Unabridged

by Melinda De Ross

  I laughed. “I took a couple of wrong turns myself, and I know the area well. Where did you leave your car?”

  “I came on my bike.”

  I stopped and stared up at him, stunned.

  “You have a motorcycle? Wow! I want to see it. I want to drive it!” I shrieked. His chest rumbled with laughter as he pulled me in his arms.

  “Whoa! Hold on there, Catwoman. Have you ever climbed on one?”

  “No, but I will tomorrow.”

  He frowned.

  “Afraid not. Angie, we have to be at the office tomorrow. At least, I have to be.”

  I pouted, stabbed by disappointment.

  “Why?” My voice sounded annoyingly like a whine. “I thought we’d spend the whole weekend here.”

  “I want that too, but tomorrow I have to be there. Saturday is the day when the weekly edition of the magazine comes out. I have to approve it first. And I will publish your article,” he added, a smile tugging at his lips.

  My eyes widened as I stared up at him. “Really? Why? Because I’m sleeping with the boss?”

  He gave a short laugh.

  “No, but I admit I enjoy that part very much. No, Angelina,” he said sobering up. “I will publish it because it’s extremely well written and pertinent.” After a beat he added, “I’m proud of you, you know. You’ve turned out a fine journalist.”

  My heart bloomed with pride. Coming from him, that was the best compliment I’d ever received. I smiled.

  “Thank you. It means a lot to hear you say it. Do you know you’ve always been my mentor and journalistic role model?”

  He looked surprised and extremely pleased.

  “I had no idea.”

  “It’s true.”

  “You’re going to make me blush,” he whispered against my lips as he lowered his mouth over mine. The kiss was hot and thorough, and it left me breathless. After a moment, I opened my eyes to gaze at him.

  “Blade, I’m so glad you came after me.”

  “I’m glad I found you,” he said and kissed the top of my head, as he held me tight against him. He had only his pants on, but in spite of the cool air his skin was hot and I thrived on cuddling against to his chest, absorbing his warmth.

  We walked down the beach for a while longer, talking about nothing in particular. Most of all, we delighted in each other’s company. The night was cool and fragrant, intoxicating with the smell of the ocean, sand, and the trees that stirred in the breeze. We ventured to the very edge of the coastline and stepped into the chilly water. It was very cold, making my skin rise in goose bumps. Even though they looked calm from a distance, the waves were strong enough to make me lose my balance if Blade hadn’t held me.

  “Okay, I’ve had enough of this,” I said and pulled him toward the cottage. “Let’s get back. We have to get some sleep if you want us to leave at dawn.”

  “Not quite at dawn. I don’t think anyone would mind if we get to the office at ten or so,” he mused as we headed back.

  “Oh, wait. You’re the boss. I keep forgetting that.”

  We smiled at one another. We were about a hundred feet from the cottage, when suddenly all windows became bright.

  Eleven

  “The power is back on!” I exclaimed in delight and let go of his hand to run to the house.

  I quickly climbed the terrace steps, rushing by the startled kitten, who was blinking in confusion, probably awaken by the abrupt light. Indeed, the light was back and with it the marvels of civilization. Oh, sweet shower, microwave and DVD player, here we come!

  I stopped right in front of the fridge, took out a couple of frozen pizzas, unwrapped them and shoved the first into the microwave oven. I programmed it, then left it to do its magic, while I went back to the living room. Blade was just browsing through the movie collection.

  “Choose one,” I told him. “In ten minutes we’ll have hot pizza and popcorn if you want it.”

  “That sounds heavenly. But how about a shower first?”

  “I’m all for that. Go and turn on the water. I’ll dig up some towels and be right over.”

  I had brought two towels with me. I found them in the closet and was just taking out my comfy pajamas, when it occurred to me that perhaps I wouldn’t need them. After all, Blade had nothing to sleep in, and I doubted he wanted anything.

