by Pandora Snow
"Cakewalk compared to the devastation and conditions of WWII," Dad chimes.
He continues sharing memories of his time in the war as Michelle, and I sneak subtle glances across the table. Do I ask her out on a date? Is that even appropriate? If our relationship continues progressing on a physical level, we'll have to go to her apartment. It's been so long since I've been intimate, my body is starting to ache at the very hint of possibility.
"Dinner was delicious, Miss Cummings. I'm tired from the day's activity. I think I'll turn in early tonight." Dad winks at Michelle. Way to be subtle, father.
The remaining leftovers are neatly stored in the refrigerator, and the pots are returned to the cupboard. The sexual tension envelops us both, her beautiful round cheeks waving in the air as she reaches down to put away the dish soap. I place my hands on her hips as she stands up, running them up her torso and back down her arms.
The rising of her chest as she takes a deep breath breaks my control. I spin her around and wrap her in my arms, pushing her against the back door and urgently kissing her open mouth. The line between employer and employee becomes blurred as she returns my passion, squeezing the tone muscles along my arms, and weaving her fingers into my hair. Her lips are amazing. I want them all over my body.
"Can I get a glass of…" Dad comes walking into the kitchen and stops mid-sentence. Michelle flushes red with embarrassment and quickly says goodnight, practically running out the front door.
"Sorry son, didn't mean to interrupt."
"It's ok, Dad. She's your caregiver; it's not appropriate for me to date her anyway."
"So, you plan to say single until I die, is that it?"
"Geez Dad, no, that's not what I meant!"
"You're a strong, able-bodied young man, and you need a woman to take care of you. Michelle is the first girl to come around in years. If you don't go after her, I will."
I laugh at Frank's frankness, getting him the glass of water and walking him back to his room. Dad's copasetic with me dating her. The question remains, what does Michelle think? She left in a major hurry, and I made her feel inappropriate. I'll try and get home early tomorrow night to ask her. The brief taste she gave me tonight leaves no doubt that in my mind; she's right for me, physically and emotionally.
CHAPTER FOUR
Work is insanely busy, the feel of Michelle's lips on my mouth nurturing me through the day. I'm blazing through testing and may have enough time for a workout at the gym, and with a sizzling sensual nurse.
"Nice to see you in a good mood, Everett, have a hot date last night or something?" Jackson has been with the lab for about two months and has picked up the necessary skills exceptionally fast. I'm bringing him up to speed to take some of the workload from my overburdened plate.
"Something like that," I reply as my cell phone buzzes. The call is from Clarence. "I have to take this, be right back."
Clarence and I met at boot camp, both of us fresh out of high school. We kept in touch over the years. When I heard he was living in Virginia after his tour ended, I decided to call in a favor.
"Hey Clarence, any news?" He's been looking for Drake for the last several months. None of us knows why Drake suddenly fell off the radar after returning home. He seemed to have his life together. Matthis has been worried sick.
"Ya, Everett. I found him. He's living in a small apartment close to downtown and working construction. That's all I know. At least he looks to be alright."
"Thanks, Clarence, I owe you one. If you manage to secure an address or phone number, let me know. I appreciate it."
"Will do," he says and hangs up. Something's not right with Drake, and I intend to find out. Brothers look after each other, through thick and thin.
The remainder of the day flies by before I notice it's already six. Crap, I hope I don't miss her. My body is on pins and needles, wondering if I'll get a chance for another kiss tonight. My heart rate drops dramatically as I pull up to the house and notice her car gone.
I have her cell phone number; I suppose I could call her. My chest heaves up and down in resignation. I'll check on Dad and hit the gym. I'll have another chance to see her tomorrow.
"You're a beast!" Tommy says, spotting me as I set a new personal best on the chest press. "What's fueling your sudden surge of power? I need to know your secret."
A fire engine red-haired emerald-eyed siren is fueling my aggression on the bench tonight. She left a neat place setting for me on the kitchen table and a warm plate in the oven. Dad said they had an enjoyable afternoon and that he was happy with her care. These signs are giving me hope we can date each other.
"Help, I think this man's having a heart attack!" a woman shouts from an elliptical machine. I run over to the grey-haired man, helping him onto the ground as he clutches his chest.
"Ambulance is on the way," I hear someone call out, checking the man's pulse and whether or not I need to administer CPR.
"My chest hurts, and I'm feeling dizzy," he coughs as a woman runs over and places her hands under his head.
"Do you take medication for chest pain, such as nitroglycerin?" I ask, loosening his weight belt.
"No, no medication," he responds in short bursts of breath.
"Do you feel any pain in your arms?" I ask, looking up. I've never been one to believe in fate, until this very moment.
"No, just my chest." The sounds of sirens draw closer as I direct the man to breathe at a steady pace. The paramedics are on the scene within minutes, instructing us to step out of the way and thanking us for our help.
Trembling lean arms wrap tightly around my neck, squeezing me for protection.
