by Lise Horton
“Wasn’t that fun?” He leaned over her and kissed her deep, letting her taste herself on him. Then he pulled the blanket over her and watched as she drifted off into an exhausted sleep.
Smiling, he poured himself a glass of wine, turned on some music and watched the sun set while Serafina slept in his bed.
* * *
“Let’s try and relax for a little bit. We’ll have a glass of wine and go to bed and we can talk more in the morning. For now I want you to just snuggle on my lap and make me feel all macho and manly. What do you say?” She’d dozed for an hour and now they had an entire evening with nothing to do but relax and, if he was extremely lucky, hit the sheets so he could enjoy her again.
“Sounds like the perfect way to end the evening.” She walked into his arms and held on tight and he hoped she was able to feel a bit less unsteady and insecure. God knew it had been a week from hell for them both but they’d overcome everything fate threw at them and now they were working toward something special and incredible.
“Get settled on the couch and I’ll get you a glass.”
“Thanks.”
While she’d slept, he’d put on some workout pants and flip-flops. Now he toed off his sandals and filled up their glasses and then settled down next to her on his giant sofa. The thing was big enough that they could lean back, lying next to one another, and he coaxed her leg over his as he handed her the glass. She smelled good, like sex and Serafina. He sipped the wine and used the remote to turn up the soft, soothing jazz.
“This is lovely. Who is it?”
“David Sanborn and Dave Grusin. It’s the soundtrack from an old Michelle Pfeiffer film, Tequila Sunrise.”
“Very nice. It almost feels warm, like we’re on a beach.”
“What kind of music do you like? I love jazz.” He waved a hand at the absurdly large collection of blues and jazz CDs that filled one wall. “But I like most any kind of music.”
“Me too. My favorite is classical because it’s what my father loved. I’ll loan you some of my CDs if you want. I listen to Scheherazade over and over. It just sweeps me away. And the Brahms Requiem. There are also some beautiful operas that are very dramatic. I think you’d like Samson and Delilah and Carmen. Almost like action adventure films set to music. Lots of lust and death.” She gave him a wry grin. “But I like old rock and roll, too. My mother liked seventies folk rock and she kept all her old albums. We played them constantly and we used to dance around singing Carly Simon songs in our bare feet. My father always said we looked like we were in the throes of a St. Vitas’ Dance. I’ve got all of the albums and her old turntable stored out at the beach house.”
“I’d love to get a look at them.” He smiled, thinking their love of music was yet another wonderful thing they had in common. For a few minutes they simply sat, listening to the smooth jazz recording and sipping wine.
“Do you want to watch the news or anything?”
“No. I’m enjoying the quiet. I don’t think I have any focus left after what you did to me. I may not survive your bucket list. Just talk to me. How’s Cara doing? Your mom didn’t say.”
“She’s home, but going crazy that they’re still keeping Angelina for another week or so. Nothing major, just little setbacks the doctors have told us are perfectly normal. Rocco’s working on changing his travel schedule so he’ll be home more, at least until Angelina’s home and settled and Cara’s over her anxiety about the baby.”
“What about Gia?”
“I haven’t talked to her since the hospital. She’s still avoiding me. A lot like another frustrating woman was doing all week.” He took a sip of wine and watched as she did too. Even without makeup or fancy hair, just sitting in his lap, drinking wine, she had an innate and appealing grace. Now that they’d gotten past so much, the simple joy of having her in his life was all he needed to be satisfied.
“What do you think will happen with this kinky trio she’s got going on?”
“You know what I think. She’ll stick with it, or it will get old and tired and she’ll move on. But I think she’s a brave, tough girl to buck society, so my money’s on her. Maybe when you’re talking again you can ask her why it feels right to her. It might help to understand her a little bit. I’m hoping you haven’t spilled the beans to your parents.”
“Like I want them to have conniptions?”
“Your mom might surprise you. But I expect your dad is like every other dad when it comes to their daughter, so I wouldn’t be surprised if he pulled out the shotgun.”
