by Abby Wood
Without lowering her head, she crawled in long, slow stretches, drawing out the task he wanted her to perform. Her breasts hung free underneath her, swaying with each move. Her nipples hardened into tight nubs against the chill and the way she grew excited over what Mick would have her do next.
“Fuck.” Mick’s jaw tensed. “You’re beautiful, baby.”
“I want you.” She reached him and sat back on her feet. She grasped his thighs and purred. “Please?”
Short, heated breaths blew out of Mick’s mouth, creating a mist of air. “Finger your clit.” He began to stroke his cock. “Come for me.” The little vein at the side of his temple pulsed with desire. “My cum…” He groaned. “Rain.” He arched his back and widened his stance. “You.”
She slid her finger over the wetness of her pussy. She leaned back, putting more pressure on her anus. Raindrops lit on her nipples, sending tiny jolts of pleasure through her body that warmed her up. The cloudy drop of precum on the head of his cock stood out from the rain coating his body.
“Oh.” She swallowed. “Mick.” She writhed in front of him. Her head thrown back, she gazed at the way his body strained to hold back his ecstasy. “Please. Come on me.”
He pulled back hard on his cock and held it tight. “Ah…” He yelled his release.
The sound reverberated over the nature-made amphitheater and delved into her core, consuming her. She cried out with unabashed abandon. Splotches of his cum marked her chest, and she shuddered.
Mick stumbled back, got his balance, and held out his hand. She pulled herself off the ground and wrapped her arms around his neck for support. The pleasure they’d shared beat cajoling him into singing hands down.
“Did you hear it, Mick?” she whispered against his neck. “Isn’t it magical?”
He picked her up and cradled her in his arms. “Yeah, baby. That was unforgettable.”
* * *
Debbie’s stomach hurt. She rolled onto her side and curled into a fetal position. She couldn’t take it anymore.
“Stop. Please.” She drew in a shaky breath. “You’re killing me here.”
Mick grabbed her leg, pulled her foot back onto his lap, and held his fingers above the bottom of her foot. “A fit punishment for someone who dares laugh at one of their elders, I’d think.”
“Fine!” She struggled to sit up. “I won’t make fun of you anymore. How was I supposed to know you’re a huge kung fu fan?” She bit down on her lip to keep from cracking up.
He’d convinced her to watch an old movie, but the more she laughed every time one of the characters mentioned the name Grasshopper, the stiffer Mick’s back became. She stretched back out and put her other foot in his lap.
“Want to paint my toenails?” She wiggled her toes.
Mick didn’t answer her but stared down at her feet. She sat up and touched his arm. “Mick?”
He turned. “What?”
“I lost you there for a minute. What were you thinking?” She pulled his arm over and held his hand between her palms. “You looked a million miles away.”
Mick smiled, lifted her foot, and kissed her big toe. “I was just thinking that it’s been a long time since I’ve laughed this way, and I have you to thank.” He massaged the bottom of her foot. “I’ve been too serious for too many years. Struggling to secure my finances, climbing the corporate ladder, and putting on a suit every day… Somewhere in that huge amount of time, it all got old.”
“I’m glad you laugh too.” She pulled her feet down and climbed up into his lap. “Even if it’s because of my immaturity.” She snuggled against him.
“You balance me.” He cradled her to his chest. “We give each other a lot. Let’s never take that for granted, okay?”
“Nope.” She nibbled his neck. “I’ll never do that.”
He sighed. “I almost wish we didn’t have to go to the party.”
“Yeah, me too.” Her fingers roamed over his chest. “The sooner we go, the faster we can come home.”
Mick kissed the top of her head and scooted her off his lap. “Thank God. Let’s go hop in the shower and get this show on the road, shall we?”
She followed him into the bathroom. “You say the funniest things.”
* * *
The conversations swirled around Debbie. She had the odd sense that she belonged at home with Mick, not here. The out-of-body revelation overrode her wish to join in the laughter around the table. Why had Mick insisted they come?
“Deb.” Juanita laid a hand on her arm. “Remember that guy who used to put off taking his son home after class so he could talk with you? Jason’s father?”
She nodded. “Yeah.”
“He’s hooked up with Melissa’s mom. I heard this afternoon they planned to get married next summer.” Juanita tapped the table with her finger. “I thought he’d never lose his fascination with you, but it looks like he survived.”
Debbie turned to Mick. “Jason’s dad is a young single father, and Melissa’s mom works down on Cleary Street dancing the poles.” She grinned. “Who knew?”
“Ah.” Mick smiled in understanding but didn’t add anything to the conversation.
“Okay, how many of us are planning on hitting the party tomorrow night?” Barb, the wildest out of all her friends, held her mug of beer up in the air at the other end of the table.
