Slate

by Stella Marie Alden

  “Here. Just call her.” He puts his cell phone in my hand.

  I pick up my grimy, white cotton dress. “No, no. I need to go up there. Explain. Quick, give me your shirt.”

  While I find my sandals, he removes his jacket and unbuttons his shirt. He smirks when I eye his beautiful body.

  The shirt comes halfway to my knees and makes for an okay dress. “Can I have your belt?”

  “Yeah? Sure.” He turns as he pulls it off.

  Oh my God. I hadn’t noticed how his jacket and pants were shredded. Damn, that train was close. I throw my arms around him and press into his chest, covered in a tight black t-shirt.

  “Sign me out.” Kissing him soundly, I wrap his belt around my hips, and grab my purse.

  With just a little explanation, I bet I can keep my residency.

  He laughs, arms crossed over his chest and shouts, “After you’re done come down and find me. I’ll be waiting out front.”

  In the elevator, a young woman in pink scrubs shows me the now-viral video. In it, my face is in shock and my feet are in the air as Slate dives off the platform.

  “Thanks.” Shaking my head, I hand her phone back. Slate looks great. Me, not so much.

  I exit on the fifth floor and after inquiries, find my supervisor. Her head is in her tablet, not paying me any mind. I follow as she swipes to the next screen of patient statistics.

  She glares over her reading glasses, tone icy. “Glad you could make it, Ms. Starbird but our appointment was two hours ago.”

  Shit. I really am starting off on the wrong foot.

  “I, uh, had a bit of an accident.”

  She looks up at me and her face drops, “Subway girl?”

  “Ah, that would be me.” My smile is a bit awkward as I just stand there and she studies my makeshift outfit from head to toe.

  “I’m not sure how the board will view this publicity. However, unless you hear otherwise, you can start work tomorrow as planned. That is, if you’re up to it.”

  She gives me my first warm smile. “Go back to the emergency room. They’re waiting for you to check out. We don’t skip process around here, doctor.”

  I grin at the title I’ve worked so hard to earn. “Yes, I will. See you tomorrow.”

  Downstairs, Slate is waiting, a big grin on his face. “How’d it go?”

  “You called her, didn’t you?”

  “Possibly. And you just need to sign there.” He shoves a clipboard under my nose and a pen in my hand.

  When I look at the fine print about insurance, I moan. “Oh shit, I’ll be paying this until I’m sixty.”

  “No worries, I put you on my plan, the day you started working for me.”

  “But I…”

  “But nothing. Did you square your residency away with Doctor Davidson?”

  “Yeah. How did she even know I was down here?”

  “I may have mentioned your appointment to a volunteer who may have gone upstairs and informed them of your situation.”

  I hit him on the arm, but not too hard remembering the bruises I saw on it when he took his shirt off. “You should’ve told me.”

  “More fun this way.” He smirks as we walk to his limo parked in front of the hospital, idling. “We missed our lunch with the Pattens and they send their love. Where to, Miss Starbird?”

  Despite the fact I’m dying to see his Manhattan digs, I really need to go home. Tomorrow I start my new job and I’m exhausted.

  “Home, James.” I giggle.

  I’ve always wanted to say that.

  He chuckles and pulls into traffic.

  Chapter 22

  Slate

  “Hey.” Lilac gives me a huge grin as she waves my way and runs down the front stairs of the hospital and bolts onto the sidewalk.

  Her periwinkle scrubs are wrinkled as if she’s been in them for days and the lines are dark and deep under her eyes. Still, I’ve never seen her more beautiful. She jumps into my waiting arms and kisses me so warmly, my cock jumps to full throttle.

  “How’s my bodyguard?” Her grin speaks of a night of hot sex and I’m all in.

  “Fine, now that you’re here. You hungry?”

  “For you, yeah.” Her eyes search mine and my heart does all sorts of somersaults.

  “My place or yours?”

  “Mine is closer.”

  It’s hard not to get into an accident with her hand between my legs but I’m a professional. I got this. I park the car in the nearest garage and run with her to her apartment door, about to shoot off the lock, if the key won’t work any faster.

