Dark Moon

by Victoria Wakefield

  ###

  The next morning came all too soon. I had forgotten to set an alarm, but it didn’t look that light outside yet. I could hear the water running and figured Michael must be in the shower.

  I climbed out of bed and went to find my phone. I had left it in the kitchen. Phew. It’s only just past six.

  There was a pot of coffee on the counter, so I poured a cup and sat down at the kitchen table, pulling my pocket mirror out of my purse to study my reflection. My hair was matted, but otherwise I didn’t look too bad. Most of the makeup I’d borrowed from Maryanne had come off because of sweat or the shower I took.

  A few minutes later, Michael walked into the kitchen. He had a towel around his waist and his hair was damp and messy. He walked over and kissed me. “Hey, beautiful,” he said.

  I smiled. “I don’t want to leave. I don’t want this to end.”

  “Don’t think about it like that. This is the beginning, not the end.” He paused. “In case you haven’t figured it out, I’m crazy about you. But I don’t want anyone at work to know you’re my girlfriend, not yet at least.”

  His girlfriend. I liked the sound of that. “I agree,” I said, trying to keep the excitement out of my voice. “It would just cause stupid gossip.”

  “I have to leave in about half an hour,” Michael said apologetically. “I had been hoping you’d wake up when you heard the shower and come join me.”

  “It may be too late for that, but you can do a lot with half an hour,” I said suggestively. I reached out and tugged on his towel. It fell to the floor.

  “I like it when you take control,” he said.

  I stood up from the table and pressed myself against his naked body, feeling him get erect in seconds.

  I followed him into the bedroom. This was the first time we’d had sex where I wasn’t a little tipsy, and I felt more self-conscious than I had before.

  “Don’t be nervous,” Michael said, sensing my fear. “Relax,” he whispered in my ear, kissing down my body before he lowered himself on top of me.

  I don’t think I could ever get used to the sensation of Michael inside of me. And I know I could never get sick of it. He was gentle and slow, touching my body as he moved, driving me completely wild. We finished at the same time and reluctantly pulled apart.

  “I can’t stand leaving you,” Michael said, pulling on his fitted underwear and scrubs. It was weird seeing him dressed for work, after having spent most of the weekend together.

  “There’s no way I’m going to be able to concentrate today,” I said, laughing. I pulled out the clothes from my backpack and slipped them on, minus underwear.

  “Come back here tonight?” Michael asked me shyly. “I’ll be home around seven.”

  “I’d like nothing more than that,” I said, my heart racing. With one final kiss, we both got in our cars and parted ways.

  Chapter 9

  Maryanne was sitting on her bed, drinking a diet Coke when I got home. “Breakfast,” she said, holding up the Coke. “Want one?”

  “No, thanks. I’m going to get a shower before classes.”

  “Good idea; you smell like sex,” Maryanne replied.

  I’d been gathering clothes from the closet, but I swung around to look at her, and MA instantly started laughing. “I was kidding actually, but your expression gives it all away.”

  “He’s amazing, Maryanne,” I said dreamily. “I’m going back over there tonight.”

  Her eyebrows shot up in surprise. “Next thing I know you’ll be telling me you’re moving in with him.”

  “I wouldn’t ditch you,” I assured her, but the thought of living in that apartment with Michael gave me a warm feeling inside.

  “It was just so…wonderful to be with him. Much more than I ever could have imagined.” I sighed. “I can’t stop thinking about him.”

  “Sounds like your first was significantly more memorable than mine,” Maryanne said wryly.

  “What was yours like?” I asked.

  “Actually, it was memorable, but not in a good way. What I should have said was at least yours was special.”

  “You didn’t have some guy try to push himself on you?” I said, alarmed.

  “Nothing like that. I was sixteen and I thought Bobby was my soul mate. We had been dating for four months, and he kept pressuring me to go all the way. Told me that we’d be together forever.” Maryanne rolled her eyes.

