by McCoy, SJ
She shook her head. “I'm far from perfect, Dan.”
“You're perfect for me. You can't say we don't fit together perfectly.”
She couldn't. Despite her concern when she'd first seen him without his pants, he did indeed fit perfectly. “We do.”
He stroked his hand up over her rib cage and circled her nipple.
“I thought you were going to let me have a break?” His touch felt so good, but she needed a little time before she'd be ready for more.
“Sorry. I did, didn't I?” He didn't look sorry at all, but he did stop stroking her breasts. She wished he hadn't. “Do you want anything? I have some beer and there's pizza in the freezer.” His face fell. “I was going to take you to this great little Italian place. I'm sorry. We could still go?”
She wrapped her arms around him and kissed his lips. “Don't you dare be sorry! There is nowhere on earth I would rather be than right here, in your bed with you. You can't seriously think there's a single restaurant in the whole world that would have been better than this? Let's have a beer and some pizza, and we won't have too far to go after our break?”
There went that smile again. “That's what I love about you, Miss. You're so easy going. Thank you. Come on, I'll get us that beer.”
She watched as he opened the fridge and took out two beers. He popped the tops and handed her one.
“Thanks.” He opened the freezer and she laughed when she saw it stacked full of pizzas and not much else. “Is that really all you eat?”
He gave her a sheepish grin, “No, but it's all I cook. We can order something better if you like?”
She shook her head. “You, beer, and pizza are all I want.”
He put his hands on her shoulders and smiled down at her. “Then you can have everything you want and as much of it as you'd like. What kind of pizza?”
“Whatever you prefer. I like them all.”
He smiled. “Unless they've got olives on them.”
He really had been paying attention. “I can pick 'em off if they're there. I don't mind.”
“Shall we go with a Hawaiian?”
She smiled and nodded, it was what she usually ordered.
While Dan got the pizza out, she wandered around the place—it was huge. Stark white walls rose at least twenty feet to the ceiling. A wall of glass looked out over twinkling city lights. The whole place had a minimalist feel. The kitchen had a large island which divided it from a huge living space with enormous black sofas, steel tables and the biggest TV screen she had ever seen. The place was...what was it? She could imagine it in the pages of a magazine, or as the reception area of some fancy office building. It was impersonal, that was it. She couldn't imagine Dan living here. It didn't feel like anyone lived here. It was beautiful. Expensive. But soulless.
She went back to the kitchen where he was setting the timer on the oven.
“Do you like the place?”
She wrinkled her nose. “It's beautiful.”
“But you don't like it?”
“It's not that. It just doesn't feel like a home.” Oh no. What was that look? She hadn't meant to offend him. “But then what do I know?” she continued quickly. “My home is furnished from the thrift store. It's full of Scot's junk, and mine. I'm the wrong person to ask.”
“No, Miss, you're right. This is more like a hotel room than a home. Your place is a real home, I just don't know how to make that happen. I never really had one.”
Missy came to him and slipped her arms around his waist. “You and Jack had it rough growing up, didn't you?”
He nodded. “Jack had the worst of it. He shielded me. At home and at school. I was pretty clueless.” He smiled. “Still am, I suppose. There was never any money. Mom worked. Dad drank whatever she earned. Neither of them were around much. Jack raised me and fed me. When Dad was there, he used to beat whichever one of us got in his way. Usually it was Mom, but when she wasn't around it was me. Jack tried to stop it whenever he could, but he worked too. He couldn't always be around.”
Missy looked up at him. He was so matter of fact. She could imagine him at Scot's age. So much like Scot—super-smart in some ways, clueless in others. Her eyes filled with tears for the boy he had been.
“Hey, I wasn't going for the sympathy vote. Don't look so sad, it's all a long time ago. All I meant was that I envy the home you've made for you and Scotty. A home isn't made from a building, or the furniture inside it, it's made from the people and the love that fill it. You and Scotty are both such amazing people, and the way you love each other is so very special. Your home is such a wonderful place because of that. It's something I've never known, that's all.”
