.m. The doorbell rang, and with a sigh she realized it must have woke her up. Whoever was on the other side of that door was going to get a rude awakening.

Marlena wrapped her robe around her body and made her way to the front door.

“Who is it!?” Marlena asked in a somewhat rude way.

“It’s me Doc. Open up!”

Marlena sighed. rolled her eyes irritated It was Roman. Shit What the hell on earth was he doing here at this damn hour!? Marlena slam opened the door reluctantly.

“WHAT IS IT Roman it is 7 in the morning. This better be good!” Marlena ran her hand through her hair absently.

“Doc I just heard that John is moving in with you. What the hell are you thinking?” Roman barged in and sat on the couch.

*****

John sat down in a chair in the Dimera Mansion chewing his lip. The movers around him went about their business packing up his belongings.

After Marlena had confessed that she did not want to leave Salem, John had agreed with her that if it was what she wanted then they would stay. John did not make love to her that night, instead opting to hold her close and breathe in her scent all night. John did not sleep much, his mind working in overdrive how he would protect her and keep Marlena stress-free around a family that thought she could handle everything. He knew better though. The stress of the last few years had taken a toll on Marlena, and if she was not careful, she was going to run herself down into oblivion.

However, this was what Marlena wanted, and John would do nothing but make Marlena happy from now on. So if Salem was what she wanted, then Salem was what she would get.

*****

“GEEZ come in Roman. Make yourself comfortable!” Marlena replied sarcastically.

“What the hell is wrong with you Doc? What are you thinking by letting John move in here with you?” Roman stood up from the couch and put his hands on his hips.

“Roman, John is My husband! I think it is okay.” Marlena replied.

“Not when John is a danger to you Doc. He could snap at anytime. You have no idea what he is capable of.” Roman stood in front of her and put his hands on her shoulders. “Doc I am just trying to protect you. I know you think he is your husband, but he is not the John you remember. He isn’t even close. That man will kill or steal to get what he wants, and I don’t want you to be involved in any part of his shady dealings.”

Marlena shrugged violently his hands off of her and jerked back from him.

“Roman, what is this really about!? Why the hell are you here!?” Marlena squinted her eyes at him, almost feeling like she was seeing him for the first time.

“I am here to stop you from letting John move in. Doc, you don’t want to do this. Stop thinking with your heart and think with your head.”

“Roman how did you know John was moving in with me?” Marlena asked.

Roman shook his head.

“Abe and I were going by the Dimera Mansion and saw moving trucks in the front. I thought maybe John was moving out of town, but we heard the movers talking about the address they were to meet at. It was your apartment Doc. That is how I found out that John was moving here.”

Marlena smiled and nodded her head.

“I see. Well, you have no reason to worry Roman. John is getting some memories back and John is a perfect gentleman around me. John would not hurt me, so you have nothing to worry about.” Marlena began walking back to the front door to let Roman out.

“But Doc, you don’t know if-“

Marlena turned around quickly with a flare of anger in her eyes.

“DON’T! ..I don’t want to hear another damn word.. Don’t ever tell me I don’t know MY own Husband!. Don’t tell me that I don’t know what I’m doing by letting John move back in with me. I know Exactly what I am doing Roman. In truth, you have no damn Reason to be here at all. You aren’t my husband. It isn’t up to you to protect me anymore it was never your place! I would like you to Leave. Right Now! And don’t come back”

Marlena whipped the door open and stood with her hand on her hip staring straight ahead.

Roman put his hands down and walked out the door, turning towards her.

“I’m sorry for upsetting you Doc. I just want you to be happy. That’s all I have ever wanted.”

“I am happy Roman. I’ve never been happier in my life with John. He Is the only man I ever really truly loved”

“Good. That’s good Doc. I’ll be seeing you.” Roman put his hands in his pockets and walked away.

Marlena slammed closed the door and sighed loudly.

This is going to be a great day, she thought.

*****

The movers were just about done when John realized he wouldn’t be able to take everything to Marlena’s. It would never fit in that apartment of hers. Sighing loudly John flipped his phone open and contacted a storage center.

*****

Marlena was just about finished getting ready when the doorbell rang again. Throwing her brush down in frustration, Marlena walked out of her bedroom towards the front door.

“Who is it?” Marlena asked shortly.

“It’s Kate. Marlena I need to speak to you.”

“Kate I really don’t have time. I’m late for work!” Marlena gritted her teeth. Kate was the last damn person she wanted to talk to see.

“Please Marlena. It will only take a minute.” Kate laid on the charm.

Marlena sighed once again, and reluctantly opened the door.

“What is it Kate!?” Marlena asked while blocking the entrance inside her apartment.

Kate smiled snidely.

“I heard that John was moving back in with you. Congratulations.”

Marlena wrapped her arms across her chest.

“And how did you hear that Kate!?”

“Oh everyone knows. It’s gone all around town by now. I must say it was quite a surprise to everyone. I mean what with the way John is now, flirting with every girl who walks by, acting like a Dimera. One would think you would be smarter than to get involved with him, even if he is your husband so to speak.” Kate leveled her eyes on Marlena, bating her on.

