"Hell yeah, I thought we were going out until you canceled on me. So, of course, they knew all about me meeting you and wanting–-"
I cut him off and whisper-yell, "They know about us hooking up at the shop?" My cheeks burn, and I can't bear to look over at Millie.
"Hold your horses, Cutie, of course, I didn't tell him that. Though," he adds with a smirk, "I'm sure they can make a few guesses."
"I see, so you hook up with lots of girls in the shop?" I ask, giving him the stink eye. Not quite knowing if it should be a serious one or a fake one.
"No," he scoffs. "I don't do that. We covered that already, didn't we? I don't have time for other girls. I have Louisa think about."
"Exactly," I say softly, remembering again why the idea of him and me, together, is absurd.
"But luckily for you," he says, leaning closer to me, "you're not like other girls."
"Oh, yeah? And what am I exactly?" I ask. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't flattered. Hearing his compliments makes me feel wanted and desired and, honestly? It feels really good.
He shrugs and answers me as if it's the simplest thing in the world. "You're the kind of woman I've always wanted."
"Well," I say, smoothing my still wet dress and thinking about the fact I am leaving town soon, starting a career and never looking back, "I'm not marriage material."
That makes him laugh, and he slaps his knee, letting out a roar. "Oh honey, I don't think you have any clue what you are."
His cocky arrogance is both infuriating and intoxicating. "Oh, yeah? And you know what I am?" I roll my eyes playfully before taking a sip of my wine.
"I think I do," his says, his voice low and gravelly and making my belly do flip-flops. I want him closer. As if reading my thoughts, he inches closer still, and I breathe him in -- he smells like gasoline and Old Spice and snickerdoodle cookies. Manly and yet delicious. Dirty-cute, through and through.
"Clementine, I think you're scared to say exactly what you want. Maybe it's because you've been burned too many times in the past, but darling, I know what you want. And I know what you are."
"What's that?" I ask, the words airy on my lips and I feel caught up in this man's spell.
Mike tucks a loose strand of hair behind my ear. He turns my cheek, so his mouth is pressed tight to my ear, so he can whisper words only meant for me. "You're mine, Clementine." Then he takes my hand, pulls me to stand, and wraps his arm around my waist. "And it's time we got out of here."
Chapter 9
Mike
I tell Louisa I have to drive Miss Smith home, that she sprained her ankle and needs to rest. LuLu gives her teacher a hug and tells her she hopes she feels better soon.
Millie is grinning like a damn fool, and I have no doubt she hoped this might be how the night would end. "Here, let me get you two some Tupperware with dinner. I don't want you to rush back, Mike. Louisa is already planning on staying the night, and don't worry, I'll get her off to school tomorrow."
I shake my head at my sister-in-law, but in truth, I'm glad she's so forward thinking. She must have known right away what a catch Clementine is from picking up LuLu most days from school.
When I open the passenger door for Clementine, she tells me she appreciates the ride because she walked over tonight.
"Oh, honey, I'd be giving you a ride home even if your car was parked in this driveway."
She must know it's true because she doesn't argue. Instead, she just buckles her seatbelt and bites her pouty, pink lip.
"There you go, baby, just keep sitting there looking pretty, I'll get you home and taken care of really nice," I tell her.
She starts laughing. "You think I can take you seriously when you talk like that? Everything you says to me seems like another pickup line."
I chuckle. "Well, are they working?" I ask, but I already know her answer.
She just rolls her eyes, shaking her head, and I shut her car door.
Once in the driver seat, I look over at her and ask where she lives. She gives me her address and I start heading that way.
"You don't have to put the address into your phone?" she asks. "Impressive."
"You forget, Clementine, this town is where I was born and raised. I know this place like the back of my hand. I love it here, don't you?"
"I do. Today when I was walking around the farmers’ market, it was impossible to imagine a better town. And truly, I'd stay, but there aren't any job postings here. And since I'm finishing my degree, I'll have to make student loan payments in a matter of months, so it's not about not liking it here. It's more about necessity."
