by Ami Le Coeur
He grinned at me. “Happy to be of service.”
I had to laugh, remembering his earlier comments about his ‘menu of services’. Then I blushed, reliving the way he serviced me last night and again this morning. The way he serviced me after breakfast too. I’m sure if I had more feeling down there, by now I’d be numb.
“Anything else I can help you with, Miss Maria?” he asked, raising his eyebrow as he drawled out his sentence. Obviously, he was enjoying teasing me.
I glanced at the zipper on his pants and was fascinated to see the material jump. He’s getting hard for me again. Desire coiled. I vaguely wondered what the world’s record was for making love in one day.
Brrinng Brrinnng.
Crap.
“Hello?” I said, picking it up quickly as I gave Thom a ‘later’ look. He nodded his head up and down and mouthed, ‘You’re mine.’
“Maria, it’s Gregory. I hope I’m not interrupting anything?”
Ha! “Nothing important,” I lied, making a face at Thom. “What’s up? Do we have another lease client?” I took a deep breath, focusing to regain at least part of my composure.
“Not yet. But I have a proposition I think you’ll want to participate in. You remember that the gallery likes to sponsor charity events?”
“How could I forget,” I laughed. “That’s what gave me my start, thank you very much, Mr. Gallery Owner.”
“You’re welcome, Miss Talented Artist,” he chuckled. “I have an opportunity to sponsor an event for the South Side Children’s Academy. We’re looking for artists to represent various methodologies. I have a sculptor, someone who makes mosaics, and a woodturner. We’re looking for a painter, would you be interested? It’s an opportunity to demonstrate as well as show your work.”
South Side Academy? “Is that the one with all the controversy? The one where the funds were being embezzled or diverted?”
He cleared his throat. “Um, unfortunately, yes. But that’s why we’re doing the event. The Academy serves a lot of children. And that need doesn’t change, regardless of the corruption of the board.”
He had a point. “When is the event?” I asked.
“Next month. What do you think?”
“Sure, I’d be happy to have my paintings there,” I said. “But I have another idea. This is for the kids, yes? How about if we involve a child?”
“What do you have in mind?”
“I’ve been working on a children’s story book with a nine-year old friend,” I said, looking over at Thompson, who was watching me with curiosity. “We’re not having a lot of luck getting it published, but I think some of the illustrations would make wonderful prints. The story is hers, original and charming. And the pictures are pretty good, too, if I do say so myself.”
“You’ve submitted it to a publisher?”
“Yes, this past week we met with one of their representatives. But it didn’t go very well, I’m afraid. They wanted us to get an agent first. One from their list.”
He chuckled. “A little self-serving, huh?”
“Oh! More than that… but never mind, we’ll figure something out. What do you think of my idea?”
“I like it. Will your co-author be there also?”
“Well, I certainly hope so! That was the whole idea. But I’m glad we have a little time to get that arranged. There might be, um, some complications?” I raised my eyebrows at Thompson as I shrugged my shoulders, remembering my last encounter with his ex-wife.
“Well, see what you can do and get back to me in a few days? I’ll move forward on this end and once you know for sure, we can formalize the schedule a bit more. By the way,” Gregory added, “I have a very knowledgeable friend in the publishing business. Should I set up an appointment for you?”
Hope bloomed. “That would be fantastic.” Gregory’s contacts were almost as good as Antonio’s, and after my previous experience, I could use a friendly connection.
“Good. Let me see if she can squeeze you in this week. I’ll let you know.”
“Thanks, Gregory. Really. Thank you so much.”
“It’s my pleasure, Maria. The world needs an opportunity to know you.”
“So,” Thom crossed his arms as I hung up the phone. “You’re now setting Emily’s social calendar?” A semi-sarcastic smirk was plastered across his face.
