Текст книги "Hook Me"

Автор книги: Chelle Bliss

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Текущая страница: 4 (всего у книги 12 страниц)

“None taken,” I said as I waved my fork in the air. “Sexist, but I wouldn’t expect anything less.” I laughed, covering my mouth with the back of my hand.

“Hey, now. My sister would kick my ass if she thought I was sexist.”

“Oh? Tell me about her. She sounds like my type of girl.” I giggled.

“Yeah, you and Izzy would get along very well. She’s the baby in the family, but we’re all scared of her. She’s an in your face kind of girl. She takes no shit, but I guess that happens when you grow up with four brothers.”

“She’s lucky. Sounds like a great way to grow up.”

“She’d see it differently.”

“Why?” I asked with a frown. “I’m an only child and I always wanted someone to play with as a kid.”

“She didn’t get many dates as a teenager.” He laughed. “We scared most of them away.”

“I could only imagine, but she was lucky to have brothers that cared.”

“You’ll have to tell her that.”

“So, there are three more of you walking around?”

“Yeah. We’re all very different. My brother, Thomas, is an undercover cop, Anthony likes to call himself a musician, and Joseph is just a tattooist.”

“Your poor mother.” I shook my head and sipped the champagne.

“She kept trying for a girl, which she got after four boys. Now she wants grandchildren.” He smirked at me.

“Oh.” My stomach flipped from the look on his face.

He’s so drop dead gorgeous, I’d almost be willing to drop my panties and start working on making her dream a reality.

“Enough about kids. Tell me about your family, Mia.” He wiped his mouth and set his napkin on the table.

“My parents are snowbirds and right now they’re back in Minnesota. It’s just me here, but I would never move back to the freezing cold.”

“Cold has some good points.” He rested his head on his hands and watched me as I cut the last piece of steak on my plate.

“Like what?”

“Laying by a fire and being snowed in together.”

“Those are the only positives. I think more of scraping my car windows, shoveling snow, frostbite, and other crappy things that go with Minnesota life.”

We stared at each other as I chewed the last morsel and finished off the champagne in the glass. The sun hovered over the ocean, the sky blazed with the most beautiful shades of red and orange.

He stood, holding out his hand. “Come on, Mia, let’s go watch the sunset.”

“I thought we were,” I said placing my hand in his, feeling the electricity that sizzled between us.

“I want to be a little more comfortable for the show. I have a blanket that’s calling our name.”

Walking hand in hand, we snuck glances at each other as we approached the blanket. Suddenly I felt shy and my stomach flipped as I sat down and he moved to sit behind me.

“Come here,” he said placing his legs on either side of me and grabbing my hips.

I closed my eyes, inhaling sharply from the feel of his fingers digging into my flesh. I shimmied my body backward until our upper bodies connected. The warmth that permeated off him felt hotter than the setting sun hanging just above the horizon.

“Lean back, Mia,” he whispered in my ear, sending a chill across my skin.

Placing my hands against his knees, I rested my head on his shoulder and stared at the sky. Peace overcame me as I sat straddled between his legs; our bodies connected, and watched the changing colors over the water. His fingers traced a path around my ear to my neck and brushed the hair off my shoulder.

“It’s so beautiful,” I said as tears formed in my eyes.

“Not as beautiful as you. Are you crying?” he asked with knitted brows.

“I don’t know,” I said, laughing and wiping at the corners.

“Do you want me to take you home?” His lips brushed against my temple as he watched me.

“No,” I said quickly.

“Then what’s wrong, Doc?” He wrapped his arm around my chest and gripped my shoulder.

“I’m going to sound crazy.”

Damn it. How could I explain the peace and happiness I felt without sounding like a total whack job?

“I rather know than sit here and wonder why I’ve made you cry,” he said, stroking my collarbone with his thumb.