..every minute Marlena’s patience was growing thinner. She finally snapped..

“Oh really? Gosh, then I bet it would be an even bigger surprise to everyone that John and I just went away for a few days and fucked our brains out. You know what would be an even bigger surprise!? John has his memories back of me His Wife. Not you. Only Just me. Sorry Kate. You lose Bitch. and you’re just jealous and upset John never flirted with your fake phony ass Bye.”

Marlena slammed the door in Kate’s face smiled big and locked it. Marlena turned around with a smile and then bit her lip. What on earth had come over her?

*****

John drove along the freeway towards the storage center with 2 moving trucks following behind him. The more John thought about it, he really would only be able to move his clothes and toiletries in to Marlena’s apartment.

“Perfect.” John said as he gritted his teeth.

*****

Marlena had just finished her cup of coffee and was grabbing her purse when the doorbell rang for a third time.

“You have got to be kidding me!” Marlena said out loud as she opened the door.

Sami blazed through ranting.

“Mom! Thank God you’re here! You have to help me! I am in so much trouble and I don’t know what to do. I need you!”

Sami threw her purse on the couch and faced her mother.

“Sami I am on my way to work honey. This is going to have to wait.” Marlena said as she grabbed her purse again and gestured towards the front door, hoping Sami would take a hint.

“But mom. I need you. This can’t wait until after work. I need you right now. I need your help. Please mom.”

Marlena faced the door and breathed in deeply.

That is it, she said to herself. Marlena turned towards her daughter and put her hand on her hip.

“Samantha Gene, when I say I cannot help you right now, I mean it. I am busy. I have a life. You are going to have to figure this out on your own for once. I can’t help you with this. You need to leave.”

Marlena grabbed Sami’s purse and shoved it into Sami’s arms before pushing her towards the door.

“But mommy…” Sami pleaded.

“No mommy this time Sami. You are a big girl. You have to handle this on your own. Out you go.”

Marlena patted Sami on the shoulder before pushing her out the door.

Marlena slammed it shut and locked it and walked to the couch where her knees buckled and she fell to the cushions. Going through her purse she found her cell phone.

Marlena dialed a number and lay down as she waited for John to pick up.

“John Black.” Came the voice that instantly made Marlena feel safe.

“I need you. Now.” Came the unstable voice that made John want to protect Marlena forever.

4 minutes later John was putting his key through the front door and running to Marlena’s side.

“Baby what’s wrong. Do you feel sick? Can I get you anything?”

Marlena couldn’t stop the tears from rolling down her face.

“I can’t do this John. You were right. I just can’t be here anymore.”

What the hell happened while he was gone he wondered.

“Baby, tell me what is wrong okay?” John asked.

“Well Roman came by and tried to talk me out of letting you move in, and then Kate the bitch decided to stop by and make snide comments about our marriage, and then Sami stopped by wanting me to get her out of another jam, and it was just the last straw John. That is it. I am tired of dealing with everyone else’s problems. I’ve had it!” Marlena shook her hands in front of her face, and John noticed they were fists. Marlena was scared.

“Baby what did you tell them? Why are you scared?” John asked as he put Marlena’s hands in his and caressed them.

Marlena sniffled.

“Well, I yelled at Roman and kicked him out. And Kate made me so mad that I am afraid I…well I told her that you fucked my brains out and that your memories were coming back. I think I also told her that she lost and she upset you never flirted with her then I slammed the door in her face.” Marlena’s face turned bright red and she looked down in shame.

John’s mouth was hanging open with the biggest look of surprise. John swallowed deeply and then asked, “I am afraid to ask what you said to Sami.”

Marlena bit her lip.

“I told her that I couldn’t help her and I had my own life and she would have to figure this out on her own. Then I slammed the door in her face as well. Then I called you.”

“I see.”

Marlena cried once again.

“I’m the most horrible person John. I just…snapped I guess.”

John chuckled and sat next to Marlena.

“You are the best person in the world. You are respectful, helpful and giving to everyone. I think it is about time that you started treating people the way they treat you. You are worth more than what they give you Doc. You are worth everything to me. To Belle and Brady and Carrie. There are a lot of people on this earth who think you are worth much more than even you think. Unfortunately, in Salem, you are surrounded by people who forget that from time to time.”

Marlena smiled up at John and leaned her head on his broad shoulder.

“I don’t want to be here John. I want to move.”

John’s heart raced. This was what he wanted, but he knew that Marlena was making a rash decision.

“Honey, you just had a bad day. We were gone for a few days and had complete relaxation, and now we are back to reality. This is how life is. Some days are great and some just suck. It is no reason to get up and move away.”

“I thought you wanted to move?” Marlena inquired.

“Well I do. But you don’t. I know you don’t. Baby I would hate for you to make a decision so fast and then regret it later.” John replied tenderly as he stroked his hand through Marlena’s soft sweet hair.

“I guess I can understand that. Maybe I am being a little too…”

“Gung-ho?” John offered.

