Start Me Up

by Nicole Michaels

He lifted himself off the floor, removed his mask, and stretched his back. The ridiculous thing was that he couldn’t stop wishing that he’d just stayed with Anne at the party. Helped her or, shit, just stood there and watched her. But he’d gone because he’d done all he could. He didn’t want to push her. Yet.

  Surprisingly, he’d enjoyed helping at the Monser party. He certainly wouldn’t be making a habit of attending fancy events, but knowing that he was helping Anne made it feel special. He’d noticed details in a way he never would have before he began reading her blog, and because he was a guy for God’s sake. He’d loved it because she did. It was important to her and she was important to him. He’d wanted to do everything in his power to make sure her party was the success she’d planned and make sure she’d have the most beautiful photos for her blog.

  He’d even sneaked the photographer an extra hundred bucks to get Anne some photos within the week for her to post. The poor girl had assured him that she would do it for free, but he wanted to be sure it happened swiftly and he felt bad for dogging her steps most of the night.

  The only thing about tonight that had him on edge was the way he’d felt when he’d seen that damn doctor flirt with Anne. He’d instantly seen red; never in his life had he felt such jealousy. There was no doubt that he hadn’t really earned the right to claim her publicly, especially after the past few days, but there had been no reasonable thoughts going through his head. He’d acted completely on instinct. Anne was his; every bone in his body knew it. He wished she would see it, too.

  Now here he was alone, wondering what it would take to break down her damn walls. She’d made it clear that they weren’t a good idea, and he wondered exactly what was going on in her head. Did she think he was just some playboy who couldn’t give her what she wanted? God, he wanted so badly to give her whatever she wanted. That was part of the reason that doctor had really pissed him off. He could never compete with a guy who saved lives and probably made serious bank while doing it. With a groan he pulled a beer from the fridge and headed through his office toward the bedroom. He’d drink it in bed and hope it made him tired. How pathetic.

  He was halfway down the hall when his phone vibrated in his pocket. He pulled it out and looked at the time: one thirty-four. His heart sped up when he saw Anne’s name on the screen.

  ANNE: If I asked you to come over now, would you?

  Holy shit, his heart nearly stopped beating. He set his beer down.

  MIKE: You know I would.

  MIKE: Don’t even bother asking, I’m on my way.

  With a wide grin he set his phone down, showered in record time, and was out the door. He drove to Anne’s in five minutes and right before he went to knock she opened the door. Just the sight of her standing there, her pajamas wrinkled and her hair up in a bun, made him incredibly happy. She looked wonderful. Perfect.

  “Hi,” she said quietly. She looked a little unsure, but she’d made the move, so he wasn’t going to take any chances. He pushed through the door, closed it quietly behind him, and then filled his arms with warm, soft Anne.

  “Hi,” he said against her hair as he breathed in the lilac scent of her shampoo.

  “Callie and Eric told me in detail how much you did for me tonight. I know I said thank you, but … it didn’t seem like enough.”

  “Is that why you asked me to come here, so you could thank me?” He pulled back and looked into her eyes.

  “Well, no. I mean—not entirely.”

  He breathed a deep sigh of relief. “What did I tell you at the hospital, Anne? I meant it when I said I’d do anything to make you happy.”

  Her eyes widened, and he was afraid she was going to cry. “Thank you. But I need to say something else.”

  “Okay.” His heart sped up and he caressed her face in his palms, their bodies close. “Say it.”

  “I’m afraid.” She blinked and stared into his eyes. “I love that you call me Perfect, and … well I’m just scared that you’ll figure out that I’m not. I try to live this ideal life, be a good mother. I even tried to be a good wife and it was a failure. And my blog, it’s more than just a silly little blog for my business. It’s very important to me, I know I said that before, but … it’s really part of me.”

  He bit back a laugh, his thumb brushing her bottom lip. He wasn’t letting her off this easy; she needed a little goading. “So you like to write about things, okay.”

