by Brooke Page
“Yeah? Maybe we could grab coffee or dinner?”
“Maybe.” Keeping him at a distance was going to be difficult while we were in the same city.
He sighed into the phone. “We’ll talk at Tyler and Becca’s?”
“Of course.”
***
My stomach was in knots and I’d even puked a few times, worried sick about seeing Mitch and not being able to keep my distance.
Nathan and I rode together from my condo in Grand Rapids to Becca and Tyler’s house in Grand Haven. It was great catching up with Nathan as we went, but I couldn’t help daydreaming about Mitch and our night under the stars.
I thought about how I’d greet Mitch. Would I hug him? Wave? Ignore him until he approached me? I was putting way too much thought into seeing Mitch when today wasn’t even about him. I wanted to hear all about Becca’s honeymoon. She greeted me from the front porch of her beautiful lakeside home. It was her dream floor plan, and I was happy Tyler could make her dreams come true. She was glowing as we hugged, the smile on her face giddy. She hugged Nathan quickly after me, then latched her arm with mine.
“Good trip?” I asked, kissing her cheek.
“Jamie, it was amazing.”
“I can’t wait to hear all about it,” I said enthusiastically as we walked inside.
“Well, not too much,” Nathan teased as Tyler met us halfway.
“I don’t kiss and tell,” Tyler laughed, holding his hands to his sides. I snickered inwardly, knowing Becca would tell me everything.
We greeted Becca’s family, along with Nathan and Tyler’s mom as we entered. The only person missing was Mitch, and my stomach was churning. Was he not going to show up because I’d been so wishy-washy on the phone with him?
“Let’s eat before it gets cold! Mitch texted me saying he was running behind and to start without him,” Mary said. My face remained neutral, but my heart fluttered. Mitch was going to be here, and I couldn’t want to see him.
Brunch was lovely. It was strange seeing Becca so chipper and chatty. She normally sat back and listened, but was beyond thrilled to discuss all the sites and activities they’d done while on the honeymoon of their dreams.
We’d cleared the table and gathered around the living room to watch Becca and Tyler open wedding gifts when Mitch briskly walked inside, waving both hands in greeting. Becca jumped up to give him a hug, along with Tyler and his mother. Once we were settled, Mitch meandered to the kitchen in search of food.
“I’m going to get a mimosa, want one?” I asked Nathan. He studied me, then shook his head, continuing to watch Becca and Tyler open their gifts. As nonchalantly as I could, I made my way to the fridge, grabbing the orange juice and champagne.
“Hey, stranger,” Mitch said subtly while loading up his plate.
“Hi,” I whispered while moving closer to him to grab a flute from a cupboard above the sink. He was inches away now, and I couldn’t help but smell his woodsy scent. His arm touched my lower back as I stood on my tip toes.
“I could have gotten that for you,” he murmured close to my ear as I stretched. My body stilled for a moment, enjoying our closeness.
“It’s fine,” I said quickly, taking a step back from him, aware of our company. I caught the grin on his face out of the corner of my eye. Fixing my drink, I found my place back by Nathan on the couch. He was smirking at me as I sat down.
“How’s your drink?” he asked with a smug smile.
I nudged his bicep for teasing me.
***
“Jamie, I need to look at a property out this way. Do you mind?” Nathan asked as we began to say our goodbyes. I really didn’t feel like working, but the expression on Nathan’s face meant it wasn’t an option to say no.
“I’ll take you back. I’m heading to Grand Rapids,” Mitch offered.
“You don’t have to do that,” I said instinctively, although every bone in my body wanted to drive with him for hours upon hours, escaping far away from my demons.
“I know, but I want to.”
“I’d go with Mitch,” Becca said with a knowing smile. She didn’t know Mitch and I had spent the night together after her wedding, but I thought she had an inkling something had happened between us.
“Who knows how long I’ll take,” Nathan added while looking at his phone.
“Okay.” My voice was quiet, but my body shivered as Mitch led me out the door and to his car. To my surprise, he didn’t have his car. He walked toward a black motorcycle. “What is that?”
