Live-In Position

by V. S. Tice

  Both of them were still laughing and gasping for breath as they pulled their hands away from me.

  “You are,” gasp, “both,” gasp, “going to pay.” I continued to gasp for breath until I finally calmed down.

  “That was fun. Let’s do it again,” Victoria giggled.

  I pointed at her. “Don’t you dare,” I teasingly warned her.

  Soon the movie credits were rolling, and Victoria was half asleep in her father’s arms. I almost felt like an intruder on the moment. Turning the movie off, I tried to pick up as much popcorn as I could.

  “Leave it,” he whispered, picking Victoria up in his arms and carrying her to her bed.

  “But I’m not tired,” Victoria yawned out.

  We both laughed. He kissed her head and laid her down on her bed. I tucked her in before I placed a kiss on her cheek.

  Walking back to Dr. Bishop’s room, I started to clean up the glasses and bowl, placing them on the small coffee table in front of his loveseat. Then I moved back over to the popcorn mess and tried to pick up more of the crushed pieces off of the bed.

  “Quit worrying about the popcorn.” He grabbed the duvet of his bed and folded it up with the popcorn inside.

  “I’ll take it downstairs.” I held out my hands in an offer to take the bedding.

  Instead, he tossed the duvet onto the floor and grabbed my arms, pulling me to him.

  “It can wait.” His eyes locked onto mine, and his hands slid around my waist. “I’d much rather you didn’t leave.”

  Quickly, he kicked the door shut.

  “You’re awfully confident for someone who tickle-tortured me earlier.” I raised one eyebrow at him.

  “Forgive me?” he said sarcastically and walked me toward his bed.

  “No, I don’t think I do.” I tried to pull out of his hold.

  “I don’t like when you pull away from me.” He narrowed his eyes on me.

  “Awww, poor baby.” I stuck out my bottom lip. “Get over it.” I slipped out of his arms and giggled.

  He easily caught me by the waist and pulled me down onto the bed with him.

  “Let’s stay here.” His eyes were pleading. They almost looked desperate. With a simple nod from me, he smiled and we settled into his much larger bed.

  “I have to leave for business on Sunday,” he blurted out.

  “Um, okay.” Even I could hear the weirdness and uncertainty in my voice.

  “I figured you would want to know.” I stayed silent, not knowing what to say. “It’s something you want to know, isn’t it?” He rolled me onto my back and looked down at me.

  “Yeah, I mean, if you want to tell me.”

  A small groan escaped his mouth as he closed his eyes and dropped his forehead to mine. “Sophia, I want to be with you.” I didn’t know what to say. His eyes opened. “I want us to be together.” I nodded. “I don’t want to sound like some teenager, but if I have to ask you to be my girlfriend, then I will.”

  I pressed my lips together hard, trying not to burst into laughter. I couldn’t hold it in.

  “I’m sorry. I really am, I don’t mean to laugh, but you…oh god…listening to those words come out of your mouth.” I couldn’t control my giggling. “Have you ever had to say those words before?” I smirked.

  “No,” he smiled down at me.

  “You’re a dork.”

  “I’m hurt.” He faked insult. “You don’t want to be my girlfriend, Miss Ashwood?” We both snorted and fought another round of laughter.

  “So I get to officially be the secret girlfriend?” I winked at him.

  He sighed heavily and closed his eyes.

  “I could care less what my family knows, but for now, to everyone else, yes.” His eyes opened, and they looked worried.

  “Okay,” I breathed out. It didn’t really matter how large the bed was, he remained wrapped up next to me throughout the night. I didn’t argue.

  The remainder of the week flew by. I spent my nights in his room. Another weekend with Grace had come upon us. As happy as I was that Victoria seemed to enjoy spending time with her mother, there was still a part of me that wondered if Grace would eventually hurt her.

  I helped Victoria get ready and double-checked that she had her cell phone with her. I reminded Dr. Bishop to talk to Grace about Miranda’s wedding, since it was on a Saturday. With a heavy heart and tear-streaked face, I watched as he drove her to Grace.

