Not That Kind of Love

by K. S. Martin

  “Sure thing Bobby and thanks for this. I was just going to pay out the lease but this will really help me out.” I signed the end lease agreement. “I hope it’s okay if I’m parked in my old spot this weekend, I’m spending the weekend with Jamie.” He nodded.

  “No problem Mich, do you have your keys to turn in? Jamie gave me his set already.” I fished in my pocket and pulled out the keys laying them on the paper.

  “Bobby, do you happen to know where Jamie is? I was supposed to meet him but I’m early and I don’t have my keys to his apartment.” Bobby shook his head.

  “No idea, but I can let you in if you want.” I nodded.

  “I’m not feeling so great and I would love to lie down.”

  “Come on, while we are up there we’ll do the final walk through your apartment and you will be free and clear. I will give your check for the security deposit to Jamie later, I hope that’s okay.”

  “It’s fine Bobby.” We got off the elevator and went to my apartment. I walked through with Bobby while he checked off his clip board.

  “Looks great Mich, did you want to leave the chairs on the balcony?”

  “They were here when I moved in, they aren’t mine.” He chuckled.

  “Community property eh?” I signed the paper on the clip board and followed him out. Jamie’s door was still locked and Bobby let me inside. “I hope you feel better.” I thanked him and shut the door. I laid my things on the small table and went into the bedroom. I pulled my clothes off and lay down on Jamie’s bed. I fell asleep exhausted.

  Chapter 12

  A while later I heard Jamie come in and stir around in the kitchen. He came in to check on me and felt my head. I must not have had a fever, he didn’t say anything. Jamie pulled the blanket up higher on my shoulder and left. I woke later to the smell of food cooking. I inhaled deeply, it smelled like pot roast. I sat up to find a cup of tea on my nightstand, a set of comfortable pajamas was laid over the end of the bed with a thick pair of socks. I put the pajamas on and went out to find the smell that woke me. Jamie had his pink flamingoes on with a plain black tee shirt and an apron that said ‘Kiss the cook.’ I’d bought it for him before we were intimate. I was glad because now I could follow the directions. He was checking something in the oven. I recognized the oven bag that he used to make pot roast. My stomach gurgled and growled loudly. Jamie smiled.

  “I’m glad my cooking is appreciated.” He came around the counter with his oven mitts still on and hugged me. “Are you ready to eat, it’s done.” I nodded. “Go sit down and I will bring it to you.” I did as I was told. Jamie could cook no doubt about it. His mother taught all of them to cook, clean, and to do their own laundry. There were so many little Flanagan’s and with her husband frequently unavailable she needed the help. They all took turns at chores and that included cutting grass, trimming weeds, washing cars and turning a screw driver or painting a room sometimes. Each of them was fully capable of taking care of a household. I had even been roped into riding the mower, pitching in to help prepare dinner or cleaning a bathroom on occasion. I was just as much Flanagan as the rest of the kids, if you hung around you had to help. I didn’t mind, usually Jamie and I did whatever it was together. He was still a better cook though, he’d had more practice. The pot roast was one of his specialties but he didn’t make it often. The smell coming from the oven had me salivating. Jamie put chunks of nicely browned meat, carrots, potatoes and large fluffy biscuit on my plate. I could barely wait until he sat before I began to eat. Lately, after the restricted budget diet I’d been on, it wasn’t a surprise.

  “This smells wonderful Jamie.” I sniffed it.

  “Eat Mich, don’t wait on me and there’s plenty so dig in.” He winked at me as he sat. His plate looked like mine. The biscuit was already smeared with butter and melted in my mouth. “I got some chick flicks for you to bawl at if you want and I got a couple of action movies for me. I didn’t know what you would feel like. There’s plenty of ice cream, chocolate, herbal tea and popcorn too. I shook my head and laughed.

  “You’re pulling out the big guns huh?”

  “I know how bad it gets for you sometimes. I guess I was having sympathy pains at the grocery store. I bought everything that my sisters would ask for when they had it bad. I don’t want you to feel like this.”

