by C. J. Corbin
I pulled my sweatshirt over my head. No bra. Then I unzipped my jeans and stepped out of them putting them on the chair behind me. I kneeled quietly on the bed. I heard Michael clear his throat and looked up at him.
“You forgot to take off you panties.” He grinned still covering his eyes with his forearm.
“You’re awake!” I exclaimed and smacked him with a pillow.
Michael reached out for me but I backed away. “Un uh,” I said wagging my finger at him.
He leaned up on his elbows and looked at me with his eyebrows raised. I slowly peeled off my panties and tossed them aside. I looked at him for just a moment, then pounced on him and merrily had my way with him.
We lay together afterwards and cuddled. My head on his shoulder, he kept leaning down to kiss me. Michael’s kisses were sweet and tender.
“I could get very used to this.” I said stroking his chest.
His laughter sounded like a growl, “I already am.” He squeezed me.
A car pulled up in the driveway, the doors opened, and the next thing we heard were kids yelling.
“Oh, I completely forgot, Lisa was coming this morning. She’s here with the kids!” I said.
I moved to get up and Michael was right with me. He had his pants on and his shirt over his head before I even got out of bed.
“I’ll keep your sister company while you get dressed.” He said walking out of the bedroom.
I nodded and he closed the bedroom door. As I dressed, I heard their voices in the living room with both kids making most of the noise. After running a brush through my hair, I joined Lisa in the kitchen. Michael had already turned the coffee maker on and popped the croissants into the oven.
“Where’s Michael?” I asked.
Lisa waved to the back yard. “The kids seemed to be enamored with him which is unusual for them. Michael sure is handsome. What kind of work does he do again?”
I peeked out the curtain and saw Michael swinging them around and playing monster with them. Both kids were hurling themselves at him and he was catching them and swinging them up in the air. They were screaming with glee.
Turning back to Lisa I answered, “He’s a wildlife photographer.”
“God, does he make any money doing that?” She asked with her eyebrow raised.
I poured myself a cup of coffee, “I don’t know how much money he makes, but he seems to be doing okay. He’s won a lot of awards and he works for National Geographic all the time.” I said with a proud tone in my voice. “And, he’s putting both of his daughters through college.”
She leaned back against the counter. “Yeah, you mentioned he has kids. They’re grown so you won’t have to take responsibility for them, will you?”
“The three of them manage just fine.” This line of questioning was beginning to irk me. That was like Lisa though.
“Well let’s hope he makes more money than Kevin did, he absolutely bled you dry.”
“Not for much longer.” I added. “We are officially done at the end of this month.”
“Wow, three years went by fast. I didn’t think he deserved a dime from you, especially the way he treated you.” Lisa crossed the kitchen to the window and peeked out. Michael was still twirling the kids around. “I hope he doesn’t make them sick.”
I rolled my eyes and took a big gulp of coffee. I had to get Lisa out of here, because when she was in one of her critical moods I normally wanted to kill her.
Sitting down at the kitchen table, I changed the subject. “Let’s go over what needs to get done. I really appreciate your helping me with this Lisa. You’re so much better at this than I am.”
At this, Lisa smiled and looked interested in the information she needed to relay to me. We were able to firm up all the plans within fifteen minutes. After offering everyone croissants, which Lisa turned down, I ushered my little sister and her kids out the door.
Michael took a big bite out of his chocolate croissant, “That was fast.” He said leaning up against the kitchen door that led into the entry hallway.
The chocolate from the croissant was decorating the corners of his mouth. I reached over and licked the chocolate off one corner of his mouth.
“Yum.” I said licking my lips, “She was driving me crazy and either my little sister had to leave or I was going to bump her off.”
Michael laughed, “Oh, sisterly love, I love it! She did have a lot of questions for me.”
I took a bite of his croissant, “Really? Like what? She’s always been a nosey boots.”
He smiled, “Well she wanted to know if I spent the night. She didn’t ask though what room I slept in, I had an answer all ready for that.”
