by Zrinka Jelic
“Got to play on stage, quite unexpectedly, but my student is bitten with the performance bug.” Her cheerful voice matched her beaming face.
“Oh, wish I could’ve been there to see it.” Damned work, he could listen to her play the violin all the time, but she seemed reluctant. The one time he got to witness her talent, she’d quit playing. He’d loosen her up as he did it with sex, get rid of her stage fright. She was no longer that restrained girl who wouldn’t let her passion out on the surface.
“You didn’t miss much. A few people were at the store, some of them recorded us and I bet it’s already on the social media.”
“Hmm, my girl is gonna be famous.” He kissed her hand.
“Famous? Not if I can help it. I don’t want fame.” She stared at the ground as if suddenly fascinated with her cloth sneakers.
“Don’t sell yourself short, you’re not just good, you’re amazingly talented, in everything you do.”
“Countless hours went into it. Talent can only get you so far.” Her head snapped up and she faced him, a smile lingering on her lips. “Maybe my boss will let me rehearse in the store with my cousin and his band.”
“If not, you can have my place. We’ll make a party out of it. I’ll invite a few friends.” They approached the end of the footpath and he tapped his leg, signaling Tag to his side. The dog obeyed and he took the leash from Neri’s hand, then proceeded to clasp one end to the collar. “Sorry, bud, I know you don’t like it, but it’s the law.”
Mark was about to cross the road, but she stood frozen. “Everything all right?”
“You’d do that for me?” She stared at him with her mouth agape. “You’d open your house so that we could practice?”
“Of course I would, love.”
Her shoulders relaxed. “It would be a rehearsal. We’d make mistakes, lots of them. Tell your friends not to expect perfection.”
“Ah, no worries.” He dismissed her worries with a wave of his hand. “None of them can carry a tune, much less spot errors.”
Her light chuckle was music to his ears.
“If you say so. Did everyone like my choice of music in the Cross-Fit?”
“They sure loved it.” Everyone welcomed the change, except Ashley. To his relief, the twit stormed out when she found out his girlfriend had provided the tunes. Then she threatened to cancel her membership. He pulled her bluff and slipped a membership cancelation form under her nose. She’d signed and warned to talk everyone she brought in to leave his gym. Well, she could try and intimidate all five of her friends who’d joined, but it didn’t seem likely they would obey her.
Why was Neri changing the subject though? If talking about her skills made her uncomfortable, then by all means he’d indulge her, this one time. Soon, he would have her talking, no, bragging about her talent without getting red in face. “Dave showed up for the first time ever.”
“I hope you went easy on him.” She still stared at the pavement, though redness in her face receded somewhat. This must be first time anyone paid her a compliment and she wasn’t used to it.
“Yeah, I tried, but he wanted to be a hero and test some pricey Fitbit, a new tech gadget on his wrist.” Laughter rumbled in his throat. “The thing looks like something we found in the cereal box as kids. If he hurts tomorrow, it’s not my fault.”
“Those gimmicks don’t help you get in shape. It’s all blood, sweat and tears. Oh, and depriving yourself of your favorite foods.”
“True that.” He squeezed her hand, leading her up his driveway. “Show time. I can’t wait to see your surprise.”
Tag’s nails clicked on the tiled floor as he scooted to the kitchen. How disappointed would the dog be when he found the counter void of takeout food? Sure enough, Tag came back to the foyer, his tail low, and gazed expectantly at Mark. Then the dog emitted a long and low whine and disappeared into the basement.
Neri shut the house door behind her and turned to Mark. “We’ll play a game. You go to your office, close the door and wait for me seated at your desk while I change. Pretend you’re reading or something.”
Anticipation pooled in his groin. She planned something naughty. “O-kay.”
He did as he was bid, but the waiting got the best of him. No matter how hard he tried to focus on the text of the page in his hand, the words didn’t form on the paper.
Finally, a soft knock sounded on the other side of the door.
