by C. J. Corbin
I buried my face into his neck and sobbed.
"I left to give you some breathing room. I don't want you to run away from me. I don't want to ever hurt you."
I looked up at him and said softly, "It hurts me when you leave. Especially since I didn't understand why you were doing it."
"I'm scared of losing you." He said it so quietly it was barely a whisper.
Michael was scared too. Maybe what Christina said to me was correct. Are we both scared? My big self-assured man was scared.
"Please don't tear down the eagle stand. It means too much to me. I learned my lesson. I won't climb it again. I promise."
Sighing, he said, "I'm not. I talked to the rangers and we're going to change the type of ladder and lock it so the access is limited. But, I’d appreciate it if you didn't climb it right now. I'm sorry baby, for treating you the way I did when we arrived home. The last forty-eight hours have ripped me apart and I overreacted. I don't want to control you. I hope you know this."
"I don't mind you being a little controlling. I understand it's part of your nature, but I can't have another Kevin in my life. And I'm sorry I was so stupid. I was dumb to climb the tree. I was an idiot to put our little muffin's life in jeopardy, even if it was to save Ethel. I’d have never forgiven myself." I shuddered, "And, you wouldn't have forgiven me either."
Michael put his finger over my mouth, "Don't go there, Elizabeth. Don't dwell on what didn't happen. I thank God you're okay and our baby is too."
I nodded and tucked my head back on his shoulder. I felt secure in his arms. This is where I belonged. My heart was safe in his hands.
His fingers curled under my chin and he lifted my face to his. Michael's mouth was soft against mine and his small nibbles around my lips sparked heat through my body. Moving slowly, his tongue drew a line from my jaw to my ear and then the small teasing bites continued down my neck. Each nip was turning my body into molten fire.
I could feel his erection pressing through his jeans against my butt. This delicious assault was coming from the top and bottom. Slipping a hand underneath his shirt, I stroked his chest and flicked his nipples with my fingernail. With each brush of my finger, a low masculine growl came from his throat.
"Oh baby, what you do to me." His gasp was in direct response to my gyrating hips in his lap.
He lifted my sweatshirt over my head and he gave an appreciative groan when he saw I didn't wear a bra. His tongue swirled, sucking and teasing my nipples while his hands ran down my back. When he lifted me up to my knees straddling over him, I pressed his head against my breasts. The pull from his mouth made me ache with desire.
"Oh, baby I want you," I cried as I threw my head back.
My nails raked down his back and Michael groaned with pleasure. "There's my Hellcat."
Michael's hands slid into my sweatpants and grasped my butt. His fingers fluttered between my legs and he stroked me softly. The fire he created was consuming me, and the familiar molten sensation was building quickly. I arched up against his hand as my hips created their own desperate rhythm.
I reached down to release his throbbing hardness from the confines of his jeans, and he caught my hand. "We need to do this on the bed," he rasped out. "I want to take my time with you."
He stood up from the couch with my legs wrapped around his muscled hips. As he carried me into the bedroom, my mouth captured his with hungry necessity. Slipping past his parted lips, our tongues danced an erotic tango.
He laid me back on the bed and stood above me. Reaching down, he slipped the shoe off my right foot and then removed the boot from the other foot. He winced as he brought my foot up to his lips and kissed my ankle tenderly. Tugging at the bottom hem of my sweats, he slowly pulled them down over my legs and tossed them to the floor.
"Now where were we?" He said as he knelt with one knee on the bed.
I wagged my finger at him and wickedly scolded "No."
His eyes quickly startled.
Lifting my right foot, I touched the outside of his jeans where the hardness of his arousal was more than evident. "Off," I hissed.
His mouth curved to a decadent grin. "Oh, you want these off?" He taunted as his fingers traced the top of the zipper.
"Slowly," I breathed, sitting up to watch.
Inching closer to him, I placed my fingers over his, and he tugged the zipper down. The opening revealed he was commando and I felt a thrill that this meant he’d definitely rushed over to see me. I laid a kiss on his exposed flesh and reached around him to push his pants down. His hands were no longer on his pants but now he ran them through my hair.
