13
“So, you sure you’re gonna stay here?” He wandered around the room, touching her bed, touching the dresser, giving it the grand King of Pop inspection. Lisa had to smile. She knew he wasn’t happy with the arrangement, but she had to give him credit. He was trying hard to pretend this was not bothering him.
“I told you, I’m staying here for now. Riley is still in her new school and I don’t want to move the kids again right now.”
The face he made did not go unnoticed. It really went way beyond her understanding what his renewed problem was with her being closer to the Church. Despite his recent subtlety, she had noticed his increasing questions about her more recent treatment options. Of course, Lisa had put up a solid defense- letting him know that he had no right to question her choices. However, somehow his method must have been working again. This was not the first time, his way of asking certain questions or raising certain topics ever so gently, without pushing at all had given rise to doubts. In the past, she had been so close to seeing things his way- she had trusted him absolutely. That was before the pendulum had swung the other way, giving her whiplash, knocking her to the ground with the heavy certainty that he was manipulating her. Trapped between two versions of who was trustworthy and who was not, it felt the safest option to freeze and not think about it right now. Still… Some of the things he raised really only expressed her own doubts, which she more often than not suppressed as a matter of habit.
Funny, how she had been indoctrinated to worship truth…but that seemed to only pertain to a truth created and espoused by leaders of the church. When she had asked or questioned, she was warned to stop being rebellious by disrupting harmony. Brainwashing, Michael had called it in the past in some of their fights. What if he was right? Then again- who was he to accuse others of trying to control her thinking? She had handed herself over to him so absolutely and completely- and it had almost destroyed her. So, why would she fall for his crap again? Just because he has shown up with flowers, and the gentleness, kindness, and gentleness she had once mourned and thought buried?
Not to mention the promise of his eyes, his lips…his touch…
Watching his long fingers inspect her comforter and then pick up the pictures on her nightstand sent shivers through her. And no, it was not the least bit cold on this May day in Florida.
Michael looked up and caught her eyes on him.
“What’s wrong? You ok? Dizzy, sick? Here- sit down. You need your rest.”
Yes, something was indeed wrong. Very wrong. A fatal error in calculation when she had decided to not have him kicked out of the hospital- or at least her room. Somehow, she had been pulled back into his world. And of course, as always, there was no way of protesting. How do you carry posters and banners for a cause you could not even identify? What nefarious action aroused this code red of her alert system? And yet- there it was…she felt more than knew the take-over was in progress again. How the hell did he do it? How did he conquer her whole being without leaving any trace? His ways were undetectable and yet highly venomous. Michael had a unique talent for totally hypnotizing people without them ever noticing the loss of conscious thought or willpower. Before they knew it, they’d happily turn themselves inside out only for the chance to be around him.
The really, truly fucked up thing was that he hadn’t touched her in any way questionable- not since her mother had oh so rudely interrupted that one kiss that had blown her resolves into oblivion. Still, she rationalized: she had been sick, weak…they simply had been hijacked by the moment, returning them to old patterns and feelings that belonged to an ancient past.
She was such a fucking liar! And a coward to boot- as she continued to perpetuate the untruths so ridiculous everyone could spot their falseness.
Priscilla had just about had a heart-attack when she had burst into the room, finding Lisa and Michael, his lips taking her to an alternate reality. It was all quite comical, really. Had mother not reacted with such asinine anger, maybe Lisa would have agreed that Michael had no business to be latched on to her- quite literally. As it was, Priscilla’s words only forced her into defending Michael. And Michael…well, he had acted as if he was an unwilling participant in a well-rehearsed drama.
“Why don’t I give your mother a second to ensure that I left you unharmed? I will be back, though. “
He had kissed her once more, gently and tenderly this time, before leaving the room, his eyes fixed with contempt on her mother whose jaw was set so tightly, Lisa feared she’d have to call someone with a crowbar. On the other hand, if Mom was unable to speak due to jaw-lock, maybe she should count her blessings.
Michael had turned once more before leaving her room.
“Priscilla- our deal is off, considering Lisa almost died on your watch. I don’t think me back in her life will hurt her any more than the methods you and your friends subjected her to. Maybe it is time for you to check where your allegiances lie-and for Lisa’s sake I hope they are with your daughter.”
Well, sadly, that icy comment had not been nearly enough to render mother speechless. In the end, Dr. Jackson had ended their shouting match, and had basically kicked mother out. Of course, her life being a frigging circus, the drama had not ended there as Michael had run into Danny and the kids. Predictably, Riley and Ben had flipped out seeing Michael, which set Danny off further. She still didn’t know what was said, but somehow Danny and Michael almost had come to blows, and Michael’s security had stepped in. Lisa knew how angry Michael could get and she actually had been worried that he would do something to Danny that would land him in the tabloids once more. What he lacked in actual body size he more than made up for in agility and undiluted passion- and she knew he was absolutely able to inflict damage once pushed past a certain point. Doctor Jackson and some hospital administrators finally had rounded everyone up, and some ground rules must have been discussed.
Lisa had nervously sat in her room, trying to answer the questions her babies had thrown at her, without having a clue herself about anything at that point.