I shook my head and sighed, relaxing against his body. “I’m stressed out after work and sometimes it takes me days to shake off what I’ve seen at the hospital. It’s been a long time since I felt truly at peace, but being here, in your arms and watching the sunset with the sound of the waves. I feel it – serenity that I haven’t been able to find in so long.”

“I can’t imagine the things you’ve seen.” He pulled my body closer, wrapping his arms around me, making me feel safe and secure enveloped by his warmth and muscle.

“You don’t want to, Michael. The people I’ve lost haunt me at night. I can’t remember the last time I slept without a nightmare or sleeping pills.” I placed my hand on his arm and squeezed. “So to have this brief moment where I’m reminded of the world’s beauty and feel like only the two of us exist brings tears to my eyes. You chased away the demons, if only for a little while.” I stared across the water watching the sky turn purple as the sun kissed the edge of the world.

“Stay in the here and now. Nothing else matters but the two of us, on this beach, in each other’s arms. I’m not going anywhere, are you?”

“We can’t stay like this forever,” I said turning my face toward him.

“I’ll stay as long as you need to help chase away your nightmares, Mia.” Grabbing my chin, he pulled my mouth to his.

Staring at each other, I searched his eyes. They were soft and kind and made my heart feel funny. Michael Gallo did not fit the mold of fighter bad boy; He was a romantic and made me feel like the only person that mattered in the world.

My body ignited as his lips pressed against mine. His hand glided across my shoulder until he rested his hand against my throat. My heart danced under his fingertips as he kissed me softly.

Our eyes remained open as I turned in his arms and straddled him. Our breathy moans and the lapping of the waves on shore were the only sounds, as his kiss became more demanding and I opened to him.

I never wanted to kiss someone as much as I wanted Michael to ravage my mouth and put his hands all over my body. The power of his grip on my back as I kissed him had me wanting more. Pushing him back against the blanket I sat up and stared down at him as his hands slid up my legs and caressed my hips.

As I leaned forward my hair sheltered us from the world as it cascaded around his head. “Make me forget, Michael,” I whispered.

His hand stilled, squeezing my thighs he leaned forward and nipped at my lips. I collapsed against his chest, my nipples hardening with the contact. His cock grew hard and I gasped in his mouth.

“Sorry, Doc. Some things I can’t control,” he mumbled against my lips.

His hands roamed my body as our lips and tongue stayed entwined. Fisting his hair in my hands I demanded to be kissed harder. My body ached for his touch. I wanted to be filled and feel alive as I grinded myself against him to relieve the throb I hadn’t felt in so long.

A small moan escaped his lips, as he grabbed my hips, his fingers digging into my flesh.

“Not here, Michael. Not like this,” I whispered, leaning over him.

“I wasn’t even thinking about it, Mia.” He looked in my eyes as he pulled my face closer to his. “You want to stay or do you want me to take you home?”

I wanted to stay on the beach in his arms all night, but I couldn’t. I wasn’t ready to give myself to him and I knew the longer I kissed him the more I’d want to.

“Take me home,” I whispered against his lips, still feeling his hardness against me. A lump formed in my throat as I questioned my decision.

Sitting up, he adjusted my body, breaking the contact that had almost driven us over the edge. “Just promise me that you’ll see me again.”

The lump that had formed in my throat disappeared and was replaced by warmth that flowed throughout my body. Leaning forward, I rested my forehead against his and listened to his breathing – rapid and jagged. “I’d love to, Michael. Thank you.”

“What are you thanking me for?” He asked as he backed away.

“For not pressuring me and still wanting to see me after I turned you down.”

“Mia,” he said as he grabbed my face, “If anything, it made me want to see you more. I didn’t think that was even possible. I like you a lot and we’ll do things at your pace and when you feel comfortable. I didn’t do all this just to get in your panties.”

“But you were hoping to,” I said as I smiled, my face growing flush.

“I won’t lie. I can’t wait to rip those off of you and feel your body against mine. It’s worth the wait, you’re worth the wait,” he said, holding my cheek in his hand.

