Catch You If You Fall (Burnouts Book 2)

by Karen Gordon

  When it faded MG asked, “Do you remember the time you got arrested for me?”

  He laughed. “For stealing the Hamburglar from McDonalds.”

  She laughed too. “You have to admit, it was a very cool, ironic idea.”

  “Only it was bolted to the ground and weighed a ton.”

  “We probably should have waited ‘til they were closed.”

  “Ya think?”

  “You really were my partner in crime.”

  He smiled at her.

  “I know what you said last night, but … I don’t want to think that we’ll never be together.”

  He allowed himself to feel hope for a minute before forcing himself back to reality. “Babe, come on, how would that work?”

  She shrugged. “I don’t know. One of us would move to be near the other.”

  “You’re in college, so I would have to move here, and then what? I don’t see any warehouses around here.”

  She huffed out frustration. “I don’t know. OK? I don’t have an answer either. I just want to be with you. My whole world is better when I’m around you.”

  He pulled her in close and kissed her temple. “That’s one of the best things anyone has ever told me. And believe me, my world is one hundred percent better around you.” He hated her defeated look. “Who knows, maybe in a few years, when you graduate …” He couldn’t finish the sentence because he couldn’t think of a scenario where this would work out.

  “I’m under a lucky star, ya know? If you’re with me you are under it too.”

  “I know that. I’ve been there with you before.”

  “Like the night you spent in juvie because of me?”

  “It wasn’t a big deal. I met a few guys in there who knew Stony. I’ve got connections if I ever go to jail.”

  They sat on the bridge ‘til the sun started setting, filling in the holes of the time they were apart. He described Carrie’s wedding and the twins and Nick. And he got out his cell so she could put their friend’s phone numbers in hers. As horrible as they were, the attacks in Manhattan were bringing everyone back together. No matter what direction each was moving in, they now saw the value in holding on to what they had in the past.

  Chapter 21

  Steve lay on MG’s dorm room bed, quizzing her from her text books.

  “OK, name the guy who starred in The General?”

  “What? What book do you have?”

  He looked at the cover. “Understanding Movies.”

  They had stopped by her dorm so she could change clothes and put some makeup on before the benefit concert.

  “Come on, this is in like the third chapter, aren’t you supposed to know this stuff?”

  “No. I mean, yeah, I guess. I haven’t read that far yet.” She took the book from him and threw it under her bed where it might remain for the rest of the semester.

  He looked under the bed and reached for another text book. “Principles of Economics. Now this should turn you on.” He opened the book to a random chapter and was about to start reading when she slammed the book on his fingers.

  “Stop it or when I get to that chapter I’ll get all hot and bothered remembering you lying in my bed reading it to me.”

  He smiled at that idea as he pulled her down on to him for a kiss. “Then what would you do? Hmmm?”

  His voice sent a shiver through her. She kissed him back and rolled on to the bed next to him. “I’d think of your hands.”

  “My hands?” That wasn’t the answer he was expecting.

  She laced her fingers with his and rubbed them along her cheek. “Because I love your hands.” She leaned down and sucked his index finger into her mouth, pushed it in all the way to the knuckle, then caressed it with her tongue as she slid it out. He watched her through hooded eyes.

  “And what would my hands be doing?” His voice was quiet and seductive, drawing her into the fantasy.

  “They would be warm, under by sweater.” She moved his hands to her breasts. She wasn’t wearing a bra. His devilish smile reminded her how much he liked her without a bra. He gently kneaded them, bringing her nipples to peaks. She moaned softly and leaned into him.

  “And I would think of your neck.” She kissed him there and nuzzled him with her cool nose. “Because I love the taste of your neck.”

  “Oh, yeah? Anything else you love the taste of?”

  She unbuttoned his shirt and kissed her way down his chest. “Your chest.” She nipped at his nipples and he jumped back and sucked in a breath. She kept kissing her way to his stomach, stopping briefly to flick her tongue in his belly button, and he laughed. She knew he was ticklish there. “Stay still so I can finish my fantasy.”

  “You’d have clothes on in your fantasy?”

  “Well, yeah. This room is way too cold for me to be naked. But you …”

  He laughed. “I’d warm you up.”

  “I know you would, we’re getting there. But I’d definitely start with getting you naked first.”

  He toed off his sneakers as she worked on his belt and the button on his jeans. When she got the zipper down and saw his erection through his boxer briefs she licked her lips. “That,” she licked him through the fabric, “would definitely be in my fantasy.” He lay back with one arm behind his head, propping himself up so he could watch her.

  She ran her fingernails up and down his shaft a few times then used her hand to push his jeans aside. She knelt on the floor between his legs. His breathing was deep and heavy with anticipation. She bent her head and licked him from bottom to top again, wetting the fabric, then she blew across the wet area. He moaned and pushed his hips up, wanting more. She bent her head again and this time used her teeth to scratch along the same area. His legs tensed, and he sucked in a breath.

  “I love …” The head of his cock was now poking out of the top of his waistband. She flicked it with her tongue. “The taste.” She cupped his balls in her hand and gently pushed his cock higher so she could see more of the head. “Of this,” she smiled wickedly up at him, “best.” She licked across it then swirled her tongue around a few times like it was an ice cream cone.

