That got me to thinking that this was even better than the text messages and the accidentally-on-purpose coffee dates I’d been plotting before almost busting up my spine. I had her here, a captive audience. The perfect way to show her, if it was even possible, that I wasn’t the guy she thought I was. “Shit!” I pushed off the bed too fast and without my crutch, crumpling to the bed with a less-than-masculine cry of pain. It took a few tries but once I was on my feet, I went in search of Mikki.
“There you are.”
She looked up, wearing a pair of bright pink glasses that were hotter than hell. But it was the combination of the pencil in her mouth and all the papers scattered around on the kitchen table that fired up some deep-seated sexy teacher fantasies I didn’t know I had.
“Here I am.”
“What are you doing?”
“Working.” She sighed, sounding tired. “Catching up on the books for the week and reconciling the inventory for each of my designers. Boring admin stuff that keeps the wheels spinning. What are you doing up?”
“Should I be in bed? I broke my leg, Mikki, I didn’t age fifty years overnight.”
“I’m well aware.” She sighed again, sliding her gaze over me before ripping off her glasses. “Have a seat.”
“I don’t want to bother you.” She was already putting me up, which I still didn’t like. I didn’t want to burden her, or anyone. “You have work to do.”
She laughed. “There’s always work to be done, that’s what I’ve learned over the past few months. It never ends.” She shook her head, brown hair spilling over her shoulders as she talked about billing and vendors, finicky designers. “What?”
I was staring, maybe seeing Mikki for the first time. “You’re more than just a pretty face.”
She blinked and the smallest blush touched the balls of her cheeks before she notched her chin up in defiance. “Glad you finally noticed, sugar.”
“That’s not what I mean. You seem to have taken to this stuff well. Was this what you wanted to do even before your relationship blew up?” What the hell was wrong with me? “Sorry, I didn’t mean it like that.”
She just laughed and waved off the apology. “It’s all right, I know what you mean—and honestly, I don’t know. I think maybe I thought about it, like, in a bucket list sort of way, resigned to know that my life would have been making Mitchell look good. And Daddy.” She shook her head, smile half wistful and half bittersweet. “I just didn’t know at the time that nothing would be good enough. Ever.”
“At least your old man stuck around.” It wasn’t the most elegant way to open up, to give her a sliver of understanding about me.
Mikki closed her laptop and slowly stacked her papers on top of it before pushing it off to the side. “They screw you up when they leave and more so if they stay. The best way to say screw them is to find something that actually makes you happy.” She was lost in thought for a minute, giving me a chance to study her with a new lens. Mikki was beautiful, but there was an intelligence behind her eyes that was unexpected. And a steeliness that I don’t think she even realized was there. Yet.
But she wasn’t ready to see it or for anyone else to see it, either, I realized when she shook off the emotions and stood.
“Are you hungry?”
“I could eat,” I told her and patted my belly, suppressing a smile at the way her gaze heated. It was good to know Mikki wasn’t completely immune to me.
“Any requests?” She pulled open the fridge and bent to look inside, making my mind spin with possibilities.
My smile came slow and steamy. “None I think you’d entertain at the moment.”
Mikki turned over one shoulder, looking like a sexy little housewife with a heart-shaped ass. “Not like you could see it through in your current condition if I did entertain them.”
She had me there, but I wasn’t a man who gave up easy. “A theory I’m more than happy to test out if you are.”
Mikki turned and stuck her head back in the fridge and I laughed.
This might actually be more than bearable—it might be fun.
“It’s that time again.” Mikki appeared in the doorway of her own living room, bouncing around in a green and white dress, decorated with flowers that drew every ounce of my attention to her round, perky tits.
“I’m not a damn invalid.”
She rolled her eyes and yanked the blanket off my legs, folding it quickly and tossing it on the back of the sofa. “No one thinks that but you, Nate. These pills are strong and it’s better if I keep track of them, unless you’d rather not take them?”
