by Mae Wood
“Thank you,” replied the sad lump in the bed.
I was nearing the bottom of the stairs as my phone began to ring. Shit. I raced toward the kitchen and around the island, my stockinged feet giving way, leaving me smarting on the floor.
Shit. That hurt! Grabbing onto the countertop, I hoisted myself to a stand, rubbed my sore hip, and snatched the phone. Just as the call rolled to voicemail, I saw Trip’s name flash a final time. I called him back immediately and got his voicemail. Dueling voicemails. Great.
“Hey, it’s me. Sorry I missed your call. I’m feeding the kids dinner. They should be fast asleep by ten, if you want to call then. Again, I’m so sorry.” I ended the call and tried back, but got sent to his voicemail again. My voicemail chimed and I tucked my phone under my ear to listen as I poured the kids glasses of milk.
“Hey, I’m sorry that New York isn’t going to work out. No worries. They are closing the cabin door. I’ve got to go.”
Damn.
My phone chimed again, announcing a text message. See you when I get back.
Double damn. That’s breezy, but at least I got a phone call and a text. And he doesn’t sound pissed, so that’s a plus.
“Kids! Simon! Miri! Dinner!” I shouted as I settled down in one of the high cane-backed stools at the kitchen island. It’s not the dinner at Momofuku I’d thought I was getting. And Erica’s guestroom isn’t a luxury hotel, but at least it does have a comfy bed. The kids ran into the kitchen and I lost myself in the whirlwind.
Saturday morning I found myself not breakfasting on the rooftop terrace of the Gramercy Park Hotel, but in borrowed pajamas and trying to figure out how to turn on the coffeemaker. Fuck you, Josh. Your damn Italian machine is too complicated to operate without being caffeinated. Worst Catch-22 of my life. I don’t know what else you’ve done, but this is a criminal offense.
I stomped my foot in frustration. The family’s golden retriever SpongeBob whined at me. “Okay, a quick walk around the block while the kids are gorging on Nutella covered Eggos and cartoons.” I found his leash and shouted up the stairs to Erica before I walked out the front door. “Erica, I’m taking Bob around the block. Kids are happy. I’ll be back.”
***
I stood speechless with Bob’s leash in one hand and a bag of fresh poop in the other, gazing at Trip’s silver Mercedes in front of Erica’s house. He’s here? He’s supposed to be in New York. Surely he didn’t come here to break up with me, right? That would just be a huge waste of effort and just be weird because he knows I’m keeping the kids. This has to be a good thing. It’s a good thing.
I walked through the garage, dumping Bob’s present in the garbage before entering the house. In the mudroom I kicked off my leopard print kitten heels that I’d packed, intending to explore Manhattan in them, and padded into the house. I found Miriam, Simon, and Trip crowded around the island, stuffing their faces with donuts out of a box from Gibson’s.
“Risa! He came back! Your friend Trip and fall down came back and brought donuts!” Miriam shouted with glee, delighted with the donuts and her attempt at a joke. Simon gazed in awe at Trip like he was a superhero. Whose superpower is plying children with even more processed sugar. They are going to be out of control from the sugar rush.
“And milky coffee,” said Trip, pushing back from the counter and offering me a gigantic travel mug.
“What are you doing here?” I asked full of curiosity and amazingly thankful at the same time. I took the mug from him and drank a long sip. He’s too good to me. Too good to be true.
“We were supposed to spend the weekend together. I can’t do that in New York.”
“Listen, I’m sorry.”
Trip shook his head at me, cutting me off. “Erica let me in. She’s getting dressed. I told her that we’d take the kids today and she can do whatever she wants. She said she wants to go to her studio and work. Sounds reasonable to me. I was thinking the zoo or The Pink Palace for the kids’ museum. I haven’t been to either place in over twenty years. What do you think?”
“What do I think? Come here and let me tell you what I think.” I retreated to the mudroom with Trip on my heels. “I don’t know what to say. I wasn’t expecting this. Thank you, but it isn’t necessary. You’ve had a long week and have another big week plus a transatlantic flight. You don’t need to be spending your one free day with me and the kids.”
