“We’re alone. And I’m doing it because you’re hot and I like having my hands on you.”
Oh my God. She could barely contain herself at his blatant flirtation. No man had ever been so forward with her. Part of her wanted to protest, but the deepest parts of her wanted to straddle his lap and ride out her frustrations.
He turned his gaze back to the gym floor. “Claire is really good. I’m impressed.”
“Thank you, she enjoys it.” They were silent for a while longer, the warmth of his skin like a brand on her own. Anne swallowed hard, trying to relax which was nearly impossible.
After a while his hand slowly slipped under her skirt. Her own palm shot out and covered his. She didn’t turn, but she could feel his body shake with laughter next to her. After a while she relaxed her hand on his, which was still lingering under the hem of her skirt.
Eventually he began to move again, his hand inching higher. Anne could feel every movement, and it was the most thrilling and titillating sensation she’d ever experienced.
“Spread your legs, Anne,” he said in a low voice.
“What? Are you serious? Someone could see!” Her voice was already breathless. She let her eyes roam the entire gym; none of the coaches or athletes ever looked up here. But oh gosh, her heart was pounding.
“No one can see. The lights are out and this wall comes up to your waist. Plus they’re all way down there.”
“Someone might come up.” She was nearly panting.
“Did you hear those stairs? Not a chance we would be caught by surprise.” She heard the smile in his voice. She couldn’t look at him. “Spread your legs, Anne.”
She sucked in a breath and blew it out as she slowly parted her thighs. What the hell was she doing? His fingers found their way to her center and brushed her panties just like the last time he had his hands on her. She wanted to moan but held it in; of course Mike didn’t have a problem. He still didn’t look at her, but a low groan came from his chest the minute his finger found its way to the cotton covering her most sensitive spot. The sound of it nearly had her rocketing out of control.
“Every time I touch you here, you’re ready.” He turned his head her way just a little, his lips tilted up on one side. “Have you noticed that?”
Anne squeezed her eyes shut. She wanted to drop her head back against the wall and enjoy the feel of his finger circling her, or lie back on the bench and pull him on top of her. Instead she sat very still as he fondled her. He used two fingers now, increasing the speed of his movements on the wet fabric. Even with her eyes closed she could feel his eyes on her.
“I want you to come, Anne,” he said, his voice low and quiet. “Right here.”
She bit her bottom lip as pleasure rippled through her body, all stemming from that one spot. She was close, so close, and she wanted to whimper. She glanced down at his arm draped across her leg, his hand hidden beneath the skirt that rode up her thigh.
“Look at me, Perfect.”
She didn’t move. Instead she opened her eyes and stared at the far wall of the gym; everything around her was hazy and sparkling. And he’d called her Perfect again. How in the world had she managed to get this sexy man to touch her like this and think of her in that way?
“Look at me,” he said again, his fingers finding a consistent rhythm, the one that was going to make her body shatter into pieces inside. She finally turned her head and met his eyes. She could feel her body begin to vibrate, and she clenched her jaw shut. A naughty grin spread across his face. He knew exactly what he was doing to her and was enjoying it, which made it all so much more arousing. Their eyes stayed locked.
“Relax and let it go, babe. We’re just two adults up here, having a conversation, while I get you off under this skirt.” This time he bit at his lip as he stared at her.
That was it. Her body succumbed, her thighs convulsed against his wrist, and she locked her hands onto the lip of the wooden bench as she came hard. She wanted to turn away from him, and he must have known it.
“Don’t look away from me, Anne.” His words were a low growl. His fingers kept moving, riding out her entire explosive orgasm. She looked deep into his eyes, which grazed over every inch of her face as if he wanted to memorize her. Normally she would have been horrified to have a man watch her face while she came, but she felt sexy, and he was appreciating the view, his expression tight and serious.
When it was over he stroked her slowly, his fingers running circles all over her underwear, which he had never even moved. Her chest heaved in and out.
