Between the Lines

by Jane Charles

  “How’s your leg feeling?”

  This is like the hundredth time she’s asked. “It’s fine.”

  “Don’t lie to me,” she snaps. “I don’t like it.” Suddenly she’s cold, as if she’s angry. “The longer we walked the heavier your limp got. I didn’t say anything because you want to act like it’s no big deal. There’s nothing wrong with babying an injury.”

  Yes there is, I almost say. Only weak people rest. Push through. You’ll be stronger for it. Be a man. I can hear my dad’s words echo in my mind. Guys who pushed through injuries, usually only made it worse. Is that what I’m doing by forcing myself to walk around after twisting it? Or, I’m in denial. It hurt like hell when my foot slipped out from under me and I sure as hell do not want to have another surgery. Maybe I should be at home, foot up and icing it. Not walking around the Metropolitan Museum of Art. “Okay, it hurts.”

  “It’s why you made up the excuse for getting something to drink instead of just coming out and saying ‘hey, I need to sit for a bit. Do you mind?’”

  She’s right. “Sorry. I just don’t want to appear weak, okay.” God, I hate admitting that to her, and to myself. “And, I was thirsty.”

  Ellen reaches over, putting her hand over mine. “Gabe, there is nothing weak about treating an injury. You’ve got to get that stupid concept out of your head right now.”

  Her brown eyes are boring into mine and something shifts inside. I’m not sure what it is, but suddenly, I’m okay with the fact that I’m in pain and can tell her. She’s not going to think any less of me if I just want to rest. How can something simple change everything in how I see myself?

  “You’re right. I’m sorry.” I take a swig of my beer and stretch out my leg. “Do you still have the Ibuprofen in your purse?”

  “It’s gone. You’ve been popping them like they’re candy. I bet you didn’t realize that either, or didn’t think I’d notice.”

  I have to look away. Damn she’s perceptive.

  Ellen leans across the table. “The museum is going to close soon. Why don’t we leave, grab a bite to eat and go home?”

  “What about a show tonight?”

  She just shakes her head, her mouth slightly agape. “Once I get you on that couch or in the bed, you aren’t going anywhere.”

  My cock instantly comes to attention and I lean in and grin. “The bed?”

  Her face turns bright pink. “You know what I mean.” She takes a hasty sip of wine. “I have half a mind to take you to an ER to make sure something isn’t broken in there.”

  I straighten. “If it doesn’t get better, I’ll call my doc when we get back.”

  Ellen wags a finger at me. “See that you do.”

  Ellen

  After leaving the museum, Gabe and I walk until we find a pharmacy. I’m so irritated with him right now. It’s clear that the longer we were there, the more painful his knee became, but each time I asked he insisted it was fine, when obviously it wasn’t. I stopped mentioning it until I finally confronted him.

  Why do guys, jocks especially, try to play off pain as if it’s nothing more than a paper cut? Though, those can hurt like hell too. Just because we came into the city, to supposedly see a show and hang out, didn’t mean we have to actually take in all the sights. I’d be perfectly happy just sitting in the apartment, cuddle up reading a book or watching television, or simply talking. I’ve seen all this before and can come back any time. Hell, if I wasn’t working on a story about Baxter, I’d never have left.

  Crap, I completely forgot the reason I was in his town to begin with and why I rented the apartment for two months.

  I glance over at Gabe as he’s looking at the various pain killers available and bite my lip. I should tell him. I couldn’t when we first met, but he does have a right to know. Besides, he’s going to figure it out anyway, when I show up at Baxter on Monday. The appointment has already been scheduled and it took me over a month to get, so I can’t let it go now.

  Besides, those girl’s words echo in my head, but I don’t think Gabe had anything to do with whatever happened. Well, I know he didn’t where she was concerned. He didn’t even work there, but I’m usually a good judge of character and he’s a good guy. I can’t see him being involved with anything where kids are hurt or messed with.