  “Thanks.” I popped a baby carrot into my mouth. “So what’s up for Monday?”

  “Are you okay with this? With me working with you I mean. It isn’t going to cause problems for us is it? I don’t want it to and I will quit if it’s going to. I don’t want it to be weird again.” He looked so serious.

  “I guess I am, I haven’t really thought about it. Why would it?”

  “I don’t know. I just don’t want it to.” He studied me.”

  “Well there is the one thing.” I let one of my eyebrows raise. “You are going to have an assistant aren’t you?” A slow smile spread across his face and he nodded.

  “Are you jealous Mich? Already?” I shook my head. “You’re ready to be though. Don’t worry sweetheart, I’ll pick a guy or an old lady okay?”

  “I don’t know if you will be able to just pick the ugliest one out to make me feel better. You will have to interview from a pool of applicants already working there.” He made a face and thought about that.

  “You didn’t. Why should I? You brought Hannah with you. Couldn’t I make the same offer to my old assistant?” I was already shaking my head.

  “My bringing Hannah was one of the conditions of my employment. The other assistants were not happy that I brought her, it caused some problems. I don’t think that they want to repeat it but then too you are Robichaux’s new best bud so maybe you can pull it off.”

  “Jealous?” I shook my head. “A little?” I put my fingers up to show an inch. “I thought so. You looked it the other day in his office. I know it seems like I am his new best friend but believe me he’s going to work me. If for no other reason than to see if I learned anything from him, he is going to challenge the crap out of me. For the first six months that I am there, it will be very long working hours with intense and complicated work. Don’t be jealous of me, pity me.” He pouted and I giggled. He was probably right. Since they knew him they would be more comfortable giving him a lot, where I was concerned, they had eased me into the work load that I handled.

  “We will have to be careful Jamie. If they think you are spending too much time around me there will be talk.” I cut my potato and took a bite after blowing on it. Jamie shifted in his seat, I dropped my eyes so he wouldn’t see how it delighted me that I could affect him the same way he affected me.

  “I’m not worried. I’m more worried about what you think of me than what strangers think of me. Who would you choose for my assistant?” He was up getting more biscuits and butter.

  “I don’t know. I never paid them much attention, I have Hannah.” I got up and carried my empty plate to the sink and cleaned it then put it in the dishwasher. I went to find my cell and texted Hannah. Several minutes later I got an answer to my question. I texted my thanks back and went to sit next to Jamie. Hannah has sent you four candidates that she says are highly qualified. I sent them to his phone. She has included some key points that she felt may be important qualities to you. The first is attending college part time and is majoring in contract law. She already has experience as an assistant for three years. The next is a guy, oh I know him, he does excellent work, makes great coffee, he’s motivated and a really nice guy. His name is Matt and he’s done some work for me, very good work in fact. Oh here I know this one too. She calls in sick a lot on Mondays but other than that very qualified. The last one is excellent, but I don’t think she will apply, I heard that she is ready to retire. If you can get her though, she would be great. She is old school like Hannah, but you may run into Mommy issues though. She seems to be a little fussy.” Jamie was watching my phone. His arms were folded across his chest.

  “We’ll see what I get. I don’t even
know that I will have a secretary.”

  “Oh you’re getting one. I heard that you got a big cushy office, a staff and a nice package.”

  “You heard that?” His face scrunched up. “What else did you hear?”

  “Yeah, you know people talk. Of course I already knew you had a nice package.” He grinned at the play on words. “I heard you were Robichaux’s nephew too and that you were an Adonis and that several young ladies would like to play seven minutes in heaven with you in the supply room.” I was barely containing my laughter at his discomfort. The crack about be a nephew bothered him equally as bad as the rest.

  “I only want to play seven minutes in heaven with you.” He leaned over and kissed me softly. I moaned a little.

  “I’d love to Adonis.” I winked at him and finally let my laughter out. “Seriously though Jamie, I want you to pick a great assistant. If the assistant does more work, it will mean more time that you spend cooking for me.”