  A shiver ran down my spine thinking of us together, naked in the large bed. I ran my tongue over my upper lip and moved toward the bathroom. The sight of Blade’s glorious nakedness took my breath away, and with it any vestiges of shame I had ever possessed. Liquid arousal trickled inside me as I looked at his broad back and shoulders, narrow hips, strong thighs and muscled calves. Not to mention the sexiest ass God had ever created.

  Hot damn! I dimly thought he was absolutely mouthwatering in a metaphorical way, but when he spun around to face me, I had to swallow to keep from drowning, overwhelmed by the need to lick this particular eye candy. He put the soap in its slot and let the hot spray wash away the foam from his body, running his fingers through his freshly washed hair. In the strong neon light he looked fantastic, with the water sliding down his athletic body. His chest was strong and well defined, sporting dark nipples I desperately craved to put my mouth on. His abdomen was flat, the subtle muscles outlined under the tanned skin. The muscles on his arms weren’t so subtle, but not unpleasantly bulging either. Just a perfect, harmonious balance that suggested powerful masculinity. His navel was hidden under a patch of dark hair, now dripping water. I followed with my eyes that dark trail, which led down to his sex. I swallowed again and my lips parted in unrestrained lust. Even unaroused he was full and firm, and just the right dimension.

  “Come here,” he said in a low, thick voice and I nearly jumped, ashamed to realize I hadn’t even looked at his face. I did so now and saw him staring at me with dark, smoldering eyes. A wicked smile stretched his beautiful lips, revealing straight, white teeth, which appeared even whiter against his unshaven skin.

  I put the towels on a cabinet, then took a deep breath and started undressing. I felt shy under his steady eyes as I slid my T-shirt over my head. My hands came down instinctively to cover my breasts, which seemed too bare under the fluorescent light. After glancing at Blade, I lowered my arms and started undoing the snap of my shorts. I had no underwear, so when I let them slide down my legs and stepped out of them, I was completely naked.

  I lifted my head to look at him. His eyes were glazed with desire, his arousal more than obvious.

  “Come here, Angelina,” he repeated huskily.

  I moved toward the small shower cabin. When I stepped under the hot spray, he slipped his hands around my waist, up my back, to flirt with the ends of my hair. He looked deeply into my eyes, then lowered his mouth over mine. At first he just skimmed my lips with his open mouth, letting me feel his warm breath. Then he brushed his tongue over mine in slow, lazy, stroking circles that made me dizzy with wanting him. He’d always been an expert kisser, not only an amazing lover.

  My hands meandered over his back, his arms, his chest, all the while our mouths continued to play erotic games, building a sweet tension. Blade stretched out a hand and took the soap, then rubbed it between his palms until they were overflowing with foam. He ran his hands all over my body, starting with my arms, neck, and chest. He took his time on my breasts, caressing them softly, then more urgently as my breath became shallow.

  His palms drifted over my belly and hips, then he turned me around to wash my back. I was weak with desire, the more so when he drew me to him and I felt him hard and strong against my buttocks.

  “Blade, please,” I whispered, turning again to face him, not knowing consciously what I was begging him for.

  “Sssh... Let me finish.”

  As he said this, he knelt in front of me and slid his hands over my thighs, then down my calves, rubbing them with slow movements. Finally, his hands glided up again, over the only spot he had intentionally missed. His thumbs covered in foam met at the top of
my thighs and slipped into that hidden, sensitive spot. I uttered a soft moan and supported my back against the wall, letting the water jet fall down over my body and wash the soap away. I didn’t have time to enjoy it, because Blade lifted his mouth to replace his fingers. I tightened involuntarily, clutching at his wet hair. When his tongue touched me I cried out, shaken by the torrent of pleasure.

  He knew exactly how to stroke me, how hard and how fast, when to go slow and when to get rough. The feathery caresses of his tongue brought me to a shattering orgasm, which left me weak and breathless. My head was still spinning when he got to his feet and kissed my mouth, pressing his body against mine. He was full and hard, throbbing with desire. I opened my dazed eyes when he lifted me by the hips and pushed me against the wall, positioning himself between my legs. I wrapped my thighs around his waist, clinging to his neck just as he slipped inside me, making me cry out. He rocked his hips against mine with high, powerful thrusts, all the while his eyes pierced into mine. I was transfixed, unable to take my eyes off his as our bodies tensed and jerked, shaken by the most potent sensations one could experience.