The tears brimmed now, ready to fall. Dan rubbed his thumb under her eye. “Don't cry for me, beautiful, teach me.” He lowered his face to her, big brown eyes open and honest. They seemed to be pleading with her, but for what, she didn't know. His lips met hers in a slow, deep exploration. She kissed him back, hoping her lips could tell him that, whatever he was pleading for, she'd willingly give—if she just knew what it was.
***
Dan held her tight against his chest. Standing naked with Missy, kissing her in his kitchen, he was baring himself to her in so many ways. He wasn't afraid, though. He trusted her completely. He viewed trust a little differently than most people. In his experience when people talked about trusting someone, it meant they expected that someone to do what they wanted them to, conform to what they believed was right. Dan didn't expect anyone, especially not Missy, to conform to his ideas. For him, trust meant seeing and admiring a person for who they really were, and knowing that they would stand true to their own beliefs and what they thought to be right.
When he lifted his head from that kiss, her eyes still shone with tears. He rubbed his nose against hers and smiled. He wanted her to smile again. Not to feel sad for the boy he had been, but to feel happy with the man he was now. He held out his beer bottle in a toast. “I'll be honest, Miss. I'm hoping this is the first of many evenings we'll spend together. Perhaps over time you can teach me, have a little of your ways rub off on me?” She was so beautiful, smiling up at him as she touched her bottle to his.
“I hope it's the first of many too, but I think you've got more to teach me than I have you. I'm just a dumb hick-chick that never even went to college, remember?”
It seemed to bother her that she hadn't gone to college. “You didn't go because you were too busy doing something much more important. You were raising your son, and doing an awesome job of it. Do you know how many supposedly 'well-educated' people ruin their kids’ lives because they fail miserably as parents? College is just about a piece of paper. What you do is so much more important, it's about shaping a life. Scotty is a fine young man, and that's down to you.”
Missy shrugged. “He is a good kid. I think it's more about nature than nurture, though. I got lucky. When I look at some of his friends, I don't know how I would cope.”
Dan shuddered, some of Scot's friends baffled him. “I think it's nature and nurture, and I think you know it.” He brought his hand up to cup the back of her neck and smiled when she let out a big sigh and relaxed against him. “So, little kitten. No more false modesty. You are the best mom I've ever known, but for this evening we don't need to talk about how good you are with your boy. I want you to keep showing me how good you are with your man.”
She looked into his eyes, searching, questioning. He drew her closer, surprised how possessive he felt, how in control. He was her man and she was all his. He closed his hands around her waist and lifted her to sit on the island. Standing between her legs he hugged her to him.
“My man?” she whispered.
Sitting up here her eyes were level with his. He gazed into them as he rubbed his nose against hers. “I want to be. What do you say?”
“I say I'd like that, too.” Her smile didn't just light up her face, it lit up the whole room. Hell, it lit him up! He was hard again, very hard.
“Hold that thoug
ht.” He practically ran to the bedroom for a condom and had it on by the time he returned to his position between her legs. He scooted her to the edge of the counter-top and dipped his head to taste her. She was as ready as he was. Her hands met in his hair and she tugged. He slid a finger into her but she tugged again.
“You, Dan. I want you.”
No way could he resist that. He stood and held her to him, spreading her legs as he nudged at her, needing to be inside her once more. Her skin was flushed, she was so wet and willing as he thrust his hips, impaling her. She gasped as he plunged deep and hard. Her arms came up around his neck and she wrapped her legs around his. The feel of her full breasts against his chest spurred him on, her warm soft body yielding to him, her inner muscles tantalizing as they closed around him. She was so tight he'd feared hurting her, but she was so wet he penetrated her easily, her heat surrounding him, drawing him deeper. He felt her growing tighter, increasing the delicious resistance. As he drove deeper she gave him more of herself. He let himself go, needing to fill her, to possess her. His own climax took her over the edge, she gasped and clenched around him, their bodies becoming one in a blinding shower of pure ecstasy that pulsed through them.