“I don’t think he’s got one. He’s got a Louisville Slugger, though, and a mean follow-through.”
“Well, she can’t hide forever. Maybe you’ll even run into her one of the times you’re picking me up. But even if you don’t, I can put in a good word for you and tell her she needs to talk to you. I’ll swear you’re not going to chain her in the basement or anything.”
“Don’t give me ideas. How’s the other class going? Your gulag lit course?”
“Not bad. I’ve had to do a little adjusting of the professor’s curriculum and I’m going blind from reading to get up to speed, but so far I’m holding my own.”
“Those Russian novels must be what was in that big duffel of yours.”
“A bunch of them, yes. I guess it was all those long cold winters with nothing to do but drink vodka and write depressing stories.” She took a sip of wine and smiled again. “And of course I’ve got the entire canon of Miller and Nin with me at all times. For reference purposes, of course.”
“You can check out my set by the bed. Look for the highlighted parts.” He kissed her and indicated her empty glass. “Want more?”
She’d finished her wine, and he was pleased when she smiled, a little tipsy, and held out her glass for more. He wanted her relaxed enough to get a good night’s sleep. He wanted to put their fight and two days’ worth of drama behind them. He’d certainly done his part to wear her out and he was nice and relaxed. He refused to worry about Boxer. In the morning he’d get on the phone with Berto and Mac and see what they could come up with. He’d focused solely on her since they’d repaired things, but the sooner they had a plan in place, the safer she’d feel.
On the other hand, he would only be able to relax when the psycho was locked up and she was safe. Not before. He’d learned just how much she meant to him. He had her now and he wasn’t going to lose her.
When they’d finished the wine and the quiet of the night surrounded them, he took her to bed. The secrets she’d shared made his heart ache for her, but they also made him determined she would get it through her head that she wasn’t alone anymore. Foolish girl, to think he wanted a baby maker instead of a lover and companion. He had Cara to thank for that, feeding her the perfect excuse she needed to hightail it away from him and not have to face life head-on. Once he’d convinced her, he’d dragged her to bed and reminded her how good they were.
Now, coming down from those high emotions led to soft, sweet, gentle sex. He wanted to cherish her and couldn’t stop touching her, kissing her. They slowly stripped, stopping to caress and explore. Her eyes were wide and luminous and his heart swelled at the hopeful expression she wore. Even when he slid inside her, feeling that incredible, welcoming heat, she smiled softly and clung to him. Wild abandoned sex was replaced with a physical communion that left him feeling as though they’d forged a bond that went beyond enjoying one another’s bodies. Later, holding her in his arms, he was filled with a contentment he’d never experienced before. She was nestled against his side, dozing, and didn’t see the tear that oozed from the corner of his eye before he wiped it away. It wasn’t just that he loved her. She was right in his world. Perfect for him. As the clock ticked, he simply lay there with her in his arms, thankful they had overcome the hurdles and he had managed to redeem himself.
* * *
They got off to a late start in the morning, but he wasn’t the least bit sorry. He couldn’t resist making love to her as she was just waking
up and again in the shower. There was nothing he suggested she wouldn’t try. And he certainly wasn’t complaining now that she’d started doing the asking.
While they were doing their bit for the environment and conserving water, she took advantage of the opportunity to get down on her knees and the sight of her tongue as it peeked out to swipe across the head of his cock made him weak.
“Do you know, before you, I’d never done this.” She glanced up at him with a wicked little grin he was coming to love. She swirled her tongue again around him and closed her lips on the tip. “Does it feel good?” At his groan, she took him deep in her throat, pulling back to look up at him with shining, mischievous eyes. Her lips were moist with precome and saliva and when she licked them, he almost came right then.
“Stupendous. But if you do that one more time I won’t be responsible for my actions. A man can only stand so much.” He was breathing heavily and he still worried about pushing her too far, too fast.
“I want you to come in my mouth.”
