A Good Man

by Rosanna Leo

  He shuffled in his place, clearly stalling for time. “Well, what about the rest of my things?”

  “Oh, you want your stuff back?” Her mouth turned down in mock concern. “By all means, let me get it for you. It won’t take me long.” She disappeared into the bedroom.

  As soon as she was out of earshot, Trent opened up his mouth again. “I suppose you think you’ve won.”

  “I didn’t realize we were playing a game.”

  “Give me a break, Zorn. I see right through you.”

  “Trust me, you don’t know a thing about me. You know, I’ve been biting my tongue around you out of respect for Emily, and because I recognize when a man is defeated. I didn’t want to kick you when you were down. You lost the love of a good woman and you’re only just starting to figure out the magnitude of your loss. It makes sense you’d try hard to get her back. But Em has been clear with you and I’m going to be just as clear. If you keep upsetting her, you’ll be dealing with me from now on. Do you understand?”

  “Fuck you.”

  Michael laughed. The idiot had no idea when to shut his mouth.

  “You should probably know,” Trent persisted in quieter tones, “Em might be amused right now, but she’ll lose interest. She requires a man who can stimulate her, someone with substance. With brains.”

  “Oh, yeah? Well, you should probably know this. When I kick your ass, and I will, it’s going to hurt like hell.”

  “Threats from a TV star? What would the papers say?”

  “If they knew you, they’d encourage me to throw the first punch.”

  “Come on, Zorn. Let’s get real for a minute. I love Em, but surely a man like you wants someone more exciting. You can’t expect me to believe you’re actually interested in her. She’s a good woman and she knows how to take care of a man, but she isn’t exactly star caliber.”

  “You don’t get to talk about her. Do you hear me?”

  “I mean, she’s cute and sweet, but that only counts for so much. Why do you think I had to look elsewhere?”

  Emily returned carrying a plastic shopping bag, just in time to hear the final insult. Her face fell.

  Rage burned a hole in Michael’s chest. Unseeing, unthinking, he clenched his fists, wanting so much to teach the whiny piece of shit a lesson. Hitting Trent would be a treat he’d savor for a long time to come, kind of like letting a hard caramel melt at the back of his tongue.

  For Emily’s benefit, he resisted. He knew it would only make things worse. Frankly, Trent already looked as if someone had taken a swing at him. As soon as Emily walked in, his gaze dropped immediately to the floor. Had his own words finally reached his ears?

  Emily didn’t give him an opportunity to apologize. She handed him the plastic bag. “Here. All the items you left at my condo over the past year. In case you need them itemized, we have one toothbrush, one stick of deodorant, a pair of jeans, one T-shirt and two pairs of boxers. That’s it. Our time together fits inside a plastic bag from the grocery store. I guess you were going for the minimalistic approach, in life and in our relationship. Of course, I can see why you might not want to invest in a woman who compels her fiancé to look elsewhere out of sheer boredom.”

  “Em, I…”

  “I don’t want to hear it, Trent. Not another word.”

  “You’re making a big mistake.”

  “This,” she said, head held high, “is the best decision I’ve ever made, and it’s long overdue. Get out.”

  For a split second, Trent appeared ready to falter. He stepped forward, brow creased. “Please, I just wanted to…”

  She crossed her arms, waiting for him to finish.

  “Never mind.” Clutching his bag, he turned and left.

  Michael couldn’t shut the door quickly enough. He made sure to lock it for her. She seemed smaller in that moment, less the warrior who’d told her ex to get out of her condo and more a wounded bird. He pulled her into his arms and enveloped her, breathing her in. Her flowery perfume went right to his head and he buried his face in the crook of her neck. “You were awesome.”

  “Thanks. I thought you were getting ready to hit him.”

  “I was about two seconds away from hitting him.’

  She reached for his hand and stroked it. “If you had, you realize we would have punched the same man.”

  “I won’t lie. That wouldn’t have bothered me one bit.”

  “Well, I appreciate you being willing to bruise your hand on my account.”

