Start Me Up

by Nicole Michaels

  “Okay, now stop.” He put both hands up to block her, and a tear ran down her cheek. She gasped and put a hand over her mouth. He watched her for a moment, wondering what the next best move would be, but she continued on.

  “I really thought you liked me. I know she’s totally perfect and pretty for someone who’s, like, in their thirties. But she has a kid. And a mommy business. Do you really think she wants to marry a mechanic? She even said you all weren’t serious! But I like you a lot, Mike! I don’t even care that you work on cars for a living.”

  Wow. That struck him speechless. He wanted to ignore her words; she was hurt, drunk, and completely irrational. But her comments about his work hit home. Obviously Katie had read Anne’s blog post, too, which pissed him off, but she’d had the same thought he did. Was Anne just testing the waters? This wasn’t for keeps, only for fun with her? He didn’t want to believe it but …

  “Katie, you need to go home. Or back inside the bar.”

  She sucked in a deep breath and stared at him for a second before she spoke again. “This won’t last, Mike.”

  “Thank you for your brutal yet unwanted opinion.” He was barely able to hold in his fury. At what, he wasn’t sure—her definitely, but more at the doubts that her words had unleashed in his mind. “I’m leaving, you need to go, too.”

  She looked at him, a whiny sigh emitting from her mouth. At this point he couldn’t muster a bit of pity for her. Finally she stumbled back to the steps and headed up to the front door. He wanted to just turn and go, but he couldn’t. With a sigh he followed her up and made sure she not only didn’t fall, but also got back inside. Aiden would hopefully help her sober up.

  After watching her shove past the doorman, Mike made the short trek back to his shop and sat down in his Camaro, parked in the alley. He slammed the door and leaned his head back on the leather headrest. He wasn’t entirely sure what he was thinking, what he wanted, or what he was feeling. He knew he wanted Anne and for more than a little while. Was it possible that she didn’t want to share the details of their relationship because of who he was or what he did? She didn’t make him feel beneath her because he didn’t have a college degree or a white-collar job. But was she thinking it?

  He could shake off the opinion of Katie, but Anne … he needed to feel something from her, something more than lust. He’d always been proud of his work, happy with his place in life, and satisfied with his future prospects. But now … something was missing. A new void had appeared in his life, one he hadn’t even been aware of.

  He’d been with his fair share of women over the years. He’d had some good times. Sure, some of them had wanted more, but one thing had been consistent: He’d remained uncommitted and liked it that way. Alone was safe, alone was easy, and alone didn’t hurt. He’d had enough of pain and loss, but just the thought of not having Anne threatened feelings he’d rather not experience. That realization alone made him feel a little suffocated, and how the hell had it happened?

  He picked up his phone, his body humming with frustration of every kind. He wanted to get his hands on Anne, touch her, taste her, and smell her. He wanted to know what was in her head. And that she felt for him what he felt for her. He sent her one more text.

  MIKE: I decided I will throw a fit if you’re not naked. I need you, Anne. Right now.

  He switched the sound to off and started the engine. He didn’t want her to reply, he just wanted her to do this for him, get out of her comfort zone because he’d asked her. Was he testing her? No, that wasn’t his style, but he still wished she would do something to let him know this was more than just a physical thing. If it wasn’t, he didn’t know if he’d be able to stand it. He had a really good feeling he couldn’t. Soon they would talk and he would get inside her pretty little head and find out how deep this ran on her side. He wanted all of her.

  Twenty

  Anne leaned forward on the edge of her bed, one arm covering her naked breasts, which was silly since she was alone in the house. She’d already prepared for Mike’s return by lighting several candles in her bedroom and removing all of her clothing. The front door had a note—Come upstairs and lock the door behind you—that she’d just placed there after receiving his text. Hopefully no strangers would come by, which she figured unlikely at this hour.

  She’d wanted to surprise him—and herself—by taking a chance, letting herself feel and act sexy, but this last message had confused her. Something about it felt … angry. She wasn’t really sure what to make of it.