  After collecting myself and washing my face, I began my journey to Miranda’s shower. En route, my cell phone rang. Without taking my eyes from the road, I answered.

  “Hello?”

  “Are you in that thing you call a vehicle?”

  “So what if I am? Don’t hate on the Jeep.”

  He groaned. “I’m going to make that thing disappear.”

  I gasped. “Don’t you dare!”

  He chuckled. “Really, I wish you would use the car I’ve provided.”

  “I use it when Victoria is involved,” I defended. “This is a personal trip so I took my car.”

  He huffed. “Just so you know, I’m going to find a way to get that thing to disappear.”

  “Okay, Dad.”

  “Such a smart mouth.”

  I laughed.

  “The things I’ll do to that smart mouth,” he almost purred.

  Dr. Super-Hot Bishop almost purred! My insides grew tingly. I didn’t know if I could process it and drive at the same time.

  “When do you get back?” The anticipation in his matter-of-fact tone was humorous.

  “Later,” I teased.

  “I thought we discussed teasing me, Miss Ashwood.” I envisioned that one lick-able eyebrow rising upward and giggled.

  “Perhaps I should remind you…later.”

  “Oh, look at that, I’ve arrived. Gotta go.” I bit the side of my mouth trying not to laugh too loudly as I parked my car. It back-fired as I shut it off, and I groaned.

  “Say your goodbyes to that contraption,” he said sternly, “and hurry back to me.”

  “Bye.”

  “Until later, Miss Ashwood.”

  After tossing my phone into my bag, I climbed out of the car, smoothed out my sundress, and grabbed Miranda’s gifts. I walked into the bridal shower and stared, wide-eyed, at the decorations. It was set up like a tea party. There were different china patterns on each table and at the center was a silver, three-tiered tray filled with finger sandwiches. This was going to be a long afternoon.

  Once the games were played, food eaten, conversations held, and gifts opened, everyone started to slowly depart. I offered to stay and help with the clean up, but Miranda told me to get out, she would see me next Friday for the rehearsal. I couldn’t believe that next weekend Miranda Murphy would be Miranda Cramer.

  Once home, I decided I would throw together a quick chicken stir-fry for dinner. Leftovers could be easily reheated the next day. I unlocked the front door and entered.

  “I see you‘ve made it home.” I spun on the first step of the staircase and found Dr. Bishop slowly walking in my direction.

  “Did you think I wouldn’t be back?”

  For a moment there was a flash of darkness on his face, but it was soon replaced with amusement.

  “You never know.” He stopped about a foot away from me.

  “Oh, or maybe it was wishful thinking?” I teased with a cocked eyebrow.

  “You know better than that.”

  “Do I?” I asked innocently, placing my hand on my chest.

  His movement was quick. Before I could take my hand from my chest, his arms were around my waist, his face inches from mine.

  “You should, at least, I would hope so.” His eyes searched mine. Then they flickered down to my lips. I gave a half smile. “Tsk, tsk, more teasing?”

  His body pressed closer against me, and my breathing increased.

  “I—” There was no chance for me to finish my sentence.

  His lips crashed onto mine, and his hand moved from my wais
t to my neck. Our lips and tongues moved in a perfect union. I pulled my mouth away. His mouth moved over my jaw.

  “Mrs. Baker?” I gasped out when his teeth grazed my jaw.

  “Busy,” he mumbled quickly against my neck.

  “We can’t—”

  “Shh.” He pulled us down to the steps.

  “Collin, we can’t do this here.” I hissed and tried to stop him from laying me across the stairs.

  “It’s my house,” he stated. “I can do as a please, where I want.”

  On the thickly carpeted steps, his hands slid underneath the thin cotton of my dress. I moaned when he squeezed my upper thighs. His moved his body between my legs, his lips never leaving my skin. As Collin’s mouth moved over my collarbone, there was a loud gasp. Both of our heads shot toward the kitchen and saw a wide-eyed and embarrassed Larissa.

  “Oh god,” I groaned.

  “I, I’m so sorry, I…” Larissa quickly whirled around and darted back into the kitchen.