His straining sex sprang forward and Michael let out a harsh groan as my tongue licked the hot pearl of liquid on his tip. He stepped out of his pants and pushed them aside. While I gripped him firmly and pleasured him with my mouth, I looked up and his eyes were closed, his breathing shallow. The thick hard muscles in his chest barely moved and I could feel the tightness of his abdomen. He was my man and I was greedy for him. I wanted to share the joy I felt being with him. My own body ached for his fiery touch.
I glanced up again and his eyes met mine. Written there was the passion he felt for me and the look he flashed heated my body to boiling.
"My love," he murmured, "lay back."
I did as he asked and he kneeled on the floor lifting my legs over his shoulders. His tongue laid a trail along my inner thighs with kisses until he reached the wet juncture of my legs. I was desperate for him and my hips writhed and arched up to meet his lips.
He splayed his hands over my belly to still me. His tongue slowly circled me, tantalizing me closer to the fire. Trying to stay still took every ounce of control within me. My breaths were coming in little agonizing gasps. His two fingers entered me slowly while his mouth continued to torment me. The pleasure was intense and my body undulated under him.
"Scream for me baby. Give it to me." His silky voice hummed as he sheathed his fingers inside of me.
A frenzied explosion of exquisite sensation took me into the flames. I cried Michael's name over and over, as I burned and became ash. The overwhelming spasms kept coming as he continued to milk the pleasure from me until I felt him on the bed next to me.
He held me in his arms and I whimpered against his chest trying to catch my breath. His fingers tucked under my chin and lifted my head. His eyes shone with pure love. The fire between us was still alive. His kiss shared that passion with me and as his tongue met mine with hungered urgency. His kisses were intoxicating and my body responded with that familiar urge. I wanted him. Deep inside.
I pushed him over to his back and straddled him. His grin welcomed my motion. I gyrated my hips against his swollen hot flesh as the wetness from me coated him. His hip arched against me and he closed his eyes tightly.
"Oh, baby," he whispered when he opened his eyes. His hands wrapped around my hips and guided me slowly down, inch by incredible inch, finally sheathing him.
I threw my head back and moaned with the unbelievable feeling of fullness. The delicious pleasure surrounded me. I moved against him in unspeakable ecstasy as he released my hips to reach up and roll my nipples between his fingers, making them rosy hard peaks.
We moved together. We were one. There was no separation between us. He began to thrust up against me and I felt the warm heavy sensation building. His breathing was as labored as mine was. He sat up and wrapped his arms around me, careful with my injured shoulder. With little effort, I was soon on my back with my legs wrapped around his back. There was nothing slow about him as he entered me again with one deep thrust. He sank himself into me repeatedly setting the pace which I answered with my hips as I lifted to meet him.
I was so close. He was close. Our frenzied breathing said everything.
He ground out, "I want to hear you, my Hellcat."
My nails scored down his back. All it took was the subtle circular movement of his hips and I came in explosive waves. Screaming with unabashed abandon, I rode the crest of pu
re pleasure. He slowed as I continued to convulse around him.
My breathing was harsh, "Oh baby," I exclaimed. I looked him straight in the eyes as my hands gripped his ass and my nails dug into his soft skin. As prompted, he plunged himself deeply and with each penetrating thrust, my hands urged him on.
He groaned in blissful agony and stiffened in my arms. His harsh moan of satisfaction calling my name was sweet music to my ears as he released into me. My body held him tightly and I could feel his shudders going through me like waves until he collapsed in my arms.
We were both beyond sated. We rested in that special post-coital bliss. Michael held me close to his body with my head snuggled on his shoulder. I drew lazy circles across his chest, curling my fingers into his hair. He, in turn, stroked my back gently and turned toward me, lifting my face to his lips. His kiss was sublime. It wasn’t a kiss of passion; we’d had plenty of those. This kiss was one of contentment and utter happiness.