“I don’t want you to do anything you don’t want.”
“I want to.” She blushed, which made him hotter than ever. The way she’d blush and look down but smile that secret smile that said she was imagining her own list of naughty deeds. The way she wanted to please him and explore. Sometimes she would still stumble over the dirty words, and her eagerness caused a serious twinge somewhere in the vicinity of his heart. He was madly in love with this crazy, shy, brilliant beauty. And it was the best feeling in the world.
“Happy to provide the educational experience.” The last words were a groan as she took hold of him and slid him between her lips, caressing the base of his cock with one tight fist. She licked, she sucked, she teased the slit with her tongue and rubbed beneath the head in that sensitive spot that made him want to explode like a rocket.
She pulled off of him and looked up. “Do you like it when I lick your balls? Are they sensitive?”
“God, yes.”
She didn’t waste another minute but suckled his balls, one and then the other, her tongue reaching out to tickle behind them, and his knees nearly gave out. After a while she returned to his cock. He began to get closer and grabbed her hair. He didn’t fuck her face the way he had the first time, but helped her take him deeper with gentle thrusts as she relaxed her throat around him.
When he couldn’t hold back any longer, when he started thrusting harder into her mouth, she moaned and the vibration sent him over the top. He shot into her mouth for an endless minute and watched as she worked hard to swallow his salty stream. Seeing her throat working, watching her eagerness as she sucked him dry, he almost couldn’t stop. She was breathless when he finally pulled out of her hot mouth and pulled her to her feet. Her eyes were glazed over and for a minute he was worried it had been too much for her, but then she smiled.
“I hope you don’t mind, but I’m going to want to do that a lot.”
“God knows you were fantastic. A lot of girls don’t like giving head.”
“I can’t imagine why. I felt so powerful—that I could do that to you just with my mouth.” She licked her lips and studied him with a siren’s gaze. “You taste so earthy. Just the way I imagined. Sexy and primal.”
“I would never have thought brainy talk could turn me on, but damn, you make me hot.” He sighed and held her in his arms and adjusted the spray to sluice over them. Her thick black hair trailed all the way down her back, tendrils curling around her hips and framing her gorgeous round ass. He loved her ass. He could spend hours worshipping those incredible, soft, sweet cheeks of hers. Torturing himself, he reached down to cup the soft globes and squeezed until she moaned and her eyes glittered. He chuckled. Now she’d be spending the day in the same state he was.
“We’re going to be really late if we don’t lay off the sex stuff and make like worker bees, Professor.” He laid a hearty smack on one butt cheek and she jumped. Her smile and the heat in her eyes would give him something to daydream about until he could get his hands on her again.
Breakfast was a quick espresso and a bagel with cream cheese for both of them. She made a face every time she sipped the strong brew and he rolled his eyes as she continued to add more sugar and more milk.
“How about a little coffee with your milk and sugar?”
She stuck out her tongue at his teasing.
“Don’t wave that thing around unless you want me to put it to good use.”
“Aren’t we late?” She skirted his hands and giggled. Grabbing her bag, she led the way to the door, but he pulled it out of her hands and slung it over his shoulder. She started to object, and he raised a finger.
“Just think of me as your personal pack mule. How’s your shoulder feeling, by the way? I should have asked before I tied you up. Did that bother it? The bruises on your face are almost gone.”
“I may be mesmerized by your sexual prowess, but I’m not so far gone I wouldn’t tell you if it did. No. It hurts mostly when I’m carrying something or with repetitive stuff. Especially with all the typing I’ve been doing and grading my students’ papers. But it’s all right.” Beneath her good humor and the glow of lots of sex, she still looked weary and he spoke bluntly.
“You have me now. Tonight we’ll have a hot bath and I’ll put some of my grandmother’s liniment on you. She’s got a treatment in a jar for everything that ails you. You don’t have to do everything yourself. I know you aren’t used to it, but practice. You are flying solo no more, capisce Professor?” He lightened the criticism by raising one eyebrow and giving her a mock glare.