Mitch grinned, walking toward it to grab one of the helmets to hand to me. “It’s my baby.”
“I’m not riding on that.”
“Come on, Jay. I thought you liked the fast lane?” Shoving the helmet in my hands, he added, “Please, I’ve been dreaming about you behind me on this bike for God knows how long.”
My heart fluttered at his words, my eyes hypnotized by the sparkle in his green eyes. I huffed, wanting to look reluctant as I put the helmet on, and Mitch gave me a megawatt smile in return. He was beginning to be able to see past my mask, and I wasn’t sure how I felt about that.
“Good thing you wore jeans and that leather jacket,” he winked, climbing onto the bike. Finding my courage, I straddled the bike behind him and wrapped my arms around his waist. “This is the real reason I brought the bike,” he flirted.
I shook my head and smacked his shoulder, causing him to chuckle. He started it up, revving the engine and causing it to roar to life. My breath caught in my throat as he darted down the curved driveway. He zipped and zoomed around cars on the highway, and I squeezed him tighter each time he weaved.
He’d tease me through the headsets in the helmets when I’d get anxious, and I’d curse and shout back at him. It only fueled him to tease me more. Our relationship was strange, but comforting.
When we reached Grand Rapids, Mitch didn’t take me to my condo, but instead back to the high rises he’d been working on. They looked beautiful. I couldn’t help but think back to the night we’d stargazed at the top and how he'd held me all night.
“Want to come up and see? My suite is finished,” Mitch said with excitement. “This is where I’ve really been the past few weeks, not Chicago. If you’d wondered at all.”
I had wondered, and it made sense. Mitch helped me climb off his bike, never letting go of my hand. No one was in the building, which gave me time to appreciate the marble floors and high ceilings of the main lobby; it had been dark and unfinished the last time we were here together. Mitch pulled a key card from his pocket, swiping it over the pad next to the elevator.
“This is turning out great, Mitch,” I complimented.
“Yeah, I think once Kobiashi’s amusement park is done, I might stay here more often.”
My heart twisted. I wanted to be in Grand Rapids again too, not Florida. “I can’t wait to see your place.”
The doors opened directly to his unit. The floors were in now, beautiful dark hardwood spread throughout the wide space, and dark accents trimmed the white walls. His furniture was sparse, but I’d assumed he just hadn’t had time to make the place his. Making our way to his bedroom, I was surprised by just how little there was. A bed sat in the middle with one dresser on the side holding an alarm clock and a lamp.
“Needs a woman’s touch,” he said softly.
His hand found my lower back, trailing up my spine and to the neck of my jacket. I gulped, unsure if I could fight my heart any longer. Both his hands were on me now, slowly helping to remove my jacket from behind. His breath was heavy as we stared at his bed. Both our minds in the same place, but terrified to make the move.
“I’ve missed you,” he murmured across my neck, one hand running down my hip while the other worked at my ponytail. His lips were so close, begging to taste me, but he wouldn’t do it without my permission. I turned to face him, my eyes heavy with indecision.
“What’s holding you back?” he asked softly, his hand tracing my jaw.
“I do
n’t want you to get hurt,” I whispered. It was the truth.
“Then don’t break my heart. I’m going to kiss you,” he breathed across my cheek. My eyes fluttered shut, waiting for the moment I’d longed for the past month. My conscience screamed at me, but I was going to be selfish tonight. After all, Rod hadn’t shown his face or written any cryptic letters since the night after the wedding.
His lips touched the side of my mouth, asking for permission. The moment I felt the contact, I gasped, reaching my hands around his shoulders and diving in, kissing him like I needed it to breath.
Mitch groaned into my mouth, dipping his tongue with mine as his arms held me close to his chest. He swiftly lifted my legs to wrap around his waist, walking us until we were aligned with the bed. I pulled back from the kiss long enough to look into his lust-filled eyes.
“I’m not sure if I can go slow tonight,” he rasped, licking his lips.
“So don’t,” I coaxed, pulling his face back to mine.