  “No, you don’t understand.” Her hands left his side and latched onto to his forearms. “I may not truly be perfect, but helping others try to be the best they can be … well, it makes me happy. It seems to have struck a chord because I have a lot of readers. I get at least fifty fan emails a week and usually around five thousand hits before noon. I make money from my blog, enough to pay my mortgage.”

  He forced a serious face and wrapped his hands around her waist. He felt a little guilty making her struggle through this explanation when he knew the reality all too well, almost. The fact that she made such a good living blogging did surprise him. She was just so damn sweet when she spoke about it. “Soooo, what you’re telling me is that you’re kind of a big deal.”

  She gave him a shy look, and he kept a tight hold on her so she couldn’t turn away. She started to lower her eyes. “Uh, uh, uh, Anne. Is that what you’re saying?”

  “Not exactly, it’s more about the community, the teaching, and the sharing.”

  He leveled her with a hard stare.

  “Okay, yes. My blog is kind of a big deal. Happy?”

  He grinned, loving the way she wrapped her hands around his neck. He wondered if it was even a conscious decision. He hoped it was instinct.

  “The truth is, I’m incredibly proud of the site, it’s done well. Callie, Lindsey, and I do a good job and I have to admit that I devote a good chunk of time to maintaining it. I’ve even been invited to speak at a conference this fall. I can’t give it up, Mike.”

  He chuckled. “Anne, who in the world would want you to give it up?”

  “Well … Scott did. We didn’t have the best marriage, obviously. We began to grow apart after Claire was born. I don’t know why, it was my fault just as much as it was his. But then I started my site and I just spent so much time on it. He was jealous, made me feel guilty and said I only cared about my online image and not being a true wife to him. He may have been right a little.”

  “Anne, the guy’s an ass if he blames a website for the end of your relationship.”

  “He used it as an excuse, but my insecurity about it has remained. Not to mention the fact that I am a mother, and I’m older than you, and although you make me feel sexy I don’t know why you would—”

  He cut her off with a hard kiss on the lips. The taste of her after days without was so delicious. He pulled back and looked into her eyes. “Anne, listen to me. I don’t call you Perfect because I see you that way all the time. I don’t care if you can plan a fancy party, or get a million blog hits a day. I don’t care if you make a complete fool of yourself or a bad decision, as long as you make the decision to be mine. I call you Perfect because you’re perfect for me.”

  Anne scrunched her nose and bit her bottom lip. Damn, he loved that. “You sure? Because sometimes I skip showers or feed Claire corn dogs twice in one day.”

  “You’re gonna have to do a lot worse than that, babe.” Mike’s body warmed as Anne melted into him. He took the opportunity to maneuver her over to the couch. He sat and pulled her down to straddle his lap.

  Without a second thought he kissed her, the slickness of her lips making him instantly hard. “God I’ve missed you, Anne.”

  He ran his lips across her jaw and down her neck as one hand came up and cupped her right breast, which was free under her pajama top. “Every night I’ve gone to bed missing the feel of you, and the taste of you.”

  She whimpered as he shoved the fabric over her head and instantly pressed his lips to the hard peak of her nipple. He sucked at and fondled her breasts, her moving slowly on top of
him until the movements of her center against his dick nearly made him come from the friction. Sensing what she was doing to him, Anne moved off his lap and lay down on the couch, pulling him on top of her.

  “I need you inside me, Mike.”

  “Here? Shouldn’t we—”

  She silenced him with a deep kiss and pushed her hands between them, her fingers reaching the fly of his jeans.

  “Uncle Mike, what are you doing here?” A tiny voice came from the stairs. Mike froze, leaning down to conceal Anne. A small squeak came from below him, and Anne tucked her head into his shoulder next to the back of the couch.

  “Don’t. Get. Up,” he heard Anne whisper beneath him. And he wouldn’t, because although the lights were off, the living room wasn’t in darkness. Anne’s pale breasts would be completely visible. He almost laughed at the absurdity of the situation.

  “Uhhh, hi, Claire. What are you doing up this late?”

  “I’m thirsty, why were you kissing my Mommy like that?”