“Will Michael stay, Mommy?”
Well, that was easy- No, Michael had a show and a wife and child to get to.
“Will Michael come back? Will we be able to go see him more?” Their millions of questions rained down on her- and swept through the holes in her maternal wisdom umbrella, leaving her wet and exhausted- not being able to give her children the certainty they so desperately needed. The certainty she had not seemed to be the owner off in years…
Dr Jackson finally returned to her room, looking serious even while he gave her a small smile.
“Well, and here I thought my shift would be boring…”
“I’m so sorry, Doc. My family is…slightly..eh…difficult at times.”
He laughed and she liked how his eyes sparkled. “That is the understatement of the century. But I think we got it all square now. Everyone promised to behave or be kicked out. I don’t think your mother his happy with me for not making your most recent guest leave, but I figured I’d leave the decision up to you. You let us know whom you want to see. However, we can’t possibly supply security, and before long word will get out about who is here with you. Mister Jackson agreed to leave before this happens.”
She was half surprised Michael hadn’t cut and run already. This was way more conflict and drama than he subscribed to normally. No, correction, he liked drama just fine when he was the instigator and creative mastermind.
Well, somehow she convinced Michael he had to leave the hospital before he would be spotted and word about his presence would leak- and surprisingly he agreed. With conditions. She should have known better. But typical for him, he had explained it all to her in a way that totally convinced her. When he was done it seemed like a perfectly normal idea to add two guys from his security team to her entourage. Especially, since he informed her that Janet had worked hard to get them to fly in in record time. The second request was a pleasure: Janet would stay with her for a bit. To make sure she was not lonely, was his reasoning. Finally, he told her he had hired three nurses who would be with her, making sure she was taken care of medically. Somehow Doctor Jackson had agreed to release her early as long as the nursing team stayed in place and she’d come in every day to be checked out.
Really, she should have told him that all this was a bit too much coming from a worried ex-husband who days before would not even speak to her. But still…she had been really sick. And it all had started after a stay at one of the local retreats, following intensive cleaning regimens.
Lisa, no, the whole thing started when you had to re-evaluate who you were following his total disregard of your feelings. There is no need to give into his silly, paranoid demands. You are perfectly safe with Danny and your mother…
And yet- what could it hurt? Maybe he felt guilty; maybe he finally had come close to understanding how devastated she had been.
Or maybe, just maybe he derives some sick pleasure from reeling you in one more time- only to leave you jumping on the hook, gasping for air, contorting and convulsing in your desperate quest to live- or to die- before, in a superior gesture of compassion he throws you back into the muddy pond. You won’t die- you will only wish to die- or wish to be hooked just one more time for one more glance at his face appearing from the rippled surface of eternal damnation.
Taking a deep breath, she had shaken free from the dark, morbid thoughts. No, why not allow herself the illusion that maybe this was a new start? If she could get to that place she had reached with Danny- a place of peace and friendship, wasn’t it worth a gesture of good faith, accepting his worry, making sure she would be taken care of so he could go on with his life?
Yes, friendship. That was what she wanted. Not that hurricane he unleashed when he had kissed her, cajoled her into surrender.
Well, it was nothing. An old reflex. On both their parts obviously. Michael had not kissed her again- not like that…not as if he wanted to inhale her very soul. Now, all she had to do was repeat that mantra of friendship- and force herself to ignore the hot looks she thought to catch. She had to simply be able to watch his hands or feel his touch without her body being trapped by rolls and rolls of memories painted with splendid, vivid colors on the silken canvases decorating her memories.
“Lisa?”
“Oh, what? No, no, I’m fine…no dizziness. All peachy.”
She sank down on the bed next to him, and he reached out to capture her wrist.
“Your pulse is racing… I don’t know- maybe they let you go too early after all.”
Maybe, or maybe it was more due to his fingers on her sensitive skin. How many times had he held her wrist like that, then had raised it to his mouth, kissed the spot that he well knew was the ignition key to shivers and electric current running all through her.
No, no way did he remember that now. He had moved on.
“No, I’m fine- I told you…” Her voice reflected her tension. She pulled her hand back, her fingers interlacing, gripping tightly, holding her urges on a constricted reign. “Stop worrying.”
His eyes rested on her in that still, unnerving way. The warm gaze escalated her temperature, threatening to liquefy the bullet proof glass around her heart. As always, she felt as if he was reading her every thought, her every emotion.
“I’ll stop worrying when you’re all better. Did you take your meds? And only your meds?”
His doctor routine was so funny- and cute.
“Yes, Michael. I didn’t drink any shakes or tonics- I only had water and my medication. What will you do when you can’t check up on me?”
The subtle reminder of the expiration time of this humanitarian trip was not lost on him. Or her. In a couple of hours he would be gone- flying back to Paris. To be where he belonged. With his child. His wife.
“They have phones both on the plane and in Europe and I will check up on you, make no mistake. So, you better behave.” He waged his finger at her and she fought the urge to engage in the almost customary gesture she had engaged in so many times in the past years when he had chided her. A gesture that always had led to much more entertaining endeavors. God- this friendship thing would take a while to build. How was she supposed to fight all those reflexes? All those ingrained memories? All those physical reactions?