I grinned and put my arms around his waist. “I bet you did.”
He took another bite of the croissant and when he kissed me, I could taste the chocolate. “Yep, and I would have told her what you did to me this morning too.”
“Michael!” I exclaimed, “You wouldn’t!”
“Oh wouldn’t I? I did it to my sister one time and she never asked something like that again.”
I leaned up for another kiss, “You are terrible.”
Michael kissed me and finished off his croissant, “I know how to stop nosey questions.”
Michael cleaned the kitchen and I washed the sheets and towels. While they were drying, the final boxes shipping to my cabin were packed. My family’s church would be receiving most of the household items for their thrift store. The trunk of my car was very small, with Michael’s bag I had limited room so I was choosing carefully what I could not live without for a few weeks.
Since Michael’s aquarium event was only a couple of weeks away, the dress I would wear was making the trip with us. Zipping up the garment bag, I handed it to Michael when he came into the bedroom to pick up the last of the stuff to put into the car.
“Here, put this on the top of everything.” I instructed. “Gently.” I added.
He held the garment bag up. “What’s in here?”
“That’s the dress I’m wearing to the aquarium party.”
“Oh! Can I see it?” He reached for the zipper.
“No!” I grabbed his hand. “It’s a surprise for you. It’s vintage and one-of-a-kind.”
“Oh.” He nodded his head and grinned. “You know as long as you’re in the dress, I’m going to love it.” Michael bent down wrapping his free arm around my waist and kissed me.
I pushed him toward the door, “Go take care of my dress.”
After locking up everything tight, Michael held his hand out for the keys.
“I figured you wanted to drive.” I said.
Michael chuckled, “Babe you do not want me grabbing you for the next ten hours, because if you drive that’s what I’m going to be doing.”
I giggled and handed him the keys. The top was down, my was hair braided, and we were good to go. We took the coast highway, which would be a slightly longer trip, but it was cooler with more to see. We stopped every hour so he could stretch his legs. My little Saturn did not have a long drive train and while it was okay for me, the car designers did not take into account Michael’s five extra inches.
While we were sitting in a restaurant booth having lunch, Michael called Tammy. “Honey, it is Dad. Yeah, we’re okay. Listen sweetheart, Elizabeth and I are going to be really late tonight, why don’t you go ahead and stay with Debi and Don again tonight.” He paused, “Okay. I’ll see you in the morning.”
Michael disconnected the call. I looked at him puzzled, “We’re making great time. Why did you say we’re going to be late?”
Michael grinned and put his arm around my shoulder. He leaned over and whispered in my ear, “Because, tonight I’m going to make you scream in my bed.”
I blushed and giggled, “Oh. Okay for tonight. You’re right I can’t sleep at your house with Tammy there.”
It was Michael’s turn to look puzzled, “Why can’t you sleep with me while Tammy’s there?”
I blushed again, “
You know,” I stammered, “she might hear us.”
“Well we’re not sleeping at your house, I don’t want to leave Tammy alone in the house, it’s not safe, and besides your bed is too small.” He said it as if he had settled the matter.
“Michael, I can’t sleep with you while Tammy is upstairs. I just can’t.”
We had reached an impasse. He just looked at me, I was glad he did not remove his arm from around my shoulders. Were we having an argument? It was hard to tell.
Our food reached the table and he stole one of my French fries. “Hey those are mine!” I yelped.
“Come and get it.” He said hanging the fry loosely from his mouth.
I leaned over and bit off the dangling fry. I giggled and chewed the fry.
He leaned over and kissed me. “We will figure out the sleeping arrangements. But, for tonight you’re in my bed.”
I laughed and nodded. “Screaming,” I replied forever blushing.
