After Maggie left, he’d asked Gwen to leave and eventually had to threaten to call security before she would go. She’d had some choice words for him, too.
It was stupid to call Gwen anyway. I’d gone through all my usual dates and couldn’t find anyone. Better no date than Gwen.
He’d tried to call Maggie both that night and the next day but she wasn’t picking up. He’d left messages on her voicemail and he’d texted, too.
No, she’s still upset. First thing is, I have to straighten things out with her. He was surprised to find that he cared about how Maggie felt. It occurred to him that she was really the closest thing he had to a friend. He shook his head.
After we get the whole Gwen thing sorted out, maybe Maggie will agree to go out sometimes. Michael pondered that idea for a moment. There were events that she really was suited for, case in point that music charity thing they’d attended years ago.
And the sex... His mind drifted back to the way she’d unrolled the condom using only her mouth, and his cock immediately responded. He nodded slowly. Going out with Maggie now and again would be a great thing.
Realization interrupted his reverie. No way would Maggie agree to be just another girl in my ‘line-up.’ Michael sighed.
A new idea occurred to him. Suppose I date Maggie exclusively? He scratched his chin as he tried it on for size. Maggie and I...a couple. He considered the implications. We’d go out together after the weekly gathering at Doc’s, for example. Maybe sometimes we’d stay in, cook together.
He smiled picturing the two of them in his kitchen whipping up something delicious, laughing and joking together. His imagination shifted to her naked form, her ample tits, that irresistible tattoo on her hip. Sex with Maggie on a regular basis...
This is doable. Michael nodded slowly. I could be monogamous. We could see where this thing leads. Maybe she could even move in.
He frowned. She hates my apartment, though. He shrugged. We could find something together. But I’m getting ahead of myself. One thing at a time.
Michael smiled to himself, pleased with his decision. For the first time since he’d arrived in the Maldives he felt himself relax. He gazed out across the tropical blue water and breathed out a relieved sigh.
A bit further down the beach he noticed the male half of the honeymoon couple Vivian had pointed out in the restaurant. The husband in his blue trunks was very pale. Michael wondered briefly if he was using the proper amount of SPF, then immediately scowled at the idiotic thought.
Michael watched him gesture toward the water and followed the man’s gaze up the beach. “Holy shit,” Michael breathed to himself. The man’s wife, topless and wearing a tiny white thong, joined him by the edge of the water. Even from this distance, Michael could see that the woman’s body was slamming.
The pair began walking down the beach toward where Michael was sitting. Once again, he was glad to have his mirrored shades. He pointed his face straight ahead and watched them out of the corner of his eye. As they got closer, he saw that her tits were huge, probably 38DD or bigger, with pert pink nipples that made his tongue tingle in anticipation.
To his surprise, the woman spoke to him. “Hello,” she said. “We saw you in the restaurant the other night. I’m Amanda and this is Kenneth.”
Michael greeted them both and gave his patent Michael Rannigan smile. “I’m Michael.”
“Maybe you and your wife could have dinner with us tonight,” Amanda offered.
Michael laughed ruefully. “Actually, she’s not my wife. And actually, she had to go home. I’ll probably dine in tonight. But thanks for the offer.” He watched her carefully. She had that look in her eyes. Like the one Maggie had, the one that said she found him attractive. He felt a bit sorry for poor Kenneth.
“Oh, well,” she said, “I’m sorry your friend left. Are you sure you won’t join us? Wouldn’t it be great for Michael to join us for dinner?” she said to Kenneth, who nodded.
He smiled. “Thanks for your kind offer. I have some work to do anyway,” he lied.
Michael did end up having dinner on the deck of the bungalow. He didn’t miss Vivian’s incessant chatter at all. The sound of the water was a perfect accompaniment for his meal. Later, though, he headed over to the tiki bar on the beach for a cocktail. Standing at the bar, he’d just ordered a bourbon when he heard someone call his name.
Turning, he saw Amanda walking toward him, dressed this time, in a hot pink halter-topped sundress. Her long blonde hair swirled around her tanned shoulders. “There you are,” she said.