  “My parents were way too trusting,” she continued. “They said I wasn’t allowed to have Bobby over unless one of them was home, and they never got home until the evening. So one day after school, we just did it. In my bedroom, on top of my Hello Kitty sheets. I think it lasted all of two minutes.” She shook her head. “Can you believe it?”

  “I can, because lust can really fuck your head up. Make you do things you never could have imagined.” Like letting a guy you just met go down on you and then have sex with him three times on your second date.

  “After that, Bobby dropped me like a hot potato.” Maryanne scowled. “He told the entire school that he’d popped my cherry. Mature, right?”

  “That’s horrible!” I exclaimed. “What did you do?”

  Maryanne grinned mischievously. “I got revenge and made Bobby wish he’d never met me. I had a friend, Page – she reminds me a lot of you, actually. She was fiercely protective. I would have happily crawled into a hole and stayed there until graduation, but Page had other plans.”

  “Plant drugs in his locker? Start a rumor he was gay?” I guessed.

  Maryanne laughed. “No, but those would have been good, too. Bobby had just gotten this Ford Mustang he was nuts about. So, one night around two in the morning when we knew nobody would be outside, we went to his house and keyed the fuck out of that car.”

  I burst out laughing. “That’s awesome! Did anyone ever find out?”

  “No one could prove anything.” Maryanne paused. “Oh yeah, and I also spread a rumor that Bobby had a tiny dick.”

  “Did he?” I wanted to know.

  “Fuck if I know! It was the first dick I’d ever seen, but it made him such a laughingstock that no girl dated him for the rest of high school.”

  “That’s priceless, MA,” I said, still giggling. “Remind me not to get on your bad side!”

  She yawned and stretched. “I don’t want to go to class,” she whined. “And it’s going to be boring this evening without you here.”

  “I’m sorry,” I said guiltily.

  “Nah, it’s fine. I can find something to do.” Her expression turned serious. “I’m really happy for you, Lana. I truly am. But just be careful.”

  “I will,” I promised. “I hope you can meet him soon. Maybe the three of us could go out one night?”

  She wrinkled her nose. “Me tag along as the third wheel? No thanks!”

  “Just think about it,” I called, heading for the shower.

  The thought of going to the hospital was painful without Michael there. And to make matters worse, I was so distracted between replaying the weekend in my mind and wondering what was going to happen tonight that I kept screwing up all the simple tasks I was given. Nurse Barbara was not amused.

  She finally sat me down at a computer at the nurses’ station and told me to do data entry. It was boring as hell, but at least I wouldn’t have to interact with anyone.

  I practically flew out of the hospital when my shift ended. It wasn’t until I got to my car that I realized I’d forgotten to sign out on floor two. Shit. With an irritated sigh, I jogged back over to the hospital entrance and rode the elevator to the second floor.

  “Everything okay?” Nurse Evie asked me. “Your face is flushed.”

  “I’m losing it,” I muttered. “I was at my car before I remembered I needed to sign out.”

  “What’s the rush? Big date?” she asked conspiratorially.

  I was starting to suspect that Nurse Evie was a huge gossip.

  “I’m going to my boyfriend’s house tonight,” I said, try
ing to sound nonchalant.

  “I didn’t know you were dating anyone. What’s he like?”

  “Hot.” I grinned.

  “But not as hot as Dr. Reynolds, I’ll bet,” she replied.

  I had to bite my lip to keep from laughing. “Probably not,” I managed to choke out.

  “Well, you’ll have to show me a picture sometime. Have fun.”

  “Bye,” I said, heading out the door.

  If only Nurse Evie knew the truth. She’d go berserk!

  I got home a little after six, grabbed a shower and stuffed some clothes into my backpack. I was so excited to see Michael again that I was physically shaking.

  Maryanne was watching me get ready, an amused expression on her face.

  “I wish I had some sexy pajamas!” I wailed, tossing my sleep shorts and a tank top into the backpack.

  “Methinks you mean lingerie,” she corrected me wryly. “Sexy pajamas is an oxymoron. Besides, what’s it matter? You really think you’ll be clothed for any length of time?” She raised her eyebrows.

