Darling_Rebel

by Mary Suzanne

  Instead of stopping him, she met his mouth and her action spurred him on. He began raining soft kisses across her eyes, nose, and cheek, moving his lips to nibble gently on her earlobe, before returning to her mouth. His tongue slowly entered her mouth and tasted her sweetness.

  She lifted her arms to his neck and ran her fingers through the thickness of his dark hair. Her emotions were uncontrollable under his sensual assault. Tremors of delight raced through her as he moved to her ear and he nibbled softly on her lobe. She couldn't get enough of his caresses as she moved closer to him.

  A thundering noise pounded in her head, but she couldn't identify it. When it kept getting louder, she finally realized it was her heartbeat hammering from her mounting desire. She felt a dizziness envelope her. When he gently coaxed her onto the couch, the thought of protesting never entered her mind.

  She was so lost under his spell, that the sound of the doorbell seemed ethereal. Looking up at Mitch, she saw his confusd looked. He slowly released her mouth and to Sasha it looked like it took a real effort. When the bell sounded again, she watched him shake his head in irritation.

  "Damn! Not now."

  He stood and Sasha sat up on the couch. Her head still felt dazed. Saved by the bell, the silly phrase echoed through her numbed thoughts. She hadn’t wanted the bell to save her and she knew it. Her hands shook with a visible tremor as she rearranged her clothing.

  Mitch opened the door and Cynthia stood on the threshold. "Hello, Cynthia."

  Sasha didn't miss the irritated look lining Mitch's features glancing at their visitor.

  A look of astonishment covered Cynthia's face. "I didn't know you had company."

  "Would you like to come in?" he eventually asked.

  Cynthia walked into the room, noting Mitch’s eyes looking at Sasha. She watched Sasha stand and slip on her shoes.

  "Thanks for dinner, Mitch, but I really have to go.” Sasha reached for her handbag.

  "What's your hurry?” he asked, suddenly needing to keep her here. Why in the hell did Cynthia show up? Lately, he’d hated the sound of the doorbell, fearing who would be on the other side. He didn’t want to hurt her, but soon he was going to have to set things straight about her dropping by unexpectedly.

  "It's getting late." Sasha moved toward the door. “I’ve had a long day.”

  "Wait, I'll walk you home."

  "There's really no need," she told him, but he didn't listen to her protest.

  Once the door closed behind them, Mitch grabbed Sasha. "I'm sorry Cynthia spoiled our evening.”

  "She has a way of doing that.” She felt anger stir in her. “It was time for me to leave anyway.” Her meaning was obvious.

  In her heart, she wanted more than an affair with Mitch. Yet this evening would have ended the same as their other evenings-in bed.

  Before she could unlock her door, he gently pushed her against it. Covering her body with his, his mouth captured hers in a lingering kiss. She returned his passionate kiss, delighting in the feel of his muscled body pressed firmly against her.

  Lifting her eyes, she witnessed the slumberous expression on his face as he released her. After listening to his ragged breathing, she knew he felt as affected as she did in the moment.

  "Good night, Rebel," he whispered softly, compulsively nibbling her earlobe.

  Shivers ran through her, "Good night, Mitch.”

  Back in her living room, the thought of Cynthia next door with Mitch caused Sasha’s green-eyed monster to rear its ugly head again. Cynthia had the habit of showing up at the most inopportune times. She walked into her bedroom and prepared for bed. Nothing could be accomplished by fretting over what she couldn’t change.

  Eight

  Mark was at his desk pouring over a stack of papers when Sasha arrived.

  “What’s up?” She glanced at the sheet he was working on.

  "There’s a banquet we’ll be covering tonight.”

  Sasha raised her eyebrows, “I don't remember you mentioning a banquet."

  "I just got word that the Mayor's hosting a dinner party for his daughter. From what I hear, she’s a real stunner.”

  She playfully jabbed his arm, "So, that’s the reason you’re showing so much enthusiasm about going.”