"Hey, it's alright. He's in good hands." Her tear-filled eyes look reverentially into mine. "So are you, Michelle."
Our lips meet with an eruption of force, both of our heaving chests releasing the adrenaline from the last few minutes. We're starting to cause a scene as the paramedics begin wheeling the patient to the ambulance.
"That's your secret!" Tommy says, slapping me on the back as he walks by with a telling grin.
"Do you want to come over to my place?" she whispers in a throaty voice.
"Let's go," I murmur with a low rumble, running my thumb across her swollen lips. "I'll drive."
CHAPTER FIVE
We gather our gym bags and I lead her to the jeep. Her hand feels so right in mine as I drive my clunky stick-shift while she directs me to her address. Neither of us says a word as she leads me up two flights of stairs to her apartment. We're crossing the threshold, literally, of our relationship. I'm ready to love someone, and to let them love me back.
The seductive mood is magical as we sway to hypnotic jazz music in her spacious living room. We allow our hands to roam freely over each other's lust-filled bodies. She turned on a small lamp near the windows as we walked in. The view of a tree-lined greenspace is creating a peaceful, serene environment. I'm excited, nervous, and aroused as I kiss her deeply, working my tongue through her inviting mouth.
"I'm sorry for the poor man who fell ill at the gym, but I'm thankful you were there to help him. I know I ran out quickly the other night, but I enjoyed kissing you. I'm enjoying the taste of your mouth even more right now."
Her hands are moving along my back and shoulders, massaging my tight muscles and relaxing my hesitations. I inhale deeply, the comforting scent of rose, relaxing my tension.
"I haven't been able to get that kiss out of my head. I wanted to call you and ask you for a formal date, but I wasn't sure how you felt. I'm sorry for embarrassing you in front of my father." I wanted to clear the air and make sure she knows I respect her boundaries. I'm sincerely hoping those boundaries are eliminated tonight.
"Apology accepted," she says in my ear, gliding her hands underneath my t-shirt and lifting it over my head. "Your shoulder muscles are tight, let me give you a massage." Damn.
I press her mouth firmly against mine for another deep kiss before letting her go. She takes my hand and walks me into her bedroom,
the dim living room light creating a sexy outline of her desirous curves against the wall.
"Lay down on your stomach," she instructs, "and close your eyes."
"Yes, Maam," I consent, smiling as she gives me a slight push.
The anticipation is killing me as I strain to hear the sounds coming from the other side of the room. The warming sensation of her hands placed squarely on my lower back causes me to groan with hunger. She's covered her fingers with vanilla oil, rubbing small circles from the inside to the outside of my spine.
"Damn that feels good," I mumble, relaxing even further as she moves towards my shoulders with slow, methodical movements. Her hands splay across my upper back, kneading her thumbs into the tight knots of stress built up from years of unrelenting strain.
"Your hands feel incredible. You know exactly where to touch me to release the pressure." I feel her sit back up as she straddles my ass, then slowly sweeps her bare breasts up my back.
"Lord, Michelle," I growl, my cock hardening as I press into the mattress.
Her hands grab my biceps as she smoothly slides her breasts across my skin again, this time more lightly. I feel her hard nipples skating along my damp muscles with extraordinary precision.
"You're pushing me to the edge of control, baby. I want to feel your entire body against mine." I quickly turn over, paralyzed by the goddess sitting on top of me. I clutch her torso in my arms as I sit up, her taut peak landing in my panting mouth.
"Yes," she whimpers, her magical fingers weaving through my locks. I begin slowly rocking her hips with my hands, pressing her parted legs against my enlarging ridge.
"I want to make love to you baby; do you want that too?" Every sigh, groan, and gasp is saying yes, but I need to hear the words. We're moving at lightning speed. I wasn't expecting this.
"Yes, Everett. You make me feel safe and protected. Every single touch of your hands is drawing me into you, and I don't want to stop. I want to know you. Make love to me."
Her sweet declaration turns me into a raging inferno. I hold her back tightly as I scoot off the bed and bring us both to standing. My hands slowly drag down the front of her body until I reach her yoga tights. My knees lower, taking the pants with me. I press my nose near her clitoris as her beauty is uncovered, inhaling the hypnotic scent of arousal.
"Fuck," she breaths out, grabbing my shoulders as the tights are brought to her ankles. I quickly unlace her tennis shoes and remove the remaining clothing. Her fingers are scratching into my scalp.
I lick, nip, and suck my way back up her inner thigh, placing her right leg over my shoulder. Her nails are beginning to scratch along my back as I reach the apex of her thighs. My nose follows a featherlight trail along her vagina, so close she can feel my hot breath. I hum against her increasingly wet folds, looking up at her hazy eyes as I lick my lips.
"Please, Everett," she calls out, tilting her head back.
"Please, what pretty lady?" I reply, flicking her clitoris ever so gently with the edge of my tongue.