Unhooking my ankles from his waist, he set me down so I was sitting on the edge of the bed. I reached for my shirt, lifting it over my head and tossing it on the floor. Mitch’s eyes widened when they found my lacy red bra, pushing my girls to their fullest.
“Yep, not going to be able to go slow,” he said rapidly, falling to his knees in front of me.
His mouth found the top of my breasts in a rush, heavily panting between each suck. I giggled, my hands grabbing the back of his head. He nuzzled between them, his arms locking around my lower back. Frenzied, open-mouthed kisses ran across my skin, making its way to my collarbone, causing my giggles to turn into gasps. My head tipped back, relishing the feeling of his need to consume me.
My heart pounded as he made his way toward the base of my neck, mentally telling myself he was kissing me there because it made me feel good and not because he wanted to drain the life from my eyes. As though he were reading my thoughts, his mouth moved slower, taking its time as it traveled upward. His soft lips mended my scars with each gentle suck.
My body went lax, accepting his devotion. I gripped his strong shoulders, enjoying how they were flexed and taut under the pads of my fingers. I sighed as he found my jaw, working his way back to my lips. His grip loosened around me, moving to my waist and pushing me backward so I was lying flat on my back.
Rising from his knees, his hand ran down my stomach, stopping at the button on my jeans. I smirked at him, urging him to undo it. Meeting my grin, he swiftly opening the button with one hand, then tugged my jeans off my legs, tossing them to the floor. The low growl that erupted from his chest was primitive. Maybe he loved the matching red lace thong. My chest rose as I arched my back, feeling seductive and powerful.
I slowly opened my legs, inviting him to have his way with me. That mouth was more than welcome to repeat the passionate movements from earlier. A devious grin crossed his face as he watched my actions.
“Want something in particular?”
My hand caressed down my belly and to my pubic bone. Lust filled eyes followed intently, his lip firmly between his teeth in anticipation of where it was headed. “Let me point you in the right direction,” I said slyly. My clit was sensitive as my thumb brushed over the top of the red lace. I moaned slightly, arching my back in pleasure.
Mitch took my hand. “I think I get it,” he said huskily as he lowered to his knees, yanking the scraps of red lace down my legs. Those open mouthed kisses I loved so much found the insides of my thighs, causing goose bumps to form on my skin. The ache in my core throbbed the closer his teasing lips came to my sensitive folds and I groaned in frustration, wanting him to make a meal of me.
“Is someone getting impatient?” he teased, blowing his warm breath across my sex. My hips pressed upward, demanding to be touched. “I’m just giving you some well-needed attention between your legs.”
I sat up, my hand curling around the back of his neck. “Don’t make me get off in front of you and then put my clothes on and walk out that door.”
The ear to ear grin on Mitch’s face pissed me off so much that I began to sit up, but hands gripped my hips, forcing me back down.
“I don’t fucking think so.”
Just as I was going to give him hell, his hands shoved my thighs apart, mouth meeting my skin with desperate need. He moved fast, flicking his tongue as though it was a boxer working a speed bag.
“Holy shit,” I gasped at the rise in my pulse.
His mouth moved over my sensitive nub, working like a suction cup now. I ground my hips upward, urging him to suck harder. The need to come from his mouth was overwhelming. I wanted him to fill me, lick me, suck me, everything all at once.
“Yes,” I encouraged, moving my hips faster with the rhythm of his tongue, circling and flicking in perfect unison.
One last flick, and I was in oblivion, my hips bucking wildly into him as he nuzzled my sex, sucking hard as my clit throbbed in his mouth. Mitch’s groan of pleasure mumbled through my skin, causing my orgasm to tingle throughout my whole body.
His head popped up, watching me as I came down from my high. Once my eyes met his, a finger slowly worked through my folds, stretching me as my muscles pulsed. Mitch’s eyes rolled as he sunk another finger inside, working them steadily in and out.