  "Sure, she’s a knockout, but that’s not the only reason we’re going. Anything about the Mayor is newsworthy.”

  "Sounds like it might be interesting.”

  "I’ll be by your place about seven,” Mark handed her the work he wanted her to do that day.

  *****

  Sasha removed the two-piece, rust colored suit she would wear that evening. By seven, she was dressed and the doorbell rang.

  "Hi,” he greeted her. “Are you ready?"

  "All set.”

  While driving, Mark explained what they had to do that night and it wasn’t long before he pulled onto the lot at the banquet hall.

  Inside the well-lit room, Sasha's gaze swept the long line of tables up front. Sprays of flowers filled the centers and colorful streamers hung from different points throughout the room. Soon, the room filled with people, and the low murmurs of voices followed. Sasha noted the ladies wearing evening gowns of every shade and style imaginable, and their escorts wearing the standard black tuxedo with bow ties. Maybe the Lifestyle editor should have covered this one.

  "There's Mitch, with the Mayor’s daughter, Felicia,” Mark said, nudging her. “Didn’t I tell you she’s a looker?"

  She didn't bother making a comment as anger simmered in her. Mitch can’t make up his mind which woman he wants on his arm. Sasha felt the need to leave, but she wasn’t sure how Mark would react. “Mark, I’m not feeling well. If you can handle it alone, I’d like to leave.”

  “Sure, I’ll take care of things here,” he took a moment to study her face. “I thought you looked pale at work today. I can always take you home and come back.”

  “No, you stay here.” Sasha removed her cell phone and called a cab. “I’m going to the front and watch for my ride.”

  “Sure, yea, take it easy and get some rest.”

  She nodded. The sight of the brunette and Mitch together made her head ache and tied her stomach in knots.

  Within minutes, the taxi arrived where she stood waiting. After giving the cabbie her address, she leaned her head against the seat. Everything was going wrong for her and she needed to hide away.

  In her apartment, she undressed for bed and collapsed on the couch. She sat, alone, in the quiet darkness when the doorbell startled her. When she opened the door, Mitch stood, his eyes locked on hers.

  “What are you doing here?” She stomped away, returning to the living room.

  He followed close behind her. “Now, what’s wrong?”

  “Not a thing.” She didn’t want him to know how she’d felt about seeing him with Felicia.

  Mitch moved closer, gathering her to this chest. Seconds ticked by without either saying a word. Sasha felt the need to ask about the brunette, but his gaze had her mesmerized, all sensible thoughts left her.

  As his mouth slowly lowered to hers, her lips parted. She hadn’t planned on this happening, but he could persuade her so easily. Hunger rose in her and she yearned for his caress. Sasha forgot about the brunette as his lips continued to possess hers. Her senses whirled out of control when he withdrew his mouth leaving her aching for his touch. He put his arms beneath her legs and lifted her onto the couch while nuzzling her neck with blazing kisses.

  The light from the hallway cast a dim glow and she witnessed the passion filling his eyes.

  "I want you,” he groaned, dropping beside her.

  His words thundered through her head. She wanted him as much as he wanted her. She needed to feel his arms and tender caresses, and to belong to him completely. There was an aching need in her for him that she couldn’t stop.

  When she raised her lips, he didn’t need a second invitation. Like a man possessed, she watched him remove his clothing and her robe. Only seconds passed
before her body melted into his. Mitch knew how to arouse her; he slowly kissed her silky skin, while maneuvering her to lie on top of him on the couch. With his hands on her hips, he moved her forward lifting her until his mouth captured her silky folds. His tongue moved with soft swipes across her raised clitoris. His continuous movement made Sasha shudder from the wondrous sensations he created.

  An explosive climax rippled through her and she savored the wondrous moment. Sasha scooted down his body, kissing his warm skin until reaching his hard cock. While she possessed his hard rod between her parted lips, her hands continued to trail his taut stomach on down to his muscled thighs.

