The only language of love she really spoke, the only one she really knew, was the one that didn’t use words; the one her body knew. Caressing his neck, kissing at his ear and blowing warm air against the curls that covered it. “Please, Michael,” she choked, barely audible as she pushed him back towards the bed.
Allowing her to take the lead, he half expected her to grow anxious, and use him in the angry fashion that had become her norm. To his surprise, she didn’t climb on top of him as she laid him back onto the sheets. Instead, her firm hands shifted into caresses of silk as they glided across him, tickling the hairs of his chest and sliding down the thin line that marked the path from his belly button to the portion hidden by his jeans.
Already naked, he relaxed and allowed her tendrils to explore him, as if it were the first time she had ever touched him. Lips soft, she kissed the delicate skin, sliding her bare flesh down his legs as she made her way until she found his hardness and grasped it firmly. A low moan escaped him, her tongue making its way around the tip of him in a slow, teasing circle.
It had been months it seemed since she had played this part, and she was consumed by the urge to do her very best; to use her skill to convey to him the things her heart cried to be exposed, things she longed so deeply for him to know. The things no amount of languages and no amount of words could reveal. This was all that she had, all that she knew, and all that she could do. This is what she was good at.
While pushing back more deeply into the pillow, Michael’s hands found their way to her head, weaving through the dark curls so that he could massage her scalp as she pleased him. Closing his eyes, he felt the waves wash over him when she pushed him down her throat, working him in and out of her mouth, her cajoling fingers massaging the flesh at the base of him and finding their way to the sensitive ridges below.
Mouth open wide, he panted at the sensations her touch produced, calling her name quietly, not to distract her from the place she was taking him. Her hands on his hips, grasping him, clawing for a moment, his urgency became overpowering as her firm, rasping movements pushed him over the edge and his full body began to tremble, him expecting her to pull away.
Holding her position, Tori drank him in and allowed him to remain inside of her as she guided him through his fulfillment. Rubbing the length of him with firm fingers, she continued to lick and tease, a small smile dancing on her lips.
Her toying delayed his softening, and she continued to catch him with a mock biting motion, overjoyed at the sounds he had produced and the expression that had contorted his face as she worked him.
Eventually relinquishing her grasp, she slid her body up along his, stretching out next to him, pressing the front of her bare skin against his side. Catching the sheet, she draped it lightly across them, and dug her fingers firmly into the pelt that coated his chest and obscured her name.
Michael allowed her to fawn over him for several minutes; fingers tantalizing his tingling flesh from neck to hip, and back again. His breath returning to normal, he caught her fingers and laced them with his own. Fighting to keep his words in line, his tone soft, “That was… surprising.”
“Yeah,” she agreed, keeping her eyes focused on the nipple she had been teasing. “I’m sorry.”
“Sorry?” he couldn’t keep the shock from his voice, and he shifted to hold her more tightly, “Sorry for what, baby girl?”
“I don’t love you enough,” she answered too quickly. Pausing, she allowed the words to turn in her mind for a moment. “What I mean is; I don’t say it enough. I don’t show you… enough.” A tear unexpectedly dropped from her eye, wetting his skin, and she sniffed slightly, not wanting to let on that she was crying by wiping at it, in case he didn’t know.
Michael had felt the droplet, and it startled him. Shifting slowly, he pushed his wife over onto her back, swiping her tresses away from her face. Catching her jaw with the tips of his fingers, he searched her misty blue eyes, looking for the truth he knew was hidden in them somewhere.
A second tear slipped from her eye, and he caught it, wiping it against her temple, “Why do you hide that you cry?” His voice tender, no anger or accusation to be found, “You know that you are safe here… with me. I would never do anything to hurt you.”
“I know,” she nodded slightly, “But tears are for the weak.”
Licking his lip, her husband adjusted himself, his flesh sticking to hers suddenly uncomfortable. “Who told you that?” he demanded, his voice only slightly raised, almost certain he already knew.
