When Love Calls (16 page)

"Holy shit," was all I could muster as I watched him stand to his feet.

“Would you hand me the soap please?” Mike asked casually.
As long as I don’t have to use my legs to do it!
Without moving from my spot I reached over and handed him the soap. He slid in front of me and turned to the shower head, proceeded to wash and hopped out of the shower, His last words as he walked into the bedroom were, “Don’t let me hold you up!” I could hear the smile in his voice. I probably should have been annoyed by his cockiness but I found it sexy as hell. I collected myself as best I could, haphazardly washed and stepped out of the shower. My legs still felt like jelly and I could feel the embers still subtly burning at my core.

  When I entered the bedroom I immediately noticed the flashing red light on the hotel phone. I lifted the receiver and checked the message. The sing-song of Amber’s voice rang in my ear. "Hey sleepyhead! We hope you not answering means you’re in the shower and not still asleep! We’re going down for breakfast and then heading your way so try to be ready!"

 
That should give me about thirty minutes from the time she called.
Fifteen of those minutes had already been lost in the shower. "Ok, you have
got
to go." I said frantically as I shoved his clothes into his chest. He was still standing there in a towel like he was in absolutely no hurry. I turned my attention to retrieving my undergarments and my dress that had been tossed into the closet.

 "Alright, I’ll go
if
you say I come back later tonight? It will be pretty late because I have this whole bachelor party thing, but I’m leaving tomorrow so I could just bring my stuff and leave from here. That way I could spend some more time with you since I
still
don’t know what is going to happen when we get back to Chicago!" I knew I should have said no but everything in me was screaming Y-E-S!!!

"Ok, fine, but please go now!!" Mike had managed to dress in record time. Now I was pushing him toward the door. He paused just long enough to kiss me tenderly on the lips before closing the door behind him. “Phew!” I pulled my dress over my head and slid on my sandals still parked at the foot of the bed.

It was less than two minutes later that there was a knock on her door.
What did he forget
? "Did you forget," I began as I opened the door. My jaw dropped when I saw Amber standing there. I resisted the urge to look down the hall and quickly reunited my bottom lip with the rest of my face as I stepped aside to let her in.

"Forget what?" Amber asked.

I laughed nervously and answered, "Did you say forget about breakfast? You couldn’t have eaten that fast!"
Good save.

"Oh no, Feliz and Angie are still down there. I just came up to make sure you were awake. Since you are, I’ll just wait for you to finish up and we can go down together." Amber sat down in the desk chair. I watched her scan the room and I quickly did the same. There were three towels strode about. I averted my gaze and went into the bathroom.

"That’s fine. Let me do something with this mop on my head and throw on some makeup. I won’t be long." I closed the door behind me as I assessed my reflection in the mirror. I needed a minute to myself before I returned to Amber’s inspecting eyes. I pulled my hair back into a long, wavy ponytail and smeared some gloss on my lips.

A minute later we were going out the door when Amber said with a hint of inquisition, "You sure use a lot of towels when you shower." Without turning back to look in her direction, I replied, "Yep, thank goodness here I’m not responsible for doing laundry."

Chapter Ten

Two thirty. That was the time on the clock when I was jolted from my sleep by the ringing of my cell phone. I was livid for about ten seconds before it registered in my brain that Mike was the one calling. Seconds later I heard a soft knock on the door. I jumped up from bed and took a glance at myself in the closet mirror. 
Not too scary, I guess.
I felt around in my purse for the container of Altoids and popped one in my mouth. Seeing Mike’s face through the peephole caused my breath to catch. It wasn’t as if I didn’t know he was coming but somehow his actually being there caused my stomach to turn a somersault. He rapped softly on the door again and broke me from my trance. As I pulled open the door, I watched relief wash over his face.

“Erin,” he said with slight exasperation, “I was beginning to think you weren’t going to answer. I knocked for a while before I called.” I stepped back and Mike walked in, toting his bags behind him. “I came straight here after we wrapped things up with the party. You mind if I take a shower? I don’t want to get in your bed smelling like smoke and liquor.” The thought of him being naked in the shower sent my thoughts straight back to hours ago when he’d left me there a quivering mess.

 “Yes, that’s fine.” I bit my bottom lip and eyed him longingly.

“Mmm, well maybe you want to join me,” Mike entranced me with his gaze as he approached. I could feel my breasts begin to ache as they rose to meet him. The protruding nipples pressing through the sheer fabric of my gown caught his attention and teased them with his index finger. He studied my reaction as I fought to control every breath. The part of me that was used to being in control was in a full out battle with the part of me that carried an insatiable desire for this man. I needed his touch. I would have begged for it but he didn’t need to know that. Again he responded as though he heard me as one hand seized my breast and the other cupped beneath the left cheek of my ass. A gasped betrayed me as it vented from my parted lips like vapor. I was fixated on his mouth. I wanted it all over me burning me with hot impassioned kisses. “I’m so smoky.” He gruffed as I leaned in to meet his mouth with mine.

