by McCoy, SJ
Laura smiled at her. “Hey, Megan.” She patted the seat beside her. “I know what it's like to be the new face with this crowd. You come sit by me. We can always take off, if they get to be too much.”
“Hey!” Smoke snaked an arm around Laura’s waist and pulled her against him. “You're not taking off anywhere. I haven't seen you all week. Tonight, you are mine!”
Michael smiled at the little pink stains on Laura's cheeks as she pushed at her fiancé with a laugh. “Alright, jerk! No need to go all Neanderthal on me.”
Smoke glowered at her, though Michael could see the laughter in his eyes. Those two were always sparring. They were a great match.
He pulled out the seat for Megan then sat down beside her, drawing his own chair right up next to her, resting his arm around her shoulders. She smiled up at him gratefully. Man, he could get used to this!
Pete grinned at him. “S'up, Michael? Are you ever going to work again, or are you going to be a man of leisure now you're back?”
“I was considering retiring,” he joked, “but the old man beat me to it. I'm going to be back in the clinic on Monday. It might be quiet for a while though. Most folks in town have been going to Dad all their lives. He'd like to start lightening his load right away, but I don't think many of them will switch over to me before they have to when he retires.”
“Well, if you're taking on new patients, you can sign me up,” said Jack.
Michael nodded. “Be glad to, mate.” He didn't know Jack that well, but he liked him. He seemed like a decent guy.
“And me,” said Smoke. “And if you want to take the AME training, I can probably send a lot of business your way once the flight school is up and running.”
Michael raised an eyebrow at him. “AME?”
Smoke grinned. “Sorry, yeah. Aviation Medical Examiner. All pilots need a medical certificate before they're cleared to fly. Only FAA designated Examiners can conduct the medical exams and issue the certificates. There aren't any within a hundred miles of here. I'd love to have someone local, and I'll have a lot of students to send your way.”
Michael nodded. That could be interesting. “I'll give you a shout in the week, mate. You can tell me about the training.”
Emma smiled at him. “Sorry, Michael, but I registered with your Dad when I came back. I'm going to stick with him until he retires.”
Michael laughed and looked at Holly and Laura. “What do you say, ladies? Do you need a local doctor?” He waggled his eyebrows. “Want a free breast exam?”
They both laughed and Holly threw a peanut at him. “No, thank you!”
He ducked and wrapped both arms around Megan. “Some people just have no sense of humor, do they, darl'?”
She smiled up at him. “Or is it that some people have no sense of decency, Doctor?”
He grinned. “Are you saying I'm indecent, Meggie?”
She just laughed at him.
“I'll show you indecent, little lady!” He pulled her from her chair and onto his knee, planting noisy kisses in her hair and on her neck. The way she was squirming in his lap made him want to take her home right now and get down to the indecent stuff.
“Leave her alone, Michael!” laughed Emma.
He sat still, but kept his arms wrapped around her. He could feel her relax as she leaned back against him. The conversation had moved on, but he wasn't paying attention anymore. He couldn't focus on anything other than how good she felt.
Chapter Fifteen
Megan stared at herself in the mirror while she washed her hands. She did like the way she looked. This dress was a little short, but she loved the way she felt in it. She felt sexy! At least she thought it was the dress that made her feel that way. She smiled. It could just be Michael though. He'd been true to his word and not left her side all night. He seemed to know absolutely everyone in the place. Lots of people had stopped by their table while they ate to chat with him. He'd introduced her as his girlfriend every single time. She'd tried to hide how thrilled she was the second time one of the women who'd come to talk to him had stared at her and then left the table looking disappointed. Emma had caught her eye and given her a smug ‘I told you so’ look.
Holly emerged from one of the bathroom stalls and smiled as she came to wash her hands.
“Are you having a good time, sweetie?”
Megan nodded. “I am. I'm glad I came.”
