Pure Iron

by Bargo, Holly

  Mick nodded. He agreed with that.

  The conversation lapsed while Lady Antebellum was followed by the Zac Brown Band and then by Little Big Town, Josh Groban, and Taylor Swift. Darius Rucker’s mellow voice poured from the speakers as they pulled into the police station’s parking lot.

  Mick took her hand as they walked into the building. They stopped at the reception desk which was shielded by a thick plate of bullet resistant glass. They gave their names to the officer at the desk and he buzzed them through a locked door to meet the officer who would take their statement.

  Sonia had never been inside a police station before and looked about with interest. Overall, it was quiet and filled with the noises typical of any office. Apparently, intake functions weren’t conducted within the administrative area. The officer from the night before greeted them and led them back to his cubicle. They each took a seat and, at the officer’s prompting, told their story. The officer took notes throughout, asking the occasional question for clarity.

  “Er, may I see Penny?” Sonia asked.

  “Sonia, that’s probably not a good idea,” Mick cautioned.

  “Mrs. Hendriksen, your friend is in detox and not available to see anyone except medical personnel and her lawyer,” the officer explained, much to Mick’s relief.

  “Oh,” Sonia said and her shoulders slumped.

  Taking pity on the young woman who had tried to do the right thing, the officer scribbled on a sticky note and handed it to her. He said, “That’s a professional cleaning service I recommend. Your house is pretty much wrecked and you probably don’t want to tackle that job on your own.”

  She looked at the slip of paper, folded it, and tucked it into her purse. “Thanks,” she said.

  Dismissed, they rose to be escorted from the office.

  “My daughter’s a huge fan of yours, Mr. Hendriksen,” the officer began hesitantly.

  Mick’s face assumed a pleasant expression and he offered to sign his autograph for the cop’s daughter. Smiling with gratitude, the policeman pulled out a business card and offered it to Mick. Sonia withdrew a pen from her purse and handed it over. Mick scrawled his name on the back of the card and said, “I hope she’ll be able to attend Iron Falcon’s concert in San Francisco. That will be one of the first stops on our next tour.”

  “When does that start?”

  “October. We’ll be playing in Las Vegas for three weeks in September.”

  “How long is the tour?” Sonia asked.

  “Six months,” he answered. “We’ll be hitting about eighty venues in the USA, Canada, a handful of spots in Europe, then over to India, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, and Japan.”

  “That sounds absolutely grueling,” Sonia commented.

  “It will be,” he agreed. “But there’s absolutely nothing like performing in front of a live audience. The energy is incredible. And we make our money mostly from ticket sales, not album sales, which requires that we tour.”

  “I can’t believe I won’t see you for six months.”

  “We’ll get a few short breaks during the tour, a week here, a week there. I’ll fly you out to wherever I’m staying.” He flashed her that panty-melting grin and added, “Until I Ieave, I’m going to want to keep you naked as much as possible.”

  Her cheeks reddened even though she did not deign to respond to that last provocative statement. “Mick, I don’t even have a passport.”

  “No passport?”

  She shrugged and explained, “I’ve never been out of the country. There’s no need for me to have had a passport.”

  “Well, we’ll have to fix that.”

  “I suppose so.” Privately, she wondered whether she could get time off from her new job to gallivant around the globe for conjugal visits.

  The car pulled into the department store parking lot. Mick reached into the back seat to grab a baseball cap with the San Diego Padres logo on it and jammed it on his head. “Hand me my sunglasses,” he asked her. “In the glove box.”

  Sonia opened the compartment, found his sunglasses, and handed them over. She shook her head and said, “I can’t believe that works.”

  “You’d be surprised,” he replied with that sexy smile. “It works better when I wear long sleeves to cover the tattoos.”

  “They are distinctive.”

  He grinned again and said, “Ready?”

  “Let’s go,” she answered.

  The sales clerks stationed at cash registers near the store’s entrance glanced disinterestedly at the two new customers. Sonia snagged a shopping cart and pushed it first to the intimate apparel department where she picked out foundation garments and socks. She detoured to the ladies’ clothing area and spent the next two hours poring over shorts and slacks and tops and dresses.