The others in her group of friends cheered and held up their drinks. Debbie slid her hand up Mick’s thigh and twined her fingers through his. Not one for college parties, she planned to convince Mick to snuggle in bed and watch the chick flick she’d bought yesterday. She’d make suffering through a girlie movie worth it for him.
“You in, Deb?” Barb raised her brows.
She shook her head. “Nope, got other plans.”
“Oh, come on. You never go out with us anymore.” Barb scrunched up her nose. “You’re turning into an old fuddy-duddy like the old man.”
Oh no, she didn’t go there. Debbie sucked in a breath. God, she was so tired of getting her relationship with Mick thrown back at her in every conversation.
Mick sat forward. “Baby…”
She leaned back. Her glass thunked against the table. “You know what?” She stared down the length of the table. “Lay off. Just because I—” She waved her hand in front of her. “Never mind.” Grabbing Mick’s hand, she turned. “Do you want to go dance?”
He scooted back his chair, stood up, and led her across the floor. She slipped her arms around his neck. Her heart raced, and it surprised her how bent out of shape she’d become.
“Shit.” She laid her head underneath Mick’s chin. “Why can’t my friends understand? It’s not as if I’ve changed. I rarely went out to the parties with them before I met you.”
“Maybe you’re a little sensitive.” Mick rubbed her back. “Your girlfriends are giving you a hard time because they’re your friends.” He kissed the top of her head. “I don’t think this has so much to do with your relationship with me, Deb.”
She sighed. “They have a funny way of showing it. Once, I’d like them to ask me what we did over the weekend or listen to me tell them about you without giving me a lecture about the age difference. They aren’t exactly kind behind your back. I’m tired of defending you, us, everything.”
Mick stopped moving, leaned back, and gazed down at her. “Do you have a problem being with me?”
She jerked. Why would he ask such a ridiculous question?
“Of course not!” She kissed him. “I love you. I love what we have together.”
He lifted his gaze from her and peered over at her friends. “Want to get out of here?”
She smiled. “That’s the best thing I’ve heard all night.”
Grabbing her coat off the back of the chair, she turned to her friends. “Sorry, guys, probably PMS.” She rubbed her forehead. “Thanks for inviting us, but we’re going to head out.”
She walked around the table and gave each of them a hug. Squeezing Barb extra-hard, she whisp
ered, “Sorry. I didn’t mean to bite your head off. Forgive me?”
“Of course.” Barb kissed her cheeks. “You’ve always been a fudster.” Barb hugged Debbie back. “Plus, now I know what to get you for your birthday. A shawl…and maybe a pair of knitting needles.”
She groaned. “Barb—”
Her friend held up her hand. “I’ll stop. I just think you’re making a terrible mistake. You should be out having fun.”
“This is fun. I love Mick.” She turned around and headed back down to the other side of the table.
Debbie saved saying good-bye to Juanita for last. Walking back around the table, she found Mick in a serious conversation. A frown marked his face as he leaned down beside Juanita talking.
At her approach, Mick straightened and stopped talking. She placed her hand on Juanita’s back and tilted her head at Mick. Why did he appear so serious all of a sudden?
“Hey, Juanita. I’ll see you on Monday bright and early, ‘kay?” She hugged her coworker from behind.
“Dammit. I’m sorry, Deb. It slipped out before I realized what I’d said.” Juanita squeezed her arms.
Debbie glanced up at Mick. The muscle along his jaw twitched from the tension around his mouth. Her shoulders drooped. Shit.
“Not your fault. I should have told him.” She leaned around and kissed Juanita’s cheek. “See you Monday.”
She followed Mick out of the restaurant. He kept his distance and didn’t lay a hand on her. After escorting her into the car, he climbed in and drove.
“Can I explain?”
“I think your actions are enlightening me enough.” His fingers turned white on the steering wheel. “I asked you to let go of your apartment, make the commitment to our relationship, and you lied. Half the time we’re with your friends, you’re more concerned about what they think than letting it all go—”
“It’s not like that.” She threw up her hands.
He slammed a palm down on the wheel. “Are you denying that you’re letting your friend stay at your apartment, but kept the apartment in your name?”
“No.”
“Did you not lead me to believe you had moved into my house with the intent to make our relationship permanent—forever?” He downshifted and pulled onto their street.
“Knock it off, Mick. I’m not on trial here. Let me explain.” She reached over and put her hand on his leg, but he shoved it away.
Neither one of them spoke the rest of the way home. Following him into the house, she wanted to explain her reasoning, but everything she came up with sounded pathetic to her own ears.
Mick stalked off upstairs, and Debbie sank down on the couch. Grabbing the folded blanket, she hugged it to her chest. I will not cry. He’ll calm down, and I’ll try to explain why I did it.
Chapter Nine
Thunk.
