Mission For Love (Love By Design Book 6)

by M. C. Cerny

  David was needy and relentless pinning me to the bed the second time, and on the third he had no qualm of tearing my stockings off at the thighs so he could feast on my lady parts like he missed the last few Thanksgivings. He revealed to me exactly how thankful he could be and then showed me mercy by tucking me under his arm as I dozed off to dream world both of us disheveled and half clothed.

  ***

  I woke early out of habit and scanned the room in the predawn light. We’d gotten back to David’s place sometime around one and fell asleep sometime before three. My tummy rumbled and my legs protested at being stretched in varying degrees. His warm hand cupped my breasts barely filling them up. I’d always been slender and tall. David made me feel incredibly petite. His breath was even and slow, but heating up the back of my neck and I needed to leave sooner rather than later to avoid any awkwardness about the morning.

  After rounds of amazing sex, we ended up doing shots of tequila for some ungodly reason playing twenty questions. None of which, I remembered. Definitely time to go.

  I slipped out from under his arm listening to him snuffle in his sleep. Turning, I watched him for a full minute before delicately padding to the door backward in my booted feet. I didn’t see a pen or paper in his neat apartment so I went without leaving a note. What would I have said anyway? I made it without having to take off my princess slippers and revealing my secret. It wasn’t about protecting David or my sensibilities, but because I needed something unspoiled about this special evening.

  With my focus on my job and getting my girls track team to sectionals I couldn’t do more than this. A new school year was always insanely busy and I was considered new faculty in my third year. Last night was wonderful exactly as it was and while I might regret walking away someday, I needed this for now. Besides, I knew he lived here.

  I slipped out the door feeling a little reckless and thief-like as I let the door lock in place behind me. I rested my head against the frame for a second and then pulled up a local car app on my phone the college kids frequented. Luckily, a driver was two minutes out and I would be on my way.

  I was almost to the landing when a door opened and tiny little red head peeked out startling us both.

  “Oh heavens!” She shouted and I shushed her as I looked back at David’s door.

  “You lost, darling?” She asked with a faint southern accent and I grimaced a smile.

  “No, just on my way to a ride.”

  “You uh, entertaining with one of the Easton’s?” She eyed me up and down and I didn’t quite appreciate the early morning side eye. Sore muscles and little sleep on an empty stomach did not present the best version of me.

  “Not that it’s any of your business, but yes. I’m leaving now.”

  Her eyes narrowed and she huffed. “Don’t let the door split ya where the good lord made ya.” She shut her door with a loud thump probably aimed at waking David. I didn’t stay to find out as my phone beeped signaling the driver was here and waiting.

  What a bizarre morning in my sleepy little town.

  5

  David

  After the shit I’d seen on duty, sleep was hard to come by night after night. But a few beers, the wind on my bike, a good woman underneath me, and I was down for the count. No weird dreams, no auditory hallucinations of bombs going off and no worries about waking up shouting the building down. The last time that happened I terrified our barmaid Remington who came running up the stairs banging on the door until I answered in my boxers scaring a few years off her life.

  Sure it was funny now. We joked about it, but it didn’t change the fact that it scared the shit out of me. That girl was the little sister we never had, and after Andy’s ex-girlfriend, it said a lot that I trusted Remington. I liked her as a person and felt protective of her.

  The shots of tequila last night helped too.

  Along with multiple orgasms.

  So this morning when I woke up alone in a cold bed without a soft woman next to me, I admitted a strange disappointment. I had hoped my date would have let me buy her breakfast, mimosas at the bar, or drive her home. Instead she slinked out of my apartment all creepy like leaving me here to figure out what went wrong.

  Had we not connected? Was it something I said? Did I really have dragon morning breath? I’d never know because she was gone.

  Not even a note.

  And believe me, I looked.

  Scoured the apartment.

  Part of me wondered if I even imagined her being here at all sitting down on my bed, picking at rumpled sheets. I sniffed my pillows inhaling, a light perfume, a little sweat, and a mix of caramel and tequila. If it wasn’t for the scrap of her shredded black stockings, I would have thought she was nothing more than a sexy figment of my imagination.

