Serious Leigh (Literal Leigh Romance Diaries Book 2)

by Melanie James

  My arms were wrapped up and around his strong shoulders and our lips met. He kissed me softly at first and I was expecting him to pull away, but he didn’t. His kiss grew more passionate, and it was as if he could feel how I was responding, both physically and emotionally. Before I knew it, our tongues danced together and we were completely lost to anything else that was happening. It was as if the crowd had simply vanished.

  As it turns out, they did just that. When we finally stopped for a second, Hunter smiled at me and I was blushing. I had been hoping to someday be kissed like that, right there in front of Buckingham Fountain, and he nailed it. I’m not sure if it was Hunter or me who first noticed the screams fading in the distance as the hordes of Chicagoans scattered like a herd of frightened sheep. Sirens were wailing and the scene was nearly too much for me to handle.

  “Hunter? What—what the hell is happening?” I was shocked by the sudden emotional switch from passion to panic.

  “I don’t know. I guess I wasn’t paying atten—” Hunter stopped in midsentence and pointed to the fountain. “There! That!”

  I expected to see a meteor screaming down towards us or an army of terrorists hell bent on destroying the city. In fact, it was neither. It was something so surreal that I couldn’t comprehend what it was at first. Apparently the entire collection of primates from the Lincoln Park Zoo had escaped and they were on a rampage. When you see a lowland gorilla in a zoo, calmly munching on a carrot, you forget the creature weighs nearly five hundred pounds, and he could tear a human in half without breaking a sweat. Seeing a whole group of them trashing everything they could get their big meaty hands on was a frightening lesson in how scary a pissed off ape can be. A large silverback gorilla climbed to the top of Buckingham Fountain and beat his chest. Police, zookeepers, and city animal control officers were fanning out in the now emptied park. They used the abandoned mobile food venues for cover.

  “Why don’t they just tranquilize them?”

  Hunter tried his best to calm me down and then pointed to a young man in tattered clothing, he was being dragged by another gorilla through the flower garden. Obviously alive, but badly shaken at the very least. “There, they want to save that guy.” Hunter motioned for me to get down low to the ground. “We’ve got to get away, but I think if we try to run, those gorillas will be after us in a heartbeat. See that Thai food wagon?”

  “Yeah, the one that’s called Thai Me Up, I see it. You think we can make it?”

  “We will make it, Leigh. Now crawl slowly and keep low. It’s not far.”

  We crawled across the grass and made it to the trailer without being noticed. Once inside, Hunter shut the door and tried to secure it as best he could. The radio was left on and we listened to the breaking news story being broadcast.

  “Officials are warning anyone in the Loop to seek shelter immediately while they deal with a situation that is as dangerous as it is bizarre. Police are describing this as an apparent eco-terrorism incident. It started earlier in the day at the Lincoln Park Zoo when Zoo security officials confronted two men who had broken into the red wolf exhibit and were attempting to abduct the wolves. They fled on foot through the zoo and were able to escape the property by hijacking a truck. Following a high speed chase involving several Chicago Police squads, the truck overturned on South Lakeshore Drive near Grant Park. The hijacked truck was carrying containers that housed several large African Lowland Gorillas. The animals escaped into Grant Park where the Taste of Chicago celebration is being held. Officials have said the gorillas are extremely unpredictable since they were recently recovered from a zoo in a war-torn area, and they are psychologically unstable. Now I don’t think in my twenty years of broadcasting that I have ever had to describe a gorilla as psychologically unstable. Hold on, I’m just getting this in now. It appears the gorillas have indeed captured one of the suspects and have him near Buckingham Fountain. Police are saying his condition is unknown as is the whereabouts of the second suspect. Please, for God’s sake people, stay clear of this situation. We will keep you updated as events unfold.”

  “Hunter? Hunter! Oh, thank God! Please, we have to save Derek!” A voice cried out from behind a pile of boxes in the back of the trailer.

  “Luke? Luke? What the fuck? Derek? Were you the guys everyone is chasing? Including the pack of insane gorillas?”

  “Yes, yes. I have no idea what happened. It’s—it’s like we were possessed or something. Like the devil himself made us go into the wolf enclosure and then we just panicked. I—I’m so sorry about all of it and I’m really worried about Derek.”