“I do like that. It feels...good. I feel safer.” She slid her hand into his and he gave it a squeeze. “Thank you.”
“No thanks necessary. I take care of what’s mine.”
“Am I yours?”
“Damn straight, Professor.”
“I guess as a liberated woman of the twenty-first century I should feel subjugated. But I don’t.” She squeezed his hand back and he loved the warmth of the gesture. “I feel special.”
“Good to know. Now fasten your seat belt.”
She couldn’t stop smiling. Even the fictional misery of torture and death in Siberia couldn’t dampen her good humor. She felt as though the weight of the world was off her shoulders, and the worry over Boxer had paled in the face of Nick’s strength. It was a lovely experience to have someone care about her after being alone for so long. She had been a damned fool to fight sharing her life and accepting someone else’s love. Now looking back at their days together, she could see all the little things he had done for her that had pleased her, made her feel good. And he was right. She’d done the same for him but hadn’t seen the value in it. Now she recognized the truth of give and take. It wasn’t just the amazing sex, but the tenderness he showed her, the way he watched out for her simply because it was who he was. And the more she thought about their talk, the more she realized he took care of everyone. He worried about his sisters and his family, not just her. It had been silly to think he felt sorry for her, or thought she couldn’t take care of herself. It was just the way the man was made. His love was there in every touch. He loved her. She was happy. Beyond happy. Ecstatic.
The eight-thirty class ended with glum faces when she announced their grades, which had been fairly lackluster. They apparently hadn’t gotten the word on the student grapevine that she was tough as nails when it came to grading, and hadn’t strained themselves in pursuit of excellence. They certainly knew better now, and she grinned as the disgruntled students filed out, muttering.
“Who knew she was going to be such a tough bitch? Man, you can’t get anything past her.”
Upon returning to the English department offices, she regaled Alice with the comment.
“I could have told them that. All of them whine after you give back grades.”
“Too bad.”
“I don’t even understand. I wish I could take more courses than I do, and I work hard in every one. I love writing papers. What�
�s the point of spending the time and money if you aren’t interested in doing the work? Seriously, go to bartending school or take up stripping.”
She admired Alice for both her humor as well as her dedication, noting that while they were the same age, they’d had very different experiences. Alice was a divorced single mother of a mentally challenged toddler. She worked incredibly hard to provide for him while working toward her degree.
She stopped to snatch her mail out of her cubby, then headed for her office but before she turned the corner, Alice called out to her.
“Wait up, Serafina. I haven’t received your RSVP for the dean’s end-of-semester wine and cheese party. He’s asked me for the final list and you know how he gets if you don’t RSVP.”
“In a timely manner,” she intoned even as she laughed. “Sorry, with everything that’s been going on I completely forgot. Of course I’m attending. I’d be petrified not to.” It was very risky to stand up Dean Hodges at one of his bashes, and those poor professors who tried it ended up with subtle but excruciating punishments, like extra sections of freshman comp.
“Understandable that watered-down drinks and soggy canapés slipped your mind, what with your accident, and extra classes. Oh, and your hunky new boyfriend.”
“What? How did you, how does anyone know?”
“Shame on you, forgetting how fast the drums of academia relay juicy gossip like this.” She ticked off the details on her fingers. “First, several students spotted you in your class when he made an appearance and reported there was a kiss. Second, Gia Stellato confirmed to one and all that he is her brother and you are an item, and third, Professor Parker was overheard complaining about him, which is a sure sign that he’s both hot and wouldn’t take her crap. And speaking of Parker...” She lowered her voice, though the offices were empty. “Susan from Drama overheard the dean complaining to her boss that he wasn’t going to stand for any more of Parker’s ‘instigating nonsense.’ Quote, end quote.”
She didn’t wish trouble on Elizabeth Parker, but the woman really was her own worst enemy. Besides being an atrocious teacher, she was rude and vicious. Whatever difficulties she got herself into were on her own head.