Marlena laughed and wiped her eyes.

“Yah. Okay. Weak moment.”

“It’s okay honey. It happens. Let’s talk about something else and get your mind focused elsewhere okay?” John asked as he got up and poured himself a cup of coffee, gesturing to Marlena if she wanted one.

“No I already had a cup. Thank you baby.” Marlena smiled as John resumed making his coffee, eyeing John’s backside in a black sweater and snug black slacks that made Marlena’s mouth begin to water. “So I noticed you were gone awfully early this morning. Where were you?” Marlena asked nonchalantly.

“Oh I was out of here about 6 a.m. I went to the mansion and met some movers. I, well I should say they packed up everything and we put it in storage. I have some stuff in the car to bring up later, my clothes and things like that, but I officially left the mansion for good today.”

Marlena’s smile brightened and she left the couch to stand by John.

“You really are moving in? Today baby?” Marlena asked excitedly.

John turned around and moved Marlena into his muscular arms.

“Honey I told you, from now on, where you stay I stay. Where you sleep, I sleep. You are stuck with me for good baby.”

“Mmm. I like the sound of that.”

John smacked Marlena on the ass and turned to grab his coffee.

“I thought you would. Come sit with me.”

John grabbed Marlena’s hand and led her back to the couch where John took a seat on the corner and Marlena took a seat a few inches away. Marlena leaned against the back of the couch and looked over at John.

“Did you give me a kiss this morning?” Marlena inquired.

“Why yes I did. In a few places…” John’s eyebrow shot up mysteriously.

“Oh my. Why don’t I remember that?” Marlena moistened her lips.

“Because your body wants me to remind you.” John told Marlena as he leaned back and sucked the delicate skin at the nape of her neck.

Marlena moaned a little and arched her neck back further allowing John better access. John placed a kiss at the tip of Marlena’s cleavage, and then lifted her blouse to lick seductively across Marlena’s belly button. Marlena’s skin broke out with goose bumps. John slowly slid off the couch to sit in front of Marlena as he grabbed Marlena’s right leg. John kissed the inside of her knee and licked it, before setting her leg down, only to reach for the left leg and kiss the inside of her ankle. Marlena by now was staring at John, not even needing to tell John how much she wanted him.

But John wanted to talk about a few things before they made their way to the bedroom. So he put his hands on either side of her head, loomed over her body for a few seconds, and placed a sweet kiss on Marlena’s lips.

Then John moved to the side of Marlena and sat down as if nothing had happened and resumed drinking his coffee.

Marlena, meanwhile, was staring at John incredulously. Was John playing games with her? Since when did he ever say no to making love to her?

“Doc, I know what your pretty little head is thinking. You are way off base so stop worrying. I plan to ravish that body of yours in a few minutes time. I just wanted to talk a little more.” John smiled as he drank the last of his coffee.

Damn right you are going to ravish this body, Marlena said in her head.

“Oh? What did you want to talk about?” Marlena inquired, trying not to tremble as she spoke.

“I wanted to tell you that I sold the Dimera Mansion. In fact, I sold the whole Dimera Corporation. I sold off every piece of land that evil scum owned. It’s something I have been working on for a few weeks. Everything was kept top secret though, so no one in Salem knows yet. I also had that lab beneath the mansion destroyed. Rolf, even if he does get out of jail, will never be able to hurt anyone ever again. Neither will Stefano thanks to you, and the fact that he doesn’t have a cent to his name.”

Marlena was all ears now. How on earth did John sell all of it?

“John, how did you do this? I mean, Lexie and EJ? What about Tony?”

“EJ gets nothing. He’s a lawyer and will do well on his own. I had a talk with him and he understood. I also got him a fabulous job at one of the best firms in Salem. He won’t have to worry. I did give a portion to Tony though. For him and Anna. They are back together. Did you know that?” John asked as he got up to get another cup of coffee.

Marlena, distracted by all the news shook her head.

“No. I hadn’t heard that yet.”

“Well they are. Apparently he apologized to Anna and once I gave him the money, he and Anna left Salem. They went to Switzerland to visit Carrie and Austin. I think they might stay Doc. So that’s good for them.”

“Yah that’s great for them.” Marlena said absently as she watched John casually sit on the sofa.

“Now Lexie was different. Lexie has been shady in the past, even though she is married to Abe and is a good friend, time and again Stefano has held power over her, so I was hesitant to give her Dimera money. But I came up with a brilliant plan so that everyone wins. Can you guess what I did?”

Marlena’s hazel eyes sparkled with mischief.

“Killed Stefano so we don’t have to worry about him anymore?”

John smiled and laughed a little.

“I should have done that, but I think your needle was enough to put him out of commission for a while baby.”

“Why thank you. I try.” Marlena leaned in and put her face against John’s strong arm.

“Nope I donated a bunch of money to the hospital. I thought Lexie would think that was a nice gesture.”

Marlena shot up and stared at John.

“Really? You donated it? How much John?”