  “Holy shit! When you college boys decide to go crazy, you don’t mess around.” Hunter said and shook his head in dismay.

  “I’m so sorry.” I knew it, this was all my fault. I remembered what I wrote. Luke and Derek received an urgent call to go after some wolves. Where else can you find wolves in Chicago except in a zoo? And shit just went downhill from there.

  “Leigh, you have nothing to be sorry for. Now this bonehead? He has something to be sorry for. I can’t even begin to imagine how deep the shit is that he is in right now. Just stay in here, Leigh. I’m going to look outside and see what’s happening.” Hunter opened the door and peeked outside. “Good, the gorillas have left Derek alone. He’s laying up against the fence by the fountain. It looks like the gorillas are heading back to Lakeshore Drive.” Hunter paused his play by play description. “Good, the zoo guys are shooting them with tranquilizer guns now. Quick, come on Luke, let’s go grab Derek.” Luke pushed away the little wall of cardboard boxes that he built. As if the flimsy makeshift barricade would actually stop a platoon of deranged gorillas.

  I watched Hunter and Luke run out to retrieve what I assumed would be Derek’s corpse. To my surprise, Derek jumped up and ran full speed to the food wagon I was still hiding in. “Oh, Hi, Leigh! Sorry. I was playing opossum. Thank God, they’re gone. That was a nightmare.” Derek looked at his ripped clothing with an amazed look. His jeans were mere shreds of cloth. All that remained of his shirt was the collar and a flap of material hanging over his chest, as if he were wearing a bib.

  When Hunter and Luke came back, Hunter berated the young roofers with a ferocity that was quite pleasant to observe. I may have bewitched them into going after the wolves, but stealing a truck full of crazed gorillas, well, that was all on them. Hunter chased them off with some advice. “I’m not a cop, yet. SO you two better run and run fast. If you get caught, confess. If you get away, you better tap those fat trust funds and send a huge ass donation to the zoo to cover the costs of the truck and more. If not, I promise I’ll come after you.” Hunter looked around the trailer and handed Derek one of the long gone cook’s aprons to him. Derek put it on so that at least the front of his boxers were covered up.

  Luke and Derek bolted away and disappeared in the distant clutter of more food trailers. I couldn’t help but laugh at the scene. Shoeless Derek wearing a white apron with large red letters that said Thai Me Up, chasing after Luke through Grant Park.

  Chapter Eleven

  Serious Leigh

  “Leigh, I have to say this. It is always an adventure when we get together. Have you noticed?”

  “I’d say. Still, I wouldn’t trade today for anything, Hunter.”

  “And neither would I. Not for anything.”

  Yes, it is absolutely true. The man melts my heart, like wax dripping from a burning candle. I was feeling something. Something bigger than I had ever felt for anyone. The only question I had for myself was one I really hated to contemplate. How long before I screw things up too much with Hunter that he takes off like a bat out of hell? I was determined for the rest of our Independence Day date to keep going. I was worried that Hunter was ready to just throw in the towel. Crazed apes in Grant Park? Seriously. Things could only get better from there.

  The rest of our date was pleasantly uneventful. I made sure to avoid any situation that could prove disastrous. The giant Ferris wheel at Navy Pier? Out of the question
. The last thing I wanted was to have that sucker become unhinged and have Hunter and me rolling away to our watery graves at the bottom of Lake Michigan. Even Hunter sensed a need to avoid danger. When he noticed the miniature golf course on the pier, he turned away from the ticket booth as if they were operating a do-it-yourself castration venue. We settled for the highly recommended Cirque Shanghai Warriors performance. I am happy to report it was an amazing act that we happily walked out of, fully intact. Of course, we missed a good portion of the performance with an epic make-out session that left me absolutely starving for much more of Hunter.

  I was beginning to have some thoughts, naughty thoughts about what could come later on. I feigned sore feet and a slight headache, which played out perfectly. Forget the fireworks over the lake. The only fireworks I was interested in were the ones I hoped would be going off when Hunter would be making love to me. Yes, I had already mentally crossed that line and resigned myself to the fact that the Fourth of July was going to become Thanksgiving. I hoped Hunter would be giving and I would be thanking. If he did anything, even half as well as he could kiss, well, it was going to be a very special night. Hunter happily offered to take me home. I suggested a relaxing evening of television at my place. This was a more pleasant option than dealing with the late night traffic out of downtown.