“I don’t care.” I whispered breathlessly. I pressed my lips to Mike’s and parted his mouth with my tongue. His response was primal as he mimicked every swirling motion. If I licked, he licked. If I sucked, he sucked. Our back and forth continued until I felt the tapered edge of the desk against my backside. I didn’t know how we got there and I didn’t care as he flipped me around to face myself in the mirror. I watched as he tugged down his pants and shorts and let them fall to his ankles. Slowly he pulled my gown up over my behind and moaned his approval as his eyes consumed my naked flesh. Mike slid his hands beneath my gown and found his way to my tender, hardened mounds. He squeezed them steadily between his strong fingers as watched me, intently relishing my every response. My face defied me and conveyed my pleasure. His mouth curved into a knowing smile and he slid his hand up between my thighs until he reached my wetness. I had no resolve left and his touch felt too good for me to try and pretend. I arrived right then and there. Mike moved his hands to my waist and before I could recover from the shuddering within me, he entered from behind. I felt my arms buckling beneath me and leaned forward to grip the edge of the desk. Now I was face-to-face with a woman undone. I could see the unbridled passion etched across Mike’s face as he worked me over. I bit my lip to stifle my moans, to no avail. Moans quickly grew to whimpers as he continued grinding against me, sending my nerve-endings into a frenzy. Again I felt a wave so strong I closed my eyes to brace for the current when Mike grabbed my hair, pulled my head back and forced me to watch as he did me in. “Let. It. Out,” he growled with each powerful stroke. He released my hair and gripped my shoulders as he neared his breaking point. Each reentry sent a new electric sensations through my body. It was more than I could stand. I cried out loudly as I yielded again. This time Mike joined my chorus and exclaimed his own release.

I was still pressed against the desk panting when I heard the shower come on.
What the hell is he doing to me?!
I longed to take a nice hot shower, but I was too damned scared to go into the bathroom. I was barely standing on stable legs already as a result of his voracity and I was certain if I stepped my naked body into the shower, he would surely greet me with more of the same. I had never climaxed so much in one night… EVER! Over the past two days, I had literally lost count. I was far from inexperience. Hell, typically in the bedroom I took the lead but this man, had me strung out in a matter of hours. Even now on my wobbly legs for every ounce of me that feared his touch, an equal amount craved it.  He awakened my body in a way that made me feel as though I had been dead before. It wasn’t until a day ago that I had ever felt alive. Mike brought out things in me that I had never experienced or dared to feel. I couldn’t lie and say that his rough sex didn’t turn me on. Actually it drove me crazy.  He had drowned me in a sea of passion and I never wanted to breathe again.

I felt like was losing control and it was all that I wanted. I had never known the feeling of not being in control of myself or others and for the first time, someone other than one of my friends wasn’t afraid to not only stand up to me but also put me in my place if necessary. It wasn’t just about the sex. Even in our conversation, he’d let me go on a tirade and then calmly checked me. The craziest part was that I had let him. 
Maybe this is just the remnant effects of afterglow.

I was still standing there leaning against the desk when Mike came out of the bathroom, a billow of steam behind him. I could see the droplets of water that still rested on his shoulders as they caught light from the vanity. His towel was wrapped snuggly around the divots at his waist. I perused his body absent-mindedly with my eyes and he cocked his head to the side quizzically. “You ok? You need some help with something?” Seduction marinated every word.  I promptly shook my head, grabbed my night shirt and made a beeline for the bathroom directly in Mike’s path.

“I’m just gonna take a quick shower.” I mumbled. Mike grabbed me gently by the waist as I tried to whiz by.

“Hey, you ok?” He pulled me in close. “Seriously, is everything alright?” Mike looked down into my eyes with genuine concern. Truth be told I was petrified. As much as I wanted the feelings he gave me, I knew I shouldn’t have. I had betrayed a perfectly good man to be with a man about whom I knew little more than the fact that he made me feel alive. It was reckless and I knew it but it felt beyond my control. Something was pulling me to Mike from within and it was growing stronger with every second we shared the same space. I knew I needed to distance myself but couldn’t tear myself away. The mix of guilt and fear became more than I could take and as he stood there holding me, I felt the familiar desire to run. I wanted to say something evasive to keep from welling with the emotions brimming beneath the surface but when I opened my mouth my heart came out.

