A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Will they make their relationship last for a lifetime or will they once again be their own worst enemies and allow their own insecurities to tear them apart more effectively than Debbie, Priscilla, or any other outsider ever could? It is with bittersweet excitement that we announce the tantalizing finale to our long-running serial novel, Fateful Encounters. For 50 long chapters and over one year, readers from all over the world have tuned in to read about the heartstopping roller coaster love affair of our fictional soulmates, Michael and Lisa. If you have been one of the faithful followers, don't despair. Michael and Lisa will continue their love affair in forthcoming updates to To Have and To Hold. Also look for new updates to La Femme Dangereuse, Let's Be Playmates, Mirror to the Soul, and brand new fiction from new authors. ~~Planet Jackson
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Fateful Encounters by Erika B. Michaels
1)
She had been suspicious when he had not called for over a week. He had promised to be in touch. How could he lie to her…again? She nervously checked her watch for the five millionth time. Then she picked up her phone, just in case she did not hear the peep of the missed-call indicator. No, nothing. That son of a bitch. And she was falling for him and his bull shit again. Or had she ever stopped? She was tempted to call him herself. Of course, knowing him, he would not answer. She hated his stupid voicemail. Hated him – almost as much as she loved him.
Surely he would not forget her birthday. No, he always remembered it. Why would this year be different? Especially since she had every reason to believe things between them were heading in the right directions…for once.
“Lisa, why in the world would you keep checking your phone? Have you heard a word I was saying?”
Her mother eyed her with a stern look. Actually, mother really needed to lay off the Botox, as trying to decipher the meaning of her facial expressions had started to become like solving a puzzle. Annoyed? She looked…surprised. Mad….she looked surprised. Angry..surprised. Surprised…well….
Lisa had to giggle to herself. She did love her mother, with all her faults, and her over- protectiveness, her old-fashioned pre-conceived notions, her hawk-like business sense, but it was funny how she became obsessed with plastic surgery almost as much as her former son-in-law.
“It’s nothing. I was waiting for a call.”
Priscilla raised an eyebrow;
“From?”
“None of your business, mother. You were saying?”
“I was asking if you planned to bring a date to your party?” came the haughty response, spawned, no doubt by her daughter reminder to stay out of her private affairs.
“Nope, just the kids.”
“You are not seeing anyone?”
She obviously could not help herself.
“Nope. No one special, anyway.”
She was lying her ass off. Had to. Her mother would go into cardiac arrest if she knew the truth. Her anger would be red-hot. Her face would be outraged…and look very surprised.
2)
He made it out of the business meeting later than he had anticipated. He jumped into his SUV and told the driver to head home.
“Sir, are we stopping anywhere on the way back to Neverland?”
“Nope. We are going straight back. I promised Prince to spend some time with him today. And Debbie is over and wants to talk to me.”
He remembered another promise. Shoot, he had promised to call Lisa. He picked up his phone, then something made him change his mind. A small smile played around his sensual lips as he imagined her getting more and more worked up, waiting for his call. Her light gray eyes would go dark, she would start pacing, no doubt, muttering curse words to herself. Looking mad- and sexy as hell.
He did not fully know what it was about getting her angry that really turned him on. Just thinking about her possible fury made his penis jump to life . He shifted uncomfortably in the seat.
Geeze, Mike, get a grip, you’ll get to see her soon enough.
Ok, maybe not soon enough. She had pissed him off by not inviting him to her actual party, probably was afraid of the dragon lady--her mother. He was tired of being her dirty little secret. He understood why she wanted to keep their arrangement a secret from the children, but the old witch could just stuff it and choke on her disapproval.
A small voice reminded him that part of the secrecy involved was due to his current “situation.” The “situation” was his ongoing marriage to Debbie, who just happened to be very pregnant again. He really did not consider her his wife, and had he had a choice would have just stuck to their original arrangement of having her artificially inseminated, giving birth to his babies, and remaining friends. That seemed simple enough. Until Mother had gotten a hold of the story.
He loved his mother with all his heart, and simply had been unable to bear the look of disapproval and hurt in her eyes as he tried to explain the plan to use Debbie as a surrogate to carry his children.
“So, let me get this straight? She will have your children, and you will not marry her?”
He stared at his mother. What was she thinking about? Marry Debbie? He almost had to laugh. It was too funny. He fought hard to stay serious, knowing he could not disrespect his mother that way.
“No, Mother. We have an arrangement. It’s fine. She wanted to do this for me. “
“What about Lisa Marie?”
Lisa? He and Lisa were divorced. Not his choice, by the way--not by far. She had lied to him about having his babies and refused to become pregnant. She had acted like a total bitch when he had to get away for a much needed vacation. Then, she had acted like a nut when she heard he was taking some of his young friends with him. What was with her anyway? And then? Then she filed for divorce-- right when he needed her. When he was lying in a hospital bed, suffering, fighting for his life…Ok, maybe not for his life, but suffering from severe panic attacks anyway. This probably had nothing whatsoever to do with the fact that Debbie had already conceived and he had conveniently failed to mention that fact to his wife. The very wife who tended to get very loud and very angry.
Anyway, it was a moot point now: Debbie lost that baby. So, they tried again- and were successful this time.
“Lisa and I are divorced.”
“I thought you said you still loved her?”
As much as he loved Mother, at times she confused apples with oranges.
“Mother, what does that have to do with Debbie and the baby? Lisa and I are divorced; Debbie and I will have a baby, which Debbie offered to have for me. That’s it. No involvement with her.” It was so simple- genius really!
“Michael Joseph! No involvement? The woman is having your child, you created a child with her- a gift from God.”
“We created the baby in a lab, mother.”
She shook her head, looked at him in shock.
“I do not care to hear the details, Michael. But if you do not marry this woman who is carrying you child, you are no better than Joseph.”
That stung. And the sting, together with the damn tabloid getting a hold of the story had been the trigger for his marriage proposal and quickie wedding to Debbie.
So, now he was stuck with a wife he liked, but did not love. And he was addicted to the woman he wanted to be his wife, the woman he loved, but did not always like. At one point, it had all seemed so simple.
She had been suspicious when he had not called for over a week. He had promised to be in touch. How could he lie to her…again? She nervously checked her watch for the five millionth time. Then she picked up her phone, just in case she did not hear the peep of the missed-call indicator. No, nothing. That son of a bitch. And she was falling for him and his bull shit again. Or had she ever stopped? She was tempted to call him herself. Of course, knowing him, he would not answer. She hated his stupid voicemail. Hated him – almost as much as she loved him.
Surely he would not forget her birthday. No, he always remembered it. Why would this year be different? Especially since she had every reason to believe things between them were heading in the right directions…for once.
“Lisa, why in the world would you keep checking your phone? Have you heard a word I was saying?”
Her mother eyed her with a stern look. Actually, mother really needed to lay off the Botox, as trying to decipher the meaning of her facial expressions had started to become like solving a puzzle. Annoyed? She looked…surprised. Mad….she looked surprised. Angry..surprised. Surprised…well….
Lisa had to giggle to herself. She did love her mother, with all her faults, and her over- protectiveness, her old-fashioned pre-conceived notions, her hawk-like business sense, but it was funny how she became obsessed with plastic surgery almost as much as her former son-in-law.
“It’s nothing. I was waiting for a call.”
Priscilla raised an eyebrow;
“From?”
“None of your business, mother. You were saying?”
“I was asking if you planned to bring a date to your party?” came the haughty response, spawned, no doubt by her daughter reminder to stay out of her private affairs.
“Nope, just the kids.”
“You are not seeing anyone?”
She obviously could not help herself.
“Nope. No one special, anyway.”
She was lying her ass off. Had to. Her mother would go into cardiac arrest if she knew the truth. Her anger would be red-hot. Her face would be outraged…and look very surprised.
2)
He made it out of the business meeting later than he had anticipated. He jumped into his SUV and told the driver to head home.
“Sir, are we stopping anywhere on the way back to Neverland?”
“Nope. We are going straight back. I promised Prince to spend some time with him today. And Debbie is over and wants to talk to me.”
He remembered another promise. Shoot, he had promised to call Lisa. He picked up his phone, then something made him change his mind. A small smile played around his sensual lips as he imagined her getting more and more worked up, waiting for his call. Her light gray eyes would go dark, she would start pacing, no doubt, muttering curse words to herself. Looking mad- and sexy as hell.
He did not fully know what it was about getting her angry that really turned him on. Just thinking about her possible fury made his penis jump to life . He shifted uncomfortably in the seat.
Geeze, Mike, get a grip, you’ll get to see her soon enough.
Ok, maybe not soon enough. She had pissed him off by not inviting him to her actual party, probably was afraid of the dragon lady--her mother. He was tired of being her dirty little secret. He understood why she wanted to keep their arrangement a secret from the children, but the old witch could just stuff it and choke on her disapproval.
A small voice reminded him that part of the secrecy involved was due to his current “situation.” The “situation” was his ongoing marriage to Debbie, who just happened to be very pregnant again. He really did not consider her his wife, and had he had a choice would have just stuck to their original arrangement of having her artificially inseminated, giving birth to his babies, and remaining friends. That seemed simple enough. Until Mother had gotten a hold of the story.
He loved his mother with all his heart, and simply had been unable to bear the look of disapproval and hurt in her eyes as he tried to explain the plan to use Debbie as a surrogate to carry his children.
“So, let me get this straight? She will have your children, and you will not marry her?”
He stared at his mother. What was she thinking about? Marry Debbie? He almost had to laugh. It was too funny. He fought hard to stay serious, knowing he could not disrespect his mother that way.
“No, Mother. We have an arrangement. It’s fine. She wanted to do this for me. “
“What about Lisa Marie?”
Lisa? He and Lisa were divorced. Not his choice, by the way--not by far. She had lied to him about having his babies and refused to become pregnant. She had acted like a total bitch when he had to get away for a much needed vacation. Then, she had acted like a nut when she heard he was taking some of his young friends with him. What was with her anyway? And then? Then she filed for divorce-- right when he needed her. When he was lying in a hospital bed, suffering, fighting for his life…Ok, maybe not for his life, but suffering from severe panic attacks anyway. This probably had nothing whatsoever to do with the fact that Debbie had already conceived and he had conveniently failed to mention that fact to his wife. The very wife who tended to get very loud and very angry.
Anyway, it was a moot point now: Debbie lost that baby. So, they tried again- and were successful this time.
“Lisa and I are divorced.”
“I thought you said you still loved her?”
As much as he loved Mother, at times she confused apples with oranges.
“Mother, what does that have to do with Debbie and the baby? Lisa and I are divorced; Debbie and I will have a baby, which Debbie offered to have for me. That’s it. No involvement with her.” It was so simple- genius really!
“Michael Joseph! No involvement? The woman is having your child, you created a child with her- a gift from God.”
“We created the baby in a lab, mother.”
She shook her head, looked at him in shock.
“I do not care to hear the details, Michael. But if you do not marry this woman who is carrying you child, you are no better than Joseph.”
That stung. And the sting, together with the damn tabloid getting a hold of the story had been the trigger for his marriage proposal and quickie wedding to Debbie.
So, now he was stuck with a wife he liked, but did not love. And he was addicted to the woman he wanted to be his wife, the woman he loved, but did not always like. At one point, it had all seemed so simple.
3)
Like after he heard that Lisa and Janet were hanging out and that Lisa was still asking about him. They started talking again, and he had realized how much he had missed her. He missed her spunk, missed her laughter, missed her fire. He missed how she smiled at him just before she kissed him, or just before she got ready to devour his very hard, very needy penis. He missed her body, missed making love to her whenever he felt like it…wherever they felt like it. Hell, he even missed their fights.
He thought back to one night a couple of months ago, laying on his bed, talking to her on the phone, when she mentioned that she had to get up to grab a snack. He glanced over at his clock- it was 3 am.
He asked if she remembered their late night dinners.
“Which ones?”
“Which ones? The really…good ones.” His voice dropped an octave when he said “good.”
“Stop it, you know what that voice does to me!”
He smiled. Yes, he knew only too well.
“What voice?” He managed to keep a very innocent tone.
“You are so full of shit. And I bet you are smiling your ass off right now.”
He laughed. Damn! That woman knew him so well.
“You are one evil man, Michael Jackson. And everyone thinks you are so innocent and sweet.”
“I AM sweet!”
“No, Mike. You just taste sweet.” Now her voice was husky- even huskier than it normally was.
He felt his erection growing. It didn’t take much when Lisa was the stimulation, and it had been such a long time since he had been inside of her. He reached his hand down to his loose pajama pants, and started to grab his member, stroking it through the fabric.
“Well, you, Miss Presley taste sweet and spicy- all at the same time. Depending on where I taste you. When I run my tongue around your pussy, it is sweet, like strawberries. The deeper I go, the more your juices get running, the spicier you get, like spicy honey. And when I reach your clit, when I suck it into my mouth..” His voice was very low now, very deep, like dark, smooth velvet.
“..then your clit tastes like a cherry. Like a smooth, hot cherry.”
He heard a sigh. A lazy smile appeared on his face. His hand on his penis grabbed a stronger hold.
“Lisa? What are you doing?”
She cleared her throat.
“I am cleaning out my desk drawer, Michael, did you say something?”
He giggled.
“Sure you are.” Her voice was a dead giveaway.
It dripped with lust, just like he imagined that her pussy was wet and dripping now.
He was rewarded with a husky laughter.
“Are you touching yourself, Mike?”
“Why?”
“Cause I am. I am lying here on my bed, and I opened my blouse. I am running my fingers over my bra, my breasts are so sensitive right now. You remember?”
“I remember that I could suck them and bite them, and they would grow hard, and how you would grab my head, holding it in place.”
“I opened my bra, Michael. My breasts are hot, but my nipples are hard and pointed. They are exposed to the air now, ready for your mouth, your tongue, your teeth.”
He almost came into his pants. Damn! He missed her--she was such a bad, BAD girl.
“Lisa, do you have your hands-free headset with you?”
“Why, Michael, do I need my hands for something?”
“Yeah, you will in a moment.”
They both switched over to their hands-free sets.
“Lisa, are you still touching your breasts?”
“Uhum”
“Use your right hand to touch your left breast, Lisa. Take your nipple and pinch it. And don’t you dare use your other hand yet. I will hang up if you don’t play right.”
He knew she loved it when he took command of the situation, and he reveled in being in control.
“Ok, Mike. “ He heard her breathing increase. “I am being good.”
“Ok, take your left hand and very slowly run it down your belly. Very slowly, Lis. Are you still wearing pants?”
“No, they are gone. Only my panties are left.”
“Good girl. So let your hand travel down to your panties, but only let it rest right there- at the elastic, do not go further.”
“Mike! You are mean.”
“Lisa, now move your right hand to your other breast, pinch your nipple.” He gave her a minute
“Then take your fingers and put them into your mouth- use them to wet your nipples, baby. Now blow on them.”
He heard her following his instructions. She moaned, her breathing was now rapid and shallow.
He was rock hard, his penis straining to leave the prison of his pj’s- the tip trying to break out the top of the elastic.
“Mike, are you hard? Tell me about it.”
“Yes, baby. I am rock hard. It wants to come out and play – in a big way.”
“What are you doing?”
“I will tell you in a sec. Now Lis- keep your hand playing with your breasts, and slowly let your other hand slide under your panties. Don’t touch your pussy yet….Are you wet?”
“Damn Mike, I am so wet, my panties are soaked clean through. I wish you were here, I wish it was your hand, your long fingers, getting in my panties. I want to feel your fingers in me, Mike. You have no idea, how much.”
“I think I have a pretty good idea.” A cocky smile appeared, revealing his teeth.
He started to reach inside his pants. His erection was huge and hot, his penis now ultra sensitive. He used his large hand to envelope it, his ministrations became rougher as he noticed pre-cum appear on its tip. Shit, he was so close, and after so little effort. He decided to take off his pants, and then reclined against his satin pillows, enjoying the contrast of the cool material against his burning skin.
His fingers rubbed over the tip of his penis, shivering from the sensation. What he would give to have Lisa here, have her mouth ready to bring him some much needed relief.
“Mike, what are you doing? Please let me touch myself, I am so hot, I can’t take it.”
“I took my pants of, Lisa. My dick is huge and hot. I am imagining your hands on it, how they slide up and down on it, pulling the skin over it.”
“I love the way your silky skin feels. Like velvet over steel. I wish I was there to do that for you. I would use my hand then get on my knees for you, take you into my mouth….or try to anyway. God, Mike! I can’t forget how huge you are, what it takes to take all of you.”
He had to fight to keep from climaxing at the image of his dick in her mouth as she struggled to take all of him. As he hit her throat…
Concentrate, man!
“Lisa, slowly, let your fingers go to your pussy. Run it along your pussy lips. Then enter it. Take two fingers and let them slide in, then pull back out.”
“You are killing me, baby. I can’t take it.”
“Yes you can. Now, take your fingers and lick them. How does it taste, Lis?
“Sweet, just like you said. But not as sweet as you.”
He had trouble breathing and speaking at the same time now- his breath was fast and ragged. Funny how he could manage dancing and singing, but could not masturbate while giving instructions to his wanton ex.
“Lisa, I am getting close, I am really pumping now. Take your fingers and use them to fuck yourself.”
He heard her moan. He could envision her pelvis gyrating, her ass coming off the bed. Her hair fanned out as her head rolled from side to side. He felt his balls starting to draw back, a sure fire sign that he was about to cum.
“Lisa, now use your other hand, and dip it for a second. Get it nice and wet.”
“Shit Mike, I am so wet, you have no idea.”
“Rub your clit while you imagine I have my fingers inside of you. I have my tongue on your clit sucking it into my mouth.”
The visual did him in, he felt the explosion nearing, felt his juices starting to erupt, while he kept pumping into his hand, wishing it was her pussy instead.
“Fuck, shit, Mike, I’m coming. Oh God, fuck….MIKE!!!!” Her scream was followed by panting, her breathing coming in hard gasps.
“That’s right, girl. Of fuck, shit…..” His cum was shooting out in a hot, almost painful jet. He screamed one more time, as his hand slowed down, squeezing the seemingly never-ending cum from it. .
For a couple of seconds all they heard were gasps of breath, as they both recovered.
He found his voice first. Cleared his throat, then asked.
“So, how about that midnight snack”
He heard her throaty laughter.
“You are fucked up.”
He asked if she remembered their late night dinners.
“Which ones?”
“Which ones? The really…good ones.” His voice dropped an octave when he said “good.”
“Stop it, you know what that voice does to me!”
He smiled. Yes, he knew only too well.
“What voice?” He managed to keep a very innocent tone.
“You are so full of shit. And I bet you are smiling your ass off right now.”
He laughed. Damn! That woman knew him so well.
“You are one evil man, Michael Jackson. And everyone thinks you are so innocent and sweet.”
“I AM sweet!”
“No, Mike. You just taste sweet.” Now her voice was husky- even huskier than it normally was.
He felt his erection growing. It didn’t take much when Lisa was the stimulation, and it had been such a long time since he had been inside of her. He reached his hand down to his loose pajama pants, and started to grab his member, stroking it through the fabric.
“Well, you, Miss Presley taste sweet and spicy- all at the same time. Depending on where I taste you. When I run my tongue around your pussy, it is sweet, like strawberries. The deeper I go, the more your juices get running, the spicier you get, like spicy honey. And when I reach your clit, when I suck it into my mouth..” His voice was very low now, very deep, like dark, smooth velvet.
“..then your clit tastes like a cherry. Like a smooth, hot cherry.”
He heard a sigh. A lazy smile appeared on his face. His hand on his penis grabbed a stronger hold.
“Lisa? What are you doing?”
She cleared her throat.
“I am cleaning out my desk drawer, Michael, did you say something?”
He giggled.
“Sure you are.” Her voice was a dead giveaway.
It dripped with lust, just like he imagined that her pussy was wet and dripping now.
He was rewarded with a husky laughter.
“Are you touching yourself, Mike?”
“Why?”
“Cause I am. I am lying here on my bed, and I opened my blouse. I am running my fingers over my bra, my breasts are so sensitive right now. You remember?”
“I remember that I could suck them and bite them, and they would grow hard, and how you would grab my head, holding it in place.”
“I opened my bra, Michael. My breasts are hot, but my nipples are hard and pointed. They are exposed to the air now, ready for your mouth, your tongue, your teeth.”
He almost came into his pants. Damn! He missed her--she was such a bad, BAD girl.
“Lisa, do you have your hands-free headset with you?”
“Why, Michael, do I need my hands for something?”
“Yeah, you will in a moment.”
They both switched over to their hands-free sets.
“Lisa, are you still touching your breasts?”
“Uhum”
“Use your right hand to touch your left breast, Lisa. Take your nipple and pinch it. And don’t you dare use your other hand yet. I will hang up if you don’t play right.”
He knew she loved it when he took command of the situation, and he reveled in being in control.
“Ok, Mike. “ He heard her breathing increase. “I am being good.”
“Ok, take your left hand and very slowly run it down your belly. Very slowly, Lis. Are you still wearing pants?”
“No, they are gone. Only my panties are left.”
“Good girl. So let your hand travel down to your panties, but only let it rest right there- at the elastic, do not go further.”
“Mike! You are mean.”
“Lisa, now move your right hand to your other breast, pinch your nipple.” He gave her a minute
“Then take your fingers and put them into your mouth- use them to wet your nipples, baby. Now blow on them.”
He heard her following his instructions. She moaned, her breathing was now rapid and shallow.
He was rock hard, his penis straining to leave the prison of his pj’s- the tip trying to break out the top of the elastic.
“Mike, are you hard? Tell me about it.”
“Yes, baby. I am rock hard. It wants to come out and play – in a big way.”
“What are you doing?”
“I will tell you in a sec. Now Lis- keep your hand playing with your breasts, and slowly let your other hand slide under your panties. Don’t touch your pussy yet….Are you wet?”
“Damn Mike, I am so wet, my panties are soaked clean through. I wish you were here, I wish it was your hand, your long fingers, getting in my panties. I want to feel your fingers in me, Mike. You have no idea, how much.”
“I think I have a pretty good idea.” A cocky smile appeared, revealing his teeth.
He started to reach inside his pants. His erection was huge and hot, his penis now ultra sensitive. He used his large hand to envelope it, his ministrations became rougher as he noticed pre-cum appear on its tip. Shit, he was so close, and after so little effort. He decided to take off his pants, and then reclined against his satin pillows, enjoying the contrast of the cool material against his burning skin.
His fingers rubbed over the tip of his penis, shivering from the sensation. What he would give to have Lisa here, have her mouth ready to bring him some much needed relief.
“Mike, what are you doing? Please let me touch myself, I am so hot, I can’t take it.”
“I took my pants of, Lisa. My dick is huge and hot. I am imagining your hands on it, how they slide up and down on it, pulling the skin over it.”
“I love the way your silky skin feels. Like velvet over steel. I wish I was there to do that for you. I would use my hand then get on my knees for you, take you into my mouth….or try to anyway. God, Mike! I can’t forget how huge you are, what it takes to take all of you.”
He had to fight to keep from climaxing at the image of his dick in her mouth as she struggled to take all of him. As he hit her throat…
Concentrate, man!
“Lisa, slowly, let your fingers go to your pussy. Run it along your pussy lips. Then enter it. Take two fingers and let them slide in, then pull back out.”
“You are killing me, baby. I can’t take it.”
“Yes you can. Now, take your fingers and lick them. How does it taste, Lis?
“Sweet, just like you said. But not as sweet as you.”
He had trouble breathing and speaking at the same time now- his breath was fast and ragged. Funny how he could manage dancing and singing, but could not masturbate while giving instructions to his wanton ex.
“Lisa, I am getting close, I am really pumping now. Take your fingers and use them to fuck yourself.”
He heard her moan. He could envision her pelvis gyrating, her ass coming off the bed. Her hair fanned out as her head rolled from side to side. He felt his balls starting to draw back, a sure fire sign that he was about to cum.
“Lisa, now use your other hand, and dip it for a second. Get it nice and wet.”
“Shit Mike, I am so wet, you have no idea.”
“Rub your clit while you imagine I have my fingers inside of you. I have my tongue on your clit sucking it into my mouth.”
The visual did him in, he felt the explosion nearing, felt his juices starting to erupt, while he kept pumping into his hand, wishing it was her pussy instead.
“Fuck, shit, Mike, I’m coming. Oh God, fuck….MIKE!!!!” Her scream was followed by panting, her breathing coming in hard gasps.
“That’s right, girl. Of fuck, shit…..” His cum was shooting out in a hot, almost painful jet. He screamed one more time, as his hand slowed down, squeezing the seemingly never-ending cum from it. .
For a couple of seconds all they heard were gasps of breath, as they both recovered.
He found his voice first. Cleared his throat, then asked.
“So, how about that midnight snack”
He heard her throaty laughter.
“You are fucked up.”
4)
Now he was really uncomfortable in the car. He looked down on himself and noticed his hand resting on a very stiff Michael Junior.
Think about swimming in the pool on a cool morning. How about water gun fights with Janet and Mac? Think about Debbie….
It seemed impossible to not think about Lisa, which really annoyed him to a great extent. He wished she was not the center of so many of his thoughts, wished he didn’t have to want her all the time, or remember every single thing about her all the time. How her skin felt, how her hair smelled, how it felt to be in her, how her mouth felt around him. Ok, these thoughts were definitely not helping!
It was ok for her to be obsessed with him and follow him around the globe- that was fine. Actually, it had been pretty funny. And convenient. And hot …. Plus, it had only seemed fair- for all the misery she had put him through over the years. To get married to Nick Cage? Really? And she had called him unbalanced and selfish? And to top it off, her crazy mother seemed to be supportive of that quickie marriage. Unbelievable!
His thoughts turned to his children. He realized Debbie was due to give birth to his little girl in 2 months, then he could finally talk to her about the divorce. He knew she would be upset; he was very clear about how she felt about him. He had always been upfront and open about the boundaries of their relationship; most of the time, she had accepted the terms of that arrangement. He hoped she would not be angry or mad- he had a life time supply of women in his life screaming at him or being angry for one thing or another. If he never heard a shrill or loud word or saw another pout, his life would be JUST perfect. Why did women have to be so impossibly hard to understand?
Ok, the last thoughts had finally distracted his body from the after-effects of remembering his hot little conversations with Lisa. His raging hard-on had finally subsided. It was now safe to enter his home. This was convenient, since the driver had just engaged the gate opener. If his luck held, he might be able to sneak in and avoid Debbie for another couple of hours. On the other hand, he wanted to feel his baby; he wanted to put his head on Debbie’s stomach and feel her kick. He wanted to touch her and sing to her. Too bad all these wonderful things involved Debbie, too.
He also could not wait to see Prince. He had left for the city before his son had awakened this morning, and he missed him already. Prince was almost a year old-- he could not believe his birthday was coming up so fast. Now that he had started to walk, his nanny usually brought him downstairs as soon as Michael came through the gates. Prince loved to greet his Daddy, to walk on shaky legs up to him, his little arms up in the air, beaming, laughing, ready to be picked up and tossed into the air.
Michael walked toward his staircase, singing to himself quietly.
“Daddy!”
Prince came toddling around the corner. He wore a cute little play suit and his hair was combed perfectly. Michael felt the love for his son hit him with the power of ten atomic blasts.
“Hey, little man! Come to Daddy. I missed you SO much.”
He crouched down to pick him up.
“Did you miss me too?”
Darn it- his luck had run out.
“Hello, Debbie, how are you?”
5)
“So, do you expect my brother?”
Lisa frowned.
“Your brother can go straight to hell, for all I care.”
Janet laughed.
“Sure he can. What did he do now?”
“Nothing. What does Michael ever do? Nothing. He runs his mouth and promises you the moon- and the stars as a bonus gift. Then…nada..rien…”
She shook her head in anger and reached for a bottle of Grey Goose vodka. Time for a drink. It was her birthday after all.
“So, if all he does is nothing, what keeps you coming back for more..of nothing…?”
Janet smiled wickedly at her former sister-in-law.
Lisa had poured her drink and was now letting the ice clink against the crystal glass while watching the clear liquid create a kaleidoscope of light.
“You know, that is a marvelous question. Maybe it is time to make some changes. Maybe it’s time to move on.”
Janet just gazed at Lisa. She had heard those words before. As a matter of fact, she had heard those words over and over and over from both Lisa and Michael. Those two were entangled in a dangerous tug of war. They could not stand to be in the same room for more than thirty minutes without either mortally wounding each other…or ending up screwing each other’s brains out. She was Michael’s sister, but she heard stories from her close friend…stories no sister should have to listen to about her brother. Damn- Mike held Lisa in his spell alright. Magic wand and all…
“He didn’t call you, did he?” Janet asked with an empathetic voice.
Lisa took a big sip of her drink and felt the vodka coursing through her veins.
“Of course not. Don’t you know, the King does not deign to call somebody as lowly as me on her birthday- no matter what he promised.”
“I’m sorry, Lis. Maybe he was busy.”
“He is always busy, Janet. Oh, but he sent me a present.”
Janet raised an eyebrow.
“Oh, that was nice.”
Lisa gave her a strange, angry look, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
“Yeah. Lovely.”
“Well….dish. What is it? More bling?”
“Depends on your definition of bling. It’s ….a bauble alright.”
“Can I see it?”
Lisa laughed in a dry, sarcastic way, her eyes holding a cold glimmer.
“Are you sure you are strong enough- this one will blow your frigging mind.”
Janet laughed.
“Lisa, how bad can it be?”
“Janet dear, this one is a doozey.”
Lisa motioned toward the stairs and led the way to her bedroom.
She went over to her bed which was cluttered with ripped, red wrapping paper. In the center sat a box. Lisa went over and opened the top. The shiny black container was the size of a shoebox. She looked at Janet and raised an eyebrow.
“Ready?”
“Jesus, Lisa, why the dramatics?”
“Don’t say, I didn’t warn you.”
She opened the box. Janet saw the inside held soft, shiny, satin lining. And on the lining she saw the object in all its glory.
Her eyes widened in surprise. She covered her mouth and started laughing hysterically.
“Holy shit!”
“Your brother is one sick person, I tell you.”
Lisa shook her head as she removed the large glass dildo from the box.
6)
“Michael, when Paris is born, do you think there is a change for us to be to…”
Michael sat on the floor, reading a book to Prince, and had almost forgotten that Debbie was still in the room. He did not raise his eyes off the page as he waited for her to finish her question. When the words did not come, he looked up.
“Well? Cat got your tongue?”
“No, this is just hard for me to ask. Considering ….”
“Is today the day of unfinished sentences? Considering what, Debbie?”
“Considering the rules we set up? You know, rules of how our marriage would be.”
If it was up to him, their marriage would be over so he could move on and try to make things right with Lisa. Lisa, who, he was sure, was blowing smoke out her ears this very second. She should have received his present by now. He smiled slyly.
“What is so funny, Michael?”
“Oh, I’m sorry. Nothing. You said something about rules?”
“The rules that we are just friends. That I am having the babies for you, to make you happy.”
He felt a slight feeling of panic. Was she saying she wanted to have more of a role as a mother? Why now? She never showed more than friendly concern for Prince. There was nothing of the motherly behavior he knew both from his mother and from the way Lisa acted around her children.
“What do you mean?”
Debbie looked down; her hands in her lap were playing with her shirt nervously.
“Well, I was just thinking. I mean… It seems like…we are…we are good together…and…and…I was hoping….was wondering if maybe…just maybe…”
Michael looked at her with concern. Where was this going? Was she changing her mind about the babies? Did she not want to give him Paris like she had Prince?
“Debbie, you are confusing me. What are you saying?”
“Michael, I know you don’t love me. I mean, LOVE me, love me. But I know you care for me.”
He got up from the floor, made sure Prince was busy with the blocks surrounding him, and reached for Debbie’s hands.
Kill her with kindness, Mike. She cannot take those babies from you.
“Debbie, of course I care for you. You know that.”
“And I care for you Michael.” She leaned in closer.
“I really care for you. “ Her voice sounded as if she would burst into tears any minute now. He looked at her in deep concern. Was she about to lose it? Was this some kind of pregnancy induced nervous breakdown? If so, it might be easy to convince docs to declare her unfit to have custody of his children, if that was her plan. So, that could work. Not that he wanted anything to happen to her, but he had to insure he would have his children with him.
“Debbie what is going on?”
‘Michael I love you!” She burst out.
“I know, Debbie, I love you, too.”
“No Michael, I really love you. I want to be your wife in more than name. I want to sleep with you…have sex with you…e your wife in every meaning of the word.” She sobbed, keeping her eyes lowered.
WHOA!
He backed up slightly. His eyes widened in disbelief.
Had she just said “have sex?” With him? Debbie wanted to have sex with him? He shook his head as if trying to wake up from a bad dream--a very strange, weird dream. He really, really cared for her, was grateful for the wonderful, amazing, miraculous gifts she had given him. She was his dear, dependable friend. To have sex with her? Wouldn’t that have to include him being attracted to her?
He tried to make his voice very soft and comforting, as if speaking to a child.
“Debbie. I care for you. So much. But we are friends. We are good as friends. And we have a contract--we made promises. I will always take care of your needs...Is that what this is about? Are you afraid now that Paris will be born soon that you won’t be taken care of?”
“Michael, I have more than monetary needs. I need you--to be my husband, to be my lover.”
At that moment, his cell phone rang. He felt immense relief. Thank you, God! He took out his phone and looked at the name.
Dunk?
“Debbie, I have to take this, it’s my sister. Mother had not been feeling well, so this might be an emergency.” He was exaggerating, of course. Mother was suffering from a migraine, but Debbie did not know this.
She looked at him through her tears, happy to be able to help him.
“Of course. We can talk later. Let me take Prince up to see his nanny.”
She went over, picked up his son, and left the room.
Now he was really uncomfortable in the car. He looked down on himself and noticed his hand resting on a very stiff Michael Junior.
Think about swimming in the pool on a cool morning. How about water gun fights with Janet and Mac? Think about Debbie….
It seemed impossible to not think about Lisa, which really annoyed him to a great extent. He wished she was not the center of so many of his thoughts, wished he didn’t have to want her all the time, or remember every single thing about her all the time. How her skin felt, how her hair smelled, how it felt to be in her, how her mouth felt around him. Ok, these thoughts were definitely not helping!
It was ok for her to be obsessed with him and follow him around the globe- that was fine. Actually, it had been pretty funny. And convenient. And hot …. Plus, it had only seemed fair- for all the misery she had put him through over the years. To get married to Nick Cage? Really? And she had called him unbalanced and selfish? And to top it off, her crazy mother seemed to be supportive of that quickie marriage. Unbelievable!
His thoughts turned to his children. He realized Debbie was due to give birth to his little girl in 2 months, then he could finally talk to her about the divorce. He knew she would be upset; he was very clear about how she felt about him. He had always been upfront and open about the boundaries of their relationship; most of the time, she had accepted the terms of that arrangement. He hoped she would not be angry or mad- he had a life time supply of women in his life screaming at him or being angry for one thing or another. If he never heard a shrill or loud word or saw another pout, his life would be JUST perfect. Why did women have to be so impossibly hard to understand?
Ok, the last thoughts had finally distracted his body from the after-effects of remembering his hot little conversations with Lisa. His raging hard-on had finally subsided. It was now safe to enter his home. This was convenient, since the driver had just engaged the gate opener. If his luck held, he might be able to sneak in and avoid Debbie for another couple of hours. On the other hand, he wanted to feel his baby; he wanted to put his head on Debbie’s stomach and feel her kick. He wanted to touch her and sing to her. Too bad all these wonderful things involved Debbie, too.
He also could not wait to see Prince. He had left for the city before his son had awakened this morning, and he missed him already. Prince was almost a year old-- he could not believe his birthday was coming up so fast. Now that he had started to walk, his nanny usually brought him downstairs as soon as Michael came through the gates. Prince loved to greet his Daddy, to walk on shaky legs up to him, his little arms up in the air, beaming, laughing, ready to be picked up and tossed into the air.
Michael walked toward his staircase, singing to himself quietly.
“Daddy!”
Prince came toddling around the corner. He wore a cute little play suit and his hair was combed perfectly. Michael felt the love for his son hit him with the power of ten atomic blasts.
“Hey, little man! Come to Daddy. I missed you SO much.”
He crouched down to pick him up.
“Did you miss me too?”
Darn it- his luck had run out.
“Hello, Debbie, how are you?”
5)
“So, do you expect my brother?”
Lisa frowned.
“Your brother can go straight to hell, for all I care.”
Janet laughed.
“Sure he can. What did he do now?”
“Nothing. What does Michael ever do? Nothing. He runs his mouth and promises you the moon- and the stars as a bonus gift. Then…nada..rien…”
She shook her head in anger and reached for a bottle of Grey Goose vodka. Time for a drink. It was her birthday after all.
“So, if all he does is nothing, what keeps you coming back for more..of nothing…?”
Janet smiled wickedly at her former sister-in-law.
Lisa had poured her drink and was now letting the ice clink against the crystal glass while watching the clear liquid create a kaleidoscope of light.
“You know, that is a marvelous question. Maybe it is time to make some changes. Maybe it’s time to move on.”
Janet just gazed at Lisa. She had heard those words before. As a matter of fact, she had heard those words over and over and over from both Lisa and Michael. Those two were entangled in a dangerous tug of war. They could not stand to be in the same room for more than thirty minutes without either mortally wounding each other…or ending up screwing each other’s brains out. She was Michael’s sister, but she heard stories from her close friend…stories no sister should have to listen to about her brother. Damn- Mike held Lisa in his spell alright. Magic wand and all…
“He didn’t call you, did he?” Janet asked with an empathetic voice.
Lisa took a big sip of her drink and felt the vodka coursing through her veins.
“Of course not. Don’t you know, the King does not deign to call somebody as lowly as me on her birthday- no matter what he promised.”
“I’m sorry, Lis. Maybe he was busy.”
“He is always busy, Janet. Oh, but he sent me a present.”
Janet raised an eyebrow.
“Oh, that was nice.”
Lisa gave her a strange, angry look, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
“Yeah. Lovely.”
“Well….dish. What is it? More bling?”
“Depends on your definition of bling. It’s ….a bauble alright.”
“Can I see it?”
Lisa laughed in a dry, sarcastic way, her eyes holding a cold glimmer.
“Are you sure you are strong enough- this one will blow your frigging mind.”
Janet laughed.
“Lisa, how bad can it be?”
“Janet dear, this one is a doozey.”
Lisa motioned toward the stairs and led the way to her bedroom.
She went over to her bed which was cluttered with ripped, red wrapping paper. In the center sat a box. Lisa went over and opened the top. The shiny black container was the size of a shoebox. She looked at Janet and raised an eyebrow.
“Ready?”
“Jesus, Lisa, why the dramatics?”
“Don’t say, I didn’t warn you.”
She opened the box. Janet saw the inside held soft, shiny, satin lining. And on the lining she saw the object in all its glory.
Her eyes widened in surprise. She covered her mouth and started laughing hysterically.
“Holy shit!”
“Your brother is one sick person, I tell you.”
Lisa shook her head as she removed the large glass dildo from the box.
6)
“Michael, when Paris is born, do you think there is a change for us to be to…”
Michael sat on the floor, reading a book to Prince, and had almost forgotten that Debbie was still in the room. He did not raise his eyes off the page as he waited for her to finish her question. When the words did not come, he looked up.
“Well? Cat got your tongue?”
“No, this is just hard for me to ask. Considering ….”
“Is today the day of unfinished sentences? Considering what, Debbie?”
“Considering the rules we set up? You know, rules of how our marriage would be.”
If it was up to him, their marriage would be over so he could move on and try to make things right with Lisa. Lisa, who, he was sure, was blowing smoke out her ears this very second. She should have received his present by now. He smiled slyly.
“What is so funny, Michael?”
“Oh, I’m sorry. Nothing. You said something about rules?”
“The rules that we are just friends. That I am having the babies for you, to make you happy.”
He felt a slight feeling of panic. Was she saying she wanted to have more of a role as a mother? Why now? She never showed more than friendly concern for Prince. There was nothing of the motherly behavior he knew both from his mother and from the way Lisa acted around her children.
“What do you mean?”
Debbie looked down; her hands in her lap were playing with her shirt nervously.
“Well, I was just thinking. I mean… It seems like…we are…we are good together…and…and…I was hoping….was wondering if maybe…just maybe…”
Michael looked at her with concern. Where was this going? Was she changing her mind about the babies? Did she not want to give him Paris like she had Prince?
“Debbie, you are confusing me. What are you saying?”
“Michael, I know you don’t love me. I mean, LOVE me, love me. But I know you care for me.”
He got up from the floor, made sure Prince was busy with the blocks surrounding him, and reached for Debbie’s hands.
Kill her with kindness, Mike. She cannot take those babies from you.
“Debbie, of course I care for you. You know that.”
“And I care for you Michael.” She leaned in closer.
“I really care for you. “ Her voice sounded as if she would burst into tears any minute now. He looked at her in deep concern. Was she about to lose it? Was this some kind of pregnancy induced nervous breakdown? If so, it might be easy to convince docs to declare her unfit to have custody of his children, if that was her plan. So, that could work. Not that he wanted anything to happen to her, but he had to insure he would have his children with him.
“Debbie what is going on?”
‘Michael I love you!” She burst out.
“I know, Debbie, I love you, too.”
“No Michael, I really love you. I want to be your wife in more than name. I want to sleep with you…have sex with you…e your wife in every meaning of the word.” She sobbed, keeping her eyes lowered.
WHOA!
He backed up slightly. His eyes widened in disbelief.
Had she just said “have sex?” With him? Debbie wanted to have sex with him? He shook his head as if trying to wake up from a bad dream--a very strange, weird dream. He really, really cared for her, was grateful for the wonderful, amazing, miraculous gifts she had given him. She was his dear, dependable friend. To have sex with her? Wouldn’t that have to include him being attracted to her?
He tried to make his voice very soft and comforting, as if speaking to a child.
“Debbie. I care for you. So much. But we are friends. We are good as friends. And we have a contract--we made promises. I will always take care of your needs...Is that what this is about? Are you afraid now that Paris will be born soon that you won’t be taken care of?”
“Michael, I have more than monetary needs. I need you--to be my husband, to be my lover.”
At that moment, his cell phone rang. He felt immense relief. Thank you, God! He took out his phone and looked at the name.
Dunk?
“Debbie, I have to take this, it’s my sister. Mother had not been feeling well, so this might be an emergency.” He was exaggerating, of course. Mother was suffering from a migraine, but Debbie did not know this.
She looked at him through her tears, happy to be able to help him.
“Of course. We can talk later. Let me take Prince up to see his nanny.”
She went over, picked up his son, and left the room.
A deep sigh of relief left Michael’s chest. Phew- that had been a close call.
He answered his phone.
“Hi, Dunk. What’s up?”
“Hello, Michael. What are you up to?”
“Not much. Just playing with Prince. What are you doing?”
As if he didn’t know where she would be tonight.
“I just saw the strangest thing.”
“You did? What?”
“Ummmm…Mike…did you send out any strange birthday presents lately.”
Oh, no! Lisa would not show Janet, would she?
He blushed furiously, and could not retain an embarrassed giggle.
“Michael!" She laughed in exasperation.
“You are BAD!”
He attempted to stifle his own laughter.
“I have no idea what you are talking about.”
All of a sudden he had a masterful idea. A flash of genius.
“Dunk, I need a favor…”
7)
Lisa Marie decided to call it a night. The party was winding down and she had a pounding tension headache. All night long, she had been the perfect hostess, perfect party girl, perfect daughter, and perfect mother. She had even made sure to not let her alcohol consumption get out of hand until Rylee and Ben had left with Priscilla. They would spend the night with their grandmother before being picked up by Danny for a vacation tomorrow.
Janet had left earlier than expected. She gave her a big hug, and asked her not to let her brother get to her. Yeah….easier said than done. Lisa could not believe he had sent her a sex toy! What in the world went on in this man’s mind sometimes? Of course, after staring at it and getting angry, she had burst out laughing, and started to see how funny this was. She wondered how Michael had bought this gift. Did he send one of his personal assistants out? Did he order it on the internet?
The accompanying card read, “Something to tide you over till I see you again. Oh, and...does it look familiar?” Well, the girth and length looked VERY familiar as did the shape and form. Michael, the egomaniac, had a dildo made according to his measurements. Of course, those measurements were amazing and astounding- even after all those years, and thus made for an impressive toy. But still? Who does that? Oh, yeah, the King of her world- Michael Jackson.
She took the toy out and held it in her hands- the glass feeling cool and smooth- except for the built in ridges. Lisa smiled and shook her head again. He was nuts. And she missed him so much. She considered putting her present to good use- one should not be ungrateful and disregard presents, after all- but decided to take a shower first. She poured herself a glass of red wine and turned on her CD player as she took off her dress, her stockings, and her lingerie.
The music followed her into her roomy bathroom through the speakers connected to the main unit. She turned the water on as Michael’s voice started to fill the room. She shook her head- she had not even paid attention to what was loaded in her cd player. Michael’s Dangerous might not have been her first selection this night. Part of her was still upset that he had not called; he had not bothered to get in touch with her. Sending a dildo did not qualify as an outreach attempt.
As the water warmed and the steam started to fog up her mirrors, Lisa picked up her remote one more time to turn up the volume. It felt so good to be home alone and to not have to worry about the children. She stepped into her large shower. The walls and floors were tiled in light colored Italian tile and rounded built-in granite seats occupied the walls on two sides. The shower held multiple shower heads, and right now, she had two shower heads on opposing walls turned on, massaging her tired body and soothing her mind. She reached for the shampoo and worked the lather into her hair then rinsed it off.
“Hi, Dunk. What’s up?”
“Hello, Michael. What are you up to?”
“Not much. Just playing with Prince. What are you doing?”
As if he didn’t know where she would be tonight.
“I just saw the strangest thing.”
“You did? What?”
“Ummmm…Mike…did you send out any strange birthday presents lately.”
Oh, no! Lisa would not show Janet, would she?
He blushed furiously, and could not retain an embarrassed giggle.
“Michael!" She laughed in exasperation.
“You are BAD!”
He attempted to stifle his own laughter.
“I have no idea what you are talking about.”
All of a sudden he had a masterful idea. A flash of genius.
“Dunk, I need a favor…”
7)
Lisa Marie decided to call it a night. The party was winding down and she had a pounding tension headache. All night long, she had been the perfect hostess, perfect party girl, perfect daughter, and perfect mother. She had even made sure to not let her alcohol consumption get out of hand until Rylee and Ben had left with Priscilla. They would spend the night with their grandmother before being picked up by Danny for a vacation tomorrow.
Janet had left earlier than expected. She gave her a big hug, and asked her not to let her brother get to her. Yeah….easier said than done. Lisa could not believe he had sent her a sex toy! What in the world went on in this man’s mind sometimes? Of course, after staring at it and getting angry, she had burst out laughing, and started to see how funny this was. She wondered how Michael had bought this gift. Did he send one of his personal assistants out? Did he order it on the internet?
The accompanying card read, “Something to tide you over till I see you again. Oh, and...does it look familiar?” Well, the girth and length looked VERY familiar as did the shape and form. Michael, the egomaniac, had a dildo made according to his measurements. Of course, those measurements were amazing and astounding- even after all those years, and thus made for an impressive toy. But still? Who does that? Oh, yeah, the King of her world- Michael Jackson.
She took the toy out and held it in her hands- the glass feeling cool and smooth- except for the built in ridges. Lisa smiled and shook her head again. He was nuts. And she missed him so much. She considered putting her present to good use- one should not be ungrateful and disregard presents, after all- but decided to take a shower first. She poured herself a glass of red wine and turned on her CD player as she took off her dress, her stockings, and her lingerie.
The music followed her into her roomy bathroom through the speakers connected to the main unit. She turned the water on as Michael’s voice started to fill the room. She shook her head- she had not even paid attention to what was loaded in her cd player. Michael’s Dangerous might not have been her first selection this night. Part of her was still upset that he had not called; he had not bothered to get in touch with her. Sending a dildo did not qualify as an outreach attempt.
As the water warmed and the steam started to fog up her mirrors, Lisa picked up her remote one more time to turn up the volume. It felt so good to be home alone and to not have to worry about the children. She stepped into her large shower. The walls and floors were tiled in light colored Italian tile and rounded built-in granite seats occupied the walls on two sides. The shower held multiple shower heads, and right now, she had two shower heads on opposing walls turned on, massaging her tired body and soothing her mind. She reached for the shampoo and worked the lather into her hair then rinsed it off.
Michael’s song, In The Closet, reverberated from the tiled walls, she could fell the bass physically, her heart rate amplifying with the beat. Her breathing also increased, as she started to lather her body with Jasmine-scented shower gel. She felt herself moving to the music, her pelvis swaying to the beat. Her hands felt wonderful on her increasingly sensitive skin. The song, as always started to heat her blood, she noticed a familiar, warm feeling spreading from her core to the center of her womanhood. She felt wetness which had nothing whatsoever to do with the water surrounding her. Lisa used the lather around her breasts now, lingering on her suddenly large and pointed nipples, the palm of her hands flat against them, applying pressure. Her eyes were closed, her head thrown back, one hand gliding down her stomach toward the patch of tawny hair.
She felt a cool breeze entering the heated space, making shiver bumps appear on her skin.
“Need some help?” The words were spoken in a deep voice, the words slurred lazily.
She smiled. Smiled at her lack of surprise, smiled at his ability to always make a grand entrance. She opened her eyes slowly and saw him standing braced between her now-open shower doors. One arm was extended, leaning on the frame of the glass door. His other hand was on his hip. His head was cocked to the side, and his eyes were already dark and heated. His hair was tied back carelessly; soft curls having escaped, and lined his beautiful face. He looked so cocky and so full of himself.
“Should I even ask how you got in?”
“Does it matter?” He raised an eyebrow as he reached out and touched some foam on her shoulder lightly and playfully. The shiver bumps were not from the cool breeze anymore.
She reached out and grabbed hold of his belt, pulling him forcefully into the shower. The quick movement made him lose his balance and he stumbled into the streams of water. He was still fully clothed except for his socks and shoes, which he obviously already had taken off.
He let out a squeal.
“Hey are you nuts? You are getting me all wet!”
“Just returning the favor, dear.”
He laughed and threw his head back, sending water droplets flying.
“You ain’t seen nothing yet, baby.”
Water was plastering his red shirt to his body, his light blue pants leaving no question whether he was happy to see her. He reached out, his hand reaching for her neck, pulling her close to him. She closed her eyes and anticipated his kiss. She felt his mouth stopping right above her lips, felt his hot breath on them.
“Open your eyes.”
She dragged open her heavy lids and gazed into the dark fire.
“What do you want, Lisa? What can I do for you, now that you have me here, all wet and dripping…?”
“I don’t know, Michael. What do you have in mind?”
“He lowered his head and kissed her neck, his tongue flicking over her skin. He moved to her ear, nipped her earlobe, and sucked it into his mouth before biting it gently. All the time, one hand was still at the back of her neck.
Lisa felt as if she were hit by an electric shock and the effect went right down to her clit as a gush of liquid heat shot into her pussy. She reached out and started to pull his shirt out of his pants, reaching her hands under the sopping material, running up the hot smoothness of his muscular back.
Michael, in the meantime, used his free hand to ever so softly rest it at her waist, before running one finger teasingly up her side to her armpit and then along her arm only to return down the underside of her arm after reaching her wrists, then down her side. When he made it to her waist, he slid his hand around to her firm ass, pulling her roughly into him. His mouth was still torturing her ear, before sucking on her neck and placing small nips along it, on its path back down to her lips. Before touching her lips, however, he increased the space- again.
“Feel what you do to me, baby? Did you miss me?
The hand on her ass was now kneading her glutes almost painfully, driving her crazy.
She pressed her lips to his- her tongue sliding out, tracing the outline of his sensual mouth. He finally opened up, his tongue coming out to meet hers, entangling it in a playful wrestling match. More heat threatened to turn her legs into jelly.
Lisa had, in the meantime succeeded in unbuttoning his shirt. His hands left her body for a short time so she could slip it off him without ripping it. She carelessly threw the wet shirt to the other end of the bathroom, not caring about the water splashing on the tiles. Michael reached both hands around her body now, caressing her ass. Gliding over the solid yet soft globes as his fingers started to descend closer to her pussy. He almost touched her there, but came back around and his fingers now ran up her back again, kneading her shoulders, her neck. Her body was on fire, fueled by his teasing.
Lisa was busy with his belt now. The water had made it very difficult to unbuckle it, and her fingers were shaking in anticipation. Finally! She pulled the fly open, opened the button, and reached in to free his straining hard-on that had tantalized her through the thin material. He had gone commando--how typical!
“My, aren’t we in a hurry, today."
“Shut up, Michael.”
He raised an eyebrow in surprise and smiled.
“Oh yeah? Your mouth will get you into trouble, just wait.”
Her hands closed around his soft steel. She ran her hands up and down his large manhood, then stilled, holding him like a vice. She held his gaze and muttered hoarsely.
“We’ll see about that, Michael. I think my mouth will get you in trouble first.”
With that she sank to her knees in front of him, as he stepped out of his pants. Lisa then sat down on one of the built in granite seats, the coolness of the stone sending shockwaves through her as her hot center made contact. She looked up at him, keeping eye contact as her mouth opened. Her tongue appeared and circled the top of his erect penis, stopping at the opening in the center, dipping her tongue in gently, before returning to the circular motion.
His eyes closed, his head fell back. She nipped at his penis gently but with determination.
“Mike, don’t look away. I want you to watch me.”
Ok, he would let her be in control for now--nd then pay her back later. He smiled lazily and opened his eyes again. He almost came right there- she was so beautiful, sitting there, her tan skin on the wet, sparkling stone seat, her hair wet and plastered all around her, her eyes full of haze and smoke, her tongue, wet and pink, at his member. She now opened her mouth and took him into the molten heat. His hips moved forward, his hands came to rest on her head. He felt her tongue running over him, snaking around him, driving him crazy. He did not think it was possible, but he became harder still.
“Need some help?” The words were spoken in a deep voice, the words slurred lazily.
She smiled. Smiled at her lack of surprise, smiled at his ability to always make a grand entrance. She opened her eyes slowly and saw him standing braced between her now-open shower doors. One arm was extended, leaning on the frame of the glass door. His other hand was on his hip. His head was cocked to the side, and his eyes were already dark and heated. His hair was tied back carelessly; soft curls having escaped, and lined his beautiful face. He looked so cocky and so full of himself.
“Should I even ask how you got in?”
“Does it matter?” He raised an eyebrow as he reached out and touched some foam on her shoulder lightly and playfully. The shiver bumps were not from the cool breeze anymore.
She reached out and grabbed hold of his belt, pulling him forcefully into the shower. The quick movement made him lose his balance and he stumbled into the streams of water. He was still fully clothed except for his socks and shoes, which he obviously already had taken off.
He let out a squeal.
“Hey are you nuts? You are getting me all wet!”
“Just returning the favor, dear.”
He laughed and threw his head back, sending water droplets flying.
“You ain’t seen nothing yet, baby.”
Water was plastering his red shirt to his body, his light blue pants leaving no question whether he was happy to see her. He reached out, his hand reaching for her neck, pulling her close to him. She closed her eyes and anticipated his kiss. She felt his mouth stopping right above her lips, felt his hot breath on them.
“Open your eyes.”
She dragged open her heavy lids and gazed into the dark fire.
“What do you want, Lisa? What can I do for you, now that you have me here, all wet and dripping…?”
“I don’t know, Michael. What do you have in mind?”
“He lowered his head and kissed her neck, his tongue flicking over her skin. He moved to her ear, nipped her earlobe, and sucked it into his mouth before biting it gently. All the time, one hand was still at the back of her neck.
Lisa felt as if she were hit by an electric shock and the effect went right down to her clit as a gush of liquid heat shot into her pussy. She reached out and started to pull his shirt out of his pants, reaching her hands under the sopping material, running up the hot smoothness of his muscular back.
Michael, in the meantime, used his free hand to ever so softly rest it at her waist, before running one finger teasingly up her side to her armpit and then along her arm only to return down the underside of her arm after reaching her wrists, then down her side. When he made it to her waist, he slid his hand around to her firm ass, pulling her roughly into him. His mouth was still torturing her ear, before sucking on her neck and placing small nips along it, on its path back down to her lips. Before touching her lips, however, he increased the space- again.
“Feel what you do to me, baby? Did you miss me?
The hand on her ass was now kneading her glutes almost painfully, driving her crazy.
She pressed her lips to his- her tongue sliding out, tracing the outline of his sensual mouth. He finally opened up, his tongue coming out to meet hers, entangling it in a playful wrestling match. More heat threatened to turn her legs into jelly.
Lisa had, in the meantime succeeded in unbuttoning his shirt. His hands left her body for a short time so she could slip it off him without ripping it. She carelessly threw the wet shirt to the other end of the bathroom, not caring about the water splashing on the tiles. Michael reached both hands around her body now, caressing her ass. Gliding over the solid yet soft globes as his fingers started to descend closer to her pussy. He almost touched her there, but came back around and his fingers now ran up her back again, kneading her shoulders, her neck. Her body was on fire, fueled by his teasing.
Lisa was busy with his belt now. The water had made it very difficult to unbuckle it, and her fingers were shaking in anticipation. Finally! She pulled the fly open, opened the button, and reached in to free his straining hard-on that had tantalized her through the thin material. He had gone commando--how typical!
“My, aren’t we in a hurry, today."
“Shut up, Michael.”
He raised an eyebrow in surprise and smiled.
“Oh yeah? Your mouth will get you into trouble, just wait.”
Her hands closed around his soft steel. She ran her hands up and down his large manhood, then stilled, holding him like a vice. She held his gaze and muttered hoarsely.
“We’ll see about that, Michael. I think my mouth will get you in trouble first.”
With that she sank to her knees in front of him, as he stepped out of his pants. Lisa then sat down on one of the built in granite seats, the coolness of the stone sending shockwaves through her as her hot center made contact. She looked up at him, keeping eye contact as her mouth opened. Her tongue appeared and circled the top of his erect penis, stopping at the opening in the center, dipping her tongue in gently, before returning to the circular motion.
His eyes closed, his head fell back. She nipped at his penis gently but with determination.
“Mike, don’t look away. I want you to watch me.”
Ok, he would let her be in control for now--nd then pay her back later. He smiled lazily and opened his eyes again. He almost came right there- she was so beautiful, sitting there, her tan skin on the wet, sparkling stone seat, her hair wet and plastered all around her, her eyes full of haze and smoke, her tongue, wet and pink, at his member. She now opened her mouth and took him into the molten heat. His hips moved forward, his hands came to rest on her head. He felt her tongue running over him, snaking around him, driving him crazy. He did not think it was possible, but he became harder still.
Lisa must have felt it, too, as he felt her swallow in surprise. Then she moaned slightly, making his head spin in response to the sensation.
“Yeah, that’s right baby, you just take it all in. You can do it.”
She moved her head back slightly and applied gentle suction, popping his penis out of her mouth for a second before greedily letting him enter her again. He had a very hard time keeping his eyes open, and she struggled as well, especially as he now fucked her mouth seriously, moving his hips with more force. He felt his penis hitting the back of her throat and for a second worried about her ability to take him all. However, Lisa was up to the challenge and moved her heavenly mouth up and down his dick as he started to teeter dangerously close to his climax. He felt precum escaping, and knew he better stop her--for now.
He pulled out of her mouth almost forcefully, grabbing her by her shoulders, and pulling her up. Her eyes were like liquid silver, her mouth swollen and red; her tongue darted out to lick her lips. His hands ran up and down her back as his mouth found her again. He kissed her, forcing his tongue into her mouth as she sucked on it like she had just seconds before sucked on his dick.
He broke away, and she stared at him in a daze. She took in his blazing eyes, dark molten chocolate, glowing with an inner fire. His pink lips were full and wet. She saw his tongue sliding over his top lip before he bit his bottom lip. His hair had become partly undone, the ringlets of his curls were all around him now. His long fingers came around and, as he increased the distance between them, he ran his large, elegant fingers over her breasts. Then he proceeded to trace her outline to her waist. One hand rested on her waist, while the other one dipped down and spread over her mound. One long finger stroked her dripping heat sliding easily back and forth. He entered her with that one finger, moving it around her pussy in circles.
She let out a loud moan. He stilled his movement.
“Don’t stop, please don’t stop, Mike.”
“I like it when you beg, Lisa. Don’t worry, I am just getting started.”
With that he spun her around, took her wrists, and braced them against the cool tiles. He reached around her and turned the other jets on. The water hit her stomach and her breasts with full force. She let out a sigh.
Michael’s hands traced down her arms, back to her back, then down to her ass.
“Keep your hands on the wall, Lisa. Don’t you dare move.”
She heard his dark, deep, commanding voice and a sob of ecstasy escaped from her throat.
8)
Lisa was starting to shake as anticipation coursed through her. She felt him close to her. His heat was radiating from his body and heating her back; her front was assaulted by the high pressure water jets. Her hands were braced against the cool tiles above her head, her back arched slightly, her ass toward him. Michael’s hands softly made their way toward her waist, where he let them rest. Every nerve in her body told her to arch further back, to make contact with his body, to seek the powerful tool she needed to achieve the high she craved. He must have sensed it, but held her in immobile, not yet granting what she needed.
She felt his breath caressing her skin, his mouth less than an inch from her neck.
“You really have been a very bad girl, you know.”
She moaned. The game always changed, she could never be sure what he was playing at, or if he was playing, and the tension and anticipation to find out was almost unbearable. Through a haze, she felt her nipples tightening and aching, her labia swelling, her pussy becoming even wetter. All this, and he had not even touched any of those places. Damn him and his power over her.
His tongue lapped up droplets of water, or maybe sweat, from her neck.
“Lisa, did you hear me?”
His voice was barely a whisper, the dark timbre stroking her nerves.
She nodded.
One hand left her waist. She held her breath.
A second later, she felt the sting on her behind and her head jerked back, her eyes flying open.
“What?” – The words were a sob of ecstasy more so than pain.
“I asked if you were aware that you have been really bad. And on your birthday…”
“No, Michael, how was I bad?” The defiance in her voice edged him on.
The flat of his hand descended again against her, the sting driving her to distraction, the echo filling the tiled room. The sensation extended from her behind to her clit and her uterus, and she felt her internal muscles fluttering, intensifying her arousal.
“Michael” She sobbed again, her tone indignant.
“You did not invite me. You hurt my feelings.”
His hand left her ass once more and she held her breath, anticipating its impact. And it came- delivered with precision force, slightly sharper than the previous blow.
“Oh, my God. Michael I am sorry … I’m sorry.” She was beginning to see stars behind her closed eyelids. No way could she be this close to orgasm!
Michael watched the woman writhing in front of him, while unconsciously biting his bottom lip. Her head was thrown back, her eyes closed, her face contorted in a mixture of pleasure and pain. Her back was arched, her perfect ass right there, ready for the taking. He knew he had not really hurt her- knew how to measure his punishment to inflict pleasure and not pain. The sensitive skin on her behind was turning red after the three light slaps- the spanking she so richly deserved.
Michael looked own down on himself, his penis painfully engorged and straining upward on his tight stomach. He felt like he was about to explode, the pleasure of seeing the power he held over her body, of knowing she was his was headier than the most powerful drug. His hand returned to her waist, as he started to kneel down, caressing her ass softly now. One hand reached up toward her breast, his long fingers massaging it, feeling her rock hard nipple in the palm of his hand. He started placing butterfly kisses on the red marks of her butt, as his fingers found her nipple and rubbed it, tortured it. He felt her shivering again, moaning his name in a barely audible whisper.
He nudged her legs apart, and started to kiss, lick, and nip his way from the knee of her left leg up to the apex of her thighs, placing soft kisses on the outside of her dripping, swollen sex, and down the inside of her right thigh to her knee. Her moans and sighs came in rapid succession, her breathing had increased, her body was wracked by random shivers. He knew he was driving her crazy.
“Michael, please…”
“What are you begging for, girl?”
“You know what, put your damn tongue in my pussy, now.”
He smiled between kissing and licking his way back up from her knee.
“You have such a dirty mouth, Lisa.”
He was so close to her heat now- could smell her intoxicating scent even through the water and the shower gel. His tongue darted out and lapped from her slit over to her clitoris in one swift motion.
“Oh my God.” She cried out.
He could not believe how wet and swollen she was.
His mouth descended on her budding sex, as he continued to kiss her, to let his tongue circle her opening, darting inside her, enjoying her sighs and moans. He removed his tongue for one second and gently blew on her; he was rewarded with a sharp intake of her breath. His mouth fastened on her once more, gently licking her swollen flesh before finding her clit and sucking it into his mouth. He surrounded the swollen center of her pleasure with his tongue, applying pressure and stroking it at the same time, his rough tongue stimulating the slippery bud.
Michael heard her scream and felt her body starting to convulse. As soon as he felt her climax, he shoved three of his long, elegant fingers up her pussy. “Oh my God, Michael, shit….you are killing me…!”
Her legs were shaking, more liquid shot into his mouth. At the same time he increased the pressure on her nipple and on her clit. She rewarded him with another hoarse scream.
Lisa had become totally disoriented. As soon as his mouth had closed in on her, she started to feel the pressure waves of her orgasm spread from her uterus to her clit. She felt like she had been incinerated, every muscle and nerve in her body was on alert. Her vaginal walls cramped and held his fingers in a vice. Shockwaves spread through her again and again, flooding her with heat and almost painful pleasure.
She barely felt his mouth and fingers leaving her as he again rose to his feet from the kneeling position. The kiss on her neck barely registered. One hand travelled up her back, her shoulders, her arm, his fingers interlacing with hers.
She moved her head back slightly and applied gentle suction, popping his penis out of her mouth for a second before greedily letting him enter her again. He had a very hard time keeping his eyes open, and she struggled as well, especially as he now fucked her mouth seriously, moving his hips with more force. He felt his penis hitting the back of her throat and for a second worried about her ability to take him all. However, Lisa was up to the challenge and moved her heavenly mouth up and down his dick as he started to teeter dangerously close to his climax. He felt precum escaping, and knew he better stop her--for now.
He pulled out of her mouth almost forcefully, grabbing her by her shoulders, and pulling her up. Her eyes were like liquid silver, her mouth swollen and red; her tongue darted out to lick her lips. His hands ran up and down her back as his mouth found her again. He kissed her, forcing his tongue into her mouth as she sucked on it like she had just seconds before sucked on his dick.
He broke away, and she stared at him in a daze. She took in his blazing eyes, dark molten chocolate, glowing with an inner fire. His pink lips were full and wet. She saw his tongue sliding over his top lip before he bit his bottom lip. His hair had become partly undone, the ringlets of his curls were all around him now. His long fingers came around and, as he increased the distance between them, he ran his large, elegant fingers over her breasts. Then he proceeded to trace her outline to her waist. One hand rested on her waist, while the other one dipped down and spread over her mound. One long finger stroked her dripping heat sliding easily back and forth. He entered her with that one finger, moving it around her pussy in circles.
She let out a loud moan. He stilled his movement.
“Don’t stop, please don’t stop, Mike.”
“I like it when you beg, Lisa. Don’t worry, I am just getting started.”
With that he spun her around, took her wrists, and braced them against the cool tiles. He reached around her and turned the other jets on. The water hit her stomach and her breasts with full force. She let out a sigh.
Michael’s hands traced down her arms, back to her back, then down to her ass.
“Keep your hands on the wall, Lisa. Don’t you dare move.”
She heard his dark, deep, commanding voice and a sob of ecstasy escaped from her throat.
8)
Lisa was starting to shake as anticipation coursed through her. She felt him close to her. His heat was radiating from his body and heating her back; her front was assaulted by the high pressure water jets. Her hands were braced against the cool tiles above her head, her back arched slightly, her ass toward him. Michael’s hands softly made their way toward her waist, where he let them rest. Every nerve in her body told her to arch further back, to make contact with his body, to seek the powerful tool she needed to achieve the high she craved. He must have sensed it, but held her in immobile, not yet granting what she needed.
She felt his breath caressing her skin, his mouth less than an inch from her neck.
“You really have been a very bad girl, you know.”
She moaned. The game always changed, she could never be sure what he was playing at, or if he was playing, and the tension and anticipation to find out was almost unbearable. Through a haze, she felt her nipples tightening and aching, her labia swelling, her pussy becoming even wetter. All this, and he had not even touched any of those places. Damn him and his power over her.
His tongue lapped up droplets of water, or maybe sweat, from her neck.
“Lisa, did you hear me?”
His voice was barely a whisper, the dark timbre stroking her nerves.
She nodded.
One hand left her waist. She held her breath.
A second later, she felt the sting on her behind and her head jerked back, her eyes flying open.
“What?” – The words were a sob of ecstasy more so than pain.
“I asked if you were aware that you have been really bad. And on your birthday…”
“No, Michael, how was I bad?” The defiance in her voice edged him on.
The flat of his hand descended again against her, the sting driving her to distraction, the echo filling the tiled room. The sensation extended from her behind to her clit and her uterus, and she felt her internal muscles fluttering, intensifying her arousal.
“Michael” She sobbed again, her tone indignant.
“You did not invite me. You hurt my feelings.”
His hand left her ass once more and she held her breath, anticipating its impact. And it came- delivered with precision force, slightly sharper than the previous blow.
“Oh, my God. Michael I am sorry … I’m sorry.” She was beginning to see stars behind her closed eyelids. No way could she be this close to orgasm!
Michael watched the woman writhing in front of him, while unconsciously biting his bottom lip. Her head was thrown back, her eyes closed, her face contorted in a mixture of pleasure and pain. Her back was arched, her perfect ass right there, ready for the taking. He knew he had not really hurt her- knew how to measure his punishment to inflict pleasure and not pain. The sensitive skin on her behind was turning red after the three light slaps- the spanking she so richly deserved.
Michael looked own down on himself, his penis painfully engorged and straining upward on his tight stomach. He felt like he was about to explode, the pleasure of seeing the power he held over her body, of knowing she was his was headier than the most powerful drug. His hand returned to her waist, as he started to kneel down, caressing her ass softly now. One hand reached up toward her breast, his long fingers massaging it, feeling her rock hard nipple in the palm of his hand. He started placing butterfly kisses on the red marks of her butt, as his fingers found her nipple and rubbed it, tortured it. He felt her shivering again, moaning his name in a barely audible whisper.
He nudged her legs apart, and started to kiss, lick, and nip his way from the knee of her left leg up to the apex of her thighs, placing soft kisses on the outside of her dripping, swollen sex, and down the inside of her right thigh to her knee. Her moans and sighs came in rapid succession, her breathing had increased, her body was wracked by random shivers. He knew he was driving her crazy.
“Michael, please…”
“What are you begging for, girl?”
“You know what, put your damn tongue in my pussy, now.”
He smiled between kissing and licking his way back up from her knee.
“You have such a dirty mouth, Lisa.”
He was so close to her heat now- could smell her intoxicating scent even through the water and the shower gel. His tongue darted out and lapped from her slit over to her clitoris in one swift motion.
“Oh my God.” She cried out.
He could not believe how wet and swollen she was.
His mouth descended on her budding sex, as he continued to kiss her, to let his tongue circle her opening, darting inside her, enjoying her sighs and moans. He removed his tongue for one second and gently blew on her; he was rewarded with a sharp intake of her breath. His mouth fastened on her once more, gently licking her swollen flesh before finding her clit and sucking it into his mouth. He surrounded the swollen center of her pleasure with his tongue, applying pressure and stroking it at the same time, his rough tongue stimulating the slippery bud.
Michael heard her scream and felt her body starting to convulse. As soon as he felt her climax, he shoved three of his long, elegant fingers up her pussy. “Oh my God, Michael, shit….you are killing me…!”
Her legs were shaking, more liquid shot into his mouth. At the same time he increased the pressure on her nipple and on her clit. She rewarded him with another hoarse scream.
Lisa had become totally disoriented. As soon as his mouth had closed in on her, she started to feel the pressure waves of her orgasm spread from her uterus to her clit. She felt like she had been incinerated, every muscle and nerve in her body was on alert. Her vaginal walls cramped and held his fingers in a vice. Shockwaves spread through her again and again, flooding her with heat and almost painful pleasure.
She barely felt his mouth and fingers leaving her as he again rose to his feet from the kneeling position. The kiss on her neck barely registered. One hand travelled up her back, her shoulders, her arm, his fingers interlacing with hers.
Michael’s other hand reached for his penis. He did not know how long he would last if he did not have her now. He pumped his shaft one time, his thumb rubbing gently over the pre-cum on the sensitive head.
“Keep your legs spread, girl. And no one told you to move.”
He guided his penis to her tight, still quivering slit. Her heat felt like heaven and he let the head of his penis rest at her entrance. She tried to move back slightly, trying to force him to enter, knowing full well, he would slide into her dripping center without added help. Her disobedience earned her another light slap on her ass, as she heard him hiss out between clenched teeth, “I told you to be patient!”
Then, with one swift, forceful movement he entered her, filling her to the hilt, almost making her stumble against the wall. “Is that what you wanted?” His voice was intense, almost angry.
“Michael!” She tried to scream, but her voice slowly was leaving her, rendering his name a moan floating in the steam.
He was also not unaffected, now encased in her velvet, red hot center, and the breath he exhaled was a deep moan. His arm snaked around her and found her clit. He circled the sensitive, slippery nub with increasing force, moving his hips against her several times. On the last impact her kept his member inside her sheath, and moved his hips in circular motion. He was rewarded by her moans and as she gripped him more tightly still. Then, he slowly withdrew, almost letting himself pull out of her heat. She felt the loss, felt the tip of his penis barely at her entrance how, and held her breath. He held the moment for a torturous couple of seconds, his hand on her also stilling. When she thought she could not take it anymore, he finally rammed into her once more in one energetic thrust. He reveled in the sound of her moans. His pace now sped up and he was not sure how long he could sustain this effort, this torture. The pleasure bordered on heavenly agony now, and he felt the pressure building up to an almost painful level inside of him.
Lisa felt his penis hit her cervix, and once again marveled in the recesses of her mind how her petite body could accommodate his immense size. She was barely coherent as the sensations from his hand on her clit and his penis ramming inside her targeted each and every one of her nerve centers with ever increasing speed, assaulting her senses.
Lisa felt his hand leave hers, but she barely noticed him reaching for the controls of the jets in front of her, turning one on cold and one on hot. As soon as the ice hit her breasts and the heat her abdomen, the conflicting sensations sent her over the edge. She once more felt the pressure waves that had built both from her oversensitive clit and from deep in her vagina erupt in shockwaves and converge, forcing her to again hoarsely scream his name, while the intense, explosive pleasure send her body into violent spasms.
He guided his penis to her tight, still quivering slit. Her heat felt like heaven and he let the head of his penis rest at her entrance. She tried to move back slightly, trying to force him to enter, knowing full well, he would slide into her dripping center without added help. Her disobedience earned her another light slap on her ass, as she heard him hiss out between clenched teeth, “I told you to be patient!”
Then, with one swift, forceful movement he entered her, filling her to the hilt, almost making her stumble against the wall. “Is that what you wanted?” His voice was intense, almost angry.
“Michael!” She tried to scream, but her voice slowly was leaving her, rendering his name a moan floating in the steam.
He was also not unaffected, now encased in her velvet, red hot center, and the breath he exhaled was a deep moan. His arm snaked around her and found her clit. He circled the sensitive, slippery nub with increasing force, moving his hips against her several times. On the last impact her kept his member inside her sheath, and moved his hips in circular motion. He was rewarded by her moans and as she gripped him more tightly still. Then, he slowly withdrew, almost letting himself pull out of her heat. She felt the loss, felt the tip of his penis barely at her entrance how, and held her breath. He held the moment for a torturous couple of seconds, his hand on her also stilling. When she thought she could not take it anymore, he finally rammed into her once more in one energetic thrust. He reveled in the sound of her moans. His pace now sped up and he was not sure how long he could sustain this effort, this torture. The pleasure bordered on heavenly agony now, and he felt the pressure building up to an almost painful level inside of him.
Lisa felt his penis hit her cervix, and once again marveled in the recesses of her mind how her petite body could accommodate his immense size. She was barely coherent as the sensations from his hand on her clit and his penis ramming inside her targeted each and every one of her nerve centers with ever increasing speed, assaulting her senses.
Lisa felt his hand leave hers, but she barely noticed him reaching for the controls of the jets in front of her, turning one on cold and one on hot. As soon as the ice hit her breasts and the heat her abdomen, the conflicting sensations sent her over the edge. She once more felt the pressure waves that had built both from her oversensitive clit and from deep in her vagina erupt in shockwaves and converge, forcing her to again hoarsely scream his name, while the intense, explosive pleasure send her body into violent spasms.
He felt her starting to shake as soon as he changed the temperature on the jets. She was bucking against him, meeting each forceful thrust with equal vigor. He felt her walls tightening and started to lose control as he felt his cum shooting down the length of his penis, and releasing in hot jets into Lisa’s womb. His head fell back; sounds escaping as sobs though his clenched teeth.
“Oh, fuck, yeah, Lisa, oh my God!”
After keeping the pressure on her clitoris during her orgasm, he now released her. His fingers interlaced with hers, holding held her hands, as he as well, screamed out in ecstasy, their combined moans reverberating from the steamed tiles, intertwining like their hands.
Finally the shockwaves subsided. Both their breaths came ragged and fast. Her head had fallen back and now rested on his shoulder, her legs shaking, barely able to sustain her weight.
Michael staggered back toward the built-in seat, pulling Lisa with him. She landed in his lap, half turned around, her arms tightly around his body now. His arms also closed in around her, as he felt the love he held for her echo in his heart. She was weak, quiet now, her breathing calming, her heart rate still racing. Her head was on his shoulder and his hand in her hair, as he tried to catch his breath.
“Happy Birthday, baby.” He whispered against her hair, placing soft kisses on it and her shoulder, as she managed an exhausted smile. “I’m so glad I didn’t invite you. How else would I have earned all this punishment?”
After keeping the pressure on her clitoris during her orgasm, he now released her. His fingers interlaced with hers, holding held her hands, as he as well, screamed out in ecstasy, their combined moans reverberating from the steamed tiles, intertwining like their hands.
Finally the shockwaves subsided. Both their breaths came ragged and fast. Her head had fallen back and now rested on his shoulder, her legs shaking, barely able to sustain her weight.
Michael staggered back toward the built-in seat, pulling Lisa with him. She landed in his lap, half turned around, her arms tightly around his body now. His arms also closed in around her, as he felt the love he held for her echo in his heart. She was weak, quiet now, her breathing calming, her heart rate still racing. Her head was on his shoulder and his hand in her hair, as he tried to catch his breath.
“Happy Birthday, baby.” He whispered against her hair, placing soft kisses on it and her shoulder, as she managed an exhausted smile. “I’m so glad I didn’t invite you. How else would I have earned all this punishment?”
He laughed as he scooped her up and carried her out of the shower, gently wrapping a giant towel around them both.
9)
“Michael! Watch your back!” Lisa laughed as he carried her to the bedroom while completing one of two twirls on the way there.
“Don’t worry; I feel no pain right now.” He kissed her smiling lips before unceremoniously tossing her onto her king size bed. Michael followed and pulled the covers up over them. He let himself drop back into the pillows, and Lisa snuggled up close, placing her head right over his heart, one arm draped over his chest. Michael’s hand played with her wet hair and at times he lazily let his fingers caress the smooth skin of her back. He started to feel drowsy and realized just how much he missed sleeping next to her. It seemed they had been apart so much during their marriage, but he interestingly had no problems battling his insomnia on the rare occasions they did share the same house- and the same bed- for a whole night. After all, why would he try to sleep when he was busy making love to his insatiable wife most of the night? Usually, he was so exhausted when they finally did give it a rest, sleep was not a problem.
“Are you staying?” Lisa Marie asked in a small, insecure voice. Even though she wanted nothing more than to feel him close all night she realized that pushing too hard would push him right out the door again.
“I don’t know…I probably should head home. Shoot, my clothes! You ruined my clothes!” He tugged her head back by her hair playfully and she laughed at the mock shocked expression on his face.
“That was your own fault! You broke into my house.”
“I did not. I borrowed a key. Plus, do you make a habit out of pulling men who break into your house into the shower? Maybe you should think about getting a better security system.”
“The security system doesn’t work when someone knows the code. Plus, what is wrong with pulling those bad intruders into the water? And what’s the harm- especially when they have a body like yours?”
Michael’s brow furrowed. He did not know how he felt about the last comment. Was she saying that if someone had a body she liked that she would just jump him? Well, he might be married to someone else, but it still drove him crazy to think of her with other men. And it was not like he was sleeping with Debbie. That thought brought back memories of his earlier talk with his wife; he felt anxiety start to invade the peaceful fog his mind had been shrouded in.
Lisa felt Michael’s body tense and wondered what was going on behind that beautiful face. His mood could change from light and playful to serious and dark faster than a hummingbird could bat a wing. She turned her head slightly and started to place soft kisses on his chest, trying to divert his mind back to her. Her mouth found his nipple, which instantly hardened. His hand in her hair relaxed and she heard him exhale deeply. Smiling inwardly she gently licked the tightened tip, before moving up and over to make sure his other nipple was also serviced. At the same time, her hand slid in gentle circles over his tight abs, enjoying the feeling of his warm muscles under her.
“Lisa, baby. Don’t start. I have to get going.”
“I’ll get you going, Michael, don’t worry.”
“Yeah, I know, that’s the problem.”
“I really don’t see the problem here.” She gently bit his nipple, then licked it like a little cat. The hand on his abs started to approach the edge of the sheet resting over his hip.
“Baby, I need to go home.” His inactivity betrayed his words, as he did not move a muscle, enjoying her teasing too much.
“What is so urgent, Michael? You nanny is there. Your clothes are wet. Oops, we do seem to have an urgent situation right here…seems there is a snake lose” Her hand had found his penis which had started to jump to life and grow once more. She lifted herself on her elbow and let her soft lips wander from his nipple toward his belly button. She gently kissed it before letting her tongue delve in, moving in circles around the sensitive skin.
He shook his head as he felt heat and pleasure building once again. He really needed to stop her before he got too comfortable and ended up staying the night. She tended to misinterpret their encounters and might get the wrong idea that he was about to move in or something.
For the second time today, he received unexpected help from his phone which he had placed on the nightstand before entering Lisa’s bathroom earlier. He reached over as Lisa continue to play with him, holding him now with a stronger grip, sliding her hand up and down his shaft in a slow, torturous way, gently stoking the now wet, sensitive head with her thumb.
“Yeah…hello?” He hoped whoever it was did not notice his breathing was slightly labored.
“Michael, it’s Debbie.”
Shit, how did he get into these situations? He was in bed with his ex-wife who seemed intent on getting him off and had his current wife, who only hours earlier told him she wanted to have sex with him, on the phone. Life just got really strange at times. Lisa looked up at him and raised an eyebrow in question. He shrugged his shoulders.
“Debbie?” He managed to breath out her name. Lisa rolled her eyes in exasperation and lowered her head toward his penis. Oh no, surely she was not going to go down on him now? He should have known better. Her tongue traced him from the bottom of his shaft to the tip and his head fell back onto the pillow, his hand gripping the phone. He really had to stop her. If only her mouth did not feel so good.
He tried to clear his throat. “What’s up?” The question came out slightly squeakier than intended.
Lisa whispered, “Yeah, what indeed?” before taking all of him into her mouth.
He closed his eyes. This was so wrong- but felt so completely right. His hand came to rest on top of her head- just so he could pull her off in case things got out of hand.
“Michael, are you ok? You sound out of breath. Anyway, I got a bit worried when I woke up to get some milk and found out you were still gone.”
How in the world had she found out he was still gone? She would not have come to his bedroom, would she? He did not like the idea of Debbie sneaking in on him one tiny bit.
Lisa now used her hand to pump him while she continued to slide her mouth up and down, caressing him with her tongue while her mouth kept applying incredible pressure. His hip came to life and started to move against her. His hand tightened in her hair- as he seemed to forget about his plan to pull her off and instead kept her tightly latched on.
“Ah…uhm…I’m a bit busy right now. But I’m fine.” He hoped his voice sounded normal even as he knew it was not.
Lisa made a guttural laughing sound that reverberated on his penis, sending him dangerously close to climax. She pulled her mouth back now and concentrated on his head, sucking and licking the precum from it. She began circling it with her tongue, then gently inserted it into the small opening before swallowing him again. He could not suppress a moan this time and his hips shot forward making her almost gag at his size. Still, she was undeterred and obviously on a mission to totally mess him up. He would so get her back for this later.
“Ok, that’s good. I am glad you are taken care of. Are you coming home soon?”
He started to feel dizzy, saw white and red dots appear behind his closed eyelids, as the pressure in his balls became almost unbearable. He was taken care of, alright.
“Yeah, I’m almost there.”
Lisa paused. Why was she stopping now? He opened his eyes and saw her looking at him with a devilish grin, her lips red, swollen, and wet. “I know you are, baby. Want me to finish you?”
His mouth formed a “Fuck ,yeah!” before he bit his lip to make sure the words were not spoken aloud. He would never curse at Debbie like that. But Lisa had a way of making him forget his principles. She winked before once again descending on him.
“Michael did you say something. You sound really strange. So, should I wait up for you? We never got to finish our conversation.”
He was really not thinking about finishing anything with Debbie right now. All his feelings and thoughts centered on Lisa’s mouth, hand, and tongue. His hand held her head in place now as he fucked her mouth hard.
“No I’m fine. I’ll be home soon. Ok, Debbie, I gotta go. Later.”
He closed his phone just in time. The pressure was unbearable, his balls were drawn up tightly, and the heat of her mouth sent shockwaves through him. His hip moved up sharply, and when he hit her throat and he felt her tighten around him one more time, he lost it, erupted with force, as his cum shot into her mouth.
“Fuck, yeah, oh baby…!” His scream was followed by a low growl as he felt her sucking him dry, taking it all, while her free hand gently continued to massage his testes. It felt like the spasms went on forever, his orgasm prolonged by her administrations. Finally, she moved her mouth and licked the length of him clean, then looked up at him with satisfaction in her eyes and a smile playing around her lips.
“So, what did Debbie want? We know she cannot do this for you.” She could not help the last, slightly testy comment.
His head had dropped back, he tried to find his voice, tried to control his breath.“You are evil.”
“Complaints?”
“Yeah, I still don’t have dry clothes. I need to go.”
“Michael! You can’t go, I need you to help me with something first.” She had moved up on him and he felt her wet center rubbing against his thigh.
He rolled from under her, smacking that adorable behind as he leapt out of bed.“Sorry, girl. You’re on your own. I have to go. You could always use that present I got you.” It was his turn to wink at her. She looked none too pleased and had a pout on her face.
“You are going home to Debbie? Are you serious? I was good enough to fuck and suck you off, now you are leaving?”
“Lisa Marie, please don’t talk like that. You know how I feel about you, and I do not want to leave. But I have to get home. She came over earlier and is spending the night. I don’t want her roaming around the house.”
“She probably is lying in your bed right now, getting happy.”
He giggled. “Lisa, don’t even joke. That is so gross.”
She rolled her eyes. “You know the bitch wants you, Mike. Don’t even pretend she just wants you as her friendly sperm donor.”
“I am starting to get that message all over the place today.”
“What do you mean?”“She told me earlier she wanted to have marital relations with me.” He whispered the “marital relations” part like it was a secret –or a really bad word.
“Michael! Watch your back!” Lisa laughed as he carried her to the bedroom while completing one of two twirls on the way there.
“Don’t worry; I feel no pain right now.” He kissed her smiling lips before unceremoniously tossing her onto her king size bed. Michael followed and pulled the covers up over them. He let himself drop back into the pillows, and Lisa snuggled up close, placing her head right over his heart, one arm draped over his chest. Michael’s hand played with her wet hair and at times he lazily let his fingers caress the smooth skin of her back. He started to feel drowsy and realized just how much he missed sleeping next to her. It seemed they had been apart so much during their marriage, but he interestingly had no problems battling his insomnia on the rare occasions they did share the same house- and the same bed- for a whole night. After all, why would he try to sleep when he was busy making love to his insatiable wife most of the night? Usually, he was so exhausted when they finally did give it a rest, sleep was not a problem.
“Are you staying?” Lisa Marie asked in a small, insecure voice. Even though she wanted nothing more than to feel him close all night she realized that pushing too hard would push him right out the door again.
“I don’t know…I probably should head home. Shoot, my clothes! You ruined my clothes!” He tugged her head back by her hair playfully and she laughed at the mock shocked expression on his face.
“That was your own fault! You broke into my house.”
“I did not. I borrowed a key. Plus, do you make a habit out of pulling men who break into your house into the shower? Maybe you should think about getting a better security system.”
“The security system doesn’t work when someone knows the code. Plus, what is wrong with pulling those bad intruders into the water? And what’s the harm- especially when they have a body like yours?”
Michael’s brow furrowed. He did not know how he felt about the last comment. Was she saying that if someone had a body she liked that she would just jump him? Well, he might be married to someone else, but it still drove him crazy to think of her with other men. And it was not like he was sleeping with Debbie. That thought brought back memories of his earlier talk with his wife; he felt anxiety start to invade the peaceful fog his mind had been shrouded in.
Lisa felt Michael’s body tense and wondered what was going on behind that beautiful face. His mood could change from light and playful to serious and dark faster than a hummingbird could bat a wing. She turned her head slightly and started to place soft kisses on his chest, trying to divert his mind back to her. Her mouth found his nipple, which instantly hardened. His hand in her hair relaxed and she heard him exhale deeply. Smiling inwardly she gently licked the tightened tip, before moving up and over to make sure his other nipple was also serviced. At the same time, her hand slid in gentle circles over his tight abs, enjoying the feeling of his warm muscles under her.
“Lisa, baby. Don’t start. I have to get going.”
“I’ll get you going, Michael, don’t worry.”
“Yeah, I know, that’s the problem.”
“I really don’t see the problem here.” She gently bit his nipple, then licked it like a little cat. The hand on his abs started to approach the edge of the sheet resting over his hip.
“Baby, I need to go home.” His inactivity betrayed his words, as he did not move a muscle, enjoying her teasing too much.
“What is so urgent, Michael? You nanny is there. Your clothes are wet. Oops, we do seem to have an urgent situation right here…seems there is a snake lose” Her hand had found his penis which had started to jump to life and grow once more. She lifted herself on her elbow and let her soft lips wander from his nipple toward his belly button. She gently kissed it before letting her tongue delve in, moving in circles around the sensitive skin.
He shook his head as he felt heat and pleasure building once again. He really needed to stop her before he got too comfortable and ended up staying the night. She tended to misinterpret their encounters and might get the wrong idea that he was about to move in or something.
For the second time today, he received unexpected help from his phone which he had placed on the nightstand before entering Lisa’s bathroom earlier. He reached over as Lisa continue to play with him, holding him now with a stronger grip, sliding her hand up and down his shaft in a slow, torturous way, gently stoking the now wet, sensitive head with her thumb.
“Yeah…hello?” He hoped whoever it was did not notice his breathing was slightly labored.
“Michael, it’s Debbie.”
Shit, how did he get into these situations? He was in bed with his ex-wife who seemed intent on getting him off and had his current wife, who only hours earlier told him she wanted to have sex with him, on the phone. Life just got really strange at times. Lisa looked up at him and raised an eyebrow in question. He shrugged his shoulders.
“Debbie?” He managed to breath out her name. Lisa rolled her eyes in exasperation and lowered her head toward his penis. Oh no, surely she was not going to go down on him now? He should have known better. Her tongue traced him from the bottom of his shaft to the tip and his head fell back onto the pillow, his hand gripping the phone. He really had to stop her. If only her mouth did not feel so good.
He tried to clear his throat. “What’s up?” The question came out slightly squeakier than intended.
Lisa whispered, “Yeah, what indeed?” before taking all of him into her mouth.
He closed his eyes. This was so wrong- but felt so completely right. His hand came to rest on top of her head- just so he could pull her off in case things got out of hand.
“Michael, are you ok? You sound out of breath. Anyway, I got a bit worried when I woke up to get some milk and found out you were still gone.”
How in the world had she found out he was still gone? She would not have come to his bedroom, would she? He did not like the idea of Debbie sneaking in on him one tiny bit.
Lisa now used her hand to pump him while she continued to slide her mouth up and down, caressing him with her tongue while her mouth kept applying incredible pressure. His hip came to life and started to move against her. His hand tightened in her hair- as he seemed to forget about his plan to pull her off and instead kept her tightly latched on.
“Ah…uhm…I’m a bit busy right now. But I’m fine.” He hoped his voice sounded normal even as he knew it was not.
Lisa made a guttural laughing sound that reverberated on his penis, sending him dangerously close to climax. She pulled her mouth back now and concentrated on his head, sucking and licking the precum from it. She began circling it with her tongue, then gently inserted it into the small opening before swallowing him again. He could not suppress a moan this time and his hips shot forward making her almost gag at his size. Still, she was undeterred and obviously on a mission to totally mess him up. He would so get her back for this later.
“Ok, that’s good. I am glad you are taken care of. Are you coming home soon?”
He started to feel dizzy, saw white and red dots appear behind his closed eyelids, as the pressure in his balls became almost unbearable. He was taken care of, alright.
“Yeah, I’m almost there.”
Lisa paused. Why was she stopping now? He opened his eyes and saw her looking at him with a devilish grin, her lips red, swollen, and wet. “I know you are, baby. Want me to finish you?”
His mouth formed a “Fuck ,yeah!” before he bit his lip to make sure the words were not spoken aloud. He would never curse at Debbie like that. But Lisa had a way of making him forget his principles. She winked before once again descending on him.
“Michael did you say something. You sound really strange. So, should I wait up for you? We never got to finish our conversation.”
He was really not thinking about finishing anything with Debbie right now. All his feelings and thoughts centered on Lisa’s mouth, hand, and tongue. His hand held her head in place now as he fucked her mouth hard.
“No I’m fine. I’ll be home soon. Ok, Debbie, I gotta go. Later.”
He closed his phone just in time. The pressure was unbearable, his balls were drawn up tightly, and the heat of her mouth sent shockwaves through him. His hip moved up sharply, and when he hit her throat and he felt her tighten around him one more time, he lost it, erupted with force, as his cum shot into her mouth.
“Fuck, yeah, oh baby…!” His scream was followed by a low growl as he felt her sucking him dry, taking it all, while her free hand gently continued to massage his testes. It felt like the spasms went on forever, his orgasm prolonged by her administrations. Finally, she moved her mouth and licked the length of him clean, then looked up at him with satisfaction in her eyes and a smile playing around her lips.
“So, what did Debbie want? We know she cannot do this for you.” She could not help the last, slightly testy comment.
His head had dropped back, he tried to find his voice, tried to control his breath.“You are evil.”
“Complaints?”
“Yeah, I still don’t have dry clothes. I need to go.”
“Michael! You can’t go, I need you to help me with something first.” She had moved up on him and he felt her wet center rubbing against his thigh.
He rolled from under her, smacking that adorable behind as he leapt out of bed.“Sorry, girl. You’re on your own. I have to go. You could always use that present I got you.” It was his turn to wink at her. She looked none too pleased and had a pout on her face.
“You are going home to Debbie? Are you serious? I was good enough to fuck and suck you off, now you are leaving?”
“Lisa Marie, please don’t talk like that. You know how I feel about you, and I do not want to leave. But I have to get home. She came over earlier and is spending the night. I don’t want her roaming around the house.”
“She probably is lying in your bed right now, getting happy.”
He giggled. “Lisa, don’t even joke. That is so gross.”
She rolled her eyes. “You know the bitch wants you, Mike. Don’t even pretend she just wants you as her friendly sperm donor.”
“I am starting to get that message all over the place today.”
“What do you mean?”“She told me earlier she wanted to have marital relations with me.” He whispered the “marital relations” part like it was a secret –or a really bad word.
An eyebrow rose. “As in, she wants you to fuck her?”
“Lisa! That mouth! Yeah, I guess.” He had started to look through her closet and her drawers. He knew he had clothes here somewhere. This was not the first time he was in need of a new outfit after visiting. He liked to be prepared. He found some slacks and a shirt that did not match, but they would do. Plus he also had his jacket that he wisely had taken off with his shoes and socks before discovering her in the shower.
“I need to bring some clothes that match.”
Lisa laughed. “Yeah….we know you matching everything you wear is a top priority. What happened? Are all the red shirts and black pants in the laundry?”
“It’s not nice to make fun of me.”
“It’s not nice to cum and run. What am I? Your dirty little secret?”
He laughed and just shook his head.
“No, silly, everyone knows we were married. Look, I promised I’d see you on your birthday and I did. Now I promise I will take you out. How about that?”
“In public?”
“Yes, in public. And if we get hounded by paparazzi the whole time, it will be your fault.”
He put on his shoes and bent toward her to place a lingering kiss on her still swollen lips. He opened his mouth and found her tongue. They enjoyed the gentle play for several tender minutes. She was the one who broke the kiss, pushing him back slightly.
“Get your ass out of here, Jackson. I have a birthday present to play with.”