  “You sure this is your fantasy and not mine?”

  She nodded her head while she was still licking. “And it’s just getting started.”

  ♪ ☺ ♥

  She gave him the most fantastic, agonizingly slow blow job ever, keeping him on the edge, laughing her wicked laugh, then deep-throating him and swallowing. Just when he thought he would die young of a heart attack from the pressure built up in his body, she reached behind his balls and pushed up, stimulating him deeper and bringing him over the top for an orgasm he felt vibrate from his head to his toes.

  The smug look of power on her face was priceless, as she looked down at his spent body. “Damn, I’m good.”

  He pulled her down on top of him. “Yes. You. Are.” It took all the energy he had left to say those three words. He lay there for a few minutes, swimming in the endorphin pool, rubbing her back, getting his heart rate and breathing under control. “And as soon as I can move again, you will so pay for that.”

  She rolled over and looked at the ceiling. “Promises, promises. I think you’re getting old.”

  He rolled on top of her and pinned her to the bed. “Old? Old?” He leaned in and kissed her. “You might have just sucked a few years out of me.” He kissed her again. “But I still know how to make you scream.”

  He propped a pillow behind her head, pulled off her jeans and panties, and adjusted her body just the way he wanted it. He wanted her comfortable, because once he got between her legs he was staying there ‘til he was satisfied and she thought she was going to die of happiness.

  The sun had set so he turned her desk light on and positioned it to face her body. It created a halo of messy blonde hair around her head and highlighted her hard nipples. He had pulled her sweater up but not off because the room was so cold. Shadows on either side of her hips formed a V of light pointing his way. He stopped and
stared at her, memorizing this moment.

  He kissed the arches of her feet where she was extremely ticklish, causing her to jump. “Stay still, we’re in my fantasy now.” She kicked out at him, so he pinned her feet to the mattress as he leaned in and kissed from her bent knees to her inner thighs. When he got to her pussy he breathed in. Oh, hell yes. His mouth watered knowing what was coming next, his favorite flavor in the entire world, MG.

  He wasn’t kidding when he said he knew how to make her scream. He had memorized the places that built her up and the ways to bring her over the edge. Then he had replayed it in his mind, over and over. She was his favorite fantasy for getting himself off.

  Only now, his fantasy was real and right in front of his face for the first time in years. He was so tempted to devour her and remind her quickly what he was capable of doing, but he reconsidered. He didn’t know when or if he would have her again. So he was going to take his time, and savor her taste, and the beautiful sound of her moaning and begging.

  The first orgasm was easy, and as she came down and started to sink into the mattress, he kept his tongue flat and pressed against her over-sensitized clit, waiting for the last aftershocks to subside. When they did he pushed one finger, then two into her and found her G-spot. He started slowly and gradually increased his speed and pressure. She was past begging now, only repeating oh fuck, over and over. He leaned close to her ear. “Is that what you want next? You want me to fuck you?”

  She laughed. “I won’t be able to walk for a week.”

  “Good.” He wanted her to remember this for more than a week.

  When she came, she did scream and scream. She’d never had quiet or polite orgasms. She clung to him, tearing at his shirtsleeve, her legs clamped around his head. Before she completely lost her momentum, he grasped his aching cock and pushed into her. He was going for number three and hoping to take this ride with her.

  Her eyes got wide, as all the inflamed nerves inside her made contact with him. He didn’t want to go too long, he was treading a fine line now between making her feel great and pushing for too much. He coaxed her to allow herself to come one more time. “Come on, babe. One more, come with me.”

  The start of her orgasm easily pushed him to his. The combination of her contracting around him, and moaning his name, and the look on her face were more than he needed. And as he came into her, the words started pouring out, “I love you, oh god babe, I love you.” Freely letting those out felt almost as good as the sex.

  ♪ ☺ ♥

  They were over an hour late to meet Randy and his wife, Camilla, at the concert. He took one look at them and easily figured out what they had been doing. They were both glowing like roman candles and couldn’t let go of each other.

  “So, who’s the guy?”

  Randy wasn’t sure how paternal he was allowed to be with her. He probably had no say in whom she dated, but he felt protective enough to want to know him.

  “Boyfriend from high school.” She turned and smiled in Steve’s direction where he was waiting in line to buy them some beer. “He drove here on his motorcycle from St. Louis to see me when the attacks happened.”

  Randy just smiled. He had to like a guy who clearly understood that his daughter was worth that effort.

  “You missed your friend Daniel, he played first.” She had told him about Daniel setting this whole thing up and what a great guitarist he is.

  She cringed. “Is he still around?”

  “I think so. I introduced myself and told him I wanted to talk to him later. He’s good, really good. I think I might know an agent who would be interested in him.”

  MG almost choked on the first sip from the beer Steve had just handed her. “Really! That’s great.” She thought of Josh and Austin constantly ripping on Daniel. “Really great. He’s a good guy; he deserves a break. He’s a local, you know.”