I smiled, resting my hand against his chest. “Want me to take care of that with my needle?” I asked with a smirk and pointed to his crotch.

His grip on my arms grew tight. “Don’t ever and I mean ever talk about my cock and your needle again, Doc. It was funny at the bar, but right now, not as much.” He laughed, his body shaking under mine. “Come on, let’s go before you get any more crazy ideas.”

I kissed him tenderly, still laughing, as he picked me up and carried me from the beach. Michael wasn’t the cocky bastard I thought when I first met him, well not entirely.

I looked at him in a new light after our first date. There was more to the man and I wanted to know every inch of him.

Chapter 8

MICHAEL

It had been a week since I’d seen Mia and I was at my breaking point, I needed to touch her again. We spent the time apart talking on the phone, texting, and learning a lot about each other.

I found out silly things like her favorite color, which was purple, and that she loved listening to music and dancing around her house.

When she talked about her work her mood usually changed. Happiness wasn’t a word I’d use to describe her feelings about her job. The ER seemed to suck the life out of her. When she lost a patient she’d share her feelings of despair with me.

It was like a punch to my gut, more damaging than any blow I’d ever felt. I couldn’t imagine working in a place that was filled with sorrow.

But when she talked about the clinic the entire conversation oozed happiness. I heard the change in her voice as she told me about the people and how she felt like she made a difference.

Me: Why don’t you just work there full-time? It seems to make you happy.

Sitting on my parent’s couch, I tried to pay attention to the conversations around me as I texted Mia. Football season ended, the basketball playoffs were wrapping up, and baseball season became the main after dinner attraction at the Gallo Sunday dinners.

“Fuckin’ Cubs,” my pop yelled at the television.

They were his favorite team and hadn’t won a damn thing since before he was born. Think he’d be used to it by now, but not my pop, he was a die-hard believer and no Gallo would ever be called a quitter.

Mia: It’s all donations with little government funding. No money for that.

“Hey Ma,” I said as she sat across from me rolling her eyes at her still cursing husband.

“Yeah, baby.” She turned to me and smiled.

“Ever hear of the clinic in town that offers free medical care to the poor?”

Her smiled faded as she shook her head. “No, I don’t think I have. Why are you asking?”

I shrugged and turned the phone over in my hand. “Just curious. It’s all donation based and I know how the two of are about helping local charities.”

“What do you know about it? If it’s worthy, your father and I would be more than happy to help.” She leaned back in the chair, picking up her yarn to work on a baby blanket.

“A group of doctors volunteer their time but I don’t know much else. I’ll found out about it and let you know.” I glanced down at my phone, on silent around my family to avoid the questions.

Mia: Hey, what time are you picking me up?

“Okay, baby.” She placed the blanket over her lap before starting to work on it.

Me: At five and wear a swimsuit under your outfit.

“Who you making that for?” I asked.

“My grandbaby,” she said in a flat even tone.

“Is someone having a baby I don’t know about?” I asked as I looked around the room, but everyone ignored us.

“Not yet.” She frowned and said, “Soon though I hope.”

I looked at Suzy who was staring at the television a little too engrossed in the game. She hated sports but at the moment she was totally enthralled. My brother, Joe and Suzy could never tell Ma no. It had become the giant elephant in the room as both of them always pretended not to hear her when she talked about babies.

“I’m not ready for a kid,” Joe leaned over and whispered in my ear. “I’m too busy enjoying Suzy and I’m way too greedy to share my time with her.”

“She’s not going to stop,” I said softly.

“I may be old, boys, but I’m not deaf,” Ma said with a laugh.

“Busted,” I said.

“I’m watching your face as you type feverishly on that phone, Mike. I hope it isn’t the crazy lady,” he said as he leaned back and turned his attention toward the game.

“Hell no. I’ve been knocked in the head a couple times, but I’m not stupid.”