For fear his voice had turned squeaky, he cleared his throat. “Come in.”
The door popped open and she entered, closing the door behind her. She stood in front of his desk in a pair of fuck-me-heels, pleated, short plaid skirt and tight white button down shirt, three top buttons undone, exposing her ample cleavage. Crossing her bare legs, she clasped her hands behind her back and stared at the floor. “You wanted to see me, Principal Warren.”
“Oh…” Was all he could muster. So they were playing a disobedient high school girl and principal. He put the book down. “Why, yes, Miss Runic, your teacher said you’re disturbing his class. Do you know what the punishment for that is?”
She still stared at the floor, but swayed her hips and shook her head, letting strands to come loose from her pigtails. The picture before him was almost his undoing, and they had barely started. He pushed away from the desk, his chair rolling on its coasters. Approached and circled her while her gaze followed him.
Stopping in front of her, he undid the top button of her shirt. Judging by the way her hardened nipples pushed against the white fabric, she didn’t wear a bra. He slid the soft material from her shoulders, revealing more of her. “The punishment is severe, but you’ll like it.”
She rolled her bottom lip between her teeth and mewled while he freed her arms from the sleeves, letting the shirt to dangle from her waist. Her magnificent boobs raised and fell with her quick breaths.
Her attempt to cross her arms over her naked chest cost her as he seized her wrists and forced her arms behind her back. He pulled her against him. Her back rested on his torso. He cupped her breasts, giving them a hard massage.
“Ah-h, Principle Wa—”
“Quite, Miss, this is a school.” He slid his hand down her stomach and under the waistband of her shorter than short skirt. Finding her bare bottom, wet and…smooth. Oh dear God, she’d gone all the way for him. He had to see this.
Hiking up her skirt to her waist, he turned her around and glanced upon her neatly trimmed pussy. Another wave of ecstasy hardened his cock. “So smooth,” he murmured against her lips, gliding his hand over her mound. He backed her up to his desk.
He slid his leg between hers and widened her stance, then sat her on the surface, knocking over stacks of papers in the process. “Keep your knees wide apart and arms behind your back.”
She moistened her lips, then obeyed his command.
Damn, she’d got him going good. He’d never been this dominant.
A long yes hissed out from her as soon as he touched her hardened nub between her legs. Then he went in, tasting her with his tongue, drawing a long cry from her.
“I said quiet.” He squeezed her boob.
“Mark, um, Sir, I’ll come like this in a second.” Desperation for a release reflected in her cry.
Despite wanting to please her, he wanted to prolong her pleasure and to hear her calling him Sir once more. “I’ll have you come again soon enough.” He returned to his task, licking, nibbling and sucking between her legs, slowing down each time her hips started to shake, pulling her away from the precipice of climax. No, she wasn’t going over the edge, not yet if he could help it. Her little whimpers escaping her clumped lips, calmed with calculated strokes of his tongue. If he planned it right, they would come together.
He crumpled he skirt higher and pulled her off his desk. “Fuck, I need it too much.”
In one swift move, he turned her around, bent her over the table, gripped her wrists behind her back with one hand, and stroked his cock before entering her wet and hot channel.
Her back arched and she let out a long and loud cry. “Ah-h, Sir, yes. That’s it.”
He couldn’t help himself, he spanked her bottom. “Still disobedient, I see. Quiet.”
“Yes, Sir, yes, yes,” she cried, slamming her shaky hips against his pelvis. “Ah, ah, yes…”
In a moment, he’d give her a killer orgasm. The thought had him pump harder. He let go of her wrists and gripped her hips. In a few strong thrusts, her body stiffened under his and her last cry was cut short as she rode the crest of her climax. Ah, just what he wanted to hear. Pushing his pelvis against her butt, his whole body arched, waves of pleasure riding through him, coaxing deep groans from his throat.
He collapsed over her, kissing the back of her neck and shoulder. “This was a marvelous surprise.”
“Glad you liked it.” She panted.
