So no matter her discomfort, she'd stay as long as he wanted and carefully hide the way she was feeling, though he could normally tell. He got her in a way that no one else ever had. There was no doubt in her mind that he was one of the reasons she was able to find her way back to who she used to be.
Or she should say, almost back to who she used to be. The days were beginning to fall into a familiar rhythm, as were the nights, but there was still a major part of everything missing, and that was on her. And she was going to change that. She was going to change it tonight. Tonight, they'd get back that last piece, and she wasn't going to chicken out on it. She'd already done that, the night of the patch vote she'd been set to seduce the hell out of him and choked. They'd watched television together instead.
“Susan? You got a second?” She turned at the sound of Eddie's voice. It took serious self-control not to roll her eyes. It seemed every day Eddie had an ache, pain or sudden crippling anxiety which, in his opinion, required powerful painkillers. He kept trying, though she kept sending him away with nothing stronger than over-the-counter Tylenol.
“What's up Eddie?”
“I'm not feeling so good. I think I need....”
“You don't need Oxy or Percocet, Vicodin or Xanax.” Susan told him sternly. “Still need to talk to me?”
“Yes,” he shoved his hands in his pockets. “I think I need some antibiotics or something. I've got this rash and it burns like fire when I piss. Maybe I caught something from one of the girls.”
The last thing that Susan needed was a club girl with cooties the night of what was essentially the grand reopening of The Vikings. “Let me recommend you wrapping your dick at all times, especially in high traffic areas. Second, you need to tell me which girl it was before she gives her particular brand of crotch rot to your brothers.”
“Kelly.” Eddie mumbled. “And Enid. We sort of partied last week.”
He'd just named half of the roster when it came to club girls. Susan wasn't sure if she should laugh or cry. “That's really nice, Eddie. Now, come to the treatment room with me. Unfortunately, I need to look at the rash and see what we're dealing with.”
<#<#<#<#
Susan was washing her hands when she heard the treatment room door close behind her. She glanced over her shoulder to see Houdini standing there. “Hey, I was just going to head into the apartment and get changed.”
“Heard you had a busy day,” he rested his hands on her hips and his head on her shoulder.
“You could say that.”
“The stupid asses should have wrapped up,” he chuckled. “Bet they won't forget to now. Hope you aren't scarred for life after seeing Eddie's package.”
“I've seen worse things.” Susan admitted. “Although it did sort of spoil the vibe I was going for tonight.” She turned off the water and leaned back against him.
“What vibe was that?”
“A sexy one.” Susan felt him stand up straighter at the word. “I thought that we could party, drink, have a great time, and then go back to our place for an even better time.”
“I'm definitely going to have to kick some ass for that mood getting killed.” Houdini nuzzled his face against hers.
“I didn't say it was dead. I just said that it was spoiled a bit.” Susan could feel her pulse beginning to race. Her palms grew sweaty. She couldn't remember when she'd last been this nervous, but here she was; the words were said, so she couldn't take them back and she didn't want to.
“Well, we're just going to have to figure out a way to unspoil the mood. Is that even a word?”
“I think so,” Susan didn't hold back her chuckle, shut her eyes and leaned her head against his. “I really wanted to surprise you with tonight, to make it special.”
“It's always special with you.” Houdini spoke seriously. “Baby, I don't want you to feel any pressure, like you have to do anything, because you don't. I really want you to know that.”
“I know that. But I want you, Houdini, I do. And the more that we wait, the harder I think it's going to be for me.”
“Alright,” he said easily, the hand on her hip moving to trace slow circles over her jeans. “We'll just take things slow. Really slow. And sweet.” He lifted one hand to move her hair out of the way, so that he could kiss her neck.
Susan closed her eyes and concentrated on the sensations rolling through her. His lips were soft and gentle, the hair from his beard tickled her straight down to her core. She shifted, rubbing her legs together as his hand pushed up her shirt. She gasped at the feeling of his calloused fingertips as they dragged along towards her belt buckle.
His mouth moved, brushed along her ear, and when he nipped down a jolt went through Susan. Fear, bright and bold, cascaded through her, but she held herself where she was. Forced herself to breathe as he moved to open the leather. Her mind replaced these kind hands with malicious hands. The sound of harsh voices rolled through her brain.
“Baby?” Houdini's voice quieted them all and Susan realized that his hands had stilled. “Maybe we should stop.”
It would be easy to agree with him. Susan knew that stopping now would just make the next time all the harder. “No,” she pressed her face against his. “Please.” She felt tears knot her throat as he pressed a soft kiss to her neck and took a step back from her. Damn it. She wouldn't lose him over this. Quickly she spun to face him, grabbed his cut in her hands and pulled him to her. Their mouths knocked together hard enough for her to feel it through her skull, but that didn't stop her from pulling him even closer. She was frantic, all hands and mouth as she moved against him. Susan shoved down everything but the ache that was spreading between her legs. She wanted that feeling and everything that came with it. Houdini's arms came around her, his hands resting on her lower back. He broke the kiss and she let out a sigh of frustration when he pulled back.