  “I’m going to need another cart,” she groused.

  “I’ll get one,” he volunteered and departed briefly to fetch one. He met her in the shoe department where she spent another hour picking out shoes for dressing up, casual wear, athletics, and work. Then she hit the accessories department to pick up combs and clips and other accoutrements for her hair. Finally, she found a couple pairs of jeans.

  The cashier raised her eyebrows at the sheer quantity of merchandise, but made no comment. She accepted Sonia’s credit card and ran the charge.

  “You saved six hundred and eighty-three dollars today,” the clerk chirped and her eyes widened when the customer’s male companion stretched out his arm to hoist two of the bulging shopping bags in one strong hand. She looked up into he man’s face, shadowed by the hat’s bill, but a little squeal of excitement escaped from her lips.

  “Thank you,” Sonia said politely as she grabbed the other two bags and walked away. Mick followed closely, rushing ahead to open the doors for her.

  “Let’s scram,” he said as they hurried to the car. They threw the bags into the trunk and were soon on their way as a small crowd of people rushed from the store in search of the poorly disguised rock star. Sonia looked back at the autograph seekers and giggled. It was just all too crazy.

  Mick’s phone rang.

  “Pick that up, would you?” he asked Sonia.

  She answered the call with the standard polite greeting.

  “You must be Sonia,” the caller said. “I’m Jay. Put Mick on the line, would you?”

  “Um, he’s driving.”

  “That’s okay. He’ll talk to me.”

  “No, that’s not okay,” she said acidly. “He’s driving. I would prefer that we finish this journey alive and not wrapped around a telephone pole.”

  There was a pause as Jay absorbed the sudden resistance of a woman with backbone. “Okay,” he said slowly as though to placate her. “Please tell Mick that Iron Falcon has a special concert in Monterrey on Saturday afternoon at the Monterey Pop Festival. The rest of the band will be flying in tomorrow.”

  Sonia dutifully relayed the information as she plugged the phone into the Bluetooth connector so that the conversation could be conducted via the car’s radio.

  “What? No, damn it. I’m on vacation. I’m on my honeymoon,” Mick objected loudly enough that Sonia did not have to repeat his words. Jay heard them just fine.

  “That little stunt you pulled with the tabloids put paid to your quiet time,” Jay retorted.

  “We were in Las Vegas!”

  “And you’ve been tracked to Monterey Bay. You’re supposed to keep a low profile when you’re on vacation. You didn’t and now you’ve got to make good on your very public presence.”

  Sonia reached over to rub the back of Mick’s neck. “Hey, it’s all right. Get me a backstage pass and I’ll fix some snacks for the band.”

  “Bribes?”

  “I figure most men are like dogs: feed them well and they’ll be your friends.”

  Mick laughed and relaxed. “Okay, Jay, send me the deets. But don’t you ever spring shit like that on us again.”

  “Hey, Mick, having a surprise set by Iron Falcon
will make you guys some loyal fans this weekend.”

  “You say the guys will be here tomorrow?”

  “Yes. It’s best they get away from Vegas before Angelo cleans out the casinos and becomes persona non grata there. That guy is lucky beyond belief.”

  “He always was one lucky bastard,” Mick agreed. “Where are they staying?”

  “What about that cottage next to yours?”

  “It’s not fit for human habitation,” Mick replied tersely. “You’ll have to find them some other place, because they’re not bunking down with Sonia and me. We need our privacy, Jay.”

  “You just don’t want them to see you fucking her on the kitchen table,” Jay joked with lewd humor. Sonia frowned.

  “She can hear you, Jay.”

  “Oh. Shit.”

  “Find some place for them to stay so we can rehearse, Jay.”

  “Yeah, will do. Hey, did you look at those condo pictures I sent to you?”

  “I haven’t had time yet today. I’ll get back with you tomorrow.”

  “Gotcha.” With that, the agent ended the call.

  “Wow,” Sonia remarked. “He’s a little abrasive, isn’t he?”

  “Yeah, but he’s got to be. It’s a tough business.”