  I laughed. “Probably not!” I slung my backpack over my shoulder and took one last look in the mirror, smoothing down my hair with one hand.

  “You look great, as usual,” Maryanne tried to reassure me.

  “Thanks. I appreciate everything. And I swear, I won’t abandon you every night. I’m going to have to get serious about studying again at some point, too.” I grimaced.

  “Relax, you’re in the throes of heated passion. Just go with it.”

  “Thanks,” I said again.

  “Now hit the road. You don’t want to keep lover boy waiting.”

  “See you in the morning!” I replied.

  Chapter 10

  As soon as I knocked on Michael’s door, he opened it immediately and his face dissolved into a grin. We were hugging and kissing before I could even get inside.

  “Lana, I couldn’t stop thinking about you all day,” Michael whispered into my ear.

  “Likewise. It was impossible to pay attention in class, and being at the hospital without you there was agony!”

  “I wanted to come surprise you,” he admitted, “but I had a packed schedule today.”

  We sat down on the leather couch and I ran my fingers up and down Michael’s arms. He was wearing a fitted black top and shorts. “You’re so hot,” I said softly.

  Michael leaned forward to kiss me again, and like yesterday, I melted into his embrace. It was slow and sensual, our mouths and tongues moving in rhythm together. I knew where things were headed when he unhooked my bra and pulled up my shirt, kissing and licking my nipples. I was moaning in pleasure. We both jumped at the sound of the doorbell.

  “Shit!” Michael said. “I completely forgot. I ordered Thai food. Do you see what you do to me, Lana Luna?”

  I loved it when he said my name.

  Michael stood up. “The delivery person is either going to think I’m extremely well-endowed or realize that I’ve got a massive erection,” Michael said wryly, trying to adjust his pants as the doorbell rang again.

  I giggled. When Michael went to answer the door, I leaned back into the couch and inhaled deeply, liking the lingering smell of Michael’s skin against mine. I heard the door shut and pulled myself off the couch to join Michael in the kitchen.

  “Wine?” he asked me.

  “Sure, why not?” I smiled, sat down at the table and began pulling the containers out of the bag.

  “I remembered you said that Thai food was one of your favorites,” he told me.

  “Of all the random things we’ve discussed, I’m surprised you remember that,” I said.

  “I actually have a very good memory. I’ve found that most of my colleagues are the same way. I guess it’s something that doctors have in common.”

  “I’ve never really thought about it that way,” I said slowly. “I remember everything people tell me, as well. I just assumed it was because my memory was average and theirs was shit.”

  Michael laughed. “You’ll make the perfect pediatrician.” He paused. “Do you want to have children of your own?”

  “I don’t think so,” I said uncomfortably. I didn’t want to lie to Michael, but I couldn’t tell him the real reason why: I could never pass my cursed existence on to an innocent child.

  “Really?” he asked in surprise.

  “Oh, I don’t know,” I hedged. “I’ve got a long time to figure it out. I do like kids, but no telling if that will change once I’m seeing sick children all day, every day.” I gave a strained laugh.

  “You’re young. You have plenty of time to decide. Sorry if I made you uncomfortable.”

  “You didn’t,” I assured him. I looked down at all of the containers on the table. There was a ton of food! “Is this just for us or are you feeding the entire apartment complex?”

  Michael grinned sheepishly. “I never got a chance to ask what your favorite dishes are, so I just picked a selection. I may have gone a bit overboard.”

  I took a sip of my wine. “We’ll be eating Thai food for the entire week,” I joked.

  We piled our plates high and went in the other room to eat and watch a movie. “You should pick,” I told him. “I did last night.”

  Michael opened the cabinet and rifled through DVDs. “Hey, have you ever seen The Lost Boys? It’s from the 80s – before your time, I know – but it’s a classic.”

  “No, but I know it’s about vampires. I’m game for that.” Normally, I don’t watch movies or shows about supernatural creatures. It’s a stark reminder of who I am, that I’m not fully human. But tonight I didn’t care. I was safe here with Michael, and besides, doesn’t love conquer all? Maybe I had just been paranoid for all of these years, and I didn’t really need to worry about my future.