“10 million. I figure that will take care of them for a while. That hospital has meant a lot to you, and to me. It was where we first met, where you had the twins, where you have worked everyday for the past 20 odd years. I want to know that it will be there for many years to come.”

Marlena began taking deep breaths. She let out a huge laugh.

“Oh my gosh John!”

Marlena sat in John’s lap and grabbed his face between her hands.

“Have I told you today how much I love you?”

“Nope. How much?”

Marlena kissed John softly, pecking John’s lips a few times before deepening the kiss, using her tongue to delve into John’s mouth. Marlena pulled away a few seconds later to catch her breath.

“You must love me a hell of a lot. That was some kiss.” John smiled as he wrapped his muscular loving arms around Marlena hips.

“I love you John so much more than I could ever say. I am so proud of you honey. To give that money away?” Marlena slid her head down to John’s strong broad shoulder and cuddled up against John.

“Oh I’m not done baby. Stefano’s fortune is much bigger than that. I also gave a donation to the police department, and I gave Caroline a donation to keep the pub open for many more years to come. I like that place. She has good chowder.”

Marlena laughed cutely.

“You always did like her chowder.”

“Apparently I still do.” John smiled down at Marlena.

“My my John Black you have been busy.”

“Yes I have. There are only a few more things that I want to do with Stefano’s money.”

“Oh? What are they?”

“I want to put a little in each of the kid’s retirement funds and the grandchildren’s college funds. I want to travel through Europe, Italy, Greece, Rome, France, Ireland, Rio with my lovely wife, and I want you to choose where the rest of the money shall go.”

Marlena began crying silently.

“Oh John. I don’t know what to

say.”

“Say you know what to do with the rest of the money. There is going to be a lot left Doc. I’ve run out of things that I want.” John’s said sheepishly.

“Isn’t that crazy? I can’t think of anything I want either. I have you and the children are safe. That’s all I need.”

“Besides a nice vacation with you, I’m set for life.” John rubbed Marlena arm with his hand.

Marlena smiled sneakily and peered up at her husband.

“Honey?”

“Yep?”

“We could buy another plane…”

Brace Yourself : Chapter 15 [NC-17]

“A plane you say? I suppose we could. And what would we use this plane for might I ask?” John inquired.

“Well…lots of things. Visiting the kids, business trips, family vacations and maybe once or twice a year coming back to Salem to visit everyone.” Marlena said absently as she rose up from the couch and pretended to be insanely thirsty as she poured herself a glass of water and practically downed it in one gulp.

John shook his head for a few seconds and then realized what Marlena said. John shot up from the couch and stood behind Marlena.

“Doc I thought we talked about this already. You don’t really want to leave Salem. You are just having a bad day honey. Please take a while to think about this!”

Marlena spun around and put her hands on her hips.

“Why don’t you want me to leave now John? You WANTED this! Why have you changed your mind?” Marlena eyed John suspiciously.

John put his hands on Marlena’s shoulders.

“Doc it’s not what you think. I would just hate if…we left and you changed your mind at some future point, and then maybe…started to resent me for even asking.”

Marlena wrapped her hands around John’s wrists and smiled up at John.

“No honey. I would never resent you John. I am going though emotions and experiences that I don’t understand, but I know what I want.”

John shook his head and pulled Marlena close to him, encasing her body in his muscular arms.

“I don’t deserve someone as wonderful as you.” John whispered into Marlena’s hair.

“I don’t deserve someone as wonderful as you either.” Marlena replied as she kissed his neck.

“Great. We don’t deserve each other. This could work.” John laughed as he kissed Marlena’s ear. John heard her sweet laughter next to his broad chest.

“It always has in the past. We can do it again, don’t you think?” Marlena asked as she pulled back to look into John’s blue cerulean eyes.

John squinted his blue eyes, staring at Marlena hard.

“Are you sure, without a shadow of a doubt in your mind, that you want to leave baby? That you could be away from your friends and the only family you’ve known for years? Look me in the eye and tell me you can do that.”

Marlena wrapped her arms around John, brought her body against his and looked John dead in the eye.

“I could leave Salem today and never look back. As long as I have you baby and my children, I have everything I need my love.” Marlena smiled serenely as she caressed John’s neck with her fingers.

John looked down for a moment and then slowly brought his blue eyes back to Marlena’s face.

“Well then…I suppose you get to see your present.” John smiled grandly as he walked across the living room to his jacket and pulled out an envelope.

“A present for me? Oh baby!” Marlena giggled as she jumped up and down a little.

John handed Marlena the envelope and while Marlena was opening it John flicked open his cell phone and dialed a number.

Marlena reached inside the envelope and pulled out a picture.

“Mario? John Black here. I need you to come to the original address on your paperwork as soon as you are done putting my things in storage. We have a few more items to pack. Thank you.”

“John what is this?” Marlena turned the photo towards him.

John stepped behind Marlena and wrapped his muscular arms around Marlena’s waist.

“That, my sweetheart Doc, is your new plane, bought with my own money, not Dimera money. I had a feeling you might want another one, since we had such fond memories on our old plane. So this is…an early Christmas gift.”