I grinned. “Oh, I’m sorry.” I grinned again. I clearly wasn’t sorry. “I hope you aren’t upset? That was Gregory, inviting me to a charity event for the Children’s Academy. You know, the one—”
“Yes, I remember. I think I understand what you two are planning.” His face darkened. “I don’t think Rachel will go along with it, though. Especially after everything that’s just happened.”
“I know, but we have a few weeks to work on her,” I said hopefully. “There must be some way we can convince her.”
He shook his head. “Doesn’t matter. Rachel can, and will, change her mind. Right up until the last possible moment.”
“Surely there’s something she wants?”
Thom's lips narrowed into a tight line as his jaw clenched. He looked away, and I decided it was probably best to let the subject drop for the time being.
“Maybe I’ll know something more on Wednesday,” he said, blowing out a breath and running a hand over his hair. That would be his appointment with the attorney on Wednesday. It was good to see him finally taking action on his own and Emily’s behalf. And hopefully putting that horrid woman in her proper place, or at least giving her a taste of her own medicine.
Brrinng Brrinnng.
I frowned at the phone, but picked it up. It was Gregory again.
“Hi Maria, long time no talk,” he said, chuckling. “I got lucky and was able to speak with Teresa Whitstone, my publishing friend, just a moment ago. She would love to talk to you about your book and had a cancellation for Wednesday at four. If you can’t make it then, she’ll be available next Monday at ten in the morning. Would either of those work?”
I glanced up at Thom. “What time is your attorney appointment Wednesday,” I asked him.
“Three-thirty.”
Hmm, that might work. “Would you be able to drop me off somewhere beforehand? The publisher can meet me at four. I don’t mind waiting for a little bit.”
“Absolutely.”
I smiled at him. Seemed like I was always smiling at him. “I’ll take the Wednesday appointment, Gregory. Thank so much for setting this up.”
“My pleasure. I’ll text you the address so you have it. Do touch base and let me know how it goes. And also remember to let me know about the charity event as soon as possible.”
“I will. Thank you.”
Hanging up, I grinned at an equally grinning Thom. “What?” I asked and touched my face, wondering if I had paint smeared across it.
His eyes dilated and he walked closer to me. “I was just imagining you lying over the back of that couch and me taking you from behind.”
I looked at him, to the couch and back to him, my heart beating a little faster as the heat flushed my cheeks. In my limited experience of things sexual, just the suggestion turned me on. “Is that possible?”
He lifted a shoulder, grinning bigger. “Only one way to find out.”
My breath caught in my throat and he stepped between my legs, leaning down to kiss me. I reached for the button on his pants, wanting to touch him. Wanting him in my mouth. Soon, his pants were at his thighs and he was in my hand. I watched in fascination as his cock appeared and disappeared in my fist.
He was big and growing bigger as I leaned forward and kissed the tip, relishing his moans rumbling from his chest. The weight of him pressed down on my tongue as I took him into my mouth and tasted him fully. I didn’t think I could ever get enough.
Lightly running my fingers down his shaft, it twitched at my touch and my lips followed my fingers, taking him deeper into my throat. I worked the head with my tongue, growing more confident with the experience I’d gained in the past
twenty-four hours, and wanting more than anything to please him. I was learning what he liked and what he loved, which was pretty much anything I did.
His fist closed in my hair, but he didn’t try to take control. I set my own rhythm, a steady in and out, taking him in a little deeper each time. He tried to pull me away, but I didn’t want to stop. I wanted everything. I wanted to experience this. Taste him. All of him. I gripped his hips and wouldn’t let go.
He surrendered to my need, I felt it the moment he did. The little jerks of his hips, the fingers gripping my hair. The soft curse that burst from his lips.
Then he was coming and I was tasting and swallowing. I was taking all of him, his very essence, merging our DNA within my body. It was a heady rush. I felt powerful and strong, nearly bringing this big man to his knees.
As I watched him recover, his breath returning to normal, his body softening, a new rush of love washed over me. I loved him. All of him. The part on the outside I can touch and the part of the inside I can feel. And when he looked down at me, I knew he loved me too.