“As I keep telling you,” he said pulling me into him. “I don’t need to do anything. I want to do so many things. Starting with getting you out of these flannel flower pajamas. Are these my present?” said Trip eyeing the excessively colorful sleepwear that I’d borrowed from Erica.
“They are the replacement for part of your present,” I teased, placing my index finger on the tip of Trip’s nose. “That part is not exactly family-friendly,” I purred, dragging my finger slowly down his face and neck and placing my palm firmly on his chest above his rapidly beating heart. “But we shouldn’t talk about that. We cannot have the kids walk in on that.”
Trip cleared his throat and slightly loosened his grasp. “I’m hating we’re not in New York right now.”
“Nah, you’re hating that you don’t have your present.”
Trip nodded solemnly. “I am like an eight year old. I was really looking forward to getting a present.”
“I wouldn’t know why. I told you it isn’t a bike.”
“This is so much better than a bike.”
“So, by tonight someone should have her act together enough to parent again and then I can give you your present.”
“I’m holding you to that promise, Miss Tanner. I fly out tomorrow around lunch time.”
“That’s one promise I won’t have a problem keeping. I mean it. But until then, let’s go be the world’s most expensive babysitters.”
Chapter Nineteen
“People do this every day?” said Trip with amazement as he flopped on my sofa.
“I think it’s called parenting.”
“They completely exhausted me. The entire time we were at the zoo Miriam insisted she was a mermaid and I was the seahorse she rode. I tried to put her down and she threatened me. Said she and you wouldn’t play with me ever again if I put her down. Her feet didn’t touch the ground for three hours. Three hours. It was like hefting a bag of concrete around on my back.”
“I still can’t believe we got a private tour with a keeper. I thought Simon was going to lose his shit when we got to help make meals for the grizzly bears. I’m not too cool to admit that it was really an amazing experience.” I bent over and gave Trip a slow, lush kiss on his lips. As his hands crept up my sides, I pulled back.
Not so fast, Mr. Brannon. “Drink?”
“Thanks for the kiss, but thank my mom for the tour. I called her from my car when we were going to the zoo and she set it up. And hell yes to that drink. Got something stronger than wine?”
“I’ve got the cure for what ails you, Mr. Brannon.”
“So, we’re playing doctor? You show me yours. I’ll show you mine.” Trip rose up on his elbows with his long denim-clad legs stretched out in front of him and waggled his sandy eyebrows. His blue eyes twinkled mischievously and I felt my heart completely give way.
Amazing. I thought it was when he mopped up Miri’s spilled milk at lunch without a complaint while at the same time convincing Simon to eat some apple slices. How is this possible? He’s either going to make me happy for the rest of my life or ruin me.
Trip kicked off his boat shoes, which landed on the floor with two thumps. I laughed. “Shall, I bring you a drink while you make yourself comfortable?”
“You are a true angel of mercy.”
“Succor and comfort coming your way.” In my kitchen I fixed a generous glass of Knob Creek with just a splash of water and carried it into my bedroom where after a quick sponge bath I slipped out of my Saturday play clothes into the playsuit I’d bought for Trip. A black mesh chemise with matching panties. I brushed my hair out, attempti
ng to rid it of the kinks from being in a ponytail all day, and swiped on some lip-gloss.
I hope you like your present, Mr. Brannon.
I swirled my index finger in the bourbon and dabbed it behind my ears, between my breasts, and along the top of my panties. I picked up the glass and a narrow box tied with an oversized silver satin bow and winked at myself in the mirror, giving myself a little pep talk.
Yup. Hello, sexpot. Let’s do this.
I entered the living room and stood barefoot on the hardwood floor, holding the bourbon in front of me and the box behind my back. Trip picked his head up from where he’d been dozing on the sofa and simply stared. “We’re going on a zoo tour every Saturday.” I laughed and stalked over to him, swaying my hips back and forth in my best effort at seduction. “Christ, Marisa. Definitely not family-friendly.”
“Do you want your present?”
Trip reached for the glass. “Nuh-uh,” I clucked at him. “This is for me. This is for you.” Trip eagerly took the slim box while not removing his eyes from my breasts. My nipples hardened under his gaze and my body pulsed with anticipation of his touch.