He gave an exaggerated frown. “Was I missing?” he quipped.
Amanda laughed. “I was just saying to Kenneth that I hoped you’d come out and play.” She placed a well-manicured hand on his arm.
In her light blue eyes Michael saw the double entendre. He looked around. “Where is Kenneth, anyway?”
Amanda smiled slowly. “Kenneth went back to the bungalow. He got a nasty sunburn today.”
Michael grimaced. “That’s a shame. I hope that doesn’t ruin your trip.”
“I’m determined to keep a stiff...upper lip,” she smiled. “What are you drinking?”
Michael hesitated. He’d finally come to a decision about Maggie. And Amanda was on her honeymoon, for fuck’s sake. Ultimately, he shrugged. “Bourbon. Would you like one?”
Two bourbons later, he followed Amanda into the ladies room. Locking the stall door, he untied her halter to release the amazing tits he’s enjoyed on the beach, groping them, pulling the nipples and stretching them to attention as he kissed her roughly. Then he pressed her up against the stall door and lifted her skirt to discover she wasn’t wearing panties. Her pussy was pink and smooth, and it was nicely wet.
“I want you to fuck me,” she hissed in his ear. Michael wasted no time in unzipping his pants and plunging his hard cock into her greedy core. She gripped the back of his neck with both hands as he pounded into her against the bathroom stall.
“Oh, Jesus, yesssss!” she cried out. Michael gave two more thrusts and exploded in release. He waited a beat then pulled out, cleaned himself off a bit, then put his pants back together. He left the restroom without a word.
Back in his bungalow, Michael went into the bathroom to start the shower. He caught his reflection in the mirror.
I’m a shit. I just fucked a bride on her honeymoon. There’s no way I could be faithful to Maggie or anyone else. She deserves better than that. Michael turned away from the mirror and restlessly ran his fingers through his hair in disgust.
Chapter 2
Her last day at Murphy, Rannigan was harder than Maggie had imagined. There was a surprise going-away party that afternoon in the conference room and she’d had to fight back tears. She knew she’d miss her colleagues on the 50th floor. She was grateful that Michael was still away. I don’t think I could deal with him as well.
After the cake was cut, she slipped back to her office to pack up her personal things. She looked lovingly at each photo as she put it into the small box she’d pilfered from the supply closet. She had very good memories from her time here. Mostly. The thought of Jean-Luc LeRoi caused her to wince. Well, no more of that kind of thing.
***
On Friday afternoon, Michael took the elevator to the 50th floor. He’d ended his vacation a couple of days early. Two weeks is really too long to be gone, he reflected. He figured he’d check up on what had happened in his absence then join the gang at Docs. He had Maggie’s bracelet in his pocket, figuring on returning it to her.
The first person he saw when he stepped off the elevator was Stan. “Hey, good, you made it for Maggie’s party,” Stan said, smiling.
Michael frowned. “Maggie’s party? It’s not her birthday already, is it?” How did that sneak up on me?
Stan tilted his head. “Her going-away party. You came back for her last day, right? She’s going to the DA’s office?”
Michael’s mouth fell open. “Her last...” He glanced around. “What the fuck?
!”
He strode purposefully toward Maggie’s open office door. She was behind her desk, her back to the door. “What the fuck, Mags?!”
Maggie whirled around, her eyes wide. “Michael!”
“Explain to me what’s going on here,” he demanded.
She opened and closed her mouth, her face flushed. “I, well I, uh... I gave Brian my two week notice. I took a job working for Rance.”
“You gave Brian your notice?!”
“You weren’t here,” she said reasonably.
Michael began to stalk back and forth in front of her desk. “What the fuck possessed you to take a new job? And you couldn’t wait for me to get back? I would have offered you a raise.”
Maggie shook her head. “It’s not about the money. I hated what I did to win the LeRoi case. You know that really ate away at me. I can’t do that anymore. I feel...dirty, like I need redemption. I have to do something different, something good.”