His legs were weak as they breathed hard on each other’s shoulders. When he could finally speak he brought his lips to her ear and whispered, “Your man, Miss. And you are my lady, my beautiful, perfect, little lady.”
She brought her hand to his cheek and landed a kiss on his lips. He wanted to be the hero that could chase away the doubts that still lingered in her eyes.
Chapter Twelve
Missy rubbed at her nose, it was tickling. Then it was her cheek. She ran a hand across her face without opening her eyes. She wanted to sleep on. Now her chin tickled. She swiped at it then yawned and stretched; her bed felt so much more comfortable than usual this morning. Oh! Now her nipples were tingling. That felt so good. For a moment she enjoyed the sensations radiating out, settling as heat between her legs. Then her eyes flew open. Dan was smiling down at her, still rolling her nipples between his fingers and thumbs. The heat between her legs intensified as she took in his hard, naked body.
“I thought this might get your attention.” He smiled and squeezed harder, drawing a gasp from her at the exquisite discomfort.
“Morning,” she mumbled. “You definitely got my attention. Now what are you going to do with it?”
He covered her body with his own, awakening every nerve ending she had. She shivered in anticipation. He kissed her lips, but she pressed them shut, horrified at the thought of her morning breath. He grinned, seeming to understand and instead buried his face in her hair as he buried his hand between her legs. He stroked her, intensifying the tingling heat that filled her whenever he was close. He slid a finger inside her and nibbled her neck. How could she be this close to orgasm within seconds of waking?
“I want you, Dan.”
As soon as she breathed the words, his hand was gone. She watched him stretch a condom over himself. There was no question that he was awake and ready. He rested between her legs and looked deep into her eyes.
“Ready?”
She nodded, then caught her breath when he guided himself with his hand until he pressed into her. She spread her legs wider as he slowly slid deeper and deeper. He was so thick and hard. Last night his thrusts to plunge inside had been momentary pain that filled her with pleasure. This slow, steady, building pressure was something else. It felt impossible, yet it was happening, he was stretching her, filling her. The tiny explosions around the place where they joined threatened to combine into one. Once she'd taken all of him, he lost his restraint, picked up his pace and she came undone. The tiny explosions ignited a wild fire that tore through her being, searing every part of her. When the fireworks behind her eyes began to fade she felt him stiffen; his release demanded her response and she was carried away again, clinging tightly to him as he clung to her and moved her body with his own.
When they finally lay still she pressed her cheek against his. “Way to say good morning, hero!” She felt him shiver as an aftershock rolled through him and into her.
“I was hoping you'd like it. I think we should start every day this way.”
If only. She'd already accepted she'd probably only ever see him on the weekends he could come to the lake. Still, she'd happily make the most of any days they could start this way.
***
While Missy was in the shower, Dan ran down to the coffee shop to get them some breakfast. He knew she liked vanilla cappuccino, but wasn't so sure about pastries. He'd seen her eat Emma's muffins, so got some blueberry ones, and banana ones. He needed to get it right though, so he had them fill up a box with more muffins, and scones, and Danish. He had them add a couple of chocolate croissants, just in case. He dashed back through the lobby. He slipped into the elevator unnoticed, not wanting to waste any time getting back to her.
He let himself in to find Missy sitting at the island with a glass of water. She looked so tiny, sitting there. He hated to admit it, but she was right about being a country mouse. Her shoes were pretty, but well worn. There was a patch on her jeans where he remembered her tearing them a few weeks back. She'd said something at the time about needing new jeans anyway, but she'd fixed these instead.
“Hey, hero!” Her smile really did light him up. He felt like he could be a hero when she said it. He wanted to take care of her, make life better for her, easier for her, in so many ways.
“Hey, beautiful. I got us some breakfast.”