“Me too! It's so cool seeing you and Michael together. The man is totally besotted with you. I've only ever seen him flirt before—all flattery and no substance, you know? Now he's like a lovesick puppy. He hasn't left your side. I thought he was even going to follow you in here.”
Megan laughed. “He knew how nervous I was. He's just trying to make sure I'm okay.”
“Aww. What a sweetheart! He's a good guy you know.”
“I do know. I feel so lucky.”
Holly frowned at her. “I'd say he's the lucky one, and he knows it. Do you have any idea how many guys were staring after you with their tongues hanging out when you came in?”
Megan felt herself blush. She had noticed, and she hadn't liked it.
“Michael didn't miss it. He went all territorial putting his arm around you and keeping it there the whole time. He's done everything short of peeing on your leg to make sure every man in the place knows that you're his.”
Megan laughed out loud at that. “He has been sticking close, but I thought it was to reassure me!”
“Don't you believe it, girlfriend. He's staking his claim.” She looked Megan over. “And looking like you do, it's not hard to see why. Where did you get that dress? It's perfect on you.”
Megan took a deep breath. She needed to be brave. She knew Holly owned a clothes store and always wore such lovely things herself. She needed to ask for her help. “I....I...I...” Oh, for goodness sake, was she never going to get past the stuttering? She took another deep breath and tried again. “This is my sister's. I don't really have any nice things of my own. I wear jeans a lot.”
Holly smiled kindly. “And sweatshirts, right?”
Megan nodded.
“Any chance you'd let me try out some new looks on you? I've been offered a new line of petites to carry in the store, but I wanted to find someone who would tell me how they wear first. You'd be perfect, if you wouldn't mind?”
Megan stared at her. She didn't know what to say, wasn't really even sure what she meant.
“The designer is a friend of mine and this is his first petites line. Obviously he's used models to get this far, but I'd like someone real to wear them in everyday life and tell me how they feel. You can keep them afterwards, if you like them.
“Oh, Holly, I couldn't. It's very kind of you though.”
Holly laughed. “You'd be the one doing me a favor. I'd really appreciate it. If you will.” She smiled. “Tell me to mind my own business if you want to, but you seem to be trying a lot of new things lately. Going out with Michael. Coming out with all of us. Why not try out a new wardrobe as well? My sister used to borrow my clothes for a while, but she was a whole lot happier when she discovered her own look.” She raised an eyebrow. “What do you say? Do you want to help me out? You don't have to wear them if you don't like them, but I have a feeling this might be a win-win for us both.”
Megan smiled and nodded. She couldn't quite believe how her life just seemed to keep getting better and better. “Thank you, Holly.”
“No, thank you, Meggie.”
She'd called her Meggie?
Holly laughed. “Don't look at me like that. I've noticed that Michael calls you Meggie. It suits you. Perhaps it's time to try out your new name too. We'd better get back out there though. I imagine he'll be storming the doors to find you if you're gone much longer.”
Megan smiled to herself when they came out of the ladies' room to find Michael and Pete leaning against a pillar just outside, waiting for them.
Holly grinned at her. “What did I tell you?”
Michael came and cur
led his arm around her waist pulling her to him. “I was starting to worry about you, little one.”
She laughed.”I didn't think you'd notice. There are lots of pretty women out here to keep you busy.”
He scowled down at her. “I don't want pretty women to keep me busy. I want my beautiful little lady.” He pulled her hips against his and started swaying her to the music.
Her body and her cheeks heated up when she felt how hard he was pressing against her.
“What do you reckon? Are you ready to keep me busy for a while?”
She knew her cheeks were flaming now. Holly and Pete were smiling at them. She didn't know what to say. Michael was making it obvious what kind of busy he meant!
He swayed his hips keeping her pressed against him, making her ache for him. “Dance with me, Meggie! What did you think I meant?” He shook his head at her, his green eyes shining with mischief. “Now who's thinking indecent thoughts?”