  I dropped my head back onto a step.

  Collin’s lips lightly touched my chin while his fingers slid behind my head. He pulled my face up to look at him.

  “I’ll go speak with Larissa.”

  “Yeah,” I snorted. “That might be a good idea.” I covered my face with my hands. He gripped my wrists and yanked my hands away from my face.

  “There is nothing to be embarrassed about, Sophia.”

  “Oh, no, of course not. Your sister-in-law catching you getting it on with the nanny isn’t anything at all.” I slapped my forehead and rolled my eyes. “Silly me,” I laughed humorlessly.

  “Don’t be dramatic.” His words were calm and conservative as always. Dr. Bishop helped me up from the stairs before he walked toward the kitchen. Once he was out of sight, I ran to my room.

  It was forty-five minutes later when I heard a knock on my door. I looked curiously over my laptop at the door. Dr. Bishop never knocked anymore.

  “Come in.”

  The door slowly opened, and Larissa peeked into the room. I was definitely going to puke.

  “Um, hello.” She smiled warmly at me. “Do you mind if I come in?”

  I couldn’t speak but managed to nod my head.

  “I, well, I just wanted to apologize for barging into the house. Collin usually isn’t home, and I never thought I would—” She paused, her cheeks flushed.

  “You have nothing to apologize for. I should be apologizing.” I buried my face in my hands again. “I can only imagine what you think of me.” My voice was a muffled groan.

  “Oh, Sophia, no.” I looked up at her, puzzled. She continued. “I don’t think badly of you, not at all. I mean, Collin hasn’t been exactly successful at hiding his attraction to you.” Larissa smirked a little.

  “Why am I the only person who thought he despised me?” I sat back in my chair with my arms over my chest.

  A loud giggle exploded from her light pink lips. She moved to sit on the couch.

  “Sorry.” She was still laughing and shaking her head. “It’s just that you haven’t known him very long. Collin was never so active in dealing with his nanny before you.”

  I bit my lip and dropped my eyes to the floor.

  “I’d been wondering about his change of nature.” That brought my eyes back to her. “I think you’re good for him.”

  I smiled, though the discomfort of this situation still sat like a brick in my gut.

  “Well, I just wanted to speak with you and apologize. Collin told me to leave you alone, but I just couldn’t leave without saying something.” She stood from the couch and walked toward the door.

  “Mrs. Bishop?”

  She turned with a large smile. “Please, Sophia, call me Larissa.”

  “Larissa,” I smiled back, suddenly more comfortable. “Thank you.”

  She nodded, closing my door behind her. I sighed and dropped my head to my keyboard. The Antichrist had successfully stolen my soul.

  Victoria came home later than usual, and Dr. Bishop was extremely quiet. I expected him to be waiting in my room after I got Victoria into bed, but he wasn’t there. I sat at my laptop for two hours until I couldn’t help but act on the urge to find him.

  Quietly, I padded by Victoria’s room toward his office. He wasn’t there.

  As I approached his room I could hear his voice behind the door. It sounded like he was on his phone and angry. Not wanting to intrude, I went back to my room. I was asleep when the shift of the bed woke me. With a yawn I rolled over to my back.

  “Sorry,” he whispered and slid in next to me.

  “Mhm,” was the only sound I could get out.

  “Why didn’t you come to my room?” His whisper was close to my ear. The caress of his breath made me tingle.

  “You were on your phone.” I yawned and attempted to roll to my side.

  “You came to my room and didn’t come in?” The harshness of his voice was familiar as he grabbed my shoulder, keeping me on my back.

  “I didn’t want to intrude.” I shrugged, not that he could see it in the dark. “No big deal.”

  “Yes it is,” he argued.

  “I’m too tired, you win.” I tried to roll over again, but he stopped me.

  “My bed is much better than this one.”

  I almost blurted out, “Are you freaking serious right now,” but he spoke before I could.

  “I prefer us sleeping in there. You should just come there to sleep every night.” He settled in next to me.

  “Uh-huh,” I mumbled out.