It was late afternoon by the time we hit Big Sur, and I made Michael pull over to put the top up on the car. The fog was rolling in and I was cold. When we were barely past San Francisco and heading inland with another two hours to go, Michael asked me if I wanted to stop for dinner. If he could last then I could last until we got home. He agreed and continued on the road. Up to that point, I had been a good passenger. I kept him entertained through the entire trip. My battery was running on low though and I was getting tired. I laid my head on his shoulder and fell fast asleep.
The next thing I knew Michael was kissing me gently, “Babe, we’re home.”
I opened my eyes and stretched. “Oh, already?” I put my arms around his neck and kissed him back. “You are so yummy. Did you know that?” I blinked up at him.
Michael chuckled, “And you’re still half asleep.”
Michael helped me carry my stuff into my cabin. “I’m going to order pizza and salad. Come on over when you are ready.”
I nodded, “I’ll be right there. Open up the wine.”
He grinned and leaned down to kiss me, “I don’t know if I want to do that because wine may make you sleepy.”
I encircled his hips with my arms and kissed him back, “Don’t worry about me. I had a nice nap.” I ran my hands down his backside and squeezed his butt.
“Oh, so I’m merely a sexual object to you.” He teased me with a mock frown.
“Not only that, but you’re entertaining too.” I pulled one hand back to his front and pressed the obvious bulge in his jeans. “We’re going to have to do something about this too.” I squeezed him gently.
He groaned heavily into my lips. “Oh Babe you’re going to be the death of me.”
I stepped back and he almost fell toward me. “Go get pizza, because I need to be fed first.”
He laughed and saluted me. “Yes!”
As he left the cabin, he turned and told me to hurry. I smiled and nodded. None of the stuff had to be unpacked, but I did throw a load of laundry into the washing machine. I quickly leafed through my mail and found nothing important. The cabin was very quiet without the dogs and it was almost spooky.
Walking into Michael’s house, I heard him in the living room on the phone with Tammy. I was glad he let her know we were home. I giggled to myself when I heard him say that she was not to come home tonight and no, he was not going to explain why.
The backdoor bell rang and Michael pointed to his wallet on the dining room table. I nodded and took his wallet to the back door to pay for the food. The wallet contained the usual driver’s license and credit cards along with a few pictures of the girls. Then I found my section. He had five pictures of me in his wallet, including the bikini one. It made me grin. I paid the pizza person and brought the food into the kitchen.
After loading pizza slices and salad on plates for both of us and pouring the wine that Michael had already opened, I carried everything into the living room. Michael switched on the television and we watched the end of the Dodger and Giants game while we ate our food.
Michael finished off the last of the pizza and I carried the dishes back into the kitchen. Taking the remote control from Michael’s hand, I turned off the television. As he sat on the couch looking up at me, I stood in front of him. I had gotten his attention. Next, I pulled my sweatshirt over my head.
Michael audibly sucked his breath in. I smiled fully aware of the effect I was having on him. The material on the beige bra I was wearing was transparent and it was almost as if I had no bra on at all. I knelt down in between his legs and ran my hands up his thighs. The swell in his jeans was evident as I ran my fingers lightly over his zipper. I looked up and his eyes were intent on me. Michael was silent as I moved my hands up under his t-shirt. His t-shirt was off in a flash.
Sitting next to him on the couch, I bent over and kissed his stomach. My lips trailed up to his chest and I lightly flicked his nipples with my tongue. As they hardened for me, I nipped them with my teeth. This elicited an “Oh god” from Michael.
I straddled his lap and put my arms around his shoulders. In this position, my breasts angled directly within reach of his mouth. He put his hands on my back to bring me closer and his mouth connected with my breasts. Michael sucked and teased my nipples with his mouth through the material of my bra. It was my turn to gasp.
Whispering to Michael, “If you go run a bath for us I will take off the bra and show you what I’m wearing under my jeans.” I brought myself down into his lap and wriggled my hips against him.
He pressed me firmly to him and whispered in between kissing me, “Elizabeth, you are my hellcat.”
