Page 13 of Rocking Player
“I did a few of my cousins’ sites and they recommended me.”
“Anyone I know?”
“Phoenix Steel, probably.”
“The singer is your cousin?”
“Yes.” I licked my lips and wished I didn’t imagine what Michael’s shaft might still do to me and if he could make me see nothing but stars when he took me.
“Good references then.”
The memory was visceral sitting here with him now and discussing my family. Work. This conversation was benign. I swallowed and patted my hair like I was checking for strays and said, “If I’m going to make time for someone, I might as well charge.”
He folded his hands in front of his chest, making his muscles harden under that white shirt of his. “What else do you do?’
“I read,” I said and crossed my legs. At least with my child here, I’d not be tempted to do anything bad.
I was a model mom.
But he stared at my breasts like he knew what he’d done to them and awareness of him made me weak when he asked, “And?”
The heat in my face grew. I knew I’d never act on my thoughts or feelings, but I was tempted to kiss him again and make the rest of the world black out. However, he took any calmness or peace and tossed that out the door and left me completely rattled. And I needed calmness to be a good mom. I waited till I met his gaze and pretended I was angry when I said, “I also keep house. I help my family when they need me. What is this? An inquisition?”
Michael raised his hands in the air. “I’m just curious.”
The best way to change the conversation was an offense. I pressed my shoulders back and asked, “What about you?”
His gaze twinkled, and I realized he saw the black strap of my bra. I fixed it when he asked, “What about me?”
I glanced around the room and heard the distinct sound of Jeremy’s snoring. “How do you spend your days in hotel rooms like this?”
Michael scooted closer and his voice rattled into my skin. “I work, I go to practice, I masturbate.”
“Jeremy!” I shrieked like I’d wake him up, and my nerves were absolutely shot.
Michael shushed me and ran his finger up my bare arm that grew goosebumps from his simple touch. “He’s asleep.”
I jerked my chair back and stared at my Michael. The longing to wrap myself in him and only him was like a tidal wave I needed to somehow get away from. I refused to turn into my mom and needed to be calm and rational. My dreams weren’t real even if I was now near the source that set me off course the rest of my life. “I should get him home.”
He stood with me, but then his other arm traced mine and my body arched into him like I’d been starving. “In a few minutes. We finally get time alone.”
“I don’t want time alone with you,” I said, but my voice was weaker.
“Why?”
“It’s dangerous.”
Michael Irons had been the only man in the world I’d wanted since that day we’d met. Every other man in these long years had kissed like wet fish that I ran away from fast. Maybe that was because I’d tasted paradise and hadn’t forgotten perfection.
Michael laughed like he could read my thoughts, then said, “Because I said masturbate?”
Here I was in his arms, and the language was getting provocative. I tugged my arm free and retook my seat. I waited for him to do the same and said, “Yes. No. I mean, I’m not a prude, but I don’t want that language anywhere near him.”
He tugged on his chiseled chin. “So, you want him to learn about sex from his friends at school and not talk to you about it.”
Other children, no. I closed my eyes. This wasn’t something I wanted to deal with yet. And besides, I was now a full-time responsible parent and I suppose one day needed to rationally explain the birds and the bees.
“I…don’t know. It’s not like my parents talked to me about it.” I glanced at the wall like that might focus me. “But I don’t want him to get diseases, make bad choices, or die of heartbreak, because your husband died, and hurt his own children. Did yours?”