He hit me on the knee with a smile. “Stupidity isn’t the issue, our dicks are the problem.”

“Amen to that, brother.” I laughed. “Nah, this one isn’t like that.”

Raising an eyebrow he said, “They’re all like that.”

“I haven’t even slept with her, Joe.”

He looked at me in horror. “When did you meet her?”

“That’s a complicated answer.”

“I’ll take your complicated over the Cub any day.”

“We met at a bar over a week ago and I took her on a date last week, but she treated me in the ER when I broke my ribs.”

“Wait. You went on a real date?” He eyed me suspiciously.

“I did.”

“And you didn’t sleep with her after?”

I shook my head and smiled. “Nope.”

“Well fuck me, never thought that was possible,” Joe said hitting my leg and laughing loudly.

There was no way in hell would I share that I rented the beach and went all sappy ass shit I did for Mia.

No fucking way.

That was for her and I and Joe sure as shit didn’t need to know. He’d laugh at me and probably call me Romeo for weeks, but I knew the truth about my brother. He was just as big of a softy as me. He swept Suzy off her feet and she described him as a Casanova.

“I’m not a walking hard-on. I can date someone without fucking them.” I looked at my ma, surprised she hadn’t yelled at us for our language, but she was wrapped up in grandbaby world.

The couch shook with his laughter. “We’re all walking hard-ons, but I’m proud of you, brother. When are you seeing her again?”

Before I could answer, Izzy walked in and stretched out on the floor with her head perched in her hands as she stared at the television.

“Today.” Looking at my watch I said, “One hour in fact.”

“What’s today?” she asked, turning around.

“Nothing, Iz. Why do you always have to be so damn nosey?” I sounded like a dick and I might as well have put a billboard above my head with my response.

She giggled like she did when she was a little girl watching her favorite television show, Fraggle Rock. “God, you boys are so easy to read. Don’t come crying to me when this one wants your name tattooed on her body. You sure know how to pick’em, Mikey.”

I swiped my hands across my face, shaking my head. “Where’s your man, Iz? We’ve been dying to meet him,” I said looking down at her.

“Hell no, I’m not bring him around you baboons for a long time. When I do, you’ll know he’s the one, until then he’s only for me. Learned my lesson long ago with you boys.”

“We’re not the same. We’ve grown up,” Joe said before grabbing Suzy hand and kissing it.

“In some ways,” she said over her shoulder, turning her attention back to the game.

“Anyway,” I murmured, changing he subject and looked at my ma. “Hey Ma, can we have dessert now? I have an appointment.”

“On a Sunday?” she asked putting down the needles.

“He has a date, Mom. A hot one I’d say for him to be rushing out of here on a Sunday.” Izzy smiled at my mom before looking at me with a shitty smirk.

I grabbed the pillow from the side of the couch and threw it at her. “I have a date, Ma. I have to leave in thirty minutes. Forgive me?”

One thing you didn’t mess with is the Sunday Gallo dinner. Days like today, they seemed like torture.

“Anything for love, Michael.” She smiled.

She didn’t have to say it, but I knew my mother well enough that she’d do anything for love, even hand out dessert a little early. The visions of babies danced around in her head too much for her to deny any of us a pass on family time for the chance of love and that elusive grandchild.

Chapter 9

MIA

My palms felt slick and my heart felt like it would burst as I put on the harness. “I can’t believe you talked me into this shit,” I said, my hands shaking so badly I couldn’t snap the latch between my legs.

“I thought you liked an adrenaline rush and I know you love the ocean. Couldn’t think of a better thing to do. Two for one deal,” he smiled at me, fastening his harness without a problem.

“Just my fucking luck. Yay,” I said sarcastically and clapped. “But you forgot one thing.” I held up my finger and waved it in the air.

“What?” he asked as he stepped closer, grabbing my finger.

“I’m afraid of heights.”

