Yes.
He laughed at the irony, shaking his head emphatically. Josie, there are a thousand thoughts racing through my brain, but none of them are second thoughts about us.
Rick pulled her down to his chest. He opened his fingers wide and spread them though her curls, capturing the back of her head in his grip. His mouth found hers. It was like a secret language, the way his lips spoke to hers, how she responded, coaxing him and soothing him at exactly the right intervals. It was a language hed never known, one hed never had any interest in learninguntil now, with Josie.
His hands explored her tender neck, shoulders, back, and wound their way down to the rounded globes of her butt. She was so warm everywhere, so silky and solid, that his hands couldnt get enough of her. He found himself kneading her flesh while his kisses escalated.
Rick realized that Josie was tugging at his shirt buttons, her kisses growing wild. He knew she wanted to feel skin on skin as much as he did, but it was a moment he also dreaded, because the instant the shirt came off the kissing would stop. He was sure of it. There wasnt a woman in the world who wouldnt be shockedif not outright horrifiedby the tattoo on his torso.
He gave her bottom a friendly pat and put his hands on her shoulders, slowly pushing her away. Josie let out a mewl of protest when their lips parted, then she reached for the buttons on Ricks shirt again.
He sighed, knowing the moment was unavoidable. He allowed her fingers to pop one button at a time. The cotton of his shirt slowly opened, revealing everything he had been and everything he still was. /Oh./ Thats all Josie said as the image was revealed. She stayed silent as she shoved the shirt off his shoulders, untucked it from his pants, and threw it to the floor. For a long moment, she studied the image permanently imbedded in his skin, saying nothing. Eventually, she raised her wide eyes to his. /Holy freakin shit,/ she whispered, her gaze darting from the tattoo to Ricks eyes and back again, several times. She let out a long breath of air and her shoulders fell.
I thought this might ruin the mood, Rick said, fully stretching out on the bed, arms at his sides, giving her a complete view. There was no point in trying to minimize the impact. He lay still, letting her study him. I guess its a little late to be asking, but are you okay with tattoos?
Josie bit her lip the way she did whenever she was carefully choosing her words. I knew you had a tattoo, of course, she said quietly. A little bit of it shows above whatever shirt youre wearing. And I thought it looked interesting, but I just… well… I had no idea…
Rick smiled sadly. Remember that globe-trotting past I mentioned?
Josie nodded.
This is a little souvenir I picked up in Asia. It started in India, continued in Sri Lanka, and got its finishing touches in Thailand.
A small frown wrinkled Josies brow. Its incredible, really. The colors.
Its so complex. But its kind of, I dont know, intense. Maybe even intimidating.
Youre quite good with words, Josie. But I think youre trying to be kind.
Its just plain scaryyou can say it.
When she looked up at him again, Rick saw clean, simple understanding in her eyes. Again, no judgment. No sense of condemnation. And certainly no fear. We all do things we wish we hadnt, she said softly. Im sure if Id ever been anywhere more exotic than Petaluma Id probably have done something wild, too.
Rick laughed. My wild Josie, he said tenderly, reaching for her hand.
Her fingers felt soft and small cradled in his. I just dont want to scare you away.
You havent, she replied immediately. She brushed the curls from her face.
Rick believed her. There was something reassuring about the steadiness in her lovely gray eyes. The thing is, I wouldnt want to get rid of it now even if I could, he said. Its a reminder of lessons learned, I guess. And Ive done a lot of research on the symbols over the years, and I realize its like a road map of my life. I think those tattoo artists knew more about my destiny than I did.
But your accident Josie said haltingly. I can see the scars on your arms, but there arent any marks on your tattoo.
Rick laughed. Funny how that worked out.
Without a word, Josie crossed her arms over her waist and pulled off her shirt. Next she unhooked her bra at its front closure, displaying a pair of full, pink breasts. With the same calm sense of purpose, she reached forward and undid the fly of Ricks pants, then pulled them low on his hips. It was a move Rick knew would expose every small detail of the tattoo.