  It could be there isn’t anything happening at Baxter. Or, he simply doesn’t know. The only thing I am certain of is that he’s not involved in whatever it is.

  Maybe I’ll tell him tonight, or after we get back, but I have a gut feeling he won’t be happy about it. I don’t know why, but my instincts are warning me not to saying anything just yet.

  I’ll see what I find out and then ask.

  It’s probably better that way anyway.

  Besides, whenever someone finds out I’m a reporter and actively working on a story they may or may not be connected to, they clam up and back away, as if I’m a leper. I don’t think I could stand Gabe doing that too. We’re having too much fun and for once, I’d like to get to really know someone, and them me. Well, as much as they can, before they push me away and go all silent.

  He grabs a large bottle and starts down another aisle, I simply follow along. I don’t really need anything.

  Crap. We’re in the feminine protection aisle. Really? Of all the aisle he could have gone down he picks this one? Cards would have been fun, or even candy, but instead, he’s standing next to the tampons.

  What the hell could he possibly want here and what is he looking at? I’m almost afraid to ask and then I see he’s by the condoms, oils, gels, whatever you could want for protected and enjoyable sex.

  My heart stops for a second before heat pools in places anxious to be touched. I watch Gabe, holding back, not sure if my input is necessary or wanted.

  He grabs a bottle of heated massage oil.

  Sweet!

  The turns to me, holding it up. “This is really good for rubbing into the area around my knee.”

  Shit! So much for getting my hopes up. “Don’t they have stuff like that over with the bandages and wraps and crap?”

  “Sure.” He grins. “I just didn’t want to walk over there when I wanted to get these too.” He holds up a box of condoms and my clit starts to ache. My face also must be a hundred shades of red too by the heat it’s putting off. I mean, I’m familiar with condoms, but my past boyfriends always bought those, and never when I was around. I’ve never purchased a condom in my life.

  I walk closer to him to whisper. “I thought we weren’t going to have sex.”

  “Me too.” He turns more fully and leans in. “I just don’t think I can be that strong around you.”

  His blue eyes are darkened, and that look is enough for me to just want to grab him and drag him back to my place immediately

  “Unless you don’t want to. That’s fine.” He starts to put the box back on the shelf but I stop him.

  “Get them. You know, like, just in case.”

  Gabe – 12

  After paying for my purchases, Ellen and I step back outside. It wasn’t my intention to purchase condoms but I didn’t bring any with me. Because I didn’t have any last night it was easy to just sleep with her and put off the sex, but after she made that comment about keeping me in bed, all I could think about was her being there with me. Naked and moaning.

  I pull her to the side of the building, away from the pedestrian traffic and look down into her soft brown eyes. Her color has returned to normal. Maybe I should have just run out when she was busy. I’m sure there’s a place close to the apartment. Then I could have saved her the embarrassment. It’s not like buying condoms is anything new to me, but I’ve usually been alone. This is the first time a girl has been with me. One that I can’t wait to strip naked and lay out on the bed.

  “I want to do this right, the whole dating thing, getting to know one another before the next step, but honestly Ellen, I’ve never felt this way about a woman in such a short time. Hell, I’m not even sure I’ve ever
felt this way.”

  She goes up on her tiptoes and kisses me. “I haven’t either.”

  Inwardly I sigh with relief. At least she feels the same. Whatever that is that’s between us. I can’t even claim its love. You don’t fall in love with someone in three days, but how else can I explain it? I’ve never been in love so I wouldn’t know anyway.

  “Let’s go back to the apartment, get something to eat and just hang out for the rest of the night.”

  She doesn’t have to convince me to do otherwise. I don’t care how much culture she wants to show me. That can be done tomorrow.

  We hail a taxi and head back. She’s next to me, head on my shoulder, our fingers entwined, and I can’t wait to get her alone. Hell, I don’t even think I’m hungry anymore. At least not for food.

  “Let’s get sandwiches from the deli around the corner,” she announces as we step out onto the sidewalk.