  I let my head fall back on the wet tiles, breathing hard, and Blade lowered his mouth to my throat in a scorching kiss. That did it. My body quickened again and I reached the peak of rapture at the same time I felt him surrender to me, and to his own need of fulfillment.

  Several minutes later we were still tangled on the shower floor. I realized the water had gone cold. Blade always had this effect on me, of making me become so lost in him and in us that I simply was unaware of everything else around me. I let my fingers cruise over his back and he stirred, a vague grunt vibrating in his chest.

  “I think I have to reheat the pizza,” I said, receiving a scoffing sound in reply.

  With heavy motions, we dragged ourselves up, toweled off and put on some old bath robes I found hanging on the bathroom door, and which probably belonged to Belle’s parents.

  In the living room, I took my phone out of my handbag and noted that it was past two a.m.

  “Let’s eat, watch a movie and get some sleep,” I said. “We need rest, since you plan to get up at dawn.”

  “I always get up at dawn,” he commented, his tone dripping insinuation.

  “I remember...”

  As I walked into the kitchen, my silly smile collapsed when I saw Rat sitting calmly on the table, nibbling at what was left of a now defrosted pizza. His sides were bulging, a sign that he’d been at it for quite some time.

  “You furry little prick!”

  In two strides I was close to grabbing him, but the cat was faster. He seemed to roll over the table and down like a ball of fur, then dashed under a cabinet. I released a sigh, studying the crumbs left on the table. In spite of myself, I couldn’t help laughing. Clearly I had to leave the door open for him tonight.

  I took out the pizza that was waiting in the oven, and put another fresh one to heat. If one forgot for a moment about the terrible long term consequences of genetically altered food, one could be even grateful for quick meals like this.

  After the second pizza was done, I plated and sliced both, poured milk in a couple of glasses and took everything into the living room. Blade sat on the sofa, looking ridiculously uncomfortable in the robe he wore. The TV was on and an old movie with Patrick Swayze was playing.

  I put the food on the coffee table, then sat down.

  “Mmm, this is a great midnight meal,” Blade said. “Thank you. You still haven’t learned how to cook?”

  I tried to look affronted, which was a bit hard to achieve with my mouth full. I swallowed and said, “As a matter of fact, I’m a great cook. Mom taught me a lot of stuff, but since she does the cooking, I’m perfectly happy with this arrangement.”

  He snorted, taking another slice of pizza.

  I spotted a few hesitant white whiskers twitching in the doorway, then the feline offender mustered enough courage to show himself.

  “Come here, Rat,” I called out to him, reaching out with a piece of pizza in my hand. Stuffed as he was, he looked at it in disdain, as he stepped into the room. He jumped onto the sofa between Blade and me and started kneading the worn red leather with his claws.

  “What’s with him?” Blade asked. “He looks... rounder.” He analyzed the kitten closely, then rubbed its chin, which was tilted upward just for that purpose. “He really does look like a rat.”

  “I know. He ate a whole pizza. You’d better not be sick on the carpet,” I threatened the cat with my index finger pointed at his pink nose. “What the hell are we going to do with him?” I asked Blade, shifting my gaze to him.

  “I don’t know. Maybe you should just leave him where you found him.”

  I pursed my lips, pouting a bit in contemplation of my options. Finally, I shook my head.

  “No, I can’t leave him here. If he does have masters and he wandered off, he might as well wander off farther and get run over by a car, or eaten by a neighbor’s dog. I think I’ll take him with me. Mom will be delighted.” I smiled widely and took the cat in my lap, stroking his gray fur. “What do you think?” I asked Rat.

  He watched me with big, green eyes, then pushed his little face up and bumped his nose against mine. Both Blade and I went off into peals of laughter.

  “I guess you have a cat,” remarked Blade, putting down his empty glass. “I’ll clear up the table.”