  Within an hour, we were pulling up in front of my apartment. Hunter and Luna made themselves comfortable in my living room, and after getting him something to drink, I excused myself for a bit. I stood in my bedroom and took a deep breath. Okay, now what should I do? I had so little experience in this matter. You could say that I didn’t have any sexual partners. I had three one-time disappointments. No repeat performances from any of them. Scratch that, two. The first one came on my thigh and it was over, so I don’t think that qualified. Number two was okay, but only for two or three minutes and it was over. Number three lasted almost long enough to be adequate, unfortunately, size was definitely an issue. I had expected it to grow a little bigger than my thumb and it never did. I sometimes wonder if the poor guy ever found a partner that would be okay with that small problem. Imagine having to adjust yourself just to feel that it was even in there. Eight minutes of disappointment on that try.

  I was still trying to figure out what to do. Mental checklist. Protection? Yes, I was on the pill, speaking of which seemed so pointless. For the undersexed women like me taking a pill every day for safe sex was like buying a lottery ticket every day and never getting a dime back in return. Wash up a bit, no problem. What about clothes? I wondered if I should put on something sexy. No, I didn’t want to come out to the living room looking like a professional. I could make some adjustments.

  I called out to Hunter. “I’m just going to get into something more comfortable than this dress. Be right out!” Comfortable, that sounded better, comfortable with easy access. I dug out a skimpy bra and put it on. I looked in the mirror and fretted over the fact it always seemed to me that one breast was slightly lower than the other. Do guys care? Well, can’t change that. Skimpy undies, sheer ones, yes that was perfect. Some loose shorts and a t-shirt. Now what? I wanted to text Kelly for advice, but that was like asking a florist for advice about cars. Lindsey? No. My failed sexual episodes could only be eclipsed by hers. My sister? I already knew how that would go. Something freakish and desperate. I resigned myself that if anything was going to happen, I’d be better off if I just give up a little control and let Hunter take the lead. I took one very deep breath and then another. With a fluttering heart, I went back to the living room.

  Any fear that things would be awkward completely vanished when I saw Hunter. I sat next to him and he pulled me closer. He kissed me and his hands lightly explored my shoulders, neck, and the side of my face. Not to be outdone, I took a hand and felt his strong arms and then his chest. The moment was timeless and beautiful. He moved his mouth to my neck, and for me, it was the end of any subtle behavior. Full of confidence and sexual power, I stood up. I stepped close to him and straddled his waist, resting my knees on the couch. I leaned forward and kissed him while I unbuttoned his shirt, working my way down until it was free. I straightened up and he quickly took his shirt off and cast it aside. I could feel how incredibly hard he had become beneath me. It was impossible to stop myself from rocking on him just a little.

  “Your turn.” I took the cue and pulled my t-shirt up over my head. Then I let my hands freely explore his muscular upper body. I enjoyed admiring him like that, seeing and feeling the toned muscles of his chest, massive shoulders, and arms. He was thick and powerful, yet well defined. Not that I was tired of the view, but I couldn’t hold myself back. I moved down to get lost in more of Hunter’s kisses. I hardly noticed that his roaming hands had made their way to my back when he effortlessly unhooked my bra. We were taking our time, but there was one little bit of discomfort. His rock hard erection was pressing against the closed fly of his jeans and it felt a little rough through my skimpy shorts. I wanted to draw out our fun foreplay as long as possible, so while I kissed his neck, I undid the button of his jeans, just to give him a hint of what I had in mind. I slipped down to my knees and there between his legs I had his zipper right in front of me.