“I’ve never felt this way before and I don’t know what to do about it.” It had been longer than I could remember since I’d been this vulnerable. I had let him know he had me right where he wanted me and I stopped breathing. Time stopped ticking. The earth stopped moving as I waited for his response. I searched his face for some inkling of what he was thinking but saw no trace of reciprocity. He still hadn’t said a word and now I felt like a complete fool. I tried to pull away from his grasp and he pulled me in closer. He pressed my naked frame into his chest.

 “You don’t have to
do
anything. Just be. Be here with me in this moment and be true to yourself. Whatever that may mean for us, I can accept it as long as it’s what’s right for you. Be true to your heart Erin. That’s all.” He stroked my hair and I instantly thought of Josh. Tears rolled from my eyes onto Mike’s chest.
What kind of person am I?
How could I do this to Josh when all he had done was care for me? It was clear that old habits die hard. I had betrayed Josh like I’d done many others. The difference was, he hadn’t done anything to make me think he deserved it. He had never once given me cause to question his motives or sincerity and I had squandered his affection for my own personal gains. I knew I didn’t have the right to cry. I had created this mess but still the tears came.

Without knowing the source of my sadness, Mike guided me into the bathroom and placed me in the shower. We shared no words as he bathed my body and washed my hair. It was as though he was trying to undo what had been done because he could see how conflicted I was. Mike dried my body, handed me my gown and waited patiently while I put it on before he lifted me from the shower and carried me to the bed.  I settled beneath the covers and I felt his frame wrap around mine. “I didn’t plan for any of this to happen, Erin, and the last thing I want to do is complicate your life. I’ll give you whatever time and space you need to decide where you want this to go. If yesterday and today is all we ever have, I’ll accept it because until two days ago I didn’t think I’d ever see you again.” I could feel Mike’s fingers stroking my bare shoulder and I nuzzled deeper into him. His massive arms embraced me and I relaxed at his touch.  

“I didn’t expect this either, Mike, and I don’t know what happens next but tonight, I just want you to hold me in your arms.”

“Goodnight Erin,” he said softly into my damp curls.

“Goodnight Mike.” For that moment I willed myself not to think of anything else but here and now. I couldn’t change what happened and I still wasn’t sure if I wanted to. I wasn’t sure how I would handle things with Josh or what would happen with me and Mike but I knew one thing, tonight, in Mike’s arms was exactly where I wanted to be.

*****

The sound of the alarm on Mike’s phone was beyond belligerent. Actually, it was downright disrespectful to the peaceful slumber I had finally found somewhere around 4a.m. Mike leapt over to the desk across the room and silenced the nuisance as I recoiled beneath the covers in response to the harsh light of the desk lamp. I could hear him rummaging through his suitcase. Then there was the sound of the zipper on his toiletry bag. When he finally made his way to the bathroom, I could hear his singing above the running water and the hum of his electric toothbrush.
Oh great! He’s a morning person!
I shoved my head beneath the fluffy pillow and hoped it was soundproof. Needless to say, though it muffled the sounds in the room, there was no effect on the monologue in my head. I had maintained a steady back and forth of bliss and blame before I fell asleep and now, the thoughts picked up right where they’d left off.
How could I do this to Joshua?
 
Why wasn’t he enough? Then again, what if I just chose Joshua because I thought Mike wasn’t an option? Didn’t our being here together in this time and place mean something? What if we were truly meant to be together and I made the wrong choice with Josh?
I tossed back the covers and flung the pillow across the bed. With only an hour of sleep under my belt, I knew I was destined to crash and burn at some point during the day but there would be no rest for me right now. I walked around the corner toward the bathroom and peeked in at Mike’s reflection in the mirror. I watched him as he made smooth, even strokes down his face with the razor. Thoughts of our early-morning tryst and falling asleep in his arms trickled into my mind and the warmth in my heart shown on my face as my mouth curved into a smile. He had been so gentle and understanding as he held me while I cried throughout the night. His tenderness had been a surprising contrast to his rough and passionate nature before I fell apart. I was torn in two now. What I thought was just a lustful desire was quickly developing into something else. I couldn’t explain how or why but everything with Mike just felt … right. He had a commanding presence that pulled me into him in ways Josh never had. I wanted him to dominate me. I craved it and he had more passion in just a glance in my direction than Josh had even in the midst of us making love. Something was off with him and I couldn’t put my finger on it but as much as I loved Josh and in my mind, and even parts of my heart, wanted to be with him, something was missing. Sadness began to weave its way into already tangled emotions as I stood there staring at Mike. This was it. He was leaving and I had no idea what would happen after he walked out the door.