How in the hell was I supposed to concentrate on her words when that sexy feminine scent wound its way up my nose and into my brain, activating the primal part that made men animals?
“I’d rather you treat me like a man.”
“And I’d rather you at least pretend to be grateful that someone is looking out for you.” She squeaked when I yanked her wrist until she fell on my lap, so outraged she missed the wince I tried to hold back. “What in the hell do you think you’re doin’?”
“I’m showing you my gratitude, darlin’.” I’d be showing her a lot more and soon if she didn’t stop wiggling on my cock. “Thank you for giving a damn, Mikki.”
“You’re welcome.” The words came out breathless and I couldn’t focus on anything but the plump red lips right in front of me. And then, I couldn’t think about anything but tasting them.
“Cherry or strawberry?” I couldn’t decide which I hoped her mouth tasted like, but when she gasped in surprise at the question, I knew the answer was that I didn’t really care.
“What?”
I pulled her closer until she had no choice but to straddle my hips as her thighs squeezed around me. “I was wondering what your mouth tasted like, cherry or strawberry.” Before she could answer, my lips were on hers, slow and sweet until the taste became clear. Watermelon. Even better. It was perfect, sweet and juicy, just like her mouth.
Mikki moaned into the kiss even as her hands pushed at my chest. I loosened my grip, willing to let her go if that’s what she really wanted, but that one move sent her sliding closer to me so I could feel the heat, the dampness between her legs through my sweatpants. Her fingers tangled in my hair and when my tongue slid against the seam of her lips, she opened up and let me in. Another moan slipped out when she rocked against me. “Shit. You shouldn’t have done that.”
“I didn’t do it alone.” And I wasn’t opposed to doing more of it. Right now.
“I know, but I can’t help it. You’re such a good kisser.” She shook her head and smiled down at me. “You’re injured.”
“But not dead. And kissing you, touching you, feels good, dammit.”
Any of the heat and affection that had been burning in her hazel eyes just moments ago disappeared. Vanished completely. “Really good,” she practically whispered and slid off my lap.
For the next week, Mikki kept her distance, somehow still nursing me back to health while keeping a clear ‘hands off’ vibe while she split her shifts at the shop with Hope. “You don’t have to run yourself ragged just to help me out, Mikki.”
“I am aware of my obligations, Nate.” There was a ‘bless your heart’ in there that went unspoken, but I heard it all the same.
“I just mean, it’s a broken leg. Not my first and probably not my last. I can take care of myself.” Been taking care of me, Jase, and Ma for a long damn time without any help.
Mikki nodded and pressed her palms into the counter that separated us, taking in a deep breath that highlighted the swell of her breasts. “Okay, fine, you want to go home? Go. I won’t stop you.” She folded her arms, all smug and annoyed—and sexy as hell. “Sit down and rest that leg,” she instructed for what felt like the millionth time over the past week.
“You know I love it when you get bossy on me, Mikki.” Strangely enough, it was true. She’d stood in front of me for the past few nights, tapping her foot impatiently while I examined
each pill and made sure it was the right one, just to tick her off. It was fun, fighting with her. Hell, it was exhilarating.
“You hate it, and you and I both know it,” she insisted, turning back to the meatballs and placing the last few on the baking sheet. While she washed her hands, I took my time to admire the curve of her ass in the yoga pants she wore when she wanted to relax at home. Those nights were my favorites, thanks to those skintight pants and the loose, too-thin t-shirts she favored that hid nothing from my overactive imagination.
I made my way around the counter that separated us until I had Mikki trapped between my body and the counter. “You’re wrong, I love it. In fact, it turns me on.” Part of it was that sweet-as-honey southern belle twang of hers, but it was also the sassy way she said everything. And that note of husky desire that never failed to wake up my cock. I pressed my body into hers so she would know exactly what she did to me.