I giggled, sat back down on the couch, and pointed to his bedroom. “Go, and let me know when it’s ready.” I poured myself another glass of wine while he drew our bath.
Michael called me about five minutes later. I walked through his bedroom and stood at the bathroom door. He had done well. Candles completely lit up the bathroom. He was already in the tub surrounded with bubbles.
“Now it’s your turn.” He called to me.
I grinned at him and very slowly unbuttoned my jeans. His eyes were watching my every move. I moved to my zipper, pulled it down, and then paused. My hands moved up and I unbraided my hair. Each movement I made was unhurried and languorous. After my hair was undone, I pulled it forward to cover my breasts. I reached around and undid my bra. My breasts fell forward and I covered them with my forearm while pulling off my bra. I dropped it to the tile floor.
Michael swallowed hard when I placed a hand on each breast and leisurely ran my hands over them and down my stomach. When I arched my back and sighed he looked like he was going to faint, but still he did not move. My hands inched my jeans over my hips. The pants finally dropped down to my ankles and I stepped out of them. I stood there in a beige colored thong.
Moving forward, he leaned up against the edge of the tub. I turned around and pulled off the thong bending over to make sure I completed the view for Michael. He uttered, “Oh Elizabeth, I want you.”
I turned around, “So do you like what you see?” I asked.
He stood up in the tub and it was plain that he liked what he saw very much. He helped me step into the tub and then pulled me down into the water. Between the bathtub and his bed that night, Michael made good of his promise to make me scream several times.
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
As the days progressed, we all fell into a routine. I did give in, well sort of. I slept with Michael every night curled up next to him in his bed and usually awoke sprawled out on top of him. The timing of our nightly activities was limited to more quiet behavior when Tammy was home. During the days when she was at school, Michael and I simply ran amok.
Our dogs now ran together in a pack with us in the mornings when we jogged. Michael was faster than I was and normally would take the lead. Topper and I, being the slowpokes often lagged behind.
While I worked on my book, the dogs liked to lie around my feet because I would drop little snacks for them on the floor. I typically wro
te in my cabin, but he set up a small desk for me in his bedroom too. I was often there while he was working in his office.
We regularly visited the eagles too but did not spend the night. I knew all along that the overnight trip we had spent together was an excuse he had used to get me alone. A very clever man. Michael shared his newest project, the eagle book with me and suggested we partner together on the book. He wanted me to write a story about the eagles on our mountain. I tried to spend a little time every day developing the story with him.
Working with him was heavenly. I had never had the kind of working relationship with Kevin that I was sharing with Michael. As it turned out we were good collaborators too, he was open with his praise and accepting of my ideas.
I still had not approached him on a discussion about him not being completely truthful about his friendship with Tommy and Marie. At the moment, I wanted to stay blissfully ignorant but I knew that it would eventually bug me enough to mention it.
Our trip to Monterey was coming up quickly and I was looking forward to another road trip with Michael. He had been away several days to do additional shooting on the whale migration project. I had offered to drive him to San Francisco but he turned me down and told me to spend the time on my book.
Tammy and I put the evenings to good use. I helped her with an English paper that was due. She was agreeable to having me around and happy she would not have to stay with Debi and Don. I slept in Michael’s room and joked with him when he called that he needed more pillows on his bed. He made me promise that I would not get more pillows. He complained that it was crowded enough with the dogs. I teased that I could always go home to give him more room.
By Friday morning, I awoke anticipating both Michael’s homecoming and the Monterey trip the following day. By the time I returned from my jog, Tammy had already left for school. I fed all the dogs and made my coffee and breakfast. Michael always packed his refrigerator with interesting ingredients. Many things that I would never considered buying. He was insistent about buying free-range organic eggs, and if we were going to eat meat that had to be free range too. Far from being a vitamin nut, Michael preferred to get most of his vitamins from the vegetables and fruit he ate. I got dizzy trying to keep track of the massive quantities of food he ate, but he never seemed to gain weight.