  Inside, I can’t wait any longer and kiss her against the wall, my knee between her leg, pushing up on her mound.

  Her tongue is down my throat, legs around my waist as she grinds down. If we don’t want to get arrested for indecent exposure, I got to get her up to her apartment.

  Decided, I fling her over my shoulder.

  “Hey!” Upside down, she reaches under my shirt and tickles my waist. “Put me down.”

  “Behave.” Already up one flight, I slap her behind playfully.

  In seconds, we’re outside her door. I waste no time unlocking the bolt and rushing her inside. Once there, I press her against the wall, pull off her top, and tug her bra down. Then, I’m all over her.

  Damn, I’ve missed the feel of her. An addict without his fix, I’m crazed.

  She matches my insanity, tugs off my t-shirt, and unzips my jeans. Using a toe, she reaches up and slides them down my legs, her mouth glued to mine.

  “Sweet honey.” I pick her up and walk her to the bed, pleased as hell it’s a studio apartment. I throw off my boxers and pull her cotton pants down along with her undies.

  Fully naked we touch each other all over, getting reacquainted in the way lovers do. When I can wait no longer, I reach between her legs and moan at the liquid fire wetting my fingertips, setting my fucking heart on fire.

  “Slate.” She spreads her legs wide. “Now. Me later.”

  I’ve never acquiesced to that kind of request but damn, I want her so bad, I might release like a fucking pre-teen.

  Slowly, I turn her onto her hands and knees and stand behind her. Holding her hips, I slide my thick, long length deep into her while she moans. I pull out all the way with a bit of a pop and press in again. I do this repeatedly, each time a little faster, a little further, the heat between us coming to a frenzy.

  “Oh fuck, come with me.” I reach my hand to her wet, swollen clit and press as I increase my rhythm.

  Her pelvis meets me thrust for thrust. “Ah, ah, oh, shit. Oh Fuck!” Exploding, she bursts apart, making me fucking nuts.

  My lower back coils, my muscles go taut, and then I angle into this perfect spot. “Lilac! Damn!”

  The whole fucking world explodes in colors, heat, sweat, and cum. Out of my mind, I collapse onto her while her pussy throbs.

  “Slate?”

  “Mmm.” I pull out, wishing I could stay inside her forever.

  I’m not sure how long I sleep but when my eyes open, she’s on her side, elbows up, the side of her head on her palm. Her kiss is better than coffee, formerly known as the best part of waking up.

  “Hey.” Stretching, I yawn, reach over and cup her cheek, to make sure this all hasn’t been some awesome dream.

  “Can I ask you something?”

  “Sure.”

  “Did you learn anything more from the FBI? Who paid the hired gun to kill the arms dealer?”

  I roll her on top of me, needing her closer. “The FBI think it was his partner, a man named Mohammad Griner.”

  “But why the hand?”

  I abso-fucking-lutely love the feel of her soft skin against my body. “Apparently, there was a safe and Griner needed fingerprints. Needless to say, he was furious when the hand was never delivered. I figure he held back final payment. That’s the only reason I can think why the hired gun would start stealing dogs.”

  “Dumb and Dumber must’ve told him a big white dog stole it
?”

  “I would guess so.”

  She makes tiny circles, playing with the hairs on my chest. “Just wondering, can we keep Buddy?”

  “His name is Dog.”

  “Buddy.” She tickles my armpits and I laugh.

  Finding the one rib that makes her crazy, I tickle her until she curls up in a little ball, tears running down her cheeks. “Ha, ha, oh my God, uncle. Okay, you can call him Dog.”

  Then, we make love at least three times but, honestly, I lose count. I just know I’m fully sated by morning,

  Epilogue

  Kennebunkport, Maine.

  I cut the engine and my new baby comes to a halt in the tiny airport. Up until now, the weather’s been clear, the wind out of the south but a storm is brewing. I wouldn’t fancy an emergency landing because there’s only thick pines for miles in every direction.

  “You sure Grayson doesn’t mind you taking his plane?” This is the fourth time Lilac has asked since we left Teterboro, just north of the city. From that, and the way she bothers her lower lip, I figure she’s nervous.