Chapter 12 – Maria
Two days ago, I’d never slept with a man, never known how it felt to wake in his arms. But when I opened my eyes Tuesday morning and felt Thom’s heat pressed against my side, it seemed like I’d been waking this way for an eternity.
So right.
So natural.
So soothing.
So needed.
For a brief moment, I thought about my sister Angela, and I was grateful she was away. Would any of this have happened if she was sleeping in the next room?
I watched Thom sleep, the early morning light straining to penetrate the darkened shades, his angular features softened in rest. His lips were parted, air whispering in and out between their soft skin. His lashes, thicker than I remembered, lay like a curtain over his cheeks.
“No.”
The word surprised me and I jumped, my heart picking up speed. His face was instantly contorted in pain, his body tightening beside me. He was dreaming.
He moaned again. No, this was much worse.
“Stay away. Not safe.”
The words ripped from him, so strangled I could imagine hands wrapped around his neck.
“Thom!” I tried to wake him. I reached out to touch him, to pull him from the darkness, but he grabbed my wrist, opened his eyes and screamed.
I couldn’t help it. I screamed too, too startled to do anything else.
Eyes wild, he pushed himself from the bed and was on his feet before I could cry out his name to stop. He sank to his haunches, his hands gripping his hair before pushing to his feet again and turning to me.
“Oh god, are you okay? Did I hurt you?”
I tried to go to him, pulling myself to the end of the bed. “No. I’m fine. I promise. Come here. Sit with me. Hold me.”
He shuddered. I watched it literally ripple across his skin. Then he took a deep breath and came to me, pulling me into his arms.
“Another bad one?” I asked him and he kissed my hair.
“No. Not too bad. This time,” he whispered.
I didn’t know if he was lying or telling the truth. Either was equally bad. If what I’d just seen—the pain on his face, the terror in his voice—wasn’t bad, I hoped bad never visited him again.
“You said it wasn’t safe, that someone should stay away. Do you know what you meant?”
He frowned, his eyes searching my face as if looking for the answer in my eyes. Finally, he shook his head. “It’s gone. I don’t remember.”
I smiled up at him. “It doesn’t matter. It was a lie anyway.”
His eyebrows furrowed, he was clearly confused.
“I’ve never felt safer than when I’m with you.”
“You know, no one has ever expected much from me. Foster kid. Army hellion. Ex-husband. Weekend dad. When nobody expects much, it’s easy to not try very hard. It’s easy to fall into their expectations, to become the person others believe you to be. I’m ready to try harder.”
I smiled, my finger tracing the lines of his lips, his nose, his eyebrows. “Just know that I love who you are now. I’m proud of you, now. I’m attracted to you, now. I’ve never met someone so good. But, you do what you feel you need to do, for your own sake. Not for me or anyone else.”
His lips found mine and we melted together, lying back down on the bed. He made love to me again. Softly. Slowly. With such tenderness, I started to cry.
He kissed my tears away and ran us a bath, where we sat and talked about the future until it was time to get ready for my doctor appointment.
###
Two hours later, I’m sitting in the paper covered examination chair, listening to it rattle with each movement. Thom was waiting for me in the lobby, his laptop sitting on his knees. He was a man with a mission—a joint custody mission. I wasn’t sure what he was researching, but I loved seeing the fire in his eyes.
“Hello Peggy,” I smiled as Dr. Quesh’s nurse practitioner stepped into the stark room, my fingers twisting together restlessly.
“Hi, Maria. You’re looking happy today. How are you feeling, in general?”
“Pretty good,” I grinned, thinking about Thom and my new “feeling” we’d been exploring the past couple days. “I have a little stiffness sometimes, especially if I’ve been hunched over my painting.” She nodded at me as she looked through my file.
“And how’s the phantom pain we talked about? Any changes there?”
“No. Seems about the same. It’s weird that the only part of my legs I feel is my left calf—and the only feeling I seem to have is just pins-and-needles, as though it’s asleep. Except when it flares into the pain.”