A small gasp escaped when it became clear to her just how turned on I was and I pressed my luck, putting my lips to the soft skin of her neck, thrusting against her when she tilted her head back to give me better access. The gasp turned into a moan as her ass came into contact with my cock and my lips hit her favorite spot, the one right in the curve of her neck. “Nate,” she moaned, and I could have stripped her down right there in the kitchen, wet hands and all, but she pushed me back. “Sit.”
“I’m not a dog.”
She arched a brow, trying to be funny.
“I’m not.”
“Well, whatever you are, you need to stay off that leg as much as possible. Doctor’s orders.” She turned to face me, pushing her hands against my chest to get my feet moving. Instead, I pushed back. “Nate, this isn’t a good idea.”
She was wrong about that, but I knew how to read a room and right now wasn’t the time. Mostly. I leaned in and whispered in her ear. “I need some help.” Goosebumps pebbled her skin and I let my lips scrape against her earlobe and down her neck. “Please.”
“Ugh, you don’t fight fair.” This time, Mikki wrapped her arm around my waist and took some of my weight as she guided me to a chair tucked under the kitchen table.
“Remember that next time you try to fight with me.” I dropped down into a chair and pulled her onto my lap. “You look gorgeous in your flirty little dresses, but in those fucking yoga pants, I want to eat you alive.” So bad I could feel my mouth watering just thinking about how she’d writhe against my mouth while I licked her to an orgasm or two.
“You’re just horny, Nate.” It was easier for her to think that, I knew, because the alternative was that a week of getting to know each other was changing her mind.
“Yeah, I am horny, Mikki. Horny for you.” I squeezed her ass because her cheeks were so soft and full, all I could think about was grasping her hips while I thrust into her from behind. “Come closer and let me feel you.” She didn’t fight this time, putting her legs on either side of my hips and sinking into my kiss. I loved the way she gave in to her own pleasure, just succumbed to whatever happened and giving it all back ten-fold. It was what made being with her so intoxicating. So damn addicting.
My hands were up her shirt, pinching hard nipples between my thumb and forefinger while she ground against my cotton-covered erection, both of us so wound up and turned on, we’d go over edge with a bit more effort. “Nate,” she moaned, and I didn’t know if she wanted more or if she wanted me to stop.
“I’m right here, Mikki.” My body felt cold when she stepped from my lap and turned away, but then she pulled her pants down and reached around her body to grasp my cock in her fist. “Mikki,” I groaned when the tip slid inside her wet heat. “Shit, Mikki.”
“Nate,” she growled. And bounced. And bounced. I grabbed her tits and held on as she used my body for her pleasure and for mine, riding harder and faster, gripping the sides of the chair to get as much of my cock as she could. “Oh, Nate!” Less than a minute later, she was clenching around my cock, coating me in her pleasure as she shook violently. Pulsing, until she singlehandedly yanked my orgasm from my body. “Nate. That was—”
“Exactly what we both needed? Incredible?”
“That, too,” she moaned as my cock slipped from her body. “But not smart. What if you re-injure yourself?”
“Worth it.”
She mumbled something under her breath and groaned when the doorbell sounded. “Expecting company?”
“Nope. You?”
“No. But I guess I’ll go get it. You stay here.” She pointed, lips twitching to keep her laughter at bay.
“Very funny,” I told her, hypnotized by the movement of her ass as she walked away. I reached down to take care of the non-existent condom when I realized what I’d done. What we both had done. And not for the first time, if memory served. Dammit. I’d have to talk to her about it when we were alone.
After we finished what we’d started.
My boner died a quick and painless death as Mikki reappeared with a very familiar face behind her. “Hey, Ma. What are you doing here? Rodney.” Husband number four was a nice enough guy, but they never lasted for any number of reasons, so there was no point getting too close.
“I heard my boy was in an accident and I came as soon as the ship hit the next port.” She ran to me and smothered me in a hug of lavender and vanilla and cookies. It was a scent I always associated with her, even though there had been a few years where there were no cookies at all. Not ever. “I’m so glad to see you’re okay. I thought the worse.” She reached out for Rodney who was right there, rubbing her shoulders and whispering soothing words.