10)
Michael quietly entered the Neverland main house and realized with great relief that Debbie was nowhere to be seen- or at least she had not been hiding behind the door, ready to torture him with questions. Maybe she was not such a bad wife after all, he mused to himself. Lisa would have bombarded him with curses and flying objects had he come home at almost 4 am without her knowing his whereabouts. Actually, with Lisa, he would not have snuck back into the house physically exhausted and close to dehydration after a night of crazy sex with someone else.
He made it to his bedroom suite and jotted down some notes for the arrangements he had in mind for his date with Lisa. This was after all going to be a public date, according to his promise. Since he did not like surprises he wanted to have every detail planned out. He was not entirely sure why he made this commitment: maybe it was her vulnerable and almost scared expression when she realized he was actually leaving her bed tonight. Michael frowned. He knew he could not afford to once again lower his guard around her, no matter how much he loved her. At one point, he had trusted her with everything he had, had believed her promises, had taken her at face value. He could still recall feeling stunned and horrified after learning she had taken birth control pills during their marriage to avoid having his baby.
Their argument after he confronted her was emotionally destructive. He hated confrontation under the best of circumstances, and that fight stood out in his memory as probably the low point of their marriage. Lisa had tried to justify her betrayal by telling him she wanted his baby, just not right away. She had used Riley and Ben as excuses, which made zero sense to him since he would have thought she would have wanted to give them a little brother or sister. Plus, almost two years after they had started making love was hardly “right away.”
Michael shook his head, pushing the unsettling memories back to the dark recesses of his mind. He arose from his desk, heading upstairs to his bed, his body feeling exhausted and sated. He had to smile, remembering Lisa’s comments about Debbie probably being in his bed, getting off. He peaked around the corner just to make sure her suspicions were unfounded. His bed was empty. YES!
“I need to bring some clothes that match.”
Lisa laughed. “Yeah….we know you matching everything you wear is a top priority. What happened? Are all the red shirts and black pants in the laundry?”
“It’s not nice to make fun of me.”
“It’s not nice to cum and run. What am I? Your dirty little secret?”
He laughed and just shook his head.
“No, silly, everyone knows we were married. Look, I promised I’d see you on your birthday and I did. Now I promise I will take you out. How about that?”
“In public?”
“Yes, in public. And if we get hounded by paparazzi the whole time, it will be your fault.”
He put on his shoes and bent toward her to place a lingering kiss on her still swollen lips. He opened his mouth and found her tongue. They enjoyed the gentle play for several tender minutes. She was the one who broke the kiss, pushing him back slightly.
“Get your ass out of here, Jackson. I have a birthday present to play with.”
10)
Michael quietly entered the Neverland main house and realized with great relief that Debbie was nowhere to be seen- or at least she had not been hiding behind the door, ready to torture him with questions. Maybe she was not such a bad wife after all, he mused to himself. Lisa would have bombarded him with curses and flying objects had he come home at almost 4 am without her knowing his whereabouts. Actually, with Lisa, he would not have snuck back into the house physically exhausted and close to dehydration after a night of crazy sex with someone else.
He made it to his bedroom suite and jotted down some notes for the arrangements he had in mind for his date with Lisa. This was after all going to be a public date, according to his promise. Since he did not like surprises he wanted to have every detail planned out. He was not entirely sure why he made this commitment: maybe it was her vulnerable and almost scared expression when she realized he was actually leaving her bed tonight. Michael frowned. He knew he could not afford to once again lower his guard around her, no matter how much he loved her. At one point, he had trusted her with everything he had, had believed her promises, had taken her at face value. He could still recall feeling stunned and horrified after learning she had taken birth control pills during their marriage to avoid having his baby.
Their argument after he confronted her was emotionally destructive. He hated confrontation under the best of circumstances, and that fight stood out in his memory as probably the low point of their marriage. Lisa had tried to justify her betrayal by telling him she wanted his baby, just not right away. She had used Riley and Ben as excuses, which made zero sense to him since he would have thought she would have wanted to give them a little brother or sister. Plus, almost two years after they had started making love was hardly “right away.”
Michael shook his head, pushing the unsettling memories back to the dark recesses of his mind. He arose from his desk, heading upstairs to his bed, his body feeling exhausted and sated. He had to smile, remembering Lisa’s comments about Debbie probably being in his bed, getting off. He peaked around the corner just to make sure her suspicions were unfounded. His bed was empty. YES!
“Michael- is that you?”
Dammit! Talk about jinxing it! She must have waited for him after all, ready to pounce. He rolled his eyes and sat down on the bed, burying his head in his hands. If he was really quiet, maybe she would just leave the room and leave him alone.
“Michael, I heard you coming home. Can I come in?”
Do I have a choice?
“Debbie, I am really tired. Is there anything you need? Is the baby ok?”
“We are fine; I just thought you wanted to know that your son was not.”
Michael jumped up, immediately forgetting his fatigue and raced down the stairs.
“What do you mean? Where is he? Have you called a doctor?” He had reached her and was about to push past her, heading to Prince’s bedroom.
Debbie reached out and grabbed his sleeve.
“Michael- wait! He is ok now. He was upset earlier, but he doesn’t need a doctor. He had a nightmare and was crying for you. But of course, you were not here. The nanny read him about ten stories and he finally went back to sleep a couple of hours ago.”
Michael wanted to check in on his son, but Debbie convinced him to let the child sleep, that he was safe. Michael took a deep breath of relief and sank down on the couch. He felt kind of cross with her for making him worry- making it sound like something had been wrong with Prince and making him feel like a horrible father for abandoning his child.
Debbie let her eyes roam over him.
“Michael- you just got home. You could not possibly have had time to change. And I know you wore your red shirt when you left- where were you?”
Was she really questioning him now? What in the world did she think gave her the right to question his whereabouts?
“I was out, I told you. I had to take care of something.”
Or someone.
Debbie sat down on the loveseat opposite his couch. He smartly had chosen to sit in the very middle, not giving her enough space to comfortably settle in on either side of him.
“You sounded out of breath when I called earlier, like you were running, or exercising… Only isn’t it kind of late?”
“You know I get my exercise at strange hours, Debbie. I was …dancing. I am going to bed now and I suggest you do the same. Good night.”
He arose and approached the stairs.
“You must think I am the stupidest bitch on the face of the Earth, Michael.”
He slowly ascended the first stairs, not dignifying her remark with an answer. He did not think she was stupid, anyway. Annoying- yes; stupid, no. Maybe if he just ignored her she would go away.
“I know you went to fuck that bitch, didn’t you?”
He stopped in his tracks and turned toward her in one sharp motion, sending his hair flying.
“Excuse me?”
“You drove all the way over to Hidden Hills to fuck that bitch you once were married to. I have ears you know. I heard her in the background. What was she doing? Giving you a blowjob?”
Damn, what a lucky guess. His brow rose.
“I really do not think this is any of your business. Plus, could you please refrain from cursing, while you carry my child? Thank you- and good night.”
With that he turned once more and left his angry, red faced wife standing in his living area, staring at him with her mouth agape.
11)
“Hello? ” Lisa Marie absent mindedly answered her cell phone without checking if she knew the number.
“You need to back the hell away from my husband, you dirty whore.”
Oh God! Not the incubator again. She had called her in the past, raging at her for trying to mess up the marriage that wasn’t. As if she had to steal him away- he usually came quite willingly. Lisa tried to keep calm- Michael had in the past been upset at her for goading the little woman. She had to make sure to not offend Michael’s babymomma.
“Hi, Mrs. Jackson, what can I do for you on this wonderful afternoon?” She put a sarcastic emphasis on the last name.
“You can stop spreading you skanky legs for my husband, that’s what you can do for me.”
“I hate to disappoint you, Nursey, but Michael spreads my legs all by himself. Actually, usually, he orders me to do it and I just oblige. So, maybe you need to have this conversation with him.”
So much for not upsetting the Missus, but Lisa felt she had outdone herself by being nice for a full fifteen seconds.
“If you would not follow him around like a bitch in heat, sniffing at his dick, he would stay at home where he belongs.”
“Debbie- watch the language. Your poor baby is holding her ears right now.”
“Don’t worry about my child, you skank. You just make sure you stop going after a man who does not want you.”
Lisa snorted in a sarcastic laughter. “Yeah, keep dreaming, Debbie. Must be tough to have your husband fuck around on you with the woman you stole him from in the first place.”
“If you had given him what he really wanted instead of lying your ass off, I would never have stood a chance. You threw him away- now live with it.”
“Guess what, Deb. You might have been able to snow him with all that I am your friend bullshit, and you might have gotten his sperm inserted with a turkey baster, but he does not love you. If he loved you, he would show you: often and in all kind of different ways and positions. You would feel it for days- believe me. Let me tell you: when Michael tells me he loves me, he is usually buried deep inside of me, and there is no doubt that he means it. So until you can say the same, don’t come crying to me that your little scheme did not work out as perfectly as you had imagined. And if you don’t stop calling my phone, I will get a protective order against you.”
With that, Lisa hung up. She noticed her hand holding the phone was trembling. What upset her more than anything was the ease with which Debbie was able to get under her skin. And what was even more infuriating was that she had totally underestimated the frumpy little nurse and the lengths to which she was willing to go to snare Michael. To top it off, she had made it so easy for Michael’s so called friend to move right in and offer her services.
At the time, Lisa Marie had thought she had been justified for waiting to have Michael’s baby. What she now would give to turn back time. They would be parents by now, making it through the terrible twos and getting ready for the wonderful threes. Lisa wanted to have that second chance with every fiber in her body. She knew this time would be different. They had both grown up. She felt she was now able to make compromises. She knew she could put up with his moods, let him have the ample space he needed at times and still be secure that he was coming back to her, and only her.
The only problem was that Michael seemed to be in no rush to make any changes. He had hinted that he wanted to leave Debbie once the new baby was born, but had made no promises. Lisa knew full well how fast and decisive Michael could act once he had made up his mind. Those discounting his mild manners for weakness had often been surprised by his iron will and focused determination. Michael got what Michael wanted. And a little voice inside her told her that he maybe he had not decided to be with her again. Maybe he could not allow himself to love her like he had before, maybe she had killed his faith with her doubts and her lies.
She shook her head, trying to unseat her doubts and fears. No! This time would be different- this time she would not let outsiders like her mother and his entourage of yes-men interfere and whisper doubts and lies into their ears. Had she not already proven that she did not care about what other’s thought? She had had travelled with him and his family to South Africa, and also had met him at several occasions on his tour. She smiled as she remembered him rushing backstage, sweat dripping from his face, his hair wet, grabbing her by the arm as he hurried to his dressing room, kicking the door shut, whispering “Get in here, now!” in a husky voice.
“Michael, I heard you coming home. Can I come in?”
Do I have a choice?
“Debbie, I am really tired. Is there anything you need? Is the baby ok?”
“We are fine; I just thought you wanted to know that your son was not.”
Michael jumped up, immediately forgetting his fatigue and raced down the stairs.
“What do you mean? Where is he? Have you called a doctor?” He had reached her and was about to push past her, heading to Prince’s bedroom.
Debbie reached out and grabbed his sleeve.
“Michael- wait! He is ok now. He was upset earlier, but he doesn’t need a doctor. He had a nightmare and was crying for you. But of course, you were not here. The nanny read him about ten stories and he finally went back to sleep a couple of hours ago.”
Michael wanted to check in on his son, but Debbie convinced him to let the child sleep, that he was safe. Michael took a deep breath of relief and sank down on the couch. He felt kind of cross with her for making him worry- making it sound like something had been wrong with Prince and making him feel like a horrible father for abandoning his child.
Debbie let her eyes roam over him.
“Michael- you just got home. You could not possibly have had time to change. And I know you wore your red shirt when you left- where were you?”
Was she really questioning him now? What in the world did she think gave her the right to question his whereabouts?
“I was out, I told you. I had to take care of something.”
Or someone.
Debbie sat down on the loveseat opposite his couch. He smartly had chosen to sit in the very middle, not giving her enough space to comfortably settle in on either side of him.
“You sounded out of breath when I called earlier, like you were running, or exercising… Only isn’t it kind of late?”
“You know I get my exercise at strange hours, Debbie. I was …dancing. I am going to bed now and I suggest you do the same. Good night.”
He arose and approached the stairs.
“You must think I am the stupidest bitch on the face of the Earth, Michael.”
He slowly ascended the first stairs, not dignifying her remark with an answer. He did not think she was stupid, anyway. Annoying- yes; stupid, no. Maybe if he just ignored her she would go away.
“I know you went to fuck that bitch, didn’t you?”
He stopped in his tracks and turned toward her in one sharp motion, sending his hair flying.
“Excuse me?”
“You drove all the way over to Hidden Hills to fuck that bitch you once were married to. I have ears you know. I heard her in the background. What was she doing? Giving you a blowjob?”
Damn, what a lucky guess. His brow rose.
“I really do not think this is any of your business. Plus, could you please refrain from cursing, while you carry my child? Thank you- and good night.”
With that he turned once more and left his angry, red faced wife standing in his living area, staring at him with her mouth agape.
11)
“Hello? ” Lisa Marie absent mindedly answered her cell phone without checking if she knew the number.
“You need to back the hell away from my husband, you dirty whore.”
Oh God! Not the incubator again. She had called her in the past, raging at her for trying to mess up the marriage that wasn’t. As if she had to steal him away- he usually came quite willingly. Lisa tried to keep calm- Michael had in the past been upset at her for goading the little woman. She had to make sure to not offend Michael’s babymomma.
“Hi, Mrs. Jackson, what can I do for you on this wonderful afternoon?” She put a sarcastic emphasis on the last name.
“You can stop spreading you skanky legs for my husband, that’s what you can do for me.”
“I hate to disappoint you, Nursey, but Michael spreads my legs all by himself. Actually, usually, he orders me to do it and I just oblige. So, maybe you need to have this conversation with him.”
So much for not upsetting the Missus, but Lisa felt she had outdone herself by being nice for a full fifteen seconds.
“If you would not follow him around like a bitch in heat, sniffing at his dick, he would stay at home where he belongs.”
“Debbie- watch the language. Your poor baby is holding her ears right now.”
“Don’t worry about my child, you skank. You just make sure you stop going after a man who does not want you.”
Lisa snorted in a sarcastic laughter. “Yeah, keep dreaming, Debbie. Must be tough to have your husband fuck around on you with the woman you stole him from in the first place.”
“If you had given him what he really wanted instead of lying your ass off, I would never have stood a chance. You threw him away- now live with it.”
“Guess what, Deb. You might have been able to snow him with all that I am your friend bullshit, and you might have gotten his sperm inserted with a turkey baster, but he does not love you. If he loved you, he would show you: often and in all kind of different ways and positions. You would feel it for days- believe me. Let me tell you: when Michael tells me he loves me, he is usually buried deep inside of me, and there is no doubt that he means it. So until you can say the same, don’t come crying to me that your little scheme did not work out as perfectly as you had imagined. And if you don’t stop calling my phone, I will get a protective order against you.”
With that, Lisa hung up. She noticed her hand holding the phone was trembling. What upset her more than anything was the ease with which Debbie was able to get under her skin. And what was even more infuriating was that she had totally underestimated the frumpy little nurse and the lengths to which she was willing to go to snare Michael. To top it off, she had made it so easy for Michael’s so called friend to move right in and offer her services.
At the time, Lisa Marie had thought she had been justified for waiting to have Michael’s baby. What she now would give to turn back time. They would be parents by now, making it through the terrible twos and getting ready for the wonderful threes. Lisa wanted to have that second chance with every fiber in her body. She knew this time would be different. They had both grown up. She felt she was now able to make compromises. She knew she could put up with his moods, let him have the ample space he needed at times and still be secure that he was coming back to her, and only her.
The only problem was that Michael seemed to be in no rush to make any changes. He had hinted that he wanted to leave Debbie once the new baby was born, but had made no promises. Lisa knew full well how fast and decisive Michael could act once he had made up his mind. Those discounting his mild manners for weakness had often been surprised by his iron will and focused determination. Michael got what Michael wanted. And a little voice inside her told her that he maybe he had not decided to be with her again. Maybe he could not allow himself to love her like he had before, maybe she had killed his faith with her doubts and her lies.
She shook her head, trying to unseat her doubts and fears. No! This time would be different- this time she would not let outsiders like her mother and his entourage of yes-men interfere and whisper doubts and lies into their ears. Had she not already proven that she did not care about what other’s thought? She had had travelled with him and his family to South Africa, and also had met him at several occasions on his tour. She smiled as she remembered him rushing backstage, sweat dripping from his face, his hair wet, grabbing her by the arm as he hurried to his dressing room, kicking the door shut, whispering “Get in here, now!” in a husky voice.
Usually he had her against the wall and had his tongue inside her hungry mouth before she heard the door slam. She remembered the heat of his body burning her, the feel of his straining penis through those outrageous gold pants branding her. She could still feel his perfect ass under her hands, as she reached around, bringing his erection even closer to where she needed to feel him most. It had always amazed her how aroused he was after the show or during his sets. He was pure, animalistic, sexual prowess, barely contained in the foil-like outfit, waiting to be released like a hungry panther.
She needed no foreplay, having already been primed from watching him onstage, knowing what those hips could do when grinding against her, imagining herself in front of him, as he held her ass, pushing into her. He would just pull down her pants, or hike up her skirt, rip her panties off or push them aside, freeing himself and fuck her hard and hungry against the wall. They both would climax within minutes, their moans and screams drowned out by the continued pounding baselines of the music. He would kiss her more gently one more time, before hurrying backstage to do a flying costume change, back on stage before she could adjust her clothing fully. More than once Lisa stumbled out of the dressing room half dazed, feeling knowing eyes follow her. She never cared as her body was still buzzing from having had this man who thousands screamed for just having screwed her brains out. He was her drug and she had just had a powerful fix.
Did she ever feel used? No, because even those rushed encounters were loving at their core and proof of their deep connection. Her thoughts drifted to the time she had been upset by an especially friendly fan who had just about given him a blowjob on stage. They were riding back to the hotel in the SUV, Michael had just reached out to caress her neck. He was trying to urge her closer to him and attempted to kiss her. Lisa pushed him away, still jealous he had let the girl so close to him; he seemingly could not get enough of the twit rubbing up against him. He eyed her incredulously, his eyes narrowing.
“What? Are you kidding me?” he tried to hold her chin, forcing her to look at him.
“No, why don’t you just call that girl? I saw her whispering something to you.”
“Yeah, she told me I was the biggest star she had ever met.”
He glanced down toward his lap. The comment earned him a playful slap, and he laughed. He caught her hand, kissed it, then quickly pressed it against his groin, letting her witness just how “big” a star he was. She glared at him as he bent forward and placed a butterfly kiss on her lips, then moving on to graze her cheek, moving toward ear. He nibbled on her earlobe, his hot breath starting to melt her resolve. Her hand developed a life of its own and started to massage him, making him grow even more.
She heard his rough whisper. “See baby? Don’t you know this is all for you.” And with that, she forgot all about the girl on stage.
Several times now, Michael and Lisa had been seen and photographed, walking hand in hand, obviously a couple again, despite the official version of them being old friends. And now, now he had agreed to take her out in public. She would make it clear to him that she no longer would put up with him hiding their relationship. If he wanted to continue their sexual association, he had to give her some assurances of a future, had to take the risk to let her into his head and his heart one more time. If he could not do this, she had to end things..
Did she ever feel used? No, because even those rushed encounters were loving at their core and proof of their deep connection. Her thoughts drifted to the time she had been upset by an especially friendly fan who had just about given him a blowjob on stage. They were riding back to the hotel in the SUV, Michael had just reached out to caress her neck. He was trying to urge her closer to him and attempted to kiss her. Lisa pushed him away, still jealous he had let the girl so close to him; he seemingly could not get enough of the twit rubbing up against him. He eyed her incredulously, his eyes narrowing.
“What? Are you kidding me?” he tried to hold her chin, forcing her to look at him.
“No, why don’t you just call that girl? I saw her whispering something to you.”
“Yeah, she told me I was the biggest star she had ever met.”
He glanced down toward his lap. The comment earned him a playful slap, and he laughed. He caught her hand, kissed it, then quickly pressed it against his groin, letting her witness just how “big” a star he was. She glared at him as he bent forward and placed a butterfly kiss on her lips, then moving on to graze her cheek, moving toward ear. He nibbled on her earlobe, his hot breath starting to melt her resolve. Her hand developed a life of its own and started to massage him, making him grow even more.
She heard his rough whisper. “See baby? Don’t you know this is all for you.” And with that, she forgot all about the girl on stage.
Several times now, Michael and Lisa had been seen and photographed, walking hand in hand, obviously a couple again, despite the official version of them being old friends. And now, now he had agreed to take her out in public. She would make it clear to him that she no longer would put up with him hiding their relationship. If he wanted to continue their sexual association, he had to give her some assurances of a future, had to take the risk to let her into his head and his heart one more time. If he could not do this, she had to end things..
Only, while Lisa knew all this made perfect sense in her head, she very much doubted her ability to hold to her convictions once he looked at her, touched her, kissed her. She felt herself shivering with the anticipation just thinking of his hands on her skin, his mouth on her lips, her skin, her breasts… Something was definitely wrong here- she had just enjoyed him hours earlier- how could she want him this much already again
The phone rang again.
“I told you not to call me again.”
“No, you did not. As a matter of fact, you seem to get mad if I don’t call you.”
She smiled. Michael- it was so good to hear him.
“Hey, girl, I miss you. How do you feel?”
“A bit sore, thank you.”
“Well, I would apologize, only I am not sorry.”
She felt a pleasurable warmth spreading through her as memories from the previous night flashed through her mind.
“Did you get home ok?”
“I had company- I guess Debbie knew I was with you.”
“Which would explain her call.”
There was a moment of silence.
“What did you tell her?”
What did I tell her?
“Michael, she called me. She was pissed and carried on, cursing me out. I did not do anything to her.”
“Did you admit that we …you know…did it?”
“Yes, I told her you had me against the wall in the shower, spanking my ass. Seriously? What do you take me for? Anyway, she had it pretty much figured out. I don’t think she buys that we spent all night playing chess.”
“Lisa! She can’t have proof, ok? I can’t afford for her to try and get the kids from me.”
“Michael, she has zero interest in your children. Plus, if she is as sweet as you always tell me, she will never separate you from the kids.”
“Well, you don’t need to add fuel to the fire.”
“Did I mention she called me?”
“I know, but she is fishing for things- and I don’t like it. I talked to my lawyer and he advised I stay away from you – and from rumors about us.”
Lisa had a sinking feeling she knew where this was heading. This conversation was eerily familiar- they had had different versions repeatedly over the years. Well, she was not about to give him the satisfaction of showing how hurt she was.
“Fine, you do what the hell you want. You do that anyway. If you are calling to tell me our little date is off, fine. I never believed you would have the guts to take me out anyway. And I just had talked to someone else about flying out to Memphis for a couple of days, so now I have my schedule clear at least.”
“Who?”
“What?”
“Who are you flying to Memphis with?”
As usual Michael only chose to hear parts of the conversation.
“None of your damn business.”
“Will you calm down, please? I never said I am not taking you out. I just called to tell you we have to keep things on the down low a bit longer.”
“What does that mean, Michael? A bit longer…”
“Look, we can talk about it later, when I see you.”
There was another pregnant pause. Lisa was determined not to speak first.
“Lisa? I promise, we will talk, ok? How about I pick you up next Saturday and we have dinner at the Ivy?”
“Are you sure you would not just rather ask Madonna.”
Lisa smiled, knowing he had taken the singer to the very same restaurant many years ago. She was relieved to realize she started to relax and recover from the stifling fear he would blow her off. He seemed undeterred to see her, to go out with her, and to not hide their relationship.
“I don’t think Madonna would like it if I did the things to her I want to do to you.”
There was that voice again. He seemed to calculatingly use it as a weapon against her, knowing full well it turned her brain, and other parts of her anatomy, to mush.
“I don’t know- she is into all kinds of kinky shit, I hear.”
“I think she likes to be in control too much; she likes to be the one doling out the punishment.”
“Punishment?”
“Yeah, you need to learn to not flip out like that. You have been a very bad girl once again, Miss Presley.”
“Well, Mister Jackson, we will see if you are man enough to show me who the boss is.”
“We will indeed, baby. Not only will I show you who the boss is, I will show you who the King is. You better get some rest, by the way.”
She laughed as she felt anticipation spread through her body.
12)
The sound of her home phone ringing almost made Lisa drop the glass she clutched in her hand. Finally! She launched herself across the couch and thus prevented her mother, who was sitting closer to the phone, from answering.
“Well, it’s about time. I thought you forgot about me.”
“Hi Lis, I am glad to talk to you, too.”
Wrong Jackson. Damn it. Lisa turned from her mother who looked like she was attempting to raise an eyebrow in questioning manner.
“Hi, Janet. Sorry, I thought it was someone else.”
“I hope that someone is not my brother--as that would mean he has not called you again since…”
“Oh, since you lent out the key I trusted you with?”
Lisa got up from the couch and left the room. She turned slightly and looked at her mother who had picked up a magazine from the coffee table, trying to pretend she was not listening to her daughter’s conversation. Lisa was still unsure as to the purpose of her mother’s visit. Which, by the way was highly inopportune since she was still waiting for Michael to fill her in on details of their date tonight. That is, if the date was still on…She knew she probably should not have snapped at Janet, but her nerves were shot.
“Look, I am sorry, he sounded like he really wanted to see you, and I thought that maybe a visit from him was just what you needed. I hope you two didn’t fight all night.”
“No, not exactly...” A smile appeared on her face, remembering details of Michael’s visit.
“Ah, ok, then, I don’t need to hear anything else. And…you are welcome.”
“Look, I can’t talk right now, I have company. But if you happen to talk to the person in question, please have him give me a call. We have to discuss details of an upcoming …ah...arrangement.”
“Is you mother over?”
“Exactly.”
“Ok, just call me back when she leaves. And don’t worry, the key has been returned to me by messenger today.”
“Oh, I see. So you haven’t talked to him?”
“No, but I will see what I can find out. You two really need to get your shit straightened out.”
“Thank you for the advice. And please keep me posted.” She tried to keep her tone formal to keep her mother from sniffing blood.
She clicked the phone off, and tried to steady her hand, taking a deep breath. Why had he not called? He knew how she hated to be left hanging like that. Or maybe, that was what was going on--he wanted to show her that he could do whatever he wanted now that they were no longer married. Which was ridiculous, because as she saw it, he had always done exactly what he wanted anyway. The difference is before she had leverage; she could threaten to leave him. Now what? Now the only thing she had was this strange relationship based on her crazy addiction to him. He had told her he loved her, but what did that really mean? He had told her that before and then did not bat an eye when she filed for divorce.
She wished she could just tell herself that she did not care. She wanted to be strong enough to threaten him and give him the ultimatum of either divorcing Debbie and remarrying her, or risk losing her for good. But what if he decided she was not worth it? What if left her with the choice to either live in limbo like now, or break it off? Could she really go through with it?
Lisa ensured her face was a calm mask as she turned and walked back into her den where her mother continued her attempt to appear disinterested. Priscilla did not even look up from the obviously very captivating Forbes magazine when she addressed her daughter.
“So, I take it, you are still in touch with Janet Jackson on a regular basis?”
Lisa sat back down, ready to enter the ring.
“Since you just saw her at my party the other day, I think you know the answer.”
“You certainly seemed very eager to answer that phone. But then I detected what seemed like disappointment when you heard it was her. Whose call were you waiting for? And what was that about a key?”
“I was not waiting for anyone’s call.” Lisa picked her glass up and took a sip. She was neither in the mood for her mother’s questions nor her games. Consequently, she ignored the comment about the key.
“Which explains why you just about leaped across the couch to get to the phone.”
Priscilla finally lowered the magazine and looked at Lisa, trying to scrutinize her every gesture.
“Whatever. Was there anything in particular you wanted today, mother?”
“You don’t have to be rude. I am just making conversation.”
“Sure you are. Look, if there is nothing pressing you want, I have plans and need to get ready.”
“Where are you going?”
“Mother, seriously, what is going on with you? You have caught on to the fact that I am thirty years old, right?”
“Well, maybe I would have an easier time remembering that you are an adult if you did not repeat the same mistake over and over.”
This was starting to sound very familiar. Somehow Priscilla had indeed smelled blood. Lisa just wished she knew why her mother still kept tabs on her. It is not like she was shining example of good life choices, so why did she insist on constantly badgering her about her decisions?
“And what mistake would that be? Does the mistake have a name? Can you cut the crap and tell me what you want?”
“Lisa-Marie! I do not care how old you are, you do not talk to me in this manner.”
“Then be honest and tell me what you are talking about.”
“I am talking about the fact that you and Janet’s brother seem to have a relationship again.”
“Can you be more specific? She has more than one brother, you know.”
Priscilla’s lips thinned despite the Botox cushion.
“Lisa, he is married, and you have been divorced for almost three years now. I thought you had finally moved on.”
“And I thought I made it clear that I live my life how I see it fit?”
“He is only using you, Lisa. He has used you before and he is doing it again. Why won’t you ever learn? Don’t you think it is strange that he is cozying up to you now?”
“Now, that what? Now that you could not prevent me from stepping into the business any longer?”
“I never intended to keep your inheritance from you. I only wanted to protect what is yours. How can you be sure he wants you and not your father’s work? He did not seem all that interested in you when you did not have the power to sell the rights to Elvis’ music. At least not interested enough to wait until you were ready to have children before he went out and bought one.”
Lisa was no longer able to contain her anger. She rose from the couch.
“You can leave now, mother. Your trip over here was basically wasted. Michael and I are friends, that’s all. And don’t worry, I am not selling off Daddy’s music. I cannot even believe you are bringing that shit up again.”
Priscilla also straightened, refusing to have her daughter tower above her.
“Well, Michael’s wife seems to think you are more than just friends. It seems she is convinced he visited you at your house one night and stayed very late. What were you doing? Playing scrabble?”
“You talked to Debbie? Fine, mother, if you want to believe that white thrash over me, then that is your business, but if you are interested in being a part of my life you will back off and leave me the hell alone.”
Priscilla smartly held her tongue and did not pressure her daughter any further. She knew she had been successful in nurturing a seed that had been planted a long time ago. She also knew that patience was the key to see the fruits of Lisa’s insecurities and suspicions ripen.
After some more small talk about the children and some business matters, Lisa watched her mother leave her house. No, she would not listen to her again. Michael loved her, he was not using her. He loved her for the person she was, not for whose daughter she happened to be.
Lisa was about to head upstairs when the security guard buzzed her, informing her that a flower delivery and a messenger with an important letter had arrived. Five minutes later, Lisa was presented with a huge bouquet of long stemmed red roses, and a card, containing some very specific instructions. She smiled: He was such a control freak. Among other things, he told her to be ready to be picked up by helicopter. Checking her watch, she cursed, realizing she had less than an hour to get ready and rushed upstairs to make sure she followed his order to the letter.
13)
Michael checked his watch for what must have been the hundredth time. He should not be surprised to see she was late. He had arrived at the private airfield late as well in an attempt to compensate for the difference between actual time and Lisa-time. He had flown into LA this morning to make sure everything was ready for the night at his condo. He had been unable to fall asleep and had finally given up and worked on some songs he had been trying to finalize.
After he had arrived at his condo, he planned to lie down for a minute to relax before heading out to the airfield to pick up Lisa. He suspected she had been surprised to receive his little message, but he had no doubt she would do her best to comply with his requests. He felt himself harden, thinking about the plans he had for them. At times, he was still surprised what thoughts of being with her could do to his body. He had long ago stopped fighting this crazy need to have her surrender to him, this urge to prove to her that no one else would ever measure up. She always accused him of having to be in control, when really, she was just as bossy and possibly even more willful. However, there were certain times when she did not seem to mind his assertiveness. Outside the bedroom, their power struggles were more pronounced and tended to end in much less satisfactory ways.
It still stung how she had ended their marriage. She might not see it the same way, but she was the one who had left, the one who would not stick around and battle through the tough times. She had promised to give him a family, and then had basically given her permission to use Debbie as a surrogate. Only, when had taken her up on her dare, she turned around and left, pretending she was over him and done with their relationship. If she had thought he would fall apart and give up on his dream, she was sadly mistaken. And still, knowing all this, knowing how they had crashed and burned, he could not resist the pull back to her, could not ignore how good they were together. He just had the hardest time trying to figure out if their relationship could survive outside the bedroom as well. But for today, he did not have to worry about it. She seemed very happy when he promised to take her out in public. And later…well, later was all about their sexual connection.
Michael had not even noticed he had fallen asleep, but he remembered dreaming of Lisa and him in Paris. They had just entered their room after walking through the streets hand in hand. He had closed the door and was leaning against it. She looked out the window in amazement of the sea of people below chanting his name. Slowly she turned and walked toward him until she was standing so close he could feel her body heat, smell her sweet perfume. She raised herself on her tiptoes, still barely able to reach his lips despite her heels. Her lips met his in a very soft, gently contact. He kept his eyes open, as did she, while he returned her light kisses.
She whispered to him, between kisses, “Hear that, baby? Hear them call your name? They want you, but you are all … mine.”
With the last word, her hands found the button on his jeans, which she undid with great mastery before sliding the sipper down, freeing his straining erection. His eyes widened, as he felt her hand caressing his steel, holding it with a firm grasp.
“And you, Michael, what do you want?”
He cleared his throat. “I need to go out on the balcony and wave, but before that…”
“Yes?”
“Before I do that, I want you to get down on your knees and open your mouth.”
“Yes, sir.” With that she sank to her knees and he almost forgot his fans below.
The phone rang and he sat up on the bed with a start. It was the driver informing him that the SUV was ready to take him to the airfield. He had barely enough time to quickly jump into the shower, which helped to tame the raging hard on he had awakened with. He just grabbed the nearest clothes he could find. He was impatient now to see her again, and did not feel like investing time in carefully picking out matching attire. One of the nice things that came with his fame was that he really did not have to worry about how he dressed. Plus, had Lisa not just made fun of his mismatched clothes? Well, she would have a field day with his blue shirt and green pants. Before he left his condo, his eyes fell on a black silk mask that was lying on the dresser. He had not had time to shave today, so this little extra would add a nice touch.
Finally, the helicopter landed, and he saw her emerge. As usual, she took his breath away. She carried her long black coat over her arm, and when the pilot guided her toward the SUV, he caught glimpses of the gold choker he had bought her a while back. Her hair was worn loosely on her head, and strands had come lose when running away from the chopper. His driver was waiting for her, holding the door opposite him open, while the pilot put her bag into the trunk of the large car.
She entered the car and the door closed behind her. Michael did not grant her a moment to adjust to the dark interior. He had waited long enough. His hand reached out and greedily grabbed the back of her head. He pulled her toward him, his hungry lips closing in over her. Her mouth had opened in surprise and he used the advantage to plunder her with his tongue. After the first surprise, Lisa melted into him and her hot tongue eagerly met his. She had been slightly cold, running from the helicopter through the cool February air. Now, however, her internal thermometer rose with each second she tasted his sweetness, smelled his unique fragrance, felt his hot mouth taking hers with insatiable passion. She felt her nipples tighten as the electric current sparked by the velvet touch of his tongue caused her belly to flutter and her pussy to become wet and swollen with instant arousal. The need for air finally ended the kiss. They broke away, but their heads remained close, their breaths fast.
Lisa opened her eyes slowly, her red, glistening lips smiling, her voice husky.
“Hi, Mike, I am glad to see you, too. By the way, you are stubbly- did you forget to shave?”
“I told you not to call me again.”
“No, you did not. As a matter of fact, you seem to get mad if I don’t call you.”
She smiled. Michael- it was so good to hear him.
“Hey, girl, I miss you. How do you feel?”
“A bit sore, thank you.”
“Well, I would apologize, only I am not sorry.”
She felt a pleasurable warmth spreading through her as memories from the previous night flashed through her mind.
“Did you get home ok?”
“I had company- I guess Debbie knew I was with you.”
“Which would explain her call.”
There was a moment of silence.
“What did you tell her?”
What did I tell her?
“Michael, she called me. She was pissed and carried on, cursing me out. I did not do anything to her.”
“Did you admit that we …you know…did it?”
“Yes, I told her you had me against the wall in the shower, spanking my ass. Seriously? What do you take me for? Anyway, she had it pretty much figured out. I don’t think she buys that we spent all night playing chess.”
“Lisa! She can’t have proof, ok? I can’t afford for her to try and get the kids from me.”
“Michael, she has zero interest in your children. Plus, if she is as sweet as you always tell me, she will never separate you from the kids.”
“Well, you don’t need to add fuel to the fire.”
“Did I mention she called me?”
“I know, but she is fishing for things- and I don’t like it. I talked to my lawyer and he advised I stay away from you – and from rumors about us.”
Lisa had a sinking feeling she knew where this was heading. This conversation was eerily familiar- they had had different versions repeatedly over the years. Well, she was not about to give him the satisfaction of showing how hurt she was.
“Fine, you do what the hell you want. You do that anyway. If you are calling to tell me our little date is off, fine. I never believed you would have the guts to take me out anyway. And I just had talked to someone else about flying out to Memphis for a couple of days, so now I have my schedule clear at least.”
“Who?”
“What?”
“Who are you flying to Memphis with?”
As usual Michael only chose to hear parts of the conversation.
“None of your damn business.”
“Will you calm down, please? I never said I am not taking you out. I just called to tell you we have to keep things on the down low a bit longer.”
“What does that mean, Michael? A bit longer…”
“Look, we can talk about it later, when I see you.”
There was another pregnant pause. Lisa was determined not to speak first.
“Lisa? I promise, we will talk, ok? How about I pick you up next Saturday and we have dinner at the Ivy?”
“Are you sure you would not just rather ask Madonna.”
Lisa smiled, knowing he had taken the singer to the very same restaurant many years ago. She was relieved to realize she started to relax and recover from the stifling fear he would blow her off. He seemed undeterred to see her, to go out with her, and to not hide their relationship.
“I don’t think Madonna would like it if I did the things to her I want to do to you.”
There was that voice again. He seemed to calculatingly use it as a weapon against her, knowing full well it turned her brain, and other parts of her anatomy, to mush.
“I don’t know- she is into all kinds of kinky shit, I hear.”
“I think she likes to be in control too much; she likes to be the one doling out the punishment.”
“Punishment?”
“Yeah, you need to learn to not flip out like that. You have been a very bad girl once again, Miss Presley.”
“Well, Mister Jackson, we will see if you are man enough to show me who the boss is.”
“We will indeed, baby. Not only will I show you who the boss is, I will show you who the King is. You better get some rest, by the way.”
She laughed as she felt anticipation spread through her body.
12)
The sound of her home phone ringing almost made Lisa drop the glass she clutched in her hand. Finally! She launched herself across the couch and thus prevented her mother, who was sitting closer to the phone, from answering.
“Well, it’s about time. I thought you forgot about me.”
“Hi Lis, I am glad to talk to you, too.”
Wrong Jackson. Damn it. Lisa turned from her mother who looked like she was attempting to raise an eyebrow in questioning manner.
“Hi, Janet. Sorry, I thought it was someone else.”
“I hope that someone is not my brother--as that would mean he has not called you again since…”
“Oh, since you lent out the key I trusted you with?”
Lisa got up from the couch and left the room. She turned slightly and looked at her mother who had picked up a magazine from the coffee table, trying to pretend she was not listening to her daughter’s conversation. Lisa was still unsure as to the purpose of her mother’s visit. Which, by the way was highly inopportune since she was still waiting for Michael to fill her in on details of their date tonight. That is, if the date was still on…She knew she probably should not have snapped at Janet, but her nerves were shot.
“Look, I am sorry, he sounded like he really wanted to see you, and I thought that maybe a visit from him was just what you needed. I hope you two didn’t fight all night.”
“No, not exactly...” A smile appeared on her face, remembering details of Michael’s visit.
“Ah, ok, then, I don’t need to hear anything else. And…you are welcome.”
“Look, I can’t talk right now, I have company. But if you happen to talk to the person in question, please have him give me a call. We have to discuss details of an upcoming …ah...arrangement.”
“Is you mother over?”
“Exactly.”
“Ok, just call me back when she leaves. And don’t worry, the key has been returned to me by messenger today.”
“Oh, I see. So you haven’t talked to him?”
“No, but I will see what I can find out. You two really need to get your shit straightened out.”
“Thank you for the advice. And please keep me posted.” She tried to keep her tone formal to keep her mother from sniffing blood.
She clicked the phone off, and tried to steady her hand, taking a deep breath. Why had he not called? He knew how she hated to be left hanging like that. Or maybe, that was what was going on--he wanted to show her that he could do whatever he wanted now that they were no longer married. Which was ridiculous, because as she saw it, he had always done exactly what he wanted anyway. The difference is before she had leverage; she could threaten to leave him. Now what? Now the only thing she had was this strange relationship based on her crazy addiction to him. He had told her he loved her, but what did that really mean? He had told her that before and then did not bat an eye when she filed for divorce.
She wished she could just tell herself that she did not care. She wanted to be strong enough to threaten him and give him the ultimatum of either divorcing Debbie and remarrying her, or risk losing her for good. But what if he decided she was not worth it? What if left her with the choice to either live in limbo like now, or break it off? Could she really go through with it?
Lisa ensured her face was a calm mask as she turned and walked back into her den where her mother continued her attempt to appear disinterested. Priscilla did not even look up from the obviously very captivating Forbes magazine when she addressed her daughter.
“So, I take it, you are still in touch with Janet Jackson on a regular basis?”
Lisa sat back down, ready to enter the ring.
“Since you just saw her at my party the other day, I think you know the answer.”
“You certainly seemed very eager to answer that phone. But then I detected what seemed like disappointment when you heard it was her. Whose call were you waiting for? And what was that about a key?”
“I was not waiting for anyone’s call.” Lisa picked her glass up and took a sip. She was neither in the mood for her mother’s questions nor her games. Consequently, she ignored the comment about the key.
“Which explains why you just about leaped across the couch to get to the phone.”
Priscilla finally lowered the magazine and looked at Lisa, trying to scrutinize her every gesture.
“Whatever. Was there anything in particular you wanted today, mother?”
“You don’t have to be rude. I am just making conversation.”
“Sure you are. Look, if there is nothing pressing you want, I have plans and need to get ready.”
“Where are you going?”
“Mother, seriously, what is going on with you? You have caught on to the fact that I am thirty years old, right?”
“Well, maybe I would have an easier time remembering that you are an adult if you did not repeat the same mistake over and over.”
This was starting to sound very familiar. Somehow Priscilla had indeed smelled blood. Lisa just wished she knew why her mother still kept tabs on her. It is not like she was shining example of good life choices, so why did she insist on constantly badgering her about her decisions?
“And what mistake would that be? Does the mistake have a name? Can you cut the crap and tell me what you want?”
“Lisa-Marie! I do not care how old you are, you do not talk to me in this manner.”
“Then be honest and tell me what you are talking about.”
“I am talking about the fact that you and Janet’s brother seem to have a relationship again.”
“Can you be more specific? She has more than one brother, you know.”
Priscilla’s lips thinned despite the Botox cushion.
“Lisa, he is married, and you have been divorced for almost three years now. I thought you had finally moved on.”
“And I thought I made it clear that I live my life how I see it fit?”
“He is only using you, Lisa. He has used you before and he is doing it again. Why won’t you ever learn? Don’t you think it is strange that he is cozying up to you now?”
“Now, that what? Now that you could not prevent me from stepping into the business any longer?”
“I never intended to keep your inheritance from you. I only wanted to protect what is yours. How can you be sure he wants you and not your father’s work? He did not seem all that interested in you when you did not have the power to sell the rights to Elvis’ music. At least not interested enough to wait until you were ready to have children before he went out and bought one.”
Lisa was no longer able to contain her anger. She rose from the couch.
“You can leave now, mother. Your trip over here was basically wasted. Michael and I are friends, that’s all. And don’t worry, I am not selling off Daddy’s music. I cannot even believe you are bringing that shit up again.”
Priscilla also straightened, refusing to have her daughter tower above her.
“Well, Michael’s wife seems to think you are more than just friends. It seems she is convinced he visited you at your house one night and stayed very late. What were you doing? Playing scrabble?”
“You talked to Debbie? Fine, mother, if you want to believe that white thrash over me, then that is your business, but if you are interested in being a part of my life you will back off and leave me the hell alone.”
Priscilla smartly held her tongue and did not pressure her daughter any further. She knew she had been successful in nurturing a seed that had been planted a long time ago. She also knew that patience was the key to see the fruits of Lisa’s insecurities and suspicions ripen.
After some more small talk about the children and some business matters, Lisa watched her mother leave her house. No, she would not listen to her again. Michael loved her, he was not using her. He loved her for the person she was, not for whose daughter she happened to be.
Lisa was about to head upstairs when the security guard buzzed her, informing her that a flower delivery and a messenger with an important letter had arrived. Five minutes later, Lisa was presented with a huge bouquet of long stemmed red roses, and a card, containing some very specific instructions. She smiled: He was such a control freak. Among other things, he told her to be ready to be picked up by helicopter. Checking her watch, she cursed, realizing she had less than an hour to get ready and rushed upstairs to make sure she followed his order to the letter.
13)
Michael checked his watch for what must have been the hundredth time. He should not be surprised to see she was late. He had arrived at the private airfield late as well in an attempt to compensate for the difference between actual time and Lisa-time. He had flown into LA this morning to make sure everything was ready for the night at his condo. He had been unable to fall asleep and had finally given up and worked on some songs he had been trying to finalize.
After he had arrived at his condo, he planned to lie down for a minute to relax before heading out to the airfield to pick up Lisa. He suspected she had been surprised to receive his little message, but he had no doubt she would do her best to comply with his requests. He felt himself harden, thinking about the plans he had for them. At times, he was still surprised what thoughts of being with her could do to his body. He had long ago stopped fighting this crazy need to have her surrender to him, this urge to prove to her that no one else would ever measure up. She always accused him of having to be in control, when really, she was just as bossy and possibly even more willful. However, there were certain times when she did not seem to mind his assertiveness. Outside the bedroom, their power struggles were more pronounced and tended to end in much less satisfactory ways.
It still stung how she had ended their marriage. She might not see it the same way, but she was the one who had left, the one who would not stick around and battle through the tough times. She had promised to give him a family, and then had basically given her permission to use Debbie as a surrogate. Only, when had taken her up on her dare, she turned around and left, pretending she was over him and done with their relationship. If she had thought he would fall apart and give up on his dream, she was sadly mistaken. And still, knowing all this, knowing how they had crashed and burned, he could not resist the pull back to her, could not ignore how good they were together. He just had the hardest time trying to figure out if their relationship could survive outside the bedroom as well. But for today, he did not have to worry about it. She seemed very happy when he promised to take her out in public. And later…well, later was all about their sexual connection.
Michael had not even noticed he had fallen asleep, but he remembered dreaming of Lisa and him in Paris. They had just entered their room after walking through the streets hand in hand. He had closed the door and was leaning against it. She looked out the window in amazement of the sea of people below chanting his name. Slowly she turned and walked toward him until she was standing so close he could feel her body heat, smell her sweet perfume. She raised herself on her tiptoes, still barely able to reach his lips despite her heels. Her lips met his in a very soft, gently contact. He kept his eyes open, as did she, while he returned her light kisses.
She whispered to him, between kisses, “Hear that, baby? Hear them call your name? They want you, but you are all … mine.”
With the last word, her hands found the button on his jeans, which she undid with great mastery before sliding the sipper down, freeing his straining erection. His eyes widened, as he felt her hand caressing his steel, holding it with a firm grasp.
“And you, Michael, what do you want?”
He cleared his throat. “I need to go out on the balcony and wave, but before that…”
“Yes?”
“Before I do that, I want you to get down on your knees and open your mouth.”
“Yes, sir.” With that she sank to her knees and he almost forgot his fans below.
The phone rang and he sat up on the bed with a start. It was the driver informing him that the SUV was ready to take him to the airfield. He had barely enough time to quickly jump into the shower, which helped to tame the raging hard on he had awakened with. He just grabbed the nearest clothes he could find. He was impatient now to see her again, and did not feel like investing time in carefully picking out matching attire. One of the nice things that came with his fame was that he really did not have to worry about how he dressed. Plus, had Lisa not just made fun of his mismatched clothes? Well, she would have a field day with his blue shirt and green pants. Before he left his condo, his eyes fell on a black silk mask that was lying on the dresser. He had not had time to shave today, so this little extra would add a nice touch.
Finally, the helicopter landed, and he saw her emerge. As usual, she took his breath away. She carried her long black coat over her arm, and when the pilot guided her toward the SUV, he caught glimpses of the gold choker he had bought her a while back. Her hair was worn loosely on her head, and strands had come lose when running away from the chopper. His driver was waiting for her, holding the door opposite him open, while the pilot put her bag into the trunk of the large car.
She entered the car and the door closed behind her. Michael did not grant her a moment to adjust to the dark interior. He had waited long enough. His hand reached out and greedily grabbed the back of her head. He pulled her toward him, his hungry lips closing in over her. Her mouth had opened in surprise and he used the advantage to plunder her with his tongue. After the first surprise, Lisa melted into him and her hot tongue eagerly met his. She had been slightly cold, running from the helicopter through the cool February air. Now, however, her internal thermometer rose with each second she tasted his sweetness, smelled his unique fragrance, felt his hot mouth taking hers with insatiable passion. She felt her nipples tighten as the electric current sparked by the velvet touch of his tongue caused her belly to flutter and her pussy to become wet and swollen with instant arousal. The need for air finally ended the kiss. They broke away, but their heads remained close, their breaths fast.
Lisa opened her eyes slowly, her red, glistening lips smiling, her voice husky.
“Hi, Mike, I am glad to see you, too. By the way, you are stubbly- did you forget to shave?”
“I was too busy dreaming of you giving me a blowjob. Remember that hotel in Paris?’
She laughed.
“How can I forget? You looked like such a mess when you went out on the balcony to wave to your fans. You know they knew what was going on…”
“I was just enjoying my wife’s mouth, what is wrong with that?”
“I remember you left me lying on that bed, half naked, on the edge of cuming to go outside to wave…that was so mean, by the way.”
“I seem to remember I took care of you.”
She faked a pout.
“Yeah, your fans always come first.”
“So, what? You came like five times soon afterwards. As a matter of fact, I think you begged me to stop…”
She hit him playfully. He giggled, catching her hand.
“Ouch! Stop hitting me! By the way, you are late. I don’t like waiting.”
He touched her hair and tucked a lose strand behind her ear. He looked at her flushed cheeks and could not help but wonder if the pink hue was caused by the temperature or the kiss.
The driver had started to pull off, heading toward Beverly Hills. Michael reached out and pulled the curtain separating the front of the vehicle from the back shut. The driver already had instructions to listen to music and ignore activities in the back. Luckily, all his staff was used to their boss’ apparent need to “exercise” when Miss Presley was around, and even though their little sideway glances still managed to make him blush, he was not too worried about their presence.
Lisa cocked her head to one side.
“Um…what? You- the person who is responsible for another time zone on Earth called Jackson Standard Time, complain about other people being late?”
“Well, I was here, waiting. I told you to be on time. You continue to be such a bad, bad girl.”
The timbre of his voice raised her temperature further, and her skin started to show a slight flushed hue. Was it getting warm in the car?
Michael had turned toward her, and one hand was now touching her knee, his fingers lightly circling the kneecap. His eyes had descended as he scanned her black dress. His other hand reached out and he touched her cheek, holding it in the palm of his hand, before gently tracing her jaw line with his index finger. Her skin was warm and silky smooth. Lisa swallowed hard, his soft touch sending shivers through her. Michael’s finger now was gently stroking her neck, running it along the line of her choker before descending toward her collar bone, which he traced. His other hand was not idle, either, as his fingers had made their way from her knee to the soft inside of her thigh.
“Michael, what are you doing?” Her voice was a whisper. She was a bit surprised by his actions, given they were in the car. But then again, maybe she should not be… For someone as private as Michael was, he tended to have a penchant for making out in semi-public places.
Michael smiled, his eyes following his hand slowly tracing the neckline. His other hand now slowly moved up her inner thigh, pushing the hem of the dress up her leg ever so slowly.
“Me? Nothing. I’m just checking if you managed to follow my other instructions.” The only signs that his activities were having an effect on him were the glimmer in his eyes and a slow drop in the tone of his voice. Well, and the growing erection starting to press against his pants, but he had no intention to let her in on that “little” secret yet.
He had noticed her legs were sheathed in black silk, but he needed to find out more. His finger continued to climb toward the apex of her thigh. He felt her shivers, heard her take in a little breath when he encountered heated skin. His eye brow rose and his eyes found hers.
“Good girl, Princess.”
Lisa Marie fought the scorching heat she experienced at his touch. Of course she had worn the stockings and the garters he had outlined in his instructions. While she might want to be in charge in some matters, she had no problem letting Michael be dominant in their sex life- especially since the pay off was so powerful and rewarding.
The hand that had seconds before lingered at her dress and which she had hoped would find its way inside, instead came to rest on her other thigh. His touch increased in firmness as both hands slid up her legs further, now dangerously close to her center, which ached to be touched. Lisa opened her legs automatically, granting him easier access. If she had at any time considered stopping him for fears that the driver might hear, those considerations had evaporated when her arousal increased proportionally to his hands’ closeness to her thong line. Her sensitive center was now so swollen that contact with the lacy fabric of her thong, which he had also instructed her to wear, was torture. She felt the tip of Michael’s index fingers touch the outside of the now soaking wet material, tracing it from her hip bone in a “V” shape to where she craved his touch with ever increasing intensity. She swayed toward him slightly when the car hit a bump, and his fingers accidentally bumped her over- sensitive clitoris which was begging for attention. She let out a sigh and tensed, feeling at the edge of a climax already.
Michael withdrew his hands.
Her eyes flew open- she had not even been aware that they had been closed. She found him gazing at her, studying her reaction. His mouth formed a sly smile. She was torn between slapping him and begging for more. She decided begging might be more helpful.
“Please. Don’t stop.”
“Don’t be greedy.”
She reached out and pulled him toward her with both hands, totally ignoring his words. He accepted her kiss, and let her tongue play with his for a minute. He felt her hands rubbing up his legs, finding his erection that strained to break free of its encroaching prison. He moaned, then caught her hands and put them behind her, securing them with one hand on her back. She squirmed and tried to break free for a second, but he increased the fervor in his efforts until he had kissed her into submission, rendering her breathless and helpless with need for him.
He removed his mouth and looked at her. She was so beautiful: her eyes were closed, her skin pink, her chest heaving, her tongue moistened her lips. She bit her lower lip, trying to gain control over herself.
Michael gave her a short second, then resumed his investigation about her dress compliance. He moved the top of her dress to the side, pushing it down her shoulders, and slid his hand inside the smooth material. Her eyes found his, and she saw he approved. He had told her to wear a black lacy bra which matched her garters, stockings and thong, and which had a gold and diamond clasp in the front.
“Satisfied?”
“We’ll see.”
He opened the front clasp of her bra and black lace parted, revealing her tan breasts. Her rosy nipples immediately distended, tightening from exposure to the air and from anticipation of his caress. Of course, he was more than happy to comply. His mouth descended on her right breast; his tongue laving at the sensitive bud, making her squirm again as she moaned.
“Will you hold still?” He hissed playfully before his mouth closed on her, sucking her nipple into its heat. A small cry escaped Lisa’s mouth, but she did not move. Her head fell back as he suckled and intermittently gently bit her, spreading even more pleasure through her.
He removed his mouth and he looked up at her.
‘I am going to let go of your hands, but I want you to keep them behind you.”
She nodded, her eyes closed.
‘Lisa, look at me.”
She did, her stare glazed over with passion.
“Did you hear me?”
“Yes, Michael.”
He smiled and let go of her hands.
She kept them behind her as instructed, braced on the seat, which gave him excellent access to her breasts. As he looked at her, he touched himself and opened his fly, his erection spilling out. Her eyes widened and she licked her lips unconsciously.
“See what you do to me, Princess? This is all for you. But not yet. Right now, I just want you to sit here and not move.”
Lisa nodded again. He had to know how difficult it was for her to refrain from reaching out and touching him.
Michael’s hand found his penis and he gave it a series of strokes, causing precum to glisten on his tip. He knew she ached to touch him, but at this point, he knew it would be easier to measure his reaction if he was in total control. The evening had only started, after all.
Their eyes never lost contact. He bent forward once again and licked her left nipple before sucking on it, driving her crazy. The gentle tugs and little bites sent current like shocks through her. She trembled with the need to move, but held still. He sucked her nipple into his mouth, before easing up and letting his tongue surround the peak. As his mouth tortured her breast, his hand once again made the journey up her leg. His finger pushed aside her soaked thong, and he entered her swollen, dripping wet vagina with one swift movement. Her hot walls clenched around his long finger and he started to move it inside her, alternating a circular motion with sliding it in and out of her opening.
Lisa was starting to feel dizzy and was unable to form a coherent thought. The sensation of his mouth on her breast and his finger moving inside her, were almost too much to bear. She stared at his lap. He continued to stroke his erection, and her mouth watered hoping he would finally allow her to bring him relief. She felt the familiar heat and fluttering spread from her uterus, as she prepared herself for the explosion.
The car stopped and Michael withdrew his finger as he raised his head from her breast.
“We’re here.”
Lisa just stared at him in confusion. The air felt cold on her wet nipple. Her love canal contracted, missing his touch. She cleared her throat.
“Are you kidding?”
‘No, why would I kid? We are here.” He placed a cute little kiss on the tip of her nose.
Michael pulled her dress down toward her knees, closed the clasp of her bra and buttoned up the front of her dress. As she sat there, still trying to make sense of what was happening, he managed to somehow stuff his erection back into his pants. He winced in pain.
Lisa finally found her voice again.
“Have you lost your mind? What was all that? I can’t believe you are letting me hang again!”
He raked his hand through his hair, and put on his black fedora. He reached for his black, puffy jacket, handing her her coat.
“Have you never heard of working up an appetite?”
He winked and smiled at her brightly, obviously very proud of himself. She was too stunned to even remark on the black mask he tightened over his nose and mouth before the door opened and the driver, who did not meet her eyes, helped her to step into the cool air.
“I was just enjoying my wife’s mouth, what is wrong with that?”
“I remember you left me lying on that bed, half naked, on the edge of cuming to go outside to wave…that was so mean, by the way.”
“I seem to remember I took care of you.”
She faked a pout.
“Yeah, your fans always come first.”
“So, what? You came like five times soon afterwards. As a matter of fact, I think you begged me to stop…”
She hit him playfully. He giggled, catching her hand.
“Ouch! Stop hitting me! By the way, you are late. I don’t like waiting.”
He touched her hair and tucked a lose strand behind her ear. He looked at her flushed cheeks and could not help but wonder if the pink hue was caused by the temperature or the kiss.
The driver had started to pull off, heading toward Beverly Hills. Michael reached out and pulled the curtain separating the front of the vehicle from the back shut. The driver already had instructions to listen to music and ignore activities in the back. Luckily, all his staff was used to their boss’ apparent need to “exercise” when Miss Presley was around, and even though their little sideway glances still managed to make him blush, he was not too worried about their presence.
Lisa cocked her head to one side.
“Um…what? You- the person who is responsible for another time zone on Earth called Jackson Standard Time, complain about other people being late?”
“Well, I was here, waiting. I told you to be on time. You continue to be such a bad, bad girl.”
The timbre of his voice raised her temperature further, and her skin started to show a slight flushed hue. Was it getting warm in the car?
Michael had turned toward her, and one hand was now touching her knee, his fingers lightly circling the kneecap. His eyes had descended as he scanned her black dress. His other hand reached out and he touched her cheek, holding it in the palm of his hand, before gently tracing her jaw line with his index finger. Her skin was warm and silky smooth. Lisa swallowed hard, his soft touch sending shivers through her. Michael’s finger now was gently stroking her neck, running it along the line of her choker before descending toward her collar bone, which he traced. His other hand was not idle, either, as his fingers had made their way from her knee to the soft inside of her thigh.
“Michael, what are you doing?” Her voice was a whisper. She was a bit surprised by his actions, given they were in the car. But then again, maybe she should not be… For someone as private as Michael was, he tended to have a penchant for making out in semi-public places.
Michael smiled, his eyes following his hand slowly tracing the neckline. His other hand now slowly moved up her inner thigh, pushing the hem of the dress up her leg ever so slowly.
“Me? Nothing. I’m just checking if you managed to follow my other instructions.” The only signs that his activities were having an effect on him were the glimmer in his eyes and a slow drop in the tone of his voice. Well, and the growing erection starting to press against his pants, but he had no intention to let her in on that “little” secret yet.
He had noticed her legs were sheathed in black silk, but he needed to find out more. His finger continued to climb toward the apex of her thigh. He felt her shivers, heard her take in a little breath when he encountered heated skin. His eye brow rose and his eyes found hers.
“Good girl, Princess.”
Lisa Marie fought the scorching heat she experienced at his touch. Of course she had worn the stockings and the garters he had outlined in his instructions. While she might want to be in charge in some matters, she had no problem letting Michael be dominant in their sex life- especially since the pay off was so powerful and rewarding.
The hand that had seconds before lingered at her dress and which she had hoped would find its way inside, instead came to rest on her other thigh. His touch increased in firmness as both hands slid up her legs further, now dangerously close to her center, which ached to be touched. Lisa opened her legs automatically, granting him easier access. If she had at any time considered stopping him for fears that the driver might hear, those considerations had evaporated when her arousal increased proportionally to his hands’ closeness to her thong line. Her sensitive center was now so swollen that contact with the lacy fabric of her thong, which he had also instructed her to wear, was torture. She felt the tip of Michael’s index fingers touch the outside of the now soaking wet material, tracing it from her hip bone in a “V” shape to where she craved his touch with ever increasing intensity. She swayed toward him slightly when the car hit a bump, and his fingers accidentally bumped her over- sensitive clitoris which was begging for attention. She let out a sigh and tensed, feeling at the edge of a climax already.
Michael withdrew his hands.
Her eyes flew open- she had not even been aware that they had been closed. She found him gazing at her, studying her reaction. His mouth formed a sly smile. She was torn between slapping him and begging for more. She decided begging might be more helpful.
“Please. Don’t stop.”
“Don’t be greedy.”
She reached out and pulled him toward her with both hands, totally ignoring his words. He accepted her kiss, and let her tongue play with his for a minute. He felt her hands rubbing up his legs, finding his erection that strained to break free of its encroaching prison. He moaned, then caught her hands and put them behind her, securing them with one hand on her back. She squirmed and tried to break free for a second, but he increased the fervor in his efforts until he had kissed her into submission, rendering her breathless and helpless with need for him.
He removed his mouth and looked at her. She was so beautiful: her eyes were closed, her skin pink, her chest heaving, her tongue moistened her lips. She bit her lower lip, trying to gain control over herself.
Michael gave her a short second, then resumed his investigation about her dress compliance. He moved the top of her dress to the side, pushing it down her shoulders, and slid his hand inside the smooth material. Her eyes found his, and she saw he approved. He had told her to wear a black lacy bra which matched her garters, stockings and thong, and which had a gold and diamond clasp in the front.
“Satisfied?”
“We’ll see.”
He opened the front clasp of her bra and black lace parted, revealing her tan breasts. Her rosy nipples immediately distended, tightening from exposure to the air and from anticipation of his caress. Of course, he was more than happy to comply. His mouth descended on her right breast; his tongue laving at the sensitive bud, making her squirm again as she moaned.
“Will you hold still?” He hissed playfully before his mouth closed on her, sucking her nipple into its heat. A small cry escaped Lisa’s mouth, but she did not move. Her head fell back as he suckled and intermittently gently bit her, spreading even more pleasure through her.
He removed his mouth and he looked up at her.
‘I am going to let go of your hands, but I want you to keep them behind you.”
She nodded, her eyes closed.
‘Lisa, look at me.”
She did, her stare glazed over with passion.
“Did you hear me?”
“Yes, Michael.”
He smiled and let go of her hands.
She kept them behind her as instructed, braced on the seat, which gave him excellent access to her breasts. As he looked at her, he touched himself and opened his fly, his erection spilling out. Her eyes widened and she licked her lips unconsciously.
“See what you do to me, Princess? This is all for you. But not yet. Right now, I just want you to sit here and not move.”
Lisa nodded again. He had to know how difficult it was for her to refrain from reaching out and touching him.
Michael’s hand found his penis and he gave it a series of strokes, causing precum to glisten on his tip. He knew she ached to touch him, but at this point, he knew it would be easier to measure his reaction if he was in total control. The evening had only started, after all.
Their eyes never lost contact. He bent forward once again and licked her left nipple before sucking on it, driving her crazy. The gentle tugs and little bites sent current like shocks through her. She trembled with the need to move, but held still. He sucked her nipple into his mouth, before easing up and letting his tongue surround the peak. As his mouth tortured her breast, his hand once again made the journey up her leg. His finger pushed aside her soaked thong, and he entered her swollen, dripping wet vagina with one swift movement. Her hot walls clenched around his long finger and he started to move it inside her, alternating a circular motion with sliding it in and out of her opening.
Lisa was starting to feel dizzy and was unable to form a coherent thought. The sensation of his mouth on her breast and his finger moving inside her, were almost too much to bear. She stared at his lap. He continued to stroke his erection, and her mouth watered hoping he would finally allow her to bring him relief. She felt the familiar heat and fluttering spread from her uterus, as she prepared herself for the explosion.
The car stopped and Michael withdrew his finger as he raised his head from her breast.
“We’re here.”
Lisa just stared at him in confusion. The air felt cold on her wet nipple. Her love canal contracted, missing his touch. She cleared her throat.
“Are you kidding?”
‘No, why would I kid? We are here.” He placed a cute little kiss on the tip of her nose.
Michael pulled her dress down toward her knees, closed the clasp of her bra and buttoned up the front of her dress. As she sat there, still trying to make sense of what was happening, he managed to somehow stuff his erection back into his pants. He winced in pain.
Lisa finally found her voice again.
“Have you lost your mind? What was all that? I can’t believe you are letting me hang again!”
He raked his hand through his hair, and put on his black fedora. He reached for his black, puffy jacket, handing her her coat.
“Have you never heard of working up an appetite?”
He winked and smiled at her brightly, obviously very proud of himself. She was too stunned to even remark on the black mask he tightened over his nose and mouth before the door opened and the driver, who did not meet her eyes, helped her to step into the cool air.
Michael came around the car and protectively put his arm around her as he led her into the restaurant. Lisa shook her head, then weakly leaned against him, grateful for the support as her shaky legs and puffiness between her legs made walking slightly difficult.
14)
Lisa watched Michael down his second glass of red wine. They had finally been seated at a small, very private table, after the owner had almost gone into cardiac arrest finding out his very famous guest did not have reservations. He had accommodated them in his private office, serving them appetizers and drinks- on the house, of course-, while waiting for a table to get ready. Lisa, who was already pissed from having been denied sexual release again, was tempted to ask Mr. Perfection what had possessed him to not call for reservations. She had a snide comment ready to tumble from her lips, something in his expression had stopped her. His eyes told her he was ready, was expecting her to start a fight, so at the very last second, she decided to not grant him the satisfaction.
There, how was that for payback?
Lisa watched Michael down his second glass of red wine. They had finally been seated at a small, very private table, after the owner had almost gone into cardiac arrest finding out his very famous guest did not have reservations. He had accommodated them in his private office, serving them appetizers and drinks- on the house, of course-, while waiting for a table to get ready. Lisa, who was already pissed from having been denied sexual release again, was tempted to ask Mr. Perfection what had possessed him to not call for reservations. She had a snide comment ready to tumble from her lips, something in his expression had stopped her. His eyes told her he was ready, was expecting her to start a fight, so at the very last second, she decided to not grant him the satisfaction.
There, how was that for payback?
When she instead turned toward the owner and sweetly thanked him, expressing her hope they were not imposing too much, Michael raised an eye brow and slightly shook his head. Why did she feel that everything was a test with him?
During dinner, Michael kept his mask on, raising it to eat and drink. He felt her eyes on it and again, seemed to wait for a comment, which- again, did not come. They kept the conversation light, and he made her laugh with stories about Prince. She was mesmerized by his eyes when he talked about his son. It still stung that he had children with that woman, or any woman that was not her, but his happiness was contagious. To her, he had never been more beautiful and enigmatic. He was funny and charming, and Lisa was finally allowing herself to relax and just enjoy spending time with him. Several times, Michael reached out to touch her hand across the table, sending shivers up her arm and straight to her still very sensitive core. Lisa also felt alarm bells go off, as she was reminded of other times his presence, his charm, and his seductive skills had made her abandon all caution and all reason.
“So, how is it going with Debbie?” The question was asked after a short silence during which he had softly touched her hand again, gazing into her eyes, threatening to absorb her soul in their darkness.
He pulled his hand back and emptied yet another glass of wine.
“Fine, I guess. She finally left Neverland the other day.”
“I hope she was not still upset.”
“About?”
“About what I said to her.”
“Yeah, you never told me what exactly you said to her. And she only shared that you were being a bitch.”
“I don’t know why she called me that. I didn’t say that much to her at all; and certainly nothing bitchy.”
Lisa Marie tried her best to convey an innocent look. She did not think it was appropriate dinner conversation to rehash the reference about Michael being buried deeply inside her when he told her he loved her.
He giggled.
“I can imagine.”
She had to smile, knowing he was very well aware of the explosive tirades she was capable of when being pushed.
“Stop it, Mike. I really tried to be good.” She reached under the table and let her hand brush the top of his thigh, smiling when she felt his muscles contract. She let her eyes wander to his lap and cursed the damn napkin obstructing her view.
He looked down at her hand.
“Princess, you don’t know the meaning of being good. But you really, really excel at being bad, which is why I love you.” He leaned over and kissed her on the cheek through the mask.
Lisa felt the silk of the fabric like a cool breeze against her cheek even as the heat of his breath and the softness of his concealed lips heated her senses.
“You do?”
His eyes found her. They were soft and sparkled both from the reflection of the candles and the inner fire which obviously had been fueled by the wine. There was another expression, one of surprise, and…was that hurt?
“You know I love you, why do you have to question it?”
She had been right. Nothing upset Michael more than to have his feelings questioned.
“I’m not questioning it, Michael. Well, maybe I am, I don’t know. You are hot and cold; and I never seem to know where I stand with you.”
He lowered his eyes and played with his crab cake before sipping on some more wine. Lisa also took a gulp of wine, suddenly afraid to have pushed him too far. But then again, why should she not push him? She had to find out where she really stood, knowing she could not take this uncertainty much longer.
Michael concentrated on the heat of the ruby liquid warming him. He hated the turn this conversation was taking. He hated that he still loved her in a way that left him without defenses, and hated even more that he was paralyzed by this insane fear of having her turn on him again. She was not the first woman to make him feel like this and he could not believe it had happened a second time. How dared she to ask where she stood? There was a time when it had been crystal clear where she stood: she had been his wife. It was not his fault she had decided to change her job description. Now she was his lover, and he was not sure if he could ever allow her closer than that again despite the love he knew was still between them.
He looked up, knowing she was waiting for his response. Her eyes which could change from a silvery tint to pure green in the right light were wide, her pupils dilated in the dark room. She nervously licked her lips, brushed a random strand of her hair out of her face. She was so beautiful. She had once been his universe, had held all his hopes and dreams for the future. He very vividly recalled his struggle to turn his disappointment and pain into apathy just three years earlier. He knew he had failed miserably as he never fully succeeded to cut her out of his life. He could try and continue to tell himself that all he craved was their amazing physical connection, but this deception lost its power more and more. So now he felt trapped by his love for Lisa, by the doubts he continued to detect in her eyes, and by his current commitment to a woman who had stepped up and made his dreams come true when Lisa had cut and run. And yet, all he had to do was to look at her and see the insecure and scared expression she tried so bravely to hide and all he wanted was to hold her and tell her that they could have another chance.
He reached out and took her hand again, bringing it to his cheek, leaning against her soft touch.
“I do love you, Lisa. But I am married to Debbie. It doesn’t matter how I got there, right now that’s where I am. The baby will be born in April, until then I cannot change anything. But please, please, believe me that I do love you more than you know. I thought having this family was all I wanted- but you cannot imagine the amount of time I spend thinking about what I don’t have any more. I just don’t know what I can promise you beyond what we have right here and now.”
A tear slid down Lisa’s cheek, and he reached out, gently catching it with his finger.
“I do know you love me. And I love you, too. You have no idea how much. It’s just…”Her voice was husky and dark from the emotions she tried to contain, reminding him of black velvet.
During dinner, Michael kept his mask on, raising it to eat and drink. He felt her eyes on it and again, seemed to wait for a comment, which- again, did not come. They kept the conversation light, and he made her laugh with stories about Prince. She was mesmerized by his eyes when he talked about his son. It still stung that he had children with that woman, or any woman that was not her, but his happiness was contagious. To her, he had never been more beautiful and enigmatic. He was funny and charming, and Lisa was finally allowing herself to relax and just enjoy spending time with him. Several times, Michael reached out to touch her hand across the table, sending shivers up her arm and straight to her still very sensitive core. Lisa also felt alarm bells go off, as she was reminded of other times his presence, his charm, and his seductive skills had made her abandon all caution and all reason.
“So, how is it going with Debbie?” The question was asked after a short silence during which he had softly touched her hand again, gazing into her eyes, threatening to absorb her soul in their darkness.
He pulled his hand back and emptied yet another glass of wine.
“Fine, I guess. She finally left Neverland the other day.”
“I hope she was not still upset.”
“About?”
“About what I said to her.”
“Yeah, you never told me what exactly you said to her. And she only shared that you were being a bitch.”
“I don’t know why she called me that. I didn’t say that much to her at all; and certainly nothing bitchy.”
Lisa Marie tried her best to convey an innocent look. She did not think it was appropriate dinner conversation to rehash the reference about Michael being buried deeply inside her when he told her he loved her.
He giggled.
“I can imagine.”
She had to smile, knowing he was very well aware of the explosive tirades she was capable of when being pushed.
“Stop it, Mike. I really tried to be good.” She reached under the table and let her hand brush the top of his thigh, smiling when she felt his muscles contract. She let her eyes wander to his lap and cursed the damn napkin obstructing her view.
He looked down at her hand.
“Princess, you don’t know the meaning of being good. But you really, really excel at being bad, which is why I love you.” He leaned over and kissed her on the cheek through the mask.
Lisa felt the silk of the fabric like a cool breeze against her cheek even as the heat of his breath and the softness of his concealed lips heated her senses.
“You do?”
His eyes found her. They were soft and sparkled both from the reflection of the candles and the inner fire which obviously had been fueled by the wine. There was another expression, one of surprise, and…was that hurt?
“You know I love you, why do you have to question it?”
She had been right. Nothing upset Michael more than to have his feelings questioned.
“I’m not questioning it, Michael. Well, maybe I am, I don’t know. You are hot and cold; and I never seem to know where I stand with you.”
He lowered his eyes and played with his crab cake before sipping on some more wine. Lisa also took a gulp of wine, suddenly afraid to have pushed him too far. But then again, why should she not push him? She had to find out where she really stood, knowing she could not take this uncertainty much longer.
Michael concentrated on the heat of the ruby liquid warming him. He hated the turn this conversation was taking. He hated that he still loved her in a way that left him without defenses, and hated even more that he was paralyzed by this insane fear of having her turn on him again. She was not the first woman to make him feel like this and he could not believe it had happened a second time. How dared she to ask where she stood? There was a time when it had been crystal clear where she stood: she had been his wife. It was not his fault she had decided to change her job description. Now she was his lover, and he was not sure if he could ever allow her closer than that again despite the love he knew was still between them.
He looked up, knowing she was waiting for his response. Her eyes which could change from a silvery tint to pure green in the right light were wide, her pupils dilated in the dark room. She nervously licked her lips, brushed a random strand of her hair out of her face. She was so beautiful. She had once been his universe, had held all his hopes and dreams for the future. He very vividly recalled his struggle to turn his disappointment and pain into apathy just three years earlier. He knew he had failed miserably as he never fully succeeded to cut her out of his life. He could try and continue to tell himself that all he craved was their amazing physical connection, but this deception lost its power more and more. So now he felt trapped by his love for Lisa, by the doubts he continued to detect in her eyes, and by his current commitment to a woman who had stepped up and made his dreams come true when Lisa had cut and run. And yet, all he had to do was to look at her and see the insecure and scared expression she tried so bravely to hide and all he wanted was to hold her and tell her that they could have another chance.
He reached out and took her hand again, bringing it to his cheek, leaning against her soft touch.
“I do love you, Lisa. But I am married to Debbie. It doesn’t matter how I got there, right now that’s where I am. The baby will be born in April, until then I cannot change anything. But please, please, believe me that I do love you more than you know. I thought having this family was all I wanted- but you cannot imagine the amount of time I spend thinking about what I don’t have any more. I just don’t know what I can promise you beyond what we have right here and now.”
A tear slid down Lisa’s cheek, and he reached out, gently catching it with his finger.
“I do know you love me. And I love you, too. You have no idea how much. It’s just…”Her voice was husky and dark from the emotions she tried to contain, reminding him of black velvet.
She turned her head and kissed his hand, capturing it between her hands. His finger reached out and traced her lip. He saw the moment her mood changed from sad to playful. Her eyes which were still wet from barely contained tears suddenly glinted with mischief, as her lips opened and the tip of her tongue flicked against the tip of his finger before she gently bit it.
“It’s just so hard to think about anything while I am still wishing those fingers were in a totally different spot.”
He was grateful she brought the conversation back to safe grounds. He felt his penis harden, threatening to raise the napkin and break through the already challenged material of his pants.
“Oh, Lise, you have no idea, just how hard it is.” He winked at her.
“I better find out soon.”
“If you are really good, you just might.”
15)
Michael ordered a huge piece of cake and ice cream they could share for dessert. The waitress also had provided a candle after Michael had whispered that it was Lisa’s birthday. Lisa blew it out, wishing with all her heart to have him believe in her once again. He playfully fed her the cake, catching the chocolate crumbs and pieces of fudge frosting that missed her mouth and letting her lick them off his finger. Her pink tongue darted out and secured the sweets threat. Before he could move his hand, she captured it with hers, holding his slender wrist. Her tongue licked his index finger from base of the knuckle to its tip, circling it with skill, before her soft lips closed over him, gently sucking it into the hot cavern of her mouth. Michael swallowed hard, his mind comparing the image and feelings to similar administrations to another appendage. His penis painfully protested against its prison, obviously longing for the moist heat of her mouth and the velvet touch of her tongue. He almost came when Lisa continued to suck on him before letting the finger pop out of her mouth with a smacking sound. Her eyes were locked to his and she ran her tongue over her top lip before her bottom lip disappeared in her mouth.
Michael looked around to see if they were being watched. It seemed everyone was either busy with their food, their company, or pretending to not pay attention to the man in the black mask wearing his fedora at the table. He moved his chair closer to Lisa’s, his smile hidden by black silk, but being well reflected in his expressive eyes.
In retaliation for the endured torture, he slid his hand under the table, letting it rest for a second on her knee before slowly running the back of his fingers upwards along the sensitive skin of her inner thigh. Before he approached her lap, he returned to her knee once more, feeling the goose bumps appearing under his hand. Her eyes closed lazily before opening again, blazing at him with uncontained lust. Her gaze issued a dare, and he smiled, thinking she should know him better by now. He looked over to see if the serving staff was paying attention. They again pretended to not notice what their famous guests were up to, and Michael, whose penchant for semi public play was well known to Lisa, felt further emboldened by the four glasses of wine he had consumed.
The soft fabric of Lisa’s dress rested right above her knee. His hand smoothly slid under it and continued its dangerous journey to the well of her pleasure, which he anticipated to be close to overflowing by now. Lisa swallowed and tried to contain a moan as his hot touch slowly inched toward her pouting and weeping pussy. She opened her legs ever so slightly, granting him better access, willing him to quench her thirst.
“So, did you hear from your mother lately?”
Lisa blinked and cleared her throat. What did just he say? Was he making small talk? The laughter in his eyes turned her on even more. How in the word did he keep his voice that cool?
“My mother. Yeah, she visited earlier…ahhhh…” She exhaled sharply, starting to feel dizzy.
“Say what?” His finger had reached the top of her stocking. He leaned in closer, as if engaged in an attention-grabbing conversation, allowing his finger to graze the soaking fabric of her thong, teasing her. She was so hot, so ready, and his erection reached a new level of agony.
Lisa decided he was not the only one to play this game as her hand descended on his thigh and disappeared under his napkin, heading straight for the bulge threatening to rip through his pants.
“Baby, this must be painful, let me help you.”
He blushed and whispered without conviction, “Lisa, don’t…”
She made sure the napkin covered him before she opened his fly, her greedy fingers grasping hot steel, finally freeing him from the suddenly tight confinement.
It was his turn to moan. The mask hid most of the sound as well as the sight of him biting his bottom lip in concentration, trying not to shoot his load across the restaurant.
He regained his composure first. He forced his thoughts back to the topic that might help him stay in control.
“Your mother… What did she want? Is she worried I will seduce the business away from you now that she finally let you run it?”
His finger found her wetness. If he had earlier thought her voice was like velvet, her pussy lips now were like slippery satin pillows. He noticed her skin was taking on a flushed hue and saw her chest rise and fall rapidly. His eyes were distracted by the soft swell of her breasts calling out to be touched.
“She warned me against your evil wiles. And …oh shit…I think she was right.” The hand that was not busy playing with him grabbed the table cloth.
He slightly pinched her clit, flicking it quickly before entering her in one swift motion. She contracted her muscles against him, drawing him in further. Michael moved his finger in circular motion as his thumb applied pressure to her throbbing knob. Lisa increased the pressure on her grip around him in retaliation, sliding his burning skin up and down the iron core of his shaft in torturous drag. She regretted that her hand was hidden, as she always loved to marvel at the fact that her fingers did not reach all the way around him when he was this hard.
“I think she does not need to worry. You…oh my God, you can hold your own.”
Lisa felt the spring of her impending orgasm coiling deep inside, ready to be released at any second.
“I don’t know…she seems to think, I am putty in your hands.”
“Shit,” he hissed, “Watch out.”
Michael stilled his finger and gently removed his hand. He captured her hand on him and forced it to hold still. She looked at him in confusion.
“Is there anything else I can get for you?”
Fuck! The bitch must be doing this on purpose- probably jealous as hell. Lisa felt like killing that damn waitress.
Not again! How many times could she be denied an orgasm? On some distant, logical level, she was glad Michael did not go through with making her cum right here at the table. However, it took extreme will power to convince her over stimulated nerves that she was grateful to not treat the restaurant to the repeat of a famous scene from a When Harry Met Sally- without the faking part.
After the waitress stepped away, Lisa removed her hand from his still rock hard dick. Michael reached down, once again attempting to contain the beast. He seemed to struggle.
“What’s wrong, Michael? Wardrobe problems?” she asked sweetly.
He looked up at her in exasperation, making her laugh. He shrugged his shoulders and went back to the impossible task at hand.
“Want me to help you?” She started to reach out.
He looked at her with raised eyebrows.
“Baby, somehow I don’t think your hands on it are going to make it any better.”
Lisa could not help but laugh again.
“Yeah, laugh. This is entirely your fault, you know.” She could tell he was grinning as well.
“My fault? Who started it? But hey, you can always hang your hat on it, and no one will notice.” Her laughter started to draw the attention of other guests.
He gifted her with an eye roll and she detected an embarrassed grin under the black mask. Michael excused himself and headed to the bathroom, holding his puffy black jacket in front of him. Lisa look another sip from her glass, and after a minute also rose to go find the restroom. The manager met her on the way toward the back and informed her that Mr. Jackson was using the private washroom in his office, and that she was welcome to do the same.
He unlocked the door for her and she entered the roomy office, knowing she had to wait for Michael to do whatever it took to do to correct his problem. As soon as the door closed behind her, the lights suddenly went out, startling her. Someone reached for her wrist, and before she had a second to react, she was roughly pushed against the wall.
“You better help me out here, lady, I can’t seem to fit into my pants,” a hoarse voice whispered into her ear. Her fear dissipated as she smiled into the darkness.
“As long as you don’t hurt me, sir, I’ll do whatever you want me to.” She whispered back, her fear now fake and part of their play.
He raised her arms and pinned them above her head, holding them in place with one hand, while his other hand roughly roamed under her dress, lifting up her leg by her thigh. His mouth came down over her and his tongue invaded her mouth, as his scruffy stubble drove her into insanity. She met his tongue in a crazed dance, dueling with it, inhaling his breath, reveling in his taste. His mouth left her for a second, his tongue tracing her jaw line, finding her ear, nipping on her earlobe. Every touch of his tongue reverberated inside of her.
“Sorry, I can’t guarantee that it won’t hurt. This crazy date of mine got me all fired up and now I have a huge problem.”
She felt the problem pressing against her leg. He was not kidding about it being huge.
Michael’s hand once again approached her drenched center, and he roughly tugged her panties aside, pushing two fingers into her thoroughly lubricated opening.
She moaned, her pelvis rocking toward him to increase the stimulation. Michael let go of her wrists and used one hand to unbutton her dress and skillfully opened her bra. Her swollen breast met his greedy mouth. He bent and descended on her nipple, suckling on it, while his tongue further tortured her peak. His hand squeezed her other breast, his fingers finding her nipple, rolling it between his fingers, pinching it hard enough to make her wince. Lisa welcomed the mixture of extreme pleasure and slight pain as she arched her back. Her breathing came in gasps, moans, and little whimpers, and she was about to lower one hand to pull his head closer.
“Leave your arms up.” She obeyed the husky command.
His fingers let go of her breast and also left her wetness. A sound of protest escaped her, but she realized his hands closed around her waist to lift her up, sliding her along his huge cock before lowering her with sudden force, impaling her on his pulsing erection. Even though her juices and his fingers had well prepared her, his size stunned her momentarily, and a small scream of pure pleasure escaped her. As soon as her legs locked around his waist, one hand returned to keep her hands restrained while the other gripped her ass. He used the wall as leverage, as he pulled back, then thrust his hips upward, hitting her cervix once again with force.
“Oh fuck!” she yelled out.
“Shut up, I told you it might hurt.” His rough words further heightened her ecstasy, and she could not keep from moaning loudly again. His mouth muffled her noises with a frenzied kiss, as he continued to punish her- or reward her- by pounding into her. Lisa felt as if electric current was cursing through her. His shaft slid in and out of her easily, the friction driving her to insanity. Every inch of her was filled; he seemed to touch every nerve ending in her body. The base of his cock rubbed against her throbbing clit and within seconds she felt the tension reach unbearable levels. She anticipated the orgasm to be almost painful but rushed toward it with determination anyway.
“Oh,shit, oh fuck, Mike, I’m cuming….holy shit!”
His mouth closed over her as he swallowed her screams. Her muscles tightened like a vice around him and he thought he would die from the wet, hot, searing pleasure as she spasmed around him over and over again. Michael could not contain the lust spurred on by the music of her moans and the image of her head rolling widely against the walls as she was lost in her pleasure. He felt his penis throbbing, felt it swelling even more, felt his balls tightening as his body also prepared for the release. He pulled out of her one more time, her muscles fighting him, trying desperately to hold on to him. He let go of her hands and gripped her ass with both hands now, providing the leverage he needed for one more almost forceful thrust before the explosion swept over him as well, his scream being absorbed by the passionate kiss still joining them. He saw light behind his closed eyes and tasted the sweetness of the purest honey on his tongue.
“Oh my God…fuck, baby, oh gosh…oh no!”
His screams were accentuated by continued thrusts while his hot seed spurted into her womb. Lisa started moaning once more, as his orgasm triggered more aftershocks from her epicenter.
After the eruption stopped, he stayed buried inside her several more moments, unwilling to leave her heat. Their kiss had softened to chaste contacts, before their lips finally separated. Her head had fallen against his shoulder and he gently kissed her hair, before gingerly lowering her to the ground. Lisa started to kiss his neck, her tongue licking sweat from the hollow at its base. He shivered, and his arms closed around her, holding her pressed to him. Finally, he gently pushed her away. He straightened up his pants, and helped her adjust her dress.
“Thanks, for the help, lady.” He smiled against her before tightening his mask once again.
“You are most welcome, kind sir. You better tell that date of yours to go easy so you don’t have to attack poor unsuspecting women in dark rooms to help you make room for that monster you carry.”
He was grateful she brought the conversation back to safe grounds. He felt his penis harden, threatening to raise the napkin and break through the already challenged material of his pants.
“Oh, Lise, you have no idea, just how hard it is.” He winked at her.
“I better find out soon.”
“If you are really good, you just might.”
15)
Michael ordered a huge piece of cake and ice cream they could share for dessert. The waitress also had provided a candle after Michael had whispered that it was Lisa’s birthday. Lisa blew it out, wishing with all her heart to have him believe in her once again. He playfully fed her the cake, catching the chocolate crumbs and pieces of fudge frosting that missed her mouth and letting her lick them off his finger. Her pink tongue darted out and secured the sweets threat. Before he could move his hand, she captured it with hers, holding his slender wrist. Her tongue licked his index finger from base of the knuckle to its tip, circling it with skill, before her soft lips closed over him, gently sucking it into the hot cavern of her mouth. Michael swallowed hard, his mind comparing the image and feelings to similar administrations to another appendage. His penis painfully protested against its prison, obviously longing for the moist heat of her mouth and the velvet touch of her tongue. He almost came when Lisa continued to suck on him before letting the finger pop out of her mouth with a smacking sound. Her eyes were locked to his and she ran her tongue over her top lip before her bottom lip disappeared in her mouth.
Michael looked around to see if they were being watched. It seemed everyone was either busy with their food, their company, or pretending to not pay attention to the man in the black mask wearing his fedora at the table. He moved his chair closer to Lisa’s, his smile hidden by black silk, but being well reflected in his expressive eyes.
In retaliation for the endured torture, he slid his hand under the table, letting it rest for a second on her knee before slowly running the back of his fingers upwards along the sensitive skin of her inner thigh. Before he approached her lap, he returned to her knee once more, feeling the goose bumps appearing under his hand. Her eyes closed lazily before opening again, blazing at him with uncontained lust. Her gaze issued a dare, and he smiled, thinking she should know him better by now. He looked over to see if the serving staff was paying attention. They again pretended to not notice what their famous guests were up to, and Michael, whose penchant for semi public play was well known to Lisa, felt further emboldened by the four glasses of wine he had consumed.
The soft fabric of Lisa’s dress rested right above her knee. His hand smoothly slid under it and continued its dangerous journey to the well of her pleasure, which he anticipated to be close to overflowing by now. Lisa swallowed and tried to contain a moan as his hot touch slowly inched toward her pouting and weeping pussy. She opened her legs ever so slightly, granting him better access, willing him to quench her thirst.
“So, did you hear from your mother lately?”
Lisa blinked and cleared her throat. What did just he say? Was he making small talk? The laughter in his eyes turned her on even more. How in the word did he keep his voice that cool?
“My mother. Yeah, she visited earlier…ahhhh…” She exhaled sharply, starting to feel dizzy.
“Say what?” His finger had reached the top of her stocking. He leaned in closer, as if engaged in an attention-grabbing conversation, allowing his finger to graze the soaking fabric of her thong, teasing her. She was so hot, so ready, and his erection reached a new level of agony.
Lisa decided he was not the only one to play this game as her hand descended on his thigh and disappeared under his napkin, heading straight for the bulge threatening to rip through his pants.
“Baby, this must be painful, let me help you.”
He blushed and whispered without conviction, “Lisa, don’t…”
She made sure the napkin covered him before she opened his fly, her greedy fingers grasping hot steel, finally freeing him from the suddenly tight confinement.
It was his turn to moan. The mask hid most of the sound as well as the sight of him biting his bottom lip in concentration, trying not to shoot his load across the restaurant.
He regained his composure first. He forced his thoughts back to the topic that might help him stay in control.
“Your mother… What did she want? Is she worried I will seduce the business away from you now that she finally let you run it?”
His finger found her wetness. If he had earlier thought her voice was like velvet, her pussy lips now were like slippery satin pillows. He noticed her skin was taking on a flushed hue and saw her chest rise and fall rapidly. His eyes were distracted by the soft swell of her breasts calling out to be touched.
“She warned me against your evil wiles. And …oh shit…I think she was right.” The hand that was not busy playing with him grabbed the table cloth.
He slightly pinched her clit, flicking it quickly before entering her in one swift motion. She contracted her muscles against him, drawing him in further. Michael moved his finger in circular motion as his thumb applied pressure to her throbbing knob. Lisa increased the pressure on her grip around him in retaliation, sliding his burning skin up and down the iron core of his shaft in torturous drag. She regretted that her hand was hidden, as she always loved to marvel at the fact that her fingers did not reach all the way around him when he was this hard.
“I think she does not need to worry. You…oh my God, you can hold your own.”
Lisa felt the spring of her impending orgasm coiling deep inside, ready to be released at any second.
“I don’t know…she seems to think, I am putty in your hands.”
“Shit,” he hissed, “Watch out.”
Michael stilled his finger and gently removed his hand. He captured her hand on him and forced it to hold still. She looked at him in confusion.
“Is there anything else I can get for you?”
Fuck! The bitch must be doing this on purpose- probably jealous as hell. Lisa felt like killing that damn waitress.
Not again! How many times could she be denied an orgasm? On some distant, logical level, she was glad Michael did not go through with making her cum right here at the table. However, it took extreme will power to convince her over stimulated nerves that she was grateful to not treat the restaurant to the repeat of a famous scene from a When Harry Met Sally- without the faking part.
After the waitress stepped away, Lisa removed her hand from his still rock hard dick. Michael reached down, once again attempting to contain the beast. He seemed to struggle.
“What’s wrong, Michael? Wardrobe problems?” she asked sweetly.
He looked up at her in exasperation, making her laugh. He shrugged his shoulders and went back to the impossible task at hand.
“Want me to help you?” She started to reach out.
He looked at her with raised eyebrows.
“Baby, somehow I don’t think your hands on it are going to make it any better.”
Lisa could not help but laugh again.
“Yeah, laugh. This is entirely your fault, you know.” She could tell he was grinning as well.
“My fault? Who started it? But hey, you can always hang your hat on it, and no one will notice.” Her laughter started to draw the attention of other guests.
He gifted her with an eye roll and she detected an embarrassed grin under the black mask. Michael excused himself and headed to the bathroom, holding his puffy black jacket in front of him. Lisa look another sip from her glass, and after a minute also rose to go find the restroom. The manager met her on the way toward the back and informed her that Mr. Jackson was using the private washroom in his office, and that she was welcome to do the same.
He unlocked the door for her and she entered the roomy office, knowing she had to wait for Michael to do whatever it took to do to correct his problem. As soon as the door closed behind her, the lights suddenly went out, startling her. Someone reached for her wrist, and before she had a second to react, she was roughly pushed against the wall.
“You better help me out here, lady, I can’t seem to fit into my pants,” a hoarse voice whispered into her ear. Her fear dissipated as she smiled into the darkness.
“As long as you don’t hurt me, sir, I’ll do whatever you want me to.” She whispered back, her fear now fake and part of their play.
He raised her arms and pinned them above her head, holding them in place with one hand, while his other hand roughly roamed under her dress, lifting up her leg by her thigh. His mouth came down over her and his tongue invaded her mouth, as his scruffy stubble drove her into insanity. She met his tongue in a crazed dance, dueling with it, inhaling his breath, reveling in his taste. His mouth left her for a second, his tongue tracing her jaw line, finding her ear, nipping on her earlobe. Every touch of his tongue reverberated inside of her.
“Sorry, I can’t guarantee that it won’t hurt. This crazy date of mine got me all fired up and now I have a huge problem.”
She felt the problem pressing against her leg. He was not kidding about it being huge.
Michael’s hand once again approached her drenched center, and he roughly tugged her panties aside, pushing two fingers into her thoroughly lubricated opening.
She moaned, her pelvis rocking toward him to increase the stimulation. Michael let go of her wrists and used one hand to unbutton her dress and skillfully opened her bra. Her swollen breast met his greedy mouth. He bent and descended on her nipple, suckling on it, while his tongue further tortured her peak. His hand squeezed her other breast, his fingers finding her nipple, rolling it between his fingers, pinching it hard enough to make her wince. Lisa welcomed the mixture of extreme pleasure and slight pain as she arched her back. Her breathing came in gasps, moans, and little whimpers, and she was about to lower one hand to pull his head closer.
“Leave your arms up.” She obeyed the husky command.
His fingers let go of her breast and also left her wetness. A sound of protest escaped her, but she realized his hands closed around her waist to lift her up, sliding her along his huge cock before lowering her with sudden force, impaling her on his pulsing erection. Even though her juices and his fingers had well prepared her, his size stunned her momentarily, and a small scream of pure pleasure escaped her. As soon as her legs locked around his waist, one hand returned to keep her hands restrained while the other gripped her ass. He used the wall as leverage, as he pulled back, then thrust his hips upward, hitting her cervix once again with force.
“Oh fuck!” she yelled out.