  After we finished eating, we took our plates to the kitchen. “We didn’t even make a dent in it!” I exclaimed, laughing.

  “You should take it home tomorrow,” Michael suggested. “Would Maryanne want it?”

  “She’s on a perpetual low carb diet, so I doubt it.”

  “I’ll see if the nurses want it then. Some of these boxes aren’t even opened!”

  “Nurse Evie will have an even bigger crush on you,” I warned.

  Michael stepped closer and put his arms around my back, pulling me to him. “What, you scared Evie might steal me away?”

  “I won’t let anyone steal you away from me.” I leaned back and looked up at Michael, eyes blazing. I wanted him to know that even though we were joking around, I was deadly serious about that part.

  “There’s no chance in hell,” he whispered before his lips were on mine. We didn’t finish the rest of the movie.

  With every step we took, laughing and kissing and touching each other’s bodies, one more piece of clothing came off. By the time we’d reached the bedroom, we were both naked.

  I lied down, waiting for him to come back. But when Michael returned, he whispered, “Why don’t you go on top?” Seeing my hesitation, he said, “I promise you’ll like it. I’ll tell you what to do.”

  Michael lied down on his back on the bed. “Straddle me,” he instructed me. I positioned my body over his and sank down onto his erect cock. I leaned down to kiss him, and with his hands on my hips, he guided me to go up and down on top of him, slowly at first, but then hard, pounding.

  All worries of feeling exposed left my mind. “Lana, you’re so good at doing that,” he said. I was out of breath, but I didn’t stop. Our heated, throbbing union was begging for both of us to finish, to have the ultimate release.

  But Michael held my hips, slowing my movement. “Slow down, baby,” he moaned. “I don’t want it to end yet.”

  I was beginning to understand that part of the fun was bringing each other almost to climax, then cooling things down and doing it all over again, until you finally lost all willpower to stop and you both finished.

  So that’s what we did that night. Spent hours touching, rubbing, licking, doing everything that would
take us so close to the edge and then fighting like hell to come back.

  “I’m on fire, Dr. Reynolds,” I said playfully. “Maybe I need an exam.”

  “It sounds like it,” he said huskily. “A full body exam.”

  Michael slowly started kissing all over my chest. “I’m going to check every inch of your body,” he told me. When he got down to my thighs, I knew what he was about to do.

  “Wait,” I said.

  “I like eating you out,” he told me with that wicked grin of his.

  “Me too. Fuck, you have no idea how much I like it. But we should cum together. I’m really close,” I said. “Just pound me.”

  He moaned and was back on top of me in record time. Neither of us trying to restrain ourselves, our bodies moved together; both of us knew the other was getting close and we weren’t going to stop it this time.

  We came at almost the same time. That pure rush of euphoria and release of all that tension.

  And then, like the night before, I fell into a deep, satisfied sleep with Michael’s arms around me.

  Chapter 11

  I didn’t wake up until my alarm went off on Tuesday morning.

  “What time is it?” Michael asked groggily.

  “Just past six,” I answered.

  “Time for me to get up, too.” Michael leaned over to kiss me on the forehead. “I’m afraid Tuesdays are my late nights at work. I offer after-hours appointments for the patients who can’t get there during the day. And I have to stop by the hospital afterwards. I probably won’t be home until after ten,” he said apologetically.

  “That’s okay.” I tried, unsuccessfully, to keep the disappointment out of my voice.

  “You could still come over,” he suggested. “I could swing by and pick you up after I leave the hospital.”

  “Yeah, but your office is in the opposite direction from school,” I reminded him. “You really want to take me all the way back to campus in the morning?” I asked.

  “Well, no.” Michael laughed. “But I want to see you, and that trumps everything else in the entire world.”

  “I want to see you too,” I whispered, “but I should probably do some schoolwork tomorrow. I’m getting behind,” I admitted. “And if I start spending every night here, Maryanne might disown me.”