Belly of the Beast

Chapter 11

The gate Vincent found peeked out between a pair of hedgerows that had woven through the wrought iron. Of course, it was no problem for him to yank the gate open, and we stuck our heads inside simultaneously to get a better look.

"So, you think this leads to an aquifer?" I said, my voice echoing down a dark tunnel. A dirt staircase lay beyond the light and disappeared around a blind bend.

"There's only one way to find out." Vincent tugged me forward, but I hesitated at the threshold.

"If you haven't noticed, it's pitch dark inside. There could be anything lying in wait."

"If there is, I'll kick its ass."

I couldn't argue with him, so I let him tuck me under his arm and guide me in. Given that the stairs curved back and forth without the advantage of a handrail, and dark underground tunnels were not my fave, I didn't mind. Gradually, the air became warmer, and soon the sound of trickling water found its way up to us.

"Do you hear that, baby? It sounds like a waterfall. The monument was a clue, after all." Vincent's voice lilted with enthusiasm. Clearly, he wasn't immune, and it made me think of Sam flying down the passageways like a child hunting for treasure. How was Sam doing? Had he already found the exit? Did he have to use his map?

We had traveled several yards when a blue glow crept up the stairwell, and Vincent slowed his pace as we made the final turn. The tunnel opened-up into a cavern with a small pond, confirming that the estate was, indeed, built over an aquifer. But, not only that, the pond was loaded with bioluminescence. The blue lights dotted the underground pool like pebbles, and the walls literally twinkled as water trickled over the craggy rocks.

"Holy crap." I offered my crude observation as Vincent stood in awe with me. "Those are bioluminescent minerals. I didn't know they could exist without a source of light."

"They can't. There must be an opening somewhere that allows the sunshine in."

"I wish I'd brought my camera. Sam is going to be disappointed he missed this."

Vincent brought his arms around me as he stood at my back, breathing warmth against my ear. "I'm glad he isn't here. This might be the perfect place for a rendezvous. It's been nearly a week. What do you say, wife? Will you have your gollum lover here under the bioluminescent stars?"

"Yes, please." I spun in his arms, giving him access to my lips, and we kissed for an endless moment as our bodies warmed-up inside the humid cave.

"How would you like it?" he asked. "The ground is pretty wet."

I didn't have to think hard to come up with my preference. "Against the wall."

"Mmm." He smiled coyly as he walked us backwards, still kissing me, and when the wall stopped his retreat, he unbuttoned my jacket while I did the same with his coat.

Vincent's hands were everywhere; on my torso, my belly, then finally my hips, and he fisted the hem of my dress as he lifted both sides. Suddenly, his hands were inside my panties, and he palmed my ass as I continued to fumble with his buttons. It was the damned gloves. I yanked them off and jammed them into my pockets while Vincent continued to ravage my body.

Forgoing the jacket, I went for the zipper of his pants, and when I finally freed him, his arousal was full. A week was much too long. "For the record, this is not the only reason I married you, but it's definitely a perk."

My comment had him chuckling as he lowered in front of me. "Lift one leg." When I obliged him, he worked my panties over my boot then tucked them inside the other boot. It was a clever idea, but I didn't want to know how he'd come up with it.