“Shut up, I told you it might hurt.” His rough words further heightened her ecstasy, and she could not keep from moaning loudly again. His mouth muffled her noises with a frenzied kiss, as he continued to punish her- or reward her- by pounding into her. Lisa felt as if electric current was cursing through her. His shaft slid in and out of her easily, the friction driving her to insanity. Every inch of her was filled; he seemed to touch every nerve ending in her body. The base of his cock rubbed against her throbbing clit and within seconds she felt the tension reach unbearable levels. She anticipated the orgasm to be almost painful but rushed toward it with determination anyway.
“Oh,shit, oh fuck, Mike, I’m cuming….holy shit!”
His mouth closed over her as he swallowed her screams. Her muscles tightened like a vice around him and he thought he would die from the wet, hot, searing pleasure as she spasmed around him over and over again. Michael could not contain the lust spurred on by the music of her moans and the image of her head rolling widely against the walls as she was lost in her pleasure. He felt his penis throbbing, felt it swelling even more, felt his balls tightening as his body also prepared for the release. He pulled out of her one more time, her muscles fighting him, trying desperately to hold on to him. He let go of her hands and gripped her ass with both hands now, providing the leverage he needed for one more almost forceful thrust before the explosion swept over him as well, his scream being absorbed by the passionate kiss still joining them. He saw light behind his closed eyes and tasted the sweetness of the purest honey on his tongue.
“Oh my God…fuck, baby, oh gosh…oh no!”
His screams were accentuated by continued thrusts while his hot seed spurted into her womb. Lisa started moaning once more, as his orgasm triggered more aftershocks from her epicenter.
After the eruption stopped, he stayed buried inside her several more moments, unwilling to leave her heat. Their kiss had softened to chaste contacts, before their lips finally separated. Her head had fallen against his shoulder and he gently kissed her hair, before gingerly lowering her to the ground. Lisa started to kiss his neck, her tongue licking sweat from the hollow at its base. He shivered, and his arms closed around her, holding her pressed to him. Finally, he gently pushed her away. He straightened up his pants, and helped her adjust her dress.
“Thanks, for the help, lady.” He smiled against her before tightening his mask once again.
“You are most welcome, kind sir. You better tell that date of yours to go easy so you don’t have to attack poor unsuspecting women in dark rooms to help you make room for that monster you carry.”
“She is pretty incorrigible, but I will let her know.”
“Well, you might have to find ways to make her behave.”
“Oh, I intend to do just that. Good thing the night is still young.”
“Yeah, good thing indeed, this quickie just barely took the edge off.”
“I have a feeling you will beg me to stop before the night is over.”
“Ok, big shot, don’t bet on it!”
“Oh, a challenge?” He smiled at her brightly, kissing her softly once again. He looked at her and noticed the traces of red his stubble had left on her face. Her eyes were sparkling, her lips swollen, and he knew that anyone looking at her would know that ‘freshly fucked’ look. He was almost sorry that he had lost control like this, but then again, she did not seem to be complaining. Instead, she raised her chin, and purred at him.
“If you are begging off, I’ll understand. I totally realize you may not be up to it.”
“Oh,I’ll be up for it, ye of little faith. We’ll see who will beg.”
Michael took her hand and led her into the bathroom, helping her clean up before giving her a chance to provoke him into showing her what he could do right now.
“Oh, I intend to do just that. Good thing the night is still young.”
“Yeah, good thing indeed, this quickie just barely took the edge off.”
“I have a feeling you will beg me to stop before the night is over.”
“Ok, big shot, don’t bet on it!”
“Oh, a challenge?” He smiled at her brightly, kissing her softly once again. He looked at her and noticed the traces of red his stubble had left on her face. Her eyes were sparkling, her lips swollen, and he knew that anyone looking at her would know that ‘freshly fucked’ look. He was almost sorry that he had lost control like this, but then again, she did not seem to be complaining. Instead, she raised her chin, and purred at him.
“If you are begging off, I’ll understand. I totally realize you may not be up to it.”
“Oh,I’ll be up for it, ye of little faith. We’ll see who will beg.”
Michael took her hand and led her into the bathroom, helping her clean up before giving her a chance to provoke him into showing her what he could do right now.
Moments later, they emerged from the office hand in hand. Lisa felt slightly awkward, suddenly aware that anyone paying attention could probably guess what they had been up to. As if he was reading her thoughts, he turned and touched her face lovingly, winking at her in encouragement, sending her the message that they did not have to care what anyone else thought . The he pulled out the chair for her and they sat down, smiling into each other’s eyes before finishing what was left of their dessert.
16)
Lisa was laughing so hard her abs hurt. Michael was giggling hysterically right alongside her, and she detected tears running down his face. As the Suburban pulled off, the white camera flashes illuminating the darkness became fainter with the increasing distance. They sat with their bodies turned slightly away from each other, trying to calm down because every time they turned toward each other, one look sufficed to send them off into another attack of laughter.
“Hey look, it worked!” Michael was finally able to speak again, his voice still shaky from all the fun he was having.
He removed his mask, smiling triumphantly.
“I told you they won’t follow.”
“Why the hell would they follow? They already got their show. Mike, what the hell got into you out there?”
A little while earlier, as they prepared to leave the Ivy, Michael asked her if she was ready to have some fun. She looked at him suspiciously.
“Mike, I’m still a bit sore- can you give me a minute here?”
He blushed and lowered his eyes.
“Lisa, shhhh”
“You weren’t telling me to be quiet when you made me scream. Come to think of it, you were pretty loud yourself.”
He giggled and reached out, putting his hand over her mouth to stop her teasing. She held on to it as she had earlier when he fed her cake and kissed his palm.
“No, seriously, I just got a call that the vultures have descended. Let’s go out and see.”
Oh great, the papps had found them. Lisa knew how Michael hated photographers, so she mentally prepared to be covered by her coat, rushed to the car, and shoved in right behind him in a mad dash. She looked around for the bodyguard and driver.
“Who are you looking for?”
“Your bodyguard and the driver- I know the drill. Don’t worry, I won’t look up.”
“Don’t be silly, girl. Let’s go take a walk.”
Lisa stopped and stared at Michael again in disbelief.
“Go for a walk?”
“Yeah, let’s go window shopping.”
“How drunk are you? Go window shopping, now? With the paparazzi out there?”
He giggled again and assured her it would be fun.
Fun?
She rose up on her tiptoes and scrutinized his face, turning her head one way, then another.
“Lisa, what?”
“What? I am looking to see who you are and I want to know what you did with my husband. When did you take over? I think I am pretty sure he was the one fucking me a moment ago….but I could be wrong.”
He caught that she called him her husband and found himself liking the sound of it.
The plan came to Michael the second he got the call about the photographers being camped out, ready to pounce. Lisa always made a fuss about him being ashamed of her. Well, he would show her that he was not ashamed of her or of their relationship. He would prove once and for all that he did not care. And if the press got some pictures, well, maybe that would be great way to send a message to some other people as well. Such as that bitch of an ex-mother-in-law and his very intrusive, and suddenly possessive, wife.
Lisa was laughing so hard her abs hurt. Michael was giggling hysterically right alongside her, and she detected tears running down his face. As the Suburban pulled off, the white camera flashes illuminating the darkness became fainter with the increasing distance. They sat with their bodies turned slightly away from each other, trying to calm down because every time they turned toward each other, one look sufficed to send them off into another attack of laughter.
“Hey look, it worked!” Michael was finally able to speak again, his voice still shaky from all the fun he was having.
He removed his mask, smiling triumphantly.
“I told you they won’t follow.”
“Why the hell would they follow? They already got their show. Mike, what the hell got into you out there?”
A little while earlier, as they prepared to leave the Ivy, Michael asked her if she was ready to have some fun. She looked at him suspiciously.
“Mike, I’m still a bit sore- can you give me a minute here?”
He blushed and lowered his eyes.
“Lisa, shhhh”
“You weren’t telling me to be quiet when you made me scream. Come to think of it, you were pretty loud yourself.”
He giggled and reached out, putting his hand over her mouth to stop her teasing. She held on to it as she had earlier when he fed her cake and kissed his palm.
“No, seriously, I just got a call that the vultures have descended. Let’s go out and see.”
Oh great, the papps had found them. Lisa knew how Michael hated photographers, so she mentally prepared to be covered by her coat, rushed to the car, and shoved in right behind him in a mad dash. She looked around for the bodyguard and driver.
“Who are you looking for?”
“Your bodyguard and the driver- I know the drill. Don’t worry, I won’t look up.”
“Don’t be silly, girl. Let’s go take a walk.”
Lisa stopped and stared at Michael again in disbelief.
“Go for a walk?”
“Yeah, let’s go window shopping.”
“How drunk are you? Go window shopping, now? With the paparazzi out there?”
He giggled again and assured her it would be fun.
Fun?
She rose up on her tiptoes and scrutinized his face, turning her head one way, then another.
“Lisa, what?”
“What? I am looking to see who you are and I want to know what you did with my husband. When did you take over? I think I am pretty sure he was the one fucking me a moment ago….but I could be wrong.”
He caught that she called him her husband and found himself liking the sound of it.
The plan came to Michael the second he got the call about the photographers being camped out, ready to pounce. Lisa always made a fuss about him being ashamed of her. Well, he would show her that he was not ashamed of her or of their relationship. He would prove once and for all that he did not care. And if the press got some pictures, well, maybe that would be great way to send a message to some other people as well. Such as that bitch of an ex-mother-in-law and his very intrusive, and suddenly possessive, wife.
Without further explanation, he took her hand and dragged her outside. He had already told his detail to just follow them at a little distance. He headed down the street, pretending initially to not pay any attention to the cameras going off. Michael felt Lisa’s grip tightening but when he glanced at her he saw she had put her poker face on and had decided to play along. He turned to her playfully, whispering, “Come on baby, let’s give them a show, kiss me.”
She laughed, but twisted away.
“Michael, stop it. You will be so sorry when you remember tomorrow what you did.”
“Come on, baby, let me kiss those lips. You know you want to. Look they are ready for it.”
They heard them come closer.
“Michael, Lisa-Marie-look here- what are you doing tonight?”
Michael pulled her close- and did the most unlikely thing. He actually answered them.
“Hey, where are you guys from.”
“Enquirer, Michael. Are you guys out for a night on the town? Where is Debbie? Does she know you are out with Lisa-Marie?”
The snapping of the cameras provided the background.
Lisa got in on the action.
“Oh great- Enquirer- our favorite.”
“Yeah, she is right. Hey, let me tell you something. We have a secret.”
Michael looked at her with a wily wink, reached out, and tilted her face up to him. His eyes bore into her, daring her, and she raised her face to him, not letting him down, supporting whatever he was up to.
“Michael, stop it. You will be so sorry when you remember tomorrow what you did.”
“Come on, baby, let me kiss those lips. You know you want to. Look they are ready for it.”
They heard them come closer.
“Michael, Lisa-Marie-look here- what are you doing tonight?”
Michael pulled her close- and did the most unlikely thing. He actually answered them.
“Hey, where are you guys from.”
“Enquirer, Michael. Are you guys out for a night on the town? Where is Debbie? Does she know you are out with Lisa-Marie?”
The snapping of the cameras provided the background.
Lisa got in on the action.
“Oh great- Enquirer- our favorite.”
“Yeah, she is right. Hey, let me tell you something. We have a secret.”
Michael looked at her with a wily wink, reached out, and tilted her face up to him. His eyes bore into her, daring her, and she raised her face to him, not letting him down, supporting whatever he was up to.
He felt Lisa’s tongue meet his, the silk separating them while intensifying the sensation of the contact. He felt himself harden again. The puffy jacket turned out to be a true life saver- he felt like playing, but his desire to go public only went so far.
Lisa was stunned. What in the world possessed him tonight? She knew he was tipsy, but this whole display was so unlike him. Surely, he must know that those pictures would be plastered all over that trashy magazine tomorrow. Her mother would have a fit, Debbie would explode…this evening was suddenly getting better and better. She returned the kiss and felt herself getting turned on by his play as well as by the idea that he put their relationship out there for all their adversaries to see. The Suburban pulled up beside them, Michael pulled away and opened the door for her.
Michael smiled at the memory of the past hour. THAT felt so good! It was nice to have the game played by his rules.
He reached out and pulled her close to him, kissing her forehead, a brilliant smile on his face. He looked thoroughly pleased with himself. Lisa rested her head on his shoulder and her hand on his leg.
“Stick with me, girl, I know how to show you a good time.”
He sure did. She could not remember the last time she had been barraged by so many different feelings. Within only three hours, she had been through arousal, sexual frustration, love, sadness, disappointment, intense lust, sexual ecstasy, emotional bonding, embarrassment, and crazy, defiant fun.
Lisa started to giggle again, hiding her face in his shirt. Due to their activities during dinner, especially those not involving food, his cologne had mostly worn off, and she reveled in the pure, unique, wonderful scent she knew and loved so well. His fragrance was accompanied by memories of Michael making love, of him holding her in his arms in their bed, of her watching him dance, and him pulling her close playfully.
“Michael, oh my God. Debbie will go berserk. And you told me to play it cool? Holy shit!”
Michael giggled again, his eyes gleaming mischievously down at her when she looked up.
“Yeah, but that was definitely worth it. I just wish the papps were at your mother’s house when she sees those pictures tomorrow. I would pay to see her reaction.”
“Holy fuck! She will explode. She will be so mad, -her face will almost move.”
Michael hit her playfully, laughing hysterically again.
“You are horrible! This is your mother – I would never…” He could not finish, doubling over once again.
“Oh, come on! You know I’m telling the truth. And I will be lucky if I’m not an orphan after she sees this. And what was ‘we have a secret’ all about? What in the hell got into you?”
He sobered and tried to look at her seriously. His beautiful eyes were still shimmering from tears of laughter.
“Princess, nothing got into me. But I got into you. First my fingers, then my…”
He bent and whispered into her ear.
“Michael! You are so drunk!” Michael normally only talked this dirty during making love. The word “cock” usually did not leave his lips all that easily, unless he was giving her specific instructions. Of course, his words had their usual effect and she felt the lust that never totally left stirring again.
“I am drunk from fucking you, Princess. You drive me crazy. You make me forget that I am too shy to do this kind of thing…at least in public.” His head was still close to her ear, his breath moving a tendril of hair.
Shy, my ass!
He pulled her close. Lisa smelled the wine on his breath as she met his hungry lips, her tongue eagerly darting out to taste his. The warmth of his sensual lips engulfed her mouth, and she felt her whole being shrouded in his electric aura again. His tongue caressed hers in slow, languid strokes. They continued to kiss tenderly, slowly, enjoying each other fully without the frenzied hurry driving them earlier.
Lisa was stunned. What in the world possessed him tonight? She knew he was tipsy, but this whole display was so unlike him. Surely, he must know that those pictures would be plastered all over that trashy magazine tomorrow. Her mother would have a fit, Debbie would explode…this evening was suddenly getting better and better. She returned the kiss and felt herself getting turned on by his play as well as by the idea that he put their relationship out there for all their adversaries to see. The Suburban pulled up beside them, Michael pulled away and opened the door for her.
Michael smiled at the memory of the past hour. THAT felt so good! It was nice to have the game played by his rules.
He reached out and pulled her close to him, kissing her forehead, a brilliant smile on his face. He looked thoroughly pleased with himself. Lisa rested her head on his shoulder and her hand on his leg.
“Stick with me, girl, I know how to show you a good time.”
He sure did. She could not remember the last time she had been barraged by so many different feelings. Within only three hours, she had been through arousal, sexual frustration, love, sadness, disappointment, intense lust, sexual ecstasy, emotional bonding, embarrassment, and crazy, defiant fun.
Lisa started to giggle again, hiding her face in his shirt. Due to their activities during dinner, especially those not involving food, his cologne had mostly worn off, and she reveled in the pure, unique, wonderful scent she knew and loved so well. His fragrance was accompanied by memories of Michael making love, of him holding her in his arms in their bed, of her watching him dance, and him pulling her close playfully.
“Michael, oh my God. Debbie will go berserk. And you told me to play it cool? Holy shit!”
Michael giggled again, his eyes gleaming mischievously down at her when she looked up.
“Yeah, but that was definitely worth it. I just wish the papps were at your mother’s house when she sees those pictures tomorrow. I would pay to see her reaction.”
“Holy fuck! She will explode. She will be so mad, -her face will almost move.”
Michael hit her playfully, laughing hysterically again.
“You are horrible! This is your mother – I would never…” He could not finish, doubling over once again.
“Oh, come on! You know I’m telling the truth. And I will be lucky if I’m not an orphan after she sees this. And what was ‘we have a secret’ all about? What in the hell got into you?”
He sobered and tried to look at her seriously. His beautiful eyes were still shimmering from tears of laughter.
“Princess, nothing got into me. But I got into you. First my fingers, then my…”
He bent and whispered into her ear.
“Michael! You are so drunk!” Michael normally only talked this dirty during making love. The word “cock” usually did not leave his lips all that easily, unless he was giving her specific instructions. Of course, his words had their usual effect and she felt the lust that never totally left stirring again.
“I am drunk from fucking you, Princess. You drive me crazy. You make me forget that I am too shy to do this kind of thing…at least in public.” His head was still close to her ear, his breath moving a tendril of hair.
Shy, my ass!
He pulled her close. Lisa smelled the wine on his breath as she met his hungry lips, her tongue eagerly darting out to taste his. The warmth of his sensual lips engulfed her mouth, and she felt her whole being shrouded in his electric aura again. His tongue caressed hers in slow, languid strokes. They continued to kiss tenderly, slowly, enjoying each other fully without the frenzied hurry driving them earlier.
Michael lowered his head and gently kissed her through the mask. He thought how very Spiderman the whole scene was and could not wait to see those pics.
Lisa contemplated how she missed that part of their relationship. During their marriage, they spent hours just being close, kissing, holding each other, laughing, walking hand in hand, not talking much at all- just reveling in the presence of one another. While this new relationship was mostly devoid of the bitter fights and destructive power struggles that also were elements of their marriage, the encounters were often driven by the all consuming need to feel each other before they had to be apart again. Nothing was guaranteed, every meeting could possibly be their last. They both seemed to sense this and reacted by forsaking the slow, loving encounters for frenzied exchanges of ecstasy. And while Lisa loved and hungered for their fast and furious love making, she also missed the quiet emotional connections that had in the beginning of their relationship defined them as well.
Michael sensed a change of mood in Lisa. Her kiss was still passionate, but there was something else. He pulled away and looked at her. She averted her face and brushed a strand of hair aside.
Was she trying to wipe away another tear?
What did I do now? She was laughing with me just a second ago.
He played the last several minutes back in his mind, but could not detect anything he said or did that would have possibly hurt her feelings. Maybe it was that time of the month. Oh, shit- it better not be. No, he would have noticed. Ok, maybe she was close to that time of the month. Or maybe, she was just moody.
“Lisa?” He reached out and held her chin, forcing her to meet his eyes.
“What?” She smiled, but her eyes did not light up, giving her away.
“What’s wrong, baby? Why are you crying? Did I do anything to upset you? I was not serious about your Mom…well, ok, I was a little bit serious.”
The smile turned genuine. She tried to shake her head, but he continued to force her to keep eye contact.
“Mike, don’t be silly. My mother is a horrible bitch and you don’t ever need to apologize for anything you say about her. You should have heard her this morning. She was in rare form again.”
His hand left her chin and his fingers stroked her cheek in a loving and comforting gesture. He could just imagine the poison Priscilla had inundated Lisa with. He had tried to talk about her business a couple of times during dinner, and had noticed that she stayed vague and had changed the subject, visibly uncomfortable. Which was part of the reason he had insisted on the little game with the paparazzi tonight. Priscilla needed to back off and accept Lisa’s choices. She was more than capable of running her father’s empire, and more than able to make her own decisions about who she wanted to see.
Michael had never understood the animosity Priscilla had flung at him from the very start. Lisa had warned him about the dragon, but he had been so confident he would win her over. He had talked about it with his mother who had asked if she thought that, as a well bred southern lady, Priscilla might have objected to her daughter marrying someone not falling into her perfect color scheme. He supposed being prejudiced and ignorant might be part of it, but there was something more. It had puzzled, confused, and hurt him to be met with this kind of barely-concealed hatred. He felt he had always tried to be respectful and cordial to the woman who, at the best of times, treated him like some plague that had infested her daughter. None of that had not stopped her from using him as a prop at several occasions to honor Lisa’s father. Then, Lisa had not been allowed to step into her inheritance due to “making bad choices.” One of those choices probably was her marriage to him. Well, no more. Lisa had turned thirty and with that finally officially held the key to her father’s inheritance.
Oh my God! That’s what Priscilla probably tortured Lisa with!
“Why,what did she say? Did she know you were meeting me?”
“I think by the end of our little talk, it was pretty obvious who I was meeting. Plus, she overheard part of a conversation I had with Janet, and got onto me for having a relationship with you again.”
“What the hell is wrong with her? What did I ever do to her?”
Lisa shook her head.
“I don’t know, you spoiled her plan or something. She doesn’t do flexibility.”
“Lisa? Look at me.” He reached out and let his hands rest on her shoulders, turning her to him. Her eyes were big and serious. He could not help but to lean in and place a gentle kiss on her lips. When he left her mouth, he kept his face close to hers.
“She told you I was using you to get your father’s music, didn’t she?”
Lisa blinked and lowered her eyes.
Bingo!
“It doesn’t matter, Mike. She just keeps trying to…”
“Look at me. Yes, it does matter. It matters because you believe her, don’t you?”
He caught the flicker of insecurity in her eyes before she cleared her voice. In that second he felt his heart sinking again. A familiar feeling settled in the pit of his stomach.
“No, Michael. Why would you say that? I don’t believe her. I know she is up to her old tricks.”
She was lying. He felt his emotions well up. He felt misjudged, misunderstood, and sentenced without ever having had the chance to defend himself.
She will never trust me again. Maybe she never did. She always assumed the worst, why would now be different?. Is that what I have to look forward to? To live every day trying to disprove someone else’s lies? Why am I never enough?
But then again, he was not sure she was so different from him. She had always accused him of holding back that little part of himself, and he probably had. He had learned the hard way that letting down your guard too far will get you knocked on your ass. However, he had also learned that giving in and letting go of someone without a fight was not always the right way to go. He knew what it felt like to be told day in and day out that the person you love only is using you. He also had come to understand that once planted, those damn doubts were very difficult to uproot. Could he really blame her for running scared?
He took a deep breath, telling himself to stay calm and to listen to her. His voice and face had remained stoic, not betraying the tumultuous thoughts churning inside.
“Lisa- Marie, I swear to you, I am not trying to use you. And it hurts that you would think that--again. Maybe I should not be surprised.”
That stung. It was so rare that he used her full name. She knew that indignant tone, knew he was suddenly very serious, and was not playing anymore. She did not want to head down that familiar road right now. Nothing she could say would convince him she trusted him. And maybe he needed to have that doubt- maybe it was not altogether unproductive to keep him guessing.
“Fuck, Mike, stop it. I don’t want to talk about it anymore. I told you I basically gave her a choice to get out of my house or accept what is going on. And she did. So, why would you grill me about it now? Plus, be happy- you just rubbed her nose into you screwing her little girl again.”
“Is that what you think? That I wanted to rub her nose into us having sex?”
“I don’t know what to think. You weren’t exactly subtle out there.”
“You didn’t seem to mind.”
Michael sensed a change of mood in Lisa. Her kiss was still passionate, but there was something else. He pulled away and looked at her. She averted her face and brushed a strand of hair aside.
Was she trying to wipe away another tear?
What did I do now? She was laughing with me just a second ago.
He played the last several minutes back in his mind, but could not detect anything he said or did that would have possibly hurt her feelings. Maybe it was that time of the month. Oh, shit- it better not be. No, he would have noticed. Ok, maybe she was close to that time of the month. Or maybe, she was just moody.
“Lisa?” He reached out and held her chin, forcing her to meet his eyes.
“What?” She smiled, but her eyes did not light up, giving her away.
“What’s wrong, baby? Why are you crying? Did I do anything to upset you? I was not serious about your Mom…well, ok, I was a little bit serious.”
The smile turned genuine. She tried to shake her head, but he continued to force her to keep eye contact.
“Mike, don’t be silly. My mother is a horrible bitch and you don’t ever need to apologize for anything you say about her. You should have heard her this morning. She was in rare form again.”
His hand left her chin and his fingers stroked her cheek in a loving and comforting gesture. He could just imagine the poison Priscilla had inundated Lisa with. He had tried to talk about her business a couple of times during dinner, and had noticed that she stayed vague and had changed the subject, visibly uncomfortable. Which was part of the reason he had insisted on the little game with the paparazzi tonight. Priscilla needed to back off and accept Lisa’s choices. She was more than capable of running her father’s empire, and more than able to make her own decisions about who she wanted to see.
Michael had never understood the animosity Priscilla had flung at him from the very start. Lisa had warned him about the dragon, but he had been so confident he would win her over. He had talked about it with his mother who had asked if she thought that, as a well bred southern lady, Priscilla might have objected to her daughter marrying someone not falling into her perfect color scheme. He supposed being prejudiced and ignorant might be part of it, but there was something more. It had puzzled, confused, and hurt him to be met with this kind of barely-concealed hatred. He felt he had always tried to be respectful and cordial to the woman who, at the best of times, treated him like some plague that had infested her daughter. None of that had not stopped her from using him as a prop at several occasions to honor Lisa’s father. Then, Lisa had not been allowed to step into her inheritance due to “making bad choices.” One of those choices probably was her marriage to him. Well, no more. Lisa had turned thirty and with that finally officially held the key to her father’s inheritance.
Oh my God! That’s what Priscilla probably tortured Lisa with!
“Why,what did she say? Did she know you were meeting me?”
“I think by the end of our little talk, it was pretty obvious who I was meeting. Plus, she overheard part of a conversation I had with Janet, and got onto me for having a relationship with you again.”
“What the hell is wrong with her? What did I ever do to her?”
Lisa shook her head.
“I don’t know, you spoiled her plan or something. She doesn’t do flexibility.”
“Lisa? Look at me.” He reached out and let his hands rest on her shoulders, turning her to him. Her eyes were big and serious. He could not help but to lean in and place a gentle kiss on her lips. When he left her mouth, he kept his face close to hers.
“She told you I was using you to get your father’s music, didn’t she?”
Lisa blinked and lowered her eyes.
Bingo!
“It doesn’t matter, Mike. She just keeps trying to…”
“Look at me. Yes, it does matter. It matters because you believe her, don’t you?”
He caught the flicker of insecurity in her eyes before she cleared her voice. In that second he felt his heart sinking again. A familiar feeling settled in the pit of his stomach.
“No, Michael. Why would you say that? I don’t believe her. I know she is up to her old tricks.”
She was lying. He felt his emotions well up. He felt misjudged, misunderstood, and sentenced without ever having had the chance to defend himself.
She will never trust me again. Maybe she never did. She always assumed the worst, why would now be different?. Is that what I have to look forward to? To live every day trying to disprove someone else’s lies? Why am I never enough?
But then again, he was not sure she was so different from him. She had always accused him of holding back that little part of himself, and he probably had. He had learned the hard way that letting down your guard too far will get you knocked on your ass. However, he had also learned that giving in and letting go of someone without a fight was not always the right way to go. He knew what it felt like to be told day in and day out that the person you love only is using you. He also had come to understand that once planted, those damn doubts were very difficult to uproot. Could he really blame her for running scared?
He took a deep breath, telling himself to stay calm and to listen to her. His voice and face had remained stoic, not betraying the tumultuous thoughts churning inside.
“Lisa- Marie, I swear to you, I am not trying to use you. And it hurts that you would think that--again. Maybe I should not be surprised.”
That stung. It was so rare that he used her full name. She knew that indignant tone, knew he was suddenly very serious, and was not playing anymore. She did not want to head down that familiar road right now. Nothing she could say would convince him she trusted him. And maybe he needed to have that doubt- maybe it was not altogether unproductive to keep him guessing.
“Fuck, Mike, stop it. I don’t want to talk about it anymore. I told you I basically gave her a choice to get out of my house or accept what is going on. And she did. So, why would you grill me about it now? Plus, be happy- you just rubbed her nose into you screwing her little girl again.”
“Is that what you think? That I wanted to rub her nose into us having sex?”
“I don’t know what to think. You weren’t exactly subtle out there.”
“You didn’t seem to mind.”
“You know I don’t give a flying fuck who knows about us.”
She was getting upset now. Other memories of him using her as a prop to get a message out popped into her head. Old anger from the MTV kiss flooded back in.
“And I just proved that I don’t, either. Isn’t that what you wanted?”
“What I wanted? Michael, you are such an idiot sometimes.”
He turned away from her, looking out the window.
Why the hell did she have to be such a bitch?
She let him stew for a little while, chewing on her cheek. Finally, she had enough.
“Michael, look at me, please. Turning away won’t work tonight.”
He kept quiet.
She reached out and lightly slapped him across the shoulder.
“Michael, cut it out. You are such a child.”
He shrugged her hand off.
She slapped his back harder.
“Michael, what I want is your attention. That’s all I have ever wanted. I don’t care what other people know or see. I want you to…”
He turned around and caught her hand, just holding it, glaring at her. Lisa thought she saw his eyes looked like he was fighting tears. Oh great, he was feeling sorry for himself. She raised her other hand to take a swat at him, and he caught that too.
“Let go of me, damn it.”
“Then stop hitting me, you spoiled brat.”
She struggled, trying to get away from his grasp.
“Michael, let go, you are hurting me.”
“Stop it, Lisa, you are hurting yourself.”
He pinned her hands behind her while bending over her, forcing her to recline on the seat. She continued to struggle against him, trying to get him to budge.
His face approached and she noticed that her anger started to become tinged with arousal as he just held her and used his body weight to pin her under him. His fedora had fallen off and his soft curls tickled her cheek. He drove her absolutely crazy. In more ways than one…
She ceased her movement and they stared at each other, panting now.
“Bully!” she hissed out at him, her eyes shooting sparks.
“Bitch!” he whispered back, his eyes leaving hers and concentrating on her mouth.
Lisa bucked up against him once more, and he moved his leg over hers to further immobilize her.
“Will you just hold still? I’m not trying to hurt you.” He was so close she could feel his breath on her. Her anger was still red hot, but so was the need to feel his mouth on her, to inhale his breath once again. Lisa noticed his erection straining against her leg, knowing he was not immune to their contact.
“Aren’t you, Mike?” her voice was husky and barely audible.
“Ask for it, Lisa, like a good girl. I’ll make it all better.”
Damn it! How did he always know? And how was she never able to resist?
She shook her head, averting her face, fighting the urge, fighting the kiss, and fighting the battle she desperately needed to lose. He kissed her cheek and placed little kisses along her jaw line, before placing little nips on her neck, sending stabs of pleasure through her.
“Michael, please.”
“Uhum?” He kissed his way back to the corner of her mouth as she slightly turned her head back into him.
“Fuck it! Kiss me, Michael...please.”
“Because?” His tongue darted out and licked her bottom lip.
She swallowed hard, feeling his erection throb against her as her panties once again became flooded.
“Because I need you to--and because I’m sorry.”
“You should be. And you will be so sorry, baby--you are in for it.”
In a surprising move he sat back up, pulling her up and into him. Lisa opened her mouth to gasp in slight pain, but he had let go of her wrists and now held her head in both hands, attacking her mouth greedily. His tongue was met by hers and her hands pulled his head closer to her, needing to feel him, needing to never let him go.
He kissed her until she was breathless, then kissed her some more, taking his time, making love to her mouth slowly and with care. Once again, she was becoming incoherent, dazed by the feeling of him against her, his tongue caressing her, his scent, and his heat. Time stood still.
As did the car.
“Mike, the car stopped. Where are we?”
He pulled away and looked out.
“Oh, good, we are here. Lets’ cool off--let’s go to the beach.”
“And I just proved that I don’t, either. Isn’t that what you wanted?”
“What I wanted? Michael, you are such an idiot sometimes.”
He turned away from her, looking out the window.
Why the hell did she have to be such a bitch?
She let him stew for a little while, chewing on her cheek. Finally, she had enough.
“Michael, look at me, please. Turning away won’t work tonight.”
He kept quiet.
She reached out and lightly slapped him across the shoulder.
“Michael, cut it out. You are such a child.”
He shrugged her hand off.
She slapped his back harder.
“Michael, what I want is your attention. That’s all I have ever wanted. I don’t care what other people know or see. I want you to…”
He turned around and caught her hand, just holding it, glaring at her. Lisa thought she saw his eyes looked like he was fighting tears. Oh great, he was feeling sorry for himself. She raised her other hand to take a swat at him, and he caught that too.
“Let go of me, damn it.”
“Then stop hitting me, you spoiled brat.”
She struggled, trying to get away from his grasp.
“Michael, let go, you are hurting me.”
“Stop it, Lisa, you are hurting yourself.”
He pinned her hands behind her while bending over her, forcing her to recline on the seat. She continued to struggle against him, trying to get him to budge.
His face approached and she noticed that her anger started to become tinged with arousal as he just held her and used his body weight to pin her under him. His fedora had fallen off and his soft curls tickled her cheek. He drove her absolutely crazy. In more ways than one…
She ceased her movement and they stared at each other, panting now.
“Bully!” she hissed out at him, her eyes shooting sparks.
“Bitch!” he whispered back, his eyes leaving hers and concentrating on her mouth.
Lisa bucked up against him once more, and he moved his leg over hers to further immobilize her.
“Will you just hold still? I’m not trying to hurt you.” He was so close she could feel his breath on her. Her anger was still red hot, but so was the need to feel his mouth on her, to inhale his breath once again. Lisa noticed his erection straining against her leg, knowing he was not immune to their contact.
“Aren’t you, Mike?” her voice was husky and barely audible.
“Ask for it, Lisa, like a good girl. I’ll make it all better.”
Damn it! How did he always know? And how was she never able to resist?
She shook her head, averting her face, fighting the urge, fighting the kiss, and fighting the battle she desperately needed to lose. He kissed her cheek and placed little kisses along her jaw line, before placing little nips on her neck, sending stabs of pleasure through her.
“Michael, please.”
“Uhum?” He kissed his way back to the corner of her mouth as she slightly turned her head back into him.
“Fuck it! Kiss me, Michael...please.”
“Because?” His tongue darted out and licked her bottom lip.
She swallowed hard, feeling his erection throb against her as her panties once again became flooded.
“Because I need you to--and because I’m sorry.”
“You should be. And you will be so sorry, baby--you are in for it.”
In a surprising move he sat back up, pulling her up and into him. Lisa opened her mouth to gasp in slight pain, but he had let go of her wrists and now held her head in both hands, attacking her mouth greedily. His tongue was met by hers and her hands pulled his head closer to her, needing to feel him, needing to never let him go.
He kissed her until she was breathless, then kissed her some more, taking his time, making love to her mouth slowly and with care. Once again, she was becoming incoherent, dazed by the feeling of him against her, his tongue caressing her, his scent, and his heat. Time stood still.
As did the car.
“Mike, the car stopped. Where are we?”
He pulled away and looked out.
“Oh, good, we are here. Lets’ cool off--let’s go to the beach.”
He started to take off his shoes and socks, before opening the door, letting the fresh ocean air provide a much needed cool down.
17)
“My, aren’t you just full of surprises today! Tell me again why are we going to the beach?”
Lisa did not move; she watched Michael take off his shoes off and roll up his pants. She was torn between being annoyed about him making all the decisions for this night and feeling thrilled that he obviously had invested so much thought into their date. He was still bent over, providing a spectacular view of his tight ass, which might have completely distracted her had he not then turned his head and flashed her one of those smiles that somehow managed to melt steel. With that, it was no more contest: exhilaration won out easily. This by no means compelled her to share her emotions or make this easy on him by being cooperative.
Michael straightened out and held out his hand to her.
“Come on, Lis, let’s go. How about a walk? You know you want to- I know you love the beach.”
True. It was very difficult to play games with someone who knew you inside and out. Plus, when had she ever been able to resist the smile that seemed to brighten not only his face but her whole being? Still, she gave being obstinate one more fair shot.
“Michael, I’m not dressed for the beach. You might have mentioned your plans to me, you know. You just go on and run every show without letting anyone in on what you have in mind. I really don’t want to mess up my shoes.”
Michael chose to ignore her objections by rolling his eyes, putting his index finger up to his temple, and tilting his head, looking like he was pondering a difficult problem. He was such a goof ball.
“I know, we’ll take them off!” He beamed at her, obviously proud of the flash of genius.
“Ah….and the stockings?” She now was smiling as well.
Lisa noticed the mischievous glint in his eyes as he approached the open car door. He bent down toward her and kissed her lightly.
“Well, I don’t know….that’s a problem.” His mouth travelled to her neck, while his hands touched her knees with the faintest contact. His lips left her warm skin, but his hands continued to gently journey from her leg down her calf to her ankle. He took her shoe off and tenderly rubbed her foot. Lisa swallowed hard. Michael turned his attention to her other leg. Again, his gentle strokes caressed her leg before he helped her to get rid of her shoe. Always aiming to be fair and equitable, he ensured this foot was also well-massaged.
Michael looked up at her. Long tendrils of his hair partially obstructed his bright eyes, but did not take away from the small, cheeky grin on his lips.
“Better?” His voice had deepened again, and she found herself feeling breathless.
“Well, we solved the shoe problem.”
“And by ‘we’ you mean genius me, right?”
“Yes, dear. You are amazing.”
What was amazing was how his touch once again had ignited small fires all over her skin, kindling the blaze only he could extinguish, even though tonight he seemed more intent on setting fires than putting them out.
Michael was concentrating on letting his magical hands glide up her leg again, passing her ankle, massaging her calf, gently drawing small circles on her kneecap, letting one hand take the route of her outer thigh while the other, in very soft contact, ascended on her inner thigh, pushing her dress up ever so slightly.
“Michael, stop it, the driver will see.” Lisa whispered and was not sure if her hoarse tone was due to her attempts of being inconspicuous or her suddenly dry throat.
“He went to make some phone calls.”
“How convenient.”
“Isn’t it?”
His hands found the top of her stocking and he undid the clasp of her garter. It occurred to Lisa that Michael’s skills of managing lingerie seemed to have only increased over the years. He started rolling the silky barrier toward her foot ever so gently, before taking it off. Still holding on to her foot, he bent forward and placed soft kisses and nibbles on the inside of her knee, causing her head to fall back and her eyes to close. At this rate they would never make it to the beach. She was getting ready to lay his ass out next to this car any second and just have her way with him.
Michael proceeded to take her other stocking off using the same slow, torturous method. This time, after he removed the garment, his hands crept under her dress one more time, to see what more damage it could cause. Leaning into the car further, he started to kiss her and bite her lips, sucking them into his hot mouth, while his hands found the sensitive, hot skin close to her center. Lisa felt the tingling increase, she knew she was wet yet again, and a second later, Michael touched the evidence of his handiwork. He moaned and the sound joined her sigh, travelling into the cool air, being carried away and drowned out by the rolling crash of the nearby surf.
“Baby, you feel so good. You are so hot, so ready for me again, aren’t you?”
His blistering breath touched her ears and glided along her neck as he showered her with more kisses.
A finger gently traced the outside of her thong, teasing her, forcing her to admit that her body reacted with force to him whenever he decided to wield his magic.
“Michael…?” His name became a question and a request.
“What? How much do you want me?”
She just sighed against him, pulling his face back to her, needing to feel his lips on her.
As his tongue traced her mouth, a finger slipped past the barrier again, teasing the pouting, wet lips in her lower regions. Lisa scooted down in the seat, granting him better access, as Michael sat down on the floorboard of the truck, his back shielding her from outside view.
“Say it. Tell me that I drive you crazy.”
“Hell, Michael, you know you do, you drive me absolutely nuts.”
“Tell me that no one else can make you feel this way.”
“Only, you, baby; only you…” She had surrendered herself to him, and at this point had forsaken all attempts at playing any kind of games.
His comment rewarded her, “Scoot down a bit more, baby, I want to have some dessert.”
Lisa complied without thinking, granting him better access by spreading her legs further. The cool spring air hit the heated flesh of her legs and intensified the thrilling sensations racing throughout her body. All worries about someone spying their passion had vanished, and all she could think about now was his touch and the anticipation of his tongue. Michael pushed her thong to the side and traced her wetness once again. He bent forward and Lisa held her breath. His lips found the sensitized skin on her thighs, and he started designing a highway of kisses and gentle bites with the destination of her beckoning flower that glistened with dew caused by her intense craving for him.
Michael was reminded that her desire for him was a heady aphrodisiac. Her reaction never failed to astound, amaze, and arouse him. She had never been shy about letting him know just how much she enjoyed him. He hated that Lisa had been touched by other men, and it had become his constant goal to make her forget she had ever known anyone else. He wanted to ensure he branded her with every kiss, every bite, every touch, erasing any memory of anyone else. His hands spread her thighs even more, his touch strong now, grabbing her soft flesh. His mouth was so close to her well, and he blew a soft breath on her, watching goose bumps race over her as her hip came off the seat slightly.
“Michael, please…”
“That’s right. Beg me, Lisa. Tell me how much you need my tongue in your pussy.”
“Michael, please, please, eat my pussy! I am going crazy here, I need to feel you.” Her plea was a soft whisper, causing his penis to once again threaten to break free from the restraints of his trousers.
Michael’s mouth descended on her, his tongue strongly licking upward in three strokes, before he broke away again. Her head had fallen back and rolled against the side of the car in ecstasy. Her hands rested on his head, urging him closer to her. He resisted, his tongue darting out instead, gently circling her clit, which presented itself to him like a shining pearl. One hand rested on her belly, and he felt her muscles fluttering and contracting in snakelike ripples. He blew on the sensitive bud one more time, causing a moan and increased pressure on his head.
The hand holding her thong to the side spread her open for him now, his fingers not being able to resist dipping into her love canal as he longed to feel her tightening inner movements. He stopped the gentle torture and let his mouth envelop her clit, sucking it into his mouth, surrounding it with his tongue, rubbing against it, as her hips went crazy, gyrating against him. Her moans were alternating with little gasps and sighs.
“Oh my God, …oh Michael….oh baby…oh shit…” Her deep voice drove him on even more. He granted her clit a small reprieve when his tongue replaced his finger inside her, stabbing at her dripping hole, feeling the juices pour from her even more, as her muscles tried to clench and grab him. He switched it up one more time, knowing she was very close now.
Lisa was becoming incoherent. His mouth and fingers drove her insane: the tingling, the fire in her clit, the drag of his tongue, the cool air that, every now and then, assaulted her, alternating with his scalding breath …she was racing toward sensory overload. His velvet tongue that had just seconds before fucked her with fervor, now flicked at her exposed clit. Two fingers stretched and entered her, he started moving them in slow circular motion at the exact same time as he once again sucked and nibbled her clit. Her climax had been building fast and furiously, like dark clouds on a hot and humid August day. No doubt, the resulting storm would be just as violent. Finally, the floodgates broke, lightening flashed, and the force of her peak assaulted her with its fervor. Stunned by the impact, Lisa’s hips shot off the seat, while Michael’s hand kept her abs pushed down. She screamed out and tried to contain the noise by biting the back of her hand, but as he continued to suck and stroke her with his tongue she could not contain several loud moans as a second and third wave threatened to drown out whatever sanity remained.
Finally, Michael let up the pressure and instead gently kissed and licked her still convulsing pussy. Her movements gentled, and her screams transformed into weak sighs. He put her thong back in place and gently lowered her dress before lifting himself all the way into the car, coming down beside her in the seat. Her face was flushed, her eyes glossy when she finally opened them again. He kissed her and she tasted her honey on his lips. He pulled her close and held her for several moments.
“See? I don’t leave you hanging all the time…”
“No, you sure don’t, thank you for that.”
“You are noisy, princess. I bet my driver heard all that.”
She slapped him lightly across the shoulder, laughing.
“My, aren’t you just full of surprises today! Tell me again why are we going to the beach?”
Lisa did not move; she watched Michael take off his shoes off and roll up his pants. She was torn between being annoyed about him making all the decisions for this night and feeling thrilled that he obviously had invested so much thought into their date. He was still bent over, providing a spectacular view of his tight ass, which might have completely distracted her had he not then turned his head and flashed her one of those smiles that somehow managed to melt steel. With that, it was no more contest: exhilaration won out easily. This by no means compelled her to share her emotions or make this easy on him by being cooperative.
Michael straightened out and held out his hand to her.
“Come on, Lis, let’s go. How about a walk? You know you want to- I know you love the beach.”
True. It was very difficult to play games with someone who knew you inside and out. Plus, when had she ever been able to resist the smile that seemed to brighten not only his face but her whole being? Still, she gave being obstinate one more fair shot.
“Michael, I’m not dressed for the beach. You might have mentioned your plans to me, you know. You just go on and run every show without letting anyone in on what you have in mind. I really don’t want to mess up my shoes.”
Michael chose to ignore her objections by rolling his eyes, putting his index finger up to his temple, and tilting his head, looking like he was pondering a difficult problem. He was such a goof ball.
“I know, we’ll take them off!” He beamed at her, obviously proud of the flash of genius.
“Ah….and the stockings?” She now was smiling as well.
Lisa noticed the mischievous glint in his eyes as he approached the open car door. He bent down toward her and kissed her lightly.
“Well, I don’t know….that’s a problem.” His mouth travelled to her neck, while his hands touched her knees with the faintest contact. His lips left her warm skin, but his hands continued to gently journey from her leg down her calf to her ankle. He took her shoe off and tenderly rubbed her foot. Lisa swallowed hard. Michael turned his attention to her other leg. Again, his gentle strokes caressed her leg before he helped her to get rid of her shoe. Always aiming to be fair and equitable, he ensured this foot was also well-massaged.
Michael looked up at her. Long tendrils of his hair partially obstructed his bright eyes, but did not take away from the small, cheeky grin on his lips.
“Better?” His voice had deepened again, and she found herself feeling breathless.
“Well, we solved the shoe problem.”
“And by ‘we’ you mean genius me, right?”
“Yes, dear. You are amazing.”
What was amazing was how his touch once again had ignited small fires all over her skin, kindling the blaze only he could extinguish, even though tonight he seemed more intent on setting fires than putting them out.
Michael was concentrating on letting his magical hands glide up her leg again, passing her ankle, massaging her calf, gently drawing small circles on her kneecap, letting one hand take the route of her outer thigh while the other, in very soft contact, ascended on her inner thigh, pushing her dress up ever so slightly.
“Michael, stop it, the driver will see.” Lisa whispered and was not sure if her hoarse tone was due to her attempts of being inconspicuous or her suddenly dry throat.
“He went to make some phone calls.”
“How convenient.”
“Isn’t it?”
His hands found the top of her stocking and he undid the clasp of her garter. It occurred to Lisa that Michael’s skills of managing lingerie seemed to have only increased over the years. He started rolling the silky barrier toward her foot ever so gently, before taking it off. Still holding on to her foot, he bent forward and placed soft kisses and nibbles on the inside of her knee, causing her head to fall back and her eyes to close. At this rate they would never make it to the beach. She was getting ready to lay his ass out next to this car any second and just have her way with him.
Michael proceeded to take her other stocking off using the same slow, torturous method. This time, after he removed the garment, his hands crept under her dress one more time, to see what more damage it could cause. Leaning into the car further, he started to kiss her and bite her lips, sucking them into his hot mouth, while his hands found the sensitive, hot skin close to her center. Lisa felt the tingling increase, she knew she was wet yet again, and a second later, Michael touched the evidence of his handiwork. He moaned and the sound joined her sigh, travelling into the cool air, being carried away and drowned out by the rolling crash of the nearby surf.
“Baby, you feel so good. You are so hot, so ready for me again, aren’t you?”
His blistering breath touched her ears and glided along her neck as he showered her with more kisses.
A finger gently traced the outside of her thong, teasing her, forcing her to admit that her body reacted with force to him whenever he decided to wield his magic.
“Michael…?” His name became a question and a request.
“What? How much do you want me?”
She just sighed against him, pulling his face back to her, needing to feel his lips on her.
As his tongue traced her mouth, a finger slipped past the barrier again, teasing the pouting, wet lips in her lower regions. Lisa scooted down in the seat, granting him better access, as Michael sat down on the floorboard of the truck, his back shielding her from outside view.
“Say it. Tell me that I drive you crazy.”
“Hell, Michael, you know you do, you drive me absolutely nuts.”
“Tell me that no one else can make you feel this way.”
“Only, you, baby; only you…” She had surrendered herself to him, and at this point had forsaken all attempts at playing any kind of games.
His comment rewarded her, “Scoot down a bit more, baby, I want to have some dessert.”
Lisa complied without thinking, granting him better access by spreading her legs further. The cool spring air hit the heated flesh of her legs and intensified the thrilling sensations racing throughout her body. All worries about someone spying their passion had vanished, and all she could think about now was his touch and the anticipation of his tongue. Michael pushed her thong to the side and traced her wetness once again. He bent forward and Lisa held her breath. His lips found the sensitized skin on her thighs, and he started designing a highway of kisses and gentle bites with the destination of her beckoning flower that glistened with dew caused by her intense craving for him.
Michael was reminded that her desire for him was a heady aphrodisiac. Her reaction never failed to astound, amaze, and arouse him. She had never been shy about letting him know just how much she enjoyed him. He hated that Lisa had been touched by other men, and it had become his constant goal to make her forget she had ever known anyone else. He wanted to ensure he branded her with every kiss, every bite, every touch, erasing any memory of anyone else. His hands spread her thighs even more, his touch strong now, grabbing her soft flesh. His mouth was so close to her well, and he blew a soft breath on her, watching goose bumps race over her as her hip came off the seat slightly.
“Michael, please…”
“That’s right. Beg me, Lisa. Tell me how much you need my tongue in your pussy.”
“Michael, please, please, eat my pussy! I am going crazy here, I need to feel you.” Her plea was a soft whisper, causing his penis to once again threaten to break free from the restraints of his trousers.
Michael’s mouth descended on her, his tongue strongly licking upward in three strokes, before he broke away again. Her head had fallen back and rolled against the side of the car in ecstasy. Her hands rested on his head, urging him closer to her. He resisted, his tongue darting out instead, gently circling her clit, which presented itself to him like a shining pearl. One hand rested on her belly, and he felt her muscles fluttering and contracting in snakelike ripples. He blew on the sensitive bud one more time, causing a moan and increased pressure on his head.
The hand holding her thong to the side spread her open for him now, his fingers not being able to resist dipping into her love canal as he longed to feel her tightening inner movements. He stopped the gentle torture and let his mouth envelop her clit, sucking it into his mouth, surrounding it with his tongue, rubbing against it, as her hips went crazy, gyrating against him. Her moans were alternating with little gasps and sighs.
“Oh my God, …oh Michael….oh baby…oh shit…” Her deep voice drove him on even more. He granted her clit a small reprieve when his tongue replaced his finger inside her, stabbing at her dripping hole, feeling the juices pour from her even more, as her muscles tried to clench and grab him. He switched it up one more time, knowing she was very close now.
Lisa was becoming incoherent. His mouth and fingers drove her insane: the tingling, the fire in her clit, the drag of his tongue, the cool air that, every now and then, assaulted her, alternating with his scalding breath …she was racing toward sensory overload. His velvet tongue that had just seconds before fucked her with fervor, now flicked at her exposed clit. Two fingers stretched and entered her, he started moving them in slow circular motion at the exact same time as he once again sucked and nibbled her clit. Her climax had been building fast and furiously, like dark clouds on a hot and humid August day. No doubt, the resulting storm would be just as violent. Finally, the floodgates broke, lightening flashed, and the force of her peak assaulted her with its fervor. Stunned by the impact, Lisa’s hips shot off the seat, while Michael’s hand kept her abs pushed down. She screamed out and tried to contain the noise by biting the back of her hand, but as he continued to suck and stroke her with his tongue she could not contain several loud moans as a second and third wave threatened to drown out whatever sanity remained.
Finally, Michael let up the pressure and instead gently kissed and licked her still convulsing pussy. Her movements gentled, and her screams transformed into weak sighs. He put her thong back in place and gently lowered her dress before lifting himself all the way into the car, coming down beside her in the seat. Her face was flushed, her eyes glossy when she finally opened them again. He kissed her and she tasted her honey on his lips. He pulled her close and held her for several moments.
“See? I don’t leave you hanging all the time…”
“No, you sure don’t, thank you for that.”
“You are noisy, princess. I bet my driver heard all that.”
She slapped him lightly across the shoulder, laughing.
“Well, if he is shocked, it is entirely your fault. Did I ask you to eat me like that?”
“Ahhh….as a matter of fact, you did.” That sly smile again.
“All you were supposed to do was help me with my shoes.”
“And I did. I even threw in a bonus- and helped you out of your stockings. By the way, my feet are getting cold, let’s walk.”
“Give me a second so my legs stop trembling. By the way, Michael, you really need to shave.”
18)
The moon shone down on the couple walking hand in hand, skirting the foaming waves kissing the golden sand. The beach was not very crowded on the cool February night, and Michael felt that for once, he might actually blend in with other beach goers. He initially had planned on wearing his fedora, but his plan was thwarted by the breeze. Since he did not feel like actually experiencing the frigid Pacific waters, he grudgingly had agreed to leave the hat behind.
The air served to cool the lovers down- and Michael finally felt his hard on subside to bearable pain levels. He reached down and adjusted himself, hoping that Lisa would for once not pay attention. No such luck:
“If you need someone to touch that monster, I would be happy to do it for you, Jackson.”
“All you were supposed to do was help me with my shoes.”
“And I did. I even threw in a bonus- and helped you out of your stockings. By the way, my feet are getting cold, let’s walk.”
“Give me a second so my legs stop trembling. By the way, Michael, you really need to shave.”
18)
The moon shone down on the couple walking hand in hand, skirting the foaming waves kissing the golden sand. The beach was not very crowded on the cool February night, and Michael felt that for once, he might actually blend in with other beach goers. He initially had planned on wearing his fedora, but his plan was thwarted by the breeze. Since he did not feel like actually experiencing the frigid Pacific waters, he grudgingly had agreed to leave the hat behind.
The air served to cool the lovers down- and Michael finally felt his hard on subside to bearable pain levels. He reached down and adjusted himself, hoping that Lisa would for once not pay attention. No such luck:
“If you need someone to touch that monster, I would be happy to do it for you, Jackson.”
“Do you see everything?”
“Hey, I get jealous when Mike Junior gets handled by someone other than me.”
He giggled.
“Do you, now? And why do you call it ‘Mike Junior?’”
She grinned, “No reason.”
“Is that what girls do? They name their guys’ penises?”
“Well, this girl does. “
Had he said he was her “guy?” Lisa could not suppress the joyful feeling accompanying those words.
Michael, in the meant time was tempted to ask if naming penises was a habit she extended to her other lovers as well. The thought, once again put him in a sour mood. It annoyed him to know she was still seeing other men. They were not officially a couple, but they were seeing each other on a pretty regular basis, and each instance involved mind blowing sex. So, why did she still need to date other men? Next, Michael became angry at himself for being annoyed. He knew and understood he was married- and not to Lisa. So, really, Lisa could do whatever she pleased and fuck whoever she saw fit. But really, as long as she came running back to him, why could she not just stay away from other guys?
They walked in silence for a while. Michael stopped and let go of Lisa’s hand, turning toward the ocean, gazing upward at the stars which had started to appear through the haze of clouds.
Lisa felt the quality of his reticence changing from relaxed to withholding.
She stepped up behind him, seeking the heat of his body, resting her head on his back as her arms circled his slender waist.
“Michael, what’s wrong?”
He shook his head.
“Stop bullshitting. You were fine a moment ago, what happened?”
“I don’t know…”
Well, this was progress. At least he had answered her. Memories of so many other times when he had chosen to just ignore her pleas to talk to her, to include her in his secret thoughts, to invite her into his world came rushing in. Lisa reminded herself to not react to the past, but to deal with the present.
“What did I say, Michael? If you don’t tell me, I can’t make it better.”
“I did not ask you to make it better.”
“No, you didn’t. You won’t ask me for anything but to fuck you whenever you feel like it.”
“Not like you cared much for the things I asked you for before.” He mumbled under his breath.
“That is not fair, Michael. Don’t start that again. You know what happened.”
He shook his head once more. His mind could not go there. Some things were too painful to relive.
“Why can’t you just let me love you?” Lisa’s spoke the words very quietly, but the question rang loudly in his mind.
“Do you? Lisa, do you love me? Do you love only me?”
He giggled.
“Do you, now? And why do you call it ‘Mike Junior?’”
She grinned, “No reason.”
“Is that what girls do? They name their guys’ penises?”
“Well, this girl does. “
Had he said he was her “guy?” Lisa could not suppress the joyful feeling accompanying those words.
Michael, in the meant time was tempted to ask if naming penises was a habit she extended to her other lovers as well. The thought, once again put him in a sour mood. It annoyed him to know she was still seeing other men. They were not officially a couple, but they were seeing each other on a pretty regular basis, and each instance involved mind blowing sex. So, why did she still need to date other men? Next, Michael became angry at himself for being annoyed. He knew and understood he was married- and not to Lisa. So, really, Lisa could do whatever she pleased and fuck whoever she saw fit. But really, as long as she came running back to him, why could she not just stay away from other guys?
They walked in silence for a while. Michael stopped and let go of Lisa’s hand, turning toward the ocean, gazing upward at the stars which had started to appear through the haze of clouds.
Lisa felt the quality of his reticence changing from relaxed to withholding.
She stepped up behind him, seeking the heat of his body, resting her head on his back as her arms circled his slender waist.
“Michael, what’s wrong?”
He shook his head.
“Stop bullshitting. You were fine a moment ago, what happened?”
“I don’t know…”
Well, this was progress. At least he had answered her. Memories of so many other times when he had chosen to just ignore her pleas to talk to her, to include her in his secret thoughts, to invite her into his world came rushing in. Lisa reminded herself to not react to the past, but to deal with the present.
“What did I say, Michael? If you don’t tell me, I can’t make it better.”
“I did not ask you to make it better.”
“No, you didn’t. You won’t ask me for anything but to fuck you whenever you feel like it.”
“Not like you cared much for the things I asked you for before.” He mumbled under his breath.
“That is not fair, Michael. Don’t start that again. You know what happened.”
He shook his head once more. His mind could not go there. Some things were too painful to relive.
“Why can’t you just let me love you?” Lisa’s spoke the words very quietly, but the question rang loudly in his mind.
“Do you? Lisa, do you love me? Do you love only me?”
He turned to look at her. She allowed his body enough space to make the turn, but refused to remove her arms from around him, keeping him in her embrace. How could he ask her that? He was everything to her. She had never felt this wealth of emotions, both amazingly wonderful and astonishingly ugly and destructive for any other man. At times, it was easy to forget how fragile and insecure he could be. He knew he could make thousands of people swoon with the bat of an eyelash, yet he managed to doubt her immense love for him.
Yes, she had been with other guys since splitting from him. And she suspected he also had not been a monk. She was fairly sure he had not gotten it on with Debbie, but she was realistic enough to know that Michael liked sex and had needs. If you ooze sensuality and had offers thrown at you 24/7, all you had to do was pick. She remembered a time she had met him after a concert in Denmark and had discovered suspicious marks on his shoulder. Of course, there was the issue of confidentiality and crazy women running their mouths, bragging to have gotten into Michael Jackson’s gold pants, so he must have been very discreet and selective. Still, Lisa knew just how stealthy Michael managed to be when he had put his mind to something. They had dated for months, evading any attention, and even were able to get married in relative secrecy, keeping their wedding a secret for months.
So, while Lisa had been sexually active, trying her best to rid her mind and her body of memories of Michael, she had never been successful in her endeavors. Her love for him had become an intricate part of her being. In the past, she had considered it a horrible cancer that would rob her of her life, but now she had accepted it as a gift. More than anything else, she longed to share this gift with him, to present her love to him and have him accept it, shelter it, and nourish it as he once had.
“Michael, I have never, and will never love anyone like I love you. See those stars? They are eternal- they are around even when it is day. You do not see them for 12 hours, but you better believe they are out there, and they will shine again in their time. They are like my love for you- eternal.”
His expression softened, his eyes became gentle and loving. Did she see a sheen of tears or was it just the night lights reflecting in those dark pools?
“What have you been reading?” His hand caressed her cheek before he tilted her chin up to him.
“Why, are you envious you cannot be as poetic as I can?”
His head lowered and he placed little kisses on her forehead, her nose, and then her lips.
“Yes, Lisa. I wish I could wax poetic like that. All I can do is to tell you rock my world and that I just can’t stop loving you.”
She laughed, and then returned the chaste contact.
“Let me know when you need lessons. I can give you a discount.”
Michael pulled away from her, laughing.
“I will show you about lessons. Hey, look- let’s go over there, we can sit down for a bit.”
Michael reached for her hand and started to pull her with him, heading toward a sheltered area.
He jogged through the sand, causing Lisa to stumble along, laughing, once again marveling at his ability to change moods like a chameleon changes colors.
Arriving at the designated spot, Michael sank down, pulling Lisa with him. She shrieked, “Michael! We will get sand everywhere!” She was trying to catch her breath from running and laughing.
He ignored her, just pulling her close to him.
“So? I guess that means we have to freshen up at the condo.”
“The condo? Isn’t it getting kind of late?”
“Well, I thought you were all for coming up and staying for a while. Are you chickening out?”
“Am I chickening out of what? Are you daring me?”
“Would I do that? If you are all tuckered out, I understand.”
“Oh, no, this sounds like you are the one trying to bow out.”
He was laughing now, obviously enjoying their little interchange.
“Princess, you have no idea how refreshed and newly energized I am. I got a little snack remember?” He winked at her in his funny, ‘more blinking than winking’ kind of way.
“Plus, I still have to help you try out your new toy.”
“Why would you help try it out, Michael? It seems like it is designed for solitary play.”
“Hey, it is not nice to hog toys. Didn’t your mother teach you to share?…Oh, sorry, never mind, I guess she didn’t.”
Lisa laughed out loud into the night again.
“How would someone who is selfish know how to share? You live in a fantasy world, Michael.”
“Well, I used to think there had to be good in everyone. But now I know there are some exceptions.”
The exceptions being: her mother, his father, and some other select so called friends and family members.
“Still, I guess I have to put up with it. She is my mother, and she only has me.”
She only had Lisa and legions of lawyers whose job description seemed to be to keep Elvis’ unruly daughter in line- and away from the man Priscilla considered the number one threat to her daughter’s sanity and the family business.
Michael looked up at the stars again. He loved to lie in quiet on a beach, just staring up at the twinkling points of light. Lisa was right; they were eternal- well, unit they died. But then, there were always so many surrounding them that it seemed impossible to miss just one. As Lisa said, just because you did not see them all the time did not mean they were not there. Kind of like his love for her- he might try to block it out, pretend that all they had was a sexual connection, but really, just like the myriad of stars, his feelings for her were not just formed of one element, but formed a complicated, intricate entity that surrounded him at all times. Maybe he would never be able to completely trust her again, to share every aspect of his life with her, but his love for her seemed solidified and would probably always be a huge part of him. He might have succeeded in cutting other people out of his life and out of his heart, but for some reason he kept being pulled back into her gravitational field. Maybe it was time to fight the fact that she would be a part of him until the day he died.
“Have you ever thought about just cutting her out?” He spoke the words he had thought so many times all to himself. ‘If Lisa could only break away from Priscilla,’ he thought. It could be done, he knew it was possible. If she really wanted to, it could be done.
“Out of what? Family pictures?” Lisa had leaned against him, snuggling up to him as close as she could, her legs curled under her, her head on his shoulder, his arm around her sheltering her from the chilly breeze.
“You know. It’s not like I let my father hurt me anymore. I love him, but I learned that he has to stay away. I could not let him get to me or that constant pull and push would have torn me apart. I know he loves me, but his love is really poisonous for me. Maybe it’s time you put some distance between you and your mother in the same way.”
It sounded so good. Lisa knew that Michael was probably right. As long as she let Priscilla interfere in her life she would try to mess things up for her. On the other hand, she was the only parent she had left. And she was Priscilla’s only child. Plus, Priscilla loved and adored Riley and Ben. Wouldn’t cutting her mother out of her life also mean cutting her out of her children’s? Was that fair?
“I don’t know, Michael. What about Riley and Ben? She adores them.”
“Yeah, she also adores you. And yet she can’t stand to let you be happy.”
“It’s not that she doesn’t want me to be happy. It’s just that she thinks she knows what makes me happy. And who or what doesn’t.”
“Like me.”
“Yeah, like you.”
So, while Lisa had been sexually active, trying her best to rid her mind and her body of memories of Michael, she had never been successful in her endeavors. Her love for him had become an intricate part of her being. In the past, she had considered it a horrible cancer that would rob her of her life, but now she had accepted it as a gift. More than anything else, she longed to share this gift with him, to present her love to him and have him accept it, shelter it, and nourish it as he once had.
“Michael, I have never, and will never love anyone like I love you. See those stars? They are eternal- they are around even when it is day. You do not see them for 12 hours, but you better believe they are out there, and they will shine again in their time. They are like my love for you- eternal.”
His expression softened, his eyes became gentle and loving. Did she see a sheen of tears or was it just the night lights reflecting in those dark pools?
“What have you been reading?” His hand caressed her cheek before he tilted her chin up to him.
“Why, are you envious you cannot be as poetic as I can?”
His head lowered and he placed little kisses on her forehead, her nose, and then her lips.
“Yes, Lisa. I wish I could wax poetic like that. All I can do is to tell you rock my world and that I just can’t stop loving you.”
She laughed, and then returned the chaste contact.
“Let me know when you need lessons. I can give you a discount.”
Michael pulled away from her, laughing.
“I will show you about lessons. Hey, look- let’s go over there, we can sit down for a bit.”
Michael reached for her hand and started to pull her with him, heading toward a sheltered area.
He jogged through the sand, causing Lisa to stumble along, laughing, once again marveling at his ability to change moods like a chameleon changes colors.
Arriving at the designated spot, Michael sank down, pulling Lisa with him. She shrieked, “Michael! We will get sand everywhere!” She was trying to catch her breath from running and laughing.
He ignored her, just pulling her close to him.
“So? I guess that means we have to freshen up at the condo.”
“The condo? Isn’t it getting kind of late?”
“Well, I thought you were all for coming up and staying for a while. Are you chickening out?”
“Am I chickening out of what? Are you daring me?”
“Would I do that? If you are all tuckered out, I understand.”
“Oh, no, this sounds like you are the one trying to bow out.”
He was laughing now, obviously enjoying their little interchange.
“Princess, you have no idea how refreshed and newly energized I am. I got a little snack remember?” He winked at her in his funny, ‘more blinking than winking’ kind of way.
“Plus, I still have to help you try out your new toy.”
“Why would you help try it out, Michael? It seems like it is designed for solitary play.”
“Hey, it is not nice to hog toys. Didn’t your mother teach you to share?…Oh, sorry, never mind, I guess she didn’t.”
Lisa laughed out loud into the night again.
“How would someone who is selfish know how to share? You live in a fantasy world, Michael.”
“Well, I used to think there had to be good in everyone. But now I know there are some exceptions.”
The exceptions being: her mother, his father, and some other select so called friends and family members.
“Still, I guess I have to put up with it. She is my mother, and she only has me.”
She only had Lisa and legions of lawyers whose job description seemed to be to keep Elvis’ unruly daughter in line- and away from the man Priscilla considered the number one threat to her daughter’s sanity and the family business.
Michael looked up at the stars again. He loved to lie in quiet on a beach, just staring up at the twinkling points of light. Lisa was right; they were eternal- well, unit they died. But then, there were always so many surrounding them that it seemed impossible to miss just one. As Lisa said, just because you did not see them all the time did not mean they were not there. Kind of like his love for her- he might try to block it out, pretend that all they had was a sexual connection, but really, just like the myriad of stars, his feelings for her were not just formed of one element, but formed a complicated, intricate entity that surrounded him at all times. Maybe he would never be able to completely trust her again, to share every aspect of his life with her, but his love for her seemed solidified and would probably always be a huge part of him. He might have succeeded in cutting other people out of his life and out of his heart, but for some reason he kept being pulled back into her gravitational field. Maybe it was time to fight the fact that she would be a part of him until the day he died.
“Have you ever thought about just cutting her out?” He spoke the words he had thought so many times all to himself. ‘If Lisa could only break away from Priscilla,’ he thought. It could be done, he knew it was possible. If she really wanted to, it could be done.
“Out of what? Family pictures?” Lisa had leaned against him, snuggling up to him as close as she could, her legs curled under her, her head on his shoulder, his arm around her sheltering her from the chilly breeze.
“You know. It’s not like I let my father hurt me anymore. I love him, but I learned that he has to stay away. I could not let him get to me or that constant pull and push would have torn me apart. I know he loves me, but his love is really poisonous for me. Maybe it’s time you put some distance between you and your mother in the same way.”
It sounded so good. Lisa knew that Michael was probably right. As long as she let Priscilla interfere in her life she would try to mess things up for her. On the other hand, she was the only parent she had left. And she was Priscilla’s only child. Plus, Priscilla loved and adored Riley and Ben. Wouldn’t cutting her mother out of her life also mean cutting her out of her children’s? Was that fair?
“I don’t know, Michael. What about Riley and Ben? She adores them.”
“Yeah, she also adores you. And yet she can’t stand to let you be happy.”
“It’s not that she doesn’t want me to be happy. It’s just that she thinks she knows what makes me happy. And who or what doesn’t.”
“Like me.”
“Yeah, like you.”
“Would you do if for me? If we were together again, would you leave her behind? Would you take the kids and come with me, away from her?”
She looked up at him, attempting to read his face which he kept a neutral, inscrutable canvas.
“Are you saying we will be together again? Like what? Like being married?”
“I am married.”
“No shit, Mike.”
The hopes that had started to take flight like a beautiful captured bird came crashing down, going up in plumes of smoke. Lisa wanted to kick herself for being roped into asking that stupid question. Michael, on the other hand was wondering where his words had come from. What possessed him to talk about marriage? Did he not remember where a similar question had led last time?
They sat in silence for a long time, each lost in their own thoughts. Each afraid to show their hand, to accept the stakes.
He kissed her head.
“You know, it won’t work. If we do it the same way, it wouldn’t work. She would find a way to get in, she would make it her mission to destroy everything again.”
“Michael, it was not just her.”
“No, it was not just her, but don’t underestimate her.”
“I just don’t understand what you are saying…”
“Let’s move away from here, Lisa. We can take the kids and go anywhere. We just need to keep others away from us, and we will be fine.”
“And by ‘others’ you mean my mother.”
“Not just her- my family, too. Well, most of my family.”
“What about other people? What about the people you choose to surround yourself with? What about your friends that you chose to go on a trip with and expose yourself to scrutiny over and over again? Or am I the only one who will be asked to make sacrifices?”
“I would never ask you to make any sacrifices.” His defenses went up again. If she was not ready to make changes, why did she seem to expect they could have another chance?
“No, you don’t ask, you just expect.”
“All I am saying is that your mother will never stand to see us as a family.”
“A family, Michael? Are we back to the family talk?”
“I meant us, your children, and my children,” he replied in a sulking tone.
He left it unsaid that he no longer was referring to children they would have together. By the way, he finally remembered he had meant to ask her something important.
“Are you on birth control?”
Lisa’s head jerked around, her eyes widening in surprise at the unexpected question. Why would he ask that now? He had not really addressed birth control in a while.
“Why?”
“Well, I was wondering.”
“What if I became pregnant, Michael, would you care?”
He could not count the times he had asked himself the very same question. He had never used condoms with her, and she had not asked him to, making him wonder if she was still on the pill.
He knew she had hopes of getting back together and had at some point even hinted that she was not opposed to having more babies. Would she do that? Would she try to become pregnant to ensure their common future?
“You know I love babies.”
He chose to keep his answer noncommittal. This sounded pretty safe.
She lowered her eyes.
“Well, you have nothing to worry about. No babies for us.”
Michael thought that this was for the best and tried his best to ignore the disappointment trying to rise. It was probably just a bad habit.
“Michael, it is getting really chilly. Do you mind if we head back?”
“Are you saying we will be together again? Like what? Like being married?”
“I am married.”
“No shit, Mike.”
The hopes that had started to take flight like a beautiful captured bird came crashing down, going up in plumes of smoke. Lisa wanted to kick herself for being roped into asking that stupid question. Michael, on the other hand was wondering where his words had come from. What possessed him to talk about marriage? Did he not remember where a similar question had led last time?
They sat in silence for a long time, each lost in their own thoughts. Each afraid to show their hand, to accept the stakes.
He kissed her head.
“You know, it won’t work. If we do it the same way, it wouldn’t work. She would find a way to get in, she would make it her mission to destroy everything again.”
“Michael, it was not just her.”
“No, it was not just her, but don’t underestimate her.”
“I just don’t understand what you are saying…”
“Let’s move away from here, Lisa. We can take the kids and go anywhere. We just need to keep others away from us, and we will be fine.”
“And by ‘others’ you mean my mother.”
“Not just her- my family, too. Well, most of my family.”
“What about other people? What about the people you choose to surround yourself with? What about your friends that you chose to go on a trip with and expose yourself to scrutiny over and over again? Or am I the only one who will be asked to make sacrifices?”
“I would never ask you to make any sacrifices.” His defenses went up again. If she was not ready to make changes, why did she seem to expect they could have another chance?
“No, you don’t ask, you just expect.”
“All I am saying is that your mother will never stand to see us as a family.”
“A family, Michael? Are we back to the family talk?”
“I meant us, your children, and my children,” he replied in a sulking tone.
He left it unsaid that he no longer was referring to children they would have together. By the way, he finally remembered he had meant to ask her something important.
“Are you on birth control?”
Lisa’s head jerked around, her eyes widening in surprise at the unexpected question. Why would he ask that now? He had not really addressed birth control in a while.
“Why?”
“Well, I was wondering.”
“What if I became pregnant, Michael, would you care?”
He could not count the times he had asked himself the very same question. He had never used condoms with her, and she had not asked him to, making him wonder if she was still on the pill.
He knew she had hopes of getting back together and had at some point even hinted that she was not opposed to having more babies. Would she do that? Would she try to become pregnant to ensure their common future?
“You know I love babies.”
He chose to keep his answer noncommittal. This sounded pretty safe.
She lowered her eyes.
“Well, you have nothing to worry about. No babies for us.”
Michael thought that this was for the best and tried his best to ignore the disappointment trying to rise. It was probably just a bad habit.
“Michael, it is getting really chilly. Do you mind if we head back?”
The change of subject was welcome to both.
Michael rose and pulled her up with him. She stumbled into him and he closed his arms around her. She thought he would let her go as soon as her legs stabilized, but instead he kept her close to him. She looked up at him, and for a second they gazed at each other before Michael lowered his head and started to kiss her. The kiss deepened and Lisa sighed into him, opening her lips, granting his tongue the entrance he sought.
He broke contact after their breaths had quickened.
“Warmer?”
“Yeah, - the only problem is, now I need to cool off.”
He sighed.
“You are just never happy, are you, lady? Ok, fine, let’s go cool you off. I hear cold glass is a wonderful remedy for feeling hot.”
He reached for her hand and headed back to the car.
“Speaking of which: you still have not told me how my little birthday present was created.”
He laughed sheepishly. “Do you really want to know?”
“Well, since it is very close to something else I know, I assume it was modeled very closely after the original.”
“So, you have firsthand knowledge of how close it is to the real thing?”
“Maybe…” She winked at him, blushing slightly.
“Holy shit, Lis! I really want to see you use it. Will you let me? Can I watch?”
A shiver raked through her at the thought, and she sped up her pace.
“Lisa stop running, you will make us fall.”
“Shit, Michael, I have a show to get to. You better tell that driver to find a short cut!”
He laughed. He intended to do just that.
He broke contact after their breaths had quickened.
“Warmer?”
“Yeah, - the only problem is, now I need to cool off.”
He sighed.
“You are just never happy, are you, lady? Ok, fine, let’s go cool you off. I hear cold glass is a wonderful remedy for feeling hot.”
He reached for her hand and headed back to the car.
“Speaking of which: you still have not told me how my little birthday present was created.”
He laughed sheepishly. “Do you really want to know?”
“Well, since it is very close to something else I know, I assume it was modeled very closely after the original.”
“So, you have firsthand knowledge of how close it is to the real thing?”
“Maybe…” She winked at him, blushing slightly.
“Holy shit, Lis! I really want to see you use it. Will you let me? Can I watch?”
A shiver raked through her at the thought, and she sped up her pace.
“Lisa stop running, you will make us fall.”
“Shit, Michael, I have a show to get to. You better tell that driver to find a short cut!”
He laughed. He intended to do just that.
19)
For the third time, Michael retrieved his key from the floor and tried to open the door to his condo.
“Lisa, baby, please you gotta back off, I can’t get it in…” he forced out under his breath.
“Mike, you got it all wrong. It would go in just fine. Let me show you.” She grabbed his hand and pressed it against her hot crotch.
All he could do was groan before he punished her lips once again, pressing her against the wall, letting his body sink against her inviting form, while still attempting to get this damn key into the door. Who knew his multitasking talents would come in so handy tonight?
The drive over here had been pure agony. He and Lisa had not been able to keep their hands off each other. He finally told her to sit at the other end of the car just to be able to keep from releasing his irritated dick and giving her exactly what she was seemed to be asking for. His concern for his poor driver, who had been through enough sights and sounds for one night, had prevented the remaining frail thread of self control from snapping. As they got out of the car, Michael told the poor man he would carry Lisa’s bag up himself.
“Are you sure, Mr. Jackson? Anything else you need, tonight? I mean, anything else I can do for you?” Michael had not been able to look him in the eye as Lisa was unsuccessfully attempted to hold back her giggles. How horrifying! As if the noises in the back of the car had not been enough, one look at his poor crotch left no doubt what Michael needed. And soon… He was only praying the man would keep his eyes above the waist.
“No, really. I’m fine. As a matter of fact, take the rest of the night off. I will just call tomorrow when we need to leave. I already called the other security detail off, too. And thank you so much for everything, I really appreciate it,” Michael managed to mumble before Lisa pulled him inside. It irritated him when she was short with people who worked for him, but he also understood the urges driving her haste tonight.
To his surprise, she actually kept her distance in the elevator. After the door slid closed, he had half expected her to jump him and to leave him no choice but to stop the thing and take her right here against the wall. But no, instead she backed away and gave him space to enter the code to the private floor. On the ride up, Lisa remained silent at the back of the elevator with Michael in front of her, facing the door. What was she up to now? It was strange to have her both giving him space and not running her mouth. He caught her eyes in the mirror to his side. She just stared at him. His eyes narrowed.
“What? Don’t even think about it. Stay back there.”
“Michael! I am just standing here. I’m being a good girl, and I’m behaving myself.”
“Oh, yeah? What is that look in your eyes?”
She definitely looked like she was up to something. He knew the mischievous glint directed at him from below her sensually-hooded eyes. She licked her swollen lips. Guilt raised its head as he felt bad for having bruised her like that. Then again, she had not exactly refused his kisses. It was not like she had not sucked his tongue into her mouth, spurning him on more. He felt more movement in his lower region. This was getting ridiculous. He eyed the floor indicator before returning her gaze.
Why was this elevator going so slowly?
“What look? I’m just looking at you. I am allowed to look, right? No touching- see? ”
The innocent tone did not match her dirty little smile. Still, she did not move, so maybe he was wrong. Just when he was about to take his eyes off her and relax his guard, she took a step closer and rested her head on his back.
“Stay away from me, woman! You are a bad influence. I know how you misbehave in elevators!”
“No, really. I’m fine. As a matter of fact, take the rest of the night off. I will just call tomorrow when we need to leave. I already called the other security detail off, too. And thank you so much for everything, I really appreciate it,” Michael managed to mumble before Lisa pulled him inside. It irritated him when she was short with people who worked for him, but he also understood the urges driving her haste tonight.
To his surprise, she actually kept her distance in the elevator. After the door slid closed, he had half expected her to jump him and to leave him no choice but to stop the thing and take her right here against the wall. But no, instead she backed away and gave him space to enter the code to the private floor. On the ride up, Lisa remained silent at the back of the elevator with Michael in front of her, facing the door. What was she up to now? It was strange to have her both giving him space and not running her mouth. He caught her eyes in the mirror to his side. She just stared at him. His eyes narrowed.
“What? Don’t even think about it. Stay back there.”
“Michael! I am just standing here. I’m being a good girl, and I’m behaving myself.”
“Oh, yeah? What is that look in your eyes?”
She definitely looked like she was up to something. He knew the mischievous glint directed at him from below her sensually-hooded eyes. She licked her swollen lips. Guilt raised its head as he felt bad for having bruised her like that. Then again, she had not exactly refused his kisses. It was not like she had not sucked his tongue into her mouth, spurning him on more. He felt more movement in his lower region. This was getting ridiculous. He eyed the floor indicator before returning her gaze.
Why was this elevator going so slowly?
“What look? I’m just looking at you. I am allowed to look, right? No touching- see? ”
The innocent tone did not match her dirty little smile. Still, she did not move, so maybe he was wrong. Just when he was about to take his eyes off her and relax his guard, she took a step closer and rested her head on his back.
“Stay away from me, woman! You are a bad influence. I know how you misbehave in elevators!”
“Who, me? I have no clue what you are talking about.”
Her words may have been pure and virtuous, but he was not fooled. And sure enough, her hand snaked around his waist toward a place that really did not need any more stimulation right now. Still, for some reason, he was powerless to stop her. Just like all the other times, when she had touched and stimulated him on oh so many elevator rides. One of the worst instances of her quest to embarrass him occurred in an elevator in South Africa, when she had managed to make him lose his head- and his load- right there in front of his bodyguards without ever batting an eye. She had just pulled up close against him, her hand behind her, massaging him, while his entourage was facing away from them. He remembered feeling like he wanted to kill her, right after thanking his lucky stars for having this crazy woman make his life dangerously interesting.
After they finally arrived on his floor, all bets were off. They were kissing like love-starved teenagers, their backs crashing from one wall into the next as they ricocheted down the hall to his condo. When they arrived Lisa would not leave him alone for two seconds, or was it that he could not keep his hands and mouth off her? It was difficult to tell where her lust ended and his began. When he finally heard the lock click they just about fell into the apartment. He kicked the door shut and next thing he knew, Lisa all but threw him against the wall, pulling his head down to her, her tongue wrestling with his. His hands were in her hair, pulling what was left of her hair pins loose. The kiss devoured her, as he almost forgot to breathe. Right now, breathing seemed secondary to the unimaginable desire coursing through him like a raging river. Her hands pulled his shirt lose and got busy opening his pants.
Those hot fingers wasted no time taking possession of what she had been searching for and she moaned against him, “There you are. Oh baby, I think we made it here just in time.” She stroked him lovingly yet firmly, forcing several moans from him.
“Lisa, stop it, if you keep it up we won’t even make it anywhere near the bedroom.”
“Sweetie, I do plan on keeping it up. Not that you need much help with that right now. It is up, alright. Plus: who the fuck said anything about a bed? Don’t move, stay right here.”
She sank to her knees and pulled his pants down below his knees in one swift motion. She returned his favor from earlier as she took off his shoes and socks. Trancelike, he stepped out of his pants. Lisa held him by his slender hips and forced him back against the wall, her eyes quickly rising to meet his, before returning to the jutting manhood displayed so proudly before her. One hand found his balls and she gently squeezed them in her hand, feeling him tremble. Her other hand held the base of his penis as her lips approached.
She looked up one more time. “Mike, don’t stop looking at me. I want you to watch that big cock disappear in my mouth. I want you to see me licking and sucking you until you come in my mouth as I drink you dry. Don’t look away as you fuck my face. You know no one can do this for you the way I can.”
Damn her! She was right on, too. Lisa had always understood how to drive him to the brink of insanity with her mouth, her lips, and her tongue. She knew just when to be gentle and cat- like and when to apply force and suction, when to let him go deep, and when to make him leave her mouth to prolong the incredible torture. No other woman had ever managed to almost make him pass out while blowing him. He knew what she was doing. She aimed to ensure that he would think of her if he had the desire to be with other women. And damn, if she was not successful!
His eyes followed her velvet pink tongue tracing the length of him from the base to the glistening tip revealed by her gently pulling back his skin. Surrounding the sensitive area she came this close to inserting the pointed tip into the small opening. She then licked around him like a wonderful Popsicle and returned to the base as his sighs and moans filled the spaces of his condo. Somewhere in his mind he remembered that he had intended to make this torturous for her, to have her begging him, to punish her little ass until she admitted that she could never feel like this with anyone else.
Later, he told himself. There is always time later, first he had to find some much needed relief. However, there was nothing wrong with letting her know that he was still the one running this show.
“Yeah, that’s right, Lisa. Taste it, lick it, baby. Come on, stop teasing: take it in, suck it dry.” He knew he could depend on her to follow the whispered instructions to the letter.
Lisa complied as her lips closed around him and her mouth went up and down his rigid shaft while keeping her tight grip on his base. She teased and played with his balls that started to feel tight and ready to unload. Suddenly, she emitted a sound from deep in her throat that was a mixture between a moan and a purr. The sound waves travelled up the already-stressed network of nerves and he knew he would not last much longer. Her tongue now got in on the action, surrounding his tip every time her mouth almost left him, before attempting to take him all again, letting him hit her throat in her attempts to make him lose control. Michael felt like a loaded spring. It was as if water on a pressure hose inside him had been turned on without someone being kind enough to release the trigger on the nozzle.
After they finally arrived on his floor, all bets were off. They were kissing like love-starved teenagers, their backs crashing from one wall into the next as they ricocheted down the hall to his condo. When they arrived Lisa would not leave him alone for two seconds, or was it that he could not keep his hands and mouth off her? It was difficult to tell where her lust ended and his began. When he finally heard the lock click they just about fell into the apartment. He kicked the door shut and next thing he knew, Lisa all but threw him against the wall, pulling his head down to her, her tongue wrestling with his. His hands were in her hair, pulling what was left of her hair pins loose. The kiss devoured her, as he almost forgot to breathe. Right now, breathing seemed secondary to the unimaginable desire coursing through him like a raging river. Her hands pulled his shirt lose and got busy opening his pants.
Those hot fingers wasted no time taking possession of what she had been searching for and she moaned against him, “There you are. Oh baby, I think we made it here just in time.” She stroked him lovingly yet firmly, forcing several moans from him.
“Lisa, stop it, if you keep it up we won’t even make it anywhere near the bedroom.”
“Sweetie, I do plan on keeping it up. Not that you need much help with that right now. It is up, alright. Plus: who the fuck said anything about a bed? Don’t move, stay right here.”
She sank to her knees and pulled his pants down below his knees in one swift motion. She returned his favor from earlier as she took off his shoes and socks. Trancelike, he stepped out of his pants. Lisa held him by his slender hips and forced him back against the wall, her eyes quickly rising to meet his, before returning to the jutting manhood displayed so proudly before her. One hand found his balls and she gently squeezed them in her hand, feeling him tremble. Her other hand held the base of his penis as her lips approached.
She looked up one more time. “Mike, don’t stop looking at me. I want you to watch that big cock disappear in my mouth. I want you to see me licking and sucking you until you come in my mouth as I drink you dry. Don’t look away as you fuck my face. You know no one can do this for you the way I can.”
Damn her! She was right on, too. Lisa had always understood how to drive him to the brink of insanity with her mouth, her lips, and her tongue. She knew just when to be gentle and cat- like and when to apply force and suction, when to let him go deep, and when to make him leave her mouth to prolong the incredible torture. No other woman had ever managed to almost make him pass out while blowing him. He knew what she was doing. She aimed to ensure that he would think of her if he had the desire to be with other women. And damn, if she was not successful!
His eyes followed her velvet pink tongue tracing the length of him from the base to the glistening tip revealed by her gently pulling back his skin. Surrounding the sensitive area she came this close to inserting the pointed tip into the small opening. She then licked around him like a wonderful Popsicle and returned to the base as his sighs and moans filled the spaces of his condo. Somewhere in his mind he remembered that he had intended to make this torturous for her, to have her begging him, to punish her little ass until she admitted that she could never feel like this with anyone else.
Later, he told himself. There is always time later, first he had to find some much needed relief. However, there was nothing wrong with letting her know that he was still the one running this show.
“Yeah, that’s right, Lisa. Taste it, lick it, baby. Come on, stop teasing: take it in, suck it dry.” He knew he could depend on her to follow the whispered instructions to the letter.
Lisa complied as her lips closed around him and her mouth went up and down his rigid shaft while keeping her tight grip on his base. She teased and played with his balls that started to feel tight and ready to unload. Suddenly, she emitted a sound from deep in her throat that was a mixture between a moan and a purr. The sound waves travelled up the already-stressed network of nerves and he knew he would not last much longer. Her tongue now got in on the action, surrounding his tip every time her mouth almost left him, before attempting to take him all again, letting him hit her throat in her attempts to make him lose control. Michael felt like a loaded spring. It was as if water on a pressure hose inside him had been turned on without someone being kind enough to release the trigger on the nozzle.
Any second now, he was so close… It became increasingly difficult to look at her as his glossy dick glided in and out of her lips doing nothing for his stamina. Lisa increased the pressure on her grip and with it the friction as her hand moved his skin up and down while her mouth continued to work its magic. When she reached back and traced his balls from the little ridge up toward his crotch, he felt the floodgates open as hot lava travelled at what seemed to be lightening speed toward her mouth. High pitched screams alternated with low moans, as words he would normally never use with anyone else tumbled from his lips while Lisa, as promised, drank from him. His hands were fisted in her hair and he had to be careful to not mindlessly plunge into the hot depths of her mouth. His head was thrown back in ecstasy as he continued to ride the wave of sublime rapture.
Control it, Michael. Don’t let her take all control from you.
His moans and hip movements finally eased up as his penis continued to spasm a time or two. Lisa eased up her grip and licked him clean with strong strokes of that amazingly talented tongue. Utterly spent, he sank down beside her, kissing her lips, before pulling her into his lap, just holding her as he attempted to catch his breath.
“Oh my God. That was amazing. I love you so much.” He was almost surprised to not feel any form of self-reprimands as he uttered those words, revealing his emotions.
20)
Lisa snuggled against Michael’s chest, listening to his erratic heartbeat slowing down to regular speed. He stroked and kissed her hair, and she soaked up the affection he showed her with his actions and now, almost surprisingly, his words. Some of her favorite moments in this relationship involved his tenderness and sweetness after making love. As domineering and demanding as he could be, he never left her without showing her gentleness and love afterwards. Those two sides of the coin were one of the things that kept her addicted to him. He was the whole package--no pun intended, because his package was unparalleled. He was an amazingly skilled lover, never selfish, and was very in tune with her need to be just held and loved at times. Of course, he was also playful and insatiable, and something told her Michael was not done playing for tonight.
“So, about that glass friend of yours… Don’t you need to be cooled down a bit yet?” A small smile appeared on her lips. She knew this man so well. Lisa felt his breath caressing her as she trembled in his arms. A cool down was needed indeed. Let the games begin!
“Can you get me some ice?”
“For?”
“I will tell you in a second. You go and shave; I want that beautiful face all nice and smooth.” She held his chin in her hand and placed small pecks on his sensual lips which he playfully returned.
“So, if I threw you on the floor and started eating that juicy pussy right now, stubble and all, you would fight me?” His raspy voice was all the fuel needed to start her squirming in his lap, making her ultra-aware of just how wet she was. Oh yes, the glass would serve her fine before he would supply the heat to send her over the edge.--if she could wait that long. Thinking about the contrast of the cold, hard, unforgiving glass, replaced by his more pliant and pulsing steel drove her crazy with anticipation.
While Michael retrieved the ice, she pulled off her dress, leaving her underwear, stockings, and shoes in place. He returned from the kitchen with a champagne bucket full of ice. Reaching for her hand, he led her to the bedroom, placing the ice on her nightstand. Funny, how she continued to think of the right side of the bed as hers, even though it had been a while since she shared a bed with him for any amount of time.
Michael turned to her and wrapped her into his arms again, kissing her, while Lisa helpfully opened his shirt. She removed his shirt and ran her fingers over his gleaming skin. Michael returned the favor by tracing his fingers up her spine, enjoying her sighs and the shivers decorating her tan body. Finally, he broke away, slapping her ass sharply, drawing a yelp of surprise.
“What was that for?”
“For distracting me earlier by making me cum. I told you I want to see you play with yourself. Your problem is you never listen to me.”
She stuck her tongue out at him, which earned her another loud slap, causing her to scamper around the bed and throw herself onto the soft, crimson comforter. “Mike!”
“No more for now! Stop begging!” He laughed at her pretend shocked face.
“I am SO not begging, Mister!”
A cocky smile graced that gorgeous mouth, “But you will, Princess, give it some time.”
With that he disappeared into the bathroom. Lisa shook her head, knowing full well that he might be right.
Once she heard the water running, she left the room to get her bag. She stopped at the bar in his living room and poured them both a glass of wine. Back in the bedroom, she smiled, hearing him singing in the bathroom. It occurred to her just how much she missed those little things; like him always having to make some kind of noise no matter what he was doing. If he was not singing or humming, he was beat boxing or reproducing the sound of just about any instrument on the planet--and probably some from other galaxies as well. At times, she had witnessed him just creating whole songs on the sly, while doing something totally unrelated such as cooking or playing around with the kids. He usually kept his recorder close to be able to capture the sounds and lyrics that just streamed out of him.
“What are you doing? I don’t hear any noises. I don’t trust it when you’re quiet.” His singing had stopped as he stuck his head around the corner.
His moans and hip movements finally eased up as his penis continued to spasm a time or two. Lisa eased up her grip and licked him clean with strong strokes of that amazingly talented tongue. Utterly spent, he sank down beside her, kissing her lips, before pulling her into his lap, just holding her as he attempted to catch his breath.
“Oh my God. That was amazing. I love you so much.” He was almost surprised to not feel any form of self-reprimands as he uttered those words, revealing his emotions.
20)
Lisa snuggled against Michael’s chest, listening to his erratic heartbeat slowing down to regular speed. He stroked and kissed her hair, and she soaked up the affection he showed her with his actions and now, almost surprisingly, his words. Some of her favorite moments in this relationship involved his tenderness and sweetness after making love. As domineering and demanding as he could be, he never left her without showing her gentleness and love afterwards. Those two sides of the coin were one of the things that kept her addicted to him. He was the whole package--no pun intended, because his package was unparalleled. He was an amazingly skilled lover, never selfish, and was very in tune with her need to be just held and loved at times. Of course, he was also playful and insatiable, and something told her Michael was not done playing for tonight.
“So, about that glass friend of yours… Don’t you need to be cooled down a bit yet?” A small smile appeared on her lips. She knew this man so well. Lisa felt his breath caressing her as she trembled in his arms. A cool down was needed indeed. Let the games begin!
“Can you get me some ice?”
“For?”
“I will tell you in a second. You go and shave; I want that beautiful face all nice and smooth.” She held his chin in her hand and placed small pecks on his sensual lips which he playfully returned.
“So, if I threw you on the floor and started eating that juicy pussy right now, stubble and all, you would fight me?” His raspy voice was all the fuel needed to start her squirming in his lap, making her ultra-aware of just how wet she was. Oh yes, the glass would serve her fine before he would supply the heat to send her over the edge.--if she could wait that long. Thinking about the contrast of the cold, hard, unforgiving glass, replaced by his more pliant and pulsing steel drove her crazy with anticipation.
While Michael retrieved the ice, she pulled off her dress, leaving her underwear, stockings, and shoes in place. He returned from the kitchen with a champagne bucket full of ice. Reaching for her hand, he led her to the bedroom, placing the ice on her nightstand. Funny, how she continued to think of the right side of the bed as hers, even though it had been a while since she shared a bed with him for any amount of time.
Michael turned to her and wrapped her into his arms again, kissing her, while Lisa helpfully opened his shirt. She removed his shirt and ran her fingers over his gleaming skin. Michael returned the favor by tracing his fingers up her spine, enjoying her sighs and the shivers decorating her tan body. Finally, he broke away, slapping her ass sharply, drawing a yelp of surprise.
“What was that for?”
“For distracting me earlier by making me cum. I told you I want to see you play with yourself. Your problem is you never listen to me.”
She stuck her tongue out at him, which earned her another loud slap, causing her to scamper around the bed and throw herself onto the soft, crimson comforter. “Mike!”
“No more for now! Stop begging!” He laughed at her pretend shocked face.
“I am SO not begging, Mister!”
A cocky smile graced that gorgeous mouth, “But you will, Princess, give it some time.”
With that he disappeared into the bathroom. Lisa shook her head, knowing full well that he might be right.
Once she heard the water running, she left the room to get her bag. She stopped at the bar in his living room and poured them both a glass of wine. Back in the bedroom, she smiled, hearing him singing in the bathroom. It occurred to her just how much she missed those little things; like him always having to make some kind of noise no matter what he was doing. If he was not singing or humming, he was beat boxing or reproducing the sound of just about any instrument on the planet--and probably some from other galaxies as well. At times, she had witnessed him just creating whole songs on the sly, while doing something totally unrelated such as cooking or playing around with the kids. He usually kept his recorder close to be able to capture the sounds and lyrics that just streamed out of him.