Slowly, Josie crawled across the bed, all that silky firm flesh for him to gaze upon, and climbed over him. She gently lay down on her side, put her head on his stomach, and, with her fingers, traced the journey of the two winged serpents as they snaked their way up the left-center of his body, a passage through a map of the seven prime chakras, the energy centers of the human body.
She caressed the elaborate lotus symbols that marked each chakra, her touch curious and respectful. She brushed her fingers along the length of the serpents bodies, the lighter one representing his spirit and the darker one his psyche. She laid her hand on the two sets of dripping fangs.
Rick wondered if someday hed be able to share the entire tale with Josie, the story of how the battle of his inner serpents had nearly killed him.
Josie, he whispered, his hands stroking her soft curls.
Yes? She didnt look up at him. Her fingers continued their expedition up and down. They brushed his skin from the first chakra at the edge of his pubic hair up to the seventh chakra just above his left collarbonea journey that took her from the most base to the most evolved elements of the self. He felt himself growing hard again. There was something so maddeningly innocent about this woman. She was smart and intuitive, but she was kind. Hopeful. It was like all the worlds harsh bullshit hadnt ripped away her innocence. And though he wasnt quite sure how shed remained that way into her thirties, he was drawn to that quality, perhaps more than anything else about her. He wanted to be near her goodness. He wanted some of that for himself. He wanted /her/ for himself.
Youre a very special woman, Josephine Sheehan.
He felt her hair tickle his hip as she nodded. Youre special, too, she said. Then she laid her cheek against his belly and gently kissed him, right on his second chakra. I want to make love to you, Rick. Right now.
His breath went shallow. He buried his fingers in her curls. I want that more than anything, but Josie raised her eyes. Yes?
Only if youre ready.
She laughed. She pulled herself up along the side of his body, giggling and kissing along the way. When her eyes were level with his she hovered over him. She put her lips on his and gave him a kiss so hot and sweet he feared hed explode before he even got inside her. He wasnt exactly used to this.
I want to show you how ready I am, she said, flashing a wicked grin as she threw her leg over his belly. Touch me and see.
Rick slid his hand between their bodies, the need in him so fierce he worried he couldnt stop now even if she told him to. His fingers grazed over the curls at the opening to her pussy, and he let them dip inside, ever so gently. Instantly, his fingers were covered in her honey.
Rick closed his eyes and savored the power of that sensation. He had a woman, naked, wet, wanting him. And he wanted her more than anything hed ever wanted in his life. He tried to steady his breath as he moved his fingers along the luscious, wet opening.
Suddenly, his mind reeled with memories. Sex from his pastraw and hard and wild, usually with women he barely knew and always with women he didnt love. How would he be with Josie? Could he let himself go without returning to all that ugliness? Could he trust himself? He wanted to make love /with/ Josie, not do something /to/ her, and he wasnt sure he was capable.
She obviously sensed his hesitation. I promise Ill be gentle with you, she whispered, kissing him again. When Rick opened his eyes and saw that she was perfectly serious, he laughed.
Uh… he said, his fingers still playing in her slickness. Thats not exactly what Im worri
ed about.
She frowned. Youre worried?
He nodded. Its just that its been so long and I want you so badly, that Im afraid Ill Rick shook his head. Josie, Im scared that Ill rip you apart, eat you alive. I was never the most sensitive lover in the world.
Ive had more experience with fucking than loving, if you know what I mean.
She smiled.
And then theres that seven years of deprivation to consider.
She smiled bigger.
I am worried Ill be too much for you.
Josie nodded slightly. I see, she said.
Before he knew it, she was on top of his thighs, legs spread, and curls spilling down as she brought her mouth to him. He jolted with the sensation, her hot, wet mouth enveloping him. She hummed and licked and sucked, as if she were in a trance. As the minutes rolled by, Ricks body began to shake from the concentration it took not to erupt in her mouth. /Fuck/, he kept thinking. /Fuck, shes good./ Had it felt like this with other women? It had been a long time, but he didnt think so. He would have remembered this marvel of pressure, heat, connection.