  Was he crazy? I was not just going to make myself at home in his bedroom.

  Sunday, I woke to the sound of Victoria saying my name in a sing-song tone. I groaned and then freaked out. My eyes flew open. Collin still lay next to me, sound asleep. When the knob turned I realized the door wasn’t locked. Faster than I thought I could ever move, I slid out from the bed. Collin groaned in protest. I got to the door just as Victoria had inched it open. Grabbing the door, I only allowed her to open it enough to see me and quickly slid out of the room, closing the door behind me.

  “What’s up?” I tried to act as normal as possible.

  “Are you okay?” She crinkled up her face and looked me over.

  “Yeah, I’m fine. You ready for breakfast?”

  She was still eyeing me closely. Her mouth opened, but all I heard was the muffled sound of Collin calling out for me. Oh god. I watched Victoria’s eyes widen in amusement and then in realization.

  “Is that—”

  Collin opened the door. “What's going—” His sentence cut off when he saw Victoria. Unlike me, he didn’t miss another beat. “Good morning, Victoria”

  “Daddy, why are you in Sophia’s room?” You could see the wheels turning in her head.

  “Miss Ashwood and I were discussing my departure this afternoon. I have a business trip and have made the arrangements for you to see your mother on Sunday instead of Saturday, so that you can be in Ms. Weber’s wedding.”

  Damn, he was good! Now I wondered if he used these quick thinking lies on me. Not only did he come up with that without batting an eye, but he had also effectively given me information I needed for the coming events.

  “Aren’t you going to see me in my dress?” Victoria’s attention had been drawn elsewhere. Thank you Jesus! I quietly breathed in relief.

  “I’m not sure if I will be back in time. I’m really sorry.” He knelt down to her.

  She looked disappointed. “It’s okay.”

  “Hey,” I ruffled her hair and she looked up at me, “how about we go make some waffles?”

  “Can we use the big waffle maker?” Her eyes lit up.

  “Of course,” I smiled at her.

  She grabbed my hand and pulled me toward the stairs.

  AFTER DROPPING VICTORIA off at school, my cell phone rang. Keeping my eyes on the road, I answered it without looking at the caller ID.

  “Hello?”

  “Long time, no speak, stranger,” Dominic said fro
m the other end of the line.

  “Hey, how are you?”

  “I’d be better if you still talked to me.” I was hoping he was just teasing, but it didn’t sound that way.

  “Sorry, it’s been pretty hectic. With a seven year old, things get a little chaotic.”

  “I’m sure. Why didn’t I hear from you in Whidbey?” I had completely forgotten he had messaged me.

  “Oh, I just didn’t have any time. Plus we left earlier than originally planned,” I tried to explain without too many dirty details.

  “Well, then, how about this weekend? Care to join me for a night out with grownups?”

  Oh, sweet bajeebus, Collin would kill him and me.

  “I actually have a prior engagement this weekend. A friend of mine is getting married, and I’m in the wedding so there are rehearsals and –”

  “This has nothing to do with Collin?”

  “Excuse me?”

  “You aren’t avoiding me because of him, are you?”

  “No,” I squeaked out. “Why would that make a difference?”

  “Hmm, I don’t know. You just seem to be avoiding me.”

  “Honestly, I’m not. This is just the way it is for me right now.”

  “Victoria’s at school now, right?”

  Oh no.

  “Um –”

  “Good, then you can meet me for coffee.”

  “I really have a lot I need to –”

  “You aren’t getting out of this one. I’ll just come to the house if I have to.”

  I wanted to scream and smack my head repeatedly on the steering column.

  “Fine. Where?” I said as friendly as possible.

  Dominic gave me the location of a coffee shop nearby. Arriving first, I ordered my coffee and sat at an empty table. He arrived about five minutes later. Once he took a seat, we fell into familiar conversation that revolved mostly around him. While he rambled on, I silently wondered what had ever been so appealing about him. Even after we realized dating wasn’t going to work out between us, why had I decided to continue to hang out with him? The moment my cell phone rang, I felt relieved.