"Yeah." Where was she going with this?
"I've never done anything like that before."
"What do you mean? Doggy style?" He huffed a laugh at the happy memory.
"No. He and I only did it one way. The regular way," she replied sheepishly.
"Oh, baby, have I got a lot to show you! I'm not sure I'll survive you." He held her tighter when he felt her try to rise.
"What do you mean survive me?"
"I suppose you'll go back to Chicago now. There's no more reason to hide since Dunleith knows where you are."
"I wasn't hiding really."
"No?" He kissed the top of her head.
"I was just escaping the humiliation."
"I'm sure that it's died down by now. You have a job and a home to go back to."
"Maybe I don't want to."
He stiffened, felt his heart beat slow down. "What do you mean?"
"I don't know exactly. I've grown…attached to…to here. To you."
He swallowed and his heart sped up. Please don't have a heart attack now!
"I feel like I need to go back to…um…sort out my life though."
"Yeah, you should get your head straight, decide what you want now."
"What do you want, Mike? What if I stayed here?"
He could hardly stand it. Her fingers played with the hair on his chest and started to wander south. If she kept this up, he'd tie her to the bed and never let her leave. But his better nature burst into the conversation. "What if you went home first, figured things out."
"And then came back?"
"Yeah." If this was all he had of her, her warm breath on his skin, her soft body cuddled next to him…
"Would that be something you'd want?"
He looked down and met her gaze. "Are you asking my intentions toward you?" Her whole body brushed and vibrated against his with her laugh.
"Maybe I am," she declared.
"I've wanted you from the minute I saw you, even after you rudely walked away from me after I saved you from Axel."
She chuckled. "Are you kidding? Like I'd do anything with that Neanderthal."
He brushed his thumb along the side of her cheek. "Well, I didn't know."
She was silent. Then, "I could have handled him."
"Such bravado I'm sure. But I wanted to rescue you."
"I shouldn't be rescued though. I should be able to take care of myself."
"Uh huh, but…well, maybe I needed rescuing."
This time she lifted herself onto her elbow to gaze into his eyes. "From what, Mike? You'll get your job back. You aren't guilty of anything."
"Not that."
"What then?" She frowned.
"Life. I was just marking time, going along with no real direction. I'm such a boring, ordinary guy that you'd never be interested in." He pressed a finger over her lips when she started to speak. "All I want to do with my life is teach. I don't want to be an administrator. I don't want to run the town. I don't even need to be rich."
"Nothing's wrong with loving teaching. It's admirable."
"But not the same as being a big city lawyer with ambition to win lawsuits and make money."
"After this week, I'm not all that certain I want to do that any longer."
"Norah, I love you." He met those light eyes sparkling with what he hoped was emotion, happy emotion. "I want you to stay here but only if you're sure this is where you want to be." He wrapped a hand around her nape and pulled her in for a kiss. She tasted sweet, tasted right. Breaking the kiss, he added, "This is what I've been waiting for. I hadn't been interested in another woman in a long time. Then you come into my bar—of all the gin joints in all the world."
"You're one of the nicest guys I've ever met."
"Nice," he fumed. "That's code for boring and uninteresting."
She placed a palm on his chest over his heart. "Not in my book."
He gazed at her. She was biting her lower lip. What was she thinking? "Do you think you can care a little about me or is it too soon?"
"I…um…it is too soon for me to think straight. You're right. I do need to go back to Chicago to straighten out my life. You're a really special man, Michael Banning. Not boring or uninteresting at all."
"Whew, I'm glad to hear that," he whispered. Then he kissed her. That was all he did, just kiss her. If she didn't come back, he'd go and get her. It had worked for Marc and Phoebe.
While they were dressing, he said, "Between loading sandbags some of the kids talked to me about the cheating. They actually know more than I do. They know which kids' scores were helped, and most importantly they know which teachers did the score changing. They just don't know who to talk to about it."
"Moira. They should go to her and as soon as possible."
He nodded. "That's what I told them."
***
Mike brooded at his station behind the bar. He'd watched Norah drive off with Dunleith. She'd said she might as well ride back with him, clean up the mess of the cancelled wedding, return the gifts, and write notes. She would also re-assess her future.
He'd expressed every bit of the passion and love he had in him, hoping it would be enough to bring her back to him. Of course there was a lot for her to think about especially if she'd be spending hours in the car alone with her former fiancé. Would she relent, forgive him, and reset the wedding? Mike had told her he'd wait. He would wait, not forever, but he'd wait. Then he'd go get her. He had no intention of losing her. Done and done!
***
The ride back to Chicago was excruciating for Norah. It turned out that the reason neither she nor Mike had seen Garrett the day of the sand bagging was that he'd gone inside Ollie's to help with the food. Maybe he wasn't a total asshole after all.
But on the highway Garrett couldn't keep his glee from showing. He thought he'd won her back and that was why she was in the car with him. By the time they hit the Kennedy Expressway, she'd made sure he knew the truth. It was over.
What wasn't clear for her was exactly what she intended to do about Mike. She couldn't hold back her little secret smiles when she thought of how they'd made love, especially that last time. He was a master at teasing and arousing her and keeping her on the edge not knowing what he was going to do or where he was going to caress next. A whimper escaped, and Garrett asked if anything was wrong.