“Definitely not a bike.”
“Definitely not a bike. But I think you might enjoy the ride nonetheless.”
Trip shook his head. “I have no words.” His fingers fumbled with the bow on the box. Finally, he slid it off the box and dropped it onto the coffee table.
“You might want to keep that.”
“Because you’re suddenly into ‘reduce, reuse, recycle’?” I swirled my index finger in the glass of bourbon and placed it in my mouth. I’m so subtle, but he liked it last time. I made my eyes grow big and hollowed my cheeks as I sucked the liquor off my finger. “The present can wait.”
I removed my finger from my mouth and pointed at him. “No. Open your present.”
Holding the silver ribbon across his palm, he opened the box. His jaw went slack and I saw him shift uncomfortably in his jeans. “Miss Tanner. I can confirm this is indeed not a bike, but it appears to be a bike themed tie. More specifically, tiny embroidered rabbits riding bicycles. Now why would you give me this?”
“Because you look handsome in ties and I’m a sucker for Paul Smith?” I coyly offered.
“I think it’s going to look a lot better on you.” Trip placed both the ribbon and the navy twill tie on the coffee table and stood up. “I suddenly feel very overdressed.” He wrenched off his royal blue and white checked button down and slipped out of his jeans. My eyes shot to the bulge in his plaid boxers. “Something interest you, Miss Tanner?”
“In particular?” I lifted the glass to my lips and took a large sloppy swallow, letting the liquor flow down my chin and drip onto my accentuated cleavage.
Well, the idea of this was sexy. I’m not sure about the execution. In for a penny, in for a pound. I’m going with it.
“Whoopsie. Clumsy me. I know what you said about spilling bourbon. I guess you’ll just have to lick it off me,” I teased as I brushed the liquid off my lips and chin and tailed my hand across the tops of my breasts. Looking straight into Trip’s blue eyes, I lifted the glass to my sternum and poured out a small amount into my cleavage. The next sound I heard was Trip’s growl as he slung me over his shoulder and marched to the bedroom, playfully smacking my bottom with the tie and ribbon while wiggling my panties down my legs.
He sat me on the edge of the bed and whispered in my ear. “If you become the least bit unhappy, you tell me.” I nodded and Trip nipped my earlobe between his teeth. A current of electricity shot down my spine and curled my toes.
Taking my hands, he pressed my palms together, fastening them with a looping silver bow. Enfolding my hands in his, he leaned in and whispered. “I tied it like shoelaces. Grab an end with your teeth, tug, and you’re free, okay?”
Trip ran a stream of lush and slow kiss down my neck, and after paying homage to each breast with gentle caresses of thumbs to nipples, he continued his course, pushing up my chemise and laying kisses and licks down the entire length of my body. Reaching my knees, he dropped to his, and continued his course down my right leg. He cupped my feet in his hands, raising them and silently urging me to lie on my back. I complied, letting myself sink into the lofty down duvet. My gaze traveled to the lush floral wallpaper that enveloped my bedroom’s walls and ceilings. The light from the one small candle I had lit bathed us in a warm intimacy. He kissed my instep and my leg automatically jerked. “Shhh, relax.” I closed my eyes and willed myself to surrender to his affection. He’s going to tie me up. Like really. Tie me up. Holy shit.
“Just focus on the feelings. Try not to think.”
Ha. “Ha.” Oh shit, I said that aloud!
“Okay, naughty girl, you’ve left me no choice.” Trip dove towards my now-dripping cleft, assaulting me with his mouth.
“Fuck,” I drawled, arching into him. His deft fingers joined in the exploration and I bucked. I reached to fist the duvet and was surprised to find my hands restrained by the bow. Oh fuck. I really am tied up. The silver ribbon held firm, tugging on my wrists, but not cutting into my flesh. Relax, relax, relax. Focus on the feelings. Trip’s tongue on me. Trip’s tongue on me. I lifted my head to watch Trip work between my thighs. A hand snaked up and fingers pinched a nipple. “Holy fuck.” Green eyes met blue and all thought left my mind as my body shook then melted.
