As he touches and caresses me, I begin to move and writhe again. I feel Mike’s arm pass under my neck. I am so lost in pleasure, I don’t know what he is doing or why. Nor do I care. I feel his fingers begin to tease the nipple on my other breast, gently caressing it to attention. With one stroke to my womanhood, Mike sends me soaring with pleasure. I whimper through two more mind-numbing orgasms, as he licks, strokes, tickles, and kneads.
After my third orgasm, I can’t take it anymore. “Please, Mike! Please! I want you! Please!”
Mike continues to ravage me for a moment longer. Then, he moves. He positions himself between my legs. As I struggle to catch my breath, Mike moves under my legs. He drapes them across his shoulders. As he enters me, he slides impossibly deep. I moan.
“Hard,” I gasp, wrapping my hands behind his head. “Fuck me hard.”
Mike starts out slow, but he rapidly increases the power of his thrusts. He drives into me hard, fast, and deep. Mike starts out braced up on his hands, but as he pounds into me, he lowers his body and bends me almost in half. I begin to push back against him with my legs. The strain of my push increases my pleasure even more.
Mike leans into me with a fierce face. I relax my push and allow him to settle on me and take my lips for a kiss. It is fantastic, but my legs are too far back to be comfortable. I slip them from his shoulders and wrap them around his waist, locking my ankles and clamping down on him with everything I have.
“Oh God!” Mike groans, as he shudders. “I’m going to come.”
His admission excites me. I try to squeeze him harder still. I hold his head into my neck and pull hard with my arms wrapped around his back. My orgasm is close, so close.
“Wait,” I beg, wanting to peak with him. “Please, wait.” I feel Mike slow slightly, as he tries to delay his release. “Please, harder, please,” I gasp.
“I’m going to come,” Mike gasps, but then he begins to drive into me furiously. He gasps and groans, as he does.
The sudden increase in speed and power and Mike’s gasps of pleasure, as he struggles to hold his seed, all conspire to push me over the edge. I feel myself tightening up for another hard orgasm, just as Mike issues an explosive gasp. His thrusts are becoming erratic, as I begin to groan and thrash. My orgasm steals my breath and my voice.
We fall out of our orgasms at the same time. Our exhales, as we relax, announce our completion. I’m desperate to kiss Mike and I pull his lips to mine. We kiss, long, slow, and erotically for what seems like hours. I can feel Mike going soft in me, but I don’t care. I am totally, completely, satisfied. Satisfied at a deeper and more profound level than ever before. I feel myself becoming drowsy.
Mike finally falls from within me and moves to my side. I turn and tuck into his arms. I have a leg and an arm thrown possessively over him. I take a deep breath and I feel my eyes close, as I snuggle in and fall asleep in moments.
CHAPTER TEN
I feel Mike gently shaking me awake. I swim up out of the darkness, trying to throw off the cloak of sleep. I yawn and stretch, rising up to look at the bedside clock. “Holy, shit! It’s nearly noon!” I have been asleep for more than three hours.
“It was afraid you were going to sleep the entire day away,” Mike says before kissing me tenderly.
I accept the kiss, wrapping my arms around him and pulling him to me. The feel of his skin against mine is so fucking delicious that I can barely stand it. I think about jumping his bones again, right here and now. Suddenly, I realize that I am hungry for more than just Mike’s touch. “I’m starving! Are you?” I ask as we pull apart.
“I could eat something,” Mike says dragging his finger along the inside of my thigh.
I shiver at his touch. “Later. Let’s go out,” I suggest. “There’s a park, Flat Rock, not far from here. I’ll pack up the leftover chicken and we’ll have a picnic. What do you say?”
Mike’s face splits into a wide smile. “Sounds perfect. I haven’t been on a picnic with a beautiful woman in a long time.”
“Smooth,” I say before I kiss him quickly on the lips. “Hop in the shower. I’ll start getting things together, and then I’ll shower.”
“Why don’t you join me?” Mike asks, not moving.
I give him a gentle push. “Because it will take ten time longer to get out of here if I do. It will already be nearly one before we can eat and I’m hungry.”
Mike heaves a dramatic sigh.
I lean in, bringing my lips close to his ear, and whisper, “I’ll make it up to you tonight.” Then, I kiss him quickly on the lips, roll out of the bed, and pad into the bathroom to relieve myself.
***
It’s just after one o’clock when Mike and I spread the sheet on the ground under a large shade tree. We had stopped at a quick-mart on the way to the park and bought sodas and chips to round out our simple picnic. We eat, talk, and smooch. I am filled to overflowing with happiness.
“Let’s walk,” I suggest after our hunger is satisfied. We leave everything spread under the tree, as the most valuable thing is the $4.99 Styrofoam cooler we bought to keep our drinks cold.