“What are you doing? I don’t hear any noises. I don’t trust it when you’re quiet.” His singing had stopped as he stuck his head around the corner.
“What am I? Two? It does not mean I am into something if I don’t make noises.”
She had just reached into her bag and retrieved her birthday present. Holding it up to her lips, winked at him and kissed it before sticking it into the ice. Watching her, a big smile appeared on Michael’s face before he disappeared again. Lisa detected him singing “The Way You Make Me Feel”- even though he kept changing the lyrics to include some raunchy lines no one would ever expect to come out of Michael Jackson’s mouth.
She laughed and lay back against the cool, red silk. “You are so perverted, you know that? Also, watch out, you will cut yourself, and I am not in the mood to baby you.”
“Oh, yeah, what are you in the mood for, then? And I am NOT perverted. I am creative. I am experimenting with alternate lyrics.”
“Pervert! And I’ll show you in a second what I am in the mood for.”
Lisa reclined and took a sip of wine, enjoying the taste and the accompanying warm feeling further heating her from the inside. When she heard the water turn off, she reached over and took a piece of ice. Just as Michael came back into the room, the ice started its journey from her neck down to her collar bone, and lower to her breast. Michael stopped cold, staring at her, his eyes following the small droplets of melting water on her skin. He had put on a pair of long, black, satin pajama pants, his upper torso was naked, his face was smooth and clean shaven.
With her free hand, Lisa handed him his glass of wine, and he took a sip. His eyes never left her hand that held the ice cube tracing glittery patterns on her skin. The shivers starting to ripple through her were no longer solely caused by the frigid sensation. It seemed as if the heat apparent in his smoldering eyes was easily transferred to every cell inside her, while the ice served its purpose, supplying her with the captivating contrast in its freezing path. Michael placed one knee on the bed, bent forward and kissed her, letting her enjoy the taste of the wine from his tongue. It was difficult to judge if the wine or his kiss had more intoxicating power.
Too soon, he bent and his tongue became engaged in trying to capture the small water droplets on her skin. Her nerves reacted intensely as his warm, wet, touch replaced the cooling effect of the ice and water. Lisa started to moan. She was barely aware that her hips had begun to move on the bed. Michael’s hand touched her knee then he let it glide up her stockings and to her belly. He continued to lick and kiss her neck, her torso, and the soft skin of her breasts that not covered by her bra. Lisa arched up and into his mouth and his hand.
“Take off my bra, I want to feel your mouth on my breasts.”
He placed little pecks on her chest, his hand now drawing small, teasing circles on her abdomen.
“Well, that’s too bad. Because I…” His mouth came up to kiss her lips.
“…want to get what you promised.” His tongue entered her mouth and stroked up the length of hers twice before he pushed off the bed.
“Hey!” She protested. The ice had all melted, and Michael had dried the water off her successfully with his tongue. Lisa pouted about the loss of his body heat.
Michael rose from the bed and placed a chair at a little distance. He was serious. He really wanted his show. Ok, who was she to spoil his fun? Especially, since she knew full well that they could both win in this game.
“Ok then, oh great, creative mind. What do you want me to do?”
“For starters, I don’t want you to remove any more clothing. I want you to stay in your stockings, your bra, your shoes, and your panties, until I tell you otherwise. “
She nodded and reclined against the pillows, waiting for further instructions.
“Ok, now, where is your present I so nicely had made for you? Is it cold enough yet?”
She reached over and retrieved the ice cold, dripping glass from the bucket. Her gaze caught his as she awaited his next words.
“Use your tongue to test if it’s cold enough.”
She did as instructed, her tongue gliding toward the tip of the glass that reminded her so much of the real thing she had enjoyed in her mouth just a while ago. Next, she ran the cold wand over the once again heated skin of her upper torso, paying special attention to the top of her breasts contained by the black lacy material of her bra. The cold made her shiver, and she felt her nipples pucker up inside.
Michael must have sensed her reaction. “Are your nipples hard? I want you to reach into your bra with one hand and pinch them. Show me.”
She complied, her hand supplying enough pressure to her erect peak before she lifted her breast, revealing the rigid crest over the boundary of black. As she massaged her breast, her other hand continued southward, slowly moving the icy toy over her abs and toward her thong.
“Prop up your legs and open them, then run it along your thong, just enough to give you a taste.”
Lisa really longed to have the cold shiny glass enter her steaming core, but she played along for both their benefits. Water trickled from the tip of the dildo, further stimulating her lower region, as her hand switched over to her other breast. Michael was now shifting in his seat, and she watched in fascination as his hand disappeared in his pants. The thin, clingy satin did not hide much as she saw him grasping his newly awakened erection, pleasing himself with firm strokes. This was the second time tonight she was treated to this view, and as always, it managed to evoke a very hot and wet reaction in her pussy.
“Good girl. I see the water dripping off it, but I think your pussy is getting nice and dripping wet as well, isn’t it?”
“Yes, Michael. Watching you handle your dick has gotten me all kind of lubricated.”
“Ok, put it back in the ice for second, Lise.” She was about to protest, but then reconsidered. Ice cubes clinked like a welcoming chime when the clear object was inserted in the bucket once again.
“Take off you thong, then keep your legs up and spread. I want to check out what this is doing to you.”
Lisa groaned and pulled her thong off. She wanted to touch herself and it took every ounce of self control to not do so until Michael asked her to. He watched her every movement and she was amazed her skin was not going up in smoke just from his eyes touching her.
“Now the bra. And make sure to massage those little beauties for me ‘til I get there.” His voice was so soft, so low, and it turned her on immensely. Her fingers freed her breasts that felt swollen and full. She massaged the soft globes, pulling slightly on the sensitive nipples. They responded by sending small currents of electricity through her. Lisa enjoyed his intake of breath.
“Touch yourself down there, baby, let me see how wet you are.”
One hand teasingly approached her lower lips, and she felt let her fingers trace the pouting swell before dipping into the hot well, causing a deep moan to leave her throat. She heard what seemed like an echo, and became aware that Michael also could not contain his pleasure.
“Now, get the glass back and put it in--fast.”
Lisa reached over and in one swift motion let the newly frozen, rigid shaft enter her hot canal. Her hips shot of the bed and she emitted a small cry as the contrast sent her nerves into shock spasm.
“Holy Shit,” she heard the sigh from Michael, whose eyes were glued to her exposed womanhood that had been invaded by the cold glass modeled after his manhood.
“Oh, my God…” Lisa’s eyes closed and she knew her next climax was right around the corner. The glass had entered her in one swift motion, and the sudden invasion as well as the cold material had caused her clit and pussy to throb and ache in the most wonderful sensation.
“Ok, baby, slowly, move it in and out. What does it feel like?” Michael only had to look at the juices dripping from her mingling with the water to know what she felt like.
She laughed and lay back against the cool, red silk. “You are so perverted, you know that? Also, watch out, you will cut yourself, and I am not in the mood to baby you.”
“Oh, yeah, what are you in the mood for, then? And I am NOT perverted. I am creative. I am experimenting with alternate lyrics.”
“Pervert! And I’ll show you in a second what I am in the mood for.”
Lisa reclined and took a sip of wine, enjoying the taste and the accompanying warm feeling further heating her from the inside. When she heard the water turn off, she reached over and took a piece of ice. Just as Michael came back into the room, the ice started its journey from her neck down to her collar bone, and lower to her breast. Michael stopped cold, staring at her, his eyes following the small droplets of melting water on her skin. He had put on a pair of long, black, satin pajama pants, his upper torso was naked, his face was smooth and clean shaven.
With her free hand, Lisa handed him his glass of wine, and he took a sip. His eyes never left her hand that held the ice cube tracing glittery patterns on her skin. The shivers starting to ripple through her were no longer solely caused by the frigid sensation. It seemed as if the heat apparent in his smoldering eyes was easily transferred to every cell inside her, while the ice served its purpose, supplying her with the captivating contrast in its freezing path. Michael placed one knee on the bed, bent forward and kissed her, letting her enjoy the taste of the wine from his tongue. It was difficult to judge if the wine or his kiss had more intoxicating power.
Too soon, he bent and his tongue became engaged in trying to capture the small water droplets on her skin. Her nerves reacted intensely as his warm, wet, touch replaced the cooling effect of the ice and water. Lisa started to moan. She was barely aware that her hips had begun to move on the bed. Michael’s hand touched her knee then he let it glide up her stockings and to her belly. He continued to lick and kiss her neck, her torso, and the soft skin of her breasts that not covered by her bra. Lisa arched up and into his mouth and his hand.
“Take off my bra, I want to feel your mouth on my breasts.”
He placed little pecks on her chest, his hand now drawing small, teasing circles on her abdomen.
“Well, that’s too bad. Because I…” His mouth came up to kiss her lips.
“…want to get what you promised.” His tongue entered her mouth and stroked up the length of hers twice before he pushed off the bed.
“Hey!” She protested. The ice had all melted, and Michael had dried the water off her successfully with his tongue. Lisa pouted about the loss of his body heat.
Michael rose from the bed and placed a chair at a little distance. He was serious. He really wanted his show. Ok, who was she to spoil his fun? Especially, since she knew full well that they could both win in this game.
“Ok then, oh great, creative mind. What do you want me to do?”
“For starters, I don’t want you to remove any more clothing. I want you to stay in your stockings, your bra, your shoes, and your panties, until I tell you otherwise. “
She nodded and reclined against the pillows, waiting for further instructions.
“Ok, now, where is your present I so nicely had made for you? Is it cold enough yet?”
She reached over and retrieved the ice cold, dripping glass from the bucket. Her gaze caught his as she awaited his next words.
“Use your tongue to test if it’s cold enough.”
She did as instructed, her tongue gliding toward the tip of the glass that reminded her so much of the real thing she had enjoyed in her mouth just a while ago. Next, she ran the cold wand over the once again heated skin of her upper torso, paying special attention to the top of her breasts contained by the black lacy material of her bra. The cold made her shiver, and she felt her nipples pucker up inside.
Michael must have sensed her reaction. “Are your nipples hard? I want you to reach into your bra with one hand and pinch them. Show me.”
She complied, her hand supplying enough pressure to her erect peak before she lifted her breast, revealing the rigid crest over the boundary of black. As she massaged her breast, her other hand continued southward, slowly moving the icy toy over her abs and toward her thong.
“Prop up your legs and open them, then run it along your thong, just enough to give you a taste.”
Lisa really longed to have the cold shiny glass enter her steaming core, but she played along for both their benefits. Water trickled from the tip of the dildo, further stimulating her lower region, as her hand switched over to her other breast. Michael was now shifting in his seat, and she watched in fascination as his hand disappeared in his pants. The thin, clingy satin did not hide much as she saw him grasping his newly awakened erection, pleasing himself with firm strokes. This was the second time tonight she was treated to this view, and as always, it managed to evoke a very hot and wet reaction in her pussy.
“Good girl. I see the water dripping off it, but I think your pussy is getting nice and dripping wet as well, isn’t it?”
“Yes, Michael. Watching you handle your dick has gotten me all kind of lubricated.”
“Ok, put it back in the ice for second, Lise.” She was about to protest, but then reconsidered. Ice cubes clinked like a welcoming chime when the clear object was inserted in the bucket once again.
“Take off you thong, then keep your legs up and spread. I want to check out what this is doing to you.”
Lisa groaned and pulled her thong off. She wanted to touch herself and it took every ounce of self control to not do so until Michael asked her to. He watched her every movement and she was amazed her skin was not going up in smoke just from his eyes touching her.
“Now the bra. And make sure to massage those little beauties for me ‘til I get there.” His voice was so soft, so low, and it turned her on immensely. Her fingers freed her breasts that felt swollen and full. She massaged the soft globes, pulling slightly on the sensitive nipples. They responded by sending small currents of electricity through her. Lisa enjoyed his intake of breath.
“Touch yourself down there, baby, let me see how wet you are.”
One hand teasingly approached her lower lips, and she felt let her fingers trace the pouting swell before dipping into the hot well, causing a deep moan to leave her throat. She heard what seemed like an echo, and became aware that Michael also could not contain his pleasure.
“Now, get the glass back and put it in--fast.”
Lisa reached over and in one swift motion let the newly frozen, rigid shaft enter her hot canal. Her hips shot of the bed and she emitted a small cry as the contrast sent her nerves into shock spasm.
“Holy Shit,” she heard the sigh from Michael, whose eyes were glued to her exposed womanhood that had been invaded by the cold glass modeled after his manhood.
“Oh, my God…” Lisa’s eyes closed and she knew her next climax was right around the corner. The glass had entered her in one swift motion, and the sudden invasion as well as the cold material had caused her clit and pussy to throb and ache in the most wonderful sensation.
“Ok, baby, slowly, move it in and out. What does it feel like?” Michael only had to look at the juices dripping from her mingling with the water to know what she felt like.
“Oh fuck, I don’t know how long I can keep this up. Oh, it is so good. You have no idea how this feels…” Her words were interrupted by moans and sobs. Her hips undulated on the bed as her hand continued to fuck her with the toy. Her other hand now left her breast and started to rub her clit, surrounding the turgid nub with vigorous rubbing movements.
Michael rose from his chair and approached the foot of the bed. He kneeled down before her and his hand took control of the glass. The expression on his features was intense, almost as if getting ready to study and perfect a new task that had captured his fascination. Lisa felt the heat flow to some secret center inside of her, contracting and spiraling inward. Michael held the rigid shaft in place for a second before pulling it almost all the way from her. He let the head leave her opening and watched it stretch her. He let it enter her heat once more, easily gliding into the well-prepared canal. Lisa’s hips met the intruder once again, and she sighed as her head rolled from side to side. Michael used his hand to remove hers from her clit. He bent forward and took the bud that had started to peak over the protective petals of her sex it into his mouth, forcing a scream from Lisa. Her hips spun higher, seeking continued contact with his mouth, which sent the dildo into her further.
“Oh, fuck, Mike, I can’t take this…oh shit…..” Her moans almost prevented the words from being formed.
It seemed that all her feelings were centered in that one spot inside of her, and when Michael applied pressure to her clit while once again moving the dildo in and out of her in rapid succession, that center of her sexual universe exploded into bright colors and overwhelming sensations, causing Lisa to buck against his hand and his mouth, as she convulsed under him. Michael was careful to not hurt her with the glass, as she seemed totally lost in her own universe of pleasure; crying out, screaming his name. He looked over and saw that her fingers had fisted into the soft material of the comforter, and she had drawn her legs up into her even further. She continued to spasm, her hip movements slowed down, but did not stop.
At the end of his control, Michael started to remove the glass dildo, which was not easy, as Lisa held it in a tight grip.
“Take a deep breath, baby, I can’t get it out.”
Lisa was almost incoherent but in some part of her brain understood she only had to relinquish being full and stretched for a second before the promise of receiving what she craved even more would be fulfilled. A deep breath let her internal muscles relax enough so he could retrieve the toy without hurting her. As soon as Michael put the glass aside, he pulled his aching cock out of his pants, simply pulling the pajamas down to his hip in his urgency. He rose onto his knees and pushed her knees even further back, guiding his cock to her still-pulsating and dripping opening. He rubbed the tip against her and she moaned in response, her eyes flying open to meet him.
“Fuck me. Now. Hard.” Her lips formed the words, without a sound coming from her.
Meeting his eyes, she knew the message was received with more clarity than could ever be conveyed by mere soundwaves. Without any more delay, he pounded himself into her to the hilt. She cried out again, the pain was a wonderful torture as, once again, her body adjusted to his size. It occurred to her that maybe he had his present fashioned just slightly smaller than the real thing, making sure that the ultimate pleasure was his to give. As expected, feeling his hot cock after the cold dildo was almost more than she could handle as she felt propelled toward another orgasm. She never had any problem cumming with Michael, but this was happening fast, even for her.
Michael sped up his pace and fucked her with a long series of hard, fast jabs, his sighs and moans mingling with hers as both were lost to the rhythm they knew so well. Michael suddenly sat up on his knees, gripped her hips tightly, and lifted her into him. He then started to pull back, letting his penis almost leave her, just as he had done with the glass earlier. She tried to wiggle to get him back in but he held her braced against him as he was in total control of when and how hard he would enter her again. Lisa found herself at the edge of the abyss, ready to jump off into blinding white hot bliss once again. All she needed, all she longed for, was his hot cock filling her one more time, and she knew that the next stroke would send her flying.
Panting, she looked up at him. “Give it to me, Daddy; come on, let me have it.” She knew he loved it when she called him that. It was a joke all through their marriage, and she had not used the term in a while, holding it back from him, unsure of their different relationship.
Droplets of sweet sweat had formed on his face and his torso, glazing his beautiful gleaming skin as he concentrated on keeping himself in check while every nerve in his body screamed out to just let go. Her calling him Daddy as she had done so many times so long ago almost snapped his control for good.
“You want it?” A smile broke through his concentration.
“Yes, you know I want it.” She tried to sit up and he pushed her back by placing a hand on her abs. He knew she had been close, but his stalling had probably held her off.
He let himself ram into her again, and heard her moan loudly.
“You want, this?” He followed up his question with a series of fast gyrating movements, lifting her body up with him as he continued to hold her. Only now, his hands moved further back and he lifted her by her ass- using the stimulation from his grip on her cheeks to further drive her crazy.
“Oh, fuck, oh, I can’t take it. Let me have it.”
He stopped his movement once again, pulling back, his head positioned right at her opening.
“Say it. What do good little girls say when they want something?”
She smiled and shook her head. Watching a drop of sweat make a delicious path down his chest, she knew the effort also cost him. She admired his self control, but was not ready to give in. “Oh no. I won’t.”
He bent forward and took her nipple into his mouth, biting it, sending shockwaves all the way to her clit. Lisa felt her muscles twitch and begged for him to fill her again. Michael let go of her breast and sat back again, the repeated change in angle making her cry out. He let his penis play right at her opening, surrounding the hole without giving her what he needed, what she longed for. He let himself enter her, but only gave her about an inch, before pulling back out. She moaned again in protest, her sounds now reduced to little whimpers. He moved his hips in circular motion against her, and she lost all inhibition.
“Fucking hell! Please fuck me. I am so close. I beg you, Daddy, give it all to me, please.”
“Oh, fuck, Mike, I can’t take this…oh shit…..” Her moans almost prevented the words from being formed.
It seemed that all her feelings were centered in that one spot inside of her, and when Michael applied pressure to her clit while once again moving the dildo in and out of her in rapid succession, that center of her sexual universe exploded into bright colors and overwhelming sensations, causing Lisa to buck against his hand and his mouth, as she convulsed under him. Michael was careful to not hurt her with the glass, as she seemed totally lost in her own universe of pleasure; crying out, screaming his name. He looked over and saw that her fingers had fisted into the soft material of the comforter, and she had drawn her legs up into her even further. She continued to spasm, her hip movements slowed down, but did not stop.
At the end of his control, Michael started to remove the glass dildo, which was not easy, as Lisa held it in a tight grip.
“Take a deep breath, baby, I can’t get it out.”
Lisa was almost incoherent but in some part of her brain understood she only had to relinquish being full and stretched for a second before the promise of receiving what she craved even more would be fulfilled. A deep breath let her internal muscles relax enough so he could retrieve the toy without hurting her. As soon as Michael put the glass aside, he pulled his aching cock out of his pants, simply pulling the pajamas down to his hip in his urgency. He rose onto his knees and pushed her knees even further back, guiding his cock to her still-pulsating and dripping opening. He rubbed the tip against her and she moaned in response, her eyes flying open to meet him.
“Fuck me. Now. Hard.” Her lips formed the words, without a sound coming from her.
Meeting his eyes, she knew the message was received with more clarity than could ever be conveyed by mere soundwaves. Without any more delay, he pounded himself into her to the hilt. She cried out again, the pain was a wonderful torture as, once again, her body adjusted to his size. It occurred to her that maybe he had his present fashioned just slightly smaller than the real thing, making sure that the ultimate pleasure was his to give. As expected, feeling his hot cock after the cold dildo was almost more than she could handle as she felt propelled toward another orgasm. She never had any problem cumming with Michael, but this was happening fast, even for her.
Michael sped up his pace and fucked her with a long series of hard, fast jabs, his sighs and moans mingling with hers as both were lost to the rhythm they knew so well. Michael suddenly sat up on his knees, gripped her hips tightly, and lifted her into him. He then started to pull back, letting his penis almost leave her, just as he had done with the glass earlier. She tried to wiggle to get him back in but he held her braced against him as he was in total control of when and how hard he would enter her again. Lisa found herself at the edge of the abyss, ready to jump off into blinding white hot bliss once again. All she needed, all she longed for, was his hot cock filling her one more time, and she knew that the next stroke would send her flying.
Panting, she looked up at him. “Give it to me, Daddy; come on, let me have it.” She knew he loved it when she called him that. It was a joke all through their marriage, and she had not used the term in a while, holding it back from him, unsure of their different relationship.
Droplets of sweet sweat had formed on his face and his torso, glazing his beautiful gleaming skin as he concentrated on keeping himself in check while every nerve in his body screamed out to just let go. Her calling him Daddy as she had done so many times so long ago almost snapped his control for good.
“You want it?” A smile broke through his concentration.
“Yes, you know I want it.” She tried to sit up and he pushed her back by placing a hand on her abs. He knew she had been close, but his stalling had probably held her off.
He let himself ram into her again, and heard her moan loudly.
“You want, this?” He followed up his question with a series of fast gyrating movements, lifting her body up with him as he continued to hold her. Only now, his hands moved further back and he lifted her by her ass- using the stimulation from his grip on her cheeks to further drive her crazy.
“Oh, fuck, oh, I can’t take it. Let me have it.”
He stopped his movement once again, pulling back, his head positioned right at her opening.
“Say it. What do good little girls say when they want something?”
She smiled and shook her head. Watching a drop of sweat make a delicious path down his chest, she knew the effort also cost him. She admired his self control, but was not ready to give in. “Oh no. I won’t.”
He bent forward and took her nipple into his mouth, biting it, sending shockwaves all the way to her clit. Lisa felt her muscles twitch and begged for him to fill her again. Michael let go of her breast and sat back again, the repeated change in angle making her cry out. He let his penis play right at her opening, surrounding the hole without giving her what he needed, what she longed for. He let himself enter her, but only gave her about an inch, before pulling back out. She moaned again in protest, her sounds now reduced to little whimpers. He moved his hips in circular motion against her, and she lost all inhibition.
“Fucking hell! Please fuck me. I am so close. I beg you, Daddy, give it all to me, please.”
He smiled and gave her a small nod before filling her to the hilt with his engorged member. His motion not only sent him crashing into her cervix, but he also caused a tornado of sensations in her clit as his pubic bone bore into the tiny nub. She felt him hitting every single nerve center and saw stars flying at her before she had the sensation of exploding among them into a million pieces of stardust. She screamed out several times as her hips gyrated and bucked against him. Michael gave her no reprieve as he continued to thrust into her, his sighs and moans loud and almost drowning her out. Lisa tried to catch her breath, but just when she thought her orgasm was ebbing off, he bent her one leg by the knee and moved it over and across him, turning her to the side, while increasing his tempo. The different angle propelled her headfirst into another spiral, and she screamed out against him, feeling dizzy as she lost both her breath and her voice. The waves kept on coming in a seemingly never-ending onslaught of pleasure bordering on pain.
“Stop, oh shit, please stop, I can’t take it,” Lisa managed to cry out when she finally caught her breath. Her heart was racing and every muscle in her body felt like it was on fire from the exertion. When she was able to finally open her eyes again, she saw his smile break through the look of concentration that reflected his efforts. Her body felt bathed in sweat, and Michael looked like a glistening marble statue. She noticed his breathing was slightly labored and realized he still had not allowed himself to reach his peak. Lisa suspected that this meant he was not done with her, and she was correct.
21)
“Turn around.”
“Can you, like, give me a minute here?” Lisa was still out of breath and felt like her legs were shaky and weak.
21)
“Turn around.”
“Can you, like, give me a minute here?” Lisa was still out of breath and felt like her legs were shaky and weak.
“Hell no! Get up and get on all fours. You said you could take it and you were up for it. Not eating your words now, are you?” The usually gentle tone was replaced by a dark growl.
Her eyes widened even as his voice started a new buzzing inside her belly.
“But I’m tired.” She was getting less tired by the second, newly invigorated and turned on by his assertive stance.
“Well, that’s just too damn bad. I’m not done and you have been a tease all night. So, assume the position, woman.”
Lisa raised her arms above her head, stretching out, pushing her breasts up higher as she slightly spread her legs. Michael swallowed as his eyes saw the evidence of her recent climax trickle down her thigh. Holy shit--he could simply not wait for his juices to join her--soon.
“But Michael,” she whined. “I’m afraid of what you will do to me.” Lisa tried hard to convey a scared, innocent expression.
He had to smile. She was playing now, and he knew it. She was so full of shit. And he loved every second of it.
“I’m not gonna do anything you do not deserve. So, don’t make me say it again. Get your ass up and turn around.”
Lisa knew she was getting sore and was being pushed to the limit for one night, but she also was not willing to ignore her newly mounting arousal or that huge, straining penis pointing toward Michael’s adorable belly button. He looked like a satyr kneeling before her: gloriously naked, his skin glowing, his hair wet, his face dark and commanding. Not thinking, she licked her lips, and reached for the turgid shaft, suddenly not being able to withstand the desire to touch him. It seemed to call out to her, tempting her beyond belief. Michael gripped her wrist and thwarted her plan.
“No more teasing. Do it.”
Lisa slowly sat up and started to turn around. Doing so, she managed to provide a prime view of the place he could barley wait to bury himself in. Her lips were red and swollen from both the previous orgasms and the new arousal and glistened in temptation. She raised herself on her hands and knees before looking at him over her shoulder.
“Don’t hurt me, please.” At the same time, her eyes told him to fuck her hard. She was so good at being bad!
“You should have thought about that earlier.”
Damn, he was the sexiest thing alive! Resigning herself to his power over her, she turned her head, her hair falling into her face, as she faced the headboard. He touched her ankles and softly ran his hands up her calves. His fingers traced the sensitive skin behind her knees, before they ever so slowly ascended her thighs toward the perfect globes beckoning him.
Michael watcher her before him and swallowed hard. He could see her breast hanging toward the bed, her nipples hard and stiff again. Goosebumps had started to appear on her legs as he traced her hot skin which was glazed by a layer of sweat from her previous exertions. He knew he had already made her cum numerous times tonight, but he intended to push her further, to make her reach her absolute limit. Lisa could take a lot, but for some reason he wanted her to admit that he could drive her to the very boundary of her sexual endurance. And he wanted her to never forget what he could do to her. Just in case…
“You should have thought about that earlier.”
Damn, he was the sexiest thing alive! Resigning herself to his power over her, she turned her head, her hair falling into her face, as she faced the headboard. He touched her ankles and softly ran his hands up her calves. His fingers traced the sensitive skin behind her knees, before they ever so slowly ascended her thighs toward the perfect globes beckoning him.
Michael watcher her before him and swallowed hard. He could see her breast hanging toward the bed, her nipples hard and stiff again. Goosebumps had started to appear on her legs as he traced her hot skin which was glazed by a layer of sweat from her previous exertions. He knew he had already made her cum numerous times tonight, but he intended to push her further, to make her reach her absolute limit. Lisa could take a lot, but for some reason he wanted her to admit that he could drive her to the very boundary of her sexual endurance. And he wanted her to never forget what he could do to her. Just in case…
“Well…?” Ok, her submission obviously had not lasted too long.
“Are you impatient again? I thought you needed a break. And, nice person that I am, I let you have a short reprieve before you’re gonna beg me to stop.”
She made a snorting sound at his mention of being nice, and his hand made stinging contact with that perfectly round ass before him.
“Ouch!” Her head snapped around.
“You are not in the correct pose, lady. Did I not order you to assume the position?”
“Oh, that position. Well, could you be clear, please?”
His hand made contact with the other buttock and she yelped again, even as she adjusted her stance. Having played this game before, she lowered herself onto her elbows and opened her thighs slightly. She felt the cool air touch her swollen pussy as she also became aware of new moisture having been produced by her body that seemed to crave him more and more. She better remember to get some Gatorade later; Michael seemed to be intent on a marathon--not that she complained.
Her torso was now lowered and she was resting on her elbows with her head low to the mattress. Her back was arched and her ass was at the highest point, offering her pussy up to him like a ripe, juicy fruit.
“So, what do we do with spoiled little girls that have been bad and rebellious all night?”
“I have no clue, since you obviously cannot mean me? I was…”
The sound startled her almost more than the red hot sting. She had been expecting it, begging for it, and yet the impact stunned her as the almost electric jolt was echoed in her clit, making her squirm.
“Ouch!...Good, Mike—Daddy--I was good.” Her voice was almost a sob.
Michael watched her skin becoming flushed from the spanking. As always, he knew exactly how to give her what she craved without really hurting her.
“Oh you’re good alright. You’re good when you are sucking me off or when I make you scream by fucking you, but the rest of the time, you’re just begging for exactly what you’re getting right now.”
His hands came to rest on her behind and he gently massaged the glowing cheeks, making her writhe and move her hips enticingly.
“Touch me, Daddy, please touch me…” Her voice was a husky whisper.
“But baby, I am touching you.” He drew his circling caresses lower and toward her center where he saw a drop of her arousal leave the petal of her flower and journey down her leg. She was so ready for him.
“Come on, give me something here. Give me your fingers, or better yet, your dick, I want to feel you inside me.”
“I thought you said you were tired.”
“Dammit! Michael!”
He had to laugh. “What?”
Lisa’s whole body pushed back at him.
“Oh, touch you…there?”
Two fingers entered her swollen canal and she let a loud moan escape. Michael was amazed how soft and yet solid her walls felt. It seemed as though his fingers were surrounded by a soft, silky quilt. Only, the safe blanket turned into a flesh-eating plant as the movements of her muscles tried to pull him in deeper. He let a third finger enter and again was rewarded by a small scream and a push against him.
His fingers moved inside her, he let them enter and withdraw, before engaging in a circular motion, forcing more moans and more fluids from her.
“Oh God, oh yeah…baby…do it again…”
“Do what again?” He bent forward and kissed the red marks on her butt, licking her skin.
“Punish me. I was such a …,” she groaned again as his fingers stretched her, “..bad girl.”
His free hand obliged and he spanked her one more time, this time being careful to not hit too hard as he already felt bad for the spreading redness. Lisa panted harder and her sobs indicated she was close once again. Michael turned his hand slightly, and he let his thumb find her engorged clit, rubbing over it in several strokes from back to front, before applying soft pressure and rubbing it in circles.
“Holy fuck!” Lisa started climaxing as her hoarse screams were muffled by the surface of the bed she had dived into head first while her hands tightly fisted the comforter and sheets beneath her. Michael watched her body twist and spasm, her undulation before him snapping all self control.
He rose from the bed and stood by the end while simultaneously, pulling her closer to the end like a little rag doll. He simply could not wait another minute. He had to be in her immediately. Despite her delirious state, she knew exactly what he wanted and scooted toward him. He noticed she trembled as she spread her legs a bit more and he gripped her hips, ready to finally reach the finish line himself. Michael had denied his own climax for so long now that he almost feared the impending release.
He let his penis rest at her dripping opening for a mere second before surging forward while pulling her hips toward him. She cried out again and he almost lost it, experiencing her swollen, tight grip and the heat produced from her repeated releases. Michael could not contain his own moans and sighs as he had to push hard to let her take all of him. Damn! He had fucked her twice already tonight; you’d think she would get used to him.
Lisa was barely coherent when Michael entered her again. She felt sore and dizzy, but also elated and incredibly turned on by being claimed in this almost primal way. She gazed over her shoulder at Michael, whose eyes had been closed. He seemed to have felt her slight movement and met her eyes. Sweat was dripping down his face and his long strands of spiral curls surrounded his face that was almost twisted in torture. Lisa knew his control, and was well aware he had pushed himself to the limit by proving over and over that he could make her climax like no other man had ever been able to.
“Ouch!” Her head snapped around.
“You are not in the correct pose, lady. Did I not order you to assume the position?”
“Oh, that position. Well, could you be clear, please?”
His hand made contact with the other buttock and she yelped again, even as she adjusted her stance. Having played this game before, she lowered herself onto her elbows and opened her thighs slightly. She felt the cool air touch her swollen pussy as she also became aware of new moisture having been produced by her body that seemed to crave him more and more. She better remember to get some Gatorade later; Michael seemed to be intent on a marathon--not that she complained.
Her torso was now lowered and she was resting on her elbows with her head low to the mattress. Her back was arched and her ass was at the highest point, offering her pussy up to him like a ripe, juicy fruit.
“So, what do we do with spoiled little girls that have been bad and rebellious all night?”
“I have no clue, since you obviously cannot mean me? I was…”
The sound startled her almost more than the red hot sting. She had been expecting it, begging for it, and yet the impact stunned her as the almost electric jolt was echoed in her clit, making her squirm.
“Ouch!...Good, Mike—Daddy--I was good.” Her voice was almost a sob.
Michael watched her skin becoming flushed from the spanking. As always, he knew exactly how to give her what she craved without really hurting her.
“Oh you’re good alright. You’re good when you are sucking me off or when I make you scream by fucking you, but the rest of the time, you’re just begging for exactly what you’re getting right now.”
His hands came to rest on her behind and he gently massaged the glowing cheeks, making her writhe and move her hips enticingly.
“Touch me, Daddy, please touch me…” Her voice was a husky whisper.
“But baby, I am touching you.” He drew his circling caresses lower and toward her center where he saw a drop of her arousal leave the petal of her flower and journey down her leg. She was so ready for him.
“Come on, give me something here. Give me your fingers, or better yet, your dick, I want to feel you inside me.”
“I thought you said you were tired.”
“Dammit! Michael!”
He had to laugh. “What?”
Lisa’s whole body pushed back at him.
“Oh, touch you…there?”
Two fingers entered her swollen canal and she let a loud moan escape. Michael was amazed how soft and yet solid her walls felt. It seemed as though his fingers were surrounded by a soft, silky quilt. Only, the safe blanket turned into a flesh-eating plant as the movements of her muscles tried to pull him in deeper. He let a third finger enter and again was rewarded by a small scream and a push against him.
His fingers moved inside her, he let them enter and withdraw, before engaging in a circular motion, forcing more moans and more fluids from her.
“Oh God, oh yeah…baby…do it again…”
“Do what again?” He bent forward and kissed the red marks on her butt, licking her skin.
“Punish me. I was such a …,” she groaned again as his fingers stretched her, “..bad girl.”
His free hand obliged and he spanked her one more time, this time being careful to not hit too hard as he already felt bad for the spreading redness. Lisa panted harder and her sobs indicated she was close once again. Michael turned his hand slightly, and he let his thumb find her engorged clit, rubbing over it in several strokes from back to front, before applying soft pressure and rubbing it in circles.
“Holy fuck!” Lisa started climaxing as her hoarse screams were muffled by the surface of the bed she had dived into head first while her hands tightly fisted the comforter and sheets beneath her. Michael watched her body twist and spasm, her undulation before him snapping all self control.
He rose from the bed and stood by the end while simultaneously, pulling her closer to the end like a little rag doll. He simply could not wait another minute. He had to be in her immediately. Despite her delirious state, she knew exactly what he wanted and scooted toward him. He noticed she trembled as she spread her legs a bit more and he gripped her hips, ready to finally reach the finish line himself. Michael had denied his own climax for so long now that he almost feared the impending release.
He let his penis rest at her dripping opening for a mere second before surging forward while pulling her hips toward him. She cried out again and he almost lost it, experiencing her swollen, tight grip and the heat produced from her repeated releases. Michael could not contain his own moans and sighs as he had to push hard to let her take all of him. Damn! He had fucked her twice already tonight; you’d think she would get used to him.
Lisa was barely coherent when Michael entered her again. She felt sore and dizzy, but also elated and incredibly turned on by being claimed in this almost primal way. She gazed over her shoulder at Michael, whose eyes had been closed. He seemed to have felt her slight movement and met her eyes. Sweat was dripping down his face and his long strands of spiral curls surrounded his face that was almost twisted in torture. Lisa knew his control, and was well aware he had pushed himself to the limit by proving over and over that he could make her climax like no other man had ever been able to.
“Let go, Daddy, let me have it. Cum for me.”
He bit his lips and shook his head. “No way. I won’t cum ‘til I get you off one more time.”
Say what? She did not think there was any way in the world she had another climax in her. She was more than content to just feel him inside her and to have him let go of his damn control for once.
“Aint’ gonna happen, babe. I can’t do it. Please don’t make me do it again--I can’t,” she whined.
“Fuck that shit. You can do it, Lise. I want you to cum for me again.”
She shook her head and Michael continued his thrusts, filling her every time, causing her to moan in a mixture of pleasure and heavenly agony. Just when she wondered if his pace was going to numb her, he switched to softer movement and he went from straight jabs to the circular motion of his hips that his fans so adored on stage. Lisa adored it too, as she knew exactly what move he mimicked and what it felt like to have him grind against her.
The familiar swirling spread through her again, stimulated by his steady movements and his steel touching her and gliding in and out, teasing her inner walls as well as the sensitive area of her opening. Michael’s hands let go of her hips and grabbed her ass, kneading her cheeks, further sending chills through her.
Michael had felt her get a bit dryer and had therefore changed up his movements, teasing her with his dancelike, rounded movement, and caressing the tempting globes. He smiled as he received the sweetest reward by feeling his cock gliding in and out easier, providing that Lisa was once again in the game.
“I can feel how wet you are baby. I know your body. I feel you are close again. You can do it, you can cum for me.”
“Michael, I can’t; I’m too tired. Please, don’t make me.”
Even when she felt the telltale fluttering approach, she continued to doubt being able to climax again. She was simply too tired and too worn out. Nevertheless, Lisa held steady against him, as once again his thrusts deepened and he pounded into her. She felt one hand leave her as it snaked around, using her own juices to lubricate her overly taxed clit. She jumped slightly from the sensation, as Michael used his index finger and thumb to rub the little organ.
“Holy shit, oh my God, Mike! What are you doing to me… I can’t…I…” Words started to leave her as she felt the sweetest taste on her tongue.
“Stop that shit. Yeah, you can.”
Say what? She did not think there was any way in the world she had another climax in her. She was more than content to just feel him inside her and to have him let go of his damn control for once.
“Aint’ gonna happen, babe. I can’t do it. Please don’t make me do it again--I can’t,” she whined.
“Fuck that shit. You can do it, Lise. I want you to cum for me again.”
She shook her head and Michael continued his thrusts, filling her every time, causing her to moan in a mixture of pleasure and heavenly agony. Just when she wondered if his pace was going to numb her, he switched to softer movement and he went from straight jabs to the circular motion of his hips that his fans so adored on stage. Lisa adored it too, as she knew exactly what move he mimicked and what it felt like to have him grind against her.
The familiar swirling spread through her again, stimulated by his steady movements and his steel touching her and gliding in and out, teasing her inner walls as well as the sensitive area of her opening. Michael’s hands let go of her hips and grabbed her ass, kneading her cheeks, further sending chills through her.
Michael had felt her get a bit dryer and had therefore changed up his movements, teasing her with his dancelike, rounded movement, and caressing the tempting globes. He smiled as he received the sweetest reward by feeling his cock gliding in and out easier, providing that Lisa was once again in the game.
“I can feel how wet you are baby. I know your body. I feel you are close again. You can do it, you can cum for me.”
“Michael, I can’t; I’m too tired. Please, don’t make me.”
Even when she felt the telltale fluttering approach, she continued to doubt being able to climax again. She was simply too tired and too worn out. Nevertheless, Lisa held steady against him, as once again his thrusts deepened and he pounded into her. She felt one hand leave her as it snaked around, using her own juices to lubricate her overly taxed clit. She jumped slightly from the sensation, as Michael used his index finger and thumb to rub the little organ.
“Holy shit, oh my God, Mike! What are you doing to me… I can’t…I…” Words started to leave her as she felt the sweetest taste on her tongue.
“Stop that shit. Yeah, you can.”
Michael felt that all his emotions and feelings had started to contract into one small point of light that threatened to both implode and explode into a galaxy of pleasure. Just when he thought he could not follow through with his plan to make Lisa take flight one more time, he heard a high-pitched scream as she collapsed under him, her juices flooding them both, while her body seemed to seize.
That was it--Michael was overcome by light, pleasure, pain, stars, and thunder, as his orgasm overwhelmed him with such force, it stunned him. The impact was so blinding that his first screams were silent, before he found his voice and released his tension in sobs and screams that matched the intensity of his ejaculation. He could not help his continued movement as he followed Lisa, who had collapsed under him. He continued to hold onto her, as his penis did not seem to ever want to stop its twitching and pulsing. Every time he thought he was done, another jet escaped, burning him as it left his body and shot into Lisa’s who also continued to moan and sigh under him.
After what seemed to be hours, his heart slowed down and approached bearable rates. He was lying on his side now, and he held Lisa’s wet, trembling body pressed against him. His arms had closed around her waist and she weakly found his hands and interlaced her fingers with his. He kissed her shoulders and nuzzled her neck, quietly enjoying the sound of their heart beating as one, their breathing slowing down in unison.
“I love you so much, Michael.” He was not sure he had heard her weak whisper.
“I love you more, Princess.” He answered anyway, just in case he had heard her correctly.
Still inside her, he drifted off to sleep, keeping her gathered close, never wanting to let her go.
“Michael?” Lisa mumbled before she surrendered to the cocoon of warmth and comfort she only seemed to find when surrounded by his love.
After what seemed to be hours, his heart slowed down and approached bearable rates. He was lying on his side now, and he held Lisa’s wet, trembling body pressed against him. His arms had closed around her waist and she weakly found his hands and interlaced her fingers with his. He kissed her shoulders and nuzzled her neck, quietly enjoying the sound of their heart beating as one, their breathing slowing down in unison.
“I love you so much, Michael.” He was not sure he had heard her weak whisper.
“I love you more, Princess.” He answered anyway, just in case he had heard her correctly.
Still inside her, he drifted off to sleep, keeping her gathered close, never wanting to let her go.
“Michael?” Lisa mumbled before she surrendered to the cocoon of warmth and comfort she only seemed to find when surrounded by his love.
22)
Chilly air stirred over her body, breaking Lisa’s exhausted sleep. Drowsy, her fingers hunted for the blanket which seemed to have disappeared. Slowly opening her eyes, it took a moment to remember where she was. The blades of the ceiling fan buzzing above her refused to come into focus. The room was almost dark except for the slivers of sunlight filtering in through the drawn blinds. That was fine, because stronger light was the last thing her pounding headache required. The room looked familiar yet still managed to confuse her. Her body felt like lead, and the effort from sitting up cause her to moan.
Dammit! Why was every muscle in her body sore as shit?
Michael.
She remembered she was in Michael’s condo in downtown LA. She also remembered the reason for being sore. Sitting up, she realized the center of her discomfort was right between her legs. How many times had she cum last night? And just how long and how often did Michael fuck her to make sure she would remember him for a while? As if she could ever forget. What a night!
Speaking of…where was the King of Pop this morning? She rolled over and looked at the alarm clock. 11am. Shit! She must have been tired as hell. The last thing she was fully aware of was her immense orgasm which bordered on pain. All her nerves seemed to have protested the overload of sensations Michael had stirred, even as they wanted him to never stop. And at some point, it seemed as if he would never stop pounding into her.
Finally, his control had broken and his climax had erupted almost in time with hers. The hot jets of his seed and the pulsating and expanding of his penis propelled her up another peak whose boundaries were almost indistinguishable from its predecessor. Afterwards, things got fuzzy. Had that been really her voice telling him she loved him? No, she was more careful than that.
The words must have been part of the dream world already. She had given him enough information and thus enough power for one night; he really did not need to hear these expressions from her. But wait, he did respond. He had told her he loved her more. Or maybe that was her imagination. Maybe it was just wishful thinking. Plus, he responded like that to everyone. The newspaper boy could tell him he loved him and Michael would respond that he loved him more. So, it meant nothing. It was nothing more than his way of thanking his little sex toy. That’s all she was to him. Maybe she should order him one of those rubber pussies she had seen on certain sites. It would be fair turn about. She could even have it made to her specifications.
A dream snuck back into her recollection. In it, she felt him warm and securely inside her, held in place by her muscles, refusing to let him go, and devoid of any desire of his own to leave her. She felt his warmth around her as well, his arms around her, his leg placed over hers possessively. At some point, his magic wand had come back to life, and he had started to move in and out of her in slow, languid strokes, nestling her from behind. His fingers had come up on her breasts and he gently and tenderly had massaged them and played with her nipples. She had felt his hot breath on her neck, his soft, sweet kisses on her skin, and his soft words of love close to her ear. That love-making had to be the stuff dreams were made of: it was so sweet, so gentle…so unlike anything she normally desired or needed from him.
She remembered a slow building of the most incredible sensation inside. It was a feeling so different from what she allowed herself to experience since their reunification fucks post divorce. She remembered feeling exposed and naked, her vulnerability extending beyond her nudity. As she floated toward the summit, she had been unable to stop the tears spilling from her. Her orgasm felt like clouds bursting open and sunlight flooding her. Just like too much sun can hurt eyes not accustomed to its intensity, she was afraid to fully open herself up to the light spreading from inside. Sobs and moans mingled into a fusion of the most intense ecstasy and despair as tears continued to flow. She felt self-conscious for a second, but then thought that surely he was too caught up in his own bliss to notice her. His body had gone rigid and she felt his member spasming inside. His familiar cries and moans provided the background music to his subsiding thrusts. Finally he lay still, pulling her close, his breathing still labored, his chest rising and falling rapidly.
“It’s ok, baby, don’t cry. Don’t cry.” He kissed her neck and her cheeks, his fingers gently capturing the glossy drops decorating her cheek.
Was it relief, surprise, or comfort she felt? She reached for his hand and pressed it to her body, holding on for dear life.
“Don’t leave me. Please don’t let me go. Don’t leave.” Sobs continued to rack her body as he hushed her and rocked her in his arms.
“I’m right here, girl. I’m not letting you go. I’m here with you. Right here.”
What a strange dream. And why did it feel so real? Oh, God- it could not have been real, could it?
She remembered a slow building of the most incredible sensation inside. It was a feeling so different from what she allowed herself to experience since their reunification fucks post divorce. She remembered feeling exposed and naked, her vulnerability extending beyond her nudity. As she floated toward the summit, she had been unable to stop the tears spilling from her. Her orgasm felt like clouds bursting open and sunlight flooding her. Just like too much sun can hurt eyes not accustomed to its intensity, she was afraid to fully open herself up to the light spreading from inside. Sobs and moans mingled into a fusion of the most intense ecstasy and despair as tears continued to flow. She felt self-conscious for a second, but then thought that surely he was too caught up in his own bliss to notice her. His body had gone rigid and she felt his member spasming inside. His familiar cries and moans provided the background music to his subsiding thrusts. Finally he lay still, pulling her close, his breathing still labored, his chest rising and falling rapidly.
“It’s ok, baby, don’t cry. Don’t cry.” He kissed her neck and her cheeks, his fingers gently capturing the glossy drops decorating her cheek.
Was it relief, surprise, or comfort she felt? She reached for his hand and pressed it to her body, holding on for dear life.
“Don’t leave me. Please don’t let me go. Don’t leave.” Sobs continued to rack her body as he hushed her and rocked her in his arms.
“I’m right here, girl. I’m not letting you go. I’m here with you. Right here.”
What a strange dream. And why did it feel so real? Oh, God- it could not have been real, could it?
23)
Michael sat at his desk and put down the notes he had been scribbling. A strange combination of feeling sated, rested, hopeful, and scared shitless raced through him. He had fallen asleep pretty much right after the last drop of his cum had been forced from him. The things Lisa made him feel were just unreal at times. No other woman had ever taken his body to such extremes. At some point he had woken up and had found himself making love to her again. They were both semi asleep, as evidenced by her sweet and compliant demeanor. Also, she was more vulnerable than he had seen her in a long time, and every nerve in his body screamed out to protect her. The tricky part was he knew full well that he was the one who needed protection from her, not the other way ‘round. She had proven that, and he was not about to be caught in the same trap again.
His mind was totally blown when he realized she was crying. What in the world? Was she hurting? Had he pushed her too hard? Was she that sore? Should he have left her alone, not insisting she cum again, fucking her as hard as he had? No, that could not be it. They had a history of making love literally all night and then for the better part of the day. But that was before. Maybe she was getting older, could not handle him like before. Then, it hit him that she was asking him not to leave. She had been holding on to him crying. She was scared. She had also told him she loved him. Initially, he was relieved to hear it- before he panicked.
What the hell did she have to be scared about, anyway? He never left her. Well, not for real, anyway. He had to get away from time to time; he needed his space. She tended to crowd him, want him around her all the frigging time, suffocating him. It was nice to have her there when needed, but why could she not understand that it was nothing personal when he told her he wanted to be alone for a couple of days? Or weeks? It was not like he forgot that he loved her when he was gone. So, why did she have to always make such a big deal out of everything? He didn’t leave. He didn’t break any promises. She got pissed about his friendship with Debbie and her offer, and had wanted out.
Then, of course, she changed her mind. She started to hang around with Janet. It was only natural he had wanted to know what all that was about once he caught wind of it. His mother also had continued to mention how sweet Lisa was. Let Mother live with her and see if she could put up with Lisa’s sharp tongue and pissy-ass attitude.
So yeah, then she was back. It was different, though. They both had built walls and even as they started to fuck and then become closer emotionally as well, it always felt that Lisa was keeping part of herself protected and sectioned off. Or maybe she was just a new person--the person who did not care if he was close by all the time or not. He should be relieved. But for some reason it annoyed him to think that she might not miss him. Still, the new Lisa was missing during their last encounter during the previous night. Something had definitely been different.
This difference worried him and made him nervous. Why was she so emotional? Wouldn’t it be something if she ended up pregnant now? Debbie was always extra sensitive and whiney when pregnant. He didn’t like using condoms in the first place, and he did not use them with Lisa, which could be a mistake, knowing how she might fuck around on him just to piss him off. Well, maybe he should just make sure she was too tired and sore to do that. Not that he was jealous or anything, but it would keep him healthy. But what if she really was pregnant? The rush of joy angered him. No, she told him she was using birth control. She had made it more than clear there would be no children for them. Still… How would she feel about it? Would she be happy? Upset? Experience the same thrill he unexpectedly was confronted with at the mere thought?
Time to refocus! Lisa’s feelings could not be a priority now. All his dreams and plans were so close to coming true. He had his cute little wonderful son and soon would have a baby girl to take care of. Well, there was Debbie to deal with, too, but she should not be too big of an obstacle. Her hormones were probably in overdrive from her pregnancy, so he would not have to worry about her coming on to him too much longer. Soon she would go back to being the sweet friend who had given him so much. The friend to whom he would never make love in a million years.
His phone rang and he grabbed the receiver before the noise would wake Lisa.
“Michael? I have been trying to find you for hours.”
Did Debbie know when he was thinking about her? No, couldn’t be. She called way too often for that.
“Well, you found me.”
“Why did you not answer your cell or your car phone?”
“’Cause I’m not in my car.”
He sure hoped his baby would inherit his IQ.
“Did you know Karen called me about some photo shoot she wanted to discuss with me?”
“Oh, yeah, that. I was going to discuss it with you and let you know what’s going on.”
“Well, as usual, I am the last to find out.”
What did that mean? Find out what? Shit! The pictures from last night could not have hit already! What in the world did Lisa get him into this time?
Calm down, Michael. It’s probably nothing. She doesn’t know a thing yet. She doesn’t read the tabloids. Often.
“There will be an exclusive photo shoot with you and me and Prince. They have some questions about our marriage and stuff like that. It will be sweet. I thought it would be real wonderful if you did the talking while I played with Prince in the background.”
“Sounds great. When were you planning on telling me?”
Did she have to sound so bitchy? He invited her to be in a shoot with him. She should be happy to have some face time in family pictures.
“I thought I did. I’m very sorry. It’s just…I’ve been real busy. So I must have forgotten. You will do it, right?”
Funny enough the question was more of a statement. She would do it, no doubt.
“Yeah, you’ve been busy alright.” There was a long pause. Then, “What will they ask?”
“Just stuff about the babies, that’s all. And about me…um…” He cleared his throat. “About me, spending time with...you know…friends of mine….and such stuff.”
“What friends?”
“They might ask about me spending time with Lisa Marie. My publicist has gotten lots of questions about that and he thought it would be great if you could dispel any rumors.”
And his lawyer also might have mentioned that it’s a good idea to clear up the myth of him and Lisa being a couple.
“You want me to go on record talking about you and your little whore, oh I am so sorry, friend?”
“She is a friend--I want you to support me like you said you would and say that we are friends and that you are fine with it.”
There he said it. How hard could that be?
“Oh, is that all you are asking?”
Yes, that was it, why the tone again?
“Do you love her that much, Michael?”
“Do I love her that much? What does that even mean? I mean, you know I love her. She is a very close friend. You know that. Just like you are my friend--and I did not let Lisa talk me out of that when she and I were married. So leave it alone.”
He caught a movement out of the corner of his eye. Lisa was standing at the bedroom door, a sheet draped around her, looking sleepy- and sexy-as all get-out. She gazed at him with a very neutral expression. Since he knew that her feelings were hardly ever on neutral he became worried instantly. These women were about to drive him crazy!
“Yeah, well, whatever. Just remember she played with you before and lied to you more than once. If you want to be her toy, just keep running back for more. But don’t think I will be always around to pick up the pieces.”
Well, there was good news for once: She might not always be around…
He turned away from Lisa who had started to walk across the room toward the kitchen. He could not suppress as smile watching her ginger gait. Someone looked a tad bit uncomfortable after all that bragging about being able to take him on.
“Ok, Deb’, um, I gotta go. Please meet with Karen about the shoot and discuss make-up and outfits. Will you do that for me?”
“I’ll think about it--unless you keep rubbing your affair with that bitch in my face.”
“I’m not having an affair.” He hissed into the phone before he hung up.
Michael closed his eyes and tried to take deep, cleansing breaths.
Lisa re-entered the room with a cup of coffee.
“Well, technically you are.”
He rolled his eyes and gazed toward the ceiling.
“Sounds great. When were you planning on telling me?”
Did she have to sound so bitchy? He invited her to be in a shoot with him. She should be happy to have some face time in family pictures.
“I thought I did. I’m very sorry. It’s just…I’ve been real busy. So I must have forgotten. You will do it, right?”
Funny enough the question was more of a statement. She would do it, no doubt.
“Yeah, you’ve been busy alright.” There was a long pause. Then, “What will they ask?”
“Just stuff about the babies, that’s all. And about me…um…” He cleared his throat. “About me, spending time with...you know…friends of mine….and such stuff.”
“What friends?”
“They might ask about me spending time with Lisa Marie. My publicist has gotten lots of questions about that and he thought it would be great if you could dispel any rumors.”
And his lawyer also might have mentioned that it’s a good idea to clear up the myth of him and Lisa being a couple.
“You want me to go on record talking about you and your little whore, oh I am so sorry, friend?”
“She is a friend--I want you to support me like you said you would and say that we are friends and that you are fine with it.”
There he said it. How hard could that be?
“Oh, is that all you are asking?”
Yes, that was it, why the tone again?
“Do you love her that much, Michael?”
“Do I love her that much? What does that even mean? I mean, you know I love her. She is a very close friend. You know that. Just like you are my friend--and I did not let Lisa talk me out of that when she and I were married. So leave it alone.”
He caught a movement out of the corner of his eye. Lisa was standing at the bedroom door, a sheet draped around her, looking sleepy- and sexy-as all get-out. She gazed at him with a very neutral expression. Since he knew that her feelings were hardly ever on neutral he became worried instantly. These women were about to drive him crazy!
“Yeah, well, whatever. Just remember she played with you before and lied to you more than once. If you want to be her toy, just keep running back for more. But don’t think I will be always around to pick up the pieces.”
Well, there was good news for once: She might not always be around…
He turned away from Lisa who had started to walk across the room toward the kitchen. He could not suppress as smile watching her ginger gait. Someone looked a tad bit uncomfortable after all that bragging about being able to take him on.
“Ok, Deb’, um, I gotta go. Please meet with Karen about the shoot and discuss make-up and outfits. Will you do that for me?”
“I’ll think about it--unless you keep rubbing your affair with that bitch in my face.”
“I’m not having an affair.” He hissed into the phone before he hung up.
Michael closed his eyes and tried to take deep, cleansing breaths.
Lisa re-entered the room with a cup of coffee.
“Well, technically you are.”
He rolled his eyes and gazed toward the ceiling.
24)
Lisa left him standing there after returning to the bedroom suite to take a shower. She knew full well to whom he had been talking--the lovely Missus. It made her laugh that he instructed her to work with Karen to pretty up for a shoot. Well, that oughta be interesting! She might want to hang around to see what shade of foundation or horrid lipstick Karen could punish the Debster with. Michael tried that trick on her one time. He had instructed her to let Karen help with her make-up. Lisa had turned around and told him that if he valued his manhood and his restful sleep, he would not let the besotted make-up “artist” anywhere near her.
Being a woman, Lisa knew full well that Karen was head over heels in love with Michael and hated any woman he was close to, as she always seemed to harbor some crazy wish that Michael would turn to her if only the competition was gone. Well, good luck with that. Lisa was never sure if Michael was really this innocent or if he just pretended to be clueless, but he really seemed not to get how much Karen wanted his ass--right under her. On the other hand, he was well aware of how Lisa reacted to Karen. After their divorce became official he just had to take Karen out on the town, probably knowing full well vases would shatter once Lisa would spot the pictures.
Of course, Michael often chose to be oblivious. Like now- like when he insisted they were not having an affair. No, Michael, you are married to one woman and are seen all over the place with another. And not only are you seen with your ex- you hold her hand in public and kiss her, and while in private, you fuck her every chance you get: but you are not having an affair. And the comment about not loving her that much had stung worse than she wanted to admit to herself. Well, fine, let him not love her that much. It didn’t matter anyway. During their marriage, he had told her he loved her more than the stars in the sky and the sand on the beach--and look how that had turned out.
Lisa downed coffee, praying for the caffeine to take effect. She took out her phone and noticed several missed calls. She tried to return Riley’s, only to hear her voicemail come on. Well, it obviously was not an emergency then. The call from mother could go ignored for a little while longer. If she pretended it was not there, maybe it magically would erase itself. She needed a shower worse than she needed to hear her mother’s disapproving voice. Make that a bath. Her muscles, and other places needed to be soaked and pampered. The calls could wait. Also, maybe the pictures from last night had not been plastered all over the place yet--which meant she had a little while to hide before the shitstorm hit.
She started to run the water. “Michael? Do you have any bubble bath stuff?”
“Didn’t you leave some here last time?”
It startled her to realize he had come up behind her. “I don’t know. I don’t remember. Are you sure it was me?”
“Well, if you didn’t then I hope the other woman has the same taste in fragrances.”
She looked up and hit him playfully. “You better not give me the clap fucking me and all these other women, too.”
“You are so gross!”
“Just saying…” She reached for the bubble bath and poured some into the tub.
He came up behind her and lifted her hair, kissing her neck.
“Michael! I need a bath--don’t start anything. I am sore as shit.”
He smiled proudly. “Yeah I saw. About that…ah…sorry.”
Lisa laughed since he did not seem sorry at all. “What did the little woman want?”
He sat down on the edge of the tub, playing with the forming bubbles. “Nothing. Karen called about a shoot I wanted Debbie to do.”
“Yeah, I heard.”
“What else did you hear?”
Lisa avoided his gaze and stepped into the tub. He automatically reached out and held her hand, supporting her. Lisa let out a deep sigh and sank deeply into the foam. It felt so heavenly to be surrounded by the heat and the popping of the bubbles. She had closed her eyes and let her head rest on the edge. Michael could not resist tracing the little pieces of foam that slid in cute patterns over her silky skin. His touch made her shiver despite her soreness and achy muscles.
“Michael….”
“What?” He laughed at her tone. “I’m just playing.”
“That’s what I’m afraid of.”
“No, you’re not,” he bent and kissed her shoulder. “What you are afraid of is that you want me to continue to play.
She just smiled her little cheeky smile.
“Seriously, Lise, ‘you ok?”
“Hmmm. Just fine.”
“Yeah? Good. You know, you had me worried. You were crying.”
Her eyes opened and met his. He gazed down at her seriously, his hand now massaging her shoulder.
Shit. So, it had not been a dream?
“Was not.”
He raised an eyebrow and shrugged his shoulders. “Whatever you say. I just want you to know…” He fell silent.
Of course, Michael often chose to be oblivious. Like now- like when he insisted they were not having an affair. No, Michael, you are married to one woman and are seen all over the place with another. And not only are you seen with your ex- you hold her hand in public and kiss her, and while in private, you fuck her every chance you get: but you are not having an affair. And the comment about not loving her that much had stung worse than she wanted to admit to herself. Well, fine, let him not love her that much. It didn’t matter anyway. During their marriage, he had told her he loved her more than the stars in the sky and the sand on the beach--and look how that had turned out.
Lisa downed coffee, praying for the caffeine to take effect. She took out her phone and noticed several missed calls. She tried to return Riley’s, only to hear her voicemail come on. Well, it obviously was not an emergency then. The call from mother could go ignored for a little while longer. If she pretended it was not there, maybe it magically would erase itself. She needed a shower worse than she needed to hear her mother’s disapproving voice. Make that a bath. Her muscles, and other places needed to be soaked and pampered. The calls could wait. Also, maybe the pictures from last night had not been plastered all over the place yet--which meant she had a little while to hide before the shitstorm hit.
She started to run the water. “Michael? Do you have any bubble bath stuff?”
“Didn’t you leave some here last time?”
It startled her to realize he had come up behind her. “I don’t know. I don’t remember. Are you sure it was me?”
“Well, if you didn’t then I hope the other woman has the same taste in fragrances.”
She looked up and hit him playfully. “You better not give me the clap fucking me and all these other women, too.”
“You are so gross!”
“Just saying…” She reached for the bubble bath and poured some into the tub.
He came up behind her and lifted her hair, kissing her neck.
“Michael! I need a bath--don’t start anything. I am sore as shit.”
He smiled proudly. “Yeah I saw. About that…ah…sorry.”
Lisa laughed since he did not seem sorry at all. “What did the little woman want?”
He sat down on the edge of the tub, playing with the forming bubbles. “Nothing. Karen called about a shoot I wanted Debbie to do.”
“Yeah, I heard.”
“What else did you hear?”
Lisa avoided his gaze and stepped into the tub. He automatically reached out and held her hand, supporting her. Lisa let out a deep sigh and sank deeply into the foam. It felt so heavenly to be surrounded by the heat and the popping of the bubbles. She had closed her eyes and let her head rest on the edge. Michael could not resist tracing the little pieces of foam that slid in cute patterns over her silky skin. His touch made her shiver despite her soreness and achy muscles.
“Michael….”
“What?” He laughed at her tone. “I’m just playing.”
“That’s what I’m afraid of.”
“No, you’re not,” he bent and kissed her shoulder. “What you are afraid of is that you want me to continue to play.
She just smiled her little cheeky smile.
“Seriously, Lise, ‘you ok?”
“Hmmm. Just fine.”
“Yeah? Good. You know, you had me worried. You were crying.”
Her eyes opened and met his. He gazed down at her seriously, his hand now massaging her shoulder.
Shit. So, it had not been a dream?
“Was not.”
He raised an eyebrow and shrugged his shoulders. “Whatever you say. I just want you to know…” He fell silent.
Lisa did not really know what to make of his comments. It was so unlike him to be open like this again. This reminded her of a time before they were married or right afterwards, when they talked about their feelings and about every silly little thought. They talked non-stop when they were together, then talked some more on the phone for hours. Looking back, the biggest loss of her marriage was not when he broke her trust and decided to have a child with the nurse, but when he closed himself off from her, robbing her of her friend and confidante.
She looked up at his face and could tell he was struggling with the decision of whether he wanted to share his thoughts with her.
“Michael, it’s ok, you don’t have to say anything.” Her hand captured his on her shoulder. She felt tears gathering in her eyes again. Dammit! This was so not like her- not anymore. She was not this sniveling baby that broke down at the drop of a hat.
‘No, really. I want to. I want you to know that…that…this is not just… I mean, it is, but it’s not all the way like that.”
Now he really reminded her of the Michael she started to fall in love with. The younger Michael who was shy and bashful, even as he had a very concrete idea of whom or what he wanted. The Michael who flirted with her and told her that they could get in trouble together right after they met again that night. The Michael who did not seem to exist anymore. Or so she had assumed.
“Like what, Mike? I heard you. We are friends, right? Like you and Debbie are friends.”
His forehead furrowed. “Well, not exactly like that. You say some scary stuff sometimes.”
Lisa could not suppress a giggle.
“So, I do not have to be afraid that you go and jump her bones if I leave you dissatisfied?”
“Yuck? Can you stop it? Plus…” His hand dipped lower, somehow managing to accidentally caress her chest that was hidden by the foam. “You never leave me anything but worn out and dehydrated.” His voice had that baritone again, making her almost forget any and all soreness.
“Yeah?” She leaned back further and he answered the invitation by kissing her lips before letting his tongue chase some bubbles on her neck. He returned to her lips and continued a deep and sensual kiss before breaking the contact but keeping his head close to hers.
His eyes bore into her, and he reached out, moving some wet tendrils of hair from her forehead. “Seriously, Lisa. I do love when we make love. You know what you do to me. But it’s more…it’s not just the sex. I care…so much…above all things…I care for you…I love you.”
She could not detect anything but deep sincerity in the dark reflection of his eyes. He had blushed, but he kept his eyes on her.
Propelled by a will of its own, her index finger came up to rest on his lips, stilling his words. He kissed the tip of the digit before she moved her hand toward his cheek and he rested his face in her palm.
The sharp ringing of her phone interrupted the moment that seemed fragile and special like freshly blown glass. Lisa cleared her throat. It was a relief to be able to jump back behind that line she had established before she was drawn into his gravitational field too much and gobbled up like a planet by a black hole.
“Michael, it’s ok, you don’t have to say anything.” Her hand captured his on her shoulder. She felt tears gathering in her eyes again. Dammit! This was so not like her- not anymore. She was not this sniveling baby that broke down at the drop of a hat.
‘No, really. I want to. I want you to know that…that…this is not just… I mean, it is, but it’s not all the way like that.”
Now he really reminded her of the Michael she started to fall in love with. The younger Michael who was shy and bashful, even as he had a very concrete idea of whom or what he wanted. The Michael who flirted with her and told her that they could get in trouble together right after they met again that night. The Michael who did not seem to exist anymore. Or so she had assumed.
“Like what, Mike? I heard you. We are friends, right? Like you and Debbie are friends.”
His forehead furrowed. “Well, not exactly like that. You say some scary stuff sometimes.”
Lisa could not suppress a giggle.
“So, I do not have to be afraid that you go and jump her bones if I leave you dissatisfied?”
“Yuck? Can you stop it? Plus…” His hand dipped lower, somehow managing to accidentally caress her chest that was hidden by the foam. “You never leave me anything but worn out and dehydrated.” His voice had that baritone again, making her almost forget any and all soreness.
“Yeah?” She leaned back further and he answered the invitation by kissing her lips before letting his tongue chase some bubbles on her neck. He returned to her lips and continued a deep and sensual kiss before breaking the contact but keeping his head close to hers.
His eyes bore into her, and he reached out, moving some wet tendrils of hair from her forehead. “Seriously, Lisa. I do love when we make love. You know what you do to me. But it’s more…it’s not just the sex. I care…so much…above all things…I care for you…I love you.”
She could not detect anything but deep sincerity in the dark reflection of his eyes. He had blushed, but he kept his eyes on her.
Propelled by a will of its own, her index finger came up to rest on his lips, stilling his words. He kissed the tip of the digit before she moved her hand toward his cheek and he rested his face in her palm.
The sharp ringing of her phone interrupted the moment that seemed fragile and special like freshly blown glass. Lisa cleared her throat. It was a relief to be able to jump back behind that line she had established before she was drawn into his gravitational field too much and gobbled up like a planet by a black hole.
“Hey, I tried to call Riley back earlier. Can you go check if that is her?”
He rose and left the bathroom, pulling the door close behind him. The ringing stopped.
“Michael, don’t answer it. Just let me know if it was her.” She could not hear anything for a second. Riley, or whoever it was, must have hung up. Michael hated to answer his own phone, so surely he would not have answered hers.
Moments later, Michael re-appeared in the door frame. Something was off. He tried to keep his face expressionless, but Lisa could tell by the tension in his jaw that he was upset.
“And? Who was it? Was it Riley?”
He shook his head. Michael’s lips were pressed together.
“Michael?”
His eyes rose and met hers. Lisa was not sure if she saw anger, hurt, suspicion, or a mixture of all of the above. When he finally spoke, his voice reminded her of the dark, deceivingly calm ocean before the onset of a hurricane. Or a dangerous stretch of black ice on the road: seemingly innocent, but potentially deadly. “Can you tell me why the fuck Danny seems to think you are going to meet him later this week? Is screwing all your exes a new hobby of yours?”
“And? Who was it? Was it Riley?”
He shook his head. Michael’s lips were pressed together.
“Michael?”
His eyes rose and met hers. Lisa was not sure if she saw anger, hurt, suspicion, or a mixture of all of the above. When he finally spoke, his voice reminded her of the dark, deceivingly calm ocean before the onset of a hurricane. Or a dangerous stretch of black ice on the road: seemingly innocent, but potentially deadly. “Can you tell me why the fuck Danny seems to think you are going to meet him later this week? Is screwing all your exes a new hobby of yours?”
25)
Lisa blinked twice, thrown by his question and the language used. How dare he? After everything he was doing he wanted to question her about Danny?
“I take it you answered my call?”
“You asked me to.”
“No, I asked you to see if it was Riley calling.”
“It wasn’t Riley.”
No shit.
“So, why did you answer it? It was none of your business.”
Michael just stared at her, shook his head, and then left the bathroom. How dare she act like he somehow had invaded her privacy? This was his condo. She was in his tub, asking him to answer her phone like he was her secretary. He saw Danny’s name on the caller ID, and, knowing that the children were with him, had thought that maybe it was an important call about something to do with the kids. So, naturally, he had answered. It had nothing to do with wanting to get into her business. Plus, if she was seeing Danny on the side, wasn’t that his business as long as she was in this relationship with him?
If Danny was surprised that Michael answered Lisa’s call, he certainly hid it well. He asked to have Lisa return his call regarding meeting up later that week. Of course, realistically, that could mean anything. But Michael decided to come in with both guns blasting, hoping her surprise would prevent lies.
Lisa in turn decided to let Michael sulk and took her sweet time finishing the bath. She had, in the past, rushed after him when he had run off to pout like a little kid, but she was not willing to indulge his behavior right now. She was upset that he didn’t trust her, and that he, who was married and about to have another baby with the woman he put above her at the end of their marriage, had the balls to call her out about spending time with her ex-husband, whom she just happened to share children with. The more the thoughts churned over and over in her mind, the darker her mood became. By the time she left the bathroom wrapped in a towel, she was steaming mad.
Michael was stretched out across the bed, watching an old movie, busily ignoring her. Lisa dropped her towel and started to get dressed, making sure to make as much noise as possible in the process. She retrieved her overnight bag and threw things into it, including Michael’s birthday present. When it landed with a loud clanking sound, he looked at her and raised an eyebrow before reaching for the remote to turn the volume up.
“When you’re done pretending I’m not here, can you have your driver take me back to the airfield?”
Michael did not answer. She felt like placing her hands around that gorgeous neck and choking the daylights out of him. It seemed like her old enemy, the silent treatment, was back.
She pulled on her jeans and fastened her bra. “Michael! If you don’t call your driver, I will just get a cab off the street- and you can fucking deal with stories of Lisa Marie Presley leaving the condo of Michael Jackson. I am sure Debbie would be thrilled.”
Michael did not even blink.
Lisa jumped on the bed and took the remote before he could react, turning the TV off.
Sitting up, Michael grabbed her wrists, turning toward her. Finally he looked at her again. “I’m not calling the driver because you are not leaving until I say so.”
“You obviously have lost your mind, so fine. I can leave without your help.”
Michael continued to hold on to her even though he once again avoided eye contact. As a matter of fact, his face was averted, preventing her from reading him. Not that it made a difference since he was a master of hiding behind iron curtains to shield the observer from his emotions.
He looked up and she saw tears in his eyes. Not that old routine again!
“I want you to call him and call it off.”
“Let me get this straight: You don’t even know what the fuck is going on, but you think you’re in a position to tell me to call the father of my children to cancel my plans?” Her eyes were huge and daggers were being launched out of their metallic depths.
“What’s going on is that you are with me. You can’t have it both ways. I’m not gonna put up with that.”
Lisa felt like she had just entered the twilight zone. First of all, the words were very reminiscent of what he said to her all those years ago, forcing her hand to speed up her divorce from Danny to be with him. And at that time, all she had wanted, all she was longing for had been to be with him forever. The difference was that she was now divorced from Danny, while Michael was married; he never failed to remind her of that fact whenever she dared to ask about any kind of future.
“I am with you? Since when? You keep telling me that we are fucking and that’s all we’re doing. Nothing else, right Michael? After all, you’re married to the Debbie the Dowdy Do-gooder. Miss Miracle Incubator herself, right? And she just keeps popping them out, so goody for you two. You just hang on to that golden pussy like there’s no tomorrow, so, where the fuck do you get off telling me who I can and cannot see?”
During her rant, she had approached him; her face was now inches away from his. Her poisonous arrows must have finally been able to penetrate his armor as his face became flushed and his eyes narrowed.
Her eyes fastened onto his hands on her wrists. “And let me the fuck go, you asshole.”
“Why the hell do you have to get so vulgar? I’m just saying that I don’t think it’s right if you’re having sex with me and with Danny. I’m not ok with that, so make your choice, Lise. If you wanna be with me, call him and call off your little meeting.”
Michael did not answer. She felt like placing her hands around that gorgeous neck and choking the daylights out of him. It seemed like her old enemy, the silent treatment, was back.
She pulled on her jeans and fastened her bra. “Michael! If you don’t call your driver, I will just get a cab off the street- and you can fucking deal with stories of Lisa Marie Presley leaving the condo of Michael Jackson. I am sure Debbie would be thrilled.”
Michael did not even blink.
Lisa jumped on the bed and took the remote before he could react, turning the TV off.
Sitting up, Michael grabbed her wrists, turning toward her. Finally he looked at her again. “I’m not calling the driver because you are not leaving until I say so.”
“You obviously have lost your mind, so fine. I can leave without your help.”
Michael continued to hold on to her even though he once again avoided eye contact. As a matter of fact, his face was averted, preventing her from reading him. Not that it made a difference since he was a master of hiding behind iron curtains to shield the observer from his emotions.
He looked up and she saw tears in his eyes. Not that old routine again!
“I want you to call him and call it off.”
“Let me get this straight: You don’t even know what the fuck is going on, but you think you’re in a position to tell me to call the father of my children to cancel my plans?” Her eyes were huge and daggers were being launched out of their metallic depths.
“What’s going on is that you are with me. You can’t have it both ways. I’m not gonna put up with that.”
Lisa felt like she had just entered the twilight zone. First of all, the words were very reminiscent of what he said to her all those years ago, forcing her hand to speed up her divorce from Danny to be with him. And at that time, all she had wanted, all she was longing for had been to be with him forever. The difference was that she was now divorced from Danny, while Michael was married; he never failed to remind her of that fact whenever she dared to ask about any kind of future.
“I am with you? Since when? You keep telling me that we are fucking and that’s all we’re doing. Nothing else, right Michael? After all, you’re married to the Debbie the Dowdy Do-gooder. Miss Miracle Incubator herself, right? And she just keeps popping them out, so goody for you two. You just hang on to that golden pussy like there’s no tomorrow, so, where the fuck do you get off telling me who I can and cannot see?”
During her rant, she had approached him; her face was now inches away from his. Her poisonous arrows must have finally been able to penetrate his armor as his face became flushed and his eyes narrowed.
Her eyes fastened onto his hands on her wrists. “And let me the fuck go, you asshole.”
“Why the hell do you have to get so vulgar? I’m just saying that I don’t think it’s right if you’re having sex with me and with Danny. I’m not ok with that, so make your choice, Lise. If you wanna be with me, call him and call off your little meeting.”
Lisa could not believe Michael was simply assuming that she had sex with Danny. How could he believe that? It really stung that he thought she would just leave his bed where he had just driven her insane with passion and hop into the next sack with Danny. What kind of person did he think she was? Was that how he saw her? It horrified her to realize he did not know her at all.
They stared at each other for what seemed like an eternity. The room was silent, the only sounds audible were their ragged breaths. Lisa licked her lips. She broke eye contact and looked down. Throwing her head back, she lifted her eyes back up to him. Her expression was not penetrated by his radar. There was moisture clouding her eyes, but that could be due to regret or anger. A flicker of some emotions reflected, but it was gone too fast for him to name. His only hope was that she was about to surrender.
“Well?” Michael attempted to be not too certain of victory. Their history taught him to be careful.
Lisa bent forward and stopped a hair’s breadth before his luscious mouth. “Michael?” Her tone was both temptation and question.
“Yeah?” Now it was his turn to lick his lips. Her swollen, glistening mouth pulled his eyes. He felt a stirring in his pants. If she gave him an inch now, he would melt into her, forget everything and prove to her that she was all his.
“You know what?”
“What?” His voice broke and the question came out squeaky.
“You can go and fuck yourself!”
With that she broke away from him, grabbed her bag, stormed out of the room, and slammed the door shut. Michael’s mouth dropped open in shock.
26)
Lisa heard something breaking against the wall in a loud crash. She quickly threw on her sweater and jacket, and headed for the door, undeterred by whatever chaos Michael unleashed. His temper was well known to her. He kept the secret under tight lock, but those around him knew about the occasional broken cell phones and vases. Michael had a definite anger management problem when he felt things were spiraling out of his control.
Well, he would just have to accept once and for all that she was not under his rule any longer. She had broken free, and she was happy about it. As soon as her eyes stopped burning from unshed tears, she would convince herself that she no longer needed him and was happy to be rid of his unpredictable, control freak, arrogant ass.
Her phone rang again, and automatically, she reached into her purse to check the ID. The second delay cost her. She sensed a movement behind her and before she had a second to even think about what was happening, his arm reached over her shoulder, his hand pushing against the door, slamming it shut. Fucking hell! If he thought so little of her, why did he make such a big deal about her leaving? He should be glad to be rid of the woman who he thought was sharing her goodies with the world.
Lisa stilled all motion. She continued to face the door. Fine. Let him think he won. The phone kept ringing, and her fingers clicked the on button, followed by her slowly lifting the phone to her ear. Possibly, some part of her told her that she could delay the continuation of her fight with Michael.
Michael had heard her get ready to leave. A big part of him screamed out to just jet her leave- that is all she ever had been good for. She had fulfilled his needs, she could just go and be on her way. He didn’t need her, didn’t love her. Why did his chest feel like it was about to explode. He did not care that she left. On the other hand, he had not said everything he wanted to say, and no way in the world was he going to let her rush out of here like some injured doe. Looking at the parts of the shattered cell phone strewn around the room, he momentarily regretted having hurled it against the closed bedroom door, before he shook off the thought and ran after her.
Thanks to her ringing phone, she had not managed to make it into the hall, and he was able to shut the door, trapping her between it and his body. Michael had expected her to turn and hurl curses at him. He was prepared to catch and restrain her before she could attack him with her fists. Surprisingly, Lisa did not follow the old playbook.
How infuriating!
She kept her back turned to him and answered her phone. Was she kidding? They were in the middle of a discussion and she chose to answer her phone? If this was Danny and she wanted to confirm their date, her phone would soon join his in cell phone heaven.
“Yeah, hi. Well, I was busy. No, I can’t talk right now.”
So, it was Danny! That bitch!
“No, mother, I have no clue what you are referring to.”
Ok, not Danny. It was only the wicked witch. Well, that was ok, since she undoubtedly called to torture Lisa. Right now, he was all on board with that.
“Well?” Michael attempted to be not too certain of victory. Their history taught him to be careful.
Lisa bent forward and stopped a hair’s breadth before his luscious mouth. “Michael?” Her tone was both temptation and question.
“Yeah?” Now it was his turn to lick his lips. Her swollen, glistening mouth pulled his eyes. He felt a stirring in his pants. If she gave him an inch now, he would melt into her, forget everything and prove to her that she was all his.
“You know what?”
“What?” His voice broke and the question came out squeaky.
“You can go and fuck yourself!”
With that she broke away from him, grabbed her bag, stormed out of the room, and slammed the door shut. Michael’s mouth dropped open in shock.
26)
Lisa heard something breaking against the wall in a loud crash. She quickly threw on her sweater and jacket, and headed for the door, undeterred by whatever chaos Michael unleashed. His temper was well known to her. He kept the secret under tight lock, but those around him knew about the occasional broken cell phones and vases. Michael had a definite anger management problem when he felt things were spiraling out of his control.
Well, he would just have to accept once and for all that she was not under his rule any longer. She had broken free, and she was happy about it. As soon as her eyes stopped burning from unshed tears, she would convince herself that she no longer needed him and was happy to be rid of his unpredictable, control freak, arrogant ass.
Her phone rang again, and automatically, she reached into her purse to check the ID. The second delay cost her. She sensed a movement behind her and before she had a second to even think about what was happening, his arm reached over her shoulder, his hand pushing against the door, slamming it shut. Fucking hell! If he thought so little of her, why did he make such a big deal about her leaving? He should be glad to be rid of the woman who he thought was sharing her goodies with the world.
Lisa stilled all motion. She continued to face the door. Fine. Let him think he won. The phone kept ringing, and her fingers clicked the on button, followed by her slowly lifting the phone to her ear. Possibly, some part of her told her that she could delay the continuation of her fight with Michael.
Michael had heard her get ready to leave. A big part of him screamed out to just jet her leave- that is all she ever had been good for. She had fulfilled his needs, she could just go and be on her way. He didn’t need her, didn’t love her. Why did his chest feel like it was about to explode. He did not care that she left. On the other hand, he had not said everything he wanted to say, and no way in the world was he going to let her rush out of here like some injured doe. Looking at the parts of the shattered cell phone strewn around the room, he momentarily regretted having hurled it against the closed bedroom door, before he shook off the thought and ran after her.
Thanks to her ringing phone, she had not managed to make it into the hall, and he was able to shut the door, trapping her between it and his body. Michael had expected her to turn and hurl curses at him. He was prepared to catch and restrain her before she could attack him with her fists. Surprisingly, Lisa did not follow the old playbook.
How infuriating!
She kept her back turned to him and answered her phone. Was she kidding? They were in the middle of a discussion and she chose to answer her phone? If this was Danny and she wanted to confirm their date, her phone would soon join his in cell phone heaven.
“Yeah, hi. Well, I was busy. No, I can’t talk right now.”
So, it was Danny! That bitch!
“No, mother, I have no clue what you are referring to.”
Ok, not Danny. It was only the wicked witch. Well, that was ok, since she undoubtedly called to torture Lisa. Right now, he was all on board with that.
“What pictures?”
Lisa finally turned. She backed up a step and leaned against the door. Her eyes found his. He was amazed how turned on he became by the icy reflection.
Pictures? Oh, great!
Cilla must have scrounged up the tabloid. He seriously hoped seeing her baby girl with the number one enemy of the Presley Empire would cause her enough wrinkles to need a vat of botox.
“Well, I did not know I owed you an explanation. For a second there I thought I was thirty years old. Oh wait, I am!”
Michael smirked, hearing his former mother-in-law conversing loudly and excitedly with Lisa who had closed her eyes in exasperation. She looked so fragile and tired all of a sudden. He had to be careful to remind himself he was pissed at her.
“No, mother, I will not discuss this with you right now. I haven’t done anything to the children. They are well aware of the fact that Michael and I are friends…”
“Yes, friends. And if you don’t like it, don’t buy tabloids that contain pictures you know will raise your blood pressure. It’s not healthy.”
She clicked the phone off, took a deep breath and met his stare. For a moment silence stretched between them. Neither could tell if the thin line constituted separation or connection.
“I take it the pictures hit the street?” His voice was quiet and even.
“You think?”
“Guess she did not take it well.”
“Well, the good news is that she won’t have to worry about it much longer. We’re through, right? Just let me go- that’s all that’s left to do.” Her face was even and her tone tired. Her eyes spoke volumes, but it was as if the rest of her had given up the fight. No, he would not give into her little martyr act and let her strut out again. Not this time.
“Why can’t you just tell me what is going on with you and Danny? If I’m wrong, I am sorry. But I want to know that…that…” The loss of words surprised him. Why was it so difficult to put it into words?
“What? That I’m still your property? Is that what this is about? You want to know that while you are free to have your own little fantasy family, I’m supposed to be at your disposal indefinitely? Why don’t you just lift a leg and piss on me, Michael. That way I will be well and truly marked as yours.”
He grimaced. “Ah, gross? I just want to know I’m not sharing you. Is that really too much to ask?”
“Why the fuck shouldn’t you be sharing me? I have to share you! Do you have any idea how that makes me feel?” The fatigue fell off and her fighting spirit once again surfaced. For some reason he found this development to be almost comforting.
“You’re not sharing me! It is not the same. I am not sleeping with Debbie.” Michael’s voice became loud, too. He hated how she made him lose his calm demeanor.
“No, she is your wife. She carried your children. And she carries your name. So yeah, you’re right. It is not the same. Not at all.”
Michael felt his anger rise a notch. What the hell did she want from him? These were the things that were within her reach at one point. Why did she sound like she was envious that it was Debbie’s turn?
“Lisa, you threw it all away. It was all yours, and you walked out. Look, I don’t want to go over all that old crap again. But don’t you stand there and get all mad and indignant ‘cause I’m with Debbie. You knew what you were getting into when you came hopping back into my bed.”
Michael had braced one arm on each side of Lisa, intensifying her entrapment. His anger had caused him to be nose to nose with her. He felt her breath on him, smelled her unique fragrance, and saw her chest rising and falling from her agitation. Her burning eyes both scared and mesmerized him. They took on the color of a frigid glacier spring when she was this infuriated.
“You bastard. You made me believe there was something there for us. In case you haven’t noticed, I don’t do casual relationships. I get married. That’s what I want. I want a family. I want my kids to have security and peace. And I gave all that up for the fucking circus that is your life. I exposed my kids to your lunatic armies of fans as we dart in and out of cars. And for what, Michael? Why do you think I did all that? For a good fuck?”
He watched a tear slide down her face. Angrily and stubbornly, she wiped it away.
“I never forced you to do any of these things. You know what it’s like. You knew what you got into. Do you think I like it, Lise? Do you think I enjoy that our kids can’t go to a store with me without feeling like they are hunted?” Tears now fell from his eyes as well, and he did not care. He also did not care that he called her children theirs. That was how he felt, and he did not care if she was reminded of that. She knew how he longed for some kind of normalcy. With all his money, all his influence, that was the one thing that always eluded him.
“You’re right. I did. I loved you. I love you, and for some fucked up reason I can’t stop it. And you use it against me. That is what you do: you find someone’s weakness and you prey on it. I don’t even know if you’re aware of it, but that’s you. What do you want, Michael? I’ve given you everything and it’s never enough? What the fuck do you want?” She was openly crying now, and it broke his heart. Lisa made him sound like some monster who had exploited her, when that was not at all what had been going on. Michael grabbed her upper arms.
“I want you to be honest. I want you to be with me, and only me. I love you, and I can’t bear to think of someone else with you. Why can’t you understand that? I have compromised all my values for you. And you can’t afford me this little bit of honesty?”
“You have compromised nothing for me. You want your wife and kids and you want your cute like fuck buddy on the side. Well, I’ve had it. Let me go, and we are done. You don’t have to compromise shit for me anymore.”
“I don’t want you to go. I want you to tell me that you’re not fucking Danny. But for some reason you won’t do that.”
“Well, I did not know I owed you an explanation. For a second there I thought I was thirty years old. Oh wait, I am!”
Michael smirked, hearing his former mother-in-law conversing loudly and excitedly with Lisa who had closed her eyes in exasperation. She looked so fragile and tired all of a sudden. He had to be careful to remind himself he was pissed at her.
“No, mother, I will not discuss this with you right now. I haven’t done anything to the children. They are well aware of the fact that Michael and I are friends…”
“Yes, friends. And if you don’t like it, don’t buy tabloids that contain pictures you know will raise your blood pressure. It’s not healthy.”
She clicked the phone off, took a deep breath and met his stare. For a moment silence stretched between them. Neither could tell if the thin line constituted separation or connection.
“I take it the pictures hit the street?” His voice was quiet and even.
“You think?”
“Guess she did not take it well.”
“Well, the good news is that she won’t have to worry about it much longer. We’re through, right? Just let me go- that’s all that’s left to do.” Her face was even and her tone tired. Her eyes spoke volumes, but it was as if the rest of her had given up the fight. No, he would not give into her little martyr act and let her strut out again. Not this time.
“Why can’t you just tell me what is going on with you and Danny? If I’m wrong, I am sorry. But I want to know that…that…” The loss of words surprised him. Why was it so difficult to put it into words?
“What? That I’m still your property? Is that what this is about? You want to know that while you are free to have your own little fantasy family, I’m supposed to be at your disposal indefinitely? Why don’t you just lift a leg and piss on me, Michael. That way I will be well and truly marked as yours.”
He grimaced. “Ah, gross? I just want to know I’m not sharing you. Is that really too much to ask?”
“Why the fuck shouldn’t you be sharing me? I have to share you! Do you have any idea how that makes me feel?” The fatigue fell off and her fighting spirit once again surfaced. For some reason he found this development to be almost comforting.
“You’re not sharing me! It is not the same. I am not sleeping with Debbie.” Michael’s voice became loud, too. He hated how she made him lose his calm demeanor.
“No, she is your wife. She carried your children. And she carries your name. So yeah, you’re right. It is not the same. Not at all.”
Michael felt his anger rise a notch. What the hell did she want from him? These were the things that were within her reach at one point. Why did she sound like she was envious that it was Debbie’s turn?
“Lisa, you threw it all away. It was all yours, and you walked out. Look, I don’t want to go over all that old crap again. But don’t you stand there and get all mad and indignant ‘cause I’m with Debbie. You knew what you were getting into when you came hopping back into my bed.”
Michael had braced one arm on each side of Lisa, intensifying her entrapment. His anger had caused him to be nose to nose with her. He felt her breath on him, smelled her unique fragrance, and saw her chest rising and falling from her agitation. Her burning eyes both scared and mesmerized him. They took on the color of a frigid glacier spring when she was this infuriated.
“You bastard. You made me believe there was something there for us. In case you haven’t noticed, I don’t do casual relationships. I get married. That’s what I want. I want a family. I want my kids to have security and peace. And I gave all that up for the fucking circus that is your life. I exposed my kids to your lunatic armies of fans as we dart in and out of cars. And for what, Michael? Why do you think I did all that? For a good fuck?”
He watched a tear slide down her face. Angrily and stubbornly, she wiped it away.
“I never forced you to do any of these things. You know what it’s like. You knew what you got into. Do you think I like it, Lise? Do you think I enjoy that our kids can’t go to a store with me without feeling like they are hunted?” Tears now fell from his eyes as well, and he did not care. He also did not care that he called her children theirs. That was how he felt, and he did not care if she was reminded of that. She knew how he longed for some kind of normalcy. With all his money, all his influence, that was the one thing that always eluded him.
“You’re right. I did. I loved you. I love you, and for some fucked up reason I can’t stop it. And you use it against me. That is what you do: you find someone’s weakness and you prey on it. I don’t even know if you’re aware of it, but that’s you. What do you want, Michael? I’ve given you everything and it’s never enough? What the fuck do you want?” She was openly crying now, and it broke his heart. Lisa made him sound like some monster who had exploited her, when that was not at all what had been going on. Michael grabbed her upper arms.
“I want you to be honest. I want you to be with me, and only me. I love you, and I can’t bear to think of someone else with you. Why can’t you understand that? I have compromised all my values for you. And you can’t afford me this little bit of honesty?”
“You have compromised nothing for me. You want your wife and kids and you want your cute like fuck buddy on the side. Well, I’ve had it. Let me go, and we are done. You don’t have to compromise shit for me anymore.”
“I don’t want you to go. I want you to tell me that you’re not fucking Danny. But for some reason you won’t do that.”
Lisa closed her eyes and just shook her head. She was so tired, all she wanted to do was for Michael to back off and let her go. Suddenly, all the energy had been drained from her and she did not have any fight left. Michael was crying and she could not tell if his tears were born from sadness, anger, love, or just plain stubbornness. In another life time she thought it was wonderful how open and vulnerable he was. Now, it left her cold.
When she opened her eyes, she realized how close she was to his body. As always, the magnetism exerted its pull. She saw his chest rising and falling with his rapid breath, smelled his anger, was singed by the lightening in his eyes. Every alarm went off and she knew she had to get out of here before she became trapped again, was paralyzed by his essence once more, content to let him devour her. With a mind of their own, her hands rose, and she touched his wet cheeks. Her fingers felt the stubble developing under their surface, and her body instantly projected memories of his rough cheeks on her smooth skin. When she felt her nipples tightening and fluid rushing to her center, she was not even surprised.
Damn him.
She pulled his face closer as he stared into her eyes, attempting to read her soul. Dark brown and blue merged and created their own kaleidoscope. Their lips met in a soft touch. Lisa was the first to close her eyes, hiding from the intense scrutiny she felt exposed to. His lips opened under hers and their tongues touched tentatively. Michael let go of her arms and his hands copied hers, cradling her face. For a moment, time stood still and nothing existed but their shared breath.
When Lisa ended the kiss the both leaned forward, keeping their foreheads connected.
“Good bye, Michael.” Lisa whispered.
“Don’t… Don’t do it…” His voice was but a breath of air.
Little by little, she backed away and opened the door. One hand remained on his cheek, not able to relinquish the touch.
“I love you.” She backed into the open space, her fingers slowly lifting off his face, leaving his skin exposed and cold.
Michael was not aware of the tears falling as he stubbornly set his chin.
“If you walk out, don’t think you can just come back. That’s it- if you’re gone, you’re out.” He wanted to sound strong and resolute, but realized it was difficult to contain the sob rising from his burning chest.
She mouthed, “I love you,” one more time before the door closed behind her.
Damn him.
She pulled his face closer as he stared into her eyes, attempting to read her soul. Dark brown and blue merged and created their own kaleidoscope. Their lips met in a soft touch. Lisa was the first to close her eyes, hiding from the intense scrutiny she felt exposed to. His lips opened under hers and their tongues touched tentatively. Michael let go of her arms and his hands copied hers, cradling her face. For a moment, time stood still and nothing existed but their shared breath.
When Lisa ended the kiss the both leaned forward, keeping their foreheads connected.
“Good bye, Michael.” Lisa whispered.
“Don’t… Don’t do it…” His voice was but a breath of air.
Little by little, she backed away and opened the door. One hand remained on his cheek, not able to relinquish the touch.
“I love you.” She backed into the open space, her fingers slowly lifting off his face, leaving his skin exposed and cold.
Michael was not aware of the tears falling as he stubbornly set his chin.
“If you walk out, don’t think you can just come back. That’s it- if you’re gone, you’re out.” He wanted to sound strong and resolute, but realized it was difficult to contain the sob rising from his burning chest.
She mouthed, “I love you,” one more time before the door closed behind her.
27)
Lisa opened her eyes and wondered how the hell he had gotten into her bed. Anger would have been the expected emotion, but instead she found herself feeling oddly content and at peace. She could not help but smile at him.
He kissed her head. “Hey, sleepy head.”
“Hey, yourself. How did you get in?”
That typical boyish grin graced his gorgeous face and he dangled his key above her. Her efforts to grab it were thwarted by his speed. He looked very proud of himself. “You didn’t really think I gave this up, did ya?”
The smile faded. She remembered the key sent to her by messenger service without so much as a note. At first, Lisa had been annoyed that he had indeed made a copy of the key he borrowed from Janet the night of her party before hurt registered. Michael obviously no longer wanted to have access to her house. Or anything else to do with her. He had been serious and pulled one of his famous acts of eliminating people he no longer cared to be in any contact with from his life. Still, here he was- with yet another way in.
“I thought you wanted me out of your life for good?”
Michael’s hand cupped her cheek. She was mesmerized by the sheen of tears appearing in his opaque eyes. His hand felt warm and reassuring as did the emotions she felt emanating from him. Instinctively, she snuggled against the caress like a little cat.
“Lisa, I could, never, ever not have you in my life. You are my life. You are everything I ever wanted. I am so sorry, I was such an ass. It was horrible not being in touch- it was the hardest thing I have ever done, and I don’t see any reason to keep this up.”
Something was weird.
“Like what, Michael. What does that mean? You are tired of keeping what up?” Could he for once be clear and stop the confusion?