She nodded again, making a note on the paper.
“Well, actually, we think that’s a good sign. A sign that what we’re planning has a good chance of working. We’re counting on at least being able to improve your feeling and your response to touch.” She set the paper down and reached for my leg. “I want you to tell me what you feel when I do this.” She ran her finger along the outside of my left calf.
“Not much,” I said, shaking my head. “Some pins and needles. And…” I blushed, not sure how to explain the new sensations Thom had been teasing from me.
She looked up from my chart. “And what?”
I blew out a breath. “Well, I’ve started a relationship and—“
“A sexual relationship? Good for you, Maria. That’s where that happy I was seeing comes from.”
She looked so genuinely pleased for me, it made it easier to tell the rest. Of how I could feel him, I thought, inside me. Of how I was able to reach orgasm although I wasn’t sure if the sensations came from my body or just my brain.
“Are you producing sufficient lubrication?”
Oh my god! Did she really just ask me that? “Yes. I suppose. I mean, I’m not really sure how I would know, but there hasn’t been any problems I’m aware of.”
She smiled at me. “That’s excellent.” She grinned bigger. “On several levels. It’s a really good sign if you’re able to produce those secretions. There’s some pretty compelling evidence that a woman’s ability to lubricate is the equivalent of a man gaining an erection. Knowing that it hasn’t been an issue is wonderful news in regards to how well your nerves are able to communicate with your brain.”
I laughed and covered my mouth from shouting It’s good to get wet. Woohoo!
She laughed too, almost like she was reading my mind. Then she reached over and touched my hand. “I’m really happy for you. For many reasons. Ready for some more very personal questions?”
I blinked. More personal than vaginal lubrication? I blew out a breath. Alright, bring it on. I nodded.
“Are you experiencing any bowel or bladder accidents during intercourse?”
Holy hell!
I hope not!
Am I?
Would Thom tell me if I did?
Shit!
Literally.
Shit. Shit. Shit
.
“Breathe Maria. It’s okay.” Peggy reached over and gripped my hand.
“Is… is that a possibility? A probability?”
Oh my god. It’s a good thing I never thought of that before, or I’d have ended up being a virgin forever.
“Only in some cases. I’m asking to better understand the type of control you have. If you haven’t had any accidents, then I know you have good control. If you have, then it will be something we’ll want to note and take into consideration.”
I could see it now. Thom, did I poop on you when we had sex? No? Terrific. How about pee?
I dropped my face into my hands and Peggy laughed gently at my expression. “It’s all okay, Maria. I know this might come across as… weird, but you having begun a sexual relationship, that’s terrific news for us. If we had a little more time, and I didn’t think your head would fall off your shoulders right now, I’d ask about the number of orgasms you’ve experienced, how you’ve reacted to clitoral stimulation, your level of sensation….” She laughed again as my face grew redder. “We’ll wait until next time for those discussions.”
Rubbing my eyes, which had begun to water the more I tried not to laugh. I finally gave up and howled. She handed me a few tissues and it took me a few moments before I was able to regain my composure. My belly hurt from laughing so hard and my cheeks felt tight from the effort not to.
But, as embarrassed as I was, it felt wonderful to be so alive and happy.
Peggy glanced at her watch. “Time to get back to the purpose of your current examination, we can continue the fun stuff next time.”
Still smiling, I nodded and wiped at my eyes again.
Clearing her throat, Peggy wheeled her rolling chair closer. “Close your eyes, and tell me if you notice anything.”
I did as she asked, sitting there waiting. “Nothing,” I said a moment later, opening my eyes.
“How about now?” She raised my other leg and ran her finger along the outside. I shook my head.
“Okay, one more time.” She lowered the right leg and lifted my left one again, setting my heel on her knee. “Close your eyes.”
I did.
“Ouch.” I blurted, opening my eyes. “What did you do?”