“I’m good. I’m actually headed to the airport now.”
“To see him?”
“I’m actually doing grant presentations in several cities. So I’ll be on the road for about ten days. But I’ll see him too.”
“Honey, I don’t know how you do it…all that travel!”
“I’m used to it now, but this really only happens twice a year. The rest of the time its only two or three days at a time every month.”
“But you are going to see him?” she asked.
“Yes.”
“Just take your time. Don’t rush things. You said yourself it’s been a while since you two actually spent any real time together. Just take your time.”
“I’m going to let things happen as they happen. He’s not a stranger, Mom.”
“But life can change you…for better or worse. Just take your time.”
“I hear you, I really do. But I’m determined to make this work. I have to.”
“I know you’ll do what you feel is best. I can’t help worrying about you. Besides, I don’t remember this man. I can’t put my stamp on him yet!” she said with a bit of humor.
“Well, maybe we can fix that this time. Okay?”
“Sounds good! Well…I’ll let you go, Sweetie. Call me when you can.”
“Okay, we’ll talk soon. Love you!”
“Love you too!”
Janine’s flight to Pittsburg was uneventful but she was relieved to finally get to her hotel. Having worked a full day in advance of her flight, she was exhausted. She reviewed her notes for the next day and checked emails before falling off to sleep.
The next morning she readied herself for the busy day ahead. She had a light breakfast delivered to her room and headed to the lobby to hail a cab to the hospital. Regardless of the fact each organization was vastly different, her visits to each were fairly standard. She’d spend a few hours touring facilities and getting a first hand look at the programs being implemented or expanded due to the Foundation’s funding. Afterwards, there was usually a private lunch or dinner with the organization’s leadership. Then she’d make formal presentations before the press or other invited guests. Her remarks were simple. She’d talk about the Foundation’s giving priorities, why the organization received the funding and then encourage all in attendance to make a difference with their personal gifts of time and resources. That was pretty much it. After five years it was fairly routine.
By Friday she was in Philadelphia. Of all the grantees, this was by far her favorite. The organization’s staff gave her a hardhat tour through the new building and housing units. She tried to listen as they talked about all the people who were going to be served because of the Remington gift. She smiled and nodded a lot, but wasn’t fully engaged despite her best efforts. Her focus was divided with rising anticipation about seeing Michael in a few short hours. After three hours with them, the time had finally come for her to head to the 30th Street Station to catch her train to DC’s Union Station.
The train ride was a little over two hours giving her time to go through the ritual of checking and responding to emails across her accounts. She managed to get in a little reading as well. When the train pulled into Union Station, she was a bit antsy trying to contain her excitement knowing he’d be waiting for her in the main concourse. As she made her way up the escalator to the massive central concourse, she searched around for him but she didn’t see him right away. She walked over to the pillared columns with the Greco-Roman statues perched above and waited for him.
Looking all around, she thought he must have been caught in traffic or had difficulty parking so she checked her phone for a possible text message. Moving very quietly behind, he touched the small of her back. Turning around to confront the assailant, she was met by his smiling, beautiful face.
“You scared the living shit out of me!”
“Hello to you too,” he chuckled kissing her lightly on the cheek. “Let me take your suitcase.”
“Thank you…and hi.”
Taking it from her, he clutched her hand and led her out of the station.
“So how was the train ride?” he asked as they walked towards the short-term parking nearby.
“It was good. How was your day?”
“Good, but getting better.“ His smile was warm and inviting. He brought her hand to his lips kissing it before asking, “Are you hungry?”
“Actually, I am.“
“Do you want to head to a restaurant or do take out?”
“I’m good either way. Whatever you want.”
“Takeout it is.”
He placed her suitcase and tote into the trunk of his car and came around to open the passenger door for her.
Before sitting she asked, “So what do you have a taste for?”
A devilish smirk crossed his face and he raised his brow. He let his gaze move down her body and up again before returning to her eyes. “I’m still thinking about that, but I know what I want for dessert.”
She blushed a little lowering herself into the car seat without responding. He closed the door and went around the front of the car to get in on his side.
“I’m glad you’re here,” he said.
“Me, too.”
He drove towards the university to a Jamaican carry out joint known for its authentic food. Janine had no idea how long it had been there, but it was a staple known for delicious food that was always well-prepared with generous portions. The order window line was long, but they opted to stop any way. As they waited in line, Michael occasionally touched the sides of her face as he looked lovingly at her. With his arm around her shoulders, he drew her closer kissing her on the forehead.
Janine returned his loving smiles because she relished the way she felt when she was with him. There was no denying when she was with him like this, she felt safe and deeply loved. She also knew the intensity of their relationship and their intimacy manifested itself in every interaction they had. It was becoming harder to justify why she spent so much time running away from him and what they shared.
Once they got their food, they headed back to the car and drove the short distance to his condo. Although they had a liaison since he purchased it, she’d never seen his new place. She looked forward to seeing how his tastes had evolved over the years. When they pulled into the parking garage, she was none surprised that he lived in this part of the city. Although the building itself was fairly non descript from the street, the interior was lovely and modern. The doorman greeted them as they came into the lobby. Even the elevators were elegant with light wood paneled sides and deep blue carpeting.