  “This gnarly old thing?” Damn, she’s pretty when she blushes. “It would have survived the impact.”

  “Please tell me I wasn’t stupid to stay with him. Those things he said. I never knew he could be so petty, so mean.”

  “He probably had a lot of people fooled.”

  “I feel like such a moron.”

  He kissed the side of her neck, closing his eyes because her pain hurt him so much. “You’re not a moron. You’re a beautiful woman who loves with her whole heart.”

  She held still in his arms for a moment, but when she relaxed, snaking her arms around his waist, his body reacted in the only way it knew how—with utter abandon. His cock danced, his skin tingled, and he was pretty sure the faint growling noise he heard in the background was the sound of his libido coming to life again.

  God, he wanted her, but he didn’t want to screw it up. Not after everything she’d been through.

  “Michael,” she squeaked from the vicinity of his chest. “I’m tired of fighting.”

  “I know you are. You don’t need to fight this anymore.”

  She met his gaze, her cheeks red, her green eyes lit with golden fire. “I want you. I want you so much I can’t get a moment’s rest.”

  “Is that so?”

  Licking her lips, she nodded.

  Those lips, so shiny and wet, called to him. He couldn’t have pulled away from her if he’d wanted to. Michael angled his head and tasted her mouth, flicking his tongue at the corners before sliding it inside. One, two, three kisses and his lips tingled. She snuck her hands under his shirt and explored his skin, digging her short nails into his back when he deepened the kiss.

  Michael tugged at her waistband, freeing her top from her jeans. When his fingers met the soft skin at her waist, when he heard her whimpers, he knew there was no going back. Not for him, anyway.

  She was his.

  Possessed by furious need, Michael scooped her up into his arms.

  A quiet gasp of surprise escaped her. “But you were sick earlier…”

  “All better now.” Hell, he felt stronger than he’d ever been. If he had any more vitality, they’d have to pry him off the ceiling.

  He kissed her again and carried her into the bedroom before they came to their senses.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Sweet Jesus, she was about to sleep with Michael Zorn.

  If anyone had told her this months ago, perhaps while she was glued to the set watching Handymen, Emily would have laughed until she was blue. People like Michael didn’t sleep with people like her. He should be sleeping with someone like Lacey.

  Maybe she’d been too hard on herself. Maybe this wasn’t so wrong and it shouldn’t feel like a betrayal of the man who didn’t deserve her fidelity.

  Michael reached her bed and set her down on the floor at its edge. He stroked his thumb over her bottom lip. “Your lips are swollen.”

  He sure did seem fascinated by her mouth. It wasn’t the first time she’d caught him looking at it and the attention went straight to her head. “Swollen’s good, right?”

  “Swollen’s very good.”

  With the enthusiastic movements of a man who really wanted to get naked for her, he shucked his shirt. She didn’t mean to stare, but this moment called for ogling, maybe even a hint of drool at the corners of her lips. She’d never seen such an expanse of golden skin. Each bulge spoke of hard work and power. She’d expected him to have a farmer’s tan, but it was faint. He obviously spent a lot of time ou
tside and much of it shirtless. Reaching out a shaky hand, she touched a finger to his abdomen.

  It rippled. He was nervous too.

  “You’re beautiful, Michael.”

  His eyebrows quirked. Had no one ever told him so, or did he just not believe his own hype? He shook his head. “Em, you’re the beautiful one. I haven’t been able to stop looking at you since we first met.”

  She tried to swallow, but her throat was thick and dry.

  He cupped her cheek, stroking her cheekbone. “Are you sure about this?”

  His lowered voice traipsed over her skin, making it erupt in goose pimples. “Yes. Are you sure you’re not too tired?”

  “I could be ready to drop and I still wouldn’t be able to stop touching you.”

  He reached for the hem of her shirt and lifted it over her head, tossing it toward the footboard of the bed. As her blouse came off, her hair rumpled and she reached a hand toward it to fix the errant strands.

  He held her hand, stopping her. “Don’t. You’re perfect.”