  “The plane is mine.” Jumping out of the pilot’s seat, I help her out of the Cessna.

  Her lovely face is surrounded with white fur, dark lashes dotted with snow. “Wait, you bought a plane?”

  “It’s not that odd, is it? After all, I am pilot. You ready for this?” I take her gloved hand, grateful that the Uber is waiting because this part of Maine is damned cold.

  “I guess so. I haven’t seen them since the intervention.” Her gaze looks to me for strength and I squeeze her hand before opening the door of the waiting Toyota.

  “Merry Christmas.” The older gent opens the driver’s side window and pops open the trunk.

  “Same to you.” I give him a smile, put in our bags, then hop in next to Lilac.

  “You folks from around here?” He pulls out onto the narrow road, the blanket of snow untouched except for us.

  “I am. He’s not.” She fidgets and I grab her hands and whisper “We can head to a hotel. Instead.”

  “No, I got this.”

  Soon we arrive at the home she grew up in. The two-story shaker box has a small porch, a sharply angled roof, and a historic marker that says, 1850. The bushes on either side of the door are covered in lights and the living room window has a real tree in the center.

  I open the screen door so she can grab the bright, gold knocker. She clunks it three times, then steps back.

  The muted conversations inside stop, footsteps approach, and the door opens. For a split second, I wonder if insisting she make up with her family was a good idea. The older couple in the doorway stares a bit awkwardly and she does the same.

  I bet her mother looked a lot like Lilac, thirty years ago. The gray-haired man beside her has dark eyes, high cheekbones, and light brown skin.

  All of sudden, like a dam bursting, they jump into a group hug. There’s plenty of tears and even my eyes get a bit misty. When they’re done, Lilac grabs my hand and drags me inside.

  “This is Alexander Slate. Slate, meet my Mom, Lilly, and my Dad, Standing Wolf.”

  “Nice to meet you.” Her father gives me a wink when no one is looking and I share a knowing nod.

  Then, we walk through the cozy living room, lit by the fireplace. Hand-crocheted blankets cover the backs of three overstuffed chairs and one long couch. At the eat-in kitchen, a formal table is set for four.

  Lilly points nervously, “Please sit, dinner is ready.”

  “Sorry we’re late. There was an accident in the city.” I pull out Lilac’s chair and after scooting her in, give her cheek a kiss.

  “Pish posh. You’re perfectly on time. The turkey just got done. You know how I always underestimate how long it takes to cook.” Her mother smiles kindly toward Lilac who nods her agreement.

  After that, wine flows, and her small family chit-chats about their lives. To me, it seems as if all is forgiven. I do note some topics are avoided, like when they last saw each other, but other than that, the meal goes smoothly.

  Her mom notices I’ve been quiet and tries to bring me into the conversation. “What about your family, Slate? Are you going to visit them?”

  Lilac’s brows crease and her eyes dart to mine, all concerned but she shouldn’t worry. Somehow, since meeting her, the past doesn’t hurt so badly.

  I put down my fork, swallow, and dab at my beard with a paper Christmas napkin. “My grandmother and mother live in Connecticut and they’re coming to New York next week. Lilac has to work New Year’s Day but we figure we’ll take in a show and all have dinner together. They’ve been bugging us to get upstate but it’s hard.”

  Lilac nods, emphasizing her words with a butter knife in the air. “That’s so true. I don’t get much time off. If Slate didn’t have a plane, we never would’ve made it up here.”

  That’s why I bought it.

  Later, when the pumpkin pie is brought out, I excuse myself. “I can’t eat a bite more but thank you. The meal was wonderful.”

  I finger the box in my right jacket pocket. It’s almost time.

  “Coffee?” Her dad’s brow’s raise and I nod.

  Lilac scrapes her chair and walks me into the living room in front of the tree. The Yule log burns on a wide-screen TV, a real one below it, in the fireplace.

  I’ve carried her ring around for a month, waiting for just the right time. I drop to one knee, gaze up, and the huge grin on her face gives me courage. “Lilac Starbird. Will you spend the rest of your life with me?”

  She squeals and throws her arms around my neck. Her kisses are so hard, my lips may bruise.