  She bit at her bottom lip and glanced around the room. Luckily darkness had fallen outside so the candlelight created soft golden warmth—as flattering as light could be, she figured. She envied women like Callie who felt comfortable with their bodies. Anne wished she was one of those women who could strut around in the nude for a man. She would probably never be that way, she hadn’t been even before pregnancy, but she wanted to. She wanted to do that for Mike, because no one had ever made her feel as wanted as he did, and that realization shook her to her core.

  They weren’t in love with each other, but she couldn’t deny the pull she felt to him and it was more than skin-deep.

  A soft knocking on her bedroom door startled her—she hadn’t heard him arrive, much less come up the stairs. She took a deep breath and stood in front of the bed as he opened the door. Her heart pounded as she fought the instinct to grab her robe and cover her body. The hall was dark, but the candlelight was just bright enough to highlight Mike’s face. He stood completely still for a moment, hands at his sides, just staring with hooded eyes.

  “Hi,” she said, trying to sound seductive and failing miserably when her voice shook. Yet he didn’t even seem to hear her. From the tone of his text, and now his silence, she sensed something wasn’t right. Her shoulders fell with concern and she shifted from one foot to the other. “Is everything … okay?”

  He nodded, seeming to snap out of his haze. “God, yes, now it is.”

  She couldn’t help a weak smile as he walked into the room, his gaze locking onto hers. She waited for his eyes to travel south, and when they finally did she managed to keep her arms still and let him peruse every inch of her. Every nerve seemed to react to the touch of his eyes; her arms tingled and her breasts felt heavy. She was amazed at how empowering it felt. When he finally looked back at her face, her entire body was hot and languid.

  “You’re so beautiful,” he whispered. Those three words made it all worth it.

  He stepped toward her slowly. His hands settled on her bare hips and slid up the sides of her waist while at the same time his mouth crushed into hers. The impact of their bodies joining made her weak, her skin soft against his jeans and shirt. Combined with the masculine scent coming off his skin, she was worked up to the point of frustration. His fingers were rough and she felt every stroke as he ran them over her back and bottom.

  Wet lips ran along her jaw as he backed her into the mattress. He stopped right before she slid down to the comforter, her body thrumming with anticipation.

  “I need you, Anne, more than I’ve ever needed anything in my life.” He swallowed hard and leaned forward to her ear, his tongue running against her lobe before he spoke softly. “I want you to need me, too.”

  Her eyes focused on a candle behind him, and between the words and the touch of his mouth she thought she might be dreaming. She knew what he said, and what she thought that meant, but she wasn’t sure so she took the safe route. With both hands she grabbed onto his face and made him look at her. “I do need you.”

  “Are you sure?”

  She reached one hand down and ran her palm over the bulge in his jeans. “Yes, I’m sure.”

  He put his hand over her fingers and stilled her stroking. “No. I don’t mean I want you to need this. I want you to need me.”

  Silence enveloped them as they stared at each other. He’d been so playful this morning and in his earlier texts. She wondered if something had happened but didn’t want to ask, so she said exa
ctly what her heart told her to. “I knew what you meant, and my answer is the same. I need you, Mike Everett. Now please touch me or I’m gonna die.”

  His lips curled at one side, a small dimple showing in his cheek. He grabbed her arms and pulled their bodies together as they tumbled onto the bed, the sounds of urgent kissing filling the room.

  He stopped, gasping for breath as he brushed her hair from her face. The emotion in his eyes made her want to say something she shouldn’t. Something that couldn’t be unsaid, so instead she squeezed her lips shut and let her fingernails run down his sides until she could grab a fistful of fabric. He pushed his body up, hands dipping into the bed beside her so she could pull the shirt up and then over his head. She was breathless as she took in the sight of his beautiful body.

  “Am I hurting you?” he asked.

  “No,” she whispered, squeezing his shoulders because he hadn’t waited for an answer, he just tucked his mouth into her neck and began kissing her shoulder, then her breasts. One and then the other, his tongue wet and firm. He sucked one nipple into his mouth and she arched against him, the pleasure too intense. Denim scratched at her inner thighs where she only wanted to feel the warmth of his skin.