No, nothing was wrong. Mike Banning was the real deal. Gorgeous and hunky were the least of his attributes. He was strong, confident, loyal, honest. She'd known the minute she'd heard about the scandal that he wasn't involved. How had she known that? Instinct? Which should have been shattered because of Garrett. How could she have been so wrong about him and so right about Mike?
The big question was whether she could give up her life and career in Chicago. She'd been on the partner track at her law firm. Her clients, many of them, thought very highly of her and had even tried to lure her away to their corporations. She'd respected a couple of the companies and considered becoming corporation counsel as a coup.
What did she think now? What did she want out of life?
Obviously, not everyone in B Falls was honest and honorable. There had been a contingent of teachers and administrators who would definitely be charged in the cheating scandal. But there were many more people who were the heart of the town. She'd worked side by side with them to save the Falls River from flooding.
She talked with her parents, told them about Mike, and admitted her feelings for him. What was awkward was that they acknowledged they'd had doubts about Garrett but were willing to put them aside if she loved him. Of course her parents loved her, but they were willing to let her make a mistake? It was more than awkward. It was troubling. She'd been blind to what others felt about her choice.
And was she right about her new choice? Of that she was one hundred percent sure.
That decided, she hurriedly returned gifts, and decided that notes could be written from B Falls as well as Chicago. Leaving her condo to be sold furnished, she removed he
r personal items—books and artwork—bought a car, and arranged to send everything important to Birchwood Falls. Mike had made it clear he loved her. All she could think of was how quickly she could get back to him. She wouldn't write, call, or text him until she was sure of her plan.
The morning she began driving back to Iowa, she finally texted, "See you soon."
She'd learned the hard way that even though she thought she had all the control in the world over her life, she sure hadn't. The debacle of the cancelled wedding at the very last minute proved that. Falling in the river and almost drowning during a storm proved it too. Mike had been there for her both times.
***
Mike glanced at his phone when it vibrated with a text. "See you soon." He had two seconds to digest that and its meaning before his name was called for testimony. Nervous, it would be perfect if Norah was by his side, but he'd get through this. All he had to do was tell the school board where he was on the dates and times of the cheating parties. Then the board could ask his witnesses, and it would be over. It turned out the one morning he hadn't been in the bar, Marc Rahn had seen him driving out of town. So, even though he'd been alone, he'd been in the opposite direction of the party.
Half an hour later it was over. At least for him. Shocked about the teachers who had betrayed him, he no longer wondered who he could still trust. The accusations hadn't been personal. The guilty ones had thrown out names to cast suspicion in other directions.
Marc and Phoebe, as well as his parents, walked out with him. "Thanks for being here," he said.
"Of course we would be," replied Phoebe. "Good Lord! Anyone who'd believe you'd do this is nuts."
Marc clapped him on the back. "I'm glad this is over, friend."
"Me too." He pointed across the street to Ollie's. "You guys want to come over for a drink?" He leaned over to Phoebe. "Milk or soda for you, young lady."
"We'll buy you dinner. No one makes better burgers than your dad."
Marc had always said that, said he'd missed his dad's burgers all the years he was deployed overseas in the Marines.
At the back table, Bernice joined her son and the Rahns while Ollie flipped the burgers, brought them to the table, then sat down too. Mike leaned back, closing his eyes in pleasure at the delicious food and being with his parents and best friends. One more person would make it perfect. See you soon she'd texted. Did that mean she was coming back to stay or to tell him goodbye? Listening to the chatter, he kept his eyes closed and reveled in the companionship of these people he loved. The bar was almost full of customers. That was good for his folks' retirement account.
Suddenly, the noise level dropped.
He opened his eyes to stare directly into the beautiful warm gray eyes of the woman he'd been waiting for all his life. Rising to his feet, he came around the table, and stopped in front of her.
"Mike…"
"Norah…"
"You're here."
"Yes." She glanced around. Every eye in the place was on them.
"Why?" Idiotically, he felt his face heat. He was actually embarrassed.
"Can we talk?" she asked.
He slipped an arm around her waist, the crowd parted, and they made it outside the door. He gave her barely a second to catch her breath before he pulled her into his arms to seize her mouth.
"It's you." He slid his fingers into her hair, cupping her head, angling it for more access to her lips. He felt her arms around him, hands tucked into the back of his slacks to pull him closer. That was fine with him. Perfect, as a matter of fact.
"Norah, why are you here?" he whispered when they finally came up for air.
She didn't say anything, just surveyed his face as if memorizing his features.
That scared the hell out of him. Was she planning to leave again? "The hearing was today. It's over."
"Oh, I'm so sorry. I wanted to be here to support you."
"They held it early."
"Are you okay?"
"Yes. It was found that I wasn't involved. My witnesses held."
She held his face between her palms. "I knew that would be the case. I'm just sorry I wasn't here. I meant to be."
"You were here in my heart, honey." He traced a finger down her cheek to her lips.
"That's where I want to be."
