by Nicki Day
“I’m sorry.”
She turned to him. “Why?”
“It’s filthy up here.”
“It’s okay.”
“No, it’s not. You deserve better than this,” he insisted.
“Michael, I don’t care. I just want…”
He hesitated again and her voice trailed off. “What? Don’t do that. Tell me…what do you want?”
Looking up at him, she answered, “You.”
Fucking hell. That one word response nearly did him in. He had no idea what he had done to deserve this moment, but he was damn grateful for it.
“Wait here. Don’t move.”
Michael raced out of the room and back down the wooden steps. He fumbled through his dad’s old workbench until he found what he was looking for and ran back up to where she was. With a lantern in hand, he set it down on the desk and turned it on. The batteries must have been old because it only offered a small flicker of light.
“Sorry. I know it’s not exactly candlelight and roses.”
“It’s fine,” she assured him.
“Oh, wait.”
He quickly turned to her and opened the closet. In plastic bags were blankets and he pulled some out, shaking them before laying them down on the small double bed.
“At least it’s something, right?”
She stepped toward him and placed her hands on his shoulders. “I don’t care. Tonight I don’t want to think about anything.”
He wasn’t sure what to say. She had a determination in her eyes. One he wasn’t sure he’d ever seen before. Normally so timid and willing to let him make the first move in every aspect of their relationship, he had never known her to be so open about things.
She hobbled a little while holding on to his shoulders and kicking off her boots. He grabbed onto the buttons of her coat, certain his hands would shake right off of his body if he didn’t find something to keep them busy.
He watched in awe as she pulled her shirt over her head, exposing the swell of her breasts as they spilled over what had to be the sexiest white cotton and lace bra he’d ever seen. Her skin, normally so creamy and fair looked even more milky as the moon shone through the single window and cast a light against the curves of her hips.
His cock swelled in his jeans, pushing painfully against the zipper. He bit back a curse at how she made him feel so good, but hurt so bad.
“Are you going to join me?” she asked, nodding her head toward him.
He looked down and it dawned on him that he still wore his winter coat and every stitch of clothes.
“I’m sorry. You’re so…beautiful. I can’t stop staring at you.”
She blushed and smiled. “I’m not like I used to be. I don’t have that little petite frame you’re used to.”
“You’re perfect,” he told her while beginning to take off his coat.
She unsnapped her jeans and slid them down her thighs while he slowly undressed. Scared he might miss something, he was afraid to take his eyes off of her for even a moment. He’d been to many a strip bar in his days of serving in the Marines, but the show Vicky was putting on for him then was the best he’d ever seen.
His cock was thick and hard. His need for her was driving him insane. He needed so desperately to feel the inside of her.
By the time he made a pile of his clothes on the floor with nothing but his jeans remaining, she stood before him wearing a yellow pair of cotton panties. They were the type of panty that would look boring on any other woman, but on her, oh damn… She looked magnificent.
Her breasts hung full and teasing in the dim light. Her nipples pointed out at him, inviting him to reach out and suck on each of them until she squirmed.
She hesitated for a moment, but then slid her fingers inside the waistband and slid her panties down her thighs until they pooled at her feet.
He felt a punch to the gut when he saw her standing there in nothing but her red toenail polish. She looked more beautiful than he ever thought possible. He could think of nothing more than sinking into her wet heat.
She crossed the room in front of him and went to lie down on the bed. As she got herself comfortable she reached out to him. He walked toward her and with her delicate fingers she began unfastening his jeans.
He didn’t move and allowed her to work the zipper down. She tugged at one of his belt loops trying to pull his pants down when his own urgency insisted he give her a hand. With both hands he pushed his briefs and jeans down his thighs until his cock sprang free from its constraints.
He wrapped her fingers around his cock and began stroking it. He hissed out a breath and closed his eyes. Already he could feel himself reaching the edge.
He pulled away, knowing full well if he didn’t he’d allow her to work him into orgasm. And he wanted more. They both needed more.
Pushing the jeans further down his legs, Michael kicked them off and pushed them aside. Then he turned to her and palmed his dick in his hands.
“Do you see this? Only you have ever been able to make me feel this way, so hard with nothing more than a look. I want you so bad, baby.”
She raised her arms up above her head and gave him a look that he couldn’t ignore any more than he could resist it.
He climbed on the bed and hovered himself directly over him. Carefully he set his arms down on either side of her and dipped his head down to kiss her. She opened willingly, kissing him like she wanted him as bad as he did her.
He levered himself on his side with his elbow and reached one hand below down to her pussy. Slipping his middle finger between her lips he felt her liquid heat coat his finger.
“Fuck. You’re so wet, Vick.”
She didn’t answer, but ground her hips into his hand and moaned. Her movements might have made him want to drive into her, if he hadn’t been so mesmerized by the sounds she made. He felt a new sense of greediness overcome him. He no longer cared about how he felt. He wanted to see how far he could take her.
He used his index finger with the middle finger this time. Thrusting inside of her he worked his fingers in and out, pushing deep inside while hitting the back of her cervix.