“Liked? No, I fucking loved it. And love those heels.” He pulled her down on the carpeted floor with him and cuddled her in his arms. His lips found hers and their tongues met, sealing his love for her with a long and deep kiss. He wanted to scream the words, but they wouldn’t form in his mouth. Afraid of her reaction, he decided to wait for a better opportunity.
“Ah, they are not comfy, but seeing how they turn you on, I’ll be wearing them often around the house. Getting pretty hungry, for food, that is.” She rolled to her back and straightened her clothes.
“I had you work up some appetite, didn’t I? Wasn’t just the heels that made me horny. Your smooth pussy contributed.”
She cleared her throat while her cheeks reddened anew and her nose wrinkled. “You like it? It’s an error, though. I didn’t want the girl to think I’m clueless when she asked me if I wanted to go ‘Hollywood’ so I said sure. Little did I know it meant no wood left behind, not even a blade of grass.”
He burst into a heartfelt chortle, pulled her close and placed a slurpy smooch on her ear.
She smacked his arm. “You’re finding this funny? Go get your junk waxed then.”
“Not a friggin’ chance.” Dudes did that kind of thing nowadays, but the thought made him squirm. He patted her bottom as she was getting up. “Go get changed, and I’ll get the food.”
“Why am I bothering with these scraps?” Resembling a baby giraffe on her wobbly feet, she made it out of his office. She needed to practice walking on those heels, but each time she wore them, he’d be reminded of today’s role play and he would harden in an instant. He rolled to his side and hiked his shorts over his butt. On his way to the kitchen, he checked his cell phone. One new message waited in his inbox. He called the voice mail and listened to the recording.
A woman’s laughter filled his ear. He recognized Brook’s voice. “What’s up Marky boy? You letting my calls go to your voice mail now? Anyhow, I’ll wait by the mail boxes. Meet me there in fifteen.”
His gut clenched. How he hated that stupid nickname she had insisted on for him, despite his demands she quit calling him that. He hoped never to hear it again, but here it was. Why was his ex back? What if she showed up at the house? No, he needed to square out things with her and make sure she understood they were never going to be together again. He threaded up the stairs to his bedroom. The sound of running water came from behind the closed door of the adjacent bathroom.
He knocked. “Neri love. Are you all right?”
“Just give me a few minutes.”
“Take your time. I have to get my mail from the box down the street. Can I ask you to set up the table for us?”
“Sure thing.”
With a heavy heart, he left the house and walked to the set of two red and blue postal boxes.
Brook already waited there, in her cut off jean shorts, her long, tanned legs shimmering in the light of the dipping sun. The golden hair set in long curls, framed her pretty face. Of course, she wouldn’t be caught dead looking sloppy.
Her floral scent registered on his senses. He’d missed her, but the fights, the lies, her constant scrutiny and her stiffness washed away what little fun they shared. There was nothing good about their goodbye, and at the time, he felt as if he’d die. The night he’d proposed and she threw the ring in his face demanding a bigger diamond sealed the end their relationship. It wasn’t that he couldn’t afford bigger and better, but the size of a precious stone should not determine a marriage.
She tilted her head and flashed him a lopsided smile. “Baby, horrible news about you reached me.”
Before he could react, she wrapped her arms around his neck and her lithe body pressed against his. He unhooked her hands clutched behind him and nudged her away from him. “Brook, please. Make this quick. What do you want?”
She reached for him again, but he grabbed her hand and shook his head. “Don’t.”
“Fine.” She sighed, letting her arm drop at her side. “The rumour has it you’re dating some nightmare of a woman. I cannot allow it.” Her snippy tone changed to sweet. “I’m back, baby.”
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Neri admired her black heels with sequined backs. Silly little things, never before would she spend money on such uncomfortable shoes. They’d cause her blisters and she could barely walk in them. How on earth had women gotten anywhere in these? The shoes made her feel as if she was standing on the stilts. No amount of practice would help. Well, some things would never change. Wearing stilettos was one of them, right up there with fake nails. She lifted her hands for closer inspection. What had that beautician talked about? Yeah, her nails could use a bit of pampering, but they weren’t a total disaster.