They got off on the eighth floor and headed down the well-lit hall to one of the corner units. Michael opened the door stepping aside for Janine to enter. She walked through the foyer to large sunken living area with its floor-to-ceiling windows. The ceilings had to be at least twelve to fourteen feet high giving the room a truly spacious feeling. Being a corner unit, there were only two surfaced walls in this room. One had a gas fireplace where a large flat screen television was mounted above it. The other wall was bricked where the open kitchen with its gourmet appliances and island counter with stools separated the space from the living area. She thought Michael’s home was stunning with its elegant furnishings. It didn’t appear to be the kind of place he entertained guests but rather a place of solace. She looked around for his books, but only saw a few dozen arranged near the mantle and on a small angular bookcase near the windows.
He set the food on the kitchen counter and placed her suitcase near the hallway adjacent to the kitchen area. After taking her coat, he washed his hands before reaching for plates and glasses.
“Would you like something in particular to drink with dinner?”
“A glass of water is fine for me,” she replied as she continued looking around his home. “I love your place! It’s very nice.”
“Thank you.”
“How long have you been here, again?”
“Almost five years.” He filled their plat
es with peas and rice with oxtails and sides of the most luscious smelling plantains.
“Where’s your bathroom?”
“Down the hall, second door on the left.”
She made her way down the hall and noticed the first door to the left was open. Inside was a large room serving as his office and library. The high ceilings allowed his extraordinary collection of books to find a home in what was clearly a custom designed shelving space. As she continued down the hall she also saw what looked to be the entrance to his bedroom. She didn’t peek inside, but went to the bathroom as planned. When she returned, he had the plates ready and had turned on music.
Over dinner, they talked about her trips to Pittsburg, New York and Philly. She shared her enthusiasm about the programs and how she hoped the grants would be transformative for the organizations. She also thought they might encourage other nonprofits to be equally innovative. He listened intently to her, asking questions here and there as she became increasingly animated. Occasionally his offered his opinions on wider trends and issues with each of the discussed sectors. Their conversation was light and easy. There was no intellectual sparing, just sharing of information and perspectives.
At some point during their conversation, they unwittingly swiveled their stools towards the other. Janine had slipped off her pumps placing her feet on the stool rung with her knees between his legs. Michael’s head leaned into his left hand with his elbow perched on the counter as he took in every word she said.
Then unexpectedly, he leaned towards her placing both hands lightly on her knees with his fingers gently wrapping along their sides. Janine immediately stopped talking and looked into his eyes as his masterful touches caused tingles deep within her. He lowered his eyes to her legs as he slowly and deliberately moved his hands up her thighs and under the pencil skirt she wore. When his hands reached her upper thigh he stopped for a moment. Smiling, he slowly raised his eyes to meet hers again. She could tell he was very pleased with his discovery. Instead of going bare legged or wearing pantyhose, she wore a pair of silk thigh high stockings knowing how much he loved them. She didn’t wear them often but when she did, it made her feel sexy and powerful as well.
Removing his hands from her legs, he brought them to her elbows guiding her to stand. As she stood in front of him, there was no way she could hide her heaving chest. The mere anticipation of more of his touches made every part of her want him more. He gently lifted her blouse over her head dropping it to the floor. The blue lace bra she wore seemed to deepen his eyes further as he took in all of her. Rubbing her lower and upper back, he drew her breasts towards his mouth. He kissed her through the bra while nibbling, pulling and biting lightly on her nipples through the fabric. Unfastening the bra, he held her breasts before opening his mouth wide to take as much of it as he could into his warm moist mouth. He sucked and pulled at her nipples moving from one breast to the other as if he couldn’t get enough.
Janine draped her arms over his shoulder as one hand held the back of his head guiding him as he continued to lick and suck. Lowering his hands to her ass, he grabbed it tightly digging his fingers into it through her skirt. She could feel his hardness against her thigh and she wanted him desperately. He unzipped her skirt letting it drop to the floor as she stepped out of it. She reached down to kiss him drawing his tongue into her mouth. He stood up kissing her as deeply as she had him. He then turned her away from him as he moved one hand across her breasts and up to her neck. His other hand moved to the middle of her back where he directed her to lean over the stool. She took hold of the counter stool back knowing what was about to happen as he unzipped his pants.
Once he was free, he slid his penis into her slowly savoring every inch of her. They both let out groans that seemed to reverberate through them both. His thrusts became deeper and faster than she expected and she could feel herself losing control too quickly. Raising one knee onto the stool, she hoped it might slow her mounting orgasm. She thought it would give them both a different angle of sensation. Instead she had inadvertently given him better access not only to her vagina, but also to her anus. He massaged it pushing his thumb inside as he continued thrusting in and out of her. She couldn’t take much more and found herself lost in ecstasy.
As she came, he moved his hand from her throat to her mouth to muffle her. He then withdrew from her grabbing hold of her ass again. He smacked it hard as she flinched. It had been years since she felt the sting of his fingers and hand. He smacked the other ass cheek and again she flinched. He guided her to stand, but her legs were unsteady. He turned her around to face him and she saw the intensity and hunger in his eyes. She loved that hungry yet insatiable look on his face. As she was being lifted, she wrapped her arms and legs around him as he carried her down the hall to his bedroom. Their night together was only beginning.