  He cleared his throat. “Well … I was kissing your mommy like that because I love her.” Anne didn’t move a muscle below the length of his body. He hadn’t really given much thought to his answer; it had just come out. But he knew it was true. Absolutely 100 percent true.

  Claire stared at him for a moment, then finally appeared satisfied with his answer and spoke again, moonlight catching the whites in her eyes “Okay. Will you come tuck me in and sing ‘Twinkle Twinkle’?”

  “Of course I will. Now run and get into bed, and I’ll be right up with a drink.”

  Claire grinned and ran up the stairs. Mike adjusted his arms and looked down into Anne’s face. She looked so beautiful there, the moonlight from the window highlighting her messy hair sprawled across the couch cushion, and her lips glistening from their kiss.

  “Why did you say that?” she asked in a whisper.

  “Why do you think, Anne? I’m in love with you. I love Claire, and I love us.”

  A tear instantly ran down her face and into the upholstery. “Are you sure?” she asked, her voice full of emotion.

  “Yes, I’m absolutely sure, and I have another confession, Perfect.”

  Her eyes widened. “What?”

  “Since they day I met you”—he leaned down and spoke against her jaw—“I’ve probably accounted for at least five of those blog hits before noon. I happen to be a huge fan of yours.”

  She shoved at his chest and he lifted up, laughing at her shocked expression. “Oh my gosh, why didn’t you tell me? Really that long?”

  He could see her mind racing, and he couldn’t help but be amused. He shrugged. “Since the day of your party. I liked seeing that side of you. I love how everyone adores you, how funny you are, and creative. I just kept waiting for you to tell me how famous you are.”

  “How embarrassing. Now I’m trying to think of all the silly things I must have said.” She bit at her bottom lip for a moment, then met his eyes as she spoke. “I know this sounds ridiculous, but as public as it is, in some ways it’s still very personal. I know people in town read it, but we don’t usually discuss it. I guess I feel free to really be myself.”

  “I think you’re pretty good at being yourself in real life. In fact, the real-life Anne seems just as smart, funny, and witty as online Anne. I should know, I’m in love with her, remember?”

  She smiled and cupped his jaw with her hands. Her skin was warm and held her familiar scent. He’d missed it so much. “Thank you,” she said quietly. “Although I can’t imagine what would have made you want to read it. It’s not very guy-friendly.”

  “You, Perfect. You made me want to read it. I’ll admit the content is not my thing. I don’t bake, I don’t make crafty shit, and I certainly don’t need to know how to make party decorations out of toilet paper rolls. But if I did, your blog would be the one I read. And I also just love hearing you talk about all that stuff. I want you to talk about the blog with me from now on.”

  “Really?”

  “As long as this blog is what makes you happy, then it makes me happy.”

  A shiver ran down her spine. She nodded and leaned in to kiss him once more. “Thank you.”

  “Uncllleee Miiiikkkeee,” Claire’s voice called from upstairs.

  He leaned his head against hers with a groan and then stood up and adjusted himself. “Is this what I have to look forward to?”

  Anne laughed. “You have no idea, mister. Just you wait. You head up, I’ll bring a drink.”

  He began to walk toward the stairs, and Anne quickly grabbed her shirt and stood up. “Mike, wait.”

  He turned back to her and in two strides she had her hands on his face and her lips on his mouth. She kissed him hard, her tongue tangling with his until she felt his whole body respond. “Anne, not if I’m gon—”

  She silenced him with a finger on his lips. “I love you, too, Mike.”

  Epilogue

  The past three months with Mike had been the happiest of Anne’s life. She would have been content for him never to leave her side, but after that first interruption with Claire, he insisted that he only stay the night when she was away with her father—which, while frustrating, made Anne love him even more. The bonus was that the nights apart made the ones together even sweeter, and waking up in his arms—as she had on this Saturday morning—was still her favorite treat.

  After coffee and breakfast they’d met Bailey and her family, Scott, Claire, and Scott’s girlfriend Dana at a gymnastics tournament where Claire and Bailey had both earned trophies … along with every other girl in their division. They were only six, after all. Now they were all having ice cream at the Carey Darey. The pleasure of Scott’s discomfort around Mike never got old, and Anne wasn’t sure if Dana’s constant staring at him made Anne smug or annoyed. A little of both, but she didn’t need to worry, Mike was definitely hers and continued to show her his devotion constantly.