As I came down, Trip worked his way back down my legs, once again taking my feet in his hands. I threw my tied hands over my head. I felt the twill silk of the tie loop around my ankles and tug firm. I’m game. Hell, I’m all in. Trip’s head pressed between my thighs. He hooked my feet behind his head and began to push up. “You are so delicious,” he growled. “Hands.”
I offered the bound present to him. He bowed his head and I placed them on the back of his neck, next to my feet. “You are the most beautiful thing I have ever seen.” He slowly leaned forward, pressing himself against my entrance. I ached to complete the connection, but couldn’t move. Holy fuck. I am totally at his disposal. This is hot. Please, please, please.
“Please,” I begged, our noses a hairsbreadth apart. “Please fuck me.”
“You are my world.” He continued to worship me with words while pressing into me in one long, smooth motion, filling me more fully than I thought possible and only stopping when he reached his end. Trip’s mouth met mine. “I love you,” he breathed into me as our lips danced. On his knees, he rocked our bodies slowly and then with a fevered pitch. I came apart once more and Trip collapsed on me, lavishing more words of love.
Chapter Twenty
Sunday morning I pillowed my head on Trip’s chest and draped a leg over his thighs. Mmm. Skin on skin. I feel like melted butter. As I was drifting back off to sleep, comfortable in my own bed, he shuddered and began to stir. I felt a kiss land on the crown of my head.
“Morning,” he yawned. “Come with me.”
I smiled and twirled a finger around his nipple. “Again?”
His dick stiffened and he groaned, wrapping me in his arms. “You are too quick for me, especially before coffee. Yes, again, and, yes, in London.”
I sighed. “Okay,” I moved my top leg over his thighs like a bow playing a cello, long and slow, eventually pressing up on his balls with my thigh and griping his erection in my hand. “Yes to now, but London is still a no.” I crawled over and down his body and put an end to the discussion with my mouth.
***
“Last chance,” said Trip, loading the breakfast dishes in the dishwasher.
“Your flight leaves in about two hours and unless you ducked out last night while I was sleeping, you probably still have to pack. Plus, despite the temptation to buy an insanely expensive last minute ticket out of the country and probably end up on some government watch-list because of it, I do have a life here.”
“Come on. There is internet at the hotel. I’ll get a suite, so you can have space. Working remotely for a week wouldn’t kill you.”
I left the kitchen
and padded toward my front door, wrapped in my lavender bathrobe and nothing else. Trip followed. “It wouldn’t kill me. And I do it sometimes, but from my place or a condo at the beach. Not a hotel room where I’m twiddling my thumbs waiting for my boyfriend to get done with meetings.”
“It wouldn’t be like that.”
“Listen, I’m sorry that New York didn’t happen. You were so kind to come here. So unexpected. I promise we’ll have a weekend away again soon, but it would be exactly like that. You’d be on London time. I’d be up at weird hours, talking to clients and opposing counsel. We’d see each other for dinner and that’s if you could get away from your meetings. It’s just not worth it.”
“I can make it worth it.” He wrapped me up tightly in his arms, curving his body around mine. “Really worth it,” he whispered.
I squirmed. “If you get us started, you know you’re going to miss your flight.”
“There will be others.”
“Trip,” I pleaded. “Don’t make this harder. It’s a week. You didn’t know me three months ago. You can survive without me.”
“Not happily, I can’t.”
“Will it be easier knowing that I won’t be happy either?” I whispered into his chest, rubbing my face in yesterday’s blue and white checked button down and trying to memorize his scent and feel.
“Marginally.” He held me at arm’s length, meeting my eyes with his. “Sure you won’t come?”
“Not this time. Sometime, sure, when I can work my schedule out, but not last minute and not when we’d never see each other.”
“Okay,” he said, leaning to plant a quick kiss on my forehead. “I’m holding you do that. So, next weekend again?”
“It’s like you’re my secret weekend boyfriend. I’m not sure that we can lock ourselves away again. It’d be what? The third weekend in a row? I’m overdue for some time with my parents and you with yours and then you haven’t really gone cycling with the guys for what, a month now? Plus, you know today would normally be dinner at Josh and Erica’s. If Josh gets his act together and comes home, then she’ll probably want to have dinner next Sunday instead. ”