Despite the heat spreading from her cheeks to her chest and to regions much lower, she stubbornly held his gaze.
Michael stared at her with an odd look, then raised his hand to her forehead.
“I think you got a fever. I think I’m gonna call the doc and have him come by. How in the world can I leave with you still being half sick? It ain’t right…”
How in the world did he now have the sudden realization that leaving her was wrong? This was so seriously fucked up!
“Michael! The man has a job. He is not on your pay-roll. Will you stop fussing? I just got a bit warm…maybe the a/c is not working right. You can leave just fine as you somehow made me agree to a team of nurses and one of strapping men who will make sure no evil will befall me. I’m sure you pay them well, Mike.” Her smile didn’t reach her eyes and he was not fooled.
“You know, it ain’t funny, right? I ain’t joking, and I take this seriously. Please, promise to take care. And- have you thought about what we talked about earlier?”
Earlier…when they had been on the phone for hours after he had left the hospital. Another old habit returning. And then the request that both elated her to fly into the sun and descended her into the bowls of hell…
“What? I thought you were kidding… I can’t… I mean… How would it look …”
Michael suddenly giggled. “Hello, I’m Michael. Who are you? You look like this crazy girl I once knew who didn’t give a rats ass who thought what of her. She was so full of life and just went into everything full steam ahead. You ever met her?”
“Yeah, she died.”
He turned serious. “Not funny, Lise.”
“No. Not funny at all. It’s all very tragic, really. Or maybe, worse yet- maybe she grew up.”
“That would be even worse. So, how’ bout you rebel against growing all up and becoming boring and old- how ‘bout you come to Italy- or Paris in June- and I show you a good time on the town?”
Oh yeah, that was exactly what she was afraid of. Paris was their city. And no way would she be able to conjure up the ‘friend’ vibe in that magical place.
“No, I just don’t see that happening, Michael.” She shook her head – mainly to dislodge the temptation to throw all caution to the wind and go anywhere he’d ask her.
“Too soon? Well, fine- let’s go over the tour dates. When do you think you can travel? Paris is end of June- next month. You should be good, then, right?”
Good, as in- what? She was sure her physical health wouldn’t be a problem…but her mental health was in dire danger. It was seeping away second by second as they were speaking.
“I don’t know, Michael…”
“What? You don’t wanna come and spend some time with me? Lisa- you were there from the beginning with History- you oughta be there for the shows.”
“What? You don’t wanna come and spend some time with me? Lisa- you were there from the beginning with History- you oughta be there for the shows.”
Of course she wanted to see him live! There was nothing that could compare- and also nothing more dangerous than to know this man had once been hers. Thousands were screaming for him- and she was able to get into his thoughts- and his pants- whenever she wanted to. Of course, not that she wanted to. They were friends and all. Somehow her eyes forgot what they were told and dipped over to his…no- dammit! Friends do not look at their friend’s dicks! This was simply bullshit. What was she? Sixteen again? Staring up at his poster? Allowing her hand to dip lower… Lisa! Friends!
“I don’t know, Michael. Riley’s school don’t end till the end of June…and I don’t wanna leave the kids right now.”
“No, of course not. You would bring them. I wouldn’t want to burden Dude with being a father- and I would want them there. Ok, July then. Lets see…how ‘bout you come to London? Girl, the fun we could have in London…what ch’a say, Lise?”
His eyes were full of enthusiasm. Pure, dark, lurid temptation. The kind of trap you’d want to get stuck on. The kind there were no remedies against. The kind you wouldn’t ever want to be freed from.
“We’ll see, Michael. We’ll talk, ok…?”
His eyes narrowed and he sucked on his bottom lip, totally throwing her off track once more. God, this friend business was pure hell. And so confusing… She’d never been tempted to beat Danny to the pleasure of sucking on his lips.
“Ok…we’ll talk alright. You now I ain’t gonna take no for an answer on this one. Unless…you got other plans?”
What was that sudden shift? - God, Michael could be so mercurial. The dark wells of his eyes shifted from playful fun to cold, interrogation lasers. What in the world was he up to now?
“What other plans?”
“I don’t know. Like, plans with other…friends.”
Lisa blinked. How in the world? No, there was no way he would possibly know…
“Like?”
“Like this Luke dude. My guys tell me he hung around a bunch with Danny and you the other day.”
Irritation battled amusement. Had he been checking up on her? Of course…
“You know, Mike- this ain’t gonna work. I agreed to have your guys be on my team- for now. To give your paranoia a little rest and to make sure you can see that no one is out to get me. But no- you can pack them up and take them right with you if all they’re gonna do is spy on me. Forget that shit.”
She started to get up from the bed and he pulled her back down.
“Well, welcome back, spunky lady.” His dazzling smile was almost enough to sidetrack her. Almost…
“Cut the crap. I mean it. No spying. And for your information- Luke is a friend.”
She was sure she heard “Make sure he’ll stay that way,” but Michael masked the comment with a cough and denied having said anything.
What did he care? If they were just friends?