Mick stood in front of the couch with two suitcases sitting at his feet. “I’ll have the rest of your things boxed and delivered to your apartment tomorrow.”
She ran her hands over her face and sat up. “What are you talking about?” She glanced at the clock. “Oh God, I fell asleep.”
“I told you from day one that I expected honesty and one hundred percent of you in this relationship.” He shoved his hands into the front pockets of his slacks. “I’m not willing to receive anything less.” His upper lip twitched. “You’ll have no problem making the adjustment. You have an apartment to go back to.”
“Mick, wait—” She flung off the blanket and stood up.
He stepped back and acted as if the mere thought of her touching any part of him turned his stomach. “Go home, Debbie” He turned his back to her and walked off.
“Mick?”
He stopped but refused to turn around. She swallowed.
“I love you.”
He nodded. “You’re in love with the idea of a relationship with me, but for how much you try to convince yourself you want a relationship with someone more mature and stable…you have a lot of growing up to do.”
Her jaw dropped. Mick walked over to the door, opened it, and hurried over to climb the stairs. His words cut deep and left her wounded. It wasn’t true. She loved him.
The bedroom door slammed. She flinched. Ignoring the tears falling down her cheeks, she put her coat on and picked up her suitcases.
Mick was wrong. She didn’t need to grow up. He did.
* * *
“Ms. Nordall, Ms. Nordall!”
Debbie glanced down and found Jeremy tugging her pant leg. Squatting, she smiled. “Yes, sweetie?”
“I got to go to the baffroom.” He danced in place. “Bad.”
“Let’s go, champ.” She hurried him out of the classroom, across the hall, and pushed him through the door. “I’ll be right here. Don’t forget to wash your hands.”
She leaned against the wall and rubbed her head. Fifteen minutes and she could go home. She needed a couple of aspirin in the worst way.
The classroom door to the preschool room opened. She lifted her head. The aftereffects of the last snack break finally showed up going by how much noise the hyperactive children were making.
“Clear the area. We’ve got an emergency.” Juanita held a little boy tucked under her arm. “Everyone stand back. There’s a plane coming in for landing.”
Tucker’s arms stuck straight out at his sides, and after touching the ground, he flew into the restroom. She smiled. Cute kid.
“Hey, you all right?” Juanita collapsed beside her. “You’re looking awful droopy.”
“Headache.” She touched her temple. “Nothing a couple of pills and a bath won’t cure.”
“It’s Friday. Why don’t you cut out early? I’ll take the kids back to the room.” Juanita patted her arm. “You’ve had a hell of a week. You deserve some pampering. I’m going out with the gang tonight, so you’ll have the place to yourself.”
“Thanks, Juanita.” She hugged her friend.
After grabbing her purse and coat, she headed out to her car. Her cell phone rang, and she hurried to find it in her bag. Flipping it open, she hurried to press the call button.
“Mom?” She threw her stuff on the hood of the car. “Everything okay with you and Dad?”
“Of course, sweetie. I’m calling to check up on you.” Her mom paused. “Have you talked to Mick?”
“No.” She rubbed the back of her neck. “The more I think about it, the madder I am. He had no right to shut me out and not allow me to explain my side. He claimed I needed to grow up.” She snorted. “It’s not like he’s acting very mature at the moment either.” She blew her bangs off her face. “I just don’t understand how we went from wonderful to not even talking.”
“Honey, you need to listen to how you’re talking. I don’t think Mick is the only one who jumped to conclusions.” Her mom sighed. “I know it’s hard when your feelings are so tender, but…”
Debbie sighed. “Deep down, I know that.” She sniffed. “Oh, Mom, I had no idea it would hurt this bad. I never meant to hurt him. I thought I was doing the right thing, but Mick was right. I should have trusted him and the love we shared together.”
Silence came over the phone. “Mom, you still there?”
“Yes, Deb.” Static sounded in her ear. “Honey, hang on. Your dad is yelling from the other room that he wants to speak with you.”
She dug through her purse, found her keys, and unlocked the driver’s-side door. After tossing her things inside, she sat down in the driver’s seat and then shut the door. Now that her mom and dad had discovered the pleasures of traveling, she couldn’t just pop in on them at their house and discuss her problems whenever she wanted. She missed having everyday interactions with her parents.
“Sweetheart?”
“Hi, Daddy.” Deb smiled. “How’s your vacation going?”
“Good, but I’m anxious to come back and see you. I’m worried about you.”
“I’ll be okay.” She sniffed. Hearing her dad’s voice was comforting, and she’d love to r
eceive one of his big bear hugs. He had a way about him that solved all her problems. “It hurts. I love him, Dad.”
“Then go talk to him.” Her dad chuckled. “Did I ever tell you about the time your mother threatened to have her older brothers beat me up?”
She wiped her eyes. “No.”