“I love you baby. I want this forever,” he whispered.
“I do too. I never want to be out of your arms.”
“Let’s get married next week. We can run off to Las Vegas. No one needs to know. No plans,” he suggested.
“And disappoint all of our friends?”
He frowned, “I don’t want to marry our friends. I want to marry you.” He touched my nose. “Why, are you afraid?”
“I’m not afraid.” I breathed deeply. “Bring it up tomorrow, okay?”
He laughed, “Okay. I will. Don’t be surprised if I do.”
“I won’t.” I kissed him and snuggled back into his shoulder. “Wasn’t it great what Christina did?”
“What did Christina do?”
“Buying a house for Jason and Tammy down near Stanford, and paying their expenses.”
“Yeah that was really great of her.” He chuckled.
I heard something in his voice. I propped myself up on my elbow and looked him in the eyes. “What are you not telling me?”
He grinned, “Nothing Elizabeth.”
I poked him on the chest. “Come clean. There’s something else going on here.”
“Well, in the interest of full disclosure…” he trailed off.
“It’s you.” I said simply. “You’re the one who is doing it, not Christina.”
“Well…” he confessed and the color rose on his cheeks. “Don and Debi would have never accepted it if they thought it was coming from me. It would have been a matter pride. They’d have felt obligated to match what I’m doing, and I know they’re in no position to do that. Jason is going to make a great doctor and I’m pleased to be able to help him. It makes Tammy happy too.”
“You are an amazing man, Michael Hoffman. It makes me happy to know you’re mine.”
His cheeks colored again. “It makes me happy knowing you’re mine.” Pulling my face toward him, he captured my mouth and softly kissed me. “Are you going to take your new car for a test drive tomorrow? I’ll help.”
I groaned and buried my face into his chest. How could I accept a new car? A very expensive car. He was far too generous.
He stroked my back, “If you don’t like it, we can get you a different model. The Land Rover is safe and it's a car you know.”
I propped myself up, “You didn’t need to buy me a new car. I have the little Saturn too.”
“Oh no! That little car is a deathtrap. Besides, you can’t get a baby car seat into it very easily.”
I conceded, “The Land Rover is very tempting. And it's beautiful. Michael, you spend too much money. Everyone is going to think I’m marrying you for your money.”
He laughed, “Baby, very few people know how much money I have. I don’t even spend much time thinking about it. Christina does a good job of helping me manage my investments. My photography brings in a good income, but with the money from Christina, I’m able to give my daughters a good education, set a life up for them, concentrate on conservation efforts, and spoil my fiancée.”
“I’d like to spoil you, too.”
“Oh baby you do, in so many ways.” His voice was smoldering
I cast a wicked glance at him, “Oh? Can you elaborate?”
He rolled me over to my back and lay against me, his knee parting my legs. I could feel the stirring evidence of his arousal and he lowered my hand to touch him. I caressed him and his body reacted quickly.
My body responded the only way it knew.
CHAPTER FORTY-THREE
Michael was already moving around the bedroom when I awoke. He had a towel wrapped around his waist and steam was coming from the bathroom.
"Good morning beautiful," he said as he leaned over to kiss me. His face freshly shaved was soft and he smelled heavenly of his body wash. "Would you do a favor for me and put this on before it gets lost?" He held my ring between his forefinger and thumb.
I took it from him and slipped it on. "Sorry." I looked contrite.
"Are we still engaged?" His blue eyes held humor and he sat on the bed next to me. His towel opened on the side exposing a tantalizing view of his lean hip.
"Of course." Rolling my eyes, I ruffled my fingers through his wet hair and giggled when he sprayed wet drops on me.
"Have you set a date yet?" I knew he was joking with me, but there was a hint of seriousness behind his question.
"How about next year this time?" I ventured.
"When? He exclaimed.
"This way the baby fat will be gone." I explained. "Christina showed me a dress I fell in love with, but I have to be rail thin to wear it."