  Damn, I really messed up because I didn’t even get to see her gorgeous body. Now that was a crying shame. Maybe next time I could coax her to take her boots off and let me thrust into her all slow like. I enjoyed our wild hand grabbing sex fest, but I missed not knowing what a slow kiss would have been like. Her soft lips pressed against mine versus her sexy whimpers and the kitty claw scratches scoured on my hip and shoulder.

  Though if I was completely honest, the real disappointment lay in when I asked her if I could get to know her better, I hadn’t been talking about sex at all. The sex was good. Damn good, but I would have been content to hang out, talk, then do those ridiculous tequila shots which left my head pounding. That was a dumb idea I’d spend the rest of today paying for.

  Monday was the start of a new job, another chapter in my life and I left it sadder not knowing if I would ever see Kia again. The groan I released sounded more beastly than human and I toyed with the idea of using my computer skills to track her down. It wouldn’t be too hard. I was sure her friends bought drinks before I showed up at the bar and if any of them used a credit card I could trace the receipt. Sure, because going all in stalker mode might impress her. Idiot.

  I rolled out of bed because I had a full day of helping Andy with the computer issues for the bar and a supply order I couldn’t have Remi drag in all by herself. That girl was lucky if she was an even hundred pounds soaking wet.

  I showered the cobwebs from my mind under hot water and changed into clean boxers, sweats, sneakers, and a t-shirt. The bar had what Andy called, a brunch hangover menu of light breakfast items and mimosas or Bloody Mary’s. He’d make this pub stay in business forever if he could and it made me proud. My little brother did good.

  I opened the door heading downstairs not fully paying attention as red hair and softness came barreling into me. “David, Jesus!”

  I grunted from the impact of our spritely mermaid looking barmaid. “Good morning, Remi.”

  “Rough night?” She asked having to crane her neck up at me. I released her shoulders from my hold as she steadied herself. I didn’t miss the part accusing glare and the heat in her cheeks.

  I rubbed hand over my head and face looking up at the ceiling before I could face her again. “Ah, I’m sorry. I had a guest over last night. I’ll be better about that.” I promised feeling like I just told her Santa Claus wasn’t real and that grown-ups made babies when they married and loved each other very, very much with special hugs.

  Remington was the kind of innocent that made you question all your life choices and the last thing I wanted was to embarrass her or feel like I tarnished her in some way. Bad enough a certain friendly cop was interested along with an idiot football player who was older enough for me to kick his ass if he stepped out of line.

  “She ran out of here earlier this morning when I was taking some trash out.” Remi stated, arms crossed, left foot tapping the floor.

  I clutched her by the shoulders again and asked, “Wait, you saw her this morning? What time did she leave? How did she look? Where did she go?” I couldn’t stop the questions from peppering out of my mouth.

  “Easy soldier.” She patted my chest and I let her go. “I saw her around six. She texted f
or a taxi. Seemed alright. Why? What did you do?” Her eyes narrowed and she sucker punched my heart the same way my mother did.

  “Remington, I think I found the one.” The words shocked me coming out of my mouth. Never did I give in to romantic notions. I now knew I could track her down through the taxi service because we only had two in town. Easy peasy, lemon squeezy.

  Remi chuckled and tugged on my arm walking downstairs and into the back offices of the bar. “Well you’re either hungover or not drunk enough. Andy has the good stuff in his office. Come on.”

  “Well, look at what the cat dragged in.” Andy snickered as he leafed through papers and receipts.

  “And all night long, thank you very much.” Remi chided. Her face was full on fire matching her red hair, but there was no point in rehashing the details.

  “I’m sorry.” I admonished myself under their wide eyed stares.

  “No. This is good.” Andy waved and we backed out of the office following him to a table inside the bar. Remi didn’t have to work Sunday brunch today so I guided her to the table with us. Pedro brought us drinks and plates of breakfast appetizers.