  It was past three when we left Rat sleeping on the sofa and went to the bedroom, feeling bone tired, but happier than either of us had ever been. I drew back the blanket covering the bed, then fluffed out the pillows. Blade took off his robe, so I did the same, too tired to be embarrassed. Actually, it would have been ridiculous under the circumstances to still feel shy of him.

  We lay down, drawing the blanket over us. He pulled me toward him and I curled up against his chest, where my universe had taken residence. When he wrapped his arms around me, I held him tight, resting my head on his shoulder.

  After kissing my hair softly he said, “I love you, Angelina.”

  I closed my eyes, feeling contented, safe and secure. Most of all, I felt complete, for the first time in my life.

  “I love you too,” I whispered and fell asleep, lulled by the steady, comforting sound of his heartbeats.

  Twelve

  Waking up next to Blade was just as wonderful as making love with him. When I opened my eyes and saw him sleeping next to me, my heart contracted with love and happiness. We had only spent a few nights together three years before, so this intimacy was new and marvelous. He was still asleep on his belly, as he usually slept. His face was turned to me. It was scruffy with a two-day beard, but he looked rested. The furrow between his eyebrows and the lines etched around his mouth weren’t so deep anymore.

  His chocolate colored eyes fluttered open slowly. When he saw me, his lips spread into a lazy smile. He reached out a hand from under the pillow and traced a finger down my cheek.

  “Are you real?”

  I smiled back and kissed his hand.

  “I am if you are.”

  “I used to dream about this a lot.” His sleepy voice sounded husky and a tad melancholic.

  “Me too. Now it’s real.” I leaned in to kiss him tenderly.

  After several moments, he released me from his embrace and asked, “What time is it?”

  I glanced at the clock on the opposite wall.

  “7:45. I’ll go make some sandwiches, then we’ll have a shower, pack and get going.”

  I crawled out of bed, smiling sheepishly when he wolf-whistled at my bare butt.

  “Now this is a sight I’d love to wake up to every single morning,” he said as I picked up my robe from the floor.

  “Pervert!” I retorted as I headed to the kitchen.

  There I found Rat sitting in the stream of light coming through the blinds and licking his balls.

  “I’ll give you points for personal hygiene, cat,” I told him, receiving a caterwauling sound that suggested imminent star
vation. He twirled around my bare feet until I poured him some milk in a saucer and placed it on the linoleum.

  “That’s all you get for now, buddy. You’re on a diet. No tuna, no pizza.”

  He ignored me, lapping away as I proceeded to make some cheese sandwiches. Blade appeared in the doorway, wearing only his black, wrinkled pants. His bare torso looked great in the sunlight and his skin appeared even more tanned under the fine dusting of dark hair.

  “Tired of the old robe?” I teased him, wondering if I’d ever stop drooling over his naked chest.

  “Oh, yeah. I’m not the robe type.”

  “That’s an understatement.”

  He kissed my forehead and patted my butt affectionately, then asked if I needed any help.

  “Nope. Just sit down while I make some coffee.”

  I prepared two cups of coffee and we ate the sandwiches, making plans for the day. Each of us was to drive back, stop home, change and get to the office. I decided to take Rat with me. If he had any owners, they were obviously careless to leave him out in a storm. And if he didn’t have owners, even better. As Blade pointed out, he had one now.

  We showered quickly, then I packed all of my things and Blade hauled them into my car. We secured the house, unplugged everything and closed all the doors and windows. I placed Rat on the passenger seat of my car, where he sat looking a bit panicked.

  “I hope he won’t throw up in my car,” I told Blade as I walked over to admire his motorcycle. It was an impressive Harley Davidson, parked crookedly behind my Volkswagen. Although it was dusty and stained with traces of raindrops, it looked fabulous. The sight of Blade sitting astride it with his strong thighs, putting on his helmet and leather jacket, was a breath-stopper.

  “If he didn’t puke after eating a pizza bigger than him, he’ll be okay during a little drive.” He flashed me a smile, his teeth gleaming white from behind his black and red helmet. “See you at the office.”