I nod, understanding, and it's a relief to hear. She's not running away so much as trying to be responsible. Taking care of herself. "I hear you and I think that's great, Clementine. You should be so proud of yourself. Finishing school, becoming a teacher. It's pretty incredible."
"Thanks," she says, looking over at me with a soft smile. "Honestly, I don't hear that often. My family isn't really a part of my life. They weren't exactly healthy people, and I had to cut ties with them when I started college. I didn't have to get tons of loans, because I qualified for lots of grants and scholarships and for that I'm really grateful. But when it comes to making sure and take care of myself, I'm kind of laser-focused. There's no safety net in terms of a family to fall back on. No mommy or daddy I can run to when things are hard."
I rest a hand on her thigh, squeezing gently. "You're stronger than you know, Clementine." I give her a sincere smile and I hope she understands how much I mean it.
"What about you, do you have family besides Mox, Millie, and Louisa?"
"For the most part, they're it. I have a few aunts and uncles here and there, but my parents died in a car crash, several years ago. For a long time, it was just Mox, me, and Louisa. Then, of course, Millie came along, and she really helped us all feel like a family. I don't think we realized just how bachelor-like we’d become. She cleaned our acts up pretty fast, and of course, they have a baby on the way now. So, the family just keeps growing."
"That's really wonderful. I bet Louisa is going to love having a cousin."
"Do you want a family one day?" I ask, looking at her.
She doesn't hesitate. "More than anything."
"More than a teaching job?"
"No... But honestly, I want both. I want to have a career. And it's not because I don't want to stay home with my kids, I do want that to some degree, but I want to know that I'm always going to be taken care of. I don't want have to rely on someone who might let me down."
"And that's happened a lot? People have let you down?"
"Yeah... and when that happens over and over, it can be hard to know who to trust."
I pull into the apartment complex where Clementine lives and put the car in park. "Well, you can trust me, I promise. I will not let you down."
Clementine looks down at her hands. "I believe you, Mike. The problem is, I'm afraid I might be the one letting you down."
– –
I follow her into her apartment, and as I help her inside she winces, having put too much pressure on her foot. "Easy, there, Cutie," I say, taking her hand more firmly. "Can't have you falling down again."
She laces her fingers with mine, and even though things ended on a slightly tense note in the car, I know she feels this. This connection. She doesn't want to let it go.
Her apartment is just as I'd expect. Damn near perfect. Throw blankets arranged artfully on the couch, little, embroidered sayings on the front of the decorative pillows. Good Vibes Only and Dream Big.
"Where do you want to get set up?" I ask. "On the couch?"
"No, I was wondering if maybe you could help me into my bedroom?"
"You sure?" I ask, cocking an eyebrow at her. We both know that if I walk in her bedroom I'm not gonna be able to leave until I've had her.
"I'm sure." She nods a glimmer in her eye, letting me know she has the same idea.
"I like your apartment, Clementine," I tell her. "Makes m
y place look like a damn man cave."
"What does Louisa think about that?" she asks as we walk down the narrow hall to her room. My arm is still around her waist to help her. I'm not letting go.
"I don't think she knows any other way. She's used to Hot Pockets and boxes of mac and cheese. And I do make sure she eats something green every day," I say, running a hand over my jaw. "I know I could do better, but it's hard being a single dad. Sometimes LuLu will start whining about one thing or another and I'll be on the Internet all night trying to read mommy-blogs about how to get your kid to brush their teeth or pick up their toys."
"So, her mom, she's never lived with you?"
"Nope. Not for a single day."
"The must be so hard for LuLu," she says softly as she pushes open her bedroom door.
It's the first time she I've heard her call Louisa LuLu, and my heart skips a beat as she does. Feels good to hear her say it like that. It feels right.
"Yeah, but I guess you don’t miss what you don’t know."
"Maybe, but still..." she starts.