“That was the hottest thing I’ve ever seen,” he said. She gave him a disbelieving stare, but he reciprocated with a grin, his eyes in shadow from his ball cap. “And don’t you doubt me for one fucking second.”
And truly, she didn’t. It was incredibly hot. The hottest thing she’d ever been a part of. Mike slid his hand from under her skirt and squeezed her thigh before resting it in his own lap.
Anne had no idea what to say after what had just happened. She adjusted her clothing and let her eyes search the entire gym floor until she found Claire’s pink leotard on the bar. Her heart was still racing, and she took a cleansing breath and blew it upward, making her hair flutter.
Mike chuckled next to her but he was watching the gym floor also. “Was gymnastics as exciting for you as it was for me?”
“Nothing in my life has been quite that exciting.” And that was no lie. Her life had been pretty damn boring until that birthday party that Mike chose to stay for. She didn’t know how she felt about that. Was this just a crazy ride they were on, and she’d better enjoy it while it lasted, or something more? It was hard to tell because at first glance Mike didn’t appear to be the kind of guy looking for a girlfriend with a six-year-old daughter.
The horn sounded that the hour was up and Anne felt a twinge of disappointment as she gathered her purse and soda.
“So when are you going out with me, Perfect?”
“Why do you call me that?” she asked as she stood straight.
“Why do you think? Because that’s how I see you.”
“No one’s perfect, especially not me.”
“No, they’re not, but you come pretty damn close. Your parties, your house. These sexy little outfits you wear.” His eyes swept over her skirt, sending a blush through her cheeks. Did he truly find her clothes sexy?
“I would like to think I approach things with a certain level of … passion. But some men find that annoying.”
“Some men are idiots.” His eyes narrowed a little but he didn’t take his gaze off her. “Passion is always sexy, no matter where it’s focused.”
She swallowed. It might be easy for him to say that when the stakes were low and it was all just fun times. It was up to her to keep things in check. She put a hand on her hip. “We shouldn’t go out.”
His expression relaxed and he crossed his arms as he gave her a quiet laugh. “You better be playing hard-to-get, Anne…” He lowered his voice and leaned into her. “… because I’m pretty sure you like spending time with me.”
Full of complete sexy arrogance, he cocked his head toward the bench they’d just stood from. Anne tried not to smile, but couldn’t help it. He had the nerve to laugh at her.
“You’re so full of yourself,” she said.
“True, but I’d like it better if you were full of me.”
“Oh my goodness, will you quit.” She brushed by his hard body, laughing, but he grabbed her at the last second with an arm around her waist. She turned her head to look into his eyes. He was so handsome she could barely stand it. They just smiled at each other for a moment, and she forced herself not to acknowledge the feelings that settled in her chest as he stared down at her.
The creaking of the stairs startled her. “The girls, let go.”
“Say you’ll you go out with me.”
The stomping was reaching the top, definitely two little sets of feet. And then she heard giggles. “Mike!” she hissed.
“Say yes.”
She pulled from his arms at the last second as Bailey and Claire burst into the viewing hallway.
“Uncle Mike, did you see me? I did a back handspring without a spot.”
“I sure did. I thought you were gonna snap your neck, but it was spectacular.” He winked at Anne. Neither of them would have noticed flames break out on the gym floor because he’d been too busy setting Anne on fire.
“I did one, too, Mommy.” Claire tugged on Anne’s finger.
“Well, I know you did. I saw it.” Anne didn’t like lying, but she sure liked the bad-boy grin on Mike’s face.
The girls headed back toward the stairs to leave, and Mike and Anne followed. He nuzzled into Anne’s ear, walking closely behind. “You are so going to go out with me.”
“Hush,” she said.
He laughed at her as the four of them made their way down the stairs and to the front door of the gym. They were halfway through the parking lot when little voices rose in anger.
“Uh-huh, she had her finger under your back.” Bailey put both hands on her hips.