  She slipped back up Mitch’s body, pushing his cock deep inside her throbbing channel. The fire burned inside her and she felt the need to put it out any way she could. Pleasure filled her as another heated climax raced through her. Mitch groaned before releasing his hot seed inside her. She leaned forward and passionately covered his mouth with hers.

  Resting for a time, Mitch reached for her again and started making love to her with an abandonment that surprised Sasha. It was as if each couldn't get enough of the other. She matched the intensity of his caresses, sending Mitch into heights of ecstasy.

  Long after their passionate lovemaking, he held her locked tightly in his arms and fell into a blissful sleep. He woke in the night and felt her body cuddled to him. Mitch quietly slipped off the couch and reached for his discarded clothing.

  Nine

  Sasha awoke the next morning, alone on the couch. The torrid lovemaking she and Mitch shared ran through her thoughts and the delicious feeling stayed with her while she dressed for work.

  She walked into the office to find Mark already there. "You beat me here again,” she smiled.

  "I'm sorting through my notes from last night while they're still fresh in my mind.” He leaned back in his chair. “You look as if you're feeling better today."

  "I am,” she stared out the window, remembering the passion she'd shared with Mitch only hours earlier.

  “I’m curious why Mitch left the banquet early last night.” Mark waited until Sasha turned and made eye contact with him. “He couldn’t have stayed more than an hour - after you left.”

  The ringing of the telephone saved Sasha from having to reply. He grinned at Sasha as he hung up the phone. “Mitch wants to see you in his office.”

  She nodded, and walked for the elevator.

  When she reached his office, Mitch stood as she entered. “Have a seat,” he watched as she slipped into the chair across from him. “They’ve scheduled the court date for tomorrow on the libel suit.”

  A frown spread across her face. “Oh no, so soon?”

  “Don’t look so worried because I’ll be going with you and you’ll meet with our attorney today, he’ll brief you on what to expect.”

  "I'm not worried about myself. It’s the other workers job security I’m concerned about.” And my father.

  "We'll take one step at a time.”

  "Oh,” she murmured, her gaze shying away from the lips that had ravaged hers and several more of her body parts the night before. They hadn't talked much when he’d arrived at her apartment; intent only on satisfying each other's needs.

  "You-you weave a potent spell, Rebel,” he looked around the room, at everything but her. "There are things I want to say-to you, but… In the heat of the moment, I forget everything."

  She knew exactly what he meant.

  He walked to her, gently lifting her from the chair. He looked down into her eyes and she felt her heartbeat quicken at his closeness. When his lips slowly met hers, she was ready to receive his sweet kiss. The kiss seemed to go on forever; if it were up to Sasha, she never wanted it to end.

  He lifted his head and gazed for a long time into her desire filled eyes. “I could have told Mark to relay the message to you, but I wanted to see you.” He lowered his head and claimed her lips again. The hungry kiss ravished her mouth, sending her the message that he wanted her now, but eventually, he withdrew. He breathed heavily, “I’d better let you get back to work.”

  Sasha left the room, her head in a cloud. She even forgot her worry about the court date the next day, but reality soon set in again.

  "How did it go?” Mark asked as she entered the room.

  “Oh! Uh, the court date is tomorrow.”

  "Everything will work out.” Mark noticed the flush on her cheeks.

  *****

  The following morning at eight-fifteen, Sasha walked from her apartment dreading what lay ahead of her. She heard footsteps behind her, and turned to see Mitch striding toward her.

  "Hold on a minute,” he called out. "You can ride to the courthouse with me."

  "All right,” she waited for him to catch up.

  On the drive, Mitch broke the silence. "I'll be leaving the newspaper in a month.”

  His sudden announcement brought her head up with a start. Had she heard him right? A sinking sensation quivered through her with the thought she might never see him again. There were so many questions clamoring through her brain that she couldn’t think straight.

  "Where do you plan to go?" She could barely get the question out.

  “I have a job offer in New York.” A good job offer, but can I leave this beauty sitting next to me? He'd spent many a night wrestling with the thought, and still hadn't come up with a solution. He wasn’t sure he could go through with it.