“This is so fucking hot,” he breathed, his eyes moving between mine and the way he was working his fingers inside of me. I began to sit up so I could watch his fingers move from a better angle but was pushed down by his other hand. “I’m not done with you yet.”
My insides clenched around his fingers again at his words, hoping he’d never be through with working me over. A rumble came from his chest as he removed his fingers, crawling slowly onto the bed so he was lying next to me. His hand slid across my stomach in preparation to attack.
“Your tits look amazing right now. Begging me to yank them out of that lace and suck them,” he growled as his hands moved to cup one heavy breast.
I groaned in satisfaction as his hand dipped under the fabric, revealing my nipple for his mouth to devour. Tremors rumbled to my core as he repeated the same pleasurable movement with his tongue, flicking and sucking until the urge to burst overcame me. His arm reached under my arched back, unclasping the strap to completely reveal my breasts.
“Fuck me,” he groaned, burrowing his head between them.
I couldn’t take it anymore. My hands found his chest, firmly beginning to push him on his back, but he resisted, his arms caging me as his body went to hover over mine. My breath hitched as his hips wedged their way between my legs, his cock laying heavy on my stomach. I’d never allowed myself to be put in this position, a man able to have the upper hand. The times when a man surrounded me like this, I’d end up not being able to breath.
“You ready for me?” he asked, resting his elbows on either side of my head.
I pushed my need to control away and nodded.
I trusted him.
He moved his hips slowly, rubbing the tip of his cock between my lips, brushing my clit in the process causing me to wince slightly. I was still sensitive from the way his mouth worked me moments ago but craved another round.
He bit his lip while looking down at me, passion and lust filling his green eyes. “Tell me if you need me to stop. Because I will, Jay. I don’t want to hurt you.”
My heart fluttered, reaching my hand to stroke his cheek as he looked down at me affectionately. He wasn’t being cocky about his size, something I’d have assumed before I’d gotten to know him. He was worried about my past, unsure exactly where my pain had bled from. But he was good at reading between the lines, picking up on small quirks that got to me. He had the ability—the devotion to look deep into the depths of my soul, willing to protect me from my darkest demons.
He was healing me.
Let me take it away, Jamie.
“Okay,” I spoke softly.
He lowered his head down so our foreheads were touching. My other hand found the outside of his thigh, beginning to tre
mble in anticipation. His thighs flexed as his hips moved forward and his grunt mingled with my gasp as he entered me, pushing inside until our hips met. The feeling was uncomfortable at first, but he moved slowly, helping to turn the slight burn into pure bliss. His chest lowered to mine, our bodies completely meshed together. His fluid thrusts remained calm and gentle, erasing every horrible memory I’d experienced sexually with Rod.
Our lips met, locking together, tongues caressing with the slow motion of his hips. The connection was overwhelming, shoving me into his heart, my conscience screaming at me to never let this man go.
With my pulse racing and my muscles clenching, Mitch’s movements became quicker along with his breath. He twitched, his ass flexing as he let go inside of me. With a deep breath, he settled on top of me, his chin nuzzling affectionately into my neck. Gentle kisses peppered below my ear, completely relaxing me to satisfaction.
“Tell me you missed me,” he murmured into my neck.
I turned my head so I could look at him. His hand found my jaw, massaging my face and brushing the sweaty hair from my forehead. Instead of answering him, I kissed him, rolling so we were on our sides.
“That’s not really an answer,” he chuckled in between kisses, “but I’ll assume it means you did.”
I snuggled into his chest as he rolled to his back, wrapping his arm around me so I was tucked into his side. “Tell me something I don’t know about you.”
My ear found the beat of his heart, a soothing sound that made my heart open, ready to shed some of my ugly. “I had a brother,” I whispered, emotion thick in my throat.
Mitch’s hand stilled in my hair, then continued stroking the back of my scalp. It was amazing and helped me to relax.
“Besides the three younger ones?”
“He was my Irish twin. We were eleven months apart. He was in the Air Force and he loved it. That’s all he’d ever talk about when we were kids. He wanted to fly.” A tear rolled down my cheek and onto Mitch’s chest.