We wander along the walking trails, hand in hand. We pass several couples also out enjoying the summer weather and we smile as we pass. I wonder what they see. I know they see a tall, handsome man. If they look closely, they will also see a woman who is wondering what is happening to her.
Mike is becoming very special to me. Not love, not exactly, but something is happening. I can feel an attachment forming. It is something that I have never felt before. As much as I want his touch and to feel him moving inside of me as we make love, I also just want to be with him. Is it love? No, I decide. Not yet. But it is something. Something special.
We wander about in the park for nearly two hours. The more we walk, the more that special feeling grows. I tuck in tighter to Mike and slip my arm through his. I’m no longer content to just hold his hand. We finally return to the picnic and everything just as we left it, except the breeze has flipped the sheet over.
“Mike,” I say as we settle on the sheet once more. “I have enjoyed today more than any day I can remember. Thank you.”
Mike smiles. “So have I. So, thank you for suggesting it.”
I look at the sheet, unsure of how to ask what I want to know. “What happens after the eight weeks?”
“I will be deployed. Then, I will return to Bragg.”
“That’s what I thought,” I say and I can’t keep the sadness out of my voice.
“Hey, it’s okay,” Mike says. “We’ve still got seven weeks to go. A lot can happen in that length of time.”
I look up and meet his eyes. “I know. But…I’ve only known you a week and I already think I’m going to miss you.”
“Or you may find out you are glad I’m gone.”
I smile softly. “Maybe. But somehow I doubt it.”
“Let’s not worry about what we can’t change and just enjoy the time we have together, okay?” Mike says before he leans over and gives me a tender kiss.
I smile again. “Don’t worry, Mike. I wasn’t trying to tie you down. I’m not trying to get you to commit to anything.”
“That’s not what I mean.”
“I know. I’m just all mixed up inside,” I say before I grin at him and lean in closer. “I think all the orgasms you have been giving me have short-circuited my brain,” I say softly.
Mike snickers. “Is that a good thing?”
“It’s a very good thing.”
CHAPTER ELEVEN
We hang out at the park until I announce that we have to leave, especially if Mike wants me to cook for him. He offers to take us out, but I want to cook for him.
Back home I throw together a quick stuffed pasta dish. I use some stuffed shells I have in the freezer and make garlic bread. While I get dinner prepared, Mike runs to the local market and returns with a bottle of wine and a movie from the vending machine outside. I don’t know that much about wine and we have to drink it out of r
egular glasses, but it makes this dinner even more special.
After dinner, Mike helps me clear the table and load the dishwasher before we watch the movie. The movie isn’t that great, but I don’t care. I think so long as I am sitting next to Mike I could watch paint dry and be perfectly happy. We talk softly during the movie, our comfort level with each other growing. I find out that for thirteen days out of the year Mike and I are the same age before he becomes a year older than me again. I tell Mike how I am attending night school, trying to earn my college degree in finance. Mike tells me how he had planned to take over the family farm before his brother’s accident and how much he misses working the land.
The more we talk, the more I find out about Mike and the more I like him. He is a far better man than most. Apparently, he holds no bitter grudge against the way his family has treated him. I don’t believe I could say the same, if our roles were reversed. As we talk, I can’t keep my hands off of him. My need to touch him is undeniable and growing. I finally give up touching him with only my fingers and move to sit in his lap, facing him.
“I can’t believe I’m saying this after this morning, but I want you,” I whisper.
Mike smiles, as he looks into my eyes. “You’re insatiable,” he teases.
“I wasn’t. Until I met you.”
“I’ll try to do a better job then.”
I smile. “That isn’t the problem. I just didn’t know how good it could be. Until now.”
Mike smiles and kisses me lightly on the lips, as his hands explore my back.
“Mike, tell me something honestly. Why did you come up to me Friday?”
“What?” Mike asks in confusion.
“Of the four of us sitting at the table, why did you pick me?”
“Because you were the most beautiful woman there.”
“Bullshit.”
Mike smiles. “No. Really. The other three, they were trying too hard. Yes, the redhead, Beverly was it? She’s got a killer body. The Asian, she should be a model. But they were…I don’t know how to describe it. They were trying too hard. Too much flash. Something. But you, you were just sitting there, serene and comfortable in your own skin. It let your true beauty come through.”
I stare into Mike’s eyes, unsure of what to say. “I think I have just been paid the best compliment of my life,” I finally say into the lengthening silence.
“But it’s true. You are one of those rare people who is beautiful on the outside and the inside. Look at what you’ve been through, but you haven’t become bitter. You’re kind, generous, and sympathetic to others.” Mike pauses as he looks into my eyes. “Any man would be lucky to have you.”
I can feel my heart melting at his words. The words every woman longs to hear. I tighten down on my feelings, afraid of being carried away in the rush. “What about you? I could say the same.”