  “Yeah, he mentioned that. I kind of figured. He’s been working hard here tonight, and he plays and sings like someone whose life depends on it. You don’t get that from rich kids.”

  Steve sat down next to her. “I don’t think we’ve met.” He reached out to shake Randy’s hand. “I’m Steve.”

  “Randy Ulrich.” They shook hands and Randy smiled at him. He wanted to like this guy and sincerely hoped he would because from the way MG was looking at him, he had her heart. She didn’t love easily, so the guy must have worked his ass off to get to that exalted place.

  He introduced him to Camilla, and they all settled in to watch the show. It was a typically cool fall night, and MG only had on a sweater. When she got too cold she moved over in front of Steve and he zipped her into his jacket with him. Randy smiled at them and scooted closer to Camilla and wrapped his arms around her. She was pleasantly surprised and snuggled into his warmth. It felt good to be around MG and Steve. Young love is so contagious.

  Chapter 22

  For their last night together MG asked Steve to stay with her in her dorm room. It was freezing. With classes canceled and most of the students gone, the heat was turned low.

  As they clung together under her comforter on her tiny twin bed Steve asked, “Tell me again why we’re here and not in the heated hotel room with the big bed?”

  She moved over on top of him, plastering her naked body to as much of his as possible.

  “Because,” she squished the pillow around his head, “I want my sheets and pillow to smell like you. It’ll feel more like you’re here.”

  She laid her head on his chest and he readjusted her to a comfortable spot. Their relationship had changed, for the better, in the past few days. They were solid in their feelings for each other, and that was exactly what they both needed after their worlds had been blown apart. Knowing they had each other made putting the pieces back together seem much more possible.

  He would be home to plead for his job by Monday night. He hoped his somewhat spotty record over the past three years would keep him there–at least ‘til he could find another job. Because he had a plan now, a loose one, but at least a direction. He was going to make himself into someone MG deserved: a better job, no drugs, no smoking, his own apartment, and car. She actually deserved better than that, but it would be a start.

  She was breathing deeply against him now, her soft, warm body curled around his. Before he allowed himself to fall asleep he cataloged and memorized as much as he could of this moment. It was perfect. This is what he would work night and day to have again.

  ♪ ☺ ♥

  He had to leave early the next morning. He wasn’t going to push himself nearly as hard on the way back so it would take him two days. He promised that he would stop and sleep for a few hours and call at least once a day.

  MG had his number written in three separate places and in her phone, just to make sure she couldn’t lose it. He did the same. It was their lifeline now, their way of connecting to each other, and building each other up as they jumped back into their lives.

  When she couldn’t see him and his motorcycle from the sidewalk in front of her dorm anymore, she went back inside and lay down on her Steve-scented sheets and breathed in. His oversized Lynyrd Skynyrd tee shirt was balled up on the floor. She tucked it in her bed and pulled the covers up around it so she could wear it to bed that night. She allowed herself to feel sad but only for a minute. Anything more than that was stupid considering the circumstances. She looked up, imagining her personal lucky star and counted her blessings: Steve was back in her life, he loved her as much as she did him, they would keep in touch, her mom would be here to see her later today, and her mom was miraculously untouched by the attacks. The last one brought on another bout of survivor guilt. She’d told Steve that she could share her lucky star, and she wanted to believe that was true. After she changed clothe, she headed to the sorority house to see who was still there and if there was anything she could do to help.

  ♪ ☺ ♥

  The ride home gave him hours upon hours to think: about MG and about his plans. He needed to get h
is stuff from Amanda’s apartment. She would still be home all day on maternity leave, so he could also talk to her and lay their relationship to rest for good.

  He planned to ask Casey to make him a flyer to put up at work saying that he was looking for a roommate. There were over three hundred people that worked there, if you counted all three shifts, so there had to be someone looking for a roommate. It was an obvious solution but one he hadn’t thought of before. It was amazing the way his brain worked when he was motivated by love and not anger.

  He had no idea what kind of job to look for, because he had never excelled at anything, well, except women. There was probably a way to make money from that, but he didn’t know how to go about it, and it didn’t seem like the best job for getting himself back to MG.

  He called her while he was still sitting on the bike in front of his dad’s apartment.

  “I made it.”

  “You sound tired.”

  “I am, but I’ve got a few hours to sleep before I’ve got to go to work.”

  “Good.”

  “Is your mom there?”

  “Yeah, she’s taking a shower. We’re meeting Randy and Camilla for dinner.”

  MG had kept their motel room for her mom. He could picture her sitting on the bed, watching TV. It felt good to know where she was and all the people around her. It made being part of her life again feel real.

  “Sounds fun.”

  “It’d be better if you were here.”

  He smiled, because he knew she meant it. “Thanks.”

  “Are you at your dad’s apartment?”

  “Yeah, I just hope the couch is open.”

  “If not, just go over to Casey’s and crash. You know she’d let you.”

  His world had changed in so many ways since last week. He could go to Casey’s now if he wanted to. “Yeah, she would.” Maybe MG hadn’t been kidding about pulling him in with her under her lucky star because for the first time he felt like he had some options. “Thanks for reminding me.”