Page 24 of Getting Lucky in London

Michael

I hummed as I cleaned the mess we’d made last night. Danielle’s purse had fallen on the floor, the mirror over the table hung at a crooked angle, and one of my wellies lay beneath the table. I righted the mirror, placed her purse on the table, and stood the boot by the umbrella stand with its mate.

After gathering our clothes from the floor, along with her lacy wisp of a bra and the little black number she’d used to sop up the rain, I moved on to pick up the blouse and wool suit she’d worn to her meeting. She was right. The suit was ruined. But it would be worth every penny to replace it. And I would replace it becauseshewas worth it.

I glanced at the living room, and my dick swelled at the memory of bending her over the sofa and pounding into her hot, tight little pussy. She’d enjoyed the rough sex as much as I had.

Afterward, though, I’d carried her upstairs and wrapped myself around her soft body to sleep for a couple of hours before making love to her—slow, sweet, and easy as if we’d done it a million times. She’d woken me at dawn, straddling my hips, taking me deep, and riding me into heaven.

We’d passed out again, sleeping until midmorning when I slipped on a pair of shorts and a T-shirt, crept from the room, and headed downstairs. I could easily imagine spending my days and nights like this. I’d never felt that way about a woman, only with Danielle.

The doorbell rang as I laid our damp clothes on top of the dryer. I hurried to the door so that whoever it was wouldn’t push the bell again and wake her.

When I opened the door, I was surprised to see my mother. I opened the door wider. “Mum, get out of the rain.”

She ducked inside. “I won’t stay, but the rain slowed some, and I thought Danielle might need something to wear besides her dress and the suit…in case she hasn’t found her keys.”

“You’re the best.” I kissed her cheek as I took the bag from her and set it on the entry table. “She’s still asleep, but if you can wait, I’ll wake her. I’m sure she’d love to thank you properly.”

“No, no. I’m having an early lunch with Deborah.”

“Well, hold on. Let me get the umbrella, and I’ll walk you out.”

“Wait.” She placed a hand on my arm. “Michael, I don’t want to be an interfering mother, but there’s something different about you, a sparkle in your eyes that hasn’t been there since before your father and I went our separate ways. I’ve always blamed myself for stealing that light from you.”

“No, Mum, don’t ever blame yourself.” With an arm around her shoulders, I pulled her in close and kissed the top of her head as guilt lodged in my chest. “We’ve talked about this. You tried with Brandon, but it was a battle best walked away from. And you are not to blame for my hang ups.”

“That’s just it, darling.” She pulled back to look up at me. “I have never considered your search for love a hang up.” She stepped away and smoothed her blouse. “What I’m trying to say is that you seem happy and…content for the first time in a very long time.”

I looked at the stairway as if the topic of our conversation might appear, then returned my focus to my mother. I couldn’t stop the grin that stretched from ear to ear. “I think I’ve found her.”

She smiled through watery eyes. “That’s wonderful.”

“Mum, don’t cry.” I could never stand to see a woman cry, especially my mother. She’d done too much of it in my youth.

“Happy tears, darling. Happy tears.” She brushed them away and looked at her watch. “Well, then. I’ll leave you to it and be on my way.”

“I love you, Mum.”

Shit. Fresh tears welled. “I love you, too. Now, let me get out of here before my behavior puts this downpour to shame.”

Chuckling, I opened the door, then stopped to put on my wellies. Something stabbed my big toe. I pulled my foot out and reached inside. Whatever was in there was stuck. It finally came loose, and I withdrew…a set of keys with a keyring stating the owner was Britain’s bitch.

“Are those the infamous missing keys?” my mother asked, her hands clapping silently.

My chest tightened, and my heart stalled. “I guess so.”

They certainly weren’t mine, but I recognized the key ring. And if I was right…

I looked up the stairs again.

“Oh, lovely. Now, everything is set to rights.”

“Yeah,” I murmured, nausea swirling in my gut.

“Well, I should go.”

Somehow, I managed to walk my mum to her car without throwing up, but as she drove away, shock and confusion glued my feet to the sidewalk.

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