Page 27 of A Taste of Grace

Eden

I wasn’t surprised Caleb was a phenomenal lover. When he came at me sideways with that comment about my sexual history, I was tempted to tell him to drop me off at my house, and he could go back to his. In the silent car ride on our final miles to my house, I prayed we would be okay.

As a woman who believed in being free in the bedroom, I wasn’t going to let Caleb shame me.

That was why I asked about his sexual preferences the day he asked me to marry him.

Only time would tell if he wouldn’t turn into a chauvinist or be too stuck in his ways for me to be as sexually free as he was.

He parked the car in the narrow driveway and turned my way.

“Thank you for marrying me.” Caleb touched my hand and lifted it to his lips.

I smiled and covered his hand with mine.

“We’ll find our way together. Give me grace.”

“No, give me Grace.” Caleb leaned toward me and puckered his lips.

I kissed his full, soft lips and sat back, licking the lip balm he transferred during our exchange.

My ex may have awakened my body, but Caleb’s kisses had me shivering in anticipation of what was to come.

“Okay. Bring in the bags and meet me inside. I’ll make sure everything is ready for us.”

Caleb nodded as I exited the car. When I unlocked and entered my house, I gasped. Stacey exceeded my expectations. I pulled out my phone to text her.

Me:

It’s beautiful. Perfect in every way.

Stacey:

YAY! Put it on him good.

Me:

I will. Thanks again.

“Wow.” Caleb entered the front door of my house and dropped our bags next to the door.

“Surprise!” I rushed to him and hugged him tightly.

He squeezed me in return.

“What’s all this?”

“Our honeymoon oasis. Follow me.” I led him by the hand as he trailed behind.

I stopped in the small family room that normally had a fireplace, a TV, and modest leather furniture. Now , a Garden of Eden sign hung above the fireplace in script letters.

Live, lush plants of varying heights gave our Eden a botanical garden feel.

Ferns, peace lilies, philodendron, and an artificial bird of paradise filled the room.

On the coffee table sat a crystal bowl of red and green apples and a wooden bowl of decadent assorted chocolates, Caleb’s favorite sweet snack.

Gauze drapes covered the windows, offering the right amount of natural light to fill the room.

At night, lights strung across the wall would illuminate the space.

Caleb sniffed the air.

“What’s that smell?”

I grinned.

“Diffusers of frankincense, sandalwood, and jasmine.”

“Wifey thought of everything.” He kissed me quickly.

“We have rules for Eden. But they’re fun.” I added the last part quickly as Caleb raised an eyebrow.

“Nakedness is mandatory. That’s why I have blankets over the furniture and that fuzzy rug.”

Caleb reached for the hem of my sundress and lifted it to my hips.

“I like that.” I held his hands and kissed his cheeks.

“Not yet. I need to show you the bedroom.”

“Boo…” He gave me a thumbs down and a frown.

“Delayed gratification.” I smacked Caleb’s firm butt and pointed toward the back of my house.

When I reached the closed door of the master bedroom, I turned to Caleb, my back to the door and hands behind my back.

“Close your eyes.” He covered his eyes with his hands.

I put my arm around his waist with one hand and turned the doorknob with the other. Once we were inside, I tapped his arm.

“Open them.”

He stood there with his mouth wide as he scanned the room. I picked up a remote as soft instrumental music filled the room.

“This is our sacred place. We’ll share our bodies, thoughts, and secrets.”

My canopy bed was covered with white sheer drapes that pooled to the hardwood floor.

At the head of the bed was an oversized peach throw pillow with an embroidered scripture of Genesis 2:25— They were both naked…

and felt no shame. On the other side of the pillow were our names, Caleb & Grace and today’s date. Caleb picked up the pillow and laughed.

“Your sense of humor is something else.”

“I’m glad you like it.”

On an easel next to the bed stood an antique floor-length mirror. I pointed to it.

“I’m going to move it to the foot of the bed so we can watch each other cum.”

Caleb’s mouth dropped.

“I’m speechless.”

I patted his chest.

“Good. I know that doesn’t happen often. On this dresser are snacks, massage oils, and a bowl of fresh rose petals. Oh, and a blindfold.” I pointed to each item as I described it.

I picked up a journal.

“This is for our thoughts. We can sit over there and pray too.”

Caleb raked his hand over the cherry wood dresser.

“No handcuffs?”

“Not this time.”

When we reached the end of the dresser, Caleb picked up a framed scripture in the same script as the Eden sign.

“I found the one my soul loves. I held him and would not let him go. Song of Solomon, chapter three, verse four. Absolutely beautiful.”

“Nita helped me come up with a vision of what love means to me. I prayed about how to make our time special.” I blushed, feeling vulnerable sharing my process for thinking of ways to seduce my husband.

“You heard from God on this one. The Bible is the original romance book.”

It delighted me that Caleb was pleased.

“Now that you’re mine, get used to being spoiled.”