Of course, Lisa, it was you who raised all the friend talk. And right after you did, he kissed you. In a very non-friendly way. In the most sexy, passionate, seductive way…
Old habits, nothing like old habits.… It had meant nothing else. To him, anyway. To her- it had meant the world.
And as for Luke- she really had no idea what had been going on with him. They had slept together a time or two- it was more of a friends with benefits thing. At least on her end. No expectations, no tangles…no mindgames. He wanted her and he didn’t pretend otherwise. He had allowed her the few fleeting moments of feeling beautiful, desirable. He was her bandaid before the pain seeped back in. The pain she felt every time she thought of Michael- of Debbie…and of their perfect baby boy.
So no, within this new friendship relationship her and Michael shared he had no right to tell her whom to talk to, who to see, and who the fuck, if she so desired. And she would back off and let him do his thing. With Debbie…or whomever…
Now she was actually getting nauseous. Maybe he was right, maybe she needed to be hospitalized: in a psychiatric ward.
Michael spent about another two hours with her at the house, carefully making sure to not touch any more topics that would come close to being personal. Actually, they had not talked much at all. He had instructed her to rest, and while she laid on the bed, trying to figure out how to be in a room with him and not have her nerves bounce like flipperballs on crack between feeling exhilarated, insecure, unsure, happy, and turned on every time she caught a certain look or his body moved a certain way, he quietly made some phone calls, his back to her at some points. She reached for a magazine, needing a prop in her act of relaxation.
Every now and then, Michael turned and his eyes fell on her with an expression she could not quite decipher. Those instances caused her to use the paper as a shield- after all, maybe reading the same paragraph for the hundredth time would allow her to grasp a word or two.
Why was he not simply leaving? Of course, the thought alone caused her extreme anguish, activating all her abandonment issues. Wasn’t awareness wonderful- fuck it to hell! No, she would be glad once he left- she needed some alone time to process what in the world had happened in the past days. Maybe her universe would once again restrict to normalcy and she could simply write all this off as a bizarre delusion. No way in world would he be in touch! He was going on tour- he would be too busy. And as for that offer to join him? He had simply been polite.
Why would he want them to be seen together? That would stir all kinds of shitstorms. And Debbie. She would blow up. The woman had been so sure she had won, after all. By all accounts, she had even got those spiderwebs down under removed by some charity act on Michael’s part. Debbie’s face appeared before Lisa: taunting her, informing her that the marriage had been indeed consummated. That smug look….the ice cold eyes sparkling with vindictive glee. All that had been missing was drool on her lips.
How would the little wife feel if the ex made a re-appearance? No, this was simply childish. Plus, Lisa looked down on herself and remembered her zombie-like appearance in the mirror- not exactly the image to dazzle a man. And yet, looking over at him, his eyes met hers, and he smiled at her. There it was again: the look, that warmth that was more than friendship.
July was two month away. Lisa could get back into shape, she knew. All she had to do was the exact opposite of what she had been doing for the past nine months or so. Michael had said he wanted them to be friends again. She had missed him. Why should she not visit him? The kids missed him as well- they would love to go to London. So, what was stopping her? So what, if the press got the wrong idea? She could not help that.
No, no, this was not the right thing to do. She shouldn’t try to play games. Revenge was not healthy. Then again, who said it was revenge? Debbie was married to Michael and had his son. Why should Lisa not have his friendship and be seen with him? Not like Deb had cared to stay away when Lisa and he had desperately tried to make their marriage work.
Had he tried to make it work, though? Or was it just you- the eternal fool who put in the work.
Michael’s phone rang and made her jump. Back to reality- just in time before she got sucked into the swamplands of the past. She could tell from his face it was someone he did not want to talk to, yet he took the call with a sigh, turning his back to her again. Lisa sat up, putting down the magazine, her interest piqued.
“Yes, I am. For a bit. … I thought we talked about you not calling? … Yes, correct. I didn’t answer because I said don’t call. No… of course. … As planned…. Yes- stop asking.”
It did not take a secret decoder ring to know he was talking to her now. Gosh, his voice sounded so cold, so harsh. Funny how that tone had once been reserved for her- the mere sound caused her to shrivel up inside.
So, things must not be all cozy and honky-dory in Jackson land. Did Debbie know where he was?
This is none of your business. Let him be miserable. He made that bed- let him lie in it. With his ugly gorilla.
Lisa felt the sudden urge to move, and realized she should probably start putting some of her things up while he was busy. Her movements must have alerted him and he turned toward her, watching her open her bag.
“Don’t lift that!”
She smiled. He was so cute.
“I’m not…see?” Reaching in, she picked up some shirts, leaving the bag sitting on the chair. Michael rolled his eyes and something Debbie said must have brought his attention back to his call. Funny, how one motion made him forget he was in a conversation.
“What? No…. Why? … That’s none of your business… Yeah, Karen…”
God, since when did he lie so easily? Had he lied to her like that? And how many times? How many phone calls had she interrupted when he had hatched his plan with Debbie and Klein?
Lisa stepped up to her closet and tried to reach up to deposit some sweaters up on the top shelf. Reaching as high as she could, she had to stretch, sending a sharp pain through her side, making her moan and flinch.
