The proposal

Chapter 2

Charlie quickly checks the time on the immersion. "It's two hours and four minutes long!" she exclaims. This is by far the longest immersion she has ever heard of. Most immersions are short, just a few minutes in length.

"Yes, I know."

Charlie moves into the other room and settles into the couch as if to nap. The immersion state suppresses nerve impulses so that during an immersion, normal activities such as walking, talking, or eating all leave the body in a still state. But like a natural dream state, powerful impulses leak through causing the body to twitch. "But Rick and Todd will..."

"Shhh..." Giselle interrupts. "You have time. They'll be gone for at least another two or three hours."

Charlie is intrigued by Giselle's unwillingness to give any hint to the content of the immersion, but she trusts her, so she starts the immersion. She is under only a few seconds before popping back out. "Are you sure you sent the right link?"

"I'm sure. But since you're back, forward your pings to me. I'll cover them. Promise me you'll experience it all the way through."

Now Charlie is really intrigued. She gives a curt nod in promise, then forwards her pings—thought controlled communication portals embedded on the same chip that provides the immersion experience via the Neural Network—to Giselle. Now she won't be disturbed by someone trying to reach her intruding on her thoughts, and settles back into the couch, getting comfortable.

"Into the rabbit hole," she says as she begins the immersion.

Giselle watches Charlie relax on the couch as the immersion takes over. While Charlie is under, she lowers herself into her favorite chair and, with her glass of wine at hand, tucks her legs under her and settles in to watch.

***

Charlie finds herself walking along a deserted beach with Rick. Before she gives herself over fully to the immersion she knows it's actually Giselle that is holding his hand, but she can feel his strong grip, her arm wrapping though his as she relives Giselle's experience through the immersion. As Charlie lets herself go, giving herself over fully to the immersion, she becomes Giselle, the woman deeply in love with the man she is walking with. She occasionally brushes her copper colored hair from her eyes as they stroll along, the warm, wet sand feeling delicious on her feet, an anticipation making the walk with him even more pleasurable. She finds herself stealing glances at him, admiring the strength of his body as a glow suffuses her.

Standing six foot, two inches, with dark hair, dark eyes, and a heavy build, Rick isn't ripped like a bodybuilder. His passion for tennis keeps him lean and fit, but his large arms, broad chest, and muscular legs give away his natural, easy power. They also make him look damn good in swim trunks and a loose, open shirt.

They turn away from the water's edge and head farther up onto the beach to where four torches are flickering in the wind. Below the torches is a light dinner of spiced meat, cubes of cheese, fresh fruit, and a bottle of wine. It is all beautifully presented on a large red blanket spread over the sand, the blanket held down with a large smooth stone on each corner. A wicker basket contains more of the same, along with plates, utensils, and most importantly, wine glasses for two.

"Oh, Rick, it is lovely!" she exclaims. He says nothing, settling onto the blanket and reaching for her. She curls into his waiting embrace, his chest warm to her back, his arms circling around her waist as he holds her gently to him.

She feels him move, then his lips on her neck, their touch sending a small jolt of pleasure ricocheting through her as he whispers into her ear. "I love you Giselle."

She positively purrs in pleasure, then, twisting her upper body around as much as possible, she whispers back. "I love you too." Then in a louder, more playful voice, "But before that, let's eat! I'm starved!" She pulls herself away from him and begins taking plates and glasses out of the basket, Rick laughing as he joins in to help.

The next hour is so romantic that heart melts. Oh yes, he is going to get something special tonight. They take turns feeding each other and nibbling on bites of cheese, meat, and fruit while sipping the very nice red wine. As much as she is enjoying the cheese and fruit, she is eating light to avoid feeling full; she has plans later and doesn't want to feel stuffed. They've had many lovely dinners, but never one in so romantic a location, with the ocean rolling in on the deserted beach and the lights of the California coast in the far distance.

After clearing away the dinner they lie back on the blanket. She lies on her back staring at the stars while he props on his elbow on her left, gently stroking her left breast with his free hand. The feel of his touch through her gauzy wrap and swimsuit is causing a deep and pleasant warmth to flow through her body. She closes her eyes, enjoying the spreading warmth.

"Giselle?" he asks quietly.

"Hmmm?" Charlie purrs.

"I want to ask you something."

Silly boy. At this moment she'd give him anything; he didn't have to ask. "Mmmm?" she purrs again. She feels his hand pull away, and then she opens her eyes as he takes her hands and gently pulls her into the sitting position. He reaches down and behind him, his hand coming back with a small black box. Seeing the box her heart almost stops and her breath hitches in her lungs.