  “When do I get to formally meet the screamer?” Andy shoved a piece of bruschetta with eggs and bacon into his mouth chewing.

  “Don’t call her that. It’s complicated.” I chuckled sipping carefully on the mimosa. I was still feeling the effects of last night and even my legs felt weak at the memory of my beautiful Supergirl rocking on top.

  “It’s complicated because he doesn’t have her number.” Remi shared picking at a breakfast stuffed pretzel bite dipping it in a sausage gravy. Those were my favorite and maybe one of Andy’s more interesting pub menu creations. She sipped at her drink and I seriously wondered if she was old enough for the alcohol in the mimosa. Andy loved his stray cats and so far Remi was the longest resident of apartment 1A. I could find out, but I liked her enough to let her keep her secrets.

  Andy barked a laugh. “Right. Take note, Remington. That’s like a direct challenge for this guy. He could have her background check in thirty minutes if he wanted.”

  He was right, but that didn’t mean I wanted to breach her privacy. If Kia had left without leaving me a note, maybe I needed to heed that and see if I saw her again at the P&D. Letting fate work as opposed to my mad hacking skills would also be a nice change. Plus, I was definitely too drunk to get into this when I started my new IT administration job tomorrow over at the high school.

  “Well it doesn’t matter. She left.” I shrugged wondering what I could take to settle my stomach. I could go for a run on the trail, but I was afraid of puking my brunch up.

  “Are you broken hearted over it?” Remi sweetly asked popping a strawberry in her mouth. I noticed a few patrons fixated on her, including Evan and my body rumbled involuntarily with a growl. He must have been coming off nights as he sat down to eat.

  “No, but considering my bed is over his, I’d say she broke something else.” Andy rolled his eyes.

  “Dude, don’t be gross.” I punched my brother’s arm forcing him to shut up. I expected a comment like that from Damien not him.

  “Just stating facts, bro.” Andy said.

  I smacked my lips reigning in my anger as best as I could. “Stick to brewing beer and being bitter about your ex.” I tossed my napkin on the table and stood up to have a chat with Evan. I’d let him know Remi was off limits and then I’d go back to bed in my sweet smelling sheets and see how long it took to forget the girl from last night.

  6

  Kiara

  There was something obscene about waking up on a Monday morning still hungover from the Saturday night. I snuck out of mystery man’s place like a thief in the night. I’d never even taken my boots off after our hot sex session. I skipped church, and brunch with my sisters.

  Please, God forgive me.

  I called out of my family dinner nursing a headache. For which my mother did not forgive me. Alicia Roberts put me on notice and blast forcing me to silence my phone once everyone on speed dial got the memo I was perfectly fine. They called relentlessly. No need to mention imbibing far too much and the walk of shame that followed in the strangest taxi ride across town. The car smelled like a little too much like jerk chicken and my stomach rolled the entire ten minute ride. My driver told me his kids were both in college here locally. He showed me their pictures along with his lovely wife. He told me they opened up a dry cleaner in town if I ever needed anything pressed. He handed me his card as he dropped me off and I staggered inside pulling all the blinds shut. I definitely wasn’t going anywhere today, not even for a sedate walk on the trail.

  Strolling into school today proved to be difficult at best. I hadn’t had this level of dehydration since training for the cross country championships in eleventh grade before my life went to utter shit. I vowed to never drink that much again, and I spent extra time this morning stretching out all the kinks I could because my traitor body still felt him.

  Him.

  That massive, beautiful specimen of man I left without a goodbye. It was probably best that this weekend’s escapades were a one-time deal. I hadn’t dated since my last serious boyfriend and I chose to not dwell on that ever again. I finally got my lady mojo back. Even my curls were perkier from the way he made my body respond.

  I daydreamed about the heat of his bike between my thighs despite the chilled air. I shifted back and forth on my feet unable to ease the ache. He wrapped me in his leather jacket and handed me a spare helmet securing it gently under my chin. He took the turns slow and revved the engine on the straightaways like he knew exactly what it was doing between my legs. Sweet torture.