“Gotta go...”-
Michael threw the phone from him and was behind her with incredible speed, his hands steadying her around the waist, pulling her into him.
“Shit! What ch’a doing? You’re not supposed to lift and you’re not supposed to reach! You ok?”
The pain had knocked the breath from her for a second, but now was subsiding as she leaned against Michael, trying to catch her breath. He was right of course, she didn’t have to play superwoman.
“I wasn’t lifting anything- just putting up sweaters.”
“Gosh girl, you just never listen!”
No, she didn’t listen. If she had listened he would not be standing so fucking close to her. His hands on her hips. Her ass pressed into him in an almost automatic gesture. He must have noticed as well if the sudden hard ridge behind her was an indication. Almost scared, Lisa tried to move away, but his hands held her steady, framing her being, bringing her to life with nothing but a touch.
She sensed his breathing picking up and felt him lowering his head toward her hair. How many times had they stood like this? How many times had he touched her, bringing her into him like this, letting her feel what she did to him? How many time had he almost reverently smelled her hair, before moving it from her face, kissing her cheeks, kissing her neck, turning her…
Her memories fired in an automatic pattern, flooding her with feelings, sensations, warmth. His breath was like a minty spring breeze, calling out to her hibernating system it was time to spring into full bloom. And yet, she knew it was too early- the danger of impending frost was too dire.
“Michael…” Her voice was hoarse.
“Hm?” His was a whisper.
“I’m ok, you can let me go- I got my bearings back.”
What a fucking lie. Her system was corrupted- her compass useless. His energy was all she needed.
If she turned her head, she knew his lips were right there. Promising her salvation- condemning her once more…
His hands glided up her arms leading a burning path to her shoulders. She was the puppet in his arms, offering no resistance when he turned her into him. Her only defense was to keep her eyes averted.
“You sure?” His voice fought to maintain control, and suddenly Lisa realized she was not alone in her struggle.
Staring up at him, she recognized the same passion, the same fear emanating from his gaze that consumed her soul.
“Yeah…” Oh, hell no! She wasn’t sure of anything.
For several seconds, the laws of the universe stopped for them, and gravity refused to pull more kernels down the hourglass. The invisible bond held them close and almost made her wish he would kiss her, touch her, heal her, even if it meant certain death. Her body was on high alert, giving up any urge to fight and crying out for him to simply take her. She knew her nipples were visible through her shirt, and when she shifted her stance she could feel her panties had become flooded. For a nano-second her eyes dipped and she saw he was about to burst through his pants. God- this was so crazy. And certainly not the reaction of two old friends, one making sure the other had not gotten hurt putting up some stupid sweaters.
They both seemed to blink at the same time, his hands dropping from her shoulders. Each took a step back, signaling the next phase of the dance.
Approach and distancing…no tango without it.
“Here- why don’t you sit down? You can let the nurses get this stuff for you later…” He cleared his throat, trying to force the artificial tone from it. He reached for her arm and pulled her toward the bed, and Lisa, suddenly exhausted complied.
“Well, you know me- never listening.”
“You better start. – Hey, listen, it’s getting late. I gotta get moving. I don’t wanna run into Dan the man or your other friend , nor your mother- so…” He checked his watch in a nervous gesture. “Yeah, I got my driver picking me up right about now….so…ah….”
“Well, sure. I’m really happy we got to …catch up…and all. So, yeah. Just call me, okay? And thank you for everything…for coming…for the flowers…”
How quickly they left the once familiar comfort zone and were trapped into the plastic falseness of this new, undefined state.
“Lisa Marie. I …I had to come. I had to see you. I …”
It felt suddenly wrong to have him call her by her full name. What happened to ‘Lisa’- did he not know her anymore? Was he as lost in this nowhere land as she was?
“Well, I do appreciate it. And thanks for leaving me with some goons and some nurses.” She shot him a lopsided grin, trying desperately to chase the awkwardness away.
“You know it! I know I can’t leave you alone for like ten minutes without you getting into some kind of trouble ,girl. Gotta keep an eye on you.”
Their eyes connected once more.
“You do that, Mike. You do that.”
He stood there for a moment, then turned to get his phone.
“Yep- they are here- I just got the text.”
“You take care, Michael. Break a leg – on the tour I mean. I know you’ll be great.”
“You’re gonna see just how great when you come to London.” That cocky smile lightening up her heart. Gosh, how did he do that so easily?
“We’ll see…”
“Yeah, we’ll see- when I see you in London.”
He came to the bed and bent down toward her, his hand reaching out, playing with a strand of her hair. “But first you gotta be a good patient, ok? Please remember what we talked about, ‘kay? I be checking on you- and you don’t wanna get me mad, do you?”
“That depends on…” Shit, she almost said it. It was so easy to fall back into the playful pattern.
He giggled. “Oh what? The punishment?”
Did his eyes really have to heat up like that?
“You know me…” And did she really have to respond with her voice deep and sexy like that? Well, at least she knew she was not the only one sending mixed signals.
“Oh yeah, Princess, I do know you.” His face approached and she was sure he would kiss her.