  “Mike, I want all this off. I need you naked.”

  She felt his chest rumble against hers before he pushed off the bed and stood beside it. “Yes ma’am.”

  His boots, jeans, underwear, and socks were gone in a hurry and he was back on her resuming the seductive ministrations to her body. She spread her legs wide, allowing all of him to settle against all of her. Everything about touching him felt right and natural, and when he began to move up and down, his erection slipping through her folds, she accidentally released a small moan.

  “I love the sounds you make,” he whispered, continuing to grind against her.

  A severe blush broke out across her face and radiated through her entire body. He continued the kissing, licking, and caressing all over her torso as she tried to return the favor. He was nearly frantic with the way he devoured her body, moving over her face, chest, and stomach while his fingers stroked between her thighs. Every few seconds he would tell her how good her skin tasted, how much he wanted her, and what he was going to do to her. Her body was humming, on edge, and begging for release.

  Finally he went to his knees and rolled on a condom before he resettled himself and entered her slowly. She lifted her legs and wrapped them around his waist, pulling him closer. She knew she’d succeeded in garnering his full attention when he grabbed both of her hands and held them above her head. The intensity of his thrusts increased, bringing her closer and closer.

  Right before her body flooded with the sensation he let one hand travel down to her center once again, teasing until she went over the edge. He followed right after her, his thrusts slowing and his breaths becoming ragged until he cursed quietly and sagged against her.

  After a moment they were both spent and panting and he rolled over onto the pillow, one arm flung across his face. “Good Lord, Perfect. You’re amazing.”

  Anne pulled up the sheets and covered them both before snuggling in beside him, one arm across his torso. “You’re more amazing.”

  His arm dropped from his face and he twined his fingers with hers on his chest. “We’re amazing together.”

  The comment had her heart blooming and her brain venturing into dangerous territory. But she had to agree, something special happened between them, something that scared the bejeezus out of her. So instead of a reply she just ran her fingers across his chest and molded her body against his. Hopefully he could feel the things that she didn’t have the nerve to say.

  * * *

  The next morning Anne carefully rolled out of bed, hoping not to wake the giant mass of man sprawled stomach-down across her yellow houndstooth sheets, the same sheets that were now just barely concealing a very perfect behind. She stood staring for a moment as she slipped on her robe. She tilted her head to one side, then the other, taking in a nice long look.

  A month ago she would have bet she had a better chance at being asked to plan a party for the president than to sleep with a man like Mike, young, firm, and sexy. She smiled at the turn of her good luck and continued her perusal.

  One naked leg peeked out and she admired the dark hairs and corded muscle running up his calf and into his thigh. His face was turned toward the opposite wall and she wished she could see it. She had yet to see his handsome features relaxed in slumber. She considered tiptoeing to the other side of the bed.

  “You got your fill yet, Perfect?”

  “Oh … shit,” Anne hissed as soon as he started speaking. She held a hand up to her forehead as he rolled over to face her, a massive grin on his face. “You scared me to death,” Anne said.

  “Well, how do you think I feel. I was the one being ogled.” His hand reached over his head and he stretched hard, his pectoral muscles lengthening and driving her mad.

  She put a hand on her hip. “I just got up. And I wasn’t ogling you.”

  He lifted a brow and let his arm drop back against the bed beside him. It caught at the sheet and yanked it a little to the side, giving her a good idea of something else she’d like to ogle. As if he could read her mind, he let out a laugh.

  “Okay, fine.” She crossed her arms against her chest. “There may have been some ogling. Like I can help it. You’re naked. In my bed.”

  “That I am, and it’s a very comfortable bed. Even more so when you’re in it with me, so why don’t you make that happen.” He stretched his arm out to her and crooked a finger.

  “First, I need coffee, and this morning it’s my treat. Oh, and I went by Callie’s yesterday and picked up some of her pecan rolls.”