  “Ms. Roberts?”

  “Huh?” I turned at the sound of our high school principal Dr. Cesar Payne forcing a smile on my face. I might desperately need to fan myself if thought about David. I was too young to claim hot flashes and this wasn’t the proper place or time for that. Instead, I pulled my cardigan tighter around me, rush of hormones be damned. This guy wasn’t the worst to have as an administrator, but he definitely had the worst timing. I pulled my sunglasses off my face and regarded his demeanor. Serious. Shoulders back. Clearly on a mission of sorts.

  “Dr. Payne can I help you?” More like pain in the ass and I grimaced.

  “We’re having a meeting this morning to introduce some new staff. As you know our IT administrator took on another job downstate for a tech company and our history department needed a new AP advisor.”

  “Of course.” I muttered not entirely sure what that had to do with me. I taught physical education, health, and coached the girls varsity track team and cross country runners.

  “Good. Staff lounge during the freshman fourth period lunch.” He bobbed his head up and down, brushing past me as I saw my friend, Amber Granger come from the opposite hallway. She carried a basket of red apples like she was going on a picnic. In fact the basket seemed to weigh about half her size.

  “What was that about?” She asked watching him saunter away as she handed me an apple balancing them precariously. I took a second one that was about to roll out of her hands.

  “New staff introductions during fourth period lunch.” Intimidated, we watched him saunter away. Mr. Payne was after all our boss.

  “Oh yeah. I heard a rumor the new computer guy is hot. He’s like brick house hot. The AP history guy not so much.” Amber took a bite of her apple chewing loudly.

  “I guess that’s something.” I shrugged as more of a question then a general comment.

  “Something?” Amber pressed.

  “What?” I joked. “Ignore me, I’m still slightly hungover from Saturday night.” And in the middle of a sexual fantasy where I stayed in bed with David all day yesterday instead running away like a scared rabbit.

  “Oh yeah, that was nice of that guy to buy our drinks. Will you see him again? I was worried when you left.” I was glad Amber came out on Saturday, she was probably worse than me not dating as she made active plans with her knitt
ing club. No judgement, but for a new librarian in her early twenties, she also owned three cats and I worried about her too.

  “He was nice, but we didn’t exchange numbers.” And commence that self-kicking and punishment. We both stared down the hallway humming. That kind of summed up our current state of mind.

  It wasn’t like I could date either of the new faculty. The school might not have a policy about relationships, but I had my own rules clear as a bell. No dating co-workers. I didn’t have time for the drama as I navigated the hormone filled hallways of my students. Maybe after tenure I’d connect with someone. It wasn’t unheard of, but I wasn’t jumping into the drama pool of a high school teacher hookup. My focus was on my students.

  “What are the apples for?” I put mine into my messenger bag as she pulled me along toward her domain of the library.

  “Remember how Ms. Roome would get them at the beginning of the school year for all the teachers?”

  “Yes.” I thought about Ms. Roome fondly. The elderly secretary was a sweetheart and passed away last year over the holiday break. She’d worked for the district for forty-four years tirelessly managing the front office. Everyone missed her and the apples where a tradition it seemed Amber was taking on.

  “It’s not the same without her. She used to stand in the hallway every morning when the kids got off the buses until the second bell.” Her shoulders moved up and down sadly. “So I thought she could start the year with us if I passed out apples like she used to do.”

  “That’s sweet Amber. I think she’d like to be remembered that way. Now don’t let Payne see you.” She sniffed as I patted her shoulder and headed toward the locker room. I crossed my fingers Dr. Payne didn’t see her break down as he seemed extra tough on Amber.

  I was hid in my office working on the training plans for my cross country team until I taught second and third period gym. Volleyball and Basketball were offered this cohort and it gave me a chance to sit on the bleachers and direct the kids. Since these were freshmen and sophomores, they played well together and I didn’t have to chase too many girls out of the locker room due to hair and makeup emergencies. The boys sweated like little savages and by the time fourth period rolled around, I ate those two apples and my hangover was gone.