  “Oh your true motives are finally revealed.” He snickered. “Seriously though Mich I wanted to talk to you about something serious, how are you feeling?” Jamie got up to clean up and put the leftovers away. “Fran is going to be sleeping on my couch after this weekend.”

  “Okay. So you’ll come to my place for you know...” He put the lid on large square container that held the pot roast. “No big deal. You know she could just move in with me, I have three bedrooms and I love Fran. It’ll be fun, like a slumber party. Is she not getting along with your Mom?” I carried the rest of the dishes to the counter and wiped the table.

  “They’re fighting daily, ever since Fran moved back in, it’s been a problem. Mom expects Fran to live by the old rules that applied when she was a teenager and Fran is not a teen. She wants to do her own thing, stay out late, party and bring guys home.”

  “She can’t do that on your couch Jamie. Like I said, she’s welcome at my place. I’ll call her.”

  “No. Don’t. I didn’t…I wasn’t…” His brows knitted. I could tell he was processing. I waited while he made me a cup of tea. I sat on a stool at the counter and wiped it with the dish rag. I wiped the faucet, the other stool and then stacked some papers neatly. “I didn’t want her to live with you.”

  “You want her on your couch?” I made a face. “Are you trying to have world war three?”

  “I thought that maybe if you’re ready, I could move in with you. I can leave her the furniture, she can take over the lease and I’ll just bring my personal stuff. What do you think?” I thought that it was a great idea but the opportunity to mess with his ego just a little was too hard to pass up.

  “Wow Jamie, I don’t know. We’re just getting started again and your Dad said to take it slow and all. I’m really struggling financially right now. I’ll have to think about it.” I set my jaw and bit down hard on the insides of my lips to keep from laughing. “What do I get out of it?” I asked.

  “You like omelets right?” I nodded watching his mind work, Jamie loved to negotiate it was his favorite sport. “Well, I make a great one as you know.”

  “Just because you can, doesn’t mean that you will.” I countered.

  “Sure I will. In fact you are very aware that I am a great cook. You need a roommate that can cook. I am handy around the house too. We can split costs for now, you said that you were strapped financially and your utility expenses would drop significantly as would the rent.” I nodded. He was trying to appeal to my inner accountant. “We should also consider the sex factor. Fran will not be nearly as satisfying as I can be.” He was leaning over me now, his brow quirked up. I could feel my pulse getting frantic.

  “There is one thing that you haven’t covered Mr. Flanagan.” I steeled myself. He nodded waiting. “You see at my new place, I don’t have a treadmill...” He cut in.

  “I’ll buy you one of course, as a housewarming present.” He countered.

  “Thank you. There was more. I chose the house that I did because of location. It is near a running park with several trails and I absolutely love it. I am finding though that by the time that I get home it’s late and the light is waning but I still want to run outside if it’s not raining and I find that I am a little scared sometimes when I am by myself. I want a roommate that will run with me and I know that Fran will even if she complains the whole way.”

  “That’s very sly Mich, you’re learning. So, your offer is that if I move in, I have to run with you?” Jamie’s hands were resting on my shoulders and his forehead was a hair from mine. It was a tactic to make me nervous and I probably would have been six months ago, but not now. Now I knew him, biblically and even though Jamie got my blood hot, I was learning to focus better with him in my personal space.

  “Three days a week.” He grinned.

  “Okay. Do you have any other demands?” I looked up at the ceiling.

  “We not only split the bills but the house work too. I don’t expect you to do all of the cooking and I don’t expect to do all of the cleaning.” His eyes narrowed.

  “But I can do the entire job of grass cutting?” I nodded.

  “And I will take care of the finances.” I said.

  “Fair enough, I hate paying bills. We have an accord?” He asked quoting his favorite movie character Captain Jack Sparrow. I nodded, he kissed me lightly. “Ok. Are you ready to cuddle up on the couch roomie?” He pulled me off the stool before I answered. He tucked me under a blanket and went to get my tea. Once he’d handed it to me, he put the movie in and found the remote for the player. Jamie got under my blanket and pulled me into his side. I fell asleep half way through the third one and felt Jamie put me to bed.