Which he did.
On the cheek.
What the hell?
Friends Lisa, - that’s what friends do. Why the hell are you all bent out of shape? What did you expect? Tongue?
Then he got up, blew her a kiss, spun, and winked at her in that ridiculous way only cute when he did it. And before she knew it, the whirlwind he was had blown back out of her room. And possibly her life.
Before she had a chance to miss him, Janet arrived, no doubt as part of a masterful plan to keep her under constant surveillance. And, good little prisoner she was, she even was happy to see her friend.
Janet brought a wonderful dinner with her from one of Lisa’s favorite places in Clearwater. Before they ate, Lisa called her mother who was obviously still upset about the arrangements Lisa had agreed to. Thankfully, that made for a very short, tense phone call that ended with Priscilla informing her she would see her the next day. While Janet prepared things for them downstairs, one of the nurses took her blood pressure, informing her that it was a bit high and she needed to rest more. Well, now that Michael was on his way back to his life, maybe rest would be more forthcoming. Of course, she had to make one more call. She wanted to talk to the kids, which would involve talking to a still very pissed Danny. Oh well…
“Is he finally gone?”
Great, that started out well.
“Hello to you, too, Danny.”
“I mean it Lisa, I don’t want the kids at the house if he is hanging around.”
What the fuck was that about again? Some parts of her life seemed to be stuck on re-runs.
“I thought was had worked through all this crap? You know they love him.”
“They also love junk food, which is also bad for them. You know where I stand on this. When you were married to the clown, I had to respect your choices, but as their father I have a say in the matter. And last time I checked he had moved on.”
“Well, as their mother, I do as well. Don’t start with me on this. – And thanks for reminding me. But as you know, some ex-spouses remain friends.”
“Oh yeah- and some brain-washed hostages want to stay with their kidnappers.”
“Fuck off, Danny. I don’t wanna discuss this right now. Michael is gone- and I want to say goodnight to the kids. Also, I want you to bring them over tomorrow.”
“Am I still staying here, too?”
Lisa sank back into her pillows. Why was everything a battle right now?
“Of course, you are. Nothing’s changed about this. I told you, you could stay here with the kids.”
What a joke! Nothing had changed? Her whole life had once again changed… She knew Michael had been miffed about Danny staying here- but he had not interfered openly. Not like he wasn’t flying back to his family.
“Too kind of you. And I hear we have two more bodyguards and three more nurses?”
“The nurses are here in shifts, as are the extra guards. Don’t be an ass about this, okay?”
“My question is, who will guard your body from him, Lisa?”
“My body doesn’t need guarding from him. We are just friends, Danny.”
“Which is why you were sucking face with him at the hospital- after he just about killed you with all his shit this past year. I really, really don’t get you, Lisa. Not on this topic.”
“Well, then stop trying to get me.” With that, she ended to conversation, asking to talk to Riley and Ben.
And no, she didn’t get it either. Maybe Janet would be able to offer some insights.
“Do you know he asked me to come to London in July?” Lisa brought the topic up pretty much out of the blue after they snuggled up on the couch with a video.
Janet sighed and raised the remote to pause the movie. Obviously she had learned resistance was pretty much futile when it came to Lisa wanting to talk about Michael.
“I was wondering when Michael would pop up as a topic…” She gave her a wry smile.
“Well, he seems to pop up a lot lately- in person.”
“No kidding. Look, I’m really sorry- I still feel that I’m to blame for part of this. But he had to know, he was worried- and he would have found out anyway.”
“It’s cool. It actually helped, I think.”
Janet shot her a surprised look. “It did?”
“Yeah. We’re…we’re cool. I think.”
Oh yeah, they were totally cool. When he wasn’t incinerating her with his eyes or his hands… Her mind flashed back to his erection against her ass.
Lisa! You really gotta stop this shit! He isn’t into you like that anymore.
Well, someone might have informed his cock of that…
“Lisa? Are you on something?”
“What?” Lisa laughed, grateful, Janet brought her back to reality. “No, just those meds they keep giving me. You know, the nursing squad your brother hired.”
“Well, I’m just glad he didn’t hire a firing squad for your other ex. I hear they almost went at it. And Mike don’t take shit like that real well. Despite all his talk about peace and goodwill to mankind.”
“I think we are good as long as we keep them a continent apart. I don’t get why they can’t accept they’re both my friends.”
Janet coughed, causing Lisa to roll her eyes and point at her with a stern warning. “Don’t even say it!”
Janet laughed and raised her hands. “Fine, I won’t tell you that you and my brother won’t ever be friends. I guess you gotta figure all that out for yourself, Missy.”
“He’s married, Jan.”
Janet took a sip from her juice-box. It was so sweet how she joined Lisa in the current abstinence. What a misery that was- she could not wait till she would be allowed to have a glass of wine again!
“I know… The question is, does he?”