  "Haven't you ever considered taking on a permanent job, putting down roots?" she asked, her heart aching.

  "I don't know, maybe someday I might.” He shrugged his broad shoulders, while a frown tugged at his brow.

  "I don't believe I'd like all that traveling around." She remembered her thoughts of a few months ago about never wanting to leave Chicago. That was in the past now, and all Mitch would have to do is offer her the chance to go with him. She didn't know how she could stand seeing him leave.

  Glancing up, she saw the courthouse loom into sight, ending the discussion of his personal life. Mitch parked the car, "Are you ready?" he asked.

  Sasha took a deep breath, "I'm as ready as I'll ever be.” She walked alongside him into the building. Rooms led off into different directions and Sasha's gaze swept the numbers marked on the doors.

  "There's the room we want,” Mitch pointed and took her arm.

  As they walked through the door, she felt his hand tighten on her arm, a reassuring gesture. Before finding a seat, she looked around the room. She felt unease fill her when she saw her father sitting in the back row. Their gazes locked for several, long seconds, but she eventually looked away. She only hoped Mitch didn’t look toward the spectator section and see her dad. Mitch would wonder what the same man who’d picked her up at her apartment was doing in court that day.

  Soon the room quieted and the judge entered through a side door. Sasha waited nervously for the preliminaries to conclude.

  The attorney for the newspaper motioned for her to join him up front. She slipped from her seat and made her way through the wooden gate, dividing the spectators' seats from the lawyers' tables.

  The actual court proceedings weren't as long as she'd expected. She heard her name called to testify. When she finished, the bailiff called the other party involved in the lawsuit. Everything flew by for Sasha and she watched the accusing party leaving the witness chair. The judge made a motion ending the court testimony and gave the jury instructions before they left the courtroom to reach a decision.

  Sasha walked through the swinging door and rejoined Mitch. She felt his hand touch hers softly.

  "Everything's going to be all right. You look as if you’re ready to pass out.”

  She offered a weak yet reassuring smile, although this was far from how she felt. There was no way she wanted Mitch to know how frightened she really felt. The time passed slowly, but finally they were summoned for the verdict.

  The jury reentered the room. Sasha watched the foreman of the jury hand the bailiff the small piece of paper. He
gave it to the judge who studied it and asked if this was the consensus of the jury. Assured that it was, the judge stated, "The newspaper is found not guilty.”

  Sasha felt the heavy weight lift instantly from her shoulders, and her eyes glistened with unshed tears. She turned her head for a glimpse of her father, but he had already left the room.

  Mitch didn't waste any time in joining her and the attorney up front. When he reached her, he drew her into his arms in a warm embrace. Soon releasing her, he held her away from him, and his dark eyes looked down at her. "All that worrying for nothing; it turned out okay in the end."

  She nodded her head; she suddenly felt too emotional to speak. The burden she'd carried for weeks no longer existed and she felt lighthearted. Then the dark cloud passed over her, remembering Mitch's words from earlier that morning. She was going to have to block that from her mind and deal with it when it happened. This morning was for celebrating their victory and she didn't want anything overshadowing it.

  "Are you ready for lunch?" Mitch asked.

  “I thought you'd never ask,” she laughed.

  At the restaurant, Sasha realized she was famished. She noticed Mitch's smile when she ordered a full course lunch.

  After the waiter left, Mitch looked at her, “Mark mentioned that you'll need a few days off."

  "Yes, if you can get along without me?"

  What she said could mean two things, Mitch thought silently. He knew he was going to miss her for even three days, so what was he going to do when he went to New York? I don’t have an answer for that one.

  "I'll have someone help Mark with your work,” he eventually answered.

  To Sasha's relief he didn't ask any questions about why she needed the time off.

  "Thanks,” she said as the waiter arrived at their table with the food.

  After leaving work that evening, Sasha packed her bags for the following day. She heard a car door slam in the parking lot and walked to the window to look out. A lump formed in her throat as she pulled the drape aside.