She looked back, laughing and shaking her head at Holly, as he led her out onto the dance floor.
She reached her arms up around his neck and let him pull her close. She loved the way he smiled down at her. “Are you enjoying yourself, little one?”
She nodded, wondering if she should tell him how much.
He raised an eyebrow. “You don't look so sure. I see hesitation in your eyes.”
She smiled and decided to say it. “I am sure, Michael. I am enjoying this more than you can imagine. The hesitation is over whether I should tell you that this is my best night out ever.”
His eyes softened. He held her even closer, bringing one hand up and tangling it in her hair. She closed her eyes as his lips came down on hers and he kissed her—right there! In the middle of the dance floor where everyone could see them. She soon forgot where they were as she kissed him back. She was lost to everything except the feel of him, the taste of him, and the way he made her feel.
She only came back to her senses when he lifted his head. He smiled, his eyes boring into hers, as if they were trying to tell her something more than the words he was saying. “It is for me too, Meggie.”
***
Michael couldn't wait any longer to get her out of that dress. He closed the front door behind him and bit the inside of his cheek at the sight of her fantastic little ass tormenting him as she bent to greet Ollie. He couldn't help standing behind her and holding her hips. Jesus! He heard her gasp and she straightened up.
For a moment he was worried. Was this something else that she was afraid of? No. His mind relaxed, but another part of him stiffened as she pressed back against him. Damn, she made him hard! She twisted around in his arms and smiled that naughty, guilty little smile that had him thrusting his hips against hers.
“Is it time for bed?”
He grinned. “It is, but don't plan on getting much sleep, Meggie.”
Her eyes widened, but so did her smile. “Promises, promises?”
“Too right, little one.”
He took her hand and led her up the stairs. Ollie followed, but this time he stopped outside the bedroom door and grinned at Michael. He was one smart dog! Once he'd closed the door he smiled at Megan. The way she smiled back set his heart racing. The shy, nervous Megan was gone. This was his little Meggie, and her smile told him she trusted him and she wanted him. He smiled back. They were about to have a whole lot of fun.
She came to him and reached her arms up around his neck. That was all the invitation he needed. Burying one hand in her hair while he kissed her, his other hand found its way under the hem of her skirt. He touched her through her panties and felt himself get even harder when she moaned into his mouth. Without breaking the kiss, she unbuttoned his shirt and pushed it off his shoulders. His lips didn't leave hers while he shrugged out of it. He soon had her out of her dress too, and closed a hand around her breast, teasing her through her bra.
She stopped kissing him and looked up into his eyes. Her own were glazed with lust, but edged with...what? Embarrassment, it seemed!
“I...I...I'm sorry. I don't have any pretty underwear.”
He crushed her to his chest. “Jesus, Meggie! I don't care. It's not your underwear I'm after, it's you. He swept her hair out of the way so he could nip her ear. She let out one of those little moans that made him ache as she clung to him. He nibbled his way down her neck while he unhooked her bra and slipped the straps off her shoulders. “But if you're embarrassed by it, we need to get rid of it.” He took it off her, then slid her panties down past her hips. Once she stood naked before him he unbuckled his pants and slid them down too. Her eyes widened as she looked at him, and her nipples stood to attention, making him smile. He loved knowing that she wanted him, and he didn't intend to make her wait. He fished a condom from his jeans pocket and put it on the nightstand.
Sitting on the edge of the bed he caught her hand and drew her to him. She came willingly and stood before him. This was perfect! He slid his knees between her legs so she stood straddling him. He cupped her amazing breasts in both hands and explored them with his mouth, teasing her nipples with his tongue, closing his mouth over them in turn as she buried her fingers in his hair. He found her heat with his fingers and was amazed again how wet and willing she was. He couldn't wait any longer. He reached for the condom and rolled it on, then took hold of her hips.
“Lift your legs, Meggie.”
She looked him, apparently confused.