“Thanks.” He handed her the huge cappuccino. She took a sip and grinned. “Have you been taking notes on everything I like and don't like?”
He nodded. “Pretty much. I can't help but notice. Though the notes are only mental ones.” He put the box of pastries on the counter in front of her and opened it up. “I didn't have enough data about your pastry preferences, though. So I tried to cover all the options.”
Missy laughed. “Did you clean the place out? Looks like you bought everything they had.”
He gave her a sheepish grin. “Sorry if it's overkill. We can give the rest to Herb and the guys in the garage, but I needed to make sure you get what you want.”
She held her arms out to him and hugged him tight. “I already have what I want, and that's you. Plus you got my breakfast favorites. These little chocolate thingies? I love them, and I can only ever get them when I come here, or go to the city.”
Dan was thrilled by her response. He was also intrigued. “I don't know why, but I assumed you hadn't been to San Jose before.”
Her happy smile faded. “Oh, it's been a couple of years now. I was looking at schools, but it never worked out.”
“What kind of schools?”
She sighed and took a bite of her croissant. Dan climbed on the stool beside her and sipped his coffee as he waited for her to reply. She took a gulp of cappuccino, then said, “Don't laugh, but for the longest time I was trying to figure out how I could go to school to become a guidance counselor.” She laughed as though the idea was silly somehow.
“I don't get it. Why would I laugh and why didn't you do it?”
“I thought you might laugh, because you are smart and logical, and I'm sure you can see how the logistics wouldn't work.”
“What logistics are you factoring in? It seems like a great idea to me. I think you'd be an awesome guidance counselor.”
“Maybe, but first I'd need to get my Bachelor's degree, then my Masters. I could do all my placements at the high school in Summer Lake, I checked, but I could never find a Masters program that didn't have an on-campus element. I could never spend that kind of time away from Scotty, so eventually I let go of the idea.”
The look on her face said she'd never really let go of it, just resigned herself to the fact that she couldn't make it happen. Dan's mind began working through the options. It seemed logical and fairly straightforward to him. “So why don't you work on your Bachelor's degree online for now? That would take a
couple of years. By the time Scot's ready to go off to college himself, you'll be ready to do your Master's.”
Missy nodded. “That's the conclusion I reached too.”
“But?” He could see there was some obstacle to it in her mind, but he didn't understand what it might be.
She smiled at him. “But nothing, hero. I'm getting there. Now. Would you pass me another of those chocolate thingies? They are wonderful.”
Dan passed the pastry, knowing she'd deliberately avoided answering, but not wanting to push for an explanation she didn't want to give. Was it the money?
***
Missy let go of Dan's hand once the wheels touched down on the runway at Summer Lake. His eyes twinkled, even as he rubbed his fingers to encourage the circulation to return. “Sorry.” She gave him a shamefaced smile.
“No problem. That's what heroes are for.” He cupped his hand around the back of her neck and drew her face towards him. “I know you don't like flying, but I'm glad you braved it to come with me.” He rubbed his nose against hers. “I'm hoping you'll get used to it over time.”
Missy hoped the same. She'd had such a wonderful time with him last night, and this morning. She hoped they'd be spending more time together. She didn't really care where and if it meant she had to fly in this scary plane to see him, then she'd do it. It was a small price to pay. “I don't know that I'll get used to it, but I'll keep braving it. I know I can't expect you to come here all of the time.”
There was a definite twinkle in his eyes now, and she could only describe his smile as mysterious. She didn't get chance to question him though as Smoke's voice came over the intercom.
“Here we are folks. The FBO guys tell me the others are waiting. So, it'll be a quick refuel and then we'll turn around and get you ladies to the city.”
Dan grinned. “Are you looking forward to shopping?”
She nodded. “It'll be fun. I need to see Scotty before we leave though.” She gave him a quick kiss. “And I wish I'd still have your hand to hold on the way.” She really never had seen such a beautiful smile.