"I know, maybe one day there will be someone who can take that place in her life. I hope so." I swallow hard, suddenly feeling emotional as I stand here in this woman's bedroom, knowing that when I look at her, I do see the future.
And it kills me to think she doesn't see the same thing. How is it possible? To see something so clearly, that someone else hasn't noticed yet?
"You are doing a wonderful job with her. She's excelling in school, is well liked, and loves you so much."
"Thanks," I say. "You know how in the car you said you don't get too many compliments? Well, neither do I. Flying solo is hard. I'm just trying to get my wings in the air."
Clementine runs her hands over my arms. "Well, you have tonight off, don't you?"
I nod, my cock liking the sound of her words, her voice, her everything. "All night."
"Do you want to take me to bed?" she asks, her voice barely a whisper.
I want that more than anything. "Clementine, I need you to know, I'm--" Before I can finish, she cuts me off.
"I know, Mike. I know."
I was gonna tell her that I'm falling for her because it's the damn truth. I'm falling for her so fucking hard.
But she isn't ready to hear it.
When I lay her down on her white comforter, fluffy pillows all around her, I see a woman so pure, so tender, so damn soft, I want to cradle her in my arms forever.
"This is a little different than lying on the hood of your car," she says with a smile. "Isn't it?"
I growl, taking her hand and pressing it to the growing bulge in my jeans. "Yeah, but it's just as hard."
That causes her to erupt in a fit of sexy giggles, and I'm glad, I don't think I could handle any more emotional gazes or intense words right now. I want to get lost in her body; lost in her touch.
As I lean over her, she lets out a long breath. The kind of breath you don't realize you've been holding in.
The kind of breath that tells you everything you need to know. I kiss her, and I swear, when I hold her, it's like a weight has been lifted.
She is the wind beneath my wings.
Chapter 10
Clementine
When Mike kisses me, I feel a breeze from my open window rustle through the room, the wind as soft and gentle as his kisses.
"Oh," I whimper in his mouth, his tongue on mine as he kisses me like I am the only thing in the world. Like I am his.
I close my eyes, my fingers running through his hair, overwhelmed and undone and ready for him to do what he pleases. In the auto shop, it was rough and hard and fast but here, in my room, it is gentle and tender.
My heart expands as he pulls down the straps of my wine-stained summer dress, easing it over my breasts, past my hips, tossing it aside.
He looks down at me, his eyes glazed over and hungry.
"God, I've been dreaming of your bright pink panties for days, Clementine. But this?" He shakes his head as he looks me over.
I'm wearing a strapless white lace corset and a tiny thong barely keeping me covered. "You like it?" I lick my lips, then I spread my knees, letting them drop on the bed. My sprained ankle isn't giving me any pain right now... but maybe that's because it was all an act.
Sure, the fall was real... but needing him to wrap his arms around me, walk me inside, lay me down? Not necessary.
But this, having him strip me to nothing; being alone with him once more? This is becoming increasingly urgent.
"You look like an angel," he says, reaching for my panties and pulling them off.
I twist my lips as he tosses the panties aside too. Then I watch as he begins to strip down, his taut muscles so toned and tanned, his lean body chiseled to perfection. Sheer corded strength covers every inch of his skin, and soon he will be covering me too.
Filling me. Taking me, all over again.
"And you look like a god," I tell him, opening my legs and pressing my fingers to my cunt. I run my fingers up and down my slit, watching as he licks his lips, his hand moving to his hard cock.
"Girl, when you touch yourself, it looks so damn dirty."
"You don't like it?" I ask, dipping a finger inside myself, then pulling it out and pressing it into my mouth. Watching as he groans in pleasure.
"Oh, I like it, but I don't want you sucking your finger. I want you sucking my cock."
I moan at the thought, and I sit up, pulling myself to the edge of the bed. With my legs parted I pull his cock towards my mouth, both my hands on his ass cheeks.
"Your foot not giving you any trouble?" he asks, frowning as I set my foot on the floor.