“I’m tired of not being together. It makes zero sense. We have been with each other for years now. We can’t stand to be apart. I say, we go ahead and do it.”
“What about Debbie?”
“Debbie? What does she…”
She raised an eyebrow in disapproval. Not that question again. Once again, he seemed to conveniently forget that his wife was one of the main obstacles keeping them from being together.
He laughed. “Gotcha! I knew that would get a rise out of you. Silly! I already talked to Debbie. I also had the divorce papers drawn up. See? I came prepared.”
Her mouth had dropped open, and he took the opportunity to bend forward to steal a kiss. His tongue was hot velvet against her lips. She inhaled the scents of vanilla and cinnamon and greedily felt herself responding to his kiss. Still, her mind continued to stay somewhat detached.
Was he serious?
Fear stirred in her stomach and circled the equally strong arousal like a double helix. This was everything she had wanted to hear and everything she had feared at the same time: it was a two-sided coin. How typical of him to just jump in and make the decision for both of them. When Michael set his mind to something it was a done deal. Was she ready? Could she do it? Could she throw caution to the wind and try again?
The funny feeling in her stomach turned and she realized she was happy. She almost had forgotten what it felt like, but there it was: unbridled, unabashed happiness. Their second chance was within reach. All she had to do was reach out, grab it, and never let it go. Never let him go.
Don’t trust it--something is not right. This is off…something is way off…
No, she had to silence this voice. Her internal alarm that for some reason sounded like her mother’s voice had to shut up so she could concentrate on his eyes blinding her with the love directed toward her, his smile dazzling her, his hand reaching out for her, caressing her cheek after he broke the kiss that left her breathless.
“I don’t know, Michael. This is so sudden. I couldn’t even contact you this week, and now…now you just appear like…like nothing happened.”
Yes, think, dammit: He cut himself off, so why is he here now? Come on, figure it out…
“Lisa, princess: What’s sudden about any of this? We have been doing this silly dance for years now. I was such lunatic to let you go in the first place. I wanted to call your bluff, see if you would actually go through with this divorce. I should have never let it go this far. I am so sorry. You were completely right: I started to lock myself away from you and shut you out. I was stubborn. Well, we both were, but let’s just learn from our previous mistakes.”
The beating of her heart resonated within her. She was sure the noise was loud enough to be audible outside her body. “Are you serious? Is this for real? You filed for divorce? You swear? Tears rose and she swallowed hard.
Oh my God. He just might be serious. This might be happening.
He crossed his heart and lowered his head to kiss her again. His proximity was intoxicating. She wanted to reach out, to pull him on top and into her, and to forget all caution against the reassuring safety of his embrace. Her pulse increased, the sound started to be loud and irritating.
“Don’t you trust me? Marry me. Trust me again.”
Yeah, Lisa, you dumbass. Don’t you trust him? It’s not like he left you or lied to you before. You are so fucking stupid. You are a weak, whiny cry baby. You deserve everything you’re about to get.
“Like what, Michael. What does that mean? You are tired of keeping what up?” Could he for once be clear and stop the confusion?
“I’m tired of not being together. It makes zero sense. We have been with each other for years now. We can’t stand to be apart. I say, we go ahead and do it.”
“What about Debbie?”
“Debbie? What does she…”
She raised an eyebrow in disapproval. Not that question again. Once again, he seemed to conveniently forget that his wife was one of the main obstacles keeping them from being together.
He laughed. “Gotcha! I knew that would get a rise out of you. Silly! I already talked to Debbie. I also had the divorce papers drawn up. See? I came prepared.”
Her mouth had dropped open, and he took the opportunity to bend forward to steal a kiss. His tongue was hot velvet against her lips. She inhaled the scents of vanilla and cinnamon and greedily felt herself responding to his kiss. Still, her mind continued to stay somewhat detached.
Was he serious?
Fear stirred in her stomach and circled the equally strong arousal like a double helix. This was everything she had wanted to hear and everything she had feared at the same time: it was a two-sided coin. How typical of him to just jump in and make the decision for both of them. When Michael set his mind to something it was a done deal. Was she ready? Could she do it? Could she throw caution to the wind and try again?
The funny feeling in her stomach turned and she realized she was happy. She almost had forgotten what it felt like, but there it was: unbridled, unabashed happiness. Their second chance was within reach. All she had to do was reach out, grab it, and never let it go. Never let him go.
Don’t trust it--something is not right. This is off…something is way off…
No, she had to silence this voice. Her internal alarm that for some reason sounded like her mother’s voice had to shut up so she could concentrate on his eyes blinding her with the love directed toward her, his smile dazzling her, his hand reaching out for her, caressing her cheek after he broke the kiss that left her breathless.
“I don’t know, Michael. This is so sudden. I couldn’t even contact you this week, and now…now you just appear like…like nothing happened.”
Yes, think, dammit: He cut himself off, so why is he here now? Come on, figure it out…
“Lisa, princess: What’s sudden about any of this? We have been doing this silly dance for years now. I was such lunatic to let you go in the first place. I wanted to call your bluff, see if you would actually go through with this divorce. I should have never let it go this far. I am so sorry. You were completely right: I started to lock myself away from you and shut you out. I was stubborn. Well, we both were, but let’s just learn from our previous mistakes.”
The beating of her heart resonated within her. She was sure the noise was loud enough to be audible outside her body. “Are you serious? Is this for real? You filed for divorce? You swear? Tears rose and she swallowed hard.
Oh my God. He just might be serious. This might be happening.
He crossed his heart and lowered his head to kiss her again. His proximity was intoxicating. She wanted to reach out, to pull him on top and into her, and to forget all caution against the reassuring safety of his embrace. Her pulse increased, the sound started to be loud and irritating.
“Don’t you trust me? Marry me. Trust me again.”
Yeah, Lisa, you dumbass. Don’t you trust him? It’s not like he left you or lied to you before. You are so fucking stupid. You are a weak, whiny cry baby. You deserve everything you’re about to get.
Her heartbeat started to take on the quality of a solid, rhythmic beat.
“Lisa, are you ok?” He mouthed the words, but his voice sounded like Janet’s. How odd.
“Lisa?”
Fuck!
It was Janet’s voice ripping her out of her sleep. Lisa sat up with a start, realizing in one single, horrifying second that Michael had not come. He had not apologized and asked her to marry him. He had not filed for divorce from Debbie. He was still a cold, distant ass, banning her from his life for not giving into his demands which were solely fueled by his insecurities.
No wonder she had suspected something to be wrong. The whole frigging scenario was wrong- her subconscious, which in a curious twist had sounded like her mother, had warned her. Priscilla would be so pleased.
Her first clue should have been that he apologized for being an ass in the past. After all, he had never apologized for his part in their divorce. They had danced around the subject, but she was convinced that he remained pretty sure that she had thrown their marriage away while he was an innocent bystander in the whole mess.
It was all just a damn dream. Great. She realized the beating of her heart had been the knocking on her bedroom door. Of course, now, as she was jerked back to reality, a similar beat reverberated in her head again. Not another headache!
Memory seeped in: she had lain down to escape yet another debilitating migraine. The pain and pressure accompanied by nausea and dizzy spells had been a constant companion in the past three weeks. In her dream, only a week had passed since her fight with Michael, when really, it was closer to a month. During a weak moment, she had tried to contact him by phone, but found out that his number had been disconnected. He obviously was up to his old tricks. Well, that was fine with her. This way, at least she could not be tempted to reach out to him and let him pull her into the chaos that surrounded him again.
After their dinner, she had been left to bear her mother’s wrath about the pictures. Finally, Lisa told Priscilla that it was just a joke and that Michael and she had simply been out celebrating her new-found independence.
Priscilla had uttered a snide, “Very mature, my dear,” before changing the subject.
Surprisingly, that had been all she heard about it from her mother. That made Lisa wonder just how much her mother’s spies had known about her fight with Michael.
“Lisa, are you ok? If you don’t open that door, I will break it in. You have everyone worried, please open up.”
Janet! Lisa closed her eyes. She had missed her friend. How unfair that in her attempts to free herself of everything Jackson, she also had been forced to limit contact with his sister. She made it to the door and turned the lock before hastily returning to sit down on the edge of her bed, trying to fight the grey dots closing in on her.
“You look like hell! Are you alright?” Janet sat down next to her, her hand feeling Lisa’s forehead, checking for the fever she would not find. There was no elevation in temperature and no one seemed to be able to detect the source of her malaise. It was frustrating as hell to feel physically worn out on top of everything else.
“Thanks, I feel like hell.”
“Your nanny let me in. Seems my key does not work anymore. Guess you forgot to tell me you changed the locks. I called earlier and Riley told me you have been ill. What gives? I’ve been trying to call you for weeks now and never seem to be able to get through.” Dark brown eyes scanned her and she knew she would not be able to bullshit Jan.
“Yeah, I have been under the weather a bit. Some flu or something. I can’t seem to kick it.”
“A flu without fever? Kinda odd, don’t you think?” Janet reached over and picked up the glass next to Lisa’s night stand. “Water? I expected it to be vodka at the very least. Maybe that’s what’s wrong: withdrawal. Lise?”
Lisa knew Janet was attempting to joke, but she feared that her friend was right on. She was trying to kick her addiction alright. Too bad her drug of choice had nothing to do with alcohol. Otherwise recovery would have been so easy compared to trying to rid her body, mind, and soul from the cravings for Michael.
Lisa rewarded Janet’s try at joking around with a weak smile. “Yeah, you might be right. I’m going cold turkey.”
“Well, no wonder you have been going it alone then. You are no fun anymore, girl!”
Lisa closed her eyes as a wave of nausea hit her. At the same time, the headache sent white hot needles toward her eyes and her temples.
“Lise, does Mike know you’re this sick?”
Lisa gave a humorless smile. “If he knows, I am sure he is delighted.”
“No, Lisa, don’t say that. Mike’s not like that. You know he cares.”
“Yeah, he cares for his children, the environment, your mother, you, his fans, and Nurse Frumpy. I can lie in the street dying and he’d walk right by me, asking his flunkies to cover me up with a blanket so I would not spoil his magical outing.”
“Ok, what gives? What happened now? He has been acting really weird, and you have been blowing me off. Did you fight again?”
“No, we did not fight. It’s over, that’s all. It’s finally over.” Lisa sank back against the pillows. She felt like crying, only it seemed that those wells had finally dried up. It was amazing how much more exhausted she felt without being able to shed any more tears.
“Lisa, really… Who the heck are you kidding? You guys fight all the time, and then you make up--in your own special way, of course. I have a really hard time believing that this time is any different. Plus, I saw those pics from the Ivy. Seemed like you guys were hot and heavy that night.”
“Don’t remind me.” Lisa tried to roll her eyes to clear the mental images of Michael kissing all over her naked body with her writhing under him, begging him to take her, as he forced climax after climax from her. Heat rushed through her and she felt dizzy once more. Lisa reached for the glass and rose from the bed, heading to the bathroom for some more water. Janet sighed and threw herself across the bed.
Lisa sat on the side of her tub. How many times had Michael made love to her in that damn thing? How many times had the water gotten cold, while she had been incinerated by him? She was damned to be reminded of him wherever she looked in this house. Her house! He had no right to invade her space as well as her mind. Lisa heard her bedroom door open again.
“Hi, Aunt Janet, is Mommy ok?”
How sweet, Riley had come to check on her. Lisa knew the kids had been really worried about her, and she felt awful for not having been able to spend more quality time with them. She heard Janet’s soft voice, assuring her daughter that she was indeed alright and just tired.
She felt she really owed her daughter a valiant effort to sound cheerful. “I’ll be right out, Riley, I’m ok. Will you go downstairs and ask Sarah to make some tea for Mommy and Aunt Janet?” The tone she had managed was almost normal. Maybe she was starting to finally feel better.
“Hey, Mommy? Guess, what? I just saw Michael on TV.”
Fucking hell! Was there no escape?
“I thought I said no TV after 5?”
“Well, I saw Michael and Prince…oh, and Miss Debbie. Miss Debbie said you and Michael were special friends and she totally liked that you two get along so well.”
With that, Lisa, barely made it to the toilet as a torrential wave of nausea threatened to bury her.
“You look like hell! Are you alright?” Janet sat down next to her, her hand feeling Lisa’s forehead, checking for the fever she would not find. There was no elevation in temperature and no one seemed to be able to detect the source of her malaise. It was frustrating as hell to feel physically worn out on top of everything else.
“Thanks, I feel like hell.”
“Your nanny let me in. Seems my key does not work anymore. Guess you forgot to tell me you changed the locks. I called earlier and Riley told me you have been ill. What gives? I’ve been trying to call you for weeks now and never seem to be able to get through.” Dark brown eyes scanned her and she knew she would not be able to bullshit Jan.
“Yeah, I have been under the weather a bit. Some flu or something. I can’t seem to kick it.”
“A flu without fever? Kinda odd, don’t you think?” Janet reached over and picked up the glass next to Lisa’s night stand. “Water? I expected it to be vodka at the very least. Maybe that’s what’s wrong: withdrawal. Lise?”
Lisa knew Janet was attempting to joke, but she feared that her friend was right on. She was trying to kick her addiction alright. Too bad her drug of choice had nothing to do with alcohol. Otherwise recovery would have been so easy compared to trying to rid her body, mind, and soul from the cravings for Michael.
Lisa rewarded Janet’s try at joking around with a weak smile. “Yeah, you might be right. I’m going cold turkey.”
“Well, no wonder you have been going it alone then. You are no fun anymore, girl!”
Lisa closed her eyes as a wave of nausea hit her. At the same time, the headache sent white hot needles toward her eyes and her temples.
“Lise, does Mike know you’re this sick?”
Lisa gave a humorless smile. “If he knows, I am sure he is delighted.”
“No, Lisa, don’t say that. Mike’s not like that. You know he cares.”
“Yeah, he cares for his children, the environment, your mother, you, his fans, and Nurse Frumpy. I can lie in the street dying and he’d walk right by me, asking his flunkies to cover me up with a blanket so I would not spoil his magical outing.”
“Ok, what gives? What happened now? He has been acting really weird, and you have been blowing me off. Did you fight again?”
“No, we did not fight. It’s over, that’s all. It’s finally over.” Lisa sank back against the pillows. She felt like crying, only it seemed that those wells had finally dried up. It was amazing how much more exhausted she felt without being able to shed any more tears.
“Lisa, really… Who the heck are you kidding? You guys fight all the time, and then you make up--in your own special way, of course. I have a really hard time believing that this time is any different. Plus, I saw those pics from the Ivy. Seemed like you guys were hot and heavy that night.”
“Don’t remind me.” Lisa tried to roll her eyes to clear the mental images of Michael kissing all over her naked body with her writhing under him, begging him to take her, as he forced climax after climax from her. Heat rushed through her and she felt dizzy once more. Lisa reached for the glass and rose from the bed, heading to the bathroom for some more water. Janet sighed and threw herself across the bed.
Lisa sat on the side of her tub. How many times had Michael made love to her in that damn thing? How many times had the water gotten cold, while she had been incinerated by him? She was damned to be reminded of him wherever she looked in this house. Her house! He had no right to invade her space as well as her mind. Lisa heard her bedroom door open again.
“Hi, Aunt Janet, is Mommy ok?”
How sweet, Riley had come to check on her. Lisa knew the kids had been really worried about her, and she felt awful for not having been able to spend more quality time with them. She heard Janet’s soft voice, assuring her daughter that she was indeed alright and just tired.
She felt she really owed her daughter a valiant effort to sound cheerful. “I’ll be right out, Riley, I’m ok. Will you go downstairs and ask Sarah to make some tea for Mommy and Aunt Janet?” The tone she had managed was almost normal. Maybe she was starting to finally feel better.
“Hey, Mommy? Guess, what? I just saw Michael on TV.”
Fucking hell! Was there no escape?
“I thought I said no TV after 5?”
“Well, I saw Michael and Prince…oh, and Miss Debbie. Miss Debbie said you and Michael were special friends and she totally liked that you two get along so well.”
With that, Lisa, barely made it to the toilet as a torrential wave of nausea threatened to bury her.
28)
Michael checked the studio clock. It was 4 am. Another night without sleep. Wonderful. Maybe he would be able to catch a little shut-eye during the day, at least enough to keep him semi-sane. He replayed the tape one more time, checking the progress of the song he had been working on. It was taking shape, but he still was not one hundred percent happy with the outcome. He did not know what in the world had motivated him to work on a song that reminded him so much of her. He should work on something called Bitch from Hell instead of Don’t Walk Away if he really wanted to capture her essence.
Angrily, he grabbed the headphones and tossed them to the side. This was just great; now he could not even work without thinking of Lisa. The curse under his breath could not be suppressed. Funny, how during most of their marriage, he had been perfectly able to lock himself in his studio and work for hours and days without any thoughts about anything but the words and music flowing through him. Now that he was finally rid of her, unwanted and unsolicited thoughts of her took up this unexpected infinite space in his mind.
In an effort to find some peace, he left the studio and found himself standing above his son’s crib. The little boy’s chest was rising and falling peacefully, his breath was deep and rhythmic, and the cute little mouth was open. Funny how it looked so adorable when babies slobbered in their sleep. Michael could not help but lightly touch the pink cheek. His little angel smiled softly in response and he experienced a rare moment of pure joy and delight spreading through his chest. Then the image of another sleeping person rose in his mind’s eye. He flashed back to brushing auburn hair from different soft skin. The memory of her scent lingered in his mind and seemed to be filling his lungs.
Dammit!
He did not need her. He didn’t need anyone. He was happy and content with his son, his soon to be born baby, and his music. Screw everyone else, especially the woman he never should have allowed into his heart and his life in the first place. He was just fine and dandy without her and her lies.
For some reason, Michael found himself starting his Mercedes. He hated driving, and he sure as hell hated driving at night. There were so many things he had been blessed with in his life, but the ability to drive and navigate highways was not among them. It was nerve-wracking to have to concentrate on all these other drivers, the roads, and his car at the same time. Oddly enough, he could mix music while concentrating on the sounds and technical details just fine, but driving was a nightmare. Still, he needed to be out of the house. He did not feel like bothering his security detail, since he would just go out for a quick spin, trying to clear his mind.
Before he knew it, he entered the exclusive neighborhood of Hidden Hills. Surprised, Michael realized the orange tint of the sky was announcing the rising of the sun. What in the world had he been thinking about the past two hours? Never in a million years had he planned on driving to Lisa’s house. He took the last turn and parked the car one street away from the property he once had considered his second home. The empty streets looked sleepy in the morning fog of this late March day. He scanned the sidewalks, wondering if he would be safe to venture out. As much as he often wished to be able to just walk around, he feared being vulnerable without his security around him. Maybe he could just risk one short stroll to the gates. What could it hurt? He was in excellent shape and could always sprint back the short distance to the car.
Before he could make up his mind, he noticed a car turning and stopping at the gate. What the hell? So he had been right after all, Danny was back in Lisa’s life. Great. He had lived in the gatehouse off and on, and probably now had graduated to romp around in the main bedroom again. In his bed. With his wife.
Anger caused his pulse to thunder in his ears. Some rational part of his mind reminded Michael that his bed was located inside of Neverland two hours north of here and that his wife was tucked away somewhere on that property, with her staff fussing over her every pregnant whim. However, it was difficult to listen to those thoughts when the sound of the gate closing behind Danny’s car drowned out the whispering of logic.
Michael dialed the number to Lisa’s house phone without paying any attention to his plans to not ever speak to her again. It rang and then went to voicemail. He hung up and tried again. He did not want to be ignored and really hoped to interrupt something important.
“Hello?” A sleepy sounding Lisa answered the phone.
Words escaped him, and so he remained quiet for what seemed like an eternity. He was sure she would hang up, but instead he continued to hear her breathing on the other end of the connection. Part of him screamed to push the off button, but his self righteous indignation would not allow a retreat. Maybe he also wanted her to know he knew what a conniving bitch she really was.
“I think you owe me an apology. Seems I was right.”
“Michael?”
He was not able to tell if she was annoyed or surprised. Most likely a good combination of both. He remained silent once again.
“What the hell do you want? Do you know what time it is?” The annoyance seemed to have taken over. Still, she sounded…almost weak.
“Not too early for your ex to come driving up to your house. What did he do? Run out to get some smokes for you guys after, well, you know…”
“Where the hell are you? Please don’t tell me you are lurking outside my house.”
“That’s hardly the point: where I am. The point is that I was right and that I wish you all the happiness you deserve on try number...whatever time it is with Danny.”
“Fuck off, Michael.”
“Lisa, hang up the damn phone. You know you should not do this to yourself. We need to go…”
Michael could not make out the rest of what Danny said in the background. That’s ok, let him know that Michael was aware of what was going on. Let him also wonder why Michael called Lisa. Maybe hearing his name would remind him that not too long ago she was leaving his bed.
Michael saw another car approach Lisa’s gates. Why was there such traffic this time of the day? Oh no! He slid down in the driver’s seat. It was the wicked witch. What made her rise from the crypt that early?
“What’s your mother doing over at this time?”
“More importantly, why do you care? Aren’t you a bit far from your home and your family? If you don’t piss off, I will call security and the LAPD. I’m sure some of your paparazzi friends would love to get a shot of you being hauled off for stalking and tresspassing.”
Michael had enough of this conversation and hung up. He drove up a couple of streets and then down another side street where he could watch Lisa’s place a little while longer. It seemed weird to see Danny and Priscilla come over this early. Michael decided to find out what was going on and dialed his usual reliable source.
Before he could make up his mind, he noticed a car turning and stopping at the gate. What the hell? So he had been right after all, Danny was back in Lisa’s life. Great. He had lived in the gatehouse off and on, and probably now had graduated to romp around in the main bedroom again. In his bed. With his wife.
Anger caused his pulse to thunder in his ears. Some rational part of his mind reminded Michael that his bed was located inside of Neverland two hours north of here and that his wife was tucked away somewhere on that property, with her staff fussing over her every pregnant whim. However, it was difficult to listen to those thoughts when the sound of the gate closing behind Danny’s car drowned out the whispering of logic.
Michael dialed the number to Lisa’s house phone without paying any attention to his plans to not ever speak to her again. It rang and then went to voicemail. He hung up and tried again. He did not want to be ignored and really hoped to interrupt something important.
“Hello?” A sleepy sounding Lisa answered the phone.
Words escaped him, and so he remained quiet for what seemed like an eternity. He was sure she would hang up, but instead he continued to hear her breathing on the other end of the connection. Part of him screamed to push the off button, but his self righteous indignation would not allow a retreat. Maybe he also wanted her to know he knew what a conniving bitch she really was.
“I think you owe me an apology. Seems I was right.”
“Michael?”
He was not able to tell if she was annoyed or surprised. Most likely a good combination of both. He remained silent once again.
“What the hell do you want? Do you know what time it is?” The annoyance seemed to have taken over. Still, she sounded…almost weak.
“Not too early for your ex to come driving up to your house. What did he do? Run out to get some smokes for you guys after, well, you know…”
“Where the hell are you? Please don’t tell me you are lurking outside my house.”
“That’s hardly the point: where I am. The point is that I was right and that I wish you all the happiness you deserve on try number...whatever time it is with Danny.”
“Fuck off, Michael.”
“Lisa, hang up the damn phone. You know you should not do this to yourself. We need to go…”
Michael could not make out the rest of what Danny said in the background. That’s ok, let him know that Michael was aware of what was going on. Let him also wonder why Michael called Lisa. Maybe hearing his name would remind him that not too long ago she was leaving his bed.
Michael saw another car approach Lisa’s gates. Why was there such traffic this time of the day? Oh no! He slid down in the driver’s seat. It was the wicked witch. What made her rise from the crypt that early?
“What’s your mother doing over at this time?”
“More importantly, why do you care? Aren’t you a bit far from your home and your family? If you don’t piss off, I will call security and the LAPD. I’m sure some of your paparazzi friends would love to get a shot of you being hauled off for stalking and tresspassing.”
Michael had enough of this conversation and hung up. He drove up a couple of streets and then down another side street where he could watch Lisa’s place a little while longer. It seemed weird to see Danny and Priscilla come over this early. Michael decided to find out what was going on and dialed his usual reliable source.
“Mike? What the hell? It is right after 6 am. Why are you up?”
“I never went to bed. Hey, is something going on with Lisa?”
“I thought you guys are done?”
“Who told you that?” Obviously Janet and Lisa had been in touch. Women! They could not keep anything to themselves.
“What did she say?”
“About?”
“About me.”
“Ah…Nothing much. Just that you two are done. Finally.”
“Did she say, finally?” What did that mean? Was she glad? Had she hoped to end it and just had not found the courage? Well, not likely. Lisa always had possessed all the courage in the world. He had always admired her ability to face anything head on. It had also annoyed him greatly. Probably because he envied her devil may care attitude. It was very difficult for him to bear any type of conflict. Over the years, he had found that avoiding trouble was much more rewarding. Plus, there were people around only too happy to fight his battles for him. If they did not do it for free, he could pay them. Lisa had been one of his champions for a long time. She was such a little lion, always attacking his adversaries. In the end, he had been aggravated by her tendency to call it as she saw it. Especially, since she did not stop with him. He never had taken such critique lightly.
“Mike, I would rather not get into it. You know that I am friends with Lisa. So I would appreciate if you didn’t put me into the position of feeling like I am betraying either one of you.”
“Fine, whatever. Just don’t forget you are my sister.”
“You know I love you. Don’t do this.”
“So, what’s wrong with her?”
‘Nothing, I hope.”
She hoped? What did that mean? A flash of fear raced through him.
“Is she ill?”
“Michael, why don’t you just go the easy route and ask her?”
He had asked her. Well, ok, maybe he had not directly asked her. Shoot. He started to feel guilty. What if there was something wrong with her and he had put more stress on her? Lisa had in the past suffered from weak spells when she was ill, like when she had mercury poisoning from her dental fillings. Sure, she was tough, but he was well aware that she was not indestructible. And she had gotten sick from being totally stressed out before as well. With all her pretenses of being sturdy, she was pretty fragile at times.
“I drove by her house and Danny and Priscilla were over.”
“You drove by her house? When? Please don’t tell me you mean now.”
“No, not now. Earlier.”
Why did Janet have to make him feel guilty? Of course, his early morning trip did start to feel like a really bad idea. Well, not entirely, of course, because if something was indeed wrong with Lisa, he had a right to know.
“Michael! You stopped by her house at 6 am? Great, I am sure she was thrilled.”
The gates of Lisa’s house opened and another car appeared. This time, the car was leaving. He spotted Danny driving one of Lisa’s cars, and he thought he saw her in the back. The Wicked Witch was sitting next to her. Was he imagining Lisa looking right at him?
“Where are they going now?”
“Where is who going? Where are you?”
“Janet, I’m serious. If there is something wrong with her I have to know.”
“What do you care, Mike? She is out of your life right? I mean, I don’t want to be corny and quote your song titles, but that seems to be what is going on. Lisa said she tried to call you and you had your number switched. Which translates to you don’t want to be bothered anymore.”
“Bull! She knew my phone got broken. She was there when it happened. She has ways to get in touch with me if she needs to.”
“Well, maybe she felt there was no longer a need to. Look, I’m really tired. All I can tell you is that she seems to have been sick for a while but that she doesn’t want you to know. So, I’m respecting that.”
Know what? What the hell was wrong? There was only a limited amount of things he could imagine Lisa did not want him to know about. And only one of those was good.
Michael inserted his key in the ignition and started to pull out. He had decided to just follow the car and see for himself where she went.
“Mike? Don’t do anything stupid, please. Promise me.”
“Nothing stupid, Dunk. You are a great friend to her. Just tell me, did you see her lately?”
“Yeah, I saw her. She was not good, Mike. She seemed really sick. And it did not help that she heard about that weird interview you and your wife gave.”
Crap! He stepped on the gas and hoped he would find an answer to the questions racing through his head. For a second, he forgot all about his plan to never care about Lisa Marie again.
“You know I love you. Don’t do this.”
“So, what’s wrong with her?”
‘Nothing, I hope.”
She hoped? What did that mean? A flash of fear raced through him.
“Is she ill?”
“Michael, why don’t you just go the easy route and ask her?”
He had asked her. Well, ok, maybe he had not directly asked her. Shoot. He started to feel guilty. What if there was something wrong with her and he had put more stress on her? Lisa had in the past suffered from weak spells when she was ill, like when she had mercury poisoning from her dental fillings. Sure, she was tough, but he was well aware that she was not indestructible. And she had gotten sick from being totally stressed out before as well. With all her pretenses of being sturdy, she was pretty fragile at times.
“I drove by her house and Danny and Priscilla were over.”
“You drove by her house? When? Please don’t tell me you mean now.”
“No, not now. Earlier.”
Why did Janet have to make him feel guilty? Of course, his early morning trip did start to feel like a really bad idea. Well, not entirely, of course, because if something was indeed wrong with Lisa, he had a right to know.
“Michael! You stopped by her house at 6 am? Great, I am sure she was thrilled.”
The gates of Lisa’s house opened and another car appeared. This time, the car was leaving. He spotted Danny driving one of Lisa’s cars, and he thought he saw her in the back. The Wicked Witch was sitting next to her. Was he imagining Lisa looking right at him?
“Where are they going now?”
“Where is who going? Where are you?”
“Janet, I’m serious. If there is something wrong with her I have to know.”
“What do you care, Mike? She is out of your life right? I mean, I don’t want to be corny and quote your song titles, but that seems to be what is going on. Lisa said she tried to call you and you had your number switched. Which translates to you don’t want to be bothered anymore.”
“Bull! She knew my phone got broken. She was there when it happened. She has ways to get in touch with me if she needs to.”
“Well, maybe she felt there was no longer a need to. Look, I’m really tired. All I can tell you is that she seems to have been sick for a while but that she doesn’t want you to know. So, I’m respecting that.”
Know what? What the hell was wrong? There was only a limited amount of things he could imagine Lisa did not want him to know about. And only one of those was good.
Michael inserted his key in the ignition and started to pull out. He had decided to just follow the car and see for himself where she went.
“Mike? Don’t do anything stupid, please. Promise me.”
“Nothing stupid, Dunk. You are a great friend to her. Just tell me, did you see her lately?”
“Yeah, I saw her. She was not good, Mike. She seemed really sick. And it did not help that she heard about that weird interview you and your wife gave.”
Crap! He stepped on the gas and hoped he would find an answer to the questions racing through his head. For a second, he forgot all about his plan to never care about Lisa Marie again.
29
“Just tell him I want to see him, and he better get his ass down here now.” Lisa felt like her head was about to explode. She was tempted to take another pain pill, even though she knew full well that it probably was not a good idea. The doctor had told her the headaches should get better if she just watched her blood pressure and avoided stress. Well, her doctor obviously did not know Michael. Of course, if he did, he would realize that that annoying man was indeed the source of her headaches- and the source of so much more. She closed her eyes and tried taking in deep, abdominal breaths, counting to ten. She had driven out to Neverland in record time, and she intended to see Michael, come hell or high water. He needed to understand that he really had crossed the line this time.
“Mrs. Jackson, ah, Ms. Presley, he was told that you are here. After all, he cleared you to enter the property. So, he should be down shortly. Can I get you some coffee, water, or anything else while you wait?”
“Could you page him again? I really don’t feel like waiting for him all day. Oh, and if you have some chamomile tea, I would really appreciate it.”
Or a double vodka on the rocks. If only!
Jim, whom she knew from when she was married to Michael, left the room. Lisa nervously played with her keys. If there had been any other way to settle this, she would have moved mountains to avoid being in this house again. Actually, the house was not the problem; its owner and other occupant were. Her sources had told her that Debbie was at a doctor’s appointment in the city, so at least she should be safe from running into that bitch. Had Michael seen it fit to talk to her on the phone for longer than ten seconds, she could have saved the miles on her car as well as the strain on her nerves, but he told her that he wanted to talk to her in person and that he was not going to “get into it all” over the phone. Whatever that meant.
She had no plans to get into anything with him at all. Other than to make it clear that she would lay him out cold if he ever followed her anywhere again. Not only had he trailed her car on her way to Cedar Sinai Medical Center the other day, he also had the nerve to attempt to get her doctor to give him information on her condition. As if her doc was not aware that Ms. Presley was not Mrs. Jackson anymore and that Mr. Jackson therefore had no right whatsoever to be privy to anything about her health. A small voice inside whispered that maybe she was wrong, that he probably did have a right to get some information, but she buried it beneath her anger and indignation.
“Ms. Presley? Mr. Jackson asked if you could join him in his bedroom suite. We already had your tea brought up, and he will meet you in the sitting area shortly.”
Just perfect! This day had gone from bad to abominable. If there was another place on earth she wanted to be less than in the receiving salon of Neverland, it was in Michael’s private quarters. Why could he not at least meet her on somewhat neutral territory? His bedroom suite held all kinds of memories she wanted to avoid right now. She was still too raw from having finally broken away from him. Part of her was scared to death that all it would take was to be in the familiar surrounding, to see his smile, look into his eyes, and once again, for the millionth time, cast her firm resolve to leave off with her panties. Well, not this time, she reminded herself. Things had progressed too far. Furthermore, from the icy tone of his voice on the phone, he was not in business of seducing her anymore. What was wrong with her to feel annoyed and hurt at that thought?
She decided to save her strength for the real battle and made her way to his bedroom suite. Let him have this small victory. She knew the way only too well, having spent enough time at the main house to find her way around in the dark. That was if it was not cluttered by new toys or mannequins. She entered beneath those two figures of children holding hands over the bedroom door. She really hated those figures- they gave her the creeps. Whatever happened to thinking they were charming and that his eccentricities were cute and quirky?
Lisa quickly scanned the room, but other than noticing a tray of tea and her favorite cookies on the coffee table, she discovered it to be empty.
“Michael? If you don’t get your ass down here this very minute, you will be so sorry. I’m not in the mood…”
He appeared on the top of the stairs, dressed in the omnipresent red shirt and black jeans. He wore his fedora, but obviously had decided to not piss her off too much by wearing his aviators inside as well. Lucky for him, as she would have wrapped them around his neck given her present disposition.
“Could you please refrain from shouting in my house? You made your presence known already; I just had to finish up some important stuff. Would it kill you to not be so rude?” His tone was chilly to say the very least. The face she knew to be capable of reflecting every emotion known to mankind was a calm mask.
“Well, since it took fifteen minutes to clear my car to drive up, and your flunkies told you an hour ago I was here, you had ample time to finish whatever business you were engaged in. And don’t worry- I won’t keep you long.” Her plans to disarm him with her calm behavior went out the window as her irritation rose.
How could he stay so damn cold and calm. Was he not hurting? Was he over her for good this time? Oh, shut up, Lisa, you dummy. Isn’t that what you wanted?
She had no plans to get into anything with him at all. Other than to make it clear that she would lay him out cold if he ever followed her anywhere again. Not only had he trailed her car on her way to Cedar Sinai Medical Center the other day, he also had the nerve to attempt to get her doctor to give him information on her condition. As if her doc was not aware that Ms. Presley was not Mrs. Jackson anymore and that Mr. Jackson therefore had no right whatsoever to be privy to anything about her health. A small voice inside whispered that maybe she was wrong, that he probably did have a right to get some information, but she buried it beneath her anger and indignation.
“Ms. Presley? Mr. Jackson asked if you could join him in his bedroom suite. We already had your tea brought up, and he will meet you in the sitting area shortly.”
Just perfect! This day had gone from bad to abominable. If there was another place on earth she wanted to be less than in the receiving salon of Neverland, it was in Michael’s private quarters. Why could he not at least meet her on somewhat neutral territory? His bedroom suite held all kinds of memories she wanted to avoid right now. She was still too raw from having finally broken away from him. Part of her was scared to death that all it would take was to be in the familiar surrounding, to see his smile, look into his eyes, and once again, for the millionth time, cast her firm resolve to leave off with her panties. Well, not this time, she reminded herself. Things had progressed too far. Furthermore, from the icy tone of his voice on the phone, he was not in business of seducing her anymore. What was wrong with her to feel annoyed and hurt at that thought?
She decided to save her strength for the real battle and made her way to his bedroom suite. Let him have this small victory. She knew the way only too well, having spent enough time at the main house to find her way around in the dark. That was if it was not cluttered by new toys or mannequins. She entered beneath those two figures of children holding hands over the bedroom door. She really hated those figures- they gave her the creeps. Whatever happened to thinking they were charming and that his eccentricities were cute and quirky?
Lisa quickly scanned the room, but other than noticing a tray of tea and her favorite cookies on the coffee table, she discovered it to be empty.
“Michael? If you don’t get your ass down here this very minute, you will be so sorry. I’m not in the mood…”
He appeared on the top of the stairs, dressed in the omnipresent red shirt and black jeans. He wore his fedora, but obviously had decided to not piss her off too much by wearing his aviators inside as well. Lucky for him, as she would have wrapped them around his neck given her present disposition.
“Could you please refrain from shouting in my house? You made your presence known already; I just had to finish up some important stuff. Would it kill you to not be so rude?” His tone was chilly to say the very least. The face she knew to be capable of reflecting every emotion known to mankind was a calm mask.
“Well, since it took fifteen minutes to clear my car to drive up, and your flunkies told you an hour ago I was here, you had ample time to finish whatever business you were engaged in. And don’t worry- I won’t keep you long.” Her plans to disarm him with her calm behavior went out the window as her irritation rose.
How could he stay so damn cold and calm. Was he not hurting? Was he over her for good this time? Oh, shut up, Lisa, you dummy. Isn’t that what you wanted?
“No one asked you to stay, anyway. And I also don’t recall having invited you. So say what you have to say and then get out.”
Lisa’s eyes narrowed. She was not used to him being so utterly rude and cold. Even in their fights, he usually showed that she got under his skin; even if it was by him losing his tempter. Plus, as she remembered the chain of events, it was he who basically had ordered her to appear in his kingdom. She could have addressed her concerns very well in a safe manner over the phone.
“Jim got me some tea, if that’s ok with you. Can I sit?” Without waiting for his permission, she turned and sat down.
Michael continued to observe her after she made her way to the couch. She looked so pale and thin. He had watched over the security monitors as she got out of the car and waited restlessly downstairs. Her appearance had shocked him in more ways than one.
She was dressed in jeans and a black shirt, making her seem very young and very vulnerable. Her hair hung straight and loose about her shoulders and she wore little make-up. Her eyes seemed to be dark and huge against the pallor of her skin, and he could not help but notice the dark circles marking illness or sleepless nights. He had decided to not let on just how worried he had been.
She was probably mad like a nest of hornets after finding out he had trailed her to the hospital and tried to get some information. Well, let her have her fit. Maybe he could provoke her into filling him in what exactly was going on. He knew her well enough to know the best way to get under her skin was by acting aloof. This had worked perfectly when they hooked back up after she got over Debbie being pregnant the first time around.
Michael made his way down the stairs and then stopped short of the sitting area. She took a sip of her tea, and he noticed the trembling of her hand. His training in controlling himself came in handy as he set his face and waited for her to speak. She sat the tea down and became mesmerized stirring it. Michael shifted his weight to one leg and braced his hand on his hip, trying to decide if he should wait for her or come out swinging. Finally, the clinking of the spoon against the cup was too much to bear. He waited for her to raise it again, taking another sip.
“Seems a bit out of the way to just sit here and drink tea.”
The cup met up with the saucer in a loud clank. Lisa put both down on the table and clasped her hands in her lap. She kept her eyes on the cup as if composing her thoughts. When she finally looked up at him, he was startled by the fatigue he detected. As much as her bitchiness always had annoyed him, it worried him to see her without her usual fighting spirit.
“Cut the crap. You know why I’m here. Are you going to tower over me or are you going to sit down so we can talk like civilized people?”
Ok, maybe her fighting spirit was not totally gone. He chose to ignore her question.
“I assume you are a bit upset that I tried to find out about your hospital stay.”
“A bit upset? Are you nuts? For starters, you had no right to be at my house at the crack of dawn, stalking me, nor was it alright to follow me around town, and most of all, you had no right whatsoever to ask any medical questions of anyone. I thought the deal was that I was on the outs if I chose to leave that day? I accepted that, why can’t you?”
“Then, why did you call me?”
“I called, because...because…Fuck it, Michael, who cares why I called? Stop changing the subject. We are talking about you not me.”
She had jumped up and was standing in front of him, her hands balled into fists in anger. He had to fight hard to keep his composure. She was so cute, standing there like a little, angry girl. All that was missing was her stomping her foot. Time to really give her something to chew on.
“Are you pregnant?”
Stunned, she blinked repeatedly and her face flushed before going pale. He loved surprise attacks. Her mouth gaped open and she looked like a fish out of water before she took a deep breath and fired back.
“Are you on drugs again? You’ve lost it. I see it is no use to try and talk sense into you. I’m leaving.” Turning, she retrieved her purse. He took the opportunity to take a step closer.
“It’s a simple question. You are sick, and you keep it secret. I figured you either got knocked up by Danny again and don’t want me to know, or you are pregnant with my baby, and you also don’t want me to know to punish me.”
Her eyes narrowed as they shot poisonous darts at him.
“Knocked up? You think I got pregnant by Danny? You are such a bastard!”
Her hand came flying toward his face, but having survived almost ten years of this, he was well prepared and caught it without any problem whatsoever. Outwardly, he remained calm even as he boiled on the inside.
She was dressed in jeans and a black shirt, making her seem very young and very vulnerable. Her hair hung straight and loose about her shoulders and she wore little make-up. Her eyes seemed to be dark and huge against the pallor of her skin, and he could not help but notice the dark circles marking illness or sleepless nights. He had decided to not let on just how worried he had been.
She was probably mad like a nest of hornets after finding out he had trailed her to the hospital and tried to get some information. Well, let her have her fit. Maybe he could provoke her into filling him in what exactly was going on. He knew her well enough to know the best way to get under her skin was by acting aloof. This had worked perfectly when they hooked back up after she got over Debbie being pregnant the first time around.
Michael made his way down the stairs and then stopped short of the sitting area. She took a sip of her tea, and he noticed the trembling of her hand. His training in controlling himself came in handy as he set his face and waited for her to speak. She sat the tea down and became mesmerized stirring it. Michael shifted his weight to one leg and braced his hand on his hip, trying to decide if he should wait for her or come out swinging. Finally, the clinking of the spoon against the cup was too much to bear. He waited for her to raise it again, taking another sip.
“Seems a bit out of the way to just sit here and drink tea.”
The cup met up with the saucer in a loud clank. Lisa put both down on the table and clasped her hands in her lap. She kept her eyes on the cup as if composing her thoughts. When she finally looked up at him, he was startled by the fatigue he detected. As much as her bitchiness always had annoyed him, it worried him to see her without her usual fighting spirit.
“Cut the crap. You know why I’m here. Are you going to tower over me or are you going to sit down so we can talk like civilized people?”
Ok, maybe her fighting spirit was not totally gone. He chose to ignore her question.
“I assume you are a bit upset that I tried to find out about your hospital stay.”
“A bit upset? Are you nuts? For starters, you had no right to be at my house at the crack of dawn, stalking me, nor was it alright to follow me around town, and most of all, you had no right whatsoever to ask any medical questions of anyone. I thought the deal was that I was on the outs if I chose to leave that day? I accepted that, why can’t you?”
“Then, why did you call me?”
“I called, because...because…Fuck it, Michael, who cares why I called? Stop changing the subject. We are talking about you not me.”
She had jumped up and was standing in front of him, her hands balled into fists in anger. He had to fight hard to keep his composure. She was so cute, standing there like a little, angry girl. All that was missing was her stomping her foot. Time to really give her something to chew on.
“Are you pregnant?”
Stunned, she blinked repeatedly and her face flushed before going pale. He loved surprise attacks. Her mouth gaped open and she looked like a fish out of water before she took a deep breath and fired back.
“Are you on drugs again? You’ve lost it. I see it is no use to try and talk sense into you. I’m leaving.” Turning, she retrieved her purse. He took the opportunity to take a step closer.
“It’s a simple question. You are sick, and you keep it secret. I figured you either got knocked up by Danny again and don’t want me to know, or you are pregnant with my baby, and you also don’t want me to know to punish me.”
Her eyes narrowed as they shot poisonous darts at him.
“Knocked up? You think I got pregnant by Danny? You are such a bastard!”
Her hand came flying toward his face, but having survived almost ten years of this, he was well prepared and caught it without any problem whatsoever. Outwardly, he remained calm even as he boiled on the inside.
Why would she not just answer the question? All she had to do was tell him if she was pregnant and if it was his child. Part of him still found it difficult to believe that she would sleep with Danny at the same time she had been giving it to him, but how in the world could he be sure? How crazy that with, all the threat of paternity suits out there, she was the one person who might not want to carry his baby.
“Can you act like an adult for like two minutes, Lisa? Just answer my question. If the kid is mine, we can talk about how I can be a part of its life, and if not, answering will get you what you want, which is me out of your life forever.”
“I don’t owe you shit, least of all an answer. You never changed, Michael. Everything is always about you. And you think you can use people as if they are disposable. Get what you want, then throw them away. Well, guess what, I am not your little plaything any longer, and I am not your baby machine, either. If I was pregnant, and the baby was yours, you can be fucking sure as hell that I would have gotten an abortion by now, you sick lunatic.”
Lisa was stunned by her own venomous words and could not for one second fathom they had spilled from her lips. She saw him flinch and immediately felt deep regret about having lost control. How did he provoke this ugliness? The sudden look of shock that had penetrated his cold mask was a perfect reflection of her inner state.
“You don’t mean that; you could never do that. I know you better than that. Why would you even say such a horrible thing?”
Tears appeared in his eyes, and Lisa could not hold eye contact. No, of course she did not mean a word of it, but maybe it was for the best to make him think she was a stone cold bitch. Maybe this was her ticket to keep him away from her for good.
“You don’t know shit, Michael. What we had is dead. You mean nothing to me, and therefore everything connected to you means nothing. How deluded were you to think I cared for you? How deluded was I? We just used each other, and that was it. I don’t love you. I don’t want you. I can’t even stand to see your face anymore. All I have left is disgust.” Lisa turned to leave, seeing his frozen silence as her escape route.
The look of pain and deep hurt that flashed in his eyes distracted her for just one second too long. He grabbed her arm harshly as she tried to rush out, causing her to stumble against him. Lisa struggled against his grip, trying to pull away.
“Get your hands of me, Michael, I am serious.”
“Oh yeah? I really disgust you? Well, we’ll see, you little bitch…”
Michael felt anger like he never believed to be capable of. It seemed that everything was bathed in the red haze surrounding him. On second thought, he knew he had been this angry before, but not in a really, really long time. He felt trapped and cornered, without a way out. He also was hurt beyond belief. She knew that he was always afraid of coming across like a disgusting freak to those around him. She knew how all the misconceptions swirling around about him were a perfect mirror for his own internal insecurities. So many instances in his life flashed through his mind that carried the theme of being powerless and under someone else’s control. He had been trapped by his father’s temper and expectations, by Diana’s games, by the twisted tangles of the law that ordered him to strip naked in front of strangers. He had felt small, insignificant, and disgusting then.
Well, Lisa was not about to use her knowledge of his fears and struggles against him. She was not disgusted by him and he would prove it to her before he kicked her out on her treacherous ass. He pulled her close by the wrists he continued to hold in his grip.
Lisa struggled against him. “Let me go, Michael, I am not playing.”
In a surprise move, he let go and her momentum made her fall back onto the couch behind her. With catlike speed he was over her, his legs on either side of her thighs as he pinned both her arms to her side. Kneeling over her, he used her surprise to immobilize her. She struggled before going still. His face was mere inches from hers. Her gasping breath was on his skin, her eyes had teared up, and she stared up at him through a haze of silver. Her mouth was slightly open and drew his attention as her tongue darted out to wet her lips.
Through the fog of red hot anger, he felt another very familiar sensation, as he noticed that his intense arousal had started to crush his penis in his jeans. With Lisa, anger and unimaginable sexual tension seemed to go hand in hand. While his desire to wring her neck had only diminished slightly, he now found it impossible to fight the desire to see what that moist, hot mouth could do. Just the thought of her velvet tongue on any part of him sent electric currents through him.
Lisa must have read his thoughts as her eyes found the source of his discomfort. She noticed her own response in the fluttering of her womb, the tightening of her nipples, and the sudden rush of liquid into her panties. Their eyes clashed and kept their lock as his mouth lingered so dangerously close to hers. She could have moved her head back or to the side, but continued to be held in place by his spell.
“Tell me again, Lise. Tell me how I disgust you and walk out that door.” The voice was dark and barely a whisper.
Her voice seemed to have disappeared. “Michael…I…”
“Say it…tell me that I disgust you, and that I’m a sick freak.”
“I’m sorry, I’m so sorry, Mike. I did not mean that. Please…” This time her head did move. But instead of evading his lips, she placed a soft kiss on them, allowing only the softest contact.
His eyes closed, and he struggled to not surrender to the tenderness rising from deep within. It was much healthier to hold on to anger and hostility for now. Why had she changed her tune now? This woman never ceased to confuse him.
When he opened his eyes again, he could not pull himself away from her gaze boring into him. She kissed him again, her tongue tracing his mouth before she gently bit his bottom lip, then sucked on it. His penis reacted by threatening to break through his zipper, and he heard his own pulse thundering in his ears. With ultimate control, he kept passive. His teeth were clenched together and his jaw set. Lisa tilted her head to change the angle of her little kisses, but kept her eyes on him.
“Open up, Mike, let me kiss you.” He was amazed he could make out her whisper.
“I thought I disgusted you.” His voice sounded strange and labored. Surely, the small sentence did not cause him to be this breathless?
Her mouth decided to try another route to get him to soften up when she placed small, wet, kisses accompanied by gentle bites to his neck. Goosebumps raced up and down his body. It seemed that only minutes ago he had set out to prove something to her when somehow she had decided to throw him off track. He definitely did not trust the peace. Lisa never gave in this easy.
Coherent thought was becoming increasingly more difficult, and he closed his eyes again, surrendering momentarily to the feeling of her hot lips, tongue, and breath on his skin. If he was not careful, there would not be any blood left in the head he needed to keep his wits about him.
“Mike, I am so sorry. I should not have said what I did. You have never disgusted me, and you know it.” She forced the words out between kisses. Michael realized he still had her arms pinned to her sides, and that therefore, theoretically, he was in charge. He raised his torso, removing his face and neck from her control. Lisa’s eyes left his face and she stared at the huge bulge before her eyes. Her lips glistened and again, her tongue darted out ever so slightly. Michael swallowed with difficulty.
“Oh, yeah, all I hear are words. Prove it, Lisa.” Her eyes shot up to meet his and she thought she would go up in flames from the fire raging in their dark depths. She tried to move her hands that were still held immobile by him.
Michael must have felt her movement, and he slowly guided her hands toward her goal until the warmth of her palms burned him through the denim. He felt like a schoolboy, wondering how long he would last before he would cum in his pants. Finally, Michael released her wrists, and his hands came to rest on her shoulders instead. Lisa was now only restrained by his legs on either side of her and the force of her own desire consuming her like a wildfire. The latter was the real thing keeping her spellbound and in place.
Lisa noticed her hands trembled as she slowly opened his zipper. One hand reached for him finding him hot and rock hard. Michael’s breath escaped in a hiss and his body was perfectly still- like a loaded spring: tense and ready to strike. Lisa finally managed to open the button on his jeans, discovering Michael had gone commando yet again. For someone with his financial means, he sure saved on underwear.
Despite the scorching heat ravaging her from inside, her hands felt cool against his hot flesh. She had managed to free him and her hands held him in her grip. His eyes were still on her, and she saw his chest rising and falling rapidly from the increase in his breathing matching her own acceleration in pulse. Unable to control herself, and without any volition to do so, she let her hand move his smooth flesh up and down the steel center, watching glistening precum appear from the sensitive opening that was now revealing itself to her. Swallowing hard, she realized she was parched and the liquid beckoned her, tempting her to quench her thirst. For the life of her, she could not remember the reason for her visit. Her only remaining goal was to give him pleasure and to prove to him that he was the most desirable man in the world. Initially, her plan had been to distract him from asserting his power, but she had fallen victim to her own plotting. All she saw now was his engorged penis in her hands, and his beautiful eyes still stealing her soul.
When Lisa’s tongue darted out this time, she gently licked his staff from root to tip, causing Michael to tremble and steady himself as he held on to her shoulders. His head fell back as Lisa continued her gentle licks. Finally, when he thought he was no longer able to take the torture, she let her hot mouth swallow the length of him almost whole. A sigh escaped his throat, and he was amazed how close to a sob the sound seemed. One hand left her shoulders and fisted in her hair, forcing her head closer to him, making her take as much of him as she could stand. He felt himself hitting her throat as his hip forcefully shot forward.
“Oh God, girl, you are so good. Come on, you know you want to take it all. Oh, Gosh, I missed you so much.” For one second he wondered if it was wise to admit this truth, but then all doubts were once again drowned out by the tsunami of his desire fueled like an atomic bomb by her mouth.
Lisa noticed her hands trembled as she slowly opened his zipper. One hand reached for him finding him hot and rock hard. Michael’s breath escaped in a hiss and his body was perfectly still- like a loaded spring: tense and ready to strike. Lisa finally managed to open the button on his jeans, discovering Michael had gone commando yet again. For someone with his financial means, he sure saved on underwear.
Despite the scorching heat ravaging her from inside, her hands felt cool against his hot flesh. She had managed to free him and her hands held him in her grip. His eyes were still on her, and she saw his chest rising and falling rapidly from the increase in his breathing matching her own acceleration in pulse. Unable to control herself, and without any volition to do so, she let her hand move his smooth flesh up and down the steel center, watching glistening precum appear from the sensitive opening that was now revealing itself to her. Swallowing hard, she realized she was parched and the liquid beckoned her, tempting her to quench her thirst. For the life of her, she could not remember the reason for her visit. Her only remaining goal was to give him pleasure and to prove to him that he was the most desirable man in the world. Initially, her plan had been to distract him from asserting his power, but she had fallen victim to her own plotting. All she saw now was his engorged penis in her hands, and his beautiful eyes still stealing her soul.
When Lisa’s tongue darted out this time, she gently licked his staff from root to tip, causing Michael to tremble and steady himself as he held on to her shoulders. His head fell back as Lisa continued her gentle licks. Finally, when he thought he was no longer able to take the torture, she let her hot mouth swallow the length of him almost whole. A sigh escaped his throat, and he was amazed how close to a sob the sound seemed. One hand left her shoulders and fisted in her hair, forcing her head closer to him, making her take as much of him as she could stand. He felt himself hitting her throat as his hip forcefully shot forward.
“Oh God, girl, you are so good. Come on, you know you want to take it all. Oh, Gosh, I missed you so much.” For one second he wondered if it was wise to admit this truth, but then all doubts were once again drowned out by the tsunami of his desire fueled like an atomic bomb by her mouth.
Lisa answered with a purring sound that reverberated along his penis and forced even more blood into his already rock-hard erection. Her tongue wound around him, her hand was still on him, her mouth sucking his cock, while her other hand came around and held on to his rear. Lisa felt his penis grow and twitch as she let her tongue trace his throbbing veins. She tasted the salty precum again, and longed to be fed by his honey. Her own arousal had mounted to incredible heights, and she noticed the throbbing of his penis was mimicked by the pulsing in her clitoris.
Her eyes opened and she reveled in the sight of Michael’s head thrown back in obvious delight. Beats of sweat had started to appear on his porcelain skin, and he bit his sensual bottom lip trying to contain his sobs. She could tell he was close to his eruption, and she increased the pressure of her lips and the grip of her hand on him. The pitch of his sobs changed and a look akin to pain spread on his features as she felt his penis engorge one more time, threatening to gag her. When the floodgates opened she was ready, greedily lapping up what he fed her, unwilling to be deprived of even the tiniest drop.
Michael saw stars as he was overtaken by a powerful orgasm. His seed forced from him in convulsive jets making his whole body convulse as wave after wave took his breath away. His lungs felt on fire as breathing became labored and almost impossible. His heart felt close to bursting and rays of light and intense pleasure threatened to blind him. Lisa continued to suckle on him and milk him until he thought he would die. When she finally let up, she licked him clean like a kitten before looking up at him.
Finally, he was able to open his heavy eyes again, blinking like a man who had stared into the sun too long. The sight of her swollen, wet lips, and her glistening eyes took his breath away and he bent down to kiss her gently. Michael moved one leg and sat down, pulling her with him. Their tongues danced and Lisa melted into him, soft and pliant for a second.
When Michael opened his eyes again, he noticed tears on her cheeks. Was she sorry? Was she upset she had given in to him?
Feeling his eyes on her, she pulled back. She read the question and shook her head.
“Oh no, oh crap. Not again. I need to get out; I need to get away from you…”
“But Lisa…”
“No, no, don’t say it. I gotta get out.”
She jumped up and headed for the door. Surprised by his own speed given his disheveled state, he managed to catch her before she reached the door. Once again, he pulled her back, knowing full well her tiny frame was no physical match for him.
“Will you stop this nonsense? Where the hell do you think you are running to? We are not done here- and I think you know it.”
Lisa stared at him as their eyes engaged in silent battle. One second he was sure she was going to fight and yell, before she sank onto the stairs leading up to his bedroom and started crying softly. All he could do was stare at her before he sank down next to her helplessly.
Michael saw stars as he was overtaken by a powerful orgasm. His seed forced from him in convulsive jets making his whole body convulse as wave after wave took his breath away. His lungs felt on fire as breathing became labored and almost impossible. His heart felt close to bursting and rays of light and intense pleasure threatened to blind him. Lisa continued to suckle on him and milk him until he thought he would die. When she finally let up, she licked him clean like a kitten before looking up at him.
Finally, he was able to open his heavy eyes again, blinking like a man who had stared into the sun too long. The sight of her swollen, wet lips, and her glistening eyes took his breath away and he bent down to kiss her gently. Michael moved one leg and sat down, pulling her with him. Their tongues danced and Lisa melted into him, soft and pliant for a second.
When Michael opened his eyes again, he noticed tears on her cheeks. Was she sorry? Was she upset she had given in to him?
Feeling his eyes on her, she pulled back. She read the question and shook her head.
“Oh no, oh crap. Not again. I need to get out; I need to get away from you…”
“But Lisa…”
“No, no, don’t say it. I gotta get out.”
She jumped up and headed for the door. Surprised by his own speed given his disheveled state, he managed to catch her before she reached the door. Once again, he pulled her back, knowing full well her tiny frame was no physical match for him.
“Will you stop this nonsense? Where the hell do you think you are running to? We are not done here- and I think you know it.”
Lisa stared at him as their eyes engaged in silent battle. One second he was sure she was going to fight and yell, before she sank onto the stairs leading up to his bedroom and started crying softly. All he could do was stare at her before he sank down next to her helplessly.
30)
Lisa wept quietly while Michael sat by her side feeling quite helpless and slightly bewildered. He glanced over at her, biting his lip, unsure of what to do about this development. She had never been the type to silently cry. Yelling and crying usually happened simultaneously or she would just stubbornly lock herself away when she was unable to fight back tears any longer. To be truthful, Michael knew he held the record for tears spilled in their relationship, which at some point had led Lisa to sarcastically ask him not to be such a ‘cry baby.’ Well, who was the cry-baby now? For just a second, a small, childish part deep inside considered rubbing that fact in, but an even greater, more mature and protective part felt like wrapping her up in his arms and taking her pain, whatever the cause, away.
Finally, one of the warring entities succeeded in attaining the upper hand. Driven with a life of its own, Michael’s arm reached across her shoulders. Her muscles tightened for an instant before she sank against him in surrender. Dammit- why was he not mad anymore? Sure, the blowjob had been great as his arousal had been fueled by hurt and fury at her words. Still, he had planned to hold on to those sentiments, forcing her to confess what was really going on before throwing her out of the house. If Lisa had really meant what she said about wanting to abort his baby, he had to realize this woman he thought he knew inside and out was really a stranger. No, really it was so much worse than her being a stranger. If life had taught him anything, it was that the greatest danger emanated not from strangers but from those working hardest to snow him into believing they were his allies. Was she one of those pretenders? Had he been this wrong about her? Had Debbie been right and he could not trust Lisa anywhere around him? He just could not make himself believe that she had been serious. Something else was going on. And he did not intend to let her leave before she spilled the beans. The sexual distraction had been nice, but she was not about to use her wiles to make him forget his questions.
The constant flow of tears decreased down to a steady trickle before finally ebbing away. Lisa realized her head was against his shoulder and her body was molded into his as if she was seeking shelter from a storm. Several dark stains adorned his shirt now. They no doubt originated from her tears and, well, from that damn runny nose that always seemed to accompany her really intense crying spells. As mad as she had been at Michael, currently, her frustration was directed against herself.
What in the world was wrong with her? She never lost control like this. It must have been the exhaustion of the past weeks that rendered her a sniveling infant. How irritating to have this breakdown in front of him, when she needed every ounce of strength to project the image of the independent woman who no longer needed or wanted him. If only the arm around her did not feel so comforting and so right. If only she was not still a quivering mess from their earlier confrontation. If only she did not feel another hot wave of desire rise like yet an additional phoenix from the ashes of the fire that tore her apart just minutes earlier. He was like the fever she would never be able to shake: her lifelong case of malaria without the benefit of quinine. No, she had to fight this. She could not afford to just let this crazy need for him consume her soul.
Lisa straightened and tried to shrug off the arm that stubbornly tightened across her. “I’m fine, you can let me go now.”
“You don’t seem fine.”
She sniffled and he handed her a handkerchief from his pocket. The old fashioned gesture made her heart give a tight squeeze. Lisa blew her nose noisily, resulting in Michael making an odd face.
The constant flow of tears decreased down to a steady trickle before finally ebbing away. Lisa realized her head was against his shoulder and her body was molded into his as if she was seeking shelter from a storm. Several dark stains adorned his shirt now. They no doubt originated from her tears and, well, from that damn runny nose that always seemed to accompany her really intense crying spells. As mad as she had been at Michael, currently, her frustration was directed against herself.
What in the world was wrong with her? She never lost control like this. It must have been the exhaustion of the past weeks that rendered her a sniveling infant. How irritating to have this breakdown in front of him, when she needed every ounce of strength to project the image of the independent woman who no longer needed or wanted him. If only the arm around her did not feel so comforting and so right. If only she was not still a quivering mess from their earlier confrontation. If only she did not feel another hot wave of desire rise like yet an additional phoenix from the ashes of the fire that tore her apart just minutes earlier. He was like the fever she would never be able to shake: her lifelong case of malaria without the benefit of quinine. No, she had to fight this. She could not afford to just let this crazy need for him consume her soul.
Lisa straightened and tried to shrug off the arm that stubbornly tightened across her. “I’m fine, you can let me go now.”
“You don’t seem fine.”
She sniffled and he handed her a handkerchief from his pocket. The old fashioned gesture made her heart give a tight squeeze. Lisa blew her nose noisily, resulting in Michael making an odd face.
Still holding the hanky to her nose, her eyes widened. “What?”
He tried hard to hold back a giggle. “That was really gross.”
They stared at each other for about two seconds before bursting out into a chorus of laughter. In no time at all, tears of a different kind were being shed and Lisa thought for one second that she must have lost her mind. She was mad at him, why in the hell was she laughing? There wasn’t anything funny about this situation! Still, oddly enough the sounds of their laughter provided soothing balm to her festering wounds.
Michael regarded Lisa’s doubled over form, marveling at how completely lost in the fit of laughter they both were. The abandon with which she now giggled was almost identical to her earlier crying. In the past, he had often envied her ability to carry her emotions on her sleeve, when he had learned the hard way that it served him much better to keep his emotional stated well hidden as long as he was not on stage. Showing feelings to him was similar to holding up a target while being surrounded by arrows swooping by. Had not Lisa herself ridiculed his pain and despair during the disastrous last months of their marriage, when in the past she had plead with him to just open up to her? With her though, he hardly ever had to guess how she was feeling. He envied her childlike emotional directness- even as it scared him at times.
When Lisa finally raised her eyes up to his, her irises were a bright cobalt blue, reminding him of the clear azure sky after a torrential storm. The rest of her presented a less romantic image: her face was a mess, her nose still red, and her hair had started to curl in little wisps around her moist cheeks. Still, in that moment she could not have appeared more beautiful to him had she been attired in jewels and silk. His Lisa, his little girl… Before he knew what he was doing, his hand reached out and his palm tentatively caressed her cheek. Immediately her laughter ceased and the careless, childlike expression fell away to be replaced by her mask of insecurity and confusion.
Michael’s eyes narrowed. Why was she confused? She was the one holding all the answers here.
“Lise, don’t be scared. I won’t hurt you, princess. I could never hurt you. Just tell me what is going on with you? What’s wrong? I won’t be mad. Just tell me. I have been going insane…”
Her eyes teared up again, but she caught herself and hid behind a sarcastic smile. “Tell me something I don’t know.”
“Don’t do this. Let me in.” His tone remained calm and serious.
For one small second Lisa thought aliens had abducted her and had switched out her and Michael’s brains in a very cruel experiment.
“That’s my line.”
He giggled. “True. I guess I heard it one too many times.”
She lowered her head, a sad smile on her lips. “Look, I just came to make you understand that you made the choice to end it for good, and that it is really difficult to stay away when you show up where you have no business being. You can’t just call my house from the curb at 6 am, and you cannot follow me around town.”
“I made the choice? As I recall it, you walked out. I mean, why am I surprised? And this time, all I did was to ask you a question.” Michael zeroed in on one aspect of her little speech, purposely ignoring the part of her instructing him what he could not or should not do.
Lisa closed her eyes in exasperation for a second before she answered. “You disguised an accusation as a question. You threw your weight around, trying to butt in on when I see Danny, without even asking what was going on.”
“I… You asked me to get your call, and then uhm, then you acted like it was a secret.”
For some reason, Michael’s pouting tone reminded her of Ben right now, trying to justify why he had snuck cookies before dinner. She had to keep her guard up and be very careful. Just like Ben was known to be able to sway his mother with his charms, Michael also had ways to sneak past her defenses and rules. Lisa straightened and reached out to touch his knee.
“The point is you made the right call. It was time to end this…whatever it was.”
“Whatever, Lisa. If you don’t love me anymore, just say it, and stop hiding behind some righteous indignation. You could have stayed.” He moved his leg and her hand fell away.
“For what? For more sex?”
He lowered his gaze and mumbled under his breath, “Wouldn’t be the first time.”
“Dammit, Michael. It’s not enough anymore. What are we? What were we all this time? We certainly were more than friends but less than lovers. You wouldn’t commit to me again. Or maybe you couldn’t- and still can’t. I really don’t think you ever planned to. Maybe you just can’t be married. Maybe that’s it. Well, I am done playing around. I need to have a family, and I want it with the man I love.”
“What do you mean I can’t be married? I am married. What are you talking about?” He raked his hand through his hair in frustration.
“Yes, and your marriage is the shining example of how all successful marriages should be? Are you happy with her?”
“You want me to be happily married to Debbie?”
“Are you missing the point on purpose, Mike? I want you to be married to me. I want you to be with me, and I want everything else to be less important than our family. But you can’t do that, can you? Every time we come this close you pull away like a scared bird.”
“I have no clue what you are talking about. Are you saying, I’m scared? I am not fucking scared. No one can get to me- I’m way too tough. I’ve been through enough attacks for a lifetime- and I survived.”
“Yes, you sure did. But you are also afraid. You are scared to death ‘cause you know I can get to you like no one else. You know how I know that? Because it’s the same with me. I fucked up, ok? I got frightened, and I listened to my mother and Danny and whoever else told me that you were just using me. I admitted that already. I fucked up and played games and lost you. But you ran scared, too. And now you are running scared again, and all this bullshit about you thinking that Danny is fucking me is just a load of crap you are hiding behind.” Her voice had risen to a level she knew he was uncomfortable with, but she was just not able to hold back her frustration any longer.
Michael was biting his lip. No, she was wrong. He had no reason to be frightened. He had everything he needed.
Everything except the one woman he had felt safe with after all these years of feeling threatened and used by those using their sexuality to get a little piece of him.
Michael reminded the annoying inner voice that Lisa, too, had betrayed him. Just like all the others. She had thought she could control him with her pouting and threats. Her attempts to bully him had backfired, though.
She had not only hurt herself. You got messed up, too.
No, he was just fine. She just had to shut up and stop confusing him. Yes, that was it: he had to silence Lisa to mute his own doubts.
To achieve that goal, he made the move that stunned them both. He reached out, his hand fisting in her hair, pulling her toward him urgently. All this damn talking was getting them nowhere and certainly not anywhere near the truth. Maybe he could mellow her out enough to become careless. Lisa’s mouth had opened in protest and he used the small advantage to plunder her sweet lips with his. Her taste went straight to his head as static currents leaped from one nerve cell to the next at the touch of her hot tongue. For a split second he feared she might retaliate for the surprise attack by biting him, before all thought was pulverized by the intense calescent forces racing through him.
When Lisa finally raised her eyes up to his, her irises were a bright cobalt blue, reminding him of the clear azure sky after a torrential storm. The rest of her presented a less romantic image: her face was a mess, her nose still red, and her hair had started to curl in little wisps around her moist cheeks. Still, in that moment she could not have appeared more beautiful to him had she been attired in jewels and silk. His Lisa, his little girl… Before he knew what he was doing, his hand reached out and his palm tentatively caressed her cheek. Immediately her laughter ceased and the careless, childlike expression fell away to be replaced by her mask of insecurity and confusion.
Michael’s eyes narrowed. Why was she confused? She was the one holding all the answers here.
“Lise, don’t be scared. I won’t hurt you, princess. I could never hurt you. Just tell me what is going on with you? What’s wrong? I won’t be mad. Just tell me. I have been going insane…”
Her eyes teared up again, but she caught herself and hid behind a sarcastic smile. “Tell me something I don’t know.”
“Don’t do this. Let me in.” His tone remained calm and serious.
For one small second Lisa thought aliens had abducted her and had switched out her and Michael’s brains in a very cruel experiment.
“That’s my line.”
He giggled. “True. I guess I heard it one too many times.”
She lowered her head, a sad smile on her lips. “Look, I just came to make you understand that you made the choice to end it for good, and that it is really difficult to stay away when you show up where you have no business being. You can’t just call my house from the curb at 6 am, and you cannot follow me around town.”
“I made the choice? As I recall it, you walked out. I mean, why am I surprised? And this time, all I did was to ask you a question.” Michael zeroed in on one aspect of her little speech, purposely ignoring the part of her instructing him what he could not or should not do.
Lisa closed her eyes in exasperation for a second before she answered. “You disguised an accusation as a question. You threw your weight around, trying to butt in on when I see Danny, without even asking what was going on.”
“I… You asked me to get your call, and then uhm, then you acted like it was a secret.”
For some reason, Michael’s pouting tone reminded her of Ben right now, trying to justify why he had snuck cookies before dinner. She had to keep her guard up and be very careful. Just like Ben was known to be able to sway his mother with his charms, Michael also had ways to sneak past her defenses and rules. Lisa straightened and reached out to touch his knee.
“The point is you made the right call. It was time to end this…whatever it was.”
“Whatever, Lisa. If you don’t love me anymore, just say it, and stop hiding behind some righteous indignation. You could have stayed.” He moved his leg and her hand fell away.
“For what? For more sex?”
He lowered his gaze and mumbled under his breath, “Wouldn’t be the first time.”
“Dammit, Michael. It’s not enough anymore. What are we? What were we all this time? We certainly were more than friends but less than lovers. You wouldn’t commit to me again. Or maybe you couldn’t- and still can’t. I really don’t think you ever planned to. Maybe you just can’t be married. Maybe that’s it. Well, I am done playing around. I need to have a family, and I want it with the man I love.”
“What do you mean I can’t be married? I am married. What are you talking about?” He raked his hand through his hair in frustration.
“Yes, and your marriage is the shining example of how all successful marriages should be? Are you happy with her?”
“You want me to be happily married to Debbie?”
“Are you missing the point on purpose, Mike? I want you to be married to me. I want you to be with me, and I want everything else to be less important than our family. But you can’t do that, can you? Every time we come this close you pull away like a scared bird.”
“I have no clue what you are talking about. Are you saying, I’m scared? I am not fucking scared. No one can get to me- I’m way too tough. I’ve been through enough attacks for a lifetime- and I survived.”
“Yes, you sure did. But you are also afraid. You are scared to death ‘cause you know I can get to you like no one else. You know how I know that? Because it’s the same with me. I fucked up, ok? I got frightened, and I listened to my mother and Danny and whoever else told me that you were just using me. I admitted that already. I fucked up and played games and lost you. But you ran scared, too. And now you are running scared again, and all this bullshit about you thinking that Danny is fucking me is just a load of crap you are hiding behind.” Her voice had risen to a level she knew he was uncomfortable with, but she was just not able to hold back her frustration any longer.
Michael was biting his lip. No, she was wrong. He had no reason to be frightened. He had everything he needed.
Everything except the one woman he had felt safe with after all these years of feeling threatened and used by those using their sexuality to get a little piece of him.
Michael reminded the annoying inner voice that Lisa, too, had betrayed him. Just like all the others. She had thought she could control him with her pouting and threats. Her attempts to bully him had backfired, though.
She had not only hurt herself. You got messed up, too.
No, he was just fine. She just had to shut up and stop confusing him. Yes, that was it: he had to silence Lisa to mute his own doubts.
To achieve that goal, he made the move that stunned them both. He reached out, his hand fisting in her hair, pulling her toward him urgently. All this damn talking was getting them nowhere and certainly not anywhere near the truth. Maybe he could mellow her out enough to become careless. Lisa’s mouth had opened in protest and he used the small advantage to plunder her sweet lips with his. Her taste went straight to his head as static currents leaped from one nerve cell to the next at the touch of her hot tongue. For a split second he feared she might retaliate for the surprise attack by biting him, before all thought was pulverized by the intense calescent forces racing through him.
Lisa’s body actually maintained the struggle longer than her mouth. She continued to push against him when her lips already greedily had drunk him in, her tongue engaged in the sensual dance as if it had a life of its own. Michael’s lips left hers after he had assured himself that she was reciprocating the passionate exchange, and he kissed and licked her neck, paying special attention to the fluttering soft spot at its base, causing a throaty moan to escape, stoking his fire to new heights.
“Fuck it, Mike, we can’t…No…” Her head was thrown back and she reached up to pull his head closer, her fingers entangled in his curls. Yeah, she was the picture of reluctance.
31)
Well, if Lisa thought he would just back down now, she was dead wrong. The path of kisses ended at her ear. “Shut up, woman; just shut up for once…You always talk too much.” He nibbled on her earlobe before retracing his path back to that seductive mouth. Instead of kissing her he just kept his lips close to hers; Lisa jumped into action, her teeth capturing his succulent bottom lip, biting it gently before sucking on it. She might as well have drawn on his penis, because the effect was almost the same. He was rock hard once more. Why, oh why, had he bothered to close his jeans up again? A barely perceptible whimper escaped from Lisa, and Michael was not entirely clear if she was objecting or urging him on.
“Don’t’ say anything. Just feel me, feel us. I need you so much; don’t make me stop, please.” His voice was both a sedative and a stimulant. Lisa felt utterly defeated and betrayed by her own lack of valid defenses. Barely able to orient herself, she noticed Michael had already started to discard her shirt and was unhooking her bra. Instead of fighting him off, her treacherous fingers attempted to unbutton that damn red shirt, only to find it was easier to just pull it open, imitating his onstage move, sending buttons flying and rattling away on the hard wood floors. Next, she found his shirt and lifted it over his head, needing to feel his skin, to kiss his chest, to trace her mouth to his nipples that she found deliciously hard and raised. He was a heady feast, and kissing him reminded her of vanilla and cinnamon. Through the drumfire of her own pulse, she caught Michael’s moans and small cries which served to heighten her state of frenzy.
One more time. I just want to feel him fill all of me one more single time. This is it; it will last me a life time…I promise…Lisa was not sure she believed her own lie, but in this moment it was as good a rationalization as any.
Michael felt that whatever access he had to her was not enough. He had managed to free her breast and pushed her off for a second to feast his eyes before his watering mouth reciprocated her treatment. His lapped and suckled on one rigid peak, before Lisa thought the mixture of pain and pleasure would drive her insane, and then he switched to the other side. Lisa had thrown her head back and offered her chest to him without further protest, while her hands made the trip from his chest to his abs and found the button and zipper of his jeans. Michael had raised himself above her on the stairs, providing each lover with improved access to the other.
Well, if Lisa thought he would just back down now, she was dead wrong. The path of kisses ended at her ear. “Shut up, woman; just shut up for once…You always talk too much.” He nibbled on her earlobe before retracing his path back to that seductive mouth. Instead of kissing her he just kept his lips close to hers; Lisa jumped into action, her teeth capturing his succulent bottom lip, biting it gently before sucking on it. She might as well have drawn on his penis, because the effect was almost the same. He was rock hard once more. Why, oh why, had he bothered to close his jeans up again? A barely perceptible whimper escaped from Lisa, and Michael was not entirely clear if she was objecting or urging him on.
“Don’t’ say anything. Just feel me, feel us. I need you so much; don’t make me stop, please.” His voice was both a sedative and a stimulant. Lisa felt utterly defeated and betrayed by her own lack of valid defenses. Barely able to orient herself, she noticed Michael had already started to discard her shirt and was unhooking her bra. Instead of fighting him off, her treacherous fingers attempted to unbutton that damn red shirt, only to find it was easier to just pull it open, imitating his onstage move, sending buttons flying and rattling away on the hard wood floors. Next, she found his shirt and lifted it over his head, needing to feel his skin, to kiss his chest, to trace her mouth to his nipples that she found deliciously hard and raised. He was a heady feast, and kissing him reminded her of vanilla and cinnamon. Through the drumfire of her own pulse, she caught Michael’s moans and small cries which served to heighten her state of frenzy.
One more time. I just want to feel him fill all of me one more single time. This is it; it will last me a life time…I promise…Lisa was not sure she believed her own lie, but in this moment it was as good a rationalization as any.
Michael felt that whatever access he had to her was not enough. He had managed to free her breast and pushed her off for a second to feast his eyes before his watering mouth reciprocated her treatment. His lapped and suckled on one rigid peak, before Lisa thought the mixture of pain and pleasure would drive her insane, and then he switched to the other side. Lisa had thrown her head back and offered her chest to him without further protest, while her hands made the trip from his chest to his abs and found the button and zipper of his jeans. Michael had raised himself above her on the stairs, providing each lover with improved access to the other.
Michael let Lisa open his fly, but prevented her from touching the part of him that called out to her to free him, aiming to prolong the delicious torture. Also, he found she continued to wear too many clothes entirely. He grabbed her under her arms and lifted her up, making her scoot up several steps, leaving her sitting slightly above him. Breathless, he looked up at her, mesmerized by the feverish look in her eyes, her tousled hair, and her beautiful breasts, the tips still wet and erect. She was sexual temptation personified and he could not wait to conquer her, proving once again that she was his.
His gaze lowered from her chest to her still-clothed hips. “Take them off,” he commanded.
Lisa’s eyebrow was raised in that cocky fashion he knew so well. Continuing to hold his gaze, she slowly raised her hands. Instead of stopping at the waistband of her jeans, she let her fingers caress her breasts, pinching her nipples. She then traced the swell of her mounds, enjoying her touch down her abs, followed by tracing the waistband of her pants across her belly.
“Lisa- stop messing around. Take them off. Now!” His voice was a low growl.
Lisa’s lips formed a small, knowing smile as she leisurely opened the silver button and gradually unzipped. Michael felt blood rushing through him in torrents, watching her seductive dance as she lifted her hips off the step and undulated them, pulling down her pants. Sitting back down, she kicked off her shoes and straightened her legs. Reading the cue, he pulled the pants from her in one swift motion, as Lisa held on to the top stair to remain seated.
Lisa’s eyebrow was raised in that cocky fashion he knew so well. Continuing to hold his gaze, she slowly raised her hands. Instead of stopping at the waistband of her jeans, she let her fingers caress her breasts, pinching her nipples. She then traced the swell of her mounds, enjoying her touch down her abs, followed by tracing the waistband of her pants across her belly.
“Lisa- stop messing around. Take them off. Now!” His voice was a low growl.
Lisa’s lips formed a small, knowing smile as she leisurely opened the silver button and gradually unzipped. Michael felt blood rushing through him in torrents, watching her seductive dance as she lifted her hips off the step and undulated them, pulling down her pants. Sitting back down, she kicked off her shoes and straightened her legs. Reading the cue, he pulled the pants from her in one swift motion, as Lisa held on to the top stair to remain seated.
“Satisfied?” The catlike smile radiated as she watched him from below hooded eyelids. Her legs spread on the stairs, causing Michael to swallow hard.
“Hardly.” His eyes settled on the red lace panties that remained. For someone just going out to talk to her ex-husband, the little temptress sure wore sexy lingerie. Michael decided now was not the time to question her motives.
Lisa slowly shook her head, daring him to make her follow his command. Michael paused for a second before he smiled at her. He kneeled on the step below her now.
“Suit yourself. Spread them wider.” He used his hands to make her follow his command. This time she complied without a second thought.
Michael pulled her panties to the side and used his index finger to trace her opening. Lisa responded with a drawn out “Ahhh…” as her eyes closed and her lips darted out to wet her pouting lips.
“So pretty…so wet…so ready. Tell me who this is for, Princess.”
Her eyes opened slightly and focused on him as she whispered, “All for you, Daddy. Only you…”
Having received the confirmation he needed, Michael’s head bent toward her. Continuing to hold her panties to one side, two fingers of his other hand dipped into her honey pot, enjoying the heat and tight muscles engulfing him. His penis jumped in his pants in anticipation and with envy of the pleasure his fingers now experienced. Michael used his fingers to rotate inside her heat, priming her for later, making her whimper and long for more. Her hips started to move against him in an effort to adjust the angle so the little swollen knob that had appeared above her entrance would likewise receive stimulating attention. Michael watched in fascination as the muscles in her lower abs contracted, rippling like snakes under her taunt skin. She was so thin- was it still possible she carried his child? He intended to go a bit easy on her this time, not wanting to mess anything up. Just in case…
Lisa was lost in another universe. She was resigned to the fact that she would get this one final fix and her body was bathing in purest enjoyment and anticipation. She was lost in the throes of this all-consuming fire, heated further by his eyes keeping her spellbound, as his fingers stoked the flames higher and higher. His twisting movements had started to ignite the hidden nerve centers inside, setting off fiery explosives that hurled fireballs of pleasure toward her womb. If only he would use his tongue, heaven would be so close.
Michael seemed to have heard her silent plea and, while still letting his fingers play her internal chords, used his tongue to flick at her engorged clitoris playfully, watching her hips shoot up toward him as if hit be high power electric shocks. Her cry of pleasure was answered by his satisfied humming against her. Lisa was not sure how much longer she would last under his teasing administration as she held on to the step she was sitting on for dear life, fearing the release she clamored for would launch her off the stair case and straight into another galaxy. Michael stilled all movement for a small moment, having read her sounds and movements to indicate her impending climax.
“Please, oh, please….don’t stop. Don’t …,” she whimpered.
“You like that?”
“I love it.” The reply was forced out between pants.
“Did you miss me?”
“God, yeah.”
“Wanna cum?”
Lisa forced her eyes to open and gave him a serious nod. Michael raised an eyebrow in response. Damn him! Always playing games! Michael straightened and was standing over her.
“You might wanna help me out of these, then, so I can give you what you really want.”
Lisa lost no time. She reached up and let her fingers trace over his taunt abs for a second, enjoying the shuddering of his muscles, the rippling of his skin, and the sharply indrawn breath. The admission that she needed him and missed him might have come from her, but his physical reaction left no doubt that her sentiments were reciprocated and that he probably was racing toward his own point of no return. She grabbed the material of his jeans on either side of him and pulled them down, smiling at the sight of his fully engorged penis jutting toward her. Her fingers closed around him before he even managed to step out of his pants. Lisa’s eyes darted up to see the reaction to her hands caressing him, stroking him, teasing him, and testing his rigidity as well as his endurance. Michael’s hand came to rest on top of hers. She watched in amazement as his large palm covered her small hand. For a second, she thought he might stop her, but looking up, she saw his head was thrown back, his hair curling down his back while his hand followed her motion. She thought she would melt away from the image of their hands on his cock: hers small and tan, like a little bird under his warm, strong, reassuring touch.
Finally, he increased the pressure of his grip, stilling her movement. He sank to his knees, coming to rest between her braced legs. He started to kiss her knee, placing tender kisses on her skin, while he let his fingers trace the sensitive terrain of her inner thighs, enjoying the ripples of shiver bumps evoked by his grazing touch. Lisa sat up slightly and pulled him closer, greedily raising his face up to hers, engulfing him with her hot little mouth, while he stayed passive for a small instant, just relishing the feel of her soft lips, the sweet scent of her breath, and the exhilarating taste of the woman he knew deep down he craved with every ounce of his being. When her tongue entered his mouth he was not able to resist any longer and engaged fully, his tongue now snaking around hers, establishing his dominance. At the same time, his fingers once again pushed away the now drenched red fabric and, tugged at it until she raised her hips and he was able to pull it off her. While his lips never left her, he positioned himself at her entrance, his steel waiting to brand her hot depths. He backed away, catching his breath, using all his determination and restraint to not ram into her as every cell in his body urged him to do.
“Lise, I don’t want to hurt you. Is it ok? I mean, I won’t hurt…anything, right? You would tell me, wouldn’t you?”
His dark eyes drew her into their abyss. Tenderness spread through her and competed with the hot and heady mix of desire and love. “Mike, don’t worry. You can’t hurt me when you make love to me. Please don’t stop, whatever you do, don’t stop. Only that would hurt me, would devastate me…”
Her eyes opened slightly and focused on him as she whispered, “All for you, Daddy. Only you…”
Having received the confirmation he needed, Michael’s head bent toward her. Continuing to hold her panties to one side, two fingers of his other hand dipped into her honey pot, enjoying the heat and tight muscles engulfing him. His penis jumped in his pants in anticipation and with envy of the pleasure his fingers now experienced. Michael used his fingers to rotate inside her heat, priming her for later, making her whimper and long for more. Her hips started to move against him in an effort to adjust the angle so the little swollen knob that had appeared above her entrance would likewise receive stimulating attention. Michael watched in fascination as the muscles in her lower abs contracted, rippling like snakes under her taunt skin. She was so thin- was it still possible she carried his child? He intended to go a bit easy on her this time, not wanting to mess anything up. Just in case…
Lisa was lost in another universe. She was resigned to the fact that she would get this one final fix and her body was bathing in purest enjoyment and anticipation. She was lost in the throes of this all-consuming fire, heated further by his eyes keeping her spellbound, as his fingers stoked the flames higher and higher. His twisting movements had started to ignite the hidden nerve centers inside, setting off fiery explosives that hurled fireballs of pleasure toward her womb. If only he would use his tongue, heaven would be so close.
Michael seemed to have heard her silent plea and, while still letting his fingers play her internal chords, used his tongue to flick at her engorged clitoris playfully, watching her hips shoot up toward him as if hit be high power electric shocks. Her cry of pleasure was answered by his satisfied humming against her. Lisa was not sure how much longer she would last under his teasing administration as she held on to the step she was sitting on for dear life, fearing the release she clamored for would launch her off the stair case and straight into another galaxy. Michael stilled all movement for a small moment, having read her sounds and movements to indicate her impending climax.
“Please, oh, please….don’t stop. Don’t …,” she whimpered.
“You like that?”
“I love it.” The reply was forced out between pants.
“Did you miss me?”
“God, yeah.”
“Wanna cum?”
Lisa forced her eyes to open and gave him a serious nod. Michael raised an eyebrow in response. Damn him! Always playing games! Michael straightened and was standing over her.
“You might wanna help me out of these, then, so I can give you what you really want.”
Lisa lost no time. She reached up and let her fingers trace over his taunt abs for a second, enjoying the shuddering of his muscles, the rippling of his skin, and the sharply indrawn breath. The admission that she needed him and missed him might have come from her, but his physical reaction left no doubt that her sentiments were reciprocated and that he probably was racing toward his own point of no return. She grabbed the material of his jeans on either side of him and pulled them down, smiling at the sight of his fully engorged penis jutting toward her. Her fingers closed around him before he even managed to step out of his pants. Lisa’s eyes darted up to see the reaction to her hands caressing him, stroking him, teasing him, and testing his rigidity as well as his endurance. Michael’s hand came to rest on top of hers. She watched in amazement as his large palm covered her small hand. For a second, she thought he might stop her, but looking up, she saw his head was thrown back, his hair curling down his back while his hand followed her motion. She thought she would melt away from the image of their hands on his cock: hers small and tan, like a little bird under his warm, strong, reassuring touch.
Finally, he increased the pressure of his grip, stilling her movement. He sank to his knees, coming to rest between her braced legs. He started to kiss her knee, placing tender kisses on her skin, while he let his fingers trace the sensitive terrain of her inner thighs, enjoying the ripples of shiver bumps evoked by his grazing touch. Lisa sat up slightly and pulled him closer, greedily raising his face up to hers, engulfing him with her hot little mouth, while he stayed passive for a small instant, just relishing the feel of her soft lips, the sweet scent of her breath, and the exhilarating taste of the woman he knew deep down he craved with every ounce of his being. When her tongue entered his mouth he was not able to resist any longer and engaged fully, his tongue now snaking around hers, establishing his dominance. At the same time, his fingers once again pushed away the now drenched red fabric and, tugged at it until she raised her hips and he was able to pull it off her. While his lips never left her, he positioned himself at her entrance, his steel waiting to brand her hot depths. He backed away, catching his breath, using all his determination and restraint to not ram into her as every cell in his body urged him to do.
“Lise, I don’t want to hurt you. Is it ok? I mean, I won’t hurt…anything, right? You would tell me, wouldn’t you?”
His dark eyes drew her into their abyss. Tenderness spread through her and competed with the hot and heady mix of desire and love. “Mike, don’t worry. You can’t hurt me when you make love to me. Please don’t stop, whatever you do, don’t stop. Only that would hurt me, would devastate me…”
He closed his eyes, unsure what he thought of her answer, but taking from it the only message he could process in his current condition. When he entered her, he did so slowly and deliberately, letting her experience every last inch. Her eyes closed in time with his weapon marking her forever his. Rays of light spread through her body with the intense heat of his invasion. Stretched to the limit, the slow way he claimed her was an exquisite contrast to the furious coupling she had anticipated. When he filled her to the hilt, when she was sure that he had taken up all the spaces of her body as well as her heart, he stilled and it seemed they both opened their eyes at the exact same time, searching for answers to unsolved and possibly unconceived questions. Michael reached out to trace her cheek at the same time her palm found his face. He turned and kissed her hand, wanting to somehow preserve this moment to sustain him.
Lisa started to move against him, needing him to provide the friction to boost her further. Michael obliged and within seconds the previous moment of tenderness was replaced by an increase in speed and energy as Michael followed the urge propel them to scathing heights. Hands braced on steps above her, he used the leverage to change the angle and rotation of his thrusts. All he could think about besides the intense pleasure was that she would not forget this; if she was not already pregnant with his baby, then maybe this would do the trick. And if not that, then his brand would ensure she was his and his alone.
When had those thoughts started again? No, those are old considerations. I don’t want that anymore. I have given up on wanting her for myself, on wanting our child. I gave all that up…I thought.
The thoughts registered on a different level as the sights and sounds around him. He saw Lisa’s reclined head, her face glowing, her eyes closed, beads of sweat forming on her forehead. Her breasts were bouncing before him, her nipples hard and stimulated without having been touched by him. Her noises were gasps and moans, interrupted by her cries of passion, urging him on. She kept one hand on his hip, the other had snaked around, holding his ass, pressing him into her. This was all he wanted from her, wasn’t it?
Hovering at the brink of a mind-shattering orgasm, Lisa sensed some change in him and tried to grasp the meaning. The driving movement of his hard length had slowed almost imperceptivity and she attempted to penetrate the haze of desire to read beyond his expression of sexual strain and exultation. Something was different, but her own blood coursing through her veins like an uncontrolled torrent and her nerves approaching the point of electric overload prevented immediate analysis.
“Baby, are you close, I don’t think I can…” He managed to force out between clenched teeth.
“Oh, fuck yeah, oh baby…oh Mike…” Lisa could not form a more coherent response as her muscles started to tighten and spasm, threatening to rip her apart into a million specks of light. The tight spiral inside uncurled with a fury, and she screamed out as wave after wave of intense pleasure kept her gasping for air. She was surrounded by the most delirious, incredible warmth filling her body, her sex, and her lungs
Michael felt her throb and tighten to painful levels and watched the pink hue cover her like a fine layer of the lightest silk, knowing it was time to let go. He had been holding back the flood but Lisa’s climax provided a surge that the walls of his dam could not withstand. He had considered driving straight through her peak and making her cum again, but abandoned that plan in the face of being unable to postpone his own pleasure any longer. When the tsunami hit, he thought the force would lift Lisa off the stairs. He noticed her scooting up and worried about hurting her back before all thought was drowned out by the crashing rhythm of his pulsating orgasm.
“Damn it, Princess. Oh my God- oh, I love you. Fuck…” His face was contorted in a painful grimace as he, too, rode from peak to peak, wondering if the release of his hot seed would ever stop. He heard Lisa moan again and realized that his crashing release had thrown her back into the pool of pleasure, as he enjoyed the fluttering and tightening of her walls against him once more.
He heard her repeating his name over and over as she covered his shoulders in kisses, clinging to him for dear life. In response, Michael’s arms tightened around her and he pulled her close as their hearts picked up a similar crazy beat, communicating across the thin barrier of their chests.
He thought he heard a sound, but decided it must have been one of the gardeners on the outside. He kept his eyes closed, his head resting against Lisa’s shoulder, as she was on his, both caught up in the soothing music of their recovering breathing.
“If you two are quite done, I would really appreciate if you got dressed and came downstairs, Michael. Maybe you should lock your door when you decide to give your little toy another spin next time.”
Both Michael and Lisa froze and turned in horror, facing the red, angry face of Mrs. Debbie Jackson.
“Oh, fuck yeah, oh baby…oh Mike…” Lisa could not form a more coherent response as her muscles started to tighten and spasm, threatening to rip her apart into a million specks of light. The tight spiral inside uncurled with a fury, and she screamed out as wave after wave of intense pleasure kept her gasping for air. She was surrounded by the most delirious, incredible warmth filling her body, her sex, and her lungs
Michael felt her throb and tighten to painful levels and watched the pink hue cover her like a fine layer of the lightest silk, knowing it was time to let go. He had been holding back the flood but Lisa’s climax provided a surge that the walls of his dam could not withstand. He had considered driving straight through her peak and making her cum again, but abandoned that plan in the face of being unable to postpone his own pleasure any longer. When the tsunami hit, he thought the force would lift Lisa off the stairs. He noticed her scooting up and worried about hurting her back before all thought was drowned out by the crashing rhythm of his pulsating orgasm.
“Damn it, Princess. Oh my God- oh, I love you. Fuck…” His face was contorted in a painful grimace as he, too, rode from peak to peak, wondering if the release of his hot seed would ever stop. He heard Lisa moan again and realized that his crashing release had thrown her back into the pool of pleasure, as he enjoyed the fluttering and tightening of her walls against him once more.
He heard her repeating his name over and over as she covered his shoulders in kisses, clinging to him for dear life. In response, Michael’s arms tightened around her and he pulled her close as their hearts picked up a similar crazy beat, communicating across the thin barrier of their chests.
He thought he heard a sound, but decided it must have been one of the gardeners on the outside. He kept his eyes closed, his head resting against Lisa’s shoulder, as she was on his, both caught up in the soothing music of their recovering breathing.
“If you two are quite done, I would really appreciate if you got dressed and came downstairs, Michael. Maybe you should lock your door when you decide to give your little toy another spin next time.”
Both Michael and Lisa froze and turned in horror, facing the red, angry face of Mrs. Debbie Jackson.
32)
“Would you stop laughing? Nothing about this is remotely funny.” Michael finally managed to pull his pants on and almost injured himself pulling the zipper closed. He cast yet another angry and almost accusatory look at Lisa who had thrown herself back on his bed after she pulled her clothes on in a hurry.
“Yes it is.” Lisa could barely speak, her voice sounding choked from yet another hysterical outburst. “I mean, come on Mike, this is hilarious. First we are screwing on your stairs like two teens without a home, then Nursey, …,” she intercepted Michael’s warning gaze, “I mean, your wife, catches us, and now you almost castrate yourself with that damn zipper again ‘cause you’re so bent out of shape.” Lisa was racked by another fit. “Hey, maybe you should try Velcro – ‘cause zippers are just not your thing.”
Michael rolled his eyes, clearly not in the mood to see the humorous side to any of this. He sank down next to her on the bed, raking his hand through the curls that had become lose during their passionate encounter.
“Oh, my God! This was totally horrifying. Lisa, did you see her face?”
Lisa grabbed a pillow and hid in it, attempting to muffle a new wave of chuckles.