Michael stopped pacing and placed his hands on her desk, leaning closer and speaking in a low tone. “Is this about us? About the fact that we slept together?”
She crossed her arms and leaned against the credenza. “News flash, Michael. Not everything in the world is about you.”
He stood straight and nodded his head angrily. “So it’s like this, is it? You’re just going to leave the firm.”
“I’ve been here five years. It’s time to move on.” She hung her bag over her shoulder and picked up her box, walking around the desk.
“Let me call security,” Michael told her coolly. “They can escort you out and see that you don’t take any property belonging to the firm.”
Maggie’s eyes bulged. “Are you serious? You want to make sure I don’t steal anything?!” She walked back to the desk and put down the box. “Fuck it. I don’t need any of this shit.”
She glared at Michael. “You worried about my purse?” She unzipped the bag and upended it, dumping a wallet, three pens, loose change, hand lotion, a lipstick, and two tampons all over the floor before dropping the bag.
She snatched up the wallet. “If you don’t mind, I’ll need my ID and my Metro card.” She turned on her heel and stalked out into the hallway.
Michael interlaced his fingers on top of his head and sighed. “Wait, Mags, I was out of line,” he said, following her.
“Out of line? You were out of line?” she shrieked. “Fuck you, Michael!” She jabbed the elevator button and entered it as soon as the doors parted, pressing the close door button even before the car was all the way open.
Action on the 50th floor had ground to a halt at the sound of raised voices and as Maggie disappeared, people remained frozen, staring at Michael.
“Fuck!” he growled, and retreated to his office, slamming the door behind him.
* * *
Maggie managed to make it all the way home and lock the door behind her before the tears came. Sinking to the floor just inside her apartment and leaning against the door, she sobbed until she didn’t have any tears left.
She was just beginning to quiet down when her phone rang. Ben. She rolled her eyes and cleared her throat. I didn’t think it would take long.
“Hello,” she croaked.
“Hey, Flynn, how was your last day?” Ben asked brightly. “Anything unexpected come up?”
“Nate told you,” she said.
“Nate told me. Are you crying? We’re coming over,” he said.
“No, I’m not crying. And no, you’re not coming over,” she told him. “You know I love you. But I need to be alone. Please understand.” Her voice cracked again.
“Oh, Flynn, I’m so sorry,” he sighed. “Are you sure there’s nothing we can do? Bring wine? Put out a hit on a deliciously sexy attorney?” He laughed softly. “We care about you, silly.”
Maggie tried to laugh. “I know you do. You’re family. I’ll be okay. I’ve just got to get through it, that’s all. Besides, isn’t Friday date night?”
“Yes, and we’re going dancing,” Ben sang. “You should come with us.”
Maggie pictured herself out with Ben and Nate, drunk and dancing at a gay bar. It wouldn’t be the first time. “No. I’m definitely not up for dancing. You have fun. I’ll see you soon.”
“Okay, Flynn. But I’m calling you again later,” he said. “Kisses!”
She smiled. “Kisses.” She disconnected and went into the bathroom to wash her face.
* * *
Michael never made it to Doc’s. He spent two hours ostensibly catching up on email but in reality fuming over Maggie’s departure. What had possessed him to tell her he was calling security? That was such an asshole move.
He’d returned to her office almost immediately, restoring the contents of her purse, taking it and the box to his office. He stared at the cardboard box, Toshiba emblazoned in black on the side along with the toner cartridge number. He absently lifted a framed photo out of the box. It was a family portrait of a young couple and a toddler.
He shrugged and returned it, choosing another. His eyes widened with recognition. It was a photo of him and Maggie at the music in schools fundraiser several years ago. He remembered the moment the photo was snapped. He and Maggie were dancing and he’d surprised her with a dramatic dip. As he pulled her back up they’d both been laughing. He remembered giving the picture to Maggie a few years ago.
He sighed sadly. I have to straighten things out. I can’t leave it like this. Grabbing the box and Maggie’s purse, he locked his door and left the office, heading for the East Village.