Mike smiles softly. “I’m nothing special. Just a shit-kicker from Arkansas.”
“You’re special to me,” I whisper, as I bend down and bring my lips to his.
CHAPTER TWELVE
Mike takes me to bed and we make love, slowly, tenderly, and long into the night. I’m not in love with Mike Hanover, but I want to be. I want him to stay with me, so my feelings for him can grow to consume me. I want him to become everything to me.
I try to open my heart to him, but it is just too soon and I can’t make the leap. I need more time, but our time is so short. Tomorrow, I will have to take him back to the base and who knows when I will see him again.
I lie in his arms and his lips gently touch my shoulder, as we cuddle. For now, I will take these feelings and husband them. I will gently nurse the glowing embers until they become a roaring flame. I have been alone for so long that I desperately want to feel a connection to someone again. I pray that Mike feels the same way.
Sunday morning, I awaken and find Mike missing from my bed. I feel a rush of fear. I’m afraid that he has abandoned me. I find him sitting alone in the living room.
“Mike? What’s wrong?” I ask, as I join him.
“Nothing. I just couldn’t sleep.”
“I’m sorry. Is it something I said? Something I did?”
“No, nothing like that.”
“What then?”
“I don’t know what I’m doing.”
“What do you mean?” I ask, as I kneel down in front of him.
“It’s nothing, Daisy. Don’t worry about it.”
“Talk to me, Mike. Tell me what’s bothering you.”
Mike stares at me a moment. Then, he looks at the floor. “I don’t know why I’m here. I thought I did, but now I’m not so sure.”
I can feel my brow wrinkle in confusion. “I don’t understand.”
Mike looks at me a moment before he speaks. “Friday, I picked you up and I was just looking for a little fun. Nothing more. I wasn’t even necessarily looking to get laid. But now, I’m not sure how I feel anymore. I feel this connection to you. You’re more than just a quick fuck; but, that’s impossible. I’ve just met you. And worse, in just a few weeks, I’ll be gone.” Mike pauses, his face troubled. “I don’t understand what is going on here. I like you, Daisy. I really do. You’re a sweet girl, but it’s only been a week!”
I can feel my heart pounding in my chest. I understand exactly how he feels. “Are you saying you love me?”
“No. At least, I don’t think so. I don’t know! That’s the problem. I don’t know what I feel!”
“Then, don’t worry about it,” I say. “Let your heart tell you what to do. You’re going back to the base today. That will give us some distance. Give you a chance to clear your head. If in a day or so you want to call me, and then call me. Anytime, day or night, call me. If you don’t want to call me, if you don’t want to see me again, I will understand.” I can feel a lump forming in my throat, as I speak those last words, but they have to be said. What is that old saying? If you love someone set them free, if they don’t return, they were never yours. “But know that I want you to call me and I want to see you again.”
I see Mike think about what I’ve said. I’ve given him his out, but I pray he won’t take it. “Okay,” he says softly. “But if I wake you up in the middle of the night, you can’t bitch at me. Deal?”
“Deal,” I say with a smile. “Come back to bed with me?” If this is the last time I see Mike, I want him to make love to me one more time before he is gone. And he does.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
“Beverly, can I talk to you?” I ask, sticking my head into her office Monday afternoon.
“Sure, Daisy. Come on in.”
I close the door so it is only open a crack and sit down in one of her office chairs.
“I understand you had quite a weekend,” Beverly says with a grin.
“Not bad,” I say. I can’t keep the smile off my face to save my life.
“Good for you. Every girl needs her toes curled now and then.”
“Yeah…about that. I need some advice.”
“I find that taking charge during the fucking does it for me,” Beverly says with a wicked grin.
I snicker. “Not that!”
“Oh? What then?” Beverly asks, as she sets her face in wide-eyed innocence.
“It’s Mike. Do you think it’s possible to fall in love in just a week?”
“Love?” Beverly asks in surprise. “You’re not serious!”
“I am. I don’t mean love, like ‘Oh, I can’t live without him!’ I just mean…I don’t know what I mean.”
“Damn, girl. He must have curled more than just your toes. Are you seriously telling me you have fallen in love?”
“No. Not really. But, I feel something for him. I think he must be feeling something for me, too. We talked about it Sunday morning and he’s just as confused as I am.”
Beverly looks at me then becomes more serious. “I always thought that whole love at first sight stuff was just fantasy bullshit. But who knows, maybe it’s true.”
“The thin
g is I don’t think I love him and I don’t think he loves me. But…that’s the problem. I don’t know what I think. I want to be with him, but at the same time I don’t feel like I love him. Not really. Like you said, it’s only been a week.”
Beverly leans back in her chair and swivels it side to side like she does when she is thinking. “You know what I think?”
“What?”
“I think you have the hots for Mike so bad you don’t know what to think.”
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