“Baby, you've got to slow down before I go off in my pants like a fucking teenager.” He moved his hands up to cup her face. “Let's skip the party. We can watch a movie.”
Susan knew that he would skip the party, despite what it meant to him, just so that she could be comfortable. “No, we can't. It's important. And I've got a new outfit to wear.” An outfit Vera expected to see her in, since she was the one who'd insisted upon it. “It'll be fun.”
“You sure?” Houdini's brow wrinkled. “I know that you aren't a big fan of crowds.”
“I'm sure. I'm looking forward to it.” Susan smiled brightly at him. “It'll only take me a few minutes to change and fix my hair. You should probably change, too, at least your shirt.”
“You saying I smell?”
“I like the way you smell, but there's a huge stain on your shirt.”
Susan laughed as he looked down. “I think that's coffee from earlier, maybe. Yeah, I should change. You want some privacy in the apartment?”
“No. I don't. Not anymore.”
<#<#<#
The thing that Susan noticed most during the party was the change in the atmosphere. For so long it had been thick with tension and anticipation. Tonight, there was none of that. Only a happiness that seemed to be spreading through everyone.
Vera had Deacon slow dancing near the door, they were wrapped around each other so tight it was hard to say where one began and the other ended. It only took a look at them to see how in love they were. For all that they'd dealt with, they'd come through it stronger than before. Vera wore a black and gray dress which barely managed to hide the curve of her stomach. Susan had always thought that Vera would make a great mother, but she hadn't expected it to happen so soon. Neither of them had really.
Adelaide and Fire were playing pool. She was obviously pregnant now and made no attempt to hide it. Little Chase was home, which was probably why Sam was nowhere to be seen. Shepard was at the bar working his way through a bottle of Scotch. The other Vikings were spread around the room. Lance and Eddie were a little more subdued than the rest of the guys, but that was probably from the antibiotic injections
she'd given them. Mike was sitting between the two club girls who had attended and Susan had to swallow down the urge to go grab a handful of condoms from the treatment room and give them to him. If she never had to diagnose a sexually transmitted disease in a Viking again, it would be too soon.
There were numerous people from the town there as well, notably Rose, who was flying high on the fact that her grand reopening would be in just a few days. The dry cleaner had already opened back up, the pharmacy was nearly done and the grocery store would open, fully stocked, on Monday. The town was really coming back to life, and it made her daydream about starting an official practice of her own. It would be seriously expensive and not really easy since she'd burned a lot of bridges leaving the way that she had.
Susan realized that she was thinking too much, completely zoned out on the conversation that Houdini was now engaged in with Lance about a problem he was having with his bike. “I need a drink. Anyone want a refill?”
“I'll get it for you,” Lance offered quickly.
“I've got it. Finish your stimulating discussion of headers and spark plugs or whatever.” They may as well have been speaking an obscure language, as far as she was concerned. “I'll bring you both beer.” She turned away from them, jumped a little as Houdini playfully slapped her ass. Her heart was suddenly in her throat. She saw the second he'd realized what he'd done, his easy smile was quickly replaced by a solemn expression. “On second thought, Lance go get the drinks, please.”
Lance grinned. “Sure thing, Susan.”
“I wasn't thinking,” Houdini spoke the moment Lance was out of listening distance. “I'm sorry.”
“Don't be sorry. I liked it.” It had taken Susan a moment to realize that it was arousal, not fear, which had quickened her heart beat.
“Yeah?” Houdini stared down at her. She knew he was searching her eyes, looking into her in the way that only he could.
“Yeah.” Susan nodded her head, felt a blush spreading over her cheeks. She bit back a sigh at Houdini's still serious expression. Had she said something wrong? Should she have not enjoyed it? Nerves built and bubbled in her stomach; she opened her mouth, not sure what to say or do.
“Here's the drinks. I got you tequila, Susan.” Lance walked up juggling two beers and a glass.
“Thanks.” Susan was grateful for break in the silence. “Bottoms up.” She grabbed the glass and downed it in one long swallow. Lance should have just grabbed the whole bottle because she was suddenly sure that the answer to everything was lots of tequila. She felt herself relax as Houdini chuckled and held his beer out for her. “Thanks.”
He reached out and pulled her to him, his arm going over her shoulder. His lips pressed against her temple and she knew whatever weirdness had surfaced before was gone now, and she was glad for it. They spent a few more minutes talking to Lance, until his attention was diverted by a woman who'd come in the door.
“Let's grab a bottle and get out of here.” Houdini suggested. The crowd had thinned out some. Those who remained were partying pretty hard, and Susan had the feeling someone would soon christen the brand new stripper pole set up in one corner.
“You grab the bottle,” Susan told him. “I'm going to head back and change.”
“Change? Baby, you look hot in those jeans. Really hot.” He ran his hand over her denim-clad hip as if to prove his point. “I've been thinking about getting them off of you all night. There is no way that you've got anything on underneath them, and I really like that.”