* * *
Maggie padded into the kitchen in her favorite faded jeans and an old black Green Day t-shirt. She poured herself a glass of wine and returned to the living room to click on the television. When her door buzzed she peeked out the window, thinking that Ben and Nate had come over in spite of her protests. Instead, Michael stood on the front steps looking up at her.
“Shit!” she hissed. Her finger wavered over the button. “What do you want, Michael?”
“I need to talk to you for a minute. Can I come up?”
Maggie hesitated. “No. I’ll meet you outside.” She slipped into her flip flops and went downstairs. When she opened the door she saw that Michael had brought the box from her office. She stepped outside and let the door close behind her.
“Great shirt,” Michael said uneasily.
She crossed her arms protectively. “Why are you here?”
“You left your things,” he shrugged. “I wanted to bring them to you. And apologize. I was an ass.” He handed her the box. Maggie accepted it wordlessly.
When he realized she wasn’t answering, he continued. “I know you were unhappy about that case. I get that. But I can’t help but believe that you’re upset about the night before I left for vacation.” Maggie still said nothing.
Michael breathed out sharply. “Shit! The thing is...I tried to call you but you didn’t pick up. I texted but you didn’t answer.” He looked at her pleadingly. “Mags, that night was amazing. You were amazing. That can’t be a bad thing.”
“I don’t just do that casually,” she responded. He smiled slowly and she flushed. “Well, occasionally I do. But I never felt casually about you.” Her gaze was intense. “When I realized that I was just who you settled for that night...”
“No, Mags, it wasn’t like that.”
“Pity fuck, Michael. I felt so stupid.”
He took a step closer. “That was Gwen. She was trying to be hurtful.” He shook his head emphatically. “It was never like that. You have to believe me, I’ve never said anything more truthful in my life. I threw her out after you left. Hell, I had to threaten to call security.”
She shook her head sadly. “It doesn’t matter.” Michael brushed his hand across his jaw, unsure of what to say. Maggie took pity on him. “I never asked you about your trip,” she offered quietly.
Michael looked at his feet. “It was okay. I ended up sending Vivian home early.” He shrugged. “I thought a lot about you. A
bout us.” He smiled grimly. “I could never be who you want me to be.”
“I know,” she replied, meeting his gaze.
That’s when he saw it. Her eyes were dull, the sparkle gone. That’s it. That’s the look when she doesn’t want me anymore. The realization was a gut-punch to his soul. He took a moment to gather himself.
“Well...” He took a step toward her, reaching into his pocket. “You forgot this at my place.” He held the bracelet out towards her.
“I didn’t forget it,” she said softly.
He stared at the moonstones, comprehension dawning. “It’s yours. Keep it, give it away, sell it...” He slipped it into the box and turned to walk away. Three steps later he turned. “I’m going to miss you.”
“Yes. You are.”
Chapter 3
Maggie was early for her first day with the District Attorney’s office. The commute is shorter, she observed. That was one good thing. She met with Rance for about half an hour as he discussed her responsibilities, then he showed her to her office.
It was one of several off the main space, a small square room with three bare cinder block walls painted beige. There was a tiny window positioned high on the outer wall. The fourth wall featured the door and was made of glass, affording a view of rows of beige cubicles in the center of a large room. A small metal desk was positioned under the window. Maggie noted that it was dented; looking around she saw that part of the beige rubber baseboard was missing and there was a snag in the beige industrial carpet.
Rance watched her taking it all in. “I guess it’s not what you’re used to over at Murphy, Rannigan.”
Maggie forced a smile. “It’s fine, just fine. I’ll just...it’ll be great,” she said around the lump in her throat.
“Alright, then. I’ll leave you to get settled. My assistant will bring you a few files later today, let you jump right in if that’s okay. I’ve seen you in action in court,” he grinned. “I’m ready for you to be there on our behalf this time.” Halfway out her door he stopped. “Oh, by the way, Jason and I want to have you over for dinner on Saturday. It’ll be a chance for you to get to know some of the crew.”
Rannigan's Redemption: Complete Collection Page 21