  Sonia raised an eyebrow and shrugged.

  “You want to stop for a late lunch?” Mick asked.

  “That sounds good.”

  They pulled into one of the city’s many parks where people walked their dogs, played Frisbee, and enjoyed the fine weather. “Grab a table,” Mick said. “I’ll get us some tacos.”

  Sonia quickly found an unoccupied picnic table while Mick walked up to the food truck. She tilted her head, considering the source of the food and decided that it could be very good. She could take that chance. He returned several minutes later bearing food and a couple cans of soda.

  “These guys make fabulous tacos,” he said as he handed her two paper-wrapped tacos and unwrapped one of the three he reserved for himself. “I’m told the ingredients are very authentic.”

  “Back home the local Kiwanis Club has a food truck competition every summer. They hold it at the county fairgrounds,” Sonia said as she unwrapped the first taco. “The food is fantastic.”

  “Well, you’ll like this,” he said and took a big bite of his taco.

  Sonia grinned at him and bit into her own. The rich flavor of beef mingled with the heat of chilies and the cool creaminess of fresh avocado. She sighed happily. The taco was really quite good.

  They ate in comfortable companionship. Sonia licked her fingers until Mick took her hand and licked them. His heated gaze ignited heat in her.

  “Let’s take a walk,” he suggested.

  She nodded and they rose from the table. Mick led her into the well-traveled wooded area beyond where there were clearly marked trails. Once they were enveloped by the cool woods, Mick took Sonia’s face in his hands and held her for his kiss. Her tongue tangled with his and she moaned. Reluctantly pulling away from her, he looked up and around them and said, “As much as I enjoy the peace of the ocean and the beach, I also like to come out here and walk in the woods.”

  Sonia leaned her cheek against his chest and listened to the steady thump of his heart. She inhaled of the earthy scents of green, growing things, decaying leaf litter, and warm soil.

  “Do you have a favorite spot in this park?” she asked.

  “Yes. I’ll take you there.”

  He took her hand and they walked along the trail until they came to an outcropping of rock. He looked up.

  “There’s a way to get up there. I don’t think many people know about it, though.”

  “Show me?”

  He smiled and climbed. Sonia carefully climbed after him. He led her to a small dry hollow bedded with sand scattered with dry leaves. It smelled dusty with only a hint of damp. The heavy rock around them blocked the sounds of any passersby.

  “In the morning the sun shines in here,” he said, taking a seat and drawing Sonia down in front of him. She sat between his legs and leaned back against his chest. He slowly ran his hands up and down her arms, over her shoulders, along the graceful column of her neck. “I’ve never seen evidence of another person up here.”

  “It’s like your own private hideaway.”

  “Mmm,” he replied, bending his head to nibble at the delicate skin beneath her ear as his hands moved back down to cup her breasts. He gently hefted their soft weight and massaged them until she moaned and pressed herself into his hands.

  “Mick,” she sighed.

  He reached down to pull up her skirt. He rubbed his palms lightly over her bared thighs and slid his fingertips under the lace-trimmed edge of her panties.

  “Oh, Mick,” she moaned as he stroked the sensitive flesh. She lifted her arms to reach back and play with his hair.

  He tugged at her panties. She raised her hips so he could slide them down, which was preferable to him tearing them off her body. He inserted two fingers into her channel and she bucked uncontrollably as he fucked her with his fingers.

  “Turn around and ride me, babe,” he growled in to her ear.

  His hand left her long enough for him to open his pants and pull out his rampant cock. She set her hands on his broad shoulders to steady herself as he lifted her and settled her down, impaling her on his erection. They groaned in unison as her wet heat settled over him, surrounded him. With Mick’s hands gripping her hips so he could bounce her on his lap, Sonia grabbed his head and pulled his mouth to hers.

  Mick reveled in the slick heat of her, the faint pain of her hands tangled in his hair. The earthy sounds of their grunts and gasps, moans and mewls, mingled with the natural fragrance of sand, damp rock, sweat, and sex. They ate at each other, tongues tangling, dueling. The somewhat forbidden nature of their lovemaking added spice, an enhanced sense of excitement that they might be discovered. Sonia felt that burn, that delicious tingle, in her core and buried her face in Mick’s shoulder.