“Well, when you put it like that I can save what I had for another night.” Susan could barely focus enough to speak as the heat between her legs grew. The ache was nearly a throb now.
“You were really trying to make things special tonight.” He hooked his hand around her hip and pulled her close. “You just keep getting sexier and sexier.”
“I think we should get that bottle and go, like right now.” Susan glanced around, saw that no one was paying them any attention, so she reached out and ran her hand over the front of his jeans. He let out a hiss and then his hands were both on her ass. Susan braced herself for the rush of fear as he held her tighter but it didn't come. Maybe it just couldn't compete with how deeply she needed Houdini. The feeling was strong enough to make her head spin.
“Screw the bottle.” His voice was a low rumble that sent her stomach into a seemingly endless loop of knots. Susan had thought that she'd need the tequila for courage or something along those lines but she realized she didn't. The only thing that she needed was the man standing in front of her. Her man. She nodded and Houdini grinned from ear to ear as he grabbed her hand and pulled her towards the apartment.
He was happy, really happy and excited, Susan felt it coming off of him in waves. Somehow it helped to quiet the voices that still lingered, the ones she was nearly certain that she'd never fully get rid of. She realized it was a small price to pay for what she'd gone through and it was something that she could live with.
He was on her the second that the apartment door shut, or maybe it was her that was on him. Susan couldn't be sure; they'd both moved so fast, as if they could suddenly make up for all the time lost. Susan's head spun from the sensations. She held on to him tightly, because for a moment she thought that she was going to fall.
Houdini wouldn't let her fall. He'd never let her fall and proved it as he swung them towards the bed. Susan landed on her back with a laugh and watched as he removed his cut. When was the last time that she'd felt this happy or free? She didn't remember exactly, but she knew that it was a moment like this, a moment with Houdini. A feeling that she could only describe as peace rolled over her and suddenly the voices were completely silenced.
There was nothing in the world but him, standing and looking down at her on the bed. He smiled and grabbed her foot to pull off her boots. He'd said that he'd been thinking about getting her out of the jeans, so she wasn't surprised as he began to take them off, but she was surprised at how suddenly gentle his hands were.
They had just been frantic, nearly animal-like in the way that they were clawing at one another, but now he was pulling her jeans off as if they had all the time in the world. Susan lifted her hips to help him get the material off, but he continued to move so slowly that she thought she was going to go mad.
Once the jeans were off, all that separated them was his clothes. Susan tugged at them but he simply chuckled and pinned her down to the bed. “Have a little patience, Baby.”
“Haven't we been patient enough?” Susan met his eyes. “Haven't we waited long enough?”
“I don't want to rush you, don't want to scare you.” His eyes were full of concern.
“You're not rushing me, and I'm not scared of you. I want you.” Susan hoped he realized her words were sincere, spoken from the heart. She wanted him in every way.
Houdini didn't say anything. For a moment, Susan was worried, but then he pulled off his shirt, and the sight of his chest completely distracted her from any other thought. He'd taken to wearing a shirt and at least shorts at all times, ever since she'd been back. He'd done so much to make her feel better, to make her feel safe.
“I love you.” Susan nearly choked on the words, because as many times as she'd said them, they never meant more than that moment.
Houdini grinned, unbuckled his belt and toed off his boots. “That's fortunate because I love you, too.”
“I think that it's time you get your ass in this bed.”
“Yes ma'am.” Houdini nearly stumbled as he kicked off his jeans, and then he was on the bed with her, over her. The weight of his body came with only comfort, the touch of his hands brought only pleasure, and when he nipped down lightly on her collarbone, Susan's hips bucked up off of the bed.
“Houdini.” Susan whimpered and rolled her hips. The ache between her legs was now a full-blown throb; she could feel how wet she was and knew that she'd just implode if she didn't have him inside of her. “Now.”
“Fuck,” he pressed his face to her
neck. “Are you sure?”
“I've never been so sure of anything in my life.” Susan assured him. She spread her legs when he shifted off of her, opened herself for him.
Houdini ran his hands up her thighs to the juncture between her legs. It took only the touch of his fingers against her clit to get her going. “Oh! Oh!” She arched her back, moved her hips against his hand to get more contact, and then suddenly his fingers were inside of her.
Susan saw stars as she came, her entire body seeming to be made only of liquid. Everything swelled and crested. She struggled to catch her breath and felt herself smile as she noticed Houdini watching her. “What?”
“You're beautiful when you come.” He pressed his hands against the backs of her thighs, opening her to him even more, and then he was inside of her and everything went completely white. In that moment, Susan knew that she'd finally found her way home.
Table of Contents
copyright
DEDICATION:
Chapter ONE
CHAPTER TWO
Chapter Three.
Chapter Four.
Chapter Five.
Chapter Six.
Chapter Seven.
Chapter Eight.
Chapter Nine.
Chapter Ten.
Chapter Eleven.
Chapter Twelve.
Chapter Thirteen.
Chapter Fourteen.
Chapter Fifteen.
Chapter Sixteen.
Chapter Seventeen.
Chapter Eighteen.
The Way Home Page 20