Marlena turned in John’s strong muscular loving arms to hug John tightly.

“And birthday and Valentine’s Day…” Marlena said in between laughing.

“You got it. No more presents for a year.” John teased.

Marlena pulled back and began to pout.

“A whole year?” Marlena bit her lip, totally playing the innocent part to perfection.

John tried to be serious, but a smile leaked out.

“Now you know I could never not give you presents. In fact, I have another one right here in my pocket-“

“Oh lemme see!” Marlena said as she reached for the right pocket on John’s pants.

John stepped back, too fast for Marlena.

“Not so fast baby. You have to do something for me first.”

“You want me to do a little striptease?” Marlena asked in a sexy, low voice as she began unbuttoning her shirt.

John cleared his throat and put his hand out to stop Marlena.

“Later…I definitely want to see that later baby. For right now though, I want you to go pack some bags. Pack enough clothes for about a month. Let me make some phone calls to see if I can get you out of your lease. Do you have the paperwork?”

Marlena shifted into professional mode.

“Yes sir. I will be right back.”

“Thanks honey.”

3 hours later, Mario and his men had cleaned out Marlena’s apartment, moved her furniture and personal items onto the trucks and had put them in storage along with John’s personal items from the mansion.

John, in the meantime, had spoken to various people on the phone, and finally managed to get Marlena out of her lease early. He also called Caroline to put together a surprise party for Marlena at Brady’s Pub. While Marlena packed up the last of her personal things, John called his pilot and made a flight plan with him.

By 3:30 p.m. John’s pilot was packing their suitcases in his Jeep to take them to the plane and John and Marlena were finishing getting ready. Marlena had no idea where they were going, only that they were going to stop and get a bite to eat before boarding the plane.

30 minutes later Marlena walked into Brady’s Pub to a shout of “We’ll Miss You!” from a host of her friends and family.

“Lexie can I talk to you?” Marlena asked her friend as she grabbed her hand.

“Sure. What’s up?” Lexie replied as she poured some punch.

“Uhm…Well you see John and I have been talking lately, and we feel that it’s time to move on. From Salem I mean. We both agreed that with the kids scattered across the globe, and the grandkids as well…Perhaps now would be the best time to do a little traveling and find a new home. So we are leaving Salem, and we won’t be back, unless it is to visit.”

“Omygosh. Marlena I…I thought this was a vacation. What about your patients? What about your office at the hospital? All of your files and books?” Lexie looked around at all her friends. “Did you tell anyone else that you were leaving for good?”

“No. You are the first so far. No one else knows, and I want to keep it like that. I would like to tell certain people first before everyone else finds out. As for my office, John and I are going by after the party to pack it up. I have made some calls to a few other doctors and they have graciously agreed to take over some of my clientele. The others I will handle later. I will leave a letter of resignation on my desk for you tonight.”

“Marlena, I can’t believe I’m not going to see you in the halls of the hospital anymore. Are you sure this is what you want?” Lexie asked as she took Marlena’s hands in her own.

“Oh yes. I am very happy with John. He is so good to me. I promise to keep in contact. I will be emailing you every week!”

“You better email me everyday! I will have so much gossip and no one to talk to!”

They shared a laugh before Abe and John came by.

One by one, Marlena made her way to each guest letting him or her know what was really going on. While all were sad to see Marlena and John leave, they couldn’t disagree with the fact that it might do them some good if they got out of Salem.

Maggie in particular took it hard, and had to lean on Caroline to hide her crying.

“I can’t believe, my friend, that I won’t see your beautiful face everyday. I think lately I took for granted that you would always be here.”

“Oh Maggie. You know…this is just the most perfect incentive to get Mickey to whisk you away on a European vacation. You can come visit anytime. I promise we will come back to visit as well. This isn’t goodbye my friend. It never could be.”

They embraced tightly and whispered I love you to each other.

Bo stormed out of the Pub, but Hope was able to cool him off. He came back inside briefly to swoop Marlena into a bear hug, where he whispered that she would always be like a sister to him and he had always loved her.

Roman was told outside the pub, in case he made a scene. He was amazingly subdued about the whole affair. He wished them luck. Neither John nor Marlena saw the tears that fell from his eyes as they went back inside the pub.

Sami was told after everyone else left. ..The usual Sami was her overreact dramatic, drama queen self.. As always she blew up and began crying hysterically making a big hole scene. Marlena could do nothing but hold her.

“Sami. Baby I wish I could do something that would magically make everything okay for you. If I could, I would do it in a heartbeat. But, honey I don’t have that power. Only you have it, deep inside you, and now you are going to have to use it to help yourself. Honey, you have to be where you are needed, just like I have to. My life now is about John and me. Just like your life is about those twins and Lucas and EJ. But I am only a phone call away. I will always be right here. Always my Samantha Gene.”

Marlena hugged her deeply, gave her a sweet peck on the lips, whispered I love you so fiercely that it gave Sami chills, and then turned around and walked out the door of the pub, not looking back as Sami sunk to the floor.