  When we come up for air, I ask, “I take it that’s a yes?”

  “Oh my God. Yes. Yes. Gimme that. Let me see.”

  Laughing I put the box in her shaking hand. “If you don’t like it, we can return it.”

  “We certainly will not.”

  The lid cracks open and she puts it on her finger but my heart stops when a tear drips down her cheek.

  “Hun, it’s okay. You don’t have to keep this one.” I pull her to standing in my arms, wondering how I chose so poorly. I should’ve let her pick it out herself.

  “No, you idiot.” She half-sobs, half cries as she holds forth the heart-shaped diamond. It sparkles, catching the multi-colors of the Christmas tree.

  “It’s just perfect and so are you. I love you so much.”

  “I love you, too” Well, shit. That wasn’t so hard.

  “Can we come out now?” Her mother peers out from the dining room, her dad right behind.

  “You knew?” Lilac puts her hand out so they can admire the stone and they hug.

  Standing Wolf gives me a slap on the back. “Welcome to the family, Alexander.” A month ago, I called him and asked his permission with the understanding he would never tell Lilac.

  She winks at me. “It’s Slate, Dad. Like Prince. One word.”

  Grinning, her father pops the champagne, Lilly pours, and we clink glasses.

  Lilly finishes her bubbly, yawns, stretches, and elbows her husband. “It’s way past our bedtime.”

  “’Night Mom, night Dad.” Lilac gives them a hug which I manage to artfully avoid by hitting the head.

  After a while, the fire burns low while her mom and dad’s snores sound from upstairs. We haven’t been together in over three weeks. Lilac was pulling doubles, then I was overseas.

  We’re both tired but in a good way as we sit, discussing all sorts of bullshit that doesn’t really matter but connecting the dots of our lives.

  She sighs and cuddles deeper under my arm. “I miss you.”

  “Right here, beautiful.”

  “You know what I mean.” Her soft lips invite much more than kisses.

  Taking my hand, she leads me downstairs to a kind of family room, where a futon has the sheets turned out. A Franklin stove crackles, heat pouring out from the front.

  There’s several thick comforters folded up at the foot of the bed and she smiles as I
finger them. “When the fire goes out, it’ll gets cold down here.”

  “You think so?” I chuckle, thinking of all the ways I’m going to keep her warm.

  “Maybe not.” She shimmies out of her jeans and warm sweater. In just her lacy underwear, she steps forward, pressing into my lust.

  “Damn, you feel good.” I unbutton my fly, releasing the pressure as she squirms, her hands sliding up my back, nails digging in.

  “You feel good-er.” Giggling, her face tilts up and my mouth crashes down on hers.

  A growl comes from deep within me as I pick her up and lay her on the bed. One finger catches the string of her thong and I slide it down her legs. She’s already got her bra pulled to her waist and is working on the clasp.

  I’d tear it off but know she’ll give me hell.

  “Let me.”

  She laughs, “Don’t rip it.”

  “I won’t.” With a flick of a finger, the hook releases and I go for those sweet orbs of perfect flesh. I’ve been dreaming of making love to her for three damn weeks, starting here.

  I suck one, then the other, until her pink nipples go hard. I can’t help but nip at one until she hisses. After soothing it with my breath, I kiss down the middle of her body and I fucking love the way she pants and spreads her legs.

  I kneel on the mattress and pull her legs over my shoulders. Her mound is a feast for my sore eyes. Lit by the fire, they’re pinker than I remember and wickedly slick.

  Oh yeah, she missed me.

  She tastes so sweet and responds to my tongue, blossoming. When she cums so sudden, my eyes go wide as I watch her fall to pieces. My cock swells, I place her heels on the mattress and quickly reach to free my jeans.

  There’s a condom in my pocket but she stops my hand with hers. “Merry Christmas. I’m on the pill.”

  “Sweet baby Jesus.” Not able to wait another second, not even to undress, I plunge into the depths of her.

  My eyes roll back in my head at the fucking sweetness of being one with her, skin to skin. Hell, I’m a lost man and it’s so damn good. I’m addicted to the high just seconds away. All my muscles are coiled and I bite my lower lip as I keep thrusting.