“How can you be so cruel, Lise? She looked shocked- and so angry. How in the world will I face her when I get downstairs? I swear, I don’t think I will ever manage to go downstairs again.” Dramatically, he covered his face with both hands.
Lisa tossed the pillow she had used as a muffler toward his head with gusto. “Are you nuts? This is your house. And we were in your suite- with the door shut. No one asked her to come in. And I sure didn’t hear any knocking. I don’t buy her surprised act. Are you telling me she came up toward your bedroom suite and did not hear us? Gimme a break! I mean, we weren’t exactly engaged in silent prayer.”
Michael continued keep his head buried in his hands and sank forward.
“You are not helping. You think she heard us while we were…making love…eh, having sex? On no! I will just die!”
“Seriously, can you get a grip? Since when has it ever bothered you that people hear us? And what was it, Michael, having sex or making love?”
When he finally raised his head again, he found her eyes on him. He detected an insecure expression, a softness that belied her tough words and demeanor. Why was she so damn confusing all the time? And why did it matter to her what words he used? At least he was communicating. Her lack of such communication got them to this point, after all. If she had just given him a straight answer before none of this would have happened. They would not have had words and he would not have been tempted by her to go all wild and crazy right there in plain view. Well, semi plain view, anyway. He had to admit, Lisa was right about the door having been closed.
Not that he regretted having made love for one second. Some macho part of him was thrilled to have proven to her that she was still not immune to him that he was indeed able to evoke continued passionate responses from her. On the other hand, the plan had been to soften her up into telling him what was so damn secret about her health. It would have worked, too, had not Debbie chosen the most inopportune moment to come looking for him. He cringed remembering seeing her standing there like some wounded deer. An angry wounded deer. Or maybe more like a wounded dragon.
“It bothers me to think how hurt she must have been. I don’t care if random strangers hear us- I mean, I do, but...well…”
“You think that’s kinky? You do it ‘cause it turns you on more?” She winked at him in a scandalous way, giggling again.
Michael blushed furiously and reached over to cover her mouth with his hand. “Lisa-Marie! Will you shush? I do not think that’s sexy- it, uhm…. Never mind that, anyway. Stop changing the subject. I am talking about Debbie- how horrible to find someone you love with someone else like that. She must be so hurt. I really don’t want to hurt her feelings. Not after she has been so wonderful.”
Lisa paused for a second, obviously fighting the temptation to provide her own thoughts about how wonderful Debbie was. In a startling surprise move, she held his hand to her mouth for just a second and kissed his palm, sending little shivers through him. He moved her hand to her cheek and cupped her face before pushing a strand of hair behind her ear. For a second, he completely lost track of his thoughts, just feeling her soft skin, staring into her eyes, touching the silky texture of her hair. For the life of him, he could not explain the misplaced tenderness racing through him.
No, he could not allow himself to be side tracked by feelings for Lisa right now. First thing was first, he had to worry about Debbie and what she might do in her anger. While part of him certainly felt bad for the shock she must have experienced observing him and Lisa all entangled on the stairs to his bedroom, another part worried about having hurt the baby. Surely, such excitement and high emotions were not good for her. Also, Debbie had been irrational lately, what if she now decided to divorce him and file for custody? He was pretty sure finding your husband in ecstatic afterglow with his ex-wife was a pretty good reason to file for divorce. Shoot, how in the world had he messed up like this? He had to go and make this right with Debbie before being able to once again focus on Lisa and their current problems.
Despite these thoughts, he let himself fall back and sank into the space next to Lisa. She reached out and held his hand, her small fingers sliding in-between his warm digits. He was not sure why, but for some reason a sense of comfort fell over him. Of course, Lisa had always been able to provide the comfort he needed- when she was not the reason for his discomfort…
“Come on, baby. It’s not that bad. I know you feel badly, you just way too sensitive with that bleeding heart of yours. But seriously, she knows you are not into her like that. I mean, I know she has this thing for you, but really, maybe it’s good she saw first-hand that she will never have you like that. Unless you changed your mind.”
His face showed horror and disbelief. “About having sex with Debbie? Heck no! Still, Lisa, her face- and us, just sitting there… It was so embarrassing.”
Lisa had to admit the past half hour did not rate in the top ten moments of her life. Despite her hysterical outburst, she also had been shocked and horrified when she first noticed Debbie standing there like a furious statue, newly turned to salt. For one second she wondered if maybe she just mistook one of Michael’s mannequins for the little Missus, but sadly, that it was none other than the flesh and blood current Mrs. Jackson staring at their naked asses on the stairs. Michael, whose back had been toward Debbie, immediately –and uncharacteristically- had screamed at her to leave the room, while he reached over and pulled his shirt over Lisa in a move that both astonished and surprised her.
Knowing Michael, and his hang ups about being naked as she did, she would have betted all her money his reaction would be to cover himself before ever worrying about her, but he once again had proven her wrong. A million whispered words of love could not have made her feel more loved and cared for than that little protective gesture. Of course, with the delight came puzzlement. Questions wondering if she had been wrong about him only using her buzzed through her already weary mind like a swarm of awakened bees. Had she not entered this house with every intention of setting clear boundaries and ending things once and for all? How had he managed to once again get under her skin like that?
“Do you regret it…I mean…us…?” She kept her head lowered and cautiously observed him from behind a veil of her long hair.
Michael cocked his head sideways and looked at her as if she had asked him if the earth was flat. “No!” Bending forward toward her, he attempted to read her eyes and to establish full eye-contact. Being hindered by the curtain of long hair, he reached out and brushed her hair from her face, before his fingers tenderly touched her under her chin, raising her face, forcing her eyes to collide with his. “Why? Do you?”
For a moment she forgot the question as she was pulled, no sucked, into the mesmerizing, bottomless depths of his dark orbs. Then, she slowly and deliberately shook her head.
“I wish I could be. I wish I could become immune to you sometimes. You have no idea what you do to me, Michael. Making love to you is like dying and being born all rolled into one. It’s such a struggle to love you, and I never know if I will live or die as a result. Sometimes I am so afraid what will happen when you touch me, and then, a millisecond later, I dread what would happen if you don’t. But I’m so scared to show you any of that most of the time. It’s easier to just hide it all away.” Her voice had dwindled to a small whisper. How come she felt like she was walking out on a very shaky limb here? His face before her became fuzzy and unfocused as tears rose again, but she continued to hold his gaze, noting his eyes also reflected his emotions in a glossy sheen.
His hand moved from her face to her nape and he pulled her close, never breaking eyecontact. Before their lips met, he whispered, “Don’t hide, Princess. Don’t be afraid...”
And suddenly and amazingly, she noticed her fear had evaporated like insignificant vapor. Something had shifted and she had caught a glimpse of a small vulnerability in him that mirrored hers; a chink in that solid protective armor surrounding him. She knew he was mortally afraid of being hurt and often would build ridiculous defenses to keep that from happening. In the process, he also locked himself away, his isolation leaving him safe from harm, but lonely. As often as she had accused him of doing this to keep her at arm’s length, it was almost comical to see she was doing the exact same thing.
Their lips met in a soft and lingering kiss. The urgency from before had vanished and all that remained was a sweet longing. This kiss was so different as it expressed not only their physical connection but also something different, something they had carefully avoided all this time.
“You think that’s kinky? You do it ‘cause it turns you on more?” She winked at him in a scandalous way, giggling again.
Michael blushed furiously and reached over to cover her mouth with his hand. “Lisa-Marie! Will you shush? I do not think that’s sexy- it, uhm…. Never mind that, anyway. Stop changing the subject. I am talking about Debbie- how horrible to find someone you love with someone else like that. She must be so hurt. I really don’t want to hurt her feelings. Not after she has been so wonderful.”
Lisa paused for a second, obviously fighting the temptation to provide her own thoughts about how wonderful Debbie was. In a startling surprise move, she held his hand to her mouth for just a second and kissed his palm, sending little shivers through him. He moved her hand to her cheek and cupped her face before pushing a strand of hair behind her ear. For a second, he completely lost track of his thoughts, just feeling her soft skin, staring into her eyes, touching the silky texture of her hair. For the life of him, he could not explain the misplaced tenderness racing through him.
No, he could not allow himself to be side tracked by feelings for Lisa right now. First thing was first, he had to worry about Debbie and what she might do in her anger. While part of him certainly felt bad for the shock she must have experienced observing him and Lisa all entangled on the stairs to his bedroom, another part worried about having hurt the baby. Surely, such excitement and high emotions were not good for her. Also, Debbie had been irrational lately, what if she now decided to divorce him and file for custody? He was pretty sure finding your husband in ecstatic afterglow with his ex-wife was a pretty good reason to file for divorce. Shoot, how in the world had he messed up like this? He had to go and make this right with Debbie before being able to once again focus on Lisa and their current problems.
Despite these thoughts, he let himself fall back and sank into the space next to Lisa. She reached out and held his hand, her small fingers sliding in-between his warm digits. He was not sure why, but for some reason a sense of comfort fell over him. Of course, Lisa had always been able to provide the comfort he needed- when she was not the reason for his discomfort…
“Come on, baby. It’s not that bad. I know you feel badly, you just way too sensitive with that bleeding heart of yours. But seriously, she knows you are not into her like that. I mean, I know she has this thing for you, but really, maybe it’s good she saw first-hand that she will never have you like that. Unless you changed your mind.”
His face showed horror and disbelief. “About having sex with Debbie? Heck no! Still, Lisa, her face- and us, just sitting there… It was so embarrassing.”
Lisa had to admit the past half hour did not rate in the top ten moments of her life. Despite her hysterical outburst, she also had been shocked and horrified when she first noticed Debbie standing there like a furious statue, newly turned to salt. For one second she wondered if maybe she just mistook one of Michael’s mannequins for the little Missus, but sadly, that it was none other than the flesh and blood current Mrs. Jackson staring at their naked asses on the stairs. Michael, whose back had been toward Debbie, immediately –and uncharacteristically- had screamed at her to leave the room, while he reached over and pulled his shirt over Lisa in a move that both astonished and surprised her.
Knowing Michael, and his hang ups about being naked as she did, she would have betted all her money his reaction would be to cover himself before ever worrying about her, but he once again had proven her wrong. A million whispered words of love could not have made her feel more loved and cared for than that little protective gesture. Of course, with the delight came puzzlement. Questions wondering if she had been wrong about him only using her buzzed through her already weary mind like a swarm of awakened bees. Had she not entered this house with every intention of setting clear boundaries and ending things once and for all? How had he managed to once again get under her skin like that?
“Do you regret it…I mean…us…?” She kept her head lowered and cautiously observed him from behind a veil of her long hair.
Michael cocked his head sideways and looked at her as if she had asked him if the earth was flat. “No!” Bending forward toward her, he attempted to read her eyes and to establish full eye-contact. Being hindered by the curtain of long hair, he reached out and brushed her hair from her face, before his fingers tenderly touched her under her chin, raising her face, forcing her eyes to collide with his. “Why? Do you?”
For a moment she forgot the question as she was pulled, no sucked, into the mesmerizing, bottomless depths of his dark orbs. Then, she slowly and deliberately shook her head.
“I wish I could be. I wish I could become immune to you sometimes. You have no idea what you do to me, Michael. Making love to you is like dying and being born all rolled into one. It’s such a struggle to love you, and I never know if I will live or die as a result. Sometimes I am so afraid what will happen when you touch me, and then, a millisecond later, I dread what would happen if you don’t. But I’m so scared to show you any of that most of the time. It’s easier to just hide it all away.” Her voice had dwindled to a small whisper. How come she felt like she was walking out on a very shaky limb here? His face before her became fuzzy and unfocused as tears rose again, but she continued to hold his gaze, noting his eyes also reflected his emotions in a glossy sheen.
His hand moved from her face to her nape and he pulled her close, never breaking eyecontact. Before their lips met, he whispered, “Don’t hide, Princess. Don’t be afraid...”
And suddenly and amazingly, she noticed her fear had evaporated like insignificant vapor. Something had shifted and she had caught a glimpse of a small vulnerability in him that mirrored hers; a chink in that solid protective armor surrounding him. She knew he was mortally afraid of being hurt and often would build ridiculous defenses to keep that from happening. In the process, he also locked himself away, his isolation leaving him safe from harm, but lonely. As often as she had accused him of doing this to keep her at arm’s length, it was almost comical to see she was doing the exact same thing.
Their lips met in a soft and lingering kiss. The urgency from before had vanished and all that remained was a sweet longing. This kiss was so different as it expressed not only their physical connection but also something different, something they had carefully avoided all this time.
When the kiss ended, Michael kept his eyes closed, not wanting to leave the warm world he had just entered. Could he not just stay here and take advantage of the current peace between them? Surely, he could sit right here for just a little while longer, feeling at the verge of something that possibly could be a new beginning.
“Lise- will you tell me now? Will you tell me what’s wrong with you? I swear- and you know that I don’t like to swear- I promise from the bottom of my heart, I will not be mad about whatever you tell me. Just please don’t lie.”
“Michael, I never meant to lie about any of this. It’s just; I was so angry, and so…,” she took a deep breath and closed her eyes, jumping into the deep, cold water without having any measure of its depth. “…so hurt, ok? I was hurt. When you thought I had sex with Danny like I was some skanky slut, it really did a number on me. I mean, we just spent the night together, and I was so open to you. For you to just jump to the conclusion that I was cheating on you with Danny…” She could not finish and was simply shaking her head to express her confusion. “Michael, I have never, ever given you any reason to doubt that I was faithful to you, have I?”
Well, great, he felt like shit now. No, Lisa was correct; he never had to worry about her straying from their marriage with someone else. During their marriage at least, she had always made it more than clear how she felt about him. He was the one with the problems expressing his love in words at times. The truth was that the magnitude of his feelings for her had stunned him at times and left him utterly speechless. Long ago, he had resolved to stay away from loving someone with such abandon again. Loving like that was just a crazy endeavor of abandoning all self-protection. Still, he had handed her his heart. It seemed that he did not have to say how much he loved her all the time. What was the point? He was much better at expressing his devotion with gifts or gestures than continually communicating what should have been clear. He loved her, which was why he had wanted a family with her in the first place. If not, he would have taken Debbie up on her offer earlier, since she had never been shy about offering up her womb for rent.
Oh no! Debbie! Debbie was waiting downstairs, mad as hell. He almost had forgotten that he had to face his very upset friend. But first he had to clear things up with Lisa. In the last minutes, somehow his priorities had shifted again.
“But, Lisa! You could have just told me that no, you were not sleeping with him? I mean, how hard was that? I mean, you guys always hang out. I know you have the kids, but come on: I have never seen two ex-es spend so much time together. Well, I mean, we do- but you know we do more than talk.” He had blushed slightly which almost made her smile. Was this the same man who thirty minutes earlier had ordered her to take off her pants?
“Michael, Danny and I are friends. That is all. And not friends with benefits, like we are, either. Just co-parents and friends. That is all.”
“If that’s all, why was he there that morning? Why did he take you to the hospital?”
She looked down again, squirming slightly.
“I was not well. I had been ill with some weird shit. I mean, I was sick, dizzy, tired as hell. I thought I had the flue first, but it just would not go away. I had been up most of the night and then had another dizzy spell that morning you hung out outside my house. I already had a doctor’s appointment scheduled, so we called the hospital to see if I could come in earlier. Danny had come over since Mom called him to stay with the kids. Riley had been on top of the stair when I just about passed out- and she was freaking out.”
“Oh no,” he reached for her hand, and her eyes darted up in surprise. “Was she ok? That must have been so scary for her.”
His concern for her daughter warmed her heart and she gave his hand a squeeze. “Yeah, she was fine, just pretty shook up.”
“I hate it when Mother is sick. So, I know she must have been so scared. Poor baby!”
“So, yeah. And then, Riley pleaded with Danny to go with us to the hospital so she would know I’d be ok. Guess she thought my mother was not good enough a care-taker.”
“Smart kid.”
Lisa smiled and jabbed him with her elbow.
“Be nice.”
“Stop it, I am nice.”
“So, see? All your carrying on and having fits was for nothing.”
“What is the big secret then? What am I not allowed to know?”
“It’s not that you’re not allowed to know something. I just got pissed when you came in there and tried to throw your weight around in that annoying passive aggressive way of yours.”
“I do not have a passive aggressive way! I was very worried and I think you could have respected that and let me know what the heck was going on. I mean, it was inconsiderate to let me worry like that.”
“Inconsiderate? Whatever! I was the one in the hospital. Your feelings were really not on my mind at that moment.”
“Ok, fine. So, what’s wrong? I mean, what’s the big mystery? You still have not told me what’s going on?”
“Michael, I never meant to lie about any of this. It’s just; I was so angry, and so…,” she took a deep breath and closed her eyes, jumping into the deep, cold water without having any measure of its depth. “…so hurt, ok? I was hurt. When you thought I had sex with Danny like I was some skanky slut, it really did a number on me. I mean, we just spent the night together, and I was so open to you. For you to just jump to the conclusion that I was cheating on you with Danny…” She could not finish and was simply shaking her head to express her confusion. “Michael, I have never, ever given you any reason to doubt that I was faithful to you, have I?”
Well, great, he felt like shit now. No, Lisa was correct; he never had to worry about her straying from their marriage with someone else. During their marriage at least, she had always made it more than clear how she felt about him. He was the one with the problems expressing his love in words at times. The truth was that the magnitude of his feelings for her had stunned him at times and left him utterly speechless. Long ago, he had resolved to stay away from loving someone with such abandon again. Loving like that was just a crazy endeavor of abandoning all self-protection. Still, he had handed her his heart. It seemed that he did not have to say how much he loved her all the time. What was the point? He was much better at expressing his devotion with gifts or gestures than continually communicating what should have been clear. He loved her, which was why he had wanted a family with her in the first place. If not, he would have taken Debbie up on her offer earlier, since she had never been shy about offering up her womb for rent.
Oh no! Debbie! Debbie was waiting downstairs, mad as hell. He almost had forgotten that he had to face his very upset friend. But first he had to clear things up with Lisa. In the last minutes, somehow his priorities had shifted again.
“But, Lisa! You could have just told me that no, you were not sleeping with him? I mean, how hard was that? I mean, you guys always hang out. I know you have the kids, but come on: I have never seen two ex-es spend so much time together. Well, I mean, we do- but you know we do more than talk.” He had blushed slightly which almost made her smile. Was this the same man who thirty minutes earlier had ordered her to take off her pants?
“Michael, Danny and I are friends. That is all. And not friends with benefits, like we are, either. Just co-parents and friends. That is all.”
“If that’s all, why was he there that morning? Why did he take you to the hospital?”
She looked down again, squirming slightly.
“I was not well. I had been ill with some weird shit. I mean, I was sick, dizzy, tired as hell. I thought I had the flue first, but it just would not go away. I had been up most of the night and then had another dizzy spell that morning you hung out outside my house. I already had a doctor’s appointment scheduled, so we called the hospital to see if I could come in earlier. Danny had come over since Mom called him to stay with the kids. Riley had been on top of the stair when I just about passed out- and she was freaking out.”
“Oh no,” he reached for her hand, and her eyes darted up in surprise. “Was she ok? That must have been so scary for her.”
His concern for her daughter warmed her heart and she gave his hand a squeeze. “Yeah, she was fine, just pretty shook up.”
“I hate it when Mother is sick. So, I know she must have been so scared. Poor baby!”
“So, yeah. And then, Riley pleaded with Danny to go with us to the hospital so she would know I’d be ok. Guess she thought my mother was not good enough a care-taker.”
“Smart kid.”
Lisa smiled and jabbed him with her elbow.
“Be nice.”
“Stop it, I am nice.”
“So, see? All your carrying on and having fits was for nothing.”
“What is the big secret then? What am I not allowed to know?”
“It’s not that you’re not allowed to know something. I just got pissed when you came in there and tried to throw your weight around in that annoying passive aggressive way of yours.”
“I do not have a passive aggressive way! I was very worried and I think you could have respected that and let me know what the heck was going on. I mean, it was inconsiderate to let me worry like that.”
“Inconsiderate? Whatever! I was the one in the hospital. Your feelings were really not on my mind at that moment.”
“Ok, fine. So, what’s wrong? I mean, what’s the big mystery? You still have not told me what’s going on?”
“The truth is, I don’t know for sure yet, Michael. They are running some more tests. Something was off with my blood work, something about my blood clotting too much. They took more blood and I should hear more soon.”
“Is it serious? Can it make you this sick. And what about…you know…are you…you know….”
“I don’t know how serious it is yet. And before I answer the eternal pregnancy question, let me ask you something first: If I was pregnant would you really, for one second believe that the baby was not yours?”
Michael considered her question. He gazed up to the ceiling, reading some invisible cue cards. When he looked back into her eyes, he was serious and serene.
“You just told me that you and Danny are friends. So, if you were pregnant, the baby’s mine.”
She closed her eyes in relief and exhaled deeply, just now realizing she had been holding her breath. “Well then…”
The phone rang and startled both of them. Michael who at time was a master of ignoring calls, jumped to get the receiver. He held his hand over the bottom end and whispered to her, “Sorry, house phone; gotta take it.”
Lisa rolled her eyes and sat up, raking her hands through her hair, collecting it behind her into a pony tail and pulling a rubber band over it, attempting to act as if the interruption really did not bother her. Inside she trembled, wondering if Michael learning the truth would keep him close or cause him to pull away for good this time.
He sat up as well and turned his back to her, keeping his inputs very short, ending with a curt statement that he would be right down. Turning back to Lisa, he touched her shoulder.
“Staff is calling. Debbie has been throwing things in her rooms, yelling, and cursing. She is demanding I come downstairs to face her. I guess, I better get this taken care of, so we can finish this talk in peace. I am so sorry, please don’t think I’m running or pushing you to the sidelines.” Lisa had to smile. Those were words she had used so many times before when he just ended an argument by taking a phone call and rushing off.
“You want me to come with you? I know you don’t like to be put on the spot like that.”
“No, she’s gonna be mad as it is. I don’t want to make it worse by her going off at you. Why don’t you stay here and I’ll be right back, ok?” He reached out and framed her face with both hands, approaching her lips for a lingering kiss which she accepted.
“Ok, but hurry back. We need to get all this out in the open.”
“I won’t be long. There isn’t much to say. I just wanna make sure she won’t do anything stupid, okay? You know, her being pregnant and all, I have to be careful.”
“Yes, you do, Michael. Pregnant ladies do the craziest things at times, I have been told.”
He took a deep breath and left the room, wondering about how exactly he was to interpret her last statement.
She closed her eyes in relief and exhaled deeply, just now realizing she had been holding her breath. “Well then…”
The phone rang and startled both of them. Michael who at time was a master of ignoring calls, jumped to get the receiver. He held his hand over the bottom end and whispered to her, “Sorry, house phone; gotta take it.”
Lisa rolled her eyes and sat up, raking her hands through her hair, collecting it behind her into a pony tail and pulling a rubber band over it, attempting to act as if the interruption really did not bother her. Inside she trembled, wondering if Michael learning the truth would keep him close or cause him to pull away for good this time.
He sat up as well and turned his back to her, keeping his inputs very short, ending with a curt statement that he would be right down. Turning back to Lisa, he touched her shoulder.
“Staff is calling. Debbie has been throwing things in her rooms, yelling, and cursing. She is demanding I come downstairs to face her. I guess, I better get this taken care of, so we can finish this talk in peace. I am so sorry, please don’t think I’m running or pushing you to the sidelines.” Lisa had to smile. Those were words she had used so many times before when he just ended an argument by taking a phone call and rushing off.
“You want me to come with you? I know you don’t like to be put on the spot like that.”
“No, she’s gonna be mad as it is. I don’t want to make it worse by her going off at you. Why don’t you stay here and I’ll be right back, ok?” He reached out and framed her face with both hands, approaching her lips for a lingering kiss which she accepted.
“Ok, but hurry back. We need to get all this out in the open.”
“I won’t be long. There isn’t much to say. I just wanna make sure she won’t do anything stupid, okay? You know, her being pregnant and all, I have to be careful.”
“Yes, you do, Michael. Pregnant ladies do the craziest things at times, I have been told.”
He took a deep breath and left the room, wondering about how exactly he was to interpret her last statement.
33)
The wait was killing her. She had decided she might as well kill time by taking a quick shower. As she soaped herself down and shampooed her hair, she found her body to be very sensitive to even the lightest touch; she also noticed soreness in her breasts and other areas. She had been marked by Michael, yet again! When she turned to check herself out in the mirror, she found that her recent stair escapade had left several scrapes and bruises on her back. Funny, how she had not noticed anything while being fucked senseless. Adrenaline was an amazing thing. Cursing, she admonished herself for giving in once again. Maybe if she stopped thinking about it, it would be like it never happened. If only she could stop the thoughts and flashbacks from infiltrating her mind, though. She stared at herself in the mirror, wondering who the pale and tired creature was staring right back at her. Probably the chick that had one hell of a screwy day…
This day was definitely not what she had expected it to be. She had planned for a quick visit, putting Michael in his place, clearing things up once and for all, and making sure he understood he was no longer part of her life. Instead, she had succumbed once again to this ridiculous sexual pull. In the process, she had been forced to discover that the asphalt cover over not only her sexual longing for Michael, but also over all kinds of other feelings had been blasted open by some kind of hidden land mine. How many times could you have your defenses shattered and still continue to lie to yourself about the extent of your addiction?
Maybe she should just haul ass and run. Really, there was no reason she had to hang around. He probably would not even notice her absence. No, running would not solve things at all. He still wanted answers, and she had been so close to filling him in.
How would he react? Would he be upset? Or relieved?
And how would his reaction affect her? A heavy sigh left her chest. As if he had not already been unhinged enough by Debbie’s little act of popping into the room like some malfunctioning jack-in-the-box. So no, she definitely wanted to stay to continue their talk. Also, she wanted to make sure he was ok. Lisa knew Michael hated direct confrontations. Was she trying to protect him again? Possibly, but some odd part really needed to see how his little talk with Debbie went. Surely, Debbie would lay the guilt on heavily, trying to get Michael to feel badly for her. She was such a conniving, evil bitch.
During her marriage to Michael, Lisa had made the mistake of underestimating Debbie and her obsession with Michael. She had thought it was funny that the homely nurse had called fifty million times a day, demanding to talk to Michael. Annoying, but funny. Lisa knew that Debbie had been treating Michael at Klein’s office for years now. She also had a pretty good sense that Debbie, like millions of other women, was infatuated with Michael and thought herself to be in love with him. Michael was sweet and kind with people he worked with, so it was easy to see how Debbie might have mistaken his kindness for something else.
“She is just a friend Lisa. Really- I mean sometimes she looks at me with that creepy stare, but I think she maybe just needs glasses. She says she is impressed with the size of my knowledge and wants to pick my brain. I love how she is so inquisitive and wants to learn. She is so sweet.”
Lisa remembered having rolled her eyes and wondered if he really was that naïve. Debbie, having treated Michael’s private area for vitiligo, was probably less impressed with the size of Michael’s knowledge and more enthralled with the size of his penis. And the bitch had only seen him flaccid- or so Lisa hoped. And she didn’t want to pick his brain, but steal his sperm, having figured out a way to tie this man to her. Well, she researched well and was very pro-active, Lisa had to give her that. When Michael and Lisa were struggling to work out their marriage, Debbie had infiltrated his trust and undermined their relationship with her fake understanding and finally the grand gesture of a child. Who in the world offers up her uterus to a married man? Lisa wondered if she was the naïve one now. Maybe she was too hard on Debbie. Had Michael not agreed to the plan, Debbie would have stayed busy collecting pictures for her shrine and would not be able to parade around the world as the mother of Michael Jackson’s child.
Lisa was startled from her useless ruminations by the sound of someone entering downstairs. Was Michael back, finally? She hurried out of the room, steadying herself as a dizzy spell almost made her drop to her knees. Black spots zoomed all around her, and she felt as if she were on a ship in the middle of the ocean. What the hell? Lisa took a couple of deep breaths and closed her eyes for a second, holding on the railing of the stairs for dear life.
“Michael, are you up there? Prince just woke up from his nap, and he wants his Daddy. I can’t seem to calm him down.” Michael’s nanny had entered the downstairs area, carrying a sobbing little baby boy in her arms. She noticed Lisa at the top of the stairs. “Oh, Miss Presley, good to see you. Are you ok? You are really pale.”
Great, another woman in Michael’s life telling her she looked like shit.
Lisa took in another gulp of air and opened her eyes, straightening her back. She could not afford to be a sissy; Michael’s sweet baby needed some attention. She forced a smile and carefully made her way down those damn stairs that seemed to be the bane of her existence today. She offered to hold the little cutie pie for a little bit while the nanny went off to find him a snack. Lisa had shared that Michael was not to be interrupted right now, and she was fairly certain she could manage Prince, whom she had been around on numerous occasions during her and Michael’s trips all over the world. Prince smiled when he saw her and reached his little arms toward her, making her heart melt.
He was such a sweet, calm boy, always smiling, and hardly ever fussy. Right now, his cheeks looked a bit flushed, and it was clear he had just been crying. Lisa felt his forehead which felt cool. Good, so no fever, he probably was just teething. Lisa located some toys in Michael’s living area that were appropriate for the toddler and sat down on the floor with him, building Duplo towers. Prince was distracted from his fussiness easily enough and Lisa discovered he now spoke several words pretty clearly. Prince squealed in delight when she let him push over the tower they had just built, and she could not help but laugh with him. Her hand reached out, and she caressed his silky soft hair, causing him to look up at her with his dark, serious eyes. What a beautiful child!... The child that should have been hers and Michael’s. The pain raced through her and she shook her head, willing herself to stop from going down that particular road of thoughts for the millionth time. Maybe it all had worked out for the best after all. Without Debbie’s ploy, there would be no adorable little toddler sitting here, and for the life of her, Lisa would never be sorry that the little boy existed.
The nanny came back and informed Lisa that she had not been able to avoid hearing loud voices downstairs. Since Michael hardly ever yelled, Lisa suspected the loud voice to be his wife’s. What in the world took so long, and why was he putting up with her histrionics? She did not live here, so what was the big deal? Why did he not just kick her ass out for making such a fuss? Maybe Michael needed some back-up after all. Holding back her urge to race downstairs, Lisa decided to give them a little while longer and offered to feed Prince his snack.
“She is just a friend Lisa. Really- I mean sometimes she looks at me with that creepy stare, but I think she maybe just needs glasses. She says she is impressed with the size of my knowledge and wants to pick my brain. I love how she is so inquisitive and wants to learn. She is so sweet.”
Lisa remembered having rolled her eyes and wondered if he really was that naïve. Debbie, having treated Michael’s private area for vitiligo, was probably less impressed with the size of Michael’s knowledge and more enthralled with the size of his penis. And the bitch had only seen him flaccid- or so Lisa hoped. And she didn’t want to pick his brain, but steal his sperm, having figured out a way to tie this man to her. Well, she researched well and was very pro-active, Lisa had to give her that. When Michael and Lisa were struggling to work out their marriage, Debbie had infiltrated his trust and undermined their relationship with her fake understanding and finally the grand gesture of a child. Who in the world offers up her uterus to a married man? Lisa wondered if she was the naïve one now. Maybe she was too hard on Debbie. Had Michael not agreed to the plan, Debbie would have stayed busy collecting pictures for her shrine and would not be able to parade around the world as the mother of Michael Jackson’s child.
Lisa was startled from her useless ruminations by the sound of someone entering downstairs. Was Michael back, finally? She hurried out of the room, steadying herself as a dizzy spell almost made her drop to her knees. Black spots zoomed all around her, and she felt as if she were on a ship in the middle of the ocean. What the hell? Lisa took a couple of deep breaths and closed her eyes for a second, holding on the railing of the stairs for dear life.
“Michael, are you up there? Prince just woke up from his nap, and he wants his Daddy. I can’t seem to calm him down.” Michael’s nanny had entered the downstairs area, carrying a sobbing little baby boy in her arms. She noticed Lisa at the top of the stairs. “Oh, Miss Presley, good to see you. Are you ok? You are really pale.”
Great, another woman in Michael’s life telling her she looked like shit.
Lisa took in another gulp of air and opened her eyes, straightening her back. She could not afford to be a sissy; Michael’s sweet baby needed some attention. She forced a smile and carefully made her way down those damn stairs that seemed to be the bane of her existence today. She offered to hold the little cutie pie for a little bit while the nanny went off to find him a snack. Lisa had shared that Michael was not to be interrupted right now, and she was fairly certain she could manage Prince, whom she had been around on numerous occasions during her and Michael’s trips all over the world. Prince smiled when he saw her and reached his little arms toward her, making her heart melt.
He was such a sweet, calm boy, always smiling, and hardly ever fussy. Right now, his cheeks looked a bit flushed, and it was clear he had just been crying. Lisa felt his forehead which felt cool. Good, so no fever, he probably was just teething. Lisa located some toys in Michael’s living area that were appropriate for the toddler and sat down on the floor with him, building Duplo towers. Prince was distracted from his fussiness easily enough and Lisa discovered he now spoke several words pretty clearly. Prince squealed in delight when she let him push over the tower they had just built, and she could not help but laugh with him. Her hand reached out, and she caressed his silky soft hair, causing him to look up at her with his dark, serious eyes. What a beautiful child!... The child that should have been hers and Michael’s. The pain raced through her and she shook her head, willing herself to stop from going down that particular road of thoughts for the millionth time. Maybe it all had worked out for the best after all. Without Debbie’s ploy, there would be no adorable little toddler sitting here, and for the life of her, Lisa would never be sorry that the little boy existed.
The nanny came back and informed Lisa that she had not been able to avoid hearing loud voices downstairs. Since Michael hardly ever yelled, Lisa suspected the loud voice to be his wife’s. What in the world took so long, and why was he putting up with her histrionics? She did not live here, so what was the big deal? Why did he not just kick her ass out for making such a fuss? Maybe Michael needed some back-up after all. Holding back her urge to race downstairs, Lisa decided to give them a little while longer and offered to feed Prince his snack.
34)
“Debbie, you really need to watch the tone of your voice and you need to stop yelling. It is not good for you or the baby. You know, she hears you now, and she also feels that you are highly anxious.”
Michael was not sure Debbie’s anxiety level exceeded his, but he did a hell of a better job staying calm. She had been wailing and crying for over 30 minutes now, going on and on about how she was tired of being disrespected and made to look like a fool. How in the world was he making a fool of her? And talk about disrespecting someone? Had she not decided to just burst into his private suite uninvited?
He heard of the concept of de-escalating conflict by keeping calm and being mindful of an even, low tone of voice, and he had attempted to apply this strategy to this current mess. Too bad Debbie had obviously not read the same book and therefore did not know she was supposed to respond by getting calmer. Maybe he should lend her the book? Or send it to her. That might be less dangerous, given her recent outbursts.
“I would not be highly anxious as you call it, had you not decided to bang that little whore in my house.”
“My house.”
He instantly regretted having re-stated the obvious, as Debbie responded by sinking into the couch, once again sobbing wildly. He felt so helpless and wondered if he should step up and comfort her, but her current level of emotional exhibitionism frightened him. He decided to keep a safe distance.
“That is just it, Michael. Everything is yours, isn’t it? But, I am your wife, for heaven’s sake. I am supposed to share all these things with you. I should not need a private invite to come to see my husband to share the ultrasound pictures of our baby. OUR’S, Michael. Mine and yours. I am the one giving you children. She never loved you enough to do that. She lied to you and used you. Yet you treat me like shit.”
More sobbing. He found himself biting his lip and hit a sore spot. Ouch! Did Lisa bite him earlier?
“So, Debbie, how about you calm down and show me the pictures? I mean, I told you how sorry I am that you walked in on us. Let’s just move on. I’m here with you now. I am not treating you like shit now, am I? I wanna hear what you have to say. But please, try to say it without yelling.”
She looked at him. Tears streamed down her face and her cheeks were red and splotchy. She was so pitiful. He knew she loved him, and it must have been horrible to see someone you loved in such a compromising position with another person. If he thought about Lisa getting it on with Danny, he saw pure red and felt like smashing things, so he could relate to that. Still… she should not have come in without knocking. For him, it all came down to that display of bad manners.
“You are sorry I walked in on you, Michael? How about being sorry for continuing to fuck your ex-wife?”
“Language, Debbie- the baby!” This time, he could not avoid raising his voice.
“Fuck, language! I didn’t hear you minding language when she screamed out all those dirty words while you were giving it to her earlier. And I think I might have heard some curse words from you, too. Why Michael? Why can you not stay away from her? Is she that good? ”
Heat rose from deep inside as he felt himself blushing furiously again. She heard them? Oh, no! Well, of course she had to have heard them. But some part of him had still clung to the hopes that she had been too shocked to remember details. Obviously, trauma induced deafness had not set in. How long has she been there? As far as Lisa being that good…that was really none of Debbie’s business.
“Debbie, look, Lisa and I..are…we are…it’s complicated…” At a loss for a more accurate definition of what Lisa and he were, he stared at his shoes.
“Complicated? You are divorced. What the hell is so complicated about that? How about I divorce you for what’s going on here? I mean, don’t you think I am tired of being used by you? I am pretty sure adultery is a great reason for divorce, Michael. And who would blame me? I bet I get the kids and at least half of everything you own. Then what will you have left? You think that spoiled bitch will want you after I am through with you? She only wants you now ‘cause she can’t have you.”
She just had to put his worst fears into words on all kinds of levels, didn’t she? Bull’s eye! Was that what she was after? Was she just another person trying to steal from him? Well, she better watch out what she played at here. Anger rose and his eyes narrowed. His voice became cold and clear like frozen nitrogen.
“Are you threatening me, Debbie? We have an airtight contract. If you think I will put up with you taking the kids from me, you better watch out. I’m not playing about this, and you better remember why we got married. You know it was not because I am in love with you, so stop it. I never lied to you about that.”
Flinching, Debbie rose and stepped close to him. She stared down at the ground for a minute before she answered, her tone calmer now.
“Michael, please, I don’t want to fight you. You know I did all this for you. I don’t want to have to take the kids. They are your children. I just want a little bit of respect for this sacrifice I am making for you. I have done everything you asked. I even went on public record stating that I support that fake friendship between you and her. What has she done for you? She spreads her legs? Well, whoopee for her! What a hardship. What she has not done, and what she will never do is have your child, remember that. Remember how angry you were at her. How hurt you were when you found the birth control.”
He closed his eyes, not wanting to remember any of the things Debbie invoked. He swallowed the bitterness that always accompanied those memories.
“Look, all that is in the past, ok? I do respect and love you for what you are doing. But you need to stop acting like the jealous wife. I am sorry, Lisa and I were careless. But you need to start knocking when you enter any rooms in my house, can we agree on that?”
“Fine. Can we also agree you stay away from her?”
When had he ever consented to stay away from Lisa? Was Debbie high on prenatal vitamins? This was not a negotiation. He was laying out the rules, and she had no bargaining power here. Staying away from Lisa was not going to happen. Especially not now, when she might carry his baby. He considered lying to Debbie to just shut her up and get her out of the house so he could finish his conversation with Lisa and get a clearer idea of what was going on with them.
“Yeah, Michael, why don’t you answer your lovely wife here? Will you agree to stay away from me?”
Shit! Not again! Did anyone knock in this house? His house?
Sighing and raising his eyes in silent prayer, he turned and faced Lisa who had entered the room, carrying Prince in her arms.
Flinching, Debbie rose and stepped close to him. She stared down at the ground for a minute before she answered, her tone calmer now.
“Michael, please, I don’t want to fight you. You know I did all this for you. I don’t want to have to take the kids. They are your children. I just want a little bit of respect for this sacrifice I am making for you. I have done everything you asked. I even went on public record stating that I support that fake friendship between you and her. What has she done for you? She spreads her legs? Well, whoopee for her! What a hardship. What she has not done, and what she will never do is have your child, remember that. Remember how angry you were at her. How hurt you were when you found the birth control.”
He closed his eyes, not wanting to remember any of the things Debbie invoked. He swallowed the bitterness that always accompanied those memories.
“Look, all that is in the past, ok? I do respect and love you for what you are doing. But you need to stop acting like the jealous wife. I am sorry, Lisa and I were careless. But you need to start knocking when you enter any rooms in my house, can we agree on that?”
“Fine. Can we also agree you stay away from her?”
When had he ever consented to stay away from Lisa? Was Debbie high on prenatal vitamins? This was not a negotiation. He was laying out the rules, and she had no bargaining power here. Staying away from Lisa was not going to happen. Especially not now, when she might carry his baby. He considered lying to Debbie to just shut her up and get her out of the house so he could finish his conversation with Lisa and get a clearer idea of what was going on with them.
“Yeah, Michael, why don’t you answer your lovely wife here? Will you agree to stay away from me?”
Shit! Not again! Did anyone knock in this house? His house?
Sighing and raising his eyes in silent prayer, he turned and faced Lisa who had entered the room, carrying Prince in her arms.
35)
“What the hell are you doing with my son?” Debbie’s face took on the color of Michael’s shirt as she stomped toward Lisa-Marie. Michael grabbed her arm and stopped the advance, fearing both children would be hurt by Debbie’s irrational anger.
Lisa took a step back, obviously also careful about being mowed down by Debbie the tank. She protectively turned to shield Prince. Her face was calm and her tone even and fearless when she addressed Debbie.
“Michael’s son, you mean. Just like it’s Michael’s house. For someone who doesn’t live here you seem to be around an awful lot? Come on, Deb, we don’t need to keep up the pretense here. And stop acting like a crazy woman in front of the baby. Or should I say, in front of both babies. One of them does not have a choice but to listen to your rants.”
“You dirty bitch!” Debbie was all but foaming from the mouth.
“Lisa--you are not helping!” Michael stepped in between the two lunatics while Debbie tried to wrestle her arm away from his grip. “Please! Can we all just calm down? Where is the nanny? Prince really should not be in here.”
“She went to throw away his diaper. I fed him his snack a while ago, and he was fussy and asking for you. I thought you two had spent enough time down here by yourself.”
“We were just about done. Please go back upstairs, Lisa. I will be right there with you…” He might as well have saved his breath, as Debbie was still focused on Lisa standing there with his son. Too bad his success in almost calming Debbie had gone up into thin air. Lisa’s appearance on the scene had been like waving a red cape in front of an angry bull.
“You stay away from my husband and my child. And stop lecturing me. Where are your children right now, Lisa-Marie? Who did you pawn them off on so you could screw my husband?”
“Both of you shut up and sit down.” His tone was sharp even though he wasn’t yelling. “Debbie – sit there.” He led her over to the chair the furthest away from the door. “Lisa--give me the baby. And sit over here.” He pointed to the chair closest to the doorway, making sure she had clear escape route should things get out of hand more. Michael finally had reached the limits of his patience with these two. Both women stared at him for a second, but followed his orders anyway. About time! He noticed Lisa had a small smile on her lips while Debbie was still fuming.
“Ok, thank you. Now: I am going to find the nanny. Lisa, why don’t you come with me?” He knew he had just told her to sit down, but on second thought leaving them in the same room was akin to throwing a match into a lake of gasoline and not expecting there to be an explosion.
“Both of you shut up and sit down.” His tone was sharp even though he wasn’t yelling. “Debbie – sit there.” He led her over to the chair the furthest away from the door. “Lisa--give me the baby. And sit over here.” He pointed to the chair closest to the doorway, making sure she had clear escape route should things get out of hand more. Michael finally had reached the limits of his patience with these two. Both women stared at him for a second, but followed his orders anyway. About time! He noticed Lisa had a small smile on her lips while Debbie was still fuming.
“Ok, thank you. Now: I am going to find the nanny. Lisa, why don’t you come with me?” He knew he had just told her to sit down, but on second thought leaving them in the same room was akin to throwing a match into a lake of gasoline and not expecting there to be an explosion.
Lisa shrugged her shoulders, handed Prince to Michael, and was about to rise, when Debbie’s acerbic tone interrupted her.
“Well, maybe Lisa-Marie can manage not to jump your bones for two seconds so we can finish our discussion?”
Lisa sank back into the chair. “Why don’t I just stay here, Mike? I promise to behave. Debbie and I need to get some stuff straight. And I understand and respect that she is insecure about leaving us alone.” Her sweet tone did not match her sarcasm at all.
Michael had started to walk toward the door, slightly distracted by Prince who was pulling his hair, squealing when Michael bounced him into the air. Stopping in his tracks, he held on to his smile, trying to keep his tone light so as not to upset his son. She wanted to stay in the room with Debbie? Well, she was all grown up, so fine, let her have her way. His priority right now was to get Prince out of the line of fire. “Ok, fine, whatever. Please stay civil, you two! Lisa, please don’t upset Debbie. She has to watch her blood pressure.”
“I am right here, Michael. You don’t need to talk about me as if I am not in the room.” Debbie still looked angry, but had calmed down considerably. “And Lisa is right; we indeed have to get some stuff straight.”
Ok, then. Maybe he could dare to run up to bring his boy to safety. He cast one more pleading look toward Lisa. “Lise- please help me out here. No drama, ok?”
Lisa responded by laughing and winking at him. “Mike, seriously, I won’t hurt her. I will be as nice and gentle as a lamb.”
Relieved, Michael seriously considered going over to kiss her cheek before leaving the room, but then resisted the temptation, aiming to keep his house from being destroyed. Rushing upstairs, he found the nanny, but then was delayed as Prince started to cry again as soon as he handed him off. Sighing, he sat down with him, reading him a book then humming his favorite song to him. Finally, Prince seemed to settle in, and Michael felt it was ok to leave him. Now, that one situation had been dealt with, maybe he could diffuse the bomb downstairs, get rid of Debbie, and finish his talk with Lisa. He just hoped everyone else was on board with this agenda.
Approaching the salon downstairs, he picked up on raised voices again. Dammit! Women! Could they not stay in the same room for five minutes without pissing each other off? He started to seriously question the wisdom of having listened to Lisa and believing her words about being nice to Debbie. Could she not at least remember that the baby did not need all this commotion? She was a mother after all, how difficult was it to not fight for just a little while for the sake of the unborn child.
Taking a deep breath, he entered the room. Lisa and Debbie had both risen and were standing face to face like two fighting roosters--or hens. Both looked angry and flustered. Wonderful. Where was security when you needed them? Or the nearest hostage negotiation team. He should have listened to Jimmy Carter more: surely establishing peace between Egypt and Israel was nothing compared to keeping those two from ripping each other’s hair out.
“If you were not such a desperate loser, you would know that Michael has absolutely no interest in you as a woman. The sooner you get this in your thick head, the better you will be able to cope with seeing us together.”
“If you weren’t such a slut, I would not have to worry about walking in on my husband being seduced by the likes of you. I thought you two had broken up for good this time. Find someone else to fuck! Talk about desperate loser!”
“Give it up, Deb. Stop deluding yourself into thinking that I have to seduce Michael. He did not exactly slip on the stairs naked and fall into my vagina.”
“Lisa!” He tried to get between them, but Lisa reached out and pushed him to the side. Debbie also was on board with ignoring him.
“No, Lisa, he is just a man, taking what is so freely offered. I mean, you keep following him around like a bitch in heat. You even use your children to stay close to him. How disgusting and desperate can you get?”
“Listen, bitch: Keep my kids out of this! You know nothing about my children and Michael. They only thing you know about children period is that you think they get inserted with turkey basters and then sold to the object of your sick obsession. You make me sick!”
Michael had to put an end to this. “Lisa, stop it! You are really making things worse here. I insist you leave now, so Debbie can calm down.” He had reached the limits of his tolerance for all this drama and it needed to end. He anticipated Lisa to be the more reasonable of the two, so maybe her leaving would defuse the situation for now. He really had hoped to get things settled with her, but nothing was getting done until these two were in different counties.
Lisa turned toward him in one quick spin. Oh, good, she finally had noticed he was in the room.
“Are you fucking kidding me? You insist I leave? You know what? Fuck you. And fuck her--and I really mean this literally. You two deserve each other! Consider me fucking gone--for good.” Her face was flushed and she looked like she had difficulty breathing. The blue of her eyes reminded him of daggers made of icicles. One tear slid down her cheek and she wiped it away angrily. His gaze skipped over to Debbie who sported a triumphant smile like a priceless trophy. What was happening here? How did this all get out of hand so quickly? His head was spinning.
Michael reached out to take hold of Lisa’s shoulders in an effort to explain his reasons for needing her to leave. He had meant for her to leave the room, and she obviously thought he wanted her to leave Neverland. He just required a little bit of time to get Debbie out of here so he could finally pick up where they had left off. Lisa was not listening to reason, obviously thinking he wanted to get rid of her. She violently shrugged off his hands and yelled at him to get out of her way. Pushing past him, she raised her middle finger to him, rushing toward the front door without looking back. This was all so wrong. He needed her to stay--she could not leave thinking he didn’t want her here. Plus, he was honestly worried about her driving in her current state.
Think, Mike, stall her!
“Lisa, wait. Your stuff is still upstairs.” He started after her. Lisa stopped and cursed, swaying slightly. What was wrong with her balance today? He was pretty sure she had not been drinking. When she turned towards him to change direction he noticed her skin tone had changed from flushed to ash grey. Again, she pushed past him, and he noticed small beads of sweat on her forehead. She took the first couple of stairs quickly, then stopped suddenly, gripping the railing.
“Michael…?”
Later he could not recall the exact chain of events. For the life of him, he did not remember if she started falling at the same time she called out to him or before. Did he dash toward her before he noticed her swaying one more time, or when he heard her shaky voice? All he knew was that his heart stopped when she sank to the ground in what seemed like slow motion before she started to roll down the stairs.
Lisa turned toward him in one quick spin. Oh, good, she finally had noticed he was in the room.
“Are you fucking kidding me? You insist I leave? You know what? Fuck you. And fuck her--and I really mean this literally. You two deserve each other! Consider me fucking gone--for good.” Her face was flushed and she looked like she had difficulty breathing. The blue of her eyes reminded him of daggers made of icicles. One tear slid down her cheek and she wiped it away angrily. His gaze skipped over to Debbie who sported a triumphant smile like a priceless trophy. What was happening here? How did this all get out of hand so quickly? His head was spinning.
Michael reached out to take hold of Lisa’s shoulders in an effort to explain his reasons for needing her to leave. He had meant for her to leave the room, and she obviously thought he wanted her to leave Neverland. He just required a little bit of time to get Debbie out of here so he could finally pick up where they had left off. Lisa was not listening to reason, obviously thinking he wanted to get rid of her. She violently shrugged off his hands and yelled at him to get out of her way. Pushing past him, she raised her middle finger to him, rushing toward the front door without looking back. This was all so wrong. He needed her to stay--she could not leave thinking he didn’t want her here. Plus, he was honestly worried about her driving in her current state.
Think, Mike, stall her!
“Lisa, wait. Your stuff is still upstairs.” He started after her. Lisa stopped and cursed, swaying slightly. What was wrong with her balance today? He was pretty sure she had not been drinking. When she turned towards him to change direction he noticed her skin tone had changed from flushed to ash grey. Again, she pushed past him, and he noticed small beads of sweat on her forehead. She took the first couple of stairs quickly, then stopped suddenly, gripping the railing.
“Michael…?”
Later he could not recall the exact chain of events. For the life of him, he did not remember if she started falling at the same time she called out to him or before. Did he dash toward her before he noticed her swaying one more time, or when he heard her shaky voice? All he knew was that his heart stopped when she sank to the ground in what seemed like slow motion before she started to roll down the stairs.
36)
The water was warm and soothing, engulfing her like a beautiful, secure shroud. She was floating on the soft white and green tips, letting her body drift, feeling weightless and suspended.
“Lisa, come back!”
She attempted to open her eyes and felt as if the sun was suspended right above her face. What was he hollering about? Was he worried that she had ventured out too far? He was so overprotective at times.
“I’m right here. Stop freaking.”
“Miss Presley…Lisa. Can you hear me? Can you open your eyes? Are you ok? Her pupils are reactive- that’s good.”
Who was this stranger and why was he intruding on her paradise? She had heard Michael’s voice only seconds before. Where did he go? And why was she not able to open her eyes? Maybe some of the salty water rocking around her had seeped in? Ben and Riley always hated getting salt water in their eyes. If only they knew they probably inherited this from her.
For a moment, she thought she heard voices calling her name again. But they seemed so far away, so drowned out by the loud crashing of the waves and the roaring of the ocean. Why could the voices not let her rest? Michael should have made sure reporters were not able to get into their private beach area. It was not like him to be so careless.
“Michael…”
“Baby, I’m right here, I’m not going anywhere. Please open your eyes, please look at me.”
Why did he sound like he was crying? His voice was full of panic and fear; she had no idea why he would be so freaked out. She had just swum out a bit far, but she was not in any danger.
“Please be careful, she might be pregnant.”
What was Michael talking about? She was not pregnant. They had run tests earlier, had they not? Once again she would let him down. She was so tired of disappointing him.
“I…I’m sorry.”
“Lisa, please, can you hear me? Please don’t be sorry. You have nothing to be sorry about. It was all my fault. Oh my God, if something happened to you…to our baby…”
“What baby, Michael? What are you talking about?”
Debbie? How had Debbie gotten to the beach? Lisa attempted to right herself from her cushion of sea water and immediately felt the waves taking hold of her body and tumbling it toward the beach. An undertow grabbed her leaden limbs and pulled her under, making it impossible to hear, see, or breathe. She panicked and started thrashing, afraid of drowning…afraid of the beckoning vacuum taking her over and sweeping her away.
“Miss Presley, please hold still, we have to move you onto the board.”
What board? Why were they moving her? Her head hurt so much…why could they not leave her alone?
“Lisa, come on baby, you can do it, you can open your eyes. Please, Princess, I love you so much, please just look at me.”
The love in his voice almost made her smile. Sadly, she was not in command of any muscles as she was oddly separated from all physical functionality.
If there were any way to force her lids to cooperate she’d listen. Hopefully, he would not take this the wrong way, as always thinking there was something wrong with him. Of course she wanted to look at him. He was the most gorgeous human being she had ever laid eyes on, after all. Her very own miracle. Her personal force of nature. If only the pain would not keep her anchored, if only the light was not so bright….
“Mr. Jackson, sir, you have to give us some space. We are taking her out to the chopper now. You can meet us at the hospital.”
“No way, it takes way too long to drive out there- you said you are flying her to the nearest trauma center. I want her taken to UCLA at the very least. And I want to come along.”
“Sir, she has not opened her eyes and we are not sure how alert she is, we need to get her to the nearest facility to get her immediate attention. Plus, you said you are her husband…but…”
“He’s not her husband. I’m his wife.”
Tempted to seek refuge in the foggy abyss, Debbie’s voice made her fight the noises and the forces pulling her back into darkness with all her might. How dare she rub it in? Did she not listen to anything that had been said earlier?
Earlier….
Confusion added to her feeling of nausea and disorientation. What had happened? She was not in an ocean, was she? Why was the weird rumbling still going on in her ears, and why was she so dizzy? It seemed she was at the bottom of a very steep staircase and had to climb up toward the voices, toward the light, fighting gravity every step of the way.
The stairs…Michael had made love to her on the stairs. Debbie had been there…screaming at them…
Flashes of memories filtered into the darkness like shreds of pieces of film. Debbie at the door….Her own laughter and Michael’s confusion. Her holding and playing with Prince… Debbie and her fighting. Michael telling her to leave the house, kicking her out. The pain of her heart shattering into a million pulverized pieces.
The stairs. She had fallen down the stairs. She opened her eyes and had to close them immediately, the nausea overwhelming her. They carried her now, she understood, and the noise from inside seemed to have seeped to the external world. Feeling cold, she attempted to wrap her arms around herself and noticed she was strapped down. As the EMTs lifted her into the helicopter, she was seized by immense fear. She called out for him.
“Welcome back, Miss Presley, good to see you awake. We will take your vitals as soon as we have you secured. Do you know your name?”
How hard did they think she had hit her head?
“Lisa-Marie Presley. Where is Michael? I want him here with me? Where is he?”
How could he just leave her to strangers like this? And the children--oh my God! She was supposed to pick Riley up from a friend’s house later.
“Miss Presley, do you know what day it is?”
Why would they not just answer her questions? What was she? Their calendar? Understanding that they had to make sure she was coherent, she gave them the date and then asked to have them contact her mother. She felt tired, and her eyes started to close.
“Miss Presley, we were informed that you might be pregnant. Is there a chance you are?”
“Where is Michael…Mister Jackson?”
“He will take his private chopper; we did not have room for him in here. He will meet us at the hospital. Your vitals look pretty good; your blood pressure is high, but everything else seems ok. We still have to get you checked out. You took quite a little fall. Were you pushed?”
Pushed? They thought she was pushed? Well, that depended on the definition of ‘pushing.’ But no, she had not been physically pushed. She remembered having run up the stairs to get her things after Michael had wanted her gone. And Debbie’s triumphant smirk was etched into her mind. Well, Nursey should celebrate: she had won. Lisa had been pushed to the brink of her endurance, but the fall was only her own fault for letting them getting her riled up like this. And that damn dizziness…
“I fell.”
“Ok, well, you might have to answer some more questions later, since this might be a domestic dispute, but our concern is that you are alright. So, we need to know, are you pregnant?”
Domestic dispute? No, no--this was all wrong! Her eyes closed once again, the hammering of her headache drowning out the sounds of the rotating blades outside. The pain reverberating though every cell however, had nothing to do with her fall, and everything with her heart being in tatters. She knew this topic had to be addressed on this day. What she had not counted on was that it would be to a total stranger in midair on her way to a hospital. Oddly enough, the current situation was preferable to the expression in those dark eyes. What would she find there when she’d see them next? Relief? Sadness? No matter how she imagined the outcome, she was not sure she was ready to face him and his reaction.
“No, I am not. They told me, I wasn’t.” Her voice was a whisper yet rang loudly through the curtain of pulsating engine noise. A tear was the silent witness to her defeat.
37)
The flight took entirely too long. And they had wanted him to drive- no way would his frayed nerves have survived a drive back to LA. He had attempted to get information on Lisa’s condition, but once again, medical staff was utterly uncooperative, repeating in robotic voices that he was not her next of kin. As if he had forgotten. Damn this frigging divorce! In a flash of genius illuminating the chaos of his mind, he called Janet who was in LA and filled her in on a short version of Lisa’s accident. Janet immediately, and without grilling him, agreed to meet him at UCLA. He asked her to find out what she could and to get back to him as soon as possible. Janet did not linger or ask unnecessary questions, and assured him she was on her way to see her friend. Bless her competent nature and her ability to keep a cool head!
Debbie had been pissed as he raced off, but for once he had not invested any time into efforts to pacify her. He could only attend to one distressed wife at a time. And right now, Lisa and his worry about a possible pregnancy trumped Debbie who was healthy as a horse.
Lisa had to be ok, right? She had finally opened her eyes, which had to be good news. He had followed the EMTs out to the medical transport, and had witnessed her becoming increasingly alert. Still, she was pale like a ghost and looked like a little girl, lying there, bundled up on that gurney. For a second he thought her heard her call his name, but then decided it must have been wishful thinking and that surely her voice would have been drowned out by the noise of the idling engine. Had she really called out, no force in this world would have sufficed to keep him behind, and he would have fought his way into the helicopter.
In midflight, he frantically made some more calls and twisted enough arms, pulling strings that allowed him to land on the medical landing spot of the hospital. He was rushed downstairs by a cantankerous administrator, who assured him he was honored to meet him, and in the next breath commented on the irregularity of having a private chopper land on site. Well, Michael would make sure to write an extra large donation check to make up for any inconvenience. And if they fixed Lisa up, he would even build them a new wing. Right now, all he wanted to do was see her.
“Mister Jackson, we will take you to a private waiting room downstairs. Your sister arrived a short while ago and is also waiting there. Miss Presley has been moved to a private, sectioned-off room.”
“I don’t want to see my sister, I want to see my…Miss Presley, please.” It took all the control he could muster to remain calm.
“Sir, I understand. However, she is being examined right now, and if she is up to it, you will get to see her. We also have notified her mother, who is her next of kin.”
Wonderful. Priscilla would be here soon, no doubt breathing fire and ready to decapitate him for harming Lisa. If she was in a good mood, she might kill him before she took him apart limb by limb. The logical part of his brain knew full well he had nothing to do with Lisa’s fall. However, every time he was almost successful in believing his own story, he flashed back to Lisa’s eyes, huge and full of agony, thinking he had ordered her from the house. She must have thought he had finally done it and had chosen Debbie over her. Why would she ever think that? It had never been about a choice between her and Debbie. He never loved Debbie like that. All he had done was make a choice to have a child.
The thoughts of a child caused his guts to twist again and he felt his heart pounding in his chest, firing up his breathing, increasing his temperature. He fell into a chair, his head dropped into his hands, and he fought nausea and dizziness as he felt cold sweet gathering on his forehead.
Breathe, Mike, breathe deeply. You can’t be doing this now. You have to keep your cool, man. Lisa needs you. She needs you to keep it together. She needs you to be ok, so she can be ok… Breathe…
“Mister Jackson? Are you ok, sir? Is there anything I can get you while you wait?”
“Mr. Jackson, sir, you have to give us some space. We are taking her out to the chopper now. You can meet us at the hospital.”
“No way, it takes way too long to drive out there- you said you are flying her to the nearest trauma center. I want her taken to UCLA at the very least. And I want to come along.”
“Sir, she has not opened her eyes and we are not sure how alert she is, we need to get her to the nearest facility to get her immediate attention. Plus, you said you are her husband…but…”
“He’s not her husband. I’m his wife.”
Tempted to seek refuge in the foggy abyss, Debbie’s voice made her fight the noises and the forces pulling her back into darkness with all her might. How dare she rub it in? Did she not listen to anything that had been said earlier?
Earlier….
Confusion added to her feeling of nausea and disorientation. What had happened? She was not in an ocean, was she? Why was the weird rumbling still going on in her ears, and why was she so dizzy? It seemed she was at the bottom of a very steep staircase and had to climb up toward the voices, toward the light, fighting gravity every step of the way.
The stairs…Michael had made love to her on the stairs. Debbie had been there…screaming at them…
Flashes of memories filtered into the darkness like shreds of pieces of film. Debbie at the door….Her own laughter and Michael’s confusion. Her holding and playing with Prince… Debbie and her fighting. Michael telling her to leave the house, kicking her out. The pain of her heart shattering into a million pulverized pieces.
The stairs. She had fallen down the stairs. She opened her eyes and had to close them immediately, the nausea overwhelming her. They carried her now, she understood, and the noise from inside seemed to have seeped to the external world. Feeling cold, she attempted to wrap her arms around herself and noticed she was strapped down. As the EMTs lifted her into the helicopter, she was seized by immense fear. She called out for him.
“Welcome back, Miss Presley, good to see you awake. We will take your vitals as soon as we have you secured. Do you know your name?”
How hard did they think she had hit her head?
“Lisa-Marie Presley. Where is Michael? I want him here with me? Where is he?”
How could he just leave her to strangers like this? And the children--oh my God! She was supposed to pick Riley up from a friend’s house later.
“Miss Presley, do you know what day it is?”
Why would they not just answer her questions? What was she? Their calendar? Understanding that they had to make sure she was coherent, she gave them the date and then asked to have them contact her mother. She felt tired, and her eyes started to close.
“Miss Presley, we were informed that you might be pregnant. Is there a chance you are?”
“Where is Michael…Mister Jackson?”
“He will take his private chopper; we did not have room for him in here. He will meet us at the hospital. Your vitals look pretty good; your blood pressure is high, but everything else seems ok. We still have to get you checked out. You took quite a little fall. Were you pushed?”
Pushed? They thought she was pushed? Well, that depended on the definition of ‘pushing.’ But no, she had not been physically pushed. She remembered having run up the stairs to get her things after Michael had wanted her gone. And Debbie’s triumphant smirk was etched into her mind. Well, Nursey should celebrate: she had won. Lisa had been pushed to the brink of her endurance, but the fall was only her own fault for letting them getting her riled up like this. And that damn dizziness…
“I fell.”
“Ok, well, you might have to answer some more questions later, since this might be a domestic dispute, but our concern is that you are alright. So, we need to know, are you pregnant?”
Domestic dispute? No, no--this was all wrong! Her eyes closed once again, the hammering of her headache drowning out the sounds of the rotating blades outside. The pain reverberating though every cell however, had nothing to do with her fall, and everything with her heart being in tatters. She knew this topic had to be addressed on this day. What she had not counted on was that it would be to a total stranger in midair on her way to a hospital. Oddly enough, the current situation was preferable to the expression in those dark eyes. What would she find there when she’d see them next? Relief? Sadness? No matter how she imagined the outcome, she was not sure she was ready to face him and his reaction.
“No, I am not. They told me, I wasn’t.” Her voice was a whisper yet rang loudly through the curtain of pulsating engine noise. A tear was the silent witness to her defeat.
37)
The flight took entirely too long. And they had wanted him to drive- no way would his frayed nerves have survived a drive back to LA. He had attempted to get information on Lisa’s condition, but once again, medical staff was utterly uncooperative, repeating in robotic voices that he was not her next of kin. As if he had forgotten. Damn this frigging divorce! In a flash of genius illuminating the chaos of his mind, he called Janet who was in LA and filled her in on a short version of Lisa’s accident. Janet immediately, and without grilling him, agreed to meet him at UCLA. He asked her to find out what she could and to get back to him as soon as possible. Janet did not linger or ask unnecessary questions, and assured him she was on her way to see her friend. Bless her competent nature and her ability to keep a cool head!
Debbie had been pissed as he raced off, but for once he had not invested any time into efforts to pacify her. He could only attend to one distressed wife at a time. And right now, Lisa and his worry about a possible pregnancy trumped Debbie who was healthy as a horse.
Lisa had to be ok, right? She had finally opened her eyes, which had to be good news. He had followed the EMTs out to the medical transport, and had witnessed her becoming increasingly alert. Still, she was pale like a ghost and looked like a little girl, lying there, bundled up on that gurney. For a second he thought her heard her call his name, but then decided it must have been wishful thinking and that surely her voice would have been drowned out by the noise of the idling engine. Had she really called out, no force in this world would have sufficed to keep him behind, and he would have fought his way into the helicopter.
In midflight, he frantically made some more calls and twisted enough arms, pulling strings that allowed him to land on the medical landing spot of the hospital. He was rushed downstairs by a cantankerous administrator, who assured him he was honored to meet him, and in the next breath commented on the irregularity of having a private chopper land on site. Well, Michael would make sure to write an extra large donation check to make up for any inconvenience. And if they fixed Lisa up, he would even build them a new wing. Right now, all he wanted to do was see her.
“Mister Jackson, we will take you to a private waiting room downstairs. Your sister arrived a short while ago and is also waiting there. Miss Presley has been moved to a private, sectioned-off room.”
“I don’t want to see my sister, I want to see my…Miss Presley, please.” It took all the control he could muster to remain calm.
“Sir, I understand. However, she is being examined right now, and if she is up to it, you will get to see her. We also have notified her mother, who is her next of kin.”
Wonderful. Priscilla would be here soon, no doubt breathing fire and ready to decapitate him for harming Lisa. If she was in a good mood, she might kill him before she took him apart limb by limb. The logical part of his brain knew full well he had nothing to do with Lisa’s fall. However, every time he was almost successful in believing his own story, he flashed back to Lisa’s eyes, huge and full of agony, thinking he had ordered her from the house. She must have thought he had finally done it and had chosen Debbie over her. Why would she ever think that? It had never been about a choice between her and Debbie. He never loved Debbie like that. All he had done was make a choice to have a child.
The thoughts of a child caused his guts to twist again and he felt his heart pounding in his chest, firing up his breathing, increasing his temperature. He fell into a chair, his head dropped into his hands, and he fought nausea and dizziness as he felt cold sweet gathering on his forehead.
Breathe, Mike, breathe deeply. You can’t be doing this now. You have to keep your cool, man. Lisa needs you. She needs you to keep it together. She needs you to be ok, so she can be ok… Breathe…
“Mister Jackson? Are you ok, sir? Is there anything I can get you while you wait?”
He had forgotten about the presence of the little grey man. Yeah, he could get him some Xanax. This was a hospital after all. He was just about to raise his head and ask for some water instead, when the door opened and a pale Janet rushed into the room. She hurried over to him, and he threw himself into her arms, which was a complicated accomplishment, given that she was so much shorter. Janet hugged him tightly and he heard a sob escape from his throat. Relief at her comforting presence washed over him.
“What the hell happened, Mike? I just tried to get some info again, but they won’t tell me anything.”
“Yeah, we are not relatives or anything.” He glanced over her shoulder toward the admin guy who was still standing at the door, gazing in shock at his two famous visitors.
“Sir, if you could get us some water, I would really appreciate it. Thank you so much.”
After the door shut behind the man, Michael pulled his sister down with him onto the little sofa.
“Mike, you look like shit. What is going on? How did Lisa get hurt? Why were you two even together? I thought you had split up again.”
“Dunk, it’s crazy. Lisa came over to the ranch earlier. We had something to discuss…some unfinished business.”
“Yeah, I can imagine. No details, please.” Janet gave him the dirty look as he called it and he blushed. She rolled her eyes, having received the confirmation she obviously did not need.
“Mike! What the hell? You guys have not been talking for weeks. Last thing I knew she was pissed as hell at you for following her to her check-up. You told me you guys were done--now what? You screwed her so hard she had to be hospitalized? If anything I thought she would knock you out cold next time you met, so what did you do to her?”
“Nothing – I didn’t do anything. And no, I did not hurt her, Dunk. I would never hurt her.”
His head fell into his hands once again as he shielded his eyes. “Not physically, anyway. But yeah, I fucked up. She was so mad…she just ran up, and she, she…fell, and she was out cold, I thought she was dead…but…”
Janet reached out and grasped his hands. “Michael. Slow down. I have no idea what you are talking about.”
He took a deep breath. His fingers raked through his hair, and he realized for the first time he had left the house without his hat or his glasses.
“She came over, I told you. We talked…and well, we…uhm…got closer. Debbie caught us and was upset. She made this huge fuss, and I went to talk to her, and…”
“Whoa- wait. She caught you? Please tell me she caught you gardening…or reading together. I mean, shit, I thought I was just making up stuff. She ‘caught you’ caught you?”
Heat rushed into his cheeks, scorching his face. Did Janet really have to bite down on the unimportant details? He would never make it to what happened at this rate, and he needed to know what was up with Lisa.
“Yeah, on the stairs. Shut up--don’t say a word.” His eyes widened in warning.
Janet’s hand had flown to her mouth and she tried to suppress a shocked giggle. Her blushing, nerdy brother never failed to amaze her. She motioned with her head for him to continue.
“So, then Debbie was pissed, and I tried to make her understand the boundaries of our relationship and that she really needed to start knocking…”
“Hold up- you told her she needed to knock? How about you don’t do your ex in your house if you know your wife is around?”
Michael stared at Janet. He jumped out of his chair, pushing it back, then started pacing.
“Janet- can you be supportive for like five minutes? You sound like the brothers ribbing me. I don’t need to be made fun of here, this is really bad.”
“Ok, fine, I’m sorry. So, you and Lisa did the stair-climber limbo, you were discovered, and then you had a fight with Debbie. Go on.”
“Ok, so after a while, I had almost calmed her down, and Lisa came down with Prince…”
“Prince was there, too? Shit, Mike!”
“He lives at my house, you know. Of course he was there. So, then they got into it while I took him back upstairs. I don’t know what went down, but they were yelling at each other, and I asked Lisa to leave for now.”
“You kicked her out?”
“No!” His voice was raised now, and he once again felt his heart racing, pumping blood through him with erratic, frantic beats. “I wanted her to go upstairs. She thought I wanted her out and got pissed. As usual, she over-reacted. So, she dashed upstairs to get her stuff, then all of a sudden she stopped, and fainted. She was about four steps up--and she just crumpled and rolled down. Oh God, it was horrible. I couldn’t stop her, Dunk. I tried. I was almost there, I almost had her….but I couldn’t get to her…” His voice dropped to a desperate whisper and he had stopped in front of Janet, who rose and once again hugged him tightly. This time he was not able to hold back tears as he rested his head on her shoulder.
“Mike. She will be ok. It sounds like she only took a small fall…she will be fine, I am sure. She’s tough.”
“What about the baby? Dunk, there might be a baby…what about the baby?”
He felt Janet stiffen in his arms before she pulled him closer, not staying a word for a second.
“Well, you need not concern yourself with that, Michael.” The voice tore into him like a bull whip, ripping him to shreds. Immediately, he backed away from the comforting touch of his sister, turned, and stared into the glacier of Priscilla’s eyes. His defenses rose as his protective armor closed in around him.
He cleared his throat and swallowed his bitter tears. The last thing he wanted was for this woman to see him when he felt weak and vulnerable.
“Hi Priscilla. Any word on Lisa?”
“As I said, Lisa is not any concern of yours, Michael. People who love her are here now. I have to say, I am shocked to see you here. Is it not enough that she got hurt by you again? What are you trying to do, kill her this time? Was it not enough you nearly destroyed her by using her and then throwing her out like yesterday’s wash water? Now you have to physically attack her?”
Michael took a step toward the woman with the stoic face whose eyes contained enough poison to render whole planets uninhabitable. Suddenly, he realized she failed to wield her old power. The expected fear and panic at her words and her appearance did not set in. When had be become immune? All he felt now was scorching anger: How dare she? How dare she insinuate he would ever physically harm Lisa?
Janet stepped up and fearlessly entered the space between her brother and her best friend’s mother.
“Priscilla, I know you must be upset, but Michael would never hurt Lisa like that. Even you have to realize this.”
“Janet, all I know is that my daughter was flown here after falling, or being pushed down the stairs. You aren’t a mother, so you don’t understand how shocked I was to get this call. I hope you never have to hear that your loved one was hurt as you are driving down the highway, with your grandson in your car.”
“Ben was with you? Is he ok?”
“He is now, Michael. I called Danny and he and Ben went to see Lisa. I had Riley picked up and she will be here any minute.”
Great. Now Danny was here. Strangely, for once, Michael was glad to hear that the children’s father was around to comfort them. And, if they let Ben see his mother that must mean she was ok. He sent a quick prayer of gratitude towards heaven as he breathed out a sigh of relief.
“So, she’s ok, then. Lisa is ok?”
“No thanks to you. They ran some tests and she has a headache. You can leave now, thank you both for your concern.”
Priscilla’s tone could make icebergs feel at home in the Sahara. She had turned and started to head out the door. Janet reached for Michael’s hand. He was not sure if the gesture aimed to offer support or comfort.
“Priscilla, I want to see her.”
Priscilla stopped, her back still turned to him.
He cleared his throat and swallowed his bitter tears. The last thing he wanted was for this woman to see him when he felt weak and vulnerable.
“Hi Priscilla. Any word on Lisa?”
“As I said, Lisa is not any concern of yours, Michael. People who love her are here now. I have to say, I am shocked to see you here. Is it not enough that she got hurt by you again? What are you trying to do, kill her this time? Was it not enough you nearly destroyed her by using her and then throwing her out like yesterday’s wash water? Now you have to physically attack her?”
Michael took a step toward the woman with the stoic face whose eyes contained enough poison to render whole planets uninhabitable. Suddenly, he realized she failed to wield her old power. The expected fear and panic at her words and her appearance did not set in. When had be become immune? All he felt now was scorching anger: How dare she? How dare she insinuate he would ever physically harm Lisa?
Janet stepped up and fearlessly entered the space between her brother and her best friend’s mother.
“Priscilla, I know you must be upset, but Michael would never hurt Lisa like that. Even you have to realize this.”
“Janet, all I know is that my daughter was flown here after falling, or being pushed down the stairs. You aren’t a mother, so you don’t understand how shocked I was to get this call. I hope you never have to hear that your loved one was hurt as you are driving down the highway, with your grandson in your car.”
“Ben was with you? Is he ok?”
“He is now, Michael. I called Danny and he and Ben went to see Lisa. I had Riley picked up and she will be here any minute.”
Great. Now Danny was here. Strangely, for once, Michael was glad to hear that the children’s father was around to comfort them. And, if they let Ben see his mother that must mean she was ok. He sent a quick prayer of gratitude towards heaven as he breathed out a sigh of relief.
“So, she’s ok, then. Lisa is ok?”
“No thanks to you. They ran some tests and she has a headache. You can leave now, thank you both for your concern.”
Priscilla’s tone could make icebergs feel at home in the Sahara. She had turned and started to head out the door. Janet reached for Michael’s hand. He was not sure if the gesture aimed to offer support or comfort.
“Priscilla, I want to see her.”
Priscilla stopped, her back still turned to him.
“Michael, there is no reason for you to bother her. She does not want to see you. And there is no reason you have to concern yourself with her welfare any longer. Lisa does not carry your precious child, so you can go back to ignoring her.”
Pain ripped through him, and he felt the floor drop from beneath him. Janet’s grip on him intensified.
“And I’m just supposed to take your word for it?” Reaching for straws, he held on to the fragile hope that she was lying.
Priscilla turned her head slightly. “She had tests run a couple of weeks ago. They told her the tests were negative. Like I said, this should kill any interest you have in her. Let it be and get out.”
This time, she stalked from the room. Michael stood still, frozen in place, paralyzed by the stunning force of the new revelation. This is what he had wanted, right? This was good news. He did not have to worry about how another baby would figure into his already complicated family situation. Plus, the fall would have been less complicated then, and Lisa should be ok. Lisa.
Woken by the single thought of her name, he went from zero to one hundred, propelling himself toward the door, aiming to follow the old witch to find Lisa’s room. Janet, too stunned to react, came rushing after him, calling out his name. He spotted the bright red hair down the hall, and ran after her, almost slipping and falling on the glossy tiles. Scrambling up, he made it to the door at the same time, Priscilla did. She faced him once again, and hissed at him like a snake ready to strike. She really reminded him of a poisonous viper. Well, bad for her, he had vast experience with snakes and was not scared of her theatrics.
“Just leave, Michael. Please spare her a scene. I told you she does not want to see you. She is with her family. Leave her alone. You have hurt her enough. Let it be--leave it alone and go home to your wife and your children. Don’t you think you owe her a little peace for once?”
Michael was torn. His breath was still coming in gasps from his efforts to catch up to Priscilla. He knew better than to believe any utterance leaving her mouth, but he also remembered the hurt look in Lisa’s eyes earlier. Maybe he needed to give her some space. She was with her kids, and could he really burden her with another fight between Priscilla and him? Maybe he really needed to back off; maybe for once, she was right, and he owed Lisa some distance.
Michael took a backward step, moving away slightly from the door.
“Tell her I love her.” He knew she would rather bite off her tongue than share this sentiment with her daughter, but maybe, just maybe she would do it in return for his retreat.
Woken by the single thought of her name, he went from zero to one hundred, propelling himself toward the door, aiming to follow the old witch to find Lisa’s room. Janet, too stunned to react, came rushing after him, calling out his name. He spotted the bright red hair down the hall, and ran after her, almost slipping and falling on the glossy tiles. Scrambling up, he made it to the door at the same time, Priscilla did. She faced him once again, and hissed at him like a snake ready to strike. She really reminded him of a poisonous viper. Well, bad for her, he had vast experience with snakes and was not scared of her theatrics.
“Just leave, Michael. Please spare her a scene. I told you she does not want to see you. She is with her family. Leave her alone. You have hurt her enough. Let it be--leave it alone and go home to your wife and your children. Don’t you think you owe her a little peace for once?”
Michael was torn. His breath was still coming in gasps from his efforts to catch up to Priscilla. He knew better than to believe any utterance leaving her mouth, but he also remembered the hurt look in Lisa’s eyes earlier. Maybe he needed to give her some space. She was with her kids, and could he really burden her with another fight between Priscilla and him? Maybe he really needed to back off; maybe for once, she was right, and he owed Lisa some distance.
Michael took a backward step, moving away slightly from the door.
“Tell her I love her.” He knew she would rather bite off her tongue than share this sentiment with her daughter, but maybe, just maybe she would do it in return for his retreat.
Walking down the seemingly endless hall, he met up with Janet who had stopped a little distance away. She shook her head, but reached for his hand, ready to walk by his side.
“Michael.” He started when he recognized the sound of the man’s voice.
Danny.
What now? Exhaustion seeped into his veins, filling him with metallic fatigue, weighing him down. Each step he had taken had drained him of another ounce of the will to fight. She was ok and he could go home.
“Hey, Michael, wait up.”
Michael stopped, but did not turn. He could not stomach another confrontation.
“Danny--Michael has agreed to leave. Just leave things be.” His sister had stepped in once again.
“Hey, sure. But Lisa wants to see him. She sent me after him. Dude, believe me, if it was up to me, you could vanish into thin air, but she just got some news and she wants to see you. So maybe you can get over yourself and turn around.”
Michael’s eyes closed. Once again his emotions shifted, but he was too stunned to recognize the relief and joy coursing thought him. She wanted to see him? How funny, she had sent Danny after him. This was ironic. When he changed directions yet again, he felt as if he was walking in slow motion. Negative thoughts immediately filtered into his mind, sounding like a chorus to the beat of his steps.
News? What news? She must have gotten the results of the tests they talked about. He prayed she was ok. How bad must the news be, if she asked to see him. How ill was she?
Fear and dread overtook every neuron in his body, renewing his energy, and making his exhausted resignation of just moments ago blow away like dust in the wind.
He opened the door and all he saw was her slight form in the bed. She still looked pale, but some color had re-entered her cheeks. The kids sat on the bed with her, and Ben jumped up, screaming in excitement when he saw Michael enter. Before Priscilla could intercede, the little boy rushed up and hugged Michael, who had sank to his knees, holding out his arms to him. He looked up and noticed Riley slowly had risen from her mother’s bed as well.
“Do I get a hug?” He gave her a smile, and she approached him somewhat hesitantly, before giving him a tight squeeze. Above the heads of the children, he found Lisa’s eyes.
“Hey you. You scared the daylights out of me. Are you ok?”
“Hey, yourself.” Her voice sounded hoarse and the smile she sent his way seemed forced.
He straightened and walked toward the bed.
“Mother, can you take the kids to get some snacks? They told me they are hungry. Hey, Jan. How are you?”
Janet stepped up to hug Lisa, and they exchanged some words that failed to enter Michaels’ consciousness. All he could see was her face, hear the tone of her voice, see her eyes. He reached for her hand that felt warm and alive, and she did not withdraw it from his grasp, but instead gave it a small squeeze.
She was ok… she looked ok anyway. Her hand felt warm and her eyes were clear. Maybe the news was not all that bad after all. How bad could it be, if she continued to talk to Janet instead of filling him in on everything?
Patience, Michael. Just give her a moment.
He heard the door open and close and blocked Priscilla’s disapproving look from his mind. She looked like she had just drunk battery acid, but his worry about Lisa prevented any glee at her obvious displeasure. Janet, finally gave Lisa one more embrace, then informed him she would wait for him outside. Good, she must have caught onto the fact that he was dying to know what the heck was going on here.
After the door closed, he stiffly stood next to her bed for another moment, staring to the floor, still holding on to her hand.
They both started speaking at the same time.
“So, are you ok?”
“You’re alright?”
His eyes finally left the sterile white tile and instead dove into the blue comfort of her eyes. A smile danced in the azure depths. He sank onto the bed next to her.
“Lisa, look. I am so sorry. I am just destroyed you got hurt. I never wanted you to leave the ranch, I wanted you just to wait upstairs…I never…”
“Mike, I know. I got it. I guess all I needed was a good knock on my head.”
He reached out and held her face in his hand, turning it this way, and that, assessing her heath, ensuring she had no bruises or bumps.
“My face is fine, and you know I have a hard head. Hey, you should see my back. Even though, I think that was bruised up from the encounter with the stairs from before my fall.”
His eyes scrunched together. “Before?…Oh…that…” He blushed, but felt immense relieve at the fact she was joking again.
The door opened, and a doctor entered.
“Michael, this is Doctor Lockhart. I thought he should be the one filling you in on what is going on.”
Michael tried to read the impenetrable gaze directed at him from the doctor. Were doctors trained in their poker face dead pans?
“Well, as Miss Presley, said, we have figured out what is going on, and what caused her dizziness, leading to the fall. I have to say, we are more than a bit surprised and perplexed.”
Perplexed? Well, that didn’t sound good at all. Perplexing doctors is hardly ever good, he knew. Michael felt faint and Lisa held his hand tighter. Waiting for the other shoe to drop, he took in a deep breath that would just have to suffice to sustain him through whatever disaster was to come next.
“Hey you. You scared the daylights out of me. Are you ok?”
“Hey, yourself.” Her voice sounded hoarse and the smile she sent his way seemed forced.
He straightened and walked toward the bed.
“Mother, can you take the kids to get some snacks? They told me they are hungry. Hey, Jan. How are you?”
Janet stepped up to hug Lisa, and they exchanged some words that failed to enter Michaels’ consciousness. All he could see was her face, hear the tone of her voice, see her eyes. He reached for her hand that felt warm and alive, and she did not withdraw it from his grasp, but instead gave it a small squeeze.
She was ok… she looked ok anyway. Her hand felt warm and her eyes were clear. Maybe the news was not all that bad after all. How bad could it be, if she continued to talk to Janet instead of filling him in on everything?
Patience, Michael. Just give her a moment.
He heard the door open and close and blocked Priscilla’s disapproving look from his mind. She looked like she had just drunk battery acid, but his worry about Lisa prevented any glee at her obvious displeasure. Janet, finally gave Lisa one more embrace, then informed him she would wait for him outside. Good, she must have caught onto the fact that he was dying to know what the heck was going on here.
After the door closed, he stiffly stood next to her bed for another moment, staring to the floor, still holding on to her hand.
They both started speaking at the same time.
“So, are you ok?”
“You’re alright?”
His eyes finally left the sterile white tile and instead dove into the blue comfort of her eyes. A smile danced in the azure depths. He sank onto the bed next to her.
“Lisa, look. I am so sorry. I am just destroyed you got hurt. I never wanted you to leave the ranch, I wanted you just to wait upstairs…I never…”
“Mike, I know. I got it. I guess all I needed was a good knock on my head.”
He reached out and held her face in his hand, turning it this way, and that, assessing her heath, ensuring she had no bruises or bumps.
“My face is fine, and you know I have a hard head. Hey, you should see my back. Even though, I think that was bruised up from the encounter with the stairs from before my fall.”
His eyes scrunched together. “Before?…Oh…that…” He blushed, but felt immense relieve at the fact she was joking again.
The door opened, and a doctor entered.
“Michael, this is Doctor Lockhart. I thought he should be the one filling you in on what is going on.”
Michael tried to read the impenetrable gaze directed at him from the doctor. Were doctors trained in their poker face dead pans?
“Well, as Miss Presley, said, we have figured out what is going on, and what caused her dizziness, leading to the fall. I have to say, we are more than a bit surprised and perplexed.”
Perplexed? Well, that didn’t sound good at all. Perplexing doctors is hardly ever good, he knew. Michael felt faint and Lisa held his hand tighter. Waiting for the other shoe to drop, he took in a deep breath that would just have to suffice to sustain him through whatever disaster was to come next.
38)
As he stared at the stranger in the mirror, he realized the noise he had attributed to the fuzzy thoughts buzzing around his mind was really the water running form the faucet he had neglected to turn off. It really was not a good thing to waste water like this. Really? What in the world was wrong with him? With everything going down, he worried about wasting water? Well, water shortage was a serious problem, but it was not one he could solve here and now.
Holy shit! This day just kept getting more and more stressful. It had been bad enough to know he and Lisa would probably end up fighting when he had asked her to come over, but never, in his wildest dreams had he imagined the wild rollercoaster spree he had been on in the past hours. How many emotions could be crammed into the seemingly small and insignificant space of a day?
A day was nothing in the grand scheme of things. It was not even a blip on the radar of a human lifespan. Nothing but insignificant dust in the history of this planet and barely an entity worthy of thought when held up to the infinite chronos of the universe. And yet, a day- actually less, less than ten hours actually--had sufficed to turn his life inside out and upside down. He was in serious need of some road signs telling him where the hell was up. On this day, he seemed to have the perspective of a little fly: one day was an entire lifetime.
The phone buzzing in his back pocket startled him. He retrieved it, glanced at it, and flipped it open. The surge of exasperation and annoyance caused him to tap his foot impatiently.
“Why do you keep calling? Is everything ok with Prince?”
“Is that all you ever care about, Michael? The kids?”
He rolled his eyes. Yes, he loved his children and cared deeply for them. This should not be a newsflash to her. His children…what a different meaning these words held suddenly. Another dizzying surge raced through him.
“Yes, Debbie, that’s all I care about. I am a heartless bastard.”
“You don’t have to be so sarcastic, you know.”
Taking a deep breath, he closed his eyes and counted to three. Patience, he could do this. He could get through this conversation and then return to his efforts of orienting himself to his new world.
“Look, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to take it out on you. I am just a bit stressed, that’s all.”
“Is she ok? I thought you would call to let me know if she is ok.”
Like Debbie cared.
“Why? Since when do you care? I thought you hated her?”
“I don’t hate her. You keep telling me it is bad to hate, Michael. I just hate what she has been doing to you. And I hate that she can’t keep out of our lives.”
Out of his life? His eyes found their reflection before him once again and a smile stole onto his face. The sudden rush of the most intense, thrilling sensation startled him.
“Michael…you are so quiet. She is not…oh my God, she is ok, right?”
“What? Oh, sorry. Yeah, Lisa Marie is ok. She is fine. Debbie, tell the nanny I won’t be home till late.”
“You won’t? Ah…ok. Well, I guess you are worried about her. I…I understand. Do you mind if I stay here?”
“In the house?”
“No, Michael, I will use one of the guest cottages, like I normally do. Don’t worry. I know the rules.”
He chose to ignore her testy tone.
“Yeah, sure- make sure you get some nice food and some dinner. I will call cook to let him know to make you and the little one a nutritious dinner. And get some rest.”
“Thanks for caring, Michael. And you don’t need to tell me how to take care of our child. I am a nurse, remember?”
He failed to see how exactly her knowledge of dermatology made her an expert on prenatal nutrition. On the other hand, Prince had been born just fine and well nourished, so she obviously was reliable when it came to taking care of herself during pregnancy.
Shoot! He had to ask Lisa some questions. Like, when…it happened, and if she had been drinking…or smoking. She finally had to break that nasty habit once and for all.
“Yeah, fine. I know. So, I have to go.”
“Michael? What is that noise? It sounds like you are standing by a waterfall.”
Damn! The faucet was still running. He turned it off finally.
“Oh, just the bathroom.”
“Ah…ok. I won’t even ask. Well, take care. Again, I’m sorry Lisa Marie was hurt, and I’m glad she’s ok.”
“I hope you won’t ask me to pass on your well-wishes.”
Lisa could not be exposed to any more stress. Her blood pressure had to be monitored closely, according to the doctor. It was her blood pressure that accounted for her dizzy spells and her fainting after all. The doctor said that Lisa also had told him she had not been sleeping well, which also contributed to the overall stress.
A chuckle escaped Debbie. “No, Michael. I won’t go another round with her ‘til she feels better. We have to be on equal footing after all.”
On equal footing. Well, they kind of were on equal footing now in some ways. But he thought it was wiser to not inform Debbie of details. She also had to watch her blood pressure. What was it with the women in his life and hypertension? Was he that taxing on their systems? He thought of himself as rather undemanding and easygoing.
After he hung up with Debbie, he checked out the person in the mirror one more time. This morning, he had thought he knew his world and nothing could surprise him. He was sure he had all he needed and that, if anything else, he had to hold strong to keep his boundaries with Lisa intact. Then Lisa had come by. They had made love and his armor had cracked. He had suspected she was holding back or was even lying to him on purpose. However, now understood that she had not been in on the truth, either.
If he thought her fall had jarred him, the revelation that followed on the heels of Priscilla’s ill-spirited revelation that Lisa was not pregnant, had felt like a drop through space, including weightlessness, breathlessness, and red-hot incineration at re-entry into the atmosphere. Now, if only the parachute would deploy so he could land softly. What a wild ride! And what a rush! He felt a natural high as he usually only experienced on stage.
His face was serious once more as the doctor’s words from minutes ago rang in his ears:
“Well, as I just told Miss Presley here, we ran another HCG test, even though she informed us that a recent test came back negative.”
Lisa’s fingers felt warm in his hand, and he was barley aware that he increased the pressure on his grip. All he heard was pregnancy test and negative- so Priscilla had been right. Of course, she had been- she could not have faked that gleeful grin distorting her usually mask-like countenance. Wait… Why did they run another test if the first one had come back negative?
“I don’t understand. If she was not pregnant a week ago, why bother to do another test?”
“Well, we do a barrage of routine exams and tests when we have a trauma admission. Anyway…I don’t know how to explain it, other than to say it must have been some human error or some mistake when they ran the test at Cedar the other week…”
“Mistake, what do you mean mistake?”
“Michael, will you let the doctor talk?” Lisa returned the squeeze of his hand. He looked over at her and then back at the doctor.
“I’m sorry. I just don’t understand. What human error?”
“The tests we ran definitely showed the presence of HCG- of the hormone produced by the placenta when a woman is pregnant…”
“I know what it is, doctor. I have been through pregnancy tests a time or two. So are you saying…”
“Michael! Shut up already! Let him talk.”
“What? He is not talking- he takes forever.”
Lisa’s reply was an elbow to his ribs. Well, nice to see someone was feeling well enough to abuse him already.
“Mr. Jackson, what I am telling you is that Miss Presley is indeed pregnant. I can only assume the fainting resulting in the fall was due to her elevated blood pressure. I have to say I am a bit worried about it, but it has been stabilizing in the last hour, so I think she should be fine with proper care. Also, Miss Presley informed me about having been diagnosed with Factor V irregularities, but since she is being treated I am confident that with proper care the complications regarding the pregnancy should be minimal. That is- if she stays away from stairs for the next 8 months or so. You could always take the elevator.”
Michael totally missed the doctor’s attempt at humor. The last words he heard were that Lisa was pregnant. Pregnant! With his baby! Those were words he had longed to hear in another life--time like a suffocating man longed for oxygen. Words he thought he would never hear, and certainly not in connection to their child. Their child. Their very own baby. A baby with the woman he had always envisioned as the mother of his children. A child created in the most amazing rush of love and passion- not in a sterile lab.
A sudden wave of heat threatened to choke him. The blood rushed through his body like a tidal wave and his limbs felt fuzzy and tingly. Out of his peripheral vision, he barely noticed Lisa staring at him, taking in and assessing his reaction. Her hand was his connection to reality, his evidence that he was not dreaming and that all this was not just another torturous fantasy that would dissolve as soon as he opened his eyes. Just like his baby was anchored to her placenta, he was anchored to her…she was his source of life once again. The thought delighted and horrified him.
“Mister Jackson? Are you ok? You look like you are about to pass out. I mean, I have seen expectant fathers being close to fainting, but usually it is not until delivery.”
“I’m…I’m not…”
While not sure of his emotions right now he was pretty sure he was not about to faint.
“Oh, I am sorry, you are not? I just thought….since Miss Presley asked me to come back and explain it all to you… I was under the impression…um…that you…that you and her…” The young doctor had flushed profusely and his stammering brought Michael back to reality. Or maybe it was Lisa yanking her hand back from his grasp in one swift movement.
“I know what it is, doctor. I have been through pregnancy tests a time or two. So are you saying…”
“Michael! Shut up already! Let him talk.”
“What? He is not talking- he takes forever.”
Lisa’s reply was an elbow to his ribs. Well, nice to see someone was feeling well enough to abuse him already.
“Mr. Jackson, what I am telling you is that Miss Presley is indeed pregnant. I can only assume the fainting resulting in the fall was due to her elevated blood pressure. I have to say I am a bit worried about it, but it has been stabilizing in the last hour, so I think she should be fine with proper care. Also, Miss Presley informed me about having been diagnosed with Factor V irregularities, but since she is being treated I am confident that with proper care the complications regarding the pregnancy should be minimal. That is- if she stays away from stairs for the next 8 months or so. You could always take the elevator.”
Michael totally missed the doctor’s attempt at humor. The last words he heard were that Lisa was pregnant. Pregnant! With his baby! Those were words he had longed to hear in another life--time like a suffocating man longed for oxygen. Words he thought he would never hear, and certainly not in connection to their child. Their child. Their very own baby. A baby with the woman he had always envisioned as the mother of his children. A child created in the most amazing rush of love and passion- not in a sterile lab.
A sudden wave of heat threatened to choke him. The blood rushed through his body like a tidal wave and his limbs felt fuzzy and tingly. Out of his peripheral vision, he barely noticed Lisa staring at him, taking in and assessing his reaction. Her hand was his connection to reality, his evidence that he was not dreaming and that all this was not just another torturous fantasy that would dissolve as soon as he opened his eyes. Just like his baby was anchored to her placenta, he was anchored to her…she was his source of life once again. The thought delighted and horrified him.
“Mister Jackson? Are you ok? You look like you are about to pass out. I mean, I have seen expectant fathers being close to fainting, but usually it is not until delivery.”
“I’m…I’m not…”
While not sure of his emotions right now he was pretty sure he was not about to faint.