  “Sure.” We should eat because I’ll probably need my strength for the various activities I have planned.

  “Then we’ll get you settled on the couch, ice on your knee, and see what’s on television.”

  Did she forget I just bought condoms?

  Maybe she doesn’t want to have sex.

  Crap!

  But, I get it. This has been a whirlwind since we met. If she’s not ready, I’ll respect that, but damn, it’s not going to be easy or comfortable. “Don’t coddle me,” I say after a minute.

  She turns and smiles brightly. “I wouldn’t dream of it.”

  Somehow I don’t believe her, but let her drag me around the corner to a small deli where we order sandwiches and chips and go back to the apartment. Before I have a chance to say anything, she’s ordering me to the couch, pressing the remote into my hand and disappearing down the hall.

  I hear her messing around in the kitchen and consider going and helping her, but it feels good to have my leg stretched out and up on the coffee table. I click the remote and the television comes on, just in time for the nightly news.

  Ellen returns with a tray. Our food is on it, along with a couple of beers and an ice pack, which she gently plops on my knee.

  “Thank you.”

  “I warned you. Once you got back here, you weren’t moving.”

  She also mentioned the couch or the bed. I was really hoping for the bed.

  Not much is said while we eat, but I’m very much aware of the woman beside me. After she finishes, she curls up to my side and I pull her close. Damn, this is nice. I could get really used to spending my evenings like this.

  We watch a sitcom and then a drama, but I’m hardly paying attention. Do I try to make love to her? She knows I’ve bought the damn condoms but she hasn’t given me any sign that she wants me to need them.

  The icepack is no longer cold and I take it from my knee.

  “Do you want another?”

  “I’m good.”

  “Great, I’ll be back in a minute.”

  She scoops up the remains of our dinner and puts them on the tray, along with the empty beer bottles. I relax back into the couch, not sure I want to ever move when she returns with two more beers. She hands me one, puts hers on the table and disappears again.

  I continue to click on the different channels and sip my beer, waiting for her to come back.

  “Take your pants off.”

  I choke on my beer and look over. Ellen is standing at the entrance to the living room. She’s wearing a short, silky nighty that could only have come from a lingerie shop. I admire her from her delicate toes, up her long, shapely legs until I get to the lavender lace hiding her pussy and up to the delicate straps over her tantalizing shoulders and to her beautiful face. She’s biting her bottom lip, as if unsure.

  “I brought this.” She thrusts out the heating massage oil. “So I could rub it into your knee and muscles.”

  Hell, my knee is numb right now. I’d completely forgotten about it when I saw her standing there. However, other parts of my anatomy are aching and hard.

  I’m pretty sure I don’t need her rubbing anything, at least around my knee, but I slowly stand and slip out of my jeans. At least I’m wearing boxers, which are a hell of a lot more comfortable in my current state than a pair of tighty whities.

  She gasps, looking down at me.

  Did she think I wouldn’t be as hard as rock when she walked in dressed like that?

  “Have you looked at your knee?”

  Enough about my knee, but I look down anyway. Damn, she’s right. No wonder it’s been hurting so bad. It’s swollen, almost twice the size it is normally. Shit. I had better not have torn something else when I slipped. I don’t have time for surgery, rehab and all that other crap that goes with it.

  “Sit!” she orders, coming forward and I obey.

  Ellen

  I can’t believe Gabe was walking around all day with his knee like that. No wonder he was popping so many pills. I have half a mind to haul his ass off to a hospital so he can get something prescription strength to help.

  After he’s back on the couch, I lift his heel and put it back on the coffee table. “Do you want a pillow or anything?”

  “I’m fine,” he bites out.

  “Like hell you are.” I gently touch around the area of the knee cap. It feels like there’s nothing but water under the skin. There are also about four scars. One, directly over the knee cap and others around it. “How many surgeries have you had?”

  “Four.”

  “This one?” I run my hand down the straight center scar.