Her body bucked and she whimpered his name while moaning. He looked down at her. Her face was flush and her full and round tits bounced with every move she made. The taut peaks of her nipples called out to him. It had been far too long since he laved one of them with his tongue.
Opening his mouth, he latched on to one of her nipples and sucked it into his mouth. He kept up the ministrations with his fingers. He could hear her breathing hitch and her voice was beginning to become squeakier the more he worked his fingers deeper inside her pussy.
“Oh, Michael!”
She shouted to him and he knew he was ready. Abruptly he pulled his fingers out and hovered over her. In an instant he guided his cock to her entrance and slid past her slick entrance with a primal thrust.
He arched his back and pushed himself far into her, hitting the same spot he had with his fingers until she screamed his name once more.
In a rush he felt a river of hot juices flow past his cock and coat his entire length. Her pussy quivered and trembled around him as he tried to rein in his lust. She shook beneath him, her body bucking and reacting to her climax as he felt his own restraint beginning to snap.
He couldn’t help himself from falling with her. He wouldn’t last a moment longer. Michael pulled back and pushed further inside her pussy. He thrust once, twice, three times and finally the friction and fire were too much for him to resist.
He howled a raw and primal scream and grabbed onto her hips, holding her body to his as he felt the first jolt of his orgasm take hold.
His body jerked, in rhythm with hers. Wetness coated his inner thighs from her passion, and he filled her with his release.
He had no idea how much time had passed before he dropped his head back down and opened his eyes. He looked down at her and saw a sleepy smile on her face. She looked so gorgeous. And in that instant he hated the husband she’d once
given herself to, while refusing to consider that there may have been others.
Pulling out of her, he rolled to his side and gathered her up against his chest. Their bodies were hot, damp from their lovemaking and he couldn’t seem to get her close enough.
They lay there with one another, each of them trying to catch their breath as they came down from the high they’d given each other. Time could have been ticking by or standing still. He had no idea. Nor did he care. He could have stayed like this forever as she made little circles on his chest with her fingertips.
He lifted her chin with his forefinger and kissed her. “You are so incredible.”
She smiled. “You were pretty incredible yourself.”
“I’m not just talking about this, Vick. I’m talking about you. All of you.”
“Michael.” She shook her head and started to get up.
“What’s wrong?”
She sat on the edge of the bed with her back turned to him.
“Baby?”
She turned her head over her shoulder. “Please don’t call me that.”
“Why?” he asked, suddenly confused.
“Let’s not over complicate things.” She stood up from the bed and began searching for her clothes.
Michael stood up and went to her. “Wait. What just happened?”
“We had sex,” she answered matter-of-factly.
“Yeah I know that, but… why the sudden change? Did I do something wrong?”
She found her shirt and pulled it over her head. “No, Michael. You were wonderful. I need to get going though.”
“Why?”
She turned away from him and pulled on her jeans. He couldn’t have been more confused as he watched her quickly dress and pull on her boots.
“Vicky, answer me,” he demanded.
She pulled on her coat and faced him. “What do you want me to say, Michael?”
“How about the truth? What the hell is going on? Why are you leaving?”
“We both got what we wanted. Why stay?”
“What the hell? How do you know what I wanted?”
“Are you telling me you didn’t want to sleep with me?” she asked.
“Of course I did, but I don’t want you to leave. I meant what I said earlier. I’ve missed you.”
“Michael, we were kids then. Physically we are great together. But we’re different people now. I live a boring life in Denver and you’re a Marine. We come from two different worlds.”
“We come from the same place, Vick,” he reminded her.
“Maybe we do. But I moved on from Dove Creek a long time ago.”
“And from me?” he asked, not entirely sure he wanted to hear her answer.
She buttoned her coat and opened her mouth. She’d been about to say something but stopped herself.
“Don’t do that. Don’t shut down on me.”
“I have to go, Michael.”
He grabbed her wrist. “Stay with me, Vick.”
“I’m sorry, Michael.” She pulled away from him and walked out of the room.
He listened while she walked down the wooden steps and closed the garage door behind her. He moved over to the window that overlooked the driveway and stared while she disappeared down the street, across the park and eventually around the corner.
Abruptly a chill settled in the air, turning the once hot room to a frigid chamber of solitude. The cold didn’t come from the weather, but the emptiness he felt the moment she left.
Could that really be it? Was one night more with her all he would get?
Chapter Thirteen
When Michael woke on the morning of Christmas Eve he felt anything but joyful. His mother buzzed around the house humming carols and his brother and Kaylee were festive as all hell, but he didn’t feel the Christmas spirit. His night had been filled with tossing and turning, and very little sleep.
He looked out the living room window, staring out at the city park while sipping his coffee. Being with Vicky again had felt so right. So many years had passed; he would’ve expected the feelings for her to die. The way his heart was feeling he knew that couldn’t be further from the truth.
Damn it. He’d missed her. He missed the way she smiled, the way her eyes lit up when she looked so happy. He missed the way she smelled, the way her kiss tasted. Damn it, he missed how she felt. More than any of that though, he missed having her as his.