He sat her down on his knees and grinned at her. “Now lift your legs and wrap them around me.”
She did as he said, spreading herself wide open for him. He kept one arm around her and used his other hand to guide himself inside her. She seemed so impossibly small, but she stretched around him as he thrust deep. He couldn't help the low growl that rumbled up from deep in his chest as he pulled her down onto him, making her scream his name in the way he was starting to love. In this position all he could do was rock his hips. He'd been hoping to take it easy on her this first go of the night, but she seemed to have other ideas. She grasped his shoulders and tightened her legs around his waist moving enthusiastically against him, taking him deeper and deeper.
“Michael!”
She tightened around him and he let himself go, crushing her to his chest as he growled his release. “Oh God, Meggie!” His orgasm tore through him and pumped into her as she writhed against him. He saw stars as she clenched him tighter and tighter, until she finally slumped with her head on his shoulder, breathing hard. He smiled as he hugged her to him. Now this, he could definitely get used to!
***
Megan started at the sound of thunder. She sat bolt upright in bed. Michael sat up beside her and put an arm around her shoulders.
“It's okay Meggie, it's just a storm. You're not scared are you?”
“No, but Ollie will be.” Even as she said it she could hear him whining and pawing at the bedroom door. “Would you mind if I let him in? He gets so scared.” She really hoped Michael wouldn't object. She'd never made Ollie sit through a storm by himself. He cowered and trembled until they passed, even when she hugged him all the way through them. “I'm sorry, but he needs me.”
Michael smiled down at her. “Course not, darl'. I have a little guy of my own who's afraid of thunderstorms, just don't ever tell him I told you. He'll be braving it out right now because he's with Scotty.” He was out of bed and to the door, before she could thank him.
Ollie bounded in and leapt up on the bed, nestling against her and whining. She wrapped her arms around him and hugged him. It's okay, Ollie-bug, you'll be fine. It's just thunder. He turned and licked her face.
Michael smiled as he came back to join them. Megan couldn't help but look, he was delicious! She'd never thought of that as a word that might apply to a man before, but she did now. His broad chest and hard abs were like the men in magazines. As her eyes moved down, over his V and below, she had to smile. She knew there were magazines that showed those parts of men too, but she couldn't believe any of them were quite like him.
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She lifted her gaze to meet his when she heard him chuckle. “I don't think I've ever been ogled like that before.”
She smiled. I'm sorry, but you are.... you're.....”
“Handsome? Gorgeous? The hottest guy you've ever seen?” he asked with a wink.
She laughed. “All of that and more!”
“Keep talking, Meggie. As long as you don't say irresistible, because I think we'll have to resist until the storm has passed and that fella has calmed down.”
She was so relieved. She'd been worried that Michael might not want to let Ollie in, yet here he was climbing back into bed and putting an arm around him too. Ollie gave a grateful little whine and turned and licked his cheek.
Michael laughed. “It's alright, mate. No worries, we've got you.”
They must have all fallen asleep before the storm had passed. The next thing Megan knew, she was opening her eyes and it was light. Ollie was sleeping on the floor by the door, and Michael was sleeping with his arms around her. She had her head on his chest and her arm across his waist. This was the second time she was waking up with him with their bodies entwined. She wished she could wake up this way every day for the rest of her life. The thought made her frown though. She mustn't get carried away. Her life did seem to be getting better and better. Michael seemed to really like her. Perhaps it was all too good to be true? Perhaps the bubble would burst soon? She tightened her arm around his waist. It probably would, but in the meantime she was going to make the most of every second of this life she never thought she'd know.
His arms tightened around her. She dared to run her hand over his chest, feeling the contours of his hard muscles. She snuggled closer against him and smiled when he rolled over. He propped himself on one elbow, flashing that sexy dimple as he smiled down at her.
“Is there something I can help you with?” The mischief was shining in his eyes, even though his voice was still sleepy, and so very sexy!