Marriage seemed to have become a very fluent concept for Michael of late. Of course, why did that surprise her? With all his conviction and his strong moral background, her marriage to Danny was more of an inconvenience than an obstacle for him. Then, he had redefined marriage again when it suited him to simply live his life as he had when he was single- only difference being he could have his people call her to play the loving wife at appearances. And then, he had come up with the brilliant “I’ll have Debbie give me a baby”- idea. While being married. Finally, his newest wedding night was consummated with his ex-wife first, before doing a 180 and hopping into the sack with Debbie. So, how in the world was Lisa to know what his vows meant to him these days?
Well, she didn’t have to wonder. They were friends. Period. His departure had made that clear. The peck on her cheek was a flashing signal calling her an idiot for harboring any other interpretation of their relationship.
Not being able to fall asleep, she finally agreed to take half a dose of her sleep medication, allowing her to float off into a dreamless state, that seemed to suddenly morph into the most wonderful sensation of floating on a cloud, being somehow joined by a body coming to rest next to hear, of words of love being whispered in her hears, of gentle kisses on her cheek, then her neck. Lisa felt her body relaxing more, a deep sigh releasing her muscles, allowing a smile to soften her face.
This was where she was allowed to hope, to dream, to remember. It was safe to melt into his scent, his touch, to not only allow but welcome her physical reaction. The cool blue mist shifted and became infused by warm red tones as she felt her body react to the stimulation, felt her blood race through her, heating her. There was a touch on her skin, and Lisa reminded herself that it was nothing more than her active imagination fueled by powerful dreams.
No, don’t let rational thoughts mess this up, Lisa. Just go with the feeling. It’s ok….
Once again, she sighed, trying hard to remain on the dream side of her consciousness. Her body rolled onto its back and she felt the thin cover slipping, revealing her naked body to the caressing stream of the air being moved gently around her by the ceiling fan.
“You just never will learn to not sleep naked, will y’a, baby?” The words were whispered against her hair…and were way too real to be part of a dream despite their seductive, husky tone.
What the fuck?
Her eyes flew open and she stared up into heated, liquid chocolate.
No, this was not possible…
“What…? I though you left…?” Which of course was the most normal thing to say to your ex-husband who was propped up next to you, his fingers roaming over your skin, his lips biting your neck…
“I couldn’t go…not without having kissed you…”
Sleep obviously had robbed her of all willpower to resist this nocturnal attack. Maybe it was a friendly thing to do- to come back to check she was alright. Or maybe this was all part of some dirty little phantasy…and if so, why spoil it? Her body certainly reacted. Her nipples were at full attention, and heat had caused her lower regions to be flooded with desire. How long had he been here? Had her dreams started before him? Or because of him? And what the hell did it matter?
Lisa whimpered as his hand closed around her breast, massaging and soothing. His thump rubbed across the rigid peak and she arched up and moaned. God- she had been so deprived of his touch.
“You…you..did kiss me…” Her lips managed to form the words somehow.
He stopped kissing her neck, his hand now travelling to her other breast, his eyes melting into her.
“Not properly enough. And …” He sat up slightly and bend down lower, his eyes still on her. “You know how I am. If I don’t get something right- I go back and do it over…” His hot mouth descended on her nipple, making her cry out. His lips closed on the sensitive nub and he initially sucked gently, then engaged his tongue as well, sucking harder, flattening the bundle of nerves against the roof of his mouth, before pulling back, allowing it to escape the hot confines, being assaulted by the cool air, causing Lisa to yelp a gain. “And over….till I get it right…”
His hand, flat on her belly, careful to avoid the small incision covered by a bandaid, slid lower ever so slowly. Not even comprehending any false concept of refusal, her thighs parted. She felt fluid seeping from her, her hot core now exposed to the caress of the dancing air.
“Michael, so kiss me- you gotta plane to catch, don’t you?” Her voice was dark honey- similar in consistency and sweetness to the juices evoked by his caresses.
“Ain’t it nice to not have to fly commercial? I had the plane hold. I was just gonna come back and get a kiss…but baby…you’re in need of something else… let me make you feel good, baby… Leave you something to look forward to till you come see me in London…”
His fingers arrived at the apex of her quivering thighs and he tortured her some more by massaging the hot flesh on her legs, causing her to protest slightly, wishing his touch to cool her center.
Lisa shifted slightly, her finger now travelling up his leg. The room was dark, but there was no way to miss the huge erection in his pants. Oh, Michael might be on a mission to make her feel good, but he was turned on as hell in the process. She rubbed him through the material of his pants, watching in delight as his eyes closed and his breath caught. Oh yeah- she was not the only one missing what they had together.
“No, Lise- don’t baby- I’m just here to make you feel good, baby girl. I wanna show you, it’s about you.”
Her finger found the zipper anyway and she managed to free him, delighting in the wonderful sensation: the soft, sensitive flesh around the rock solid center. Oh no, if he wanted to make her feel good, he better realize touching him, feeling him, holding him were very much part of her pleasure.
“Shit, Mike, you can’t tell me you don’t want me to touch you…look at that…look how hard you are…”
“Fucking hell….” His eyes squeezed shut again when she started to pump him.