“He’s all right now, Rayanne. At least, he will be if you don’t drown him in your tears.”
“Right,” she sniffled and released me. “You look a little pale and a bit thin for my tastes.”
“I’m eating more than enough, Ma. In fact, we should be eating any moment now if you two—”
“Would like to join us? There’s more than enough for us all,” Mikki piped in with a smile, like anyone asked her.
Ma looked between us, clearly reading the displeasure on my face but wanting to be close to me. In the end, Mikki took the choice out of her hands. “I insist, after you’ve come all this way just to check on Nate. How do you feel about spaghetti and meatballs?”
“I love’ em! What do you use for breadcrumbs?”
Mikki grinned. “Always day-old baker’s bread. I’m Mikki, by the way.”
I groaned at their easy chatter; it could only mean bad things for me. “Ma, this is Mikki, a friend who’s letting me stay in her guestroom while I recover. Mikki, this is my mama, Rayanne Callahan-Rogers.”
“Nice to meetcha, Rayanne. Make yourself comfortable.” She winked as she passed—the damn woman knew exactly what she was doing.
Throwing me to the wolves, and for what? All for giving her an orgasm that I could still smell in the air.
Mikki
Talk about surreal. Sharing a meal with my baby’s grandma, who didn’t know she was going to be a grandma and was a perfectly nice woman. Rayanne Callahan-Rogers was a good lookin’ lady, with silver hair that looked out of place on her youthful face and green eyes identical to both of her sons’. And she—at least, on the surface—seemed like a damn good mama. She was doting and warm, kind and genuinely interested in Nate’s life. She was everything my own mama wasn’t and as I watched the two of them smiling and chatting like old friends, I wondered what kind of mama I would be.
If there was any glimmer of fairness in the world, I would be more like Rayanne.
“How does that sound to you, Mikki?” Rayanne’s melodic voice pulled me out of my thoughts. Her lips curled into a knowing smile.
I blinked a few times, searching my brain to see if I’d picked up any part of the last five minutes of conversation. Nope, nothing. “Sorry, I was going over my never-ending list of things to do. How does what sound?”
She smiled again, almost as if she knew the flush on my skin was from the orgasm her son had g
iven me instead of the heat of the kitchen. “I’ll take care of my boy during the day so you can work and I can spend time with him, and you can have him all to yourself at night.” She smirked at her own joke.
Nate groaned. “Ma, please.”
“Don’t be such a prude, Nate. I have eyes.”
“Rayanne, you have the wrong idea about u—”
“That sounds perfect, Ma.” Nate’s words ran right over mine, on purpose. “I was worried about how Mikki would be able to keep up this insane schedule,” he glared at me as he spoke, just to let me know he hadn’t forgotten our last argument, “and take care of me. That’s why you’re my favorite girl, Ma.”
He flashed an angelic smile at Rayanne, laying it on thick, but her blushing smile said she didn’t give a damn. A pang of envy tore through me at their easy relationship, the sincerity in their kidding, their prodding, and even their mocking.
You could have this. My baby could have this, and I could give this to him or her. But that was a thought for another time. “That would be very helpful, Rayanne. Thank you.” It was the perfect time to make my exit before my thoughts and emotions collided in an ugly mess of tears. “I’ll let you two catch up.” I stood and cleared away my dishes, making a mental note to get up early and clean the kitchen before I left for the shop. “And your next round of pills is at ten o’clock.”
“Yes, ma’am,” he said, adding some extra oomph to the words to draw out his Texas twang, flashing a wink that made my nipples hard. Instantly.
I rolled my eyes at him, biting the inside of my cheeks to keep from smiling. It was stupid to have sex with him again, especially when I was keeping a really big secret from him—another reason to hide out in my bedroom. “It was nice to meet you, Rayanne. Let me know when you’re ready and I’ll drive you to wherever you guys are staying.” Rodney had been mostly silent during dinner, adding a few details of their recent travels and laughing along.
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