He kissed me. "Babe, you’re not fat and it doesn't matter. I don't want to wait a whole year. I was thinking next week. No baby fat now."
I threw the covers back and pointed to my swelling belly. "Look! I've got a pooch here."
He bent over and kissed my belly. "It's a beautiful pooch." While he smoothed his hands over my stomach, a luscious warmth spread over me. "I love your pooch. It's not that big, Elizabeth. I can barely see it." He grinned at me, "I gave you the pooch. I own it!"
Rolling my eyes again, I lifted his face up to my lips and kissed him. He was intoxicating. "Yes, you did, and yes, you do. I wouldn't trade my pooch for anything in this world."
I pulled his towel loose and gave him a heated stare. My hand moved up his long muscular thighs. His expression changed to intense and sultry. My blood began to thrum.
"So," his voice was deep, "You want more?"
"Always."
CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR
Michael thought it was a great idea to travel to Southern California together. He had a presentation at the zoo planned at the same time and was intrigued with the workings of the movie. He wasn't thrilled about staying with my dad, but when I told him, it would hurt my father's feelings if we didn't, Michael understood.
The cast of the movie had been decided and Raven Jay wanted me to meet everyone. Ostensibly, she wanted them to pick my brain about their characters. We met in Santa Monica at the production company's offices. Michael was impressed with the layout.
Raven Jay came running from the conference at the end of the hall when she heard my voice. "Elizabeth!" She waved. I received a big hug from her when she reached me. "Oh! This must be The Man." She grinned and enveloped Michael in hug too. "Oh yes, you’re a beautiful man."
His face colored completely. It was the first time I'd ever seen him blush so deeply. "Uh ... thank you." He shook her hand.
"What happened? Are you okay?" She pointed to my boot on my left foot.
"I sprained my ankle," I explained. "I'm okay."
"Come, lean on Michael and me," she offered.
I felt ridiculous and didn't need her help, but I didn't want to say no, so the three of us walked awkwardly down the hall. Inside the room sat the four main actors for the film, plus additional assistants, and Marissa. I had met all but the lead actor who’d be playing the part of Wendy.
With the addition of Michael to our group, the women became quite animated. I was used to the r
eaction women had when they met him. He not only had a graceful charm but charisma which exuded a sensuous sexuality. It was one of the first times though I saw he felt overwhelmed. He held my hand firmly in his as if I was his anchor.
After the meeting, as we rode down in the elevator alone, I teased, "There were some ladies who were major in lust with you." I wrapped my arms around his waist and kissed him.
His body visibly relaxed. "I was being undressed by eyes during the entire meeting."
"Aww...," I ribbed him. "My poor baby. Wanted by those beautiful people."
He laughed, "Yeah, I know, I'm only a sexual object. I'm your boy toy."
"Mmmm..." I growled into his mouth as I captured his lips. "Yes, you’re my man candy."
When we arrived back at the house, my father wanting his opinion about some of his bird photographs whisked Michael away into the house. I noticed the ivy plant ground cover on the side of the hill next to the driveway needed a bit of weeding. I grabbed a trowel from the garage and proceeded to pull weeds.
Ryan's truck came quickly around the corner and he sped into his driveway. It surprised me so much I looked up. He was dressed in his gym clothes and waved when he slammed the truck door.
"Hey Elizabeth! What are you doing here?"
I straightened up and waved back.
"Shit! What happened to your foot?" He loped toward me down the small hill that separated the two driveways.
"Just a small accident. I'm fine." I assured him.
He stood in front of me and wrapped me in a big hug. It took me by surprise, especially when his hands drifted south to my butt where they came to rest. That wasn’t comfortable at all. I reached around to remove his hands.
"Get your fucking hands off of her!" Michael snarled.
I turned in surprise to see Michael on the porch with my dad standing behind him in the doorway. Ryan dropped his hands immediately. Michael's face was apoplectic. I had never seen him in a rage until that moment.
He crossed the driveway in long steps. I held up my hands.