An hour later, after packing up her office and leaving her resignation, John and Marlena were sitting in their new plane, a glass of champagne in each hand. John had decorated the plane beautifully with purple and pink lilac flowers in crystal vases and soft cream vanilla candles. Although there was no bed, there was a luxuriously long, wide couch with plush cream and soft pink pillows.

The plane had departed minutes ago at 7 p.m. sharp, and they were beginning a new chapter in their lives by doing absolutely nothing, except staring at each other.

“I can’t believe we just did all of that. I can’t believe we are on our plane headed towards Europe. I can’t believe I just gave up my job.”

“Can you believe that I still have your present in my pocket?”

Marlena sat up quickly.

“Oh my gosh I forgot about my present!” Marlena smiled with glee and leaned towards John to snatch her hand into his pocket.

John let Marlena this time and smiled when he saw Marlena’s hazel eyes sparkle with what can only be called curious mischief.

Marlena tore the paper apart on the little square box, hoping it wasn’t too extravagant, and also hoping it was extremely extravagant.

A black shiny box. Marlena closed her eyes a few seconds before opening the little hatch. When Marlena opened her eyes, she was met with such a beautiful ring that she couldn’t breathe.

John picked up the ring and held it between his fingers while getting on one knee in front of Marlena.

“Oh my gosh.” Marlena was in shock. The diamond reflected off her hazel eyes, creating a luminous sparkle that only John was privy to.

“Let me tell you about this ring Doc. I needed something rare, something that would be a reflection of my wife. One day, almost by accident, I found this little beauty.”

“Little?” Marlena managed to cry out.

John laughed a little as he moved closer to Marlena, softly caressing her hand and kissing her skin as he kneeled before her.

“This is a 5-carat cushion-cut pink diamond flanked by two shield-shaped diamonds. The set is both platinum and rose gold. Now the GIA graded this diamond a VS1 and they say it has completely natural color and a clarity rating of IF. To find a pink diamond of this grade is very, very rare, and you can only find this in a few parts of the world, like Brazil and Africa, but this baby, she came from India, where pink diamonds were originally discovered.”

“Oh my…” Marlena brought her fingers to her lips to keep from crying out.

“Once I saw her, I knew she was just as rare as my one of a kind Beautiful wife. I also knew she belonged on your finger, forever.”

John slid the ring on Marlena’s third finger, where she usually wore her engagement ring.

“John…I don’t know what to say. I’ve never seen anything so magnificent in my life. It’s simply breathtaking…”

“Gosh that’s what I say every time I look at you!”

Marlena slapped him lightly on the broad shoulder.

“Oh you goof!”

Marlena wrapped her arms around John’s neck and slowly slid down his body until Marlena sat across John’s lap.

“Is this your way of asking me to marry you again?”

“Yes. But I have one request.”

“Anything my love.”

“I want this ring to represent all of the years we have been married. I want us to renew our vows in 2009, on our 10th anniversary. I want the kids and grandkids and us and maybe a few friends to be there. So? Will you marry me? Again?”

“I would marry you everyday of every year John Black. However, I also have one request.”

“Anything baby.”

“I have to know honey. How much was this ring?”

John smiled grandly.

“I wasn’t going to tell you, however, someone else might recognize it and tell you. I would never hear the end of it.”

“That’s right Sailor.” Marlena giggled as she flicked her finger at him, gesturing John to come closer.

John moved Marlena’s hair off her neck and whispered 2 words in her ear.

“FUCK ME!” was the startled reply from Marlena as John laughed and began kissing Marlena’s neck.

“Have I ever told you how much I love it when you say the word FUCK?” John asked as he licked at Marlena’s earlobe.

Marlena began squirming in John’s lap. A little moan escaped her lips.

“I…believe you have said something about that before. John, is it really that much?”

“Mmhmm…” John replied as he bit the tip of Marlena’s ear, which made Marlena moan again, this time much louder.

“Oh my stars.” John smiled at the familiar expression as Marlena put her hands on Marlena’s broad chest.

“Maybe we should do this every 10 years during our marriage. It could become a tradition.” John said with a smile before he pulled back to look in Marlena’s hazel eyes.

Marlena grinned devilishly.

“Speaking of traditions…”

John eyed Marlena opening her shirt one button at a time.

“I believe it’s time to christen our new plane. I seem to remember a striptease that I owe you?”

“I believe you do, and I have been such a good boy all day.”

“Time to make my man a little bit naughty.”

“You’re the only one who can baby. Stand up. Let me see all of you.”

Marlena leaned back to get on her feet as John reached behind his back to pull his body on the couch. John leaned back and made himself comfortable before reaching for his champagne and swallowing the cool liquid.

Marlena continued unbuttoning her shirt as John clicked a button on his remote. Music filled the cabin as Marlena flung her silk shirt behind her. Marlena’s lacy black bra matched perfectly with her low cut blue jeans and black lace pumps.

Marlena turned to face the wall and unbuttoned her jeans. While she slowly unzipped them, Marlena looked over her shoulder at John.