  After I ran my hands slowly down his chest and rock hard stomach, I worked his zipper down. His cock was now straining against the cotton briefs and I ran my hand over it. This was the kind of thing I fantasized about, and obviously size was not going to be a problem. I adjusted it so that the head of his cock, and more, was now freely up against his stomach, all the way to his belly button. His hands were running through my hair, and with each passing minute he seemed to lightly urge my head downward. I knew what he wanted. I wanted to also, but why rush things? I used my tongue to trace the area around his stomach and came within a mere fraction of an inch of his throbbing wonder. I let my hair fall on it, I breathed on it, but I didn’t touch it with my tongue. Then I stood up. In a low and husky voice, that didn’t seem to sound like my own, I told him what I wanted him to do. “Take off those jeans, but leave your shorts on.”

  Hunter quickly got rid of his jeans. I took off my shorts, leaving just my sheer little panties on. I straddled him once again and resumed my earlier pleasure of rocking against him. With his mouth to my ear he whispered, “I like this game, my turn.” He sat forward and lifted me right up. My legs hung on either side of him. He turned me around and placed me on the couch. Now he was the one kneeling down between my legs, and I was the one running my hands through his hair. The tables had turned, and I was the one to silently urge him to get down to what I hoped was my Fourth of July fireworks show.

  His hands were on my breasts and his tongue gently flicked inside my thighs. He brought a hand down and pulled aside the skimpy cloth that covered my now soaking wet folds. His tongue drew ever closer to where I wanted it to be. I gasped out loud as his tongue parted the soft folds and found the nub it sought. With his tongue expertly caressing and dancing around, it became too much for me to bear. I pulled his head forcefully into me.

  So, this is what it is supposed to feel like. I was lost in the perfect feeling until I wanted more. I let go of Hunter’s head and as if he could read my mind, he removed the last remnant of my clothing. Before he could go back down on me, I sat up and went right for his hardness. I wanted to free it, I wanted to feel it. I worked his briefs down and then took him in my hand. Admiring his thickness and length, I stroked it and put my mouth on him. It felt so hot and erotic to be doing what I was finally able to do. I didn’t want to waste the opportunity of this night by rushing anything. I was enjoying the fact that it made him feel like I had felt just minutes before. I was exploring every part of him. It felt like the best dream ever.

  A loud crash came from the little hallway that led to my bedroom. I’m pretty certain we both assumed it was just Luna getting into some sort of mischief. Neither of us cared about it. Then more crashing that sounded like my shower curtain rod had been torn down. “Do you want me to check that out?�
� Hunter offered.

  “Mmmm nnnnn” was all I could answer. Then out of the corner of my eye, I saw it. Little wisps of pink and purple drifting close to the floor from the hallway. Gertie! Damn it! I immediately stopped what I was doing. “Uh, I probably should check on Luna. Stay right here—and hold that thought for a minute.” I tiptoed briskly into my hallway. I passed the bathroom and as I flicked on the light, I saw Gertie lying in the bathtub. She had one leg hanging over the side and the shower curtain covering everything else but her face. I had to whisper. “Gertie. Gertie.” She seemed as if she was knocked out, or nearly so.

  “Hi ya, Leigh!” Gertie smiled, shut her eyes and began to snore.

  I could tell what was going on. “Drunk? You’re drunk? What the hell? Ugh.” Gertie was still smiling, but totally unresponsive.

  Now, what to do. I could call my friends and tell them to pick up Gertie’s drunk ass. She was my guest, after all, so that probably wasn’t the right thing to do. I could force Gertie to wake up and have her poof herself back to wherever she came from, but in her condition, there was no telling where she would end up. Of course the right thing to do was to make up an excuse and have Hunter go home. I could make it up to him. At least I could hope to.

  So I did what anyone in my completely still-turned-on situation would do. I shut the bathroom door and left Gertie passed out cold in my bathtub, and I went back over to Hunter. “Take me to my bed, please—I want you so bad.” After all, I had the hottest piece of ass to ever look my way, naked in my living room, and one that I was falling head over heels for. A troupe of fiddle playing leprechauns could have marched through my living room and I still would have cared less. There was no way I was passing this up. Hunter carried me to my bed and never once glanced in the darkened bathroom. “Shut the door please. I don’t want Luna in here right now.” Hunter obliged and we returned to our lovemaking. I pushed Hunter back on the bed and went back to do exactly what I had been doing before I was interrupted. Only this time my legs were next to his face. As I hoped, he swung one of my legs over his head and he put his tongue back to work while my mouth and hands eagerly worked on his manhood.