He opens the box to display a diamond ring. The stone isn't large, but it is beautifully cut and set, sparkling in the dim torch light. "I know the stone isn't large, but it's perfect, flawless. Just as you are." He takes a deep breath. "Giselle Sheehy," he says, using her maiden name, "will you marry me?"

Charlie sits in stunned silence. This is so unexpected! She can't breathe, she can't think! Tears well in her eyes as she tries to speak, but finds she can't. Finally, her breathing starts as she feels her heart thudding in her chest. She tries to speak again but when the words won't come she throws her arms around him and pulls him tight. Finally the words and the tears come.

"Yes. Yes!" she cries, holding him tightly, as if her life depends on it. Gently he pulls away and, taking her left hand, slides the ring upon her finger.

She looks at the ring briefly, then pulls him to her once again, wrapping her arms around his neck. "I love you soooo much," she whispers in his ear. She holds him for a few moments, before she sniffs once and leans back, still holding tightly to him pulling him down upon her. He resists only enough to ensure the backward tumble is gentle. As his weight presses down on her, she tugs more fiercely still.

Rick pulls back, just a bit, and begins to kiss away the tracks of her tears with gossamer htouches of his lips. Turning her head, she offers him her lip, which he takes, his kiss gentle, the merest brushing of his lips against hers. As her hands curl into his hair, pulling his mouth harder to hers, the kiss becomes deeper, more passionate, their tongues colliding in a ravenous embrace as she tastes a hint of the wine and fruit he has consumed.

She pushes him down, toward her breasts. He has put her in the mood with his gentle stroking of her breast and now, after his proposal, she wants him like she's never wanted anyone before. He moves, not to her breasts, but to her eyes, her cheeks, her ears. He nuzzles and licks her under her chin and her neck, gentle nips of his teeth causing electric flashes of pleasure to course through her. Desperate to feel his mouth on her n*****s, she pushes him down again, but he refuses to be rushed as he continues his slow exploration of every curve of her neck and upper breast.

Taking matters into her own hands, Charlie pulls the straps of her one-piece bathing suit off her shoulders, then with a quick, lithe, movement, pulls the suit down to expose her breasts, the cooling night air causing her n*****s to harden. He rises up and, taking her suit in hand, pulls it over her hips and casts it aside. He then unbuttons the last two buttons of his shirt, removes it, and tosses it onto her suit. Still on his knees, clad only in his swimming trunks, he looks at her, taking her in, a man about to claim that which he has won. She reaches for him, freely offering herself to him. He moves, placing both knees between her thighs and once again lowers himself onto her. He continues to cover her in gentle kisses, dragging his tongue slowly between her breasts, his saliva cooling her skin in sharp contrast to the heat of his breath.

Her passions are fully aflame now. Her knees pull up and her hips begin rocking of their own accord into his tight, firm stomach. As he moves down and begins kissing, biting, and sucking on her right breast, his hands join the fray. She pulls one of his hands to her mouth, sucking on two fingers, but he quickly removes them, seeking no pleasure other than what he is giving her. As his mouth devours one breast his hand teases the other with gentle kneads and pinches, before he switches, subjecting each breast to the sweet tortures the other has been enduring.

Rick's breathing is becoming hard and ragged, but he moves on slowly. Surrendering her breasts to what delights he can inflict with his hands, he moves down, but slowly, so slowly, subjecting every inch of her flesh between the rise of her breasts and the vee of her crotch to his gentle exploration. She is desperate for his touch upon her womanhood, his fingers, his mouth, his p***s, it doesn't matter. She pushes him down, urging him on, but he continues his slow, maddening march. Failing there, she begins to pull him upwards, inviting him to join with her, but he refuses to be swayed from his goal... unless it is to drive her insane with desire. If that is his goal, he is nearly there.

Finally, after seemingly a lifetime of the most wonderful of tortures, his mouth reaches Charlie's crotch. Her hips continue their autonomous thrusts as he removes his hands from her breasts and uses them to spread her knees. She moans in the anticipation of her delight, but he isn't done with his maddening course. Continuing with his slow kisses, he bypasses her v****a and begins kissing and caressing the inside of her thigh. Pushing with her legs she tries to steer his mouth back to where she so desperately wants it. He ignores the suggestion and, moving with her, continues undeterred. If he goes all the way to her feet, she is certain she will go mad, so she grabs his hair and pulls him hard to her while bucking her hips, seeking sweet release. He grunts, but holding her thigh tight to his lips, he simply waits for her to release his hair.