Josie was making love to his cock with her mouth. He couldnt stand it another second.
He reached for her head and raised it up. She licked her lips, then smiled at him. Am I too much for you?
Hell, yes, Rick said. In an instant, hed captured her in his arms and flipped her on her back. He got on top of her, the need in him quite simple. He had to get inside her. Now.
He dropped his mouth to hers, devouring her as she moaned and squealed and opened her legs to him. It happened so fasthe was in her, up to the hilt, completely sheathed in her pulsing flesh. He kept his mouth on hers, licking inside her lips, slowly moving in and out. She was heavena hot, snug heavenand he never wanted to stop. /Yes,/ she hissed. /God, yes, Rick./ He got lost. Whatever happened in his past was gone. Those hard memories had been replaced by Josies softness, her kisses, the sounds of her pleasure. They twisted and rolled in passion. He held her down. She rode him. He came inside her with a roar, like a volcano exploding after a long, cold dormancy.
Seven years, to be exact.
The hours had been a blur for Josie, a whirling tide of lust, magic, and pleasure that felt almost supernatural. At the same time, though, she noticed how every instant was firmly rooted in her body. The truth was, she felt wholly alive, intensely aroused, and completely connected. Her everyday human body had become a surprising delight to her, a vehicle taking her to exotic places shed always figured were for otherwell, sexierwomen to visit.
She smiled to herself, knowing that shed just gotten her first taste of grand adventure, right there in her double bed in her little apartment off Seventeenth Street. As it turned out, there were no parkas or airline tickets required. All shed needed was Rick Rousseau.
Josie was glad she was lying on her stomach with her face buried in the sheets, because she was building up the nerve to make the most downright ballsy request of her life, and she didnt want Rick to see her embarrassed or blushing, or both. But of course shed blush! She was already blushing from her hairline to her toes due to the fact that shed had more orgasms in the past two hours than the last two decades, and her skin was still on fire, everywhere.
Rick? she whispered.
Mmm? She felt him raise his head from the small of her back, whered hed been for several long moments, obviously resting and maybe even sleeping.
I know its been seven years and youre probably tired Mmm?
But can we do it again?
Without warning, Josie was scooped up from the mattress, Ricks arms wrapped around her belly from behind. She yelped in surprise as she was unceremoniously flipped over on her back by a laughing, smiling man.
When she regained her wits, she noticed he was not only happy, he was hard again. Very, very hard again.
Rick descended upon her and hovered, his face just inches from hers, his hands planted at either side of her head. God, she loved the way the muscles of his upper arms bulged when he did that.
You were already raring to go, werent you? she asked suspiciously. You were just waiting for me to catch my breath.
It was the gentlemanly thing to do, he said, giving her one of those bewitching smiles again, his full-lipped mouth curled up at the corners, his green eyes dark with desire. But Ive got to be honest with youI think we have a problem, Josie.
Her eyes went wide. We do? I thought everything was going great!
Rick nodded, chuckling softly. The problem is, I cant get enough of you.
The problem is, I never want to leave this bed. I never want to do anything in my life again except kiss you and stroke you and smell you and bury myself up inside you and hear you cry out when you come, over and over again.
Oh, she breathed. But well have to feed Genghis eventually.
And I have a business to run, you know.
Right, she said, breathing fast. And people are always dying in this town, so I have to show up at work.
She ran her palms up and down the ridges and swells of Ricks biceps and triceps and whatever those long lean muscles were called on his forearms. In addition to the feel of soft body hair, smooth skin, and hard muscle, shed occasionally detect the bulge of a bolt, plate, or pin, and would marvel at how graceful he was, how strong and flexible his body remained despite what hed been through.
Ive got to have you again. I cant wait.