  “Jenny! No!” I scream, “Come back, it’s too thin there.” She drops, her arms lifting like a bird about to take flight, she disappears, just vanishes way too fast. I run screaming her name. It’s so cold, the wind is turning bitter and it’s whipping at my hair. I hope Mom will have cocoa waiting, I think. I slide across the ice on my red boots with the fur around the tops to where she’d gone down. I can’t see her, not under the water and not anywhere under the ice. I strip my hat and gloves off. I dive in head first, I hear Jamie screaming my name frantically behind me but I go in anyway. He didn’t know everything, he just thought he did. The water stabs at me. Icy hot daggers slice into my flesh. It’s so cold, freezing. I’ve never been so cold, my hands and feet are already numb. I keep swimming down, I can’t see her, and the water is too dark and thick with rotting leaves. My lungs are on fire, the water is biting my skin and I’m shaking while I am trying to find her. It feels like my heart is vibrating in my chest, shivering as I am. My coat is so heavy and it’s pulling at me. It’s weighing me down. I pull it off trying to swim faster. I can’t find her, I have to find her. How deep could this water be? ‘She is just nowhere’ is my last thought before everything fades out first to purple at the edges then everything is bathed in total blackness.

  “Baby, shush, it’s okay.” He’s rocking me now, his arms are around me and he’s telling me that it’s okay. I’m shaking, hard. “It’s okay Mich. It’s okay.” He’s rubbing my back and leading me back to bed. Jamie wraps himself around me and pulls the blankets up around us. I turn to face him, sobbing now. His warm strong hands are holding me and rubbing at the same time. Kisses cover my hair and face and I quiet. This time I go back to sleep, usually I can’t. This one was really bad, probably from the extra hormones coursing through me.

  When I wake, Jamie is still wrapped around me protectively and still asleep. I lean up and kiss his chin, then his neck and his chest. He’s so beautiful and I can’t believe that he is really mine. His arms tighten around me and I can feel his erection against my belly. I caress him through the pajama bottoms and I feel him get even bigger. I want to thank him for last night. I want to show him how much I appreciate his efforts, how much I appreciate him. I reach inside of the pajamas and stroke his length from base to tip, my fingers glide over his balls gently. I let my fingers wrap around his girth and delicately smooth th
e engorged head with my thumb. His skin grew hotter. “Good morning.” Jamie murmurs without opening his eyes but a smile is curving his lips. I lean up and kiss his mouth softly. “Don’t stop sweetheart, I was enjoying that.” I bite my bottom lip softly and continue. My fingers continue the exploration. I rub him rhythmically, my fingers dancing over his hot engorged shaft. I hear his breath quicken and feel his muscles stiffen. I watch the beautiful abdominal muscles that he has worked so hard on quiver as he spills semen into my hand. “Oh shit Mich, I’m sorry, I thought I had longer.” He hurried from the bed.

  “Jamie it’s okay, I knew what I was doing.” I got up and followed him. He was coming back with a wash cloth to clean my hand. He looked so upset. “Jamie, hey, it’s alright, really.”

  “I didn’t mean for that to… to get that all over…” He was angry with himself.

  “Jamie! I’m fine.” I punch him in the arm with the other hand and his face softens. “Really.” Jamie finishes cleaning me and goes back to the bathroom. I go to the kitchen to make coffee. Jamie comes back seconds later and starts pulling bacon, eggs, butter and juice from the fridge.

  “Are you hungry?” I nod. “Good, I’m starved.” I can’t hide my amusement. “Yes, it’s your fault.” He pulls me into his arms and kisses me deeply. “I love you Mich.”

  “I love you too.” I eye the slow moving coffee machine.

  “Are you talking to me or the coffee?” He scowls down at me.

  “Both of you.” My hands slide up his chest and over his shoulders to wrap around his neck. “I love you more.” I stand on my toes to kiss him and he lets me.