  Anne tightened her robe around her waist and headed for the hall. She heard the bed squeak behind her and then the rustle of clothes, so she knew Mike was going to follow. Downstairs she started pulling out everything she needed and got to work with the coffee. Just as she pulled the plate of rolls from the microwave, strong arms grasped her from behind, followed by a warm mouth on her neck.

  “Hmmm, you smell like a woman who got lucky last night,” Mike said.

  “Oh jeez, is that a good smell? Because I’m not sure.”

  He ran his tongue along the skin just below her ear. “Yep, it’s my second favorite. The first being whatever that flowery stuff is that I can smell every time I’m around you.”

  Anne’s stomach dipped at that compliment, and also at the implication. He noticed her, even the little things, and they were his favorite. She pulled gently from his arms and set the plate on the table. “That scent is lilac. I’ve always really liked it so I have it in candles, body products, fabric softener—you name it, I probably have it in lilac. I might go a little overboard.”

  “No way, don’t stop. It’s you.” Mike sat down across from her at the table, took a bite of his cinnamon roll, and winked at her.

  For the second time in thirty minutes Anne nearly jumped out of her skin when she heard a voice call out from the living room. “Hey sweetie. Thank goodness I can smell coffee—”

  “Oh shit, it’s my mother,” Anne whispered in a panic, looking from left to right. There was absolutely no avoiding what was about to happen. She froze as said woman appeared in the kitchen doorway. Marie shot a glance at Mike and then Mike’s lower half, which thank heavens was sporting jeans. Meanwhile his upper body was sinfully bare and Marie’s eyes were glued to it.

  “Well my goodness, sweetie, I’m sorry. I obviously should have called to see if you’d have company at eight a.m. on the Sabbath.”

  Mike stood up and lifted his hand. “Hello Mrs…”

  “Please call me Marie,” she said as she stepped over and took Mike’s hand. Anne didn’t miss the way her mother looked him up and down.

  “Nice to meet you, Marie. I’m Michael Everett.”

  Anne stifled a laugh at his use of the proper name. She knew her mother well enough to know that she was teasing with t
he holier-than-thou act, but Anne still wasn’t thrilled about being caught. She felt like a teenager being found making out on the couch—not that she’d ever actually made out on a couch when she lived with her parents. How had she not heard her mom put the key in the door? Oh yeah, she was mooning over the sexy half-naked man’s romantic words about how she smelled.

  Anne tried not to be overly concerned about her mother’s noticeably labored breathing. Was she feeling okay? Should she be resting? Anne feared that her mother’s days of going about life carefree were seriously numbered, but right now Marie appeared to care less about her health than her appreciation of Mike’s form. Anne could understand that; Mike’s form was a sight to behold for any woman.

  “I, uh … apologize for being indisposed,” Mike said. He glanced at Anne nervously and started to move toward the door. Her mother had other ideas. She placed both hands on his broad shoulders and shoved his body—nearly double her size—back down into the chair.

  “Don’t you dare apologize and don’t you dare move … a muscle.” On that last word Marie gave each deltoid a firm squeeze. Anne rolled her eyes as her mother headed for the kitchen cabinet. “Well. I guess I’ll take my brew to go and be out of your hair.”

  “Mom, I’m sorry, did you need something? Are you doing okay?” Anne’s thoughts were pinging back and forth between worry and embarrassment.

  “Oh I’m fine, in fact I’m wonderful.” She smiled at Mike over her shoulder before pouring her coffee into one of Anne’s thermal travel mugs. Luckily she took it black, so no sugar, but Anne knew the caffeine was going to have to go with her mother’s high blood pressure. But no one told Marie what-for. Obviously, and Anne wasn’t really in a position to cast judgment.

  Anne turned her head to Mike; his smile was nearly boyish. The same kind you give to your best friend when you realize you’ve gotten out of trouble by the skin of your teeth. She widened her eyes in question and he wagged his brows at her. Even in such an awkward situation, he managed to look relaxed and smug; it irritated her and made her want to kiss him at the same time.