“Because we were supposed to,” Claire insisted. Anne had never heard her daughter so irritated—well, with anyone but her.
“Hey, hey, hey,” Mike said as he and Anne caught up to the two bickering girls. “What’s the problem?”
“Claire had a spot with her back handspring and I didn’t. So mine is better,” Bailey said.
“I coulda if I wanted, but Coach Jen said not to. Bailey didn’t listen.”
“Nh-uh.”
“Yeah-huh.”
“Okay, okay.” Mike squatted down between the two frazzled six-year-olds.
Anne wondered what he was going to say, because she knew Claire was right. The rule was you had to have a spot till level 5, but she wasn’t going to put his niece in her place.
He pulled Bailey close to his body and looked into her eyes. “I’m super proud of you for your back handspring. But is there a rule about having a spot?”
Bailey was quiet, obviously not wanting to admit she’d disobeyed. Anne glanced at Claire, who had her chin lowered watching Bailey and Mike. These two girls were like oil and water, but they managed to be inseparable. How did it always work like that?
“Answer me, Boo.” Bailey shook her head back and forth, ponytail flying. Mike let out a breath and looked at Claire. “I bet Claire can tell me the rule, can’t you, Claire.”
Claire nodded eagerly and stepped closer to Mike. “No spot. No stunt.”
Mike nodded and looked back at Bailey. “Is that right, Boo?”
Bailey’s shoulders slumped, and she nodded. Mike continued. “I think they have those rules to keep you safe, Bailey. It sounds like you need to say sorry to Claire.”
Still squatting, Mike held out the hand that wasn’t resting on Bailey to Claire. Without hesitation Claire slid right into his open arm. Anne swallowed hard, watching the episode unfold. All of this was because of Mike. The way he was sticking up for her daughter made her want to cry and kiss him all at the same time.
“Bailey?” Mike prompted.
“Sorry, Claire.”
“It’s okay.”
Mike quickly kissed Bailey on the head and patted Claire’s back. He palmed each little girl’s hair with a large hand and pretended to knock their heads together, banging his fingers instead. Riotous giggles ensued. “You two are a couple of knuckleheads.”
Mike stood up and stalked toward Anne. “Don’t think I haven’t forgotten that you owe me an answer, Perfect.”
Nope, she hadn’t forgotten, either, and after what she’d just witnessed she knew her answer. As if she hadn’t decided already. There was only one thing left to say. “Yes.”
Thirteen
It was Wednesday, one more day of uninterrupted work time until school was out, so Anne decided to spend the morning working on the blog at Callie’s shop. The bell tinkled as she entered and she ducked into the front corner table by the window to wait out the five-person line.
Anne set up her work space, which consisted of her laptop, phone, pen, and notepad. Then she sneaked behind the counter where Eric slipped her a mug so she could hit the coffee station. She never paid for coffee at Callie’s. She used to try but gave up after Callie refused her money over and over. She did, however, insist on paying for baked goods because she wanted to support her friend’s business. She might occasionally turn a blind eye when Callie slipped something extra in the bag for Claire.
When the line cleared and things settled down, Callie came and plopped down in the chair across from Anne.
“I’m ready. What happened and don’t you dare leave a detail out.”
Anne grinned. She couldn’t help herself. This morning she had texted Callie that she was coming in because “things are happening.” Any other time of day her friend would not have bothered to reply; she would have called back and demanded to be told right away. But Anne knew that mornings at Callie’s Confections were too busy for that. Instead Callie had texted back a short and sweet message. You’re evil.
Over coffee and a caramel pecan sticky bun—her personal favorite—she proceeded to fill her friend in on the events from the last few days, leaving only tiny details out. No need to be graphic. Callie’s mouth hung open the whole time. When she was done, Anne leaned back, a huge smile on her face. At some point Eric had joined the table.
“God you’re so lucky,” Eric said. “I’d give anything to get a piece of that action.”