"Not anymore," I say breathlessly. I take his cock in my hand and I open my mouth nice and wide, and then I look up at him as I begin licking his tip, savoring the drops of come that are already there. I run my tongue around him, already longing for more of his milky cream.
"Damn, Cutie, you're gonna kill me with this," he tells me, his hands in my hair, drawing me closer to him.
I open my mouth wider and whimper at the mere fact that I am here, with him, sucking him off. I wrap my lips around his shaft, sucking him up and down, up and down, loving the way his thickness feels my mouth. I'm gagging on him, he's so big and hard, as he gently eases his cock deeper and deeper into my mouth.
"Oh yeah, just like that," he tells me. I run a hand up his chest; he's so strong and ripped, and the pleasure of touching him sends shivers up and down my spine. When I think about how the cock in my mouth will soon fill my pussy, I feel myself dripping with excitement.
"You're gonna make me come," he groans.
"Good," I say, pulling him from my mouth for a moment before dipping my head right back where it belongs. I move faster and faster, loving the way his veiny cock fills up my mouth. I don't want it to stop, but as I fondle his balls, I feel them tighten, feel them nice and ready.
My fingers wrap around the base of his shaft, pumping him as he gets off, my pussy so wet, so ready for him to plunge his fingers inside of me and make me come until I am screaming his name.
But first, he's gonna come all over me. Down my throat and on my breasts. He moans, stilling himself against me as he comes in my mouth.
His cream slides down my throat and I swallow, wanting his seed in my belly. Desperate for the warmth inside of me.
Then I pull him from my mouth, and his face shows his surprise, but I want his come on my breasts, too.
He runs a palm over my cheek. "You sure you want me to come on your titties?"
I nod, licking my lips, savoring his salty cream as he begins to come all over my breasts. He pulls down the cups of my corset, taking hold of my massive tits, my nipples tight between his fingers as he sends ribbons of come over me.
"You need to come too, Cutie pie," he commands before grabbing me from the bed and pulling me into his arms. He squeezes my ass, my legs wrapping around his waist as he grinds me against the door.
"Sink down to my cock, baby," he groans
. "Keep going, nice and deep, girl," he tells me.
I whimper in absolute pleasure as his cock grows hard against me all over again. I sit down on him, my ass pressed against the door and Mike's fingers cupping my butt cheeks. His fingers run along my pussy, guiding his cock to my willing cunt.
My pussy is on fire as he fucks me hard. It feels so good, the way he has me against the door, my arms wrapped around his neck. His mouth begins to devour me all over again. He kisses me in a desperate and needy way, my hands threading through his hair, needing him to kiss me deeper, for this moment to last forever. His cock is buried so deep inside of me that I scream out in ecstasy as he thrusts hard, harder, and harder still.
He fucks me until I can't speak. Can't scream. Can't moan or beg. All I can do is take him the way he needs. Nice and deep.
"I'm gonna come in your pussy," he tells me. "You ready?"
"Yes, please, come in my pussy and then make me come on your face," I tell him.
He grins, turned on by my naughty words. "You're so damn dirty, and yet you're so damn cute," he says as his come fills me up all over again. I toss back my head and Mike kisses my neck, running his fingers over my breasts as we come together.
"Damn, you feel so good," he groans as he finishes inside me.
"You feel better," I say as he sets me down, my feet firmly planted on the floor.
He shakes his head. "I can't believe you lied about a sprained ankle."
"Please, please, forgive me," I say playfully as I crawl onto the bed, giving him a perfect view of my bare ass as I move, knowing he doesn't want me out of his sight. He moves to the bed too, using a towel to wipe my cunt, then burying his face against my ass, licking me up and down, up and down, until he's grinding his face in my pussy, sucking my clit until I am squirming under his hold. Steadying me, he presses his palm against my back, my face buried in a pillow.
With my ass in the air like this, I should feel vulnerable, but this is intimate and beautiful.
He's licking my ass and my pussy like he owns it.
Dirty Cute: A Bad Boy Romance Page 4