“Oh, I am sorry, you are not? I just thought….since Miss Presley asked me to come back and explain it all to you… I was under the impression…um…that you…that you and her…” The young doctor had flushed profusely and his stammering brought Michael back to reality. Or maybe it was Lisa yanking her hand back from his grasp in one swift movement.
He turned to stare at her, confused by her reaction as well as by the sudden tears in her eyes. No, those were not tears of joy. She looked…pissed. Why was she crying? Was she sad? Sad about their child? Was she upset she was going to have his baby? This woman really should have come with a user’s manual.
“Lisa, what is it? What…”
“Are you serious? I thought we went over this. What the hell…”
Confusion mingled with the other emotions he faced. What was she talking about? They had been over him not fainting? Was she accusing him of faking a panic attack like she had that other time they had a fight in the hospital when it had been him in the bed? Sudden nausea hit him. This was all just too much.
“I’m sorry- Lise. I…I have to go to the bathroom.”
He had hurried out of the room, rushing past Janet, who called after him, seeking refuge in the bathroom adjacent to the private lounge he and Janet had been waiting in. It had taken a moment for his breathing to return to normal, his heart rate to settle down. Funny enough, the conversation with Debbie had also served to dissolve his shock and re-establish grounding.
He was about to be a father. Again. A father to Lisa’s child. This time, the smile lightening up his image was like a new sunset, a new beginning. The feeling from earlier hit him full strength again and this time he grasped its meaning: it was unadulterated happiness. He had thought he had been happy when he found out about Prince and the new baby, but those sensations were nothing compared to this unexpected, surprising, crazy development. The escaping laughter startled him. He had to get back to her, back to Lisa--he had to look at her, hold her, share this intense joy with her.
Shit!
Another realization crashed in on him: He had just rushed out of Lisa’s room. And worse yet, as he replayed the past half hour in his mind, he noticed that she probably thought he had denied paternity. Holy crap! This was not good.
“Michael, open the damn door! What are you doing in there so long? Get your butt out of here and talk to me.”
He ran his hand through his hair before he reached over and unlocked the door, staring at his confused sister.
“Dunk. I think I really fudged up.”
“Fudged up? Are you back to not cursing? What did you do this time? I went back to talk to Lise and she was crying. Can’t you be nice for like two seconds? I mean, the woman just fell down the stairs after being in a fight with your bossy wife.”
“I gotta get back there. Come on Dunk, I’ll fill you in on the way…Auntie Janet.”
Giggling, he pulled his sister along.
“Say what? Did you hit your head, too? Mike, stop kidding around, and you better hurry up. Cruella de Ville was on her way back to Lisa’s room when I came to look for you, and she looked like she was about to slaughter some Dalmation puppies.”
Crap! He forgot all about not cursing as he raced back to Lisa’s room.
Confusion mingled with the other emotions he faced. What was she talking about? They had been over him not fainting? Was she accusing him of faking a panic attack like she had that other time they had a fight in the hospital when it had been him in the bed? Sudden nausea hit him. This was all just too much.
“I’m sorry- Lise. I…I have to go to the bathroom.”
He had hurried out of the room, rushing past Janet, who called after him, seeking refuge in the bathroom adjacent to the private lounge he and Janet had been waiting in. It had taken a moment for his breathing to return to normal, his heart rate to settle down. Funny enough, the conversation with Debbie had also served to dissolve his shock and re-establish grounding.
He was about to be a father. Again. A father to Lisa’s child. This time, the smile lightening up his image was like a new sunset, a new beginning. The feeling from earlier hit him full strength again and this time he grasped its meaning: it was unadulterated happiness. He had thought he had been happy when he found out about Prince and the new baby, but those sensations were nothing compared to this unexpected, surprising, crazy development. The escaping laughter startled him. He had to get back to her, back to Lisa--he had to look at her, hold her, share this intense joy with her.
Shit!
Another realization crashed in on him: He had just rushed out of Lisa’s room. And worse yet, as he replayed the past half hour in his mind, he noticed that she probably thought he had denied paternity. Holy crap! This was not good.
“Michael, open the damn door! What are you doing in there so long? Get your butt out of here and talk to me.”
He ran his hand through his hair before he reached over and unlocked the door, staring at his confused sister.
“Dunk. I think I really fudged up.”
“Fudged up? Are you back to not cursing? What did you do this time? I went back to talk to Lise and she was crying. Can’t you be nice for like two seconds? I mean, the woman just fell down the stairs after being in a fight with your bossy wife.”
“I gotta get back there. Come on Dunk, I’ll fill you in on the way…Auntie Janet.”
Giggling, he pulled his sister along.
“Say what? Did you hit your head, too? Mike, stop kidding around, and you better hurry up. Cruella de Ville was on her way back to Lisa’s room when I came to look for you, and she looked like she was about to slaughter some Dalmation puppies.”
Crap! He forgot all about not cursing as he raced back to Lisa’s room.
39)
She was such a fucking idiot. She deserved every single pile of shit Michael was shoveling her way. It was like God had sent him to ensure she kept humble and did not indulge in more than ten seconds of happiness at a time. Angrily, she wiped the tears away from her cheeks and blew her nose noisily. For such a short, incredible, stunning flash in time she had been so incredibly exultant she almost forgot everything else that had happened on this forsaken, dreadful, fucked up day. She must have hit her head harder than she had thought. Or maybe the fall finally had knocked some sense into her. The bastard was never going to change, and if he thought she would ever let his crazy, unreliable ass near their child, he better get ready for a fight. Their child. Her hand stole to her flat belly, still not believing it was home to the little human whose father was a thoughtless, self-absorbed, distrustful…
“I knew it! He hurt you again. Why, oh why did you have Danny go and get him? Lisa Marie, what has he done this time? Do you need me to call the police? I still don’t buy that you just randomly slipped on the stairs.”
Mother. Great. Just what she needed: strong, supportive, maternal words of caring. Too bad her mother was incapable of such things.
“I don’t need the police. And what are you of doing back? I thought you took the kids to get snacks?”
“No need to roll out the welcome mat, dear. We ran into Danny and he took them out to get some ice cream. So, what did Jackson do? And when will you finally tell me what had you get Danny and chase after that man. The ice blue eyes regarded her suspiciously.
Well, here was her chance to give her mother an aneurysm. Let’s see if she would get those facial muscles to move. On the other hand, could she really afford any more drama? Lisa eyed the blood pressure machine hooked up to her. Surprisingly, the values read normal. The only thing normal on this day so far.
“His name is Michael. And--nothing is going on. I have high blood pressure. Stress, tension, I’m high strung--you know the usual suspects. Just like I told you. So don’t stress me out more. I am not in the mood for another round of Michael bashing.”
“Why did you send me out of the room--if nothing’s going on?”
“’Cause I wanted to talk to Michael.”
“For what? So he could hurt you again? Is it not enough he pushed you down the stairs?”
“Mother! Michael did not push me down the stairs. I told you this a million times.”
“Lisa, you need to stop protecting him. I don’t care if he physically pushed you or not. I am sure you got into a fight and somehow you ended up in the ER. Then you act like everything is peachy and you ask for him. I just don’t get it. I swear he has some kind of weird spell on you. I mean, how else can he show you he doesn’t care for you? He married his nurse, for heaven’s sake and keeps mass producing children with her.”
Lisa chewed her lip. As painful as it was, her mother was right on. Her guess about the events at Neverland had been pretty accurate, as well as implication that basically Lisa had been a nitwit yet again, when she has asked for Michael. Why had she thought he would be happy to hear the news. How silly her hope for a new start seemed now. As shocked as she had been to hear the news, she also could not help but feel thrilled that her longtime secret wish had come true. She had not been using birth control, but not in an effort to trap him, but because she had not been able to conceive in the early parts of their marriage when she had desperately tried to become the mother of his child.
What were the chances that their random, passionate encounters now would lead to the baby fate had denied them earlier. However, would Michael see it the same way? She had not been shy about her frustration regarding the continued casual nature of their relationship. As much as she had tried to convince herself that she had not cared, that her hesitation to commit to him fully was a perfect match for his doubts, still…her secret wish had been to end her dirty existence as the very public concubine. And by ending it, she did not mean to be out of his life, but quite the opposite. Understanding had dawned that possibly, she would not again survive a complete separation.
So, when she looked him into his eyes and told him that this pregnancy was completely unplanned, would she be able to believe her own half-truth? Had someone accused her weeks ago of trying to snare Michael by giving him exactly what he had longed for in the past, she would have chewed that person’s ass out. Now, faced with the sudden reality of the little person growing inside, she questioned her own motives. However, she was not about to let Mommy Dearest in on this secret right now as she could not risk hearing her give voice to Lisa’s own fears and insecurities.
“Lisa, are you listening? Stop chewing your nails.”
Lisa felt like a four-year-old for a moment, then remembered that she was an adult and a mother herself and did not have to respond with guilt and shame when chided by her mother.
“Can you stop this shit? I’m all grown up, you know. And stop going on and on about Michael. You don’t have a clue about what’s going on, so stay out of my life.”
“You are correct: I don’t know what’s going on, because you are acting like the spiteful teen I remember so well. Since you insist you are grown, can you give me a hint of mature behavior, here, Lisa?”
The door flew open and Michael stood in the frame, looking out of breath, staring from Lisa to Priscilla.
“Can you not talk to her like that?”
Lisa was amazed at his words. While Michael had often expressed his displeasure about her mother to her in private, he had avoided open conflict with Priscilla at all cost.
Priscilla turned and looked like steam was about to escape her ears as venom, calm, but deadly none-the less, dripped from her lips.
“Surely, you must be joking, Michael. I know you did not just give me advice on how to talk to my daughter.”
He straightened and his face took on a rosy tint, even as his stance indicated he was standing his ground.
“I was not giving you advice, Priscilla, even though I believe you could benefit from some suggestions in how to talk to people. Your superiority is as annoying as it is misplaced.”
Priscilla inhaled sharply, her skin blanched, and her eyes shot darts at her former son-in-law. She turned sharply once more and faced Lisa while pointing angrily at Michael.
“Do you hear how he talks to me? The man who treated you like trash is now attacking me? And you are quiet?”
“I think you can take care of yourself, Mom. Plus, he was not attacking you.”
What the hell was wrong with her? Why was she defending him? She should throw his ass to the lions--or the dragon, more appropriately.
“Yeah, I was not attacking you at all, Priscilla. I just wanted you to chill and stop stressing her out.”
Lisa felt a bit left out as her mother and Michael continued their ridiculous game of who would blink first. They reminded her of two dogs fighting over a bone. Only, she did not feel like being a passive princess right now.
“Ah…I’m right here. I don’t need to be talked about in the third person. And just to set things straight: you both are more stressful than a trip up Mount Everest without oxygen, so why don’t you take your little pissing match outside and let me rest.”
Michael’s eyes suddenly softened as he turned towards her with great concern. He took a couple of steps into the room just as Priscilla made her move by getting right into his face, basically barring him the way toward Lisa’s bed. This was getting really ridiculous. Maybe Lisa should ring the call bell, getting staff in here so people could place bets on those two. Michael and her mother stood toe to toe, neither budging. Michael spoke first.
“Priscilla, I will stay here, and I will talk to Lisa. She is carrying my child, so I have every right to be here, and you might as well get used to the thought of having me around again.”
His child. He said, the baby was his. Thank God- he had come to his senses again! Not like she was not still mad for his earlier comment or would let him down easy, but the words were an instant balm on the previously inflicted wound. Of course, now he had spilled the beans to the very person she really, really had hoped to keep in the dark a while longer. Somehow, she could not be mad, though, his heroic stance facing down her steaming mother had softened her up considerably. Well, she should have said, formerly steaming mother.
Michael’s comment sure took the air out of her! At the current moment, Priscilla looked even more surprised than normal as evidenced by her gaping mouth. She slowly turned back toward Lisa, and Michael took the chance to walk around her, arrive at Lisa’s bed, and reach for her hand. Which she withdrew. She had not forgiven him all the way, after all. He looked down at her with a million questions in his eyes, then placed his hand on her shoulder.
“Lisa, what is he talking about? Tell me he is lying.”
Sadly, the shock had worn off and her mother had found her voice again.
“Well, not that it’s any of your business, but no, he’s not lying.”
“Are you ok? Is your blood pressure ok?” Michael eyed her with concern while at the same time checking out her blood pressure machine. He obviously had decided to ignore Priscilla. Lisa knew better than to be flattered by his concern as it could mean anything from him being worried about the new incubator of Jackson baby number 3, to wanting to send her mother into nervous seizures.
“Lisa! Not my business? You are my child! They told you a couple of days ago that you were not pregnant. How…how is this possible…you need to get a second opinion. This has to be a mistake.”
“Third opinion, mother. And they ran the test three times here to make sure there was not another mistake. I have no clue what happened at Cedar, but their test was wrong. Maybe it was too soon to show up and the last couple of days made the difference…who knows. But I was obviously sick and dizzy due to the pregnancy coupled with high blood pressure from all the stress…”
“The stress he put you under.”
“Whatever. Right now I need to talk to Michael, please, Mom. I will go over all this with you later. But give us a minute right now, will you?”
“Lisa, if you have this baby, you know he will never be out of your life. What will you do? What if he tries to take the child from you? You need to think this through…you have options, you know.”
Lisa could not believe her mother’s words. If she had this baby? Of course she would have this baby. This child was her baby- hers and Michael’s . It certainly had been a surprise, but how could her mother even for a second assume that she would not want this baby?
Michael sat down on the bed, and this time, Lisa reached for his hand that had slipped off her shoulder as he stared at Priscilla trying to decipher the alien life form she represented to him. Lisa half expected him to reload and commence to verbally fire at her mother, but instead his eyes sought hers. She returned his gaze, answering his silent question. As messed up as their verbal communication was at times, it was startling how their ability to read the nonverbal cues always seemed to be the most direct route. The light in his dark eyes seemed to intensify and she knew he had understood. Turning back to her mother, a clear calm, similar to a cold breeze after a crazy summer storm, rushed through her and extended to the strong tone in her voice.
“Mother, there is no way in hell I would not keep a child just because I was afraid of what the future would bring. I am able and willing to have this baby--no matter what will happen between Michael and me. That’s all you need to know right now. I realize you are surprised and it has been a difficult day, but I don’t know how I can ever forget what you just said.”
“Lisa, darling, I am simply trying to protect you.”
“Priscilla, I think it is best you leave us alone now. Lisa just told you she doesn’t need your protection. She is capable of fighting her own battles. But really, there are no battles to fight right now. So, please leave us in peace for five minutes before I take you out of here myself.”
Priscilla’s mouth gaped open once more and Lisa also regarded Michael as if she had never heard him before. This was highly unusual. Funny, but out of the ordinary.
Priscilla turned slowly, but seemed hesitant if she should withdraw.
“Oh, Cilla? Can you please tell Janet to hang around just a bit longer? I appreciate it.”
Priscilla made a choking sound then stalked out the door, which she would have slammed had the hospital door not been shut by its self-closing mechanism.
Lisa tried to suppress a chuckle.
Michael turned to her and reached for her chin with his hand, his other hand, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. He leaned in to kiss her and Lisa almost surrendered, before she recalled she was mad at him.
“Why do you want to kiss me? I thought I was this horrible whore who got knocked up by someone other than you.”
He backed off slightly, but kept his hand on her chin while the other one gently cupped her cheek. She had to summon all her defenses to hold on to her righteous indignation.
“Princess. I never said that. You misunderstood.”
Her eyes narrowed in suspicion. How would he try to talk himself out of the manure pit now?
“Don’t look at me like that. Actually, the doc misunderstood. He asked me if was about to faint, and I said I wasn’t.”
“No, you said you weren’t the father.”
“No, I did not. He said he had never seen expectant fathers faint before birth, and I said I wasn’t. He just assumed I said I wasn’t the father. Why the hell would I say that--to a stranger? Plus, I told you earlier that if you were pregnant, I was the father. I mean, I know we had been slightly…ah…active and all.”
If he was lying he was pretty quick on his feet. Her head started hurting again, and she was not sure which version of the truth she could afford to subscribe to. She continued to stare at him, hedging her bets.
“Lise, you said you were using birth control. How did this happen?”
Here was the question she had been dreading.
“Well…you know, Mike, sperm meets egg and the rest is history. In our case…lots of little swimmers. I mean, I guess the poor little egg never stood a chance.” Maybe a little humor would distract him from the actual question.
“Yeah, but what? The pill didn’t work? You said…”
“Well, actually, I never said. All I said was there would be no baby for us. I had been getting sick on the pill; horrible headaches and the doctors had said that I should go off it. Now, looking back, they said it was smart, having the clotting disorder and all. So, I thought, well, I didn’t get pregnant before when we really, really tried, so what were the chances of it taking now. I mean, I didn’t think…”
The blood pressure machine was starting to beep, calling Michael’s attention to the values.
“Lisa, lay back, baby. Take some deep breaths, your bp is going up again. It’s ok, just relax. Who cares how it happened…well, I am pretty clear on how…but...um…you know what I mean. ”
“Well, maybe you should stop the Spanish inquisition.”
“I’m not. I was just surprised.” He leaned in and over her, this time, not letting her stop him from kissing her dry lips gently. Her breath quickened and she deeply inhaled his unique sent. Michael was her very own calming aromatherapy.
“Surely, you must be joking, Michael. I know you did not just give me advice on how to talk to my daughter.”
He straightened and his face took on a rosy tint, even as his stance indicated he was standing his ground.
“I was not giving you advice, Priscilla, even though I believe you could benefit from some suggestions in how to talk to people. Your superiority is as annoying as it is misplaced.”
Priscilla inhaled sharply, her skin blanched, and her eyes shot darts at her former son-in-law. She turned sharply once more and faced Lisa while pointing angrily at Michael.
“Do you hear how he talks to me? The man who treated you like trash is now attacking me? And you are quiet?”
“I think you can take care of yourself, Mom. Plus, he was not attacking you.”
What the hell was wrong with her? Why was she defending him? She should throw his ass to the lions--or the dragon, more appropriately.
“Yeah, I was not attacking you at all, Priscilla. I just wanted you to chill and stop stressing her out.”
Lisa felt a bit left out as her mother and Michael continued their ridiculous game of who would blink first. They reminded her of two dogs fighting over a bone. Only, she did not feel like being a passive princess right now.
“Ah…I’m right here. I don’t need to be talked about in the third person. And just to set things straight: you both are more stressful than a trip up Mount Everest without oxygen, so why don’t you take your little pissing match outside and let me rest.”
Michael’s eyes suddenly softened as he turned towards her with great concern. He took a couple of steps into the room just as Priscilla made her move by getting right into his face, basically barring him the way toward Lisa’s bed. This was getting really ridiculous. Maybe Lisa should ring the call bell, getting staff in here so people could place bets on those two. Michael and her mother stood toe to toe, neither budging. Michael spoke first.
“Priscilla, I will stay here, and I will talk to Lisa. She is carrying my child, so I have every right to be here, and you might as well get used to the thought of having me around again.”
His child. He said, the baby was his. Thank God- he had come to his senses again! Not like she was not still mad for his earlier comment or would let him down easy, but the words were an instant balm on the previously inflicted wound. Of course, now he had spilled the beans to the very person she really, really had hoped to keep in the dark a while longer. Somehow, she could not be mad, though, his heroic stance facing down her steaming mother had softened her up considerably. Well, she should have said, formerly steaming mother.
Michael’s comment sure took the air out of her! At the current moment, Priscilla looked even more surprised than normal as evidenced by her gaping mouth. She slowly turned back toward Lisa, and Michael took the chance to walk around her, arrive at Lisa’s bed, and reach for her hand. Which she withdrew. She had not forgiven him all the way, after all. He looked down at her with a million questions in his eyes, then placed his hand on her shoulder.
“Lisa, what is he talking about? Tell me he is lying.”
Sadly, the shock had worn off and her mother had found her voice again.
“Well, not that it’s any of your business, but no, he’s not lying.”
“Are you ok? Is your blood pressure ok?” Michael eyed her with concern while at the same time checking out her blood pressure machine. He obviously had decided to ignore Priscilla. Lisa knew better than to be flattered by his concern as it could mean anything from him being worried about the new incubator of Jackson baby number 3, to wanting to send her mother into nervous seizures.
“Lisa! Not my business? You are my child! They told you a couple of days ago that you were not pregnant. How…how is this possible…you need to get a second opinion. This has to be a mistake.”
“Third opinion, mother. And they ran the test three times here to make sure there was not another mistake. I have no clue what happened at Cedar, but their test was wrong. Maybe it was too soon to show up and the last couple of days made the difference…who knows. But I was obviously sick and dizzy due to the pregnancy coupled with high blood pressure from all the stress…”
“The stress he put you under.”
“Whatever. Right now I need to talk to Michael, please, Mom. I will go over all this with you later. But give us a minute right now, will you?”
“Lisa, if you have this baby, you know he will never be out of your life. What will you do? What if he tries to take the child from you? You need to think this through…you have options, you know.”
Lisa could not believe her mother’s words. If she had this baby? Of course she would have this baby. This child was her baby- hers and Michael’s . It certainly had been a surprise, but how could her mother even for a second assume that she would not want this baby?
Michael sat down on the bed, and this time, Lisa reached for his hand that had slipped off her shoulder as he stared at Priscilla trying to decipher the alien life form she represented to him. Lisa half expected him to reload and commence to verbally fire at her mother, but instead his eyes sought hers. She returned his gaze, answering his silent question. As messed up as their verbal communication was at times, it was startling how their ability to read the nonverbal cues always seemed to be the most direct route. The light in his dark eyes seemed to intensify and she knew he had understood. Turning back to her mother, a clear calm, similar to a cold breeze after a crazy summer storm, rushed through her and extended to the strong tone in her voice.
“Mother, there is no way in hell I would not keep a child just because I was afraid of what the future would bring. I am able and willing to have this baby--no matter what will happen between Michael and me. That’s all you need to know right now. I realize you are surprised and it has been a difficult day, but I don’t know how I can ever forget what you just said.”
“Lisa, darling, I am simply trying to protect you.”
“Priscilla, I think it is best you leave us alone now. Lisa just told you she doesn’t need your protection. She is capable of fighting her own battles. But really, there are no battles to fight right now. So, please leave us in peace for five minutes before I take you out of here myself.”
Priscilla’s mouth gaped open once more and Lisa also regarded Michael as if she had never heard him before. This was highly unusual. Funny, but out of the ordinary.
Priscilla turned slowly, but seemed hesitant if she should withdraw.
“Oh, Cilla? Can you please tell Janet to hang around just a bit longer? I appreciate it.”
Priscilla made a choking sound then stalked out the door, which she would have slammed had the hospital door not been shut by its self-closing mechanism.
Lisa tried to suppress a chuckle.
Michael turned to her and reached for her chin with his hand, his other hand, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. He leaned in to kiss her and Lisa almost surrendered, before she recalled she was mad at him.
“Why do you want to kiss me? I thought I was this horrible whore who got knocked up by someone other than you.”
He backed off slightly, but kept his hand on her chin while the other one gently cupped her cheek. She had to summon all her defenses to hold on to her righteous indignation.
“Princess. I never said that. You misunderstood.”
Her eyes narrowed in suspicion. How would he try to talk himself out of the manure pit now?
“Don’t look at me like that. Actually, the doc misunderstood. He asked me if was about to faint, and I said I wasn’t.”
“No, you said you weren’t the father.”
“No, I did not. He said he had never seen expectant fathers faint before birth, and I said I wasn’t. He just assumed I said I wasn’t the father. Why the hell would I say that--to a stranger? Plus, I told you earlier that if you were pregnant, I was the father. I mean, I know we had been slightly…ah…active and all.”
If he was lying he was pretty quick on his feet. Her head started hurting again, and she was not sure which version of the truth she could afford to subscribe to. She continued to stare at him, hedging her bets.
“Lise, you said you were using birth control. How did this happen?”
Here was the question she had been dreading.
“Well…you know, Mike, sperm meets egg and the rest is history. In our case…lots of little swimmers. I mean, I guess the poor little egg never stood a chance.” Maybe a little humor would distract him from the actual question.
“Yeah, but what? The pill didn’t work? You said…”
“Well, actually, I never said. All I said was there would be no baby for us. I had been getting sick on the pill; horrible headaches and the doctors had said that I should go off it. Now, looking back, they said it was smart, having the clotting disorder and all. So, I thought, well, I didn’t get pregnant before when we really, really tried, so what were the chances of it taking now. I mean, I didn’t think…”
The blood pressure machine was starting to beep, calling Michael’s attention to the values.
“Lisa, lay back, baby. Take some deep breaths, your bp is going up again. It’s ok, just relax. Who cares how it happened…well, I am pretty clear on how…but...um…you know what I mean. ”
“Well, maybe you should stop the Spanish inquisition.”
“I’m not. I was just surprised.” He leaned in and over her, this time, not letting her stop him from kissing her dry lips gently. Her breath quickened and she deeply inhaled his unique sent. Michael was her very own calming aromatherapy.
His lips left her again, but he stayed only inches above her. “I’m surprised, stunned…and so very, very happy.” He sat back up, and tried to shield his eyes from her for a minute.
An emotional firestorm once again assaulted her. Had he said he was happy? Was he crying? Was that a tear she felt gliding down her own cheek. Reaching up, she took his hand.
“Happy? You’re not mad?”
His eyes looked bleary and she could still detect the moisture beneath them.
“Mad? Are you nuts? I mean, my heart stopped, and I thought I would die when you fell. I didn’t know if you were ok, and no one was telling me shit. I was freaking out on the way here- you have no idea. Then, your charming mother informs me that you are glad to not be the mother of my kid, only to have your ex come after me, like some guardian angel, bringing me back here, where I finally see you are ok. Next thing I know, the doc tells me we will be parents. Mad? No, why would I be mad? I’m stunned, happy, thrilled, scared…you name it. But I’m not mad. I mean, I am married to Deb and I have to figure that out. I have another baby to be born in about a month. But all I can think about is that we are about to have this little person in common, and all I can think about is that my heart is about to explode like in some kind of weird supernova.”
She had to laugh. “A supernova, Mike?”
His hand came to rest on her abdomen, and hers closed over it.
“Yeah, or a magical firework. Man, you are so little, Lise. You need to eat. You need to take care of yourself, believe me, I know what I’m talking about.”
“Ok, Doctor Spock, aka Mister Expert on prenatal care.”
“I am an expert on crazy Lisa Presley. You don’t take care of yourself. And the smoking has to stop. You don’t fool me- I know you still do it when we’re not together. You will move into Neverland, and I will take care of you, I will make sure you and the baby are ok.”
“Hold up, Michael. I have not said anything about moving into Neverland. Debbie hangs out there, and unless you will convert to be a Mormon soon, you have one wife too many right now. I don’t plan on having this big commune with your other wife and all our kids. Well, the kids are ok, but I’m not living with Debbie looming over me as I sew the letter A onto all my clothing.”
Her comment earned her a startled look.
“You’re not adulteress. Lisa, I promise I will deal with the Debbie situation…”
“Your marriage?”
“Yeah, that. I promise. But you need to come and move in.”
“Forget about it! I will stay at Hidden Hills with the kids.”
“The kids and Danny?”
“Danny doesn’t live there.”
“He hangs out there. I don’t want him around my child.”
“Well, I don’t have a problem with having him around my children- all three of them. Plus, you can’t tell me what to do- you are still married, and can you really afford to have news of you getting your ex pregnant get out right now?”
The trapped look in his eyes did not escape her. Bulls-eye--she knew he was not ready to face the court of public opinion with this. And really, she was also not too keen about being hounded by the press about what should be a private affair.
“I want to be a part of the baby’s life, Lisa. I want to be a part of your life. And you can cut the crap, because after all the bitching you have done about me not being ready to make changes, I know you want me to commit to you--to us--again.”
What did he think? Did he really expect he could just do a three sixty on his attitude about their relationship and not have her suspect that it was all due her being his newest baby-Momma? She was not about to be Debbie#2. She did not need a child to keep a man. And she sure as hell was not about to use this little miracle to assure her place in his life. Her mind was made up.
“I didn’t say you can’t be a part in the baby’s life. You are its father. I just am not sure I want to be a part in your life right now. I am not sure I am up for the drama and the constant excitement. If we commit to each other again, and that can only happen if you are not married to someone else, by the way, it will be because we love each other, not because I failed to take the frigging pill.”
“I do love you!”
“Michael, I want you to get some distance on this and really think about it. You just told me yourself how worn out you were by my fall and the worry about me. Then, you found out about the baby- it has been a long day. I want you to go home and to think about all this. Think about what all this would mean. Think about the media circus. Think about your family- and think what you would get into being part of my family again.”
Michael fell quiet and she held her breath as she waited for his answer. His face was averted and half in the shade of the room. The suddenly noisy clock in the room ticked precious seconds of her life away. Her words had made so much sense. They were so logical. She should be so proud of her new maturity. With all this deliberate wisdom, how come that all she wanted was for him to take her into his arms, kiss her senseless, raise her blood pressure, and assure her that he did not give a rat’s ass about anyone’s opinion.
“I guess you’re right.” His words were whispered. She swallowed. Since when was he listening to her?
“Yeah, I know I am.”
“Fine. I’ll go. But don’t think I won’t be in touch tomorrow. I will be around, and I want to talk about this after you had some sleep.”
How considerate.
“Yeah, don’t call. I’ll call you. I need some space.”
“Mad? Are you nuts? I mean, my heart stopped, and I thought I would die when you fell. I didn’t know if you were ok, and no one was telling me shit. I was freaking out on the way here- you have no idea. Then, your charming mother informs me that you are glad to not be the mother of my kid, only to have your ex come after me, like some guardian angel, bringing me back here, where I finally see you are ok. Next thing I know, the doc tells me we will be parents. Mad? No, why would I be mad? I’m stunned, happy, thrilled, scared…you name it. But I’m not mad. I mean, I am married to Deb and I have to figure that out. I have another baby to be born in about a month. But all I can think about is that we are about to have this little person in common, and all I can think about is that my heart is about to explode like in some kind of weird supernova.”
She had to laugh. “A supernova, Mike?”
His hand came to rest on her abdomen, and hers closed over it.
“Yeah, or a magical firework. Man, you are so little, Lise. You need to eat. You need to take care of yourself, believe me, I know what I’m talking about.”
“Ok, Doctor Spock, aka Mister Expert on prenatal care.”
“I am an expert on crazy Lisa Presley. You don’t take care of yourself. And the smoking has to stop. You don’t fool me- I know you still do it when we’re not together. You will move into Neverland, and I will take care of you, I will make sure you and the baby are ok.”
“Hold up, Michael. I have not said anything about moving into Neverland. Debbie hangs out there, and unless you will convert to be a Mormon soon, you have one wife too many right now. I don’t plan on having this big commune with your other wife and all our kids. Well, the kids are ok, but I’m not living with Debbie looming over me as I sew the letter A onto all my clothing.”
Her comment earned her a startled look.
“You’re not adulteress. Lisa, I promise I will deal with the Debbie situation…”
“Your marriage?”
“Yeah, that. I promise. But you need to come and move in.”
“Forget about it! I will stay at Hidden Hills with the kids.”
“The kids and Danny?”
“Danny doesn’t live there.”
“He hangs out there. I don’t want him around my child.”
“Well, I don’t have a problem with having him around my children- all three of them. Plus, you can’t tell me what to do- you are still married, and can you really afford to have news of you getting your ex pregnant get out right now?”
The trapped look in his eyes did not escape her. Bulls-eye--she knew he was not ready to face the court of public opinion with this. And really, she was also not too keen about being hounded by the press about what should be a private affair.
“I want to be a part of the baby’s life, Lisa. I want to be a part of your life. And you can cut the crap, because after all the bitching you have done about me not being ready to make changes, I know you want me to commit to you--to us--again.”
What did he think? Did he really expect he could just do a three sixty on his attitude about their relationship and not have her suspect that it was all due her being his newest baby-Momma? She was not about to be Debbie#2. She did not need a child to keep a man. And she sure as hell was not about to use this little miracle to assure her place in his life. Her mind was made up.
“I didn’t say you can’t be a part in the baby’s life. You are its father. I just am not sure I want to be a part in your life right now. I am not sure I am up for the drama and the constant excitement. If we commit to each other again, and that can only happen if you are not married to someone else, by the way, it will be because we love each other, not because I failed to take the frigging pill.”
“I do love you!”
“Michael, I want you to get some distance on this and really think about it. You just told me yourself how worn out you were by my fall and the worry about me. Then, you found out about the baby- it has been a long day. I want you to go home and to think about all this. Think about what all this would mean. Think about the media circus. Think about your family- and think what you would get into being part of my family again.”
Michael fell quiet and she held her breath as she waited for his answer. His face was averted and half in the shade of the room. The suddenly noisy clock in the room ticked precious seconds of her life away. Her words had made so much sense. They were so logical. She should be so proud of her new maturity. With all this deliberate wisdom, how come that all she wanted was for him to take her into his arms, kiss her senseless, raise her blood pressure, and assure her that he did not give a rat’s ass about anyone’s opinion.
“I guess you’re right.” His words were whispered. She swallowed. Since when was he listening to her?
“Yeah, I know I am.”
“Fine. I’ll go. But don’t think I won’t be in touch tomorrow. I will be around, and I want to talk about this after you had some sleep.”
How considerate.
“Yeah, don’t call. I’ll call you. I need some space.”
He rose from the bed and walked toward the door. Uncertainty about how much space she actually needed expanded in her chest. She averted her eyes from the departure as he seemed to take her heart with him. Suddenly, he changed course and came toward her in large strides. Before she had a chance to react in any way, he reached for her face and cupped it, his lips lowering and capturing her mouth in a scorching kiss. She immediately and without wasting another thought, opened to him, granting access to his hungry tongue as she met it feverishly. As one hand continue to frame her cheek, the other came around her pulling her toward him, and she sighed into his mouth. Her own hands found his hair and she held on to him, not willing to let him go. Personal space was highly overrated and totally unwelcome.
The beeping of the machine startled them apart. Michael stayed close to her. When her eyes finally opened she found herself staring into his dark depths.
“You can say what you want. I know you want me and you love me. I feel the same and because I do, I will give you some space now. You better enjoy it, because you better get used to me being your shadow. I’ll be in touch, Princess. Try not to miss me too much.”
With that, Michael once more headed for the door, just as several nurses and Doctor Lockhard came rushing back in, having been alerted by her newly elevated blood pressure. Michael blew her a kiss from the open door, and Lisa could not suppress a smile as her fingertips touched her swollen lips.
With that, Michael once more headed for the door, just as several nurses and Doctor Lockhard came rushing back in, having been alerted by her newly elevated blood pressure. Michael blew her a kiss from the open door, and Lisa could not suppress a smile as her fingertips touched her swollen lips.
40)
The tower of blocks fell over on the hardwood floor for the tenth time, but the loud clanking barely registered. When an object came flying into his lap, Michael finally managed to refocus his attention. His thoughts had been whirling around finding solutions for his current predicament. Obviously, his son thought it was time Daddy concentrated on the task at hand more. Prince laughed heartily when his Dad made a face.
“Block? ‘Gain?” He giggled, pointing at the colorful squares before him.
“I won’t build it again if you throw them at me little man!”
“Dada! ‘Gain!”
Michael had to smile at his son’s bossiness.
“Say, please. Then we will do it one more time before you go to take a nap.”
“No nap.” The little forehead became furrowed, and the heart shaped lips pressed together resolutely. There was no doubt this little guy was used to getting his way.
“Yes, you have to take a nap. And if you’re good, Daddy will sing for you, ok?”
Nodding, Prince’s face lit up, and he enthusiastically started to rebuild his tower.
Michael watched his son and wondered about different traits he thought he detected in him. He was sure he saw Janet’s feistiness, saw his own mouth, his mother’s eyes. What would his soon-to-be-born daughter look like? And how about the new baby…if Prince was bossy, surely any child of Lisa’s would be a little tyrant. The smile on his face intensified.
As always, thinking about the new baby caused his pulse to race. How odd, not much more than two years earlier, he had been desperate for children. His dreams seemed to slip away and move further and further into the realm on implausibility. Now, he would be father of two within weeks, and then add a third baby in no time at all. It all seemed so surreal.
Since returning from the hospital last night, he had not been able to sleep or eat. Janet had insisted on staying over at Neverland after having driven him back from LA. Speaking of bossy…She had insisted he eat a small snack and was currently in the kitchen rummaging through the fridge. The noises coming from that end of the house were almost as loud as Prince’s blocks hitting the hardwood. Why did Janet think she needed to feed him anyway? He did not need food. He needed a solution of how to get out of this marriage as soon as possible. The contract he had with Debbie stated they would have two children and that the divorce would happen after two and a half years unless initiated by either one of them earlier after the birth of the second child. Had the second in-vitro been unsuccessful, he would have had an earlier out-clause. How would Debbie react when he asked her for a divorce as soon as possible? A shudder raced through him: he had a pretty good idea how she would react: Not well.
Then, there was the issue of his mother. She had been more than vocal about him not having children out of wedlock. What would she say when she found out he and Lisa would be parents? Not that he wondered about his mother’s sentiments regarding Lisa. He knew full well, his mother adored her former daughter-in-law and had always remained very friendly with her. However, he was aware of the fact that mother had turned a blind eye to the exact details of his friendship with Lisa. When they all had visited South Africa, mother had remarked that she thought it was so nice how he and his ex-wife got along. Yeah, they had gotten along really, really well- especially when left alone in their suite. Joseph had winked at him and made some barely concealed rude comments, causing Michael to blush furiously and Katherine to tersely comment that Joseph should not draw conclusions from his own behavior to others. The guilt at disappointing his mother’s high opinion of him never stopped eating away at his self-esteem.
However, he planned to make things right. The baby was a blessing. It was as if all his doubts regarding his future with Lisa had been erased. This child was a sign from the universe to finally make things right and be with the woman he had wanted all along in the first place. When some nagging questions about the conception of the little miracle rose, he pushed them aside for now, not wanting his insecurities and jaded suspicions to ruin the basis of a new start with Lisa.
“Here, you better get your skinny butt over here and eat before I have you hooked up to an I.V.”
Janet always knew how to entice him to do her bidding.
“I will eat after I put little man down.”
“Bull. You will eat now. Don’t make me force feed you. I will take the baby up to his room.”
“He’s not a baby, Dunk. He will be a big brother soon.”
She rolled her eyes.
“Yeah, if you keep it up he will have a basketball team to boss around. The Nation of Michael Jackson. Eat!”
Damn! She was a master in the art of skillful and gentle persuasion. And, did she have to exaggerate like that? It was not like he had planned to have another child so soon nor did he have plans to populate a small country or anything.
After Janet took Prince upstairs, he grabbed his sandwich and took it into the study with him, fearing the wrath of his sister should he ignore her culinary efforts. He glanced over at the phone. Lisa still had not called. Surely she was home by now. What was keeping her? Unless they kept her longer. Maybe he should call her. But what if she didn’t answer his call? That would drive him even crazier. He suspected he would jump into his car and head over to her house and make a jack-ass of himself again. The promise to give her some space was golden. She had his word. On the other hand, he also had promised to be her shadow. How could he do both? Maybe she expected him to drive over there, to be there for her, despite her claims of needing time to herself. What if it was another test? And what if he failed her?
Relationships seemed to be filled with booby-traps. Especially with someone who liked to play silly games all the time. He never knew whether to take her at her word by following what she expressed in the content of her speech, or to do the exact opposite-- since obviously, he was supposed to discern that she had intended something completely different. For example, she had told him that her filing for divorce had been a call for him to come after her. Since when did “I want a divorce” translate to “please be there for me?” Should he respect her wishes, or was he supposed to prove his devotion by forcing her to admit she had been wrong? Women! Why could they not just say what they meant? What was wrong with words? Why did they have to send the emotional equivalent of smoke signals and expect that men had the decoder ring?
“Ok, he dozed off. I sang to him for a second and he really loved that. He is so cute. I think he favors me, by the way. Mike-you have not eaten! Seriously-stop staring at the phone and eat. She’s not ‘gonna want you if you’re a stick!”
“I was not staring at the phone. And she will always want me.” Smiling slyly, he grabbed his sandwich and forced himself to take a huge bite, chewing demonstratively while making a face at his sister. “See? Happy?”
“Don’t talk with your mouth open.”
He mumbled something under his breath before taking another bite. Hm, who knew Dunk actually could fix really good snacks?
“I am not a bully. You should be glad someone is keeping your ass straight. You will need all your strength soon, when your little harem will start fighting over you.”
The cough was not soothed by his loving sister’s efforts to pound on his back. Finally, she gave up, and handed him a glass of water instead. When he recovered his ability to breathe, he glared at her accusingly.
“First you force me to eat, then you try to kill me. What’s your problem?”
She laughed brightly.
“Me? I don’t have a problem. I don’t have two Baby Mommas getting ready to scratch each other’s eyes out. Damn, Mike, good thing you did well in the business: you will need every cent for child support and alimony.”
“I will have these two with me--and Debbie is all set for what she will get. Lisa and I will be together--no need for child support or alimony. Thanks for the vote of confidence, though, Dunk.” He glared at his baby sister.
“Hey--I am just being realistic. Did Lisa say she’d marry your sorry butt again? ‘Cause last thing I saw was her kicking you out of her room.”
“She didn’t kick me out. I left.”
“After she asked you to leave. See? Semantics.”
Since she was obviously in a mood to fight, Michael turned to leave the room, then changed his mind and came back to take his lunch with him. Why waste it just because Janet was being a pain? He walked upstairs to his bedroom suite, turning on the TV after falling into this couch. Too bad little sisters were historically bad at taking hints that someone needed privacy. She sauntered into his quarters as if she had an invite. Obviously his silence and attendance to the TV was a cue for her to torture him some more.
“So, what happened? Forgot to use ‘the glove?’ Hey, and all you had to do was use one- just like you like to.” She laughed hysterically at her own lame joke.
He grabbed the remote and demonstratively pointed it at the TV, turning up the volume.
Janet dropped herself next to him, taking a bite of his sandwich.
“Hey!”
“What? I made it.”
“So, go make another one. You made it for me.”
“Don’t be stingy. You are normally so generous. Especially when it comes to…”
Throwing the remote to the other end of the couch, he lunged for her, removing his lunch away from her greedy fingers and putting it down on the coffee table.
“Don’t you dare and say it.”
She laughed again. “Your love, Mike, I was going to say, your love. You are such a loving man. Always spreading the l.o.v.e.” She cackled some more.
At this moment, he seriously questioned his judgment of having asked her to come over.
“If that singing thing doesn’t work out anymore, Dunk, you should call Comedy Central. Seriously. I needed your help and support and all you do is make fun of me.”
“Ok, I am sorry.” She tried to stop laughing and wiped her tears away. Her voice was choked up and every time she started a new sentence, she broke out in laughter again. Finally, Michael grabbed a couch pillow and pressed it on her face, causing her to squeal, fighting him off by arming herself with an arsenal of pillows. Before long, the sitting area was destroyed and the siblings both lay on the floor, gasping for air.
“Oh, my God. I can’t breathe! I can’t remember last time I laughed like that. Holy shit!” Michael wiped tears from his eyes.
“Yeah, you are becoming a stick in the mud, Mike. Aren’t you glad I helped you out?”
He sat up and reached his hand out to help her up. He felt much better after his pillow fight with Janet which had served to distract him from this mess he was in with.
“I know you don’t think I will clean up your mess, Mike. You threw the first pillow- you pick up.”
He grabbed the nearest soft missile and tossed it at her head. Laughing, she agreed to help out after all.
“So seriously, what are your plans? How do you feel about all of this?” Janet sat back on the couch, pulling up her legs, hugging a pillow.
“I don’t know. I’m happy, surprised, stunned…keep pinching myself. Don’t you dare!” He reached out and grabbed her hand just in time, thwarting her efforts to help out with making sure he was awake.
“So, even if you get out of the thing with Debbie, what will you do about Lisa? I know how your mind works, and I know you will want to do ‘the honorable thing.’ But Mike, don’t let mother’s expectations corner you again. That did not seem to have worked out so greatly during your current marriage.”
His hand came to rest over his eyes for a moment.
“No, it’s not like that. It’s not like with Debbie. I want to do right by Lisa. I mean, maybe it’s time I got over my hang-ups with her.”
Janet’s calm eyes were sympathetic and calm; she always knew when he needed her serene comfort.
However, he planned to make things right. The baby was a blessing. It was as if all his doubts regarding his future with Lisa had been erased. This child was a sign from the universe to finally make things right and be with the woman he had wanted all along in the first place. When some nagging questions about the conception of the little miracle rose, he pushed them aside for now, not wanting his insecurities and jaded suspicions to ruin the basis of a new start with Lisa.
“Here, you better get your skinny butt over here and eat before I have you hooked up to an I.V.”
Janet always knew how to entice him to do her bidding.
“I will eat after I put little man down.”
“Bull. You will eat now. Don’t make me force feed you. I will take the baby up to his room.”
“He’s not a baby, Dunk. He will be a big brother soon.”
She rolled her eyes.
“Yeah, if you keep it up he will have a basketball team to boss around. The Nation of Michael Jackson. Eat!”
Damn! She was a master in the art of skillful and gentle persuasion. And, did she have to exaggerate like that? It was not like he had planned to have another child so soon nor did he have plans to populate a small country or anything.
After Janet took Prince upstairs, he grabbed his sandwich and took it into the study with him, fearing the wrath of his sister should he ignore her culinary efforts. He glanced over at the phone. Lisa still had not called. Surely she was home by now. What was keeping her? Unless they kept her longer. Maybe he should call her. But what if she didn’t answer his call? That would drive him even crazier. He suspected he would jump into his car and head over to her house and make a jack-ass of himself again. The promise to give her some space was golden. She had his word. On the other hand, he also had promised to be her shadow. How could he do both? Maybe she expected him to drive over there, to be there for her, despite her claims of needing time to herself. What if it was another test? And what if he failed her?
Relationships seemed to be filled with booby-traps. Especially with someone who liked to play silly games all the time. He never knew whether to take her at her word by following what she expressed in the content of her speech, or to do the exact opposite-- since obviously, he was supposed to discern that she had intended something completely different. For example, she had told him that her filing for divorce had been a call for him to come after her. Since when did “I want a divorce” translate to “please be there for me?” Should he respect her wishes, or was he supposed to prove his devotion by forcing her to admit she had been wrong? Women! Why could they not just say what they meant? What was wrong with words? Why did they have to send the emotional equivalent of smoke signals and expect that men had the decoder ring?
“Ok, he dozed off. I sang to him for a second and he really loved that. He is so cute. I think he favors me, by the way. Mike-you have not eaten! Seriously-stop staring at the phone and eat. She’s not ‘gonna want you if you’re a stick!”
“I was not staring at the phone. And she will always want me.” Smiling slyly, he grabbed his sandwich and forced himself to take a huge bite, chewing demonstratively while making a face at his sister. “See? Happy?”
“Don’t talk with your mouth open.”
He mumbled something under his breath before taking another bite. Hm, who knew Dunk actually could fix really good snacks?
“I am not a bully. You should be glad someone is keeping your ass straight. You will need all your strength soon, when your little harem will start fighting over you.”
The cough was not soothed by his loving sister’s efforts to pound on his back. Finally, she gave up, and handed him a glass of water instead. When he recovered his ability to breathe, he glared at her accusingly.
“First you force me to eat, then you try to kill me. What’s your problem?”
She laughed brightly.
“Me? I don’t have a problem. I don’t have two Baby Mommas getting ready to scratch each other’s eyes out. Damn, Mike, good thing you did well in the business: you will need every cent for child support and alimony.”
“I will have these two with me--and Debbie is all set for what she will get. Lisa and I will be together--no need for child support or alimony. Thanks for the vote of confidence, though, Dunk.” He glared at his baby sister.
“Hey--I am just being realistic. Did Lisa say she’d marry your sorry butt again? ‘Cause last thing I saw was her kicking you out of her room.”
“She didn’t kick me out. I left.”
“After she asked you to leave. See? Semantics.”
Since she was obviously in a mood to fight, Michael turned to leave the room, then changed his mind and came back to take his lunch with him. Why waste it just because Janet was being a pain? He walked upstairs to his bedroom suite, turning on the TV after falling into this couch. Too bad little sisters were historically bad at taking hints that someone needed privacy. She sauntered into his quarters as if she had an invite. Obviously his silence and attendance to the TV was a cue for her to torture him some more.
“So, what happened? Forgot to use ‘the glove?’ Hey, and all you had to do was use one- just like you like to.” She laughed hysterically at her own lame joke.
He grabbed the remote and demonstratively pointed it at the TV, turning up the volume.
Janet dropped herself next to him, taking a bite of his sandwich.
“Hey!”
“What? I made it.”
“So, go make another one. You made it for me.”
“Don’t be stingy. You are normally so generous. Especially when it comes to…”
Throwing the remote to the other end of the couch, he lunged for her, removing his lunch away from her greedy fingers and putting it down on the coffee table.
“Don’t you dare and say it.”
She laughed again. “Your love, Mike, I was going to say, your love. You are such a loving man. Always spreading the l.o.v.e.” She cackled some more.
At this moment, he seriously questioned his judgment of having asked her to come over.
“If that singing thing doesn’t work out anymore, Dunk, you should call Comedy Central. Seriously. I needed your help and support and all you do is make fun of me.”
“Ok, I am sorry.” She tried to stop laughing and wiped her tears away. Her voice was choked up and every time she started a new sentence, she broke out in laughter again. Finally, Michael grabbed a couch pillow and pressed it on her face, causing her to squeal, fighting him off by arming herself with an arsenal of pillows. Before long, the sitting area was destroyed and the siblings both lay on the floor, gasping for air.
“Oh, my God. I can’t breathe! I can’t remember last time I laughed like that. Holy shit!” Michael wiped tears from his eyes.
“Yeah, you are becoming a stick in the mud, Mike. Aren’t you glad I helped you out?”
He sat up and reached his hand out to help her up. He felt much better after his pillow fight with Janet which had served to distract him from this mess he was in with.
“I know you don’t think I will clean up your mess, Mike. You threw the first pillow- you pick up.”
He grabbed the nearest soft missile and tossed it at her head. Laughing, she agreed to help out after all.
“So seriously, what are your plans? How do you feel about all of this?” Janet sat back on the couch, pulling up her legs, hugging a pillow.
“I don’t know. I’m happy, surprised, stunned…keep pinching myself. Don’t you dare!” He reached out and grabbed her hand just in time, thwarting her efforts to help out with making sure he was awake.
“So, even if you get out of the thing with Debbie, what will you do about Lisa? I know how your mind works, and I know you will want to do ‘the honorable thing.’ But Mike, don’t let mother’s expectations corner you again. That did not seem to have worked out so greatly during your current marriage.”
His hand came to rest over his eyes for a moment.
“No, it’s not like that. It’s not like with Debbie. I want to do right by Lisa. I mean, maybe it’s time I got over my hang-ups with her.”
Janet’s calm eyes were sympathetic and calm; she always knew when he needed her serene comfort.
“Mike, I won’t insult you by asking if you love her. I know you do. And I know she loves you. But you guys were head over heels the first time around, too, and look what happened. You two had totally opposite expectations about how a marriage should be. And you both are stubborn, spoiled mules. If you just ‘want to do right by her’ I think it will all go to hell again.”
His eyebrows rose. So much for moral support. Of course, the nagging voice inside his own head applauded her frank statement as she was able to capture the truth perfectly.
“Mules? Thanks a lot. We both are difficult yes…or at least we were. We are complicated individuals. I think we both have learned from the past, though. We have grown.”
“Yeah…except, did you not just throw her out of your apartment less than a month ago when you suspected she was playing games with Danny again.”
“Why do I ever tell you anything? You’re not supposed to use what I tell you against me.”
“You know I adore her. I also like how she dug in with you and so far has refused to kick you to the curb. But--I also know her history. She has tried to get what she wants through…lets say, shady means before. Normally, I like that about her- she’s a go-getter. But- I am worried about you. I don’t want her to hurt you again. She tends to pull away when she feels insecure- what if she does this again? What if she tries to force your hand again, setting off another crazy chain reaction like with the divorce thing?”
Michael could only bury his head in his hands. Bulls-eye! Janet had just given words to his previously nebulous secret doubts and fears.
“I don’t know, Dunk. I don’t have the answers. What a mess! All this time, I wanted her to have our baby. And now, she suddenly is pregnant. “
“Do you question the timing?”
“The timing; what do you mean?”
“Well, do you wonder, why now?”
He shook his head, but less in an effort to negate her question than to express his own insecurity.
“I don’t know. I really don’t. I mean, I asked her just recently about…you know…protection. And she said we were good.”
“Well, brother dear, you do know it takes the birds AND the bees to make that baby, right?”
“I know, I know. So, how can I really second guess her motives when I’m not so sure about my own. Like you said, I could have taken matters into my own hand.” He saw her eyebrow rise mockingly and intercepted her next comment, “No more glove jokes.”
Janet’s hand covered her mouth. “Darn--so tempting, too!”
“So, I don’t know. She did not look like she was too sure about what will happen. It sounded like she really was not all that thrilled to have me around her. But who knows? Maybe that’s a good thing. I mean, in the past, when we were married, she wanted to be glued to me day and night.”
“Do you question how she feels about you now?”
The question took him by surprise. As did the quick answer that bypassed his brain altogether and derived from deep inside his gut and his heart.
“No, she loves me. I just don’t know how that will translate into how we will do this parenting thing.”
“Well, at last you have a couple of months to figure it out. Will you tell Mother?”
“No, and Dunk, please also don’t breathe a word for now. I am freaked out that Debbie will find out and go crazy. I mean, this confirms that I have been…going behind her back…with Lisa.”
“Yeah, in case her catching you on the stairs left room for doubt.”
“Well, the baby is proof. She doesn’t need to have proof. I am so scared she will take Prince and the new baby and just take off.”
“Michael, she has no interest in those kids. Her interest, from what you told me, is in having you as her friend.”
That darn ‘friend’ word again. Here lately it seemed to have all kinds of sub-contexts.
“I don’t want to piss her off. I don’t like to think about that, but I do know that no matter what, I did marry her and I’m not supposed to have other women on the side. Gosh..how that even sounds…,” he raked a hand through his hair in frustration, “…sounds like…”
“Joseph? Is that what has you freaking out?” Janet turned to her brother and regarded his slumped over form.
“Mike, you are nothing like Joseph. Nothing. You can’t compare this to what was going on with our parents.”
Michael looked up and realized he probably never had loved his sister more than in this moment. This was one of his worst nightmares. It seemed that all his life had been devoted to not be compared in any way to his father. Too vivid was the memory of his mother’s pain on the occasions she had let down her iron control and he had heard her cry in her room. When his father had expected his half-sister to be accepted into the family as if it was the most natural thing in the world, Michael had thought he would die to be the offspring of this philandering, unscrupulous, cold-hearted man. One of his major goals in life had become to be as different from Joseph as humanly possible. He had aimed to erase any trace that this selfish, self-serving person was part of his genetic make-up. Janet knew all of this- she knew his fear and his loathing. Surely, if she was this convinced he was different she was not wrong. How come he felt so low, then?
“Janet, I am married. I just found out I got another woman pregnant. How am I different?”
With every breath in his body, every longing in his soul, he needed her to erase his doubts and strengthen the crumbling image of his honor.
“Michael, you kept telling me that you and Debbie had an arrangement. You married her to satisfy mother. Well, that was idiotic, but it’s done, so maybe one of the good things coming out of this will be that you stop living to please her. Sure, you won’t win any sainthood contests with your choice, but you did not exactly run around sowing your wild oats among all the women throwing their panties at you. In a perfect world, should you not have been running around with your ex? Sure. But I get it. You and Lisa, you guys have unfinished business. You two behaved like a couple of spoiled two-year-olds and threw away your marriage too soon…”
“She threw it away… I…”
Michael could only bury his head in his hands. Bulls-eye! Janet had just given words to his previously nebulous secret doubts and fears.
“I don’t know, Dunk. I don’t have the answers. What a mess! All this time, I wanted her to have our baby. And now, she suddenly is pregnant. “
“Do you question the timing?”
“The timing; what do you mean?”
“Well, do you wonder, why now?”
He shook his head, but less in an effort to negate her question than to express his own insecurity.
“I don’t know. I really don’t. I mean, I asked her just recently about…you know…protection. And she said we were good.”
“Well, brother dear, you do know it takes the birds AND the bees to make that baby, right?”
“I know, I know. So, how can I really second guess her motives when I’m not so sure about my own. Like you said, I could have taken matters into my own hand.” He saw her eyebrow rise mockingly and intercepted her next comment, “No more glove jokes.”
Janet’s hand covered her mouth. “Darn--so tempting, too!”
“So, I don’t know. She did not look like she was too sure about what will happen. It sounded like she really was not all that thrilled to have me around her. But who knows? Maybe that’s a good thing. I mean, in the past, when we were married, she wanted to be glued to me day and night.”
“Do you question how she feels about you now?”
The question took him by surprise. As did the quick answer that bypassed his brain altogether and derived from deep inside his gut and his heart.
“No, she loves me. I just don’t know how that will translate into how we will do this parenting thing.”
“Well, at last you have a couple of months to figure it out. Will you tell Mother?”
“No, and Dunk, please also don’t breathe a word for now. I am freaked out that Debbie will find out and go crazy. I mean, this confirms that I have been…going behind her back…with Lisa.”
“Yeah, in case her catching you on the stairs left room for doubt.”
“Well, the baby is proof. She doesn’t need to have proof. I am so scared she will take Prince and the new baby and just take off.”
“Michael, she has no interest in those kids. Her interest, from what you told me, is in having you as her friend.”
That darn ‘friend’ word again. Here lately it seemed to have all kinds of sub-contexts.
“I don’t want to piss her off. I don’t like to think about that, but I do know that no matter what, I did marry her and I’m not supposed to have other women on the side. Gosh..how that even sounds…,” he raked a hand through his hair in frustration, “…sounds like…”
“Joseph? Is that what has you freaking out?” Janet turned to her brother and regarded his slumped over form.
“Mike, you are nothing like Joseph. Nothing. You can’t compare this to what was going on with our parents.”
Michael looked up and realized he probably never had loved his sister more than in this moment. This was one of his worst nightmares. It seemed that all his life had been devoted to not be compared in any way to his father. Too vivid was the memory of his mother’s pain on the occasions she had let down her iron control and he had heard her cry in her room. When his father had expected his half-sister to be accepted into the family as if it was the most natural thing in the world, Michael had thought he would die to be the offspring of this philandering, unscrupulous, cold-hearted man. One of his major goals in life had become to be as different from Joseph as humanly possible. He had aimed to erase any trace that this selfish, self-serving person was part of his genetic make-up. Janet knew all of this- she knew his fear and his loathing. Surely, if she was this convinced he was different she was not wrong. How come he felt so low, then?
“Janet, I am married. I just found out I got another woman pregnant. How am I different?”
With every breath in his body, every longing in his soul, he needed her to erase his doubts and strengthen the crumbling image of his honor.
“Michael, you kept telling me that you and Debbie had an arrangement. You married her to satisfy mother. Well, that was idiotic, but it’s done, so maybe one of the good things coming out of this will be that you stop living to please her. Sure, you won’t win any sainthood contests with your choice, but you did not exactly run around sowing your wild oats among all the women throwing their panties at you. In a perfect world, should you not have been running around with your ex? Sure. But I get it. You and Lisa, you guys have unfinished business. You two behaved like a couple of spoiled two-year-olds and threw away your marriage too soon…”
“She threw it away… I…”
“Oh, cut the crap. We are being honest here, right? You knew what she was up to. You have always seen through her crazy games. Now, I am supposed to believe you did not know she was trying to make you come running after her? And what? You tried to punish her by holding steady? You hoped she would just see the error of her ways and come back? You did know who you married, right?”
All he could do was shake his head. Janet was right. He had known what was behind Lisa’s actions. He has been sick and tired of her heavy-handed bull. The whole thing had become a “who will blink first- contest” between two people stricken by blindness.
“So, maybe, brother dear, the universe is smiling on you and giving you a second chance. The question is what will you do with it? I don’t think the measure of a man is the amount of his past mistakes, but how he is able to learn from them.”
He looked at her, smiling. What was she today: his oracle? When did little Dunk become so smart? All he could do was to pull her close and kiss her cheek.
Janet left a little while later, yelling at him from her car to make sure to eat dinner. As soon as the door closed behind him, he stared at his cell phone. Three times he started to dial her number, and three times he chickened out. On the fourth try he got her voicemail. Great, so much for working up the guts to contact her. Tempted to just hang up, he managed to squeak out that he wanted her to call him and that he was worried. He added an apology for breaking his promise to back off a bit, just in case she got pissed.
Michael sought refuge in the only place that would let him escape his racing thoughts and pounding heart beat- his dance studio. He loaded one of his workout mixes and soon was lost in the pounding bass line filling the space around him as well as his mind and his body with soothing vibrations that carried him off into another reality. Losing all sense of time and space, he was able to transport himself to the place where all human thought ceased to exist. He was one with the forces of the universe, not subject to the stifling regulations choking the vital air from him.
Suddenly, a sensation filtered into his net of perception. Not being able to name what he perceived since it was so outside his human sensory organs, he nonetheless noticed a change around him. Something had been added, something was different. The energy in the room had changed in some way. Recognition set in and he smiled. When he opened his eyes, he was not the least bit surprised to find her standing there.
41)
The day had been a nightmare. Finally, the discharge papers had been signed and Lisa was in the car on her way home. Home. What an odd world. Normally, the word implied safety, comfort, and peace. But what was normal anymore? Her whole universe had been tilted on its axes and those concepts had become elusive. After finally getting her blood pressure to cooperate, she had been given a light sedative last night. She had succumbed to a deep, dreamless, and what now seemed restless sleep. Waking up, her hand immediately found her stomach. Soon there would be a noticeable swell. She still remembered the sensation of first little butterfly wings, then the tickling of a caterpillar, and finally animated kicks and punches filling her during her previous pregnancies. Movements, attesting to the life growing inside her would soon join the changes in her body. A new life; a new source of the most incredible love and the most gripping pain. There was no human emotion comparable to that a parent experiences for his or her offspring. No responsibility weighed heavier, no joy was more uplifting.
Funny enough, her mother seemed to have forgotten that parenthood entailed love and support. While Priscilla had stopped her angry tirades after Doctor Lockhard had asked her to please stop stressing her daughter or be asked to leave, she still continued to make it more than clear that she once gain wondered if her daughter was suffering from terminal lunacy.
Terminal. Yes, her love for Michael was terminal. She had been kidding herself when she had thought she was able to shut off her feelings and keep their relationship casual. Casual was not her thing, after all. All or nothing was more her style. Love without compromise: go after what or whom you want and don’t let go until you have had your fill. It all had worked out really well--until Michael.
Getting him to commit to her the first time around had been easy as pie. Actually, she had been surprised that he had soon become the driving force for her to leave her marriage in order to be with him. Maybe, she should have put the brakes on the way they raced through the stages of this relationship, but slow and deliberate were not words that existed for her or Michael. She had been so sure that she had wanted to be his wife. What she had not counted on where her feelings of guilt about having hung Danny out to dry. Of course, her mother had been fanning those fires, incessantly reminding her that she had ripped her family apart. And so, the course to destruction had been charted. Soon, termites destroyed their palace in the clouds from both the inside and the outside.
“So, maybe, brother dear, the universe is smiling on you and giving you a second chance. The question is what will you do with it? I don’t think the measure of a man is the amount of his past mistakes, but how he is able to learn from them.”
He looked at her, smiling. What was she today: his oracle? When did little Dunk become so smart? All he could do was to pull her close and kiss her cheek.
Janet left a little while later, yelling at him from her car to make sure to eat dinner. As soon as the door closed behind him, he stared at his cell phone. Three times he started to dial her number, and three times he chickened out. On the fourth try he got her voicemail. Great, so much for working up the guts to contact her. Tempted to just hang up, he managed to squeak out that he wanted her to call him and that he was worried. He added an apology for breaking his promise to back off a bit, just in case she got pissed.
Michael sought refuge in the only place that would let him escape his racing thoughts and pounding heart beat- his dance studio. He loaded one of his workout mixes and soon was lost in the pounding bass line filling the space around him as well as his mind and his body with soothing vibrations that carried him off into another reality. Losing all sense of time and space, he was able to transport himself to the place where all human thought ceased to exist. He was one with the forces of the universe, not subject to the stifling regulations choking the vital air from him.
Suddenly, a sensation filtered into his net of perception. Not being able to name what he perceived since it was so outside his human sensory organs, he nonetheless noticed a change around him. Something had been added, something was different. The energy in the room had changed in some way. Recognition set in and he smiled. When he opened his eyes, he was not the least bit surprised to find her standing there.
41)
The day had been a nightmare. Finally, the discharge papers had been signed and Lisa was in the car on her way home. Home. What an odd world. Normally, the word implied safety, comfort, and peace. But what was normal anymore? Her whole universe had been tilted on its axes and those concepts had become elusive. After finally getting her blood pressure to cooperate, she had been given a light sedative last night. She had succumbed to a deep, dreamless, and what now seemed restless sleep. Waking up, her hand immediately found her stomach. Soon there would be a noticeable swell. She still remembered the sensation of first little butterfly wings, then the tickling of a caterpillar, and finally animated kicks and punches filling her during her previous pregnancies. Movements, attesting to the life growing inside her would soon join the changes in her body. A new life; a new source of the most incredible love and the most gripping pain. There was no human emotion comparable to that a parent experiences for his or her offspring. No responsibility weighed heavier, no joy was more uplifting.
Funny enough, her mother seemed to have forgotten that parenthood entailed love and support. While Priscilla had stopped her angry tirades after Doctor Lockhard had asked her to please stop stressing her daughter or be asked to leave, she still continued to make it more than clear that she once gain wondered if her daughter was suffering from terminal lunacy.
Terminal. Yes, her love for Michael was terminal. She had been kidding herself when she had thought she was able to shut off her feelings and keep their relationship casual. Casual was not her thing, after all. All or nothing was more her style. Love without compromise: go after what or whom you want and don’t let go until you have had your fill. It all had worked out really well--until Michael.
Getting him to commit to her the first time around had been easy as pie. Actually, she had been surprised that he had soon become the driving force for her to leave her marriage in order to be with him. Maybe, she should have put the brakes on the way they raced through the stages of this relationship, but slow and deliberate were not words that existed for her or Michael. She had been so sure that she had wanted to be his wife. What she had not counted on where her feelings of guilt about having hung Danny out to dry. Of course, her mother had been fanning those fires, incessantly reminding her that she had ripped her family apart. And so, the course to destruction had been charted. Soon, termites destroyed their palace in the clouds from both the inside and the outside.
“Lisa-Marie! How dare you? All I have ever done was for your benefit.”
Lisa turned her back on her mother and chose to stare out the window before this senseless conversation continued. There was no solution. Her mother would not stop meddling. It was up to her to stop throwing fuel into the engine of their senseless tug of war.
Arriving at the house, she half expected to be greeted by Riley and Ben, then remembered that she had agreed with Danny that he would take them for the next couple of days. Part of her instantly regretted that decision as she dreaded the silence that would provide fertile grounds to her ruminations. Well, she could always ask the maternal noise machine to stay with her. Surely, Priscilla had not run out of lectures about the dangers of being the vessel to Michael’s child.
“Mother?”
“Do you want me to stay? I mean, the kids are gone, I don’t want you to be lonely.”
“Actually, I was about to tell you to not bother coming in. I want to be alone.”
“Last time you wanted to be left alone you almost killed yourself by drinking and…other stuff.”
How kind of her mother to not name the “other things” she had engaged in to erase her pain. Wasn’t it strange how the avoidant language immediately gave rise to visions of blood dripping from her skin?
“Thanks for caring. Well, don’t worry. I’m fine. I have the baby to worry about. And I’m not…in that place anymore.”
“I know you don’t believe me, but I do love you. I am just so horribly angry with you right now for the choices you are making in your life again. But my disappointment comes from a place of deep love, Lisa, you have to know that.”
“Yeah, whatever. I see you later.”
Priscilla moved in to hug and kiss her and Lisa, going stiff, turned her head away.
After putting up the few things Danny had brought to the hospital for her, she wandered into the study, pulling out several photo albums. Studying pictures of Riley and Ben as babies, she found herself imagining what the new baby would look like. Hard to imagine a blend of herself and Michael. Whatever he or she would end up looking like, this child would be a force to be reckoned with. Its character traits would probably call for the creation of a new term for willful and headstrong.
Lisa’s gaze fell on the phone. Should she call him? Would he expect her to? And what if he didn’t feel like talking to her? Why hadn’t he tried to call her already? Promising to give her space had never stopped him before. Was he using her request as an excuse to distance himself? And what if he did? What if he chose to freeze her out, miffed that she didn’t want him to stay at the hospital? Well, if he expected her to beg for her to be around him this time he had another thing coming.
Angry at herself, Lisa, closed the album. Was she already falling into the old patterns again? What in the world was wrong with her? Why was it so difficult to pick up the damn phone and just give him a call? It should not really matter who made the move as long as the result was increased closeness. Too bad this way of thinking was so foreign to her. Relationships had always been about who makes what gambit at which point to advance to the next space on the imaginary board. The prize was to be the one with the upper hand. Only with Michael, pursuit of that ridiculous, false notion had cost her everything.
Finally, after picking the receiver up five times, and slamming it back down followed by one almost successful effort of dialing half the phone numbers, she decided to go for a drive. Two hours later she pulled up to the main house of Michael’s ranch. Obviously, aliens had not just taken over her brain, but also her sense of direction. This time, the guard had just waved her through, not putting her through the ridiculous security check Michael had set for her the other day. She wondered if she had been promoted to persona grata once more. Or maybe the security guard just thought she was good to go since she had just been here two days ago.
She sat in her car for about ten minutes before finding the courage to get out. What in the world was wrong with her? She had been here so many times before, what was different now?
The ringing of the phone made her jump.
“Where you at?”
“Hey, Jan. Guess.”
“Well, I would hope you are not sitting on your butt, moping.”
She laughed. “I am sitting on my butt.”
“But not moping?”
“I don’t know what the hell I’m doing.”
“You should go and see my brother. He doesn’t know what he’s doing, either. You guys are a perfect match.”
“Yeah, like oil and water.”
“Add vinegar and you have great dressing.”
“Just don’t light a match.”
“You guys make your own fireworks.”
She laughed again. Bless Janet and her weird sense of humor.
“Have you seen him?”
“Yeah, I babysat him. I just changed his diaper and then left him to grow up.”
“You are so bad! How is he?”
“Shell-shocked. But happy. I did congratulate you earlier, right? I am so unbelievably thrilled about the news.”
“Thanks, Jan. It’s a surprise. But a good one, I guess.”
“You guess?”
“Well, the baby is great news. The circumstances could be a bit better.”
“Oh well. You two thrive on controversy. Hey, so, where are you?”
“About to walk into the lion’s den.”
“You’re at your mother’s?”
“Ha, ha. I didn’t say the dragon’s lair. No, I’m sitting outside Mike’s place.”
“Oh, perfect. Well, I will let you go, then. Get off your ass and go inside. What are you waiting for? “
“Divine intervention?”
“Hey, I don’t want to rub it in, but I think that little bundle of joy you are carrying is all the divine intervention you might get for a while.”
“Please tell me your sister-in-law is not around.”
“I think she left this morning. But maybe you two should pick another spot than the stairs to celebrate the new addition to the family--just in case.”
“Oh, my God! Does he tell you everything? That’s just sick.”
“No, just the good stuff.”
Janet always knew how to make her smile. They promised to catch up and ended the call. Lisa took a deep breath and exited her car. Slowly, she approached the house. His staff let her in, and she stated matter-of-factly that she would find Michael herself. Interestingly, she was left to her own devices. Very strange, indeed.
Arriving at the house, she half expected to be greeted by Riley and Ben, then remembered that she had agreed with Danny that he would take them for the next couple of days. Part of her instantly regretted that decision as she dreaded the silence that would provide fertile grounds to her ruminations. Well, she could always ask the maternal noise machine to stay with her. Surely, Priscilla had not run out of lectures about the dangers of being the vessel to Michael’s child.
“Mother?”
“Do you want me to stay? I mean, the kids are gone, I don’t want you to be lonely.”
“Actually, I was about to tell you to not bother coming in. I want to be alone.”
“Last time you wanted to be left alone you almost killed yourself by drinking and…other stuff.”
How kind of her mother to not name the “other things” she had engaged in to erase her pain. Wasn’t it strange how the avoidant language immediately gave rise to visions of blood dripping from her skin?
“Thanks for caring. Well, don’t worry. I’m fine. I have the baby to worry about. And I’m not…in that place anymore.”
“I know you don’t believe me, but I do love you. I am just so horribly angry with you right now for the choices you are making in your life again. But my disappointment comes from a place of deep love, Lisa, you have to know that.”
“Yeah, whatever. I see you later.”
Priscilla moved in to hug and kiss her and Lisa, going stiff, turned her head away.
After putting up the few things Danny had brought to the hospital for her, she wandered into the study, pulling out several photo albums. Studying pictures of Riley and Ben as babies, she found herself imagining what the new baby would look like. Hard to imagine a blend of herself and Michael. Whatever he or she would end up looking like, this child would be a force to be reckoned with. Its character traits would probably call for the creation of a new term for willful and headstrong.
Lisa’s gaze fell on the phone. Should she call him? Would he expect her to? And what if he didn’t feel like talking to her? Why hadn’t he tried to call her already? Promising to give her space had never stopped him before. Was he using her request as an excuse to distance himself? And what if he did? What if he chose to freeze her out, miffed that she didn’t want him to stay at the hospital? Well, if he expected her to beg for her to be around him this time he had another thing coming.
Angry at herself, Lisa, closed the album. Was she already falling into the old patterns again? What in the world was wrong with her? Why was it so difficult to pick up the damn phone and just give him a call? It should not really matter who made the move as long as the result was increased closeness. Too bad this way of thinking was so foreign to her. Relationships had always been about who makes what gambit at which point to advance to the next space on the imaginary board. The prize was to be the one with the upper hand. Only with Michael, pursuit of that ridiculous, false notion had cost her everything.
Finally, after picking the receiver up five times, and slamming it back down followed by one almost successful effort of dialing half the phone numbers, she decided to go for a drive. Two hours later she pulled up to the main house of Michael’s ranch. Obviously, aliens had not just taken over her brain, but also her sense of direction. This time, the guard had just waved her through, not putting her through the ridiculous security check Michael had set for her the other day. She wondered if she had been promoted to persona grata once more. Or maybe the security guard just thought she was good to go since she had just been here two days ago.
She sat in her car for about ten minutes before finding the courage to get out. What in the world was wrong with her? She had been here so many times before, what was different now?
The ringing of the phone made her jump.
“Where you at?”
“Hey, Jan. Guess.”
“Well, I would hope you are not sitting on your butt, moping.”
She laughed. “I am sitting on my butt.”
“But not moping?”
“I don’t know what the hell I’m doing.”
“You should go and see my brother. He doesn’t know what he’s doing, either. You guys are a perfect match.”
“Yeah, like oil and water.”
“Add vinegar and you have great dressing.”
“Just don’t light a match.”
“You guys make your own fireworks.”
She laughed again. Bless Janet and her weird sense of humor.
“Have you seen him?”
“Yeah, I babysat him. I just changed his diaper and then left him to grow up.”
“You are so bad! How is he?”
“Shell-shocked. But happy. I did congratulate you earlier, right? I am so unbelievably thrilled about the news.”
“Thanks, Jan. It’s a surprise. But a good one, I guess.”
“You guess?”
“Well, the baby is great news. The circumstances could be a bit better.”
“Oh well. You two thrive on controversy. Hey, so, where are you?”
“About to walk into the lion’s den.”
“You’re at your mother’s?”
“Ha, ha. I didn’t say the dragon’s lair. No, I’m sitting outside Mike’s place.”
“Oh, perfect. Well, I will let you go, then. Get off your ass and go inside. What are you waiting for? “
“Divine intervention?”
“Hey, I don’t want to rub it in, but I think that little bundle of joy you are carrying is all the divine intervention you might get for a while.”
“Please tell me your sister-in-law is not around.”
“I think she left this morning. But maybe you two should pick another spot than the stairs to celebrate the new addition to the family--just in case.”
“Oh, my God! Does he tell you everything? That’s just sick.”
“No, just the good stuff.”
Janet always knew how to make her smile. They promised to catch up and ended the call. Lisa took a deep breath and exited her car. Slowly, she approached the house. His staff let her in, and she stated matter-of-factly that she would find Michael herself. Interestingly, she was left to her own devices. Very strange, indeed.
When she was not able to find him in the house, she instinctively knew which way to go. The soundproof walls prevented her from hearing proof of her hunch, but all she needed to do was to follow the pull of another force. If Michael’s emotions were even in part similar to her levels of fear, confusion, joy, and apprehension, he would have the urge to express himself in his usual way.
The door was locked, and an electronic keypad was the only decoration outside the door frame. Lisa entered her birthday, causing a green line and a buzz to grant her access to his inner sanctum. The knowledge that he had not changed the combination caused a thrilling sensation to permeate her being. A cautionary thought appeared: maybe he was simply a slave to his habits. She chided herself for reading too much into a simple lapse in security.
Knowing what she would find inside still did not prevent her knees from going weak at the sight of Michael moving to the sounds that reverberated inside her stomach.
Baby- meet your Daddy’s music up close and personal.
Michael did not seem of this world. How many times had she seen him dance? Would the wonder at this force of nature, this life form that seemed too perfect to be merely human, ever not stun her? Watching him dance when he was this lost in himself was akin to watching a storm forming out of nothing, blooming in an otherworldly display of color, shapes, and sounds, before discharging the pent up energy with breathtaking crescendos of heat and light.
His features were marked by deep concentration and meditation, small beads of sweat, precious like diamonds glittering on his skin. His eyes were closed, his body moving seemingly unconcerned with the laws of gravity. An inner light seemed to spread through and around him pulling you closer, keeping you spell bound and tied to his life form. Suddenly, a smile spread across his lips and he startled her when he stopped before her, looking straight at her. She felt as if his eyes did not stop at her physical form, but instead bore into every corner of her soul.
He reached out and touched her cheek, as if trying to ascertain that she was indeed here.
“I thought you wanted space.”
His voice was a caress. She responded with a crooked smile.
“Space is overrated.”
All her hesitation erased, she went into his arms, seeking the warmth of his body. He immediately pulled her close and just held her. His embrace sustained her, strengthened and sheltered her from her own confusion. His heartbeat seemed to become one with hers; the only obstruction the insignificant barrier of their clothes and bodies. Lisa felt herself holding on to him like a lifeboat in the storm of her ever changing inner torrent.
“Lise. Careful, I’m sweaty.” His arms kept her close.
She had not even noticed.
“I don’t give a fuck.”
He giggled.
Lisa’s face was pressed into his chest, and he she felt him move barely perceptively to kiss her head, as his hands slowly caressed her back.
“What’s wrong, girl? You’re shaking. What’s got you so messed up?”
It was her turn to give a short, humorless laugh. What indeed? Should she put on her tough girl act and use the ever-ready sarcasm, or was it time for something different?
She looked up at him, her eyes swimming in tears, making sparkles seem to appear around him.
“Lise? You got me freaking out here. What’s wrong? Are you sick? Did something happen?”
Yes, something had happened. Like never before, it hit her with lightening force that she needed to make the changes it took to keep him, to keep them. The old ways would not work anymore. If she didn’t take a risk now, she would stay protected from pain, but would also possibly deprive herself of the highs that came from being with him. If you go on the rollercoaster, you have to put up with the free-falls and the fear that accompany the euphoric rush.
She reached up and pulled his mouth closer to get that one hit she needed to go on. His lips met hers, opening up to her, letting her tongue seek him out, engaging her gently.
He pulled away, breathing hard.
“Lisa, if you don’t answer me this minute, I will take you back to the hospital. You are worrying me.”
“Mike?”
“Yes?”
“Michael, I love you so very much. And…”
“And…? And, what? What’s wrong?”
“And, I am scared shitless.” She was not aware she was crying until she tasted her own tears.
“I am so fucking scared. I don’t think I have ever felt like this before. I am so scared…Please don’t let me go…just don’t leave me alone…”
Sobbing she sank deeper into him as he pulled her even closer, holding her helplessly, waiting for the storm to pass.
His features were marked by deep concentration and meditation, small beads of sweat, precious like diamonds glittering on his skin. His eyes were closed, his body moving seemingly unconcerned with the laws of gravity. An inner light seemed to spread through and around him pulling you closer, keeping you spell bound and tied to his life form. Suddenly, a smile spread across his lips and he startled her when he stopped before her, looking straight at her. She felt as if his eyes did not stop at her physical form, but instead bore into every corner of her soul.
He reached out and touched her cheek, as if trying to ascertain that she was indeed here.
“I thought you wanted space.”
His voice was a caress. She responded with a crooked smile.
“Space is overrated.”
All her hesitation erased, she went into his arms, seeking the warmth of his body. He immediately pulled her close and just held her. His embrace sustained her, strengthened and sheltered her from her own confusion. His heartbeat seemed to become one with hers; the only obstruction the insignificant barrier of their clothes and bodies. Lisa felt herself holding on to him like a lifeboat in the storm of her ever changing inner torrent.
“Lise. Careful, I’m sweaty.” His arms kept her close.
She had not even noticed.
“I don’t give a fuck.”
He giggled.
Lisa’s face was pressed into his chest, and he she felt him move barely perceptively to kiss her head, as his hands slowly caressed her back.
“What’s wrong, girl? You’re shaking. What’s got you so messed up?”
It was her turn to give a short, humorless laugh. What indeed? Should she put on her tough girl act and use the ever-ready sarcasm, or was it time for something different?
She looked up at him, her eyes swimming in tears, making sparkles seem to appear around him.
“Lise? You got me freaking out here. What’s wrong? Are you sick? Did something happen?”
Yes, something had happened. Like never before, it hit her with lightening force that she needed to make the changes it took to keep him, to keep them. The old ways would not work anymore. If she didn’t take a risk now, she would stay protected from pain, but would also possibly deprive herself of the highs that came from being with him. If you go on the rollercoaster, you have to put up with the free-falls and the fear that accompany the euphoric rush.
She reached up and pulled his mouth closer to get that one hit she needed to go on. His lips met hers, opening up to her, letting her tongue seek him out, engaging her gently.
He pulled away, breathing hard.
“Lisa, if you don’t answer me this minute, I will take you back to the hospital. You are worrying me.”
“Mike?”
“Yes?”
“Michael, I love you so very much. And…”
“And…? And, what? What’s wrong?”
“And, I am scared shitless.” She was not aware she was crying until she tasted her own tears.
“I am so fucking scared. I don’t think I have ever felt like this before. I am so scared…Please don’t let me go…just don’t leave me alone…”
Sobbing she sank deeper into him as he pulled her even closer, holding her helplessly, waiting for the storm to pass.
42)
Lisa had appeared before him like the answer to a prayer. In his dance, human thought and wishes, as always, had been left behind as he expressed himself in a purely emotional, universal language. To move after all cognitive processes stopped had always been a way to ask and to receive as he seemed to be able to somehow partake into some the mysteries of universal forces. Then, to open his eyes and see the answer to everything he had not even known he had asked for presented to him in one, beautiful, yet slightly messed up, shaking package, had stunned him. The question of whether or not she was real was answered once he had his arms around her.
She clung to him, crying, after just having asked him to not leave her. This woman continued to be a walking contradiction. He had no intention of leaving her- never had. If anything, she had been the one pushing him away in a million different ways. Well, no more. Their lives would be connected from now until eternity. He pulled her even closer, kissing her head and gently massaging her back.
“Lise, can you tell me what has you freaked out like this? Is there anything I can do?”
At first, he thought she was crying harder, but then he noticed she was laughing. It was hard to keep up with her.
“What has me freaking out? I am pregnant with my ex-husband’s child. The very same ex-husband who is about to have baby number two with his surrogate, stalker nurse. But no, other than that I have nothing freaking me out.”
Well, she must be feeling better, given the fact her sarcasm had returned with full force. He grabbed her by the shoulders and backed her away, scanning her face, trying to find answers to the mystery she was to him. He realized the laughter had never reached her eyes. She looked confused and shell-shocked and all the sarcasm in her voice could not cover those emotions.
“Lise, drop it. I’m scared, too, you know. I know this is a mess, but for some reason I can’t be too upset about it. Maybe this is the wake-up call we need to get our act together All I want right now, is to divorce Debbie and marry you, but…”
“You don’t have to worry about giving me reasons why that is not possible. I never said I wanted to marry you. I just said I was scared…not desperate.”
Michael looked at her, and realized she had a small smile on her lips. Cheeky, little woman. She could be so exasperating, and yet he was absolutely crazy about her. The hard armor around his heart was splitting more from yet another crack.
“No, you are never desperate, princess. You are fierce.”
The smile broadened as did the sense of accomplishment rushing through him. Lisa lowered her gaze, her hair partially obstructing her face now.
“I’m sorry I came here without calling. I know you hate surprises and you hate even more when someone interrupts your private time. I also know I’m sending you mixed messages. I’m such a mess, Mike. I am asking you to stay away one minute, then freak out when I don’t hear from you.”
“I called you, Lisa. Didn’t you get my message? I was so worried you would be mad if I called, but I could not stand the wait any longer. You tend to get really pushy when you’re mad, you know?”
His hand found her chin and he raised it again, forcing her to reestablish eye-contact. She blinked and one remaining tear slid down her cheek. He reached out and caught it, wishing with all his hear this would be the last tear of sadness she ever had to shed.
“I’m not pushy. Ever.”
He raised his eyes in pretend-shock, making her giggle. Ok, good, she was coming around.
“Ok, seriously, though. I didn’t check my phone after almost having called you from home. I don’t know. I was scared you would call. And then I was freaking out about you not calling. Janet caught me on the phone while I was sitting outside. That was the first time I picked the phone up since leaving home.”
“Oh, my dear sister. She was here, earlier. Forcing me to eat.”
“Well, good. I’m glad she is taking care of you.”
“I don’t need her to do that. I can take care of myself.”
“Ok, whatever you say.”
“No, Lise. I mean, I was glad she was here. But I didn’t need her. I just need you. And I need you to be honest and tell me how you feel.”
“I told you I was scared.”
“That’s all? You’re scared?” Scared of what? Scared of having his baby? Scared of being forever tied to him?
“No, that’s not all. I’m also weirdly happy. And I’m worried that you might think…” Her voice trailed off and she averted her gaze.
“What?” He had a sneaky suspicion he knew where she was headed with that. And he was thrilled to hear she was happy, too.
“Nothing.”
It was amazing to see her skirting around the point like that. This was so unlike Lisa. Normally, she bulldozed over any soft green, emotional grass in her pigheaded effort to speak the truth. Or what she saw as the truth. He both admired and abhorred her need to give it to people straight. Well, that was how she has been in the past, of course. Here lately, he often felt like having to wander around a minefield at night, trying to figure out what she was up to.
He stared at her for a moment while she gazed out the large glass window, the sunlight painting golden highlights on her. The magical light struck a chord in his memory. An idea came to mind and he reached for her hand.
“Come on, let’s go.”
Her attention had returned to him and she gave him a quizzing look.
“Where are we going?”
“Out. Come with me. Don’t you trust me?”
“Now, who’s pushy?”
Despite her half-hearted protests she followed him into the golf cart he had waiting outside, after Michael had first called upstairs to tell the nanny he would be out for a bit. He drove off and tried to be more reserved in his usual slightly reckless driving skills, making sure his baby and Lisa would survive the short ride. Parking the cart in the middle of a grassy knoll on the grounds, he grabbed her hand again after helping her exit, pulling her along.
Arriving at his destination, he stopped and looked at her. An amused smile played around her lips and she looked upwards, following the shady branches of the huge oak, reaching up into the blue spring sky. Leaves had begun to grow, their color a bright green, indicating the new growth, the new beginning of an ancient cycle.
“Back to the roots, hum? To where it all began…”
“Well, it did not begin here. It began way further back. But this is where you first attacked me and forced me to kiss you.”
Her laughter was as refreshing as the breeze surrounding them. “Yeah, I had to tackle you to the ground and twist your arm.”
“Well, you had my back up against a wall…or a very large tree trunk.”
“Funny, I remember it differently. Seems it was me who was between a trunk and a hard place.” The evil glint finally was back in her eyes as her eyes dropped to his crotch. How he had missed to see her playful like this.
He backed her up against the huge tree again, his arms coming up on either side of her shoulders as she reached out and pulled him closer to her by his belt.
“Hm…I must have forgotten some details. Why don’t you help an old man out here? Refresh my memory.” His hips made contact with hers and she reached up, the fingers of one hand getting tangled in his hair, pulling him closer.
“You need a refresher course, Mr. Jackson? Isn’t that what got us into our current predicament?”
He leaned in and breathed against her as he placed an almost innocent kiss on those tempting lips.
“Hm, did it? I might be wrong, but I don’t think kissing causes babies.”
She laughed again and he captured her mouth under his one more time. This time, he lingered a bit longer, slightly deepening the kiss. He noticed her melting into his body which he helpfully had aligned closely with hers while he still kept his arms braced on either side of her.
“No? Are you sure?” This time she was the aggressor, her kiss capturing first his top, then his bottom lip in little bites. She was driving him crazy already. He pulled away slightly, not letting her engage fully, knowing Lisa liked to be teased. One hand left the ancient tree bark to instead find a home in her soft hair.
“Well, if it does, I guess we are ok, anyway. Given that we seem to have a little one here with us now. Perfect birth control.” Michael slanted his mouth over her, positioning himself for a deep kiss, finally not being able to resist the urge to taster her one minute longer. He had brought her out here to remind her of their journey, to bring her back to a time when their history was young and full of hope and trust. This was the spot they had exchanged their first kiss in what seemed like another lifetime ago. He had been going crazy with passion, love, and sexual tension back then, and a friendly visit from his pal had somehow turned into them just about ripping each other’s clothes off. He had been mesmerized by her silken touch, the taste of her, the feeling of her tongue engaged with his. All logical thought had been banned as all blood was redirected to a totally different part of his anatomy. And nothing had ever been the same since.
“No, you are never desperate, princess. You are fierce.”
The smile broadened as did the sense of accomplishment rushing through him. Lisa lowered her gaze, her hair partially obstructing her face now.
“I’m sorry I came here without calling. I know you hate surprises and you hate even more when someone interrupts your private time. I also know I’m sending you mixed messages. I’m such a mess, Mike. I am asking you to stay away one minute, then freak out when I don’t hear from you.”
“I called you, Lisa. Didn’t you get my message? I was so worried you would be mad if I called, but I could not stand the wait any longer. You tend to get really pushy when you’re mad, you know?”
His hand found her chin and he raised it again, forcing her to reestablish eye-contact. She blinked and one remaining tear slid down her cheek. He reached out and caught it, wishing with all his hear this would be the last tear of sadness she ever had to shed.
“I’m not pushy. Ever.”
He raised his eyes in pretend-shock, making her giggle. Ok, good, she was coming around.
“Ok, seriously, though. I didn’t check my phone after almost having called you from home. I don’t know. I was scared you would call. And then I was freaking out about you not calling. Janet caught me on the phone while I was sitting outside. That was the first time I picked the phone up since leaving home.”
“Oh, my dear sister. She was here, earlier. Forcing me to eat.”
“Well, good. I’m glad she is taking care of you.”
“I don’t need her to do that. I can take care of myself.”
“Ok, whatever you say.”
“No, Lise. I mean, I was glad she was here. But I didn’t need her. I just need you. And I need you to be honest and tell me how you feel.”
“I told you I was scared.”
“That’s all? You’re scared?” Scared of what? Scared of having his baby? Scared of being forever tied to him?
“No, that’s not all. I’m also weirdly happy. And I’m worried that you might think…” Her voice trailed off and she averted her gaze.
“What?” He had a sneaky suspicion he knew where she was headed with that. And he was thrilled to hear she was happy, too.
“Nothing.”
It was amazing to see her skirting around the point like that. This was so unlike Lisa. Normally, she bulldozed over any soft green, emotional grass in her pigheaded effort to speak the truth. Or what she saw as the truth. He both admired and abhorred her need to give it to people straight. Well, that was how she has been in the past, of course. Here lately, he often felt like having to wander around a minefield at night, trying to figure out what she was up to.
He stared at her for a moment while she gazed out the large glass window, the sunlight painting golden highlights on her. The magical light struck a chord in his memory. An idea came to mind and he reached for her hand.
“Come on, let’s go.”
Her attention had returned to him and she gave him a quizzing look.
“Where are we going?”
“Out. Come with me. Don’t you trust me?”
“Now, who’s pushy?”
Despite her half-hearted protests she followed him into the golf cart he had waiting outside, after Michael had first called upstairs to tell the nanny he would be out for a bit. He drove off and tried to be more reserved in his usual slightly reckless driving skills, making sure his baby and Lisa would survive the short ride. Parking the cart in the middle of a grassy knoll on the grounds, he grabbed her hand again after helping her exit, pulling her along.
Arriving at his destination, he stopped and looked at her. An amused smile played around her lips and she looked upwards, following the shady branches of the huge oak, reaching up into the blue spring sky. Leaves had begun to grow, their color a bright green, indicating the new growth, the new beginning of an ancient cycle.
“Back to the roots, hum? To where it all began…”
“Well, it did not begin here. It began way further back. But this is where you first attacked me and forced me to kiss you.”
Her laughter was as refreshing as the breeze surrounding them. “Yeah, I had to tackle you to the ground and twist your arm.”
“Well, you had my back up against a wall…or a very large tree trunk.”
“Funny, I remember it differently. Seems it was me who was between a trunk and a hard place.” The evil glint finally was back in her eyes as her eyes dropped to his crotch. How he had missed to see her playful like this.
He backed her up against the huge tree again, his arms coming up on either side of her shoulders as she reached out and pulled him closer to her by his belt.
“Hm…I must have forgotten some details. Why don’t you help an old man out here? Refresh my memory.” His hips made contact with hers and she reached up, the fingers of one hand getting tangled in his hair, pulling him closer.
“You need a refresher course, Mr. Jackson? Isn’t that what got us into our current predicament?”
He leaned in and breathed against her as he placed an almost innocent kiss on those tempting lips.
“Hm, did it? I might be wrong, but I don’t think kissing causes babies.”
She laughed again and he captured her mouth under his one more time. This time, he lingered a bit longer, slightly deepening the kiss. He noticed her melting into his body which he helpfully had aligned closely with hers while he still kept his arms braced on either side of her.
“No? Are you sure?” This time she was the aggressor, her kiss capturing first his top, then his bottom lip in little bites. She was driving him crazy already. He pulled away slightly, not letting her engage fully, knowing Lisa liked to be teased. One hand left the ancient tree bark to instead find a home in her soft hair.
“Well, if it does, I guess we are ok, anyway. Given that we seem to have a little one here with us now. Perfect birth control.” Michael slanted his mouth over her, positioning himself for a deep kiss, finally not being able to resist the urge to taster her one minute longer. He had brought her out here to remind her of their journey, to bring her back to a time when their history was young and full of hope and trust. This was the spot they had exchanged their first kiss in what seemed like another lifetime ago. He had been going crazy with passion, love, and sexual tension back then, and a friendly visit from his pal had somehow turned into them just about ripping each other’s clothes off. He had been mesmerized by her silken touch, the taste of her, the feeling of her tongue engaged with his. All logical thought had been banned as all blood was redirected to a totally different part of his anatomy. And nothing had ever been the same since.
She continued to have that effect on him. Through all the pain, all the confusion, all the despair, and all the vows of never letting her get to him again, she had always been able to transport him to another planet with just one look, one touch, one kiss. Just like now, when he touched her, kissed her, chances of serious conversations dwindled. Maybe their strong sexual pull was a kind of safeguard installed by the universe to keep them coming back to each other. A strong reminder to not just throw what they had into the bowels of hell when faced by whatever demons they each fought to conquer.
Michael became unable to think further as he simply was lost in the moment. The kiss had turned from sweet and lingering to scorching hot, their tongues engaged in caressing teasing, their breaths becoming more and more labored. Michael wisely managed to keep his hands on the tree, knowing full well, Lisa would be without any clothes in no time the moment he put them on her. She also was more restrained than normal, one hand caressing his hair, while the other did get slightly naughty and clutched his butt to her. Finally, noticing he might need to take a breath, he broke away. Both kept their eyes closed, their foreheads leaning against each other.
After several minutes, Michael reached out and sat down, pulling Lisa into his lap, as he leaned against the tree. She responded by putting her arms around his torso and her head came to rest on his chest. At times, she really reminded him of a cuddly cat. Of course, one never knew when the claws would come out.
“So, did you bring me here to remind me how crazy you have made me since that first kiss?” Her voice was a sexy, low rasp, and he shifted under her, trying to keep things under control.
“I think it’s questionable who is making whom crazy, lady. And sit still, please.”
“Baby,” She gifted him with a wide-eyed, innocent look, “You seem to have a car jack in your pants, and it keeps pushing me up. So, as soon as you stop poking me with that thing, I will sit still.”