“Shit, I didn’t know. Probably the one thing we didn’t talk about this week. It’s safe and I’ll be with you. It’s the most amazing view from up there. We have to do it, I promise you’ll love it.”

“And if I don’t?” I asked as I titled my head and smirked.

“Then I’ll do anything you want, but I know you will. Plus, you can just hold on to me and scream. I won’t think any less of you, well, not much at least.”

I can’t believe I was going to follow through and let myself be pulled over the ocean by a thin rope. “Fine, but I can’t get this damn thing on,” I said frustrated and scared as I threw up my hands in defeat.

“Let me. It would be my pleasure.” He kneeled before me, brushing his hand against my inner thigh as he grabbed one end of the strap.

I sucked in a breath, shuttering, as I grabbed his shoulder to steady myself. If it wasn’t bad enough that I was petrified to the point of almost hyperventilating, the feel of his skin against mine took my breath away.

He looked up at me, smirking as he brought the latch forward rubbing his hand against my other inner thigh. I closed my eyes and ignored how close he was to me, how near his hands were to the ache between my legs.

No matter what I did all week, I couldn’t get the throbbing I felt from being on top of him at the beach to go away.

The latch snapped. I could do this. The nearness of him dulled my fear.

His fingers brushed against my mound, sending an electric current through my body, as he grabbed the latched. “Safe and secure,” he said, pulling on the latch with a chuckle.

I opened my eyes and looked down at him. “I wouldn’t use either of those words right now,” I said as I smacked his shoulder.

I wasn’t talking about parasailing either.

“Come on, beautiful. There’s no turning back now. Up ya go,” he said, grabbing my legs and throwing me my over his shoulder.

I squealed as I flopped against his body, my chest colliding with his shoulder. I smacked his back; bouncing as I kicked trying to break free. “Put me down!” I yelled and laughed.

“My view is too damn good to do that, Doc,” he said and swatted my ass.

“Pig.” I reached down and tried pinched his ass.

Fucker was rock solid and I could barely get enough between my fingers.

“Nice try,” he said, unaffected by my effort and swatting me on the ass again.

I yelped, the sting from palm making me wish I could reach back and rub the tender spot. “Ugh,” I said as I bounced and grew slack in his arms, finally defeated.

The beach disappeared as he stepped on the boat. “Will you put me down now, please?” I asked, trying to sound sweet as sugar.

“If I must,” he said before placing a light kiss against my hip.

I closed my eyes and tried not to think about it, about him. The feel of his mouth against skin that hadn’t been touched in so long had me at my breaking point.

He wrapped his arms around my legs, pushing the harness into me, before pulling my body down against him. He controlled the speed, making the journey to my feet as drawn out as possible.

By the time my feet touched the boat I forgot how scared I had been. The sexual frustration I felt trumped everything. “You’re not safe,” I whispered as I looked up at him with one eye, the sun behind his head almost blinding me.

He laughed, pulling me against his shaking body. “Doc, I’ll make sure you survive the trip up there.” He bent down rubbing his nose against mine.

“It’s not the ride I’m talking about, Michael.”

“I know.” He smiled and kissed me, his lips shaking under mine from the laughter still rumbling through his chest.

“You two ready?” the guy asked as he approached with the hook, ready to attach us to the boat. My whole life rested in the hands of a guy in flip-flops and a baseball hat with a pair of Tom Cruise Raybans. Fucking marvelous.

I shook my head against Michael’s forehead before he pulled away.

“Yeah we’re ready,” he said to the man with a nod. “You’ll thank me, Mia. It’s spectacular.”

I smiled and kept my mouth shut. Right now being in the air felt a whole lot safer than standing here touching and kissing Michael. My resolve was wearing thin.

The man attached us to the parasail and the boat. There were so many cords and ropes it made my head spin.

Butterflies filled my stomach as the boat started to skip across the water and I reached for Michael’s hand and squeezed. I could already feel the scream inside me building in my belly.