"God! Please Everett, Please. Kiss me!"
The thought of the claw marks I'll have tomorrow from her nails digging into my skin sends my mouth ravaging against her slick mound. I aggressively draw my lips fully wide and then fully shut as her clitoris' tip falls from my lips.
She moans incoherently, becoming delirious for release as I continue my sensual torture. Her need to come is matched by my desperation to be buried inside her. I leave her apex vacant and stand up to take her mouth, her juices' erotic taste passing from my mouth into hers.
"You're so beautiful, Michelle," I say, sweeping her into my arms and laying her back on the bed. Her eyes glow with desire as I drop my gym shorts and boxers, kicking off my shoes and socks and crawling onto the bed's edge.
I pick up her right leg, placing kisses and nips along her thigh in another march towards her wet swollen folds. She's already squirming in anticipation as her hands begin clenching the sheets, my tongue flicking her clitoris with a feather's touch.
"Everett, please," she moans, my tongue sliding up and down her entire length before landing back on her pleasure zone.
I suck her clit gently at first, increasing pressure as my index and forefinger pierce her entrance. She'll need to be loose and wet for my penetration so my extended length doesn't bruise her. I feel the cheeks of her ass tightening as she begins rocking up against my tongue.
I feel like a god, giving her this level of pleasure. As much as I'd love to make her come like this, I want our first orgasm to be together, my cock filling her core to the root. My lips, slick with her sweet juice, press firmly against her mouth, causing her back to arch off the bed. My girl is hot, panting, and needy. Time to give her what she's craving.
I sit up slightly, staring intently into her glassy eyes. "Are you ready for me, baby?" I ask, opening the condom I discreetly grabbed out of my pocket and sheathing my pulsing cock.
"Yes," she mouths, her gleaming eyes affirming her consent.
My hips pull back and drive my cock deep inside, her responding sensual groan taking me high. My breathing rate increases as the silky feel of her wet folds overwhelm my senses. She's clenching hard against me, spurring me on to continue filling her stroke after stroke.
I feel all-powerful and completely vulnerable at the same time, giving and taking as the race to climax builds.
"Look at me, baby, look me in the eyes. I want to watch you come undone for me." I feel her tightening as she gives me her full surrender, crying out my name and convulsing against me.
"Michelle," I breathe quietly, releasing my hot cum in an ecstasy explosion, I still as her quivers continue rolling through her body and directly into my heart.
The weight of my heavy replete body presses her into the mattress, my elbows lifting to seal our union with a kiss. The tears of joy in her eyes break open my emotions. I feel empty, I feel filled, and I feel loved. Not only would I walk to the ends of the earth for this woman, but I would die for her.
We bask in bliss as endorphins weave an intimate connection between our bodies. "I can't stay, baby, I have to get home," I speak quietly. The comfort of her soft, supple breasts rising and falling against my chest gratifies me immensely, but I have to check on Dad.
"I know," she says, pressing my body up from hers. She sits on her knees as her long red hair falls around bare shoulders. "Promise me we can do this again, soon."
I can't resist cupping her bosoms, sparks of desire lighting me up all over again. "Very soon," I say, giving her one last intimate kiss before changing my mind and staying the night.
We dress in silence, and I drive her back to the gym. "See you tomorrow, Everett," she says in parting, my body already aching for more. I watch her car start and drive away.
CHAPTER SIX
Dad is sound asleep when I get home, the buzz of my phone breaking the silence. I don't recognize the number, but the area code in Virginia.
"Hello," I answer hesitantly.
"Hey, Everett. It's Drake," a familiar voice says with apprehension.
"Drake, geez man, it's good to hear from you." There's a hint of strain in his words as I wait for him to respond.
"I need your help." It almost sounds like he's in tears, spiking my heart rate as I walk into the kitchen for a water glass.
"Anything, what do you need?"
"I lost my job, and I've got nowhere to go. I need a place to stay."
"You're here, in Fort Bragg?" I say, shock clear in my voice.
"Ya, I looked up your address. I'm really sorry, Everett, but I've got no one else to turn to." That's not true, any one of the squad would take him in without question.
'Where are you?" I question, my voice commanding.
"The liquor store by exit thirty-six."
"I'll be there in ten minutes." He sounds like he's piled up more trouble than just being homeless. I grab my keys and rush out the door, unsure of his condition.
"We've been worried about you, man," I say, giving him a
warm brotherly hug.
"I'm sorry," is all he can say, too torn up inside to elaborate.
Drake follows me back to my house. His car is in reasonable shape, and he's clean-shaven, both good signs. He's reluctant to talk about why he left Virginia, telling me he lost his job due to feelings of overwhelm. I see the strain in his face and feel how wounded he is internally. I hesitate to ask the next question, almost sure the answer is the true reason he's here.
"Are you and Rebecca still together?" I speak calmly, monitoring his face for signs of emotional distress. Unfortunately, my assumption was correct.