  Perfect. It was hard to accept such praise. She had never been short on self-esteem, but Trent had chipped away at it for two years with his offhand comments and belittling remarks.

  Emily had never had an issue with her body until Trent came along. Before him, she’d never had a problem flaunting a bit of skin. Since him, she questioned her wardrobe choices, wondering if she was up to her fiancé’s stringent standards. Without thinking, she crossed her arms over her breasts.

  Once again, Michael seemed to know exactly what she needed. He pried her arms off her chest and smiled. “Don’t hide. I want to see you.”

  “But…”

  He palmed a full breast over her bra. “Do you have any idea how many times I’ve imagined you naked?”

  “No.” As he flicked his thumb at her nipple, she melted.

  He slid his fingers toward her straps, teasing them off her shoulders. He reached toward her back. When she felt the snap of her bra being unhooked, she stiffened.

  “If I admit the number of times I pictured this moment, it might embarrass me.” He removed her bra and let it fall to the floor. His gaze raked her skin and he whispered a curse. His hands shaking, he cupped her breasts and stroked. “God, Em. Not even in my wildest dreams were you this stunning.”

  Happy tears stung her eyes, so she blinked them away. It had been too long since a man had spoken to her in hushed tones of awe. She caressed the curves at his shoulder, just as astounded as he seemed to be. His body was her image of the manly ideal. Although not a bodybuilder, he was strong and toned, made muscular through hard work and dedication. If she’d been able to cobble together her perfect man, the end result would have been Michael.

  Done talking, he urged her onto the bed and climbed between her legs. He cupped her breasts, muttered another string of profanity and tweaked her nipples. Transported by delight, Emily arched her back in invitation. It was all the provocation he needed. Michael captured one of her nipples in his mouth and sucked. She didn’t think she’d ever been with a man who made her feel so good and so pretty. He continued to minister to her breasts. Every time he came up for air, it was on a hushed expletive. He must have exhausted the canon by now, but she didn’t complain. She loved making him curse in wonder.

  Beset with a hunger she’d never known, Emily moved her hands toward his perfect backside and lifted her hips. Her silent plea got his attention.

  Michael raised his head. His eyes had gone black with need and his mouth hung open. She took the opportunity to push him onto his back and clambered atop him. Grinding down, her lower half fitting against his like two puzzle pieces, she rode him. He grabbed her close and nibbled on her neck. They both wore jeans and he still managed to hit all the right spots. She would come like this, just like this, and didn’t care.

  “No.” Kissing her on the mouth, he tugged on her bottom lip. “Don’t get carried away on me. We still have too many clothes on.”

  “Take them off then.”

  He arched a single eyebrow. “You know, you are just the sort of woman my grandmother would have called a saucepot.”

  “Sounds as if I would have liked her. Can you blame me for wanting to be naked with you?”

  “Nope. I’m in agreement. When you come for me, I want you to be naked, wet and writhing.”

  “I don’t think that’ll be a problem.”

  He stood, looming over her. Without wasting another moment, he divested himself of his jeans and socks. Emily grinned when she saw his black boxer briefs, her favorite kind of men’s underwear. Trent wore skimpy briefs, the kind that cost thirty dollars a pair, and were too ostentatious in her opinion. Michael’s boxer briefs seemed an extension of his persona. Effortlessly sexy, with no nod to high fashion.

  When he tugged at the fabric at his waistband, she held her breath. His gaze locked on her, he slid them over his hips, but they snagged on his considerable erection.

  She tried to be discreet and covered her mouth as she giggled. “Experiencing a delay?”

  He narrowed his eyes. “Maybe I need some help.” He drew closer and stood between her legs.

  Giddy, her chest vibrating with more nervous laughter, she reached out to grip the elastic.

  Michael put a hand on hers, stifling his own grin. “One question. Do you always laugh during sex?”

  “No. For some reason, I’m beside myself right now.”

  “That makes two of you. Kinky.”

  Determined to pay him back for teasing her, she pulled the stretchy fabric slowly downward, taking care to ease it over his cock. When she exposed the head, she stopped giggling, suddenly taken by the gravity of the moment. Licking her lips, she looked up at him.