Her lip quivered, but she couldn’t bring herself to speak his name. “I know it isn’t true, ok? But it’s hard for me. I wish that I could make you understand.”
“You don’t have to make me do anything. I already do, don’t you see? Better than you will ever know.” He pressed his palm firmly against her, running his hand up and down between her ribs and her thigh. Leaning over, he laid his forehead against hers and closed his eyes. Drawing a deep breath, he exhaled it slowly, aware that she trembled as he held her.
“We gotta hang on, ya know? You and me… we’re a great team. Meant to be, we are. Don’t ever doubt it. Don’t ever forget it.” He kissed her nose, his right hand leaving her hip to smooth her hair. “Promise me, baby girl. Promise me you will always hang on?”
Keeping her eyes closed, she could feel his breath on her face as he spoke. His words reminded her of Enrique, and the first time anyone had ever spoken to her in that way. The first time she had ever been a part of you and me. But this time was different; she could feel it in her gut. “I promise,” she whispered in return, hoping that it was true and she would never forget to hang on.
Return of the Fury
Michael awoke the next morning to find his bride still pressed against him, with the sun peeking through the window, laying a soft glow across her delicate features. Nuzzling her gently, he used his fingers to trace the line of her until awoke enough to part her legs, and he could make his way inside.
Kissing and holding him, Tori felt relieved to find that the discomfort of the previous night had disappeared, and she could accept him in full. Wrapping her legs around him, she grunted and moaned, quite happy to be his wife and share his bed and his life. Looking up into his creamy brown orbs, she wished for a brief moment that they were back in a small town, in a giant house, and the day would be theirs to do with as they pleased.
Making their way into the bathroom afterwards, the couple showered and toweled off, sharing smiles and lover’s banter. Leaving her to her morning routine, Michael dressed, calling that he would see her downstairs in the restaurant. Peeking his head through the door, he prodded, “Is that ok?”
“Sure,” she smiled, “Half an hour or so.”
He grinned back at her, “Take your time, baby girl.” Slapping the door frame with an open palm as a farewell, he exited the room, whistling while he made his way down the hall.
Slipping on her bra and panties, Tori’s mind churned. An odd, euphoric state had settled over her, and she prodded herself not to ruin it, and to simply hang on. Pulling out the container as part of her morning ritual, she stared down at the rows of plastic. She noted that the prescription was almost gone, and would have to be refilled after her trip to see the doctor.
A small smile curled her lips as she contemplated the return visit, now only a few weeks away. After that, we get to try for a baby. If we want to, that is. Staring down at the near empty cartridge, her smile slowly faded, damn, second sugar pill. I’ll start today.
Deciding to put on a pad, she prepared for the arrival of her monthly visitor and pursed her lips at the irony. I never thought menstruating was such a pain, until I started getting them all the time. That taken care of; she threw on her clothes and went to cover her face before making her way downstairs.
Michael sat in the dining room, impatiently watching the door for her entrance.
Smiling, she took her seat at the extravagant table and cooed, “Did you order?”
“Ye
ah,” he stood slightly to allow her to move into her chair, “I got you the usual.”
Taking their time, the couple discussed the day’s agenda, expecting to have at least another hour before any of the other band members turned up. Tori could see the surprised expression cross her husband’s face before her brother grabbed the chair next to her, “Hey, guys, come on; we gotta go.”
Frowning, Tori demanded in a sharp tone, “What the hell, Danny? Go where? I didn’t expect to see you up and about this early,” the confusion clear on her painted features.
“Terry called my room. There’s been some trouble. We need to get over to your friend’s house, ASAP,” he panted, slightly out of breath in his rush to speak.
Tori’s heart froze, “What kind of trouble?”
“He didn’t say,” he waved his hand at them as he spoke. “He just said to get over to the Tates’ right now.”
Standing, the couple waved to the waiter so that he would add the bill to their room’s tab, and quickly made their way to the exit. Outside, Brian had already called for the car, and the three of them piled inside. “Where’s Collin and Cody?”