CHAPTER 34
She awakened naked and alone in Michael’s bed. Their lovemaking the previous night was primal and explosive. The little aches she felt throughout her body reflected it. She rolled onto her back taking in the room she never got to see the night before. The platform bed was a super king with a plush yet firm mattress. The cream-colored suede headboard was exquisite with its brushed nickel ring accents. Inspecting it more closely she discovered the rings were actually hinged. She sat up taking hold of one. They pivoted outward and she knew exactly what they were for. The rings could be used with restraints. Hiding in plain site, she thought as a smile spread across her face.
She continued looking around the room and noticed three other interesting pieces of mahogany furniture with similar cream colored and nickel accents. The intricate yet contemporary bureau to her right stood at least seven feet high and had two drawers at its base. Not far from it was an interesting piece reminding her of valet chair, but this one was a little different. The bench portion was wider than expected and it angled up a bit. With leather padding in the center, it looked like a workout bench. But the upward portion had a bar dangling in the place she thought a hanger should go. She had no idea what he used it for. To her left, the large floor to ceiling windows with built in blinds let in only a sliver of light. Near the window, she saw a much larger X-shaped piece with the same kind of nickel rings found on the bed. It too had leather in the center of it. But several of his ties hung from the rings.
Climbing out of bed, she walked towards a doorway in the room. She stepped inside and turned on the light. It was a large walk-in closet. Her suitcase was sitting in the middle on the vanity bench. She was surprised to see he had become much more of a clotheshorse than she recalled. Everything was neat and orderly with his shirts and sweaters color-coded and his suits hanging on the opposite side. Most of his shoes were bagged into cubbies with the exception being his casual and athletic shoes. She ventured further into the closet leading to his bathroom. She noticed right away he’d placed her tote bag in there along with a towel and washcloth left for her use on the counter. She washed up, and exited back through the closet. She pulled out her lounge shorts and a tank top.
Once dressed, she walked out to the living room. He was sitting on the sofa in his boxer briefs reading the paper and drinking coffee.
“Good morning, Beautiful!” he said as he set the paper on the coffee table.
“Good morning!” She leaned over to kiss him.
He pulled her into his lap and hugged her. “So, how are you feeling this morning? A little sore I hope.” The smirk on his face was almost endearing.
“I’m fine, thank you,” she said with an equally devilish grin on hers. “So what’s on tap for today?”
“Mmmm.” He kissed her following it with a soft bite to her lower lip. He put his hand under her top and rubbed her belly before moving it up to her breasts. He pinched and pulled at her nipples before kissing her again. “I’m not done with you, yet,” he whispered.
Smiling seductively she said, “And who says I’m done with you?”
He slid his hand into her shorts massaging her folds before using t
wo fingers to separate them to reaching her clit with his thumb. He rubbed it in slow circles before using his middle finger to enter her. Letting out a deep sigh, she lay back on the couch with her hips elevated in his lap. He stopped stroking her and took off her shorts. He carefully lifted her leg placing it over the back of the sofa, as he moved down to kiss her pussy.
He began licking and sucking it before lifting her hips to take more of her into his mouth. He lapped her with such fervor it was as if her juices were the nectar of the Gods flowing freely to him. She no longer tried to control or contain her orgasms because she found the exercise futile. Unlike other lovers she’d known, with him there was never any doubt she would come. It had become a given. In fact she’d likely have multiple orgasms with him. There was no use holding back.
He stopped his feeding and moved up to kiss her, ensuring she’d taste herself on his lips. After kissing her, he slowly moved his body over hers. He ran his hardened penis lightly over her and between her breasts before offering it to her mouth. She lowered her leg, positioned herself taking hold of his hips before lowering his penis as far into her mouth as she could manage. She fondled his balls, lightly sucking on them as she adjusted herself lifting her chin to allow as much of him in as possible. He moaned his approval, which made her more vigorous in her desire to please him.
His dick throbbed in her mouth as she ran her tongue along his veins and back out to his tip. Over and over, in and out she sucked and licked as he fucked her mouth. Hungrily watching and orally loving him, she continued vigorously until he was finally about to come. She could also tell he was resisting so she increased her lips’ pressure around him. He leaned forward pressing against her shoulders as he tried to withdraw from her, but ever so slightly she engaged her teeth and tongue. His eyes widened and his jaw clenched as he looked at her. When he released, his eyes closed as he let out a loud growl. Her mouth soon filled and she swallowed allowing none to escape.
Finally releasing him, he leaned away from her. She wasn’t exactly sure what was going on, but his face didn’t show the contentment she knew. If she didn’t know better, she presumed he was little upset she made him come before he was ready. She again lifted her leg over the back of the couch giving him space to sit before laying both legs on his lap. He was very quiet as he stroked her legs, deep in thought. She sat up touching his arm, smiling lovingly at him.
Her Love and Regrets (Book I) Page 23