  He touched her chin. “Are you asking for a taste, sweetheart?”

  Emily nodded.

  “You can have a little taste for now.”

  Her mouth filled with saliva and she hadn’t even gotten his briefs off yet. Unable to resist temptation any longer, she cupped his ass and leaned in. She licked Michael along his slit and another grunted curse erupted from him. His legs trembled as she toyed with his head.

  She knew they were both already dancing on the edge. Barely a kiss, barely a touch, and they both seemed ready to explode. Her panties felt uncomfortable, scratchy, and she wiggled on the bed, seeking release. She couldn’t get enough of smoothing her hands over his backside, that miracle of man flesh, and she stroked him there, alternately squeezing and scratching.

  Trent had called her boring. Even though she knew he’d said it to get back at them, she didn’t want Michael to have any reason to label her the same way. She lowered his briefs, intent on making him fall to his knees with pleasure.

  Upon exposing his full length, she suddenly forgot what she was doing. “Oh, my.” She couldn’t have been more impressed if he’d worn his tool belt.

  “Emily Daniels, didn’t anyone ever teach you it’s impolite to stare?” Michael grinned and dropped his boxer briefs, stepping out of them. “Take your jeans off.”

  She didn’t dare disobey, not when his voice rumbled with such greed. Lying back, Emily unbuttoned her jeans and slid the zipper down. She wriggled out of them, taking her socks off as she went. She was glad she’d worn nice undies, although she’d never anticipated this outcome. Michael seemed to appreciate the black scrap of silk between her legs and played with the elastic at her hip.

  “Sweetheart, you’re taking way too long.” Baring his teeth in a fiendish smile, he pulled her panties down her legs and threw them into a corner of the room. “Fuck, you’re gorgeous.”

  Naked before him, she had never felt so vulnerable and so empowered at the same time. She knew this man had the ability to destroy her, and yet he made her feel like the only woman who mattered.

  He knelt at the side of the bed and kissed the length of her leg. She writhed as he inched his way slowly toward her thigh. Chuckling, Michael shifted his attention to her other leg. By the time he made it to her inner thigh, she
was ready to swat him.

  “Did anyone ever tell you you’re a tease?”

  “Nope.” He plumped her thigh, tugging at the sensitive skin. “I guess I never met anyone I wanted to tease as much as you.”

  She looked up, heart pounding, just in time to see him lower his head and lick. She threw her head back, groaning, and let him use her body as he wished. Each intimate kiss propelled her higher. Every time he scratched his fingers along her backside, she lost another shred of control. The sounds she made seemed unfamiliar, animal.

  Trent had left her askew, even though she’d always known she was a catch. And yet, he’d always made her feel like one of her heels was broken or as if she had toilet paper sticking out from under her skirt. Now that Trent was gone, she remembered her worth. And with Michael, she felt treasured. It made no sense considering their short acquaintance, but somehow everything in her world aligned once more. When he touched her, she knew harmony and balance and synchronicity.

  Michael pulled away and traced her lips with a finger, a lazy smile on his face. Every time he caressed her clit, she bucked.

  “Please. No more.” It was too much and not enough.

  “You think I’m done?” He slipped his finger into her core, but only as far as his knuckle. With ease, he withdrew it, only to insert it again. “I’m just taking a moment to savor your taste. By the time I’m done, Em, I’m going to know you better than you know yourself.”

  He lowered his head once more and stayed there. Sweeping his tongue along her seam, he teased her clit, but he never gave her what she wanted. He seemed determined to torment her, to break her. Although Emily scooted closer, thrusting against him, he avoided direct pressure on her clit.

  She was ready to cry. One well-placed flick would set her off but Michael refused to give it to her. He turned his head and nipped the inside of her thigh.

  “Damn you.” She slid her hand toward her pussy, determined to bring herself to completion.

  He grabbed her hand and pinned it to her side. “No, Em. I’ll make you come. Don’t you worry. I’m just playing with you.”

  “You’re enjoying my pain.”