Unbeknownst to Marlena, John was having a hard time not dropping his glass. John had to grab it with two hands. Now he was concerned that he would crush the damn thing. John put it down while he cleared his throat.

Marlena was a vision. John could stare at her all day, everyday. Marlena never even knew that the way her hair cascaded in curls down her back was absolute perfection. Marlena had no clue that the jeans she wore were his favorites because they hugged every part of her and accentuated all that was right with her body. Marlena had no idea how smooth her skin was to touch, especially the small of Marlena’s back, which John was getting an eyeful of right now. Marlena didn’t really understand how much it affected John when she softly moved her hips back and forth to the music, or how John could barely contain himself as John watched Marlena’s hands smooth down her jeans as Marlena lowered them to her ankles.

Somehow Marlena managed to get those jeans off her feet while keeping her heels on. Marlena did it gracefully, and John knew he would always wonder how Marlena could do things like that.

Marlena approached John in her matching lace black bra and panties and her lace pumps. John swallowed deeply and suppressed a groan as Marlena lowered herself between John’s legs and reached out towards John’s zipper.

John grabbed Marlena’s fingers, stopping their movement.

“Honey, I would really love nothing better than to have you do that, but now would not be a good time.”

“Are you sure baby?” Marlena bit her lip, which made John moan.

“Doc the last time we made love was Saturday. It’s Monday. I’m dying up here as it is. You do what you do and this will be over with in about a minute. So get your ass up here already.” John grinned as much as he could and reached for Marlena.

Marlena giggled as John practically picked her up and threw her across the couch. Marlena screamed out a little and then laughed hysterically once she landed. The man could be so physical sometimes. Damn but it was exciting.

John licked Marlena’s bellybutton from where he was seated while John’s hands roamed around Marlena’s body. Before long Marlena was trying to take his shirt off over John’s head. John allowed Marlena to and went right back to worshipping Marlena’s stomach and skillfully unhitching her bra with one hand. John flung the bra behind him and moved forward, latching onto Marlena’s creamy voluptuous breast and sucking deeply. Marlena inhaled sharply and moved her hands through his dark chestnut, hair pulling and pushing as if she didn’t know what she wanted John to do next.

John, however, did know what he wanted to do next. John fled south, keeping his hands on Marlena’s breasts, kneading the flesh until Marlena was panting. John licked down Marlena’s tummy until John reached Marlena’s a’ panty line, where John bit into the material and proceeded to take it off with his mouth. Marlena lifted her hips to accommodate John and moaned when John’s hands, following him down her body, massaged every inch of Marlena’s creamy soft skin.

John licked Marlena’s left ankle and kept his tongue on Marlena’s skin up to her knee, where he left a love bite. Marlena yelped and then giggled as John kissed the skin lovingly. John moved to Marlena’s right leg and stopped mid-thigh, where John sucked the skin in. John watched as Marlena lifted her arms above her and stretched her torso, which made her hips sink down into the couch. She mewled like a kitten. Damn but Marlena was sexy when she did that. John moved a hand to his pants, unzipping them to relieve the unbelievable excruciating pressure he was feeling.

John made his way between Marlena’s legs, splaying his hand out to cover Marlena’s mound. John loved the fact that Marlena was already wet, her essence allowing him easy entrance inside her. Two fingers gently plunged within Marlena as John kissed to the left of Marlena’s clit. John smiled when Marlena moaned his name. John kissed to the right of Marlena’s clit as he turned his fingers inside Marlena, making an arc and pushing in and up.

“Baby please…” Marlena pleaded, already having enough of John’s games.

“Shh…” He replied. John wrapped his lips around Marlena’s clit and sucked in deeply, using his tongue to lick the tip.

Marlena screamed, pushing John’s head closer to her as an orgasm ripped through her body.

John moved with Marlena as she writhed on the couch. Eventually Marlena calmed down and stretched luxuriously while her slender legs squeezed John’s backside. John made his way up Marlena’s body slowly, enjoying her afterglow mood.

However, the time had come where John just had to have Marlena, so John removed his pants and boxers briefs, and flung them off the couch. John settled between Marlena’s legs, holding his body up by his elbows resting on each side of her face. John gazed down at her hazel orbs, not moving, just feeling Marlena’s heart beat next to his, just listening to her now even breathing as it gently elevated him.

John almost let the moment overtake him. He almost lost all self-control, wanting nothing more than to bury his head in Marlena’s chest and cry at how happy he was. Almost. Marlena took that moment to lift her hips and gently thrust against John, which was her little signal to John that she was ready for John to move his hot sexy ass.

And move it John did.

The next twenty minutes were filled with satisfied sighs, pleasurable murmurs of conversation, Marlena’s sweet as honey laughter, his deep groans. John was surprised he lasted that long, thinking for sure that he would lose it at some point and began ramming into Marlena like an animal, but amazingly John was able to keep his cool, and bring Marlena to three orgasms in those 20 minutes.

After cumming inside Marlena and finally getting his breathing under control, John began to laugh as he realized he was still hard. Rising above Marlena, John saw the knowing in her hazel eyes.