However, her shoes served their purpose and if judging the way Mark had devoured her in every way possible, she’d be wearing them again soon. Mark had manhandled her in such erotic way, she never been turned on more.
She placed the shoes into their box, staying barefoot to relax sore spots the heels caused while she struggled to hold up as he bore down on her. At least he hadn’t brought up the baby issue, but then he was more of hands on kind of guy. Though technically, and practically, what they’d done in his office classified as baby making. Thank God, it wouldn’t happen, she made sure of that. However, his eagerness flattered her, they really didn’t know each other that well just yet. More time was needed for such life changing decision.
The carpet brushed her soles on her way down to the kitchen, but the empty counter baffled her. She’d left the containers of takeout food here. Could Tag get to it while she and Mark were busy? She winced at the thought. No, unless Tag cleaned up after his meal, there’d be mess all over the floor tiles. Though she didn’t doubt that Tag could hoover up the last grain of rice, he wouldn’t eat the aluminum and cardboard containers.
A long beep came from the stove. She opened the door and found the dinner warming up inside the oven. As soon as she took out the first container and turned toward the dining table, she came face to face with Tag.
The big dog licked his muzzle and gazed the food in her hands, the same way Mark had at her when she entered his office.
“Sorry, big guy, but you already ate.” The dog’s eyes turned sad and broke her heart. Should she sneak him a tiny bit of food? Probably not the smartest idea, but maybe he’d sniff it and decide he didn’t like the steamed vegetables. Then again, Mark had mentioned he fed him broccoli.
She popped open the lid and scooped a spoonful of carrots and cauliflower and was about to put it into Tag’s dish when Mark’s deep voice startled her.
“Don’t even think about it. Tag! Out.” He grabbed the dog’s collar, slid open the patio door and shoved him outside.
Phew, for a moment there she was afraid he wanted her out. What got his panties in a bunch? He seemed in a great mood before he stepped out to get the mail.
“I’m sorry, I—I…” What could she say? I was about to feed your dog something he probably shouldn’t eat, but risked him getting sick and running up a vet’s bill. She never owned a dog, but learned from those who had, they were careful about feeding their pets table scraps.
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nbsp; Mark exhaled loudly. “No, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have yelled.”
Yet, he certainly looked aggravated by something. She pointed at the stack of envelopes in his hand. “Got bad news?”
He tossed the mail on the kitchen island. “No, just some bills.”
“Bills always make me angry. Still hot outside?” She tried to steer the conversation toward the lighter mood. Something dampened out his and she was sure it wasn’t just heat.
“Cooling off.” He helped her with setting the table for two, but took his seat before all of it was out. For the most of the dinner, he played with his food, taking sporadic bites and sips of his green tea.
“Takeout not to your liking?” she asked, then blew the steam off the surface of her tea to break from gawking at his brooding face. Even in this state, he was smoking hot.
“No, it’s fine.” He pushed the plate away. “Just not too hungry, that’s all.”
Somehow, she doubted his lack of appetite was all that there was. “Any plans for the rest of the evening?”
He shrugged with indifference. “Watch TV or read, I guess.”
His short answers and unwillingness to talk made her feel unwelcomed. So he had his fun and now he probably wished for her to get the hint and hit the road. Well, nothing new here. Many guys had acted the same. Why? Was she only good for one or two tumbles? Must be a guy thing she’d never understand. They turned out to be all the same no matter how much they whispered their sweet nothings, and she fell for them every single time. It was she, who needed to learn, but everyone ate lies when their hearts were hungry, and she was no different. “Since you’re in some bad mood, I’ll go home.”
His features hardened and he stared at her. “No, I don’t want you to go.” In the next second, his shoulders lowered. “I’m sorry, love. I—something’s on my mind and it has nothing to do with you. Please stay.”