  “Cum for me, babe. Now,” he commanded as they rocked almost violently together.

  Suddenly, ecstasy spiraled from her core and Sonia arched backward in his arms. Mitch quickly unzipped her dress and unhooked her bra to expose her breasts. He bent forward, latched his mouth to her breast, and sucked hard as he returned his hand to her hip. She screamed, “Mitch!” as her hips pumped frantically. The spasms of her internal muscles clamping down on his erection launched his own orgasm. He bit down on her rosy nipple and she squealed as pain strangely morphed into pleasure. He grunted harshly as he emptied himself into her.

  Forehead leaning against forehead, they panted from the impromptu exertion.

  “This just keeps getting better,” Mick marveled.

  Sonia felt utterly boneless and her brain was too scrambled to form words in reply. She could hardly focus on anything besides the warmth of his hands cupping around her hips, the feel of his softening penis inside her dripping channel, and the cool air against her bared skin.

  Finally, her slow tongue found words, “You mean this isn’t normal?”

  Mick chuckled at her naiveté and said, “No, babe. What we have is special, incredible, amazing.”

  She huffed a dry laugh and said, “Well, I’d hate to think you married me just to get into my panties.”

  Mick buried his face in her neck so she would not see his guilt. Then he shifted uncomfortably. His hip was beginning to cramp.

  “Need to go, sweetheart. There’s a tune that wants to come out.”

  “Of course,” she acknowledged and removed herself from his lap. She pulled her bra and the bodice of her dress back into place and turned her back to him. She drew her hair out of the way and requested, “Fasten me?”

  He obliged, placing soft kisses at the nape of her neck.

  “Thank you,” she said and found her panties. She vigorously shook them out before putting them back on. She stood and brushed out her skirt with her hands. Mick, having less to adjust, finished first. Sonia found her gaze
drawn to the wet spot on the sand. Worrying her bottom lip with her teeth, she forced herself to look away from the lingering evidence of their tryst.

  “Ready to head back to the cottage?” he asked.

  “Sure.”

  They climbed down from the hollow in the rock, Mick leading the way so he could catch her if she slipped—and if he got to look up her skirt, well that was just a bonus. They walked, hand in hand, back to the car. Sonia lapsed into a light doze as he drove.

  “Wake up, sleepyhead,” he called softly when they arrived.

  She moaned and sleepily protested. With an indulgent smile, Mick walked around to the passenger side and opened the car door. He leaned in to unbuckle the seat belt. The scent of her warm, slightly sweaty skin and their passion fill his nostrils and caused his dick to twitch.

  Down, boy.

  “Help me out here, Sonia,” he said as he looped her arms over his shoulders. She hummed and clung to him as he lifted her from the vehicle. He staggered, as the angle was awkward, but quickly righted himself and carried her up the wooden stairs onto the front porch. Balancing her on one arm, he fumbled for his keys and unlocked the door. He kicked the door open and carried her inside and into the bedroom where he gently lay her down.

  “I’ll bring in your stuff,” he said.

  His answer was a sleepy smile as she rolled over and curled her body. Mick straightened and shook his head in mild amusement. Well, he admitted to himself, she hadn’t gotten a lot of sleep lately. She squirmed on the cover, her skirt inching up her slender thighs. His dick twitched again, expressing eagerness for another round of hot, sweaty sex.

  Let her sleep.

  He imposed control upon himself and fetched her purchases. He dug into her purse and found the scrap of paper with the cleaning service’s number. He called to schedule service for the cottage next door. “If it’s broken, torn, or otherwise needs repaired, just toss it out,” he instructed.

  Feeling energized because amazing sex did that to him, he picked up his acoustic guitar and took it to the back patio. He strummed softly, the gentle notes lifting on the ocean breeze as they found pattern and rhythm, verse and refrain. He reviewed the songs he had created recently, refreshing his mind, hands, and vocal chords. Then he went back to the song that today had brought him. The unprecedented creativity of the last few days astonished him.