“I’m sorry baby. I guess I can’t go 2 days without having you. I can take care of it.”

John began to pull out of Marlena, but she wouldn’t hear of it. Marlena pushed John to the side and moved on top of him, keeping John inside her.

“How on earth do you think I would let you take of this by yourself? When you have given me so much pleasure tonight? Oh no my husband. Why don’t you lie back and let me take care of you, hmm?”

John smiled wickedly. He put his hands on Marlena’s thighs and relaxed.

“Yes my wife.” John complied.

Marlena began riding John slowly, first using her hands to massage John’s broad chisel firm chest as Marlena moved up and down on John’s torso. Marlena switched to a forward and back motion, allowing John’s dick to almost pop out of her, but always catching it at the last moment and squeezing her inner muscles as John plunged inside of Marlena. Marlena would pitch John’s nipples at the same moment John was fully inside of Marlena.

Eventually Marlena began making circles with her hips as Marlena grasped John’s thighs behind her. Marlena arched her back and neck, her hair cascading down to lightly feather over the skin of John’s knees. It sent chills up his spine.

John rose from the couch to wrap his muscular arms around Marlena’s waist and back, John’s mouth automatically latching onto the skin at Marlena’s neck as he sucked hard in Marlena’s favorite spot. It put Marlena over the edge as another orgasm ravaged her body and John took over as he plunged unforgivably into Marlena. John came hard and fast moments later growling her name “Doc” as Marlena wrapped her sender arms around John, whispering his name in his ear. “John”

Completely sated for the moment, they fell asleep, naked, with a blanket thrown haphazardly over them. They slept uninterrupted for almost 6 hours before waking up simultaneously and preparing themselves before landing.

At 11 a.m. they landed at a private airport in Switzerland. Once the pilot had opened the door, John and Marlena began their descent down the stairs. Marlena looked up to see a crowd of people at the bottom.

Standing very close together as if they were freezing, were Austin, Carrie, Will, Anna, Tony, Brady and Chloe. They all shouted, “Welcome to Switzerland” at the top of their lungs as Marlena began crying. She looked behind her towards John, who just smiled that enigmatic smile as if he didn’t know what was going on.

“You are the sweetest man John Black, do you know that?”

“Me? Nah.” John said nonchalantly.

When Marlena turned back to face the crowd, she noticed a hand holding a dozen pink roses behind everyone. Squinting her eyes, Marlena realized someone was behind the crowd. She laughed.

“Alright, who is hiding behind all of you?” Marlena yelled out.

Eric popped his head up sheepishly, giving his Mom a big smile.

Marlena began shrieking. She turned and hugged John before shouting down to her son.

“Is that my baby boy?” Marlena asked as she reached the bottom and put her arms out. Eric was the first in line and picked her up to twirl her around.

“I missed you so much Mom.” He said as he buried his head in her hair.

“Me too sweetie. Oh I could just eat you up!” They laughed as they separated.

Brady was next and he too picked Marlena up to give her a good squeeze. He then grabbed his Dad in a bear hug and the two silently began to cry.

Marlena made her way around the group, kissing and hugging everyone as John began having a conversation with Brady and Tony.

They all made their way to the cars waiting for them. Deep in conversation, Marlena never noticed the door open to one of the cars and a little girl peer out from behind the window.

“POP POP!”

Marlena’s head shot up and she looked around frantically. To the left of her and the group, Belle, Shawn and Claire came into view. Belle began running towards Marlena as Claire ran to her grandpa.

Belle and Marlena embraced and began crying as John threw Claire into the air.

After wiping her nose and her eyes, Marlena turned around looking at the group.

“O my gosh what are you all doing here?” Marlena said loudly as she laughed.

“We are here to welcome you and Daddy to your new life Mom.” Belle said sweetly.

Marlena put her hand to her mouth to stifle the sob she wanted to let out. Marlena looked towards John and just nodded her head, and just like that, John knew what Marlena was feeling, and he gave her a smile in response.

“OMYGOD MOM! WHAT IS THAT ON YOUR FINGER?” Belle shouted as all the women descended on Marlena’s ring finger.

Epilogue

John and Marlena stood on the balcony of their hotel room, gazing at the sunset. The waves crashing in and the birds chirping were the only sounds that could be heard.

Today was their 10th wedding anniversary, and just like they promised, they had a wedding ceremony to renew their vows to each other. Their children, grandchildren and friends had graciously accepted to share the day with them.

As Marlena looked up at John, she smiled dreamily. Reaching her hand out in front of her, she admired the engagement ring John had given her last year.

“So this is what 11 million dollars on my hand on a beach in Jamaica looks like.” Marlena giggled like a little girl.

“Yep. But you know what? I would much rather look at your gorgeous, Beautiful face right now, which is worth-“

“Be careful Sailor. A dance with me is worth $100,000. My engagement ring is worth 11 million. My face is-“

“Priceless.” John whispered as his lips melted against hers.

“Oh you’re so good…my love” Marlena said as she grinned sinfully at John, pulling his muscular arm toward her, beckoning John inside back to their bed.

The End