At the same time, his fingers found her. “Shit, Lise, you’re flooded…” His fingers slid between her turgid folds, parting them, massaging between them, passing her sensitive opening, then gathering her honey, coating her quivering clit. Lisa cried out again, her own hand gripping his growing dick harder, watching the precum decorate the now exposed tip. On her next upstroke, she rubbed her thumb across the head, watching him moan and jerk more into her hand.
While his thump reciprocated the touch on her bundle of nerves, sending her hips off the bed, he opened her with two fingers, then rubbed around her opening, preparing her, teasing her. Their eyes were locked now, and when he entered her with one of his long fingers, she whimpered and froze.
“Baby…that sweet pussy is so fucking tight. There you go…relax for Daddy…I make it good…fucking….shit…you’re so wet…”
Lisa had started to pump him again, allowing her hand to fondle his tight balls on every down stroke. Fascinated, she watched his cock expand and grow even more, watched the veins stand out in full beauty. A second finger entered her, and he moved inside her, finding that spot he knew so well, making her cry out his name.
This was madness. After all their experiences, everything they had done to each other, all their sexual encounters, laying here, masturbating each other was just about the hottest thing Lisa could have imagined. Michael bent forward and claimed her mouth in the kiss he came back for, while fingering her pussy and flicking her clit in perfect rhythm, hurling her toward the explosion she knew would be mind-blowing…
“Come on, baby girl…let it go… cum for me…let me see you go wild…”
When he hit her internal spot and squeezed her clit at the same time, she flew apart, screaming his name against his lips, as he greedily drank her cries from her, letting her ride out the intense orgasm. When she finally calmed, she sat up, getting busy on him once again.
“No, baby- you don’t have to. I just wanted to make you cum, really.”
Lisa, one hand on his dick, one on his balls, looked up at him, smiling, “Shut up for once, Mike. Gimme that cock- I know you’re close… Watch me!” With that, her mouth descended on him and his last coherent words were “Holy shit…” before he dissolved into moans and cries.
She felt his balls tightening and when his penis jerked against her, she pulled back, opening her mouth while pumping him with her hand, locking eyes with him. He cried out her name and started to cum hard, ejaculating onto her tongue before she closed her lips around him one more time, causing him to yelp out and empty into her. Lisa did not allow him to pull back, instead forcing him to let her drink him.
Nothing in the world was a greater turn on then watching Michael cum- and when his fingers found her sensitive center one more time, rubbing across her still wet and swollen clit, she instantly came a second time.
Finally, they both fell back, exhausted. Their breathing still ragged, Michael pulled Lisa against him, kissing her gently. She had no idea how long they lay there, but she could not remember the last time she had felt at peace like this.
“You ok? I didn’t hurt you, did I” He looked down at her with sudden concern in his eyes.
“Nope. I’m just fine, thank you.” Her lay smile earned her a kiss on the nose.
“Well, shit- I feel like I snuck into this sexy girl’s house- and got more than I bargained for.” He smiled down at her.
“You did sneak in- and you better sneak out before your sister catches us.”
Michael giggled. “That would be interesting. But you know what, I hate leaving you like this. I really only came back to get that kiss.”
“And you got that…and more.”
He kissed her again, and she snuggled into him as he played with her hair.
“So, about that friend thing you keep talking about, Lise…”
She smiled into his shirt. Yeah. … That….
“Guess, we need to work on that some more.”
“And I don’t want you being this friendly with your other …friends, kay?- I mean, I know… Never mind…”
She looked up at him, serious now. “Yeah…let’s not talk about any of that crap right now.”
The last thing she wanted to do was bring up anyone not in this room. Like his wife… It was easy for him to ask her to not give it out to friends…how in the world would she muster up the gall to ask if he was doing husbandly duties other than taking out the trash for the current Mrs Jackson?
“No, we’ll talk about all that other stuff later. On the phone. And…when you come to London.”
Lisa only nodded against him, still not sure a trip to see him would be such a horribly bright idea. Not after this latest stunt. Why could he not have left well enough alone? She had almost been convinced he really wanted to be friends.
Sure, and the Pope almost gave up being Catholic…
“Lisa?” He raised up slightly and looked down at her. “Promise- promise we’ll talk. And that you will come- with the kids of course. And we- we ain’t gotta do anything you don’t wanna.” The maze of double negatives made her lose track of what he was saying.
She didn’t have to do anything she didn’t want? Well, that was the problem in a nutshell, wasn’t it? With his cheeks all flushed, his hair falling into his forehead, and his eyes shining down at her- how in the world would there be anything on this planet she would not want to do with him? Or for him?
“I guess I see you in London then.”
His smile broadened and took his breath away before he kissed her.”
“London it is!”
Heaven help her soul- and her heart. Because, once again, it was solidly in his hands. Well, as long as he didn’t catch on to that fact, she should be as safe as a matador waving his red cape.
(to be continued)
©2012 Erika B Michaels. All Rights Reserved. This story is a work of fiction. Any names, places, and other identifying features are used in a fictional manner, for entertainment purposes only, and are in no way representative of actual events. This work may not be reproduced, copied, transmitted, or stored without expressed written permission by Erika B Michaels. All photos and images, mentioned songs or song titles are copyright their creators. ABSOLUTELY no disrespect is intended to any persons portrayed in this work.