If her marriage had worked that might have been one thing, but it didn’t. And now after all these years this town had brought them back together again. That had to mean something. Or at least he hoped it did.
“Hey, man. You okay?”
Michael turned to see Jack standing by the archway that led into the kitchen. “Oh… yeah, sorry. Just thinking.”
“About Vicky?”
He didn’t answer Jack. Instead he turned to look back out the window and took a drink of his coffee.
“I saw how you were looking at her last night. You still have feelings for her don’t you?” Jack asked.
Michael looked back at his brother. How did he tell him that he had hit the nail on the head, without sounding like a love-sick teenager?
“Look, man. I know you and Vicky ended on a bad note, but I hear she’s divorced now. Maybe you still got a shot.”
Michael shook his head. “I don’t think so.”
“What makes you say that?”
“Let’s just say she’s not exactly warming up to me the way I would have hoped.”
“Umm…says who?”
He turned to look at his brother. “What do you mean?”
“Man, I saw the look on her face when I interrupted you two last night.”
“Yeah, thanks for that by the way,” he chimed in.
“Sorry. How was I to know that you were out there with your high school sweetheart trying to restart that fire?”
“It doesn’t matter anyway.”
“Says who?” Jack asked him.
“Says Vicky.”
“Well, I don’t know what she said, but I can tell you what I saw. And she didn’t look like someone who was trying to push you away.”
“Maybe, but she changed her tune last night.”
“Last night? Is that where you snuck off to when we got home? To see Vicky?”
“Yeah. I asked her to meet me in the park. Like it mattered.”
“Look little brother, I realize you’re not as wise as me—”
Michael coughed his response. “Bullshit.”
“Very funny. Seriously though, man. I saw the way she was looking at you. She didn’t look like someone who wasn’t interested in you. In fact, she seemed like the same doe-eyed girl who used to hang on your every word all those years ago. If you ask me, she might still have feelings for you.”
Michael swung around. “Then why is she pushing me away?”
“Shit I don’t know, man. She’s a chick. I mean I love Kaylee, but hell if I know what sets off her moods half the time. Maybe Vicky’s on her period or something.”
“Dude, this is why you have such a bad track record with women. You’re insensitive as hell.”
“Hey! I’m getting better. Kaylee barely has to slap me on the arm in public anymore.” He grinned with pride.
“She must be very proud of you whenever you pick your nose, too,” Michael teased.
“I stopped doing that last month.” Jack laughed.
“Well, I guess miracles do happen then.”
Jack placed a hand on Michael’s shoulder. “That’s right. They do. Hell, you think Kaylee agreed to date me right away? I drove her crazy. Eventually, though, I won her over. Maybe you need to win Vicky over?”
“You think?” Michael asked hopefully.
“Hell, if Kaylee Michaels can love me, anything is possible. Vicky loved you once. You were her whole world. I’m no expert, but I don’t think those types of feelings ever really go away.”
“So, what do you think I should do?”
Jack grinned. “Can I jus
t revel in you asking me advice on women first?”
“You could, but then I’d have to kick your ass in front of your girlfriend on Christmas Eve. You don’t really want me to do that, do you?”
“Pfft. Whatever. I’ll give you advice, but not because I’m afraid of you.”
“Right.”
Michael smirked and sat down in one of the chairs. His brother sat down beside him and together they started talking about a plan. As Michael sipped his coffee and listened to his big brother’s ideas he realized that maybe he could have a shot with Vicky after all.
He’d let thirteen years go by without doing anything. Now that she was back in his life, he wasn’t about to let her walk out of it again.
Not by a long shot.
Chapter Fourteen
Michael waited patiently at the city park. He had no idea if his plan was going to work, but he had to try. Vicky’s mom had always liked him in the past. And he hoped that the heartache he’d caused her daughter years before would long since be forgotten. If not, he might find himself facing one more difficult Browning woman.
He stood up when he saw Connie approaching. She stepped onto the snow covered lawn and beamed at him with a smile that reminded him so much of Vicky.
“Michael?” She came to him with arms wide open.
He wrapped his arms around her and hugged her in return. “Thank you for coming, Miss Connie.”
“Are you okay?” She pulled away and looked concern. “You said it was important.”
“It is. Would you please sit?”
“Well sure, but I have to say that you’re worrying me. Is everything okay?”
“Yes, or at least I hope it will be.”
“Okay, now you’ve really piqued my curiosity. What’s going on, Michael?”
“It’s Vicky. More so, it’s me and Vicky.”
“Oh?” Connie smiled. “I saw you two step outside last night. I wanted to ask her how things went, but I know my daughter and she wouldn’t tell me a thing no matter how much I begged.”
“Well, things didn’t go so well. I mean, well… I apologized to her. For what happened before. I wanted to make things right. But…”
“But?”
“Well, I know this may seem crazy, but I have feelings for her. Not like when we were kids. They’re stronger. If that’s even possible.”