He turned and smiled, returning my squeeze, before leaning over and kissing my temple.

The whoosh of the air in my ears, the sunshine on my face, and with Michael by my side I felt a combination of excitement and fear. The driver motioned thumbs up to us. Michael nodded before the man released the lever.

We glided backward and anxiety gripped me as the boat disappeared, turning to a sea of blue. “Fuck,” I said, clinging to Michael’s arm as I stared at the water passing below my feet.

“Nails,” he said, as his arm grew tense under my grip.

I looked at him and yelled, “What?”

His eyes shot to my hand currently in a death grip as he yelled, “Your nails, Mia.”

“Whoopsie,” I said with a smile and removed my fingernails from his skin. Blood dotted the surface where my fingers had been. “I’m sorry,” I mouthed, the wind making it impossible to hear.

“Oh shit,” I screamed as my stomach plummeted and the parasail rose in the air. The rope was rigid and we were the highest we could go. I sealed my eyes shut, scared to look. Gripping Michael with one hand and the other holding the rope next to my head, I concentrated on my breathing and repeated ‘I will survive’ over and over again in my head.

Michael patted my hand and I peeked at him through one eye. “Look, Mia, there are dolphins,” he yelled, pointing to the water.

I tried to swallow but my mouth felt like sand paper. I followed his finger with my eyes. Below us were three dolphins jumping in and out of the wake as they kept up with the boat.

Even though I spent a lot of time at the beach in college, I rarely saw much of anything in the water besides the tiny fish near the shore.

I became lost in their play, taking in the moment and forgetting my fear. Michael stroked my fingers as I watched with a giant smile on my face. It was breathtaking and reminded me that we were just a small part of this planet.

The parasail jolted and I almost lost the contents in my stomach out of hear as he started to reel us in. Michael squeezed my hand and laughed from the obvious look of fright on my face.

A small pang of sadness hit me as we descended toward the water. The dolphins disappeared below the surface as we hovered over the boat.

“It’s all over, Mia. You did it,” he said as our feet touched the boat deck.

“I did,” I muttered as I grabbed his arms and tried to gain my balance. My legs felt shaky as I wobbled from the sway of the waves against the small boat. “I never want to do that again.”

“Don’t you feel alive though?” He looked pretty damned pleased with himself.

I couldn’t be shitty with him. He looked too sexy with his brown hair tousled and windblown, his cheeks sun kissed, and his body glistening from the heat.

I smiled but couldn’t lie about the sheer panic I experienced. “I always knew I was alive, Michael. You almost killed me with fear alone.”

“Mia, I thought you’d love it. You said you loved the beach and I thought I’d give you a whole new view.” His thumbs rubbed my arms, calming me. “I won’t make you go again. I’m sorry.”

I shook my head and smiled. “I’m just being an asshole. It’s okay, really. It’s something I would’ve never done and I liked it once I saw the dolphins but I don’t think I could do it again.”

“It’s off limits.” He grabbed my face, kissing me passionately, making my tension melt away. “It won’t happen again,” he murmured against my lips.

“It’s okay,” I replied, my mind mush and the fear forgotten.

“Want me to carry you?” he asked as the boat docked. “I liked helping you when we boarded.” He smirked.

“I can do it,” I said as I pushed him away and stepped on the wooden dock.

“You ruin all the fun.”

“My ass in your face is not fun, Michael.” I fiddled with the latch between my legs and couldn’t get the bastard unclipped.

“It’s the best kind of fun there is, Mia.” He watched me, rubbing his chin. “You want help with that?”

“No, no. I got it.” I still felt buzzed from the rush and fear that coursed through my system during the parasailing ride; I certainly didn’t need his fingers brushing between my legs again.

His laughter filled the air as I yanked and pulled to no avail, trying to break free from the harness. Luck wasn’t on my side today. I hung my head and whispered, “Can you help me, please.”