He blushed and laughed. “No, your adorable little ass needs to stop gyrating, then my pants will fit better again…you know the drill. Plus, I don’t know if I ever want to stop poking you.”
“You are so bad, Michael! And yeah, I know the ‘drill.’” She sat up a bit straighter and started to kiss his neck.
“You’re not helping, Lise! I brought you here to talk. In a minute I won’t have enough blood in that head to talk in any coherent way.”
She continued her little kisses and occasional nips, her tongue further stimulating him. The cool breeze contributed by making the wet trails tingle on his incandescent skin. “Hm, we are talking, Michael.”
Unable to help himself, he leaned down and shut her up once more by plundering her mouth, enjoying her little moans and throaty sounds. After several more heavenly, yet torturous moments, Lisa broke contact and snuggled against him again. Kissing her head, he willed his body to calm down while still savoring the warmth of her tiny frame against him.
“So, seriously, though. What were you afraid of? Were you worried I would…would question how you got pregnant?”
Her body stiffened slightly, and he felt her heart beat increase. Bingo.
“I know you know, how.” She shot him one more naughty, playful look, before turning more serious. “But yeah, I don’t want you to think I am using this baby to snare you. I mean, just a little while ago you accused me of playing games with Danny.”
“Well, it’s cause you drive me crazy. I become a total jealous idiot when I think I’m not the one you really love. Like you need a baby to hook me. I mean, seriously, it’s not like I can stand being away from you too long, seems like.” Michael tried to keep his tone light.
“So, you never, not for one second wondered if I did not get knocked up on purpose? Come on!” Lisa cocked her head and gazed up at him.
Michael was not able to keep eye-contact and instead looked up into the crown of the oak. Could he risk sharing his misgivings without disarming the unsecured hand grenade Lisa tended to transform into at times? Possibly, his next words would set off another fight, and he was reluctant to disturb the peace of the moment. His nervous system had enough turmoil these past days. However, she was pretty perceptive, and it sounded like she had already cued in to his questions regarding her possible motives.
It was not his intention to accuse her of playing games. Still, he needed to find out if that’s what has been going on, if only for his own peace of mind. Knowing her well and usually being able to read her face which served as an instant display for her emotions, he was pretty sure he would know if she lied or not. So, should he do what he hated and ask her straight out, possibly risking conflict and turmoil, or should he gloss things over and let his doubts grow and fester? He took a breath and jumped into the unknown waters, risking death and paralysis… or freedom.
“Baby,” She gifted him with a wide-eyed, innocent look, “You seem to have a car jack in your pants, and it keeps pushing me up. So, as soon as you stop poking me with that thing, I will sit still.”
He blushed and laughed. “No, your adorable little ass needs to stop gyrating, then my pants will fit better again…you know the drill. Plus, I don’t know if I ever want to stop poking you.”
“You are so bad, Michael! And yeah, I know the ‘drill.’” She sat up a bit straighter and started to kiss his neck.
“You’re not helping, Lise! I brought you here to talk. In a minute I won’t have enough blood in that head to talk in any coherent way.”
She continued her little kisses and occasional nips, her tongue further stimulating him. The cool breeze contributed by making the wet trails tingle on his incandescent skin. “Hm, we are talking, Michael.”
Unable to help himself, he leaned down and shut her up once more by plundering her mouth, enjoying her little moans and throaty sounds. After several more heavenly, yet torturous moments, Lisa broke contact and snuggled against him again. Kissing her head, he willed his body to calm down while still savoring the warmth of her tiny frame against him.
“So, seriously, though. What were you afraid of? Were you worried I would…would question how you got pregnant?”
Her body stiffened slightly, and he felt her heart beat increase. Bingo.
“I know you know, how.” She shot him one more naughty, playful look, before turning more serious. “But yeah, I don’t want you to think I am using this baby to snare you. I mean, just a little while ago you accused me of playing games with Danny.”
“Well, it’s cause you drive me crazy. I become a total jealous idiot when I think I’m not the one you really love. Like you need a baby to hook me. I mean, seriously, it’s not like I can stand being away from you too long, seems like.” Michael tried to keep his tone light.
“So, you never, not for one second wondered if I did not get knocked up on purpose? Come on!” Lisa cocked her head and gazed up at him.
Michael was not able to keep eye-contact and instead looked up into the crown of the oak. Could he risk sharing his misgivings without disarming the unsecured hand grenade Lisa tended to transform into at times? Possibly, his next words would set off another fight, and he was reluctant to disturb the peace of the moment. His nervous system had enough turmoil these past days. However, she was pretty perceptive, and it sounded like she had already cued in to his questions regarding her possible motives.
It was not his intention to accuse her of playing games. Still, he needed to find out if that’s what has been going on, if only for his own peace of mind. Knowing her well and usually being able to read her face which served as an instant display for her emotions, he was pretty sure he would know if she lied or not. So, should he do what he hated and ask her straight out, possibly risking conflict and turmoil, or should he gloss things over and let his doubts grow and fester? He took a breath and jumped into the unknown waters, risking death and paralysis… or freedom.
“Ok, it had occurred to me that after all the stress we had about the issue of you having my baby in the past, that your current pregnancy possibly was some kind of safety net to keep me around. You have not exactly been subtle about not wanting to be ‘the other woman’ anymore. Not that you had ever been that, Lisa. It has only always been you for me. When I think Mrs. Jackson, it’s your image that’s in my head.”
He held his breath. Ok, so he had given her a straight answer. And then had glossed it over a bit, trying to take the sting out. He glanced down at her. She was perfectly still, and her head was against his chest again, robbing her of a cue to her emotions. Well, she was still in his lap. So, that was good, right?
Come on, Lisa, say something.
Maybe he should watch what he asked for. Normally, Lisa and quiet were contradictions in terms. He was used to her explosive shouting, even as he dreaded it. Right now, the eerie silence felt very odd.
Finally, she cleared her throat. “Ok… that must have been hard.”
“Say, what?” At least she stayed calm, and as far as he could tell, her voice did not reveal anger. Or indignant hurt. She seemed surprised…and hesitant. Was he not the only one swimming into unknown depths?
“I expected you to skirt around or justify your doubts more. But no, you gave it to me straight. Thank you so much for that. Michael, I don’t know if you realize it, but we have not really been all that straight and open with each other for years. I mean, I think other than being naked half of the time we’re together, we’ve been keeping ourselves pretty cloaked.”
Cloaked. He had to acknowledge that the term indeed was fitting. For himself, he had years ago decided in some mixture of conscious and subconscious resolve that he could only deal with Lisa if he kept the anger as well as the love in some secret hiding place. He had been unwilling to not have her in his life and he had surrendered to his physical addiction to her. However, there was absolutely no need to grant her access to his deep feelings. Where once they were united in a way where they openly shared their thoughts and feelings, he had determined that sharing his body and part of his time was enough.
Unable to find words to reply or convey an adequate response, he just let his hand glide over her back, making sure she stayed close to him, close to his heart.
“And I’m not saying it’s all you, Mike. I have kept myself emotionally closed off from you, too. It hurt so much, when we fucked it all up. It also hurt to not be with you, and then it started to tear me apart to be some kind of part time fling.”
“Lisa, I never saw you as that. I swear to God.” He pulled back slightly so she could look at him, and he was amazed by the openness he saw in her eyes. It felt like looking into a clear lake in just the right light when you realize you can see every boundary, every form of life, every sparkling reflection.
“Michael, I know you didn’t think in those terms when we were together. But that’s how I felt. And, you made it pretty clear without words that our relationship was different from before. I was less than your wife and more than your girlfriend. When the kids were around, I felt closest to how we were in the past. The rest of the time, or when we were not together, I felt like I was in some kind of undefined nowhere land.”
Undefined, yes. He thought that while he loved her, it was not always inconvenient to be married to someone else. That way, he could keep her where he needed her to be, and did not have to let her in any closer than he felt safe. While that protection served the purpose of keeping her at bay, it now occurred to him that it also had been unfair to both of them. In an old habit, he felt some defensiveness rising, so he took a deep breath and swallowed it back down.
“Lise, I don’t know what to say. Other than that you’re right. So…what does all that mean as far as the baby?”
“I can tell you I did not purposely neglect to take birth control to get pregnant or to trap you. I swear to you on everything we once had, Michael. But…”
She took a deep breath and it occurred to him that he had not considered what he would do if she confessed to him that indeed she had been playing him. He had wanted her to be honest, but now he started to wonder how in the heck he would deal with that honesty.
“But, I can’t tell you that some part of me did not take the risk willingly. I kept telling myself that chances are that I would not get pregnant now. I mean, I didn’t when we tried before. I stopped taking the pill due to the clotting disorder, even though I knew there was a chance of becoming pregnant. I mean unprotected sex, and large amounts of it, can result in pregnancy. Part of me totally knew this, I’m sure. Plus…I also realized you stopped using condoms.”
He sure had. Thinking back, he did not know why he had made the change. He did use them for a while after they got back together, and she had never commented on it. On some level, he had meant to signal that he neither trusted her to be faithful, nor did he wish to share children with her any longer. Then, something, at some point had changed. And again, neither of them had brought it up.
“You know, strangely enough, I get what you’re saying. Janet just today reminded me that it takes, how did she put it, ‘the bees and the flowers’ to make babies. So, it’s not like you were the only one taking risks.”
Lisa responded by laughing and he kissed her nose.
“It is still so horrific to me that you guys talk about such things.”
“Spoken by the woman who felt she had to share a very intimate gift with my sister.”
“Hey, she is also my friend. I had to show someone! Who was I gonna tell? Mother?”
It was his turn to break out in a burst of laughter.
“Heavens, no! So anyway…I know what causes babies, and yet, I relied on your very vague statement about birth control. And that night, well…let’s just say our baby making chances went way up.”
“We sure both pushed the envelope. And I’m pretty sure, that’s when it happened, by the way.”
And here he thought he only gave her a glass dildo. But no, she had a very special birthday present to show for after all. He smiled proudly and did the math. Their baby would be born in November. The next Thanksgiving he would have two more blessings to be grateful for.
“Ok, so we both played birth control roulette. And here we are. But you said you were also happy, right?”
Lisa raised her eyes to him and he saw her eye color had changed to a deeper blue again as a sheen of tears appeared. She reached up and pulled him down to her, kissing him softly for several moments. Finally, she leaned back a bit, holding eye contact.
Come on, Lisa, say something.
Maybe he should watch what he asked for. Normally, Lisa and quiet were contradictions in terms. He was used to her explosive shouting, even as he dreaded it. Right now, the eerie silence felt very odd.
Finally, she cleared her throat. “Ok… that must have been hard.”
“Say, what?” At least she stayed calm, and as far as he could tell, her voice did not reveal anger. Or indignant hurt. She seemed surprised…and hesitant. Was he not the only one swimming into unknown depths?
“I expected you to skirt around or justify your doubts more. But no, you gave it to me straight. Thank you so much for that. Michael, I don’t know if you realize it, but we have not really been all that straight and open with each other for years. I mean, I think other than being naked half of the time we’re together, we’ve been keeping ourselves pretty cloaked.”
Cloaked. He had to acknowledge that the term indeed was fitting. For himself, he had years ago decided in some mixture of conscious and subconscious resolve that he could only deal with Lisa if he kept the anger as well as the love in some secret hiding place. He had been unwilling to not have her in his life and he had surrendered to his physical addiction to her. However, there was absolutely no need to grant her access to his deep feelings. Where once they were united in a way where they openly shared their thoughts and feelings, he had determined that sharing his body and part of his time was enough.
Unable to find words to reply or convey an adequate response, he just let his hand glide over her back, making sure she stayed close to him, close to his heart.
“And I’m not saying it’s all you, Mike. I have kept myself emotionally closed off from you, too. It hurt so much, when we fucked it all up. It also hurt to not be with you, and then it started to tear me apart to be some kind of part time fling.”
“Lisa, I never saw you as that. I swear to God.” He pulled back slightly so she could look at him, and he was amazed by the openness he saw in her eyes. It felt like looking into a clear lake in just the right light when you realize you can see every boundary, every form of life, every sparkling reflection.
“Michael, I know you didn’t think in those terms when we were together. But that’s how I felt. And, you made it pretty clear without words that our relationship was different from before. I was less than your wife and more than your girlfriend. When the kids were around, I felt closest to how we were in the past. The rest of the time, or when we were not together, I felt like I was in some kind of undefined nowhere land.”
Undefined, yes. He thought that while he loved her, it was not always inconvenient to be married to someone else. That way, he could keep her where he needed her to be, and did not have to let her in any closer than he felt safe. While that protection served the purpose of keeping her at bay, it now occurred to him that it also had been unfair to both of them. In an old habit, he felt some defensiveness rising, so he took a deep breath and swallowed it back down.
“Lise, I don’t know what to say. Other than that you’re right. So…what does all that mean as far as the baby?”
“I can tell you I did not purposely neglect to take birth control to get pregnant or to trap you. I swear to you on everything we once had, Michael. But…”
She took a deep breath and it occurred to him that he had not considered what he would do if she confessed to him that indeed she had been playing him. He had wanted her to be honest, but now he started to wonder how in the heck he would deal with that honesty.
“But, I can’t tell you that some part of me did not take the risk willingly. I kept telling myself that chances are that I would not get pregnant now. I mean, I didn’t when we tried before. I stopped taking the pill due to the clotting disorder, even though I knew there was a chance of becoming pregnant. I mean unprotected sex, and large amounts of it, can result in pregnancy. Part of me totally knew this, I’m sure. Plus…I also realized you stopped using condoms.”
He sure had. Thinking back, he did not know why he had made the change. He did use them for a while after they got back together, and she had never commented on it. On some level, he had meant to signal that he neither trusted her to be faithful, nor did he wish to share children with her any longer. Then, something, at some point had changed. And again, neither of them had brought it up.
“You know, strangely enough, I get what you’re saying. Janet just today reminded me that it takes, how did she put it, ‘the bees and the flowers’ to make babies. So, it’s not like you were the only one taking risks.”
Lisa responded by laughing and he kissed her nose.
“It is still so horrific to me that you guys talk about such things.”
“Spoken by the woman who felt she had to share a very intimate gift with my sister.”
“Hey, she is also my friend. I had to show someone! Who was I gonna tell? Mother?”
It was his turn to break out in a burst of laughter.
“Heavens, no! So anyway…I know what causes babies, and yet, I relied on your very vague statement about birth control. And that night, well…let’s just say our baby making chances went way up.”
“We sure both pushed the envelope. And I’m pretty sure, that’s when it happened, by the way.”
And here he thought he only gave her a glass dildo. But no, she had a very special birthday present to show for after all. He smiled proudly and did the math. Their baby would be born in November. The next Thanksgiving he would have two more blessings to be grateful for.
“Ok, so we both played birth control roulette. And here we are. But you said you were also happy, right?”
Lisa raised her eyes to him and he saw her eye color had changed to a deeper blue again as a sheen of tears appeared. She reached up and pulled him down to her, kissing him softly for several moments. Finally, she leaned back a bit, holding eye contact.
“Yes, I am, Michael. I am happy, scared, thrilled, excited, and totally amazed to share this baby with you.”
His throat seemed to constrict and once again he swallowed. “Lise, I know the situation is a bit…ah, complicated, but I promise we will work things out. I have to protect Prince and the baby about to be born, but I promise you, I will make this right. I want us to have a definition again. I want you to feel like you can leave that nowhere land and move on with me, with us.”
“I want that, too, Mike. You have no idea, how much.”
Their lips were drawn to each other again.
When he finally broke apart, he smiled down at her. “Hey, my legs are asleep. I think you gained weight already.”
Lisa playfully slapped him. Before they knew it, they lightheartedly rolled around on the soft ground, with Michael ending up once again on the bottom, pulling her on top of him. His hand fisted in her hair, his tongue found entrance into her mouth again, caressing Lisa’s tongue, circling it, stroking it, as his hands roamed over her back, then cupped her butt and pulled her into his once again growing erection. Lisa moaned into him as she arched up slightly.
“So, about the fact that we don’t have to worry about birth control now…wanna take advantage of that fact?” He kissed her neck as he breathed the question into her ear, biting her ear lobe while he was in the neighborhood.
She giggled. “Here?”
He raised his head and bit his lip, considering the answer.
“Well, actually, I think it’s getting dark and I would love to have you in a bed for a change again. How about it? Wanna do something really weird and make love in my bed?”
She rolled her eyes. “Getting boring on me already, Michael?”
“I’ll show you boring!” He gently got up, pulling her up with him, running toward the golf cart. As they drove back to the house, Lisa snuggled up next to him, kissing his neck, letting her hand roam in mischievous, torturous circles from his strong thigh to his raging hard on that refused to subside. Lisa found his zipper and pulled it down. He caught her hand, swerving on the wide path. Good thing there was no traffic on the ranch today.
“Will you stop it?” I won’t’ make it back if you keep it up!”
“I am just trying to help. It looked tight. You know, I could just lean down and …”
“Don’t you dare!”
“Yeah, the way you drive, you will cause me to bite it off. Good point.”
Michael cringed, made a face, and they both laughed. Not absolutely sure if he was not a little bit disappointed to not have her lips on him, she distracted him by continuing to kiss his neck while her little hot hand did make its way into his jeans, rubbing and teasing him mercilessly. She was such an evil woman!
Michael almost missed a turn as he drove back with considerably less caution than on the way out. He needed her and he needed her soon. Maybe the soft ground by the tree would have been perfect after all. No, there was something extra thrilling about knowing he would make love to the mother of his child in his bed tonight. Barely having brought the cart to a halt, he jumped out, and helped Lisa off the seat, scooping her up, and carrying her squealing and laughing, upstairs to his bed.
Lisa playfully slapped him. Before they knew it, they lightheartedly rolled around on the soft ground, with Michael ending up once again on the bottom, pulling her on top of him. His hand fisted in her hair, his tongue found entrance into her mouth again, caressing Lisa’s tongue, circling it, stroking it, as his hands roamed over her back, then cupped her butt and pulled her into his once again growing erection. Lisa moaned into him as she arched up slightly.
“So, about the fact that we don’t have to worry about birth control now…wanna take advantage of that fact?” He kissed her neck as he breathed the question into her ear, biting her ear lobe while he was in the neighborhood.
She giggled. “Here?”
He raised his head and bit his lip, considering the answer.
“Well, actually, I think it’s getting dark and I would love to have you in a bed for a change again. How about it? Wanna do something really weird and make love in my bed?”
She rolled her eyes. “Getting boring on me already, Michael?”
“I’ll show you boring!” He gently got up, pulling her up with him, running toward the golf cart. As they drove back to the house, Lisa snuggled up next to him, kissing his neck, letting her hand roam in mischievous, torturous circles from his strong thigh to his raging hard on that refused to subside. Lisa found his zipper and pulled it down. He caught her hand, swerving on the wide path. Good thing there was no traffic on the ranch today.
“Will you stop it?” I won’t’ make it back if you keep it up!”
“I am just trying to help. It looked tight. You know, I could just lean down and …”
“Don’t you dare!”
“Yeah, the way you drive, you will cause me to bite it off. Good point.”
Michael cringed, made a face, and they both laughed. Not absolutely sure if he was not a little bit disappointed to not have her lips on him, she distracted him by continuing to kiss his neck while her little hot hand did make its way into his jeans, rubbing and teasing him mercilessly. She was such an evil woman!
Michael almost missed a turn as he drove back with considerably less caution than on the way out. He needed her and he needed her soon. Maybe the soft ground by the tree would have been perfect after all. No, there was something extra thrilling about knowing he would make love to the mother of his child in his bed tonight. Barely having brought the cart to a halt, he jumped out, and helped Lisa off the seat, scooping her up, and carrying her squealing and laughing, upstairs to his bed.
43)
Lisa woke to the ringing of the house phone. Her first instinct was to drowsily and blindly grope around for the receiver, before she remembered: the phone was not her problem at all since she was still happily, warm and snug in Michael’s bed. His house, his job to answer the damn phone. Blindly, she threw her arm over to the other side of the bed, but since she did not feel his hot body pressed up against her back anymore, she was pretty sure he was up already. Every time she had awakened during the night the past days, he was right there with her, either sleeping, or watching her, but always in very close physical proximity. He seemed very reluctant to leave her side, and she had no complaints. Rolling over, her suspicion was confirmed. Well, at least the ringing had stopped.
“Michael?” She cleared her throat, her voice still sounding sleepy and hoarse. Funny, how a three day love-making marathon could not only take your breath but also your voice away. Three days of pure bliss. Three days of pushing all nagging and painful thoughts to the periphery of her consciousness and allowing herself to be happy without any thoughts of the future. Three days when her universe had shrunk to only include this bedroom, the ranch, Michael, his son, and their own baby. Well, today, she had to break out of her cocoon and drive home since her other children were returning and it was time to face the real world again. Too bad the real world included such challenges as her mother, Danny, and Michael’s lovely wife, who so far, had possessed the good sense to stay away. She was not sure she was up for another round with Debbie. No, dealing with Debbie had been put on the backburner of her mind. For now, she had the luxury of denying that anyone existed for Michael but her.
What had they really accomplished in those three days? Her future still looked as uncertain and sketchy as before. It was as if every time she could make out the shapes, colors, and forms, someone tilted the etch-a-sketch of her mind and it all became a blank again. Michael was still married and she was still pregnant with his baby--well, that last thought was a blessing. However, the time spent together had not been in vain: even as she once again faced the familiar nagging insecurities, she was aware that they seemed to have become light-years closer emotionally in the past days.
Sitting up too fast, Lisa closed her eyes against the slight dizziness. She knew she better find some food, as she had discovered her morning sickness was controllable as long as she ate before becoming too hungry. How nice of this baby--with both Riley and Ben she had been continuously sick for 5 months, no matter what she did. Maybe this little guy was a bit more cooperative. Or maybe he was just behaving, all snug and sated from the repeated blood rushes to his environment, courtesy of his father’s never-ending efforts to drive his mother from one orgasm into the next. Funny, how she thought of the baby as male. Really, she had no preference as to the gender, but the male pronoun seemed to dominate her thoughts.
Lisa reached over and found some crackers Michael had stacked the nightstand on her side of the bed with, after helping her figure out how to keep the nauseous waves at bay. It seemed that he had become a walking encyclopedia on pregnancy and prenatal care. He also had informed her that after several months it would be advisable to switch up their positions when making love as to not put pressure on the baby. As if they ever stayed in the missionary position too long anyway. A smile snuck onto her face and a rush of heat coursed through her, remembering their activities from the past few days. Michael had been insatiable--even more so than normal. There was also a tender streak that had been absent in the last year, or when it had risen to the surface in either one of them, had been suppressed.
After they had returned to the bedroom the day after he took her to their Kissing Tree, as she well knew he had termed it, they had not really made it to the bed at first. Michael had kissed her senseless just inside his room. Urgently he had pressed her against the wall, his hands removing clothing as he seemed to need to touch every inch of her. His fingers had found her core, and he had playfully teased her swollen folds, commenting on her state of arousal, his voice barely audible to her through the thunderous blood rush and her own moans.
“You know baby…” More kisses, as his fingers parted her, teasing her opening. “I hear women get much more aroused in their first trimester as their body is adjusting to all the extra blood volume.”
Lisa sought out his mouth, not really caring about the verbal biology lesson as much as the tactile show and tell.
He let one finger enter her, seeking out her slick walls, moving his finger in the circular motion that he knew drove her crazy. Then, with perfect timing, he flicked her clitoris with his thumb.
“Oh shit, Mike, I’m so close already.”
He backed off and beamed at her. “Guess the book is right, hm?”
“Or maybe…,”she bit his neck and licked a path to his earlobe, sucking the soft, velvety pillow of tissue into her mouth, feeling him shiver, “…maybe, you are just one talented son-of-a-bitch and you know exactly how to get me off.” Her voice was a low growl.
She heard him moan which increased her own arousal. Well, that and the added finger entering her while he used the honey evoked from her body to easily glide over and around that little nub of nerves sending sparks though her.
Once again, Michael managed to get away from her, backing his upper body off slightly while keeping her pinned to the wall with his lover half, which, by the way, felt huge and hard against her thigh. Her hand became a heat-seeking device and she found him, rubbing him through his pants, glad he had left his fly open as this would definitely aid her efforts to free the royal cobra. As nice as his fingers were, she wanted to have his length and thickness filling her--and soon.
Lisa reached over and found some crackers Michael had stacked the nightstand on her side of the bed with, after helping her figure out how to keep the nauseous waves at bay. It seemed that he had become a walking encyclopedia on pregnancy and prenatal care. He also had informed her that after several months it would be advisable to switch up their positions when making love as to not put pressure on the baby. As if they ever stayed in the missionary position too long anyway. A smile snuck onto her face and a rush of heat coursed through her, remembering their activities from the past few days. Michael had been insatiable--even more so than normal. There was also a tender streak that had been absent in the last year, or when it had risen to the surface in either one of them, had been suppressed.
After they had returned to the bedroom the day after he took her to their Kissing Tree, as she well knew he had termed it, they had not really made it to the bed at first. Michael had kissed her senseless just inside his room. Urgently he had pressed her against the wall, his hands removing clothing as he seemed to need to touch every inch of her. His fingers had found her core, and he had playfully teased her swollen folds, commenting on her state of arousal, his voice barely audible to her through the thunderous blood rush and her own moans.
“You know baby…” More kisses, as his fingers parted her, teasing her opening. “I hear women get much more aroused in their first trimester as their body is adjusting to all the extra blood volume.”
Lisa sought out his mouth, not really caring about the verbal biology lesson as much as the tactile show and tell.
He let one finger enter her, seeking out her slick walls, moving his finger in the circular motion that he knew drove her crazy. Then, with perfect timing, he flicked her clitoris with his thumb.
“Oh shit, Mike, I’m so close already.”
He backed off and beamed at her. “Guess the book is right, hm?”
“Or maybe…,”she bit his neck and licked a path to his earlobe, sucking the soft, velvety pillow of tissue into her mouth, feeling him shiver, “…maybe, you are just one talented son-of-a-bitch and you know exactly how to get me off.” Her voice was a low growl.
She heard him moan which increased her own arousal. Well, that and the added finger entering her while he used the honey evoked from her body to easily glide over and around that little nub of nerves sending sparks though her.
Once again, Michael managed to get away from her, backing his upper body off slightly while keeping her pinned to the wall with his lover half, which, by the way, felt huge and hard against her thigh. Her hand became a heat-seeking device and she found him, rubbing him through his pants, glad he had left his fly open as this would definitely aid her efforts to free the royal cobra. As nice as his fingers were, she wanted to have his length and thickness filling her--and soon.
Her fingers closed around his still widening girth and she let them glide up and down on his steel. “Oh, Daddy, seems like prospective fathers also grow to the task…” She laughed her deep sensual laughter as he bent forward and sucked a nipple into the hot, wet, cave, using that tongue and some suction to distend the sensitive peak. The hand that was not busy driving her to the brink of madness, started to torture her other breast.
Michael moved his fingers in her in a different pattern now after having let them enter and withdraw several times, stimulating the entrance as well as her inner walls. Within seconds he found that spot inside her that he knew would lead to total abandonment of all her senses. It was heaven and hell how he knew all her sensitive areas, every secret, and every erogenous landmine in her body. Right when she thought she would launch into the rainbow, he withdrew his magical hand.
Her eyes flew open.
He laughed that deep laughter. “What?”
That damn, sexy, sadistic…
“Do you have a secret death wish? What ya stop for?” She started to reach for herself, not willing to postpone what had just nanoseconds before been within her reach. He must be suicidal to withhold an orgasm from a pregnant woman. Did he not just listen to his own lecture on higher levels of arousal and increase of blood volume?
He reached for her hands, pulling them away, gathering them behind her. The change in posture thrust her breasts out at him and he licked each rigid tip with his rough tongue. She felt like killing him, as the sensation went straight to her womb and her clit, adding to feeling like dangling on a cliff, longing for someone to just push her over.
“Michael!” She whined.
“Yes?” That smile again as he let his hand draw little circles on her abdomen, watching her flesh quiver under his touch.
“Nothing. I was just gonna tell you I think I want a nap as this is getting really boring.”
Ha! Let him chew on this!
Michael went down on one knee before her, looking up at her with that devilish glint in his eyes. Lisa was once more convinced that angels and demons originated from the same source of the universe.
“Well, if you’re bored, Princess, I guess I have to find ways to entertain you.”
“I don’t know if there is anything you could do to entertain me at this point.”
His eyebrows rose and his mouth, so close to where she needed him, darted forward, his tongue lapping at her sensitized tissue in one slow upward motion.
“Fuck.” The forward thrust of her hips could not be contained.
“We have to work on the royal vocabulary.”
“We have work on the ability of the King to please his woman.”
He laughed again, obviously thoroughly enjoying himself. “You are so going to wish you had not said that. I hope you’ll remember this later when you beg me to stop.”
“How about you first get started, big mouth?”
He shook his head, still laughing. His hand splayed on her lower abdomen and he brought his mouth close to her. She closed her eyes, hoping to once again be granted to raspy feel of his tongue. Instead, he placed soft kisses on the skin just above her soft curls.
“Hey, baby. This is your Daddy. I am very sorry, but I have to spend some time now teaching your Mommy some valuable lessons. I am sure you won’t mind, as I heard that babies enjoy when their mothers reach orgasm. So, you just take a little nap, and Daddy will make sure you get all the warm nourishment you need. If you hear Mommy cry out and call my name over and over, don’t worry, it’s all good, that’s just Daddy rocking her world. I love you so much already, little one.”
Lisa did not know whether to cry or slap his arrogant head. Well, she had her hands pinned behind her, so she stuck with letting one tear slip. Damn hormones.
“As for you…” Michael kept his hand on her belly, but directed his gaze at her. “Why don’t we make you more comfortable and move you over the bench in front of the bed, while I try to think of some ways to properly entertain you?”
With that he rose and picked her up, depositing her on the velvet lined bench, kissing her after gently placing her on the red cushions. Lisa let herself enjoy the dance of their tongues, while starting to help him out of his clothes, pushing the shirt over his shoulders, letting her hands glide up the solid, hot wall of his back, reveling in the play of his tight muscles under her teasing touch.
Still kissing her, his hand teasingly gliding from her knees to her upper thighs, approaching the center of her again rising need before retreating again, he started to slowly rise, standing before her, scalding her with the heat of the dark embers smoldering in his eyes.
“Michael?”
“I think I’m wearing too many clothes. So, as a start to the entertainment of tonight, why don’t I get a little more comfortable so we can have matching outfits?” He let his eyes roam over her naked form, enjoying her birthday suit.
This story seemed to have started with once upon a time there was a shy young man. Well, that shy man had long since been transformed into a little freak. Not that she minded. His words went straight to her crotch and she stared at him, swallowing hard, watching him start to move initially with the slightest circular movements of his hips.
Oh my God! Mike will strip- just for me. He is mine, all mine.
The thought warmed and chilled her at the same time: it was the heady mixture of great privilege and great responsibility. Michael started to move to his own rhythm as he hummed a tune she had never heard before. He let his hands glide down the outside of his ribcage, his abs, down to the top of his pants. One hand dipped lower, to his crotch, his movement now mimicking what she knew he could do inside her body. His hand was right over his huge bulge, his hips undulating in circular, rhythmical beats. His eyes were closed at first, but then he opened them and granted her the sultriest gaze from below dark lashes.
“You approve?” His voice was dripping, dark honey.
All she could manage was a nod, as her lips felt parched, her tongue being forced out to wet them.
“Lisa, touch yourself.”
Oh God, he was trying to kill her.
He did not have to ask twice. One hand found her breast as the other dipped lower. Michael resumed his sensual dance, slowly opening his pants further, initially, just playing and touching himself through the pants, before actually freeing himself and taking the strip tease one slow, torturous step further at a time.
When he was finally naked, Lisa was slightly incoherent. Her breath felt like being forced though constricted, inflamed bronchioles, her eyes were burning with desire, her mouth watering for what Michael had touched, teased, and stroked to enormous proportions. Her pussy was weeping and contracting, longing for its prize as well, and when she reached for him, all thoughts of who was entertaining whom were a distant ghost.
Thus, their marathon three days prior had started. They broke to eat, sleep, and play with Prince, but other than that, Michael made it a point to shatter some kind of world record in making the mother of your child cum over and over, until she had indeed begged him for mercy, which he was unwilling to grant.
“What? You’re mine. You carry my baby. I will brand you over and over and over, until you forget that any other man exists. Having you in my bed like this is such a turn on. And to know you won’t leave just drives me crazy.” He had just pulled out of her, drawing her close, reacting to her telling him she needed a break after they both had been spent.
“Michael, I already have no recollection of any other men, nor any desire or ability to have desire for anyone else. I think I’m dehydrated and delirious. And, I do have to leave at some point. I have kids, remember?”
He sat up, eying her with concern. “Wait, I’ll get you some water. I’m so sorry. Do you want food, too? You need to tell me when you get hungry and thirsty. You have to take care of yourself--the first trimester is very iffy, you know. You need good foundations.” Jumping out of bed, he pulled on some pajama pants and disappeared, only to re-emerge with a tray with food and juices thirty minutes later. How could she possibly not be crazy about this man?
“Do you have a secret death wish? What ya stop for?” She started to reach for herself, not willing to postpone what had just nanoseconds before been within her reach. He must be suicidal to withhold an orgasm from a pregnant woman. Did he not just listen to his own lecture on higher levels of arousal and increase of blood volume?
He reached for her hands, pulling them away, gathering them behind her. The change in posture thrust her breasts out at him and he licked each rigid tip with his rough tongue. She felt like killing him, as the sensation went straight to her womb and her clit, adding to feeling like dangling on a cliff, longing for someone to just push her over.
“Michael!” She whined.
“Yes?” That smile again as he let his hand draw little circles on her abdomen, watching her flesh quiver under his touch.
“Nothing. I was just gonna tell you I think I want a nap as this is getting really boring.”
Ha! Let him chew on this!
Michael went down on one knee before her, looking up at her with that devilish glint in his eyes. Lisa was once more convinced that angels and demons originated from the same source of the universe.
“Well, if you’re bored, Princess, I guess I have to find ways to entertain you.”
“I don’t know if there is anything you could do to entertain me at this point.”
His eyebrows rose and his mouth, so close to where she needed him, darted forward, his tongue lapping at her sensitized tissue in one slow upward motion.
“Fuck.” The forward thrust of her hips could not be contained.
“We have to work on the royal vocabulary.”
“We have work on the ability of the King to please his woman.”
He laughed again, obviously thoroughly enjoying himself. “You are so going to wish you had not said that. I hope you’ll remember this later when you beg me to stop.”
“How about you first get started, big mouth?”
He shook his head, still laughing. His hand splayed on her lower abdomen and he brought his mouth close to her. She closed her eyes, hoping to once again be granted to raspy feel of his tongue. Instead, he placed soft kisses on the skin just above her soft curls.
“Hey, baby. This is your Daddy. I am very sorry, but I have to spend some time now teaching your Mommy some valuable lessons. I am sure you won’t mind, as I heard that babies enjoy when their mothers reach orgasm. So, you just take a little nap, and Daddy will make sure you get all the warm nourishment you need. If you hear Mommy cry out and call my name over and over, don’t worry, it’s all good, that’s just Daddy rocking her world. I love you so much already, little one.”
Lisa did not know whether to cry or slap his arrogant head. Well, she had her hands pinned behind her, so she stuck with letting one tear slip. Damn hormones.
“As for you…” Michael kept his hand on her belly, but directed his gaze at her. “Why don’t we make you more comfortable and move you over the bench in front of the bed, while I try to think of some ways to properly entertain you?”
With that he rose and picked her up, depositing her on the velvet lined bench, kissing her after gently placing her on the red cushions. Lisa let herself enjoy the dance of their tongues, while starting to help him out of his clothes, pushing the shirt over his shoulders, letting her hands glide up the solid, hot wall of his back, reveling in the play of his tight muscles under her teasing touch.
Still kissing her, his hand teasingly gliding from her knees to her upper thighs, approaching the center of her again rising need before retreating again, he started to slowly rise, standing before her, scalding her with the heat of the dark embers smoldering in his eyes.
“Michael?”
“I think I’m wearing too many clothes. So, as a start to the entertainment of tonight, why don’t I get a little more comfortable so we can have matching outfits?” He let his eyes roam over her naked form, enjoying her birthday suit.
This story seemed to have started with once upon a time there was a shy young man. Well, that shy man had long since been transformed into a little freak. Not that she minded. His words went straight to her crotch and she stared at him, swallowing hard, watching him start to move initially with the slightest circular movements of his hips.
Oh my God! Mike will strip- just for me. He is mine, all mine.
The thought warmed and chilled her at the same time: it was the heady mixture of great privilege and great responsibility. Michael started to move to his own rhythm as he hummed a tune she had never heard before. He let his hands glide down the outside of his ribcage, his abs, down to the top of his pants. One hand dipped lower, to his crotch, his movement now mimicking what she knew he could do inside her body. His hand was right over his huge bulge, his hips undulating in circular, rhythmical beats. His eyes were closed at first, but then he opened them and granted her the sultriest gaze from below dark lashes.
“You approve?” His voice was dripping, dark honey.
All she could manage was a nod, as her lips felt parched, her tongue being forced out to wet them.
“Lisa, touch yourself.”
Oh God, he was trying to kill her.
He did not have to ask twice. One hand found her breast as the other dipped lower. Michael resumed his sensual dance, slowly opening his pants further, initially, just playing and touching himself through the pants, before actually freeing himself and taking the strip tease one slow, torturous step further at a time.
When he was finally naked, Lisa was slightly incoherent. Her breath felt like being forced though constricted, inflamed bronchioles, her eyes were burning with desire, her mouth watering for what Michael had touched, teased, and stroked to enormous proportions. Her pussy was weeping and contracting, longing for its prize as well, and when she reached for him, all thoughts of who was entertaining whom were a distant ghost.
Thus, their marathon three days prior had started. They broke to eat, sleep, and play with Prince, but other than that, Michael made it a point to shatter some kind of world record in making the mother of your child cum over and over, until she had indeed begged him for mercy, which he was unwilling to grant.
“What? You’re mine. You carry my baby. I will brand you over and over and over, until you forget that any other man exists. Having you in my bed like this is such a turn on. And to know you won’t leave just drives me crazy.” He had just pulled out of her, drawing her close, reacting to her telling him she needed a break after they both had been spent.
“Michael, I already have no recollection of any other men, nor any desire or ability to have desire for anyone else. I think I’m dehydrated and delirious. And, I do have to leave at some point. I have kids, remember?”
He sat up, eying her with concern. “Wait, I’ll get you some water. I’m so sorry. Do you want food, too? You need to tell me when you get hungry and thirsty. You have to take care of yourself--the first trimester is very iffy, you know. You need good foundations.” Jumping out of bed, he pulled on some pajama pants and disappeared, only to re-emerge with a tray with food and juices thirty minutes later. How could she possibly not be crazy about this man?
Speaking of, or thinking of him, where was he this morning? She had at some point passed out after he had made love to her exquisitely slow and tenderly, kissing her softly, keeping iron control on himself, letting his penis enter her slowly and deeply over and over, providing the crazy-making drag that almost drove her to total insanity. They reached the pinnacle together and it felt as if their souls were merging, their fingers intertwined, their eyes open, each reveling and being propelled further into the eye of the storm by observing the ecstasy mirrored in the other.
“I love, you, girl. I love you so damn much,” Michael had sobbed into the crook of her neck, after moments of silence, overwhelming her with the show of emotions he so often kept from her now. She reached around and held on to him for dear life, pulling him close, one hand in his hair, one around his back, as her own tears mingled with the beads of sweat on her face. She was willing to bet she loved him just a little more.
Lisa stared into the huge bathroom mirror, unsure of whether having unearthed all this love she had kept buried under layers and layers of protection and resentment was such a bright idea. Betting all her chips on one lucky number might be thrilling, but it could also leave her broke--and, in this case, broken. Well, whatever else would happen, she now had something sweet and tiny growing inside her that would keep her and Michael connected forever.
“Oh, good, you’re up. I was about to bring you breakfast, but I wanted to make sure I wouldn’t be wasting all that food.”
Deep in her thoughts, she had not heard him approach. He came up behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist, kissing her nape and her shoulders.
“You really need to wear clothes, baby. How will I ever get anything done as long as you prance around here naked?” He looked at her in pretend serious and scolding mode.
“I’m not prancing. I just got up and you were nowhere to be seen. I was about to take a shower.”
“Oh, yeah? Want company?” He looked up into the mirror, their eyes meeting in the reflection.
“No, I want to get clean, not get down and dirty for the umpteenth time.” She giggled as he kept biting her neck, finding her ticklish spots.
“Hey, I thought getting down and dirty was our specialty. But I can help you get clean afterwards, too. I am very skilled, you know.”
“You have a very big head.”
‘I know, and you liked it when it went in and out of you last night.”
She swatted at him playfully and he laughed, backing off, before hugging her from behind once again. One hand found one of her breasts as the other dipped lower, once again getting ready to start that fire.
“You are so bad, will you stop it? I have to get ready to leave.”
“And I have to get ready to say good morning properly. Plus, you said you wouldn’t leave until early this afternoon.”
“What about that breakfast?” Her resolve was melting as his hand found her and started to stroke her gently. To increase the temptation, he rubbed his pajama clad hips against her naked butt, leaving no doubt that he indeed was ready to be very bad again.
“Ok, I can eat you first. Your wish is…”
“Michael, stop it. You are such a trouble maker.”
“And you love it.”
Her eyes found his dark gaze on the other side of the glassy suface. “I just love you. I’m so fucking doomed.”
Lisa let her head fall back and accept the kiss he was bestowing on her. Her arm came around and she pulled his head closer, her hand fisting in his still wild-and-crazy morning hair. She greedily inhaled his sighs and moans, pushing against him, wishing he would just get rid of those barriers between them. Having obviously read her thoughts, he ended the kiss by trailing soft kisses down her neck. He reached out to grab her wrists and put her hands on the cool surface in front of her, making sure she was holding on to the edge of the marble sink. One hand stayed over her hand, while the other pulled down his pajama pants, stepping out them, letting her feel his erection against her butt cheeks. Lisa tried to use her free hand to reach for him, attempting to turn her body.
“No, like this. Keep your hands on the sink. Spread your legs, baby. Now, don’t you stop looking at me in that mirror.”
He nudged her legs apart with his leg and she happily obliged. Michael brought both hands to her ass, rubbing and massaging the cheeks, before slightly spreading them, granting him better access to her swollen pussy that was once again burning for the relief only he could provide. Lisa kept her eyes on him and was further stimulated by seeing his eyes light up, seeing him bite his lip as he started to probe her.
Deep in her thoughts, she had not heard him approach. He came up behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist, kissing her nape and her shoulders.
“You really need to wear clothes, baby. How will I ever get anything done as long as you prance around here naked?” He looked at her in pretend serious and scolding mode.
“I’m not prancing. I just got up and you were nowhere to be seen. I was about to take a shower.”
“Oh, yeah? Want company?” He looked up into the mirror, their eyes meeting in the reflection.
“No, I want to get clean, not get down and dirty for the umpteenth time.” She giggled as he kept biting her neck, finding her ticklish spots.
“Hey, I thought getting down and dirty was our specialty. But I can help you get clean afterwards, too. I am very skilled, you know.”
“You have a very big head.”
‘I know, and you liked it when it went in and out of you last night.”
She swatted at him playfully and he laughed, backing off, before hugging her from behind once again. One hand found one of her breasts as the other dipped lower, once again getting ready to start that fire.
“You are so bad, will you stop it? I have to get ready to leave.”
“And I have to get ready to say good morning properly. Plus, you said you wouldn’t leave until early this afternoon.”
“What about that breakfast?” Her resolve was melting as his hand found her and started to stroke her gently. To increase the temptation, he rubbed his pajama clad hips against her naked butt, leaving no doubt that he indeed was ready to be very bad again.
“Ok, I can eat you first. Your wish is…”
“Michael, stop it. You are such a trouble maker.”
“And you love it.”
Her eyes found his dark gaze on the other side of the glassy suface. “I just love you. I’m so fucking doomed.”
Lisa let her head fall back and accept the kiss he was bestowing on her. Her arm came around and she pulled his head closer, her hand fisting in his still wild-and-crazy morning hair. She greedily inhaled his sighs and moans, pushing against him, wishing he would just get rid of those barriers between them. Having obviously read her thoughts, he ended the kiss by trailing soft kisses down her neck. He reached out to grab her wrists and put her hands on the cool surface in front of her, making sure she was holding on to the edge of the marble sink. One hand stayed over her hand, while the other pulled down his pajama pants, stepping out them, letting her feel his erection against her butt cheeks. Lisa tried to use her free hand to reach for him, attempting to turn her body.
“No, like this. Keep your hands on the sink. Spread your legs, baby. Now, don’t you stop looking at me in that mirror.”
He nudged her legs apart with his leg and she happily obliged. Michael brought both hands to her ass, rubbing and massaging the cheeks, before slightly spreading them, granting him better access to her swollen pussy that was once again burning for the relief only he could provide. Lisa kept her eyes on him and was further stimulated by seeing his eyes light up, seeing him bite his lip as he started to probe her.
“That’s it baby. You’re nice and wet already. All juicy, all swollen, all ready for me.”
His eyes found her again and she thought she would die when he finally entered her with one swift thrust, his face reflecting his own consuming pleasure. If she was not so sure he was feeling the same bliss she was engulfed in, she might have thought he was in agony. He was not holding back this morning. His hands came to rest over hers, his fingers interlacing with hers, as he pounded into her, making her see spots and streaks of color in no time. This was the exact opposite of the gentle lovemaking from the night before, but the passion and driving urgency contributed to the rapture as their eyes continued to be one in the mirror.
“Are you ready, babe? I cant …wait…much…longer.” His voice was an animalistic growl now, and edged her on even more. She had noticed the beads of sweat appearing on his forehead and his chest. The sensual nature of watching their love play drove Lisa to the place she knew would suffice to ignite the explosion.
“Let me have it, Daddy, give it to me good…” where the last words she could force out before he reached around once more, his fingers simply applying more pressure on her clitoris, resulting in screams and convulsions as Lisa put forth her best effort to not fall to her knees.
“Say it, say my name…” He snarled at her, his yes burning into her as she struggled with keeping hers open.
“Michael!” She sure hoped the nanny was in a totally different part of the house as her scream was not contained and matched the savage fire slashing and raging inside.
“Fucking hell! Oh shit!” In an instant response that matched the volume of her outcry, Michael surged into her several more times, then collapsed against her in violent spasms seconds before she felt his hot eruptions filling her, then trickling down her thigh. Her legs shook and she weakly leaned back against him.
“You will kill me one day, you know that, Lise?”
“Hey, I wanted a shower!”
“I showered you alright. Well, you need a real one now.” Pulling out, he scooped her up and walked right into his oversized shower with her, turning the water on, as she weekly rested against him. Michael gently let her glide down and he started to use the heavenly scented shower gel on her, lathering up her skin, washing her body, then her hair as he gave her the most lovely head massage. Lisa felt like floating on some kind of otherworldly cloud. She let him take over, and it felt divine to be pampered like this. Of course, seeing his gorgeous body in the water and the steam, and feeling generous, she also reciprocated and enjoyed his smiles and giggles as her hands glided over every inch of him. He shivered when she gently touched his member.
“Don’t even dare to mess with that.”
She laughed. “You are too much, Mike. You are safe for now, though. I am really worrying about walking around as it is- I am sure everyone who sees me will know what I have been up to.”
A proud smile graced his face as droplets of water cascaded down his face. “Yeah, so?”
She laughed and he leaned in to kiss her, helping her rinse off, then reached out and wrapped her tenderly into a towel before drying himself off.
“So, Mike, about that breakfast…?”
“Woman! You are so demanding. Didn’t I just fulfill all your needs?”
“You filled me--and distracted me from my shower. But I’m hungry.” She rolled onto the bed on her stomach, looking up at him with wide eyes, batting her lashes.
He slapped her butt.
“Get dressed then, lazy. I told you I have breakfast waiting. Stop distracting me. Jeez!”
She pulled him down to her and gave him one more kiss before searching for her clothes.
“Say it, say my name…” He snarled at her, his yes burning into her as she struggled with keeping hers open.
“Michael!” She sure hoped the nanny was in a totally different part of the house as her scream was not contained and matched the savage fire slashing and raging inside.
“Fucking hell! Oh shit!” In an instant response that matched the volume of her outcry, Michael surged into her several more times, then collapsed against her in violent spasms seconds before she felt his hot eruptions filling her, then trickling down her thigh. Her legs shook and she weakly leaned back against him.
“You will kill me one day, you know that, Lise?”
“Hey, I wanted a shower!”
“I showered you alright. Well, you need a real one now.” Pulling out, he scooped her up and walked right into his oversized shower with her, turning the water on, as she weekly rested against him. Michael gently let her glide down and he started to use the heavenly scented shower gel on her, lathering up her skin, washing her body, then her hair as he gave her the most lovely head massage. Lisa felt like floating on some kind of otherworldly cloud. She let him take over, and it felt divine to be pampered like this. Of course, seeing his gorgeous body in the water and the steam, and feeling generous, she also reciprocated and enjoyed his smiles and giggles as her hands glided over every inch of him. He shivered when she gently touched his member.
“Don’t even dare to mess with that.”
She laughed. “You are too much, Mike. You are safe for now, though. I am really worrying about walking around as it is- I am sure everyone who sees me will know what I have been up to.”
A proud smile graced his face as droplets of water cascaded down his face. “Yeah, so?”
She laughed and he leaned in to kiss her, helping her rinse off, then reached out and wrapped her tenderly into a towel before drying himself off.
“So, Mike, about that breakfast…?”
“Woman! You are so demanding. Didn’t I just fulfill all your needs?”
“You filled me--and distracted me from my shower. But I’m hungry.” She rolled onto the bed on her stomach, looking up at him with wide eyes, batting her lashes.
He slapped her butt.
“Get dressed then, lazy. I told you I have breakfast waiting. Stop distracting me. Jeez!”
She pulled him down to her and gave him one more kiss before searching for her clothes.
44)
Michael looked on in amazement as Lisa killed the French toast he had made for her.
“Can you slow down? I am afraid I will have to practice the Heimlich maneuver on you any second.”
She looked up at him and licked a drop of syrup from the corner of her mouth. He watched her tongue and instantly flashed back to having that very same tongue pleasing him in a million different ways during the past days.
Focus, Michael. She said, no more. For now…
He had no idea what had come over him, but he could simply not get enough of her. Having her with him like this, with only minimal fighting and fussing, gave him hope. This was how it all began. This was how it should be. Hopefully, they both had learned and grown, and now could move forward. Well, he had to first get rid of some obstacles. Like his wife, for example.
“You told me to eat. I’m eating. You’re just never happy.”
“Not so: I am only too happy when you're nice and obedient. You know that.” He shot her a sexy look and she blushed before returning her attention to the plate he had fixed for her. How cute, he could get her heated with just one look. Well, admittedly, memories of her following certain commands also got him to shift around in his seat. Following her example, he also tried to eat, but found that he was too busy sorting out his thoughts.
Seriously, he had every intention of making sure Lisa took good care of herself and their baby. She tended to get into her head at times and neglect her physical needs. Not that he doubted her love for her kids, but still- prenatal care was important. Taking care of Debbie had been easy and he really did not worry as much. Debbie knew that her job was to be the vessel for that baby and that she got paid for a job well done. With Lisa, everything felt different. This baby was created the way nature intended. He shared this experience with another person- one he loved with all his heart. The more he thought about it, the more convinced he became that his personal future would be with Lisa. He just had to be more circumspect about how they crafted the boundaries of their new relationship. And they had to stay away from past mistakes. The problem he faced was that he still had not one hundred percent figured out what had not worked the first time around. One thing that was clear was that she needed to be a little less clingy and insecure. Possibly, he also needed to make some changes, such as trying to let her in more. Well, he did not have to figure all that out just yet. First, he had to figure a way out of the Debbie mess.
Prior to practicing his culinary skills to cook for Lisa, he had spent hours on the phone with his attorneys, trying to find a loophole in his contract with Debbie. He really did not want to hurt or upset her, but he also needed to be free from the legal bounds that kept them husband and wife, so he could offer a future to Lisa. They had not approached the subject of marriage or commitment during those three days, but he was sure it would come up again in no time at all. Then, there was the issue of custody for Prince and the new baby. Knowing that Debbie would be less than thrilled about him wiggling out of the contract, did not give him a great negotiation basis. If he broke his part of the deal, what would keep her from sticking to hers? No, he had to find a way to get her to agree to hand over the new baby, relinquish all maternal rights to both children, and give him a quickie divorce. Oh, and she still had to sign several confidentiality agreements he had drafted up concerning what she could reveal to the general public. Piece of cake. And right after that he would solve water shortage in Africa and mediate peace in the Middle East.
What a mess.
Glancing across the table, reminded him what made it all worth it. He just had to face things head on and talk to Debbie.
Lisa was finally done and sank back in her chair. She regarded him with worry, her eyes narrowing as if having had a direct line to his thoughts.
“So, who called earlier?”
Crap. She had indeed read his thoughts.
He had been trying to reach Debbie since last night. He had mulled his dilemma over and over and always came to the same conclusions that he needed to get this done with as the situation was only going to get worse once word about Lisa’s pregnancy got out. And, in his world, word always seemed to get out somehow. Well, she called him back this morning and he had asked her over later this afternoon, planning to take the proverbial bull by the horns as soon as Lisa had driven back to Hidden Hills.
“Called where?”
Very suave Mike, she will never catch on this way.
“Michael…” Lisa cocked her head and stopped chewing.
“Yes?” He imitated her tone and tried his best to project the very image of innocent nonchalance.
“The phone rang earlier and then it stopped, so I know you got it.”
“How do you know I got it? The machine might have gotten it. Or someone around here…”
“Didn’t you give most the staff time off?”
“The nanny is here.”
Glancing across the table, reminded him what made it all worth it. He just had to face things head on and talk to Debbie.
Lisa was finally done and sank back in her chair. She regarded him with worry, her eyes narrowing as if having had a direct line to his thoughts.
“So, who called earlier?”
Crap. She had indeed read his thoughts.
He had been trying to reach Debbie since last night. He had mulled his dilemma over and over and always came to the same conclusions that he needed to get this done with as the situation was only going to get worse once word about Lisa’s pregnancy got out. And, in his world, word always seemed to get out somehow. Well, she called him back this morning and he had asked her over later this afternoon, planning to take the proverbial bull by the horns as soon as Lisa had driven back to Hidden Hills.
“Called where?”
Very suave Mike, she will never catch on this way.
“Michael…” Lisa cocked her head and stopped chewing.
“Yes?” He imitated her tone and tried his best to project the very image of innocent nonchalance.
“The phone rang earlier and then it stopped, so I know you got it.”
“How do you know I got it? The machine might have gotten it. Or someone around here…”
“Didn’t you give most the staff time off?”
“The nanny is here.”
Lisa sighed and cleaned up syrup on her plate very methodically with the last piece of French toast.
“Do you want more? I can make more you know. Even though, you don’t really have to eat for two yet, you know. That actually is a misconception and…”
“Will you cut it out?” The fork landed in a loud clank on the plate, ending his lesson on nutrition and pregnancy.
“What? I can’t help it that I just took away your reason to eat too much. I don’t want you to come back and blame me when you don’t fit into your itty-bitty outfits. Oh yeah, by the way, you probably should buy jeans that don’t restrict your blood flow. I don’t want my kid to be deprived of oxygen because you are vain.” He knew he was speaking way too fast and she was not going to let him get away indefinitely with the obvious distraction technique.
“Michael. I have had children before, you know? And, they both made it without brain damage. Well, they were compromised when their crazy stepfather subjected them to daily rides, popcorn, and sodas, but they are resilient. As kids are. So, back to what you are trying so hard not to answer. Who called?”
“I did not give them daily popcorn and soda.”
Lisa threw her napkin at him. “You are impossible.”
He giggled. “Yeah, I’m an impossibly good cook and an amazing, studly lover, and I am a great father…all in one package.”
“You forgot horrible liar.”
“That’s a good thing, right?” He gifted her with a crooked smile. Then, getting up, he came up behind her, folding his arms around her, nestling his head on her shoulder.
“God knows, why I love you, Michael. You are a mess. Just tell me who called.”
He started to kiss her neck, placing soft nibbles on her. “Hm…you taste like syrup now, even here.” He could feel that his breath affected her, felt the shiver bumps on her skin, heard her soft laughter.
Ok, so maybe this was going to work after all.
“Was it Debbie?”
Shit. So much for effective distraction.
“You are killing the mood here, Lise.”
She turned and they were eye to eye.
“What’s the big deal, Mike? Why won’t you tell me? Don’t shut me out already. I thought we are getting somewhere here. I mean getting somewhere beyond fucking each other senseless.”
Gosh! Did it always have to come back to this? Why did she always think it was just about the sex with him? Did she really know him this little? What if he didn’t want to upset her? It was not like he had anything to tell her, so why risk having her blow a gasket for nothing. He knew she hated when he brought up Debbie. So, why was she doing it now? He noticed he was chewing on his lip. It felt tender and full- probably from Lisa biting it a little roughly at some point last night, or this morning, or during the past three days. Well, ok, maybe he could show her a little good faith, and maybe, just maybe she would not explode.
“Ok, fine. Yes, it was Debbie.”
“I don’t know why you try to bullshit around when I already had it figured out.”
“Well, you are just too smart for me.” He kissed her nose.
“What did she want?”
“She called me back.”
Her eyes narrowed. “You called her?”
Of course he had called her. The chances of Debbie contacting him to offer calling the whole arrangement off and moving out of his life voluntarily seemed slim to none.
“Look, there are some things I need to get clear with her. I have been racking my brain to figure out how to get out of this and I have to try to get her to cooperate.”
She tilted her head, her eyes burning into him like lasers on a search and rescue mission. Search for the truth- rescue hope for a future.
“Get out of what?” Her voice was almost a whisper. She suddenly looked scared.
Michael bent forward and kissed her gently. Her lips stayed cool and she kissed him back cautiously. Rising, he pulled her up with him, holding her close.
“Girl, haven’t you figured it out yet? I thought you said you were too smart for me. I need to get out of this marriage. I want to be with you. I want to be with our baby.” He held her close, not daring to breath, frightened for a second how she would respond.
Lisa held perfectly still, her body frozen in his embrace. He felt her chest rising and falling and her heartbeat fluttered against him, but other than that she was like a little scared rabbit waiting for the predator to pass her by. Had he done this to her? Had he turned the fierce creature into someone cautious and gun-shy? Or was this a case of ‘be careful what you wish for,’ and she simply did not know how to handle the prospect of not having Debbie around as a convenient excuse of why they could not be together. It made him wonder: What would happen after his move? The ball was in Lisa’s court. Would she step up or would she run, seeking shelter in feeling alone and abandoned. Well, if he did not go ahead and did what he had to do, he would never know.
“I never thought I’d see the day when you shut up for more than a minute. And it scares the daylights out of me, Lise.” The words were whispered against her hair. He felt her inhale deeply.
“So, you want to talk to Debbie in order for you to be free to be with our baby?”
A sigh escaped, hearing her serious, doubtful tone. He pulled back and took her by her shoulders. Her head was lowered and she hid behind the strands of hair falling into her face. What was it now? He thought his words would make her ecstatic. Obviously, she had once again misconstrued what he had meant to say.
“No, I want to talk to Debbie to see how I can be free from our arrangement so we can be together.”
She looked up, but he continued having to guess at the exact expression in her eyes. “For the baby?”
“I don’t need to be out of the arrangement with Debbie for our baby, Lisa. I could just pay you child support, you know.” Her insinuation that all this was just for him to get to be with the baby were getting to him.
Finally, she flipped her hair back, staring at him with an expression that was a puzzling conglomerate of anger, fear, hope, pain…. She was so damn confusing!
“I don’t need your damn money, Michael, you know that.”
“Ah, yeah, I do know that. I am well aware of that fact. I am less aware of why the hell you are being so difficult."
“How am I being difficult?”
“You wanted to know who called, and I told you. You wanted to know why, and I’m telling ya. And now you look at me like you wanna kill me. And this, after I tell you that I’m trying to get away from Debbie. I thought that’s what you wanted?”
“I don’t want you to do anything you don’t want to do. I don’t want you to give her the boot out of some kind of obligation to the baby. I don’t want to fear that you’re trading one birth momma for the next.”
His grip on her shoulders increased and he pulled her closer.
“You should know me better than that. When was the last time I did anything I didn’t wanna do?”
“You mean, after marrying Debbie? Or, at least you said you didn’t want to do that.”
Her misgivings were getting under his skin. No, he had a ball so far being married to Debbie. One look at their official pictures made that crystal clear. No showmanship faking could disguise those feelings.
“Yeah, I mean after that. I was pressured into it and look how that turned out. So, believe it or not, I am capable of learning my lesson. Thank you very much.” His tone left no doubt that her accusations had pricked his skin.
Lisa took a deep breath and she lowered her gaze again.
“Ok, fine. I’m just confused, I guess.”
“There’s really nothing to be confused about. You keep telling me you are tired of feeling like you are only on the periphery of my life. So, what if I asked you to be in the center of it again? What if I was in a position to offer you more? What would you do?” His eyes searched for the truth she was hesitant to share.
“Are you saying that? Is that what you’re asking?”
Michael started to feel like he was sparring with someone in some kind of duel with glass swords while circling each other on a platform that was resting on one single point, suspended over a bottomless abyss. They both moved with extreme care, being on the defensive, fearing one wrong move could result in incredible, irreparable disaster.
He decided to jump off the platform and to take her with him. Relinquishing her shoulders, he took her hand and marched her off to Prince’s bedroom.
“What…?” She protested, but followed behind.
He opened the door, and they stepped into the nursery where the little man was taking his morning nap. Michael and Lisa stood over his crib and Lisa reached out, touching the sweet baby’s cheek without waking him.
“See this?” He whispered.
“Prince?” She replied in the same hushed tone.
“Yeah. He made it all worth it. I mean, I’m still so sorry I hurt you, but when I look at him, play with him, hold him, I know it all happened for a reason. Maybe he was God’s way of teaching me something. I learned that great gifts come from great loss, and that just when we think we have no chance to ever find happiness again, there is hope. He should have been ours, Lise, you know that.”
Glancing over at her, he saw her wiping a tear away. She nodded.
“Well, I never thought I could have it all. But now there is hope again. I need to believe that. He is our son, no matter who his birth-mother is. The little girl about to be born is ours, too, and this new baby,” he rested his hand on her stomach, “is certainly ours. That’s what I want. A future. With the children and with you. There is no happiness with only parts of that. Come on…how can I make you see that I’m serious?”
“I did not give them daily popcorn and soda.”
Lisa threw her napkin at him. “You are impossible.”
He giggled. “Yeah, I’m an impossibly good cook and an amazing, studly lover, and I am a great father…all in one package.”
“You forgot horrible liar.”
“That’s a good thing, right?” He gifted her with a crooked smile. Then, getting up, he came up behind her, folding his arms around her, nestling his head on her shoulder.
“God knows, why I love you, Michael. You are a mess. Just tell me who called.”
He started to kiss her neck, placing soft nibbles on her. “Hm…you taste like syrup now, even here.” He could feel that his breath affected her, felt the shiver bumps on her skin, heard her soft laughter.
Ok, so maybe this was going to work after all.
“Was it Debbie?”
Shit. So much for effective distraction.
“You are killing the mood here, Lise.”
She turned and they were eye to eye.
“What’s the big deal, Mike? Why won’t you tell me? Don’t shut me out already. I thought we are getting somewhere here. I mean getting somewhere beyond fucking each other senseless.”
Gosh! Did it always have to come back to this? Why did she always think it was just about the sex with him? Did she really know him this little? What if he didn’t want to upset her? It was not like he had anything to tell her, so why risk having her blow a gasket for nothing. He knew she hated when he brought up Debbie. So, why was she doing it now? He noticed he was chewing on his lip. It felt tender and full- probably from Lisa biting it a little roughly at some point last night, or this morning, or during the past three days. Well, ok, maybe he could show her a little good faith, and maybe, just maybe she would not explode.
“Ok, fine. Yes, it was Debbie.”
“I don’t know why you try to bullshit around when I already had it figured out.”
“Well, you are just too smart for me.” He kissed her nose.
“What did she want?”
“She called me back.”
Her eyes narrowed. “You called her?”
Of course he had called her. The chances of Debbie contacting him to offer calling the whole arrangement off and moving out of his life voluntarily seemed slim to none.
“Look, there are some things I need to get clear with her. I have been racking my brain to figure out how to get out of this and I have to try to get her to cooperate.”
She tilted her head, her eyes burning into him like lasers on a search and rescue mission. Search for the truth- rescue hope for a future.
“Get out of what?” Her voice was almost a whisper. She suddenly looked scared.
Michael bent forward and kissed her gently. Her lips stayed cool and she kissed him back cautiously. Rising, he pulled her up with him, holding her close.
“Girl, haven’t you figured it out yet? I thought you said you were too smart for me. I need to get out of this marriage. I want to be with you. I want to be with our baby.” He held her close, not daring to breath, frightened for a second how she would respond.
Lisa held perfectly still, her body frozen in his embrace. He felt her chest rising and falling and her heartbeat fluttered against him, but other than that she was like a little scared rabbit waiting for the predator to pass her by. Had he done this to her? Had he turned the fierce creature into someone cautious and gun-shy? Or was this a case of ‘be careful what you wish for,’ and she simply did not know how to handle the prospect of not having Debbie around as a convenient excuse of why they could not be together. It made him wonder: What would happen after his move? The ball was in Lisa’s court. Would she step up or would she run, seeking shelter in feeling alone and abandoned. Well, if he did not go ahead and did what he had to do, he would never know.
“I never thought I’d see the day when you shut up for more than a minute. And it scares the daylights out of me, Lise.” The words were whispered against her hair. He felt her inhale deeply.
“So, you want to talk to Debbie in order for you to be free to be with our baby?”
A sigh escaped, hearing her serious, doubtful tone. He pulled back and took her by her shoulders. Her head was lowered and she hid behind the strands of hair falling into her face. What was it now? He thought his words would make her ecstatic. Obviously, she had once again misconstrued what he had meant to say.
“No, I want to talk to Debbie to see how I can be free from our arrangement so we can be together.”
She looked up, but he continued having to guess at the exact expression in her eyes. “For the baby?”
“I don’t need to be out of the arrangement with Debbie for our baby, Lisa. I could just pay you child support, you know.” Her insinuation that all this was just for him to get to be with the baby were getting to him.
Finally, she flipped her hair back, staring at him with an expression that was a puzzling conglomerate of anger, fear, hope, pain…. She was so damn confusing!
“I don’t need your damn money, Michael, you know that.”
“Ah, yeah, I do know that. I am well aware of that fact. I am less aware of why the hell you are being so difficult."
“How am I being difficult?”
“You wanted to know who called, and I told you. You wanted to know why, and I’m telling ya. And now you look at me like you wanna kill me. And this, after I tell you that I’m trying to get away from Debbie. I thought that’s what you wanted?”
“I don’t want you to do anything you don’t want to do. I don’t want you to give her the boot out of some kind of obligation to the baby. I don’t want to fear that you’re trading one birth momma for the next.”
His grip on her shoulders increased and he pulled her closer.
“You should know me better than that. When was the last time I did anything I didn’t wanna do?”
“You mean, after marrying Debbie? Or, at least you said you didn’t want to do that.”
Her misgivings were getting under his skin. No, he had a ball so far being married to Debbie. One look at their official pictures made that crystal clear. No showmanship faking could disguise those feelings.
“Yeah, I mean after that. I was pressured into it and look how that turned out. So, believe it or not, I am capable of learning my lesson. Thank you very much.” His tone left no doubt that her accusations had pricked his skin.
Lisa took a deep breath and she lowered her gaze again.
“Ok, fine. I’m just confused, I guess.”
“There’s really nothing to be confused about. You keep telling me you are tired of feeling like you are only on the periphery of my life. So, what if I asked you to be in the center of it again? What if I was in a position to offer you more? What would you do?” His eyes searched for the truth she was hesitant to share.
“Are you saying that? Is that what you’re asking?”
Michael started to feel like he was sparring with someone in some kind of duel with glass swords while circling each other on a platform that was resting on one single point, suspended over a bottomless abyss. They both moved with extreme care, being on the defensive, fearing one wrong move could result in incredible, irreparable disaster.
He decided to jump off the platform and to take her with him. Relinquishing her shoulders, he took her hand and marched her off to Prince’s bedroom.
“What…?” She protested, but followed behind.
He opened the door, and they stepped into the nursery where the little man was taking his morning nap. Michael and Lisa stood over his crib and Lisa reached out, touching the sweet baby’s cheek without waking him.
“See this?” He whispered.
“Prince?” She replied in the same hushed tone.
“Yeah. He made it all worth it. I mean, I’m still so sorry I hurt you, but when I look at him, play with him, hold him, I know it all happened for a reason. Maybe he was God’s way of teaching me something. I learned that great gifts come from great loss, and that just when we think we have no chance to ever find happiness again, there is hope. He should have been ours, Lise, you know that.”
Glancing over at her, he saw her wiping a tear away. She nodded.
“Well, I never thought I could have it all. But now there is hope again. I need to believe that. He is our son, no matter who his birth-mother is. The little girl about to be born is ours, too, and this new baby,” he rested his hand on her stomach, “is certainly ours. That’s what I want. A future. With the children and with you. There is no happiness with only parts of that. Come on…how can I make you see that I’m serious?”
He pulled her with him into his bedroom down the hall. Lisa entered and dropped herself into the sofa. “So, what’s your point, Mike? I am so fucking confused.”
“Well, I am confused, too.” He sat next to her, raking his fingers through his hair. “But, as you can see by the example of Prince, sometimes we have to take chances and work for what we want. We fuck up and we try again, until we get it perfect. But we have to reach for the gifts that are out there. If we don’t, they stay fantasies made of nothing but air. If we are too scared all the time, we will stay rooted in place.”
“I don’t want to stay in place. But how do we move forward and not mess everything up again? Only, this time, it would be so much worse. We share this baby now, Mike. If we don’t make it, it will kill me. If we don’t make it, we will fuck him or her up.”
“How about we don’t think about not making it? How about we concentrate on making it work? How about we invest hard work and sacrifice? Don’t run, Lisa, don’t hide again.”
“What makes you think I’m gonna run?”
“I tell you I wanna get rid of my marriage and you put up your defenses, acting like I do it all for the baby. That hurts. I mean, jeeze, don’t you know by now that I’m fucking stuck on you?”
She cocked her head and a smile stole onto her lips and into her eyes. “Is that a declaration of love?”
He lowered his eyes this time then glanced up at her. “Something like that.”
“Well, I am fucking stuck on you, too.” That famous Presley smirk was a welcome sight. She was getting it!
“So, Lise. If I manage to get out of this early, can you promise not to run? Can you promise to take that leap?”
“And if you can’t get out of it early?”
“Then I still want you to wait it out with me.”
“Gosh, Mike. It’s not like I have not been waiting…” She threw her hands up in frustration.
“Yeah, I know. But be honest: part of you knew that as long as I was married, I was Mr. Bad Guy who was to blame for not making an honest woman out of you. When I’m free, when I ask you to be mine, I need to trust that you won’t let others freak you out.”
“Others?”
“Yeah, you know, like Priscilla, a.k.a. my biggest fan. And your ex, and other people who think I lead you astray…”
“Well you do lead me astray. In all kinds of weird and unholy positions…” Her eyes turned smoky for a second before she kissed him, then became serious again. “Can you promise that we will be united again, like we were? That you also will keep people out that have no business being on the inside? Can you promise to deal with trouble head on and not pretend all is peachy?”
His forehead furrowed. “Is that what I did?”
Lisa had to laugh. “Yeah. You have problems with conflict.”
“No, I don’t. I just ignore them.”
“Yeah, that’s the problem.”
“Oh… Ok. But yeah, I want us to be united again. I have never felt anything like that before and not since.”
“Ok, I want that, too. And I will stop listening to idiots who poison what I know is true. What I know is true about you.” She reached out and cupped his face.
“Which is?”
She leaned in and Michael kept eye contact until she was so close to him her blue eyes became blurry and took over his visual field, making him feel like he was drowning in the sea of her emotions.
They had both closed their eyes and their lips were slightly parted. Each touched the face of the other, while waiting for something, anything, to complete the kiss.
Lisa whispered. “Which is that I love you and that I know you love me. For ever…” She kissed him gently, “…and ever.”
The gentle kiss took his breath away. It was an affirmation of their love, a rebirth of trust, and a commitment to the future. As the kiss deepened, they inhaled each other, tasted of each other, and held on, ready to once again enter the place where all logical thought ended. He broke away, kissing her neck, enjoying her little moans. Shit…he had to end this before he got carried away, and would risk having Debbie appear on the scene like an unwelcome genie once again. No, that would probably not be helpful to his cause at all.
“Baby…” he whispered between kisses.
“Hmmm…” Lisa’s head had fallen back into the couch, granting him wonderful access to her, making him think of nothing else but to just free himself and find bliss and fulfillment one more time before having to step up and face conflict.
“Gosh, I want you so much. But we better stop.”
“Yeah, we better…” She pulled him toward her, making him forget his intentions as her tongue sought entrance into his mouth and he readily greeted it.
Lisa broke away next, scooting up, coming to rest in his lap, her head on his shoulder, as one hand gently played with her hair and his other massaged her back. If she thought having her little ass on him and her legs by his thighs was helpful in making him calm down, she was sadly mistaken.
Somehow they managed to keep from taking things further while still enjoying their closeness. Michael helped Lisa pack the few things she had brought over, and she helped him feed Prince his lunch before heading out.
He had scooped up his son, walking her to her car, making sure he took her bag out for her.
“You are so sweet. But I'm not an invalid, you know.”
“You know, can’t you just enjoy having an old-fashioned man crazy in love with you, woman?”
She laughed and hugged him. “Ok, cave-man. As long as you promise to mark me with that club of yours later, I’ll shut up.”
He giggled and kissed her. “Hey, watch out, baby here. Or babies.”
“So, Lise. If I manage to get out of this early, can you promise not to run? Can you promise to take that leap?”
“And if you can’t get out of it early?”
“Then I still want you to wait it out with me.”
“Gosh, Mike. It’s not like I have not been waiting…” She threw her hands up in frustration.
“Yeah, I know. But be honest: part of you knew that as long as I was married, I was Mr. Bad Guy who was to blame for not making an honest woman out of you. When I’m free, when I ask you to be mine, I need to trust that you won’t let others freak you out.”
“Others?”
“Yeah, you know, like Priscilla, a.k.a. my biggest fan. And your ex, and other people who think I lead you astray…”
“Well you do lead me astray. In all kinds of weird and unholy positions…” Her eyes turned smoky for a second before she kissed him, then became serious again. “Can you promise that we will be united again, like we were? That you also will keep people out that have no business being on the inside? Can you promise to deal with trouble head on and not pretend all is peachy?”
His forehead furrowed. “Is that what I did?”
Lisa had to laugh. “Yeah. You have problems with conflict.”
“No, I don’t. I just ignore them.”
“Yeah, that’s the problem.”
“Oh… Ok. But yeah, I want us to be united again. I have never felt anything like that before and not since.”
“Ok, I want that, too. And I will stop listening to idiots who poison what I know is true. What I know is true about you.” She reached out and cupped his face.
“Which is?”
She leaned in and Michael kept eye contact until she was so close to him her blue eyes became blurry and took over his visual field, making him feel like he was drowning in the sea of her emotions.
They had both closed their eyes and their lips were slightly parted. Each touched the face of the other, while waiting for something, anything, to complete the kiss.
Lisa whispered. “Which is that I love you and that I know you love me. For ever…” She kissed him gently, “…and ever.”
The gentle kiss took his breath away. It was an affirmation of their love, a rebirth of trust, and a commitment to the future. As the kiss deepened, they inhaled each other, tasted of each other, and held on, ready to once again enter the place where all logical thought ended. He broke away, kissing her neck, enjoying her little moans. Shit…he had to end this before he got carried away, and would risk having Debbie appear on the scene like an unwelcome genie once again. No, that would probably not be helpful to his cause at all.
“Baby…” he whispered between kisses.
“Hmmm…” Lisa’s head had fallen back into the couch, granting him wonderful access to her, making him think of nothing else but to just free himself and find bliss and fulfillment one more time before having to step up and face conflict.
“Gosh, I want you so much. But we better stop.”
“Yeah, we better…” She pulled him toward her, making him forget his intentions as her tongue sought entrance into his mouth and he readily greeted it.
Lisa broke away next, scooting up, coming to rest in his lap, her head on his shoulder, as one hand gently played with her hair and his other massaged her back. If she thought having her little ass on him and her legs by his thighs was helpful in making him calm down, she was sadly mistaken.
Somehow they managed to keep from taking things further while still enjoying their closeness. Michael helped Lisa pack the few things she had brought over, and she helped him feed Prince his lunch before heading out.
He had scooped up his son, walking her to her car, making sure he took her bag out for her.
“You are so sweet. But I'm not an invalid, you know.”
“You know, can’t you just enjoy having an old-fashioned man crazy in love with you, woman?”
She laughed and hugged him. “Ok, cave-man. As long as you promise to mark me with that club of yours later, I’ll shut up.”
He giggled and kissed her. “Hey, watch out, baby here. Or babies.”
She looked up at Prince who was sandwiched between them and kissed his cheek, brushing his hair to the side. “He doesn’t understand. If he did, I’d just tell him that his Daddy had a big, strong club just like Fred Flintstone.”
“You’re nuts! I have to make sure you are not naughty like this around the kids. By the way, will you tell Ben and Riley about the baby?”
“Yeah, I think so. I just don’t know how I’m gonna do it. Or when exactly. But I better do it soon before my mother drops the bomb.”
“Well, can I be there?”
She looked up at him. “You want to? Really?”
“Yeah, I think so. I mean, if it’s ok with you.”
“Sure… You wanna come over tomorrow?”
“I’d love that, Lise.” Feeling happy that she agreed to include him in that important moment, he pulled her close once more. He loved Riley and Ben like hand own, and their inclusion into the family plans was important to him.
A noise distracted him and his gaze travelled along the drive way, spying Debbie’s car coming toward them. Oh great, perfect timing. He had hoped to have some time to get ready for her. Lisa looked behind her and started to pull away.
“Don’t.” He kept his arm around her and she raised an eyebrow, not used to him showing affection like this toward her in front of Debbie. Well, he was surprised by his reaction as well, but realized he was sick and tired of hiding how he felt, and change might as well start now.
Debbie pulled up and scrambled out of her SUV. If looks could kill, the drive way would be a battlefield with only one pregnant woman left standing.
“Michael.” She nodded toward him curtly, then switched to her annoying cooing voice for the baby. “Hey, baby boy Prince. How is my big boy today?” She glanced over at Lisa. “Lisa. I did not expect to see you here. I’m glad to see you seem to be doing better.” Her tone could have cut glass, but at least she was being semi polite.
“Hi Debbie. Lisa was just leaving for now. Just see yourself in. I will be right there.”
Debbie stayed in place, still glaring at Lisa.
“Hi, Debbie. Yes, thank you. I’m much better.” Lisa turned her attention back to him. “Bye, Mike. I’ll talk to you later ok?” She kissed Prince once more. “Bye, baby boy. ‘Til later.” Prince reached out for her and grabbed her face, kissing her back. Michael’s heart melted, as Debbie’s stoic expression started to crack.
“Ah, Debbie, do you mind taking him inside? I will be right in. Thanks so much.” He reluctantly, handed Debbie his son. Surprisingly, she did not argue back and headed into the house.
“Ok, I call you later. Please drive carefully.” He pulled Lisa close one more time.
“I think you are in more danger from Nursey than I am on the highways.”
“Be nice!”
“Always.”
“When you’re not naughty.”
“You love it.” She winked and kissed him once more.
“Yeah, I do.” God, it was hard to let her go. Maybe it was good to get a little break. Her presence was growing on him too quickly.
Laughing softly, Lisa got into her Mercedes and he stepped up, holding the car door. She grabbed the handle to pull it close and he resisted.
“Mike, you gotta let go. It might help me to drive off. I don’t want to drag you down your driveway, you know. It would mess up your nice pj’s.”
Why was she always hating on his pj’s?
“Hey, you know what?” He bent down kissed her one more time.
“What?”
A noise distracted him and his gaze travelled along the drive way, spying Debbie’s car coming toward them. Oh great, perfect timing. He had hoped to have some time to get ready for her. Lisa looked behind her and started to pull away.
“Don’t.” He kept his arm around her and she raised an eyebrow, not used to him showing affection like this toward her in front of Debbie. Well, he was surprised by his reaction as well, but realized he was sick and tired of hiding how he felt, and change might as well start now.
Debbie pulled up and scrambled out of her SUV. If looks could kill, the drive way would be a battlefield with only one pregnant woman left standing.
“Michael.” She nodded toward him curtly, then switched to her annoying cooing voice for the baby. “Hey, baby boy Prince. How is my big boy today?” She glanced over at Lisa. “Lisa. I did not expect to see you here. I’m glad to see you seem to be doing better.” Her tone could have cut glass, but at least she was being semi polite.
“Hi Debbie. Lisa was just leaving for now. Just see yourself in. I will be right there.”
Debbie stayed in place, still glaring at Lisa.
“Hi, Debbie. Yes, thank you. I’m much better.” Lisa turned her attention back to him. “Bye, Mike. I’ll talk to you later ok?” She kissed Prince once more. “Bye, baby boy. ‘Til later.” Prince reached out for her and grabbed her face, kissing her back. Michael’s heart melted, as Debbie’s stoic expression started to crack.
“Ah, Debbie, do you mind taking him inside? I will be right in. Thanks so much.” He reluctantly, handed Debbie his son. Surprisingly, she did not argue back and headed into the house.
“Ok, I call you later. Please drive carefully.” He pulled Lisa close one more time.
“I think you are in more danger from Nursey than I am on the highways.”
“Be nice!”
“Always.”
“When you’re not naughty.”
“You love it.” She winked and kissed him once more.
“Yeah, I do.” God, it was hard to let her go. Maybe it was good to get a little break. Her presence was growing on him too quickly.
Laughing softly, Lisa got into her Mercedes and he stepped up, holding the car door. She grabbed the handle to pull it close and he resisted.
“Mike, you gotta let go. It might help me to drive off. I don’t want to drag you down your driveway, you know. It would mess up your nice pj’s.”
Why was she always hating on his pj’s?
“Hey, you know what?” He bent down kissed her one more time.
“What?”
“I love you.”
She beamed up at him. “Well, that’s very convenient ‘cause I love you, too. Now, go and dazzle her with those master negotiation skills.”
“Call me when you get home.”
“Yes, Dad!”
Laughing, he closed her car door for her. She started to drive off, then stopped, rolling down her window.
“I love you!” She blew him one more kiss, then sped off. How many times had he told her to go slow on the driveway? Crazy little woman!
“I love you more.” He whispered to himself.
Taking a deep breath, he steeled himself and walked into the house. Anticipating finding Debbie in the salon with Prince, he was surprised to discover only her. She was at the window, obviously having followed his little good-bye with Lisa. So much for privacy. Well, Debbie had seen much more intimate encounters, so maybe he should just count his blessings.
“Where’s Prince?”
“With his nanny.”
She obviously had not wasted any time to hand the boy off. Oh well, it was better that way. Prince was starting to bond with Lisa and he did not want him to get confused by this other woman who had no emotional ties to him. He wanted his children to respect Debbie for having given them life, but beyond that, he did not have any plans for them to be connected to her. If everything went right. The silence between them was awkward and Michael weighed how to best get to the point.
“Cool. How’s the baby?”
“Fine. She’s kicking away. I bet she will be a little force to be reckoned with.”
A smile entered his face. “Yes, I bet so.”
More silence filled the empty space between them.
“So, Debbie. There are some serious things I have to discuss with you. I would not have bothered you with coming over had it not been serious.”
“I know. But before we go further, there is something I have to show you.”
No! He did not want her to interrupt what he had to say. Before he could interject, she held out a paper to him that looked like a tabloid rag. Great. Now, what?
“What is it?”
He had long ago sworn to not let this dreck be in his house. He did not care what it said, he did not have to read it.
“Well, seems like someone in Lisa’s camp is making waves.”
Waves? Against his better judgment he took the paper and froze.
DID JACKO PUSH EX DOWN THE STAIRS TO KEEP HER FROM SPILLING THE BEANS? WILL PREGNANT DEBBIE TELL THE TRUTH OR KEEP THE COVER?
Fucking hell! The article was accompanied by one of the quintessential picture of him looking like a deranged lunatic between pictures of Lisa and Debbie. Lisa looked like she was about eighteen in the picture, while Debbie looked like a bloated whale in need of a Greenpeace rescue mission.
Feeling sick, he fought the urge to rip up the rag, and instead concentrated on not passing out from his heart beating into his neck and his breathing spiraling out of control. He felt himself shaking. Sitting down he noticed his hands were clenched into fists. How in the world did these vile words still manage to affect him? How come he was not used to the cruelty yet? What had he ever done to deserve any of this?
“Michael, I’m sorry. I can see you’re upset. But I had to show you.”
No, she did not have to show him. She could have just told him. The little show and tell was totally unnecessary. Unless, she suspected what he was going to say and had launched her own little distraction project.
“So, what’s it say?” He had given up enough power. For now, he chose to not read another poisonous word.
She reached over and took the rag from him. “It says that Lisa had an accident in your house and that sources close to her have let it leak that she could not live with herself for having covered for you in ‘93. That she was going to tell you that she was coming clean, and that somehow she ended up in an ambulance.”
“They accuse me of pushing her?” He really, really hoped they did. This time they had crossed the line. He would sue the shit out of them. They would wish they had never heard of him or misused his name.
“Well, no, they skirt around that very nicely. They insinuate you did. It also said that investigating officers were contacted and police sources revealed that there would be an investigation.”
“For what? This is just ridiculous. You were there. You saw what happened. I did not push her.”
“Yeah, like it said, I was the only witness.”
He did not like the tone she used. His eyes narrowed in suspicion. A horrible thought occurred.
“What are you saying, Debbie.”
“What? Nothing.” She was the image of pure innocence. “Can I have some tea, Michael?”
He rose, informing her that the staff was off.
“Oh, really? Just you and Lisa here? Was she visiting?”
“I’ll make you the tea. You wanna come with me?” Not liking her fishing expedition, he also did not want her out of his sight.
“Oh sure! Gladly.”
Debbie noticed the breakfast dishes still on the table in the breakfast nook. “Breakfast, hum?”
“Late lunch.”
“I see.” Debbie continued to watch his every move as he took the dishes to the sink.
Michael put the pot on for the tea. God, he had not counted on this damn tabloid stuff to mess things up. He could not shake the impression that Debbie seemed to somehow threaten to make a false statement. No, he had to be wrong. Whatever happened, she once was his friend, and she would not lie like that. Unless she feared he was about to cut her off from her funding stream. Sooner than expected. And, who was this “source close to Lisa?” Well, that one did not require him to hire Sherlock Holmes.
Ok, he had to take this one thing at a time. He had to refocus and keep his goal in mind. Don’t let her distract him. Maybe he just had to raise the stakes a bit and make the bait sweeter.
Michael handed her a cup of tea, making himself some chamomile tea to calm his nerves, and sat across the table from her.
“So, Debbie, the reason I asked you here was to talk about…”
“Well, whatever it was,” she interrupted him, “I am sure we need to deal with this tabloid issue first. Don’t worry, Michael. I am your wife, I will not testify against you…. I mean, of course, I know you didn’t do anything, but I wanted to make sure you knew where I stood…”
Oh, he knew where she stood. But she obviously forgot who she was dealing with.
“Debbie. The reason Lisa fell that day was because she was dizzy.”
“I know, I know. I mean, she was so flustered, she kept coming after me, and then you kicked her out, and she was just so upset. I guess that got her dizzy.”
Interesting interpretation of events, but ok….
“Debbie, can you listen to me for one second?”
“I am listening to you, Michael. What?”
“We need to discuss our contract.”
She took a deep breath and turned red. Her hand came to rest on her tummy.
“There is no need to discuss that. The baby will be born next month and then you will give me the amount of time we discussed so we can make the divorce seem legit. Unless things change. Unless we decide to…”
“The divorce will seem legit, cause it will be legit. But you’re right. It’s unless things change.”
Debbie looked at him stunned, a surprised look on her face.
“Have you changed your mind about us? I mean, about what I asked you last month? I mean, now that you see?”
He started to become confused. Change his mind about them? What had she talked about last month? Oh, hell no! Not that again! She was not asking if he wanted to make this marriage real, was she? How delusional could she get? And what was he supposedly seeing now?
“See what?” Maybe if she could lay it all out for him her puzzling behavior would become clearer.
“See Lisa for what she is. I mean, I have no doubt that the ‘source’ is her, Michael. She is angry that you kicked her out. She is threatened that we are about to have another addition to our family. Her mother called me, you know. She said that Lisa was about to drop you and that she wanted to make sure I was there for you.”
“Priscilla called you?” This was getting weirder and weirder. Maybe if he pinched himself he would wake up. Was this how they paid for three days in paradise?
“Well, she also insinuated I might help things along if I hinted to the press that you and Lisa did have a fight that day. But don’t worry, like I said, as long as I’m your wife, the ploy of your bitter little girlfriend won’t work. I’ll stand by you. I will be the one being there for you. Just like always. You can depend on me.”
“Where’s Prince?”
“With his nanny.”
She obviously had not wasted any time to hand the boy off. Oh well, it was better that way. Prince was starting to bond with Lisa and he did not want him to get confused by this other woman who had no emotional ties to him. He wanted his children to respect Debbie for having given them life, but beyond that, he did not have any plans for them to be connected to her. If everything went right. The silence between them was awkward and Michael weighed how to best get to the point.
“Cool. How’s the baby?”
“Fine. She’s kicking away. I bet she will be a little force to be reckoned with.”
A smile entered his face. “Yes, I bet so.”
More silence filled the empty space between them.
“So, Debbie. There are some serious things I have to discuss with you. I would not have bothered you with coming over had it not been serious.”
“I know. But before we go further, there is something I have to show you.”
No! He did not want her to interrupt what he had to say. Before he could interject, she held out a paper to him that looked like a tabloid rag. Great. Now, what?
“What is it?”
He had long ago sworn to not let this dreck be in his house. He did not care what it said, he did not have to read it.
“Well, seems like someone in Lisa’s camp is making waves.”
Waves? Against his better judgment he took the paper and froze.
DID JACKO PUSH EX DOWN THE STAIRS TO KEEP HER FROM SPILLING THE BEANS? WILL PREGNANT DEBBIE TELL THE TRUTH OR KEEP THE COVER?
Fucking hell! The article was accompanied by one of the quintessential picture of him looking like a deranged lunatic between pictures of Lisa and Debbie. Lisa looked like she was about eighteen in the picture, while Debbie looked like a bloated whale in need of a Greenpeace rescue mission.
Feeling sick, he fought the urge to rip up the rag, and instead concentrated on not passing out from his heart beating into his neck and his breathing spiraling out of control. He felt himself shaking. Sitting down he noticed his hands were clenched into fists. How in the world did these vile words still manage to affect him? How come he was not used to the cruelty yet? What had he ever done to deserve any of this?
“Michael, I’m sorry. I can see you’re upset. But I had to show you.”
No, she did not have to show him. She could have just told him. The little show and tell was totally unnecessary. Unless, she suspected what he was going to say and had launched her own little distraction project.
“So, what’s it say?” He had given up enough power. For now, he chose to not read another poisonous word.
She reached over and took the rag from him. “It says that Lisa had an accident in your house and that sources close to her have let it leak that she could not live with herself for having covered for you in ‘93. That she was going to tell you that she was coming clean, and that somehow she ended up in an ambulance.”
“They accuse me of pushing her?” He really, really hoped they did. This time they had crossed the line. He would sue the shit out of them. They would wish they had never heard of him or misused his name.
“Well, no, they skirt around that very nicely. They insinuate you did. It also said that investigating officers were contacted and police sources revealed that there would be an investigation.”
“For what? This is just ridiculous. You were there. You saw what happened. I did not push her.”
“Yeah, like it said, I was the only witness.”
He did not like the tone she used. His eyes narrowed in suspicion. A horrible thought occurred.
“What are you saying, Debbie.”
“What? Nothing.” She was the image of pure innocence. “Can I have some tea, Michael?”
He rose, informing her that the staff was off.
“Oh, really? Just you and Lisa here? Was she visiting?”
“I’ll make you the tea. You wanna come with me?” Not liking her fishing expedition, he also did not want her out of his sight.
“Oh sure! Gladly.”
Debbie noticed the breakfast dishes still on the table in the breakfast nook. “Breakfast, hum?”
“Late lunch.”
“I see.” Debbie continued to watch his every move as he took the dishes to the sink.
Michael put the pot on for the tea. God, he had not counted on this damn tabloid stuff to mess things up. He could not shake the impression that Debbie seemed to somehow threaten to make a false statement. No, he had to be wrong. Whatever happened, she once was his friend, and she would not lie like that. Unless she feared he was about to cut her off from her funding stream. Sooner than expected. And, who was this “source close to Lisa?” Well, that one did not require him to hire Sherlock Holmes.
Ok, he had to take this one thing at a time. He had to refocus and keep his goal in mind. Don’t let her distract him. Maybe he just had to raise the stakes a bit and make the bait sweeter.
Michael handed her a cup of tea, making himself some chamomile tea to calm his nerves, and sat across the table from her.
“So, Debbie, the reason I asked you here was to talk about…”
“Well, whatever it was,” she interrupted him, “I am sure we need to deal with this tabloid issue first. Don’t worry, Michael. I am your wife, I will not testify against you…. I mean, of course, I know you didn’t do anything, but I wanted to make sure you knew where I stood…”
Oh, he knew where she stood. But she obviously forgot who she was dealing with.
“Debbie. The reason Lisa fell that day was because she was dizzy.”
“I know, I know. I mean, she was so flustered, she kept coming after me, and then you kicked her out, and she was just so upset. I guess that got her dizzy.”
Interesting interpretation of events, but ok….
“Debbie, can you listen to me for one second?”
“I am listening to you, Michael. What?”
“We need to discuss our contract.”
She took a deep breath and turned red. Her hand came to rest on her tummy.
“There is no need to discuss that. The baby will be born next month and then you will give me the amount of time we discussed so we can make the divorce seem legit. Unless things change. Unless we decide to…”
“The divorce will seem legit, cause it will be legit. But you’re right. It’s unless things change.”
Debbie looked at him stunned, a surprised look on her face.
“Have you changed your mind about us? I mean, about what I asked you last month? I mean, now that you see?”
He started to become confused. Change his mind about them? What had she talked about last month? Oh, hell no! Not that again! She was not asking if he wanted to make this marriage real, was she? How delusional could she get? And what was he supposedly seeing now?
“See what?” Maybe if she could lay it all out for him her puzzling behavior would become clearer.
“See Lisa for what she is. I mean, I have no doubt that the ‘source’ is her, Michael. She is angry that you kicked her out. She is threatened that we are about to have another addition to our family. Her mother called me, you know. She said that Lisa was about to drop you and that she wanted to make sure I was there for you.”
“Priscilla called you?” This was getting weirder and weirder. Maybe if he pinched himself he would wake up. Was this how they paid for three days in paradise?
“Well, she also insinuated I might help things along if I hinted to the press that you and Lisa did have a fight that day. But don’t worry, like I said, as long as I’m your wife, the ploy of your bitter little girlfriend won’t work. I’ll stand by you. I will be the one being there for you. Just like always. You can depend on me.”
What a generous offer. Based on a totally alternate version of the truth, but generous nonetheless. He hoped she had not inhaled any poisonous fumes lately. How off could her perception be? Had Debbie not just spied on him and Lisa kissing? What about the scene of him standing with Lisa and Prince in his arms had been ambiguous? Maybe walking in on them making love on the stairs had been too subtle after all. What was it going to take to make Debbie understand that his future was with Lisa? Plus, the whole premise of the tabloid mess was ridiculous. Even if there was anything to 'come clean about,' which there was not, he was bound not to discuss the case, as was Lisa. To top it off, Debbie was not the only witness, Lisa was there and knows what happened. Debbie operated on a whole different level of reality and he had to stop her.
“Debbie, hold on. There is no way this source is Lisa. She is not mad at me. And, she is not jealous of the baby.”
“Of course, she is, Michael. She was always a cocktease- pardon my French. She just strung you along, withholding what you really wanted from her.”
“Debbie!” He really had not meant to shout, but there was just no other way around this.
“Why are you yelling at me? What?”
“Lisa has no reason to be jealous. Lisa is pregnant with my child.”
The single statement was the last thing he had intended to share with her
“Why are you yelling at me? What?”
“Lisa has no reason to be jealous. Lisa is pregnant with my child.”
The single statement was the last thing he had intended to share with her