“I didn’t wake them. They each had girls with them last night, and I don’t figure they will want to be disturbed. Besides, we don’t have time to wait on them,” he leaned back into the seat, trying to mask his disheveled appearance by re-buttoning his shirt.
“Are those the same clothes you had on yesterday?” she demanded, concerned that he had slept in them. “Didn’t you have a girl with you last night as well?”
Staring out the window, he ran a hand through his nearly black hair, “No, I didn’t, not that it’s any of your business.” He shifted his eyes over at her briefly, nervously aware of the fit she would throw if she knew who lay in his bed.
The three of them rode in an uneasy silence, and Michael reached over to take his wife’s hand. Massaging it gently, he toyed with her ring, giving her a reassuring grin when she looked his way. “Relax, baby girl,” he prodded her gently in German.
Giving him a squeeze, she only nodded. The half-way house being quite a distance from their luxury hotel, it took the better part of an hour for them to traverse the distance in the morning rush of cars and people. Staring through the glass, Tori could see a dark cloud of smoke hanging on the horizon, looming larger as they drew closer to their target.
The dark smudge lingered, spoiling her mood as they drew closer. It had not moved, and only seemed to be dissipating, yet still hanging in the area where the massive Victorian stood. They had visited the stately structure only a week before, and the sight of the smoke in the air above the vicinity put her on edge.
“What do you suppose that is?” she finally indicated the thinning wisps when she couldn’t hold her thoughts in any longer.
Michael had noticed it as well, and sighed relief that she had finally spoken up, as he had not wanted to be the one to point it out, “I’m sure it’s nothing,” he reassured, thick lines furrowing his brow.
Making the last turn before the house, it became apparent that it was, in fact, not nothing, and the fire engine still sat in front of the lot. Exiting the limo halfway down the block, Tori broke into a dead run, headed for the house, or what had been left of it. Tears on her cheeks, she pulled up short, staring at the smoldering embers of the first true home she had ever known.
A hand clamped onto her shoulder, spinning her around abruptly, and she found herself staring into Brett’s green eyes, “What the fuck are you doin’? You damn well know you don’ go nowhere without us!”
“How the hell did you find us?” she stammered, utterly shocked to see him.
“We jumped in a cab an’ followed you.” Tightening his grip on her, he lifted his chin towards the catastrophe, “When did this happen?”
“We don’t know. Brian came down to get us, and we left in a rush. I’m sorry we didn’t let you know.” She looked over at him, relieved that he didn’t appear to be too angry at her lapse in judgment. Swallowing hard, she wiped her face, “We didn’t even know it was a fire until we got here.”
At that moment, they were joined by Terry, who pointed off to the side, “Everyone escaped. They’re all gathered over there.”
Pushing their way through the light crowd, Tori found the Tates, along with the rest of the residents, gathered at the back of an ambulance. They were being examined and treated as needed, most of them in a state of undress or night clothing. Sharon stood wrapped in a blanket, and the two women were immediately crying, clinging to one another tightly.
“Oh my God,” Tori breathed, “I was so scared.”
“I know,” her friend replied weakly, “But we’re ok. We got out, and that’s what matters.”
Holding the shorter woman loosely around the shoulders, “What the hell happened?” she demanded.
Taking a step back, Sharon didn’t reply. Staring at the young woman she had nurtured like a daughter, she pressed her lips together tightly, causing the skin below her lower lip to dimple heavily. Drawing air in deeply through her nose, she finally murmured, “They think it was arson.”
Tori’s jaw dropped, and she spun around wildly, her eyes taking in the crowd around them. Arson! If that were true, they were in trouble. And not just a little bit of trouble, either. The kind of trouble that only leads to one thing. Her mind racing, she knew they needed to act fast.
“I need a phone,” she stammered.
“See, I told you that you guys needed a cell phone,” Brian admonished as he handed her his device.
“That won’t be necessary,” Eli stated as he reached out to prevent her from using it.