Rick lowered his mouth to Josies throat, and she raised her chin to give him access to what he wanted. Shed already decided he could have whatever, however, whenever. In fact, shed made that decision the other day over lunch at Johns Grill. The usual worry began to waft through her mindshed fallen for a man she barely knew. Again. So was she simply repeating her tried-and-true pattern? It couldnt be. This wasnt the same. Not anywhere near the same. Rick was a wish fulfilled. Rick was a miracle. Rick wasnt Lloyd or Spike or Randy or Billy or…
Oh, my God! she cried out, the intensity of the pleasure bringing her right back to the moment, the man.
Did you like that?
Oh, oh, she breathed. Dont stop. Please dont stop.
Rick returned his mouth to her left nipple, biting down harder this time, sucking with more desperation, all in perfect concert with the way he pushed his cock up into her, burrowing deep. Josie writhed under him.
The pleasure was sharp and originating from the deepest part of her, and it was building, spreading from her belly to her toes and fingers, and she knew it wouldnt be long before she went over the edge one more time.
No, Rick said, his voice firm and low. Not yet.
Josie opened her eyes to the most wondrous sightthe gorgeous, intense stranger whod arrived in her life via special delivery, courtesy of the universe, was no longer a stranger. His face was alive with passion and affection. It had openedto her. He truly cared for her. He wanted her.
He wanted something special and real with her. She would have no more doubts.
Please, my sweet Josie, feel me, Rick said, his eyes scanning her face.
I need you to stay right here with me. Feel exactly whats happening between us. With that, Rick reached beneath her and gathered her close to his chest, all the while pushing himself farther inside her body, rotating and thrusting and rubbing, all of which made Josie wonder/how am I supposed to be the orgasm crossing guard here, holding up a big red stop sign smack in the middle of Ecstasy Street?/ Rick suddenly cupped her face in both his hands, pushing one last time, his eyes locking onto hers with seriousness, with purpose. Now, he said.
She exploded. She heard him call out her name, as if from a distance.
And in that suspended moment, where it felt like they were perched together on the very top of the worlds biggest roller coaster, there was nothing to do but hold on to each other and enjoy the ride. The sensations began to roll through them, first a fireball, then a wave, and next a river, flowing on and on until it calmed, spreading heat and peace through them both.
After several long minutes, Rick was the first
to move. He stroked the side of Josies face, then placed quick little kisses all over, from her nose and forehead to her neck and shoulders. When he finished, they both sighed, held on even tighter to each other, and listened as their breathing found a perfect rhythm.
Suddenly, Ricks body went rigid, as if hed felt a stab of pain. Josie stilled, too, wondering which steel plate had shifted or which pin had sprung loose inside him.
Where does it hurt? she asked, her hands firm on his upper arms. What should I do? Tell me what to do!
His back began to shake. Was he crying? Rick, please, tell me whats wrong! Josie pushed him away so she could determine if the pain had left him speechless. She discovered he was laughing, not crying.
Someone is licking my toes, he said.
Genghis?
God, I hope so, he said, before he burst into laughter.
Josie peered down Ricks bare body to the foot of the bed. Her dog had both front paws on the mattress, and the gleam in his beady brown eyes revealed how he longed to join them.
Down, boy! she commanded.
Genghis didnt budge. His pink tongue flopped out of his mouth as he panted happily.
Get off the bed, Genghis. Go on, she told him. Please.
More happy panting. No moving.
Rick nuzzled his nose into the crook of Josies neck. It appears your dog doesnt take you seriously, sweetie, he whispered, kissing her collarbone.
Story of my life.
Youve got to be firmsay it like you mean it. He nibbled his way down her right shoulder. Give it another try.
Josie glared toward the foot of the bed, where Genghis waited, his furry helicopter tail revving up for a takeoff. She made her voice as low and serious as she could. Down! she barked. Get off! Now!
The dog hopped down.
See? Rick was busy licking her cleavage, unaware that all Genghis had done was trot around to the side of the bed, where he now crouched in his ready-to-play position, butt up in the air and paws stretched straight out in front of him. A pair of shredded boxer-briefs dangled from his teeth.
He just needs to know whos the boss around here. Rick stayed buried in her breasts. Dogs want to know whos the leader of their pack. Its a relief to them when they know someone is in charge.
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