“Me, too. Anne, this is crazy. Who would have thought, meeting a hottie like that at a kiddie birthday party?”
“I know! I just don’t know what to think. I mean, what do I do?”
Eric leaned in. “You do what any smart person would do. You let him give it to you all night long.”
Anne laughed and covered her eyes with her fingers. “I want to, I do. Is that horrible? Would you guys think less of me?”
“Uhhh, have we met?” Eric asked.
“No kidding, Anne. We’ve had to listen to stories from Eric that make us question our entire moral compass, yet we still love him. And I’m just dying to live vicariously. So please, go out with him, take him home, and seal the deal.”
“It’s just, I’m not that kind of woman. I don’t have casual sex or mess around. What if people found out? I plan children’s birthday parties in this town.”
“Sweetie, how would anyone find out?” Callie picked off a bite of Anne’s roll as she spoke. “And so what if they did? You’re a grown woman. You’re not married. What you do with Uncle Magic Fingers is nobody’s business.” She popped a gooey pecan in her mouth.
Anne sighed. That was all true, but she’d always been overly concerned with doing the right thing. Although she had a very public platform that grew larger every day, she still went out of her way to avoid drawing unnecessary attention to herself. All her life, she’d worked hard—in school, sports, clubs—to make her parents proud, and they’d always told her they were. Their love and support had been unwavering. Maybe she was just a natural-born worrier. Her choice of things to fret about may have evolved to things like her daughter, her business, and how she looked naked, but the stress was still the same. The thought that anyone would find her lacking scared her, but this—this kept feeling right despite the fear of it all.
She wasn’t clear what Mike’s intentions were, and she’d been pretty sure they were just fooling around, but now that he’d asked her out on an official date she wasn’t sure what to think. Was going to dinner first just a nicety? A means to an end? Or was something more at play?
She had a hard time believing Mike might be interested in something more than a physical relationship; he just didn’t seem like that kind of guy. But he also hadn’t seemed like the kind of guy to work out an argument between two little girls. Anne still warmed thinking of it. She didn’t even tell Callie and Eric about that episode or about the singing to Claire, because somehow that had seemed like something more. How did a person process th
at information?
“So you told him yes, right?” Callie asked. Eric had gone to the counter to help a customer.
“Yes, we’re going out Saturday night.”
Callie did a little dance in her chair. “Yay! I can’t wait to hear about this. Do you need me to watch Claire?”
The question reminded Anne of how much she loved Callie, always ready to help her out without a second thought. But this time she didn’t need help. “Actually, Mike arranged for Claire to stay the night with his sister and Bailey.”
“Oh wow, well that’s nice. That boy isn’t giving you an out, is he? Claire will be excited about the sleepover.”
“She’s already got her bag packed.” Anne chuckled.
“Okay, now it’s my turn for good news,” Callie said. She had a mischievous grin on her face.
Anne’s eyes widened. “What? What kind of good news? Are you seeing someone?”
“Oh Lord no, I don’t have time for that shit.” Callie shuffled in her seat, her eyes sparkling. “Even better, I’m officially the brand-new Preston High Pantherettes Dance Team coach.”
Anne’s jaw dropped and then she squealed like a little girl before speaking. “Oh my gosh, that’s amazing.” She reached out and grasped Callie’s hand. “When did this happen?”
“I just found out yesterday that it was for sure. I applied a couple of weeks ago when a customer informed me they fired the last coach. I just knew I couldn’t pass it up. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you, I just … I wasn’t sure if I’d get it.”
“Callie, don’t apologize to me. I’m so happy for you. You’re going to be amazing. I can’t wait to stand in the bleachers and cheer your girls on.”
Anne thought back to when she was in high school. She and Callie would not have been friends because they would have been in completely different social circles. Callie of course would have been cute, popular, and captain of the dance team. Anne would have been the girl in the library studying to get a 105 on her math test. The two types didn’t usually blend. But that didn’t matter now; in fact, the thought made her laugh.
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