Without a word, he bent down and ran his hands up my legs slowly before grabbing the harness and giving it a quick jerk. “I’m more than happy to help you down here.”

“Just unhook me, please.” I said, closing my eyes, trying to block out the feel of him against my skin. “You’re torturing me on purpose.”

“It doesn’t have to be torture, Doc. I don’t have a needle, but I can find a way to ease your suffering.” He winked as I looked down at him.

“I’m thirsty,” I squeaked out, wanting to avoid thinking about the ways he could help me; if I thought about it too long I’d give in and throw myself at him.

“Avoiding the offer,” he said with a hint of laughter. “Let’s grab a drink and watch the sunset again.”

Thank god he let he off the hook, another stroke of his hand would’ve sent me over the edge and begging for his cock. He stood and grabbed my hand, leading me to the tiny beach bar with colorful umbrellas.

A reggae band played while we sipped on ice-cold beer and waited for the sun to set. His free hand stroked mine, toying with my fingers, never breaking contact.

Just as the sky started to change a vibrant shade of red, a crack of thunder caused everyone to jump and scream.

“Come on, Mia,” Michael said pushing out his chair as he stood.

Large droplets of water splashed down on the metal table as I reached for his hand. Thunder rumbled as we ran from the patio toward his car.

My swimsuit and cover-up were drenched as we made our way through the parking lot. My hair slapped against my skin, lashing my face with each bounce. The sky lit up, the lightning in the distance causing the ground to shake as we climbed in the cab, slamming the doors to the truck.

We wiped our faces as small drops fell from our hair. I flipped back my hair, pushing it out of my eyes and ran my hands down my arms watching the water splash to the floor. “Jesus, that scared the crap out of me,” I said, shaking from the excitement.

“Just when you were relaxing, God finds a way to give your ass a jolt.” He laughed, grabbing his chest.

“You’re a funny man, Michael. I don’t think my heart can take much more today.”

He leaned over, pulling me into his arms as he grabbed my chin and tipped it back. “I have something that’ll take your mind off of it while we wait for the storm to pass.”

His brown eyes held my gaze before he crushed his lips against mine. If the interior of the truck hadn’t been hot and steamy enough, being close to Michael, wrapped in his arms and smothered by his kiss made it close to impossible to breathe.

His hand rested against my back, pulling me closer, and I became lost in his kiss. The feel of his rough thumb pad as he stroked my face made my body feel on fire. The sound of the rain beating against the truck, the thunder rumbling outside, and our breath frantic and quick, filled the cab.

I climbed in his lap as he gripped my ass and pulled my bottom to him. I could feel his hardness against me and I ached to feel him inside.

I couldn’t deny myself any longer.

“Take me home, Michael. Stay with me tonight.” I didn’t even have to think about it.

I wanted him.

The light touches, commanding kisses, and the feel of his hardness had me wanting more, needing it.

“Mia, I don’t know if that’s a good idea,” he whispered against my lips.

“I want to feel your skin against me. Remind me what it feels like to be loved, Michael. Show me the beauty and make me forget.” I held myself up and stared in his eyes. “Please,” I begged.

His fingers swept against my cheek and I leaned into his touch, closing my eyes. “I’ll do anything you ask,” he said.

I smiled at him before climbing off his lap. “I don’t want to be alone tonight,” I said as I put on my seatbelt.

He started the truck and grabbed my hand, stroking it with a smile on his face. We sat in silence as I stared out the window during the drive.

I wasn’t alone in life but I did feel lonely.

Being with Michael reminded me how much I missed that connection to another person. I wanted someone to hold me until I fell asleep and comfort me when the nightmares came.

Our bodies stayed connected as he drove, the energy never waned.

“Mia, are you sure about this?” he asked as he pulled in my driveway.

Turning toward him, I smiled. “Never been more sure about anything in a long time, Michael.”