Her mouth hanging open for the second time, Tori shifted her eyes up and down the man before her, “Holy shit, what the hell are you doing here?”
“Disobeying orders,” he stated flatly, “And we need to talk. But not here. We need to move away from this crowd and get to a more secure location.”
“Yes, let’s move to the shop,” Terry agreed, already nervous at the number of strangers surrounding them.
Piling into the limo, the group moved the ten blocks to the store in short order, Tori noting that Mason Hunt was among them as they entered the shop. Giving her a quick glance, he did not meet her gaze, and she understood that their meeting should remain a secret.
Moving everyone to the back of the store, Terry quickly moved to put Enrique on guard at the double doors, “That way we will have some warning if anyone comes looking for us.”
“That’s not good enough,” Michael interceded, “Lock the doors. Get these customers out of here, and don’t let anyone else in.”
Terry stared at the younger man for a moment, then nodding, moved to comply. Returning a few minutes later, he found the group scattered about his small work area, a motley crew at best. “Doors are locked,” he announced.
Tori glanced around the small gathering, taking everyone in. The Tates had been cleared by the EMT and had come with them after only a small amount of prodding. The rest of their household had remained behind, so it was herself, Michael, and Brian, along with the couple, her newest bodyguards and the three FBI agents, counting the retired one.
“So,” she demanded gruffly as she glared at the group, “Does anyone actually have anything concrete, as far as information goes? Or is it all supposition?”
Eli cocked his head at her, “Boy, you’ve gotten mouthy. How about a little respect?”
Tori glowered at him. “Someone burned down their house,” she opened a palm towards the couple. “We’re lucky no one was killed. If you know something about this, I suggest you speak up, right the fuck now!”
Clenching his jaw, Eli could feel his neck flush with rage. “You know, I’m not sure what I ever actually saw in you,” he spit the words at her, disturbed that she had become so different from the quiet and meek girl that he remembered.
“Yeah, well that makes two of us,” she stood up taller so she could look down at him. “What the hell is going on, Eli. Stop beating
around the bush and tell us what you know,” she called out loudly, aware that the man always seemed to be around when there was trouble.
“We don’t know anything,” Mason cut in. “Well, not much of anything.”
Tori looked over at him, still unsure if she should know him or not. “Ok, so tell me what you do know.”
Cutting his eyes over at the woman, still wrapped in a blanket, he shook his head. Switching to French, he spoke in a low tone, “They found you. And Eli’s right, we’re disobeying orders by speaking to you.”
“So what does that mean exactly,” she lowered her voice as well.
“It means we all have to make a choice at some point. Everyone does. We’re choosing to take your side,” he shrugged. “In the end, it will probably cost both our jobs, if not our lives.”
The girl stared at him, unsure how to react to his choice of words.
Seeing his wife at a loss, Michael hijacked the conversation with a grimace, “Yeah, we can all see how deeply concerned about everything the Feds have been.” His voice dripped with accusation, and it clearly took the newest agent in the room by surprise.
“You know, I don’t believe we’ve met. I’m Mason Hunt, Special Agent if you will,” he held out his hand as he spoke.
Michael stared down at the extension, unsure if he were actually going to shake it. Rocking his jaw side to side, he slowly raised his right appendage to grasp the other man firmly, “I would say pleased to meet you, but that remains to be seen.”
Mason laughed out loud, “Yes, I can see you are very protective of your wife. I know you’re probably not aware of it, but we’ve been shadowing you guys for a while.” He stopped short when Michael’s expression failed to change and glanced over at his partner. “Well, maybe you are aware,” he stated less confidently and swung his gaze to stare at the girl.
Nodding, Tori bit her lip, “Yup, secrets and lies. That’s all Feds are good for.”
“Now wait a minute,” Mason held up his right hand. “Let’s be very clear here. The enemy is out there. If we’re going to get anywhere, we all need to agree that we’re on the same side.”
A New Life Series - Finisher Set Page 48