  “The third.”

  “What happened?”

  “Knocked on my ass.” He chuckles. “Actually on the knee, shattering the patella.”

  “So, it isn’t just from the football injury.”

  “The first and second surgery were. The other two, from the fall.”

  I glance up and meet his eyes. “Where should I rub?”

  He arches an eyebrow and my face heats again. I’m very much aware of the bulge in his boxers. Damn, I’m almost eye level with it from my place on the floor beside his leg. It’s long, thick and hard. I’m getting wet just thinking about it being in me. But not yet. His knee needs attention before his cock does.

  “I don’t want to hurt your knee.”

  “Just in the muscles around it, though I don’t think it’s going to do any good at this point.”

  He’s probably right. A doctor needs to take a look at it, but I doubt he’d leave now anyway. However, if he doesn’t call when he gets back, I’ll nag at him until he makes the call just to get me to shut up.

  I pour the oily liquid into my hands and rub them together before touching his leg. I start with the calf muscles, easing the tension, working around the knee and then into the thigh. Gabe isn’t saying anything, just watching.

  Some tension has left the leg, but none of it from his cock. Has it gotten bigger?

  I slide my oiled fingers further up his thigh. His hand stops mine. I look up.

  “Are you sure you want to go any further?” I know he’s asking if I’m sure about sex because if my fingers move a fraction of an inch, they’ be under the leg of his boxers, far away from the injured knee.

  “You bought condoms.”

  I’m not sure how it happened, but in a blink of an eye, Gabe has me off the floor and across his lap. “Yes, I did,” he says before devouring my mouth.

  Gabe – 13

  I’ve never been this hard in my life. At least, not that I remember. The way my balls were tightening up as she massaged higher and higher on my thigh, I wasn’t sure I wasn’t going to blow my wad right then and there. But, now she’s in my lap and all mine, her slinky nighty sliding up her thighs.

  Her kisses are matching mine, tongues tangling and I can’t decide what I want to touch first. I slide my hands up her waist, across her ribs but before I get to her boob, she pushes my hand down.

  Fine, I’ll go south, but I really want a boob. It’s a natural progression, north to south, but she’s c
alling the shots.

  Ellen turns, straddling me, her pussy pressed against my cock and I groan. The condoms are in the bedroom. I need those first. I lift her hips and she stops kissing me.

  “What?”

  “The condoms are in the other room.”

  She smiles, her face pink and gets up off my lap. “I can get them.” I didn’t mean for her to leave so quickly, but maybe it’s better, so I can get control of myself, to take it slow.

  Ellen’s practically skipping out of the room and the silk flies up, revealing a perfectly rounded and toned ass. And, no underwear in sight.

  “Control,” I whisper to myself. “It’s got to be about her too and not just getting my rocks off.” Though at this point, all she’d have to do is look at my dick with longing and I’d be coming in my boxers.

  And, we aren’t going to have sex for the first time on the couch. That just seems wrong. Her bed, on the other hand, a much better idea. Pulling myself up from the couch, I stand and pain slices up through my thigh.

  Perfect! As in this is a good thing since it momentarily overrides the ache in my cock.

  I start unbuttoning my shirt as I head toward the bedroom. I want absolutely no clothing between me and Ellen.

  She’s just rounding the corner, condom in hand when I get near the bedroom. She stops and backs up, her eyes watching my hands as I undo one button after the other. I keep going toward her, my mouth watering with the thought of tasting every single delectable inch of her skin. The back of her legs come in contact with the bed and she sits. I continue until I’m between her legs, standing over her and toss my shirt aside.

  I caress her arms and she’s just staring up at me. Her eyes darker than I’ve ever seen them. I grasp the silk and pull it up.

  She’s shaking her head.

  “I want to see you.”

  “It’s not really necessary,” she breathes out in barely a whisper.

  I chuckle. “Oh, it’s very necessary. It’s practically all I’ve been able to think about since meeting you.”