"What are you saying?" He was almost afraid to hear this. He wanted her to stay more than he'd ever wanted anything in his life. "We haven't known each other long." Why in hell are you coming up with obstacles?
"I knew Garrett for a long time before we got engaged. You see where that got me. It didn't take me long to see the kind of man you are."
"Boring and naïve?" He smiled.
"Oh, stop. I never said that. You're neither of those things. You're incredibly strong and dedicated and honorable."
"What else?" This time he laughed aloud.
"We need to go somewhere so I can show you what else. Do you think we can go to your apartment without everyone inside realizing what we're up to?"
"No problem, honey. Remember the outside stairway?" He led her around the corner to the side stairs and caught sight of several heads peeping out the front window of the bar. Scooting her along so she didn't see them, he gave a thumbs-up to the peepers.
Inside his apartment, she took over, pulling off his tie and unbuttoning his shirt. He was right with her in the removal of clothing. Her sweater and bra were off before she could get to the button on his pants. Both completely naked, he tumbled her into bed and whispered, "I want to take my time with you."
"Um…that's okay, but I really need you now." Her voice went down deep and husky. "And fast." She wrestled him onto his back, leaning over him. "And more of your kisses."
Her lush nakedness on top of him was like a homecoming and not the high school type. Norah was here in his arms, in his bed, and she was staying. He could have her any time he wanted, and boy did he want her now. They kissed, tangling tongues, nipping and sipping each other. She was a little frenzied, which he didn't mind at all.
He drew a quick breath when she trailed her lips down his body. He let her lick and suck his nipples because it felt so very good. Already as hard as he'd ever been, he knew the ache would be taken care of eventually. She was here. To stay. These were his last thoughts as she roamed farther down his torso to his cock. Yes. Thank you!
Licking the tip while she squeezed his shaft with strong fingers drove him insane. His belly tensed, his fingers sought her head, sliding through the strands of her hair, keeping her prisoner. She didn't seem to want to escape though. "Jesus, Nor. What are you doing…?" His rough breath ended on a gasp.
Then he was in her mouth, as far in as possible. He tried to remember and catalogue what she was doing to him up until the moment she cradled his balls and brushed her finger on that sensitive spot right behind them. Groaning, he made her let him go. "God, baby, I need to come inside you. Now!" It was his turn to grab her arms, pull her up, and roll her onto her back. Perching over her between her thighs, he feasted his eyes on her warm, red, glistening sex. "I want to make love to you in every way possible, but I want you to watch this time."
"Watch?"
"Look, Nor. Watch me enter you." He could barely get the words out, could barely breathe. He held the head of his cock sheathing himself just inside her, just with the very tip, then gazed up at her. Mouth open, her eyes were fastened on where they were joined. It was what he wanted her to see. "See how beautiful we are?" He surged in a little more. His head throbbed, his body shook. It was almost impossible to go slowly, but the sight of her body enveloping his was not to be missed. Or hurried.
"Oh Mike," she sobbed. "I love you."
"Because of this?" He surged deeper.
"Oh, yes," she sighed.
He drew a finger along the line where his cock met her body, then pressed her clit between thumb and forefinger. Her hips bucked forcing him home, his shaft embedded fully, her interior muscles convulsing around him. He came and for long, long moments he emp
tied himself inside her. Nothing else would ever feel as good as she did. That's what she did to him. Turned him into Superman.
Later, after their breathing returned somewhat to normal, he grinned at her and asked, "Was it as good for you as it was for me, darling?"
"Shut up," she mumbled.
"That was pretty halfhearted, sweetheart."
"…all I could manage," she mumbled. Then her expression got serious. "Yes, baby, it was wonderful."
"What do you plan to do now?" He wanted to get this settled. Get their future settled.
She traced circles on his chest, ran her fingers around his nipples.
"I mean beside this?" He rested a hand on hers, not to stop her though.
"Would you want me to stay?" She kept her focus on his chest.
"Only if you want to. I love you, Norah. I asked you before if you could care about me." His heart thudded. Of course she felt it on her fingers.
She lifted a hand to caress his cheek. "Yes. I love you and what's more, I want to stay here and see where this all leads."
"I may as well be honest," he admitted. "I want it to lead to marriage and kids and a life together."
"Yes, Mike. I'm here to stay. I'll admit when I first got into town I didn't think it could compare to Chicago. But almost immediately I felt myself relaxed by the slower pace. I met Phoebe in the grocery store, and she invited me to her show. Then Marc greeted me at the door and brought me to your table. You all welcomed me no questions asked. I felt more at home here than I was in the city I was raised in."
"Not everyone in B Falls is a good guy."
"There are always bad people, but in this town the good ones outnumber them. That day at the river was one of the hardest I've ever lived through. And one of the most satisfying."
"Yeah, you were part of the good people, sweetheart."
"I want to be here, be part of your life."
He cupped her cheek. "You are my life. So you'll marry me?"
"I do have a wedding dress. Hardly used," she chuckled.
He burst out with a laugh. "What kind of an omen…?"
"It's a good omen," she replied. "I designed it for myself, and you'll be the guy who deserves to see me in it, my love."
The Bride Takes a Powder Page 11