  “Well, I’m ready for a nap,” Erin said. She turned to her husband. “You’re on daddy duty for the rest of the day, champ.”

  Mike looked at Anne and raised an eyebrow. His sister and her husband had the oddest relationship, but Anne liked them both and Erin had welcomed Anne and Claire like family. They all stood up and said their good-byes, then Mike, Anne, and Claire made their way to the Camaro. Scott had asked Anne if he could cut his weekend a little short because he had a business trip, and she’d been gracious enough to say yes.

  “Mind a little drive through the country?” Mike asked when they got into the car. He slipped his hand into hers on the center console just like he did nearly every time they drove together. She wondered if she would ever get tired of his touch.

  “No, that would be fun.” It was a beautiful September day, the air warm and the breeze light.

  He drove through town, pulled out onto the two-lane highway, and cruised for a while. Eventually he pulled into the farm lot where the Monser party had taken place. She glanced over at him, and he shrugged.

  “What are you doing?”

  “I have no idea,” he said in a teasing voice. “Get out of the car.”

  “Get out, Mommy,” Claire said from the back. Since it was a two-door, Claire had to wait. She shoved violently on Anne’s seat with her little hands. “Hurry!”

  “Hold on, Claire, goodness.” Anne popped the seat forward, and Claire scrambled out of the backseat.

  Mike came around to her side of the car and took her hand. “Come on, babe, no need to worry.”

  “I’m not worried, I’m just confused.”

  He laughed. The three of them walked through the gravel lot and into the garden behind the house. Claire ran ahead and found a swing hanging from a high branch; the tree had to have been nearly a hundred years old. It was truly the most beautiful setting.

  “Michael Everett, what are we doing here? Did you tell Joanne and Pete we were coming?”

  “Yes, I have in fact spoken with Joanne and Pete. Did you know that last week they moved into the same complex your
mom lives in?”

  Anne turned to him. “No, Mom didn’t tell me that. That’s too bad, they loved it here.”

  “They did, yes, but it was just too much to care for at their age.” He stopped them in the middle of the garden and turned her body toward his. The autumn mums had just begun to bloom, and a few bees buzzed around their heads. Anne looked up into Mike’s face. Every time she did so she couldn’t get over how handsome he was, and how lucky she was to have him. “Joanne and Pete felt a lot better about leaving once I assured them that we would love it just as much as they did.”

  Anne cocked her head to the side, then her mouth dropped open. “What? What are you saying, Mike? Did you buy this place?” It surprised her how much she loved the idea.

  “I did, I bought it for us, you and me, and Claire. Please say you’re happy.”

  Anne knew her smile told him exactly what he wanted to hear when his eyes lit up, and his grin matched her own. “Are you serious?” She was almost embarrassed about how shrill her words came out, but Mike’s laugh made her forget that.

  “I’m serious, babe. You can plan all the parties you want here, and I’ve already had Derek come out and look at the house. He’s going to design a complete renovation for us, however you want it. I told him you’re the boss.”

  “Oh I’m sure he loved that,” she teased.

  “Who cares what he loves. The only thing that matters is that I love you.”

  “Oh gosh, Mike.” She was breathless, and so happy she could explode. “I love you so much.”

  He smiled and gave Anne a quick kiss before he called Claire over. “Claire, it’s time for you to do your job.” He pulled a camera out of his pocket and handed it to Claire.

  “Is Mommy happy?” Claire asked. Anne’s daughter appeared to be completely unfazed by the proceedings.

  Anne gasped. “Did you plan this with my daughter?”

  “I have no idea what you’re talking about.” He knelt down on one knee and pulled a box from his other pocket. “Now let’s make this official. You ready, Claire?”

  Anne’s heart pounded as she stared in disbelief into Mike’s smiling face. She glanced over at Claire, who was holding the camera up to her face, ready to shoot. “What’s that for?”